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HISTORY

-OF-

Knox -County, Ohio

ITS PAST AND PRESENT

CONTAINING

A CONDENSED, COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF OHIO, INCLUDING AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE NORTH
WEST; A COMPLETE HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY; ITS TOWNSHIPS, CITY, TOWNS, VILLAGES,
SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, SOCIETIES, INDUSTRIES, STATISTICS, ETC.; A RECORD OF ITS
SOLDIERS IN THE LATE WAR; PORTRAITS OF ITS EARLY SETTLERS AND
PROMINENT MEN; VIEWS OF ITS FINEST BUILDINGS; MISCELLA-
, NEOUS MATTER; MAP OF THE COUNTY; BIOGRAPHIES AND
HISTORIES OF PIONEER FAMILIES, ETC.

COMPILED BY N. N. HILL, JR.

ILLUSTRATED. MT. VERNON, OHIO:
A, A, Graham & Co.; Publishers.
1881

Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1881, by
A. A. GRAHAM & CO.,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

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From the Press of W. W. Williams, Cleveland, O.

PREFACE.

HPHE origin of this work may be traced to the Centennial celebration at Philadelphia in 1876. That
¦*¦ great event greatly stimulated the collection and compilation of history all over the country. Ohio
has taken the lead in this matter, as she has in other matters of National importance, and few of her
counties or cities are to-day without a local history.
Knox county has responded liberally to this feeling, and the result is found in the following pages,
which, it is believed, contain nearly or quite all facts in her history worthy of record.
The work has required the labor of many men for many months. Canvassers and writers have visited
every township in the county and personally interviewed nearly every resident. Fifteen hundred or more
of the residents of the county have been applied to for history, and in addition a number of historical
and other works have been consulted, so that it seems hardly possible that any fact of historical impor
tance could have escaped the compil'er.
For pictures of Knox county in her earlier days, and pen portraits of her prominent pioneers, the
"History of Knox County," by A. Banning Norton, published in 1862, has been largely quoted from,
and many of his pages have been transferred to this work with such corrections and alterations as the
facts seemed to warrant.
It is believed that the errors which crept into Mr. Norton's book (and errors will find their way into
any history, however careful the historian may be) have been corrected in this work, as great care has
been taken to verify the result of his labors.
In addition, the following works have been consulted : Howe's Historical Collections, Annals of the
West, Bancroft's History of the United States, Reports of the Secretary of State of Ohio, Agricultural
and Geological Reports of Ohio, History of Richland County, Reid's Ohio in the War, and many others
The mechanical labor in compilation was largely performed by Mr. John W. White, an old resident
of Mt. Vernon, Mr. Harry Hoover, and Mr. Leonidas McQuown — all faithful and intelligent writers.
The chapters containing the history of Mt. Vernon and some other portions of the work were largely
due to the labors of Mr. White, who has been for years interested in local history, and engaged in liter
ary work. Many old, influential, and prominent citizens of the county have interested themselves in the work,
have generously patronized it, and furnished much historical matter, among whom may be mentioned
Hon. Henry B. Curtis, Hon. William Bonar, General G. W. Morgan, Rev. J. H. Hamilton, N. N. Hill,
Dr. J. N. Burr, Isaac Hadley, Colonel Alexander Cassil, and others, of Mt. Vernon ; N. W. Putnam and
G. C. Scott, of Gambier; Lyman W. Gates, of Miller township, and W. B. Cox, of Fredericktown. The

PREFACE.
thanks of the publisher and compiler are due to the above named gentlemen, as well as to the auditor of the
county, Mr. John H. Stevens, who kindly gave them the freedom of that office and its valuable papers.
Briefly, the book contains a history of Ohio, compiled by A. A. Graham; a general and detailed his
tory of Knox county; a separate history of each township, arranged in alphabetical order, except that
Pike township is placed at the end of the township histories, for the reason that the manuscript was not
received by the printers in time for insertion in the proper place. The Biographical Sketches and Addenda
conclude the work. The Addenda contains several biographical sketches not received in time for inser
tion in their proper places.
About two and one- half generations of men have passed away since the first settlement of Knox
county; yet there are a few gray-haired sires left who knew the county in its infancy; who saw the wolf
and the savage where are now the blocks of brick and mortar and the cultivated homes of wealth and
luxury; who have watched its growth and development from its birth in the wilderness through the cycles
of revolving years, but who are now leaning upon their staves, dim-eyed and looking always back in won
der at the mighty changes that they alone can fully realize. Not many years can now pass before the
clods must fall upon the coffin of the last pioneer of Knox county, and with him will pass away the last
link that binds the present civilization to the glories of that departed age. The object of this work has
been fully accomplished if the picture that is imprinted upon the minds of these few tottering pioneers
has been caught, faithfully portrayed and permanently held for the study of future generations. N. N. H., jr.

CONTENTS.

HISTORY OF OHIO.
PAGE.
CHAPTER I. — Introductory — Topography — Geology —
Primitive Races — Antiquities — Indian Tribes  10
CHAPTER II.— Early Explorations in the West  i9
CHAPTER HI.— English Explorations— Traders— French
and Indian War in the West — English Possession  37
CHAPTER IV.— Pontiac's Conspiracy— Its Failure— Bou
quet's Expedition — Occupation by the English  48
CHAPTER V. — American Explorations — Dunmore's War
— Campaign of George Rogers Clark— Land Troubles
— Spain in the Revolution — Murder of the Moravian
Indians  52
CHAPTER VI. — American Occupation — Indian Claims-
Surveys — Early Land Companies — Compact of 1787 —
Organization of the Territory — Early American Settle
ments in the Ohio Valley — First Territorial Officers —
Organization of Counties  60
CHAPTER VII.— The Indian War of 1790— Harmar's
Campaign — St. Clair's Campaign — Wayne's Campaign
—Close of the War  73
CHAPTER VIII.— Jay's treaty— The Question of State
Rights and National Supremacy — Extension of Ohio
Settlements — Land Claims — Spanish Boundary Ques
tion  -  79
CHAPTER IX.— First Territorial Representatives in Con
gress — Division of the Territory — Formation of States
— Marietta Settlement — Other Settlements — Settle
ments in the Western Reserve — Settlement of the Cen
tral Valleys — Further Settlements in the Reserve and
Elsewhere  85
CHAPTER X. — Formation of the State -Government—
' Ohio a State — The State Capitals — Legislation — The
' ' Sweeping Resolutions " — Territorial and State Gov
ernors  121
CHAPTER XI.— The War of 1812— Growth of the State
— Canal, Railroads and other Improvements — Develop
ment of State Resources  127
CHAPTER XIL— Mexican War— Continued Growth of
the State — War of the Rebellion — Ohio's part in the
Conflict  132
CHAPTER XIII.— Ohio in the Centennial— Address of
Edward D. Mansfield, LL. D. , Philadelphia, August 9,
T876  -.  138
CHAPTER XIV— Education— Early School Laws —
Notes — Institutes and Educational Journals — School
System — School Funds — Colleges and Universities. . . . 148

CHAPTER XV— Agriculture— Area of the State— Early
Agriculture in the West — Markets — Live Stock —
Nurseries, Fruits, etc. — Cereals — Root and Cucurbi-
taceous Crops — Agricultural Implements — Agricultural
Societies — Pomological and Horticultural Societies.. I5r
CHAPTER XVI.— Climatology— Outline— Variation in
Ohio — Estimate in Degrees — Amount — Variability. . 163

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
CHAPTER XVII. — Topography and Geology. —
Location and Topography — Pre-glacial Channels —
Oil Wells — Timber — Coal Measure Rocks — Geological
Structure — Waverly Conglomerate — Stone Quarries —
Petroleum and Gas — Depth of Oil Wells — Neff Petro
leum Company  165
CHAPTER XVIII. — Archaeology. — Mounds in the
County— Professor Roberts' Address — Tracing the
Mound Builders — Mounds of Europe and America
Compared — Theories Regarding their Origin — Man in
a Savage State — The Huns — Character of their Earth
works and their Probable Use — Different Classes of
Mounds — Their Antiquity — Implements used by the
Mound Builders and Indians — Copper Mining — -Stone
Relics  171
CHAPTER XIX.— Indians.— The Tribes Occupying this
County — Treaty of Fort Mcintosh — History of the
Delaware Nation — Bockinghelas — Killbuck — Captain
Pipe — Skin Currency — Delaware Camps in Knox
County — Custaloga — The Murder of the Squaw —
Block-Houses — Greentown Indians and their Removal
— James Copus — Burning of the Indian Village — Cap
tain Armstrong — The Killing of an Indian by Morrison
and McCulloch — The Jones Tragedy — The Killing of
Ruffner and the Zimmers — Murder of James Copus —
Removal of the Dela wares from the County  178
CHAPTER XX.— The First White Men.— Captivity
of James Smith — Christian Fast, Sr. — John Leeth and
his Adventures— John Stilley — The Moravians — Cap
tain Samuel Brady and his Scouts — The Prisoners
Delivered to General Boquet — Simon Girty and other
Renegades  188
CHAPTER XXI.— Settlement and General De
velopment of the County. — Area — Primitive Con
dition — Settlement on the Licking — Andy Craig —
Character of the Pioneers — Military Lands — Nathaniel
M. Young— First Settlers and Settlements— The Quak-

CONTENTS.

ers— First Roads— Transportation— The Produce of
the County— Mills— The Act Creating Knox County-
First Elections — Division into Four Townships — Com
missioners' Record — Seeley Simpkins' Race  199
CHAPTER XXII.— Pioneer Times.— Where the Pio
neers Came From — Their Condition and Character —
What They Lived On— Truck Patch— Hominy Blocks
— Mills — Cooking — Cultivation of Domestic Animals-
Wild Turkeys— Whiskey — Superstitions — Dress— The
Flax Wheel and Loom — Kicking Frolics — Dyeing —
Fourth of July and Militia Musters — Cabins and Their
Construction — Furniture — Hoosier Poem — Early Land
Laws — Tomahawk Rights — Hunting — Weddings —
Dancing and House Warmings — Schools and Teachers
— Spelling Schools, etc., etc  209
CHAPTER XXIII.— John Chapman  222
CHAPTER XXIV — RAILROADS, TELEGRAPH AND EX
PRESS Companies. — Sandusky, Mannsfield & Newark
Railroad — First Trains — Agents — Cleveland, Mt. Ver
non & Delaware Road— First Through Train— The
Ohio Central — Telegraph — Express Companies 
CHAPTER XXV.— Knox County Agricultural So
ciety. — Formation of the Society — General Progress
— Reports of the Fairs from the First to the Present
Time  230
..CHAPTER XXVI.— Bench and Bar.— First Court in
the County — The Whipping Post — First Prosecuting
Attorney — Proceedings of the Court — First Practicing
Lawyers — A Brief Notice of Each of the Members of
the Mt. Vernon Bar  239
CHAPTER XXVII.— Public Buildings of the Coun
ty.— Four Court Houses— Three Jails— Two Infirm
ary Buildings — Matters of Interest Connected with
these Buildings  248
CHAPTER XXVIII.— A CHAPTER OF STATISTICS  252
CHAPTER XXIX.— War of 1812.— Condition of Knox
County — Samuel Kratzer — Joseph Walker — Muster
Roll of Walker's Company — John H. Mefford — R. M.
Brown — March of Captain Walker's Company — Cap
tain John Greer — The Scalping of Three Persons on
Owl Creek — Condition of the Northern Frontier of
Knox — Disposition of Troops — Erection of Block-
Houses — Sketch of General Beau's Life — Organization
of His Army — Scarcity of Supplies — Beall's March —
Camp Council — Mutiny among the Troops — General
Harrison Arrives — His Speech — General Beall's Diffi
culty with General Wadsworth — Arrested, Court-mar-
tialled and Acquitted — His Brigade Disbanded — The
Expedition of General Crooks and Colonel Anderson . . 256
CHAPTER XXX.— Knox County in the Mexican
War. — The Texas War — Colrick's Company — Begin
ning of the War with Mexico — Organization of Ohio '
Regiments — Organization of a Company at Mt. Ver
non — The Operations of the Troops in Mexico— Gen
eral Morgan's Address — Muster Rolls  264
CHAPTER XXXI.— War of the Rebellion.— Prep
arations ior the Conflict — Number of Soldiers from
Knox County — War Meetings and Resolutions — Com
mittees Appointed — Home Guards — Sketch of the Life

of C. P. Buckingham — Bounty Money for the Volun
teers of 1862 — Address of the Military Committee —
Methods of Securing Volunteers — Drafting— War Fund
— Knox County Militia — Ladies' Aid Societies — Ladies'
Union League — The Monument  279
CHAPTER XXXII.— War of the Rebellion Con
tinued. — Companies A and B, Fourth Ohio — Excite
ment in Mt. Vernon — First Volunteers in Knox County
— How Lorin Andrews Became Colonel — Organization
of Companies A and B — Departure of Troops — Com
position of the Fourth Ohio — Lorin Andrews — H. B.
Banning — Organization of the Fourth Ohio — Three
Months' Service — Three Years' Service — Muster Rolls
of Companies A and B — A sketch of the Operations of
the Regiment to the Date of Muster-Out — Return of
the Regiment — Inscriptions on its Flag — Roster of the
Officers and Muster Roll of the Companies  287
CHAPTER XXXIII.— War of the Rebellion Con
tinued. — Companies A, E, and G, Twentieth Ohio
Regiment — Organization of Three Companies in Knox
County — Roster of the Officers and Muster Rolls of
the Companies — Expedition to Warsaw, Kentucky —
Operations of the Regiment during the War, Muster-
Out and Return— Inscriptions on its Banners — Medals
Awarded  296
CHAPTER XXXIV.— War of the Rebellion Con
tinued. — Company A, Thirtieth Regiment — Company
C, Thirty-second Regiment — Company K, and Frac
tions of Other Companies, Forty-third Regiment —
Companies A and F, Sixty-fifth Regiment  305
CHAPTER XXXV.— War of the Rebellion— Con
tinued. — Companies A and B, Ninety-sixth Regiment
— Organization — Field Officers — Muster Rolls — Out
line History of the Regiment while in Service — Colonel
J. W. Vance — Muster Out  319
CHAPTER XXXVI.— War of the Rebellion Con
tinued. — Companies F and G, One Hundred and
Twenty-first Regiment — Organization and Officers —
Operations of the Regiment in Service  326
CHAPTER XXXVII.— War of the Rebellion— Con
cluded. — Organization of Company F, One Hundred
and Twenty-fifth Regiment — Muster Roll — Operations
of the Regiment in the Field — Second Ohio Heavy Ar
tillery—Eighteenth United States Regulars — Captain
Coe's Sharpshooters — List of Regiments in which Knox
County was Represented — One Hundred and Forty-
second Ohio National Guard — Muster Rolls — "Squirrel
Hunters " — Close of the War  335
CHAPTER XXXVIII.— Mt. Vernon.— The Proprie
tors — Name — First House — First Tavern — The Butlers
— Town Plat — Tornado — The First Doctor — Commis
sioners for Selecting the County Seat — Their Report —
The Struggle for the County Seat — Ben. Butler's
"Trick " — The Riot — An Indenture of Apprenticeship
— The Hatters — James Craig — Joseph Walker — Fight
ing and Other Amusements — Endeavors to Change
the County Seat — What the Living Pioneers Say  348
CHAPTER XXXIX.— Mt. Vernon— Continued.— Ex
tracts from the Ohio Register and Norton's History
Concerning the Early Days of Mt. Vernon, 1814 to

CONTENTS.

1830 — Growth of the City — Its Boundaries — Popula
tion — A Picture of Mt. Vernon in 1830  358
CHAPTER XL.— Mt. Vernon— Continued.— List of
Municipal Officers — The Press of Mt. Vernon — Public
Schools  370
CHAPTER XLI.— Literary and Other Societies.—
The Polemic Society — Mt. Vernon Literary Society —
Mt. Vernon Lyceum — Dramatic Association — Me
chanics' Society — The Franklin — Knox County His
torical Society — Later Literary and Other Associations
— Masons — Odd Fellows — Knights of Pythias —
Knights of Honor — Royal Arcanum — Knights of the
Red Cioss — Pennsylvanians in Knox County  386
CHAPTER XLII.— Mt. Vernon— Continued.— The
Business of the City — The Owl Creek Bank — The Knox
County Bank — First National and Savings Banks —
The Knox County Mutual Insurance Company — The
Eagle Mutual — The Mutual Aid Association — The
Business Men of 1850 — The Manufacturing Business
• of the City — List of Aged Men  394
CHAPTER XLIII.— Mt. Vernon Concluded— The
City Churches — The Presbyterian — Methodist Epis
copal — Methodist Protestant — First_ Baptist— St. Paul
Episcopal — St. Vincent DePaul — Congregational — Dis
ciple — Lutheran — United Presbyterian — African Meth
odist  404

HISTORY OF THE TOWNSHIPS.
CHAPTER XLIV— Berlin Township— Name and Or
ganization — First Election— Topography — Primitive
Condition — Mound Builders — Indians — First Settlers
and Settlements — The Markleys — A. H. Royce — The
Leedys — Richard Roberts — "Celestial Light" — The
Old Harter Tavern— Shaler's Mill — Other Mills-
Palmyra — Anknytown — School-Houses and Teachers
— Churches — Population — Justice of the Peace  421
CHAPTER XLV.— Brown Township— First Election—
— List of Justices of the Peace — Topography — Hunt
ing Grounds — Pigeon-Roost — Bear Story — First Set
tlers and Settlements — Mills — Schools — Churches —
Jelloway — Insurance  426
CHAPTER XLVI.— Butler Township— Organization
— Topography — Indians — First Settlers — Mills —
Schools — Churches  430
CHAPTER XLVII.— Clay Township— Organization-
First Settlers — Indians — Township Records — Mounds
— Martinsburgh Schools — Martinsburgh Academy —
Churches — Rev. Henry Hervey — Fires  437
CHAPTER XLVIII. — Clinton Township— Original
Divisions of the County — Later Modifications —
Mounds — Andrew Craig — A Tragedy — Butler's Visit
— Henry Haine's Insanity — John Mills — Other Early
Settlers— The Pioneer Mill— Other Mills— Roads—
An Indian .Tragedy — Township Officers— Justices of
the Peace   442
CHAPTER XLIX. — College Township— Topography
—Distillery — Organization — Election — Roads — The

Condition in 1829 — The Mill-Race — The Village and
Its Business — Justices of the Peace — The Press of
Gambier — The Dwarfs — Churches  446
CHAPTER L. — Kenyon College. — Its Location-
Tour of Inspection — The North Section — The South
Section — College Hill — First View from the Top —
"Well, this will do do!" — The Purchase of Eight
Thousand Acres — The Site of Old Kenyon — Obtain
ing Subscriptions — Report of the Bishop — The Ladies'
Society^Milnor Professorship — Description of the
Ground — Laying the Corner-Stone — An Incident in
the Building of the College — History of the College
by President Bodine — The Blake School  454
CHAPTER LI. —Harrison Township.— Name— Topo
graphy — Indians — First Settlers and Settlements —
Sketches of the Pioneers — Burlington Storm — Roads
— Mills — Post Offices — Schools — Churches  470
CHAPTER* LII. — Howard Township.— Location-
First Officers — Topography — Indians — Early Settlers
and Settlements — Hunting — Sketches of the Pioneers
— Distilleries — Mills — Schools — Churches — Kinder-
hook  474
CHAPTER LIII. — Hilliar Township. — Location-
Erection — Name — Topography — Settlement — Pioneer
Anecdotes — James Houck — Dr. Hilliar — Early Farm
ing — First Election — Township Officers — Mills —
Churches — Schools — Roads — Villages — Newspapers —
Postmasters — Statistics  479
CHAPTER LIV— Jackson Township.— Topography
— Organization — Streams — Timber — Early Settlers —
Mills — Distilleries — Schools — Churches — Villages  487
CHAPTER LV— Jefferson Township. — Organization
— Election — Justices of the Peace — Topography —
Relics — First Settlers — Grand Hunt — Mills — Schools —
Churches — Greersville  493
CHAPTER LVI. — Liberty Township. — Location-
Erection — Topography — Mounds — Settlement — Roads
— Mills — Election— Officers — Villages— Stores— Schools
— Churches — Cemeteries — Orders — Statistics  497
CHAPTER LVII.— Middlebury Township.— Forma
tion — Boundaries — Topography — First Settlers —
' ' Friends " — Daniel Levering — Truman Strong — Bate-
mans — Sarah Stellwell — Later Settlers of Prominence
— Roads — Mills — Elections — Justices — Present Officers
— Waterford — ' ' Levering's " Post Office — ' ' Friends ' '
Meeting-house — Other Churches — Odd Fellows —
Schools — Noted Men — Population — Production  504
CHAPTER LVIII.— Milford Township.— Topography
— Timber — Wild Animals — Organization — Name —
First Settlers and Settlements — The Whereabouts of
the Pioneers — The Great Wolf Hunt — First Roads —
Prominent Citizens — The Giant — The Band — The First
Volunteer Company — The Railroad Swindle — The Sol
diers' Monument Fund — Political — Five Corners — Lock
— Schools — Churches  $12
CHAPTER LIX.— Miller Township.— Topography-
Animals — Organization — Name — First Settlements and
Settlers — Population —Pioneer Matters — Roads — Bran
don — Post Office— Storm — Churches — Schools — MiU-

CONTENTS.

tary Matters— Justices of the Peace  521
CHAPTER LX.— Monroe Township.— Erection— To
pography— Timber— Early Settlers— Later Residents
of Prominence — Roads — Mills — Churches — Elections
— List of Justices — Township Officers — Area — Popula
tion — Production — Valuation  530
CHAPTER LXL— Morgan Township.— Location-
Name — Topography — Ancient Works — Agriculture —
First Settlers and Settlements — Sketches of the Pio
neers — Schools — Churches  534
CHAPTER LXIL — Morris Township. — Situation-
William Douglass — Douglass' Mill — Samuel H. Smith
— Clinton Laid Out — The Ohio Register — -James Love-
ridge — Colonel Alexander Enos — Other Early Settlers
— Roads — Stores — Distil leries — Schools — Churches —
Mills — Tanneries — Clinton — Elections — Justices  538
CHAPTER LXIIL— Pleasant Township.— Situation-
Boundaries — Topography — Pioneers — Mills — Brewer
ies — Roads — Churches — First Things — Organization —
Present Officers — Mt. Vernon Nursery — Population and
Production — Justices of the Peace  545
CHAPTER LXIV.— Union Township.— Boundaries-
Topography — First Settlers — First Election — First
Birth — Sketches of the First Settlers — Mills — Roads —
Schools — Churches — Danville — Millwood — Gann Sta
tion — Rossville — Buckeye City — Cavallo  550
CHAPTER LXV.— Wayne Township.— Organization
and Dimensions — Topography^Mound Builders and

Their Works — The Indians — Killing of the Indian
Horse Thieves by Hughes and Ratliff — Remains of the
Indians thus Killed — First Settlers — Nathaniel Mitchell
Young — The "Jersey Settlement" — Trapping Wolves
— The Quakers — October Election of 1808 — Roads —
Mills — Lucerne — The Lewis Block-House — Green Val
ley — Churches — Justices of the Peace  556
CHAPTER LXVI.— Fredericktown.— Location— Lucas
Sullivant — Laying out the Town — First Cabin and First
Brick House — The Quakers — Names of the Earliest
Settlers — The Ayers — Appearance of the Town in 1812
— Garrison and his Store — Nicholas McCarty — The
Business and Whereabouts of a few of the Settlers —
Captain Williams — First Fourth of July Celebration —
The Block-Houses and Incidents Connected with Them
— ' ' Uncle Abner " and his " Tavern " — Hotels of Fred
ericktown — The Mills around the Town — Produce
Dealers — Banks — Newspapers — Mayors — A Summary
of the Business — Schools— Churches   . 563
CHAPTER LXVIL— Territory Detached from ¦
Knox County. — Madison, Greene, Chester, Bloom-
field, and Franklin Townships  572
CHAPTER LXVIII. — Pike Township. —Erection-
Boundaries — Topography — First Settlers — Elections —
Present Officers — Justices — Mills — Schools — Churches
— Amity — Odd Fellows — Knights of Honor — North
Liberty — Statistics  575
Biographical Sketches  583
Addenda  846

KNOX COUNTY INFIRMARY,

ȣ.

HISTOEY OF OHIO.

BY A..

0-E.A.HA.M.

CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY —TOPOGRAPHY —GEOLOGY —PRIMITIVE -RACES —ANTIQUITIES —INDIAN
TRIBES.

THE present State of Ohio, comprising an
extent of country 210 miles north and south,
220 miles east and west, in length and breadth —
25,576,969 acres — is a part of the Old Northwest
Territory. This Territory embraced all of the
present States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan,
Wisconsin and so much of Minnesota as lies east
of the Mississippi River. It became a corporate
existence soon after the formation of the Virginia
Colony, and when that colony took on the dignity
of State government it became a county thereof,
whose exact outline was unknown. The county
embraced in its limits more territory than is com
prised in all the New England and Middle States,
and was the largest county ever known in the
United States. It is watered by the finest system
of rivers on the globe ; while its inland seas are
without a parallel. Its entire southern boundary
is traversed by the beautiful Ohio, its western by
the majestic Mississippi, and its northern and a
part of its eastern are bounded by the fresh-water
lakes, whose clear waters preserve an even temper
ature over its entire surface. Into these reservoirs
of commerce flow innumerable streams of limpid
water, which come from glen and dale, from
mountain and valley, from forest and prairie— all
avenues of health, commerce and prosperity.
Ohio is in the best part of this territory — south
of its river are tropical heats ; north of Lake Erie
are polar snows and a polar climate.
The territory comprised in Ohio has always re
mained the same. Ohio's history differs somewhat
from other States, in that it was never under Ter
ritorial government. When it was. created, it was
made a State, and did not pass through the stage
incident to the most of other States, i. e., exist as
a Territory before being advanced to the powers of

a State. Such was not the case with the other
States of the West ; all were Territories, with Terri
torial forms of government, ere they became States.
Ohio's boundaries are, on the north, Lake Erie,
and Michigan ; on the west, Indiana ; on the south,
the Ohio River, separating it from Kentucky;
and, on the east, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
It is situated between 38° 25' and 42° north
latitude; and 80° 30' and 84° 50' west longitude
from Greenwich, or 3° 30' and 7° 50' west from
Washington. Its greatest length, from north
to south, is 210 miles; the extreme width, from
east to west, 220 miles. Were this an exact out
line, the area of the State would be 46,200 square
miles, or 29,568,000 acres ; as the outlines of the
State are, however, rather irregular, the area is
estimated at 39,964 square miles, or 25,576,960
acres. In the last census — 1870 — the total num
ber of acres in Ohio is given as 21,712,420, of
which 14,469,132 acres are improved, and 6,883,-
575 acres are woodland. By the last statistical
report of the State Auditor, 20,965,371f acres are
reported as taxable lands. This omits many acres
untaxable for various reasons, which would make the
estimate, 25,576,960, nearly correct.
The face of the country, in Ohio, taken as a
whole, presents the appearance of an extensive
monotonous plain. It is moderately undulating
but not mountainous, and is excavated in places by
the streams coursing over its surface, whose waters
have forced a way for themselves through cliffs of
sandstone rock, leaving abutments of this material
in bold outline. There are no mountain ranges,
geological uplifts or peaks. A low ridge enters the
State, near the northeast corner, and crosses it in a
southwesterly direction, emerging near the inter
section of the 40th degree of north latitude with

¦^

••£+

12

HISTORY OF OHIO.

the western boundary of the State. This " divide "
separates the lake and Ohio River waters, and main
tains an elevation of a little more than thirteen
hundred feet above the level of the ocean. The
highest part is in Logan County, where the eleva
tion is 1,550 feet.
North of this ridge the surface is generally level,
with a gentle inclination toward the lake, the ine
qualities of the surface being caused by the streams
which empty into the lake. The central part of
Ohio is almost, in general, a level plain, about one
thousand feet above the revel of the sea, slightly
inclining southward. The Southern part of the
State is rather hilly, the valleys growing deeper as
they incline toward the great valley of the Ohio,
which is several hundred feet below the general
level of the State. In the southern counties, the
surface is generally diversified by the inequalities
produced by the excavating power of the Ohio
River and its tributaries, exercised through long
periods of time. There are a few prairies, or plains,
in the central and northwestern parts of the State,
but over its greater portion originally existed im
mense growths of timber.
The " divide," or water-shed, referred to, between
the waters of Lake Erie and the Ohio River, is
less elevated in Ohio than in New York and Penn
sylvania, though the difference is small. To a per
son passing over the State in a balloon, its surface
presents an unvarying plain, while, to one sailing
down the Ohio River, it appears mountainous.
On this river are bluffs ranging from two hundred
and fifty to six hundred feet in height. As one
ascends the tributaries of the river, these bluffs
diminish in height until they become gentle undu
lations, while toward the sources of the streams,
in the central part of the State, the banks often
become low and marshy.
The principal rivers are the Ohio, Muskingum,
Scioto and Miami, on the southern slope, emptying
into the Ohio ; on the northern, the Maumee,
Sandusky, Huron and Cuyahoga, emptying into
Lake Erie, and, all but the first named, entirely in
Ohio. The Ohio, the chief river of the State, and from
which it derives its name, with its tributaries, drains
a country whose area is over two hundred thousand
square miles in extent, and extending from the
water-shed to Alabama. The river was first dis
covered by La Salle in 1669, and was by him nav
igated as far as the Falls, at Louisville, Ky. It is
formed by the junction of the Alleghany and
Monongahela rivers, in Pennsylvania, whose waters

unite at Pittsburgh. The entire length of the
river, from its source to its mouth, is 950 miles,
though by a straight line from Pittsburgh to Cairo,
it is only 615 miles. Its current is very gentle,
hardly three miles per hour, the descent being only
five inches per mile. At high stages, the rate of
the current increases, and at low stages decreases.
Sometimes it is barely two miles per hour. The
average range between high and low water mark is
fifty feet, although several times the river has risen
more than sixty feet above low water mark. At
the lowest stage of the river, it is fordable many
places between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. The
river abounds in islands, some of which are exceed
ingly fertile, and noted in the history of the West.
Others, known as "tow-heads," are simply deposits
of sand.
The Scioto is one of the largest inland streams
in the State, and is one of the most beautiful riv
ers. It rises in Hardin County, flows southeast
erly to Columbus, where it receives its largest
affluent, the Olcntangy cr Whetstone, after which
its direction is southerly until it enters the Ohio at
Portsmouth. It flows through one of the rich
est valleys in the State, and has for its compan
ion the Ohio and Erie Canal, for a distance of
ninety miles. Its tributaries are, besides the Whet-
stone, the Darby, Walnut and Paint Creeks.
The Muskingum River is formed by the junc
tion of the Tuscarawas and Waldhoning Rivers,
which rise in the northern part of the State and
unite at Coshocton. From the junction, the river
flows in a southeastern course about one hundred
miles, through a rich and populous valley, to the
Ohio, at Marietta, the oldest settlement in the
State. At its outlet, the Muskingum is over two
hundred yards wide. By improvements, it has
been made navigable ninety-five miles above Mari
etta, as far as Dresden, where a side cut, three
miles long, unites its waters with those of the Ohio
Canal. All along this stream exist, in abundant
profusion, the remains of an ancient civiliza
tion, whose history is lost in the twilight of antiq
uity. Extensive mounds, earthworks and various
fortifications, are everywhere to be found, inclosing
a mute history as silent as the race that dwelt here
and left these traces of their evistence. The same
may be said of all the other valleys in Ohio.
The Miami River — the scenes of many exploits
in pioneer days — rises in Hardin County, near the
headwaters of the Scioto, and runs southwesterly,
to the Ohio, passing Troy, Dayton and Hamilton.
It is a beautiful and rapid stream, flowing through

*£<" 6

» V

HISTORY OF OHIO.

13

a highly productive and populous valley, in which
limestone and hard timber are abundant. Its total
length is about one hundred and fifty miles.
The Maumee is the largest river in the northern
part of Ohio. It rises in Indiana and flows north
easterly, into Lake Erie. About eighty miles of
its course are in Ohio. It is navigable as far as
Perrysburg, eighteen miles from its mouth. The
other rivers north of the divide are all small,
rapid-running streams, affording a large amount of
good water-power, much utilized by mills and man
ufactories. A remarkable feature of the topography of
Ohio is its almost total absence of natural lakes or
ponds. A few very small ones are found near the
water-shed, but all too small to be of any practical
value save as watering-places for stock.
Lake Erie, which forms nearly all the northern
boundary of the State, is next to the last or lowest
of America's " inland seas." It is 290 miles long,
and 57 miles wide at its greatest part. There are
no islands, except in the shallow water at the west
end, and very few bays. The greatest depth of
the lake is off Long Point, where the water is 312
feet deep. The shores are principally drift-clay or
hard-pan, upon which the waves are continually
encroaching. At Cleveland, from the first sur
vey, in 1796, to 1842, the encroachment was 218
feet along the entire city front. The entire coast
is low, seldom rising above fifty feet at the water's
edge. Lake Erie, like the others, has a variable sur
face, rising and falling with the seasons, like great
rivers, called the " annual fluctuation," and a gen
eral one, embracing a series of years, due to mete
orological causes, known as the " secular fluctua
tion." Its lowest known level was in February,
1819, rising more or less each year, until June,
1838, in the extreme, to six feet eight inches.
Lake Erie has several excellent harbors in Ohio,
among which are Cleveland, Toledo, Sandusky,
Port Clinton and Ashtabula. Valuable improve
ments have been made in some of these, at the
expense of the General Government. In 1818,
the first steamboat was launched on the lake.
Owing to the Falls of Niagara, it could go no
farther east than the outlet of Niagara River.
Since then, however, the opening of the Welland
Canal, in Canada, allows vessels drawing not more
than ten feet of water to pass from one lake to
the other, greatly facilitating navigation.
As early as 1836, Dr. S. P. Hildreth, Dr. John
Locke, Prof. J. H. Riddle and Mr. I. A. Lapham,

were appointed a committee by the Legislature of
Ohio to report the " best method of obtaining a
complete geological survey of the State, and an
estimate of the probable cost of the same." In the
preparation of their report, Dr. Hildreth examined
the coal-measures in the southeastern part of the
State, Prof. Riddle and Mr. Lapham made exam
inations in the western and northern counties,
while Dr. Locke devoted his attention to chemical
analyses. These investigations resulted in the
presentation of much valuable information con
cerning the mineral resources of the State and in
a plan for a geological survey. In accordance
with the recommendation of this Committee, the
Legislature, in 1837, passed a bill appropriating
$12,000 for the prosecution of the work during
the next year. The Geological Corps appointed
consisted of W. W. Mather, State Geologist, with
Dr. Hildreth, Dr. Locke, Prof. J. P. Kirtland, J.
W. Foster, Charles Whittlesey and Charles Briggs,
Jr., Assistants. The results of the first year's
work appeared in 1838, in an octavo volume of 134
pages, with contributions from Mather, Hildreth,
Briggs, Kirtland and Whittlesey. In 1838, the
Legislature ordered the continuance of the work,
and, at the close of the year, a second report, of
286 pages, octavo, was issued, containing contribu
tions from all the members of the survey.
Succeeding Legislatures failed to provide for a
continuance of the work, and, save that done by
private means, nothing was accomplished till
1869, when the Legislature again took up the
work. In the interim, individual enterprise had
done much. In 1841, Prof. James Hall passed
through the State, and, by his indentification of
several of the formations with those of New York,
for the first time fixed their geological age. The
next year, he issued the first map of the geology
of the State, in common with the geological maps
of all the region between the Alleghanies and the
Mississippi. Similar maps were published by Sir
Charles Lyell, in 1845 ; Prof. Edward Hitchcock,
in 1853, and by J. Mareon, in 1856. The first
individual map of the geology of Ohio was a very
small one, published by Col. Whittlesey, in 1848,
in Howe's History. In 1856, he published a
larger map, and, in 1865, another was issued by
Prof. Nelson Sayler. In 1867, Dr. J. S. Newberry
published a geological map and sketch of Ohio in
the Atlas of the State issued by H. S. Stebbins.
Up to this time, the geological knowledge was very
general in its character, and, consequently, errone
ous in many of its details. Other States had been

5 "V

J±i

$>*.

14

HISTORY OF OHIO.

accurately surveyed, yet Ohio remained a kind of
terra incognita, of which the geology was less
known than any part of the surrounding area.
In 1869, the Legislature appropriated, for a new
survey, $13,900 for its support during one year,
and appointed Dr. Newberry Chief Geologist ; E.
B. Andrews, Edward Orton and J. H. Klippart
were appointed Assistants, and T. G. Wormley,
Chemist. The result of the first year's work
was a volume of 164 pages, octavo, published in
1870. This report, accompanied by maps and charts,
for the first time accurately defined the geological
formations as to age and area. Evidence was given
which set at rest questions of nearly thirty years'
standing, and established the fact that Ohio in
cludes nearly double the number of formations be
fore supposed to exist. Since that date, the sur
veys have been regularly made. Each county is
being surveyed by itself, and its formation ac
curately determined. Elsewhere in these pages,
these results are given, and to them the reader is
referred for the specific geology of the county.
Only general results can be noted here.
On the general geological map of the State, are
two sections of the State, taken at each northern
and southern extremity. These show, with the
map, the general outline of the geological features
of Ohio, and are all that can be given here. Both
sections show the general arrangements of the
formation, and prove that they lie in sheets resting
one upon another, but not horizontally, as a great
arch traverses the State from Cincinnati to the
lake shore, between Toledo and Sandusky. Along
this line, which extends southward to Nashville,
Tenn., all the rocks are raised in a ridge or fold,
once a low mountain chain. In the lapse of
ages, it has, however, been extensively worn
away, and now, along a large part of its course,
the strata which once arched over it are re
moved from its summit, and are found resting in
regular order on either side, dipping away from its
axis. Where the ridge was highest, the erosion
has been greatest, that being the reason why the
oldest rocks are exposed in the region about Cin
cinnati. By following the line of this great arch
from Cincinnati northward, it will be seen that the
Helderberg limestone (No. 4), midway of the State,
is still unbroken, and stretches from side to side ;
while the Oriskany, the Corniferous, the Hamilton
and the Huron formations, though generally re
moved from the crown of the arch, still remain
over a limited area near Bellefontaine, where they

form an island, which proves the former continuity
of the strata which compose it.
On the east side of the great anticlinal axis, the
rocks dip down into a basin, which, for several
hundred miles north and south, occupies the inter
val between the Nashville and Cincinnati ridge and
the first fold of the Alleghany Mountains. In
this basin, all the strata form trough-like layers,
their edges outcropping eastward on the flanks
of the Alleghanies, and westward along the anti
clinal axis. As they dip from this margin east
ward toward the center of the trough, near its
middle, on the eastern border of the State, the
older rocks are deeply buried, and the surface is
here underlaid by the highest and most recent of
our rock formations, the coal measures. In the
northwestern corner of the State, the strata dip
northwest from the anticlinal and pass under the
Michigan coal basin, precisely as the same forma
tions east of the anticlinal dip beneath the Alle
ghany coal-field, of which Ohio's coal area forms a
part. The rocks underlying the State all belong to
three of the great groups which geologists have
termed " systems," namely, the Silurian, Devonian
and Carboniferous. Each of these are again sub
divided, for convenience, and numbered. Thus
the Silurian system includes the Cincinnati group,
the Medina and Clinton groups, the Niagara
group, and the Salina and Water-Line groups.
The Devonian system includes the Oriskany sand
stone, the Carboniferous limestone, the Hamilton
group, the Huron shale and the Erie shales. The
Carboniferous system includes the Waverly group,
the Carboniferous Conglomerate, the Coal Meas
ures and the Drift. This last includes the surface,
and has been divided into six parts, numbering
from the lowest, viz.: A glacialed. surface, the Gla
cial Drift, the Erie Clays, the Forest Bed, the Ice
berg Drift and the Terraces or Beaches, which
mark intervals of stability in the gradual recession
of the water surface to its present level.
" The history we may learn from these forma
tions," says the geologist, " is something as fol
lows: " First. Subsequent to the Tertiary was a period
of continual elevation, during which the topog
raphy of the country was much the same as now,
the draining streams following the lines they now
do, but cutting down their beds until they flowed
sometimes two hundred feet lower than they do at
present. In the latter part of this period of ele
vation, glaciers, descending from the Canadian

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

15

islands, excavated and occupied the valleys of the
great lakes, and covered the lowlands down nearly
to the Ohio.
"Second. By a depression of the land and ele
vation of temperature, the glaciers retreated north
ward, leaving, in the interior of the continent, a
great basin of fresh water, in which the Erie clays
were deposited.
" Third. This water was drained away until a
broad land surface was exposed within the drift
area. Upon this surface grew forests, largely of
red and white cedar, inhabited by the elephant,
mastodon, giant beaver and other large, now ex
tinct, animals.
"Fourth. The submergence of this ancient land
and the spreading over it, by iceberg agency, of
gravel, sand and bowlders, distributed just as ice
bergs now spread their loads broadcast over the
sea bottom on the banks of Newfoundland.
"Fifth. The gradual draining-off of the waters,
leaving the land now as we find it, smoothly cov
ered with all the layers of the drift, and well pre
pared for human occupation."
" In six days, the Lord made the heavens and
the earth, and rested the seventh day," records the
Scriptures, and, when all was done, He looked
upon the work of His own hands and pronounced
it " good." Surely none but a divine, omnipotent
hand could have done all this, and none can study
the "work of His hands" and not marvel at its
completeness. The ancient dwellers of the Mississippi Valley
will always be a subject of great interest to the
antiquarian. Who they were, and whence they
came, are still unanswered questions, and may
remain so for ages. All over this valley, and,
in fact, in all parts of the New World, evidences
of an ancient civilization exist, whose remains are
now a wonder to all. The aboriginal races could
throw no light on these questions. They had
always seen the remains, and knew not whence
they came. Explorations aid but little in the solu
tion of the problem, and only conjecture can be
entertained. The remains found in Ohio equal
any in the Valley. Indeed, some of them are vast
in extent, and consist of forts, fortifications, moats,
ditches, elevations and mounds, embracing many
acres in extent.
"It is not yet determined," says Col. Charles
Whittlesey, " whether we have discovered the first
or the original people who occupied the soil of
Ohio. Modern investigations are bringing to light
evidences of earlier races. Since fhe presence of

man has been established in Europe as a cotempor-
ary of the fossil elephant, mastodon, rhinoceros
and the horse, of the later drift or glacial period,
we may reasonably anticipate the presence of man
in America in that era. Such proofs are already
known, but they are not of that conclusive charac
ter which amounts to a demonstration. It is, how
ever, known that an ancient people inhabited Ohio
in advance of the red men who were found here,
three centuries since, by the Spanish and French
explorers. " Five and six hundred years before the arrival
of Columbus," says Col. Charles Whittlesey, "the
Northmen sailed from Norway, Iceland and Green
land along the Atlantic coast as far as Long Island.
They found Indian tribes, in what is now New En
gland, closely resembling those who lived upon the
coast and the St. Lawrence when the French and
English came to possess these regions.
" These red Indians had no traditions of a prior
people ; but over a large part of the lake .country
and the valley of the Mississippi, earth-works,
mounds, pyramids, ditches and forts were discov
ered — the work of a more ancient race, and a peo
ple far in advance of the Indian. If they were
not civilized, they were not barbarians. They
were not mere hunters, but had fixed habitations,
cultivated the soil and were possessed of consider
able mechanical skill. We know them as the
Mound- Builders, because they erected over the
mortal remains of their principal men and women
memorial mounds of earth or unhewn stone — of
which hundreds remain to our own day, so large
and high that they give rise to an impression of
the numbers and energy of their builders, such as
we receive from the pyramids of Egypt."
Might they not have been of the same race and
the same civilization ? Many competent authori
ties conjecture they are the work of the lost tribes
of Israel ; but the best they or any one can do is
only conjecture.
" In the burial-mounds," continues Col. Whit
tlesey, " there are always portions of one or more
human skeletons, generally partly consumed by
fire, with ornaments of stone, bone, shells, mica
and copper. The largest mound in Ohio is near
Miamisburg, Montgomery County. It is the
second largest in the West, being nearly seventy
feet high,- originally, and about eight hundred feet
in circumference. This would give a superficial
area of nearly four acres. In 1864, the citizens
of Miamisburg sunk a shaft from the summit to
the natural surface, without finding the bones

"

^.c

'A

16

HISTORY OF OHIO.

or ashes of the great man for whom it was
intended. The exploration has considerably
lowered the mound, it being now about sixty feet
in height." Fort Ancient, on the Little Miami, is a good
specimen of the military defenses of the Mound-
Builders. It is well located on a long, high, nar
row, precipitous ridge. The parapets are now
from ten to eighteen feet high, and its perimeter
is sufficient to hold twenty thousand fighting men.
Another prominent example of their works exists
near Newark, Licking County. This collection
presents a great variety of figures, circles, rectan
gles, octagons and parallel banks, or highways,
covering more than a thousand acres. The county
fair-ground is permanently located within an
ancient circle, a quarter of a mile in diameter,
with an embankment and interior ditch. Its high
est place was over twenty feet from the top of the
moat to the bottom of the ditch."
One of the most curious-shaped works in this
county is known as the "Alligator," from its sup
posed resemblance to that creature. When meas
ured, several years ago, while in a good state of
preservation, its dimensions were two hundred
and ten feet in length, average width over sixty
feet, and height, at the highest point, seven feet.
It appears to be mainly composed of clay, and is
overgrown with grass.
Speaking of the writing of these people, Col.
Whittlesey says : " There is no evidence that they
had alphabetical characters, picture-writing or
hieroglyphics, though they must have had some
mode of recording events. Neither is there any proof
that they used domestic animals for tilling the soil,
or for the purpose of erecting the imposing earth
works they have left. A very coarse cloth of
hemp, flax or nettles has been found on their
burial-hearths and around skeletons not consumed
by fire.
" The most extensive earthworks occupy many
of the sites of modern towns, and are always in
the vicinity of excellent land. Those about the
lakes are generally irregular earth forts, while
those about the rivers in the southern part of the
State are generally altars, pyramids, circles, cones
and rectangles of earth, among which fortresses or
strongholds are exceptions.
" Those on the north may not have been cotem-
porary or have been built by the same people.
They are far less prominent or extensive, which
indicates a people less in numbers as well as indus
try, and whose principal occupation was war among

themselves or against their neighbors. This style
of works extends eastward along the south shore
of Lake Ontario, through New York. In Ohio,
there is a space along the water-shed, between the
lake and the Ohio, where there are few, if any,
ancient earthworks. It appears to have been a
vacant or neutral ground between different nations.
" The Indians of the North, dressed in skins,
cultivated the soil very sparingly, and manufactured
no woven cloth. On Lake Superior, there are
ancient copper mines wrought by the Mound-
Builders over fifteen hundred years ago." Copper
tools are occasionally found tempered sufficiently
hard to cut the hardest rocks. No knowledge of
such tempering exists now. The Indians can give
no more knowledge of the ancient mines than they
can of the mounds on the river bottoms.
" The Indians did not occupy the ancient earth
works, nor did they construct such. They were
found as they are now — a hunter race, wholly
averse to labor. Their abodes were in rock shel
ters, in caves, or in temporary sheds of bark and
boughs, or skins, easily moved from place to place.
Like most savage races, their habits are unchange
able ; at least, the example of white men, and
their efforts during three centuries, have made
little, if any, impression."
When white men came to the territory now em
braced in the State of Ohio, they found dwelling
here the Iroquois, Delawares, Shawanees, Miamis,
Wyandots and Ottawas. Each nation was com
posed of several tribes or clans, and each was
often at war with the others. The first mentioned
of these occupied that part of the State whose
northern boundary was Lake Erie, as far west as
the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, wbere the city
of Cleveland now is ; thence the boundary turned
southward in an irregular line, until it touched the
Ohio River, up which stream it continued to the
Pennsylvania State line, and thence northward to
the lake. This nation were the implacable foes of
the French, owing to the fact that Champlain, in
1609, made war against them. They occupied a
large part of New York and Pennsylvania, and
were the most insatiate conquerors among the
aborigines. When the French first came to the
lakes, these monsters of the wilderness were engaged
in a war against their neighbors, a war that ended
in their conquering them, possessing their terri
tory, and absorbing the remnants of the tribes into
their own nation. At the date of Champlain's
visit, the southern shore of Lake Erie was occupied
by the Eries, or, as the orthography of the word is

T<

¦4*

HISTORY OF OHIO.

17

sometimes given, Erigos, or Errienous.* About
forty years afterward, the Iroquois (Five Nations)
fell upon them with such fury and in such force
that the nation was annihilated. Those who
escaped the slaughter were absorbed among their
conquerors, but allowed to live on their own lands,
paying a sort of tribute to the Iroquois. This was
the policy of that nation in all its conquests. A
few years after the conquest of the Eries, the
Iroquois again took to the war-path, and swept
through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, even attacking
the Mississippi tribes. But for the intervention
and aid of the French, these tribes would have
shared the fate of the Hurons and Eries. Until
the year 1700, the Iroquois held the south shore
of Lake Erie so firmly that the French dared not
trade or travel along that side of the lake. Their
missionaries and traders penetrated this part of
Ohio as early as 1650, but generally suffered
death for their zeal.
Having completed the conquest of the Hurons
or Wyandots, about Lake Huron, and murdered
the Jesuit missionaries by modes of torture which
only they could devise, they permitted the residue
of the Hurons to settle around the west end of
Lake Erie. Here, with the Ottawas, they resided
when the whites came to the State. Their country
was bounded on the south by a line running
through the central part of Wayne, Ashland,
Richland, Crawford and Wyandot Counties. At
the western boundary of this county, the line di
verged northwesterly, leaving the State near the
northwest corner of Fulton County. Their north
ern boundary was the lake ; the eastern, the Iro
quois. The Delawares, or " Lenni Lenapes," whom the
Iroquois had subjugated on the Susquehanna, were
assigned by their conquerors hunting-grounds on
the Muskingum. Their eastern boundary was the
country of the Iroquois (before defined), and their
northern, that of the Hurons. On the west, they

* Father Louis Hennepin, in his work published in 1684, thus
alludes to the Eries: •' These good fathers," referring to the
priests, " were great friends of the HuroDS, who told them that the
Iroquois went to war beyond Virginia, or New Sweden, near a lake
which they called 'Erige,' or 'Erie? which signifies 'the cat? or
1 nation of the cat,' and because these savages brought captives from
this nation in returning to their cantons along this lake, the
Hurons named it, in their language, ' Erige,' or 'Erilce,' 'the lake of
the. cat,11 and which our Canadians, in softening the word, have
called ' Lake Erie.' "
Charlevoix, writing in 1721, says: "The name it bnars is that
of an Indian nation of the Huron (Wyandot) language, which was
formerly seated on its banks, and who have been entirely destroyed
by the Iroquois. Erie, in that language, signifies 'cat.1 and, in
some acounts, this nation is called the ' cat nation.' This name,
probably, comes from the large numbers of that animal found in
this region."

extended as far as a line drawn from the central
part of Richland County, in a semi-circular direc
tion, south to the mouth of Leading Creek. Their
southern boundary was the Ohio River.
West of the Delawares, dwelt the Shawanees, a
troublesome people as neighbors, whether to whites
or Indians. Their country was bounded on the
north by the Hurons, on the east, by the Dela
wares ; on the south, by the Ohio River. On the
west, their boundary was determined by a line
drawn southwesterly, and again southeasterly —
semi-circular — from a point on the southern
boundary of the Hurons, near the southwest corner
of Wyandot County, till it intersected the Ohio
River. All the remainder of the State — all its western
part from the Ohio River to the Michigan line —
was occupied by the Miamis, Mineamis, Twigtwees,
or Tawixtawes, a powerful nation, whom the Iro
quois were never fully able to subdue.
These nations occupied the State, partly by per
mit of the Five Nations, and partly by inheritance,
and, though composed of many tribes, were about
all the savages to be found in this part of the
Northwest. No sooner had the Americans obtained control
of this country, than they began, by treaty and
purchase, to acquire the lands of the natives.
They could not stem the tide of emigration ; peo
ple, then as now, would go West, and hence the
necessity of peacefully and rightfully acquiring the
land. " The true basis of title to Indian territory
is the right of civilized men to the soil for pur
poses of cultivation." The same maxim may be
applied to all uncivilized nations. When acquired
by such a right, either by treaty, purchase or con
quest, the right to hold the same rests with the
power and development of the nation thus possess
ing the land.
The English derived title to the territory
between the Alleghanies and the Mississippi partly
by the claim that, in discovering the Atlantic coast,
they had possession of the land from " ocean to
ocean," and partly by the treaty of Paris, in Feb
ruary, 1763. Long before this treaty took place,
however, she had granted, to individuals and colo
nies, extensive tracts of land in that part of Amer
ica, based on the right of discovery. The French
had done better, and had acquired title to the land
by discovering the land itself and by consent of
the Indians dwelling thereon. The right to pos
sess this country led to the French and Indian
war, ending in the supremacy of the English.

18

HISTORY OF OHIO.

The Five Nations claimed the territory in ques
tion by right of conquest, and, though professing
friendship to the English, watched them with jeal
ous eyes. In 1684, and again in 1726, that con
federacy made cessions of lands to the English,
and these treaties and cessions of lands were re
garded as sufficient title by the English, and were
insisted on in all subsequent treaties with the
Western Nations. The following statements were
collected by Col. Charles Whittlesey, which
show the principal treaties made with the red men
wherein land in Ohio was ceded by them to the
whites :
In September, 1726, the Iroquois, or Six Na
tions, at Albany, ceded all their claims west of
Lake Erie and sixty miles in width along the
south shore of Lakes Erie and Ontario, from the
Cuyahoga to the Oswego River.
In 1744, this same nation made a treaty at
Lancaster, Penn., and ceded to the English all
their lands "that may be within the colony of
Virginia." In 1752, this nation and other Western tribes
made a treaty at Logstown, Penn., wherein they
confirmed the Lancaster treaty and consented to
the settlements south of the Ohio River.
February 13, 1763, a treaty was made at Paris,
France, between the French and English, when
Canada and the eastern half of the Mississippi
Valley were ceded to the English.
In 1783, all the territory south of the Lakes,
and east of the Mississippi, was ceded by England
to America — the latter country then obtaining its
independence — by which means the country was
gained by America.
October 24, 1784, the Six Nations made a
treaty, at Fort Stanwix; N. Y., with the Ameri
cans, and ceded to them all the country claimed
by the tribe, west of Pennsylvania.
In 1785, the Chippewas, Delawares, Ottawas,
and Wyandots ceded to the United States, at
Fort Mcintosh, at the mouth of the Big Beaver,
all their claims east and south of the "Cayahaga,"
the Portage Path, and the Tuscarawas, to Fort
Laurens (Bolivar), thence to Loramie's Fort (in
Shelby County) ; thence along the Portage Path to
the St. Mary's River and down it to the "Omee,"
or Maumee, and along the lake shore to the
"Cayahaga." January 3, 1786, the Shawanees, at Fort Fin
ney, near the mouth of the Great Miami (not
owning the land on the Scioto occupied by them),
were allotted a tract at the heads of the two

Miamis and the Wabash, west of the Chippewas,
Delawares and Wyandots.
February 9, 1789, the Iroquois made a treaty
at Fort Harmar, wherein they confirmed the Fort
Stanwix treaty. At the same time, the Chippewas,
Ottawas, Delawares, and Wyandots — to which the
Sauks and Pottawatomies assented — confirmed the
treaty made at Fort Mcintosh.
Period of war now existed till 1795.
August 3, 1795, Gen. Anthony Wayne, on
behalf of the United States, made a treaty with
twelve tribes, confirming the boundaries estab
lished by the Fort Harmar and Fort Mcintosh
treaties, and extended the boundary to Fort Re
covery and the mouth of the Kentucky River.
In June, 1796, the Senecas, represented by
Brant, ceded to the Connecticut Land Company
their rights east of the Cuyahoga.
In 1805, at Fort Industry, on the Maumee, the
Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawas, Chippewas, Shawa
nees, Menses, and Pottawatomies relinquished all
their lands west of the Cuyahoga, as far west as
the western line of the Reserve, and south of the
line from Fort Laurens to Loramie's Fort?
July 4, 1807, the Ottawas, Chippewas, Wyan
dots, and Pottawatomies, at Detroit, ceded all that
part of Ohio north of the Maumee River, with
part of Michigan.
November 25, 1808, the same tribes with the
Shawanees, at Brownstown, Mich., granted the
Government a tract of land two miles wide, from
the west line of the Reserve to the rapids of the
Maumee, for the purpose of a road through the
Black Swamp.
September 18, 1815, at Springwells, near De
troit, the Chippewas, Ottawas, Pottawatomies, Wy
andots, Delawares, Senecas and Miamis, having
been engaged in the war of 1812 on the British
side, were confined in the grants made at Fort
Mcintosh and Greenville in 1785 and 1795.
September 29, 1817, at the rapids of the
Maumee, the Wyandots ceded their lands west of
the line of 1805, as far as Loramie's and the St.
Mary's River and north of the Maumee. The
Pottawatomies, Chippewas, and Ottawas ceded the
territory west of the Detroit line of 1807, and
north of the Maumee.
October 6, 1818, the Miamis, at St. Mary's,
made a treaty in which they surrendered the re
maining Indian territory in Ohio, north of the
Greenville treaty line and west of St. Mary's River.
The numerous treaties of peace with the West
ern Indians for the delivery of prisoners were —

~~" ^ «

i£*

HISTORY OF OHIO.

19

one by Gen. Forbes, at Fort Du Quesne (Pitts
burgh), in 1758 ; one by Col. Bradstreet, at Erie,
in August, 1764; one by Col. Boquet, at the
mouth of the Walhonding, in November, 1764 ;
in May, 1765, at Johnson's, on the Mohawk, and
at Philadelphia, the same year ; in 1774, by Lord
Dunmore, at Camp Charlotte, Pickaway County.
By the treaty at the Maumee Rapids, in 1817,
reservations were conveyed by the United States
to all the tribes, with a view to induce them to
cultivate the soil and cease to be hunters. These
were, from time to time, as the impracticability of
the plan became manifest, purchased by the Gov
ernment, the last of these being the Wyandot
Reserve, of twelve miles square, around Upper
Sandusky, in 1842, closing out all claims and com
posing all the Indian difficulties in Ohio. The
open war had ceased in 1815, with the treaty of
Ghent. " It is estimated that, from the French war of
1754 to the battle of the Maumee Rapids, in
1794, a period of forty years, there had been at
least 5,000 people killed or captured west of the

Alleghany Mountains. Eleven organized military
expeditions had been carried on against the West
ern Indians prior to the war of 1812, seven regu
lar engagements fought and about twelve hundred
men killed. More whites were slain in battle than
there were Indian braves killed in military expedi
tions, and by private raids and murders ; yet, in
1811, all the Ohio tribes combined could not mus
ter 2,000 warriors."
Attempts to determine the number of persons
comprising the Indian tribes in Ohio, and their
location, have resulted in nothing better than
estimates. It is supposed that, at the commence
ment of the Revolution, there were about six
thousand Indians in the present confines of the
State, but their villages were little more than
movable camps. Savage men, like savage beasts,
are engaged in continual migrations. Now, none
are left. The white man occupies the home of
the red man. Now " The verdant hills
Are covered o'er with growing grain,
And white men till the soil,
Where once the red man used to reign."

CHAPTER II.

EARLY EXPLORATIONS IN THE WEST.

WHEN war, when ambition, when avarice
fail, religion pushes onward and succeeds.
In the discovery of the New World, wherever
man's aggrandizement was the paramount aim,
failure was sure to follow. When this gave way,
the followers of the Cross, whether Catholic or
Protestant, came on the field, and the result before
attempted soon appeared, though in a different way
and through different means than those supposed.
The first permanent efforts of the white race to
penetrate the Western wilds of the New World
preceded any permanent English settlement north
of the Potomac' Years before the Pilgrims
anchored their bark on the cheerless shores of Cape
Cod, "the Roman Catholic Church had been plant
ed by missionaries from France in the Eastern
moiety of Maine; and LeCaron, an ambitious
Franciscan, the companion of Champlain,had passed
into the hunting-grounds of the Wyandots, and,
bound by the vows of his life, had, on foot or pad
dling a bark canoe, gone onward, taking alms of the
until he reached the rivers of Lake

Huron." This was in 1615 or 1616, and only
eight years after Champlain had sailed up the wa
ters of the St. Lawrence, and on the foot of a bold
cliff laid the foundation of the present City of
Quebec. From this place, founded to hold the
country, and to perpetuate the religion of his King,
went forth those emissaries of the Cross, whose zeal
has been the admiration of the world. The French
Colony in Canada was suppressed soon after its es
tablishment, and for five years, until 1622, its im
munities were enjoyed by the colonists. A grant
of New France, as the country was then known, was
made by Louis XIII to Richelieu, Champlain,
Razilly and others, who, immediately after the res
toration of Quebec by its English conquerors, entered
upon the control and government of their province.
Its limits embraced the whole basin of the St.
Lawrence and of such other rivers in New France
as flowed directly into the sea. While away to
the south on the Gulf coast, was also included a
country rich in foliage and claimed in virtue of
the unsuccessful efforts of Coligny.

"71

r^

Religious zeal as much as commercial prosperity
had influenced France to obtain and retain the de
pendency of Canada. The commercial monopoly
of a privileged company could not foster a
colony ; the climate was too vigorous for agricult
ure, and, at first there was little else except relig
ious enthusiasm to give vitality to the province.
Champlain had been touched by the simplicity of
the Order of St. Francis, and had selected its priests
to aid him in his work. But another order, more
in favor at the Court, was interested, and succeed
ed in excluding the mendicant order from the New
World, established themselves in the new domain
and, by thus enlarging the borders of the French
King, it became entrusted to the Jesuits.
This "Society of Jesus," founded by Loyola
when Calvin's Institutes first saw the light, saw an
unequaled opportunity in the conversion of the
heathen in the Western wilds ; and, as its mem
bers, pledged to obtain power only by influence of
mind over mind, sought the honors of opening the
way, there was no lack of men ready for the work.
Through them, the motive power in opening the
wilds of the Northwest was religion. " Religious
enthusiasm," says Bancroft, "colonized New Eng
land, and religious enthusiasm founded Montreal,
made a conquest of the wilderness about the upper
lakes, and explored the Mississippi."
Through these priests — increased in a few years
to fifteen — a way was made across the West from
Quebec, above the regions of the lakes, below
which they dared not go for the relentless Mohawks.
To the northwest of Toronto, near the Lake Iro
quois, a bay of Lake Huron, in September, 1634,
they raised the first humble house of the Society of
Jesus among the Hurons. Through them they
learned of the great lakes beyond, and resolved
one day to explore them and carry the Gospel of
peace to the heathen on their shores. Before this
could be done, many of them were called upon to
give up their lives at the martyr's stake and re
ceive a martyr's crown. But one by one they
went on in their good work. If one fell by hun
ger, cold, cruelty, or a terrible death, others stood
ready, and carrying their lives in their hands,
established other missions about the eastern shores
of Lake Huron and its adjacent waters. The
Five Nations were for many years hostile toward
the French and murdered them and their red
allies whenever opportunity presented. For a
quarter of century, they retarded the advance of
the missionaries, and then only after wearied with
a long struggle, in which they began to see their

power declining, did they relinquish their warlike
propensities, and allow the Jesuits entrance to their
country. While this was going on, the traders
and Jesuits had penetrated farther and farther
westward, until, when peace was declared, they
had seen the southwestern shores of Lake Superior
and the northern shores of Lake Michigan, called
by them Lake Illinois.* In August, 1654, two
young adventurers penetrated the wilds bordering
on these western lakes in company with a band of
Ottawas. Returning, they tell of the wonderful
country they have seen, of its vast forests, its
abundance" of game, its mines of copper, and ex
cite in their comrades a desire to see and explore
such a country. They tell of a vast expanse of
land before them, of the powerful Indian tribes
dwelling there, and of their anxiety to become an
nexed to the Frenchman, of whom they have
heard. The request is at once -granted. Two
missionaries, Gabriel Dreuillettes and Leonard
Gareau, were selected as envoys, but on their way
the fleet, propelled by tawny rowers, is met by a
wandering band of Mohawks and by them is dis
persed. Not daunted, others stood ready to go.
The lot fell to Ren6 Mesnard. He is charged to
visit the wilderness, select a suitable place for a
dwelling, and found a mission. With only a short
warning he is ready, "trusting," he says, "in the
Providence which feeds the little birds of the
desert and clothes the wild flowers of the forest."
In October, 1660, he reached a bay, which he
called St. Theresa, on the south shore of Laks
Superior. After a residence of eight months, he
yielded to the invitation of the Hurons who had
taken refuge on the Island of St. Michael, and
bidding adieu to his neophytes and the French, he
departed. While on the way to the Bay of Che-
goi-me-gon, probably at a portage, he became
separated from his companion and was never after
ward heard of. Long after, his cassock and his
breviary were kept as amulets among the Sioux.
Difficulties now arose in the management of the
colony, and for awhile it was on the verge of dis
solution. The King sent a regiment under com
mand of the aged Tracy, as a safeguard against
the Iroquois, now proving themselves enemies to
* Mr. C. W. Butterfield, author of OrawforoVs Campaign, and
good authority, says : "John Nicholet, a Frenchman, left Quebec
and Three Rivers in the summer of 1G34, and visited the Hurous on
Georgian Bay, the Chippewas at the Sault Ste. Marie, and tho Win-
nebagoeB in Wisconsin, returning to Quebec in the summer of 1635.
This was the first white man to see any part of the Northwest
Territory. In 1641, two Jesuit priests were at the Sault Ste. Marie '
for a brief time. Then two French traders reached Lake Superior,
and after them came that tide of emigration on which the French
based their claim to the country."

?"

\L+

HISTORY OF OHIO.

21

the French. Accompanying him were Courccllcs,
as Governor, and M. Talon, who subsequently fig
ures in Northwestern history. By l(j!>."j, affairs
were s ;ttled and now attempts to found a mission
among the lake tribes were projected.
" With batter hopes — undismayed by the sad
fate of their predecessors" in August, Claude
Allouez embarked on a mission by way of Ottawa
to the l(,ar West. Early in September he reached
the rapids through which rush the waters of the
lake:-) to Huron. Sailing by lofty sculptured rocks
and over waters of crystal purity, he reached the
Chippewa village just as the young warriors were
bent on organizing a war expedition against the
Sioux. Commanding peace in the name of his
King, he called a council and offered tho commerce
and protection of his nation. He was obeyed, and
soon a chapel arose on the shore of the bay, to
which admiring crowds from the south and west
gathered to listen to the story of the Cross.
The scattered Hurons and Ottawas north of
Lake Superior ; the Pottawatomies from Lake Mich
igan; the Sacs and Foxes from the Far West; the
Illinois from the prairies, all came to hear him, and
all besought him to go with them. To the last
nation Allouez desired to go. They told him of a
" great river that flowed to the sea, "and of "their
vast prairies, where herds of buffalo, deer and
other animals grazed on the tall grass." "Their
country," said the missionary, "is the best field
for the Gospel. Had I had leisure, I would have
gone to their dwellings to see with my own eyes
all the good that was told me of them."
He remained two years, teaching the natives,
studying their language and habits, and then
returned to Quebec. Such was the account that
he gave, that in two days he was joined by
Louis Nicholas and was on his way back to his
mission. Peace being now established, more missionaries
came from France. Among them were Claude
Dablon and Jacques Marquette, both of whom
went on to the mission among the Chippewas at the
Sault. They reached there in 1668 and found
Allouez busy. The mission was now a reality and
given the name of St. Mary. It is often written
" Sault Ste. Marie," after the French method, and
is the oldest settlement by white men in the bounds
of the Northwest Territory. It has been founded
over two hundred years. Here on the inhospitable
northern shores, hundreds of miles away from
friends, did this triumvirate employ themselves in
extending their religion and the influence of their

Kins:. Traversing the shores of tlie

lake

near them, they pass down the western bank of
Lake Michigan as far as Green Bay, along the
southern shore of Lake Superior to its western ex
tremity, everywhere preaching the story of Jesus.
" Though suffering be their lot and martyrdom
their crown," they went on, only conscious that
they were laboring for their Master and would, in
the end, win the crown.
The great river away to the West of which they
heard so much was yet unknown to them. To ex
plore it, to visit the tribes on its banks and preach
to them the Gospel and secure their trade, became
the aim of Marquette, who originated the idea of
its discovery. While engaged at the mission at the
Sault, he resolved to attempt it in the autumn of
1669. Delay, however, intervened — for Allouez
had exchanged the mission at Che-goi-me-gon for
one at Green Bay, whither Marquette was sent.
While here he employed a young Illinois Indian
to teach him the language of that nation, and there
by prepare himself for the enterprise.
Continued commerce with the Western Indians
gave protection and confirmed their attachment.
Talon, the intendant of the colony of New France,
to further spread its power and to learn more of the
country and its inhabitants, convened a congress
of the Indians at the Falls of St. Mary, to which
he sent St. Lusson on his behalf. Nicholas Perrot
sent invitations in every direction for more than a
hundred leagues round about, and fourteen nations,
among them Sacs, Foxes and Miamis, agreed to be
present by their embassadors.
The congress met on the fourth day of June,
1671. St. Lusson, through Allouez, his interpre
ter, announced to the assembled natives that they,
and through them their nations, were placed under
the protection of the French King, and to him
were their furs and peltries to be traded. A cross
of cedar was raised, and amidst the groves of ma
ple and of pine, of elm and hemlock that are so
strangely intermingled on the banks of the St.
Mary, the whole company of the French, bowing
before the emblem of man's redemption, chanted to
its glory a hymn of the seventh century :
"The banners of heaven's King advance;
The mysteries of the Cross shines forth."*
A cedar column was planted by the cross and
marked with the lilies of the Bourbons. The
power of France, thus uplifted in the West of
which Ohio is now a part, was, however, not destined

V

to endure, and the ambitio.n of its monarchs was
to have only a partial fulfillment.
The same year that the congress was held, Mar
quette had founded a mission among the Hurons
at Point St. Ignace, on the continent north of the
peninsula of Michigan. Although the climate
was severe, and vegetation scarce, yet fish abounded,
and at this establishment, long maintained as a
key to further explorations, prayer and praise were
heard daily for many years. Here, also, Marquette
gained a footing among the founders of Michigan.
While he was doing this, Allouez and Dablon were
exploring countries south and west, going as far as
the Mascoutins and Kickapoos on the Milwaukee,
and the Miamis at the head of Lake Michigan.
Allouez continued even as far as the Sacs and Foxes
on the river which bears their name.
The discovery of the Mississippi, heightened by
these explorations, was now at hand. The enter
prise, projected by Marquette, was received with
favor by M. Talon, who desired thus to perpetuate
his rule in New France, now drawing to a close.
He was joined by Joliet, of Quebec, an emissary
of his King, commissioned by royal magnate to
take possession of the country in the name of the
French. Of him but little else is known. This
one excursion, however, gives him immortality,
and as long as time shall last his name and that of
Marquette will endure. When Marquette made
known his intention to the Pottawatomies, they
were filled with wonder, and endeavored to dis
suade him from his purpose. "Those distant na
tions," said they, " never spare the strangers; the
Great River abounds in monsters, ready to swal
low both men and canoes ; there are great cataracts
and rapids, over which you will be dashed to
pieces; the excessive heats will cause your death."
"I shall gladly lay down my life for the salvation
of souls," replied the good man; and the docile
nation joined him.
On the 9th day of June, 1673, they reached
the village on Fox River, where were Kickapoos,
Mascoutins and Miamis dwelling together on an
expanse of lovely prairie, dotted here and there by
groves of magnificent trees, and where was a
cross garlanded by wild flowers, and bows and ar
rows, and skins and belts, offerings to the Great
Manitou. Allouez had been here in one of his
wanderings, and, as was his wont, had left this
emblem of his faith.
Assembling the natives, Marquette said, " My
companion is an envoy of France to discover new
countries ; and I am an embassador from God to

enlighten them with the Gospel." Offering pres
ents, he begged two guides for the morrow. The
Indians answered courteously, and gave in
return a mat to serve as a couch during the long
voyage. Early in the morning of the next day, the 10th
of June, with all nature in her brightest robes,
these two men, with five Frenchmen and two Al
gonquin guides, set out on their journey. Lifting
two canoes to their shoulders, they quickly cross
the narrow portage dividing the Fox from the
Wisconsin River, and prepare to embark on its
clear waters. " Uttering a special prayer to the
Immaculate Virgin, they leave the stream, that,
flowing onward, could have borne their greetings
to the castle of Quebec. 'The guides returned,'
says the gentle Marquette, 'leaving us alone in
this unknown land, in the hand of Providence.'
France and Christianity stood alone in the valley
of the Mississippi. Embarking on the broad
Wisconsin, the discoverers, as they sailed west,
went solitarily down the stream between alternate
prairies and hillsides, beholding neither man nor
the wonted beasts of the forests ; no sound broke
the silence but the ripple of the canoe and the
lowing of the buffalo. In seven days, ' they en
tered happily the Great River, with a joy that
could not be expressed ; ' and the two birchbark
canoes, raising their happy sails under new skies
and to unknown breezes, floated down the calm
magnificence of the ocean stream, over the broad,
clear sand-bars, the resort of innumerable water
fowl — gliding past islets that swelled from the
bosom of the stream, with their tufts of massive
thickets, and between the wild plains of Illinois
and Iowa, all garlanded with majestic forests, or
checkered by island groves and the open vastness
of the prairie."*
Continuing on down the mighty stream, they
saw no signs of human life until the 25th of
June, when they discovered a small foot-path on the
west bank of the river, leading away into the
prairie. Leaving their companions in the canoes,
Marquette and Joliet followed the path, resolved
to brave a meeting alone with the savages. After
a walk of six miles they came in sight of a village
on the banks of a river, while not far away they
discovered two others. The river was the " Mou-
in-gou-e-na," or Moingona, now corrupted into
Des Moines. These two men, the first of their
race who ever trod the soil west of the Great
* Bancroft.

A ® "

!£*-

HISTORY OF OHIO.

23

River, commended themselves to God, and, uttering
a loud cry, advanced to the nearest village.
The Indians hear, and thinking their visitors
celestial beings, four old men advance with rever
ential mien, and offer the pipe of peace. " We
are Illinois," said they, and they offered the calu
met. They had heard of the Frenchmen, and
welcomed them to their wigwams, followed by the
devouring gaze of an astonished crowd. At a
great council held soon after, Marquette published
to them the true God, their Author. He also
spoke of his nation and of his King, who had
chastised the Five Nations and commanded peace.
He questioned them concerning the Great River
and its tributaries, and the tribes dwelling on its
banks. A magnificent feast was spread before
them, and the conference continued several days.
At the close of the sixth day, the chieftains of the
tribes, with numerous trains of warriors, attended
the visitors to their canoes, and selecting a peace-
pipe, gayly caparisoned, they hung the sacred
calumet, emblem of peace to all and a safeguard
among the nations, about the good Father's neck,
and bid the strangers good speed. "I did not
fear death," writes Marquette; "I should have
esteemed it the greatest happiness to have died
for the glory of God." On their journey, they
passed the perpendicular rocks, whoso sculptured
sides showed them the monsters they should meet.
Farther down, they pass the turgid flood of the
Missouri, known to them by its Algonquin name,
Pekitanoni. Resolving in his heart to one day
explore its flood, Marquette rejoiced in the new
world it evidently could open to him. A little
farther down, they pass the bluffs where now is a
mighty emporium, then silent as when created. In
a little less than forty leagues, they pass the clear
waters of the beautiful Ohio, then, and long after
ward, known as the Wabash. Its banks were in
habited by numerous villages of the peaceful
Shawanees, who then quailed under the incursions
of the dreadful Iroquois. As they go on down the
mighty stream, the canes become thicker, the insects
more fierce, the heat more intolerable. The prairies
and their cool breezes vanish, and forests of white-
wood, admirable for their vastness and height, crowd
close upon the pebbly shore. It is observed that the
Chickasaws have guns, and have learned how to
use them. Near the latitude of 33 degrees, they
encounter a great village, whose inhabitants pre
sent an inhospitable and warlike front. The pipe
of peace is held aloft, and instantly the savage foe
drops his arms and extends a friendly greeting.

Remaining here till the next day, they are escorted
for eight or ten leagues to the village of Akansea.
They are now at the limit of their voyage. The
Indians speak a dialect unknown to them. The
natives show furs and axes of steel, the latter prov
ing they have traded with Europeans. The two
travelers now learn that the Father of Wa
ters went neither to the Western sea nor to the
Florida coast, but straight south, and conclude not
to encounter the burning heats of a tropical clime,
but return and find the outlet again. They
had done enough now, and must report their dis
covery. On the 17th day of July, 1673, one hundred
and thirty-two years after the disastrous journey
of De Soto, which led to no permanent results,
Marquette and Joliet left the village of Akansea
on their way back. At the 38th degree, they en
counter the waters of the Illinois which they had
before noticed, and which the natives told them
afforded a much shorter route to the lakes. Pad
dling up its limpid waters, they see a country un
surpassed in beauty. Broad prairies, beautiful up
lands, luxuriant groves, all mingled in excellent
harmony as they ascend the river. Near the head
of the river, they pause at a great village of the
Illinois, and across the river behold a rocky prom
ontory standing boldly out against the landscape.
The Indians entreat the gentle missionary to re
main among them, and teach them the way of life.
He cannot do this, but promises to return when he
can and instruct them. The town was on a plain
near the present village of Utica, in~" La Salle
County, 111., and the rock was- Starved Rock,
afterward noted in the annals of the Northwest.
One of the chiefs and some young men conduct
the party to the Chicago River, where the present
mighty city is, from where, continuing their jour
ney along the western shores of the lake, they
reach Green Bay early in September.-
The great valley of the West was now open.
The "Messippi" rolled its mighty flood to a south
ern sea, and must be sully explored. Marquette's
health had keenly suffered by the voyage and he
concluded to remain here and rest. Joliet hasten
ed on to Quebec to report his discoveries. During
the journey, each had preserved a description of
the route they had passed over, as well as the
country and its inhabitants. While on the way
to Quebec, at the foot of the rapids near Montreal,
by some means one of Joliet's canoes became cap
sized, and by it he lost his box of papers and two
of his men. A greater calamity could have

^

¦¥-

24

HISTORY OF OHIO.

hardly happened him. In a letter to Gov.
Frontenac, Joliet says :
" I had escaped every peril from the Indians ; I
had passed forty-two rapids, and was on the point
of disembarking, full of joy at the success of so
long and difficult an enterprise, when my canoe
capsized after all the danger seemed over. I lost
my two men and box of papers within sight of the
French settlements, which I had left almost two
years before. Nothing remains now to me but
my life, and the ardent desire to employ it in any
service you may please to direct."
When Joliet made known his discoveries, a
Te Deum was chanted in the Cathedral at Quebec,
and all Canada was filled with joy. The news
crossed the ocean, and the French saw in the vista
of coming years a vast dependency arise in the val
ley, partially explored, which was to extend her
domain and enrich her treasury. Fearing En
gland might profit by the discovery and claim the
country, she attempted as far as possible to prevent
the news from becoming general. Joliet was re
warded by the gift of the Island of Anticosti, in
the St. Lawrence, while Marquette, conscious of
his service to his Master, was content with the
salvation of souls.
Marquette, left at Green Bay, suffered long with
his malady, and was not permitted, until the au
tumn of the following year (1674), to return and
teach the Illinois Indians. With this purpose in
view, he left Green Bay on the 25th of October
with two Frenchmen and a number of Illinois and
Pottawatomie Indians for the villages on the
Chicago and Illinois Rivers. Entering Lake
Michigan, they encountered adverse winds and
waves and were more than a month on the way.
Going some distance up the Chicago River, they
found Marquette too weak to proceed farther, his
malady having assumed a violent form, and land
ing, they erected two huts and prepared to pass
the winter. The good missionary taught the na
tives here daily, in spite of his afflictions, while
his companions supplied him and themselves with
food by fishing and hunting. Thus the winter
wore away, and Marquette, renewing his vows, pre
pared to go on to the village at the foot of the
rocky citadel, where he had been two years before.
On the 13th of March, 1675, they left their huts
and, rowing on up the Chicago to the portage be
tween that and the Desplaines, embarked on their
way. Amid the incessant rains of spring, they
were rapidly borne down that stream to the Illi
nois, on whose rushing flood they floated to the

object of their destination. At the great town the
missionary was received as a heavenly messenger,
and as he preached to them of heaven and hell,
of angels and demons, of good and bad deeds,
they regarded him as divine and besought him to
remain among them. The town then contained an
immense concourse of natives, drawn hither by the
reports they heard, and assembling them before him
on the plain near their village, where now are pros
perous farms, he held before their astonished gaze
four large pictures of the Holy Virgin, and daily
harangued them on the duties of Christianity and
the necessity of conforming their conduct to the
words they heard. His strength was fast declining
and warned him he could not long remain. Find
ing he must go, the Indians furnished him an
escort as far as the lake, on whose turbulent waters
he embarked with his two faithful attendants.
They turned their canoes for the Mackinaw Mis
sion, which the afflicted missionary hoped to reach
before death came. As they coasted along the
eastern shores of the lake, the vernal hue of May
began to cover the hillsides with robes of green,
now dimmed to the eye of the departing Father, who
became too weak to view them. By the 19th of
the month, he could go no farther, and requested
his men to land and build him a hut in which he
might pass away. That done, he gave, with great
composure, directions concerning his burial, and
thanked God that he was permitted to die in the
wilderness in the midst of his work, an unshaken
believer in the faith he had so earnestly preached.
As twilight came on, he told his weary attendants
to rest, promising that when death should come he
would call them. At an early hour, on the morn
ing of the 20th of May, 1675, they heard a feeble
voice, and hastening to his side found that the gen
tle spirit of the good missionary had gone to heav
en. His hand grasped the crucifix, and his lips
bore as their last sound the name of the Virgin.
They dug a grave near the banks of the stream
and buried him as he had requested. There in a
lonely wilderness the peaceful soul of Marquette
had at last found a rest, and his weary labors closed.
His companions went on to the mission, where
the news of his death caused great sorrow, for he
was one beloved by all.
Three years after his burial, the Ottawas, hunting
in the vicinity of his grave, determined to carry
his bones to the mission at their home, in accor
dance with an ancient custom of their tribe. Hav
ing opened the grave, at whose head a cross had
been planted, they carefully removed the bones and

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

25

cleaning them, a funeral procession of thirty canoes
bore them to the Mackinaw Mission, singing the
songs he had taught them. At the shores of the
mission the bones were received by the priests, and,
with great ceremony, buried under the floor of the
rude chapel.
While Marquette and Joliet were exploring the
head-waters of the "Great River," another man,
fearless in purpose, pious in heart, and loyal to
his country, was living in Canada and watching
the operations of his fellow countrymen with
keen eyes. When the French first saw the in
hospitable shores of the St. Lawrence, in 1535,
under the lead of Jacques Carrier, and had opened
a new country to their crown, men were not
lacking to further extend the discovery. In 1608,
Champlain came, and at the foot of a cliff on that
river founded Quebec. Seven years after, he
brought four Recollet monks ; and through them
and the Jesuits the discoveries already narrated
occurred. Champlain died in 1635, one hundred
years after Carrier's first visit, but not until he
had explored the northern lakes as far as Lake
Huron, on whose rocky shores he, as the progenitor
of a mighty race to follow, set his feet. He, with
others, held to the idea that somewhere across the
country, a river highway extended to the Western
ocean. The reports from the missions whose
history has been given aided this belief; and not
until Marquette and Joliet returned was the delu
sion in any way dispelled. Before this was done,
however, the man to whom reference has been
made, Robert Cavalier, better known as La Salle,
had endeavored to solve the mystery, and, while
living on his grant of land eight miles above
Montreal, had indeed effected important discoveries.
La Salle, the next actor in the field of explor
ation after Champlain, was born in 1643. His
father's family was among the old and wealthy
burghers of Rouen, France, and its members
were frequently entrusted with important govern
mental positions. He early exhibited such traits
of character as to mark him among his associates.
Coming from a wealthy family, he enjoyed all the
advantages of his day, and received, for the times,
an excellent education. He was a Catholic,
though his subsequent life does not prove him
to have been a religious enthusiast. From some
cause, he joined the Order of Loyola, but the cir
cumscribed sphere of action set for him in the
order illy concurred with his independent dis
position, and led to his separation from it. This
was effected, however, in a good spirit, as they

considered him fit for a different field of action
than any presented by -the order. Having a
brother in Canada, a member of the order of St.
Sulpice, he determined to join him. By his
connection with the Jesuits he had lost his share
of his father's estate, but, by some means, on his
death, which occurred about this time, he was
given a small share; and with this, in 1666,
he arrived in Montreal. All Canada was alive
with the news of the explorations; and La
Salle's mind, actively grasping the ideas he
afterward carried out, began to mature plans for
their perfection. At Montreal he found a semi
nary of priests of the St. Sulpice Order who were
encouraging settlers by grants of land on easy
terms, hoping to establish a barrier of settlements
between themselves and the Indians, made ene
mies to the French by Champlain's actions when
founding Quebec. The Superior of the seminary,
learning of La Salle's arrival, gratuitously offered
him a grant of land on the St. Lawrence, eight
miles above Montreal. The grant, though danger
ously near the hostile Indians, was accepted, and
La Salle soon enjoyed an excellent trade in furs.
While employed in developing his claim, he learned
of the great unknown route, and burned with a
desire to solve its existence. He applied himself
closely to the study of Indian dialects, and in
three years is said to have made great progress
in their, language. While on his farm his
thoughts often turned to the unknown land away
to the west, and, like all men of his day, he
desired to explore the route to the Western sea,
and thence obtain an easy trade with China and
Japan. The " Great River, which flowed to the
sea," must, thought they, find an outlet in the
Gulf of California. While musing on these
things, Marquette and Joliet were preparing to
descend the Wisconsin; and La Salle himself
learned from a wandering band of Senecas that a
river, called the Ohio, arose in their country and
flowed to the sea, but at such a distance that it
would require eight months to reach its mouth.
This must be the Great River, or a part of it :
for all geographers of the day considered the
Mississippi and its tributary as one stream. Plac
ing great confidence on this hypothesis, La Salle
repaired to Quebec to obtain the sanction
of Gov. Courcelles. His plausible statements
soon won him the. Governor and M. Talon, and
letters patent were issued granting the exploration.
No pecuniary aid was offered, and La Salle, hav
ing expended all his means in improving his

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26

HISTORY OF OHIO.

estate,

was obliged to sell it to procure the
necessary outfit. The .Superior of the seminary
being favorably disposed toward him, purchased
the greater part of his improvement, and realiz
ing 2,800 livres, he purchased four eanoes and the
necessary supplies for the expedition. The semi
nary was, at the same time, preparing for a similar
exploration. The priests of this order, emulating
the Jesuits, had established missions on the north
ern shore of Lake Ontario. Hearing of populous
tribes still further west, they resolved to attempt
their conversion, and deputized two of their number
for the purpose. On going to Quebec to procure
the necessary supplies, they were advised of La
Salle's expedition down the Ohio, and resolved to
unite themselves with it. La Salle did not alto
gether favor their attempt, as he believed the
Jesuits already had the field, and would not care
to have any aid from a rival order. His dispo
sition also would not well brook the part they
assumed, of asking him to be a co-laborer rather
than a leader. However, the expeditions, merged
into one body, left the mission on the St. Law
rence on the 6th of July, 1669, in seven canoes.
The party numbered twenty-four persons, who
were accompanied by two canoes filled with
Indians who had visited La Salle, and who now
acted as guides. Their guides led them up the
St. Lawrence, over the expanse of Lake Ontario,
to their village on the banks of the Genesee,
where they expected to find guides to lead them
on to the Ohio. As La Salle only partially under
stood their language, he was compelled to confer
with them by means of a Jesuit stationed at the
village. The Indians refused to furnish him the
expected aid, and even burned before his eyes a
prisoner, the only one who could give him any
knowledge he desired. He surmised the Jesuits
were at the bottom of the matter, fearful lest the
disciples of St. Sulpice should gain a foothold in
the west. He lingered here a month, with the
hope of accomplishing his object, when, by chance,
there came by an Iroquois Indian, who assured
them that at his colony, near the head of the lake,
they could find guides; and offered to conduct
them thither. Coming along the southern shore
of the lake, they passed, at its western extremity,
the mouth of the Niagara River, where they heard
for the first time the thunder of the mighty cata
ract between the two lakes. At the village of the
Iroquois they met a friendly reception, and were
informed by a Shawanese prisoner that they could
reach the Ohio in six weeks' time, and that he

would guide them there. While preparing to
commence the journey, they heard of the missions
to the northwest, and the priests resolved to go
there and convert the natives, and find the river
by that route. It appears that Louis Joliet met
them here, on his return from visiting the copper
mines of Lake Superior, under command of M.
Talon. He gave the priests a map of the country,
and informed them that the Indians of those
regions were in great need of spiritual advisers.
This strengthened their intention, though warned
by La Salle, that the Jesuits were undoubtedly
there. The authority for Joliet's visit to them
here is not clearly given, and may not be true,
but the same letter which gives the account of
the discovery of the Ohio at this time by La Salle,
states it as a fact, and it is hence inserted. The
missionaries and La Salle separated, the former to
find, as he had predicted, the followers of Loyola
already in the field, and not wanting their aid.
Hence they return from a fruitless tour.
La Salle, now left to himself and just recovering
from a violent fever, went on his journey. From
the paper from which these statements are taken,
it appears he went on to Onondaga, where he pro
cured guides to a tributary of the Ohio, down
which he proceeded to the principal stream, on
whose bosom he continued his way till he came to
the falls at the present city of Louisville, Ky. It
has been asserted that he went on down to its
mouth, but that is not well authenticated and is
hardly true. The statement that he went as far as
the falls is, doubtless, correct. He states, in a letter
to Count Frontenac in 1677, that he discovered
the Ohio, and that he descended it to the falls.
Moreover, Joliet, in a measure his rival, for he was
now preparing to go to the northern lakes and
from them search the river, made two maps repre
senting the lakes and the Mississippi, on both of
which he states that La Salle had discovered the
Ohio. Of its course beyond the falls, La Salle
does not seem to have learned anything definite,
hence his discovery did not in any way settle the
great question, and elicited but little comment.
Still, it stimulated La Salle to more effort, and
while musing on his plans, Joliet and Marquette
push on from Green Bay, and discover the river
and ascertain the general course of its outlet. On
Joliet's return in 1673, he seems to drop from
further notice. Other and more venturesome souls
were ready to finish the work begun by himself
and the zealous Marquette, who, left among the
far-away nations, laid down his life. The spirit of

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

29

La Salle was equal to the enterprise, and as he now
had returned from one voyage of discovery, he
stood ready to solve the mystery, and gain the
country for his King. Before this could be ac
complished, however, he saw other things must be
done, and made preparations on a scale, for the
time, truly marvelous.
Count Frontenac, the new Governor, had no
sooner established himself in power than he gave a
searching glance over the new realm to see if any
undeveloped resources lay yet unnoticed, and what
country yet remained open. He learned from the
exploits of La Salle on the Ohio, and from Joliet,
now returned from the West, of that immense
country, and resolving in his mind on some plan
whereby it could be formally taken, entered
heartily into the plans of La Salle, who, anxious to
solve the mystery concerning the outlet of the
Great River, gave him the outline of a plan, saga
cious in its conception and grand in its compre
hension. La Salle had also informed him of the
endeavors of the English on the Atlantic coast to
divert the trade with the Indians, and partly to
counteract this, were the plans of La Salle adopted.
They were, briefly, to build a chain of forts from
Canada, or New France, along the lakes to the
Mississippi, and on down that river, thereby hold
ing the country by power as well as by discovery.
A fort was to be built on the Ohio as soon as the
means could be obtained, and thereby hold that
country by the same policy. Thus to La Salle
alone may be ascribed the bold plan of gaining the
whole West, a plan only thwarted by the force of
arms. Through the aid of Frontenac, he was
given a proprietary and the rank of nobility, and
on his proprietary was erected a fort, which he, in
honor of his Governor, called Fort Frontenac. It
stood on the site of the present city of Kingston,
Canada. Through it he obtained the trade of the
Five Nations, and his fortune was so far assured.
He next repaired to France, to perfect his arrange
ments, secure his title and obtain means.
On his return he built the fort alluded to, and
prepared to go on in the prosecution of his plan.
A civil discord arose, however, which for three
years prevailed,' and seriously threatened his
projects. As soon as he could extricate himself,
he again repaired to France, receiving additional
encouragement in money, grants, and the exclusive
privilege of a trade in buffalo skins, then consid
ered a source of great wealth. On his return, he
was accompanied by Henry Tonti, son of an illus
trious Italian nobleman, who had fled from his

own country during one of its political revolutions.
Coming to France, he made himself famous as the
founder of Tontine Life Insurance. Henry Tonti
possessed an indomitable will, and though he had
suffered the loss of one of his hands by the ex
plosion of a grenade in one of the Sicilian wars,
his courage was undaunted, and his ardor un-
dimmed. La Salle also brought recruits, mechanics,
sailors, cordage and sails for rigging a ship, and
merchandise for traffic with the natives. At
Montreal, he secured the services of M. LaMotte, a
person of much energy and integrity of character.
He also secured several missionaries before he
reached Fort Frontenac. Among them were
Louis Hennepin, Gabriel Ribourde and Zenabe
Membre. All these were Flemings, all Recollets.
Hennepin, of all of them, proved the best assist
ant. They arrived at the fort early in the autumn
of 1678, and preparations were at once made to
erect a vessel in which to navigate the lakes, and
a fort at the mouth of the Niagara River. The
Senecas were rather adverse to the latter proposals
when La Motte and Hennepin came, but by
the eloquence of the latter, they were pacified
and rendered friendly. After a number of vexa
tious delays, the vessel, the Griffin, the first on the
lakes, was built, and on the 7 th of August, a year
after La Salle came here, it was launched, passed
over the waters of the northern lakes, and, after a
tempestuous voyage, landed at Green Bay. It was
soon after stored with furs and sent back, while
La Salle and his men awaited its return. It was
never afterward heard of. La Salle, becoming
impatient, erected a fort, pushed on with a
part of his men, leaving part at the fort,
and passed over the St. Joseph and Kankakee
Rivers, and thence to the Illinois, down whose
flood they proceeded to Peoria Lake, where
he was obliged to halt, and return to Canada
for more men and supplies. He left Tonti
and several men to complete a fort, called
Fort " Crevecoeur " — broken-hearted. The Indians
drove the French away, the men mutinied, and
Tonti was obliged to flee. When La Salle returned,
he found no one there, and going down as far as
the mouth of the Illinois, he retraced his steps, to
find some trace of his-garrison. Tonti was found
safe among the Pottawatomies at Green Bay, and
Hennepin and his two followers, sent to explore
the head-waters of the Mississippi, were again
home, after a captivity among the Sioux.
La Salle renewed his force of men, and the third
time set out for the outlet of the Great River.

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30

HISTORY OF OHIO.

He left Canada early in December, 1681, and by
February 6, 1682, reached the majestic flood of
the mighty stream. On the 24th, they ascended
the Chickasaw Bluffs, and, while waiting to find
a sailor who had strayed away, erected Fort Prud-
homme. They passed several Indian villages fur
ther down the river, in some of which they met
with no little opposition. Proceeding onward, ere
long they encountered the tide of the sea, and
April 6, they emerged on the broad bosom of the
Gulf, "tossing its restless billows, limitless, voice
less and lonely as when born of chaos, without a
sign of life."
Coasting about a short time on the shores of
the Gulf, the party returned until a sufficiently
dry place was reached to effect a landing. Here
another cross was raised, also a column, on which
was inscribed these words:
" Louis le Grand, Roi de France et de Navarre,
Reqne; Le Neuvie.me, Aveil, 1682." *
" The whole party," says a " proces verbal," in
the archives of France, " chanted the Te Deum,
the Exaudiat and the Domine salvum fac Regem,
and then after a salute of fire-arms and cries of
Vive le Roi, La Salle, standing near the column,
said in a loud voice in French :
"In the name of the most high, mighty, invin
cible and victorious Prince, Louis the Great, by
the grace of God, King of France and of Navarre,
Fourteenth of that name, this ninth day of April,
one thousand six hundred and eighty two, I, in
virtue of the commission of His Majesty, which I
hold in my hand, and which may be seen by all
whom it may concern, have taken, and do now
takej in the name of His Majesty and of his suc
cessors to the crown, possession of this country of
Louisiana, the seas, harbor, ports, bays, adjacent
straights, and all the nations, people, provinces, cities,
towns, villages, mines, minerals, fisheries, streams
and rivers, comprised in the extent of said Louisiana,
from the north of the great river St. Louis, other
wise called the Ohio, Alighin, Sipore or Chukago-
na, and this with the consent of the Chavunons,
Chickachaws, and other people dwelling therein,
with whom we have made alliance ; as also along
the river Colbert or Mississippi, and rivers which
discharge themselves therein from its source beyond
the Kious or Nadouessious, and this with their
consent, and with the consent of the Illinois, Mes-
igameas, Natchez, Koroas, which are the most con
siderable nations dwelling therein, with whom also
* Louis the Great, King of France and of Navarre, reigning the
ninth day of April, 1082.

we have made alliance, either by ourselves or others
in our behalf, as far as its mouth at the sea or
Gulf of Mexico, about the twenty-seventh degree
of its elevation of the North Pole, and also to the
mouth of the River of Palms ; upon the assurance
which we have received from all these nations that
we are the first Europeans who have descended or
ascended the river Colbert, hereby protesting
against all those who may in future undertake to
invade any or all of these countries, peoples or
lands, to the prejudice of the right of His Majesty,
acquired by the consent of the nations herein
named." The whole assembly responded with shouts and
the salutes of fire-arms. The Sieur de La Salle
caused to be planted at the foot of the column a
plate of lead, on one side of which was inscribed
the arms of France and the following Latin inscrip
tion: Robertvs Cavellier, cvm Domino de Tonly, Legato,
R. P. Zenobi Membro, Recollecto, et, "Viginti Gallis
Primos Hoc Flvmen inde ab ilineorvm Pago, enavigavit,
ejvsqve ostivm fecit Pervivvm, nono Aprilis cio ioc
LXXXII. The whole proceedings were acknowledged be
fore La Metaire, a notary, and the conquest was
considered complete.
Thus was the foundation of France laid in the
new republic, and thus did she lay claim to the
Northwest, which now includes Ohio, and the
county, whose history this book perpetuates.
La Salle and his party returned to Canada soon
after, and again that country, and France itself,
rang with anthems of exultation. He went on to
France, where he received the highest honors.
He was given a fleet, and sailors as well as colon
ists to return to the New World by way of a south
ern voyage, expecting to find the mouth of the
Mississippi by an ocean course. Sailing past the
outlets, he was wrecked on the coast of Texas, and
in his vain endeavors to find the river or return to
Canada, he became lost on the plains of Arkansas,
where he, in 1687, was basely murdered by one of
his followers. " You are down now, Grand Bashaw,"
exclaimed his slayer, and despoiling his remains, they
left them to be devoured by wild beasts. To such
an ignominious end came this daring, bold adven
turer. Alone in the wilderness, he was left, with
no monument but the vast realm he had discov
ered, on whose bosom he was left without cover
ing and without protection.
" For force of will and vast conception ; for va
rious knowledge, and quick adaptation of his genius

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

31

to untried circumstances; for a sublime magnani
mity, that resigned itself to the will of Heaven,
and yet triumphed over affliction by energy of
purpose and unfaltering hope — he had no superior
among his countrymen. He had won the affec
tions of the governor of Canada, the esteem of
Colbert, the confidence of Seignelay, the favor of
Louis XIV. After the beginning of the coloniza
tion of Upper Canada, he perfected the discovery
of the Mississippi from the Falls of St. Anthony
to its mouth ; and he will be remembered through
all time as the father of colonization in the great
central valley of the West."*
Avarice, passion and jealousy were not calmed by
the blood of La Salle. All of his conspirators per
ished by ignoble deaths, while only seven of the six
teen succeeded in continuing the journey until
they reached Canada, and thence found their way
to France.
Tonti, who had been left at Fort St. Louis, on
" Starved Rock" on the Illinois, went down in
search of his beloved commander. Failing to find
him, he returned and remained here until 1700,
thousands of miles away from friends. Then he
went down the Mississippi to join D'Iberville, who
had made the discovery of the mouth of the Mis
sissippi by an ocean voyage. Two years later, he
went on a mission to the Chickasaws, but of his
subsequent history nothing is known.
The West was now in possession of the French.
La Salle's plans were yet feasible. The period of
exploration was now over. The great river and
its outlet was known, and it only remained for that
nation to enter in and occupy what to many a
Frenchman was the "Promised Land." Only
eighteen years had elapsed since Marquette and
Joliet had descended the. river and shown the
course of its outlet. A spirit, less bold than La
Salle's would never in so short a time have pene
trated for more than a thousand miles an unknown
wilderness, and solved the mystery of the world.
When Joutel and his companions reached France
in 1688, all Europe was on the eve of war. Other
nations than the French wanted part of the New
World, and when they saw that nation greedily
and rapidly accumulating territory there, they en
deavored to stay its progress. The league of Augs
burg was formed in 1687 by the princes of the Em
pire to restrain the ambition of Louis XIV, and
in 1688, he began hostilities by the capture of
Philipsburg. The next year, "England, under the

* Bancroft.

lead of William III, joined the alliance, and Louis
found himself compelled, with only the aid of the
Turks, to contend against the united forces of the
Empires of England, Spain, Holland, Denmark,
Sweden and Norway. Yet the tide of battle wa
vered. In 1689, the French were defeated at
Walcourt, and the Turks at Widin; but in 1690,
the French were victorious at Charleroy, and the
Turks at Belgrade. The next year, and also the
next, victory inclined to the French, but in 1693,
Louvois and Luxemberg were dead and Namur
surrendered to the allies. The war extended to the
New World, where it was maintained with more
than equal success by the French, though the En
glish population exceeded it more than twenty to one.
In 1688, the French were estimated at about
twelve thousand souls in North America, while the
English were more than two hundred thousand.
At first the war was prosecuted vigorously. In
1689, De. Ste. Helene and D'Iberville, two of the
sons of Charles le Morne, crossed the wilderness
and reduced the English forts on Hudson's Bay.
But in August of the same year, the Iroquois, the
hereditary foes of the French, captured and burned
Montreal. Frontenac, who had gone on an ex
pedition against New York by sea, was recalled.
Fort Frontenac was abandoned, and no French
posts left in the West between Trois Rivieres and
Mackinaw, and were it not for the Jesuits the en
tire West would now have been abandoned. To
recover their influence, the French planned three
expeditions. One resulted in the destruction of
Schenectady, another, Salmon Falls, and the third,
Casco Bay. On the other hand, Nova Scotia was
reduced by the colonies, and an expedition against
Montreal went as far as to Lake Champlain, where
it failed, owing to the dissensions of the leaders.
Another expedition, consisting of twenty-four ves
sels, arrived before Quebec, which also failed
through the incompetency of Sir William Phipps.
During the succeeding years, various border con
flicts occurred, in all of which border scenes of
savage cruelty and savage ferocity were enacted.
The peace of Ryswick, in 1697, closed the war.
France retained Hudson's Bay, and all the places
of which she was in possession in 1688; but the
boundaries of the English and French claims in
the New World were still unsettled.
The conclusion of the conflict left the French
at liberty to pursue their scheme of colonization
in the Mississippi Valley. In 1698, D'Iberville
was sent to the lower province, which, erelong,
was made a separate independency, called Louisiana.

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

Forts were erected on Mobile Bay, and the division
of the territory between the French and the
Spaniards was settled. Trouble existed between
the French and the Chickasaws, ending in the
cruel deaths of many of the leaders, in the
fruitless endeavors of the Canadian and Louisi-
anian forces combining against the Chickasaws.
For many years the conflict raged, with unequal
successes, until the Indian power gave way before
superior military tactics. In the end, New Orleans
was founded, in 1718, and the French power
secured. Before this was consummated, however, France
became entangled in another war against the
allied powers, ending in her defeat and the loss
of Nova Scotia, Hudson's Bay and Newfound
land. The peace of Utrecht closed the war
in 1713.
The French, weary with prolonged strife,
adopted the plan, more peaceful in its nature, of
giving out to distinguished men the monopoly of
certain districts in the fur trade, the most pros
perous of any avocation then. Crozat and
Cadillac— the latter the founder of Detroit, in
1701 — were the chief ones concerned in this.
The founding of the villages of Kaskaskia, Ca-
hokia, Vincennes, and others in the Mississippi
and Wabash Valleys, led to the rapid develop
ment, according to the French custom of all
these parts of the West, while along all the chief
water-courses, other trading posts and forts were
established, rapidly fulfilling the hopes of La
Salle, broached so many years before.
The French had, at the beginning of the
eighteenth century, four principal routes to their
western towns, two of which passed over the soil
of Ohio. The first of these was the one followed
by Marquette and Joliet, by way of the Lakes to
Green Bay, in Wisconsin ; thence across a portage
to the Wisconsin River, down which they floated
to the Mississippi. On their return they came
up the Illinois River, to the site of Chicago,
whence Joliet returned to Quebec by the Lakes.
La Salle's route was first by the Lakes to the St.
Joseph's River, which he followed to the portage
to the Kankakee, and thence downward to the
Mississippi. On his second and third attempt,
he crossed the lower peninsula of Michigan to
the Kankakee, and again traversed its waters to
the Illinois. The third route was established
about 1716. It followed the southern shores of
Lake Erie to the mouth of the Maumee River ;
following this stream, the voyagers went on to the

junction between it and the St. Mary's, which
they followed to the " Oubache "—Wabash— and
then to the French villages in Vigo and Knox
Counties, in Indiana. Vincennes was the oldest
and most important one here. It had been
founded in 1702 by a French trader, and was, at
the date of the establishment of the third route,
in a prosperous condition. For many years, the
traders crossed the plains of Southern Illinois to
the French towns on the bottoms opposite St.
Louis. They were afraid to go on down the
"Waba" to the Ohio, as the Indians had fright
ened them with accounts of the great monsters
below. Finally, some adventurous spirit went
down the river, found it emptied into the Ohio,
and solved the problem of the true outlet of the
Ohio, heretofore supposed to be a tributary of the
Wabash. The fourth route was from the southern shore
of Lake Erie, at Presqueville, over a portage of
fifteen miles to the head of French Creek, at
Waterford, Penn. ; thence down that stream to the
Ohio, and on to the Mississippi. Along all these
routes, ports and posts were carefully maintained.
Many were on the soil of Ohio, and were the first
attempts of the white race to possess its domain.
Many of the ruins of these posts.are yet found on
the southern shore of Lake Erie, and at the
outlets of streams flowing into the lake and the Ohio
River. The principal forts were at Mackinaw, at
Presqueville, at the mouth of the St. Joseph's, on
Starved Rock, and along the Father of Waters.
Yet another power was encroaching on them : a
sturdy race, clinging to the inhospitable Atlantic
shores, were coming over the mountains. The
murmurs of a conflict were already heard — a con
flict that would change the fate of a nation.
The French were extending their explorations
beyond the Mississippi; they were also forming a.
political organization, and increasing their influence
over the natives. Of a passive nature, however,
their power and their influence could not with
stand a more aggressive nature, and they were
obliged, finally, to give way. They had the
fruitful valleys of the West more than a century;
yet they developed no resources, opened no mines
of wealth, and left the country as passive as they
found it.
Of the growth of the West under French rule,
but little else remains to be said. The sturdy
Anglo-Saxon race on the Atlantic coast, and their
progenitors in England, began, now, to turn their
attention to this vast country. The voluptuousness

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

33

of the French court, their neglect of the true
basis of wealth, agriculture, and the repressive
tendencies laid on the colonists, led the latter to
adopt a hunter's life, and leave the country unde
veloped and ready for the people who claimed the
country from "sea to sea." Their explorers were
now at work. The change was at hand.
Occasional mention has been made in the his
tory of the State, in preceding pages, of settle
ments and trading-posts of the French traders,
explorers and missionaries, within the limits of
Ohio. The French were the first white men to
occupy the northwestern part of the New World,
and though their stay was brief, yet it opened the
way to a sinewy race, living on the shores of the
Atlantic, who in time came, saw, and conquered
that part of America, making it what the people
of to-day enjoy.
As early as 1669, four years before the discov
ery of the Mississippi by Joliet and Marquette,
La Salle, the famous explorer, discovered the Ohio
River, and paddled down its gentle current as far
as the falls at the present city of Louisville, but he,
like others of the day, made no settlement on its
banks, only claiming the country for his King by
virtue of this discovery.
Early in the beginning of the eighteenth cent
ury, French traders and voyagers passed along the
southern shores of Lake Erie, to the mouth of the
Maumee, up whose waters they rowed their bark
canoes, on their way to their outposts in the Wa
bash and Illinois Valleys, established between
1675 and 1700. As soon as they could, without
danger from their inveterate enemies, the Iroquois,
masters of all the lower lake country, erect a
trading-post at the mouth of this river, they did
feo. It was made a depot of considerable note,
and was, probably, the first permanent habitation
of white men in Ohio. It remained until after
the peace of 1763, the termination of the French
and Indian war, and the occupancy of this country
by the English. On the site of the French trading-
post, the British, in 1794, erected Fort Miami,
which they garrisoned until the country came
under the control of Americans. Now, Maumee
City covers the ground.
The French had a trading-post at the mouth of
the Huron River, in what is now Erie County.
When it was built is not now known. It was, how
ever, probably one of their early outposts, and
may have been built before 1750. They had an
other on the shore of the bay, on or near the site
of Sandusky City. Both this and the one at the

mouth of the Huron River were abandoned before
the war of the Revolution. On Lewis Evan's map
of the British Middle Colonies, published in 1755,
a French fort, called " Fort Junandat, built in
1754," is marked on the east bank of the San
dusky River, several miles below its mouth. Fort
Sandusky, on the western bank, is also noted.
Several Wyandot towns are likewise marked. But
very little is known concerning any of these
trading-posts. They were, evidently, only tempo
rary, and were abandoned when the English came
into possession of the country.
The mouth of the Cuyahoga River was another
important place. On Evan's map there is marked
on the west bank of the Cuyahoga, some distance
from its mouth, the words "French House," doubt
less, the station of a French trader. The ruins
of a house, found about five miles from the mouth
of the river, on the west bank, are supposed to
be those of the trader's station.
In 1786, the Moravian missionary, Zeisberger,
with his Indian converts, left Detroit in a vessel
called the Mackinaw, and sailed to the mouth of
the Cuyahoga. From there they went up the
river about ten miles, and settled in an abandoned
Ottawa village, where Independence now is, which
place they called " Saint's Rest." Their stay was
brief, for the following April, they left for the
Huron River, and settled near the site of Milan,
Erie County, at a locality they called New Salem.
There are but few records of settlements made
by the French until after 1750. Even these can
hardly be called settlements, as they were simply
trading-posts. The French easily affiliated with
the Indians, and had little energy beyond trading.
They never cultivated fields, laid low forests, and
subjugated the country. They were a half-Indian
race, so to speak, and hence did little if anything
in developing the West.
About 1749, some English traders came to a
place in what is now Shelby County, on the
banks of a creek since known as Loramie's
Creek, and established a trading-station with the
Indians. This was the first English trading-place
or attempt at settlement in the State. It was here
but a short time, however, when the French, hear
ing of its existence, sent a party of soldiers to the
Twigtwees, among whom" it was founded, and de
manded the traders as intruders upon French ter
ritory. The Twigtwees refusing to • deliver up
their friends, the French, assisted by a large party
of Ottawas and Chippewas, attacked the trading-
house, probably a block-house, and, after a severe

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

battle, captured it. The traders were taken to
Canada. This fort was called by the English
" Pickawillany," from which "Piqua" is probably
derived. About the time that Kentucky was set
tled, a Canadian Frenchman, named Loramie,
established a store on the site of the old fort. He
was a bitter enemy of the Americans, and for a
long time Loramie's store was the headquarters of
mischief toward the settlers.
The French had the faculty of endearing them
selves to the Indians by their easy assimilation of
their habits; and, no doubt, Loramie was equal to
any in this respect, and hence gained great influ
ence over them. Col. Johnston, many years an
Indian Agent from the United States among the
Western tribes, stated that he had often seen the
" Indians burst into tears when speaking of the
times when their French father had dominion
over them ; and their attachment always remained
unabated." So much influence had Loramie with the In
dians, that, when Gen. Clarke, from Kentucky,
invaded the Miami Valley in 1782, his attention
was attracted to the spot. He came on and burnt
the Indian settlement here, and destroyed the store
of the Frenchman, selling his goods among the
men at auction. Loramie fled to the Shawanees,
and, with a colony of that nation, emigrated west
of the Mississippi, to the Spanish possessions,
where ho again began his life of a trader.
In 1794, during the Indian war, a fort was
built on the site of the store by Wayne, and
named Fort Loramie. The last officer who had
command here was Capt. Butler, a nephew of
Col. Richard Butler, who fell at St. Clair's defeat.
While here with his family, he lost an interesting
boy, about eight years of age. About his grave,
the sorrowing father and mother built a substantial
picket-fence, planted honeysuckles over it, which,
long after, remained to mark the grave of the
soldier's boy.
The site of Fort Loramie was always an im
portant point, and was one of the places defined
on the boundary line at the Greenville treaty.
Now a barn covers the spot.
At the junction of the Auglaize and Maumee
Rivers, on the site of Fort Defiance, built by Gen.
Wayne in 1794, was a settlement of traders,
established some time before the Indian war
began. " On the high ground extending from the
Maumee a quarter of a mile up the Auglaize,
about two hundred yards in width, was an open
space, on the west and south of which were oak

woods, with hazel undergrowth. Within this
opening, a few hundred yards above the point, on
the steep bank of the Auglaize, were five or six
cabins and log houses, inhabited principally by
Indian traders. The most northerly, a large
hewed-log house, divided below into three apart
ments, was occupied as a warehouse, store and
dwelling, by George Ironside, the most wealthy
and influential of the traders on the point. Next
to his were the houses of Pirault (Pero) a French
baker, and McKenzie, a Scot, who, in addition to
merchandising, followed the occupation of a silver
smith, exchanging with the Indians his brooches,
ear-drops and other silver ornaments, at an
enormous profit, for skins and furs.
Still further up were several other fami
lies of French and English; and two Ameri
can prisoners, Henry Ball, a soldier taken in St.
Clair's defeat, and his wife, Polly Meadows,
captured at the same time, were allowed to live
here and pay their masters the price of their
ransom — he, by boating to the rapids of the Mau
mee, and she by washing and sewing. Fronting
the house of Ironside, and about fifty yards from
the bank, was a small stockade, inclosing two
hewed-log houses, one of which was occupied by
James Girty (a brother of Simon), the other,
occasionally, by Elliott and McKee, British
Indian Agents living at Detroit."*
The post, cabins and all they contained fell
under the control of the Americans, when the
British evacuated the shores of the lakes.
While they existed, they were an undoubted
source of Indian discontent, and had much to do
in prolonging the Indian war. The country
hereabouts did not settle until some time after
the creation of the State government.
As soon as the French learned the true source
of the Ohio and Wabash Rivers, both were made
a highway to convey the products of their hunk
ers. In coursing down the Ohio, they made
trading-places, or depots, where they could obtain
furs of the Indians, at accessible points, generally
at the mouths of the rivers emptying into the
Ohio. One of these old forts or trading-places
stood about a mile and a half south of the outlet
of the Scioto. It was here in 1740; but when
it was erected no one could tell. The locality
must have been pretty well known to the whites,
however; for, in 1785, three years before the
settlement of Marietta was made, four families

* Narrative of 0. M. Spencer.

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

35

made an ineffectual attempt to settle near the same
place. They were from Kentucky, but were
driven away by the Indians a short time after
they arrived, not being allowed to build cabins,
and had. only made preparations to plant corn
and other necessaries of life. While the men
were encamped near the vicini^ of Piketown,
in Pike County, when on a hunting expedition,
they were surprised by the Indians, and two of
them slain. The others hastened back to the
encampment at the mouth of the Scioto, and
hurriedly gathering the families together, fortu
nately got them on a flat-boat, at that hour on its
way down the river. By the aid of the boat,
they were enabled to reach Maysville, and gave
up the attempt to settle north of the Ohio.
The famous "old Scioto Salt Works," in Jack
son County, on the banks of Salt Creek, a tributary
of the Scioto, were long known to the whites before
any attempt was made to settle in Ohio. They
were indicated on the maps published in 1755.
They were the resort, for generations, of the In
dians in all parts of the West, who annually came
here to make salt. They often brought white
prisoners with them, and thus the salt works be
came known. There were no attempts made to
settle here, however, until after the Indian war,
which closed in 1795. As soon as peace was as
sured, the whites came here for salt, and soon after
made a settlement. Another early salt spring
was in what is now Trumbull County. It is also
noted on Evan's map of 1755. They were occu
pied by the Indians, French, and by the Americans
as early as 1780, and perhaps earlier.
As early as 1761 Moravian missionaries came
among the Ohio Indians and began their labors.
In a few years, under the lead of Revs. Fredrick
Post and John Heckewelder, permanent stations
were established in several parts of the State, chief
ly on the Tuscarawas River in Tuscarawas County.
Here were the three Indian villages — Shoenburn,
Gnadenhutten and Salem. The site of the first is
about two miles south of New Philadelphia ; Gna
denhutten was seven miles further south, and about
five miles still on was Salem, a short distance from
the present village of Port Washington. The first
and last named of these villages were on the west
side of the Tuscarawas River, near the margin of
the Ohio Canal. Gnadenhutten was on the east
side of the river. It was here that the brutal
massacre of these Christian Indians, by the rangers
under Col. Williamson, occurred March 8, 1782.
The account of the massacre and of these tribes

appears in these pages, and it only remains to
notice what became of them.
The hospitable and friendly character of these
Indians had extended beyond their white breth
ren on the Ohio. The American people at large
looked on the act of Williamson and his men as an
outrage on humanity. Congress felt its influence,
and gave them a tract of twelve thousand acres,
embracing their former homes, and induced them
to return from the northern towns whither they had
fled. As the whites came into the country, their
manners degenerated until it became necessary to
remove them. Through Gen. Cass, of Michigan,
an agreement was made with them, whereby Con
gress paid them over $6,000, an annuity of $400,
and 24,000 acres in some territory to be designated
by the United States. This treaty, by some means,
was never effectually carried out, and the princi
pal part of them took up their residence near a
Moravian missionary station on the River Thames,
in Canada. Their old churchyard still exists on
the Tuscarawas River, and here rest the bones of
several of their devoted teachers. It is proper
to remark here, that Mary Heckewelder, daughter
of the missionary, is generally believed to have
been the first white child born in Ohio. How
ever, this is largely conjecture. Captive women
among the Indians, before the birth of Mary
Heckewelder, are known to have borne children,
which afterward, with their mothers, were restored
to their friends. The assertion ' that Mary
Heckewelder was the first child born in Ohio, is
therefore incorrect. She is tho first of whom any
definite record is made.
These outposts are about all that are known
to have existed prior to the settlement at Mari
etta. About one-half mile below Bolivar, on
the western line of Tuscarawas County, are the
remains of Fort Laurens, erected in 1778, by
a detachment of 1,000 men under Gen. Mc
intosh, from Fort Pitt. It was, however, occu
pied but a short time, vacated in August, 1779, as
it was deemed untenable at such a distance from
the frontier.
During the existence of the six years' Indian
war, a settlement of French emigrants was made
on the Ohio River, that deserves notice. It illus
trates very clearly the extreme ignorance and
credulity prevalent at that day. In May or June
of 1788, Joel Barlow left this country for Europe,
" authorized to dispose of a very large body of
land in the West. " In 1790, he distributed pro
posals in Paris for the disposal of lands at five

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36

HISTORY OF OHIO.

shillings per acre, which, says Volney, " promised
a climate healthy and delightful ; scarcely such a
thing as a frost in the winter ; a river, called by
way of eminence ' The Beautiful, ' abounding in
fish of an enormous size ;. magnificent forests of a
tree from which sugar flows, and a shrub which
yields candles ; venison in abundance ; no military
enrollments, and no quarters to find for soldiers."
Purchasers became numerous, individuals and
whole families sold their property, and in the
course of 1791 many embarked at the various
French sea-ports, each with his title in his pocket.
Five hundred settlers, among whom were many
wood carvers and guilders to His Majesty, King of
France, coachmakers, friseurs and peruke makers,
and other artisans and artistes, equally well fitted
for a frontier life, arrived in the United States in
1791-92, and acting without concert, traveling
without knowledge of the language, customs and
roads, at last managed to reach the spot designated
for their residence. There they learned they had
been cruelly deceived, and that the titles they held
were worthless. Without food, shelterless, and
danger closing around them, they were in a position
that none but a Frenchman could be in without
despair. Who brought them thither, and who was
to blame, is yet a disputed point. Some affirm
that those to whom large grants of land were made
when the Ohio Company procured its charter, were
the real instigators of the movement. They failed
to pay for their lands, and hence the title reverted
to the Government. This, coming to the ears of
the poor Frenchmen, rendered their situation more
distressing. They never paid for their lands, and
only through the clemency of Congress, who after
ward gave them a grant of land, and confirmed
them in its title, were they enabled to secure a foot
hold. Whatever doubt there may be as to the

causes of these people being so grossly deceived,
there can be none regarding their sufferings. They
had followed a jack-o-lantern into the howling
wilderness, and must work or starve. The land
upon which they had been located was covered
with immense forest trees, to level which the coach-
makers were atfti loss. At last, hoping to conquer
by a coup de main, they tied ropes to the branches,
and while a dozen pulled at them as many fell at
the trunk with all sorts of edged tools, and thus
soon brought the monster to the earth. Yet he
was a burden. He was down, to be sure, but as
much in the way as ever. Several lopped off the
branches, others dug an immense trench at his side,
into which, with might and main, all rolled the
large log, and then buried him from sight, They
erected their cabins in a cluster, as they had seen
them in their own native land, thus affording some
protection from marauding bands of Indians.
Though isolated here in the lonely wilderness, and
nearly out of funds with which to purchase pro
visions from descending boats, yet once a week
they met and drowned care in a merry dance,
greatly to the wonderment of the scout or lone
Indian who chanced to witness their revelry.
Though their vivacity could work wonders, it would
not pay for lands nor buy provisions. Some of those
at Gallipolis (for such they called their settlement,
from Gallia, in France) went to Detroit, some to
Kaskaskia, and some bought land of the Ohio
Company, who treated them liberally. Congress,
too, in 1795, being informed of their sufferings,
and how they had been deceived, granted them
24,000 acres opposite Little Sandy River, to which
grant, in 1798, 12,000 acres more were added.
The tract has since been known as French Grant.
The settlement is a curious episode in early West
ern history, and deserves a place in its annals.

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

37

CHAPTER III.

ENGLISH EXPLORATIONS— TRADERS— FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR IN THE WEST — ENGLISH
POSSESSION.

AS has been noted, the French title rested on
the discoveries of their missionaries and
traders, upon the occupation of the country, and
upon the construction of the treaties of Ryswick,
Utrecht and Aix la Chapelle. The English
claims to the same region were based on the fact
of a prior occupation of the corresponding coast,
on an opposite construction of the same treaties,
and an alleged cession of the rights of the
Indians. The rights acquired by discovery were
conventional, and in equity were good only
between European powers, and could not affect the
rights of the natives, but this distinction was dis
regarded by all European powers. The inquiry of
an Indian chief embodies the whole controversy:
" Where are the Indian lands, since the French
claim all on the north side of the Ohio and the
English all on the south side of it?"
The English charters expressly granted to all
the original colonies the country westward to the
South Sea., and the claims thus set up in the West,
though held in abeyance, were never relinquished.
The primary distinction between the two nations
governed their actions in the New World, and led
finally to the supremacy of the English. They
were fixed agricultural communities. The French
were mere trading-posts. Though the French
were the prime movers in the exploration of the
West, the English made discoveries during their
occupation, however, mainly by their traders, who
penetrated the Western wilderness by way of the
Ohio River, entering it from the two streams which
uniting form that river. Daniel Coxie, in 1722,
published, in London, "A description of the
English province of Carolina, by the Spaniards
called Florida, and by the French called La Louis-
iane, as also the great and famous river Mescha-
cebe, or Mississippi, the five vast navigable lakes
of fresh water, and the parts adjacent, together
with an account of the commodities of the growth
and production of the said province." The title
of this work exhibits very clearly the opinions of
the English people respecting the West. As early
as 1630, Charles I granted to Sir Robert Heath
" All that part of America lying between thirty-

one and thirty-six degrees north latitude, from sea
to sea," out of which the limits of Carolina were
afterward taken. This immense grant was con
veyed in 1638, to the Earl of Arundel, and after
ward came into the possession of Dr. Daniel Coxie.
In the prosecution of this claim, it appeared that
Col. Wood, of Virginia, from 1654 to 1664, ex
plored several branches of the Ohio and " Meseha-
cebe," as they spell the Mississippi. A Mr. Need-
ham, who was employed by Col. Wood, kept a
journal of the exploration. There is also the ac
count of some one who had explored the Missis
sippi to the Yellow, or Missouri River, before 1676.
These, and others, are said to have- been there
when La Salle explored the outlet of the Great
River, as he found tools among the natives which
were of European manufacture. They had been
brought here by English adventurers. Also, when
Iberville was colonizing the lower part of Louis
iana, these same persons visited the Chickasaws
and stirred them up against the French. It is also
stated that La Salle found that some one had been
among the Natchez tribes when he returned- from
the discovery of the outlet of the Mississippi, and
excited them against him. There is, however, no
good authority for these statements, and they are
doubtless incorrect. There is also an account that
in 1678, several persons went from New England
as far south as New Mexico, " one hundred and
fifty leagues beyond the Meschacebe," the narrative
reads, and on their return wrote an account of the
expedition. This, also, cannot be traced to good
authority. The only accurate account of the
English reaching the West was when Bienville
met the British vessel at the "English Turn,"
about 1700. A few of their traders may have
been in the valley west of the Alleghany Mount
ains before 1700, though no reliable accounts are
now found to confirm these suppositions. Still,
from the earliest occupation of the Atlantic Coast
by the English, they claimed the country, and,
though the policy of its occupation rested for a
time, it was never fully abandoned. Its revival
dates from 1710 properly, though no immediate
endeavor was made for many years after. That

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

year, Alexander Spottswood was made Governor of
Virginia. No sooner did he assume the functions
of ruler, than, casting his eye over his dominion, he
saw the great West beyond the Alleghany Mount
ains unoccupied by the English, and rapidly filling
with the French, who he observed were gradually
confining the English to the Atlantic Coast. His
prophetic eye saw at a glance the animus of the
whole scheme, and he determined to act promptly
on the defensive. Through his representation, the
Virginia Assembly was induced to make an appro
priation to defray the expense of an exploration of
the mountains, and see if a suitable pass could not
then be found where they could be crossed. The
Governor led the expedition in person. The pass
was discovered, a route marked out for future em
igrants, and the party returned to Williamsburg.
There the Governor established the order of the
"Knights of the Golden Horseshoe," presented
his report to the Colonial Assembly and one to his
King. In each report, he exposed with great bold
ness the scheme of the French, and advised the
building of a chain of forts across to the Ohio, and
the formation of settlements to counteract them.
The British Government, engrossed with other
matters, neglected his advice. Forty years after,
they remembered it, only to regret that it was so
thoughtlessly disregarded.
Individuals, however, profited by his advice. By
1730, traders began in earnest to cross the mount
ains and gather from tho Indians the stores beyond.
They now began to adopt a system, and abandoned
the heretofore renegade habits of those who had
superseded them, many of whom never returned to
the Atlantic Coast. In 1742, John Howard de
scended the Ohio in a skin canoe, and, on the
Mississippi was taken prisoner by the French. His
captivity did not in the least deter others from
coming. Indeed, the date of his voyage was the
commencement of a vigorous trade with the In
dians by the English, who crossed the Alleghanies
by the route discovered by Gov. Spottswood. In
1748, Conrad Weiser, a German of Herenberg, who
had acquired in early life a knowledge of the Mo
hawk tongue by a residence among them, was sent
on an embassy to the Shawanees on the Ohio. He
went as far as Logstown, a Shawanee village on the
north bank of the Ohio, about seventeen miles be
low the site of Pittsburgh. Here he met the chiefs
in counsel, and secured their promise of aid against
the French.
The principal ground of the claims of the
English in the Northwest was the treaty with the

Five Nations — the Iroquois. This powerful confed
eration claimed the jurisdiction over an immense
extent of country. Their policy differed considera
bly from other Indian tribes. They were the only
confederation which attempted any form of gov:
ernment in America. They were often termed the
" Six Nations," as the entrance of another tribe
into the confederacy made that number. They
were the conquerors of nearly all tribes from Lower
Canada, to and beyond the Mississippi. They only
exacted, however, a tribute from the conquered
tribes, leaving them to manage their own internal
affairs, and stipulating that to them alone did the
right of cession belong. Their country, under
these claims, embraced all of America north of the
Cherokee Nation, in Virginia; all Kentucky, and
all the Northwest, save a district in Ohio and Indi
ana, and a small section in Southwestern Illinois,
claimed by the Miami Confederacy. The Iroquois,
or Six Nations, were the terror of all other tribes.
It was they who devastated the Illinois country
about Rock Fort in 1680, and caused wide-spread
alarm among all the Western Indians. In 1684,
Lord Howard, Governor of Virginia, held a treaty
with the Iroquois at Albany, when, at the request
of Col. Duncan, of New York, they placed them
selves under the protection of the English. They
made a deed of sale then, by treaty, to the British
Government, of a vast tract of country south and
east of the Illinois River, and extending into Can
ada. In 1726, another deed was drawn up and
signed by the chiefs of the national confederacy by
which their lands were conveyed in trust to
England, " to be protected and defended by His
Majesty, to and for the use of the grantors and
their heirs."*
If the Six Nations had a good claim to the West
ern country, there is but little doubt but England
was justified in defending their country against the
French, as, by the treaty of Utrecht, they had
agreed not to invade the lands of Britain's Indian
allies. This claim was vigorously contested by
France, as that country claimed the Iroquois had
no lawful jurisdiction over the West. In all the
disputes, the interests of the contending nations
was, however, the paramount consideration. The
rights of the Indians were little regarded.
The British also purchased land by the treaty
of Lancaster, in 1744, wherein they agreed to pay
the Six Nations for land settled unlawfully in
Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. The In-

* Annals of the West.

l£*

HISTORY OF OHIO.

39

*7

dians were given goods and gold amounting to
near a thousand pounds sterling. They were also
promised the protection of the English. Had this
latter provision been faithfully carried out, much
- blood would have been saved in after years. The
treaties with the Six Nations were the real basis
of the claims of Great Britain to the West ; claims
that were only settled by war. The Shawanee In
dians, on the Ohio, were also becoming hostile to
the English, and began to assume a threatening
exterior. Peter Chartier, a half-breed, residing in
Philadelphia, escaped from the authorities, those
by whom he was held for a violation of the laws,
and joining the Shawanees, persuaded them to join
the French. Soon after, in 1743 or 1744, he
placed himself at the head of 400 of their war
riors, and lay in wait on the Alleghany River for
the provincial traders. He captured two, exhib
ited to them a captain's commission from the
French, and seized their goods, worth £1,600.
The Indians, after this, emboldened by the aid
given them by the French, became more and more
hostile, and Weiser was again sent across the mount
ains in 1748, with presents to conciliate them and
sound them on their feelings for the rival nations,
and also to see what they thought of a settlement
of the English to be made in the West. The visit
of Conrad Weiser was successful, and Thomas Lee,
with twelve other Virginians, among whom were
Lawrence and Augustine Washington, brothers of
George Washington, formed a company which
they styled the Ohio Company, and, in 1748, peti
tioned the King for a grant beyond the mountains.
The monarch approved the petition and the gov
ernment of Virginia was ordered to grant the Com
pany 500,000 acres within the bounds of that
colony beyond the Alleghanies, 200,000 of which
were to be located at once. This provision was to
hold good for ten years, free of quit rent, provided
the Company „would settle 100 families within
seven years, and build a fort sufficient for their
protection. These terms the Company accepted,
and sent at once to London for a cargo suitable for
the Indian trade. This was the beginning of
English Companies in the West ; this one forming
a prominent part in the history of Ohio, as will
be seen hereafter. Others were also formed in
Virginia, whose object was the colonization of the
West. One of these, the Loyal Company, received,
on the 12th of June, 1749, a grant of 800,000
acres, from the line of Canada on the north and
west, and on the 29th of October, 1751, the Green-
briar Company received a grant of 100,000 acres.

To these encroachments, the French were by no
means blind. They saw plainly enough that if
the English gained a foothold in the West, they
would inevitably endeavor to obtain the country,
and one day the issue could only be decided by
war. Vaudreuil, the French Governor, had long
anxiously watched the coming struggle. In 1774,
he wrote home representing the consequences that
would surely come, should the English succeed in
their plans. The towns of the French in Illinois
were producing large amounts of bread-stuffs and
provisions which they sent to New Orleans. These
provinces were becoming valuable, and must not be
allowed to come under control of a rival power.
In 1749, Louis Celeron was sent by the Governor
with a party of soldiers to plant leaden plates, suit
ably inscribed, along the Ohio at the mouths of
the principal streams. Two of these plates were
afterward exhumed. One was sent to the Mary
land Historical Society, and the inscription* deci
phered by De Witt Clinton. On these plates was
clearly stated the claims of France, as will be seen
from the translation below.
England's claim, briefly and clearly stated, read
as follows: "That all lands, or countries west
ward from the Atlantic Ocean to the South Sea,
between 48 and 34 degrees of North Latitude,
were expressly included in the grant of King
James the First, to divers of his subjects, so long
time since as the year 1606, and afterwards con
firmed in the year 1620 ; and under this grant,
the colony of Virginia claims extent so far west
as the South Sea, and the ancient colonies of Mass
achusetts Bay and Connecticut, were by their
respective charters, made to extend to the said
South Sea, so that not only the right to the sea
coast, but to all the Inland countries from sea to
sea, has at all times been asserted by the Crown of
England."f To make good their titles, both nations were now
doing their utmost. Professedly at peace, it only
needed a torch applied, as it were, to any point, to
instantly precipitate hostilities. The French were

*The following is the translation of the inscription of the plate
found at Venango : ' " In the year 1749, reign of Louis XV, King of
France, we, Celeron, commandant of a detachment by Monsieur
the Marquis of Gallisoniere, Commander-in-chief of New France,
to establish tranquillity in certain Indian villages in these Cantons,
have buried this plate at 'tho confluence of the Toraclafeoin, this
twenty-ninth of July, near the River Ohio, otherwise Beautiful
River, as a monument of renewal of possession which we have taken
of tho said river, and all its tributaries; and of all the land on both
sides, as far as the sources of said rivers; inasmuch as the preceding
Kings of France have enjoyed it, and maintained it by their arms
and by treaties ; especially by those of Ryswick, Utrecht, and Aix
La Chapelle."
i Colonial Records of Pennsylvania.

3 fy

40

HISTORY OF OHIO.

busily engaged erecting forts from the southern
shores of Lake Erie to the Ohio, and on down in
the Illinois Valley ; up at Detroit, and at all its
posts, preparations were constantly going on for the
crisis, now sure to come. The issue between the
two governments was now fully made up. It ad
mitted of no compromise but the sword. To that,
however, neither power desired an immediate ap
peal, and both sought rather to establish and fortify
their interests, and to conciliate the Indian tribes.
The English, through the Ohio Company, sent out
Christopher Gist in the fall of 1750, to explore the
regions west of the mountains. He was instructed
to examine the passes, trace the courses of the
rivers, mark the falls, seek for valuable lands, ob
serve the strength, and to conciliate the friendship
of the Indian tribes. He was well fitted for such
an enterprise. Hardy, sagacious, bold, an adept in
Indian character, a hunter by occupation, no man
was better qualified than he for such an undertak
ing. He visited Logstown, where he was jealously
received, passed over to the Muskingum River and
Valley in Ohio, where he found a village of Wyan
dots, divided in sentiment. At this village he met
Crogan, another equally famous frontiersman, who
had been sent out by Pennsylvania. Together
they held a council with the chiefs, and received
assurance of the friendship of the tribe. This
done, they passed to the Shawnee towns on the
Scioto, received their assurances of friendship, and
went on to the Miami Valley, which they crossed,
remarking in Crogan's journal of its great fertili
ty. They made a raft of logs on which they
crossed the Great Miami, visited Piqua, the chief
town of the Pickawillanies, and here made treaties
with the Weas and Piankeshaws. While here, a
deputation of the Ottawas visited the Miami Con
federacy to induce them to unite with the French.
They were repulsed through the influence of the
English agents, the Miamis sending Gist word that
they would " stand like the mountains. " Crogan
now returned and published an account of their
wanderings. Gist followed the Miami to its
mouth, passed down the Ohio till within fifteen
miles of the falls, then returned by way of the
Kentucky River, over the highlands of Kentucky
to Virginia, arriving in May, 1751. He had
visited the Mingoes, Delawares, Wyandots, Shawa
nees and Miamis, proposed a union among these
tribes, and appointed a grand council to meet at
Logstown to form' an alliance among themselves
and with Virginia. His journey was marvelous
for the day. It was extremely hazardous, as he

was part of the time among hostile tribes, who
could have captured him and been well rewarded
by the French Government. But Gist knew how
to act, and was successful.
While Gist was doing this, some English traders
established themselves at a place in what is now
known as Shelby County, Ohio, and opened a
store for the purpose of trading with the Indians.
This was clearly in the limits of the West, claimed
by the French, and at once aroused them to action.
The fort or stockade stood on the banks of Loramie's
Creek, about sixteen miles northwest of the present
city of Sydney. It received the name Loramie
from the creek by the French, which received
its name in turn from the French trader of
that name, who had a trading-post on this
creek. Loramie had fled to the Spanish country
west of the Mississippi, and for many years
was a trader there ; his store being at the junc
tion of the Kansas and Missouri, near the present
city of Kansas City, Mo. When the English
traders came to Loramie's Creek, and erected
their trading-place, they gave it the name of Pick-
awillany, from the tribe of Indians there. The
Miami confederacy granted them this privilege
as the result of the presents brought by Crogan and
Gist. It is also asserted that Andrew Montour,
a half-breed, son of a Seneca chief and the famous
Catharine Montour, who was an important fac
tor afterward in the English treaties with the
Indians, was with them, and by his influence did
much to aid in securing the privilege. Thus was
established the first English trading-post in the
Northwest Territory and in Ohio. It, however,
enjoyed only a short duration. The French could
not endure so clear an invasion of their country,
and gathering a force of Ottawas and Chippewas,
now their allies, they attacked the stockade in
June, 1752. At first they demanded of the Miamis
the surrender of the fort, as they were the real
cause of its location, having granted the English
the privilege. The Miamis not only refused, but
aided the British in the defense. In the battle that
ensued, fourteen of the Miamis were slain, and all
the traders captured. One account says they were
burned, another, and probably the correct one,
states that they were taken to Canada as prisoners
of war. It is probable the traders were from Penn
sylvania, as that commonwealth made the Miamis
presents as condolence for their warriors that were
slain. Blood had now been shed. The opening gun of
the French and Indian war had been fired, and both

-— +-

i£*

HISTORY OF OHIO.

41

nations became more deeply interested in affairs in
the West. The English were determined to secure
additional title to the West, and, in 1752; sent
Messrs. Fry, Lomax and Patton as commissioners
to Logstown to treat with the Indians, and confirm
the Lancaster treaty. They met the Indians on
the 9th of June, stated their desires, and on the
11th received their answer. At first, the sav
ages were not inclined to recognize the Lancaster
treaty, but agreed to aid the English, as the French
had already made war on the Twigtees (at Picka-
willany), and consented to the establishment of a
fort and trading-post at the forks of the Ohio.
This was not all the Virginians wanted, however,
and taking aside Andrew Montour, now chief of the
Six Nations, persuaded him to use his influence
with the red men. By such means, they were in
duced to treat, and on the 13th they all united in
signing a deed, confirming the Lancaster treaty in
its full extent, consenting to a settlement southwest
of the Ohio, and covenanting that it should not be
disturbed by them. By such means was obtained
the treaty with the Indians in the Ohio Valley.
All this time, the home governments were en
deavoring to out-maneuver each other with regard
to the lands in the West, though there the outlook
only betokened war. The French understood bet
ter than the English how to manage the Indians,
and succeeded in attaching them firmly to their
cause. The English were not honest in their
actions with them, and hence, in after years, the
massacres that followed.
At the close of 1752, Gist was at work, in con
formity with the Lancaster and Logstown treaties,
laying out a fort and town on Chartier's Creek,
about ten miles below the fork. Eleven families
had crossed the mountains to settle at Gist's resi
dence west of Laurel Hill, not far from the Yough-
iogheny. Goods had come from England for the
Ohio Company, which were carried as far West as
Will's Creek, where Cumberland now stands ; and
where they were taken by the Indians and traders.
On the other hand, the French were gathering
cannon and stores on Lake Erie, and, without
treaties or deeds of land, were gaining the good
will of the inimical tribes, and preparing, when all
was ready, to strike the blow. Their fortifications
consisted of a chain of forts from Lake Erie to
the Ohio, on the border. One was at Presque Isle,
on the site of Erie ; one on French Creek, on the
site of Waterford, Penn.; one at the mouth of
French Creek, in Venango County, Penn.; while
opposite it was another, effectually commanding

that section of country. These forts, it will be
observed, were all in the limits of the Pennsyl
vania colony. The Governor informed the Assem
bly of their existence, who voted £600 to be used
in purchasing presents for the Indians near the
forts, and thereby hold their friendship. Virginia,
also, took similar measures. Trent was sent, with
guns and ammunition and presents, to the friendly
tribes, and, while on his mission, learned of the
plates of lead planted by the French. In October,
1753, a treaty was consummated with representa
tives of the Iroquois, Delawares, Shawanees, Twig
twees and Wyandots, by commissioners from
Pennsylvania, one of whom was the philosopher
Franklin. At the conferences held at this time,
the Indians complained of the actions of the
French in forcibly taking possession of the dis
puted country, and also bitterly denounced them
for using rum to intoxicate the red men, when
they desired to gain any advantage. Not long
after, they had similar grounds of complaint against
the English, whose lawless traders cared fornothing
but to gain the furs of the savage at as little ex
pense as possible.
The encroachments of the French on what was
regarded as English territory, created intense feel
ing in the colonies, especially in Virginia. The
purpose of the French to inclose the English on
the Atlantic Coast, and thus prevent their extension
over the mountains, became more and more ap
parent, and it was thought that this was the open
ing of a scheme already planned by the French
Court to reduce all North America under the do
minion of France. Gov. Dinwiddie determined
to send an ambassador to the French posts, to as
certain their real intentions and to observe the
amount and disposition of their forces. He selected
a young Virginian, then in his twenty-first year,
a surveyor by trade and one well qualified for the
duty. That young man afterward led the Ameri
can Colonies in their struggle for liberty. George
Washington and one companion, Mr Gist, suc
cessfully made the trip, in the solitude of a severe
winter, received assurance from the French com
mandant that they would by no means abandon
their outposts, and would not yield unless com
pelled by force of arms. The commandant was
exceedingly polite, but firm, and assured the young
American that "we claim the country on the Ohio
by virtue of the discovery of La Salle (in 1669)
and will not give it up to the English. Our orders
are to make prisoners of every Englishman found
trading in the Ohio Valley."

vs.
9 "V

42

HISTORY OF OHIO.

During Washington's absence steps were taken
to fortify the point formed by the junction of the
Monongahel'a and Alleghany ; and when, on his
return, he met seventeen horses loaded with mate
rials and stores for a fort at the forks of the Ohio,
and, soon after, some families going out to settle,
he knew the defense had begun. As soon as
Washington made his report, Gov. Dinwiddie
wrote to the Board of Trade, stating that the
French were building a fort at Venango, and that,
in March, twelve or fifteen hundred men would
be ready to descend the river with their Indian
allies, for which purpose three hundred canoes had
been collected ; and that Logstown was to be made
headquarters, while forts were to be built in other
places. He sent expresses to the Governors of
Pennsylvania and New York, apprising them of the
nature of affairs, and calling upon them for assist
ance. He also raised two companies, one of which
was raised by Washington, the other by Trent.
The one under Trent was to be raised on the
frontiers, and was, as soon as possible, to repair to
the Fork and erect there a fort, begun by the Ohio
Company. Owing to various conflicting opinions
between the Governor of Pennsylvania and his
Assembly, and the conference with the Six Nations,
held by New York, neither of those provinces put
forth any vigorous measures until stirred to action
by the invasions on the frontiers, and until directed
by the Earl of Holderness, Secretary of State.
The fort at Venango was finished by the French
in April, 1754. All along the creek resounded
the clang of arms and the preparations for war.
New York and Pennsylvania, though inactive,
and debating whether the French really had in
vaded English territory or not, sent aid to the
Old Dominion, now all alive to the conquest. The
two companieshadbeen increased to six; Washing
ton was raised to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel,
and made second under command of Joshua
Fry. Ten cannon, lately from England, were for
warded from Alexandria ; wagons were got ready
to carry westward provisions and stores through
the heavy spring roads; and everywhere men were
enlisting under the King's promise of two huudred
thousand acres of land to those who would go.
They were gathering along Will's Creek and far
beyond, while Trent, who had come for more men
and supplies, left a little band of forty-one men,
working away in hunger and want at the Fork, to
which both nations were looking with anxious eyes.
Though no enemy was near, and only a few Indian
scouts were seen, keen eyes had observed the low

fortifications at the Fork. Swift feet had borne
the news of it up the valley, and though Ensign
Ward, left in command, felt himself secure, on the
17 th of April he saw a sight that made his heart
sick. Sixty batteaux and three hundred canoes
were coming down the Alleghany. The com
mandant sent him a summons, which evaded no
words in its meaning. It was useless to contend,
that evening he supped with his conqueror ; the
next day he was bowed out by the polite French
man,, and with his men and tools marched up the
Monongahela. The first birds of spring were fill
ing the air with their song ; the rivers rolled by,
swollen by April showers and melting snows ; all
nature was putting on her robes of green ; and the
fortress, which the English had so earnestly strived
to obtain and fortify, was now in the hands of the
French. Fort Du Quesne arose on the incomplete
fortifications. The seven years' war that followed
not only affected America, but spread to all quar
ters of the world. The war made England a great
imperial power ; drove the French from Asia and
America; dispelled the brilliant and extended
scheme of Louis and his voluptuous empire.
The active field of operations was in the Canadas
principally, and along the western borders of Penn
sylvania. There were so few people then in the
present confines of Ohio, that only the possession
of the country, in common with all the West,
could be the animus of the conflict. It so much
concerned this part of the New World, that a brief
resum6 of the war will be necessary to fully under'-
stand its history.
The fall of the post at the fork of the Ohio, Fort
Du Quesne, gave the French control of the West.
Washington went on with his few militia to re
take the post. Though he was successful at first,
he was in the end defeated, and surrendered,
being allowed to return with all his munitions of
war. The two governments, though trying to
come to a peaceful solution of the question, were
getting ready for the conflict. France went stead
ily on, though at one time England gave, in a
measure, her consent to allow the French to retain
all the country west of the Alleghanies and south
of the lakes. Had this been done, what a different
future would have been in America ! Other des
tinies were at work, however, and the plan fell
stillborn. England sent Gen. Braddock and a fine force
of men, who marched directly toward the post on
the Ohio. His ill-fated expedition resulted only
in the total defeat of his army, and his own death.

.A

HISTORY OF OHIO.

43

Washington saved a remnant of the army, and
made his way back to the colonies. The En
glish needed a leader. They next planned four
campaigns; one against Fort Du Quesne; one
against Crown Point; one against Niagara, and
one against the French settlements in Nova Scotia.
Nearly every one proved a failure. The English
were defeated on sea and on land, all owing to the
incapacity of Parliament, and the want of a suit
able, vigorous leader. The settlements on-the front
iers, now exposed to a cruel foe, prepared to defend
themselves, and already the signs of a government
of their own, able to defend itself, began to
appear. They received aid from the colonies.
Though the French were not repulsed, they and
their red allies found they could not murder with
impunity. Self-preservation was a stronger incen
tive in conflict than aggrandizement, and the
cruelty of the Indians found avengers.
The great Pitt became Prime Minister June 29,
1757. The leader of the English now appeared.
The British began to regain their losses on sea and
land, and for them a brighter day was at hand.
The key to the West must be retaken, and to Gen.
Forbes was assigned the duty. Preceding him,
a trusty man was sent to the Western Indians
at the head-waters of the Ohio, and along the Mo-
nongahela and Alleghany, to see if some compro
mise with them could not be made, and their aid
secured. The French had been busy through their
traders inciting the Indians against the English.
The lawless traders were another source of trouble.
Caring nothing for either nation, they carried on a
distressing traffic in direct violation of the laws,
continually engendering ill-feeling among the na
tives. "Your traders," said one of them, "bring
scarce anything but rum and flour. They bring
little powder and lead, or other valuable goods.
The rum ruins us. We beg you would prevent
•its coming in such quantities by regulating the
traders. * * * These wicked whisky sell
ers, when they have got the Indians in liquor, make
them sell the very clothes off their backs. If this
practice be continued, we must be inevitably ruined.
We most earnestly, therefore, beseech you to remedy
it. " They complained of the Fren ch traders the same
way. They were also beginning to see the animus
of the whole conflict. Neither power cared as
much for them as for their land, and flattered and
bullied by turns as served their purposes best.
The man selected to go upon this undertaking
was Christian Frederic Post, a Moravian, who had
lived among the Indians seventeen years, and mar

ried into one of their tribes. He was amissionary,
and though obliged to cross a country whose every
stream had been dyed by blood, and every hillside
rung with the death-yell, and grown red with the
light of burning huts, he went willingly on his way.
Of his journey, sufferings and doings, his own
journal tells the story. He left Philadelphia on the
15th of July, 1758, and on the 7th of August
safely passed the French post at Venango, went on
to Big Beaver Creek, where he held a conference
with the chiefs of the Indians gathered there. It
was decided that a great conference should be
held opposite Fort Du Quesne, where there were
Indians of eight nations. "We will bear you in
our bosoms," said the natives, when Post expressed
a fear that he might be delivered over to the
French, and royally they fulfilled their promises.
At the conference, it was made clear to Post that
all the Western Indians were wavering in their
allegiance to the French, owing largely to the fail
ure of that nation to fulfill their promises of aid to
prevent them from being deprived of their land by
the Six Nations, and through that confederacy, by the
English. The Indians complained bitterly, more
over, of the disposition of the whites in over-run
ning and claiming their lands. "Why did you not
fight your battles at home or on the sea, instead of
coming into our country to fight them?" they
asked again and again, and mournfully shook their
heads when they thought of the future before them.
" Your heart is good," said they to Post. " You
speak sincerely; but we know there is always a great
number who wish to get rich; they have enough ;
look ! we do not want to be rich and take away
what others have. The white people think we
have no brains in our heads ; that they are big,
and we are a handful ; but remember when you
hunt for a rattlesnake, you cannot always find it,
and perhaps it will turn and bite you before you see
it."* When the war of Pontiac came, and all
the West was desolated, this saying might have
been justly remembered. After concluding a peace,
Post set out for Philadelphia, and after incredi
ble hardships, reached the settlement uninjured
early in September. His mission had more to do
than at first is apparent, in the success of the
English. Had it not been for him, a second Brad-
dock's defeat might have befallen Forbes, now on
his way to subjugate Fort Du Quesne.
Through the heats of August, the army hewed its
way toward the West. Early in September it

?Post's Journal.

"7o

~a) "ly

+LS1

44

HISTORY OF OHIO.

reached Raystown, whither Washington had been
ordered with his troops. Sickness had prevented
him from being here already, Two officers were
sent out to reconnoiter the fort, who returned and
gave a very good account of its condition. Gen.
Forbes desired to know-more of it, and sent out
Maj. Grant, with 800 men, to gain more complete
knowledge. Maj. Grant, supposing not more than
200 soldiers to be in the fort, marched near it and
made a feint to draw them out, and engage them
in battle. He was greatly misinformed as to the
strength of the French, and in the engagement
that followed he was badly beaten— 270 of his men
killed, 42 wounded, and several, including himself,
taken prisoners. The French, elated with their
victory, attacked the main army, but were repulsed
and obliged to retreat to the fort. The army con
tinued on its march. On the 24th of November
they reached Turtle Creek, where a council of war
was held, and where Gen. Forbes, who had been so
ill as to be carried on a litter from the start, de
clared, with a mighty oath, he would sleep that
night in the fort, or in a worse place. The Indi
ans had, however, carried the news to the French
that the English were as plenty as the trees of the
woods, and in their fright they set fire to the fort in
the night and left up and down the Ohio River.
The next morning the English, who had heard the
explosion of the magazine, and seen the light of
the burning walls, marched in and took peaceable
possession. A small fortification was thrown up
on the bank, and, in honor of the great English
statesman, it was called Fort Pitt. Col. Hugh Mer
cer was left in command, and the main body of the
army marched back to the settlements. It reached
Philadelphia January 17, 1759. On the 11th of
March, Gen. Forbes died, and was buried in the
chancel of Christ's Church, in that city.
Post was now sent on a mission to the Six Na
tions, with a report of the treaty of Easton. He
was again instrumental in preventing a coalition of
the Indians and the French. Indeed, to this ob
scure Moravian missionary belongs, in a large
measure, the honor of the capture of Fort Du
Quesne, for by his influence had the Indians been
restrained from attacking the army on its march.
The garrison, on leaving the fort, went up and
down the Ohio, part to Presque Isle by land, part to
Fort Venango, while some of them went on down
the Ohio nearly to the Mississippi, and there, in
what is now Massac County, 111., erected a fort,
called by them Fort Massac. It was afterward
named by many Fort Massacre, from the erroneous

supposition that a garrison had been massacred
there. The French, though deprived of the key to
the West, went on preparing stores and ammunition,
expecting to retake the fort in the spring. Before
they could do this, however, other places demanded
their attention.
The success of the campaign of 1758 opened
the way for the consummation of the great scheme
0f pitt — the complete reduction of Canada. Three
expeditions were planned, by which Canada,
already well nigh annihilated and suffering for
food, was to be subjugated. On the west, Prideaux
was to attack Niagara ; in. the center, Amherst was
to advance on Ticonderoga and Crown Point ; on
the east, Wolfe was to besiege Quebec. All these
points gained, the three armies were to be united
in the center of the province.
Amherst appeared before Ticonderoga July 22.
The French blew up their works, and retired
to Crown Point. Driven from there, they re
treated to Isle Aux Nois and entrenched them
selves. The lateness of the season prevented fur
ther action, and Amherst went into winter quar
ters at Crown Point. Early in June, Wolfe
appeared before Quebec with an army of 8,000
men. On the night of September 12, he silently
ascended the river, climbed the heights of Abra
ham, a spot considered impregnable by the
French, and on the summit formed his army of
5,000 men. Montcalm, the French commander,
was compelled to give battle. The British col
umns, flushed with success, charged his half-formed
lines, and dispersed them.
"They fly! they fly!" heard Wolfe, just as he
expired from the effect of a mortal wound, though.
not till he had ordered their retreat cut off, and
exclaimed, "Now, God be praised, I die happy."
Montcalm, on hearing from the surgeon that death
would come in a few hours, said, " I am glad of it.
I shall not live to see the surrender of Quebec." At
five the next morning he died happy.
Prideaux moved up Lake Ontario, and on the
6th of July invested Niagara. Its capture would
cut off the French from the west, and every en
deavor was made to hold it. Troops, destined to
take the small garrison at Fort Pitt, were held to
assist in raising the siege of Niagara. M. de
Aubry, commandant in Illinois, came up with 400
men and 200,000 pounds of flour. Cut off by the
abandonment of Fort Du Quesne from the Ohio
route, he ascended that river as far as the Wabash,
thence to portage of Fort Miami, or Fort Wayne,

4*

HISTORY OF OHIO.

47

down the Maumee to Lake Erie, and on to Presqu-
ville, or Presque Isle, over the portage to Le Bceuf,
and thence down French Creek to Fort Venango.
He was chosen to lead the expedition for the relief
of Niagara. They were pursued by Sir William
Johnson, successor to Prideaux, who had lost his
life by the bursting of a cannon, and were obliged to
flee. The next day Niagara, cut off from succor,
surrendered. All America rang with exultation. Towns were
bright with illuminations ; the hillsides shone with
bonfires. From press, from pulpit, from platform,
and from speakers' desks, went up one glad song of
rejoicing. England was victorious everywhere.
The colonies had done their full share, and now
learned their strength. That strength was needed
now, for ere long a different conflict raged on the
soil of America — a conflict ending in the birth of
a new nation.
The English sent Gen. Stanwix to fortify Fort
Pitt, still looked upon as one of the principal for
tresses in the West. He erected a good fortifica
tion there, which remained under British control
fifteen years. Now nothing of the fort is left. No
memorial of the British possession remains in the
West but a single redoubt, built in 1764 by Col.
Bouquet, outside of the fort. Even this can hardly
now be said to exist.
The fall of Quebec did not immediately produce
the submission of Canada. M. de Levi, on whom
the command devolved, retired with the French
Army to Montreal. In the spring of 1760, he be
sieged Quebec, but the arrival of an English fleet
caused him to again retreat to Montreal.
Amherst and Johnson, meanwhile, effected a
union of their forces, the magnitude of whose
armies convinced the French that resistance would
be useless, and on the 8th of September, M. de
Vaudreuil, the Governor of Canada, surrendered
Montreal, Quebec, Detroit, Mackinaw and all other
posts in Canada, to the English commander-in-
chief, Amherst, on condition that the French in
habitants should, during the war, be "protected
in the full and free exercise of their religion, and
the full enjoyment of their civil rights, leaving
their future destinies to be decided by the treaty
of peace."
Though peace was concluded in the New World,
on the continent the Powers experienced some
difficulty in arriving at a satisfactory settlement.
It was finally settled by what is known in history
as the "family compact." France and Spain saw
in the conquest the growing power of England,

and saw, also, that its continuance only extended
that power. Negotiations were re-opened, and on
the 3d of November, 1762, preliminaries were
agreed to and signed, and afterward ratified in
Paris, in February, 1763. By the terms of the
compact, Spain ceded to Great Britian East and
West Florida. To compensate Spain, France
ceded to her by a secret article, all Louisiana west
of the Mississippi.
The French and Indian war was now over.
Canada and all its dependencies were now in pos
session of the English, who held undisputed sway
over the entire West as far as Mississippi. It only
remained for them to take possession of the out
posts. Major Robert Rogers was sent to take pos
session of Detroit and establish a garrison there.
He was a partisan officer on the borders of New
Hampshire, where he earned a name for bravery,
but afterward tarnished it by treasonable acts. On
his way to Detroit, on the 7th of November, 1760,
he was met by the renowned chief, Pontiac, who
authoritatively commanded him to pause and ex
plain his acts. Rogers replied by explaining the
conquest of Canada, and that he was acting under
orders from his King. Through the influence of
Pontiac, the army was saved from the Indians
sent out by the French, and was allowed to pro
ceed on its way. Pontiac had assured his protec
tion as long as the English treated him with due
deference. Beletre, the commandant at Detroit,
refused to surrender to the English commander,
until he had received positive assurance from his
Governor, Vaudreuil, that the country was indeed
conquered. On the 29th of September, the colors
of France gave way to the ensign of Great Britain /
amid the shouts of the soldiery and the astonish
ment of the Indians, whose savage natures could
not understand how such a simple act declared one
nation victors of another, and who wondered at
the forbearance displayed. The lateness of the
season prevented further operations, but early the
next spring, Mackinaw, Green Bay, Ste. Marie, St.
Joseph and the Ouitenon surrounded, and nothing
was left but the Illinois towns. These were se
cured as soon as the necessary arrangements could
be made.
Though the English were now masters of the
West, and had, while many of these events nar
rated were transpiring, extended their settlements
beyond the Alleghanies, they were by no means
secure in their possession. The woods and prairies
were full of Indians, who, finding the English like
the French, caring more for gain than the welfare

48

HISTORY OF OHIO.

of the natives, began to exhibit impatience and re
sentment as they saw their lands gradually taken
from them. The English policy differed very
materially from the French. The French made
the Indian, in a measure, independent and taught
him a desire for European goods. They also
affiliated easily with them, and became thereby
strongly endeared to the savage. The French
were a merry, easy-going race, fond of gayety and
delighting in adventure. The English were harsh,
stern, and made no advances to gain the friend
ship of the savage. They wanted land to cultivate
and drove away the Indian's game, and forced him
farther west. "Where shall we go?" said the
Indian, despondently; "you drive us farther and
farther west; by and by you will want all the
land." And the Anglo-Saxon went sturdily on,
paying no heed to the complaints. The French

traders incited the Indian to resent the encroach
ment. " The English will annihilate you and take
all your land," said they. " Their father, the King
of France, had been asleep, now he had awakened
and was coming with a great army to reclaim Can
ada, that had been stolen from him while he slept."
Discontent under such circumstances was but
natural. Soon all the tribes, from the mountains
to the Mississippi, were united in a plot. It was
discovered in 1761, and arrested. The next sum
mer, another was detected and arrested. The
officers, and all the people, failed to realize the
danger. The rattlesnake, though not found, was
ready to strike. It is only an Indian discontent,
thought the people, and they went on preparing to
occupy the country. They were mistaken — the
crisis only needed a leader to direct it. That
leader appeared.

CHAPTER IV-

PONTIAC'S CONSPIRACY— ITS FAILURE— BOUQUET'S EXPEDITION— OCCUPATION BY THE
ENGLISH.

PONTIAC, the great chief of the Ottawas, was
now about fifty years old. He had watched
the conflict between the nations with a jealous eye,
and as he saw the gradual growth of the English
people, their encroachment on the lands of the In
dians, their greed, and their assumption of the soil,
his soul was stirred within him to do something
for his people. He had been a true friend of the
French, and had led the Indians at the defeat of
Braddock. Amid all the tumult, he alone saw the
true state of affairs. The English would inevit
ably crush out the Indians. To save his race he
saw another alliance with the French was neces
sary, and a restoration of their power and habits
needed. It was the plan of a statesman. It only
failed because of the perfidy of the French. Matur
ing his plans late in the autumn of 1762, he sent
messengers to all the Western and Southern tribes,
with the black wampum and red tomahawk, em
blems of war, from the great Pontiac. " On a cer
tain day in the next year," said the messenger, "all
the tribes are to rise, seize all the English posts,
and, then attack the whole frontier."
The great council of all the tribes was held at
the river Ecorces, on the 27th of April, 1763.
There, before the assembled chiefs, Pontiac deliv

ered a speech, full of eloquence and art. He
recounted the injuries and encroachments of the
English, and disclosed their designs. The French
king was now awake and would aid them. Should
they resign their homes and the graves of their
fathers without an effort? Were their young men
no longer brave? Were they squaws? The
Great Master of Life had chided them for their
inactivity, and had sent his commands to drive
the "Red Dogs" from the earth. The chiefs
eagerly accepted the wampum and the tomahawk,
and separated to prepare for the coming strife.
The post at Detroit was informed of the plot
the evening before it was to occur, by an Ojibway
girl of great beauty, the mistress of the com
mander, Major Gladwin. Pontiac was foiled here,
his treachery discovered, and he was sternly ordered
from the conference. A regular seige followed,
but he could not prevail. He exhibited a degree
of sagacity unknown in the annals of savage war
fare, but all to no purpose ; the English were too
strong for him.
At all the other posts, save one, however, the
plans of Pontiac were carried out, and atrocities,
unheard of before in American history, resulted.
The Indians attacked Detroit on the first of May,

ȣ> (

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

49

and? foiled in their plans, a siege immediately fol
lowed. On the 16th, a party of Indians appeared
before the fort at Sandusky. Seven of them were
admitted. Suddenly, while smoking, the massacre
begins. All but Ensign Paulli, the commander,
fall. He is carried as a trophy to Pontiac.
At the mouth of the St. Joseph's, the mission
aries had maintained a mission station over sixty
years. They gave way to an English garrison of
fourteen soldiers and a few traders. On the
morning of May 25, a deputation of Pottawato
mies are allowed to enter. In less than two min
utes, all the garrison but the commander are slain.
He is sent to Pontiac.
Near the present city of Fort Wayne, Ind.,
at the junction of the waters, stood Fort Miami,
garrisoned by a few men. Holmes, the com
mander, is asked to visit a sick woman. He is
slain on the way, the sergeant following is made
prisoner, and the nine soldiers surrender.
On the night of the last day of May, the wam
pum reaches the Indian village below La Fayette,
Ind., and near Fort Ouitenon. The commander
of the fort is lured into a cabin, bound, and his
garrison surrender. Through the clemency of
French settlers, they are received into their houses
and protected.
At Michilimackinac, a game of ball is projected.
Suddenly the ball is thrown through the gate of the
stockade. The Indians press in, and, at a signal,
almost all are slain or made prisoners.
The i fort at Presque Isle, now Erie, was the
point of communication between Pittsburgh and
Niagara and Detroit. It was one of the most
tenable, and had a garrison of four and twenty
men. On the 22d of June, the commander, to
save his forces from total annihilation, surrenders,
and all are carried prisoners to Detroit.
The capitulation at Erie left Le Boeuf with
out hope. He was attacked on the 18th,
but kept off the Indians till midnight, when he
made a successful retreat. As they passed Ve
nango, on their way to Fort Pitt, they saw only
the ruins of that garrison. Not one of its immates
had been spared.
Fort Pitt was the most important station west
of the Alleghanies. " Escape ! " said Turtle's
Heart, a Delaware warrior ; " you will all be
slain. A great army is coming." "There are
three large English armies coming to my aid,"
said Ecuyer, the commander. " I have enough
provisions and ammunition to stand a siege of three
years' time." A second and third attempt was

made by the savages to capture the post, but all to
no avail. Baffled on all sides here, they destroy
Ligonier, a few miles below, ahd massacre men,
women and children. Fort Pitt was besieged till
the last day of July, but withstood all attacks.
Of all the outposts, only it and Detroit were left.
All had been captured, and the majority of the
garrison slain. Along the frontier, the war was
waged with fury. The Indians were fighting for
their homes and their hunting-grounds ; and for
these they fought with the fury and zeal of
fanatics. Detachments sent to aid Detroit are cut off.
The prisoners aro burnt, and Pontiac, infusing his
zealous and demoniacal spirit into all his savage
allies, pressed the siege with vigor. The French
remained neutral, yet Pontiac made requisitions
on them and on their neighbors in Illinois, issuing
bills of credit on birch-bark, all of which were'
faithfully redeemed. Though these two posts
could not be captured, the frontier could be
annihilated, and vigorously the Indians pursued
their policy. Along the borders of Pennsylvania
and Virginia a relentless warfare was waged,
sparing no one in its way. Old age, feeble infancy,
strong man and gentle woman, fair girl and hope
ful boy — all fell before the scalping-knife of the
merciless savage. The frontiers were devastated.
Thousands were obliged to flee, leaving their
possessions to the torch of the Indian.
The colonial government, under British direc
tion, was inimical to the borders, and the colonists
saw they must depend only upon their own arms
for protection. Already the struggle for freedom
was upon them. They could defend only them
selves. They must do it, too ; for that defense is
now needed in a different cause than settling dis
putes between rival powers. " We have millions
for defense, but not a cent for tribute," said they,
and time verified the remark.
Gen. Amherst bestirred himself to aid the
frontiers. He sent Col. Henry Bouquet, a native
of Switzerland, and now an officer in the English
Army, to relieve the garrison at Fort Pitt. They
followed the route made by Gen. Forbes, and on
the way relieved Forts Bedford and Ligonier, both
beleaguered by the Indians. About a day's jour
ney beyond Ligonier, he was attacked by a body
of Indians at a place called Bushy Run. For
awhile, it seemed that he and all his army would
be destroyed; but Bouquet was bold and brave
and, under a feint of retreat, routed the savages.
He passed on, and relieved the garrison at Fort

> V

4r-

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50

HISTORY OF OHIO.

Pitt, and thus secured it against the assaults of
the Indians. „
The campaign had been disastrous to the En
glish, but fatal to the plans of Pontiac. He could
not capture Detroit, and he knew the great scheme
must fail. The battle of Bushy Run and the
relief of Fort Pitt closed the campaign, and all
hope of co-operation was at an end. Circum
stances were combined against the confederacy,
and it was fast falling to pieces. A proclamation
was issued to the Indians, explaining to them the
existing state of affairs, and showing to them the
futility of their plans. Pontiac, however, would
not give up. Again he renewed the siege of De
troit, and Gen. Gage, now in command of the
army in the colonies, resolved to carry the war
into their own country. Col. Bradstreet was or
dered to lead one army by way of the lakes,
against the Northern Indians, while Col. Bouquet
was sent against the Indians of the Ohio. Col.
Bradstreet went on his way at the head of 1,200
men, but trusting too much to the natives and
their promises, his expedition proved largely a fail
ure. He relieved Detroit in August, 1764, which
had been confined in the garrison over fifteen
months, and dispersed the Indians that yet lay
around the fort. But on his way back, he saw how
the Indians had duped him, and that they were
still plundering the settlements. His treaties were
annulled by Gage, who ordered him to destroy
their towns. The season was far advanced, his
provisions were getting low, and he was obliged to
return to Niagara chagrined and disappointed.
Col. Bouquet knew well the character of the
Indians, and shaped his plans accordingly. He
had an army of 1,500 men, 500 regulars and 1,000
volunteers. They had had experience in fighting
the savages, and could be depended on. At Fort
Loudon, he heard of Bradstreet's ill luck, and saw
through the deception practiced by the Indians.
He arrived at Fort Pitt the 17th of September,
where he arrested a deputation of chiefs, who met
him with the same promises that had deceived
Bradstreet. He sent one of their number back,
threatening to put to death the chiefs unless they
allowed his messengers to safely pass through their
country to Detroit. The decisive tone of his
words convinced them of the fate that awaited
them unless they complied. On the 3d of Octo
ber the army left Fort Pitt, marched down the
river to and across the Tuscarawas, arriving in the
vicinity of Fredrick Post's late mission on the 17th.
There a conference was held with the assembled

tribes. Bouquet sternly rebuked them for their
faithlessness, and when told by the chiefs they cou d
not restrain their young men, he as sternly told
them they were responsible for their acts. He
told them he would trust them no longer. If they
delivered up all their prisoners within twelve days
they might hope for peace, otherwise there would
be no mercy shown them. They were completely
humbled, and, separating hastily, gathered then-
captives. On the 25th, the army proceeded down
to the Tuscarawas, to the junction with White
Woman River, near the town of Coshocton, in
Coshocton County, Ohio, and there made prepa
rations for the reception of the captives. There
they remained until the 18th of November; from
day to day prisoners were brought in— men, women
and children— and delivered to their friends. _ Many
were the touching scenes enacted during this time.
The separated husband and wife met, the latter
often carrying a child born in captivity. Brothers
and sisters, separated in youth, met ; lovers rushed
into each other's arms; children found their
parents, mothers their sons, fathers their daughters,
and neighbors those from whom they had been
separated many years. Yet, there were many dis
tressing scenes. Some looked in vain for long-lost
relatives and friends, that never should return.
Others, that had been captured in their infancy,
would not leave their savage friends, and when
.force was used some fled away. One mother
looked in vain for a child she had lost years be
fore. Day by day, she anxiously watched, but no
daughter's voice reached her ears. One, clad in
savage attire, was brought before her. It could
not be her daughter, she was grown. So was the
maiden before her. " Can not you remember some
mark?" asked Bouquet, whose sympathies were
orison1 ?n this cnsfl. "There is none," said the

aroused in this case. " "there is none," said the
anxious and sorrowful mother. " Sing a song you
sang over her cradle, she may remember," suggested
the commander. One is sung by her mother. As
the song of childhood floats out among the trees
the maiden stops and listens, then approaches.
Yes, she remembers. Mother and daughter are
held in a close embrace, and the stern Bouquet
wipes away a tear at the scene.
On the 18th, the army broke up its encamp
ment and started on its homeward march. Bouquet
kept six principal Indians as hostages, and re
turned to the homes of the captives. The Indians
kept their promises faithfully, and the next year
representatives of all the Western tribes met Sir
William Johnson, at the German Flats, and made

HISTORY OF OHIO.

51

a treaty of peace. A tract of land in the Indian
country was ceded to the whites for the benefit of
those who had suffered in the late war. The In
dians desired to make a treaty with Johnson,
whereby the Alleghany River should be the west
ern boundary of the English, but he excused him
self on the ground of proper power.
Not long after this the Illinois settlements, too
remote to know much of the struggle or of any of
the great events that had convulsed an empire, and
changed the destiny of a nation, were brought
under the English rule. There were five villages
at this date: Kaskaskia, Cahokia, St. Philip, Vin
cennes and Prairie du Rocher, near Fort Chartres,
the military headquarters of these French posses
sions. They were under the control or command
of M. de Abadie, at New Orleans. They had also
extended explorations west of the Mississippi, and
made a few settlements in what was Spanish terri
tory. The country had been, however, ceded to
France, and in February, 1764, the country was
formally taken possession of and the present city
of St. Louis laid out.
As soon as the French knew of the change of
government, many of them went to the west side of
the river, and took up their residence there. They
were protected in their religion and civil rights by
the terms of the treaty, but preferred the rule of
their own King.
The British took possession of this country early
in 1765. Gen. Gage sent Capt. Stirling, of the
English Army, who arrived before summer, and to
whom St. Ange, the nominal commandant, surren
dered the authority. The British, through a suc
cession of commanders, retained control of the coun
try until defeated by George Rogers Clarke, and
his "ragged Virginia militia."
After a short time, the French again ceded the
country west of the Mississippi to Spain, and re
linquished forever their control of all the West in
the New World.
The population of Western Louisiana, when the
exchange of governments occurred, was estimated
to be 13,538, of which 891 were in the Illinois
country — as it was called — west of the Mississippi.
East of the river, and before the French crossed
into Spanish country, the population was estimated
to be about 3,000. All thesev had grown into
communities of a peculiar character. Indeed, that
peculiarity, as has been observed, never changed
until a gradual amalgamation with the American
people effected it, and that took more than a cen
tury of time to accomplish.

The English now owned the Northwest. True,
they did not yet occupy but a small part of it, but
traders were again crossing the mountains, ex
plorers for lands were on the Ohio, and families
for settlement were beginning to look upon the
West as their future home. Companies were again
forming to purchase large tracts in the Ohio coun
try, and open them for emigration. One thing yet
stood in the way — a definite boundary line. That
line, however, was between the English and the
Indians, and not, as had heretofore been the case,
between rival European Powers. It was necessary
to arrange some definite boundary before land com
panies, who were now actively pushing their claims,
could safely survey and locate their lands.
Sir William Johnson, who had at previous times
been instrumental in securing treaties, wrote re
peatedly to the Board of Trade, who controlled the
greater part of the commercial transactions in the
colonies — and who were the first to exclaim against
extending English settlements beyond a limit
whereby they would need manufactures, and there
by become independent of the Mother Country —
urging upon them, and through them the Crown, the
necessity of a fixed boundary, else another Indian
war was probable. The Indians found themselves
gradually hemmed in by the growing power of the
whites, and began to exhibit hostile feelings. The
irritation became so great that in the summer of
1767, Gage wrote to the Governor of Pennsylvania
concerning it. The Governor communicated his
letter to the General Assembly, who sent repre
sentatives to England, to urge the immediate set
tlement of the question. In compliance with these
requests, and the letters of prominent citizens,
Franklin among the number, instructions were sent
to Johnson, ordering him to complete the purchase
from the Six Nations, and settle all differences.
He sent word to all the Western tribes to meet
him at Fort Stanwix, in October, 1768. The con
ference was held on the 24th of that month, and
was attended by colonial representatives, and by
Indians from all parts of the Northwest. It was
determined that the line should begin on the Ohio,
at the mouth of the Cherokee (Tennessee), thence
up the river to the Alleghany and on to Kittan-
ning, and thence across to the Susquehanna. By
this line, the whole country south of the Ohio and
Alleghany, to which the Six Nations had any
claim, was transferred. Part of this land was
made to compensate twenty-two traders, whose goods
had been stolen in 1763. The deeds made, were
upon the express agreement that no claims should

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52

HISTORY OF OHIO.

ever be based on the treaties of Lancaster, Logs-
town, etc., and were signed by the chiefs of the Six
Nations for themselves, their allies and dependents,
and the Shawanees, Delawares, Mingoes of Ohio,
and others; though the Shawanees and Delaware
deputies did not sign them. On this treaty, in a
great measure, rests the title by purchase to Ken
tucky, Western Virginia and Western Pennsylva
nia. The rights of the Cherokees were purchased
by Col. Donaldson, either for the King, Virginia,
or for himself, it is impossible to say which.
The grant of the northern confederacy was now
made. The white man could go in and possess
these lands, and know that an army would protect
him if necessary. Under such a guarantee, West-
em lands came rapidly into market. In addition
to companies already in existence for the purchase
of land, others, the most notable of these being the
"Walpole" and the "Mississippi" Land Companies,
were formed. This latter had among its organizers
such men as Francis Lightfoot Lee, Richard
Henry Lee, George Washington and Arthur Lee.
Before any of these companies, some of whom ab
sorbed the Ohio Company, could do anything, the
Revolution came on, and all land transactions were
at an end. , After its close, Congress would not
sanction their claims, and they fell through. This
did not deter settlers, however, from crossing the
mountains, and settling in the Ohio country. In

spite of troubles with the Indians — some of whom
regarded the treaties with the Six Nations as un
lawful, and were disposed to complain at the rapid
influx of whites — and the failure of the land com
panies, settlers came steadily during the decade
from 1768 to 1778, so that by the close of that
time, there was a large population south of the
Ohio River; while scattered along the northern
banks, extending many miles into the wilderness,
were hardy adventurers, who were carving out
homes in the magnificent forests everywhere cov
ering the country.
Among the foremost speculators in Western
lands, was George Washington. As early as 1763,
he employed Col. Crawford, afterward the leader in
" Crawford's campaign," to purchase lands for him.
In 1770, he crossed the mountains in company
with several gentlemen, and examined the country
along the Ohio, down which stream he passed to
the mouth of the Great Kanawha, where he shot
some buffalo, then plenty, camped, out a few nights,
and returned, fully convinced, it seems, that one
day the West would be the best part of the New-
World. He owned, altogether, nearly fifty thou
sand acres in the West, which he valued at $3.33
per acre. Had not the war of the Revolution just
then broken out, he might have been a resident of
the West, and would have been, of course, one of
its most prominent citizens.

CHAPTER V.

AMERICAN EXPLORATIONS— DUNMORE'S WAR— CAMPAIGN OF GEORGE ROGERS CLARKE-
LAND TROUBLES— SPAIN IN THE REVOLUTION— MURDER OF
THE MORAVIAN INDIANS.

MEANWHILE, Kentucky was filling with
citizens, and though considerable trouble
was experienced with the Indians, and the operations
of Col. Richard Henderson and others, who made
unlawful treaties with the Indians, yet Daniel
Boone and his associates had established a
commonwealth, and, in 1777, a county was
formed, which, erelong, was divided into three.
Louisville was laid out on land belonging to
Tories, and an important start made in this part
of the West. Emigrants came down the Ohio
River, saw the northern shores were inviting, and
sent- back such accounts that the land north of the
river rapidly grew in favor with Eastern people.

One of the most important Western characters,
Col. (afterward Gen.) George Rogers Clarke, had
had much to do in forming its character. He
was born November 19, 1752, in Albemarle
County, Va., and early came West. He had an
unusually sagacious spirit, was an excellent sur
veyor and general, and took an active interest in
all State and national affairs. He understood the
animus of the Revolution, and was prepared to
do his part. Col. Clarke was now meditating a
move unequaled in its boldness, and one that had
more to do with the success of America in the
struggle for independence than at first appears.
He saw through the whole plan of the British,

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

53

who held all the outposts, Kaskaskia, Detroit,
Vincennes and Niagara, and determined to circum
vent them and wrest the West from their power.
The British hoped to encircle the Americans by
these outposts, and also unite the Indians in a
common war against them. That had been
attempted by the French when the English con
quered them. Then the French had a powerful
ally in the person of Pontiac, yet the brave front
iersmen held their homes in many places, though
the Indians " drank the blood of many a Briton,
scooping it up in the hollow of joined hands."
Now the Briton had no Pontiac to lead the scat
tered tribes — tribes who now feared the unerring
aim of a settler, and would not attack him openly —
Clarke knew that the Delawares were divided in
feeling and that the Shawanees were but imperfectly
united in favor of England since the murder of
their noted chiefs. He was convinced that, if the
British could be driven from the Western posts,
the natives could easily be awed into submission,
or bribed into neutrality or friendship. "They
admired, from their savage views of valor, the
side that became victorious. They cared little for
the cause for which either side was fighting.
Clarke sent out spies among them to ascertain the
feasibility of his plans. The spies were gone
from April 20 to June 22, and fully corroborated
his views concerning the English policy and the
feelings of the Indians and French.
Before proceeding in the narrative of this expe
dition, however, it will be well to notice a few acts
transpiring north of the Ohio River, especially re
lating to the land treaties, as they were not without
effect on the British policy. Many of the Indians
north and south of the Ohio would not recognize
the validity of the Fort Stanwix treaty, claiming
the Iroquois had no right to the lands, despite
their conquest. These discontented natives har
assed the emigrants in such a manner that many
Indians were slain in retaliation. This, and the
working of the French traders, who at all times
were bitterly opposed to the English rule, filled the
breasts of the natives with a malignant hate, which
years of bloodshed could not wash out. The
murder of several Indians by lawless whites fanned
the coal into a blaze, and, by 1774, several retalia
tory murders occurred, committed by the natives
in revenge for their fallen friends. The Indian
slew any white man he found, as a revenge on some
friend of his slain ; the frontiersman, acting on the
same principle, made the borders extremely dan
gerous to invaders and invaded. Another cause

of fear occurred about this time, which threatened
seriously to retard emigration.
Pittsburgh had been claimed by both Pennsyl
vania and Virginia, and, in endeavoring to settle
the dispute, Lord Dunmore's war followed. Dr.
John Connelly, an ambitious, intriguing person,
induced Lord Dunmore to assert the claims of Vir
ginia, in the name of the King. In attempting to
carry out his intentions, he was arrested by Arthur
St. Clair, representing the proprietors of Pennsyl
vania, who was at Pittsburgh at the time. Con
nelly was released on bail, but went at once to
Staunton, where he was sworn in as a Justice of
Peace. Returning, he gathered a force of one
hundred and fifty men, suddenly took possession of
Pittsburgh, refused to allow the magistrates to
enter the Court House, or to exercise the functions
of their offices, unless in conformity to his will.
Connelly refused any terms offered by the Penn
sylvania deputies, kept possession of the place,
acted very harshly toward the inhabitants, stirred
up the neutral Indians, and, for a time, threatened
to make the boundary line between the two colonies
a very serious question. His actions led to hostile
deeds by some Indians, when the whites, no doubt
urged by him, murdered seven Indians at the
mouth of the Captina River, and at- the house of
a settler named Baker, where the Indians were
decoyed under promises of friendship and offers of
rum. Among those murdered at the latter place,
was the entire family of the famous Mingoe chief,
Logan. This has been charged to Michael Cresap ;
but is untrue. Daniel Greathouse had command
of the party, and though Cresap may have been
among them, it is unjust to lay the blame at his
feet. Both murders, at Captina and Yellow Creek,
were cruel and unwarranted, and were, without
doubt, the cause of the war that followed, though
the root of the matter lay in Connelly's arbitrary
actions, and in his needlessly alarming the Indians.
Whatever may have been the facts in relation to
the murder of Logan's family, they were of such
a nature as to make all feel sure of an Indian war,
and preparations were made for the conflict.
An army was gathered at Wheeling, which,
some time in July, under command of Col. Mc
Donald, descended the Ohio to the mouth of Cap
tina Creek. They proposed to march against an
Indian town on the Muskingum. The Indians
sued for peace, but their pretensions being found
spurious, their towns and crops were destroyed.
The army then retreated to Williamsburg, having
accomplished but little.

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

The Delawares were anxious for peace ; even the
Mingoes, whose relatives had been slain at Yellow
Creek, and Captina, were restrained; but Logan,
who had been turned to an inveterate foe to the
Americans, came suddenly upon the Monongahela
settlements, took thirteen scalps in revenge for the
loss of his family, returned home and expressed
himself ready to treat with the Long Knives, the
Virginians. Had Connelly acted properly at this
juncture, the war might have been ended; but
his actions only incensed both borderers and In
dians. So obnoxious did he become that Lord
Dunmore lost faith in him, and severely repri
manded him.
To put a stop to the depredations of the Indians,
two large bodies of troops were gathered in Vir
ginia, one under Gen. Andrew Lewis, and one
under command of Dunmore himself. Before
the armies could meet at the mouth of the Great
Kanawha, their objective point, Lewis' army, which
arrived first, was attacked by a furious band of Dela
wares, Shawanees, Iroquois and Wyandots. The
conflict was bitterly prolonged by the Indians, who,
under the leadership of Cornstalk, were deter
mined to make a decisive effort, and fought till
late at night (October 10, 1774), and then only by
a strategic move of Lewis' command — which re
sulted in the defeat of the Indians, compelling them
to cross the Ohio — was the conflict ended. Mean
while, Dunmore's army came into the enemy's
country, and, being joined by the remainder of
Lewis' command, pressed forward intending to an
nihilate the Indian towns. Cornstalk and his
chiefs, however, sued for peace, and the conflict
closed. Dunmore established a camp on Sippo
Creek, where he held conferences with the natives
and concluded the war. When he left the country,
he stationed 100 men at the mouth of the Great
Kanawha, a few more at Pittsburgh, and another
corps at Wheeling, then called Fort Fincastle.
Dunmore intended to return to Pittsburgh the
next spring, meet the Indians and form a definite
peace ; but the revolt of the colonies prevented.
However, he opened several offices for the sale of
lands in the West, some of which were in the limits
of the Pennsylvania colony. This led to the old
boundary dispute again; but before it could be
settled, the Revolution began, and Lord Dunmore's,
as well as almost all other land speculations in the
West, were at an end.
In 1775 and 1776, the chief events transpiring
in the West relate to the treaties with the Indians^
and the endeavor on the part of the Americans to

have them remain neutral in the family quarrel now
coming on, which they could not understand. The
British, like the French, however, could not let
them alone, and finally, as a retaliatory measure,
Congress, under advice of Washington, won some of
them over to the side of the colonies, getting their
aid and holding them neutral. The colonies only
offered them rewards for prisoners ; never, like the
British, offering rewards for scalps. Under such
rewards, the atrocities of the Indians in some quar
ters were simply horrible. The scalp was enough
to get a reward, that was a mark of Indian valor,
too, and hence, helpless innocence and decrepit old
age were not spared. They stirred the minds of
the pioneers, who saw the protection of their fire
sides a vital point, and led the way to the scheme
of Col. Clarke, who was now, as has been noted, the
leading spirit in Kentucky. He saw through the
scheme of the British, and determined, by a quick,
decisive blow, to put an end to it, and to cripple
their power in the West.
Among the acts stimulating Clarke, was the attack
on Fort Henry, a garrison about one-half mile
above Wheeling Creek, on the Ohio, by a renegade
white man, Simon Girty, an agent in the employ of
the British, it is thought, and one of the worst
wretches ever known on the frontier. When Girty
attacked Fort Henry, he led his red allies in regu
lar military fashion, and attacked it without mercy.
The defenders were brave, and knew with whom
they were contending. Great bravery was displayed
by the women in the fort, one of whom, a Miss
Zane, carried a keg of gunpowder from a cabin
to the fort. Though repeatedly fired at by the sav
ages, she reached the fort in safety. After awhile,
however, the effect of the frontiersmen's shots began
to be felt, and the Indians sullenly withdrew.
Re-enforcements coming, the fort was held, and
Girty and his band were obliged to flee.
Clarke saw that if the British once got con
trol over the Western Indians the scene at Fort
Henry would be repeated, and would not likely,
in all cases, end in favor of the Americans. With
out communicating any of his designs, he left Har-
rodsburg about the 1st of October, 1777, and
reached. the capital of Virginia by November 5.
Still keeping his mind, he awaited a favorable op
portunity to broach his plans to those in power,
and, in the meanwhile, carefully watched the exists
ing state of feeling. When the opportunity came,
Clarke broached his plans to Patrick Henry, Gov
ernor of Virginia, who at once entered warmly
into them, recognizing their great importance.

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

55

Through his aid, Clarke procured tho necessary au
thority to prosecute his plans, and returned at once
to Pittsburgh. He intended raising men about
this post, but found them fearful of leaving their
homes unprotected. However, he secured three
companies, and, with these and a number of volun
teers, picked up on the way down the Ohio River,
he fortified Corn Island, near the falls, and made
ready for his expedition. He had some trouble in
keeping his men, some of those from Kentucky
refusing to aid in subduing stations out of their
own country. He did not announce his real inten
tions till he had reached this point. Here Col.
Bowman joined him with his Kentucky militia,
and, on the 24th of June, 1778, during a total
eclipse of the sun, the party left the fort. Before
his start, he learned of the capture of Burgoyne,
and, when nearly down to Fort Massac, he met
some of his spies, who informed him of the exag
gerated accounts of the ferocity of the Long
Knives that the French had received from the
British. By proper action on his part, Clarke saw
both these items of information could be made
very beneficial to him. Leaving the river near
Fort Massac, he set out on the march to Kaskas-
kia, through a hot summer's sun, over a country
full of savage foes. They reached the town un
noticed, on the evening of July 4, and, before
the astonished British and French knew it, they
were all prisoners. M. Rocheblave, the English
commander, was secured, but his wife adroitly con
cealed the papers belonging to the garrison. In
the person of M. Gibault, the French priest, Clarke
found a true friend. When the true character of
the Virginians became apparent, the French were
easily drawn to the American side, and the priest
secured the surrender and allegiance of Cahokia
through his personal influence. M. Gibault told
him he would also secure the post at St. Vincent's,
which he did, returning from the mission about
the 1st of August. During the interval, Clarke re-
enlisted his men, formed his plans, sent his pris
oners to Kentucky, and was ready for future action
when M. Gibault arrived. He sent Capt. Helm
and a single soldier to Vincennes to hold that fort
until he could put a garrison there. It is but
proper to state that the English commander, Col.
Hamilton, and his band of soldiers, were absent at
Detroit when the priest secured, the village' on the
"Ouabache." When Hamilton returned, in the
autumn, he was greatly surprised to see the Amer
ican flag floating from the ramparts of the fort,
and when approaching the gate he was abruptly

halted by Capt. Helm, who stood with a lighted fuse
in his hand by a cannon, answering Hamilton's
demand to surrender with the imperative inquiry,
"Upon what terms, sir?" "Upon the honors of
war," answered Hamilton, and he marched in
greatly chagrined to see he had been halted by
two men. The British commander sat quietly
down, intending to go on down the river and sub
due Kentucky in the spring, in the mean time
offering rewards for American scalps, and thereby
gaining the epithet " Hair-buyer General." Clarke
heard of his actions late in January, 1779, and, as
he says, " I knew if I did not take him he would
take me," set out early in February with his troops
and marched across the marshy plains of Lower
Illinois, reaching the Wabash post by the 22d of
that month. The unerring aim of the Westerner
was effectual. " They will shoot your eyes out,"
said Helm to the British troops. " There, I told
you so," he further exclaimed, as a soldier vent
ured near a port-hole and received a shot directly
in his eye. On the 24th the fort surrendered.
The American flag waved again over its ramparts.
The "Hair-buyer General" was sent a prisoner to
Virginia, where he was kept in close confinement
for his cruel acts. Clarke returned to Kaskaskia,
perfected his plans to hold the Illinois settlements,
went on to Kentucky, from where he sent word to
the colonial authorities of the success of his expe
dition. Had he received the aid promised him,
Detroit, in easy reach, would have fallen too, but
Gen. Green, failing to send it as promised, the capt
ure of that important post was delayed.
Had Clarke failed, and Hamilton succeeded, the
whole West would have been swept, from the Alle-
ghanies to the Mississippi. But for this small
army of fearless Virginians, the union of all the
tribes from Georgia to Maine against the colonies
might have been effected, and the whole current
of American history changed. America owes
Clarke and his band more than it can ever pay.
Clarke reported the capture of Kaskaskia and the
Illinois country early after its surrender, and in
October the county of Illinois was established,
extending over an unlimited expanse of country,
by the Virginia Legislature. John Todd was
appointed Lieutenant Colonel and Civil Governor.
In November, Clarke and his men received the
thanks of the same body, who, in after years,
secured them a grant of land, which they selected
on the right bank of the Ohio River, opposite
Louisville. They expected here a city would rise
one day, to be the peer of Louisville, then coming

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56

HISTORY OF OHIO.

into prominence as an important place. By some
means, their expectations failed, and only the
dilapidated village of Clarkesburg perpetuates
their hopes.
The conquest of Clarke changed the face of
affairs in relation to the whole country north of
the Ohio River, which would, in all probability,
have been made the boundary between Canada and
the United States. When this was proposed, the
strenuous arguments based on this conquest, by
the American Commissioners, secured the present
boundary line in negotiating the treaty of 1793.
Though Clarke had failed to capture Detroit,
Congress saw the importance of the post, and
resolved on securing it. Gen. McCosh, commander
at Fort Pitt, was put in command, and $1,000,-
000 and 3,000 men placed at his disposal. By
some dilatory means, he got no further than the
Tuscarawas River, in Ohio, where a half-way
house, called Fort Laurens, for the President of
Congress, was built. It was too far out to be of
practicable value, and was soon after abandoned.
Indian troubles and incursions by the British
were the most absorbing themes in the West.
The British went so far as Kentucky at a later
date, while they intended reducing Fort Pitt, only
abandoning it when learning of its strength.
Expeditions against the Western Indians were led
by Gen. Sullivan, Col. Daniel Broadhead, Col.
Bowman and others, which, for awhile, silenced
the "natives and taught them the power of the
Americans. They could not organize so readily
as before, and began to attach themselves more
closely to the British, or commit their depredations
in bands, fleeing into the wilderness as soon as
they struck a blow. In this way, several localities
suffered, until the settlers became again exasper
ated ; other expeditions were formed, and a second
chastisement given. In 1781, Col. Broadhead
led an expedition against the Central Ohio Indians.
It did not prove so successful, as the Indians were
led by the noted chief Brant, who, though not
cruel, was a foe to the Americans, and assisted the
British greatly in their endeavors to secure the West.
Another class of events occurred now in the
West, civil in their relations, yet destined to form
an important part of its history — its land laws.
It must be borne in mind, that Virginia claimed
the greater portion of the country north of the
Ohio River, as well as a large part south. The
other .colonies claimed land also in the West under
the old Crown grants, which extended to the
South or Western Sea. To more complicate mat

ters, several land companies held proprietary rights
to portions of these lands gained by grants from
the Crown, or from the Colonial Assemblies.
Others were based on land warrants issued
in 1763; others on selection and survey and
still others on settlement. In this state of
mixed affairs, it was difficult to say who held a
secure claim. It was a question whether the old
French grants were good or not, especially since
the change in government, and the eminent pros
pect of still another change. To, in some way,
aid in settling these claims, Virginia sent a com
mission to the West to sit as a court and determine
the proprietorship of these claims. This court,
though of as doubtful authority as the claims
themselves, went to work in Kentucky and along
the Ohio River in 1779, and, in the course of one
year, granted over three thousand certificates.
These were considered as good authority for a
definite title, and were so regarded in after pur
chases. Under them, many pioneers, like Daniel
Boone, lost their lands, as all were required to
hold some kind of a patent, while others, who
possessed no more principle than "land-sharks"
of to-day, acquired large tracts of land by holding
a patent the court was bound to accept. Of all
the colonies, Virginia seemed to have the best
title to the Northwest, save a few parcels, such as
the Connecticut or Western Reserve and some
similar tracts held by New York, Massachusetts
and New Jersey. When the territory of the
Northwest was ceded to the General Government,
this was recognized, and that country was counted
as a Virginia county.
The Spanish Government, holding the region
west of the Mississippi, and a portion east toward
its outlet, became an important but secret ally of
the Americans. When the French revolt was
suppressed by O'Reilly, and the Spanish assumed
the government of Louisiana, both Upper and
Lower, there was a large tract of country, known
as Florida (East and West), claimed by England,
and duly regarded as a part of her dominion.
The boundaries had been settled when the French
first occupied Lower Louisiana. The Spaniards
adopted the patriarchal form of rule, as much as
was consistent with their interests, and allowed the
French full religious and civil liberty, save that all
tribunals were after the Spanish fashion, and
governed by Spanish rules. The Spaniards, long
jealous of England's growing power, secretly sent
the Governors of Louisiana word to aid the
Americans in their struggle for freedom. Though

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

57

they controlled the Mississippi River, they allowed
an American officer (Capt. Willing) to descend the
river in January, 1778, with a party of fifty men,
and ravage the British shore from Manchez Bayou
to Natchez.
On the 8th of May, 1779, Spain declared war
against Great Britain; and, on the 8th of July,
the people of Louisiana were allowed to take a
part in the war. Accordingly, Galvez collected a
force of 1,400 men, and, on the 7th of September,
took Fort Manchac. By the 21st of September,
he had taken Baton Rouge and Natchez. Eight
vessels were captured by the Spaniards on the
Mississippi and on the lakes. In 1780 Mobile
fell ; in March, 1781, Pensacola, the chief British
post in West Florida, succumbed after a long
siege, and, on the 9th of May, all West Florida
was surrendered to Spain.
This war, or the war on the Atlantic Coast, did
not immediately affect Upper Louisiana. Great
Britain, however, attempted to capture St. Louis.
Though the commander was strongly suspected of
being bribed by the English, yet the place stood
the siege from the combined force of Indians and
Canadians, and the assailants were dispersed. This
was done during the summer of 1680, and in the
autumn, a company of Spanish and French resi
dents, under La Balme, went on an expedition
against Detroit. They marched as far north as
the British trading-post Ke-ki-ong-a, at the head
of the Maumee River, but being surprised in the
night, and the commander slain, the expedition
was defeated, having done but little.
Spain may have had personal interests in aiding
the Americans. She was now in control of the Mis
sissippi River, the natural outlet of the Northwest,
and, in 1780, began the troubles relative to the
navigation of that stream. The claims of Spain
were considered- very unjust by the Continental
Congress, and, while deliberating over the question,
Virginia, who was jealously alive to her Western
interests, and who yet held jurisdiction over Ken
tucky, sent through Jefferson, the Governor, Gen.
George Rogers Clarke, to erect a fort below the
mouth of the Ohio. This proceeding was rather
unwarrantable, especially as the fort was built in
the country of the Chickasaws, who had thus far
been true friends to the Americans, and who looked
upon the fort as an innovation on their territory.
It was completed and occupied but a short time,
Clarke being recalled.
Virginia, in 1780, did a very important thing;
namely, establishing an institution for higher edu

cation. The Old Dominion confiscated the lands
of " Robert McKenzie, Henry Collins and Alex
ander McKee, Britons, eight thousand acres," and
invested the proceeds of the sale in a public semi
nary. Transylvania University now lives, a monu
ment to that spirit.
While Clarke was building Fort Jefferson, a force
of British and Indians, under command of Capt.
Bryd, came down from Canada and attacked the
Kentucky settlements, getting into the country be
fore any one was aware. The winter before had
been one of unusual severity, and game was ex
ceedingly scarce, hence the army was not prepared
to conduct a campaign. After the capture of Rud
dle's Station, at the south fork of the Licking, Bryd
abandoned any further attempts to reduce the set
tlements, except capturing Martin's Station, and
returned to Detroit.
This expedition gave an additional motive for
the chastisement of the Indians, and Clarke, on his
return from Fort Jefferson, went on an expedition
against the Miami Indians. He destroyed their
towns at Loramie's store, near the present city of
Sydney, Ohio, and at Piqua, humbling the native^.
While on the way, a part of the army remained
on the north bank of the Ohio, and erected two
block-houses on the present site of Cincinnati.
The exploits of Clarke and his men so effectually
chastised the Indians, that, for a time, the West
was safe. During this period of quiet, the meas
ures which led to the cession of Western lands to
the General Government, began to assume a defi
nite form. All the colonies claiming Western
lands were willing to cede them to the Government,
save Virginia, which colony wanted a large scope
of Southern country southeast of the Ohio, as far
as South Carolina. All recognized the justice of
all Western lands becoming public property, and
thereby aiding in extinguishing the debts caused by
the war of the Revolution, now about to close.
As Virginia held a somewhat different view, the
cession was not made until 1783.
The subject, however, could not be allowed to
rest. The war of the Revolution was now drawing
to a close ; victory on the part of the colonies was
apparent, and the Western lands must be a part of
the public domain. Subsequent events brought
about the desired cession, though several events
transpired before the plan of cession was consum
mated. Before the close of 1780, the Legislature of
Virginia passed an act, establishing the "town of
Louisville," and confiscated the lands of John

Connelly, who was one of its original proprietors,
and who distinguished himself in the commence
ment of Lord Dunmore's war, and who was now a
Tory, and doing all he could against the patriot
cause. The proceeds of the sale of his lands were
divided between Virginia and the county of Jefferson.
Kentucky, the next year, was divided into three
counties, Jefferson, Lincoln and Fayette. Courts
were appointed in each, and the entry and location
of lands given into their hands. Settlers, in spite
of Indian troubles and British intrigue, were
pouring over the mountains, particularly so during
the years 1780 and 1781. The expeditions of
Clarke against the Miami Indians ; Boone's cap
tivity, and escape from them; their defeat when
attacking Boonesboro, and other places — all
combined to weaken their power, and teach them
to respect a nation whose progress they could not
stay. The pioneers of the West, obliged to depend on
themselves, owing to the struggle of the colonies
for freedom, grew up a hardy, self-reliant race,
with all the vices and virtues of a border life, and
with habits, manners and customs necessary to
their peculiar situation, and suited to their peculiar
taste. A resume of their experiences and daily
lives would be quite interesting, did the limits of
this history admit it here. In the part relating
directly to this county, the reader will find such
lives given ; here, only the important events can
be noticed.
The last event of consequence occurring in the
West before the close of the Revolution, is one
that might well have been omitted. Had such
been the case, a great stain would have been spared
the character of Western pioneers. Reference is
made to the massacre of the Moravian Christian
Indians. These Indians were of the Delaware nation
chiefly, though other Western tribes were visited
and many converts made. The first converts were
made in New York and Connecticut, where, after
a good start had been made, and a prospect of
many souls being saved, they incurred the enmity
of the whites, who, becoming alarmed at their suc
cess, persecuted them to such an extent that they
were driven out of New York into Pennsylvania,
where, in 1744, four years after their arrival in
the New World, they began new missions. In
1748, the New York and Connecticut Indians fol
lowed their teachers, and were among the founders
of Friedenshutten, "Tents of Peace," a hamlet
near Bethlehem, where their teachers were sta

tioned. ' Other hamlets grew around them, until •
in the interior of the colony, existed an Indian
community, free from all savage vices, and grow
ing up in Christian virtues. As their strength
grew, lawless whites again began to oppress them.
They could not understand the war of 1754, and
were, indeed, in a truly embarrassing position.
The savages could form no conception of any cause
for neutrality, save a secret sympathy with the
English ; and if they could not take up the hatchet,
they were in the way, and must be removed. Fail
ing to do this, their red brothers became hostile.
The whites were but little better. The old suspi
cions which drove them from New York were
aroused. They were secret Papists, in league with
the French, and furnished them with arms and in
telligence; they were interfering with the liquor
traffic; they were enemies to the Government,
and the Indian and the white man combined against
them. They were obliged to move from place to
place; were at one time protected nearly a year,
near Philadelphia, from lawless whites, and finally
were compelled to go far enough West to be out
of the way of French and English arms, or the
Iroquois and Cherokee hatchets. They came
finally to the Muskingum, where they made a set
tlement called Schonbrun, "beautiful clear spring,"
in what is now Tuscarawas County. Other settle
ments .gathered, from time to time, as the years
went on, till in 1772 large numbers of them were
within the borders of the State.
Until the war of independence broke out, they
were allowed to peacefully pursue their way. When
that came, they were between Fort Pitt and De
troit, one of which contained British, the other
Americans. Again they could not understand the
struggle, and could not take-up the hatchet. This
brought on them the enmity of both belligerent
parties, and that of their own forest companions,
who could not see wherein their natures could
change. Among the most hostile persons, were
the white renegades McKee, Girty and Elliott.
On their instigation, several of them were slain,
and by their advice they were obliged to leave their
fields and homes, where they had many comforts,
and where they had erected good chapels in which
to worship. It was just before one of these forced
removals that Mary, daughter of the missionary
Heckewelder, was born. She is supposed to be
the first white female child born north of the Ohio
River. Her birth occurred April 16, 1781. It
is but proper to say here, that it is an open ques
tion, and one that will probably never be decided,

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

59

i. e. Who was the first white child born in Ohio ?
In all probability, the child was born during the
captivity of its mother, as history plainly shows
that when white women were released from the
Indians, some of them carried children born while
among the natives.
When the Moravians were forced to leave their
settlements on the Muskingum, and taken to San
dusky, they left growing fields of corn, to which
they were obliged to return, to gather food. This
aroused the whites, only wanting some pretext
whereby they might attack them, and a party,
headed by Col. David Williamson, determined to
exterminate them. The Moravians, hearing of their
approach, fled, but too late to warn other settle
ments, and Gnadenhutten, Salem and one or two
smaller settlements, were surprised and taken.
Under deceitful promises, the Indians gave up all
their arms, showed the whites their treasures, and
went unknowingly to a terrible death. When ap
prised of their fate, determined on by a majority
of the rangers, they begged only time to prepare.
They were led two by two, the men into one, the
women and children into another "slaughter
house," as it was termed, and all but two lads were
wantonly slain. An infamous and more bloody
deed never darkened the pages of feudal times ;
a deed that, in after years, called aloud for venge
ance, and in some measure received it. Some of
Williamson's men wrung their hands at the cruel
fate, and endeavored, by all the means in their
power, to prevent it; but all to no purpose. The
blood of the rangers was up, and they would not spare
"man, woman or child, of all that peaceful band."
Having completed their horrible work, (March
8, 1782), Williamson and his men returned to
Pittsburgh. Everywhere, the Indians lamented
the untimely death of their kindred, their savage
relatives determining on their revenge; the Chris
tian ones could only be resigned and weep.
Williamson's success, for such it was viewed by
many, exlcited the borderers to another invasion,
and a second army was raised, this time to
go to the Sandusky town, and annihilate the
Wyandots. Col. William Crawford was elected
leader ; he accepted reluctantly ; on the way,
the army was met by hordes of savages on the 5th of

June, and totally routed. They were away north,
in what is now Wyandot County, and were obliged
to flee for their lives. The blood of the murdered
Moravians called for revenge. The Indians de
sired it ; were they not relatives of the fallen
Christians ? Crawford and many of his men fell
into their hands ; all suffered unheard-of tortures,
that of Crawford being as cruel as Indian cruelty
could devise. He was pounded, pierced, cut with
knives and burned, all of which occupied nearly
three hours, and finally lay down insensible on a bed
of coals, and died. The savage captors, in demoni
acal glee, danced around him, and upbraided him
for the cruel murder of their relatives, giving him
this only consolation, that had they captured Will
iamson, he might go free, but he must answer for
Williamson's brutality.
The war did not cease here. The Indians, now
aroused, carried their attack as far south as into
Kentucky, killing Capt. Estill, a brave man, and
some of his companions. The British, too, were
active in aiding them, and the 14th of August a
large force of them, under Girty, gathered silently
about Bryant's Station. They were obliged to re
treat. The Kentuckians pursued them, but were
repulsed with considerable loss.
The attack on Bryant's Station aroused the peo
ple of Kentucky to strike a blow that would be
felt. Gen. Clarke was put at the head of an army
of one thousand and fifty men, and the Miami
country was a second time destroyed. Clarke even
went as far north as the British trading-post at the
head of the Miami, where he captured a great
amount of property, and destroyed the post. Other
outposts also fell, the invading army suffering but
little, and, by its decisive action, practically closing
the Indian wars in the West. Pennsylvania suf
fered some, losing Hannahstown and one or two
small settlements. Williamson's and Crawford's
campaigns aroused the fury of the Indians that
took time and much blood and war to subdue. The
Revolution was, however, drawing to a close. Amer
ican arms were victorious, and a new nation was
now coming into existence, who would change the
whole current of Western matters, and make of the
Northwest a land of liberty, equality and union.
That nation was now on the stage.

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

CHAPTER VI.
AMERICAN OCCUPATION— INDIAN CLAIMS— SURVEYS — EARLY LAND COMPANIES— COMPACT
OF 1787— ORGANIZATION OF THE TERRITORY— EARLY AMERICAN SETTLE
MENTS IN THE OHIO VALLEY — FIRST TERRITORIAL
OFFICERS— ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES.

THE occupation of the West by the American,
really dates from the campaign of Gen. Clarke in
1778, when he captured the British posts in the
Illinois country, and Vincennes on the Wabash.
Had he been properly supported, he would have
reduced Detroit, then in easy reach, and poorly de
fended. As it was, however, that post remained in
charge of the British till after the close of the war
of the Revolution. They also held other lake
posts; but these were included in the terms of
peace, and came into the possession of the Ameri
cans. They were abandoned by the British as
soon as the different commanders received notice
from' their chiefs, and British rule and English
occupation ceased in that part of the New World.
The war virtually closed by the surrender of
Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va., October 19,
1781. The struggle was prolonged, however, by
the British, in the vain hope that they could re
trieve the disaster, but it was only a useless waste
of men and money. America would not be sub
dued. "If we are to be taxed, we will be repre
sented," said they, "else we will be a free govern
ment, and regulate our own taxes." In the end,
they were free.
Provisional articles of peace between the United
States and Great Britain were signed in Paris on
the 30th of November, 1782. This was followed
by an armistice negotiated at Versailles on the 20th
of January, 1783 ; and finally, a definite treaty of
peace was concluded at Paris on the 3d of the next
September, and ratified by Congress on the 4th of
January, 1784. By the second article of the defi
nite treaty of 1783, the boundaries of the United
States were fixed. A glance at the map of that
day shows the boundary to have been as follows:
Beginning at Passamaquoddy Bay, on the coast of
Maine, the line ran north a little above the forty-
fifth parallel of latitude, when it diverged southwest
erly, irregularly, until it reached that parallel, when
it followed it until it reached the St. Lawrence River.
It followed that river to Lake Ontario, down its
center ; up the Niagara River ; through Lake Erie,

up the Detroit River and through Lakes Huron and
Superior, to the northwest extremity of the latter.
Then it pursued another irregular western course
to the Lake of the Woods, when it turned south
ward to the Mississippi River. The commissioners
insisted that should be the western boundary, as
the lakes were the northern. It followed the Mis
sissippi south until the mouth of Red River was
reached, when, turning east, it followed almost a
direct line to the Atlantic Coast, touching the
coast a little north of the outlet of St. John's
River. From this outline, it will be readily seen what
boundary the United States possessed. Not one-
half of its present domain.
. At this date, there existed the original thirteen
colonies : Virginia occupying all Kentucky and
all the Northwest, save about half of Michigan and
Wisconsin, claimed by Massachusetts ; and the upper
part of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and the lower
part (a narrow strip) of Michigan, claimed by Con
necticut. Georgia included all of Alabama and
Mississippi. The Spaniards claimed all Florida
and a narrow part of lower Georgia. All the coun
try west of the Father of Waters belonged to Spain,
to whom it had been secretly ceded when the fam
ily compact was made. That nation controlled the
Mississippi, and gave no small uneasiness to the
young government. It was, however, happily set
tled finally, by the sale of Louisana to the United
States. Pending the settlement of these questions and
the formation of the Federal Union, the cession of
the Northwest by Virginia again came before
Congress. That body found itself unable to fulfill
its promises to its soldiers regarding land, and
again urged the Old Dominion to cede the Terri
tory to the General Government, for the good of
all. Congress forbade settlers from occupying the
Western lands till a definite cession had been
made, and the title to the lands in question made
good. But speculation was stronger than law,
and without waiting for the slow processes of courts,

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

61

•& c'

the adventurous settlers were pouring into the
country at a rapid rate, only retarded by the rifle
and scalping-knife of the savage — a temporary
check. The policy .of allowing any parties to obtain
land from the Indians was strongly discouraged
by Washington. He advocated the idea that only
the General Government could do that, and, in a
letter to James Duane, in Congress, he strongly
urged such a course, and pointed- out the danger
of a border war, unless some such measure was
stringently followed.
Under the circumstances, Congress pressed the
claims of cession upon Virginia, and finally in
duced the Dominion to modify the terms proposed
two years before. On the 20th of December,
1783, Virginia accepted the proposal of Congress,
. and authorized her delegates to make a deed to
the United States of all her right in the territory
northwest of the Ohio.
The Old Dominion stipulated in her deed of
cession, that the territory should be divided into
States, to be admitted into the Union as any other
State; and to bear a proportionate share in the
maintenance of that Union; that Virginia should
be re-imbursed for the expense incurred in subduing
the British posts in the territory; that the French
and Canadian inhabitants should be protected in their
rights ; that the grant to Gen. George Rogers Clarke
and his men, as well as all other similar grants,
should be confirmed, and that the lands should be
considered as the common property of the United
States, the proceeds to be applied to the use of the
whole country. Congress accepted these condi
tions, and the deed was made March 1, 1784.
Thus the country came from under the dominion
of Virginia, and became common property.
A serious difficulty arose about this time, that
threatened for awhile to involve England and
America anew in war. Virginia and several
other States refused to abide by that part of the
treaty relating to the payment of debts, especially
so, when the British carried away quite a number
of negroes claimed by the Americans. This re
fusal on the part of the Old Dominion and her
abettors, caused the English to retain her North
western outposts, Detroit, Mackinaw, etc. She
held these till 1786, when the questions were
finally settled, and then readily abandoned them.
The return of peace greatly augmented emigra
tion to the West, especially to Kentucky. When
the war closed, the population of that county (the
three counties having been made one judicial dis
trict, and Danville designated as the seat of gov

ernment) was estimated to be about twelve thousand.
In one year, after the close of the war, it increased
to 30,000, and steps for a State government were
taken. Owing to the divided sentiment among its
citizens, its perplexing questions of land titles
and proprietary rights, nine conventions were held
before a definite course of action could be reached.
This prolonged the time till 1792, when, in De
cember of that year, the election for persons to
form a State constitution was held, and the vexed
and complicated questions settled. In 1783, the
first wasrons bearing merchandise came across the
mountains. Their contents were received on flat-
boats ' at Pittsburgh, and taken down the Ohio to
Louisville, which that spring boasted of a store,
opened by Daniel Broadhead. The next year,
James Wilkinson opened one at Lexington.
Pittsburgh was now the principal town in the
West. It occupied the same position regarding
the outposts that Omaha has done for several years
to Nebraska. The town of Pittsburgh was laid
out immediately after the war of 1764, by Col.
Campbell. It then consisted of four squares about
the fort, and received its name from that citadel.
The treaty with the Six Nations in 1768, con
veyed to the proprietaries of Pennsylvania all the
lands of the Alleghany below Kittanning, and all
the country south of the Ohio, within the limits of
Penn's charter. This deed of cession was recog
nized when the line between Pennsylvania and
Virginia was fixed, and gave the post to the Key
stone State. In accordance with this deed, the
manor of Pittsburgh was withdrawn from market
in 1769, and was held as the property of the Penn
family. When Washington visited it in 1770, it
seems to have declined • in consequence of the
afore-mentioned act. He mentions it as a "town of
about twenty log houses, on the Monongahela,
about three hundred yards from the fort." The
Penn's remained true to the King, and hence all
their land that had not been surveyed and returned
to the land office, was confiscated by the common
wealth. Pittsburgh, having been surveyed, was
still left to them. In the spring of 1784, Tench
Francis, the agent of the Penns, was induced to
lay out the manor into lots and offer them for sale.
Though, for many years, the place was rather un
promising, it eventually became the chief town in
that part of the West, a position it yet holds. In
1786, John Scull and Joseph Hall started the
Pittsburgh Gazette, the first paper published west
of the mountains. In the initial number, appeared a
lengthy article from the pen of H. H. Brackenridge,

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62

HISTORY OF OHIO.

afterward one of the most prominent members
of the Pennsylvania bar. He had located in
Pittsburgh in 1781. His letter gives a most hope
ful prospect in store for the future city, and is a
highly descriptive article of the Western country.
Itls yet preserved in the "Western Annals," and
is well worth a perusal.
Under the act of peace in 1783, no provision was
made by the British for their allies, especially the
Six Nations. The question was ignored by the
English, and was made a handle by the Americans
in gaining them to their cause before the war had
fully closed. The treaties made were regarded by
the Indians as alliances only, and when the En
glish left the country the Indians began to assume
rather a hostile bearing. This excited the whites,
and for a while a war with that formidable con
federacy was imminent. Better councils prevailed,
and Congress wisely adopted the policy of acquiring
their lands by purchase. In accordance with this
policy, a treaty was made at Fort Stanwix with
the Six Nations, in October, 1784. By this treaty,
all lands west of a line drawn from. the mouth of,
Oswego Creek, about four miles east of Niagara,
to the mouth of Buffalo Creek, and on to the
northern boundary of Pennsylvania, thence, west
along that boundary to its western extremity,
thence south to the Ohio River, should be ceded
to the United States. (They claimed west of this line
by conquest.) The Six Nations were to be secured
in the lands.they inhabited, reserving only six miles
square around Oswego fort for the support of the
same. By this treaty, the indefinite claim of the
Six Nations to the West was, extinguished, and the
question of its ownership settled. -
It was now occupied by other Western tribes,
who did not recognize the Iroquois claim, and who
would not yield without a purchase. Especially
was .this the case with those Indians living in the
northern part. To get possession of that country
by the same process, the United States, through
its commissioners, held a treaty at Fort Mcintosh
on the 21st of January, 1785. The Wyandot,
Delaware, Chippewa and Ottawa tribes were pres
ent, and, through their chiefs, sold their lands to
the Government. The Wyandot and Delaware
nations were given a reservation in the north part
of Ohio, where they were to be protected. The
others were allotted reservations in Michigan. To
all was given complete control of their lands, allow
ing them to punish any white man attempting to
settle thereon, and guaranteeing them in their
rights.

By such means Congress gained Indian titles to
the vast realms north of the Ohio, and, a few
months later, that legislation was commenced that
should determine the mode of its disposal and the
plan of its settlements.
To facilitate the settlement of lands thus acquired,
Congress, on May 20, 1785, passed an act for dispos
ing of lands in the Northwest Territory. Its main
provisions were : A surveyor or surveyors should be
appointed from the States ; and a geographer, and
his assistants to act with them. The surveyors
were to divide the territory into townships of six
miles square, by lines running due north and
south, and east and west. The starting-place
was to be on the Ohio River, at a point where the
western boundary of Pennsylvania crossed it.
This would give the first range, and the first
township. As soon as seven townships were
surveyed, the maps and plats of the same were to
be sent to the Board of the Treasury, who would
record them and proceed to place the land in the
market, and so on with all the townships as fast as
they could be prepared ready for sale. Each town
ship was to be divided into thirty-six sections, or
lots. Out of these sections, numbers 8, 11, 26 and
29 were reserved for the use of the Government,
and lot No. 16, for the establishment of a common-
school fund. One-third of all mines and minerals was
also reserved for theUnited States. Three townships
on Lake Erie were reserved-for the use of officers,
men and others, refugees from Canada and "from
Nova Scotia, who were entitled to grants of land.
The 'Moravian Indians were also exempt from
molestation, and guaranteed in their homes. Sol
diers' claims, and all others of a like nature, were
also recognized, and land reserved for them.
Without waiting for the act of Congress, settlers
had been pouring into the country, and, when or
dered by Congress to leave undisturbed Indian
lands, refused to do so. They went into the In
dian country at their peril, however, and when
driven out by the Indians could rget no redress
from the Government, even when life was lost.
The Indians on the Wabash made a treaty at
Fort Finney, on the Miami, January 31, 1786,
promising allegiance to the United States, and were
allowed a reservation. This treaty did not include
the Piankeshaws, as was at first intended. These,
refusing to live peaceably, stirred up the Shawa
nees, who began a series of predatory excursions
against the settlements. This led to an expedition
against them and other restless tribes. Gen. Clarke
commanded part of the army on that expedition,

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

65

but got no farther than Vincennes, when, owing to
the discontent of his Kentucky troops, he was
obliged to return. Col. Benjamin Logan, how
ever, marched, at the head of four or five hundred
mounted riflemen, into the Indian country, pene
trating as far as the head-waters of Mad River.
He destroyed several towns, much corn, and took
about eighty prisoners. Among these, was the
chief of the nation, who was wantonly slain,
greatly to Logan's regret, who could not restrain
his men. His expedition taught the Indians sub
mission, and that they must adhere to their con
tracts. Meanwhile, the difficulties of the navigation of
the Mississippi arose. Spain would not relinquish
the right to control the entire southern part of the
river, allowing no free navigation. She was secretly
hoping to cause a revolt of the Western provinces,
especially Kentucky, and openly favored such a
move. She also claimed, by conquest, much of the
land on the east side of the river. The slow move
ments of Congress; the failure of Virginia to
properly protect Kentucky, and the inherent rest
lessness in some of the Western men, well-nigh
precipitated matters, and, for a while, serious results
were imminent. The Kentuckians, and, indeed,
all the people of the West, were determined the
river should be free, and even went so far as to
raise a regiment, and forcibly seize Spanish prop
erty in the West. Great Britain stood ready, too,
to aid the West should it succeed, providing it
would make an alliance with her. But while the
excitement was at its height, Washington coun
seled better ways and patience. The decisive tone
of the new republic, though almost overwhelmed
with a burden of debt, and with no credit, debarred
the Spanish from too forcible measures to assert
their claims, and held back the disloyal ones from
attempting a revolt.
New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut ceded
their lands, and now the United States were ready
to fulfill their promises of land grants, to the sol
diers who had preserved the nation. This did
much to heal the breach in the West, and restore
confidence there; so that the Mississippi question
was overlooked for a time, and Kentucky forgot her
animosities. The cession of their claims was the signal for
the formation of land companies in the East ; com
panies whose object was to settle the Western coun
try, and, at the same time, enrich the founders of
the companies. Some of these companies had been
formed in the old colonial days, but the recent war

had put a stop to all their proceedings. Congress
would not recognize their claims, and new com
panies, under old names, were the result. By such
means, the Ohio Company emerged from the past,
and, in 1786, took an active existence.
Benjamin Tupper, a Revolutionary soldier, and
since then a government surveyor, who had been
west as far as Pittsburgh, revived the question.
He was prevented from prosecuting his surveys by
hostile Indians, and returned to Massachusetts.
He broached a plan to Gen. Rufus Putnam, as to
the renewal of their memorial of 1783, which re
sulted in the publication of a plan, and inviting all
those interested, to meet in February in their re
spective counties, and choose delegates to a con
vention to be held at the " Bunch-of-grapes Tav
ern." in Boston, on the first of March, 1786. On
the day appointed, eleven persons appeared, and
by the 3d of March an outline was drawn up, and
subscriptions under it began at once. The leading
features of the plan were : " A fund of $ 1 ,000,000,
mainly in Continental certificates, was to be raised
for the purpose of purchasing lands in the Western
country; there were to be 1,000 shares of $1,000
each, and upon each share $10 in specie were to
be paid for contingent expenses. One year's inter
est was to be appropriated to the charges of making
a settlement, and assisting those unable to move
without aid. The owners of every twenty shares
were to choose an agent to represent them and
attend to their interests, and the agents were to
choose the directors. The plan was approved, and
in a year's time from that date, the Company was
organized."* By the time this Company was organized, all
claims of the colonies in the coveted territory were
done away with by their deeds of cession, Connect
icut being the last.
While troubles were still existing south of the
Ohio River, regarding the navigation of the Mis
sissippi, and many urged the formation of a sepa
rate, independent State, and while Congress and
Washington were doing what they could to allay
the feeling north of the -Ohio, the New England
associates were busily engaged, now that a Com
pany was formed, to obtain the land they wished
to purchase. On the 8th of March, 1787, a meet
ing of the agents chose Gen. Parsons, Gen. Put
nam and the Rev. Mannasseh Cutler, Directors for
the Company. The last selection was quite a
fitting one for such an enterprise. Dr. Cutler was
* Historical Collections.

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66

HISTORY OF OHIO.

an accomplished scholar, an excellent gentleman,
and a firm believer in freedom. In the choice of
him as the agent of the Company, lies the fact,
though unforeseen, of the beginning of anti-slavery
in America. Through him the famous " compact
of 1787," the true corner-stone of the Northwest,
originated, and by him was safely passed. He
was a good " wire-puller," too, and in this had an
advantage. Mr. Hutehins was at this time the
geographer for the United States, and was, prob
ably, the best-posted man in America regarding
the West. Dr. Cutler learned from him that the
most desirable portions were on the Muskingum
River, north of the Ohio, and was advised by him
to buy there if he could.
Congress wanted money badly, and many of the
members favored the plan. The Southern mem
bers, generally, were hostile to it, as the Doctor
would listen to no grant which did not embody
the New England ideas in the charter. These
members were finally won over, some bribery be
ing used, and some of their favorites made officers
of the Territory, whose formation was now going
on. This took time, however, and Dr. Cutler, be
coming impatient, declared they would purchase
from some of the States, who held small tracts in
various parts of the West. This intimation brought
the tardy ones to time, and, on the 23d of July,
Congress authorized the Treasury Board to make
the contract. On the 26th, Messrs. Cutler and
Sargent, on behalf of the Company, stated in
writing their conditions; and on the 27th, Con
gress referred their letter to the Board, and an
order of the same date was obtained. Of this Dr.
Cutler's journal says:
"By this grant we obtained near five millions
of acres of land, amounting to $3,500,000 ; 1,500,-
000 acres for the Ohio Company, and the remainder
for a private speculation, in which many of the
principal characters of America are concerned.
Without connecting this peculation, similar terms
and advantages for the Ohio Company could not
have been obtained."
Messrs. Cutler and Sargent at once closed a ver
bal contract with the Treasury Board, which was
executed in form on the 27th of the next Octo
ber.* By this contract, the vast region bounded on the
south by the Ohio, west by the Scioto, east by the
seventh range of townships then surveying, and
north by a due west line, drawn from the north
* Land Laws.

boundary of the tenth township from the " Ohio,
direct to the Scioto, was sold to the Ohio associ
ates and their secret copartners, for $1 per acre,
subject to a deduction of one-third for bad lands
and other contingencies.
The whole tract was not, however, paid for nor
taken by the Company — even their own portion of
a million and a half acres, and extending west to the
eighteenth range of townships, was not taken ; and
in 1792, the boundaries of the purchase proper
were fixed as follows : the Ohio on the south, the
seventh range of townships on the east, the six
teenth range on the west, and a line on the north
so drawn as' to make the grant 750,000 acres, be
sides reservations ; this grant being the portion
which it was originally agreed the Company might
enter into at once. In addition to this, 214,285
acres were granted as army bounties, under the
resolutions of 1779 and 1780, and 100,000 acres
as bounties to actual settlers; both of the latter
tracts being within the original grant of 1787, and
adjoining the purchase as before mentioned.
While these things were progressing, Congress
was bringing into form an ordinance for the gov
ernment and social organization of the North
west Territory. Virginia made her cession in
March, 1784, and during the month following the
plan for the temporary government of the newly
acquired territory came under discussion. On the
19th of April, Mr. Spaight, of North Carolina,
moved to strike from the plan reported by Mr.
Jefferson, the emancipationist of his day, a provis
ion for the prohibition of slavery north of the Ohio
after the year 1800. The motion prevailed. From
that day till the 23d, the plan was discussed and
altered, and finally passed unanimously with the ex
ception of South Carolina. The South would have
slavery, or defeat every measure. Thus this hide
ous monster early began to assert himself. By the
proposed plan, the Territory was to have been
divided into States by parallels of latitude and merid
ian lines. This division, it was thought, would make
ten States, whose names were as follows, beginning
at the northwest corner, and going southwardly :
Sylvania, Michigania, Cheresonisus, Assenispia,
Mesopotamia, Illinoia, Saratoga, Washington,
Polypotamia and Pelisipia.*
A more serious difficulty existed, however, to
this plan, than its catalogue of names — the number
of States and their boundaries. The root of the evil
was in the resolution passed by Congress in October,

¦£*.

* Spark's Washington.

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

67

17-80, which fixed the size of the States to be formed
from the ceded lands, at one hundred to one hundred
and fifty miles square. The terms of that resolu
tion being called up both by Virginia and Massa
chusetts, further legislation was deemed necessary
to change them. July 7, 1786, this subject came
up in Congress, and a resolution passed in favor of
a division into not less than three nor more than
five States. Virginia, at the close of 1788, assented
to this proposition, which became the basis upon
which the division should be made. On the 29th
of September, Congress having thus changed the
plan for dividing the Northwestern Territory into
ten States, proceeded again to consider the terms of
an ordinance for the government of that region. At
this juncture, the genius of Dr. Cutler displayed
itself. A graduate in medicine, law and divinity ;
an ardent lover of liberty ; a celebrated scientist,
and an accomplished, portly gentleman, of whom
the Southern senators said they had never before
seen so fine a specimen from the New England colo
nies, no man was better prepared to form a govern
ment for the new Territory, than he. The Ohio
Company was his real object. He was backed by
them, and enough Continental money to purchase
more than a million acres of land. This was aug
mented by other parties until, as has been noticed,
he represented over five million acres. This would
largely reduce the public debt. Jefferson and Vir
ginia were regarded as authority concerning the
land Virginia had just ceded to the General Gov
ernment. Jefferson's policy was to provide for the
national credit, and still check the growth of slavery.
Here was a good opportunity. Massachusetts
owned the Territory of Maine, which she was crowd
ing into market. She opposed the opening of
the Northwest. This stirred Virginia. The South
caught the inspiration and rallied around the Old
Dominion and Dr. Cutler. Thereby he gained the
credit and good will of the South, an auxiliary he
used to good purpose. Massachusetts could not
vote against him, because many of the constituents
of her members were interested in the Ohio Com
pany. Thus the Doctor, using all the arts of the
lobbyist, was enabled to hold the situation. True to
deeper convictions, he dictated one of the most com
pact and finished documents of wise statesmanship
that has ever adorned any statute-book. Jefferson
gave it the term, "Articles of Compact," and
rendered him valuable aid in its construction. This
" Compact" preceded the Federal Constitution, in
both of which are seen Jefferson's master-mind.
Dr. Cutler followed closely the constitution of Mas

sachusetts, adopted three years before. The prom
inent features were : The exclusion of slavery from
the Territory forever. Provision for public schools,
giving one township for a seminary, and every six
teenth section. (That gave one thirty-sixth of all
the land for public education.) A provision pro
hibiting the adoption of any constitution or the
enactment of any law that would nullify pre-exist
ing contracts.
The compact further declared that " Religion,
morality and knowledge being necessary to good
government and the happiness of mankind, schools
and the means of education shall always be en
couraged." The Doctor planted himself firmly on this plat
form, and would not yield. It was that or nothing.
Unless they could make the land desirable , it was
not wanted, and, taking his horse and buggy, he
started for the Constitutional Convention in Phil
adelphia. His influence succeeded. On the 13th
of July, 1787, the bill was put upon its passage
and was unanimously adopted. Every member
from the South voted for it ; only one man, Mr.
- Yates, of New York, voted against the measure ;
but as the vote was made by States, his vote was
lost, and the " Compact of 1787 " was beyond re
peal. Thus the great States of the Northwest
Territory were consecrated to freedom, intelligence
and morality. This act was the opening step for
freedom in America. Soon the South saw their
blunder, and endeavored, by all their power, to re
peal the compact. In 1803, Congress referred it
to a committee, of which John Randolph was
chairman. He reported the ordinance was a com
pact and could not be repealed. Thus it stood,
like a rock, in the way of" slavery, which still, in
spite of these provisions, endeavored to plant that
infernal institution in the West. Witness the
early days of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. But the
compact could not be violated ; New England ideas
could not be put down, and her sons stood ready
to defend the soil of the West from that curse.
The passage of the ordinance and the grant of
land to Dr. Cutler and his associates, were soon fol
lowed by a request from John Cleve Symmes, of
New Jersey, for the country between the Miamis.
Symmes had visited that part of the West in 1786,
and, being pleased with the valleys of the Miamis,
had applied to the Board of the Treasury for
their purchase, as soon as they were open to set
tlement. The Board was empowered to act by
Congress, and, in 1788, a contract was signed, giv
ing him the country he desired. The terms of his

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68

HISTORY OF OHIO.

purchase were similar to those of the Ohio Com
pany. His application was followed by others,
whose success or failure will appear in the narrative.
The New England or Ohio Company was all
this time busily engaged perfecting its arrange
ments to occupy its lands. The Directors agreed
to reserve 5,760 acres near the confluence of the
Ohio and Muskingum for a city and commons, for
the old ideas of the English plan of settling a
country yet prevailed. A meeting of the Direct
ors was held at Bracket's tavern, in Boston, No
vember 23, 1787, when four surveyors, and twen
ty-two attendants, boat-builders, carpenters, black
smiths and common workmen, numbering in all
forty persons, were engaged. Their tools were
purchased, and wagons were obtained to transport
them across the mountains. Gen. Rufus Putnam
was made superintendent of the company, and
Ebenezer Sproat, of Rhode Island, Anselm Tup-
per and John Matthews, from Massachusetts, and
R. J. Meigs, from Connecticut, as surveyors. At
the same meeting, a suitable person to instruct them
in religion, and prepare the way to open a school
when needed, was selected. This was Rev. Daniel
Storey, who became the first New England minis
ter in the Northwest.
The Indians were watching this outgrowth of
affairs, and felt, from what they could learn in Ken
tucky, that they would be gradually surrounded by
the whites. This they did not relish, by any
means, and gave the settlements south of the Ohio
no little uneasiness. It was thought best to hold
another treaty with them. In the mean time, to
insure peace, the Governor of Virginia, and Con
gress, placed troops at Venango, Forts Pitt and
Mcintosh, and at Miami, Vincennes, Louisville,
and Muskingum, and the militia of Kentucky
were held in readiness should a sudden outbreak
occur. These measures produced no results, save
insuring the safety of the whites, and not until
January, 1789, was Clarke able to carry out his
plans. During that month, he held a meeting at Fort
Harmar,* at the mouth of the Muskingum, where
the New England Colony expected to locate.
The hostile character of the Indians did not
deter the Ohio Company from carrying out its
plans. In the winter of 1787, Gen. Rufus Put-

* Fort Harmar was built in 1785,byadetachmcnt ol United States
soldiers, under command of Maj. John Doughty. It was named in
honor of Col. Josiah Harmar, to whoso regiment Maj. Doughty was
attached. It was the first military post erected by the Americans
witbin the limits of Ohio, except Fort Laurens, a temporary struct
ure built in 1778. When Marietta was founded it was the military
post of that part of the country, and was for many years an imtwr-
taut station.

nam and forty-seven pioneers advanced to the
mouth of the Youghiogheny River, and began
building a boat for transportation down the Ohio
in the spring. " The boat was the largest craft that
had ever descended the river, and, in allusion to
their Pilgrim Fathers, it was called the Mayflower.
It was 45 feet long and 12 feet wide, and esti
mated at 50 tons burden. Truly a formidable affair
for the time. The bows were raking and curved
like a galley, and were strongly timbered. The
sides were made bullet-proof, and it was covered
with a deck roof. Capt. Devol, the first ship
builder in the West, was placed in command. On
the 2d of April, the Mayflower was launched,
and for five days the little band of pioneers sailed
down the Monongahela and the Ohio, and, on the
7th, landed at the mouth of the Muskingum.
There, opposite Fort Harmar, they chose a loca
tion, moored their boat for a temporary shelter,
and began to erect houses for their occupation.
Thus was begun the first English settlement in
the Ohio Valley. About the 1st of July, they
were re-enforced by the arrival of a colony from
Massachusetts. It had been nine weeks on the
way. It had hauled its wagons and driven its
stock to Wheeling, where, constructing flat-boats,
it had floated down the river to the settlement.
In October preceding this occurrence, Arthur
St. Clair had been appointed Governor of the Ter
ritory by Congress, which body also appointed
Winthrop Sargent, Secretary, and Samuel H.
Parsons, James M. Varnum and John Armstrong
Judges. Subsequently Mr. Armstrong declined
the appointment, and Mr. Symmes was given the
vacancy. None of these were on the ground
when the first settlement was made, though the
Judges came soon after. One of the first things the
colony found necessary to do was to organize
some form of government, whereby difficulties
might be settled, though to the credit of the colony
it may be said, that during the first three months
of its existence but one difference arose, and that
was settled by a compromise.* Indeed, hardly a
better set of men for the purpose could have been
selected. Washington wrote concerning this
colony :
"No colony in America was ever settled under
such favorable auspices as that which has com
menced at the Muskingum. Information, prop
erty and strength will be its characteristics. I
know many of the settlers personally, and there
?"Western Monthly Magazine."

,5*

!£*-

HISTORY OF OHIO.

GO

never were men better calculated to promote the
welfare of such a community."
On the 2d of July, a meeting of the Directors
and agents was held on the banks of the Mus
kingum for the purpose of naming the newborn
city and its squares. As yet, the settlement had
been merely " The Muskingum ; " but the name
Marietta was now formally given it, in honor of
Marie Antoinette. The square upon which the
blockhouses stood was called Campus Martius;
Square No. 19, Capitolium; Square No. 61, Ce
cilia, and the great road running through the
covert-way, Sacra Via.* Surely, classical scholars
were not scarce in the colony.
On the Fourth, an oration was delivered by
James M. Varnum, one of the Judges, and a
public demonstration held. Five days after, the
Governor arrived, and the colony began to assume
form. The ordinance of 1787 provided two dis
tinct, grades of government, under the first of
which the whole power was under the Governor
and the three Judges. This form was at once
recognized on the arrival of St. Clair. The first
law established by this court was passed on the
25th of July. It established and regulated the
militia of the Territory. The next day after its
publication, appeared the Governor's proclamation
erecting all the country that had been ceded by
the Indians east of the Scioto River, into the
county of Washington. Marietta was, of course,
the county seat, and, from that day, went on
prosperously. On September 2, the first court
was held with becoming ceremonies. It is thus
related in the American Pioneer:
"The procession was formed at the Point
(where the most of the settlers resided), in the
following order: The High Sheriff, with his
drawn sword; the citizens; the officers of the
garrison at Fort Harmar; the members of the
bar; the Supreme Judges; the Governor and
clergyman ; the newly appointed Judges of the
Court of Common Pleas, Gens. Rufus Putnam
and Benjamin Tupper.
"They marched up the path that had been
cleared through the forest to Campus Martius
Hall (stockade), where the whole countermarched,
and the Judges (Putnam and Tupper) took their
seats. The clergyman, Rev. Dr. Cutler, then
invoked the divine blessing. The Sheriff, Col.
Ebenezer Sproat, proclaimed with his solemn ' Oh
yes ! ' that a court is open for the administration of
* " Carey's Museum," Vol. 4.

even-handed justice, to the poor and to the rich,
to the guilty and to the innocent, without respect
of persons; none to be punished without a trial of
their peers, and then in pursuance of the laws and
evidence in the case.
" Although this scene was exhibited thus early
in the settlement of the West, few ever equaled it
in the dignity and exalted character of its princi
pal participators. Many of them belonged to the
history of our country in the darkest, as well as
the most splendid, period of the Revolutionary
war." Many Indians were gathered at the same time
to witness the (to them) strange spectacle, and for
the purpose of forming a treaty, though how
far they carried this out, the Pioneer does not
relate. The progress of the settlement was quite satis
factory during the year. Some one writing a
letter from the town says :
" The progress of the settlement is sufficiently
rapid for the. first year. We are continually erect
ing houses, but arrivals are constantly coming
faster than we can possibly provide convenient
covering. Our first ball was opened about the
middle of December, at which were fifteen ladies,
as well accomplished in the manner of polite
circles as any I have ever seen in the older States.
I mention this to show the progress of society in
this new world, where, I believe, we shall vie with,
if not excel, the old States in every accom
plishment necessary to render life agreeable and
happy." The emigration westward at this time was,
indeed, exceedingly large. The commander at
Fort Harmar reported 4,500 persons as having
passed that post between February and June,
1788, many of whom would have stopped there,
had the associates been prepared to receive them.
The settlement was free from Indian depredations
until January, 1791, during which interval it
daily increased in numbers and strength.
Symmes and his friends were not idle during this
time. He had secured his contract in October,
1787, and, soon after, issued a pamphlet stating
the terms of his purchase and the mode he intended
to follow in the disposal of the lands. His plan
was, to issue warrants for not less than one-quarter
section, which might be located anywhere, save on
reservations, or on land previously entered. The
locator could enter an entire section should he de
sire to do so. The price was to be 60f cents per
acre till May, 1788 ; then, till November, $1 ; and

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70

HISTORY OF OHIO.

after that time to be regulated by the demand for
land. Each purchaser was bound to_ begin im
provements within two years, or forfeit one-sixth
of the land to whoever would settle thereon and
remain seven years. Military bounties might be
taken in this, as in the purchase of the associates.
For himself, Symmes reserved one township near
the mouth of the Miami. On this he intended to
build a great city, rivaling any Eastern port. He
offered any one a, lot on which to build a house,
providing he would remain three years. Conti
nental certificates were rising, owing to the demand
for land created by these two purchases, and Con
gress found the burden of debt correspondingly
lessened. Symmes soon began to experience diffi
culty in procuring enough to meet his payments.
He had also some trouble in arranging his boundary
with the Board of the Treasury. These, and other
causes, laid the foundation for another city, which is
now what Symmes hoped his city would one day be.
In January, 1788, Mathias Denman, of New
Jersey, took an interest in Symmes' purchase,
and located, among other tracts, the sections upon
which Cincinnati has since been built. Retaining
one-third of this purchase, he sold the balance to
Robert Patterson and John Filson, each getting
the same share. These three, about August, agreed
to lay out a town on their land. It was designated
as opposite the mouth of the Licking River, to
which place it was intended to open a road from
Lexington, Ky. These men little thought of the
great emporium that now covers the modest site of
this town they laid out that summer. Mr. Filson,
who had been a schoolmaster, and was of a some
what poetic nature, was appointed to name the
town. In respect to its situation, and as if with
a prophetic perception of the mixed races that
were in after years to dwell there, he named it Los-
antiville,* " which, being interpreted," says the
" Western Annals," "means ville, the town; anti,
opposite to ; os, the mouth ; L, of Licking. This
may well put to the blush the Campus Martius
of the Marietta scholars, and the Fort Solon of
the Spaniards."
Meanwhile, Symmes was busy in the East, and,
by July, got thirty people and eight four-horse
wagons under way for the West. These reached
Limestone by September, where they met Mr.
Stites, with several persons from Redstone. All
* Judge Burnett, in his notes, disputes the above account of the
origin of the city of Cincinnati. He says the name "LoBantiville "
was determined on, but not adopted, when the town was laid out.
This version is probably the correct one, and will be found fully
given in the detailed history of the settlements.

came to Symmes' purchase, and began to look for
homes. Symmes' mind was, however, ill at rest. He
could not meet his first payment on so vast a realm,
and there also arose a difference of opinion be
tween him and the Treasury Board regarding the
Ohio boundary. Symmes wanted all the land be
tween the two Miamis, bordering on the Ohio,
while the Board wished him confined to no more
than twenty miles of the river. To this proposal
he would not agree, as he had made sales all along
the river. Leaving the bargain in an unsettled
state, Congress considered itself released from all
its obligations, and, but for the representations of
many of Symmes' friends, he would have lost all
his money and labor. His appointment as Judge
was not favorably received by many, as they
thought that by it he would acquire unlimited
power. Some of his associates also complained of
him, and, for awhile, it surely seemed that ruin
only awaited him. But he was brave and hope
ful, and determined to succeed. On his return
from a visit to his purchase in September, 1788,
he wrote Jonathan Dayton, of New Jersey, one of
his best friends and associates, that he thought
some of the land near the Great Miami "positively
worth a silver dollar the acre in its present state."
A good many changes were made in his original
contract, growing out of his inability to meet his
payments. At first, he was to have not less than
a million acres, under an act of Congress passed in
October, 1787, authorizing the Treasury Board to
contract with any one who could pay for such
tracts, on the Ohio and Wabash Rivers, whose
fronts should not exceed one-third of their depth.
Dayton and Marsh, Symmes' agents, contracted
with the Board for one tract on the Ohio, begin
ning twenty miles up the Ohio from the mouth of
the Great Miami, and to run back for quantity be
tween the Miami and a line drawn from the Ohio,
parallel to the general course of that river. In
1791, three years after Dayton and Marsh made
the contract, Symmes found this would throw the
purchase too far back from the Ohio, and applied
to Congress to let him have all between the Mi-
amies, running back so as to include 1,000,000
acres, which that body, on April 12, 1792, agreed
to do. When the lands were surveyed, however, it
was found that a line drawn from the head of the
Little Miami due west to the Great Miami, would
include south of it less than six hundred thousand
acres. Even this Symmes could not pay for, and
when his patent was issued in September, 1794, it

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

71

gave him and his associates 248,540 acres, exclu
sive of reservations which amounted to 63,142
acres. This tract was bounded by the Ohio, the-
two Miamis and a due east and west line run so
as to include the desired quantity. Symmes, how
ever, made no further payments, and the rest of
his purchase reverted to the United States, who
gave those who had bought under him ample pre
emption rights.
The Government was able, also, to give him and
his colonists but little aid, and as danger from hos
tile Indians was in a measure imminent (though all
the natives were friendly to Symmes), settlers were
slow to come. However, the band led by Mr.
Stites arrived before the 1st of January, 1789,
and locating themselves near the mouth of the
Little Miami, on a tract of 10,000 acres which
Mr. Stites had purchased from Symmes, formed
the second settlement in Ohio. They were soon
afterward joined by a colony of twenty-six persons,
who assisted them to erect a block-house, and
gather their corn. The town was named Columbia.
While here, the great flood of January, 1789, oc
curred, which did much to ensure the future
growth of Losantiville, or more properly, Cincin
nati. Symmes City, which was laid out near the
mouth of the Great Miami, and which he vainly
strove to make the city of the future, Marietta
and Columbia, all suffered severely by this flood,
the greatest, the Indians said, ever known. The
site of Cincinnati was not overflowed, and hence
attracted the attention of the settlers. Denman's
warrants had designated his purchase as opposite
the mouth of the Licking ; and that point escap
ing the overflow, late in December the place was
visited by Israel Ludlow, Symmes' surveyor, Mr.
Patterson and Mr. Denman, and about fourteen oth
ers, who left Maysville to "form a station and lay
off a town opposite the Licking." The river was
filled with ice "from shore to shore;" but, says
Symmes in May, 1789, "Perseverance triumphing
over difficulty, and they landed safe on a most de
lightful bank of the Ohio, where they founded
the town of Losantiville, which populates consid
erably." The settlers of Losantiville built a few
log huts and block-houses, and proceeded to im
prove the town. Symmes, noticing the location,
says: "Though they placed their dwellings in the
most marked position, yet they suffered nothing
from the freshet." This would seem to give cre
dence to Judge Burnett's notes regarding the origin
of Cincinnati, who states the settlement was made
at this time, and not at the time mentioned when

Mr. Filson named the town. It is further to be
noticed, that, before the town was located by Mr.
Ludlow and Mr. Patterson, Mr. Filson had been
killed by the Miami Indians, and, as he had not paid
for his one-third of the site, the claim was sold to
Mr. Ludlow, who thereby became one of the origi
nal owners of the place. Just what day the town
was laid out is not recorded. All the evidence
tends to show it must have been late in 1788, or
early in 1789.
While the settlements on the north side of the
Ohio were thus progressing, south of it fears of the
Indians prevailed, and the separation sore was
kept open. The country was, however, so torn by
internal factions that no plan was likely to suc
ceed, and to this fact, in a large measure „ may be
credited the reason it did not secede, or join the
Spanish or French faction, both of which were
intriguing to get the commonwealth. During
this year the treasonable acts of James Wilkinson
came into view. For a while he thought success
was in his grasp, but the two governments were at
peace with America, and discountenanced any such
efforts. Wilkinson, like all traitors, relapsed into
nonentity, and became mistrusted by the govern
ments he attempted to befriend. Treason is al
ways odious.
It will be borne in mind, that in 1778 prepa
rations had been made for a treaty with the Indi
ans, to secure peaceful possession of the lands
owned in the West. Though the whites held
these by purchase and treaty, yet many Indians,
especially the Wabash and some of the Miami In
dians, objected to their occupation, claiming the
Ohio boundary as the original division line. Clarke
endeavored to obtain, by treaty at Fort Harmar,
in 1778, a confirmation of these grants, but was
not able to do so till January, 9, 1789. Rep
resentatives of the Six Nations, and of the Wyan
dots, Delawares, Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawato
mies and Sacs, met him at this date, and confirmed
and extended the treaties of Fort Stanwix and
Fort Mcintosh, the one in 1784, the other in
1785. This secured peace with the most of them,
save a few of the Wabash Indians, whom they
were compelled to conquer by arms. When this
was accomplished, the borders were thought safe,
and Virginia proposed to withdraw her aid in sup
port of Kentucky. This opened old troubles, and
the separation dogma came out afresh. Virginia
offered to allow the erection of a separate State,
providing Kentucky would assume part of the old
debts. This the young commonwealth would not

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72

HISTORY OF OHIO.

do, and sent a remonstrance. Virginia withdrew
the proposal, and ordered a ninth convention,
which succeeded in evolving a plan whereby Ken
tucky took her place among the free States of the
Union. North of the Ohio, the prosperity continued.
In 1789, Rev. Daniel Story, who had been ap
pointed missionary to the West, came out as a
teacher of the youth and a preacher of the Gospel.
Dr. Cutler had preceded him, not in the capacity
of a minister, though he had preached ; hence Mr.
Story is truly the first missionary from the Prot-
estant Church who came to the Ohio Valley in
that capacity. When he came, in 1789, he found
nine associations on the Ohio Company's purchase,
comprising two hundred and fifty persons in all ;
and, by the close of 1790, eight settlements had
been made: two at Belpre (belle prairie), one at
Newbury, one at Wolf Creek, one at Duck Creek,
one at the mouth of Meigs' Creek, one at Ander
son's Bottom, and one at Big Bottom. An ex
tended sketch of all these settlements will be found
farther on in this volume.
Symmes had, all this time, strenuously endeav
ored to get his city — called Cleves City — favorably
noticed, and filled with people. He saw a rival in
Cincinnati. That place, if made military head
quarters to protect the Miami Valley, would out
rival his town, situated near the bend of the
Miami, near its mouth. On the 15th of June,
Judge Symmes received news that the Wabash
Indians threatened the Miami settlements, and as
he had received only nineteen men for defense, he
applied ^or more. Before July, Maj. Doughty
arrived at the "Slaughter House " — as the Miami
was sometimes called, owing to previous murders
that had, at former times, occurred therein.
Through the influence of Symmes, the detach
ment landed at the North Bend, and, for awhile,
it was thought the fort would be erected there.
This was what Symmes wanted, as it would
secure him the headquarters of the military, and
aid in getting the headquarters of the civil gov
ernment. The truth was, however, that neither
the proposed city on the Miami — North Bend, as
it afterward became known, from its location — or
South Bend, could compete, in point of natural
advantages, with the plain on which Cincinnati is
built. Had Fort Washington been built elsewhere,
after the close of the Indian war, nature would
have asserted her advantages, and insured the
growth of a city, where even the' ancient and mys
terious dwellers of the Ohio had reared the earthen

walls of one of their vast temples. Another fact
is given in relation to the erection of Fort Wash
ington at Losantiville, which partakes somewhat of
romance. The Major, while waiting to decide at
which place the fort should be built, happened to
make the acquaintance of a black-eyed beauty, the
wife of one of the residents. Her husband, notic
ing the affair, removed her to Losantiville. The
Major followed; he told Symmes he wished to see
how a fort would do there, but promised to give his
city the preference. He found the beauty there, and
on his return Symmes could not prevail on him to
remain. If the story be true, then the importance
of Cincinnati owes its existence to a trivial circum
stance, and the old story of the ten years' war
which terminated in the downfall of Troy, which
is said to have originated owing to the beauty of
a Spartan dame, was re-enacted here. Troy and
North Bend fell because of the beauty of a wo
man ; Cincinnati was the result of the downfall of
the latter place.
About the first of January, 1790, Governor St.
Clair, with his officers, descended the Ohio River
from Marietta to Fort Washington. There he es
tablished the county of Hamilton, comprising the
immense region of country contiguous to the
Ohio, from the Hocking River to the Great
Miami; appointed a corps of civil and military
officers, and established a Court of Quarter Ses
sions. Some state that at this time, he changed
the name of the village of Losantiville to Cin
cinnati, in allusion to a society of that name
which had recently been formed among the officers
of the Revolutionary army, and established it as
the seat of justice for Hamilton. This latter fact
is certain; but as regards changing the name of
the village, there is no good authority for it. With.
this importance attached to it, Cincinnati began at
once an active growth, and from that day Cleves'
city declined. The next summer, frame houses
began to appear in Cincinnati, while at the same
time forty new log cabins appeared about the
fort. On the 8th of January, the Governor arrived at
the falls of the Ohio, on his way to establish a
government at Vincennes and Kaskaskia. From
Clarkesville, he dispatched a messenger to Major
Hamtramck, commander at Vincennes, with
speeches to the various Indian tribes "in this part
of the Northwest, who had not fully agreed to the
treaties. St. Clair and Sargent followed in a few
days, along an Indian trail to Vincennes, where he
organized the county of Knox, comprising all the

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73

country along the Ohio, from the Miami to the
Wabash, and made Vincennes the county seat.
Then they proceeded across the lower part of Illi
nois to Kaskaskia, where he established the county
of St. Clair (so named by Sargent), comprising all
the country from the Wabash to the Mississippi.
Thus the Northwest was divided into three coun
ties, and courts established therein. St. Clair
called upon the French inhabitants at Vincennes
and in the Illinois country, to show the titles to
their lands, and also to defray the expense of a
survey. To this latter demand they replied through
their priest, Pierre Gibault, showing their poverty,
and inability to comply. They were confirmed in
their grants, and, as they had been good friends to
the patriot cause, were relieved from the expense
of the survey.
While the Governor was managing these affairs,
Major Hamtramck was engaged in an effort to con
ciliate the Wabash Indians. For this purpose, he
sent Antoine Gamelin, an intelligent French mer
chant, and a true friend of America, among them to
carry messages sent by St. Clair and the Govern
ment, and to learn their sentiments and dispositions.
Gamelin performed this important mission in the
spring of 1790 with much sagacity, and, as the

French were good friends of the natives, he did
much to conciliate these half-hostile tribes. He
visited the towns of these tribes along the Wabash
and as far north and east as the Miami village,
Ke-ki-ong-ga-S-St. Mary's — at the junction of the
St. Mary's and St. Joseph's Rivers (Fort Wayne).
Gamelin's report, and the intelligence brought by
some traders from the Upper Wabash, were con
veyed to the Governor at Kaskaskia. The reports
convinced him that the Indians of that part of the
Northwest were preparing for a war on the settle
ments north of the Ohio, intending, if possible, to
drive them south of it; that river being still consid
ered by them as the true boundary. St. Clair left
the administration of affairs in the Western counties
to Sargent, and returned at once to Fort Washing
ton to provide for the defense of the frontier.
The Indians had begun their predatory incur
sions into the country settled by the whites, and
had committed some depredations. The Kentuck-
ians were enlisted in an attack against the Scioto
Indians. April 18, Gen. Harmar, with 100
regulars, and Gen. Scott, with 230 volunteers,
marched from Limestone, by a circuitous route, to
the Scioto, accomplishing but little. The savages
had fled.

CHAPTER VII.

THE INDIAN WAR OF 1795— HARMAR'S CAMPAIGN— ST. CLAIR'S CAMPAIGN— WAYNE'S
CAMPAIGN— CLOSE OF THE WAR.

A GREAT deal of the hostility at this period
was directly traceable to the British. They
yet held Detroit and several posts on the lakes, in
violation of the treaty of 1783. They alleged as
a reason for not abandoning them, that the Ameri
cans had not fulfilled the conditions of the treaty
regarding the collection of debts. Moreover, they
did nil they could to remain at the frontier and en
joy the emoluments derived from the fur trade.
That they aided the Indians in the conflict at this
time, is undeniable. Just how, it is difficult to
say. But it is well known the savages had all the
ammunition and fire-arms they wanted, more than
they could have obtained from American and
French renegade traders. They were also well
supplied with clothing, and were able to prolong
the war some time. A great confederation was on
the eve of formation. The leading spirits were

Cornplanter, Brant, Little Turtle and other noted
chiefs, and had not the British, as Brant said,
"encouraged us to the war, and promised us aid,
and then, when we were driven away by the Amer
icans, shut the doors of their fortresses against us
and refused us food, when they saw us nearly con
quered, we would have effected our object."
McKee, Elliott and Girty were also actively en
gaged in aiding the natives. All of them were in
the interest of the British, a fact clearly proven
by the Indians themselves, and by other traders.
St. Clair and Gen. Harmar determined to send
an expedition against the Maumee towns, and se
cure that part of the country. Letters were sent
to the militia officers of Western Pennsylvania,
Virginia and Kentucky, calling on them for militia
to co-operate with the regular troops in the cam
paign. According to the plan of the campaign,

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

300 militia were to rendezvous at Fort Steuben
(Jeffersonville), march thence to Fort Knox, at
Vincennes, and join Maj. Hamtramck in an expe
dition up the Wabash ; 700 were to rendezvous at
Fort Washington to join the regular army against
the Maumee towns.
While St. Clair was forming his army and ar
ranging for the campaign, three expeditions were
sent out against the Miami towns. One against
the Miami villages, not far from the Wabash, was
. led by Gen. Harmar. He had in his army about
fourteen hundred men, regulars and militia. These
two parts of the army could not be made to affili
ate, and, as a consequence, the expedition did little
beyond burning the villages and destroying corn.
The militia would not submit to discipline, and would
not serve under regular officers. It will be seen
what this spirit led to when St. Clair went on his
march soon after.
The Indians, emboldened by the meager success
of Harmar's command, continued their depreda-
dations against the Ohio settlements, destroying
the community at Big Bottom. To hold them in
check, and also punish them, an army under Charles
Scott went against the Wabash Indians. Little
was done here but destroy towns and the standing
corn. In July, another army, under Col. Wilkin
son, was sent against the Eel River Indians. Be
coming entangled in extensive morasses on the
river, the army became endangered, but was finally
extricated, and accomplished no more than either
the other armies before it. As it Was, however, the
three expeditions directed against the Miamis and
Shawanees, served only to exasperate them. The
burning of their towns, the destruction of their
corn, and the captivity of their women and chil
dren, only aroused them to more desperate efforts
to defend their country and to harass their in
vaders. To accomplish this, the chiefs of the
Miamis, Shawanees and the Delawares, Little
Turtle, Blue Jacket and Buckongahelas, were en
gaged in forming a confederacy of all the tribes of
the Northwest, strong enough to drive the whites
beyond the Ohio. Pontiac had tried that before,
even when he had open allies among the French.
The Indians now had secret allies among the Brit
ish, yet, in the end, they did not succeed. While
they were preparing for the contest, St. Clair was
gathering his forces, intending to erect a chain of
forts from the Ohio, by way of the Miami and
Maumee valleys, to the lakes, and thereby effect
ually hold the savages in check. Washington
warmly seconded this plan, and designated the

junction of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph's Rivers as
an important post. This had been a fortification
almost from the time the English held the. valley,
and only needed little work to make it a formid
able fortress. Gen. Knox, the Secretary of War,
also favored the plan, and gave instructions con
cerning it. Under these instructions, St. Clair
organized his forces as rapidly as he could, although
the numerous drawbacks almost, at times, threat
ened the defeat of the campaign. Through the
summer the arms and accouterments of the army
were put in readiness at Fort Washington. Many
were found to be of the poorest quality, and to be
badry out of repair. The militia came poorly
armed, under the impression they were to be pro
vided with arms. While waiting in camp, habits
of idleness engendered themselves, and drunken
ness followed. They continued their accustomed
freedom, disdaining to drill, and refused to submit
to the regular officers. A bitter spirit broke out
between the regular troops and the militia, which
none could heal. The insubordination of the mi
litia and their officers, caused them a defeat after
ward, which they in_ vain attempted to fasten on
the busy General, and the regular troops.
The army was not ready to move till September
17. It was then 2,300 strong. It then moved
to a point upon the Great Miami, where they
erected Fort Hamilton, the first in the proposed
chain of fortresses. After its completion, they
moved on forty-four miles farther, and, on the 12th
of October, began the erection of Fort Jefferson,
about six miles south of the present town of Green
ville, Darke County. On the 24th, the army again
took up its line of march, through a wilderness,
marshy and boggy, and full of savage foes. The
army rapidly declined under the hot sun ; even the
commander was suffering from an indisposition.
The militia deserted, in companies at a time, leav
ing the bulk of the work to the regular troops.
By the 3d of November, the army reached a
stream twelve yards wide, which St. Clair sup
posed to be a branch of the St. Mary of the Mau
mee, but which in reality was a tributary of the
Wabash. Upon the banks of that stream, the
army, now about fourteen hundred strong, en
camped in two lines. A slight protection was
thrown up as a safeguard against the Indians, who
were known to be in the neighborhood. The Gen
eral intended to attack them next day, but, about
half an hour before sunrise, just after the militia
had been dismissed from parade, a sudden attack
was made upon them. The militia were thrown

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

75

into confusion, and disregarded the command of
the officers. They had not been sufficiently drilled,
and now was seen, too late and too plainly, the evil
effects of their insubordination. Through the
morning the battle waged furiously, the men falling
by scores. About nine o'clock the retreat began,
covered by Maj. Cook and his troops. The re
treat was a disgraceful,. precipitate flight, though,
after four miles had been passed, the enemy re
turned to the work of scalping the dead and
wounded, and of pillaging the camp. Through
the day and the night their dreadful work con
tinued, one squaw afterward declaring " her arm
was weary scalping the white men." The army
reached Fort Jefferson a little after sunset, having
thrown away much of its arms and baggage, though
the act was entirely unnecessary. After remain
ing here a short time, it was decided by the officers
to move on toward Fort Hamilton, and thence to
Fort Washington.
The defeat of St. Clair was the most terrible re
verse the Americans ever suffered from the Indi
ans. It was greater than even Braddock's defeat.
His army consisted of 1,200 men and 86 officers,
of whom 714 men and 63 officers were killed or
wounded. St. Clair's army consisted of 1,400
men and 86 officers, of whom 890 men and 16
officers were killed or wounded. The comparative
effects of the two engagements very inadequately
represent the crushing effect of St. Clair's defeat.
An unprotected frontier of more than a thousand
miles in extent was now thrown open to a foe made
merciless, and anxious to drive the whites from the
north side of the Ohio. Now, settlers were scat
tered along all the streams, and in all the forests, ex
posed to the cruel enemy, who stealthily approached
the homes of the pioneer, to murder him and his
family. Loud calls arose from the people to defend
and protect them. St. Clair was covered with abuse
for his defeat, when he really was not alone to blame
for it. The militia would not be controlled. Had
Clarke been at their head, or Wayne, who succeeded
St. Clair, the result might have been different. As
it was, St. Clair resigned ; though ever after he en
joyed the confidence of Washington and Congress.
Four days after the defeat of St. Clair, the army,
in its straggling condition, reached Fort Washing
ton, and paused to rest. On the 9th, St. Clair
wrote fully to the Secretary of War. On the 12th,
Gen. Knox communicated the information to Con
gress, and on the 26th, he laid before the Presi
dent two reports, the second containing sugges
tions regarding future operations. His sugges

tions urged the establishment of a strong United
States Army, as it was plain the States could not
control the matter. He also urged a thorough
drill of the soldiers. No more insubordination
could be tolerated. General Wayne was selected
by Washington as the commander, and at once pro
ceeded to the task assigned to him. In June, 1792,
he went to Pittsburgh to organize the army now
gathering, which was to be the ultimate argu
ment with the Indian confederation. Through the
summer he was steadily at work. "Train and dis
cipline them for the work they are meant for,"
wrote Washington, "and do not spare powder and
lead, so the men be made good marksmen." In
December, the forces, now recruited and trained,
gathered at a point twenty-two miles below Pitts
burgh, on the Ohio, called Legionville, the army
itself being denominated the Legion of the United
States, divided into four sub-legions, and provided
with the proper officers. Meantime, Col. Wilkinson
succeeded St. Clair as commander at Fort Wash
ington, and sent out a force to examine the field of
defeat, and bury the dead. A shocking sight met
their view, revealing the deeds of cruelty enacted
upon their comrades by the savage enemy.
While Wayne's army was drilling, peace meas
ures were pressed forward by the United States
with equal perseverance. The Iroquois were in
duced to visit Philadelphia, and partially secured
from the general confederacy. They were wary,
however, and, expecting aid from the British, held
aloof. Brant did not come, as was hoped, and it
was plain there was intrigue somewhere. Five
independent embassies were sent among the West
ern tribes, to endeavor to prevent a war, and win
over the inimical tribes. But the victories they
had won, andthe favorable whispers of the British
agents, closed the ears of the red men, and all
propositions were rejected in some form or other.
All the embassadors, save Putnam, suffered death.
He alone was able to reach his goal — the Wabash
Indians — and effect any treaty. On the 27th of
December, in company with Heckewelder, the Mo
ravian missionary, he reached Vincennes, and met
thirty-one chiefs, representing the Weas, Pianke-
shaws, Kaskaskias, Peorias, Illinois, Pottawatomies,
Mascoutins, Kickapoos and Eel River Indians, and
concluded a treaty of peace with them.
The fourth article of this treaty, however, con
tained a provision guaranteeing to the Indians
their lands, and when the treaty was laid before
Congress, February 13, 1793, that body, after
much discussion, refused on that account to ratify it.

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

A great council of the Indians was to be held
at Auglaize during the autumn of 1792, when
the assembled nations were to discuss fully their
means of defense, and determine their future line
of action. The council met in October, and was
the largest Indian gathering of the time. The
chiefs of all the tribes of the Northwest were there.
The representatives of the seven nations of Canada,
were in attendance. Cornplanter and forty-eight
chiefs of the New York (Six Nations) Indians re
paired thither. " Besides these," said Cornplanter,
" there were so many nations we cannot tell the
names of them. There were three men from the
Gora nation ; it took them a whole season to come ;
and," continued he, "twenty-seven nations from
beyond Canada were there." The question of
peace or war was long and earnestly debated. Their
future was solemnly discussed, and around the
council fire native eloquence and native zeal
shone in all their simple strength. One nation
after another, through their chiefs, presented their
views. The deputies of the Six Nations, who had
been at Philadelphia to consult the "Thirteen
Fires," made their report. The Western bound
ary was the principal question. The natives, with
one accord, declared it must be the Ohio River.
An address was prepared, and sent to the President,
wherein their views were stated, and agreeing to
abstain from all hostilities, until they could meet
again in the spring at the rapids of the Maumee,
and there consult with their white brothers. They
desired the President to send agents, "who are
men of honesty, not proud land-jobbers, but men
who love and desire peace." The good work of
Penn was evidenced here, as they desired that the
embassadors "be accompanied by some Friend or
Quaker." The armistice they had promised was not, how
ever, faithfully kept. On the 6th of November,
a detachment of Kentucky cavalry at Fort St.
Clair, about twenty-five miles above Fort Hamil
ton, was attacked. The commander, Maj. Adair,
was an excellent officer, well versed in Indian tac
tics, and defeated the savages.
This infraction of their promises did not deter
the United States from taking measures to meet
the Indians at the rapids of the Maumee " when
the leaves were fully out." For that purpose, the
President selected as commissioners, Charles Car
roll and Charles Thompson, but, as they declined
the nomination, he appointed Benjamin Lincoln
Beverly' Randolph and Timothy Pickering, the 1st
of March, 1793, to attend the convention, which

it was thought best, should be held at the San
dusky outpost. About the last of April, these
commissioners left Philadelphia, and, late in May,
reached Niagara, where they remained guests of
Lieut. Gov. Sinicoe, of the British Government.
This officer gave them all the aid he could, yet it
was soon made plain to them that he would not
object to the confederation, nay, even rather fav
ored it. They speak of his kindness to them, in
grateful terms. Gov. Simcoe advised the Indians
to make peace, but not to give up any of their
lands. That was the pith of the whole matter.
The British rather claimed land in New York,
under the treaty of 1783, alleging the Americans
had not fully complied with the terms of that
treaty, hence they were not as anxious for peace
and a' peaceful settlement of the difficult boundary
question as they sometimes represented.
By July, "the leaves were fully out," the con
ferences among the tribes were over, and, on the
15th of that month, the commissioners met Brant
and some fifty natives. In a strong speech, Brant
set forth their wishes, and invited them to accom
pany him to the place of holding the council. The
Indians were rather jealous of Wayne's continued
preparations for war, hence, just before setting out
for the Maumee, the commissioners sent a letter to
the Secretary of War, asking that all warlike
demonstrations cease until the result of their mis
sion be known.
On 21st of July, the embassy reached the head
of the Detroit River, where their advance was
checked by the British authorities at Detroit, com
pelling them to take up their abode at the house
of Andrew Elliott, the famous renegade, then a
British agent under Alexander McKee. McKee
was attending the council, and the commissioners
addressed him a note, borne by Elliott, to inform
him of their arrival, and asking when they could
be received. Elliott returned on the 29th, bring
ing with him a deputation of twenty chiefs from
the council. The next day, a conference was held,
and the chief of the Wyandots, Sa-wagh-da-wunk,
presented to the commissioners, in writing, their
explicit demand in regard to the boundary, and
their purposes and powers. " The Ohio must be
the boundary," said he, " or blood will flow."
The commissioners returned an answer to the
proposition brought by the chiefs, recapitulating
the treaties already made, and denying the Ohio
as the boundary line. On the 16th of August,
the council sent them, by two Wyandot runners,
a final answer, in which they recapitulated their

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

77

former assertions, and exhibited great powers of
reasoning and clear logic in defense of their po
sition. The commissioners reply that it is impos-
ble to accept the Ohio as the boundary, and declare
the negotiation at an end.
This closed the efforts of the Government to ne
gotiate with the Indians, and there remained of
necessity no other mode of settling the dispute
but war. Liberal terms had been offered them,
but nothing but the boundary of the Ohio River
would suffice. It was the only condition upon
which the confederation would lay down its arms.
" Among the rude statesmen of the wilderness,
there was exhibited as pure patriotism and as lofty
devotion to the good of their race, as ever won ap
plause among civilized men. The white man had,
ever since he came into the country, been encroach
ing on their lands. He had long occupied the
regions beyond the mountains. He had crushed
the conspiracy formed by Pontiac, thirty years be
fore. He had taken possession of the common
hunting-ground of all the tribes, on the faith of
treaties they did not acknowledge. He was
now laying out settlements and building forts in
the heart of the country to which all the tribes
had been driven, and which now was all they could
call their own. And now they asked that it should
be guaranteed to them, that the boundary which
they had so long asked for should be drawn, and
a final end be made to the continual aggressions of
the whites ; or, if not, they solemnly determined to
stake their all, against fearful odds, in defense of
their homes, their country and the inheritance of
their children. Nothing could be more patriotic
than the position they occupied, and nothing could
be more noble than the declarations of their
council."* They did not know the strength of the whites,
and based their success on the victories already
gained. They hoped, nay, were promised, aid from
the British, and even the Spanish had held out to
them assurances of help when the hour of conflict
came. The Americans were not disposed to yield even
to the confederacy of the tribes backed by the two
rival nations, forming, as Wayne characterized it, a
" hydra of British, Spanish and Indian hostility."
On the 16th of August, the commissioners re
ceived the final answer of the council. The 17th,
they left the mouth of the Detroit River, and the
23d, arrived at Fort Erie, where they immediately
* Annals of the West.

dispatched messengers to Gen. Wayne to inform
him of the issue of the negotiation. Wayne had
spent the winter of 1792-93, at Legionville, in col
lecting and organizing his army. April 30, 1793,
the army moved down the river and encamped at
a point, called by the soldiers "Hobson's choice,"
because from the extreme height of the river they
were prevented from landing elsewhere. Here
Wayne was engaged, during the negotiations for
peace, in drilling his soldiers, in cutting roads, and
collecting supplies for the army. He was ready
for an immediate campaign in case the council
failed in its object.
While here, he sent a letter to the Secretary of
War, detailing the circumstances, and suggesting
the probable course he should follow. He re
mained here during the summer, and, when apprised
of the issue, saw it was too late to attempt the
campaign then. He sent the Kentucky militia
home, and, with his regular soldiers, went into
winter quarters at a fort he built on a tributary
of the Great Miami. He called the fort Green
ville. The present town of Greenville is near the
site of the fort. During the winter, he sent a de
tachment to visit the scene of St. Clair's defeat.
They found more than six hundred skulls, and
were obliged to "scrape the bones together and
carry them out to get a place to make their beds."
They buried all they could find. Wayne was
steadily preparing his forces, so as to have every
thing ready for a sure blow when the time came.
All his information showed the faith in the British
which still animated the doomed red men, and
gave them a hope that could end only in defeat.
The conduct of the Indians fully corroborated
the statements received by Gen. Wayne. On the
30th of June, an escort of ninety riflemen and
fifty dragoons, under command of Maj. McMahon,
was attacked under the walls of Fort Recovery by
a force of more than one thousand Indians under
charge of Little Turtle. They were repulsed and
badly defeated, and, the next day, driven away.
Their mode of action, their arms and ammunition,
all told plainly of British aid. They also ex
pected to find the cannon lost by St. Clair Novem
ber 4, 1791, but which the Americans had secured.
The 26th of July, Gen. Scott, with 1,600
mounted men from Kentucky, joined Gen, Wayne
at Fort Greenville, and, two days after, the legion
moved forward. The 8th of August, the army
reached the junction of the Auglaize and Mau
mee, and at once proceeded to erect Fort Defiance,
where the waters meet. The Indians had abandoned

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

their towns on the approach of the army, and
were congregating further northward.
While engaged on Fort Defiance, Wayne
received continual and full reports of the Indians —
of their aid from Detroit and elsewhere ; of the
nature of the ground, and the circumstances,
favorable or unfavorable. From all he could
learn, and considering the spirits of his army,
now thoroughly disciplined, he determined to
march forward and settle matters at once. Yet,
true to' his own instincts, and to the measures of
peace so forcibly taught by Washington, he sent
Christopher Miller, who had been naturalized
among the Shawanees, and taken prisoner by
Wayne's spies, as a messenger of peace, offering
terms of friendship.
Unwilling to waste time, the troops began to
move forward the 15th of August, and the next
day met Miller with the message that if the Amer
icans would wait ten days at Auglaize the Indians
would decide for peace or war. Wayne knew too
well the Indian character, and answered the mes
sage by simply marching on. The 18th, the legion
had advanced forty-one miles from Auglaize, and,
being near the long-looked-for foe, began to take
some measures for protection, should they be at
tacked. A slight breastwork, called Fort Deposit,
was erected, wherein most of their heavy baggage
was placed. They remained here, building their
works, until the 20th, when, storing their baggage,
the army began again its march. After advancing
about five miles, they met a large force of the ene
my, two thousand strong, who fiercely attacked
them. Wayne was, however, prepared, and in the
short battle that ensued they were routed, and
large numbers slain. The American loss was very
slight. The horde of savages were put to flight,
leaving the Americans victorious almost under
the walls of the British garrison, under Maj.
Campbell. This officer sent a letter to Gen.
Wayne, asking an explanation of his conduct in
fighting so near, and in such evident hostility to
the British. Wayne replied, telling him he was
in a country that did not belong to him, and one
he was not authorized to hold, and also charging
him with aiding the Indians. A spirited corre
spondence followed, which ended in the American
commander marching on, and devastating the In
dian country, even burning McKee's house and
stores under the muzzles of the English guns.
The 14th of September, the army marched from
Fort Defiance for the Miami village at the junc
tion of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph Rivers. It

reached there on the 17th, and the next day Gen.
Wayne selected a site for a fort. The 22d of Oc
tober, the fort was completed, and garrisoned by a
detachment under Maj. Hamtramck,who gave to it
the name of Fort Wayne. The 14th of October,
the mounted Kentucky volunteers, who had be
come dissatisfied and mutinous, were started to
Fort Washington, where they were immediately
mustered out of service and discharged. The 28th
of October, the legion marched from Fort Wayne
to Fort Greenville, where Gen. Wayne at once
established his headquarters.
The campaign had been decisive and short, and
had taught the Indians a severe lesson. The Brit-
ish, too, had failed them in their hour of need, and
now they began to see they had a foe to contend
whose resources were exhaustless. Under these
circumstances, losing faith in the English, and at
last impressed with a respect for American power,
after the defeat experienced at the hands of the
"Black Snake," the various tribes made up their
minds, by degrees, to ask for peace. During the
winter and spring, they exchanged prisoners, and
made ready to meet Gen. Wayne at Greenville, in
June, for the purpose of forming a definite treaty,
as it had been agreed should be done by the pre
liminaries of January 24.
During the month of June, 1795, representa
tives of the Northwestern tribes began to gather at
Greenville, and, the 16th of the month, Gen. Wayne
met in council the Delawares, Ottawas, Pottawato
mies and Eel River Indians, and the conferences,
which lasted till August 10, began. The 21st
of June, Buckongahelas arrived ; the 23d, Little
Turtle and other Miamis ; the 13th of July,
Tarhe and other Wyandot chiefs ; and the 18th,
Blue Jacket, and thirteen Shawanees and Massas
with twenty Chippewas.
Most of these, as it appeared by their statements,
had been tampered with by the English, especially
by McKee, Girty and Brant, even after the pre
liminaries of January 24, and while Mr. Jay was
perfecting his treaty. They had, however, all de
termined to make peace with the "Thirteen Fires,"
and although some difficulty as to the ownership of
the lands to be ceded, at one time seemed likely to
arise, the good sense of Wayne and the leading
chiefs prevented it, and, the 30th of July, the treaty
was agreed to which should bury the hatchet for
ever. Between that day and the 3d of August,
it was engrossed, and, having been signed by the
various nations upon the day last named, it was
finally acted upon the 7th, and the presents from

*?.

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

79

the United States distributed. The basis of this
treaty was the previous one made at Fort Harmar.
The boundaries made at that time were re-affirmed ;
the whites were secured on the lands now occu
pied by them or secured by former treaties ; and
among all the assembled nations, presents, in value
not less than one thousand pounds, were distributed
to each through its representatives, many thousands
in all. The Indians were allowed to remove and

punish intruders on their lands, and were permitted
to hunt on the ceded lands.
"This great and abiding peace document was
signed by the various tribes, and dated August 3,
1795. It was laid before the Senate December 9,
and ratified the 22d. So closed the old Indian
wars in the West." *

* Annals of the West."

CHAPTER VIII.

JAY'S TREATY— THE QUESTION OF STATE RIGHTS AND NATIONAL SUPREMACY— EXTENSION
OF OHIO SETTLEMENTS— LAND CLAIMS— SPANISH BOUNDARY QUESTION.

WHILE these six years of Indian wars were
in progress, Kentucky was admitted as a
State, and Pinckney's treaty with Spain was com
pleted. This last occurrence was of vital impor
tance to the West, as it secured the free navigation
of the Mississippi, charging only a fair price for
the storage of goods at Spanish ports. This,
though not all that the Americans wished, was a
great gain in their favor, and did much to stop
those agitations regarding a separation on the part
of Kentucky. It also quieted affairs further
south than Kentucky, in the Georgia and South
Carolina Territory, and put an end to French
and Spanish intrigue for the Western Territory.
The treaty was signed November 24, 1794.
Another treaty was concluded by Mr. John Jay
between the two governments, Lord Greenville
representing the English, and Mr. Jay, the Ameri
cans. The negotiations lasted from April to
November 19, 1795, when, on that day, the treaty
was signed and duly recognized. It decided
effectually all the questions at issue, and was the
signal for the removal of the British troops from
the Northwestern outposts. This was effected as
soon as the proper transfers could be made. The
second article of the treaty provided that, " His
Majesty will withdraw all his troops and garrisons
from all posts and places within the boundary
lines assigned by the treaty of peace to the United
States. This evacuation shall take place on or
before the 1st day of June, 1796, and all the
proper measures shall be taken, in the interval, by
concert, between the Government of the United
States and His Majesty's Governor General in
America, for settling the previous arrangements

which may be necessary respecting the delivery
of the said posts ; the United States, in the mean
time, at their discretion, extending their settle
ments to any part within the said boundary line,
except within the precincts or jurisdiction of any
of the said posts.
" All settlers and all traders within the precincts
or jurisdiction of the said posts shall continue to
enjoy, unmolested, all their property of every
kind, and shall be protected therein. They shall
be at full liberty to remain there or to remove
with all, or any part, of their effects, or retain the
property thereof at their discretion ; such of them
as shall continue to reside within the said boundary
lines, shall not be compelled to become citizens of
the United States, or take any oath of allegiance
to the Government thereof; but they shall be at
full liberty so to do, if they think proper; they
shall make or declare their election one year after
the evacuation aforesaid. And' all persons who
shall continue therein after the expiration of the
said year, without having declared their intention
of remaining subjects to His Britannic Majesty,
shall be considered as having elected to become
citizens of the United States."
The Indian war had settled all fears from that
source ; the treaty with Great Britain had estab
lished the boundaries between the two countries
and secured peace, and the treaty with Spain had
secured the privilege of navigating the Mississippi,
by paying only a nominal sum. It had also bound
the people of the West together, and ended the
old separation question. There was no danger
from that now. Another difficulty arose, however,
relating to the home rule, and the organization of

.? «

80

HISTORY OF OHIO.

the home government. There were two parties in
the country, known as Federalist and Anti-Federal
ist. One favored a central government, whose au
thority should be supreme ; the other, only a
compact, leaving the States supreme. The worth-
lessness of the old colonial system became, daily,
more apparent. While it existed no one felt safe.
There was no prospect of paying the debt, and,
hence, no credit. When Mr. Hamilton, Secretary
of the Treasury, offered his financial plan to the
country, favoring centralization, it met, in many
places, violent opposition. Washington was strong
enough to carry it out, and gave evidence that he
would do so. When, therefore, the excise law
passed, and taxes on whisky were collected, an
open revolt occurred in Pennsylvania, known as
the " Whisky Insurrection." It was put down,
finally, by military power, and the malcontents
made to know that the United States was a gov
ernment, not a compact liable to rupture at any
time, and by any of its members. It taught the
entire nation a lesson. Centralization meant pres
ervation. Should a " compact" form of government
prevail, then anarchy and ruin, and ultimate sub
jection to some foreign power, met their view.
That they had just fought to dispel, and must it
all go for naught ? The people saw the rulers
were right, and gradually, over the West, spread a
spirit antagonistic to State supremacy. It did not
revive till Jackson's time, when he, with an iron
hand and iron will, crushed out the evil doctrine
of State supremacy. It revived again in the late
war, again to be crushed. It is to be hoped that
ever thus will be its fate. " The Union is insepa
rable," said the Government, and the people echoed
the words.
During the war, and while all these events had
been transpiring, settlements had been taking place
upon the Ohio, which, in their influence upon the
Northwest, and especially upon the State, as soon
as it was created, were deeply felt. The Virginia
and the Connecticut Reserves were at this time
peopled, and, also, that part of the Miami Valley
about Dayton, which city dates its origin from that
period. As early as 1787, the reserved lands of the Old
Dominion north of the Ohio were examined, and,
in August of that year, entries were made. As
no good title could be obtained from Congress at
this time, the settlement practically ceased until
1790, when the prohibition to enter them was
withdrawn. As soon as that was done, surveying
began again, M-i1 — :-1 »»-— -

Nathaniel Massie was among the

-*•

foremost men in the survey of this tract, and lo
cating the lands, laid off a town about twelve miles
above Maysville. The place was called Manchester,
and yet exists. From this point, Massie continued
through all the Indian war, despite the danger, to
survey the surrounding country, and prepare it for
settlers. Connecticut had, as has been stated, ceded her
lands, save, a tract extending one hundred and
twenty miles beyond the western boundary of
Pennsylvania. Of this Connecticut Reserve, so
far as the Indian title was extinguished, a survey
was ordered in October, 1786, and an office opened
for its disposal. Part was soon sold, and, in 1792,
half a million of acres were given to those citizens
of Connecticut who had lost property by the acts
of the British troops during the Revolutionary
war at New London, New Haven and elsewhere.
These lands thereby became known as " Fire lands "
and the "Sufferer's lands," and were located in the
western part of the Reserve. In May, 1795, the
Connecticut Legislature authorized a committee to
dispose of the remainder of the Reserve. Before
autumn the committee sold it to a company known
as the Connecticut Land Company for $1,200,000,
and about the 5th of September quit-claimed the
land to the Company. The same day the Company
received it, it sold 3,000,000 acres to John Mor
gan, John Caldwell and Jonathan Brace, in trust.
Upon these quit-claim titles of the land all deeds
in the Reserve are based. Surveys were com
menced in 1796, and, by the close of the next
year, all the land east of the Cuyahoga was divided
into townships five miles square. The agent of the
Connecticut Land Company was Gen. Moses Cleve
land, and in his honor the leading city of the Re
serve was named. That township and five others
were reserved for private sale; the balance were
disposed of by lottery, the first drawing occurring
in February, 1798.
Dayton resulted from the treaty made by Wayne.
It came out of the boundary ascribed to Symmes,
and for a while all such lands were not recognized
as sold by Congress, owing to the failure of
Symmes and his associates in paying for them.
Thereby there existed, for a time, considerable un
easiness regarding the title to these lands. In
1799, Congress was induced to issue patents to the
actual settlers, and thus secure them in their pre
emption. Seventeen days after Wayne's treaty, St. Clairs
Wilkinson, Jonathan Dayton and Israel Ludlow
contracted with Symmes for the seventh and eighth

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

83

ranges, between Mad River and the Little Miami.
Three settlements were to be made: one at the
mouth of Mad River, one on the Little Miami, in
the seventh range, and another on Mad River. On
the 21st of September, 1795, Daniel C. Cooper
started to survey and mark out a road in the pur
chase, and John Dunlap to run its boundaries;
which was completed before October 4. On No
vember 4, Mr. Ludlow laid off the town of Day
ton, which, like land in the Connecticut Reserve,
was sold by lottery.
A gigantic scheme to purchase eighteen or
twenty million acres in Michigan, and then pro
cure a good title from the Government — who alone
had such a right to procure land — by giving mem
bers of Congress an interest in the investment,
appeared shortly after Wayne's treaty. When
some of the members were approached, however,
the real spirit of the scheme appeared, and, instead
of gaining ground, led to the exposure, resulting
io the reprimanding severely of Robert Randall,
the principal mover in the whole plan, and in its
speedy disappearance.
Another enterprise, equally gigantic, also ap
peared. It was, however, legitimate, and hence
successful. On the 20th of February, 1795, the
North American Land Company was formed in
Philadelphia, under the management of such pat
riots as Robert Morris, John Nicholson and James
Greenleaf. This Company purchased large tracts
in the West, which it disposed of to actual settlers,
and thereby aided greatly in populating that part
of the country.
Before the close of 1795, the Governor of the
Territory, and his Judges, published sixty-four
statutes. Thirty-four of these were adopted at
Cincinnati during June, July and August of that
year. They were known as the Maxwell code,
from the name of the publisher, but were passed
by Governor St. Clair and Judges Symmes and
Turner. Among them was that which provided
that the common law of England, and all its stat
utes, made previous to the fourth year of James
the First, should be in full force within the Terri
tory. " Of the system as a whole," says Mr. Case,
"with its many imperfections, it maybe doubted
that any colony, at so early a period after its first
establishment, ever had one so good and applicable
to all."
The Union had now safely passed through its
most critical period after the close of the war of
independence. The danger from an irruption of
its own members; of a war or alliance of its West

ern portion with France and Spain, and many
other perplexing questions, were now effectually
settled, and the population of the Territory began
rapidly to increase. Before the close of the year
1796, the Northwest contained over five thousand
inhabitants, the requisite number to entitle it to
one representative in the national Congress.
Western Pennsylvania also, despite the various
conflicting claims regarding the land titles in that
part of the State, began rapidly to fill with emigrants.
The "Triangle" and the " Struck District " were
surveyed and put upon the market under the act
of 1792. Treaties and purchases from the various
Indian tribes, obtained control of the remainder of
the lands in that part of the State, and, by 1796,
the State owned all the land within its boundaries.
Towns were laid off, land put upon the market, so
that by the year 1800, the western part of the
Keystone State was divided into eight counties, viz.,
Beaver, Butler, Mercer, Crawford, Erie, Warren,
Venango and Armstrong.
The ordinance relative to the survey and dis
posal of lands in the Northwest Territory has
already been given. It was adhered to, save in
minor eases, where necessity required a slight
change.- The reservations were recognized by
Congress, and the titles to them all confirmed to
the grantees. Thus, Clarke and his men, the
Connecticut Reserve, the Refugee lands, the
French inhabitants, and all others holding patents
to land from colonial or foreign governments, were
all confirmed in their rights and protected in their
titles. Before the close of 1796, the upper North
western posts were all vacated by the British,
under the terms of Mr. Jay's treaty. Wayne at
once transferred his headquarters to Detroit, where
a county was named for him, including the north
western part of Ohio, the northeast of Indiana,
and the whole of Michigan.
The occupation of the Territory by the Ameri
cans gave additional impulse to emigration, and a
better feeling of security to emigrants, who fol
lowed closely upon the path of the army. Na
thaniel Massie, who has already been noticed as
the founder of Manchester, laid out the town of
Chillicothe, on the Scioto, in 1796. Before the
close of the year, it contained several stores,
shops, a tavern, and was well populated. With
the increase of settlement and the security guar
anteed by the treaty of Greenville, the arts of
civilized life began to appear, and their influence
upon pioneers, especially those born on the frontier,

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

n

began to manifest itself. Better dwellings, schools,
churches, dress and manners prevailed. Life
began to assume a reality, and lost much of
that recklessness engendered by the habits of a
frontier life.
Cleveland, Cincinnati, the Miami, the Mus
kingum and the Scioto Valleys were filling with
people. Cincinnati had more than one hundred
log cabins, twelve or fifteen frame houses and a
population of more than six hundred persons. In
1796, the first house of worship for the Presby
terians in that city was built.
Before the close of the same year, Manchester
contained over thirty families ; emigrants ^from
Virginia were going up all the valleys from the
Ohio; and Ebenezer Zane had opened a bridle
path from the Ohio River, at Wheeling, across the
country, by Chillicothe, to Limestone, Ky. The
next year, the United States mail, for the first
time, traversed this route to the West. Zane was
given a section of land for his path. The popu
lation of the Territory, estimated at from five to
eight thousand, was chiefly distributed in lower
valleys, bordering on the Ohio River. The French
still occupied the Illinois country, and were the
principal inhabitants about Detroit.
South of the Ohio River, Kentucky was pro
gressing favorably, while the " Southwestern Ter
ritory," ceded to the United States by North
Carolina in 1790, had so rapidly populated that,
in 1793, a Territorial form of government was
allowed. The ordinance of 1787, save the clause
prohibiting slavery, was adopted, and the Territory
named Tennessee. On June 6, 1796, the Terri
tory contained more than seventy-five thousand
inhabitants, and was admitted into the Union as a
State. Four years after, the census showed a
population of 105,602 souls, including 13,584
slaves and persons of color. The same year
Tennessee became a State, Samuel Jackson and
Jonathan Sharpless erected the Redstone Paper
Mill, four miles east of Brownsville, it being the
first manufactory of the kind west of the Alle-
ghanies. In the month of December, 1796, Gen. Wayne,
who had done so much for the development of the
West, while on his way from Detroit to Philadel
phia, was attacked with sickness and died in a
cabin near Erie, in the north part of Pennsylvania.
He was nearly fifty-one years old, and was one of

the bravest officers in the Revolutionary war, and
one of America's truest patriots. In 1809, his
remains were removed from Erie, by his son, Col.
Isaac Wayne, to the Radnor churchyard, near the
place of his birth, and an elegant monument erected
on his tomb by the Pennsylvania Cincinnati So
ciety. After the death of Wayne, Gen. Wilkinson was
appointed to the command of the Western army.
While he was in command, Carondelet, the Spanish
governor of West Florida and Louisiana, made one
more effort to separate the Union, and set up either
an independent government in the West, or, what
was more in accord with his wishes, effect a
union with the Spanish nation. In June, 1797,
he sent Power again into the Northwest and into
Kentucky to sound the existing feeling. Now,
however, they were not easily won over. The
home government was a certainty, the breaches had
been healed, and Power was compelled to abandon
the mission , not, however, until he had received a
severe reprimand from many who saw through his
plan, and openly exposed it. His mission closed
the efforts of the Spanish authorities to attempt
the dismemberment of the Union, and showed
them the coming downfall of their power in Amer
ica. They were obliged to surrender the posts
claimed by the United States under the treaty of
1795, and not many years after, sold their Amer
ican possessions to the United States, rather than
see a rival European power attain control over them.
On the 7th of April, 1798, Congress passed an
act, appointing Winthrop Sargent, Secretary of the
Northwest Territory, Governor of the Territory of
the Mississippi, formed the same day. In 1801,
the boundary between America and the Spanish pos
sessions was definitely fixed. The Spanish retired
from the disputed territory, and henceforward their
attempts to dissolve the American Union ceased.
The seat of the Mississippi Territory was fixed at
Loftus Heights, six miles north of the thirty-first
degree of latitude.
The appointment of Sargent to the charge of the
Southwest Territory, led to the choice of William
Henry Harrison, who had been aid-de-camp to
Gen. Wayne in 1794, and whose character stood
very high among the people of the West, to the
Secretaryship of the Northwest, which place he held
until appointed to represent that Territory in Con-

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

85

CHAPTER IX.
FIRST TERRITORIAL REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS— DIVISION OF THE TERRITORY— FORMA
TION OF STATES— MARIETTA SETTLEMENT— OTHER SETTLEMENTS— SETTLEMENTS IN
THE WESTERN RESERVE— SETTLEMENT OF THE CENTRAL VALLEYS-
FURTHER bETTLEMENTS IN THE RESERVE AND ELSEWHERE.

THE ordinance of 1787 provided that as soon
as there were 5,000 persons in the Territory,
it was entitled to a representative assembly. On
October 29, 1798, Governor St. Clair gave notice
by proclamation, that the required population ex
isted, and directed that an election be held on the
third Monday in December, to choose representa
tives. These representatives were required, when
assembled, to nominate ten persons, whose names
were sent to the President of the United States,
who selected five, and with the advice and consent
of the Senate, appointed them for the legislative
council. In this mode the Northwest passed into
the second grade of a Territorial government.
The representatives, elected under the proclama
tion of St. Clair, met in Cincinnati, January 22,
1799, and under the provisions of the ordinance
of 1787, nominated ten persons, whose names were
sent to the President. On the 2d of March, he
selected from the list of candidates, the names of
Jacob Burnet, James Findlay, Henry Vander
burgh, Robert Oliver and David Vance. The
next day the Senate confirmed their nomination,
and the first legislative council of the Northwest
Territory was a reality.
The Territorial Legislature met again at Cincin
nati, September 16, but, for want of a quorum,
was not organized until the 24th of that month.
The House of Representatives consisted of nine
teen members, of whom seven were from Hamilton
County, four from Ross — erected by St. Clair in
1798; three from Wayne — erected in 1796; two
from Adams — erected in 1797; one from Jeffer
son — erected in 1797; one from Washington —
erected in 1788 ; and one from Knox — Indiana
Territory. None seem to have been present from
St. Clair County (Illinois Territory).
After the organization of the Legislature, Gov
ernor St. Clair addressed the two houses in the Rep
resentatives' Chamber, recommending such meas
ures as, in his judgment, were suited to the con
dition of the country and would advance the safety
and prosperity of the people.

The Legislature continued in session till the 19th
of December, when, having finished their business,
they were prorogued by the Governor, by their
own request, till the first Monday in November,
1800. This being the first session, there was, of
necessity, a great deal of business to do. -The
transition from a colonial to a semi-independent
form of government, called for a general revision
as well as a considerable enlargement of the stat
ute-book. Some of the adopted laws were re
pealed, many others altered and amended, and a
long list of new ones added to the code. New
offices were to be created and filled, the duties at
tached to them prescribed, and a plan of ways and
means devised to meet the increased expenditures,
occasioned by the change which had now occurred.
As Mr. Burnet was the principal lawyer in the
Council, much of the revision, and putting the laws
into proper legal form, devolved upon him. He
seems to have been well fitted for the place, and
to have performed the laborious task in an excel
lent manner.
The whole number of acts passed and approved
by the Governor, was thirty-seven. The most im
portant related to the militia, the administration of
justice, and to taxation. During the session, a bill
authorizing a lottery was passed by the council,
but rejected by the Legislature, thus interdicting
this demoralizing feature of the disposal of lands
or for other purposes. The example has always been
followed by subsequent legislatures, thus honorably
characterizing the Assembly of Ohio, in this re
spect; an example Kentucky and several other
States might well emulate.
Before the Assembly adjourned, they issued a
congratulatory address to the people, enjoining
them to " Inculcate the principles of humanity,
benevolence, honesty and punctuality in dealing,
sincerity and charity, and all the social affections."
At the same time, they issued an address to the
President, expressing entire confidence in the wis
dom and purity of his government, and their
warm attachment to the American Constitution.

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

The vote on this address proved, however, that the
differences of opinion agitating the Eastern States
had penetrated the West. Eleven Representatives
voted for it, and five against it.
One of the important duties that devolved on
this Legislature, was the election of a delegate to
Congress. As soon as the Governor's proclama
tion made its appearance, the election of a person
to fill that position excited general attention. Be
fore the meeting of the Legislature public opinion
had settled down on William Henry Harrison, and
Arthur St. Clair, Jr., who eventually were the only
candidates. On the 3d of October, the two houses
met and proceeded to a choice. Eleven votes were
cast for Harrison, and ten for St. Clair. The Leg
islature prescribed the form of a certificate of the
election, which was given to Harrison, who at once
resigned his office as Secretary of the Territory,
proceeded to Philadelphia, and took his seat, Con
gress being then in session.
" Though he represented the Territory but one
year, " says Judge Burnett, in his notes, " he ob
tained some important advantages for his constitu
ents. He introduced a resolution to sub-divide
the surveys of the public lands, and to offer them
for sale in smaller tracts ; he succeeded in getting
that measure through both houses, in opposition to
the interest of speculators, who were, and who
wished to be, the retailers of the land to the poorer
classes of the community. His proposition be
came a law, and was hailed as the most beneficent
act that Congress had ever done for the Territory.
It put in the power of every industrious man, how
ever poor, to become a freeholder, and to lay a
foundation for the future support and comfort of
his family. At the same session, he obtained a
liberal extension of time for the pre-emptioners in
the northern part of the Miami purchase, which
enabled them to secure their farms, and eventually
to become independent, and even wealthy."
The first session, as has been noticed, closed
December 19. Gov. St. Clair took occasion to
enumerate in his speech at the close of the session,
eleven acts, to which he saw fit to apply his veto.
These he had not, however, returned to the Assem
bly, and thereby saved a long struggle between the
executive and legislative branches of the Territory.
Of the eleven acts enumerated, six related to the
formation of new counties. These were mainly
disproved by St Clair, as he always sturdily main
tained that the power to erect new counties was
vested alone in the Executive. This free exercise
of the veto power, especially in relation to new

counties, and his controversy with the Legislature,
tended only to strengthen the popular discontent
regarding the Governor, who was never fully able
to regain the standing he held before his in
glorious defeat in his campaign against the Indians.
While this was being agitated, another question
came into prominence. Ultimately, it settled the
powers of the two branches of the government,
and caused the removal of St. Clair, then very
distasteful to the people. The opening of the
present century brought it fully before the
people, who began to agitate it in all their
assemblies. The great extent of the Territory made the
operations of government extremely uncertain,
and the power of the courts practically worthless.
Its division was, therefore, deemed best, and a
committee was appointed by Congress to inquire
into the matter. This committee, the 3d of
March, 1800, reported upon the subject that, "In
the three western counties, there has been but
one court having cognizance of crimes in five
years. The immunity which offenders experience,
attracts, as to an asylum, the most vile and aban
doned criminals, and, at the same time, deters
useful and virtuous citizens from making settle
ments in such society. The extreme necessity of
judiciary attention and assistance is experienced
in civil as well as criminal cases. The supplying
to vacant places such necessary officers as may be
wanted, such as clerks, recorders and others of
like kind, is, from the impossibility of correct
notice and information, utterly neglected. This
Territory is exposed as a frontier to foreign nations,
whose agents can find sufficient interest in exciting
or fomenting insurrection and discontent, as
thereby they can more easily divert a valuable
trade in furs from the United States, and also have
a part thereof on which they border, which feels
so little the cherishing hand of their proper gov
ernment, or so little dreads its energy, as to render
their attachment perfectly uncertain and am
biguous. "The committee would further suggest, that
the law of the 3d of March, 1791, granting land
to certain persons in the western part of said Ter
ritory, and directing the laying-out of the same,
remains unexecuted; that great discontent, in
consequence of such neglect, is excited in those
who are interested in the provisions of said laws,
which require the immediate attention of this
Legislature. To minister a remedy to these evils,
it occurs to this committee, that it is expedient

that a division of said Territory into two distinct
and separate governments should be made ; and
that such division be made by a line beginning at
the mouth of the great Miami River, running
directly north until it intersects the boundary
between the United States and Canada." *
The recommendations of the committee were
favorably received by Congress, and, the 7 th
of May, an act was passed dividing the Ter
ritory. The main provisions of the act are as
follows: " That, from and after the 4th of July next,
all that part of the territory of the United States
northwest of the Ohio River, which lies to the
westward of a line beginning at the Ohio, opposite
to the mouth of the Kentucky River, and running
thence to Fort Recovery, and thence north until
it intersects the territorial line between the United
States and Canada, shall, for the purpose of tem
porary government, constitute a separate Territory,
and be called the Indiana Territory.
"There shall be established within the said Ter
ritory a government, in all respects similar to that
provided by the ordinance of Congress passed July
13, 1797." f
The act further provided for representatives, and
for the establishment of an assembly, on the same
plan as that in force in the Northwest, stipulating
that until the number of inhabitants reached five
thousand, the whole number of representatives to
the General Assembly should not be less than seven,
nor more than nine ; apportioned by the Governor
among the several counties in the new Terri
tory. The act further provided that " nothing in the
act should be so construed, so as in any manner
to affect the government now in force in the terri
tory of the United States northwest of the Ohio
River, further than to prohibit the exercise thereof
within the Indiana Territory, from and after the
aforesaid 4th of July next.
" Whenever that part of the territory of the
United States, which lies to the eastward of a line
beginning at the mouth of the Great Miami River,
and running thence due north to the territorial
line between the United States and Canada, shall
be erected into an independent State, and admitted
into the Union on an equal footing with the orig
inal States ; thenceforth said line shall become and
remain permanently, the boundary line between
such State and the Indiana Territory."

* American State Papers.
-f-Land Laws.

It was further enacted, " that, until it shall be
otherwise enacted by the legislatures of the said
territories, respectively, Chillieothe, on the Scioto
River, shall be the seat of government of the ter
ritory of the United States northwest of the Ohio
River; and that St. Vincent's, on the Wabash
River, shall be the seat of government for the
Indiana Territory." *
St. Clair was continued as Governor of the old
Territory, and William Henry Harrison appointed
Governor of the new.
Connecticut, in ceding her territory in the West
to the General Government, reserved a portion,
known as the Connecticut Reserve. When she
afterward disposed of her claim in the manner
narrated, the citizens found themselves without any
government on which to lean for support. At that
time, settlements had begun in thirty-five of the
townships into which the Reserve had been divided ;
one thousand persons had established homes there ;
mills had been built, and over seven hundred miles
of roads opened. In 1800, the settlers petitioned
for acceptance into the Union, as a part of the
Northwest; and, the mother State releasing her judi
ciary claims, Congress accepted the trust, and
granted the request. In December, of that year,
the population had so increased that the county of
Trumbull was erected, including the Reserve.
Soon after, a large number of settlers came from
Pennsylvania, from which State they had been
driven by the dispute concerning land titles in its
western part. Unwilling to cultivate land to
which they eould only get a doubtful deed, they
abandoned it, and came where the titles were
sure. Congress having made Chillieothe the capital of
the Northwest Territory, as it now existed, on the
3d of November the General Assembly met at that
place. Gov. St. Clair had been made to feel the
odium cast upon his previous acts, and, at the open
ing of this session, expressed, in strong terms, his
disapprobation of the censure cast upon him. He
had endeavored to do his duty in all cases, he said,
and yet held the confidence of the President and
Congress. He still held the office, notwithstanding
the strong dislike against him.
At the second session of the Assembly, at Chil
lieothe, held in the autumn pf 1801, so much out
spoken enmity was expressed, and so much abuse
heaped upon the Governor and the Assembly, that
a law was passed, removing the capital to Cincinnati
* Land Laws.

£.

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88

HISTORY OF OHIO.

^F-i

again. It was not destined, however, that the
Territorial Assembly should meet again anywhere.
The unpopularity of the Governor caused many to
long for a State government, where they could
choose their own rulers. The unpopularity of St.
Clair arose partly from the feeling connected with
his defeat ; in part from his being connected with
the Federal party, fast falling into disrepute ; and,
in part, from his assuming powers which most
thought he had no right to exercise, especially the
power of subdividing the counties of the Terri
tory. The opposition, though powerful out of the
Assembly, was in the minority there. During the
month of December, 1801, it was forced to protest
against a measure brought forward in the Council,
for changing the ordinance of 1787 in such a man
ner as to make the Scioto, and a line drawn from
the intersection of that river and the Indian
boundary to the western extremity of the Reserve,
the limits of the most eastern State, to be formed
from the Territory. Had this change been made,
the formation of a State government beyond the
Ohio would have been long delayed. Against it,
Representatives Worthington,Langham, Darlington,
Massie, Dunlavy and Morrow, recorded their pro
test. Not content with this, they sent Thomas
Worthington, who obtained a leave of absence, to
the seat of government, on behalf of the objectors,
there to protest, before Congress, against the pro
posed boundary. While Worthington was on his
way, Massie presented, the 4th of January, 1802,
a resolution for choosing a committee to address
Congress in respect to the proposed State govern
ment. This, the next day, the House refused to
do, by a vote of twelve to five. An attempt
was next made to procure a census of the Ter
ritory, and an act for that purpose passed the
House, but the Council postponed the considera
tion of it until the next session, which would com
mence at Cincinnati, the fourth Monday of No
vember. Meanwhile, Worthington pursued the ends of
his mission, using his influence to effect that organ
ization, "which, terminating the influence of tyr
anny," was to "meliorate the circumstances of thou
sands, by freeing them from the domination of a
despotic chief." His efforts were successful, and,
the 4th of March, a report was made to the
House in favor of authorizing a State convention.
This report was based on the assumption that there
were now over sixty thousand inhabitants in the
proposed boundaries, estimating that emigration had

increased the census of 1800, which gave the Ter
ritory forty-five thousand inhabitants, to that num
ber. The convention was to ascertain whether it
were expedient to form such a government, and to
prepare a constitution if such organization were
deemed best. In the formation of the State, a
change in the boundaries was proposed, by which
all the territory north of a line drawn due east
from the head of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie was
to be excluded from the new government about to
be called into existence.
The committee appointed by Congress to report
upon the feasibility of forming the State, suggested
that Congress reserve out of every township sections
numbered 8, 11, 26 and 29, for their own use, and
that Section 16 be reserved for the maintenance
of schools. The committee also suggested, that,
"religion, education and morality being necessary
to the good government and happiness of mankind,
schools and the means of education shall be forever
encouraged." Various other recommendations were given by
the committee, in accordance with which, Congress,
April 30, passed the resolution authorizing the
calling of a convention. As this accorded with
the feelings of the majority of the inhabitants of the
Northwest, no opposition was experienced ; even
the Legislature giving way to this embryo gov
ernment, and failing to assemble according to ad
journment. The convention met the 1st of November. Its
members were generally Jeffersonian in their na
tional politics, and had been opposed to the change
of boundaries proposed the year before. Before
proceeding to business, Gov. St. Clair proposed to
address them in his official character. This propo
sition was resisted by several of the members; but,
after a motion, it was agreed to allow him to speak
to them as a citizen. St. Clair did so, advising
the postponement of a State government until the
people of the original eastern division were plainly
entitled to demand it, and were not subject to be
bound by conditions. This advice, given as it was,
caused Jefferson instantly to remove St. Clair, at
which time his office ceased.* "When the vote
was taken," says Judge Burnet, " upon doing what
* After thin, St. Clair returned to his old home in the Ligonier
Vallry, Pennsylvania, where he lived with his children in almoHt
abject poverty. He had lost money in his public life, as he gave
close attentiou to public affairs, to the detriment of his own business.
He presented a claim to Congress, afterward, for supplies furnished
to the army, but the claim was outlawed. After trying in vain to
get the claim allowed, he returned to his home. Pennsylvania,
learning of his distress, granted him an annuity of 8350, afterward
raised to $6^0. He lived to enjoy this but a short time, his death
occurring August 31, 1818. He was eighty-four years of age.

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

89

he advised them not to do, but one of thirty-three
(Ephraim Cutler, of Washington County) voted
with the Governor."
On one point only were the proposed boundaries
of the new State altered.
" To every person who has attended to this sub
ject, and who has consulted the maps of the West
ern country extant at the time the ordinance of
1787 was passed, Lake Michigan was believed to
be, and was represented by all the maps of that
day as being, very far north of the position which
it has since been ascertained to occupy. I have
seen the map in the Department of State which
was before the committee of Congress who framed
and reported the ordinance for the government of
the Territory. On that map, the southern bound
ary of Michigan was represented as being above
the forty-second degree of north latitude. And
there was a pencil line, said to have been made by
the committee, passing through the southern bend
of the lake to the Canada line, which struck the
strait not far below the town of Detroit. The
line was manifestly intended by the committee
and by Congress to be the northern boundary of
our State; and, on the principles by which courts
of chancery construe contracts, accompanied by
plats, it would seem that the map, and the line
referred to, should be conclusive evidence of our
boundary, without reference to the real position of
the lakes.
" When the convention sat, in 1802, the under-
derstanding was, that the old maps were nearly
correct, and that the line, as defined in the ordi
nance, would terminate at some point on the strait
above the Maumee Bay. While the convention
was in session; a man who had hunted many years
on Lake Michigan, and was well acquainted with
its position, happened to be in Chillieothe, and, in
conversation with one of the members, told him
that the lake extended much farther south than
was generally supposed, and that a map of the
country which he had seen, placed its southern
bend many miles north of its true position. This
information excited some uneasiness, and induced
the convention to modify the clause describing the
north boundary of the new State, so as to guard
against its being depressed below the most north
ern cape of the Maumee Bay."*
With this change and some extension of the
school and road donations, the convention agreed
to the proposal of Congress, and, November 29,

* Historical Transactions of Ohio. — JnnoE Buknett.

their agreement was ratified and signed, as was
also the constitution of the State of Ohio — so
named from its river, called by the Shawanees Ohio,
meaning beautiful — forming its southern bound
ary. Of this nothing need be said, save that it
bore the marks of true democratic feeling — of full
faith in the people. By them, however, it was
never voted for. It stood firm until 1852, when
it was superseded by the present one, made neces
sary by the advance of time.
The General Assembly was required to meet at
Chillieothe, the first Tuesday of March, 1803.
This change left the territory northwest of the
Ohio River, not included in the new State, in the
Territories of Indiana and Michigan. Subse
quently, in 1816, Indiana was made a State, and
confined to her present limits. Illinois was made
a Territory then, including Wisconsin. In 1818,
it became a State, and Wisconsin a Territory at
tached to Michigan. This latter was made a State
in 1837, and Wisconsin a separate Territory, which,
in 1847, was made a State. Minnesota was made
a Territory the same year, and a State in 1857,
and the five contemplated States of the territory
were complete.
Preceding pages have shown how the territory
north of the Ohio River was peopled by the
French and English, and how it came under the
rule of the American people. The war of the
Revolution closed in 1783, and left all America in
the hands of a new nation. That nation brought
a change. Before the war, various attempts had
been made by residents in New England to people
the country west of the Alleghanies. Land com
panies were formed, principal among which were
the Ohio Company, and the company of which
John Cleves Symmes was the agent and chief
owner. Large tracts of land on the Scioto and
on the Ohio were entered. The Ohio Company
were the first to make a settlement. It was or
ganized in the autumn of 1787, November 27.
They made arrangements for a party of forty-seven
men to set out for the West under the supervision of
Gen. Rufus Putnam, Superintendent of the Com
pany. Early in the winter they advanced to the
Y oughiogheny River, and there built a strong b'oat,
which they named " Mayflower." It was built by
Capt. Jonathan Devol, the first ship-builder in the
West, and, when completed, was placed under his
command. The boat was launched April 2, 1788,
and the band of pioneers, like the Pilgrim Fathers,
began their voyage. The 7th of the month,
they arrived at the mouth of the Muskingum,

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90

HISTORY OF OHIO.

their destination, opposite Fort Harmar* erected
in the autumn of 1785, by a detachment of
United States troops, under command of Maj.
John Doughty, and, at the date of the Mayflower's
arrival in possession of a company of soldiers.
Under the protection of these troops, the little band
of men began their labor of laying out a town,
and commenced to erect houses for their own and
subsequent emigrants' occupation. The names of
these pioneers of Ohio, as far as can now be
learned, are as follows:
Gen. Putnam, Return Jonathan Meigs, Win-
throp Sargeant (Secretary of the Territory), Judges
Parsons and Varnum, Capt. Dana, Capt. Jonathan
Devol, Joseph Barker, Col. Battelle, Maj. Tyler,
Dr. True, Capt. Wm. Gray, Capt. Lunt, the
Bridges, Ebenezer and Thomas Cory, Andrew Mc-
Clure, Wm. Mason, Thomas Lord, Wm. Gridley,
Gilbert Devol, Moody Russels, Deavens, Oakes,
Wright, Clough, Green, Shipman, Dorance, the
Masons, and others, whose names are now be
yond recall.
On the 19th of July, the first boat of families
arrived, after a nine- weeks journey on the way.
They had traveled in their wagons as far as Wheel
ing, where they built large flat-boats, into which
they loaded their effects, including their cattle, and
thence passed down the Ohio to their destination.
The families were those of Gen. Tupper, Col.
Ichabod Nye, Col. Cushing, Maj. Coburn, and
Maj.Goodale. In these titles the reader will ob
serve the preponderance of military distinction.
Many of the founders of the colony had served
with much valor in the war for freedom, and were
well prepared for a life in the wilderness.
They began at once the construction of houses
from the forests about the confluence of the rivers,
guarding their stock by day and penning it by
night. Wolves, bears and Indians were all about
them, and, here in the remote wilderness, they
were obliged to always be on their guard. From
the ground where they obtained the timber to erect
their houses, they soon produced a few vegetables,
and when the families arrived in August, they
were able to set before them food raised for the

*The outlines of Fort Harmar formed a regular pentagon,
embracing within the area about three-fourths of an acre. Its
walls were formed of large horizontal timbers, and the bastions
of large upright timbers about fourteen feet in height, fastened to each
other by strips of timbor, tree-nailed into each picket. In the rear
of the fort Maj. Doughty laid out fine gardens, it continued to be
occupied by United States troops until September 1790, when
they were ordered to Cincinnati. A company, under Capt. Haskell,
continued to make the fort their headquarters during the Indian
war, occasionally assisting the colonists at Marietta, Belpre and
Waterford againBt the ludians. When not needed by the troops,
the fort was used by the people of Marietta.

first time by the hand of American citizens in the
Ohio Valley. One. of those who came in August,
was Mr. Thomas Guthrie, a settler in one of the
western counties of Pennsylvania, who brought a
bushel of wheat, which he sowed on a plat of
ground cleared by himself, and from which that
fall he procured a small crop of wheat, the first
grown in the State of Ohio. -
The Marietta settlement was the only one made
that summer in the Territory. From their arrival
until October, when Governor St. Clair came, they
were busily employed making houses, and prepar
ing for the winter. The little colony, of which
Washington wrote so favorably, met on the 2d day
of July, to name their newborn city and its pub
lic sqares. Until now it had been known as " The
Muskingum" simply, but on that day the name
Marietta was formally given to it, in honor of Ma
rie Antoinette. The 4th of July, an ovation was
held, and an oration delivered by James M. Var
num, who, with S. H. Parsons and John Arm
strong, had been appointed Judges of the Terri
tory. Thus, in the heart of the wilderness,
miles away from any kindred post, in the forests
of the Great West, was the Tree of Liberty watered
and given a hearty growth.
On the morning of the 9th of July, Governor
St. Clair arrived, and the colony began to assume
form. The ordinance of 1787 had provided for
a form of government under the Governor and
the three Judges, and this form was at once put
into force. The 25th, the first law relating to the
militia was published, and the next day the Gov
ernor's proclamation appeared, creating all the
country that had been ceded by the Indians, east
of the Scioto River, into the county of Washing
ton, and the civil machinery was in motion. From
that time forward, this, the pioneer settlement in
Ohio, went on prosperously. The 2d of Septem
ber, the first court in the Territory was held, but
as it related to the Territory, a narrative of its pro
ceedings will be found in the history of that part
of the country, and need not be repeated here.
The 15th of July, Gov. St. Clair had published
the ordinance of 1787, and the commissions of
himself and the three Judges. He also assembled
the people of the settlement, and explained to
them the ordinance in a speech of considerable
length. Three days after, he sent a notice to the
Judges, calling their attention to the subject of
organizing the militia. Instead of attending to
this important matter, and thus providing for their
safety should trouble with the Indians arise, the

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

91

Judges did not even reply to the Governor's letter,
but sent him what they called a "project" of a
law for dividing real estate. The bill was so
loosely drawn that St.' Clair immediately rejected
it, and set about organizing the militia himself.
He divided the militia into two classes, "Senior"
and "Junior," and organized them by appointing
their officers.
In the Senior Class, Nathan Cushing was ap
pointed Captain; George Ingersol, Lieutenant,
and James Backus, Ensign.
In the Junior Class, Nathan Goodale and Charles
Knowls were made Captains ; Watson Casey and
Samuel Stebbins, Lieutenants, and Joseph Lincoln
and Arnold Colt, Ensigns.
The Governor next erected the Courts of Pro
bate and Quarter Sessions, and proceeded to ap
point civil officers. Rufus Putnam, Benjamin
Tupper and Winthrop Sargeant were made Jus
tices of the Peace. The 30th of August, the day
the Court of Quarter Sessions was appointed,
Archibald Cary, Isaac Pierce and Thomas Lord
were also appointed Justices, and given power to
hold this court. They were, in fact, Judges of a
Court of Common Pleas. Return Jonathan Meigs
was appointed Clerk of this Court of Quarter
Sessions. Ebenezer Sproat was appointed Sheriff of
Washington County, and also Colonel of the militia;
William Callis, Clerk of the Supreme Court;
Rufus Putnam, Judge of the Probate Court, and
R. J. Meigs, Jr., Clerk. Following these appoint
ments, setting the machinery of government in
motion, St. Clair ordered that the 25th of Decem
ber be kept as a day of thanksgiving by the infant
colony for its safe and propitious beginning.
During the fall and winter, the settlement was
daily increased by emigrants, so much so, that the
greatest difficulty was experienced in finding them
lodging. During the coldest part of the winter,
when ice covered the river, and prevented navi
gation, a delay in arrivals was experienced, only to
be broken as soon as the river opened to the beams
of a spring sun. While locked in the winter's
embrace, the colonists amused themselves in vari
ous ways, dancing being one of the most promi
nent. At Christmas, a grand ball was held, at
which there were fifteen ladies, "whose grace,"
says a narrator, "equaled any in the East."
Though isolated in the wilderness, they knew a
brilliant prospect lay before them, and lived on in
a joyous hope for the future.
Soon after their arrival, the settlers began the
erection of a stockade fort ( Campus Martius ),

which occupied their time until the winter cf
1791. During the interval, fortunately, no hos
tilities from the Indians were experienced, though
they were abundant, and were frequent visitors to
the settlement.
From a communication in the American Pioneer,
by Dr. S. P. Hildreth, the following description of
Campus Martius is derived. As it will apply, in
a measure, to many early structures for defense in
the West, it is given entire :
" The fort was made in the form of a regular
parallelogram, the sides of each being 180 feet.
At each corner was erected a strong block-house,
surmounted by a tower, and a sentry box. These
houses were twenty feet square below and twenty-
four feet square above, and projected six feet be
yond the walls of the fort. The intermediate walls
were made up with dwelling-houses, made of wood,
whose ends were whip-sawed into timbers ' four
inches thick, and of the requisite width and length.
These were laid up similar to the structure of log
houses, with the ends nicely dove-tailed together.
The whole were two stories high, and covered with
shingle roofs. Convenient chimneys were erected
of bricks, for cooking, and warming the rooms. A
number of the dwellings were built and owned by
individuals who had families. In the west and
south fronts were strong gateways ; and over the
one in the center of the front looking to the Mus
kingum River, was a belfry. The chamber beneath
was occupied by Winthrop Sargeant, as an office,
he being Secretary to the Governor, and perform
ing the duties of the office during St. Clair's ab
sence. This room projected over the gateway, like
a block-house, and was intended for the protection
of the gate beneath, in time of an assault. At
the outer corner of each block-house was erected a
bastion, standing on four stout timbers. The floor
of the bastion was a little above the lower story of
the block-house. They were square, and built up
to the height of a man's head, so that, when he
looked over, he stepped on a narrow platform or
" banquet " running around the sides of the bulwark.
Port-holes were made, for musketry as well as for
artillery, a single piece of which was mounted in
the southwest and northeast bastions. In these,
the sentries were regularly posted every night, as
more convenient than the towers ; a door leading
into them from the upper story of the block-houses.
The lower room of' the southwest block-house was
occupied as a guard-house.
" Running from corner to corner of the block
houses was a row of palisades, sloping outward,

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92

HISTORY OF OHIO.

and resting on stout rails. Twenty feet in advance
of these, was a row of very strong and large pick
ets, set upright in the earth. Gateways through
these, admitted the inmates of the garrison. A
few feet beyond the row of outer palisades was
placed a row of abattis, made from the tops and
branches of trees, sharpened and pointing outward,
so that it would have been very difficult for an
enemy to have penetrated within their outworks.
The dwelling-houses occupied a space from fifteen
to thirty feet each, and were sufficient for the ac
commodation of forty or fifty families, and did
actually contain from two hundred to three hun
dred persons during the Indian war.
" Before the Indians commenced hostilities, the
block-houses were occupied as follows : The south
west one, by the family of Gov. St. Clair; the
northeast one as an office for the Directors of the
Company. The area within the walls was one
hundred and forty-four feet square, and afforded a
fine parade ground, in the center, was a well
eighty feet in depth, for the supply of water to the
inhabitants, in case of a siege. A large sun-dial
stood for many years in the square, placed on a
handsome post, and gave note of the march of
time. " After the war commenced, a regular military
corps was organized, and a guard constantly kept
night and day. The whole establishment formed
a very strong work, and reflected great credit on
the head that planned it. It was in a manner im
pregnable to the attacks of Indians, and none
but a regular army with cannon could have reduced
it. The Indians possessed no such an armament.
" The garrison stood on the verge of that beauti
ful plain overlooking the Muskingum, on which
are seated those celebrated remains of antiquity,
erected probably for a similar purpose — the defense
of the inhabitants. The ground descends into shal
low ravines on the north and south sides ; on the
west is an abrupt descent to the river bottoms or
alluvium, and the east passed out to a level plain.
On this, the ground was cleared of trees beyond
the reach of rifle shots, so as to afford no shelter
to a hidden foe. Extensive fields of corn were
grown in the midst of the standing girdled trees be
yond, in after years. The front wall of palisades
was about one hundred and fifty yards from the
Muskingum River. The appearance of the fort
from without was imposing, at a little distance re
sembling the military castles of the feudal ages.
Between the outer palisades and the river were
laid out neat gardens for the use of Gov. St. Clair

and his Secretary, with the officers of the Com
pany. " Opposite the fort, on the shore of the river,
was built a substantial timber wharf, at which was
moored a fine cedar barge for twelve rowers, built
by Capt. Jonathan Devol, for Gen. Putnam; a
number of pirogues, and the light canoes of the
country ; and last, not least, the Mayflower, or
'Adventure Galley,' in which the first detach
ments of colonists were transported from the shores
of the ' Yohiogany ' to the banks of the Muskingum.
In these, especially the canoes, during the war,
mostof the communications were carried on between
the settlements of the Company and the more re
mote towns above on the Ohio River. Traveling
by land was very hazardous to any but the rangers
or spies. There were no roads, nor bridges across
the creeks, and, for many years after the war had
ceased, the traveling was nearly all done by canoes
on the river."
Thus the first settlement of Ohio provided for
its safety and comfort, and provided also for that
of emigrants who came to share the toils of the
wilderness. The next spring, the influx of emigration was
so great that other settlements were determined,
and hence arose the colonies of Belpre, Waterford
and Duck Creek, where they began to clear land, sow
and plant crops, and build houses and stockades.
Afr Belpre (French for "beautiful meadow"), were
built three stockades, the upper, lower and middle,
the last of which was called " Farmers' Castle,"
and stood on the banks of the Ohio, nearly oppo
site an island, afterward famous in Western history
as Blennerhasset's Island, the scene of Burr's con
spiracy. Among the persons settling at the upper
stockade, were Capts. Dana and Stone, Col. Bent,
William Browning, Judge Foster, John Rowse,
Israel Stone and a Mr. Keppel. At the Farmers'
Castle, were Cols. Cushing and Fisher, Maj. Has
kell, Aaron Waldo Putnam, Mr. Sparhawk, and,
it is believed, George and Israel Putnam, Jr. At
the lower, were Maj. Goodale, Col. Rice, Esquire
Pierce, Judge Israel Loring, Deacon Miles, Maj.
Bradford and Mr. Goodenow. In the summer of
1789, Col. Ichabod Nye and some others, built a
block-house at Newberry, below Belpre. Col. Nye
sold his lot there to Aaron W. Clough, who, with
Stephen Guthrie, Joseph Leavins, Joel Oakes,
Eleazer Curtis, Mr. Denham J. Littleton and Mr.
Brown, was located at that place.
"Every exertion possible," says Dr. Hildreth,
who has preserved the above names and incidents,

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

93

" for men in these circumstances, was made to se
cure food for future difficulties. Col. Oliver, Maj.
Hatfield White and John Dodge, of the Water-
ford settlement, began mills on Wolf Creek, about
three miles from the fort, and got them running;
and these, the first mills in Ohio, were never de
stroyed during the subsequent Indian war, though
the proprietors removed their familes to the fort
at Marietta. Col. E. Sproat and Enoch Shep
herd began mills on Duck Creek, three miles from
Marietta, from the completion of which they were
driven by the Indian war. Thomas Stanley be
gan mills farther up, near the Duck Creek settle
ment. These were likewise unfinished. The Ohio
Company built a large horse mill near Campus
Martius, and soon after a floating mill."
The autumn before the settlements at Belpre,
Duck Creek and Waterford, were made, a colony
was planted near the mouth of the Little Miami
River, on a tract of ten thousand acres, purchased
fromSymmes by Maj. Benjamin Stites. In the pre
ceding pages may be found a history of Symmes'
purchase. This colony ma}' be counted the second
settlement in the State. Soon after the colony at
Marietta was founded, steps were taken to occupy
separate portions of Judge Symmes' purchase, be
tween the Miami Rivers. Three parties were
formed for this purpose, but, owing to various
delays, chiefly in getting the present colony stead
fast and safe from future encroachments by the
savages, they did not get started till late inrthe fall.
The first of these parties, consisting of fifteen or
twenty men, led by Maj. Stites, landed at the
mouth of the Little Miami in November, 1788,
and, constructing a log fort, began to lay out a
village, called by them Columbia. It soon grew
into prcminence, and, before winter had thoroughly
set in, they were well prepared for a frontier life.
In the party were Cols. Spencer and Brown, Majs.
Gano and Kibbey, Judges Goforth and Foster,
Rev. John Smith, Francis Dunlavy, Capt. Flinn,
Jacob White, John Riley, and Mr. Hubbell.
All these were men of energy and enterprise,
and, with their comrades, were more numerous
than either of the other parties, who commenced
their settlements below them on the Ohio. This
village was also, at first, more flourishing; and, for
two or three years, contained more inhabitants
than any other in the Miami purchase.
The second Miami 'party was formed at Lime
stone, under Matthias Denham and Robert Pat
terson, and consisted of twelve or fifteen persons.
They landed on the north bank of the Ohio, oppo

site the mouth of the Licking River, the 24th of '
December, 1788. They intended to establish a !
station and lay out a town on a plan prepared at
Limestone. Some statements affirm that the town
I was to be called " L-os-anti-ville" by a romantic
school-teacher named Filson. However, be this as
it may, Mr. Filson was, unfortunately for himself,
not long after, slain by the Indians, and, with him
j probably, the name disappeared. He was to have
one-third interest in the proposed city, which,
when his death occurred, was transferred to Israel
' Ludlow, and a new plan of a city adopted. Israel
j Ludlow surveyed the proposed town , whose lots were
principally donated to settlers upon certain condi
tions as to settlement and improvement, and the
j embryo city named Cincinnati. Gov. St. Clair
! very likely had something to do with the naming
of the village, and, by some, it is asserted that he
changed the name from Losantiville to Cincinnati,
i when he created the county of Hamilton the en
suing winter. The original purchase of the city's
site was made by Mr. Denham. It included about
eight hundred acres, for which he paid 5 shillings
J per acre in Continental certificates, then worth, in
' specie, about 5 shillings per pound, gross weight.
Evidently, the original site was a good investment,
' could Mr. Denham have lived long enough to see
j its present condition.
The third party of settlers for the Miami pur-
| chase, were under the care of Judge Symmes,
himself. They left Limestone, January 29, 1789,
and were much delayed on their downward jour
ney by the ice in the river. They reached the
"Bend," as it was then known, early in February.
The Judge had intended to found a city here,
which, in time, would be the rival of the Atlantic
cities. As each of the three settlements aspired
to the same position, no little rivalry soon mani
fested itself. The Judge named his proposed city
North Bend, from the fact that it was the" most
northern bend in the Ohio below the mouth of the
Great Kanawha. These three settlements ante
dated, a few months, those made near Marietta,
already described. They arose so soon after, partly
from the extreme desire of Judge Symmes to settle
his purchase, and induce emigration here instead
of on the Ohio Company "s purchase. The Judge
labored earnestly for this purpose and to further
secure him in his title to the land he had acquired,
all of which he had so far been unable to retain,
owing to his inability to meet his payments.
All these emigrants came down the river in the
flat-boats of the day, rude affairs, sometimes called

i "y '

, V

-^

94

HISTORY OF OHIO.

" Arks," and then the only safe mode of travel in
the West.
Judge Symmes found he must provide for the
safety of the settlers on his purchase, and, after
earnestly soliciting Gen. Harmar, commander of
the Western posts, succeeded in obtaining a de
tachment of forty-eight men, under Capt. Kearsey,
to protect the improvements just commencing on
the Miami. This detachment reached Limestone
in December, 1788. Part was at once sent for
ward to guard Maj. Stites and his pioneers. Judge
Symmes and his party started in January, and,
about February 2, reached Columbia, where the
Captain expected to find a fort erected for his use
and shelter. The flood on the river, however, de
feated his purpose, and, as he was unprepared to
erect another, he determined to go on down to the
garrison at the falls at Louisville. Judge Symmes
was strenuously opposed to his conduct, as it left
the colonies unguarded, but, all to no purpose ; the
Captain and his command, went to Louisville early
in March, and left the Judge and his settlement
to protect themselves. Judge Symmes immedi
ately sent a strong letter to Maj. Willis, command
ing at the Falls, complaining of the conduct
of Capt. Kearsey, representing the exposed situ
ation of the Miami settlements, stating the indi
cations of hostility manifested by the Indians,
and requesting a guard to be sent to the Rend.
This request was at once granted, and Ensign
Luce, with seventeen or eighteen soldiers, sent.
They were at the settlement but a short time,
when they were attacked by Indians, and one of
their number killed, and four or five wounded.
They repulsed the savages and saved the set
tlers. The site of Symmes City, for such he designed it
should ultimately be called, was above the reach of
water, and sufficiently level to admit of a conven
ient settlement. The city laid out by Symmes
was truly magnificent on paper, and promised in
the future to fulfill his most ardent hopes. The
plat included the village, and extended across the
peninsula between the Ohio and Miami Rivers.
Each settler on this plat was promised a lot if he
would improve it, and in conformity to the stipu
lation, Judge Symmes soon found a large number
of persons applying for residence. As the number
of these adventurers increased, in consequence of
this provision and the protection of the military,
the Judge was induced to lay out another village
six or seven miles up the river, which he called
South Bend, where he disposed of some donation

lots, but the project failing, the village site was de
serted, and converted into a farm.
During all the time these various events were
transpiring, but little trouble was experienced with
the Indians. They were not yet disposed to evince
hostile feelings. This would have been their time,
but, not realizing the true intent of the whites until
it was too late to conquer them, they allowed them
to become prepared to withstand a warfare, and in
the end were obliged to suffer their hunting-grounds
to be taken from them, and made the homes of a
race destined to entirely supersede them in the
New World.
By the means sketched in the foregoing pages,
were the three settlements on the Miami made. By
the time those adjacent to Marietta were well estab
lished, these were firmly fixed, each one striving to
become the rival city all felt sure was to arise. For
a time it was a matter of doubt which of the rivals,
Columbia, North Bend or Cincinnati, would event
ually become the chief seat of business.
In the beginning, Columbia, the eldest of the
three, took the lead, both in number of its in
habitants and the convenience and appearance of
its dwellings. For a time it was a flourishing place,
and many believed it would become the great busi
ness town of the Miami country. That apparent
fact, however, lasted but a short time. The garri
son was moved to Cincinnati, Fort Washington
built there, and in spite of all that Maj. Stites, or
Judge Symmes could do, that place became the
metropolis. Fort Washington, the most extensive
garrison in the West, was built by Maj. Doughty,
in the summer of 1789, and from that time the
growth and future greatness of Cincinnati were
assured. The first house in the city was built on Front
street, east of and near Main street. It was
simply a strong log cabin, and was erected of the
forest trees cleared away from the ground on which
it stood. The lower part of the town was covered
with sycamore and maple trees, and the upper with
beech and oak. Through this dense forest the
streets were laid out, and their corners marked on
the trees.
The settlements on the Miami had become
sufficiently numerous to warrant a separate county,
and, in January, 1790, Gov. St. Clair and his
Secretary arrived in Cincinnati, and organized the
county of Hamilton, so named in honor of tho
illustrious statesman by that name. It included
all the country north of the Ohio, between the
Miamis, as far as a line running " due east from the

V

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

95

Standing Stone forks " of Big Miami to its inter
section with the Little Miami. The erection of
the new county, and the appointment of Cincin
nati to be the seat of justice, gave the town a fresh
impulse, and aided greatly in its growth.
Through the summer, but little interruption in
the growth of the settlements occurred. The
Indians had permitted the erection of defensive
works in their midst, and could not now destroy
them. They were also engaged in traffic with the
whites, and, though they evinced signs of discon
tent at their settlement and occupation of the
country, yet did not openly attack them. The
truth was, they saw plainly the whites were always
prepared, and no opportunity was given them to
plunder and destroy. The Indian would not
attack'unless success was almost sure. An oppor
tunity, unfortunately, came, and with it the hor
rors of an Indian war.
In the autumn of 1790, a company of thirty-
six men went from Marietta to a place on the
Muskingum known as the Big Bottom. Here
they built a block-house, on the east bank of the
river, four miles above the mouth of Meigs Creek.
They were chiefly young, single men, but little
acquainted with Indian warfare or military rules.
The savages had given signs that an attack on the
settlement was meditated, and several of the know
ing ones at the strongholds strenuously opposed
any new settlements that fall, advising their post
ponement until the next spring, when the question
of peace or war would probably be settled. Even
Gen. Putnam and the Directors of the Ohio Com
pany advised the postponement of the settlement
until the next spring.
The young men were impatient and restless, and
declared themselves able to protect their fort
against any number of assailants. They might
have easily done so, had they taken the necessary
precautions; but, after they had erected a rude
block-house of unchinked logs, they began to pass
the time in various pursuits; setting no guard, and
taking no precautionary measures, they left them
selves an easy prey to any hostile savages that
might choose to come and attack them.
About twenty rods from the block-house, and a
little back from the bank of the river, two men,
Francis and Isaac Choate, members of the com
pany, had erected a cabin, and commenced clearing
lots. Thomas Shaw, a hired laborer, and James
Patten, another of the associates, lived with them.
About the same distance below the block-house
was an old "Tomahawk Improvement" and a

small cabin, which two men, Asa and Eleazur
Bullard, had fitted up and occupied. The Indian
war-path, from Sandusky to the mouth of the
Muskingum, passed along the opposite shore of
the river.
" The Indians, who, during the summer," says
Dr. Hildreth, " had been hunting and loitering
about the Wolf Creek and Plainfield settlements,
holding frequent and friendly intercourse with the
settlers, selling them venison and bear's meat in ex
change for green corn and vegetables, had with
drawn and gone up the river, early in the au
tumn, to their towns, preparatory to going into
winter quarters. They very seldom entered on
any warlike expeditions during the cold weather.
But jthey had watched the gradual encroach
ment of the whites and planned an expedition
against them. They saw them in fancied security
in their cabins, and thought their capture an easy
task. It is said they were not aware of the Big
Bottom settlement until they came in sight of it,
on the opposite shore of the river, in the afternoon.
From a high hill opposite the garrison, they had a
view of all that part of the bottom, and could see
how the men were occupied and what was doing
about the block-house. It was not protected with
palisades or pickets, and none of the men were
aware or prepared for an attack. Having laid
their plans, about twilight they crossed the river
above the garrison, on the ice, and divided their
men into two parties — the larger one to attack the
block-house, the smaller one to capture the cabins.
As the Indians cautiously approached the cabin
they found the inmates at supper. Part entered,
addressed the whites in a friendly manner, but
soon manifesting their designs, made them all pris
oners, tieing them with leather thongs they found
in the cabin."
At the block-house the attack was far different.
A stout Mohawk suddenly burst open the door,
the first intimation the inmates had of the pres
ence of the foe, and while he held it open his
comrades shot down those that were within. Rush
ing in, the deadly tomahawk completed the on
slaught. In the assault, one of the savages was
struck by the wife of Isaac Woods, with an ax,
but only slightly injured. The heroic woman was
immediately slain. All the men but two were
slain before they had time to secure their arms,
thereby paying for their failure to properly secure
themselves, with their lives. The two excepted
were John Stacy and his brother Philip, a lad six
teen years of age. John escaped to the roof,

^1

l>»

96

HISTORY OF OHIO.

where he was shot by the Indians, while begging
for his life. The firing at the block-house alarmed
the Bullards in their cabin, and hastily barring the
door, and securing their arms and ammunition, they
fled to the woods, and escaped. After the slaughter
was over, the Indians began to collect the plunder,
and in doing so discovered the lad Philip Stacy.
They were about to dispatch him, but his entrea
ties softened the heart of one of the chiefs, who
took him as a captive with the intention of adopt
ing him into his family. The savages then piled
the dead bodies on the floor, covered them with
other portions of it not needed for that purpose,
and set fire to the whole. The building, being
made of green logs, did not burn, the flames con
suming only the floors and roof, leaving the Walls
standing. There were twelve persons killed in this attack,
all of whom were in the prime of life, and valuable
aid to the settlements. They were well provided
with arms, and had they taken the necessary pre
cautions, always pressed upon them when visited
by the older ones from Marietta, they need not
have suffered so terrible a fate.
The Indians, exultant over their horrible victory,
went on to Wolf's mills, but here they found the
people prepared, and, after reconnoitering the place,
made their retreat, at early dawn, to the great re
lief of the inhabitants. Their number was never
definitely known.
The news reached Marietta and its adjacent
settlements soon after the massacre occurred, and
struck terror and dismay into the hearts of all.
Many had brothers and sons in the ill-fated party,
and mourned their loss. Neither did they know
what place would fall next. The Indian hostilities
had begun, and they could only hope for peace
when the savages were effectually conquered.
The next day, Capt. Rogers led a party of men
over to the Big Bottom. It was, indeed, a melan
choly sight to the poor bofderers, as they knew not
now how soon the same fate might befall them
selves. The fire had so disfigured their comrades
that but two, Ezra Putnam and William Jones,
were recognized. As the ground was frozen out
side, a hole was dug in the earth underneath the
block-house floor, and the bodies consigned to one
grave. No further attempt was made to settle
here till after the peace of 1795.
The outbreak of Indian hostilities put a check
on further settlements. Those that were estab
lished were put in a more active state of defense,
and every preparation made that could be made

for the impending crisis all felt sure must come.
Either the Indians must go, or the whites must
retreat. A few hardy and adventurous persons
ventured out into the woods and made settle
ments, but even these were at the imminent risk
of their lives, many of them perishing in the
attempt. The Indian war that followed is given fully in
preceding pages. It may be briefly sketched by
stating that the first campaign, under Gen Har
mar, ended in the defeat of his army at the Indian
villages on the Miami of the lake, and the rapid
retreat to Fort Washington. St. Clair was next
commissioned to lead an army of nearly^three thou
sand men, but these were furiously attacked at
break of day, on the morning of November 4,
1791, and utterly defeated. Indian outrages
sprung out anew after each defeat, and the borders
were in a continual state of alarm. The most ter
rible sufferings were endured by prisoners in the
hands of the savage foe, who thought to annihilate
the whites.
The army was at once re-organized, Gen. An
thony Wayne put in command by Washington,
and a vigorous campaign inaugurated. Though
the savages had been given great aid by the Brit
ish, in direct violation of the treaty of 1783, Gen.
Wayne pursued them so vigorously that they could
not withstand his army, and, the 20th of August,
1794, defeated them, and utterly annihilated their
forces, breaking up their camps, and laying waste
their country, in some places under the guns of
the British forts. The victory showed them the
hopelessness of contending against the whites, and
led their chiefs to sue for peace. The British, as
at former times, deserted them, and they were again
alone, contending against an invincible foe. A
grand council was held at Greenville the 3d day
of August, 1795, where eleven of the most power
ful chiefs made peace with Gen. Wayne on terms
of his own dictation. The boundary established
by the old treaty of Fort Mcintosh was confirmed,
and extended westward from Loramie's to Fort
Recovery, and thence southwest to the mouth of
the Kentucky River. He also purchased all the
territory not before ceded, within certain limits,
comprehending, in all, about four-fifths of the State
of Ohio. The line was long known as " The Green
ville Treaty line." Upon these, and a few other
minor conditions, the United States received the
Indians under their protection, gave them a large
number of presents, and practically closed the war
with the savages.

9 ^V

HISTORY OF OHIO.

97

Theonly settlement of any consequence made dur
ing the Indian war, was that on the plat of Hamilton,
laidoutby Israel Ludlow in December, 1794. Soon
after, Darius C. Orcutt, John Green, William Me-
Clennan, John Sutherland, John Torrence,Benjamin
F.Randolph, Benjamin Davis, Isaac Wiles, Andrew
Christy and William Hubert, located here. The
town was laid out under the name of Fairfield, but
was known only a short time by that name. Until
1801, all the lands on the west side of the Great
Miami were owned by the General Government ;
hence, until after that date, no improvements were
made there. A single log cabin stood there until
the sale of lands in April, 1801, when a company
purchased the site of Rossville, and, in March,
1804, laid out that town, and, before a year had
passed, the town and country about it was well
settled. The close of the war, in 1795, insured peace,
and, from that date, Hamilton and that part of the
Miami Valley grew remarkably fast. In 1803,
Butler County was formed, and Hamilton made
the county seat.
On the site of Hamilton, St. Clair built Fort
Hamilton in 1791. For some time it was under
the command of Maj. Rudolph, a cruel, arbitrary
man, who was displaced by Gen. Wayne, and who,
it is said, perished ignobly on the high seas, at the
hands of some Algerine pirates, a fitting end to a
man who caused, more than once, the death of
men under his control for minor offenses.
On the return of peace, no part of Ohio grew
more rapidly than the Miami Valley, especially
that part comprised in Butler County.
While the war with the Indians continued, but
little extension of settlements was made in the
State. It was too perilous, and the settlers pre
ferred the security of the block-house or to engage
with the army. Still, however, a few bold spirits
ventured away from the settled parts of the Terri
tory, and began life in the wilderness. In tracing
the histories of these settlements, attention will be
paid to the order in which they were made. They
will be given somewhat in detail until the war of
1812, after which time they become too numerous
to follow.
The settlements made in Washington — Marietta
and adjacent colonies — and Hamilton Counties
have already been given. The settlement at Gal
lia is also noted, hence, the narration can be re
sumed where it ends prior to the Indian war of
1795. Before this war occurred, there were three
small settlements made, however, in addition to

those in Washington and Hamilton Counties.
They were in what are now Adams, Belmont and
Morgan Counties. They were block-house settle
ments, and were in a continual state of defense.
The first of these, Adams, was settled in the winter
of 1790-91 by Gen. Nathaniel Massie, near where
Manchester now is. Gen. Massie determined to
settle here in the Virginia Military Tract — in the
winter of 1790, and sent notice throughout Ken
tucky and other Western settlements that he would
give to each of the first twenty-five families who
would settle in the town he proposed laying out,
one in-lot, one ouHot and one hundred acres of
land. Such liberal terms were soon accepted, and
in a short time thirty families were ready to go
with him. After various consultations with his
friends, the bottom on the Ohio River, opposite
the lower of the Three Islands, was selected as
the most eligible spot. Here Massie fixed his sta
tion, and laid off into lots a town, now called
Manchester. The little confederacy, with Massie
at the helm, went to work with spirit. Cabins
were raised, and by the middle of March,
1791, the whole town was inclosed with strong
pickets, with block-houses at each angle for de
fense. This was the first settlement in the bounds of
the Virginia District, and the fourth one in the
State. Although in the midst of a savage foe,
now inflamed with war, and in the midst of a
cruel conflict, the settlement at Manchester suf
fered less than any of its cotemporaries. This
was, no doubt, due to the watchful care of its in
habitants, who were inured to the rigors of a front
ier life, and who well knew the danger about them.
" These were the Beasleys, Stouts, Washburns,
Ledoms, Edgingtons, Denings, Ellisons, Utts,
McKcnzies, Wades, and others, who were fully
equal to the Indians in all the savage arts and
stratagems of border war."
As soon as they had completed preparations for
defense, the whole population went to work and
cleared the lowest of the Three Islands, and planted
it in corn. The soil of the island was very rich,
and produced abundantly. The woods supplied an
abundance of game, while the river furnished a
variety of excellent fish. The inhabitants thus
found their simple wants fully supplied. Their
nearest neighbors in the new Territory were at
Columbia, and at the French settlement at Gallip-
olis ; but with these, owing to the state of the
country and the Indian war, they could hold little,
if any, intercourse.

<> \> '

liL

The station being established, Massie continued
to make locations and surveys. Great precautions
were necessary to avoid the Indians, and even the
closest vigilance did not always avail, as the ever-
watchful foe was always ready to spring upon the
settlement, could an unguarded moment be ob
served. During one of the spring months, Gen.
Massie, Israel Donalson, William Lytle and James
Little, while out on a survey, were surprised, and
Mr. Donalson captured, the others escaping at
great peril. Mr. Donalson escaped during the
march to the Indian town, and made his way to
the town of Cincinnati, after suffering great hard
ships, and almost perishing from hunger. In the
spring of 1793, the settlers at Manchester com
menced clearing the out-lots of the town. While
doing so, an incident occurred, which shows the
danger to which they were daily exposed. It is
thus related in Howe's Collections :
" Mr. Andrew Ellison, one of the settlers,
cleared an out-lot immediately adjoining the fort.
He had completed the cutting of the timber, rolled
the logs together, and set them on fire. The next
morning, before daybreak, Mr. Ellison opened one
of the gates of the fort, and went out to throw his
logs together. By the time he had finished the
job, a number of the heaps blazed up brightly, and,
as he was passing from one to the other, he ob
served, by the light of the fires, three men walking
briskly toward him. This did not alarm him in
the least, although, he said, they were dark-skinned
fellows; yet he concluded they were the Wades,
whose complexions were very dark, going early to
hunt. He continued to right his log-heaps, until
one of the fellows seized him by the arms, calling
out, in broken English, ' How do ? how do ? ' He
instantly looked in their faces, and, to his surprise
and horror, found himself in the clutches of three
Indians. To resist was useless.
" The Indians quickly moved off with him in
the direction of Paint Creek. When breakfast
was ready, Mrs. Ellison sent one of her children
to ask its father home ; but he could not be found
at the log-heaps. His absence created no immedi
ate alarm, as it was thought he might have started
to hunt, after completing his work. Dinner-time
arrived, and, Ellison not returning, the family
became uneasy, and began to suspect some acci
dent had happened to him. His gun-rack was
examined, and there hung his rifles and his pouch.
Gen. Massie raised a party, made a circuit around
the plaee, finding, after some search, the trails of
four men, one of whom had on shoes; and the

fact that Mr. Ellison was a prisoner now became
apparent. As it was almost night at the time the
trail was discovered, the party returned to the
station. Early the next morning, preparations
were made by Gen. Massie and his friends to con
tinue the search. In doing this, they found great
difficulty, as it was so early in the spring that the
vegetation was not grown sufficiently to show
plainly the trail made by the savages, who took
the precaution to keep on high and dry ground,
where their feet would make little or no impres
sion. The party were, however, as unerring as a
pack of hounds, and followed the trail to Paint
Creek, when they found the Indians gained so
fast on them that pursuit was useless.
"The Indians took their prisoner to Upper
Sandusky, where he was compelled to run the
gantlet. As he was a large, and not very active,
man, he received a severe flogging. He was then
taken to Lower Sandusky, and again compelled to
run the gantlet. He was then taken to Detroit,
where he was ransomed by a British officer for
$100. The officer proved a good friend to him.
He sent him to Montreal, whence he returned
home before the close of the summer, much to the
joy of his family and friends, whose feelings can
only be imagined."
"Another incident occurred about this time,"
says the same volume, "which so aptly illustrates
the danger of frontier life, that it well deserves a
place in the history of the settlements in Ohio.
John and Asahel Edgington, with a comrade,
started out on a hunting expedition toward Brush
Creek. They camped out six miles in a northeast
direction from where West Union now stands, and
near the site of Treber's tavern, on the road from
Chillieothe to Maysville. They had good success
in hunting, killing a number of deer and bears.
Of the deer killed, they saved the skins and hams
alone. They fleeced the bears ; that is, they cut
off all the meat which adhered to the hide, with
out skinning, and left the bones as a skeleton.
They hungup the proceeds of their hunt, on a scaf
fold out of the reach of wolves and other wild ani
mals, and returned to Manchester for pack-horses.
No one returned to the camp with the Edgingtons.
As it was late in December, few apprehended dan
ger, as the winter season was usually a time of re
pose from Indian incursions. When the Edgingtons
arrived at their camp, they alighted from their
horses and were preparing to start a fire, when a
platoon of Indians fired upon them at a distance
of not more than twenty paces. They had

&

J&ijj.^'bn li..3JZxU &S^j I: davlay Si

evidently found the results of the white men's labor,
and expected they would return for it, and pre
pared to waylay them. Asahel Edgington fell
dead. John was more fortunate. The sharp
crack of the rifles, and the horrible yells of the
savages as they leaped from their place of ambush,
frightened the horses, who took the track for
home at full speed. John was very active on foot,
and now an opportunity offered which required his
utmost speed. The moment the Indians leaped
from their hiding-place, they threw down their
guns and took after him, yelling with all their
power. Edgington did not run a booty race. For
about a mile, the savages stepped in his tracks al
most before the bending grass could rise. The
uplifted tomahawk was frequently so near his head
that he thought he felt its edge. He exerted
himself to his utmost, while the Indians strove
with all their might to catch him. Finally, he be
gan' to gain on his pursuers, and, after a'long race,
distanced them and made his escape, safely reach
ing home. This, truly, was a most fearful and
well-contested race. The big Shawanee chief, Capt.
John, who headed the Indians on this occasion,
after peace was made, in narrating the particulars,
said, " The white man who ran away was a smart
fellow. The white man run ; and I run. He run
and run ; at last, the white man run clear off from
me." The settlement, despite its dangers, prospered,
and after the close of the war continued to grow
rapidly. In two years after peace was declared,
Adams County was erected by proclamation of
Gov. St. Clair, the next year court was held, and
in 1804, West Union was made the county seat.
During the war, a settlement was commenced
near the present town of Bridgeport, in Belmont
County, by Capt. Joseph Belmont, a noted Dela
ware Revolutionary officer, who, because his State
could furnish only one company, could rise no
higher than Captain of that company, and hence
always maintained that grade. He settled on a
beautiful knoll near the present county seat, but
erelong suffered from a night attack by the In
dians, who, though unable to drive him and his
companions from the cabin or conquer them,
wounded some of them badly, one or two mortally,
and caused the Captain to leave the frontier and
return to Newark, Del. The attack was made
in the spring of 1791, and a short time after,
the Captain, having provided for the safety of his
family, accepted a commission in St. Clair's army,
and lost his life at the defeat of the General in

November. Shortly after the Captain settled, a
fort, called "Dillie's Fort, was built on the Ohio,
opposite the mouth of Grave Creek. About two
hundred and fifty yards below this fort, an old
man, named Tato, was shot down at his cabin door
by the Indians, just as he was in the act of entering
the house. His body was pulled in by his daugh
ter-in-law and grandson, who made an heroic de
fense. They were overpowered, the woman slain,
and the boy badly wounded. He, however, man
aged to secrete himself and afterward escaped to
the fort. The Indians, twelve or thirteen in num
ber, went off unmolested, though the men in the
fort saw the whole transaction and could have
punished them. Why they did not was never
known. On Captina Creek in this same county, occurred,
in May, 1794, the "battle of Captina," a fa
mous local skirmish between some Virginians from
Fort Baker, and a party of Indians. Though the
Indians largely outnumbered the whites, they were
severely punished, and compelled to abandon the
contest, losing several of their bravest warriors.
These were the only settlements made until
1795, the close of the war. Even these, as it will
be observed from the foregoing pages, were tem
porary in all cases save one, and were maintained
at a great risk, and the loss of many valuable lives.
They were made in the beginning of the war,and such
were their experiences that further attempts were
abandoned until the treaty of Greenville was made,
or until the prospects for peace and safety were
assured. No sooner, however, had the prospect of quiet
been established, than a revival of emigration be
gan. Before the war it had been large, now it
was largely increased.
Wayne's treaty of peace with the Indians was
made at Greenville, in what is now Darke County,
the 3d of August, 1795. The number of Indians
present was estimated at 1,300, divided among the
principal nations as follows : 180 Wyandots, 381
Delawares, 143 Shawanees, 45 Ottawas, 46 Chip
pewas, 240 Pottawatomies, 73 Miamis and Eel
River, 12 Weas and Piankeshaws, and 10 Kicka
poos and Kaskaskias. The principal chiefs were
Tarhe, Buckongahelas, Black Hoof, Blue Jacket
and Little Turtle. Most of them had been tam
pered with by the British agents and traders, but
all had been so thoroughly chastised by Wayne, and
found that the British only used them as tools,
that they were quite anxious to make peace with
the " Thirteen Fires." By the treaty, former ones

103

HISTORY OF OHIO.

were established, the boundary lines confirmed and
enlarged, an exchange and delivery of prisoners
effected, and permanent peace assured.
In the latter part of September, after the treaty
of Greenville, Mr. Bedell, from New Jersey,
selected a site for a home in what is now Warren
County, at a place since known as " Bedell's Sta
tion," about a mile south of Union Village. Here
he erected a block-house, as a defense against the
Indians, among whom were many renegades as
among the whites, who would not respect, the
terms of the treaty. Whether Mr. Bedell was
alone that fall, or whether he was joined by others,
is not now accurately known. However that may
be, he was not long left to himself; for, ere a year
had elapsed, quite a number of settlements were
made in this part of the Territory. Soon after
his settlement was made, Gen. David Sutton, Capt.
Nathan Kelley and others began pioneer life at
Deerfield, in the same locality, and, before three
years had gone by, a large number of New Jersey
people were established in their homes; and, in
1803, the county was formed from Hamilton.
Among the early settlers at Deerfield, was Capt.
Robert Benham, who, with a companion, in 1779,
sustained themselves many days when the Captain
had lost the use of his legs, and his companion
his arms, from musket-balls fired by the hands of
the Indians. They were with a large party com
manded by Maj. Rodgers, and were furiously
attacked by an immense number of savages, and
all but a few slain. The event happened during
the war of the Revolution, before any attempt
was made to settle the Northwest Territory. The
party were going down the Ohio, probably to the
falls, and were attacked when near the site of
Cincinnati. As mentioned, these two men sus
tained each other many days, the one having per
fect legs doing the necessary walking, carrying his
comrade to water, driving up game for him to
shoot, and any other duties necessary; while the
one who had the use of his arms could dress his
companion's and his own wounds, kill and cook
the game, and perform his share. They were
rescued, finally, by a flat-boat, whose occupants,
for awhile, passed them, fearing a decoy, but,
becoming convinced that such was not the case,
took them on down to Louisville, where they were
nursed into perfect health.
A settlement was made near the present town of
Lebanon, the county seat of Warren County, in
the spring of 1796, by Henry Taylor, who built a
mill one mile west of the town site, on Turtle

Creek. Soon after, he was joined by Ichabod
Corwin, John Osbourn, Jacob ¦ Vorhees, Samuel
Shaw, Daniel Bonte and a Mr. Manning. When
Lebanon was laid out, in 1803, the two-story log
house built in 1797 by Ichabod Corwin was the
only building on the plat. It was occupied by
Ephraim Hathaway as a tavern. He had a black
horse painted on an immense board for a sign, and
continued in business here till 1810. The same
year the town was laid out, a store was opened by
John Huston, and, from that date, the growth of
the county was very prosperous. Three years
after, the Western Star was established by
Judge John McLain, and the current news of
the day given in weekly editions. It was one of
the first newspapers established in the Territory,
outside of Cincinnati.
As has been mentioned, the opening of naviga
tion in the spring of 1796 brought a great flood
of emigration to the Territory. The little settle
ment made by Mr. Bedell, in the autumn of 1795,
was about the only one made that fall ; others made
preparations, and many selected sites, but did not
settle till the following spring. That spring, colo
nies were planted in what are now Montgomery,
Ross, Madison, Mahoning, Trumbull, Ashtabula
and Cuyahoga Counties, while preparations were
in turn made to occupy additional territory that
will hereafter be noticed.
The settlement made in Montgomery County
was begun early in the spring of 1796. As early
as 1788, the land on which Dayton now stands was
selected by some gentlemen, who designed laying
out a town to be named Venice. They agreed
with Judge Symmes, whose contract covered the
place, for the purchase of the lands. The Indian
war which broke out at this time prevented an
extension of settlements from the immediate
neighborhood of the parent colonies, and the proj
ect was abandoned by the purchasers. Soon after
the treaty of 1795, a new company, composed of
Gens. Jonathan Dayton, Arthur St. Clair, James
Wilkinson, and Col. Israel Ludlow, purchased the
land between the Miamis, around the mouth of
Mad River, of Judge Symmes, and, the 4th of
November, laid out the town. Arrangements were
made for its settlement the ensuing spring,, and
donations of lots, with other privileges, were offered
to actual settlers. Forty-six persons entered into
engagements to remove from Cincinnati to Day
ton, but during the winter most of them scat
tered in different directions, and only nineteen ful
filled their contracts. The first famiEes who

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

103

made a permanent residence here, arrived on the
first day of April, 1796, and at once set about
establishing homes. Judge Symmes, however,
becoming unable soon after to pay for his purchase,
the land reverted to the United States, and the set-
tiers in and about Dayton found themselves with
out titles to their lands. Congress, however, came
to the aid of all such persons, wherever they had
purchased land of Symmes, and passed a pre-emp
tion law, under which they could enter their lands
at the regular government price. Some of the set
tlers entered their lands, and obtained titles directly
from the United States ; others made arrangements
with Daniel C. Cooper to receive their deeds from
him, and he entered the residue of the town lands.
He had been the surveyor and agent of the first
company of proprietors, and they assigned to him
certain of their rights of pre-emption, by which he
became the titular owner of the land.
When the State government was organized in
1803, Dayton was made the seat of justice for
Montgomery County, erected the same year. At
that time, owing to the title question, only five
families resided in the place, the other settlers hav
ing gone to farms in the vicinity, or to other
parts of the country. The increase of the town
was gradual until the war of 1812, when its
growth was more rapid until 1820, when it was
again checked by the general depression of busi
ness. It revived in 1827, at the commencement
of the Miami Canal, and since then its growth has
always been prosperous. It is now one of the
best cities in Ohio. The first canal boats from
Cincinnati arrived at Dayton January 25, 1829,
and the first one from Lake Erie the 24th of
June, 1845. In 1825, a weekly line of stages
was established between Columbus and Cincinnati,
via Dayton. One day was occupied in coming
from Cincinnati to Dayton.
On the 18th of September, 1808, the Dayton
Repertory was established by William McClureand
George Smith. It was printed on a foolscap sheet.
Soon after, it was enlarged and changed from a
weekly to a daily, and, ere long, found a number
of competitors in the field.
In the lower part of Miamisburg, in this county,
are the remains of ancient works, scattered about
over the bottom. About a mile and a quarter
southeast of the village, on an elevation more than
one hundred feet above the level of the Miami,
is the largest mound in the Northern States, ex
cepting the mammoth mound at Grave Creek, on
the Ohio, below Wheeling, which it nearly equals

in dimensions. It is about eight hundred feet
around the base, and rises to a height of nearly
seventy feet. When first known it was covered
with forest trees, whose size evidenced great age.
The Indians could give no account of the mound.
Excavations revealed bones and charred earth,
but what was its use, will always remain a con
jecture. One of the most important early settlements
was made cotemporary with that of Dayton, in
what is now Ross County. The same spring,
1796, quite a colony came to the banks of the
Scioto River, and, near the mouth of Paint Creek,
began to plant a crop of corn on the bottom. The
site had been selected as early as 1792, by Col.
Nathaniel Massie*- and others, who were so de
lighted with the country, and gave such glowing
descriptions of it on their return — which accounts
soon circulated through Kentucky — that portions
of the Presbyterian congregations of Caneridge and
Concord, in Bourbon County, under Rev. Robert
W. Finley, determined to emigrate thither in a
body. They were, in a measure, induced to take
this step by their dislike to slavery, and a desire
for freedom from its baleful influences and the un
certainty that existed regarding the validity of the
land titles in that State. The Rev. Finley, as a
preliminary step, liberated his slaves, and addressed
to Col. Massie a letter of inquiry, in December,
1794, regarding the land on the Scioto, of which
he and his people had heard such glowing ac
counts. "The letter induced Col. Massie to visit Mr.
Finley in the ensuing March. A large concourse
of people, who wished to engage in the enterprise,
assembled on the occasion, and fixed on a day to
meet at the Three Islands, in Manchester, and
proceed on an exploring expedition. Mr. Finley
also wrote to his friends in Western Pennsylvania
* Nathaniel Massie was born in Goochland County, Va., Decem
ber 28, 1763. In 1780, he engaged, for a short time, in the Revolu
tionary war. In 1783, he left for Kentucky, where he acted as a
surveyor. He was afterward made a Government surveyor, and
labored much in that capacity for early Ohio proprietors, being paid
in lands, the amounts graded by tbe danger attached to the survey.
In 1791, he established the settlement at Manchester, and a year or
two after, continued his surveys up the Scioto. Here he was con
tinually in great danger from the IudianB, but knew well how to
guard against them, and thus preserved himself. In 1796, he estab
lished the Chillieothe settlement, and made his home in the Scioto
Valley, being now an extensive 'land owner by reason of his long
surveying service. In 1807, he and Return J. Meigs were compet
itors for the office of Governor of Ohio. Meigs was elected, but
Massie contested his eligibility to the office, on the grounds of his
absence from the State and insufficiency of time as a resident, as
required by the Constitution. Meigs was declared ineligible by the
General Assembly, and Massie declared Governor. He, however,
resigned the office at once, not desiring it. He was often Repre
sentative afterward. He died November 13, 1813.

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104

HISTORY OF OHIO.

informing them of the time and place of rendez

vous.

' About sixty men met, according to appoint
ment, who were divided into three companies,
under Massie, Finley and Falenash. They pro
ceeded on their route, without interruption, until
they struck the falls of Paint Creek. Proceeding
a short distance down that stream, they suddenly
found themselves in the vicinity of some Indians
who had encamped at a place, since called Reeve's
Crossing, near the present town of Bainbridge.
The Indians were of those who had refused to
attend Wayne's treaty, and it was determined to
give them battle, it being too late to retreat with
safety. The Indians, on being attacked, soon fled
with the loss of two killed and several wounded.
One of the whites only, Joshua Robinson, was
mortally wounded, and, during the action, a Mr.
Armstrong, a prisoner among the savages, escaped
to his own people. The whites gathered all their
plunder and retreated as far as Scioto Brush
Creek, where they were, according to expectation,
attacked early the next morning. Again the In
dians were defeated. Only one man among the
whites, Allen Gilfillan, was wounded. The party,
of whites continued their retreat, the next day
reached Manchester, and separated for their homes.
" After Wayne's treaty, Col. Massie and several
of the old explorers again met at the house of
Rev. Finley, formed a company, and agreed to
make a settlement in the ensuing spring (1796),
and raise a crop of corn at the mouth of Paint
Creek. According to agreement, they met at Man
chester about the first of April, to the number of
forty and upward, from Mason and Bourbon
Counties. Among them were Joseph McCoy,
Benjamin and William Rodgers, David Shelby,
James Harrod, Henry, Bazil and Reuben Abrams,
William Jamison, James Crawford, Samuel, An
thony and Robert Smith, Thomas Dick, William
and James Kerr, George and James Kilgrove,
John Bro.wn, Samuel and Robert Templeton, Fer
guson Moore, William Nicholson and James B.
Finley, later a prominent local Methodist minister.
On starting, they divided into two companies, one
of which struck across the country, while the
other came on in pirogues. The first arrived
earliest on the spot of their intended settlement,
and had commenced erecting log huts above the
mouth of Paint Creek, at the 'Prairie Station,'
before the others had come on by water. About
three hundred acres of the prairie were cultivated
in corn that season.

" In August, of this year — 1796 — Chillieothe*
was laid out by Col. Massie in a dense forest. He
gave a lot to each of the first settlers, and, by the
beginning of winter, about twenty cabins were
erected. Not long after, a ferry was established
across the Scioto, at the north end of Walnut
street. The opening of Zane's trace produced a
great change in travel westward, it having pre
viously been along the Ohio in keel-boats or canoes,
or by land, over the Cumberland Mountains,
through Crab Orchard, in Kentucky.
" The emigrants brought corn-meal in their pi
rogues, and after that was gone, their principal
meal, until the next summer, was that pounded in
hominy mortars, which meal, when made into
bread, and anointed with bear's-oil, was quite pal
atable. " When the settlers first came, whisky was $4.50
per gallon; but, in the spring of 1797, when the
keel-boats began to run, the Monongahela whisky-
makers, having found a good market for their fire
water, rushed it in, in such quantities, that the
cabins were crowded with it, and it soon fell to 50
cents. Men, women and children, with some excep
tions, drank it freely, and many who had been
respectable and temperate became inebriates.
Many of Wayne's soldiers and camp-women settled
in the town, so that, for a time, it became a town
of drunkards and a sink of corruption. There
was, however, a little leaven, which, in a few
months, began to develop itself.
" In the spring of 1797, one Brannon stole a
great coat, handkerchief and shirt. He and his
wife absconded, were pursued, caught and brought
back. Samuel Smith was appointed Judge, a
jury impanneled, one attorney appointed by the
Judge to manage the prosecution, and another the
defense ; witnesses were examined, the case argued,
and the evidence summed up by the Judge. The
jury, having retired a few moments, returned with
a verdict of guilty, and that the culprit be sen
tenced according to the discretion of the Judge.
The Judge soon announced that the criminal
should have ten lashes on his naked back, or that
he should sit on a bare pack-saddle on his pony,
and that his wife, who was supposed to have had
some agency in the theft, should lead the pony to
every house in the village, and proclaim, ' This is
^Chillieothe appears to have been a favorite name among the
Indians, as many localities were known by that name. Col. John
Johnston says : " Chillieothe is the name of one of the principal
tribes of the Shawanees. They would say, Chit-ircothe-otany,i.e.,
Chillieothe town. The Wyandots would say, for Chillieothe town,
Tat-a^ra-^ra, Do-tia, or town at tho leaning of the bank."

>T a

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^

i^V

HISTORY OF OHIO.

105

Brannon, who stole the great coat, handkerchief
and shirt ; ' and that James B. Finley, afterward
Chaplain in the State Penitentiary, should see the
sentence faithfully carried out. Brannon chose
the latter sentence, and the ceremony was faith
fully performed by his wife in the presence of
every cabin, under Mr. Finley's care, after which
the couple made off. This was rather rude, but
effective jurisprudence.
" Dr. Edward Tiffin and Mr. Thomas Worth
ington, of Berkley County, Va., were brothers-in-law,
and being moved by abolition principles, liberated
their slaves, intending to remove into the Ter
ritory. For this purpose, Mr. Worthington visited
Chillieothe in the autumn of 1797, and purchased
several in and out lots of the town. On one of the
former, he erected a two-story frame house, the
first of the kind in the village. On his return,
having purchased a part of a farm, on which his
family long afterward resided, and another at the
north fork of Paint Creek, he contracted with Mr.
Joseph Yates, a millwright, and Mr. George Haines,
a blacksmith, to come out with him the following
winter or spring, and erect for him a grist and saw
mill on his north-fork tract. The summer, fall
and following winter of that year were marked by
a rush of emigration, which spead over the high
bank prairie, Pea-pea, Westfall and a few miles
up Paint and Deer Creeks.
" Nearly all the first settlers were either regular
members, or had been raised in the Presbyterian
Church. Toward the fall of 1797, the leaven of
piety retained by a portion of the first settlers be
gan to diffuse itself through the mass, and a large
log meeting-house was erected near the old grave
yard, and Rev. William Speer, from Pennsylvania,
took charge. The sleepers at first served as seats for
hearers, and a split-log table was used as a pulpit.
Mr. Speer was a gentlemanly, moral man, tall and
cadaverous in person, and wore the cocked hat of
the Revolutionary era.
" Thomas Jones arrived in February, 1798,
bringing with him the first load of bar-iron in the
Scioto Valley, and about the same time Maj . Elias
Langham, an officer of the Revolution, arrived. Dr.
Tiffin, and his brother, Joseph, arrived the same
month from Virginia and opened a store not far
from the log meeting-house. A store had been
opened previously bj John McDougal. The 17th
of April, the families of Col. Worthington and
Dr. Tiffin arrived, at which time the first marriage
in the Scioto Valley was celebrated. The parties
were George Kilgore and Elizabeth Cochran. The

ponies of the attendants were hitched to the trees
along the streets, which were not then cleared out,
nearly the whole town being a wilderness. Joseph
Yates, George Haines, and two or three others,
arrived with the families of Tiffin and Worthing
ton. On their arrival there were but four shingled
roofs in town, on one of which the shingles
were fastened with pegs. Col. Worthington's
house was the only one having glass windows. The
sash of the hotel windows was filled with greased
paper. " Col. Worthington was appointed by Gen. Ru
fus Putnam, Surveyor General of the Northwest
Territory, surveyor of a large district of Congress
lands, on the east side of the Scioto, and Maj.
Langham and a Mr. Matthews, were appointed to
survey the residue of the lands which afterward
composed the Chillieothe land district.
" The same season, settlements were made about
the Walnut Plains by Samuel McCulloh and
others ; Springer, Osbourn, Dyer, and Thomas and
Elijah Chenowith, on Darly Creek; Lamberts and
others on Sippo ; on Foster's Bottom, the Fosters,
Samuel Davis and others, while the following fam
ilies settled in and about Chillieothe : John Crouse,
William Keys, William Lamb, John Carlisle, John
McLanberg, William Chandless, the Stoctons,
Greggs, Bates and some others.
" Dr. Tiffin and his wife were the first Metho
dists in the Scioto Valley. He was a local preacher.
In the fall, Worthington's grist and saw mills on
•the north fork of Paint Creek were finished, the
first mills worthy the name in the valley.
" Chillieothe was the point from which the set-
tlements diverged. In May, 1799, a post office
was established here, and Joseph Tiffin made Post
master. Mr. Tiffin and Thomas Gregg opened
taverns; the first, under the sign of Gen. Anthony
Wayne, was at the corner of Water and Walnut
streets; and the last, under the sign of the 'Green
Tree,' was on the corner of Paint and Water
streets. In 1801, Nathaniel Willis moved in and
established the Scioto Gazette, probably, the sec
ond paper in the Territory."*
In 1800, the seat of government of the North
west Territory was removed, by law of Congress,
from Cincinnati to Chillieothe. The sessions of
the Territorial Assembly for that and the next
year were held in a small two-story, hewed-log
house, erected in 1798, by Bazil Abrams. A wing
was added to the main part, of two stories in
* Recollections of Hon. Thomas Scott, of Chillieothe — Howe's
Annals of Ohio.

D "fy

106

HISTORY OF OHIO.

height. In the lower room of this wing, Col.
Thomas Gibson, Auditor of the Territory, kept
his office, and in the upper room a small family
lived. In the upper room of the main building
a billiard table was kept. It was also made a re
sort of gamblers and disreputable characters. The
lower room was used by the Legislature, and as a
court room, a church or a school. In the
war of 1812, the building was a rendezvous and
barracks for soldiers, and, in 1840, was pulled
down. The old State House was commenced in 1800,
and finished the next year for the accommodation
of the Legislature and the courts. It is said to
be the first public stone edifice erected in the Ter
ritory. Maj. William Rutledge, a Revolutionary
soldier, did the mason work, and William Guthrie,
the carpenter. In 1801 , the Territorial Legislature
held their first session in it. In it was also held
the Constitutional Convention of Ohio, which be
gan its sessions the first Monday in November,
1802. In March, 1803, the first State Legislature
met in the house, and continued their sessions here
until 1810. The sessions of 1810-11, and 1811-
12, were held in Zanesville, and from there re
moved back to Chillieothe and held in the old
State House till 1816, when Columbus became the
permanent capital of the State.
Making Chillieothe the State capital did much
to enhance its growth. It was incorporated in
1802, and a town council elected. In 1807, the
town had fourteen stores, six hotels, two newspa-'
pers, two churches — both brick buildings — and
over two hundred dwellings. The removal of the
capital to Columbus checked its growth a little, still,
being in an excellent country, rapidly filling with
settlers, the town has always remained a prominent
trading center.
During the war of 1812, Chillieothe was made
a rendezvous for United States soldiers, and a
prison established, in which many British prison
ers were confined. At one time, a conspiracy for
eseape was discovered just in time to prevent it.
The plan was for the prisoners to disarm the
guard, proceed to jail, release the officers, burn the
town, and escape to Canada. The plot was fortu
nately disclosed by two senior British officers, upon
which, as a measure of security, the officers and
chief conspirators were sent to the penitentiary
at Frankfort, Kentucky.
Two or three miles northwest of Chillieothe, on
a beautiful elevation, commanding an extensive
view of the valley of the Scioto, Thomas Worth

ington,* one of the most prominent and influential
men of his day, afterward Governor of the State,
in 1806, erected a large stone mansion, the wonder
of the valley in its time. It was the most elegant
mansion in the West, crowds coming to see it
when it was completed. Gov. Worthington named
the place Adena, "Paradise" — a name not then
considered hyperbolical. The large panes of glass,
and the novelty of papered walls especially attracted
attention. Its architect was the elder Latrobe, of
Washington City, from which place most of the
workmen came. The glass was made in Pitts
burgh, and the fireplace fronts in Philadelphia, the
latter costing seven dollars per hundred pounds for
transportation. The mansion, built as it was, cost
nearly double the expense of such structures now.
Adena was the home of the Governor till his death,
in 1827.
Near Adena, in a beautiful situation, is Fruit
Hill, the seat of Gen. Duncan McArthurjf and
later of ex-Gov. William Allen. Like Adena, Fruit
Hill is one of the noted places in the Scioto Val
ley. Many of Ohio's best men dwelt in the valley;
men who have been an honor and ornament to the
State and nation.
Another settlement, begun soon after the treaty
of peace in 1795, was that made on the Licking
River, about four miles below the present city of
Newark, in Licking County. In the fall of 1798,
John Ratliff and Elias Hughes, while prospecting
on this stream, found some old Indian cornfields,
and determined to locate. They were from West
ern Virginia, and were true pioneers, living mainly
by hunting, leaving the cultivation of their small
cornfields to their wives, much after the style of

* Gov. Worthington was born in Jefferson County, Va., about the
year 1769. He settled in Ohio in 17y8. He was a firm believer in
liberty and came to the Territory after liberating his slaves. He was
one of the mosi efficient men of bis day; was a member of the
Constitutional Convention, and was sent on an important mission
to Congress relative to the admiosion of Ohio to the Union. He
was afterward a Senator to Congress, and then Guvernor. On
the expiration of his gubernatorial term, be was appointed a mem
ber of the Board of Public Works, in which capacity he did much
to advance the canals and ra lroads, and other public improve
ments. He remained in this office till hisdeath.
f Gen. McArlhur was born in Dutchess County, N. T., in 1772.
When eight years of age, his father removed to Western Pennsyl
vania. When eighteen years of age, he served in Harmar's
campaign. In 1792, he wasa very efficipntsoldier among the front
iersmen, and gained their approbation by his bravery. In 1793, he
was connected with Gen. Massie, and afterward was engaged in
land speculations and became very wealthy. He was made a mem
ber of the .Legislature, in 1805; in 1806, a Colonel, and in 1808, a
Major General of the militia. In this capacity he was in Hull's
surrender at Detroit. On his return He was elected to Congress,
and in 1813 commissioned Brigadier General. He was one of the
most efficient officers in the war of 1812, and held many important
posts. After the war, he was again sent to the Legislature ; in 1822
to Congress, and in 1830 elected Governor of the State. By an un
fortunate accident in 1836, he was maimed for life, and gradually
declined till death came a few years after.

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

107

their dusky neighbors. They were both inveterate
Indian-haters, and never allowed an opportunity to
pass without carrying out their hatred. For this,
they were apprehended after the treaty; but,
though it was clearly proven they had murdered
some inoffensive Indians, the state of feeling was
such that they were allowed to go unpunished.
A short time after their settlement, others joined
them, and, in a few years, quite a colony had
gathered on the banks of the Licking. In 1802,
Newark was laid out, and, in three or four years,
there were twenty or thirty families, several stores
and one or two hotels.
The settlement of Granville Township, in this
county, is rather an important epoch in the history
of this part of the State. From a sketch pub
lished by Rev. Jacob Little in 1848, in Howe's
Collections, the subjoined statements are taken:
" In 1804, a company was formed at Granville,
Mass., with the intention of making a settlement
in Ohio. This, called the Scioto Company, was
the third of that name which effected settlements
in Ohio. The project met with great favor, and
much enthusiasm was elicited, in illustration of
which a song was composed and sung to the
tune of ' Pleasant Ohio ' by the young people in
the house and at labor in the field. We annex
two stanzas, which are more curious than poetical:
"'When rambling o'er these mountains
And rocks where ivies grow
Thick as the hairs upon your head,
'Mongst which you cannot go —
Great storms of snow, cold winds that blow,
We scarce can undergo —
Says I, my boys, we'll leave this place
For the pleasant Ohio.
"'Our precious friends that stay behind,
We're sorry now to leave;
But if they'll stay and break their shins,
For them we'll never grieve.
Adieu, my friends! — Come on, my dears,
This journey we'll forego, «
And settle Licking Creek,
In yonder Ohio.' "
" The Scioto Company consisted of one hundred
and fourteen proprietors, who made a purchase of
twenty-eight thousand acres. In the autumn of
1805, two hundred and thirty-four persons, mostly
from East Granville, Mass., came on to the pur
chase. Although they had been forty-two days on
the road, their first business, on their arrival, hav
ing organized a church before they left the East,
was to hear a sermon. The first tree cut was that

by which public worship was held, which stood
just in front of the Presbyterian church.
On the first Sabbath, November 16, although
only about a dozen trees had been felled, they held
divine service, both forenoon and afternoon, on
that spot. The novelty of worshiping in the
woods, the forest extending hundreds of miles each
way ; the hardships of the journey, the winter set
ting in, the thoughts of home, with all the friends
and privileges left behind, and the impression that
such must be the accommodations of a new country,
all rushed on their minds, and made this a day of
varied interest. When they began to sing, the
echo of their voices among the trees was so differ
ent from what it was in the beautiful meeting
house they had left, that they could no longer
restrain their tears. They wept when they remem
bered Zion. The voices of part of the choir were,
for a season; suppressed with emotion.
"An incident occurred, which many said Mrs.
Sigourney should have put into verse. . Deacon
Theophilus Reese, a Welsh Baptist, had, two or
three years before, built a cabin, a mile and a half
north, and lived all this time without public wor
ship. He had lost his cattle, and, hearing a low
ing of the oxen belonging to the Company, set out
toward them. As he ascended the hills overlook
ing the town plot, he heard the singing of the
choir. The reverberation of the sound from hill
tops and trees, threw the good man into a serious
dilemma. The music at first seemed to be behind,
then in the tree-tops, or in the clouds. He stopped,
till, by accurate listening, he caught the direction^
of the sound; went on and passing the brow of
the hill, he saw the audience sitting on the
level below. He went home and told his wife that
' the promise of God is a bond ' ; a Welsh proverb,
signifying that we have security, equal to a bond,
that religion will prevail everywhere. He said:
' These must be good people. I am not afraid to
go among them.' Though he could not under
stand English, he constantly attended the reading
meeting. Hearing the music on that occasion
made such an impression on his mind that, when
he became old and met the first settlers, he would
always tell over this story. The first cabin built
was that in which they worshiped succeeding
Sabbaths, and, before the close of the winter, they
had a schoolhouse and a school. That church, in
forty years, received more than one thousand per
sons' into its membership.
"Elder Jones, in 1806, preached the first ser
mon in the log church. The Welsh Baptist

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108

HISTORY OF OHIO.

Church was organized in the cabin of David
Thomas, September 4, 1808. April 21, 1827,
the Granville members were organized into the
Granville Church, and the corner-stone of their
house of worship laid September 21, 1829. In
the fall of 1810, the first Methodist sermon was
preached here, and, soon after, a class organized.
In 1824, a church was built. An Episcopal
church was organized in May, 1827, and a
church consecrated in 1838. In 1849, there
were in this township 405 families, of whom 214
sustain family worship ; 1431 persons over four
teen years of age, of whom over 800 belong to
church. The town had 150 families, of whom 80
have family worship. In 1846, the township
furnished 70 school teachers, of whom 62 prayed
in school. In 1846, the township took 621 peri
odical papers, besides three small monthlies. The
first temperance society west of the mountains was
organized July 15, 1828, in this township; and,
in 1831, the Congregational Church passed a by
law to accept no member who trafficked in or used
ardent spirits."
It is said, not a settlement in the entire West
could present so moral and upright a view as that
of Granville Township; and nowhere could so
perfect and orderly a set of people be found.
Surely, the fact is argument enough in favor of
the religion of Jesus.
The narrative of Mr. Little also states that,
when Granville was first settled, it was supposed
that Worthington would be the capital of Ohio,
Jjetween which and Zanesville, Granville would
make a great half-way town. At this time, wild
animals, snakes and Indians abounded, and many
are the marvelous stories preserved regarding the
destruction of the animals and reptiles — the
Indians being bound by their treaty to remain
peaceful. Space forbids their repetition here.
Suffice it to say that, as the whites increased, the
Indians, animals and snakes disappeared, until
now one is as much a curiosity as the other.
The remaining settlement in the southwest
ern parts of Ohio, made immediately after the
treaty — fall of 1795 or year of 1796 — was in
what is now Madison County, about a mile north
of where the village of Amity now stands, on the
banks of the Big Darby. This stream received its
name from the Indians, from a Wyandot chief,
named Darby, who for a long time resided upon it,
near the Union County line. In the fall of 1795,
Benjamin Springer came from Kentucky and selected
some land on the banks of the Big Darby, cleared

the ground, built a cabin, and returned for his
family. The next spring, he brought them out,
and began his life here. The same summer he was
joined by William Lapin, Joshua and James Ew-
ing and one or two others.
When Springer came, he found a white man
named Jonathan Alder, who for fifteen years had
been a captive among the Indians, and who could
not speak a word of English, living with an Indian
woman on the banks of Big Darby. He had been
exchanged at Wayne's treaty, and, neglecting to
profit by the treaty, was still living in the Indian
style. When the whites became numerous about
him his desire to find his relatives, and adopt the
ways of the whites, led him to discard his squaw —
giving her an unusual allowance — learn the English
language, engage in agricultural pursuits, and be
come again civilized. Fortunately, he could remem
ber enough of the names of some of his parents'
neighbors, so that the identity of his relatives and
friends was easily established, and Alder became a
most useful citizen. He was very influential with
the Indians, and induced many of them to remain
neutral during the war of 1812. It is stated that
in 1800, Mr. Ewing broughtfour sheep into the com
munity. They were strange animals to the Indians.
One day when an Indian hunter and his dog were
passing, the latter caught a sheep, and was shot by
Mr. Ewing. The Indian would have shot Ewing in
retaliation, . had not Alder, who was fortunately
present, with much difficulty prevailed upon him
to refrain.
While the southern aud southwestern parts of
the State were filling with settlers, assured of safety
by Wayne's victories, the northern and eastern
parts became likewise the theater of activities.
Ever since the French had explored the southern
shores of the lake, and English traders had car
ried goods thither, it was expected one day to be
a valuable part of the West. It will be remem
bered that Connecticut had ceded a large tract of
land to the GeneraL Government, and as soon as
the cession was confirmed, and land titles became
assured, settlers flocked thither. Even before that
time, hardy adventurers had explored some of the
country, and pronounced it a "goodly land,"
ready for the hand of enterprise.
The first settlement in the Western Reserve,
and, indeed, in the northern part of the State, was
made at the mouth of Conneaut* Creek, in Ash
tabula County, on the 4th of July, 1796.' That

* Conneaut, in the Seneca language, signifies "many fish."

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

109

day, the first surveying party landed at the mouth
of this creek, and, on its eastern bank, near the
lake shore, in tin cups, pledged — as they drank the
limpid waters of the lake — their country's welfare,
with the ordnance accompaniment of two or three
fowling-pieces, discharging the required national
salute. The whole party, on this occasion, numbered
fifty-two persons, of whom two were females (Mrs.
Stiles and Mrs. Gunn) and a child, and all deserve
a lasting place in the history of the -State.
The next day, they began the erection of a large
log building on the sandy beach on the east side
of the stream. When done, it was named " Stow
Castle," after one of the party. It was the dwell
ing, storehouse and general habitation of all the
pioneers. The party made this their headquar
ters part of the summer, and continued busily
engaged in the survey of the Reserve. James
Kingsbury, afterward Judge, arrived soon after
the party began work, and, with his family, was
the first to remain here during the winter follow
ing, the rest returning to the East, or going south
ward. Through the winter, Mr. Kingsbury's
family suffered greatly for provisions, so much so,
that, during the absence of the head of the family
in New York for provisions, one child, born in his
absence, died, and the mother, reduced by her suf
ferings and solitude, was only saved by the timely
arrival bf the husband and father with a sack of
flour he had carried, many weary miles, on his
back. He remained here but a short time, re
moving to Cleveland, which was laid out that same
fall. In the spring of 1798, Alexander Harper,
William McFarland and Ezra Gregory, with their
families, started from Harpersfield, Delaware Co.,
N. Y., and arrived the last of June, at their new
homes in the Far West. The whole population on
the Reserve then amounted to less than one hun
dred and fifty persons. These were at Cleveland,
Youngstown and at Mentor. During the summer,
three families came to Burton, and Judge Hudson
settled at Hudson. All these pioneers suffered
severely for food, and from the fever induced by
chills. It took several years to become accli
mated. Sometimes the entire neighborhood
would be down, and only one or two, who could
wait on the rest "between chills," were able to do
anything. Time and courage overcame, finally.
It was not until 1798, that a permanent settle
ment was made at the mouth of Conneaut Creek.
Those who came there in 1796 went on with their
surveys, part remaining in Cleveland, laid out that

summer. Judge Kingsbury could not remain at
Conneaut, and went nearer the settlements made
about the Cuyahoga. Inthespring of 1798, Thomas
Montgomery and Aaron Wright settled here and
remained. Up the stream they found some thirty
Indian cabins, or huts, in a good state of preserva
tion, which they occupied until they could erect
their own. Soon after, they were joined by others,
and, in a year or two, the settlement was permanent
and prosperous.
The site of the present town of Austinburg in
Ashtabula County was settled in the year 1799,
by two families from Connecticut, who were in
duced to come thither, by Judge Austin. The
Judge preceded them a short time, driving, in
company with a hired man, some cattle about one
hundred and fifty miles through the woods, follow
ing an old Indian trail, while the rest of the party
came in a boat across the lake. When they ar
rived, there were a few families at Harpersburg ;
one or two families at Windsor, twenty miles
southwest; also a few families at Elk Creek, forty
miles northeast, and at Vernon, the same distance
southeast. All these were in a destitute condition
for provisions. In 1800, another family moved
from Norfolk, Conn. In the spring of 1801, sev
eral families came from the same place. Part came
by land, and part by water. During that season,
wheat was carried to an old mill on Elk Creek,
forty miles away, and in some instances, half was
given for carrying it to mill and returning it in
flour. Wednesday, October 21, 1801, a church of six
teen members was constituted in Austinburg.
This was the first church on the Reserve, and was
founded by Rev. Joseph Badger, the first mission
ary there. It is a fact worthy of note, that in
1802, Mr. Badger moved his family from Buffalo
to this town, in the first wagon that ever came
from that place to the Reserve. In 1803, noted
revivals occurred in this part of the West, attended
by the peculiar bodily phenomenon known as the
" shakes " or "jerks."
The surveying party which landed at the mouth
of Conneaut Creek, July 4, 1796, soon completed
their labors in this part of the Reserve, and ex
tended them westward. By the first of September,
they had explored the lake coast as far west as the
outlet of the Cuyahoga* River, then considered
* Cuyahoga, in the Indian language, signifies "crooked." —
Howe's Collection*.
"The Indians called the river ' Cuyahoghan-uk,' 'Lake Kiver.1
It is, emphatically, a Lake river. It rises in lakes and empties into
a lake." — Atwater's HUtory of Ohio.

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110

HISTORY OF OHIO.

by all an important Western place, and one des
tined to be a great commercial mart. Time has
verified the prophecies, as now the city of Cleve
land covers the site.
As early as 1755, the mouth of the Cuyahoga
River was laid down on the maps, and the French
had a station here. It was also considered an im
portant post during the war of the Revolution,
and later, of 1812. The British, who, after the
Revolution, refused to abandon the lake country
west of the Cuyahoga, occupied its shores until
1790. Their traders had a house in Ohio City,
north of the Detroit road, on the point of the hill
near the river, when the surveyors arrived in
1796. Washington, Jefferson, and all statesmen
of that day, regarded the outlet of the Cuyahoga
as an important place, and hence the early at
tempt of the surveyors to reach and lay out a town
here. The corps of surveyors arrived early in Septem
ber, 1796, and at once proceeded to lay out a town.
It was named Cleveland, in honor of Gen. Moses
Cleveland, the Land Company's agent, and for
years a very prominent man in Connecticut, where
he lived and died. By the 18th of October, the
surveyors had completed the survey and left the
place, leaving only Job V. Stiles and family, and
Edward Paine, who were the only persons that
passed the succeeding winter in this place. Their
residence was a log cabin that stood on a spot of
ground long afterward occupied by the Commercial
Bank. Their nearest neighbors were at Conne
aut, where Judge Kingsbury lived; at Fort
Mcintosh, on the south or east, at the mouth of
Big Beaver, and at the mouth of the river Raisin,
on the west.
The next season, the surveying party came again
to Cleveland, which they made their headquarters.
Early in the spring, Judge Kingsbury came over
from Conneaut, bringing with him Elijah Gunn,
who had a short time before joined him. Soon
after, Maj. Lorenzo Carter and Ezekiel Hawley
came with their families. These were about all
who are known to have settled in this place that
summer. The next year, 1798, Rodolphus Ed
wards and Nathaniel Doane and their families set
tled in Cleveland. Mr. Doane had been ninety-
two days on his journey from Chatham, Conn. In
the latter part of the summer and fall, nearly every
person in the settlement was down with the bil
ious fever or with the ague. Mr. Doane's family
consisted of nine persons, of whom Seth, a lad six
teen years of age, was the only one able to care for

them. Such was the severity of the fever that
any one having only the ague was deemed quite
fortunate. Much suffering for proper food and
medicines followed. The only way the Doane
family was supplied for two months or mote was
through the exertions of this boy, who went daily,
after having had one attack of the chills, to Judge
Kingsbury's in Newburg — five miles away, where
the Judge now lived — got a peck of corn, mashed it
in a hand-mill, waited until a second attack of the
chills passed over, and then returned. At one time,
for several days, he was too ill to make the trip,
during which turnips comprised the chief article
of diet. Fortunately, Maj. Carter, having only
the ague, was enabled with his trusty rifle and dogs
to procure an abundance of venison and other wild
game, His family, being somewhat acclimated,
suffered less than many others. Their situation can
hardly now be realized. " Destitute of a physician,
and with few medicines, necessity taught them to
use such means as nature had placed within their
.reach. They substituted pills from the extract of
the bitternut bark for calomel, and dogwood and
cherry bark for quinine."
In November, four men, who had so far recov
ered as to have ague attacks no oftener than once
in two or three days, started in the only boat for
Walnut Creek, Penn., to obtain a winter's supply
of flour. When below Euclid Creek, a storm
drove them ashore, broke their boat, and compelled
their return. During the winter and summer fol
lowing, the settlers had no flour, except that
ground in hand and coffee mills, which was, how
ever, considered very good. Not all had even that.
During the summer, the Connecticut Land Com
pany opened the first road on the Reserve, which
commenced about ten miles south of the lake
shore, on the Pennsylvania State line, and extended
to Cleveland. In January, 1799, Mr. Doane
moved to Doane's Corners, leaving only Maj. Car
ter's family in Cleveland, all the rest leaving as
soon as they were well enough. For fifteen months,
the Major and his family were the only white per
sons left on the town site. During the spring,
Wheeler W. Williams and Maj. Wyatt built the
first grist-mill on the Reserve, on the site of New
burg. It was looked upon as a very valuable acces
sion to the neighborhood. Prior to this, each fam
ily had its own hand-mill in one of the corners of
the cabin. The old mill is thus described by a
pioneer :
" The stones were of the common grindstone
grit, about four inches thick, and twenty in diame-

r**

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

Ill

ter. The runner, or upper, was turned by hand,
by a pole set in the top of it, near the outer edge.
The upper end of the pole was inserted into a hole
in a board fastened above to the joists, immedi
ately over the hole in the verge of the runner.
One person fed the corn into the eye — a hole in
the center of the runner — while another turned.
It was very hard work to grind, and the operators
alternately exchanged places."
In 1800, several settlers came to the town and
a more active life was the result. From this time,
Cleveland began to progress. The 4th of July,
1801, the first ball in town was held at Major
Carter's log cabin, on the hill-side. John and
Benjamin Wood, and R. H. Blinn were managers ;
and Maj. Samuel Jones, musician and master of
ceremonies. The company numbered aboutthirty,
very evenly divided, for the times, between the
sexes. " Notwithstanding the dancers had a rough
puncheon floor, and no better beverage to enliven
their spirits than sweetened whisky, yet it is doubt
ful if the anniversary of American independence
was ever celebrated in Cleveland by a more joyful
and harmonious company than those who danced
the scamper-down, double-shuffle, western-swing
and half-moon, that day, in Maj. Carter's cabin."
The growth of the town, from this period on, re
mained prosperous. The usual visits of the Indi
ans were made, ending in their drunken carousals
and fights. Deer and other wild animals furnished
abundant meat. The settlement was constantly
augmented by new arrivals, so that, by 1814, Cleve
land was incorporated as a town, and, in 1836, as
a city. Its harbor is one of the best on the lakes,
and hence the merchandise of the lakes has always
been attracted thither. Like Cincinnati and Chil
lieothe, it became the nucleus of settlements in tbis
part of the State, and now is the largest city in
Northern Ohio.
One of the earliest settlements made in the
Western Reserve, and by some claimed as the first
therein, was made on the site of Youngstown, Ma
honing County, by a Mr. Young, afterward a Judge,
in the summer of 1796. During this summer,
before the settlements at Cuyahoga and Conneaut
were made, Mr. Young and Mr.'Wilcott, proprie
tors of a township of land in Northeastern Ohio,
came to their possessions and began the survey of
their land. Just when they came is not known.
They were found here by Col. James Hillman,
then a trader in the employ of Duncan & Wilson,
of Pittsburgh, " who had been forwarding goods
across the country by pack-saddle horses since

1786, to the mouth of the Cuyahoga, thence to be
shipped on the schooner Mackinaw to Detroit.
Col. Hillman generally had charge of all these
caravans, consisting sometimes of ninety horses
and ten men. They commonly crossed the Big
Beaver four miles below the mouth of the She-
nango, thence up the left bank of the Mahoning —
called by the Indians " Mahoni" or " Mahonick"
signifying the "lick" or " at the lick" — crossing
it about three miles below the site of Youngstown,
thence by way of the Salt Springs, over the sites
of Milton and Ravenna, crossing the Cuyahoga at
the mouth of Breakneck and again at the mouth
of Tinker's Creek, thence down the river to its
mouth, where they had a log hut in which to
store their goods. This hut was there when the
surveyors came, but at the time unoccupied. At
the mouth of Tinker's Creek were a few log huts
built by Moravian Missionaries. These were used
only one year, as the Indians had gone to the Tus
carawas River. These and three or four cabins at
the Salt Springs were the only buildings erected
by the whites prior to 1796, in Northeastern Ohio.
Those at the Salt Springs were built at an early
day for the accommodation of whites who came
from Western Pennsylvania to make salt. The
tenants were dispossessed in 1785 by Gen. Harmar.
A short time after, one or two white men were
killed by thg Indians here. In 1788, Col. Hill
man settled at Beavertown, where Duncan &
Wilson had a store for the purpose of trading
with the Indians. He went back to Pittsburgh
soon after, however, owing to the Indian war, and
remained there till its close, continuing in his busi
ness whenever opportunity offered. In 1796,
when returning from one of his trading expeditions
alone in his canoe down the Mahoning River, he
discovered a smoke 'on the bank near the present
town of Youngstown, and on going to the spot
found Mr. Young and Mr. Wolcott, as before men
tioned. A part of Col. Hillman's cargo consisted
of whisky, a gallon or so of which he still had.
The price of " fire-water " then was $1 per quart
in the currency of the country, a deerskin being
legal tender for $1, and a doeskin for 50 cents.
Mr. Young proposed purchasing a quart, and
having a frolic on its contents during the even
ing, and insisted on paying Hillman his cus
tomary price. Hillman urged that inasmuch as
they were strangers in the country, civility re
quired him to furnish the means for the entertain
ment. Young, however, insisted, and taking the
deerskin used for his bed — the only one he had —

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112

HISTORY OF OHIO.

paid for his quart of whisky, and an evening's
frolic was the result.
" Hillman remained a few days, when they ac
companied him to Beaver Town to celebrate the
4th, and then all returned, and Hillman erected a
cabin on the site of Youngstown. It is not cer
tain that they remained here at this time, and
hence the priority of actual settlement is generally
conceded to Conneaut and Cleveland. The next
year, in the fall, a Mr. Brown and one other per
son came to the banks of the Mahoning and made
a permanent settlement. The same season Uriah
Holmes and Titus Hayes came to the same locality,
and before winter quite a settlement was to be seen
here. It proceeded quite prosperously until the
wanton murder of two Indians occurred, which,
for a time, greatly excited the whites, lest the In
dians should retaliate. Through the efforts of
Col. Hillman, who had great influence with the
natives, they agreed to let the murderers stand a
trial. They were acquitted upon some technicality.
The trial, however, pacified the Indians, and no
trouble came from the unwarranted and unfortu
nate circumstance, and no check in the emigration
or prosperity of the colony occurred."*
As soon as an effective settlement had been es
tablished at Youngstown, others were made in the
surrounding country. One of these was begun by
William Fenton in 1798, on the site'bf the pres
ent town of Warren, in Trumbull County. He
remained here alone one year, when he was joined
by Capt. Ephraim Quimby. By the last of Sep
tember, the next year, the colony had increased to
sixteen, and from that date on continued prosper
ously. Once or twice they stood in fear of the
Indians, as the result of quarrels induced by
whisky. Sagacious persons generally saved any
serious outbreak and pacified the natives. Mr.
Badger, the first missionary on the Reserve, came
to the settlement here and on the Mahoning, as
soon as each was made, and, by his earnest labors,
succeeded in forming churches and schools at an
early day. He was one of the most efficient men
on the Reserve, and throughout his long and busy
life, was well known and greatly respected. He
died in 1846, aged eighty-nine years.
The settlements given are about all that were
made before the close of 1797. In following the
narrative of these settlements, attention is paid to
the chronological order, as far as this can be done.
Like those settlements already made, many which
* Recollections of Col. Hillman.— Howe's Annalt.

are given as occurring in the next year, 1798
were actually begun earlier, but were only tem
porary preparations, and were not considered as
made until the next year.
Turning again to the southern portion of Ohio
the Scioto, Muskingum and Miami Valleys come
prominently into notice. Throughout the entire
Eastern States they were still attracting attention
and an increased emigration, busily occupying their
verdant fields, was the result. All about Chilli
eothe was now well settled, and, up the banks of
that stream, prospectors were selecting sites for
their future homes.
In 1797, Robert Armstrong, George Skidmore,
Lucas Sullivant, William Domigan, James Mar
shall, John Dill, Jacob Grubb, Jacob Overdier,
Arthur O'Hara, John Brickell, Col. Culbertson,
the Deardorfs, McElvains, Selles and others, came
to what is now Franklin County, and, in August,
Mr. Sullivant and some others laid out the town of
Franklinton, on the west bank of the Scioto, oppo
site the site of Columbus. The country about this
locality had long been the residence of the Wyan
dots, who had a large town on the city's site, and
cultivated extensive fields of corn on the river bot
toms. The locality had been visited by the whites
as early as 1780, in some of their expeditions, and
the fertility of the land noticed. As soon as peace
was assured, the whites came and began a settle
ment, as has been noted. Soon after Franklinton
was established, a Mr. Springer and his son-in-law,
Osborn, settled on the Big Darby, and, in the sum
mer of 1798, a scattering settlement was made on
Alum Creek. About the same time settlers came
to the mouth of the Gahannah, and along other
water-courses. Franklinton was the point to which
emigrants came, and from which they always made
their permanent location. For several years there
was no mill, nor any such commodity, nearer than
Chillieothe. A hand-mill was constructed in
Franklinton, which was commonly used, unless the
settlers made a trip te Chillieothe in a canoe.
Next, a horse-mill was tried ; but not till 1805,
when Col. Kilbourne built a mill at Worthington,
settled in 1803, could any efficient grinding be
done. In 1789, a small store was openedin Frank
linton, by James Scott, but, for seven or eight
years, Chillieothe was the nearest post office.
Often, when the neighbors wanted mail, one of
their number was furnished money to pay the
postage on any letters that might be waiting, and
sent for the mail. At first, as in all new localities,
a great deal of sickness, fever and ague, prevailed.

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

113

As the people became acclimated, this, however,
disappeared. The township of Sharon in this county has a
history similar to that of Granville Township in
Licking County. It was settled by a " Scioto
Company," formed in Granby, Conn., in the winter
of 1801-02, consisting at first of eight associates.
They drew up articles of association, among which
was one limiting their number to forty, each of
whom must be unanimously chosen by ballot, a
single negative beingsufficienttopreventan election.
Col. James Kilbourne was sent out the succeeding
spring to explore the country and select and pur
chase a township for settlement. He returned in
the fall without making any purchase, through
fear that the State Constitution, then about to be
formed, would tolerate slavery, in which case the
project would have been abandoned. While on
this visit, Col. Kilbourne compiled from a variety
of sources the first map made of Ohio. Although
much of it was conjectured, and hence inaccurate,
it was very valuable, being correct as far as the
State was then known.
"As soon as information was received that the
constitution of Ohio prohibited slavery, Col. Kil
bourne purchased the township he had previously
selected, within the United States military land
district, and, in the spring of 1803, returned to
Ohio, and began improvements. By the succeed
ing December, one hundred settlers, mainly from
Hartford County, Conn., and Hampshire County,
Mass., arrived at their new home. Obeying to the
letter the agreement made in the East, the first
cabin erected was used for a schoolhouse and a
church of the Protestant Episcopal denomination ;
the first Sabbath after the arrival of the colony,
divine service was held therein, and on the arrival
of the eleventh family a school was opened. This
early attention to education and religion has left
its favorable impress upon the people until this day.
The first 4th of July was uniquely and appropri
ately celebrated. Seventeen gigantic trees, em
blematical of the seventeen States forming the
Union, were cut, so that a few blows of the ax, at
sunrise on the 4th, prostrated each successively
with a tremendous crash, forming a national salute
novel in the world's history."*
The growth of this part of Ohio continued
without interruption until the establishment of the
State capital at Columbus, in 1816. The town was
laid out in 1812, but, as that date is considered re-
*Howe's Collections.

mote in the early American settlements, its history
will be left to succeeding pages, and there traced
when the history of the State capital and State
government is given.
The site of Zanesville, in Muskingum County,
was early looked upon as an excellent place to form
a settlement, and, had not hostilities opened in
1791, with the Indians, the place would have been
one of the earliest settled in Ohio. As it was, the
war so disarranged matters, that it was not till
1797 that a permanent settlement was effected.
The Muskingum country was principally occu
pied, in aboriginal times, by the Wyandots, Dela
wares, and a few Senecas and Shawanees. An In
dian town once stood, years before the settlement
of the country, in the vicinity of Duncan's Falls,
in Muskingum County, from which circumstance
the place is often called " Old Town." Near Dres
den, was a large Shawanee town, called Wakato-
maca. The graveyard was quite large, and, when
the whites first settled here, remains of the town
were abundant. It was in this vicinity that the
venerable Maj. Cass, father of Lewis Cass, lived
and died. He owned 4,000 acres, given him for
his military services.
The first settlers on the site of Zanesville were
William McCulloh and Henry Crooks. The lo
cality was given to Ebenezer Zane, who had been
allowed three sections of land on the Scioto, Mus
kingum and Hockhocking, wherever the road
crossed these rivers, provided other prior claims
did not interfere, for opening " Zane's trace."
When he located the road across the Muskingum,
he selected the place where Zanesville now stands,
being attracted there by the excellent water privi
leges. He gave the section of land here to his
brother Jonathan Zane, and J. Mclntire, who
leased the ferry, established on the road over the
Muskingum, to William McCulloh and Henry
Crooks, who became thereby the first settlers. The
ferry was kept about where the old upper bridge
was afterward placed. The ferry-boat was made
by fastening two canoes together with a stick.
Soon after a flat>boat was used. It was brought
from Wheeling, by Mr. Mclntire, in 1797, the
year after the ferry was established. The road cut
out through Ohio, ran from Wheeling, Va., to
Maysville, Ky. Over this road the mail was car
ried, and, in 1798, the first mail ever carried
wholly in Ohio was brought up from Marietta to
McCulloh's cabin by Daniel Couvers, where, by
arrangement of the Postmaster General, it met
a mail from Wheeling and one from Maysville.

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114

HISTORY OF OHIO.

McCulloh, who could hardly read, was authorized
to assort the mails and send each package in its
proper direction. For this service he received
$30 per annum ; but owing to his inability to read
well, Mr. Convers generally performed the duty.
At that time, the mails met here once a week.
Four years after, the settlement had so increased
that a regular post office was opened, and Thomas
Dowden appointed Postmaster. He kept his office
in a wooden building near the river bank.
Messrs. Zane and Mclntire laid out a town in
1799, which they called Westbourn. When the
post office was established, it was named Zanesville,
and in a short time the village took the same name.
A few families settled on the west side of the river,
soon after McCulloh arrived, and as this locality
grew well, not long after a store and tavern was
opened here. Mr. Mclntire built a double log
cabin, which was used as a hotel, and in which
Louis Philippe, King of France, was once enter
tained. Although the fare and accommodations
were of the pioneer period, the honorable guest seems
to have enjoyed his visit, if the statements of Lewis
Cass in his " Camp and Court of Louis Philippe"
may be believed.
In 1804, Muskingum County was formed by the
Legislature, and, for a while, strenuous efforts made
to secure the State capital by the citizens of Zanes
ville. They even erected buildings for the use of
the Legislature and Governor, and during the ses
sion of 1810-11, the temporary seat of govern
ment was fixed here. When the permanent State
capital was chosen in 1816, Zanesville was passed
by, and gave up the hope. It is now one of the
most enterprising towns in the Muskingum Valley.
During the summer of 1797, John Knoop, then
living four miles above Cincinnati, made several
expeditions up the Miami Valley and selected the
land on which he afterward located. The next
spring Mr. Knoop, his brother Benjamin, Henry
Garard, Benjamin Hamlet and John Tildus estab
lished a station in what is now Miami County, near
the present town of Staunton Village. That sum
mer, Mrs. Knoop planted the first apple-tree in
the Miami* country. They all lived together for
greater safety for two years, during which time
they were occupied clearing their farms and erect
ing dwellings. During the summer, the site of
Piqua was settled, and three young men located at a
place known as " Freeman's Prairie." Those who
* The word Miami in the Indian tongue signified mother. The
Miamis were the original owners of the valley by that name, and
affirmed they were created there.

settled at Piqua were Samuel Hilliard , Job Garard,
Shadrac Hudson, Jonah Rollins, Daniel Cox,
Thomas Rich, and a Mr. Hunter. The last named
came to the site of Piqua first in 1797, and
selected his home. Until 1799, these named were
the only ones in this locality ; but that year emi
gration set in, and very shortly occupied almost all
the bottom land in Miami County. With the
increase of emigration, came the comforts of life,
and mills, stores and other necessary aids to civil
ization, were ere long to be seen.
The site of Piqua is quite historic, being the
theater of many important Indian occurrences,
and the old home of the Shawanees, of which
tribe Tecumseh was a chief. During the Indian
war, a fort called Fort Piqua was built, near the
residence of Col. John Johnston, so long the faith
ful Indian Agent. The fort was abandoned at the
close of hostilities.
When the Miami Canal was opened through this
part of the State, the country began rapidly to
improve, and is now probably one of the best por
tions of Ohio.
About the same time the Miami was settled, a
company of people from Pennsylvania and Vir
ginia, who were principally of German and Irish
descent, located in Lawrence County, near the iron
region. As soon as that ore was made available,
that part of the State rapidly filled with settlers,
most of whom engaged in the mining and working
of iron ore. Now it is very prosperous.
Another settlement was made the same season,
1797, on the Ohio side of the river, in Columbiana
County. The settlement progressed slowly for a
while, owing to a few difficulties with the Indians.
The celebrated Adam Poe had been here as early
as 1782, and several localities are made locally
famous by his and his- brother's adventures.
In this county, on Little Beaver Creek, near its
mouth, the second paper-mill west of the Alle-
ghanies was erected in 1805-6. It was the pioneer
enterprise of the kind in Ohio, and was named the
Ohio Paper-Mill. Its proprietors were John
Bever and John Coulter, i
One of the most noted localities in the State is
comprised in Greene County. The Shawanee
town, " Old Chillieothe," was on the Little Miami,
in this county, about three miles north of the site
of Xenia. This old Indian town was, in the an
nals of the West, a noted place, and is frequently
noticed. It is first mentioned in 1773, by Capt.
Thomas Bullitt, of Virginia, who boldly advanced
alone into the town and obtained the consent of

V

HISTORY OF OHIO.

115

*7\

the Indians to go on to Kentucky and make his
settlement at the falls of the Ohio. His audacious
bravery gained his request. Daniel Boone was
taken prisoner early in 1778, with twenty-seven
others, and kept for a time at Old Chillieothe.
Through the influence of the British Governor,
Hamilton, who had taken a great fancy to Boone,
he and ten others were sent to Detroit. The In
dians, however, had an equal fancy for the brave
frontiersman, and took him back to Chillieothe,
and adopted him into their tribe. About the 1st
of June he escaped from them, and made his way
back to Kentucky, in time to prevent a universal
massacre of the whites. In July, 1779, the town
was destroyed by Col. John Bowman and one
hundred and sixty Kentuekians, and the Indians
dispersed. The Americans made a permanent settlement in
this county in 1797 or 1798. This latter year, a
mill was erected in the confines of the county,
which implies the settlement was made a short
time previously. A short distance east of the
mill two block-houses were erected, and it was in
tended, should it become necessary, to surround
them and the mill with pickets. The mill was
used by the settlers at " Dutch Station," in Miami
County, fully thirty miles distant. The richness
of the country in this part of the State attracted a
great number of settlers, so that by 1803 the
county was established, and Xenialaid out, and des
ignated as the county seat. Its first court house,
a primitive log structure, was long preserved as a
curiosity. It would indeed be a curiosity now.
Zane's trace, passing from Wheeling to Mays
ville, crossed the Hockhoeking* River, in Fairfield
County, where Lancaster is now built. Mr. Zane
located one of his three sections on this river,
covering the site of Lancaster. Following this
trace in 1797, many individuals noted the desira
bleness of the locality, some of whom determined
to return and settle. " The site of the city had
in former times been the home of the Wyandots,
who had a town here, that, in 1790, contained
over 500 wigwams and more than 1 ,000 souls.
Their town was called Tarhee, or, in English, the
Crane-town, and derived its name from the princi-
*ThewordHock-hock-ingin the Delaware language signifies
a bottle: the Shawanees have it Wea-tha-kagh-gua sepe, ic ; bottle
river. John White in the American Pioneer says: "About seven
miles northwest of Lancaster, there is a fall in the Hockhoeking of
about twenty feet. Above the fall for a short distance, the creek
is very narrow and straight forming a neck, while at the falls it
suddenly widens on each side and swells into the appearance of the
body of a bottle. The whole, when seen from above, appears exactly
in the shape of a bottle, and from this fact the Indians called the
river Hock-hock-ing.*' — Howe's Collection*.

pal chief of that tribe. Another portion of the
tribe then lived at Toby-town, nine miles west of
Tarhe-town (now Royaltown), and was governed
by an inferior chief called Toby. The chief's wig
wam in Tarhe stood on the bank of the prairie,
near a beautiful and abundant spring of water,
whose outlet was the river. The wigwams of the
Indians were built of the bark of trees, set on
poles, in the form of a sugar-camp, with one square
open, fronting a fire, and about, the height of a
man. The Wyandot tribe that day numbered
about 500 warriors. By the treaty of Greenville,
they ceded all their territory, and the majority, un
der their chief, removed to Upper Sandusky. The
remainder lingered awhile, loath to leave the home
of their ancestors, but as game became scarce, they,
too, left for better hunting-grounds."*
In April, 1798, Capt. Joseph Hunter, a bold,
enterprising man. settled on Zane's trace, on the
bank of the prairie, west of the crossings, at a
place since known as "Hunter's settlement." For
a time, he had no neighbors nearer than the set
tlers on the Muskingum and Scioto Rivers. He
lived to see the country he had found a wilderness,
full of the homes of industry. His wife was the
first white woman that settled in the valley, and
shared with him all the privations of a pioneer
life. Mr. Hunter had not been long in the valley till
he was joined by Nathaniel Wilson, John and Al
len Green, John and Joseph McMullen, Robert
Cooper, Isaac Shaefer, and a few others, who
erected cabins and planted corn. The next year,
the tide of emigration came in with great force.
In the spring, two settlements were made in Green
field Township, each settlement containing twenty
or more families. One was called the Forks of
the Hockhoeking, the other, Yankeetown. Set
tlements were also made along the river below
Hunter's, on Rush Creek, Raccoon and Indian
Creeks, Pleasant Run, Felter'sRun, at Tobeytown,
Muddy Prairie, and on Clear Creek. In the fall,
— 1799 — Joseph Loveland and Hezekiah Smith
built a log grist-mill at the Upper Falls of the
Hockhoeking, afterward known as Rock Mill.
This was the first mill on this river. In the latter
part of the year, a mail route was established over
the trace. The mail was carried through on horse
back, and, in the settlements in this locality, was
left at the cabin of Samuel Coates, who lived on
the prairie at the crossings of the river.
?Lecture of George Sanderson. — Howe's Collections.

•£,

116

HISTORY OF OHIO.

In the fall of the next year, Ebenezer Zane laid
out Lancaster, which, until 1805, was known as
New Lancaster. The lots sold very rapidly, at
$50 each, and, in less than one year, quite a vil
lage appeared. December 9, the Governor and
Judges of the Northwest Territory organized
Fairfield County, and made Lancaster the county
seat. The year following, the Rev. John Wright,
a minister of the Presbyterian Church, came, and
from that time on schools and churches were estab
lished and thereafter regularly maintained at this
place. Not far from Lancaster are immense mural es
carpments of sandstone formation. They were
noted among the aborigines, and were, probably,
used by them as places of outlook and defense.
The same summer Fairfield County was settled,
the towns of Bethel and Williamsburg, in Cler
mont County, were settled and laid out, and in
1800, the county was erected.
A settlement was also made immediately south
of Fairfield County, in Hocking County, by Chris
tian Westenhaver, a German, from near Hagers-
town, Md. He came in the spring of 1798, and
was soon joined by several families j who formed
quite a settlement. The territory included in the
county remained a part of Rosi, .Athens and
Fairfield, until 1818, when Hocking County was
erected, and Logan, which had been laid out in
1816, was made the county seat.
The country comprised in the county is rather
broken, especially along the Hockhoeking River.
This broken country was a favorite resort of the
Wyandot Indians, who could easily hide in the
numerous grottoes and ravines made by the river
and its affluents as the water cut its way through
the sandstone rocks.
In 1798, soon after Zane's trace was cut through
the country, a Mr. Graham located on the site of
Cambridge, in Guernsey County. His was then
the only dwelling between Wheeling and Zanes
ville, on the trace. He remained here alone about
two years, when he was succeeded by George Bey-
mer, from Somerset, Penn. Both these persons
kept a tavern and ferry over Will's Creek. In
April, 1803, Mr. Beymer was succeeded by John
Beatty, who came from Loudon, Va. His family
consisted of eleven persons. The Indians hunted
in this vicinity, and were frequent visitors at the
tavern. In June, 1806, Cambridge was laid out,
and on the day the lots were offered for sale, sev
eral families from the British Isle of Guernsey,
near the coast of France, stopped here on their

way to the West. They were satisfied with the
location and purchased many of the lots, and some
land in the vicinity. They were soon followed by
other families from the same place, all of whom
settling in this locality gave the name to the county
when it was erected in 1810.
A settlement was made in the central part of the
State, on Darby Creek, in Union County, in the
summer of 1798, by James and Joshua Ewing.
The next year, they were joined by Samuel and
David Mitchell, Samuel Mitchell, Jr., Samuel
Kirkpatrick and Samuel McCullough,and, in 1800,
by George and Samuel Reed, Robert Snodgrass
and Paul Hodgson.
"James E wing's farm was the site of an an
cient and noted Mingo town, which was deserted
at the time the Mingo towns, in what is now Logan
County, were destroyed by Gen. Logan, of Ken
tucky, in 1786. When Mr. Ewing took posses
sion of his farm, the cabins were still standing,
and, among others, the remains of a blacksmith's
shop, with coal, cinders, iron-dross, etc. Jonathan
Alder, formerly a prisoner among the Indians,
says the shop was carried on by a renegade white
man, named Butler, who" lived among the Mingoes.
Extensive fields had formerly been cultivated in
the vicinity of the town."*
Soon after the -settlement was established, Col.
James Curry located here. He was quite an influ
ential man, and, in 1820, succeeded in getting the
county formed from portions of Delaware, Frank
lin, Madison and Logan, and a part of the old In
dian Territory. Marysville was made the county
seat. :
During the year 1789, a fort, called Fort Steu
ben, was built on the site of Steubenville, but
was dismantled at the conclusion of hostilities in
1795. Three years after, Bezaleel Wells and Hon.
James Ross, for whom Ross County was named,
located the town of Steubenville about the old
fort, and, by liberal offers of lots, soon attracted
quite a number of settlers. In 1805, the town
was incorporated, and then had a population of
several hundred persons. Jefferson County was
created by Gov. St. Clair, July 29, 1797, the year
before Steubenville was laid out. It then included
the large scope of country west of Pennsylvania ;
east and north of a line from the mouth of the
Cuyahoga ; southwardly to the Muskingum, and
east to the Ohio ; including, in its territories, the
cities of Cleveland, Canton, Steubenville and War-
* Howe's Collections.

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

119

rcn. Only a short time, however, was it allowed
to retain this size, as the increase in emigration
rendered it necessary to erect new counties, which
was rapidly done, especially on the adoption c"the
State government.
The county is rich in early history, prior to its
settlement by the Americans. It was the home of
the celebrated Mingo chief, Logan, who resid jd
awhile at an old Mingo town, a few miles below t le
site of Steubenville, the place where the troo >s
under Col. Williamson rendezvoused on their i i-
famous raid against the Moravian Indians ; ar d
also where Col. Crawford and his men met, whf n
starting on their unfortunate expedition.
In the Reserve, settlements were often made
remote from populous localities, in accordance with
the wish of a proprietor, who might own a tract of
country twenty or thirty miles in the interior. In
thepresentcounty of Geauga, three families located
at Burton in 1798. They lived at a considerable
distance from any other settlement for some time,
and were greatly inconvenienced for the want of
mills or shops. As time progressed, however,
these were brought nearer, or built in their midst,
and, ere long, almost all parts of the Reserve could
show some settlement, even if isolated.
The next year, 1799, settlements were made at
Ravenna, Deerfield and Palmyra, in Portage
County. Hon. Benjamin Tappan came to the site
of Ravenna in June, at which time he found one
white man, a Mr. Honey,living there. At this date,
a solitary log cabin occupied the sites of Buffalo and
Cleveland. On his journey from New England,
Mr. Tappan fell in with David Hudson, the founder
of the Hudson settlement in Summit County.
After many days of travel, they landed at a prairie in
Summit County. Mr. Tappan left his goods in a
cabin, built for the purpose, under the care of a hired
man, and went on his way, cutting a road to the
site of Ravenna, where his land lay. On his return
for a second load of goods, they found the cabin
deserted, and evidences of its plunder by the In
dians. Not long after, it was learned that the man
left in charge had gone to Mr. Hudson's settle
ment, he having set out immediately on his arrival,
for his own land. Mr. Tappan gathered the re
mainder of his goods, and started back for Ravenna.
On his way one of his oxen died, and he found
himself in a vast forest, away from any habitation,
and with one dollar in money. He did not falter
a moment, but sent his hired man, a faithful fellow,
to Erie, Penn., a distance of one hundred miles
through the wilderness, with the compass for his

guide, requesting from Capt. Lyman, the com
mander at the fort there, a loan of money. At
the same time, he followed the township lines te
Youngstown, where he became acquainted with
Col. James Hillman, who did not hesitate to sell
him an ox on credit, at a fair price. He returned
to his load in a few days, found his ox all right,
hitched the two together and went on. He was
soon joined by his hired man, with the money, and
together they spent the winter in a log cabin. He
gave his man one hundred acres of land as a reward,
and paid Col. Hillman for the ox. In a year or
two he had a prosperous settlement, and when the
county was erected in 1807, Ravenna was made
the seat of justice.
About the same time Mr. Tappan began his
settlement, others were commenced in other locali
ties in this county. Early in May, 1799, Lewis
Day and his son Horatio, of Granby, Conn., and
Moses Tibbals and Green Frost, of GranviUe,
Mass., left their homes in a one-horse wagon, and,
the 29th of May, arrived in what is now Deerfield
Township. Theirs was the first wagon that had
ever penetrated farther westward in this region
than Canfield. The country west of that place
had been an unbroken wilderness until within a
few days. Capt. Caleb Atwater, of Wallingford,
Conn., had hired some men to open a road to
Township No. 1, in the Seventh Range, of which
he was the owner. This road passed through
Deerfield, and was completed to that place when
the party arrived at the point of .their destination.
These emigrants selected sites, and commenced
clearing the land. In July, Lewis Ely arrived
from Granville, and wintered here, while those
who came first, and had made their improvements,
returned East. The 4th of March, 1800, Alva
Day (son of Lewis Day), John Campbell and
Joel Thrall arrived. In April, George and Rob
ert Taylor and James Laughlin, from Pennsylvania,
with their families, came. Mr. Laughlin built a
grist-mill, which was of great convenience to the
settlers. July 29, Lewis Day returned with
his family and his brother-in-law, Maj. Rogers,
who, the next year, also brought his family.
"Much suffering was experienced at first on
account of the scarcity of provisions. They were
chiefly supplied from the settlements east of the
Ohio River, the nearest of which was Georgetown,
forty miles away. The provisions were brought
on pack-horses through the wilderness. August
22, Mrs. Alva Day gave birth to a child — a fe
male — the first child born in the township.

:**

it.

120

HISTORY OF OHIO.

November 7, the first wedding took place. John
Campbell and Sarah Ely were joined in wedlock
by Calvin Austin, Esq., of Warren. He was
accompanied from Warren, a distance of twenty-
seven miles, by Mr. Pease, then a lawyer, after
ward a well-known Judge. They came on foot,
there being no road; and, as they threaded their
way through the woods, young Pease taught the
Justice the marriage ceremony by oft repetition.
" In 1802, Franklin Township was organized, em
bracing all of Portage and parts of Trumbull and
Summit Counties. About this time the settlement
received accessions from all parts of the East. In
February, 1801, Rev. Badger came and began his
labors, and two years later Dr. Shadrac Bostwick
organized a Methodist Episcopal church.* The
remaining settlement in this county, Palmyra, was
begun about the same time as the others, by David
Daniels, from Salisbury, Conn. The next year he
brought out his family. Soon after he was joined
by E. N. and W. Bacon, E. Cutler, A. Thurber,
A. Preston, N. Bois, J. T. Baldwin, T. and C.
Gilbert, D. A. and S. Waller, N. Smith, Joseph
Fisher, J. Tuttle and others.
" When this region was first settled, there was
an Indian trail commencing at Fort Mcintosh
(Beaver, Penn.), and extending westward to San
dusky and Detroit. The trail followed the highest
ground. Along the trail, parties of Indians were
frequently seen passing, for several years after the
whites came. It seemed to be the great aboriginal
thoroughfare from Sandusky to the Ohio River.
There were several large piles of stones on the
trail in this locality, under which human skeletons
have been discovered. These are supposed to be
the remains of Indians slain in war, or murdered
by their enemies, as tradition says it is an Indian
custom for each one to cast a stone on the grave
of an enemy, whenever he passes by. These stones
appear to have been picked up along the trail, and
cast upon the heaps at different times.
"At the point where this trail crosses Silver
Creek, Fredrick Daniels and others, in 1814, dis
covered, painted on several trees, various devices,
evidently the work of Indians. The bark was
carefully shaved off two-thirds of the way around,
and figures cut upon the wood. On one of these
was delineated seven Indians, equipped in a par
ticular manner, one of whom was without a head.
This was supposed to have been made by a party
on their return westward, to give intelligence to

* Howe's Collections.

their friends behind, of the loss of one of their
party at this place ; and, on making search, a hu
man skeleton was discovered near by." *
The celebrated Indian hunter, Brady, made his
remarkable leap across the Cuyahoga, in this
county. The county also contains Brady's Pond,
a large sheet of water, in which he once made his
escape from the Indians, from which circumstance
it received its name.
The locality comprised in Clark County was
settled the same summer as those in Summit County.
John Humphries came to this part of the State
with Gen. Simon Kenton, in 1799. With them
came six families from Kentucky, who settled
north of the site of Springfield. A fort was
erected on Mad River, for security against the In
dians. Fourteen cabins were soon built near it,
all being surrounded by a strong picket fence.
David Lowery, one of the pioneers here, built the
first flat-boat, to operate on the Great Miami, and,
in 1800, made the first trip on that river, coming
down from Dayton. He took his boat and cargo
on down to New Orleans, where he disposed of his
load of " five hundred venison hams and bacon."
Springfield was Taid out in March, 1801. Griffith
Foos, who came that spring, built a tavern, which
he completed and opened in June, remaining in
this place till 1814. He often stated that when
emigrating West, his party were four days and a
half getting from Franklinton, on the Scioto, to
Springfield, a distance of forty-two miles. When
crossing the Big Darby, they were obliged to carry
all their goods over on horseback, and then drag
their wagons across with ropes, while some of the
party swam by the side of the wagon, to prevent
its upsetting. The site of the town was of such
practical beauty and utility, that it soon attracted
a large number of settlers, and, in a few years,
Springfield was incorporated. In 1811, a church
was built by the residents for the use of all denom
inations. Clark County is made famous in aboriginal
history, as the birthplace and childhood home of
the noted Indian, Tecumseh.f He was born in
?Howe's Collections.
•j-Tecumseh, or Tecumshe, was a son of Puckeshinwa, a member
of the Kiscopoke tribe, and Hethoataske, of the Turtle tribe of the
Sbawanee nation. They removed from Florida to Ohio soon after
their marriage. The father, Puckeshinwa, rose to the rank of a chief,
and fell at the battle of Point Pleasant, in 1774. After his deatb,
the mother, Methoata-ke, returned to the south, where she died at
an advanced age. Tecum" eh was born about the year 1768. He
early Bhowed a passion for war, and, when only 27 years of age, was
made a chief. The next year be removed to Beer Creek, in the
vicinity of Urbana, and from there to the site of Piqua, on the
Great Miami. In 1798 he accepted the invitation of the Delawares
in the vicinity of White Biver, Indiana, and from that time made

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

121

the old Indian town of Piqua, the ancient Piqua
of the Shawanees, on the north side of Mad River,
about five miles west of Springfield. The town
was destroyed by the Kentucky Rangers under
Gen. George Rogers Clarke in 1780, at the same
time he destroyed " Old Chilhcothe." Immense
fields of standing corn about both towns were cut
down, compelling the Indians to resort to the hunt
with more than ordinary vigor, to sustain them
selves and their wives and children. This search
insured safety for some time on the borders. The
site of Cadiz, in Harrison County, was settled in
April, 1799, by Alexander Henderson and his
family, from Washington County, Penn. When
they arrived, they found neighbors in the persons
of Daniel Peterson and his family, who lived near
the forks of Short Creek, and who had preceded
them but a very short time. The next year, emi
grants began to cross the Ohio in great numbers,
and in five or six years large settlements could be
seen in this part of the State. The county was
erected in 1814, and Cadiz, laid out in 1803, made
the county seat.
While the settlers were locating in and about
Cadiz, a few families came to what is now Monroe
County, and settled near the present town of
Beallsville. Shortly after, a few persons settled on
the Clear Fork of the Little Muskingum, and a
few others on the east fork of Duck Creek. The

next season all these settlements received addi
tions and a few other localities were also occupied.
Before long the town of Beallsville was laid
out, and in time became quite populous. The
county was not erected until 1813, and in 1815
Woodsfield was laid out and made the seat of
justice. The opening of the season of 1800 — the dawn
of a new century — saw a vast emigration west
ward. Old settlements in Ohio received immense
increase of emigrants, while, branching out in all
directions like the radii of a circle, other settle
ments were constantly formed until, in a few years,
all parts of the State knew the presence of the
white man.
Towns sprang into existence here and there;
mills and factories were erected; post offices and
post-routes were established, and the comforts and
conveniences of life began to appear.
With this came the desire, so potent to the mind
of all American citizens, to rule themselves through
representatives chosen by their own votes. Hith
erto, they had been ruled by a Governor and Judges
appointed by the President, who, in turn, appointed
county and judicial officers. The arbitrary rulings
of the Governor, St. Clair, had arrayed the mass
of the people against him, and made the desire for
the second grade of government stronger, and
finally led to its creation.

CHAPTER X.

FORMATION OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT— OHIO A STATE — THE STATE CAPITALS— LEGIS
LATION— THE "SWEEPING RESOLUTIONS "—TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNORS.
SETTLEMENTS increased so rapidly in that
part of the Northwest Territory included in
Ohio, during the decade from 1788 to 1798,
despite the Indian war, that the demand for an
election of a Territorial Assembly could not be
ignored by Gov. St. Clair, who, having ascertained
that 5,000 free males resided within the limits of
the Territory, issued his proclamation October 29,
1798, directing the electors to elect representatives
to a General Assembly. He ordered the election
his home with them. He was most active in the war of 1812
against the Americans, and from the time he began his work to
unite the tribes, his history is so closely identified therewith that
the reader is referred to the history of that war in succeeding pages.
It may not be amiss to sav that aU stories regarding the manner
of his death are considered erroneous. He was undoubtedly killed
in the outset of the battle of the Thames in Canada in 1814, and his
body secretly buried by the Indians.

to be held on the third Monday in December, and
directed the representatives to meet in Cincinnati
January 22, 1799.
On the day designated, the representatives *
assembled at Cincinnati, nominated ten persons,
whose names were sent to the President, who
selected five to constitute the Legislative Council,

* Those elected were: from Washington County, Betam Jona
than Meigs and Paul Fearing; from Hamilton County, William
Goforth, William McMillan, John Smith, John Ludlow, Robert
Benham, Aaron Caldwell and Isaac Martin; from St. Clair County
(Illinois), Shadrach Bond; from Knox County (Indiana), John
Small; from Randolph County (Ulinois), John Edgar; from Wayne
County, Solomon Sibley, Jacob Visgar aud Charles F. I habert de
Joncaire; from Adams County, Joseph Darlington and Nathaniel
Massie; from Jefferson Co-.nty, Jauies Pritchard; fromlloss County,
Tbomas Worthington, Ellias Langham, Samuel Findley and Edward
Tiffin. The five gentlemen, except Vanderburgh, chosen as the
Upper House were all from counties afterward included in Ohio.

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122

HISTORY OF OHIO.

or Upper House. These five were Jacob Burnet,
James Findley, Henry Vanderburgh, Robert
Oliver and David Vance. On the 3d of March,
the Senate confirmed their nomination, and the
Territorial Government of Ohio*- — or, more prop
erly, the Northwest — was complete. As this
comprised the essential business of this body, it
was prorogued by the Governor, and the Assembly
directed to meet at the same place September 1 6,
1799, and proceed to the enactment of laws for
the Territory.
That day, the Territorial Legislature met again
at Cincinnati, but, for want of a quorum, did not
organize until the 24th. The House consisted of
nineteen members, seven of whom were from Ham
ilton County, four from Ross, three from Wayne,
two from Adams, one from Jefferson, one from
Washington and one from Knox. Assembling
both branches of the Legislature, Gov. St. Clair
addressed them, recommending such measures to
their consideration as, in his judgment, were suited
to the condition of the country. The Council
then organized, electing Henry Vanderburgh, Presi
dent; William C. Schenck, Secretary; George
Howard, Doorkeeper, and Abraham Carey, Ser-
geant-at-arms. The House also organized, electing Edward Tif
fin, Speaker; John Reilly, Clerk; Joshua Row
land, Doorkeeper, and Abraham Carey, Sergeants
at-arms. This was the first legislature elected in the old
Northwestern Territory. During its first session,
it passed thirty bills, of which the Governor vetoed
eleven. They also elected William Henry Harri
son, then Secretary of the Territory, delegate to
Congress. The Legislature continued in session
till December 19, having much to do in forming
new laws, when they were prorogued by the Gov
ernor, until the first Monday in November, 1800.
The second session was held in Chillieothe, which
had been designated as the seat of government by
Congress, until a permanent capital should be
selected. May 7, 1800, Congress passed an act establish
ing Indiana Territory, including all the country
west of the Great Miami River to the Mississippi,
and appointed William Henry Harrison its Gov
ernor. At the autumn session of the Legislature
h»f!™^nT''e,:fi9te^¥.aTerritoryProPer- rt was known. f>°«>
before and alter the division of the Northwest Territory, as the
rle^f7(n>rtnWe-".t °f ^f 0hi0 EiTer" Sau. "8 the country
comprised in its limits was the principal theater of action, the short
resume given here is made necessary in the logical conrse of events.
Star ^"lMB10" DCTer "Dtil *he creation of tue State i"

of the eastern, or old part of the Territory, Will
iam McMillan was elected to the vacancy caused
by this act. By the organization of this Territory,
the counties of* Knox, St. Clair and Randolph,
were taken out of the jurisdiction of the old Ter
ritory, and with them the representatives, Henry
Vandenburgh, Shadrach Bond, John Small and
John Edgar.
Before the time for the next Assembly came, a
new election had occurred, and a few changes were
the result. Robert Oliver, of Marietta, was cho
sen Speaker in the place of Henry Vanderburgh.
There was considerable business at this session ;
several new counties were to be erected ; the coun
try was rapidly filling with people, and where the
scruples of the Governor could be overcome, some
organization was made. He was very tenacious of
his power, and arbitrary ^n his rulings, affirming
that he, alone, had the power to create new coun
ties. This dogmatic exercise of his veto power,
his rights as ruler, and his defeat by the Indians,
all tended against him, resulting in his displace
ment by the President. This was done, however,
just at the time the Territory came from the second
grade of government, and the State was created.
The third session of the Territorial Legislature
continued from November 24, 1801, to January
23, 1802, when it adjourned to meet in Cincin
nati, the fourth Monday in November, but
owing to reasons made .obvious by subsequent
events, was never held, and the third session
marks the decline of the Territorial government.
April 30, 1802, Congress passed an act "to
enable the people of the eastern division of the
territory northwest of the Ohio River, to form a
constitution and State government, and for the
admission of such States into the Union on
an equal footing with the original States, and for
other purposes." In pursuance of this act, an
election had been held in this part of the Territory,
and members of a constitutional convention cho
sen, who were to meet at Chillieothe, November
1, to perform the duty assigned them.
The people throughout the country contemplat
ed in the new State were anxious for the adoption
of a State government. The arbitrary acts of the
Territorial Governor had heightened this feeling ;
the census of the Territory gave it the lawful
number of inhabitants, and nothing stood in its
way. The convention met the day designated and
proceeded at once to its duties. When the time
arrived for the opening of the Fourth Territorial

r?;

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

123

Legislature, the convention was in session and had
evidently about completed its labors. The mem
bers of the Legislature (eight of whom were mem
bers of the convention) seeing that a speedy
termination of the Territorial government was inev
itable, wisely concluded it was inexpedient and
unnecessary to hold the proposed session.
The convention concluded its labors the 29th of
November. The Constitution adopted at that time,
though rather crude in some of its details, was an
excellent organic instrument, and remained almost
entire until 1851, when the present one was
adopted. Either is too long' for insertion here,
but either will well pay a perusal. The one adopted
by the convention in 1802 was never submitted
to the people, owing to -the circumstances of the
times ; but it was submitted to Congress February
19, 1803, and by that body accepted, and an act
passed admitting Ohio to the Union.
The Territorial government ended March 3,
1803, by the organization, that day, of the State
government, which organization defined the pres
ent limits of the State.
" We, the people of the Eastern Division of the Ter
ritory of the United States. Northwest of the River
Ohio, having the right of admission into the General
Government as a member of the Union, consistent with
the Constitution of the United States, the Ordinance
of Congress of one thousand seven hundred and eighty-
seven, and of the law of Congress, entitled ' An act to
enable the people of the Eastern Division of the Terri
tory of the United States Northwest of the River Ohio,
to form a Constitution and a State Government, and for
the admission of such State into the Union on an equal
footing with the original States, and for other purpo
ses ;' in order to establish justice, promote the well-
fare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves
and our posterity, do ordain and establish the follow
ing Constitution or form of government; and do mu
tually agree with each other to form ourselves into a
free and independent State, by the name of the State
of Ohio."* — Preamble, Constitution of 1802.
When the convention forming the Constitution,
completed its labors and presented the results to
Congress, and that body passed the act forming

* The name of the State is derived from the river forming its
southern boundary. Its origin is somewhat obscure, but is com
monly ascribed to the Indians. On this poiut, Col. Johnston says:
" The Shawanoese called the Ohio River 'Kis-ke-piAa, Sepe, i. e., 'Eagle
River' The Wyandots were in the country generations before the
Shawanoese, and, consequently, their name of the river is the prim
itive one and should stand in preference to all others. Ohio may
be called an improvement on the expression, 'O-he-zuh' and was, no
doubt, adopted by the early French voyagers in their boat-songs,
and is substantially the same won as used by the Wyandots: the
meaning applied by the French, fair and beautiful 'la belle river'
being the same precisely as that meant by the Indians — 'great,
grand and fair to look upon.' " — Howe's Collections.
Webster's Dictionary gives the word as of Indian origin, and its
meaning to be, " Beautiful."

the State, the territory included therein was di
vided into nine counties, whose names and dates of
erection were as follows:
Washington, July 27, 1788; Hamilton, Janu
ary 2, 1790 ; (owing to the Indian war no other
counties were erected till peace was restored); Ad
ams, July 10, 1797; Jefferson, July 29, 1797;
Ross, August 20, 1798; Clermont, Fairfield and
Trumbull, December 9, 1800; Belmont, Septem
ber 7, 1801. These counties were the thickest-
settled part of the State, yet many other localities
needed organization and were clamoring for it, but
owing to St. Clair's views, he refused to grant
their requests. One of the first acts on the as
sembling of the State Legislature, March 1, 1803,
was the creation of seven new counties, viz., Gal
lia, Scioto, Geauga, Butler, Warren, Greene and
Montgomery. Section Sixth of the "Schedule" of the Consti
tution required an election for the various officers
and Representatives necessary under the new gov
ernment, to be held the second Tuesday of Janu
ary, 1803, these officers to take their seats and as
sume their duties March 3. The Second Article
provided for the regular elections, to be held on
the second Tuesday of October, in each year. The
Governor elected at first was to hold his office
until the first regular election could be held, and
thereafter to continue in office two years.
The January elections placed Edward Tiffin in
the Governor's office, sent Jeremiah Morrow to
Congress, and chose an Assembly, who met on the
day designated, at Chillieothe. Michael Baldwin
was chosen Speaker of the House, and Nathaniel
Massie, of the Senate. The Assembly appointed
William Creighton, Jr., Secretary of State ; Col.
Thomas Gibson, Auditor ; William McFarland,
Treasurer; Return J. Meigs, Jr., Samuel Hun
tington and William Sprigg, Judges of the Su
preme Court ; Francis Dunlevy, Wyllys Silliman
and Calvin Pease, President Judges of the First,
Second and Third Districts, and Thomas Worth
ington and John Smith, United States Senators.
Charles Willing Byrd was made the United States
District Judge.
The act of Congress forming the State, con
tained certain requisitions regarding public schools,
the " salt springs," public lands, taxation of Gov
ernment lands, Symmes' purchase, etc., which the
constitutional convention agreed to with a few
minor considerations. These Congress accepted,
and passed the act in accordance thereto. The
First General Assembly found abundance of work

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124

HISTORY OF OHIO.

to do regarding these various items, and, at once,
set themselves to the task. Laws were passed re
garding all these ; new counties created ; officers
appointed for the same, until they could be elected,
and courts and machinery of government put in
motion. President Judges and lawyers traveled
their circuits holding courts, often in the open air
or in a log shanty; a constable doing duty as
guard over a jury, probably seated on a log under
a tree, or in the bushes. The President Judge in
structed the officers of new counties in their duties,
and though the whole keeping of matters accorded
with the times, an honest feeling generally pre
vailed, inducing each one to perform his part as
effectually as his knowledge permitted.
The State continually filled with people. New
towns arose all over the country. Excepting the
occasional sicknesses caused by the new climate and
fresh soil, the general health of the people im
proved as time went on. They were fully in ac
cord with the President, Jefferson, and carefully
nurtured those principles of personal liberty en
grafted in the fundamental law of 1787, and later,
in the Constitution of the State.
Little if any change occurred in the natural
course of events, following the change of govern
ment until Burr's expedition and plan of secession
in 1805 and 1806 appeared. What his plans
were, have never been definitely ascertained. His
action related more to the General Government,
yet Ohio was called upon to aid in putting down
his insurrection — for such it was thought to be —
and defeated his purposes, whatever they were.
His plans ended only in ignominious defeat ; the
breaking-up of one of the finest homes in the
Western country, and the expulsion of himself and
all those who were actively engaged in his scheme,
whatever its imports were.
Again, for a period of four or five years, no
exciting events occurred. Settlements continued ;
mills and factories increased ; towns and cities
grew ; counties were created ; trade enlarged, and
naught save the common course of events trans
pired to mark the course of time. Other States
were made from the old Northwest Territory, all
parts of which were rapidly being occupied by
settlers. The danger from Indian hostilities was
little, and the adventurous whites were rapidly
occupying their country. One thing, however,
was yet a continual source of annoyance to the
Americans, viz., the British interference with the
Indians. Their traders did not scrapie, nor fail
on every opportunity, to aid these sons of the

forest with arms and ammunition as occasion
offered, endeavoring to stir them up against the
Americans, until events here and on the high seas
culminated in a declaration of hostilities, and the
war of 1812 was the result. The deluded red
men found then, as they found in 1795, that they
were made tools by a stronger power, and dropped
when the time came that they were no longer
needed. Before the opening of hostilities occurred, how
ever, a series of acts passed the General Assembly,
causing considerable excitement. These were the
famous " Sweeping Resolutions," passed in 1810.
For a few years prior to their passage, considera
ble discontent prevailed among many of the legis
lators regarding the rulings of the courts, and by
many of these embryo law-makers, the legislative
power was considered omnipotent. They could
change existing laws and contracts did they desire
to, thought many of them, even if such acts con
flicted with the State and National Constitutions.
The " Sweeping Resolutions " were brought about
mainly by the action of the judges in declaring
that justices of the peace could, in the collection
of debts, hold jurisdiction in amounts not exceed
ing fifty dollars without the aid of a jury. The
Constitution of the United States gave the jury
control in all such cases where the amount did not
exceed twenty dollars. There was a direct con
tradiction against the organic law of the land — to
which every other law and act is subversive, and
when the judges declared the legislative act uncon
stitutional and hence null and void, the Legisla
ture became suddenly inflamed at their independ
ence, and proceeded at once to punish the admin
istrators of justice. The legislature was one of
the worst that ever controlled the State, and was
composed of many men who were not only igno
rant of common law, the necessities of a State, and
the dignity and true import of their office, but
were demagogues in every respect. Having the
power to impeach offiqers, that body at once did
so, having enough to carry a two-thirds majority,
and removed several judges. Further maturing
their plans, the " Sweepers," as they were known,
construed the law appointing certain judges and
civil officers for seven years, to mean seven years
from the organization of the State, whether they
had been officers that length of time or not. All
officers, whether of new or old counties, were con
strued as included in the act, and, utterly ignoring
the Constitution, an act was passed in January,
1810, removing every civil officer in the State.

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

125

. February 10, they proceeded to fill all these va
cant offices, from State officers down to the lowest
county office, either by appointment or by ordering
an election in the manner prescribed by law.
The Constitution provided that the office of
judges should continue for seven years, evidently
seven years from the time they were elected, and
not from the date of the admission of the State,
which latter construction this headlong Legisla
ture had construed as the meaning. Many of the
counties had been organized but a year or two,
others three or four years ; hence an indescribable
confusion arose as soon as the new set of officers
were appointed or elected. The new order of
things could not be made to work, and finally, so
utterly impossible did the injustice of the proceed
ings become, that it was dropped. The decisions
of the courts were upheld, and the invidious doc
trine of supremacy in State legislation received
such a check that it is not likely ever to be repeated.
Another act of the Assembly, during this pe
riod, shows its construction. Congress had granted
a township of land for the use of a university, and
located the township in Symmes' purchase. This
Assembly located the university on land outside
of this purchase, ignoring the act of Congress, as
they had done before, showing not only ignorance
of the true scope of law, but a lack of respect un
becoming such bodies.
The seat of government was also moved from
Chillieothe to Zanesville, which vainly hoped to be
made the permanent State capital, but the next
session it was again taken to Chillieothe, and com
missioners appointed to locate a permanent capital
site. These commissioners were James Findley, Jo
seph Darlington, Wyllys Silliman, Reason Beall,
and -William McFarland. It is stated that they
reported at first in ' favor of Dublin, a small town
on the Scioto about fourteen miles above Colum
bus. At the session of 1812-13, the Assembly
accepted the proposals of Col. James Johnston,
Alexander McLaughlin, John Kerr, and Lyne
Starling, who owned the site of Columbus. The
Assembly also decreed that the temporary seat of
government should remain at Chillieothe until the
buildings necessary for the State officers should be

erected, when it would be taken there, forever to
remain. This was done in 1816, in December of
that year the first meeting of the Assembly being
held there.
The site selected for the capital was on the east
bank of the Scioto, about a mile below its junction
with the Olentangy. Wide streets were laid out,
and preparations for a city made. The expecta
tions of the founders have been, in this respect, re
alized. The town was laid out in the spring of 1812,
under the direction of Moses Wright. A short
time after, the contract for making it the capital was
signed. June 18, the same day war was declared
against Great Britain, the sale of lots took place.
Among the early settlers were George McCor-
mick, George B. Harvey, John Shields, Michael
Patton, Alexander Patton, William Altman, John
Collett, William McElvain, Daniel Kooser, Peter
Putnam, Jacob Hare, Christian Heyl, Jarvis, George
and Benjamin Pike, William Long, and Dr. John
M. Edminson. In 1814, a house of worship was
built, a school opened, a newspaper — The Western
Intelligencer and Columbus Gazette, now the
Ohio State Journal — was started, and the old
State House ereeted. In 1816, the "Borough of
Columbus" was incorporated, and a mail route once
a week between Chillieothe and Columbus started.
In 1819, the old United States Court House was
erected, and the seat of justice removed from
Franklinton to Columbus. Until 1826, times were
exceedingly " slow " in the new capital, and but lit
tle growth experienced. The improvement period
revived the capital, and enlivened its trade and
growth so that in 1834, a city charter was granted.
The city is now about third in size in the State,
and contains many of the most prominent public
institutions. The present capitol building, one of
the best in the West, is patterned somewhat after
the national Capitol at Washington City.
From the close of the agitation of the " Sweeping
Resolutions," until the opening of the war of 1812,
but a short time elapsed. In fact, scarcely had
one subsided, ere the other was upon the country.
Though the war was national, its theater of opera
tions was partly in Ohio, that State taking an act
ive part in its operations. Indeed, its liberty
depended on the war.

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126

HISTORY OF OHIO.

LIST OF TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNORS,
From the organization of the first civil government in the Northwest Territory (1788 to 1802), of which the State of
Ohio was apart, until the year 1880.

NAME.

(a) Arthur St. Clair 
*Charles Willing Byrd 
(6) Edward Tiffin 
re) fThomas Kirker 
Samuel Huntington 
(d) Return Jonathan Meigs..
¦j-Othniel Looker 
Thomas Worthington 
(e) Ethan Allen Brown 
fAllen Trimble 
Jeremiah Morrow 
Allen Trimble 
Duncan McArthur 
Robert Lucas 
Joseph Vance 
Wilson Shannon 
Thomas Corwin 
(/) Wilson Shannon 
JThomas W. Bartley 
Mordecai Bartley 
William Bebb 
(g) Seabury Ford 
(h) Reuben Wood 
\j) If William Medill 
Salmon P. Chase 
William Dennison 
David Tod 
(k) John Brough 
^Charles Anderson 
Jacob D. Cox 
Rutherford B. Hayes 
Edward F. Noyes 
William Allen 
(7) Rutherford B. Hayes 
(to) Thomas L. Young 
Richard M. Bishop 
Charles Foster 

COUNTY.

Hamilton 
Ross 
Adams 
Trumbull 
Washington-Hamilton 
Ross 
Hamilton 
Highland 
Warren 
Highland 
Ross 
Pike 
Champaign . . .
Belmont 
Warren 
Belmont 
Richland 
Richland 
Butler 
Geauga 
Cuyahoga 
Fairfield 
Hamilton 
Franklin 
Mahoning 
Cuyahoga 
Montgomery-
Trumbull 
Hamilton 
Hamilton 
Ross 
Sandusky 
Hamilton 
Hamilton 
Sandusky 

July 13,
Nov. March 3
March 4.
Dec. 12.
Dec. April 14
Dec. 8

Term
Commenced.

Dec.
Jan. Dec.
Dec. Dec.Dec.Dec.Dec.Dec. Dec,

14 7
28. 118 7
]13 16
14

April 13
Dec. 3

Dec.
Jan. Dec.JulyJan.Jan.Jan.Jan. Aug.
JanJan.
Jan.Jan.Jan. March 2
Jan. 14
Jan. 14

12 22
12
15
14 9
131230. 9
13 8
12
14.

178818021803
18071808 1810181418141818182218221826 1830183218361838 1840184218441844
184618491850 1853
18561860 186218641865
1866 1868
18721874
18761877
18781880

Nov. March 3
March 4
Dec. 12
Dec. 8
March 25
Dec. 8

Dec.
Jan.

Dec. 28
Dec. 19
Dec. 18
Dec. 7

Term Ended.

14
. 4

1313
1614

Dec
Dec Dec
DecApril 13
Dec. 3
Dec. 12
Jan. 22
Dec. 12
July 15
Jan. 14

Jan.Jan. Jan.

9
13 12

Aug. 29
Jan. 9

Jan.
Jan.Jan.

13 8
12

Jan. 14
March 2
Jan. 14
Jan. 14

1802
, 1803
, 1807
:, 1808
., 1810
, 1814
,1814, 1818
,1822, 1822
, 1826
, 1830
, 1832
, 1836
, 1838
,1840, 1842
, 1844
, 1844
, 1846
:, 1849
, 1850
, 1853
, 1856
¦, 1860
,1862 , 1864
, 1865
,1866, 1868
,1872,1874,1876
,1877, 1878
, 1880

. (a) Arthur St. Clair, of Pennsylvania, was Governor of the North
west Territory, of which Ohio was a part, from July 13, 1788, when the
first civil government was established in the Territory, until about
the close of the year 1802, when he was removed by the President.
?Secretary of the Territory, and was acting Governor of the
Territory after the removal of Gov. St. Clair.
(6) Resigned March 3, 180T, to accept the office of TJ. S. Senator.
(c) Return Jonathan Meigs was elected Governor on the second
Tuesday of October, 1807, over Nathaniel Massie, who contested the
election of Meigs, on the ground that "he had not been a resident of
this State^for four years next preceding the election, as required by
the Constitution,'' and the General Assembly, in joint convention,
declared that he was not eligible. The office was not given to
Massie, nor does it appear, from the records that he claimed it, but
Thomas Kirker, acting Governor, continued to discharge the duties
of the office until December 12, 1808, when Samuel Huntington was
inaugurated, he having been elected on the second Tuesday of
October in that year.
(<i) Resigned March 26, 1811, to accept the office of Postmaster-
General of the United States.

(e) Resigned January 4, 1822. to accept the office of United
States Senator.
(/) EeBigned April 13, 1844, to accept the office of Minister to
Mexico. (g> The result of the election in 1848was not finally determinedin
joint convention of the two houses of the General Assembly until
January 19,1849, and the inauguration did not take place until the
22d of that month.
(*) Resigned July 15, 1853 to accept the office of Consul to Val
paraiso. 0) Elected in October.1853, for the regular term, to commence
on the second Monday of January, 1854.
(*) Died August 29, 1865.
+ Acting Governor.
I Acting Governor, vice Wilson Shannon, resigned.
| Acting Governor, vice Reuben Wood, resigned.
o Acting Governor, vice John Brough, deceased.
(Z) Resigned March 2, 1877, to accept the office of President of
the United States.
(m) Vice Rutherford B.Hayes, resigned.

X

<8  i^.

:iL

HISTOEY OF OHIO.

127

CHAPTER XL
THE WAR OF 1812— GROWTH OF THE STATE— CANAL, RAILROADS AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
—DEVELOPMENT OF STATE RESOURCES.

IN June, 1812, war was declared against Great
Britain. Before this, an act was passed by Con
gress, authorizing the increase of the regular army
to thirty-five thousand troops, and a large force of
volunteers, to serve twelve months. Under this
act, Return J. Meigs, then Governor of Ohio, in
April and May, 1812, raised three regiments of
troops to serve twelve months. They rendez
voused at Dayton, elected their officers, and pre
pared for the campaign. These regiments were
numbered First, Second and Third. Duncan Mc-
Arthur was Colonel of the First ; James Findlay,
of the Second, and Lewis Cass, of the Third.
Early in June these troops marched to Urbana,
where they were joined by Boyd's Fourth Regiment
of regular troops, under command of Col. Miller,
who had been in the battle of Tippecanoe. Near
the middle of June, this little army of about
twenty-five hundred men, under command of Gov.
William Hull, of Michigan, who had been author
ized by Congress to raise the troops, started on
its northern march. By the end of June, the
army had reached the Maumee, after a very severe
march, erecting, on the way, Forts MeArthur, Ne
cessity and Findlay. By some carelessness on the
part of the American Government, no official word
had been sent to the frontiers regarding the war,
while the British had taken an early precaution to
prepare for the crisis. Gov. Hull was very care
ful in military etiquette, and refused to march, or
do any offensive acts, unless commanded by his
superior officers at Washington. While at the
Maumee, by a careless move, all his personal
effects, including all his plans, number and strength
of his army, etc., fell into the hands of the enemy.
His campaign ended only in ignominious defeat,
and well-nigh paralyzed future efforts. All Mich
igan fell into the hands of the British. The com
mander, though a good man, lacked bravery and
promptness. Had Gen. Harrison been in com
mand no such results would have been the case,
and the war would have probably ended at the
outset. Before Hull had surrendered, Charles Scott,
Governor of Kentucky, invited Gen. Harrison,

Governor of Indiana Territory, to visit Frankfort,
to consult on the subject of defending the North
west. Gov. Harrison had visited Gov. Scott, and
in August, 1812, accepted the appointment of
Major General in the Kentucky militia, and, by
hasty traveling, on the receipt of the news of the
surrender of Detroit, reached Cincinnati on the
morning of the 27th of that month. On the 30th
he left Cincinnati, and the next day overtook the
army he was to command, on its way to Dayton.
After leaving Dayton, he was overtaken by an ex
press, informing him of his appointment by the
Government as Commander-in-Chief of the armies
of the Indiana and Illinois Territories. The army
reached Piqua, September 3. From this place
Harrison sent a body of troops to aid in the de
fense of Fort Wayne, threatened by the enemy.
On the 6th he ordered all the troops forward, and
while on the march, on September 17, he was
informed of his appointment as commander of the
entire Northwestern troops. He found the army
poorly clothed for a winter campaign, now ap
proaching, and at once issued a stirring address to
the people, asking for food and comfortable cloth
ing. The address was not in vain. After his
appointment, Gen. Harrison pushed on to Au
glaize, where, leaving the army under command of
Gen. Winchester, he returned to the interiorof the
State, and establishing his headquarters at Frank
linton, began active measures for the campaign.
Early in March, 1812, Col. John Miller raised,
under orders, a regiment of infantry in Ohio, and
in July assembled his enlisted men at Chillieothe,
where, placing them — only one hundred and forty
in number — under command of Captain Angus
Lewis, he sent them on to the frontier. They erect
ed a block-house at Piqua and then went on to
Defiance, to the main body of the armv.
In July, 1812, Gen. Edward W. "Tupper, of
Gallia County, raised one thousand men for six
months' duty. Under orders from Gen. Winches
ter, they marched through Chillieothe and Urbana,
on to the Maumee, where, near the lower end of
the rapids, they made an ineffectual attempt to
drive off the enemy. Failing in this, the enemy

•^

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128

HISTORY OF OHIO.

attacked Tupper and his troops, who, though worn
down with the march and not a little disorganized
through the jealousies of the officers, withstood
the attack, and repulsed the British and their red
allies, who returned to Detroit, and the Americans
to Fort MeArthur.
In the fall of 1812, Gen. Harrison ordered a
detachment of six hundred men, mostly mounted,
to destroy the Indian towns on the Missisineway
River, one of the head- waters of -the Wabash.
The winter set in early and with unusual severity.
At the same time this expedition was carried on,
Bonaparte was retreating from Moscow. The expe
dition accomplished its design, though the troops
suffered greatly from the cold, no less than two
hundred men being more or less frost bitten.
Gen. Harrison determined at once to retake
Michigan and establish a line of defense along the
southern shores of the lakes. Winchester was
sent to occupy Forts Wayne and Defiance; Perkins'
brigade to Lower Sandusky, to fortify an old
stockade, and some Pennsylvania' troops and artil
lery sent there at the same time. As soon as
Gen. Harrison heard the results of the Missis
ineway expedition, he went to Chillieothe to con
sult with Gov. Meigs about further movements,
and the best methods to keep the way between the
Upper Miami and the Maumee continually open.
He also sent Gen. Winchester word to move for
ward to the rapids of the Maumee and prepare for
winter quarters. This Winchester did by the
middle of January, 1813, establishing himself on
the northern bank of the river, just above Wayne's
old battle-ground. He was well fixed here, and
was enabled to give his troops good bread, made from
corn gathered in Indian corn-fields in this vicinity.
While here, the inhabitants of Frenchtown, on
the Raisin River, about twenty miles from Detroit,
sent Winchester word claiming protection from the
threatened British and Indian invasion, avowing
themselves in sympathy with the Americans. A
council of war decided in favor of their request,
and Col. Lewis, with 550 men, sent to their relief.
Soon after, Col. Allen was sent with more troops,
and the enemy easily driven away from about
Frenchtown. Word was sent to Gen. Winchester,
who determined to march with all the men he
could spare to aid in holding the post gained. He
left, the 19th of January, with 250 men, and ar
rived on the evening of the 20th. Failing to
take the necessary precaution, from some unex
plained reason, the enemy came up in the night,
established his batteries, and, the next day, sur

prised and defeated the American Army with a
terrible loss. Gen. Winchester was made a pris
oner, and, finally, those who were intrenched in
the town surrendered, under promise of Proctor,
the"" British commander, of protection from the
Indians. This promise was grossly violated the
next day. The savages were allowed to enter the
town and enact a massacre as cruel and bloody as
any in the annals-of the war, to the everlasting
ignominy of the British General and his troops.
Those of the American Army that escaped, ar
rived at the rapids on the evening of the 22d of
January, and soon the sorrowful news spread
throughout the army and nation. Gen. Harrison
set about retrieving the disaster at once. Delay
could do no good. A fort was built at the rapids,
named Fort Meigs, and troops from the south and
west hurriedly advanced to the scene of action.
The investment and capture of Detroit was aban
doned, that winter, owing to the defeat at French-
town, and expiration of the terms of service of
many of the troops. Others took their places,
all parts of Ohio and bordering States sending
men. The erection of Fort Meigs was an obstacle in
the path of the British they determined to remove,
and, on the 28th of February, 1813, a large band
of British and Indians, under command of Proc
tor, Tecumseh, Walk-in-the-water, and other In
dian chiefs, appeared in the Maumee in boats, and
prepared for the attack. Without entering into
details regarding the investment of the fort, it is
only necessary to add, that after a prolonged siege,
lasting to the early part of May, the British were
obliged to abandon the fort, having been severely
defeated, and sailed for the Canadian shores.
Next followed the attacks on Fort Stephenson,
at Lower Sandusky, and other predatory excur
sions, by the British. All of these failed of their
design; the defense of Maj. Croghan and his men
constituting one of the most brilliant actions of the
war. For the gallant defense of Fort Stephenson by
Maj. Croghan, then a young man, the army merited
the highest honors. The ladies of Chillieothe voted
the heroic Major a fine sword, while the whole
land rejoiced at the exploits of him and his band.
The decisive efforts of the army, the great num
bers of men offered — many of whom Gen. Harrison
was obliged to send home, much to their disgust —
Perry's victory on Lake Erie, September 10,
1813 — all presaged the triumph of the American
arms, soon to ensue. As soon as the battle on
the lake was over, the British at Maiden burned

*•

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

129

their stores, and fled, while the Americans, under
their gallant commander, followed them in Perry's
vessel to the Canada shore, overtaking them on
the River Thames, October 5. In the battle that
ensued, Tecumseh was slain, and the British Army
routed. The war was now practically closed in the West.
Ohio troops had done nobly in defending their
northern frontier, and in regaining the Northwest
ern country. Gen. Harrison was soon after elected
to Congress by the Cincinnati district, and Gen.
Duncan MeArthur was appointed a Brigadier
General in the regular army, and assigned to the
command in his place. Gen. MeArthur made an
expedition into Upper Canada in the spring of
1814, destroying considerable property, and driv
ing the British farther into their own dominions.
Peace was declared early in 1815, and that spring,
the troops were mustered out of service at Chilli
eothe, and peace with England reigned supreme.
The results of the war in Ohio were, for awhile,
similar to the Indian war of 1795. It brought
many people into the State, and opened new por
tions, before unknown. Many of the soldiers im
mediately invested their money in lands, and became
citizens. The war drove many people from the
Atlantic Coast west, and as a result much money,
for awhile, circulated. Labor and provisions rose,
which enabled both workmen and tradesmen to
enter tracts of land, and aided emigration. At the
conclusion of Wayne's war in 1795, probably
not more than five thousand people dwelt in the
limits of the State ; at the close of the war of 1812,
that number was largely increased, even with the
odds of war against them. After the last war, the
emigration was constant and gradual, building up
the State in a- manner that betokened a healthful
life. As soon as the effects of the war had worn off,
a period of depression set in, as a result of too
free speculation indulged in at its close. Gradu
ally a stagnation of business ensued, and many
who found themselves unable to meet contracts
made in " flush " times, found no alternative but
to fail. To relieve the pressure in all parts of
the West, Congress, about 1815, reduced the
price of public lands from $2 to $1.25
per acre. This measure worked no little
hardship on those who owned large tracts of
lands, for portions of which they had not fully
paid, and as a consequence, these lands, as well
as all others of this class, reverted to the
Government. The general market was in New

Orleans, whither goods were transported in flat-
boats built especially for this pupose. This com
merce, though small and poorly repaid, was the
main avenue of trade, and did much for the slow
prosperity prevalent. The few banks in the State
found their bills at a discount abroad, and gradu
ally becoming drained of their specie, either closed
business or failed, the major part of them adopt
ing the latter course.
The steamboat began to be an important factor
in the river navigation of the West about this
period. The first boat to descend the Ohio was
the Orleans, built at Pittsburg in 1812, and in
December of that year, while the fortunes of war
hung over the land, she made her first trip from the
Iron City tp New Orleans, being just twelve days
on the way. The second, built by Samuel Smith,
was called the Comet, and made a trip as far
south as Louisville, in the summer of 1813. The
third, the Vesuvius, was built by Fulton, and went
to New Orleans in 1814. The fourth, built by
Daniel French at Brownsville, Penn., made two
trips to Louisville in the summer of 1814. The
next vessel, the iEtna, was built by Fulton &
Company in 1815. So fast did the business
increase, that, four years after, more than
forty steamers floated on the Western waters.
Improvements in machinery kept pace with the
building, until, in 1838, a competent writer stated
there were no less than four hundred steamers in
the West. Since then, the erection of railways
has greatly retarded ship-building, and it is alto
gether probable the number has increased but
little. The question of canals began to agitate the
Western country during the decade succeeding the
war. They had been and were being constructed
in older countries, and presaged good and prosper
ous times. If only the waters of the lakes and
the Ohio River could be united by a canal run
ning through the midst of the State, thought the
people, prosperous cities and towns would arise on
its banks, and commerce flow through the land.
One of the firmest friends of such improvements
was De Witt Clinton, who had been the chief man
in forwarding the " Clinton Canal," in New York.
He was among the first to advocate the feasibility
of a canal connecting Lake Erie and the Ohio
River, and, by the success of the New York canals,
did much to bring it about. Popular writers of the
day all urged the scheme, so that when the Assem
bly met, early in December, 1821, the resolution,
offered by Micajah T. Williams, of Cincinnati,

•>, <v

for the appointment of a committee of five mem
bers to take into consideration so much of the
Governor's message as related to canals, and see if
some feasible plan could not be adopted whereby a
beginning could be made, was quickly adopted.
The report of the committee, advising a survey
and examination of routes, met with the approval
of the Assembly, and commissioners were ap
pointed who were to employ an engineer, examine
the country and report on the practicability of a
canal between the lakes and the river. The com
missioners employed James Geddes, of Onondaga
County, N. Y., as an engineer. He arrived in
Columbus in June, 1822, and, before eight months,
the corps of engineers, under his direction, had
examined one route. During the next two sum
mers, the examinations continued. A number of
routes were examined and surveyed, and one, from
Cleveland on the lake, to Portsmouth on the Ohio,
was recommended. Another canal, from Cincin
nati to Dayton, on the Miami, was determined on,
and preparations to commence work made. A
Board of Canal Fund Commissioners was created,
money was borrowed, and the morning of July
4, 1825, the first shovelful of earth was dug near
Newark, with imposing ceremonies, in the presence
of De Witt Clinton, Governor of New York, and
a mighty concourse of people assembled to witness
the auspicious event.
Gov. Clinton was escorted all over the State to
aid in developing the energy everywhere apparent.
The events were important ones in the history of
the State, and, though they led to the creation of
a vast debt, yet, in the end, the canals were a
benefit. The main canal — the Ohio and Erie Canal —
was not completed till 1832. The Maumee Canal,
from Dayton to Cincinnati, was finished in 1834.
They cost the State about $6,000,000. Each of
the main canals had branches leading to important
towns, where their construction could be made
without too much expense. The Miami and Mau
mee Canal, from Cincinnati northward along the
Miami River to Piqua, thence to the Maumee
and on to the lake, was the largest canal made,
and, for many years, was one of the most important
in the State. It joined the Wabash Canal on the
eastern boundary of Indiana, and thereby saved
the construction of many miles by joining this
great canal from Toledo to Evansville.
The largest artificial lake in the world, it is said,
was built to supply water to the Miami Canal. It
exists yet, though the canal is not much used. It

*C «

is in the eastern part of Mercer County, and is
about nine miles long by from two to four wide.
It was formed by raising two walls of earth from
ten to thirty feet high, called respectively the east
and west embankments ; the first of which is about
two miles in length; the second, about four. These
walls, with the elevation of the ground to the
north and south, formed a huge basin, to retain
the water. The reservoir was commenced in 1837
and finished in 1845, at an expense of several
hundred thousand dollars. When first built, dur
ing the accumulation of water, much malarial
disease prevailed in the surrounding country, owing
to the stagnant condition of the water. The citi
zens, enraged at what they considered an innova
tion of their rights, met, and, during a dark night,
tore out a portion of the lower wall, letting the
water flow out. The damage cost thousands of
dollars to repair. All who participated in the
proceedings were liable to a severe imprisonment,
but the state of feeling was such, in Mercer County,
where the offense was committed, that no jury
could be found that would try them, and the affair
gradually died out.
The canals, so efficacious in their day, were,
however, superseded by the railroads rapidly find
ing their way into the West. From England,
where they were early used in the collieries, the
transition to America was easy.
The first railroad in the United States was built
in the summer of 1826, from the granite quarry
belonging to the Bunker Hill Monument Associa
tion to the wharf landing, three miles distant. The
road was a slight decline from the quarry to
the wharf, hence the loaded cars were pro
pelled by their own gravity. On their return,
when empty, they were drawn up by a single
horse. Other roads, or tramways, quickly followed
this. They were built at the Pennsylvania coal
mines, in South Carolina, at New Orleans, and at
Baltimore. Steam motive power was used in 1831
or 1832, first in America on the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad, and in Charlestown, on a railroad there.
To transfer these highways to the West was the
question of but a few years' time. The prairies of
Illinois and Indiana offered superior inducements
to such enterprises, and, early in 1835, they began
to be agitated there. In 1838, the first rail was
laid in Illinois, at Meredosia, a little town on the
Illinois River, on what is now the Wabash Railway.
" The first railroad made in Ohio," writes Caleb
Atwater, in his "History of Ohio," in 1838, "was
finished in 1836 by the people of Toledo, a town

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

131

some two years old then, situated near the mouth
of Maumee River. The road extends westward in
to Michigan and is some thirty miles in length.
There is a road about to be made from Cincinnati
to Springfield. This road follows the Ohio River
up to the Little Miami River, and there turns
northwardly up its valley to Xenia, and, passing
the Yellow Springs, reaches Springfield. Its length
must be about ninety miles. The State will own
one-half of the road, individuals and the city of
Cincinnati the other half. This road will, no
doubt, be extended to Lake Erie, at Sandusky
City, within a few short years."
"There is a railroad." continues Mr. Atwater,
" about to be made from Painesville to the Ohio
River. There are many charters for other roads,
which will never be made."
Mr. Atwater notes also, the various turnpikes as
well as the famous National road from Baltimore
westward, then completed only to the mountains.
This latter did as much as any enterprise ever en
acted in building up and populating the West.
It gave a national thoroughfare, which, for many
years, was the principal wagon-way from the At
lantic to the Mississippi Valley.
The railroad to which Mr. Atwater refers as
about to be built from Cincinnati to Springfield,
was what was known as the Mad River Railroad.
It is commonly conceded to be the first one built
in Ohio.* Its history shows that it was chartered
March 11, 1836, that work began in 1837; that
it was completed and opened for business from
Cincinnati to Milford, in December, 1842; to Xe
nia, in August, 1845, and to Springfield, in Au
gust, 1846. It was laid with strap rails until
about 1848, when the present form of rail was
adopted. One of the earliest roads in Ohio was what was
known as the Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark Rail
road. It was chartered at first as the Monroeville
& Sandusky City Railroad, March 9, 1835. March
12, 1836, the Mansfield & New Haven road was
chartered; the Columbus & Lake Erie, March 12,
1845, and the Huron & Oxford, February 27,
1846. At first it ran only from Sandusky to
Monroeville, then from Mansfield to Huron. These

* Hon. E D. Mansfield states, in 1873, that the "first actual piece
of railroad laid in Ohio, was made on the Cincinnati & Sandusky
Railroad; but, about the same time we have the Little Miami Rail
road, which was surveyed in 1836 and 1837. If this, the generally
accepted opinion, is correct, then Mr. Atwater's statement as given,
is wrong. His history iB, however, generally conceded to be correct.
Written in 1838, he surely ought to know whereof he was writing,
as the railroads were then only in construction ; but few, if any,
in operation.

two were connected and consolidated, and then ex
tended to Newark, and finally, by connections, to
Columbus. It is unnecessary to follow closely the history of
these improvements through the years succeeding
their introduction. At first the State owned a
share in nearly all railroads and canals, but finally
finding itself in debt about $15,000,000 for such
improvements, and learning by its own and 'neigh
bors' experiences, that such policy was detrimental
to the best interests of the people, abandoned the
plan, and allowed private parties entire control of
all such works. After the close of the Mexican
war, and the return to solid values in 1 854 or there
abouts, the increase of railroads in all parts of Ohio,
as well as all parts of the West, was simply marvel
ous. At this date there are more than ten thou
sand miles of railroads in Ohio, alongside of which
stretch innumerable lines of telegraph, a system of
swift messages invented by Prof. Morse, and adopted
in the United States about 1851.
About the time railroad building began to as
sume a tangible shape, in 1840, occurred the cele
brated political campaign known in history as the
" Hard Cider Campaign." The gradual encroach
ments of the slave power in the West, its arrogant
attitude in the Congress of the United States and
in several State legislatures : its forcible seizure of
slaves in the free States, and the enactment and
attempted enforcement of the "fugitive slave" law
all tended to awaken in the minds of the Northern
people an antagonism, terminating only in the late
war and the abolishment of that hideous system in
the United States.
The " Whig Party" strenuously urged the
abridgment or confinement of slavery in the
Southern States, and in the contest the party took
a most active part, and elected William Henry
Harrison President of the United States. As he
had been one of the foremost leaders in the war of
1812, a resident of Ohio, and one of its most pop
ular citizens, a log cabin and a barrel of cider were
adopted as his exponents of popular opinion, as
expressive of the rule of the common people repre
sented in the cabin and cider, in turn representing
their primitive and simple habits of life. He
lived but thirty days after his inauguration, dying
on the 9th of April, 1841, when John Tyler, the
Vice President, succeeded him as Chief Executive
of the nation.
The building of railroads ; the extension of com
merce ; the settlement of all parts of the State ;
its growth in commerce, education, religion and

*3*

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132

HISTORY OF OHIO.

population, are the chief events from 1841 to the
Mexican war. Hard times occurred about as often
as they do now, preceded by " flush" times, when
speculation ran rife, the people all infatuated with

an insane idea that something could be had for
nothing. The bubble burst as often as inflated,
ruining many people, but seemingly teaching few
lessons.

CHAPTER XII.

MEXICAN WAR— CONTINUED GROWTH OF THE STATE— WAR OF THE REBELLION— OHIO'S
PART IN THE CONFLICT.

THE Mexican War grew out of the question of
the annexation of Texas, then a province of
Mexico, whose territory extended to the Indian
Territory on the north, and on up to the Oregon
Territory on the Pacific Coast. Texas had been
settled largely by Americans, who saw the condi
tion of affairs that would inevitably ensue did the
country remain under Mexican rule. They first
took steps to secede from Mexico, and then asked
the aid of America to sustain them, and annex the
country to itself.
The Whig party and many others opposed this,
chiefly on the grounds of the extension of slave
territory. But to no avail. The war came on,
Mexico was conquered, the war lasting from April
20, 1846, to May 30, 1848. Fifty thousand vol
unteers were called for the war by the Congress,
and $10,000,000 placed at the disposal of the
President, James K. Polk, to sustain the army and
prosecute the war.
The part that Ohio took in the war may be
briefly summed up as follows : She had five vol
unteer regiments, five companies in the Fifteenth
Infantry, and several independent companies, with
her full proportion among the regulars. When
war was declared, it was something of a crusade to
many ; full of romance to • others ; hence, many
more were offered than could be received. It was
a campaign of romance to some, yet one of reality,
ending in death, to many.
When the first call for troops came, the First,
Second and Third Regiments of infantry responded
at once. Alexander Mitchell was made Colonel of
the First; John B. Wellerits Lieutenant Colonel ;
and Major L. Giddings, of Dayton, its Major,
Thos. L. Hanier, one of the ablest lawyers in Ohio.
started with the First as its Major, but, before the
regiment left the State, he was made a Brigadier
General of Volunteers, and, at the battle of Mon
terey, distinguished himself; and there contracted

disease and laid down his life. The regiment's
Colonel, who had been wounded at Monterey, came
home, removed to Minnesota, and there died.
Lieut. Col. Weller went to California after the
close of the war. He was United States Senator
from that State in the halls of Congress, and, at
last, died at New Orleans.
The Second Regiment was commanded by Col.
George W. Morgan, now of Mount Vernon ; Lieut.
Col. William Irwin, of Lancaster, and Maj. Will
iam Wall. After the war closed, Irwin settled in
Texas, and remained. there till he died. Wall lived
out his days in Ohio. The regiment was never in
active field service, but was a credit to the State.
The officers of the Third Regiment were, Col.
Samuel R. Curtis; Lieut. Col. G. W.'McCookand
Maj. John Love. The first two are now dead;
the Major lives in McConnellsville.
At the close of the first year of the war, these
regiments (First, Second and Third) were mustered
out of service, as their term of enlistment had
expired. When the second year of the war began, the
call for more troops on the part of the Government
induced the Second Ohio Infantry to re-organize,
and again enter the service. William Irwin, of the
former organization, was chosen Colonel; William
Latham, of Columbus, Lieutenant Colonel, and
William H. Link, of Circleville, Major. Nearly
all of them are now dead.
The regular army was increased by eight Ohio
companies of infantry, the Third Dragoons, and
the Voltigeurs — light-armed soldiers. In the Fif
teenth Regiment of the United States Army, there
were five Ohio companies. The others were three
from Michigan, and two from Wisconsin. Col.
Morgan, of the old Second, was made Colonel of
the Fifteenth, and John Howard, of Detroit, an
old artillery officer in the regular army, Lieutenant
Colonel. Samuel Wood, a captain in the Sixth

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United States Infantry, was made Major ; but was
afterward succeeded by  Mill, of Vermont.
The Fifteenth was in a number of skirmishes at first,
and later in the battles of Contreras, Cherubusco
and Chapultepec. At the battle of Cherubusco,
the Colonel was severely wounded, and Maj. Mill,
with several officers, and a large number of men,
killed. For gallant service at Contreras, Col. Mor
gan, though only twenty-seven years old, was made
a Brevet Brigadier General in the United States
Army. Since the war he has delivered a number
of addresses in Ohio, on the campaigns in Mex
ico. The survivors of the war are now few. Though
seventy-five thousand men from the United States
went into that conflict, less than ten thousand now
survive. They are now veterans, and as such de
light to recount their reminiscences on the fields of
Mexico. They are all in the decline of life, and
ere a generation passes away, few, if any, will be
left. After the war, the continual growth of Ohio,
the change in all its relations, necessitated a new
organic law. The Constitution of 1852 was the
result. It re-affirmed the political principles of
the "ordinance of 1787 " and the Constitution of
1802, and made a few changes necessitated by the
advance made in the interim. It created the
office of Lieutenant Governor, fixing the term of
service at two years. This Constitution yet stands
notwithstanding the prolonged attempt in 1873-74
to create a new one. It is now the organic law of
Ohio. From this time on to the opening of the late war,
the prosperity of the State received no check.
Towns and cities grew ; railroads multiplied ; com
merce was extended; the vacant lands were rapidly
filled by settlers, and everything tending to the
advancement of the people was well prosecuted.
Banks, after much tribulation, had become in a
measure somewhat secure, their only and serious
drawback being their isolation or the confinement
of their circulation to their immediate localities.
But signs of a mighty contest were apparent. A
contest almost without a parallel in the annals of
history ; a contest between freedom and slavery ;
between wrong and right ; a contest that could
only end in defeat to the wrong. The Republican
party came into existence at the close of President
Pierce's term, in 1855. Its object then was, prin
cipally, the restriction of the slave power ; ultimately
its extinction. One of the chief exponents and sup
porters of this growing party in Ohio, was Salmon P.

Chase ; one who never faltered nor lost faith ; and
who was at the helm of State ; in the halls of Con
gress ; chief of one the most important bureaus of
the Government, and, finally, Chief Justice of the
United States. When war came, after the election
of Abraham Lincoln by the Republican party, Ohio
was one of the first to answer to the call for troops.
Mr. Chase, while Governor, had re-organized the
militia on a sensible basis, and rescued it from the
ignominy into which it had fallen. When Mr.
Lincoln asked for seventy-five thousand men,
Ohio's quota was thirteen regiments. The various
chaotic regiments and militia troops in the State
did not exceed 1,500 men. The call was issued
A.pril 15, 1861 ; by the 18th, two regiments were
organized in Columbus, whither these companies
had gathered; before sunrise of the 19th the first
and second regiments were on their way to Wash
ington City. The President had only asked for
thirteen regiments ; thirty were gathering ; the
Government, not yet fully comprehending the
nature of the rebellion, refused the surplus troops,
but Gov. Dennison was authorized to put ten
additional regiments in the field, as a defensive
measure, and was also authorized to act on the
defensive as well as on the offensive. The immense
extent of southern border made this necessary,
as all the loyal people in West Virginia and Ken
tucky asked for help.
In the limits of this history, it is impossible to
trace all the steps Ohio took in the war. One of
her most talented sons, now at the head of one of
the greatest newspapers of the world, says, regard
ing the action of the people and their Legislature :
" In one part of the nation there existed a grad
ual growth of sentiment against the Union, ending
in open hostility against its integrity and its Con
stitutional law; on the other side stood a resolute,
and determined people, though divided in minor
matters, firmly united on the question of national
supremacy. The people of Ohio stood squarely
on this side. Before this her people had been di
vided up to the hour when —
" ' That fierce and sudden flash across the rugged black
ness broke,
And, with a voice that shook the land, the guns of Sum
ter spoke ;
*********
And whereso'er the summons came, there rose the
angry din,
As when, upon a rocky coast, u. stormy tide sets in.'
" All waverings then ceased among the people
and in the Ohio Legislature. The Union must be

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

preserved. The white heat of patriotism and fe
alty to the flag that had been victorious in three
wars, and had never met but temporary defeat
then melted all parties, and dissolved all hesitation,
and, April 18, 1861, by a unanimous vote of
ninety-nine Representatives in its favor, there was
passed a bill appropriating $500,000 to carry into
effect the requisition of the President, to protect
the National Government, of which sum $450,000
were to purchase arms and equipments for the
troops required by that requisition as the quota of
Ohio, and $50,000 as an extraordinary contingent
fund for the Governor. The commissioners of the
State Sinking Fund were authorized, by the same
bill, to borrow this money, on the 6 per cent bonds.
of the State, and to issue for the same certificates,
freeing such bonds from taxation. Then followed
other such legislation that declared the property of
volunteers free from execution for debt during
their term of service; that declared any resident
of the State, who gave aid and comfort to the
enemies of the Union, guilty of treason against
the State, to be punished by imprisonment at hard
labor for life; and, as it had become already evi
dent that thousands of militia, beyond Ohio's
quota of the President's call, would volunteer, the
Legislature, adopting the sagacious suggestion of
Gov. Dennison, resolved that all excess of volunteers
should be retained and paid for service, under
direction of the Governor. Thereupon a bill
was passed, authorizing the acceptance of volunteers
to form ten regiments, and providing $500,000
for their arms and equipments, and $1,500,000
more to be disbursed for troops in case of an in
vasion of the State. Then other legislation was
enacted, looking to and providing against the ship
ment from or through the State of arms or mu
nitions of war, to States either assuming to be
neutral or in open rebellion ; organizing the whole
body of the State militia; providing suitable offi
cers for duty on the staff of the Governor; re
quiring contracts for subsistence of volunteers to
be let to the lowest bidder, and authorizing the
appointment of additional general officers.
"Before the adjournment of that Legislature,
the Speaker of the House had resigned to take
command of one of the regiments then about to
start for Washington City ; two leading Senators
had been appointed Brigadier Generals, and many,
in fact nearly all, of the other members of both
houses had, in one capacity or another, entered the
military service. It was the first war legislature
ever elected in Ohio, and, under sudden pressure,

nobly met the first shock, and enacted the first
measures of law for war. Laboring under difficul
ties inseparable from a condition so unexpected,
and in the performance of duties so novel, it may
be historically stated that for patriotism, zeal and
ability, the Ohio Legislature of 1861 was the
equal of any of its successors ; while in that exu
berance of patriotism which obliterated party lines
and united all in a common effort to meet the
threatened integrity of the United States as a
nation, it surpassed them both.
" The war was fought, the slave power forever
destroyed, and under additional amendments to her
organic law, the United States wiped the stain of
human slavery from her escutcheon, liberating over
four million human beings, nineteen-twentieths of
whom were native-born residents.
" When Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court
House, Ohio had two hundred regiments of all
arms in the National service. In the course of
the war, she had furnished two hundred and thirty
regiments, besides twenty-six independent batteries
of artillery, five independent companies of cavalry,
several companies of sharpshooters, large parts of
five regiments credited to the West Virginia con
tingent, two regiments credited to the Kentucky
contingent, two transferred to the United States
colored troops, and a large proportion of the rank
and file of the Fifty-fourth and Sixty-fifth Massa
chusetts Regiments, also colored men. Of these or
ganizations, twenty-three were infantry regiments
furnished on the first call of the President, an ex
cess of nearly one-half over the State's quota ; one
hundred and ninety-one were infantry regiments,
furnished on subsequent calls of the President —
one hundred and seventeen for three years, twenty-
seven for one year, two for six months, two for
three months, and forty-two for one hundred days.
Thirteen were cavalry, and three artillery for three
years. Of these three-years troops, over twenty
thousand re-enlisted, as veterans, at the end of
their long term of service, to fight till the war
would end."
As original members of these organizations, Ohio
furnished to the National service the magnificent
army of 310,654 actual soldiers, omitting from
the above number all those who paid commuta
tion money, veteran enlistments, and citizens who
enlisted as soldiers or sailors in other States. The
count is made from the reports of the Provost
Marshal General to the War Department. Penn
sylvania gave not quite 28,000 more, while Illinois
fell 48,000 behind; Indiana, 116,000 less;

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

137

Kentucky, 235,000, and Massachusetts, 164,000.
Thus Ohio more than maintained, in the National
army, the rank among her sisters which her popu
lation supported. Ohio furnished more troops than
the President ever required of her ; and at the
end of the war, with more than a thousand men in
the camp of the State who were never mustered
into the service, she still had a credit on the rolls
of the War Departnieut for 4,332 soldiers, beyond
the aggregate of all quotas ever assigned to her;
and, besides all these, 6,479 citizens had, in lieu of
personal service, paid the commutation ; while In
diana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and New York
were all from five to one hundred thousand behind
their quotas. So ably, through all those years of
trial and death, did she keep the promise of the
memorable dispatch from her first war Governor :
" If Kentucky refuses to fill her quota, Ohio will
fill it for her."
"Of these troops 11,237 were killed or mor
tally wounded in action, and of these 6,563 were
left dead on the field of battle. They fought on
well-nigh every battle-field of the war. Within
forty-eight hours after the first call was made for
troops, two regiments were on the way to Wash
ington. An Ohio brigade covered the retreat from
the first battle of Bull Run. Ohio troops formed
the bulk of army that saved to the Union the
territory afterward erected into West Virginia ;
the bulk of the army that kept Kentucky from
seceding ; a large part of the army that captured
Fort Donelson and Island No. 10 ; a great part of
the army that from Stone River and Chickamauga,
and Mission Ridge and Atlanta, swept to the sea
and captured Fort McAllister, and north through
the Carolinas to Virginia."
When Sherman started on his famous march to
the sea, someone said to President Lincoln, "T hey
will never get through; they will all be captured,
and the Union will be lost." " It is impossible,"
replied the President ; "it cannot be done. There
is a mighty sight of fight in one hundred thou
sand Western -men."
Ohio troops fought at Pea Ridge. They charged
at Wagner. They helped redeem North Carolina.
They were in the sieges of Vicksburg, Charleston,
Mobile and Richmond. At Pittsburg Landing,
at Antietam, Gettysburg and Corinth, in the
Wilderness, at Five Forks, before Nashville and
Appomattox Court House ; " their bones, reposing
on the fields they won and in the graves they fill, are
a perpetual pledge that no flag shall ever wave over
their graves but that flag they died to maintain."

Ohio's soil gave birth to, or furnished, a Grant,
a Sherman, a Sheridan, a McPherson, a Rosecrans,
a McClellan, a McDowell, a Mitchell, a Gilmore, a
Hazen, a Sill, a Stanley, a Steadman, and others — all
but one, children ofthe country, reared at West Point
for such emergencies. Ohio's war record shows
one General, one Lieutenant General, twenty Major
Generals, twenty seven Brevet Major Generals, and
thirty Brigadier Generals, and one hundred and
fifty Brevet Brigadier Generals. Her three war
Governors were William Dennison, David Todd, and
John Brough. She furnished, at the same time,
one Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, and
one Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase.
Her Senators were Benjamin F. Wade and John
Sherman. At least three out of five of Ohio's
able-bodied men stood in the line of battle. On
the head stone of one of these soldiers, who gave
his life for the country, and who now lies in a
National Cemetery, is inscribed these words :
•' We charge the living to preserve that Constitution we
have died to defend."
The close of the war and return of peace brought
a period of fictitious values on the country, occa
sioned by the immense amount of currency afloat.
Property rose to unheard-of values, and everything
with it. Ere long, however, the decline came, and
with it " hard times." The climax broke over the
country in 1873, and for awhile it seemed as if
the country was on the verge of ruin. People
found again, as preceding generations had found,
that real value was the only basis of true prosper
ity, and gradually began to work to the fact. The
Government established the specie basis by
gradual means, and on the 1st day of January,
1879, began to redeem its outstanding obligations
in coin. The effect was felt everywhere. Busi
ness of all kinds sprang anew into life. A feeling
of confidence grew as the times went on, and now,
on the threshold ofthe year 1880, the State is en
tering on an era of steadfast prosperity ; one which
has a sure and certain foundation.
Nearly four years have elaped since the great
Centennial Exhibition was held in Philadelphia;
an exhibition that brought from every State in the
Union the best products of her soil, factories, and
all industries. In that exhibit Ohio made an ex
cellent display. Her stone, iron, coal, cereals,
woods and everything pertaining to her welfare were
all represented. Ohio, occupying the middle ground
of the Union, was expected to show to foreign na
tions what the valleys of the Mississippi and Ohio

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

could produce. The State nobly stood the test
and ranked foremost among all others. Her cen
tennial building was among the first completed
and among the neatest and best on the grounds.
During the summer, the Centennial Commission
extended invitations to the Governors of the several
States to appoint an orator and name a day for his

delivery of an address on the history, progress and
resources of his State. Gov. Hayes named the
Hon. Edward D. Mansfield for this purpose, and
August 9th, that gentleman delivered an address
so valuable for the matter which it contains, that
we here give a synopsis of it.

CHAPTER XIII.

OHIO IN THE CENTENNIAL— ADDRESS OF EDWARD D. MANSFIELD, LL. D., PHILADELPHIA,
AUGUST 9, 1876.

ONE hundred years ago, the whole territory,
from the Alleghany to the Rocky Mountains
was a wilderness, inhabited only by wild beasts and
Indians. The Jesuit and Moravian missionaries
were the only white men who had penetrated the
wilderness or beheld its mighty lakes and rivers.
While the thirteen old colonies were declaring
their independence, the thirteen new States, which
now lie in the western interior, had no existence,
and gave no sign of the future. The solitude of
nature was unbroken by the steps of civilization.
The wisest statesman had not contemplated the
probability of the coming States, and the boldest
patriot did not dream that this interior wilderness
should soon contain a greater population than the
thirteen old States, with all the added growth of
one hundred years.
Ten years after that, the old States had ceded
their Western lands to the General Government,
and the Congress of the United States had passed
the ordinance of 1785, for the survey of the pub
lic territory, and, in 1787, the celebrated ordinance
which organized the Northwestern Territory, and
dedicated it to freedom and intelligence.
Fifteen years after that, and more than a quarter
of a century after the Declaration of Independ
ence, the State of Ohio was admitted into the
Union, being the seventeenth which accepted the
Constitution of the United States. It has since
grown up to be great, populous and prosperous
under the influence of those ordinances. At her
admittance, in 1803, the tide of emigration had
begun to flow over the Alleghanies into the Valley
of the Mississippi, and, although no steamboat, no
railroad then existed, nor even a stage coach helped
the immigrant, yet the wooden " ark " on the
Ohio, and the heavy wagon, slowly winding over

the mountains, bore these tens of thousands to the
wilds of Kentucky and the plains of Ohio. In
the spring of 1788 — the first year of settlement-
four thousand five hundred persons passed the
mouth of the Muskingum in three months, and
the tide continued to pour on for half a century in
a widening stream, mingled with all the races of
Europe and America, until now, in the hundredth
year of America's independence, thefive Statesofthe
Northwestern Territory, in the wilderness of 1776,
contain ten millions of people, enjoying all the
blessings which peace and prosperity, freedom and
Christianity, can confer upon any people. Of these
five States, born under the ordinance of 1787, Ohio
is the first, oldest, and, in many things, the greatest.
In some things it is the greatest State in the Union.
Let us, then, attempt, in the briefest terms, to
draw an outline portrait of this great and remark
able commonwealth.
Let us observe its physical aspects. Ohio is
just one-sixth part of the Northwestern Territory
— 40,000 square miles. It lies between Lake Erie
and the Ohio River, having 200 miles of navigable
waters, on one side flowing into the Atlantic Ocean,
and on the other into the Gulf of Mexico. Through
the lakes, its vessels touch on 6,000 miles of
interior coast, and, through the Mississippi, on
36,000 miles of river coast;, so that a citizen of
Ohio may pursue his navigation through 42,000
miles, all in his own country, and all within naviga
ble reach of his own State. He who has circumnavi
gated the globe, has gone but little more than
half the distance which the citizen of Ohio finds
within his natural reach in this vast interior.
Looking upon the surface of this State, we find
no mountains, no barren sands, no marshy wastes,
no lava-covered plains, but one broad, compact

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body of arable -land, intersected with rivers and
streams and running waters, while the beautiful
Ohio flows tranquilly by its side. More than three
times the surface of Belgium, and one-third of the
whole of Italy, it has more natural resources in
proportion than either, and is capable of ultimately
supporting a larger population than any equal sur
face in Europe. Looking from this great arable
surface, where upon the very hills the grass and
the forest trees now grow exuberant and abundant,
we find that underneath this surface, and easily
accessible, lie 10,000 square miles of coal, and
4,000 square miles of iron — coal and iron enough
to supply the basis of manufacture for a world !
All this vast deposit of metal and fuel does not in
terrupt or take from that arable surface at all.
There you may find in one place the same machine
bringing up coal and salt water from below, while
the wheat and the corn grow upon the surface
above. The immense masses of coal, iron, salt and
freestone deposited below have not in any way
diminished the fertility and production of the soil.
It has been said by some writer that the char
acter of a people is shaped or modified by the
character of the country in which they live. If
the people of Switzerland have acquired a certain
air of liberty and independence from the rugged
mountains around which they live ; if the people
of Southern Italy, or beautiful France, have ac
quired a tone of ease and politeness from their
mild and genial clime, so the people of Ohio,
placed amidst such a wealth of nature, in the tem
perate zone, should show the best fruits of peace
ful industry and the best culture of Christian
civilization. Have they done so? Have their
own labor and arts and culture come up to the ad
vantages of their natural situation? Let us exam
ine this growth and their product.
The first settlement of Ohio was made by a
colony from New England, at the mouth of the
Muskingum. It was literally a remnant of the
officers of the Revolution. Of this colony no
praise of the historian can be as competent, or as
strong, as the language of Washington. He says,
in answer to inquiries addressed to him: "No col
ony in America was ever settled under such favor
able auspices as that which has just commenced at
the Muskingum. Information, prosperity and
strength will be its characteristies. I know many
of the settlers personally, and there never were
men better calculated to promote the welfare of
such a community;" and he adds that if ho were
a young man, he knows no country in which he

would sooner settle than in this Western region."
This colony, left alone for a time, made its own
government and nailed its laws to a tree in the vil
lage, an early indication of that law-abiding and
: peaceful spirit which has since made Ohio a just
: and well-ordered community. The subsequent
settlements on the Miami and Scioto were made by
citizens of New Jersey and Virginia, and it. is cer
tainly remarkable that among all the early immi
gration, there were no ignorant people. In the
language of Washington, they came with " infor
mation," qualified to promote the welfare of the
community. Soon after the settlement on the Muskingum
and the Miami, the great wave of migration
flowed on to the plains and valleys of Ohio and Ken
tucky. Kentucky had been settled earlier, but the
main body of emigrants in subsequent years
went into Ohio, influenced partly by the great
ordinance of 1787, securing freedom and schools
forever, and partly by the greater security of
titles under the survey and guarantee of the
United States Government. Soon the new State
grew up, with a rapidity which, until then, was
unknown in the history of civilization. On the
Muskingum, where the buffalo had roamed; on
the Scioto, where the Shawanees had built their
towns ; on the Miami, where the great chiefs of
the Miamis had reigned ; on the plains of San
dusky, yet red with the blood of the white man ;
on the Maumee, where Wayne, by the victory of
the " Fallen Timbers," had broken the power of
the Indian confederacy — the emigrants from the
old States and from Europe came in to cultivate
the fields, to build up towns, and to rear the insti
tutions of Christian civilization, until the single
State of Ohio is greater in numbers, wealth, and
education, than was the whole American Union
when the Declaration of Independence was made.
Let us now look at the statistics of this growth
and magnitude, as they are exhibited in the cen
sus of the United States. Taking intervals of
twenty years, Ohio had: In 1810, 230,760; in
1830, 937,903 ; in 1850, 1,980,329 ; in 1870,
2,665,260. Add to this the increase of population
in the last six years, and Ohio now has, in round
numbers, 3,000,000 of people — half a million
more than the thirteen States in 1776 ; and
her cities and towns have to-day six times the
population of all the cities of America one hund
red years ago. This State is now the third in
numbers and wealth, and the first in some of
those institutions which mark the progress of

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

mankind. That a small part of the wilderness of
1776 should be more populous than the whole
Union was then, and that it should have made a
social and moral advance greater than that of any
nation in the same time, must be regarded as one
of the most startling and instructive facts which
attend this year of commemoration. If such has
been the social growth of Ohio, let us look at its
physical development ; this is best expressed by the
aggregate productions of the labor and arts of a
people applied to the earth. In the census statistics
of the United States these are expressed in the
aggregate results of agriculture, mining, manufact
ures, and commerce. Let us simplify these statis
tics, by comparing the aggregate and ratios as
between several States, and between Ohio and some
countries of Europe.
The aggregate amount of grain and potatoes —
farinaceous food, produced in Ohio in 1870 was
134,938,413 bushels, and in 1874, there were 157,-
323,597 bushels, being the largest aggregate
amount raised in any State but one, Illinois, and
larger per square mile than Illinois or any other
State in the country. The promises of nature
were thus vindicated by the labor of man ; and
the industry of Ohio has fulfilled its whole duty
to the sustenance of the country and the world.
She has raised more grain than ten of the old
States together, and more than half raised by
Great Britain or by France. I have not the
recent statistics of Europe, but McGregor, in his
statistics of nations for 1832 — a period of pro
found peace — gives the following ratios for the
leading countries of Europe : Great Britain, area
120,324 miles; amount of grain, 262,500,000
bushels; rate per square mile, 2,190 to 1;
Austria — area 258,603 miles ; amount of grain,
366,800,000 bushels ; rate per square mile, 1,422 to
1; France — area 215,858 miles ; amount of grain,
233,847,300 bushels ; rate per square mile, 1,080
to 1. The State of Ohio — area per square miles,
40,000; amount of grain, 150,000,000 bushels;
rate per square mile, 3,750. Combining the great
countries of Great Britain, Austria, and France,
we find that they had 594,785 square miles and
produced 863,147,300bushels of grain, which was, at
the time these statistics were taken, 1 ,45 0 bushels per
square mile, and ten bushels to each one of the
population. Ohio, on the other hand, had 3,750
bushels per square mile, and fifty bushels to each
one of the population ; that is, there was five
times as much grain raised in Ohio, in proportion
to the people, as in these great countries of Europe.

As letters make words, and words express ideas, so
these dry figures of statistics express facts, and
these facts make the whole history of civilization.
Let us now look at the statistics of domestic
animals. These are always indicative of the state
of society in regard to the physical comforts. The
horse must furnish domestic conveyances; the
cattle must furnish the products of the dairy, as
well as meat, and the sheep must furnish wool.
Let us see how Ohio compares with other States
and with Europe : In 1870, Ohio had 8,818,000
domestic animals ; Illinois, 6,925,000 ; New York,
5,283,000; Pennsylvania, 4,493,000; and other
States less. The proportion to population in these
States was, in Ohio, to each person, 3.3 ; Illinois,
2.7; New York, 1.2; Pennsylvania, 1.2.
Let us now see the proportion of domestic ani
mals in Europe. The results given by McGregor's
statistics are : In Great Britain, to each person,
2.44; Russia, 2.00; France, 1.50 ; Prussia, 1.02;
Austria, 1.00. It will be seen that the proportion
in Great Britain is only two-thirds that of Ohio ;
in France, only one-half; and in Austria and
Prussia only one-third. It may be said that, in
the course of civilization, the number of animals
diminishes as the density of population increases ;
and, therefore, this result might have been ex
pected in the old countries of Europe. But this
does not apply to Russia or Germany, still less to
other States in this country. Russia in Europe
has not more than half the density of population
now in Ohio. Austria and Prussia have less than
150 to the square mile. The whole of the north
of Europe has not so dense a population as the
State of Ohio, still less have the States of Illinois
and Missouri, west of Ohio. Then, therefore,
Ohio showing a larger proportion of domestic ani
mals than the north of Europe, or States west of
her, with a population not so dense, we see at once
there must be other causes to produce such a
phenomenon. Looking to some of the incidental results of this
vast agricultural production, we see that the United
States exports to Europe immense amounts of
grain and provisions ; and that there is manufact
ured in this country an immense amount of woolen
goods. Then, taking these statistics of the raw
material, we find that Ohio produces one-fifth of
all the wool; one-seventh of all the cheese; one-
eighth of all the corn, and one-tenth of all the
wheat ; ancl yet Ohio has but a fourteenth part of
the population, and one-eightieth part of the sur
face of this country.

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141

Let us take another — a commercial view of this
matter. We have seen that Ohio raises five times
as much grain per square mile as is raised per
square mile in the empires of Great Britain, France
and Austria, taken together. After making allow
ance for the differences of living, in the working
classes of this country, at least two-thirds of the
food and grain of Ohio are a surplus beyond the
necessities of life, and, therefore, so much in the
commercial balance of exports. This corresponds
with the fact, that, in the shape of grain, meat,
liquors and dairy products, this vast surplus is con
stantly moved to the Atlantic States and to Europe.
The money value of this exported product is equal
to $100,000,000 per annum, and to a solid capital
of $1,500,000,000, after all the sustenance of the
people has been taken out of the annual crop.
We are speaking of agriculture alone. We are
speaking of a State which began its career more
than a quarter of a century after the Declaration
of Independence was made. And now, it may be
asked, what is the real cause of this extraordinary
result, which, without saying anything invidious of
other States, we may safely say has never been
surpassed in any country? We have already
stated two of the advantages possessed by Ohio.
The first is that it is a compact, unbroken body of
arable land, surrounded and intersected by water
courses, equal to all the demands of commerce and
navigation. Next, that it was secured forever to
freedom and intelligence by the ordinance of 1787.
The intelligence of its future people was secured
by immense grants of public lands for the purpose
of education ; but neither the blessings of oature,
nor the wisdom of laws, could obtain such results
without the continuous labor of an intelligent
people. Such it had, and we have only to take
the testimony of Washington, already quoted, and
the statistical results I have given, to prove that
no people has exhibited more steady industry, nor
has any people directed their labor with more in
telligence. After the agricultural capacity and production
of a country, its most important physical feature
is its mineral products; its capacity for coal and
iron, the two great elements of material civiliza
tion. If we were to take away from Great Britain
her capacity to produce coal in such vast quanti
ties, we should reduce her to a third-rate position,
no longer numbered among the great nations of the
earth. Coal has smelted her iron, run her steam
engines, and is the basis of her manufactures.
But when we compare the coal fields of Great

Britain with those of this country, they are insig
nificant. The coal fields of all Europe are small
compared with those of the central United States.
The coal district of Durham and Northumberland,
in England, is only 880 square miles. There are
other districts of smaller extent, making in the
whole probably one-half the extent of that in
Ohio. The English coal-beds are represented as
more important, in reference to extent, on account
of their thickness. There is a small coal district
in Lancashire, where the workable coal-beds are in
all 150 feet in thickness. But this involves, as is
well known, the necessity of going to immense
depths and incurring immense expense. On the
other hand, the workable coal-beds of Ohio are
near the surface, and some of them require no ex
cavating, except that of the horizontal lead from
the mine to the river or the railroad. In one
county of Ohio there are three beds of twelve, six
and four feet each, within fifty feet of the surface.
At some of the mines having the best coal, the
lead from the mines is nearly horizontal, and just
high enough to dump the coal into the railroad
cars. These coals are of all qualities, from that
adapted to the domestic fire to the very best qual
ity for smelting or manufacturing iron. Recollect
ing these facts, let us try to get an idea of the coal
district of Ohio. The bituminous coal region de-
escending the western slopes of the Alleghanies,
occupies large portions of Western Pennsylvania,
West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. I
suppose that this coal field is not less than fifty
thousand square miles, exclusive of Western Mary
land and the southern terminations of that field in
Georgia and Alabama. Of this vast field of coal,
exceeding anything found in Europe, about one-
fifth part lies in Ohio. Prof. Mather, in his
report on the geology of the State (first Geologi
cal Report of the State) says:
" The coal-measures within Ohio occupy a space
of about one hundred and eighty miles in length by
eighty in breadth at the widest part, with an area
of about ten thousand square miles, extending
along the Ohio from Trumbull County in the north
to near the mouth of the Scioto in the south.
The regularity in the dip, and the moderate incli
nation of the strata, afford facilities to the mines
not known to those of most other countries, espe
cially Great Britain, where the strata in which the
coal is imbedded have been broken and thrown out
of place since its deposit, occasioning many slips
and faults, and causing much labor and expense in
again recovering the bed. In Ohio there is very

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

little difficulty of this kind, the faults being small
and seldom found."
Now, taking into consideration these geological
facts, let us look at the extent of the Ohio coal
field. It occupies, wholly or in part, thirty-six
counties, including, geographically, 14,000 square
miles ; but leaving out fractions, and reducing the
Ohio coal field within its narrowest limits, it is
10,000 square miles in extent, lies near the surface,
and has on an average twenty feet thickness of work
able coal-beds. Let us compare this with the coal
mines of Durham and Northumberland (England),
the largest and best coal mines there. That coal
district is estimated at 850 square miles, twelve
feet thick, and is calculated to contain 9,000,000,-
000 tons of coal. The coal field of Ohio is twelve
times larger and one-third thicker. Estimated by
that standard, the coal field of Ohio contains 180,-
000,000,000 tons of coal. Marketed at only $2
per ton, this coal is worth $360,000,000,000, or,
in other words, ten times as much as the whole
valuation of the United States at the present time.
But we need not undertake to estimate either its
quantity or value. It is enough to say that it is a
quantity which we can scarcely imagine, which is
tenfold that of England, and which is enough to
supply the entire continent for ages to come.
After coal, iron is beyond doubt the most val
uable mineral product of a State. As the mate
rial of manufacture, it is the most important.
What are called the " precious metals " are not to
be compared with it as an element of industry or
profit. But since no manufactures can be success
fully carried on without fuel, coal becomes the first
material element of the arts. Iron is unquestion
ably the next. Ohio has an iron district extending
from the mouth of the Scioto River to some point
north of the Mahoning River, in Trumbull County.
The whole length is nearly two hundred miles, and
the breadth twenty miles, making, as near as we can
ascertain, 4,000 square miles. The iron in this dis
trict is of various qualities, and is manufactured
largely into bars and castings. In this iron dis
trict are one hundred furnaces, forty-four rolling-
mills, and fifteen rail-mills, being the largest num
ber of either in any State in the Union, except
only Pennsylvania.
_ Although only the seventeenth State in its admis
sion, I find that, by the census statistics of 1870,
it is the third State in the production of iron and iron
manufactures. Already, and within the life of
one man, this State begins to show what must in
future time be the vast results of coal and iron,

applied to the arts and manufactures. In the
year 1874, there were 420,000 tons of pig iron
produced in Ohio, which is larger than the prod
uct of any State, except Pennsylvania. The
product and the manufacture of iron in Ohio
have increased so rapidly, and the basis for
increase is so great, that we may not doubt that
Ohio will continue to be the greatest producer of
iron and iron fabrics, except only Pennsylvania.
At Cincinnati, the iron manufacture of the Ohio
Valley is concentrating, and at Cleveland the ores
of Lake Superior are being smelted.
After coal and iron, we may place salt among
the necessaries of life. In connection with the
coal region west of the Alleghanies, there lies in
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, a large
space of country underlaid by the salt rock, which
already produces immense amounts of salt. Of
this, Ohio has its full proportion. In a large
section of the southeastern portion of the State,
salt is produced without any known limitation.
At Pomeroy and other points, the salt rock lies
about one thousand feet below the surface, but
salt water is brought easily to the surface by the
steam engine. There, the salt rock, the coal
seam, and the noble sandstone lie in successive
strata, while the green corn and the yellow wheat
bloom on the surface above. The State of Ohio
produced, in 1874, 3,500,000 bushels of salt,
being one-fifth of all produced in the United
States. The salt section of Ohio is exceeded only
by that of Syracuse, New York, and of Saginaw,
Michigan. There is no definite limit to the
underlying salt rock of Ohio, and, therefore, the
production will be proportioned only to the extent
ofthe demand.
Having now considered the resources and the
products of the soil and the mines of Ohio, we
may properly ask how far the people have employed
their resources in the increase of art and manu
facture. We have two modes of comparison, the
rate of increase within the State, and the ratio
they bear to other States. The aggregate value
of the products of manufacture, exclusive of
mining, in the last three censuses were : in 1850,
$62,692,000; in 1860, $121,691,000; in 1870,
$269,713,000. The ratio of increase was over 100 per cent in
each ten years, a rate far beyond that of the in
crease of population, and much beyond the ratio of
increase in the whole country. In 1850, the man
ufactures of Ohio were one-sixteenth part of the
aggregate in the country ; jn 1860, one-fifteenth

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143

part; in 1870, one-twelfth part. In addition to
this, we find, from the returns of Cincinnati and
Cleveland, that the value of the manufactured prod
ucts of Ohio in 1875, must have reached $400,-
000,000, and, by reference to the census tables, it
will be seen that the ratio of increase exceeded that
of the great manufacturing States of New York,
Massachusetts and Connecticut. Of all the States
admitted into the Union prior to Ohio, Pennsylvania
alone has kept pace in the progress of manufacture.
Some little reference to the manufacture of leading
articles may throw some light on the cause of this.
In the production of agricultural machinery and
implements, Ohio is the first State ; in animal and
vegetable oils and in pig iron, the second; in cast
iron and in tobacco, the third ; in salt, in machinery
and in leather, the fourth. These facts show how
largely the resources of coal, iron and agriculture
have entered into the manufactures of the State.
This great advance in the manufactures of Ohio,
when we consider that this State is, relatively to
its surface, the first agricultural State in the
country, lead^ to the inevitable inference that its
people are remarkably industrious. When, on
forty thousand square miles of surface, three mill
ions of people raise one hundred and fifty million
bushels of grain, and produce manufactures to the
amount of $269,000,000 (which is fifty bushels
of breadstuff to each man, woman and child, and
$133 of manufacture), it will be difficult to find
any community surpassing such results. It is a
testimony, not only to the State of Ohio, but to
the industry, sagacity and energy of the American
people. Looking now to the commerce of the State, we
have said there are six hundred miles of coast line,
which embraces some of the principal internal ports
of -the Ohio and the lakes, such as Cincinnati, Cleve
land, Toledo and Portsmouth, but whose commerce
is most wholly inland. Of course, no comparison
can be made with the foreign commerce of the
ocean ports. On the other hand, it is well known
that the inland trade of the country far exceeds
that of all its foreign commerce, and that the larg
est part of this interior trade is carried on its
rivers and lakes. The materials for the vast con
sumption of the interior must be conveyed in its
vessels, whether of sail or steam, adapted to these
waters. Let us take, then, the ship-building, the
navigation, and the exchange trades of Ohio, as
elements in determining the position of this State
in reference to the commerce of the country. At
the ports of Cleveland, Toledo, Sandusky and Cin

cinnati, there have been built one thousand sail and
steam vessels in the last twenty years, making an
average of fifty each year. The number of sail,
steam and all kinds of vessels in Ohio is eleven
hundred and ninety, which is equal to the number
in all the other States in the Ohio Valley and the
Upper Mississippi.
When we look to the navigable points to which
these vessels are destined, we find them on all this
vast coast line, which extends from the Gulf of
Mexico to the Yellowstone, and from Duluth to
the St. Lawrence.
Looking again to see the extent of this vast in
terior trade which is handled by Ohio alone, we
find that the imports and exports of the principal
articles of Cincinnati, amount in value to $500,-
000,000; and when we look at the great trade of
Cleveland and Toledo, we shall find that the an
nual trade of Ohio exceeds $700,000,000. The
lines of railroad which connect with its ports, are
more than four thousand miles in length, or rather
more than one mile in length to each ten square
miles of surface. This great amount of railroads is
engaged not merely in transporting to the Atlantic
and thence to Europe, the immense surplus grain
and meat in Ohio, but in carrying the largest part
of that greater surplus, which exists in the States
west of Ohio, the granary of the West. Ohio
holds the gateway of every railroad north of the
Ohio, from the Mississippi to the Atlantic, and
hence it is that the great transit lines of the coun
try pass through Ohio.
Let us now turn from the progress of the arts
to the progress of ideas; from material to intellect
ual development. It is said that a State consists
of men, and history shows that no art or science,
wealth or power, will compensate for the want of
moral or intellectual stability in the minds of a
nation. Hence, it is admitted that the strength
and perpetuity of our republic must consist in the
intelligence and morality of the people. A re
public can last only when the people are enlight
ened. This was an axiom with the early legislators
of this country. Henee it was that when Vir
ginia, Connecticut and the original colonies ceded
to the General Government that vast and then un
known wilderness which lay west of the Allegha-
nies, in the valleys ofthe Ohio and Mississippi, they
took care that its future inhabitants should be an
educated people. The Constitution was not formed
when the celebrated ordinance of 1787 was passed.
That ordinance provided that, " Religion, mor
ality, and knowledge being necessary to good

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government and the happiness of mankind, schools
and the means of education shall be forever en
couraged ; " and by the ordinance of 1785 for the
survey of public lands in the Northwestern Terri
tory, Section 16 in each township, that is, one
thirty-sixth part, was reserved for the maintenance
of public schools in said townships. As the State
of Ohio contained a little more than twenty-five
millions of acres, this, together with two special
grants of three townships to universities, amounted
to the dedication of 740,000 acres of land to the
maintenance of schools and colleges. It was a
splendid endowment, but it was many years before
it became available. It was sixteen years after the
passage, of this ordinance (in 1803), when Ohio
entered the Union, and legislation upon this grant
became possible. The Constitution of the State
pursued the language of the ordinance, and de
clared that "schools and the means of education
shall forever be encouraged by legislative provision."
The Governors of Ohio, in successive messages,
urged attention to this subject upon the people;
but the thinness of settlement, making it impossi
ble, except in few districts, to collect youth in suf
ficient numbers, and impossible to sell or lease
lands to advantage, caused the delay of efficient
school system for many years. In 1825, however,
a general law establishing a school system, and levy
ing a tax for its support, was passed.
This was again enlarged and increased by new
legislation in 1836 and 1846. From that time to
this, Ohio has had a broad, liberal and efficient sys
tem of public instruction. The taxation for schools,
and the number enrolled in them at different pe
riods, will best show what has been done. In
1855 the total taxation for school purposes was
$2,672,827. The proportion of youth of school
able age enrolled was 67 per cent. In 1874 the
amount raised by taxation was $7,425,135. The
number enrolled of schoolable age was 70 per
cent, or 707,943.
As the schoolable age extends to twenty-one
years, and as there are very few youth in school
after fifteen years of age, it follows that the 70
per cent of schoolable youths enrolled in the pub
lic schools must comprehend nearly the whole
number between four and fifteen years. It is im
portant to observe this fact, because it has been
inferred that, as the whole number of youth be
tween five and twenty-one have not been enrolled,
therefore they are not educated. This is a
mistake ; nearly all over fifteen years of age Jhave
been in the public schools, and all the native

youth of the State, and all foreign born, young
enough, have had the benefit of the public schools.
But in consequence of the large number who
have come from other States and from foreign
countries, there are still a few who are classed by
the census statistics among the "illiterate;" the
proportion of this class, however, is less in propor
tion than in twenty-eight other States, and less in
proportion than in Connecticut and Massachusetts,
two of the oldest States most noted for popular
education. In fact, every youth in Ohio, under
twenty-one years of age, may have the benefit of a
public education ; and, since the system of graded
and high schools has been adopted, may obtain a
common knowledge from the alphabet to the classics.
The enumerated branches of study in the pub
lic schools of Ohio are thirty-four, including
mathematics and astronomy, French, German and
the classics. Thus the State which was in the
heart of the wilderness in 1776, and was not a
State until the nineteenth century had begun, now
presents to the world, not merely an unrivaled de
velopment of material prosperity, but an unsur
passed system of popular education.
In what is called the higher education, in the
colleges and universities, embracing the classics
and sciences taught in regular classes, it is the pop
ular idea, and one which few dare to question, that
we must look to the Eastern States for superiority
and excellence ; but that also is becoming an as
sumption without proof; a proposition difficult to
sustain. The facts in regard to the education of
universities and colleges, their faculties, students
and course of instruction, are all set forth in the
complete statistics of the Bureau of Education for
1874. They show that the State of Ohio had the
largest number of such institutions; the largest
number of instructors in their faculties, except one
State, New York ; and the largest number of stu
dents in regular college classes, in proportion to
their population, except the two States of Connect
icut and Massachusetts. Perhaps, if we look at
the statistics of classical students in the colleges,
disregarding preparatory and irregular courses, we
shall get a more accurate idea of the progress of
the higher education in those States which claim
the best. In Ohio, 36 colleges, 258 teachers,
2,139 students, proportion, 1 in 124; in Penn
sylvania, 27 colleges, 239 teachers, 2,359 students,
proportion, 1 in 150; in New York, 26 colleges,
343 teachers, 2,764 students, proportion, 1 in 176;
in thesix NewEngland States, 17 colleges, 252 teach
ers, 3,341 students, proportion, 1 in 105 ; in Illi-

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

145

nois, 24 colleges, 219 teachers, 1,701 students,
proportion, 1 in 140.
This shows there are more collegiate institutions
in Ohio than in all New England ; a greater num
ber of college teachers, and only a little smaller ratio
of students to the population ; a greater number of
such students than either in New York or Pennsyl
vania, and, as a broad, general fact, Ohio has made
more progress in education than either of the old
States which formed the American Union. Such
a fact is a higher testimony to the strength and the
beneficent influence of the American Government
than any which the statistician or the historian
can advance.
Let us now turn to the moral aspects of the
people of Ohio. No human society is found with
out its poor and dependent classes, whether made
so by the defects of nature, by acts of Providence,
or by the accidents of fortune. Since no society
is exempt from these classes, it must be judged
not so much by the fact of their existence, as by
the manner in which it treats them. In the civil
ized nations of antiquity, such as Greece and
Rome, hospitals, infirmaries, orphan homes, and
asylums for the infirm, were unknown. These
are the creations of Christianity, and that must be
esteemed practically the most Christian State which
most practices this Christian beneficence. In Ohio,
as in all the. States of this country, and of all
Christian countries, there is a large number of the
infirm and dependent classes; but, although Ohio
is the third State in population, she is only the
fourteenth in the proportion of dependent classes.
Tlie more important point, however, was, how does
she treat them? Is there wanting any of all
the varied institutions of benevolence? How does
she compare with other States and countries in
this respect? It is believed that no State or coun
try can present a larger proportion of all these
institutions which the benevolence of the wise and
good have suggested for the alleviation of suffer
ing and misfortune, than the State of Ohio. With
3,500 of the insane within her borders, she has
five great lunatic asylums, capable of accommodat
ing them all. She has asylums for the deaf and
dumb, the idiotic, and the blind. She has the
best hospitals in the country. She has schools
of reform and houses of refuge. She has " homes "
for the boys and girls, to the number of 800, who
are children of soldiers. She has penitentiaries
and jails, orphan asylums and infirmaries. In
every county there is an infirmary, and in every
public institution, except the penitentiary, there is a

school. So that the State has used every human
means to relieve the suffering, to instruct the igno
rant, and to reform the criminal. There are in
the State 80,000 who come under all the various
forms of the infirm, the poor, the sick and the
criminal, who, in a greater or less degree, make
the dependent class. For these the State has
made every provision which humanity or justice
or intelligence can require. A young State, de
veloped in the wilderness, she challenges, without
any invidious comparison, both Europe and Amer
ica, to show her superior in the development of
humanity manifested in the benefaction of public
institutions. Intimately connected with public morals and
with charitable institutions, is the religion of a
people. The people of the United States are a
Christian people. The people of Ohio have man
ifested their zeal by the erection of churches, of
Sunday schools, and of religious institutions. So
far as these are outwardly manifested, they are
made known by the social statistics of the census.
The number of church organizations in the leading
States were : In the State of Ohio, 6,488 ; in
the State of New York, 5,627 : in the State of
Pennsylvania, 5,984 ; in the State of Illinois, 4,298.
It thus appears that Ohio had a larger number
of churches than any State of the Union. The
number of sittings, however, was not quite as
large as those in New York and Pennsylvania.
The denominations are of all the sects known in
this country, about thirty in number, the majority
of the whole being Methodists, Presbyterians and
Baptists. Long before the American Independ
ence, the Moravians had settled on the Mahoning
and Tuscarawas Rivers, but only to be destroyed ;
and when the peace with Great Britain was made,
not a vestige of Christianity remained on the
soil of Ohio ; yet we see that within ninety years
from that time the State of Ohio was, in the num
ber of its churches, the first of this great Union.
In the beginning of this address, I said that
Ohio was the oldest and first of these great States,
carved out of the Northwestern Territory, and that
it was in some things the greatest State of the
American Union. I have now traced the physi
cal, commercial, intellectual and moral features of
the State during the seventy-five years of its
constitutional history. The result is to establish
fully the propositions with which I began. These
facts have brought out :
1. That Ohio is, in reference to the square
miles of its surface, the first State in agriculture

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

of the American Union; this, too, notwithstand
ing it has 800,000 in cities and towns, and a large
development of capital and products in manu
factures. 2. That Ohio has raised more grain per square
mile than either France, Austria, or Great Britain.
They raised 1,450 bushels per square mile, and
10 bushels to each person. Ohio raised 3,750
bushels per square mile, and 50 bushels to each
one of the population ; or, in other words, five
times the proportion of grain raised in Europe.
3. Ohio was the first State of the Union in
the production of domestic animals, being far in
advance of either New York, Pennsylvania or Illi
nois. The proportion of domestic animals to each
person in Ohio was three and one-third, and in
New York and Pennsylvania less than half that.
The largest proportion of domestic animals pro
duced in Europe was in Great Britain and Russia,
neither of which come near that of Ohio.
4. The coal-field of Ohio is vastly greater than
that of Great Britain, and we need make no com
parison with other States in regard to coal or iron ;
for the 10,000 square miles of coal, and 4,000
square miles of iron in Ohio, are enough to supply
the whole American continent for ages to come.
5. Neither zieed we compare the results of
commerce and navigation, since, from the ports of
Cleveland and Cincinnati, the vessels of Ohio
touch on 42,000 miles of coast, and her 5,000
miles of railroad carry her products to every part
of the American continent.
6. Notwithstanding the immense proportion
and products of agriculture in Ohio, yet she has
more than kept pace with New York and New
England in the progress of manufactures during
the last twenty years. Her coal and iron are pro
ducing their legitimate results in making her a
great manufacturing State.
7. Ohio is the first State in the Union as to
the proportion of youth attending school; and the
States west of the Alleghanies and north of the
Ohio have more youth in school, proportionably,
than New England and New York. The facts on
this subject are so extraordinary that I may be
excused for giving them a little in detail.
The proportion of youth in Ohio attending
school to the population, is 1 in 4.2 ; in Illinois, 1
in 4.3; in _ Pennsylvania, 1 in 4.8; in New York,
1 in 5.2 ; in Connecticut and Massachusetts, 1 in
8.7. These proportions show that it is in the West,
and not in the East, that education is now advanc

ing; and it is here that we see the stimulus given
by the ordinance of 1787, is working out its great
and beneficent results. The land grant for educa
tion was a great one, but, at last, its chief effort
was in stimulating popular education ; for the State
of Ohio has taxed itself tens of millions of dollars
beyond the utmost value of the land grant, to
found and maintain a system of public education
which the world has not surpassed.
We have seen that above and beyond all this
material and intellectual development, Ohio has
provided a vast benefaction of asylums, hospitals,
and infirmaries, and special schools for the support
and instruction of the dependent classes. There is
not within all her borders a single one of the deaf,
dumb, and blind, of the poor, sick, and insane, not
an orphan or a vagrant, who is not provided for
by the broad and generous liberality of the State
and her people. A charity which the classic ages
knew nothing of, a beneficence which the splendid
hierarchies and aristocracies of Europe cannot
equal, has been exhibited in this young State,
whose name was unknown one hundred years ago,
whose people, from Europe to the Atlantic, and
from the Atlantic to the Ohio, were, like Adam
and Eve, cast out — " the world before them where
to choose."
Lastly, we see that, although the third in pop
ulation, and the seventeenth in admission to the
Union, Ohio had, in 1870, 6,400 churches, the
largest number in any one State, and numbering
among them every form of Christian worship.
The people, whose fields were rich with grain,
whose mines were boundless in wealth, and whose
commerce extended through thousands of miles
of lakes and rivers, came here, as they came to
New England's rock-bound coast —
" With freedom to worship God."
The church and the schoolhouse rose beside the
green fields, and the morning bells rang forth to
cheerful children going to school, and to a Chris
tian people going to the church of God.
Let us now look at the possibilities of Ohio in
the future development of the American Repub
lican Republic. The two most populous parts of
Europe, because the most food-producing, are the
Netherlands and Italy, or, more precisely, Belgium
and ancient Lombardy ; to the present time, their
population is, in round numbers, three hundred to
the square mile. The density of population in
England proper is about the same. We may
assume, therefore, that three hundred to the square

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

147

mile is, in round numbers, the limit of comfortable
subsistence under modern civilization. It is true
that modern improvements in agricultural machin
ery and fertilization have greatly increased the
capacity of production, on a given amount of
land, with a given amount of labor. It is true,
also, that the old countries of Europe do not
possess an equal amount of arable land with Ohio
in proportion to the same surface. It would seem,
therefore, that the density of population in Ohio
might exceed that of any part of Europe. On
the other hand, it may be said with truth that the
American people will not become so dense as in
Europe while they have new lands in the West
to occupy. This is true ; but lands such as those
in the valley of the Ohio are now becoming
scarce in the West, and we think that, with her
great capacity for the production of grain on one
hand, and of illimitable quantities of coal and
iron to manufacture with on the other, that Ohio
will, at no remote period, reach nearly the density
of Belgium, which will give her 10,000,000 of
people. This seems extravagant, but the tide of
migration, which flowed so fast to the West, is
beginning to ebb, while the manufactures of the
interior offer greater inducements.
With population comes wealth, the material for
education, the development of the arts, advance
in all the material elements of civilization, and the
still grander advancements in the strength and
elevation of the human mind, conquering to itself
new realms of material and intellectual power,
acquiring in the future what we have seen in the
past, a wealth of resources unknown and undreamed
of when, a hundred years ago, the fathers of the
republic declared their independence. I know
• how easy it is to treat this statement with easy
incredulity, but statistics is a certain science ; the
elements of civilization are now measured, and we
know the progress of the human race as we know

5s— '

that of a cultivated plant. We know the resources
of the country, its food-producing capacity, its
art processes, its power of education, andthe unde
fined and illimitable power of the human mind
for new inventions and unimagined progress. With
this knowledge, it is not difficult nor unsafe to say
that the future will produce more, and in a far
greater ratio, than the past. The pictured scenes
of the prophets have already been more than ful
filled, and the visions of beauty and glory, which
their imagination failed fully to describe, will be
more than realized in the bloom of that garden
which republican America will present to the
eyes of astonished mankind. Long before another
century shall have passed by, the single State of
Ohio will present fourfold the population with which
the thirteen States began their independence, more
wealth than the entire Union now has ; greater
universities than any now in the country, and a
development of arts and manufacture which the
world now knows nothing of. You have seen
more than that since the Constitution was adopted,
and what right have you to say the future shall
not equal the past ?
I have aimed, in this address, to give an exact
picture of what Ohio is, not more for the sake of
Ohio than as a representation of the products
which the American Republic has given to the
world. A State which began long after the
Declaration of Independence, in the then unknown
wilderness of North America, presents to-day
the fairest example of what a republican govern
ment with Christian civilization can do. Look
upon this picture and upon those of Assyria,
of Greece or Rome, or of Europe in her best
estate, and say where is the civilization of the
earth which can equal this. If a Roman citizen could
say with pride, " Givis Romanus sum," with far
greater pride can you say this day, "I am an
American citizen."

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148

HISTORY OF OHIO.

CHAPTER XIV.
EDUCATION* — EARLY SCHOOL LAWS — NOTES — INSTITUTES AND EDUCATIONAL JOURNALS-
SCHOOL SYSTEM— SCHOOL FUNDS— COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

WHEN the survey of the Northwest Terri
tory was ordered by Congress, March 20,
1785, it was decreed that every sixteenth section
of land should be reserved for the "maintenance
of public schools within each township." The
ordinance of 1787 — thanks to the New England
Associates — proclaimed that, "religion, morality
and knowledge being essential to good government,
schools and the means of education should forever
be encouraged." The State Constitution of 1802
declared that " schools and the means of instruc
tion should be encouraged by legislative provision,
not inconsistent with the rights of conscience."
In 1825, through the persevering effortsof Nathan
Guilford, Senator from Hamilton County, Ephraim
Cutler, Representative from Washington County,
and other friends of education, a bill was passed,
" laying the foundation for a general system of
common schools." This bill provided a tax of one-
half mill, to be levied by the County Commis
sioners for school purposes ; provided for school
examiners, and made Township Clerks and County
Auditors school officers. In 1829, this county
tax was raised to three-fourths of a mill ; in 1834
to one mill, and, in 1836, to one and a half mills.
In March, 1837, Samuel Lewis, of Hamilton
County, was appointed State Superintendent of Com
mon Schools. He was a very energetic worker, trav
eling on horseback all over the State, delivering ad
dresses and encouraging school officers and teachers.
Through his efforts much good was done, and

*From the School Commissioners' Reporls, principally those of
Thomas W. Harvey, A. M.
Note 1. — The first school taught in Ohio, or in the Northwestern
Territory, was in 1791. The first teacher was Maj. Austin Tnpper,
eldestson of Gen. Benjamin Tupper, both Revolutionary officers.
The room occupied was the same as that in which the first Court was
held, and was situated in the northwest block -house of the garrison,
called the stockade, at Marietta. During the Indian war school
was also taught at Fort Harmar. Point Marietta, and at other set
tlements. A meeting was held in Marietta, April 29, 1797, to con
sider the erection of a school building suitable for the instruction
of the youth, and for conducting religious services. Resolutions
were adopted which led to the erection of a building called the
Muskingum Academy. The building was of frame, forty feet long
and twenty-four feet wide, and is yet(1878)stanrling. Thebuilding
was twelve feet high, with an arched ceiling. It stood upon a stone
foundation, three steps from the ground. There were two chimneys
and a lobby projection. Tht-re was a cellar under the whole build
ing. It stood upon a beautiful lot, fronting the Muskingum River,
and about sixty feet back fi o:n the Btreet. Some large trees were

many important features engrafted on the school
system. He resigned in 1839, when the office was
abolished, and its duties imposed on the Secretary
of State.
The most important adjunct in early education
in the State was the college of teachers organized
in Cincinnati in 1831 . Albert Pickett, Dr. Joseph
Ray, William H. McGuffey — so largely known by
his Readers — and Milo G. Williams, were at its
head. Leading men in all parts of the West at
tended its meetings. Their published deliberations
did much for the advancement of education among
the people. Through the efforts of the college,
the first convention held in Ohio for educational
purposes was called at Columbus, January 13,
1836. Two years after, in December, the first
convention in which the different sections of the
State were represented, was held. At both these
conventions, all the needs of the schools, both com
mon and higher, were ably and fully discussed,
and appeals made to the people for a more cordial
support of the law. No successful attempts were
made to organize a permanent educational society
until December, 1847, when the Ohio State Teach
ers' Association was formed at Akron, Summit
County, with Samuel Galloway as President; T.
W. Harvey. Recording Secretary ; M. D. Leggett,
Corresponding Secretary; William Rowen, Treas
urer, and M. F. Cowdrey, Chairman of the Executive
Committee. This Association entered upon its
work with commendable earnestness, and has since
upon the lot and on the street iu front. Across the street was an
open common, and beyond that the river. Immediately opposite
the door, on entering, was a broad aisle, and, at the end of the
aisle, against the wall, was a desk or pulpit. On ihe right and left
of the pulpit, against the wall, and fronting the pulpit, was a row
of slips. On each sideof the door, facing the pulpit, were two slips,
and, -at each end of the room, one slip. These slips weret.tationary,
and were fitted with desks that could be let down, and there were
boxes in the desks for holding books and papers. In the center of
the room was an open space, which could be filled with movable
Beats. The first school was opened here in 1800." — Letter of A. T.
Nye. Note 2. — Another evidence of the character of the New England
Associates is the founding of a public library as early as 1796, or
before. Another was also established at Belpre about the same time.
Abundant evidence proveB the existence of these libraries, all tend
ing to the fact that the early settlers, though conquering a wilder
ness and a savage foe, would not allow their mental faculties to
lack for food. The character of the books shows that "solid"
reading predominated.

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HISTORY OP OHIO.

149

never abated its zeal. Semi-annual meetings were
at first held, but, since 1858, only annual meetings
occur. They are always largely attended, and al
ways by the best and most energetic teachers.
The Association has given tone to the educational
interests of the State, and has done a vast amount
of good in popularizing education. In the spring
of 1851, Lorin Andrews, then Superintendent of
the Massillon school, resigned his place, and be
came a common-school missionary. In July, the
Association, at Cleveland, made him its agent, and
instituted measures to sustain him. He remained
zealously at work in this relation until 1853, when
he resigned to accept the presidency of Kenyon
College, at Gambier. Dr. A. Lord was then chosen
general agent and resident editor of the Journal
of Education, which positions he filled two years.
with eminent ability.
The year that Dr. Lord resigned, the ex officio
relation of the Secretary of State to the common
schools was abolished, and the office of school com
missioner again created. H. H. Barney was
elected to the place in October, 1853. The office
has since been held by Rev. Anson Smyth, elected
in 1856, and re-elected in 1859 ; E. E. White,
appointed by the Governor, November 11, 1863,
to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of C.
W. H. Cathcart, who was elected in 1862; John
A. Norris, in 1865; W. D. Henkle, in 1868;
Thomas W. Harvey, in 1871; C. S. Smart, in
1875, and the present incumbent, J. J. Rurns,
elected in 1878, his term expiring in 1881.
The first teachers' institute in Northern Ohio
was held at Sandusky, in September, 1845, con
ducted by Salem Town, of New York, A. D. Lord
and M. P. Cowdrey. The second was held at Char-
don, Geauga Co., in November of the same year.
The first institute in the southern part of the
State was held at Cincinnati, in February, 1837;
the first in the central part at Newark, in March,
1848. Since then these meetings of teachers have
occurred annually, and have been the means of
great good in elevating the teacher and the public
in educational interests. In 1848, on petition of
forty teachers, county commissioners were author
ized to pay lecturers from surplus revenue, and the
next year, to appropriate $100 for institute pur
poses, upon pledge of teachers to raise half that
amount. By the statutes of 1864, applicants for
teachers were required to pay 50 cents each as an
examination fee. One-third of the amount thus
raised was allowed the use of examiners as trav
eling expenses, the remainder to be applied to in

stitute instruction. For the year 1871, sixty-eight
teachers' institutes were held in the State, at which
308 instructors and lecturers were employed, and
7,158 teachers in attendance. The expense incurred
was $16,361.99, of which $10,127.13 was taken
from the institute fund; $2,730.34, was contrib
uted by members; $680, by county commis
sioners, and the balance, $1,371.50, was ob
tained from other sources. The last report of the
State Commissioners— 1878 — shows that eighty-
five county institutes were held in the State, con
tinuing in session 748 days; 416 instructors were
employed; 11,466 teachers attended; $22,531.47
were received from all sources, and that the ex
penses-were $19,587.51, or $1.71 per member.
There was a balance on hand of $9,460.74 to com
mence the next year, just now closed, whose work
has been as progressive and thorough as any former
year. The State Association now comprises three
sections; the general association, the superintend
ents' section and the ungraded school section. All
have done a good work, and all report progress.
The old State Constitution, adopted by a con
vention in 1802, was supplemented in 1851 by
the present one, under which the General Assem
bly, elected under it, met in 1852. Harvey Rice,
a Senator from Cuyahoga County, Chairman of
Senate Committee on " Common Schools and
School Lands," reported a bill the 29th of March,
to provide "for the re-organization, supervision
and maintenance of common schools." This bill,
amended in a few particulars, became a law
March 14, 1853. The prominent features of the
new law were : The substitution of a State school
tax for the county tax ; creation of the office of
the State School Commissioner; the creation of a
Township Board of Education, consisting of repre
sentatives from the subdistricts ; the abolition of
rate-bills, making education free to all the youth of
the State ; the raising of a fund, by a tax of one-
tenth of a mill yearly, " for the purpose of fur
nishing school libraries and apparatus to all the
common schools." This "library tax" was abol
ished in 1860, otherwise the law has remained
practically unchanged.
School journals, like the popular press, have
been a potent agency in the educational history of
the State. As early as 1838, the Ohio School
Director was issued by Samuel Lewis, by legisla
tive authority, though after six months' continu
ance, it ceased for want of support. The same
year the Pestulozsian, by E. L. Sawtell and H.
K. Smith, of Akron, and the Common School

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150

HISTORY OF OHIO.

^

Advocate, of Cincinnati, were issued. In 1846,
the School Journal began to be published by A.
D. Lord, of Kirtland. The same year saw the
Free School Clarion, by W. Bowen, of Massillon,
and the School Friend, by W. B. Smith & Co.,
of Cincinnati. The next year, W. H. Moore &
Co., of Cincinnati, started the Western School
Journal. In 1851, the Ohio Teacher, by
Thomas Rainey, appeared ; the News and Edu
cator, in 1863, and the Educational Times, in
1866. In 1850, Dr. Lord's Journal of Educa
tion was united with the School Friend, and
became the recognized organ of the teachers in
Ohio. The Doctor remained its principal editor
until 1856, when he was succeeded by Anson
Smyth, who edited the journal one year. In 1857,
it was edited by John D. Caldwell ; in 1858 and
and 1859, by W. T. Coggeshall; in 1860, by Anson
Smyth again, when it passed into the hands of
E. E. White, who yet controls it. It has an
immense circulation among Ohio teachers, and,
though competed by other journals, since started,
it maintains its place.
The school system of the State may be briefly
explained as follows : Cities and incorporated vil
lages are independent of township and county con
trol, in the management of schools, having boards
of education and examiners of their own. Some
of them are organized for school purposes, under
special acts. Each township has a board of edu
cation, composed of one member from each sub-
district. The township clerk is clerk of this board,
but has no vote. Each subdistrict has a local
board of trustees, which manages its school affairs,
subject to the advice and control ofthe township
board. These officers are elected on the first
Monday in April, and hold their offices three
years. An enumeration of all the youth between
the ages of five and twenty-one is made yearly.
All public schools are required to be in session at
least twenty-four weeks each year. The township
clerk reports annually such facts concerning school
affairs as the law requires, to the county auditor,
who in' turn reports to the State Commissioner,
who collects these reports in a general report to
the Legislature each year.
A board of examiners is appointed in each
county by the Probate Judge. This board has
power to grant certificates for a term not exceed
ing two years, and good only in the county in
which they are executed ; they may be revoked on
sufficient cause. In 1864, a State Board of
Examiners was created, with power to issue life cer

tificates, valid in all parts of the State. Since
then, up to January 1, 1879, there have been 188
of these issued. They are considered an excellent
test of scholarship and ability, and are very credit
able to the holder. •
The school funds, in 1865, amounted to $3,271,-
275.66. They were the proceeds of appropriations
of land by Congress for school purposes, upon
which the State pays an annual interest of 6 per
cent. The funds are known as the Virginia Mili
tary School Fund, the proceeds of eighteen quar
ter-townships and three sections of land, selected
by lot from lands lying in the United States
Military Reserve, appropriated for the use of
schools in the Virginia Military Reservation ; the
United States Military School Fund, the proceeds
of one thirty-sixth part of the land in the United
States Military District, appropriated " for the use
of schools within the same ;" the Western Reserve
School Fund, the proceeds from fourteen quarter-
townships, situated in the United States Military
District, and 37,758 acres, most of which was lo
cated in Defiance, Williams, Paulding, Van Wert
and Putnam Counties, appropriated for the use of
the schools in the Western Reserve; Section
16, the proceeds from the sixteenth section of
each township in that part of the State in which
the Indian title was not extinguished in 1803; the
Moravian School Fund, the proceeds from one
thirty-sixth part of each of three tracts of
4,000 acres situated in Tuscarawas County, orig
inally granted by Congress to the Society of United
Brethren, and reeonveyed by this Society to the
United States in 1824. The income of these funds
is not distributed by any uniform rule, owing to
defects in the granting of the funds. The territo
rial divisions designated receive the income in
proportion to the whole number of youth therein,
while in the remainder of the State, the rent of
Section 16, or the interest on the proceeds
arising from its sale, is paid to the inhabitants of
the originally surveyed townships. In these terri
torial divisions, an increase or decrease of popula
tion must necessarily increase or diminish the
amount each youth is entitled to receive; and the
fortunate location or judicious sale of the sixteenth
section may entitle one township to receive a large
sum, while an adjacent township receives a mere
pittance. This inequality of benefit may be good
for localities, but it is certainly a detriment to the
State at large. There seems to be no legal remedy
for it. In addition to the income from the before-
mentioned funds, a variable revenue is received

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

151

from certain fines and licenses paid to either county
or township treasurers for the use of schools;
from the sale of swamp lands ($25,720.07 allotted
to the State in 1850), and from personal property
escheated to the State.
Aside from the funds, a State school tax is fixed
by statute. Local taxes vary with the needs of
localities, are limited by law, and are contingent
on the liberality and public spirit of different com
munities. The State contains more than twenty colleges
and universities, more than the same number of
female seminaries, and about thirty normal schools
and academies. The amount of property invested
in these is more than $6,000,000. The Ohio
University is the oldest college in the State.
In addition to the regular colleges, the State
controls the Ohio State University, formerly the
Agricultural and Mechanical College, established
from the proceeds of the land scrip voted by Con
gress to Ohio for such purposes. The amount
realized from the sale was nearly $500,000. This
is to constitute a permanent fund, the interest only
to be used. In addition, the sum of $300,000
was voted by the citizens of Franklin County, in
consideration of the location of the college in that
county. Of this sum $111,000 was paid for three
hundred and fifteen acres of land near the city of
Columbus, and $112,000 for a college building,

the balance being expended as circumstances re
quired, for additional buildings, laboratory, appa
ratus, etc. Thorough instruction is given in all
branches relating to agriculture and the mechanical
arts. Already excellent results are attained.
By the provisions of the act of March 14, 1853,
township boards are made bodies politic and cor
porate in law, and are invested with the title, care
and custody of all school property belonging to
the school district or township. They have control
of the central or high schools of their townships ;
prescribe rules for the district schools ; may appoint
one of their number manager of the schools of the
township, and allow him reasonable pay for his
services ; determine the textbooks to be used ; fix
the boundaries of districts and locate schoolhouse
sites ; make estimates of the amount of money re
quired ; apportion the money among the districts,
and are required to make an annual report to the
County Auditor, who incorporates the same in his
report to the State Commissioner, by whom it
reaches the Legislature.
Local directors control the subdistricts. They
enumerate the children of school age, employ and
dismiss teachers, make contracts for building and
furnishing schoolhouses, and make all necessary
provision for the convenience of the district schools.
Practically, the entire management rests with
them.

CHAPTER XV.
AGRICULTURE— AREA OF THE STATE— EARLY AGRICULTURE IN THE WEST— MARKETS— LIVE
STOCK— NURSERIES, FRUITS, ETC. — CEREALS — ROOT AND CUCURBITACEOUS
CROPS— AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS— AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES—
POMOLOGICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

" Oft did the harvest to their sickles yield,
Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke ;
How jocund did they drive their teams afield !
How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke."
THE majority ofthe readers of these pages are
farmers, hence a resume of agriculture in the
State, would not only be appropriate, but valuable
as a matter of history. It is the true basis of
national prosperity, and, therefore, justly occupies
a foremost place.
In the year 1800, the Territory of Ohio con
tained a population of 45,365 inhabitants, or a
little more than one person to the square mile. At

this date, the admission of the Territory into the
Union as a State began to be agitated. When the
census was made to ascertain the legality of the
act, in conformity to the "Compact of 1787," no
endeavor was made to ascertain additional statis
tics, as now ; hence, the cultivated land was not
returned, and no account remains to tell how
much existed. In 1805, three years after the ad
mission of the State into the Union, 7,252,856
acres had been purchased from the General Gov
ernment. Still no returns of the cultivated lands
were made. In 1810, the population of Ohio was
230,760, and the land purchased from the Gov-

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152

HISTORY OF OHIO.

ernment amounted to 9,933,150 acres, of which
amount, however, 3,569,314 acres, or more than
one-third, was held by non-residents. Ofthe lands
occupied by resident land-owners, there appear to
have been 100,968 acres of first-rate, 1,929,600
of second, and 1,538,745 acres of third rate lands.
At this period there were very few exports from
the farm, loom or shop. The people still needed
all they produced to sustain themselves, and were
yet in that pioneer period where they were obliged
to produce all they wanted, and yet were opening
new farms, and bringing the old ones to a productive
state. Kentucky, and the country on the Monongahela,
lying along the western slopes of the Alleghany
Mountains, having been much longer settled, had
begun, as early as 1795, to send considerable quan
tities of flour, whisky, bacon ahd tobacco to the
lower towns on the Mississippi, at that time in the
possession of the Spaniards. At the French set
tlements on the Illinois, and at Detroit, were
being raised much more than could be used, and
these were exporting also large quantities of these
materials, as well as peltries and such commodities
as their nomadic lives furnished. As the Missis
sippi was the natural outlet of the West, any at
tempt to impede its free navigation by the various
powers at times controlling its outlet, would lead
at once to violent outbreaks among the Western
settlers, some of whom were aided by unscrupulous
persons, who thought to form an independent
Western country. Providence seems to have had
a watchful eye over all these events, and to have
so guided them that the attempts with such objects
in view, invariably ended in disgrace to their per
petrators. This outlet to the West was thought
to be the only one that could carry their produce to
market, for none of the Westerners then dreamed
of the immense system of railways now covering
that part of the Union. As soon as ship-building
commenced at Marietta, in the year 1800, the
farmers along the borders of the Ohio and Musk
ingum Rivers turned their attention to the culti
vation of hemp, in addition to their other crops. Ina
few years sufficient was raised, not only to furnish
cordage to the ships in the West, but large quan
tities were worked up in the various rope-walks
and sent to the Atlantic cities. Iron had been
discovered, and forges on the Juniata were busy
converting that necessary and valued material into
implements of industry.
By the year 1805, two ships, seven brigs and
three schooners had been built and rigged by the

citizens of Marietta. Their construction gave a
fresh impetus to agriculture, as by means of them
the surplus products could be carried away to a
foreign market, where, if it did not bring money,
it could be exchanged for merchandise equally
valuable. Captain David Devoll was one of the
earliest of Ohio's shipwrights. He settled on the
fertile Muskingum bottom, about five miles above
Marietta, soon after the Indian war. Here he
built a "floating mill," for making flour, and, in
1801, a ship of two hundred and fifty tons, called
the Muskingum, and the brig Eliza Greene, of one
hundred and fifty tons. In 1804, he built a
schooner on his own account, and in the spring
of the next year, it was finished and loaded for a
voyage down the Mississippi. It was small, only of
seventy tons burden, of a light draft, and intended
to run on the lakes east of New Orleans. In
shape and model, it fully sustained its name, Nonpa
reil. Its complement of sails, small at first, was
completed when it arrived in New Orleans. It
had a large cabin to accommodate passengers, was
well and finely painted, and sat gracefully on the
water. Its load was of assorted articles, and shows
very well the nature of exports of the day. It con
sisted of two hundred barrels of flour, fifty barrels of
kiln-dried corn meal, four thousand pounds of
cheese, six thousand of bacon, one hundred sets
of rum puncheon shooks, and a few grindstones.
The flour and meal were made at Captain Devoll's
floating mill, and the cheese made in Belpre, at that
date one of Ohio's most flourishing agricultural dis
tricts. The Captain and others carried on boating as
well as the circumstances ofthe days permitted, fear
ing only the hostility of the Indians, and the duty
the Spaniards were liable to levy on boats going
down to New Orleans, even if they did not take
it into their erratic heads to stop the entire navi
gation ofthe great river by vessels other than
their own. By such means, merchandise was car
ried on almost entirely until the construction of
canals, and even then, until modern times, the
flat-boat was the main-stay of the shipper inhabit
ing the country adjoining the upper Ohio and
Mississippi Rivers.
Commonly, very little stock was kept beyond
what was necessary for the use of the family and
to perform the labor on the farm. The Scioto
Valley was perhaps the only exception in Ohio to
this general condition. Horses were brought by the
emigrants from the East and were characteristic
of that region. In the French settlements in Illi
nois and about Detroit, French ponies, marvels of

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"THEL OAKS*
RESIDENCE OF COL. A.CASSIL,
CuRIASTHIGrUNOPDTWIM STS.MTVEKNOH, OHIO

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

155

endurance, were chiefly used. They were impractic
able in hauling the immense emigrant wagons over
the mountains, and hence were comparatively
unknown in Ohio. Until 1828, draft horses
were chiefly used here, the best strains being
brought by the "Tunkers," " Mennonites," and
" Ormish," — three religious sects, whose members
were invariably agriculturists. In Stark, Wayne,
Holmes, and Richland Counties, as a general thing,
. they congregated in communities, where the neat
ness of their farms, the excellent condition of
their stock, and the primitive simplicity of their
manners, made them conspicuous.
In 1828, the French began to settle in Stark
County, where they introduced the stock of horses
known as " Selim," "Florizel," "Post Roy" and
" Timolen." These, crossed upon the descents of
the Norman and Conestoga, produced an excellent
stock of farm horses, now largely used.
In the Western Reserve, blooded horses were in
troduced as early as 1825. John I. Van Meter
broughc fine horses into the Scioto Valley in 1815,
or thereabouts. Soon after, fine horses were
brought to Steubenville from Virginia and Penn
sylvania. In Northern Ohio the stock was more
miscellaneous, until the introduction of improved
breeds from 1815 to 1835. By the latter date
the strains of horses had greatly improved. The
same could be said of other parts of the State.
Until after 1825, only farm and road horses were
required. That year a race-course — the first in
the State — was established in Cincinnati, shortly
followed by others at Chillieothe, Dayton and Ham
ilton. From that date the race-horse steadily im
proved. Until 1838, however, all race-courses
were rather irregular, and, of those named, it is
difficult to determine which one has priority of
date over the others. To Cincinnati, the prece
dence is, however, generally given. In 1838, the
Buckeye Course was established in Cincinnati, and
before a year had elapsed, it is stated, there were
fifteen regular race-courses in Ohio. The effect
of these courses was to greatly stimulate the stock
of racers, and rather detract from draft and road
horses. The organization of companies to import
blooded horses has again revived the interest in
this class, and now, at annual stock sales, these
strains of horses are eagerly sought after by those
having occasion to use them.
Cattle were brought over the mountains, and,
for several years, were kept entirely for domestic
uses. By 1805, the country had so far settled
that the surplus stock was fattened on corn and

fodder, and a drove was driven to Baltimore. The
drove was owned by George Renick, of Chillieothe,
and the feat was looked upon as one of great im
portance. The drove arrived in Baltimore in ex
cellent condition. The impetus given by this
movement of Mr. Renick stimulated greatly the
feeding of cattle, and led to the improvement of
the breed, heretofore only of an ordinary kind.
Until the advent of railroads and the shipment
of cattle thereon, the number of cattle driven to
eastern markets from Ohio alone, was estimated at
over fifteen thousand annually, whose value was
placed at $600,000. Besides this, large numbers
were driven from Indiana and Illinois, whose
boundless prairies gave free scope to the herding of
cattle. Improved breeds, "Short Horns," "Long
Horns" and others, were introduced into Ohio as
early as 1810 and 1815. Since then the stock
has been gradually improved and acclimated, until
now Ohio produces as fine cattle as any State in
the Union. In some localities, especially in the
Western Reserve, cheesemaking and dairy interests
are the chief occupations of whole neighborhoods,
where may be found men who have grown wealthy
in this business.
Sheep were kept by almost every family, in pio
neer times, in order to be supplied with wool for
clothing. The wool was carded by hand, spun in
the cabin, and frequently dyed and woven as well
as shaped into garments there, too. All emigrants
brought the best household and farming imple
ments their limited means would allow, so also did
they bring the best strains of horses, cattle and
sheep they could obtain. About the year 1809,
Mr. Thomas Rotch, a Quaker, emigrated to Stark
County, and brought with him a small flock of
Merino sheep. They were good, and a part of
them were from the original flock brought over
from Spain, in 1801, by Col. Humphrey, United
States Minister to that country. He had brought
200 of these sheep, and hoped, in time, to see
every part of the United States stocked with Me
rinos. In this he partially succeeded only, owing
to the prejudice against them. In 1816, Messrs.
Wells & Dickenson, who were, for the day, exten
sive woolen manufacturers in Steubenville, drove
their fine flocks out on the Stark County Plains
for the summer, and brought them back for the
winter. This course was pursued for several years,
until farms were prepared, when they were per
manently kept in Stark County. This flock was
originally derived from the Humphrey importation.
The failure of Wells & Dickenson, in 1824, placed

156

HISTORY OF OHIO.

a good portion of this flock in the hands of Adam
Hildebrand, and'became the basis of his celebrated
flock. Mr. T."S. Humrickhouse, of Coshocton,
in a communication regarding sheep, writes as fol
lows: " The first merinos brought to Ohio were doubt
less by Seth Adams, of Zanesville. They were
Humphrey's Merinos — undoubtedly the best ever
imported into the United States, by whatever
name called. He kept them part of the time in
Washington, and afterward in Muskingum County.
He had a sort of partnership agency from Gen.
Humphrey for keeping and selling them. They
were scattered, and, had they been taken care of
and appreciated, would have laid a better found
ation of flocks in Ohio than any sheep brought
into it from that time till 1852. The precise date
at which Adams brought them cannot now be as
certained ; but it was prior to 1813, perhaps as
early as 1804."
"The first Southdowns," continues Mr. Hum
rickhouse," " New Leicester, Lincolnshire and Cots-
wold sheep I ever saw, were brought into Coshocton
County from England by Isaac Maynard, nephew
of the famous Sir John, in 1834. There were
about ten Southdowns and a trio of each of the
other kinds. He was offered $500 for his Lin
colnshire ram, in Ruffalo, as he passed through,
but refused. He was selfish, and unwilling to put
them into other hands when he went on a farm,
all in the woods, and, in about three years, most of
them had perished."
The raising and improvement of sheep has kept
steady tread with the growth of the State, and
now Ohio wool is known the world over. In quan
tity it is equal to any State in America, while its
quality is unequaled.
The first stock of hogs brought- to Ohio were
rather poor, scrawny creatures, and, in a short
time, when left to themselves to pick a livelihood
from the beech mast and other nuts in the woods,
degenerated into a wild condition, almost akin to
their originators. As the country settled, however,
they were gathered from their lairs, and, by feed
ing them corn, the farmers soon brought them out
of their semi-barbarous' state. Improved breeds
were introduced. The laws for ¦ their protection
and guarding were' made, aiid now the hog of to
day shows what improvement and civilization can
do for any wild animal. The chief city, of the
State has become famous as a slaughtering place;
her bacon and sides being known in all the civil
ized world.

Other domestic animals, mules, asses, etc., have
been brought to the State, as occasion required.
Wherever their use has been, demanded, they have
been obtained,. until the State has her complement
of all animals her citizens can use in their daily
labors. Most of the early emigrants brought with them
young fruit trees or grafts of some favorite variety
from, the " old homestead.," Hence, on the West
ern Reserve are to be found chiefly — especially in
old orchards — New England varieties, while, in the
localities immediately south of the Reserve, Penn
sylvania and Maryland varieties predominate ; but
at Marietta, New England fruits are again found,
as well as throughout Southeastern Ohio. One of
the oldest of these orchards was on a Mr. Dana's
farm, near Cincinnati, on the Ohio River bank. It
consisted of five acres, in which apple seeds and
seedlings were planted as early as 1790. Part of
the old orchard is yet to be seen, though the trees
are almost past their usefulness. Peaches, pears,
cherries and apples were planted by all the pioneers
in their gardens. As soon as the seed produced
seedlings, these were transplanted to some hillside,
and the orchard, in a few years, was a productive
unit in the life of the settler. The . first fruit
brought, was, like everything else of the pioneers,
rather inferior, and admitted of much cultivation.
Soon steps were taken by the more enterprising
settlers to obtain better varieties. Israel Putnam,
as early- as 1796, returned to the East, .partly to
get scions of the choicest apples, and, partly, on
other business. He obtained quite a quantity of
choice apples, of some forty or fifty varieties, and
set them out. A portion of them were distrib
uted to the settlers who had trees, to ingraft.
From these old grafts are yet to be traced some of
the best orchards in Ohio. Israel Putnam was one
of the most prominent men. in early Ohio days.
He was always active in promoting the interests of
the settlers. Among his earliest efforts, that of
improving the fruit may well be mentioned. He
and his brother, Aaron W. Putnam, living at Bel
pre, opposite Blennerhasset's Island, began the
nursery business soon after their arrival in the
West. The apples brought by them from their
Connecticut home were used to commence the busi
ness. These, and the apples obtained from trees
planted in their, gardens, gave them a beginning.
They were the only two men in Ohio engaged in
the business till 1817..
In early times, in the central part of Ohio,
there existed a curious character known as "Johnny

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

157

Appleseed." His real name was John Chapman.
He received his name from his habit of planting,
along all the streams in that part of the State,
apple-saeds from which sprang many of the old
orchards. He did this as a religious duty, think
ing it to be his especial mission. He had, it is
said, been disappointed in his youth in a love
affair, and came West about 1800, and ever after
followed his singular life. Het was extensively
known, was quite harmless, very patient, and did,
without doubt, much good. He died in 1847, at
the house of a Mr. Worth, near Fort Wayne,
Indiana, who had long known him, and often
befriended him. He was a minister in the Swed-
enborgian Church, and, in his own way, a zealous
worker. The settlers of the Western Reserve, coming
from New England, chiefly from Connecticut,
brought all varieties of fruit known in their old
homes. These, whether seeds or grafts, were
planted in gardens, and as soon as an orchard
could be cleared on some favorable hillside, the
young trees were transplanted there, and in time
an orchard was the result. Much confusion
regarding the kinds of fruits thus produced arose,
partly from the fact that the trees grown from
seeds did not always prove to be of the same qual
ity as the seeds. Climate, soil and surroundings
often change the character of such fruits.
Many new varieties, unknown to the growers,
were the result. The fruit thus produced was
often of an inferior growth, and when grafts were
brought from the old New England home and
grafted into the Ohio trees, an improvement as
well as the old home fruit was the result. After
the orchards in the Reserve began to bear, the
fruit was very often taken to the Ohio River for
shipment, and thence found its way to the South
ern and Eastern seaboard cities.
Among the individuals prominent in introducing
fruits into the State, were Mr. Dille, of Euclid, Judge
Fuller, Judge Whittlesey, and Mr. Lindley.
George Hoadly was also very prominent and ener
getic in the matter, and was, perhaps, the first to
introduce the pear to any extent. He was one of
the most persistent and enthusiastic amateurs in
horticulture and pomology in ' the West. About
the year 1810, Dr. Jared Kirtland, father of
Prof. J. P. Kirtland, so favorably known
among horticulturists and pomologists, came from
Connecticut and settled in Poland, Mahoning
County, with his family. This family has done
more than any other in the State, perhaps, to

advance fruit culture. About the year 1824,
Prof. J. P. Kirtland, in connection with his brother,
established a nursery at Poland, then in Trumbull
County* and brought on from New England above
a hundred of their best varieties of apples, cherries,
peaches, pears, and smaller fruits, and a year or
two after brought from New Jersey a hundred of
the best varieties of that State ; others were ob
tained in New York, so that they possessed the larg
est and most varied stock in the Western country.
These two men gave a great impetus to fruit cult
ure in the West, and did more than any others
of that day to introduce improved kinds of all
fruits in that part of the United States.
Another prominent man in this branch of indus
try was Mr. Andrew H. Ernst, of Cincinnati.
Although not so early a settler as the Kirtlands,
he was, like them, an ardent student and propa
gator of fine fruits. He introduced more than
six hundred varieties of apples and seven hun
dred of pears, both native and foreign. His
object was to test by actual experience the most
valuable sorts for the diversified soil and climate
of the Western country.
The name of Nicholas Longworth, also of Cin
cinnati, is one of the most extensively known of any
in the science of horticulture and pomology. For
more than fifty years he made these his especial
delight. Having a large tract of land in the
lower part of Cincinnati, he established nurseries,
and planted and disseminated every variety of
fruits that could be found in the United States —
East or West — making occasional importations
from European countries of such varieties as
were thought to be adapted to the Western climate.
His success has been variable, governed by the
season, and in a measure by his numerous experi
ments. His vineyards, cultivated by tenants, gen
erally Germans, on the European plan, during the
latter years of his experience paid him a hand
some revenue. He introduced the famous Catawba
grape, the standard grape of the West. It is
stated that Mr. Longworth bears the same relation
to vineyard culture that Fulton did to steam navi
gation. Others made earlier effort, but he was the
first to establish it on a permanent basis. He has
also been eminently successful in the cultivation of
the strawberry, and was the first to firmly establish
it on Western soil. He also brought the Ohio Ever
bearing Raspberry into notice in the State, and
widely disseminated it throughout the country.
Other smaller fruits were brought out to the
West like those mentioned. In some cases fruits

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158

HISTORY OF OHIO.

indigenous to the soil were cultivated and improved,
and as improved fruits, are known favorably where-
ever used.
In chronology and importance, of all the cereals,
corn stands foremost. During the early pioneer
period, it was the staple article of food for both
man and beast. It could be made into a variety
of forms of food, and as such was not only palata^
ble but highly nutritious and strengthening.
It is very difficult to determine whether corn
originated in America or in the Old World. Many
prominent botanists assert it is a native of Turkey,
and originally was known as " Turkey wheat. ' ' Still
others claimed to have found mention of maize in
Chinese writings antedating the Turkish discovery.
Grains of maize were found in an Egyptian mum
my, which goes to prove to many the cereal was
known in Africa since the earliest times. Maize
was found in America when first visited by white
men, but of its origin Indians could give no ac
count. It had always been known among them,
and constituted their chief article of vegetable diet.
It was cultivated exclusively by their squaws, the
men considering it beneath their dignity to engage
in any manual labor. It is altogether probable corn
was known in the Old World long before the New
was discovered. The Arabs or Crusaders probably
introduced it into Europe. How it was introduced
into America will, in all probability, remain un
known. It may have been an indigenous plant,
like many others. Its introduction into Ohio dates
with the settlement of the whites, especially its
cultivation and use as an article of trade. True,
the Indians had cultivated it in small quantities ;
each lodge a little for itself, but no effort to make
of it a national support began until the civilization
of the white race became established. From that
time on, the increase in crops has grown with the
State, and, excepting the great corn States of the
West, Ohio produces an amount equal to any State
in the Union. The statistical tables printed in
agricultural reports show the acres planted, and
bushels grown. Figures speak an unanswerable
logic. Wheat is probably the next in importance of the
cereals in the State. Its origin, like corn, is lost
in the mists of antiquity. Its berry was no doubt
used as food by the ancients for ages anterior to
any historical records. It is often called corn in
old writings, and under that name is frequently
mentioned in the Rible.
"As far back in the vistas of ages as human
records go, we find that wheat has been cultivated,

and, with corn, aside from animal food, has formed
one of the chief alimentary articles of all nations ;
but as the wheat plant has nowhere been found wild,
or in a state of nature, the inference has been
drawn by men of unquestioned scientific ability,
that the original plant from which wheat has been
derived was either totally annihilated, or else cul
tivation has wrought so great a change, that the
original is by no means obvious, or manifest to bot
anists." It is supposed by many, wheat originated in
Persia. Others affirm it was known and cultivated
in 'Egypt long ere it found its way into Persia. It
was certainly grown on the Nile ages ago, and
among the tombs are found grains of wheat in a
perfectly sound condition, that unquestionably
have been buried thousands of years. It may be,
however, that wheat was grown in Persia first, and
thence found its way into Egypt and Africa, or,
vice versa. It grew first in Egypt and Africa and
thence crossed into Persia, and from there found
its way into India and all parts of Asia.
It is also claimed that wheat is indigenous to
the island of Sicily, and that from there it spread
along the shores of the Mediterranean into Asia
Minor and Egypt, and, as communities advanced,
it was cultivated, not only to a greater extent, but
with greater success.
The goddess of agriculture, more especially of
grains, who, by the Greeks, was called Demeter,
and, by the Romans, Ceres — hence the name ce
reals — was said to have her home at Enna, a fertile
region of that island, thus indicating the source
from which the Greeks and Romans derived their
Ceralia. Homer mentions wheat and spelt as
bread; also corn and barley, and describes his
heroes as using them as fodder for their horses, as
the people in the South of Europe do at present.
Rye was introduced into Greece from Thrace, or
by way of Thrace, in the time of Galen. In
Caesar's time the Romans grew a species of wheat
enveloped in a husk, like barley, and by them
called "Far."
During the excavations of Herculaneum and
Pompeii, wheat, in an excellent state of preserva
tion, was frequently found.
Dr. Anson Hart, Superintendent, at one time, of
Indian Affairs in Oregon, states that he found
numerous patches of wheat and flax growing wild
in the Yackemas country, in Upper Oregon. There
is but little doubt that both cereals were intro
duced into Oregon at an early period by the Hud
son Bay, or other fur companies. Wheat was also

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

159

found by Dr. Boyle, of Columbus, Ohio, growing
in a similar state in the Carson Valley. It was,
doubtless, brought there by the early Spaniards.
In 1530, one of Cortez's slaves found several grains
of wheat accidentally mixed with the rice. The
careful negro planted the handful of grains, and
succeeding years saw a wheat crop in Mexico,
which found its way northward, probably into
California. Turn where we may, wherever the foot of civil
ization has trod, there will we find this wheat
plant, which, like a monument, has perpetuated
the memory of the event; but nowhere do we find
the plant wild. It is the result of cultivation in
bygone ages, and has been produced by "progress
ive development."
It is beyond the limit and province of these
pages to discuss the composition of this important
cereal ; only its historic properties can be noticed.
With the advent of the white men in America,
wheat, like corn, came to be one of the staple prod
ucts of life. It followed the pioneer over the
mountains westward, where, in the rich Missis
sippi and Illinois bottoms, it has been cultivated
by the French since 1690. When the hardy New
Englanders came to the alluvial lands adjoining
the Ohio, Muskingum or Miami Rivers, they
brought with them this " staff of life," and forth
with began its cultivation. Who sowed the first
wheat in Ohio, is a question Mr. A. S. Guthrie
answers, in a letter published in the Agricultural
Report of 1857, as follows:
" My father, Thomas Guthrie, emigrated to the
Northwest Territory in the year 1788, and arrived
at the mouth of the Muskingum in July, about
three months after Gen. Putnam had arrived with
the first pioneers of Ohio. My father brought a
bushel of wheat with him from one of the frontier
counties of Pennsylvania, which he sowed on a
lot of land in Marietta, which he cleared for that
purpose, on the second bottom or plain, in the
neighborhood of where the Court House now
stands." Mr. Guthrie's opinion is corroborated by Dr.
Samuel P. Hildreth, in- his "Pioneer Settlers of
Ohio," and is, no doubt, correct.
From that date on down through the years of
Ohio's growth, the crops of wheat have kept pace
with the advance and growth of civilization. The
soil is admirably adapted to the growth of this ce
real, a large number of varieties being grown, and
an excellent quality produced. It is firm in body,
and, in many cases, is a successful rival of wheat

produced in the great wheat^producing regions of
the United States — Minnesota, and the farther
Northwest. Oats, rye, barley, and other grains were also
brought to Ohio from the Atlantic Coast, though
some of them had been cultivated by the French
in Illinois and about Detroit. They were at first
used only as food for home consumption, and, until
the successful attempts at river and canal naviga
tion were brought about, but little was ever sent
to market.Of all the root crops known to man, the potato
is probably the most valuable. Next to wheat,
it is claimed by many as the staff of life. In
some localities, this assumption is undoubtedly
true. What would Ireland have done in her fam
ines but for this simple vegetable? The potato is
a native of the mountainous districts of tropical
and subtropical America, probably from Chili to
Mexico ; but there is considerable difficulty in
deciding where it is really indigenous, and where
it has spread after being introduced by man.
Humboldt, the learned savant, doubted if it had
ever been found wild, but scholars no less famous,
and of late date, have expressed an opposite
opinion. In the wild plant, as in all others, the
tubers are smaller than in the cultivated. The
potato had been cultivated in America, and its
tubers used for food, long before the advent of the
Europeans. It seems to have been first brought
to Europe by the Spaniards, from the neighbor
hood of Quito, in the beginning of the sixteenth
century, and spread through Spain, the Netherlands,
Burgundy and Italy, cultivated in gardens as an
ornament only and not for an article of food.
It long received through European countries the
same name with the batatas — sweet potato, which
is the plant meant by all English writers down to
the seventeenth century.
It appears that the potato was brought from
Virginia to Ireland by Hawkins, a slave-trader,
in 1565, and to England by Sir Francis Drake,
twenty years later. It did not at first attract much
notice, and not until it was a third time imported
from America, in 1623, by Sir Walter Raleigh,
did the Europeans make a practical use of it.
Even then it was a long time before it was exten
sively cultivated. It is noticed in agricu'tural
journals as food for cattle only as late as 1719.
Poor people began using it, however, and finding it
highly nutritious, the Royal Geographical Society,
in 1663, adopted measures for its propagation. .
About this time it began to be used in Ireland as

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160

HISTORY OF OHIO.

food, and from the beginning of the eighteenth cent
ury, its use has never declined. It is now known
in every quarter of the world, and has, by cultiva
tion, been greatly improved.
The inhabitants of America learned its use
from, the Indians, who cultivated it and other
root crops — rutabagas, radishes, etc., and taught
the whites their value. When the pioneers of
Ohio came to its fertile valleys, they brought
improved 'species with them, which by cultiva
tion and soil, are now greatly increased, and are
among the standard crops of the State.
The cucurbitaceous plants, squashes, etc., were,
like the potato and similar root crops, indigenous
to America — others, like the melons, to Asia —
and were among the staple foods of the original
inhabitants. The early French missiouaries of
the West speak of both root crops and cucurbi
taceous plants as in use among the aboriginal inhab
itants. "They are very sweet and wholesome,"
wrote Marquette. Others speak in the same terms, \
though some of the plants in this order had found
their way to these valleys through the Spaniards
and others through early Atlantic Coast and Mex
ican inhabitants. Their use by the settlers of the
West, especially .Ohio, is traced to New England,
as the first settlers came from that portion of the
Union. They grow well in all parts of the State,
and by cultivation have been greatly improved in
quality and variety. All cucurbitaceous plants
require a rich, porous soil, and by proper atten
tion to their cultivation, excellent results can be
attained. Probably the earliest and most important imple
ment of husbandry known is the plow. Grain,
plants and roots will not grow well unless the soil
in which they are planted be properly stirred,
hence the first requirement was an instrument that
would fulfill such conditions.
The first implements were rude indeed ; gener
ally, stout wooden sticks, drawn through the earth
by thongs attached to rude ox-yokes, or fastened
to the animal's horns. Such plows were in use
among the ancient Egyptians, and may yet be
found among uncivilized nations. The Old Testa-
ment furnishes numerous instances of the use of
the plow, while, on the ruins of ancient cities and
among the pyramids of Egypt, and on the buried
walls of Babylon, and other extinct cities, are rude
drawings of this useful implement! As the use
of iron became apparent and general, it was util
ized for plow-points, where the wood alone would
not penetrate the earth. They got their plow

shares sharpened in Old Testament days, also
coulters, which shows, beyond a doubt, that iron-
pointed plows were then in use. From times
mentioned in the Bible, on heathen tombs, and
ancient catacombs, the improvement of the plow,
like other farming tools, went on, as the race of
man grew in intelligence. Extensive manors in
the old country required increased means of turning
the ground, and, to meet these demands, ingenious
mechanics, from time to time, invented improved
plows. Strange to say, however, no improvement
was ever made by the farmer himself. This is ac
counted for in his habits of life, and, too often,
the disposition to "take things as they are." When
America was settled, the plow had become an im
plement capable of turning two or three acres per
day. Still, and for many years, and even until .
lately, the mold-board was entirely wooden, the
point only iron. Later developments changed the.
wood for steel, which now alone is used. Still
later, especially in prairie States, riding plows are
used. Like all other improvements,, they were
obliged to combat an obtuse public mind among
the ruralists, who surely combat almost every
move made to better their' condition. In many
places in America, wooden plows, straight ax,
handles, and a stone in one end of the bag, to bal
ance the grist in the other, are the rule, and for no
other reason in the world are they maintained than
the laconic answer:
" My father did so, and why should not I? Am
I better than he? "
After the plow comes the. harrow, but little
changed, save in lightness and beauty. Formerly,
a log of wood, or a brush harrow, supplied. its
place, but in the State of Ohio, the toothed instru
ment has nearly always been used.
The hoe is lighter made than formerly, and is
now made of steel. At first, the common iron
hoe, sharpened by the blacksmith, was in constant
use. Now, it is rarely seen outside of the South
ern States, where it has long been the chief imple
ment in agriculture.
The various small plows for the cultivation of
corn and such other crops as necessitated their, use.
are all the result of modern civilization. Now,
their number is large, and, in many places, there
are two or more attached to one carriage, whose
operator rides. These kinds are much used in the
Western States, whose rootless and stoneless soil is
admirably adapted to such machinery.
When the grain became ripe, implements to cut
it were in demand. In ancient times, the sickle

was the only , instrument used. It was a short,
curved iron, whose inner edge was sharpened and
serrated. In its most ancient form, it is doubtful
if the edge was but little, if any, serrated. It is
mentioned in all ancient works, and in the Bible is
frequently referred to.
"Thrust in the sickle, for , the harvest is
ripe," wrote the sacred New Testament, while
the Old chronicles as early as the time of Moses :
"As thou beginnest to put the sickle to the
corn." In more modem times, the handle of the sickle
was lengthened, then the blade, which in time led
to the scythe. Both' are yet in use in many parts
of the world. The use of the scythe led some
thinking person to add a " finger " or two, and to
change the shape of the. handle. The old cradle
was the result. At first it met considerable oppo
sition from the laborers, who brought forward the
old-time argument of ignorance, that it would
cheapen labor.
Whether the cradle is a native of America or
Europe is not accurately decided; probably of the
mother country. It came into :common use about
1818, and in a few years had found its way into
the wheat-producing regions of the West. Where
small crops are raised, the cradle is yet much used.
A man can cut from two to four acres per day,
hence, it is much cheaper than a reaper, where the
crop is small.
The mower and reaper are comparatively mod
ern inventions. A rude reaping machine is men
tioned by Pliny in the first century. It was pushed
by an ox through the standing grain. On its
front was a sharp edge, which cut the grain. It
was, however, impracticable, as it cut only a por
tion of the grain, and the peasantry preferred the
sickle. Other and later attempts to make reapers
do not seem to have been successful, and not till
the present century was a machine made that would
do the work required. In 1826, Mr. Bell, of
Scotland, constructed a machine which is yet used
in. many parts of that country. In America, Mr.
Hussey and Mr. McCormick took out patents for
reaping machines of superior character in 1833
and 1834. At first the cutters of these machines
were various contrivances, but both manufacturers
soon adopted a serrated knife, triangular shaped, at
tached to a bar, ahd driven through " finger
guards "attached to it, by a forward and backward
motion. These are the common ones now in use,
save that all do not use serrated knives. Sincf,
these pioneer machines were introduced into the

harvest fields they have been greatly improved and
changed. Of late years they have been constructed
so as to bind the sheaves, and now a good stout
boy, and a team with a " harvester," will do as
much as many men could do a few years ago, and
with much greater ease.
As was expected by the inventors of reapers,
they met with a determined resistance from those
who in former times made their living by harvest
ing. It was again absurdly argued that they would
cheapen labor, and hence were an injury to the
laboring man. Indeed, when the first machines
were brought into Ohio, many of them were torn
to pieces by the ignorant hands. Others left fields
in a body when the proprietor brought a reaper to
his farm. Like all such fallacies, these, in time,
passed away, leaving only their stain.
Following the reaper came the thresher. As
the country filled with inhabitants, and men in
creased their possessions, more rapid means than,
the old flail or roller method were demanded. At
first the grain was trodden out by horses driven over
the bundles, which were laid in a circular inclosure.
The old flail, the trampirig-out by horses, and the
cleaning by the sheet, or throwing the grain up
against a current of air, were too slow, and
machines were the result of the demand. In Ohio
the manufacture of threshers began in 1846, in
the southwestern part. Isaac Tobias, who came
to Hamilton from Miamisburg that year, com
menced building the threshers then in use. They
were without the cleaning attachment, and simply
hulled the grain. Two years later, he began
manufacturing the combined thresher and cleaner,
which were then coming into use. He continued
in business till 1851. Four years after, the in
creased demand for such machines, consequent
upon the increased agricultural products, induced
the firm of Owens, Lane & Dyer to fit their estab
lishment for the manufacture of threshers. They
afterward added the manufacture of steam engines
to be used in the place of horse power. Since
then the manufacture of these machines, as well as
that of all other agricultural machinery, has greatly
multiplied and improved, until now it seems as
though but little room for improvement remains.
One of the largest firms engaged in the manufact
ure of threshers and their component machinery is
located at Mansfield — the Aultman & Taylor
Co. Others are at Massillon, and at other cities
in the West.
Modern times and modern enterprise have devel
oped a marvelous variety of agricultural implements

3?:

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t,

162

HISTORY OF OHIO.

— too many to be mentioned in a volume like
this. Under special subjects they will occasionally
be found. The farmer's life, so cheerless in pioneer
times, and so full of weary labor, is daily becom
ing less laborious, until, if they as a class profit
by the advances, they can find a life Of ease
in farm pursuits, not attainable in any other
profession. Now machines do almost all the work.
They sow, cultivate, cut, bind, thresh, winnow
and carry the grain. They, cut, rake, load, mow
and dry the hay. They husk, shell and clean the
corn. They cut and split the wood. They do al
most all ; until it seems as though the day may
come when the farmer can sit in his house and
simply guide the affairs of his farm.
Any occupation prospers in proportion to the
interest taken in it by its members. This interest
is always heightened by an exchange of views, hence
societies and periodicals exercise an influence at
first hardy realized. This feeling among prominent
agriculturists led to the formation of agricultural
societies, at first by counties, then districts, then
by States, and lastly by associations of States.
The day may come when a national agricul
tural fair may be one of the annual attractions of
America. Without noticing the early attempts to found
such societies in Europe or America, the narrative
will begin with those of Ohio. The first agricul
tural society organized in the Buckeye State was
the Hamilton County Agricultural Society. Its
exact date of organization is not now preserved,
but to a certainty it is known that the Society held
public exhibitions as a County Society prior to
1823. Previous to that date there were, doubt-
• less, small, private exhibitions held in older local
ities, probably at Marietta, but no regular organi
zation seems to have been maintained. ¦ The
Hamilton County Society held its fairs annually,
with marked success. Its successor, the present
Society, is now one of the largest county societies
in the Union.
During the legislative session of 1832-33, the
subject of agriculture seems to have agitated the
minds of the people through their representatives,
for the records of that session show the first laws
passed for their benefit. The acts of that body
seem to have been productive of some good, for,
though no records of the number of societies or
ganized at that date exist, yet the record shows
that " many societies have been organized in con
formity to this act," etc. No doubt many societies
held fairs from this time, for a greater or less

number of years. Agricultural journals* were,
at this period, rare in the State, and the subject of
agricultural improvement did not receive that at
tention from the press it does at this time ; and,
for want of public spirit and attention to sustain
these fairs, they were gradually discontinued until
the new act respecting their organization was
passed in 1846. However, records of several
county societies of the years between 1832 and
1846 yet exist, showing that in some parts of the
State, the interest in these fairs was by no means
diminished. The Delaware County Society re
ports for the year 1833 — it was organized in June
of that year — good progress for a beginning, and
that much interest was manifested by the citizens
of the county.
Ross County held its first exhibition in the
autumn of that year, and the report of the mana
gers is quite cheerful. Nearly all of the exhibited
articles. were sold at auction, at greatly advanced
prices from the current ones of the day. The en
try seems to have been free, in an open inclosure,
and but little revenue was derived. Little was ex
pected, hence no one was disappointed.
Washington County reports an excellent cattle
show for that year, and a number of premiums
awarded to the successful exhibitors. This same
year the Ohio Importation Company was «rgan:
ized at the Ross County fair. The Company began
the next season the importation of fine cattle from
England, and, in a few years, did incalculable good
in this respect, as well as make considerable money
in the enterprise.
These societies were re-organized when the law
of 1846 went into effect, and, with those that had
gone down and the new ones started, gave an im
petus to agriculture that to this day is felt. Now
every county has a society, while district, State
and inter-State societies are annually held; all
promotive in their tendency, and all a benefit to
every one.
The Ohio State Board of Agriculture was organ
ized by an act of the Legislature, passed February
27, 1846. Since then various amendments to the
organic law have been passed from time to time as

? The Western Tiller wm published in Cincinnati, in 1826. It was
" miscellaneous," but contained many excellent articles on agri
culture. The Farmers' Record was published in Cincinnati, in 1831, and
continued for several years.
The Ohio Farmer was published at Batavia, Clermont County, in
1833, by Hon. Samuel Medary.
These were the early agricultural journals, some of which yet
survive, though in new names, and under new management. Others
have, also, since been added, some of which have an exceedingly
large circulation, and are an influence for much good in the State.

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HISTORY OF OHIO.

163

the necessities of the Board and of agriculture in
the State demanded. The same day that the act
was passed creating the State Board, an act was
also passed providing for the erection of county and
district societies, under which law, with subsequent
amendments, the present county and district agri
cultural societies are managed. During the years
from 1846 down to the present time, great improve
ments have been made in the manner of conduct
ing these societies, resulting in exhibitions unsur
passed in any other State.
Pomology and horticulture are branches of in
dustry so closely allied with agriculture that a
brief resume of their operations in Ohio will be
eminently adapted to these pages. The early
planting and care of fruit in Ohio has already been
noticed. Among the earliest pioneers were men of
fine tastes, who not only desired to benefit them
selves and their country, but who were possessed
with a laudable ambition to produce the best fruits
and vegetables the State could raise. For this end
they studied carefully the topography of the coun
try, its soil, climate, and various influences upon
such culture, and by careful experiments with fruit
and vegetables, produced the excellent varieties now
in use. Mention has been made of Mr. Longworth
and Mr. Ernst, of Cincinnati ; and Israel and Aaron
W. Putnam, on the Muskingum River ; Mr. Dille,

Judges Fuller and Whittlesey, Dr. Jared Kirtland
and his sons, and others — all practical enthusiasts in
these departments. At first, individual efforts alone,
owing to the condition of the country, could be
made. As the State filled with settlers, and means
of communication became better, a desire for an in
terchange of views became apparent, resulting in
the establishment of periodicals devoted to these
subjects, and societies where different ones could
meet and discuss these things.
A Horticultural and Pomological Society was
organized in Ohio in 1866. Before the organiza
tion of State societies, however, several distinct or
independent societies existed ; in fact, out of these
grew the State Society, which in turn produced
good by stimulating the creation of county societies.
All these societies, aids to agriculture, have pro
gressed as the State developed, and have done much
in advancing fine fruit, and a taste for assthetic cul
ture. In all parts of the West, their influence is
seen in better and improved fruit ; its culture and
its demand.
To-day, Ohio stands in the van of the Western
States in agriculture and all its kindred associa
tions. It only needs the active energy of her
citizens to keep her in this place, advancing
as time advances, until the goal of her ambition is
reached.

CHAPTER XVI.
CLIMATOLOGY— OUTLINE— VARIATION IN OHIO— ESTIMATE IN DEGREES— RAINFALL— AMOUNT
—VARIABILITY.

THE climate of Ohio varies about four degrees.
Though originally liable to malaria in many
districts when first settled, in consequence of a
dense vegetation induced by summer heats and
rains, it has became very healthful, owing to clear
ing away this vegetation, and proper drainage.
The State is as favorable in its sanitary char
acteristics as any other in its locality. Ohio is re
markable for its high productive capacity, almost
every thing grown in the temperate climates being
within its range. Its extremes of heat and cold
are less than almost any other State in or near the
same latitude, hence Ohio suffers less from the ex
treme dry or wet seasons which affect all adjoining
States. These modifications are mainly due to the
influence of the Lake Erie waters. These not

only modify the heat of summer and the cold of
winter, but apparently reduce the profusion of
rainfall in summer, and favor moisture in dry pe
riods. No finer climate exists, all conditions consid
ered, for delicate vegetable growths, than that por
tion of Ohio bordering on Lake Erie. This is
abundantly attested by the recent extensive devel
opment there of grape culture.
Mr. Lorin Rlodget, author of "American Clima
tology," in the agricultural report of 1853, says ;
"A district bordering on the Southern and West
ern portions of Lake Erie is more favorable in this
respect (grape cultivation) than any other on the
Atlantic side of the Rocky Mountains, and it will
ultimately prove capable of a very liberal extension
of vine culture."

9 ^ ^

^v

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164

HISTORY OF OHIO.

Experience has proven Mr. Blodget correct in
his theory. Now extensive fields of grapes are
everywhere found on the Lake Erie Slope, while
other small fruits find a sure footing on its soil.
" Considering the climate of Ohio by isother
mal lines and rain shadings, it must be borne in
mind," says Mr. Blodget, in his description of
Ohio's climate, from which these facts are drawn,
" that local influences often require to be considered.
At the South, from Cincinnati to Steubenville, the
deep river valleys are two degrees warmer than the
hilly districts of the same vicinity. The lines are
drawn intermediate between the two extremes.
Thus, Cincinnati, on the plain, is 2° warmer than
at the Observatory, and 4° warmer for each year
than Hillsboro, Highland County— the one being
500, the other 1,000, feet above sea-level. The
immediate valley of the Ohio, from Cincinnati to
Gallipolis, is about 75° for the summer, and 54°
for the year; while the adjacent hilly districts,
300 to 500 feet higher, are not above 73° and 52°
respectively. For the summer, generally, the
river valleys are 73° to 75° ; the level and central
portions 72° to 73°, and the lake border 70° to
72°. A peculiar mildness of climate belongs to
the vicinity of Kelley's Island, Sandusky and
Toledo. Here, both winter and summer, the cli
mate is 2° warmer than on the highland ridge ex
tending from Norwalk and Oberlin to Hudson and
the northeastern border. This ridge varies from
500 to 750 feet above the lake, or 850 to 1,200
feet above sea level. This high belt has a summer
temperature of 70°, 27° for the winter, and 49°
for the year; while at Sandusky and Kelley's
Island the summer is 72°, the winter 29°, and the
year 50°- In the central and eastern parts of
the State, the winters are comparatively cold, the
average falling to 32° over the more level districts,
and to 29° on the highlands. The Ohio River
valley is about 35°, but the highlands near it fall
to 31° and 32° for the winter."
As early as 1824, several persons in the State
began taking the temperature in their respective
localities, for the spring, summer, autumn and win
ter, averaging them for the entire year. From time
to time, these were gathered and published, inducing
others to take a step in the same direction. Not
long since, a general table, from about forty local

ities, was gathered and compiled, covering a period
of more than a quarter of a century. This table,
when averaged, showed an average temperature of
52.4°, an evenness of temperature not equaled
in many bordering States.
Very imperfect observations have been made
of the amount of rainfall in the State. Until
lately, only an individual here and there through
out the State' took enough interest in this matter
to faithfully observe and record the averages of
several years in succession. In consequence of
this fact, the illustration of that feature of Ohio's
climate is less satisfactory than that of the
temperature. "The actual rainfall of different
months and years varies greatly," says Mr. Blod
get. "There may be more in a month, and,
again, the quantity may rise to 12 or 15 inches
in a single month. For a year, the variation may
be from a minimum of 22 or 25 inches, to a maxi
mum of 50 or even 60 inches in the southern part
of the State, and 45 to 48 inches along the lake
border. The average is a fixed quantity, and,
although requiring a period of twenty or twenty-
five years to fix it absolutely, it is entirely certain
and unchangeable when known. On charts, these
average quantities are represented by depths
of shading. At Cincinnati, the last fifteen years
of observation somewhat reduce the average of
48 inches, of former years, to 46 or 47 inches."
Spring and summer generally give the most rain,
there being, in general, 10 to 12 inches in the
spring, 10 to 14 inches in the summer, and 8 to
10 inches in the autumn. The winter is the most
variable of all the seasons, the southern part of
the State having 10 inches, and the northern part
7 inches or less — an average of 8 or 9 inches.
The charts of rainfall, compiled for the State,
show a fall of 30 inches on the lake, and 46 inches
at the Ohio River. Between these two points, the
fall is marked, beginning at the north, 32, 34, 36
and 38 inches, all near the lake. Farther down,
in the latitude of Tuscarawas, Monroe and Mercer
Counties, the fall is 40 inches, while the south
western part is 42 and 44 inches.
The clearing away of forests, the drainage of
the land, and other causes, have lessened the rain
fall, making considerable difference since the days
of the aborigines.

JV

KNOX COUNTY COURT HOUSE,
MT VERNON, O.

History of Knox County,

CHAPTER XVII.
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
Location and Topography — Pre-glacial Channels—
The Drift — Oil Wells — Timber — Coal Measure
Rocks — Geological Structure — Waverly Conglom
erate — Stone Quarries — Petroleum and Gas — Depth
of Oil Wells— Neff Petroleum Company.
KNOX county is a continuation of the south
ern slope of the table land which separates
the waters of Lake Erie from those of the Ohio
river. It is bounded on the north by Richland
and Ashland counties, on the east by Holmes and
Coshocton counties, on the south by Licking
county, and on the west by the counties of Dela
ware and Morrow. Its relative position to the
State places it almost in the geographical centre.
Its surface presents a succession of hills, in part
rugged and steep where influenced by the coal
measure rocks and the Waverly conglomerate; in
part symmetrically rounded, and of graceful out
lines, where composed of the olive shales of the
Waverly. These hills are all intersected by nar
row ravines in which flow the tributaries of the
larger streams, the latter uniformly occupying
ancient valleys of erosion, and bordered by alluvial
plains. This ancient river system of the county is
very accurately defined. There are four distinct
traces of these pre-glacial channels running through
the county.
The west channel enters the county from Rich
land, near the centre of the north line of Berlin
township, and runs in nearly a southerly direction
to the middle of the township, thence bearing

southwest to near Fredericktown, thence in a south
easterly direction through Morris to Mount Ver
non, on through Clinton, Miller, Morgan, and into
Licking county, near Utica.
A second channel is traced through Richland
county, and enters Knox county near the north
east corner of Brown township, thence nearly south
into Howard, thence in a southwesterly direction
through Howard to the northwest corner of Har
rison, bearing a little to the west, running through
the northwest corner of Harrison, touching the
southeast corner of Pleasant, thence enters Clay at
the northeast corner of the township, and enters
Licking county from the southeast corner of Clay.
A third channel is traced through the county of
Ashland, and enters Knox in the northeast corner
of Jefferson township, thence bearing slightly to the
west enters Union township near Gann Station,
continuing into Coshocton county through the
southwest corner of Union township.
A fourth channel is traced from the first men
tioned channel just south of Mount Vernon,
thence running due east to the south line of Col
lege township near Gambier, thence in a north
easterly direction into Howard, then along the
south line of Howard and Union townships, thence
bearing a little to the southeast through the north
east corner of Butler township into the county of
Coshocton. After the valley was filled up by the drift the
modern stream found a shorter course across the
spur of hills near Fredericktown extending out
from the east side, and has cut its recent channel
i«5

i66

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

through the rock. Owl creek and the Sandusky
branch of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad occupy
the old channel to Mount Vernon. At Gambier
it is the ancient bed which here divided a channel
extending southward towards Martinsburgh, now
filled with gravel and sand hills, and occupied by
Big run, which flows northward, a direction oppo
site to that of the old stream, and becomes a tribu
tary to Owl creek.
All the old valleys have been filled by glacial
drift to the summit of the adjacent hills and, prob-
bably, nearly, if not quite, to the top ofthe highest
hills in the county; the immense erosion which
accompanied the retreat of the glacier sweeping
away the great bulk of the drift, taking all the finer
materials, and leaving a residuum of sand and
gravel. Wells drilled for oil on the borders of Owl creek
toward the Coshocton line show that this deposit of
coarse gravel extends at least eighty-two feet below
the bottom of the valley, and in one instance a log
was struck at a depth of one hundred feet. Hence
there is here disclosed a broad valley once filled
with drift to the depth of not less than two hundred
and seventeen feet, through which a channel has
been plowed one hundred and thirty-five feet in
depth, leaving a succession of terraces, the stream
now flowing nearly one hundred feet above the bot
tom of the old gorge.
Following the Columbus road westward toward
Mount Liberty, the surface rises very slowly from
the river over a bed of fine gravelly and sandy al
luvium, filled with small bowlders, many of them
limestone, then striking irregular drift-hills which
reach an elevation one hundred and fifty-five feet
above the railroad at Mount Vernon.
The material of these hills is coarse, consisting
chiefly of gravel and sand, with flat fragments from
the Waverly, and a few large granitic bowlders.
The surface is irregular and billowy, as if piled up
by the action of shore waves when the water stood
at this elevation. Thence to Mount Liberty the
surface rises fo the height of two hundred and
twenty-five feet above the railroad, the wagon
road passing over undulating drift hills, the ma
terial steadily becoming coarser, containing more
limestone, and more flat fragments of rock. The
underlying strata are entirely covered by this deposit.

West of Mount Liberty a cut on the railroad at
an elevation of two hundred and eighty-five feet
above the depot at Mount Vernon shows that the
drift is wholly unstratified.
In Hilliar township the hills are composed of te
nacious clay drift, the wells showing from eight to
eighteen feet of yellow clay, then blue clay, passing
into hard-pan on the hills and resting on quicksand
in the valleys.
The timber in this region is beech, maple, oak,
white and black ash, and black walnut.
The wells of Lock, on the south line of Milford,
pass through eight to fifteen feet of yellow clay,
and fifteen to twenty feet of blue clay, then on the
higher lands striking gravel, on the lower quick
sand. The surface is of the same general charac
ter through Milford and Miller townships, viz.: un
dulating hills from which the finer material of the
drift has been washed, bordering flood plains
through which the small streams flow, generally
over beds of water-rolled pebbles, this material
resting upon unmodified drift.
Eastward from Lock, drift apparently fills the
old valley of erosion to the foot of the hills east of
the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. These hills rise
somewhat abruptly to the height of three hundred
feet above the valley. Their slopes are covered
with drift, so that no rock exposures are found un
til the descent into the valley of Owl creek is
reached, about one mile from Mount Vernon.
The rock is here broken and crushed as if by lat
eral thrust. An old water plain borders the west
side of the railroad from Mount Vernon to the
south line of the county, marked by successive ter
races, and from one to three miles wide. It is bor
dered by hills of modified drift, and forms an ex
tension southward of the valley in which Owl creek
flows, until deflected to the east by Mount Vernon.
The slope of the first hill, which rises to one
hundred and seventy-five feet above Mount Ver
non, exhibits the olive shales of the Waverly cov
ered by Waverly debris, with no evidence of drift
except occasional granite bowlders. On the top of
this hill are found thin bowlder clay and granitic
pebbles. Ascending the next slope to the height
of three hundred and ten feet, the outcrop and de
bris of the Waverly continues with no drift material
until passing about twenty feet downward on the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

167

southeast side. There granite bowlders are found,
and the slope below is covered with drift mingled
with angular fragments of the local rocks. The
drift continues to the top of the next hill, two hun
dred and eighty-five feet, but is thin, and the soil is
composed mainly of local debris. One mile north
of the last is a broad expanse of gently undulating
sandy fields, exhibiting no evidence of drift except
large scattered bowlders of granite, the soil like the
banks of sandy streams. Rising above these sandy
billows are irregular ridges of clay composed largely
of foreign drift. At the highest elevation — three
hundred and five feet — the hill is capped with a
heavy deposit of clay drift. On the descending
slope, at twenty feet from the top, a sandy water-
washed surface is reached with granitic bowlders
scattered over it. Descending towards the eastern
valley, the drift on the slopes is deeper. On the
last slope, at an elevation of two hundred and sev
enty-five feet, the drift disappears, and the crushed
layers of Waverly are covered only with their own
debris. At two hundred and fifteen feet the river
drift of washed sand, gravel, and granitic bowlders
is reached, which passes into the alluvium of the
valley, cut by Big run, at an elevation of one hun
dred and sixty-five feet above Mount Vernon.
In Jackson township the Wakatomaka creek —
which has the sources of most of its tributaries in
the recently eroded ravines of the Coal Measure
rocks on the east — falls a little north of Bladens-
burgh into the old channel now occupied by Big
run, and is bordered by irregular sandy hills of
water-washed material, which are continued north
ward to the junction of Big run with Owl creek
near Gambier.
At Mount Vernon, wells sunk in the alluvium
pass only through sand and gravel. Those on the
sandy slopes strike — Feet.
i. Yellow clay  10 to 15
2. Blue clay  30 to 40
3. Gravel, sand, and broken stone to bed rock.
That part of the county east of the Baltimore &
Ohio railroad, and north of the Cleveland, Mount
Vernon & Columbus railroad, consisted originally
of a high undulating table land, covered with
glacial drift. ' Erosion has intersected it with nar
row ravines, and filled it with small streams, leav
ing a succession of well-rounded hills of very grace

ful outline, characteristic of the Waverly in this
part of the State. This peculiarity is only modi
fied by outcrops of Waverly conglomerate. Where
this is wanting, or is below the bottoms of the val
leys, the hills are entirely without benches; the
lines of the landscape are all graceful curves; the
hills susceptible of cultivation to the top, and pre
senting scenes of quiet beauty rarely excelled.
These characteristics change upon approaching
the Coal Measure rocks in the southeast and north
east parts of the county.
Standing near the line of division, the observer
need make no mistake in regard to the character
of any of the hills in sight ; those which are sym
metrically rounded to the top will be found com
posed wholly of the Waverly; those of which the
summits show benches and irregular lines of con
tour are capped with the coal rocks. The debris
of the olive shales, the upper members of the
Waverly, here make a peculiar elastic and excellent
roadway, so that travelling in the night along the
margin of the coal field the sound of the carriage
wheels will enable one to say when he is passing
over a road of this material. These hills at the
north retain patches of undisturbed drift on pro
tected slopes, with scattered erratics, the latter
sometimes very abundant on the lower slopes, and
in the beds of streams, where no other evidences
of the drift are preserved. The hills when denu
ded of drift, have but a slight covering of soil, the
shales of the Waverly, finely broken up, coming
near to the surface.
West of Ankenytown is a plain about ten miles
wide, without rock exposures, but with occasional
gravel ridges, the whole composed of river drift,
of sand, gravel, and clay on the margin, resting
on quicksand and gravel, the whole of unknown
depth, filling up the old pre-glacial channel.
In the broad valleys of the streams the native
timber was mainly hard maple and black walnut;
of the latter a very large part was destroyed before
its value was known, but very much has been cut
and shipped to market. The large sugar maples
in this district seemed a strange thing, but the
thorough drainage afforded by the deep deposit of
gravel fully explains their presence. If the allu
vium rested upon clay, we should find soft maple,
elm, and sycamore growing upon it, but no sugar

i68

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

maple. On the Waverly hills a mixed forest of
maple, beech, hickory, oak, and pepperidge (black
gum); in a few places on the borders of the stream,
hemlock, and on the ridges where the Waverly con
glomerate comes to the surface, chestnut. On the
Coal Measure rocks the predominating timber is
oak. On all the hills are scattered trees of white-
wood, cucumber, black and white ash, and elm ;
the latter three being the most abundant where the
original glacial drift remains.
The series of rocks exposed in the county com
prise about two hundred and seventy-five feet of
the coal measures, and about three hundred feet of
the Upper Waverly, but borings for oil have ex
tended our knowledge of the strata down to the Hu
ron shale, and have afforded important information
in regard to the character and thickness of the sub-
carboniferous rocks.
The Coal Measure rocks cover the greater part of
Jackson and Butler townships, and a small area in
the north part of Jefferson. The highest hills in
Jackson rise one hundred feet above the upper out
crops of rock and are covered with the bleached
and earthy debris of cherty (an impure variety of
quartz or flint) limestone.
The coal is of fair quality, in two benches, in
places showing considerable sulphur, and at the
outcrops does not exhibit a thickness which would
make mining profitable, except for local use. The
thickness and extent of coal rocks and the fact that
they include three horizons of coal, would fully jus
tify further exploration. This exploration could be
made most easily by drilling from the tops of the
hills, so that the holes would pierce all the strata,
disclosing their character and thickness. The
shales below this coal indicate less active disturb
ances, and whatever was originally deposited on
the line of the two lower outcrops probably now re
mains. A fourth horizon of coal is found above
the upper massive sandstone at the bench on the
hills, one hundred feet below the highest points, but
no outcrop of rocks was observed at this elevation.
The cherty debris of the limestone above coal No.
4 is abundant upon many of the hills, and consti
tutes flint ridges in the northern part of Butler
township. Much less promising territory in other
places has been successfully explored and valuable
deposits of coal found. The coal rocks of Butler

township extend to within about eight and a half
miles of Gambier. At the nearest point is an out
crop of fire-clay of the lower coal, but the water
flowing from it shows much sulphur, an indication
of coal of an inferior quality.
THE WAVERLY CONGLOMERATE.
This is continued from Richland south through
the eastern part of Knox county, presenting the
best exposures along the banks of Owl creek, near
the line between Butler and Union townships. It
apparently forms here the crest of an anticlinal
(marking inclination in opposite directions), and
dips to the east at an angle of about twenty-five de
grees. The massive conglomerate is much broken
and borders the stream of which the old channel is
known to be something like one hundred feet be
low the present bed.
Ascending the hills on the road from Mount
Vernon towards Martinsburgh the broken outcrop
of the Waverly may be seen on a level with the
railroad, and may be found at all elevations on the
slopes of the hills to the height of three hundred
feet. Throughout this thickness it consists of thin
layers constituting the ordinary olive shales. The
same thing is seen in ascending the hills between
Mount Vernon and Amity. If the Waverly con
glomerate extends to this part of the county it must
dip to the west below the valleys; and in that case
the hiils would all be capped by the Coal Measure
rocks. They are, however, Waverly to the top.
From thirty to forty feet of this conglomerate is ex
posed in the bluffs of the new channel of Owl
creek, below Millwood, the top being ninety-five
feet below Gambier. At Brownsville the Waverly
is quarried, and furnishes hard, coarse rock, full of
pebbles, but more fissile than the ordinary con
glomerate. At A. K. Fobes' quarry, in Monroe township,
one and a half miles northeast of Gambier, and
forty feet below it, the Waverly affords large quan
tities of good stone, though much stripping is re
quired. Many of the layers are thin and much
broken. The heaviest layers are about three feet
thick, all fine-grained, most of them yellow, but
some blue, with a sharp grit, and resembling the
Berea. On the Cleveland, Mount Vernon & Columbus

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

169

railroad, half a mile east of Howard station, a
quarry, belonging to Hurd & Israel, has been
opened, of which the following is a section so far as
exposed: Feet.
1. Shaley sandstone with layers of argillaceous shale. . 20
2. Massive sandstone  6 to 8
The lower stratum is a coarse stone, with much
iron, containing pockets of soft iron-ore, in some
places striped like the Mansfield stone, and in oth
ers of a deep cherry red; general color yellow; fu-
coids (fossil sea-weed), the only fossils observed.
Indian Field run, a small stream emptying into
Owl creek from Harrison township, and occupying
a rocky valley of recent erosion, gives fine expo
sures of the Waverly, where many of the layers are
from three to four feet thick, but they contain many
concretions or pockets of iron ore, and occasionally
nodules of iron pyrites. Impressions of fucoids
are here abundant. The general color of the rock
is yellow. The valley and slopes are filled with the
debris of drift except an occasional granite bowlder.
Near the top of the hill on the west, drift bowlders
are more abundant, and heavy masses of drift
cover the western slope descending toward Owl
creek. From thirty to forty feet of the bottom of the
Waverly conglomerate has argillaceous (clayey)
bands interstratified with the quartz-bearing beds
of sandstone. Below this the mass of the material
to the chocolate shales is argillaceous, with fre
quent hard bands of calcareo-silicious rock, and oc
casionally strata of sandstone. One of the latter,
No. 19 of the general section, is twenty-two feet
thick, the upper part with argillaceous bands, the
lower carrying quartz pebbles; another stratum,
No. 2 1, one hundred and twenty-five feet below the
last, is a very fine blue compact sandstone, bearing
some resemblance to the finer grades of the Berea.
One hundred and fifteen feet below the hard
blue sandstone mentioned above, a similar rock oc
curs eight and a half feet thick, the upper part dark
colored. At the depth of about six hundred and seventy
feet below the sub-carboniferous conglomerate is the
red or chocolate shale, the first in this part of the
county (Harrison township,) which can be identified
fully with any of the subdivisions that are so clearly

defined in the valley 0/ the Cuyahoga. This is ap
parently the equivalent of the Cleveland shale,
which in many places at the north is all or in part
red shale. The well-borings here show that it is
very homogeneous in structure, except that near
the bottom there are interstratified bands of argil
laceous shale.
Below this chocolate shale are the Erie shales,
which so far as their character can be determined
by an inspection of the borings, present precisely
the same characteristics as in the northwestern
counties, where they are fully exposed. They con
sist of a mass of soft, blue argillaceous shale, with
hard calcareo-silicious bands.
Below this Erie lies the Huron or "black shale,"
the thickness of which cannot be determined.
It seems evident that along the western side of the
sub-carboniferous rocks the lower members of the
series and the upper member of the Devonian are
thinning out, and that their absence further west is
not altogether the result of erosion, but that their
extent in that direction was limited by the presence
of dry land at the time of their deposit.
Some ten years ago the attention of enterprising
parties was called to the "oil signs" of the eastern
part of Knox county. On the western margin of
the coal field in Jefferson, Union, and Butler town
ships, were indications of dislocation in the rock
strata; gas springs were abundant, and from sev
eral places it was reported that oil in small quantities
was obtained. A company was organized, terri
tory leased; and since that time something like
eighty-five thousand dollars has been expended
in explorations, mainly under the superintend
ence of Peter Neff, esq, of Gambier. The
registers of the wells, which have been kept with
commendable care by Mr. Neff, show that there
is a marked disturbance in the strata extending to
the lower rocks reached, and its apparent extent.
The red or chocolate shales, the member of the
sub-carboniferous, constitute a well marked horizon,
and enable us to determine the relative position of
the different strata in the wells which reach this
material. Eight wells are located in the territory around
the junction of the Kokosing and Mohican rivers,
and the following table gives the depth below the
upper surface of the red shale :

170

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Feet.
Well No. 1  615
" " 2  615
" " 3  S9*
" " 4  562
" " 5  7°S
" " 6  S7S
" " 7  6°7
" " 8  627
In all the wells bored, a similar succession of
strata has been pierced in each. The chocolate,
the Erie, and the Huron shales were struck in all
wells carried deep enough. The rocks included
between these and the Coal Measures present al
ternations of sand, rock, argillaceous, and sandy
shales, which, after passing the olive shales that
cap the Waverly, present a great variety in the dif
ferent wells, and forbid all minute systematic sub
divisions. The most marked and most general al
ternations are exhibited in the general section of
the rocks of the county.
In nearly all the wells bored, gas, oil, and brine
have been found in greater or less quantities, and
from two of them a remarkably strong flow of gas
has issued, which, properly utilized, can be made
of great value.
The employment of natural gas elsewhere in the
manufacture of iron would indicate the proper use
to be made of it, were it not that the wells are sit
uated several miles from any railroad or other ade
quate means of transportation.
The Neff Petroleum company, which, under the
management of Peter Neff, of Gambier, made the
explorations for oil, has been re-organized under
the name of "The Kokosing Oil company," and
has utilized the gas in a novel manner, which gives
promise of complete success. It has expended
twenty-five thousand dollars in erecting buildings
and appliances for the manufacture of carbon-
black, and is now obtaining a product not excelled
in quality by anything in the market, except bone
or ivory-black, and has demonstrated that the wells
have a capacity of producing about five hundred
pounds per day of No. 1 black. This company
has also devised a mode of utilizing the acid-waste
of oil refineries, making of it a very excellent
carbon-black, by using with it a small amount of
the natural gas. With eighteen hundred burners,
for the consumption of the natural gas, it produces
from forty to fifty pounds of the "Diamond," or

No. 1 black, per day, and with twenty-eight burners,
for the consumption of the acid-waste, one hun
dred and fifty pounds per day of the "Pearl," or
No. 2 black. The fact that the gas has flowed
from the well without dimunition for the past ten
years gives good promise of its permanency; and
the indications now are that by this use of the gas
a good return will be secured to the stockholders
for all the money so perseveringly expended in
sinking the wells.
Well No. 2 also yields a steady flow of gas, and
from well No. 1 over three thousand barrels of
water escapes per day.
Well No. 8, near Gann Station, in Jefferson
township, shows that the Waverly above the red
shale is eight hundred and seventy-two feet in
thickness, and, including the red shale, is nine
hundred and thirty-four feet, the Waverly being
capped with sixty feet of coarse sand-rock, either
carboniferous conglomerate, or . the Massillon
sandstone. If this is regarded as conglomerate,
sixty feet should be added to both the above
numbers. Above the sand-rock is sixty feet of
shaley sandstone, capped with the cherty limestone,
underlain by fire-clay, and a faint outcrop of coal.
The Massillon sandstone rests upon the Waver
ly, on the hills above Gann Station, and directly on
Coal No 1, at New Castle. At wells Nos 1 and 2
the Waverly is eight hundred and seventy-seven
Teet thick, the olive shales rising to the coal, under
the same rock, at New Castle. Westward from
that point this sandstone rests directly upon the
Waverly shales.
Westward, the materials in all the wells gradually
become coarser; the Waverly conglomerate, and the
other sand-rocks were found in normal position,
and the supply of oil in the wells was more abun
dant. All the indications point to an old shore
line, a little to the west during the deposit of the
Waverly rocks, along which the coarse sandstones
accumulated as shore deposits, while the finer
argillaceous shales were deposited in deep water at
the east.
In well No. 3 the second sand-rock was struck
at two hundred and eighty-five feet, and was six
feet deep ; the third sand-rock at five hundred and
eighty-five feet, and was nine feet thick. The red
shale was reached at five hundred and eighty-five

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

171

feet. This well still flows oil, gas, and brine ; the
latter yielding two pounds and ten ounces of salt
from eleven quarts of water.
Well No. 4, the "Buckingham Well," yields
heavy green oil from thin sand-rock, which was
struck at about five hundred and sixty feet, and is
eight feet thick.
In well No. 5, the "Hurd Well," the third sand-
rock was struck at five hundred and seventy-five
feet, and was ten feet thick, yielding gas, oil, and
water, which still flow from the top of the tube,
about eight gallons of oil per day. The red shale
was reached at five hundred and eighty feet.
There is a deep-seated disturbance, involving all
the rocks down to and including the Huron shale,
which is the great oil-producing rock, so that the
dip of the strata is substantially northeast. East
ward the silicious rocks gradually give place to ar-
gillaceons shale, the coarser sandstones becoming
thin, or disappearing altogether. In the opposite
direction, or westward, the materials are coarser,
and the sand-rocks thicker.
On the eastern margin of the territory, by boring,
gas predominates, and at Well No. 2 has flowed
for twelve years with a continuous pressure of
about one hundred and eighty pounds to the inch.
Westward, petroleum is more abundant. The oil
is thus far nearly all found in the sand-rock, di
rectly above the red shale.
The water obtained above the second sand-rock
and that below the red shale is fresh; that between
the second sand-rock and the red shale is salt, and
affords a suggestion as to the probable source of the
coloring material in the red shale — iron deposited
by the salt water.
The results obtained suggest further explorations
in the southeastern part of the district for gas, and
in the western part for oil. With the new uses de
veloped for natural gas, it is difficult to decide
which would be the more valuable.

CHAPTER XVIII.
ARCHAEOLOGY.
Mounds in the County — Professor Roberts' Address —
Tracing the Mound Builders — Mounds of Europe
and America Compared — Theories Regarding Their
Origin — Man in a Savage State — Their Numbers
Here and Manner of Living — The Huns — Charac
ter of Their Earthworks and their Probable use —
Different Classes of Mounds — Their Antiquity —
The Implements in use by Mound Builders and In
dians — Copper Mining — Stone Relics.

A1

LTHOUGH the territory embraced in Knox
county is not nearly so interesting to the arch
aeologist as that further south and east in the valleys
ofthe Licking and Muskingum rivers, yet archseolog-
ical remains are not wanting in any part of the coun
ty. There are evidences that the Mound Builders
were here in considerable numbers, a few scattered
monuments of this mysterious people still remain
ing. There seems to be no authentic history re
garding this people. The known records of the
world are silent — as silent as these monuments that
perpetuate their memory. Nothing of their origin
or end is certainly known. They probably ante
date the various Indian tribes, who anciently occu
pied and claimed title to the soil of Ohio; though
this is only problematical — the two nations might
have been cotemporaneous.
The most prominent of the Mound Builders'
works will be briefly mentioned here, arid a history
of these and others, more in detail, will be found
in the histories of the townships in which archaeolog
ical remains appear.
A quarter of mile south of Fredericktown, on
quite a high eminence, is a mound in an excellent
state of preservation, it having been spared any
mutilation. Mr. William Allen, who cleared the
land, planted fruit trees over it and preserved it.
A mile to the southeast of this mound, was, fifty
years ago, a perceptible embankment enclosing a
considerable area. About four miles south of
southwest of this in the southerly part of Wayne
township, is a mound in the woods, not well pre
served. Three miles on an air line to the west of
southwest of Mount Vernon, in Green valley, is a
small mound, now nearly obliterated by the plow.
About sixty years ago Josiah Bonar, a boy long
since dead, dug into the centre of this mound, and
found bones in a very much decayed condition.

172

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Several stone pipes were also found in and around
this mound. One hundred rods southeast of this
mound is another, of similar size, which has nearly
disappeared under the plow. Two miles still south
west, in the northeast corner of Liberty township,
is, or was, when in woods, an embankment with
gateway, enclosing a plat of ground only a few rods
in diameter. The ditch inside this enclosure, hav
ing a hard-pan subsoil holding water, so as to make
it marshy at the bottom.
Throughout Green valley relics of former occu
pants were at one time abundant, such as stone
axes and tomahawks, arrow-heads, lapstones for
cracking nuts, etc.
There is a mound on the summit of what is
known as "Rich Hill" in Hilliar township, that is
quite peculiar. Rich Hill itself is peculiar. It is
mound shaped, containing about one hundred
acres, and so high, that when the surrounding
country was an unbroken forest, one could stand
on the summit and see over the tops of the trees
all around. The elevation was perhaps one hun
dred feet. The hill was covered with the kinds of
timber common on the richest bottom land. On
the highest point of this hill stood a mound about
thirty-five or forty feet in diameter at the base, and
fifteen feet high, built entirely of cobblestone, which
must have been brought from a distance, as no
such stone is found in the vicinity. The first set
tlers took the stone from this mound and used them
for the purpose of walling wells, etc.
In Liberty township, on the farm once owned by
Joseph Beeney, was once a mound of considerable
dimensions. It was levelled for a building spot.
In it was found a skull of immense size, so large
that the largest man in the county could put his
head into the cavity with great ease, still leaving
unoccupied space.
The mound now in the Mount Vernon cemetery
has attracted, and does yet attract, much attention.
It is of small size but beautifully rounded and com
pactly built. From its sides and top trees have
sprung that have grown to a large size. From its
summit on a clear day can be seen the neighboring
village of Fredericktown. It is now used for vaults
for the dead.
The works which formerly existed in the north
ern part of the county, and some of which now exist

in the vicinity of Fredericktown, near the head of
Owl creek, are described in the journal of the Arch
aeological association of Ohio, with the aid of a
diagram about as follows:

FF

c  C

B B
. . . .E. . . .
C  C
D 
A — Level summit of elevated mound, about seventy-five feet
across.
B B — Raised mound on platform sloping up to level summit A-
C C C C — Level base of platform, about one hundred feet
square.
D D D D D — Ditch five feet in depth and eighty feet wide,
lying between wall E E aad platform C C C C, and termin
ating at F F.
E E E E — Wall of earth five feet in height, indicated by space
between outer dotted lines.
F F — Entrance to platform.
The following is taken from Howe's Ohio Col
lections :
When the settlers first came, there were two wells only a few
rods apart on the south bank of Vernon river, on the edge of the
town, the origin of which remains unknown. They were built
of neatly hammered stone, laid in regular masonry, and had the
appearance of being overgrown with moss. Near by was a salt
lick at which the Indians were accustomed to encamp. Almost
immediately after the first settlement, all traces of the wells were
obliterated, as was supposed by the Indians. A similar well
was later brought to light, a mile and a. half distant, by the
plow of Philip Cosner, while plowing in a newly cleared piece
of forest land. It was covered with poles and earth and was
about thirty feet deep.
The following is from an address delivered be
fore the Nu Pi Kappa society of Kenyon college
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

HEAVY STONE AXE.

CLUB-HEADED STONES.

PERFORATED PLATES, THREAD SIZERS, SHUTTLES, ETC.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

PERFORATORS  FLINT.

ARROW AND SPEAR HEADS.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

i73

by C. M. Roberts, of Chillieothe, Ohio. In it are
.advanced theories, and proofs of the same, regard
ing the Mound Builders, that seem at least rea
sonable. From the Alleghanies on the east to the Rocky mountains on
the west, we find, thickly scattered, mounds or tumuli, some of
which bear evidences of very great antiquity. They extend in
an unbroken line from the northern part of British America
down through the Mississippi valley, Mexico, Central America,
into South America as far as the -southern part of Peru. The
more southern mounds differ materially from those in the north,
bearing evidences of much greater taste and skill, a higher
state of cultivation, and a much more recent date. Their num
bers and similarity of design at once divest them of all claim to
be the result of natural agencies, and stamp them with indubi
table marks of human workmanship. Who built these earth
works? The traditions of the oldest Indian tribes throw no
light on the subject.
It is now generally conceded as a fact that Asia was the first
home of the human race. Not only do sacred writings point to
this country, but many other facts, some of which have been but
lately brought to light; as, forinstance, the roots of those Asia
tic languages which were known to have belonged to the most
ancient peoples.
Assuming that the above theory — not to speak too strongly —
is the correct one, it follows that the Mound Builders must have
owed their origin to Asiatic races. The only part of the prob
lem which remains to be solved is how they got here and from
what race or races they took their origin.
Glancing at the geography of Asia, we find the central part of
the country thickly covered with these same earthworks. They
stretch out in all directions, across the whole of Europe into
Britain, down through Asia into Africa, across Tartary, and
northeast through the whole of Siberia.
Then since we find these mounds in unbroken extent, reach
ing up through Siberia to Behring's strait and from Behring's
strait on through America, it is only fair to infer that this was
the line of march taken up by the Mound Builders. To clinch
the above theory and prove it beyond question, the contents of
the mounds in Tartary are almost exactly similar to those con
tained in the mounds of North America. The Tartars opened
a mound in Tartary, and found some vases together with the
bones of men and animals, besides shells, charcoal, and
weapons. Upon excavating a tumulus in Scotland, almost the
same contents were found, and it is almost needless to add that
they agree in the most minute particulars with the contents of
mounds which have been explored in our own country. The
burning of the dead was a custom in vogue among nearly all the
ancient nations of Asia, and we find the same custom in use
among the Mound Builders. The tradition of the intended
sacrifice of Isaac is handed down among the Greeks as the in
tended sacrifice of Iphigenia, the beautiful daughter of Agamem
non, who was spirited away by Diana and made a priestess in
her temple; among the Hindoos as the intended sacrifice of
Cunacepha, who, being bound to the altar, called upon Indra for
aid. As he prayed his bonds became looser and looser until
rtley fell from his limbs, and he stood free by the power of his
god; and among the Mexicans the tradition was a stern reality,
for thousands of human beings perished yearly upon the
sacrificial altar. It is said upon good authority that sixty thou

sand persons were sacrificed at the dedication of one temple.
What could have been the cause of such similarity of customs
if not similarity of ancestry? Had the habits of the two peo
ples agreed in but one or two circumstances, the conclusion
might be admissible that so much of similarity was the result of
chance; But the two peoples, separated as they were by
thousands of miles of ocean, agree in almost every fact known
concerning their customs and habits. Beyond question the two
nations were closely related.
Various have been the theories as to whom this strange peo
ple owed their origin. Some have contended, and with no
little reason, that they were the descendants of the ten lost tribes
of Israel. Others think that they sprang from some Polynesi
ans who were accidently cast upon the shores of South America,
and who, by a series of migrations northward, gradually peo
pled the whole of this vast extent of territory. Upon exploring
the Mammoth cave there was found a man of this lost race
wrapped in a cloth into which the feathers of birds had been
so skilfully woven as to be almost as impervious to wet as the
back of a bird. The same kind of cloth is manufactured by the
Polynesians, and from this fact grew the above theory. But the
fact that the more northern mounds bear unmistakable evidence
of greater antiquity than those in the south, is quite sufficient to
prove the falsity of any such conclusion as the above.
Still another theory is, and it seems by far the most capable
of proof, that the Mound Builders were either descendants of the
Huns, or were veritable Huns.
In the savage state man is a migratory being. Holding no
fixed habitation, recognizing no law but strength, waging war
with all living things, governed only by natural appetites,
swayed by every impulse and ruled in every act by momentary
caprice, he roams from place to place seeking sustenance and
ease. Even in the first stages of civilization, man loses but little
b of his migratory habits. Nature has made all things for man ;
he has but to chose, to have. It is only when he has reached
the higher stages of civilization that he casts aside his migratory
habits, and begins to recognize the necessity of fixed habitation
and a moral law.
We have sufficient proof to warrant the assertion that the
Mound Builders had advanced far beyond the savage state.
The number and beauty of the remains we have of them is
proof positive that this people were here in immense numbers.
Had they been ever so skilful as hunters, the produce of the
chase could have sustained but a very meagre population.
They must have tilled the soil and carried on commerce, both
doubtless in a very rude fashion. That they understood some
thing of the science of numbers is evident from the fact that
they constructed wonderfully accurate squares, circles, elipses,
crosses, besides many other mathematical figures, and this fact,
is hardly compatible with the idea that they were savage.
Again, the oldest trees in the Mississippi valley scarcely date
back 800 A. D., while on the Pacific slope trees are still stand
ing which must be twenty centuries older than our era. When
the Lake Superior copper mines were discovered, it was found
that they had been extensively worked, more so, in fact, than
they have ever been since. Away back under the ground a block
of pure copper weighing tons upon tons was found propped up
as though it had been just got ready for removal. Everything
looked as though the miners had merely gone away to dinner.
According to Chinese history, about the time of the invasion
of Rome by the barbarians, a tribe of Huns migrated north
east, passing up through Siberia toward Kamschatka. The

174

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

record is all the more worthy of credibility, as the attention of
the Chinese was especially called to the barbarians who lived on
the borders of China, and against the inroads of whom the
great wall had just been built. From the time that this migra
tion was noticed, nothing was ever heard of them again. This
was probably the last of a long series of migrations, as the
descendants of this one tribe could not have been the authors
of all the earthworks in the New World. There is a tradition
among the Mexicans that the Aztecs reached Mexico about the
middle of the seventh century. They were in all probability
this same tribe of Huns who found the northern countries
already occupied. That they were relatives of the Mound
Builders is very evident from the similarity of customs. The
Huns built mounds, so did the Mound Builders; the Huns in
terred animals, weapons, and ornaments with the dead, so did
the Mound Builders; the Huns were small in stature, heavy,
with round heads, so were the Mound Builders; and we find by
the most careful research that, not only were the Mound Build
ers the exact prototypes of the Huns in a physical sense, but
also in every other. To pile proof upon proof, the' mode of
reckoning time among the Mound Builders was exactly that of
the Chinese, Japanese, and Tartars, and the Huns were a Tar
tar tribe. This fact becomes all the more wonderful when we
consider that this mode was by far the most perfect that had
been devised. In Mound City, near Chillieothe, Ohio, the
bones of horses and elephants, together with the teeth of the
latter, were exhumed from a mound, and it is a well known fact
that the Huns almost lived upon horseback. The connection
of the two peoples cannot be questioned, for they have marked
their way with everlasting guide posts, have stamped with their
peculiar characteristics every fact known of the two nations.
History stopped short, but they unwittingly took up the broken
thread and wrote volumes for our perusal, not upon paper, with
pen and ink, but upon tablets as eternal as the mountains. In
defiance of the ravaging hand of time, the prying curiosity of
the would-be antiquarian, and the carelessness of the agricul
turist, they still stand silent but indubitable proofs of the iden
tity of their builders.
We now come to the most interesting part of the problem —
what were these earthworks built for? What sufficient reason
could their builders have had in carrying earth, often for miles,
to pile it up in any of the many shapes we now see it in? Their
motives were probably almost as various as their needs. To
a people so primitive in their habits as the Mound Builders
must have been, owing to their rude state of civilization at its
best, this was almost the only available mode of protecting
themselves, and probably their religious notions largely con
duced ,to their building many of the works which could only
have been intended as places for worship.
The earthworks of the New World may be separated into two
principal divisions, mounds (conical and animal shaped), and
enclosures (for defence and religious purposes). The conical
mounds are by far the most numerous of the remains. There
are thousands upon thousands of them in the broad valley ofthe
Mississippi, and they stand like hoary sentinels guarding the
silence of the past. I have stood upon one and counted twenty
others. Trees already ages old strike their roots deep into their
tops, while the rain of centuries have ribbed their sides in a hun
dred places. Judging from internal as well as external evi
dences, the tumuli seem to have been constructed for at least
three purposes. Their close resemblance to the Teocalli of
Mexico would warrant us in saying that they were places of

sacrifice ; evidences of fire on their tops indicate that they were
used as telegraph stations ; while the presence of human remains
prove that they were monuments erected over the dead. They
were probably used for all three purposes, though no one was
perhaps used for more than two. Mounds used for either sac
rificial purposes or places of observatory were generally either
inside, or contiguous to, some enclosure, though the latter do
sometimes extend from one fortification to another. Those tu
muli which ought to be classed as sacrificial are sometimes
conical, sometimes sided, sometimes animal shaped. The most
noteworthy of the animal shaped are in Michigan and Wiscon
sin. We have, however, two very remarkable ones in Ohio,
the ' ' Great Serpent " and the ' ' Alligator. " In Pickaway county
there is a work shaped like a ' ' cross " which could only have
been built for sacred purposes. The uses of these structures
cannot be questioned. Their very shape would warrant the
assertion that they were temple mounds, and gives us a deep
insight into the religious notions, systems and creeds of their
authors. The general inner structure of the sepulchral mounds was
always the same. At the bottom of the mound rests the body,
sometimes covered with bark, sometimes built over with logs,
sometimes enclosed by stones, in a manner closely resembling
the Kislvaen of English antiquities. Tumuli of this order are
generally isolated, or in small groups, one always appearing to
be the central figure. They rarely contain the remains of more
than one. From the very manner ofthe disposal of the mounds
we could scarcely help concluding that here slept some eminent
family. Over their ashes a grieving nation erected monuments
more lasting than brass. Upon excavating such a mound, some
mica, a vessel probably at one time containing food or water,
some pearl beads, a copper implement, an ornament or two, a
tobacco pipe, and some human remains, are probably all that
would be found. Yet in honor of these remains this great last
ing monument was reared, and even now, when the winds of
ages have whistled round their hoary tops, when the snows and
flowers of a thousand winters and summers have come and gone
in the ceaseless march of Time, they are still a noble record of a
' nation's honor to a nation's dead. When the last vestige of
civilized life shall have passed away, when the beautiful and fer
tile America becomes as barren as the site of Babylon, these
simple monuments will still stand a lasting testimony of a na
tion's love.
The last two classes of works to be noticed are works of de
fence and sacred enclosures. The fortifications are in every case
situated in the highest and most impregnable places. The shape
was always governed by utility alone. They were sometimes
built of stone, sometimes of earth, always close to a stream of
water. The wall was always surrounded by a ditch. Here the
nations collected in times of danger to defend themselves and
their country. What thrilling scenes have been enacted behind
these walls! Here stood the warrior armed for battle, here the
trembling wife surrounded by her offspring, yonder, upon that
mound the gray-haired priest, his long white beard sweeping
down to his waist, while at his feet is extended the human victim.
Outside, up the hill, in myriads comes the foe. These people,
isolated as they were from their brethren in the old world, still
acted out the same old scenes in the drama of life.
Last of all, we come to the sacred enclosures, probably the
most interesting of all. To the antiquarian, the unraveling of
the religious dogmas and practices of a people Is the most ab-
orbing of all work ; for when once you are acquainted with a

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

DRILLED CEREMONIAL WEAPONS OF SLATE.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

STONE AND CLAY PIPES.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

i7S

people's religion, you have lifted the veil from a people's moral
life. The facts, that certain enclosures are placed in the broad,
low, level, river bottoms; that they are in many cases small in
size; that the walls range only from three to seven feet in height;
that the ditch was inside the walls ; that they were often com
manded by high hills; is sufficient, not only to prove that they
were not places of defence, but to stamp them with that religious
* character which is, evidently, the purpose of all of them. It
was here that the nation assembled on solemn occasions — to cel
ebrate solemn games and festivals — to make prayers to and wor
ship their awful deities.
There are three hundred millions of people in China. The na
tion is probably four thousand years old. If by some chance that
people were suddenly swept from existence, a few centuries
would be sufficient to blot out every token of them. Yet China
is known to be the most ancient and populous nation on the
globe. Here we have a country, far larger than China, abound
ing in remains, some of which for extensiveness and beauty are
scarcely equaled anywhere. From one end of the continent to
the other we find, them by thousands. There is a structure on
the Scioto river which was built upon a hill extending down to
the water. Part of the hill and fortification has been washed
away by the river which now flows a quarter of a mile off.
There is a line of fortifications beginning at Cataraugus creek
and extending along what was once the shore of Lake Erie.
Now the structure nearest the lake is at least three miles off,
while the farthest is about five. Decomposed vegetable matter
is found upon this old bed of the lake to the depth of a foot,
while no perceptable difference can be noticed between the veg
etation inside and the vegetation outside the old shore. What
shall we say then as to their numbers and date? These hills,
these valleys, from the Arctic ocean to the gulf, from mountain
range to mountain range, must have swarmed with human beings
before the time of Homer. No puny colony could have built
these vast fortifications, these numberless mounds, these great
sacred enclosures. They could only have been the work of a
mighty nation whose numbers were almost beyond computation.
You cannot ride a day's journey without meeting some huge re
mains of a nation which probably appeared more than twice two
thousand years ago. Yes, when David was playing before Saul
they were- here; ere the Greeks were a nation they were here;
while Nineveh was in her palmy days, before a dwelling marked
the now long forgotten site of Troy, they must have been here
in countless thousands. In this land they lived, tilled the soil,
herded their flocks and carried on commerce, before the mighty
nations of the old world were born. Rivers have changed their
channels, and lakes receded for miles since their first arrival here.
Their government was probably by the priesthood. Can we
account for the tens of thousands of sacred enclosures which dot
our continent on any other hypothesis? The very number of
the remains they have left is proof positive, not only of the im
mensity of their numbers, but that they were fully organized,
and religious to fanaticism. That they carried on some com
merce may be seen from the fact that in the same mounds we
find copper from the Lake Superior mines, mica from the Alle
ghany mountains, shells from the gulf, green lava from Mexico,
walrus tusks and sharks' teeth from the Arctic ocean. Yet, if
we allow that they are commercial, we must acknowledge that
they had risen above the savage state, that they were a regu
larly organized nation or nations. That they worked copper
mines has been already shown. In a mound near Marietta
were found some ornaments rudely covered with a thin coating

of silver, which is the only evidence we have that they under
stood the use of that metal. They were exceedingly good
potters, some of their pottery being very beautifully finished.
Their implements of war were mostly made of greenstone,
flint, and occasionally sandstone. A three-headed vessel was
discovered near Nashville, Tennessee, which forcibly reminds
one of the Triune god-head of India. Near the same place a
vessel in the shape of a woman's head was found standing upon
a rock over a spring, about twenty feet below the surface of the
earth. The features of the face are Asiatic. I have seen several
faces, heads and animals, carved from stone — all of which were
exceedingly well done. When we reflect that their tools must
have been very rude, being of stone, or at best of copper, we
cannot help admiring the perfection of execution which they
reached in their sculpture.
Here then we must leave them, for time will not allow us to
study the subject more carefully. I close this brief discussion
with a feeling of regret. It is in truth a large field for inquiry
and research, and the antiquarian will yet make discoveries in
this long-forgotten age that will be of great interest and import
ance to mankind. What more impregnable fortress could be
constructed than some of theirs? What more awe-inspiring
altar could they have reared than some they have left us ? What
simpler, yet more sublime monuments could a nation raise over
a nation's dead? We trample beneath our feet the dust of more
heroes than ever graced the annals of Greece or Rome. Though
their names be forever lost in the silence of death, though no
Homer has ever swept the harp strings to immortalize their
names and their deeds, yet they will ever be known as the loved
and honored of a dead nation.
It may be well to notice briefly in this connec
tion the implements made and used by this people,
as well as those in use by the Indians, so far as
investigation has revealed their character in this
county. Very few copper implements have been found in
this part of Ohio, owing partly to the fact of the
unexplored condition of the mounds, and also to
the fact that little, if any, copper exists in this part
of the country. What does exist is in loose frag
ments that have washed down from the upper lake
region. When mounds are explored great care is
necessary lest these small utensils be lost, as they
are commonly scattered through the mass, and not
always irf close proximity to the skeletons. The
copper deposits about Lake Superior furnished the
pre-historic man with this metal, and judging by the
number of relics made of this metal now found it
must have been extensively mined. The popula
tion must have been large, as occasional copper
implements tempered to an exceeding hardness,
are still found about the country. These imple
ments are small, generally less than half a pound in
weight, and seldom exceeding three pounds.

176

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

There were millions of these in use during the
period of the ancient dwellers, which may have
been of hundreds of years duration. The copper
implements left on the surface soon disappeared by
decomposition, to which copper is nearly as liable
as iron. Only part of the dead Mound Builders
were placed in burial mounds, and of these only a
part were buried with their copper ornaments and
implements on or about them. Of those that
were, only a small part have been discovered, and
in many instances, the slight depth of earth over
them has not prevented the decay and disappear
ance of the copper relics.
Articles of bronze or brass are not found with
the builders of the mounds. It is evident they
knew nothing of these metals in the Ohio valley,
nor did they possess any of the copper that had
been melted or cast in moulds.
Stone relics are very numerous and well pre
served Stone axes, stone mauls, stone hammers,
stone chisels, etc., are very plentiful yet, and were
the common implements of the pre-historic man in
this part of the west. None were made with holes
or eyes for the insertion of a helve or handle, but
were grooved to receive a withe twisted into the
form of a handle. Under the head of axes,
archaeologists include all wrought stones with a
groove, a bit and a poll. They are found unpol
ished, partly polished, and polished. The bit was
made sharp by rubbing, and the material is hard
and tough, generally of trachyte, greenstone, gran
ite, quartz, or basalt. Most of them are straight
on one edge. In Ohio it is very rare that stone
axes are found in the mounds, indicating that they
are modern, or were not so much prized by the
Mound Builders as to be objects of burial, or they
may have been in use only among the Indians at a
later period. Occasionally axes of a softer material
are found, such as slate, hematite, and saridstone,
but these are small in size and not common. They
appear to have been manufactured from small,
oblong bowlders, first brought into shape by a pick,
or chipping instrument, the marks of which are
visible on nearly all of them. They were made
more perfect by rubbing and polishing; probably
done from time to time after they were brought
into use. A handle, or helve, made of a withe or
split stick, was fastened in the groove by thongs of

hide. The bit is narrower than the body of the
axe, which is generally not well enough balanced
to be of much value as a cutting instrument. It
is very seldom the material is hard enough to cut
green or sound timber. The poll is usually round,
but sometimes flat, and rarely pointed. It is much
better adapted to breaking than cutting, while the
smaller ones are better fitted for war-clubs than
tools. As a maul to break dry limbs, they were
very efficient, and this was probably the use made
of them. In weight they range from half a
pound to sixteen pounds, but are generally less
than three pounds. The very heavy ones were
probably kept at their camps, as they were too
heavy for constant use. Such axes are occasional
ly found in the Indian towns on the frontier, as
they were found in Ohio among the aborigines.
The Mound Builders, apparently, did not give
them as much prominence among their imple
ments, even if they used them at all, as did their
savage successors. Double-headed hammers have
the groove in the middle. They were made of the
same material as the axes, so balanced as to give a
blow with equal force at either end. Their
mechanical symmetry is often perfect. As a
weapon in war they were indeed formidable, and
for this purpose are yet used among the Indians on
the Pacific coast.
Implements known as "fleshers"and "skinners,"
chisel-formed, commonly called "celts,'' were prob
ably used as aids in pealing the skins of animals from
the meat and bones. For the purpose of cutting
tools for wood, they were not sufficiently hard, and
do not show such use excepting in a few flint chis
els. They may have been applied as coal scrapers
where wood had been burned, but this could not
have been a general thing without destroying the
perfect edge most of them now exhibit. The
grooved axes were much better adapted to this
purpose. Stone pestles are not plentiful in this county,
while stone mortars are rare, indicating that they
were made of wood, which is lighter and more
easily transported. Most of the pestles are short,
with a wide base tapering toward the top. They
were probably used with one hand and moved
about in a circle in the mortar. The long round
instrument, usually called a pestle, does not appear

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

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STONE RELICS.

HISTORV OF KNOX COUNTY.

CHISELS, GOUGES AND ADZES.

WEDGE-SHAPED IMPLEMENTS.

SCRAPERS — FLINT.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

177

to be fitted for crushing seeds and grain by pound
ing or turning in the mortar. It was probably used
as a rolling-pin, perhaps upon a board or level log,
not upon stone. It is seldom found smooth or
polished, and varies from seven to thirteen inches
in length. In outline they taper toward each end
which is generally smooth, and circular in form,
as though it had been twirled in an upright posi
tion. There is almost an endless variety of perforated
plates, thread-sizers, shuttles, etc. They are usu
ally made of striped slate, most of which have taper
ing holes through them flat-wise, the use of which
has been much discussed. The accompanying
plate exhibits several specimens of these; but there
are, doubtless, many other forms and styles. They
are generally symmetrical, the material fine grained,
and their proportions graceful, as though their prin
cipal use was that of ornamentation. Many of
them may well have been worn suspended as beads
or ornaments. Some partake of the character of
badges or ensigns of authority; others, if strung to
gether on thongs or belts, would serve as a coat of
mail, protecting the breast or back against the ar
rows of an enemy. A number of them would serve
to twist twine or coarse thread made of bark, raw
hide or sinew. The most common theory regard
ing their use is, however, lacking in one important
feature — none of them show signs of wear by use.
The edges of the holes through them are sharp and
perfect. This objection applies equally well to
their use as suspended ornaments. Some of them
are shuttle -form, through which coarse threads
might have been passed, for weaving rude cloth of
bark or of fibrous plants, such as milk-weed or net
tles. There are also double-ended and pointed
ones, with a cross section about the middle of which
is a circle, and through which is a perforation.
A great variety of wands or badges of distinction
are found. They are nearly all fabricated from
striped and variegated slate, highly finished, very
symmetrical and elegant in proportion, evidently
designed to be ornamental. If they were stronger
and heavier, some of them would serve the pur
pose of a hatchet or battle-axe. The material is
compact and fine grained; but the eyes or holes
for handles or staves, are quite small, seldom half
an inch in diameter. Their edges are not sharp,

but rounded, and the body is thin, usually less than
one-fourth of an inch in thickness.
The form of badges known as "double-crescents"
are the most elegant and expensive of any yet
brought to notice. They were probably used to
indicate the highest rank or office. The single
crescent perhaps signified a rank next below the
double. In the collection of Mr. John B. Matson,
of Richland county, there is a rough-hewn double
one in process of construction, the horns of which
turn inward. In nearly or quite all the finished
ones the points turn outward. The finish around
the base of all winged badges a»d the crescents is
the same; and the size of the base about the same
— from two-fifths to three-fifths of an inch. On
one side of all is a narrow ridge; on the other a
flat band, lengthwise, like a ridge that has been
ground down from one to two-tenths of an inch.
Badges and crescents are invariably made of
banded slate, generally of a greenish shade of color.
The other forms of wands or badges, such as those
with symmetrical wings or blades, are also made of
green striped slate, highly polished, with a bore of
about one-half inch in diameter, apparently to in
sert a light wooden rod or staff. They were prob
ably emblems of distinction and were not orna
ments. Nothing like them is known among the
modern tribes, in form or use, hence they are at
tributed to the Mound Builders.
In addition to stone ornaments, the pre-historic
man seems to have had a penchant, like his savage
successors, to bedaub his body with various colors,
derived from different colored minerals. These
compounds were mixed in hollow stones or shallow
mortars — "paint-cups" — in which the mineral mass
of colored clay was reduced to powder and prepar
ed for application to the body. Such paint-cups
are not common; in fact are quite rare — the only
one known to exist in this vicinity being in the
possession of Dr. J. W. Craig, of Mansfield, Ohio.
The comparative rarity of aboriginal smoking-
pipes is easily explained by the fact that they were
not discarded, as were weapons, when those by
whom they were fashioned entered upon the iron
age. The advent of the whites in no way lessened
the demand for pipes, nor did the whites substitute
a better implement. The pipes were retained and
used until worn out or broken, save the few that

178

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

were buried with their dead owners. What was
the ultimate fate of these can only be conjectured.
In very few instances does an Indian grave con
tain a pipe. If the practice of burying a pipe with
its owner was common, it is probable that the
graves were opened and robbed of this coveted
article by members of the same or some other tribe.
It only remains to notice the "flints" in addition
to which a few other archaeological relics of minor
importance are found about the country, but none
of sufficient import to merit mention, or to throw
additional light on the lost tribes of America. Ar
row- and spear-heads and other similar pieces of
flaked-flints are the most abundant of any aboriginal
relics of the United States. They are chiefly made
of hard and brittle siliceous materials; are easily
damaged in hitting any object at which they are
aimed, hence many of them bear marks of violent
use. Perfect specimens are, however, by no means
rare. The art of arrow-making survives to the pres
ent day among certain Indian tribes, from whom
is learned the art practiced that produces them.
A classification of arrow-heads is not within the
scope of this work; indeed, it is rarely attempted
by archaeologists. The styles are almost as nu
merous as their makers. In general, they are all
the same in outline, mostly leaf-shaped, varying
according to the taste or skill of their makers. The
accompanying cut exhibits a few of the common
forms, though the number is infinite. They may
have been chipped — probably most were — and some
may have been ground. Spear-heads exhibit as
large a variety as arrow-heads ; like the latter they
were inserted in wooden handles of various lengths,
though in many tribes they were fastened with
thongs of untanned leather or sinews.
Their modes of manufacture were generally the
same. Very often, perhaps always, tribes contained
"arrow-makers," whose business it was to make
these implements, selling them or exchanging them
for wampum or peltry. When the Indian desired
an arrow-head he could purchase one of the arrow-
maker, or make one himself.
Here the ancient arrow-maker
Made his arrow-heads of quartz-rock —
Arrow-heads of chalcedony,
Arrow-heads of chert and jasper —
Smoothed and sharpened at the edges,
- Hard and polished, keen and costly.

The common method was to take a chipping im
plement, generally made of pointed rods of a deer
horn, from eight to sixteen inches in length, or of
slender, short pieces of the same material bound
with sinews to wooden sticks resembling arrow-
shafts. The arrow-maker held in his left hand the
flake of flint or obsidian, on which he intended to
operate, and pressing the point of the tool against
its edge, detatched scale after scale, with much in
genuity, until the flake assumed the desired form.

CHAPTER XIX
INDIANS.
The Tribes Occupying this County — Treaty of Fort
McIntosh — History of the Delaware Nation — Bock-
inghelas— klllbuck — captain pipe — skin currency
— Delaware Camps in Knox County — Custalooga—
The Murder of the Squaw — Block Houses— Green-
town Indians and their Removal— Jamer Copus — His
Influence over the Indians — Burning of the Indian
Village — Captain Armstrong — The Killing of an
Indian by Morrison and McCulloch — The Jones
Tragedy — Search for the Murderers of Jones— The
Killing of Ruffner and Zimmer — Sketch of Ruffner
— Battle on Black Fork and the Murder of James
Copus — Removal of the Copus Family — Mrs. Sarah
Vail — Removal of the Delawares.
' ' Through the land where we for ages
Laid our bravest, dearest dead,
Grinds the savage white man's plowshare,
Grinding sire's bones for bread."
THE next inhabitants in the form of a human
being to occupy the territory now embraced in
Knox county, after the Mound Builders, were the
American Indians. At least, such is the generally
received opinion ; though whether the Indians and
Mound Builders were not contemporaneous is, per
haps, an open question.
The Indian history, as well as that of the Mound
Builders, is much involved in obscurity, and much
of it largely dependent on tradition, though much
of it is authentic and reliable. The Indians, how
ever, can be allowed very little, if any, credit for
this preservation of their history; it is almost or en
tirely owing to white occupation that they have any
history at all. The day does not seem far distant

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

179

when the Indian race, as a race, will become ex
tinct. If, for any reason, this extinction had oc
curred before the occupation of this country by the
whites, the world would know nothing of the exist
ence of the American Indian. They have erected
no monuments, they have neither written or wrought
any enduring characters; they have not made an
indelible footprint. How many such apparently
worthless nations might have had an existence and
passed away since the world began, no record will
ever tell. Of all the nations that might have lived
in America it remained for the Mound Builders
alone to leave an enduring record; a history writ
ten on the hills and valleys in characters or figures
that defies the ravages of time. Even the present
intelligent race, were it swept away, would scarcely
leave monuments so enduring.
The territory at present embraced in Knox
county was in possession of a tribe of Indians
known as Delawares upon the advent of the whites,
though not exclusively used by that tribe. The
several tribes of Ohio were generally on good
terms, and though each tribe occupied territory
which it considered its own for hunting purposes,
yet the boundaries of these possessions were unde
fined and undefinablewith exactness, and the hun
ters of the different tribes roamed freely over the
possessions of all.
Each of the great tribes occupied lands adjacent
to some important stream, and considered all the
land drained by that particular stream as its hunt
ing grounds. Thus the Miamis occupied the coun
try drained by the Miami river ; the Wyandots the
country drained by the Sandusky river, and also
occupied the Sandusky plains; the Delawares oc
cupied the valley of the Muskingum and its tribu
taries, one of which, Owl creek, passes through
Knox county. All the territory drained by this
great river was allotted by general consent to the
Delaware nation.
January 21, 1785, a treaty was concluded at
Fort Mcintosh with the Wyandot, Delaware, Chip
pewa, and Ottawa nations, by which the boundary
line between the United States and the Wyandot
and Delaware nations was declared to begin at the
mouth of the Cuyahoga, and to extend up said
river to the portage, between that and the Tusca
rawas branch of the Muskingum, thence down that

branch to the crossing place above Fort Laurens,
thence westerly to the portage of the Big Miami,
at the mouth of Loramie creek where stood Fort
Loramie, taken by the French in 1752; thence
along said portage to the Great Miami or Omee
(Maumee) river, and down the south side of same
to its mouth; thence along the south shore of Lake
Erie to the mouth of the Cuyahoga river, to the
place of beginning. The United States allotted
all the lands contained within said lines to the Wy
andot and Delaware nations, to live and hunt on,
and to such of the Ottawa nation as lived thereon;
saving and reserving for the establishment of trad
ing posts, six miles square at the mouth of the Mi
ami, or Omee river, and the same at the Portage,
on that branch of the Big Miami which runs into
the Ohio, and the same on the Sandusky lake,
where the fort formerly stood ; also two miles square
on either side of the lower rapids of the Sandusky.
The southern boundary line, established by the
terms of the above-mentioned treaty, passed across
the northern part of the present limits of Knox
county. The line forms the northern boundary of
Knox from the northeast corner to about the centre
of Pike township, where it enters the county, pass
ing across the northern part of Pike township near
the village of North Liberty, thence across Berlin
township near the village of Ankenytown, a little
north of it; thence across Middlebury township
near the village of Haneytown. This line was
subsequently (in 1795) re-established and extended
into Indiana, by the Greenville treaty, made by
General Wayne.
By this treaty a large territory was ceded to the
United States, including nearly all of Knox county.
The Indians were not, however, removed, but con
tinued to live and hunt on their old grounds until
later in the century ; and even up to the War of
181 2 many of them were here.
Regarding a history of the Delaware nation,
Colonel John Johnston, an excellent authority on
such matters, writes thus :
The true name of this once powerful tribe is Wa-be-nugh-ka,
that is, "the people from the east, " or "the sun rising." The
tradition among themselves is, that they originally, at some
very remote period, emigrated from the west, crossed the Mis
sissippi, ascending the Ohio, fighting their way, until they
reached the Delaware river (so named from Lord Delaware),
near where Philadelphia now stands, in which region of country
they became fixed.

i8o

HISTORY OF KNOX. COUNTY.

About this time they were so numerous that no enumeration
could be made of the nation. They welcomed to the shores of
the new world that great law-giver, William Penn, and his
peaceful followers, and ever since this people have entertained a
kind and grateful recollection of them ; and to this day, speak
ing of good men, they would say, "Wa-she-a E-le'ne" — such a
man is a Quaker, i. c, all good men are Quakers. In 1823 I
was Indian agent at Piqua, Ohio, and removed to the west of
the Mississippi persons of this tribe who were born and raised
within thirty miles of Philadelphia. These were the most
squalid, wretched and degraded of their race, and often fur
nished their chiefs with a subject of reproach against the whites ;
pointing to these of their people and saying to us — "see how
you have spoiled them" — meaning, they had acquired all the
bad habits of the white people, and were ignorant of hunting
and incapable of making a livelihood as other Indians.
In 1819, there were belonging to Johnston's
agency in Ohio, eighty Delawares, who were sta
tioned near Upper Sandusky, and in Indiana two
thousand three hundred of the same tribe.
Bockinghelas was the principal chief of the
Delawares after Johnston went into the Indian
country; he was a distinguished warrior in his day,
and an old man when the agent knew him. Kill-
buck, another Delaware chief, had received a lib
eral education at Princeton college, and retained
until his death the outlines of the morality of the
gospel. Killbuck's creek, in Wayne county, was named
from Killbuck. His village, called Killbuck's town,
was on the road from Wooster to Millersburgb, on
the east of the creek, about ten miles south of
Wooster. It is laid down on maps published as
early as 1754. When the country was first settled
Killbuck was a very old man. There were at least
two chiefs of this name.
The Delaware Indians had a settlement at or
near Jeromeville (Ashland county), which they left
at the beginning of the war (18 12). Their chief
was Captain Pipe, who resided near the road to
Mansfield, one mile south of Jeromeville. When
young he was a great warrior, and the implacable
foe of the whites. When asked "why his tribe
fought so desperately?" he replied, "He who will
not defend the graves of his dead is not worthy the
name of man." He was in St. Clair's defeat,
where, according to his own account, he- distin
guished himself and slaughtered white men until
his arm was weary with the work. He had a
daughter of great beauty. A young chief of noble
mein fell in love with her, and, on his suit being

rejected, mortally poisoned himself with the May
apple. A Captain Pipe (son of old Captain Pipe)
whose Indian name was Pauhangecanpouye, re
moved to the small Delaware Reserve, in the upper
part of Marion county, and when his tribe sold out,
about forty years since, accompanied them to the
far west, where he died.
At an early day the Indians, in great number,
came to Mount Vernon to trade. They encamped
on the river bank, and brought large quantities of
furs and cranberries to dispose of for goods. Their
method of trading is worthy of notice. They
walked in deliberately and seated themselves, upon
which the merchant presented each with a small
piece of tobacco. Having lighted their pipes, they
returned the residue to their pouches. These
pouches were made of a whole mink skin, dressed
with the hair on, and with a slit cut in the throat,
for an opening. In it they kept, also, some kin-
nickinnick bark, or sumach, which they always
smoked with their tobacco, in the proportion of
about three of the former to one of the latter.
After smoking and talking awhile together, one
only at a time arose, went to the counter, and, tak
ing up a yard-stick, pointed to the first article he
desired, and inquired the price. The questions
were, "how many buckskins for a shirt pattern?"
"or "how many for cloth for leggings?" etc. Their
skin currency had an established value. A musk-
rat skin was equal to a quarter of a dollar; a rac
coon skin, a third of a dollar; a doeskin, half a
dollar; and a buckskin, one dollar. The Indian,
learning the price of an article, paid for it by pick
ing out and handing over the skins, before pro
ceeding to purchase the second, when he repeated
the process, and so on through the whole, paying
for everything as he went on, and never waiting,
for that purpose, until he had finished. While the
first Indian was trading, the others looked uninter
ruptedly on, and when he was through another took
his place, and so on, in rotation, until all had
traded. No one desired to trade before his turn,
and all observed a proper decorum, and never at
tempted to get the price down, but, if dissatisfied
with the price, passed on to the next article. They
were cautious not to trade while intoxicated; but
usually preserved some of their skins to buy liquor,
and end their visit with a frolic.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

181

Several camps of Delawares were located within
the limits of this county prior to the War of 1812.
One, located on the bottom land of Owl creek,
just opposite the mouth of Centre run, is remem
bered by the older citizens, who often speak of
"the Indian field." Another camp was situated in
the neighborhood of what is now Fredericktown;
another at Greentown, now in Ashland county,
then under the jurisdiction of Knox county. Some
of the old pioneers have seen several times old
Crane, the Wyandot chief; Armstrong, and Cap
tain Pipe, the Delaware chiefs.
Custaloga was a chief of the Delawares, of the
Wolf tribe, and represented the Delawares at the
council that met Colonel Boquet at the forks of the
Muskingum (Coshocton) October 17, 1764. The
expedition under Colonel Boquet came from Fort
Pitt (now Pittsburgh), and numbered fifteen hun
dred men. One of the results of the council was
the recovery of over two hundred white captives,
which had been stolen from the early settlements
of the whites near the Ohio river, and western part
of Pennsylvania. Many of these captives had
grown up from childhood with the Indians, and
some had intermarried with them. When they
were thus reclaimed by fathers and brothers who
had long mourned their loss, and who had accom
panied the expedition, many of the captives, instead
of rejoicing were thrown into great unhappiness.
They clung to their Indian friends and relations,
crying with loud lamentations at the separation,
and, in some cases, were with great difficulty torn
away. Custaloga was one of the principal speaking
chiefs at the council. It is supposed his home was
at one of the Indian fields so numerously found by
the early white settlers along the Owl Creek valley;
a principal and very large one of which was at Elm-
wood, a little below or opposite to the present city
of Mount Vernon, and on the right bank of the
river. In 1820 an Indian squaw of the Stockbridge
tribe was shot near the county line, between Utica
and Martinsburgh, in Licking county. She was
taken to Mount Vernon, where she died. One
McLane shot her, and was sent to the penitentiary
for it. He and four others, named McDaniel, Ev
ans, Chadwick, and Hughes, were engaged in

chopping, when this squaw, and others of the tribe,
came along and camped near them. The diaboli
cal proposition was made and accepted, that they
should play cards, and that the loser should shoot
her. McLane was the loser and did the shooting;
his confederates were tried with him and acquitted.
McLane died before his term in the penitentiary
had expired, according to some authorities, and ac
cording to others served his time out.
The squaw was shot through the thigh, and was
carried to Mount Vernon by her companions and
placed in the old log gunsmith shop of John Earn-
hart on High street; but the quarters becoming un
comfortable on account of the cold November
weather, she was removed to a log house on the
northwest corner of Mulberry and Vine streets,
where she died. True to the stoicism of her race,
she never groaned or complained, though her suf
ferings were intense. Her five or six Indian com
panions remained with her until her death, when
they buried her in the northeast corner of the old
graveyard. For several years her husband would
return in November, to see that her grave remained
undisturbed. Her name was Rachel Konkupote.
She gave birth to a female child while lying con
fined by her wound, and on her death the child
was given to John and Judah Bird, colored per
sons of Morgan or Clay township. The child was
named Mary, and the legislature subsequently un
dertook to dispose of it. Hence the habeas cor
pus case, tried before Judge Brown, on the twen
tieth of November, 1820, noted by Norton, as fol
lows; In this year (1820) an interesting case was presented in an
allowance of a writ, on the twentieth of November, by Judge
Brown, requiring John Bird and Judah Bird to bring into court
the body of an Indian chiid, daughter of Rachel Conkapote
[Konkupote], deceased, by her husband, Elisha Conkapote
[Konkupote], both Indians of the Stockbridge tribe. Judges
Young and Chapman also appeared, and the whole court lent
itself to an impartial examination of the case, which resulted in
their leaving the little Indian in the hands of the Birds, John
and Judah.
The legislature subsequently allowed the Birds
fifty dollars per annum for the support of the child.
This legislation was procured by Hosmer Curtis,
esq, in 1822, then a member of the lower house
of the legislature.
Among the orders issued by the county June 6,
1820, were the following :

l82

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

No. 3,928— Paying Moody and McCartyfor articles fur
nished overseers of the poor for the squaw that was
shot  :...$2.84. 4
No. 3,929 — Hormer Curtis and Mott for expenses incur
red for the sick squaw  i.oo. o
jvf0 3,930— Jacob Martin, making coffin for squaw. . . 6.00. o
The following regarding Indian troubles in the
northern part of Knox county (now Richland) is
taken from the history of Richland county :
When war was declared with Great Britain, in the spring of
T812, a feeling of uneasiness ran through the border settle
ments. The Indians had always been allies of the English
as against Americans; and they would have been equally allies
of any other power that would have assisted them in regaining
the territory that was being wrested from them by the advanc
ing pioneers.
Tecumseh, the brave and eloquent chief, was earnestly en-.
gaged in uniting the Indian tribes, inducing them to take up the
. hatchet, and, with the help of the British, drive the Americans
from their country. Very few soldiers were then upon the
border for the protection of the settlers; block-houses and means
of defence were scarce. When the American commander,
General Hull, surrendered, this feeling of insecurity was in
creased to one of alarm. It was supposed that a British invad
ing army would immediately cross the State of Ohio, and that
the Indians would be let loose upon the defenceless settlers.
Block-houses were immediately erected for protection — they
sprang up, like mushrooms, almost in a single night. Two
were erected on the site of Mansfield ; one on Rocky fork, at
Beam's mill (now Goudy's mill); one on the Clear fork of the
Mohican, and one where Ganges now stands. The block-houses
at Mount Vernon and Fredericktown were also erected about
this time. Within reach of these rude works the pioneers felt
comparatively safe. A few of them could defend themselves
against quite a force of savages; and, as rapidly as possible,
these works were occupied by soldiers.
There had been, for some years, a camp of Indians at Green-
town on Black fork — about one hundred of them. A few were
Mohawks, but most of them were Delawares, under an old chief
named Armstrong. They had always been friendly and neigh
borly with the whites, and quite a settlement of white people
had gathered around them. Fearing that Tecumseh would in
fluence these Indians to engage in the war, and that they would
suddenly fall upon the settlers and murder them, the military
authorities determined to remove them. It was the policy of
the government to gather all the friendly Indians together as
much as possible — to separate the sheep from the goats, as it
were — that it might know who were its friends and who its
enemies. This was the motive for the order removing the
Greentown Indians. However unjust it might seem to drive
them from their homes and hunting-grounds, it was in accord
ance with a general policy that seemed to be for the best. A
great many friendly Indians were gathered near the present site
of Piqua, Ohio, where they were under the protection and su
pervision of the military. To this place it was decided to re
move these Indians, and the task was intrusted to Colonel
Samuel Kratzer, who had arrived at Mansfield with his com
mand from Knox county. His soldiers were scattered about the
vicinity, building block-houses and doing garrison duty. One
company, under command of Captain Martin, was stationed at

the block-house at Beam's Mill. In September, Colonel Krat
zer sent a company of soldiers, under Captain Douglas, to bring
the Greentown Indians to Mansfield. It was a delicate and dis
agreeable duty. When Douglas arrived at the village and re
ported his mission to the chief, Captain Armstrong hesitated
about obeying the order. He had eighty fighting men under
his command, and could have made a vigorous resistance. It
seemed cruel to remove these people from their homes, where
they were living quietly, attending to their own business, molest
ing no one, and surrounded by their families and the comforts
of life ; in a country wonderfully beautiful, which they had
always called their own. What wonder is it that they hesitated
to obey this peremptory order? These Indians were in a great
degree under the influence of Christianity. Missionaries had
visited them regularly for years, and preached in their council-
house. They traded freely with the whites, and were more in
telligent and further on the road to civilization than most other
tribes. The village site had been selected for the romantic
beauty of its scenery ; it is said by those who visited it at that
period that no more lovely spot could be found ; yet they must
leave this at the bidding of destiny. It seems as if it was or
dained that this race should be ground to powder under the heel
of civilization.
The Indians were thrown into a violent state of excitement
upon the appearance of the soldiers for their removal. Captain
Armstrong trembled with suppressed emotion; so much so that
he could hardly reply to Captain Douglas. The camp was like
a powder magazine — a spark would have caused an explosion —
a word would have brought on a desperate struggle. Douglas,
finding he would have some difficulty, concluded to go to Mr.
James Copus, for his advice and assistance, desiring, if possible,
to avoid bloodshed.
James Copus was the first settler in Mifflin township. He was
born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, about the year T775 ; mar
ried in his native county in 1796; emigrated to Richland county
in March, 1809, and settled on the Black fork of the Mohican.
He first located about three miles east of the present site of
Charles' mill, on what has since been called Zimmer's run, where
he erected a camp cabin of poles. In this cabin he lived eigh
teen months, when he moved down nearer to Black fork, about
three-fourths of a mile from that stream, where a beautiful spring
gushes from the foot of a high rocky ridge or bluff. Here he
built a permanent cabin on land he had selected, and began
clearing off a farm. Meanwhile, he had become well known to
the Greentown Indians; was on the most friendly terms with
them, and was much respected by them. He was a man of
strong religious convictions — a Methodist, and frequently
preached for them in their council-house. He was a stout, fear
less, industrious German, and soon had a small patch cleared
about his cabin, fenced with brush and logs, and planted in corn
He possessed a yoke of oxen and a cow or two. A few white
neighbors soon gathered around him, among whom were James
Cunningham, Andrew Craig, David and Samuel Hill and Mr.
Lambright. The settlement came to be known as the Black
fork or Copus settlement. The Indians soon learned to trust
Mr. Copus, to believe in his honesty and fidelity, and in conse
quence, he soon acquired great influence over them. It was to
this man that Captain Douglas went, to secure, if possible, his
influence in getting the Indians removed without a conflict. Mr.
Copus entertained some peculiar views respecting human rights;
his sympathies were with the Indians, and he was strongly op
posed to their removal. He liked them as neighbors, believed

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

183

they were inclined to peace, and could not see the necessity of
driving them from their homes. He entered into a long conver
sation with the officer, respecting the justness of his mission.
He maintained that they had suffered the most shameful wrongs,
and that a God of mercy would demand restitution from the
hands of the whites. He at first refused to assist the officer,
declaring to him, that, if he would not disturb them, he would
himself stand accountable for their conduct. All Mr. Copus'
arguments were to no purpose. The officer stated simply that
his orders were peremptory to remove them, and, however un
just it might be, he could not do less than obey orders. Mr.
Copus saw that if he did not use his influence and persuade the
Indians to go peaceably, there would be bloodshed, and, with
this view, he at last agreed to accompany the officer to the In
dian villlage; first stipulating, however, that, should the Indians
quietly surrender, their iives and property should be protected.
This Captain Douglas promised, and taking with him his three
sons, Henry, James and Wesley, they proceeded to the village.
Through Mr. Copus' influence, the Indians were persuaded to
go quietly away with the soldiers, after being assured that their
property should be protected and restored to them, and that
they should be protected on the march. Prior to this they had
assured Peter Kinney, a neighbor, that, if permitted to remain,
they would surrender their guns and war-like weapons, and an
swer to roll-call every day, but as Captain Douglas had no dis.
cretionary power, this could not be done.
A schedule of their property was taken by James Cunning
ham and Peter Kinney, and they took up their line of march
across the Black fork, turning their faces from a home they, as
a tribe, were never to see again. They were taken across to the
new State road, thence to Lucas, and from there to Mansfield,
camping in the deep ravine, which now crosses the First ward,
above the bridge on South Main street. It is now called Ritter's
run. Some eight or ten soldiers straggled from Douglas'
command, and remained behind at the Indian village. No
sooner had Armstrong and his people disappeared in the forest,
than these soldiers deliberately, to the surprise" and distress of
Mr. Copus, set fire to the village and burned it to the ground.
Nearly everything the Indians left behind was consumed. The
village contained some sixty comfortable log houses, a large
council house, and much personal property, which the Indians
were unable to carry with them.
This is the statement of Mr. Wesley Copus, who was present.
He is now dead, but the statement was wrtilten down in his
presence, and by his dictation, some years before he died. He
attributed the untimely death of his father to this act of perfidy
on the part of Douglas' command.
After being joined by a few Indians from Jeromeville, Colonel
Kratzer and his command conducted the Indians through
Berkshire and across Elm creek, in Delaware county, to Piqua.
It is said the Indians discovered volumes of smoke rising
over the tree tops, surmised that their property was being burnt,
and some of them vowed a terrible vengeance.
Captain Thomas Steene Armstrong, chief of the Greentown
Indians, whose Indian name was Pamoxet, was born in Penn
sylvania, somewhere on the Susquehanna river. He was not a
full blooded Indian, but very dark-skinned; the name Steene
probably alluded to some white relative, in this country. He
first came into notice at the treaty of Fort Industry, July 4,
1805. He was probably chief of the Turtle branch of the Lenni
Lenape, or Delaware tribe, and located at Greentown, about
the time Captain Pipe made his residence near Mohican Johns

town. He was often visited by the Moravian missionary Hecke
welder, long before any white settlers made their appearance.
At the time these white settlers came, Captain Armstrong ap
peared to be about sixty-five years of age; was a small man,
slightly stooping, rather dignified and reticent, dressed in full
Indian costume, and appeared to advantage. He had two
wives — one an old squaw, by whom he had James and Silas,
and, probably, other children. He married a young squaw in
1808, by whom he had children. He frequently visited the
cabin of James Copus, and made sugar there the first spring af
ter his arrival. James and Silas often shot at a mark, with
bows and arrows, with James and Wesley Copus, in the sugar
camp. They also amused themselves by hopping, wrestling,
and other boyish sports. Armstrong had two Indian slaves, or
servants, both deaf. They were of some other tribe. He was
a harmless old chief, and treated every one very kindly. The
favorite hunting-ground of his tribe was in Knox county, along
Owl creek and its tributaries, and frequently they had difficulty
with the early settlers of that region. After their removal to
Piqua, Armstrong settled in the Upper Sandusky region, among
the Delawares and Wyandots, and never returned to Greentown ¦
but his boys, however, James and Silas, frequently came back.
The chief was a good Indian doctor, and could talk very good
English. His descendants married among the Wyandots and
Delawares, and, when these tribes were removed, went with
them beyond the Mississippi, settling near Wyandot, Kansas.
During the short time the Greentown Indians were encamped
in Mansfield, two of them, a warrior and his daughter, a little
girl, escaped from the guards and made their way toward Upper
Sandusky. This Indian's name was Toby; he did not belong to
the Greentown Indians, but to another tribe located at Upper
Sandusky. For some reason, his little daughter had been living
with the Greentown Indians, and, when he found they were be
ing removed by the Government, he came to take her home,
and met her at Mansfield. Here he found her under guard, and
not being able to get her away openly, he succeeded in getting
her through the guards, and they started for Upper Sandusky.
At that time there was, in Colonel Kratzer's command, a com
pany of soldiers from Coshocton, and, among them, two men by
the name of Morrison and McCulloch; the latter had had a
brother killed by the Indians at Brownstown. These two men
took their rifles and started in pursuit of the fugitives, on the
Sandusky trail. Two miles out, they overtook and immediately
fired upon them, wounding the father. They then returned to
town. The Indian ran about forty rods to a stream, and laid
down in it. Morrison and McCulloch told what they had done;
and a company of soldiers, under Sergeant J. C. Gilkinson, and
accompanied by the two scouts, Morrison and McCulloch, went
out to look for the wounded Indian, and found him still alive,
lying in the stream. As they approached, he lifted his hands,
imploring mercy, but there was no mercy for him. Morrison
drew his tomahawk from his belt and handed it to McCulloch,
saying, "Take revenge for your brother's blood." McCulloch
walked deliberately up, and, in spite of the entreaties of Mr. Gil
kinson, sank the tomahawk into the Indian's skull, up to the
handle. They then took the body out of the water, and, having piled
some logs on it, left it for the present and went home, taking
along the gun, tomahawk, and other articles belonging to the
Indian. Some days after, they returned, cut off the head of
the Indian, scalped it, brought it to town and stuck it on a pole
in the street, where it remained several days, when some one

1 84

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

becoming disgusted with the sight, took it down and buried it.
Dr. J. P. Henderson, still living, adds to the above the follow
ing: "The scalp they filled with whisky, handed it around
and drank from it, though mixed with blood."
The daughter escaped, and, after living nine days on berries,
arrived safely at Sandusky. Nothing could be done to punish
Morrison and McCulloch for this crime, as there was a standing
order that all Indians found in the woods, outside the guards,
should be shot.
About the same time the Indians were removed from Green
town, Levi Jones was killed, near Mansfield. On the thirteenth
of August, 1812, John Wallace and a man by the name of
Reed went out a half-mile east of town to clear off a place for a
brickyard. In the afternoon, Levi Jones, who kept a grocery
in the cabin on the Sturgis corner, went out where they were at
work and remained with them some time. In returning, he
took a different route from the one by which he went out, it be
ing a trail through the woods. When he reached the vicinity of
the brick block lately known as the Friendly Inn, and near the
foot of the hill on the east side of North Main street, he was
fired upon by a party of Indians in ambush. It is supposed
this was a party of the Greentown Indians. They probably
had some grudge against Jones, who sold whisky, and had
trouble with them at different times on this account. One shot
took effect, the ball entering the back ofthe left hand, passing
through the hand and entering the right breast. The hand
through which the ball passed was confined at his breast by a
sling, in consequence of a felon on his thumb. Jones did not
fall immediately, but, giving a yell of pain andalarm, started on
a run for the block-house. He might have reached it, but un
fortunately came in contact with a brush across the path, which
threw him backward upon the ground. Before he could regain
his feet, the Indians were upon him, and finished their work by
stabbing him several times in the back. They then scalped
him, and, having secured his hat and handkerchief, gave the
scalp yell and left.
John Pugh and Mr. Westfall were working a few rods from
the place, and hearing the yell, ran into town and gave the
alarm. They returned, and found Jones lying dead in the
trail, but, fearing an ambush, left him there and returned to
the block-house. In a very few minutes everybody in the vi
cinity heard the news, and all immediately took shelter in the
block-house. The excitement was very great; they momen
tarily expected an attack. During all this time, the supposition
was that Reed and Wallace, who were clearing the brickyard in
that direction, had also been killed by the Indians, and that the
latter were still lurking . in the neighborhood. The wives of
Reed and Wallace were almost frantic, thinking their husbands
had been murdered. It was now about sundown, and, as it
seems there were no soldiers in the block-house at that time, it
was determined to send immediately to Mount Vernon for help.
Who would volunteer to go, was the question. It was a haz
ardous journey; whoever volunteered would stand a fair chance
of losing his scalp. It happened that, just at that time, the ec
centric but brave Johnny Appleseed was present. He imme
diately volunteered to undertake the hazardous journey, and
started about dark, bareheaded and barefooted, through the
wilderness. He reached Mount Vernon in safety, and with
such expedition that Captain Garey, with a party of soldiers,
was at the block-house by sunrise the next morning.
On this journey Johnny Appleseed gave a warning cry at
every cabin he passed, informing the inmates that Reed, Wal

lace, and Jones were killed, and that the Indians were passing
south. There was something awful, it is said, in Johnny's
warning cry, as he pounded at the door of each cabin he
passed, and shouted to the inmates: "Flee! flee! for your
lives ! The Indians are upon you, " and, before they could open
the door, or fairly comprehend his meaning, this angel of mercy
had disappeared in the darkness and night, on his way with the
fleetness of a deer to the next cabin —
And, pressing forward like the wind,
Left pallor and surprise behind.
Shortly after Johnny left, Reed and Wallace made their ap
pearance at fhe block-house, safe and sound, to the great joy of
all. When the soldiers arrived in the morning, the body of Jones
was brought in on a sled and buried, and a search made for any
savages that might be lurking about. The place where the In
dians had tied their horses was found near the foot of the hill
upon which Judge Geddes now resides. The next day Captain
Douglas raised a company of fifteen volunteers, and started on
the trail of the Indians, following it to Upper Sandusky. They
came so near the fugitives the second day, that they found their
camp-fires still burning. At Upper Sandusky they found Gov
ernor MeArthur with a company from Chillieothe, and remained
there several days, searching the Indian camp for the mur
derers of Jones, but did not find them. Some three hundred
friendly Indians were encamped there. Douglas did not think
it safe to return by the way he went, and came back by way of
Fredericktown. The men were roughly dressed, and had hand
kerchiefs tied about their heads instead of hats. They looked
more like Indians than white men; and, as they were going into
Fredericktown, they fired off their guns by way of salute, and
greatly frightened the inhabitants. Two women fainted in the
street, and a general stampede for the block-house took place.
The murder of Jones must have happened a few days before
the removal of the Greentown Indians, as at that time soldiers
were already occupying the block-houses on the square,
Two weeks after the removal of the Greentown Indians, Mar
tin Ruffner, and the Zimmer* family, living on the Black fork,
about five miles north of the site of the burned village, were
murdered. The deed was supposed to have been committed by
a portion of Armstrong's band, in retaliation for the injuries
they had suffered, and it was also supposed they had a grudge
against the Zimmer family, as members of that family had, on
different occasions, tied -clapboards to the tails of their ponies.
Their ponies were allowed to run loose in the woods, and an
noyed Mr. Zimmer by getting into his corn-field. Any insult
to their ponies was made a personal matter, and resented ac
cordingly. Martin Ruffner came from Shenandoah county, Virginia, and
settled in Pleasant township, Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1807.
He was accompanied by his mother, brother Michael, and a
sister, who married one Richard Hughes. Martin Ruffner re
turned to Virginia a year or two before he settled in Richland
county, and married. In the spring of r8ia, he and his rela
tives located on what is now Staman's run, in Mifflin township,
half a mile a little north of west of the present village of Mifflin.
He was of German origin, a bold, fearless backwoodsman, and
•This has generally been written "Seymour," but the correct name
has been ascertained to be Zimmer. The settlers in that direction (in
cluding this family) were Germans, and their pronunciation of the name
Zimmer sounds very much like "Seymour," hence the mistake.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

185

an uncompromising enemy ofthe Indians, several of his friends
and relatives having been murdered by them. Gn his arrival in
Mifflin, he built a cabin on the brow of the hill, not far from
the Black fork, about five minutes' walk from the present resi
dence of Mr. Jacob Staman, and on the latter's farm. While
building this cabin and clearing around it, with the help of a
bound boy named Levi Bargahiser, his mother and brother
boarded with his hrother-in-law, Richard Hughes, while he and
Bargahiser kept "bachelor's hall" at the cabin. They had just
entered their lands at Canton, and were preparing for a perma
nent residence.
Mr. Zimmer, with his family, came about the same time, lo
cated his land and built his cabin about two and a half miles
southeast of Mr. Ruffner. His family consisted of his wife, a.
beautiful girl named Kate, and his son Philip, aged nineteen.
He was an old man, not able to do much work, and, desiring to
prepare some fifteen or twenty acres for com, he employed Mi
chael Ruffner to assist his son Philip.
Early in September, one afternoon, while Michael Ruffner
was walking along the trail leading from the cabin of Frederick
Zimmer to that of his brother, he met a party of Indians* who
were well armed with guns, knives, and tomahawks, and ap
peared very friendly. They asked him if the Zimmers were at
home, and upon receiving an affirmative reply, passed on. Hav
ing his suspicions aroused, he hastened to the cabin of his
brother Martin, and informed him of his meeting with the In
dians. Martin's suspicions were aroused, and taking down his
rifle, he mounted a fleet mare, and rode rapidly down the trail
to the Zimmer cabin. He arrived before the Indians; and after
a short consultation it was decided that Philip Zimmer should
hasten to the cabin of James Copus, who lived about two miles
further south, on the trail, give the alarm in that neighborhood,
and return with assistance. Meanwhile the brave Ruffner was
to remain and defend the family. Philip Zimmer hastened to
Mr. Copus' cabin, and from there to John Lambright's two miles
further south, on the Black fork. Lambright returned with
him, and, joined by Mr. Copus, they all proceeded together to
the Zimmer cabin, where they arrived in the early part of the
evening. Finding no light in the cabin, and all being silent,
fears were entertained that the inmates had been murdered. Mr.
Copus moved cautiously around to the back window, and lis
tened a moment; but hearing no movement, he crept quietly
around to the door, which he found slightly ajar; and pressing
upon it, found some obstruction behind it. He at once sus
pected the family had been murdered; and on placing his hand
upon the floor, found it wet with blood. There was no longer
any doubt. Hastening back to Philip and Lambright, who
were concealed a short distance from the cabin, he stated his
discoveries and convictions.
Philip became frantic with grief and excitement, and desired
to rush into the cabin to learn the whole truth. In this he was
prevented by the others, who feared that the Indians were yet
concealed in the cabin, awaiting his return. Persuading Philip
to accompany them, they hastened back to the cabin of Mr.
Copus, and, taking the latter's family, they all proceeded as
rapidly as possible to Mr. Lambright's. This family was added
to their numbers, and they pushed on to the cabin of Frederick
Zimmer, jr., Philip's brother, and he and his family joined the
fugitives. They hastened along an Indian trail, near where the
*One account makes the number two, another three, another four, and
still another, five.

village of Lucas now stands, and stopped at the cabin of David
Hill, where they remained until the next morning, when, accom
panied by the family of Hill, nil proceeded to the block-house
at Beam's mill. This fort was then occupied by a company of
soldiers under Captain Martin. A party of these soldiers, ac
companied by Mr. Copus, Philip and Frederick Zimmer, Hill
and Lambright, all well armed, proceeded by the most direct
route through the forest, to the cabins of Martin Ruffner and
Richard Hughes. They found the cabin of Ruffner had not
been disturbed, the boy Bargahiser having slept there alone the
night before ; and the cabin of Hughes was also undisturbed.
Ruffner had, a short time prior to this, upon the surrender of
Hull, sent his wife and child to Licking county, to a Mr. Lair,
or Laird, an uncle, who lived about one and a half miles from
Utica. At Ruffner's cabin they were joined by Bargahiser,
Michael Ruffner and Mr. Hughes, and all hastened down the
trail to the Zimmer cabin. Entering it, they found the old gen
tleman, the old lady and Catharine, all dead upon the floor and
dreadfully mangled. The gallant Ruffner was lying dead in the
yard. There was every evidence that he had made a desperate
struggle for his life and that of the Zimmers. His gun was bent
nearly double, and several of his fingers had been cut off by
blows from a tomahawk. The struggle had finally ended by his
being shot twice through the body. The details of this butch
ery could never be certainly known, as the prominent actors
were all killed ; all had also been scalped. It appeared that the
table had been set with refreshments for the savages, and most
of the food remained. Whether any of the Indians were killed
is not known ; they would have taken their dead away with
them, and destroyed all evidences, if such a catastrophe had
happened to them. It is supposed that eight or ten Indians
were engaged in this tragedy.
There is a tradition among the early settlers, that an Indian
by the name of Kanotchy was taken prisoner some years after
wards, and related the story of this massacre. It appears from
this statement that thelndians entered the cabin and seated them
selves very sullenly, while the terrified Kate was setting refresh
ments for them, as was usual. The heroic Dutchman was the
only guard of consequence, as Mr. Zimmer was too old to make
much resistance. The Indians made the attack very suddenly.
Ruffner, not havijig time to fire, broke the stock in pieces and
bent the barrel double in the terrible fight. The odds were too
much for him, and he soon went down before superior numbers.
As soon as he was out of the way they killed and scalped the
old people. At the commencement of the affray Kate fainted
and fell to the floor, and until aroused from this state of syn
cope, was unaware of the murder of her parents. When she
came to her senses, she looked about upon a scene of blood
and horror, and burst into a paroxysm of weeping. She begged
the savages to spare her life, but all to no purpose. They first
ascertained from hei where her father's money was concealed,
and then buried the tomahawk in her brain. While she was in
a senseless condition, a consultation had been held over her, to
decide whether they should kill her or take her prisoner. It
was decided that her life should be taken, but still they hesi
tated, as no one wished to do the deed. At length it was
decided that the one who should perform the deed, should be
considered as possessing the greatest heart, whereupon this
same Phillip Kanotchy stepped forward, exclaiming, "Me kill
white squaw, me got big heart." When Kate saw the toma
hawk descending, she raised a beautiful white arm to ward off
the blow, which, falling upon the arm, nearly severed it in

i86

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

twain ; * second blow did the work — one quiver, and the lovely
life went out.
She was engaged to be married to Mr. Henry Smith, who
was at that time in the east, attending to some business; they
were to be married upon his return.
Martin Ruffner and the Zimmers were buried on a little knoll
near the cabin, in one grave, where the remains still lie. The
farm is now owned by a Mr. Culler. After performing the last
sad ceremonies over the remains of the murdered pioneers, they
returned to the block-house at Beam's, and Michael Ruffner,
his mother, and Hughes and family returned to Fairfield county,
where they remained.
The settlers were thoroughly aroused by the tragedy, and all
fled to the block -house for safety.
When Mr. James Copus and family had remained about five
days at the block-house, they became tired of staying, and,
hearing nothing of the Indians, determined to return. Having
always enjoyed their respect and confidence, and having always
been their firmest friend, he felt that they could harbor no ill
will toward him or his family. Captain Martin protested
against his return, saying that in the present excited state of
affairs he would be running great risk. As Mr. Copus insisted
on going, nine soldiers were detailed to accompany him. Mr.
Copus had seven children, mostly small. They all arrived
safely at the cabin, and found everything as they had left it. In
the evening, Mr. Copus invited the soldiers to sleep in the
cabin, but, the weather being yet warm, they preferred to take
quarters in the barn, which stood four or five rods north of the
cabin, on the trail,* that they might have a better opportunity
to indulge in frolic and fun, and be less crowded and under less
restraint. Before retiring Mr. Copus cautioned them against
surprise by any Indians that might be lurking about. During
the afternoon, Sarah, a little daughter of Mr. Copus, aged
twelve, still living {November, 1880) went into the cornfield a
few rods south of the cabin, and, while there, saw an Indian in
the edge of the woods skulk behind a brush heap, but, unfor
tunately, did not relate the circumstance to her father. This
child, now Mrs. Sarah Vail, aged eighty-one, says the reason
why she did not tell her father of her discovery is that he was a
very strict man in regard to truth, and, fearing she might have
been deceived, did not wish to incur his displeasure by creating
a false alarm.
That night the dogs kept up a constant barking, and Mr.
Copus had many unpleasant dreams — sleeping but little. He
was evidently impressed that danger was lurking near. Before
daylight, he' invited the soldiers into the cabin, telling them he
feared some great disaster was about to overtake himself and
family. He again laid down to rest, and, when daylight began
to appear, the soldiers insisted on going to the spring, about
three rods away, to wash. This spring is one of the finest of
the many fine springs in Mifflin. It gushes from the base of a
hill several hundred feet high, in a large, glittering current of
pure soft water. Mr. Copus again cautioned the soldiers of im
pending danger, telling them that Indians were certainly in the
neighborhood or his dogs would not have made such a noise,
and urged them to take their guns with them to the spring.
They promised to do so, but, on passing out, leaned them
against the cabin and went on to the spring. Fatal mistake !
The Indians, who had been lurking about the cabin all night,

*A barn occupies the same spot still, and the trail is now a well trav
elled road.

were watching for just such an opportunity as this. Swiftly,
silently, stealthily, as a cat creeps upon its prey, they closed in
upon the doomed cabin, and, before the soldiers were aware of
their presence, were between them and their guns; then came
the horrid war-whoop as a score or more of painted warriors
rushed upon them with tomahawk and scalping-knife. It seems
that only seven of the soldiers went to the spring to wash, the
other two— George Luntz and another whose name is not
given — were not probably just ready to wash, and were in
the cabin when the attack was made. Of these seven at the
spring, three were instantly killed. Three more, whose names
were George Shipley, John Tredrick and a Mr. Warnock,
finding retreat to the cabin impossible, fled to the woods.
These were pursued by the Indians, and two of them toma
hawked; the third, Mr. Warnock, being fleet on floot might
have escaped, but could not outrun a. bullet. They fired
at him many times while running, one of the balls finally pas
sing through his bowels. The Indians were not aware they had
shot him, and gave up the chase. He only went a short dis
tance, however, when, growing weak from loss of blood, he sat
down by a tree, stuffed his handkerchief in the wound and died.
The only soldier who regained the cabin was Mr. George Dye,
who broke through the mass of savages, and sprang through
the cabin door just as it was opened by Mr. Copus. He, however,
received a ball through his thigh as he entered. As soon as the
attack commenced Mr. Copus sprang from his bed, seized his
gun and rushed to the door. Just as he opened it, George Dye
sprang through, and a volley of rifle balls came with him. One
of these balls gave Mr. Copus a mortal wound, passing through
his breast. Mr. Copus had raised his rifle, and, just as he was
wounded, fired at an Indian but a few feet away, who fell. The
ball that caused Mr. Copus' death passed through the strap that
supported his powder-horn. This horn is yet in possession of
the family; it is a large, handsome one, and a rare relic. Mr.
Copus fell, and was conveyed to his bed, where he breathed his
last in sjbout an hour, while encouraging the soldiers to fightthe
enemy, and, if possible, save his family. On the east of the
cabin extended a range of hills several hundred feet high, cov
ered with timber and huge rocks, which furnisbed an excellent
cover for the enemy, and gave them a position from which they
could fire down upon the cabin; they were not long in seeking
this cover, and, from their secure hiding-places, poured down
upon the cabin a perfect storm of leaden hail. The door and roof
were soon riddled with bullets. The soldiers tore up the punch
eons of the floor, and placed them against the door to prevent
the balls from penetrating to the interior of the cabin. Nancy
Copus, a little girl, was wounded in the knee by a ball that
passed through the door. One of the soldiers, George Launte,
had his arm broken by a ball while up-stairs removing the chink
ing in order to get a "crack" at an Indian. He soon caught
sight of an Indian peering from behind a medium-sized oak that
yet stands on the side of the hill about a hundred yards away,
and, taking deliberate aim, shot the savage, who bounded into
the air and rolled to the foot of the hill into the trail.
The firing became incessant on both sides;' wherever the
soldiers could make or find a place to fire through they returned
the Indian fire with precision and effect. One savage fell mor
tally wounded directly in front of the cabin, early in the engage
ment, whether from the ball from the rifle of Mr. Copus is not
known. During the battle he was endeavoring to crawl toward
the trail, and, although moaning and evidently dying, he at
tempted several times to elevate his rifle to discharge it upon

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

187

the cabin, but his strength failed him. A soldier, seeing him
attempting to shoot, sent a friendly bullet to ease him of his
earthly cares and anxieties. He was shot through the head.
The battle lasted from daybreak until about nine or ten
o'clock, when the savages, finding they could accomplish noth
ing more, raised the retreating yell, gathered up their dead and
wounded (one account says nine in number) and left ; first firing
upon a flock of sheep, which, during the eventful morning, had
huddled together upon the brow of the hill, looking down in
strange bewilderment upon this scene of bloodshed. The poor
affrighted animals tumbled down the hill one after another, until
they lay in a heap at the bottom.
As soon as the Indians disappeared, one of the soldiers
crawled out through the roof of the cabin, and made all possi
ble haste to the block-house at Beam's for assistance. The day
before, Captain Martin had agreed to call at the Copus cabin
the same evening with a number of soldiers, and remain all
night. But he and his soldiers, having been scouting all day
and finding no signs of Indians, concluded that all apprehen
sions of danger were frivolous, therefore neglected to appear as
agreed. He encamped above, on the Black fork, and, on the
morning of the disaster, moved leisurely down the trail from
the direction of Ruffner' s, reaching the scene of the fight too
late to aid in the fearful struggle. On approaching the cabin,
he and his soldiers were awe-stricken on beholding the work of
death around them. They attended at once to the wounded,
and the grief-stricken family of Mr. Copus, who were weeping
over the murdered husband and father. Search was made for
the Indians, but, from the trail through the weeds that grew
luxuriantly around the base of the hill, it was found that they
had retreated around the southern brow of the bluff, gone up a
ravine about a quarter of a mile away, and fled in the direction
of Quaker Springs, in Vermillion township, and hence pursuit
was abandoned.
Mr. Copus and the murdered soldiers were buried by the
command in one grave, at the foot of an apple-tree, a few yards
south of the cabin, where their bones yet repose. Captain Mar
tin then took the family and wounded, and began his march to
the block-house. Proceeding up the valley about half a mile,
they halted for the night, placing pickets about the camp to pre
vent surprise. In all, there were about one hundred persons in
this camp that night. The wounded were carried on poles, over
which linen sheets had been sewed, making a sort of stretcher.
The next morning the little army passed up the trail, near the
deserted cabin of Martin Ruffner; crossing the Black fork about
where the State road is now located ; that being the soute by
which Martin had advanced. The whole party reached the
block-house in safety that evening. About six weeks after this,
Henry Copus and five or six soldiers returned to the cabin, and,
on their way, found Mr. Warnock leaning against a tree, as be
fore stated, dead. They buried him near by.
Thus ends the last tragedy of the Greentown Indians.
Their reasons for killing the Zimmer family have been noticed.
Their reasons for killing Mr. Copus probably were that he had
been instrumental in getting them removed; that is, fearing
bloodshed, he had used his influence to get them away peace
ably, on promise that their property should be protected. Find
ing their village destroyed, they entertained bitter and revenge
ful feelings toward Mr. Copus. As to the number of Indians
engaged, nothing whatever is known. It was found on examina
tion of the neighborhood of the Copus cabin, that forty-five fires
had been kindled, just south of the corn-field, near where Sarah

had seen the Indian. These fires had been kindled in small
holes, scooped out of the giound to prevent their being seen.
Mrs. Vail thought the Indians had feasted on roasted corn the
evening before the attack. Some writers upon this subject have
inferred from the number ef fires that there were forty-five
Indians engaged in the attack. This reasoning is erroneous, as
Indians have frequently been known to build fires for the pur
pose of deceiving their enemies; and, on the other hand, half a
dozen Indians might have used one fire.
Mrs. Copus and her family were removed to Guernsey county,
Ohio, by Joseph Archer and George Carroll. They were hauled
through the forest to Clinton, Newark, Zanesville and Cam
bridge by a yoke of cattle, in an ordinary cart. The journey
consumed many days, during which most of the family were
compelled, on little food, to walk over a rough path, wade small
streams, encamp by the wayside, and always in fear of being
pursued and captured by the savages. They returned in 1815,
and found their cabin as they had left it. A few of the Green
town Indians had also returned and re-erected their cabins, but
peace had come by that time, and changed, somewhat, the sav
age nature of their Indian neighbors, with whom they ever after
lived in peace and friendship.
There are yet a few mementos of that battle on the Black
fork remaining. A single log of the old cabin remains, and is
doing duty in a smoke-house on the premises. The oak, be
hind which the Indian was shot, still stands on the hillside, its
top partly dead. A neat frame house stands a few feet west of
where the cabin stood, and is occupied by Mr. John W. Vail.
The spot is a lovely one. To the east, the steep, precipitous
hill rises abruptly, and is yet covered with timber and great
rocks. It is several hundred feet high, and from its base still
gush the waters of the beautiful spring, just as they did on that
fatal morning when they were dyed with human blood. Half a
mile south, on the Black fork, lives Mrs. Sarah Vail, in a cabin
alone, which she has occupied fifty-seven years. She and her
sister, Amy Whetmore, now living in Seneca county, are the
only surviving members of the Copus family, and were witnesses
of the battle. Mrs. Vail was eighty-one years old January 1,
r88i. Her mind is still clear and strong and she has a. vivid
recollection of that fearful tragedy.
After the war the Indians came straggling back to occupy
their old hunting grounds, although but few of them had any
fixed residence — they soon disappeared forever from this region.
By the treaty concluded at the foot of the Mau
mee rapids, September 29, 1817, Lewis Cass and
Duncan MeArthur being commissioners on the
part of the United States, there were granted to
the Delaware Indians a reservation of three miles
square, on or near the northern boundary of Ma
rion county, and adjoining the Wyandot reserva
tion of twelve miles square. This reservation was
to be equally divided among the following persons :
Captain Pipe, Zeshanau or James Armstrong, Ma-
hantoo or John Armstrong, Sanondoyeasquaw or
Silas Armstrong, Teorow or Black Raccoon, How-
dorouwatistic or Billy Montour, Buck Wheat, Wil
liam Dondee, Thomas Lyons, Johnnycake, Cap-

i88

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

tain Wolf, Isaac and John Hill, Tishatahoones or
Widow Armstrong, Ayenucere, Hoomauon or John
Ming, and Youdorast. Many of these Indians had
lived at Jeromeville and Greentown.
By the treaty concluded at Little Sandusky, Au
gust 3, 1829, John McElvain being the United
States' commissioner, the Delawares ceded this
reservation to the United States for three thousand
dollars, and removed west of the Mississippi.

CHAPTER XX
THE FIRST WHITE MEN.
Captivity of James Smith — His Life Among the In
dians — Christian .Fast, sr. — His Captivity and Es
cape— J. Leeth and His Adventures— John Stilley —
The Beautiful Kokosing — Indian Life and Manners
— Settlenment of Mr. Stilley in Knox County — The
Moravians — Their Passage Through this County as
Prisoners — Captain Samuel Brady and His Scouts—
The Prisoners Delivered to General Boquet — Simon
Girty and Other Renegades.
FOLLOWING the Mound Builders and Indians
X came the superior race to occupy the soil of
Knox county. The first permanent settlement of
the county was made in 1803; prior to this, how
ever, a few white men passed across, or occupied,
for a short time, this territory. These may be un
noticed so far as history gives any account of
them. James Smith, a native of western Pennsylvania,
is supposed to have been the first white man to set
foot on the soil of Knox county, although other
captives among the Indians, or white renegades
among them, may have been here before Smith;
but the latter is the first, so far as is certainly
known. He was captured near Bedford, Pennsylvania,
when about eighteen years of age, by three Indians
on a marauding expedition in the spring of 1755, a
short time before the defeat of General Braddock.
He was taken to the Indian village on the Alle
gheny, opposite Fort DuQuesne, and compelled to
run'the] gauntlet, where he nearly lost his life by
the blow of a club from a stalwart savage. After

his recovery and the defeat of General Brad-
dock, he was taken by his captors on a long jour
ney through the forest to the village of Tullihas,
on the west branch of the Muskingum river
(Walhonding), about twenty miles above the
forks, in what is now Coshocton county. This
village was occupied by Mohicans, Caryhnewa-
gas, and Delawares. Here he was adopted by
the Indians into one of their tribes. The cere
mony consisted in first plucking all the hair from
his head except the scalp-lock, which they fixed
according to their fashion; in boring his ears and
nose, and placing ornaments therein; in putting
on a breech-clout and painting his body and face
in fantastic colors, and in washing him several
times in the river to wash out all the white blood
in his veins. This last ceremony was performed
by three young squaws; and as Smith was unac
quainted with their usages, he thought they in
tended to drown him, and resisted at first with all
his strength, to the great amusement of the multi
tude on the river's bank. One of the young
squaws finally said: "Me no hurt you," and he
then gave them privilege to souse and rub him as
much as they desired. When brought from the
river he was allowed other clothes, and in solemn
council, after an impressive speech by one of the
chiefs, he was admitted to full membership in the
tribe. He says in his journal that he always fared
as they did, no exceptions being made.
He remained in Tullihas till the next October,
when he accompanied his adopted brother, Ton-
tileaugo, who had a Wyandot wife on the shore of
Lake Erie, on a visit to that nation. On his jour
ney he passed through Knox county. Smith re
mained among the Wyandots, Ottawas and Mo
hicans about four years, traversing all parts of
northern Ohio. He undoubtedly hunted over
what is now Knox county, as the streams in this
section of country afforded good hunting grounds,
and was probably the first white man who saw
these valleys in their pristine beauty. If any pre
ceded him they were French traders, of whom no
records or legends exist in this part of Ohio. At
the end of four years he escaped and made his way
to Pennsylvania, where he published a memoir
from which the above facts are obtained.
Another captive among the Indians before the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

189

settlement of this territory by the whites, was
Christian Fast, sen; He often narrated the inci
dents of his capture and captivity, which are pre
served in Knapp's History of Ashland County, as
follows :
When a boy of sixteen, Mr. Fast was captured by the Dela
ware Indians near the Falls of the Ohio. He had enlisted in
Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in a company of two hundred
men, organized for the purpose of chastising the Indians for
depredations committed upon the frontier settlement. This
force descended the Ohio in boats, and some distance above the
falls, separated into two parties, young Fast being among those
in the rear. The forward party were attacked a short distance
above the falls, by parties of Indians on both sides of the river.
The largest boat in the fleet, in which was Mr. Fast, had landed,
and the others were making preparations to do so, when the
attack commenced. The smaller boats immediately put up
stream, but the larger one was hard aground and could not be
got off. Of the one hundred on that boat all were killed except
some thirty. Young Fast jumped into the water, receiving, at
the same instant, a flesh wound in the hip, and swam to the
opposite shore, where he was met by three Indians, who de
manded that he should surrender, assuring him of friendly
treatment. He declined their request, and again plunged into
the stream, the three Indians firing on him as he swam, one of
the balls grazing his cheek, momentarily stunning him. Reach
ing the middle of the stream, he took observations to determine
the course of safety, and concluded to strike the shore several
rods below where the large boat was grounded ; but on ap
proaching he again encountered the bullets of the Indians, and
again made for the middle of the river. Some distance below
he discovered a horse-boat belonging to his party, and at once
resolved to reach and board it. Just as he had succeeded in
getting aboard, the captain received a wound in the arm, and
waved his hand to the Indians in token of surrender. The
boat was immediately boarded by the Indians, and the whites
were all made prisoners.
An old Indian took charge of Fast, by whom he was taken to
Upper Sandusky. The prisoners were divested of their cloth
ing, and, as their march led through a rank growth of nettle-
weeds, the journey was indescribably painful. Fast, becoming
maddened with pain, at length refused to go forward, and,
baring his head to his captor, demanded that he should toma
hawk him, and thus put an end to his sufferings. The Indian
took compassion on him and restored his clothing. During the
remainder of the journey he was treated with great kindness.
At Upper Sandusky he was adopted into a distinguished family
of the tribe. He visited the lamented Colonel Crawford after
the failure of the expedition, and during his imprisonment, and
was within hearing of his cries during the horrid cruelties he
suffered at the stake.
About eighteen months after Fast's capture, an expedition
left Upper Sandusky for the purpose of attacking the white
settlements and fortifications at Wheeling. Connected with this
expedition was the notorious James Girty. Fast, who now
possessed the full confidence of the Indians, was also of the
party. The expedition reached its destination and besieged the
fort at Wheeling three days and two nights. On the third night
Fast determined upon an attempt to effect his escape. Ap
proaching his adopted brother at a late hour of the night, he

awoke him, complaining of thirst, and urged his brother to ac
company him to a place where they could procure a drink of
water. The Indian pleaded weariness, and urged him to go
alone, insisting that no harm would befall him. Fast, taking
his camp-kettle, started directly for his father's house in Fayette
county, Pennsylvania, about thirty miles distant. The night
being excessively dark, he made slow progress, and at daylight
was yet within hearing of the guns at Wheeling. As soon as
daylight appeared, he pushed forward, and soon discovered, by
a fresh trail, that about thirty Indians were in advance of him,
making for the white settlements in Washington county, Penn
sylvania. On reaching a spur of a ridge he discovered that the
trails separated, and that the Indians had formed two parties,
each pursuing parallel lines through the valleys. He hoped, by
vigorously pursuing the middle and straight course, to get in ad
vance of the Indians, and in this effort he was successful. Be
fore night he reached the margin of the settlement in Washing
ton county, the Indians being a short distance in the rear. A
few rods in advance of him and advancing on his own trail,
Fast discovered a white man, with a couple of bridles on his
arm, evidently in search of horses. Placing himself behind a
tree Fast w aited until the white man was within a few feet of
him, when he suddenly placed himself in his path, and gave a
hurried explanation of his name, object, and the immediate
danger that threatened the white settlement. The man was
paralyzed with fear, he could not believe that the savage looking
man before him, with his painted face, his ears and nose filled
with broaches, his hair (all except a tuft in front, which was
passed through a silver tube) nearly plucked from his skull, was
anything else than a veritable Indian. Mechanically, however,
the man obeyed his directions, and each, seizing and mounting
horses, which were near at hand, made for the settlements with
all practicable speed. They gave the alarm to all the families
in the neighborhood, and succeeded in securing all the settlers
in the fort except one boy who was killed at the instant he
reached the gate which was thrown open for his ingress.
After the beleaguered fort was relieved by the retirement of
the Indians, he sought his father's house; but so completely was
he metamorphosed by his Indian costume that his parents could
not, for a considerable length of time, recognize him. At
length his mother, recalling some peculiar spots near the pupils
of his eyes, gave a scrutinizing look, and at once identified her
son. She sprang forward to embrace him, and would have
fainted in his arms, but he repulsed her, explaining that his per
son, as was the case with all the Indians, was covered with
vermin. He retired from the house, committed his Indian
clothes to the fire he had made, purified his body as best he
could, and then clothed himself in garments furnished by his
father. On the very day of his return to Orange township, Richland
county, in 1815, he met Tom Lyons, a chief, and one of his
original captors, and a party of Indians, by whom he was
recognized. The Indians had no suspicion that he had deserted,
but believed he had been drowned in the river. They evinced
much joy at the discovery of their lost "brother," and ever
afterward offered him numerous tokens of their friendship.
John Leeth was a captive among the Indians
and traversed this region long before any white set
tlement was made.
He was born in South Carolina in 1755, ran

190

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

away from home when a boy and went to Pennsyl
vania. At Fort Pitt he hired- out to an Indian
trader who had a stock of goods at New Lancaster,
Ohio, then an Indian town, and where he sent
young Leeth to take charge of the stock. Here he
was taken prisoner by the Delaware Indians April
10, 1772, and the stock of goods divided among
them. When Dunmore invaded Ohio with his army,
the Indians considered the matter of killing young
Leeth to get him out of the way, but his adopted
father, who had taken a liking to him, saved his
life and he was taken along with the Indians when
they abandoned their towns and retreated before
Dunmore's advance. During the journey he made
several attempts to escape but failed.
' After the war Leeth's Indian father voluntarily
gave him his freedom, providing him with a gun,
ammunition and blanket, and the young man spent
two years or more hunting and trading with the In
dians, during which time he accumulated furs and
peltry to the amount of several hundred dollars.
During these years his favorite hunting ground was
in this county, along the beautiful Kokosing, where
he spent much of his time among the Delawares in
their villages hunting deer and bear around the
banks of the lake, known in later times as "Got-
shall's lake."
Mr. Leeth married for his second wife a widow
lady named Sarah McKee, his first wife being a
white girl, a captive among the Indians. Mrs.
McKee was living on Middle island, near Mari
etta. This last marriage took place in 1802. Mrs.
McKee was the maternal grandmother of Lyman
W. Gates, of Miller township. During the summer
of 1825, Mr. Leeth visited the family of Mr. Gates'
father, and spent some time there. Wishing to
visit Mount Vernon, old Mr. Gates accompanied
him. When they had reached the Gotshall place,
Mr. Leeth got off his horse and pointed out places
where he had lain in wait for the wild animals to
come and drink, and where he shot them. He
also pointed out other localities along the road
where he had hunted successfully. As late as
thirty years ago, GotshalPs lake was a considerable
body of water, and was a famous place for wild
ducks. By successful drainage the water has since
been drawn off and the land cultivated.

About two years after obtaining his freedom,
about twenty Indians came from another tribe, and
while young Leeth was dealing with a trader and
his assistant, took them all prisoners, with all their
property. They took him some distance through
the wilderness, and finally, after several days, sold
him to another tribe. His purchaser told him he
was not bought for the purpose of being enslaved;
it was only because he loved him and wished him
to stay with him; and gave Leeth his liberty on a
promise not to run away. Again he became a
hunter and trapper, and during the following fall
and spring accumulated furs and skins to the value
of seventy-five or eighty dollars.
During the Revolutionary war, he is found at
Detroit, where he engaged with an Indian trader to
take some goods to Sandusky. While at the lat
ter place he witnessed the murder of a prisoner
brought in by the Wyandots, the murder occurring
in front of the door of his employer. As the poor
fellow was passing the house, they knocked him
down with tomahawks, cut off his head, placed it
on a pole and began dancing around it.
Sometime after this the Indian who took him
prisoner at New Lancaster came along and told
Leeth he must accompany him to the forks of the
Muskingum, now Coshocton.
He remained at Coshocton some time. The
spring following he married a young woman, sev
enteen or eighteen years of age, who had been
taken prisoner when only twenty months old. At
the time of his marriage Leeth was twenty-four
years of age. This was in 1779. He resided in
the Moravian towns on the Muskingum some two
years, and upon the removal of the Moravians to
Sandusky, in 1782, was taken with them. In this
journey they passed through this country along
the Kokosing. At Sandusky Leeth was engaged
by five of the British officers, who had formed a
stock company, to attend to their business. While
in their employ (1782), Colonels Williamson and
Crawford marched with an army against Sandusky,
during which the Indians closely watched Leeth to
prevent him from communicating with the invad
ing army. Being told the Americans were within fif
teen miles of Sandusky, Leeth gathered together his
employers' effects, about fifteen hundred dollars in
silver, furs, powder, lead, horses, and cattle, and

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

191

started for Lower Sandusky. After travelling about
three miles, he met Captain Elliot, a British officer,
and about fourteen miles further he met Colonel
Butler's Rangers. They took from him his cattle
and let him pass. That night he encamped about
fourteen miles above Lower Sandusky. A French
interpreter for the Indians came to the camp and
was granted permission to stay all night. Next
morning, after the horses were loaded and ready to
start, they heard the sound of cannon at Upper San
dusky. The Frenchman clapped his hand to his
breast, and said, "I shall be there before the bat
tle," and started. He went to where some Indians
were painting and preparing for battle, put on a
ruffle shirt, and painted a red spot on his breast, re
marking, "Here's a mark for the Virginia rifle
men," and, shortly after, marched with the Indians
to battle, where he soon received a ball in the very
spot, dying instantaneously. Leeth reached Lower
Sandusky safely. The unfortunate expedition of
Colonel Crawford is a matter of history.
After this battle his employers moved their goods
again to Upper Sandusky, where Leeth remained
about three years, when the partnership was dis
solved, the goods divided, and each one entered
into business for himself. One of the partners in
formed Leeth that he was going to establish a store
at New Coshocton, on the head waters of the Mus
kingum river, and would engage him at the same
wages to go with him. This proposition was ac
cepted. Some time the following fall Leeth accompanied
the Indians to Fort Pitt, leaving his wife and chil
dren at New Coshocton. After matters were settled
and articles of peace signed, he entered into part
nership with two others, in a trading association;
and in a short time he started west with thirty-
four horses loaded with several hundred dollars'
worth of goods. Leeth went to the Tuscarawas
river and remained about nine months, in which
time he sold out nearly all their goods. About
three months after his arrival at Tuscarawas, Cap
tain Hamilton, an American officer, came there
with another store, and opened close by him, and
about the same time Leeth's wife and children came
from New Coshocton. While Captain Hamilton
was absent at Fort Pitt after goods, several Wyan
dot Indians came to his store; two of them killed

his clerk and carried away all the goods. This
event alarmed Leeth very much, as he expected the
same fate, but a Delaware Indian, one of his old
acquaintances, came to him at this time and said,
"I will die by you." Preparations for a hasty de
parture were made, and Leeth and his family
started with the Delaware Indian for Fort Pitt.
They were captured, however, before they had pro
ceeded far, and taken to the Indian towns on Mad
river. The goods and other property left at Tus
carawas were taken away and secreted by the Indi
ans. After some time he was again released from
captivity and proceeding to Fort Pitt, he purchased
horses and went in search of his hidden goods.
He found them all and took them to Fort Pitt, where
he left them, and returned to his family on Mad
river. After remaining with them some time he
returned to Fort Pitt with the intention of dissolv
ing partnership. He told his_ partners that the
times were very dangerous, and trade very uncer
tain, and if they were willing he would retire from
the concern, and quit busines, at least for the pres
ent. His partners had just purchased a large as
sortment of goods, and were not willing to dissolve.
They told him "if he would venture his body, they
would venture the goods." He yielded, and on
the fifteenth of January started out with a stock of
goods and opened a store in the woods, at the
mouth of Whitewoman creek, where Coshocton
now stands. In a short time he collected about
fourteen horse loads of skins and furs, and the
hand he had with him started with them for Fort
Pitt. After getting about two-thirds of the way,
the Mingo and Wyandot Indians overtook the car
avan, killed the man, and took the horses and all
the goods off with them. Leeth continued at Co
shocton with his family and seven horses until
about the first of April, under great apprehensions
for his life. He then moved to Tapacon, twenty-
five miles from Coshocton, where he left his fam
ily and went on horseback to Fort Pitt, to consult
with his partners about quitting the business, as
they had already lost all their profits. But they
thought best to continue the business until all their
goods were sold. He then returned to his family
at Tapacon; but just before his arrival there two
Indians had visited his wife and told her they had
better move to Fort Pitt; they said the Mingoes

192

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

had killed the two traders they had left at Coshoc
ton and carried off all their property. Leeth left
his goods with the two Indians, and went with his
family to Fort Pitt. Soon after he returned to
Tapacon with five men, and found the skins where
the Indians had hidden them ; but they had taken
the horses and goods with them. He returned to
Fort Pitt with the skins, and soon after set out for
the Shawnee towns, where he found his horses and
goods. On his route back to Fort Pitt he passed
through Knox, Licking and Muskingum counties,
trading his goods for furs and peltry, disposing of
all of them by the way. He was accompanied
by an Indian hunting party of seventeen warriors.
Shortly after his arrival at Fort Pitt he settled up
with his partners and gave up the horses. He then
left Pittsburgh with his family and settled on the
Huron River, northern Ohio, in a Moravian town,
where he remained some years.
The Moravians, however were continually be
tween two fires, and were all the time in danger of
being murdered by one party or the other, and
were therefore frequently on the move. Leeth was
compelled to take his family and flee for safety to
Fort Pitt, where he arrived after a hazardous jour
ney through the wilderness. From Fort Pitt, he
proceeded with his family to Bird's ferry, where his
wife's relatives resided, and who received the wan-
dererers with great kindness. Mr. Leeth settled
among them as a farmer.
Mr. Leeth died about 1850, in the ninety-fifth
year of his age. His father was born in the city
of Leeth, Scotland,. and his mother in Virginia.
In the year 1781 there was a small settlement
on Raccoon creek, some sixty miles above Wheel
ing, in what are now Beaver and Washington coun
ties in Pennsylvania. Some thirty miles southeast
was another settlement on Peter's creek, in what is
now Allegheny county, same State. The latter set
tlement was much larger than the former, and pos
sessed a good stockade and block-house, to which
the pioneers could resort in times of danger or in
vasion by the savages of the territory of Ohio.
In the year 1777 the settlers on Raccoon creek
were compelled by Indian invasion to abandon
that region and seek refuge in the block-house on
Peter's creek, where most of them remained sev
eral months. About this time, John Stilley, sr.,

who had located in the settlement in 1773, accom
panied an expedition against the Indians on Beaver
creek, where he was killed by the accidental dis
charge of a gun in the hands of a comrade. Mrs.
Stilley and several children were left helpless by
the unfortunate circumstance.
Among those who fled from Raccoon creek was
a young man by the name of Kennedy. When the
others returned to the settlement he remained at
the block-house on Peter's creek. In the mean
time he had married Rachel Stilley, the oldest
daughter of Mrs. John Stilley. In the Spring of
1 78 1, Mr. Kennedy concluded to return to the
Raccoon settlement. He took along a good team
of horses, and his family, consisting of his wife, a
small child, Sarah, and John Stilley, sr., youngest
brother and sister of Mrs. Kennedy. Some days
after his arrival his horses disappeared. He
searched the bottoms in the vicinity of His cabin
for them, but without effect. As was the custom
among the pioneers, he had placed a small bell on
one of the horses before turning them out, that
they might be traced by its sound.
Early one morning some six weeks after the dis
appearance of his horses, just before rising, he
heard a horse-bell approaching his cabin, and re
marked to his wife: "There they are." He
dressed, and on opening his door, was confronted
by ten savage warriors of the Wyandot nation, who
had used the horse-bell as a decoy to draw him
out. These Indians had been skulking about the
neighborhood for some time, and had now stealth
ily approached the home of Kennedy to secure
new prizes in the way of prisoners and scalps. The
horses were Kennedy's, and they had now returned
with new owners.
Resistance was useless. The whole family sur
rendered at once. The Indians then plundered
the house of such articles as they desired, and
set it on fire. They then started for the Ohio
river with their prisoners and their plunder. Fear
ing pursuit, they prepared to cross without delay.
At the river they were joined by two other Indians
who had separated from the rest to plunder a
neighbor of Mr. Kennedy, by the name of Wilson
They had crept upon Mr. Wilson just, as he had
hitched his horses to the plow. They fired at and
wounded him, and he fled to his cabin, one of the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

i93

Indians following him with rapidity, as the other
one was engaged in cutting the harness from the
horses. On reaching the door of the cabin Wilson fell
from exhaustion, and would have been killed by
the pursuing savage but for the providential appear
ance of Captain John Slack, a noted Indian fighter
and scout, who rode up and fired at the Indian and
hit him on the back of the head just as he leaped
the fence, making an ugly gash. The Indians in
stantly mounted the horses and rode rapidly in the
direction of the Ohio river where they were joined
by the ten who had captured Kennedy and his
family. Captain Slack, Wilson, and a number of others
gave pursuit and arrived at the Ohio just as the In
dians and their prisoners, who were mounted on
horseback, reached the opposite shore. They saw
the Indians enter the forest and disappear with their
helpless captives. Further pursuit was abandoned.
It was fortunate for the terrified prisoners that Cap
tain Slack and his party failed to overtake the In
dians before they reached the river; otherwise the
prisoners would have been instantly tomahawked
and scalped. As it was they passed on without being
maltreated in any way. John Stilley was then about
eight years of age, and Sarah, his little sister, be
tween five and six. After the Indians had conduct
ed their prisoners some distance into the forest they
checked the rapidity of their flight and halted some
two hours. They killed a few wild turkeys and
roasted them after the Indian manner, sharing
them equally among their captives. Although
much depressed in feeling, Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy
put on an air of cheerfulness, and assumed a willing
ness to accompany the savages. This seemed to
please them, and led to a relaxation of their vigilance.
The captives were treated kindly and suffered but lit
tle. It was then about the first of June and the weath
er was delightful. The forests abounded in a luxuri
ant growth of pea vines, wild flowers, and flower
ing shrubs. The party crossed the river not a great
ways from the mouth of Yellow creek, and passed
through what are now Jefferson, Carroll, and Tus
carawas counties, north of the Moravian villages,
thence near the present village of Coshocton, and
from thence up the Walhonding to the mouth of
the Kokosing, or what is now known as the Ver

non river,* thence up that stream to where Freder
icktown now stands, thence up the west branch
and across the counties of Marion to the Olen-
tangy, and thence to Upper Sandusky, the prin
cipal seat of the Wyandots.
Mr. Kennedy and his little family were kindly
treated all the way, and they were permitted to
ride most of the time. At night they slept on the
leaves. They had plenty of wild meat, which, by
the aid of Mrs. Kennedy, was roasted to suit their
taste. They were greatly pleased with the scenery
along the Walhonding and the beautiful Kokosing.
They encamped one night on the present site of
Mount Vernon. At that period, and for many sub
sequent years, the Kokosing was a favorite resort
for the Wyandot and Delaware hunters. They
cleared a few small fields, which they cultivated in
corn, and the hills, made by hoeing, were to be
seen as late as 1806.
They travelled up the banks of the Kokosing,
which Mr. Stilley states was the finest region he
ever saw. It abounded in wonderful growth of
timber and exhibited a soil unsurpassed for rich
ness. The undergrowth was very rank; wild game
existed in great abundance. As the lonely cap
tives attempted to slumber on a cot of dry leaves
they were often serenaded by wolves and owls.
Their mingled voices made night hideous.
When the Indians arrived at Upper Sandusky
they divided their prisoners. They were parcelled
out according to the fancy of the Indians and sep
arated. Mr. Kennedy, wife and child were taken
in the direction of Detroit. Sarah was adopted by
another family and removed to the same neighbor
hood. John Stilley was adopted by an old Indian
and his squaw, who treated him with much lenity,
and taught him the Wyandot language, which he ac
quired very rapidly. He was very apt and spry, and
made an impression upon his new parents that grew
into a very warm attachment. The old Indian was
very grave, and evinced a disposition to make his
adopted son contented and happy. He reciprocat
ed these attentions by being obedient and prompt.
* The late Hon. R. C. Hurd, some years since, wrote to Mr.
Schoolcraft concerning the definition of Ko-ko-sing, which Mr.
Stilley said the Wyandots pronounced Ko-ko-san. Mr. School
craft says — "The habitation of the little owl." From this
Vernon river has always been called, in English, "Owl creek."

194

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

The first care of this mild old Indian father was
to teach him the first principles of hunting. The
Indian boys erected a sort of bower of fresh
cut brush and leaves in an open space in the forest,
and procuring a wild pigeon, tied it to the top of
the bower, and concealing themselves within, with
bow and arrow, occasionally alarming it; and those
flying over, perceiving the fluttering, alighted so that
the boys could easily shoot them with their arrows.
In this way they secured a great many. The sport
furnished them much amusement. The pigeons,
at the proper season, were fat, and in such abun
dance as to be easily taken. The flesh was very
palatable. One morning the grave old father left the wig
wam, and after walking a few hundred yards
returned. Before leaving the wigwam to hunt, he
told young Stilley there was a rabbit within the cir
cle and he might catch it while he was absent.
After the old hunter had departed young Stilley
proceeded to search for the rabbit. He finally
found the track, and soon traced it to a hollow log.
Returning to the wigwam he procured a tomahawk
with which he soon cut a hole large enough to extri
cate the cony. Being certain that the animal would
not bite, he thrust his hand in and seized it by the
head and neck and dragged it from the hole. As
soon as its hind legs were released in commenced
a series of struggles to extricate its head from his
grasp, during which his hands were severely torn
by its hind feet. Being too plucky to give up the
contest, he held on until finally he succeeded in
killing it. When the old hunter came in young
Stilley informed him with much pride that he had
found and captured the rabbit. The old father
asked the young hunter to show him his hands.
Upon doing so the old fellow laughed heartily, say
ing: "Bad hunt; take him by hind leg next
time, and he no scratch." This was his first lesson
in hunting rabbits, and he remembered it as long
as he lived.
His next lesson was on trapping raccoon. These
animals in the wet season are said to be remarkably
fond of live frogs, and haunt the ponds where
they are to be found. They walk on the fallen
timber, and capture the croaking frogs that leap
upon the logs to sing their peculiar songs. The
trap was made by cutting a small sapling, eight or

ten feet long, which was placed on the log, and
stakes driven on each side to keep it from rolling
off. One end was then elevated fifteen or eighteen
inches, and held up by a short treadle, to which a
piece of frog or deer meat was fastened. When
the raccoon approached the bait and attempted to
remove it, the sappling fell and killed it. In this
way large numbers of raccoons were caught. They
were generally quite fat, and when roasted, made
desirable food.
Young Stilley often accompanied the Indian boys
on their fishing excursions along the Sandusky
and other streams. He soon learned this art; and
when the fish came up from the bay, made himself
quite useful to his Indian father and mother, by
aiding them in supplying food. They always flat
tered and caressed him in his successful excursions •
and soothed and sympathized with him when he
failed. For these acts of kindness he always felt
grateful, and redoubled his exertions to win their
esteem and confidence. In his lonely hours — for
he often thought of his little sister, and of Mrs.
Kennedy, the cheering words and counsel of his
Indian parents revived his drooping spirits.
He entered freely into the sports of the Indian
boys. Their principal amusements were wrestling,
foot-racing and playing .ball. He was strong and
active for one of his age, and was equal in strength
and courage to Indian boys much older than him
self. In a general way, he got on smoothly, but
occasionally was compelled to use his strength and
fists in self-defence. These little quarrels were
soon reconciled, and all went on merrily again.
The most exciting amusement was their game of
ball. It resembled very much the game known
among boys of modern times, as "Shinny." They
used a crooked stick to strike the ball, which was
generally made of wood two or three inches in
diameter. The stick had a head or curve at the
lower end, with which the ball was hit. The alley
was generally two or three hundred yards long, and
was perfectly smooth and clear of obstructions.
The parties divided, and the ball being cast up was
struck by one of the players near the center of the
alley, and the trick consisted in driving it in the
direction of the opposite ends of the alley. In do
ing so, the boys often became badly huddled, and
their shins, and sometimes their heads, suffered

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

195

from the misdirected blows of the players. When
ever the ball was carried by either party, to a given
ppint, the game was won. The young men had a
game of ball resembling that of the smaller boys,
with the exception that there was a sort of hoop
and net on the bat, and the party getting it in his
net, attempted to carry it to his end of the alley,
while the rest used their efforts to prevent him
from accomplishing the difficult feat.
The wigwam in which young Stilley's Indian par
ents resided the first and second winters of his
captivity, was a plain affair, and was constructed
of poles, after the Wyandot plan. The poles for
the sides were cut ten or twelve feet long. The
stakes were driven into the ground about four
inches apart at each end of the proposed wall.
They were about six feet high, and tied at the top
with elm bark or thongs of elk or buffalo hide.
The poles being straight and neat, were laid one
upon another until a wall of sufficient height was
raised. About nine or ten feet from this wall
another similar one was constructed. They then
dug a sort of trench at each end, and set poles,
upright, so as to make the end walls, leaving a
space large enough for a door. A ridge pole was
placed over the center of the building, and elm bark
over it to form the roof. The cracks were plugged
with dry moss. A small space was left in the roof
for the smoke to escape. A fire was built near the
center of the wigwams, and a bear skin generally
served for a door. Their beds were made of deer
and bear skins spread around the fire. Upon these
they slept. All in all, these rude huts were quite
comfortable in the winter season.
Their winter food consisted of such wild game
as they could capture in the forest. Deer, bear,
and turkeys, were moderately plenty at some dis
tance from the Indian villages. In the fall season,
for two or three years, the band to which young
Stilley belonged, hunted along the Ko-ko-sing and
Walhonding, and generally brought in a good deal
of game. When their wild meat was scarce, they
used hominy, and a sort of soup made of beans,
corn, and a little bear or deer flesh. Young Stilley
accompanied his old Indian father on his hunting
excursions down thair favorite Ko-ko-sing two or
three times. Their encampments on these occa
sions were not a great distance from the present

site of Mount Vernon. At that period there was
not a white man, except the Canadian traders and
a few captives, within the present limits of the
State. The valley of the Kokosing existed in all
its original grandeur. Its luxuriant forests towered
almost to the heavens, while wild game ranged in
native freedom among the undergrowth.
Young Stilley occasionally met Mr. and Mrs.
Kennedy, and his little sister, as they travelled with
the bands to which they belonged. These tribes
hunted mostly within the present limits of the State
of Michigan, and traded at Detroit. The furs and
peltry secured by the Wyandots of Upper Sandusky
were mostly purchased by French and Canadian
traders in exchange for ammunition, blankets, to
bacco, trinkets, and that bane of the Indian and
white man, "fire-water," or bad whiskey. The
route from Sandusky to Detroit was difficult, and
the Wyandots preferred to trade at home. When
war was threatened, their chiefs and leading men
made frequent visits to Detroit to talk with their
''English Father." Though often in the neighbor
hood of the river Raisin, young Stilley was not per
mitted to see Detroit until his release from Indian
captivity. In the summer of 1782, the noted Wyandot
chief, Big Foot, with his four brothers, and four or
five warriors, left Sandusky for a raid on the settle
ments opposite the mouth of Yellow creek, along
Raccoon and Peter's creek. They killed an old
man in his cabin, and perpetrated other crimes in
the settlements, and with their plunder and scalps
crossed the Ohio. They were followed by the
famous Indian fighters and spies, Adam and An
drew Poe, and some six others, and overtaken on
Yellow creek, where a fight ensued, and the In
dians were all killed but one. When the surviving
Indian reached the village of Upper Sandusky he
raised a dismal howl. The solitary and grief-
stricken savage remained in the forest one day and
a night, howling like a wolf. He then approached
the camps and related the contest between Big
Foot and the "Long Knives." The Wyandots
lamented the death of Big Foot and his brothers
by much groaning and many tears.
Big Foot was a brave warrior and a cunning en
emy, and was regarded by the Wyandots as invul
nerable. Part of the Indians who accompanied

196

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Big Foot, bad been present at the capture of Ken
nedy and young Stilley. Their raids were now
closed forever.
Young Stilley knew the Poes very well, and says
the strength and size of Big Foot was greatly exag
gerated. He and his brothers were above the
ordinary size of Indians — were very fine looking,
courageous and active. Both the Poes were much
larger than Big Foot. He thinks the reason why
Big Foot held his own, arose from the fact that he
was nearly nude, and Poe could not grip him, while
Poe's clothing furnished Big Foot an advantage.
At the close of the Revolutionary war in 1783,
an arrangement was made with the British and
Indians to bring the white captives to Detroit, to
be delivered to their friends. Detroit was a small
village, and had a fort and stockade. The Wyan
dots soon brought in Mr. Kennedy, his family, and
little Sarah; but retained John Stilley, who was
then regularly adopted in his tribe. He had be
come so much attached to his Indian parents, and
the wild roving life of the Wyandots, that he had
no desire to return home. He was then dressed
in the Wyandot manner, his hair all plucked out
save a small scalp-lock, which was ornamented
with gay colored feathers. They had pierced his
ears and the cartilage of his nose, and inserted
rings and a brooch therein. When painted he
resembled the true Indian. He was then some
thing over twelve years of age, full of life and
adventure. When the prisoners were all brought in there
were over ninety. They remained several months
at Detroit awaiting an opportunity to return home.
In the spring of 1784, after the Indians had be
come pacified, and understood the terms of the
treaty between the United States and Great Britain,
Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy determined not to return
home without John. Mr. Kennedy and a few
friends, learning that he and his tribe were en
camped near where Maiden now stands, determined
to visit, and if possible, rescue him from his Indian
allurements. On reaching the camp, they found
him more an Indian than a white boy, painted,
dressed in deer skin, hair worn in true Indian style,
rings in his ears, with bow and arrow, and deeply
fascinated with his present condition. He loved
his grave old Indian father and mother, and had

nearly forgotten his own language! It was difficult
to persuade him to return. After many interviews,
he finally accompanied Mr. Kennedy to Detroit.
The prisoners were shipped to Sandusky Bay,
and upon landing employed two Indian guides to
conduct them to the settlement east of the Ohio.
They all — ninety-two or three — passed up the San
dusky river, across the Olentangy, through what
are now Marion and Morrow counties, to fhe west
branch of the Kokosing, and thence down said
stream through the present site of Mount Vernon;
down the Walhonding near where Coshocton
stands, thence by Indian paths across Tuscarawas
and Jefferson counties, to the Ohio river. Before
reaching the Ohio river, by comparing destinations,
they learned that nearly all their fellow captives be
longed to Kentucky, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Very few crossed the river with Kennedy and young
Stilley. Most of the captives never met again.
At this time they found no improvements between
Upper Sandusky and the Ohio.
Young Stilley remained on Peter's creek, with
his mother, some five years. Learning something
of the wilds of the territory of Kentucky, from re
turning adventurers, he determined to abandon his
home and visit the hardy pioneers and hunters of
the "dark and bloody ground." He and a friend
built a large pirogue which they launched, and
placing therein such provisions, clothing, and ammu
nition as they might need, and taking their rifle?,
they descended the Ohio, and landed, in :78o,
without accident, at Limestone, near where Mays
ville now stands. They found a small settlement
at Wheeling, Marietta, and Gallipolis. The forests
on the banks of the Ohio were dense and in full
leaf, and seemed to press upon the shore like a
mighty wall. Although the Shawnees had often
crossed the beautiful Ohio to harrass the settlements
of Kentucky, they met no hostile bands on their
trip down the river.
Mr. Stilley remained at Limestone a short time,
and upon learning that there was a settlement on
the Elkhorn, he determined to visit it. In com
pany with several hunters, he passed through the
forest to that region. He had been there but a
short time, when he became acquainted with the
brave hunter and Indian spy, Simon Kenton.
Kenton, at that time, had command of a small

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

197

company of spies and scouts, who patrolled the
Elkhorn for a distance of fifty miles to guard the
settlements against surprise by hostle bands of
Shawnees and Miamis, who refused to be pacified
or submit to a recent treaty. He joined Kenton's
company, and became an active minute man.
During his stay on the Elkhorn, some three years,
owing to the vigilance of Kenton and others, the
settlements remained nearly undisturbed by the
savages. Elk and buffalo were yet quite plenty,
and Stilley often joined parties on hunting excur
sions. He passed down Licking river on one of
his hunting trips, to where Covington now stands,
and thinks he shot a panther within its present
corporate limits. The animal had treed, and had
a peculiar white spot on its breast, at which he
aimed and struck, killing the ferocious beast almost
without a struggle. While in the Elkhorn settle
ment; he also became acquainted with a noted
hunter named Neal Washburn, and a Mr. Robinet
who kept a pack of fine hunting dogs.
After the repulse of General Harmar in 1790,
and the disastrous defeat of General St. Clair in
179 1, and General Wayne was ordered to the west,
John Stilley determined to become a soldier. He
volunteered in a company commanded by Captain
Rollins, raised near Paris, Kentucky, for a term of
four months ; and passed with the Kentucky troops,
by Fort Washington, (Cincinnati) and up the trail
of St. Clair to Fort Recovery. At the expiration of
his service, he returned with his comrades to the
Elkhorn settlement, where he remained but a short
time, and re-enlisted for a tour of five months.
The Kentucky troops were hurried forward, and
participated in the noted battle of "Fallen Tim
bers," where the Indian army was overthrown and
compelled to submit to a humiliating treaty, which
deprived them of a vast amount of territory, and
crushed their military prestige. Mr. Stilley re
garded General Wayne as a courageous and far-
seeing commander; and just the man to strike ter
ror into the heart of the blood-thirsty savages led
by Little Turtle, Captain Pipe, and other wily
chiefs. At the expiration of his second term of service,
he again returned to the Elkhorn settlement. He
remained there hunting and farming until about
1797, He describes the hunters and pioneers of
3

that time as being the most courteous, hospitable,
whole-souled and brave people he ever knew.
Their cabins, to use the old phrase, "had their
latch-strings always out. " They traversed the for
est for miles to aid each other in putting up cabins,
rolling logs, planting corn and clearing fields.
They divided their surplus grain for seed, and thus
contributed to the enlargement of the settlements,
and the general prosperity and happiness of all.
In 1800 he married Rebecca Thompson, of Alle
gheny county, Pennsylvania, and remembering the
beautiful country along the Kokosing, determined
to find a home there. In 1805-6 the lands along
that stream, within the present limits of Knox
county, were being surveyed into tracts of eighty
and one hundred and sixty acres. In 1805, Moses
Craig, a relative, settled about one mile west of the
site of Mount Vernon. Mr. Stilley, in the spring
of 1806, visited Mr. Craig, and located a military
tract adjoining him, and clearing a field, planted it
in corn, and remained through the summer months
cultivating it. In the meantime he cut logs, and
by the aid of the neighborhood settlers, erected a
cabin. In the fall he returned to Peter's creek.
In the spring of 1807, a company consisting of
Robert Thompson and wife, John Stilley, three
children and his mother, John Stilley (a nephew
late of Morrow county), and a colored boy by the
name of Benjamin Truesser (who died in Janesville .
a few years since, well advanced in years), with
teams and covered wagons, loaded with such
household articles as were needed, started for the
wilds of Ohio. Their route was from Peter's creek
to Cannonsburgh, Pennsylvania, thence to Wells-
burg, Virginia, thence to Steubenville and Cadiz,
thence to Cambridge, thence along Zane's old track
to Zanesville and Newark, and thence to the pres
ent site of Mount Vernon. They were detained
several days at Wills creek in consequence of high
water, and had to camp out between Zanesville and
Newark. The trip took thirteen days, and they
were much wearied.
As soon as John Stilley had" fully rested from
the trip, he took two horses and returned to Peter's
creek for his wife and a small child (now the wife
of Benjamin F. Smith), who were unable to come
with the former company. He proceeded down
the Kokosing and Walhonding to where Coshoc-

198

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

ton now stands, thence to New Philadelphia,
thence to Steubenville and thence to Peter's creek.
He had most of the way but an Indian trail to lead
him; but this being the route he had travelled to and
from his captivity, it was somewhat familiar. On
arriving at his old home, Mrs. Stilley mounted one
of the horses and undertook the journey. They
travelled the same route and came through with
but a single accident. When they were crossing
the Walhonding, the horse of Mrs. Stilley being a
poor swimmer, became alarmed and turned down
stream, and was about to reach a steep bank, where
Mrs. Stilley would have been thrown and probably
drowned. Fifteen or twenty Greentown Indians
were encamped near the bank, and Billy Montour,
seeing the danger, mounted a pony and rushed
into the stream, pursuing, overtaking, and safely
conducting the horse of Mrs. Stilley out. As long
as Billy Montour, Tom Lyon and the Green
town Indians visited the Kokosing to hunt, they
were kindly regarded for this generous act.
John Stilley served creditably in the war of 181 2,
as adjutant of Colonel Kratzer's regiment, arid as
a volunteer in defence of Fort Meigs. He was a
brave, active, and able soldier.
After the close of the war, Mr. Stilley, like his
thriving neighbors, entered actively upon the task
of clearing up his farm, which was handsomely lo
cated, and is now one of the most desirable home
steads in Knox county; and, like a true pioneer,
always had his latch-string out. As the population
increased, his good judgment, business qualities,
and integrity, gave him weight with his fellow-citi
zens. The records of Knox county show that
John Stilley was more frequently, perhaps, than
any other pioneer of the county, selected upon the
juries drawn to deal out justice between man and
man. In the spring of 1824, he was elected justice
of the peace, and in the fall of the same year,
county commissioner. These trusts were faithfully
executed. In 1852, he was attacked with paralysis, with
which he lingered a short time, and died March
10th. He sleeps by the side of his faithful wife,
(who survived him a short time), near his loved
Kokosing, where he had so many adventures in his
youth. When he passed through this part of the North

west Territory, in 1781, there was not a settler in
it. When he died, in 1852, this territory had over
two millions of people. Two sons, Gilman and
Morgan, reside on the old homestead.
Probably the next white men to pass across this
territory were the Moravians, who, as prisoners,
were taken from the Moravian towns on the Tus
carawas river to Upper Sandusky, by British em
issaries. These peaceable Christian Indians were
charged with being spies, and with holding treason
able correspondence with the Americans at Pitts
burgh and perhaps other points, and of harboring
other Indians friendly to the American cause.
Upon these charges they were arrested by Captain
Matthew Elliottt, of the British army, who had
under his command about three hundred hostile
Indians. Making no resistance, they were made
captives, September 11, 1781, and by this over
powering force compelled to leave their i»uch-
loved homes and take up their line of march for
the Sandusky river. Upon this march they fol
lowed the Indian trail down the Tuscarawas to the
mouth of the Walhonding, in Coshocton county;
thence up that stream to the mouth of the Koko
sing; thence up the Kokosing, passing over the spot
upon which Mount Vernon now stands, and on to
the Wyandot town, near the present site of Upper
Sandusky. The missionaries thus forcibly removed
were Revs. Zeisberger, Senseman, and Jungman, of
New Schonbrunn; Revs. John Heckewelder, and
Jung, of Salem, and Rev. William Edwards, of
Gnadenhutten. The point at which they were left to take care
of themselves, their wives, children and Indian cap
tives, was on the banks of the Sandusky river, not
far from where the Broken Sword creek empties
into it, about ten miles from Upper Sandusky.
Here they selected a location, and, without delay,
built a village of small huts to protect themselves
from the inclemency of the weather. This village
soon took the name of "Captive's Town," and was
situated on the right bank of the Sandusky river,
about a mile above the mouth ofthe Broken Sword,
in the present township of Antrim, Wyandot county.
During the progress of the Indian war from 1788
to 1795, the noted scout and Indian fighter, Cap
tain Samuel Brady, on two or three different occa
sions passed through what is now Knox county.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

199

These expeditions were made in the interest of the
military authorities at Fort Pitt, both for the pur
pose of obtaining information regarding the hostile
Indians, and to chastise such small parties as might
fall in their way.
About 1792 Brady with a party of scouts crossed
the Ohio at Wheeling, and directed his course to
the forks of the Muskingum (Coshocton), moving
thence up the Walhonding and up the Kokosing or
Owl creek, to the present site of Mount Vernon.
From this point the party turned back, going over
to the headwaters of the North fork of Licking and
down that stream to its junction with the South
fork at Newark; thence they continued down the
Licking and Muskingum to Marietta.
Shortly after the treaty at Greenville (1795) ru
mors of peace reached Wheeling, and to ascertain
their truth, the commandant of that post dispatched
six men of Brady's scouts in the direction of San
dusky. One of the Wetzels was in this party.
They crossed the Muskingum at Dresden, came
across to the Licking, up that stream to the present
site of Newark, where they turned north along the
North fork, and passed over onto Owl creek.
After going a short distance beyond the present
site of Mount Vernon, they became satisfied that
Indians were watching them with hostile intent, and
turned back. Following the route they came, they
encamped one night in the eastern edge of Licking
county, where they were fired upon in the night
and one of the party killed. They thereupon scat
tered and made their way separately to Wheeling.
It is believed that many other white people
passed through the county before any one came to
settle permanently. In the treaty which General
Boquet made with the Indians at the forks of the
Muskingum, in 1764, two hundred and six white
captives were given up to him by the Indians. A
large number of these captives were among the
Wyandots and other tribes in the western and
northwestern parts of what is now the State of
Ohio, and there is little doubt that a number of
these passed along the Indian trail, which followed
the Walhonding and Kokosing rivers, from the
towns on the Muskingum to those on the Sandusky
plains, both while they were being carried into cap.
tivity and while on the return journey to be deliv
ered to Boquet.

The renegade Simon Girty and probably his
brothers, as well as the notorious British agents, El
liott and McKee, were without doubt through this
territory many times while making journeys to and
from the eastern part of the State and Fort Pitt.
Girty was born about 1745, and was consequently
in the prime of life during the half century prior to
the first settlement of this part of Ohio. No doubt
also the Wetzels, Brady, McCulloch and other
scouts and spies, were many times through this
territory in the prosecution of their business. This
territory was also an excellent hunting ground and
much used for that purpose by the Indians at
Greentown, among whom were white renegades as
early as 1785, who no doubt often accompanied
the Indians on their hunting and trapping expedi
tions to the beautiful valley ofthe Kokosing.
Just prior to the first settlement of the county
Andy Craig seems to have located temporarily on
Owl creek, and William Leonard in company with
a party of scouts came into this territory as early as
1799. Leonard purchased some land on Owl
creek and returned with his family and became a
permanent settler some years later.

CHAPTER XXI.

SETTLEMENT AND GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF
THE COUNTY.
Area — Primitive Condition— Settlement on the Lick
ing — Andy- Craig — Character of the Pioneers —
Military Lands — Nathaniel M. Young — First Set
tlers and Settlements — The Quakers — First Roads
— Transportation — The Products of the County —
Mills — The Act Creating Knox County — First
Elections — Division into Four Townships — Items
from the Commissioners' Record— Seeley Simpkins
Race.
KNOX county occupies a position near the geo
graphical centre of one ofthe greatest States in
the Union, and contains three hundred and twen
ty-four thousand four hundred and four acres of
land,- of which about two hundred and sixty-five
thousand are cultivated or cultivable, fifty-four
thousand in timber, and a little more than five

200

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

thousand waste or uncultivated. In its primitive
condition it was covered with a dense growth of
timber, but about the time of the advent of the first
settlers three or four little patches of prairie or
cleared land appeared along Owl creek and other
parts of the county, that had probably been cleared
by the Indians for the purpose of raising corn.
These were long known as the "Indian fields."
At the beginning of this century no white man
had set foot on the virgin soil of Knox for the pur
pose of settlement. It was a vast wilderness, oc
cupied by wild animals and wilder men. The
territory then belonged to Fairfield county, and so
remained until 1808, when it was organized into a
separate county and named in honor of General
Knox, Washington's Secretary of War.
Perhaps the nearest white settlement to the pres
ent border of Knox county at the beginning of this
century, was that on the Licking river, about four
miles below the present city of Newark, on what
was known as the "Bowling Green" prairie. Here
Elias Hughes and John Ratliff, with their families,
settled in 1798, and were the only settlers here
early in 1800. The wave of white emigration was
at that time approaching this territory, and within
the next three years came the "first low wash of
waves where now rolls a human sea." This was in
the shape of Andy Craig, who, however, can hardly
be called a settler in the proper sense of that term.
He was one of those restless, reckless creatures
who continue while they live the picket-guard of
civilization. They are always just beyond the
white settlements, but never settle permanently
anywhere. Andy Craig was here, however, just in
advance of the permanent white settlers, and re
mained here until 1809, though it is not believed
that he purchased any land or ever intended to
make this his abiding place. His character may be
fairly inferred from what Norton writes of him, as
follows :
From our research into early statements, we are led to believe
that Andrew Craig was the first white man who located within
the present county limits. He was, at a very early day, a sort
of frontier character, fond of rough and tumble life, a stout and
rugged man — bold and dare-devil in disposition— who took
delight in hunting, wrestling and athletic sports, and was " hail
fellow well met " with the Indians then inhabiting the country.
He was from the bleak, broken, mountainous region of Virginia,
and as hardy a pine knot as ever that country produced. He
was in this country when Ohio was in its territorial condition,

and when this wilderness region was declared to be in the
county of Fairfield, the sole denizen in this entire district, whose
history is now being written, tabernacled with => woman in a
rough log hut close by the little Indian Field, about one-half
mile east of where Mount Vernon city now exists, and at the
point where Centre run empties into the Kokosing. There
Andrew Craig lived when Mount Vernon was laid out in 1805 —
there he was, upon the organization of Knox county, its oldest
inhabitant — and there he continued until T809. Such a harum-
scarum fellow could not rest easy when white men got thick
around him, so he left and went to the Indian village — Green
town — and from thence migrated further out upon the frontier,
preferring red men for neighbors.
The early settlers of this region were largely from
Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey,
with quite a "sprinkling" from the New England
States. They were generally Revolutionary stock,
and this may be the reason why Ohio has taken such
a prominent position in the Nation, politically and
socially. The sub stratum of its population was
composed of Revolutionary heroes, whose seven
years of struggle and privation had made them
men — giants they might be called. From such
stock and from the veterans of the War of 1812,
the people of this county largely trace their ances
try. It was fortunate for Ohio that her territory
was upon the frontier at the close' of the Revo
lution. The old soldiers, without money, but with
land warrants in their pockets, sought the wilder
ness beyond the Ohio for their future homes.
This State caught the larger share of these most
desirable emigrants, for the reason that it was the
most promising territory then open to settlement in
the west. A treaty with the Indians had been
made by the Government which opened the larger
part of the State to white settlement, and a^ con
siderable portion of the State was especially re
served for the soldiers, and was known as"United
States military lands. These lands amounted to
two million six hundred and fifty thousand acres.
The tract was bounded on the east by the west
line of the seven ranges ; on the south by Congress
lands and the Refugee tract; on the west by the
Scioto river, and on the north by the Greenville
treaty boundary line, which passes through the
northwest corner of Knox county, and forms a
portion of its northern boundary line. All of this
county was, therefore, "Military Lands," except frac
tions of Middlebury, Berlin and Pike townships.
The first permanent white settler in this county
was probably Nathaniel Mitchell Young, the "axe-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

maker," who came in 1803, soon after Andy Craig,
and following up Owl creek, some ten miles beyond
Craig's cabin, settled on a branch of that stream,
in what is now Wayne township. This settlement,
subsequently known as the "Jersey settlement"
receives attention in the chapter on Wayne town
ship. Regarding the first settlements in this county,
Mr. Norton thus writes:
After many years of solitary residence on the beautiful Ko
kosing, the solitude of Craig's retreat is broken by the entrance
of a lone Jerseyman, who, in the spring of 1803, penetrates
some ten miles further into the wilderness, so as not, by too
close proximity, to annoy each other, and there raises a little
log cabin and settles down. This follower of the trade of Vul
can soon gets in readiness to blow and strike, and sets about
supplying the sons of the forest with the first axes they had
ever seen, and by making for them tomahawks, scalping,knives,
etc., he acquires the sobriquet of the "axe-maker," which for
more than half a century has attached to Nathaniel Mitchell
Young. A year passes by before any white accession is made to
society on Owl creek. Then a stalwart backwoodsman breaks
the silence by the crack of his rifle, and at the spot where
James S. Banning now lives, near Clinton, the pioneer, William
Douglass, drives his stake.
The skilful navigator plies his oar, and Robert Thompson as
cends Owl creek to where Mt. Vernon now stands, and on the
rich bottom land, about one mile west, commences another im
provement. George Dial, of Hampshire county, Virginia, in
another pirogue comes up the creek, and, pleased with the beau
tiful country about where Gambier now flourishes, pitches his
tent at the place now occupied by John Troutman. Old Cap
tain Joseph Walker, from Pennsylvania, settles on the bank of
the creek where Mt. Vernon now is. John Simpkins, from Vir
ginia, with his son, Seeley, for capital, located about a mile
above Douglass, where George Cassel's beautiful farm now ex
ists. While these plain men from Virginia, New Jersey, and
Pennsylvania are preparing their cabins for occupation, and mak
ing a little clearing, a stray Yankee, solitary and alone, with a
speculative eye and money-making disposition, is, with pocket
compass, taking his bearings through the forest, soliloquizing
about the chance of making a fortune by laying out a town and
selling lots to those who may come after him into this charming
new country. Having, as he thought, found the exact spot for
his future operations, he blazes a tree, and wends his way to the ,
nearest town — Franklinton — west of the Scioto, then a place of
magnificent pretensions, where he gets chain, compass, and
paper, and returns and lays out the town of Clinton, in section
number four, township seven, range four, United States Mili
tary district, with its large "public green," its North street and
South street, its Main street, First, Second, Third, and Fourth
streets, and one hundred and sixty lots, and, taking his town
plat in his pocket, he walks to New Lancaster, being the first
white person ever known to have made a journey in that direc
tion from this infant settlement, and before Abraham Wright,
justice of the peace, acknowledges the important instrument,
and on the eighth of December, 1804, places it upon record.
Thus Samuel H. Smith, subsequently the first surveyor of Knox

county, for many years a resident, its leading business man, and
largest landholder, made his entrance into this district.
Shortly afterwards a large accession was made to the popula
tion of the county by the emigration from Ten Mile, Washing
ton county, Pennsylvania, of John Mills, Henry Haines, Eben
ezer and Abner Brown, and Peter Baxter, who settled a short
distance south of Owl creek, where the Beams, Merits and La-
fevers have since lived. This settlement, by the increase of the
Leonards, was in 1805-6 the largest and best community in the
county, and upon the organization of the county, and for sev
eral years thereafter, it furnished the leading men. This settle
ment is referred to elsewhere.
Benjamin Butler, Peter Coyles, and Thomas Bell Patterson,
in the spring of 1805, augment the Walker settlement, where
Mount Vernon was located shortly after. William Doug
lass is joined by James Loveridge, who emigrates from Morris
county, New Jersey, and with his wife takes quarters on the sixth
of July upon the clapboards in the garret of his little log cabin,
and is mighty glad to get such a shelter as that to spend the
year in. The next year Loveridge starts off, under pretense of
hunting a cow, and goes to the land office and enters and pays
for the tract of land, where shortly after he erected a dwelling,
and has ever since resided. Upon this land there is an uncom
mon good spring, which caused him to select it, and he tells with
much glee the circumstances under which he obtained it. The
only Yankee then in the county claimed to have located it, and
proposed to sell it to him at a higher price than the Government
rate, which was then two dollars per acre. Concealing his in
tention from all but his wife, Loveridge slipped off and exam
ined into and purchased it himself from the Government, and
when he returned with his patent, Bill Douglass laughed heartily
at the Jersey Blue overreaching the cunning Yankee. Amariah
Watson, of Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, also put up with
Douglass, and thus this settlement was made up of Douglass,
Smith, Watson and Loveridge, in 1805. The old axe-maker,
in the meantime, is followed np by some of his relations and
friends, who start what has ever since been known as the Jersey
settlement. Jacob Young, Abraham Lyon and Simeon Lyon
are the first to settle upon the South fork of Owl creek, and are
succeeded by Eliphalet Lewis, John Lewis, and James Bryant.
The Indians they found very numerous, and through the kind
feelings towards the old axe-maker, they were very friendly, and
really quite an advantage in -ridding the country of wolves,
bears, and other varmints.
In the winter of 1805-6 that settlement entered into a written
agreement to give nine bushels of corn for each wolf scalp that
might be taken; and three of the men caught forty-one wolves
in steel traps and pens ! The description of these pens, and one
of the stories told of their operation, we give in the words of
an old settler : 'Wolf pens were about six feet long, four feet
wide, and three feet high, formed like a huge square box, of
small logs, and floored with puncheons. The lid, also of pun
cheons, was very heavy, -and moved by an axle at one end, made
of a small, .round stick. The trap was set by a figure 4, with
any kind of meat except that of wolf's, the animals being fonder
of any other than their own. On gnawing the meat, the lid
fell and caught the unamiable native. To make sport for the
dogs, the legs of the wolf were pulled through the crevices be
tween the logs, hamstrung, and then he was let loose, when the
dogs soon caught and finished him. In Delaware county an
old man went into a wolf trap to fix the spring, when it sprung
upon him, knocking him flat upon his face, and securely caught

202

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

him as though he were a wolf. Unable to lift up the lid, and
several miles from any house, he lay all one day and night, and
would have perished but for a hunter, who passing by heard his
groans and came to his rescue."
North, west and east of these embryo settlements all was
wilderness for many long miles. A place bearing the name of
Newark had been laid out by General W. C. Schenck, bnt it
had not any greater population than these little scattered settle
ments aforementioned. The principal towns of note to the
early settlers were Lancaster, Chillieothe and Zanesville. Nei
ther of them were much larger then than our usual X roads'
villages now are. The people were exceedingly neighborly, and
performed all manner of "kind chores" for each other, in going
to mill, laying in goods, dividing what they had with each
other, etc. The nearest mill in 1805, was in Fairfield county.
Our old friend James Loveridge informs us of a trip he made to
that mill, which was seven miles up the Hockhoeking river
from Lancaster, It belonged to Loveland & Smith, and was *
situated in a little crack between some rocks, and he went down
into the mill through the roof. He made the trip there
and back, about one hundred and twenty-five miles, and
brought home with him in his wagon about nine hundred
pounds of flour, one barrel of whiskey, and one barrel of salt.
How the settlement must have rejoiced at the arrival of the
great staples of frontier life, salt, whiskey and flour.
The spring of 1806 brought with it a new element into the
wilderness region, in the form of the Friends — the forerunners
of large numbers of that society, who by their quiet yet indus
trious ways have contributed very much to the prosperity and
peacefulness of our people. The venerable father Henry Rob
erts may be justly regarded as the head of this emigration from
Maryland. In 1805 he left Frederick county, in that State,
with his family, and directed his course to the far west, but on
reaching Belmont county, found it necessary to winter his family
there, and sent his wagon and team back to Maryland with a
load of ginseng and snake-root, and on their return with a load
of goods he started with his family and plunder, and on the
seventh of April, 1806, he landed at Henry Haines', in the Ten
Mile settlement,* and after spending a week looking for a good
location, on the fourteenth of that month settled down with his
family at the little prairie five miles above Mount Vernon, of late
widely known as the Armstrong section. The family consisted
of his wife, his sons — William, now living in Pekin, Illinois ;
Isaiah, now residing near Pilot Knob, Missouri ; Richard Rob
erts, of Berlin — and a daughter, Massah, who married Dr. Timo
thy Burr, and died at Clinton, March 9, 1814. Nine acres of
that beautiful prairie were at once broken up and planted in
corn. It was very hard work to break the virgin soil with a first
rate four-horse plow team, but it paid for that labor by one of
the finest crops of corn ever raised in this country. In the fall
William Y. Farquhar, axousin of Henry Roberts, came with his
family, and after him came William W. Farquhar with his
family. They all stopped with Henry Roberts, and thus com
posed the first settlement of Friends in this district. From this
nucleus came the numerous society of Quakers in Wayne, Mid-
dlebury and Berlin, in after years. Shortly after this we find
other Quakers, Samuel Wilson, and John Kerr in what subse
quently became Wayne township, and John Cook and Jacob
* So called from the fact that the settlers were from Ten Mile, Penn
sylvania. The settlement was made a short distance below Mount Ver
non, near the present residence of Hon. Columbus Delano.

Cook just above, in what is now Middlebury township, and
Amariah Watson goes from Douglass' to the tract of land
above, where Fredericktown was the next year laid out, and
which he subsequently sold to Jacob Ebersole, a place now easy
to be identified by all. In the spring of 1806, there were within
the after limits of Knox county but fifteen persons who turned
out to vote, and but nine liable to perform military duty out to
muster. The earliest settlers in this, as in all other parts of the State
came into the country by Indian trails, and by canoes up the
streams. A few of the earliest settlers in Mount Vernon came
up the Muskingum and Whitewoman rivers in canoes, and
thence up Owl creek; but these primitive modes of ingress and
egress could not long be endured, roads must be cut through
the great woods. As early as January 23, r8oo, Mr. Holden
presented at the clerk's table ofthe house of representatives of the
State, a petition from sundry inhabitants of Licking county; also
a petition from sundry inhabitants of Licking and Knox, setting
forth their remote situationfrom water carriage, and the necessity
of having good roads ; ' 'that they have no road whereby they can
receive letters, or any kind of intelligence, or any property from
any part of the United States, or this State, except by chance
or private conveyance, nearer than Newark or Zanesville; and
praying for the establishment of a road from Newark, in Lick
ing county; thence to Mount Vernon, in Knox county; thence
to Mansfield, in Richland county; and thence to the mouth of
the river Huron, Lake Erie, etc., which were read.
On motion, and on leave being granted by the house, Mr.
Merwin presented at the clerk's table a petition from sundry in
habitants of Fairfield county, of a similar nature to the before
mentioned petitions, praying for the establishment of a road
from Lancaster, in said county, through Mount Vernon, in
Knox county, to the portage, in Cuyahoga." — House Journal,
page 177.
The north and south road was the first one
opened at the public expense. Private roads were
made by the pioneers themselves, to the different
settlements in the county limits.
It was not until February, 1829, that the State
road from Mount Vernon to Columbus was author
ized, by act of legislature, to be opened. Prior to
this, however, a road had been cut by the pioneers
along Dry creek, and the commissioners, James
McFarland, of Knox, Adam Reed, of Franklin, and
John Myers, of Licking, established the State road
partly upon the line already opened. The road
south to Newark, via Martinsburgh, was among the
first opened. Over these crude roads the advanc
ing pioneers made their way, among stumps and
over corduroy bridges, the only kind of bridge then
known in the new country.
The War of 18 1 2 checked immigration somewhat,
but after it ended the tide began again to flow in
greater volume than ever. The passage of troops
during the war had served to make new roads and

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

203

widen the old ones, and the war also introduced to
the new country hundreds of men who would not
otherwise have known of its beauty and advantages,
and who, when at liberty to do so, returned and
settled in it. The country no doubt settled far
more rapidly than it would have done had there
been no War of 181 2.
Where no roads existed numerous "blazed" trails
led off through the woods in every direction to the
cabin of the solitary settler.
The most important of the early roads, to the
prosperity of Mount Vernon, was the one leading
north to the lake. This was the great out-let for
grain and other produce. Great covered freight
wagons, with tires seven or eight inches broad and
an inch thick, drawn by six horses or mules, made
regular trips from Baltimore and Philadelphia over
the National road to Zanesville; thence over this
"mud road,", stopping at the little stations on the
way to receive and discharge freight. Many of
these teamsters were men of high character, stand
ing, and credit, and in transacting their business,
would require persons who shipped goods by their
wagons to make out three bills of lading, all prop
erly signed, with as much regularity as a ship at
sea, or the freight trains of to-day; one bill to ac
company the goods, one to be retained by the ship
per, and one to go by mail to the consignee. One
of these teams would to-day be a greater curiosity
than a steamer or a train of cars. They are yet to
be found on the great praries of the west, trans
porting freight to points not yet reached by the
iron horse.
These wagons did most of the carrying trade for
the country. The merchant who wished to pur
chase goods in the east sent his order and received
his goods by these wagons, and in order to pay for
the same often intrusted large sums of money to
the teamsters. The products of the country, re
ceived by the merchant in exchange for goods, con
sisting mostly of wheat, whiskey, furs, etc., 'were
also shipped by these wagons, going, generally, to
the lake, where they were sold or shipped on a ves
sel for some point east, and months would often
elapse before returns could be received.
Another source of out-let for the produce of the
country was by the water-courses, which were then
untrammelled by mills or bridges; and, by reason of

the swampy condition of the country and conse
quent abundance of water, were navigable for small
boats to points which would seem incredible at this
time. Flat-boats were built, carrying from twenty '
to fifty tons. These were loaded with pork, flour,
whiskey, the products of the chase, etc., and taken
down the Kokosing, Walhonding, Muskingum,
Ohio, and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans, where
the cargo and boat were sold, and the pioneer, with
his money in his pocket, would return across the
country, walking, perhaps, the entire distance, or
may be, purchasing a mule or horse by the way, or
taking occasional advantage of the wellremember-
ed stage coach for short distances. In this primi
tive way the pioneers of Knox communicated with
the outside world. About forty years elapsed from
the time of the first settlement before these means
of transportation were superseded by that great
civilizer — the railroad.
The products of the country, for want of a mar
ket, brought very low prices — the average for* wheat
being thirty-five cents per bushel; oats twelve cents;
corn twenty cents; whiskey fifteen cents per gal
lon; pork one dollar and fifty cents per hundred
weight; cows eight to ten dollars each, and horses
from thirty to forty dollars each. Coffee brought
from seventy-five cents to one dollar per pound;
salt from four to six dollars per barrel; calicoes
from fifty cents to one dollar per yard, etc. Money
was the exception, traffic and trade the rule. The
great wagons carried the produce to Portland (now
Sandusky city) and returned with salt, fish, etc.
In trading with the Indians Gilman Bryant used
to set a bottle of whiskey on each end of the coun
ter in order to facilitate business. Cabins for the
purpose of trade and traffic sprang up all along the
new roads, and were occupied by some pioneer
family, who procured a living partly by hunting,
partly by working the "truck patch," partly by trad
ing whiskey, tobacco, knives, blankets, tomakawks
and trinkets with the Indians and settlers, and as
travel on the roads increased, by keeping travellers
over night, finally converting the cabin into a tav
ern. Frequently these taverns were the means of
starting a town, which grew and prospered, or be
came extinct, according to circumstances. Estab
lishing a town was like investing in a lottery ticket,
which might draw a prize or a blank. Nothing now

204

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

remains to mark the site of many early towns plat
ted on the soil of Knox; others are marked by
small clusters of partially deserted houses.
Mills were of prime necessity to the pioneers.
Norton speaks as follows of the first mill in the
county: The first grist mill in this county was of a decidedly primi
tive character. It was in the Hains, or Ten Mile settlement, and
constructed without the sound of the hammer upon iron. It
was the joint work of Ebenezer and Abner Brown, assisted by
the mechanical skill of the whole neighborhood, and was built
on what was called by the early settlers "Big run," though in
later times it is spoken of as the little lake, through which the
road to Granville has since been laid out. The water has al
most disappeared — having been in its appearance greatly
changed by ditching, and in some parts obliterated by filling up
the hollow. The mill stood where Isaac Beam's house now is,
and the dam was where the bridge now stands in the lane. It
was all of wood — a sugar trough made its meal trough — a little
"box its hopper — the stones were about two feet through, and
hooped with elm bark for want of iron. It cracked com pretty
well with a good head on, but the stream was generally dry, and
the mill was only able to run when big showers of rain came.
The building was about ten feet square, of rough logs — not a
nail or a bit of iron could be had when it was made. The
stones of this ancient mill are certainly a curiosity; they are
yet to be seen, being the property of Moses Farquhar, of Ber
lin, who since that day has attempted experiments with them.
Robert Richards at one time took a grist to this original mill
and had it ground. He was then about seventeen years old,
and not much acquainted with the milling business, but he was
greatly impressed with its mechanism, and ready to exclaim,
with our old friend Hadley : ' ' The works of God are wonder
ful, but the works of man are wonderfuller!" He thought that
it worked first rate, though Henry Haines at that time had got
a little hand-mill which he claimed was a great improvement on
the little wooden mill.
Mr. Roberts recollects of having at one time packed a bag of
corn from Tom Butler's down on Whitewoman home, and
thence to a mill near Newark, and back home again, less a
heavy toll. While at the mill he saw Hughes, and from his own
lips had a true account about the killing of Indian horse thieves,
whom Jack Ratliff and himself had pursued into the Owl creek
country and killed as they came upon them in the bottom just
below where Fredericktown now stands.
In 1804, William Douglass, of Morris township,
built a flouring-mill in connection with a saw-mill,
and a few years later put up a carding and fulling
mill, greatly to the benefit of the pioneer settlers,
enabling them to convert the product of their small
flocks into material to clothe their families. In
1807, John Kerr built a grist- and saw-mill at Fred
ericktown. About the same time Jacob Young
built mills four miles west of that place, and
Samuel Gregg one about one and a half miles south.
In the eastern part of the county Hibbitt's mills,

on the Mohican, and Shrimplin's and Dial's on
Owl creek, made their appearance about the same
time. In 1816 Henry Davis purchased a flouring-
and saw-mill in the southern suburbs of. Mount
Vernon, erected about the year 18 10. From that
time onward mills sprang up rapidly all over the
county, until Knox was regarded as one of the
most favored counties in the State, on account of
the number and excellence of her mills, and dura
bility of her streams. The Miller mill in Pleasant
township was erected by Mr. John Kerr, in 1815.
Time, however, has worked a marvellous change.-
The mill-streams are not what they once were; and
now there are mills all over the county, that were
once a benefit to their respective neighborhoods,
and a source of profit to their owners, rapidly
going to decay, and steam is taking the place of
water-power. The fact is, that since timber has
been cleared away and the swamps, drained, the
volume of water has been greatly lessened, and
streams that were considered good mill streams in
an early day, became, subsequently, very insignifi
cant. Five years after the first settlement of this terri
tory, the county was created. January 30, 1808,
the legislature passed an act establishing Licking
and Knox counties. The act relating to Knox
reads as follows:
Section *>. Be it further enacted, that all that tract of
country included in the following boundaries be, and the same
is hereby laid off into a separate county, which shall be known
by the name of Knox : beginning at the southeast corner of
the fifth (5) township of said tenth (ro) range; thence west along
the northern boundary line of said county of Licking, to the
line between the fifteenth (15) and sixteenth (16) range afore
said; thence north to the northern boundary of the military
land aforesaid; thence westwardly along said northern bound
ary line to the western boundary of the twentieth (20) range of
the lands of the United States, lying north of said military
lands; thence north on said western boundary line to the north
west corner of the seventeenth (17) township in said range;
thence east until it intersects the said north boundary line of the
military land; thence eastwardly along said northern boundary
line tfj the east boundary of said tenth (10) range in the mili
tary lands; from thence south along said range line to the place
of beginning.
Section 3. Be it further enacted, that it shall be lawful for
the coroner, sheriff, and constables of said county of Fairfield,
and all collectors of the county of Fairfield, to make distress
for all dues and officers' fees, unpaid by the inhabitants of said
new counties, at the time said division shall take place, and they
shall be accountable in like manner as if this act had not been
passed, and the court of Fairfield county shall have jurisdiction

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

205

in all actions and suits pending therein at the time of such di
vision; and they shall try and determine the same, issue pro
cesses, and award execution thereof.
Section 4. Be it further enacted, that the temporary seat
of justice in. the county of Licking shall be at the house of Levi
Hays, and the temporary seat of justice in the county of Knox
shall be at the town of Mount Vernon in said county.
Section 5. Be it further enacted, that the inhabitants of
said new counties shall assemble in their respective counties on
the first Monday in April next, at the usual place of holding
elections in said counties, and proceed to elect a sheriff, coro
ner, and commissioners, for their respective counties, who shall
continue in office until the next annual election, and until suc
cessors are chosen and qualified.
Section 6. Be it further enacted, that all justices of the
peace and township officers in said counties, shall continue to
exercise the duties of their respective offices until successors are
chosen and duly qualified.
SECTION 7. And be it further enacted, that all that tract of
country lying north of the aforesaid county of Knox, and south
of the Connecticut Western R'eserve, and so far east as the line
between the fifteenth (15) and sixteenth (16) ranges of Congress
lands, shall be, and is hereby, erected into a separate county,
by the name of Richland, and shall be under the jurisdiction
of the county of Knox, until the legislature may think proper
to organize the same.
This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the
first day of March next.
[Signed] P. Beecher,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
John Bigger,
Speaker pro tern of the Senate.
January 30, 1808.
April 4, 1808, the first election under the act
creating the county was held. The officers of the
election were Ebenezer Brown, Jabez Beers, and
Samuel Kratzer, judges; William Gass and Robert
Anderson, clerks. The voters were here from the
most remote parts of the county, as well as from
the vicinity of Mt. Vernon. The election of the
first officers in a new county brings out everybody.
The officers were elected by the following vote:
For commissioners, John Lewis received fifty-six
votes, John Herrod, fifty-two, and Joseph Walker,
forty- eight. Silas Brown was elected sheriff; For
coroner, Jonathan Craig had forty-five votes, and
Francis Hardesty, one vote. For trustees, George
Downs had forty-one votes, Henry Roberts, thirty-
six, and Joseph Coleman, thirty-six. For overseers
of the poor, Moses Craig received twenty-two votes,
James Walker, two, and Alexander Walker twelve.
The candidates for supervisor were Samuel Kratzer
and Peter Baxter — Baxter received thirty-six votes
and Kratzer thirty-five. The candidates for fence-
viewers, were George Zin, Michael Click and Jesse

Severe. For "house praisers," Archibald Gardner
and James Craig, each had twelve votes. For
constables, Gabriel Wilkins received thirty votes,
Philip Walker, twenty-one, Jonathan Hunt, jr.,
fifteen, and David Miller, three. For treasurer,
Benjamin Butler received twelve votes, and James
Walker, jr., two. None of these parties are now
living. Joseph Walker, John Harrod, and John Lewis,
commissioners, on the second day of May, 1808,
entered on their record the official proceedings
dividing Knox county into four townships. These
townships were Wayne, Clinton, Morgan and Un
ion. They embraced the whole county, and to more
particularly show their extent the following state
ment may be necessary:
Wayne township embraced all of the present
townships of Franklin and Chester, now in Morrow
county — and Middlebury, Berlin, Wayne, and the
north half of Morris.
Clinton township included Bloomfield, now in
Morrow county; Liberty, the north half of Pleas
ant, Monroe, Pike, and the south half of Morris.
Union township embraced Brown, Jefferson,
Union, Howard, Butler, Jackson, three-fourths of
Harrison, and the east half of Clay.
Morgan township embraced the west half of
Clay, southwest quarter of Harrison, south half of
Pleasant, and all of Morgan, Miller, Milford, and
Hilliar. These townships remained intact until 181 2.
The commissioners in the meantime, June 9, 1809,
created Madison township in Richland county,
which embraced the whole county, Richland, being
up to 1 813, under the supervision of Knox county.
The boundaries of the different townships were
changed from time to time as the increased popu
lation demanded. The names of the original four,
with some of their former territory attached, still
remain. The following interesting items are from the ear
liest records of the commissioners of the county:
A board of commissioners for the county of Knox was seated
at Mt. Vernon, on Monday, the twenty-fourth day of October,
1808. Present: Gentlemen, Henry Markley, Matthew Merritt, and
William Douglass, commissioners, who, at their first meeting,
proceeded to the appointment of a clerk, and James  was

206

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

duly elected clerk, and qualified accordingly; then, according to
law, proceeded to cast lots relative to their ceasing to continue
in the office, and it is by them declared that Henry Markley
continue in said office three years, Matthew Merritt two years,
and William Douglass one year. Ordered, that this board do
adjourn until next Friday.
Thus simply and concisely are given the proceed
ings of the first meeting of the commissioners of
Knox county of which there is any record. On
Friday, the twenty-eighth of October, the following
business was transacted:
Ordered, that the Clerk issue an order on the County Treas
urer of the county for the sum of one dollar and fifty cents tor
killing one wolf, proven before William Y. Farquhar, esq., in
favor of James Durbin.
Ordered, that an order issue in favor of James Smith for the
sum of two dollars, for carrying returns of the annual election
to the town of Newark.
P. S. — The above meeting was intended for the purpose of ex
amining and regulating the papers and books relative to the
Commissioners. Ordered, that this Board do adjourn until the first Monday in
December next, unless occasion Require a sooner meetin of this
Board. "Occasion" did "require" a "sooner meeting,''
for wolves had been killed, and it was a "case of
emergency," justifying an extranrdinary meeting of
the board of commissioners at Mount Vernon, on
the very next day. Here is the journal entry :
Ordered, that an order do issue to the county treasurer of this
county, in favor of Jesse Morgan, for the sum of three dollars,
for killing two grown wolves.
Ordered, that an order do issue to the treasurer of this county,
in favor of Jonathan Morgan, for the sum of three dollars, for
killing two grown wolves.
Ordered, that this board do adjourn until the next meeting in
course. At the December term, 1808, the board was in
session two days. On the fifth an order for
seventy-five cents was granted Philip Walker, con
stable, for one day's attendance on the grand jury
at the May term; to William Y. Farquhar, esq., four
dollars and fifty cents for one day's attendance on
a called court, on an indictment of the grand jury,
in the case of M. Brown; to John Mills, three dol
lars for the same; to William Gass, three dollars
for the same; and the following wolf orders: To
John Simpkins, one dollar and fifty cents for killing
one 'grown wolf, proven before Samuel Kratzer,
justice ofthe peace; to John Butler, three dollars
for killing two grown wolves, proven before Abra
ham Darling, justice of the peace. On the sixth
day of December:

Ordered, that the treasurer of this county do pay the follow
ing sums to the following persons : To James Dunlap twenty-
two dollars for fixing the county seat of this county ; to Isaac
Kook twenty-two dollars for the same; to James Armstrong
twenty-two dollars for the same.
Ordered, that ten cents be erast off the collector's duplicate,
for an error made by the lister, who personally appeared and
confessed the same, in favor of Samuel Lewis.
Ordered, that the treasurer of this county do pay to James
Smith, clerk, six dollars and sixty-six cents for his services in
elections until the said term, likewise seventy-five cents for blank
books. A petition was handed the board, praying a view of a road
from the town of Clinton running to intersect the county line,
near the southwest corner of the county ; which review they de
clare inexpedient and rejected.
A petition was handed the board, praying a view of a road
from the town of Clinton through the settlement of Skenk's
creek to the eastern line of Knox county, and it is declared by
the board that the said petition is rejected.
A petition was handed the board, praying a view of a road
from Mulberry street, in the town of Mount Vernon, to William
Douglass' mill, and they declared the same inexpedient.
Ordered, that the treasurer of this county do pay Archibald
Gardner the sum of one dollar and a half for killing one grown
wolf, proven before Samuel Kratzer, esq.
Among the orders issued in 1809, were the fol
lowing for wolf scalps :
To John Cook $4.50 for killing three grown wolves, proven
before William Y. Farquhar.
To James Black $4 for killing two grown wolves, proven be
fore William Y. Farquhar.
To John Jennings $r.5o for killing one grown wolf, proven
before John Green.
To Ephraim McMillen $3 for killing two grown wolves, proven
before Abraham Darling.
To Levi Herrod for killing two grown wolves, proven before
John Green.
To Francis Hardista $3 for killing two grown wolves, proven
before Marthew Merritt .
To John Lash $r.5ofor killing one grown wolf, proven before
John Green.
To George Sap $3 for killing two grown wolves, proven before
Abraham Darling.
To Joseph Harriss $1.50 for killing one grown wolf, proven
before John Green.
To Francis Hardista $3 for killing two grown wolves, proven
before M. Merritt.
To George Sap $r. 50 for killing one grown wolf, proven be
fore Abraham Darling.
To Joseph Bryant for killing one grown wolf.
To Ephraim McMillen $4.50 for killing three grown wolves.
Ordered, that all persons who shall kill and procure the
scalps of grown wolves and panthers within our balawick, and
produce a certificate thereof, according to law, after this date,
shall be allowed two dollars, and all those who shall kill and
procure the same of wolves and panthers of six months and
under shall be allowed one dollar.
The first demands made upon the treasury under
this act were by John Mitchell and Francis Har-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

207

dista, each of whom had killed a grown wolf. For
a time these animals had disputed the mastery
with the white man. They had neither the fear of
the church ecclesiastic or the military power; they
frightened the women and children, and hung
about the heels of men, setting all law and threats
at defiance. One old settler told of his having on
a Sabbath day killed a large wolf near God's barn
at Clinton, which was making off with one of Sam.
Smith's geese, while the people were serving the
Lord; another of his friends having been present
with the whole military of the county parading
on general muster day, a fierce black wolf at
tacked one of George Zin's pigs within a stone's
throw northeast of the public square, when the
army gave pursuit, and it was finally killed by Cap
tain Joe Walker; whereupon a grand spree was
taken by the military anil citizens of the town, the
money for the scalp purchasing the whiskey.
On the fifth of March "a petition was forwarded to the board
of commissioners of this county, praying for a road leading
from the town of Mansfield in a southeast direction, to inter
sect with the State road, near the fifty-four mile tree, to run in
a straight direction as the ground will admit, to intersect the
State road, and the board do declare that the same is inexpedi-'
ent. The tax on William Douglass' mill is ordered to be taken off,
as it is a public benefit.
James Morgan is ordered to be taxed fourfold for refusing to
give in five horses to the lister of Union township.
On the seventh of June the commissioners "Ordered," that
the license of taverns hereafter obtained for one year in this
county shall be as follows: In the town of Mount Vernon, on
the public square, and on Market street, shall be rated at six
dollars; all taverns in the town of Frederick and in the town of
Clinton, and on the road leading from the town of Mount Ver
non to Newark, within the county of Knox, at five dollars;
all taverns on roads leading through any part of the county,
or Richland county, at four dollars.
The court met with the commissioners for the purpose of set
tling with the court in county charges, etc. , which is as follows,
to-wit :
County of Knox, Dr., for including from June, 1809, to Sep
tember 6, 1810 :
Commissioners of Knox county  $ 138 27
Associate judges  109 44
Elections  48 75
Roads  130 82
"  3 10
Treasurer  40 46
Boarding and imprisoning negro  2 75
 T 83
Coroner  3 50
Iron — negro  5 25
Wolf scalps  67 50
Collector's fees  102 59 .8

Clerk's fees  41 00
Clerk to commissioners from January, 1808  87 17
Sheriffs fees  28 06 %
Prosecuting attorney  100 00
Repairs of jail  9 47
Jury boxes  1 00
Delinquent tax  24 20
Listing townships  73 00
Petit jurors  15 15
Postage of letters  95
Witnesses  4 00
Grand jurors  60 00
Total  $1,194 46K
Cr. by county levy for. 1809  $265 98
By land tax, 1809  252 52
By draft on district collection  118 30
By fines, etc  48 55
By stores and taverns  73 82
Total  $759 67
The white male inhabitants of Knox county
above the age of twenty-one in 1820, were one
thousand two hundred and ninety, located as fol
lows: Hilliar, twenty-one; Bloomfield, sixty-nine;
Morgan, one hundred and fifty-two; Miller, seventy-
two; Jackson, one hundred and seventy-eight;
Chester, one hundred and twenty-two; Wayne, one
hundred and sixty-eight; Morris, one hundred and
fifty-seven; Union, one hundred and forty-four,
and Clinton, two hundred and seven. The county
gave its vote for Ethan Allen Brown, for governor ;
John Sloane, for congress; William Gass, for State
senator; R. D. Simons, for representative; William
Bevans, for sheriff; Abner Ayres, for commis
sioner; and E. C. Lee, for coroner.
In 1822, the county gave majorities for Daniel
S. Norton, for congress; Hosmer Curtis, for repre
sentative; William Bevans, for sheriff; John Kerr,
for commissioner; W. Y. Farquhar, for auditor;
James McGibeny, for coroner. In 1824, majori
ties were given for Jeremiah Morrow, for governor;
Wilson, for congress; Colerick, for sheriff; Stilley,
for commissioner; Rigdon, for representative;
Runyan, for coroner, and Farquhar, for auditor.
In 1826, the whole number of votes cast was
one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight, and
the county gave majorities for Trimble, for gover
nor; Norton, for congress; Robeson, for repre
sentative; Colerick, for sheriff; Runyan, for coro
ner; Elliott, for auditor; Leonard, for commis
sioner. At the June session (1826) of the commission-

208

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

ers, upon a petition of Francis Wilkins and others,
a road was ordered to be opened up Dry creek, be
ginning on the farm of Daniel S. Norton, to inter
sect the old road on the corner of Frederick Carey's
orchard. Jonathan Miller, R. D. Simons, and
James McGibeny, were appointed viewers, and
J. W. Warden, surveyor.
In 1828, majorities were given for Campbell, for
governor; Stanbery, for congress; Shaw, for sher
iff; Colerick, for representative; Tracy for auditor;
Sprague and Beers, for commissioners; and Neal,
for coroner.
In 1829, the population of the county is stated
at eight thousand three hundred and twenty-six.
There were then eight post-offices, viz.: Danville,
Darling's, Martinsburg, Mount Vernon, Miles'
Cross Roads, Sandusky Cross Roads, in Chester
township, Fredericktown, and Houck's.
In 1830, the county voted for MeArthur, for
governor; Stanbery, congress; Greer, representa
tive; Neal, sheriff; Tracy, auditor; McFarland,
assessor; Lowe, coroner; Wilkins, commissioner.
The total vote cast was two thousand and eighty-
six. The valuation of Knox county in 1826 was re
turned as follows:
Land, 301,695 acres, valued at  $716,070
Town property  8r,362
Mercantile capital  60,000
Houses  26,340
Horses, 2,467  98,680
Cattle, 4,483  35,864
Total  $i,or8,3i6
The following from Mr. Norton's history is wor
thy of preservation as illustrative of the spirit of the
times :
One of the "Phunny" characters in our county's history is
our old friend Seeley Simpkins, who is now in his eighty-ninth
year, and was born in West Jersey, the precise spot he doesn't
know — nor is it material to the thread of this discourse. In
1804, when five years old, he was brought by his father from
Morgantown, Virginia, and his recollection of Mount Vemon
runs from the time Captain Walker lived in a little log hut close
' by the old sulphur spring. Seeley says that its water had a
great medicine reputation with the Indians. He was a great
favorite with the squaws and pappooses, by reason of his un
common musical talent. He could mimic any sound of varment
or'human, surpassed the lute of Orpheus, and outwhistled all
creation. He furnished the music for early musters, and when
it took four counties to make a regiment, he gave a challenge to
out-whistle any man within them. He recollects with much
pride the encomiums of Adjutant Stilley; who, he says, was

"the best judge of swill music then in the country." He fre
quented race tracks and drew crowds and supplied hoe-downs on
demand. For a long time he labored under the disadvantage of
making his pilgrimages on foot, but having the good luck to
hear at preaching that " Balaam took his ass and saddled him,"
he concluded to take the next thing to it — his bull— and saddle
and ride him. He was a nice little muscular brute, raised by
him, and being gentle, was trained so that he travelled on See-
ley's circuit. Often have we seen Seeley in all his glory ride to
the mill with his grist, and while it was being ground he would
take an airing around the town, whistling as he went. The
races were usually in front of Norton's mill, on the flat, and
there Seeley acquired ' ' immortality and fame. " On the occasion
of a grand race, when the Critchfields, Sam Arbuckle, and the
Creek nation were in town in their strength, a race was gotten up
by Hugh Neal, John Gregg and John Kellifer, between Seeley's
bull and Tom Irvine's horse. The stakes were up, judges took
their stand, and expectation was soon gratified by the entrance
of the steeds. At starting the little bull's tail received a sudden
an d severe twist, causing him to bellow lustily as Seeley with
"vaulting ambition pricked the sides of his intent ;" and goaded
to desperation, the bull pawed the earth and sped on with all his
might, while the air was rent with the shouts and yells of the
spectators, frightening him almost out of his skin. The horse,
altogether unused to such noise and confusion, inclined to balk',
shied to one side, and trembling from fear, could not be brought
to the "outcome" in time, and the judges honestly pronounced
in favor of Seeley's bull. Amid the applause of the large con
course, Seeley proudly mounted his charger, and as he stroked
his neck, complacently took the wager and rode home a happier
man than ever in his life before or since. The poet says :
" Honor and fame from no condition rise
Act well your part — there all the honor lies."
Seeley has done this, and his name is inscribed on the page of
his country's history, to be remembered long after those who
have laughed at his career shall have been forgotten.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

209

CHAPTER XXII.
PIONEER TIMES.
Where the Pioneers Came From— Their Condition and
Character — What They Lived On — The "Truck
Patch " — Hominy Blocks — Mills — Cooking— Cultiva
tion of Domestic Animals— Wild Turkeys — Whiskey
Superstitions — Dress of the Men — The Flax Wheel
and Loom— More About Clothing— "Kicking Frol
ics" — Dress of the Women — White Kid Slippers —
Dyeing — Fourth of July and Militia Musters —
Cabins and Their Construction — Furniture of the
Cabins — Hoosier Poem — Early Land Laws — Toma
hawk Rights — Hunting — Early Weddings — Dancing
and "House Warming," Schooling, School Teachers,
etc. — Spelling Schools — Conclusion.
So the sun climbs up, and on, and over,
And the days go out and the tide comes in,
And the pale moon rubs on the purple cover
Till worn as thin and as bright as tin ;
But the ways are dark and the days are dreary,
And the dreams of youth are but dust in age,
And the heart gets harden'd and the hands grow weary
Holding them up for their heritage. — Joaquin Miller.
PIONEER days for Knox county and the State
of Ohio are gone forever; the wolf, bear, deer,
Indian, and all associations and reminiscences of
those "good old days" have long since faded from
sight, if not from memory, and the pioneers, most
of them, are gone, too —
"How few, all weak and withered of their force,
Wait on the verge of dark eternity."
It remains to write their history, and the history of
the times in which they lived, as of another race
of beings; and, if possible, to impress the best of
it upon the character of the present and future
generations; for it is a history worthy of imitation
and preservation. A study of the characteristics
of the pioneer fathers and mothers is calculated to
ennoble the mind and strengthen the hand for the
battle of life.
It would require a volume to tell of their habits
and customs; of their trapping and hunting; of
their solitary lives in the great woods, surrounded
by wild animals and wilder men; of their dress,
manners, and peculiar ways; of their cabins and
furniture; of the long winter evenings by the log-
heap fire upon which —
"We piled, with care, our nightly stack
Of wood against the chimney-back —
The oaken log, green, huge, and thick,
And on its top the stout back-stick ;

The knotty fore-stick laid apart,
And filled between with curious art
The ragged brush ; then hovering near
We watch the first red blaze appear,
Heard the sharp crackle, caught the gleam
On whitewashed wall and sagging beam,
Until the old rude-furnished room
Burst flower-like into rosy bloom."
It was a free, happy, independent life ; full of hard
ships, indeed, but sweetened with innocence and
peace; with alternations of labor, pleasure and rest.
The pioneers of Knox were largely from New
England, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland,
who sought to better their condition by making
permanent homes in the wilderness west of the
Ohio river. They came largely on foot over the
Alleghany mountains, many of them having a single
horse and wagon, or a two-horse wagon, in which
their worldly possessions were carried, and in which
the very old or very young, only, were allowed to
ride. Many of them were poor, and, like Jack in
the story, "came to seek their fortunes." A few
came with ox teams; some with horses, two, three
or four of them; some in two-wheeled carts, while
others packed all their worldly possessions on a
couple of old "critters." Instances are related of
a bag on top, or snugged down in among the
bundles, made somewhat after the fashion of a
double knapsack, and a couple of babies poked
their little bronzed faces out of the slits in this
novel conveyance, and rode along like little "pos
sums." From fifteen to fifty-five days were required in
making the toilsome journey to the far West, by the
first pioneers. Streams had to be forded frequently.
It was not unusual for a team to give out on the
way and cause a delay of a fortnight or a month to
one of the families. The joy was very great when
the team hove in sight and the family rejoined the
party who had found "the end of the road," or
stopped until the men looked for a suitable loca-
cation. When once settled and the cabin erected, it was
not only a home and shelter for the pioneer and
his family, but for every stranger who passed that
way, "without money and without price." The
latch string was always out, for these pioneers were
great hearted people,, and no man, be he white,
black or red, was turned away empty. Their cab-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

; ins, often not more than fifteen or twenty feet
square, made of rough beech logs, with the bark
still adhering to them, were frequently occupied by
a dozen or even a score of people for a night, and
no complaints made for want of room; genuine
hospitality, always finds room enough and never
apologizes for lack of more; and when breakfast
time came there was no apology for the scarcity of
knives, forks and spoons, for "fingers were made
before any of these." The fare was homely, but
generally abundant. What to eat, drink and wear
were questions not, perhaps, difficult of solution in
those days. The first was the easiest to solve.
The deer, the bear, the wild turkey, the rabbit, the
squirrel, all started up and said, or seemed to say,
"eat me." These had been prepared for the red
men of the forest, and were equally abundant for
the pioneer. The forest was full of game, the
streams full of. fish, and wild fruits were abundant.
To get bread required both patience and labor; the
staff of life was one of the articles that must be
earned "by the sweat of the brow;" it could not
be gathered from the bushes, fished from the streams,
or brought down with the rifle. Every backwoods
man once a year added to his clearing, at least, a
"truck patch." This was the hope and stay of the
family; the receptacle of corn, beans, melons, po
tatoes, squashes pumpkins, turnips, etc., each vari
ety more perfectly developed and delicious because
it grew in virgin soil. The corn and beans planted
in May brought roasting ears and succotash in Au
gust. Potatoes came with the corn, and the cellar,
built in the side of a convenient hill, and filled with
the contents of the truck patch, secured the family
against want. When the corn grew too hard for
roasting ears, and was yet too soft to grind in the
mill, it was reduced to meal by a grater, and wheth
er stirred into mush or baked into johnnycake, it
made, for people with keen appetites and good
stomachs, excellent food. Place before one of
those brawny backwoodsmen a square foot of
johnnycake and a venison steak broiled on hick
ory coals, and no art of civilization could produce
a more satisfactory meal.
Next to the grater comes the hominy block, an
article in common use among the pioneers. It
consisted simply of a block of wood — a section of
a tree, perhaps — with a hole burned, or dug, into

it a foot deep, in which corn was pulverized with a
pestle. Sometimes this block was inside the cabin,
where it served as a seat for the bashful young
buckskinned backwoodsman while "sparking" his
girl; sometimes a convenient stump in front ofthe
cabin door was prepared for, and made one of the
best of hominy blocks. When pigs began to be
raised, the natural relation between pork and
beaten corn suggested the grand old idea of "hog
and hominy."
Hominy blocks did not last long, for mills came
quite early and superseded them, yet these mills
were often so far apart that in stormy weather, or
for want of transportation, the pioneer was com
pelled to resort to his hominy block, or go without
bread. In winter, the mills were frozen up nearly
all the time, and when a thaw came and the ice
broke", if the mill was not swept away entirely by
the floods, it was so thronged with pioneers, each
with his sack of corn, that some of them were
often compelled to camp out near the mill and
wait several days for their turn. When the grist
was ground, if they were so fortunate as to possess
an ox, a horse, or mule, for the purpose of trans
portation, they were happy. It was not unusual to
go from ten to twenty miles to mill, through the
pathless, unbroken forest, and to be benighted On
the journey, and chased, or treed by wolves. A
majority of the pioneers, however, settled in the
vicinity of a stream, upon which mills were rapidly
erected. These mills were very primitive affairs —
mere "corn crackers" — but they were an improve
ment on the hominy block. They merely ground
the corn, the pioneer must do his own bolting. A
wire sieve was then one of the most important
articles of household furniture. It always hung in
its place, on a wooden peg, just under the ladder
that reached to the loft. The meal was sifted and
the finest used for bread. How delicious was that
"Indian pone," baked in a large deep skillet, which
was placed upon coals raked from the fire-place to
the hearth. Fresh coals were continually placed
under it and upon the iron lid until the loaf, five
or six inches thick, was done through. This was a
different thing from johnnycake; it was better, and
could not always be had, for to make it good, a
little wheat flour was needed, and wheat flour was
a precious thing in those very early days.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

A road cut through the forest to the mill, and a
wagon for hauling the grist, were great advantages,
the latter especially was often a seven days' wonder
to the children of a neighborhood, and the happy
owner of one often did, for years, the milling for a
whole neighborhood. About once a month this
good neighbor, who was in exceptionally good cir
cumstances, because able to own a wagon, would
go about through the neighborhood, gather up the
grists and take them to mill, often spending several
days in the operation, and never think of charging
for his time and trouble.
Cooking, in pioneer times, was an interesting
operation. The trammel and hooks were found among the
well-to-do families, as time progressed. Previous
to this, the lug-pole, across the inside of the chim
ney, about even with the chamber floor, answered
for a trammel. A chain was suspended from it,
and hooks were attached, and from this hung the
mush-pot or tea-kettle. If a chain was not availa
ble, a wooden hook was in reach of the humblest
and poorest. When a meal was not in preparation,
and the hook was endangered by fire, it was shoved
aside to one end of the lug-pole for safety. Iron
ware was very scarce in those days. Instances are
related where the one pot served at a meal to boil
water for mint tea or crust coffee, to bake the
bread, boil the potatoes, and fry the meat. By fine
management this was accomplished. Frequently
the kettle had no lid, and a flat stone, heated, and
handled with the tongs, was used in stead of one,
when a loaf or pone or pumpkin pie was baked. A
shortcake could be baked by heating the kettle
moderately, putting in the cake, and tipping it up
sidewise before the glowing fire. Bannock, or
board-cake was made by mixing the cornmeal up
with warm watter, a pinch of salt and a trifle of
lard, into a thick dough, spreading it on a clean,
sweet-smelling clapboard, patting it with the cleanest
of hands, and standing it slanting before the fire,
propped into the right position by a flat-iron behind
it. Baked hastily, this made a delicious cake, sweet
and nutty and fresh, and the pretty stamp of the
mother's dear, unselfish, loving fingers was plainly
detected in the crisp crust.
The cultivation of domestic animals, both beasts
and fowls, for the purposes of food, began early.

Cows for milk, butter, beef, and leather, and swine
for pork, were bred, ear marked and turned into
the woods to browse. "Root hog or die," was the
law for man and beast, but the woods were prolific
and the hogs grew fat. The young pigs were- ex
ceptionally a sweet morsel for the bear. Bruin
always singled out these young animals in prefer
ence to any other meat; but the pigs were often
successfully defended by the older hogs, who, upon
the least signs of distress from one of their num
ber, would go boldly to the rescue, and fiercely at
tack the foe, however formidable; often the pig
was released and bruin, or the panther, compelled
to ascend a tree for safety.
The boys often found wild turkeys' nests in the
woods, and would bring home the eggs, and place
them, to be hatched, under a trusty old hen, in an
outside chimney corner, where they could assist the
hen in defending the eggs and brood from the
opossum or hawk. A flock of turkeys sometimes
originated in this way, but more often, as tbey grew
to maturity, they would fly away into the woods
and never reappear. This grandest of birds is
identical in civilized and savage life, and is the
peculiar production of America. The wild ones
were always a dark brown, like the leaves of their
native woods, but when tamed, or "civilized," the
diversity of color becomes endless.
When corn bread and milk were eaten for break
fast, hog and hominy for dinner and mush and
milk for supper, there was little room for tea and
coffee; and at a time when one bushel of wheat for
a pound of coffee and four bushels for a pound of
tea, were considered a fair exchange, but little of
these very expensive articles was used.
Next to water, the drink of the pioneers was\
whiskey — copper-still rye whiskey. Everybody \
drank it. It was supposed to be indispensable to
health, to strength and endurance during the labors
of the day, and to sleep at night. It was supposed
to be absolutely indispensable to warmth and ;
animation in cold, chilly winter weather. It was"
the sacrament of friendship and hospitality ; it was
in universal use; yet there was probably less drunk- 1
enness in those days than at present. The whiskey ;
was absolutely pure; it was not drugged, doctored '.
and poisoned as it is to-day, and, although enough .)
of it would bring drunkenness, it did not bring deliri- i

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

I um-tremens, or leave the system prostrated, and the
victim with a headache upon "sobering up." It
was the first thing in demand as an article of com
merce. Stills for its manufacture sprang up every
where, all along the streams. Pioneers soon found
a market at these stills for their corn, hence corn
became the great crop, and whiskey the great article
of commerce. It was the only thing that would
bring money, and money they must have to pay
taxes. Whiskey could be purchased for twelve or
fifteen cents per gallon and paid for in corn, and
the barrel of whiskey in the cellar, was as common
as the barrel of cider was later. The whiskey that
was not consumed at home was shipped on flat-
boats or pirogues* on the Muskingum, Ohio and
Mississippi rivers to New Orleans and sold for
Spanish gold. The first rebellion against the
Government of the United States, commonly called
the whiskey insurrection, had its growth out of the
hardships of the Scotch-Irish of western Pennsyl
vania, who in the mother country had learned to
love whiskey and hate gaugers ; and this popula
tion gave tone and character to the first settlers of
eastern Ohio. There was this apology for the
production of whiskey, that it was the only means
of disposing of surplus crops, or bringing money
into the country.
The hardy pioneers, after disposing of their cargo
of whiskey in New Orleans, would often set out
on foot for home, a distance of say fifteen hun
dred miles. Think of it, ye who ride in palace
coaches at the rate of forty miles an hour while re
clining in cushioned seats, smoking your cigar, and
reading in your morning paper the happenings of
yesterday in Europe and America. While apolo
gizing somewhat for those whiskey days, it may be
well to say that whiskey was not probably of any
special benefit, was not to be compared to the pure
water of their springs, and that too many of the
pioneers drank too much of it, and that too often
it made their eyes and noses red, their children
ragged and their wives wretched, as it does to-day.
In every neighborhood there were a few families
| who had brought with them the superstitions of
their forefathers, and the result was that some poor
man or woman was reputed to be a witch. Not
much proof was required. If a woman had very
*A canoe dug out of a log, or two canoes lashed together.

; black eyes, or stepped stealthily, or spoke in a low
tone of voice, and the gossips said she was in
¦ league with the prince of the black art, it did not
'¦; take long to fasten the reputation upon her, and
the ignorant looked with awe and fear upon the
poor hunted, watched creature. And so they
{ greased their broom handles, and laid dead snakes
head foremost in the paths, and hung horse-shoes
lover the cabin doors, and were careful to spit in
the fire, and not look over their left shoulders when
, they passed the abode of the doomed one. But
sometimes her wrath fell upon them, and the oxen
would lie down in the furrow, and no power could
move them, not even hot coals, nor boiling soap
suds, when poured upon them. One time, when the
family of a poor man rose in the early morning,
one of them lay still, and slept heavily and
breathed noisily. On examination it was discov
ered that he had been witch-ridden ; his sides were
black and blue from the kicking heels that had
urged him on to his best paces, and the corners bf
his mouth were torn from cruel bits guided by
jerking hands. People who were objects of the
witch's spite found a brood of downy young chicks
in their chests, and piles of sprawling kittens un
der the half-bushel; and they overheard deep, cav
ernous voices, and fine piping ones, in conclave at
midnight up in the air and the treetops, and under
the dead leaves, and beside the chimney; and
tracks, with a cloven foot among them, were dis
cernible. Think of the misery of a poor creature
'] reputed to be a witch, met in her own lowly cabin
{by a weeping mother beseeching her to remove the
spell of incantation that her sick child might re
cover! No denial of the absurd charge could
avail her; no sympathy offered was accepted; and
, the foolish mother could do no more than return
,' home, burn some woollen rags to impregnate the
out-door air; stand the child on its head while she
j could count fifty backwards; grease its spine with
the oil of some wild animal; cut the tip hairs off
the tail of a black cat, and bind them on the fore
head of the persecuted one, while she repeated a
certain sentence in the Lord's Prayer. Then, in
* her own language, "If the child died it died; and
if it lived, it lived."
A superstitious old man was often found who
could divine secrets, tell fortunes, foretell events,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

213

find the places where money was buried, cure wens
by words, blow the fire out of burns, mumble over
felons and catarrhs, remove warts, and, with his
mineral ball search out where stolen goods were
hidden. The "mineral ball" to which the super
stitious ascribed such marvellous power, was no less
than one of those hairy calculi found in the stom
achs of cattle, a ball formed compactly ofthe hair
which collects on the tongue of the animal while
licking itself. This man, one of the class whose
taint infects every neighborhood, could not from
any consideration be prevailed upon to leave a
graveyard first of all. "Why, drat it!" he would
say, "it's sure and sartin death; never knowed a
fellow to leave the graveyard fust but what he'd be
the next 'un planted there!" When an old neigh
bor of his died suddenly, this man said, with his
thumbs hooked into his trousers' pockets restfully:
"Why, drat him, he might a know'd more'n to
leave the graveyard fust man ! As soon as I seed
him do it I says to myself, says I, "Dan, you're a
goner; you're done for; they'll tuck you under next
time, an' nobody but your booby of a self to blame
fork!" On the frontier, and particularly among those
who were much in the habit of hunting and going
on scouts and campaigns, the dress of the men was
partly Indian and partly that of civilized nations.
The hunting shirt was universally worn. This was
a kind of loose frock reaching half way down the
thighs, with large sleeves, open at the front, and so
large as to lap over a foot or more when belted.
The cape was large and sometimes fringed with a
ravelled piece of cloth of a different color from
that of the hunting shirt itself. The bosom of the
hunting shirt served as a pocket to hold bread,
cakes, jerk, tow for wiping the gun-barrel, or any
other necessary article for the hunter or warrior.
The belt, which was always tied behind, answered
several purposes besides that of holding the dress
together. In cold weather the mittens and some
times the bullet-bag occupied the front part of it.
To the right side was suspended the tomahawk,
and to the left the scalping-knife in its leathern
sheath. The hunting shirt was generally made of linsey,
sometimes of coarse linen or deer skins. These
last were very cold and uncomfortable in wet

weather. A pair of drawers, or breeches and leg-
gins were the dress for the thighs, a pair of mocca
sins answered for the feet. These were made of
dressed deer skin and were mostly of a single piece,
with a gathering seam on the top of the foot and
another from the bottom of the heel, without gath
ers, as high or a little higher than the ankle-joint.
Flaps were left on each side to reach some distance
up the legs. These were nicely adapted to the
ankles and lower part of the leg by thongs of
deer skin, so that no dust, gravel or snow could
get within the moccasons. In cold weather the
moccasons were stuffed with deer's hair or dry
leaves to keep the feet warm ; but in wet weather,
it was usually said that wearing them was "a decent
way of going barefooted ;" and such was the fact
owing to the spongy texture of the leather of
which they were made. Owing to this defective
covering for the feet more than to any other cir
cumstance, the greater number of the hunters and
warriors were often afflicted with rheumatism in
their limbs. Of this disease they were all appre
hensive in cold and wet weather, and therefore al
ways slept with their feet to the fire to prevent or cure
it as well as they could. This practice, unquestion
ably, had a very salutary effect, and prevented
many of them from becoming confirmed cripples
in early life.
In the latter years of the Indian war the young
men became more enamored of the Indian dress.
The drawers were laid aside and the leggins made
longer so as to reach the upper part of the thigh.
The Indian breech-cloth was adopted. This was
a piece of linen or cloth nearly a yard long and
eight or nine inches broad; it passed under the
belt before and behind, leaving the ends for flaps
hanging before and behind over the belt. The
flaps were sometimes ornamented with some coarse
kind of embroidery work. To the belt were also
secured the strings to which the leggins were at
tached when this belt, as was often the case, passed
over the hunting shirt, the upper part of the thighs
and part of the hips were naked.
Sometimes, in winter, a waistcoat of the skin of
a panther, wild cat or spotted fawn was worn. In
summer, when it could be had, linen was made up
into waring apparel. The flax was grown in the
summer, scutched in. the fall, and during the long

214

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

winter evenings was heard the buzz of the little
flax-wheel, which had a place in every cabin. Even
f those who are not pioneers can remember this flax-
wheel, for it was in use as late as 1850, or later.
It stood in a corner, generally ready for use by hav
ing a large bundle of flax wrapped around its forked
stick, a thread reaching to the spindle, and a little
gourd filled with water hanging conveniently at the
bottom of the flax-stick, and whenever the good
pioneer mother had a little spare time from cook
ing for a dozen work-hands, caring for a dozen
children, milking a dozen cows, and taking care of
the milk and butter, besides doing all the house
work and keeping everything clean and neat as a
pin, she would sit down to this wheel and with foot
on the treadle and nimble fingers, pile thread
upon thread on the spindle, to be reeled off on a
wooden reel that counted every yard with a snap,
and then it was ready for the great loom that occu
pied the loft. This loom was a wonder — it would
be a wonder to-day, with its great beams, larger
than any beams they put in the houses of to-day —
its treadles, its shuttles, etc. Day after day could
be heard the pounding of that loom, the treadles
went up and down, the shuttles flew swiftly from
one hand to another through the labyrinth of warp,
and yard after yard of cloth rolled upon the great
roller. And then this cloth was to be cut into lit
tle and big clothes and made up with the needle;
and, remember, this and a great deal more than
any one can think of was to be gone through with
every year. Wool went through about the same
operation, only it was spun on the large wheel,
colored with butternut bark and other things, but
woven on the loom and made up for winter cloth
ing. Judge William Johnson, in an address at a pioneer
meeting, says regarding this matter of clothing:
But innovations were soon made. My father had brought out
a huge trunk full of coarse broadcloth, and this tempted the
young men to have coats to be married in. They would bar
gain with my father for the cloth and trimmings, and with my
mother for making the coat, and pay both bills by grubbing,
making rails or clearing land. It may seem odd at this day
that a woman of small stature, besides doing her own house
work, should make two hundred rails a day with her needle and
shears, and find time for reading and mental culture every day.
I never think of my mother's tailoring skill, without being re
minded of one instance. A young man had purchased the
cloth for his wedding coat, and, as a measure of economy, em

ployed one Nancy Clark to make it up. Nancy was an expert
on hunting-shirts, buckskin breeches and "sich," but had never
cut a coat, so my mother cut out the coat. Nancy, made it up,
but on the eve of the wedding, when tried on, instead of allow
ing his arms to hang gracefully by his side as became a bride
groom, it turned him into a spread eagle with arms extended
upward. The wedding day was at hand, and in his perplexity
he brought the coat to my mother to diagnose its disorder, and,
if possible, administer the proper remedies. She found there
was nothing more serious than that Nancy had sewed the right
sleeve in the left side, and the left sleeve in the right, and put
them upside down. As luxury and extravagance in dress in
creased, an old tailor, with shears, goose, and sleeve-board began
to "whip the cat" around tjie neighborhood, and my mother's
occupation, except in her own family, was gone. The custom
of whipping the cat, both for tailors and shoemakers, was in
vogue many years after, and, like the schoolmaster boarding
around, had this advantage, that if they received poor pay for
their work, they were fed and lodged while they were about it.
But the material for winter clothing was hard to get. As
the woollen goods wore out, my father bought six sheep to com
mence with, and within the first week the wolves chased the old
dog under the cabin floor, and killed two of them within a few
yards of the cabin door. On account of the scarcity of wool,
many a night I sat up until midnight, with a pair of hand-cards
mixing wool with rabbit's fur, and carding them together, while
my mother spun and knit them into mittens and stockings for
her children to wear to school.
! "Kicking frolics" were in vogue in those early
times. This was after wool was more plenty, and
it was carded, spun, and wove into cloth. Half a
dozen young men and an equal number of young
women (for the "fun of the thing" it was always
^ecessary to preserve a balance of this kind) were
invited to the kicking frolic. The cabin floor was
cleared for action and half a dozen- chairs, or stools,
placed in a circle in the centre and connected by
a cord to prevent recoil. On these the six young
men seated themselves with boots and stockings
off, and pants rolled up above the knee. Just
think of making love in that shape ! The cloth
was placed in the centre, wet with soap suds and
then the kicking commenced by measured steps
driving the bundle of cloth round and round, the
elderly lady with gourd in hand pouring on more
soap suds, and every now and then, with spectacles
on nose and yard-stick in hand, measuring the
goods until they were shrunk to the desired width,
and then calling the lads to a dead halt. Then
while the lads put on hose and boots the lasses,
with sleeves rolled up above the elbow, rung out
the cloth and put it out on the garden fence to dry.
When this was done the cabin floor was again
cleared and the supper spread, after which, with

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

215

their numbers increased somewhat, perhaps, they
danced the happy hours of the night away until
midnight, to the music of a violin and the com
mands of some amateur cotillon caller, and were
ready to attend another such frolic the following
night. The costume of the woman deserves a passing
notice. The pioneers, proper, of course, brought
with them something to wear like that in use where
they came from; but this could not last always,
and new apparel, such as the new country afforded,
had to be provided. Besides, the little girls
sprang up into womanhood with the rapidity of che
native butterweed, and they must be made both
decent and attractive, and what is more, they
were willing to aid in making themselves so. The
flax patch, therefore, became a thing of as prime
necessity as the truck patch. On the side next to
the woods the flax grew tall, slender, and delicate,
and was carefully pulled by the girls and kept by
itself to make finery of. The stronger growth did
well enough for clothing for the men, and warp for
the linsey-woolsey, and even every-day dresses for
the women, but for Sundays, when everybody went
to "meeting," the girls, especially, wanted some
thing nice, just as they do to-day. This fine flax,
therefore, was carefully pulled, carefully rotted,
carefully broken, carefully scutched, carefully
hackled, carefully spun, carefully dyed in divers
colors, and carefully woven in cross-barred figures,
tastefully diversified, straining a point to get
Turkey- red enough to put a single thread between
the duller colors to mark their outline like the
circle around a dove's eye. Of such goods the
rustic beauty made her Sunday gown, and then
with her vandyke of snow-white homespun linen,
her snow-white home-knit stockings, and possibly
white kid slippers, she was a sight for sore eyes and
often for sore hearts. No paint or arsenic was
needed, for active exercise in the open air under a
sun-bonnet, or a broad-brimmed hat, made by her
mother out of rye straw, gave her cheek an honest,
healthful glow, and to her eyes the brightness and
beauty of a fawn's. Possibly those white kid slip
pers have caused a nod of skepticism. This is the
way it was done : Her brother, or lover, shot six
fine squirrels; she tanned the skins herself in a
sugar-trough, and had them done up at a consider

able expense and trouble to wear on Sundays and
state occasions. Possibly it may be wondered how
the slippers would look after walking five or ten
miles through the mud to church, as was frequently
done. There were ways of doing these things that
were only whispered among the girls, but have
leaked out; and the same process was indulged in
more or less by young men, who were fortunate
enough to own a pair of fine boots; and that was
to wear the every-day shoes or boots, or go bare- /
foot to within a few rods of the "meeting house," '
and then step into the woods and take the wraps
from the precious shoes and put them on.
Linen for Sunday clothes was made of copperas '¦
and was white, checked or striped, and when bleach
ed was very pretty and soft. For very choice wear it
was all flax; for every day or second best, the warp
was flax and the filling tow. Linsey-woolsey, or
linsey, was wool and cotton, very much the same as
water-proof or repellant is now, only that it was
harsh and not finished. Dye-stuffs in early times
were in reach of all — butternut- or walnut hulls col
ored brown ; oak bark with copperas dyed black ;
hickory bark or the blossoms of the golden rod
made yellow; madder, red; and indigo, blue; green
was obtained by first coloring yellow, and then dip
ping into blue dye. Stocking yarn was dyed black,
brown or blue; and, for very choice stockings, strips
of corn husks were lapped tightly in two or three
places around a skein of yarn, and dyed blue.
When the husks were removed, whitish spots were
found, and the rare "clouded" yarn was the result.
The little tub of blue dye, with close-fitting cover,
stood in the warm corner in every well regulated
household, and it made a very convenient seat, and
the cover was always worn smooth. Many a lad in
clined to matrimony has sneaked slyly along and
seated himself on the dye-tub as soon as the old
folks retired. When carding machines came and
lessened the labor of the toiling women, one of the
first indications of anything as fine as "store
clothes" was the soft, pressed flannel, grand enough
for any uncommon occasion, called "London
brown." The folds lay in it, and it shone to eyes
accustomed to look upon nothing finer than home
made barred flannel, like lustrous satin. It smelt
of the shop, however; the odor of dye-stuff and
grease and gummy machinery clung to it for a long

2l6

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

while. About this time a better quality of men's
wearing apparel appeared in the same wonderful
color of London brown; and, to young men coming
of age, who had been indentured boys, the beautiful
"freedom suit" was valued higher than the horse,
saddle and bridle.
It is just barely possibly there is a lady in to
day's society, who, with five pounds of colored
hemp on the back of her head and thirty-five yards
of silk velvet in her train, would be uncharitable
enough to laugh at these pioneer mothers and
daughters; if so, those whose opinions are worth
anything fully understand that there was more
work and worth, more value to the world and the
community in which she lived, in the little finger
of one of these pioneers than in the whole body,
train, hair and all, of the aforesaid "lady." By the
testimony of all history, luxury tends to degeneracy.
If the clothes of the pioneers were poor, they made
up in brain and heart. The tables are turned —
the vacuum of brain and heart is filled with fine
clothes. Let it be remembered that the solidity
and value of this beautiful structure called society,
lies in the foundation — in the pioneer fathers and
mothers, and it is only because of this, solid foun
dation that the structure is able to stand at all.
The great days among the pioneers were the
Fourth of July and those upon which the militia
assembled for muster. These were the holidays,
when the people ceased from labor and turned out
en masse, and when plenty of fun and whiskey were
expected. The place of assembling was generally
in some clearing, near some "tavern," the land
lady of which had the reputation of being a good
cook. There was plenty of drumming, fifing and
noise, and somebody was always found who could
readily perform the duties of president of the meet
ing; somebody who could read the toasts, and
somebody who had been under Harrison or Van
Rensselaer as orderly ¦ sergeant, to act as marshal.
Plenty of men were ready to read that wonderful
document, the "Declaration," for among the set
tlers were not only many excellent scholars and
gentlemen, but here and there could be found a
veritable graduate of Yale college. When no min
ister was present to act as caplain, a good pious
man was called to that post. If the meeting did
not end with a grand ring fight, the people who

came with the expectation of seeing such an exhi
bition went home disappointed.
The houses, or huts, in which these pioneers
lived have been often described; their form and
proportions, and general appearance have been re
peatedly impressed upon the mind of the student
of history. They were built of round logs with the
bark on, and side chimneys of mud and sticks,
puncheon floors, clapboard roof, with and without
a loft or second floor, and all put together without
a nail or particle of iron from top to bottom.
These buildings stood many a year after the orig
inal inhabitants moved into better quarters. They
served for stables, sheep-pens, hay-houses, pig
pens, smith-shops, hen-houses, loom-shops, school-
houses, etc. Some of them are yet standing in
this county, and occupied, to some extent, in some
portions of the county as dwellings. A specimen
of one of these appears in the upper right hand
corner of the accompanying cut.
A second grade of log cabin, built later, was quite
an improvement on the first, being made of hewn
logs, with sawed lumber for door and window frames
and floors. Glass also took the place of paper
windows of the old cabin; nails were also sparingly
used in these better cabins. It was sometimes
built near the old one and connected with it by a
covered porch, as shown in the cut. When nails
were first used, for a few years a pound of them
was exchanged for a bushel of wheat. They were
la precious article, and were made by hand on
a blacksmith's anvil, out of odds and ends of old
worn-out sickles, scythes, broken clevis-pins, links
of chains, broken horse-shoes, etc., all welded to
gether to eke out the nail rods from which they
were forged. The first cabins were often erected
ready for occupation in a single day. In an
emergency, the pioneers collected together, often
going eight or ten miles to a cabin-raising, and in
the great woods, where not a tree had been felled
or a stone turned, begin with dawn the erection of
a cabin. Three or four wise builders would set the
corner-stones, lay with the square and level the first
round of logs; two men with axes would cut the
trees and logs; one with his team of oxen, a "liz-
zard" and a log-chain would "snake" them in; two
more, with axes, cross-cut saw and frow would
make the clapboards; two more, with axes, cross-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

217

cut saw and broad-axe would hew out the punch
eons and flatten the upper side of the sleepers and
joists.- Four skilful axemen would carry up the
corners, and the remainder with skids and forks or
hand-spikes would roll up the logs. As soon as
the joists were laid on, the cross-cut saw was brought
from the woods, and two men went to work cutting
out the door and chimney place; and while the

were secured. Often the pioneers did not erect a
cabin at all until a crop was secured — living, mean
while, in their covered wagons, and cooking beside
a log in the open air, or erecting a "pole cabin," or
"brush cabin," mere temporary affairs, to shelter
the family until time could be had for erecting a
permanent one. The saving of the crop was of
more importance during the summer season than

THE HOME OF A PIONEER.

corner men were building up the attic and putting
on the roof, the carpenters and masons of the day
were putting down the puncheons, laying the hearth
and building the chimney high enough to keep out
the beasts, wild or tame. In one corner at a
distance of six feet from one wall, and four from
the other the bed post was placed — only one being
needed. A hole was bored in the puncheon floor
for the purpose of setting this post in (which was usu
ally a stick with a crotch or fork in the upper end)
or if an augur is not at hand, a hole is cut in the
puncheon floor and the fork sharpened and driven
into the ground beneath; rails were laid from this
fork to the wall, and usually nice, straight hickory
poles formed the bottom, upon which straw or leaves
were placed and the blanket put on. This made a
comfortable spring bed and was easily changed and
kept clean. Often the chinking and daubing of
the walls, putting in windows and hanging the door
were left until fall or some leisure time after
the corn crop and the contents of the truck patch

shelter; but when the first frost came, a sure indi
cation of approaching winter, active preparations
were made for the permanent cabin, and the work
was pushed forward until a snug cabin stood in the
midst ofthe forest, with a clearing around it, made
principally by cutting down the trees for the build
ing. Every crack was chincked and daubed with
ordinary clay mixed with water, and when com
pleted, and a fire of hickory logs in the great fire
place, no amount of cold could seriously disturb
the inmates. The heavy door was hung on wooden
hinges, and all that was necessary to lock it at night
was to pull the latch-string inside, and the strong
wooden latch held it fast against wild animals or
storms. Thieves there were none, and even had
there been, there was nothing in the hut of a settler
to tempt their cupidity. Many of these cabins had
no loft or second floor, but when this was added it
was used as a sleeping room for the younger mem
bers of the family, and as a general store-room for
the household goods, and often for the corn crop

2l8

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

and contents of the truck patch when better ac
commodations were lacking.
Regarding the furniture of these cabins Judge
Johnson says:
The furniture of the backwoods matched the architecture
well. There were a few quaint specimens of cabinet work
dragged into the wilderness, but these were sporadic and not
common. I can best describe it by what I saw in my father's
house. First of all a table had to be improvised, and there was
no cabinet-maker to make it, and no lumber to make it of. Our
floor was laid with broad chestnut puncheons, well and smoothly
hewn, for the obsolete art of hewing timbei was then in its prime.
Father took one of these puncheons, two feet and a half broad,
putting two narrow ones in its place, bored four large augur
holes and put in four legs, or round poles with the bark on.
On this hospitable board many a wholesome meal was spread,
and many an honest man, and many a wayworn stranger ate
his fill and was grateful.
On great occasions, when an extension table was needed, the
door was lifted off its hinges, and added to the puncheon-
What we sat upon at first I cannot conjecture; but I remember
well when my father loaded his horses down with wheat and
corn, and crossed the country a distance of eight or ten miles,
and brought home, in exchange, a set of oak splint-bottomed
chairs, some of which are intact to this day. Huge band-boxes,
made of blue ash bark, supplied the place of bureaus, and ward- •
robes; and a large tea chest cut in two, and hung by strings in
the corners, with the hollow sides outward, constituted the book
cases. A respectable old bed-stead, still in the family, was lugged
across from Red Stone. An old turner and wheelwright added
a trundle-bed, and the rest were hewn and whittled out accord
ing to the fashion of the times, to serve their day and be sup
planted by others as the civilization of the country advanced.
But the grand flourish of fumiture was the dresser. Here
were spread out in grand display pewter dishes, pewter plates,
pewter basins and pewter spoons, scoured as bright as silver.
Money was scarce, but our fathers learned to live without it.
All was barter. The preacher's stipend, the lawyer's fee, the
schoolmaster's salary, the workman's wages, the shoemaker's
account, the tailor's bill, were all paid in barter.
I have seen my father, when he had a surplus of grain and a
deficit of pigs, fill two sacks of corn, and on the backs of two
horses carry it to a distant part of the neighborhood and ex
change it for four shoats, and in each sack thrust one shoat tail
foremost and another head foremost, tie up the mouths of fhe
sacks, mount them on horseback, rip a hole in the seam of the
sack for each snout to stick out, and bring them home to be fat
tened for next year's pork. Here was a currency — a denomina
tion of greenbacks which neither required the pen of the chan
cellor of the exchecquer to make it legal tender, nor the judg
ment of the chief justice to declare it constitutional. The law
of necessity governs in every case, and wise men may fret every
hair off their heads without changing the results.
The following poem, originally published in the
Cincinnati Chronicle in 1833, portrays so graphic
ally life in a log cabin that it is eminently worthy
of preservation. Although written by a "Hoosier"
and intended to portray Hoosier life, it applies
equally well to log cabin life everywhere :

Suppose, in riding through the West,
A stranger found a " Hoosier's nest,"
In other words a buckeye cabin
Just big enough to hold Queen Mab in ;
Its situation low but airy,
Was on the borders of a prairie.
And fearing he might be benighted,
He hailed the house and then alighted.
The "Hoosier" methim at the door,
Their salutations soon were o'er;
He took the stranger's horse aside
And to a sturdy sapling tied,
Then having stripped the saddle off,
He fed him in a sugar-trough.
The stranger stooped to enter in,
The entrance closing with a pin,
And manifests a strong desire
To seat himself by the log-heap fire,
Where half a dozen Hoosieroons,
With mush and milk, tin-cups and spoons,
White heads, bare feet, and dirty faces,
Seemed much inclined to keep their places.
But madam anxious to display
Her rough and undisputed sway,
Her offspring to the ladder led
And cuffed the youngsters up to bed.
Invited shortly, to partake
Of venison, milk and johnnycake,
The stranger made a hearty meal,
And glances round the room would steal.
One side was lined with divers garments,
The other spread with skins of 'varments;'
Dried pumpkins overhead were strung,
Where venison hams in plenty hung;
Two rifles were placed above the door,
Three dogs lay stretched upon the floor —
In short, the domicil was rife
With specimens bf Hoosier life.
The host, who centered his affections
On game, and range and quarter sections,
Discoursed his weary guest for hours,
Till Somnus' ever potent powers,
Of sublunary cares bereft 'em.
No matter how the story ended —
The application I intended
Is from the famous Scottish poet,
Who seemed to feel as well as know it,
That ''buirdly chielsand clever hizzies
Are bred in sic a way as this is. "
The early land laws of western Pennsylvania
and Virginia allowed to each settler four hundred
acres of land, and no more, as a "settlement right;"
and as the first settlers of this and the adjoining
counties were largely from those States, they were,
of course, governed largely by the habits, customs
and laws of those States in the absence of any of
these on this side of the river; therefore many of
the first settlers seemed to regard this amount ol

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

219

the surface of the earth as allotted by Divine Prov
idence for one family, and believed that any at
tempt to get more would be sinful. Most of them,
therefore, contented themselves with that amount
— although they might have evaded the law, which
allowed but one settlement right to any one indi
vidual, by taking out title papers in other than their
own names, to be afterward transferred to them as
if by purchase. Some few indeed, pursued this
course, but it was generally held in detestation.
Owing to the equal distribution of real property
divided by the land laws, and the sterling integrity
of the forefathers in their observance of them there
were few, if any, districts of "sold land" as it was
called, that is large tracts of land in the hands of
individuals or companies, who neither sold nor im
proved them, as was the case in Lower Canada and
some parts of Pennsylvania. True, large tracts of
land were purchased by companies, but this was
done almost always for the purpose of establishing
a settlement. The earliest settlers had become so accustomed
to "getting land for taking it up," that for a long
time it was believed that the lands on the west
side of the Ohio would ultimately be disposed
of in this way; hence almost the whole tract
of country between the Ohio and Muskingum
rivers was parcelled out in what was familiarly
known as "tomahawk rights;" that is, the pioneer
upon finding a suitable location Would cut his name
with his hatchet or knife upon the trunk of a large
tree, and thus lay claim to four hundred acres of
land about that spot. Some of them were not sat
isfied with a single four hundred-acre tract, but laid
claim in this way to a number of tracts of the best
land, and thus, in imagination, were as "wealthy as
a South Sea dream." Some of these land jobbers
did not content themselves with marking trees at
the usual height, but climbed the large beech trees
and cut their names in the bark from twenty to
forty feet from the ground, To enable them to
. identify those trees at a future period they made
marks on other trees around for references.
Nor was it an easy matter to dispossess these
squatters; their claim was generally respected by
the settlers, and these rights were often bought and
sold, those who subsequently desired these lands
for permanent settlement preferred to purchase the

"tomahawk right" rather than enter into quarrels
with those who made them.
Hunting occupied a large portion of the time of
the pioneers. Nearly all were good hunters, and
not a few lived almost entirely for many years on
the results of the chase. The woods supplied
them with the greater amount of their subsistence,
and often the whole of it; it was no uncommon
thing for families to live several months without a
mouthful of bread of any kind. It frequently hap
pened that the family went without breakfast until
it could be obtained from the woods.
The fall and early part of winter was the season
for hunting deer, and the whole of the winter, in
cluding part of the spring, for bears and fur-bearing
animals. It was a customary saying that fur was
good during every month, in the name of which
the letter r occurred.
As soon as the leaves were pretty well down, and
the weather became rainy, accompanied with light
snow, the pioneer hunter, who had probably worked
pretty faithfully on his clearing during the summer,
began to feel uneasy about his cabin home; he
longed to be off hunting in the great woods. His
cabin was too warm ; his feather-bed too soft; his
mind was wholly occupied with the camp and the
chase. Hunting was not a mere ramble in pursuit
of game, in which there was nothing of skill and
calculation; on the contrary, the hunter, before
setting out in the morning, was informed by the
state of the weather in what situation he might rea
sonably expect to find his game; whether on the
bottoms, on the hillsides, or hilltops. In stormy
.weather the deer always seek the most sheltered
places, and the leeward sides of the hills; in rainy
weather, when there was not much wind, they kept
in the open woods, on high ground. In the early
morning, if pleasant, they were abroad, feeding in
edges of the prairie or swamp; at noon they were
hiding in the thickets. In every situation, it was
requisite for the hunter to ascertain the course of
the wind, so as to get to leeward of the game; this
he often ascertained by placing his finger in his
mouth, holding it there until it became warm, then
holding it above his head, and the side that first
cooled indicated the direction of the wind.
These hunters needed no compass; the trees,
the sun and stars took its place. The bark of an

220

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

aged tree is much thicker and rougher on the north
side than on the south; and the same may be said
of the moss; it is much thicker and stronger on the
north than the south side of the tree; hence he
could walk freely and carelessly through the woods
and always strike the exact point intended, while
any but a woodsman would become bewildered and
lost. The whole business of the hunter consisted of a
succession of intrigues. From morning till night
he was on the alert to gain the wind of his game
and make his approach without being discovered.
If he succeeded in killing a deer he skinned it,
hung it up out of reach of wolves, and immedi
ately resumed the chase until evening, when he
bent his course toward the camp, where he cooked
and ate his supper with a keen relish with his fellow
hunters, after which came the pipe and the rehearsal
of the adventures of the day. The spike buck,
the two and three pronged buck, the doe and bar
ren doe, figured through their anecdotes with great
advantage. A wedding among the pioneers was a most
wonderful event, not only to the parties imme
diately interested but to the whole neighborhood.
people generally married young, in those days.
There was^no distinction of rank and very little of
fortune. A family establishment cost little labor
and nothing else. A wedding was about the only
gathering at which the guest was not required to
assist in reaping, log rolling, building a cabin or
some other manual labor.
On the morning of the wedding day the groom
and his attendants assembled at the house of his
father, for trie purpose of reaching the house of
his bride by noon, the usual time for celebrating
the nuptials, and which for certain reasons must
take place before dinner. The people assembled
from great distances, on foot and on horseback,
and all dressed in the somewhat fantastic toggery
of the backwoods. The dinner was generally a
substantial one of beef, pork, fowls, venison and
bear meat, roasted and boiled, with plenty of pota
toes, cabbage and other vegetables.
After dinner the dancing commenced and gener
ally lasted until the next morning. The figures of
the dances were three or four handed reels, or
square sets and jigs. The commencement was

always a square four, followed by what was called
"jigging it off;" that is, two of the four would be
gin a jig, followed by the other couple. The jig
was often accompanied by what was called "cut
ting out;" that is, when either of the parties
became tired of the dance, on intimation the place
was supplied by some one of the company without
any interruption to the dance; in this way the
dance was often continued until the musician was
heartily tired of his situation. Toward the latter
part of the night if any of the company through
weariness, attempted to conceal themselves for the
purpose of sleeping, they were brought out, para
ded on the floor, and the fiddler ordered to play
"We'll all hang out till morning."
About nine o'clock a deputation of young ladies
stole off the bride, and put her to bed, after which
a deputation of young men in like manner stole
off the groom and placed him snugly beside his
bride. If the couple were not subsequently dis
turbed during the night it was a miracle. Gener
ally in the small hours of the night "Black Betty"
(the bottle) was sent up to them, or carried up by
an interested delegation, together with as much
bread, beef, pork, cabbage, etc., as would suffice
for a dozen hungry men. and they were compelled
to eat and drink until they could hold no more.
In later years if there was an older unmarried
, brother of the bride present, be was certain to be
i compelled "to dance in the hog-trough." This
somewhat humiliating operation was inflicted upon
him as a lesson to bachelors. Sometimes he would
submit quietly, cheerfully, and gracefully, marching
to the pig-pen and dancing his jig in the trough
from which the swine devoured the off-fallings of
the cabin table; at other times he would escape
from his assailants and seek safety in flight, and if
fleet on foot sometimes escaped; but if overtaken
he would not unfrequently fight with great desper
ation, and it often required considerable force to
accomplish the desired object.
The feasting and dancing often lasted several
days, during which there was much drinking, ca
rousing, and not unfrequently, fighting.
After the wedding the next duty of the neigh
bors was to erect a cabin for the young couple, and
dedicate it by a "house warming" before they were
allowed to move into it. This house warming

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

consisted of a twenty-four hours' dance and carous
al in the new cabin. This ended the ceremony,
except that not half of it has been told, and
thereafter the couple were considered married, ac
cording to the laws and usages of society.
At a little later time, say from 1820 to 1840, the
pioneers were living a little easier. Their farms
were partially cleared, many of them were living
in hewed log houses and many in frame, and even
brick houses. Most of them had barns and in
numerable out-houses. They generally had cattle,
horses, sheep, hogs,, and poultry, and were living in
comparative comfort. Their neighbors were near,
and always dear. Their schools and churches had
improved somewhat, yet even at this late day there
were hundreds of log school-houses and churches.
About three months in a year was all the school
ing a farmer's boy could get. He was sadly needed
at home from the age of five years, to do all sorts
of chores and work on the farm. He was wanted
to drive the cows to water and to pasture; to feed
the pigs and chickens and gather the eggs. His
duties in the summer were multifarious; the men
were at work in the field harvesting, and generally
worked from early morning until late at night, and
the boys were depended on to "do the chores;"
hence it was impossible to spare them to attend
school in summer. There was no school in spring
and fall. In winter they were given three months'
schooling — a very poor article of schooling, too,
generally. Their books were generally anything
they happened to have about the house, and even
as late as 1850, there was no system in the pur
chase of school books. Mr. Smucker, of Newark,
Ohio, says his first reading books at school were
Patrick Gass' Journal of the Lewis and Clark expe
dition to the mouth ofthe Columbia river in 1804-
5-6; and Weem's Life of Washington. Parents of
children bought whatever book pleased their fancy,
or whatever the children desired them to purchase.
A geography was a geography, and a grammar a
grammar, regardless of who was the author. This
great confusion in school books made trouble for
the teacher, but that was of small moment. He was
hired and paid to teach whatever branches, out of
whatever books the parents thought were best. The
branches generally taught in the early schools,
however, were reading, writing, spelling; and arith

metic, and, later, geography and grammar. Boys
attending school but three months in a year made
but little progress. They began at the beginning
of their books every winter, and went as far as
they could in three months; then forgot it all dur
ing the nine months out of school, commencing
again the next winter just where they commenced
the previous one. In this way they went over and
over the same lessons every year under different
teachers (for many of the teachers only taught one
term in a place), often getting no further in arith
metic than "vulgar fractions" or the "rule of
three," and in their old Webster's spelling books
the first class probably got as far as "antiscorbu
tic" and may be through ; while the second class
would get as far as "cessation," and the third class
probably not through "baker," certainly not be
yond "amity." There were always three or four
classes in spelling, and this exercise was the last
before school was dismissed in the evening. Their
old books were conned over year after year until
they were worn out and the children grew up to
manhood and womanhood, and never knew, and
perhaps do not know to this day, what was in the
back part of them. That was the kind of a start
many a great man had. These schools cannot be
despised when it is remembered that the greatest
and best of the nation, including such men as
Abraham Lincoln, Edwin M. Stanton, and Stephen
A. Douglas, were among the boys who attended
. them. There was always much competition in the spell
ing classes as to who should get the "head mark."
In the later schools it was the custom that the best
speller might stand at the head until he missed,
when the one who spelled the word correctly should
take his place, and he then stood next to the head;
but they did things differently in the earlier schools;
the head of the class once gained and held until
the last spelling at night, the head mark was re
ceived and the lucky scholar then took his place at
the foot of the class, to again work bis way gradu
ally to the head. These classes sometimes con
tained thirty or forty scholars, and it was some
thing of an undertaking to get from the foot to the
head. Spelling-schools were the beauty and glory
of school-days. The scholars were always coaxing
the teacher to appoint a night for a spelling-school,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

and were usually gratified one or two nights in a
month or oftener. A night was chosen when the
moon shone, and the sleighing was good, and then
the entire neighborhood and perhaps the adjoining
neighborhood would turn out to the spelling-school;
whole families came on the great two-horse sled,
including the old lady and gentleman, all the chil
dren, little and big; even the baby and the dogs
came. Schools in adjoining districts sent their best
spellers to try and carry off the honors. The old
log school-house was crowded, and the great box
stove, cast at the Mary Ann furnace, in Mary Ann
township, Licking county, and which stood in the
centre of the room on a box of bricks, was red hot,
and kept so during the entire evening. Two good
spellers were designated by the teacher to choose
sides, and everybody was chosen in one class or the
other; then the spelling began, the words being
given out by the teacher, first to one class then to
the other, beginning at the head. A tally sheet
was carefully kept to see who missed the most
words. After recess the "spelling down" was in
dulged in; the two classes stood up, and whenever
a word was missed the speller sat down, and the
one who stood up after all had been spelled down,
was the hero or heroine of the hour, and always
chosen first in future contests.
A year means a hundred-fold more now than
formerly. History is made rapidly in these days.
The red men's trail across the valley, and over the
hills, and along the river's bank, could be traced
by the fewest number in this day; their favorite
haunts and play grounds are shorn of their primal
charms in the sweeping aside of the grand old
woodland. The cattle upon a thousand hills roam
over the land that they loved, and quench their
thirst in the brooks and pools, that long time ago
mirrored their dusky features. The plowmen with
stolid face upturn in the brown furrow the relic
that their fingers deftly fashioned, and the mattock
and scraper bring forth to the glare of day and the
gaze of the curious, the crumbling brown bones of
the chieftain and his squaw; and the contents of
the Indian's grave, the moldering clay, will live
anew in a pavement to be trodden under the foot
of men.
Ah, these old Indian graves on breezy knolls
and reedy river banks— who knows but the site was

selected by the sleepers therein ? Who knows but
they dreamed in their moody moments that the tide
of civilization was slowly coming nearer and
nearer, to crowd aside their people and intrude
upon, and finally possess their vast and beautiful
hunting grounds?
It is hard to be reconciled to this natural order
of things; to see the pioneers passing away; to see
them stand leaning on their staves, dim-eyed, and
with white locks tossed in the winds, dazed at the
change that has stamped its seal upon the wilder
ness whose winding paths they once knew so well.
They beheld it slowly laying off its primeval wild-
ness and beauty, and its grandeur of woods and
waters, until now it blooms like unto the garden of
the gods. How beautiful the labors of their hands !
How much we owe them ! But the olden time is
passing away and bearing on its bosom the dear old
men and women whose "like we ne'er shall see
again." The glory of one age is not dimmed in the
golden glory of the age succeeding it; and none
more than the pioneers of Knox county can com
prehend its growth and its change, or more fully
appreciate the sad words of the poet when he sang
in mournful strain —
And city lots are staked for sale,
Above old Indian graves.

CHAPTER XXIII.
JOHN CHAPMAN.
Give fools their gold, and knaves their power;
Let fortune's bubbles rise and fall;
Who sows a field, or trains a flower,
Or plants a tree, is more than all. — Whittier.
HISTORY of Ohio, and especially of Knox
county, would be incomplete without some ac
count of this very eccentric individual, well-known
among the pioneers of Ohio as Johnny Appleseed,
from the fact that he was the pioneer nurseryman.
He seems to deserve a place in history among
the heroes and martyrs, for he was both in his pe
culiar calling. His whole life was devoted to
what he believed the public good, without regard

A

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

223

to personal feeling or hope of pecuniary reward.
Not once in a century is such a life of self-sacrifice
for the good of others known. There has been but
one Johnny Appleseed, and he lived a life so pecu-
iar, so isolated, and withal so worthy, that his name
should be perpetuated.
He was a native of Massachusetts. His father,
Nathaniel Chapman, emigrated from the vicinity of
Springfield, Massachusetts, to Marietta, Ohio, in
very early times, probably about the beginning of
the present century. He had a large family, and
they all came with him except John. His children
were John, Nathaniel, Perley, Abner, Jonathan,
Davis, Lucy, Patty, Persis, Mary, and Sally. The
family once published a book, containing their
genealogy, which, although rare, may yet be found
among the descendants of the family, who are
scattered over Ohio and Indiana
The date of John Chapman's birth is not cer
tainly known at present. Mr. C. S. Coffinberry
writes that "as early as 1780, he was seen in the
autumn, for two or three successive years, along
the banks of the Potomac, in eastern Virginia."
He must have been quite a young man at that
time, and was no doubt following the same calling
that so distinguished him in after life. He did not
accompany his father when he came west, but had
without doubt, preceded him, and was then plant
ing appleseeds in western Pennsylvania and eastern
Ohio. Why he left his native State, and devoted his
life to the planting of appleseeds in the west, is
known only to himself. People have been inclined
to consider him insane, and he may have been so
to a certain degree. He was certainly eccentric,
as many people are who are not considered insane;
it is hard to trace eccentricity to the point where
insanity begins. He was certainly smart enough to
keep his own counsel. Without doubt his was a
very affectionate nature; every act of his life re
veals this prominent characteristic. From this fact
alone writers have reasoned, and with good ground,
that he was crossed in love in his native State, and
thus they account for his eccentricity. This is
only supposition, however, as he was very reticent
on the subject of his early life.
He was conscientious in every act and thought,
and a man of deep religious convictions; being a

rigid Swedenborgian, and maintaining the doctrine
that spiritual intercourse could be held with de
parted spirits; indeed, was in frequent intercourse
himself with two of these spirits of the female
gender, who consoled him with the news that they
were to be his wives in the future state, should he
keep himself from all entangling alliances in this.
So kind and simple was his heart that he was
equally welcome with the Indians or pioneers, and
even the wild animals of the woods seemed to have
an understanding with Johnny, and never molested
him. He has been variously described, but all
agree that he was rather below the medium height,
wiry, quick in action and conversation, nervous
and restless in his motions; eyes dark and spark
ling; hair and beard generally long, but occasion
ally cut short; dress scanty, and generally ragged
and patched; generally barefooted and bareheaded,
occasionally, however, wearing some old shoes,
sandals, or moccasins in very cold weather, and an
old hat some one had cast off. It is said he was
occasionally seen with a tin pan or pot on his head,
that served the double purpose of hat and mush-
pot; at other times with a cap, made by himself, of
pasteboard, with a very broad visor to protect his
eyes from the sun.
His diet was very simple, consisting of milk
when he could get it, of which he was very fond;
potatoes and other vegetables, fruits and meats;
but no veal, as he said this should be a land flow
ing with milk and honey, and the calves should be
spared. He would not touch tea, coffee, or to
bacco, as he felt that these were luxuries in which
it was wicked and injurious to indulge. He was
averse to taking the life of any animal or insect,
and never indulged in hunting with a gun.
He thought himself a messenger sent into the
wilderness to prepare the way for the people,
as John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way
for the coming of the Saviour, hence he made it a
part of his duty to keep in advance of civilization.
He gathered his apple seeds little by little from the
cider-presses of western Pennsylvania, and putting
them carefully in leathern bags, he transported
them, sometimes on his back, and sometimes on
the back of a broken-down horse or mule, to the
Ohio river, where he usually secured a boat, and
brought them to the mouth of the Muskingum,

224

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

and up that river, planting them in wild, secluded
spots all along its numerous tributaries. Later in
life he continued his operations further west.
When his trees were ready for sale he usually left
them in charge of some pioneer to sell for him.
The price was low — a "fippeny-bit" apiece, rarely
paid in money, and if people were too poor to pur
chase, the trees were given them.
One or two of his nurseries were located in the
Owl creek valley, and many of his orchards were
scattered over Knox, Richland, Ashland, and other
counties further east. One of his nurseries was
located in what was known as "Indian Field," on
the north bank of Owl creek, directly west of Cen
tre run, and another on the ground where James
W. Forest established his pottery. Some of his
trees are yet standing and bearing fruit. One or
more of them may be found on the old Hill farm
in Milford township, and several along the valley
of the Kokosing. His residence in this vicinity
covered the period of the War of 1812, and sev
eral years following it. He would occasionally
make trips further west, and return after an absence
of two or three months. On these occasions he
probably visited his sister Persis, who married a
man named Broom, or Brown, and lived in Indi
ana. Persis lived in Richland county before she
moved to Indiana, and Johnny must have made
his home with her, as he was considered a resident
of that county by the pioneers of Mount Vernon,
so far as they looked upon him as a resident of any
particular spot.
During the war of 181 2 Johnny was very active
in warning the settlers of danger, and considered
himself a kind of scout and general guardian of
the frontier. He never shrank from danger or
hardship when he thought the lives of the settlers
were in danger. He happened to be in Mansfield
when Jones was killed, and immediately volun
teered to go. to Fredericktown and Mount Vernon
for help, as it was supposed a large body of Indians
were lurking around the block-house, and about to
make an attack upon it; and that they had proba
bly committed other murders in the neighborhood.
An early settler says, regarding this trip of John
Chapman's, which was made in the night :
Although I was but a child, I can remember as if it were but
yesterday, the warning cry of Johnny Appleseed, as he stood

before my father's log-cabin door on that night. I remember
the precise language, the clear, loud voice, the deliberate excla
mations, and the fearful thrill it awoke in my bosom. "Fly!
fly! for your lives ! the Indians are murdering and scalping at
Mansfield!" These were his words. My father sprang to the
door, but the messenger was gone, and midnight silence reigned
without. Johnny Appleseed created some consternation
among the settlers on this trip, by his peculiar man
ner of announcing his business. He was bare
footed and bareheaded, and ran all the way, stop
ping at every cabin as he passed, giving a warning-
cry similar to the above. It must be remembered
that after Hull's surrender the pioneers were fear
ful of an Indian raid, and went to bed every night
with the thought that they might lose their scalps
before morning; thus their imaginations were al
ready highly excited, and Johnny's hurried rap at
the cabin door and his fearful midnight cry merely
confirmed their expectations and created a panic.
Many ludicrous things happened in consequence.
Families left their cabins and flew to the block
houses for safety. It is said that one man in Ber
lin township, through which Johnny passed on this
midnight journey, sprang from his bed and hastily
putting on his overcoat, grasped his pantaloons and
ran in that condition all the way to the block-house
at Fredericktown.Mr. Cofhnberry says :
John Chapman was a regnlarly constituted minister of the
church of the New Jerusalem, according to the revelations of
Emanuel Swedenborg. He was also constituted a missionary
of that faith under the authority of the regular association in
the city of Boston. The writer has seen and examined his cre
dentials as to the latter of these.
He always carried in his pocket, books and tracts
relating to his religion, and took great delight in
reading them to others and scattering them about.
When he did not have enough with him to go
around he would take the books apart and distrib
ute them in pieces.
Johnny was very closely identified with the early
history of Mount Vernon, as the following docu
ment, which appears on the records in the record
er's office will show :

John Chapman, ")
to > Know all men by these presents, that I,
Jesse B. Thomas. ) John Chapman (by occupation a gatherer
and planter of apple seeds), residing in Richland county, for the
sum of thirty dollars, honest money, do hereby grant to said
Jesse B. Thomas, late Senator from Illinois, his heirs and as-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

225

signs forever, lot No. r4S in the corporation limits of the village
of Mount Vernon, State of Ohio.
The deed was given in 1828. The lot is proba
bly the one upon which now stands the Philo
house, on Main street, and is a valuable one. It
is pleasant to know that Johnny once had a spot of
ground he could call his own.
This was not, however, the extent of his pos
sessions in Mount Vernon. The last time he
is remembered to have been in this neigbbor-
borhood, he pointed out to Joseph Mabaffey two
lots of land at the lower end of Main street, west
side, about where Morey's soap factory once stood,
saying that he owned them and would some day
come back to them. Steven's warehouse, formerly
the Mount Vernon woollen mills erected by N. N.
Hill, now stands upon a portion of the ground.
Besides the cultivation of apple trees John Chap
man was extensively engaged in scattering the
seeds of many wild vegetables, which he supposed
possessed medicinal qualities, such as dog-fennel,
penny-royal, may-apple, hoarhound, catnip, winter-
green, etc. His object was to equalize the distri
bution so that every locality would have a variety.
His operations in Indiana began in 1836, and was
continued for ten years or more. In the spring of
1847, being within fifteen miles of one of his nurse
ries on the St. Joseph river, word was brought to
him that cattle had broken into his nursery and
were destroying his trees, and he started immedi
ately for the place. When he arrived he was very
much fatigued; being quite advanced in years, the
journey performed without intermission, exhausted
his strength. He lay down that night never to rise
again. A fever settled upon him and in a day or
two after taking sick he passed away. "We buried
him," says Mr. Worth, "in David Archer's grave
yard, two and a half miles north of Fort Wayne."

CHAPTER XXIV.
RAILROADS, TELEGRAPH AND EXPRESS COMPA
NIES.
Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark Railroad — First
Trains — Agents- -Cleveland, Mount Vernon & Dela
ware Railroad — First Through Train — The .Ohio
Central — A Coal Road — Telegraph— Its Migratory
Office — Telegraph as a Detective — Express Com
panies.
The coach stands rusting in the yard,
The horse has sought the plow ;
We have spanned the world with iron rails,
The steam-king rules us now.
KNOX county contains a portion of one of the
oldest railroads in Ohio, the Sandusky,
Mansfield & Newark (now the Lake Erie division
of the Baltimore & Ohio). That portion lying
north of Mansfield was chartered March 12, 1836,
as the Mansfield & New Haven railroad, and ex
tended from Mansfield to a point a short distance
west of the village of New Haven, in the southern
part of Huron county. Prior to the building of
this railroad, a charter, dated March 9, 1835, had
been granted to the Sandusky & Monroeville rail
road, running from one city to the other. This
latter road, thirteen miles long, was completed
prior to the former road (the Mansfield & New
Haven). The purchase of the Monroeville & Sandusky City road by the
Mansfield & New Haven road, gave the latter corporations di
rect control of a line from Mansfield to the lake. The road as
consolidated was fifty-four miles in length, and had a busy traf
fic. Prior to 1853 the road enjoyed a monopoly of the grain
trade of this part of Ohio.
The construction of the road-bed was solid, if a multiplicity
of timbers could make it so. First a ' ' mud-sill " was laid down
lengthwise of the road ; strong cross-ties were then spiked on
this "mud-sill;" into these, "gains," as they were called, were
cut, which received the wooden rails, sawed to fit the "gains."
These rails were about five inches wide, broadening out as they
entered the "gains," and were about seven inches high. On
them the "ribbon "was spiked, being a strip of hard-wood
about two and a half inches wide, by one inch thick, and on this
the strap-iron rail was laid. Spikes were driven through the
strap-rail and the ribbon into the large wooden rail underneath.
The heads ofthe spikes were sunken into "eyes" in the strap-
rails, leaving a smooth surface for the wheels. This super
structure required three times as much timber as the present sys
tem of ties and iron rails.
An extension further south than Mansfield began to be agi
tated before the road was put in running order. Considerable
opposition was, however, exhibited among many classes of citi
zens of Mansfield, who firmly maintained the opinion that a
prosperous railroad town must be a terminal point. A charter
for a road, known as the Columbus & Lake Erie railroad, was

226

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

granted March 12, 1845, and, five or six years after, a road was
built between Mansfield and Newark, where it could connect
with a road to Columbus, known then as the Ohio Central rail
road, now a part of the Baltimore & Ohio, and which was com
pleted in 1854, so that transportation was begun. That part of
this road running through Richland county, south from Mans
field, was mainly built by Mr. Frederick M. Fitting. He be
gan the work in January, 1850, at Mansfield, doing the grading,
furnishing the ties, and laying the iron. By August he had the
road in running order, and his construction train running
to Lexington. He went on south in the construction of the
road, doing the entire work from Mansfield to a point about six
miles south of Bellville. The part through Knox and Licking
counties was built at the same time, so that, by January, 185T,
the cars went on to Newark. The two roads — the Mansfield &
Sandusky City and the Columbus & Lake Erie— continued un
der separate organizations until November 23, 1853, when they
were consolidated and took the name of the Sandusky, Mans
field & Newark railroad. Each corporation was burdened with
debt and judgment, and had hoped by uniting, to establish a
road that would meet the past liabilities and maintain itself in
the future. This did not prove to be the case, and under an act
of the legislature, passd April 8, 1856, the road and property
were sold and the company reorganized. Owing to various de
lays, the deed of conveyance from the old to the new company
was not made until March 29, 1865, several years after the sale
had been made, and after the new company had taken charge of
the road. This organization remained the same until February
13, 1869, when a contract was entered into by and between the
Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark, the Ohio Central, and the Bal
timore & Ohio railroads, whereby the first named came under
control of the last named, and is now operated by that exten
sive corporation.
During the month of June, 1847, the work on
the south end of the Sandusky, Mansfield & New
ark railroad was put under contract from Newark
to the Richland county line. The work was not
commenced until about the first of August the
same year. Of the contractors the names of but
a few can be given at this late date. Mr. Joseph
M. Byers, then of Newark, in company with Mr.
A. Channell and Mr. A. J. Haugbey, obtained the
fifth, eighth, fourteenth, and nineteenth mile, the
latter contract ending at Hunt's Station. Mr. Peter
Davis had a mile contract near Utica, and Mr.
Frederick Bumphus the contract near Mt. Vernon.
During the fall of 1850 the construction train made
its appearance at Dry creek. The bridges over Dry
creek and the Kokosing were being rapidly pushed
to completion. The work on the north end was
being hurried. In the Banner, of December 3,
1850, the following notice appears: "Hereafter the
Newark, or eastern mail, will arrive in the cars at
nine o'clock in the morning, and go out at four
o'clock in the evening. The Columbus mail will

be sent via Newark in a short time." And in its
issue of January 7, 1851, the Banner says: "The
whole railroad line between Newark and Sandusky
city is finally completed, and last night (January
6th), a train of four cars passed Mt. Vernon, pre
senting quite a fine appearance." The connecting
of the two ends of the road was effected January
5, 1 85 1, thus giving to Mt. Vernon its first com
plete railroad.
The first building used for depot purposes was
the brick residence formerly owned by the late
Daniel S. 'Norton, now owned and occupied by
James Worley. The following gentlemen have been
agents of the Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark rail
road and the Lake Erie division of the Baltimore
& Ohio company, as it is now styled : T. C. Mc-
Ewen, James Blake, Captain Ingram, and Joseph
M. Byers. Mr. Blake was agent many years; and
was succeeded by Messrs. Patterson & White,
John W. White, P. H. Burke, D. P. Wooten, and J.
C. Patterson.
March 17, 1851, by authority of an act passed
February 17, 185 1 (49 O. L. 464), "to amend
an act to incorporate the Cleveland & Pittsburgh
Railroad company," passed March 14, 1836,
"the Akron branch of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh
Railroad company," was organized as a separate and
distinct company to construct a branch railroad
from Hudson, Summit county, via Cuyahoga Falls
and Akron, to Wooster, or some other point be
tween Wooster and Massillon, to connect with the
Pennsylvania railroad, and any other railroad run
ning in the direction of Columbus.
The act of March 24, 185 1 (40 O. L. 542), au
thorized the commissioners of Summit county to
subscribe one hundred thousand dollars to the cap
ital stock of the company.
The road was constructed from Hudson to Mil-
lersburgh, Holmes county, sixty-one miles, and was
known and operated as the "Akron Branch" until,
by order of the court of common pleas of Summit
county, entered at the March term, 1853, the name
of the company was changed to " Cleveland, Zanes
ville & Cincinnati Railroad company." Certificate
filed in the office of the secretary of state, March
r7> l853- (Record of corporation No. 1, p. 159).
The company became embarrassed, and suit
being brought August 27, 1861, in the Summit

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

227

county common pleas court, for foreclosure of
mortgage and sale of the road, a receiver was ap-
pointed in the case, by whom, under the direction
of the court, the road was operated until Novem
ber 2, 1864, when, pursuant to order of the court,
the entire road, property and franchises of the com
pany were sold at public auction for three hundred
thousand dollars to George W. Cass and John J.
Marvin, who, on the first day of July, 1865, follow
ing, conveyed the said road and property thus
vested in them by deed to the Pittsburgh, Fort
Wayne & Chicago Railway company, who owned
and operated it until they, by contract dated June
27, 1869, leased in perpetuity to the Pennsylvania
Railroad company to take effect July 1, 1869, its
own railway proper, including the Cleveland, Zanes
ville & Cincinnati railroad and its leased lines.
The Pittsburgh, Mount Vernon, Columbus &
London Railroad company was incorporated by
filing its certificate of organization in the office of
the secretary of State May 11, 1869 (Record of
Corporations No. 6, p. 314), road to be constructed
from a point in Wayne county, on the line of the
Pittburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago railway, at or
near Orville, through the counties of Holmes, Knox,
Licking, Delaware, Franklin, through Columbus,
to Madison county, at or near London.
November 1, 1869, this company acquired, by
deed from G. A. Jones, trustee, etc., all that portion
of the Springfield, Mount Vernon & Pittburgh rail
road (being only partly graded), extending east
from Delaware, through Mount Vernon, in the
direction of Millersburgh, forty-three miles, which
was by him purchased at judicial sale August 31,
1857, under proceedings in Knox county commdh
pleas court. The consideration for this conveyance
was one thousand shares, of the par value of fifty-
thousand dollars, of the capital stock of the said
Pittsburgh, Mount Vermon, Columbus & London
Railroad company.
November 4, 1869, the Pennsylvania Railroad
company and the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chi
cago Railroad company, sold and transferred by
deed the entire Cleveland, Zanesville & Cincinnati
railroad, extending from Hudson to the coal mines
southwest of Millersburgh, a distance of sixty-five
miles, and all its machinery, rolling stock, equip
ment, fixtures, etc., to the Pittsburgh, Mount Ver

non, Columbus & London Railroad company, the
consideration being twenty-two thousand shares of
the fully paid up capital stock of the company pur
chasing, the par value of which was one million
one hundred thousand dollars, the latter company
assuming the payment of a mortgage debt on said
conveyed premises of one hundred and forty-three
thousand dollars.
On the same day an assignment was made to
the company — being one condition of the sale and
purchase aforesaid — of the lease of the Massillon
and Cleveland railroad, extending from Massillon
to Canton, twelve and a half miles, which had
passed into the possession of the Pennsylvania
Railroad company July 1, 1869, with the property
and other leased lines of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne
& Chicago Railroad company.
December 6, 1869, George W. Cass and wife and
John J. Martin and wife executed to the Pittsburgh,
Mount Vernon, Columbus & London Railroad
company a deed of confirmation of the Cleveland,
Zanesville & Cincinnati railroad, thereby vesting
any title or rights in said road possessed by said
parties in said Pittsburgh, Mount Vernon, Colum
bus & London Railroad company.
December 20, 1869, the name of the company,
by decree of Knox county common pleas court was
changed to Cleveland, Mount Vernon & Delaware
Railroad company. Certificate filed in the office
ofthe secretary of State December 22, 1869.
December 17, 1872, a supplemental certificate was
filed for constructing a branch from the main line
in Holmes county, through Coshocton county, to
a connection near Dresden, Muskingum county,
with the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis and
the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley railways, thir
ty-three miles. Report of June 30, 1874, shows
seventeen miles graded on the Dresden branch,
and an expenditure, including rails, etc., of over
two hundred thousand dollars.
The main line was completed to Columbus, and
the running of through trains commenced Septem
ber 1, 1873.
The Ohio Central railroad passes through Hil
liar township, It is, or will be, a coal road. But
few if any of. the financiers ofthe county are inter
ested pecuniarily. The people of Centerburgh and
Hilliar township are the most deeply interested in

228

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

this road. Centerburgh has already felt its influ
ence by the increase of business. During the past
year over thirty dwellings and stores have been
erected. The folllowing extract from a Cincinnati paper
gives a little inside history of this road :
The line now known as the Ohio Central railroad, owned by
a powerful syndicate of wealthy capitalists, and which is on
the eve of completion between one of the most wonderful de
posits of coal and the northern lakes, has had an eventful his
tory. The enterprise had its origin in a project for building a
road from Pomeroy to Toledo, which was first agitated in
r868-69. Hon. V. B. Horton was for a time president of the
company, which was known as the Atlantic and Lake Erie.
Nothing was done of any consequence, however, until General
Thomas Ewing, of Lancaster, was put at the head of the cor
poration. Under his management an immense amount of
money was spent on the Moxahala tunnel and the difficult por
tion of the road near its southern terminus, and the rails were
put down as far as Union Station, a short distance west of
Newark, where the road crosses the Pan-Handle. Just then
the panic came on and the company was left with an uncomple
ted section of road, rjQ. rolling stock worth speaking of, and a
solitary locomotive, which the excursionists, as they inspected
their property last week, saw dumped beside the track, near
Moxahala tunnel. Rusty and dismantled, the worn-out iron
monster was a fitting monument for the financial ruin that over
took President Ewing and the great majority of his associates
who first set out to build the line.
The track lay rusting, and the ties rotted m the rain, for
several years unused, when the property was sold out under the
order of the Crawford county court of common pleas, by Daniel
Babst, master commissioner, and bought in by J. T. Brooks,
solicitor for the Pennsylvania Central interest. Since the original
projectors had started in to build the road, the Hocking Valley
railroad interest had completed its own line, known as the
Columbus & Toledo, to the lakes, and was in successful opera
tion. The incentives for completing the Atlantic & Lake,Erie
to Toledo were not promising, as the coal trade, which was al
most the sole dependence of the line, had been much depressed
for years; and established companies were scarcely earning more
than their expenses. Under these circumstances, -the road was
an elephant on the hands of the purchasers at the Bucyrus sale,
even if they got it at about the price of the iron rails. In the
spring of 1879 Governor Foster, who had been associated with
Ewing in the Atlantic & Lake Erie failure, and a number of
capitalists met here, and, after a brief conference, satisfied them
selves that they could turn the incomplete road into a bonanza
for themselves by diverting it to Columbus. All that was nec
essary for them to do was to build twenty-six miles of new line
between this city and Bush's Station, take the Atlantic & Lake
Erie track trom there to Corning all ready for the cars, and the
thing was done. The finished road-bed was procured for a
song, as compared to its cost to the Ewing syndicate, and the
iron on the part north of Bush's, which was not to be operated,
could be utilized in laying the track on the twenty-six miles to be
built, so as to bring the road into Columbus. The company
organized as the Columbus & Sunday Creek Valley railroad, and
there was never perhaps in the history of Ohio railroad construc
tion a larger bonanza than fell into their hands almost without

effort. They had scarcely closed their contracts for the sup
plies and rolling stock necessary to get their road running before
the business boom which followed the panic set in, and in addi
tion to a tremendous rise in the value of the assets of the At
lantic fit Lake Erie they had the benefit of a tremendous rise in
railroad property of all kinds. There were but seven or eight
men in the original Sunday Creek company, and before this
road was completed, after an interval of but a few months, and
without having risked scarcely any money, they were able to
sell out at an individual profit of $75, 000.
Governor Foster had with him in the original Sunday Creek
Valley syndicate Calvin S. Brice, of Lima, long associated with
him in the Lake Erie & Louisville road ; General Manager Cald
well, of the Pan-Handle, General Thomas, of this city;
Josephus Collett, president of the Evansville, Terre Haute &
Chicago road, and the firm of Perkins, Livingston & Post, of
New York, who were the main reliance of the syndicate in the
sale of the bonds of the new corporation: Collett and the New
York firm dropped out of the arrangement as soon as it was
fairly on its feet.
Had the capitalists who invested in the Sunday Creek Valley
enterprise confined themselves to the original idea of a coal
road between Corning and Columbus they would have had a
line costing but a fourth as much as the Hocking Valley, with
every prospect of an income nearly as good ; but they had un
derestimated one item, and that was the cost of completing the
Moxahala tunnel. Governor Foster told the writer some time
ago that, had they known what it would cost to finish the work
on the tunnel, he and his associates would never have entered
into the Sunday Creek enterprise. As he put it, they had not
enough miles of road to bond, if they confined themselves to the
Columbus coal road idea, and an extension was necessary, so as
to float mofe bonds. The result was a reorganization of the
Sunday Creek Valley company and the formation of the Ohio
Central in its place, which change was made early last winter.
The original intention at that time was to make the northern
terminus at Fostoria, and the lake port for the road at Sandusky,
which could be reached by joining with the Lake Erie & West
ern road. After some delay it was decided to push on to To
ledo, and but ten miles more of track remain to be laid until
that is done. The general office of the company will then be
removed from this city to Toledo. A large tract of river front
has been purchased there, and it is the intention to begin the
erection of buildings for terminal facilities at an early day.
The shipments of coal over the Ohio Central, according to
Superintendent Hadley, are fifty cars a day. There was some
falling off on account of the strike in September. The road is
receiving large numbers of coal-cars from Detroit and Lafayette,
and new engines from the Brooks Locomotive works, and a
large increase in business will follow as soon as the company
can handle it.
The road is being extended south from Corning, so as to
penetrate eighteen miles further into the coal region. This will
be done by going down the valley eight miles and returning on
another fork of Sunday creek to within three miles of Corning.
In this way an immense amount of fresh coal territory will be
opened. At the time this sketch was written, the Ohio
Central had reached Fostoria. Since then work
has been pushed forward rapidly, and the rails ure
now laid to the city of Toledo.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

229

In 1849 a few years prior to the advent of the
railroad, a telegraph office was opened in Mount
Vernon, and Mr. John W. White was placed in
charge. Two young telegraph experts, of Zanes
ville, Ohio, Messrs. Kent and Garlock, had under
taken to put up a line of wire from Zanesville to
Sandusky. The line ran along the dirt road from
Zanesville to Mount Vernon, dropping an office at
Irville and Nashport, in Muskingum county; New
ark and Granville, in Licking county, and to Mount
Vernon via Alexandria, Homer and Brandon, leav
ing no office between Granville and Mount Vernon.
The first office in Mount Vernon was opened in a
room in Hosmer Curtis' brick block, north of the
public square. It was immediately over the pres
ent bakery of W. A. Tathwell, where it remained
several years. Its next abiding place was the room
occupied by the meat shop of Winterbotham &
Co., and then in the room now occupied by Scrib-
ner's drug store, in what was then known as the
Booth building. There it remained a number of
years. From the last named place it was removed
to Abernethy's drug store (now Beardslee & Barr's),
where it tarried about one year. The room now
occupied as a law office by Abel Hart received it
next. In 1861 Mr. Buckingham offering Mr. White
a book-keeper's position in his foundry, the tele
graph office was removed to his counting room,
where it remained until 1865, when it was taken to
the depot of the Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark
railroad, Mr. White having been appointed Mr.
James Blake's assistant in the railroad office.
By the time Kent and Garlock reached Mount
Vernon from Zanesville, Mr. J. H. Wade, of Cleve
land, had reached Mansfield with a line of wire
from Cleveland, on his way with it to Columbus
and Cincinnati. Mr. Wade visited Mount Vernon
and made overtures to Messrs. Kent and Garlock
for the purpose of purchasing their line. A sale
was effected, and the Zanesville company was turned
over to the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati
telegraph company. On a new organization being
made, Mr. Wade became its president, and Mr. J.
W. White its secretary. Mr. White retained
that position a few years, or until the Wade lines
became united to the Speed and Cornell eastern
lines, when the secretary's office was removed to
Rochester, New York. The Wade, the Speed and

Cornell and other eastern and western lines united
and became widely known in after years as the
"Western Union telegraph company." In becom
ing a part of the union, the Wade lines were put in
at twelve dollars a share (the shares being fifty dol
lars each). Those stockholders of Mount Vernon
who owned four shares thought themselves lucky
in receiving one share in the Western Union. The
small shareholders lost all, and there were quite a
number of them.
Many interesting incidents occurred in connec
tion with the telegraph office here, during its early
days, one of which, at least, appears of historical
importance. The older citizens of Mount Vernon doubtless
remember the Hinton mail robbery. It occurred
in the days of Neil, Moore & Company's stage
line. Mr. Hinton was the superintendent of the
stage line running from Newark to Cleveland via
Mount Vernon. Money letters were so frequently
missed, that the general post office department
placed detectives on the track. A detective
visited every post office on the route on the arrival
of the mail stage. The losses were sustained be-.
tween Mount Vernon and Wooster. Another re
markable fact was made known, that all losses
occurred on the occasions that Hinton accompanied
the stage. Then it took about thirty-six hours to
perform the trip; the night driving occurred be
tween Mount Vernon and Wooster. A. J. Smith,
then a banker at Newark, ascertaining that Hinton
would pass over the route on a certain day, pre
pared a large decoy package for that day's mail,
directed to Cleveland. Arrangements were made
at Newark by Smith and General Jones (then
United States marshal), at Mount Vernon, that
they should have exclusive control of the wire that
night after eight o'clock. Smith prepared a com
plete description of every note in the package, the
letter, the number, the bank and denomination.
All bills were of small amounts, so as to make the
package as large as possible.
Smith had forgotten to furnish Jones with this
descriptive sheet — hence the wire came in use.
The message received that night was probably the
longest local message ever passed over the wires
at that early period in the history of telegraphy.
At ten o'clock that night Thomas Jones, a brother

230

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

of the marshal, started on horseback for Mansfield
with that message in his pocket. At Mansfield he
took the train for Cleveland, arriving there at day
light. Hinton was arrested, and bound over for
trial. By some means he escaped from the
clutches of the law.. A few years since, a traveller
reported that he met Hinton in Cuba, and recog
nized him. He bore another name then.
Express companies followed naturally the advent
of the railroads. The American was the first to es
tablish an agency in Mt. Vernon, the office being at
the depot, and up to 1873 the ticket agents were
also the express agents. The United States estab
lished an office here some years ago, and a company
called the Merchant's attempted to do some business
about 1866, but failed. Upon the advent of the
Cleveland, Mount Vernon & Columbus railroad,
the Union express company opened an office in
Mount Vernon, placing Mr. W. J. Horner in charge,
who subsequently became the only express agent
in the city.
A few years since the Baltimore & Ohio com
pany determined to control the express busi
ness on that road and opened an office in Mount
Vernon, placing it in charge of John W. Stephen
son who retains the office at present.
George B. Potwin, in the prosecution of his pro
duce business, was one of the largest shippers by
express from Mount Vernon. It was not unusual
for him to ship in this way at one time fifty barrels
of eggs and a hundred firkins of butter to the New
York market. Perhaps the most valuable ship
ment ever made from the Mount Vernon office in
one day, was made by the banks during the war,
when fifty thousand dollars in coin was sent to the
New York market.

CHAPTER XXV.
KNOX COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Formation of the society — General Progress— Re
ports of the Fairs from the First to the Present
Time.

S agriculture is the avocation of the great ma
jority of the citizens of Knox county, and as
it is the principal source of the wealth and pros
perity of the county, its introduction and develop
ment deserves a place in the county's history.
The first thing the settler had to do, after build
ing his cabin and domiciling his family therein, was
to clear off a patch of land for corn and potatoes,
in order to secure subsistence as soon as possible.
Although the culture of these miniature farms was
very imperfect, the implements being rude and
clumsy, yet the richness of the virgin soil never
failed to produce abundantly.
As the clearing of the pioneer widened, his pro
ducts became more diversified; rye, oats, buck
wheat, etc., were added. Better implements and
better culture followed. The introduction of agri
cultural papers stimulated inquiry; inquiry led to
associations for mutual improvement; hence the
agricultural societies.
In the winter of 1846, William Bevans, B. F.
Smith, Isaac Nicodemus, Adam Rinehart, and
John and William Bonar, organized what they
styled "The Morris Agricultural Club," with Wil
liam Bevans as its president. The object of the
club was mutual improvement, by a free inter
change of opinions on all subjects pertaining to
the farm. The club held regular weekly meetings
for discussion, which was sometimes quite anima
ted. Two questions gave great interest to these
discussions :
First. Does the moon, or the twelve signs of the Zodiac, or
both combined, exert such an influence on vegetation as to
make it necessary, in order to secure the best results, to be
guided by their different phases, in our planting and sowing.
At that time scientific knowledge of the laws
upon which successful agriculture is based, was not
as widely diffused through books and periodicals as
now\ There were many ridiculous whims, founded
on the ignorance of superstitious dreamers, who
said "if you plant your cucumber seed when the
moon is in the sign of the virgin, they will bloom
but not bear; but plant them in the sign of the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

231

twins, and they will bear abundantly." Strange as it
may appear, such nonsense found credence in the
minds of otherwise intelligent men. The discus
sion of this topic brought out experiences and facts
of great practical value. The superstitious whims
were exploded, and the truth established that close
observation of the earth, rather than the moon and
stars, give the best results in agriculture.
The second question to which allusion has been
made, was in reference 'to the transmutation of
plants, or does wheat, under unfavorable circum
stances, degenerate into chess or cheat?
As might be expected, the moon farmers were
to a man firm believers in transmutation. In the
discussion of this topic, an unanswerable array of
facts were brought to bear, proving the Scripture
doctrine, that, "whatsoever a man soweth, that
shall he also reap," to be literally true, in the expe
rience of the husbandman. The practical working
of these two opinions is, that the believer in the
Scripture doctrine will be careful to keep his fields
free from foul seeds, and sow pure grain, assured
that in due time he will reap in kind.
One Saturday in November, 1847, The Morris
Agricultural Club held a fair on the farm of William
Bonar, of Morris township, in which Dr. J. N. Burr,
who was an honorary member, took a lively inter
est. Adam Rinehart was the president. Although
the day was unfavorable — being rainy — the display
of grain, fruit, stock, etc., was quite encouraging to
the friends of improvement. The record of this
first agricultural fair exists only iri the memories of
a few' of its participants and is therefore very
meagre. Byram Leonard, of Wayne township, was
there with short-horn cattle; Henry Wider, of
Wayne, and Adam Rinehart of Morris, each had a
fine display of apples. The record shows that
Wider was so disgusted at the injustice done him
by being brought in second best, that he ceased to
be a competitor at fairs during life. Premiums
were offered as follows: For the best stallion;
breed mare; spring colt; milch cow; bull calf;
heifer calf; buck sheep (first and second best);
ewe (first and second best); best two dozen apples
(three varieties); best bunch of grapes; best plow,
harrow and cultivator; pair of blankets ; pair of wool
len socks, etc., etc. The reasons for ignoring wheat
were two: first, the poor crop of that season ; sec

ond, the wheat was sown before the formation of
the club.
From this humble beginning has been developed
what is now known as "the Knox County Agricul
tural Society." This society confines its efforts to
encouraging the improvement of farm products;
including farm stock of all kinds; the products of
domestic industry and skill; in short all that per
tains to rural comfort, convenience and elegance;
as well as the products of the skilled artisan and
mechanic. Prior to the purchase of the present finely lo
cated fair grounds, fairs were held under many dis
advantages. The floral hall was migratory. One
year the court room of the old court house was
used; another, the lecture room of the Union
church, better known as the "Peacock church,'
was called into requisition; still another year the
church room of the Presbyterian congregation was
thrown open to the society. For the stock grounds
the then vacant lot on East Chestnut street oppo
site the Knox county jail was used for a few years.
To prepare pens for the sheep and swine on exhi
bition, D. C. Montgomery, then sheriff of the coun
ty, and Dr. J. N. Burr, devoted two or three days
prior to the opening of the Fair, in levying contri
butions upon the rails of neighboring farms to
build those pens, and two or three days after the
fair closed were occupied in restoring the rails to
their former places. The spacious fields of the late
D. S. Norton, on the west side of the town, were
thrown open for eqestrian uses. Under such dis
advantages the infant society had to labor for sev
eral years. As to the stock, it was herded in va
cant lots throughout the town, and when wanted it
was driven into the impromptu fair ground, viewed
by the committees, and then driven home by the
owners. The horses were hitched to fences and
posts here and there, and when wanted were
brought in, viewed, admired, and sent home. Fairs
were thus conducted until about 1853 or 1854, be
fore permanent grounds were procured.
In 1857 and 1858, independent fairs were held
at Fredericktown, but of their success or failure no
trustworthy accounts can be found.
Careful researches among the newspapers of the
day developes the fact that the subject of holding
county fairs had not been given that attention its

232

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

importance demanded, for until the year 1849 no
mention is made of a fair being held, except one
held by the Farmers' club in 1847, an<i tne report
¦ of the fair of 1849 is of little or no importance.
But a few facts can be gathered bearing upon the
subject. The officers were: President, William
Bonar; secretary, Thomas T. Tress. The fair was
held October 23d and 24th, but the place of hold
ing it is not mentioned.
From the reports of the committee it is learned
that "horses on exhibition were few in number, but
all were of excellent stock; that the whole number
of cattle on the ground was four hundred ; that only
about forty sheep were exhibited; that there was a
poor display of fruit, and that of domestic manu
factured articles a large display was made."
The date of holding the fair of 1850 is not given.
The officers were: William Bonar, president;
John Lewis, James Elliott, Richard Hunt, Aaron
Nevis, and James Withrow, vice-presidents; Thomas
T. Tress, recording secretary; Dr. J. N. Burr, cor
responding secretary; M. M. Beam, treasurer;
William Bonar, Benjamin F. Smith, R. C. Hurd,
Adam Rinehart, Asahel Allen, Job Rusk, Jennings
Crawford, Mardenboro White, executive commit
tee. The stock exhibited this year was of excellent
breed, but few in number. The cattle entries were
numerous, a large number being entered merely as
a show, and not for premiums. The sheep few in
number, but of good stock. Of hogs, the commit
tee remark: "Tne long-faced gentry were few, but
respectable." The fair of 185 1 was the third in number. The
officers were: President, William Bonar; vice-
presidents, James Elliott, John McElroy, Eli Wil-
lett, G. W. Jackson, and Asahel Allen; recording
secretary, John Beaty; corresponding secretary,
George W. True; treasurer, M. M. Beam; execu
tive committee, J. N. Burr, William Bevans, Ben
jamin F. Smith, Jennings Crawford, Robert Gra
ham, Nicholas Spindlar, Melvin Wing, David C.
Montgomery, Gilman B. Stilley.
The fair was held on the second and third days
of October, and was well attended, and the show of
articles quite creditable. The exhibition of horses,
sheep and hogs was good. The number of cattle
was not large; the quality, however, was excellent.

The exhibition of articles by the ladies was highly
creditable to them, and attracted general attention
and much praise.
So far as the fair of 1852 is concerned, no ac
count can be given further than the list of officers,
which is as follows: President, William Bevans;
vice-presidents, Benjamin F. Smith, James Elliott,
William Babcock, Marvin Tracy, and John Denny;
recording secretary, A. Banning Norton; corre
sponding secretary, E. Ailing; treasurer, Henry P.
Warden; exective committee, William Bonar, Asa
hel Allen, J. N. Burr, Isaac Bell, Benjamin Tulloss,
Job Rush, Mardenboro White, Daniel McGrady,
and Hugh Oglevee.
But little can be found at this late date in refer
ence to the fair of 1853. Stock exhibited was very
good. Floral hall was at the Union church, on
North Main street, and attracted a large attend
ance. The contest for the prize for the best fe
male equestrian drew several thousand people to
the field of Daniel S. Norton, west of town, where
by universal consent the prize of a silver cup was
awarded to Miss Eliza Thompson. The pleasure
of the fair this year was destroyed by a serious ac
cident that occurred upon the fair grounds, about
three o'clock in the afternoon.
A grey horse hitched to the topmost rail of the
fence on the east line, broke away, carrying with
him the rail, to which he was fastened about mid
way, and ran into the crowd at his utmost speed,
endangering the lives of many. Judge Hurd was
standing in the crowd, and was knocked down and
seriously injured, being struck upon the forehead
and rendered senseless. Drs. Burr, Kirk, and
others, who were present, at once came to his aid,
and did all in their power to relieve him. The
judge, after a long spell of sickness, finally recov
ered, but for long years suffered frpm that blow
upon his head.
The fair of 1855 was held October 3d and 4th.
The officers this year, as far as can be ascertained,
were — President, Benjamin F. Smith; secretary,
William Dunbar.
From the published report of the doings of the
fair this year, the conclusion is that the stock ex
hibited was meagre in number and poor in quality.
The committee report : They regret to say that there were
but three lots of sheep exhibited, and those on exhibition were

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

233

not a fair sample of the most valuable wool sheep of our county; .
they being mostly a cross of French and Spanish Merinoes,
growing a heavy, greasy wool, very unprofitable to manufact
urers, and if increased in our county, will have a tendency to re
duce the value of our wools, and lessen the competition in the
purchase of them.
The lot of sheep exhibited by Mr. Parminter, being Cotts and
Leicester sheep, your committee recommend them as the most
valuable sheep for mutton.
The committee on grain reported that the only
grain presented was a specimen of corn, the pro
duct of two acres, raised by Mr. C. C. Curtis, of
Mount Vernon. The corn was of excellent quality,
and the amount per acre was one hundred and
fourteen and one-half bushels.
The mechanical work, and the ladies' work ex
hibited, were highly commended. E. W. Cotton
took the first premium on marble work, and Dr. C.
M. Kelsey the first jjremium on dental work. Mrs.
Beardslee was awarded the first premium on quilts,
and Miss White the second premium.
William Turner, by report of the committee on
farms and farming, was voted a premium for the
neatest and best arranged garden.
The fair of 1856 was held September 18th and
19th, the officers being: President, Henry P.
Warden; vice-presidents, G. F. Beardslee and
Henry Phillips; recording secretary, E. Ailing;
corresponding secretary, John Lamb; treasurer,
William Bonar.
The fair of this year was one of the most cred
itable and largely attended yet held in the county.
The ladies exhibited numerous articles of domestic
and fancy work. The horses on exhibition were
an improvement on those of the last fair, both in
number and quality, in style and speed. To Dr.
E. M. Mast was awarded the first premium on
mules. About forty head of cattle, and a fine lot
of swine were on exhibition.
The time of holding the fair for 1857, is not
stated. The officers were: Henry B. Warden,
president; Henry Phillips, Isaac T. Beum, Robin
son Frazier, John DeWolf, and Joseph Adams,
vice-presidents; John Lamb, secretary; Israel
Underwood, corresponding secretary, and C. S.
Pyle, treasurer.
The executive committee consisted of twenty
persons. The society numbered about three hun
dred members.
The total receipts were two thousand seven hun

dred and thirty-six dollars and sixty-eight cents,
and the expenses were three thousand nine hun
dred and sixty-seven dollars and ninety-six cents.
The deficit was one thousand two hundred and
thirty-one dollars and twenty-eight cents. f
The following extracts are from the society's
report to the State Board of Agriculture:
We have been struggling for existence several years and until
the present year (1857) have not had what might be called an
agricultural fair.
The executive board of the past year determined to make a
bold movement, and with little encouragement and no means,
purchased ten and three-quarter acres of land for a fair ground
for two hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre, enclosed it in
a board fence, erected permanent halls, stalls, pens, etc., and
two temporary halls and offices. The county commissioners
agreed that when the society had expended and paid upon it
one thousand dollars they would appropriate a like amount.
The fair was a successful one, and a great deal of good has
resulted from it. It has breathed new life into the society, and
we think that the Knox County Agricultural society and fairs
have become a fixed fact. There were over six hundred entries
made of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, mules, fowls, farming
implements, grain, vegetables, fine arts, needle and fancy
work, domestic manufactures, painting, fruits, flowers, etc.
The fair of 1858 was held September 28th, 29th,
30th, and October 1st, and was a complete success.
The officers were: Henry P. Warden, president;
Lorin Andrews, I. T. Beum, C. P. Buckingham,
H. W. Shipley, William L. King, vice-presidents;
William B. Russell, recording secretary; Emmitt
W. Cotton, corresponding secretary, and C. S. Pyle,
treasurer. Each township in the county was allotted a
member of the executive committee.
The total number of entries was seven hundred
and six.
It was evident from the amount of stock, and
number of people in attendance, that the present
grounds were too small, and a subscription of one
thousand dollars was raised on the last day of the
fair to purchase additional grounds.
The society numbered about five hundred mem
bers. The total receipts were one thousand nine hun
dred and eighty-five dollars and twenty-seven cents,
and the expenses were three thousand four hun
dred and sixty-three dollars and three cents. The
deficit was one thousand four hundred and seventy-
seven dollars and seventy-six cents.
The heavy frost of June, 1859, was, for a short
time, the cause of much alarm to the farming

234

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

community, but the beautiful growing weather fol
lowing soon after, gave them hopes of plentiful
harvests. The fair of that year was held Septem
ber 28th, 29th, and 30th, and was a very success
ful one. The officers of the agricultural society
that year were as follows : Henry P. Warden, presi
dent; Lorin Andrews, C. Delano, and Henry Phil
lips, vice-presidents; William B. Russell, secretary;
C. S. Pyle, treasurer.
The total receipts were two thousand one hun
dred and eighty-six dollars and sixty-six cents, and
the expenses were one thousand eight hundred and
sixty-four dollars and thirty-nine cents. The excess
of receipts over expenditures was three hundred
and twenty-two dollars and twenty-seven cents.
There was a large show of stock and machinery,
and a good display of fruits and vegetables. Farm
products were rather light, but of good quality.
The fair of i860 was held on the society's
grounds in Mount Vernon, September 19th, 20th,
and 21st, and was reported "a complete success."
The society then owned nineteen acres of ground
enclosed with a good board fence eight feet high.
Upon the grounds good stalls, etc., had been
erected. A splendid half-mile track had been laid
out and so improved that when finished would make
a beautiful drive.
The total receipts were one thousand nine hun
dred and eighty-nine dollars and fifty-nine cents,
and the expenses were two thousand one hundred
and thirty-nine dollars and nineteen cents. The
deficit was one hundred and forty-nine dollars and
sixty cents.
The date of holding the fair for 1861 is not
specified. The display in all departments was
meagre. The officers were: Joseph M. Byers,
president; Lorin Andrews, Samuel Israel, John Mc-
Intyre, Jesse Davis, Robert Miller, vice-presidents;
William B. Russell, recording secretary; E. W.
Cotton, corresponding secretary; C. S. Pyle, treas
urer. The fair of 1862 was held September 24th, 25th,
and 26th. Officers — Joseph M. Byers, president;
Samuel Israel, C. Baker, Anthony White, C. L.
Bennett, Robert Miller, vice-presidents; William
B. Russell, secretary; E. W. Cotton, correspond
ing secretary; C. S. Pyle, treasurer.
No account of the fair can be found, but as it

was the second year of the War of the Rebellion, it
is presumed it was a slim affair. A new committee
was created this year — a committee on asses —
to which Dr. J. N. Burr and John Cooper were
appointed. The fair of 1863 was held September 23d, 24th
and 25th. Officers — C. Delano, president; Harvey
Cox, vice-president; Robert Thompson, secretary.
Samuel Israel, Charles Barker, John Lyal and
Columbns Delano were appointed a committee to
collect from the General Government the bill of
damages due the society for injury done the fair
grounds when occupied by the Forty-third regi
ment of Ohio volunteer infantry.
The note due the Knox county bank for five
hundred and thirty-one dollars and twenty-six
cents, was ordered to be renewed.
For 1864 and 1865 no records were made in
the journal. The war occupied all minds and the
people were more intent on having a country than
a fair. Officers of the agricultural society for 1866,
were — George B. Potwin, president; Robert Miller,
vice president; Alexander Cassil, secretary; G. B.
Dean, corresponding secretary; John D. Thomp
son, treasurer.
The date of holding the fair this year is not
given on the journal. Incessant rains during the
first and second days were disastrous to its suc
cess. The show of horses, cattle and sheep was
unusually good. Wheat and clover-seed crops of
the county were almost a failure. The corn crop
was good, yielding forty-five bushels to the acre.
Floral hall made a fine display.
Owing to the disturbed state of the country, fairs
had been on the decline; those of the past three
or four years had been poorly attended. They did
not pay expenses.
January, 1866, found the Knox County Agricul
tural society heavily in debt. The vacancies in the
board were filled up with new and energetic men,
and new officers elected. By the exertions of
officers, aided by liberal citizens, the fair of 1866
was one of the best ever held in the county.
Receipts of the fair, together with private sub
scriptions, were sufficient to pay all the premiums,
and to expend large sums in necessary repairs to
the grounds and buildings. January 1, 1867, the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

:235

society had on hand available funds sufficient to
pay off the indebtedness. With prudent manage
ment and the proper appreciation of the enterprise
by citizens, the society hoped that it would become
one of the permanent self-sustaining institutions of
Knox county.
Mr. John D. Thompson represented the society
at the State Agricultural convention this year.
Officers for 1867 were — George B. Potwin, pres
ident; Robert Miller, vice president; Alexander
Cassil, secretary; John M. Martin, corresponding
secretary; John D. Thompson, treasurer.
Fair held September 17th, 18th and 19th.
Total receipts from all sources  $4,500 06
' ' expenses  ^.  3.78z 33
Excess of receipts over expenses  $ 717 73
The fair this year was a grand success, more than
equalling the hopes of the most sanguine. The
attendance of visitors on Wednesday and Thurs
day was large.
The display in fine horses, cattle, sheep and
hogs was unusually good. In the way of fruits,
vegetables, domestic fabrics and machinery, the dis
play was not large but good. Much praise was
awarded the officers of the society for their untir
ing exertions.
The fair for 1868 was held on the society's
grounds September 29th and 30th, and October ist.
The officers were: George B. Potwin, president;
Robert Miller, vice-president; Alexander Cassil,
secretary, and John D. Thompson, treasurer.
The display in floral and art halls was not as
good as could have lieen desired. The exhibition
of stock was excellent. The wheat crop of the
year was good both in yield and quality; amount
sown, small. The corn crop was large, and of a
good quality. The oat and barley crops were almost
a failure. Clover seed was light in consequence
of raids by the grasshoppers. The hay crop was
very light. The failure of the hay crop caused a
falling off of winter stock fully one-fourth, com
pared with the last winter. This was more espec
ially the case with sheep, as farmers sold off their
whole flocks to persons who slaughtered them for
pelts and tallow. The fruit crop was unusually
light, and of inferior quality.
The fair for 1869 was held on the eighth, ninth

and tenth or September. The weather for the first
days was very unfavorable.
Stock, especially horses, was well represented.
The interest in fine wool sheep continued unabated.
Some fine Spanish 'merinoes were on exhibition.
The fine flock of long wool sheep exhihited by Mr.
Rinehart, attracted much attention. The ladies
under direction of Mr. E. W. Cotton ornamented
the new floral hall in fine style. This hall was
built at a cost of three thousand dollars. The
wheat and oat crop of the county was excellent.
The society numbered this year four hundred mem
bers. The officers were: George B. Potwin, president;
Robert Miller, vice-president; Alexander Cassil,
secretary; John D. Thompson, treasurer.
The officers for 1870 were: George B. Potwin,
president; Robert Miller, vice-president; Alexander
Cassil (resigned), secretary; C. E. Critchfield,
secretary; John D. Thompson, treasurer.
Fair held September 27th, 28th and 29th.
The board was authorized to borrow one thou
sand dollars.
Judging from the published premium list, the
fair of this year must have been a success: For
horses of all grades seventy-nine premiums were
paid; for cattle, thirty-two; for sheep, twenty-
seven; for swine, fourteen; for farm products,
agricultural implements and machinery, fruits and
flowers, forty-four premiums were paid. Floral
hall was replete with useful and pretty things. The
committee on cattle leport:
We find the showing in this class, K, the best that we have
ever witnessed on exhibition, at any previous show in this coun
ty, there being two competitors, J. P. Larimore, esq., and John
Lyal, esq., both of whom eqhibited very fine herds so nearly
equal in points of excellence that your committee found it dif
ficult to decide.
The premium was awarded to Mr. Larimore.
The officers for 187 1 were: Robert Miller,
president; Noah Boynton, vice-president; C. E.
Critchfield, secretary; John D. Thompson, treas
urer. Fair held September 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th.
The board authorized the building of fifty new
stalls, the digging of a well on the grounds, and
the making of other necessary repairs.
The entries at the fair this year were uncom
monly large, every stall on the ground being full.

236

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

The stock of all kinds was exceedingly good, and
drew the attention of all visitors.
Some splendid horses were on exhibition.
The display in floral hall met the hearty and
cordial approbation of all.
The entries of stock were: horses, one hundred
and fifty-five; cattle, eighty-four; sheep, ninety-
two; hogs, forty-two; mules, thirteen.
The fair for 1872 was held on the twenty-fourth,
twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh of
September, and is reported to have been the best
and largest fair ever held in the county, there hav
ing been over one thousand entries. Receipts from
all sources were about three thousand three hun
dred dollars. There were premiums paid to the
amount of two thousand dollars, besides paying on
old debts six hundred dollars.
No mention is made of the stock entries, but
it is believed the display was superior. The dis
play in floral hall was large and fine. The society
this year numbered about seven hundred members.
The officers were: Robert Miller, president; Noah
Boynton, vice-president ; C. E. Critchfield, secre
tary; John D. Thompson, treasurer.
On motion, a resolution was adopted "that it is
expedient to sell the present grounds in accordance
with petitions of the city council and of numerous
citizens." Farms in the neighborhood were examined by a
committee for new grounds. The farms of Joseph
Adams and P. H. Updegraff were favorably men
tioned. Fair for 1873 was held September 23d, 24th,
25 th and 26th.
The weather, the first two days, was rainy, but
the last two days good. There was a small attend
ance of visitors. The entries numbered one thou
sand; receipts from all sources about three thou
sand dollars. The premiums, expenses and repairs
about equalled the receipts. A small debt rested
upon the society. The show of horses, cattle, sheep
and hogs was very fine, and the display of agricul
tural implements and products good. The floral
hall was filled to overflowing and was a credit to the
ladies of the county. acres. yield.
Wheat  20,858 240,266 bushels.
°ats  15.136 336.137
Corn  30.639 1.315.785

Potatoes  926 79,540 bushels.
Meadow  ig, rg6 15,265 tons hay.
Butter  634,443 pounds.
Officers — George W. Steele, president; Charles
A. Young, vice-president; A. J. Beach, treasurer.
The question of selling the old grounds and the
purchase of new, was discussed during this and
subsequent years, and several farms in the neigh
borhood were examined and reported upon more
or less favorably. Propositions to sell the grounds
at public outcry to the highest bidder, and to lay
them out in town lots and place them on the mar
ket, were discussed at meetings of the society, but
up to the present (1881) nothing has been done.
The sale of the grounds found but little favor with
a large majority of the members, ahd citizens.
Officers for 1874 — George W. Steele, president;
C. A. Young, vice-president; C. E. Critchfield, sec
retary; A. J, Beach, treasurer.
The fair was held October 6th, 7th 8th and 9th.
Tuesday and Wednesday the weather was very
unfavorable; on Thursday and Friday it was fine.
On Thursday fully ten thousand people were on
the ground.
The receipts at the gate on Tuesday were twenty-
two dollars; Wednesday, five hundred and seventy
dollars and sixty-seven cents; Thursday, one thou
sand seven hundred and eighty-one dollars and
seven cents. On Friday the receipts were given
up to the jockey club.
The display of stock of all kinds was very full,
the stalls and pens being all occupied. The dis
play of machinery and agricultural implements was
large and interesting, and gave great satisfaction.
Floral hall presented a fine appearance, and was
the most attractive feature of the fair.
Officers for 1875 — C. A. Young, president; Alex
ander Cassil, vice-president; O. G. Daniels, secre
tary; Noah Boynton, treasurer.
The fair this year was held October 5th, 6th and
7th. The weather the first day up to noon was fine,
and the people from the country were out in full
force, the annual fair and Barnum's circus being
the objective points of interest.
The third day the attendance was good. It was
remarked by all that thevdisplay of agricultural im
plements was excellent both in number and va-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

237

riety. Floral hall was well filled with pictures and
needle work, flowers and vegetables. The show of
stock was excellent — the horses, cattle, sheep, hogs
and poultry were all of the best grades. John
Lyal had some good stock, and it would seem as
though he was entitled to some premiums, though
he failed to obtain any. James Martin had the
largest number, and, it is probable, the best show
of cattle on the grounds. He received sixteen
premiums on fifteen head.
Officers for 1876 — Alexander Cassil, president;
Peres Critchfield, vice-president; Willard S. Hyde,
secretary; Ira M. McFarland, treasurer.
Fair held September 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th.
At one of the early meetings of the board a loan
of one thousand five hundred dollars was author
ized to be made.
At a later meeting another loan of one thousand
eight hundred dollars was authorized, and the
board authorized to cancel the indebtedness of the
society. A committee appointed to ascertain this
indebtedness reported as follows: The liabilities
for 1876 were two thousand three hundred and
forty-four dollars and thirteen cents ; the amount
due the society was two hundred and forty-six dol
lars and seventy-nine cents ; leaving the liabilities
of the society two thousand ninety-seven dollars
and thirty-four cents.
On the last three days of the fair the attendance
was large, bringing the receipts up to about two
thousand six hundred dollars from gate money and
entry fees.
All departments were well represented in the dis
play, and commanded great attention from visitors.
Officers for 1877 — Alexander Cassil, president;
Peres Critchfield, vice-president ; Williard S. Hyde,
secretary; Samuel Bishop, treasurer.
The receipts of 1877 were two thousand one
hundred and ninety-four dollars and five cents; and
the expenses, two thousand six hundred and nine
dollars and thirty-one cents, leaving a deficit of
four hundred and fifteen dollars and twenty-six
cents. At this fair the display in every department was
never excelled, although on account of rain on the
first and second days, the number of visitors was
small. The display of horses was uncommonly good.

About one hundred and seventy-five were entered
for exhibition. The display of cattle was also ex
cellent. The departments of hogs and sheep were filled
with stock of superior breeds. One hundred head
of hogs and one hundred and twenty-five head of
sheep were entered for exhibition.
In agricultural implements the display was large
and fine.
Floral hall was packed full of useful and orna
mental articles. The ladies' work displayed great
taste, and was much admired.
The fair for 1878 was held September 24th,
25th, ^26th, and 27th. The officers were: John C.
Levering, president; Alexander Cassil, vice-presi
dent; William S. Hyde, secretary; Samuel Bishop,
treasurer. Following is the report of President Levering :
The twenty-fifth annual fair of the Knox County Agricultural
society was held on the society's grounds, in the city of Mount
Vernon. It was well attended, and was the most successful ex
hibition the society ever held, every department being fully rep
resented. Crops of all kinds were good the past season. Our
farmers have generally adopted a mixed husbandry; more prof
itable in a series of years than to make a specialty of any one
crop, while any crop that can be grown profitably in the State,
can be grown here successfully.
Wheat, corn, oats, and hay^. are the principal crops grown in
the county. The wheat crop of T878 was perhaps the largest
ever grown in the county, both in acreage and the yield per
acre. There are many varieties of wheat grown in the county
— the Mediterranean still holding a prominent place as a sure
crop, while the largest yields are reported from the Fultz; the
Cla'wson is not yet sufficiently tested; the Gypsey is generally
discarded. A large proportion of our county is well adapted to growing
corn, especially the western part, and the Kokosing valley. It
is the largest crop raised in the county, and considered the
most important; it is generally fed to stock, thus producing the
largest income of any other crop.
Of oats, there have been several new varieties introduced, but
none succeed so well as the common yellow-spangled variety.
The Norway or black oats are entirely discarded.
The potato crop has assumed considerable importance, and
is the chief crop grown in the county.
Of fruits, apples are the principal crop; the yield of 1878 was
the largest ever produced in the county, and of excellent qual
ity. Large quantities were shipped east, and even to England.
Of peaches there was more than an average crop.
In the live stock department there is a manifest improvement
in all kinds bred and raised in the county.
The importation of the Clydesdale, Norman, and Percheron
horses is producing some fine, heavy roadsters, which command
ready sales and good prices.
Of cattle we have the shorthorn, which, by crossing with the
common cows, produce good feeding steers, which find ready

238

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

market. There are several fine herds in the county. There are
but a few of the Jerseys, Alderneys, Ayrshires, or Devons in the
county. In the production of sheep and wool, there has been a de
cline in the numbers in the few past years. The Spanish or
American Merino compose by far the larger proportion of sheep
in the county.
Of hogs, the Poland-China, Berkshires, and the Chester-
Whites make the most important showing in the "long-faced
gentry." So far as this department of the fair is concerned,
the exhibition was a success.
Floral hall and fine-art hall were great attractions.
Of farm products, the display was excellent. The condition
of agriculture in the county is improving. The farmers are
taking more pains in the cultivation of the soil, by underdraw
ing, manuring, and a more thorough system in the rotation of
crops. The officers for 1879 were: John C. Levering,
president; Alexander Cassil, vice-president; John
F. Gay, secretary; B. S. Cassel, treasurer.
The fair was held October 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th.
On the twenty-first of March Treasurer Cassel
reported that there had been placed in his hands
one thousand, nine hundred and four dollars and
twenty-seven cents; that the amount paid out was
one thousand, five hundred and ninety-one dollars
and sixteen cents ; leaving an excess of receipts of
three hundred and thirteen dollars and eleven
cents. This year's fair is published as the twenty-seventh
annual exhibition. Previous to the exhibition an
addition had been made to floral hall, in which to
exhibit fruits and vegetables, where they made a
fine display. The halls, sheds, and stalls had also
been renovated and repaired, and quite a number
of new ones had been added.
Up to Wednesday morning about eleven thou
sand entries were made, the numbers being in ex
cess of any previous year.
-Floral hall, under the management of Mr. C. S.
Pyle and Mr. O. M. Mulvany, made a splendid
appearance. In agricultural implements there was an exten
sive display, that attracted a great deal of atten
tion. In the horse and cattle departments the number
of entries was larger than in any previous year.
All stalls were filled. The display of sheep and
hogs was very large. All the pens were occupied.
The display of poultry was unusually large and
fine.

The officers for 1880 were: John C. Levering,
president; Alexander Cassil, vice president; John
F. Gay, secretary; B. S. Cassel, treasurer.
The fair was- held October 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th.
The fair of 1880 was a success. The first two
days were lightly attended by visitors, but dur
ing the last two days the attendance was large
— larger than on any two days of any previous fair.
The total gate receipts were two thousand seven
hundred and twenty-five dollars; the total entry
fees were seven hundred and seventy-five dollars;
total receipts, three thousand five hundred dollars.
Floral hall was attractive, and the committee de
served great credit for the admirable taste dis
played in arranging the many articles belonging to
that department.
Among the exhibitors in the stock department,
Messrs. W. S. W. Wing and L. F. Jones had
twenty-two head of Kentucky cattle; Mr. John
Lyal had thirteen head of fine cattle; and Mr.
James Martin fifteen head.
Holmes & Dickeson, J. C. Levering & Com
pany, S. K. Pumphrey, and H. H. Brown, each
had on exhibition draft stallions.
Hogs and sheep were on hand in splendid con
dition and of superior breeds.
Chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese, were on
hand in large numbers.
Buggies and carriages of improved styles, the
manufacture of Mr. David Sanderson and Mr.
George D. Neal, were on exhibition.
Messrs. Pealer & Norrick made forty-three en
tries of improved farm implements, and two steam
engines. At the January meeting of the members of the
society, Mr. E. A. Pealer was elected president;
Mr. John C. Levering, vice-president; Mr. John
F. Gay, secretary; and Bascom S. Cassel, treas
urer for 1 88 1.
At the annual meeting of the Ohio State Agri
cultural society, held at Columbus in January,
1881, Mr. John C. Levering, of Knox county, was
elected a member of the board of managers. This
is the first time Knox county has been thus honored.
The board decided to hold the State fair at Co
lumbus from August 28th to September 3, 1881.
Mr. Levering was assigned to the department of
" Mechanics' and Manufacturers' products."

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

239

CHAPTER XXVI.
BENCH AND BAR.
First Court in the County — The Whipping Post — First
Prosecuting Attorney — Proceedings of the Court —
First Practicing Lawyers — A Brief Notice of each
of the Members of the Mount Vernon Bar.
The first court held in Knox county, convened
May 1, 1808, William Wilson, of Licking county,
presiding. John Mills and William Gass were the
associate judges. Charles Loffiand was elected by
the court, clerk pro tempore. The first grand jury
impanneled consisted of Matthew Merrit, foreman,
John Herrod, Samuel H. Smith, James Walker, jr.,
David Miller, Joseph Walker, Gilman Bryant,
James Walker, sr., William Douglass, Ziba Leonard,
Stephen Chapman, Benjamin Butler, Jonathan
Hunt, and Ichabod Nye. The first petit jury was
composed of James Loveridge, Henry Smith, Aaron
Brown, James Smith, Benjamin Brown, John Beam,
William Nash, Daniel Demick, Michael Brown,
Peter Baxter, Archibald Gardner, and Levi Herrod.
Banning Norton thus introduces the first court
held in the county:
On the first of May, 1808, the faces of old and young, great
and small, of the male and female, upon Owl creek's ' ' stormy
banks," were anxiously turned to the south to catch the first
glimpse of that august personage, "the court," then expected
to make a first visitation to Mount Vernon. Ben. Butler and
aunt Leah had their house all "in apple-pie order" for their
grand reception ; Jim Craig, at his house on the corner of Mul
berry and Gambier, had laid in a fresh supply of whisky and
other refreshments ; Gilman Bryant had got a bran new horn
for his customers, and had rubbed his little store up until the
stock looked as bright as a dollar ; and Sheriff Brown had caused
the little wagonmaker shop of Coyle & Sons to be swept out and
supplied with smooth round logs for the jurymen and others in
attendance to sit on. Every man and boy that had been fortu
nate enough to kill his deer had buckskin leggins and a new
hunting shirt, and every woman who had a wheel had spun and
dyed and made herself and little ones a good homespun gar
ment. Some few who could stand the expense had bought of
store calico three to five yards, at seventy-five cents a yard, and
fitted themselves with a two or three breadth dress, the third
breadth, made into gores, so as to be wider at the bottom; for in
those days there were no fashionable women to parade the
streets with fifteen to eighteen yards in a dress, and no disposi
tion for extravagant displays of wearing apparel. The court
travelled on horse-back— handed the saddle-bags to "Knuck
Harris," and, after rest and refreshment, bright and early on the
morning of the second of May "opened" and proceeded to busi
ness. The whole population — men, women and children —
were out in their best rig, to witness this great event.
The first jury trial was the State of Ohio vs.

William Hedrick. The following is an extract
from the minutes of that court :
Agreeable to an act of the general assembly of the State of
Ohio, passed on the thirtieth of January, 1808, for establishing
and organizing the county of Knox :
Be it, therefore, remembered and known, that we, William
Wilson, president, John Mills and William Gass, associate
judges for said county of Knox, did on this day, to-wit : Mon
day, the second day of May, in the year of our Lord 1808, meet
at Mount Vernon, the temporary seat of justice for the county
aforesaid, and proceeded to the appointment of a clerk for the
said county, whereupon it was declared by the court that Charles
Loffland was duly elected clerk pro tempore, who came into
court and was duly qualified as the law directs.
Samuel H. Smith, esq., was duly elected surveyor of Knox
county. Present: William W. Farquhar, gentleman; James Arm
strong, James Dunlap, and Isaac Cook, gentlemen, who were
appointed by the legislature on the ninth of February last for
fixing the county seat in the county for Knox, made their re
port to the court of common pleas for the county aforesaid that
Mount Vernon should be the seat of justice for said county.
At this court four indictments were found against one William
Hedrick, as follows : For stealing a watch from William Bowen ;
for stealing a bay mare, property of William Wallace ; for steal
ing one pair of overalls, the property of Joseph Cherry Holmes ;
for stealing one bell and collar, the property of William Wallace.
On each indictment Hedrick was found guilty, and judgment
rendered against him as follows :
ist charge. — Fine five dollars, pay the owner, William Bowen,
fifteen dollars, and be whipped on his naked back ten stripes,
imprisoned one month, pay the cost, and stand committed until
the sentence is complied with.
2d charge. — Prisoner be whipped twenty lashes on his naked
back, and pay a fine of twenty dollars, and be imprisoned one
month, and pay the owner seventy dollars, the value of the mare,
pay the cost, and stand committed, etc.
3d charge. — Prisoner be whipped on his naked back five
stripes, pay a fine of two dollars, be imprisoned one month,
pay the owner five dollars, double the value of the overalls, pay
cost, and stand committed, etc.
4th charge. — Prisoner to be whipped five stripes on his naked
back, pay a fine of one dollar, pay the owner one dollar and a
half, the value of the bell and collar, pay the costs, and stand
committed, etc.
Norton relates as follows how the above sentences
were carried into effect :
The judgment of castigation was executed upon the public
square of Mount Vernon, shortly after the adjournment of court,
in presence of all the people. Silas Brown was the sheriff, and
it fell to his lot as such to 'serve the "legal process" upon the
body of William Hedrick. There was a small leaning kickory
tree upon the east side of the public square, between the present
Norton building (now occupied by Dr. Israel Green, druggist)
and High street, and a little south of where the jail was after
wards built, and this tree bent in such a way that a man could
walk around under it.' To this delectable spot the culprit was
taken, and his hands were stretched up over his head and tied
to the tree, and the stripes were applied by the sheriff to his

240

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

naked back. He was struck forty times with a heavy raw-hide
whip. The first few blows with the raw-hide were across the kidneys.
Mr. Bryant, one of the bystanders, at once called oat to the
sheriff to whip him elsewhere — that was no place to whip a man
— he should strike higher up ; and the rest of the lashes were
applied across the shoulders.
The criminal sobbed and cried piteously, and when released
went off weeping and groaning. In many places the skin was
cut and broken, and the blood oozed out, making a pitiable
spectacle. And yet such was the feeling against him that few
seemed to sympathize with the scourged. As he started off he
said to the spectators: "You should not blame me for this,
for it was not my fault. " Bob Walker replied : ' ' No, you
wouldn't have stood up and been whipped that way, if you
could have helped it." And at this prompt retort to Hedrick's
explanation or apology, the crowd laughed uproariously.
From Gilman Bryant, Samuel H. Smith, Benjamin Butler,
Jonathan Hunt, and Stephen Chapman of the grand jury, and
James Loveridge and the Herrods of the petit jury, and Richard
Roberts, who witnessed this same, this account of the first and
last judicial punishment by whipping in Knox county, was gath
ered. Few of the present citizens are aware that such punish
ment of criminals was ever the law of the land in which they
have the good fortune to live.
The appointment by the court of a clerk for the
county, and of a surveyor, completed the organiza
tion of the county.
There being no attorney in attendance at this
session,the court appointed Samuel Kratzer, a wor
thy and intelligent citizen, attorney to defend the
said Hedrick. To him the county paid the first
attorney's fees, six dollars, ever paid in the county.
Kratzer, in the early courts, when no attorney was
in attendance, officiated as prosecuting attorney.
Among the proceedings of the first court was the
granting a license to William Thrift, a Baptist min
ister, to solemnize marriages. Samuel Kratzer and
Stephen Chapman were authorized to retail mer
chandise in Mount Vernon, on paying into the
treasury five dollars each. Samuel Kratzer was
also licensed to keep a house of entertainment in
Mount Vernon, on paying six dollars, and Daniel
Ayers was licensed to keep one in Fredericktown,
on paying five dollars. The last will and testament
of William Leonard was proven.
The second term of the Knox common pleas was
held on Monday, September 5, 1808. The grand
jury for this term was Jabez Beers, foreman, Ziba
Leonard, John Johnson, James Walker, Jacob
Young, Benjamin Butler, William Nash, John But
ler, David Miller, John Merritt, William Douglas,
James Walker, jr., and James Craig. The first

case tried at this term was "The State of Ohio vs.
Samuel H. Smith — on a presentment for selling
goods without a license. Court on consideration of
the offence fined the defendant in the sum of two
dollars and fifty cents and costs of the prosecu
tion." Afterward the court granted a license to
Samuel H. Smith to sell merchandise at his store
in Clinton, for one year, on the payment of ten
dollars. Mr. Smith was also licensed to keep tavern
on payment of five dollars.
The following notes regarding the early courts
are from Norton's history:
The grand jury at the spring term of common pleas court of
i8rs consisted of Anthony Banning, foreman, John Merritt,
Peter Bricker, John Hawn, David Hawn, John Green, William
Marquis, George Davis, Moses Craig, James Strange, Azariah
Davis, Jacob Martin, Benjamin Bell, and Gjlman Bryant. They
returned nineteen indictments for "assault and battery" and
"affrays." Quite a number of the parties plead guilty, and
were fined two dollars and costs. Adnal Hersey, of the Chris
tian church, was licensed to marry. John Cook, of the Baptist,
was also licensed to do the same. Samuel Mott was appointed
master commissioner in chancery. Tavern licenses were
granted this year to Jonathan Hunt, Elisha Cornwall, Abner
Ayres, John Baxter, and A. H. Royce; and store licenses to
Nicholas McCarty, George Girty, Eli Miller, Anthony Banning,
L. S. Silliman, Gilman Bryant, John Wilson, and James N.
Ayres. Two important roads are opened this year, namely:
from Mt. Vernon towards Sandusky, under the supervision of
John Lewis, as commissioner, for which he is granted by the
county commissioners orders for one hundred dollars, and is
paid fifteen dollars for his services; another, a road opened by
Benjamin Rush, as commissioner, to Mansfield, for which ser-
vics he is paid nine dollars, and two hundred dollars is expended
by the county in work upon the same. Among the bills paid
in November, 1818, by the commissioners, are: to Anthony
Banning, for one hundred and eighty-two and a half pounds
iron and brick for jail, twenty-six dollars and fifty-five cents;
and Archibald Crofferd, for the following for the county : One
pair hand-cuffs, three dollars; one hasp, fifty cents; shackles
and hasp, one dollar and fifty cents; two grates, thirteen dol
lars and eighty cents; eight spikes, fifty cents — nineteen
dollars and fifty cents. The job of making further improve
ments to the jail and jailor's house is given to William Doug
lass at one hundred and twenty-five dollars. The commis
sioners were determined, if possible, to make the jail burglar
proof. The first session of the supreme court of the State of Ohio
held in Knox county was on the third day of August, r8io, by
Honorables William W. Irwin and Ethan Allen Brown.
James Smith was appointed clerk for seven years.
The only cases were those of the State vs. Ichabod Nye and
Samuel Nye. Upon oath by the defendants that they did not
believe an impartial trial could be had, the venue was changed
to Licking county.
E. Herrick, esq., attended as prosecuting attorney.
The second session was held May 1, i8rr, but two causes
were on the docket. Sylvenias Lawrence, for the use of Benjamin

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

241

Rush, vs. George Davidson, and James Peuthres vs. Samuel
Kratzer; both of which were dismissed. No other business was
to be transacted, and the court adjourned until the next court
in course.
The third "term was held April 9, 1812. In addition to the
former cases the docket shows the following: Joseph Butler vs.
Elizabeth Vendrew; William Y. Farquhar vs. James Craig; An
drew Craig vs. Henry McCart and James Cunningham; James
Smith vs. Samuel H. Smith; Henry Smith vs. Benjamin Bar
ney; Henry Smith vs. Samuel H. Smith and Benjamin Barney;
and Thomas Slater vs. Lovina Slater. Attachments were is
sued vs. Amos Yarnold and Alexander Enos, for refusing to
appear as witnesses.
The case of Slater vs. Slater is the first divorce question ever
presented in Knox county.
The fourth term was held on the second of August, 1813, by
Thomas Scott and Ethan.A. Brown.
William C. Enos was qualified as attorney and counsellor at
law as the law requires.
The case of Lawrence for the use of Rush is dismissed for
want of bond to prosecute the appeal.
In Craig vs. McCart and Cunningham, judgment of non-suit
is entered, because of non-appearance of plaintiff. Farquhar vs.
Craig is continued, and the defendant to pay all costs of this
term within six months, or judgment, etc. John Jones vs.
Joseph Cherry Holmes and George Lybarger — the complainant
being thrice called did not appear, nor any person to prosecute
this suit for him, therefore the injunction is dissolved and bill
dismissed. The injunction case of Benjamin Barney vs. Henry
Smith is heard by counsel, and the injunction is made perpetual,
plaintiff to pay all costs. James Smith vs. Samuel H. Smith is
argued by counsel, and the court decide that the defendant go
hence, without day, and recover of plaintiff costs, etc. David
Davis vs. John Cambridge, removed from Licking county, is
continued. Slater's divorce petition is dismissed at cost of plain
tiff. Lewis Dent & Co. vs. John Wheeler — judgment for plain
tiff for four hundred and ninety-three dollars and eighty cents
and costs. Another divorce case, Isaac Bonnet vs. Elizabeth
Bonnet, is continued at cost of plaintiff, to be paid in six
months, and upon condition that he give personal notice to the
defendant of the pending of this suit in six months.
- On the evening of the third of August,- having spent two days
court adjourned.
The fifth term was held August T5, T8T4— Judges, William
W. Irwin and Ethan A. Brown.
John Williamson vs. Samuel Farquhar is continued at defend
ant's cost.
Isaac Bonnet vs. Mary Bonnet, divorce. After argument the
court continued the cause under advisement until the Coshocton
supreme court, their decision to be" certified from that or some
other court to this court. The first jury cause ever tried in the
supreme court for this county was that of William W. Farquhar
vs. James Craig.
jury_William Harriss, John Harriss, John Sawyer, Jacob
Cooper, John Kerr, Bartholomew Bartlett, John Davidson,
John Wilson, Thomas White, Francis Mitchell, Isaac Bonnet,
and Benjamin Martin. Verdict for plaintiff, one hundred and
three dollars and sixty cents. A motion is made by defendant
for a new trial, argued by counsel, and overruled by court.
The State of Ohio vs. Martin D. Lewis. On indictment by
grand jury of Licking county for larceny. On motion, and
affidavit of defendant, the court ordered venue to be changed to

this county, on defendant giving bond for five hundred dollars
and security in two hundred dollars to appear first day of next
term. Henry Markley becomes his security. After two days'
session, court adjourned.
The sixth term was held August 7, 1815. Judges — Ethan A.
Brown and John A. Couch, who produced his commission in
room of Hon. Thomas Scott, resigned, etc.
The only jury trial was that of Samuel Mott vs. Gilman
Bryant. Jury — Isaac Vore, sr. , John Vennoms, Samuel Durbin,
James McGibeny, Joseph Hunt, John Arbuckle, Thomas Wil
liams, Moses Merrit, George Dial, William Sapp, and John
Stilley. Verdict for plaintiff, five dollars and costs. Josiah
Hedges vs. Samuel Kratzer, Andrew Craig, and George Davis.
Default against defendants, and cause continued for inquiry.
Anthony Banning vs. Samuel Kratzer and John Williamson.
On motion of plaintiff's counsel for dismission of appeal, on
hearing the arguments of the parties by their counsel, it is
therefore ordered that the motion be overruled.
August 8, i8r5. John Williamson vs. Samuel Farquhar.
Continued till next term, on motion and affidavit of plantiff,
and at his cost. William W. Alexander vs. John Wilson. Suit
dismissed at cost of defendant, except docket fee in court be
low, which is not to be taxed to either party. Anthony Ban
ning vs. Samuel Kratzer and John Williamson. Decree by
court for plaintiff, "as per decree on file, signed by chief judge."
The above is a faithful abstract of the business of this, the
sixth, term of the supreme court.
The seventh term was held August 15, 1816, by Judges Brown
and Couch, the latter having produced his commission for seven
years from the fourteenth of February, 1816. But one cause was
tried by jury — Moses Robinson vs. Isaac Dial. Verdict for
plaintiff, one hundred and four dollars and eighty cents and
costs. Williamson vs. Farquhar is again continued, with leave
to amend, and at costs of plaintiff. Stephen H. McDougal, as
signee of William Taylor vs. Enoch Harris. Judgment by de
fault, for eighty-eight dollars and eighty cents and costs. There
are four other cases on the docket, in all of which our old friend
Samuel H. Smith figures as plaintiff or defendant. The other
parties are Robert Fulton, Erasmus Beaty, levi Davis, Joseph
Walker, administrator of Philip Walker, and John Walker. On
the sixteenth court adjourned till next court in course.
The first writ of habeus corpus in the county was allowed "by
the Hon. John H. Mefford, esq.," April 26, 1819. John Shaw,
sheriff, brought into the court house the body of Amos Yarnall,
with the mittimus, showing the cause of capture and detention.
Samuel Mott, esq., appeared as his attorney, and on his mo.
tion, after the attorney for the State had duly considered the
matters in law arising, the court let him to bail in the sum of
fifty dollars, James Smith his security.
The second case, that of William Knight, who, on the eighth
of July, i8rg, was brought to the court house, and by Judge
Mefford admitted to bail in the sum of fifty dollars, Alexander
Elliott becoming his bondsman.
The third case occurred April 3, 1820, when Judge Joseph
Brown set at large Abel Fowler, upon Artemas Estabrook and
Alfred Manning becoming security for his appearance at the
May term of Knox common pleas, in the sum of fifty dollars.
In this year an interesting case was presented in allowance of
a writ, on the twentieth of November, by Judge Brown, requir
ing John Bird and Judah Bird to bring into court the body of
an Indian child, daughter of Rachel Conkapote, deceased, by
her husband, Elisha Conkapote, both Indians of the Stockbridge

242

HISTORY OF KNOX. COUNTY.

tribe. Judges Young and Chapman appeared, and the whole
court lent itself to an impartial examination of the case, which
resulted in their leaving the little Indian in the hands of the
Birds, John and Judah. This little Indian was daughter of the
squaw killed.
This was perhaps the most interesting case heard upon writ of
this character, until the great military case of Colonel Warden, _
which was tried upon writ issued in name of the State vs. Wil
liam E. Davidson. "By Judge James Elliott, Siptemier 27, 1837.
"W. E. Davidson, Provost Marshal of the 2d Brigade, 3d
Division, Ohio Militia (late 4th Brigade, 7th Division, O. M.),
in pursuance of an order by Brigadier-General Wm. Bevans
(commander of said Brigade), and upon action of a Court Mar
tial, now in session at Mt. Vernon, convened by order of said
Gen. Wm. Bevans, on Monday, Sept. 25th, 1837. Col. H. W.
Strong, President of the Board. Discharged by said James
Elliott, Judge, &c."
Another case, of much interest, at a still later period, was
about the two dwarfs — of Porter's wife— held, it was claimed,
illegally by Warner. Upon hearing, however, the court did not
think so, and they remained in custody of the showman, at last
accounts. The writ of habeas corpus became a favorite resort in liquor
cases, where parties were, as they thought, unjustly persecuted
and cast into prison, by fines imposed, upon temperance princi
ples. During the administration of his Honor, Judge Bevans,
more writs of habeas corpus were granted than in all the rest of
our history put together. To such an extent was it carried, that
he acquired the sobriquet of "Old Habeas Corpus." The ven
erable judge always leaned towards the side of suffering human
ity. If he erred in judgment, it was because no work upon the
subject had been published at that date. Our townsman, Judge
Hurd's work on Habeas Corpus, did not get into print until the
year 1858.
As before stated, William Wilson, of Licking
county, was the first president judge. George
Tod, of Trumbull; Alexander Harper, of Mus
kingum; Lane and Higgins, of Huron; and Ezra
Dean, of Wayne, succeeded Wilson in the presidency
prior to 1851. Since that time the most promi
nent have been Judges Finch and Jones, of Dela
ware; and Hurd and Adams, of Knox. Among
the early judges of the supreme court who have
presided in Knox county, may be mentioned Peter
Hitchcock, Reuben Wood, Frederick Grimke, Cal
vin Pease, Joshua Collett, John C. Wright, and N.
C. Read.
The early bar of Knox county was composed en
tirely of visiting attorneys of distinction, citizens of
neighboring counties, who were, for a great num
ber of years, regular attendants at each session of
the court. Among these were Philomon Beecher,
Charles R. Sherman, Thomas Ewing, Henry Stan
bery, W. W. Irwin, Hocking H. Hunter, of Fair

field county; Edward Herrick, William Stanbery,
Joshua Mathiott, Israel Dille, and George B.
Smythe, of Licking county; Wyllis Silliman, Samuel
W. Culbertson, Charles B. Goddard, Alexander
Harper, Charles C. Converse, C. W. Searle, and
George James, of Muskingum county; Orris Parish,
of Franklin county; and David Spangler, of Coshoc
ton county. All were distinguished attorneys, and
many of them became prominent in State and na
tional affairs in after days. Many of these gentle
men were, at different times, appointed temporary
prosecuting attorneys. As may be remarked, from
the brilliant array of prfessional men, the early bar
of Knox county stood preeminent throughout the ¦
State. Samuel Mott, esq, a native of Vermont, was the
first resident lawyer of the county. He came to
Mount Vernon about 181 1. In the early courts he
had considerale business, and was a man of note
in the county. At one time he was engaged in the
mercantile business.
William C. Enos was probably the first attorney
admitted to the bar in Knox county, about 1813.
He was what the people of that day called "home
made," and did not attain to a high position as an
attorney. He was a quiet, peaceable citizen, and
a man of considerable intelligence.
Hosmer Curtis was the second resident attorney.
He was a native of Connecticut and came to
Mount Vernon in 18 15. For a number of years
he was the "father of the Knox county bar." In
1 8 16 he was appointed prosecuting attorney, and
in 1822 represented the county in the legislature.
He removed to Iowa in 1858, and died in 1874,
aged eighty-five years.
Henry Barnes Curtis came to Mount Vernon in
181 7, and read law in the office of his brother,
Hosmer Curtis; was admitted to the bar, and at a
later date to the United States courts at Columbus,
and to the supreme court at Washington, D. C.
On the ninth day of December, 1872, he retired
from the legal profession, after a successful and lu
crative professional career of half a century.
About the time Mr. Curtis entered upon his legal
career, J. W. Warden, Benjamin S. Brown, Colum
bus Delano and John K. Miller became members
of the bar. At a later period Matthew H. Mitchell,
John C. Stockton, William R. Sapp, R. C. Hurd

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

243

and others were enrolled as members. Of the
eight mentioned above, Columbus Delano is the
only one now living. In the early days of the bar
J. C. Hall was a leading member of it. Some
thirty-five years ago he started west, and made his
home in Iowa, where he became eminent in his
profession, and at one time represented his district
in congress. Of the professional career of John
W. Warden and Benjamin S. Brown, little can be
said at this late date, other than that they were
eminent in their profession, and well known
throughout the State. John K. Miller took high
rank in his profession, and also in the field of
politics. He represented the Knox congressional
district in congress two terms, and also represented
his country as cansul at one of the French ports.
Stricken with bodily infirmities whileTat the height
of his usefulness, he was compelled to retire from
a profession he adorned by his abilities and virtues.
Matthew H. Mitchell, in the early part of his
professional career, was a man of superior abilities,
and stood at the head of the bar. He had no
superior in the county. In 1850 he represented
the county in the constitutional convention, took a
leading part in that body, and enjoyed the entire
confidence of his fellow-members. His death oc
curred a short time since.
One of the most brilliant and erratic members of
the early bar of Mount Vernon was the late Major
Hoey. He was a man of superior education, a
comprehensive mind and inferior to none when he
thought proper to devote himself to his profession.
Socially inclined he deserted his profession for the
companonship of the gay, and the thoughtless.
Hon. C. Delano is one of the county's most em
inent attorneys, and highly honored men. He
was born in Shoreham, Vermont, in 1809; removed
to Mount Vernon in 1817; was admitted to the bar
in 183 1, and became eminently successful, both as
a criminal prosecutor and as an advocate. In 1844
he was elected a representative from Ohio to the
twenty-ninth Congress, and served on the commit
tee on invalid pensions. In 1847 ne was a candi
date for governor, but lacked two votes of a nomi
nation. In i860 he was a delegate- to the Chicago
convention. In 1861 he was apppointed commis
sary general of Ohio and filled the office with great
success until the General Government assumed the

subsistence of all State troops. In 1862 he was a
candidate for United States senator, but again
lacked two votes of a nomination. In 1863 he
was elected to the Ohio house of representatives
and was a prominent member of that body,
taking a leading part in shaping the important leg
islation of that session. In 1864 he was a member
of the Baltimore convention, and chairman of the
Ohio delegation, zealously supporting President
Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. He was re-elected
to the thirty-ninth Congress, serving as chairman of
the committee on claims. Having relinquished
the practice of his profession, he became extensively
engaged in agricultural pursuits, and the business
of banking. He was also a delegate to the Phila
delphia "Loyalists' convention'' of 1866; and, in
1868, having contested the seat of G. W. Morgan
for the fortieth Congress, he was successful, and
became a member of the House. After leaving
Congress he was appointed commissioner of inter
nal revenue, and was also appointed Secretary of
the Interior in 1870, by President Grant, and re
signed in 1875.
Judge Rollin C. Hurd was for many years one
of the most prominent of Mount Vernon's lawyers.
He was a live, active, go-ahead Yankee from Ver
mont, and pushed his way to the front rank in his
profession. He was educated at Kenyon college,
studied law with the late Benjamin S. Brown and
was admitted to the bar in 1837. His practice soon
became extensive not only in the county and cir
cuit courts, but in the United States courts of the
northern district of Ohio. In 1863 he was admit
ted to practice in the supreme court of the United
States in Washington
In 1852 he was elected judge of the court of com
mon pleas for this judicial district. Later in life
he found time to publish a work on habeas corpus,
and to devote much of his time and energy to the
completion of the Cleveland, Columbus & Mount
Vernon railroad. His death occurred February 1 2,
1874. Joseph Slocum Davis graduated from Kenyon
college in 1835; studied law in the office of Ben
jamin S. Brown, and was admitted to the bar in
1837. Illhealth compelled him to quit the pro
fession after a few years' practice.
William Dunbar came to Mount Vernon in 1847,

244

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

and became proprietor of the Mount Vernon Dem
ocratic Banner. He was born in Pennsylvania in
1806, and admitted to the bar in 1842.
General George W. Morgan came to Mount
Vernon in 1843, and read law with the late Hon.
J. K. Miller. He has been actively engaged in
three wars — the Texan war of independence, 1836;
the Mexican war, 1846; and the war ofthe Rebel
lion, 1 861; and has served three terms in Congress.
He has also held two foreign appointments — con
sul and minister plenipotentiary.
The late Hon. William R. Sapp, or "Major," as
he was familiarly called, thirty years ago stood high
in the profession. He served in Congress two
terms, and was also appointed revenue collector and
United States commissioner.
John C. Stockton came to Mount Vernon from
Zanesville about the year 1855. In 1814 he repre
sented Muskingum county in the State legislature.
He was a man of education and great professional
ability. William McClelland, of the firm of McClelland
& Culbertson, is a native of Pennsylvania-; came
to Mount Vernon in 1844, and has been largely
engaged in settling estates. He served as county
commissioner thirteen years.
William Craig Culbertson is a native of West
moreland county, Pennsylvania. He read law un
der the preceptorship of General Aquilla Wiley, of
Wooster, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in
1871. He came to Mount Vernon in 1872 and
entered into partnership with William McClelland.
Charles H. Scribner was admitted to the bar at
Mount Vernon in 1848, and in June, 1869, remov
ed to Toledo and entered into partnership with
Hon. Frank H. Hurd. In 1867 he was elected to
the State senate from the district composed of the
counties of Wayne, Holmes, Knox, and Morrow.
He was the author of a valuable legal work, entitled
Treatise on the Law of Dower, and was a member
of the convention called to revise the constitution
in 1873.
Joseph C. Devin was educated at the seminary
at Norwalk, Ohio, at the Wesleyan university, at
Delaware; studied law under Hon. Columbus
Delano, and the late William R. Sapp, and was
admitted to the bar in 185 1. In 1863 he was
elected to the Ohio State senate from the district

composed of Wayne, Holmes, Knox, and Morrow
counties. His law partner, Henry L. Curtis, is a
native of this city, and studied law under the pre
ceptorship of his father, the Hon. Henry B. Curtis,
Mr. Curtis is a graduate of Kenyon college, and a
young man of much promise.
Frank H. Hurd was educated at Kenyon college,
from whence he graduated in 1859, when only
eighteen years old, and entered immediately upon
the study of the law. He was admitted to the bar
in 1862; and during the fall of the same year was
elected prosecuting attorney. .In 1866 he was
elected a member of the State senate. In 1867
Mr. Hurd removed to Toledo, Ohio, and in 1874
was elected to Congress from the Toledo district,
and re-elected in 1878. He is the author of the
Ohio Criminal Code of Procedure. In 1876 he
published a second edition of his father's work on
Habeas Corpus and one of his own on Homestead
and other Exemptions.
William C. Cooper, a native of Mt. Vernon, was
admitted to the bar in 1854, and has had a suc
cessful career as an attorney, a politician, and in a
military capacity. He enjoys the respect and
esteem of all the citizens of the county.
David Carter Montgomery is a native of Penn
sylvania, and was admitted to the bar in Mt. Ver
non in 1858. He was elected. sheriff in 1846, and
reelected in 1848.
Henry Harrison Greer is a native of the county,
born in 1837. His law preceptors were Messrs.
Delano, Sapp and Smith. He was admitted to
the bar in i860, and has enjoyed a successful pro
fessional career. In 1861 he was elected treasurer
of the county, and served one term, refusing to be
a candidate for a second term.
Joseph Watson is a native of Ireland; was born
in 1827, and came to America in 1849, settling in
Newark, Ohio. He came to Mount Vernon in
1850, and has resided here ever since. In 1859
he commenced reading law with the late Clark
Irvine, sr.; was admitted to the bar in 1861, and
began the practice of his profession. April, 1880,
he opened an office in Columbus.
Charles Edward Critchfield commenced reading
law in 1862 with the late Major William R. Sapp,
and was admitted to the bar in 1864. He was in
practice about four years. In 1869, 1872, and

NEW CASTLE ROAD

LAUREL WELL WILL Ho a

"NEFF DIAMOND BLACK CO."
Located at the Confluence of the Kokosing and Mohecan Rivers, Coshocton Co., O. Office at Gambier, Knox Co., O.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

245

1878, he was elected probate judge, which office
he now holds.
Samuel J. Brent resumed the study of the law,
which he had suspended in 1861 to enter the serv
ice of his country, and was admitted to the bar
June, 1866. He has practiced about two years.
He was elected clerk of the court of common pleas
in 1869, and 1872, and re-elected for a third term
in 1878.
David Wesley Wood, read law with Judge A. K.
Dunn, of Mount Gilead, and was admitted to the bar
in 1868, and to practice in Knox county in 1869.
Alfred R. Mclntire commenced studying law,
April 1, 1867, with the late Judge Hurd; was ad
mitted to the bar in 1869, and has followed his
profession ever since. D. B. Kirk, the law partner
of Mr. Mclntire, is a son of the Hon. R. C Kirk,
and a native of Mount Vernon.
John Byron Waight, read law with Lewis Lewton,
esq., of Cadiz, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar
at Carrolton, Ohio, June, 1873. In January, 1874,
he opened an office at Mount Vernon, where he
has since been practicing. January, 1880, the
council appointed him city solicitor, to which posi
tion he was elected by the people in April, 1880.
Frank R. Moore was educated in the city schools,
and read law with Messrs. Cooper, Porter & Mitch
ell, and was admitted to the bar in 1875. Mr.
Moore was elected prosecuting attorney in 1878,
and re-elected in 1880.
Clark Irvine, jr., studied law with his father. He
was elected prosecuting attorney in 1874, and re
elected in 1876. At the State Democratic conven
tion held at Cleveland, in 1880, he was elected a
member of the Democratic State Central commit
tee, and secretary of that body, and also of the ex
ecutive committee.
William McKee Koons read law under William
McClelland, and was admitted to the bar July 1,
1874. In his youthful days he learned the trade
of machinist and drafting. In 187 1, September,
he was elected by the city council as city fire en
gineer, and continued as such until January, 1876.
He was elected city solicitor April, 1876, and
again in April, 1878, but resigned January, 1880.
In the fall of 1879 he was elected a member of
the Ohio house of representatives, which position
he now holds.

Charles Austin Merriman read law at the Ann
Arbor law school; was admitted to the bar in
Michigan, in 1876, and the same year in Ohio.
Frank C. Lewis was educated in the city schools,
commenced reading law December 6, 1876, with
H. H. Greer, and was admitted to the bar at
Columbus February 6, 1878.
Sidney Wood began reading law in 1873 with
his brother, D. W. Wood, and July 22, 1879, was
admitted to the bar at Mount Gilead; also on the
29th of September, same year, to the bar of Indi
ana. In May, 1880, he formed a partnership with
his brother, in Mount Vernon.
Frank Harper graduated from the city high
school, June 22, 1877. He read law with Colonel
W. C. Cooper; was admitted to the bar July 7,
1879, and has since practiced his profession.
Charles W. Doty came to Mt. Vernon with his
parents in 1863. He read law in the office of Gen
eral Morgan, and was admitted to the bar July 7,
1879. A. B. Norton studied law with Colonel W. C.
Cooper. He was admitted to practice in the
supreme court at Columbus, January 6th, 1880.
A few members of the bar of Knox county went
away from time to time to seek their fortunes in
other fields, and some of these have became promi
nent in State and national affairs. Among them
were Daniel S. Norton, jr., and William Windom,
who left Mount Vernon about the same time, and
cast their fortunes with the good people of the new
State of Minnesota. Mr. Norton was born in this
city, and Mr. Windom was a native of Middlebury
township. Both settled in Winona. After a short
residence in Minnesota, Mr. Windom was elected
to the lower house of Congress. Mr. Norton, a few
years later, was elected by the legislature a member
of the United States senate. After a few years'
service in that body with credit to himself and
State, he died. Mr. Windom was elected his suc
cessor, and is now Secretary of the Treasury. He
was, within the past year, frequently suggested as
an available candidate for the Presidency.
Lafayette Emmett, a native born citizen of Mount
Vernon, took up his residence in the same State
while it was still a territory. After a short resi
dence he was elevated to the bench ofthe supreme
court.

246

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

James Smith, jr., a son of the late Rev. James
Smith, was admitted to practice in 1839. From
that time up to 1856 he was an eminent member of
the Knox county bar, and for many years practiced
in company with the late Colonel Joseph W. Vance,
who was killed at the battle of Sabine Cross Roads,
April 8, 1864. In 1856 Mr. Smith took up his
residence in St. Paul, and entered into partnership
with Judge Lafayette Emmett. He was a member
of the Minnesota senate in 1861, 1862, 1863, and
1865. He is now attorney for the St. Paul and
Duluth land department.
A. Banning Norton took up his residence in
Texas about 1857. He has been a member of the
Texas legislature, postmaster at Dallas, and has
twice been judge of the United States circuit
court. A. Baldwin Norton entered the army and
served as an efficient officer during the war of the
Rebellion. He died a few years since while acting
as superintendent of a number of tribes of western
Indians. Walter L. Simons located in Kansas, and was
soon after elected to the State senate. William F.
Turner went west, and became chief justice of
Arizona. Fletcher W. Sapp, after practicing in
Knox county a number of years, located in Iowa.
He soon rose to eminence in his adopted State.
He was appointed United States district attorney
by the President, and served as colonel of an Iowa
regiment during the War of the Rebellion. He is
now serving a second term in congress. Henry B.
Banning is mentioned in the military history of the
county. He was a member of the lower house of
congress, serving three terms.
Robert B. Mitchell, in 1846, shortly after his ad
mission to the bar, volunteered for the Mexican
war, and was elected first lieutenant of his com
pany. He served until the close of the war, and
came home in 1848. After practicing here some
years, he went west. He served through the war
of 1861, and came out a major-general. While
stationed in New Mexico, on the retirement of
Governor Geary, he became acting governor of
that territory. David A. Robertson left Mount
Vernon and located in Lancaster. In 1850 he re
moved to St. Paul. A more extended notice of
this gentleman will be found elsewhere.
James G. Chapman read law with Hon. H. B. Cur

tis, and subsequenly formed a co-partnership with
that gentleman. As an attorney in the great sheep-
slaughtering case, about twenty-five years since,
Chapman committed an unfortunate faux pas that
worried him considerably, and some think if was
the real cause of his going west. Be that as it
may, the slaughter-pen became a nuisance, and the
citizens made an effort to have it abated. The
trial was a great one, and created considerable in
terest. Chapman was defending the sheep man,
and thought the killing of so many sheep for their
pelts and lard would result beneficially to the
county, as it created a great demand for sheep.
Chapman went west and became a member of the
Nebraska legislature, and is doing well, in his new
home. Julius B. Galusha was a student with Hon.
Samuel Israel, and after his admission to the bar,
became his partner. He removed to Monroe,
Wisconsin, and became cashier of one of the banks
there. Caleb J. McNulty came to Mount Vernon from
Zanesville about 1838. He is noticed elsewhere.
William T. Curtis, a son, and William S. V. Pren
tiss, a step-son, of the late Hosmer Curtis, were in
practice a short time about 1850. Young Curtis
wandered off to Oregon, and Prentiss to Colum
bus, Ohio. Both are now dead.
Walter H- Smith is a citizen of Washington
city, and was at one time solicitor of the United
States treasury, and held an important position in
the interior department. Mr. Smith is a well-read
lawyer, and stood high in the profession here.
Louis H. Mitchell is one of the Knox county
boys, who, while still a student in the city high
school, left his books, took up a musket, and
served through the War of the Rebellion. He was
a first lieutenant in the regiment of Colonel Vance.
After his return home he entered the law office
of Colonel W. Cooper, studied the allotted time,
was admitted to practice, and entered into partner
ship with Colonel Cooper and Henry T. Porter.
A few years since he removed to Chicago, and is
doing well. There was another young Mitchell,
Louis Y., who entered the army, fought through
the war, and came out captain, studied law,
and was duly admitted to practice. Several
years ago he received an appointment in one of

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

247

the departments at Washington, D. C. Frank
Green's career can be stated in the same words as
that pf young Mitchell. Captain W. A. Coulter
came to Mount Vernon from Delaware, Ohio.
He had served in the war, and was a promising
young lawyer, building up quite a practice in this
county. About three years since he ,took up his
residence at Detroit.
John J. Lennon is by birth a native of Canada.
In 1 86 1 he enlisted in a New York regiment, and
served through the war with some distinction.
About 1872 he came here from Wooster, Ohio,
and commenced reading law. Shortly after, he was
appointed superintendent of some Government
work in the south, where he remained something
over a year, when he returned to Mount Vernon,
finished his law course and was admitted to prac
tice. In the early part of 1880 he removed to
Columbus and formed a partnership with a lead
ing lawyer in that city.
Of those members of the bar who still hold
their residence in Mount Vernon, space will not
permit an extended notice.
John Adams enjoys a high reputation as a law
yer and jurist, and is now serving out his second
term as judge of the district court.
Abel Hart, jr., at one time a partner of Judge
Adams, is a lawyer of considerable ability. He
has been twice elected prosecuting attorney. In
1876 and again in 1878 he represented the people
of the county in the lower house of the State
legislature. '
Henry T. Porter is a native of Knox county,
and has been in practice many years. Samuel
Israel is a lawyer of long standing and high repute.
His health for the past few years, requires him to
devote himself to out-door labor.
J. D. Critchfield and J. B. Graham, doing busi
ness together, are establishing a large and paying
legal business. Both are natives of the county,
and both graduates of Kenyon college. John M.
Critchfield, a son of Peres Critchfield, is a native'
of the county, and a graduate of Kenyon. He
commenced his legal career in 1879. J. D. & D.
F. Ewing, brothers, as well as partners, came to
this county from the neighboring county of Holmes,
about five years since. J. D. Ewing is now serving
his second term as justice of the peace for Clinton

township. Clark Irvine, sr., whose death occurred
a few years since, was one of Mount Vernon's
early attorneys. In 1850 he was elected prose
cuting attorney, and made an efficient one. He
was a man of rare mind and sound judgment. He
was almost a self-educated man, and gathered dur
ing his legal career considerable business.
Emmet W. Cotton, although a member of the
profession, has paid but little attention to it. He
represented Knox county in the legislature during
the sessions of 1846 and 1847, and also served the
county as surveyor two or three terms. He was
born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1808,
and came to this county in 1823.
John M. Andrews came to Mount Vernon in
1846. He has considerable practice.
B. A. F. Greer, a native of the county, entered
the army at the commencement of his professional
career, and served through the war of 1861. He
came home broken down in health, caused by ex
posure, and served one term as justice of the peace
for Clinton township; also, one term as probate
judge ofthe county. Charles F. Baldwin, although
by profession a lawyer, of late years has been en
gaged in other business. For a number of years
he was in the employ of the internal revenue de
partment of the General Government. At present
he is engaged in the main office of the Pennsylva
nia railroad at Columbus. J. Clark Irvine, a son
of the Hon. James C. Irvine, is practicing law in
Missouri. A. A. Cassil, a son of Colonel Alexan
der Cassil, William B. Ewalt, R. M. Brown, E. I.
Mendenhall, H. Clay Robinson, and Samuel Kun-
kell, are all members of the bar. Mr. Cassil is city
civil engineer of Mount Vernon. Mr. Mendenhall
devotes his time and attention to the collecting and
agency branch of the profession. Mr. Robinson
follows the same line. Mr. Brown is mostly en
gaged in the collecting branch. Mr. Kunkell was
admitted to the bar in 1879; his law preceptor be
ing General G. W. Morgan. Before his admission
he was twice elected county recorder. Samuel W.
Farquhar was a member of the bar, but his time,
while a resident of the county was entirely spent in
some county office. He is now a citizen of Iowa.
Samuel F. Gilcrist, about 1850, was a prominent
attorney. He represented the district of Holmes
and Knox in the State legislature in that year, and

248

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

was elected probate judge in 1852. He moved
west and died. Mr. R. S. Lockwood and a Mr.
Mclntyre opened a law office in the old market
house about 1850. Mr. Lockwood was a preacher,
also, and was at one time mayor ofthe city. Some
years since he went west. About two years since
he came back sick, and died. Mr. Mclntyre,
also went west. Josephus Ricketts was also a law
yer here about 1850.
The bar of Knox county has already furnished one
governor, two United States senators, eight members
of the lower house of Congress, six State senators,
ten representatives to the lower house, five judges
of circuit courts, four probate judges, one United
States attorney, one commissioner of internal reve
nue, one Secretary of the Interior, one solicitor of
the United States treasury, one clerk of the lower
house of Congress, one foreign minister, two for
eign consuls, one Indian superintendent, two major
generals in the United States army, one brigadier
general in the United States army, one State mar
shal, three members of Constitutional conventions.
As to candidates on State tickets, the bar has fur
nished for governor, one; forjudges, ofthe supreme
court, three, and for attorney general, two. There
is hardly an office in Knox county below the grade
of probate judge that has not been filled by mem
bers of the bar.
Knox county may well feel proud of the record
made by her "Bench and Bar."
[Note. — More complete sketches of many mem
bers of the Mount Vernon bar may be found in the
biographical department of this work.]

CHAPTER XXVII.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS OF THE COUNTY.
Four Court Houses— Three Jails— Two Infirmary
Buildings — Matters of Interest Connected With
These Buildings.
THE court houses of Knox county have been four
in number, and in expense of building, mate
rial, architectural beauty, etc., have kept pace with
the prosperity and gradually increasing wealth of
the people.

The first court house was built of logs about
1808 or 1809, and stood on the public square, near
the intersection of Main and High streets, on the
south side of High and west side of Main, and
facing Main. It was but one story in height; fif
teen by eighteen feet in size; covered with clap
boards, held on by "lug" poles; was lighted by
greased-paper windows; with the usual large fire
place and mud chimney at one end ; no floor but
mother earth, and in all other respects as primitive
as it was possible for a court house to be. It was
only in existence about three or four years when it
was removed and a new one erected.
This second building was made of brick and
stood on the north side of and facing High street,
and on the public square, not far from and east of
Main street. The ground upon which it stood was
probably ten or more feet higher than at the pres
ent time, and while grading Main street about 1828,
Mr. Norton, the supervisor, plowed so near the
foundation as to weaken it; this being the primary
cause of its downfall. It was a square building,
two stories in height, with a roof sloping from four
sides to the centre upon which stood the cupola,
or little square box for the bell. It had double
doors on the south and west sides, thus facing both
Main and High streets.
Regarding this "new" court house the commis
sioner's journal of that time contains this entry:
Solomon Geller and George Downs did receive by subscrip
tion seven hundred and forty-five dollars.
On the tenth of April, 18 12, the following entry
is made:
The commissioners this day did examine the court house built
by George Downs and Geller, and do receive the same.
No sooner is the new court house ready for use
than the commissioners become involved in trouble
about its occupancy, by different sects, as will be
explained by the following entries on the journal :
Whereas, a number of the inhabitants of this county have
made application for the use of the court house in Mt. Vernon,
for the purpose of occupying the same for preaching and hold
ing public worship thereih; it is therefore, ordered that the dif
ferent denominations of Christians are allowed to occupy the
same for the aforesaid purpose provided that each denomination
shall have the use of the same for one meeting once in four
weeks; provided, also, that the different denominations afore
said shall meet and mutually agree upon the time or times they
shall hold the same, which shall be in force for one year unless
they do not agree on the times they shall hold their meetings
aforesaid, and each denomination failing to clean up the house

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

249

and leave the same in as good repair as they found it within
three days, shall forfeit their privilege aforesaid, and shall
at all times be liable to make good all damages done by such
denomination at their meeting aforesaid ; and James Smith shall
keep the key of the house aforesaid; it is further provided, that
each denomination aforesaid shall furnish the said house with
. at least fifty feet of good strong benches for the use of the
house aforesaid, which shall be left there for the use of all pub-
ick business which shall be necessary previous to such denomi
nation occupying the said house for the purpose aforesaid.
Eminently catholic and practical — especially the
bench part.
The brethren could not dwell together in unity,
and accordingly the commissioners on the eighth of
June, 18 1 3, passed this resolution:
Resolved, That the court house, from this date, be closed and
kept lockt from all denominations except courts.
This brought about a cessation of hostilities, and
again petitions poured in for use of the court house,
agreeing to agree as to the time of using it, etc.
Thereupon Commissioners Herrod, Cooper, and
McMillen, on the twenty-second of June met for
the special purpose of ordering "That the court
house be opened as formerly, by and under the
same rules as formerly."
One difficulty was that the Methodists were un
willing to let the "New Lights," who formerly be
longed to the Methodist church, occupy the court
house for the purpose of holding meetings.
On the commissioners' book for July, 18 14, ap
pears another item regarding this court house, to
the effect that the building is found to need re
pairing, and Solomon Geller purchases the privil
ege of making the repairs for seven hundred and
ninety-nine dollars and seventy cents.
The wall of this court house began to crumble
about 1828, owing, as before stated, to the dirt
being taken away from the foundation in grading;
and October 18, 1828, James McGibeny made a
contract with the commissioners to build a stone
wall to support the building, but it was too late, the
building fell. December 2d the commissioners is
sued an order for forty dollars payable to P. S.
Brown for loss and damage to his office, caused by
the falling of the wall; his office being in the base
ment of the building.
Preparations were immediately made for erecting
the third court house; meanwhile the court held its
sessions in what was known as the "Golden Swan
Inn," then kept by Thomas Irvine, which stood

on the southwest corner of Main and Gambier
streets. This tavern was one of the institutions of
the town, and a famous place for many years.
This third court house was also of brick, and
stood on the public square, on the northwest cor
ner of Main and High streets. It was two stories
and a basement in height, and fronted on Main
street. The roof projected out over the front of
the building and was supported by white, fluted
columns. The entrance to the basement was from
High street, and the entrance to the court room
and first floor was from Main street, by a few steps.
A high bank rose in the rear of the building, com
ing up to the second floor on that side, thus allow
ing daylight to enter the basement only on the east
and south sides. The basement was rented out for
shops and stores, the first floor was used for the
court room and one or two offices, and the second
floor was devoted to offices.
The following regarding this is from Mr. Nor
ton's history.
The court house was no sooner down than the commissioners
ordered proposals to be published in the Standard and Adver
tiser, for the purpose of making donations for the building of a
new court house, and for a plan of building, etc. On the twen
tieth of January, 1829, they agreed with Thomas Irvine for his
brick house for a court house, at twenty-five dollars per term,
in orders on the county treasury. In April, James Smith is
notified by Marvin Tracy that the commissioners have obtained
Thomas Irvine's bar room for an office. The levy for taxes in
Knox county, June, 1829, was one and a half mills on the
dollar, on the whole valuation of property in said county, for
State purposes, and one and a half for canal purposes, making
three mills upon the dollar for State and canal purposes; and
the commissioners, by and with the consent of the judges of
the court of common pleas, levied a tax of three mills on the
dollar for county purposes, one mill for road purposes, and
three-fourths of a mill for school purposes; one of the three
mills Shall be assessed and collected and appropriated for the
building of the court house, and for no other purpose whatever.
At the June session, the following entry is made: "The ac
count of James Smith, presented to the board of commissioners,
for one year, from June 1, 1828, to June 1, 1829, including the
rent unpaid at last settlement, books and stationery for clerk's
office, all of which was rejected by the board. The charges for
one year's fire-wood, which was twelve dollars. From which
decision the said Smith prays an appeal to the court of common
pleas as to the fire-wood." That record is clear, is it not?
The resolutions of the commissioners, published in the Standard
and Avdertiser, in reference to the building of a court house,
represent that "they will meet on the fifteenth of July, tor the
purpose of receiving donations, etc. ; giving the public square
one thousand dollars ; preference for location, etc. ; otherwise at
any point in the town plat where one thousand dollars is sub
scribed," etc. On the fifteenth of July, the commissioners met,

25°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

and adjourned till the twenty-fourth of August, to receive dona
tions, etc., for new court house.
On the eleventh of September public notice is given in the
Western Aurora and in the Advertiser and Standard, of sale
of contract to build a court house, to the lowest bidder, on the
fifth of October next, &c. Peris Sprague is authorized to get
E. G. Carlin, or some other person, to make and draft a plat
for the same. This plan, as agreed upon, appears on the jour
nal, specifying that the building is to be erected on the west
side of Main street and north side of High street, and that one
thousand dollars is to be paid to the contractor on the tenth of
January, 1830, and one thousand dollars annually, thereafter,
and all orders to be expressly understood to be paid when due
and presented. Edward G. Carlin is paid county order for ten
dollars, for making plat of new court house, and describing tim
bers, dimensions, &c. Richard House, for assisting Carlin in
describing the plan, is paid one dollar and fifty cents.
October 5th. The building of the court house is sold to John
Shaw for five thousand four hundred and eighty-five dollars, who
enters into bond with Byram Leonard, Philo Norton, Charles
Sager, Solomon Geller, Thomas Irvine and H. B. Carter, in the
sum of ten thousand nine hundred and seventy dollars. Such
is the/record of the third court house built in Mount Vernon,
which stood on the public square until 1853. It was built of
brick, two stories high, with a cupola, and a very imposing
building in its time. It answered well its part for many years —
may we not say for that generation, as almost all then upon the
stage of action have passed hence without day. The supreme
court, district and associate judges, the commissioners, sheriff,
auditor, assessor, treasurer, surveyor, and coroner, the contractor
and his sureties— are all, all dead.
This court house seems also to have been poorly
constructed and was partially destroyed by a storm
of wind and rain that passed over Mount Vernon,
Sunday night, April 9, 1854. The damage, in dol
lars and cents, was estimated at from one thousand
five hundred dollars to two thousand dollars. The
injury to the building was too severe to warrant re
pairs. The storm came from the southwest, and
striking the west gable raised the roof and heavy
timbers from their positions, and threw the rafters,
shingles, etc., across Main street several hundred
feet. The large brick chimneys of the west end
were thrown down, and the bricks of the west gable
wall blown into the main building itself, with such
force that they were carried through both floors of
the building, and landed, a mass of rubbish, in the
clerk's office in the basement below. The two court
rooms were completely demolished. The judges'
bench, table, and files of the probate judge were
carried below, and there piled together, and mixed
in with those of the common pleas court. The
clerk of the supreme court, Alexander C. Elliott,
was sleeping in his room below at the time, and

very narrowly escaped with his life. He was
awakened by the falling of a large stove pipe across
the head of his bed. He managed to get under
the bed where he remained until the violence of
the storm had passed, when he made his way to
the residence of his mother on East High street.
Sheriff Wade and Daniel Clark were the first to
reach the scene of disaster, and remained there
during the night engaged in rescuing the papers of
the court rooms.
After this catastrophe the court was again com
pelled to seek quarters by renting, and for a time
occupied "George's Hall," on Gambier street near
Main. Preparations were immediately made for the
erection of the present court house, which occu
pies a pleasant site on the hill on the north side of
High street, and appears solid and substantial as if
it might withstand the storms of centuries^
The bell ofthe old court house now does service
for the fire department, and hangs in the cupola of
the third ward engine house and council chamber.
That bell, and a small table made from the lumber
of the seats in the court room, is probably all that
remains of the second court house. The table was
made by Mr. John W. White for use in the tele
graph office. The present court house cost about
forty thousand dollars. Its completion was cele
brated by the bar in a public dinner, at the Ken
yon House, then located on the site of the present
Kirk opera house.
The following regarding the first jail erected in
Knox county, is from Mr. Norton's history :
On the sixth of June, 1808, the commissioners of this county,
finding the great want of a jail in said town, and by virtue of the
powers vested in them by law,
Ordered, a. jail to be built, twenty-four feet long, sixteen feet
wide, nine feet high, with square timber of one foot square, in
cluding the upper and lower floor, and a petition of like timber,
with a good shingle roof, and stone or brick chimney, three
windows, with iron grates, of six lights each, and two sufficient
doors, one on the outside and one in the petition in the inside,
and the walls, petition and lower floor lined with three inch
plank, spiked on with spikes seven inches in length. The
front door marked A and petition door B to be one and one-
half inch stuff; C chimney. The jail to be built on the public
square of said town, on a corner.
On the thirty-first of January the following entry
is made upon the journal:
This day the board has proceeded to the examination of the
jail, and finding the same unfinished they do allow the under-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

251

takers thereof until the first day of May next to finish the same,
agreeable to the article of agreement in that case made and pro
vided. On the second of May, 1809,
' ' Ordered that the commissioners do receive the jail from the
hands of John Mills, Alexander Walker, and James Walker, sr.,
provided that the said Mills and others do saw down the corners
of said jail, and then our clerk shall have authority to issue or
ders on the treasury for the sum of four hundred and thirty-
three dollars and fifty cents, as shall appear by reference to the
agreement, and that the clerk issue orders of such sizes as the
claimants may desire, with their proper numbers to the above
amount."' The jail being then declared completed the commissioners
ordered fifty cents to be expended by Joseph Walker for two
steeples and hasp for the jail.
The calaboose having been duly prepared, the officers of the
law became exceedingly self-important, consequential and over
bearing. Michael Click, an old Dutchman, who was fond of
grog, was taken up, "tight as a musket," and locked up in the
quarters. The constable had gone down street and was boast
ing of his exploit in taking up Mike, when the voice of the old
fellow was heard just behind him, shouting at the top of his
lungs: " By tarn, they can't keep me in their tammed shail — I
am thrumps!" He had crawled up the chimney till he got near
the top and stuck fast, when, as he said, he " swelled and burst-
ed " it open, and then jumped to the ground a free man.
The chimney was repaired at the expense of the county, and
Click, several weeks after, when confined, "broke out," and
meeting Judge Wilson on the street, narrated his several jail ex
ploits in great glee, vowing that they never could keep old Mike
in that jail any longer than it suited him to stay, for he had lent
a hand when it was built and knew all its weak points. For sev
eral years, however, this little log concern served as a nomina
terror to evil doers. At length so many escapes were made from
it, that its fate was sealed, and it was sold to William Y. Far
quhar, who moved it to the outskirts of town and constructed
out of it a sort of a tobacco house.
The commissioners, on the fourth of December, 1823, deter
mined to erect another jail and jailor's house, on the square, of
brick, which remained an eye-sore to the people of the town until
about 1850, when John Armstrong, street commissioner, and A.
Banning Norton, councilman of the Third ward, in grading and
excavating the northeast part of the public square, with "malice
aforethought" undermined it, and caused the removal of that
pile of rubbish.
The county seems to have had some trouble in
keeping prisoners in their first jail from the follow
ing entry in the commissioners' record, from which
it appears they were compelled to employ guards :
Calvin Hill three nights, $1.50; William Dehart ten nights
and one day, $5.50; Henry Burge for nine nights and one day,
$5; James Irvine nineteen nights and one day, $10; John Cra
mer thirteen nights and one day, $7; Thomas Sprague one
night, $1; Samuel Kratzer for guarding, $7.50; Jacob Wood
ruff, $14.75; Samuel Breese, constable, .95; Michael Click for
trailing after prisoner Beldon, $1; Eli Gregg $r for aiding in
committing A. Beldon to jail, and William Dehart for trailing
after Beldon, $3.

Thus the snug little sum of $58.20 was expended in guarding
a person named Beldon.
Further along in the commissioners journal ap
pear these items :
Samuel Kratzer is allowed $1.62}^ for iron for the jail, and
Archibald Crofford $4.75 for iron and labor done on the jail.
The rate of taxation on taverns in 1812 is $8 for all located on
Market street, Mt. Vernon, all others on other streets of Mt.
Vernon and on road from Mt. Vernon to Newark and in Fred
ericktown $7, and all others in the county $6.
One of the jailors of this first ' jail is yet living
in Brown township — a Mr. Goodale.
The location of the first jail was on the square,
east of Main and north of High. The second one,
mentioned by Mr, Norton, was located about the
same place. It seems to have required about two
years in building, as in 1825 "the jail built by Sol
omon Geller is found according to contract, except
that he is yet to put in a stove, and the door above,
going into the debtor's apartment.'' The old jail
was sold at auction, William Bevans being allowed
five dollars for crying the sale. The present jail,
in the court house yard, was erected about the time
the present court house was erected.
In June, 1842, Thomas Axtell, Christopher
Wolfe, and Thomas Wade, county commissioners,
purchased of William E. Davidson one hundred
and thirty-two acres of land situated in the south7
east corner of Liberty township known as the
"Bricker farm," for which they paid three thousand
three hundred dollars. William E. Davidson and
J. R. Clark repaired and enlarged the buildings on
the same at a cost to the county of seven hundred
dollars. Thus fitted up it became the county poor
house or original Knox county infirmary; William
Borden, John Hobbs, and I. F. McClain, directors.
This building with the grounds attached, after var
ious alterations and improvements, sufficed for the
accommodation of the imfirm of the county until
1874 when it became necessary to erect new build
ings. May 12, 1874, the directors of the infirmary pe
titioned the county ¦ commissioners (D. F. Halsey,
John C. Levering, and John Lyal) to proceed im
mediately to erect new buildings; and on the fif
teenth of May the said commissioners employed
Tinsley & Company, of Columbus, Ohio, to fur
nish plans and specifications for a building the
cost of which was not to exceed fiftty thousand

252

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

dollars. Pursuant to this plan they contracted
with J. Henegan & Company, September 30,
1874, to complete the said buildings for the sum of
thirty-eight thousand nine hundred and thirty-six
dollars and seventy-four cents.
The work under the superintendence of Mr.
Clifford Buxton, progressed slowly, but it soon be
came evident that the buildings contemplated by
the plans of the architect, Mr. T. R. Tinsley, could
not be completed for the stipulated price. After
enclosing the building Henegan & Company failed
and obliged the commissioners to take the contract
off their hands, paying them twenty-eight thousand
dollars for the material furnished and labor per
formed. The commissioners now assumed the re
sponsibility of its completion themselves, and un
der the superintendence of Samuel Israel, esq,
with Mr. William Bound as master mechanic, the
work was rapidly pushed forward, being completed
and ready for the reception of inmates in Septem
ber, 1877, at a cost of eighty-three thousand dollars.
The new infirmary is situated on a beautiful
rise of ground on the south side of Dry creek near
Bangs Station, on the Cleveland, Mount Vernon,
& Columbus railroad. The main building is seven
ty-five by one hundred and twenty-seven feet, with
an open court in the rear thirty-four by fifty-five
feet. It is four stories high, with a tower rising
sixty-five feet above the roof, and consumed in its
construction over one million bricks. It contains
three water tanks on the upper floor, containing
forty barrels of water each, and is heated through
out by steam. The main entrance is on the second
story, and is approached by two iron stairways.
There are in the building one hundred rooms
capable of conveniently accommodating one hun
dred and twenty-five inmates, the number of whom,
March 1, 1880, was, as per report of directors, as
follows: males, twenty-eight; females, thirty-three;
total, sixty-one. According to the same report, it
cost to support these from September, 1876, till
March, 1880, the sum of four thousand five hun
dred and fifty-six dollars and fifty cents, and from
March, 1880 to September, 1880, four thousand
seven hundred and forty-six dollars and eighty
cents. Total for one year, nine thousand three
hundred and three dollars and thirty cents. Du
ring the same year the infirmary paid into the

county treasury the sum of one thousand and sev
enty dollars and eight cents. The present directors
are Andrew Caton, Michael Hess, and R. H. Be-
bout. John W. Williams is superintendent.
Knox county infirmary, although it has "come
up through much tribulation," is an institution of
which the citizens of the county may justly be
proud, and stands to-day a monument to the pub
lic spirit of the commissioners under whose au
spices it was erected, and to the cultivated, benevo
lent spirit of the people.

CHAPTER XXVIII.
A CHAPTER OF STATISTICS.
TN i860 this county furnished the lieutenant
-L governor, Robert C. Kirk.
In 1850, the members of the Constitutional
convention were Matthew H. Mitchell and John
Sellers; in 1873, the member was Richard S. Tul-
loss. The members of Congress from Knox county
have been as follows :
1845, Columbus Delano; 1847-49, John K. Miller; 1853-55,
William R. Sapp; 1865, Columbus Delano; 1867-7^ George
W. Morgan.
The members of the Ohio State senate repre
senting this county have been :
r8o8, Elnathan Scofield, whose district embraced Knox, Lick-
ng and Fairfield; 1809, Jacob Benton and Elnathan Scofield;
i8ro, William Trimble and Robert F. Slaughter.
In 1812, Knox and Licking were made one district, and Wil
liam Gavit was elected senator.
In 1814, Knox, Licking, and Richland were made one dis
trict, and William Gass was elected; in T8T5, William Gavit;
1816, Mordecai Bartley; 1818, John Spencer.
In 1820 Knox and R:chland were made one district, and Wil
liam Gass was elected; in 182T, John Shaw; 1823, William Gass;
1825, Daniel S. Norton; 1827, William Gass; 1829, Thomas
Rigdon; 1831, William Gass.
In 1832 Knox and Coshocton were made one district, and
Byram Leonard was elected; in 1834, James Ravenscroft.
In 1836, Knox, Coshocton, and Holmes were made one dis
trict, and Peter Sprague was elected; in 1838, James Matthews.
In 1840, Knox and Coshocton were made one district, and
Byram Leonard was elected; in 1842, John Johnston.
In 1844, Knox and Holmes were made one district, and Jacob
B. Koch was elected; in 1846, Nicholas Spindler.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

253

In 1847, Knox made one district, and Nicholas Spindler was
elected. In 1848, Knox and Holmes were made one district, and Asa
G. Dimmock was elected; in 1850, Lawrence Van Buskirk.
In 1852, Knox and Morrow were made one district, and
Lawrence Van Buskirk was elected; in 1854, John T. Cieigh;
1856, Robert C. Kirk; 1858, David Miles; i860, William Bonar.
In 1862, Knox, Morrow, Holmes, and Wayne were made one
district, and David Miles was elected; in 1864, Joseph C. Devin.
In 1866, Knox, Morrow, Holmes, and Wayne were made one
district, andF. H. Hurd and L. R. Critchfield were elected; in
1868, George Rex and C. H. Scribner; 1870, Hinchman H.
Prophet; 1872, Henry D. McDowell; 1874, Daniel Paul; 1876,
John Ault; 1878, Lecky Harper and J. J. Sullivan.
The members of the house of representatives
from this district have been:
In 1808, Alexander Holden, whose district embraced Knox
and Licking; 1809, William Gass; 1810, Jeremiah R. Munson;
1811, William Gass.
In 1812, Knox made one district, and Samuel Kratzer was
elected. In 1813, Knox and Richland were made one district, and
William Gass was elected.
In 1814, Knox made one district, and Samuel Kratzer was
elected. In 1815, Knox and Richland were made one district, and Al
exander Enos was elected.
From 1816 to 1848 Knox county made one district, and
elected in r8r6, Jonathan Miller; 1818, William W. Farquhar;
1819, Royal D. Simons; 1822, Hosmer Curtis; 1823, Royal
D. Simons; 1824, Thomas Rigdon; 1825, John Shaw; 1826,
William Robson; 1827, Thomas Rigdon; 1828, C. Colerick,
B. Leonard; 1829, Byram Leonard; 1830, John Greer; 1831,
Charles Colerick; 1832, John Schooler; 1834, Peres Sprague;
1836, S. W. Hildreth, Marvin Tracy; 1837, Marvin Tracy;
1838, James Elliott; 1839, Byram Leonard; 1840, N. Spindler,
Dr. McGuigin; 1841, Caleb J. McNulty; 1842, Caleb J. Mc-
Nulty, N. Spindler; 1843, William Smith; 1844, J. McFarland,
G. Ankeny; 1845, William H. Smith; 1846, J. McFarland, E.
W. Cotton; 1847, Emmit W. Cotton.
From 1848 to 1851 Knox and Holmes were made one dis
trict, and elected, in 1848, J. Vorhes and L. Van Buskirk; in
1849, William Given, E. Boggs; 1850, E. Glasgo, S. F. Gil-
crist. From 1851 to 1875 Knox again made one district, and elected
in 1851, James Withrow; 1853, Jacob Merrin; 1855, G. W.
True, B. F. Smith; 1857, W. McCreary, William B. Cox; 1859,
William B. Cox; 1861, Wait Whitney; 1863, Columbus Delano,
1865, Henry B. Banning; 1867, Robert Moffet; 1869, John D.
Thompson; 1871, William C. Cooper; 1873, Allen J. Beach;
1875, Abel Hart, jr. ; 1877, Abel Hart, jr. ; 1875, William M.
Koons. The common pleas judges, who were chosen by
the legislature and have presided in this district
are: William Wilson, of Newark; Alexander Harper, of Zanes
ville; Ezra Dean, of Wooster; Jacob . Parker, of Mansfield;
Levi Cox, of Wooster; and James Stewart, of Mansfield.
The following were elected by the people:

Rollin C. Hurd and John Adams, of Mount Vernon; Sher
man Finch and Thomas C. Jones, of Delaware; and Samuel M.
Hunter, of Newark.
Clerks of the court of common pleas, prior to
185 1, were Charles Loffland, James Smith, and
Isaac Hadley, who were appointed by the judges.
Since that date the following have been elected by
the people: *
Samuel W. Farquhar, Alexander C. Elliott, William S. Hyde,
and Samuel J. Brent (present incumbent).
Deputy clerks elected have been:
Henry B. Curtis, E. C. Vore, Horatio S. Miller, F. O. Grif
fith, A. C. Elliott, T. V. Parke, and William J. Silcott.
The clerks ofthe supreme court have been:
James Smith, Alexander Elliott, S. N. Farquhar, A. C. Elli
ott, Samuel J. Brent, Willard S. Hyde, and Samuel J. Brent
(present incumbent).
The associate judges have been:
1808, John Mills, William Farquhar, and William Gass;
1810, James Colville, vice Gass, resigned. In 1813, Jacob
Young, vice Farquhar, resigned. In 18 14, Samuel Kratzer, in
place of Mills; 1815, John Trimble and Abraham Darling; 1818,
John H. Mefford, in place of Darling; 1819, Stephen Chapman;
1820, Joseph Brown and James McGibney; 1827, Anthony Ban
ning; 1834, Eli Miller, Abner Ayres and James Elliott; 1838,
William Bevans; 1839, Richard C. Davis; 1841, William Bev
ans and Isaac N. Richardson; 1846, William McCreary; 1848,
Jacob B. Brown and B. H. Taylor.
By the adoption of new constitution in 1851, the
office of associate justice was abolished.
County auditors. — 1820, W. Y. Farquhar, the first officer of
this description, was appointed to value the lands for taxation,
and when the law creating a district bureau passed, having been
clerk of the board of commissioners and conversant with its
business, he was re-appointed annually until 1824, from which
time the people have elected the auditors for a term of two
years. From 1824-28, Alexander Elliott served; 1828-34, Marvin
Tracy; 1834-42, S, B. Kenton; 1842-46, K. Winne; 1846-50,
M. M. Beam; 1850-54, B. F. Smith; 1854-58, John Lamb;
1858-62, S. W. Farquhar; 1862-64, John D. Thompson;
1864-68, Alexander Cassil; i8£8-70, S. W. Farquhar; 1870-71,
John D. Thompson; 1871-75, John M. Ewalt; 1875-80, Alex
ander Cassil; 1880, John H. Stevens.
In 1851, the constitution created the office of probate judge,
and at the election in October, Samuel G. Gilcrist was elected
to serve three years, commencing in February. 1852. In 1854
Joseph S. Davis was chosen; served until i860, when he was
succeeded by Thomas V. Parke, who held the office until 1866,
when Edmund V. Brent was elected. In 1869, C. E. Critch
field was elected, and served until 1875, when B. A. F. Greer
was elected, who served until 1878, when the present incumbent,
C. E. Critchfield, was chosen.
The members of the board of equalization have
been:

254

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.'

Daniel S. Norton, Byram Leonard, Henry B. Curtis, James
McFarland, and S. T. Cunard.
Until 1825 the office of treasurer was filled by
appointment of the commissioners each year, and
from that time the people elected the treasurers for
a term of two years. The following have held the
office in this county :
1808, Henry Haines; 1815, George Downs; 1818, James Mc-
Gibney; 1817, Gilman Bryant; 1819, James McGibney; 1825,
W. Y. Farquhar; 1838, S. W. Farquhar; 1841, James Blake;
1847, Jacob W. Lybrand; 1851 J. H. McFarland; 1855, John
Beatty; 1859, Alexander Greer; 1861, H. H. Greer; 1863-67, S.
S. Tuttle; 1867-71, Lewis Britton; 1873-77, William E. Dun
ham; 1877, Thomas Odbert; 1879, John Myers.
County collectors. — The commissioners appointed annually
the collector of personal tax, and that upon lands of residents.
In 1820, the duties of this officer weie somewhat changed, and
in 1827, the office was established by law, and its business trans
ferred to the county treasurer. List of collectors : 1808, Silas
Brown; Amount of bond, six hundred and fifty-eight dollars
and eighty-seven cents; 1809, James Smith; 1812, John Greer;
1817, John Shaw; 1819, Eli Miller; 1830, William Bevans;
1821, Benjamin Jackson, jr.; 1822, A. D. Simons; 1823, Joseph
Brown; 1824, John Shaw; 1825, Silas Brown; 1827, Jacob M.
Banning. In 1822, a system of cutting under was com
menced by competitors for this office, as the State
tax was collected this year for two and three-fourths
per cent., and county tax gratis; the next year
Brown underbid one-fourth per cent; and Shaw,
in 1824, capped the climax by proposing to collect
State and county tax gratis.
Assessors were appointed by the commissioners
until 1827, when the people by law were required
to elect such officers. After 1841 the office was
abolished, and the old system of township assessors
re-established. Prior to 1827, the commissioners appointed as
assessors :
R. D. Simons for 1824 and 1825; Marvin Tracy, 1826, and Hill
Runyan in 1827, the last of whom served from March until the
October election, when he was elected for two years. In 1829
John Greer was elected, and having resigned in October, 1830,
McDaniel Farland was elected, and continued until 1834, when
Henry B. Curtis was chosen, and served two terms. In 1838
Uzziel Ball was elected; in 1840, Wait Whitney.
County Commissioners — October 11, 1808, Joseph Walker,
John Harrod, John Lewis, Henry Markley, Mathew Merrit and
William Douglas were elected; and, by lot, it was declared that
Markley continue three years, Merrit two, and Douglas one.
1809, William Douglas; 1801, Robert McMillen; 1811, John
Harrod; 1812, Daniel Cooper; 1813, William Mitchell, ap
pointed by court May 9, 1814, vice Harrod, deceased; 1814,
William Mitchell; 1815, Jonathan Miller; 1816, Moses Merrit;
1817, William Mitchell, John Warden, vice Miller; 1818, Allen

Scott; 1819, Gilman Bryant; 1820, Abner Ayres; 1821, John
Wheeler; 1822, John Kerr; 1823, Abner Ayres; 1824, John
Stilley; 1825, Daniel Sapp; 1826, Byram Leonard; 1827, Lev;
Harrod served, and Gilman Bryant, appointed; 1828, Peres
Sprague and Jabez Beers; 1829, Francis Wilkin, one year;
1829, William McCreary, three years; 1830, David Shaw vice
Wilkin, deceased; 1831, John Jeffers, three years, and David
Shaw, two years; 1832, William McCreary; 1833, David Shaw;
1834, Silas Brown; 1835, William McCreary; 1836, David
Shaw; 1837, Thomas Wade; 1838, Christopher Wolf; 1839,
Thomas Axtell; 1840, Thomas Wade; 1841, Christopher Wolf;
1842, Thomas Axtell; 1842-44, Henry Prather; 1844, James
Witherow; 1845, Robert Graham; 1846, William Babcock;
1850, Wait Whitney; 1851, George McWilliams; 1852, Abra
ham Darling and M. H. Mitchell, vice Whitney resigned; 1853,
George W. Jackson ; 1854, Newell Gray; 1855, John McElroy;
1856, Jacob Bell, three years, W. McClelland, vice Gray re
signed; 1857, W. McClelland; 1858, John McElroy; 1859,
Jacob Bell; i860, W. McClelland; 1861, J. W. Bradfield; 1862,
John S. McCamment; 1863, William McClelland; 1864, J. W.
Bradfield; 1865, S. L. Bonnett; 1866, William McClelland;
1867, Lyman W. Gates; 1868, S. L. Bonnett; 1869, David F.
Halsey; 1870, John Lyal; 1871, John C. Levering; 1872, David
F. Halsey; 1873, John Lyal; 1874, John C. Levering; 1875,
Samuel Beeman; 1876, John Ponting; 1877, Moses Dudgeon;
1878, Samuel Beeman ; 1879, John Ponting; 1880, Steven Craig.
Sheriffs — 1808, Silas Brown, appointed by Thomas Kirker,
acting governor of the State, June 6th, till October election,
and reappointed by Governor Samuel Huntington, October 11,
1808; 1811, Ichabod Nye; 1813, John Hawn; 1815-19, John
Shaw; 1819, Alexander Elliott; i82o-'24, William Bevans;
1824-28, Charles Colerick; 1828-30, John' Shaw; i83o-'34,
Hugh Neal; 1834-38, Isaac Hadley; 1838-42, William Beam;
1842-46, Absalom Thrift; i846-'5o, David C. Montgomery;
i85o-'54, Thomas Wade; 1854-56, Lewis Strong; i856-'6o,
Israel Underwood; i86o-'62, James Shaw; 1862-64, Allen J.
Beach; 1864-68, George W. Steele; 1868-72, Allen J. Beach;
1872-76, J. M. Armstrong; i876-'8o, John F. Gay; 1880, John
K. Schnebly.
It is worthy of mention in connection with this
office, that all persons elected sheriff from 1808
(Silas Brown) to the re-election of Hugh Neal, in
1832, twenty-four years, are dead; but from the
election of Isaac Hadley in 1834, to the year
1880 (John F. Gay, incumbent), forty-six years,— -
only two are deceased — Thomas Wade and George
W. Steele.
The following persons have acted as deputy
sheriffs at different periods:
John Cramer, Isaac Hadley, Resin Gates, Benjamin Jackson,
Henry Prather, D. C. Zimmerman, Johnston Elliott, Jesse E.
Rogers, William Beam, Simon B. Kenton, E. W. Cotton, W.
D. Headley, Stiles W. Thrift, D. C. Montgomery, John Beatty,
T. P. Morton, James Myers, Israel Underwood, T. V. Parke,
Josiah Cochran, George W. Steele, Allen J. Beach, William T.
Elwell. Coroners— Jonathan Craig was elected to this office April 4,
1808. and John Merritt appointed October nth; in 1809, John

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

255

Butler appointed; 1811-I8, Dr. Timothy Burr; 1818, Dr.
Robert D. Moore; 1819, Dr. Waitstil Hastings; 1820, Dr. E.
G. Lee; 1822, James McGibeney; 1824-30, Hill Runyan; 1830,
George Low; 1832, W. E. Davidson; i834~'40, Andrew Vance;
1840, Richard Hunt; 1842— '46, Asa Freeman; i846-'so,
Michael Miller; 1850-- '54, Alexander Low; 1854, William
Bonar; i8s6-'6o, Albert Ellis; i860, John W. Leonard; 1862,
M. M. Shaw; i864~'7o, Robert Graham; 1870, George W,
Welker; 1872, G. A. Welker; 1874, George Shira; 1878, Dr. S.
L. Baker; 1880, Dr. R. W. Carey.
The first prosecuting attorney in Knox county
was Samuel Kratzer, esq, who officiated in behalf
of the State when no better qualified person was
present. He was not an attorney, but appears to
have been allowed fees for his services. The first
fees for services as prosecuting attorney was by order
of the court of common pleas, at its first session
held May 2, 1808, the order reading as follows:
•'On motion, a certificate was issued by the com
missioners in favor of Samuel Kratzer, esq., for his
services, for six dollars, in acting on the part of the
State against William Hedrick, who was found
guilty of felony" — a modest fee when compared
with charges for similar services in these days.
Edward Herrick was the main reliance in this
branch in the early courts, until 18 12, when Samuel
Mott was appointed March 14th. In January,
1814, Charles R. Sherman was appointed, and at
different times S. W. Culbertson, and Willis Silli-
man, both of the Zanesville bar; Hosmer Curtis,
John W. Warden, and other attorneys were ap
pointed by the court, as business required, until in
the year 1833, the legislature provided for the
prosecuting attorney's election biennially by the
voters of the county, who made the following
selections :
1833, Benjamin S. Brown ; 1835-1839, Columbus Delano ;
1839, M. H. Mitchell ; 1840, M. A. Sayer ; 1842-1846, John K.
Miller; 1846-1850, Lafayette Emmett ; 1850, Clark Irvine, sr. ;
1852, William Windom ; 1854-1858, W. F. Sapp ; 1858-1862,
W. C. Cooper ; 1862, Frank H. Hurd ; 1864-1868, Walter L.
Simmons ; 1868, L. H. Mitchell ; 1870-1874, Able Hart, jr. ;
1874-1878, Clark Irvine, jr. ; 1878-1880, Frank R. Moore.
Until 1831, the court of common pleas appointed the surveyor
of the county, and the office was filled by the following persons :
In 1808, Samuel H. Smith, appointed May 2d. In 1810, John
Dunlap, in June, in place of Smith, resigned ; 1815, William Y.
Farquhar, April 15th; resigned 1827; 1827, Edson Hark-
ness. The act of the legislature of March 3, 1831, having pro
vided for the election of this officer for a term of three years,
those elected by the people since that time are as follows : 1831,
Edson Harkness; 1834, Thomas G. Plummer; 1837, T. C.
Hickman; 1840, T. G. Plummer; 1843, T. C. Hickman; 1846-
1852, David Gorouch; 1852, T. C. Hickman; 1855-1864, David

C. Lewis; 1864, Henry Cassell; 1867-1875, E. W. Cotton;
1875-1878, J. N. Headington.
County Recorders. — The judges of the court of common pleas
appointed this officer until 1829, and at the October election of
that year, the people elected a recorder. Under the former
system, the term of service was seven years ; under the present,
three years. Those appointed were: 1808, Gilman Bryant,
May 2d, until 1815; 1815, Alexander Elliott, May 2d, until 1822;
1822, Henry B. Curtis, until 1829.
The legislature of 1828-9, having provided for the appoint
ment of recorders by county commissioners, where the office
became vacant prior to October, the commissioners appointed
John A. Colerick, May 29, in 1829, in place of H. B. Curtis,
whose term of office had expired. In 1829, Hill Runyan was
elected ; 1838, David Montgomery; 1847, Elijah Harrod;
1856, Carlton C. Baugh; 1856-1865, Elijah Harrod; 1865-1871,
Thomas K. Hess; 1871-1877, John Myers; 1877-1880, Samuel
Kunkel. Infirmary Directors. — 1842, John Hobbs, J. F. McLain;
1842-43, W. Borden; 1844, Abraham Darling; 1845, C. A.
Drake; 1846, Abraham Darling and Absalom Buckingham;
1847, G. W. Jackson; 1848, Abraham Darling; 1849, Christian
Musser; 1850, G. W. Jackson; 1851, Timothy Colopy; 1852,
John McCamment; 1853, G. W. Jackson; 1854, J. B. McGrew;
1855, Thomas Rogers; 1856, Lewis Larimore; 1857, E. I. Whit
ney; 1858, Thomas Rogers; 1859, Thomas Larimore; i860, E.
I. Whitney; 1861, Asahel Allen; 1862, James Scott; 1863, R.
H. Bebout; 1864, Asahel Allen; 1865, P. G. Beardslee; 1866,
R. H. Bebout; 1867, Luther L. Hyatt; 1868, P. G. Beardslee;
1869, R. C. Campbell; 1870, Samuel Snyder; 1871, William
Cummins; 1872, R. C. Campbell; 1873, Samuel Snyder; 1874,
Andrew Caton; 1875, Adam Hornwell; 1876, R. H. Bebout;
1877, Andrew Caton; 1878, Michael Hess; 1879; R. H. Be
bout; 1880, William Rinehart.
The following table of votes cast in Knox
county for governor, at the several elections held
in the county since its organization in 1808, are
compiled from official returns :
For the year 1808, Samuel Huntington 83 votes, Thomas
Kirker 4 votes; 1810, R.J. Meigs, jr. 99 votes, T. Worthing
ton, 90 votes; 1812, R. J. Meigs, jr.; 1814, T. Worthington;
1816, T. Worthington 447 votes, E. A. Brown 23 votes, James
Dunlay 2 votes; 1818, E. A. Brown 532 votes, James Dunlap
38 votes; 1820, E. A. Brown 675 votes, Jer. Morrow 24 votes,
H. H. Harrison 2 votes; 1822, W. W. Irwin 905 votes, A.
Trimble, 80 votes; Jer. Morrow, 24 votes; 1824, Jer. Morrow,
716 votes, A. Trimble 582 votes; 1826, A. Trimble 1,729
votes, B. Tappan 22 votes; J, Bigger 19 votes, J. Campbell
15 votes; 1828, John W. Campbell 1,352 votes, A. Trimble
776 votes; 1830, D. MeArthur 1,093 votes, Robert Lucas 993
votes; 1832, Robert Lucas 1,783 votes, David Lyman 948
votes; 1834, Robert Lucas 1,802 votes, James Findlay 1,103
votes; 1836, Eli Baldwin, 1,829 votes; Joseph Vance, 1,398
votes; 1838, Wilson Shannon 2,645 votes, Joseph Vance 1,922
votes; 1840, Wilson Shannon 2,936 votes, Joseph Corwin
2,470 votes; 1842, Wilson Shannon 2,936 votes; Thomas Cor
win 2, 194 votes, L. King 125 votes; 1844, David Tod 3,289
votes, M. Bartley 2,696 votes, L. King 150, votes 1846,
David Tod 2,647 votes, William Bebb 2, 103 votes, Samuel
Lewis 190 votes; 1828, J. B. Weller 3,224 votes, S. Ford

256

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

2,228 votes, scattering 32 votes; 1850, Reuben Wood 2,700
votes, W. Johnson 1,909 votes, E. Smith 267 votes; 1851,
Reuben Wood 2,454, votes S. F. Vinton 1,533 votes, Samuel
Lewis 409 votes; 1853, William Medill 2,159 votes, Samuel
Lewis 1,069 votes, N. Barrere 869 votes, 1855, S. P. Chase
2,166 votes, William Medill 1,916 votes, Allen Trimble 219
votes; 1857, S. P. Chase 2, 385 votes, H. P. Payne 2,223 votes,
P. Van Trump 82 votes; 1859, William Dennison 2,603 votes,
R. P. Ranney 2,533 votes; 1861, David Tod 2,831 votes, H.
J. Jewett 1,998 votes; 1863, John Brough 3,160 votes, C. L.
Vallandigham 2,552 votes; 1865, J. D. Cox 2,692 votes, G.
W. Morgan 2,428 votes; 1867, .R. B. Hayes 2,814 votes, A.
G. Thurman 2,811 votes; 1869, G. H. Pendleton 2,798 votes,
R. B. Hayes 2,761 votes; 1871, G. W. Cook 2,820 votes, E.
F. Noyes 2,767 votes, G. T. Stewart 13 votes; 1873, William
Allen 2,792 votes, E. F. Noyes 2,108 votes, G. T. Stewart
432 votes, I. C. Collins 33 votes; 1875, William Allen 3,132
votes, R. B. Hayes 2,835 votes, Jay Odell 101 votes; 1877,
R. M. Bishop 3,063 votes, William H. West 2,588, H. A.
Thompson 199 votes, L. H. Bond 117 votes, Stephen John
son 26 votes; 1879, Thomas Ewing 3,436 votes, Charles Fos
ter 3,282 votes, G. T. Stewart 119 votes, A. S. Piatt 51 votes.
Knox county contains three hundred and twenty-
four thousand three hundred and twenty-two acres
of land, valued at ten million one hundred and
eighty-three thousand two hundred and eighty-
six dollars. The value of real estate in cities,
towns, and villages, chattel property, (including
valuation of dogs), is six million three hundred
and thirty thousand seven hundred and three
dollars, making an aggregate amount of sixteen mil
lion five hundred and forty-threet housand nine
hundred and eighty-nine dollars.

CHAPTER XXIX.

WAR OF 1812.

Condition of Knox County — Samuel Kratzer— Joseph
Walker — Muster Roll of Walker's Company— John
H. Mefford — R. M. Brown — March of Captain Walk
er's Company — Captain John Greer — The Scalping of
Three Persons on Owl Creek — Condition of the Nor
thern Frontier of Knox — Disposition of Troops-
Erection of Block-houses — Sketch of General
Beall's Life — Organization of His Army— Scarcity
of Supplies — Beall's March — Camp Council — Mutiny
Among the Troops — General Harrison Arrives— His
Speech — General Beall's Difficulty With General
Wadsworth — Arrested, Court-martialed and Ac
quitted — His Brigade Disbanded — The Expedition of
General Crooks and Colonel Anderson.
THE citizens of Knox county, or a part of them
at least, have taken part in four wars — those of
181 2, the Texas troubles, the Mexican war and
that of the great Rebellion. In none of these has
she been behind her sister counties in patriotism,
and in furnishing from her great resources the mus
cle, nerve and sinews of war. In all, her sons
freely volunteered and hundreds of them have per
ished upon the battle-field, in the hospital and pris
on pen, falling here and there by the wayside that
the Republic might live and the flag float in triumph
over a free people.
In the first of these wars (18 12) Knox county
was in a wilnerness state. It was covered with a
dense forest, with only here and there a clearing
and a log hut; the great wave of white emigration
having but just touched its borders. Mount Ver
non was at that time a rough, hilly spot of ground
with a few cabins in it, but mostly covered with
hazel and other brush, while logs, trees and stumps
blocked up its streets. It was upon the- border,
although not upon the extreme frontier and Indians,
bears, wolves, rattlesnakes and other "varmints"
and reptiles were in the majority, largely.
Mount Vernon was a place of rendezvous for
volunteers for the war, and two or more companies
were raised in this vicinity. Colonel Samuel Krat
zer was a prominent man in the early days of Mount
Vernon and in the militia, part of which, under his
command marched to the defence of the frontier at
Mansfield. As early as 1808, he appears in Mount
Vernon as a tavern keeper and merchant, both
branches of business being conducted at the same
time in the same building. He also appears as one

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

257

of the judges of the first election in Knox county,
held in April, 1808; also as a justice of the peace
in the same year. He figures considerably in the
courts of that day, sometime on the jury, but gen
erally as plaintiff or defendant, from which it is
reasonable to conclude he was somewhat belligerent
in his nature. He was prominent with Butler and
Patterson, although a "Methodist" as Butler says,
in their "trick" to get the county seat. It appears
he came to Mount Vernon from Lancaster where
he had been acting as land tax collector for Fair
field county, in 1805. He had there reported him.
self robbed of money while on the road and before
making his return. "He was a fine, large, fleshy
man and wore buckskin breeches. They had holes
in them which he claimed had been made by bul
lets in an encounter, but which bore the appearance
of having been cut; his saddle-bags also were ex
hibited with horrid gashes in them, and making a
proffer of these, he petitioned the legislature for re
lief, and at the session of 1806, the bill for his relief
was lost by a vote of ten yeas to seventeen nays. —
(H. J., p. 114).
"Certain it is Kratzer lost caste, and broken up
and humiliated, he came to the new town site,
bought out Patterson's interest in the town of Mount
Vernon, and it is represented that one of the com
missioners was counted on by the settlers as cer
tainly in favor of making said place the county-
seat; he got another of the board with him and
Mount Vernon came off victorious. Subsequently
— and as resulting from this judgment — Kratzer
was enabled by the rise in property to pay off his
debts, and did the fair and just thing by the com
missioners. ''
When war was declared Kratzer appears to have
been major in a regiment of militia of which Alex
ander Enos was colonel.
Captain Joseph Walker was also an important
individual in Knox county, not only in connection
with the war, but in civil affairs. He seems to have
owned some land where Mount Vernon now stands,
and his cabin was the first one erected on the town
plat; he was influential in getting the county-seat,
and occupied generally a prominent position
among the pioneers. He emigrated to this coun
try from Pennsylvania about 1804, and settled
near Mount Vernon.

Major Jeremiah Munson, who resided near
Granville, in Licking county, was the officer desig
nated by the Government to recruit for the war in
this part of the country and for this purpose he
came to Mount Vernon one day when the militia
was to assemble for general muster and drill. This
was on the 8th day of June, 181 2, and upon the
call of Major Munson for volunteers the whole of
Captain Joseph Walker's company, numbering
forty-two men, volunteered. The following is the
muster roll of Captain Joseph Walker's company,
under the command of Colonel Lewis Cass, mus
tered into the service of the United States for one
year:
Joseph Walker, captain, June 8, 1812.
R. M. Brown, lieutenant, June 8, 1812.
John Elliott, first sergeant.
John Barney, second sergeant.
Archibald Crawford, third sergeant.
Peter Kyle, fourth sergeant.
Samuel Everett, first corporal.
George Dickinson, second corporal.
Josiah Trimbly, third corporal.
Lewis Grandstaff, fourth corporal.

Abram Emmet,
James Wood,
Harley Strong,
Michael Barton,
David Elwell,
John H. Mefford,
Phillip Walker,
Andrew Welker,
Paris Sprague,
Joseph King,
John McConnell,
Riverius Newell,
Emanuel Hawn,
Michael Davis,
William Wallace,

Henry

PRIVATES. John Smith,
Samuel Yoman,
John Sunderland,
Alexander Enos,
Jacob Wolf,
Alexander Walker,
Robert Davidson,
Powell Welker,
Isaac Rogers,
John Ryan,
Bemjamin Simpkins,
Daniel Swigart,
Adam Lynn,
Nicholas, Kyle,
Rawley Clark, fifer,
Clemmens, drummer.

Among these volunteers, it will be perceived,
was John H. Mefford, subsequently an old and re
spected citizen of Mount Vernon. He was a native
of Connelsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania,, who
at the time of the breaking out of the war was
teaching school in Hawkin's neighborhood, about
five miles from Shrimplin's mill. He served under
Captain Walker, and also in Captain John Spen
cer's company, the latter company from Licking
county. In this last company he was a lieutenant.
He was a justice of the peace after his return from
the war, also an associate judge, and a man of con-

258

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

siderable popularity and influence. He died in
1845, at Findlay, Ohio.
The lieutenant of Captain Walker's company,
Richard Montgomery Brown, was born in Massa
chusetts, and was of Revolutionary stock. His
father, Samuel Brown, was under Montgomery at
Quebec, was imprisoned nine months and subse
quently became a pensioner of the United States.
Richard M. came to Mount Vernon in October,
181 1, and engaged in chair making and as a house
painter. He was mainly instrumental in recruiting
Captain Walker's company.
Colonel Cass' regiment, to which this company
was attached, rendezvoused at Dayton, with the
regiments of Colonel MeArthur and Colonel Find-
ley, composing General Hall's brigade, and at once
began its march northward. While they were
passing through the Auglaize region, war was de
clared on the eighteenth of June. The noted scouts
Zane and McCulloch were the principal pilots for
the army.
When Hull surrendered, Captain Walker's com
pany returned home by way of Greentown.
Another active man in those stirring times was
Captain John Greer, who raised a company in the
eastern part of the county, of which Daniel Sapp
was lieutenant and George Sapp ensign. When
the Indians threatened the frontier, and the
Zimmers, Ruffner and James Copus were mur
dered, the militia was called out and marched
from Mount Vernon under Major Kratzer to
Mansfield, where they built forts and assisted in
guarding the frontier line from that place to Woos
ter. Colonel Enos insisted on taking command of
the militia in this march, but Major Kratzer would
not allow it, insisting that Enos was a parolled pris
oner and thereby disqualified for the command.
Many of the pioneers of Knox county, with
gun and bullet-pouch, went to the defence of Fort
Meigs without organization, but the battle was over
before their arrival and their services were not
needed. Among them was John Stilley, whose
adventures are detailed in another chapter. Stilley
was adjutant in Colonel Kratzer's militia, and ren
dered important service in defence of the northern
frontier of this county during the threatened Indian
raid.

The following regarding a tragedy in this county
during the war is given on the authority of Judge
Burnet, a very reliable writer. It appears in
Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio, and is
given for what it is worth. Judge Burnet says :
When the war broke out in 1812, there were sixty-seven fami
lies residing at the foot of the rapids of the Maumee. Manor
or Minard, a Frenchman, states that the first intimation that
the settlers had of Hull's surrender at Detroit, manifested itself
by the appearance or a party of British and Indians at the foot
of the rapids, a few days after it took place. The Indians plun
dered the settlers on both sides of the river, and departed for De
troit in canoes. Three of their number remained, with the inten
tion of going into the interior of the State. One of these was a
Delaware chief by the name of Sac-a-manc. Manor won his
confidence, under pretense of friendship for the British, and was
by him informed, that in a few days a grand assemblage of all
the northeastern tribes was contemplated at Fort Maiden, and
that in about two days after that assemblage, a large number
of British and Indians would be at the foot of the rapids, on
their march to relieve Fort Wayne, then under investment by
the American army as was supposed. He also informed him
that when they came again they would massacre all the Yan
kees found in the valley. Sac-a-manc left for the interior of the
State, after remaining a day at the foot of the rapids.
Sac-a-manc on his return from the interior of the State, a few
days after, showed Manor the scalps of three persons that he
had killed during his absence, on Owl creek, near Mount
Vernon. Judge Bnrnet gives no further particulars of this
affair, and now the question is, who were these
three persons who were scalped on Owl creek, in
1 81 2? It seems very strange, if this statement be
true, that no account of it appears in the annals of
Knox county. The killing of three persons near
Mount Vernon in 1812, would have created a
panic, that it seems could not have been over
looked by the earlier historians of the county.
By far the most interesting part of Knox county
during the war was the northern portion (now
Richland county), a region of considerable excite
ment during the first year of the war, and replete
with stirring scenes and incidents — the march of
armies, erection of forts and Indian massacres.
Mansfield, a little hamlet in the wilderness, was
at that time on the extreme frontier border. There
were few, if any, settlers north or west of it. The
line of the new settlements then extended through
Canton, Stark county, and Wooster, Wayne county,
to Greentown and Mansfield, the latter being the
extreme out-post — located in the midst of savage
tribes that had always been the friends and allies

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

259

of the British, and which, it was reasonable to be
lieve, would again join the British standard. Hence
the uneasy feeling, the thrill of fear that ran through
this region, when war was declared. Hitherto, for
many years, the Indians had been peaceable and
friendly, therefore the settlers had not thought it
necessary to construct block-houses for defence,
and, at the time war was declared, no block-houses
were in existence on this extreme frontier line,
where they were most needed. It was not until
the surrender of Hull, August 16, 181 2, that the
pioneers began the erection of block-houses. Hith
erto, the people had confidence in this army, feel
ing it would stand between them and their savage
enemies, and the surrender came like a clap of
thunder from a clear sky. Meanwhile, the militia
ofthe State had been gathering in every direction;
the governor, Return J. Meigs, and other officers,
were working hard to get the army into fighting trim
and get forward supplies. Upon the news of Hull's
surrender, all the militia in the State were moved
forward to the frontier line. A company of men
from Coshocton, under Captain Williams, had pre
ceded Colonel Kratzer and erected a block-house
on the public square in Mansfield; another block
house was erected at the same time on the square
by Captain Shaffer, of Fairfield county. These
block-houses sprang up as if by magic all along
the frontier line. One was erected on the Rocky
fork, three miles below Mansfield, at Beam's mill;
another by Samuel Lewis on Clear fork; another
by James Loudon Priest on Lake fork; also one at
Belleville, and one (according to the recollection
of Dr. Bushnell) east of Lucas, on the Rocky fork,
near the eastern line of Monroe township; Thomas
Coulter's cabin, near Perrysville, was converted
into a block-house; there was a block-house at
Wooster, then a small village, and Captain Murray,
of General Beall's army, was sent to Jeromeville,
where he erected a block-house for the protection
of the settlers along the Lake and Jerome forks.
The block-houses at Fredericktown and Clinton
were also erected about this time. Many families,
not near enough to get into these block-houses, or
preferring to remain nearer their homes, collected
together and fortified the strongest of their cabins.
There was a good deal of fear and confusion along
the frontier, the settlers fearing that the Indian

hordes of Tecumseh would soon be upon them.
However, in a few days after the cowardly surren
der of Hull, the frontier line was fairly protected.
On the west end, at Upper Sandusky, was General
Harrison, awaiting supplies and reinforcements;
at Mansfield was Colonel Kratzer with several
companies of militia and two good block-houses;
at Wooster, General Beall was collecting an army,
and between Wooster and Mansfield the different
block-houses were rapidly garrisoned by the troops
of Beall or Kratzer. The line was very quickly
complete, though weak in places. Roads had
been cut between these points so that any part of
this line could be speedily reenforced. This was
the condition of things in September, 181 2.
Early in September, General Reasin Beall began
raising a brigade for the protection of the frontier
and the assistance of General Harrison. As it is
necessary to give pretty fully the particulars of this
expedition, a sketch of General Beall's life may be
appropriately inserted here.
Reasin Beall was born in Maryland, December
3, 1769.; removed with his parents, while yet young-
to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where they
made a permanent settlement. In 1790, Beall
served in General Harmar's campaign against the
Indians, as an officer in the quartermaster's depart
ment, and was in the action under Colonel Hardin,
when that officer was defeated near Fort Wayne,
by the Indians under Little Turtle. Beall then re
turned to his friends in Pennsylvania, and was not
in the disastrous campaign of General St. Clair;
but, when Wayne took command of the army, and
led it to victory over the Miami Indians, he accom
panied him in the capacity of ensign. In this cam
paign he became intimately acquainted with Cap
tain, afterward General, Harrison, who was on
General Wayne's staff. In 1793, he resigned his
position in the army and returned to bis friends in
Pennsylvania, where he was married to Miss Re
becca Johnson. In 1801, he removed with his
family, and settled, for a short time, in Steuben
ville; removing, in the fall of 1803 to New Lisbon,
in Columbiana county. He was here when the
War of 1812 began, holding the position of clerk
of the court. He had served long enough in the
army to give his mind a military turn, and to ren
der his services desirable by the Government.

260

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Soon after his removal to New Lisbon he was
made colonel of militia, and a few years afterward
was promoted to brigadier general, which office he
held at the breaking out of the war. When the
news of the surrender of Hull reached him, Gen
eral Beall put himself at the head of his command
and marched to the relief of Richland (then Knox)
and Wayne counties. His command was made up
of a regiment from Jefferson and Harrison coun
ties, a regiment from Columbiana, and a small
draft from Stark, all of which rendezvoused at Can
ton, in Stark county, where General Beall, being the
senior officer, took command. While collecting
and drilling his troops at Canton, General Beall
sent forward a few squadrons in detachments, to
reconnoitre the country west, afford protection to
the trembling settlers, and garrison the newly con
structed block-houses, beginning his march with
the main army (about two thousand men) the latter
part of August.*
The General Government had no military stores
from which supplies could be drawn, nor was it
possible to obtain a sufficient quantity of cloth, or a
reasonable number of blankets, to supply the army
then in the service with even one-half which the
health and comfort ofthe troops required; nor had
the State the means of meeting the necessities of
the troops on short notice. The consequence was
that those who were unable to purchase their own
necessaries (and most of them were) suffered
greatly. To supply the army with rations in a
sparsely settled frontier region, where the inhabit
ants were few in number and had not enough for
themselves, and the commissary department desti
tute of funds to purchase or transport from a dis
tance, was a matter of the utmost difficulty; indeed,
it presented a barrier almost insurmountable.
With all these difficulties, General Beall felt the ne
cessity of pushing forward, his first day's march
taking him to the Tuscarawas river, near where
Massillon is now located. After halting here a few
days, he continued his march into the present
county of Wayne, and camped about three weeks
*One authority says General Beall began organizing his troops
about the twenty-fifth of September; another, that he had arriv
ed at Wooster with the main body of his army when the Zim
mer and Copus tragedies occurred. As these tragedies occurred
early in September, the above date is believed to be correct

on the west side of the town of Wooster. Here he
erected a block-house, and was joined by two or
three new companies. His camp here was called
"Camp Christmas." Here he learned of the Zim
mer murder, and dispatched a company of men to
that neighborhood. This company returned in a
few days, and reported that they were unable to
find the Indians who committed the murder.
From Camp Christmas the army continued its
march west, so as to cover the border settlements,
encamping the first night on the west bank of the
Killbuck, cutting a road wide enough to permit
the baggage wagons to pass. From there, by the
most direct route, a road was cut to Jeromeville.
At the latter place, General Beall detached Captain
Murray to occupy the block-house, and at the same
time sent forward a party of pioneers, under guard,
to cut a road through to the State road, which had
been opened from Zanesville to the mouth of the
Huron river. This party started west, about twelve
degrees north. About three miles from Jerome
ville the army camped on a small stream, on what
was subsequently known as the Griffin farm. This
camp was called "Musser," in honor of Major
Musser, who commanded one of the regiments.
They remained in this camp, in the northern part
of Vermillion township, about two weeks.
The pioneers, who had been sent forward, cut
the road through the north part of Vermillion and
south part of Montgomery, passing two or three
miles east of the present town of Ashland, and
through Milton Township, in a northwesterly direc
tion. This was known many years as "Beall's
trail," and was used as a common highway by the
settlers. General Beall then moved forward, aim
ing to keep between the enemy and the settlement?)
and encamped on a smalll stream near the present
site of the village of Olivesburg, within the present
limits of Richland county. This was called
"Camp Whetstone," owing to the quality of stone
found there, which made excellent whetstones.
Remaining there about a week, he moved forward
to the present site of Shenandoah; thence hf.;.
turned southwest about one and a half miles, and
again went into camp on the bank of a small
stream, and on the north and south road, to better
enable him to get forward supplies.
The troops of General Beall had been called

I ' \'f,-l  ,11': !''

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

261

into service by the governor of the State for the
purpose of protecting the frontier settlements.
Impressed with the importance of his movements,
his obligations to the settlers and to his country,
General Beall halted here for the purpose of hold
ing a council with the judicious men of the State,
and, in the mean time, sent out in various direc
tions detached parties of troops to reconnoitre the
surrounding country and report occasionally at
headquarters. For this reason he named it
"Camp Council." It was exceedingly difficult
now to procure rations, as the army had advanced
into the unsettled part of the country. The troops
were compelled to live on half rations, and for a
day or two they received only enough to keep
soul and body together. This caused a spirit of
mutiny to appear among a few of the troops, who
quietly began to make preparations to march to
their homes. About a week from the time the
troops went into camp here, and the evening
previous to the morning on which the mutineers
above mentioned intended to depart, a stranger
suddenly made his appearance from the south on
the Huron trail. The sentinel, named Hacke-
thorn, who was stationed on this post, says the
stranger was on horseback, and was followed by
seven mounted Indians, in Indian file.
"Halt!" said the sentry.
The stranger stopped and said he wanted to pass
through. "You can't pass without the countersign."
"I don't know the countersign."
"You can't pass then," replied Hackethorn.
"But I must pass," said the stranger, and started
up his horse.
Hackethorn cocked his musket, and the man
again halted. He then informed the stranger if he
moved another step he was a dead man.
"You would not shoot a man, would you?" said
the stranger.
"I would."
After some further parley, Hackethorn called to
the next sentry, and in this way conveyed the in
telligence to the officer of the guard, who came out
and at once addressed the stranger as General Har
rison, and allowed him to pass.
Harrison turned to Hackethorn and said, "that's
right, young man. Let no one pass without the
7

countersign; it's the only way to keep 'em at gun's
length." It was dark when Harrison rode into camp and
located at headquarters.
The next, morning the troops were ordered to
parade in close column at precisely six o'clock,
which order was promptly obeyed. As they thus
stood at "parade rest," some fifty of them appeared
with their knapsacks and blankets buckled on,
ready to commence their homeward march. At
this moment, when a breathless silence pervaded
the whole encampment, the commander-in-chief of
the Northwestern army (whose presence was un
known to the troops) stepped from the headquar
ters tent, and, mounting the trunk of a large tree,
which lay within two feet of the front line, ad
dressed the troops as follows: "Fellow-soldiers,
we are called upon to vindicate our rights, to re
pel the insults, and chastise the arrogance of a su
percilious nation, which has invaded our rights,
insulted our flag, impressed our citizens, and to
tally disregarded our remonstrances. It is thus
demonstrated, that we must either teach that nation
that the progeny of the Revolutionary fathers have
not degenerated and become dastards, or tamely
submit to the dictation of that haughty people, and
be reduced to vassalage. Can a man be found in
this brigade who is willing to surrender to the Brit
ish Government the liberties achieved by the Revo
lutionary patriots? I trust no such individual can
be found in the State or Nation.
" I have been informed that rebellion against the
authority of your general has been threatened, and
that the mutiny is to be consummated this morn
ing by the mutineers departing for home. Soldiers,
if you go home, what will your neighbors say? Will
not they frown upon you? How will your wives
look upon you? They will shut the door against
you. Young men, your sweethearts would scorn
you; all would call you cowards. No class of peo
ple are so immediately interested m defending
their country as those in Ohio. The Indians have
already commenced their incursions in your State,
and already have barbarously murdered several
families. Should we abandon the defence of the
State, the British army could safely march to the
Ohio river, and take possession of the State. You
are defending your wives and children, your fathers

262

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

and mothers and your property. It is true you
have met with some privations, but, as soon as we
can obtain the necessaries required, all crooked
things shall be made straight. Your sufferings are
light, compared with those of your sires in the war
of the Revolution. They were content with such
fare as the limited means of the colonies at that
time could furnish. They could ofttimes be traced,
when marching to meet the enemy in bloody con
flicts, by the blood that issued from their bare feet
upon the frozen earth. Fellow-soldiers, cultivate a
spirit of subordination, patriotism and courage, and
ere long the recent victory gained at Detroit by the
enemy shall be refunded with double interest, and
ultimately the haughty British Lion shall be sub
dued by the talons of the American Eagle." Dur
ing the delivery of this speech, those troops who
had their knapsacks and blankets on, began to un
buckle and drop them to the ground one by one,
and at its conclusion not one appeared in his
marching rig, and, from that time forward, until
honorably discharged, no better soldiers were found
in the army. Soon after the delivery of the ad
dress General Harrison departed from camp to at
tend to duties elsewhere.
Up to this time, the troops of General Beall had
not been mustered into the United States service,
but were serving the State, and the major general
of the division to which they belonged, Wadsworth,
claimed the right to control their movements, un
der the State law. In the exercise of his authority,
he ordered General Beall to march his brigade to
Cleveland. This General Beall declined to do,
believing it to be his duty to defend the frontiers
from Indian raids, and to deter the British army
from marching into the State, left in an exposed
condition by the surrender of Hull. No part of
the State was more exposed than Knox county, as
the murders in the county by the Indians clearly
established. Moreover, Wadsworth was an old,
superannuated man, who had been brave and effi
cient in the Revolutionary war, but had outlived his
physical and intellectual powers, and was thus in
competent to render service to his country.
As General Beall remained at Camp Council
several weeks after Wadsworth ordered him to
Cleveland, that general dispatched General Perkins
with an order to arrest General Beall and march

the brigade to Camp Avery, near the mouth of the
Huron river. This order was promdtly obeyed,
and General Beall, in accordance with the rules of
the army, delivered his sword to Perkins, and, two
days subsequently, the brigade arrived at Camp
Avery. Here a court-martial was ordered for the
trial of General Beall for disobdience of orders.
Upon a full hearing of the charges he was acquit
ted, and ordered to take his command and re-en
force General Winchester, who was then in the
neighborhood of the river Raisin. Marching as
far as Lower Sandusky (Fremont), he there receiv
ed orders to return to Camp Avery and disband
his army, which he did, his soldiers returniug along
the route by which they had advanced, to their
homes, the term of their enlistment having expired.
The general himself returned to his home in
New Lisbon, and was elected to Congress, serving
two terms. In 1814, he was appointed register of
the land office in Wooster, and resigned his seat in
Congress to accept that position, removing his fam
ily to Wooster in 18 15. In 1824 he resigned this
office and retired to private life. He was president
of the Whig convention held in Columbus Febru
ary 22, 1840, and was afterwards chosen one of the
electors for President and Vice-President, and had
the honor and pleasure of casting his vote for his
old friend, General Harrison. No incident of his
life gave him more pleasure. He died at his home
in Wooster February 20, 1843.
Before the close of General Beall's expedition,
the governor of Pennsylvania raised and dispatched
a force of two thousand men to the assistance of
General Harrison in the west, under command of
General Robert Crooks. As this expedition passed
through Mansfield on its way to the seat of war, a
brief account of it is considered appropriate.
Crooks marched his command by way of New
Lisbon, Canton and Wooster, following in the track
of General Beall, arriving at the latter place about
three weeks after Beall left — probably about the
eleventh or twelfth of October.
The train connected with General Crook's brigade
numbered, as near as can be remembered, some
twenty-five or thirty six-horse teams; the wagons
being covered with canvas and filled with army stores
of every description. Halting a day or two at Woos
ter to repair broken wagons, and allow the jaded

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

263

teams to rest, the brigade was again put in motion.
It reached the block-house at Jeromeville in one
day, where the army crossed the Jerome fork and
turned southwest, leaving the trail of General
Beall, and passing up a small stream by what was
afterward known as Goudy's mill, and began cut
ting the path afterward known as the "old portage
road." The pioneers cut the road along an Indian
trail as far as the Quaker springs, the first day,
where the brigade halted and encamped for the
night. The next day the pioneers continued along
the old trail in a southwest direction, cutting a path
large enough for the teams to pass. That night
the brigade encamped at Greentown. Nearly all
the Indian huts had been burned prior to this,
and the village was deserted. The next day they
crossed the Black fork, and proceeding southwest
a short distance struck a new blazed road leading
to the west. They continued on this road until
they reached the cabin of David Hill, on the pres
ent site of Lucas, where the brigade again en
camped for the night. In the afternoon of the
following day, they reached Mansfield, going into
camp on the east side of the public square, in the
woods. The date of General Crooks arrival here
has not been ascertained to a certainty, but it must
have been about the eighteenth or twentieth of
October. He was in camp here about six weeks,
awaiting the arrival of quartermasters' stores, under
Colonel Anderson. During his stay in Mansfield,
his soldiers cleared off considerable land east of
the square, and when his camp became quite
muddy, he removed his army to, and encamped
on, the west side of the square, where he cleared
off another piece of ground. Crooks received
orders to leave Mansfield for Upper Sandusky,
and was compelled to march before the arrival of
Colonel Anderson with his supplies. He probably
left Mansfield sometime between the first and
tenth of December. On this subject Dr. Hill says:
"About the fifteenth of December, General Crooks
was ordered to proceed to Upper Sandusky to
assist in fortifying that point." It will be perceived
that he is in doubt as to the date, and, in the same
paper, a little further along, in speaking of Ander
son's march, he says: "On the twelfth (December)
he reached the village of Mansfield, . where they
found two block-houses, a tavern and one store.

General Crooks had left before the arrival of Col
onel Anderson." As he speaks positively about
this date, it is evident that Crooks must have
marched from here before the twelfth. Comparing
this date with that of other incidents occurring
about this time, the evidence is very conclusive
teat he left early in December. In piloting Gen
eral Crooks through to Upper Sandusky, Jacob
Newman (the first settler in what is now Richland
county) lost his life; contracting a severe cold on
the trip, from the effects of which he died the
following June.
Crooks' quartermaster, Colonel James Anderson,
could not have been far from Mansfield when Gen
eral Crooks left. His command was composed of
Captain Gratiot, engineer of equipments ; Captain
Paul Anderson, foragemaster; Captain Wheaton,
paymaster; Captain Johnston and ninety men, and
Lieutenant Walker, with forty men, as a guard.
Walker was afterwards killed, while out hunting, by
an Indian, while the command was encamped at
Upper Sandusky.
Anderson's convoy consisted of twenty-five iron
cannons, mostly four and six pounders. These,
and the balls fitting them, were placed in covered
road wagons, drawn by six horses each. The can
non carriages, twenty-five in number, empty, were
each drawn by four horses. The cartridges, canis
ter, and other munitions, were in large covered
wagons. There were fifty covered road wagons,
drawn by six horses each ; they were loaded with
general army stores, and one or two of them with
specie for paying the troops, this specie being put
up in small, iron-hooped kegs. Thus equipped,
Colonel Anderson left Allegheny City about the
first of November, 181 2, and followed, as rapidly
as possible, the trail of General Crooks' army.
About the eleventh of November, he reached
Canton, where he remained ten days, repairing the
wagons, shoeing the horses, and gathering provis
ions. On the twenty-first, he reached Hahn's
Swamp, and was three or four days passing over the
same to Wooster, owing to the fact that Beall's and
Crooks' wagons had cut up the road badly. He
left Wooster December 10th, arriving in Mansfield
on the twelfth.
The teamsters being volunteers at twenty dollars
per month, and their time having expired, desired

264

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

to return home. Colonel Anderson, being ordered
to follow General Crooks to Upper Sandusky, of
fered to pay the teamsters one dollar per day to
continue with him. These terms were accepted,
and each teamster furnished with a gun, to be kept
in the feed trough for use in case of an attack.
The command was hardly out of sight of Mans
field when it began to snow, and continued until it
was two feet deep. The ground being unfrozen,
the heavy wagons cut into the soft earth, and the
horses were unable to draw -them. A council was
held, and the fifteen gun carriages were sent ahead
to break the path. By this and various other
means, they made a few miles each day. When a
team gave out, it was turned aside and another put
in its place. At night, the soldiers were compelled
to work three or four hours shovelling off a suitable
place to pitch their tents, build fires to cook their
food, and keep them from freezing. After two
weeks of hardship and exposure, the command
reached Upper Sandusky on New Year's day, 18 13.
The troubles between the Indians and the early
settlers, during this war, will be found in another
chapter. But few of the heroes of that time are
yet living. One by one they drop, like ripened
fruit, and are gathered home. Here and there they
are yet found, tottering on the verge of the grave,
looking always back through the mist of years, and
living over again, in memory, the thrilling scenes
through which they passed. Thus history repeats
itself; fifty years from to-day the survivors of the
great Rebellion will be looked upon in the same
light, and will rehearse to their grandchildren, as
these veterans are rehearsing to-day, the story of
their exploits.

CHAPTER XXX
KNOX COUNTY IN THE MEXICAN WAR.
The Texas War— Colrick's Company— Beginning of
the war with Mexico — Organization of Ohio Regi
ments — Organization of a Company at Mount Ver
non — The Operation of the Troops in Mexico-
General Morgan's Address — Muster Rolls.

I

T was on the twenty-third of February, 1836,
and not on the eighth of May, 1846, that the
first battle was fought in our war with Mexico.
Years prior to the tragedy of the Alamo, the gov
ernment of Mexico had invited emigration from
the United States, and twenty thousand of our citi
zens, some of them our ablest and bravest men, be
came citizens of that beautiful land. Prominent
among the emigrants were Stephen F. Austin of
Connecticut, David G. Burnet of Ohio, Mirabeau
B. Lamar of Tennessee, James Bowie of Missouri,
Albert Sidney Johnston of Kentucky. Felix Hus
ton of Mississippi, William and John Wharton of
Virginia, and many others scarcely less able or dis
tinguished. Between the mongrels of Mexico, composed of a
cross between the Spaniards, Aztecs, and Negroes,
and the proud race of the Americans, fused into one
people out of the aggressive blood of the Teutons
and the Celts, a conflict was inevitable.
Never in the world's history was there brought
together twenty thousand men with a larger amount
of intellect, ambition, and intrepidity than was pos
sessed by the first American colonists in Texas.
Coahuila and Texas were separate States under
one legislature and one governor. The Texans
claimed certain privileges which were denied them
by the Mexicans, and a revolt was the result.
At the head of a considerable force Santa Anna
rapidly advanced against Fort Alamo, held by
Colonel W. B. Travis, with one hundred and forty
men, among whom were David Crocket and the
redoubtable James Bowie. The fort was situated
near the San Antonio, which flows through a coun
try as lovely as the garden of Eden.
Samuel Houston, the commander in chief of the
army of Texas, sent orders for Travis to fall back.
The order was disobeyed and the utter destruction
of Travis and his command was the result. The
siege continued from the twenty-third of February,
1836, until the sixth of March, when the place was

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

265

carried by storm. When the enemy entered the
fort but six of its defenders were found alive, and
among them were Crocket and Bowie, who, after
a desperate defence, were butchered as their com
rades had been. A Mrs. Dickinson and a colored
servant were the only persons left alive.
Next followed the massacre of Fannin and his
five hundred men at Goliad after their surrender to
Urea. These tragedies thrilled the whole country with
horror, and a desire for vengeance. Nor was ven
geance long delayed. Houston had advanced be
yond the Colorado, but had previously selected his
battle ground on the San Jacinto. Against the
protests of Colonel Sherman and the Whartons he
re-crossed the Colorado, and moved towards the
field selected by him. He was without artillery,
and he received intelligence that two six pounders
sent to him from Cincinnati through the instru
mentality of William M. Corry and Robert Lytle,
had been landed in Texas and were en route to
join him under the command of Captain George
Lawrence, and on the tenth day of April, 1836,
the re-inforcements of Lawrence reached Houston's
army, which numbered seven hundred and eighty-
three, all told.
The plain of San Jacinto was bounded on three
sides by the river of that name, and Buffalo Bayou,
and on the fourth side by a forest which was occu
pied by Houston. As soon as the rear guard of
Santa Anna had crossed the bridge over Buffalo
bayou, Houston dispatched Deaf Smith, the Henry
Birch of the Texan revolution, to destroy the bridge,
and thus cut off Santa Anna's retreat. The bridge
was destroyed, the operation being masked by the
tall grass which covered the prairie, which after
wards concealed the advance of Houston against
Santa Anna.
At noon on the twenty-first of April, while the
Mexicans were at dinner, Houston advanced to the
attack and took Santa Anna by surprise. When
discovered, the Texans raised their fierce battle-cry,
"Remember the Alamo!" "Remember Goliad!"
and rushed to the assault. The fight was short,
quick and terrible. The enemy fired a few volleys
from their cannon and Houston was struck on the
ankle with a copper grape shot as he was leading
on his men. Every Texan was armed with a rifle

and bowie-knife, and closed in on the butchers of
the Alamo and the assassins of Goliad. From first
to last the fight occupied but seventeen minutes.
The Mexican loss in killed and wounded was fifty-
five greater than Houston's whole force, and he
took as many prisoners as he had soldiers; while
the Texan loss was only eight killed and twenty-
five wounded.
While a prisoner, Santa Anna made a treaty of
peace which the government of Mexico not only
refused to ratify, but commenced the organization
of a large army for the second invasion of Texas.
It was then, summer of 1836, that Sam Houston
appealed to the citizens of the United States for as
sistance. The Texans were blood of our blood,
and hoped to become once more citizens of the
Union. The flag which floated over the one hun
dred and forty heroes of the Alamo was composed
of one solitary star and thirteen red and white
stripes; they died fighting to add that star to our
national constitution.
Citizens of many of the 'States responded to
Houston's call. Charles Colerick of Knox county,
organized a rifle company, of which he became the
captain, and the muster roll of his company as well
as of the companies commanded by Captain Harle,
ten years afterwards will follow this narrative.
Colerick rendezvoused at Louisville, Kentucky,
with the companies of Captain G. H. Burroughs of
Zanesville, Ohio, and of Captain Thomas' J. Mor
gan, organized in Washington, Pennsylvania.
Colerick's men were uniformed in green; those of
Burroughs' in Scotch plaid, and Morgan's men in
blue. The three companies embarked in a covered
flat-boat, propelled by the current, for New Orleans,
and the starry banner of the Union, and the "lone
star" of Texas floated side by side over the prow of
the boat.
While the flat-boat was lying to at a wood yard
on the Mississippi, a superb steamer bound for St.
Louis, came steaming in for wood. In malicious
sport the steamer struck the flat-boat with sufficient
force to cause a violent jar. The ready wit of
Colerick turned the affair to practical account.
Water was pumped out of the boat on one side,
and filled with camp kettles on the other. The
three captains repaired with a guard to the steamer
and a demand was made for reparation, and the

266

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

captain was given to understand that his boat would
not be Allowed to proceed until satisfaction was
made. The captain, clerk, and carpenter of the
steamer repaired to the fiat-boat where they found
men working the pumps. A sufficient sum was
paid as damages to enable the three companies to
take the first down-going steamer as passengers.
At New Orleans a company from Norfolk, Virginia,
was awaiting transportation for Texas. In a few
days the four companies were embarked on a Ban
gor brig, and after a long and boisterous passage,
the vessel all battered and torn, safely anchored in
Matagorda bay.
The main body of the army was in camp on the
La Bacca, under the command of General Felix
Houston, late of Mississippi.
To camp Independence, for it was so called, the
newly arrived troops marched; and were entranced
by the loveliness of the scene which surrounded
them. The prairie was carpeted with every variety
of brilliant wild flowers; the air seemed filled with
beautiful birds, whose plumage bore all the tints of
the sun, and here and there were wandering herds
of deer not yet familiar with the crack of the hunt
er's rifle. Shortly after the arrival of the re-enforce
ments a new regiment was organized, and Joseph
Rogers, an octogenarian, now residing in Madison,
Indiana, was made colonel. This disappointed
Colerick, who possessed the soldierly qualities of
courage," energy and ambition, and aspired to the
colonelcy. Sometime after the honorable discharge
of his company, Colerick returned to Ohio, but
died at Cincinnati on his way home. It is said
that Lieutenant Lemon, now a ranchero in Texas,
is the only member of Colerick's company now re
siding in that State. Indeed very few of them are
alive. Among the survivors is Sergeant Lorenzo
Jones, now employed at a great old age as team
ster of Mr. Christian Keller of Mt. Vernon ; George
McKee, another of Colerick's men is still alive and
a well-to-do farmer of Coshocton county.
Ten years passed away and the independence of
Texas had not been recognized by Mexico, and
was not so recognized until Texas was acknowl
edged as one of the States of the American Union
by the treaty of peace between the United States
and Mexico, entered into in the summer of 1848.
France, England, and the United States had long

before acknowledged Texan independence, but
Mexico preserved her attitude of hostility • until
peace was conquered by the capture of her capital.
In 1844, on the issue of the annexation of Texas,
Van Buren was thrown overboard at Baltimore,
and Polk and Clay became the opposing candi
dates for President. March 1, 1845, tne Jomt reso
lutions of the Congress of the United States, favor
ing the annexation of Texas, were approved by the
President. On the fourth of June following, the
President of Texas issued a proclamation suspend
ing hostilities with Mexico; the next month joint
resolutions were unanimously passed by both
branches of the Texan legislature favoring annex
ation; and on the twenty-seventh of December,
1845, Texas was admitted into the Union.
Mexico was defiant, and prepared, for war. Early
in the spring of 1846 a squadron of dragoons, com
manded by Captains Hardy and Thornton, was
captured near the Rio Grande, and carried into
Mexico as prisoners. This act was the inaugura
tion of the war.
The brilliant victories achieved by Taylor at
Palo Alta and Resaca de la Palma on the eighth
and ninth of May, thrilled the country with enthu
siasm, and there was a general cry, to arms ! Con
gress authorized the President to organize fifty
thousand volunteers, and an appropriation of ten
million was voted to maintain the integrity of the
Union. Ohio was called on for three regiments of in-
fanty, and Governor Bartley issued a proclamation
calling for volunteers. Samuel R. Curtis was ap
pointed adjutant general of the State, and Ben
jamin F. Brice was made assistant adjutant general,
both of whom were men of military training, and
were graduates of West Point.
A meeting was called in Mount Vernon to con
sider the necessary steps to be taken to organize a
company. Daniel S. Norton was called to the
chair, and addressed the meeting on taking his
seat. L. W. Strong, Eli Miller, and Hosmer Cur
tis were appointed vice-presidents. The meeting
was further addressed by John K Miller, J W.
Vance, Caleb J. McNulty, Captain G. W. Morgan,
A. Banning Norton, and Major William A. Hoey
According to the Times, the organ of the Whigs of
Knox, "there was considerable division in the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

267

meeting, the Whigs being opposed to the manner
in which the Government went into the war, though
they were ready to say, 'Our country, right or
wrong.' "
The Second brigade Third division Ohio militia,
called out by Brigadier General G. A. Jones, was
formed on the flat facing on High street, and west
of where is now the track of the Baltimore & Ohio
railroad. The brigade was massed and addressed
by Captain Morgan. The same afternoon, those
who proposed to volunteer assembled in the court
house to organize. By a unanimous vote George
W. Morgan was elected captain, Simon B.
Kinton was chosen first lieutenant, and Thomas
P. Morton second lieutenant. Caleb J. McNulty
enlisted as a private soldier. Although only in his
thirtieth year he had achieved a national reputa
tion. He thrice represented Knox county in the
Ohio legisluture; had been clerk of the lower house
of Congress; and was the Democratic candidate
for that body against Columbus Delano, the Whig
candidate, in 1844. Mr. Delano was elected by a
majority of twelve votes. Mr. McNulty had the
faculty of intuition to an extraordinary degree, and
was one of the first popular orators of his day. He
did not live to see Mexico, but died a victim of in
temperance on the steamer which bore the right
wing of the Second Ohio volunteers to New Or
leans. The boat stopped in the night at Memphis
to obtain a coffin, and the next morning poor Mc
Nulty was buried at the foot of a grand old oak
near Helena, Arkansas.
Daniel S. Norton, jr., son of Colonel Daniel S.
Norton, who was prominently active in the organi
zation ofthe "Young Guard" was also a private in
that company. Young Norton said to his captain,
"I would like to become an officer, and if I cannot
do that, it will be my ambition to become the best
soldier in the company." He was then probably
seventeen years of age. He did make a good sol
dier, but contracted a malignant disease in conse
quence of which he was honorably discharged. He
afterward studied law with Rollin C. Hurd, and
finally removed with his fellow student, W. H.
Windom, to Minnesota, from which State he was
sent as a Republican to the Senate of the United
States, where, in the struggle over the reconstruc
tion laws, he acted with the Republican Senators

Cowan, Trumbull, Doolittle, and Rose, and sus
tained the policy of Andrew Johnson, and voted
against his conviction on his trial before the Sen
ate. Senator Norton was a man of fine intelligence
and marked independence of character. He died
before the expiration of his term of service in the
Senate, and W. H. Windom, the present Secretary
of the Treasury, became his successor.
Another private in the "Young Guard" was Rob
ert B. Mitchell. He was made quartermaster ser
geant in Morgan's regiment, and second lieutenant
in Captain Harle's company in the Second Ohio,
reorganized. He removed to Kansas, and on the
breaking out of the civil war, organized, and be
came colonel of the First Kansas infantry; and
distinguished himself in the action at Wilson's
creek, Missouri. He was afterward made brigadier
general, and governor of New Mexico, and now re
sides in Washington, District Columbia.
During ten successive days after the organization of
his company Captain Morgan drilled his men eight
hours each day. One-half of that time was exclu
sively given to the school of the soldier. The com
pany was composed of excellent material, and made
rapid progress in drill and discipline.
On Saturday the sixth of June, 1846, the ladies
of Mt. Vernon, through Colonel D. S. Norton, pre
sented the "Young Guard" with a flag, upon the
folds of which their names were inscribed, and a
few shreds of this old banner are still in possession
of General Morgan who received them.
The company then took up its line of march for
Columbus, accompanied for some distance by a
large concourse of citizens, and was greeted with
banquets along the route; and on Sunday after
noon was escorted into Columbus by the companies
of Captains Walcott and Latham.
The general rendezvous of the Ohio troops was
at Camp Washington, near Cincinnati, where thir
ty-eight companies soon assembled, and others
were ready to march from different parts of the
¦ State. So fierce was the desire to go to the field
that an armed collision seemed inevitable and was
only prevented by the address of Brigadier General
John E. Wool, of the United States army, who
superintended the mustering into the United States'
service. The Ohio regiments were organized as
follows :

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

First regiment, Colonel A. M. Mitchell.
First regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel John B. Weller.
First regiment, Major Thomas L. Hamer.
Hamer was immediately made brigadier general
by President Polk, and Giddings was elected to fill
the vacancy.
Second regiment, Colonel George W. Morgan.
Second regiment, Lieutenant Colonel William Irwin.
Second regiment, Major William Wall.
Third regiment, Colonel Samuel R. Curtis.
Third regiment, Lieutenant Colonel George W. M. Cook.
Third regiment, Major John Love.
When Morgan was made colonel, Simon B.
Kenton was elected captain and Charles D. Miller
was elected first lieutenant of company "B," for
merly known as the "Young Guard." Some time
later Kenton was assigned to the duty of assistant
quartermaster and private James E. Hade was
elected captain. Arrived in Mexico, every regi
ment of every State was eager to go to the front;
every man in the language of the camp wanted "a
chance." General Taylor organized regiments into
brigades according to their numbers. The First
Ohio and First Kentucky formed the brigade of
General Hamer, while the Second Ohio and Sec
ond Kentucky formed the brigade of General
Thomas Marshall (not Thomas F. who was a cap
tain of cavalry). This equitable adjustment of a
troublesome question, in a volunteer army, caused
the Third Indiana to be stationed at the mouth of
the Rio Grande; and the Third Ohio to be stationed
at Matamoras; while the Second Ohio and Second
Kentucky were stationed at Camargo.
It was past midsummer. The hospitals were
full, but thanks to the skill and devotion of Sur
geon William Trevitt the loss of the Second regi
ment from sickness was less than that of any other
volunteer regiment in the army. Dr. Trevitt lately
departed to the great camp in the spirit land to
join a large majority of his old comrades who had
encamped there long before him. Those who re
main behind cherish his memory with affection,
and before many years will pass away all will be
again reunited. A rigorous system of drill was
adopted, and in precision and promptness the men
of the Second acquired the character of veterans.
Before advancing from Camargo Morgan's regi
ment could execute every manoeuvre in the. school
of the battalion with rapidity and exactness. When

this was done he taught his regiment to march in
square, and to form square from line of battle,
without breaking into column, neither of which
was taught in our tactics. To the steadiness and
precision acquired by the second regiment in
marching in square, it afterwards owed not only
victory but existence.
While stationed at Camargo, under the direction
of Colonel Morgan, Major William Wall built an
earthwork with five bastions which was christened
Fort Wall, and it has since become historic in the
civil wars of Mexico.
There was an enemy in Mexico more dreaded by
our soldiers than the Mexicans. It was the taran
tula. The tarantula belongs to the family of the
spider. In Italy it is comparatively small and not
esteemed dangerous; but in Mexico it attains a
size that an ordinary pint cup would scarcely cover.
The back and legs are covered with a long hair of
a reddish color, and the eyes project from its head.
One morning T. Burr Wadsworth, a solidier in
Kenton's company, called at the hospital and com
plained at what appeared to be a carbuncle on his
cheek. Surgeon Trevitt told him that it was not
sufficiently ripe to lance, but applied some lotion.
A few hours later Wadsworth returned, with his
face and head badly swollen. Trevitt applied the
lance, pouring ammonia on the wound. In the
meantime a large tarantula was found in Wads-
worth's blankets. Stupor set in; the poor fellow
died, and company B had to mourn the loss of one
of its best soldiers. A tragedy of a different char
acter occurred not long afterwards. Morgan's regi
ment was broken into detachments; five compa
nies under the colonel remained at Camargo; two
companies under the major at Punta Aguda; and
three under the lieutenant colonel at Ceoralvo.
Lieutenant Miller and Frank Winne asked permis
sion to go to the latter place on duty, and an es
cort was ordered to accompany them. Through a
reckless contempt for the Mexicans, without the
knowledge of their commander, they set out for
Ceoralvo. They were bright young men, full of
hope, courage, and energy. They were ambushed
by a party of guerillas at Chickaronis. The bloody
and torn ground gave evidence for days afterwards
of a murderous conflict. Both were killed; and
their hearts and other parts of their persons were

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

269

hung upon bushes by the roadside. Similar atroci
ties bad been committed elsewhere, and the Mexi
can authorities professed to be unable to prevent
them. Colonel Morgan determined to give public
security against bandits and assassins. The alcades
of every town within a radius of sixty miles of
Camargo were required to send to Morgan's
headquarters three of their wealthiest citizens
as hostages against private rapine and murder with
in their jurisdictions. The hostages were held as
prisoners, but were provided with every comfort,
and were kindly treated. They were allowed to
communicate with their friends, who were given to
understand that for every murder of an American
soldier not killed in fair fight, there would be
prompt retaliation. The measure was stringent;
it called forth bitter complaints. Delegates of
Mexicans visited the headquarters at Monterey to
protest against the requirement of hostages. Mor
gan was sustained. He then went further, and
authorized each alcalde to mount a force of twenty
armed men to scour the roads as a police force,
under commissions issued by Morgan himself. It
was done; and the roads and country became more
secure than was ever before known. Not another
murder was committed, and in time the hostages
were restored to their homes.
In the month of September, 1846, the battle of
Montery was fought and won by brave old Zachary
Taylor. The main attack was made in front, by
the divisions of Twiggs and Butler, while Worth
turned the enemy's position in the city by carrying
the enemy's works on Independence Hill.
Butler was a gallant Kentuckian, and was an
aid-de-camp of Andrew Jackson at New Orleans.
Worth was a high-mettled steed, and one of the pal
ladiums of the Mexican war. He snuffed with
joy the smoke of battle, and was grand in victory
or defeat. As his division passed in column be
fore him when about to breast the Hill, he had
a smile and words of cheer for each regiment in its
turn. As the Fourth infantry advanced under the
lead of the famed Martin Scott, Worth hailed
them "Well, major, how is the Fourth?" "Fierce
as tigers, sir. By  , I can hardly hold them."
And a laugh and a cheer passed along the column.
The Hill was carried by storm, and Worth
dashed into Monterey from the rear. The troops

of the enemy were massed on the piazza, but out
of any direct line of fire from the streets which
entered it, and then for the first time perhaps the
exploit was performed of shooting around a corner
when some distance from it. This was done by
 Duncan, then a  of artillery. He
charged his guns with half the ordinary amount of
powder, and then if he wished to throw his shot
into the portion of the piazza to the left of the
entrance of the street, he directed his guns so as to
strike the wall of the house on the right corner of
the street, and the ball glancing would fly into the
interior of the square to the great astonishment, and
but little to the comfort of the Mexicans.
In front the fight was hot and galling. The bat
teries of the enemy were masked by groves of
oranges and pomegranate, and the position of a
battery was only discovered by the roar of its dis
charge. The heaviest loss was sustained by the divisions
01 Butler and Twiggs, but the storming of the
works on Independence Hill decided the day.
The whole army was covered with laurels, and the
Ohio troops under Hamer and Mitchell won their
full share.
It was now generally believed that the last battle
of the war had been fought; and the conviction
that there would be a speedy peace spread with the
news of victory. Among the few who did not so
believe, was Colonel' Morgan. In a letter to his
brother William, giving the rumors of victory, he
said: "The general belief is that Taylor has con
quered a peace. It is a mistake. There will be
no peace till a great battle is fought and won before
the walls of Mexico."
At length • the disagreeable duty of conveying
trains from Camargo to Monterey devolved mainly
on the Second Ohio. It was a duty full of danger
but devoid of glory.
Camargo was the base of Taylor's supplies; and
shortly after the battle of Monterey, our army was
nearly destitute of stores, and orders were received
to press them to the front. As a private enterprise
a Scotchman of intelligence and energy named
Thompson undertook to convey a train of three
hundred mules heavily laden, to Monterey.
Captain William A. Latham, afterwards lieutenant
colonel of the Second regiment, when re-organized,

270

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

was assigned to the duty of guarding the train with
his company, which sickness had greatly reduced.
At the request of Thompson the route by Los Al-
damos till then unused for military purposes, was
chosen, on the supposition that it would be the
least dangerous.
The third night after the departure of the train,
a breathless courier from Latham reached Morgan,
asking for succor. Latham was entrenched about
six miles beyond Los Aldamos, and a large force of
Mexicans under Carrajaval (still notorious in the
regions of the Rio Grande) was hovering in front
of him. Morgan had no cavalry; but within an
hour, with sixty picked men of his regiment
mounted on quartermasters' horses, he went to the
rescue. The night was intensely dark, but under
the lead of a Mexican guide who rode by Morgan's
side and acted under the double inspiration of a
large reward if he acted in good faith, and of
death if he did not, the march was continued dur
ing the entire night, and at about the hour of ten
the next morning the command wet, hungry and
weary, halted at Aldamos for rest and refreshment.
Morgan dispatched a courier to announce his ar
rival to Latham, and a Mexican spy to reconnoitre
Carrajaval. About four in the afternoon, Morgan
joined Latham, and shortly after dusk the spy re
turned. He reported the force of the enemy at
over three hundred strong, and that he had fallen
back sixteen miles on the road leading to Monterey.
The spy was directed to hover near the enemy,
and to report to Morgan while en-route the next
morning. He departed, but did not return. At
dawn next morning the convoy was in motion with
front, flank and rear guards, with orders to keep
well closed up, and to concentrate on any point
seriously attacked. The march was of exciting
interest. The enemy hovered around the train,
but kept beyond the reach of our muskets.
At night Morgan halted on the banks of the
Rio Capidero. A redoubt was constructed of
mule packs, and the mules were corralled, but a
short distance away, under the care of Thompson
and his muleteers, all of whom were armed. To
wards morning a scattering escopet firing was heard
from the direction of the corrals and the muleteers
came flying in. Apprehensive that the attack on
the corrals was a diversion in favor of a movement

to destroy the commissary stores, Morgan sent a
detachment of troops accompanied by Thompson
and his muleteers to reconnoitre the ground, and
if possible, re-capture the mules, and all but eighty,
were recovered. Lieutenant Brown of Julians
company was ordered to follow the enemy's trail
till daylight. On Brown's return, Morgan left
Captain Reynolds with one third ofthe entire force
to defend the redoubt and with the remaining force
gave pursuit, which was pushed with such vigor
that a number of horses fell dead in their tracks,
and others were broken down and abandoned.
The riders mounted behind their comrades or upon
the first horse, found on the route. The town of
Chuia on the Rio San Juan was reached late in
the afternoon. Two hours before Morgan's arrival
Carrajaval following the tactics of the Indians,
scattered his command in small parties with orders
to rendezvous on the day after the morrow.
In the meanwhile the stores at Monterey were
growing less and the supplies on the Capidero
must be got there at whatever cost. From a rene
gade American residing at Chuia, Morgan learned
that the authorities were in league with Carrajaval,
and he at once levied a contribution on the town
for eighty mules, twelve horses and necessary sup
plies. The alcalde replied that he possessed no
authority by which he could fill the requisition.
Morgan told him that by the laws of war he con
ferred such authority upon him, and that if the
mules and horses were not furnished by sun set the
next day he would reduce the town to ashes. Be
fore the hour named several hundred mules and
horses were brought in ; but only eighty mules and
twelve horses were taken. To protect the alcalde,
Morgan gave him a certificate stating that he had
filled the requisition under protest, and on compul
sion. At dawn the next day Morgan divided his
little command into two equal parts, one for
Latham, the other for himself. He directed
Latham to proceed with the mules to the redoubt
on the Capidero, and with the command of Rey
nolds to escort the train to Monterey, where they
arrived without further accident.
Morgan was now left on the same side of the
San Juan with Carrajaval and with only one tenth
his force. Morgan set out for Camargo by a route
seldom travelled, not wishing to encounter a force

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

271

so much larger than his own. All went well, when
suddenly the advanced scouts came to a dead halt
till the main body joined them. A Mexican was
found hanging by his feet to the limb of a tree, his
hands were bound over his head, which rested on
the ground. JHe was stone dead ; the face terribly
swollen and the eyes projecting and blood-shot.
Around his neck was suspended a label bearing the
.single word "traidor!" (traitor). The unfortunate
victim was the spy sent by Morgan to watch Carra
javal. While gazing upon the dead man some one
called out, "Look! A drove of mustangs graz
ing." Telling his men to keep together, Morgan
galloped towards the horses which were fastened
with lariats. In a moment Carrajaval and his men
swarmed from the chaparral and commenced to
saddle. Morgan returned to his men and moved
forward at a trot. The Mexicans were soon in the
saddle, and moved forward in a line parallel to
the road followed by the Americans. Toward
evening the little party reached a ranch on the
summit of high ground and with a strong corral
from which Morgan intended to fight if attacked.
Pickets were stationed and orders to look to the
horses had hardly been given, when a tall and
graceful young Mexican,, mounted and armed in
superior style, rode up and asked in pure English
to see the commandant of the Americans. He rep
resented that a large body of robbers, under Carraja
val, were roving over the country plundering
American and Mexican alike, that he was going to
Camargo, and desired the protection of the Ameri
cans to that place. Satisfied that he was dealing
with a spy, Morgan told him that his horses were
fagged: that he would remain at the ranch till
morning and would be gratified to have his com
pany to Camargo. He further urged him to re
main with the Americans at the ranch all night;
this he declined doing, but he accepted an invita
tion to take a cup of chocolate. During supper
Morgan expressed a hope that Carrajaval would
attack him, which caused the Mexican to smile
He asked, "How many men have you?" "Thirty
picked men, and every man a dead shot, and as
for that, Carrajaval has only three hundred." The
spy's dark eyes twinkled but he made no reply. In
the course of conversation he said that he had
been educated in Kentucky; liked the Americans,

and spoke carelessly of the war. He turned out
to be one of the brothers Alderetta, who had been
educated in the United States, but remained true
to their native land. At length he re-mounted his
horse saying, "Good night, we will meet in the
morning," and cantered away. A profound quiet
pervaded the American bivouac; at midnight the
pickets were called in; the command silently
mounted, and at a slow walk proceeded towards
Camargo. About two miles from the ranch was a
point of real danger; the road wound across a
deep arrayo (the dry bed of a stream); the crossing
was shaped like a horse-shoe, and a party in am
bush could have opened a tripple fire on any force
marching towards the opposite bank. A recon-
noisance was made, the place was found unguarded,
and the thirty descended into the winding arrayoand
emerged in safety on the opposite bank. The road
was composed of a loose sandy soil, which dead
ened the sound of the horses' feet. Scarcely half
a mile had been passed, when off to the right, and
some distance from the road, was discovered the
bivouac of the enemy, who soundly slept, dream
ing of the morrow. For a mile further the march
was continued, when in a low voice "Trot!
March !" was given, an.d at dawn of day the wearied
troops entered Camargo. It was afterwards learned
that towards morning Carrajaval went into ambush
at the arrayo, but his sleepless foe had vanished in
the starlight.
Morgan was next ordered to establish his head
quarters with five companies at Ceoralvo, and to
occupy Punta Aguda and Marin. The former
place was occupied by Wall with two companies
and the latter by three companies under Irwin.
The Thirtieth Ohio under Colonel S. R. Curtis
now occupied Camargo.
As" a meteor suddenly bursts upon the sky, so
must Louis P. Cooke appear and vanish from this
brief narrative. He was one of those eccentric be
ings who now and then appear in life to disturb its
dull monotony. A Kentuckian by birth, he passed
some time at West Point, when the tragic events in
the early history of Texas induced him to abandon
school and country to become an actor in the stir
ring scenes of the Lone Star State. He had jet
black hair, dark blue eyes, and a florid complexion
somewhat bronzed by wind and storm. Tall and

272

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

slender, he had the strength and agility of an
athlete, with the soft voice and emotional heart of
a woman. When aroused, he was a tiger. Never
the aggressor, he was victor in every deadly conflict
in which he had engaged; and in duel and ren
counter five men had fallen before him. A man of
education and refinement; danger fascinated him,
and action was the imperative law of his being.
Cooke and Morgan had known each other while
serving ten years before in the army of Texas, and
when on the evening of the twenty-second of Feb
ruary, 1847, Cooke rode up to Morgan's quarters
at Ceoralvo, he was received with the cordiality
with which one old comrade is sure to greet another.
While at supper, Cooke said : Morgan, is your po
sition fortified?" "No, we have been here. but a
few days and hope to go forward." "But you are
in immediate danger." "From whom?" "Santa
Anna is advancing with a large army to attack Tay
lor; and will seek to cut off his supplies by send
ing a large cavalry force through the pass at Cade-
ritta to cut off communication between Camargo
and Monterey." "You anticipate a speedy battle?"
"They are probably fighting now; at any moment
you may be attacked." "Whence your informa
tion?" "From my own observation. When Scott
withdrew the regulars from this line to advance up
on Vera Cruz, I felt certain that Santa Anna would
push forward from San Luis de Potosi, and attack
Taylor while his army was reduced. My instinct
carried me to the front. I saw Taylor at Aqua
Nueva, twenty-five miles beyond Saltillo. Rumors
had reached him that the enemy was advancing.
He did not credit them. Alone I pressed forward
to Encarnacion, and then feeling the breath of the
coming storm, I hastened back to Aqua Nueva,
but Taylor remained incorrigible. Wool was im
pressed with my report, and the army may have
fallen back to Angostura (the narrows) in front of
Buena Vista. If it has not it will be destroyed,
and we will be driven back to the gulf, if not anni
hilated." The next morning Cooke and Morgan
parted never to meet again.
f« Morgan put a large stone building in a state of
defence, but that very night he received orders from
Taylor dated on the twenty-first of February direct
ing him to concentrate his regiment and ad
vance to Monterey. Lieutenant Joline with an es

cort of ten men was dispatched to Punta Aguda
with orders for Major Wall to advance at once to
Ceoralvo. There being no means of transporting
his stores, during the night they were burned on
the piazza. Wall with his two companies reached
Ceoralvo at two in the morning, and at dawn of day
the march was taken up for Monterey. At the
"nine mile ranch" a rumor was heard of the destruc
tion of a large wagon train under the escort of Cap
tain Barbour of the First Kentucky. The route
was utterly abandoned.
The following is from the official report of Gen
eral Z. Taylor: "On the morning of the 25th
Colonel Morgan was joined by twenty-five drivers
and wagonmasters who had fled to the hills when
Barbour's train was attacked and thus escaped the
awful fate of their companions. At two o'clock he
reached the scene of the disaster and found the
bodies of forty or more of the drivers horribly mu
tilated, the wagons burning, and a number of
bodies thrown into the flames. Finding no
wounded the march was continued to Marin,"
which was reached about night fall, and found to
be in flames. Morgan halted in front of the town
and sent a reconnoitring party of wagoners under
wagonmaster Box to ascertain and report its con
dition. They soon returned at a gallop, bringing
with them all spattered with blood a Mexican, las
soed to the pummel of a wagoner's saddle. From
him it was learned that the enemy's cavalry under
General Urea had been before Marin for two days,
and several skirmishes had taken place between
them and Lieutenant Colonel Irwin's command.
That the arrival of reenforcements of infantry and
two pieces of artillery, under Major Shepherd, of
the First Kentucky regiment, had caused the
enemy to retire, and relieved Colonel Irwin, who
knew nothing of Colonel Morgan's approach. At
Marin it was ascertained that the escort of the
train (thirty men under Lieutenant Barbour, First
Kentucky regiment) had been surrounded and
captured. Having stationed his pickets and given
directions as to the command of his men, Morgan
rode out on the Monterey road. He gained a
slight elevation which commanded a view of the
surrounding country. After some time he dis
covered to the left and front the dim outline of
extended camp fires. It was the bivouac of the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

273

same Urea who butchered the soldiers of Fannin
after they had surrended at Goliad. Satisfied that
an encounter was inevitable, to avoid the chance
of an ambuscade Morgan determined to advance
at midnight. Neither he nor his men had slept
since leaving Ceoralvo. All but the poor fellows
on guard were now asleep, and throwing his horse-
blanket on the sidewalk ofthe piazza, with his sad
dle for a pillow, he slept thirty minutes, and the
march was resumed. Towards morning the tramp
of Urea's cavalry was heard on every side closing
in on the little column, which at once closed to
half distance and formed square. At the first
streak of dawn the rattle of muskets and escopets
was heard, and the flankers ran in and took their
places in the square. In a few moments the road
passed through a clear piece of ground, and the
opposing forces were in full view of each other.
The little square was like a rock, surrounded by
an ocean of lancers, whose gay uniforms and
bright pennons shown brilliantly in the sunlight.
About half a mile to the front a squadron of lancers
mounted on gray horses halted in the road, and
Urea, for it was he, raised his glasses to make a
reconnoissance. Morgan cantered a hundred paces
towards. him and halted, when Urea advanced a
short distance and saluted with his hand after the
style of the "Mexicans. Morgan returned the salu
tation by raising his cap, galloped back to the
square, and ordered the musicians to strike up
Yankee Doodle. The enemy answered the defi
ance with loud huzzas, and at the sound of the
bugle on every side bore down on the square. On
they came in serried columns, and the earth
seemed to tremble beneath the shock. "Steady,
men!" exclaimed Morgan. "Look for the whites
of their eyes ! Fire by rank ! Ready ! Aim ! Front
rank ! Fire ! Rear rank ! Fire ! Load, and fire
at will!" On every side saddles were emptied;
horses maddened by their wounds became unman
ageable; the running fire from each front of the
square was kept up with precision and rapidity
until the enemy first wavered; tried to rally, and
then on every side fell back in confusion. The
boys of the Second yelled like demons, and every
successive charge was received with the steadiness
of veterans. Thus the fight went on, advancing
when the enemy fell back, halting and facing out

ward when he renewed the charge. At length Urea
placed a large body of cavalry in front, dismounted
the remainder of his force, and at long range opened
fire on the square from his escopetas. The larg
balls of the escopetas as they tore through the air
made a most uncomfortable sound, and as they
whistled past the heads of the men in the ranks
they would instinctively dodge. Morgan and Wall
were on horseback in the middle of the square,
and seeing the boys dodge their heads as the balls
whistled past them, the colonel exclaimed, "Come
boys, no dodging ! When you hear the balls
whistle the danger is over." The boys would still
bob their heads, look around at the colonel and
laugh. At length a shower of balls passed a little
higher than usual and whistled close to Morgan's
head, who bobbed as the boys had done; and
laughingly exclaimed, "Dodge and be d — d boys !"
which incident is to this day narrated by the sur
viving veterans of the old Second.
The square again advanced, and the lancers with
drew to the right and left of the road, and once more
charged, and were once again repulsed. Morgan
now called for a volunteer to bear orders for Irwin
to return. Lieutenant Stewart, of the Highland
company, at once offered to run the gauntlet, and
mounted on a fleet horse he shot from the square
like a rocket. The Mexicans were dumbfounded,
and seemed to have lost voice and power of action,
while Stewart dashed on. At length they raised a
yell and sent wild shots after him, but he safely
reached Irwin who rapidly marched to the succor
of his comrades, and at 1 1:30 a. m. he joined Mor
gan, but before doing so he poured several volleys
from his two guns into the lancers, who fell back
and soon disappeared.
The Second continued the march to Monterey,
and made the march of eighty miles in two days
and a half, six hours of which time were occupied
in fighting Urea. Immediately after the victory at
Buena Vista Taylor again advanced to Aqua Nue
va, and was there joined by Morgan's regiment
but the old chieftain soon returned to Monterey,
leaving General Wool in command of the main
body of the army at Buena Vista, where it was en
camped in three lines; the Second and Third Ohio
and the two Illinois regiments forming the third
line on a plateau of unrivalled beauty. The fight-

274

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

ing was over on Tayior's line; but two incidents
occured at the camp at Buena Vista which are viv
idly recollected by the soldiers of the Ohio regi
ments. Between the second and third lines of en
campment there was an excellent spring at which
the soldiers of the two lines often met to relate the
camp stories of the war. One day a fight occured
between an Ohioan and a Kentuckian. The lattei
was a giant incize, strength, and courage, and the
Ohioan was worsted. The quarrel was taken up by
a broad-shouldered and good natured man of the
Second Ohio, named Frost; a second encounter
took place, which resulted in the Kentuckian's be
ing so badly pounded that he had to be carried to
his encampment. All of this occured without
the knowledge of the officers of either regiment;
nevertheless for a time it created an ugly feeling
between the two regiments.
The other incident is historic in its character.
The annexation of Texas was bitterly opposed by
the Whigs, who charged, which was true, that it
caused the war with Mexico. And although both
Taylor and Scott were Whigs, and although many
officers and soldiers belonged to that party, many
of the leading Whigs in Congress denounced and
opposed the war. Foremost among these were two
Ohioans, justly celebrated for their eloquence and
ability; they were the Hon. Thomas Corwin of the
United States Senate, and the Hon. Columbus Del
ano of the House. When the intelligence of this
opposition to the war reached the army it created
intense feeling, and one night just before tattoo a
sudden flame shot up on the parade ground of the
Third Ohio, and loud groans rent the air. Mor
gan was field officer of the day, and happened to
be making a call on Colonel Curtis, when seeing
the flames and hearing the groans he sprang to his
feet to suppress the strange and unlooked for dis
order. Colonel Curtis said "Remember Colonel
that is my parade ground," intimating that it was
for him and not Morgan to interfere. Morgan an
swered "Yes, but I am the field officer ofthe day."
On reaching the ground a large crowd of the troops
of the different regiments were gathered around a
burning effigy which was addressed with jeers and
taunts by the soldiers. Morgan ordered the men
to cut down the figure and return to their regi
ments ; but the order was only answered by a good-

natured laugh; and it was not until a detachment
of guards arrived that the crowd dispersed, and by
that time the effigy was consumed.
This brief narrative would be incomplete without
a word in regard to Brigadier General Thomas L.
Hamer, the senior officer from Ohio, in the war
with Mexico. He was justly esteemed as one of
the ablest men in the country, and had he lived,
might, have reached the Presidential chair. He
was the only man in Ohio capable of meeting Mr.
Corwin before a popular audience. Hamer won
the confidence of General Taylor, and, indeed, of
the officers of the regular army generally, who alike
admired his modesty and merit. At Monterey he
bore himself with marked gallantry, but did not
live to enjoy the honors which would have been
showered upon him had he returned to Ohio. He
died at Walnut Springs, near Monterey, on the third
day ot January, 1847, after a lingering illness of
nearly three weeks. His remains lie buried in the
cemetery at Georgetown, Ohio, and to the discredit
of this State they slumber there without a monu
ment. During the session of 1846-7 the general assem
bly passed a vote of thanks to the Ohio volunteers
in recognition of their services in the field. The
following letter of acknowledgment was addressed
by Colonel Morgan to Governor Bebb of Ohio:
Camp of the Second Regiment, O. V. )
Buena Vista, April 12, 1847. J
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge your communication
of February 10, 1847, accompanying the preamble and resolu
tions adopted by the legislature of Ohio commending the
bravery of the troops on the field.
Permit me to say, on behalf of my comrades that the appro
bation of his fellow-citizens is the highest reward a soldier can
receive for the hardships and perils of war. My comrades only
regret they were not able to do more for their State and country f
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
George W. Morgan.
To His Excellency,
Governor Bebb.
Among the officers of highest merit who ever
served in the army of the United States was Brig
adier General John E. Wool. Regarded as a mar
tinet, he was like a father to his soldiers. Amid
the greatest danger and excitement he was always
self-possessed, and by his admirable bearing in
spired in those around him confidence and cour
age. Probably no other living American than
Zachary Taylor, could have won and held the field

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

275

of Beuna Vista, yet a large share of the honor of
the victory belongs to John E. Wool. It was he
who placed the troops on the field; and seldom did
a commanding general have so able a lieutenant to
support him in the hour of trial.
The day before the Ohio regiments took up their
line of march for their homes, General Wool pub
lished the following order :
Headquarters Beuna Vista, )
May 16, 1847. J
Order No. 190.
The general commanding cannot see the Ohio regiments sep
arate from his command without expressing the entire satisfac
tion which their good discipline, orderly conduct and fine mili
tary appearance have uniformly given him, and which causes
him so deeply to [regret they are not to be with him in future
operations. The Second and Third Ohio regiments will return to their
homes with the consciousness that they have done great credit
to their State, rendered good service to their country, and that
hey bear with them the hearty good-will and sincere admiration
of their companions and commander.. In parting with the offi
cers and men the general wishes them a pleasant journey and a
happy return to their families and friends.
By command of
Brigadier General Wool.
Irwin McDowell, A. D. C.
Nor was General Wool the only commander who
bore testimong to the bearing of the Ohio troops.
General Taylor devoted an entire report to the en
counter between Urea and Morgan, which he con
cludes as follows:
The loss of Colonel Morgan in these affairs was three Ameri
cans and one friendly Mexican killed, one wagoner'mortally, and
one soldier slightly wounded. The enemy is supposed to have
sustained a considerable loss, but from the nature of the en
gagement its amount conld not be ascertained. We have to
lament the fall of Captain B. F. Graham, assistant quartermas
ter in the volunteer service, after behaving in the most gallant
manner. I would recommend to particular notice the gallant
conduct and energy of Colonel Morgan throughout these oper
ations. Lieutenant Colonel Irwin, Major Wall, and Adjutant
Joline, Second Ohio regiment, and Major Shepherd are also en
titled to notice for good conduct and valuable services.
Captain Barbour whose command was captured
by the enemy near Marin was a prisoner of Urea,
during the operations just referred to. At the close
of the war he stated at Vera Cruz, when en route
to his home, that the loss to Urea in his encounter
with Morgan, was over three hundred. The usual
proportion between killed and wounded is about
one to six or seven, but in these affairs with Urea
only six of our people were struck, and five out of
the six were killed.

Just before the march was taken up by the Ohio
troops at Beuna Vista for the Rio Grande, a melan
choly affair occurred at or near the guard tent
which cost a man his life. Noah F. Johnston, of
Licking county, was a law student in the office of
Miller & Morgan when the first company from Mt.
Vernon went to the field. He was a private, and
was always prompt in the discharge of his duties,
but had no desire for promotion. He was a great
wag and practical joker. On the evening referred
to he was teazing another soldier who became an
gry and called Johnston some harsh names. As a
joke, of which the other knew nothing, Johnston
challenged him to fight with muskets. The inten
tion was that the muskets should not be loaded,
and that of Johnston was not. By some sad mis
chance the gun of the other was regularly charged.
The distance was only eight paces. The word was
given; a smile of merriment was playing on John
ston's lips, when he was shot dead in his tracks.
At Camargo Colonel Morgan bid good-bye to his
comrades and set out for Vera Cruz to take command
of the Fifteenth regular infantry, to which he had
been promoted as colonel; while under Lieutenant
Colonel Irwin the Second proceeded to New Or
leans, where it was honorably discharged.
The officers of "the Young Guard" were wel
comed back to their homes by a procession, a ban
quet, and bonfires, and many hearts were made
glad by their return.
Lieutenant Colonel Irwin obtained authority to
reorganize the old Second regiment, of which he
was made the colonel. Captain William Latham
was made lieutenant colonel, and Captain Lick was
made major.
For this regiment a new company was organized
at Mount Vernon, on the fourth of September,
1847.- James E. Harle, the old captain of com
pany "B," was chosen captain. Robert B. Mitchell
was made first lieutenant, and Stiles L. Thrift and
Jabez J. Antrim second lieutenants. Harle, Mitch
ell, Morton, and others were members of "The
Young Guard," and all of the field officers of the
Second, reorganized, had been officers in the old
Second The material of Irwins' regiment was first
rate. General William Lytle who was killed dur
ing the late civil war was one of its captains.
On arriving in Mexico Lieutenant Colonel La-

276

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

tham, with four companies, was stationed at Puebla;
and Colonel Irwin, with six companies, was sta
tioned at Agua Frio, the highest part of the moun
tain before descending into the glorious and lovely
valley of Mexico, and continued to occupy those
posts until the close of the war, when they were all
welcomed back to their homes with every demon
stration of joy.
But few of the veterans of that war remain.
They were boys then; they are gray^haired sires
now. They hold national and State reunions, and
it is well to close this chapter with an address de
livered by General Morgan at one of these held at
Columbus, Ohio, February 22, 1879.
Comrades and Veterans of the Army of Mexico :
A third of a century has passed away since the soil of the Re
public was invaded by Mexican troops, and the companies of
Hardy and Thornton were captured and carried beyond the
Rio Grande as prisoners of war.
That was the opening scene in the glorious drama which ex
cited the attention and commanded the admiration of the world,
during two years of unbroken triumphs, and of deeds never ex
celled in the annals of war. It possessed all the romance of the
crusade against the Saracens, and, like the crusade, was a bless
ing to mankind.
The plumed knights brought back from the Holy Land the
reflected light of a. higher civilization, which penetrated the
gloom of the dark ages, revived the divine spirit of the Christian
religion, and restored the arts and sciences to the European
world. Mexico was the mystic land of the Montezumas ; the scene of
the exploits of Ferdinand Cortes, the first person to carry gun
powder and the Bible to the date and the orange groves of the
Aztecs. And later it was the twice won and twice lost empire
of Santa Anna, the great general, the remorseless butcher, who
survived one Waterloo at the hands of Sam Houston, to be
overwhelmed in a second at the hands of Winfield Scott, in that
Garden of Eden known as the Valley of Mexico.
The war was full of romance and dazzling with glory. The vol
unteer was paid eight dollars a month to be shot at as a target,
and was as proud and happy as a troupadour. At the first blast
ofthe clarion which summoned him to battle, hekissed the girl of
his heart good-bye, and sought a new idol in the starry flag of
his country, till the war was over; when like a true knight he re
turned, if he came back at all, to the allegience due to his lady
love. If the crusaders revived the civilization of Europe, so did the
war with Mexico throw forward the civilization of the world one
hundred years. The bayonet of the soldier was the wand which
opened the exhaustless gold and silver mines of California, New
Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, and caused a greater
material, moral, and intellectual development than had ever be
fore taken place in any two consecutive centuries of the world's
history. Taylor had the honor and the glory to fight and win the first
two battles of the war ; and ever after, the American went into
battle with the prestige of victory, and the Mexican with the
certainty of defeat.

I can only glance at some of the brilliant and successful cam
paigns, which for the first time in our history caused the Re
public to be recognized as a first-class power throughout the
world ; and must limit myself to reminiscences of a few of the
many heroes whose names should not be- allowed to die.
The enemy, with pennons flying and bands playing, was de
ployed as if for review upon the extended plain of Palo Alto ;
while Taylor quietly held his little army in double columns
ready to be advanced or deplSyed.
Blake, of Taylor's staff, was directed to make a personal re-
connoissance to ascertain the Mexican strength. With his saber
and his pistols for his escort he dashed forward towards the
right of the enemy's line, halted within range, counted the num
ber of files to a company, and of companies to a battalion; and
thus, as though reviewing the hostile line, slowly cantered along
its front, taking notes as he advanced. When the result was as
certained, he raised his cap, gracefully saluted the enemy, and
galloped Lack to report to his chief.
The battle was like a tournament, and the laurel of the victor
rested upon Taylor's brow.
But Blake, where was he? While the battle raged, like a
meteor he flashed over the field, bearing orders to the troops.
The victory won, the camp pitched, his face still flushed, his
eyes still lighted with the fire of battle, poor Blake carelessly threw
aside his pistols, when one of them exploded, and he who but
an instant before was the boast and pride of the army, was dead.
The next day brought another victory, gained upon another
field. If Palo Alto was a tournament, Resaca de la Palma was
a rout, an assault, a storm upon the battle-field.
The guns of the enemy occupied a gorge flanked on either
side by dense chaparral. The squadron of Charley May. was
ordered to carry the battery. Randolph Ridgely, one of the
best horsemen of the army, and one of its paladins, had his bat
tery in position and saw May approaching at a gallop. He
also saw that the guns of the Mexican battery were loaded. To
save May's command he waved his arm on high, and with the
voice of a clarion called out : ' ' Hold, Charley, till I draw their
fire, '' and poured a volley into the gorge, Upon the instant the
fire was returned, and while the defile was still choked with
powder-smoke, the squadron of May swept through the gorge
like a hurricane.
There was another reminiscence of that same field, which it
gives me a sad pleasure to recall.
George Lincoln was as true a type of genuine chivalry as ever
shivered lance in tournament, or bore a sword upon a battle
field. I knew and loved him well.
In that headlong fight, a few against many, Lincoln, with a
handful of comrades, was surrounded by the enemy. What
sometimes happens, the fight was hand to hand, and the
Mexicans bore themselves in a manner worthy of a better
fate; but destiny was against them. Lincoln wore a heavy
Prussian sabre, which none but a Hercules could wield on foot.
At one time he was assailed by three Mexicans with bayonets.
The odds were formidable; but one thrust and two cuts lay his
three antagonists dead at his feet, and their congealed blood was
still on the sword which was in the hero's grasp when he died
upon the red, red field of Buena Vista.
The President's proclamation for troops quickly followed the
victories of Palo Alto and Resaca. The requisition was
promptly filled by every State called upon, and amidst the
heat of summer, northern, western, and southern soldiers hast-
tened to that far-off land of the sun.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

277

ti>7 ™°T6y that °hio soldiers fi« tasted the smoke
of battle The First Ohio, under Mitchell, and the First Ken
tucky, under Orrasby, formed the brigade of the loved and la
mented Hamer, which was greatly distinguished on that memo
rable day. • • Old Zach, " for so the boys delighted to call him,
attacked the city in front with the divisions of Twiggs and But
ler, while Worth executed a brilliant but not bloody flank move
ment by Federation hill. In Taylor's front the city was com
pletely masked by groves of orange, fig, and pomegranate, and
each grove was an ambuscade. There the fight was murderous
and destructive, for the Americans were exposed while the Mex
icans were concealed.
On the right stood Worth, the Bayard of the army, uttering
words of cheer to his troops as they ascended the hill. At the
head of the Fourth infantry advanced Martin Scott, whose name
was then a household word throughout the land.
Monterey fell, and new laurels clustered round the brows of
Taylor and his heroes. Scott arrived. The regular divisions
under Twiggs and Worth were embarked for Vera Cruz, and.
Taylor was left with the volunteers to protect a line which was
believed to be free from danger. At this time the First Ohio
was at Monterey ; the Second held the line between that place
and Camargo; and the Third under Curtis was at Matamoras.
One evening, while at Camargo, I had strolled with George
Lincoln to the tent of the sutler, and soon afterward the famous
Thomas E. Marshall entered. He was in one of his moods,
and talked ramblingly. Just then we heard the nearing clatter
of a horse's hoofs, and a moment after the rider dismounted
and entered. "Where are you from?" "Monterey," was the
quick question and prompt reply. "What news?" "As
Randolph Ridgley was galloping along the flintly streets of
Monterey, his horse's feet flew from under him, and Ridgely
was killed. " Marshall drew himself up, and exclaimed " Great
God! As well might you expect an eagle to die from the fall of
his own pinions, as Randolph Ridgley to die from the fall of his
horse." The great souled-orator and the great souled-warrior, both, are
asleep now, and may the memory of their virtues be long
cherished. Old Zach with his volunteers had advanced to Aqua Nueva,
nineteen miles beyond the defile of Augostura. Rumor followed
rumor of the advance of a large army under Santa Anna, but
Taylor had learned to regard his enemy with contempt, and
would not believe that he was coming. But had he remained
twenty hours longer in that exposed position his army would
have been overwhelmed and destroyed, for he would not have
surrendered. Upon the urgent advice of Wool, Taylor fell back upon Buena
Vista, and at the moment the head of his column passed the
defile, Santa Anna established his headquarters at Aqua Nueva.
You can all bring back to memory the beautiful field of Beuna
Vista, with its web of impassable ravines extending from the
right of the defile to the mountain wall which abruptly rises
two thousand feet above the plain, and to the left, the small
but ragged hills, which form a cordon to the grand plateau
which lies at the base of the opposite mountain wall.
Despite all the advantages of the ground, Taylor's little army,
deployed in a single line, was too small to extend across the plain.
This morning thirty-two years ago, there stood arrayed five
thousand volunteers, with a few hundred regulars, against a
splendidly appointed army of nearly thirty thousand regulars,
under the command of one of the best generals of the age.
8

For two long days, from noon till night, from night till morn,
and from noon till night again, our citizen soldiers held the field,
and the third morning found the immortal band stiff with cold
and sore from wounds, ready to renew the battle, determined to
conquer or to die.
McKee, Hardin, Clay, Yell, and Lincoln of the lion-heart,
and hosts of other heroes, died upon that field, and by their
deaths made their country's flag victorious.
I do not intend to describe that battle. None but giants
could have held that field against such odds, and even they
would have failed under the lead of any other man, then living,
save Zachary Taylor.
Another reminiscence and I will have done :
"A little more grape, Captain Bragg." So says fiction, but
it is not history. No, no ; such is not the impassioned language
of battle. A large body of the enemy's cavalry had turned
Taylor's left, and was doing severe execution in his rear. Bragg,
with his battery, almost unsupported, dashed forward to resist
them, and while, the battle uneasily balanced in the scales of
fate, old Zach. galloped up and exclaimed, "Give them hell,
Captain Bragg! " Bragg did give them hell, and the huge col
umn of the enemy's cavalry rolled back to their own lines.
For a moment before I close let me call the roll of our great
chiefs: Taylor, Scott, Wool, Worth, Twiggs, Kearney, Ha
mer, Pierce, Cadwalader. From the far off camp in the spirit
land, they answer "Here !"
Ohio had five volunteer regiments, five companies of the Fif
teenth infantry, and several independent companies, with its full
proportion among the regulars, in the war with Mexico.
Our brigadier — where is he? Dead. The colonel of the First?
Dead. The colonel of the Third? Dead. _ The colonel of the
Fourth ? Dead. The colonel of the Fifth ? Dead. And of
the other field officers — Howard and Mills, of the Fifteenth in
fantry; Irwin and Wall, of the Second and Fifth Ohio; Weller,
of the First, and McCook, of the Third — all are dead; and of
seventy thousand men enrolled, less than six thousand live to
day. This is the anniversary of the great battle on what was known
as the upper or northern line, and I will leave for some other
tongue, or till some other time, the splendid campaigns of Scott,
from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico, during the second year
of the war. It was my fortune to command a regiment under
each of the great captains — the Second Ohio under Taylor, the
Fifteenth infantry under Scott. They were composed of my
comrades and my brothers, and are equally dear to my heart.
Thinned by the bullets and the diseases of two wars, it is not
strange that after the lapse of a third of a century so few of us
should be still lingering along the lines. But while we do re
main, let us often meet as now, to recall the legends of the past,
cherish the memory ofthe heroic dead, and offer up our earnest
prayers for the liberty, peace and prosperity of our glorious land.
Muster roll of Captain Charles Colerick's com
pany, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, volunteers, tempo-
rarially attached to the First regiment of volunteers
in the Texan service, commanded by Colonel
Rogers, December 31, 1836:
commissioned officers.
[Enrolled August 22d.]
Charles Colerick, captain.
John Lemon, first lieutenant.

278

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Edward Smith, second lieutenant.
non-commissioned officers.
[Enrolled August 22d.]
Thomas W. Carter, first sergeant.
Joseph Meix, second sergeant.
Jackson Blackmore, third sergeant.
Lorenzo Jones, fourth sergeant.
Benjamin West, first corporal,
Jesse Axtel, second corporal.
Benjamin Downs, third corporal.
Orlando Forest, fourth corporal. PRIVATES.
[Enrolled August 22d.]

D. Campbell Dunlap,
Thomas R. Gaplet,
John Lewton,
James H. Larabee,
Edward Money,
John Hughes,
Benjamin F. McMiller,
Robert Hunter,
E. H. Shryock,
Marvin Dellano,
Joseph Cummings,
Jeremiah Tracy,
N. C. Griffin,
John J. Akin,
George W. Duff.
Thomas Rock, Oct. 29, 1836.
Lewis Marwell, Nov. r, 1836.

Stephen Cook,
Ebenezer Ingraham,
John Snider,
Charles Cosner,
Joseph Preston,
Enoch Poland,
George McKee,
Samuel Mott,
Gordon N. Mott,
Mile Jones,
Seth Corpaning,
Alexander McMiller,
George Miller,
John Dermis,

Eli Shriver, Oct. 28, r836.
John Culleth, Nov. 16, r836.
John Mathias, Nov. 20, 1836.
Thomas Sargent, Nov. 20, '36. John P. Mills, Nov. 20, 1836.
John Guisar, Nov. 2r, 1836. Joseph Sharp, Nov. 23, r836.
Robert Martin, Nov. 26, r836. Alexander S. Green, Nov. 22, '36
Ed. Williams, Nov. 20, 1836. James P. Dial, Nov. 2r, 1836.
Henry Carheart, Nov. 2T, 1836.
George Hall, Nov. 24, 1836.
James Franklin, Nov. 24, 1836.
Wm. Collins, Nov. 22, 1836.
Robert Kennedy, Nov. 21, r836.
Warren Sanes, Nov. 20, r836.
Aaron Edwards, Aug. 22, 1836.
I hereby certify that this muster roll exhibits the true state of
the company of Mount Vernon, Ohio, volunteers now in the
Texan service, and temporarialy attached to the First regiment
of volunteers, commanded by Colonel Rogers, for the period
designated in this roll.
Given at Camp Independence this thirty-first day of Decem
ber, 1836. Charles Colertck, Captain.

John T. Violet, Nov. 2r, r836.
Wm. Hudson, Nov. 22, 1836.
Wm. Muller, Nov. 23, 1836.
S. W. Upshaw, Nov. 24, '36.
Andrew Moore, Nov. 20, 1836.
David Lockhard, Nov. 22, '36.
Benj. F. Adams, Nov. 20, '36.

General Land Office, 1
Austin, Texas, June 16, 1880. )
I, W. C. Walsh, commissioner of the general land office,
hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of
the record of the original muster roll now on file in this office.
In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix the im
press of the seal of said office, the date last above written.
W. C. Walsh, Commissioner.
Muster-in-roll of Captain Simon B. Kinton's com
pany, in the Second regiment of Ohio volunteers,
commanded by Colonel George W. Morgan, called

into the service of the United States by order of
the President, under the act of Congress approved
May 13, 1846, from the first day of July, 1846
(date of this muster), for the term of twelve months,
unless sooner discharged. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS..
Colonel G. W. Morgan.
Captain S. B. Kinton.
First Lieutenant C. D. Miller.
Second Lieutenant T. P. Morton.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICF.RS.
First Sergeant F. B. Davis.
Second Sergeant A. J. McFarland.
Third Sergeant William Watson.
Fourth Sergeant William N. Color.
First Corporal N. F. Johnson.
Second Corporal John Watson.
Third Corporal Charles White.
Fourth Corporal Manly Foote.
Musician John P. Miller.
Musician J. I. Antrim,

privates.

Anderson, James
Barry, Joseph
Bower, Adam
Bolger, Abraham
Coyle, William
Clarke, Luke
Elliott, David
Fuller, John
Flemming, J. C.
Glancy, James
Harle, James E.
Henry, W. N.
Heddington, Jesse
Ireland, David
Johnston, Noah F.
Leonard, Joseph
Laton, Isaac W.
Marker, John D.
McWilliams, Charles
McNulty, C. J.
Menyhue, W.
Miller, John
Norton, D. S„ jr.
Nichols, Elijah
Robertson, J. A.
Ream, Andrew
Smith, Jabez
Showers, William
Smith, N. H.
Smith, J. P.
Vanloon, John
Warden, James
Williams, J.
Wrightmire, A. D.
Akins, George
Harrod, Joseph
Underwood, O.

Allen, David
Berry, James
Bull, William
Cullen, Peter
Cochran, John
Dixon, Joseph
Farnum, E. B.
Fishburn, Elijah
Greenlee, Robert
Huntley, G.
Huffman, George
Holbrook, William
Hacken, Samuel
Ireland, Samuel
Krider, Robert
Lafever, James
Luke, Jackson
Mitchell, B. K.
Murphy, Michael
Morningstar, Philip
Murphy, David
Moore, John
Norton, Henry C.
Peterson, Henry
Ridgely, William
Scott, James F.
Spry, Sylvester
Sullivan, John
Sweeny, Alexander
Smith, F. M.
Wadsworth, T. B.
Winne, F. J.
Wolfe, George
Wolford, George
Freeman, A.
Underwood, W.
McWilliams, W.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

279

Muster-in roll of Captain James E. Harle's com
pany, in the Second regiment of Ohio foot volun
teers, commanded by Colonel William Irvin, called
into the service of the United States by the presi
dent of the United States, under the act of con
gress approved May 13, 1846, from the fourth day
of September, 1847, [date of this muster], for dur
ing the war with Mexico, unless sooner discharged:
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
James E. Harle, captain.
Robert B. Mitchell, first lieutenant.
Stiles L. Thrift, second lieutenant.
Jabez J. Antrim, second lieutenant.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Peter T. Morton, first sergeant.
Andrew S. Glessner, sergeant,
Jared M. Hord, sergeant.
John Hawn, sergeant.
Lemuel L. Ireland, corporal.
Hiram Miller, corporal.
James J. Runyan, corporal.
William Campbell, corporal.

Ayres, Washington G.
Bechtel, Charles
Bell, George H.
Cable, George R.
Critchfield, Jefferson
Darling, John
Davison, James
Eaton, John
Gamuel, John M.
Gibbons, Theodore
Harle, William
Harrod, Jesse B.
Ireland, David
Jordan, Peter
Morton, David
Morris, William F.
McGugin, Charles
McChristie, John
O'Donnel, Uriah
Pazig, Ferdinand
Parker, William
Robeson, Robert
Searles, William
Smith, Jeremiah
Simpkins, George
Simpkins, Charles
Shekels, Noah
Taylor, William H.
Tucker, Jones
Wagner, Lewis
White, Thomas P.

PRIVATES. Ball, William T.
Beckwith, Thomas
Bennett, Henry P.
Carper, George W.
Camp, Balsar
Dower, Peter
Edwards, Jared L.
Fearne, Charles G.
Gunning, Jesse
Hyatt, John W.
Haywood, Thomas I.
Hammon, Robert
Johnson, Jesse
Leighty, Alexander M.
Marble, Warren
Mimtis, Malon
McKinzey, Joseph L.
Norton, Henry C.
Perkins, William
Parnell, Peter
Reece, William
Rhoding, Ambrose
Smith, Caleb
Siler, Jacob
Simkins, Benjamin
Sprague, William E. D.
Taylor, Joseph
Fayman, Benjamin
Welker, Hiram
Wagner, George
Yeitman, Peter
Zales, Joseph.

CHAPTER XXXI.
WAR OF THE REBELLION.
preparations for the conflict— number of soldiers
from Knox County — War Meetings and Resolutions
— Committees Appointed — Home Guards — Sketch of
the Life of C. P. Buckingham— Bounty Money for
the Volunteers of 1862 — Address of the Military
Committee — Methods of Securing Volunteers —
Drafting — War Fund — Knox County Militia— La
dies' Aid Societies — Ladies' Union League — The
Monument.
The drum's wild roar awakes the land, the fife is calling shrill,
Ten thousand starry banners blaze, on town, and bay, and hill;
Our crowded streets are throbbing with the soldier's measured
tramp,
Among the bladed cornfields gleam the white tents of the camp.
The thunders of the rising war hush Labor's drowsy hum,
And heavy to the ground the first dark drops of battle come.
The souls of men flame up anew; the narrow heart expands;
And woman brings her patient faith to nerve her eager hands.
Thank God! we are not buried yet, though long in trance we
lay;
Thank God ! the fathers need not blush to own their sons to-day.
Eldridge Jefferson.
ACCORDING to the figures in the provost mar
shal general's office, Ohio furnished during the
war ofthe Rebellion, the great army of three hundred
and ten thousand men ; of these, two hundred and
forty thousand five hundred and fourteen were actu
ally sent into the field against the enemy; of this lat
ter number Knox county furnished about three
thousand. The larger proportion of these went in
detached fragments, making it a very difficult matter
to give a correct and consecutive account of their
operations during the great struggle. Something
more than twenty organized companies went from
the county, as well as a large number of detach
ments in various regiments and companies raised in
other counties. In addition to these a large num
ber of men, residents of the county, enlisted singly,
in regiments and companies raised elsewhere, and
Knox county boys were found in scores of regi
ments in other States; especially was this the case
among the western regiments — those from Illinois,
Iowa, Missouri and Kansas.
When, in April, 1801, Sumter was fired upon,
the whole country was in a blaze of war; it was
like a match touched to a powder magazine — there
was an instantaneous explosion. Ohio immediately
offered more men to the Government than was
called for from the United States. Knox county
was not behind in this excitement. Meetings were

280

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

held all over the county, and companies of men
quickly enlisted.
April 20, 1861, there was a great mass meeting
in Mount Vernon, presided over by Hon. Henry
B. Curtis. Thousands of people were present, and
party lines, which up to this time had been tightly
drawn, were in a great measure obliterated. Re
publicans and Democrats, with a few exceptions,
rmet on common ground, to consult together for
the safety of a common country. This was more
the case and more noticeable in the beginning of
the war than a little later, when party lines were
again drawn on the great issues involved in the
war. This mass meeting was held in front of the court
house. Speeches were made by Hon. Columbus
Delano and others, and the following resolutions
adopted: Resolved, That civil war exists by act of the seceding States;
and we hold the traitors banded together under the ' ¦ Southern
Confederacy, " or otherwise, reponsible before God and the world
for all the evil that may arise from the unnatural war, thus in
augurated. Resolved, That in this crisis the people of Ohio know but one
party — the friends of the Union. We ignore all former partisan
distinctions and declare with one voice for our country, our
whole country, and nothing less than our country.
Resolved, That we pledge to our Government, in support of
the constitution and laws, our property, our lives and our sacred
honor, Resolved, That we hereby pledge ourselves to the volunteers
who may go from this county that we will support their families
during their absence in the service of their country; and for that
purpose, therefore
Resolved, That there he a central executive committee of five
in the town of Mount Vernon, and a county committee of
twenty-two — one from each township — appointed.
The above resolutions, which were offered by a
committee consisting of C. Delano, Mr. Rigby,
L. Harper, Major Sapp, and William Dunbar, were
quickly adopted amid much cheering and excite
ment. The central executive committee then appointed
consisted of W. Sapp, William Dunbar, William
Mefford, A. J. Beach, and C. Delano. This com
mittee soon had its hands full of business, which
continued during the war. The following gentle
men constituted the township committees :
A. J. Butler, Jackson township; James McCammet, Butler;
Doctor Moffet, Union; Mark Greer, Jefferson; Wait Whitney,
Brown; Samuel Popham, Pike; U. T. Porter, Howard; James
Head, College; George Hughes, Morgan; Thomas Rogers,
Clay; Moses Dudgeon, Harrison; L. W. Gates, Miller; Nathan

Bostwick, Milford; Robert Graham, Pleasant; William Mitch
ell, Hilliar; James Severe, Liberty; John Welsh, Clinton; John
Mclntyre, Morris; John D. Struble, Wayne; Stephen H. Sher
wood, Middlebury; James Markley, Berlin; Peter Hoke, Mon
roe. In addition to the above, one was added for each
ward in Mt. Vernon, and soldiers' families were
generally, in various ways, well provided for during
the war. The two companies that went out in the
Fourth Ohio, in the three months' service, were
more than filled up at this time. More men could
easily have been had, but could not be accepted.
Meetings of a similar character were held in
Amity and Brownsville. In the latter place a com
pany was immediately formed, and elected John F.
Cunningham captain ; William L. Brook, first lieu
tenant, and Squire Workman, second lieutenant.
W. Frazier was orderly sergeant. The meeting
was held in the Methodist Episcopal church, and
after the volunteering, one side of the house was
cleared, and those who would contribute to the
support of the families of the volunteers requested
to take that side. Immediately that side of the
house was refilled.
An enthusiastic meeting was also held in Mor
gan township, April 23d, at which a company of
home guards was formed.
A company of home guards was about the same
time formed in Mt. Vernon, consisting of about
eighty members, mostly old or middle-aged men.
C. P. Buckingham was captain of this company, Jo
seph W. Vance, first, and William Dunbar, second
lieutenant. The two first named officers subse
quently rose to high positions.
C. P. Buckingham was born March 14, 1808,
at Putnam, then Springfield, Muskingum county,
'Ohio. His father, Ebenezer Buckingham, was one
of the early settlers in the State, and his mother
was a daughter of General Rufus Putnam, a sol
dier in the Revolution, the first chief engineer in
the United States army, and the first man to lead
a band of settlers to Ohio. Young Buckingham
was appointed a cadet by President Monroe, and
at the age of seventeen entered West Point. His
application was such that at the end of one year
he was appointed acting assistant professor of
mathematics, and /or two years, besides prosecuting
his own studies, he spent several hours each day
in teaching. At the end of four years he gradu-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

ated second in mathematics, philosophy and en
gineering; and sixth in general merit. Among his
classmates were General Robert E. Lee, Joseph E.
Johnston, O. M. Mitchell, Thomas A. Davis, James
Barnes, Thomas Swords and others of less note.
In 1829, he was commissioned by President
Jackson as second lieutenant in the Third United
States artillery, and before the expiration of the
usual furlough he was ordered to join a party en
gaged in surveying Green river, with a view to ren
der it navigable. The next winter was spent in
Washington completing maps of the survey, and
in the following September, after a furlough of
four months, he was ordered to West Point as
acting assistant professor of natural philosophy.
After serving one year in this capacity, Lieutenant
Buckingham decided to quit the service, and de
vote himself to civil pursuits.
In 1833 he was called to the professorship of
mathematics and natural philosophy in Kenyon
college, which position he held three years; and
upon his retirement he was chosen trustee of the
institution. Professor Buckingham settled in Mt.
Vernon, and in 1849 became senior partner in the
Kokosing iron works. In 1856 he removed tem
porarily to Chicago, where he spent two years in
building and putting in operation the grain houses
of the Illinois Central railroad. At the end of
that time he returned to Ohio and resumed the
management of the Kokosing iron works.
A few days after the fall of Sumter Governor
Dennison offered Mr. Buckingham the position of
assistant adjutant general of Ohio, and he at once
repaired to Columbus and reported for duty. At
that time the State was organizing twenty-two regi
ments; these troops to the number of seventeen or
eighteen thousand were collected in several camps
and fed by contract at the rate of fifty cents per
day for each man. The necessity for an organized
commissary department was very urgent, and
within a week after arriving in Columbus, Mr.
Buckingham was appointed commissary general of
the Style. He immediately established depots of
provisions, purchased supplies, appointed assistant
commissaries, and within two weeks the troops
were put upon regular army rations, and were fed
at an average cost of fourteen cents per day for
each man.

After the commissary department was fully or
ganized, General Carrington, the adjutant general
of the State, was commissioned in the regular army,
and General Buckingham was appointed to succeed
him; and for nine months he labored incessantly
in raising regiments and forwarding them to the
field. Special difficulties arose between the State
authorities and the authorities at Washington in re
gard to the recruiting service, and to give a minute
account of General Buckingham's efforts to bring
order out of confusion ; to establish a system of re
cruiting on fixed principles; to organize and ar
range the records ofthe office so that the informa
tion they contained should be reliable and easily
accessible; to bring the war department into proper
relations with the State authorities; to reconcile
the conflicting claims of officers, and, in a word, to
meet all the wants and requirements of his position
— to give a minute account of all this would require
the publication of a voluminous correspondence,
and an innumerable number of official documents.
It is sufficient to say that by the end of the year
eighty thousand men had been organized and
equipped for the three years' service. Upon the
accession of Governor Tod, General Buckingham
still continued in his position, and nothing ever oc
curred in his private and official intercourse, either
with Governor Dennison or with Governor Tod to
interrupt for a moment the confidence that existed
between them.
April 1, 1862, General Buckingham was offered,
and accepted, the position of brigadier general of
volunteers, with special reference to the war depart
ment. His duties were of a very miscellaneous
character. In July, 1862, when national affairs on
the James river wore their gloomiest aspect, it was
decided that strenuous efforts should be made to
raise a large additional force. Experience had
shown the necessity of a complete understanding
between the war department and the State authori
ties; and to effect this the Secretary of State set
out to visit several of the governors, to have inter
views with them on the subject. General Bucking
ham was directed to accompany him, with authority
from the war department to remove, as far as possi
ble, any impediments which the State authorities
might find in the way of recruiting. Together they
conferred with the governors of Pennsylvania, New

282

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

York, and Massachusetts; and then General Buck
ingham proceeded alone to Cleveland, where he
met the governors of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and
Wisconsin ; and, without doubt, the arrangements,
thus made facilitated the business of recruiting.
In October, 1862, General Buckingham was or
dered to repair to Columbus, Indianapolis, and
Rock Island to select sites for the arsenals author
ized at the preceding session of Congress. He
performed this duty by selecting those now occu
pied at Columbus and Indianapolis, and by recom
mending that Rock Island, already owned by the
Government, be selected for the third, His report
was adopted in every particular.
The first conscription was ordered in July, 1862,
and General Buckingham was selected to organize
and arrange the details, and to set the machinery
in motion, While engaged in this duty his atten
tion was called to the enormous amount of desertion
and straggling, and also to the necessity of some
means by which the Government could reach and
control the recruiting system at all points. To this
end he suggested to the Secretary of War the pro
priety of appointing provost marshals; and subse
quently the provost marshal's bureau was establish
ed mainly upon General Buckingham's plan.
In February, 1863, Congress determined to pass
a conscription law, and the Senate Military com
mittee requested General Buckingham to meet
them, and make such suggestions as would assist
them in drawing up a bill. After hearing his views,
his experience both as a State officer and as having
charge of the conscription during the previous sum
mer, making him quite familiar with the subject,
the committee requested him to take the papers
and memoranda to his office and draw up a bill to
be submitted to them. This he did; and the bill
as it passed Congress varied but little from the one
which he reported to the committee.
About this time General Buckingham's private
affairs, which he had almost wholly neglected since
the opening of the war, demanded his attention;
and accordingly he tendered his resignation, and
once more returned to civil life. His services
through the war were not of the kind that figure
largely in the public eye or in the newspapers of the
day, but a large share of the credit which Ohio won
for her promptitude in filling her quotas, and for

the admirable organization of her troops is due to
General Buckingham; and his name will ever de
serve prominent mention in her list of those who
served and honored their native State through the
trials of the great Rebellion.
The following resolution, offered by W. R. Sapp
at a convention for the nomination of civil officers,
contains the gist of all resolutions offered in those
days. It speaks volumes for the patriotism of the
people: Whereas — Experience has demonstrated that political parties
have their legitimate exercise in the administration of established
government; and
Whereas — When the existence of government is threatened
by armed foes, the only real parties are the supporters of the
government on the one hand and its enemies on the other; and
Whereas — The war now waging has been forced upon our
country by rebels and traitors; and
Whereas — The time has now come when it is to be decided
whether the union our fathers framed shall be perpetuated or
destroyed; therefore
Resolved — That forgetting the obligations of party ties, and
believing it unwise to make any party nominations, we hereby
declare that we recognize as the only true political principle of
the present time, the faithful enforcement of the laws, the union
of States, the maintenance of the constitution, and the vigorous
and continued prosecution of the war.
Other and similar resolutions were adopted and
the convention nominated unconditional union men
without regard to previous party affiliations.
Up to June, 1862, eight hundred and fifty-two men
had volunteered from this county, and large amounts
of money had been raised to pay bounties and fur
nish support for the families of soldiers. While
the volunteers were fighting the enemy in front,
the loyal people in the rear were not by any means
idle. The following is copied from the books in
the' auditor's office, and shows how the sinews of
war were obtained :
The following are the amounts raised in each township in the
county to pay bounties to volunteers in 1862, which amounts
were, by law of April 6, 1866, refunded by taxation:
Jackson  $^,830 Union  $15,610
Butler  io,6ro Brown  4,709
Harrison  16,100 Clay  18,760
Pleasant  7.905 College  10,348
Pike  I2.3!5 Berlin  15.670
Clinton  7,605 Mt. Vernon City  40,527
Milford  8,500 Liberty  T 10,488
Middlebury  9,327 Hilliar  18,105
Jefferson  12,040 Howard  20, 160
Morgan  14,388 Monroe  3,040
Morris  9.910 Miller  22,131
Wayne  37.5°° Knox county at large. 28,170
The total amount raised during the war for bounties to vol-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

283

unteers of 1862 was three hundred and sixty-eight thousand,
seven hundred and forty-eight dollars.
The foregoing is as correct as can be made from the data in
my possession. Alexander Cassil, Auditor.
The great earnestness of the people of Knox
county, under the call of the President in 1862,
for three hundred thousand volunteers, is revealed
in the following special appeal by the military com
mittee of the county. It also reveals the source
of the Ninety-sixth regiment, Colonel J. W. Vance :
Military Committee Room, 1
Knox County, July 30, 1862. j
The military committee of Knox county take the liberty of
again addressing themselves to their fellow-citizens of the county
upon a subject imperatively demanding prompt and vigorous
action at their hands.
We have therefore called attention to the fact, that under the
recent call of the Ptesident for three hundred thousand addi
tional volunteers, the counties of Knox, Morrow, Marion, Del
aware, Union, and Logan had been formed into a regimental
district, and were required by the governor of the State to raise
a regiment of one thousand men.
These men have been apportioned to the several counties
comprising the district in proportion to the population of each
county. Under this apportionment Knox county is required to
furnish two hundred and twenty men.
The regiment to be raised in this district is already organized,
and its field officers appointed. Our county has been honored
in the choice of the colonel; our esteemed fellow-citizen, Joseph
W. Vance, esq., whose ability and untiring energy are well
known to all, having been appointed to the position. This
selection, we are sure, will give additional impetus to the re
cruiting service in our midst.
The call upon us for our quota of men must be met. The
Government, as it should be, is terribly in earnest in its efforts to
quell the rebellion. It is determined to put forth its power and
do the work thoroughly and at once. The number .of men nec
essary to accomplish this purpose must be forthcoming at all
hazards. The alternative therefore, is presented us of entering
the service as volunteers, or of submitting to the draft.
In one or the other of these modes two hundred and twenty
men must be raised by TCnox county within a short period of
time. Acting under orders from headquarters, our county auditor is
even now engaged in enrolling the militia of the county: and
we understand he is required to make his return by the eigh-
teentn of August.
Will our people volunteer, or will they compel the public au
thorities to resort to the draft, in order to raise the number of
men which, upon a fair and just apportionment, our county is
required to furnish? Our sister counties are addressing them
selves earnestly to the work of filling the ranks with volunteers.
What, in the future, shall be said of the action of Knox county,
in this dark hour of our country's peril ?
The man who is drafted, is entitled to no bounty ; the Govern
ment reserves this testimonial of its good will to the gallant
citizens who volunteer. His pay is less than that of the volun
teer. He cannot select the company or regiment in which he
will serve, a privilege which every volunteer may exercise, and

in addition to this, he is regarded not as the patriotic citizen who
has voluntarily stepped forward to fight the battles of his coun
try, but as one who serves her upon compulsion.
We sincerely trust and confidently hope that our county may
be spared this disgrace. There are certainly two hundred and
twenty loyal and gallant men yet left within her borders, who
will see that her hitherto fair fame is preserved untarnished.
We now earnestly appeal to our fellow-citizens to assist us in
putting into the field the number of volunteers required from
our county. We are advised precisely what that number is, and
know exactly the work to be done. Let us all see that it is
promptly done. We desire each man to feel that this appeal is
made personally to him. The call upon us by the Government
is of paramount importance; it should be our special business —
no matter how urgent the demands of private interests may be
— to see to it that prompt and faithful response is made to that
call. A fund is also being raised for the purpose of furnishing a
bounty to volunteers, in addition to that paid by the Govern
ment. We expect to be able to raise within Knox county, at
least ten thousand dollars for that purpose, which will enable us
to pay an extra bounty of forty dollars to each recruit. Of this
sum a large proportion — enough to insure twenty-five dollars to
each man — has already been subscribed. Let every man who
cannot go himself contribute liberally of his means to those who
can. Each volunteer, when his conpany is mustered into service,
will receive from the Government one month's pay in advance
(thirteen dollars); one fourth of his one hundred dollars bounty
(twenty-five dollars), and an extra payment of two dollars, mak
ing in all forty dollars. In addition to this we expect to be able
to pay him the further sum of forty dollars; thus his advance
payment will be eighty dollars.
Township military committees are being appointed in every
township in the county, and will receive due notice of their ap
pointment. Upon them we more particularly rely for aid in accomplishing
the work before us. Work — systematic, energetic, persevering
work — will alone accomplish the desired result.
Samuel Israel, Chn. K. C. Mil. Com.
Joseph S. Davis, Secretary.
At the same time, July 28, 1862, a great war
meeting was held in Mt. Vernon, at the court house
at which patriotic speeches were made by Mr. De
lano and Colonel Joseph W. Vance. The greatest-
enthusiasm prevailed, and it became evident that
old Knox would not be behind her sister counties
in this great effort. At this meeting the following
citizens contributed the sums opposite their names,
to the war fund :
W. Dunbar  $ 25 00
H. B. Curtis  500 00
C. Delano  500 00
R. C. Hurd  100 00
George B. Potwin  200 00
W. M. Young  160 00
J. C. Devin  100 00
George W. Morgan  25 00

284

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

G. A. Jones  100 00
J. Sperry & Company  200 00
J. Weaver  roo 00
Isaac Cassell  25 00
E. P. Buckingham  50 00
L. Harper  30 00
E. S. S. Rouse  30 00
I. Mattison  25 00
M. Leopold & Company  23 00
John Denny  10 00
H. W. Jennings  ro 00
R. M. Roland  ro 00
Carlos W. Fisher  ro 00
P. Mclntyre  15 00
John Eichelberger   10 00
Frank H. Hurd  25 00
G. H. Martin  10 00
W. A. Bounds  ro 00
R. A. Kindrick  20 00
John E. Evans  15 00
Otho Martin  10 00
William E. Doty  .'. 5 00
Samuel Israel  rso 00
C. E. Marquand  10 00
J. S. Shaw  25 00
E. C. Camp  10 00
Joseph Watson  10 00
N. N. Hill  100 00
John McCormack  100 00
A. Wolf.  100 00
A. Weaver  roo 00
More than three thousand dollars were subscribed
on this occasion ; committees were appointed and
liberal subscriptions obtained all over the county.
The two hundred and twenty volunteers required
for the Ninety-sixth regiment were easily obtained,
and no drafting became necessary to fill this quota.
Not only this, but before these companies were
fairly organized, the President called for three hun
dred thousand more men, and Knox county's quota
was immediately doubled. Two more companies
were required. These were raised within fifteen or
twenty days and entered the One Hundred and
Twenty-first regiment, under Captains Stephens and
Yager. Preparations for drafting were begun in August,
1862; the auditor was already busy enrolling all
persons in the county liable for military duty, to be
in readiness should it become necessary to fill up
the army by conscription. Hon. William R. Sapp
was appointed commissioner; D. C. Montgomery,
provost marshal, and Dr. M. Thompson, examining
surgeon. Happily the necessity for enforcing the
draft was avoided at that time by liberal volunteer
ing, and indeed, comparatively few men were

drafted in this county during the war. A draft oc-
ucrred in October, 1862, a large number of the
men being assigned to the Sixty-fifth regiment.
Whenever the quota of the county was ascertained
under the repeated calls of the President for vol
unteers, the people went to work with a will to get
the number of men required without resorting to
the draft. Money was freely used and success
generally attended their efforts.
The following advertisement appears in the Mt.
Vernon papers of that date, and is interesting as
showing what inducements were held out to volun
teers :
One hundred men wanted for the Third Ohio volunteer cav
alry. Four hundred and two dollars bounty paid to old recruits,
and three hundred and two dollars to new recruits.
Walter L. Burr,
December 1, 1863. Recruiting Officer.
In the following year, 1864, the inducements
were still greater, as the following extract shows :
Every able-bodied man who will come forward and volunteer
for one year, and be credited to the First ward of Mt. Vernon,
on or before the twenty-fifth of August, will receive five hundred
dollars in cash for one year's service.
In 1862, the Knox county war fund, raised by
voluntary contribution in the county, for the relief of
soldiers' families reached the sum of eight thousand
eight hundred and thirty-five dollars and thirty-nine
cents. In 1863 the county commissioners set
apart for the same purpose eleven thousand three
hundred and thirty-nine dollars; and the same
amount, for the same purpose in 1864. In 1865,
the amount set apart for this purpose was twelve
thousand one hundred dollars.
In addition to these contributions from the
county funds, large private subscriptions were con
tinued. During the last years of the war large
amounts were paid for substitutes; no limit being
defined ; those who were drafted hired other men
to take their places at whatever price could be
agreed upon. This finally grew into a great evil,
and created a class known as "bounty jumpers,"
who made a business of enlisting, deserting, and
re-enlisting at some other point for additional
bounty. In 1864, under the call of the Government for
five hundred thousand men, Knox county's quota
was five hundred and eighty-nine men, to be en
listed for one, two and three years. The Govern-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

28s

ment paid to one year troops, one hundred dollars,
and an additional one hundred dollars for each
year of service — three years men getting three hun
dred dollars. This was in addition to the large
bounties paid by the county and by private indi
viduals. In the fall of 1862, one hundred and thirty-nine
men were to be drafted in this county, and the
draft proceeded in all the townships except Berlin,
Milford, Morgan, Morris and Union, which suc
ceeded in filling their quotas without draft.
Under the militia law of April 11, 1863, Knox
county was divided into military districts, and all
men liable to military duty enrolled, numbering
three thousand three hundred and sixty-two. These
were divided into regiments and companies, and
early in July meetings were held and company offi
cers elected. Four regiments were formed and the
election for field officers took place August 22,
1863, with the following result:
In the first district, composed of Hilliar, Milford,
Liberty and Wayne, I. P. Larimore was chosen
colonel, A. B. Ink lieutenant colonel, and D. A.
Snider, major. In the second district, composed
of Middlebury, Berlin, Morris and Clinton, William
McGaughey was chosen colonel, Henry Markley
lieutenant colonel, and John S. Parrott, major.
In the third district, composed of Morgan, Pleas
ant, College, Monroe, Pike, Brown and Howard,
W. O. B. Honey was chosen colonel, Charles A.
Young lieutenant colonel, and J. P. Cunningham
major. In the fourth district, composed of Harri
son, Clay, Jackson, Butler, Union and Jefferson,
George Butler was chosen colonel, W. J. Withrow
lieutenant colonel and S. C. Richard major.
Soon after the war broke out the need of sani
tary and hospital supplies began to be felt, and the
requirements of this department rapidly increased.
The women of the North saw where their services
were most needed and could be most effectually
utilized. "Ladies' Aid societies" immediately
sprang up all over the land, and from small begin
nings this movement finally developed into the
great Sanitary commission, whose immense opera
tions secured a world-wide reputation. Knox
county was not behind in this most important
factor in the military operations of the great Rebel
lion. Early in 1861 a Ladies' Aid society was

formed in Mount Vernon, with Mrs. J. E. Wood-
bridge as president. This was quickly followed by
other societies in the different townships, and be
fore the war ended probably every township in the
county contained a Ladies' Aid society, thoroughly
organized and doing efficient work. These organi
zations co-operated with each other, and the
amount of work done and assistance rendered to
soldiers both in the field and in the hospital, would
seem almost incredible.
The following list will give an idea of the work
of these societies. It comprises the articles
forwarded by the Ladies' Aid society of Pleasant
township from the date of its organization up to
the date of this report — Christmas, 1863:
Shirts, 91; drawers, 65 pairs; pocket handker
chiefs, 138; pillow slips, 42; pillows, 10; sheets, 6;
towels, 35; socks, 9 pairs; mittens, 2 pairs; com
presses, 32 rolls; bandages, 59 rolls; 5 bundles of
papers and magazines, 1 pound of hops, 53 pads,
13 fans, 2 neckties, 3 boxes 2 rolls and 1 sack of
lint, 32 pounds of crackers, 6 pounds of dry toast,
10 dozen pickles, 4 quarts of vinegar, 18 jugs of
canned fruit and pickles, 4^ bushels of apples, 7
quarts of dried peaches, 23 quarts of elderberries,
14 quarts of dried cherries, 5 quarts of sweet corn,
3 quarts canned fruit, 13 bushels of potatoes, 2^
bushels of onions, r bushel of beets, and one
bushel of cabbage. Total estimated value, $225.31.
These societies were continually at work gather
ing and forwarding supplies, and never flagged in
their efforts during the entire war. The good- ac
complished is beyond computation.
The following is the report of Mrs. J. E. Wood-
bridge, president of the Knox County Soldiers'
Aid society, dated December 1, 1864:
In compliance with the request of the State authorities at
Columbus, I herewith submit a report of the general operations
of the Soldiers' Aid society of Mount Vernon, from its first
organization up to the present time.
This Aid society was organized October 16, i86r, for hospital
purposes, and is composed of ladies of Mount Vernon and
vicinity, who constitute its working members.
The working members habitually meet one or more days in
each week (as the urgency of the case requires) at their rooms,
and devote the time to work in various ways.
Besides these stated meetings most of the members take
materials to their homes and have it worked up, and manufac
tured into articles of comfort and utility for hospital purposes.
During the first months of its organization and before the pre
sent Stale Sanitary commission was duly organized, the society

z86

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

forwarded its supplies direct to different regiments and com
panies in the field at various points as their needs required.
They shipped large amounts to Western Virginia during the
severe mountain service in the winter of i86r. After the State
Sanitary commission began operations, our society generally co
operated with them and forwarded supplies to the Sanitary com
mission at Cincinnati, or their agents and State agents at vari
ous points.
Our society has been sustained very liberally by patriotic and
devoted citizens from all parts of Knox county, especially dur
ing the first fifteen months which enabled us to ship during that
time, large contributions of blankets, flannels, woollen socks,
muslins, dry goods, and supplies of various kinds. Shipments
often amounted to three thousand dollars at one time.
As the war wore on, and urgent calls were made from the
army for sanitary supplies, the officers had to draw on their in
genuity to raise funds with which to purchase dry goods and
material for manufacture. Public lectures, old folks' concerts,
festivals, private canvassing and other modes of raising money
have been in turn called into requisition to replenish our treas
ury and keep the society at work. The community responded
liberally, and our aims and efforts have been well sustained.
We cannot in this report give items and details for want of
space; but from our books and records the society can now re
port an aggregate amount of about sixty thousand dollars'
worth of property and supplies at fair valuations, which it has
collected and forwarded to the army. The present valuation of
said property would swell the amount to seventy-five thousand
dollars. The collection, handling, manufacturing, boxing, and ship
ping this amount and variety of property, although arduous
and incessant, has been cheerfully performed by the members of
the society, aided by a few noble-minded gentlemen.
The society has received generous contribution from all parts
of the county, and especially from the noble men and women of
Butler township, and from the branch societies of Morris and
Berlin townships. To these, and to the numerous clubs and
individual contributors, who have stood by us and lent us their
aid and influence, our society owes its thanks.
The noble band of ladies who composes the working mem
bership of this society, are no less worthy, though they do not
claim, the compliments of the community.
They have faithfully performed arduous labors, but with will
ing hands. They also, like most of our gallant soldiers, en
listed for "three years, or during the war," and as their three
years of faithful service has but lately expired, they will not be
mustered out, but have re-enlisted without draft, substitute, or
bounty. They have become "veterans" in the good cause, and
ask no further bounty than an approving conscience, and the
continued aid and generosity of the community in furnishing
funds and material to the society, that it may be enabled to do
good in a good cause. Mrs. J. E. Woodbridge,
President Knox County Soldiers' Aid Society.
The officers of the above society, besides Mrs.
Woodbridge, were Mrs. N. N. Hill, vice-president;
Mrs. Matilda Mills, treasurer; Mrs. T. E. Monroe,
secretary; Miss Mary Woodbridge, corresponding
secretary, and Mrs. Singer, Mrs. Hildreth, Mrs.
Linsted, and Mrs. Tunison, directors.

In 1863, a society was formed by the young
ladies of Mount Vernon, known as the "Young
Ladies' Union League," the object of which was to
secure funds for the erection of a monument to
the momory of the soldiers and sailors of Knox
county who gave their lives to the cause of the
Union. This was the beginning of the operations
which finally culminated in the erection of the
present beautiful monument that graces the public
square of Mt. Vernon.
Much energy was shown in the beginning of this
enterprise, and a comparatively large sum of money
collected from different parts of the county. Mil
ford township contributed very liberally through
the labors and influence of Mr. Piatt Beardsley and
Captain Nathan Bostwick. About fifteen thousand
dollars were wanted, but before the amount was
subscribed the war ended, and with it much of the
enthusiasm of the society; and the enterprise was,
for some years, neglected. Upon the approach of
the Centennial year the project was again revived
and pushed to final success; the corner-stone of
the monument being laid, with appropriate cere
monies, July 4, 1876. It is of Vermont granite,
solid, beautiful, and an honor to the city and
county. Rev. Dr. Muenscher's name is inseper-
ably connected with the erection of this monu
ment. It was through his personal influence and
exertions, mainly, that it was finally completed.
It cost about five thousand dollars.
Hon. Henry B. Curtis delivered the address at
the laying of the corner-stone, and Hon. Columbus
Delano at the unveiling of the monument July 4,
1877. Following is a list of articles deposited in
the corner-stone:
Copies of the Bible; Declaration of Independence; Constitu
tion of the United States and State of Ohio; names of the Presi
dent and Vice-President of the United States; names of the
members of the cabinet; officers of the State of Ohio and judges
of the supreme court of Ohio; the names of the county officers
of Knox county, and city officers of Mount Vernon; names of
the building committee, architect, and remarks of the chairman
ofthe building committee; copies of the Mount Vernon Demo
cratic Banner, Mount Vernon Republican, Fredericktown Free
Press, Gambier Argus, and the Orphans' Friend; programme of
the dramatic representation of the "Honeymoon," in the inter
est of the soldiers' monument; coins and fractional currency of
the United States; programme of the day; names of the grand
officers, as follows: Dr. J. N. Burr, past grand master; Edward
Burson, R. W. deputy grand master, Thrall lodge, No. 170,
Fredericktown, Ohio; William Dunbar, grand S. W.; Silas

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

287

Mitchell, grand J. W. ; A. B. Hutchinson, grand S. D.;J. E.
Hunt, grand ]. D. ; David Blystone, grand treasurer, Ohio
lodge, No. 199, Bladensburg, Ohio; Samuel H. Peterman,
grand secretary; Rev. J. A.. Kellam, grand chaplain, Thrall,
lodge, No. 170, Frederictown; E. W. Cotton, grand marshal;
N. J. McGrew and J. B. Gains, grand Stewarts; J. Cornell,
grand Tyler, Cardington lodge, No. 384.
Following are the names of the soldiers who
were buried in the Mount Vernon cemetery :
Alfred Armstrong, George W. Anderson, Charles Bronson,
James Blanchard, Edward A. Beam, William N. Beach, Lorin
C. Beach, S. C. Bartlett, William Bates, Charles A. Bergen,
George E. Browning, Jacob B. Brown, Henry S. Beam, A.
Smith Bunn, H. R. Black, James C. Bennett, William Barri-
ball, H. D. Brown, William S. Bergen, Edgar L. Bouidinot,
Patrick Barry, J. Willet Beam, George Bergen, Thompson
Cooper, Samuel C. Critchfield, Thomas Culberston, Peter Cul-
lison, O. W. Chamberlain, Peter Cady, William E. Doty, Henry
Davis, Edwin Day, James Dunn, J. Warner Devoe, Samuel
Elliott, Thomas Elder, Campbell Errett, John Fry, Henry
Graff, Willis B. Green,  Green, Samuel W. Gribbon,
Samuel H. Graham, George OrviU Hill, Thomas B. Hoey, W. W.
Hickman, Thomas K. Hess, J. Monroe Haller, John Hildreth,
Hicks, Surgeon C. A. Hood, Titus Hill, George W. Hank, An
drew Howard Haller, George Hildreth, H. A. Ingram, James C.
Irvine, C. V. Johnson, Thomas J. Jacobs, W. S. Jordon, John
E. Kirk, Michael Kelly, John Kilkenny, Henry Landerbaugh,
Robert Lucas, Abraham W. Lippitt, James Martin, William A.
McDowell, Bryant M. Murphy, James McGriffin, Dr. George
McCreary, Benjamin McFadden, Thomas R. Plummer, D. L.
Patrick, William Porter, Henry W. Payne, James D. Phifer,
Robert Patrick, John L. Parke, John A. Peoples, John C. Ram
sey, Leander Reed, Anthony B. Raymond, Thomas A. Steven
son, Francis Stratton, James Stoyle, Dr. Jacob Stamp, Captain
Uzzel Stevens, Samuel Scarbrough, Patrick Sommers, Alfred
Thayer, Robert T. Thompson, Thomas B. Taylor, Colonel
Joseph W. Vance, Jonas Ward, Joseph Welsh, John T. Welsh,
Jonathan Wilson, Huron Wilson, Jefferson J. Wolf.
Total, one hundred.

CHAPTER XXXII.
WAR OF THE REBELLION CONTINUED.
companies a and b, fourth OHIO.
Excitement in Mt. Vernon — First Volunteers in Knox
County — How Lorin Andrews Became Colonel — Or
ganization of Companies A and B — Departure of
Troops— Composition of the Fourth Ohio — Lorin An
drews—Henry B. Banning — Organization of the
Fourth Ohio — Three Months' Service— Three Years'
Service — Muster Rolls of Companies A and B — A
Sketch of the Operation of the Regiment to the
Date of Muster-Out — Return of the Regiment— In
scriptions on its Flag — Roster of the Officers and
Muster Roll of the Companies.
THE first contributions of Knox county to the
War of the Rebellion were two companies,
"A'' and "B," which subsequently became a part
of the Fourth Ohio regiment.
The people of Mt. Vernon well remember the
wild excitement in the streets when the news came
that Sumpter had been fired upon. The sound of
those rebel guns did not die until it reverberated in
every hill and valley, and grated upon the heart
strings of every patriot in the land. Only those
who lived in those days can fully appreciate the
tremendous effect, the great excitement, the out
burst of patriotism, the mighty revolution in party
and public feeling. The sound of the drum was
heard daily on the public square, and the young
life of the county sprang to arms as quickly and
earnestly as if each household were in danger of
immediate annihilation.
The first man to place his name upon that hon
ored roll of heroes that went out from Knox county
was Mr. Israel Underwood, yet living in Mt. Ver
non. Sixty-three others followed quickly, and in
less than twenty-four hours after the first call for
troops flashed over the wires sixty-four men were
ready to march to the defence of the imperilled
capital. There is a little inside history connected with the
formation of this company. Lorin Andrews, the
honored president of Kenyon college, had enrolled
his name, among the first, as a private of this com
pany, ambitious to serve his country in any ca
pacity. The governor of the State, however, rec
ognizing his fitness for a high position, informed
him that he should have a colonel's commission if
he would raise a company. This promise Mr. An-

288

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

drews obtained while on a flying visit to Columbus.
He was personally acquainted with the governor,
and three months before Sumter was fired upon
had written him, offering his services in case of
war. He returned home with the intention of im
mediately raising a company, but meeting Mr. Un
derwood, with whom he was intimately acquainted,
the latter made the generous offer to immediately
turn over his company, then nearly ready to depart
for Columbus, to Mr. Andrews. The latter hesi
tated for a time about accepting this generous offer,
but finally did so and was elected its captain in
place of Mr. Underwood. This company num
bered one hundred and three men, when on the
twenty-second of April, 1861, it was ready to de
part for Columbus, and was styled the "Knox
County Guards." Israel Underwood subsequently,
through the influence of Colonel Andrews, became
quartermaster of the Fourth Ohio. Upon the ap
pointment of Andrews to the Colonelcy of the regi
ment, James C. Irvine became captain, Leonard
W. Carpenter first lieutenant and F. A. Coates sec
ond lieutenant of company A.
Meanwhile Henry B. Banning, of Mount Ver
non, had been actively at work enlisting men, and
the two companies were formed simultaneously,
and were ready to depart for Columbus on the same
day. Of this company (B) Henry B. Banning was
elected captain; W. C. Cooper, first, and George
Rogers, second lieutenant. Captain Banning's
company numbered one hundred and thirteen
men, both companies having more men than are al
lowed to an infantry company in the service. Thus
it was that within a few days after the first call for
troops two hundred and sixteen men organized and
officered, marched down High street amid the
cheers of assembled thousands, and boarded the
train that was to convey them toward the scene of
conflict, Thousands of people assembled at the
depot to witness the departure of this, Knox coun
ty's first contribution to the great war. The stud
ents of Kenyon college, out of respect to their
president, marched over from Gambier in a body
to witness the departure. The crowd and excite
ment at the depot was beyond description.
Mothers, wives, sisters and lovers, saying "good
bye" and "God bless you" with streaming eyes
and full hearts, pale cheeks and trembling lips.

People were not accustomed to war, it was a new
experience, and made a lasting impression upon
the minds of all present. Not many months
elapsed until the arrival and departure of volunteers
was an almost daily occurrence, and was looked
upon as a matter of course, and was borne with
that grim determination that comes of familiarity
with suffering. Captain Banning's company was
styled the "Union Guards." Nearly every com
pany in those early days of the war, as soon as
organized, received a name similar to the above,
which soon, however, with much of the sentiment
indulged in at first, passed away with the stern
realities of war.
These two companies went into Camp Jackson
near Columbus, where the Fourth Ohio was soon
organized with the following companies:
A — Knox County Guards, Captain James Iivine.
B — Union Guards, Captain Henry B. Banning.
C — Delaware Guards, Captain James M. Crawford.
D — Hardin County Company, Captain George Weaver.
E — Given Guards, Captain James McMillen.
F — Canton Zouaves, Captain James Wallace.
G — Hardin Company, Captain J. S. Rohinson.
H — Marion Company, Captain E. B. Olmstead.
I— Olentangy Guards, Captain E. Powell.
K — Marion Company, Captain A. H. Brown.
Lorin Andrews was appointed colonel April 16, 1861; James
Cantwell, lieutenant colonel, April 26, 1861; James H. God-
man, major, April 26, 1861; H. H. McAbee, surgeon, May 2,
1861, and J. T. Cantwell, assistant surgeon, May r, 1861.
Some of the officers above named subsequently
attained to high positions, and acquired a national
reputation. Henry B. Banning, now a resident of
Cincinnati, became a brevet major general, as did
also Captain James S. Robinson; and Major James
H. Godman and Captain Eugene Powell became
brevet brigadier generals.
As the history of the military services of the
two companies from Mount Vernon is inseparable
from that of the regiment, what follows is partly
taken from Reid's "Ohio in the War" prefaced with
the following sketches of two of the prominent
men who went out with these companies, and who
were both residents of Knox county at the date of
enlistment. Lorin Andrews was one of the earliest and
costliest offerings of Ohio in the war. He was not
permitted to develop fully his military ability, but
there was no reason to doubt, from his known
character, and his zeal in the distinguished posi-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

289

tions he had filled, that as a soldier he would have
reached as high a rank as he had already won in
civil life.
He was born in Ashland county, Ohio, April 1,
1 81 9. His early life was passed on his father's
farm, and in obtaining a good common school
education. He afterward took a collegiate course,
and spent some time in common school teaching.
He became an efficient and intelligent laborer in
the cause of common schools in Ohio, and was
prominent as a leader of the movement for inaug
urating many of the present excellent features of the
present common school system. He was agent and
"missionary" of the Ohio Teachers' association in
1851-2. In 1853 he was its choice for State school
commissioner, and in 1854 he was its president.
At the height of his reputation and influence in
the cause of general education, he was chosen to
the presidency of Kenyon college. Bishop Mc-
Ilvaine, in his funeral sermon, said of this appoint
ment: "The condition of the college demanded
just the qualities for which he was so distinguished
- — the talent for administration, a very sound judg
ment, a prompt and firm decision, united with a
special drawing of heart toward young men in the
course of their education. All the highest expecta
tions of his administration were more than ful
filled." Of his entrance into the military service the
bishop says: "When the first call of the President
of the United States for quotas of volunteer troops
from the several States was made, he was the first
man in Ohio whose name Governor Dennison re-
- ceived. He did it for an example.
. He sought no military distinction. He led to the
camp a company of his neighbors, expecting only
to be allowed to lead them in the war. But his
talents and character were appreciated, and he was
placed in command of the regiment, the order and
discipline of which soon became conspicuous, as
also did his devotedness to the interest and com
fort of his men."
When in June, 1861, the Fourth Ohio was
changed from a three months' to a three years' reg
iment, he was retained as its colonel.
His faithfulness in whatever position he was
placed, united with his ability to master whatever
he chose to learn, made him very soon an able and

efficient commander and disciplinarian. He went
with his command to western Virginia, where he
soon fell a victim to the exposure incident to camp
life. In the beginning of his sickness he could not be
prevailed upon to leave camp, saying: "My place
is with my men;" but as he grew worse he was re
moved to Gambier, August 29th, where, amid the
scenes of his labors, in the best years of his life,
and among his weeping friends, he breathed his
last, September 18, 1861. Thus did the country,
at the threshold of its great struggle, the State of
Ohio, the county of Knox, Kenyon college, and
the community, lose one of their brightest orna
ments, most noble patriots, and best of men.
General Banning will appear prominently in the
narrative as it progresses, but it may be best to
give here a brief sketch of his military career, that
a better understanding may be had of what fol
lows. Henry B. Banning, the grandson of the Rev.
Anthony Banning, and son of James and Eliza
Banning, was born at Banning's Mills, near Mt.
Vernon, November 10, 1834.
His mother, an accomplished Christian lady,
superintended his early education, and subse
quently he attended at the Clinton district school,
the Mt. Vernon academy, and Kenyon college.
He remained at Kenyon but a short time, re
turned to his home and entered the office of Hos
mer, Curtis, & Devin as a law student, and was ad
mitted to the bar. When the war broke out he
had acquired a good reputation as a lawyer, and
was doing a good business in Mt. Vernon. In
politics he was a Douglas Democrat.
His connection with the first call for troops has
already been mentioned. In June, 1861, when the
Fourth Ohio was reorganized for the three years'
service, Captain Banning was re-elected captain of
his company.
At this time Governor Dennison offered him a
majority, in another regiment, but he declined it,
saying his experience and military knowledge
would not justify him in accepting the promotion.
He served with his company until the spring of
1862, taking part in the battles of Rich Mountain,
Romney, Blue Gap (where his company captured a
stand of rebel colors), Winchester and Cross Keys.

290

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Upon the recommendation of General Shields,
Governor Tod appointed him major of the Fifty-
second Ohio. When he arrived at Columbus the
regiment had gone to the field, and he was placed
in command of the Eighty-seventh Ohio, a three
months' regiment. At the expiration of the time
of the Eighty-seventh, he was made lieutenant
colonel of the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth,
with which he served until the spring of 1863. He
was then transferred to and made colonel of the
One Hundred and Twenty-first regiment, upon
the petition of all the officers of the regiment. He
spent about two months drilling and disciplining
this regiment, which had been taken into the battle
of Perryville, in the summer of 1862, without dis
cipline or drill, and armed with unserviceable arms,
had won no enviable reputation. During this time
he made it one of the best drilled and best disci
plined regiments in the reserve corps of the army
of the Cumberland. The glorious record of this
regiment is given in full in another place in this
work. Colonel Banning retained command of the
One Hundred and Twenty-first during the Atlanta
campaign, being at the battle of Buzzard's Roost,
Resaca, Rome, Kenesaw Mountain, Dallas, Peach-
tree Creek, and Jonesborough, as well as in many
hard skirmishes. After the fall of Atlanta General
Jefferson C. Davis, the commander of the Four
teenth corps, in his official report, recommended
Colonel Banning for promotion, to brevet briga
dier general, for gallant and meritorious service dur
ing the Atlanta campaign. General George H.
Thomas endorsed this recommendation and the
brevet was issued.
In the battle of Nashville he served with his old
commander, General James B. Steadman, where
he distinguished himself, and was brevetted major
general. General Banning was placed in command of the
One Hundred and Ninety-fifth regiment and served
in the valley of Virginia in the spring and summer
of 1865. He commanded the post of Alexandria,
Virginia, until December, 1865, when he was mus
tered out ofthe service to take his seat as a mem
ber of the Ohio legislature to which he had been
elected from this county.
General Banning's promotions were all fairly won
upon the battle-field, and his military record, by

the testimony of those who served under him is
worthy of all praise.
The Fourth Ohio regiment was organized at
Camp Jackson, Columbus, April 25, 1861. On the
second of May the regiment moved to Camp Denni
son, and on the fourth of the same month was
mustered into the three months' service by Captain
(afterwards major general) Gordon Granger, United
States army. A few days thereafter the President's
call for three years' men was made public, where
upon the majority of the men signified their wil
lingness to enter the service for that period, and it
was mustered in for three years, dating from June
5, 1861. The men, however, did not all enlist for
three years, and Captains Banning and Carpenter;
Lieutenants Lippitt and Gilman, and Sergeants
Haller and Hill returned to Mount Vernon on re
cruiting service. Upon the reorganization for three
years' service company A was officered as follows:
Leonard W. Carpenter, captain ; Foster A. Coates,
first lietenant, and Israel Underwood, second lieu
tenant. Company B, Henry B. Banning, captain;
John Green, first lieutenant, and A. W. Lippitt,
second lieutenant. Lieutenant Underwood was
subsequently transferred to the quartermaster's de
partment. The following are the muster-out rolls of com
panies A and B, Fourth Ohio regiment, mustered
into theservice June 5, 1861:*
company a.
commissioned officers.
Captain Leonard W. Carpenter, June 5, '61.
Captain John Green.
Captain John R. Pritchard, July 28, '63.
First Lieutenant Foster A. Coates, June 5, '6r.
First Lieutenant Samuel L. Brearly.
First Lieutenant William Welsh, December 14, '62.
Second Lieutenant Israel Underwood, Junes, '"*•
Second Lieutenant Algernon Gilliam.
Second Lieutenant William F. Lynch, February 17, '63.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Allen Ingram, June 3, '61.
Sergeant John B. Wolverton, June 3, '6r.
Sergeant John Roberts, June 3, '6r.
Sergeant Homer G. McClelland, June 5, '6r.
Sergeant John C. Dowling, June 3, '61.
Sergeant George O. Hill, June 5, '61.
Sergeant Isaiah C. Long, June 5, '61.
Sergeant James M. Haller, June 5, '61.
* These rolls were copied from muster-out rolls, and include
those that were transferred, discharged, killed, died, and de
serted, during the time the companies were in service.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

291

Sergeant James N. McGiffin, June 5, '6r.
Sergeant Joseph W. Watkins, June 10, '61.
Corporal Henry G. Pollock, June 5, '61.
Corporal S. Rogers, June 5, '61.
Corporal Bernard Griffis, June 5, '61.
Corporal Jacob B. Brown, June 5, '6r.
Corporal Jay D. Cooper, June 5, '61.
Corporal Samuel W. Magill, June 5, '61.
Corporal Henry P. Pyle, June 5, '6r,

Bigbee, Robert E., June 5, '6r.
Bell, Josiah G., Junes, '6l-
Bronscombe, William, June 3, '6r.
Bendle, William, June 5, '61.
Brollier, Williard J., June 5. '61.
Blue, Alexander V. R., June 5, '6r.
Browning, George E., June 5, '61.
Briggs, John, June 5, '6i.
Bunn, Addison S., Junes, 0I-
Crawford, Henry, June 3, '61.
Cummins, James M., June 3, '61.
Church, Benjamin D., Junes, '<>i.
Corder, Elias, June 3, '6r.
Church, Stephen D., June 5. '61.
Davy, Isaac, June 5, '61.
Discon, Thomas, June 5, '61.
Degrote, George H., Junes, '6l-
Eggleston, Admiron, June 5, '61.
Erion, Jacob, June 5, '61.
Foss, Jefferson, June 5, '6r.
Furlong, William D., Junes, '6r.
Grimwood, William J., June 5, '61.
Gates, Lewis, April r, '6r.
Glaze, Columbus D., June 5, '6r.
Hall, Richard A., June 6, '61.
Hull, James W., June 5, '61.
Hollbaugh, Jacob, June 5, '61.
Huntley, Emmons, June 5, '6r.
Hargrove, Richard, June 5, '6r.
Headington, Murry B., June 5, '61.
Hardin, Cornelius, June 5, '6r.
Henry, Daniel J., June 5, '61.
Horner, Benjamin F., June 5, '6r.
Harl, Samuel W., September 13, '61.
Jacob, Francis O., June 5, '61.
Kimball, Robert, June 5, '61.
Knode, Oliver C, Junes, '6r-
Kerr, Robert W., June 5, '6r.
Lawton, Austin, June 5, '61.
Langham, Alexander, June 5, '6r.
Lybarger, George H., June 10, '61.
Logsdon, J. W., June 5, '6r.
Minor, Benjamin D., June 3, '6r.
Morris, William H, June 3, '61.
Mahaffey, Joseph, June 3, '61.
McKenzie, John L., October 19, '61.
McDowell, William E., June 5, '6r.
Murphy, Marshall, June 5, '6r.
McKenzie, William F., October 19, '61.
McGugin, William, June 3, '61.
McKenzie, Joseph C, June 3, '6r.

Miller, Edward, Junes, 61-
McKenzie, Caleb, June 3, '6r.
Montes, John, June 3, '6r.
Nealy, William, February 8, '62.
O'Neal, Thomas J., Junes, '6i-
O'Neal, John K., June 5, '6r.
Pancost, Ohio, June 3, '6r.
Phifer, Leroy, August 22, '61.
Peaks, John F., August T7, '61.
Parks, John L., June 5, '61.
Phifer, James W., June 5, '6r.
Phifer, Eleazer P., June 5, '61.
Phillips, Emanuel, June 5, '6r.
Powers, James L., February 2, '64.
Robinson, Thomas, June 5, '61.
Roberts, Thomas, June 5, '61.
Runyan, Charles H, Junes, '61-
Russell, William, June 3, '6r.
Scott, Thomas, June 5, '61.
Shalp, Thomas, June 5, '6r.
Seacord, William, June 5, '61.
Smith, Henry, August 22, '6r.
Thompson, Randall, June 3, '61.
Thompson, William H, June 5, '61.
Taylor, Adam H., June 5, '61.
Ward, Byron W., Junes, '61.
Welshymer, William. June 5, '61.
Whitworth, John T-, June 5, '61.
Welsh, Zephaniah B., June 5, '61.
Wallace, Alfred B. , August 22, '64.
White, John W., June 5, '61.
Yager, Joseph, June 5, '6r.
Addler, Moses, June 5, '61.
COMPANY B.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Henry B. Banning, June 1, '6r,
Captain John S. Jones, July 1, '62.
First Lieutenant John Green, June 1, '61.
First Lieutenant Bradford R. Durfee, June 6, '61.
First Lieutenant Israel Underwood, January 9, '62.
First Lieutenant William T. Patton, August 2r, '62.
Second Lieutenant Abraham W. Lippett, June 1, '61.
Second Lieutenant George Brophy, February 23, '63.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant John Chander, June 1, '61.
Sergeant William T. Hart, June 1, 6r.
Sergeant William White, June 5, '61.
Sergeant William Poland, June 5, '61.
Sergeant William H. Remmington, June r, '6r.
Sergeant William T. Patton, June r, '6r.
Sergeant George D. Bergen, June r, '6r.
Sergeant John M. Dunlap, June 1, '61.
Corporal Byron W. Evans, June 1, '61.
Sergeant John W. Gillespie, June r, '61.
Sergeant Daniel A. Stinger, June 1, '6r.
Sergeant Squire C. Young, June r, '61.
Corporal John Conley, June 1, '61.
Corporal Archibald Scott, June 5, '61.
Corporal William Jones, June 5, '61.
Corporal Isaiah Kemball, June 5, '61.

292

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Corporal Dewalt Fulmer, June r, '61.
Corporal John Debolt, June 5, '61.
Corporal Henry B. Gordon, June 1, '6r.
Corporal Jesse Simms, June 5, '6i,
Corporal Albert Barnes, June 5, '61.
Corporal Charles Bergen, June 5, '6r.
Corporal Bryant M. Murphy, October 14, '61.

Alson, John, June r, '6r.
Armstrong, James, February 23, '64.
Ball, Plinney, June 5, '6r,
Booze, Andrew J., June 5, '6r.
Barnes, George W., June 5, '61.
Beach, Franklin B., June 5, '6r.
Barker, William H., June 5, '6r.
Barnes, William T., June 5, '6r.
Brown Henry D., June 5, '6r.
Bush, Charles H. , June r, '6r.
Beckholt, William, June 5, '61.
Beardsley, William, June 5, '6r.
Barber, Aquilla, June 5, '6r.
Boley, Jacob, June 5, '6r.
Barker Joseph M. , October r4, '61.
Clayton, Thomas C, June r, '61.
Craven James W., Jnne 5, '6r.
Cassiday, Edward, June 5, '6r.
Case, Wilbur, June 5, '61.
Craven, Malon T., June 5, '6r.
Cline, John M. , June 5, '6r.
Covella, Alfred, June r, '61.
Colgin, Frank, June 5, '61.
Clayton, Nelson E. , December 25, '61.
Davis, William, June 5, '61.
Davis, John W., June 5, '6r.
Dunn, ^Michael, August 22, '63.
Earl, Samuel, June 1, '6r.
Everts, Andrew, March 3r, '62.
Fletcher, Jacob, June r, '61.
Fry, Martin, June 5, '6r.
Foot, Burnley, June 5, '61.
Glasscock, Valentine, June 1, '61.
Galbreath, George W., October 12, '61.
Graff, Henry, June r, '61.
Graham, Archie, February 19, '62.
Hutchison, Leander, June 5, '61.
Hunt, Milton, June 5, '61.
Hooler, Jacob, June 5, '61.
Hull, Joseph, August 20, '6r.
Herrington, J. W., June 5, '61.
Hoye, William, June 5, '61.
Johnson, William, June 5, '6r.
Jackson, William, June 5, '6r.
Jewels, Lewis, February 22, '6r.
Kile, William, June 5, '61.
Lyons, Albert, June 5, '61.
Lucas, Elisha, June 5, '61.
Litsenburgh, George, June 5, '6t.
Kibler, Joseph, June 5, '6r.
Mantonya, Alonzo M., June 5, '61.
Morey, Loring, June s, '61.
McCune, Thomas, June 5, '6r.

McDonald, Ronald, Junes, '^z-
Myers, David, June 5, '61.
Millhoon, Gustavus, June 5, '61.
McHorton, Francis, June 5, '6r.
Michaels, George, October T2, '6t.
Niscon, William, June 5, '6r.
Parks, Gilbert M., June 1, '61.
Patterson, Hutchison, October T5, '61.
Pritchard, William T., February 20, '64.
Pay, William, January 5, '6r.
Pinkerton, Benjamin, January 5, '61.
Ross, Jacob, February 20, '64.
Russell, Thomas J., March 3r, '64.
Robinson, Henry H., June 5, i86r.
Robinson, Phillip, " "
Rial, John, "
Rockwell, William,
Rockwell, Lewis, "
Rowley, Simon, " "
Stoughton, Omar, " "
Stump, James B., .... .
Shafer, B. F.,
Shank, T. L., " "
Shaffer, Thomas H., " "
Sebring, Robert, " "
Seymore, Henry S., " "
Shipp, William, " "
Stinger, Daniel A. , " "
Shafer, A. H.,
Sanford, Josiah H., " "
Sapp, Joseph R., "
Shafer, Isaac, " "
Shaffer, Layman, " "
Seymore, Charles F., " "
Stephens, William, " "
Smith, Charles,
Sargent, George H., " "
Trimble, Thomas E.,
Taylor, Hezekiah, " "
Updyke, Edgar, " "
Van Vorhes, W. O.,
Wilcox, Edward, " "
Wilcox, .George, " "
Waldron, Lucas, " "
Worley, Douglass, " "
June 25, 1 86 1, the regiment left Camp Denni
son for Western Virginia, arriving at Grafton on
the twenty-third, moving through Clarksburgh and
Buchannan, it arrived at Rich Mountain on the
ninth of July, but did not participate actively in
that engagement, being held as a support for the
skirmishers. On the twelfth of July the regiment joined in
the pursuit of the enemy, going to Beverly, Virgin
ia, where it went into camp and rested for a day.
On the thirteenth six companies of the regiment
under Colonel Andrews moved with the main col
umn of General McClelland's forces to Huttons-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

293

ville. The other four companies under Lieuten
ant Colonel Cantwell, remained at Beverly in
charge of six hundred rebel prisoners until they
were paroled. On the fourteenth the six compa
nies moved to the summit of Cheat mountain, but
on the sixteenth returned to Beverly, where they
remained until the twenty-third, when they took
the cars for New Creek, arriving there July 28th
On the seventh of August they marched to Pen
dleton, Maryland.
The first skirmish with the rebels in which either
of the Mt. Vernon companies was engaged, was
at Petersburgh, Virginia, September 7, 1861.
News having reached their camp at Pendleton,
that a force of the enemy was at Petersburgh, com
panies A, F, and K, were detached under Major
Godman with orders to attack the rebels. The
detachment left camp about one o'clock at night,
and when about three miles out, had a skirmish
with a rebel outpost. At Petersburgh they met a
very superior force of the enemy, and Major God-
man fell back until re-enforced, when he again ad
vanced and drove the enemy from the place, cap
turing a large quantity of provisions, animals, and
some prisoners. One man, only, was wounded in
this affair. Their next skirmish was at Romney,
Virginia, September 24, 1861. Lieutenant Col
onel Cantwell with six companies of the regiment,
including companies A and B, one piece of artil
lery, seventy-five of Ringold's cavalry and about
four hundred of the Eighth Ohio under Colonel
Parke, moved against this place, driving the enemy
from a strong position at Mechanicsburgh Gap, and
advancing on Romney drove the enemy before him
with a loss of thirty-two men wounded.
Colonel Andrews having died at his home in
Gambier, Captain John S. Mason, of the United
States regulars, .was appointed colonel of the regi
ment, and took command October fourteenth.
This appointment was not, at first, satisfactory to
the regiment, but Colonel Mason proved himself
a brave and able officer, and soon became a very
acceptable commander. He remained with the
regiment until after the battle at Fredericksburgh,
when his health failing, he was compelled to with
draw from active service.
October 25th the Fourth Ohio marched to New
Creek, Virginia, where it joined General Kelly's

command, and on the next day moved to Romney.
The rebels were again driven from that place and all
their baggage, two pieces of artillery and a number
of prisoners captured. After this affair Lieutenant
Colonel Cantwell was promoted to colonel and
transferred to the Eighty-second regiment, and
was killed while gallantly leading his men in one
of the battles on the Rappahannock, August 29,
1862. Romney was occupied until January 7, 1862,
when the regiment under Colonel Mason moved
on the rebels at Blue's Gap, sixteen miles from
Romney, surprised and drove them from a fortified
position, capturing all their camp equippage and
two pieces of artillery.
Romney was evacuated January 10th, and the reg
iment transferred to Patterson's creek, on the north
branch of the Potomac; and thence, February 9th,
to Pawpaw tunnel on the Baltimore and Ohio rail
road. March ist the regiment moved toward Win
chester under Brigadier General Lander, but, hear
ing of his death the next day, it returned to Pawpaw
tunnel, remaining there until March 7th. On that
day it took the cars for Martinsburgh, and arrived
there on the ninth. On the eleventh it moved to
ward Winchester, to find on its arrival that the en
emy had vacated it the day previous.
Making Winchester its base, detachments of the
regiment were sent out in different directions until
the night of March 23d, when it was reassembled
at Winchester, and on the twenty-fourth started in
pursuit of Stonewall Jackson, who had been de
feated at Kernstown on the day previous. The
enemy was pursued as far as Strasburgh, where the
regiment remained until the night of March 30th,
when it moved to Edenburgh, in the valley. April
17th the regiment again moved to New Market,
skirmishing by the way. On the twenty-seventh
it moved to Moore's farm, five miles' from Harrison-
burgh, where it remained in Camp until May 9th,
when it again returned to New Market.
On the twelfth of May the regiment marched via
Luray, Front Royal, Chester Gap, Warrenton, and
Catlett's Station, for Fredricksburgh, Virginia, to
join McDowell's corps, arriving there May 2 2d.
The next day the regiment was ordered back to the
valley via Manassas Junction. It reached Front
Royal on the thirtieth, drove the enemy from that

294

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

place, and captured a large quantity of amunition,
supplies, and a number of prisoners. On the third
of June it moved toward Luray, reaching that place
on the seventh. From this point a forced march was
made by the brigade for Port Republic, reaching
there in time to cover the retreat of the National
forces. It was during this month that Captain Banning
was made colonel of the eighty-seventh. His old
company (B) passed appropriate resolutions, and
presented him with a saddle and bridle and a pair
of revolvers.
After marching and counter-marching around
Luray and Front Royal until the twenty-ninth of
June, the regiment went by rail to Alexandria, from
whence it embarked for the Peninsula, arriving at
Harrison's Landing on the first of July. It remain
ed at this place until August 15th, and was the last
regiment to leave Harrison's Landing on its evacua
tion by the army of the Potomac.
It marched via Charles City Court House, Wil-
liamsburgh, and Yorktown to Newport News, and
on the twenty-fourth of August embarked for Aquia
Creek and Alexandria, reaching the latter place
August 27th. On the twenty-ninth the regiment
marched to Centerville, and on the first of Septem
ber returned to Fairfax Court House. On the sec
ond it marched to Fort Gaines, District Columbia,
and from thence to Harper's Ferry via the Balti
more & Ohio railroad. On the first of October
the regiment marched to Leesburgh via Waterford,
returning to Harper's Ferry on the second. On
the fourth it marched to Halltown, coming back
to Harper's Ferry on the sixth. October 30th the
regiment broke camp and crossed the Shenandoah.
November ist it marched to Gregory's gap, thence
through Smucker's and Ashby'sgaps to Rectortown
and Richmond ; thence to Salem, Warrenton, and
Fremont, Virginia, where it remained in camp until
the twelfth of September, at which time, under
command of Colonel Mason, it crossed the Rapi-
dan into Fredericksburgh, and was thrown to the
front as skirmishers, holding that position until the
next day, December 13th, when the desperate
charge was made through the streets of Fredericks
burgh. It received the first fire of the rebel artil
lery on the right of the National line. This was a
desperate and bloody battle for the Fourth Ohio,

and its losses were very severe; five officers and
forty-three enlisted men, out of one hundred and
fifteen engaged, were either killed or wounded.
The regiment re-crossed the river in the night, with
the retreat of the National forces, and occupied its
old camp at Falmouth.
The regiment continued in camp at Falmouth
until April 28th, when it participated in Hooker's
remarkable movement on Chancellorsville. On
the third of May the regiment engaged the enemy,
and captured one stand of colors and over one
hundred prisoners, among whom were nine commis
sioned officers. It lost in killed and wounded sev
enty-eight out of three hundred and fifty-two en
gaged. On the sixth of May the regiment moved
back to their old camp at Falmouth.
In this severe battle (Chancellorsville) the losses
in company A were Charles A. Runyan, killed;
Bernard Griffis, Auston Lawton, Byron Ward,
Francis O. Jacobs and Robert Kimball, wounded.
In company B Thomas Shaffer, killed; Gilbert M.
Parks, George Wilcox, Plinney Ball, Valentine
Glasscock, George H. Sargents, Archibald Scott,
George Michaels, O. L. Stoughton and F. G.
Beach, wounded.
June 14th the line of march was resumed to
ward Pennsylvania, in consequence of the rebel
army under Lee having invaded that State.
Gainesville, Virginia, was reached on the twentieth,
when a halt was made until the twenty-fifth. The
next day the Potomac was crossed at Edward's Ferry,
and, passing through Frederick, Uniontown was
reached on the twentieth, and Gettysburgh, Pennsyl
vania, on the first of July, where the regiment took
part in that great battle. It was one of the three
regiments that drove the rebels from Cemetery
Hill, after they had driven part of the Eleventh
corps from the field, and had gained possession of
two of our batteries. Generals Hancock, Howard
and Gibbon, and other prominent generals wit
nessed this charge and gave it their highest com
mendation. The Fourth Ohio lost in this engage
ment three commissioned officers and thirty-four
enlisted men killed and wounded.
After the battle the regiment with its brigade
and division marched in pursuit of the flying reb
els, passing through Frederick City; and thence
through Crampton's gap of the South mountain,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

295

crossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, July 18th,
marching through Smucker's gap, Woodbury,
Bloomfield, and Upperville, to Markham and Man
assas gap; thence to Salem and White Plains,
Warrenton Junction, Elk Run, Kelley's ford on
the Rappahannock, returning to Elk Run on the .
first of August. Here it remained until the six
teenth of August, when it moved to Bealton Sta
tion, and took the cars for Alexandria, Vir
ginia. On the twentieth of August the regiment
embarked for New York, arriving in that city on
the twenty-third. The riotous spirit prevailing in
that city having subsided, the troops were removed,
and on the twenty-sixth of August the Fourth
moved to Jamaica, Long Island, near the city, in
order that they might be on hand in case of fur
ther outbreak.
September 6th the regiment took passage at
New York for Alexandria, Virginia, arriving there
on the eleventh. Again a series of marches com
menced, embracing Fairfax Court House, Bristoe
Station, Bealton, Brandy Station, Cedar Mountain
and Robinson's run, arriving at the latter place on
the seventeenth of September, and remaining until
October 6th. It then moved to Culpeper Court
House; thence to Bealton Station; thence to Au
burn; thence to Bristoe Station, where it had a
skirmish with the enemy. After this came an
other series of marches in a circle until, on
the twenty-sixth of September, the regiment
crossed the Rapidan at Germania ford, and on the
twenty-seventh, at Robinson's Cross Roads, it had a
brisk skirmish with the enemy, with a loss of twen
ty-eight men killed and wounded. On the first of
December the regiment went into winter quarters
near Stevensburgh, Virginia.
February 6th, the regiment moved to Morton's
ford on the Rapidan, crossed the river, had a skir
mish with the enemy, and lost seventeen men
wounded; re-crossed the river on the seventh, and
returned to camp near Stevensburgh, Virginia,
where it remained until the latter part of August,
when it removed with the forces of General Grant,
participating in the skirmishes and engagements of
that arduous campaign, until in the early part of
September, the term of enlistment of the main
part of the regiment having expired, it was mustered
out of the service as a regiment. Those who had

re-enlisted as veterans were retained and organized
into a battalion, called the Fourth Ohio battalion.
This remainder of the Fourth was placed on duty
in and around Washington city, and continued in
that locality until the final muster out during the
closing scenes of the war.
The Fourth marched one thousand nine hun
dred and seventy-five miles, and travelled by rail
road and transport two thousand two hundred and
neventy-nine miles, making an aggregate of four
thousand two hundred and fifty-four miles travelled.
Throughout its career it maintained its efficiency,
discipline and good conduct on every battle-field.
A Columbus paper of June 14, 1864, says:
This old and gallant regiment (the Fourth Ohio), or rather
what is left of it, arrived in this city Saturday night under com
mand of Colonel L. W. Carpenter. It has done good and
noble service for the country. In the battles in which this regi
ment was engaged prior to General Grant taking command of
the army, it had dwindled down to four hundred men. In the
last battles they were in (Grant's campaign in '64) they went in
with three hundred men, and came out with just ninety-one, and
part of these wounded.
The few battle-scarred veterans that entered Mt.
Vernon in June, 1864 — the remnant of the two full
companies of bright, vigorous, noble young men
that marched away from here more than three
years before — were tendered a reception by the
ladies of Mt. Vernon. At the banquet which fol
lowed, speeches were made by Hon. Columbus
Delano and other citizens; but no words can ade
quately portray the sadness caused by the thought
that these were the last of that noble band. The
remainder of the Fourth Ohio (Fourth Ohio battal
ion) was mustered out in January, 1866.
Upon the return ofthe first remnant of the regi
ment in June, 1864, the battle flag of the Fourth
Ohio was turned over to Governor Brough by Cap
tain George F. Laird. The following inscriptions
were placed upon it :
Romney, Blue's Gap, Front Royal, Harrison's Landing, Fred
ericksburgh, Chancellorsville, Gettysburgh, Bristoe, Mine Run,
Norton's Ford, The Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Po River, North
Anna River, Prospect Hill, and Cold Harbor.
The following is a roster of the Knox county
officers of companies A and B, Fourth Ohio regi
ment, with date of muster into service.
COMPANY A.
Captain James C. Irvine, April 27, '61; three months service.
Captain Leonard W. Carpenter, June 4, '61; promoted to
major.

296

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Captain Foster A. Coats, June 11, '62; honorably discharged
October 15, '62.
First Lieutenant Foster A. Coats, June 4, '61; promoted to
captain. First Lieutenant William Welch, December 7, '62; promoted
to captain.
First Lieutenant George Orville Hill, January 10, '63; honor
ably discharged November 28, '63.
Second Lieutenant George Orville Hill, December 7, '62; pro
moted to first lieutenant.
Second Lieutenant William F. Lynch, January 7, '62; resigned.
COMPANY B.
Captain Henry B. Banning, April 20, '61 ; threemonths' service.
Captain Henry B. Banning, June r, '6r ; promoted.
Captain John Green, June 1, '62; promoted April T7, '63.
Captain Israel Underwood, November 6, '62; declined pro
motion — made quartermaster.
First Lieutenant John Green, June 4, '6r; promoted to captain
June ir, '62.
First Lieutenant Israel Underwood January 9, '62; made
quartermaster. First Lieutenant A. W. Lippett, January 9, '62; died Decem
ber 26, '62.
First Lieutenant William T. Patten, August 31, '62; mustered
out. First Lieutenant George Brophy, March 1, '63; mustered out.
First Lieutenant John Dunlap, April i, '63; commission re
voked. Second Lieutenant Israel Underwood, June 4, '6r; promoted
to first lieutenant.
Second Lieutenant A. W. Lippett, June 4, '6r ; promoted to
first lieutenant.
Second Lieutenant William T. Patten, January 9, '62; promo"
ted to first lieutenant.
Second Lieutenant Joseph Watkins, January 1, '63; mustered

CHAPTER XXXIII.
WAR OF THE REBELLION.— CONTINUED .
Companies A, E, and G, Twentieth Ohio Regiment-
Organization of Three Companies in Knox County-
Roster of teh Officers and Muster Rolls of Com
panies—Expedition to Warsaw, Kentucky— Opera
tions ofthe Regiment During the War, Muster-Out
and Return — Inscriptions on its Banners— Medals
Awarded.
THE Twentieth Ohio volunteer infantry was or
ganized in the spring of 1861, and entered the
three months' service, but as Knox county was
not represented in this regiment at that time, it is
not within the province of this chapter to speak of
that service.

Upon the reorganization of the regiment for the
three years' service, during the first days of Oc
tober, 1 86 1, more than three companies from this
county were attached to it. Companies A, E, and
G, were nearly all from this county; also a part of
• company I, and a few others from the county were
scattered through other companies of the regiment.
Company A was recruited partly in Chesterville
and vicinity, and partly in Fredericktown and
vicinity, by Dr. Elisha Hiatt of the former place,
who became captain, and William Rogers and L.
N. Ayres, of Fredericktown, who became first and
second lieutenants, respectively. The company
numbered one hundred and thirteen men. The
surplus was subsequently attached to company I.
About the same time (August, 1861), George
Rogers, of Mount Vernon, and John N. Cassell, of
Fredericktown, began recruiting, and soon had about
one hundred men each. Captain Cassel was very
materially assisted in recruiting his company by
Nathan Bostwick, who subsequently became sec
ond lieutenant of the company.
Dr. Hiatt's company was presented with a beau
tiful silk flag by the ladies of Fredericktown, upon
its departure from that place. These two compa
nies rendezvoused at Camp Chase late in Septem
ber, 1861, and soon after were sent to Camp King,
near Covington, Kentucky, where, on the twenty-
first of October, the regiment was organized.
This regiment was fortunate in having some of
the very best officers in the service, and it became,
in consequence, one of the most efficient. Charles
Whittlesey, its colonel, was a West Point graduate,
an eminent engineer, geologist, and student. Its
lieutenant colonel, Manning F. Force, was a lawyer
of Cincinnati, a gentleman, a scholar, a soldier, and
subsequently became brigadier general.
Following is a roster of the officers from Knox
county in this regiment, and the muster rolls of
companies A, E, and G, with the date of muster
into service : company a.
Captain Elisha Hiatt, Septembers, 1861; resigned February
22, 1862.
Captain William Rogers, February 9, 1862; resigned April 26,
1862. Captain Lyman N. Ayres, November 14, 1862; mustered out
December 18, 1864.
First Lieutenant William Rogers, September 3, 1861; pro
moted to captain.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

297

First Lieutenant Lyman N. Ayres, February 22, 1862; pro
moted to captain.
First Lieutenant John G. Stevenson, April 20, 1863; mustered
out December r8, 1864.
Second Lieutenant Lyman N. Ayers, September 3, 1861;
promoted to first lieutenant February 22, 1862.
company e.
Captain George Rogers, September 4, r86i ; resigned Febru
ary 16, 1863; subsequently colonel of Fourth United States
colored regiment.
Captain W. H. Jacobs, April 19, 1863; mustered out Novem
ber s, 1865.
First Lieutenant Benjamin A. F. Greer, September 4, i86r;
promoted to captain company B.
First Lieutenant William H. Jacobs, April 19, r862; promoted
to captain.
First Lieutenant George Thoma, June 11, 1865; mustered
out with the regiment.
Second Lieutenant William H. Jacobs, September 10, 1861;
promoted to first lieutenant.
Second Lieutenant John G. Stevenson, January 28, r863;
promoted to first lieutenant and quartermaster.
company g.
Captain John N. Cassell, September 4, r86r; resigned Jan
uary 5, 1863.
Captain George L. Mellick, December 3, 1862; died October
20, 1863.
Captain Nathan Bostwick, January 1, 1864; promoted major
Captain Samuel J . Hasler, January 6, '65; declined promotion.
Captain Joshua Clark, January n, 1865; mustered out with
regiment. First Lieutenant George L. Mellick, September 7, 1861; pro
moted to captain.
First Lieutenant Nathan Bostwick, April 24, 1862; promoted
to captain.
First Lieutenant Samuel J. Hasler, April 20, r863; mustered
out. First Lieutenant Jesse L. Felt, June ir, 1865; mustered out
with regiment.
Second Lieutenant Nathan Bostwick, October 18, 1861; pro
moted to first lieutenant.
Second lieutenant Samuel J. Hasler, April 8, 1863; promoted
to first lieutenant. COMPANY I.
Captain W. L. Waddell, April 22, r864; mustered out with
regiment. First Lieutenant N. C. Waddell, Decembers, 1862; promoted
to captain.
First Lieutenant William L. Barrington, June ri, 1865; pro
moted to captain.
Second Lieutenant N. L. Waddell, February 11, r862; pro
moted to first lieutenant.
Second Lieutenant William Rush, December 3, r862; pro
moted to first lieutenant.
Muster roll of company A, Twentieth Ohio regi
ment, mustered into service September. 14, 1861:
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Elisha Hiatt, date of enlistment September 3, r86r.
First Lieutenant William Rogers,
Second Lieutenant, Lyman N. Ayres,

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Peter Weatherby,
Sergeant William W. McCracken,
Sergeant John B. Aringdah,
Sergeant Christian W. McCracken,
Sergeant Charles H. Dalrymple,
Corporal Abner P. Lefever,
Corporal James E. McCracken,
Corporal William A. Brown,
Corporal Russel B. Conant,
Corporal William B. McMahon,
Corporal Isaac Cassell,
Corporal William Allison,
Corporal Andrew J. Strong,
Wagoner, Aaron V. Lambert, PRIVATES.
Allen, Ira B., date of enlistment, September 3,
Ayres, Van B., "
Bryant, Mitchel, "
Barry, Edwin,
Blackburn, William, "
Berkholder, Henry C,
Ball, James W.,
Brown, Thomas,
Bird, Charles E., "
Bailey, Thomas E.,
Brocaw, Abram,
Brollies, Jacob, "
Blackburn, Wilbur, "
Chancey, Corryden,
Crill, William,
Couter, Jacob, "
Condon, John T., "
Carpenter, Joseph, "
Cassell, Levi, "
Clink, James, "
Colony, Erastus, "
Dyer, Archibald, "
Devoe, Edward, "
Dunn, David H., "
Davis, Arnold, "
Ebersole, George W. ,
Everts, Levi B., "
Foot, Wilber,
Fogle, Robert M.,
Gibson, A., "
Gallagher, Caleb W.,
"Gordon, Joseph, "
Hawk, John R.,
Hotchkiss, Charles W.,
Howe, Joel, "
Harris, Daniel, "
Harris, Ephraim, "
Hobbs, Madison, "
Hartwell, Oliver C,
Haden, Joseph, "
Isenbarg, Jacob, "
Jones, Henry G., "
James, David B., "
Johnson, James H., "
Johnson, Jesse,

r86r.

298

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Kinney, W. H., date of enlistment, September 3, 1861.
Lidderdale, William,
Lion, Baker W.,
Lambert, Curtis J.,
Melick, Jesse,
McGaughey, Alexander L. ,
Miller, Absalom,
Miller, James I.,
Needles, Alexander I.,
Pollock, John,
Pollock, Edwin W.,
Pears, John S.,
Royce, James M.,
Rigby, Lucian,
Runyan, Johnson J . ,
Rigby, Major,
Runyan, Malan T.,
Ransom, Gavin M.,
Randall, John D.,
Rowley, Artemus C„
States, Benjamin F.,
Skillman, Abram,
Sams, Joseph,
Seely, Andrew J.,
Swaney, James,
Thrift, Thomas B.,
Turner, John M.,
Trump, George M. ,
Taylor, Samuel,
Weider, Adam C,
Walker, Benjamin F.,
Walters, John W.,
Wensel, Aaron L.,
Wright, Lester,
Winterbottom, Edward S.,
Waterfall, Samuel,
Whitney, Milton,
Muster roll of company E, Twentieth Ohio regi
ment, mustered into the service October 15, 1861:
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain George Rogers, September 4, 1861.
First Lieutenant Benjamin A. F. Greer, September 4, '61.
Second Lieutenant William H. Jacobs, September ro, '61.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
First Sergeant Selby Byron, September 4, '6r.
PRIVATES.
Atherton, William, October 1, '61.
Ashton, Silas, October 14, '6r.
Beaver, Morgan, September 20, '6r.
Bigbee, William, September 20, '6r.
Baker, Leroy C, October r, '61.
Bennett, John B., September 19, '61.
Bumpus, Alexander, October 1, '6r.
Boyd, George, October 14, '61.
Canavan, John, September 16, '6r.
Clark, William H., September 20, '61.
Coram, John, October 1, '61.
Davis, Henry M., September 6, '6r.
Dudew, Daniel, September 6, '61.

Dowds, Elijah P., September 20, '6r.
Elder, Frank, October 1, '6r.
Elder, Clifford O., October 10, '61.
Felt, Jesse S., October 20, '6r.
Frazier, Abram, September 20, '61.
Fowler, John, September 30, '6r.
Fiddler, Charles, October 5, '61.
Farnham, E. B., October 12, '61.
Hersch, Peter, September 20, '61.
Hagarman, Amos, September 20, '61.
Hartsook, Engelbert, September 20, '61.
Hogland, Solomon, October 10, '61.
Jones, George B., October 1, '6r.
Kelley, Caleb J. McN., October r, '6r.
Knox, Edward, October 15, '61.
Kenzie, William, September 20, '61.
Knox, Charles, October r, '6r.
Ligget, Thomas, September 20, '61.
Lee, Alexander, September 20, '6r.
Lafever, William P., September, 20, '6r.
Long, George M., October 15, '6r.
Linstead, Henry, October 15, '61.
Miller, William H. H., October r, '6r.
McClerg, Albert, September 20, '61.
McKee, Squire, September 20, '61.
McMahan, Joseph, October 1, '61.
Miller, Hiram W. , October r, '6r.
Mowry, David, October 5, '61.
Norick, Lot, September 20, '6r.
Oldroid, Osbern H., October 15, '61.
Oury, Silas, October r, '6r.
Oury, George, October 1, '6r.
Picard, Richard, October r, '6r.
Robinson, William R., October r, '6r.
Robinson, Alonzo, October rs, '6r.
Russell, Cornelius, October 15, '6r.
Ross, William, October 5, '6r.
Stevenson, John D. September 4, '6r.
Smith, Henry, September 20, '61.
Swales, Charles W. , September 20, '61.
Swales, Darius R., September 20, '61.
Smith, Silas, September 20, '6r.
Sapp, Napoleon M., September 20, '6r.
Speakman, Thomas, September 20, '6r.
Sapp, John A., October r, '61.
Shiner, John H., October r, '6r.
Stull, Philip, October r, '6r.
Stoughton, Nathaniel, October 5, '61.
Shadrack, Oliver K., October 5, '6r.
Taylor, William D., October 5, '6r.
Tucker, Charles, September 20, '61.
Trott, William, September 20, '61.
Thomas, George, October r, '61.
Thomas, James, October 15, '61.
Van Buskirk, Johnson, September 10, '61.
Walker, Charles R., September 4, '61.
Workman, Wilson, September 20, '61.
Williams, Henry M., September 4, '61.
Waddle, William L. , September 4, '6r.
Wiggins, Warren, September 20, '61.
Waltz, Thomas, October 15, '61.
Waddle, James H., October 15, '6r. •

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

299

Waltz, Obediah, September 20, '6r.
Wiggins, John, October 15, '6r.
Welker, Simon, October 5, '61.
Yarnell, Thomas, September 20, '6r.
The following is the muster-out roll of company
G, Twentieth Ohio regiment, mustered into tne ser
vice November 18, 1861:
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain John N. Cassell, September 4, 1861.
First Lieutenant George L. Mellick, September 7, '61.
Second Lieutenant Nathan Bostwick, October 18, '61.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Edwin C. Day, September 10, '6r.
Sergeant Samuel H. Davis, September 9, '6r.
Sergeant Julius C. Bostwick, October r9, '6r.
Sergeant Joshua E. Clark, September 24, '6r.
Sergeant Eli C. Hollister, October 21, '6r.
Corporal Curtis W. Powell, September 21, '61.
Corporal William S. Phillips, September 9, '61.
Corporal Philip A. Bronscom, September 21, '61.
Corporal George F. Bostwick, November rs, '61.
Corporal William A. Phillips, September 24, '61.
Corporal Caleb Leidey, October 25, '61.
Corporal Charles F. Cochran, September 24, 61.
Corporal Joseph A. Robison, November 4, '6r.
PRIVATES.
Arnold, Edwin T., November 4, '6r.
Brown, Lewis, September 15, '61.
Barrible, William, September 29, '6r.
Balch, William G., September r7, l6i.
Bartlett, George V., October 31, '61.
Beardsley, Charles, November 2, '61.
Chambers, Merrett, October ig, '6r.
Case, Elisha W., November r, '61.
Camp, Curtis H., September g, '61.
Cochran, George M., September 24, '61.
Cochran, Josiah, September r4, '61.
Coffing, JohnW., September 9, '6r.
Darling, John, September 9, '6r.
Duncan, George, September 29, '61.
Dunn, David H, October 10, '6r.
Dunn, James, September 23, '61.
Davis, Robert, October 10, '6r.
Davis, Isaac S., October 25, '6r.
Ewers, Thomas G., September 22, '6r.
Fry, John D., September r4, '6t.
Fox, John, September 9, '61.
Frazier, John, October ro, '6r.
Fishburn, Josiah, October 2r, '6r.
Grimes, James, September 9, '61.
Haller, Newton S., September 21, '61.
Hunt, Richard C, September r4, '6r.
Huntsberry, Urius, September T4, '6r.
Hirsh, John, November 7, '61.
Hassler, Samuel J., October 2r, '6r.
Hunt, David, October 25, '61.
Hunt, Leroy, October 21, '61.
Hull, Calvin C, October 19, '61.
Johnson, C. V., September 2t, '6r.

Lockwood, Henry H., September 14, '6r.
Lockwood, Eliakim, September t4, '61.
Lewis, David F., September 14, '6r.
Larmer, Henry, September 15, '61.
Larmer, Franklin C. , October r9, '6r.
Larmer, Robert A., October 19, '61.
Lamson, David M., October 19, '6r.
Manson, William C, October r9, '61.
Merihew, John L., September 10, '6r.
Manning, S. A. , November 7, '61 .
Milt, Enoch, September 9, '61.
Newton, William, November 4, '61.
Phillips, Joseph, September 9, '61.
Porter, George, September 27, '6r.
Pitkin, John G., October 19, '61.
Poland, Edwin G., November 2, '61.
Ransom,. Thomas L., September 9, '6r.
Reeder, Aaron M., September 7, '6r.
Rolland, Joseph, September 15, '61.
Rush, Ezekiel B., October 19, '6r.
Redman, Samuel, November 15, '61.
Smith, Jonathan, October 23, '6r.
Smith, William C, October 23, '61.
Smith, Marion S., September 27, '61.
Simon, James H., September 27, '61.
Stilley, Benjamin F., September 17, '61.
Singer, Gilbert, September 27, '61.
Stinmates, Richard, October 2r, '6r.
Speelman, Lewis, October 18, '61.
Tarr, Alexander B., September 14, '6r.
Vance, John, September 10, '61.
Woods, David W. , September 14, '61.
Whitman, William H., September ro, '6r.
White, Joseph, September 17, '61
White, Romayne, September 27, '6r.
Woodward, William W., October 20, '61.
Watson, John, October 23, '61.
During the winter of 1861-2 the regiment was
engaged in guarding several batteries in rear of
Covington and Newport. Four companies, includ
ing companies A and G, were sent during the win
ter into an insurrectionary district near Warsaw,
Kentucky. While on this service company G, Cap-
tian Cassell and Lieutenant Bostwick, had the pleas
ure of organizing and conducting a secret expedi
tion with sixty picked men. They were absent
several days, and succeeded in capturing a score
or more noted and influential secessionists, and
bringing them prisoners to camp, where they were
given a fair trial and sent north as prisoners.
On the eleventh of February, 1862, the entire
regiment, except company K, embarked on steam-
jers for the Cumberland river.
The Twentieth arrived at Fort Donelson on the
evening of February 14th and was under fire to
some extent on the fifteenth. It marched to the ex-

300

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

treme right of the army, was placed in reserve,
and was compelled to stand the severe test of see
ing crowds of stragglers falling back from the front
and in being forced to hear their wild reports of
disaster and defeat; but notwithstanding these dis
couragements the regiment passed through its first
real battle with no little credit to every man. Af
ter the battle the regiment was sent north with the
prisoners, and became scattered all over the land.
Lieutenant Bostwick, in command of company G,
escorted eleven hundred rebel prisoners to St.
Louis, from which place, in company with a por
tion of company C, they escorted all the officers
captured at Fort Donelson to Camp Chase, thence
to New York and Boston.
The regiment was again brought together in March,
and on April 6th while in camp near Adamsville,
heard the booming ofthe guns at Pittsburgh Land
ing, and at 3 o'clock p. m. of that day they marched
to the field, going into position on the right of the
army, and passing a comfortless night in the rain.
The regiment participated in the next day's battle
with considerable loss and is fully entitled to share
the glory of the victory. It was commanded during
the engagement by Lieutenant Colonel Force, Col
onel Whittlesey being in command of a brigade.
During the advance on Corinth the Twentieth re
mained on duty at Pittsburgh Landing. Death and
sickness held a carnival in its camp, and it was acus-
tomed to appear on parade with scarcely one hun
dred men. After the fall of Corinth the regiment
moved to Purdy, and there joining its division,
marched to Bolivar, where it was left as a part of
the garrison on the sixth of June, 1862. August
30, 1862, the rebel General Armstrong with fifteen
regiments marching to destroy railroad communi
cations northward, was held in check all day by
the Twentieth Ohio, a portion of the Twenty-
eight Ohio, and two companies of the second Illi
nois cavalry. The steady fire of the skirmishers
of the Twentieth did much toward restraining the
enemy from any attack in line.
Late in the afternoon two companies, G and K,
of the Twentieth were captured by a cavalry charge,
but not until after a desperate fight and the repulse
of two previous charges. In this affair company"
K was commanded by Lieutenant Mellick, Captain
Cassell being absent and Lieutenant Bostwick com

manding company C. The affair was considered
of so much importance that Colonel M. M. Crock
er, commanding the post of Bolivar, was prpmoted
to brigadier general to date from the day of the
engagement. Colonel Force, Major Fry, Captain
Kaga, Adjutant Owens, Lieutenants Ayers, Hill
and Mellick, were especially and honorably men
tioned in the official report of General Leggett,
who commanded the brigade in this battle. The
two companies, G and K, which fell into the hands
of the enemy were taken to Vicksburgh, and with
in thirty days were exchanged and returned to the
regiment. The regiment assisted in driving Price from
Iuka, on the twentieth of September, and in the
engagement between Hurlburt and Price at the
crossing of the Hatchie, near Metamora, Tennes
see, it arrived on the field at four o'clock p. m.
with a wagon train loaded with supplies, having
marched twenty-eight miles since ten a. m. The
supplies were immediately turned over and the reg
iment marched in pursuit of the rebels the same
night. During the winter of 1862-3 tne regiment
marched from place to place, being almost continu
ally on the move, and was attached to the Third
division (Logan's), Seventeenth corps.
On the twelfth of May the regiment deployed in
advance of the corps as it approached Raymond,
Mississippi, and while resting with arms stacked,
was fired upon from a dense thicket beyond a small
stream. The regiment immediately formed and
advanced across the creek, using the bank on the
opposite side as a breastwork. For an hour the
struggle was severe, and especially so to the Twen
tieth, as the regiments on the right withdrew their
lines a little distance to the rear, and the flank of
the Twentieth was exposed to a raking cross fire.
Every man stood firm until the line again advanced
and the rebels gave way. The regiment lost in this
engagement twelve killed and fifty-two wounded.
All the officers of company E were shot down,
and Private Canavan of that company was promo
ted to a sergeantcy on the spot for skilfully man
aging the company during the engagement. Cap
tain Wilson was decorated with the Seventeenth
corps medal of honor, in silver, for gallantly assem
bling his skirmishers under the very muzzles ofthe

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

301

enemy's guns in the first charge. Wilson was for
a time captain of company E. Lieutenant Weath-
erby of company A, being on the extreme right of
the skirmish line with his company, and being cut
off from his regiment, assembled his company and
reported to the nearest regiment, the Eighty-third
Illinois, and fought as a part of that regiment until
the end of the battle; when, as the company
marched to join its regiment, the Eighty-first
showed their appreciation of its services by giving
three hearty cheers for the "Twentieth Ohio boys."
The regiment moved on through Clinton, Jack
son, Bottom Depot, to Champion hills, where it
was early pushed forward to a strong position in a
ravine, under such a fire that it was dangerous for
a staff officer to approach with orders. Though
the adjoining regiments on either flank were
pushed back as the enemy moved up in mass, the
Twentieth held its ground without wavering till its
ammunition was exhausted; it then fixed bayonets
and prepared to maintain its position, but the Sixty-
eighth Ohio came to its assistance from the reserve
and the enemy was driven back.
Crossing the Big Black the regiment reached
the rear of Vicksburgh and acted as support to the
assaulting party on, the twenty-first of May. It
then went to work in the saps, mines and trenches.
The following is an extract from a letter written
by one of the Twentieth Ohio boys about this time.
Our division is on the main road from Jackson to Vicksburgh,
which the rebels have well fortified. The first fort is a large
one on the right of the road running into the city ; the rear of
this fort is open, and some distance beyond are two more forts
which command the first one, so that should we succeed in
taking the first one we could not hold it. We are digging a
ditch ten feet deep and six feet wide to run into the fort and are
now within twenty-five feet of their works.
Our men are very much exposed to the fire of their sharp
shooters while digging. Company H was out yesterday work
ing on the ditch and had two men shot dead. Our whole regi
ment was out the other day sharp shooting. Company G fired
nine thousand cartridges, but could not tell how many took
effect. Our company after dark took a position on the left of
the fort, in a hollow, within twenty-five feet of the rebels, and
cpuld hear them talking, but we did not shorjt, for we were ex
posed to their fire, and if they found we were there they would
soon scatter us. During the night some of the boys of the
other companies conversed quite freely with some of the rebels.
One called to one of Company H and said "what's the use of
firin' at a feller what you don't know?" Another said, "we are
goin' to have a new general," and when asked who it was he said
"general starvation." Seven of the regiment were wounded in
this day's work,

May 25th our regiment was out sharp-shooting near the same
fort. This was the day the flag of truce came from General
Pemberton, asking to be allowed to march out with the honors
of war. As soon as the flag was discovered both sides ceased
firing, and all mounted the works anxious to see what we had
been shooting at. They were equally anxious to see what the
Yankees looked like. We talked at a distance for awhile, then
met half way and talked for half an hour or more, lhe con
versation at first was about fathers, brothers, cousins, and
friends; and some near relations met and shook hands. Some
of the rebels went back and some did not. When the Seventh
Missouri, Federal, charged the Sixth Missouri, rebel, fathers,
sons and brothers met in deadly conflict.
The confederates offered three dollars in confederate money
for three hard crackers, but our boys refused. Toward evening
we went back to our rifle-pits, and the rebels to their strong
holds. We had orders not to fire until 8:30 that night, and not
then unless the rebels commenced. We hoped they would sur
render, and watched anxiously for the white flag until 8:30, but
were disappointed. The bullets began flying over us as thick
as ever, and we opened out with guns from a musket up to a
thirty-two pounder.
On the twenty-second there was to be a grand charge by the
First brigade, supported bv ours. We felt that should we be
ordered to charge we should lose one-half or two-thirds our
number. The brigades were ordered out, but for some reason
the order was countermanded, and we returned to our quarters
with very dirty clothes, for we had lain in the road nearly an
hour, -and the dust was so thick we could aimost cover ourselves
with it. We had orders to lie down, and every man was as flat
as a pan-cake in a second, for -the bullets began to zip, zip, and
buzz over our heads as thick as hail stones. In moving out we
had one man killed and six wounded in the regiment.
We were under fire from the nineteenth of May to the
twenty-eighth, then started, with seven days' rations, with four
other brigades under General Blair, to meet Johnston if he could
be found. We marched forty-five miles, and returned by way
of Yazoo river.
Of our fight at Raymond I presume you have heard. The
Illinois boys were given all the praise. . Our regi
ment was the first in the fight. De Golyer's battery was on our
right, and we lay in the edge of the woods, when we heard the
rebel yell, and knew they were coming down upon us through
the woods on a charge. We had orders to take arms and move
forward. We moved about fifty feet, when we came to the
banks of a stream; the water was knee-deep and banks quite
high. We made no halt here, for we could see the rebels com
ing at us. We crossed the stream and took shelter under the
opposite bank just in time, for the rebel line dropped into a
ditch about twenty-five feet in front of us. We were not long
in giving them some of Lincoln's pills, and they returned Jeff. 's
best. We fought them in full sight for an hour and a half,
during which time they tried several times to charge our line,
but the Twentieth was firm, and although our brave boys were
falling fast, we determined to hold the position as long as we
had a man left. We felt that the result degended upon our
action. If we pave way we would have been slaughtered before
we could have re-crossed the creek, and our whole division cut
to pieces. After the battle we marched to town, two miles,
which we reached about dark. We (company E) went into the
fight with thirty-two men, and came out with sixteen. We were
ready the next morning with sixteen men to go into battle; but

3°2

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

it was a sad thing at roll-call to find half our number gone. We
had no commissioned officers. Lieutenant Stevenson, who was
in command, was wounded.
On the fourteenth we reached Jackson without having fired a
shot. Our company took charge of the prisoners that night,
and the next morning we were on the march to Vicksburgh.
We fought at Champion Hills on the sixteenth.
The following is a list of the killed and wounded of company
E, at Raymond, May 12th ;
Killed— Orderly Sergeant Byron Selby, Corporal John C.
Waddle, privates Parker Douds and Leroy C. Baker. Wounded
— Corporal Abram Frazier, privates Darius Swail, Johnson Van
Buskirk, Thomas McGovern, Joseph McMahon, William Trott,
Jacob Baker, Josiah Workman, James H. Waddell, Thomas
Yarnell, Daniel Duden, Lieutenant John G. Stevenson.
Thomas McGovern, Darius Swail, Johnson Van Buskirk,
William Trott, and Thomas Yarnell were made prisoners at the
Raymond hospital, and taken to Mobile. The rest were not
able to go and were paroled.
The Ninety-sixth is close to us. We have beautiful fire
works some nights when the mortar-boats send two hundred
and twenty-five pound shells over the city. Lieutenant Henry
Davis has been appointed captain of company C, and Lieuten
ant Jacobs captain of company E.
Regarding the work of the regiment in the
trenches before Vicksburgh, the following from a
correspondent on the ground, gives a vivid picture
of the condition of things:
Imagine it — men work all day, and never once stand upright;
load their pieces upon their hands and knees, extending the
rammers out of the embrasures, while others ply the shovels to
replace the earth knocked away by the hostile projectiles. Here
where the bushes have been allowed to stand in the embank
ment, if you will rise up cautiously and peep through, you will
see the shovel of earth as it is thrown up and falls upon their
line' two hundred yards away. You must be wary, and you
must drop promptly on your knees when you see a puff of
smoke, for they suspect that some one is looking through the
bushes. You will have sufficient time to drop down into safety, ~
for the smoke will puff out white and distinct a quarter of a
minute before the sound of the discharge reaches you, or the
ball whizzes by, or thuds in the thrown up dirt.
Better take off your hat, for it can be seen more distinctly
than the naked head, and don't betray any nervousness should
the ball, which will surely come, shower dirt upon your head,
else those old artillerymen will laugh at you.
Now, if you want to go to the rear, stoop low and double-
quick it until you get under cover of the woods. It is only eight
or ten rods. Oh ! there is no danger. They won't hurt you —
more than a hundred men have run across there to-day ; every
one has been fired at and only three have been struck. You see
they only get a glimpse of you, and can't get good aim. They
will shoot over you, or behind you, or ahead of you.
June 26, 1863, the regiment, marching with the
Second brigade, withdrew to Tiffin, near Black
river, in order to observe the movements of John
ston. After the fall of Vicksburgh, it camped at
Bovina station, on the Mississippi Southern rail

road, but was shortly ordered to join Sherman's
army besieging Jackson. It returned to Vicksburgh
July 30th, and encamped in the outskirts of the
city. In the latter part of August the Twentieth
formed part of an expedition to Monroe, on the
Ouachita river, and returned to its camp at Vicks
burgh, September ist. October 7th, the regiment
crossed the Big Black at Messenger's Ferry, skirm
ished slightly at Boquechitto creek, advanced
toward Canton as far as Livingston, thence to Clin
ton, and then over the old Champion Hills battle
ground to Big Black and Vicksburgh. In January,
1864, two-thirds of the men present re-enlisted for
three years more, and the Twentieth was brigaded
with the Thirty-second, Sixty-eighth, and Seventy-
eighth Ohio. February 3, 1864, the regiment
crossed the Big Black and joined in the celebrated
Meridian expedition. In crossing Baker's creek a
rebel battery opened upon the column. The Twen
tieth rapidly formed a line of battle and the battery
retired. The regiment was compelled to march in
line of battle until late in the afternoon, as the reb
els placed • their battery on every hill-top, and
skirmished briskly along the road. In spite of this
the head of the column passed over eighteen miles,
and camped at Jackson that night. Passing
through Brandon the troops reached Morton, and
from this point to Meridian the Twentieth acted as
rear-guard to the whole army the greater portion of
the distance. After arriving at Meridian the regi
ment assisted in destroying ten or fifteen miles of
railroad, and then marched to the wagon corral on
Chunkey creek; and being misdirected by a rebel,
it marched eight miles to advance three. The next
day this rebel's house was burned in order that he
might remember the time he had the pleasure of
misdirecting the Yankees.
February 20th, the regiment marched on its re
turn as part of the convoy for seven hundred
wagons. It marched by way of Hillsborough and
Canton, and reached Vicksburgh March 4th. It
was now allowed its veteran furlough, and the Knox
county boys enjoyed thirty days at their homes.
May ist they rendezvoused at Camp Dennison,
by and proceeded to Cairo, Illinois, and from there
steamer to Clifton, Tennessee. From this place the
regiment marched via Pulaski, Huntsville, Decatur
and Rome (over the Sand mountains), two hundred

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

3°3

and fifty miles, joining Sherman at Acworth on the
ninth of June. In the advance from Acworth the
Twentieth formed the escort to the wagon-train,
but finally joined its brigade on the twenty-third at
Bushy ridge, near Kenesaw mountain.
On the night of the twenty-sixth, the Twentieth,
with its division, marched to the left of the line,
and at eight o'clock the next morning moved vigor
ously and with great noise upon the enemy, the
object being to divert the enemy's attention from
the general assault made by other portions of the
National line. The division advanced to within
easy range of the rebel works, near Marietta, and
was exposed to the concentrated fire of four batter
ies. Having succeeded, to a certain extent, in ac
complishing its object, the regiment engaged in
another demonstration on the rebel works in front
of its camp, at 3 p. m. ; and, adva.icing up a thickly
wooded hill till within one hundred yards of the
enemy's works, sustained a brisk musketry fire till
dark. On the second of July, the regiment marched
with its corps to the mouth of Nickojack creek,
where the enemy was found intrenched. After the
evacuation of the works at Nickojack, the regiment
was employed in picketing the river, which was
lively business, as the rebels kept up a constant and
accurate fire during the day. On the sixteenth of
July the regiment crossed the Chattahoochie at
Rossville, and on the twentieth reached the rebel
works before Atlanta.
The regiment took a position on the twenty-first
in the advanced line, and on the twenty-second
firing was heard in its rear. The regiment formed
in the works, but as the rebels advanced the men
leaped the parapet and faced toward the enemy.
The rebels pressed up to and around the regiment,
and the bullets came from front, flank, and rear,
and according as the fire was hottest in front or
rear, the men of the Twentieth leaped their works
and delivered their fire in that direction. Car
tridges became scarce, but portions of companies
A, F, and D, risked thei* lives and obtained, in the
very face of the enemy, five cases of ammunition,
which were piled up near the regimental head
quarters; but even this supply was insufficient, and
the ammunition of the wounded and dead was dis
tributed, and charges were made to capture the
rebels for their cartridges. At 4 p. m. many of the

men had only two or three cartridges left. The
batteries in Atlanta threw shell upon the rear of
the brigade, the enemy redoubled their fire in
front and, placing a captured gun within fifty paces
of the flank of the Twentieth, raked the regiment
with cannister. Orders came to withdraw from the
works and form a new line, and the Twentieth
slowly retired, the men turning now and then to
fire their last cartridge at the foe. In the new line
the Twentieth was placed in reserve, with the ex
ception of a detachment of about one hundred,
who were posted in the works on Force's hill, and
fought desperately until the close of the battle.
In this engagement the Twentieth lost forty-four
killed, fifty-six wounded, and fifty-four missing.
Instances of personal daring were numberless.
The following extract regarding this desperate
conflict is from a letter written on the twenty-
fourth, two days after the battle, by Captain B. A.
F. Greer, of Mount Vernon, who was at the time
in command of company B :
On the twenty-second instant a desperate battle was fought
on the left of our army, caused by the enemy massing their
forces and endeavoring to turn our flank. The Twentieth had
the misfortune to be hotly engaged and lost heavily. The
enemy are in possession of part of the ground fought over, so
we cannot tell exactly what the loss is.
The regiment had built breastworks and began fighting from
behind them, but soon the enemy came up in our rear, and
obliged us to jump to the opposite side of our works. The
enemy would charge front and rear at the same time, compel
ling us to meet and repulse a charge first in front then right
about to the rear, and thus we continued to fight four hours,
moving across our works no less than ten times. Often the op
posing lines would meet on top of the works, when the bayonet,
sword, clubbed musket, and even the fist, were used with mur
derous effect. I cannot give a more detailed account of the
fight. We held our own, only closing up to the right on our
works, yielding about one hundred yards of them.
Generals Blair, Sherman and Leggett estimated the rebel
dead lying around our works, upon the ground fought over by
our regiment, at one thousand. General Sherman said that
each man had made himself a hero, but that we had violated all
the rules of civilized warfare by not surrendering when so com
pletely surrounded.
Captain Greer reports the following losses in the
three Knox county companies in this battle:
Company A, Lieutenant Ed. Nutt commanding.
Killed. — D. B. James and Benjamin Wilson.
Wounded. — Corporal Levi Cassell and Privates G. W. Eber-
sole, G. M. Moodie, P. H. Conner and A. Davis.
Missing. — M. F. Runyan, Samuel Taylor, E. Colony and C.
W. Dalrymple.
Company E, Lieutenant E. R. Woodmancy commanding.
Killed. — Sergeant John Canavan and Cornelius Russell.

3°4

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Wounded. — Lieutenant Woodmancy, Ed. Knox, J. McMa-
hon, A. J. Patchen and William Rose.
Missing. — Corporal M. Long and Henry Linstead.
Company G, Captain Nathan Bostwick commanding.
Killed. — Corporal Charles Beardsley.
Wounded.— E. W. Case, D. B. Linstead and D. Pitkin.
Missing. — Captain Nathan Bostwick, Corporal Fayette Bost
wick, Reason Brown, G. M. Cochran, B. F. Stilley, and Loyal
G. Vance.
The following were the losses in company I, part
of which was from this county — Captain W. L.
Waddell commanding:
Killed.— E. Campbell, F. G. Ailes, H. Reed, W. Wickleam,
B. Dodds, T. M. Govern and J. Van Fossen.
Wounded.— A. Williams, E. Fuller, O. Hupp, P. McBride
and J. Sparling.
Missing.— Lieutenant William Rush, William Barrington, T.
J. Watson, G. A. Irwin, E. M. Evans/ N. Warfield, F. Crow
F. Moore and B. Penman.
When it is considered that the ranks of the above
companies had already been greatly thinned in pre
vious battles, these losses clearly indicate the des
perate character of the conflict. Among the noble
young men whose lives went out in this battle none
were more worthy, more highly respected, or gave
greater promise than Corporal Charles Beardsley,
an only son of Piatt Beardsley, of Milford town
ship. It will be observed, also, that Sergeant John
Canavan, who had been promoted from the ranks
for gallantry on a previous occasion, went down in
this battle.
Captain Nathan Bostwick and his son . Fayette
were both wounded and both fell into the hands of
the enemy. The latter was taken to Andersonville
prison pen, where he suffered all the horrors of that
famous — or infamous — place. He succeeded in
making his escape and paddling down the Ocomul-
gee river reached the Federal gun-boats in safety.
Captain Bostwick was taken to Macon, Georgia,
and subsequently to Charleston, South Carolina.
After suffering all the horrors of prison life in vari
ous places, aggravated by wounds and disease, he
finally made his escape Deeember i, 1864; from
Columbia, South Carolina; and after untold suffer
ing, hardship and hairbreadth escapes, reached the
Federal lines at Knoxville, Tennessee, December
27, 1864.
The regiment was commanded in this battle by
Lieutenant Colonel John C. Fry, who had entered
the regiment in the spring of 1861, as a three
months' volunteer.

After the fall of Atlanta the regiment was en
gaged in changing position and building works until
the twenty-fourth of August, when it received or
ders to march as guard to the supply trains of the
army of the Tennessee. Four days later the regi
ment joined its brigade at Fairburn, and assisted in
destroying the railroads. In the battle of Jones-
borough, on the thirty-first, the Twentieth was on
the left of the Fifteenth corps, at right angles to
the main line, as "refused flank," and in this posi
tion was greatly annoyed by a heavy artillery fire.
On the second bf September the regiment took po
sition on a hill near Lovejoy's station, where it re
mained several days, exposed to some annoyance
from the enemy's'sharp-shooters, and finally settled
down in camp near Atlanta, on the East Point
road. October 5th the regiment joined in the pur
suit of Hood, and, after following as far as Gales-
ville, Alabama, returned and camped at Smyrna
church, about twenty miles from Atlanta, Novem
ber 5 th.
The regiment left Atlanta with Sherman's army,
on the fifteenth of November, for Savannah. It
participated in the destruction of the town of Mil
len, Georgia, and, on reaching Savannah, took po
sition on the right of- the Seventeenth corps. De
cember 19th it was detached from the brigade, and
sent to the Ogeechee, near King's bridge, where it
was engaged in building wharves, on which to land
supplies for the army. This work was cut short by
the surrender of Savannah, and the regiment re
joined the brigade December 24th, in camp at the
outskirts of the city.
January 5, 1865, the regiment embarked on the
steamer Fanny for Beaufort, South Carolina,
crossed Port Royal ferry and advanced until the en
emy was found entrenched beyond a rice swamp.
The Twentieth deployed as skirmishers, charged
the enemy's work in fine style, and the regimental
colors were soon waving from the parapet. At
dark the troops encamped before the fortifications
of Pocotaligo, and, on the«norning of January 13th,
it was assigned camping ground beyond the rail
road station at Pocotaligo, where it remained until
January 30th, when it started on the Carolina cam
paign. The head of the column struck the enemy Feb
ruary 13th near the bridge across the North Edisto

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

3°5

at Orangeburgb. Two companies were deployed
as skirmishers, and soon the regiment advanced on
double-quick, and drove the enemy back to their
fortifications, which were concealed by a turn in the
road, and from which the rebels opened fire. The
regiment deployed as skirmishers, advanced through
the swamp in water icy-cold and waist-deep, opened
fire on the enemy on the opposite side, stood until
late in the afternoon, and was relieved. The next
day it crossed the river and engaged in destroying
the railroad. In this affair the National loss was
light. The regiment marched through the smok
ing ruins of Columbia, and destroyed the railroad
as far as Winnsborough.
February 24th it was rear guard; reached Che-
raw March 3d, and Bennettsville the 6th. On the
twentieth it reached Bentonville, where it fortified
on the twenty-first, expecting an attack, but the en
emy withdrew and on the twenty-fourth the regi
ment reached Goldsborough.
After two weeks rest the regiment pushed on to
Raleigh, and April 15th moved toward Johnston's
army. On the way it became known that Johnston
had asked terms of surrender ; the men seemed
crazy with joy; they shouted, laughed, flung their
hats in the air, threw their knapsacks at each other,
hugged each other, stood on their heads in the
mud, and were altogether worse than children let
loose from school. Leaving Raleigh May ist the
regiment marched via Richmond to Washington;
was in the grand review May 24th; thence was
sent to Louisville, Kentucky, and, July 18th, back
to Columbus, where it was mustered out of service.
Thus ended an organization which had made a
record second perhaps to no other among the glo
rious records of the war.
The regiment may inscribe upon its banners the
following summary of engagements : Fort Donel-
son, Shiloh, Bolivar, Matamora, Mississippi, Central
Expedition, Thompson's Hills, Raymond, Jackson,
Champion Hills, Siege of Vicksburgh, Meridian
Raid, Big Shanty, Kenesaw, Nickojack, Atlanta,
Siege of Atlanta, Jonesborough, Lovejoy Station,
Pursuit of Hood, March to the Sea, Pocotaligo,
Orangeburgh, and Bentonville. It lost nearly four
hundred men in battle.
Nine medals are known to have been awarded
for special gallantry, viz: to Lieutenant Colonel

Harry Wilson, Captain L. N. Ayres, Captain Charles
Stevenson, Captain Ed.l E. Nutt, Sergeant j,William
Blackburn, Sergeant gjohnj^ Rinehart,^ Sergeant
Robbins, and Privates John Alexander and M. El
liott.

CHAPTER XXXIV.
WAR OF THE REBELLION— CONTINUED.
Company A, Thirtieth Regiment — Company C, Thirty-
Second Regiment — Company K, and Fractions of
Other Companies Forty-Third Regiment — Companies
A and F, Sixty-Fifth Regiment.

I

N the summer of 1861, Emory W. Muenscher,
of Mt. Vernon, was commissioned and began
recruiting a company. He succeeded in raising
about sixty men and left Mt. Vernon about the last
of July for Camp Chase, Columbus. His was the
third company recruited in Knox county for the
three years' service, and became company A, of the
Thirtieth regiment. Mr. Muenscher was commis
sioned first lieutenant of this company August 15,
1861; was promoted to captain June 28, 1862,
and to lieutenant colonel of the regiment January
6, 1865. He, however, declined to accept this last
promotion and was mustered out as captain.
Captain Muenscher having been appointed adju
tant of the regiment in the beginning of his service,
his name does not appear on the following muster-
roll of this company.
Muster-roll of Company A, Thirtieth Ohio regi
ment, mustered into the service August 14, 1861.

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain William W. Reilly, August 2,
First Lieutenant Thomas Hayes, August 2,
Second Lieutenant Jeremiah Hall, August 2,
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Henry Mclntire, August 2,
Sergeant Henry F. Wolff, August 2,
Sergeant Fred D. James, July 30,
Sergeant George T. Davy, July 30,
Sergeant Gilbert D. Walt, August 21,
Corporal Walker Mustain, August 2r,
Corpoial Benjamin T. Warner, July 30,
Corporal Eberly Martin, August 2,
Corporal John H. Peck, ' '

1861.

1861.

306

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Corporal John Hey, August 2,
Corporal John H. Sharkey, '
Corporal Thomas B. Gaston, '
Corporal Robert Vealons, '
Musician Charles O. Lloyd, '
Musician Wm. H. Cochran, '
Wagoner Thomas Milward, '

Anderson, David, August 2,
Bartholomew, William H., August 2,
Brook, John, August 14,
Brock, Robert, August 2,
Brock, Thomas, August r4,
Baker, John J., August r4,
Butler, Charles E., July 30,
Buchanan, William, "
Bryant, George W., "
Boyles, William, "
Casaford, David, "
Callahan, Michael, August 14,
Dawm, Joseph, August 2,
Dawson, Jacob, August 2,
Dunfraimit, Edward A., July 30,
Elmore, Thomas D., August 2,
Eikenberger, George, August 2,
Furlong, Myron C, July 30,
Hassey, John, August 2,
Huddleson, Powell, "
Huddleson, Joseph, "
Howard, Henry, "
Hess, August, "
Ireland, William, July 30,
Jacobs, Wayne J., August 2,
Jones, Dudley, "
Jones, John M., "
Kirner, Joseph "
King, Eli, "
Kingora, James, July 30,
Kingston, James R., August 2,
Lee, Henry, "
Lewis, John, "
Larkin, James L., "
Lane, James A., "
Livery, Constant,
Linderback, James, August 2T,
Lesley, William, August 14,
Martin, James, August 2,
Martin, Syrus, "
Mcjugin, Franklin, August 30,
Nagler, Leonard, August 2,
O'Brien, Michael, August 14,
Piatt, Thomas H., August 2,
Purdy, Jesse, "
Pond, William H., August 30,
Reyburn, Stephen, August 2,
Redding, George W., "
Smith, Jacob, "
Smith, Benedict, August 30,
Smith, John H. , August 2,
Smith, M. N. , July 30,
Steamshoon, Henry, August 2,

r86i.

i86r.

August 2,

1861.

July 30,
August 2,
August r4,

Swigler, Martin,
Resinger, Adam,
Sowers, George,
Stephens, Joseph,
Sword, John C,
Swartz, John J.,
Stebe, John V„
Showberty, Peter,
Slattirly, Charles,
Shipley, Horatio T
Tipton, Charles W.
Thompson, John H.
Thomas, Samuel O., July 30, "
Taker, William, August r4, "
Wittuch, Ernest, August 2, "
Walter, Charles, " "
Whitehead, Samuel, " "
The Thirtieth Ohio regiment was organized at
Camp Chase August 28, 1861, and on the thirtieth
was ordered to the field in Virginia. During the
fall it was engaged mostly in guard duty in separ
ate detachments at various places, and was not
re-united until December 25th, when it held its
first dress parade. It was again scattered during
the winter, doing guard duty and working on fortifi
cations. A portion of the regiment was engaged in the
battle of Centerville under General Pope in the
latter part of August, 1862, and the regiment was
re-united on the thirty-first of that month. On the
ninth of September it engaged the enemy at Fred
erick city, being placed on the skirmish line; but
its first hard fight was at South Mountain, where
it lost eighteen men killed and forty-eight wounded.
Two days later it was engaged in the great battle
of Antietam, where it was compelled to fall back
under the weight of General A. P. Hill's division
and lost heavily; its loss being two commissioned
offices killed and two wounded, and eight men
killed and thirty-seven wounded. Its colors were
torn in fourteen places by the enemy's balls, and
two of the color bearers shot dead on the field
During the winter of 1862-3, it was transferred
to the Western department, and placed in the Sec
ond brigade, Second division, Fifteenth corps. In
the spring of 1863, it participated in General
Grant's movement to the rear of Vicksburgh, and
on the twenty-fifth of May participated in a dem
onstration in favor of an assault made on the left.
In three hours the regiment fired forty-five thou
sand rounds of cartridges. On the twenty-second

HISTORY OF KNOX COONTY

3°7

of May it led the assault on the works in General
Sherman's front. The flag of the regiment was
planted on the rebel works and guarded there until
night enabled the troops to retire. The three
leading companies of the Fifteenth suffered severe
ly, losing forty-seven men killed and wounded. It
was engaged during the siege of Vicksburgh, losing
during that time, one commissioned officer killed
and six wounded; and six men killed and forty-
eight wounded.
On the twenty-fourth of November, 1863, it
was in front of Mission Ridge, and the next day,
with a detachment of the Fourth Virginia, assault
ed and carried the outer line of the enemy's works.
Later in the day the Thirtieth and Thirty-seventh
Ohio made two unsuccessful assaults on the works
at Tunnel Hill; the Thirtieth losing thirty-nine
men killed and wounded.
In January, 1864, a sufficient number of the
men re-enlisted to make it a veteran regiment, and
in April the men came home on veteran furlough.
On the ninth of May the regiment reassembled at
Columbus, and on the tenth started south, arriving
at Kingston, Georgia, May 20th. On the twenty-
third it was on the march with Sherman's army,
moving through Dallas and Acworth to Kenesaw
Mountain, where it was engaged on the twenty-
sixth, losing thirty-five men killed and wounded.
In the severe battle before Atlanta on the twenty-
third of July, it lost twenty-seven men killed,
wounded and prisoners; and in the battle of the
twenty-eighth it was heavily engaged, losing thirty
men killed and wounded. The enemy abandoned a
stand of colors under the fire of the regiment, and
one hundred and five dead rebels were picked up
in its immediate front.
The regiment was transferred to the First bri
gade on the fifth of August, and on the twenty-
ninth those who were not veterans were mustered
out by reason of expiration of term of service.
On the night of the thirtieth of August the regi
ment went on picket within one mile of Jones
boro; and the next day the rebels attacked the
line of the First brigade, but were repulsed. In
this, engagement the regiment lost thirty-five killed
and wounded. On the second of September the
rebels evacuated Jonesboro, and the regiment pur
sued to Lovejoy station. It marched with Sher

man to the sea, and was in the assault on Fort
McAllister under Hazen, and engaged there in a
hand to hand conflict with the enemy. It was es
pecially mentioned byGeneral Hazen in his report.
The regiment accompanied Sherman's army
through the Carolinas, and was sharply engaged
with the enemy at Shilling's Bridge and Harper's
Farm. Moving with the army it participated in
the grand review at Washington, May 24th. It
was mustered out and discharged at Columbus,
Ohio, August 22, 1865, having, as a regiment,
travelled during the war a distance of thirteen
thousand two hundred miles.
THE THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT
Company C, Thirty-second Ohio volunteer in
fantry was recruited in July, 1861, in Mt. Vernon,
the officers elected being Captain James Black-
stone Banning, First Lieutenant Anthony B. Ray
mond, and Second Lieutenant Charles B. Church.
Captain Banning conducted his company to Mans
field, Ohio, August 10th, where it went into Camp
Buckingham, and became a part of Colonel
Thomas H. Ford's regiment (the Thirty-second)
then forming at that place.
Muster-roll of company C, Thirty-second Ohio
regiment, mustered into service August 31, 1861 :
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain James B. Banning, July 20, 1861.
First Lieutenant Anthony B. Raymond, July 20, i86r.
Second Lieutenant Charles B. Church, " "
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant William E. Doty, July 20, 1861.
Sergeant Leander Reed, ' '
Sergeant William L. Harrod, "
Sergeant David G. Gardner, ' '
Corporal George W. Smith, "
Corporal Elias P. Irwin, ' '
Corporal Richard Blackstone, "
Corporal George W. O' Daniel, "
PRIVATES.

Alberson, Byram,
Ashton, Joseph,
Barnehard, HughD.,
Bushfield, Josiah C,
Boyd, John C,
Barber, George,
Boone, Elry,
Bigbee, Wilson,
Beach, William,
Cutter, William,
Critchfield, James H.,
Critchfield, Samuel C,

July 20,

1861.

3o8

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Clayton, Samuel,
Camp, Lucius,
Coil, Peter,
Carpenter, Johnson,
Counts, Squire,
Davis, George W. ,
Duncan, Alexander,
Dawson, Kobert T.,
Elliott, Orange H.,
Euers, David R.,
Ervine, David,
Eaton, Gustavus A. ,
Fowler, Harrison H,
Gleeson, Jeremiah,
Glassaway, Henry C
Garce, John,
Goodwin, Hiram B.,
Gold, Adam,
Gow, William,
Helt, George,
Hawking, David,
Huvler, Jacob,
Harris, Calvin C,
Hardin, Martin V,
Hunter, John,
Harter, Andrew J.,
Harter, William,
Harter, Richard M. ,
Hatfield, Henry C,
Lewis, Washington J.,
Lewis, Friendly,
Lewis, Benjamin W.,
Leonard, William,
Latty, Milton,
Laugh, Philip,
Longworth, Solomon,
Moyer, William,
McMahon, Joseph,
Masters, Wilson,
Murphy, James,
McCollister, Noah,
O'Donell Morris,
Oram, David,
Porter, Orrin C,
Porter, David,
Post, Isaac B.,
Rowley, George,
Rigdon, William,
Rusler, George A. ,
Stevens, Euriel,
Shock, Nathaniel,
Sinking, Nathan,
Simpson, John,
Soverner, Aaron J.,
Sharp, Morris,
Simons, George W.,
Stout, Christian,
Toms, George W. ,
Taylor, William,
Underwood, Eli,
Underwood, Delano C. ,
Utter, George W.,

July 20, 186 r.

Vance, John, July 20, 1861.
Wright. Charles,
Wesevell, Wilson, "
Wirt, Joseph, "
Weitseman, William H.
Walton, Lewis L., "
Winans, John H.,
Briefly, this regiment participated in the West
Virginia campaign, and was in the battles of Green
brier, Alleghany, Monterey, McDowell, Cross
Keys, Franklin, Maryland Heights, and Harper's
Ferry. The regiment was surrendered at the latter
place by Colonel Miles, parolled and sent to Chi
cago, Illinois. After remaining there without pay
several months, nearly all the men took "French"
leave and came home. Remaining at home about
three months they were ordered to rendezvous at
Cleveland, where they nearly all reported, were
paid, and received a twenty days' furlough.
January 1, 1863, the regiment was exchanged
and sent to the front, being attached to the Seven
teenth corps. It was in the Vicksburgh campaign ;
re-enlisted in 1864, and was with Sherman in all
his marches through Georgia and the Carolinas;
was at the surrender of Johnston and in the grand
review at Washington in May, 1865.
The following is the history of this regiment,
more in detail from Ohio in the War.
On the fifteenth of September, i86r, the regiment left Camp
Dennison for West Virginia. As was the case with most, if not
all, of the first regiments from Ohio, they were poorly equipped,
and armed with the almost useless old smooth-bore musket of
by-gone days. The regiment was moved by railroad, and ar
rived at Grafton September 18, and marched the next day for
Beverly, West Virginia, where it arrived on the twenty-second.
At this point Colonel Ford reported for orders to Brigadier
General Reynolds, then commanding the district of Cheat
Mountain, with headquarters at Huttonsville, and was assigned
to the command then stationed on Cheat Mountain summit,
with Colonel Nathan Kimball, of the Fourteenth Indiana volun
teers, commanding the post.
The Thirty-second had been hurried to the field without dis
cipline of any kind, in fact, it was hardly organized^. Here,
upon the rugged heights of Cheat Mountain, amid the wild
scenery of the Alleghanies, the regiment received its first
lesson in the art of war. On the third of October, i86r, the
Thirty-second, under orders, made a forward movement and led
the advance of the army against Greenbrier, Virginia, through
the mountains and pines of that region by midnight. The
regiment remained at Greenbrier during the fall of 1861, en
gaged in watching the movements of the enemy, then com
manded by the afterward renowned rebel, General R. E. Lee.
On the thirteenth of December, part of the Thirty-second,
under command of Captain Hamilton, accompanied General
Milroy in his advance on Camp Alleghany. In his report Gen-

-li.H'.rj-, '-a: :^.;,..-

FARM AND RESIDENCE OF VEAZEY PRICE,
ONE MILE WEST OF MT. VERNON. OHIO.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

3°9

eral Milroy complimented the regiment very highly on its gal
lantry and good conduct in its charge into the camp of the
enemy. The loss of the regiment in this affair was four killed
and fourteen wounded, some severely. On its return from this
expedition, it was ordered to Beverly, where it remained the
rest of that severe winter. The time was profitably spent in
still further disciplining and organizing the regiment, which
made necessary some, changes in the roster. The following-
named officers retired, and their places were filled by promotion
from the ranks: Captain J. A. Lacy, company A; W, M.
' Stanley, company K, and J. Dyer, of Company I ; Chaplain
Nickerson; First Lieutenants C. C. Brandt, J. W. McLaugh
lin, Albert J. Spaulding, and C. C. Nichols; Second Lieuten
ants John Vanmeter, H. H. Fickel, B. F. Guck, R. F.Jackson
(adjutant), George F. Jack, W. H. H. Case and D. Stambaugh.
Surgeon John N. Mowry also retired and was succeeded by Dr.
James G. Buchanan, of Wellsville, Ohio.
Still retained in General Milroy 's command, the regiment took
the advance of the expedition under that officer, which resulted
n the capture of Camp Alleghany, Huntsville, Monterey and
McDowell. About the first of May, a further advance was
made to near Buffalo Gap, seven miles from Staunton, Va.
The enemy was met at this point, and after some severe fighting
the National forces fell back to the main army, camped at Mc
Dowell, in the Bull Pasture valley, where Generals Schenck and
Milroy had united their forces, numbering about seven thousand
men. The rebel general, Stonewall Jackson, advanced against the
National force on the eighth day of May, and was met on the
side of Bull Pasture mountain. A severe battle ensued, which
lasted from two P. M. until dark, with varied success on each
side. The National forces fell back to Franklin, West Vir
ginia, closely followed by the rebel army. In this battle, the
Thirty-second lost six killed and fifty-three wounded, some
mortally. It was the last regiment to leave the field. Lieuten
ant C. Fugate, of company E, a young officer of fine promise,
was among the mortally wounded; he died at Franklin five days
after the battle.
On the twelfth day of May, Major General Fremont, com
manding the mountain department, effected a junction with
Generals Schenck and Milroy, bringing with him about twelve
thousand men. Before this junction, however, the rebel Gen
eral Jackson had retired from the National front. The com
bined National forces lay at Franklin inactive until the twenty-
fifth day of May, when they were ordered to the support of
General Banks, then operating in the Shenandoah valley against
the rebel army under Jackson. While the army was in camp at
Franklin, the Thirty-second was transferred from Milroy 's to
Schenck's brigade, composed of the Thirty-second, Fifty-fifth,
Seventy-third, Seventy-fifth and Eighty-second, Ohio volunteer
infantry. In Fremont's pursuit of Jackson up the Shenandoah valley,
the Thirty-second bore its part and participated in the battles of
Cross Keys and Port Republic, on the eighth and ninth days of
June,' 1862. The regiment returned to Strausburgh about the
last of June, was transferred to Piatt's brigade, and moved to
Winchester, Virginia, July 5, 1862. It remained at Winches
ter doing garrison duty until the first of September, the day the
place was evacuated by General White, when the regiment
moved with the brigade to Harper's Ferry, and assisted in the
defence of that place. After making a hard fight and losing
one hundred and fifty of its number, the regiment, with the

whole command, was surrendered by the commanding officer
of the post to the enemy as prisoners of war. The history of
this unaccountable affair is yet to be written. The Thirty-sec
ond was parolled and sent to Annapolis, Maryland, whence it
was transferred to Chicago, Illinois.
In the defence of Harper's Ferry, the regiment lost some gal
lant officers 'and brave men. Captain S. R. Breese, company
H, who succeeded Captain Baxter, was killed by a musket ball,
Captain M. W. Worden lost a leg, Lieutenant A. G. Hostetter
was severely wounded in the foot, and Lieutenant E. B. Adams,
of company F, lost a hand. Colonel Ford was placed under ar
rest and sent to Washington for trial by a military commission,
on the charge of having neglected his duty in the defence of
Maryland Heights. This trial resulted in his dismissal from the
service November 8, T862, by order of the War Department.*
At Chicago the regiment became almost completely demoral
ized. It had not been paid for eight months, and many of the
men took "French leave " and went home to look after their
families. Captain B. F. Potts was sent to Columbus to ask
Governor Tod to procure an order from the War Department ,
transferring the regiment to Camp Taylor, near Cleveland.
This application was successful, and the Thirty-second, or ail
that was left of it — thirty-five men, arrived at Camp Taylor De
cember 1, 1862.
On the second of December, Captain B. F. Potts was ap
pointed by Governor Tod, lieutenant colonel of the regiment,
and that energetic officer went immediately to work "recon
structing" the command. Within ten days, order prevailed,
and eight hundred men had reported for duty. This happy re
sult was not attained, however, without decisive action in the
case of several officers, who were charged with inciting disaffec
tion and revolt among the men. Secretary Stanton, of the War
office, ordered their instant dismissal, which was consummated
on the twenty-third of December, 1862. The men were paid in
full, and, on the twelfth of January, r863, declared to be ex
changed. On the eighteenth, orders were received to proceed
to Memphis, Tennessee. In re-organizing the regiment, Lieu
tenant Colonel Potts was made colonel; Quartermaster R. H.
Bentley, lieutenant colonel ; Captain A. M. Crumbacker, major ;
Assistant Surgeon Brundige, surgeon, and Lieutenant George
Sinclair, captain. The regiment left Camp Taylor, near Cleve
land, January 20th ; reached Memphis on the twenty-fifth of
January, 1863, and was assigned to Logan's division, Seven
teenth army corps. At the battle of Champion Hills the Thir
ty-second made a bayonet charge and captured the First Missis
sippi rebel battery — men, guns and horses — with a loss of twen
ty-four men. For this gallant achievement, the captured battery
was turned over to the regiment and manned by Company F
during the entire siege of Vicksburgh. The total loss of the
regiment during the campaign and siege of Vicksburgh was
two hundred and twenty-five, rank and file. It participated in
the battles of Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills;
was in the extreme front of Logan's division when Vicksburgh
surrendered, and was assigned to post duty under General
Logan. In August, r863, the regiment accompanied Stevenson's
*The evidence afterward adduced proved almost conclusively the cor
rectness of Colonel Ford's position, and that he was not, as he always
asserted, in any way to blame for the day's disaster. That he was made
a "scapegoat" to shield the blunders of a superior officer was pretty
well established, and he was afterward re-instated by President Lincoln.
He did not, however, accept the position, but retired from the service.

3io

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

expedition to Monroe, Louisana, and McPherson's expedition
to Brownville, Mississippi, inOctober ofthe same year. It was
also with Sherman in February, 1864, at Meridian, and lost
twenty-two men at Baker's Creek, Mississippi, February 5,
r864, in which eugagement Captain W. A. McAllister was severe
ly wounded while gallantly leading the advance.
Colonel Potts had been assigned to the command of the
Second brigade, Third division, Seventeenth army corps, in
the autumn of 1863, and was thereafter but seldom in command
of the regiment. In December and January, ^63-64, more
than three-fourths of the regiment re-enhsted as veterans, and
on the fourth of March, 1864, it was furloughed home. It re
joined the army at Cairo, Illinois, on the twenty-first of April,
with its ranks largely augmented by recruits. The only change
made while at home was the addition of Dr. T. P. Bond, of
Champaign county, as assistant surgeon. On the twenty-
seventh of April, the regiment embarked at Cairo with its
division and corps, on transports, landing at Clifton. From
there it marched to Ackworth, Georgia, where it joined Gen
eral Sherman on thetenth of June, 1864. TheThirty-secondwas
identified with the movements of the Seventeenth army corps in
Sherman's advance against Atlanta ; participated in the assault
on Kennesaw mountain, June 27, 1864 and Nickajack Creek,
near Howett's Ferry, on the Chattahoochie river, July 10, 1864;
also in the battles of July, 20, 22 and 28, before Atlanta, and
lost more than half its number in killed and wounded. In the.
affair ofthe twenty-second of July, Adjutant A. G. Philipps, of
Mansfield, Ohio, was killed while encouraging the men, and
Captains Huber and Potts were severely wounded. The regi
ment was commanded, in those battles, by Lieutenant Colonel
J. J. Hibbetts, Colonel Potts being in command of the First
brigade, Fourth division, Seventeenth army corps. (On the
twelfth of January, 1865, Colonel Potts was promoted to the
rank of brigadier general, on the special recommendation of
General Sherman for gallantry before Atlanta, July 22, r864.)
After the fall of Atlanta, the Thirty-second moved with the
army in pursuit of Hood, after which it rejoined General Sher
man and accompanied him on his march to the sea.
On the tenth of December, 1864, the Thirty-second was in
the advance of the army, and contributed its share towards driv
ing the enemy into his works at Savannah. In this expedition,
the Savannah & Charleston railroad was cut, thus destroying
the enemy's communications with Charleston. On the twenty-
first of December, the regiment entered Savannah with the army,
and went into camp near Fort Thunderbolt. After the review
by General Sherman of the whole army, the Seventeenth army
corps went by transport to Beaufort, South Carolina; thence to
Pocatoligo station, on the Savannah & Charleston railroad.
On the first of February, r865, the regiment moved with the
army through the Carolinas, and, with the Thirteenth Iowa, was
the first regiment to enter Columbia. (Colonel Hibbetts, with
a mounted detachment of the regiment, entered and captured
Fayettville, North Carolina, March 10, 1865, after a severe
fight with Wade Hampton's Cavalry.)
On the twentieth and twenty-first of March, it was engaged
with the enemy at Bentonville, North Carolina, where, on the
twenty-first, Captain D. R. Potts, aid-de-camp of General B. F.
Potts, was killed while gallantly leading the skirmish line of the
brigade, in an assault on the enemy's works.
The regiment came out of the woods to see their friends at
Goldsboro, moved with the army to Raleigh, North Carolina,
and was present at the surrender of Johnson's army, May 1,

1865. It marched with the army through Richmond, Virginia,
to Washington city, where it participated in the grand review
before President Johnson and his cabinet.
The regiment remained in camp near Washington until June
8, 1865, when it took the cars for Louisville. It lay there until
July 20th, when it was mustered out of the service and pro
ceeded to Columbus, Ohio, at which place the men received
their final discharge July 26, T865.
During the stay of the Thirty-second in Washington, Lieu
tenant Colonel Hibbetts was commissioned colonel, vice B. F.
Potts, promoted ; Captain S. Guthrie was made lieutenant colo
nel and Captain Isaac B. Post, of company C promoted to ma
jor, vice Crumbacker, resigned.
The Thirty-second entered the field September r5, i86r, nine
hundred and fifty strong, and during the war received more
than one thousand six hundred recruits. Only five hundred and
sixty-five remained at its muster-out. It is believed that the
regiment lost and recruited more than any other from Ohio.
When company C came home to enj'oy its vet
eran furlough, James H. Critchfield, Edwin H.
Sprague and Isaac Cole, members of the company,
brought with them at considerable trouble and ex
pense two fifteen-inch mortar shells. These shells
had been thrown by the federal mortar-boats into
Vicksburgh, during the siege of that place. They
were buried about four feet under ground, and
were dug up by the men; each weighing, when
loaded, two hundred and thirty pounds. They
were placed upon two posts set in the ground for
that purpose on the public square in Mount
Vernon, in front ofthe Kremlin buildings, where
they were a "seven days wonder. " These shells
are now (1881) in possession of Colonel Rogers,
and serve as tops for his gate posts, at his residence
on Gambier street — former residence of George B.
Potwin. THE FORTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
Company K of the Forty-third regiment was
recruited mostly in the eastern and southern parts
of Knox county. As the Forty-third was en
camped at Mount Vernon two or three months
during the winter of 1861-2, other companies
besides company K received recruits from this
county. The camp was named Camp Andrews, in
honor of Colonel Lorin Andrews of the Fourth
Ohio; and the regiment was organized at this
camp February 7, 1862. Lieutenant Colonel
Wager Swayne was very active in recruiting the
regiment. J. L. Kirby Smith, a nephew of the
rebel General Kirby Smith, was made colonel. He
was wounded at Corinth, and died October 12,
1862.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

3"

The following extracts from a letter written in
February, 1881, by Lieutenant E. L. Lybarger, an
officer in the Forty-third, will give an idea of the
part taken by Knox county in the formation of this
regiment :
Joseph Cochran of Fredericktown, Lieutenant Ed. Dunbar of
Mount Vernon, and Captain William Walker of Milwood, were
the only persons in Knox county commissioned by the governor
to recruit companies for the Forty-third. Captain Walker
recruited sixty-nine men, or rather had credit for that number ;
I recruited not less than fifteen, while other enlisted men as
sisted in the work of filling a company. Lieutenant Dunbar, as
nearly as I can recollect, had between fifteen and twenty men.
Mr. Cochran assisted in a general way to fill the regiment, ex
pecting to be major. All efforts failing to fill the regiment up
to the minimum number, in time, two companies from the camp
of rendezvous at Lancaster were transferred to the Forty-third,
and the regimfcit was immediately organized by the consolida
tion of those companies that up to this time had not a sufficient
number to enable them to organize. This being the cofidition
of Captain Walker's company, he had the choice of separating
his men and distributing a portion among other companies,
thus gaining the first and second lieutenantcies, or of keeping
them together and being himself made captain. He left this
matter to be decided by the men, and with one accord they re
fused to be separated, preferred to lose the lieutenantcies and
make him captain of the company. This was done and the
company was afterward known as Company K, and was also
known as the Knox county company, though filled up to the
required number by Stark county men.
Those recruited by Dunbar and Cochran, were, I believe, dis
tributed between companies C and F. There were not, all told,
to exceed one hundred men from Knox county in the Forty-
third at its organization. I think ninety is nearer the number.
There, were, perhaps, between fifteen and twenty more men re
cruited and assigned to the regiment during the war, from Knox.
William Walker became captain of Company K ; E. Dunbar
second lieutenant of company F, and Joseph Cochran quarter
master of the regiment. I was promoted to second lieutenant,
April 28, 1863 ; first lieutenant in 1864, and received a captain's
commission in 1865, which I did not accept, having been ap
pointed quartermaster of the regiment, which position I retained
to the close of the war.
There were no other officers from Knox county in the regi
ment except, perhaps Sergeant Lindsey, who was promoted to a
lieutenantcy and assigned to company F. Captain William
Walker, being in a dying condition, resigned at Farmington,
Mississippi, in the spring of T862, and died at Milwood shortly
after reaching home.
Of the original sixty-nine men of Captain Walker's company,
but seventeen were mustered out with the regiment in 1865;
battles, disease and discharges account for the others.
I must say that the patriotic spirit manifested, and the gener
osity shown to the Forty-third by the citizens of Mount Vernon,
by all parties and both sexes, while the regiment was quartered
at camp Andrews, are worthy of all praise. Everything was
done by the citizens to make the soldiers comfortable, contented
and happy. The camp was daily in receipt of some token of
the people's good will in the shape of luxuries and sweet-meats

of all kinds ; while the sick in the hospital were as well cared for
and as kindly treated by the patriotic ladies as if they had been
at home with their mothers, wives and sisters.
Muster-roll of company K, Forty-third Ohio
regiment, mustered into the service February 14,
1862. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain William Walker, October 26, t86i.
First Lieutenant Moses R. Shalters, November 1, '61.
Second Lieutenant Isaac Young, December 18, '61.
PRIVATES.

Anderson, Simon, November 15,
Butts, Joseph L., November 2,
Baker, Isaac, November 20,
Bonnet, Lewis, November 13,
Bird, George, November 23,
Buck, William, November 26,
Beck, George, December 5,
Butler, Laben, December 7,
Beal, Michael, December 8,
Bluebaugh, David, December 9,
Bluebaugh, Peter, December 1.2,
Bluebaugh, Levi, December r2.
Beltz, Moses, December 13,
Boohecker, Samuel, December n,
Bates, Levi, December 21,
Calvin, Samuel Y. , December 12,
Chapin, Lyman, October 29,
Clark, Philip, November 26,
Conkle, Philip, November 26,
Clark, George W. , January 23,
Cope, John, November 28,
Cox, William, December r2,
Connell, George, November r2,
Denner, John G., November 7,
Dial, James, November 4,
Dennis, Noah, December 27,
Duck, Adams, December 10,
Edwards, Clark, November 4,
Everhart, John, December r2,
Faucett, John, November 30,
Fuller, Job, November 25,
Fabra, Anthony, November 9,
Flood, John, November 18,
Fry, Christopher, November 2r,
Fry, Samuel, December 3,
Greer, Robert, November 23,
Graham, Alexander, November 17,
Green, Francis, December 6,
Green, John C, November 6,
Grove, Samuel, January 13,
Gibson, Adam, November t8,
Hall, John M., October 29,
Hour, John, November 13,
Hawn, Marion, November 25,
Hawn, John, November 25,
Hardenger, Frederick, November 30,
Hardenger, Jacob, November 30,
Hammill,  , December r7,
Horn, Christopher, December 9,

1861.

312

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Humes, Andrew, December 9,
Huddlestown, H., November 20,
Hanna, James D. , November 15,
King, William W., November 14,
King, Anthony, December 3,
Kirklin, Andrew, December 3,
Kiger, Richard, December 4,
Logsden, Francis, November r,
Lepley, Josephus, November 13,
Lepley, Daniel, November r3,
Lybarger, Edwin, November 25 ,
Louis, Joseph, December 10,
McClain, James G. , October 28,
McClusky, Peter, October 30,
McKinzey, John W., November 2,
McKinzey, Davis, November r,
McGrevy, Henry, October 18,
Moore, Patrick, December 12,
Peigh, Henry, January 28,
Pearce, John, November 4,
Phillips, Peter, December 3,
Phillips, Joseph, January 25,
Packer, Josiah E., November 21,
Rice, Benjamin, November 9,
Ritcher, Lorrence, November 6,
Russell, Albert C„ November 25,
Ruble, Miles, November 25,
Stull, Mathew, January 25,
Sapp, William, November 1,
Shrimplin, Van B., November 1,
Shrimplin, Allen, November r,
Stull, Jeremiah, November 9,
Stull, William, November 20,
Shultz, Christopher, November 30,
Spurgen, Oliver, December 8,
Sapp, Joseph, November^,
Sells, Emanuel, November T5,
Swartz, Christopher, November 6,
Shroyer, Newton, November 27,
Snider, Frederick, November 27,
Shelder, Eli, November jr8,
Sutton, Caleb, November r6,
South, Benjamin, November 26,
South, Adam, December 9,
Speakman, James, October 2r,
Shultz, Jacob, November 9,
Taylor, Oliver, December 8,
Tym, Benjamin, DecemberJ;8,
Thompson, Arthur, December 4,
Teeters, Richard, November 8,
Ullery, Morgan, November r3,
Underwood, Obed, January 12,
Williard, Peters, November 13,
Wolf, John, Decemher 6,
Wolf, Martin, December 10,
Warner, Edward, December 7,
Walton, Richard, January r,
Workman, Jacob, December 16,
Workman, Amos, January^,
Woods, Benjamin F., November 8,
Wallace, Henry H., November 12,
Wallace, Alexander, November 12,

i86r.

i86r.

The following men of this county enlisted in
company C of this regiment, and were mustered in
December 31, 1861: PRIVATES.
Berril, Ananias, November 20, i86r.
Coffield, Jacob, December 5, "
Fry, Harry C, Decembers,
James, Origen, December n,
Munson, Henry, December 3,
Murphy, Joseph, December 5,
Neal, William, December 20,
Rockwell, Tolbert, December 12, "
Rouse, Erastus, November 20, ' '
Vance, John, November 25, "
Williams Adam, December 13, "
COMPANY F, FORTY-THIRD O. V. 1.
PRIVATES.
Barcus, Robert B. , November 26,
Curren, John, November 14,
Campbell, John, November 26,
Holloway, John, November 23,
Hall, Thomas, November 20,
Hildebrandt, James S., November 20,
Hildebrandt, H, G. , November 20,
Hall, John W., November 20,
Lindsley, John M., December 3,
Latham, William H., November r6,
Latham, John E., November 16,
Packer, Samuel, November 2,
Packer, Benjamin, November 20,
Price, Shaffer, December 2,
Stull, Jacob, January 2,
Williby, John, November 28, "
COMPANY G, FORTY-THIRD O. V. 1.
PRIVATES.
Arnold, Richard, December 25, i86r.
Armstrong, John M., December 4, "
Boyle, Ephraim D., November, 30, "
Colville, Joseph A., November 30 "
Dunbar, Edward L. , November 23, "
Knoles, Joseph L., December 24, "
Kelley, Mathias, December n, "
Robert, Amos, December 2, "
Bunyan, William H., November 27,
Black, Horatio B. , November 23, ' '
Shane, Francis L. , November 22, "
Wing, James L., November 28,
The regiment left Mount Vernon for the front
February 21, 1862, and reported to Brigadier Gen
eral John Pope, commanding the district of Mis
sissippi on the twenty-sixth of February, and was
immediately assigned to the Ohio brigade, com
posed of the Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, Forty-
third and Sixty-third regiments, First division,
army of the Mississippi.
It was but a few days before the regiment was

1862.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

313

introduced to active service, for in March, 1862,
it was under fire at New Madrid, Missouri, and in
all the operations against that post it bore a promi
nent part, especially in its final bombardment and
capture on the thirteenth and fourteenth of March.
The loss of the regiment in killed and wounded
was quite severe.
It was in the movements against Island 10, and
with the forces of General McCall in the capture of
Tiptonville, Tennessee; it was also at the battle of
Iuka, September 13, 1862. In all the operations
of the army of the Mississippi around Corinth the
Forty-third bore its part. Adjutant C. C. Hoyl
and Van Buren Shrimplin, both of Knox county,
were killed here. In the battle of the fourth of
October, the Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio claim
to have done more to save the day than any other
organizations. These regiments were posted, the
Sixty-third immediately on the right, and the Forty-
third immediately on the left of Battery Robinett,
and between that battery and Battery Williams, and
were entirely without works or protection of any
sort. The grand assault was made by the rebels
at daylight on the fourth. They opened on Bat
tery Robinett with artillery at about three hundred
yards, and at 10 a. m., led by Colonel Rogers of
the Second Texas, moved forward to the assault.
The Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio stood firmly
at their posts, and succeeded in staggering the as
saulting column, and hurling it back, at a time
when the National lines were broken, and troops
appeared to be flying from every other part of the
field. The opposing forces were but few feet apart
and fought almost hand-to-hand, and men went down
on both sides in great numbers. The casualties
among the men were very severe. In a few min
utes of fighting over one-fourth of those engaged of
the Forty-third were either killed or wounded. The
loss in the Sixty-third was nearly half of those en
gaged. During 1863, the regiment was engaged, mostly
in Tennessee in scouting, skirmishing, marching
from place to place, and doing guard duty. In
December of that year the regiment almost unani
mously re-enlisted as veterans, and came home on
furlough. Upon the expiration of the furlough, they re
turned to the front in a body, and their first skir

mish was at the taking from the rebels of Decatur,
Alabama, which they occupied until the opening of
Sherman's campaign against Atlanta.
While at Decatur the Ohio brigade was discon
tinued and a new brigade made, composed of the
Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio, Twenty-fifth Wis
consin, and Thirty-fifth New Jersey regiments, and
placed under command of Colonel John W.
Sprague, of the Sixty-third Ohio, and designated as
the Second brigade, Fourth division, Sixteenth
army corps.
The first battle in which the Forty-third was en
gaged in Sherman's victorious march, was at Re
saca, where its loss was quite severe. The next
day after the battle the regiment was engaged in
skirmishing, and the same evening (May 14th)
Sprague's brigade was sent to the support of Gen
eral Logan, who was to make an assault on the
position commanding the bridge across the Ooste-
naula. The assault was made about sunset, and it
was found necessary to send Sprague's brigade
in order to hold the ground gained by Logan.
The brigade moved forward in fine style and
not only occupied the ground from whence their
comrades were about being driven, but pushed the
Natio'nal lines up still further to the front and held
the position thus gained until the night of May
15th, against repeated attempts to dislodge them.
All that day was spent in heavy skirmishing with
the enemy. The members of the Forty-third, as
was their custom, took the advance in this mode of
fighting, and it was made a day memorable in the
annals of the regiment. The rebel skirmish line
was literally annihilated, and the dead found the
next morning where they had fallen, the-rebels hav
ing retired during the night.
At Dallas the regiment took an important part in
the advance on the enemy's position near Big
Shanty, and soon thereafter were engaged in the
siege of Kenesaw, with its deadly skirmishing,
grand cannonading, and the disastrous repulse of
the National forces on the twenty-ninth of June.
On the morning of July 22d Colonel Swayne, in
command of the Forty-third Ohio and Ninth Illi
nois mounted infantry, started for Decatur, twenty
miles distant, with a train of some fifteen hundred
wagons. The train was attacked by Iverson's rebel divis-

3M

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

ion, assigned to the duty of taking it, while Wheeler
with two other divisions were to capture Sprague
and his small command in Decatur. Through the
audacity of Colonel Sprague, combined with the
fearlessness and discipline of his command, although
repulsed in a severe fight, not a wagon was lost.
Thus was averted a calamity that must have been
fatal to the National army at that time. On entering
the town the next day it was found that the enemy
had lost over six hundred men in the fight of the
day previous, fully two-thirds 'of the National force
in action. During the remainder of the Atlanta
campaign, the Forty-third shared the trials and
glories of the Sixteenth corps ; and on the fourth
and seventh of August, particularly, in advancing
the National lines, won the thanks of Ransom, the
division commander, by splendid and steady fight
ing. After the fall of Atlanta the regiment was at
tached, in the reorganization, to the Seventeenth
corps, and joined in the pursuit of Hood; but re
turning to Atlanta joined Sherman in his " march
to the sea.''
The last battle of the Forty-third was at River's
Ridge on Sherman's march through the Carolinas,
where the gallant Swayne lost a leg. A charge was
made by the regiment on a battery which com
manded the bridge and the causeway approaching
it. Down the narrow causeway the regiment rushed
amid a storm of shot and shell, compelling the
enemy to withdraw the battery and uncover the
crossing. The regiment participated in the grand review at
Washington and was mustered out of service July
13, 1865. -
THE SIXTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
Two and a half companies from Knox county
appear in the Sixty-fifth Ohio regiment, the organ
ization of which began at Camp Buckingham,
Mansfield, Ohio, in the latter part of the summer
of 1861. Early in October of that year Mr. Alex.
ander Cassil, of Mount Vernon, was commissioned
to raise a company for this regiment. Mr. N. L.
Williams was also actively engaged in recruiting,
and together they, with others, raised two compa
nies, which subsequently became companies A and
F. These companies were largely recruited in the
eastern part of the county; Captain Cassil's, espe

cially, being raised mostly in the vicinity of Mil-
wood. These companies joined the regiment at
Camp Buckingham; Captain Cassil's joining Octo
ber 23, 1861, before it was filled to the required
number. They were filled up during the months
of October, November, and December, 1861. In
October, 1862, a draft was ordered, and forty-four
more men from Knox were assigned to this regi
ment. Following are the muster rolls of these compa
nies: Muster roll of company A. Sixty-fifth Ohio regi
ment mustered into the service December 6, 1861:
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Alexander Cassil, October ro, i86r.
First Lieutenant Albert Ellis, October 5, ' '
Second Lieutenant Jacob Hammond, October 5 "
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Oscar D. Welker, October 5, i86r.
Sergeant Franklin Pealer, October 10
Sergeant John Bady, October 10,
Sergeant Thomas McElroy, October 23,
Sergeant Stephen Craig, October ro,
Corporal Solomon Hedgington, October 19,
Corporal William Hibbits, October 5.
Corporal Freeman Snow, October 5,
Corporal Alexander Atchison, October 14,
Corporal Milton S. Sweed, October 10,
Corporal Leander Kelley, October 23,
Corporal Amos Baker, October 5,
Corporal Amos Humbert, October 10,
Drummer Nathaniel Critchfield, October 23,
Fifer Joseph Critchfield, October 5,
PRIVATES.
Beaman, Norman, October 23, t86i.
Beltz, John T., October 16,
Banbury, Solomon, October 18, "
Burris, John, October ry. "
Burris, George. December 6, ' '
Buchanan, Smith, October 23, "
Barron, James, November 2, •'
Cake, Howard, October 10, "
Colwell, Daniel, October 17, "
Cassil, Columbus D., 28, "
Ellis, Lyman, October 5, "
Farrer, Wilkinson, October r2, "
Frizzle, Allen, October 19, "
Frost, Otho, October 17, "
Frost, Levi, November r, "
Greer, Peter, October 19 "
Greenlun, Thomas, November 19, "
Greenlun, Marion, October 14, "
Greenlun, Wesley, October 14, "
Haw, Andrew, October 8, "
Hoar, Thomas. October 10, "
Hartgrove, Henry, October 23, ¦ *
Hartesty, John, October 23, "

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

3i5

Henwood, Samuel C, Novembers, l86i-
Hedington, Nathan, October 19, "
Johnston, Orange, October 5, "
Johnston, Lloyd, October 28, "
Jordon, George, October 2r, "
Lahman, Augustus, October 10, "
Larrabee, Enos, October 19, "
Lybarger, Jacob, October 8,
Lybarger, Jasper R., October 19, "
Lybarger, Alonzo C, October 10, "
Lyllie, Ransom, October 8, "
McEltoy, David, November 2,
McGugin, William, October r8,
McGugin, John, October 23,
Mavis William, October ir, "
Mavis, Linas, October rg,
Marsh, Hollis S., November 18, "
Miller, William McM., Octobers,
Mars, James, October 27, "
Miers, Joseph, November 2, "
Mathery, Simeon, November 26. ' '
Pasco, Charles H., Octobers, "
Rummel, John, October 10, "
Reghtmire, Charles H., October 5,
Stratton, John, November 8, "
Shaw, William B., October 10, "
Shellenbarger, James J., October 17, "
Stull, Martin V., October r8,
Stillinger, George, October 8, "
Stout, Joseph, October 29, "
Spindler, David, October 10, ' '
Stratton, Albert, November 20, "
Stratton, Frances, October 20, "
Tweed, Robert A., October 5, "
Turbet, John, October 2r,
Wright, Lewis A., October n, "
Wirick, James L., October n, "
Wright, Darius J, October 23,
Wolford, George, October r6,
Witt, Henry, October 8,
Welker, Clayburn, October 8,
Young, Jacob, October 23,
Young, Michael, November 2, "
Zimmerman, Daniel October 5,
Zimmerman, Jacob, October 5,
Zimmerman, David, October 10, "
Muster-roll of company F, Sixty-fifth Ohio regi
ment, mustered into the service November 30, 1861:
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain, R. M. Voorhes, October 18, 1861.
First Lieutenant, N. L. Williams, October 7,
Second Lieutenant, Jasper P. Brady, October 23, "
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Andrew J. Stiffler, October 14, 1861.
Sergeant Leander R. Houghland, October 5.
Sergeant Philip P. McCune, October 15,
Sergeant George Hoxworth, October 10,
Sergeant James W. Simpson, October 17,
Corporal John J. Albertson, October 28,
Corporal Francis H. Kleine, October 28,

Corporal Joseph S. Covert, October 5,
Corporal George W. McFadden, October 14,
Corporal William A. Bell, October 8,
Corporal David Randolph, October s,
Corporal James McMonigal, October 6,
Corporal Riley Clark, October 14,
Drummer Samuel McNulty, October 19,

1861.

Ashbaugh, Andrew, November ir,
Beitel, Herman L., October 5
Boner, Isaiah, October 17,
Bunting, William, November 9,
Brophy, John, October 10,
Byers, Jacob, October 19,
Borden, Andrew, October 25,
Brent, Edward W. , December 14,
Buckmaster, Samuel, November 30,
Crosky, Michael, October r8,
Carnahan, Gasper, October 14,
Carnahan, William, November 4,
Corberant, Francis, November 4,
Collins, Augustus November 5,
Corroman, Alex M., November 2,
Durler, Fredrick, October 10,
Douglass John, October 28,
Day, William, October 15,
Ewalt, John, October 26,
Foster, Arlington, October 31,
Funk, Jethro, November 14,
Fogle, Henry, October 23,
Gwin, Noah C. , November 2,
Goodrich, Loyd, October 12,
Goodrich, Louis, November r4,
Garret, John, November r8,
Hudnot, John, November 6,
Hile, John, November 4,
Huffman, Henry, October n,
Hupp, Harvey, October 22,
Johnson, George, October 12,
Jennings, Charles, November 27,
Knox, Andrew, October 28,
Krow, George W., October 16,
Kidd, John C, October r9,
Lucas, Robert O., October 26,
Low, George W., October 15,
Lynch, Hiram, October 10;
Miller, Hiram D. , October 12,
McCormick, Ebenezer, October 19,
Moore, William A. , October 28,
McCune, James W, October 28,
McBride, Michael, October 30,
McCarty, Josephus, October 8,
McConky, George, October 25,
Miers, George, October 30,
Miers, Azro, October 3r,
Montacue, Benjamin, November 12,
Neiswander, James, October 8,
Peters, JohnW., October 22,
Peters, Daniel M. , November 9,
Pyers, David, November '2,
Pierce, William, November 27,

i86r.

3i6

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Rinehart, Abraham, November 2, 1861.
Ray, Charles N., November 6, "
Rinehart, Preston, N., November 14, "
Rowley, Jerome R., November 21,
Speelman, George J., October 8,
Sowash, John, October 8,
Sprague, Benjamin F., October 8,
Simpkerson, George G., October 31,
Snyder, Simon, November 2,
Steele, Charles, November 2, ' '
Shreve, William N, November 6,
Shirts, Samuel E. , October 29,
Shafer, Joseph, October 8,
Snyder, David C. , October 9,
Swackhammer, George, November 3, "
Tuttle, Joel, October T7,
Voorhies, C. E., October rs,
Wollard, Joseph, October 19,
Woods, Hugh, October 22,
Waegley, William N., November 1,
Boner, Andrew J., October 23.
Close, Joseph, October 12,
Speakman, James, October 19,
Anthony, William, October 22,
Page, William Warner, October Tg,
Packer, George, October 22,
Packer, James, October 22,
Keefer, Frederick, October 28,
Drafted men called into service; assigned to the
Sixty-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, and rnustered
into the service November 11, 1862:

Adams, Allison,
Barret, Thomas,
Burnett, Thomas S.,
Brown, George M.,
Bushfield, George E. ,
Bedell, Warren,
Bricker, William,
Cain, Robert,
Cain, James B. ,
Coleman, John,
Clark, Allen,
Clutter, Walden,
Clark, Thomas,
Culbertson, Milo,
Connell, John,
Day, Jehiel F.,
Doup, George,
Dickerson, Barrick,
Everett, William S.,
Headington, Clark,
Hinkle, Henry,
Huber, David,
Hess, Abraham,
Iden, Mahlon,
Kald, Josephs.,
Kirkpatrick, S. G,
Kost, Delonn,
McElroy, James,

October ro. 1862.

Myers, Joseph, October ro, r862.
Parmenter, George,
Park, Madison,
Pinkley, John, "
Roof, Perry,
Rockwell, Daniel B.,
Ransom, Robert B.,
Shaffer, Matthias,,
Simpkins, Selah,
Smith, Levi,
Taylor, Hugh A.,
Thompson, David,
Vian, Elijah,
Witherow, William J.,
Weller, Henry,
Farmer, Van Buren,
The Sixty-fifth became a part of the "Sherman
brigade " and was mustered into the service, Dec
ember ist, 1861. On the eighteenth ofthe same
month it moved to Louisville by way of Cincinnati,
where it remained a week and then marched to
Camp Morton, four miles east of Bardstown, where
it arrived on the thirtieth of December. It was
brigaded with the Sixty-fourth Ohio, Fifty-first
Indiana and Ninth Kentucky. Colonel Harker of
the Sixty-fifth commanded the brigade and Gen
eral Wood the division.
January 13, 1862, the brigade broke camp and
passing through Bardstown, Springfield, Lebanon,
Haysville, Danville, and Stanford, Kentucky, ar
rived at Hall's Gap on the twenty-fourth. The
regiment was ordered to Corduroy roads, the
country being swampy. The labor was severe and
miasma engendered disease to such a degree that
many of the men died. February 7th the regi
ment marched to Lebanon and on the twelfth
embarked on the cars for Green river. It arrived
at Camp Woods, near Mumfordsville, on the thir
teenth, where it remained until the twenty-third
when it crossed Green river on the railroad bridge,
and passing Bowling Green, Franklin, Tyree
Springs and Goodlettsville, arrived at Nashville,
March 13th, and went into camp two and a half
miles southeast of the city.
On the twenty-ninth of March, with General
Garfield in command, the brigade marched by
way of Columbia to Savannah, where it arrived on
the sixth of April, and on the morning of the
seventh it moved on steamer to Pittsburgh Land
ing. At 4 p. m. it was on the battlefield, but did
not become actively engaged; however it lost two

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

3i7

men wounded. It participated in the movements
against Corinth, and during the siege was under
fire almost hourly. After the evacuation of Corinth
and during the remainder of the summer and fall
it was engaged in marching and countermarching
to various places.
In the reorganization of the army at Nashville
under General Rosecrans the regiment remained
in its old brigade, Colonel Harker commanding.
On the twenty-sixth of December the brigade
moved on the Nashville Pike, in Crittenden's corps,
fighting its way into Lavergne, across Stewart's
Creek and up to Stone river. On the night of the
twenty-ninth the brigade crossed Stone river under
orders, the men wading in water to their arm-pits
in the face of a murderous fire. The opposite
bank was gained and a line formed, but the sup
ports failed to come up, and the brigade was
ordered to retire, which it did in good order.
Crittenden's corps lay on its arms all night and dur
ing the whole of the next day; it was waiting for
McCook to move on the right. Early on the
morning ofthe thirty-first McCook's corps was driven
back, and Harker's brigade was ordered to its sup
port. The brigade met a storm of bullets and a solid
column of exultant rebels. For eight hours the
brigade was heavily engaged and at last succeeded
in checking the rebel army. All the commissioned
officers of company A were either killed or
wounded, and Sergeant Culbertson Henwood
bravely took command and led it through the bat
tle. He was promoted to second lieutenant by
Governor Tod. The regiment was under fire dur
ing the entire engagement, and lost heavily.
The following letter from Lieutenant Colonel
Alexander Cassil, now a resident of Mt. Vernon,
written shortly after the battle, speaks for itself.
Captain Cassil, of company A, was promoted to
lieutenant colonel August 8, 1862, and commanded
the regiment at the battle of Stone river.

-}

Headquarters 65TH O. V. I.,
Near Murfreesborough, Tennessee,
January g, T863.
W. C. Cooper, Esq.— Dear Sir: The great battle of Mur
freesborough (Stone River) has been fought ; the roar of the can
non has ceased for the present; the smoke of the battlefield has
partially cleared away; the dead have been buried; the wounded
are being cared for as well as circumstances will permit, and I
am sufficiently recovered from my injuries received on the mem
orable thirty-first of December, r862, to sit up for a short time.

and propose to occupy that time in writing you a brief note.
My injuries were received by my horse being shot under me, and
the ground being rough and rocky, he fell on me, bruising me
badly, but not seriously or dangerously I also received a slight
wound in the hand from a bullet. But my wounds are nothing
when compared with many, very many others.
It is not my purpose to try to give a history of the battle; I
will leave that for those whose business it is; nor is it my pur
pose to enter into detail concerning the part that the Sixty-fifth
regiment took in the engagement; an official report will be made
of this. Neither is it my intention to pass u eulogy on the
brave dead and wounded of our regiment, or to speak glowingly
of the deeds of the survivors ; a glance at our casualties, a con
templation of our decimated ranks, speaks more eloquently of
their worth, of their bravery, of their daring, of their self-sacri
ficing devotion to their country's honor, than anything I could
say. One thing permit me to say: that so long as life endures
or memory lasts, I will remember with pride that I had the
honor to command so noble a band of patriots in this great
struggle as were and are to be found in the Sixty-fifth regiment.
But my purpose is to ask you, through the columns of the Re
publican, to give to the relatives, friends and neighbors of com
pany A a correct report of the casualties in said company,
which I had the honor of bringing into the service, and com
manding as their captain for one year.
The Sixty-fifth regiment went into the fight with fifteen com
missioned officers, and about four hundred men present. Our
loss is two commissioned officers and thirty-two non-commis
sioned officers and privates killed; nine commissioned officers
and one hundred and two non-commisssioned officers and pri
vates wounded, and about thiity privates missing.
The casualties of company A are as follows:
Killed. — Sergeant William Hibbets; privates William Buchan-
nan and Milan Hammell.
Wounded, and since died. — Corporal Daniel Colwell and pri
vate Jacob Young.
Wounded, and still living. — Second Lieutenant Franklin
Pealer, thigh broken; corporals M. S. Tweed, in the hip; Amos
Humbert, in the arm, severely; Augustus Laham, breast, sever-
ly; Peter Greer, breast, severely; James Mears, leg and arm,
severely; privates Loyd Johnson, hand, slightly; Lines Mavis.
shoulder, slightly; Joel Wymer, shoulder, severely; Jacob Ly
barger, arm and shoulder, severely; Jasper R. Lybarger, leg,
severely; James Shellenberger, foot, severely; Hollis L. Marsh,
leg, severely.
Missing. — Privates James L. Wyrick, Allen Frizzle, Andrew
How and James McElroy,
Of the men of Knox county who were enlisted by Lieutenant
N. L. Williams, the following were wounded: Privates William
Day, in the shoulder; Joseph Shaffer, in the ankle.
Casualties among the drafted men from Knox county, as far
as I could learn are: S. C. Kirkpatrick, wounded in the leg,
slightly; George Brown, in leg, slightly; William Errett and
Thomas Clark, missing.
All I might say in praise of those brave men would not restore
to bereaved friends their dead, nor alleviate the sufferings of the
wounded, nor add additional laurels to the brow of the living;
but the least that I can say is, that those who fell, fell bravely
and manfully, battling for the right.
The wounded are patient, yes, ever cheerful, under their mis
fortunes, and those who escaped uninjured are in good spirits
and ready to again meet the enemies of our common country in

3i8

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

deadly conflict, until treason is put down, and every man leams
to acknowledge the supremacy of the constitution and the laws.
Alex. Cassil, Lt. Col. 65th Regt. O. V. I.
The following interesting items, regarding com
pany A, are from a private correspondence. The
writer says, regarding the siege of Corinth :
From April 8th to June rst it was one continuous battle, the
history of which has never been written, nor will it ever be.
Captain Cassil was the first in the regiment to receive a gun
shot wound. As usual he was acting in the capacity of field of
ficer, and was ordered out with six companies to relieve another
regiment on picket duty. After posting his men he made his
way cautiously to the picket line with a Springfield rifle in his
hand. Picket firing was popular, and the besieged and besieg
ers were continually popping away at each other. The cap
tain was anxious for a shot, and secreted himself behind some
bushes to watch for <* chance. There was an open field in *
front, with a fence hidden by bushes on the opposite side of it.
The captain shortly made a discovery and fired after deliberate
aim, at the same instant that the rebel, at whom his shot was
aimed, fired upon him. Captain Cassil was slightly wounded.
Much sickness prevailed in the army during this siege, and two
of company A, C. D. Cassil and Robert Tweed, died. Wil
liam Shaw and Jacob Zimmerman subsequently died from
disease contracted here.
Prior to December, 1862, some changes occurred
among the officers of company A. Captain Cassil
had been promoted to lieutenant-colonel; Lieuten
ants Ellis and Hammond had resigned; Sergeant
Walker had been promoted to second and then to
first lieutenant, and sergeant B. F. Pealer had been
promoted to second lieutenant. Thus organized,
the advance on Murfreesborough began, with com
pany A on the skirmish line. The operations of
the regiment in this battle have been given.
After the battle the regiment remained at Mur
freesborough until June 7, 1863, when it moved
to the vicinity of Chattanooga, and on the seventh
of September skirmished with the enemy, losing
one man. During the first day of the battle of
Chickamauga the regiment was held in reserve at
Lee & Gordon's mills until five o'clock in the
afternoon, when it became briskly engaged. It
moved to the left centre and lay on its arms all
night. At 10 a. m. the next day it advanced about
a mile, but was driven back to a ridge on which it
re-formed. Fighting continued all day with alter
nate success and reverse. On the night of the
second the army fell back to Mission Ridge, and
from there to Chattanooga. In this engagement
the regiment lost three officers killed and five
wounded, and thirteen men killed, sixty wounded,

and twenty-four missing. During the siege at
Chattanooga supplies became exceedingly scarce,
and men and animals suffered greatly. The regi
ment participated in the battle of Mission Ridge
with a loss of one officer wounded, and one man
killed, and thirteen wounded.
In the Atlanta campaign the Sixty-fifth was
under fire almost constantly. At Lookout Moun
tain it lost three men wounded and one missing.
At Resaca it lost one officer wounded, one man
killed, and four wounded. At Marietta it lost one
officer killed, one man killed, and ten wounded.
In a skirmish near Kennesaw it lost two men
wounded, and in the charge on Kenesaw it lost one
officer killed, one wounded, and two men killed,
and six wounded. In this charge Brigadier-Gen
eral Harker, formerly colonel of the Sixty-fifth,
was killed.
The following item regarding this gallant officer
is from the Cincinnati Gazette, published about the
time the battle, was fought :
When Harker perceived that his column had halted, and that
the men were lying under the crest of a ridge, he rode forward
and asked Colonel Bradley (Fortieth Indiana), who commanded
one wing of the brigade, if he did not think it best to venture
another charge. Colonel Bradley replied that he believed the
men's energies had already been tested to the utmost. "At
least, " said Harker, "we may try what can be done ;" saying
which he galloped up to his men, took off his hat, waved it and
called upon them to follow him. Animated by the voice of their
beloved leader the soldiers sprang to their feet and rushed after
him to the crest of the hill. Alas! the first volley from the rebel
works disabled every man near the general, and the heroic Har
ker himself reeled and fell from his saddle. A bullet had shat
tered his arm, entered his side and passed through his body.
There were those who loved him and who, in spite of death and
danger, bore him from the field. A few hours after, he breathed
his last, dying as he lived, a soldier, a patriot and a Christian.
Thus fell one of the brightest ornaments of the service; one of
the most loved and valued officers. Since the beginning of the
war Ohio has laid no costlier sacrifice upon the alter of our
country's freedom than the life of General Charles G. Harker.
Knox county was well represented at this terrible
battle and many a gallant life went out. Captain
N. L. Williams was also killed here while leading
his men to the assault on the enemy's works. He
was among the first to leap the works, and at the
head of his column fell mortally wounded, being
struck in the head by a musket ball. He was one
of the best of officers, ever ready and faithful in the
discharge of his duties. At a subsequent meeting
of the officers of the Sixty-fifth appropriate resolu-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

310

tions were adopted, expressive of their sentiments
regarding the death of Captain Williams.
Following the battle of Kennesaw came that at
Peachtree Creek, where the regiment lost four men
wounded and one missing; and at Atlanta on the
twenty-second of July, it lost one man killed and
one wounded. The regiment participated in the
flanking movement to Jonesboro'; and from there
advanced to Lovejoy. After the evacuation of At
lanta it fell back to that place and went into camp.
Here it remained about three weeks and then moved
in pursuit of Hood.
On the twenty-ninth of November the regiment
participated in the battle of Springfield, losing two
officers wounded (one of whom was captured), and
five men killed, twenty wounded and fourteen miss
ing. On the thirtieth of November it was engaged
in the battle of Franklin, with a loss of one man
killed, twenty-two wounded and twenty-one miss
ing. The non-veterans were discharged on the
third of October, 1864, leaving the regiment with
an aggregate of one hundred and thirty men. The
regiment was engaged in the battle of Nashville
and pursuit of the rebel army across the Tennessee,
after which it went into camp at Nashville, where
it remained until June, 1865, when it went to New
Orleans and into Texas. It performed garrison
duty at San Antonio until December, 1865, when
it was ordered to Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio,
where it was mustered out, paid off and discharged
January 2, 1866.

CHAPTER XXXV.
WAR OF THE REBELLION— CONTINUED.
Companies A and B, Ninety-sixth Regiment — Organi
zation— Field Officers — Muster Rolls — Outline His
tory of the Regiment while in Service— Colonel J.
W. Vance — Muster Out.
UPON the call of the President for troops in the
summer of 1862, four companies were imme
diately raised in Knox county. The two first com
pleted went into the Ninety-sixth Ohio, and the
other two into the One Hundred and Twenty-first.
Joseph W. Vance, a young and promising lawyer

of Mt. Vernon, who had been loyal and active in
all that was being done to sustain the Government,
was commissioned to form a regiment in the
Eighth Congressional district. This regiment ren
dezvoused at Camp Delaware, became the Ninety-
sixth, and the two companies from Mt. Vernon
were, through the influence probably of Colonel
Vance, assigned positions at the head of the regi
ment, and became companies A and B.
The field and line officers of this regiment were
largely composed of those who had seen service
in other regiments. Colonel Vance was without
military knowledge, but courageous and able ; Lieu
tenant Colonel A. H. Brown had seen service in
Mexico, and had also been a captain in the Fourth
Ohio, both in the three months' and three years'
service. The major, Charles H. McElroy, had
been a captain in the Twentieth Ohio.
The officers of company A upon its first organ
ization were Captain William Mitchell, First Lieu
tenant William Young, Second Lieutenant George
H. Terry. Captain Mitchell had been for several
years superintendent and manager of the public
schools of Mt. Vernon.
The officers of company B upon its first organi
zation were Captain Joseph Leonard, First Lieu
tenant Henry P. Bennett, Second Lieutenant Wil
liam S. Wing.
These two companies bade adieu to their friends
and left for Camp Delaware early in August, 1862,
and on the twenty-ninth of the same month the
Ninety-sixth regiment was organized. It numbered
one thousand and fourteen men, rank and file.
The following list comprises the names of the
members company A, Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteer
infantry, with the date of enlistment:
commissioned officers.
Captain William Mitchell, July 21, '62.
First Lieutenant William M. Young, August 5, '62.
Second Lieutenant George H. Terry, July 23, '62.
non-commissioned officers.
Orderly Sergeant Lewis H. Mitchell.
Sergeant William Roberts, August 6, '62.
Sergeant John M. Ewalt, " 5, '62.
Sergeant George Trone " 6, '62.
Sergeant Spencer D. Lincoln, " 2, '62.
First Corporal John H. Knode.
Corporal George H. Lybarger, August 5, '62.
Corporal Daniel N. Cooper, " 2, '62.
Corporal Alfred R. Mclntyre " 9, '62.

32°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Corporal Albert C. Williams, August 7,
Corporal Edward W. McGiffin,
Corporal Percival Pumphrey,
Corporal George E. Browning
Musician Thomas F. Kirk,
Musician Thomas R. Bowland,
Musician Charles H. Lauderbaugh

62.
2, '62.
7, '62.
x, '62.
2, '62.
2, '62.
February 29, '64.

Wagoner Newton A. Chambers, August 8, '62.
PRIVATES.
Anthony, George W. August 7, '62.
Armstrong, James C, August 7, '62.
Beam, Isaac W., August 5, '62.
Bender, Mirtin, August 4, '62.
Blocher, D. E., October 3, '64.
Borden, Nathaniel B. , August 6, '62.
Bostwick, Henry C, July 28, '62.
Bounds, Isaac N., February 29, '64.
Bowers, Charles, August 8, '62.
Briggs, Adaniram J., August 6, '62.
Brock, William, August 7, '62.
Browning, Rolland P. , August 4, '62.
Carson, George A. , August 5, '62.
Case, Aaron, August 4, '62.
Chadwick, Daniel, August 4, '62.
Clements, James H. , August 4, '62. '
Conger, Madison, August 4, '62.
Cummins, Albert, August 4, '62.
Devoe, James W. , August 7, '62.
DeWitt, John W., March 9, '62.
Disney, Judson, August 8, '62.
Dodd, Levi N., August 7, '62.
Emmens, Albert, August 9, '62,
Finnarty, George W., August 6, '62,
Fordney, William, August 7, '62.
Fuller, George S. , February 28, '64.
Graff, James K. P., August 7, '62.
Green, William, August 8, '62.
Hayes, Olney K., August '62.
Herrington, James H,, August 8, '62
Hildreth, George E., August 6, '62.
Hildreth, Henry M., August 28, '62.
Hildreth, Veloscoe, August 1, '62.
Hoffman, Levi L., August 8, '62.
Hoffman, James M., August 9, '62.
Hutton, James T., July 29, '62.
Jackson, John W., August 9. '62.
Karror, Henry, October 3, '64.
Keller, John, August 9, '62.
Kirby, Eben B., August 9, '62.
Kirk, John E., August 8, '62.
Knode, McNeil, August 2, '62.
Kring, Isaac, August 7, '62.
Lamson, Alvin, August 8, '62.
Lauderbaugh, Hugh, August 7, '62.
Lawton, Peter, August 7, '62.
Magaw, John, August 4, '62,
Martin, Joel R. P., August 2, '62.
Martin, William C, July 31, '62.
McCulloch, Barney, August 2, '62.
McElroy, John, February 2x, '64.
McGrady, Daniel W., July 28, '62.

McGraw, William, August r, '62.
McGrew, William A., August 4, '62.
Meeker, Norton A., August 8, '62.
Mitzger, Charles E., October 3, '64.
Moody, John R., August 8, '62.
Moore, Aaron B., August 6, '62.
Pierce, Isaac, August 8, '62.
Penrose, Henry, Augus^8, 62.
Phillips. Thomas R., August 5, '62.
Porter, William, August r, '62.
Pitkin, Ebenezer, August I, '62.
Premer, Philo, August 7, '62.
Rigler, George, August 5, '62.
Rizor, Benjamin, August r, '62.
Robertson, Jesse P., August 5, '62.
Roupe, George, August 7, '62.
Roupe, Jacob, August 7, '62.
Roupe, Michael, August 7, '62.
Small, Samuel, February 21, '64.
Sperry, Wilmot, August 5, '62.
Sprague, Braley, August 19, '62.
Stull, George W. , February 24, '64.
Tarr, John, August 9, '62.
Tathwell, Edwin, August 5, '62.
Taylor, John W., August 2, '62.
Terrill, M. L., August 9, '62.
Thompson, Eugene I., July 30, '62.
Tilten, George H., August 2, '62.
Trimble, Thomas H., August 4, 62.
Vance, Harvey, August 4, '62.
Ward, Jonas, August 8, '62.
Warden, Charles H. , August 9, '62.
Watkins, Nathaniel D. , August 5, '62.
Welch, Joseph B., March 29, '64.
Whitney, Walter S., August 2, '62.
Williams, Lewis H., January 2, '64.
Woods, Josiah, July 3, '62.
Wright, George, August 9, '62.
Wright, Joseph P., August 9, '62.
Zimmerman, Andrew J., August 9, '62.
The following list comprises the members of
company B, Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry,
with date of enlistment: COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Joseph Leonard, July 21, X862.
First Lieutenant Henry P. Bennett, August r2, "
Second Lieutenant William S. Wing, July 23, "
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Phineas Faucett, August n, r862.
Sergeant M. J. Bennett, August 15,
Sergeant Henry L. Badger, July 25,
Sergeant George W. Lore, August 12,
Sergeant William H. Mast, August r2,
First Corporal Joseph T. Jacobs, August xx,
Corporal David Bonar, August 11,
Corporal Henry B. Snediker, August T2,
Corporal Daniel G. Anderson, July 25,
Corporal Thornton F. Black, August 9,
Corporal John T. Trusdell, August 11,
Corporal William E. Burk, August n,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

321

Corporal John A. Peoples, August 12,
Musician W. S. McGinley, August 13,
Musician Columbus D. Popham, August ir,
Wagoner William H. Wright, August 11,
PRIVATES.
Beck, Jonas, August 12, 1862.
Black, Lyman W., August 9,
Barker, Ziba B., August 11, "
Ball, Thomas J., August 11,
Beers, Theodore L., August 13, "
Barnes, Wilbert E. , August 9,
Barnes, Wilson, August 11,
Barker, Patterson, August 11,
Ball, John N, August 13,
Bennett, James, August 6,
Burrows, Frederick S.,
Burr, Jesse T, August 15, "
Carpenter, Evan, August 12,
Calhoun, Andrew, August 9,
Craven, John H., August 11,
Colwell, William H., August 11,
Craft, Frank, August it,
Craig, Nathan, August 11,
Dickson, Alfred J., August 12, "
Davis, Norman, August 12,
Dowds, William B., August 11,
Durbin, Benjamin, August 11,
Dush, Calvin, August 13,
Edgar, Jesse K., August 12,
Eggleston, Hiram, August 11,
Fabes, William R., August 12,
Farquhar, Valentine, August 9,
Feaster, Jacob, August 13,
Greenlee, Barnet B., August 13,
Heweler, George W., August 13, "
Hardin, Job, August 11,
Habbs, Samuel M., August 11,
Hardin, Solomon, August 12,
Hardinger, George, August 12,
Hess, John, August 9,
Hibbetts, Thomas, August 9,
Hardin, John, August 11,
Henry, Daniel, August 12,
Hess, Samuel A., August 12,
Hill, Franklin, February 2, 1864.
Ireland, David D. , August 13, 1862.
Kring, William, August 11,
Keefer, Daniel, August 11,
Lafever, William P., August xo,
Lemmar, George, August 7.
Link, William, August 11,
Lafferee, William McH., August 11,
Lewis Milford, August 11,
Myers, James, August 7,
McClurg, George, August 9,
Morrison, Samuel, August 13,
Minard, Nathan W., August 11,
Oxley, Jeremiah, August 12,
Penrose, Morris, August 12,
Phillips, Ira M. , August 12,
Parker, Thomas, August 12,

1862.

Rhodes, Benjamin, August 2, 1862
Redding, Marquis D. L., August 13,
Rowley, John R., August ii,
Rice, John, August 12,
Reynolds, John P., July 25,
Robinson, Squire, August 9,
Stokes, Samuel, August 11,
Severns, Loring L., August 9,
Shirr, Benjamin, August ii,
Smith, John B., August 11,
Severns, Henry H., August 11,
Slaymon, Tohn, August 12,
Scarbrough, William H., August n,
Stilley, Robert T., August 12,
Tressel, John C. , August 8,
Fish, George W., August n,
Thayer, Alfred A., August 13,
Thayer, Isaiah J., August 13,
Tress, Charles, July 25,
Walter, John W., January 16, 1864.
Wright, David, August 11, 1862.
Wright, William A., August 11,
Workman, Zachariah, August 12,
Weirich, George, August 13,
Walker, John W., August 12,
Walter, Orin L., August 11,
Wheatcraft, Cyrenius, August 9,
Young, Jacob, August 11,
Walter, George A., February xi, 1864.
September ist the regiment left Camp Delaware
and the same night went into quarters at Coving
ton, Kentucky. On the eighth it went into camp
three miles back of Newport, Kentucky, and occu
pied the advance on a part of the Federal lines
during the threatened advance upon Cincinnati of
General Kirby Smith. October 8th the regiment
marched to Falmouth, Kentucky, where it remain
ed until the twentieth, when it marched to Nicho
las ville, arriving there November ist, and remaining
about a week when it went to Louisville. Leaving
the latter place on the nineteenth of November it
reached Memphis and went into camp on the twen
ty-seventh. December 21st it embarked at Memphis as part
of the expedition under command of General W.
T. Sherman, destined "down the river." On the
twenty-fifth of December it landed at Millikin's
Bend, Louisana, and made a forced march with the
brigade, under command of General Burbridge, to
Dallas Station, on the Vicksburgh, Shreveport &
Tensas railroad ; destroyed the bridge across the
Tensas and about a mile of track and trestlework.
It returned the next day to the transports, having
marclied fifty miles in two and a half days, destroy-

322

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

ing a large amount of railroad property, and burned
several depots of rebel cotton. The next day it
followed the army to Johnston's Landing, on the
Yazoo river; landed the same night and marched
out to Chickasaw Bayou. Getting into position at
10, A. m., the regiment took part in the first attack
on Vicksburgh. It returned with the army and
embarked for "up the river" January i, 1863.
On the tenth of January, 1863, it landed near
Arkansas Post, and on the eleventh engaged in the
severe battle at that place, resulting in the capture
of the rebel forces and works. Companies A and
B were in the thickest of the battle and suffered
some loss. In company A, Corporal E. W. Mc.
Giffin, V. B. Hildreth, and J. H. Clements were
killed, and Sergeant George Thome, J. T. Hutton;
Norton A. Meker, and Jesse P. Robertson were
wounded. Hutton subsequently died of wounds
received there. The loss in the regiment in this
battle was ten killed and twenty-six wounded.
The regiment returned to Young's Point, Louis
iana, January 25, 1863; accompanied the army in
its flanking movement to the rear of Vicksburgh
and took part in the siege of that city until its sur.
render July 4, 1863. Although under fire almost
daily while working in the trenches, or occupying
their camp, no casualties appear in the Knox coun_
ty companies at Vicksburgh. The rebel Genera]
Bowen and Colonel Montgomery, who came into
our lines July 3d, under flag of truce to negotiate
for the surrender, were met by Captain Leonard, of
Company B, and conducted to the headquarters of
General A. J. Smith.
The day after the surrender the regiment was or
dered to Jackson, and took part in ithe siege of
that place up to its evacuation, July 17th, then
marched to Bryant's Station and Dry Creek, thence
to Vicksburgh. It went by river to Carrollton,
Louisiana, August 26th, and from that point made
several short expeditions and scouts. It moved to
Brasher City October 3d, and took part in the
Teche campaign.
The battle of Grand Coteau, a desperate fight
against overwhelming numbers, . occurred on the
third of November. The regiment lost nine killed,
thirty-three wounded, and sixty-eight taken prisoners.
This was one of the most desperate battles in
which the Knox county boys were engaged, and

companies A and B shared their proportion of the
loss. The losses in company A were as follows :
George E. Browning, wounded — afterwards died.
Norton A. Meeker,
Edwin T. Tathwell,
M. L. Ten-ill,
Andrew J. Zimmerman, "
James W. Devoe, prisoner.
J. R. P. Martin,
William C. Martin, "
William A. McGrew, "
Bailey Sprague, ' '
The losses in company B were —
Jacob Young, killed.
William H. Scarborough, wounded, and George W. Lore,
Joseph T. Jacobs, Norris Penrose, John P. Reynolds, George
W. Fish, and Zachariah Workmen, prisoners.
Nearly if not quite all these prisoners were sub
sequently exchanged and rejoined their commands.
This battle has been variously designated as
"Bayou Bouf" and "Bayou Bourdeux," but Grand
Coteau is the name generally adopted. It oc
curred six miles south of Opelousas, Louisiana.
The following vivid picture of this battle is from
the pen of Dr. J. T. Woods, the surgeon of the
Ninety-sixth :
At two o'clock on the morning of the third (November)
Colonel Brown, of the Ninety-sixth, received a request from
General Burbridge to call immediately at his headquarters. The
general at that late hour was busily engaged in writing. This
interview was private and confidential, in which he notified the
colonel that there was not the least doubt but that early in the
day the command would be attacked by overwhelming numbers.
He explained fully all the details, and notified him as to what
he should expect of his regiment. Very early in the morning a
council was held, in which all the commanding officers of regi
ments were present. The general explained to them the ex
pected attack, and directed them to adopt every precaution in
their separate commands to secure their entire strength and effi
ciency in the coming struggle.
Colonel Brown proceeded immediately to give certain orders
to his officeis. Then followed quickly the sounds of busy
preparation. Every where was heard the click, click, of the
rising hammer, and then the sharp explosion of the caps, by
which it was known that the tube was open; and the clear ring
of the rammer as it was dropped into the barrel satisfied the
soldier that he could rely upon his musket to do faithful execu
tion in the moment of need. Cartridge boxes were carefully
packed with forty rounds, and canteens filled with water.
It was scarcely 10 A. M. when the sharp picket-firing in the
distance confirmed our expectations, and at twelve our retreat
ing cavalry gave notice of the enemy's approach. The thrilling
long-roll called every man to arms. In calm, calculating haste
each man donned his battle trappings, and with cloek-work pre
cision fell into line.
Marching directly on the road that turned to the left close to

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

323

the right of our camp, the rebel infantry advanced in force,
while clouds of cavalry emerged from the woods, and deployed
on the flanks of their infantry, scattering like wild Comanches
and enveloping our camp.
Not an instant is lost in preparation. Our line of battle faces
the woods on the right, close to and at right angles with our
camp. The Sixty-seventh Indiana, in open prairie on our left,
supports two guns of the Seventeenth Ohio battery. The
Ninety-sixth Ohio and Sixtieth Indiana, with the remaining
guns, form the centre. The Twenty-third Wisconsin, a little
delayed in reaching its position, forms the right of our line.
This disposition is scarcely completed, and we are face to face
with more than eight thousand men, and the battle of Grand
Coteau commences.
A part of the Sixtieth Indiana deploys as. skirmishers, and
promptly advance into the infested woods. Gallantry is un
availing against the frightful odds, and the whole regiment ad
vances to its support. They are few in number, and against
them are hurled massed lines of battle. The quick crack of the
skirmish rifle is followed by the crash of musketry, Undis
mayed by terrible loss they fall steadily back, leaving not an
inch of ground uncontested.
A vindictive fight rages along the entire front. ' ' Forward,
Ninety-sixth," sends them to meet the solid lines of gray, and
full in each other's faces the deadly volleys are exchanged. It
is a host against which a handful of stout-hearted men are bat
tling, and which it is impossible for them to withstand. Defi
antly both Ninety-sixth and Sixtieth fall back.
A cloud of cavalry is swooping down on the Sixty-seventh
and the two pieces of artillery on the prairie to our left. The
regiment quickly forms a hollow square to receive the cavalry.
In doing so a gap is left in our line, and it is entirely de
tached from support. A command to reform and move to the
right to fill the gap is instantly sent by General Burbridge. In
attempting to execute this manoeuvre under fire it becomes
confused, and from confusion it is quickly panic-stricken. The
fierce cavalry sweep like a whirlwind among the men with gleam
ing sabres; the swift riders enfold them, and almost without re
sistance march them away captive before our eyes.
The men of the Twenty-third Wisconsin, on our extreme right,
are enveloped in smoke, but here, as everywhere, maintain their
well-deserved fame. It is only by sheer weight of numbers that
they are forced slowly back. Their intrepid colonel stands
staunchly and firmly in the thickest of the fight, and, wounded,
falls into the hands of the enemy.
Twice has the Ninety-sixth been repulsed, and, rallying, re
turned to the hopeless charge. The three regiments still main
tain an irregular line; the rebels are plainly enveloping our
flanks. The Twenty-third Wisconsin is almost muzzle to
muzzle with the enemy, who, on its right, overlaps it and
pours in a deadly enfilading fire. Nothing can save it or
even prolong the contest, but to fall quickly back and form
an angle to face the foe in front and on the right. The
Sixtieth Indiana maintains a position on the right of the Ninety-
sixth, but its left is driven far back, and a fatal gap is thus
made between the regiments. The Ninety-sixth makes an at
tempt to close the gap, but it is a fruitless effort; the Sixtieth
breaks, and a portion rushes through our right.
While this furious struggle is raging, our rear presents a most
singular sight. At the summons of the long-roll, the stores of
fhe brigade had been promptly loaded, and started pell-mell
tor the rear. In mad haste some dashed into the deep ravine,

to find their wagons instantly mired. Others with more cool
ness took their places, rapidly flew over the bridge and with
lavish use of whip and spur, escaped. Haste was never more
demanded, as both the camp they left and the woods through
which they must pass, are already full of roving rebel cavalry
men, who unexpectedly, and for some strange reason made
little effort to prevent the escape of their legitimate prize and
booty. A Federal officer rode through the woods unmolested,
although they were thick around him. He noticed a stolid
German attilleryman, stoically marching to the rear, carrying
his swab-stick on his shoulder. A cavalryman rode behind him,
brandishing a revolver and shouted : Halt ! you Yankee vaga
bond!" The indignant gunner instantly turned on his heel
with an oath, and furiously swinging his swab-stick, smashed
the head of the would-be captor into a jelly, and 'shouldering
arms' marched on as unconcerned as before.
The artillery has been, by dint of both valor and good fortune,
removed from the field — the piece last passing through the
woods being temporarily captured by a half dozen or more
resolute rebel cavalrymen shooting down the artillery horses.
There is nowhere a trace of terror. Men fall in promiscuous
ly, maintaining the semblance of a line, and move back deliver
ing their fire defiantly to the last. We know we are doomed,
but only press more closely together, Lieutenant-colonel
Brown inspires, both by word and deed, the men, who keep
their eyes on him, moving only as he directs and contesting
every inch of ground. The gallant Burbridge rides up and
down the tattered fragments of his brigade, directing and en
couraging the men. No aid comes, and stumbling to certain
death over comrades dead and dying, even the most dauntless
spirit must fajter. The movement is more than sublime, as
each, without a murmur asks his own soul, in agony, can we
stay? must we go?
Impulses are like avalanches, and as if to spur souls that have
never faltered, the heroic Burbridge seizes the battle-flag of a
regiment, and waving it above him in this yawning battle-hell,
in the face of defeat and death, in full defiant tones begins
himself to sing that grand old battle-hymn —
' Rally round the flag boys
Rally once again ;
and amidst the crash, roar, and ' thud ' of the minnie-bullet, a
hundred voices mingle in the chorus —
' Rally once again
Shouting the battle-cry of freedom*'
Now comes the appalling shout of the rebel horde, followed
by a bullet-storm, and an advancing line of gray thickly fringed
with glittering steel.
The Ninety-sixth gather closer around their commander and
at his word deliver their fire. By the returning volley they are
shivered to pieces as if by a thunder-bolt. They are completely
routed, but as if by instinct they gather in squads, and fall
back, firing wherever a foe presents. Everywhere they turn,
right, left, or rear, rebel cavalrymen are using pistol and sabre.
Sergeant Forbes of company B., being wounded, had, early
in the engagement requested Color-sergeant Isaac Ivins, as he
could no longer use his gun, to exchange with him, and, with
one mangled hand, he bore the banner safely through the battle,
while the sergeant as bravely used his gun.
Falling back toward the edge of the wood near the camp,
Colonel Brown notices a boy in the act of raising his gun to fire,
when a bullet whistles through his breast. Running to him and

324

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

raising his head, his lips move, and putting his ear close to
them, he hears the whispered word 'mother' — and Charley
Stanfield is dead. Close before him rides three rebel cavalry
men, one of whom has shot the boy. The colonel instantly
picks up the gun the boy had dropped with the hammer already
raised, fires and the middle one of the three Texan rangers rolls
from his saddle.
The bearer of the colors has planted the staff in the ground
that he may use a musket, when he is whirled away, and, in
the melee the flag is. pushed over. The colors on the ground
shocks the soldierly pride of Sanderson, orderly of Colonel
Brown, and calling the colonel's attention to it asks if he shall
get it, receiving for a reply : Tt is a terrible place to go to, but
bring the colors if you can'. Gallantly he rushes among the
reeling, swaying combatants, and bears it safely to the rear.
Not an organized command remains, and Colonel Brown
mounts his horse ; soldiers in squads around him deliver a desul
tory fire into the troop of cavalry that are close down upon
them. The colonel says: "Boys, to stay is death; fall back
as best you can to the other side of the woods ; we will rally
there ; " and empties his revolver into the advancing rebel cav
alry. The return fire luckily inflicts a slight wound on his
horse, and in mad frenzy the animal dashes away to our left
and rear, and with one desperate leap clears the ravine. The
rebel horsemen are sufficient in number to capture every man,
but are strangely inefficient. In squads we battle our way
through them to the rear of the wood. The voice of Colonel
Brown, whose horse had saved him by running away from the
sabre-points of the enemy, is heard, and at his word the brave
men halt in the teeth of the exultant foe. No sign of the hoped-
for aid is visible, yet with wonderful eagerness they fall into
line. It seems like stubborn rashness, for masses of rebel
infantry are surging along our front, and a cloud of cavalry
deploying from right to left across our rear. They are no
mounted mob, but proud knights of the sabre, whose lines are
swiftly enfolding us. They ride rapidly on, when, as if by
magic, there rises from the thick grass a line of men, till this
moment unseen, who with level muskets pour into their ranks a
volley that sends them reeling back with many an empty saddle.
To our delight and surprise it is the Forty-sixth Indiana, whose
colonel, hearing the roar of battle, instantly formed his com
mand, and waiting for no orders, with the instincts of a true
soldier, had marched at double-quick, and halting for a mo
ment to take breath, found this opportunity to save us from
utter annihilation. We join these brave comrades and charge
upon the line of gray and steel, with a cheer. A short sharp
struggle with the bayonet, and they flee through our camp so
swiftly that they find no time to disturb anything.
For two long miles we pursue them, then return to our camp,
both humiliated by defeat and exultant by vtctory. The camp
has been twice swept by the storm of battle. All are there, save
many of our comrades — the bravest and best, who wounded or
dead lie all around us in ghastly pools of blood. The wounded
are sent to the rear for medical attention, and the dead — a fear
ful number — are gathered for burial. Those of the Ninety-sixth
we place in a row in our camp, and, with hearts bowed down in
sorrow, the living gaze upon their loved comrades,
"With the red rents in their bosoms,
And their young eyes closed on life."
In the glimmering twilight we take our last look at the little
yellow mounds as we march away for Carrion Crow Bayou.

The regiment returned to Algiers, opposite New
Orleans, December 13th, and on the eighteenth em
barked for Texas. March 1, 1864, it returned to
Algiers and entered upon the Red River campaign
under General Banks. The history of this ill-fated
campaign cannot be repeated here. General Banks
allowed his command to be beaten in detail. The
battle of Sabine Cross roads was fought by Land-
rum's division, numbering about two thousand
men. These were compelled to fight the whole
rebel army of twenty or thirty thousand men, and
the division was nearly annihilated. The Ninety-
sixth formed part of this division, and was under
command of Lieutenant Colonel Brown; Colonel
Vance commanding the brigade. The Ninety-sixth
was guarding the wagon train until just before the
battle commenced, when it was brought forward
and placed in the advanced line where it fought
gallantly, holding the enemy in check until almost
surrounded, when with the rest of the division it
was compelled to retreat. The retreat became a
rout ; the road being blocked up with army
wagons, so that supports could not get up in time
to prevent the disaster. The regiment here lost
fifty-six men, killed, wounded and missing. Of
company A, Barney McCulloch fell into the hands
of the enemy; in company B the losses were:
Jacob Feaster, wounded (afterwards died); William
Kring, wounded; O. L. Wallace, killed, and Sam
uel Stokes and John C. Tressel, prisoners. The
brave Colonel Vance lost his life here. Being in
command of the brigade he was not near his
regiment when the order for retreat came, and in
looking for the Ninety-sixth, as the troops were
falling back, he found himself alone and almost
surrounded. As he galloped toward the rear he
was halted by four rebels who were secreted in a
clump of bushes; he defies them and attempts to
escape ; they fire, and the riderless horse dashes
away. His body was afterward secured and sent
to his home in Mt. Vernon for burial. A sketch
of the life of this gallant soldier seems appropriate
here. Colonel Joseph W. Vance was born in 1809, in
Washington county, Pennsylvania. In the spring
of 1840 he removed to Mount Vernon, Ohio. He
was admitted to the bar in 1842, and soon took a
position among the ablest advocates in the Stale.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

325

He made a profession of religion, and united with
the Old School Presbyterian church of Mount Ver
non in 1846, and in 1850 was ordained a ruling
elder. He continued a devoted Christian until his
death. He was an earnest, true man, a devoted
patriot, a faithful friend, an affectionate husband
and father, taking a lively interest in whatever
tended to promote the welfare and prosperity of
the community in which he lived.
With his military history the reader is already
familiar, as it is part of the history of his regiment.
He was a nervous, active, courageous man. At
Arkansas Post he stood up continually encouraging
his men amid the storm of battle, while all others
were closely hugging the ground. He was unfitted
to accompany the Red river expedition by reason
of ill health, and was hauled in an ambulance to
the battle field, where he mounted his horse, and
commanded the brigade. He was literally without
fear, and made of himself a conspicuous mark for
the enemy's sharpshooters.
He was ever is the fore front of battle, where
bullets flew thickest, and died a heroic death do
ing his duty.
To his family, who urged him to resign and re
turn to them, he thus wrote in February, 1863,
from Young's Point, in sight of Vicksburgh :
You really distress me by urging me to resign, and if you
properly understood the matter, you would not think of it.
Would you have me disgrace myself by tendering my resigna
tion in the face of the enemy? No, my wife, I would rather
die in these hated swamps than do so; I know and fully ap
preciate the interest you and my aged mother, my children and
all my friends take in me, but all this was very fully considered
by me before I took the field in defence of my country and its
constitution. The sacrifice, I felt, was a great one, yet I felt
that it was my duty to make it, and I feel so yet. And if the
Great Ruler of the universe intends that my life shall be sacri
ficed in the great struggle between freedom and despotism,
then so it will be. In His hand I am willing to leave the issue.
If I fall, he will be the God of the fatherless and widow, and a
way will surely be provided for you. Then ask me, my wife,
no more to resign. God Almighty will take care of you and
me, and until the last foe to freedom and free institutions shall
succumb or bite the dust 1 shall not sheathe my sword.
Captain Coulter, a brave and valuable officer of
the Ninety-Sixth, was wounded in this battle, fell
into the hands of the enemy, and subsequently
died in a rebel hospital. In the terrible and ever
memorable retreat to the Mississippi river, the
Ninety-sixth was fighting and skirmishing most of
the way.

The regiment went into camp at Morganza ;
from there to Baton Rouge, where it remained
until the twentieth of July, when it proceeded to
Algiers, from which point it embarked and landed
on Dauphin's island, Alabama, August 3, 1864.
At this point the Ninety-sixth formed part of the
forces in the siege of Fort Gaines up to its capit
ulation on the eighth of August. It then moved
to the rear of Fort Morgan, and engaged in the
siege of that fort until its capitulation, August 23d.
On the first of September it moved back to
Morganza, Louisiana; thence on November ist, to
the mouth of White river, Arkansas. By special
order No. 21, the regiment was consolidated on the
eighteenth of November, into four companies, and
a company of about seventy-four men transferred
from the Forty-second to the Ninety-sixth, making
five companies, designated as the Ninety-sixth
battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Brown, commanding.
The regiment remained at the mouth of White
river until the fourth of February, when it moved
to Kennersville, Louisiana; thence on the sixteenth,
to Mobile Point. It was engaged in the operations
around Mobile, taking part in the siege of the
Spanish fort until its evacuation on the eighth of
April, 1865, and in the capture of Mobile April 12,
1865. Shortly after the capture of Mobile, the
regiment was sent on expeditions to Namahubbel '
Bluffs on the Tombigbee, and to Mcintosh Bluffs.
On the ninth of May the regiment returned to
Mobile, where it was mustered out of the servic e
July 7, 1865, and embarked from that city for
Camp Chase, Ohio, via New Orleans, Cairo and
Cincinnati, where the men were paid off and sent
to their homes. At the date of muster-out the
regiment numbered four hundred and twenty-
seven, including the company transferred from the
Forty-second. The Ninety-sixth marched one thousand six
hundred and eighty-three miles; was transported bv
boat seven thousand six hundred and eighty-six
miles, and by railroad five hundred and seventeen
miles, making a grand total of nine thousand eight
hundred and eighty-six miles.

326

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
WAR OF THE REBELLION CONTINUED.
Companies F and G One Hundred and Twenty-First
Regiment— Organization and Officers— Operations
of the Regiment in Service.
TN the summer of 1862 President Lincoln issued
X two calls for volunteers for three hundred thou
sand men each. War had become a stern reality, and
the Nation appeared to be struggling in the throes
of death. Under these calls Knox county im
mediately sent forth four companies of her young
men, — those of Captains Mitchell, Leonard,
Stephens and Yager. The two former being the
first completed entered the Ninety-sixth ; the two
latter, the One Hundred and Twenty-first. These
companies were more than full, the whole number
being four hundred and sixty-three, drawn from
the different townships as follows :
Jackson  2
Union  x6
Brown  10
Harrison  1
Morgan  19
College  20
Pike  14
Morris  14
Miller  5
Liberty  26
Middlebury  16
Butler  3
Jefferson  12
Howard  4
Clay  24
Pleasant  12
Monroe  19
Berlin  24
Clinton  20
Milford  18
Wayne  43
Hilliar  48
Mt. Vernon, First ward  15
" Second ward  11
" Third ward  11
Fourth ward  16
Fifth ward  28
These men were mostly farmers and without a
knowledge of the first principles of military tactics.
It will be seen how rapidly they made of them
selves good soldiers. Captain John Yager's com
pany was raised mostly in Berlin and Wayne town
ships, and was composed of his neighbors, he be
ing a resident of Berlin. He was a brave, noble
fellow, and gave his life for his country in the

thunder of battle at Kennesaw Mountain, having
been first promoted to major. The officers of this
company — which became company G — besides the
captain, were John Denny, first lieutenant, and
Thomas Benton Cotten second lieutenant.
The officers of Company F were Captain Har
rison Stephens; First Lieutenant William Mc-
Gaughey, and Second Lieutenant William B.
Dunbar, all of Mt. Vernon. This company was
mostly recruited in Hilliar township, where Cap
tain Stephens had formerly resided many years, en
gaged in teaching the high school in Centerburg,
and was largely made up of young men who had
attended his school, and who knew and respected
him. This company, of ninety men, left Mt.
Vernon Monday, September i, 1862, for Camp
Delaware, Captain Yager having left the Satur
day before with his company for the same place.
Under the excitement and pressure of the time,
these four companies had been raised and put into
the field in less than two weeks, and within six
weeks of the date of organization Companies F
and G were confronted by the veterans of Bragg's
army at Perryville. The following rolls were copied
from the muster out rolls of these companies, and
therefore includes the names of those who were
transferred, discharged, deserted and killed in
battle during the service:
Muster-out roll of company G, One Hundred
and Twenty-first Ohio regiment, mustered into the
service September n, 1862:
commissioned officers.
Captain John Yager, August 14, 1862.
Captain Joshua Van Brimmer, September 1, 1863.
First Lieutenant John Denney, August 14, 1862.
First Lieutenant William B. Dunbar, April 20, 1863.
First Lieutenant John J. Miller, July 29, 1864.
First Lieutenant Milo H. Lewis, April 18, 1864.
First Lieutenant William J. White, May 11, 1865.
Second Lieutenant Thomas B. Cotton, August 13, 1862.
Second Lieutenant William Lemon, April 20, 1863.
Second Lieutenant Mahlon E. Willoughby, May 24, X864.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant William Clark, August 22, r862.
Sergeant C. M. Taylor, August 15, 1862.
Sergeant Abner M. Caywood, August 22, 1862.
Sergeant George H. Ewers, August 22, 1862.
Sergeant William L. Drake, August 22, 1862.
Sergeant James H. Ball, August 15, 1862.
Sergeant Jefferson O. Irwin, August 13, 1862.
Sergeant Anthone B. Raymond, December 8, 1863.
Corporal Ayres Kisonger, August 18, 1862.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

327

Corporal David Dwire, August 22, 1862.
Corporal Paul C. Wheeler, August 19, 1862.
Corporal Alexander Rhodes, August 18, 186a.
Corporal Harrison Farris, August 22, 1862.
Corporal Byant Mitchell, August 20, 1862.
Corporal John Wells, August 22, 1862.
Corporal John M. Dunn, August 15, 1862.
Corporal Edward Bixby, August 22, 1862.
Corporal John Fry, August 15, 1862.
Corporal fohn Moore, December 9, 1863.
Corporal Kinsey Cullison, August 18, 1862.
Corporal Lewis Durbin, August 17, 1862.
Musician David Henderson, August 15, 1862.
Musician John Strong, August 22, 1862.
privates.
Anderson, Robert, August 16, 1862.
Ayres, Thomas D,, February 8, 1862.
Ayres, David, August 19, 1862.
Ayres, Jacob, February 19, 1864.
Adams, Arthur A. , December 27, 1863.
Adams, James, August 20, 1862.
Baily, Madison, August 20, 1862.
Bigbee, John G., August 16, 1862.
Baile, Abraham, August 20, X862.
Brown, Jacob B. , December 2, 1863.
Beaty, George, February 24, 1864.
Baile, Augustus E. , August 20, 1862.
Brophy, Edward, August 15, 1862.
Brown, George W., August 15, 1862.
Beech, James M., February 6, 1864.
Black, Jacob, December 20, 1863.
Bradfield, A.
Baker, Amos.
Crider, Abraham, December 28, 1863.
Ceill, John, February 11, 1864.
Cornell, John T., August 18, 1862.
Davis, Clinton, August 19, 1862.
Durbin, Leander, August 17, 1862.
Davis, H. H. William, January 4, 1864.
Davis, John W., August 19, 1862.
Dalrumple, Lafayette, August 22, 1862.
Ebersole, William, August 22, 1862.
Erdman, Charles, August 20, 1862.
Eaterbrook, John, February 8, 1864.
Erdman, Charles, August 20, 1862.
Earl, William, December 26, 1863.
Fry, Richard C. , August 20, 1862.
Frawley, Thomas, December 11, 1863.
George, James W., August 22, 1862.
Hoffmire, Job, August 22, 1862.
Humphrey, George W., August X9, 1862.
Hartley, Lewellen, August 22, 1862.
Henry, Samuel, February 29, 1862.
Hoag, Wesley, February 16, 1864.
Huey, George W., August 22, 1862.
Hannah, W. A., August 18, 1862.
Harden, William, December 11, 1863.
Hardin, Job, December 28, 1863.
Harrold, B. D., December 18, 1863.
Haller, James M., December 8, 1863.
Hoar, Thomas T, February 10, 1864.

Hogle, Jacob, August 18, X862.
Jones, Lewis, September 1, 1863.
Kinney, George H., August 20, 1862.
Kemmer, Martin, February 14, 1864.
Lett, Alfred S. August 19, 1862.
Lafever, Eli, August 20, 1862.
Lambert, Nathaniel F., August 22, 1862.
Lauppe, George, August 22, 1862.
Lewis, Richard, December 11, 1863.
Lockwood, Leander T., December 10, 1863.
McDonald, Joseph Z., August 9, 1862.
Marts, John C, August 22, 1862.
McKee. William, August 22, 1862.
Moore, Mathew, September 1, 1863.
Modie, Martin, August 22, 1862.
Picard, William H., December 12, 1863.
Phifer, Melvin G. , December 29, 1863.
Purin, James, August 17, 1862,
Rhodes, Jacob, August 18, 1862.
Rowley, Melvin B., August 16, 1862.
Ross, James, February 27, 1864.
Ross, Lemuel, February 6, 1864.
Ross, Samuel, Februaiy 6, 1864.
Rowley, A. F., August 16, 1862.
Reed, Lewis, August 16, 1862.
Rowley, William H., August 16, 1862.
Ross, William L., January 21, 1864.
Reevell, Henry, December 12, 1863.
Struble, John D., August 19, 1862.
Sutton, Richard, August 20, 1862.
Sims, Heber, August 20, 1862.
Scarbrough, George, August 19, 1862.
Sands, D. B., August 22, 1862.
Sprague, Silas A., August 15, 1862.
Snedaky, W. T., August 21, 1862,
Scott, Charles W., August 22, 1862.
Strouse, John, February 29, 1864.
Stofer, Henry, December 25, 1863.
Summers, Cartes P., January 27, 1862.
Simson, John, February 21, 1864.
Tobin, George W., August 22, 1862.
Tavener, Hiram H., August 19, 1862.
Thorne, James, February 25, 1864.
Tobin, George W., August 22, 1862.
Wood, Johnson, August 22, 1862.
Wolf, Jacob, February 14, 1864.
Watkins, Isaac, August 19, 1862.
Wicks, John H, February 8, 1864.
Wilson, Emanuel, August 20, 1862.
Wilkins John O., August 22, 1862.
Wells, Robert, August 22, 1862.
Wood, Sidney, August 22, 1862.
Wilson, Hodges, February 29, 1864.
King, David, December 15, 1862.
Horn, L. B., February, 14, 1864.
McFarland, David, December 14, 1863.
Muster-roll of company F, One Hundred and
Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, which was
mustered into the service on the eleventh of Sep
tember, 1862:

328

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Harrison Stephens, August 13, 1862.
Captain Theodore C. Fitch, April 19, 1864.
Captain James A. Moore, January 23, 1865.
First Lieutenant William McGaughy, August 13, 1862.
First Lieutenant Jefferson J. Irwin, January 23, 1864.
First Lieutenant Alfred A. Corrello, July 28, 1864.
First Lieutenant Orlando M. Scott, January 23, 1865.
Second Lieutenant William B. Dunbar, August 13, 1862.
Second Lieutenant Benjamin A. Banker, March 1, 1863.
Second Lieutenant James H. Ball, July 27, 1864.
Second Lieutenant Benjamin B. Smith, May ri, 1863.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Arnold Bishop, August 22, 1862.
Sergeant Josiah McClelland, August 22, 1862.
Sergeant Calvin Shaffer, August 22, 1862.
Sergeant Jesse Headington, August 22, 1862.
Sergeant Samuel Sutton, August 22, 1862.
Sergeant Mitchel F. Bushfield, August 22, 1S62.
Sergeant L. P. Riley, August 22, 1862.
Sergeant Amos P. Robertson, August 22, 1862.
Sergeant M. Skilin, August 22, '62.
Corporal Andrew J. Fergueson, August 22, 1862.
Corporal George Hupp, August 22, 1862.
Corporal S. S. Woodruff, August 22, 1862.
Corporal William McClelland, August 22, 1862.
Corporal Joseph S. Sutton, August 22, 1862.
Corporal Sylvester Best, August 22, 1862.
Corporal Robison Frazier, August 22, 1862.
Corporal William W. Borden, August 22, 1862.
Corporal Henry D. Loff, February 26, 1863.
Corporal George R. Breckenridge, September 13, 1863.
Musician Washington Clutter, August 22, 1862.
Musician George Litzenberg, August 22, 1862.
PRIVATES.
Anderson, Isaac, February 29, 1864.
Avrill, John.
Bushfield, John O., August 22, 1862.
Barnes, Wheeler H., August 22, 1862.
Bird, John H, August 22, 1862.
Buck, Joseph, February 22, 1864.
Bishop, Charles, August 22, 1862.
Babbs, Joshua G, August 22, 1862.
Burkholder, Morgan, August 22, 1862.
Bradfield, A., August 22, 1862.
Barr, Thomas, August 22, r862.
Barr, Lyman P. S. , August 22, 1862.
Bricker, Marshall, August 22, 1862.
Brickwell, John, August 22, 1862.
Baird, William J., February 26, 1864.
Black, Eli, March 31, 1864.
Black, Robert, February 13, 1864.
Brentlinger, Lorenzo, March 8, 1864. .
Camp, Albert A., August 22, 1862.
Carey, James, August 22, 1862.
Chauncy, R. F., August 22, 1862.
Craig, Alexander, August 22, 1862.
Collins, Austin, August 22, 1862.
Crable, Elijah, August 22, 1862.
Carry, John, February 26, 1862.
Critchfield, Alexander, August 14, 1864.

Chafant, Thomas, March 9, 1864.
Dunbar, Robert P., August 22, 1864.
Debolt, Reason, August 22, 1864.
Davidson, Edwin, February 26, 1864.
Devalt, James, February 8, 1864.
Eyster, Thomas, February 27, '64.
Evans. B. , August 22, '62.
Eddy, Peter R. , August 22, '62.
Ewing, Abraham, August 22, '62.
Ehrencrook, Charles, August 22, '62.
Edgar, Orland P., August 22, '62.
Earl, Samuel, December 26, '64.
Eyster, Jesse, March 14, '65.
Fletcher, Francis M., August 22, '62.
Feaster, Peter, August 22, '62.
Ferguson, Alexander J., August 22, '62.
Fullbright, John, February 29, '64.
Fisher, William, February 23, '64.
Gearhart, John, August 22, '62.
Gearheart, Smith, August 22, '62,
Green, Charles, February 23, '64.
Gibbon, Francis M., March 8, '64.
Harris, William, August 22, '62.
Hyatt, Alfred, August 22, '62.
Hardesty, George, February 29, '64.
Hupp, George, August 22, '64.
Hammond, Gideon, February 27, '62.
Hicks, Martenbro, August 22, '64.
Hamil, William, February 29, '64.
Hollister, Ferman, February 27, '64.
Higgins, Perry, August 29, '62.
Heart, James D.
Hannuil, Zachariah, February 29, '64.
Hedge, William, February 27, '64.
Hollister, Almond, February 26, '64.
Harrington, Ormer, February 26, '64.
Hoar, Jesse, February 29, '64.
Jewett, Abram, February 6, '64.
Lepla, Michael, February 8, '64.
Lore, Marshall B., August 22, '64.
Linti, James, February 29, '64.
McGraw, Martin, August 22, '62.
Moore, Martin, August 22, '62.
Morris, B. F., August 22, '62.
Marble, Silas W., August 22, '62.
McManis, Levi, August 22, '62.
Melsmore, James, August 22, '62.
Mowl, John, August 22, '62.
Messmore, Harvey, August 22, '62.
Mitchel, Lewis, August 22, '62.
Markham, Amos, August 22, '62.
Majors, Fletcher, August 22, '62.
Mack, Michael, August 22, ,62.
Neil, Benjamin F., August 22, '62.
Neff, John, March 31, '64.
Patterson, Harris, August 22, '62.
Pendleton, Edward P., August 22, '62.
Pierce, Isaac, February 27, '64.
Philips, James.
Riley, William A., August 22, '62.
Reinheart, Mahlon, August 26, '62.
Reed, Reece, February 29, '64.

HTSTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

329

Ross, James, February 22, '64.
Rosenberger, Henry, February 26, '64.
Riley, Miller, February 27, '64.
Rockwell; John, February 1, '64.
Stull, Philip, August 22, '62.
Sinclaire, James, August 22, '62.
Severe, Amos, August 22, '6g.
Shaw, William H., August 22, '62.
Smith, John J., August 19, '62.
Severe, Jefferson W., August 22, '62.
Sinclair, James, August 22, '62.
Starkey, Cyrus, August 22, '62.
Simpkins, Stiles, March 19, '64.
Sprague, Silas, February 22, '64.
Smith, Henry, March 14, '65.
Slayman, James, March 21, '65.
Taylor, Thomas B., August 18, '62.
Turner, William H., March 8, '64.
Titus, Henry, February 26, '64.
Turbett, John, March 14, '64.
Toby, Jacob, August 22, '62.
Thomas, Henry, August 22, '62.
Thomas, Morgan, August 22, '62.
Updyke, Charles, August 22, '62.
Webster, Charles, August 22, '62.
Wheeler, George, February 26, '62.
Warteube, Daniel C, February 26, '62.
Wistlake, John, April 8, '64.
Waltz,- Isaac L., March 27, '63.
Williams, Jackson, August 22, '62.
Woods, James, August 1, '63.
Yarman, George, March 14, '65.
On the tenth of September the regiment, nine
hundred and eighty-five strong, left Camp Dela
ware for Cincinnati, where it was supplied with
worthless Prussian muskets, and placed on guard
duty about the city. On the fifteenth it crossed over
to Covington and went into camp. Remaining
there only five days it proceeded to Louisville and
was assigned to Colonel Webster's brigade of Jack
son's division, McCook's corps.
Up to this date the regiment had not been drilled
an hour, was without discipline and of course un
fitted for active service. In this condition it joined
General Buell's forces in pursuit of Bragg, and thus
became engaged at Perryville. It is not to be won
dered at that those farmer boys fresh from the plow,
never having heard the sing of bullets or the snarl
of a shell, could not stand up in line and be shot
down like veterans. When they observed the near
approach of the long grey lines of Bragg's veterans,
with that peculiar, steady dare-devil stride, with
bright muskets and glistening bayonets, they simply
threw down their worthless Prussian muskets and
fled from the field. Captain B. F. Oder, of com

pany K, was killed in this battle. Looked at in the
right light this retreat was no disgrace, but it was
keenly felt by the regiment, and gallantly did the
men redeem themselves on many a bloody field.
"Wipe out Perryville" was thereafter their battle
cry, and Ohio did not send to the field a braver or
more efficient regiment.or one with a better record.
After the battle of Perryville, the regiment was
detailed to remain on the battlefield to bury the
dead and look after the wounded. It remained in
Kentucky doing guard duty and looking after John
Morgan's guerillas, up to January, 1863, and was
then taken, in transports, to Nashville, Tennessee,
leaving Louisville about the last of January. From
Nashville it went to Franklin, arriving there in
February, where it performed service in watching
and protecting the right flank of the army of Gen
eral Rosecrans, then at Murfreesboro.
March 27, 1863, on application and petition of
all the line and field officers of the regiment Lieu
tenant Colonel Henry B. Banning, of the One
Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio, was detailed by
General Gordon Granger, to take charge of the
regiment, and under his management it soon be
came one of the best drilled and disciplined regi
ments of the brigade to which it was attached.
Colonel Banning was soon after transferred to this
regiment by order from the War Department.
When Rosecrans' army moved forward from
Stone river, the regiment moved with it and was
attached to the reserve corps, under command of
General Gordon Granger.
At Triune, on this march, the regiment was at
tacked by the rebel General Forest, and after a
sharp fight Forest was driven back. This affair
gave the men confidence and taught them the value
of drill and discipline. On the third of July the
regiment occupied Shelbyville, Tennessee, remain
ing there three weeks, and being drilled incessantly.
About the twenty-fifth of August the regiment
was ordered to occupy the town of Fayetteville,
Lincoln county, Tennessee, a strong rebel district
situated twenty-five miles from any post. Colonel
Banning barricaded the public square and went in
to camp, notifying the citizens that in the event of
being attacked he would burn the town.
September 5, orders were received from General
Steedman to proceed to Cowan, on the Chattanoga

33°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

railroad, by way of Winchester, where it joined the
reserve corps under General Gordon Granger,
and proceeded to Chattanooga, and on the fifteenth
went into position at Rossville, eight miles south of
Chattanooga. On the seventeenth the regiment, in company
with the One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio, under
General Steedman, made a reconnoissance to Ring
gold, reaching that place in timeto witness the arrival
of reenforcements — Longstreet's corps. The next day
at 10^. m. it fell back to Rossville, and at 6 p. m.,
marched to the relief of Colonel Daniel McCook's
brigade engaged with the enemy at Rossville. The
enemy withdrew during the night, and the regi
ment returned to camp at Rossville. In the after
noon of the nineteenth the regiment was ordered
to support General Whittaker on the Ringgold road.
It took up a., position on the left of the road and
bivouacked for the night. At 10 a. m. on the
twentieth it became fully engaged in the battle of
Chickamauga, forming the right of Steedman's di
vision of the reserve corps.
In this action it was commanded by Colonel
Banning, and acquitted itself with much honor.
Colonel Mitchell, who commanded the brigade,
made special mention of the regiment, as follows:
At one time during the early part of the engagement, the
right of the line became endangered by a bold move on the part
of the enemy to capture our battery, which was doing most
efficient service for us. To counteract this movement another
bayonet charge was ordered, and the tripple line of the enemy
fled in disorder. During this splendid charge the One Hundred
and Twenty-first captured the battle-flag of the Twenty-second
Alabama and bore it with them from the field.
Regarding the action of the regiment in this bat
tle General Gordon Granger had occasion to use
the following words:
The action of Colonel Banning came under my personal ob
servation during the late battle of Chickamauga. To him as
much as to any other man is owing the remarkable obstinacy
with which the two brigades, one of which was largely com
posed of Ohio troops, for more than seven hours held the key
of the position on that battlefield, repulsing the repeated com
bined attacks of more than five times their number, and saving
the army of the Cumberland from destruction. This cool
bravery and gallantry was more conspicuous at a time when it
was supposed all was lost, and nothing was left to our gallant
soldiers but to save their honor by falling beside their dead com
rades. The following is Colonel Banning's report of the
operations of the One Hundred and Twenty-first,

from September 17 th to the evening of the twen
tieth inclusive :
The One Hundred and Twenty-first moved from Rossville,
Georgia, on the morning of the seventeenth, with one day's
rations, on the road in the direction of Ringgold. At 1 1 A. M.
we halted to lunch four miles from Ringgold, and drove in the
enemy's pickets. The regiment was held in reserve with the
One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio, and two pieces of artillery,
to cover the withdrawal of the troops who had crossed the west
Chickamauga creek. General Steedman having finished his
operations in front, and ascertained the strength and position
of the enemy, his division returned in the direction of Rossville;
the One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio brought up the left;
the command retired without incident, except the firing on our
rear by pursuing cavalry. Major Yager promptly brought a
company into line and delivered a volley which punished them
so severely that they left our rear unmolested during the re
mainder of the march.
We halted two miles beyond East Chickamauga creek.
When all had grown quiet, at 11 P. M., the enemy placed a bat
tery in position in our rear and shelled the camp; the pickets
fired on them and drove them back. Our fires were soon extin
guished, and we slept on our arms till morning, the enemy hav
ing withdrawn, the command took up the line of march, and
returned to Rossville — this regiment on the right.
At 6 P. M., in pursuance of orders from headquarters, we
moved, with one day's rations, to assist the First brigade, com
manded by Colonel Dan McCook, who was engaging the
enemy on the Lafayette road, six miles from Rossville, formed
a junction with him and bivouacked for the night. At daylight,
having formed to receive an attack the enemy were about to
make, we were ordered to withdraw; returned to camp at Ross
ville and found our camp equipage packed and ready to start
for Chattanooga. We were turned into a temporary camp for
dinner, and remained until late in the afternoon, when we were
ordered to support General Whittaker, who was engaging the
enemy on the Ringgold road. We moved out on that road on
double-quick, made connection with General Whittaker's
brigade, and bivouacked for the night.
On the morning of the twentieth the regiment with the divis
ion was ordered from this point to the support of Major-Gen
eral Thomas, commanding the centre corps of the Army of the
Cumberland. After passing to the right one mile, a battery
opened on us from the woods on the left; no casualties occurred,
and after a march of three miles, we formed a junction with
General Thomas. Being threatened by a flank movement, Gen
eral Steedman's division was thrown on the extreme right.
The Third brigade, commanded by Colonel Mitchell, was on
the right of the division, and the One Hundred and Twenty-
first was on the right ot the brigade, and on the extreme right
of the entire corps. Here we were met by a bold charge from
the enemy immediately upon coming into line, but with a firm
ness that would have done honor to veterans the enemy were
repulsed and driven from the hill. Three successive attempts
were made upon my front, and eaeh time the enemy were com
pelled to fall back, and although my loss was heavy, it was
nothing compared to the dead and wounded of the enemy, over
which my regiment charged in pursuit.
The following is a list of the killed, wounded
and missing in company G:

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

33 1

Corporal Bryant Mitchell, killed; William H. Rowley,
wounded in left thigh; Lewellyn M. Hartley, wounded in left
lung; George W. Ewers, wounded in right thigh; A. T. Lam
bert, wounded in right hand; Harrison Farris, fore-finger; Rob
ert Wells, left fore-arm; Mellville B. Rowley, in the back by ar
tillery; First Lieutenant William B. Dunbar, left thigh.
James Sinclair, of company F, was wounded, and Colonel
Banning's horse was killed under him.
Colonel Banning's report continues:
My regiment went into action with twenty-one commissioned
officers, of whom two were killed and seven wounded ; and with
two hundred and fourteen non-commissioned officers and pri
vates, of whom seventy-six were killed or wounded and eight
missing. Lieutenant B. S. Fleming, of company I, was killed in the
first charge, shot through the head, while gallantly leading his
men. Lieutenant James A. Porter was first shot through the
leg and afterward through the bowels on the second charge we
made upon the enemy, of which latter wound he died before he
could be taken from the field.
Every officer and man did his duty and was at his post; no
soldier left his post even to help his fellow soldier from the field,
and notwithstanding the manner in which the ranks were de
pleted, and the superior numbers with which we had to con
tend, every man kept his place and steadily advanced until we
had expended every round of ammunition in our cartridge
boxes, and all that could be gathered from the cartridge boxes
of the dead and wounded, then retired in good order upon or
ders. Our last charge was upon the Twenty-second Alabama,
which were driven from the field and their colors captured.
Upon these colors, which are now in my possession, are in
scribed "Twenty-second Alabama regiment," "Shiloh," " Mur-
freesborough." The regiment shot down and captured another
stand of colors, but the man who was carrying them off was
wounded, and left with the colors upon the field.
I desire to make special mention of Surgeons Williams and
Hill, also Chaplain Drake, for energy displayed in caring for
the wounded on the field; also Lieutenant Peters, regimental
quartermaster, who was the only quartermaster who succeeded
in getting ambulances upon the field and bringing off the
wounded. And I desire especially to mention the gallant ser
vices of Major John Yager and Adjutant Fitch, who had charge
ofthe regiment on the last charge it made, as I was stunned by
the fall of my horse when it was shot. Adjutant Fitch's horse
was shot, and he remained on foot at his post during the whole
of the engagement, cheering on the men. Henry B. Banning,
Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Regiment.
In acknowledging the receipt of the battle-flag
of the Twenty-second Alabama, captured by this
regiment, Governor Tod said :
The battle flag I am proud to receive and deposit in an ap
propriate room, as a trophy of the heroic valor and patriotism of
your gallant command. Please convey, colonel, to your brave
officers and men my profound admiration for their glorious
achievements on that desperate field, and the heartfelt thanks
of all Ohio's loyal people.
Falling back behind the intrenchments at Chat
tanooga, the regiment took position on the right,

and in the reorganization of the army was assigned
to the Second brigade, Second division, Fourteenth
army corps, and remained quietly at Chattanooga
until after the battles of Lookout Mountain and
Mission Ridge, in which it took a prominent part.
The following is a detailed account of the oper
ations of the One Hundred and Twenty-first -Ohio
volunteer infantry in the expedition into East Ten
nessee in the fall of 1863, after the battle of Chat
tanooga, from a letter written by Adjutant Fitch :
In pursuance of orders from brigade headquarters the regi
ment moved from its camp on Foringer's ridge, opposite Chat
tanooga, at six A. M., November 24, 1863. The brigade moved
four miles up the Tennessee river and crossed it on pontoon
bridges near the mouth of Chickamauga creek. A line was
formed perpendicular to this stream, with the right resting on
the Tennessee river. The regiment remained under arms during
the day and bivouacked that night in the same place.
November 25th, the line which was formed from Davis' divis
ion, was advanced a quarter of a mile, and halted in a piece of
wood, covering a piece of low swampy ground. This was
done to prevent the enemy from turning Sherman's right flank
while the latter was operating on the eastern slope of Mission
ridge near the tunnel. They lay in this position until ordered
to cross the Chickamauga creek near its mouth, which was ac
complished at two A. M. on the twenty-sixth, and then moved
up the Tennessee until six A. M., when they halted for breakfast.
Soon after daylight the march was resumed; there were signs
of the enemy in front and the troops moved cautiously. Leav
ing the line of the river they came across a temporary work, be
hind which the rebels had camped the night before. Moving
by a circuitous route, they arrived at the junction of the Cleve
land, Chattanooga and  railroads. These roads cross
the Chickamauga on two different bridges, the one on the Atlanta
road having been destroyed by the enemy.
From this point the command marched in line of battle by
brigade, General Morgan's brigade having the advance; the
brigades of General Beatty and Colonel Dan McCook, formed
the second line, and in the rear the corps was drawn up by divis
ion. In this manner they moved on Chickamauga Station-
After a little artillery practice and desultory skirmishing, the
enemy was driven from the works. At the station were found
large quantities of subsistence, two siege guns, several torpedoes
and other war material.
The brigade moved forward to find a desirable camping place
for the night; a line of skirmishers having been established, the
One Hundred and Twenty-first was ordered to support them on
the right of the Gravsville road. When about two miles from
the station this regiment came upon the pickets of the enemy,
whom they drove before them and soon came upon the enemy
in force. They consisted of three regiments and two guns, com
manded by Brigadier General Maury, and were acting as rear
guard for a train. They opened on the One Hundred and
Twenty-first with musketry and artillery at the same time. The
regiment received the first shock and immediately advanced
across two fields, about five hundred yards, and here held their
ground until the remainder of the brigade came into position.
Their battery opened upon the enemy, but as it was now growing

332

HISTORY OF KNOX COUN'IV.

dark, the enemy ceased firing and withdrew. General Maury
(rebel) was wounded in this engagement. The officers and men
of the regiment conducted themselves with the greatest coolness
and bravery. Major Yager, of Fredericktown, was in com
mand of the regiment and handled it with admirable skill. The
brigade encamped for the night near the field.
On the twenty-seventh the troops advanced without interrup
tion through Graysville, when they met the remainder of the Four
teenth Qorps, under General Palmer, en route for Ringgold. The
One Hundred and Twenty-first advanced to within two and a
half miles of Ringgold, and encamped with the brigade, while
the rest of the army was engaging the enemy at- that point.
On the twenty-eighth they moved five miles beyond Ringgold,
and this closed the campaign which followed the battle at Chat
tanooga. On the evening of the twenty-eighth orders were received to
move at daylight the next morning on an expedition of ten days,
during which they were to subsist on the country. On the twen
ty-ninth they marched eighteen miles, camping near Cleveland,
Tennessee. On the thirtieth they made a march of twelve miles
and went into camp two miles south of Charleston, Tennessee.
December ist they marched eight miles; supplies were scarce,
many of the men had not tasted food for twenty-four hours. De
cember 2d, marched fourteen miles, and camped five miles north
of Mt. Verde; on the third, advanced to within four miles of
Loudon, a large town on the Tennessee river. The men were
hungry, tired, ragged and almost shoeless. On the fifth they
crossed the Tennessee river at Morgantown. Here they heard of
Burnside's success, and turned their steps toward their old camp
at Chattanooga, which they reached on the nineteenth of No
vember, after much hard marching, and many hardships; their
rations consisting generally of pork and cornmeal, and scant
supplies of this.
In May, 1864, the One Hundred and Twenty-
first Ohio moved with Sherman's army in the At
lanta campaign.
The first engagement in which the regiment par
ticipated in this campaign was that of Buzzard's
Roost May 8th. It drove the enemy from an im
portant position at the mouth of the gap. At Re
saca it covered the retreat of General Judah's bri
gade after a charge in which it was repulsed.
When the enemy retreated from Resaca the regi
ment formed a part of General Jefferson C. Davis'
division in its movement for the capture of Rome,
Georgia. In this affair the regiment was compli
mented by its brigade commander for having been
first inside the city.
On the twenty-fourth of May the regiment took
position on what was known as the Dallas line, and
was constantly in the front engaging the enemy
daily, losing nine men killed and wounded.
June 19th it reached and occupied a position at
the foot of Kennesaw mountain, where the next few
days, with the great loyal wave that rolled up and

fell back from the rugged face of old Kennesaw,
many a gallant life was destined to go out. The
regiment suffered considerably in occupying its first
position, losing eleven men killed and wounded.
On the evening of the twenty-sixth Colonel Durbin
Ward relieved the regiment from this position, which
that officer named the "Valley of Hell." At 10,
a. m., on the twenty-seventh the regiment formed
part of the charging column of the Fourteenth
corps upon Kennesaw Mountain, and in that disas
trous affair lost one hundred and sixty-four officers
and men killed and wounded. It succeeded in
making a lodgement close up under the enemy's
guns, and held it, thereby securing possession of
the National dead and wounded; but dearly did the
regiment pay for its bravery. Among the commis
sioned officers the regiment mourned the loss of
Major John Yager among its bravest and best; also
the accomplished Captain Clason, the young and
promising Patrick, and the brave and reliable Lloyd.
There were also eight officers wounded.
Speaking of the death of Major Yager, Adjutant
Fitch says, in a letter to his bereaved widow:
Early yesterday morning our regiment with the remainder of
the army were drawn up in line for a charge on the enemy's lines.
At a given signal we advanced ; the enemy fell back before us,
but the price of victory was a dear one. It was directly in front
of the enemy's works, foremost in the line of his duty, that Ma
jor Yager fell. He was wounded in three places— in the left
arm just below the shoulder, through both thighs and in the
right knee. His pistol and memorandum book were taken from
his body by the enemy, who controlled the ground on which he
fell. Nothing else about his person was disturbed. His body
will be sent home directed to S. S. Tuttle, of Fredericktown.
His wounds were of such a character that he must have died
soon. He looked calm and peaceful. The major was generous,
brave, and possessed true nobility of soul ; he was true to his
family and friends, and died as a soldier wishes to die — facing
his foes.
From a letter signed "Knox," dated near Mari
etta, Georgia, June 28, 1864, the following particu
lars of this engagment are taken :
We have again passed through the "Baptism of fire"— an
ordeal that will cause may tears and shadows to fall at the fire
sides of many Knox county homes. Early yesterday morning it
was announced to the army that there would be a general ad
vance of our lines upon the enemy's position. Between 9 and
10 A. M. all was ready; the advance was formed in two lines of
battle with two lines in the rear as reserves. Just before 10 A.
M. an unusual stillness prevailed on our entire front. It was the
stillness succeeding an awful storm. Suddenly the roar of artil
lery from given points along the line announced that the army
was ready to move, and the command "Forward!" passed
along the lines. With bayonets fixed and arms trailed, the long

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

333

lines, preceded by skirmishers, leaped over the works. The dis
tance to the enemy's works in our immediate front was about
half a mile, a swampy piece of ground intervening. In a few
minutes our skirmishers met those of the enemy, and a sharp
encounter ensued. Our battalion advanced with shouts to their
support, on double-quick, and the enemy's skirmishers gave
way, but they were not quick enough and most of them were
captured. Our lines continued to advance under heavy fire of
grape and cannister to within a short distance of the enemy's
stronghold. Our skirmishers reached the ditches under the ene
my's guns, but were compelled to fall back on the reserve, which
had gained the ridge in front and laid down within fifty yards
of the rebel works, and were compelling them to keep their
heads down by a continuous fire.
The One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio, Colonel Banning,
was placed in the second line, covered by the One Hundred and
Thirteenth Ohio, until the lines halted, when we were deployed,
having the One Hundred and Thirteenth on our left, and as we
supposed the Ninety-eighth Ohio, and Seventy-eighth Illinois
on our right. From some cause these two regiments did not
come to our support and we were left to a murderous enfilading
fire of grape, cannister and musketry. In addition to this mis
fortune the One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio on our left,
having lost its commander in the onset, gave way, thereby not
only exposing our regiment to a cross fire on the left, but the
enemy perceiving the confusion took advantage of it and rising
above their works poured in a heavy volley. Also, at this
juncture, a brigade on our right was driven back and the order
to retreat passed along the lines.
Colonel Banning's orders were to hold his position, and al
though we were much exposed, instead of retreating he de
termined to hold his position until he received further orders, or
the exingencies of the position became so critical as to leave no
other alternative. The case was desperate — no support right or
left. The One Hundred and Twenty-first held the enemy in
check along the whole front of the brigade. Closely did we hug
the ground, and every tree and stump was utilized for protec
tion. Toward evening the enemy, finding it impossible to dis
lodge our regiment without coming out of their works, gave up
their endeavers, with the exception of occasional shots from
sharp-shooters. They were at bay, with no distance between
our lines and their works to establish a picket line. Part of the
regiment was sent a little to the rear to entrench, and when night
set in the work of taking the wounded from the field began.
Colonel Banning conducted himself with the utmost coolness,
and has already received the highest commendations for the
manner in which the regiment conducted itself under fire and
without support. . . . It is said General Thomas
accomplished what he wanted, but at dear cost.
Following is a list of killed and wounded in the
Knox county companies: Killed — Major John
Yeager; Captain Lina Patrick of company G, a
young man from Logan county; Corporal Linsey
Cullison; privates Eli Lafever and Jacob Wolf.
Wounded — company F, Sergeant Josiah McClel
land, severely in the side. He subsequently
obtained a furlough, came home to Milford town
ship, and died from the effects of his wound.

Corporal Sylvester Best, wounded in the finger;
Corporal Jesse Headington, slightly; privates
Charles Green, Martin McGaw, Silas Sprague,
George Huff and Thomas Chaffane. Wounded —
company G, Sergeant M. C. Taylor; Corporal Ayers
Nysonger; privates Abraham Crider, Jacob Ayers,
Thomas Hoar, Wesley Hoar, Heber Sims, Sidney
Wood, Job Haidin, Augustus Bailey, James Per-
rine and Martin Modi. G. W. Humphrey, Jacob
Black and Thomas D. Ayers were missing.
It was a bloody day for the One Hundred and
Twenty-first, more bloody even than Chickamauga.
July 9th the regiment was engaged at the rail
road bridge over the Chattahoochie, and lost five
killed and four wounded. It then went into posi
tion on the north bank of the Chattahoochie until
the seventeenth. It crossed the river on the morn
ing of that day, and engaged the enemy at Peach-
tree Creek on the eighteenth. On the twentieth it
crossed the creek, drove the enemy and occupied
his position. On the twenty-second the regiment
joined its brigade, and took position on the right of
the National line, three miles from Atlanta. It re
mained in this position until the fourth of August,
when it moved forward and occupied a position on
the Sandtown road. While constructing works it
lost one man killed, and one officer and four men
wounded. It again advanced in line on the fifth,
sixth, and seventh, losing nine men wounded. The
works of the enemy were occupied.
July 28th the grand flank movement to Jones-
borough was commenced. The regiment took the
advance in this movement, acting as skirmishers
for the Second division leading the column of the
Fourteenth corps. It became hotly engaged with
the enemy immediately after passing through the
earthworks of the Fourth corps, and drove him five
miles across the Montgomery railroad. In this
affair one man was killed, and two officers and six
men wounded.
On the thirtieth the regiment moved with the
army in the direction of the Macon railroad, and
on the first of September occupied a position one
mile north of Jonesborough, to the right of the
Macon railroad. At 4 p. m. a charge was made on
the enemy's works, carrying them, and capturing
Govan's rebel battery and many prisoners. This
affair forced the enemy to retire from Jonesbor-

334

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

ough, and it fell into the hands of the National
army. The capture of Jonesborough ended the Atlanta
campaign. Atlanta was occupied by the National
forces on the eighth. The whole army went into
camp around Atlanta, and the official reports of
the campaign were made. The following extract
is from the report of Colonel Banning of the opera
tions of the One Hundred and Twenty-first:
I started with four hundred and twenty-nine non-commis
sioned officers and privates, and eighteen, commissioned offi
cers. Four officers were killed and eight wounded; twenty-two
men were killed upon the field, and two hundred and five
wounded; one captured.
The regiment remained in camp about three
weeks, resting the men and putting the regimental
affairs in proper shape.
For ability as a commander, and distinguished
conduct on the Atlanta campaign, Colonel H. B.
Banning was, on recommendation of General Jeff.
C. Davis (approved by General George H. Thomas),
brevetted a brigadier general of volunteers.
About the twenty-ninth of September the regi
ment was sent back to Chattanooga by rail, where,
on its arrival, it was attached to an expedition
against Forest's cavalry, then raiding on the Chat
tanooga & Nashville railroad. It followed the
rebel cavalry, and drove it across the Tennessee
river into Alabama. It then returned to Chatta
nooga and took part in the chase after Hood's
army. Joining the forces of General Sherman at
Rome, Georgia, the regiment marched with the
expedition to Savannah and the sea. At Rome,
Georgia, Colonel Banning reported to Gereral J.
B. Steedman for orders, and the command of the
regiment devolved upon Lieutenant Colonel A. B.
Robinson, who led it to Savannah and up to its
final muster out.
The regiment marched with the National forces
through the Carolinas, was engaged at Bentonville,
where it lost six men killed and. twenty wounded.
This was the last battle for the One Hundred and
Twenty-first, and was also almost the last of the
great war. Captains Charles P. Caris and Wil-
loughby were wounded in this battle, the former
so severely that he died at Goldsborough.
The regiment camped ten days at Goldsborough,
and about the tenth of April moved to Raleigh,
and from there to Cape Fear river. In the mean

time Lee and Johnston had surrendered. April
2 2d it fell back to Holly Springs and went into
camp. May ist it joined the march of the Na
tional forces through Richmond to Washington,
and participated in the grand review.
It was paid off and discharged at Columbus,
Ohio, June 12, 1865. Colonel Banning was bre
vetted major general, "for gallant and meritorious
services during the war."
The following, regarding the flag of the One
Hundred and Twenty-first, is from a letter written
from Atlanta, September 15, 1864, by the chaplain
of the regiment:
The patriotic ladies of our military district remembered our
regiment when we left Ohio, and presented us with a beautiful
flag. Two years have passed, and a remnant of that flag
still remains. This flag was the first one planted at the mouth
of Buzzard Roost gap, shared in the victory at Resaca, and was
the first one planted on the rebel works at Rome, Georgia. It
floated defiantly in the face of the foe at Dallas and Kennesaw.
It was the first to cross the Chattahoochie on the seventeenth of
July; on the morning of the eighteenth the regiment was or
dered on a reconnoissance, advanced and planted this flag, the
first on the bank of the Peachtree creek, whose waters were on
the twentieth crimsoned with the blood of our braves. In all
the memorable engagements in front of Atlanta this flag bore a
conspicuous part. It was the first planted on the Montgomery
railroad after the loss of eight of its brave defenders. At the
battle of Jonesborough it was the first to cross the enemy's
works, and was planted upon Sweet's captured rebel battery;
and here its gallant defenders resisted two desperate charges of
the enemy to retake their guns. • Through fire and blood this
flag has been carried, and although tattered and torn by the
bullets of the enemy, it has never been disgraced.
The same writer also gives the following list of
losses in companies F and G from May 1, 1864, to
the date of the letter :
COMPANY F.
Wounded.— James Lint, Josiah McClelland, George Huff,
Thomas Chaffane, George Breckenridge, William Hammond,
Sylvester Best, Silas Sprague, Francis McGibbon, Peter Feister,
Stiles Sunkins, Edwin Davidson, Martin McGraw, Charles
Green. COMPANY G.
Killed. — Captain L. A. Patrick, Thomas D. Ayres, Henry
Cullison, Eli Lefever, Jacob Wolf.
Wounded. — Lieutenant James Ball, Lieutenant Maholm Wil-
loughby, C. M. Taylor, Jacob Ayres, Heber Sims, Augustus
Ball, Martin Modi, Henry Weeks, John Crill, William Bergen,
Samuel Henry, Ayres Arsinger, Thomas D. Hoar, Sidney Wood,
Jacob Black, Robert Wells, James M. Black, Charles Sommers,
J. B. Brown, Mathew Moore, Abram Crider, Wesley Hoar,
Job Hardin, James Perin, M. Holler, W. H. H. Davis, David
McFarland.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

335

CHAPTER XXXVII.
WAR OF THE REBELLION— CONCLUDED.
Organization of Company F, One Hundred and Twen-
ty-fifth Regiment — Muster Roll — Operations of the
Regiment in the Field — Second Ohio Heavy Artil
lery—Eighteenth United States Regulars — Captain
Coe's Sharpshooters — List of Regiments in which
Knox County was Represented — One Hundred and
Forty-Second Ohio National Guard — Muster Rolls —
"Squirrel Hunters" — Close of the War.
DURING the fall of 1862, the business of draft
ing, hiring substitutes and volunteering was
going on rapidly in this county, under the two calls
of the President for six hundred thousand men.
About this time one company was raised, princi
pally in the vicinity of Martinsburgh, by Captain S.
B. Parks. Colonel Banning was also at home as
sisting in the recruiting business, and through his
exertions and those of C. C. Baugh, and Albert
Barnes of Martinsburgh, about one and a half com
panies were raised in the county. A squad under"
Lieutenant Barnes formed part of company G.
Captain Parks had raised a company for the three
months' service, at Martinsburgh, and had con
ducted it to Camp Chase, where it remained on
guard duty until its term of service expired. The
men raised in the fall of 1862, were taken to Camp
Mansfield, thence to Camp Cleveland, where they
were consolidated with other parts of companies
and battalions, which had been gathered at that
point by Colonel Emerson Opdyke, the consolida
tion forming the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth
Ohio; of which Emerson Opdyke became colonel
and Henry B. Banning lieutenant colonel.
Muster-roll of company F, One Hundred and
Twenty-fifth regiment, mustered into service De
cember 17, 1862: COMMISSIONED officers.
Captain Steen B. Parks, September 24, 1862.
First Lieutenant David Humphrey, September 24, 1862.
Second Lieutenant Charles T. Clark, September 24, 1862.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Henry N. Penfield, October r6, r862.
Sergeant Jacob Jewel, October 22, 1862.
Sergeant Jeremiah S. Stinger, October r3, X862.
Sergeant James R. Brown, October 8, 1862.
Sergeant David Blystone, October 5, X862.
Corporal Alexander H. Postel, October 27, 1862.
Corporal Jonathan Sims, October 22, r862.
Corporal John Wasmon, October 22, 1862.
Corporal Henry G. Russell, October 23, 1862.

Corporal John R. Beatty, October 29, 1862.
Corporal John R. Clark, October 28, 1862.
Corporal William Reagh, November 4, 1862.
privates.
Brown, Frederick, October 27, 1862.
Beckholt, William, October 20, 1862.
Beeny, William, October 30, 1862.
Brown, William, December 4, 1862.
Baerman, John P., November 22, 1862.
Cattrell, Leander, October 22, 1862.
Chapman, George, October 28, 1862.
Clark, William, November n, 1862.
Cooper, Daniel, October 28, 1862.
Chase, Levi, November 13, 1862.
Clere, Claud, November 14, r862.
Dorsey, John, November 13, r862.
Duckman Augustus, November r3, 1862.
Dulybon, Matthew, November X2, r862.
Denny, James, October 8, 1862.
Flemming, James C, October 29, 1862.
Forney, Adam L. , October 28, 1862.
Fawcett, Thompson I., October 25, r862.
Foltz, Eli J., November rr, 1862.
Goetz, John, November 20, 1862.
Graham, Henry, October 22, 1862.
Hess, David K., November 13, 1862.
Harris, Manoah P., October 6, 1862.
Hall, Nathan K., October 10, 1862.
Hall, Thomas I., October 10, 1862.
Heimback, John, October 14, 1862.
Hoffman, Henry, October 22, 1862.
Hassbyze, Charles, October 25, 1862.
Jennings, William T., October 22, 1862.
Jewell, Charles, October 17, 1862.
Jewell, David L., October 10, 1862.
Keyes, Joseph H., October 8, 1862.
Kime, Franklin, October 6, 1862.
Lowry, William, December 22, 1862.
Lawyer, Michael W., October 12, 1862.
Ling, Conrad, November 11, 1862.
Maxson, Alfred, October 8, 1862.
McNarland, William M., October 10, X862.
McNarland, John, October 20, 1862.
Meek, William A., October 10, 1862.
McManell, John, November r2, 1862.
Melich, Jefferson, October 9, 1862.
Murphy, Marion F., October 20, 1862.
Musk, Aaron, October 4, 1862.
McNatt, Isaac, October 24, 1862.
Maloy, William, November 27, 1862.
Moore, John, December 4, 1862.
Newcomer, Christian, October 28, 1862.
North, John, October 4, 1862.
Porter, William, October 29, 1862.
Pfister, Matthias November 12, 1862.
Regh, John P., November 4, r862.
Ross, Elmos N., November 23, 1862.
Sailor, Samuel, October 5, 1862.
Scott, James F., October 5, 1862.
Scott, William B., October 19, 1862.
Seasight, Clay C, October 24, 1862.

336

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Stewart, John A., October 28, 1862.
Sperry, Joseph H., November 7, 1862.
Shoalts, Orlando, November 7, 1862.
Sigler, Philip M., October 21, 1862.
Siemen, George, November 24, 1862.
Schneider, Henry, November 22, 1862.
Schneider, John, November 22, 1862.
Shad, Jacob, November 22, 1862.
Sauther, Jacob, November 27, 1862.
Tuttle, Amos, October 20, 1862.
Tuttle, Cary, October 20, 1862.
Thompson, James, October 14, 1862.
Tipton, Elijah,. October 22, 1862.
Trimble, T. Edson, October 22, 1862.
Vaugn, Benjamin, October 22, 1862.
Willemin, James, October 7, 1862.
Whitmore, Henry, October 27, 1862.
Williams, Joseph, October 5, 1862.
Woodruff, Marion, October 20, 1862.
Wallace, James, November 15, 1862.
Williams, David, November 21, 1862.
Wilcox, Edward, October 8, '62.
Yeoder, Jacob, October 4, '62.
Yeoder, Alexander, October 24, '62.
Grass, John, November 12, '62.
Grime, Joseph, November 14, '62.
Gumunder, Frederick, November 22, '62.
Klein, George, November 22, '62.
COMPANY G.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Sergeant Charles W. Fisher, October 10, '61.
Corporal William V. Nickerson. October 10, '61,
PRIVATES.
Chasman, Henry, October 10, '61.
Dillen, Eli H., October 10, '61.
Gassaway, Benton, October 20, 61.
Hargrove, Duckworth, Octoberir, '61.
Hillis, Melvin, October 11, '61.
Johnson, Joseph, October 10, '61.
Jones, John, November 13, '61.
Menyhune, I. H., October 13, '6r.
Singer, John, October 10, -'6i.
Smith, James C, October 11, '6r.
Thompson, Charles, October 11, '6r.
Vallandingbam, G. B., October 8, '61.
Elder, Thomas, November 12, '61.
The One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth was partly
composed of drafted men and substitutes, but
became one of the best in the service. Captain
Parks' company became company F of this regi
ment. The regiment left Cleveland January 3, 1863,
southward bound, and on the eighth went into
camp a mile beyond Louisville, Kent ucky. Its first
skirmish was at Franklin, Tennessee, where it was
placed on the skirmish line, and drove the rebels
from that place. This was in February, and on the

ninth of March the rebels attempted to retake the
place, but were driven back by the One Hundred
and Twenty-Fifth. The attempt was repeated
April 10th, but the rebels were again repulsed, and
pursued by the regiment to Columbia.
During the summer it did a great deal of hard
marching, and on the eleventh of September was
engaged in severe skirmishing near Lee & Gor
don's mills, and the enemy was forced back across
Chickamauga creek. From this time until the
eighteenth of September the regiment was engaged
in almost constant skirmishing until the opening of
the battle of Chickamauga. In this great battle it
saw its first hard fighting. At one p. m. the divis
ion to which it was attached, was ordered to sup
port the left of the National lines. It entered the
field on the double-quick, and was soon actively
engaged. One of the officers thus writes :
Side by side and shoulder to shoulder did the men of the
One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth contest that bloody field, aim
ing low and promptly obeying orders. Nine prisoners were
taken, three of whom were captured by the colonel himself, and
three by Adjutant E. G. Whitesides. The rebels were routed
in confusion, and after dark we bivouacked on the field without
fire, without supper, and many of our men without blankets,
while a cold north wind chilled our wearied limbs almost to
numbness. At two p. M. of the twentieth we were again called
to arms, and having marched two miles to a new position, we
halted. A hasty breakfast was prepared and eaten, and we then
took our place as a reserve near the left of McCook's and at
the right of Thomas' corps. The battle opened on Thomas'
left at eight A. M. so severely that the division was ordered to
move on the double-quick to support it. Through some mis
apprehension a gap was left in McCook's line unprotected,
through which the enemy poured, driving his corps almost com
pletely from the field, and exposing the troops in that vicinity
to a murderous cross-fire.
At this moment Generals Thomas and Garfield
rode up to the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth
Ohio, and the former said, "This point must be
held." Colonel Opdyke replied that it could be
held, and, riding to the front of the regiment, led
in a charge made by the brigade, and the rebels
were driven back. The enemy now advanced
their second line, but the advanced position was
held until the enemy's fire literally enfiladed the
regiment, killing Lieutenant King and many more,
and seriously wounding Captain Youmans and
Lieutenant Barnes. The latter died of his wounds,
October 2, 1863. The regiment retired slowly and
in good order to the former position, which Gen
eral Thomas said must be held. Here the fight

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

337

was renewed with increased fury. For two long
hours a sea of fire swept the field, covering the
ground with friend and foe. Colonel Opdyke rode
along the lines encouraging his men amid the fly
ing bullets, both himself and horse being struck,
but escaping serious injury. The enemy were re
pulsed with great slaughter. At 3 p. m. the Forty-
first Ohio came up and lay down a few yards in
rear of the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth, just as
the enemy made his last assault. The men of the
Forty-first recognized Colonel Opdyke, who had
formerly served in that regiment as captain, and
gave him three rousing cheers. The regiment held
the position until the firing ceased and night closed
upon the bloody field, then fell back with the army
to Rossville, and thence to Chattanooga. So
prominent had been the bravery of the regiment
in this action that General Rosecrans compli
mented it, and General Woods christened it the
"Tiger Regiment, of Ohio." The next battle in
which the regiment took part was the storming of
Mission Ridge, November 26, 1863. It was in the
front of the battle and captured a rebel battery
located in front of Bragg's headquarters. Its loss
was severe. In the pursuit of the enemy the One
Hundred and Twenty-fifth was in the advance, fol
lowing as far as Bird's mills, when it was ordered to
return to Chattanooga.
On the twenty-eighth of November the regiment
started, with other troops of the Fourth corps to
the relief of Burnside at Knoxville. From this
place it moved on the sixteenth of December
toward Dandridge, where the enemy was found and
a severe fight took place in which the regiment
suffered severe losses. The National troops were
driven back, but night coming to their relief, they
built large and numerous fires to deceive the enemy
as to their numbers, and commenced a retreat to
Knoxville, where they arrived in safety. The regi
ment went into winter quarters at Loudon.
In the spring of 1864, General Sherman concen
trated the troops for his Atlanta campaign. The
One Hundred and Twenty-fifth was attached to
the Third brigade, Second division, Fourth army
corps, and engaged in the first battle of the cam
paign, at Dalton, May 7, 1863. General Howard
sent an order to General Harker to send a regi
ment of his best troops to dislodge the enemy from

Rocky Face ridge, and the One Hundred and
Twenty-fifth was detailed for this work. It moved
up the steep side of the mountain, charged the
enemy and drove him from his works, with a
loss of four killed and eighteen wounded. The
enemy was followed along the crest of the moun
tain to his main works, where the regiment halted
and threw up temporary works for the night. On
the following day an attack was made by the
brigade upon the rebel works, but after consider
able hard fighting and loss, the National forces were
compelled to withdraw and again encamped upon
the ground occupied the night previous. During
the night of the twelfth the enemy evacuated his
position before D?.lton, and the National forces
started in pursuit, coming up with him on the
fourteenth at Resaca. Here the One Hundred and
Twenty-fifth was again conspicuous for its bravery
and efficiency. It charged upon the enemy, driv
ing him from his works, and holding the position
until relieved at night. Colonel Harker, com
manding the brigade, and Colonel Opdyke were
wounded. At Lost Mountain it again distin
guished itself by a sweeping charge across a deep
miry stream, driving the enemy from his works in
the face of a murderous artillery fire. The regi
ment was again in the charge at Kennesaw Moun
tain, where the National forces were repulsed, and
the regiment lost heavily, General Harker receiving
his death wound.
After the fall of Atlanta the One Hundred and
Twenty-fifth was one of the regiments sent back
to watch the movements of Hood. It was in the
battle of Franklin where it gallantly charged the
enemy, capturing eighty prisoners and two battle
flags. Its lost was severe.
Part of the regiment was on the skirmish line at
the battle of Nashville and did good execution.
At 7 a. m. the regiment advanced upon the
enemy's works, and after a sharp fight carried
them. The next day, the sixteenth of December, the
regiment again charged with the brigade, and the
rebels fled in confusion. This was its last battle.
It was mustered out at Camp Chase, October 17,
1865. SECOND OHIO HEAVY ARTILLERY.
By the middle of 1863, the National armies had
made important captures of forts and other strong-

33«

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

holds belonging to the enemy. It became neces
sary to recruit a class of troops whose duty it
should be to fortify, garrison and hold these cap
tures. This culminated in the formation of heavy
artillery regiments numbering twenty-four hundred
men each. Two of these were raised in Ohio. The
companies numbered about two hundred men
each. One of these companies was partly recruited
in Mt. Vernon, about forty men from this place en
tering Battery I, Second Ohio heavy artillery,
under Captain Thomas A. Stevenson. Battery I
was mustered into the United States service Sep
tember 7, 1863, at Covington, Kentucky, and Oc
tober 1 ith moved to Fort De Wolf, at Shepherds-
ville, Kentucky. Remaining here until January
10, 1864, it went to Fort Nelson (Camp Nelson),
Kentucky. May 26, 1865, the battery moved from
Camp Nelson to Camp Sedgwick, at Cleveland,
Tennessee, and while there was engaged (seven
teenth of August) with a rebel cavalry force under
Wheeler. October 9, 1864, the battery was transferred to
Fort Galpin, at Knoxville, and on December 7th
it marched with the forces under Brigadier Gen
eral Jacob Ammen, to Bean's Station. It returned
to Galpin, where it remained until August 23,
1865, when it was taken to Nashville and mus
tered out of service. August 29, 1865, it was
paid, and finally discharged at Camp Chase.
EIGHTEENTH UNITED STATES REGULARS.
In the summer of 1861 Lieutenant Ogden, of
the regular army, opened a recruiting office in Mt.
Vernon to procure men for the Eighteenth United
States regulars — a new regiment then organizing
under Colonel Carrington. Lieutenant Ogden
was assisted by Lieutenant H. B. Freeman, a resi
dent of Mt. Vernon.
About forty men were recruited in Knox county
and forwarded, in detachments, to the general
rendezvous of the regiment at Columbus. The
company entered the field the following fall, and
did active and efficient service during the war. It
was engaged in the battles at and near Lebanon,
Mill Springs, Somerset, and Louisville, Kentucky ;
also at Fort Donelson, Nashville, Shiloh, Corinth,
Iuka, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, and
Mission Ridge. It fought all through the Atlanta

campaign, and was with Thomas' army at Frank
lin, Columbia, and Nashville.
Lieutenant Freeman was wounded at Chicka
mauga and fell into the hands of the enemy. He
was a prisoner in Libby, Macon, Charleston and
Columbia, where he escaped and was concealed
until Sherman's army came through when he
joined it. Several of the Knox county boys lost
their lives in this regiment, among whom were
Jesse Headington, company F, killed at Stone
River; Henry Davy, company G, died in Ander-
sonville; M. Burch, company B, killed. Several
were wounded and died in the service.
In addition to the foregoing organizations that
were sent into the war by Knox county there were
many squads raised in different parts ofthe county,
recruited by various individuals and placed gen
erally in Ohio regiments, but it is not possible to
give a detailed history of these scattered fragments.
Captain Charles H. Coe, of Centerburgh, raised a
company or squad of sharps-hooters ; Captain Coe
entering the service November 16, 1862. Ten
companies of this class of troops were recruited in
Ohio, but only three of these were recognized as
sharp-shooters during the war.
Quite a number of men from Knox also went
into the Third Ohio cavalry, and the county was
represented in the following Ohio regiments by
one or more men, often by a squad: the Second
(George Hollister of Milford township being a
captain in this regiment;) Twenty-third, Thirty-first,
Fifty-second, Sixty-first, Seventy-sixth, Seventy-ninth,
Eightieth, Eighty-second, Eighty-fifth, One Hun
dred and Seventh, One Hundred and Eighty-
seventh and One Hundred and Ninety-fifth.
A squad of thirty or more men was recruited
in the fall of 1861, and taken into the Eighty-
second regiment by Loyd Lippet of Mount Vernon.
ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY SECOND O. N. G.
The incipient beginnings ofthe One Hundred and
Forty-second Ohio National Guard, six companies
of which were from Knox county, date as far back
as April 1 1, 1863, when the legislature of Ohio passed
the well known militia law, dividing the State and
the different counties into militiary districts, for bet
ter and more perfect organization, and to facilitate
the raising of troops.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

339

The following documents speak for themselves :
State of Ohio Executive Department, \
Columbus, June 27, 1863. )
To the People of Ohio :
I have this moment (4 p. M.) received the following dispatch
from Major General Burnside, and lose not a moment in laying
it before you : ' ' Cincinnati, June 27, 1863.
To Governor Tod:
It is of the utmost importance that the people of Ohio should
respond with the greatest alacrity to the call of the President
for troops from this State.
[The call here referred to was one for one
hundred thousand men from the States of Ohio,
Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania for six
months, to repel a threatened invasion. Ohio's
quota was thirty thousand.]
The enemy is now threatening our northern cities with a
large force. The vital necessity of promptly meeting and driv
ing him back must be felt by every man. The sudden call of
last year which resulted in such an immense loss of time, labor
and money ; the stoppage of all business transactions, and the
risk of serious loss of property, should be remembered. The
recurrence of that excitement can be avoided now by the prompt
efforts of the people in aid of the President's call, and the im
mediate organization of a well-disciplined force. I feel con
fident that the people of Ohio have only to know the necessity
for this call to insure an instant and hearty response.
I pledge my full and earnest co-operation in every effort to
meet and repel the threatened danger.
A. E. Burnside, Major-General."
This appeal of General Burnside must be promptly re
sponded to or our State is certain to be invaded. Allow me to
recommend that all places of business be closed at 3 P. M. of
each day for the coming week, and that every man devote him
self to the noble work of raising troops to save our State from
invasion. The camps of rendezvous heretofore designated by me are in
complete readiness to receive all who wish to respond to the
call. If the enemy know that we are prepared to give them a
warm reception, they may not attempt to invade us, but if we
remain destitute of a force to meet them, they are certain to do
so. Rally then for the protection of your firesides so sacred and
dear to all.
In response to the above, the following military
notice was issued by the trustees and clerk of Clin
ton township:
Notice is hereby given that the township of Clinton, in
Knox county, has been by us, in pursuance of the act to organ
ize and discipline the military of Ohio, passed April 11, 1863,
divided into the following company districts.
After designating the boundaries of the districts,
four in number, the notice continues :
All persons liable to perform military duty in each of said
military districts, are hereby notified to meet on Saturday, the
fourth day of July, 1863, at r P. M., to elect by ballot one cap

tain, one first lieutenant, and one second lieutenant for the com
pany in their respective districts — each district to raise one com
pany. The election for the First district will be held at Ewalt's
school-house; for the Second district, at the Market house; for
the Third district, at the city council chamber; and for the
Fourth district, at the school-house in sub-district number six in
said township. Samuel Davis, )
Truman Ward, V Trustees.
Geo. E. Raymond, )
M. L. Mills, Clerk.
Similar notices were posted in every township in
the county, and thus was the county thoroughly or
ganized and every man subject to military duty en
rolled. Lee invaded Pennsylvania, was driven back at
Gettysburgh, and thus closed the threatened inva
sion of the northern States for the time. The One
Hundred and Forty-second regiment was part of
the militia organized at this time.
The first company was recruited and organized
at Mt. Vernon in July, 1863, by William C. Cooper,
who was elected captain, and subsequently became
colonel of the regiment. These militia organiza
tions were at first intended as home guards, indeed,
nothing more was expected of them, and according
to the terms of their enlistment no legal means
could be used to compel them to go beyond the
borders of the State. In the spring of 1864, when
the Government determined to put forth all its
power and crush the rebellion at one mighty blow,
it turned toward Ohio and these "Home Guards"
for help, and was not disappointed. More than
thirty-two thousand of them were suddenly trans
ferred to "National Guards," and were, as volun
teers, mustered into the service of the United
States, for one hundred days. Ohio produced this
great army of men after three years of volunteer
ing, during which she had furnished nearly two
hundred thousand men. The history of the Na
tional guard of Ohio would of itself make a vol
ume, but it is sufficient here to say that it was a
grand uprising of a grand, earnest, and patriotic
people, in which Knox county contributed her
share and added her might to the great host that
swept south to the assistance of the Government,
occupying the forts and defences, thus releasing
the veterans to move against the rebel armies.
The men went forth, too, at a time in the war
and in the year that they could not well be spared
from their homes and farms. Somebody must hold

34°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

the plow that the great army in front might be fed.
The National Guard was called out the first of
May, just as they (a large proportion of them were
farmers) were preparing to put in spring crops.
Many of these left the plow standing in the furrow,
as did their forefathers at Lexington; and the
women and children only were left in hundreds of
homes, to till the soil. Others left their workshops,
banks and stores, and —
' ' Like mountain torrents pouring to the main,
From every glen a living stream came forth,
From every hill in crowds they hastened down. — "
The history of the National Guard reveals more
clearly than almost any other act in the great
drama, the terrible earnestness, patriotism, and
determination of the people.
The following from the Secretary of War would
seem appropiate here : Washington, May 26, 1864.
To His Excellency Governor Brough :
This morning's report of the adjutant general shows that
since the date of the proposition made by you and other gov
ernors of the Western States to the President, thirty-eight regi
ments of infantry troops, numbering over thirty-two thousand
men have been called out, armed and equipped, and sent from
the State of Ohio to the respective points designated by the de
partment, and this while the draft is going on for three years
men, and all the veteran troops in the field have re-enlisted.
This prompt and energetic action of yourself, your staff and
the loyal people of the State exhibits an unmatched effort of
the devoted patriotism and stern determination to spare no sac
rifice to maintain the Nation and overthrow the rebellion. You
will please accept for yourself and the patriot people of Ohio
the thanks of the President and of this department.
E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
After the organization of the militia in 1863,
meetings were frequently and regularly held for
drill, and on the first of May, 1864, when Governor
Brough asked the services of the One Hundred
and Forty-second regiment, it reported promptly,
and was a well drilled and as fine looking body of
men as went from Knox county during the war.
Its field officers were — William C. Cooper, colonel;
William Rogers, lieutenant colonel; William M.
Young, major; Wilson N. King, surgeon; Jacob
Stamp, assistant surgeon; Frederick D. Sturges,
adjutant; Alexander H. Fritchey, quartermaster
and William J. Trimble, chaplain.
The following extract from a letter written by a
member of the regiment, gives a picture of the
start. It is dated at Fort Lyon, Alexandria, Vir
ginia, May 30, 1864:

We left Mt. Vernon on the morning of the eleventh, in open
freight cars, and in a snow storm. We were all day reaching
Columbus, arriving there at five o'clock and marching to Camp
Chase, four miles from the city.
We met a cool reception here, as there was no preparation to
receive us, and it was near midnight before wood, tents or ra
tions were issued to the men, and more than one thought of
warm suppers and good beds at home, but there was no grum
bling. The next day we were made comfortable, but I must say
that the first day was the roughest we have seen thus far.
On the. thirteenth we were mustered into the service of the
United States for one hundred days, and received orders to pre
pare three days rations, which consisted of salt meat and "hard
tack." On the fourteenth we marched to Columbus, where we ex
changed our arms for Springfield rifles, and at six P. M. we left
for Wheeling, passing through Zanesville just at daylight and
reaching the Ohio river at noon.
We did not notice any signs of war until we arrived at Cheat
river, where on the top of a hill, perhaps three hundred feet
high, we saw the flag of our co.untry waving over a small fort,
built to protect the bridge. From this place there was a strong
guard at all important points; but it was not until we reached
New creek that we saw what might be called an effective force.
There is quite an imposing looking fort at this place. The next
place was Piedmont, where the rebels just one week before de
stroyed the extensive works belonging to the railroad. The
damage done was estimated at five hundred thousand dollars.
We reached Martinsburgh on the seventeenth and were de
tained two days on account of damage by high water to the
bridge at Harper's Ferry.
While at Martinsburgh we saw a train of wounded fiom Sie-
gel's army — it was a sickening sight. We arrived at Harper's
Ferry on the nineteenth, and crossed in a boat worked by ropes.
Leaving here at eight in the evening we arrived at Washing
ton Saturday at ten a.m., having been just a week on the road
from Columbus. They marched us to the Soldier's Rest, where
we were fed and started on our way to this place (Fort Lyon)
which is a group of forts, thirteen miles from Washington, two
from Alexandria and five from Mt. Vernon. The men were
pretty well exhausted by the time they reached the fort. Fort
Lyon is a very strong fortification, containing forty-two cannon
and several mortars. The Tenth New York heavy artillery oc
cupied these forts before we came. This splendid regiment of
seventeen hundred men was sent to reinforce General Butler.
Colonel Cooper was offered a brigadier general's commission,
and the command of the forts, but declined.
The regiment remained at Fort Lyon busily en
gaged in strengthening the fortifications and per
fecting its drill, until June 5th, when orders were
received to report to General Ambercrombie, at
White House landing on the Pamunkey river.
The regiment took the steamer at Alexandria June
7th, and arrived at White House on the ninth
about midnight, and went into camp in the open
field. The wounded from the battle of Cold Har
bor, then in progress, were being brought in — a
gloomy reception to inexperienced soldiers. With-

HISTORY OF KNOX- COUNTY.

34i

out rest the regiment, carrying six day's rations,
left all its baggage and marched (at four a. m.) to
guard a supply-train through the Wilderness to
General Grant's front, near Cold Harbor, a dis
tance of sixteen miles. Arriving there in the even
ing Colonel Cooper reported to General Meade,
who ordered him to report his regiment to General
Butler at Bermuda Hundred. This point was
reached by water June 13th, where, without being
permitted to land, it was conveyed, on transports,
to Point of Rocks, about five miles below Peters
burgh. Here it was landed and marched about
six miles, to the extreme right of the National line.
Thinking to get a night's rest, the tired soldiers
lay down on their blankets ; but just as they had
lapsed into dreamy forgetfulness, the long roll
sounded. Leaving its tents standing the regiment
was marched three miles on double-quick, through
a dense, dark pine forest, filled with stumps and
underbrush over which the men often stumbled
and fell.
The point to be defended was reached and the
men immediately placed in rifle-pits, in which ex
posed position they passed about a week. They
were then detailed to destroy a line of earthworks
from which the enemy had been driven. While
engaged in this duty they were resisted by the reb
els; but the regiment, with the aid of other troops
on the line, not only completed the work of de
struction, but drove the rebels from the field.
Hardly a day passed without the regiment or
detachments from it being detailed for picket or
fatigue duty. At one time the whole regiment was
detailed to build a fort at Turkey Bend, on James
river, which duty it performed with credit and dis
patch, although incessantly annoyed by shells from
a hostile battery.
On the nineteenth of August it received orders
to repair to Washington city, as its term of service
had about expired. It accordingly embarked on
transports at Bermuda Hundred, and reached
Washington on the twenty-first. Thence it went
by rail to Camp Chase, Ohio, and was there mus
tered out of the service of the United States Sep
tember 2, 1864. The regiment arrived in Mt.
Vernon September 3d.
Out of an aggregate strength of eight hundred"
and forty-five men the regiment lost fifty, mostly

from disease incident to camp life, excessive fatigue
and exposure.
Following are the muster-rolls of the Knox
county companies of the One Hundred and Forty-
second Ohio National Guard. These companies
were mustered into the service May 13, 1864 :
field and staff.
Colonel William C. Cooper, May 2, 1864.
Lieutenant Colonel William Rogers, May 2, 1864.
Major William M. Young, May 2, 1864.
Adjutant Frederick D. Sturges, May 2, 1864.
Quartermaster Alexander H. Fritchie, May 2, 1864.
Surgeon Wilson A. King, May 2, 1864.
Chaplain William J. Trimble, May 2, 1864.
non-commissioned staff.
Sergeant Major Edward C. Camp, May 2, 1864.
Quartermaster Sergeant Henry L. Curtis, May 2, 1864.
Commissary Sergeant John W. Stanton, May 2, 1864.
Hospital Steward John J. Scribner, May 2, 1864.
COMPANY A.
commissioned officers.
Captain Jesse Davis, May 2, 1864.
First Lieutenant Milton L. Mills, May 2, 1864.
Second Lieutenant Alexander B.> Tarr, May 2, 1864.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Luther L. Hyatt, May 2, 1864,
Third Sergeant William H. Linn, May 2, 1864.
Fourth Sergeant Gilford D. Bishop, May 2, 1864.
Fifth Sergeant William Frazier, May 2, 1864.
First Corporal Jacob Cochran, May 2, 11364.
Second Corporal W. O. Shaw, May 2, 1864.
Fourth Corporal George Scott, May 2, 1864.
Fifth Corporal Orange Holister, May 2, 1864.
Sixth Corporal Jacob Weaver, May 2, 1864.
Seventh Corporal Benjamin F. Hyatt, May 2, 1864.
Eighth Corporal Charles Carey, May 2, 1864.
Musician William Coffing, May 2, 1864.
Musician ByramH. Osborn, May 2, 1864.
PRIVATES.
Breckenridge, David, date of enlistment May 2, 1864.
Bishop, Daniel A. ,
Bedell, Marshall,
Brown, Cassius,
Bishop, Allen J.,
Bedell, John E.,
Brokaw, William H,
Beeney, Henry,
Brown, James,
Blair, Abraham,
Celley, Joshua,
Coil, Granderson,
Carson, James C. ,
Cochran, John S.,
Cochran, Alexander,
Carr, John L. ,
Doty, Marshall,
Duston, John,

342

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

Deal, Roland, date of enlistment May 2, 1864.
Frazier, Samuel R. , " "
Fletcher, Christopher, " "
Fix, George W., " "
Fowler, Harrison, "
Gifford, Amasa, " "
Hixenbaugh, James A., "
Higbee, John L., "
Hollister, Allen,
Hill, Aaron,
Hix, Mardenbro, "
Higgins, John D. ,
Hulien, Charles, "
Hyatt, Philip H.,
Hyatt, Morris, "
Hyatt, Washington, " "
Hildreth, Judson, " "
Hixenbaugh, Adam, "
Haggerty, William, " "
Hollister, Joseph A., " "
Jeffers, Cassius, " "
Keller, Peter,
Kyle, James R., " "
Kelly, Michael, "
Lewis, Benjamin F., "
Litzenburg, David, " "
Linaweaver, Corbin R., " "
Lewis, Wilson S., " "
Lauderbaugh, Charles, "
Morris, M. H,
Milt, Henry C,
Miller, Jacob F. ,
Miller, Henry, "
Nickerson, Charles T., " "
Phillips, Isaac H., " "
Pinkerton, Benjamin F., " "
Robertson, John T., " "
Robertson, Charles E. , " "
Strickler, George B. , "
Sturges, Alfred, " "
Sturges, William B., " "
Spearman, John, " "
Scott, Samuel, " "
Smith, George L., - " "
Tarr, Haman, P., " "
Updike, Enos, "
Weaver, John, " "
White, St. Clair,
White, John W,, ....
COMPANY B.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Henry Larimore, May 2, 1864.
First Lieutenant William Kinsey, Mav 2, 1864.
Second Lieutenant Josiah S. Wolfe, May 2, 1864.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant George F. Beardsley, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant Charles G. Smith, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant Lewis Mitchell, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant Frank C. Larimore, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant Francis G. Speelman, May 2, 1864.

Corporal Marion F. Miller, May 2, 1864.
Corporal George Moreland, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Lewis D. Cumston, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Stephen Crego, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Samuel Colmary, May 2, 1864.
Corporal James Rimer, May 2, r864.
Corporal Wesley McDowell, May 2, 1864.
Corporal John Hays, May 2, 1864.
PRIVATES.
Anderson, George, date of enlistment, May 2, 18
Ake, Silas P.,
Balcome, Blonzo, "
Barrack, Robert G., "
Barnes, Alvin A., "
Burgoon, David J., "
Broiler, Levi, "
Broiier, James F.,
Baker, Charles H., "
Bottomfield, John S., ". .
Chamel, Henry, "
Cornal, Julius, " '
Crego, Monroe, "
Camp, Hanson,
Cristman, Bertley, "
Disney, Dorson A., "
Dudin, Charles W.,
Denty, John W., "
Drum, Wesley E., " '
Davis, James, " '
Elder, Franklin F., "
Evans, Lewis, " '
Evans, Wesley J., " '
Evans, Job, " '
Francis, George S. , " '
Francis, Orrin, " '
Huffman, Carr, " '
Hatfield, Irwin, " '
Hawkins, Daniel, " '
Harrison, Amzi, '
Hesket, Irwin, " '
Jagger, Silas,-
Jacobs, John W., " '
Koons, Collins, W., " '
Long, John R. , , , ,
Lake, Harrison E., "
Lambert, Reuben, " '
Lemmer, Peter, " '
Myers, David, " '
Morey, Corwin, " '
McManis, Isaiah, " '
More, Allen, "
McKinney, William C, " '
Nash, Cornelius, " '
Nieble, George, " '
Nieble, William,
Patterson, Harrison E.,
Poland, Charles, O., "
Poland, Freelin Q., '
, Patrick, David S., "
Runnels, Stephen,
Rutherford, David, "

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

343

Speelman, David H. , date of enlistment May 2, 1864,
Speelman, John W., "
Smith, Oscar E.,
Stoughton, Lemon,
Stults, Adam,
Stout, Jacob,
Shaffer, Levi, "
Shaffer, John W.,
Sutton, Thomas,
Tegarden, David, "
Trotter, George P., "
Trotter, Archibald,
Thrall, Lewis,
Williams, Henry,
Williams, David H.,
Wilson, James E., COMPANY C.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Henry .C. Harris, May 2, 1864.
First Lieutenant Lucien B. Curtis, May 2, 1864.
Second Lieutenant, Mills Harrod, May 2, 1864.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Ira Boyle, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant George W. Davis, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant John Graham, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant Isaac Vance, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant Charles B. Gates, May 2, 1864.
Color Sergeant Edwin S. Miller, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Aaron Boyle, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Henry J. Glaze, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Stephens Stinger, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Levi Winger, May 2, 1864.
Corporal John Minor, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Dany Miller, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Mathew P. Smith, May 2, X864.
Corporal John B. Oldaker, May 2, 1864.
Musician Isaac C. Everett, May 2, 1864.

Alexander, Joseph H.
Alexander, Albert,
Babbs, John W.,
Babbs, Thomas,
Buxton, Francis A.,
Buxton, Thomas,
Baughman, Chris.,
Beach, William A.,
Babbs, Isaac V. ,
Boyles, James S.,
Boyle, Joseph M.,
Bebout, William,
Conway, Charles A. ,
Crawford, James,
Cake, Howard,
Daily, George C. ,
Daily, Daniel,
Evans, George E.,
Edmonson, Charles,
Fonls, John,
Fonls, James,
Fry, Jacob,

date of enlistment, May 2, 1864.

date of enlistment May 2, 1864.

Frey, James R.,
Gates, Lyman W.,
Graham, Robert F. , "
Grove, David, "
Glenn, Thomas, "
Graves, William, "
Hodges, Henry, "
Hall, Luther S.,
Hunter, William A., "
Hyatt, William,
Hobbs, Samuel M. , "
Hobbs, John W.,
Herfoid, Crawford, "
Jones, Greenburg, "
Lockwood, William M., "
Lockwood, Ira L., "
Lincoln, William H., "
Miller, Harrison, "
Murphy, Albin W. , "
Morey, William, "
Montis, William H.,
Neal, George, "
Porter, Solomon, "
Quintard, Cyrus B., "
Robinson, Allen, "
Robinson, George, "
Row, Daniel, "
Seamons, Henry C, "
Smith, Robert H., "
Smith, Wilford,
Smith, HarveyJ., "
Steinmates, Upton, "
Steinmates, Jacob, "
Steinmates, Benjamin, "
Steinmates, John, "
Shafer, Laman, "
Shanks, John, "
Tracey, James M., "
Vernon, John, "
Winn, John M., "
Weaver, David H., "
Worman, Alfred, "
Webster, Glesner J., "
COMPANY F.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain A. B. Cummings, May 2, 1864.
First Lieutenant W. H. H. Miller, May n, 1864.
Second Lieutenant Ira Pealer, May 2, 1864.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sargeant Thomas H. Waltz, May 2, 1864.
Sargeant Harmon Lybarger, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant William B. Dowds, May 2, 1864,
Sergeant John McElroy, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Jacob Nips, May 2, 1864.
Corporal John Carter, May 2, 1864.
Corporal John Gilbert, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Richard Lybarger, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Alexander Gordon, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Alonzo Robinson, May 2, 1864.
Corporal John Worley, May 2, 1864.

344

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Corporal John Rummel, May 2, 1864.
Musician Smith Buchannan, May 2, 1864.
Musician Harvey Matheny, May 2, 1864.
PRIVATES.
Barker, George, date of enlistment, May 2, 1864.
Barron, Randolph, " "
Bevington, Levi, " "
Black, William,
Barker, Lyman, " "
Ball, George M. D.,
Clark, Amos, " "
Condit, Winfield S.,
Clemment, Benjamin, " "
Clark, Allen D
Craig, Clark N.,
DeWitt, John F.,
Dazninde, John A., " "
Dermody, John, " "
Day, Jehiel F.,
Elliott, William,
Fletcher, Henry, " "
Greer, Thomas E., " "
Goodale, Joseph, " "
Heston, Nathan, "
Heston, John, " *'
Hagaman, John, " "
Hunt, Philip,
Hess, Joseph, " "
Hersh, Levi, " "
Hayes, Daniel, " "
Lobach, Henry, " "
Long, William, " "
Montis, Solomon, " "
McElroy, James, " "
McCune, Robert, " "
Miller, H. Wright,
Miller, Abel C,
Mast, William H.,
Mayors, Lyman, " "
Minard, Thomas G, " "
Marsh, Eber P.,
Nichols, Jonas, " "
Neal, Joseph, " "
Onry, Silas, " "
O'Brian, William E.,
Pealor, Mahlon, " "
Phillips, Joshua, " "
Reed, James H., " "
Rogers, William A., " "
Rummels, James, " "
Reed, Samuel, " "
Shetler, Jacob, " "
Sharp, Wesley, " "
Stonebrook, Mathias, " "
Stout, John, " ••
Serrels, Thomas, " ••
Shetler, William,
Scott, Thomas E, '<
Shepard, Jeremiah, " ¦'
Thompson, Samuel, ¦<
Tilton, Asbury, ¦¦ <•

Tilton, Daniel W., date of enlistment May 2, 1864.
Vernon, James F.,
Whitney, Girdon,
Weirick, James L. ,
Waltz, Elias L.,
Wolfe, William,
Yarnell, John W., COMPANY H.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Josiah M. Cochran, May 2, 1864.
First Lieutenant Alfred R. Mclntyre, May 2, 1864.
Second Lieutenant Columbus D. Hyler, May 2, 1864.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant James F. Greenley, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant Artemus C. Rowley, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant Chauncey P. Hill, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant Mathew Boner, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant Harvey Devoe, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Joshua Durbin, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Abram Stephens, May 2, 1864,
Corporal David P. Willitts, May 2, 1864.
Corporal James E. Ewers, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Alexander Syliman, May 2, 1864.
Corporal James C. McGrew, May 2, 1864.
Corporal John T. Cornell, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Leander Caywood, May 2, 1864.
PRIVATES.
Buckwalter, Jehiel, date of enlistment, May 2, 1864.
Blackburn, Moses, " "
Bricker, William, " "
Blackburn, Robert B.,
Brown, John, " "
Breece, Edson J., " "
Baxter, Porter, " "
Condon, George W. , " "
Condon, Jesse W. , "
Caywood, Sylvester, " "
Chancy, James B. , " "
Case, Lew, " "
Condon, David, " "
Condon, William H., " "
Cullison, James, " "
Douglas, Abram L. , " "
Dennis, Aaron, " "
Dehaven, Oliver F., " "
Detwile, George W. , " "
Durbin, Samuel, " "
Duncan, James, " "
Elliott, Edwin,
Estile. Edwin H.,
Edwards, Charles W. , , , , ,
Ebersole, John, "
Foote, Henry R., ,, ,.
Foote, Wilber,
Fidler, Daniel,
Giffin William C,
Gordon, Irvin, " "
Gibson, Gideon, " "
Gibson, Albert, ¦¦ "
Gilbert, Samuel, •«. "

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

345

HoUabaugh, John F., date of enlistment May 2, 1864.
Hall, Philip C,
Ireland,' Lewis, "
Haines, Burges, " "
Jackson, John, " "
Knight, Fred. W.,
Ladd, Henry H. M.,
Marple, Hiram B., " "
Murphy, James F., " "
Mervin, John, " "
Nepton, William F., " "
Palmer, George W., " "
Rush, Frank L., " "
Rush, John A., " "
Rowley, James H., " "
Roberts, T. Burr,
Reed, Marshal, " "
Ransom, Oscar, " "
Sockman, William, " "
Strong, Heman, W., " "
Strong, Clayton, " "
Strong, Winfield, "¦ "
Steel, Israel, " "
Walker, James M., " "
Weaver, B. Franklin, " "
Wymer, Michael, " "
Wilson, William, " "
Wilson, John, "
Winters, Gearge, " "
Wyants, Augustus, " "
Vernon, Daniel L., " "
Vale, Milton W.,
Zolman, William, " "
Bigbee, Royal, "
Owens, Leander, " "
Whitney, Seymour, " "
COMPANY I.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain W. O. Daniels, date of enlistment May 2, 1864.
First Lieutenant Carey Bell " "
Second Lieutenant David Mercer, "
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant William H. Hanna, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant Walden Clutter,
Sergeant John R. Wilson,
Sergeant Alexander J. Robinson,
Sergeant Harrison V. Conway,
Corporal David Bowman,
Corporal David Lims,
Corporal Thomas Floyd, ' '
Corporal Samuel Pratt, ' '
Corporal Charles E. Barnes, "
Corporal John S. Boyd,
Corporal Charles Pierson,
Corporal Edward W. Bell, PRIVATES.
Bennett, Henry, May- 2, 1864.
Bebout, William,
Bentz, Jacob,
Crafts, Benjamin,
Cline, John, "

Cline, David,
Chandler, David,
Carpenter, John,
Curtis, James W.,
Christman, Isaac,
Dawson, James R.,
Dillen, Francis,
Dadley.JohnW.,
Fowls, William,
Green, Franklin,
Green, Henry,
Guy, Henry C,
Henry, William,
Henry, Daniel B.,
Herrington, Leonard,
Herrington, William,
Henston, Robert,
Henston, David,
HoUabaugh, Samuel,
Hardman, Philander,
Houck, Thomas H.,
Jennings, Jesse H.,
Jones, George W.,
Kerr, Alexanders.,
Kerr, John,
Keys, Charles,
Lewis, John,
Lame, Henry,
McCemment, William,
Murphy, Oliver F.,
McMillen, Daniel,
Murphy, Lewis M.,
McWilliams, Charles,
Mahaffey, Milton,
Meek, Stephen S.,
McKay, William,
Nofimger, William,
Pumphrey, Josiah,
Rumsey, OlloffD.,
Russell, William H.,
Russell, James,
Reese, Austin,
Spry, John W.,
Shales, Elah H.,
Sims, John,
Shaw, Robert A. ,
Sims, William,
Smith, William,
Simpson, Josiah J.,
Schooler, John,
Trimble, William J.,
Thompson, Samuel,
Thornhill, Amstard H.,
Thornhill, William,
Van Voorhis, Townsend,
Welch, Edward,
Welch, Robert M„
Walker, Alexander J.,
Wright, William,
Wright, Phineas,
Wilson, William,
Wright, Amos,

May 2, 1864.

346

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

COMPANY K.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Captain Charles S. Pyle, May 2, 1864.
First Lieutenant John Eichelberger, May 2, 1864.
Second Lieutenant William B. Brown, May 2, 1864.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant Erastus B. Cake, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant B. Twist, May 2, X864.
Sergeant Amos Roberts, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant Perlee C. Breckenridge, May 2, 1864.
Sergeant Adam Adams, May 2, 1864.
Corporal George S. Bennett, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Campbell Errett, May 2, 1864.
Corporal John Hildreth, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Arthur Adams, May 2, 1864.
Corporal John Magill, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Elias L. Cooper, May 2, 1864.
Corporal Robert N. George, May 2, 1864.
Corporal James L. Israel, May 2, 1864.
Fifer Mattison M. Israel, May 2, 1864.
PRIVATES.
Byrd, SharplessL., date of enlistment, May 2, 1864.
Burr, T. Jesse,
Bostwick, William W.,
Baldwin, William F.,
Beard, Oliver,
Bope, Charles A.,
Beam, John M.,
Beam, Isaac W. ,
Blocher, De,
Crowell, Frederick S. ,
Cooper, Charles G.,
Curtis, Henry L. ,
Davidson, John P.,
Davis, John C. ,
Evans, O. William,
Elliott, Samuel,
Fowler, C. Herbert,
Frederick, H. James,
Fowler, William,
Hickman, William W..
Harl, F. Charles,
Hadley, George,
Johnson, M. Richard,
Jackson, Harvey,
Koons, Richard P.,
Kingston, Ezekiel,
Kirk, De Sault B.,
Lane, Philander C,
Lane, James A..
Lingerfield, Henry,
Leopold, Max,
Miller, Phillip D.,
Martin, Joseph A.,
Myers, John A.,
Maner, William,
Montis, Mahlon D.,
Mahaffey, William,
McGrady, Dolph,
Metzger, Henry,

Pool, John, date of enlistment May 2, 1864.
Pyle, B. Parker,
Phifer, James D., " "
Reeve, John T,
Springer, Elias, "
Stoke, Abraham, "
Sapp, Julius B. , ....
Shaw, Noah P., " "
Stoile, James, " "
Snow, Alden, jr., " "
Sapp, Solomon C, "
Stone, C. Daniel, "
Scribner, John J., " "
Stadden, George W., " "
Tress, William F.,
Taylor, Marcus H., " "
Thomas, Levi W., " "
Vance, Walter L., " "
Wells, William,
Wade, William W.,
Ward, Elonzo H., "
Watkins, Thomas P., " "
White, Calvin,
Warden, Samuel P., "
Wright, Edwin, " '_
Well, Joseph, " "
Williamson, Henry E., " "
SQUIRREL HUNTERS.
It may not be well to close this chapter without
a mention of the highly honorable and patriotic
service rendered by a large number of the citizens
of Knox county in 1862, in the capacity of "Squir
rel Hunters."
Early in September of that year the rebel Gen
eral Kirby Smith threatened Cincinnati with a
strong force. The whole State was kept in a fever
ish state of excitement several days with the pros
pect of having a rebel army on this side of the
Ohio. The telegraph wires called the citizens to
arms and about one hundred thousand "Squirrel
Hunters"- turned out to repel the invaders. Knox
county furnished about one hundred men for this
service. There were two calls for "Squirrel Hunters." The
first of these was September 4, 1862, when a com
pany of eighty men was immediately dispatched
from Mt. Vernon, armed with squirrel rifles, shot
guns, etc., without organization or discipline. The
following extract from a letter written by one of
these men at the time discloses the condition of
affairs :
Our company, some eighty strong, which had been christened
the "Copperhead Killers," left Mt. Vernon on Tuesday at 11
A. M. Midnight found us tramping through the streets of the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

347

Queen City engaged in hunting supper and quarters for half a
night. We were taken to the Fifth street market house where the
animals were regaled with bread and ham; thence we were
marched to our present camping grounds, being the fourth story
of a five story building, where we passed the remaining two
hours of night in fitful slumbers on the floor.
This morning we were aroused and after a hasty organization
by electing Cal. captain, and Mit. and Ball, lieutenants, we
proceeded to the quarters of Colonel McDowell and tendered
our services for six days.
We learn that Kirby Smith is falling back, having no doubt
earned through his spies and scouts that our company had
left Owl creek and were approaching Cincinnati. The citizens
seem to think since our arrival that the city is safe. Citizen soldiers
have been pouring into the city for the last four days at the rate
of several thousand per day, armed with rifles, smooth-bores,
pumpkin slingers, slug shooters, shot-guns, etc. The streets
are packed with squads, companies and regiments marching and
countermarching all the day and night long. All are drilling,
drilling, drilling, drilling. Kirby Smith must be tickled at the
thought of what a muss he has kicked up here and what a
panic-maker he is.
It is said that thirty-five thousand of- our troops have crossed
the river to Covington, and still they come. We expect to
return to our homes and firesides about Tuesday next when we
shall rest from our labors. If you have any drums or fire-crack
ers left you might call a meeting and welcome us home from
the wars.
The citizen soldiers had scarcely returned to
their homes when Kirby Smith concluded to recall
them by again threatening Cincinnati. On the
eleventh of September the following dispatch was
received by C. H. Scribner, secretary of the Knox
county Military committee. It was from Newark:
"Send out runners for rifles and men for Cin
cinnati, to leave at n a. m. to-morrow. Rebels
have again made their appearance."
The Military committee immediately issued
another call for "Squirrel Hunters," and with it
the following instructions :
Each man who goes should be provided with a gun and plenty
of ammunition suited to it. It would be well also to take a blan
ket, tin cup, and two or three days' provisions. Those who
.have guns and cannot go are requested to bring or send them
n together with their bulletmoulds.
Their services were not, however, needed and
they were recalled before they were fairly on the
way. Governor Tod subsequently caused litho
graphic discharges to be issued and sent to each of
these "Squirrel Hunters."
As all things must have an end, so the end of
the great war came to fill the land with rejoicings.
Mount Vernon, in common with the rest of the
country, went wild on that fair April day when the

wires carried the news that the "Silent Man" had
received the surrender of Lee's great army. A
copy of the dispatch was taken to the high school
and read to the pupils by Mr. Mitchell ; the school
was dismissed for the day and the scholars rushed
into the street, and added their glad shouts and
songs to the rejoicings of the multitude that
thronged the streets. All business was suspended,
and the people gave themselves up to rejoicings.
Bands paraded the streets; cannons were fired;
flags and streamers were flung to the breeze ; every
building was decorated; men of all parties, colors,
and conditions met on an equality, shook hands, and
congratulated each other; the name of Grant was
on every lip, and people stood before his picture,
exhibited in every window, with hearts too full for
utterance. In the evening there were music, bon
fires, illuminations, and speeches by Mr. Delano
and others.
A few days later came the news of the assassi
nation of the President, and Mount Vernon be
came a city of mourning. Those were days in which
every moment was weighted with some mighty
event, each of which would require a volume to
faithfully portray.
Knox county may well be proud of her part in
the great Rebellion. Her sons sleep on almost
every battlefield of the South, and by every prison-
pen. Many of them are resting in the beautiful
cemetery in the suburbs of Mount Vernon, where
they are remembered each succeeding year when
the flowers are in bloom; and as the years go by
they are still dropping one by one into the grave
from the seeds of disease engendered in these years
of strife and blood. They are not forgotten; the
tears of the living cannot wash out the deeds of
these heroes; an undivided, free, happy country is
their monument; a people freed and a land puri
fied by their blood, and a government established
on a solid foundation for all time is the inheri
tance they have left behind.
1 ' Cover them over with beautiful flowers,
Deck them with garlands, those brothers of ours ;
I ymg so silent by night and by day,
Sleeping the years of their manhood away ;
Years they had marked for the joys of the brave ;
Years they must waste in the sloth of the grave.
All the bright laurels they fought to make bloom,
Fell to the earth when they went to the tomb.

348

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

Give them the meed they have won in the past ;
Give them the honors their merits forecast ;
Give them the chaDlets they won in the strife,
Give them the laurels they lost with their life.
Cover them over — yes, cover them over —
Parent, and husband, and brother, and lover ;
Crown in your heart these dead heroes of ours,
And cover them over with beautiful flowers."

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
MOUNT VERNON.
The Proprietors — Name- First House— First Tavern
— The Butlers — Town Plat — Tornado— The First
Doctor — Commissioners for Selecting the County
Seat — Their Report — The Struggle for the County
Seat — Ben. Butler's "Trick" — The Riot — An Inden
ture of Apprenticeship — The Hatters— James Craig
—Joseph Walker— Fighting and Other Amusements
— Endeavors to Change the County Seat — What the
Living Pioneers Say.
THE original proprietors of Mt. Vernon were
Joseph Walker, Thomas B. Patterson, and
Benjamin Butler. The town was laid out in 1805.
One of the proprietors being from the Potomac,
and thinking of the consecrated spot on its shores,
suggested that the new laid-out town should bear
the name of Washington's family seat — Mt. Vernon.
About 1806, Samuel Kratzer came from Lan
caster to the new town site, and bought out the in
terest of Mr. Patterson.
Captain Walker's house was the first one within
the town plat. The next buildings were two little
log cabins, built by Ben. Butler, on the corner
now owned by Christian Peterman — Gambier and
Main streets — northwest corner. In one of these
log pens Butler lived and kept tavern until he built
his log cabin on the corner, which for many years
continued the principal tavern of Mt. Vernon.
Butler moved into it in the fall of 1805, and lived
in it until 1809. It continued as the war office
under successive administrations.
Among the early settlers of this part of Ohio
was the Virginia family of Butlers. They were
John, Thomas, Benjamin, Joseph, Isaac, and
James, and all made their settlements upon Owl
creek (Kakousie) and Whitewoman (Walhonding)

at first. In 1800 Ben. Butler settled in the neigh
borhood of Dresden. In 1801 he moved to Lewis-
ville, two miles above Coshocton, and in 1802 set
tled on Whitewoman, above the mouth of Kill-
buck. From this place he moved to Mt. Vernon
in April, 1805, where he resided until 1809, when
he moved down the creek, where he remained until
the time of his death, in June, 1872. Before he
moved to Mt. Vernon he had purchased thirty-six
acres of land of Joseph Walker, which he (Walker)
had purchased of Matthews and Nigh. Matthews
executed the deed to Butler. Patterson, Walker,
and Butler conceived the plan of laying out a town
on their possessions, and accordingly in July, 1805,
it was surveyed by Robert Thompson, and recorded
in the Fairfield county records.
Benjamin Butler was born in Monongalia
county, Virginia. April 18, 1779, and married May
2, 1799, Leah Rogers, of Crab Orchard, Virginia,
then in her sixteenth year.
Clinton — one mile and a half north — was laid
out in 1804, Mt. Vernon in 1805, and Frederick-
town in 1 807. Neither of them amounted to much
in 1808, but of the three Clinton was the most
promising. The following is the original specifications of the
first plat of Mt. Vernon :
The town of Mt. Vernon is situated in the first section of the
sixth township and thirteenth range. The town is laid off in
blocks or squares, the streets and alleys intersecting at right
angles, bears south one-fourth degree east and north one-fourth
degree west, and east one-fourth north, and west one-fourth
south. The lots are numbered from north to south, and from
south to north successively, beginning at the northeast corner.
The lots are four rods wide in front and eight rods deep. The
streets are four rods wide, except High street which is six rods
wide. The alleys are one rod wide each. The public square
at the intersection of High and Market streets is twenty-two
rods square, including the said streets at the intersection, and is
given, granted and conveyed to the purchasers of the lots and
their heirs assigns and successors forever for the purpose of
public buildings, etc. The said town of Mt. Vernon is owned and
possessed by Thomas B. Patterson, Joseph Walker and Benja
min Butler, in three distinct and separate shares as hereinafter
described, viz: Thomas B. Patterson's share or part is all that
which lies north of High street; Joseph Walker's share or part
is that which lies south of High street and west of Market street;
Benjamin Butler's share or part is that which lies south of High
street and east of Market street, all of which shares and divis
ions are to be held by the said Thomas, Joseph and Benjamin,
and their heirs or assigns in severalty forever. The public
ground is bounded on the north by lots No. 11 1 and 130; on
the south by lots no and 131; on the east by lots 73, 74, 75.
and 76; on the west by lots 164, 165, 166, and 167. Given

^fhtw off 5SIaotB ^JgogG" sffl^

toa ^qQDes^^^Swix^C^

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

349

under our hands and seals this sixteenth day of July, A. D., 1805.
Signed, sealed and acknowl- Thos. B. Patterson, [seal]
edged in the presence of us.
Elnathan Scofield, Joseph Walker, [seal]
Peter Barrick. Benjamin Butler, [seal].
State of Ohio, )
Fairfield County, j Personally appeared before me, Elna
than Scofield, one of the justices of the peace in and for the
aforesaid county, the above named Thomas B. Patterson, Joseph
Walker and Benjamin Butler, and acknowledged that they
signed the above written instrument as their voluntary act and
deed for the use and purpose therein mentioned. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixteenth
day of July, A. D. 1805. Elnathan Scofield, [seal].
July 16, 1805.
Received and recorded. H. Boyle, Recorder.
Soon after the town was laid out, it was visited
by a tornado, the effects of which are thus described
in Norton's history:
The most extraordinary event of those early times was a ter
rible tornado in the summer of 1808, which played havoc with
the early settlers. It came up suddenly, and was very violent.
It tore off the roofs of all the houses, killed most of the stock
running about, and tore down all the large white-oak trees that
were on Butler's thirty-six acre tract, as also many trees on
Walker's land. In its course it took in Andy Craig's old stand
on Centre run. Butler had nine head of horses; as the storm
came up they attempted to run out of its way. Two of them
were killed; one of them ran all the way to Craig's and jumped
into his garden patch ; its skin was torn and its flesh scratched
in many places by limbs of trees hurled against it by the storm
as it ran to get out of its reach. Walker had some horses
killed; also Patterson, and Kratzer, and a little fellow from Vir
ginia, who lived on the hill, named Zinn.
Norton gives the following account of Mt. Ver
non's first doctor:
A little doctor named Henderson was present when the town
was laid out. He was from Baltimore, Maryland, proposed
the name of the place, and they all sanctioned it.
Henderson was a clever young man; his father made a regu
lar doctor out of him, and started him out with a good horse
and outfit; but he was too lazy to practice. The first time But
ler saw him, Patterson came out in the lot where Butler was
plowing, and introduced him to Ben, who was out of temper at
the beech-roots, which were in the way of the plow. When
Patterson said he was a doctor, and Henderson mentioned the
fact of inoculating a child with vaccine matter, and wanted to
operate on Butler's children, Ben astonished the young doctor
by cursing him in very strong back-woods vernacular. Ben
said afterwards : "I didn't then know exactly what inoculating
meant, but I was mad, and I threatened to put my knife into
' him, and scared him so that he would not attempt to 'noculate
any more in that town. He stayed about for a time, until he
ran away with a woman; and no other doctor dared to show his
face there during my stay. We had no lawyers, either, in those
days. "
The first white child born in Mt. Vernon was Jo
seph, son of Benjamin Butler, October 23, 1806.

In another chapter mention is made of a prelim
inary report made to the judges of the court of
common pleas, at the first session held in the
county, May 2, 1808, by the commissioners, to
locate the county seat for the county of Knox.
There were three contestants for the honor, Clin
ton, Mt. Veinon, and Fredericktown.
The following is the commissioners' report:
To the Hon. William Wilson, esq. , President, and John Mills,
William Gass, and William W. Farquhar, esqrs., associate
judges of the court of common pleas in and for the county of
Knox, in the State of Ohio:
May it please your honors: In conformijy with an act of the
legislature of the State of Ohio, passed the twenty-eighth of
March, 1803, entitled 'An act establishing seats of justice," we,
the subscribers, were appointed by a resolution of both houses
of the legislature, passed on the ninth of February, 1808, com
missioners for fixing the permanent seat of justice in and for
said county of Knox. We do hereby make report to your hon
ors, that having met and attended to the duties of said appoint
ment in said county on the twenty-eighth of the present instant,
and having paid due regard to the centre, extent of population,
quality of soil, as well as the general convenience, we hereby
declare that the town of Mt. Vernon is the most suitable place
for the courts of said county to be held at, and we do hereby
declare the said town of Mt. Vernon the permanent seat of jus
tice in and for said county of Knox. Given under our hands
and seals this twenty-ninth of March, 1808.
James Armstrong,
James Dunlap,
Isaac Cook, Commissioners.
The citizens of the two rival towns were not sat
isfied with the action of the commissioners. Efforts
were made to induce the legislature to order a new
count, more especially by the Clintonians, who
wanted the county seat badly. One thing men
tioned by the prayer of the petitioners was that
the legislature enlarge the boundaries of Knox
county, so as to take from Richland one tier of
townships and attach them to the north part of
Knox, thus throwing Mt. Vernon out of the centre
of the county. If this move had succeeded Fred
ericktown would have been more eligible than
Clinton, yet the people of Clinton would have
been perfectly willing that her northern rival
should have been made happy at her expense, so
the good people of Mt. Vernon be made to chew
tbe bitter cud of disappointment. The cry of
fraud was raised and reported to the legislature for
effect, but that body did not see fit to make any-
change. The late Benjamin Butler, in his life time, gave

35°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Mr. Norton his version of the causes which led to
the selection of Mt. Vernon as the county seat, as
follows :
When I moved my family to the thirty-six acres of land
which I had bought, I had no thought of ever laying out any
portion of it in town lots, or of any town ever being laid out
here, nor at that time had Walker or Patterson. The idea
when suggested was pleasing, and we at once took up with it.
Clinton had been laid out" by Samuel Smith, and had never
been paid out, I believe. It was started chiefly on the dona
tion principle. Those who would put up buildings had their
own time to pay for the lots.
When we got word that the commissioners were coming on
to locate the county seat, we were greatly stirred up about how
we should manage. Kratzer, Patterson and Walker came to
see me about it, and we had a general consultation. I thought
we had no chance of getting it, for I told them that they had
at Clinton Bill Douglass' mill, a lot of good houses, Samuel
Smith's-big brick house, and plenty of smart Yankees to
manage; also they had at Frederick Johnny Kerr's mill and a
lot of rich Quakers around it, and both those places looked
better then our little scrubby place. Samuel Kratzer asked me
what I would do about it? I said to them that I had studied
out a pretty bad trick that I could manage if they would only-
go into it; if thev wouldn't there wasn't a bit of chance for us;
they said "let's hear it." I told them I would give ten dollars
myself and each of them must give ten dollars to make a purse
and get liquor for some hard cases we had about town and en
gage them to go up Clinton and Frederick, get drunk, fight,
and raise Cain generally when the commissioners were up there
on their tour of observation. As for us we would get two good
yoke of oxen to work on the streets, and the rest of the men
must take hold and spade, and shovel, and pick, and roll logs,
and dig up stumps, and be fixing up the streets right, while the
women and girls must get out into their gardens hoeing, and
weeding, and working; I would have the best victuals cooked
and the best cheer the little old tavern could afford, so as to
please the commissioners, and we might then come out first for
the county seat selection.
My plan struck their fancy. Samuel Kratzer, although he
was a great Methodist, didn't say a word about its being a sin
to cheat them in that game, but at it we went. All fell into the
plan. We had a clever fellow named Munson, from Granville,
and a big fellow named Bixbee, from over about Bigbelly, who
agreed to go along and each to captain a gang of the rowdies
and see that it was played out right.
It was Thursday afternoon when the commissioners first came
to our town. They rode up and asked me if they could stay all
night ; I told them it was hard fare we had, but if they would
put up with it they could, and they stopped. I guessed who
they were at once and passed the word around. Everything
went on as we had planned it. The next morning about day
light the busiest set of bees ever collected about a hive were at
work, hammering, pounding, digging, hoeing, scraping, and
working on the streets and in the lots. Leah (Mrs. Butler) had
breakfast bright and early. I had their horses all cleaned up
and well fed, and ready, after they had eaten, to start. They
wondered at the work they saw going on, and if it was kept up
always as they had seen it in town. I told them we were all poor
and hard-working, and we never lost any time in our little town.
They said they were going up to Clinton and Frederick to see

those places, and were going to fix the county seat, and wanted
me to go along; but I tried to beg off— that I was poor and
must work, and couldn't lose the time, as it would take them
two or three days to determine it. They said no, it wouldn't
take them that- long, and I knew well if the trick was played out
well by the rowdies that they would soon he back, so I hesitated
as though I would not go. Finally I told Kratzer if he would
go I would, as I would like to see them fix the county seat up
there, and then Jim Dunlap, who was a jovial fellow about
thirty-five, spoke up and said to come ahead; the other two
were sort of gruff, it seemed to me, and didn't say much, but
looked solemn. They asked if we didn't expect to get the
county seat at Mount Vernon, and I told them no, that we were
too poor to try for it; that I felt too poor really 'to go up with
them, for some fellow might come along and stop with me, who
would want me to go with him and look at land, and every fel
low that I showed land to, gave me two dollars, which helped
right smart. There were three sorts of poor — God's poor, the
devil's poor, and poor devils, and that we were all poor devils;
but Sam Smith was long headed, and Johnny Kerr had lots cf
rich Quakers to back him, so us poor devils were left out of the
question. We then rode together up to Clinton, and there the rowdies
were cutting up, the fiddle going, and shouting and cursing be
ing done of the tallest kind. When we went to go into the
tavern there was a rush to the doorway, as two men were
scuffling and fighting, and before the commissioners could get
in they werejammed and scuffed about, and in the din and con
fusion, and yells of "pull them off," "part them," "don't do
it," "fair play," "hit him again," "let 'em fight it out," etc.,
the commissioners backed out from the tavern, and proposed to
go and look at Fredericktown. About that time old Sam
Smith came up, and when he found out they were the commiss
ioners, and going, he tried the hardest kind to get them to
stop, but it was no go; they had seen enough of that place then,
but promised him to call again tomorrow. On the way to
Fredericktown I talked much with them, and apologized for the
way our people up there had acted. They asked me if they cut
up like Indians all the time, and I told them that about Clinton
and Frederick there were a great many rich men's sons, who had
no trades, and would frolic a little just to put in their time, but
they were a mighty clever set of people. 1 pointed out to them
the pretty scenery, and bragged on the land around, but said
not a word for Mount Vernon. When we got to Frederick,
they stopped at Ayres' tavern and found a good deal such
quarreling going on as at Clinton. I got afraid then that they
might see through it, and suspect that we had a hand in getting
it up, so I got down about the mill, and sat on the logs awhile
with Kratzer and Patterson, and left the commissioners up at
the tavern to see the fighting in the yard. Just before going in to
dinner I called one of the rowdies to me and told him it was all
working well, gave him more money, and told him to swear the
others not to divulge the secret, and we would make it all right
with 'em. After dinner the commissioners sauntered around,
and I proposed going back and leaving them, as they would
want to stay all night there. I had some work to do and chores
to attend to at home before night; but they would have me wait
a little while longer for them, and I did it. " While there sitting
on a log, we bet two gallons of wine with Johnny Kerr, as lo
which place would get the county seat. When they were ready
they started, and we rode back to Mount Vernon, where Mrs.
Butler had the best kind of a supper cooked up, and it put the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

3Si

commissioners in right good humor. She knew how to fix up
things right on such an occasion.
The men about Mt. Vernon were all quiet, and kept so, and
when Dunlap asked Coyle's two boys to take a dram with him,
they hung back and hesitated, until I told them to come up and
take a dram with the gentleman — that there was no harm in it.
They poured out the least bit of drams they ever took in their
lives. The next morning the commissioners got ready to start,
and I had got Knuck Harris (who came here from Zanesville) ,
the only nigger in the country then, to sleek their horses off,
and they came out looking first rate. Dunlap was a funny fel
low, who thought he could hop, and bantered some of the boys
to hop, but they were afraid they would be beat by him, and
said it wern't no use to try as they knew he could beat them. I
told him to make his hop, and he went out in the road and
gave a sample; I went over it just a" little, and we hopped several
times, until I concluded to show him what Ben could do. I
hopped so far over his furthest mark, they all laughed him right
out, and he gave it up, saying I could hop some. In those days
1 never found the man that could beat me. When they were
about starting I asked them if they were not going back to
Clinton and give it another look. They said "no," and the
Clintonites never saw them any more. They wanted to go to
Delaware, and asked me to pilot them a part of the way,
which I did, and when I got out with them back of George
Lewis' place, I tried to get something out of them as what they
had determined on, but they evaded my questions and gave
me little satisfaction. On bidding them good by, I hoped they
were not put out with our place on account of the hard fare I
had given them — that I had nothing nice to give them, as I
kept only a little log tavern, and supplied my table by hunting
and butchering. One of them remarked that if they ever came
this way again, they were well enough suited to call on me. I
then said that I was poor, and felt discouraged, and thought
that I would quit and go somewhere else and make a better
living for myself and family. Dunlap then said I was doing
well enough, and must not get out of heart. And so we parted.
When I got back to town all the men gathered around* me to
find out what was our chance. I told them what had passed
between us, and that I was satisfied it would be found that our
side was ahead, and I called them all up to take a good drink at
my expense on Mt. Vemon being the county seat. That little
trick of ours, I am sure, made the scales turn in our favor, and
when we knew it was established at Mt. Vernon, you can im
agine we had rejoicing over it.
For some time after the settlement of the county
seat question, the burden of the song of the
Clintonians and of the Fradericktowners was the
refrain of Maud Muller:
Of all sad words of tongue and pen,
The saddest are these, "It might have been. "
Jonathan Hunt gave this account of the volun
teer work done on the streets, the day after the
commissioners' arrival at Mt. Vernon :
Gilman Bryant sort of bossed the work, and being a cripple,
he tended on them and gave out the whiskey and water, cheer
ing them up as he came around, saying: "Work like men in
harvest, but keep sober, boys. " Mike Click, and John Click,
his brother, drove the oxen. Mike was a bully hand with a

team, and made them tear up stumps, haul logs, plow and
scrape, as necessary. Men never worked better on a road than
that force then did. They chopped down trees, cut off logs,
grubbed, dug down rough places, filled up gulleys, burned log
heaps, and made a wonderful change in the appearance of
things. It was the first work ever done on the streets of Mt.
Vernon. Bryant opened a grocery store on the lot where
the "Buckingham Emporium" was afterwards
erected. It was a little story and a half sycamore
cabin, where he kept, powder, shot, lead, whiskey,
etc., for sale to the Indians and the few whites in
1807. There were other stories regarding this matter
according to Norton's history, as follows:
Clinton and Mt. Vernon were the principal competitors for
the seat of justice. The former place at that time was the
larger. It had more goods, more mechanics, more enterprises
on foot, more houses, more people, and more hope for the fu
ture. It had more of New England families, more of Yankee
spirit and shrewdness; and yet, with all theircunning and crafti
ness — all their money and management — £l their efforts and
inducements — Clinton lost the selection. Its generals were out-
generalled — its managers out-manceuvred — its wits out-witted —
its Yankees out-Yankeed by the less showy and pretending men
from the Potomac and the Youghiogheny, who had settled at
Mt. Vernon. The choice of either one for the county seat in
volved the ultimate ruin of the other. Clinton made a bold
effort to keep up against adverse winds. It could not sustain
an* appeal against the decision of the commissioners, but still it
kept on for several years in its improvements, and until after
the war it was ahead of Mt. Vernon in many respects. It had
the first and' only newspaper in the county for two years; it had
the first and only church in the county for many years; it had
stores, tanyards, shops of various kinds, and greater variety of
business than Mt. Vernon; but after the war was over it began
to decay, and its rival took the lead. The accredited account
of the location of the county seat is as follows : The commis
sioners first entered Mt. Vernon, and were received with the
best cheer at the log tavern of Mr. Butler. To impress them
with an idea of the public spirit of the place, the people were
very busy at the moment of their entrance and during their
stay, at work, with all their coats off, grubbing the streets. As
they left for Clinton, all quitted their labor, not "of love;" and
some rowdies, who dwelt in cabins scattered round about in the
woods, away from the town, left "the crowd," and stealing
ahead of the commissioners, arrived at Clinton first. On the
arrival of the others at that place, these fellows pretended to be
in a state not conformable to temperance principles, ran against
the commissioners, and by their rude and boisterous conduct so
disgusted the worthy officials as to the apparent morals of the
inhabitants of Clinton, that they returned and made known
their determination that Mt. Vernon should be tbe favored spot.
That night there were great rejoicings in town. Bonfires were
kindled, stews made and drank, and live trees split with gun
powder. Such is a plausible account of this matter, which we have
often heard related by our old friend Gilman Bryant, who took
great pride in rehearsing a fable calculated to give Mt. Vernon

352

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

the manifest advantage in the estimation of moral and temper
ance men in these later times. But some of those who lived in
the county at that early day, give an entirely different version of
the subject, and even have gone so far as to aver that the com
missioners themselves delighted, as did the rest of mankind, in
taking a "wee dhrap of the crathur," and could not have been
" disgusted by rude and boisterous conduct" to which they were
accustomed. And again it is suggested that "the crowd " at that day was
not so great in this locality that men who had sense and observa
tion sufficient to be selected for commissioners, would not have
been able to observe and distinguish " the rowdies, " and class
them where they belonged.
Another old settler, whose partiality at that day was for
Clinton, avers that the proprietor of Clinton, Mr. Smith, had
been very illiberal in his dealings with those who wished to pur.
chase lots in his town. He had adopted a plan of withholding
from market the best lots on the plat, and keeping the corner
lots to be enhanced in value by the improvements made by
settlers on inside lots. At this course many of them became
dissatisfied, and some of the number who had bought of him
leagued with the Mount Vernonities against Clinton. We
have been told by another old citizen, that two of the men living
north of Mt. Vernon, and considered as in the Clinton interest,
proposed to Kratzer and Patterson to help secure the location of
the county seat at Mt. Vernon, in consideration of their receiv
ing two lots apiece in the town, and that their favor and influ
ence went accordingly.
In Mt. Vernon at that time^Main street was full of stumps,
log heaps and trees, and theroad up thestreet was a poor crooked
path winding round amongst the stumps and logs. Richard
Roberls says that it was very rough and broken, where Mt.
Vernon was located, and was the last spot on earth a man would
have picked to make a county seat.
Another gentleman residing north of Mt. Vernon, and very
partial to Fredericktown, thinks that by a little management
that place might have been made the permanent seat of justice,
when the strife was so great between the other towns. They
might have got a strip thrown off of Delaware county, which
might have been attached, and then Frederick would have been
alike central; but Kerr and his comrades had not their eyes
open to the importance of getting that five mile range with
Knox, and they were left out of doors when the location was
made permanent.
In the county clerk's office appears the original
of a petition to the court of common pleas, to cause
the removal of certain obstructions, placed in the
streets and alleys of two additions to the town of
Mt. Vernon, laid out by Thomas Bell Patterson, in
1 8 1 1, and by Samuel Kratzer in the same year.
The petition was presented to the court at the
February term in 1817. One or both of the addi
tions had in the meantime become the property of
the late Anthony Banning. The town at that time
being at a stand still, and no sale for the lots, Mr.
Banning concluded "to fence up the town," and
turn the vacant lots and adjacent streets into a

corn or wheat field, as the occasion might re
quire. This was done, hence the necessity of the
petition, hereafter given, the spelling and punc
tuation being retained as in the original. The
territory embraced in these additions commenced
at Mulberry street, and embraced all of what was
then known as Kratzer's (later as the Banning)
addition. West of this addition a few of the
citizens resided, and the fences placed across the
streets and alleys were quite annoying, requiring
the citizens to either climb over the obstructions
or go around them ; hence the following petition
signed by fifty-six of the prominent business men
of the village :
To the Honourable William Wilson, Esq., President ofthe
Court of Common Pleas of Knox County, and his associate
Judges of the said Court — February, 181J:
The Humble petition of the subscribers, Householders, resid
ing within the Town plat, of the Town of Mount Vernon and
the adition Thareto; Containing in all fifty-six Householders;
Situate in the first quarter of Town six and range Thirteen in
the United States Military District; Laid out by Thomas Bel
Paterson & recorded on the 26th of March 1811. Also the adi
tion of the Town of Mount Vernon, Laid out by Samuel Krat
zer on the 20th of March 1811, and entered on record about the
same time; on the same page of the record, and agoining the
above, all Intended for, and representing one Town, and your
petitioners respectfully represent, That we have always Been
Impress'd with a Belief that the Streets and alleys of the whole
of the above recited Town Plats should be and remain for
Ever open for the free use, and Benefit of the Inhabitance
thareof, and under that Impression many of your Petitioners
Became Purchasors of Lots in said Town; Tharefore in order
that we may have all obstructions removed out of Each of the
Streets and alleys, Contained in the two above recited Town
Plats, and your petitioners be restored to their Just rights, we
Pray, That the whole of the above Described Premises may be
Incorperated according to Law, and your Petitioners shall as in
duty Bound for Ever Pray.
Godlib Zimmerman, Isaac Vore, jr.,
Wm. Vore, John Frank,
Jno. Shaw, Robert D. Moore,
John Hawn, jr., Samuel Mott,
Henry Davis, John P. McArdle,
James Low, John H. Mefford,
Abraham Emmitt, Wm. Mefford,
Nathl. Herron, Adam Coleman,
Thomas Irvine, Saml. Martin,
N. C. Boalze, Jacob Martin,
John Warden, John Dwyer,
R. M. Brown, Miriam Daniel,
Jonathan Miller, Walter McFarland,
H. Curtis, Wm. Y. Farquhar,
Wm. W. Alexander, James McGibney,
Ben. S. Martin, William Pettigrew,
James Miller, Peter Zerby,
Gilman Bryant, John Sawyer,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

353

Daniel Moore,
David Reed,
Fred'k. Carey,
John Ruff,
George Low,
Waitsell Hastings,
Wm. L. Brooke,
Michael Click,
John Wilson;

John Lindsey,
John Gordon,
Prospher Rick,
John Kaebler,
Jacob Siler,
Jacob Swales,
Wm. Bevans,
T. Burr,
Rezin Yates,
William Roberts.

This humble petition the honorable court set
aside, denying the prayer of the petitioners. This
state of things was not to be endured; so some fif
teen of the disappointed petitioners, among whom
was the late Hosmer Curtis, then prosecuting attor
ney, resolved to take the matter into their own
hands. Meeting on the public square, they faced
west, locked arms, and started on their march to
secure justice for themselves. As they came to an
obstruction they began levelling the fences to the
ground, scattering rails hither and thither with all
the glee of schoolboys bent on mischief. From
one obstruction to another the "regulators" marched.
A tornado could not have made more havoc in
its route than did the "laughing and shouting
fifteen." This work created considerable com
motion in the community. Some took sides with
the "raiders," while others condemned their action
as lawlessness against the peace and harmony ofthe
town. Mr. Banning entered complaint against the
fifteen for riot and trespass, and the case came be
fore the court. As the prosecuting attorney, Hos
mer Curtis, was one of those against whom the pros
ecution was commenced, his honor the judge,-
appointed the late Charles R. Sherman, special pros
ecuting attorney. The trial caused considerable ex
citement, and no little amusement, as the argument of
Mr. Sherman was principally aimed against the "tall
prosecuting attorney," Mr. Curtis, who had laid aside
the dignity of his office, and, for once, assumed that of
a "raider" against the fences of the prosecutor, Mr.
Banning. The result of the suit was a finding of
"guilty" against the whole, and a fine of "one dol
lar and cost" rendered against each of the defend
ants. Thus ended one of the most amusing cases
ever brought before the Knox county court.
Another relic of the past, filed away in the clerk's
office, is entitled "Samuel Geddes' Indenture to
William Smith," and shows some peculiarities of
the past that are now obsolete. Samuel Geddes

desired to learn the hatter's trade, or at least his
father thought that Samuel would make a good
hatter, so forthwith the following indenture was
drawn up and signed by the respective parties.
This indenture, made the fifth day of August, in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight, wit-
nesseth: That Samuel Geddes, aged eighteen years against the
twenty-first day of November next, by and with the consent of
the said John Geddes, of Knox county and State of Ohio, his
father, hath of his free and voluntary will pkcad and bound him
self apprentice to William Smith, of the town of Mt. Vernon,
county and State aforesaid, to learn the trade, mysteiy or occu
pation of a hatter, which he, the said Smith, in company with
Adam Glaze, jr., now useth, and with him as an apprentice to
dwell, continue and serve from the day of the date hereof, until
the end and term of three years, three months and sixteen days
from thence next ensuing, and fully to be complete and ended,
during all of which term the said apprentice his master shall
well and faithfully serve, his secrets keep, his lawful commands
gladly do and obey; hurt to his said master he shall not do, nor
wilfully suffer it to be done by others; but of the same shall to-
the utmost of his power forthwith give notice to his master; the
goods of the said Smith he shall not embezzle or waste, nor
them lend without his consent. At cards, dice, or any other
games he shall not play; taverns and ale houses he shall not fre
quent; fornication he shall not commit; matrimony he shall not
contract; from the service of the said Smith he shall not at any
time depart or absent himself without consent of said Smith,
but in all things as a good and faithful apprentice, shall and will
demean himself towards the said Smith and all his, during the
said term. And the said Smith his said apprentice in the trade,
mystery and occupation of a hatter with all things thereunto
belonging shall and will cause to be well and sufficiently taught
and instructed after the best way and manner he can ; and shall
and will also find and allow his said apprentice meat, drink,
washing, lodging and apparel (both linen and woollen), and all
other necessaries fit and convenient for such an apprentice, dur
ing the term aforesaid. And, also, at the expiration of said
term, the said William Smith shall give the said apprentice a
good freedom suit worth thirty dollars. As witness our hands
and seals the year and day first above writtten.
^_a_^ Samuel Geddes,
( ) John Geddes, —
\ SEAL / William Smith.
Witnesses present: G. Browning, Adam Glaze, jr.
Entered on record by H. B. Curtis, recorder.
Such were the custom and practice of fifty years
ago. In 1848 only two hatter shops were among
the trades of Mt. Vernon, viz: the shop of the late
Samuel F. Voorhies, and that of the venerable
William L. King. The jolly old William B. Hen
derson was an artisan in the shop of Mr. King, and
Meigs Campbell, now of Ashland, Ohio, was a
workman in the shop of Mr. Voorhies. The shop
of Mr. Voorhies is still in existence, but its glory
has departed — it has become the dwelling place for

354

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

horses, and can be pointed out in the alley in rear
of the store of James M. Andrews.
The following extracts from Mr. Norton's history,
published in 1862, continue the pictures of the
early days of Mt. Vernon:
The first election Ben. Butler recollects of attending, the
neighbors and himself went down to Dresden and voted in 1803
or 1804. Another election he recollects was held at Bill
Douglass'. David Johnson wanted to be constable, and 'lec-
tioneered hard, and agreed to take, on executions and for fees
raccoon skins, if he was elected. But when the votes were
counted, he was beaten by Dimmick. This was the first time he
(Butler) voted a ticket. In old Virginia it had always been the
custom to vote by singing out the name of the candidate voted
for. One of the greatest fights of that early date was between
Ben. Butler and Jim Craig, in which Craig was badly whipped.
Butler's hand had been tied up from a hurt, but he took off
the poultice and gave him a severe thrashing. The next day
Jim and Ben. met together and took a drink over it; the quarrel
was dropped, as Jim said he deserved the whipping and would
not fight it over again.
When Ben. bought his land of Captain Walker he had no
thoughts of laying out a town, nor had Walker. He gave two
dollars an acre for it.
Ben. helped dig the first grave, that of Mrs. Thomas Bell
Patterson, the first person that died in Mt. Vernon. He says
that Colonel Patterson was a very smart man, much smarter
tnan any in the town now.
The old school house stood near where the market house
stands, and the public well, with a sweep or pole, was north of
it, nearly in the centre of High street. He helped wall the old
well. Gilman Bryant said when he came to the county in 1807,
and landed in Mt. Vernon from his pirogue in March,
there were only three families living within the then limits
of the town, viz: Ben. Butler, who then kept a sort of tavern;
James Craig, who kept some sort of refreshments and whiskey,
on the corner, east side of Mulberry and north of Wood street;
and another family, who lived south of Craig's on the opposite
side of the street. These buildings were all log. On the west
side of Mulberry was a little pole shanty, put up by Jo.
Walker, a gunsmith, who had a little pair of bellows in one
corner, and tinkered gun-locks for the Indians. Further west,
on what is now Gambier street, and beyond the town plat, stood
the building occupied by  Walker, also a log. There
was also at that time a small log house with a roof, but the
gable ends not yet filled, standing on the west side of Main
street, between the present market house and where the court
house stood in 1849, which should be in High street. There
was at the time living in the neighborhood, and recollected by
Mr. Bryant Colville, on his farm east of town, Bob. Thompson,
where Stilley now lives; Andrew Craig, at or near the old Indian
fields (on Centre run, above Turner's mill) ; old Mr. Walker,
near Banning's mill, on the left hand side of the road; and old
Mr. Hains, south of town. Mr. Bryant brought eight barrels
of whiskey by water to Shrimplin's mill on Owl creek, and
from thence had it hauled by Nathaniel Critchfield's team, Joe
driving, to Mt. Vernon. Tradition says that the first log
shelter occupied by old man Walker was made of little round

poles by Casper Fitting in 1802, but we can find nothing to sus
tain a claim to its erection at so early a period. Fitting, doubt
less, was the builder, we should think about 1804, though it may
have been in 1803 ; however, as our own recollection does not
extend quite that far back, we give it as it has been told to us.
Joseph Walker,' sr., of whom we have been speaking, emi
grated to this county from Pennsylvania about 1804, and settled
near where we now write. Philip, Joe, Alexander, James, Robert
and John were his sons, and he had two daughters — Sally, who
married Stephen Chapman, and lives three miles south of this
town, and Polly, who married Solomon Geller, a Pennsylvania
Dutchman, who was one ofthe early settlers of Mt. Vernon, and
subsequently moved into what is now Morrow county. Joseph
Walker, sr. , and his wife both died many years ago, and their
bodies were buried in the Clinton graveyard, with no stone to
mark the spot where they lie, and this record, it is hoped, may
serve to perpetuate their memory. From all accounts they
were worthy pioneers.
James Craig, one of the three men living in Mt. Vernon in the
spring of 1807, was grit to the back bone, and was constantly
harrassed by peace officers. It became almost an everyday
occurrence with him to have a fight; and, if no newcomer ap
peared ta give his fighting life variety, he would, ' 'just to keep
his hand in, " scrape up a fight with his neighbors or have a
quarrel with his wife— all for the love ofthe thing, for "Jamie
was the broth of a boy." He had as high as four fights in one
day with Joe Walker, who was also a game chicken. When
arraigned before court for assault, etc., he would always put on
his most pleasing smile, and say to the judge : ' ' Now, will yer
honor jist please be good to the boy, for he can't help it."
We have been told by an early settler of a little incident, il
lustrating the sports of pioneers in 1807, at James Craig's
house, after he had moved out to the log cabin, erected and
yet leaning, not standing, on D. S. Norton's farm, south of
High street extension, on the Delaware road. Craig had tended
a few acres in corn, and had the only com for sale in that part
of the county. Mrs. Rachel Richardson sent her son Isaac to
buy some for bread, and after spending a short time in the vil
lage, he went out to Craig's, got his corn, and stayed all night.
The family had just got to sleep, lying down on the floor,
when the wild fellows of the town came in to the doors and
fired a volley over their heads. Craig at once sprang out ol his
bed in his night-shirt, grappled with one of them, and in a short
time all present were engaged in a lively little fight, just for the
fun of the thing. " Knuck Harris," a "cul'ed gem'man," the
first one ever in Mt. Vernon, and Joe Walker, are recollected as
having been among the parties.
One of the most noted fights that ever came off in this county
was between James Craig and his son-in-law, Jack Strain, and
two of the Georges of Chester township. It occurred in this
way: Old Jim was, as he said, in fighting humor, when, in com
pany with Jack, coming along the road home on foot, they met
the Georges near Clinton riding sprucely on horseback, and re
quired that they should get off their horses and fight them.
Parson George explained that they were in a hurry to go home,
and had neither time nor disposition for a fight. But Jim
swore that they must get off and fight; and there being no way
of getting past them, as they held possession of the road, they
reluctantly got off their horses and pitched in. Jack soon
whipped his man, but it puzzled Jim to make his fight out, and
the conclusion arrived at was that they had taken too large a
contract when they undertook to whip, the Georges. Jim, in

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

355

after years, would revert to this one fight with .regret, as it was
entirely uncalled for, and only provoked by his own'determina-
tion for a trial of strength.
After the marriage of Jack Strain into his family, old Jim
counted himself almost invincible. Jack was a very powerful
and active man, unsurpassed for thews and sinews, bone and
muscle. The great fight of the county might, with propriety, be
called that of Strain with Roof. The county pretty much en
masse witnessed it. It was a regular set-to — a prize fight not
inferior, in the public estimation, to that of Heenan and Say-
ers. Jack fought with great spirit; he fought, if not for his
life, for his wife; for old Jim swore that he (Strain) should never
sleep again with his daughter if he didn't whip him.
When Craig was indicted the last time for fightirg he told
Judge Wilson "not to forget to be easy with him, as he was
one of the best customers the court had."
In wrestling with Tucker Jim had his leg broken, which he
often regretted, as he couldn't stand on his forks right. He
was not a big, stout man, but struck an awful blow, and was
well skilled in parrying off blows. He called his striking a
man giving him a "blizzard." He was a backwoodsman from
Western Virginia, but of Irish extraction — fond of grog, fond
of company, fond of fighting, fun and frolic — kind-hearted,
except when aroused by passion, and then a very devil. He
fought usually as a pastime, and not from great malice. His
wife was an excellent, hospitable and clever woman. We have
heard very many anecdotes of Craig, but have space for only
one more. One of the last kind acts of the old settler was his
endeavor to treat Bishop Chase when he first visited our
tDwn. Jim having heard much said of him as a preacher and
a distinguished man, met him on the street, and, desiring to do
the clever thing by the bishop, accosted him with an invitation
to drink. The bishop was somewhat nettled at the offer, but
declined going to a grocery with him, whereupon Jim puiled a
flask from his pocket and insisted upon his taking a drink there.
The bishop indignantly refused, and Jim apologized, if the
bishop considered it an insult. ' ' Bless your soul, bishop, 1
think well of you, and have no other way to show that I am
glad you have come to our county but by inviting you to drink.
Don't think hard of me. "
Craig's family consisted of eight girls, and he often regretted
that he had no boys to learn how to fight. If the girls did not
fight, they did run, and run well, too. One of them, we recol
lect, was very fleet; many a time did she run races in the old
lane, between Norton's and Bevans', and beat William Petti-
grew and other of the early boys, notwithstanding the scanti
ness of her dresses, which then were made of about one-third
the stuff it takes for a pattern in these fashionable days of
1862. At one time old Jim was singing to a crowd, when a smart
young man, in sport, winked to those present and kicked his
shins. The wink having been observed by him, he instantly
drew back his fist and drove it plum between his eyes, felling
him to the ground, at the same time exclaiming : There, take
.that, d— n you, and don't you evei attempt again to impose on
'oldstiffer!'" The indomitable will of Samuel H. Smith and his associates
from New England, among whom we may mention the Nyes,
Ichabod, captain ofthe troop of horse, and his brother Samuel;
Henry Smith, Samuel's nephew; Dr. Timothy Burr, the Bar
neys, Alexander Enos, and others, kept the county in com

motion about the seat of justice. No stone was left unturned,
no effort untried, to bring about its transfer to Clinton. Peti
tions were drawn up and runners traversed the country for
signers. From the official record we give the following exhibit
of the disposition made of them :
"December 26, 1808, Mr. Holden presented to the house
sundry petions from a number of inhabitants of Knox county,
setting forth that they feel much aggrieved in consequence of
the ineligible and very unhealthy situation of the present seat of
justice of said county, and for various other reasons therein
stated, praying that the commissioners may be appointed to fix
the seat of justice for the said county of Knox in some more
eligible and healthy situation ; which said petitions were read and
referred to a committee of Mr. Holden, Mr. Owings, of Fair
field, and Mr. Blair, of Franklin and Delaware, to report their
opinion thereupon by bill or otherwise."
Mr. Merwin (Elijah B.) of Fairfield, presented on the next
day, a remonstrance from sundry citizens of Knox county
against action as prayed for in above named petitions.
The cunning old fox managing the Clinton claim, devised an
additional scheme whereby to bring about such increase
of territory northward as would throw Mount Vernon farther
from the centre than Clinton, and accordingly we find that
Mr. Holden presented to the house petitions signed by sun
dry inhabitants of Knox county, setting forth that it will be
greatly to their advantage, and to the advantage of 1:he public
in general, to have the county extended so far north as to take
in one tier of townships, as it will be perceived, by the map of
the State, that the county lying north of them, known by the
name of Richland, is much larger than Knox, and by attaching
one tier of townships to said county of Knox there will be given a
more equal number of square miles to each county than there is
at present; which was received and read, and referred to the
same committee to whom was committed, on the twenty-sixth
inst., the petitions, remonstrances, etc., on the subject of the
seat of justice of Knox county. — House Journal, page 93, De
cember 30, 1808.
On the thirtieth of December, on motion of Mr. Thomas
Morris, of Clermont, and seconded, Ordered, that Mr. George
Clark, of Columbiana and Stark, be added to the committee ap
pointed on the the twenty-sixth inst. , on the subject of the seat
of justice of Knox county, and the matters to them from time to
time referred.
On the twelfth of January, 1809, on motion, and leave being
granted, Mr. Holden presented at the clerk's table two remon
strances, of the same purport, from sundry inhabitants of Knox
county, remonstrating against petitions presented to this house,
praying for a revjew of the seat of justice of said county, and a
removal of it from Mt. Vernon to some more eligible and
healthy situation. The remonstrants therein set forth that they
are fully of opinion that, unless a fraud or neglect be made to
appear against the first viewers appointed by the legislature at
the last session for the purpose of permanently fixing the seat of
justice of said county, that your honorable body will not grant a
view barely for the purpose of gratifying self-interest; that, in
consequence of the seat of justice being established at Mt. Ver
non, a number of lots 'have been purchased and improved, and
-also that upwards of four hundred dollars have been appropria
ted for the building of a jail, and for other reasons, by the afore
said remonstrants set forth, more particularly praying that the
said petition praying for the removal of the seat of justice afore- .
said may be rejected; and the same being received and read,

35°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

were referred to the committee upon that subject appointed, on
the twenty-sixth ultimo.
On page 145, House Journal, January 14th, 1809, the follow
ing entry stands: On motion, and by leave of the house,
Mr. Holden, from the committee appointed on the twenty-sixth
ultimo, presented at the clerk's table a report, as follows:
1 ' The committe to whom was referred the petition of sundry in
habitants of the county of Knox, praying that one tier of town
ships lying south of Richland county be attached to the said
county of Knox ; also sundry petitions from the inhabitants of
said county, praying that commissioners be appointed to re
view and fix the seat of justice of said county in some more
healthy and eligible situation than Mt. Vernon ; have, according
to order, had under their consideration the said petitions, and
are of opinion that the prayer of the said petitions is unreasona
ble, and ought not to be granted."
Monday, January 16th, said report came up, and it was Or-
dered, that it be committed to a committee of the whole house,
and made the order of the day for Saturday next.
On the twenty-fifth of January (House Journal, page 181),
Mr. Merwin moved for the order of the day, whereupon the
house, according to order, resolved itself into a committee of
the whole house, and, after some time spent therein, Mr.
Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Jewett reported that the
committee, according to order, had under their consideration a
report of the select committee, made on the fourteenth inst. , on
the petitions of sundry inhabitants of Knox county, and had
agreed to the said report ; and the same being read was agreed
to by the house, viz: that the petitions aforesaid are unreason
able, and ought not to be granted.
At the ninth session of the general assembly, held at Zanes
ville, December 3, 1810, the subject of removal of the county
seat from Mt. Vernon was again agitated. By the Senate
Journal, page 163, we find that Mr. Trimble presented a batch
of petitions, praying a review, which was referred to a commit
tee. On page 166, we find Mr. Trimble, from committee, re
ported that, in their opinion, commissioners ought to be ap
pointed to examine and make report to the next legislature the
place they think proper for the seat of justice of Knox county.
The said report was read. A motion was made that said report
be committed to a committee of the whole senate, and made the
order of this day ; and on the question thereon it was decided
in the negative. On motion, Ordered, that the further consider
ation of said report be postponed till the first Monday in De
cember next.
At the next session it received its final quietus. Mt. Vernon
had improved in the intermediate time very much, and thence
forth its star was in the ascendant. Clinton continued but
a few years longer as a bnsiness place, and after the departure of
its chief worker to other parts, its people moved to Mt. Vernon,
Fredericktown, and elsewhere, and not one bf the old inhabi
tants remains to tell that Clinton has been an important townin
the history of Knox county.
The following regarding the early days of Mt.
Vernon has been gathered from the living pioneers
of the city, among whom are N. N. Hill, Isaac
Hadley, Dr. J. N. Burr and others.
When Mr. Hill came, about 18 13, there was but
few houses on what is now Main street; the larger

part of the town was on West Gambier street, be
tween Main street and the railroad. Here the busi
ness of the town was carried on, and down near
the end of the street lived Joseph Walker, in a large
two-story, yellow painted, frame house — the best
house in the town. The first brick building in the
town was the school-house, which stood on Mul
berry street, east side, a little south of the present
high school building. It was taken away only a
short time ago. Mr. Hill made sugar one spring
in the lower part of town, there being quite a sugar
grove in the western part of the plat below Chest
nut street.
The first tavern, Benjamin Butler's, stood on or
near the corner of Gambier and Main, about where
Jenning's store now is. This building, during the
war of 181 2, was converted into a block-house, and
used as a place of refuge and safety for citizens.
The building stood upon a bank, the door being
reached by several steps. It was again used as a
tavern after the war, and was known as the "war
office" many years on account of the many fights
that occurred there.
The Indian chief, Armstrong, from Greentown,
came frequently to town and often got drunk at
Butler's tavern. On one occasion, while "Abe''
Emmett was drilling his company of militia, Arm
strong got in his way and annoyed him very much.
After telling the chief many times to keep out of
his way without effect, Emmett finally knocked him
down. This had the desired effect, but the chief
never forgot it. Sometime after this, Armstrong,
accompanied by three other Indians, met Emmett
and Riverius Newell in the woods, when Arm
strong asked, "Is your name Emmis?" "Yes sir,
my name is Emmett." "What for you fight In
dian?" said tbe chief. "Because you kept getting
in my way." "You fight Indian now?" said the
chief, making a motion to draw his tomahawk.
"Yes!" said Emmett, with an oath, and immedi
ately drew his tomahawk, while Newell cocked his
gun and brought it to bear upon one of the other
Indians. This determined attitude not being rel
ished by the Indians, a truce was called and the
parties separated.
When Butler moved to his farm his tavern passed
into other hands, and among the landlords about
that time, who followed Butler were David Ash

RESIDENCE, LIVERY, FEED AND SALES STABLE OF WM. SANDERSON, JR.,
Corner Vine and Mulberry Streets, Mt. Vernon, O.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

357

and John Davidson, Marylanders. Ash was much
of a gentleman, and kept the tavern for a number
of years.
The second tavern in the town was started on
Main street, in a log building which stood on the
lot next to and north of N. N. Hill's brick block.
John Haron kept it awhile and then moved to
his farm, located in what is now the northeast part
of town, a little beyond the present court house.
He turned his tavern over to his son-in-law, Got-
leib Zimmerman, who was from Hagerstown, Mary
land. Montgomery Brown, another son-in-law, fol
lowed Zimmerman, and kept the tavern as long as
it was used for that purpose. Upon the sign (which
was one of the most important things about all the
old taverns), was painted a full sized portrait of
General Wayne.
The third tavern in Mt. Vernon ^was a frame
building, and stood on the lot on Main street,
where Warner Miller for many years kept store.
It was two stories in height, painted white, and was
called the Green Tree Tavern, having a green tree
painted on its sign. It was kept first by Mordecai
Vore, who sold it to Judge Eli Miller, and he in
turn sold it to Charles Timberlake, who kept it
some years. After him came Constance Barney,
who rented it, kept a hotel and run the first stage
line from Mt. Vernon to Sandusky. He subse
quently continued this stage line to Columbus.
After Barney, the hotel was kept by Andrew Plum
mer and others, until it was taken away to make
room for the present brick block.
The Kenyon House was the first brick hotel in
Mt. Vernon, and was built by T. W. Rogers, who
occupied it some years as a private residence, then
remodelled it for a hotel. This became a very popu
lar hotel and was well patronized for many years.
Killin Winne was the first landlord. The first
building was a large white frame, which, after some
years, was taken down and the fine brick erected.
It stood on the southwest corner of Main street
and the public square, and was taken down by Mr.
A. Wolf, who erected the present large business
block in its place.
George Lybrand erected in 1840, the building,
yet standing and for many years known as the
"Lybrand House." It stands on the west side of
Main, between Front and Gambier streets, and is

owned at present by Jerome Rowley, whose son is
the present landlord.
The Curtis House, on the southeast corner of
Main street and public square, was erected in 1876,
by Henry B. Curtis, and is a fine building.
Gas works were established in Mount Vernon in
1857; the incorporators being John Ramsey
Judge Eli Miller, Henry B. Curtis and others.
The capital stock was thirty-five thousand dollars.
This company erected the present works on Water
street, at the foot of Mulberry. About 1858, N. N.
Hill and Columbus Delano purchased a controlling
interest in the works and thereafter managed them
until within a few years. About eight miles of pipe
were laid under the superintendence of Mr. Hill,
who was secretary and treasurer of the company
more than twenty years.
The first postmaster in Mount Vernon was Gil
man Bryant, who also kept the first store. His
little store room stood on "stilts," on the south
west corner of Gambier and Main streets, diagonal
ly across the street from the "War office," on the
lot for many years occupied by Mead's store. It
was swampy and muddy in that region and the
building stood five or six feet above the surface of
the ground on piles driven into the ground, and
was reached by several steps, from the street.
Bryant and Burr were the merchants and principal
men in the new town. Bryant kept the post office
a number of years and was followed by Alexander
Elliot, Judge Eli Miller and Isaac Hadley — the
latter still living in tbe city. Miller, kept the office,
the next door north of where the First National
bank now stands (northwest corner of Main and
Vine streets). Isaac Hadley says the next post
master after himself was Benjamin Smith, and was
selected in the following manner: A wire was
stretched between two trees, quite high, and the
man who could throw a coon's tail over the wire,
was considered qualified for the office of the post
master. A man named Jones was the first to throw
the coon's tail over the wire; he accomplished the
feat by purchasing a few shot at a neighboring
grocery, and attaching them to the tail, thus giving
it weight. Jones did not take the office, but gave
it to his friend Benjamin Smith, who was a son of
James Smith, a Methodist preacher and justice of
the peace many years. For half a century or more

358

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

the post office has been kept in the neighborhood
ofthe corner of Vine and Main streets. James
McGibeny was postmaster in 1825.
In 1825, when Dr. J. N. Burr came to Mount
Vernon, the larger part of the town was still west
of Main and south of Chestnut streets, but there
were a number of houses scattered along Main
street and perhaps half a dozen on Gay street,
which is east of and runs parallel with Main.
Hazelbrush and timber covered the larger part of
the eastern part of the city. There were also half
a dozen or more houses on Main street, north of
the square. The principal merchants at that time
were Burr & Bryant, John Moody, Daniel S.
Norton, Samuel Mote, Eli Miller, J. B. Rogers and
Anthony Banning; all carried general stocks of
merchandise, and did business almost entirely by
exchange, money being very scarce. Rogers was
located on the southwest corner of Main street and
public square; Gilman Bryant was opposite, where
the Knox county bank is now located; under the
Curtis house, and below Bryant, in the same block,
were three or four other stores. Norton was located
on the present site of the Woodward block.

CHAPTER XXXIX.
MT. VERNON— CONTINUED.
Extracts from the Ohio Register and Norton's His
tory Concerning the Early Days of Mt. Vernon,
1814 to 1830. — Growth of the City. — Its Bounda.
ries. — Population. — A Picture of Mt. Vernon in
1830.
n~iHE OHIO REGISTER, published at the vil-
X lage of Clinton in 1814 and 18 15, is a relic of
the past, containing a few items worthy of preser
vation. It was printed in quarto form, pages nine
and one-fourth by seven and three-fourth inches,
three columns to a page, and published by Smith
& McArdle. Mr. Smith was the proprietor ofthe
village of Clinton, and made gigantic but unsuc
cessful efforts to have his village selected as county
seat. He was a man of great energy, and his ad
vertisements showed that he was engaged in many
enterprises, among which may be mentioned a dry

goods and grocery store, drug store (with Dr. Tim
othy Burr as prescription clerk), a book store, tan-
yard, real-estate agent, etc. His grocery depart
ment was both a wet and a dry one, as appears
from the following extract from an advertisement:
I also intend to keep on hand, for sale by the barrel, or less
quantity, whiskey of the very best quality.
Matters worthy of record are to be gathered
more from the few advertisements than from the
editorials, for the latter are scarce, indeed, hardly
ever embracing more than four or five lines of the
paper, as the following will make evident:
We have received a copy of the charges exhibited against
Brigadier General Hull. Their great length precludes their in
sertion this week. We shall publish them next week.
That was the amount of editorial matter in the
paper for May 24, 18 14.
The selections of the Register were mostly de
voted to the events of the War of 181 2, which to
the citizens of that day was a theme of great
interest. April 19, 1814, a Dr. Burge offers his services
to the citizens of Mt. Vernon and the neighboring
country. "Having," as his advertisement pro
claims, " been a successful practitioner in physic,
surgery, and midwifery, he solicits a share of pat
ronage among other gentlemen of the faculty."
A cotemporary of his, and a successful practi
tioner, was Dr. Timothy Burr.
James Miller informs the trade that he is in im
mediate want of a good journeyman tanner. All
interested are invited to apply to him or Dr. Burr,
in Clinton.
June 21, 1814, John Wheeler advertises for "two
hundred bushels of wheat, to be delivered at Wil
liam Douglas' mill during the month of August
next." Gilman Bryant, postmaster, advertises the fol
lowing uncalled for letters remaining in the office
at Mount Vernon, July 1, 1814: Abraham Albert,
Samuel Arbuckle, William Biggs, Jonathan Burch,
James Crage, Simon Dudgeon, Peter Doty, George
Dial, Frederick Herring, Mr.  Kratzer,
Samuel Lewis, William Lydick, John McKee,
John H. Melleck, John Mills, George Melleck,
Abraham Rader, James Selby, Michael Schafer,
George Sapp, Philip Smith, Samuel H Smith,
James Strange, Isaac Setton, Joseph Workman,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

359

James Waid, Jane White, Thomas White. Such
advertisements as the above aid in recalling to
memory many of the old pioneer settlers of the
city and county.
August 9, 1814, Samuel and James Selby inform
the people of Mount Vernon, that they have
lately established themselves in the hatting busi
ness. Under same date John Sawyer and Abel Cook,
blacksmiths of Clinton, give notice of having dis
solved partnership — Sawyer continues.
Dr. G. B. Maxfield informs the citizens that he
has opened an office in Fredericktown for the prac
tice of his profession, and that he has taken board
at the house of John Kerr.
November 19, 1814, Dr. W. Hastings calls upon
all those indebted to him to come forward and pay
up their liabilities by the twenty-fifth day of Decem
ber next.
Married — On Tuesday, January 22, 1815, by Joseph Walker,
esq., Mr. Abraham Emmett, to Miss Sally Zerick, both of
Mount Vernon.
J. Brown opens a house of entertainment in
Mount Vernon, at the sign of "General Wayne."
The location of the house is not stated.
Married— On Tuesday evening, January 24, 1815, by Ben
jamin Barney, esq. , Mr. Seely Simpkins, aged eighty-eight years,
to Mrs. Elizabeth Ask, aged twenty-eight.
Mr. George Girty, having purchased the stock
in trade of Mr. Gilman Bryant, gives notice under
date of February 28, 1815, that he has just re
ceived and is now opening in the house formerly
occupied by Mr. Bryant, a general assortment of
dry goods and groceries from Philadelphia and
Baltimore. George Dickinson gives notice that he has on
hand a quantity of chairs and trunks, to which he
invites the attention of the people of Mount Ver
non and vicinity.
The Register of March 14, 1815, contains a
copy of the treaty of peace between Great Britain
and the United States.
Died— In Clinton, on Friday, April 14, 1815, Mr. Seely Simp
kins, sr., aged eighty-eight years. He left a young widow of
twenty-eight years of age, and had been married two months
and three weeks. About a week previous to his death Mr.
Simpkins had been elected to the important office of fence-
viewer. May 9, 1815, Hosmer Curtis, esq., inform the

citizens of Knox county that he has changed his
place of residence from the town of Newark to
that of Mount Vernon. He respectfully asks a
share of the legal practice in the courts of the
county. June 13, 1 81 5, Robert Irvine announces to the
people that he has opened a drug store in Mount
Vernon. April 21, 1816, the Ohio Register appears in the
town of Mount Vernon, under the sole manage
ment of Mr. John P. McArdle, Mr. S. H. Smith
retiring, devoting himself to his many enterprises
in Clinton. No doubt Mount Vernon afforded
better facilities for the enterprise than Clinton, then
in its decline, while Mount Vernon was rapidly in
creasing in population and business.
So far as editorial enterprise is concerned the
Mount Vernon Register is no improvement on the
Clinton Register; marriage and death items gen
erally appearing at the head of the editorial
column. Major Samuel Kratzer has, by purchase, become interested
in the town with Messrs. Patterson, Walker, and Butler, and
through the agency of Joseph Brown, offers forty in-lots and
out-lots for sale, April 24, 1816.
May ist, Messrs. Bryant & Burr give notice they
have just received a large invoice of new goods.
It is presumed the firm was formed by Gilman
Bryant and Dr. Timothy Burr, although that fact
is not made patent by their advertisement.
As an item of interest in these latter days of
cheap postage, the following will be interesting :
Rates of postage. — On single letters, for any distance not ex
ceeding thirty miles, six cents; over thirty, and not over eighty
miles, ten cents; over eighty and not over one hundred and
fifty miles, twelve and one-half cents; over one hundred and
fifty and not four hundred miles, eighteen and one-half cents;
over four hundred miles, twenty-five cents.
Married— on Sunday, May 5, 1816, in Mt. Vernon, by Rev.
James Smith, Doctor Timothy Burr, to Miss Rachael Thrift,
daughter of the Rev. William Thrift.
Sudden Death. — Departed this life on Friday afternoon, May
17, 1816, Samuel Zimmerman, son of Gotleib and Eva Zimmer
man of this town, aged eleven years, one month and twenty-
nine days. His death was the consequence of eating a small
portion of the root of a wild parsnip, said to be rank poison.
His illness was short, but pains excruciating, which terminated
his existence in about ten minutes.
May 22, 1816, Miss Fulton opens a milliner's
shop at H. Curtis', second door southwest of
the court house, on High street One peculiarity

36o

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

of this advertisement is the peculiar spelling in two
words; southwest appears as "sow west," and sew
ing is "sowing." These errors may be charged to
the printer, and not to the faulty education of the
young lady who offers her services to the fair ladies
of Mt. Vernon. The editor in his next issue cor
rects the typographical errors.
Francis Wilkins notifies the public that he will,
on the 2d day of June offer sixty merino sheep for
sale in Mt. Vernon.
In the Register of May 30th, A. and T. Gorrnly
announce that they have opened a new store in Mt.
Vernon opposite Mr. Zimmerman's inn, and John
Wilson, "with the greatest respect" informs his cus
tomers he has just received a fresh supply of new
goods. Married. — On Thursday, the 23d of May, 1816, by Elder
James Smith, Mr. John Shinniberry to Miss Ruth Yoakum.
A meeting of the citizens of Mt. Vernon and its vicinity will
be held at tbe court house to-morrow evening, June 6, 1816, for
the purpose of devising ways and means for constructing a
bridge across Owl creek at this place. — Many citizens.
As no further notice of this meeting is taken by
the Register the people of the present day are left
in the dark as to its result.
In the Register of June 12, 1816, the following
item of distressing interest is given :
Died.— On Monday, the 3d instant, Mr. Abner Hill, aged 25
years. His death was occasioned by the fall of a limb of a tree.
The premature exit of this young man is sincerely regretted by
all those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Survivors
remember, "In the midst of life we are in death."
Mr. Abner Hill was an uncle of Mr. N. N. Hill,
a venerable citizen of this city.
June 19th, John Mocabee notifies the public that
he has taken the tavern stand well known as the
"Rising Sun," in Clinton, formerly occupied by Mr.
E. Ogle. His "bar" is supplied with the best of
liquors, foreign and domestic.
July 3d. Jonathan and Eli Miller request those
indebted to them to come forward and pay up, as
they are about proceeding to Philadelphia to pur
chase their fall goods.
On the same date N. C. Boalse informs the pub
lic that he has commenced tavern keeping at the
well known stand of John Davidson, in Mt. Ver
non, at the sign of the "Traveller's Rest."
J. Brown openes a tavern in Mt. Vernon, "sign
of the Ohio Hotel."
John Sawyer and Adney Colman opens a butcher

shop in Mt. Vernon, July 27th. July 24th Mr.
Thomas Irvine also announces that he is engaged
in the butchering business.
Robert D. Moore, July 31st, offers his services
to the people of Mt. Vernon as physician and sur
geon. Married. — On Sunday evening last, August 11, 1816, by the
Rev. James Smith, Mr. Daniel S. Norton, of Connellsville (Pa.),
to Miss Sarah Banning, daughter of Mr. Anthony Banning, of
this town.
August 2 1 st Mr. James Miller turns his adver
tisement upside down, and says he has opened a
new store in the house lately occupied by Mr.
John Wilson, wherein can be found a large and
elegant assortment of dry goods, groceries, etc.
The same date appears a notice of a petition to
be presented to the next legislature, praying for a
law to be framed for incorporating the town of Mt.
Vernon. Mordecai Bartley of Richland county, represented
the district composed of Richland, Knox and Lick
ing in the senate, and Jonathan Mills represented
Knox county in the house of representatives, in the
legislature the winter of 1816-17.
A careful perusal of the columns of the Register
fails to give any information as to the fate of the
petition to incorporate Mt. Vernon.
Samuel Kratzer gives notice, August 28, 1816,
"to all whom it may concern," that he shall make
application to. the next court of common pleas, "to
vacate certain streets and alleys in the town of Mt.
Vernon, viz. : The east end of Chestnut street, the
length of one lot adjoining the graveyard; also, the
west end of Sugar street, the length of one lot; like
wise, certain streets iri the second addition of said
town of Mt. Vernon.
September 4, 1816, B. Bentley gives notice that
he has just received for Joseph S. Newell, an ele
gant assortment of merchandise.
About November 20, 1816, the gentlemen of Mt.
Vernon desire, to put on airs — they advertise for a
barber. William W. Alexander, November 27, 1816, no
tifies the citizens that he still continues to carry on
the tailoring business at his home in Mt. Vernon.
Same date Jesse B. Thomas offers at public
auction, "two hundred lots, in the town of Mt. Ver
non," the sale to take place on the twelfth of De
cember next.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

361

Perhaps nothing so quickly indicates the decline,
or increasing prosperity of a place, as the publica
tion of the uncalled for letters at the post office —
thus Samuel H. Smith, postmaster of Clinton, Jan
uary 1, 1817, publishes a list of seven uncalled for
letters — so much for the decline. Gilman Bryant,
postmaster for Mt. Vernon, publishes a list of simi
lar letters at the same date, which contains the names
of eighty persons doing business with the Mt. Ver
non post office.
There swims no goose so grey, but soon or late,
She finds some honest gander for a mate.
Married. — On Saturday evening, February 22, 1817, by Wil
liam Douglass, esq., Mr. Elijah Webster, to Mrs. Elizabeth, dis.
consolate widow of Mr.  Ask, alias  , alias  .
alias Simkins.
Died. — Suddenly, on the 8th of March, 1817, Master William
T. Bryant, infant child of Gilman Bryant, esq.
March 26, 1817, the following notice appears:
Ohio Missionary Society. — We are authorized to state that a
society has been formed in this State, for the laudable purpose
of propagating the Gospel among the everlasting heathen of Con.
necticut and the parts adjacent. The first meeting of the society
will be held in Zanesville, on the 20th of May next, for the pur
pose of selecting suitable missionaries for the performance of the
arduous undertaking. It is hoped that all who are favorable to
the cause will contribute their mite to effect so desirable an object.
March 19, 181 7, Coleman & Dixon open a boot
and shoe shop in Mt. Vernon.
The following item in the Register of April 30,
1 81 7, was of great interest to the citizens of Mt.
Vernon and of Knox county :
At the last session of the general assembly of this State, sixty
thousand dollars of the three per cent, fund was appropriated to
the laying out, making and repairing roads in this State; and
appropriated equally among the several counties. For the
county of Knox is as follows:
On the road from Mt. Vernon to the north line of Knox
county, leading to Mansfield, one hundred and seventy-five dol
lars; and two hundred and twenty-five dollars from Mt. Vernon
to the south line of said county, on the road leading to Newark,
by Azariah Davis; and fifty dollars on the road leading from
Jonathan Hunt's to Robinson's mill; and one hundred and fifty
dollars on the. road leading from Mt. Vernon to Coshocton by
Abraham Darling's; and fifty dollars on the road leading from
John Tibits on Moheken to Mt. Vernon; where the said road in
tersects the road leading from Coshocton to Mt. Vernon; and
two hundred dollars on the new State road leading from Mt.
Vernon to Columbus, to be laid out in opening said road; and
the sum of two hundred dollars on the said new road leading
from Mt. Vernon towards Wooster, to.be laid out in opening
said road; and the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, on the
State road leading from Mount Vernon to the county line in a
direction towards Zanesville, to be laid in opening said road;
and fifty dollars on the road from Mt. Vernon to Granville.

The above appropriations from the State were
highly appreciated by the people of Mt. Vernon.
Sixteen dollars per month were paid laborers in
those days — and that amount was considered high
wages. On the eighth of January, 1817, says the Southern Patriot,
it was so dark in the city of London that candles were lighted at
mid-day. Every American knows that the eighth of January is
the anniversary of the glorious battle of New Orleans; the result
of which literally put the city of London in mourning. It was
indeed a dark day for England. — Ed. Register.
About this time Samuel H. Smith gives notice
that he intends to apply to the court of common
pleas to vacate the greater part of the town of
Clinton. May 14, 181 7, Wilson and Martin it appears
have recently established a cabinet shop in the
house formerly occupied by I. Wilson as a store
house, Market Square, Mount Vernon.
May 20th William W. Alexander, William Petty-
grew and William Cranch, give to the public a
schedule of prices for tailoring.
The subscribers to the new school-house, proposed to be
erected in Mt. Vernon, are requested to meet at Messrs. Rich
ardson and Vore's tavern on Saturday afternoon, June 7, 1817,
at four o'clock.
This year the fourth of July was honored by
military display, banquet, toasts, songs, etc., both
at Mt. Vernon and Fredericktown.
July 9, 18 1 7, Dr. William L. Brook commences
the practice of physic and surgery in Mt. Vernon.
Married — On Thursday evening, July 17, 1817, by the Rev.
James Smith, Mr. Isaac Vore, jr., to Miss Polly Martin, both of
Mt. Vernon.
In 181 7 there were twenty-two chartered banks
in Ohio, among which were the German bank of
Wooster, the Granville bank and the Owl creek
bank of Mt. Vernon.
On the twenty-sixth of August, 1817, John Wil
liamson, Samuel Pyle, Peter Zarby, James King
and William Giffin, millwrights, met at Zimmer
man's inn in Mt. Vernon, and established a sched
ule of prices.
One peculiarity of pioneer days was that all
houses kept for the entertainment of "man and
beast" were known as "taverns" or "inns." In-
1880 such places are unknown. The pioneers
copied the English inn, and also the manner of
making "signs" for those establishments. The
sign was the most important thing about them, and

362

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

the most noticeable, being generally suspended in
a frame placed on top of a high post in front of
the door, and consisting of a brilliantly painted
horse, eagle, or some other animal or bird, or the
head of some general or other prominent man.
February 4, 18 18, another milliner offers her ser
vices to the ladies of Mt. Vernon, viz.: Miss Ann
Davis, also Miss Mary Lindsey, March 18, 1818,
offers " her services as milliner, mantuamaker and
glovist." She could be found at the house of Ben
jamin Martin, corner of Vine and Market (now
Main) streets.
Died — Suddenly on Friday, March 13, 1818, Mr. Matthew
Bonar. Moody and McCarthy opens a new store in Mt.
Vernon, April 1, 1818.
During this year Alexander Elliott is the post
master at Mt. Vernon, and Andrew Clark is assis
tant postmaster at Clinton.
James Smith, April 4, 1818, advertises new
goods for sale, in the house of Gilman Bryant,
and concludes as follows : "Clerk's office removed
to this stand, and young ladies for sale at seventy-
five cents."
In 1814 there were only eleven newspapers
published in Ohio; of this number were the Ohio
Register, the Zanesville Express and Muskingum
Messenger, printed at Zanesville. Books of all
classes, school, history and literary, were published
from these early printing-offices. Even the Ohio
Register office helped to swell the number, that the
literary taste of the early pioneers might be in
dulged. The first noticed in the columns of the
Register of 1814, was "James Smith's Vindication."
August 1, 1814, Putnam & Israel, of Zanes
ville, issued notice of their publishing in the office
of the Zanesville Express Rollins' ancient history,
in eight duodecimo volumes, of four hundred pages,
at the low price of one dollar per volume. Egyptians,
Carthaginians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes,
Persians, Macedonians, and Grecians were the
themes of the different volumes. A great under
taking for a pioneer press.
Smith & McArdle, of the Register office, issued
proposals for publishing by subscription, at their
office, a history of the American Revolution,
written in scriptural, or ancient historical style, by
Richard Snowden. To which "will be added, The

Columbiad, a poem on the American -war, " in
thirteen cantos, by the same author. The price of
the volumes, containing between two hundred and
twenty and two hundred and fifty pages, duodecimo,
was one dollar to subscribers; to non-subscribers,
one dollar and twenty-five cents.
In 1 8 1 6, the Register office having been removed
to Mount Vernon, the editor, Mr. McArdle, who
was also a bookbinder, gave notice in his paper
that the publication of the Ohio Register would be
suspended for two weeks, as he "had a large amount
of binding for the State, which must be done prompt
ly." In 1880, with a population of twenty-seven
thousand three hundred and thirty, of which five
thousand two hundred and forty-nine are within the
limits of Mount Vernon, Knox county has not a
bookbinder within its limits.
On the morning of the 4th of July, 1814, the
flag of the United States was hoisted near Mr.
Zebulon Ashley's dwelling house, on a liberty pole
sixty-eight feet in length, and the day was cele
brated by a respectable number of the citizens of
Strong's settlement and its vicinity. After an
elegant dinner eighteen toasts were drank, ac
companied with the discharge of musketry. From
the number we extract the following:
The President of the United States, prefers republican prin-^
ciples to British tyranny — May the constitution be his life
guard. The American sword, which is drawn in defence of our coun
try — May it never be returned till it has pierced the heart of our
enemy. Perry and his brave crew on Lake Erie — May they ever be
victorious while their swords are drawn in defence of America.
The United States of America — May they ever be too inde
pendent to be governed by any other nation.
Success to the American Eagle, not forgetting Great Britain,
hoping its kingdom maybe brought down.
The others alike partake of a spirit engendered
by the war, and breathe hate and defiance to
the foe.
The following interesting items are from Nor
ton's history:
In February, 1815, George Girty opened at store in Mt. Ver
non, and also one in Fredericktown. There was but little in
crease in the number of business men or in other respects this
year. On the eighth of April a "singing assembly'' of ladies and
gentlemen, comprising different singing societies in the county,
gave a grand concert at the court house in Mt. Vernon, at 1
o'clock P. M. All persons feeling willing to unite and partici
pate in the exercises came. It was one of the olden kind of

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

363

gatherings, like the "old folks' concert" given in Mt. Vernon
this spring of 1862, as we have been assured by one of the vo
calists who participated in both "singing assemblies."
In these war times, when some are disposed to grumble at
the low rates soldiers receive, it may be well to remind them of
the pay in 1815. In March the pay of non-commissioned offi
cers and privates in the army of the United States was reduced
to the following prices : To each sergeant-major and quarter
master-sergeant, nine dollars; sergeants, eight dollars; corpo
rals, seven dollars; teachers of music, eight dollars; musicians,
six dollars; artificers, ten dollars, and privates, five dollars.
Samuel Mott had come all the way from Vermont to practice
law in the wilderness, and was the first lawyer resident in the
county. Enos was the second, who, one of the old settlers,
says, had just been made at home, and "wasn't lawyer enough
to hurt."
May 9th, H. Curtis informs his friends and the public that
during the vacations of the courts, clients will find him in the
town of Mt. Vernon. In 1817 he became a fixture of the
county, and here remained until 1858.
At the October election this whole countypolled three hundred
and forty-five votes. Alexander Enos was chosen representa
tive; John Shaw, sheriff; Jonathan Miller, commissioner; Dr.
W. Hastings, coroner.
Richland county, at this election, gave for representative —
Winn Winship, one hundred and fifty-six; A. Enos, twenty-
two; Robert McMillen, ten.
The following "furwan" we copy verbatim from the Register
of January 29, 1817 :
"Take Notice — That eye have left my wife Isebelah ire-
lands bead and board and eye know furnwan eny person or per
sons creeaditing hir on my account as eye shall not be account
able for eny of her deats or contracts from this date likewise eye
furwan eny person or persons for purchasing eny property
whatever til her former deats is al paid up. John Ireland.'
The little log school-house on the public square had served
its time, and at -private houses schools had for some time been
kept, when the public spirited men in Mt. Vernon started sub
scriptions to build another.
June 7th. The subscribers to the new school-house pro
posed to be erected, met at Richardson & Vore's tavern to
choose managers, etc.
June 18th. The small-pox having made its appearance at
Newark, caused a great excitement in the quiet village of Mt.
Vernon. The inhabitants ran to and fro, not knowing what to
do. A public consultation was had, and Dr. R. D. Moore
wrote and published a little treatise on the subject, giving the
origin of the disease, the views of " the immortal - Jenner" up
on "the grease," "cow-pox," " small-pox, " etc. , and conclud
ing as follows : "The small-pox has been for some months
past travelling northward, and is now within a short distance
from this place. The subscriber will attend on every Saturday
at his house in Mt. Vernon, for the purpose of vaccinating.
Anderson Sear], of Mt. Vernon, on the eighteenth of June,
publishes that he will not pay a certain note given to William
Shinnibery for a certain'black and white muley cow, to be de
livered to him next harvest; "the said note being given in part
consideration of a certain horse sold to me by said Shinnibery
for a sound horse, which I have since found to be unsound."
The 4th of July was celebrated by the Mt. Vernon artillery

company, under Captain Joseph Brown ; with all the pomp and
circumstance of war. The day was duly ushered in by a national
salute — a grand parade came off— a sumptuous dinner at Rich
ardson & Vore's inn, and toasts, speeches and wine made it a
merry occasion. The Declaration of Independence was read by
Doctor Robert D. Moore. Among the toasts were the following:
" The Constitution, the grandest work of human genius — May
it long stand the proudest monument of Republican solidity.
" The memory of our departed American heroes from Warren
down to the brave Pike and Lawrence.
"Faction, the bane of republican governments — May it never
be suffered to impair confidence in our legally constituted au
thorities. " May the words Federalist and Democrat be exchanged for
the prouder appellation of — " I am an American citizen."
" The fair Daughters of Columbia — Always lovely, but more
divinely enchanting when attired in homespun, smiling on the
patriotic brave.
"By Captain John Shaw — May brother Jonathan watch
John Bull with the eye of an Eagle. "
The grand jurors in the common pleas court June 23d,
— Royal D. Simons, foreman — returned seven bills of indict
ment. Albert Sherwood, by verdict of jury, recovered seventy-
five dollars from William Williams for assault and battery;
and in suit of the State William Williams was fined fifteen dol
lars and costs. Thomas Wilkins and John Roop are each fined
five dollars and costs for assault and battery; and John Strain
and Roop each fined five dollars and costs for an affray, and
Robert Butler was fined fifteen dollars and costs.
James Trimble renews his tavern license; also Michael Har
ter, John Davidson, Gotlieb Zimmerman, and Richardson &
Vore. On application of Anthony Banning and Samuel Kratzer for
the vacating of a part of the addition of the town of Mount
Vernon, the application is overruled at the cost of the appli
cants. Samuel H. Smith's application for vacating part of the
town of Clinton was continued; and also continued in the
October term, 1817.
Ordered that a certificate issue to pay expense of coroner's
inquest over the body of William Conaway, jr. ; also of
N. Butler. .
John Frank & Co., July 17th, offered iron, castings and
salt, being both chartered and cash articles in this place, and
solicit their friends to whom they gave a short credit last winter
to come forward and discharge their respective accounts.
They are informed that the paper of the Owl
Creek bank, of Mt. Vernon, and that of Canton, and the Far
mers' and Mechanics' bank, of Steubenville, will be taken, etc.
Luke Walpole brings to Mt. Vernon a quantity of salt,
and leather, to exchange for beef and pork, delivered in Zanes
ville the coming winter.
October 16th Frederick Falley, proprietor of Venice has one
thousand lots for sale, and invites all classes of mechanics and
business men to locate there. About this time it was the suppo
sition that Venice would become the future shipping point for
Knox county, and Norton & Banning established a storage,
commission and mercantile house at Venice, on the Sandusky
bay. As evidence that this belief was general, we may cite the
act of the legislature of 1817, declaring that the road to be
made by the Knox, Richland & Huron Turnpike company shall
terminate at the town of Venice, on Sandusky bay.

364

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Robert D. Moore, as agent for the Mary Ann furnace, situ
ated on the Rocky fork of Licking, brings to the notice of our
citizens a large assortment of castings of superior beauty and
quality, and asks them to encourage manufactories.
Daniel S. Norton notifies those who were in debt to him on
the sixteenth of August last, to pay up while they can in the
paper of the country.
Anthony Banning advertises a large lot of leather, which he
will sell for hides or chartered money; or chartered money will
be given for hides.
Jesse B. Thomas cautions "all persons (indiscriminately)
against cutting, destroying, and removing timber from, or other
wise trespassing upon my lands on the Hamtramck section, as I
have given my agents (Messrs. John Roberts and John War
den), positive instiuctions to prosecute all."
"Taylors' Prices. — We, the subscribers, of Mt. Vernon,
have agreed to establish the following prices for tailoring, viz :
Great coats, four dollars and fifty cents; broad-cloth coats, four
dollars; common homespun, three dollars and fifty cents; com
mon pantaloons, one dollar and twenty-five cents; vest, one dol
lar and twenty-five cents; pantaloons with buttons on the legs,
one dollar and seventy-five cents; ditto, welted, one dollar and
fifty cents; cherrivallies, laced, three dollars; plain, ditto, two
dollars and twenty-five cents; ladies' coats, three dollars and
fifty cents. Any extra work on the above articles shall be priced
according to the work. "William W. Alexander,
"William Pettigkew,
"William Crouch.
"May 20, 18x7."
William Giffin and Peter Zarley got up a meeting of mill
Wrights, at Zimmerman's inn, on the twenty-sixth of August,
for establishing a bill of prices for their work. At this meeting
John Williamson, Saftiuel Pyle, Peter Zarley, James King, and
William Giffin were present. Among the items we find — "For
a double-geered grist-mill, three hundred dollars; for a double
geered saw-mill, two hundred dollars; for a meal spout two dol
lars; meal trough, three dollars; hopper, four dollars, etc."
Jacob Myers, Patrick Nellans, Robert Robertson, Samuel
Hoppers, Samuel Vance, John Byan, John Cottle, John Kinsey,
and David Porter, agree upon honor to support the said bill of
prices. ' ' The person who took away a mattock from my building,
without leave, is requested to return the same immediately, or
his name will be given to the public (besides prosecuting), as it
is well known who purloined it. "
"Take care. — The persons who was so kind as to take away
without leave, a pair of stretchers and a broken singletree, on
the twenty-ninth of August; they were laying on the green be
tween Messrs. Bryant & Burr's and Mr. J Frank & Co.'s stores,
are requested to return the same immediately to the subscriber,
and save themselves trouble. They had better return them before
they are troubled with a call from Mr. Constable. James Thompson.
Mount Vernon, Septembers, 1817."
Noah Rude has a chestnut sorrel horse stolen from James
Bryant's pasture on the night of the fifth of September and
offers a reward for him.
At the district court of the United States, held at Chillieothe
on the ninth of September, Samuel Bunting was indicted on a
charge of robbing the mail between Newark and Zanesville, and
was sentenced to. the penitentiary for one year.

Horse thieves about this time became so bold that Joseph
Berry had, on the morning of the nineteenth of September, a
mare, saddle and bridle stolen from the door of James Thomp
son in Mount Vernon, just after he had hitched her, and gone
into the house.
Samuel Mott, candidate for senator, September nth, sends
out to the electors of Licking, Knox and Richland, the first
printed address we have been able to find. He says, among
other things, that he has ' ' been induced to become a candidate
from the encouragement of many substantial and respectable
citizens in the district."
In the Register, of September nth, we find tickets announced
as the choice of Chester, Morris, Morgan and Miller townships.
There were many aspirants for political promotion. Among
the number we find, for governor — Thomas Worthington,
Ethan A. Brown, James Dunlap.
For congress — Peter Hitchcock, John G. Young, David
Clendenan. For senate — William Stanbery, esq., William Gavitt, esq.,
Major Joseph Brown, Samuel Mott, esq., Benjamin Martin,
esq., Waitstill Hastings, Henry Smith, Mordecai Bartley.
For house of representatives — Jonathan Miller, William
Mitchell, Munson Pond, John Warden, Alexander Enos„ Judge
Thomas Coulter for Richland county, William W. Farquhar.
The Ohio Register, of August 28th, having contained this
notice: ' ' There is another gentleman who very kindly offers his ser
vices as representative in the State legislature; he is extremely
modest, though very popular; he, therefore, believes that it will
amply suffice, at this time, to make public the initial letters,
only, of his name. They are "R. B."
Expectation, on tip-toe, was gratified by the following ex
planatory card: "Septembers, x8x6.
Mr. McArdle: After my respects to you, as you have been
so good as to insert the two first letters of my name, (I presume
it has been from the solicitations of my friends) I wish you to
insert my name in full, as I am a candidate, and determined to
oppose William Mitchell; and forward your bill to me, and you
will much oblige yours, etc. ROBERT BUTLER.
J. P. McArdle."
Colonel John Greer about this time felt the importance of his
millitary commission, and issued an order to the commandants
of companies in the county of Knox to send two men from each
company to Mr. Boalse's inn, to nominate suitable persons to
represent the counties of Knox', Licking and Richland. Where
upon there appeared, on the thirteenth of September, the fol
lowing persons:
From Captain Parcel's company, Truman Strong and David
Shaw. From Captain Cook's company, Captain John Cook
and Isaac N. Richardson. From Captain John Venom's com
pany, Joslah B. Day and John Trimble. From Captain A,
Emmet's company, William Bevans and Benjamin Warner.
Fiom Captain Cooper's company, Jacob Hanger and Jonathan
Burch. From Captain Squire's company, James Miller and
John J. Tullos.
The result of this caucus — or military dictation — the first of
the kind ever known in this country, was the nomination of
Waitstill Hastings and Jonathan Miller.
Nominating caucuses were also held in Richland and in Lick
ing counties this year. The contest waxed very warm ; circulars

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

365

and handbills were much circulated, and all manner of election
eering was resorted to at this election. The result, however,
was that out of four hundred and eighty-five votes fdr governor
cast in the whole county, Thomas Worthington received four
hundred and twenty-four majority. Peter Hitchcock had four
hundred and sixty-three majority for Congress; and the
county gave small majorities for Martin for senator and Miller
for representative.
Samuel Mott received one vote in Clinton, three in Morris,
eight in Miller, and none in Chester, Wayne, Jackson, Union,
or Morgan. Connected with this election is the following
anecdote, which is altogether too good to be lost: Gideon
Mott, the brother of Sam, who was a very plain man, yet full
of wit, was responsible for it. He said that he dropped in to
see Mrs. Mott on the night of the election, and while there
Samuel got home from Richland county, where he had been
electioneering, and was asked how the election had gone in
Clinton. He replied "I got one vote," Mrs. Mott exclaimed,
"That's always the way it is — if you had only been at home,
Samuel, and voted, you would have got two !"
Josiah L. Hill, of Green township, offers himself as a can
didate for representative of Richland county in the following
pithy address:
"The usual theme of candidates, in my standing, are many
loud-swelling words full of legislative wisdom, or rather of their
own egotism, and to harangue every neighbor in their way with
the prospect of a State road or a turnpike, by measures of which
one-half of our citizens will become wealthy inn-keepers, and
the other half their happy customers, with their pockets flushed
with money drawn from a new country bank to be erected on a
new-fangled system, and thus all are to be rich and happy. But
Such language as this hath never fallen from my lips since the
days of my youth, when under the passions of love and ad
dressed to females of my age, and I shall not again resume this
theme until I become a widower; but while I speak for myself
to men of understanding and discernment, and not to women,
I have only to say that I stand a free-will offering at the altar of
your good pleasures. . . Should I succeed in my
election I shall feel it incumbent on me to use my feeble en
deavors, by lawful license, to gratify my constituents, and this
is all the flattery I have to make use of. My abilities are too
small to boast of, which, with my character, are now for you to
enquire into. So I remain the public's devoted servant,
Josiah L. Hill.
Green Township, September ic,, 1816."
Whereupon Thomas Coulter withdraws his name from the
list. At the election this year, four hundred and seventy votes were
cast in Richland county — of which Worthington had a majority
of three hundred and fifty-three, Hitchcock four hundred and
thirty-three; and for Senator Mordecai Bartley received three
hundred and thirty-nine, William Gavitt seventy-seven, Joseph
Brown twenty-three, Samuel Mott ten, Benjamin Martin six,
Waitstill Hastings six. Samuel Williams was elected repre
sentative. Benjamin Martin, for senator, puts forth the following address:
' To the electors of the district composed ofthe eounties of Lick
ing, Knox and Richland:
Gentlemen — As I am offering myself as a candidate to rep
resent the inhabitants of the above district in the State senate,

I think it my duty to lay before the public a copy of official
papers, whieh I hope you will read, and thereby satisfy your
minds in regard to my political character. The first of my cer
tificates has reference to the oath of allegiance.
"I do hereby certify that Benjamin Martin, of Bedford county
hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the oath of allegiancft and
fidelity, as directed by an act of General Asssmbly of Pensyl-
vania, passed the thirteenth day of June, 1777. Witness my
hand and seal the tenth day of October, A. D., 1785.
James Martin."
"Bedford county, State of Pennsylvania, ss.
We, the subscribers, Justices of the Peace, &c, in and for
the county of Bedford, do hereby certify to all who it may con
cern, that we have been acquainted with the bearer hereof, Ben
jamin Martin, son of James Martin, esq., of the county afore
said these several years past, and that we have not heard of
anything to operate against his character as an honest young
man; but on the coutrary, that he has behaved himself as a
good Whig and a friend to his country. And he being desirous
to go from here to the lower parts of the State to transact some
business and see his relations; therefore, all persons are request
ed to permit the said Benjamin Martin to pass and repass, he
behaving himself as a good and faithful citizen ought to do.
Given nnder our hands and seal, the twentieth of April, in
the year of our Lord 1784. Benjamin Dougherty,
[l.s.] David Hespy,"
' ' Sirs — Having always in view, as my polar star, the princi
ples contained in the above oath and certificate, I have with a
steady mind, either as a private citizen or as a public servant,
pursued that kind of policy which would best promote the inter
ests of our country, as the principles of general suffrage; for I
always have and ever shall be of opinion, that when a man has
enrolled himself in our militia muster-rolls, and has paid State
and county tax, that in consequence thereof, he is and ought to
be entitled to all the privileges and advantages of the govern
ment; and any policy or law, which, in its operation, would
tend to lessen those privileges would be an invasion on the
natural and inherent rights of man. Those, gentlemen, are the
principles which I ventured in my life to establish, and the re
maining part of my days shall go to maintain them.
Written by the public's humble servant and real friend,
Benjamin Martin."
The difficulty of collecting debts, in part at this time, may be
judged of by the following unique notice of Sheriff Shaw:
Public Notice. — My friends and the public are hereby in
formed, that should they have large sums of money to collect,
not to bring suit in the court of common pleas, in expectation
of thereby obtaining their just demands in a reasonable time. I
have been induced to publish this friendly caution that the pub
lic may not censure me for neglect in my official capacity. In
order to show where the fault lies, read the following plain
statement :
I have been assiduously endeavoring to collect the amount
of an execution ever since I have been sheriff of this county,
and have as yet received no money. The associate judges
grant bills of injunction successively, after I have had the prop
erty ready for sale, which has procrastinated the collection of
money. There have been two on the aforesaid execution; the
judgment was rendered at the December term, 1815, for Erku-
rius Beatty. Therefore, if the laws of this State will keep a

366

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

man out of his money three years after judgment is rendered, I
would seriously advise my friends not to bring suits for debts
due them, but rather remove to some other State or country
where they may obtain justice. John Shaw,
» Sheriff of Knox county.
September 4, 1816.
The fall term of the court of common pleas came on Decem
ber 24, 1816.
GRAND Jury. — Isaac Vore, sr., foreman, Abednego Ste
phens, Thomas Townsend, Zebulon Ashley, David Jackson,
Robert Work, William Lepley, William Kittle, John L. Lewis,
Samuel Durbin, Robert McMillan, Anthony Banning, Francis
Wilkins, Francis Blakeley, and Thomas Fletcher.
They found six bills of indictments. Tavern license was
granted to Anson Brown and J onathan Hunt. Store licenses
to John Williams, James Rigby, James Miller, John Shrimplin,
Bryant & Burr, Eli and Jonathan Miller, and Anthony Banning.
Shadrack Ruark, of the Methodist church, was licensed to
marry, and James Craig was fined fifteen dollars and costs for
assault and battery.
[The foregoing quotations from Mr. Norton's book
have been given nearly verbatim, partly to indicate
the spirit of the times and show the rather crude
condition of the pioneers in a literary way, and
partly for the names of the pioneers, which appear
in various places. — The Editor.]
Iri 1820 there were only seven brick houses in
Mt. Vernon, and of these two only remain to mark
the past. The building on the northeast corner of
Mulberry and Vine streets, now occupied by O'Con-
ner, grocer, is one; the second has been -so im
proved and modernized that its past appearance
can scarcely be recalled to mind even by the
oldest residents, and to others its existence is
forgotten. At that time what is now Mr. Joseph
M. Byers' pleasant residence, northwest corner
of Gay and Vine streets, was but a small one-
story building upon the east end of the lot. The
old building is yet there, and is still not there,
for the modern improvements have completely
hidden it from view. At that time the little brick
was occupied by William Vore, a teamster.
In 1826 Mt. Vernon contained eighty dwelling-
houses, one printing office, a brick court house and
jail, a merchant-mill, a saw-mill, a cotton factory,
and within six miles, nine grist-mills and saw-mills,
and three carding machines.
Up to the settlement of the county seat ques
tion, Clinton was far in advance of Mt. Vernon
and even Fredericktown, although about two years
younger than its more fortunate rival, seemed to of

fer greater advantages for the county seat than Mt.
Vernon. That matter having been decided, how
ever, probably in a great measure by Ben Butler's
"trick," the destiny of the town was thus decided
— it was to become a city.
From 1805 to 181 1 no territory was added to
its limits as the increase in population was no more
than sufficient for the original plat. Since the lat
ter date the following additions have been made:
Joseph Walker's, January 15, 181 1; Samuel Kratz
er, March 20, 181 1; Joseph Walker made a sec
ond addition, September ir, 181 6; Mr. Ham-
tramck, November 15, 1826; Mr. Shaw, April 3,
1828; Trimble's addition was made May 5, 1832;
Banning's, September 21, 1832: Burgess', October
12, 1832; Jesse B. Thomas', August 2, 1836; Nor
ton's Western, February 4, 1837; Eastern addition,
April 13, 1837; Samuel Kratzer's second, July 9,
1838; Mr. Norton made two additions in 1841,
one March 25th, and the other July 21st; Norton's,
Northern, November 29, 1845; Potwin and Ray
mond's, December 31, 1845; Thomas, Warden &
Brown's, May 22, 1848; Brown's Executors', June
9, 1848; Factory, July 5, 1848; M. M. Beam,
June 23, 1849; Benjamin F. Smith's, April 7, 1852;
Russell & Hurd's, March 14, 1853; Norton's,
Southern, May 20, 1853; Blackman's, April 11 •
1854; S. B. Doty's, September 18, 1854; Sturde-
vant's, September 27, 1854; A. Banning Norton's,
October 31, 1854, Norton's Great Western, De
cember 8, 1854; Norton's Island, December 28,
1854; P. Lothorp's, January 22, 1855; Henry B.
Curtis', May 7, 1855; John Irvine's, November 7,
i860; Henderson's, January 3, 1861; George K.
Norton's, February 12, 1862; H. W. Owens', April
21, 1862; Henry B. Curtis', October 8, 1862; J.
F. Hobbs', January 12, 1863; Henry B. Curtis',
December 1, 1863; George K. Norton's, May 11,
1864; Sheahan & Quade's, November 8, 1866;
John PurceH's, March 2, 1867; James Worley's,
March 20, 1867; Joseph Watson's April 1. 1867;
Adam Randolph's, August 22, 1868; H. B. Rogers',
December 18, 1868; Adam Snow, April 10, 1869;
C. H. Osborne's, January 14, 187 1; Arthur Greer's,
September 7, 187 1; G. B. Potwin's Executors',
July 20, 187 1 ; James Rogers', August 7, 1872;
James Rogers' Eastern, November 25, 1872; H.
O. Taft's, February 8, 1873; Boynton & Hill's,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

367

February 21, 1873; Frederick Vohls', May 13,
1873; Sherwood's, July 7, 1873; John Wilson's,
July 26, 1873; Rogers & Doyle's, Ootoberg, 1873;
and Newham & Williams', April 30, 1874.
February 26, 1845, the State legislature passed
an act entitled "An Act to Incorporate the Town
of Mt. Vernon, in Knox county," tbe first section
reading as follows :
Sec 1. Be it Ordained by the General Assembly of the State
of Ohio, That so much of the town of Mt. Vernon, in the county
of Knox, as is comprised in the limits hereinafter described,
that is to say, all the in-lots, streets and alleys, and other public
grounds bordered by the same, within the old original town plat,
and its. several recorded and confirmed additions, together with
all fractions of lots or parcels of ground lying between the old
town plat and either of said additions, especially to include
such fractions or portions of ground not already laid out into
town lots, as lie between the south line of Hamtramck street,
anil the north line of Burgess street, extending between the
Hamtramck addition and Norton's addition; and so much of
like ground as lies north of the south line of Chestnut street,
extending east to the Coshocton road, and to include one tier of
in-lots of usual size on the north side of Chestnut street, so ex
tended as aforesaid; also embracing the following grounds —
commencing at Lambton square, at the junction of the Mans
field and Wooster roads; thence along the Mansfield road to the
intersection of the north line of the cross street or road, to the
new graveyard; thence along the north line of said cross street
to the graveyard lot; thence north and so running around said
graveyard lot and including the school-house lot to the south
east corner thereof ; thence following the aforesaid graveyard
street to the east line of the Wooster road; thence southward
along the east line of the said Wooster road and the east line of
Gay street, as extended to North street; thence west to Main or
Market street; thence north to the place of beginning, except
such lots and streets in any of said plats or additions as have
been vacated; Provided, That this exception does not exclude
the vacated lots and streets east of Division street, and north of
Front street in the Eastern addition, but the same are hereby in
cluded in the limits according to the eastern boundary of said
addition, as originally laid out and recorded— be, and the same is
hereby created into a town corporate, to be known by the name
of the town of Mount Vernon ; Provided, That all ground here
after laid out and recorded as town lots, or additions to said
town, by name or otherwise, if contiguous thereto, shall, from
the time of being so recorded, be included within the corporate
limits of said town and constitute a part thereof.
Further provisions of the above quoted act of
incorporation, divided the town into five wards,
and allotted one councilman to each ward, and
provided for their election, and also for the election
of one mayor, one recorder, one town treasurer,
one town marshal, and one street commissioner.
Eight years later, by the passage of the following
sections, the legislature enabled the town to be
come a city of the second class :

Sec. xix. of the municipal code, passed May 3, 1852, pro
vides for the election of two trustees for each ward.
Sec. xxi. Any town which by the special act of incorpora
tion has been divided into wards, shall be denominated a city of
the second class if the council shall so determine. — Ohio Law,
passed 1853.
The completion of the Sandusky, Mansfield &
Newark railroad, about 1846, enabled Mount Ver
non to take a long step forward, and thus avail
itself of the privileges granted by the legislature.
The several additions made to the city in 1873,
were caused principally by the completion of the
Cleveland, Mount Vernon & Columbus railroad.
On the second of March, 1870. the city council
passed "An Ordiance Defining and Establishing
the Corporate Limits of the City of Mount Ver
non, Ohio.'' The provision of the ordinance reads
as follows:
Sec 1. Be it ordained by the City Council ofthe city of Mt.
Vernon, That the City Corporation Line of the City of Mt.
Vernon be, and is hereby established by the following described
lines, to wit :
Beginning at the southwest corner of the north abutment of
the bridge at the south end of Main street, and running thence
S. 53^°, E. 2050-100 rods along the stone wall south of John
Cooper's Steam Engine works, to the southeast angle thereof.
Thence N. 83^°, E. 516-100 rods to the southeast angle of
John Cooper's fence, on the west side of Gay street. Thence
S. 83^°, E. 12 40-100 rods to the southwest corner of the Fac
tory addition. Thence by the courses and distances bounding
the south side of said addition to the southwest corner of Curtis,
and Byer's lot, being lot No. 34 in said addition. Thence N.
83^", E. 25 80-100 rods, continuing along the south line of
said addition. Thence N. 74^°, E. 32 60-100 rods along said
south boundry, and by the same course to a point on the east
line of Ridgely street, and near the south line of Water street.
Thence N. 2°, E. 1 36-100 rods on east line of Ridgely street to
a point on the south side of the Springfield, Mt. Vernon and
Pittsburgh railroad line. Thence S. 8o°, E. 38-100 rods to a
white oak 28 inches diameter, S. 73^°. E. 2152-100 rods S.
64°, E. 27 16-100 rods along the south side of said railroad line
to the centre of Allen Beach's alley. Thence N. 1 H°. E. 28-100
rods along the centre of said alley to a point 12 rods south of
the south side of Gambier street. Thence S. 73 %°, E. 114
40-100 rods on a line parallel with the south side of Gambier
street to the east line of Clinton township. Thence N. 2°, E.
94 50-100 rods on said township line to the south side of the
new Gambier road. Thence N. 88°, W. 37-100 rods along the
south side of said road to a point in line with the east side of
Centre Run street. Thence N. 2°, E. 98-100 rods along the
east line of Centre Run street to the centre of Coshocton road.
Thence N. 70", E. 14 12-100 rods along the centre of said road
to John Flynn's southeast corner. Thence N. 17^°, W. 13
92-100 rods to said Flynn's northeast corner in the the centre of
the ' ' Harkness road." Thence N. 88°, 20' W. 166 86-100 rods
along the centre of said road to the southeast corner of Mrs.
Plimpton's lot, known as "Round Hill." Thence N. 2°, E. 41
90-100 rods along the east side of said lot, tq a point in line

368

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

with the north side of Curtis street. Thence on said line N.
89", W. 43 50-100 rods to the east side of McKenzie street.
Thence N. 2°, E. 24 84-100 rods to the south line of land owned
by the heirs of Rev. James Scott, deceased. Thence N. 31%°,
E. 36 5.100 rods across said Scott's land, 10 feet north of the
stable, and along the northeast side of an alley, across and to
to the west side of Wooster road. Thence on the west side of
said road N. 40%°, E. 13 40-100 rods to the northeast corner of
John McGibney's lot. Thence N. 49K0. w- 1240-100 rods
along the north line of said lot, to the northwest corner thereof.
Thence N. 88J£°, E. 26 50-100 rods along the north side of
land owned by John McGibney to the east side of the cemetery.
Thence N. 20, 10', E. 39 80-100 rods on the east side of the
cemetery to the northeast corner thereof. Thence N. 88°, 50"
W. 18 92-100 rods on the north line of said cemetery to the east
line of the Catholic cemeteiy. Thence on said east line N. 2°,
10' E. 8 60-100 rods to the northeast corner of said cemetery.
Thence S. 76^°, W. 43 8-100 rods along the north side or said
cemetery and Mr. Pollock's lot, to the west side of the Mans
field road. Thence along the west side of said road N. 14°,
W. 25 75-100 rods to the south side of a road on the north side
of lands owned by widow Trimble's heirs. Thence continuing
along the south side of said road S. 76^°, W. 39 80-100 rods to
the angle thereof. Thence S. 68°, W. 24 rods along the south
line of said road, to a point in the line with Mr. Flaharty's east
line. Thence on said east line N. 15M0. W. 12 60-100 rods to
said Flaharty's northeast corner. Thence S. 72°, W. 25 84-100
rods along along the north line of Flaharty's lot to the east end
of the alley north of the tannery. Thence across the east end
of said alley N. 22°, W. 67-100 rods to the north side thereof.
Thence S. 72°, 11 68-100 rods on the north side ot said alley,
and to the west side of Sandusky street. Thence on the west
side of said street N. 21°, W. 6 80-100 rods to the northeast
corner of John Cassil's lot. Thence on the north side of said
lot S. 68 %°, W. 60 25-100 rods to the west side of the Baltimore
& Ohio railroad. Thence along the west side of said railroad
to the north line of Norton's northwestern addition. Thence
S. 68J£°, W. 10 rods to the northwest corner of said addition.
Thence S. 41 % °, E. 25 50-100 rods along the west side of said
addition to the west side of said railroad. Thence along the
west side of said railroad by the curves and tangents thereof
156 50-100 rods to a point 4 feet west of the west end of the race
bridge abutment and 9 rods north of the north line of Chestnut
street. Thence N. 88^°, W. 60 23-100 rods through lands of
George K. Norton, James Rogers and others to the east line of
lands owned by heirs of John Mitchell, deceased. Thence N.
1H0, E. 7 20-100 rods on said Mitchell's east line to the north
west corner of said land. Thence N. 89°, W. 78 62-100 rods
along the north line of said John Mitchell's, Silas Mitchell's
John Gotshall's, Sapp and Rogers' land to the northeast corner
of lands formerly owned by Samuel Hookaway. Thence S.
1 %°, W. 91 62-100 rods along the east line of said land and
through lands of Israel and Devin, to a point S% rods south of
the line of Wood street extended. Thence S. 890, E. 115
14-100 rods to the west line of lot No. 10 in Norton's Southern
addition. Thence south 20, W. along the west side of lots 10
and 11, 6 35-100 rods to the southwest corner of lot No. 11, the
same being on the south line of said southern addition.
Thence S. 89°, E. 8 rods on the south line of said lot No. 11,
to the west side of Norton street. Thence N. 2°, E. 8 rods on
the west side of said street. Thence S. 890 E. 19 rods along
the south side of lots marked "S. Gray on city map, to the

west side of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. Thence S. 58^°,
e. 22 rods along the west side of said railroad to a point on the
north side of the old race. - Thence S. 640, E. 35 48-100 rods
along the north side of the old race, to a point from which an
elm tree about thirty inches in diameter bears S. 17", W. 64
links distant. Thence S, 70^°, E. 35 rods to the place of
beginning. Sec 2. That William McClelland, the city solicitor, be and
hereby is directed to prosecute the proceedings necessary to
effect the annexation contemplated in section first of this ordi
nance. Sec 3. That the foregoing ordinance shall take effect and
be in force from and after its passage and due publication.
In 1830, Mt. Vernon contained about five hun
dred people. The following extracts from a letter'
written in 1 871, by a gentleman now a prominent
merchant in Gambier, gives a picture of the town
in 1830, as well as some account of the changes in
forty years :
In passing down Main street, the other day, I could not but
notice the great change that has taken place since I knew the
town. I came to Mt. Vernon in 1827, so that by the beginning
of 1830, I was pretty well acquainted with the town and the
people. The whole make of the ground has been changed,
and there are very few buildings now standing (1871) which were
then (1830) in existence, or if standing, have been moved to
other streets. Commencing at the upper end of Main street on
the east side, there is yet standing what was then the residence
of H. B. Curtis, esq., now occupied by him as an office, and
formerly by the Knox County National bank. North of this
until you get above what was then a deep valley, there is not a
vestige of the town of 1830 now standing. Above where this
valley then was, stood a brick house now owned, the writer
thinks, by Mr. B. F. Criswell.
The next building south of H. B. Curtis', then standing, is
now owned by Samuel Israel, esq., and then the residence and
mercantile establishment of Dr. Timothy Burr. South of this
until you get below Gambier street, there is not a single build
ing now standing that was then in existence. Passing the George
building, now occupied by Armstrong & Miller, on the comer
of Main and Gambier streets, there are two or three old ac
quaintances, but so dressed up they are scarcely recognizable.
The brick now occupied by Samuel Clark, known as the Jacob
Martin house, the writer thinks was then in existence. From
this to the bridge he sees no old acquaintance.
Passing to the west side of Main street, let us go north of the
valley before spoken of. Here is found a part of a brick dwell
ing that has been added to and remodelled, built, the writer
thinks, by William Watkins. The story was, that said Wat-
kins having broken his leg, was prevented from going out to
work, and not knowing what to do with himself until his leg got
well, conceived the idea of laying up the walls of a house. By
the assistance of his wife and neighbors, he was helped to the
spot every morning, where he sat and laid brick all day, his wife
tending mason.
South from this until you come to the building occupied by
J. Stauffer & Son, the old town has all been swept away. This
building was then occupied by Hugh Newell as a hotel. It was
one of the notables of the town.
Passing down the street nothing of old acquaintance is seen

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

369

until we get below Woodward block. There we come across a
little group of frame houses, two or three in number.
The next old acquaintance that strikes the eye is the building
at the southwest corner of Main and Gambier streets — Potwin's
Phcenix building — looking all the better for having been purged
by fire. It was in 1830 one of the "institutions" of the town,
known as The Golden Swan Inn, kept by Thomas Irvine. Here
the county courts were held. Here in the west wing, up stairs,
was the hall of the Thespian society. From this to the bridge
there is nothing standing of the buildings of 1830.
Let us retnrn to the north end of Main street, and note some
of the then buildings and their uses :
The Whig paper was then published by William Bevans in a
little one-story red frame, where Mrs. Dr. Thompson now re
sides. The next building south was the residence of H. B.
Curtis, before mentioned. On the corner where Dr. J.J. Scrib-
ner's drug store now is, was a frame house, the residence of
William Y. Farquhar, then treasurer of Knox county. Next,
the residence of Dr. Timothy Burr, before noted. Next, south
on the corner stood a little one-story frame, the office of Dr.
Maxwell. Back of this, fronting the public square, was the
small brick residence of P. L. Norton. On the site of those
old buildings stands the Norton block — the corner room occu
pied by Dr. Israel Green as a drug store, and the upper story
by offices of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad.
On the next corner, now occupied by the Knox County National
bank, in the ' ' Curtis.house " block, was a brick building occu
pied by Gilman Bryant as a store. But before crossing the
public square, I should have noticed on a bank, at least twenty
feet above Main street, at the southeast corner of Main and
High streets, was a large pile of brick and nearly three sides of
a wall of what used to be the court house. (I might mention
here in passing that a new court house was under contract, and
was afterwards built on the northwest corner of Main and High
streets. ) Another feature which should not be omitted. On
the north side of High street, and a short distance east from
Main, stood a building whose iron grated windows and gloomy
aspect, told all persons travelling through the town that the
building was intended to be a warning to evil doers, and was
put in a conspicuous place that all might see and order their
steps accordingly.
From Bryant's corner south the next building was a brick
occupied by Sherman & Browning as a store. Next was a
small one-story frame occupied as a shoe shop and law office.
Next stood a large frame, occupied by Eli Miller as a residence
and store, in which was the post office, Mr. Miller being then
postmaster. On the southeast corner of Main and Vine streets,
was a frame building occupied by S. J. Updegraff as a store.
That frame was moved off, and now forms a part of the resi
dence of Daniel McDowell, esq. , and on its site is the Ward
block. Next, a frame building in which Mr. James Huntsberry
kept a saloon (grocery it was then called). After this came the
tailor shop of Adam Pyle. The Democratic paper was published
near here. Next, where the Odd Fellows' building now stands,
occupied by C. A. Bope's hardware store, was a two-story
frame hotel and stage house, kept by Calvin Anderson. Next,
two or three small frames, in which were J. W. Warden's law
office, Dr. J. N. Burr's office, John Gregg's harness shop, and
a drug shop, the proprietor's name not now remembered, also
the residence of Isaac Vore. Next to this, where the Peterman
building now stands, was a hewed log building, weather
boarded, occupied by S. Rowley as a tavern, and was familiarly

known as "the old war office." On the southeast corner of
Main and Gambier streets was a two-story frame building occu
pied by William E. Davidson as a tavern. Then follows Silers'
residence and hat shop. Charles Sager, Jacob and Joseph
Martin, and some others not now remembered.
On the west side of Main street where N. N. Hill resides was
a two-story frame occupied by William Mefford. Next south
on the ground now occupied by the fine residence of Hon.
Joseph C. Devin, was a long one-story red frame building used
as county offices.
On the southwest corner of Main and Chestnut streets, was a
small frame house used as a bakery by William Mackey. Next
a two-story frame occupied by Dr. J. W. Russell, and as a
select school. The second story became the hall of the Mount
Vernon Lyceum. This building, like many of early days, be
came a traveller, but cast anchor, I believe, on the south side of
Gambier street, near Main.
The next building was Washington Hall, a hotel, kept by
Hugh Newell, before spoken of.
Crossing the public square, the corner now known as the
Kirk Opera House block, and occupied by Stadler the clothier,
and Van Aikin's boot and shoe store, was covered by a two-
story frame, the residence of J. B. Rogers, and the mercantile
establishment of J. B. Rogers & Co. West of this building
and fronting to the north, were two or three small frames, in
one of which T. W. Rogers kept military goods, and in another
D. D. Stevenson kept a shoe shop. In their places are now the
fine business houses built by Raymond and Sperry. Next
south of J. B. Roger's store was a small frame building on the
ground now covered by the store of J . S. Ringwalt. Next to
this, where James Rogers' hardware store now is, stood a small
one-story frame, occupied by Anthony Banning, jr., as a store.
This was formerly the building occupied by the Owl Creek
bank. It had a double batton door and window shutters filled
with nails, "burglar proof." The paint, which was nearly
gone, had been red. Next to this, on the corner, was a two-
story brick, occupied by James S. Banning as a store and res
idence. Where the Woodward block now stands was a two-story
frame, the store of A. & S. Elliott. Next to this stood a frame
occupied by P. L. Norton as a store. Jacob Banning's store
came next. These two last named buildings can still be seen.
Then came Zimmerman's tavern, a good sized wooden building,
two-story front with a wing in the rear. Next, the residence of
R. M. Brown, a little back from the street. The site of these
two last named buildings is now occupied by the large three-
story brick edifice built by R. M. Brown, and occupied as places
of business by Browning & Sperry, T. B. Mead, and W. B.
Russell's drug store. Next the residence of Mr. Brown, on the
corner, was a brick, the residence and business place of J. E.
Woodbridge. »
Just across the street was the "Golden Swan Inn," before
spoken of. The building is now occupied on the ground floor
by the dry goods store of H. C. Swetland, and the drug store
of Baker Brothers, and the second story by the Democratic
Banner newspaper and job office. Next to the Golden Swan
came a small frame or two, and then another tavern almost on
the bank of the creek.
One more business establishment I will mention, and then be
done with the west side of Main street. This was Morey's soap
factory, on the bank of the stream, and a little west of the
street. It was here that mischievous men and boys sent

370

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

strangers and others not posted for any article not found at any
of the stores. If butter was scarce, and a person seen walking
up and down street with a plate in his hand, he was told Morey
had plenty. So from a needle to an anchor, it mattered little
what was wanted, they were sent to Moiey. The latter was
considerably bored by these practical jokes, but yet not quite so
badly bored as those who were sent there.
The places for public worship then were few. The Presby
terian church stood on the site of the present fine edifice. It
was a low. square, four-roofed brick, covering quite a space of
ground, and capable of holding several hundred people. It
passed away long ago. Its successor, a large frame building,
was burned, and now the third building occupies the ground.
The building then occupied by the Methodists was standing
until a few months since, and in 1830 was also used as the Fifth
ward school-house. Its upper story was then used as a Masonic
lodge. In the early part -of 1880, this old landmark was
razed to the ground, to make place for the resi
dence of William R. Brown, the present mayor of
the city.
Another school-house in the southwest part of the town was
frequently used for preaching.
The above comprises all the places then used for public
worship known to the writer. Elder Rigdon did occasionally
preach in his own house, west end of Chestnut street.
Of the persons then living the majority have passed away.
Of the members of the bar the writer knows of only one repre
sentative, the Honorable H. B. Curtis; of the clergy none.
Of the medical fraternity, Drs. J. N. Burr and J. W. Russell.
Mt. Vernon in 1830 claimed no less than eighteen merchants.
All have passed from earth, the late J. E. Woodbridge being the
last of the old timers who was called away.
Of the list of young men and boys then acting
in the capacity of clerks in the various stores in
1830, only eight were living in 1871, viz: V. W.
Miller, now of Newark, Ohio, then with Sherman
& Browning; G. B. Burr, now of Texas, then with
his father, Dr. T. Burr; George W. Martin, then
with A. & S. Elliott, now of Lancaster, Ohio; Milo
Lewis, then with D. S. Norton, near the mills, now
of Washington city; C. G. Scott, then with Philo
L. Norton, now of Gambier; P. Jones, then with
S. J. Updegraph, now of Coshocton county, Ohio.
N. N. Hill came that year with S. P. Warden; Mr.
Hill clerked for Samuel Mott, and Mr. Warden for
A. & S. Elliott. Mr. Warden resides in Athens
county, and Mr. Hill in Mt. Vernon, being the only
one of the eight, who is a resident of the city in
1880. Of the different trades and occupations but few
can be named who are now living. In the shoe
business in 1830, were Isaac Hadley and James
Hutchinson. Mr. Hutchinson is still in the busi

ness, while Mr. Hadley lives a retired life. In the
tailoring business Adam Pyle and William Petti-
grew are the only ones named by the above writer.
Mr. Pyle is dead. Joseph Martin, now living, is
the cabinetmaker named. Of hatters, the names
of none are mentioned, although he says there
were a number in 1830. Of tanners, none;
of chairmakers, one, Daniel McDowell, still
living,, but not in the cabinet business; of
bakers, S. A. Mackey is living: of gunmakers,
none are living; of saddlers and' harnessmakers,
no names are mentioned; of silversmiths, J. B.
Brown was then the only one, and he long since
passed away. His son and successor was not then
born. Of the change in the surface of the ground, a few particulars
may be mentioned. The public square then was sadly turned
up towards the setting sun. On the east side of Main street it
has been taken off about twenty feet, while on the west side
where the new cistern has been recently put in, it has been
filled up fully fifteen feet. A summer or two ago when Mr.
Wolff was digging a pit for coal, north of his fine block, the
workmen cut through no less than three distinct side walks, the
first onebeing met not less than three feet below the surface. When
Gilman Bryant built the market house in 1832, his contract was
to fill in twelve feet before he laid the pavement.
High street from a point east of the court house, has been
cut down all the way to Main, and from Main street west it has
been filled up. Notice the brick house south nearly opposite the
present court house. It had a stone story put under it since
1830. That brick house is now a thing of the past. A
new and beautiful Baptist church is soon to be
erected on its site.
Main street north from Chestnut, had been cut
through a hill to the valley previously mentioned
This valley running east and west, is now nearly
filled.

CHAPTER XL.
MOUNT VERNON— CONTINUED.
List of Municipal Officers— The Press of Mount Ver
non — Public Schools.
THE town of Mount Vernon was incorporated
February 22, 183c, and placed under the govern
ment of a mayor, recorder, and a board of trus
tees, now better known as the common council.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

37i

Of the government of the village and town prior
to 1830, no records can be found.
From 1830 up to April, 1880, the following were
elected to the different borough, town, and city
offices, and includes the names of all elected dur
ing that time except for during the years between
1835 and 1845, when the records were lost or mis
laid. This loss, for the sake of a continuous his
tory, is much to be regretted.
1830 — Samuel Mott, mayor; Johnston Elliott, recorder; Jonas
Ward, James Martin, Marvin Tracy, Gilman Bryant, Daniel
McFarland, council.
r83i — William P. Burgess, mayor ; Marvin Tracy, recorder ;
G. B. Maxfield, J. N. Burr, J. E. Woodbridge, ). W. Forrest,
Adam Glaze, jr., council.
1832 — William P. Burgess, mayor; S. W. Hildreth, recorder;
William Y. Farquhar, Richard House, John Dwyer, Jacob Siler,
John S. Roberts, council.
1833 — S. W. Hildreth, mayor; T. W. Rogers, recorder; John
Sherman, Hugh Neal, Jacob Martin, Timothy Colopry, Luther
Freeman, coancil.
1834 — John W. Warden, mayor ; S. W. Farquhar, recorder ;
Alexander Elliott, G. Zimmerman, Jacob Andrews, Hught Bart-
lett, Daniel McFarland, council.
1835 — S. W. Hildreth, mayor; S. W. Farquhar, recorder;
Jacob Andrews, Johnston Elliott, Eli Miller, Jonathan Beach,
Hugh Oglevee, members of council.
The act incorporating the town of Mt. Vernon, divides the
town into wards, and allots one councilman to each ward, and
provides for the election of other town officers, viz: one trea
surer, one marshal!, and one street commissioner.
1845— Isaac Davis, mayor; James Smith, jr., recorder; first
ward, Johnson Elliott; second ward, Job Evans; third ward,
Rollin C. Hurd; fourth ward, Henry B. Curtis; fifth ward,
Charles Cooper, members of council; Alexander C. Elliott,
treasurer; Charles L. Bennet, marshal; James L. Young, street
commissioner. 1846— Jacob B. Brown, mayor; James Smith, jr., recorder;
first, James E. Woodbridge; second, Hugh Oglevee; third,
Rollin C. Hurd; fourth, Sewell Gray; fifth, Hosmer Curtis,
members of council; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Clark L.
Bennett, marshal; James L. Young, street commissioner.
1847— Jacob B. Brown, mayor; James Smith, jr., recorder;
first, James Relf; second, N. N. Hill; third, W. R, Sapp;
fourth, Sewell Gray; fifth, Daniel Axtell, members of council;
Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Clark L. Bennett, marshal;
Adam Glaze, jr. , street commissioner.
1848— C. P. Buckingham, mayor; James Smith, jr., recorder;
first, James Lafever; second, H. McFarland; third, D. Clark,
fourth, Horatio L. Miller; fifth, Daniel Axtell, members of
council; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Clark L. Bennett,
marshal; Johnson Elliott, street commissioner.
1849— Joseph S. Davis, mayor; James Smith, jr., recorder;
first, Benjamin Giles; second, Henry W. Ball; third, D. Clark;
fourth, Horatio S. Miller; fifth, Charles Cooper, members of
council; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Abraham Emmett,
marshal; David Morton, street commissioner.
1850— Joseph S. Davis, mayor; James Smith, jr., recorder;
first, Benjamin Giles; second, John Miller; third, A. Ban.

Norton; fourth, John A. Norton; fifth, Charles Cooper, mem
bers of council; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Joseph S.
Martin, marshal; one street commissioner elected by each
ward; one police officer elected by each ward.
1851— Joseph S. Davis, mayor; James Smith, jr., recorder;
first, Benjamin Giles; second, Merrett M. Beam; third, A. Ban
ning Norton ; fourth, Sewell Gray; fifth, Thomas Evans, members
of council ; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Russell Crandall, mar
shal; one street commissioner elected by each ward; one police
officer elected by each ward.
1852 — Joseph W. Vance, mayor; James Smith, Jr., recorder;
first, Benjamin Giles; second, Milton L. Mills; third, Charles
G. Bryant; fourth Nathaniel McGiffin; fifth, Casper Fordney,
members of council; Alexander C. Eliott, treasurer; Squire
McDonald, marshal; one street commissioner elected by each
ward; one police officer elected by each ward.
1853 — E. S. S. Rouse, mayor; James Smith, jr., recorder;
first, Samuel Davis; second, J. H. McFarland; third, G. B.
White; fourth, William M. Mefford; fifth, Casper Fordney,
members of council; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Jacob
Capel, marshal; one street commissioner elected by each ward;
one police officer elected by each ward.
1854— Jacob B. Brown, mayor, died September x, 1854;
James Smith, jr., city solicitor; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer;
H. K. Robinson, marshal; (two from each ward) first, Samuel
Davis two years, A. A. Stoughton one year; second, Job
Evans two years, E. S. S. Rouse, jr., one year; third, John
W. White two years, George B. White one year; fourth, Ben
jamin B. Lippitt two years, W. M. Mefford one year; fifth,
Joseph Gardiner two years, Casper Fordney one year, members
of council; one street commissioner elected by each ward; one
police officer elected by each ward; Joseph S. Davis, city clerk,
elected by council.
1855 — Thomas Cooper, mayor; James Smith, jr., city solici
tor; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; H. K. Robinson, marshal;
first, A. N. Stoughton; second, William Sanderson Sr. ; third
George B. White; fourth, W. M. Mefford; fifth, David Martin
one year, Joseph Scarbrough two years, members of council;
one street commissioner elected by each ward; one police officer
elected by each ward; Joseph S. Davis, city clerk, elected by
council. !8j6 — Thompson Cooper, mayor; William McClelland, city
solicitor; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; Thomas S. Jacobs,
marshal; John People, street commissioner; first, George W.
Hauk; second, Job Evans; third S. W. Farquhar; fourth, Joseph
Mahaffey; fifth, Dennis Smith one year, Joseph Wolf two
years, members of council; Joseph S. Davis, city clerk, elected
by council.
!857  George W. Steele, marshal; Alexander C. Elliott,
treasurer; Frederick Bumpus, street commissioner; Samuel
Israel, J. H. McFarland, board of education; first, Benjamin
Giles; second, W. M. Bunn; third, George B. White; fourth,
Nathaniel McGiffin; fiith Dennis Smith, members of council;
Joseph S. Davis, city clerk, elected by council.
1858— Thompson Cooper, mayor; Charles B. Church, mar
shal; William McClelland, city solicitor; Alexander C. Elliott,
treasurer; Russell Crandall, street commissioner; Edward
Calkins, S. L. Taylor, board of education; first, Jonathan
Graff; second, Job Evans; third, John W. White; fourth, B. B.
Lippitt; fifth, John H. Roberts, members of council; Joseph S.
Davis, city clerk, elected by council.
1:859  Ephrain Hogle, marshal; Alexander C. Elliott, treas-

372

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

urer; James Worley, street commissioner; William L. King,
Levi B. Ward, board of education; first, Benjamin Giles;
second E. S. S. Rouse, jr.; third, G. B. White; fourth, N.
McGiffin; fifth, Dennis Smith, members of council; Joseph S.
Davis, city clerk, elected by council.
i860 — Thompson Cooper, mayor; Timothy M. Bartlett, mar-
shall; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; William McClelland, city
solicitor; James Worley, street commissioner; Samuel Israel, J.
H. McFarland, board of education; first, John Ponting; second,
Henry W. Ball; third, A. Ehle; fourth, B. B. Lippitt; fifth, John
H. Roberts, members of council; Joseph S. Davis (elected by
council), city clerk.
1861 — Columbus F. Johnson, marshal; Alexander C. Elliott,
treasurer; George Black, street commissioner; Edward Calkins,
Joshua Hyde, board of education; first, E. W. Cotton; second,
C. H. Miller; third, George B. White (two years), W. R. Hart
(one year); fourth, W. B. Brown (two years), William L. Smith
(one year), members of council; Joseph S. Davis (elected by
council), city clerk.
1862 — Thompson Cooper (resigned) , W. C. Cooper (by coun
cil), mayor; George W. Steele, marshal; William McClelland,
city solicitor; Alexander C. Elliott, treasurer; George Black,
street commissioner; William L. King, E. W. Cotton, board
of education; first, John Ponting; second, H. W. Ball; third,
H. Ransom; fourth, W. L. Smith; fifth, John H. Roberts, mem
bers of the council; Joseph L. Davis (elected by council), city
clerk. 1863 — William C. Cooper, mayor; Calvin Magers, marshal;
George Black, street commissioner; Henry W. Owen, Jared
Sperry, board of education; first, John F. Phillips; second, Wil
liam Bergin; third, George B. White; fourth, William B. Brown;
fifth, Dennis Smith (resigned); W. A. Bounds, members of
council; Joseph S. Davis (elected by council), city clerk.
1864 — Edmund V. Brent, mayor; Calvin Magers, marshal;
William McClelland, city solicitor; George Black, street com
missioner; Joseph Muenscher, Joseph S. Davis, board of educa
tion; first, Henry Errett; second, John Hildreth; third, Henry
Ransom; fourth, William L. Smith; fifth, John H. Ransom,
members of council; Joseph S. Davis (elected by council), city
clerk. 1865 — Calvin Magers, marshal; George Black, street commis
sioner; William L. King, Frederick D. Sturges, board of edu
cation; first, H. H. Greer (two years), Benjamin Giles (one
year); second, James Rogers; third, George B. White; fourth,
John N. Lewis; fifth, William A. Bounds, members of council;
Joseph S. Davis (elected by council), city clerk.
1866 — Edmund V. Brent (resigned); Joseph S. Davis (by
council), mayor; Allen Ingram (resigned); Calvin Magers (by
council), marshal; William McClelland, city solicitor; G. M.
Bryant, street commissioner; Charles Cooper, Jared Sperry,
board of education; first, E. W. Cotton; second, Dennis Cor
coran; thiid, Henry Ransom; fourth, W. L. Smith; fifth, John
H. Roberts, members of council; Joseph S. Davis (elected by
council), city clerk.
1867— Joseph S. Davis, mayor; Calvin Magers, marshal; D.
W. Wilson (resigned), street commissioner; W. H. Smith (re
signed); D. W. Chase (by council); Joseph S. Davis, board of
education; first, H. H. Greer; second, W. L. Simons; third,
George B. White; fourth, John N. Lewis; fifth, Ephraim Hogle,
members of council; Oliver F. Murphy (elected by clerk), city
clerk. 1868— Joseph S. Davis, mayor; William McClelland, city so

licitors; Calvin Magers, marshal; Frederick D. Sturges, William
L. King, board of education; George Black, street commis
sioner; first, G. B. Potwin; second, Thomas W. McKee; third,
Henry Ransom; fourth, Silas Cole; fifth, John H. Roberts
members of council; Oliver T. Murphy (elected by council), city
clerk. 1869— Calvin Magers, mayor; Jerome Rowley, street commis
sioner; T. E. Monroe, Charles Cooper, board of education-
first, Samuel Sanderson ; second, C. M. Hildreth; third, John
W. White; fourth, G. E. Raymond; fifth, Ephraim Hogle, mem
bers of council; Oliver F. Murphy (elected by council), city
clerk; John N. Lewis (elected by council), civil engineer.
1870 — Joseph S. Davis, mayor; William McClelland, cily
solicitor; Oliver T. Murphy, city treasurer (office abolished);
Joseph S. Davis, D. W. Chase, board of education; first, G.
W. Wright; second, John Fry; third, W. J. S. Osbom; fourth,
Silas Cole; fifth, John H. Roberts, members of council; C. S.
Pyle, city clerk (elected by council).
1871— John A. Mitchell, marshal; James A. Wing, street
commissioner; W. B. Russell, Henry Errett, Joseph M. Boyd,
board of education; first, Samuel Sanderson; second, F. M.
Ball; third, John W. White; fourth, G. E. Raymond; fifth,
L. B.Curtis, members of council; C. S. Pyle, city clerk (elected
by council); John X. Lewis, civil engineer (elected by council).
1872— Joseph S. Davis, mayor; William McClelland, city so
licitor; A. R. Mclntire, H. Stephens, W. S. Errett, board of
education; first, G. W. Wright; second, H. H. King; third,
Noah Boynton; fourth, Nathaniel McGiffin; fifth, William B.
Brown, members of council; C. S. Pyle, city clerk (elected by
council); D. C. Lewis, civil engineer (elected by council).
1873 — Calvin Magers, marshal; Lyman W. Marsh, street
commissioner; Joseph M. Byers, Joseph S. Davis, board of ed
ucation; first, James M. Andrews; second, Emanuel Miller;
third, G. W. Bunn (two years); C. E. Critchfield (one year);
fourth, G. E. Raymond; fifth, William Mahaffey, members of
council; C. S. Pyle, city clerk (elected by council); D. C. Lewis,
civil engineer (elected by council).
1874— Thomas P. Frederick, sr., mayor; William McClel
land, city solicitor; Hezekiah Graff, William P. Bogardus,
board of education; first, John Ponting; second, H. H. King;
third, N. Boynton (resigned); George Winne; fourth, N. Mc
Giffin; fifth, W. A. Bounds, members of council; C. S. Pyle,
city clerk (elected by council); D. C. Pyle, civil engineer (elected
by council).
l87S— Calvin Magers, marshal; William McClelland, city so
licitor; Benjamin Grant, A. R. Mclntire, board of education;
Lyman W. Marsh, street commissioner; first, James M. An
drews; second, A. B. Moore; third, Jefferson C. Sapp; fourth,
G. E. Raymond; fifth, John Moore, members of council; C. S.
Pyle, city clerk (elected by council); D. C. Lewis, civil engineer
(elected by council).
1876 — Thomas P. Frederick, sr., mayor; William M. Koons,
city solicitor; William B. Russell, Joseph S. Davis, board of
education; first, John Ponting; second, C. M. Hildreth; third,
G. W. Bunn; fourth, C. G. Smith; fifth, Christian Keller,
members of council; C. S. Pyle, city clerk (elected by coun
cil); D. C. Lewis, civil engineer (elected by council).
1877 — Calvin Magers, marshal; Otho Welshymer, street com
missioner; W. P. Bogardus, Hezekiah Graff, board of educa
tion; first, Wood Fuller (resigned), W. A. Forbes; second, S.
L. Baker; third, O. G. Daniels; fourth, S. H. Jackson; fifth,
John Moore, members of council; C. S. Pyle, city clerk (elected

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

373

by council); D. C. Lewis, civil engineer (elected by council).
1878 — William B. Brown, mayor; William M. Koons, city
solicitor; Alexander Cassil, Dr. Joseph C. Gordon, board of
. education; first, James M. Andrews; second, Arthur Adams
(two years), H. Young Rowley (one year); third, G. W. Bunn;
fourth, Silas Cole; fifth, Christian Keller, members of council;
C. S. Pyle, city clerk (resigned), Joseph S. Davis (both elected
by council); D. C. Lewis, civil engineer (elected by council).
1879 — Calvin Magers, marshal; Otho Welshymer, street
commissioner; A. R. Mclntire, Josephs. Davis, board of edu
cation; first, J. H. Branyon; second, H. Y. Rowley; third, H.
Lauderbaugh; fourth, Samuel H. Jackson; fifth, John Moore,
members of council; Joseph S. Davis, city clerk (elected by
council); Austin A. Cassil, civil engineer (declined), D. C.
Lewis (both elected by council).
1880- -William B. Brown, mayor; John B. Waight, city so
licitor; W. F. Baldwin, John M. Ewalt, board of education;
first, James C. Irvine; second, John Kelly; third, D. W. Chase;
fourth, Silas Cole; fifth, Christian Keller, members of council;
Joseph S. Davis, city clerk (elected by council); Austin A. Cas
sil civil engineer (elected by council).
THE PRESS OF MOUNT VERNON.
The first paper published in Knox county was
The Ohio Register in July, 18 13, in the village of
Clinton, by Smith & McArdle.
Samuel H. Smith was the proprietor of the town
of Clinton, and John P. McArdle was a good
practical printer. McArdle emigrated from Ire
land, March 17, 1801, and came to this county in
1809. After two years of tribulation the office was
transferred to Mount Vernon, where the Register
was first issued, on the twenty-fourth of April,
1816, bearing the following motto: "Aware that
what is base no polish can make sterling." Dr.
Burr is the possessor of a bound volume of this
little eight by ten paper, containing its first issue.
In its first editorial after removing to Mount
Vernon, the editor says that the Register shall not
be a receptacle for party politics, or personal abuse.
October 15, 1817, the first six months of the
second volume of the Register having been com
pleted, the editor calls upon subscribers to pay up
old scores —
For without this one thing necessary, it is impossible to ex
pect that we can live; money would be preferable, but if that is
scarce with you, rags, wheat, rye, corn, and almost all kinds of
market produce will be taken in payment.
On the fifteenth of April, 1818, volume 11, No.
52, was issued. Those who were in arrears and so
often and so politely requested to call and settle,
did not do so; the large quantity of paper could
not be paid for in cash, John P. McArdle goes

down under the debt and the Register office is
closed. From this period until 1844 no paper was pub
lished uninterruptedly as long as the Ohio Register.
Various new papers were started and the editors
became dissatisfied, the publishers discouraged,
and, after a little experimenting with journalism,
went to some more profitable business, engaged in
some new enterprise, or left the country.
During this time the ablest men who were con
nected with the press, and the most violent in op
position to each other, were Charles Colerick and
William Bevans. They were arrayed against each
.other as candidates for office, and each for several
terms held the position of sheriff of the county.
Both were from western Pennsylvania — Bevans
from Fayette, and Colerick from Washington county
— and were well skilled in political wire-working
and manoeuvring. In the division of parties the
former was for Adams and the latter for Jack
son. The great bone of contention, however, was
the county printing, and that might, with much
truth, be said to have been the only principle at
issue between them.
About 1822 Charles Colerick, with his brothers,
John and Henry, made their appearance in this
county, while Bevans was sheriff, and established
a small printing office.
In 1824 Edson Harkness, a printer, surveyor,
and school teacher, emigrated from "down east"
to Mt. Vernon, and in 1825 started, in company
with John Barland, a newspaper, which he styled
The Knox County Gazette. After publishing it two
years, he sold out, in 1827, to James Harvey Pat
terson, from Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and
William Smith, from Washington county, same
State, who, under the firm of Patterson & Co.,
continued its publication until 1829, when they
transferred the establishment to William Bevans,
who carried it on under the name of The Western
Aurora, until 1831, when he disposed of it to Wil
liam P. Reznor, who had learned his trade in the
office and lived with Bevans. In 1832 C. P.
Bronson became associated with him, and for a
time the paper was published by Bronson & Rez
nor. In October, 1833, Dan Stone bought out the
concern and carried on the business a few months
alone, when Dr. Morgan I,. Bliss became his part-

374

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

ner and the business continued under the firm
name of Stone & Bliss, until November 29, 1834.
On account of severe and protracted illness Mr.
Bliss withdrew, and Dr. Lewis Dyer became con
nected with the paper as editor. In January, 1835,
Dyer was succeeded by Dr. John Thomas, who,
being like his predecessor, of a philosophical turn
of mind, and inclined to treat upon physiology,
hygiene, temperance, and the laws of health, found
the age unsuited for moral reform, and suddenly
abdicated the tripod, leaving Dan Stone alone in
the business. Mr. Stone continued the publica
tion until May 16th, when he published his vale
dictory, and soon after the paper went out of exis
tence. This office was first established in a small
frame house where Mrs. Dr. Thompson's residence
now stands, on lot No. 113, Main street; subse
quently it was on the lot where General Jones
formerly resided, on the west side of the public
square, and from thence was moved into the second
story of the market bouse.
In 1838 a new office was established here, and a
paper issued called The Western Watchman, by
Samuel M. Browning. -For a few months John
Teesdale was connected with this paper as editor,
and was about purchasing the establishment; but,
being a philanthropic Englishman, he happened to
insert an abolition article, and found it advisable to
leave suddenly. In October, 1839, the paper was
published by S. Dewey & Co., but for a very short
time. A new candidate for public favor called The
Family Cabinet made its appearance and was pub
lished a few weeks only. This brings the history
ofthe press representing one party up to 1840; the
other side follows.
The Colericks, as heretofore stated, came from
Washington, Pennsylvania, where their father had
a printing office at a very early day, and they had
been brought up to the business. They were in
telligent and energetic men and labored under
great disadvantage for many years, as did other
newspaper men in this county. In 1827 their pa
per was called The Democrat and Knox Advertiser.
In March, 1831, Samuel Rohrer purchased the
office and published the paper. In October, 1832,
F. S. & P. B. Ankeny became proprietors, enlarged
its size and called it The Mt. Vernon Democrat and
Knox Advertiser. The name was changed the

next year to Looking Glass and Whig Reflector,
This printing-office was also migratory in its dispo
sition, having been, during its existence, on Mul
berry street, on the lot where the late H. W. Ball
resided; on the old Jeffries' lot where Hoover's
marble factory is, and in the second story of the
frame where Bird's store now is, on South Main
street. In June, 1835, Charles Colerick established The
Day Book, which was conducted by him with much
energy and spirit until he volunteered as a soldier
and went to Texas, when the office was bought by
Delano & Browning, and the paper was continued
by William Byers until in the winter of 1837-8,
when it was transferred to S. M. Browning.
When tbe campaign of 1840 opened, the Whigs,
who had become dissatisfied with the abolition sen
timents of John Teesdale, and caused him to give
up the publication of that paper, found it necessary
to pass resolutions in their county convention, in
viting Whig editors to view this location; and ap
pointed a committee to advertise in the leading
Whig journals in the State for some one to come
on and publish a paper. Under this call James
Emmet Wilson, a son of Judge James Wilson, of
Steubenville, came, and started The Knox County
Republican. About six months afterwards he as
sociated with himself as publisher, Milo Butler,
his brother-in-law. This paper was started under
most favorable auspices in the triumphant cam
paign of 1840, yet in the fall of 1841 it was dis
continued by reason of the inability of the said
Wilson and Butler to give the patrons a "live Whig
paper.'' Wilson and Butler went to preaching. In
1842 William H. Cochran, who was teaching
school in Newark, came up, rented the office, and
issued The Times; and from that office has been
continued a paper, under different names, edi
tors and proprietors, until the present day — The
Mt. Vernon Republican ends the list. This paper
has been known to its readers as The Times — Tht
Republican Times — The Ohio State Times, etc., and
has been conducted by Cochran and Silmon Clark,
G. E. Winters, O. B. Chapman and James F. With-
row, J. W. Shuckers, the Republican joint stock
company, H. M. Ranney, W. C. Cooper, Rev. J.
H. Hamilton, Wilkinson & Knabenshus, C. Wilkin
son, and Harry G. Armstrong & Co. The present

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

375

editors and proprietors are Messrs. Baldwin & Tay
lor, who purchased the concern February 10, 1881.
Names may have been omitted of other persons
who, for short periods, edited the paper.
After The Day Book office had been purchased
and merged into The Western Watchman, an effort
was made to establish another paper, and The
Democratic Banner was started in April, 1838,
by Chauncey Bassett and Joel Robb. During
the summer it was edited by C. J. McNulty,
but upon its sale to Edmund I. Ellis, it was con
tinued without an editor during 1839, and> untnl
it was sold to John Kershaw in 1841, was issued
without an editorial, except as some partisan would
furnish it an article. Kershaw edited and published
it until in June, 1844, when he sold it to E. I. El
lis. It was then edited by G. W. Morgan until
1845, when it was sold to David A. Robertson, who
after a short time resold it to Ellis, who continued
its publication until its sale in November, 1847, to
William Dunbar. The latter had associated with
him in its publication for some six months, George
W. Armstrong. For the remainder of his time Mr.
Dunbar edited and published it himself until 1852,
when he resold it to E. J. Ellis. In Decem
ber, 1853, it was purchased by Mr. Lecky Harper,
then of The Pittsburgh Post, who has since edited
and published it. During Mr. Dunbar's manage
ment, a daily Democratic Banner was published
in the winter of 1852, for thirty days.
Upon the nomination of General Taylor to the
presidency, in 1848, the editor of The Times re
fused to support the Taylor and Fillmore ticket,
because Zachary Taylor lived south and owned
slaves; whereupon another printing-office was
opened in Mount Vernon.
The new paper was styled The Mount Vernon
True Whig, and was published seven years. It
was edited during the campaign of 1848 by Joseph
S. Davis; in 1849-50-51-52, by John W. White,
and the remainder of its existence, by A. Banning
Norton. For three years Norton's Daily True
Whig was published with the motto of David
Crockett — "Be sure you're right, then go ahead."
Its support was almost wholly derived from the
purse of its editor, who bore it until the "pressure"
became too heavy, when its publication was dis
continued, in March, 1855.

Several short lived newspapers have made their
appearance in the county. The Rainbow, edited
by the Rev. A. Sanback, was published a short time
in Mount Vernon, and then removed to Frederick-
town, then to Bellville, and from thence to Tiffin.
The Lily, edited by Mrs. Amelia Bloomer, of the
Bloomer costume notoriety, was published here
about a year, and then taken to the far west. The
Western Home Visitor, established in Mount Vernon
by E. A. Higgins and edited by E. S. S. Rouse, esq.,
was a well conducted paper, but too large for its
price. Soon after it started a half interest was sold
to David C. Bloomer, and in about six months
Bloomer became sole proprietor. After two years
The Visitor was taken to Columbus. Then came
The National, with Agnew & Ragnet, publishers,
and William C. Gaston, as its editor. It champi
oned -the cause of the "Lecomptonites" but after
its defeat it went out of existence. The Knox
County Express was started by Agnew & Tilton, in
December, i860, and in 1862, was published by
C. M. Phelps & Co., and edited by Judge S. Davis.
The Express was finally merged with The Mount
Vernon Republican then in the hands of the Mount
Vernon Republican Publishing Company.
During the early stages of the greenback excite
ment in 1877-8, several new papers sprang up
throughout Ohio in advocacy of that doctrine. Two
made theirappearance in one weekin Mount Vernon,
viz : The Knox County National Advocate, edited
and published by Joseph H. Watson and William
A. Agnew, two of Mount Vernon's young typos,
and The Knox County National, edited and pub
lished by John Lennon, a young member of the
Knox county bar. It soon became evident that
one paper was all the new party could support, and
the latter withdrew from the field. Both papers
appeared on the new jjlan prevalent throughout
the west — that is, both had patent "insides," the
second and third pages heing edited and printed
at Cleveland, while the first and fourth pages were
edited and printed in Mount Vernon. The
National Advocate, after one year's existence, find
ing its support insufficient, was turned into a Re
publican paper by dropping the word National.
The plan did not seem to work for after a short
struggle The Advocate suspended. During the
exciting local campaign of 1878, Watson & Agnew,

376

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

for about two months, issued a daily two cent
edition as a Republican campaign paper.
The Floral Gazette, a monthly magazine pub
lished by George Park, is an adjunct of his flower
and seed store, and is intended as an advertising
agent. The Broadax, a temperance monthly,
edited by an advocate of that cause, was published
about a year.
A few words regarding the pioneers of the press"
in this county, and of their successors may be in
teresting in this connection.
John P. McArdle, the first practical printer, re
moved to one of the northwestern counties, where
he resided many years, honored and respected, and
where he died a few months since at an advanced
age. Samuel H. Smith was residing in Texas some
twenty years ago. His present residence, if living,
is unknown. Charles Colerick died after having served a cam
paign in the Texan war of independence, where he
assisted in achieving, though he did not live to be
hold the recognition of her independence.
General William Bevans, after having served his
fellow-citizens creditably in many official positions,
has departed.
Dan Stone, a quiet, unassuming man of much
goodness of heart, died in this town, where his
widow and two sons still reside.
Dr. M. L. Bliss' death occurred shortly after he
left the paper.
James Harvey Patterson moved to West Union,
Adams county, and, after the death of his wife,
went south.
John Thomas was a very singular, genius, well
read, particularly in anatomy, geology and other
ologies, but was subject to the "blues," and did not
enjoy life. He would not drink out of a cup or
saucer that had a crack or flaw in it, nor eat with a
knife that he did not see scoured bright — conse
quently he worried himself out of the world before
his time.
W. H. Cochran and H. M. Ramsey died with
the editorial harness on— both much lamented;
both leaving widows.
S. M. Browning died at Burlington, Lawrence
county, about 1852; his widow is a resident of this
city, in her eighty-third year.

Dr. Dyer resided awhile in Fredericktown and
went to Iowa. He is dead.
Reznor removed to Illinois. His fate is un
known, as is also that of Harkness, who, some
twenty years ago, also resided in Illinois, and was
noted for his large nurseries of excellent fruit tree?.
Kershaw is, or was, an attorney living in Phila
delphia. Bronson removed to Boston, and died there
some years ago.
D. A. Robertson was appointed United States
marshal for Ohio in 1844, which office he held
four years. In 18^0, then a resident of Lancaster,
he was elected a member of the Constitutional con
vention of Ohio from Fairfield county, and resigned
after holding the office three months to accept the
appointment of United States marshal for Min
nesota, taking up his residence in 1850 at St.
Paul. December 10, 1854, he issued the first
number of the Minnesota Democrat, which became,
under his management, the leading Democratic
paper in the then territory. In 1856-7 he visited
Europe. He was a member of the Minnesota
house of representatives in 1859-60, mayor of
St. Paul in i860, and sheriff of Ramsey county in
1863, serving in this office two years. He is dead.
C. J. McNulty, one of the most brilliant attorneys
of his day, represented Knox county in the Ohio
house of representatives during the sessions of
both 1841 and 1842, and was afterwards clerk of
the Lower House of Congress. In 1846 he volun
teered as a private soldier in the Mexican war, died
en route to the scene of strife, and was buried at
Helena, Arkansas, by his comrades.
William C. Gaston is at present practicing law at
Steubenville. Mr. Ragnet, after marrying one of Mt. Vernon's
fair daughters, took up his residence in Iowa.
Those living in Mt. Vernon at this time are Hon.
Columbus Delano, General G. W. Morgan, Hon.
Lecky Harper, Judge J. S. Davis, C. Wilkinson
(who lives a retired life on a farm a short distancs
from the city, while his late partner, Knaberishue,
is superintendent of the Lancaster schools), J.
A. Tilton, Benjamin F. Agnew, Harry G. Arm
strong, and John W. White.
A. Banning Norton has been for a long time a
resident ef Dallas, Texas, and pays the city of his

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

377

birth a visit once or twice a year. He has held
several important official positions in his adopted
State. At present he is one of the Federal circuit
judges of Texas, a position he held once before.
He edits and publishes a paper styled Norton's
Union Intelligencer.
The first book printed in Knox county was The
American Revolution, written in scriptural or an
cient historical style, printed by Smith & Mc
Ardle at the office of the Ohio Register, in Clinton
in 1815. The second book, from the same press,
was The Columbian, a poem on the American war,
in thirteen cantos, by Richard Snowden, thirty-
eight pages. The next was James Smith's Vindi
cation. There was also published at the Ohio Reg
ister office A Caveat against the Methodists, by a
Gentleman of the Church of Rome.
In 1830 C. & J. Colerick published a Directory
of Knox County, compiled from the tax list by Ed
son Harkness. In 1835 the Laws and Ordinances
of Mt. Vernon were printed by the Day Book of
fice and bound. In 1852 the Charter and Ordi
nances of Mount Vernon were printed by the True
Whig office, and bound, making a work of fifty
pages. In 1879 was issued from the Republican
office, Revised Ordinances of the City of Mount
Vernon of a General Nature. This work contained
ninety-four pages and was bound. In 1878 the
same office published The History and Rules of
the Mount Vernon Public Schools, by Joseph S.
Davis, A M., forty pages. An Essay on Justifica
tion by Faith, with Particular Reference to the
Theory of Forensic Justification, by Joseph Muen
scher, A. M., rector of St. Paul's church, Mount
Vernon, sixty pages, was issued in 1847.
In 1858 John W. White published George Sey
mour, or Disappointed Revenge, a drama in three
acts, and the same year, The Book of Chronicles,
humorously illustrated, being A History of the
Dissensions among the Harmonious Democracy of
Knox Countyuponthe Kansas Question. A fewyears
later Mr. White issued from the press of the Ohio
State Journal The Ambitious Shoemaker — A Farce
without a Plot — One Act. In 1876 he published
his Mount Vernon Directory for- 1876-7, from the
press of the Gambier Argus, one hundred and six
ty pages.
In 1862 the Rev. Dr. Muenscher published A

Commentary on the Book of Proverbs, four hun
dred duodecimo pages; and also A Treatise on
Biblical Interpretation, three hundred and fifty
pages, duodecimo.
From the Acland Press, Gambier, a number of
pamphlets and small works have been issued per
taining to church and college affairs. Among
others, Tissue's Greek Forms, a valuable book, by
one of the professors.
A few years prior to the death of the late Judge
Hurd he published his standard law book On Ha
beas Corpus, which has already been supplemented
by a second edition under the immediate supevi-
sion of his son, Hon. Frank H. Hurd, now of To
ledo, who followed with one of his own On Home
stead and other Exemptions. Hon. Charles H.
Scribner, then of Mount Vernon but now of Tole
do, was the author of a valuable work entitled
Treatise on the Law of Dower. A copy of these
three law books can be found in almost every law
library in the State as well as in other States and are
valued as standard works.
In 1862 A. Banning Norton issued from the press
of Richard Nevins, Columbus, Ohio, A History of
Knox County, it being the first work of the kind
ever published relative to the early history of the
county. The book contained four hundred and
twenty-four pages.
THE SCHOOLS OF MOUNT VERNON.
The following history of the Mt. Vernon schools
is from the pen of Joseph S. Davis, A. M. :
In attempting to write even a brief history of the schools of
Mt. Vernon, we labor under some difficulty, from the fact that
in the earlier schools no record of their proceedings, plan of
government, or mode of education, was kept; or, at least, if any
record was kept, it has not been preserved.
We have no correct information as to the exact date the first
school was established, but this is not material, since the time
fixed is near enough to the true period for all practicable pur
poses. We deprecate a resort to tradition, which might be amusing,
but not instructive or satisfactory, and direct our attention to
the collection of well authenticated facts, and to their proper
arrangement in chronological order. In the year 1805, the town
of Mt. Vernon was laid out by Benjamin Butler, Thomas Bell
Patterson, and Joseph Walker, and a plat thereof filed for
record in the recorder's office at Lancaster, Fairfield county,
Ohio. In the year 1808, by an act of the legislature, the county
of Knox was carved out of the territory of Fairfield county, or
ganized, and Mt. Vemon selected as the county seat.
About this time the pioneer settlers upon the town plat, with
families rapidly increasing, feeling the imperative necessity of

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

379

affording their children some opportunity and accommodation
for acquiring at least the rudiments of an education, determined
to make some provision for this important object.
The result of this determination was the erection of a smal]
log school-house on the southwest quarter of the public square
near the line of High and Main streets, in size about fourteen
by sixteen or eighteen feet, one story in height, covered with
clapboards nailed on, lighted by small windows, and heated by
a large old-fashioned fire-place, with no furniture but the
teacher's chair, rough slab benches for pupils' seats, desks made
of boards attached to the walls, inclining inward and a little
downward, on which the pupils placed their books, slates, and
materials for writing. The benches and desks were so arranged
that the pupils all sat with theirfaces toward the wall, and backs
to the teacher, except the primary class, which was being in
structed in the mysteries of the English alphabet.
This rude, humble, primitive structure was the first school-
house built in Mt. Vernon ; and, in its day, answered an excel
lent purpose, although its rough walls were not adorned with
any charts, maps, pictures, or other modern contrivances, to at
tract the attention and instruct the mind of the pupils,
The only ornament that relieved the unbroken and monoto
nous view of rough log walls, was a map of the town of Mt. Ver
non, drawn by the teacher with his pen, to exhibit his skill and
dexterity in wielding that little instrument. On this map was
delineated the buildings that had been erected in town, and
most prominent among which was this humble educational edi
fice. In the southwestern part of the town plat was graphically
portrayed the tall wild grass, the thick undergrowth of the na
tive forest, with a few large trees, and upon a branch of one of
these perched a lonely owl, in all his silent, solemn wisdom,
'overlooking, like a guardian angel, the rise and progress of the
town, embryo city, of Mt. Vemon, and the beautiful stream
bearing his name.*
The name of this teacher and artist is lost to us, but his ex
cellent work has long outlived his memory, or the recollection
of his name.
The many worthy men who taught school in this humble edi
fice have gone to parts unknown, and most, if not all of them,
to their final account. But the descendants of two of them are
yet quite numerous in this country. Thomas Irvine, a native of
Ireland, located in Mt. Vernon in the spring of 1811, and was in
duced by his neighbors to assume the character and occupation
of a pedagogue, and tiught the children of the town in this
humble building very acceptably to his patrons.. Also John
Roberts, ol Fayette county, Pennsylvania, moved to and settled
in Mt. Vernon in 1816, and taught school two successive winters
in this school-house upon the public square. Both these gentle
men were afterwards honored by their fellow-citizens with an

* There is little doubt that this is the same map that appears upon the
records of Fairfield county, a cut of which is here given. The only con
tradiction to this view of the origin of the map is the date (1805), which
may have been placed there by mistake. That it appears upon the
records as here given, the following is evidence:
"Lancaster, Ohio, March 16, 1881.
"The county recorder and myself have this day carefully examined
the records of this county in reference to the above plat of Mt. Vernon
and find the same correct, the date being July 16, 1805.
"E. Ackers, County Auditor."
The date is evidently an error, as the town was laid out July 16, 1805,
the date of the map, while the map itself shows a town several years older.

election to the office of justice of the peace, and served in that
capacity many years.
Henry B. Curtis, esq. , informs us that he remembers this
school-house very well, and describes it as an old dilapidated
building in the spring of 1817.
No doubt time and neglect had so far wrought the work of
decay upon this building that its days of usefulness for school
purposes had passed, and it waspermitted to disappear. Its re
moval afforded a site for the erection of a new and more impos
ing structure, generally known as the market house, in which
the physical wants of the people were supplied. But, in the
lapse of a few years, the market house had to yield to the inex
orable law of public opinion, and be removed from the square.
The population of the town having largely increased, more ex
tensive school accommodations were required than this primi
tive structure afforded, even had it been thoroughly repaired
and properly cared for.
At a public town meeting, called for the purpose, subscriptions
were made, and a committee appointed, with full power to
collect the same, and procure additional means by voluntary
contributions sufficient to purchase a lot and build a new
school-house. The committee thus appointed entered immediately upon the
discharge of the trust reposed in them, and purchased two lots
on Mulberry street from John Williamson, of Lancaster, Ohio,
and on the twenty-third of August, 18x7, John Williamson and
wife conveyed said lots, Nos. 166 and 167, in the town of Mt.
Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, by deed of general warranty, as a
site for a school-house, to Joseph Brown, James McGibney and
Robert D. Moore, trustees of the school-house in Mt. Vernon,
and their successors in office. By the vigorous and united ef
forts of the school trustees, the citizens, and the masonic order
of the town, a very respectable two-story brick building was
erected on these lots in the year 1818.
The masonic order, under some agreement or arrangement
with the school trustees, built, finished and occupied the second
story of said building as a lodge-room, while the first story was
prepared and used for school purposes.
The means raised having been exhausted in putting up and
enclosing the walls, the room remained unplastered, but was
furnished with slab benches for seats, and rough board desks
placed against the walls, similar in style and arrangement to
those used in the original school-house on the public square.
This was the second school-house erected in the town of Mt.
Vernon. Joseph Chapman, a brother of the late Judge Chap
man, of this county, taught school successfully a number of
terms in this building. It was occupied on the Sabbath for
religious services by the different denominations of Christians
who had no church building in town, and also the meetings of
a literary society were held therein.
About the year 1824 the citizens of the town resolved to fin
ish this school-room, and Henry B. Curtis, esq., having taken
a very active part in soliciting and procuring the means, was ap
pointed, by a public meeting, a committee of one to design the
changes and superintend the completion of the same. Under
his good judgment and management the room was neatly plas
tered, and re-seated, in a more comfortable and modem style,
entirely changing the whole internal arrangement by placing
the seats against the walls and the desks in front of them, so
that the scholars would face the teachers. The central part of
the room was an open space, occupied by the teacher, and the
classes when called up to recite.

38o

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

After the passage of the general law establishing free common
schools in the State of Ohio, the schools of this town were
under the management of the Clinton township trustees, and so
continued until the year 1845. But they were slow in growing
into public favor, on account of the prejudices of caste, and
reluctance on the part of many of the best citizens to patronize
them. Some of the more wealthy and refined, fearing that evil
consequences might result from the mingling of the children of all
classes of society in thefree common schools, preferred to send
their children to private select schools. To overcome this preju
dice, and to improve, develop, and perfect the free common
school system, so as to gain the confidence and support of the
public, was the work of many years.
In the meantime private schools were well sustained. Rev-
R. R. Sloan established a school and academy, which was suc
cessfully conducted more than twenty years, in which a high
educational standard was maintained, and the youth of the
town, both male and female, were well trained and liberally edu
cated. This high school, taught by Mr. Sloan, assisted by his
estimable wife and such male and female teachers as he found
it necessary to employ, prospered until the free graded school
system grew into public favor. It was then converted into a.
female seminary, which flourished for a time, and began to de
cline, and finally, for the want of sufficient patronage, was
closed up.
By an act of the legislature, passed February 26, 1845, the
town of Mount Vernon, in Knox county, Ohio, was incor
porated. In the charter thus granted the town was divided
into five wards by metes and bounds, and authorized to elect
one councilman for each ward, and among other provisions
the following is made in reference to the schools : Each ward
shall constitute a separate sub-school district of said town,
subject to the regulations hereinafter provided. The mayor
and common council of the town of Mount Vernon shall have
the control and regulation of the school districts within said
town, in the same manner as the same is now held by the
trustees of the township ; and shall also be a board of school
directors for said town, subject to all the regulations and re
quirements of the act for the support and better legulation of
common schools, except as hereinafter provided. Each council
man, by virtue of his election as such, be a special school direc
tor for the ward in which he resides and the election of school
directors, as provided for in the thirty-second section of said
act, shall, so far as this corporation is concerned, be dispensed
with; all taxes for building, purchasing, repairing or furnishing
school-houses and lots shall be equally assessed upon all prop
erty in the sub-district where such expenditure shall be required,
and shall be expended for the benefit of such sub-district only ;
and such sub-district shall have in all respects the same power
to purchase lots, build, repair, or finish school-houses, and
assess taxes therefor, and do all other acts that other school
districts can lawfully do ; and the mayor and common council,
acting as a board of school directors for said town, shall ap
point a district treasurer, other than the treasurer of the corpora
tion, who shall give bond and security, and perform all the
duties required of him by law.
According to the directions of. this act, an election was held
on the seventh day of March, 1845, and the officers therein pro
vided for were elected. On the eighth day of March the mayor,
recorder, and councilmen-elect, met and formally accepted the
said charter, organized thereunder, and, as they constituted the

board of school directors for the town, their names are here in
serted :
Isaac Davis, mayor; James Smith, jr., recorder; Johnston
Elliott, First ward; Job Evans, Second ward; Rollin C. Hurd,
Third ward, Henry B. Curtis, Fourth ward; Charles Cooper,
Fifth ward; members of council.
The first action taken by this body in regard to the schools
was in September, 1845, when the following resolutions were
adopted :
On motion, resolved that George B. White be and he is hereby
appointed school treasurer for the school district of this town,
and required to give bond and security according to law. "
Resolved, That the recorder act as clerk of such school dis
trict, and that he cause to be taken an enumeration of the youth
of said district, distinguishing between the children of the dif
ferent wards.
Resolved, that the general compensation of school teachers
for district schools in said town (to commence, as near as may
be, on or about the first Monday in November next) shall
be twenty-two dollars per month — each to provide him or her
self a suitable room, fuel, and furniture, to be approved by the
directors; and when the directors furnish room or stove, or
either, a reasonable deduction to be made in the above named
compensation. Resolved, That in each and every engagement of a school
teacher the directors reserve to themselves the right of visitors,
with power to dismiss such teacher for such cause as to them
shall seem right and proper.
It will be observed by the adoption of these resolutions the
mayor and common council, acting in the capacity of aboard
of school directors, exercised great caution in the employment
of teachers, by inserting in their contracts a clause reserving the
right to visit the schools, and the power to dismiss the teacher
for any cause which to them might seem just and proper. It is
presumed this precaution was taken to avoid any vexatious liti
gation in case a teacher was so unfortunate as to be dismissed
for apparent, if not real, deficiency in either morals, govern
ment, scholarship or skill to successfully impart instruction. An
agreement containing such a clause was, in all probability, sug
gested by and owing to the legal acumen of two distinguished
lawyers, members of the council, and when signed by the
teacher transferred the jurisdiction and power of determining
the justice and propriety of his removal from the judicial tribu
nals of the country, and vested the same solely in the board of
school directors.
At this time, the only public school-house in the town was
the old two-story brick on Mulberry street, in the Fifth ward,
and by neglect it had become so dilapidated as to be unfit to be
occupied for school purposes, without thorough repairing. In
this condition the school directors and Mount Zion lodge, No,
q, Free and Accepted Masons, of this town united in.executing
a lease of said school-house for the term of fifteen years to R. R.
Sloan and John K. True for educational purposes, upon con
dition that they should repair and build an addition to said
school-house. It appears incredible that competent teachers
could be procured at the price above specified. The meagre
sum left, after paying rent for a suitable school-room, and pro
viding furnitnre and fuel, was a very small compensation to the
teacher for his services, showing that the labors of the teacher
in the common free schools at that time were not esteemed very
valuable, and certainly they were not very lucrative.

FIFTH WARD SCHOOL BUILDING.

SECOND WARD SCHOOL BUILDING.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

381

" Yet some very worthy and competent persons were employed,
and taught the public schools of the several sub-districts of
the town in the winter of 1845-6 — such as D. M. Camp; Charles
Conklin, A. Spaulding, G. W. Stahl, Lafayette Emmett, after
wards a judge of the supreme court of the State of Minnesota,
Mrs. P. A. Nicholas, Miss Helen Curtis, Miss Louisa Burgess,
and others.
Our citizens not being fully satisfied with the tardy progress
of the schools under the existing laws applicable to the town,
became anxious for a change, and being favorably impressed
with the report of the successful working of the Akron system
of schools, desired to have the same adopted in Mt. Vernon.
The law entitled, "An Act for the support and better regula
tion of the common schools in the town of Akron, passed Feb
ruary 8, 1847, authorized the election of six directors of the com
mon schools who shall meet and organize by the election of a
president, secretary, and treasurer, and shall be a body politic,
and corporate in law by the name of the board of education of
the town of Akron. It shall have the entire management and
control of all the common schools in the said town of Akron, and
all the houses, lands, and appurtenances already provided for
school purposes, as well as those hereafter to be provided. Said
town shall, in law, constitute but one school district, and all
moneys accruing to said district for school purposes, under any
law of the State, shall be paid over to the treasurer of said
board of education.
"The council to appoint three competent persons to serve as
school examiners for said town.
"The board to certify to the council the amount of money
necessary to erect buildings, and the amount necessary to be
raised, in addition to the money accruing to said town under
the general school laws of the State, to defray all other ex
penses of said school system during the current year. And
thereupon the town council shall proceed to levy a tax suf
ficient to meet such expenses of building and repairing school-
houses, and for the maintenance of free schools in Akron
during the whole year, customary vacations only excepted."
These are the provisions of the law, which formed the basis
of the school system sought to be introduced into our town.
And, by virtue of the law passed February 14, 1848, the pro
visions of the Akron school law could be extended to any in
corporated town or city in the State, whereupon two-thirds of
the qualified voters thereof shall petition the town or city coun
cil in favor of having the same so extended.
Under this law, petitions were circulated, numerously signed,
and presented to the council in the form following:
"To the mayor and common council of the town of Mt.
Vernon. The undersigned, legal voters of the town of Mt.
Vernon, petition your honorable body to have the provisions of
the act entitled ' An act for the support and better regulation of
common schools in the town of Akron,' and the amendatory
acts thereto, passed by the Forty-sixth general assembly of this
State, carried into effect in this corporation, as provided for in
an act passed February 14, 1848."
At a meeting of the council, held February 15, 1849, the fol
lowing proceedings were had:
"On examination the council find that petitions are how
presented in the form aforesaid, signed by three hundred and
thirty-three of the qualified voters of this town; and further,
that at the last election for officers of this corporation, the
whole number was four hundred and sixty-one who voted at
said election, and that, taking the same as the basis upon which

to determine the number of qualified voters, it is declared that
two-thirds of the qualified voters aforesaid have petitioned the
town council in favor of having the provisions of said act ex
tended to the town of Mt. Vernon. Therefore, in pursuance
of the statute in such case made and provided, it is hereby de
clared by the mayor and common council of the town of Mt.
Vernon, that the provisions of An act for the support and better
regulation of common schools in the town of Akron,' and the
several acts amendatory thereto, be extended to the said town
of Mt. Vernon."
It was further resolved that the recorder give notice, as re
quired by law, to the legal voters of the town, to meet in their
respective wards, at the usual places of holding elections, on the
first Friday of March next, and then and there to elect, in addi
tion to the other corporation officers, six directors of the com
mon schools of said town, by general ticket.
At the annual corporation election, held March 2, 1849, and
in pursuance of said notice, C. P. Buckingham, Abel Hart, Job
Evans, Jonathan N. Burr, James L. Young, and Samuel Israel
were elected school directors.
On the eighth day of March, the school directors elect met,
and organized by the election of C. P. Buckingham as presi
dent, James Smith, jr., as clerk, and Samuel Israel as treasurer.
On the same day, the council appointed William Dunbar, Sewal
Gray, and Rolin C. Hurd school examiners for the common
schools of said town.
April 3d Henry B. Curtis, esq. was, by a unanimous vote,
chosen a director of the common schools of said town, to fill the
vacancy occasioned by the death of James L. Young.
All the offices being now filled, the whole machinery of the
Akron school system was in working order in the town of Mt.
Vernon. The board of education, after estimating the amount
of money necessary to be raised for building school-houses, and
continuing the schools during the current year, certified to the
council a tax of  mills, to be levied and collected according
to law, and proceeded to procure and adopt plans, specifications
and estimates for the erection of the necessary school buildings,
iucluding a grand central building in which instruction in the
higher branches was to be given. The people, now compre
hending more clearly the extent of the provisions of this law, and
the power of taxation conferred upon the board of education,
became dissatisfied and alarmed at the heavy expense this sys
tem would entail upon the town, feaiful that the advantages to
be derived from the system could not fully compensate for the
great burden of debt it would necessarily impose on them, and
which they felt illy able to bear— they therefoie determined to
appeal to the legislature for relief, and on the  day of  ,
1850, an act was passed exempting the town of Mt. Vernon, in
Knox county, Ohio, from the provisions of the Akron school
law. Thus, before the contracts for building school-houses
were let, and the schools fully organized under said law, the
same was repealed. The schools again reverted to, and con
tinued under the management of the mayor and common coun"
cil of the town.
The agitation consequent upon the adoption and repeal of the
Akron school law increased the spirit for educational progress,
and the desire for greater efficiency in the common school sys
tem. The necessity for some better accommodations, in the way
of school buildings, was still more apparent.
The treasurer of the board of education was, by law, on re
quest of the council, required to transfer to the town treasurer
all school funds collected, and unexpended by said board. The

382

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

same, amounting to $2,879.57, was, under direction of the
council, distributed to the several wards, or sub-districts, as fol
lows: First ward, $756.12; Second ward, $468.00; Third ward,
$641.47; Fouxth ward, $586.41; Fifth ward, $427.66. With
this fund on hand, it was thought advisable to add thereto, by
local taxation, an amount sufficient to build a comfortable school"
room in each of the sub-districts; and, in furtherance of this
object, the council, on the twenty-fourth day of April, 1850.
recommended the holding of school-meetings, and ordered tha
notice thereof be given, as follows: "The qualified voters Of
the town of Mt. Vernon are notified to meet in their respective
wards, on the eighteenth day of May, 1850, at three o'clock P.
M. Those qualified to vote in the First ward, to meet at E. W
Cotton's law office; those in the Second ward, at the shop of
Henry W. Ball; those in the Third ward, at the Kremlin; those
in the Fourth ward, at the court house; those in the Fifth ward,
in the basement of the Congregational church ; and then and
there, for their respective wards, forming sub-school districts, to
determine by vote upon the purchase of a lot or lots; and also
in like manner, to determine how much money shall be raised
for such purchase, and the erection of such school-house, and
the furnishing of the same, in and for their respective wards and
districts," etc., etc.
In pursuance of this notice, meetings were held at the time
and places -therein specified, and the proposition submitted to
purchase lots and build school-houses, and the amount of money
to be raised for such purposes, were all determined in the af
firmative by the vote of a majority of those present. The pro"
ceedings of these meetings were promptly reported to the town
council, and accepted. Thereupon, it was ordered that a tax
be levied to raise the amount of money recommended; that lots
be purchased in the First, Second, Third, and Fourth wards, as
sites for school-houses, and that suitable school buildings be
erected thereon. Committees were appointed to carry out the
object of this order. Lots were purchased designs for school-
houses adopted, contracts for building the same let, in the First
ward, July 1, 1^50, to Carden and Madden, masons, and E.
Armstrong, carpenter; in the Third ward, September 2, 1850,
to John Jennings, mason, and Daniel Clark, carpenter; in the
Second ward, May, 1851, to Solomon Smith, mason, andJ.W.
Rumsey, carpentar; and in the Fourth ward, to John Jennings,
mason, and J. W. Rumsey, carpenter. The erection and fur
nishing of the buildings, the grading and enclosing the lots
with good substantial fences, were completed under the direc
tion and supervision of Benjamin Giles, in the First ward; M.
M. Beam, in the Second; A. Banning Norton, in the Third;
and Sewal Gray, in the Fourth ward. In the Fifth ward, it was
determined by the citizens to purchase the lease of R. R. Sloan,
repair, reseat, and occupy the old brick school-house on Mul
berry street.
By the latter part of the year 1851, each of the five wards of
the town, for the first time in its history, was provided with a
public school-house, with ample and convenient accommoda
tions for all the children of school age.
New life and vigor were infused into the teachers and school
authorities, means were provided by taxation to continue the
schools in session at least seven months during each year, di
vided into two or more terms, as circumstances might require.
Rules were adopted for the government of teachers and schol
ars. The schools gradually increased in usefulness, and pros
pered as well as schools of the same grade in other portions of
the State.

But, up to this time, only the ordinary branches of a com
mon school education were taught in the town schools, such as
are taught in the common schools of the rural districts.
In 1854, the incorporated town of Mt. Vernon was advanced
to the grade of a city of the second class, under the general
law of the State, entitled "an act to provide for the organiza
tion and government of municipal corporations, " and authorized
to elect two trustees for each ward, who became the school di
rectors for their respective sub-school districts of the city.
The spirit of progress was prevalent, and to keep step with
this advancement, greater improvement in the public school
system was demanded. Petitions were presented to the city
council for the establishment of graded schools, including a
high school, and the introduction into the same of the higher
branches of education. The school directors, taught prudence
by experience, and caution by sad failure in the introduction of
the Akron school system, long hesitated as to the propriety of
making such a radical change.
But petitions of like character continued from time to time
to be presented with more earnest entreaty, convincing the city
council that higher and more extended educational facilities
were not only demanded, but would be sustained by the enlight
ened voice of a large majority of the citizens. These petitions
were respectfully received and considered, but favorable action
thereon was delayed until the twenty-eighth day of March,
1856, when the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and the
following ordinance duly passed by the city council :
An ordinance to provide for the appointment and election of
the board of education for the public schools of the city of Mt.
Vernon. Section i. Be it ordained by the city council ofthe city of
Mt. Vernon that the board of education for the public schools
of said city shali consist of six members; that at the first regular
meeting of the city council for the month of April, in the year
of our Lord 1856, the city council shall appoint the members of
said board, who shall have the qualifications of electors resident
within said city — two of whom shall hold their offices for one
year, two for two years, and two for three years, and until their
successors shall be elected and qualified ; that the qualified elec
tors of said city meet in their respective wards, on the first
Monday in April, in the year of our Lord 1857, and each and
every year thereafter at the place designated or provided for
holding municipal elections therein, and elect by ballot two
members of the board of education for said city, having the
qualifications aforesaid, to serve for the term of three years, and
until their successors are elected and qualified.
Sec. a. That in case of a vacancy in said board of educa
tion, by death, resignation, or removal, it shall be the duty of
the city council, within sixty days thereafter, to appoint some
suitable person, having the qualifications aforesaid, to fill such
vacancy for the unexpired term of such deceased, resigned, or
removed member.
In compliance with this ordinance, on the ninth day 0
April, 1856, Walter H. Smith, Samuel Israel, Henry P. War
den, Mark Curtis, Levi B. Ward, and Jacob W. Lybrand were,
by tbe city council, duly appointed a board of education for the
city of Mt. Vernon. And afterwards, to-wit : on the fourth day
of February, 1857, the term of office for each member of said
board was fixed, by resolution, as follows : For one year,
Messrs. Smith and Israel ; for two years, Messrs. Warden and
Curtis; for three years, Messrs Ward and Lybrand.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

3»3

Thus passed forever from the city council the management of
the public school of Mt. Vernon.
Following are the names of the teachers from 1845 to 1857 :
Adam Randolph, Hull Bixby, Benjamin Magers, Gilman B.
Stilley, Lewis L. Murphy, David Galusha, Caleb D. Hipsley,
Henry Graham, John M. Taylor, Samuel Glenn, John M. An
drews, B. A. F. Greer, E. W. Muenscher, Mrs. Rebecca How
ard, Mrs. Lucinda Andrews, Mrs. Polly Ann Nichols, Sarah
W. Burgess, Hannah J. Dunn, T. M. Cannon, Lucena P.
Curtis, Clarinda Curtis, Hannah L. Conger, Kate Opdyke,
Mary E. Rogers, Felicia H. Scott, Delia A. Galusha, Elizabeth
Moore, Harriet N. Kerr, Jennie Kerr, Hannah C. Morrison,
Sue Forsythe, Deborah Day, Mary P. Fister, Mary W. Evans,
and Mary Mitchell.
The members of the board of education appointed by the
city council met at the law office of Delano, Sapp & Smith, on
the fourteenth day April, 1856, accepted the position and trust,
and were duly qualified, as required by law. Samuel Israel, esq. ,
was chosen president of the board, and Joseph S. Davis, by
virtue of his office as clerk of the city council, was by law made
the clerk of the board of education.
The board immediately proceeded to transact the business en
trusted to its care, and commenced to carry out the objects con
templated in its formation. But it will be observed that its
progress was without any apparent haste, cautiously feeling its
way step by step, and closely watching the movement of the
public pulse at each onward step, until the final consummation
of the plan was secured beyond doubt. Messrs. Curtis, War
den, and Lybrand, under instruction from the board, examined
and suggested several suitable sites for a union school-house, as
certained the price at which they could be purchased, and fur
nished an estimate of the probable cost of building. The fol
lowing preamble and resolutions, introduced by Walter H.
Smith, esq. , were adopted :
"Whereas, In the opinion of this board, it is necessary
and proper to provide a central or high school for the city of
Mt. Vernon; therefore,
"Resolved, That a special meeting ofthe qualified electors of
said city be holden on the second day of June, A. D. 1856, at
1 o'clockp. m. of said day, at the council chamber in said city,
to decide any questions which may -be deemed important in re-'
lation to the cost and location of the building or buildings for
said school, and the amount of city tax to be levied for that
purpose, and any other provisions necessary for the establish
ment of said schools.
"Resolved, That this board fix, as their estimate of the prob
able cost of said building or buildings, the sum of ten thousand
dollars. Due notice of the meeting was given, and the qualified elec
tors of the city assembled at the time and place mentioned and
organized by the appointment of Samuel Israel, esq. , chairman,
and J. S. Davis, clerk. The object of the meeting was briefly
explained that, as the board of education of the city estimated
the probable cost of erecting a central school building at the
sum of ten thousand dollars, and as several written propositions
have been submitted, it is for this meeting to determine by vote
the location and the amount of tax to be levied for the purchase
of site, and the erection of said central school building. Hosmer
Curtis, esq., offered a resolution, which was adopted, "that it
shall require a majority of all the votes given at this meeting to
determine and fix the location of the^high school under consid

eration." The vote was then taken, and, after the same had
been carefully counted, it appeared that five hundred and thirty-
eight ballots had been cast, of which number five hundred and
six were in favor of the proposition to raise by tax ten thousand
dollars for buildings, and the George W. True site, socalled, at
four thousand five hundred dollars, was selected by a very de
cided majority over all others. The result of this meeting of the
citizens was reported to the board of education at their meeting
held June 2, 1856, when the following resolution was offered by
H. P. Warden, and adopted :
"Whereas, This board is satisfied that due notice was given
of the object, time and place of holding a special meeting of the
qualified electors, resident within said city at least twenty days
previous to the holding thereof, and that a majority of electors
at such meeting assembled did then and there vote for the as
sessment of a tax of ten thousand dollars for the erection of a
central school building, and did select by vote the George W.
True site, so called, at four thousand five hundred dollars, and
authorized the levy of a tax for the payment thereof; therefore,
' 'Resolved, That the sum of fourteen thousand five hundred
dollars be and the same is hereby assessed on all taxable prop
erty, both real and personal, within the limits of the city of Mt.
Vernon for the purpose of purchasing a site and erecting central
or high school buildings thereon — five thousand of which is to
be levied this year and the balance in the years 1857 and 1858,
and that the same be forthwith certified to the auditor of Knox
county, Ohio."
W. H. Smith and H. P. Warden were authorized to investi
gate the title, and, if found satisfactory, to complete the con
tract with George W. True for the purchase of school-house
site, consisting of eight lots lying on the west side of Mulberry
street, between Hamtramck and Burgess streets, Mt. Vernon,
Ohio. The special care and control of the school in each ward was
conferred upon the member of the board from the same, with
power to employ teachers, provide light, fuel, etc. , and the max
imum price to be fpaid male teachers was fixed at forty dollars,
and female teachers at twenty-five dollars per month of twenty-
two days. This shows a considerable improvement in the mat
ter of compensation to teachers, and indicates a better appre
ciation of their labors. A higher grade of school was estab
lished in a rented room in the Kremlin, as the beginning of a
graded school system, and the most advanced scholars in the
different ward schools were selected and placed therein.
The estimate heretofore made of the probable cost of a cen
tral high school building was wholly arbitrary, and without ref
erence to any particular design or plan, or whether there should
be erected one or more buildings; but the ideas upon this sub
ject now began to assume shape and some degree of certainty,
as will appear by the passage of resolutions May 4, 1857:
"Resolved, As the sense of this board, that it is expedient to
erect a school edifice sufficiently large to accommodate all the
scholars of the city, should it hereafter be thought for the in-
¦terest of the city to concentrate the entire system in one build
ing. "Resolved, That it is expedient to proceed at once to mature
a plan, and, after sufficient notice, to enter into a contract for
the erection of such a school edifice as is contemplated by the
above resolution. ''
Messrs. Auld and Miller, architects, were employed, who vis
ited and critically examined the public educational buildings in

384

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

other parts of the State, and with the advice, suggestions, and
assistance of some members of the board, designed a plan for
the union school house in Mt. Vernon, furnished drawings and
specifications for the same, which were, after careful inspection
and due deliberation, adopted by the board. Notice of the
letting of said work was given by publication in the newspapers
of Mt. Vernon, and printed copies of the specifications made
for such building were extensively circulated, and mailed to pro
fessional contractors in other cities of the country. On the
twenty-sixth day of October, 1857, the bids were opened, and
out of the eight competitors for the job, the bid of Henry Hal
ler and Joseph Gardner was accepted, and the contract for
building the Union school-house awarded to them, on condition
that they would enter into a written agreement, such as the
board of education shall approve, containing a bond in the pe"
nal sum of twenty thousand dollars, with good and sufficien
security, to the satisfaction of the board, for the faithful per_
formance of the work, and the completion of the same on or
before the first day of August, X859.
The Union school building and furniture, the site and the im
provement of the same, cost about thirty thousand dollars
double the amount at first contemplated. To meet this in'
creased expenditure, the board found it necessary to levy for
building purposes each year for a. number of years, the full
amount authorized by law, in addition to the special levy au
thorized by a vote of the citizens.
Samuel Israel, esq., president of the board, superintended
the erection of the central school building, and the improve
ment of the grounds thereto appertaining, being at all times
subject to the direction of the board of education.
The year 1859 marks a new era in the history of the public
schools of the city. The new union school building now ap
proached completion, and the three years spent in its construc
tion had been advantageously occupied in preparation for the
radical change. The old free common schools of the city
gradually emerged into the new, better systematized, and more
expanded system of graded schools. In the summer of 1859,
the board of education employed William Mitchell, esq. , an ex
perienced and successful teacher, to take charge of, and super
intend the city public schools. He was an industrious, ener
getic man, possessed of great firmness, good executive ability,
and a rigid disciplinarian. His services proved invaluable to
the board in preparing, organizing, and inaugurating the new
system. Four grades of schools were established — primary
secondary, grammar, and high school. The scholars of the
city were examined, classified, and placed in the grade of school
their scholarship justified. A course of studies and text-books
necessary and appropriate for each grade of school, were care
fully selected and adopted. A well digested series of rules and
regulations for the government of the city schools, setting forth
the duties and obligations of teachers as well as pupils, was
prepared and printed for use and distribution.
It was determined that the school year should consist of ten
months, of four weeks or twenty days each, and be divided into
three terms, with a vacation of one week intervening between'
them — the first term to commence on the first Monday of Sep
tember, and continue four months; the second and third terms
to be three months each, then along vacation duringthe months
of July and August. A full corps of teachers, thirteen in num
ber, besides the superintendent, was employed, consisting of
Misses Ann V. Scott, Malinda Ward, A. D. Yale, J. Hubbard,
and Minerva Laughrey, for the primary schools located in each

of the five ward school-houses; Misses H. M. Whitman, E. J.
Dawson, C. E. Yates, and Mrs. C. Curtis, for the four sec
ondary schools; Mr. George Mitchell and Miss Theresa Thrall,
for the two grammar schools; Mr. John N. Cassil and Miss A.
Hubbard were the assistant teachers in the high school. All
the schools of the city, except the primary, were concentrated
in the new Union school building, under the immediate control
of the superintendent. This new building is heated throughout
by steam, the rooms well ventilated, and furnished with the
latest and most approved style of furniture, and every conven
ience for the comfort of the pupils, and every facility for acquir
ing a thorough knowledge of the branches studied, was pro
vided. Thus was the graded school system, including the high
school, introduced; and, by the first day of November, 1859,
was in full operation in the city of Mt. Vernon, working to the
satisfaction of all persons interested.
The schools prospered from the start, and soon attained a
high rank, and continued to grow in popularity and usefulness,
until in a short time they were recognized and considered by
eminent educators equal to the best conducted schools in the
State. They have been successfully managed, and have main
tained their superior position and good reputation to the
present period.
In 1867, the course of studies and the rules and regulations
were thoroughly revised and improved. At different times,
when the best interest of the schools seemed to require it, cer
tain text-books have been dropped, and others more modem
and better adapted to school-work substituted.
Other changes have taken place. Three schools of an inter
mediate grade between primary and secondary have been es
tablished, and one unclassified school, all located in the ward
school-houses, and doing profitable work. A writing and com
mercial department, under the management of Captain H.
Stevens, has also been established.
A substantial two-story brick school-house, with four large,
comfortable rooms, was commenced in 1873, and completed in
1874, situated on an elevated site at the west end of North
street in the Fifth ward of the city, purchased of Dr. J. W.
Russell, and three schools are now being taught therein. Fowler
and Armstrong were the principal contractors.
In the summer of 1877, a very neat and substantial two-story
brick school-house was erected in the Second ward, southeast
corner of Scott and Vine streets, and a primary school is being
taught therein. O. W. Hubbell was the contractor. The
completion and furnishing of the building, the grading, improv
ing, and fencing of the lots, was done under the direction and
supervision of the committee on buildings and repairs.
The city public schools have had four superintendents. Cap"
tain William Mitchell, the first, was employed by the board for
six consecutive years, and great credit is due to him for the high
standard of order and proficiency the schools attained during
his term of service. His successor was Colonel P. C. Hayes,
who served faithfully, without anything remarkable occurring,
for the term of one year, at which time his connection with the
schools terminated. The third, Charles A. Baker, was a grad
uate of Dartmouth college, New Hampshire. So far as scholar
ship is concerned, he was apparently fully competent for
the position, but he unfortunately failed in government, the
most important qualification of a good superintendent, and re
signed after a service of five months. Richard B. Marsh, the
present incumbent, is the fourth, an alumnus of Kenyon college,
an accomplished scholar and experienced teacher, who, by invi-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

385

tation of the board of education, took charge of the city public
schools in the year 1867. He has ever since superintended and
controlled them with uniform success, gradually elevating the
standard of scholarship, and more than maintainipg the deserv
edly high and enviable reputation of the schools. He has de
voted himself with great earnestness to the cause of education,
to advance the best interests of our schools, and performed the
duties required of the superintendent with scrupulous punctu
ality and fidelity.
The graded school system has been in operation about twen
ty-two years, and during that time many changes have taken
place in the members of the board of education. After, the ap
pointment of the first board, the following named persons have
been elected, and served at different times as members of the
same, viz. : J. H. McFarland, S. L. Taylor, E. Calkins, William
L. King, Joshua Hyde, E. W. Cotton, Jarred Sperry, H. W.
Owen, Rev. Joseph Muenscher, Joseph S. Davis, F. D. Sturges,
Charles Cooper, Rev. T. E. Monroe, D. W. Chase, William B-
Russell, Henry Errett, J. M. Byers, H. Stephens, W. S. Errett,
A. R. Mclntire, H. Graff, W. P. Bogardus, Benjamin Grant, J.
C. Gordon, and W. F. Baldwin.
Presidents of the board and their terms of service: Samuel
Israel, esq., seven years; E. W. Cotton, esq., two years; Rev.
Joseph Muenscher, one year; Mr. Jarred Sperry, one year;
Walter H. Smith, esq., two years; Rev. T. E. Monroe, three
years; Joseph S. Davis, esq., nine years.
It is more than seventy years since the first school was opened
at Mt. Vernon, and now behold the contrast ! In the beginning,
a log-cabin school-house, illy lighted and heated, rough walls,
chinked and daubed ; rude slab benches and desks, with a single
teacher only, engaged in the work while preparing for some
other occupation, and often only partially qualified to instruct
in the simple primary branches. To enjoy these scant and lim_
ited school privileges, the pupil was required to pay tuition for
each term attended. At present, witness the large, commodious
brick buildings, well finished and furnished, with pleasant and
beautiful surroundings, school-rooms large and airy — well
lighted, heated, and ventilated; seats and desks the most com-
. fortable and convenient ; teachers well educated and trained,
who devote their entire time to the work, and make teaching a
profession, fully competent to instruct in all of the branches,
from the primary to the most advanced studies taught in the
highest grade of schools, and with ample provision for continu
ing the schools ten months in each and every year. These
splendid school advantages are within the reach of every person
of school age in the city, without money and without price, free
as the air we breathe, yet how few of the many children enrolled
in the public schools receive the full benefit of instruction in alj
the grades. Scholars may be observed dropping out and drift
ing away at all stages of the course, from the primary to the last
year of the high school. Perhaps not over ten per cent, of
those who enter the high school ever complete the full course,
and graduate. What is the remedy ? What measures can be
adopted to enlist the feelings of these wayward, straying chil
dren, and enable them to appeciate these superior school privil
eges, and embrace the golden opportunity of profiting by them?
What plan can be devised to induce parents to more earnestly
cooperate with the school authorities in securing a larger at
tendance in the public schools, and for a greater length of time,
so that a higher percentage of instruction, with greater mental
culture, can be obtained? These are questions worthy of seri

ous consideration by all citizens who feel a deep interest in the
welfare of their children, their school, and their country.
The following were the teachers in the high
school :
Messrs. John N. Cassell, H. W. Owen, T. J. Newman ;
Misses A. Hubbard, Frances D. Turner, Harriet Carter, Kate
Wilson, E. A. Burr,  Taylor, Harriet Robinson, Sarah
Muenscher; Mrs. Maria P. Grant, Mr. Daniel Butterfield, O.
C. Williams; Misses  • Perrin, Ella Dodge, Emily Pat
terson, Mary K. Lambe, Lizzie Hemler, Mary F. Parmenter,
Hellen Cohen, Sarah L. McWilliams, Kate R. Cooper, Ermina
J. Day; Messrs. J. C. Woodward, J. H. Richards.
The following is a catalogue of graduates from
the high school :
1864 — Perry Gribben.
1865 — J. M. Rowe, Emily Patterson, M. Stauffer, Alice Buck-
land, Sarah Rector, Julia Irvine, Elizabeth Thompson.
1866— Lizzie B. Sperry, M. Emily Durbin, Rose E. Farquhar,
Ida E. Irvine, Mary B. Lewis, Rose A. Lippitt, Nora Parke,
Louisa Bowers, Ella A. Vance, Rilla Young, M. Curran Far
quhar. 1867 — Laura L. Bascom, Minnie E. Miller, Adda Smith,
Rose E. Ingram, Letitia S. Elder, Nettie Ball, Anna Lewis, Mr.
A. M. Hills.
1868 — Mary Lane, Amanda Lewis, Belle Stevens, Perlie
Stauffer, Louisa Turner.
1869— R. Annie Barr, Louisa Beam, Ella M. Bechtol, Sarah
L. Cu.tis E. Chubbie Hyde, Etta Ingram, Alice M. Lewis,
Alice Lane, Lou L. Peterman, H. Kate Parke, Maria L. Row
ley, Ella L. Reeves, Carrie M. Thompson, Emma White,
Austin A. Cassil, James F. Hood, R. M. Morgan, Orlando V.
Price, Hervey Scribner, Royal S. Dewitt.
187c— Mary E. Calkins, Julia S. Norton, Harry A. Sturges.
William T. Colville.
1871 — Adelaide E. Brown, Amanda Brown, Mary E. Brown,
Emily Cohen, Catharine Fordney, Alice Reynolds, Sarah Smith,
Elizabeth R. Willis, Mr. Frank R. Moore.
1872— Robert W. Colville, William E. Ewalt, Mary Thomp.
son, Carlie F. Benedict, Anna M. Blair.
1873— Flora K. Benedict, Selena K. Hodgins, Elizabeth A.
Smith, Alice M. Trick, Elizabeth E. Wells.
1874— Luella Mitchell, Marion Smith, Belle Shaw, Ida Tudor.
l87S_Carrie C. Pyle, Emma T. A. Bridge, Selena L. Trick,
Agnes R. Montgomery, Mary L. Rowley, Frances L. Willis,
Martha A. Power, Clara J. Tudor, Emma V. Huston, Anna
Trimble, Flora M. McDonough, Charles Page Peterman.
1876— Mary R. Snook, Charlotte E. Shaw, Jessie White,
Ella E. Shaw, Anna R. McCay, Clara J. McKay, Fannie J.
Blanchard, Jennie Chapman, Charles W. Doty, A. Baldwin
Norton. 1877— Harry Martin, Sue R. Miller, Flora L. Stephens,
Frank Harper, Emma Trott, Louis Lane, Sam R. Gottshall.
1878— Annie Severns, Belle Pickard, Herbert Ewalt.
1879— Margaret M. Ward, Olive M. Williams, Clara Mastel-
lar, Linda DeVoe.
1880— Iva Shroule, Lou Martin, Will E. Fisher, Lois Bishop,
Edith M. Marsh.

386

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

CHAPTER XLI.
LITERARY AND OTHER SOCIETIES.
The Polemic Society — Mt. Vernon Literary Society —
Mt. Vernon Lyceum — Dramatic Association — Me
chanics' Society — The Franklin — Knox County His
torical Society — Later Literary and Other Asso
ciations — Masons — Odd Fellows— Knights of Pythias
—Knights of Honor — Royal Arcanum — Knights of
the Red Cross— Pennsylvanians in Knox County.
THE first society of a literary character, estab
lished at Mount Vernon, was the Polemic so
ciety, in 1815, which was kept up until 1817, and
included among its members the more talkative
and social citizens. It was converted into a
Thespian society, and was well sustained for many
years. Theatrical performances were generally
gotten up every winter for a number of years, and
were very creditable to those concerned. The
object was to spend the long winter evenings
agreeably — not to make money. Lawyers, doctors,
merchants, and students lent a hand as occasion
required. Among the active and valuable upon
the boards were Dr. R. P. Moore, Philo L. Nor
ton, J. W. Warden, Charles Sager, T. G. Plummer,
Jacob Davis, William Smith, S. W. Hildreth, S.
W. Farquhar, Eli Miller, Henry B. Curtis, T. W.
Rogers, Isaac Hadley, John Colerick, J. S. Ban
ning, and Calvin Hill. The exhibitions were
usually at the court house, or at the Golden Swan
inn, now known as the Swetland and Banner office
corner. The clothing, equipments, and scenery
were of very rich material. One of the old actors
says — "it was most splendidly illustrated with gor
geous paraphernalia in most profuse variety, and
transcends representation."
Joseph Mozier, now an artist of distinction and
character in Rome, Italy, was a member, and took
an active part in the exhibitions. He was also an
active and useful member of the Mt. Vernon
lyceum, of 1830.
The Mt. Vernon Literary society was formed in
the year 18 16. Among the members of this asso
ciation were Joseph Brown, Hosmer Curtis, R. D.
Moore, Gilman Bryant, Timothy Burr, Daniel S.
Norton, Samuel Mott and Henry B. Curtis, the
last of whom was its last librarian. It had a very
good collection of standard works, which, in the
end, were diyided among its stockholders.

The Mt. Vernon Literary society, organized in
the winter of 182 1-2, by a number of young bach
elors of the town, to-wit: Dr. Norman Murray,
David Wadsworth, Henry B. Curtis, John W. War
den and James Bebee. Members subsequently ad
mitted were Benjamin S. Brown, S. W. Farquhar,
N. N. Hill, and Samuel R. Curtis. The organiza
tion existed several years. The society expired
by reason of the young men becoming absorbed in
the more active duties of life.
The Mt. Vernon lyceum, in 1830, was formed
and well sustained many years. At the session
ofthe legislature, 1833-4, it was incorporated, and
high hopes were entertained of its being a perma
nent organization. Henry B. Curtis, president, in
an inaugural address, delivered January 1, 1834,
speaking of the aim and of the society says: "We
have now assumed a different and more imposing
attitude. Having adopted a public charter, we
from this time become a part of the history of the
State; and let us at least hope that the account
which its faithful pages may hereafter give of us
and of our transactions shall be such as would not
make us blush, could we be permitted to see them."
It was the best literary association and the longest-
lived ever in Mt. Vernon. It continued in success
ful operation until 1842, and numbered among its
active members many of the best citizens of Knox.
Its regular meetings were held at the court house,
and the public generally and ladies particularly at
tended its sessions. Literary essays, orations and
discussions were the chief entertainments.
Among the number of those who have died may
be named — Benjamin Brown, David Dunn, John
A. Holland, S. W. Hildreth, M. A. Sayre, Daniel
S. Norton, T. W. Rogers, W. A. Hoey, T. G.
Plummer, Dr. M. L. Bliss, Hosmer Curtis, E.
Sparrow, M. H. Mitchell, Rollin C. Hurd.
Among those who moved to other places are
William Byers, J. H. Kinney, J. C. Hall, G. Hatha
way, J. G. Chapman, J. B. Foster, D. C. Dunlap,
James W. Miller, Joseph Mozier.
Among the survivors in this county are Colum
bus Delano, Henry B. Curtis, Dr. J. N. Burr, and
J. S. Davis.
The lyceum established a very good library of
several hundred volumes.
About the year 1830, a regular amateur dra-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

387

matic association was organized, and continued in
existence until about 1840. The representations
took place in the second story of the the Hunts-
berry building, now known as the old Masonic
hall. At that time the whole of the second story
was one large room, and, for theatrical purposes,
answered very well. The prominent members
were F. J. Zimmerman, William Thompson,
James Blake, James Smith, E. C. Vore, Benjamin
F. Smith, Benjamin Colopy, N. N. Hill, Thomas
Shaw, David Brentlinger, Elijah Stevens, Alexan
der Elliott, and Jacob B. Brown. One farce gave
the citizens great amusement, and is often spoken
of yet, viz : "Raising the wind." Among the cast
of characters were — "Jeremy Diddler," F. J. Zim
merman; "Peggy, the Beautiful Maid at the foot
ofthe Hill," was well sustained by Thomas Shaw.
David Brentlinger was the company's singer and
ventriloquist. The orchestra consisted of N. N.
Hill, Benjamin Colopy and Alexander Elliott.
Stage managers, B. F. Smith and F. J. Zimmer
man. In 1834, a Mechanics' society was formed, which
continued till 1840, and enlisted I. B. Brown, G.
C. Lybrand, E. Ailing, D. McFarland, Abel Hart,
sr., and nearly all the workmen in this vicinity.
In 1839, a society called the Franklin, was or
ganized for mental improvement, by John Lamb,
Robert Thompson, Benjamin McCracken, W. H.
Oldham, Isaac J. Allen, W. P. Griffith, W. T.
Curtis, R. S. Thomas, and others, which was well
sustained for three or four years, and then went
down. In December, 1849, several gentlemen of Mt.
Vernon set about getting up a historical society for
Knox county, and, in 1850, a constitution was
drawn up and signed by "thirty-two gentlemen,
fourteen of whom," writes Mr. Norton, "have
passed from earth. Twelve years have passed by,
the society long since was numbered with the things
that were — and this — (the History of Knox Coun
ty)^— comes the nearest to being a report of any
thing that yet has emanated from any of its mem
bers." '
Mr, Norton gives the following names of the
members ofthe Historical society:
Hosmer Curtis, Gilman Bryant, Joseph Muenscher, M. E.
Strieby, Jesse B. Thomas, James Scott, Daniel S. Norton, M.

H. Mitchell, Henry B. Curtis, R. C Hurd, R. R. Sloan, A.
Banning Norton, C. P. Buckingham, G. W. Morgan, C. Delano,
Walter Smith, M. W. Stamp, N. N. Hill, George Browning,
Matthew Thompson, J. C. Ramsey, J. N. Burr, Samuel Israel,
W. Beam, J. W. Vance, W. H. Smith, John C. Stockton, D.
Potwin, John W. White, J. H. Peacock, Samuel Mower, John
W. Russell. Hosmer Curtis was chosen president ; G. Bryant,
vice president; R. C. Hurd, treasurer; Rev. J. Muenscher, cor
responding secretary; M. E. Strieby, recording secretary; R. R.
Sloan, cabinet keeper.
In 1850, Zohar Blair, Noah Hill, Robert Thompson, Daniel
Clark, and Samuel Davis, started The Mechanics' Mutual Pro
tection association, which, after two years, was merged in the
Brotherhood of the Union, and continued till 1854.
In 1856, Rev. Dr. Muenscher formed a new
Mt. Vernon Library society, that continued in ex
istence till some time in 1864.
In 1856, Dr. T. Eugene Clark, Robert Buck, J.
Q. Buck, William A. Bounds, Thomas Wilson, C.
Springer, and John W. White, associated together
and formed "The Atheneum," for amateur theatri
cal representations. They were assisted by Mrs.
J. Q. Buck, Miss Irene Swan, and Miss Sallie
Swetman, of Cincinnati, and Miss Julia Irvine, of
New York City. The association continued for
two years, and numerous performances were given
the citizens.
On the evening of Monday, February 16, 1874,
an association of young ladies and gentlemen of
this city, gave an amateur dramatic entertainment,
at Wolff's Hall. The pieces selected were the
popular drama entitled "All that Glitters is Not
Gold," and the laughable farce of "The Quiet
Family." The Banner of February 20th, speak
ing of the first night's performance, says: "The
house was crowded to overflowing, and everything
passed off to the entire satisfaction of all con
cerned. .... The audience
were so well pleased with the performance that it
was repeated, by general request, on the next even
ing." On the evening of May 4, 1874, the same as
sociation placed upon the boards the pleasing
drama of "Down by the Sea," and the roaring
farce of "Raising the Wind." This entertainment
was given under the auspices and for the benefit
of the Mt. Vernon Silver Cornet band.. The
performance of these two pieces gave as much, if
not more, satisfaction to the audience than the per
formances of February 16 and 17, 1874.
On the-evening of February 25, 1876, the same

388

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

association presented to the people, at Kirk Hall,
"The Honeymoon," for the benefit of the Soldiers'
Mounment. The city newspapers of the day
claimed that the members of the association sur
passed their previous performances. The play, by
request, was repeated the next evening. The pro
gramme of "The Honeymoon," was thought
worthy, by the committee, of a place in the corner
stone of the monument.
As an act of justice to the' ladies and gentlemen
composing the Amateur Dramatic association, of
this city, as he proceeds of all their entertain
ments, were devoted to charitable and benevolent
purposes, their names, which are as follows, are
here preserved :
Ladies — Mrs. Mame C. Stahl, Mrs. Lu. M.
Buxton, Misses Laura Bascom, Belle Stevens, Ella
Davidson, Letitia S. Elder, Virginia Sapp, Clara
M. White, Carrie Thompson, Clara A Bergin,
Martha Irvine, Bessie Devin.
Gentlemen — Messrs. Colonel William C. Cooper,
Colonel Alaxander Cassil, Captain Will A. Coul
ter, John W. White, Frank R Moore, Austin A.
Cassil, D. T. Ramsey, L. B. Curtis, Clifford Bux
ton, Charles M. Hildreth, Charles W. Pyle, O. H.
Tudor, Clarence B. Harper, Jack Harper, S. H.
Reynolds, W. G. Clucus.
About the same time two or three other Thespian
companies were organized, and gave several public en
tertainments, the two most prominent were by "The
Ten Nights in a Bar-room" association, and "The
Kirk Opera House" company. The latter associa
tion, under the management of Mr. Leroy G.
Hunt, met with great success. Their specialty was
"Fanchon" and "The Ticket of Leave." Miss
Lizzie Evans made her debut as "Fanchon,, the
Cricket,"- and achieved a brilliant triumph. She
is now the leading lady in one of the many travel
ling combinations, and receives special praise from
the press in all parts of the State.
In the winter of 1875-6, some of the scholars
of the Mt. Vernon high school, formed "The Pi
Delta Psi society," and held weekly meetings. On
the evening of May 26, 1876, the society gave a
grand dramatic entertainment at Kirk hall. The
entertainment was highly appreciated by a large
and intelligent audience. The programme was an
excellent one. Among the performers were Charles

M. Pepper, Samuel R. Gotshall, Flora Stephens,
Emma Shaw, Ella Shaw, Charles W. Doty, Sue
Miller, May Snook, Kate E. Swetland, Jessie
White, A. William Marsh, Harrie Martin, Louis
Lane, Frank Harper, Clara McFarland, Jennie
Chapman, Mary Sapp.
June 28, 1876, the scholars of "Saint Vincent
De Paul's Parochial school," of this city, gave a
delightful entertainment at Kirk hall.
The names of the young performers were : Katie
Henegan, Belle Henegan, John Henegan, Frank
Henegan, Katie Hayes, Mary Muldowney, Mary
Weber, Flora Bechtol, Annie Purcell, John Taugh-
er, Julius Rogers, Mary Payne, Mary Brent, Julia
Johnson, Mary McCarthy, Walter Brent, Mary Bar
rett, Katie Mead, Mary Mead, Mary Kelly,
Mary Dermody, Bertha Brent, Annie Barrett,
Maggie Henely, Annie Henegan, Ella Weber,
Lizzie Lawler, Annie Magers, Ella Sheehan, Minnie
Brent, Birdie Brent, Annie Barrett, Aggie Purcell,
Katie Flanagan, Thomas Connor, Emma McKane,
Henry Weber, James Kelly, William Dermody,
Thomas McCale, James Murphy, Clarence Sapp,
Walter Porter, Fanny Taugher, Mary Reynolds,
Ella Porter, Annie Brent, Willie Sapp.
This last association still keeps up its organiza
tion, and appears before the public two or three
times every season.
MOUNT ZION LODGE NO. 9, F. AND A. M.
At a meeting of the Grand Lodge held at Chilli
eothe, January 2, 1809, a petition was presented,
signed by Samuel H. Smith, Nathaniel W. Little,
Richard Fishback, William Little, Alexander Enos,
jr., Ichabod Nye and Thomas Brown, praying for
a dispensation to form this lodge. The petition
was granted and Mount Zion Lodge No. 7 was in
stituted in the village of Clinton in 1809. Some
time afterwards the number was changed from seven
to nine.
The first officers of this lodge were, Samuel H.
Smith, W. M.; Alfred Manning, S. W.; Ichabod
Nye, J. W. ; Samuel Nye, treasurer; Oliver Strong,
secretary; William F. Roberts, F. D.; James Miller,
J. D. ; William Bartlett and Peter Wolf, stewards,
and .Richard Fishback, tyler.
Samuel H. Smith was the first representative to
.the Grand lodge, in 1810. The first masonic

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

389

funeral was that of Richard Fishback, a merchant
of Clinton, May 23, 18 14. The first celebration of
the day of St. John the Baptist, took place June 24,
1813. An able oration was delivered by Winn
Winship, of Mansfield, after which dinner was had
at the house of Mr. Boalse. The second celebra
tion of the day was on June 24, 181 5, in Clinton,
procession and the delivery of addresses by Messrs.
Vaudeman and Curtis.
In 1815, a resolution was passed requesting the
Grand lodge to change the place of meeting to
Mt. Vernon. The petition was- granted and a
proclamation to that effect issued by the grand
master, March 7, 181 7. The first meeting under
this proclamation was held at the court house April
5, 181 7. Joseph Brown was chairman and Robert
D. Moore secretary. The communication from the
Grand lodge was accepted, and a committee con
sisting of John Shaw, John P. McArdle and Joseph
Brown was appointed to draft by-laws for the gov
ernment ofthe lodge; and it was decided that the
next meeting be held at the court house on the
eleventh for the purpose of organizing a lodge.
The following is from the minutes of this meeting:
Mt. Vernon, April 11, 1817.
At said communication of Mount Zion Lodge No. 9, the or
ganization of the lodge was effected and the by-laws reported
and adopted. Brothers Alfred Manning, W. M. ; John P. Mc
Ardle, S. W. ; Robert Buchanan, J. W. , Joseph Brown, secre
tary; Jonathan Miller, treasurer; Robert D. Moore, S. D. ; Hos
mer Curtis, J. D. ; Gilman Bryant, tyler; John Shaw, John
Roberts, John Warden and Orange Granger visiting brethren.
The following regular officers were elected June
6th, succeeding: Alfred Manning, W. M. ; John
McArdle, S. W. ; John Shaw, J. W. ; Joseph Brown,
S. ; Gilman Bryant, T. ; Royal D. Simons, S. D. ;
Robert Buchanan, J. D.; John Roberts, S., and
James Miller, T. These officers were installed
June 24th at 9 a. m., and the anniversary of John
the Baptist duly commemorated. A sermon was
delivered in the court house, after which the lodge
marched in procession to the tavern of Mr. Zim
merman where a dinner was prepared.
The first Mansonic funeral of this lodge after its
removal to Mt. Vernon, was that of Andrew M.
Roberts, April 1 8, 1 8 1 9. Thomas Rigdon preached
the funeral discourse at the court house from the
text "Be ye also ready."
The .celebration of John the Baptist's anniversary

took place in the new Masonic hall, in 181 9, in the
second story of the then new brick school house on
Mulberry street. The building is no longer in ex
istence, having been taken away in 1880, by William
B. Brown, mayor, for the purpose of erecting on
the spot his dwelling.
Dr. Jonathan N. Burr is the oldest past master
in this part of the country. He was a member as
early as 1825, and in 1829, was made W. M. Since
that time he has served in this position many years.
He is yet living, though past four score.
At present (1881) this lodge meets at Masonic
hall, northeast corner of Main and Vine streets,
the first Friday evening in each month. The offi
cers are W. F. Baldwin, W. M. ; N. P. Whitesides,
S. W.; Frank R. Moore, J. W.; D. W. Chase, treas
urer; S H. Peterson, secretary; A. W. Marsh, S.
D. ; W. R. Fobes, J. D. ; James R. Wallace, tyler.
Clinton Royal Arch Chapter No. 26, of Mt.
Vernon, Ohio, was erected the sixteenth day of
May 1842, under a dispensation from the Most
Excellent Companion G. D. Hines, deputy G. H.
P. of the grand chapter of the State of Ohio, and
the first officers were duly installed by the above
named companion, on the twentieth day of the
same month.
The first officers were : J. N. Burr, E. H. P. ;
B. F. Smith, king; James Huntsberry, scribe; C.
Delano, P. S. ; S. W. Burr, secretary; James
Huntsberry, treasurer; B. H. Taylor, C. of H. ; S.
W. Burr, R. A. C; A. Corbin, A. C. Rowland,
and J. Garrison, M. of vails; Joseph Muenscher,
chaplain. Officers, July 1, 1880: Com. Oscar M. Mul-
vany, H. P.; Com. C. Sherman Pyle, king; Com.
Dr. Samuel C. Thompson, scribe; Com. Austin A.
Cassil, captain of host; Com. Frank Moore, P. S. ;
Com. Edward M. Wright, R. A. captain; Com.
Alexander Cassil, treasurer; Com. Samuel H.
Peterman, secretary; Com. W. Frank Baldwin, G.
M. of third vail ; Com. Milo K. Huntsberry, G. M.
of second vail; Com. William R. Cassil, G. M. of
first vail; Com. James R. Wallace, guard. Stated
meetings — at Masonic hall, northeast corner of
Main and Vine streets, the second Friday of
each month.
Clinton encampment No. 5, of Knight Templars
and appendant orders, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, was in-

39°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

stituted at Mt. Vernon on the twelfth of October,
1843, by virtue of authority and a letter of dispen
sation granted for that purpose by William James
Reese, general grand generalissimo of the general
grand encampment of the United States of America.
The grant was to B. F. Smith, Joseph Muenscher,
Isaac Davis, S. M. Smith, and A. D. Bigelow.
First officers : Sir Joseph Muenscher, E. Com. ;
Sir B. F.- Smith, general; Sir A. D. Bigelow, cap
tain general; Sir J. N. Burr, prelate; SirC. Delano,
S. W. ; Sir Isaac Davis, J. W. ; Sir Sames Hunts
berry, treasurer; Sir Thomas Winne, recorder; Sir
A. Randolph, standard bearer; Sir Joseph Hil
dreth, sword bearer; Sir E. W. Cotton, warden;
Sir E. D. Stevenson, sentinel.
Officers July 1, 1880: Sir Richard B. Marsh,
E. Com.; Sir John M. Armstrong, generalissimo;
Sir Alexander Cassil, captain general; Sir Austin
A. Cassil, S. W.; Sir Oscar M. Mulvany, J. W;
Sir Daniel W. Chase, prelate; Sir William B.
Brown, treasurer; Sir Samuel H. Peterman, re
corder; Sir Samuel S. Mather, sword bearer; Sir
William Sanderson, jr., standard bearer; Sir George
W. Sandford, warden; Sir James R. Wallace, sen
tinel. Nights of meeting, the third Friday evening
of each month.
MOUNT VERNON LODGE NO. 20, I. O. 0. F.
Fifty years from December 23, 1880, the first
subordinate lodge of Odd Fellows was introduced
into Ohio, and Cincinnati became the pioneer loca
tion for an order that rapidly spread all over the
State. Ohio Lodge No. 1 was instituted at Cincin
nati December 23, 1830, and now there are six
hundred and ninety-two working lodges scattered
over the territory of Ohio. The little Knox county
village of Amity, in Pike township, according to
the statistics of the order for the year ending De
cember 31, 1879, the last made public, has the
honor of closing, at that time, the progressive his
tory of an order whose object is to "Visit the sick,
bury the dead, and to educate the orphan." And
nobly has that object been carried out in the last"
half century, and the past is a sure guarantee for
the future. Starting with one subordinate lodge at
the close of 1830, two years elapses before Cincin
nati organized a second lodge — Washington Lodge
No. 2 — and at the close of the year 1879, Cincin
nati numbers twenty-nine lodges, and there are also

a few scattered in different parts of Hamilton coun
ty. June 21, 1843, Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 20 was
instituted, nearly thirteen years after Ohio No. 1
came into existence, showing the increase in the
number of lodges was not rapid, yet it was healthy.
The last annual report of the Grand lodge of 1880
shows that eight charters for new subordinate
lodges were granted, so that at the close of the half
century Ohio will have within her borders seven
hundred lodges of Odd Fellows.
The first meetings of the Grand lodge were
held quarterly, and were composed of the past
grands in and around Cincinnati who thought
proper to attend, paying their own expenses, which
mode was continued long after the adoption of the
annual meetings. At present the State is divided
into seventy-eight representative districts, allow
ing a representative for every five hundred and
froty-two members, who are paid a per diem, and
allowed mileage for travelling expenses. The Knox
county lodges are attached to district No. 53, com
posed of twelve subordinate lodges, with an active
membership of five hundred and ninety-two. The
district comprises Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 20, Elli-
cott No. 267, Quindars No. 316, Sycamore Valley
No. 553, Centerburgh No. 666, Owl Creek No.
686, and Bartholo No. 692, of Knox county; Ches
ter No. 204, Sparta No. 268, Bennington No. 433,
and Johnsville No. 469, of Morrow county; and
Galion No. 215, of Crawford county.
During the thirty-seven years Mt. Vernon Lodge
No. 20 has been in existence, she has had enrolled
upon her list of members over five hundred names.
Withdrawals, deaths, and immigration have cut them
down to sixty-eight active members at the close of
the year 1879. The four oldest in membership of
those sixty-eight are,.respectively: William M. Bunn,
John Cooper, Abraham Ehle, and John W. White.
Although Mr. Ehle retains his membership in No.
20, he is a resident of one of the northwestern
counties of the State.
Charter members : Richard Blake, Liberty Waite,
Lorenzo D. Nash, William Sullivan, and Robert
Wright. Of these five charter members none are
living. First officers; Richard Blake, N. G.; Liberty
Waite, V. G.; Lorenzo D. Nash, secretary; Wil
liam Sullivan, treasurer — all deceased.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

39i

The following were initiated at the first meeting:
D. A. Robertson, James R. Wallace, Miller Moody,
Matthew H. Mitchell, and Thomas Winne. Messrs.
Miller Moody, Mitchell, Winne, and Robertson
are dead. Mr. Wallace holds membership in
Quindaro, No. 316.
Officers, January 1, 1881: Thomas Brown, N.
G.; Peter Allen, V. G.; J. C. Levi, secretary; W.
R. Hart, P. secretary; R. N. Kindrick, treasurer;
Richard Smale, I. G.; Samuel Newby, O. G.; C.
A. Merriam, sitting N. G.
This lodge meets in hall No. 1, Kremlin block,
every Wednesday evening.
QUINDARO LODGE NO. 3 1 6, I. O. O. F.,
of Mt. Vernon, was instituted June 9, 1857, by
dispensation from the Right Worthy Grand lodge
of Ohio, by Deputy Grand Master A. C. Glenn,
acting under a dispensation from Grand Master
W. C. Chidsey, assisted by several past grands
from Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 20.
Charter members: G. B. Arnold, J. M. Byers,
A. C. Elliott, J. Frank Andrews, John Lamb, T.
P. Fredrick, sr., and John Jennings, all having re
ceived withdrawal cards from Mt. Vernon Lodge
No. 20, for the purpose of forming a new lodge
in the city.
First officers installed; Joseph M. Byers, N. G.;
T. P. Fredrick, sr., V. G.; G. B. Arnold, sec'y;
Alex. .C. Elliott, Per. sec'y; J. Frank Andrews,
treasurer. Initiated at first meeting: Israel Underwood
and L. Munk.
Officers January 1, 1881: Evan Jones, N. G.;
J. 0. Bushfield, V. G.; S. W. Graff, Per. sec'y;
Ira Phillips, sec'y; George R. Martin, treas.;
George Singer, I. G.; S. P. Weaver, O. G.; John
McFadden, sitting P. G.
'Representatives to the Grand lodge of Ohio:
Joseph M. Byers, J. Frank Andrews, T. P. Fred
rick, sr.
Meetings are held in their hall, over the hard
ware store of C. A. Bope, every Tuesday evening.
The career of Quindaro has been, from the start,
a brilliant one, and its prosperity has been equal
to any lodge within the limits of central Ohio.
The hall now occupied has been used by the lodge
from its organization, first at a yearly rental from
James W. Miller, and then by purchase. A few

years since, not only the lodge room, but the whole
building, became the property of the lodge by
purchase. Kokosing Encampment, No. 38, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, of Mt. Vernon, was insti
tuted March 29, 1849. The encampment branch is
the highest rank in the order, and is made up of
the fifth degree members of subordinate lodges.
The standing of encampment members depends
upon their good standing in the subordinate lodges.
Charter members — I. M. Campbell, S. W. Grib-
ben, A. Ehle, L. G. Prentis, R. C. Kirk, Henry
Phillips, A. P. Mather, and U. Stevens.
Messrs. Gribben, Prentis, Phillips, Mather and
Stevens are dead. Mr. Campbell is a citizen of
Ashland; Mr. Ehle is a citizen of one of the
northwestern counties, and Dr. R. C. Kirk severed
his connection with the order some years ago.
First officers— I. M. Campbell, C. P.; A. P.
Mather, H. P.; R. C. Kirk, S. W.; A. Ehle, scribe;
L. G. Prentis, treasurer.
Initiated at the first meeting — W. M. Bunn, J.
A. Shannon, T. T. Tress, John Cooper, Robert B.
Wright, and John Eichelberger.
Messrs* Shannon, Tress, and Wright are dead.
Mr. Eichelberger is a citizen of Mansfield.
Officers January 1, 1881— R. N. Kindrick, C.
P.; W. R. Hart, H. P.; Thomas Trick, S. W.; E.
Conkling, S. W.; J. B. Warren, scribe; T. W. Lin
stead, treasurer; William People, inside sentinel;
Samuel Newby, outside sentinel.
The lodge meets in Hall No. r, Kremlin block,
the second and fourth Friday evenings in each
month. Representatives to the Grand encampment,
since the adoption of the new constitution in 1855
— W. M. Bunn, John W. White, J. Frank An
drews,. Henry Phillips, W. R. Hadt, A. C. Elliott,
T. P. Frederick, sr.
Messrs. Andrews, Phillip, and Elliott are dead.
W. R. Hart is the present representative.
Officers Grand encampment— William R. Hart,
R. W. junior warden 1874-5; William R. Hart,
most worthy chief patriarch, 1877-8.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Timon Lodge, No. 45, Mt. Vernon, was instituted
on the eighteenth day of April, 1872, by Dr. L.

392

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Firestone, G. C, assisted by brethren trom Wooster
and Mansfield.
First officers and charter members: W. A.
Crouch, C. C; J. Monroe Hill, V. C; Richard F.
West, prelate; Edward Vincent, K. of R. and S. ;
John M. Armstrong, M. of E. ; William T. Elwell,
M. of F. ; Henry H. King, M. at A. ; William B.
Norton, I. G.
Those first initiated were J. H. Trimble, Hon.
A. J. Beach, William M. Haper, Samuel H. Peter
man, J. Allen Mitchell.
Officers, January i, 1881: Charles W. Pyle, P.
C. ; Henry C. Smith, C. C. ; Clarence B. Harper,
V. C; William C. McFadden, prelate; Frank
Harper, K. of R. S. ; John H. Stevens, M. of E. ;
V. J. Pealer, M. of F. ; Ira Buckley, M. of A. ;
C. C. Buckingham, J. G. ; E. J. Walton, O. G.
The lodge meets every Thursday evening in
their Castle hall, Raymond block, southwest cor
ner of High street and public square.
The following are the past chancellors since or
ganization: W. A. Crouch, Richard F. West, J
Monroe Hill, Henry H. King, John H. Stevens,
J. D. Haymes, R. B. Bingham, Samuel H. Peterman
S. C. Thompson, William Appleton, LeRoy G
Hunt, H. C. Parker, J. W. H. Tiffiny, Frank
N. Bunn, Jacob M. Tompkins, William M. Harper,
John B. Waight, Charles W. Pyle.
Representatives to the Grand lodge — W. A.
Crouch, 1873-4; John H. Stevens, 1875-6; Sam
uel H. Peterman, 1877-8-9 ; Dr. Samuel C. Thomp
son, 1880-1.
Present number of members — one hundred and
sixty. Section No. 180 ofthe Endowment Rank, K. of
P., was instituted May 31, 1878, by Colonel J. S.
Crall, of Mansfield, Ohio. Its first president was
J. M. Tompkins, and its first secretary and
treasurer Samuel H. Peterman. The rflembership
in the first class is eighteen, and in the second
twenty-eight. The former pays an endowment of
one thousand dollars, and the latter two thousand,
on the death of a member. The regular meeting
night is the last Monday of each month.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
Knox Lodge No. 31 K of H., of Mt. Vernon,
was organized October 1, 1874. Its first officers
were :

S. C. Thompson, past dictator; Hezekiah Graff,
dictator; S. S. Baker, vice-dictator: W. Sanderson,
assistant dictator; J. F. Myers, guide; W. W.
McKay, reporter; W. Cochran, financial reporter;
A. Vance, treasurer, S. Wright, sentinel.
The lodge meets every Wednesday evening at
their hall, third floor Sperry's block, southwest side
of the public square.
Officers, January 1, 1881: J. J. Tultz, past di
rector; J. H. Branyan, director; H. S. Weirick,
vice director; E. S. Kingston, assistant dictator;
R. C. Hunt, chaplain; D. F. Ewing, guide; Wil
liam H. Spencer, reporter; F. A. Davis, financial
reporter; William Jamison, guardian; S. L. Baker,
treasurer; George Wythe, sentinel; W. F. Gantt,
C. G. Smith, D. F. Ewing, W. J. Horner and R.
G. White, trustees. Representatives to Grand
lodge — C. G. Smith; alternate, D. F. Ewing.
Deaths since organization: Thomas McBride,
Isaac W. Russell, M. D., James Farrar, David
Sewalt. Present number of members, one hundred and
two. ROYAL ARCANUM.
Mt. Vernon Council, No. n, was instituted in
Mt. Vernon August 21, 1877.
Its first officers were: Dr. S. C. Thompson,
past regent; W. F. Baldwin, regent; D. P. Wooton,
vice regent; Thomas H. Eustace, orator; W. B.
Dunbar, secretary; H. Y. Rowley, collector; S. L.
Baker, treasurer; W. F. Gantt, chaplain; C. G.
Smith, guide; W. T. Critchfield, warden; D. Z.
Grubb, sentry.
Officers for 1881: H. Y. Rowley, past regent;
John H. Stevens, regent ; Charles H. Chapin, vice
regent; S. L. Baker, orator; W. B. Dunbar, secre
tary; W. F. Gantt, collector; J. C. Scott, treasurer;
John B. Castner, chaplain ; John B. Warren, guide;
Ezra Hunt, warden; W. P. Helms, sentry; John
H. Stevens, H. Y. Rowley, E. Sharpnack, Isaac
Rosenthall, and W. F. Baldwin, trustees. Repre
sentative to Grand lodge, Leroy G. Hunt.
Present number of members, fifty-eight.
This council, on the death of a member, pays to
the family of the deceased three thousand dollars.
St. Vincent De Paul's Benevolent society was
organized August, 1873.
The first officers were: John Henegan, presi-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

393

dent; C. O'Boyle, vice-president; John Lawler,
secretary; Dennis Corcoron, treasurer.
The officers for 1881 are: James Britt, presi
dent; Matthias Kelly, vice-president; Thomas
Hays, secretary; Michael Shehan, treasurer; James
W. Logsden, marshal.
The society meets semi-monthly in St. Vincent
hall, corner Main and Vine streets.
KNIGHTS OF THE RED CROSS.
This order has just been instituted in Mt. Ver
non by the members of St. Vincent De Paul's
Catholic church. The origin of the order dates
back to the eleventh century (1069) when Pope
Urban II., at the council of Clermont, invested
the nobles about to take part in the crusade against
the Saracens, with the Red Cross. The Knights
of the Red Cross of the present day are not called
upon to wage physical warfare, but a spiritual war
fare against the evils of the day — against intemper
ance, impurity, irreligion, and all manner of vice,
by their example and admonition. The Mt. Ver
non chapter have engaged, through their pastor
and spiritual director, a suitable hall in which to
hold their meetings and drill. In order to make
the institution attractive, to the young men of the
congregation, particularly, military drill forms a
marked feature of the exercises of the chapter.
In course of time the members are duly knighted
and receive, at the hands of the grand commander
of the order, their uniforms, which are usually very
handsome. Regular meeting nights occur on
every alternate Sunday night. Drill night every
Friday, at St. Vincent hall. The chapter starts
out here with a membership .of over forty.
First officers — Samuel J. Brent, president;
Thomas Hayes, vice-president; M. M. Kelly, treas
urer; J. F. Stoeckle, secretary; William Hunt and
Thomas Brannigan, guardians; and Rev. T. J.
Lane, chaplain. PENNSYLVANIANS IN KNOX COUNTY,
is the present theme of conversation throughout
the county. The object sought is an organization
of native Pennsylvanians and their descendants,
residents of the county. A preliminary meeting
was held on the nineteenth of January, 1881, and
a committee of five appointed to draw up and pre
sent at a future meeting a programme for consid

eration, to perfect as far as possible arrangements
for a reunion of all natives of Pennsylvania, now
residents of the county. That committee con
sisted of Messrs. G. W. Morgan, John F. Gay, W.
C. Culbertson, John Welsh, and David C. Lewis.
The adjourned meeting met at the court house,
Saturday afternoon, February 5, 1881. The re
port of the meeting was adopted. It proposed an
organization, with a president and vice-presidents,
one from each township in the county, a secretary,
treasurer, and an executive committee of five per
sons. A committee of arrangements was appointed
to make arrangements for a reunion and picnic to
take place on the fair-grounds, sometime during
the coming summer or fall, on a date to be fixed
by the president and executive committee. Ad
dresses, orations, etc., are to be delivered on sub
jects pertaining to the object for which the meeting
is convened. About one hundred persons interested in the
call, attended the meeting ofthe fifth of February,
and completed the organization by electing the fol
lowing officers : General G. W. Morgan, presi
dent; Hon. R. C. Kirk, vice-president; C. S. Pyle,
secretary; Joseph M. Byers, treasurer; Jackson,
James P. Ross; Butler, Jacob Lepley; Union, Wil
son Buffington; Jefferson, James Withrow; Brown,
A. M. Vincent; Howard, Robert Cassil; Harrison,
Martin J. Horn; Clay, E. O. Bebout; Morgan,
Benjamin Smith; Pleasant, Joseph V. Park; Col
lege, Frank Scoles; Monroe, John McElroy; Pike,
-W. W. Walkey; Berlin, Michael Hess; Morris, H.
C. Wilson; Clinton, John Welsh; Miller, J. F.
Barnhard; Milford, W. T. Turner; Liberty, T. F.
Cole: Wayne, Joseph Duncan; Middlebury, John
C. Levering; Hilliar, Demas Bucker; Mt. Vernon
— First ward, Dr. J. Hess; Second ward, Thomas
McCreary ; Third ward, W. C. Culbertson ; Fourth
ward, David C. Lewis; Fifth ward, David C. Mont
gomery, township vice-presidents ; W. C. Culbert
son, G. A. Jones, J. F. Gay, Thomas Odbert and
William B. Banning, executive committee.

394

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

CHAPTER XLII.
MOUNT VERNON— CONTINUED.
The Business of the City— The Owl Creek Bank— The
Knox County Bank — First National and Savings
Banks — The Knox County Mutual Insurance Com
pany — The Eagle Mutual — The Mutual Aid Associa
tion—The Business Men of 1850— The Manufactur
ing Business of the City — List of Aged Men.
THE history of Knox county would be incom
plete without a brief account of the Owl Creek
bank of Mt. Vernon. The notes issued by this in
stitution were of every denomination, from six and
one-fourth cents up to ten dollars. The paper, en
graving and finish of the notes, although not so
perfect as those issued by the banks of the present
day, were fair specimens in the art of engraving.
From the journals of the bank and from the files
of the Ohio Register, the only paper then published
in the county, the following account is compiled:
There being great complaint of the scarcity of
money after the war, large numbers of people in
various cities and towns in the United States, and
more particularly in the west and Ohio, conceived
the idea of multiplying the quantity of paper in
lieu of money, by manufacturing what is called
"currency." As early as December, 1814, a meet
ing was held, and articles of association for the
organization of a bank, to be called the Owl Creek
bank of Mt. Vernon," were entered into, fixing the
capital stock at one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars, divided into shares of fifty dollars each,
payable in installments of not exceeding five dol
lars each, and appointing certain commissioners to
open stock books, etc. Petitions were then pre
sented to the legislature, praying for a charter; and
after having petitioned the legislature for an act
authorizing such an association, and been denied,
the people determined to go ahead without State
authority. On the tenth day of April, 18 16, the first meet
ing on record of those who inaugurated the Owl
Creek bank was held at the court house in Mt.
Vernon, and as this is one of the most important
events in the early history of Knox county, the pro
ceedings of this meeting, and also of the first meet
ing of the board of managers are noted.
"Agreeably to previous notice, there was a meet
ing at the court house on April 10th. Jonathan

Miller was called to the chair, and Joseph Brown
was appointed secretary. The following indepen
dent sentiments were set forth :"

Resolved, That we have by the constitution of this State a fur
and fair right and privilege to have charters granted when we
shall petition the legislative body of this State for that purpose.
We, the undersigned, have complied with the requisitions of the
constitution, and will continue to do so, without waiving our
rights and privileges.
Therefore be it resolved, that we do form ourselves into a
company for the purpose of establishing a bank in the town of
Mt. Vernon, Knox county.
2. Resolved, That the following named gentlemen be ap
pointed managers of said bank, and to draft articles of associa
tion and by-laws for the future government of the company,
viz: James Smith, William Mitchell, M. Merritt, Abraham
Darling, Hosmer Curtis, John Warden, Gilman Bryant, Jona
than Miller, L. S. Silliman, Benjamin Martin/ Joseph Brown,
John Green, and Jacob Young.
A committee appointed for that purpose, drafted
articles of association, by which the bank was to be
governed, embracing twenty-three distinct proposi
tions. Article I, reads: "The capital stock of
the company shall be two hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars, current money of the United States,
with the privilege of extending it to five hundred
thousand dollars." The bank was to commence
business as soon as twenty-five thousand dollars
were subscribed. The stock was divided into shares
of fifty dollars each. Jonathan Miller, James
Smith, Gilman Bryant, John Warden, Benjamin
Martin, Hosmer Curtis, W. Mitchell, M. Merritt,
A. Darling, Jacob Young, John Green, L. S. Silli
man, and Joseph Brown, were appointed commis
sioners to open books and receive subscriptions
for stock. Article VI, provides: "The affairs of
the company shall be conducted by thirteen direc
tors, a president and a cashier." James Smith was
elected president, and L. S. Silliman cashier.
The legislature refusing to grant a charter to the
institution, the stockholders elected to proceed
without it, and do business, depending upon the
honesty of the borrowers, they pledging themselves
to waive all rights the laws of the State might give
them not to withhold payment from an institution
not recognized by the laws of the land. Every
borrower was required to make the following dec
laration under oath before some justice of the
peace: "Before me (A. B.) a justice of the peace
for the county of  aforesaid, came C. D.,
who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

395

whereas, he has thrown a note into the Owl Creek
bank of Mt. Vernon for discount; saith, that, if
discounted, he will take no advantage of any stat
ute law of this State; and farther this deponent
saith not." Under those conditions the bank com
menced doing business.
On the sixth of March, 1871, a dividend of six
per cent, was declared, and the stockholders were
sanguine of reaping a harvest. So long as the
bank had money to loan its unchartered condition
was no detriment to its usefulness. Its funds ran
out — some of its stockholders neglected or refused
to pay up their shares — notes became due, and an
effort was made to collect them — then came hard
times. People were suddenly convinced of the
deep sin, if not crime, of fostering an "unchar
tered" monster in their midst. Samuel Williams,
a tavern keeper of Mansfield, had borrowed five
hundred dollars, and after taking an oath that "he
would take no advantage of any statute law of the
State," refused its notes when tendered him for
hotel bills, and also refused to redeem his notes
discounted, and freely used the columns of the
newspapers of the day to destroy the institution
that had aided him when in need. A Dr. Moore
B. Bradly arrayed himself on the side of Williams
in the work of destruction, and others followed
suit. With' a depleted treasury, the institution
attempted to stem the torrent, but in vain. In
these times of evil talk, and while the public were
busy crying down the institution, a few whole
souled persons were found who came to its aid.
The bank building was located where James
Rogers' hardware store now is. The building was
about twenty feet square, and contained two rooms,
a front and a back room. It was a log building,
weather-boatded. Its doors and window shutters
were protected with large headed nails.
The stockholders to the bank were never fully
known by reason of the mutilation or alteration of
the books, which took place pending a suit be
tween Luke Walpole and some of the stockhold
ers. The bank was entered one night and a large
box that contained the hooks and papers carried
off. Subsequently the box was found in a
thicket of hazel, east of town, broken open, and
the books and papers scattered about, with several
of the names of stockholders obliterated. The

testimony in this case, the proceedings of the
court, and reports of the receiver, exceptions to
his report and final decree, make one of the largest
volumes of record in the clerk's office of Knox
county, duly labelled "The Owl Creek Bank
Case." From this official and authoritative record
the names of parties and shares of stock alleged to
have been connected with the "Owl Creek Bank"
are taken, as follows: KNOX COUNTY. Shares. Paid.
Hosmer Curtis  50 $500 00
Jonathan Agnew  20 30 00
William Scritchfield  5
Insley D. Johnson  5
Joseph Critchfield  10 133 00
James Barkhurst  5 66 00
Robert Dalrymple  12 380 00
James McGibeny  15 725 00
Allen Scott  10 250 00
Joseph Mann  10
Gilman Bryant  50 900 00
John Green  10
John Hawn  15 150 00
Philip Melker  50 510 00
John Stilley  25 200 00
John Shaw  10 316 00
William Darling, of Richland county  10
James Bolton  20 rco 00
George Davis  20
John J. Tulloss  10 50 00
Jonathan Hunt  24 150 00
Abel A. Webster, of Richland  50
Eli Miller  60 250 00
Benjamin Rush  10 266 00
Henry Markley  25 375 00
Nicholas Riley  25 500 00
Henry Davis  20 625 00
Jacob M. Banning  50 130 00
Gotlieb Zimmerman  20 345 75
W. Y. Farquhar  20 125 00
Nathaniel Scritchfield  10 333 00
Francis Wilkins  25 100 00
Eli Gregg  10 5800
Jacob Lepley  20
Samuel Mott  3° 125 00
Aaron Hill  10
Thomas Irvine  20
Jonathan Miller  50 35000
John Trimble  15 31600
James Smith  5°
Isaac Richardson  5 66 00
John Hibbitts  10 20000
Jacob Draper  10 200 00
Henry B. Carter  10 100 00
William Robeson  20
James Severe  • ¦ • ¦ 8
Rebecca Harris  25
J onathan Rapp  10

396

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Paid.

Shares.
William Bevans  20
Willaim W. Farquhar  15 26500
Elijah Newcoxnb, of Coshocton county  17 350 00
Thomas Butler, of Coshocton county  50 350 00
LICKING COUNTY. Shares.
James M. Taylor  10
John Cully. .  10
A. H. Caffee  10
Noble Landon  10
A. Warthen  10
Silas Mead  10
Joseph Fulton  10
Jonathan Conard  10
William Robinson  70
William W. Gault  50
John Houston  67
Benjamin Warner  10
RICHLAND AND OTHER COUNTIES. Shares.
Jacob Been  ,  10
Hiram Ball  9
Benjamin Mochaber  8
John Badger  6
Matthew Kelly  10
Henry Vaught  10
Buckingham, Sherwood, and Eben P. Sturges, traders, under
the name and style of Sherwood & Sturges  20
John Beckwith, of Perry county  8
Jacob Morris, of Perry county  5
Samuel B. Carpenter, of Huron county  15
John Leyland, of Huron county  10
Enoch Harris, colored man, of Marion county  15
John Morris, of Wayne county  20
John Shrimplin  20
Adam Johnson, of Coshocton county  50
Isaac Dillon, of Muskingum county  50
George Reeve, of Muskingum county  30
Robert Dalrymple  50
James Barcus  50
William Critchfield, sr  50
William Darling  50
James Rightmire  :  50
Insley D. Johnson  50
Jacob Cook  ¦  50
The above named were claimed to have been
interested in the concern; and having been duly
subpoenaed and brought into court, their own
answers and voluminous testimony were taken.
While some few plead the statute of limitations,
in addition to other testimony, the greater number
— to their credit be it said — confessed their con
nection with the bank, and expressed themselves
ready to stand the consequences.
Henry B. Curtis was appointed master commis
sioner, and, after a thorough and" searching exami
nation, he made, on the eighteenth of September,

1837, a very elaborate and able report. Having,
upon his appointment, caused publication to be
made by newspaper to all interested, either as
creditors or partners, of his appointment to close,
arid finally settle, as far as practicable, the concerns
of the bank; and having before him all the testi
mony, he determined the relative position of the
parties, and discharged from liability as stock
holders of that number Jacob M. Banning, Wil
liam Bevans, Isaac Dillon, George Reeve, Sturges
& Sherwood, Francis Wilkins, and Matthew Wil
liams, for insufficiency of proof.
At the September term of the supreme court,
1837, Judges Reuben Wood and Peter Hitchcock
approved the report, by which it. appeared that the
sum of twenty-six thousand seven hundred and
ninety-six dollars and twenty cents was required to
be raised to meet and discharge the present unpaid
debts of the company in Owl Creek bank bills;
and the liabilities of the parties defendant, being
established equal, it was further ordered that said
sums, as assessed by said master commissioner's re
port, be paid by said parties to him, and. the cause
was continued for further report.
Several of the parties defendant, by their attor
neys, filed exceptions to said report and as to their
rights, and for further examination the papers in
the cause were referred to H. H. Hunter, esq., of
Lancaster, as special master, who, at the Septem
ber term, 1838, submited a partial report as to cer
tain parties referred to him, and still further re
ported, as by testimony, the following additional
stockholders equally liable, viz: Solomon Geller,
owner of twenty shares; John Hawn, sr., fifteen
shares; Nathaniel Johnson, sixty shares (fifty of
which being transfers from Jonathan and Eli Mil
ler) ; William Blackburn, twenty shares ; Matthew
Merritt, four shares; G. B. Maxfield, John Trout-
man, and N. M. Young, ten shares each. At the
same time the special master concludes with this
statement :
It is believed that no man can, at this time, possess himself
of the facts necessary to do exact justice in the case. Though,
it is believed that much additional evidence, with proper exer
tions, may be collected, to render the case more perfect. All of
which is respectfully suggested.
At the September term, 1839, Judges Peter
Hitchcock and Frederick Grimke allowed the com
plainants leave to amend their bill, and make the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

397

newly-discovered stockholders parties, etc.; and the
court continued H. H. Hunter special master for
further investigation, and with more extensive
powers. At the September term of 1840, Master Com
missioner Hunter submitted his final report, con
cluding with a statement of accounts and an
aggregate amount remaining due — seventeen
thousand four hundred and fifty-seven dollars
and twenty-seven cents; and the court, upon fur
ther hearing of exceptions by council and argu
ments for their respective clients, decreed accord
ingly, and continued the appointment of Henry B.
Curtis as receiver, to collect from the parties the
sums assessed against them, and to pay off the
judgment creditors, etc.
At the succeeding terms of the court, various
orders were made, as necessary in the progress of
the cause, and upon the reports of the receiver of
his action had in the premises.
And thus the case "dragged its slow length
along," until the final report of the receiver was
filed, and the cause finally disposed of upon excep
tions taken by Miller & Dunbar, attorneys for cer
tain defendants, which were overruled by the dis
trict court in chancery, on the sixteenth of June,
1859 — and an entry upon the journal expresses
the satisfaction of the court at its termination — by
the receiver in having disposed of the remaining
assets by sale under order of the court, for an
amount sufficient to liquidate all outstanding in
debtedness. The following extract is from the receiver's re
port: The undersigned, now, therefore, regarding substantially all
interests adjusted and settled, in behalf of party creditors, and
the assets for that purpose exhausted, recommends that the
suits pending be finally dismissed from the docket, without prej
udice to the rights of the assignee to collect the balances against
party creditors, standing unsatisfied, agreeably to former re
ports and decrees in this cause. The undersigned reports all
costs paid, as far as known to him, and, as he believes, in full.
In taking leave of the case, which for more than thirty years
has occupied a conspicuous position on the docket of this court,
and in closing the trust which.-for more than twenty years, has
been confided to the undersigned, he takes leave to congratu
late the court on the final adjustment of the whole matter, and
to express his profound thanks for the confidence so long con
tinued, without which the vexed, complex, and protracted labors
of tlie case would have been rendered much more onerous, and
the results obtained far less satisfactory.
To. the parties (many of the original of whom have departed

this life since the commencement of this suit), and to their heirs
and representatives, the full record of this case, while it may
recall some reminiscences of an unfortunate enterprise, and its
calamitous results, will also remind them of many incidents
and profitable lessons in the school of experience, and be, for
all time to come, the veritable history of the Owl Creek bank of
Mt. Vernon.
Upon the filing of the final report of Mr. Curtis,
as receiver, the court caused the following order
and decree to be entered in the docket, as its judg
ment: It is now, therefore, ordered and decreed, that said report be
forthwith approved, and sale fully confirmed
and this whole case is accordingly discontinued.
Such is, in brief, the history of the Owl Creek
bank of Mt. Vernon, an institution which acquired
great notoriety.
The Knox County National bank was originally
organized in 1848 as the Knox County bank, a
branch of the State bank of Ohio, with Henry B.
Curtis, J. W. Russell,-C. Delano, Jesse B. Thomas,
and Sewall Grey, directors; Henry B. Curtis, pres
ident. John C. Ramsey, Levi L. Lewis, and J.
Frank Andrews were at different periods its cash
iers, under its old organization. In 1865, after the
passage by Congress of the national banking law,
this institution elected to continue business under
the national law, the State banking law having ex
pired by limitation. It then assumed the name of
the Knox County National bank. Its present cap
ital is one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and
it is now one of the foremost institutions of the
city. Mr. Curtis still continues its able and effi
cient president. The cashiers in its national char
acter have been Hugh Oglevee, L. B. Curtis, and
John M. Ewalt. Of the different cashiers Messrs.
Ramsey, Andrews, and Oglevee have deceased.
The present board of directors are: H. B. Curtis,
president; J. N. Burr, vice-president; and Messrs.
N. N. Hill, Charles Cooper, and Henry L. Curtis.
John M. Ewalt is cashier, and Edward W. Pyle, as
sistant cashier. Its surplus fund is twenty-one
thousand seven hundred and sixty-three dollars.
The First National bank was organized in April,
1862, under the name of Bank of Mount Vernon,
J. W.Russell, president; Columbus Delano, Mathew
Thompson, Walter H. Smith, F. D. Sturges, direc
tors; F. D. Sturges, cashier; D. W. Lambert,
teller. Capital, one hundred thousand dollars,
Electing to do business under the national law it

398

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

assumed the name of the First National bank after
the passage of that law. Messrs. Sturges and Lam
bert hold their old positions at this time. Upon
the retiring of Dr. Russell, the Hon. Columbus
Delano was made president. The present board
of directors consists of Columbus Delano, presi
dent; John'W. Russell, vice-president; and F. D.
Sturges, D. W. Lambert, and H. H. Greer. Its
present capital is fifty thousand dollars.
Knox County Savings bank was incorporated
September 13, 1873, under the act of February
26th, of that year, and commenced business Decem
ber 29th of the same year. The present officers are:
Jared Sperry, president; Samuel Israel, vice-presi
dent; John D. Thompson, treasurer; Samuel H.
Israel, cashier; Jared Sperry, G. A. Jones, John D.
Thompson, Samuel H. Israel, O. M. Arnold, Alex
ander Cassil, and Thomas Odbert, trustees. These
gentlemen are all well and favorably known in this
part of the State, and under their management the
bank occupies a high position among the financial
institutions of the State. The capital of the bank
is fifty thousand dollars.
The Knox County Mutual Insurance. company
was incorporated by a special act of the general
assembly of the State of Ohio, March 14, 1838,
giving it an existence co-equal with the older fire
insurance companies of the State. It commenced
issuing policies in August, 1839. Its first board of
officers were: C. P. Buckingham, president; Sam
uel J. Updegraff, secretary; E. G. Woodward,
treasurer; and for directors: C. P. Buckingham,
Henry B. Curtis, George Browning, J. E. David
son, S. J. Updegraff, Columbus Delano, B. S.
Brown, Else Miller, and Isaac Hadley. Of the
whole number of officers named only Messrs. Buck
ingham, Curtis, Delano and Hadley are living.
The transactions and operations of this organiza
tion have been characterized by prudence and econ
omy. In 1843 Mr. William Turner was installed
as secretary, which position he still holds. For a
period of nearly forty years he has devoted his su
perior financial and executive ability to his work,
during which time he has established a reputation
of which he may justly feel proud; and to his abil
ity, in a great measure, are due the success and
prosperity of the company. It has now been sev
eral years since Robert Thompson was chosen

president of this company, and Mr. S. L. Taylor
general agent. Each of these gentlemen have
large business experience.
The Knox County Mutual now has a well se
cured capital of about one million dollars in pre
mium notes, and a cash surplus of about fifty
thousand dollars — thirty thousand dollars of which
is invested in United States four per cent, regis
tered bonds, which are held as a reserve fund, to
be drawn upon in case of extraordinary losses, and
thus avoid the necessity of heavy assessments.
This company has paid over four hundred thousand
dollars in fire losses, and the average annual as
sessment on notes since the organization has been
two and one-half per cent , or one-fourth annual
cash rates. The policy of this company is to keep
their risks well scattered, and to take none extra
hazardous. The Eagle Mutual Fire Insurance company was
incorporated May 31, 1879, with a capital of fifty
thousand dollars in premium notes and closed the
year 1879 with a report to superintendent of insur
ance, showing a gross capital of over eighty thou
sand dollars, the result of its first year's business.
The company was organized mainly through the
efficient and energetic efforts of Mr. J. J. Fultz, its
present acting secretary, assisted by Mr. J. B.
Castner, late of Toledo, Ohio.
The "Eagle" does a conservative and purely
mutual business, and is officered by the following
gentlemen, who are well and favorably known:
David C. Montgomery, president; General G. W.
Morgan, vice-president; J. J. Fultz, secretary;
Hon. John D. Thompson, treasurer; Hon. William
C. Cooper, legal adviser, and John B. Castner, gen
eral agent. THE OHIO MUTUAL AID ASSOCIATION.
An association having for its object the mu
tual protection and relief of its members, and for
the payment of such stipulated sums of money
— not to exceed four thousand dollars — to the
families or heirs of deceased or disabled mem
bers (or to themselves prior to death), as may be
by certificate of membership provided — was incor
porated September 4, 1879. The association began
business at once, and at the end of the first year
had a membership of nearly two thousand. The
officers of the association are — Hon. John D.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

399

Thompson, president; General G.W. Morgan, vice-
president and legal adviser; J. J. Fultz, secretary
and actuary; David C. Montgomery, treasurer, and
S. C. Thompson, medical director.
Following is a list of the business men of Mt.
Vernon in 1850. At that date the stores kept a
general assortment. There were but few dealers in
groceries alone, and in no instance did the mer
chants confine themselves to dry goods alone.
The principal merchants were R. C. Kirk & Co.,
D. Potwin & Co., William Beam, R. M. Brown &
Son, Hugh Cooper & Co., A. N. Stoughton, Hill
& Mills, A. E. Davidson, Jonathan Weaver, George
B. Potwin, H. H. Curtis, D. S. Norton, sr., War
den & Burr, James Blake, Horatio S. Miller, C. G.
Bryant, L. B. Ward, Richard Ridgeley, Robert
Irvine, James George, N. Updegraff, J. E. Wood-
bridge, E. C. Vore, James Hutchinson, Daniel
Axtell, J. W. Miller & Co., G. A. Jones & Co., J.
A. Graff, Washington Hendricks.
The druggists were C. P. Buckingham & Co., M.
Aberneythy, H. M. Ramsey & Co., J. N. Lewis
& Co.
The chair makers were Daniel McFarland, Daniel
McDowell, J. H. McFarland, Noah Hill, Joseph
Jacobs, Raphael Pyne.
The brick and stone masons were John Jennings,
Thomas Drake, James A. Lane," Henry Ransom,
Solomon Smith, Albert Mitchell.
The proprietors of livery and feed stables were
Richard Keene, William Combs, George Crouse,
C. L. Bennett.
The brick makers were I. & T: Wood, Tramel
Harle, Benjamin Magers, Jacob Blocker.
The silversmiths were J. B. Brown, C. H. Strieby,
Joshua Hyde.
The foundry and macjiine works were Coopers
& Clark, M. C. Furlong, Buckingham & Upton.
The photographers were Ayers & Larabee, Wil
liam Oldroyd.
The iron and hardware dealers were John Mc-
Cormick, Adam Weaver, Henry Rook & Co.
The cabinet makers were Joseph S. Martin, James
Relf, Daniel McDowell, Jacob Martin, Henderson
& Weirick, Abraham Bolyer.
The carpenter and joiners were Daniel Clark, O.
W. Hubbell, Jacob Clayton, Blair Cummings, W.
A. Bounds, Henry Haller, John M. Lane, P. C.

Lane, A. Hart, sr., Jesse Blair, R. B. Bingham, E.
Armstrong, Joseph C. Emery, Benjamin Giles,
David F. Randolph, David Martin, John H. Rob
erts, J. S. Stout, William Fordney, Parrott Rathell,
L. M. Fowler, John Phillips, Russell Smith, Dennis
Smith, Joseph Giles, John D. Bartlett, Charles
Bechtol, Lester B. Gardner, S. J. Devoe, John
Dwyer, John W. Rumsey, William Clements.
The saddle and harness makers were George W.
Hauk, William Mefford, W. H. Mefford, E. Ailing,
F. J. Zimmerman, Samuel Clark.
The butchers were James C. Irvine, Joseph
Bechtol, Allen Beach, sr., Allen J. Beach, Archy
McFarland, Aaron Sharp.
The coopers were Samuel Taylor, John Miller,
F. D. Miller, Henry W. Ball, William Ball, Jacob
Miller, Charles Miller, James Ball.
The tanners were Hugh Oglevee, sr., Harrison
Stotler, N. Williams, sr., N. Williams, jr., James
McFarland, Lyman Hendricks.
The carriage and wagon makers were Columbus
C. Curtis, William Sanderson, sr., Dennis Corco
ran, John A. Shannon, George Blocker, Condy Ja
cobs. The hatters were S. F. Voorhies, Meigs Camp
bell, William L. King, William B. Henderson.
The blacksmiths were A. K. Laughrey, J. and J.
Blocker, Joseph Mahaffey, Jonathan Graff, Heze
kiah Graff, Abram Ehle, William Mahaffey, Amos
Roberts, Isaac Cole, Silas Cole, Frederick Kraft.
The stage drivers and teamsters were Russell
Crandell, John W. Martin, George Keller, Otho
Welshymer, William Wright, Jacob Styers.
The threshing machine manufacturers were M.
G Furlong, A. Baker.
The soap boilers were Judge Larre (colored),
Samuel Jackson (colored).
The painters were William M. Bunn, Raphael
Payne, Alex. Elliott (mute).
The clothiers were A. Wolff, G. W. Williams &
Company. The hotels were, Lybrand house, Jacob W. Ly
brand; Kenyon house, George Winne; Mansion
house, David Kilgore; Ohio house, Abraham
Hughes; Franklin house, C. F. Drake; Railroad
house, Douglas Harle; Indian Queen, James Emery.
The dentists were C. M. Kelsey, A. J. Reeve,
George W. Lewis.

400

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

The tinners were: Job Evans, James Hunts
berry, John S. Fairchilds, Jefferson J. Wolf,
Thomas Durbin, John Cooper, Isaac B. Hart.
The tailors were: D. J. McDonald, Adam
Pyle, George W. Lewis, John Upfold, Russell
Clark, David Hildebrand, William Upfold, William
Perkins, David D. Johns, Edward Wilcox, John
P. Lewis, Jacob Martin, J. W. F. Singer, Benjamin
H. Lewis.
The boot and shoemakers were: George C.
Siler, Daniel McGrady, Samuel Small, George M.
Vore, Edward Taylor.
The Mt. Vernon Woollen company were : Henry
B. Curtis, president, Norman N. Hill, secretary.
The bakers were: James Cole, John Boyd.
The newspapers were : Ohio Times, William H.
Cochran; Banner, William Dunbar & George W.
Armstrong; True Whig, John W. White & E. A.
Higgins. The boot and shoe dealers were : C. L. Man-
ville, Miller & White, Weaver & Miller, G. B.
Arnold, Justus B. Bell, E. S. S. Rouse, jr.
The plasterers were : James R. Wallace, Samuel
Steinmetze, Andrew Lauderbaugh.
A miscellaneous list shows the following: John
ston Elliott, postmaster; Joseph Muenscher, life
insurance agent; B. B. Lippitt, book seller; E. T.
Cohen, portrait painter; Mehurin & Co., marble
works; William Turner, secretary Knox Mutual;
John W. White, telegraph operator; J. H. Minor,
boarding house; W. Robertson, chemist and fancy
dyer; Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Sloan, female institute;
Daniel S. Norton, miller ;  Russell, book
binder; T. M. Bartlett, auctioneer; J. A. Andrews,
sash and blind manufacturer; Casper Fordney,
gunsmith. The following is a brief account of the most im
portant manufacturing interests of the city.
The Mt. Vernon Iron Works was established in
1834 by Charles Cooper (the senior member of the
present firm) and Elias Cooper, under the firm
name of C. & E. Cooper. This firm was suc
ceeded by the said Charles Cooper, with others,
under the following firm names: C. Cooper, C.
Cooper & Co., Cooper & Clark, Mount Vernon
Iron Works, C. & J. Cooper, C. & J. Cooper &
Co., and, finally, November 31st, 1869, on the sale
by J. Cooper of his interest in the works to the

remaining partners, by the present firm of C. & G.
Cooper & Co., composed of Charles Cooper,
George Rogers, Frank L. Fairchild, and C. Grey
Cooper. Their works have from time to time been im
proved and enlarged to meet the ever-growing
demand for their production.
The magnitude of these works, the variety and
completeness of their special tools and machinery
for manufacturing; their location near the best
and cheapest coal and iron markets of Ohio," and
their facilities for shipping at low rates to all points,
enable them to successfully compete with other
large manufacturing houses.
Their engines and mills are ofthe most approved
designs, and the volume of their business justifies
them in employing the best mechanical skill.
They were the first to manufacture a successful
traction engine for the American market.
This was in 1875, and it was, at first, regarded
by them as an experiment. The engines were a
success, however, and greatly pleased their cus
tomers. For the first two years they gave pur
chasers the option of taking off and returning the
traction gearing at the end of the season, if it did
not give satisfaction, or if actual use did not con
vince the owner that it was worth the extra price
charged for it. In no case did a purchaser avail
himself of this option. They first advertised the
engine in their circulars for 1876, and during that
year and the year of 1877 they made and sold one
hundred of them. Their sales would have been
much larger had they been prepared to furnish the
engines, but, being doubtful of the extent of the
probable demand for traction engines, they ac
cumulated for stock during the winter and spring
months of these years, a large number of common
farm engines, expecting to be able to build trac
tion engines during . the selling season, as fast as
ordered. Their experience in 1876 and 1877
satisfied them as to the merits of their traction
engine, and also demonstrated the fact that it was
greatly preferred to the common farm engine where-
ever introduced.
Profiting by this experience, in 1878 they built
traction engines for stock, and the result was they
put out over two hundred that year, and yet so
great was the demand that they were obliged to.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

401

decline one-third of their orders during the busy
season, more than three-quarters of their farm
engine orders being for traction engines. Their
trade in 1879 ran still stronger to traction engines,
and although they put out about three hundred
they were again obliged to decline a large number
of orders.
Finding that they would be compelled to still
further increase their productive capacity to meet
the growing demand for their engines; they decided
to increase their works, and during the fall of 1879,
added to them two large buildings and considerable
new machinery, with a view of increasing the yearly
manufacture of traction engines to about five hun
dred, in addition to their other work.
Although the traction engine seems to be their
specialty, the firm manufacture a large number of
portable and stationary engines of all sizes and
patterns, suitable for any and every purpose for
which steam engines are used; as well as saw-mills
and mill gearing, and machinery of every descrip
tion. The firm has recently added a variety of sizes
of a combined portable and stationary steam en
gine, and also a very popular slide-valve engine,
with the Corliss' style of bed-plate, as well as a
common slide-valve engine with expansion gear
adjustable by hand. These, added to other sta
tionary, portable, and farm engines, constitute a
large assortment, and, with their saw-mills, grist
mills, etc., enable them to offer their patrons a lar
ger and more complete assortment to select from
than can be found in any like establishment in the
country. C. and G. Cooper & Company employ, contin
ually, a large number of workmen. The works
are justly celebrated and sustain a high business
character. The Cooper Manufacturing company, foot of
Main street, Mt. Vernon, is the successor of the
Kokosing Iron Works, originally established by
Messrs. C. P. Buckingham and Henry P. Upton,
who erected the main building in 1849. The large
two-story building fronting on Water street was
erected by the firm of Cooper & Rogers, who pur
chased the establishment from Mr. Buckingham,
about 1867. The firm of Cooper and Rogers
was composed of Charles Cooper, John Cooper

and George Rogers. Various changes were made
in this firm, until in 1875, the establishment be
came known as the Cooper Manufacturing com
pany, since which time it has been managed by a
board of directors, of which Mr. John Cooper is
president, and Mr. Nevil Whitesides, secretary.
The specialty of the present company embraces
all the branches pertaining to engine building,
foundry, mill furnishing and contracting. They
have a large and complete establishment, and one
of the largest lines of patterns in the country,
Their foundry is provided with all the necessary
machinery for handling readily the loam, dry and
green sand castings, and their machine shops with
the most powerful tools for finishing the same.
Their make of horizontal steam engines range in
power from an eight-horse to a four hundred-horse
power. They manufacture three classes of station
ary engines, viz: The Babcock & Wilcox automatic,
the independent cut-off, and the plain slide-valve.
They are of the modern girder bed-plate pattern,
very accurately and elegantly built.
They also manufacture improved high pressure
portable steam engines and boilers, improved port
able standard and pony saw-mills, Cooper's com
bined grain steamers and heaters, general machin
ery castings of every description, and also the
improved Reed & Buckingham patent adjustable
spring grist-mills. This mill differs from all other
portable mills in these important features, viz : The
mode of balancing the bed stones; the method of
preventing vibrations in the bed stones, and the
manner of attaching the runner to the spindle.
Special points of the above mill are simplicity,
durability, capacity for work, its freedom from
choking, and its reliability. There are three sizes
of this mill— No. 1 merchant mill, thirty-six inches
diameter of stone; No. 2 merchant mill, thirty
inches diameter of stone; and No. 3 corn mill,
twenty-four inches diameter of stone. This firm
also manufactures flour bolts with two, four, six, or
any required number of reels, besides buckwheat
and corn meal bolts.' They are also extensively
engaged in making the whole machinery for erect
ing and furnishing complete, large custom mills,
with any required number of buhrs.
In 1872 this establishment shipped one of their
celebrated portable steam engines and saw-mills to

402

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Japan, intended for the Japanese government.
The shipment was made over the Baltimore &
Ohio railroad via Mansfield, and Chicago to San
Francisco, thence by steamer to Japan. A few
years previous the same establishment, then in the
hands of General C. P. Buckingham, shipped a
threshing machine to Australia. During the fall of
1872, this establishment built for the General Gov
ernment, under contract, two iron light-houses,
weighing over three hundred tons each, which are
now doing service on the southern coast. During
the month of January, 1881, this establishment
built and shipped another light-house for the Gov
ernment, to be placed on Paris Island, on the
coast of South Carolina. It was built in the shape
of a tripod, and from the foundation to the apex
the distance is one hundred and thirty-one feet.
This is the first structure of this pattern that the
Government has ordered, the design being a new
one. The work was so well done and conformed
so accurately to the designs, plans and drawings,
that when it was erected all the numerous parts
came together like clock work. Mr. Nevil P.
Whitesides and Mr. John M. Doyle, attaches of
the Cooper Manufacturing company, were sent to
Paris Island to superintend its erection. This
company has now under way and partly done, a
large number of iron cases for the protection and
safety of valuable models accumulating in the pat
ent office at Washington city; this contract alone
amounting to over sixty thousand dollars.
This company has now a full force of skilled
workmen at work night and day turning out work
for all parts of the country.
Banning & Willis began the manufacture of
furniture in 1872. Their factory building is one
of the most spacious and substantial brick struc
tures in the city, covering a ground space of fifty-
two by one hundred and thirty-two feet, three and
a half stories in height, with ample yard room.
The place covers an entire block. An engine of
sixty horse-power supplies the motive power, and a
force of forty men are constantly employed in the
various departments. The business will not fall
far short of sixty thousand dollars per annum.
The trade is not confined to this city or county,
but extends to many of the adjoining counties.
McCormick & McDowell also manufacture

furniture, conducting an establishment supplied
with all the modern machinery for that purpose, all
operated by steam power, and superior workmen.
Their wareroom is located in the Woodward Opera
House block, and their workshop on West Vine
street. Mr. C. Mitchell conducts a planing-mill on San
dusky street, near Chestnut.
This mill was formerly operated by Messrs. Rob
erts & Clements, and Mr. J. Anderson, but has
been owned and managed by Mr. Mitchell for three
years past. Originally a very good mill, the pres
ent proprietor made many material improvements.
It is provided with the latest improved machinery,
operated by a steam engine of adequate power.
Doors, frames, sash, blinds, mouldings and scroll
work of all kinds are manufactured. Four or five
competent mechanics being countinually employed.
The yearly business is rarely less than ten thousand
dollars. The Linseed oil manufactory of James Israel is
located on the corner of West Gambier and Norton
streets, and was originally started by Mr. Henry
Johnson, who was succeeded by the firm of John
son & Israel, the latter gentleman coming into sole
possession in 1870. The oil mill is thirty by one
hundred and twenty feet in size, andthe machinery
is operated by a thirty-five horse-power engine.
The warehouse here is forty by fifty feet in dimen
sions, and at Howard station, fifteen miles west on
the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad
is another equally large. The articles manufac
tured are raw and boiled linseed oil, -oil cake and oil
meal, very largely used for food for stock by stock
growers in all parts of the country. Grain and seeds
of all kinds are also dealt in to a large extent, con
signments of which are continually being made. The
business amounts to one hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars per annum, for the prompt transaction
of which the facilities are especially complete in
every respect. Direct connection is had between
the warehouses and the Baltimore & Ohio railroad
and the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus rail
road, while the counting-rooms are in wired com
munication with the Western Union and the At
lantic & Pacific telegraph offices.
The Mt. Vernon Bridge company was recently
incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

403

for the building of wrought iron bridges. It has a
paid up cash capital of forty thousand dollars.
The president is Mr. John S. Braddock; its secre
tary and treasurer, Mr. John M. Ewalt; andthe
management and superintendency are in the hands
of Mr. P. E. Lane and the secretary. This com
pany is in command of excellent facilities, a large
corps of experienced and faithful workmen, and
ample steam power. It has already done consid
erable substantial work in this State, and has been
compelled to enlarge its works in order to meet
the requirements of a growing patronage. At a
recent meeting of the stockholders a dividend of
six per cent was declared.
The leather manufactory of Penich & Ransom
is located on West Gambier street, and came into
their hands in 1878, up to which time it had been
carried on by Mr. George E. Raymond. The
works consist of a tannery, eighty by one hundred
feet, seventy vats, and three large finishing room's,
heated by steam throughout, and furnished with
the most improved appliances. A twenty-five
horse-power engine is operated by steam from a
forty horse-power boiler. Two rotary pumps for
liquor and water are in constant action. A work
ing force of a dozen hands is employed, and the
capacity of the establishment is six thousand pieces
per annum.
The Norton City mills were established in 18 17
by the late Daniel S. Norton, who continued to
operate them up to his death, October 25, 1859,
when they came into the possession of his son,
George K, who continued to operate them until
his death. The mill known as the "old red mill"
was first etected. A carding and fulling-mill, a
saw-mill, and a custom flour-mill are in operation
within its walls. The large four-story frame mer
chant mill was erected about r845- Attached to
these mills is a large three-story frame warehouse,
and a large granary for the storing of corn. Some
years since a stock-yard and hay scales were
added. In 1875 trns extensive property was rented
by Messrs. James Rogers and Samuel J. Brent,
who kept both mills in constant operation up to
the fall of. 1879, when Mr. Brent retired from the
firm, having been elected clerk of the court.
Mr. Rogers continued in possession, and con
ducted the mills to January 1, 1881, when he

was succeeded by Mr. A. A. Taylor, who be
came theowner of the property by purchase. The
splendid quality of the flour he produced has
gained a high local reputation, and the mills are
taxed to their full capacity to supply the growing
demand. The Eagle City mills, West Vine street, were
put in operation July, 1876, by E. J. Chase, a
practical miller. Its four run of stone and a
corn sheller are operated by steam power. The
building is a two-story brick, and is fitted up with
all the modern improved machinery necessary to
render it a model grist-mill, and is pushed to its
utmost capacity to supply the demand made up
on it.
The marble and granite works of I. M. Hoover,
are located on the corner of West Gambier
and Mulberry streets. In February, 1866, Mr.
Hoover purchased this business from Mr. L. C.
Barnes, under whose management it had been
carried on many years. The building occupied is
twenty-six by forty-eight feet in dimensions, and is
supplied with all the machinery, tools and work
men requisite for first-class production.
The marble works of I. B. McKenna are located
on the northwest corner of the public square. This
firm erected the present soldiers' monument on
the square, and was established about ten years
ago. Among the manufacturing establishments may be
mentioned the carriage and buggy factories that
daily turn out vehicles of superior finish and work
manship. The business now carried on by Mr.
Hezekiah Groff was originally established by Mr.
William Sanderson, sr., over a quarter of a century
ago, and is noted for its excellent workmanship.
David Sanderson, has a large establishment for the
manufacture of carriages near the depot of the
Cleveland, Mt. Vernon and Columbus railroad.
Mr. George D. Neal has a similar establishment
near the Rowley house. In the fall of 1880 his
works were partially destroyed by fire. They have
been repaired, and Mr. Neal is busily engaged in
stocking his salesroom. Abraham Stokes has been
manufacturing wagons at his establishment on North
Norton street for a number of years.
In addition to the foregoing several smaller es
tablishments are in active operation, and every year

4°4

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

contribute not a little to swell the manufacturing
business of Mt. Vernon, among which may be men
tioned the pump factory of H. K. Cotton. The
"Collins force pump" is meeting with an extensive
sale. There are also several cigar factories, among
them being those of C. F. Brent, a wholesale estab
lishment; T. P. Fredericks, jr., established in the
Kremlin block in 1877, and R. A. Kendrick, west
side of South Main street. These establishments
employ quite a number of workmen.
The Cleveland, Mt. Vernon and Columbus rail--
road, considerably augmented the manufacturing
as well as other business of Mt. Vernon, and at the
present date the entire business of this pleasant
little city is in a healthy condition, and the city
itself seems to be moving forward.
The population, according to the census of 1870,
was four thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
By the census of 1880, the population by wards
was as follows : First ward, one thousand and fifty-
one; Second ward, six hundred and thirty-four;
Third ward, nine hundred and sixty-seven; Fourth
ward, nine hundred and thirteen, and Fifth ward,
one thousand six hundred and eighty-four — total,
five thousand two hundred and forty-nine.
Following is the list of residents of Mt. Vernon
who are eighty years of age or over. The first col
umn is the year in which they were born. Their
ages added make four thousand two hundred and
sixty, and their average age is eighty-three and two
third years :
1799 — Michael Boyle  81
1799 — Samuel Bryant  81
1794 — Anson Buckland  86
1797 — Mrs. Sophia Browning  83
1798 — William Broadhurts  82
1798 — Philo Bixby  82
1785 — Mrs. Sarah Calkins  95
1789— James Crowl  gi
1793 — Mrs. James Crowl  87
1791 — Mrs. William Curtis  :  <6g
1799 — Henry B. Curtis  81
1794 — Matthew Cochran  86
'799 — George Crouse  81
1792 — Thomas Evans  88
1800 — S. G. Freelove  80
1800 — Martin Flynn  80
1800— Margaret Flynn  80
1792 — Mrs. Eliza Graham  88
1798 — Martha Graham  82
i7°S — Isaac Grant  85
1799— Mrs. Isaac Grant  81

1794 — Abel Hart, sr  86
1795 — Isaac Hadley  8c
1800— John Hersh  80
1798 — Diana Hunt  82
1799 — Richard Hookway  81
1796 — Mrs. Nancy Kindrick  84
1798 — Catharine Keigley  82
1797 — John Linn  g~
1798 — Rev. Joseph Muenscher  82
J797 — Mrs. Lydia Mitchell  83
1800 — Mrs. Ann Martin  80
1793 — Nathan Magers  87
1793 — Mrs. Nathan Magers  87
1798 — Mrs. H. M. Mefford  82
1799 — John Miller  ;  81
1800 — Elizabeth Noble  80
1794 — Eliza Phillipps  86
1800 — Elisie Perrin  80
1790 — Mrs. Samuel Rowley  <j0
1795 — E. S. S. Rouse  85
1798 — Mrs. E. S. S. Rouse  82
1788 — Mrs. Mary Roberts  92
1800 — John S. Roberts  80
1794 — John True  86
1800 — Samuel Taylor  80
1799 — Mrs. T. Vantassel:  81
1796 — John S. Wartley  84
1800 — Nahum Williams  80
1800— Stephen Welsh  80

CHAPTER XLIII.
MOUNT VERNON— CONCLUDED.
The City Churches — The Presbyterian — Methodist
Episcopal — Methodist Protestant — First Baptist—
St. Paul Episcopal— St. Vincent DePaul— Congrega
tional — Disciple — Lutheran — United Presbyterian
— African Methodist.
IN THE summer and autumn of 1799 a com
pany, consisting of nine or ten families living
in Green county, Pennsylvania, concluded to form
themselves into a colony for the purpose of emigra
ting to the territory of Ohio, of which Knox
county now forms a part. The patriarch, or the
oldest man of the colony, was William Leonard,
then in his eighty-third or eighty-fourth year. Pre
vious to the time, when on an exploring expedition
looking for land, in company with one or two
others, he met with some men, owners of large
tracts of military lands in this State, who con
ducted him to the place where Mt. Vernon now

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

405

stands, then an unbroken wilderness, and showed
him a tract of eight hundred and forty-seven acres
one mile south of Mt. Vernon, on the Newark
road, which he bought, paying for the same one
dollar and fifty cents per acre. He then returned
to Pennsylvania to make arrangements for removal.
These, for some reason, were not completed until
about 1804, when the following persons started for
their wilderness home: William Leonard and his
oldest son, Amos Leonard; John Mills and family,
Henry Haines and family, Ebenezer Brown and
family, William Knight, Ziba Leonard, sr., and
his son Benjamin, and Peter Baxter.
They arrived here about the first of May, 1804.
and commenced at once to improve the land above
referred to. After the spring crop had been
planted, and the cabins and shanties erected, a few
of the emigrants went back to Pennsylvania to aid
in removing the remainder of the colony. On the
fourteenth day of November of the same year,
they returned, bringing with them the family of
Peter Baxter, Levi Harrod and family, and the
family of William Knight. On the day of their
arrival a daughter of Peter Baxter died, having
been taken sick on the journey. She was the first
white person known to have been buried in the
county. With two or three exceptions the mem
bers of this colony were professors of religion.
Those belonging to the Presbyterian church were
William Leonard, Amos Leonard, Ziba Leonard,
sr., Ebenezer Brown, Rachel Mills, wife of John
Mills ; and Mary Knight, wife of William Knight.
The history of Presbyterianism in this region
probably begins with these settlers, they being the
first of that denomination in the county. Although
the Methodist and Baptist denominations had a few
representatives in the colony, there was no sec
tarian feeling among them. By mutual agreement
they were accustomed from the first to meet to
gether for prayer and conference on the Sabbath
and Thursday evenings at Ziba Leonard's, his home
being the largest and most central. Their weekly
meetings were somewhat peculiar, but very inter
esting. They were attended by the principal part
of the colony. The religious services were followed
by a supper, which was partaken of by all present.
Early in the spring the little colony was re-en
forced by the addition of the families of Abner

Brown, sr., and Abner Brown, jr., from Green
county, Pennsylvania, and of John and Jacob
Cook, from Washington county. They were, how
ever, without a minister of the gospel There was
not one living near enough to afford them even
occasional preaching. This, of course, detracted
much from their spiritual comfort, as well as sub
jected them sometimes to great inconvenience, as
is evident from the following incident: During
the summer (probably 1805) two young men,
Daniel Dimick and Amoriah Watson, millwrights by
trade, came into the neighborhood, and entered
into a contract with William Douglass, who had
some time previous to this joined the colony, to
build him a mill. They were here but a short
time until they succeeded in forming a contract of
a more tender and serious nature — that of mar
riage — with two daughters of Ziba Leonard. The
day for the solemnization of the marriage was
fixed, and every preparation made, when on the
evening before the day of the nuptials, it was dis
covered that there was no one who was properly
authorized to solemnize marriages nearer than the
town of New Lancaster, fifty miles distant, and
reached only by a bridle path through the forest.
The wedding of course could not be deferred.
The proper official must be had, even if he should
come from New Lancaster. Accordingly two men,
Peter Baxter and Henry Haines, set out that very
evening for that place. After riding all that night
and all the next day, they returned about midnight
of the second day with the necessary papers, a
justice of the peace and his constable, and imme
diately upon their arrival the marriage ceremony
was performed in the presence of the waiting as
sembly, which consisted of nearly all the settlers,
together with a number of Indians.
In the spring of 1805, the patriarch of the col
ony, William Leonard, who had been its religious
leader, died, in his eighty-seventh or eighty-eighth
year. He was a good man, and his loss was deeply
felt. He was buried on his own land under the
shade of a wide-spreading beech.
His son, Amos Leonard, by common consent,
became the leading person in the ecclesiastical
affairs of the settlement. He was a very worthy,
consistent man, and was for many years of great
spiritual service to the people.

406

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

The following spring and summer brought a large
accession of emigrants from Green and Washing
ton counties, Pennsylvania, among whom were
other families of the Harrods and Browns, together
with those of the Hunts, Dotys, and Boyles, set
tling mostly south of the Leonards, thereby extend
ing the boundary of the colony to what was known
as the Bell settlement. These families, together
with that of James Loveridge, who settled north of
Mt. Vernon, constituted the additions to the Pres
byterian element of the settlement during that year.
The home of Jonathan Hunt, being more central,
was chosen as the place for meeting on the Sab
bath instead of Ziba Leonard's.
About 1806 Rev. James Scott visited the new
settlement and preached in the house of Ziba Leon
ard, sr., the first Presbyterian sermon preached in
the county. In 1806 Mr. Scott preached a few
sermons in Newark, and it was probably about that
time that he visited this place.
The town of Clinton had been laid out, and
some improvements made in it. Mt. Vernon
was laid out in 1805. Additions of families,
principally from Pennsylvania, were 'frequently
made. Among them were the Presbyterian fami
lies of James Colville and Robert Work.
In the summer of 1806 or 1807, the members
of the settlement concluded that the time had
come for erecting a house of worship. Selecting
a place for it on the road south of Hunt's, Amos
Leonard cut the logs and the neighbors hauled and
raised them. The logs of which the church build
ing was made were unhewn, the roof was of clap
boards, and the floor was the bare earth. Round
logs laid on the ground constituted the seats. Two
small poles of the proper height set in the ground,
with a board pinned on the top of them, formed
the pulpit, and a board laid on two pins driven in
to a log immediately behind the pulpit, made the
seat for the minister. Thus rudely constructed
and incomplete, was the house dedicated to the
worship of God, probably the first house of wor
ship in the county. The dedication service was
undoubtedly performed by Father Scott. A part,
perhaps the most, of those who worshipped in that
house in the summer of 1808, were organized into
a church by the Rev. John Wright, of Lancaster.
It was first called "Ebenezer," that being the

given-name of the oldest man in the organization.
Prior to 1808 a church had been organized at
Clinton. Among its members were James Love
ridge and wife, James Colville, wife, and two
sisters, Robert Work and wife, Mrs. Park, wife of
James Park, Josiah Day, Edward Marquis and-
wife, and Isabel Bonar, wife of Barnet Bonar.
April 5, 1809, the three churches in the county,
Ebenezer, Clinton, and Frederick, had together
only twenty-eight members.
When it became apparent to the members that
the old building at Clinton (erected about 18 14)
must be abandoned, and a new house for the use
of the congregation put up, arrangements were
made for locating the church in Mt. Vernon, but
the construction of the building was not deter
mined upon until 182 1. The congregation in the
meantime worshipped in the old court house, which
was used in common by all denominations. The
place where the church now stands was chosen as
the site for the house. Land being cheap, and a
good deal of ground being needed for hitching-
places, and also for a burial place, the entire
square, with the exception of the two lots where
the Third ward school-house stands, was procured.
Some time during the year 1821 a house of wor
ship was commenced. The church being small,
not numbering over fifty members, and money be
ing scarce, it was no small undertaking. The
greater part of the building fund was raised by sell
ing seats from a plat of the interior of the church
previous to its erection. From the sale of fifty-
three seats two thousand three hundred and one
dollars were realized. The highest paid for a seat
was forty dollars, the lowest ten dollars. The seats
were the property of the purchaser absolutely.
From subscriptions one hundred and thirty-six dol
lars were realized, making in all two thousand four
hundred and thirty-seven dollars. March 15, 1824J
the building was finished, and all accounts there
on paid. It was found that the cost was two
thousand four hundred and thirty-seven dollars,
just the amount previously secured. The building
was of brick made by Stephen D. Minton. The
structure was fifty by forty-five, and stood with its
gables east and west. In each end were large
double doors, which opened into. an aisle seven
feet in width, extending the whole length of the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

407

building. On the south side were two single doors,
each of which opened into an aisle four feet in
width which terminated in the main aisle just de
scribed. In the central portion of the building at
suitable distances apart were four posts to sustain
the roof, such a thing as a self-supporting roof
being then unknown. The pulpit was on the
north side, and according to the prevailing style of
church architecture, was five feet from the floor, and
was reached by six steps._ The height of the build
ing was fourteen feet. Immediately in front of the
pulpit was the singers' stand. This was two feet
and a half from the floor, and was reached by three
steps. There the leader of the singing, or what
was then called the clerk, sat. The stand was fur
nished with what in those days was regarded as in
dispensable — a sounding board. The pulpit, the
singers' stand, and the sounding board were painted
blue. The rest of the house was without paint of
any kind. September 13, 1827, the name of the
congregation was changed from Clinton to that of
Mt. Vernon.
Mr. Scott continued to minister to three churches,
living here, and preaching every third sabbath in
each place. On the fifteenth of April, 1840, he
resigned his charge of the Mt. Vernon church.
After this he continued to preach in the surround
ing country, and in vacant places till within two
weeks of his death, which occurred September,
185 1, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. Mr.
Scott was born east of the mountains, probably in
Chester county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1773.
He was of Scottish descent. His parents removed
to Washington county, Pennsylvania. He gradua
ted at Cannonsburgh in the early history of that
college, and first preached in this country sometime
during the summer of 1806, beginning his regular
labors here probably in 1807. Being at that time
unmarried, he boarded with James Loveridge. Mr.
Loveridge's house being a small cabin, the only
place which he could afford him for a study was
the loft reached by a ladder. It was without a
window. Its only means of lighting in the day
time was a knot hole in one end.
About the year 184 1-2, the old brick church
was torn down, and a new one erected. It was
built of wood, was eighty feet long, forty-five feet
wide, and twenty-one feet from the floor to the

ceiling. From May, 1841 to April, 1844, the
church was under the charge of the Rev. Chauncey
Leavenworth. In July, 1844, the Rev. P. R. Van-
atta commenced his labors with the church. In
the fall of 1849, the Rev. William Hamilton was
engaged to supply the church which he did until
the following spring, when he accepted a call from
the Fifth Presbyterian church, Cincinnati. In June,
1850, the Rev. Louis L. Conrad commenced preach
ing here with a view to settlement, but in Septem
ber following he declined the call and returned to
Pennsylvania. The Rev. R C. Colmerry became
pastor of the church in 185 1, and continued to the
fifth of August, 1856. The Rev. J. N. Shannon
occupied the pulpit a short time, but ill health com
pelled him to decline the call to become their reg
ular pastor. After Mr. Shannon, came the Rev. M.
A. Sackett. He had occupied the pulpit but a few
Sabbaths when the church edifice was destroyed by
fire. The members were somewhat depressed at
this loss, but not cast down. Before the ashes were
scarcely done smouldering they held a meeting in
which a large amount was subscribed and the work
initiated. A new brick house of worship was put
under contract and urged to completion, which is
yet standing. It was erected on the site of its two
predecessors. The house and its furtiture cost
about eight thousand dollars. Soon after the dedi
cation of the new church, which took place on the
fifteenth of April, i860, a regular call was given to
Mr. Sackett, which he declined. The Rev. D.
B. Hervey was ordained and installed pastor Janu
ary 16, 1862. Since Mr. Hervey retired Revs. O.
H. Newton and A. K. Bates have officiated. At
present (March 1 881) the church is without a pastor.
A good Sunday-school has been connected with
the church since its organization.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Methodism was first introduced into Ohio be
tween 1788 and 1792, in the vicinity of Cincinnati,
and in Jeffeison county, opposite Wellsburgh, West
Virginia. Francis McCormick crossed the Ohio
river from Kentucky, and located at Mellville,
Clermont county, Ohio, between 1792 and 1796,
and probably organized the first Methodist society
in the Northwest Territory. William McKendree,
afterwards bishop, was sent to the west in 1801 to

408

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

take supervision of the societies in Ohio, Kentucky,
Tennessee, Western Virginia, and part of Illinois.
He was ragarded as the father of western Metho
dism. Methodism was introduced into Mt. Vernon in
1812 by Enoch Ellis, who preached at times in the
court house and in the log cabins. The first Meth
odist Episcopal church (a frame one) was built in
1831, on the hill where the high school building
now stands. It is to be regretted that the larger
part of the history of the Methodist Episcopal
church in Mt. Vernon (between 181 2 and 1831) is
involved in obscurity, and that those immediately
interested in it have failed to keep a record, espe
cially one that would throw light on its early his
tory. The history of no other church in the city
would, perhaps, be so full of interest as this ; yet,
while the history of others is comparatively com
plete, no official record has been kept, or, if kept,
has either been lost or neglected; and all the his
tory that can be collected at this late day must be
obtained from old citizens, whose memory, on this
point, is somewhat indistinct and vague. This sta
tion is under the care of the North Ohio confer
ence. About 1850, the old Mulberry church edifice
becoming too small to accommodate the large con
gregation who worshipped therein, the members
agreed to form two charges, to be known as the east
and west charges. Some time previous, the late
Anthony Banning had left the Methodist Episcopal
church and cast his lot with the Protestant Metho
dist church, and had, with pecuniary aid, obtained
from the members of the last named church, erected
what in after times became known as the "Banning
chapel." Desiring to return to his first love, Mr.
Banning deeded his chapel to the Methodist Epis
copal church. The chapel thereafter became the
western charge and was for some years under the
pastoral care of different itinerants, the first of
whom was Rev. James Wilson. In 1852 the old
chapel was torn down, and on its site the present
building was erected, now known as the Lutheran
church. The members who attached themselves to
the eastern charge purchased the lot on the south
east corner of Gay and Chestnut streets, and in
1852 built the present church edifice. This charge
was under the pastoral care of the Rev. Joseph
Kennedy, and under his superintendency the build

ing was erected. In 1865 the two charges were
united, and the "Banning Chapel" property was
sold to the members of the Lutheran church, who
still own it.
Of the early members and preachers but a few
only can be recalled. Of the early members, James
Smith, Benjamin Brown, and Anthony Banning are
named. Smith and Banning both were preachers
for many years. James Smith afterwards attached
himself to what was called in those days "New
Lights," many of whom in after times became
known as "Disciples." Joseph Carper preached
here in 1818, and John Crawford in 1824. Abner
Goff and Henry C. Pilcher rode the Mt. Vernon
circuit in 1829. Revs. Hickman, McMahan, John
W. Powers, French, Quigley, Breckenridge, Samuel
Mower, Thomas Wilson, Hildreth, Nicholson,
Sheppard, G. W. Bush, and others, ministered to
the people at different dates, the precise years can
not be ascertained. The Rev. Bush was the first
pastor after the two charges were united. The
Rev. Samuel Lynch was presiding elder for several
years. Rev. P. B. Stroup was pastor in charge
during 1879 and part of 1880. Rev. E. Persons is
the present pastor, and Rev. Stroup presiding elder.
Although the church now numbers over three hun
dred members none can date their- membership
back beyond 1830, or if any, their names cannot be
recalled. William Sanderson, sr., and William
Mitchell, united with the church in 1831, and Abel
Hart, sr., in 1835.
The first Sabbath-school was started in 1831 by
William Burgess, George Cables, and William San
derson, sr., under whose care it continued many
years. It numbers now over one hundred and
fifty scholars.
The church owns a parsonage on West Chestnut
street, and the Gay street church, both valued at
about fifteen thousand dollars.
METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH,
Mulberry street, was constituted by the union of
the Wesleyan Methodist church that had been or
ganized in 186 1, and had erected a church edifice
on north Mulberry street in 1852, and a Methodist
Protestant church organized about the year 1832,
which had erected a house on South Mechanic
street, between High and Vine streets, about 1838.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

409

Later a neat but small parsonage had been erected
near the church.
During the early part of 1865, the Wesleyan
Methodist church and the Methodist Protestant
church of the northern part of the United States
were agitating the subject of a union of the two
bodies. In view of this it was thought, on the part
of leading members of both churches in Mt.
Vernon, to present an opportunity for a union.
After consultations and preliminary meetings to
consider the subject, February 14, 1865, at a meet
ing held in the Wesleyan Methodist church, Rev.
L. R. Roice was made chairman and Rev. John
Lamb recorder. A committee previously appointed
made the following report :
Articles of agreement for the union and government of the
Methodist Protestant and Wesleyan Methodist churches in the
town of Mt. Vernon: preamble.
Whereas, God in the openings of his Providence has given
us an opportunity of uniting the two churches in one, as we be
lieve for the furtherance of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and for the salvation of souls, it is our duty to improve the
present opportunity, and we hereby agree to unite and form one
church, to be known at present as the Union Methodist Church
in Mt. Vernon, and to be governed by the following rules until
such time as the contemplated convention shall give a name to
the churches so uniting :
First, We retain all means of grace held and practiced in
both churches, such as class, prayer, and conference meetings,
baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Second, That all officers of the church, such as leaders, stew
ards and trustees, shall be elected by a vote of the majority of
members of the church present at any meeting called for such
purpose. Third, All the members are eligible to vote on all matters
pertaining to the church, and all matters concerning the church
shall be decided by a majority vote.
Fourth, The primary principles being the same in both
churches, to wit : the admission, trial and expulsion of mem
bers, the same are therefore adopted.
Fifth, It is recommended that the trustees of both churches
dispose of the present church properties, as soon as possible to
the best advantage, with a view to purchasing a new location
and erecting a new meeting-house.
The above report was submitted by a committee
composed of John Lamb, D. L. Travis, William
Tathwell and Matthew Thompson. After due con
sideration it was by vote unanimously adopted.
Fifty-four names were enrolled, and the organization
completed. The services of the Rev. J. H. Ham
ilton, then living in Fredericktown, were secured as
pastor. It was resolved to hold a meeting for the

transaction of business each month, and that com
munion services be held monthly.
The first meeting under this arrangement was
held March 25, 1865, when ninety-four additional
names were added to the list of membership, mak
ing in all at that date a membership of one hundred
and fifty-four. At this time the following officers
were elected: S. H. Jackson, leader; Rollin Beach,
treasurer: John Moore and D. W. Wilson, stew
ards; Matthew Thompson, D. L. Travis, R. Beach,
S. H. Jackson and John Lamb, trustees. With
the church thus organized, it was prepared to go
forward in all the work of church organization.
At an early period the sale of the Methodist
Protestant church and parsonage was affected
through the agency of Dr. Matthew Thompson,
one of the trustees, and a lot purchased from Gen
eral G. A. Jones, and one from W. B. Brown, both
located on the corner of Mulberry and Sugar
streets. It was the design to erect a church house
and parsonage on these lots, but in the meantime
the Congregational church adjoining was offered
for sale; and after some time spent in negotiations
the church was purchased for two thousand one
hundred dollars, a deed given and reported to the
church, October 26, 1867. This church was taken
possession of October ist, same year. The Wes
leyan Methodist church was sold to Christian
Keller for eight hundred dollars, August 5, 1867.
In the month of May, 1866, a convention of
Non-Episcopal Methodists was held in the city of
Cincinnati, at which a basis of union was estab
lished and a discipline adopted. This church was
represented in this convention by Matthew Thomp
son, as delegate, and in view of this the following
paper was proposed and adopted in the month of
August following:
Whereas, The Wesleyan Methodists, Methodist Protest
ants ofthe North, and Independent Methodists, at a convention
held in Cincinnati in May last, for the purpose of forming a
union of all Non-Episcopal Methodists, adopted a constitution
and suggested a discipline; and as this church was represented
in the convention by a delegate; therefore,
Resolved, That this congregation adopt the constitution and
discipline of said convention, and that hereafter we be known
as "The Methodist Church of Mt. Vernon-"
In this way association was formed with the
Methodist church and the Muskingum conference.
In May, -1877, a convention was held in the city

4io

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

of Baltimore, at which a union was effected be
tween the Methodist and the Methodist Protestant
churches south, in which the last name was taken
by the whole body, so that this church is now known
as "The Methodist Protestant Church of Mt. Ver
non." Since its organization in 1865, it had for pastor,
J. H. Hamilton, six years; H. B. Knight, two
years; D. Trueman, one year; W. Hastings, one
year; J. A. Thrap, three years; E. H. Scott, one
year; and J. H. Gray, who is now serving his sec
ond year.
Under the labors of the first pastor the number
of members was increased to three hundred, and
the number in attendance at the Sabbath-school
was over three hundred. The church in which
they worship, and two valuable lots adjoining, were
owned free from debt. These lots were afterwards
sold for two thousand two hundred dollars, and the
amount used in building a parsonage and improv
ing the church edifice. During the winter of
1867-8 a series of meetings was held from De
cember ist until March ist, and one hundred and
fifty-five were received into the church. On the
first of April, 1868, the pastor, J. H. Hamilton,
baptized fifty-four persons, twenty-three by sprink
ling in the church, and thirty-one by immersion in
the race near Norton's mill.
The Muskingum annual conference has held two
sessions in the church, and in both cases the mem
bers acknowledged that they were hospitably enter
tained by the church and people who kindly as
sisted. Many persons who have been members of this
church, lost their connection with it by removal,
united with other churches, and some proved un
worthy of membership, and their names have been
dropped from the list. Sixty have died. George
Cassil, the first on the list of members, died soon
after the organization. He was followed by Gar
ret Brown and Dr. Matthew Thompson. The last
named was suddenly killed by being thrown from
his sulky seat, and his feet, becoming fastened in
the gearing, the horse ran away, dashing his head
against whatever came in the way, so that when the
horse's speed was checked and the doctor released,
he was unconscious, and survived but a few mo
ments. This sad accident occurred on the Woos

ter road, some miles. from Mt. Vernon, June 19,
1867. The whole community was shocked on re
ceiving the news of this sad occurrence. All
knew him; all held him in high regard, for the no
ble spirit and generous impulses shown in his life.
His funeral was attended by people from all parts
of the country. The number was so great as- to
largely fill Main street in front of his residence,
from the public square to Sugar street. His pas
tor, J. H. Hamilton, addressed the people from a
position in front of his residence, and it seemed as
though the whole multitude were in tears. Many
followed his remains to their last resting place, but
among them all, excepting his own family and im
mediate relations, none felt his loss more keenly,
or shed more honest tears over his death than the
pastor and members of the church with which he
was connected.
Resolutions of regret in view of his death, and
of tenderest sympathy for his family, were passed
and entered upon the journals of the church.
The church now numbers one hundred and
sixty-five members, is steadily moving forward, and
is laboring to bless and elevate the people.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
In Howe's Ohio Collections occurs the follow
ing: The first licensed preacher in the county was Willtam' Thrift,
a Baptist. He was from Loudoun county, Virginia, came in
1807, and travelled on foot preaching in the cabins of the set
tlers. The above is probably incorrect, as Rev. James
Scott is believed to have been in the county as
early as 1806, or earlier.
The First Baptist church was organized under
the name of the First Baptist church of Mt. Ver
non, December 15, 1835. Of the thirteen mem
bers who signed the original compact, only five are
now living. Henry Cosner was the first pastor.
The first service was held in the Methodist Epis
copal church on Mulberry street, on the site of the
present union school building; then in a select
school building on Vine street, the present home
of Joseph Jacobs. The church after this migrated
from place to place for a period of one or two
years, when a location was effected in a ward
school-house, now the home of the worthy sexton
of the church, Mr. John Hancock.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

411

The church worshipped in that little twelve by
sixteen room until the erection of the church build
ing now used by the church, on Vine street, ad
joining the home of the sexton.
The first parcel of land, eleven feet from the east
halves of lot two hundred and twenty-three and
two hundred and twenty-four, was purchased by
the church from Truman Ward and wife, May 8,
1841. The second parcel, sixty-four feet by forty-
four feet, was purchased from Judge Eli Miller, in
July, 1 841. The balance of these lots, including
the sexton's house, was purchased from Judge Mil
ler, April 1, 185 1.
The present church building was built in 1841.
The membership numbered sixty at that time. It
was built by voluntary subscription. The original
paper contains eighteen names, and eight hundred
and eighteen dollars were subscribed; of this amount
four hundred and ninety-seven dollars were in cash,
and the balance, three hundred and twenty-one
dollars', in building materials, dry goods, etc.
From a book in which an account seems to have
been kept, the whole amount subscribed for the
building of this house appears to have been one
thousand seven hundred and nineteen dollars and
twenty-five cents; from which one thousand three
hundred and seventeen dollars and twenty-two
cents were realized.
The church prospered, and in sixteen years three
hundred and sixty-six members had been added by
letter and baptism, and the membership had in
creased from thirteen to two hundred and thirty-
nine. Since its organization fifteen ministers have
been called to the pastoral charge, viz :
1835, Henry Cosner, three years; 1838, James
Seymour, six months; 1839, Elder Beckwith, one
year; 1840, Ezra Going, six months; 1840, Elder
Smedmear, two years; 1843, David E. Thomas,
two years and three months; 1845, E- T- Brown,
five years; 1850, J. B. Sackett, four years; 1854,
George Leonard, three years; 1856, L. Raymond,
six months; 1856, J. L. Richmond, four years;
i860, no pastor — four years — occasionally supplied
by J. B. Sackett; 1864, J. W. Icenbarger, six years;
1870, A. J. Wiant, five years; 1875, F. M. lams,
three years and six months; 1879, F. C. Wright,
who is the present pastor.
Three hundred and eighty-eight members have

been added to the church within forty-five years,
an average of eighteen per annum. The largest
number reported one year (1849) was two hundred
and eighty-eight.
In 1848 the house was enlarged by an addition
of sixteen feet to its north end.
While this temple has maintained an uniform
exterior (a weather-beaten and moss-covered ap
pearance), its interior has undergone numerous
transformations. Conspicuous for its shape, height
and size, was a huge wooden structure called the
Pulpit, which concealed the minister, except his
head and face, while in a standing position, and
completely hid him from view when he sat down.
Through the influence of Mr. Icenbarger, the
present neat and ornamental pulpit was substi
tuted. The place known as the gallery for the choir,
and the heating arrangements have both under
gone a change.
November 25, 1872, a subscription was started
for money to purchase a new building lot. A
committee was appointed to select and purchase
a lot, consisting of Messrs. Ward, Young and
Sperry. A piece of land opposite the court house,
fronting on High street, was purchased from
Messrs. Curtis & Israel for three thousand five
hundred dollars. • The money was to be paid in
four annual payments. The sum subscribed was
two thousand nine hundred and eighteen dollars;
and the Ladies' Sewing society donated nine hun
dred and thirty-five dollars and fifty cents. Had
all the money subscribed been promptly paid a
fine surplus would have remained, but the failure
to pay seven hundred and five dollars, and the in
terest on notes for back payments, while none ac
crued on the subscriptions, soon turned the bal
ance against the church, so that in order to meet
a standing obligation, the committee was com
pelled to sacrifice a portion of the lot. On the
first of April, 1877, twenty-seven feet off the east
side was sold to Messrs. Mclntire & Kirk for
seven hundred and fifty dollars.
It was designed, at the time the lot was pur
chased, to raise money and build a house, but the
financial storm of 1873 so changed business affairs
that it was impossible to raise the -necessary amount
for building. With symptoms of health and perma-

412

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

nent reaction the question of building a new
house began to be agitated. After a protracted
effort the form of subscription for this purpose was
agreed upon October i, 1879. The conditions of
the subscriptions are: That the sum of eight
thousand dollars shall be subscribed by the mem
bers of the church, in valid subscriptions, in six
months from date, otherwise to be null and void.
This, with money derived from all other sources,
is to be appropriated to the erection and comple
tion of such a building as the building committee,
trustees and church my agree upon. Under no
circumstances is the church to be involved in debt.
Subscriptions are payable in four eqnal install
ments, one-quarter April, 1880; one-quarter Oc
tober, 1880; one-quarter April, 1881, and one-quar
ter October, 1881.
Messrs. Bedell and Larimore, and Mrs. Ward
and Mrs. Thompson were appointed a committee
to secure subscriptions. The members have re
sponded liberally and voluntarily. The work
seemed to lag at one time, but the volunteer ad
dition of two ladies to the committee, Miss Annie
Barr and Miss Annie Briggs, gave the cause a new
impetus. One hundred and fifteen names are ap
pended to the subscription paper, with an aggre
gate amount subscribed of seven thousand three
hundred and seventy-nine dollars. The founda
tion of the church building has been laid, and the
work will soon be pushed to completion.
st. Paul's protestant episcopal church.
This parish is now entering upon its second half
of the first century of its existence. Many of the
early fathers of the church are still living. When
this parish was first founded, Mt. Vernon was a
village of some fifteen hundred inhabitants. The
centre of population was the public square. There
were already in the town three church organiza
tions, the Presbyterian, the Methodist, and the
Baptist. Before the parish was founded, Bishop Chase
had, June 21, 1825, visited Mt. Vernon, and
preached and baptized one child. In August of
the same year he commenced preaching in the old
court house, standing on the public square. Pre
vious to this, missionary services were held here by
Revs. Intrepid Morse, Samuel Johnston, and others.

With the year 1829, the life of the parish as a dis
tinct church began. In the month of May of that
year, a meeting was held at the law office of Ben
jamin S. Brown to consider the question of estab
lishing in Mt. Vernon a church in communion with
the Protestant Episcopal church. On the tenth
day of June, of that year, an adjourned meeting
was held in the same office, at which an organiza
tion was effected. The following resolutions were
adopted : That
It is expedient for the friends of the Protestant Episcopal
church in this place to organize themselves into a society and
become a body corporate. That
We, inhabitants of Mt. Vernon and vicinity, assembled
under the provision of an act of the legislature of the State of
Ohio, passed February 5, 1819, for the purpose of incorporating
religious societies and regulr.ting the same, do agree to and
hereby do associate ourselves as a society by the name and title
of Union church, to make provision for the due celebration and
proper performance of divine worship according to the rules and
usages of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States,
and to transact all kinds of secular and conventional business
pertaining to the parish as we are authorized to transact accord
ing to the above mentioned act, and the constitution and canons
of said church as adopted by the diocese of Ohio; also that of
the general convention of said Protestant Episcopal church in
the United States.
We, the undersigned, hereby acknowledge and declare our
selves friends of said Episcopal church, and our desire to sup
port it ; and do unite ourselves as a society or congregation by
the name above written, and for the purpose aforesaid.
To the above paper the following names were
signed: C. P. Bronson, Samuel Mott, Hosmer Curtis, J. N. Burr,
Benjamin S. Brown, James S. Banning, John Clements, John
Clements, jr., Samuel Sparrow, John W. Russell, Ebenezer
Ailing, John Sherman, and H. B. Curtis.
After the name was changed from Union to St.
Paul's church, the following additional names were
added :
Columbus Delano, David Potwin, H. S. Miller, J. Weaver,
M. W. Stamp, J. W. Davis, M. Abernethy, Richard Phillips,
W. L. King, Walter Turner, Samuel J. Updegraff, Warner
Terry, Truman Ward, T. W. Rogers, C. P. Buckingham,
George Browning, M. White, G. B. White, M. H. Mitchell,
and others.
The church existed under the name of the
Union church down to August 17, 1831, when it
was changed to St. Paul's church.
The first parish meeting was held September 7,
1829. At this meeting the following officers were
elected: John Clements, warden ; Samuel Sparrow,
Daniel S. Norton, Jesse B. Thomas, Henry B.
Curtis, vestrymen. • John Clements was elected a

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

4i3

delegate to the Diocesan convention, to be held at
Gambier on the ninth of September following. To
the record of this meeting the name of C. P. Bron
son is signed as rector. The Rev. Mr. Bronson did
preach for the congregation for some time, but
probably never officiated as the regular pastor of
the parish.
The first recorded movement in the direction of
a church building was made at a meeting of the
parish, February 2, 1830. The meeting adopted a
resolution "declaring it expedient to proceed to the
erection of a building for the accommodation of
the congregation as a place of worship."
Prior to the erection of a church edifice the con
gregation worshipped in the old Presbyterian church,
the old court house, and then in a small frame
school-house that stood on Vine street, near the
present Baptist church. At the meeting men
tioned above, the proper committee was appointed
to carry into effect the wishes of the meeting. The
committee consisted of Rev. C. P. Bronson, H. B.
Curtis and B. S. Brown. The lot upon which the
church now stands, was purchased of Isaac Newell,
for two hundred dollars.
The first annual meeting, subsequent to the
act of incorporation was held Monday, April 12,
1830, at which meeting the following officers were
elected: John Clements, senior warden; Ebene
zer Ailing, junior warden; Samuel Mott, Hosmer
Curtis, Jesse B. Thomas, John W. Russell, John
Sherman, James S. Banning, Henry B. Curtis, ves
trymen; J. N. Burr, treasurer; B. S. Brown, clerk;
John Clements and Ebenezer Ailing, delegates to
Diocesan convention.
With such energy did the building commit
tee work, that on the sixth of May following the
corner stone of the first Episcopal church build
ing was laid. This interesting ceremony was per
formed by Bishop Chase, who on the same day
united in marriage Dr. Jonathan N. Burr and Miss
Eliza Ann Thomas, the first marriage recorded in
the parish history.
The church was opened for the sale of pews on
the twelfth day of September, 1831. During this
year Mrs. James S. Banning, Mrs. Jesse B. Thomas,
and Mrs. H. B. Curtis were appointed a committee
to obtain money with which to purchase a bell and
an organ. The organ was not purchased, but the

bell was obtained, and for nearly fifty years it hung
in the tower.
The name of the Rev. Mr. Bronson is not men
tioned in the parish record after the month of
March, 1830. August 17, 1831, the Rev. William
Sparrow, a professor in Kenyon college, was re
quested to take the rectorship of the parish. He
was instituted into the duties of his office by Bishop
Chase, and held the rectorship for two years and
six months, performing the duties of his office with
out compensation. Bishop Mcllvaine consecrated
the first church building on the second Sunday in
September, 1833.
Rev. Mr. Sparrow resigned the parish in Febru
ary, 1834, and was succeeded by the Rev. Anson
B. Hurd.
At a vestry meeting, June 23, 1834, the use of
the church was granted to the Methodist Protestant
congregation, with the exception of its use after
candle lighting.
In 1836 the church, finished in 1832, was de
clared to be unsafe; that it was actually going to
pieces; and Columbus Delano, George Browning
and T. W. Rogers were appointed to take into con
sideration the ways and means of building a new
one. After considerable delay it was decided by
the congregation to take down the old church and
place the new building upon the same site, but
changing its front to High street instead of Gay, as
it before stood. May 30, 1836, the sum of four
thousand dollars having been subscribed for build
ing a new church, a plan presented by Mr. C. P.
Buckingham was adopted, and the building began.
In the latter part of 1837, the new church was so
far completed as to enable the congregation to wor
ship in the basement. The building was finished
and ready for consecration in the spring of 1839,
which service was performed by Bishop Mcll
vaine, July 21, 1839. The new church, when com
pletely finished and furnished, cost the congregation
twelve thousand dollars.
The Rev. Mr. Hurd resigned the rectorship July
23, 1839, leaving a membership of ninety-seven at
the close of his ministry.
Benjamin S. Brown, an influential member died
in 1830. The Rev. William Halsey succeeded Mr.
Hurd, but resigned May 12, 1841. At a meeting
of the vestry held June 5, 184 1, a call was extended

414

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

to the Rev. Joseph Muenscher, then a professor in
the theological seminary at Gambier, and accepted,
and on the fourth day of July, same year, he en
tered upon the public duties of the parish. During
the year 1842, mainly through tne efforts of Dr.
Muenscher, an organ, costing six hundred dollars,
was placed in the church, and continued in use for
twenty-four years. During the year 1853 a schism
occurred in the church. Several members with
drew and formed themselves into a new organiza
tion under the name of Christ church. Subse
quently the schism was healed and the recusants
received back into the fold.
Rev. Dr. Muenscher resigned his charge of the
parish February 13, 1855. During the rectorship
of Dr. Muenscher the parish suffered a severe loss
by the death of some of its most prominent mem
bers, among whom were John Sherman, 1841;
John Ridgely, M. D., 1843; Mrs- Mai7 R Buck
ingham, 1844; Timothy W. Rogers, 1845; Re
becca Thomas, 1851, whose name stands first on
the communion list of the parish; Marcus W.
Stamp, M. D., 1852, of whom the record says "a
communicant of the church of great moral worth;"
Hon. Jesse B. Thomas, 1853, one of the active
members of the parish, who "was at a former pe
riod of his life distinguished as a judge, and as a
member of the United States Senate."
After the resignation of Dr. Muenscher, the
Rev. J. Rice Taylor was called to the parish, and
continued in charge up to August 30, 1859, when
he was succeeded by the Rev. J. H. Bonte. It was
during Mr. Taylor's ministry that such an impetus
was given to the Sunday-school work of the parish
by the active and earnest cooperation of the lay
men of the church. This work became more and
more prosperous until St. Paul's Sunday-school un
der its superintendent, Columbus Delano, stood in
the front rank of those west of the mountains.
August 29, 1859, a proposition was received
from Columbus Delano, offering to present to the
parish tbe present rectory, providing the debt due
James E. Woodbridge, being the balance due on
the new church, was provided for. Henry B. Cur
tis also proposed to deed the parish twenty-five
feet of ground adjoining the land mentioned by
Mr. Delano, and Mr. M. L. King proposed to
deed fifteen feet of ground upon the same condi

tion. James E. Woodbridge offered to relinquish
all claims against the church, now amounting to
one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven dol
lars and ninety-two cents, provided the sum of one
thousand dollars should be secured to him payable
in three installments, in six, twelve, and eighteen
months, with interest and the privilege granted
him to bid thirty dollars on a pew at the annual
meeting without charge for the same. These pro
positions were accepted, and December 17, 1859,
the sum required was paid, and a release of all
claims obtained from Mr. Woodbridge.
The Rev. Mr. Bonte having been appointed
chaplain of the Forty-third regiment Ohio volun
teer infantry, resigned the rectorship January 26,
1862. During this year James Huntsberry died,
the church lost "a consistent and devoted mem
ber," and the city "an exemplary and upright
citizen." August, 1862, the Rev. George B. Reece
accepted a call to the parish. On the death of
Milo Abernethy, an early and attached member of
the church, he left in his will a legacy of five hun
dred dollars for its use. This money was used in
enlarging and improving the rectory. Mr. Reece
resigned October 23, 1865. Although without a
rector, the year 1866 witnessed some great changes.
The organ -was taken down, and a melodeon sub1
stituted. The four stoves were taken down and out,
and a heating apparatus placed in the basement.
January, 1867, Rev. Robert B. Peet became the
rector of the parish. During that year the melo
deon lost favor and was replaced by a new organ
costing eighteen hundred dollars. In 1868 the
stained glass windows were added at a cost of over
six hundred dollars. Mr. Peet resigned the rector
ship February 20, 1871. In this year Eliza Rus
sell died. From the earliest history of the parish
she had been an active and consistent member of
it. She possessed a broad and Christian spirit, de
lighted in goodness, and zealous in all good works.
The present rector, the Rev. William Thompson,
entered upon the discharge of his duties in 1872.
From that time to the present the parish has stead
ily advanced in numbers and in strength.
February 12, 1874, death removed from their
midst Judge Rollin C. Hurd. The vestery, as an
expression of respect for his memory, passed the
following resolution :

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

4i5

That we shall cherish the memory of his pure, upright and
useful life, his consistent and beautiful Christian character, his
cheerful readiness to respond with liberal hand to every worthy
cause of benevolence and charity, his genuine and large-hearted
sympathy with those in trouble and affliction, and1 his uniform
kindness and charity toward all with whom he came in contact.
Mrs. Sarah B. Norton died the same year. She
was one of the oldest members of the church, and
one of the active members in every active work.
During the year 1878 the parish sustained another
great loss in the death of Elizabeth Curtis. "She
became a communicant in 1834, and through a
period of forty-four years, her membership in the
church, her attachment to its services, her interest
in its welfare, her cooperation in the work remained
unimpaired and unbroken." The window in the
south side of the church building, placed there as
a memorial by her children, in its beauty fitly rep
resents her life, and in the motto, "Gentleness,"
truely sets forth her character. The beautiful sil
ver communion set used by the church was one of
her benefactions. The beautiful font was the gift
of Mrs. R. C. Hurd.
In April, 1875, a movement to repair the church
building was referred to a committee, who reported
what repairs were needed and estimated their cost
at three thousand dollars. The necessary sum was
raised, and the work of repairing began in May,
1875. The repairs, 'or rather additions, were a
chancel, a vestment and vestry room, placing the
organ and choir under the eye of the congregation,
painting the church inside, etc. As usual, the
committee brought the church in debt some thir
teen or fourteen hundred dollars.
The beginning of the year 1879 found the church
with a debt of one thousand three hundred and
sixty dollars. Miss Emma P. Bridge, to express her
love for the church, offered to cancel the entire
debt upon the condition that the vestry should
paint the exterior of the church and build a sub
stantial fence around the churchyard. These im
provements have been made, and to-day the parish
is free from debt.
Hardly had these improvements been begun be
fore Columbus Delano requested the vestry to per
mit him, as a mark of his affection for the church,
to place in the west tower the sweet toned bell
which now calls the congregation together.
The church numbers two hundred communi

cants, and contains one of the best organized Sun
day-schools in the eity, numbering one hundred
and eighty scholars. The school is under the su-
perintendency of Rev. William Thompson, the pres
ent rector.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL'S (CATHOLIC) CHURCH.
Among the first Catholic families who settled in
and around Mount Vernon were the brother's,
Timothy and William Colopy, (1814), John P.
McArdle, David Morton, William Brophy, Charles
Colerick, and at a later date the families of Mich
ael Boyle, (1835), Thomas McMullen, (1840), and
many others. Probably the earliest Catholics in
this section of the State were those who settled at
or near Napoleon, Holmes county, the settlement
being known in early times as the "French Settle
ment;" and those who settled around what is now
known as Danville in Union township. These
people were at first supplied by missionaries, whose
circuit embraced a large territory, including Zanes
ville and Mansfield, and their visits were made as
regularly as circumstances would permit. The
first church organization in. the county was effected
at Danville, to which place the communicants
from Mount Vernon and the "French Settlement"
repaired at stated times to worship.
Clergymen from the Dominican order at Somer
set, Perry county, were the most regular in their
attendance upon the scattered communicants,
among whom may be mentioned the Reverend
Fathers Fenwick, (afterwards Bishop), Young,
Martin, Howe, O'Leary, Collins, McAleer, and in
1839 came Father Lamy, (now Archbishop
of Sante Fe, New Mexico), who severed the people
eight years, and in 1847, Father Bulgar, four years.
In 1 85 1 Father Brent took charge ofthe parish,
and remained in charge until his death in 1880.
Father Thomas J. Lane, after that sad event, took
charge of the parish.
The early meetings in Mount Vernon were held
in private residences, as owing to prejudice the
other church edifices, and the court house, used
by church organizations having no church build
ings, were closed to them. The residences thus
used were those of David Morton, William Brophy,
Timothy Colopy, Frederick J. Zimmerman, and
the houses of other members large enough for the
purpose.

416

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

As the worshippers increased by immigration
from older States, the necessity of a house of wor
ship became apparent. The large and spacious
grounds, still owned by them, on the northeast
corner of High and McKenzie streets, running
north to Chestnut street, were purchased, and
in 1839 a small brick edifice was erected, roofed
and plastered, and in that unfinished condition was
used as a chapel; but only for a brief period, as
early in 1840, the house was destroyed by fire,
necessitating the congregation to return to private
residences for places of worship, until the church
could be re-built and finished, which was ac
complished with as little delay as possible.
From time to time additions were made to the
structure, required by the rapid increase of mem
bership, until the present large and commodious
edifice was completed. A few years since a chime
of three bells was placed in the tower on the south
end ofthe building. About 1855 a fine brick par
sonage, two stories high, was erected on the north,
or Chestnut street front of the lot.
The church building was set back in the lot far
enough for the erection of a much larger building
in front, to be built when the other building be
came too small to accommodate the congregation.
In fact, nearly all arrangements were made in
1873 to erect a magnificent building on the open
space in front, but for some reason the plan was
laid aside for a more convenient season. The
time seems not far distant when a larger and more
commodious church edifice will be a necessity.
The first pastoral visit of Archbishop Purcell,
of Cincinnati, was made just after the destruction
of the first church by fire, and the resident mem
bers were compelled to look around for a room
large enough to accommodate the expected con
gregation 'from all parts of the county, and from
the French settlement in Holmes county. The
Banning chapel, on North Sandusky street, was en
closed, but not finished. Mr. Banning tendered
the use of his chapel to Mr. Morton, which was by
him thankfully accepted. The large house now
owned and occupied by Hon. Joseph C. Devin,
then owned by Hon. Henry B. Curtis, was in an
unfinished state. Mr. Curtis tendered it to Mr.
Morton for the occasion, but as he had just ac
cepted the offer of Mr. Banning, the offer of Mr.

Curtis was declined with the sincere thanks of the
resident members.
Asstated before, the members were few in num
ber and scattered over the county, mostly in the
eastern portions of it, the first Catholic church be
ing erected in Danville, where the resident clergy
men resided. In the early days of the county the
Catholics were compelled to resort to Danville,
when no services were held in Mt. Vernon at pri
vate residences. The first church edifice at Dan
ville was a neat frame building. A few years since
a large brick edifice was erected there. Service
was held at Danville and Mt. Vernon on alternate
Sundays. In 1874 the two stations were separa
ted, and each given a resident priest. The com
municants in Mt. Vernon number about four hun
dred, embracing those who reside in and around
Gambier, as well as in other parts of the county,
west, south, and north of Mt. Vernon.
In 1875, under the superintendence of Father
Brent, a neat two story frame school-house was
erected on the southeast end of the church lot.
In this building a parochial school was established,
.and the charge of it given to Sisters Johns and
Theresa, of the order of Saint Francis, and under
the supervision of Father Brent. The Sisters were
diligent and faithful to the trust reposed in them,
and the school was soon in a flourishing condition.
It has now on its roll one hundred and thirty schol
ars, with a daily attendance of over one hundred.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
was organized July 26, 1834, under the name of
"The Free Presbyterian church." This organiza
tion was an off-shoot of the Presbyterian church of
this city, (a large majority of its founders having
been members of that church), who were joined
by a few Congregationalists. They were all more
or less in sympathy with what afterwards became
the New School division of the Presbyterian
church. The first session consisted of Stephen Conkling,
Allen Scott, John Trimble, James McGibeny, and
James Trimble. The church had no ecclesiastic
connections until August 1, 1836, when, by its
delegates, it united with the Western Reserve Con
gregational association. About four months after
its organization, Rev. Benjamin Higbee became its
first pastor. His laborious and successful ministry

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

4i7

continued about three and a half years, during
which time a house of worship (the house now
owned and occupied by the Mulberry Street Metho
dist Protestant church) was begun and completed.
On his own recommendation, the Rev. Mr. Higbee
was succeeded in his pastorate by Rev. Edward
Weeds, who remained four years. He was suc
ceeded by the Rev. M. E. Strieby.
During Mr. Strieby's pastorate a strong desire
was felt to change the organization to the Congre
gational form. Steps were at length taken, and
the change consummated on the thirtieth of April,
1849. After due deliberation, a new constitution,
together with the former brief summary of faith,
and a series of standing resolutions were adopted,
which breathed strong anti-slavery and temperance
sentiments. The house of worship was freely thrown open
for conventions, whose object was to purge the
State and National politics from the overshadow
ing crimes of liquor traffic and slavery. In 1852,
a prohibition convention was held in their house of
worship, which nominated Joseph W. Vance, of
Mt. Vernon, for State senator, and A. Greenlee, of
Fredericktown, for representative, pledged in favor
of the Maine law. Abolition conventions were
heartily welcomed, and for this reason it acquired
the name of "Nigger church," and its members
were loaded with opprobrium without stint, and
sometimes maltreated. An incident occurred in
this connection which may be worth preservation.
A man by the name of Allen was to lecture on
slavery at the church on a given evening. When
the time came, his arguments were met by the pun
gent logic of rotten eggs, and the meeting broken
up. Next morning preparations were made to
give Allen a free ride out of town on a rail, clad
with a garment of tar and feathers, but while the
crowd was being collected together by martial
music under a banner bearing the appropriate
motto, "No free discussion," Allen fled. Being
hotly pursued, he passed in at the back door of
David H. Drake's dwelling, one-half mile north
of town, and instead of tarrying, took to the woods
from the front door, shielded from view by the
house. The crowd soon came up and surrounded
the house, demanding the fugitive. Mr. Drake
said to them: "Gentlemen, you have the privilege

of the house; go right in and take him." After a
diligent search, Mr. Drake urging them to make it
thorough, they gave it up; and Mr. Drake showed
his usual hospitality by bringing a bountiful supply
of bread and butter out into the dooryard, and
inviting his visitors to take a lunch with him. That
over, all returned as cheerful and as happy as a
company of marauders returning from a raid upon
a deserted hen-roost.
Mr. Strieby, after serving the church as pastor a
number of years, was succeeded by the Rev. S. C.
Leonard, and after him came the Rev. T. E. Mon
roe, whose pastorate lasted twelve years. During
Mr. Monroe's time it was found that the church
edifice on Mulberry street had been outgrown by
the society, and a new one was accordingly under
taken on the corner of Main and Sugar streets,
and pushed to completion at a cost of about thirty-
two thousand dollars, and was dedicated Decem
ber 13, 1868, Revs. M. E. Strieby and C. S. Leon
ard officiating. The pastorate was then succes
sively filled by the Rev. I. C. Billman and the Rev.
E. B. Burrows till 1879, when the Rev. R. T. Hall
was called, and entered upon his labors on the
first Sunday of September, of that year. The
church now numbers three hundred and fifty mem
bers. Rev. Russell T. Hall was born in Richmond,
Vermont, October 6, 1844. He was educated at
Oberlin college, Ohio, and at the Union Theo
logical seminary, New York. He was ordained
September 8, 1870, as pastor ofthe Congregational
church at Pittsford, Vermont, where he remained
until September, 1879, when he came to Mt. Ver
non and took charge of the First Congregational
church. He married Miss Mary A. Tyler, of
Brooklyn, Ohio, September 2, 1869, by whom he
had two children, only one of whom is now living.
He was a member of company H, of the Forty-
third Ohio volunteer infantry, for a short time dur
ing the war of 1861.
THE DISCIPLES CHURCH.
The following history of the Disciple or Christian
church is chiefly gathered from the records of this
Christian organization kept by the late Rev. R. R.
Sloan. Subsequent to a number of discourses, at sundry
times during the winter of 1849 and 1850, by Elder

4i8

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Jonas Hartzel, on the Elementary Principles of the
Gospel— the first of said discourses being delivered
in the court house, the second in the Baptist
church, and several in the Methodist Protestant
chapel — on Friday evening, the twenty-fifth of
January, 1850, Elder J. H. Jones, of Wooster,
Ohio, commenced a series of discourses on the Ele
ments of the Kingdom, continuing one week.
During the day sessions the subject of church
organization was freely discussed by many present,
who, having hitherto made the "good confes
sion, clave to the one Lord, one faith, one bap
tism, and one hope." During this Christian in
terview — a number having expressed a desire to
unite on "the Bible alone," as their only and all-
sufficient rule of faith and practice in things relig
ious, and their only creed or book of church gov
ernment — Elder J. H. Jones, acting as an evangelist
of the congregation of Disciples, meeting in Woos
ter, Ohio, proceeded to organize the congregation,
of which he made the following memorandum :
"The thirty-first of January, 1850, the Disciples'
congregation was organized in Mt. Vernon, and
Brother Robert R. Sloan ordained overseer, and
Brother Samuel B. Doty, deacon, by the prayers of
the brethren, and the laying on of the hands of J.
H. Jones, evangelist."
"Whereupon, in behalf of the congregation, the
right hand of fellowship was extended by Rev. J.
H. Jones, to the following persons: Robert R.
Sloan, Samuel Rinehart, Elizabeth Rinehart, Eli
Miller, Samuel B. Doty, Margaret Doty, John Boyd,
Harriet T. Holmes, William Babcock, Melinda
Richmond." From this small beginning (ten members) the
church membership increased slowly from time to
time, so that on the thirtieth of December, 1850,
the church contained twenty-two members. The
meetings during the year were held in the Protest
ant Methodist chapel.
The first death among the members of the church
was that of Rebecca B. Riggs, which occurred on
the thirty-first of October, 185 1, at the residence of
Dr. Hayes. The next death noticed is that of
Robert A. Boyd, March n, i860.
A note, by the clerk, of the transactions of the
year 1865, is worthy of notice: "During the year
there were one hundred and thirty-seven discourses

preached, one hundred and five of them by the
regular pastor. There were fifty-four names added
to the register.''
Pursuant to previous notice, the members of the
congregation met in the Protestant Methodist
chapel, at 7 o'clock p. m., March 5, 1851; R. R
Sloan being called to the chair, it was unanimously
resolved that Mr. Sloan be authorized to purchase
in trust for the congregation, a certain lot of ground
(on the north side of his residence lot), of Robert
Irvine, for the sum of three hundred dollars, and to
hold the same for the benefit of the congregation.
This purchase was accordingly made on the sixth
of March, 185 1.
At a meeting held January 15, 1853, Samuel
Rinehart, Eli Miller and John Boyd were elected
trustees, and R. R. Sloan, clerk.
It was during the administration of these officers
that the present neat church edifice was erected,
on the south side of East Vine street. It cost four
thousand three hundred and forty-one dollars and
seventy-one cents.
The following ministers and elders preached to
this congregation between the winter of 1849-50
and 1872: Jonas Hartzell, J. H. Jones, R R.
Sloan, Isaiah Jones, Isaac Errett, D. S. Burnett, S.
R. Norton, J. Dowling, Rufus Conrad, D. J.
Matthews, R. L. Howe, E. Goodwin, A. M. Atkin
son, Bush, Wheeler, D. R. Whitcomb, Ebenezer
McElroy, Samuel Matthews, F. King, R. Moffett,
W. H. Taylor, Barker, W. H. Delano, John Encill,
Series, Kissinger, W. L. Speer, Abbott, Hissey, S.
F. Pearre, Thomas K. Davis, Millholland, A. B.
Green, E. B. Cake, E. J. Chase, John G. Fee, L. F.
Bittle. The regular pastors were A. R. Sloan, W. H.
Taylor, L. R. Norton, D. J. Matthews, R. Moffett,
L. F. Bittle, J. H. Gavin, J. E. Harris, L. South-
mayd, M. D. Adams.
The Sunday-school organized with a class of
twenty-five under the superintendency of R R
Sloan. The subsequent superintendents have been
Henry Errett, D. R. Whitcomb, Isaac Strickle, W,
S. Errett, E. J. Chase, Colonel A. Cassil, D. W.
Chase. The present enrollment is one hundred and
twenty-one, and the present membership of the
church is about one hundred and fifty.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

419

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The Evangelical Lutheran church, of Mt. Ver
non, is almost a thing of the past. Its membership
never was numerous, but was composed of some of
the best citizens of the town and surrounding
country. Of the early history of the Lutherans in
the country but little is known, as it dates far back
in the past. The most numerous body of Luther
ans is attached to St. John's church, located in
Pleasant township, and the church in the city was
mainly organized by members from that church,
among whom may be mentioned Frederick Keifer
and wife, Henry Beckley and wife, and others, who
were joined by the few members living in the city,
Peter Hoke and wife being of the number. In
1864 a few of these united and purchased the
church building erected by the membership of the
western charge of the Methodist Episcopal church
in 1852, under the superintendency of the Rev.
Mr. Wilson. When the eastern and western charges
united in 1864, Mr. Kiefer, Mr. Hoke and other
Lutherans purchased the church edifice on North
Sandusky street, for two thousand four hundred
dollars. For a few years the church maintained
regular pastors, kept up regular preaching and
maintained a Sunday school. Death, migration,
and members attaching themselves to other church
organizations soon left the remaining membership
too small to retain a regular pastor. Its pulpit has
been vacated since 1876, except when occassionally
occupied by some itinerant, The Revs. Pringle
and Cochel were the last regular pastors. The
remaining members are now negotiating for the
sale of the church edifice.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The United Presbyterians at one time had an
extensive church membership in the county, and
'were under the pastoral charge of the Rev. J. H.
Peacock, who for some years faithfully ministered
to their spiritual wants. Under his superinten
dency the church edifice, northwest corner of Main
and Sugar streets, was erected. This was in 1852.
The last preacher in charge was the Rev. Pollock,
whose sudden death while on his way home from
evening service a few years since is fresh in the
memory of all. The church is occasionally used by
missionaries of that persuasion, travelling through

the country. The site of this church edifice was
originally purchased for school purposes, at the
time the city adopted the Akron school system,
and a part of the building material had been
placed upon the ground. When the city discarded
that system the site was purchased by the church
members and friends, and the present building
erected. AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The early records of this church organization
have been mislaid or lost, consequently an accurate
account of its early history cannot be given. The
first ascertained Methodist among this people in
Mt. Vernon was James A. Ralls, a local preacher,
who came here from Virginia in December, 1865.
There were quite a number of colored people
here prior to the coming of Mr. Ralls, but they
had been connected with the churches in and
around their old homes long before they immigrated
to Mt. Vernon, and retained their religious belief
until they united and formed this church.
The meeting, preliminary to the organization,
was held in the basement room of the East Vine
Street Christian church, the Rev. John Beatty, of
Zanesville, officiating. The date of this meeting
was about 1870. After an appropriate prayer by
James A. Ralls, local preacher, the subject of
church organization was introduced. A constitu
tion was signed by all present who were willing to
aid the organization, among whom were Riley
Jenkins and wife, James A. Ralls, Clara Ralls,
John W. Ralls and wife, J. W. Hackley and wife,
Charles White, Mary Lewis, Titus Hill, Everett
Giles, Jonathan P. Simmons, M. W. Balar, Perry
Wilson, Milton Newman, Samuel Simmons, and
others. From that time to about 1873 weekly
meetings were held in private residences, the
basement rooms of the Christian and the United
Presbyterian churches, and a room in the third story
of the Kremlin block. In 1873 or 1874 arrange
ments were perfected to erect a church building.
The ground was purchased, and the walls of the
house raised to the square when the funds gave
out. and the building was left in that unfinished
condition until 1876, when, by the liberality ofthe
citizens, sufficient money was raised to finish the
building. From the time of organization to the present

420

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

the following pastors have had charge of this con
gregation: Reverends Jones, John Gassaway,
Jesse Henderson, Thomas, Daniel Mason, Walter
Lowry, William Davidson, Charles White, and
Jesse Henderson, the present pastor. For a few
years the members sustained a resident pastor,
having service every Sunday. At present the
churches at Newark and Mt. Vernon are one
charge under the pastorate of Rev. Henderson,
services being held every alternate Sabbath. This
church held camp-meetings on the fair grounds in

1879 and 1880, which ..were largely attended by
members from the neighboring cities, the bishop
of Baltimore superintending. The church num
bers forty members, and the services on the
Sabbath are kept up with great regularity and in
terest. Stewards for 1881 : L. R Jenkins, M. W. Balar,
J. P. Simmonds, John Wright, J. W. Hackley,
Jackson Tate, A. Gibson and Charles White.
This church established, and yet maintains a
Sunday-school.

History of the Townships.

CHAPTER XLIV.
BERLIN TOWNSHIP.
Name and Organization — First Election— Topography
Primitive Condition — Mound Builders — Indians —
First Settlers and Settlements — The Markleys— A.
H. Royce— The Leedys— Richard Roberts— "Celes
tial Light"— The Old Harter Tavern— Shaler's
Mill— OtherMills— Palmyra— Ankenytown— School-
Houses and Teachers— Churches— Population— Jus
tices of the Peace.

¦ The hills

Rock-ribbed and ancient as the sun; the vales
Stretching in pensive quietness between ;
The venerable woods; rivers that move
In majesty, and the complaining brooks
That make the meadows green; Are decorations all
Of the great tomb of man  "
— W. C Bryant.
BERLIN township derived its name from Berlin,
Connecticut, the name being proposed by
Stephen Cole. It was created June 4, 1822, as
stated on the journal of the commissioners in the
following extract :
Ordered, That the following boundaries be laid out into a
separate and distinct township, to-wit : Beginning at the south
west corner of the eighth township in the thirteenth range,
thence north on the township line to the old boundary line ;
thence on said boundary line to where the nearest north and
south line in the new purchase strikes said boundary line; thence
north on said north and south line to the county line between
Knox and Richland counties; thence east on said line one-half
mile further than where the line between the twelfth and thir
teenth ranges strikes said county line; thence due south one-half
mile east of said range line to the south boundary of the eighth
township in the twelfth range; thence west on said township line
to the southwest corner of the same; thence north to the south
east corner of the eighth township in the thirteenth range;
thence west on said township line to the place of beginning, which
shall be known by the name of Berlin township, which shall be

entitled to all the privileges of a separate and distinct township
as aforesaid. An election was ordered to be held at the house '
of Michael Harter on the twenty-second day of
June, 1822, for the purpose of electing township
officers. Berlin township was reduced to its present limits
March 9, 1825:
Berlin shall be composed of the eighth township of the thir
teenth range, except the sixth and seventh sections in said town
ship eighteen.
It first belonged to Wayne, but was afterward
included in the territory of Pike, before receiving
an independent existence. Its northern boundary
line joins Richland county; it is the most northern
of the second tier of townships from the west line of
the county — the tier in which Mt. Vernon islocated.
The Greenville treaty line, located by General
Wayne at the close of the Indian war in 1795,
passes across the northern part of this township,
running a little south of west, about a mile north of
Ankenytown. The Baltimore & Ohio railroad
passes diagonally across it from northeast to south
west. It is sufficiently watered by the east branch
ofthe East fork of Owl creek; this stream passes
diagonally across the township in the same general
direction as the railroad. The tributaries of this
stream drain the larger part of its surface. The
west branch of Schenck's creek, a tributary of the
Kokosing, rises in the northwest corner of the town
ship, and numerous and beautiful springs are to be
found in various parts.
Originally it was covered with a dense forest of
hard wood of every description. This fact speaks
volumes for the quality of the land ; wherever the

422

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

soil was covered with black walnut, sugar, beech,
hickory, etc., the pioneer well knew the soil could
not be surpassed for agricultural purposes. When
the first white settlers made their appearance there
was not probably a spot of ground in the township
large enough to erect a cabin without first clearing
away the trees and underbrush. It was a paradise
for the wild animal and the wild hunter.
The Mound Builders left traces of their occupa
tion, and it is almost startling to think that in the
centuries gone by a civilization existed here that
might have compared favorably with the present
one ; that, probably, the land was cleared and cul
tivated as it is to-day. The number of mounds
and ancient earthworks that existed in this town
ship will never be known; no doubt the ravages of
time have destroyed hundreds of them, and only
those remain that were exceptionally large, or that
occupied positions exceptionally favorable for pres
ervation. One of these elevations was known to
exist on what is known as the Ellis Willet place,
near the Quaker meeting-house. It was not large,
being, perhaps, thirty or forty feet in diameter at
the base, and eight or ten feet in height. It stood
exactly upon the spot Mr. Willet had selected for
his house, and hence was destroyed. The cellar
was dug directly under the mound; human bones
were found, some articles resembling cooking uten
sils, or supposed to have been used for that pur
pose; charcoal, evidences of fire, etc.; these are
usually found in all the ancient mounds that receive
a thorough examination. Thus it is that the abode
of one civilization is reared upon the tomb of an
other, and — All that tread
The globe are but a handful to the tribes
That slumber it its bosom."
A mound, larger than the ordinary size, is locat
ed on the Davis farm, in the southern part of the
township. It is, probably, fifty or sixty feet in
diameter at the base and fifteen feet in height.
Like the others it is made up of sandy loam, and
situated on high ground. These mounds are evi
dently connected with the one that stood on the
present site of Fredericktown, and with several
others in Morris township. Were the timber cleared
away these mysterious elevations would all ap
pear in sight of each other, or at least in such con

nection that signaling from one to the other would
be comparatively easy.
Whether the Mound Builders were the first ani
mals in human form to tread the soil of Berlin
township can only be conjectured. It has been
established by indisputable evidence that they were
here more than seven hundred years ago, and were
the pioneer settlers here so far as history traces the
inhabitants. It does not appear that the next inhabitants of
this township, the Indians, had any permanent resi
dence within its limits; they used it, however, as a
hunting ground, roaming freely through its silent
woods for centuries before they were disturbed and
driven away by the white savage. When the first
settlers came they found the territory occupied by
stray squads of hunters from the Greentown and
Jerometown Indians, and the Delawares and Wyan
dots. An old Indian named Toby is remembered
by the early settlers. He established his wigwam
on what has since been known as "Toby's Run,"
where he lived and hunted until about the time of
the War of 1812, when he disappeared.
The third race to occupy this territory began
coming about 1808, or before. Bedford county,
Pennsylvania, probably has the honor of sending
Berlin its first settlers; these were the Markleys.
Henry Markley came in 1808, and erected the
first cabin in the township, upon the farm now
owned by James Mclntire. Markley was accom
panied by John Brown, sr. Mr. Markley pur
chased one thousand acres of land, lying on the
north side of what was known as the Ellicott section;
this section occupying one-fourth of the township,
or four thousand acres. His family consisted of
his wife, three sons and two daughters, viz: Henry
Markley, jr., John, James, Mary and Amelia; all
are now dead. John Brown's family consisted of
wife, three sons, John, Jeremiah and Thomas, and
a daughter, who married John Pinkley. None of
these are now living.
Amos H. Royce, the first justice of the peace in
this township, came to Fredericktown in 1809, and
settled in this township in 18 10. He was born in
1786, in Connecticut, removed with his father to
New York State, and from there to this county.
This remarkable pioneer is yet living in Freder
icktown at the age of ninety-four, and is yet in full

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

423

possession of his mental faculties and enjoying
good health, with a fair prospect of completing, at
least a century on earth. His father was a Revolu
tionary soldier, and for this service obtained a land
warrant for lands located in this township, upon
which Amos H. settled with a family of ten chil
dren, viz: Norton D., Mary, Emeline, Sally,
Louisa M., Julia Ann, Alfred, Laura, Lucy and
Jane A. Those now living are Emeline, Julia
Ann, Laura and Jane A. Amos H. Royce was a
soldier in the War of 181 2, serving on the fron
tier and with General Hull for a short time, and
for this service draws a pension. He was one of
the soldiers surrendered by Hull. He assisted in
building a block-house at Mansfield and one at
Trucksville, and was stationed at New Haven, or
rather encamped on the site of that village, at the
time of the Copus murder, and was one of a squad
of soldiers that followed that same band of Indians
a short distance just prior to the massacre, they
having encamped the night before the murder near
the site of New Haven.
The Leedys were an important and influential
family among the pioneers of this township. There
were five brothers : John, Jacob, Abraham, Samuel
and Daniel. Some of these settled further north
in Richland county, in the vicinity of Bellville.
Many of their descendants are yet living in Rich
land and Knox. The Leedys trace their ancestry
back to Switzerland; in this country they first set
tled in Maryland, and moved thence to Bedford
county, Pennsylvania, before coming to Ohio.
Among the earliest settlers in this township be
side those mentioned, were Stephen Cole, Ed. and
Isaac N. Richardson, George Wolford; James
Fraer, John C. Brown, John and Peter Kreigher,
Frederick Ogg, Jeremiah Brown, Richard and
Israel Roberts, John Long, Joseph Lane, Daniel
and Joseph Hetrick, the Joslyns, John Moltzbaugh,
the Wrights, Farquhars, Pinkleys, William Van
Home, Peter Wolf, David McDaniel, Michael
Harter, John Lewis, Casper Fitting, and perhaps
others. E. Rifhardson moved to the West, but his
brother became a judge, and was an influential
man in the county. The descendants of the
Kreighers and Robertses are, some of them, yet
living on the old places, where their fathers settled

in 1808 or 1809. John Long was a relative by
marriage of the Leedys; one of his family is now a
resident of Pike township. Joseph Lane came
from Connecticut, and married the daughter of
Stephen Cole; he was a cabinetmaker. Daniel
Hetrick and his brother came from Bedford county,
Pennsylvania; the former married a Leedy and
raised a large family, some of whom are yet living
in this neighborhood. John Moltzbaugh came
about 181 5; he was a Dunkard preacher, and with
the help of the Leedys organized a Dunkard church.
Stephen Cole came from Connecticut, settling here
about 1816, and becoming an influential man
among the pioneers. His family consisted of Ste
phen, jr., Wilbur, Henry, Russel (now living in
Chicago) and two daughters. Wilbur now occu
pies the old homestead.
Richard Roberts, an old resident of this town
ship, was born in Frederick county, Maryland, in
July, 1789, and removed to Ohio, with his father,
Henry Roberts, in 1805, and stopped in Belmont
county one year. In 1806 he pitched his tent and
built a cabin on the farm now owned by Nicholas
Darling, in Morris township. In 1819 he built a
cabin on the farm in Berlin township, on which he
died, August 24, 1877, at the age of eighty-eight
years, making him fifty-eight years a resident of
Berlin, and a resident of the State seventy-two
years. He married a daughter of John Garrison,
an early settler, in the vicinity of Palmyra. His
family consisted of nine daughters and one
son — a family of intelligence and high respecta
bility. Of the members of this family Mrs. Louisa
Cohen, a widow lady, is now a resident of Mt.
Vernon; Rebecca married Gideon Elliott, and died
some years ago; Mrs. Hubbell, some years after
the death of his wife, married Ellen, a sister of his
deceased wife; Phcebe married C. G. Mount, and
resides in Fredericktown, a widow; Martha died in
childhood; Elizabeth, wife of Milton B. Williams,
of Berlin; Mary, wife of Cory B. Chancey, and
Emily, the wife of W. B. Rowley, of Frederick-
town. Burr resides on the homestead.
Uncle Richard, as he was familiarly called, was
of a very social disposition — a great talker — and
delighted in talking over the scenes of early times.
The cabin, the big log fire, and the winter evening
were the necessary surroundings for Uncle Richard

424

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

to tell the younger ones of his hunting exploits,
when Ohio was a three-year-old.
Celestial Le Blond, a Frenchman, was also
among the early settlers in this township. His
name is entered on pool-book as "Celestiai Light;"
he was a little eccentric and quite conspicuous.
He was the originator of Shaler's mill, but was un
successful; he afterwards removed to Bellville,
where he died. The family subsequently moved
west, and a son, Francis C, became a member of
Congress from one of the western districts of Ohio.
One of the early and prominent settlers was
Michael Harter, a brother-in-law of Henry Mark-
ley, who came about 1808, and settled upon land
now owned by the Farquhar heirs. Harter erected
a log house on the crossing of the two roads lead
ing from Mt. Vernon to Mansfield, and from Co
lumbus to Wooster. "Harter's tavern" became a
prominent place. The first and many subsequent
elections were held here, and the militia musters
of those early days. It was said to be the best
tavern then in northern Ohio. The old people
were kind and hospitable, and the society of the
amiable Miss Christiana made it an uncommonly
interesting place for sleighing and other parties.
The fame of "Aunt" Katie's cooking spread far
and wide, and caused weary, mud-bespattered trav
ellers to ride many long miles after nightfall to get
there. Harter planted the first orchard in Knox
county, and now lies buried in the midst of it, on
the hill east of the old tavern stand. He brought
the trees from a nursery then called a plantation,
down on the Muskingum river. Harter's brother-
in-law, Markley, had been a merchant, and was a
quick, sprightly business man, and hence was se
lected as one of the first commissioners of the
county. He was generous and well liked by the
people. The road upon which stood Harter's
tavern became a great thoroughfare, over which
the great four- and six-horse freight wagons rolled,
carrying the produce of the rich counties of Knox
and Licking to the market at the lake. The early
stages and mail carriers also passed over this road
many years. The tavern was built about 1813 or
1814; subsequently a brick addition was built.
Mr. Harter died here, and his widow sold out ami
moved to Canton, where some of the descendants
yet reside. One of the same family is now presi

dent of the Peerless Reaper company, at Canton;
another a director in three of the banks there; an
other the prosecuting attorney of Stark county, and
a fourth is the treasurer of the Aultman & Taylor
company, at Mansfield.
Jacob Switzer was probably the next owner of
this tavern stand ; but after the Sandusky, Mans
field & Newark railroad was built, it went down
gradually until it was no longer a paying institu
tion. Switzer sold to a man from the West Indies
by the name of John Bassett. Warner Miller, long
a resident of Mt. Vernon, and now living in New
ark, held a mortgage on it and became its owner.
It is now a brick dwelling house, and is owned by
a Mr. Gilmore.
What has for many years been known as
"Shaler's mill," a half-mile east of the present village
of Ankenytown, was among the first mills erected
in the township, and the first post office was estab
lished here, the first postmaster being Mr. J. M.
Robinson. This was about 1844. Mr. H. W.
Greegor succeeded Mr. Robinson, about 1848, and
has retained the office ever since. It was called
Shaler's Mills post office, and yet retains that name,
though Mr. Greegor has kept it for many years in
his store at Ankenytown.
In 1849, a Post office was established at the resi
dence of Richard Roberts, called "Maple Grove,"
and he was appointed postmaster, continuing as
such until i860, when the office was discontinued
at his request.
As before mentioned Shaler's mill was established
by Celestial Le Blond, about 1815, or perhaps
later. He undertook more than he was able to
perform, being without practical experience in mill
building, and after erecting a saw-mill, and doing,
perhaps, some preliminary work on the grist-mill,
he sold out to a Mr. Brollier, who erected the first
grist-mill. Brollier sold out to Mr. Shaler about
1840, the latter running the mill many years. It is
yet in operation, being owned by Mr. William
Toms. Amos H. Royce erected one of the first saw
mills, on the present site of Ankenytown, on Isaac's
run. He purchased two acres, containing the mill
seat of Mr. William Shultz, an early settler from
Pennsylvania, and after running the mill a few
years, sold out to Snyder & Grove, who erected a

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

425

grist-mill, which they conducted several years.
This mill went down several years ago. Isaac's
run no longer furnishes the amount of mill power
that it once did. Two or three other saw-mills
were erected in an early day upon this same stream,
above that of Mr.Royce. David McDaniel built
one and Moses Faulkner another. These have
long since disappeared. Several saw-mills were
also erected on the main fork above Shaler's mill,
but none now exist. Saw-mills are no longer
erected; timber is getting too scarce; farmers now
buy the larger part of the lumber they use, at the
city lumber yards. Messrs. Strong & Son's mill
was erected on the east branch of Owl creek in the
southern part of this township near Fredericktown.
The first mill here may have been built as early as
1825. Strong subsequently erected an expensive
and excellent mill, and did a large business for
some years. It passed into other hands a few
years ago, and was destroyed by fire.
Palmyra, for many years, was the only town in
the township. It was laid out November 17, 1835.
Prior to this date a tavern had been erected
there, which for many years was a noted stopping
place for stages and wagons, voyaging by mud or
snow from Fredericktown to Mansfield. A post
office was established there; this with the tavern
and a little grocery constituted the business ; and a
few dwellings added made up the town. The rail
road came through and extinguished what little life
it had, by monopolizing the carrying trade; nothing
is left of it but a few dwellings and a church.
The land upon which Ankenytown stands was
first owned by Aaron Bull, a Revolutionary soldier,
who, for services in that war, received the land war-
rand which placed him in possession of land, then
in the wilderness, but now highly cultivated and
very valuable. One of the earliest settlers here
was Sylvester Clark, who married the daughter of
this soldier, and came here to occupy the wild
lands of his father-in-law. There are many owners
of this property at present. Mr. Shultz, before
mentioned, early purchased some of this land of
Clark, and Mr. Royce purchased two acres of it for
a mill seat. Abraham Leedy was also one of the
first purchasers of ground upon which the town
stands. The mill, before mentioned, was probably
the germ of the present town. When the railroad

came through, Warner Miller, of Mt. Vernon,
erected a warehouse, and also established a store,
putting Mr. H. W. Greegor in charge of both.
George Ankeny came here from Pennsylvania about
this time, purchased a small piece of land from
Abraham Leedy, and built a blacksmith shop in
the town. He was a very excellent and influential
man, and the town came to be called by his name.
He was a blacksmith, a justice of the peace and
finally a member of the legislature. Mr. Brollier,
who owned Shaler's mill, started the first store here
about 1840, arfd kept it three or four years, but
failed to make the business pay. J. M. Robinson
was the next store keeper, and H. W. Greegor took
charge of it about 185 1, and has kept it ever since.
The place sometimes went by the name of
"Squeal," from the fact, it is said, that when the
iron horse first made its appearance, his "squeal'
so alarmed the natives that they turned out armed
cap-a-pie with guns and blunderbusses to capture
him, though this account is probably somewhat ex
aggerated. The iron horse, however, ran over and
killed some stock belonging to some of the farmers,
which so incensed them, that, fearing this might be
of frequent occurrence, they banded together and
tore up the track, which brought on a lawsuit, the
history of which appears on the records of the com
mon pleas court at Mt. Vernon.
The first school-house, probably, in the township
was erected on the site of Ankenytown, on a lot
directly opposite Mr. Greegor's store. John Lewis,
a son of Governor Lewis, taught here. The build
ing was a hewed log, and was afterward used as a
dwelling. The next school-house was probably
that built upon land donated by Abraham Leedy.
Ankenytown now contains one store, a few shops
and a dozen or more dwellings. Mr. Greegor has
kept the store about thirty years, during which time
he has also been freight and express agent for the
Baltimore & Ohio railroad, serving without com
pensation. Ankenytown is at present the only vil
lage in the township. Shaler's mills once aspired
to be a town, and obtained a store and post-office,
but being unable to advance, realized the full mean
ing of qui non proficit, deficit.
But three churches have an existence within the
limits of the township. The Dunkards were prob
ably the first religious denomination to sow the

426

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

seeds of the gospel on the soil of Berlin. Their
society was organized as early as 1815, by John
Moltsbaugh and the Leedys, as before mentioned.
Another pioneer family, the Hetricks, were also
members of this society. It was the habit of this
society in those early days, and part of their relig
ious creed, to feed the multitude; they therefore
held services every two or three weeks, in the
cabins of the members, and invited everybody to
come, spreading a large table with all the good
things the forest and soil produced. The members
of the society and the older people sat down to this
table, after which everybody present was invited to
the repast. When the wants of the "inner man"
were satisfied, and everybody in good humor, the
preaching began; the people were then in good
condition to receive the gospel and look favorably
upon its teachings.
About 1850 the society erected the present sub
stantial frame church, about one-quarter of a mile
north of Ankenytown. There are forty or fifty
people yet connected with this church, and for some
reason they call themselves Baptists.
The Methodist Episcopal church, located near
the south line of the township, was organized about
1830; though many years before this the denom
ination had itinerant ministers through the town
ship, who preached in the cabins of the settlers and
in the old log school-house, in the open air, or
wherever they could get an audience. The origi
nal members of this church, or some of them, were
John Durbin and wife, Stephen Cole and wife, A.
H. Royce and wife, Isaac Cole and wife, and some
others. The Coles were prominent, and donated
the land upon which the present church stands.
Before the church was erected the society met
at the cabin of Mr. Royce, and in the school-
house. Their first church edifice was erected
about 1834, and was used about twenty years, when
the present neat frame was built. It stands a little
east of the road leading from Mt. Vernon to Mans
field. Revs. William Herr and Russell Bigelow
were among the earliest ministers of this church, as
well as of all other Methodist churches in this and
the adjoining counties. Rev. D. D. T. Mattison
is the present pastor, with a membership of about
fifty. The Sunday-school, yet connected with the

church, was organized even before the church had
an existence as an organization here. It is one of
the permanent institutions of this neighborhood.
A second Methodist church was organized at
Palmyra, about 1840, but has since gone down,
though it had an active existence several years.
Robert Sites and Joseph Palmer were probably in
fluential in establishing it They worshipped in the
school-house a few years, then purchased a cooper
shop and fitted it up for a church building. Most
of its members now belong to other churches.
Lately, about 1874, the Disciples erected a
church at Palmyra. This organization was effected
after many years of gradual growth, during which
an occasional minister visited the neighborhood
and preached to the people. There are thirty or
forty members now connected with this church.
While the Methodists were in a flourishing con
dition they established a Sunday-school, which has
been regularly kept up and now meets in the new
church. In 1830 this township had five hundred and
twenty inhabitants; eleven thousand six hundred
and seventy-four acres of land were entered for tax
ation, and valued at thirty-four thousand seven
hundred and twenty-four dollars. In 1840, the
population was one thousand one hundred; in
1850, one thousand one hundred and fifty-six; in
i860, one thousand and twelve; in 1870, eight
hundred and eighty-seven; and in 1880, nine hun
dred and ten.
Following is a list of the justices ofthe peace:-
Amos H. Royce, elected in 182 1, and re-elected in
1825, 1827, 1830 and 1833; Richard Roberts,
1823; Elijah McGregor, 1836; George Ankeny,
1836, 1839, 1842; Alexander Menzie, 1838; J. A.
Richardson, 1838, 1841; Joel Elliott, 1841; Rich
ard Roberts, 1844; Henry Miller, 1845; Alfred
Royce, 1847; George Shaffer, 1848; Gideon Elli
ott, 1849; Joseph Ankeny, 1850, 1855; Michael
Hess, 1852; J. C. Auten, 1855; Alfred Royce,
1856; Joseph Ankeny, 1858; James Conings, 1859;
J. W. Condon, 1859; George Irwin, i860; Issa-
cher Rowley, 1862; J. W. Condon, 1863; Augustus
Rowley, 1865, 1868; J. W. Condon, 1866, 1869;
S. J. Moore, 1872, 1875; William Tours, 1872; C.
A. Amsbaugh, 1873, 1876, 1879; R. B. Smith,
1878.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

427

CHAPTER XLV.
BROWN TOWNSHIP.
Organization — First Election — List of Justices of
the Peace— Topography — Hunting Grounds— Pigeon-
Roost— Bear Story— First Settlers and Settle
ments — Mills — Schools — Churches— J elloway — In
surance.
BROWN belongs to the northern tier of town
ships, with Pike on the west, Jefferson on the
east, and Howard on the south. It was named in
honor of Major General Brown, a distinguished
officer in the last war with Great Britain. It was
originally included in Union. On the ninth of
March, 1825, it was "attached to Jefferson, until
it shall be ascertained that there are inhabitants
enough in Brown to have it organized." At that
date there were but a small number of inhabitants
in the township. Several families in the mean
time having moved into the township it was further
ordered by the commissioners March 6, 1826,
"that Brown be hereafter considered a separate and
distinct township, and the election be held at the
house of Jonas Ewing for township officers on the
first Monday in April." The following have been
the justices of the peace for Brown township since
1825: 1825, Samuel Parkhurst; 1826, Jonas
Ewing; 1830, James McMillen; 1831 James Blair;
1833, James McMillen; 1834-7, James Blair and
Thomas Wade; 1840, James Blair and Thomas
Wade; 1843, James Blair; 1844, Thomas Wade;
1845, J°^n W. Guberson ; 1-846, William Soverns
and James Blair; 1849, James Blair; 1850, Wil
liam Severns and Joseph Pinkley ; 1852, Solomon
C. Workman; 1853, Joseph Pinkley; 1854, John
Hicks; 1856, John W. Leonard; 1857, Joseph
Pinkley; 1859-62, John W. Leonard; 1863, John
P. Cumingham; 1866, Miles Darkins and Jacob
Frederick; 1872, Miles Darkins and John W.
Leonard; 1875, Edward E. Whitney; 1878, Marion
Pinkley and E. E. Whitney; 1879, D. C. Whitney.
'.' The general surface of Brown township is broken,
and in many places hilly, but the land is generally
fertile, and yields ample returns to the husband
man for his labors. It is well timbered with oak,
sugar, beech, chestnut, elm and sycamore.
The Big Jelloway creek is the main stream of
water, and traverses the township from northwest
to southeast, entering near the northwest corner

from Richland county and continuing in a south
easterly direction, passes out of the northeast
corner of the township into Howard. It was
named after Tom. Jelloway, a noted Indian chief,
whose tribe was frequently camped along this
stream. The Little Jelloway creek crosses the
southwest corner. Sapp's run rises near the
centre of the township, and flows in a southwesterly
course, emptying into the Big Jelloway. These
streams, with their tributaries, afford abundant
water power and privileges for all practical pur
poses. This township at its first settlement, and for
many years subsequent, was one of the best hunt
ing grounds in Ohio. The numerous high hills
here and in the adjoining townships of Ashland
and Richland counties, afforded a retreat for deer,
bear, wolves, foxes, and other wild animals, and
they were to be found in this section several years
later than in the other townships of Knox county.
As late as 1840 deer were still hunted.
There was a noted pigeon-roost in the southern
part of Brown township, where on each returning
spring, for many years after its first settlement, im
mense numbers of pigeons would roost. The
roost covered about six hundred acres, and was
visited by hundreds of persons within a radius of
fifty miles. Bears still lurked in the forest, and on
one occasion Alexander McKee, a pioneer of
Brown, while hunting pigeons, came very near
losing his life at this roost. He became separated
from the party of hunters who accompanied him
to the roost, and while engaged in killing and
bagging the birds, he suddenly aroused a large and
ferocious she-bear with three or four cubs. He as
cended the nearest sapling he could find, pursued
by the bear, who caught him by the leg, just as he
reached the first limb of the tree. He held on
with a firm grip, and shouted lustily for help, but
the noise and confusion caused by the hunters and
flying pigeons prevented his companions from hear
ing him for some time. In the meantime the bear
was tearing the flesh from his limb with all possible
dispatch, and before assistance came he was so
badly lacerated as to be a cripple for life, and it
was by much care and attention that his life was
saved at all.
The first settlers came to Brown about 1809.

428

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

As far as can be ascertained, Charles McKee was
the first white man to permanently settle within the
present limits of this township. He came here
from Ireland about 1809. Alexander McKee was
probably the second settler, coming to Brown
about 18 10, and locating in the eastern part of the
township, near Big Jelloway creek. At that date
Indians were numerous, and they had camps in
different places, especially along the Jelloway.
They were frequent visitors at the cabin of Mr.
McKee. He was a jovial, hospitable Irishman,
and generally kept a good supply of liquor on
hands, both for his own use and for the entertain
ment of his friends; and one occasion a party of
sixty-five Indians called at his house, and remained
some hours, drinking whiskey with him, and hav
ing a jolly time generally. He was a noted hunter,
and was engaged much of the time hunting the
wild animals which abounded in Brown at that
time. Jacob Phifer was another of the early settlers
and enterprising citizens. He was a native of
Germany, and served ten years in the German
army prior to his coming to America. He was
also a soldier in the war of 18 12, serving in the
American army. He came to Brown in 1818,
settling in the northern part of the township,
and was engaged in farming some years. He also
kept a hotel on the present site of Jelloway, several
years before the village was located. His hotel
was on the line of the old stage route leading from
Cleveland to Columbus, and was a favorite stop
ping place of the wearied traveller in the days of
the old fashioned stage-coach. He died in 1846,
at the advanced age of eighty-nine years.
Zephaniah Wade came from Virginia to this
township in 1816. During the Revolutionary war
he became an ardent patriot and commanded a
company of rifleman from Loudoun county, Vir
ginia. He was an efficient officer and his com
pany was in several battles in that memorable
struggle for independence.
James Blair, one of Browns most prominent and
useful citizens, came to Knox county early in this
century. He first settled in Union township, but
removed here in 1820. Being well educated and
having the esteem and confidence of his neigh
bors, he was frequently chosen justice of the peace,

and served more terms in that capacity than any
one that has ever resided in the township. After
his removal to Knox county he worked several
years in Shrimplin's mill, on Owl creek. He also
followed farming while living here. He was a poet
of considerable local celebrity, and his poetical
effusions were occasionally published in the papers
of that period. No citizen of Brown has ever been
honored by its citizens more than James Blair,
and his memory will long be cherished here.
James Serverns, John Carghnau, Richard Dakin,
Samuel Parkhurst, A. Whitney, Joseph Hall, Jacob
Bauge, Daniel Worley, William Prior, Solomon
Workman, Adam Sapp, Jacob Robinson, Jacob
Shimer, Josiah Frost, and Joseph Robinson, were
of the first settlers of this towhship. The early
settlers of Brown were mostly from Pennsylvania,
Maryland, and Virginia, with a small number from
Ireland and Germany. They were a hardy, in
dustrious, and frugal people, most of them inured
to hardships and dangers before they came here,
some of them having served in the Revolutionary
war, and also in the Indian wars of the latter part
of the last century, and of the still later War of
1812. They were men of strong convictions, sterling
integrity and worth, and were well qualified to lay
the foundation upon which the prosperity of Brown
now rests. Immor Barrett, who came from Bed
ford county, Pennsylvania about 1832, built the
first grist-mill, and the first saw-mill in 1833.
These mills were located on the Little Jelloway
run, in the southern part of this township. Bar
rett while residing in Pennsylvania, had been princi
pally engaged in school teaching, and was thorough
ly educated, and an estimable citizen.
James Blair built the second grist and saw-mill
combined about 1836. John A. Pheister built the
third flouring mill in Brown about 1840. There
was a saw-mill attached to this grist-mill. Prior to
the erection of these mills, the settlers did their
milling at Shrimplin's and Giffin's mills on Owl
creek, and at Loudonville.
The first school-house as far as known was built
near the present village of Jelloway, about 1830,
and Joseph Dunlap was the first school teacher.
This district embraced a large part of the township,
the children comi/ig for several miles through the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

429

forests to school. This, as well as all the first
school-houses, was frequently used for religious
meetings, lectures, singing schools, etc. Joseph
Pinkley was another of the first teachers.
There is a strong and earnest religious sentiment
developed in Brown, the inhabitants most uni
versally, being believers in the Christian religion,
and many of them members of some Evangelical
denomination. Religious meetings were, at first
held in the houses of the pioneers, and in the
school-houses. Camp meetings were occasionally
held in the woods, "God's first temples," and were
always attended by large numbers from Knox and
adjoining counties; and although much good was
accomplished in the grove meetings, yet they were
often the scenes of much rowdyism and confusion,
and after the erection of the first church edifices,
were discarded by the moral class of the com
munity. Revs. James Marvin and James Hughes
of the Christian or New Light church were the
pioneer preachers of Brown. They were earnest,
devoted ministers and zealously labored for the
salvation of the people. The Methodists and
Lutherans were early in the field, and the ministers
of these denominations held meetings frequently at
various places in the township.
The German Evangelical Lutheran church was
organized in 1850. The same year a log church
was built one and a half miles southwest of Jello
way. This organization has been, from its com
mencement, a'live, active and numerous one, the
membership including many names from Knox,
Richland, and Ashland counties. Its first mem
bers were Jacob Young, George Arnholt, George
and Peter Ricard, Thiebolt Lauffer, Adam Arnholt,
Peter Maerschal, George Laemer, John Kiever,
Frederick Coleman, Gottleib Moltz, Philip and
Godfrey Kick, Nicholas Wolyung, Valentine Dohn,
John Young, Peter Klein, Fred Schuh, Jacob
Young, jr., John Keifer, jr., John Aultz, John Toby
and George Rinehart. Its first officers were, Elders
Thiebolt Lauffer, Peter Ricard; Deacons, Casper
Boehm, Jacob Ricard; trustees, George Ricard, sr.,
and G. Holtz. Rev. H. Belzer was the first pastor,
succeeded by Revs. C. F. Diehl, I. H. Herzberger,
I. J. Buckstein, Louis Danman, H. Eisfellen, G.
Keif, C. Gabauer, and E. A. Born, the present one.
The present membership, including the baptized

children, who are considered members, is one hun
dred and forty. The society continued to worship
in the log building until 1857, when a more com
modious and neater frame edifice was erected at a
cost of one thousand six hundred dollars. In 1880
a parsonage was built in Jelloway village, which
cost nearly one thousand dollars. There is a ceme
tery attached to the church in which many of the
first members and their families rest.
The Dunkards or German Baptists organized a
society at an early day, which is known as the Dan
ville German Baptist church. The same officers
that are chosen for the government of the Dunkard
church near Danville, rule and govern in the church
in Brown township. In 187 1 a frame building was
erected on section fifteen, Revs. Joseph, John L.
and John J. Workman have been the pastors of this
church. At one of the camp meetings held in this town
ship about 1840, a tragedy occurred, which resulted
in the death of a man named Bartlett. He had
a stand at the camp grounds where he sold refresh
ments. During the progress of the meeting, he
had incurred the displeasure of a party of roughs,
who were in attendance at the meeting. In order
to be revenged they cut a portion of the harness
of his team, unknown to him. He started his
horses homeward, when the loud yelling and
other demonstrations of the party, frightened them
so that they ran away at a violent speed. Bartlett
was thrown out of the wagon and instantly killed.
Jelloway, originally named Brownsville, is the
only town in Brown township. It is situated near
the Big Jelloway creek, in the northeastern part of
the township and has a population of about one
hundred and fifty inhabitants. It was laid out in
1840, by Freeman Pipher. James Pearce built the
first house, which he used for a storeroom, and he
kept the first store in the town. Steven Brown
built the first dwelling house, and Silas Brown the
second one. Freeman Pipher was the second
merchant. Silas Brown was the first blacksmith.
Dr. Maynard was the first physician. Jacob Pipher
kept the first hotel, which was built several years
before the town was laid out, and was on the line
of the old Cleveland and Columbus stage route.
The first post office in the township was kept at
this hotel, and Jacob Pipher was probably the first

43°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

postmaster. At that time the post office was known
as Pipher's Cross Roads. Joseph Pinkley taught
the first school in the town. Jefferson Sapp, 
Morrison, and  Whitford were also of the first
school teachers. The village is divided into two
school districts, the school-houses in both districts
being located ontside of the village.
There are two religious organizations, but only
one church building in the village at present.
The first church was organized in 1850 by the
Episcopal Methodists, and a frame edifice erected
the same year. Samuel Boyles, Nelson Burrows,
John W. Moffitt, Elias Stillwell, Joseph B. Rol-
land, Joseph Burns, and Francis DeWitt, were the
building committee. Among the first members
were William Hall, Michael Phifer, Mrs. Lybarger,
and Rebecca Phifer. Reverends Bear, Lydy, Neal,
Plumber, and Sheldon have been pastors of this
organization. Rev. William Wright is the present
pastor. The present officers are : George Blakely,
John Nuhart, and William Patton, trustees; Marion
Pinkley and Michael Oswoltz, stewards. The
membership at present numbers about twenty-five.
There is a flourishing Union Sunday school held
in this church, with E. L. Waltz as superintendent.
There is a cemetery attached to the church, and
the only one within the village limits. A new and
commodious church edifice will be erected this
year, 1881.
The Jelloway English Lutheran church was
organized February 20, 1881. The members com
posing this organization are: S. Hildebrand, Miss
Sadie M. Witt, John L. Hildebrand, George
Thoma, Mrs. E. A. Hildebrand, F. L. Waltz, C.
Fish, Mrs. Alice Waltz, W. M. Bauer, Mrs. Alice
Hildebrand, Miss Lucinda Waltz, and Mrs. Mary
E. Myers. The officers are: George Thoma,
elder; E. L. Waltz, John L. Hildebrand, deacons;
S. Hildebrand, treasurer; W. M. Bauer, secretary;
Rev. J. W. Kapp, present pastor. A frame church
building will be erected this present year.
The Farmers' Home Fire Insurance company of
Jelloway was incorporated April 9, 1872. The
first board of trustees were: J. S. Tilton, presi
dent; J. W. Smith, vice-president; James Barron,
treasurer; S. Hildebrand, secretary; T. O. Boyd,
William Barron, J. M. Nyhart, I. R. Bailey, D. M.
Tilton. It was organized with a capital of two

hundred thousand dollars. In 1879 the capital
was reduced to one hundred thousand dollars.
There is a real estate security of three hundred
and eight thousand five hundred and seventy-
four dollars for the payment of the capital. The
distinctive features of this company are: 1. It is
a stock company, therefore there can be no assess
ments on its policy holders. 2. Its capital and
assets are secured by real estate first leans on im
proved farms, worth over three hundred thousand
dollars, exclusive of improvements or other perish
able property. 3. Its rates are low, and no efforts
are spared to protect the interests of its patrons.
5. It pays the full amount in case of damage by
fire or lightning; 6. Because it is purely a farmers'
company, insuring only farm property and detached
dwellings, private barns and their contents, and
detached churches. Since its organization nearly
fifty thousand dollars in losses have been paid,
The present board of trustees are : Amos Clark,
president; S. Hildebrand, vice-president; E. L.
Waltz, secretary; William Garrett, treasurer; Tobias
Castor, adjuster; C. Pinkley, I. R. Bailey, George
Wohlfard. J. A. Colopy, T. O. Boyd, Amos Clark,
James Barron, C. Banbury, William Colwell, W.
H. Frasher, J. M. Holmes, William Barron,
George McClurg, G. W. Blakeley, William Long,
C. W. Critchfield, and R. Banbury.
The Jelloway Mutual Aid Life Insurance asso
ciation was organized March 5, 1878. The charter
members were: Byron Castor, W. M. Crowner,
A. J. Hyatt, S. M. Vincent, R. M. Critchfield, M.
B. Thoma, T. O. Boyd, J. L. Hildebrand. The
present officers are Tobias Castor, president; W.
M. Crowner, vice-president; T. O. Boyd, treas
urer; S. Hildebrand, actuary; S. M. Vincent, legal
director; A. J. Hyatt, medical examiner; R. M.
Critchfield, E. O. Lybarger, trustees and general
agents. The association pays to the insured there
in the amount specified in the certificate of insur
ance at the expiration of a term, ranging from eight
to twenty years, according to the age of insured at
time of insurance, or if he dies before the stipulated
period arrives, to his or her representatives. The
membership of the association is limited to five
thousand. The beneficiary fund is supported from
the surplus of membership fees and assessment of
its members. A membership fee of ten dollars,

HISTORV OF KNOX COUNTY.

43i

from any person of sound mind, between the ages
of eighteen and sixty, entitles him to a certificate
in the association. All claims arising against the
company for death of a member or expiration of a
certificate is paid within ninety days after maturity
or satisfactory evidence received at the office.
Both of these companies are well officered, and are
a credit to the enterprise of Jelloway. They are
both transacting a very satisfactory business at
present. Although the town of Jelloway has no railroad
advantages, it is a place of considerable business ac
tivity. There are at present in the village two dry
goods stores, owned by Kinder & Myers and Patton
& Derry, one drug store by A. J. Hyatt, one
grocery by John Butler, one hotel by Mrs. Clara
R. Cummings, one blacksmith shop by W. B. Mix,
one harness shop by Fred Sheriff, one millinery
establishment by Mrs. Belle Derry, one physician,
Dr. A. J. Hyatt; one attorney, S. M. Vincent, etc.
Mrs. C. R. Cummings has charge of the post-office,
and the village has the benefit of a daily mail from
Mt. Vernon, Mr. Solomon R. Workman being the
mail carrier. In 1878 a town hall thirty-six by
fifty feet was erected at a cost of eight hundred
dollars.

CHAPTER XLVI.
BUTLER TOWNSHIP.
Organization — Topography — Indians — First Settlers
—Mills — Schools — Churches.
BUTLER township was organized March 9, 1825.
The surface is very broken and hilly, especially
along Owl creek, where the scenery is picturesque
and grand. The soil is generally fertile, and large
crops of wheat, corn, and other cereals are grown.
It abounds in numerous springs of clear, cold
water, and is otherwise well watered by streams
supplied from these springs. Owl creek, or Vernon
river, crosses the northern portion of the township.
Emptying into this stream are Brush run and one
or two smaller creeks. The Wakatomika crosses
the southwest corner of the township. Originally

most of the township was heavily timbered with
red and white oak in the central and southern
parts, and sugar, oak, walnut, and buckeye in the
north. Although much clearing has been done
there are extensive tracts of timber in the northern
and western portions of the township, and at this
date hundreds of acres of forests are being de
nuded. In the early settlement of Butler the hills lying
along Owl creek and Brush run were almost en
tirely destitute of trees, caused by the Indians and
hunters burning the woods in order that they might
have an unobstructed view of the deer and other
game. These hills are now covered with a heavy
growth of red and white oak.
When Butler township was first settled it was
one of the best hunting grounds in this county.
Bears, deer, wild turkeys, wolves, and all kinds of
wild game abounded. The early settlers could
procure their supplies of meat with but little
trouble, and the meat thus procured contributed
materially to the support of their families. Had it
not been for these supplies, much suffering would
have been caused by lack of food, as but little
could be raised the first year or two. Wild game,
such as wild turkeys, foxes, coons, opossums, etc.,
are still quite numerous.
Coal has been found in a few places in the town
ship, but not in sufficient quantity to pay for min
ing. Sandstone for building and other uses exists
in almost inexhaustible quantities. Some years
ago, an oil well was sunk on the farm of G. W.
Butler, and petroleum in small streams issued forth
from the well; but it ceased to flow in a short time,
and the enterprise was abandoned. Another well,
sunk on George W. Riley's place, near the Coshoc
ton county line, about the same time that the one
on Butler's place was sunk, sent forth quite a large
stream of oil for some time, when it suddenly
ceased to flow, and this enterprise was also aban
doned. By the sinking of these two wells it was
ascertained that petroleum exists along the Owl
creek bottoms.
When the first settlers came Indians were numer
ous, and their camps were to be found in various
places. They had located a small village on the
south side of Owl creek, on land now owned by
William Darling. There are many evidences that

43 2

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

the aborigines especially abounded here in the ages
past. Relics, such as arrow-heads, stone knives,
and axes, silver brooches, etc., have been plowed
up by the farmers frequently. In the hills on G.
W. Riley's farm numerous skeletons have been
washed out, which were found in a sitting position,
buried according to the mode of the Indians.
When the first settlers came there was standing in
the northwestern portion of the township a large
stone wall about one hundred and seventy-five yards
in length, from four to five feet high and about
three feet in width. It was in the form of a semi
circle, one end of the construction reaching to Owl
creek. It was undoubtedly used by the Indians or
some other race of people as a fortification. Near
this ancient stone wall is a cascade and cave.
Probably the excavation was made by the Indians
for military purposes, probably as a place for re
treat while engaged in war with other tribes. The
Indians were desirous of having many dogs, and it
is said by many of the old settlers that they could
at any time trade a good dog for a horse. They
also took a special delight in having wrestling
matches with the whites, and often engaged in such
amusements. Nicholas Riley often had trials of
his skill and strength as a wrestler with them, and,
being an athletic, robust, and muscular man, could
always "throw them." One of the noted Indians
who resided in Butler township in its early history
was the chief Tom Jelloway. He claimed to be a
"bird charmer," and in order to test the genuine
ness of this claim the father of William D. Beatty
requested him at one time to give a display of his
skill as a charmer. He accordingly ascended a
wild cherry tree growing on Mr. Beatty's place,
commenced to utter a peculiar cry, and in a few
minutes hundreds of birds of every kind were in
the tree tops. Some perched on the limbs, and
others on Jelloway's head and shoulders. This
convinced Mr. Beatty that his claim was not a pre
tentious one.
The pioneer families of Butler township were the
Shrimplins, Carpenters, Staats, Darlings, Rileys,
Hamells, Horns, Eleys, Beattys, McLarnans, Den
nises, Campbells, Wolfs, Lepleys, Morrisons, But
lers, Giffins, and Morningstars. They were emi
grants from Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New

Jersey, principally from the two first named States.
They were a hardy race, well fitted for pioneer life,
men of muscle not lacking in brain power, who
were not afraid to take hold of the axe and mat
tock, and engage in clearing up their land. The
women were well fitted to take places by their hus
bands' sides, and take hold of their distaffs, throw
the shuttle, card the fleeces of wool, and often pull,
break, and hatchel the flax, and thus materially
contribute to the welfare of the family.
Butler township has longer retained the primi
tive habits of early times than any other town
ship in this county, and the log cabin and old fash
ioned fire-place still abound.
At a distance from the railroad and telegraph
office, settled among hills almost as high as the
largest in any part of Ohio, the inhabitants, many
of them, still live a life bordering closely on pio
neer times.
One of the first settlers and noted hunters was
George Lepley, now residing in Harrison township
at the advanced age of ninety-one years. He came
to Butler township with his father about the year
1805. At that time, there were no roads, school-
houses or mills, and but a few white families in the
township. Butler was then a dense wilderness,
wild beasts were very numerous, Indians abounded,
and their camps were scattered all over the town
ship. Mr. Lepley's father settled near Brush run, a
short distance north of the centre of the township.
At that time it was an almost unbroken wilderness
between his place and Mt. Vernon. His neigh
bors were the Staats, Carpenters, Rileys and
Shrimplins, who had but recently removed into
the county, and had made but very little progress
in clearing their farms. For the first few years
they went to Zanesville to mill. They generally
took their grists on horseback. Mr. Lepley was a
great hunter, and has killed more deer than any
other man that ever lived' in the county. More
than a thousand have succumbed to his rifle. The
Lepleys down to the present generation are noted
Nimrods, and take much pleasure in hunting and
fishing, and are experts with the rifle and shot-gun.
John Shrimplin was among the first who settled
on Owl creek, and was probably the first settler with
in the present limits of Butler township. He was

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

433

born in Maryland about the year 1778, and came
to the county about 1805, purchasing three thou
sand acres of land, lying on both sides of Owl
creek. Prior to his removal to Ohio he made sev
eral trips to New Orleans on flat-boats laden with
flour, pork and whiskey, which he sold for cash,
and receiving a good price for these commodities,
he was enabled to make an extensive purchase of
land. He built the first grist-mill in the township,
if not in the county. Mr. Shimplin engaged in
farming, milling and various enterprises, amassed
quite a fortune, and was a man of considerable lo
cal celebrity in the early history of Knox county.
He ended his somewhat eventful career in 18 18
by shooting himself with a rifle. The cause of his
suicide could not be ascertained. His son Sam
uel still lives on the old home place.
The second person to settle on Owl Creek
was Nicholas Riley, who was born in Maryland
about the year 1778. He emigrated from Mary
land to Wellsburg, Virginia, about the commence
ment of this century, where he resided until 1803,
when he moved to Coshocton county, Ohio. After
a short residence there he returned to Virginia,
from whence he came to Butler in 1806, residing
there until his decease December 15, 1866.
Previous to his removal to Knox county when
it was one vast wilderness, but one white man,
Andrew Craig, living in it, he had visited various
portions of Knox and was favorably impressed
with the county, and this visit to the wilderness,
no doubt, had much influence in causing him to
secure a permanent location in Butler township.
A short time after his removal he purchased seven
hundred acres of land from John Shrimplin. This
land was a portion of the three thousand acre
tract which Mr. Shrimplin had previously bought
from the government.
With the exception of three or four acres, which
the Indians had cleared to raise some corn, this
land was densely covered with sugar, walnut, buck
eye, and other timber. He went to work with a
determination to succeed, and in a few years he
had a large tract cleared and in good order for
farming. He was married to Hannah Shrimplin,
of Virginia, by whom he had fourteen children.
Mr. Riley made several trips to his old home,
Wellsburg, Virginia, subsequent to his removal to

Butler, for the purchase of salt, sugar, coffee, etc.
These journeys were always made on horseback,
as the country between Knox county and Virginia
was almost an unbroken forest.
Mr. Riley and John Hibbitts went to Detroit
about the year 1808, to see Colonel Hamtramck,
who owned an extensive tract of land in Knox
county, which they desired to purchase. This was
considered, at that time, by the entire community,
as an event of much importance. Taking their
rifles and a pocket compass, they started on horse
back for Detroit. All the human beings they saw
on their route were Indians, and when they were
near Detroit a few French families. They secured
the principal part of their sustenance from the
woods. They were frequently pursued by wolves,
but frightened them away by firing their guns at
them. They succeeded in accomplishing this trip,
and in due time returned home in health and
safety. Jacob Horn came from Washington county
Pennsylvania in 1 8 1 5. He settled in the eastern part
of the township, near the Coshocton county line.
By dint of hard labor and perseverance he became
rich. His family of twelve children all lived to
become men and women, most of whom are now
living in Knox county. The Horns are the most
numerous of any family in the township.
Isaac Darling was another early settler. He was
born in Monongalia county, Virginia, in 1778,
and came to Butler township in 1806. He settled
near Owl Creek, and after a few years' residence
returned to Virginia, removing again to Butler in
1820, where he resided until his removal to Union
county in 1843, his death occurring in that county
in 1853. The Darlings have long been identified
with the history of the township.
One of the most noted personages of the early
times, both of the township and county, was Ben
jamin Butler, who is claimed to be the founder of
Mt. Vernon. He was born in Monongalia county,
Virginia, in April, 1779, was married to Leah
Rogers, May 2, 1799, by whom he had thirteen
children, viz : Elizabeth, Hiram, Benjamin, Joseph,
Matilda, Huldah, Reason, Laban R., Maria, Pau
lina, Hettie, Squire John, and George W. A short
time after his marriage he removed to Muskingum
county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming, renting

434

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

lands of Major Cass, who afterwards became the
distinguished Democratic statesman and politician.
In 1801 he moved to Coshocton county, where he
resided until 1805, when he moved to Clinton
township, Knox county. He was one of the three
founders of Mt. Vernon, and after the laying out
of that town, kept hotel for some years. In 1809
he removed to Butler township, where he lived
nearly a half century, engaged in milling and farm
ing. He purchased land lying on the north side
of Owl creek, which was very productive, and
yielded large crops of corn and wheat. Owing to
the infirmities of old age he quit farming and
resided with his daughter Hettie, wife of John
Carpenter, at New Castle, Coshocton county,
where he died May 13, 1872. His son George W.
and daughter, Mrs. Carpenter, still reside in Butler
township. Daniel Campbell came to Ohio in 1816, locating
in Butler township. He purchased one hundred
and sixty acres of land, lying near to the Mt. Ver
non and Coshocton road. He continued to pur
chase from time to time until he was the owner of
several hundred acres of good farming land. He
was very industrious, and considered laziness as
one of the greatest sins of which a man or woman
could be guilty, and consequently detested a lazy
man. He came from Marshall county, Virginia to
Ohio. He was born in Ireland, on the fourth day
of May, 1790. His father, Richard Campbell,
emigrated to America when Daniel was four years
old. Daniel was drafted in the War of 18 12, a
short time after his marriage to Miss Jane Caldwell
of Ohio county, Virginia. He hired a substitute
for one hundred dollars. Although the first set
tlers of Butler had come some ten years previous
to his removal from Virginia, the township was still
almost a wilderness. But little progress had been
made in clearing up the land in the southern and
central portions. What clearing had been done
was principally in the Owl creek bottoms. Deer
were still numerous, wolves were troublesome, and
small game abounded in great numbers. After
Mr. Campbell paid for his first purchase of land,
he had four dollars in cash and a blind horse as
capital with which to commence farming, but his
resolute, determined spirit very soon surmounted
all obstacles, and in a few years he was one of the

wealthy farmers of "old Knox." Of his family of
eleven, ten children lived to manhood and woman
hood. Joseph Staats was a native of Virginia, and with
his father, Joseph Staats, sr., came to Butler about
the year 1806. He was married to Catharine
Hull, of Pennsylvania, by whom he had eleven
children, several of whom are now residing in the
township. He was the first one to put a glass
window in his cabin, and also built the first britk
house. "Uncle Joe," as he was generally called,
was noted for his jovial disposition, very often en
gaging in the then common amusements of the
day, such as wrestling, running foot races, throwing
the hammer, etc. He engaged for some years in
the distilling of whiskey, but hearing a temperance
lecture delivered by one of the early preachers who
labored in the township, he quit the business and
became an earnest temperance advocate. At one
time he was about the only Whig in Butler town
ship; but in defiance of all opposition he persisted
in voting that ticket. His father, who died in
1826, was the third person to die in the township.
His resting place is marked by a large wild cherry
tree, which grew from the centre of his grave.
John R. Gamble came to Butler in 1836. He
was quite a noted man in central Ohio for many
years, on account of his connection with the public
works. He was born near Philadelphia, Pennsyl
vania, September 27, 1796, and came to Delaware
county in 1 8 10. A short time after his coming he
went to Columbus, where he engaged in brick mak
ing. He was married in 1825 to Lovina Collins.
Soon after his marriage he moved to Newark,
where he engaged in the construction of public
works. From there he went to Tuscarawas county
to construct the locks on the Ohio canal. After
wards removing to Coshocton county, and from
there to Butler township in 1836, he purchased
a large tract of land lying north of Owl creek, and
engaged in farming and distilling. He was, during
his residence in the township, again engaged in the
construction of public works, building several sec
tions of the Walhonding canal. Upon the com
pletion of the canal he erected a large grain ware
house in Walhonding, and was for some years en
gaged in the mercantile, milling, and commission
business. Mr. Gamble was a Democratic politi-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

435

cian of considerable local celebrity, and was the
nominee of that party for the legislature for one or
more terms. He died at his home in Butler in
1857. His widow still survives him at an advanced
age. William, father of John R. Gamble, emigrated
from the county of Antrim, Ireland, having been
obliged to flee the country on account of his demo
cratic principles, and in consequence of having a
personal collision with one of the King's officers.
Mrs. Gamble's father was also Irish. He partici
pated in the old French and English wars ; was
under General Wolfe at Quebec, and afterwards
became an ardent -patriot; was in the battles of
Lexington, Bunker Hill, Long Island ; fought with
Gates at Saratoga, where Burgoyne surrendered his
entire army to the American commander. He was
transferred to the navy, and died while cruising in
•the Mediterranean. His maternal grandfather was
a captain in Washington's army.
The Carpenters were noted pioneers in the early
history of Ohio and Butler township. During the
Indian wars, while the Revolutionary war was in
progress, and subsequently they were often en
gaged in fighting the Indians. William Carpenter
came to Butler in 1808. His neighbors at that
date were the Riley's, Shrimplins, Spurgeons and
Darlings. He engaged in farming, purchasing
land in the northern part of the township. His
sons Thomas, John, George and Ned are still re
siding in Butler.
William D. Beatty who was born January, 1807,
is the oldest man now living who was born in But
ler township. He resides in the southwestern part
of the township and is owner of a large farm.
One of the first justices of the peace, who was a
good humored "Pennsylvania Dutchman," not
having a docket, kept all his official records on his
mantel piece, using a piece of charcoal for that
purpose. Many of the first settlers engaged in the distilling
of whiskey. On account of the low prices for grain
and not much of a market for their productions, it
was more profitable and convenient for them to
convert their corn, rye and wheat into whiskey,
which could always be sold for money, and was
more easily transported.
Johnny Appleseed was a frequent visitor in But

ler. One of his largest nurseries, located on Nur
sery Island, Mohican creek, was but a short dis
tance from the line between Butler township and
Coshocton county. He spent considerable time
visiting the early settlers. He frequently stayed
several days and nights at a time, with the Rileys,
Shrimplins, Staats, Carpenters and Benjamin But
ler. They never charged him for his board or en
tertainment, and he was a welcome visitor at the
homes of the pioneers. Apple trees originally pro
cured from his nursery can now be seen in Joseph
Staat's orchard, and various other orchards in the
township. The first grist-mill built in Butler, and also one
of the first in Knox county, was built by John
Shrimplin, some time before the commencement
of the last war with Great Britain, the exact date
not known. It was a very primitive structure, but
was considered a curiosity in those days. Its pa
trons were from various points in Knox, Coshoc
ton, Richland and Licking counties. Mr. Shrimp
lin went to Zanesville after the mill stones, bring
ing them home on horseback.
Another mill erected about the same time was
the "Giffin Mill," by Robert Giffin. They have
long since been torn down. At one time a couple
of pioneers, each with a peck of corn went to mill,
put one ofthe grists into the hopper, turned the
water on to the wheel, and started the machinery,
but found no meal would come through; after
much conjecturing and searching, they discovered
a large bull frog in the hopper who placed himself
in such a position as to prevent the corn from
entering the buhrs. After his removal from the
hopper, the grinding proceeded satisfactorily.
The only grist-mill in the township (built about
fifty years ago,) is now owned by Lloyd Nichols
and Stephen Zuck. It is on the north side of Owl
creek, and is doing a large business.
The date of the first saw-mill erected is not
known. There are two saw-mills in the township,
one on Owl creek, owned by Nichols & Zuck, and
one on Brush run by Jacob Beale.
There are two iron bridges: One spanning Owl
creek, a few hundred yards east of the Green Val
ley mills. It is probably the longest bridge in the
county. The other crosses the Wakatomika in the
southern part of the township and is a small one.

43°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Both of these bridges are of recent construction.
The first road in Butler was the Mount Vernon
^and Coshocton, and passes across the entire town
ship from west to east. It was laid out and finished
at an early date. The other principal roads of early
construction were the Mt. Vernon and Walhond
ing and the road leading from Bladensburgh to
New Castle.
The first post office was established about the
year 1817, with Abraham Darling, postmaster.
The name of the post office was "Owl Creek. '>
After serving several years and getting tired of
the duties devolving upon him, he resigned andthe
office was discontinued. A post office was estab
lished some months since at Green Valley Mills,
called "Zuck, " named after Stephen Zuck one of
the proprietors of the mills.
No villages have been laid out in this township.
The nearest approximation to a village is at Green
Valley mills, where there is a grist and saw-mill, a
grocery store, post office, and three families resid
ing. The people generally go to Mt. Vernon,
New Castle and Bladensburgh to trade.
For several years after the first settlement, but
little attention was paid to educational matters.
The teachers were illiterate, and the school-houses
were of the rudest style of architecture. The fol
lowing description of one, which George McLar-
nan attended when a boy, will illustrate. It was
situated on a knoll about four rods from a fine
spring of water in the midst of a dense forest. It
was constructed of round logs twelve and sixteen
feet long, one story high, with a log across the north
end placed about four or five feet high from the
floor, and about the same distance from the wall,
upon which, and against the end wall, was erected
a large stick chimney, plastered with mortar, joined
to a stone back-wall cemented with the same ma
terial. The roof was made of clapboards that were held
in their places by weight poles, which in turn were
held by a small log, notched into the ends of the
top end logs, and called a butting pole. Not a
nail was used. Greased paper was used in place of
glass for windows. The ground floor was composed
of huge puncheons, faced and jointed by some
pioneer with his broadaxe, and laid upon large
logs placed in as sleepers. The seats were made

from small trees, cut into logs of the proper length
and split in two, the. bark taken off, and the other
side hewn and made smooth; two inch holes were
then bored, into the ends and middle, into which
sticks were placed for legs. Holes were bored into
the walls on the west side, and south end, and large
wooden supporters placed therein, upon which were
laid boards to write upon ; then, to complete the
structure, the door was made by cutting a hole in
the southeast corner of the house, five and one-half
by three and one-half feet in dimensions; the same
was cased with timber, split hewn and shaved, and
fastened with wooden pins." These rude structures
have been superceded by neat white frame school-
houses, placed at convenient distances, and com
petent teachers have taken the place of incompe
tent ones. William Braddock was one of the first
school teachers. His educational qualifications
were very limited. He could read, write and
"cipher some."
Another of the early pedagogues of Butler was a
"Judge" Davis from Maryland. A citizen of the
township who was one of his scholars thus describes
his personal appearance, etc. "He wore linsey-
woolsey pants and home-made linen vest, red flan
nel warmus, cowhide shoes, the sole and upper
leather both of his own tanning, together with over
shoes made from sheepskin with the wool on. He
was born and received his education near Hagers-
town, Maryland, emigrated to Virginia, and from
there to Knox county, where he set up as a small
farmer, tanner, politician, and last but not least, in
structor of the young rustics of Butler and adjoin
ing townships. He was a believer in Methodism,
a thorough Democrat, a good neighbor and citizen.
As to his pupils, they came from every direction
for two miles each way. Some of them six feet in
height, all dressed in homespun from head to foot.
The young women were also clad in homespun.
The books corresponded with other surroundings.
The old United States spelling book, the Advent
ures of Lemuel Gulliver, Robinson Crusoe, Lives of
Washington, Penn and Marion, were the reading
books. As for geography, grammar and algebra,
they were not known. A majority of these young
sters went to work with a will, and soon acquired the
rudiments of an education, and matured into ex
cellent men and women; some df them are the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

437

sturdy old farmers and matrons of Butler to-day."
For many years after the first settlement religious
meetings were held in the houses of the settlers,
The Methodists and Baptists were the pioneers.
The first church organization was the Butler Bap
tist church, organized April 26, 1841, by Elder L.
Gilbert. William Underwood and Benjamin Horn
were the first deacons, and Henry Underwood the
first clerk. The first pastor was L. Gilbert, who
was succeeded by Elders L. Root, B. F. Smith,
Gibson Moore, James Fry, Benjamin Morrison,
James K Lionbaugh, W. S. Barnes, and A, W.
Arnold. The number of members at present is
twenty-six. A neat white frame church has been
erected by this society, located in the southeastern
part of the township.
The Messiah Evangelical church (Lutheran)
was built in 1874. It is a frame building, twenty-
eight by forty-four feet Rev. Thomas Drake was
the first pastor. There is no pastor at the present
time (1880). Jacob Leply, Michael Beale, and
James McCamment were the building committee.
No regular church officers have yet been chosen,
and as there are but few Lutherans in the town
ship, the church does not yet enjoy a large meas
ure of prosperity.
Riley chapel (Baptist) was built in 1875. It
stands in the northeastern part of Butler, near the
Coshocton county line. It is a frame building,
thirty-five by forty feet in dimensions. John Spur-
geon was the first deacon, and J. K Lionbaugh
the pastor. Alexander Hardin is the present dea
con. The Methodists have no organization, although
in the early history of the township they were a
prominent denomination.
There are many Disciples in the township, who
have generally connected themselves with the Den
nis church organization in Jackson township.
Sunday schools were organized by the Baptists
at an early date, and there is a very prosperous
school in connection with the Butler Baptist
church.

CHAPTER XLVII.
CLAY TOWNSHIP.
Organization — First Settlers — Indians — Township
Records — Mounds — Martinsburgh Schools — Mar
tinsburgh Academy— Churches— Rev. Henry Hervey
— Fires.
CLAY township was created out of Morgan and
organized March 9, 1825. It was named after
Henry Clay, the great Whig statesman. The first
election after its organization was held the first
Monday of April, 1825, in the village of Williams-
burgh, now Martinsburgh, when the following offi
cials were elected: Rynard Reece, David Hann, and
William Lyon, trustees; William Barton and Wash
ington Houck, constables ; William McCreary, clerk;
James Elliott, treasurer; Ebenezer Brown, house
appraiser; Robert Dillon and James Pollock,
overseers ofthe poor; William McWilliams, lister;
Abraham McLane and Arony Pierson, fence-viewers.
The first settlement of the trustees with the treasurer
was had March 6, 1826, when orders to the amount
of twenty-six dollars "were lifted." The official
records of that year show that the township clerk,
trustees, treasurer, and the other township officers
"charged the township nothing for the year 1825."
Robert Dillon and William Dehart were selected
for grand jurors, and John Reagh and Ebenezer
Brown petit jurors for 1826.
Topograpically the surface of the country is un
even, with the exception of the northern portion of
the township, which is a beautiful level prairie. The
land is all tillable, and generally of fine quality. A
branch ofthe Wakatomika crosses the northeast por
tion of the township, and the Big run the northwest.
Paul's run traverses the southern part from east to
west. In an early day the larger part of the town
ship was heavily timbered with oak and hickory,
more especially oak, and at this date large forests
of oak remain.
In the northern part of the township several
mounds exist. The largest one is about two acres
in area, and was covered with a dense growth of
heavy timber when the first settlers came to Clay.
This mound is on the farm now owned by Charles
Murray. The smaller mounds have an area of
from one-half to one acre. When the first settlers
came to Clay they found wild game in great abun
dance. The first season that Levi Harrod lived here

43»

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

he killed sixty deer and ten bears, and wolves were
so numerous that he found it necessary to build
fires at night to protect his flocks of sheep, which
were in small enclosures near his residence. The
southern parts of Knox county were the favorite
hunting grounds of the Indians residing at Green
town and Upper Sandusky, and they annually en
camped here for several weeks at a time during the
hunting season, and were generally successful in
securing large quantities of game.
Levi Harrod was probably the first settler in the
township. He came from Green county, Pennsyl
vania, to Knox county in 1804. He first settled
in Clinton township, near the present site of Mt.
Vernon. Mr. Harrod and family was one of seven
families that settled permanently in Knox county
in 1803 or 1804. The families were those of
William Leonard, John Mills, Henry Haines, Wil
liam Knight, Levi Harrod, James Harrod, and
Peter Baxter. They were all related to each other
and lived very harmoniously together. These
families all settled in Clinton township, in the same
neighborhood. Levi Harrod removed to Clay
township some years previous to the War of 181 2.
When he first came Clay township was an un
broken wilderness; the woods literally swarming
with wild animals. Indians were quite numerous.
He settled in the northeastern part of the town
ship on Government land. He went to work clear
ing his land, and in a few years became quite pros
perous. For several years after he first settled
here he frequently found elk horns and Buffalo
skulls on his farm and in other portions of the
township, evidences that these animals at one time
were numerous, but none were here at the date of
the first settlement.
Steven Cook, an early settler, came from Wash
ington county, Pennsylvania in 1814, where he was
born the nineteenth of August, 1789. He first
settled in Morgan township. He partially cleared
three farms after his removal to Knox county. He
was a prominent member of the Presbyterian
church, and an elder many years. The religious
element was strongly developed in Mr. Cook, being
an earnest worker in the church and Sunday
school. He was liberal in his donations to the
church institutions and the poor. He was a be
liever in the power of prayer to secure temporal as

well as spiritual blessings, and the following anec
dote is related of him :
Having no pasture fields cleard, his horses, cattle, and sheep,
ran in the woods, and to prevent their being lost, bells were
fastened around their necks. At one time one of these bells
was lost, and as there was no store nearer than Mt. Vemon, he
was very anxious to find it. He prayed fervently that the Lord
would assist him in finding it. As he was going through the
wilderness to a neighbors one day — earnestly praying as he was
walking along — he suddenly caught his foot in the mouth of the
bell that was lost, That this was a direct answer to his prayers
he did not doubt.
Mr. Cook continued to reside in Clay until his
death, May 20, 1870.
Cornelius Barkalow, who was born in Virginia
in 1 80 1, came with his father to Knox county in
1804. His father settled near Utica, Licking
county, residing there until 1812, when he removed
to Clay township, locating on section fifteen. At
that date but a very small number of settlers had
as yet located in the township. Wild animals were
still numerous; Indians were living in large num
bers, and Mr. Barkalow's playmates were Indian
children. He still lives in Martinsburgh. Mr.
Barkalow has lived to see Clay emerge from a
wilderness into a thickly settled county.
John McWilliams came here in 1818 from Bel
mont county. He was born in Ohio county, Vir
ginia, in 1798. He first settled on Government
land near the village of Martinsburgh, where he en
gaged in farming about half a century, when he
sold his farm and removed to Martinsburgh. He
has been an active member of the Presbyterian
church nearly fifty years, and a deacon forty-one
years. Ezekiel Boggs, who died in 1853, was one of
the early settlers of Clay, coming from Belmont
county. He served as representative from Knox
county in the Ohio legislature. His widow and his
children still reside in the township, one of his
sons, Coleman, being a very successful teacher,
and a member of the board of school examiners.
Ziba Leonard came with his father from Green
county, Pennsylvania, in 1804. His father settled
in Clinton township. Mr. Leonard attended the
first funeral in Knox county. He was also present
at the first wedding in the county, the marriage be
ing that of his two sisters. One of the bridegrooms
was Amariah Watson, who afterwards removed to
Richland county, where he founded the village of

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

439

Lexington. Mr. Leonard worked many years at
the carpenter trade, and a large number of the
houses now standing in Martinsburgh were erected
by him. Politically he was a Whig, afterwards a
Republican, and is now a Prohibitionist. He has
been a working member of the Presbyterian church
of Martinsburgh a long time. Mr. Leonard has
resided in Clay since his removal here in 1831.
James Cook has long been an honored and use
ful citizen. He was born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in 1801. He removed to Knox
county in 1817, locating in Clay township. He
has been a prominent member of the Presbyterian
church more than fifty years, engaging actively in
the prayer meeting and Sunday-school. He is also
noted for his great liberality in giving of his means
to the various boards of the Presbyterian church.
He has been elder in the church for many years
and is still living at Martinsburgh.
The oldest person now living in Clay is James
Sims, who was born in Maryland in 1792. He has
been a resident of the township since 1835.
Of the earliest settlers, Ziba Leonard, Jacob
Harrod, John McWilliams, C. Barkalow, James
Cook, and James McKee are still living in the
township. The early settlers, in addition to those named,
were: Abner Brown, Jacob Smith, David Harrison,
James Pitney, John Huston, James Paul, Abram
Day, James Larason, Nathan Veach, Samuel Por-
terfield, Robert Dillon, Michael Mills, John Culp,
Luther Brown, Samuel Ross, James Hays, William
Henry, James Carr, John Williams, John Reagh,
Jonathan Curtis, Aaron Conger, and Philemon
Pierson. They were from Virginia and western
Pennsylvania, and generally of Scotch and Irish
descent. Almost all of the early settlers are dead,
and but a few more years will pass until all will be
"consigned to the narrow house appointed for all
the living."
Clay has not been as fortunate as many of the
other townships of Knox county in securing rail
road communication with other places. Owing to
the numerous hills in southern Knox and other
reasons, there is no probability of its having a rail
road for many years at least. There are no streams
of sufficient size for manufacturing purposes, and
consequently there are no manufactories in the

township. Outside of the village of Martinsburgh
there are no grist- or saw-mills to note in the his
tory of Clay, and it will in all probability remain as
heretofore, an agricultural community. The church,
school, and farm employ the time, talent, and
labors of the people, and in these they find both
profit and happiness. There are no very poor to
be found within its borders, and the inhabitants
are generally in very comfortable circumstances
financially. The first school was taught by an Irishman
named Samuel Hill. The school-house in which
this school was taught was a small log cabin with
greased windows, similar to the cabins oi a century
ago in the frontier settlements. Reading, writing,
and arithmetic were all the branches taught. But a
small number of scholars were in attendance, prob
ably not more than six or eight. John Roy taught
the second school in the township in a small log
house near the present site of the Martinsburgh
cemetery. Of the original scholars who attended
these schools but two are now known to be living,
Jacob Harrod, who attended the first, and C. Bark
alow, who attended the second. Both are still res
idents of Clay. In place of these rude structures
are now to be found neat and comfortable frame
houses, and the schools at present are taught by
competent teachers, who, many of them, are able
to instruct their pupils not only in the common
but also in the higher branches of science.
This township has long been noted for the strong
religious sentiment of the people, a large propor
tion of the inhabitants being connected with some
church. At first the meetings were held at the res
idences of the pioneers, and no churches were
erected until after the village of Martinsburgh was
started. The Old School Presbyterians were the
religious pioneers of Clay, and at one time the
township contained more members of that denom
ination than any other township of . the same popu
lation in Ohio. There are no churches in the town
ship outside of the villages of Martinsburgh and
Bladensburgh, and the description of these churches
will be given in another portion of this chapter.
The village of Martinsburgh proper was organ
ized in 1828. Prior to this year it was known as
Williamsburgh and Hanover, the street running
east and west dividing the place into two villages.

440

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

A consolidation was affected in 1828 and the name
changed to Martinsburgh. James Pollock built the
first dwelling-house in the village. The first mer
chant who established a store in the village was I.
D. Johnson, who came from Richland county in
1 81 8, and with a limited capital and a very small
stock of goods commenced business. By aid of
friends and dint of perseverance he succeeded in
a few years in establishing such a business as was
hardly equalled by any merchant in Knox county at
that time. He purchased very large quantities of
wheat, wool, pork, tobacco, and various kinds of
produce and marketable commodities, hauled them
to Newark and shipped to the eastern markets.
He continued doing business on a remarkably large
scale until 1837 when he failed, leaving eight of his
friends, who had indorsed his notes, to pay thirty-
two thousand dollars to eastern parties. He soon
afterwards removed from Martinsburgh. Mr. John
son was considered the leading merchant of Knox
county for many years after he first commenced
business in the village and was a great help to the
early settlers in enabling them to pay for their
farms. He was a leading member of the Martins
burgh Presbyterian church and a very liberal sup
porter of the same. He died some years after his
removal from the village.
The Beckwith Brothers opened a store about the
year 1824, and were successful in doing a good
business for some years, when they sold their stock
of goods to other parties. The first hotel was kept
by Solomon Cook on the corner where Bird's store
formerly stood. The first mill was erected at a
very early date in the history of the village by Enos
Beckwith. It was operated by horse-power. The
second grist-mill, run by steam-power, was built by
Slocum Bunker. The exact date of the erection of
these mills is not known. O. Drake was the first
blacksmith. The present, population is about three hundred.
The population of the village has not increased
much since 1830.
At present there are two stores kept by the Cline
and Tilton Brothers, respectively, a hotel by Isaac
Simpson, one saddler's shop by James Snyder,
three shoe shops by David Chandler, Sylvester
Rouse and Samuel HoUabaugh, a butcher shop by
Conn Simpson and Hugh Boyd, four blacksmith

shops by R. P. Gordon, Leroy Beeney, Henry Up1
fold and Milton Mahaffy, one. tailor shop by Elias
Hardman, one barber shop by David Kidwell, one
tannery by Charles G. Cromer. There are, three
physicians — Thomas B. Miser, N. S. Toland and
John F. Shrauntz.
The post-office is kept by Miss Hettie Kerr.
Martinsburgh has long been celebrated for its edu
cational facilities. In 1838 the building known as
the Martinsburgh academy was built. The first
trustees were Hugh Elliott, Samuel C. Porterleld,
Steven Cook, James Elliott, George McWilliams,
Uriah Reece and Aaron Davis. Rev. Henry Her
vey was the president, Joseph Clingan, Rev. James
Ferguson, David Elliott, Samuel McCreary, Rev.
John Elliott, Dr. A. C. Scott, Rev. Israel Dodd,
Robert McLoud, Patterson Reese and Alexander
S. Berryhill were some of the students who attended
the first session of this somewhat noted institution.
Among the graduates of the academy who attended
subsequent terms were Hon. William Windom,
now of Minnesota, who has attained a national rep
utation; Hon. Judge West, of Bellefontaine ; Rev.
Alexander Scott, now a noted Presbyterian minis
ter in Iowa, and many others who became useful
ministers of the Presbyterian and other churches.
The academy was discontinued about i860, and the
building was purchased by the township board of
education for the Martinsburgh district school.
Owing to the loss of the records a full history of
this academy cannot be given.
John Roy was probably the first school teacher of
the village school. The union school of Martins
burgh is at present under the superintendency of
Professor Ikes, who is assisted by Miss Anna Da
vis. The board of directors are Wesly Tilton, John
Shrauntz, and R. H. Morgan.
Martinsburgh has been noted for religion, moral
ity and temperance. The temperance element is
so strong that it is impossible for any vendor of
intoxicating liquors to procure a foothold in the
village ; all attempts to start a saloon have ig-
nominiously failed, and no one can now be found
who will brave public sentiment by making the
experiment. The Old School Presbyterians organized a church
at a very early date in the history of the town.
Rev. James Scott was the first pastor. He remained

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

441

pastor until 1827, when he resigned, and was suc
ceeded by Rev. John McKinney, who was suc
ceeded by Rev. James Campbell. Rev. Campbell
officiated until the installation of' Rev. Henry
Hervey in 1830. When Rev. Henry Hervey
assumed the pastorate of this church there were
about one hundred members in good standing.
His labors were greatly prospered, and at one time
there were three hundred members in full connec
tion with the church, and sixty male members who
could lead in prayer when called upon so to do. But
three of the members who belonged at the time of
Rev. Hervey's installation are now living, viz: Ziba
Leonard, James Cook, and John McWilliams.
In this connection it would be proper to give a
short biographical sketch of Rev. Henry Hervey,
who so long "broke the bread of life" to this peo
ple. He was born in Brooke county, Virginia,
November, 22, 1798. He graduated at Jefferson
college, class of 1825, was licensed to preach by
the Presbytery of Washington in 1827, and or
dained to the ministry, and installed pastor of the
Martinsburgh Presbyterian church, April 15, 1830.
Prior to this date he had preached several months
in western Virginia and eastern Ohio. In the early
part of the year 1829, he came to Knox county,
where some months afterwards he received a call
from the church at Martinsburgh. He continued
to be the faithful and honored pastor of the church
until the eighteenth of October, 1867, when he
resigned his pastoral charge on account of increas
ing years and failing health. His death occurred
at Martinsburgh, February 17, 1872. The services
connected with his funeral were held in the Pres
byterian church, March 20th, and an unusually
large number of persons of all religious denomina
tions from Knox and Licking counties were present
to pay their last tribute of respect to the loved
and honored dead. Rev. N. C. Helfridge and
Rev. Mr. Walkinshaw were the successors of Rev.
Mr. Hervey. The present officers of the church
are Elders John Lyon, Smiley Boyd and William
Freece; Deacons Isaac" Simpson, John McWil
liams, William Gilmore, Johnson Sims, and
Thomas Stevenson; Trustees William Boyd, Isaac
Simpson, and William Gilmore. The present pas
tor is Rev. Mr. Porter who is also superintendent
of the Sunday-school.

The Baptists organized a church May 14, 1846,
with a membership of twelve, viz: Elias Hardman,
Jackson Clutter, Michael Cline, Joshua Conway,
Nancy Hardman, Sarah Clutter, Jane Conway,
Susan Perrick, Elizabeth Barkalow, Nancy Watson,
Susan Cline and Eliza Waldron. Elias Hardman
was the first clerk, and Michael Cline the first
deacon. Rev. D. D. Walden was the first pastor,
who was succeeded by Reverends Amos Pratt, Mr.
Northrop, N. Martin, R. Lockhart, S. West, J. G.
Tunnison, D. B. Sims, C. King, S. Yarnall, A. J.
Wiant and S. Yarnell. who is the present pastor.
The church is now enjoying a good measure of
prosperity. The Disciples, though not as early in the field as
the other denominations, are quite prosperous.
They organized a church June 19, 1876. Nathan
Veach, H. C. Dicus and W. J. Denton were the
first trustees, J. B. Wilson treasurer. Rev. James
E. Harris was the first pastor. His successors were
Elders Lyman P. Streeter, S. M. Cook and Philo
Ingraham. There is a flourishing Sunday school
in connection with this church.
The Methodists have not been as prosperous
here as the other churches. Their ministers com
menced to labor here in early times, and the
denomination erected a large and substantial church
building many years ago. At the present date the
society is very small, and as the official records of
the church cannot be found, its early history can
not be given in this chapter.
The Free Presbyterians organized a society some
time during the period of the great anti-slavery ex
citement, which swept over the entire north. They
were seceders from the Old School Presbyterian
church of Martinsburgh. Quite a large number of
the members of the church, who were the most bit
terly opposed to slavery, seceded from the church
and organized an anti-slavery society under the
name of The Free Presbyterian church. They
had a moderate degree of prosperity for some years
when the church ceased to exist, the majority of
the members returning to their former societies.
All of the churches mentioned have neat and com
modious buildings.
The village has been a sufferer by two fires, the
first occurring June 21, 1850, and the second in
February 1854. In both cases business blocks

442

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

were consumed, and the village has never fully re
covered from the effects of the loss. But a small
amount of business is now done in Martinsburgh,
in comparison with that of fifty years ago. The
village was incorporated some years since. R. H.
Morgan is mayor at this date.
A small portion of the village of Bladensburgh
is in Clay towhship, but as that village is fully de
scribed in the history of Jackson township, it need
not be repeated here.
The following were the successive justices of the
peace :
1827 — James Elliott. r854 — Wallace McWilliams.
1830— James Elliott. 1855— Mercer McFadden.
1831 — W. McCreary. 1857 — Wallace McWilliams.
1833— W. Spratt. 1858— Isaac Bell.
1834 — W. McCreary. i860 — Wallace McWilliams.
1837 — W. McCreary. i860— James Elliott.
1839— James Paul. 1863 — Daniel Paul.
1840 — W. McCreary. 1864 — William McCammet.
1842— James Paul. 1865— John M. Boggs.
1843— W. McCreary. r866— T. F. Van Voohies.
1845— Wallace McWilliams. 1867— A. S. Kerr.
1846— W. McCreary. 1868— G. P. Porterfield.
1846— John M. Boggs. 1869 — David Lawman.
1848 — Wallace McWilliams. 1871 — Samuel Fowls.
1849— John M. Boggs. 1872— David Lawman.
1851— Wallace McWilliams. 1875— T. F. Van Voohies.
1852— John M. Boggs. 1878— Frank P. Hess.
r878— R. H. Morgan.

CHAPTER XLVIII.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
Original Divisions of the County— Later Modifica
tions— Mounds— Andrew Craig— A Tragedy— But
ler's Visit— Henry Haines' Insanity— John Mills-
Other Early Settlers— The Pioneer Mill— Other
Mills— Roads— An Indian Tragedy— Township Offi
cers — Justices of the Peace.
CLINTON is one of the four original townships
into which Knox county was divided by the
commissioners, May 2, 1808. The order in refer
ence to Clinton township is as follows :
Ordered, That the following bounds be laid off into a separate
township: Beginning at the northeast corner of Wayne town
ship; thence east to the west side of the eleventh range; thence
south to the centre of the township; thence west to the west line
of the twelfth range; thence south to the south line of the sixth
towhship; thence west to the west line of the county, which
shall be called by the name of Clinton township.

The township thus constituted included Bloom-
fiield, now in Morrow county, Liberty, the north
half of Pleasant, Monroe, Pike, and the south half
of Morris. After various changes in the bounda
ries of the township the commissioners caused this
entry to be made in their journal, March 9, 1825:
"Clinton township shall be composed of the sixth
towhship in the thirteenth range."
By this. last order the area of the township was
reduced to about twenty-five square miles of terri
tory, which is well watered by Owl creek and its
tributaries. The land is all tillable, and of good
quality, a great portion of it being an alluvial de
posit, highly cultivated.
One haif mile north of the residence of Morgan
F. and Gilman B. Stilley may be seen a mound
about fifteen feet high and twenty five yards in di
ameter, built of the same material as the surround
ing soil. It was opened by Aaron Loveridge, but
nothing of importance discovered in it.
To Andrew Craig belongs the honor of being the
first white man to locate within the present limits
of Clinton township. He came to Ohio from the
mountain regions of Virginia. Like his native
mountains, he was a rough, rugged, bold man, a
regular frontier character, who took delight in hunt
ing, wrestling, and kindred athletic sports. The
exact time of his locating on Owl creek is not
known, but it is certain that he was in this section
of Ohio when Ohio was in its territorial condition.
In September, 1801, Benjamin and John Butler
went on an exploring expedition up the Kokosing
as far as the mouth of Centre run, and camped
over night about one hundred yards north of the
creek bank, and about one half mile east of the
present site of Mt. Vernon. There they found
Andy Craig living in a little log hut, with a woman
he had brought with him from the vicinity of Wheel
ing, Virginia. Not another white family at that
time inhabited the entire country watered by the
Kokosing and Mohican and their tributaries. An
Indian chief and his tribe were encamped at the
¦'Little Indian Fields" near by, and was having a
grand pow-wow at the time. In the spring of 1805
Benjamin Butler returned to the country that had
so charmed him in 1801, and found Andy Craig
and the Indians still enjoying themselves. From
long association with the Indians, and having so

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

44S

fallen into their customs and modes of life as to be
almost identified with them, Craig could not brook
the restraints of even such civilization as the white
society of that day imposed upon him. So he cast
his lot with his dusky friends, and in 1809 removed
to Greentown.
About the year 1800 a tragedy was enacted on
the point of the bluff between Centre run and Owl
creek, which ended in the death of two persons,
one white, the other a mulatto. Two slaves had
run away from their master, one Tomlinson, who
lived in Virginia, and coming into this part of the
country had taken up with squaws. Their pursu
ers tracked them through Zanesville and up Owl
creek, and finally came upon them at Andy Craig's.
One of the boys, a mulatto, recognized his mas
ter's son as he approached with two other men,
and sprang to the bank into the creek, pursued by
the men, who overtook him in the middle of the
stream, and a deadly struggle took place, in which
he killed his young master, but was then over
powered, taken to the hut, tied, and shortly after
placed on the horse his young master had ridden,
and the company started for Virginia with him.
The second night after leaving Craig's they built a
camp fire and left the mulatto tied by it, when they
went out for game. On their return he was found
to have been shot. It is believed that they had
become tired of taking him along, and as he was
surly and troublesome, he was killed out of revenge
for the loss of young Tomlinson.
Benjamin Butler related that on the occasion of
his trip to Owl creek in 1801, Andy Craig told him
the particulars of this fight, and that in 1805, when
he made a visit to Sandusky plains, he saw the ne
gro that escaped, who was then living with a squaw
among the Indians, and talked with him about this
affair. Henry Haines, one of the members of the Penn
sylvania colony, came to Knox county about 1803
or 1804 with his family, and settled in what is gen
erally termed the Ten Mile settlement, the farm
now owned by the Hon. Columbus Delano form
ing part of the colony's possessions. The land
was first purchased by William Leonard, the
patriarch of the settlement. Mr. Haines was one
of the best men in the county at its organization
in 1808. He was a native of Washington county,

Pennsylvania. He was a man of education and
property, and was, at the time of his melancholy
death, in easy circumstances. He was a man of
great ingenuity, and with a turning-lathe he had in
his house, made many useful household articles. "
Prior to 1825, the commissioners appointed the
county treasurers. Mr. Haines was their first ap,-
pointment, it having been made in the year 1808,
shortly after the organization of the county. Mr.
Haines held the office up to 181 5, when he was
succeeded by Mr. George Downs.
Mr. Haines became deranged on the subject of
religion, and was at the time an active and leading
member of the Christian denomination at that
early day called New Lights. He officiated with
James Smith in the first conference held in the>
county, of which David Young, of Zanesville, was
presiding elder.
Mr. Haines became a loud exhorter, and, being
deranged, secured a tin horn and rode around the
town and county, day and night, notifying the peo
ple to prepare for judgment, as the world was com
ing to an end. He proclaimed the same doctrine
in his insane moments as that subsequently pro
mulgated by the Millerites.
When he became ungovernable he was taken to
Dr. R. D. Moore, who confined him in a mad
shirt, or straight jacket, and treated him for several
weeks, until he was restored to reason; but he said
if he ever became insane again he would kill Dr.
Moore. Shortly after this the doctor removed to
Fayette county, Pennsylvania. Haines again be
came deranged, and was soon missed by his
relatives and friends. Search was made for him,
but with failure. His unexplained absence created
considerable alarm. The first information that his
family received of his whereabouts was in a letter
from Dr. Moore. Haines had made his way to
Connellsville for the purpose of killing the doctor,
and had stolen the family silver spoons to pay his
way. Upon his arrival at Connellsville he had be
come rational again, and he told the doctor what
his purpose had been. Dr. Moore took the poor
man to his home, cared for his wants, retained
him for several weeks, and provided means for his
return home. In the summer of 181 7 the tin
horn had ceased to be heard on the streets of Mt.
Vernon for several days and nights. Haines had

444

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

left his home once .more. Word was brought to
town that Hains was missing, and fears entertained
that he had made away with himself. It was on
Sunday, and nearly all the population of the village
turned out to scour the woods adjacent to his
farm. It was not until late in the afternoon that
he was found, suspended from the limb of a small
tree, about a quarter of a mile south of his resi
dence on the Merritt farm. Thomas Kerr, now of
Liberty township, was one of the searchers, and
has a vivid recollection of the occurrence.
Robert Thompson, from Allegheny county,
Pennsylvania, ascended Owl creek in 1804, and
selected a site for a farm two miles west of the
public square in Mt. Vernon, now on the old Dela
ware road ahd occupied by Morgan F. and Gil
man B. Stilley. Mr. Thompson was a surveyor,
and was in July, 1805, employed by Butler, Pat
terson & Walker to survey the new town of Mt.
Vernon. He spent the greater part of life on his
farm, and he and his wife now sleep together on a
little knoll east of the old homestead.
Moses Craig married a daughter of Robert
Thompson and came to Knox county at the same
time. John Mills was one of the parties who emigrated
from Ten Mile, in Washington county, Pennsyl
vania, to the Harris settlement south of Mt. Ver
non, in 1804.
On the fourteenth of February, 1808, the gen
eral assembly of Ohio by joint ballot appointed
William W. Farquhar, John Mills and William
Gass, associate judges for Knox county, and on
the twenty-eighth of March of the same year, the
commissioners appointed to locate the seat of jus
tice for Knox county appeared before John Mills,
justice of the peace, and were qualified to perform
their duties. Mr. Mills held the office of associate
judge until May 9, 1814, when he was succeeded
by Samuel Kratzer.
Peter Baxter was one of the original settlers in
the Haines' settlement, and was a member ofthe
first jury impanelled in the county— the jury that
convicted William Hedrick, who was publicly
whipped for stealing. Isaac Bonnett came to Clin
ton township in 1805, located north of the old
Delaware road and built the first brick house in
the township, now occupied by Albert Sharp.

About 1805 or before, the Haines settlement
was augmented by the arrival of the Leonard
family, and the last will and testament of William
Leonard was the first instrument of that kind ad
mitted to probate in the courts of Knox county.
Matthew Merritt came from Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in 1806, and located on the land
now occupied by Hon. Columbus Delano. Mr.
Merritt was foreman ofthe first grand jury impan
elled in Knox county, March 29, 1808, and in Oc
tober of the same year he was elected county com
missioner, for two years. Mr. Merritt was also
elected justice of the peace for Clinton township in
1809. The Beams, Lafevers, Walkers and others were
also early settlers of Clinton township, but as their
history is more closely identified with that of Mt.
Vernon, it will be found in that connection.
Ebenezer and Abner Brown came from Wash
ington county, Pennsylvania, in 1804, and located
in the Haines settlement. Here they erected the
first grist-mill in Knox county. It was a very
primitive structure, and while it bore no outward
resemblance to Solomon's temple, it was yet con
structed "without the sound of the hammer upon
iron." It was built entirely of wood; a sugar-
trough sufficed for a meal-box, and for want of iron
the stones, which were about two feet in diameter,
were hooped with slippery elm bark. It was pro
pelled by water^ and cracked corn very well when
copious rains furnished sufficient motive power.
The building was about ten feet square, constructed
of rough logs, and was located on Delano's run,
above the Martinsburgh road. It was principally
fed at that time by what was called the Little
Lake, but the lake, like the mill, is a thing of the
past, having been so drained and altered by ditch
ing as to no longer be entitled to that appellation.
This mill, although of the rudest possible construc
tion, was- sufficient to "amaze the gazing rustics
round" with its wonderful mechanical perfection.
The stones are still relics of "ye olden time."
About the year 181 5 a man named Wolgamott
owned a small saw-mill on Delano's run, just be
low where the Martinsburgh road crosses the same.
Later Walter Turner built a saw-mill on Owl
creek, above the mouth of Center run, and James
Newell erected one on Armstrong's run.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

445

The Martin steam saw-mill, Mr. George R.
Martin being proprietor, is located at the inter
section of the Newark and Granville roads,
near the city of Mount Vernon, and is the only
manufacturing establishment in Clinton township,
outside of the city limits. The first mill was
erected on these grounds by the firm of Shipley,
Martin & Hart, in 1854, where they manufactured
all kinds of hard lumber up to 1856, when the mill
was destroyed by fire. The firm soon erected a
new and more complete mill on the old site. This
mill they operated with entire success until after
the close of the late war of the rebellion, the
demand for hard lumber being up to the full
capacity of the mill. After the war, business being
dull, and little or no demand for their lumber, a
change in the proprietorship took place, until Mr.
George R. Martin became sole owner. The
business was continued with more or less success,
as the demand increased or decreased, until 1874,
when fire again destroyed the milL With his usual
energy and business tact, Mr. Martin soon erected
the present mill upon the old site where he con
tinues to manufacture hard lumber of all kinds,
fully equal to the demand.
In 1870 Robert Kelly and Byron Welch erected
the Mount Vernon flax mills on the west bank of
Owl creek, one and a half miles west of Mount
Vernon. The main building is forty by seventy
feet square. The engine-house is built of brick
and is twenty by thirty feet in size. The buildings
and machinery when ready to commence the
manufacture of bagging for cotton bales, cost
twenty-two thousand dollars.
Messrs Kelly & Welch operated the mills about
five years, when, owing to the action of Congress in
abolishing the tariff on jute, they failed in business,
and at the assignees' sale Messrs. F. C. Wolf and
Benjamin Martin purchased the mills for four
thousand six hundred and seventy dollars. Wolf
& Martin ran the mills two years, since which time
they have been standing idle.
The first roads laid out through Clinton town
ship were the following: A road from Mt. Vernon
to the west line of the county, petitioned for by
Samuel Kratzer and others. Ziba Leonard, Na
thaniel Critchfield, and Joseph Coleman, were ap
pointed viewers, and John Dunlap, surveyor, and

they made their return on the fourth day of August,
1808. The next was the Mt. Vernon and Newark road,
petitioned for by John Dunlap and twenty-one
others. William Gass, Henry Haines, and James
Colville, were appointed viewers, and John Dunlap
surveyor. The return to the county commissioners
was made September 22, 1808. A road from Mt.
Vernon to Francis Hardesty's was returned June
12, 1810. The State road from Cleveland to
Columbus afterwards occupied very nearly the
same ground. "John Stilley's road" was laid out
in 1814.
The old Delaware road was surveyed by the
State in September, 18 17, and laid out on very
nearly the same ground as the first road from Mt.
Vernon to the west line of the County. The new
Delaware road was laid out by Frederick Avery,
John Storm, and George Lewis, commissioners
appointed by the State, and a copy of the survey
filed in the office of the commissioners of Knox
county, November 30, 1830.
The Ohio Register of May 7, 1817, contains the
following account of an Indian murder which oc
curred in Clinton township the week previous. The
murder took place at an Indian encampment a
short distance north of where the present White
bridge spans the creek at the west end of High
street. The encampment was on the west side of
the creek:
Some day last week a small party of Indians, principally of
the Mohawk tribe, arrived in this town for the purpose of trad
ing off their cranberries, etc., to the white people. They en
camped on the west side of Owl creek, and remained there in
apparent harmony until Friday last, when that arch enemy of
the civilized and savage (whiskey) made his appearance among
them. It appears that two ofthe Indians having become rather
"cockoosey," began scuffling with each other through diversion,
when a third (more intoxicated than the others) interfered, and
fell upon Jim Wyandott, who took the rough salutations of his
adversary in good part, until he became too severe, when he in
formed him that they two had only been diverting themselves;
but the murderer, disregarding the protestations of the deceased,
fell upon him with the greater fury, armed with a tomahawk,
scalping-knife, and club, and finally succeeded in killing Wyan
dott by giving him a blow on the breast with the club. It ap
pears that Wyandott, when he found that forbearance had
ceased to be a virtue, made a strong resistance — but in vain!
The murderer belongs to the Delaware tribe, and we are in
formed that this is the second homicide he has committed. He
decamped the next morning.
We cannot here omit to mention that a gentleman of this
town, with a humane generosity which does him much honor,

446

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

presented the friends of the deceased with a coffin for their red
brother. Clinton township — outside of the city limits —
has a population of nine hundred and twenty-six,
six schools and a convenient number of good
roads. Two railroads traverse its territory — the
Lake Erie division of the Baltimore & Ohio road,
and the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus road.
The first election was held in Mt. Vernon, and
all subsequent elections until April, 1866, when the
voting place was changed to the brick school-
house south of the Owl Creek bridge. At the last
election Samuel Davis, John Boyd, and William
McFadden were chosen trustees; R. N. Kindrick,
treasurer; L. E. Huntsberry, clerk; Edward M.
Knight and W. L. Vance, constables; F. M. Shaf
fer, assessor; W. L. King, Norman L. Wall, Ezra
Thayer, Thomas Spearman, C. D. Rinehart, Wil
liam L. Morey, and J. B. Steinmetz, board of edu
cation. The following is a list of justices of the peace in
and for Clinton township: John Mills, 1806; T. B.
Patterson, 1808; Matthew Merritt, 1809; Samuel
Kratzer, Silas Brown, and Allen Scott, 181 1;
James Smith and Benjamin Barney, 181 5; Ben
jamin Martin and Stephen Chapman, 181 7; John
Roberts, 18 18; William Y. Farquhar and Benja
min Martin, 1820; John Roberts, 182 1; John. H.
Mefford, 1822; William Y. Farquhar, 1823; John
Roberts, 1824; Joseph Brown and James McGib-
eny, 1825; John Roberts, 1826; Gideon Mott and
William Bevans, 1830; S. W. Hildreth, 1831; Wil
liam Bevans and Thomas Irvine, 1833; s- w- Hil
dreth, Johnson Elliott, and Thomas Irvine, 1836;
Timothy Colopy, 1837 ; B. F. Smith and Robert
F. Hickman, 1839; William Welsh, 1840; B. F.
Smith, Robert F. Hickman, E. W. Cotton, 1842 ;
William H. Cochran, 1843; Benjamin McCracken,
1845; E. W. Cotton, 1845; Nathaniel McGiffin,
William H. Cochran, and Truman Ward, 1846; E.
W. Cotton, 1848; William H. Cochran, 1849;
Joseph S. Davis, 1850; E. W. Cotton, 1851; Wil
liam H. Cochran, 1852; Joseph S. Davis, 1853;
Thompson Cooper, 1854; Samuel O. Beach and
William H. Cochran, 1855; Thompson Cooper,
Thomas V. Parke, and William H. Cochran, 1858;
Calton C. Baugh and Thomas Cooper, i860;
Henry Warner, 1 861; Henry Phillips, 1863; Ed

mund V. Brent, 1864; Henry Phillips, 1866; John
Y. Reeve, 1867; Thomas V. Parke, 1869; William
Dunbar, 1870; Thomas V. Parke, 1872; B. A. F.
Greer, 1873; Thomas V. Parke, 1875; John D.
Ewing, 1876; Calton C. Baugh, 1878; John D.
Ewing, 1879.

CHAPTER XLIX.
COLLEGE TOWNSHIP.

Topography — Distillery— Organization— Election-
Roads— The Condition in 1829 — The Mill Race— The
Village and its Business— Justices of the Peace—
The Press of Gambier— The Dwarfs— Churches.
MORE than ten years prior to the organization
of this territory into a separate township, it
was in possession of the trustees of Kenyon col
lege; and that famous institution, under the direc
tion of Bishop Chase, was in course of erection.
The land was owned by a non-resident, Mr. Wil
liam Hogg, of Brownsville, Pennsylvania. This
gentleman owned the northeast quarter of Pleasant
(now College) township (four thousand acres),
which was purchased by Bishop Chase for the col
lege grounds.
The entire tract was covered with a dense forest.
The woods on the hill, where the college now
stands, were somewhat open, owing, in part, to a
wind-storm having at some period passed over it
and prostrated the trees. Much of the history of
the first settlement of this township will be found
in the chapter following this; also many other mat
ters connected with its early history.
The rich valley lands in this township had been
under cultivation since 181 2, the inhabitants being
known as squatters. They owned no land, were
without property or education, and lived mostly by
hunting, but had cleared up a few acres of ground
around each cabin. As late as 1829, however, it
appeared that only a small portion of the bottom
land was cleared. From the top of the hill to the
east line of the township was a dense forest of
sugar, hickory, black walnut, etc. In those very
early days a distillery was located near a large
spring one hundred rods or more northeast of the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

447

present site of Milner hall. There were no roads,
but many paths and blazed trails through the forest,
every one of which led as directly to this distillery
as the spokes of a wheel to the hub. This neces
sity of pioneer life was, in 1830, used as a wash-
house, where the washing for the college students
was done. Every vestige of it has long since dis
appeared. As a distillery it was closed upon the
advent of Bishop Chase, who was a strict temper
ance man.
The inconvenience of attending the township
elections, at a point located some miles away on
fhe Mt. Vernon and Martinsburgh road, induced
the citizens living on the college grounds to peti
tion the legislature to have this tract set off and
organized into a separate township. The petition
was granted, and the first election held December 2 1 ,
1838, at the public house in Gambier, kept by Mor-
decai W. Vore, and the following officers elected :
O. Lane, J. McMahon, M. W. Vore, trustees;
D. L. Forbes, clerk; O. Welchymer and N. Head,
constables ; J. Kendrick and W. Claytor, overseers
of the poor; M. T. C. Wing, treasurer; T. G.
Odiorne, G. C. Johnson, N. Weaver, fence viewers;
W. M. Lane and A. K. Forbes, supervisors. The
voters in the early elections numbered twenty to
thirty, and almost all of these were connected with
the institution as professors, agents, keepers of
boarding-houses, or other establishments depend
ant upon the college for sustenance.
At the spring election, 1859, J. McMahon, T. G.
Odiorne and M. W. Vore were elected trustees; A.
G. Scott, clerk; and M. T. C. Wing, treasurer. M.
T. C. Wing was re-elected again and again, until he
declined serving in 1842, when G. W. Meyers was
chosen treasurer. Mr. Meyers was one of the
earliest settlers of this township ; a good practical
printer and bookbinder, the first in these two trades
on "the hill;" he contributed much to the preserva
tion of works in the libraries of the institution.
For many years he was connected with the Acland
Press. The printing office was the gift of liberal-
minded English Protestants to Bishop Chase in
1825, and received its name in honor of Lady Ac-
land, the fair donor who started the subscription.
Upon this has been published various literary and
religious articles calculated to advance the cause of
learning and religion.

Prior to 1829 there were no roads over Gambier
hill. The road from Mt. Vernon east passed
around the foot of the hill and separating near the
present residence of William Wright, one road led
south, crossed the river below the present mill-dam
and connected with the old Cambridge road, a
mile south of Hopewell church. The road east
wound thiough the brush and timber, crossing the
river at Troutman's ford. In November, 1829, as
Bishop Chase was about departing on a tour east
for the purpose of raising money for the college,
he instructed Mr. N. W. Putnam (yet living, an old
and much respected resident of Gambier) to get
up petitions in proper form, to the county commis
sioners, for four roads, making the public well in
Gambier the starting point. One road was to lead
north toward Amity ; one east toward New Castle ;
one south toward East Union and Bladensburgh,
and one due west to the old Cambridge road in
Pleasant township, crossing the river near the pres
ent railroad bridge. The petitions were duly writ
ten out by Mr. Putnam; the requisite number of
signatures obtained; the petitions granted, and the
four roads duly surveyed and established by the
commissioners of Knox county.
Upon the return of Bishop Chase in May fol
lowing, he went immediately to Mr. Putnam with
an angry lowering countenance, such as only
Bishop Chase could wear, and asked in a stern
manner who had been meddling with the road
matter. When Mr. Putnam informed him that he
was the author of the mischief and that it was by
his (the bishop's) directions that the work was
done, he was sternly rebuked, and informed that
no such orders had ever been issued. It seems
that, with the press of greater matters, the bishop
had entirely forgotten about ordering the laying
out of roads. He informed Mr. Putnam that he
never intended to have public roads through Gam
bier; that he designed enclosing the "hill" in a
high board fence, and place a keeper's lodge at the
foot of the hill, near the road to Mt. Vernon. The
road west was to start from the west end of Wiggin
street (the main street east and west across the hill).
The upsetting of the bishop's arrangements about
the road ruffled his temper for some time, and to
multiply the bad effects of a public road westward,
he caused to be prepared a sign-board, on which

448

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

was painted in large letters the following: "West
end of Wiggin street." This board was nailed to
a post set on the bank of the creek, on the west
side near the Mt. Vernon road. In the course of
a few days some waggish fellow took up the post
and pitched it, sign and all, into the river. Shortly
after, it was discovered standing erect at the mill
dam. The following from the pen of Mr. Putnam,
above mentioned, is interesting as giving a picture
of the condition of things west of and in the village
of Gambier in 1829:
The most prominent building east of Main street, Mount
Vernon, at that time (1829) was the somewhat aristocratic resi
dence of the late Judge J. B. Thomas. Judge Thomas was the
real author of the Missouri compromise — a measure, it was
hoped, would for all time to come, settle the vexed question of
slavery. In front of the residence of Judge Thomas .now owned
by P. H. Updegraff, esq. , was a long row of Lombardy poplars
— standing as erect as a platoon of French grenadiers at a re
view. In those days the Lombardy poplar was a sure indication
of civilization and culture — since then it has been voted a nui
sance, and is now scarcely to be seen in any part of our country.
Judge Thomas' place was the extreme eastern improvement on
Gambier street. From thence to the top of the Brew house hill
was an unbroken forest. Near the top ofthe hill on the north
east side near the spring, was a small clearing and a cabin occu
pied by a Mr. Thrailkill. A few straggling peach trees were
standing there for some years afterwards. From this point to
the place now owned by Walter McClelland there was no im
provement. This last named place, known as the half-way
house, was owned by a very worthy Frenchman from the island
of Guernsey, by the name of Torode. ' Mr. Torode came to this
neighborhood in 1828, for the purpose of locating on the college
land — he and his large family being zealous Episcopalians.
Bishop Chase adopted, at this early period, the plan of holding
all occupants of college lands as tenants at will, whether farm
ers, mechanics, or others, liable to be discharged at any mo
ment when the bishop should feel so disposed. Mr. Torode,
having some money, preferred to be his own master, and the
best thing he could do under the circumstances, was to pur
chase land of Daniel S. Norton, and open and improve a farm
of his own. These lands of Mr. Norton*being the nearest to
the college that he could procure. Mr. Torode, having a large
family of strong able bodied boys, soon made an opening in the
woods, built a large double-log cabin, put out fruit trees, etc.
The large cherry trees now standing in front of the house were
of his planting. Some years afterwards he sold the property
back to Mr. Norton for the purpose of going west to obtain a
larger quantity of land for his growing family. He settled in
Cook county, near Chicago.
From the half-way house to the foot of the hill known as the
Bishop's back-bone, was an unbroken forest of oak timber.
Near the present residence of W. S. Wing was a cabin, with
a few acres of cleared land and a small orchard. This place
was occupied by Mr. Owen Lane, the father of James and P.
C. Lane, of Mt. Vernon. Mr. Lane died at this place some
forty years ago. The next improvement was what was after

ward nick-named Frog hall, a comfortable log house near the
foot of the hill, a few hundred yards northwest of Bishop Bedell's
present residence. At the time the writer came to Gambier this
house was occupied by Mr. W. K. Lamson from Columbus,
head clerk in the college store. Not long after a daughter or
Mr. Lane married the Rev. Mr. Preston, of Columbus, and
som= years later, another daughter of Mr. Lane married the
great war secretary, Hon. E. M. Stanton, of Pittsburgh. A
short distance south of Frog hall was a cabin, previously oc
cupied by Solomon Shaffer, one of the well-known pioneers of
Knox county, the father of Mrs. Andrew Miller, now living at
an advanced age at Monroe Mills. The Shaffer cabin was
afterwards, for many years, occupied by Morris Grimna, a very
good man, well known in the early history of Gambier. Our
next step forward brings us to the top of the hill in what is now
the classic village of Gambier. The road east at that time did
not pass over the hill as now, but wound around the hill, near
where stands the pleasant residence of- William Wright, thence
easterly near where now stands the depot, thence on to the
Troutman ferry. There were two or three cabins along this
road west and south of the college, one occupied as a school-
house, where Mr. Owen Lane taught for one or two winters
after the writer came to Gambier. This same school-house had
been used previously by Philander Chase Freeman, a nephew
of Bishop Chase, from New Hampshire, now deceased, who
gives a vivid idea of what Gambier was at the time referred to
in a communication, from which the following is taken :
" When I first entered Kenyon, then located at Worthington,
Ohio, was in its infancy, and its inhabitants not much advanced
in knowledge or civilization. My first years at Kenyon were
spent in a long cabin for my study. I went to Gambier before
the college was erected, and before any improvements were
made on the college hill. The first, night I spent on the hill
was in a cabin of boughs covered with English blankets, the
donation of English liberality, while the foundations of Kenyon
were being laid. In the winter of 1827 1 was engaged in teach
ing the first rudiments of the English language to the original
settlers, in a log cabin situated about forty rods west of the
college building, on the banks of Owl creek, alias Vernon
river, alias Kokosing. I spent three months of the winter of
1827 in Perry township, Coshocton county, teaching the good
peoples' children. My terms of tuition were two dollars per
scholar for the three months, payable in corn at ten cents per
bushel, and wheat at twenty-five cents per bushel. I had a
school of eighty scholars or upward. My recompense in corn
and wheat all went to Kenyon to pay for my board and tuition.
The college building was not completed to receive occupants till
about three months before I received my degree, consequently
during all my college course I lived in temporary buildings, ex
cept three months."
The charge in college for board, tuition, room rent, lights,
fuel and washing, in those days, was only sixty dollars for the
year of forty weeks.
The village of Gambier, at that time, consisted of five two-
story houses with four rooms on each floor, built of green oak
lumber from the college saw-mill, for the use of the students
until the college building should be ready for use. Four of these
buildings are yet standing where originally built. One of them
is a part of Mr. Scott's store ; another a part of the hotel (Ken
yon house). The two others, Mr. Waugh's house, and the
Lurkin house, now partly occupied by the shoe shop of Mr.
Joseph R. Brown. Besides these houses there was a log build-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

449

ing used for a store till 1834, near where Mr. French's store now
stands. This store house was built in 1828 by the late Warner
Terry, and was intended for a blacksmith shop. The Bishop ,
and Mr. Terry fell out in regard to a title to the lot, and Mr. T.
removed to Mt. Vernon. There was also near where the Church
of the Holy Spirit now stands, a double log cabin, one part
used as the Bishop's "palace," the other. end for a kitchen,
where provisions were cooked for the students. A frame build
ing nearly forty feet long, attached to the kitchen, was used for
a dining-room and chapel. The cooking department was under
the charge of Mrs. Russel, a niece of the Bishop, so well known
to the students in those days. The allowance for each student
at that time for his Sunday dinner, during the winter and
spring, "was a large buiscuit and a piece of dried apple pie."
Near the college building was a one-story stone house, occupied
by Dr. Sparrow as a family residence. Soon after Bishop
Mcllvaine came, a brick front was added to it, and was for
many years occupied by the late Professor Trimble. Near it
was a frame building used as a printing office, where was issued
in 1830 the first Episcopal paper west of the Alleghany moun
tains, and which has been continued uninterruptedly to the
present time under different names and different publishers and
editors. For some two or three years it was published and
edited in Mt. Vernon by Mr. Muenscher, afterwards removed to
Cincinnati, and is now published under the name of the Stand
ard of the Cross at Cleveland.
There were no improvements at the time we speak of east of
Gambier hill, until you reach the ferry at Troutman's. The
intervening space was heavily timbered with walnut, hickory,
sugar and oak. This track was cleared mostly during the
agency of Mr. Odiorne, between 1835 and 1840. President
Bodine has stated in some of his publications, that nearly all
the bottom lands were cleared by squatters as early as 1812.
This is a mistake. At the time Bishop Chase purchased the
lands, fhere were but few openings ; those usuaully where there
was a spring, generally at the foot of the hills. The bottoms
were considered unhealthy and avoided on that account. A
short distance across the river was the stone house now owned
by T. R. Head. It was built and owned by Solomon Welker,
a well-to-do farmer, and who was engaged also in running a
big Pennsylvania wagon, hauling goods, etc., for Bishop Chase
and others. Not being satisfied with doing well, he was am
bitious to do better— sold his farm and purchased the Hawn-
mill property at Millwood. He also engaged in merchandizing,
and in a few years failed utterly, and found himself a poor man.
He supported himself and family during the last years of his
life by jobbing about Millwood with a team, whenever he could
find employment. The contrast between the career of Mr.
Welker and the present owner of the stone house farm is singu
larly striking.
Near the residence of Mr. Walker were three or four fam
ilies, old pioneers, who have long since passed away, among
them John Troutman, Alexander Ream, George Lybarger, and
Mr. Hull. The homesteads of Mr. Troutman, Mr. Ream and
George Lybarger, are owned and occupied by their descend
ants. Mr. Hull sold his farm to the present owner, Jonathan
McArtor, and moved many years ago to northern Indiana.
In another communication, Mr. Putnam writes
as follows regarding Bishop Chase's first mill-race :
The need of a saw-mill to supply lumber for the new college
building was apparent from the start. The first plan was to use

whip. saws, but this was slow work, and a saw-mill became in
dispensable. The first business was to select a site for the mill.
The Bishop selected the spot where the present mill now stands.
In his reminiscences he says, "The whole stream of Vernon
river (Owl creek, ) makes a bend almost equal to a circle, or
rather resembles, an ox bow — the canal to be cut across the
neck of this bow is called the race. The force of all the teams,
with many earth scrapers, had been employed for several weeks,
but the work was more tedious than anticipated and went on
but slowly, when a storm of rain, usual at this season (Septem
ber), but seldom so copious, commenced. It poured down for
several days almost incessantly. The river rose to an uncom
mon height, and being stopped by the mill-dam (already built),
inundated the whole surface of the lowlands." The Bishop
gave up all as lost. The dam could not be seen, and the water
rising and carrying everything before it. The assuaging of the
waters brought to view the fact that the dam was safe, and had
stood firm — and as the flood drew off its force a channel was
found in the commenced race, and the whole race was nearly
all excavated, thereby saving an expenditure of several hundred
dollars. This mark of providential goodness was of signal
service in building Kenyon college.
As before stated, Bishop Chase insisted upon con
trolling absolutely the college grounds, and during
his control of them would allow no business to be
transacted, either in the way of farming or mer
chandizing, without his especial supervision, and
without securing a large share of the profits of
such business for the use of the college; and in ad
dition he insisted on considering all who settled on
the grounds as tenants-at-will, liable to be ejected
at any hour whenever his "Royal Highness"
pleased. Of course such arbitrary rules were a
detriment to the settlement and development of
the college lands. He would have no town laid
out, nor would he have the land divided into
farms, but allotted his tenants such portions as he
desired. Quite a number of people undertook to
do business, under these circumstances, on the
Bishop's premises, but nearly all failed.
The village of Gambier was not laid out until
about 1845, long after the bishop departed; but
prior to that several parties attempted to carry on
mercantile business near the college under such
arbitrary restrictions as the bishop chose to allow.
The first store, as has been before stated, was the
supply store started by the bishop himself, in a
log building that stood about where Mr. French's
store now stands. The first clerk in this store was
Robert Burnside, who was followed by A. W. Put
nam, above mentioned. These gentlemen man
aged the business for the bishop until 1833, when

45°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

the bishop, having more on his hands than he
could attend to, sold the privilege of merchandizing
to Messrs. M. & G. B. White, of New York. By
the terms of the contract, the bishop was to re
ceive one hundred dollars per year rent, and one-
half of the profits of the business. This arrange
ment succeeded very well the first year, and the
bishop cleared about fifteen hundred dollars. It
was a time when a great number of workmen were
engaged on the college, and the entire community
patronized the store. After the first year, how
ever, the business did not pay, and Messrs.
White & Co. soon threw up the contract.
Other parties tried it, among whom was Mr. Put
nam, but all failed to make anything. The bishop
being inexorable in his determination to adhere to
his terms, Mr. Putnam moved his store to Mar
tinsburgh, and for a time Gambier was without a
merchant. This did away with the "monopoly,"
and thereafter stores were admitted to the college
grounds free. The new store room that had been
erected by Mardenbro White was the finest build
ing in town. It was frame, two stories in height,
about fifty feet in length and painted white. It
was erected in 1833, andthe store opened in 1834.
In 1836 Putnam & Topping erected their store
room, similar to the above. Both these buildings
are now used as dwellings. The third store was
started by Baldwin Norton about 1840. It was
first kept in a small building where the hotel now
stands, but he afterwards erected the building on
the corner now occupied by Mr. Harnwell, as a
storeroom. The town was laid out about 1845,
but no building of consequence was done until
185 1, as there seemed to be a difficulty about get
ting titles. About 1851, the college grounds were
laid off into farms, and the town into lots, and the
sale of the property was determined upon. The
first sold was the "south" section, or that part be
longing to Pleasant township, and the sale contin
ued from time to time until the college grounds,
proper, were reduced to their present proportions
— probably five hundred acres or less. A. G.
Scott opened a store in Gambier about 1838, which
has been continued until the present time, and is
now conducted by C. G. Scott & Co. A. B. Nor
ton was for several years engaged in the merchan
dizing and milling business here. H. H. French

is one af the oldest merchants in the place at pres
ent, having carried on the book and drug business
many years. Many business men have appeared
here from time to time, among whom were E.
Pearce, Witt & Mulford, G. J. W. Pearce, Russel
Clark, Mr. Clements, A. K Fobes, and J. Waugh.
Mr. Sharp, in early times, was .the brewer and
baker, in a large stone house in the rear ofthe
main college building, which has long since disap
peared. The present stores, beside those named,
are kept by B. Harnwell, S. R. Doolittle, and Wil
liam Oliver. There are two blacksmith and car
riage shops, two shoe shops, a hotel and other
minor business establishments. The first hotel
was erected by Archibald Douglas, on the spot
where the present hotel building stands. It was a
small, rough frame building. The present hotel
was erected about 1855-6, by Robert Wright,
father of the present landlord.
The old college mill, elsewhere mentioned,
erected by Bishop Chase, long since went into de
cay, and on its site, many years ago, Daniel S.
Norton put up one of the finest mills on the
Kokosing. The "Kenyon MihY" flour acquired a
good reputation.
The postoffice, upon Bishop Chase's applica
tion, was established in 1826, and was for a<. num
ber of years kept by M. T. C. Wing. About 1846
Benoni Elliott, a student from the District of Col
umbia, was appointed. In 1849 Mr. Wing was
again appointed postmaster; he was followed in
1853 by James Young; in 1857, by E. J. Riley,
and in 1 861 by Joseph Leonard. Mr. Leonard
was followed by the present incumbent, Mrs.
Fearns, who is very acceptable to the people, and
has held the office many years.
Following is a list of the justices of the peace
of this township : 1839, John Powell; 1839,0. S.
Johnson; 1840, A. G. Scott; 1842, A. K. Fobes;
1843, A. G. Scott; 1844, E. M. Gwin; 1845, A.
G. Scott; 1845, G- C. Johnson; 1847, E. M.
Gwin; 184*7, R Elliott; 1848, G. C. Johnson;
1850, N. W. Putnam; 1853, N. W. Putnam; 1853,
D. L. Fobes; 1855, J. H. C. Bonte; 1856, N. W.
Putnam; 1856, Norman Badger; 1857, John
Cunningham; 1859, George J. W. Pearce; i860,
John Cunningham; 1862, George J. W. Pearce;
1863, John Cunningham; 1863, G. S. Benedict;

RESIDENCE OF CHARLES COOPER, WEST SUGAR STREET, MT. VERNON, O.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

45i

i866,Joseph Leonard; 1866, D. L. Fobes; 1869, D.
L. Fobes; 1869, George S. Benedict; 1870, Joseph
Leonard; 1872, D. L. Fobes; 1872, George J. W.
Pearce; 1875, John Cunningham; 1875, D. L.
Fobes; 1878, D. L. Fobes; 1878, George S.
Benedict. The first paper started in Gambier was in 1838,
when the Gambier Observer made its appearance
from the Acland press. In after years the paper
was known as the Western Episcopalian. The
paper was devoted to the interest of the church,
and to the interest of Kenyon college more par
ticularly. It was conducted under different edi
torial and financial managers, its publishers being
George W. Myers and R. M. Edmonds. It was
ably edited by Dr. Sparrow, Dr. Wing, Dr. Muens
cher, Dr. Cotton, the Rev. Norman Badger, and
George Denison, and was favored with many very
able articles from the pens of professors of the col
lege and other friends. The paper was first
removed to Cincinnati, then to Cleveland, where,
under a different, name, Standard ofthe Cross, it is
doing efficient work both for the church and for
the college, under the able management of the
Rev. Dr. French. The Collegian, a monthly
magazine was published at Gambier for two years
by R. M. Edmonds, and was ably edited by the
college professors and students. The Gambier
Argus followed the Collegian, and was published
by R. M. Edmonds & Daniel Hunt for some four
years, and after the death of Mr. Edmonds, Mr.
Hunt conducted the paper about a year, when the
type and press were sold to a young man named
Fant, who, for four months published the Gambier
Herald. For the past three years the students have
published a monthly paper styled the Kenyon
Advance, strictly a college paper. The first year it
was published at the Argus office, Gambier, but for
the last two years the Advance has been printed at
Columbus. Two very strange dwarfs appear to have had for
a short time a residence in this township. Thirty
years ago a Mr. Porter, a man of family and in
straightened circumstances, came from Tiverton
township, Coshocton county, and settled on the
Owl creek bottoms, in a little log hut near the res
idence of Lewis White. His wife had been pre
viously married to a Mr. Davis, and besides other

children was the mother of two dwarfs — twins.'
They appeared to belong more to the monkey spe
cies than the human, having paws instead of
hands and feet, and faces and heads shaped like
monkeys. .They could not speak but possessed
some intelligence. Mr. Lyman Warner, an enter
prising Yankee from the Western Reserve, hearing
of them, conceived the idea of making a fortune
out of them by exhibiting them to the public, and
gave them the high sounding names of "Plutano
and Vespasinus, or the wild men of the Island of
Borneo." An arrangement was made with the
Porters, and Mr. Warner travelled several years
with the dwarfs making the business a success.
After some years Mr. Porter, concluding that War
ner was making too much money out of his chil
dren, concluded to conduct the business himself,
and when the twins were brought home on a visit
refused to let Warner have them again. Out of
this refusal grew a law suit well remembered by
some of the attorneys of Mount Vernon. The
court decided in favor of Warner, who had taken
the precaution to secure a time contract of the
Porters, and that gentleman continued his exhibi
tions and accompanied the same with an entertain
ing lecture. He sent the children's share of the
money regularly to Mr. A. G. Scott, of Gambier,
who held it in trust for the payment on a small
tract of land, some thirty acres, which had been
purchased for them of Daniel S. Norton, and
which was located in Pleasant township on the
high ground nearly opposite of what is known
as the Half Way house. It is yet occupied by some
of the Porter family.
Mr. Warner moved to Farmington, Illinois, and
died in 1871, the dwarfs passing into other hands
some time before this, since which nothing has
been heard of them. They are supposed to be
dead. The mother still lives in Pleasant township.
Property belonging to the boys in Tiverton, Cosh
octon county, having been sold, and the fact of the
death of the children not being substantiated, a
suit in the court of common pleas of that county
regarding the settlement of this problem is now
pending. The first religious services in Gambier were held
by Bishop Chase under the wide-spreading branches
of the native forest trees, and his audience was

452

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

composed mostly of those who were in his em
ploy. Religious services were also held in his cab
in. The first religious organization was known as
the Harcourt parish, so named in honor of an
English nobleman, who gave pecuniary assistance
to the young institution and who was also a min
ister. Harcourt parish was organized in June,
1827. The minutes of the first meetings have not
been preserved. The records of. 1828 show that
Nicholas Trode, senior warden, was chairman, and
Charles W. Adams, secretary. The wardens and
vestrymen elected on Easter Monday, 1828, were
James Glass, Richard Young, N. Trode, David
Ash, and Milo Everts. At the Easter meeting
1829, W. K Lamson and Charles Elliott were
elected senior wardens, and John Robinson, Milo
Everts, N. Trode, David Ash, and C. W. Adams,
vestrymen; George P. Williams and Alva Guion
were made delegates to the diocesan convention.
Mr. Williams is the only one of the above list now
living, and is the Rev. George P. Williams, D. D.,
Emeritus professor of mathematics of the Univer
sity of Michigan, aged about eighty years.
At the parish meetings in April, 183 1, Bishop
Chase made a brief address stating that the pecu
liar situation of the parish as connected with Ken
yon college; the danger of collision between the
college faculty and the parish officers, rendered it
necessary that the parish organization be dissolved;
but as the parish was entitled to representation in
the diocesan convention, the meeting would pro
ceed to the election of two delegates for that pur
pose, and Charles Elliott and George Denison were
duly elected.
This arrangement did not last but a few months.
In September of that year Bishop Chase resigned
his office of bishop of Ohio and president of the
seminary and college, and in the following year re
moved to Michigan. In March, 1835, ne was
elected bishop of Illinois, removed to Peoria coun
ty and established an institution called "Jubilee
college." In the spring of 1832 the parish held its regular
Easter meeting, and the following officers were
elected : Archibald Douglass and Milo Evarts, war
dens; George W. Meyers, John Clements, N. W.
Putnam, Owen Lane, N. Trode, John Kendrick,
and Charles Elliott vestry mem; C. W. Adams, sec

retary; John Clements and Herman Dyer dele
gates to diocesan convention. Of these persons
three only are now living, viz.: N. W. Putnam, of
Gambier; Professor John Kendrick, of Marietta,
Ohio, and Rev. Herman Dyer, D. D., of New York.
This parish has held its annual meeting every year
up to the present time. Most of the professors of
the college and seminary, and many of the leading
citizens of Gambier, have been members of the
vestry at different times during the past fifty years.
The wardens and vestry for 1880 were as follows:
M. White and E. T. Tappan, Theodore Sterling,
John Cunningham, T. R. Head, S. R. Doolittle,
and J. D. H. McKinley; M. White, J. Cunning
ham, and S. R. Doolittle delegates to diosesan
convention; T. R. Head, J. D. H. McKinley and
E. T. Tappan delegates from Christ church at the
quarry. Some twenty years ago, a neat, small stone chapel
was built at the northeast corner of College town
ship, near the stone quarry of Mr. A. K. Fobes.
This chapel was built with money raised by sub
scription and has been under the charge of the ves
try of Harcourt parish — being the only property
really owned by this parish. Regular services and
a flourishing Sunday-school have been kept up
chiefly by the students of the seminary and a few
ladies of the neighborhood, who are deserving of
much credit for their devoted labors in the good
cause. A small cemetery is attached to the church
where a few persons of the neighborhood have been
buried. In the summer of 1829 the college dining-room,
situated near the bishop's house (a log cabin, near
where now stands the Church of the Holy Spirit),
was used for a chapel. In September of that year,
the college edifice now known as Kenyon hall was
nearly finished, excepting the two wings, and the
basement was used for kitchen, dining-room, chapel,
etc. In the spring of 1830 the bishop built a large,
unsightly frame building a few rods east of Rose
chapel, and called it the " Seventy-four;" it being
seventy-four feet in length. It was two stories
high, with a kitchen in the rear. The large room
on the ground floor was used for chapel and school
room; the upper story was a dormitory for the
boys, who were under the care of Rev. H. Dyer.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

453

Three or four years afterwards the fine edifice
known as Milnor hall was built, and the school,
under the charge of G. P. Williams and Mr. Dyer,
was removed to the new building. During this
period Ross chapel was built, and the parish had
then a commodious place of worship. The build
ing was not completed for several years, and the
congregation was under the necessity of using the
basement during the winter seasons.
This parish has always labored under a great
disadvantage in having no place of worship separ
ate and apart from the college chapel — the vestry
having no control of the building. On account of
this state of things the majority of the citizens have
never taken a very great interest in the affairs of
the parish, the election of wardens, vestry and dele
gates to the convention being a mere matter of form.
Previous to 1837 there was really no regular
rector of the parish. The preaching and parochial
duty was performed by the bishop, Dr.' Sparrow,
Dr. Fitch, Dr. Meunscher, and others, and without
any salary to speak of. Since then the rectors have
been as follows: Dr. Colton, 1837-40; Dr. Blake,
1840-43; Dr. Fuller, 1843-45; Dr. Smith, 1845-
47; Dr. J. T. Brooke, 1847-49; Rev. Professor
Dobb, 1849-50; Dr. Brooke, 1851-53; Dr. Blake,
in charge, 1853-55; Dr- N- H- Schenck, 1855-57;
Rev. E. B. Kellogg, in charge, 1857-58; Rev. M.
Cracraft, 1858-59; Rev. Samuel Clements, 1860-
62; Rev. W. Newton, 1863-66; Rev. Dr. Brown,
in charge, 1867-68; Rev. George A. Strong, 1868-
70; Rev. M. A. Tyng, 1870-71; President Bodine,
1871-76; Dr. F. James, 1876.
The Congregational church at Gambier was first
located a little north of the village by the Cumber
land Presbyterians. Among the original members
were Thomas Minard, Thomas Bennett, John Ben
nett, and others.
In 1867 this church was organized into a Con
gregational church. The present, or new church,
edifice was erected in 187 1, near the old site, and
cost two thousand two hundred dollars. In 1876
the building was removed to the site it now oc
cupies. The early pastors were the Rev. Enoch F. Baird,
J. W. Cracraft, and others. Its membership at
this date is thirty-eight.
The Sunday-school was organized in 187 1, with

about fifty scholars; its average attendance is from
thirty-five to forty, under the superintendence of
William Oliver.
As far as can be ascertained Methodists were in
Gambier as early as 1832. At what time a class
was formed in this place there is no written ac
count, yet members of the church resided here and
held prayer meetings in their cabins about that
time. They generally attended at what was called
"Brown's" on Schenck's creek, and were attached
toDanville circuit, Michigan conference, which was
supplied with one preacher, Rev. James Wilson,
under whose ministry Rev. William Nast united
with the church at Danville.
In the year 1838 the name of the circuit was
changed to "Amity," Gambier being then an ap
pointment for preaching in private houses, supplied
by two preachers, Revs. Charles Thomas and John
Scoles. During that year the Lord's Supper was
first administered by Methodists in Gambier.
About the year 1841 the Methodists obtained the
use of the district school-house for divine worship,
which they held until 1854. In 1841 Rev. Wil
liam L. Harris, now Bishop, was appointed on this
circuit. In 1849 and 1850 the lands around Gam
bier were surveyed and began to be sold by the
Theological seminary of the Protestant Episcopal
church ofthe diocese of Ohio. The Methodists at
once began to arrange for the purchase of a site
on which to build a house of worship, and after
several exchanges they secured the lot on which the
present church building stands, and in 1855, after
many struggles, it was solemnly dedicated, free
from debt, to the service of Almighty God by Rev.
Thomas H. Wilson, presiding elder. In i860 the
North Ohio conference formed the Gambier cir
cuit with four appointments or stations. Gambier
circuit passed through many changes in its number
of stations, and its succession of ministers, and
from the first Methodism centred at the Gambier
station. In 1879, the Rev. V. D. Laurence being preacher
in charge, Gambier became a half station with
Pleasant Valley and Hopewell charges attached to
the Gambier circuit. In 1880 Gambier became a
whole station with only Hopewell attached, on
what is known as the Gambier circuit. Hopewell
is where President R. B. Hayes taught Sunday-

454

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

school. In 1880 the church lot was enlarged by
the purchase of some adjoining property and the
lot was divided, setting off a part of it for parson
age use and a neat and substantial parsonage was
erected thereon.
Gambier station of the Methodist Episcopal
church belongs to the Northern Ohio conference.
Its membership is eighty. Its Sunday-school is
flourishing ; its average attendance being eighty-five.
Its benevolence is systematic and its church
work is zealous.
The value of the church lot is about two thou
sand dollars. The value of its parsonage and lot
is about two thousand two hundred dollars. The
church is free from debt.
There are many beautiful and substantial resi
dences in and around Gambier. Among the num
ber is that of Mr. Peter Neff, a cut of which is
here given, and though a faithful representation,
the residence and grounds must be seen to be ap
preciated. Mr. Neff is engaged in developing the
oil-producing lands in the Kokosing valley, an ac
count of which appears in the geological chapter.
Fifty-six years ago Bishop Chase, in the forenoon
of a bright summer day (July 22, 1825,) stood
upon the trunk of a fallen tree and spoke the
words, "Well, this will do," and at that instant
fixed for all time the location of the world-re
nowned institution known as Kenyon college.
What great interests to the people of the county,
the State and the' Nation were wrapped up in those
few words and those few moments; but the history
of this college is reserved for the next chapter.
The village makes no especial claim as a business
place, but as a place of residence it can hardly
have a superior, especially for those who have a
family to educate and prepare for the duties of life.
The society is excellent; saloons and other low
places of resort are not allowed on the grounds,
and the purity of the moral atmosphere is unex
ceptionable. Probably a more quiet, or a more lovely spot
does not exist in the State, or indeed anywhere,
than the grounds contiguous to the college build
ings at Gambier. The grass-carpeted lawns, the
native forest trees, the thick woods, the gravel
walks, the solidity and architectural beauty of the
buildings, the purity of, the air, the elevation, and

the thousand and one beautiful surroundings, vis
ible but indescribable, all combine to elevate the
mind, lift up the soul, and make an impression on
the mind not easily erased.

CHAPTER L.
KENYON COLLEGE.
Its Location— Tour of Inspection— The North Sec
tion — The South Section— College Hill— First
View From the Top — "Well, this will do!"— The
Purchase of Eight Thousand Acres— The Site of
Old Kenyon-Obtaining Subscriptions-Report of the
Bishop— The Ladies' Society— Milnor Professorship
—Description of the Ground— Laying the Corner
stone— An Incident in the Building of the Col
lege—History of the College by President Bodine
—The Blake School.
IN connection with the location of Kenyon col
lege, the following article, written in 1859, by
the Hon. Henry B. Curtis, of Mt. Vernon, will be
of interest. Mr. Curtis was one of the persons
who accompanied Bishop Chase in his tour of in
spection through the county in 1825, seeking a
proper site for the contemplated college :
It was a bright summer morning (July 22, 1825), that a party
of gentlemen started from Mt. Vernon, with Bishop Chase, for
the purpose of exploring the country eastward of, and adjacent
to, this city— then a village of about fifteen hundred inhabitants
—with a view to the selection of a suitable site for the Theo
logical seminary and Kenyon college. The party, besides
Bishop Chase, consisted of Daniel S. Norton, esq., and myself
of Mt. Vernon; John Trimble and James Rawden, of Peny
township, Coshocton county; and George Melick, of Jackson
township, Knox county. We were all on horseback. I was
the youngest of the party, and had no previous acquaintance
with the bishop, except having met him a few weeks previously
at "Cully's," in Newark, and having attended the preceding
evening, on occasion of his preaching at the old Presbyterian
church in this place-the first time, I believe, the Episcopal
service had ever been performed here.
It was known that Mr. William Hogg, of Brownsville, Penn
sylvania, owned a tract of eight thousand acres of land-two
military sections of four thousand acres each-lying a few miles
east of here, which, from the varied character of its surface,
and beauty of its streams and valleys, it was suggested might
offer a suitable location for the proposed seminary and college.
And the attractive rolling character, and beautiful scenery
of other tracts of land lying in that part of our county, also
encouraged us to believe that we should be able to present to the
bishop a site more desirable and pleasing than any that had
been before proposed.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

455

We went out on what is here called the Coshocton road, and
struck the land of Mr. Hogg, on the west boundary of what has
since been called the "North Section," at the distance of about
four miles. We proceeded through the section, noticing many
pleasant features. The first place that attracted marked atten
tion, as probably suited for the object of our exploration, was
the high elevation a little to the south of the road and immedi
ately west of what is now the farm and residence of Henry Er
rett, esq. We examined this point with a good deal of interest
and satisfaction. A small stream (Schenck's creek) was wind
ing its way through a lovely valley which lay immediately east
of the hill, widening as it extended southward, and presenting
some beautiful views, but rather limited in extent and- distance.
The bishop, and indeed all the party, were pleased with the
spot, but reserving our judgments for further observation and
discoveries, we proceeded into the valley, and through the en
tire section. Thence through lands ofthe "Rathbone" and
" Campbell" sections, down the valley of the Schenck's creek, to
the junction of that stream with Owl creek — to which Bishop
Chase, in his subsequent maps of the college lands, gave the
more euphonious name of the Vernon river — and thence turning
again westward, and proceeding up that river, and generally
near its margin, we again entered the lands of William Hogg, at
the eastern boundary of the South section.
On this section there were several cabins, and a number of
small farms opened. The road lay across the beautiful valley
(that now spreads out like a great garden, immediately east of
Gambier), and again striking the river, followed its margin in a
pretty straight line, until interrupted by the abrupt descent of
what is now the College hill, whence winding round the base,
it followed the course of the stream, pretty near the present rail
road line, into and across the large bottoms and beautiful valley,
that lies on the west side of the hill.
I had once, on a previous occasion, crossed on this hill, a
promontory, and was the only one of the party who professed
any knowledge of the character of the plain that lay on top of
its elevation ; and it was with reference to this spot that I had
desired the party to return by this route. Arriving, therefore,
at the base of the hill, on its south side, I called the attention of
the bishop and the others of the party, to the elevation on our
right, and its beautiful surroundings. The curve of the base,
the acclivity of the hill, and the graceful bend of the river, with
the wide opening of the valley east and west, were attractions
too striking to need explanation. But it was suggested by Mr.
Norton that there was not room enough on the crown of the
hill for the accommodation of the necessary buildings and
grounds of the contemplated institution. To this I replied that
I had once crossed the hill, and that there was a level plain on
top, wider than was supposed.
Bishop Chase answered by saying, "Come, Mr. Curtis, I
will go up with you to the top of this hill, and we will see how
it looks." The other gentlemen ofthe party, not having much
apparent faith in the fruits of our difficult ascent, dismounted
from their horses, and disposed themselves for rest in the shade
at the road side, and the bishop and myself proceeded alone
to mount the hill. The side was thickly set with an under
growth of oak bushes, frequently interlaced with rambling grape
vines. We struggled through these tangles, on our horses,
until about halfway up the hill, when the bishop becoming dis
couraged with that mode of proceeding, proposed that we should
take it afoot. We dismounted, hitched our horses, and then
proceeded as well as we could until we emerged on the top

of the hill, on the very spot where the old college building now
stands. The heavy timber that had once covered the crown of the hill,
had, principally, many years before, been prostrated by a storm
or otherwise destroyed, so that, excepting a more stunted growth
of brush than that we had just come through, the plain on
the top was comparatively open and free from obstruction to
the view. Passing a little northward, the whole panorama of
the beautiful valleys that lay at our feet, the undulating line and
varying surface of the distant hills, eastward, southward, and
westward, with the windings of the river, all were brought into
view, and presented a scene and landscape of unsurpassed love
liness and beauty. It certainly appeared so to me then, and so it
seemed to strike our good bishop. Standing upon the trunk of
an old fallen oak, and permitting his -eye to pass round the hori
zon, and take in the whole prospect, he expressed his delight
and satisfaction in the brief but significant exclamation, "Well,
this will do!" He then pointed out the varied beauties of the
spot, its extensive views, and the advantages that would be ob
tained by opening some parts of the contiguous forest — improv
ing the prospect in certain directions. We then returned to the
foot of the hill, and found our companions amusing and resting
themselves, where we had left them. The bishop expressed him
self to them in strong terms of satisfaction and delight, in re
spect to the spot he had just examined.
We all returned to Mt. Vernon together. The bishop came
with me to my house to tea; and from the circumstance of my
wife being a relative of Mr. Hogg — the owner of the land where
the site had been selected — the conversation turned very much
upon the hope of making that permanent location, and the
probability of obtaining the land at a price within the means of
the young institution and its then limited endowment. When
he left my house, Bishop Chase expressed to me his intention to
visit Mr. Hogg at an early day, with a view of securing a con
tract for the purchase of the land/and he took with him a let
ter from me to that gentleman (with whom I was on the most
kind and friendly relation), strongly recommending the objects
of the bishop's proposed visit.
When I next saw Bishop Chase, which I think was sometime
during the following winter, he had made a provisional contract
for the purchase of the whole eight thousand acres at three dol
lars per acre — a price considered very low, as the land could
readily have been sold at a higher rate. Mr. Hogg, subsequently,
on the solicitation of Bishop Chase, and in view of the noble
objects of the purchase, munificently rebated six thousand dol
lars from the original contract price.
At the annual convention of 1826 steps were adopted by which
the purchase from Mr. Hogg was confirmed, and the permanent
site of Kenyon college and its other institutions was established
in their present location, and upon the identical spot to which I
conducted the bishop on the occasion above referred to, and from
which his mind had never wavered from the time he first stood
upon the ground.
Now, after the lapse of a quarter of a century, every year of
which has but added new evidence of the sagacity, sound judg
ment, and good taste of Bishop Chase in the location which he
made, and the wisdom of the convention and its committee that
confirmed that decision, it is pleashnt to recur to these remi
niscences of the infancy of the institution, when, indeed, it had
neither a local habitation nor a name, and to contrast its condi
tion in the days of its obscurity and feebleness, with its present
proud position. Old Kenyon, as the boys love to call her, has

456

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

indeed won her way upward, gloriously and successfully. The
clouds that have sometimes hung upon her horizon, have passed
away; and she stands this day a peeress among the noblest in
stitutions of learning in our country — an honor to the diocese
— and a monument of the wisdom, and to the fame of the noble
founder. From a report made by Bishop Chase in 1827,
the following extracts are taken :
Concerning the collections from our friends in the Atlantic
States to aid in the erection of our college buildings, I cannot
speak in terms of sufficient respect and thankfulness. The
hearts of thousands were open to us; and of all classes many
were found willing to assist us. From relations in Vermont and
New Hampshire, I received between three and four hundred
dollars. From friends in Philadelphia, rising of three thousand;
from those in New York, about that sum; from Providence,
Rhode Island, nearly five hundred; and from Boston, Salem,
Newburyport, Portsmouth and Portland, in all sufficient to
cause the sum received to amount, if I have counted right, to
nine thousand two hundred and twenty-eight dollars.
Besides this, I hear that there are moneys in Philadelphia un
collected, and lying in the hands of friends, to the amount of
several hundred dollars.
Mr. Bacon is still soliciting subscriptions for us at the south,
where, considering their wonted liberality, and our great need,
I have good hope of his success.
Here I cannot but mention, though the result is not yet
known, the very great hopes of a liberal collection from the
exhibition in New York, of that celebrated picture, the Capuchin
chapel, for the benefit of Kenyon college, Ohio, which Benjamin
Wiggins, esq., so liberally granted, just before his leaving this
country for London. The exhibition is to commence on the
tenth of September next (1827), and continue so long as pro
ductive of profit. As this picture is considered the most perfect
exhibition of the art of optical deception by painting, so as to
make us doubt of its being a fiction even while beholding it;
there is little reason to doubt the combined result of good taste,
of a laudable curiosity, and of a benevolent desire to aid a use
ful institution. The public will take this method of benefitting
Kenyon college, which so many thousands are uniting, both in
England and America, to benefit.
What has excited my most grateful sentiments, and which, no
doubt, will call forth similar feelings from you and all that shall
hear of it is, that, influenced by the example of the industrious
and benevolent exertions of some ladies in England, put forth
in aid of the plan to promote religion and learning in the west,
many of our American ladies, with an emulation truly praise
worthy, have formed themselves into circles of industry to unite
their efforts for the benefit of Kenyon college. This has taken
place in Gardiner and Portland, in the State of Maine; in New
buryport and Salem, Massachusetts; and the same is expected
in other places. Already have some of them made their offer
ings of considerable value, and they still continue their pious
and useful exertions. All this is don*; and doing in these places,
besides what some pious and devoted ladies in Philadelphia and
New York are doing to maintain beneficiaries at our college
and seminary. What bond of affection this will constitute
between them and our benefactors in England, and ourselves in
the west, I will leave to you to judge. The pure streams of
piety and benevolence will mingle, though their fountains re
spectively be in different and far distant lands.

One thing more, and I shall close my report of the success
with which God has been pleased to crown my endeavors, dur
ing the past year, to increase the funds of Kenyon college.
Arthur -Tappan, esq., of New York, actuated by a spirit of
uncommon liberality, has subscribed one thousand dollars to
found a professorship, to be called the Milnor professorship,
out of respect to the Rev. Dr. Milnor, rector of St. George's
church, New York, who is to have the naming of the professor.
The subscription is based on the condition, that, within one
year from the date of his signature, in January last, there be
raised for the founding of this professorship, ten thousand dol
lars, considering his own donation a part thereof.
To this has been added the subscription of one hundred dol
lars, on the same conditions, by W. W., esq., of New York.
My own brother, the Hon. Dudley Chase, of Vermont, who
loves me, and takes a lively interest in Kenyon college, but
whose fortune, compared with many others, is small, was so
deeply affected at the liberality of Mr. Tappan, of the Presby
terian persuasion, that he generously assured me of another
thousand, provided I previously obtained the other seven thou
sand and nine hundred dollars before tbe end of the year.
On page two hundred and thirty-nine of the
"Church Register," published at Philadelphia,
July 28, 1827, may be found an account of the
laying of the corner-stone of Kenyon college ; from
which the following extract is taken :
The ceremonies and solemnities of laying the corner-stone
took place on the 9th of June (1827). I think proper, for the
satisfaction of those who have not been on the ground, to state
that the college grounds, amounting to eight thousand acres,
lie in an oblong square form, length from north to south five
miles, and width from east to west two miles and a half. The
north half, through which the main road to Coshocton passes, is
watered by Schenck's creek ; through the south half, on which
the college is located, runs, in a very circuitous manner, Vernon
river, whose waters are more pure and perennial than any other
in the State, or, perhaps, in the western country ; this river
enters the tract belonging to the college on the western side,
about midway from north to south, of the south four thousand
acres, and runs nearly half the distance through it, in an east
erly direction, till it meets with the base of those commanding
grounds, from one hundred and fifty to two hundred feet above
the level of the water, on the top of which are located, in an
area of about fifty acres, the town of Gambier and Kenyon col
lege. The river then turns to the south and southeast, and
opens to the view a most fertile and beautiful region. A park
of lofty trees completely surrounds the college (except at the
north), and covers all the descending grounds, consisting of
some twelve or fourteen acres. Here, in this smooth and well
adapted area, seemingly by the hand of God prepared for the
purpose ; on this site, raised above, and forever must be
secluded from the noise and busy scenes of life, we saw the
preparations for the commencement of this great, good, and
benevolent work. As I approached it, after having attended
divine service, and heard an excellent sermon under the spread
ing trees, by the Rev. Mr. Morse, I could not but feel as sel
dom I ever have before felt. I blessed God for having permitted
me to see the commencement of a Christian institution, the
fountain of so many blessings to the present and to future gen
erations. Filled with these thoughts, which the scene, of itself,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

457

was calculated to inspire, I was called to witness a most appro
priate service, the solemnity of which will be, I trust, imprinted
on my memory as long as life shall last.
The Bishop commenced it by saying, ' ' Except the Lord
build the house, their labor is but vain that build it. "
The ceremony was an impressive one, but too
long for insertion here.
The following incident in the building of the
college is worthy of preservation, in connection
with its location. It is an extract from Bishop
Chase's Reminiscences, of June, 1826. He was
the first Protestant Episcopal bishop of Ohio, and
the work to which he refers was the building of
Kenyon college, the Theological seminary and
Bexley hall. An immediate resolution was formed
for a total prohibition of ardent spirits on College
hill. This measure, at the time, was thought rash
and unadvised — it was an unheard of thing, for few
buildings in America had been erected without the
use of liquors. The Bishop writes:
J. H. was the head carpenter on Gambier hill, and often was
he with the WFiter in consultation on the ways and means of
proceeding with the buildings. On entering the college service,
he had agreed, as all the rest had -agreed, to refrain from the
use of spiritous liquors. The writer thought him friendly to
this measure, and as he was a Baptist missionary, that he
would second the views ofthe bishop in promoting temperance.
But in this there was sad disappointment. What with the love
of liquor, the fondness for being the head of a party to maintain
the "unalienable rights of an oppressed people," and the desire
of humbling the bishop, the promise made when he came on the
hill was laid aside, and a combination with the hands was
formed, and their grievances were made known by petition.
Mr. H. was the "scribe," and the first to subscribe; and a ma
jority of the rest, to the number of nineteen, chief men of the
company, "men of renown," followed his example. This
famous petition was in the following words :
"To the Rt. Rev. Philander Chase:
Sir: We, the undersigned, being mechanics and laborers
under your employ, have agreed, after mature reflection, and a
consultation held upon the subject, to address you a line by
way of petition, thereby to make known to you our united re
quest, which request, we presume to think, and humbly trust,
will not, by you, be considered unreasonable; and from' many
considerations we are inclined to believe it not only necessary,
but beneficial, both for the preservation of our health and the
forwarding of the business in which we are engaged. Request
as follows: That you will grant us the use of spiritous liquors
three times a day, while we may be occupied in your service, in
quantity, one small glass at each time; inasmuch as it has be
come a custom, not only in this State, but throughout the
United States, to have it more or less at places where public
works are going forward, a moderate use of which, in our opin
ion, would greatly forward the business in which we are en
gaged. The principal reasons which we urge "for asking the
foregoing, are the following, to wit: Having to work the prin
cipal part of the time under the influence of the sun's rays, and

our provisions, though good, are principally of the salt kind,
and not having constantly a supply of good fresh water at hand;
and in consequence ofthe reasons here assigned, we have many
times drank more than was really good for us, and to remedy
this we have made the preceding request. If it meet your ap
probation, we think the expense will be repaid the institution
ten fold; if not, we shall await your command, and abide the
consequences with due respect. We have the honor to be
yours very respectfully, [Names signed.]"
This petition was sent to the writer when in his log cabin all
alone. He read it, and was considering its unhappy conse
quences, when a voice struck his ear from behind him. "Mr.
H. wants an answer," said the little boy, who had waited on
the hands. "Tell Mr. H. to please get the hands together un
der the shady trees near the timber, and I will come and talk
with them about the matter.
As he approached the place where the hands were seated,
there were signs of great unanimity — significant nods and bold
looks; none spoke, and the suppressed, yet half-uttered laugh,
indicated their expected speedy triumph.
The writer now took his seat on an elevated piece of timber,
with a view to say something, yet found himself unable to utter
a word, and for a considerable period there was nothing said;
and when he did begin to say a word or two, it was not in lan
guage of reproach of their conduct, nor in any way an attempt
to display his own oratory. Something different was now re
quired. Their affections were to be won, their minds enlight
ened, and their will persuaded. In short, he saw it was neces
sary to speak to them as members of the human family,- and
make them friends to himself, to their own selves, and to the
true interests of the institution. To this end he told them his
own history, and in so doing gained their sympathy, and en
listed their affections in his hehalf. Many of them were in
tears, and all arose and went to work without a drop of
whiskey. The following history of the college is from the
versatile pen of President Bodine, who has guided
the college so successfully several years past. It is
well worth a place in these pages and is given entire:
The traveller in central Ohio, journeying by the new railroad
from Columbus to Cleveland, by way of Mt. Vernon, finds him
self, for several miles of his course, skirting the banks of a
sparkling stream, to which the old Indians gave the euphonious
name "Kokosing." The valley through which the river flows
is a. charming one, and the ride delightful, for new beauties
greet the eye at almost every turn, and rocks and hills and ven
erable woods utter together their voice of praise. At one of the
sudden turns of this winding stream, a few miles beyond Mt.
Vernon, upon a hill beautiful for situation, rises the village of
Gambier, the seat of Kenyon College.
" Kokosing! loveliest streamlet ofthe west,
Where Nature stands in beauteous garments drest,
How oft along thy winding banks I've strayed,
Enchanted by the song thy murmurings made.
Thy sloping shores are decked with verdant meads.
And proud majestic hills that lift their heads
With foliage and waving forests crowned;
Here Nature sits enthroned, while all around,
Above, below, presents a charming view,
Lovely as Eden, glittering with the dew
Beneath a morning sun."

45 8

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Half a century ago there was probably no institution of learn
ing in our land more talked about than Kenyon college, for it
was one of the first literary ventures of the west, and its needs
and expectations were heralded far and near. There is a cer
tain charm about infancy which we do not recognize in man
hood. This, doubtless, is one of the reasons why Kenyon has
recently occupied a less prominent place before the public than
in her early days. Besides, her development has not altogether
been in the line anticipated. She has failed where success was
dreamed of ; she has won honor in ways that were not contem
plated. The comer-stone of Kenyon college was laid in the month of
June, 1827, so that Gambier has just begun her second half cen
tury of earnest life. By a happy coincidence, the fiftieth year
marked the elevation of one of Kenyon's sons to the Presidency
of the United States. One of the trustees of Kenyon college,
Hon. Morrison R. Waite, is now the highest judicial officer of
the country. Kenyon's sons, also, are found in the halls of Con
gress, so that she has links binding her to every department
of the Government — legislative, judicial, executive.
The list of the alumni at Kenyon has already grown to fair
proportions. From the beginning her standard has been high,
and many of those who have studied in Gambier have left before
completing the course ; but five hundred have been graduated.
A large number of Kenyon's sons have become men of mark in
church and state, and five of them had attained to a wide na
tional reputation. Henry Winter Davis, that " prince of par
liamentary orators," in his early days practiced economy, and
wrought with brain and muscle at Kenyon. Edwin M. Stan
ton, tbe great War Secretary, came in the spring-time of his life
to Gambier. His college experience proved to be a turning-
point, so that afterward he was accustomed to say: "If I am
anything, I owe it to Kenyon college." David Davis, late Jus
tice of the United States, now senator from Illinois, was an as
sociate of Stan'ton in college days. Stai.ley Matthews, also, an
eminent lawyer of Cincinnati, who won great distinction by his
arguments before the Electoral commission, and who has lately
retired from the Senate of the United States, was at Kenyon a
friend and companion of President Hayes. Not unnaturally
Kenyon is proud of her alumni roll.
The founder of Kenyon college was Philander Chase, the
first bishop of the Protestant Episcopal church in Ohio. A
friend writes thus concerning him :
"In height he was six feet and over; the span of his chest
was nearly, if not quite, equal to his height, and with that no
ble trunk his limbs were in full and admirable proportion. In
a crowd his giant figure, in front or back, excited, wherever he
moved, universal attention. Large and heavy in stature as he
was, he was remarkably light and graceful in his movements,
and when not ruffled with opposition or displeasure, exceedingly
agreeable, polished and finished in his manner. Toward those
who betrayed hauteur in their deportment with him, or whom
he suspected as actuated by such a spirit, or who positively
differed with him as to his policy, and especially toward those
whom he looked upon as his enemies, he was generally distant
and overbearing, and sometimes, when offended, herhaps mo
rose. In his bearing toward them his noble countenance was
always heavy and lowering, and his deportment frigid and
unmistakably repulsive; but in his general intercourse, and
always with his particular and intimate friends, his address and
social qualities were polished, delightful and captivating; his
countenance was sunlight, his manner warm and genial as

balmy May, and his deportment winning to a degree rare
among even remarkably commanding and popular men."
Bishop Chase came of a sturdy New England stock. He
was bom in Cornish, New Hampshire, where he spent the days
of his youth. When manhood came, however, he could not
content himself with such quiet and settled surroundings, for,
of him, as afterward of his nephew, the Secretary, ambition
was a most marked characteristic. He was first a missionary
in western New York, and then he was stationed in Poughkeep-
sie, but soon afterward removed to New Orleans. He was the
first Protestant minister in the State of Louisiana. After five
years of hard and successful labor, he removed again to the
north, and for six years was a minister in Hartford, Connecti
cut. But Philander Chase was a man too restless, too ambi
tious, too great, to remain long contented in any quiet and
peaceful nook. He craved the contests and the storms of life.
So, early in the spring of the year 1817, resolved "not to build
upon another man's foundations," he started for what was then
the far west — the newly admitted State of Ohio. He was
consecrated bishop in February, 1819.
He began his work with rare earnestness. No pecuniary
support had been provided. Indeed, for several years all that
he received for his public ministrations was not enough to pay
his postage; so, to gain his daily bread, he had to become a
tiller of the soil.
He soon became convinced that he must have assistance in
his work. In four years his list of three clergymen had grown
to six, but what could six men do in so vast a field? Moreover,
he became convinced that* for western work the best laborers
were western men, more accustomed than others to the hard
ships of the new civilization, and more likely to be contented
with the labor and its returns. So his mind began to be filled
with a dream of a " school of the prophets, " which, before long,
took definite shape in his mind, Happily, the bishop's son sug
gested that favorable mention had been made in a prominent
English journal of the new missionary work in far-off Ohio.
The bishop immediately determined that the ocean must be
crossed, and the mother church asked to help. He first ap
pointed his son for this service; but his son's failing health re
quired a journey to a southern clime, so the resolute bishop de
termined to go himself.
At once he made his plans known to his brethren. Some of
them approved, while others disapproved, and one went so far
as to violently oppose him.
Bishop White, the father of the American church, made ob
jection firmly, but gently, as was consistent with his saintly
character. He thought it undesirable that application should
be made to a foreign source for aid, because of the probable ef
fect upon the church at home. What countenance, it was said,
will be given to the odium, which some would fain cast upon
our church, as in a state of dependence on another church, in
corporated with a foreign State. The lessening of the respec
tability of the church was also insisted upon ; the American
church should not stoop to be a suppliant for the bounty of
another. Bishop Chase, however, was resolute. He thought he knew
the needs of his own field of labor, and determined to provide
for them as best he could.
He bade his son good-bye in New York, the last good-bye he
was ever to say to him. His son, he knew, was appointed to
die, and it would have been a privilege to minister to him in his
last moments. The claims of nature, however, must yield to

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

459

the higher claims of God's cause on earth. The parting was
sad and heroic. ,
A month upon the ocean followed, for those were days when
steamships were unknown. From Liverpool, Bishop Chase
went to Manchester, and so on to London.
He met at once with a most formidable obstacle in the oppo
sition of the bishop of New York. He was publicly attacked
in the British Critic, and for months his hands were tied; he
could do nothing.
But after a while the tide turned. It so happened that the
British parliament was then divided on the question of the
emancipation of West India slaves. The subject was being
everywhere discussed with intense feeling. As a consequence,
any one who was known to have made sacrifices for the negro
was sure to find friends.
Wilberforce's particular friend, Butterworth, who was also a
member of parliament, lived near to the house where Bishop
Chase had taken lodgings. One day a Dr. Dow, from New
Orleans, called on Mr. Butterworth, when, in the course of con
versation, something like this was said :
"So you are from America, Dr. Dow! Were you acquainted
with Bishop Chase? "
' 'Yes ; he was my pastor in New York, and I his physician and
friend." "Tell me about him; there must be something singular in him,
or he would not be neglected as he is in England.
' 'Singular! I never knew anything singular in him but his
emancipating his yellow slave, and that, I should suppose,
would not injure him herein England."
The story was then told of his emancipation. A negro
named Jack had belonged to Philander Chase while was living
in New Orleans. Jack absconded. Years * afterwards, when
Philander Chase had become bishop of Ohio, Jack was caught
and put in prison, where he was kept, awaiting an order from
his master for his sale. Bishop Chase thought the matter over,
and wrote his southern friends to let Jack go free.
The story made Butterworth Bishop Chase's friend. He
invited him to his house, introduced him to great and good men,
and soon the Ohio cause grew and waxed strong. Subscrip
tions were received from hundreds of sources. There was a
genuine, almost an enthusiastic, outflow of British beneficence.
Wealthy friends' were gathered, and the pioneer bishop was the
hero of the hour, delighting all with his thrilling sketches of
frontier hardships, and with his glowing prophecies of magnifi
cent triumphs sure to be achieved. Lord Gambier helped him
greatly, Lord Kenyon, also, and Sir Thomas Ackland, and
Lady Rosse, and Hannah Moore. The total result of this first
appeal was more than five thousand pounds.
The largest single donor was Lady Rosse. We give the
story of the way in which Bishop Chase became acquainted
with her, inasmuch as it shows very clearly how mysteriously
the links of the chain of life are bound together by the good
providence of God.
In the winter of 1819-20 Bishop Chase had a letter from his
friend, Dr. Jarvis, of Boston, making inquiry as to the manner
of his support. The letter came at a time when the good bish
op's burthens were more than ordinarily heavy. He was car
ing as well as he could for the scattered sheep of Christ ; besides,
he was providing for his family by his own manual labor. He
had no money to hire others ; he was, therefore, obliged to haul
and cut his own wood, to make his own fires, and to feed his
own domestic animals.

Bishop Chase replied to Dr. Jarvis's letter frankly, drawing
an accurate picture of a frontier bishop's life. The letter thus
written, upon bad paper, with bad ink, and with fingers stiff
ened by labor, was sent by Dr. Jarvis to a Scottish bishop, who
was desirous to know something about western life and work.
The thought of this letter had entirely faded from Bishop
Chase's mind. Judge therefore, of his surprise, when it was
shown to him one day in London, and he learned that, in
consequence of it, a bequest of money had been made to him by
an English citizen. Nor was this all. The Scotch bishop's
daughter became his friend, told his story to Lady Rosse,
secured his interest, and gained thereby for his cause some
thousands of dollars.
Bishop Chase returned to his home a poor rich man. For
those days, in Ohio, thirty thousand dollars was a very large
sum of money, and so, doubtless, Bishop Chase would have
considered it when he started to go abroad. Meanwhile, how
ever, his ideas had grown. At one time a theological school
would have contented him ; but now larger and more dazzling
ideas took possession of his brain.
His school was first established upon his farm near Worth
ington, where before, he had taught, amongst others, his neph
ew, afterwards Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase. This, how
ever, was but a temporary arrangement. A permanent location
had to be selected.
Aout this time Bishop Chase's attention was called to a tract
of land, consisting of eight thousand acres, in Knox county.
He at once came to Mount Vernon, the county seat, upon a
tour of observation, rode with friends across the country, and
followed for a while the valley of the Kokosing, until he came
to the hill where the college at present stands. It was sug
gested that, possibly, at the top of this hill there might be found
a good site for building. The general reply was, ' 'No." The
bishop said, "Let us see." He scrambled upon the hill-side
with a single companion. Once at the top, he climbed upon a
fallen log, and as his eye stretched hither and thither, taking in
the splendid sweep of the country round about, he exclaimed
with satisfaction, " Thi s will do." In that instant the location
of the new institution was practically fixed.
The assent of the diocesan convention had to be secured. It
was not certain that this could easily be done, for there was
hardly a town in the State that had not fixed its covetous eye
upon the infant college. More than seven cities contended for
the boon, not one of which carried off the prize, for Bishop
Chase was a man of will, and his will was that the school should
be located in the country. " Put your seminary ," said he, "on
your own domain ; be owners of the soil on which you dwell,
and let the tenure of every lease and deed depend on the ex
press condition that nothing detrimental to the morals and
studies of youth be allowed on the premises."
A still broader question, also, must needs be settled. What
would be the nature of the new institution? Should it be
simply a school for the education of clergymen ? or should it
open its doors to all classes of citizens? Some said, have noth
ing but a theological seminary. Mr. Charles Hammond, a
trustee, and a very influential citizen of Ohio, said this most
earnestly, and indeed went 50 far as to prepare and carry
through the legislature a billforthe incorporation of "The Theo
logical Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
State of Ohio, " and so fixed the legal title of the new institution.
But Bishop Chase was equally strenuous the other way. His
first thought had been to provide ministers for the waste places

460

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

of the church — his second and greater thought now was " to be
of service to his country, without regard to denomination or
religion." t'But two courses," said he, in his address before
the convention, " are before us — either to confine our seminary
to theological candidates only; or, if we receive students in
general science, to lay a foundation sufficiently strong and large
to sustain the magnitude of the college, which must be reared
to do those students justice. In the former case, nothing more
is necessary than to turn your attention to the deed of gift of
my own estate in Worthington. In the latter case, the only
thing presented worthy of your attention is the proposed lands
in Knox county. Here is a foundation on which to erect an
edifice worthy of the kind expectations of our esteemed bene
factors. On this we can build, and justly expect the patronage
of our civil Government. Anything less than this would be to
degrade, not to improve, our present blessings. There will be
no college for all professions if the Knox county plan fail. No
other can give any adequate encouragement. "
A most favorable report was received from the committee of
the convention to whom this matter was referred, declaring
that "the lands in Knox county afforded an eligible site for the
seminary and college, and combined advantages of greater
magnitude than any offer that had been made." So it was de
cided that the Theological seminary of the diocese of Ohio,
and Kenyon college, should be forever established upon these
lands, and the broad plan was adopted of laboring to build up,
not only a school of theology, but a college as well. The
English funds were to be appropriated sacredly to the purpose
for which they were given. The college endowment, it was
hoped, might, in some other way, be secured.
This choice of a location amid well-nigh untrodden forests
involved, as a matter of course, heavy sacrifices and large out
lays of labor. It was necessary to begin with the very elements
of civilization. Workmen must be gathered, land made ready
for tilling, crops raised and harvested, and cabins built for
shelter. In fact, for some years, farming, milling and merchan
dising were carried on in the name of the college, and the
institution came to be possessed of a store, a hotel, a printing-
office, a saw-mill, a grist-mill, a carpenter and a shoemaker's
shop, with houses for the miller, lhe dairymen and the work
men to dwell in. So ere long the funds contributed by English
friends were spent, and the resources of the pioneer bishop
were quite exhausted.
It was needful, therefore, to make additional appeals for aid,
and very naturally the " public crib" was thought of as a ready
source of succor. So in December, A. D. 1827, Bishop Chase
went to Columbus, addressed the legislature, and received from
that body an endorsement of an appeal to Congress for a dona
tion from the public lands. Soon after, a bill was introduced
into the U. S. Senate making a grant of a township of land.
The bill was advocated by prominent Senators (among others
by Thomas H. Benton and William Henry Harrison), but in
the House of Representatives party spirit was roaring like a
flood, and drowned the voice of the infant college. The bill
failed in committee, and, amid the rush of other business, was
pushed aside.
The good bishop was keenly disappointed, but not in despair.
Renewed effort was his refuge. So at once he scattered broad
cast a public appeal entitled "The Star in the West, or Kenyon
College in the year of our Lord 1828."
"Never before," he wrote, "on any other plan have the ex
pense s of a public education been brought within the compass

of seventy dollars a year; never before has the light of science
beamed thus on the cottages of the poor. Who, then, would
not give his mite to expedite the completion of a college erected
in the woods at great personal sacrifice, and for such benevolent
purposes? A small sum only is asked of every friend, of every
name and class. In this way numbers will make amends for
deficiency in quantity, and in this way the wound occasioned by
the late disappointment in Congress will be healed by the hand
of individual beneficence. In this way the commenced build
ings may be finished, and the great work accomplished. Who
ever reads this is, therefore, most respectfully and earnestly en
treated immediately to enclose one dollar, in aid of the present
struggles of Kenyon college, in a letter addressed to P. Chase,
P. M., Gambier, Ohio."
This method of begging has since had ample following, but
then it hr.d the charm of novely, and so succeeded. . The dol
lars, it is said, came to Gambier as the leaves fall in autumn.
Larger subscriptions were not neglected. John Quincy Adams,
then President of the United States, gave a hundred dollars.
" Kenyon Circles" were formed in towns near and distant, and
thousands of ladies were busy sewing for Kenyon college. In
all, some twenty -five thousand dollars were received through
this appeal.
Meanwhile a goodly number of students had assembled at
Gambier, and the work of the college went bravely on. Bishop
Chase nominally occupied the office of president. He really
filled most efficiently the post of general manager and superin
tendent. Every morning the ' ' head men " had to be directed
by him as to their daily work ; every evening they were gathered
to give accounts of labor. There was the tilling of the thou
sands of broad acres to be looked after, tbe quarrying of stone,
the erection of buildings, the industries of the village, and all
this in addition to the wants, bodily, mental and spiritual, of
the student community. Besides, there was the keeping of de
tailed accounts, and the maintenance of a most extensive corre
spondence. The burden was altogether a very heavy one; but
Bishop Chases' broad shoulders were well fitted to bear it, par
ticularly as he had a most efficient helpmate in his noble wife.
"Mrs. Chase entered with her whole soul mto her husband's
plans. She was a lady perfectly at home in all the arts and min
utiae of housewifery; as happy in darning stockings for the boys'
as in entertaining her visitors in the parlor; in niaking a bargain
with a farmer in his rough boots and hunting blouse, as in com
pleting a purchase from an intelligent and accomplished mer
chant, and as perfectly at home in doing business" with the world
about her, and in keeping- the multifarious accounts of her in
creasing household, as in presiding at her dinner table, or dis
pensing courtesy in her drawing-room."
Through her efficiency and wisdom, and her husband's untir
ing and marvelous activity, Kenyon's affairs were for a time
prosperous. A corps of able professors was gathered; there
were more students than could be well accommodated, while the
building known as Old Kenyon, with walls four feet in thickness.
rose solidly as though it were intended to stand forever.
The salaries paid to professors were, all things considered,
quite ample, for the purchasing power of money in Ohio was
then very great.
The president received eight hundred dollars per annum, and
^ach professor five hundred dollars; and in addition, the profes
sors were supplied from the farms with everything they needed
to sustain bfe, groceries only being excepted. The larger the
family, therefore, the larger was the pay in butter, eggs and

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

461

meat, in flour, milk and corn, in lights and firewood. One can
not help wondering, nowadays, how they managed all this —
whether, once in awhile some one did not get the cream, and
some one else the skim milk, and whether eveything was lovely
in consequence.
The college not only formed a large landed estate, and kept a
hotel and shops, mills and stores; it boarded, also, its entire
family of professors and students. One looks curiously to-day
at its inventory of goods — pots, pans, pails, tubs, saucers,
spoons, white dimity bed-curtains, mixed all up with oxen,
cows, and vinegar. Then what could have been the need of
"trundle-beds?" Possibly to put to bed some homesick fresh
man. The charge for board, tuition, room-rent, lights and fuel
varied from fifty dollars to seventy dollars per annum. Perhaps
it. is not to be wondered at that the provender afforded should
have come in for its share of adverse criticism. An early col
lege publication advertises, " cash will be given at the seminary
store for hats and old shoes suitable for making coffee;" it also
chronicles an "Awful Catastrophe — Died very suddenly, on
Wednesday last, seventeen interesting hogs, of sore throat, en
deared to the students by their unassuming manners, gentle
manly deportment, and a life devoted to the public service.
The funeral of each of them will be attended every day until the
end, in the dining-hall."
Those were the days when discipline was somewhat stem.
We read of a sophomore who was commanded to the room of a
professor, and severely beaten with a rod. For the first time in
his Ufe a Mississippi freshman received bodily chastisement, and
even Doctor Sparrow, the vice-president, took care to see that it
was well laid on.
Nor was Bishop Chase's course in Gambier all smooth sail
ing. Difficulties appeared which grew to great proportions.
"Kenyon college," he wrote at the time, "is like other colleges
in some respects, and unlike all in many other respects. The
fundamental principle in which it differs from all others is, that
the whole institution is patriarchal. Like Abraham on the
plains of Mamre, it hath pitched its tent under the trees of
Gambier hill, it hath its flocks and its herds, and its different
families of teachers, scholars, mechanics, and laborers, all
united under one head, pursuing one common interest, and re
ceiving their maintenance and food from one common source,
the funds and farms of the college. " The picture, it must be
confessed, is not without its beauties, though the coloring is
certainly more occidental than oriental. Accurately drawn, it
would have shown western workmen ready to cry ' ' indepen
dence," a western faculty to question the limits of authority, and
western Young America to cheer them on. Pecuniary troubles
added to the embarrassments of the situation. So on the ninth
of September, i83r, Bishop Chase resigned the presidency of
the college and the episcopate of Ohio. The next day he
mounted "Cincinnatus," and rode sorrowfully away, and
Gambier saw his face no more. He was afterwards elected
Bishop of Illinois, and died at " Robin's Nest," where he had
founded Jubilee college.
In the language of one well qualified to judge with accuracy,
"thus closes the record of Bishop Chase's labors in founding a
theological seminary and college. He probably had no supe
rior in all the qualities necessary to originate such an institu
tion. The versatility of his manners was such that he could
adapt himself readily to any condition of society. Whether
he were in the log-cabin of Ohio, where the whole family slept,

ate, cooked, received guests, and lodged them in the same
apartment, or in the magnificent halls of Lord Kenyon, sur
rounded with the refinement of the old world, Bishop Chase was
equally at home, and capable of winning golden opinions. Add
to this an energy that never flagged, a will that never succumbed,
and a physical system that never tired, and we have such a
character as is seldom produced, but which was precisely
adapted to the great work that he accomplished. Bishop Chase
was equally remarkable for industry and endurance. Daylight
seldom found him in bed, and he seemed as fond of working
or travelling in the rain as though water were his native ele
ment. He would preach at Perry (fifteen miles from Gam
bier), and as soon as daylight peeped in the east on Monday
morning, take his bridle himself, go to the field, catch 'Cincin
natus, mount and be off to set his head men at work in Gam
bier. Bishop Chase began a work for the church in Ohio, and
in truth for the whole west, such as no other man then living
would have attempted, or probably could have accomplished."
What the subsequent history of Kenyon college might have
been, had Bishop Chase remained at its head, it is idle to spec
ulate and vain to surmise. In laying its foundations his great
work was done. A lawyer of Ohio was wont to say concerning
him that he was an almighty man. Nor did the countryman
come very wide of the mark, who, when meeting him one day,
called him "general." " I am not general," was the somewhat
curt reply. "I beg pardon; I mean judge." "I am not
judge." "Well, then, bishop." "Why do you call me bishop?
How do you know that I am a bishop?" "Well, I knowed,"
said the man of homespun sense, ' ' that whatever you was, you
was at the top." The countryman was right. Philander Chase
was not only a lover of men, but a leader of men; now gentle
as a child, most sweet and winning; now, again, imperious,
invincible. All honor to his memory!
Kenyon's second president was Charles Pettit Mcllvaine,
D. D., D. C. L. (oxon), who came to Gambier at the early age
of thirty-three. Born in the same year in which George Wash
ington died, he bore a close resemblence to the Father of his
Country, both in appearance and character. He looked a king
among men ; he was great, also, as a thinker and an orator. He
had already filled the office of chaplain at West Point, and had
won renown in the great centers of Washington and New
York. Such a man, coming to Gambier, could not but be warmly
welcomed. He saw at once, moreover, the importance of the
institutions, and girded himself to labor in their behalf. New
buildings were much needed. Besides, there was an accumula
tion of debt. Bishop Mcllvaine, therefore, before establishing
himself in Ohio, solicited aid, chiefly in the eastern cities, and
received in all nearly thirty thousand dollars, the larger part of
which was contributed by friends in Brooklyn and New York.
This was done in 1833. Without the help thus opportunely
given by the new bishop, Kenyon must have perished, the trus
tees having determined that it would be impossible for them, as
things were, to carry on the college.
The first by-law passed under bishop Mcllvaine's administra
tion is characteristic : "It shall be the duty of every student of
the college and gtammar-school, on meeting or passing the
president, vice-president, any professor, or other officer of the
institution, to salute him" or them by touching the hat, or un
covering the head, and it is equally required of each officer to
return the salutation."
In winter the rising bell rang at five o'clock, and the first

462

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

recitation was held at twenty minutes after five. In the summer
the first bell rang before sunrise, and the second at sunrise, for
prayers. At nirie o'clock in the evening all lights had to be put
out, and all students to go to bed. The professor of chemistry
was also physician to the college. Each morning he attended
at his office to see the sick, and excuse persons to be absent on
that account. No plea of sickness was allowed without the
doctor's written certificate.
In those days the diocese of Ohio was poor, and so Kenyon
college paid the salary of the bishop. The arrangement was
not strictly just, for Kenyon received only a part of the bishop's
time and energy. So strongly did bishop Mcllvaine feel the
injustice of this arrangement that he finally took a resolute
stand, and the college was no longer taxed for his support.
He was necessarily absent from Gambier much of the time ;
so a vice-president was elected, who was his representative when
absent, and who governed in the ordinary college affairs. Dr.
William Sparrow was the first vice-president.
President Hayes entered Kenyon as a student in the fall of
the year 1838, and was graduated in 1842. A classmate writes
that for the first two years of his course he did not really lead
his class, but had a reputation as a reader of newspapers, and
as a person well informed in politics. He afterward came rap
idly to the front in scholarship, taking a particularly high stand
in mathematics and logic, and was graduated with the honors of
his class. His commencement address, "College Life," with
the valedictory, is still spoken of in terms of the highest recom
mendation. The uniform suit of the class, .worn at graduation,
would now look somewhat strange. It consisted of a coat of
blue Kentucky jeans, with black velvet collar, a white waistcoat
and white linen trowsers.
A college friend of President Hayes has written: "I recol
lect him as one of the purest boys I ever knew. I have always
recollected of him that in our most intimate, unreserved, private
intercourse, I never knew him to entertain for a moment an
unmanly, dishonest or demoralizing thought. And when we
met in after life, in scenes which called for the highest manhood
and patriotism, I found the man to be exactly what his boyhood
had promised.
Hon. Stanley Matthews says of him : " Hayes, as a boy, was
notorious for having on his shoulders not only the levelest but
the oldest head in college. He never got in any scrapes, he
never had any boyish foolishness ; he never had any wild oats to
sow ; he was sensible, not as some men are, at the last, but sen
sible from the beginning."
The following incident of President Hayes' college life may
almost seem prophetic. We give it in the words of his intimate
friend, Hon. Guy M. Bryan, of Texas, the facts having been
certified to us by the President himself :
"There were in those days two rival literary societies in the
college — the Philomathesian and the Nu Pi Kappa; the last
known as the Southern society, and the first as the Northern,
because the students of the slave States belonged to the one, and
those from the free States to the other. The college for years
had been largely patronized from the Southern States, but this
patronage gradually waned until, in the winter of r84r, there
were so few Southern students in the college that the members
of the Nu Pi Kappa were apprehensive that the society would
cease to exist for want of new members. This was a serious
question with the members of the society. I determined to
open the subject to my intimate friend Hayes, to see if we could
not devise some mode to prevent the extinction of the society,

which was chartered by the State, and had valuable property.
We talked over the subject with all the feeling and interest with
which we would now discuss the best means of bringing about
an era of good feeling between the two sections of the country.
At last Hayes said, 'Well, I will get "Old Trow," Comstock
and some others to join with me, and we will send overadelega-
tion from our society to yours, and then we can make new ar
rangements so that both societies can live in the old college.'
He and I then went to work to consummate our plan. Ten
members of the Philomathesian joined the Nu Pi Kappa. A
joint committee was then appointed from the two societies, that
reported a plan by which students could enter either society
without reference to North or South. Thus Hayes, by his
magnanimity, perpetuated the existence of the Nu Pi Kappa
society, and should he be elected President, I earnestly hope
that he may be equally successful in his best efforts in behalf of a
civil policy which will wipe out forever the distinction between
North and South in the government of our common country."
The following letter from President Hayes, written after his
last election as Governor, may be taken as fairly representative
of the kindly feelings entertained by the graduates of the college
in general: "Fremont, Ohio, October r3, 1875.
My Kenyon Friends: A host of congratulatory dispatch
es are before me. I can not acknowledge with even a word of
thanks the most of them. But yours, first to be replied to,
touches me particularly. Accept my thanks for it. I hope
you will all have reason to remember old Kenyon with as much
satisfaction as I do. I have no more cherished recollections
than those which are associated with college life. Except the
four years spent in the Union army, no other period of my life
is to be compared with it. I hope you may all have equal rea
son always to think of Kenyon as I do.
In the greatest haste, I remain, sincerely,
R. B. Hayes."
The expenses of living in Gambier in early days were very
small. The annual charges were:
For instruction, thirty dollars; for board at the college table,
forty dollars; room rent in a room with a stove, four dollars;
room rent in a room with a fire-place, six dollars; for theologi-
dal students and sons of clergymen the total charge was fifty
dollars. Those were the days when the boys were required "to sweep
their own rooms, make their own beds and fires, bring their
own water, black their own boots, if they ever were blacked,
and take an occasional turn at grubbing in the field, or working
on the roads." The discipline was somewhat strict, and the
toil perhaps severe, but the few pleasures that were allowed were
thoroughly enjoyed.
During the President's school-days there were two great men
at, Gambier, Bishop Mcllvaine and Dr. William Sparrow.
There were other eminent men among the instructors: Major
Douglass was a man of ability, and the traditions which still
linger in the place concerning Professor Ross clearly show that
he wras possessed of remarkable power; but Bishop Mcllvaine
and Dr. Sparrow were pre-eminently great men — men whose
greatness has been felt as an educating influence on both sides
of the Alleghanies. Bishop Mcllvaine's was a divided duty,
for in addition to his college labors he had the care of a large
and struggling diocese; while Dr. Sparrow gave to Kenyon his
full and undivided strength, and so had the stronger hold upon
the students. He led them not oniy wisely and bravely, but

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

463

faithfully, and with a true heart. President Hayes speaks of
him as "one of the giants;'' Secretary Stanton also honored
him through life, and sent for him in his later days that he
might be baptized at his hands.
Until the year 1840 there was a joint faculty of theology and
arts in Gambier. At that time separate faculties were consti
tuted with separate heads, Bishop Mcllvaine continuing at the
head of the Theological seminary, while Major D. B. Douglass,
LL.D., was elected to the presidency of the college. Major
Douglass was an accomplished civil engineer, a soldier and
"every inch a man." "He began his work earnestly in Gambier,
and improvement was the order of the day. But the time was
not ripe for him. He was succeeded within a few years by
Rev. Dr. S. A. Bronson.
In T842 a pecuniary crisis came. Bishop Mcllvaine labored
with all his might, and secured the needed thirty thousand dol
lars. The chief event accomplished during Dr. Bronson's presi
dency was a sale of a large portion of the college lands.
Though of very considerable value, these lands, from the first,
had brought to the institution only the scantiest returns. One
agent after another had been employed to oversee them. The
raising of sheep proved disastrous ; the culture of wheat could
not be made to pay. Many of the tenants turned out to be
either shiftless or dishonest. So, in the year 1850, after much
discussion, it was determined that the form of the investment
should be changed, and the lands were ordered to be sold.
Almost immediately there came increased prosperity. Hap
pily, too, at this juncture, Lorin Andrews, LL. D. , was elected
president. The friend and champion of popular education in
Ohio, he found helpers in every county of the State. The list
of students was quickly swelled, so that in r8s5 "room for

enlargement" was a thing of necessity. President Andrews
resigned in r86r to enter the Union army. He was the first
volunteer from Ohio, entering the service as colonel of the
Fourth Ohio infantry. Very soon, however, he contracted dis
ease, from the effects of which he died. His body rests in a
quiet nook of that college park, which so often echoed to his
step. With President Hayes, he was for a time a member of the
class of 1842.
His successors in the office of president of Kenyon college
have been Charles Short, LL.D. (1863-67), James Kent Stone,
A.M. (1867-68), Eli T. Tappan, LL.D. (r868-7s), William B.
Bodine, D.D., the present incumbent.
The rolling years have brought added endowments to Ken
yon, though she still waits for such large benefactions as have
been given to colleges in the eastern states. Upon the occasion
of his latest visits to his native land, Mr. George Peabody con
tributed the endowment of one professorship (twenty-five thou
sand dollars), chiefly out of regard and affection for Bishop Mc
llvaine, his early and life-long friend. Mrs. R. B. Bowler, of
Clifton, Cincinnati, gave the sum requisite for another professor
ship, in memory of her husband, whose interest in Kenyon had
been warmly manifested. Mr. Jay Cooke bestowed thirty
thousand dollars in the days of his large prosperity. Other
considerable sums have also been received, chiefly through the
exertions of a long tried and devoted advocate and helper, Rt.
Rev. Gregory Thurston Bedell, D.D. By his ardent and faith
ful endeavors, Bishop Bedell has secured contributions for Gam
bier, in all amounting to nearly two hundred thousand dollars.
This sketch has been written with special reference to Kenyon
in the past. A rapid glance at the buildings of the institution
may help to give an idea of her development and growth, and
of her capacities for present usefulness.

BEXLEY HALL.

Bexley hall stands upon a knoll at the northern extremity of
the village. It was erected for the exclusive use of the Theo
logical seminary, after a design given by the architect of the
London crystal palace. It contains the library of tbe seminary
-about seven thousand volumes-and furnished rooms, each
with separate bed-rooms, for thirty-four students.
The College park is about half a mile in the opposite direc-

tion; a broad and well shaded avenue leads the way thereto.
Near the southernmost point of this park, just upon the brow
of the hill, and overlooking for miles the charming Kokosing
valley, stands the more massive and venerable edifice of Ken
yon college. This building is of plain stone, one hundred and
ninety feet long, and four stories high, including the basement;
with battlements, pinnacles, belfry, and a spire one hundred

464

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

and seventeen feet high. It contains upwards of fifty rooms
for students; also the libraries of the Philomathesian and Nu
Pi Kappa societies.
Rosse hall, a substantial stone building in Ionic architecture,
is used for lectures and rhetorical exercises on commence

ment occasions, and is capable of accommodating nearly a
thousand persons.
Close by old Kenyon stands Ascension hall, an imposing
structure, and one of the finest college buildings in the land.
It contains two spacious and elaborately furnished halls for the

ROSSE HALL.

literary societies, six recitation and lecture rooms, the library of
Kenyon college, with its museum, and twenty-six rooms for
students. The tower is used for an observatory.
Directly north of Ascension, and about fifty yards from the
village street, stands the college church, the "Church of the
rHoly Spirit," which was finished in T871. This most beautiful
of all the buildings in Gambier is cruciform — with the tower in
one of the angles — the nave and chancel being ninety feet and

transepts eighty feet in length — all the windows are f stained
glass — the church finished in oak, and the walls tastefully illu
minated. The building is of the same freestone as Ascension
hall, laid in courses, with dressed qtfoins and facings. It will
accommodate a congregation of about six hundred. Ivy,
transplanted from Melrose abbey, has already begun to adorn
its walls. Within, the coloring and the carving are most
attractive. The funds for the erection of this college church

ASCENSION HALL.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

465

were given by members of the Church of the Ascension, New
York, as a tribute of appreciation for their former rector, Bishop*
Bedell. To the north and east of the village, and some distance from
the main street, environed by trees, and commanding an exten
sive and beautiful prospect of the valley of the Kokosing, stands
Milnor hall, built for the use of the preparatory school. This
is a plain structure of brick, the main buildings four stories
high. Hon. Columbus Delano recently contributed ten thousand
dollars to this institution.
In all her requisites for admission, and in the course of study,
Kenyon does not materially differ from the leading colleges of
the Eastern States. She aims to give a thorough liberal educa
tion, and believes in the value of hard mental discipline. She
believes also in right religious influences, and labors to afford
them, pursuing steadily "the true, the beautiful, the good." In
her view, "Christianity is the science of manhood," and all
truth, being God's truth, should lead finally to Him. So her
faith is liberal, conservative, evangelical, catholic.
The new college chapel should be seen to be appreciated. It
is a poem in stone and mortar, and both within and without is
surpassingly attractive. Used, as the chapel is, for daily col
lege prayers, it has a steady influence for good. A new clock
and full chime of bells have been added, to make it all complete'
Its construction was due to the liberality of the former par
ishioners of Bishop Bedell, of the Church of the Ascension, New
York; and those munificent donors have planted a thing of
beauty, "a joy forever," on as exquisite a site as ever was graced
by the house of God. BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
Rt. Rev. Gregory T. Bedell, D. D., President ex.officio.
Rt. Rev. Thomas A. Jaggar, D. D., ex-officio.
Rev. William B. Bodine, D. D., ex-officio.
PERMANENT BOARD.
Under Constitution, Article III.
Rev, N. S. Rulison, D. D., of Cleveland.
Rev. A. H. Moss, of Sandusky.
Rev. Leighton Coleman, S. T. D., of Toledo.
Hon. M. M. Granger, of Zanesville.
Rev. Erastus Burr, D. D., of Portsmouth.
Hon. Rufus King, of Cincinnati.
Rev. John Boyd, D. D., of Marietta.
Gen. Wager Swayne, LL. D., of Toledo.
ELECTED BY THE CONVENTIONS OF THE DIOCESES OF OHIO
AND SOUTHERN OHIO.
Under Constitution, Article VI.
Rev. Alfred F. Blake, of Cincinnati.
Mr. George W. Jones, of Cincinnati.
Rev. John W. Brown, S. T. D., of Cleveland.
Gen. J. H. Devereux, of Cleveland.
Rev. I. Newton Stanger, of Cincinnati.
Mr. William J. Boardman, of Cleveland.
ELECTED BY THE ALUMNI.
Rev. J. Mills Kendrick, of Cincinnati.
Mr. Levi Buttles, of Cleveland.
Rev. William W. Farr, D. D., of Philadelphia.
Mr. Charles E. Burr, of Columbus.
Mardenbro White, esq., of Gambier,
Secretary, Treasurer and Agent.

COLLEGE FACULTY.
Rev. William B. Bodine, D. D., president, Spencer and
Wolfe professor of mental moral philosophy.
Lawrence Rust, A. M., vice-president, Professor of the Greek
language and literature.
Rev. Edward C. Benson, A. M., professor of the Latin lan
guage and literature.
Theodore Sterling, A. M., M. D., Bowler professor of natural
philosophy and chemistry.
Mcllvaine professor of English literature and history, In
structor in rhetoric.
Eli T. Tappan, LL. D. , Peabody professor of mathematics,
civil engineering, and astronomy. Instructor in logic.
Rev. Cyrus S. Bates, D. D., acting professor of mental and
moral philosophy.
William T. Colville, A. M. , Instructor in German and French.
Candidates for the Freshman class are examined in the fol
lowing studdies:
English — Grammar, reading, spelling, and composition.
Mathematics — Arithmetic, alegebra, to quadratics, four chap
ters of Tappan 's geometry.
There are two examinations in arithmetic. The first is on the
primary rules, factoring, greatest common measure and least
common multiple of integers, compound numbers (including the
metric system), fractions and decimals. The second examina
tion is on percentage and interest, circulates, greatest common
measure and least common multiple of fractions, and extraction
of roots.
Latin — Grammar, including prosody; Arnold's Prose Com
position to chapter X; Caesar, four books; Cicero, six orations;
Virgil, four books of the ^Eneid.
The English method of pronunciation is preferred.
Greek — Grammar, including prosody and composition ; Xen-
ophon's Anabasis, three books; Homer's Iliad, one book.
Goodwin's grammar is used as a manual. Some simple
reader or companion book of exercises should be used in con
nection with the grammar.
German — Students who omit' Greek are examined in Otto's
German Conversation Grammar, and Otto's German Reader
(Joynes' edition).
Geography — Ancient and modern.
In reading Caesar and Xenophon there should be constant
reference to the map.
Mythology — A hand-book, such as Baird's Classical Manual,
should be studied in connection with Virgil and Homer. A good
classical dictionary and a dictionary of antiquities are necessary
to every classical student.
Candidates for advanced standing are examined in the above
studies, and in the studies that have been pursued by the class.
Fair equivalents are received for any of the above named
books, or for parts of them. The books named serve to indi
cate the amount required.
If a student is further advanced in some studies than in
others he may pursue the studies for which he is prepared. Op
portunities are furnished such irregular students to make up the
defective study.
Candidates for admission must present testimonials of good
moral character; and, if they come from other colleges, certifi
cates of dismission in good standing.
The regular examination for admission to college takes place
on Monday preceding commencement, beginning at 8:30 o'clock

466

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

A. M. Another examination is held on the day before the open
ing of the Christmas term, at the same hour. Students maybe
examined for any advanced standing at any time before the
commencement of the second term of the senior year.
Gambier is a small country village, situated in the central
part of Ohio, and is noted for its beautiful scenery, and its
healthful and invigorating climate. No better place could well
be found for quiet study, or for moral and religious culture.
There are no saloons in the place. Gambier is distant by rail
two hours from Columbus, five hours from Cleveland, and six
hours from Cincinnati. The station of the Cleveland, Mt.
Vernon & Columbus railroad is immediately in the rear of the
college grounds.
The buildings are among the best in the United States. The
halls of the literary societies are unsurpassed. The college
park contains about a hundred acres, well shaded with maples,
and with the grand old oaks of the native forest. To the east,
the west, and the south, it slopes most beautifully toward the
valley of the Kokosing.
The college year is divided into three terms, named respec
tively Christmas, term, Easter term, and Trinity term.
Christmas term begins on the first Wednesday in September,
and continues fifteen weeks.
Christmas vacation continues three weeks.
Easter term begins on the Wednesday next following the
fourth of January, and continues eleven weeks.
Trinity term begins at the close of Easter term, and continues
thirteen weeks; and Commencement is on Thursday at the
close of Trinity term.
There is a recess of one week in Trinity term, immediately
following Easter day; and when Easter falls in Easter term, the
recess is the first week of the period assigned to Trinity
term. Students not in their places at the opening of the term must
show by written statement from their parents or guardians that
the absence was necessary.
No student shall be absent from Gambier during term time
without special leave of the president.
Every student is required to attend punctually upon all the
academical and religious exercises. In case of necessary ab
sence from any exercise, the student must inform the officer in
charge beforehand, if possible; if not possible, he is required to
present his excuse as soon as may be after the absence has oc
curred. Students are required to attend morning and evening prayers
in the college chapel, also the public services on Sundays, and
on the principal holy days of the church.
A weekly lectureship has been established for the elucidation
and enforcement of the great doctrines of the Christian religion,
for the discussion of great moral questions, for meeting indi
vidual difficulties of belief, and making plain the harmony be
tween God's work and His word.
This lectureship will be under the charge of Rev. Dr. Bates
(whose extraordinary qualifications for this special work have
been abundantly proven), with occasional aid from the presi
dent of the college, and the bishop of Ohio.
A student is admitted to matriculation when he has sustained
a satisfactory probation. Matriculation gives accredited mem
bership to the institution, and entitles the student to an honor
able dismission. For misconduct, he may be reduced to the
condition of a probationer.
The faculty of the college earnestly desire that the students

may be influenced to good conduct and literary exertion by
• higher motives than the fear of punishment, and it mainly relies
for the success of the institution, as designed for liberal educa
tion, on religious and moral principle, a sense of duty, and the
generous feelings which belong to young men engaged in hon
orable pursuits; but when such motives fail, the faculty will use
friendly caution and warning, admonition, and official notice of
delinquency to parents and guardians, reduction of rank, refusa
to grant privileges and indulgences allowed to meritorious stu
dents, withholding of honors, which would otherwise be con
ferred; and to suspension, removal or expulsion. Students will
be required to observe the utmost decorum and courtesy towards
each other at all times, and the practice of hazing will be rigor
ously suppressed.
The degree of bachelor of arts is conferred upon all students
in good standing who are approved at the final examinations of
the senior class.
The degree of bachelor of philosophy is conferred upon those
who have successfully pursued the study of modern languages
instead of Greek, and who have sustained satisfactory examina
tions upon all other studies of the regular course.
Candidates for the degree of master of arts in course must
show that they have, since taking the Bachelor's degree, been
engaged for three years in the study or practice of the learned
professions, or in other scientific or literary pursuits; and each
candidate must deliver to the faculty an essay upon some literary
or scientific theme.
Application for the master's degree must be made to the pres
ident at least one week before commencement.
The two literary societies, the Philomathesian and Nu Pi
Kappa, have always been fostered by the college. The society
halls are very commodious, and have been fitted up at great ex
pense, occupying the whole of the second and third stories of
the central portion of Ascension hall. All the students are active
members. The meetings are held every week, for practice in
declamation, essay, oratory, and discussion. These exercises,
with the mutual criticism which forms a part of the regular work,
and the generous rivalry maintained between the societies, con
tribute very much to the education of the students as writers and
speakers. Arrangements have been made whereby instructions in this
important subject will hereafter be given by the distinguished
elocutionist, Professor Kidd, M. A.
The students have access to the libraries of the theological
seminary, Kenyon college, the Philomathesian society, and the
Nu Pi Kappa society. The aggregate number of volumes in
these four libraries is about twenty-two thousand.
The Kenyon Advance is published monthly during the college
year, and is under the control of a board of editors chosen from
among the students.
Two reading rooms have been fitted up by the members of the
Philomathesian and Nu Pi Kappa societies, where copies of the
leading English and American periodicals and newspapers are
kept on file.
Tuition fees are remitted to the sons of clergymen of the Prot
estant Episcopal' church.
The college fees of other students of superior merit may be
remitted in part or in whole upon application to the president.
A perpetual scholarship has been founded by Mrs. Mary N.
Bliss, of Columbus, by the gift of one thousand dollars. The
income of this scholarship will be given to some student of high
character and ability, who shall be nominated by the president

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RESIDENCE OF PROF. R. B. MARSH,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

467

and approved by the faculty of the college, the preference to be
given, other things being equal, to a resident of the city of Co
lumbus. A scholarship has been founded in memory of Rev. Alfred
Blake, D. D., which yields an annual income of a hundred dol
lars. Other friends have indicated their purpose to give annually,
sums varying from one to two hundred dollars to aid in the edu
cation of students of the highest order of character and ability.
These scholarships will ordinarily be given only to those who
have proved their superiority by success in college work, and to
those who stand highest at the entrance examinations.
Rooms are provided in the college buildings in which al]
students must lodge, unless they obtain permission from the
president to room elsewhere. The college makes no special
provision for board. This can be readily obtained in private
families, or, at times, in clubs.
Each room is sufficiently large and convenient to accommo
date two students. The rooms are provided with stoves, and
are neatly painted and papered by the college. Students pro
vide their own beds', furniture, light, books and stationery.
Furniture can be bought, as well as sold, at second-hand, and
the expense incurred by its use need not be great.
The college charges are : For tuition, ten dollars per term ;
for room rent, five dollars per term; and for incidentals, ten
dollars per annum. A matriculation fee of five dollars is charged
to every student at his entrance. There are also some minor
expenses, consisting of taxes voluntarily imposed by the students
in their classes and literary societies, and the expenses of grad
uation. Every student on entering the college must deposit five dollars
with the treasurer, as security for damage. The charges on
this fund, have averaged less than one dollar per year to each
student. The balance is returned fo the student on leaving.
When a student is absent for a term, and is afterwards, upon
examination, allowed to go on with his class, tuition is charged
for the time of his absence. Room rent is charged when a room
is reserved for a stadent.
Fuel is supplied by the agent of the college, and must be paid
for in advance, at the same time with the bill for tuition. The
charge is six dollars per term for the first and second term, and
three dollars for the third term, and twice these sums when a
room is occupied by a single student.
Board in private families costs from three dollars to three dol
lars and fifty cents per week. Clubs are sometimes formed, and
the expense for board is thereby materially reduced.
Students are not allowed to board themselves in their rooms,
as this practice has been found perilous to good health.
The following estimate may be given of the necessary annual
expenses, not including expenses in vacations :
Tuition  $ 3°
Room rent  15
Incidentals  IO
Fuel  ,  IS
Board  ,  "4
Washing  ZS
Lights  5
Total  $2°4
Other incidental expenses, such as books and stationery, fur
niture, expenses in societies, travelling expenses, etc., vary ac

cording to circumstances, and the character and habits of the
individual student.
The college bill must be paid in advance, according to the
following rule of the tmstees :
"All students shall be required to pay their regular bills in
advance. The treasurer's receipt shall be required by the presi
dent before h 3 shall sign a certificate of matriculation, or, after
the first term, before the student shall attend recitation."
Students who do not desire to graduate may enter at any
time, and take any studies which they are prepared to prosecute
to advantage. THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL OF KENYON COLLEGE.
William B. Bodine, D. D., Lawrence Rust, M. A., Cyrus S.
Bates, D. D., regents.
OFFICERS OF INSTRUCTION AND GOVERNMENT.
Rev. William B. Bodine, D. D., rector.
Professor Lawrence Rust, M. A., vice-rector, in charge of
department of Greek.
Professor Cyrus S. Bates, D. D., instructor in Biblical history
and morals.
Professor Edward C. Benson, A. M., in charge of depart
ment of Latin.
Rev. J. F. Ohl, D. D., head master (elect).
Willis M. Townsend, A. B., first assistant.
Colonel Benjamin P. Runkle, U. S. A., military instructor,
and commandant.
Ernest Stanley Cook, second assistant.
Mrs. J. F. Ohl, matron (elect).
From the time of the foundation of Kenyon college it has
been necessary to provide, in connection with the college, effi
cient preparatory instruction. For this purpose Milnor hall
was established nearly fifty years ago. Its object was, and is,
by God's blessing, to provide a church school where boys can
receive thorough training under influences which tend towards
the development of high Christian character.
The school has recently been placed under the control of the
regents named above. They intend that it shall be one of the
best training schools in the land. The school will be under the
immediate charge of a head master, who will be assisted by a
full corps of competent teachers and a matron. The buildings
have been thoroughly repaired. Other important improvements
have also been made by which the attractiveness of the school
has been greatly increased.
The distinctive work of the grammar school is the preparation
of boys for Kenyon college; but, whenever desired, they will be
trained with reference to the special requirements of any leading
college. The school will be divided into four forms. In the
first form the pupil's time will be spent exclusively upon English
studies. In the second form he will continue the study of read
ing and penmanship, of mental arithmetic, geography and
grammar, and will begin the study of Latin. In the third form
he will begin Greek (or German), finish the Latin reider and
Csesar's commentaries, written arithmetic, commercial arithme
tic, and bookkeeping. In the fourth form, he will finish pre
paratory work in Xenophon's Anabasis and Homer's Iliad (or
Otto's German reader), Cicero's Orations and Virgil's ^Eneid,
Ray's algebra and Tappan's geometry, besides studying an out
line of ancient history and geography. In all the forms special
attention will be paid to the correct use of the English language.
Boys who do not desire to enter college can pursue a course

468

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

designed to give thorough preparation for business. The studies
of this course will be English, including geography, grammar,
and history, mathematics, penmanship, and bookkeeping, and,
if desired, Latin and the modern languages.
The pupils live in the same building with the head master
and the assistant teachers, and take their meals at the same
table. They are thus brought under the personal control of the
teachers, and the school is made a home. The intercourse be
tween teachers and pupils is free and cordial. The pupils are
allowed and encouraged at all times to seek help from the teach
ers, and thus valuable instruction is constantly imparted as well
out of, as during, study hours.
The regents believe that the health and good moral training
of the younger pupils can be best guarded by a system which
requires them to sleep in single alcoves in dormitories, under
the charge of teachers ; but, whenever desired by parents, any
boy can occupy a room with a single companion. All pupils of
the fourth form are provided with rooms, two pupils occupying
one room. Upon payment of an extra charge pupils will be al
lowed to room alone. Each pupil is provided with a single bed.
The system of discipline and the general management of the
school are based on the principle that the authority of the par
ent is supreme to the child, and that the teacher in charge of a
school stands in the place of the parent. The conscience of the
pupil and his own conviction as to right and wrong are appealed
to, so as to make him manly and self-reliant. The laws are
such as are needed in every large family to insure regularity,
comfort and harmony of action.
Generous liberties are allowed, with the understanding that
they shall be well and wisely used, and while authority (and re
spect for it) is, and must be maintained, it is always enforced
with kindness and affection.
Thorough and accomplished scholarship is a constant aim.
The quality of every recitation is carefully registered, monthly
reports thereof, together with other information relative to the
standing of each pupil in punctuality, application and deport
ment, are forwarded to the parents or guardians. Parents are
particularly requested to take notice of these reports, and to
keep themselves informed thereby of the progress and behavior
of their sons.
Examinations are held at the close of each term ; by these the
progress of the pupil is determined.*
The college libraries contain twenty-two thousand volumes,
covering every department of literature. By the payment of a
small fee the scholars of the hall have access to these libraries.
They may also attend, as visitors, upon the exercises of the
literary societies of the college.
A service of daily morning prayer is held at the hall. The
pupils also attend daily evening prayer at the chapel of the col
lege, and the public religious worship of the Lord's day.
A weekly lecture is given upon the great truths of Christianity,
with moral instruction intended to develope a genuine and
manly Christian character.
Particular attention is given to physical culture. The play
grounds are large, and all manly sports are encouraged. Ample
opportunities are afforded for bathing and skating. To pro
mote personal cleanliness the pupils have access to a bathroom
in the building.
*No pupil who fails to answer a certain percentage of the questions in
these examinations will be allowed to pass into a higher class; nor will
any so failing be recommended for the entrance examination to college.

Boys are admitted who are over twelve years of age, and are
able to read, write, and apply the first rules of arithmetic.
Applicants for admission to advanced standing must pass an
examination upon the studies of the lower forms. After the ex
amination they will be placed in that form for which they seem
to be, on the whole, best fitted. In all cases in which there is
any hope of success, an effort will be made, by private instruc
tion, to bring up such pupils in the studies wherein they are de
ficient, rather than put them back in those in which they are
more advanced.
Students who expect to enter college will find it greatly to
their advantage to take their preparatory training at the gram
mar school. In most high schools attention is given to certain
studies which are of no avail in an examination for admission to
college, and which are much more thoroughly taught in the
regular college course. A year, or even two years, of valuable
time may thus be saved.
Students of mature years, well trained in mathematics and
English, may make more rapid advancement towards entrance
to college by devoting themselves with special energy to the
study of the classical or the modern languages. Arrangements
will be made for this class of students.
The charge for tuition, board, fuel, lights, washing, and
m'ending, will be three hundred dollars for the entire session.
This is payable as follows : one hundred and fifty dollars on
entrance, the balance the first day of February thereafter.
Pupils who are a month late in entering will be charged at
the rate of thirty-five dollars per month for the remainder of the
half-session. The charge for tuition alone will be fifty dollars per session,
semi-annually in advance.
A deposit of ten dollars will be required from each pupil to
cover damages done to the property of the school. Whatever
is not required in payment of such damages will be returned at
tbe end of each session.
An extra charge will be made for books, stationery and med
ical attendance ; and a sufficient deposit, not less than ten dol
lars, is required for these and for other " incidentals."
Books are supplied at the school at publishers' prices.
An extra will be made for instrumental music and the use of
piano. Pupils must be entered for the whole of the school year.
But they will be received at any time when the school is not
full, and a proportionate deduction will be made ; but sub
sequently no deduction will be made for absence, except in case
of protracted sickness, when the loss will be equally divided.
Special rates will be made for sons of clergymen.
The session begins the first Wednesday in September and
closes the Friday before the last Thursday in June. There is a
vacation of three weeks at Christmas, and of one week at Easter,
A charge of five dollars per week will be made for those who
remain at the school during the vacations.
Each pupil should bring with him an umbrella, a pair of over
shoes, blacking-brush and blacking, clothes-brush, a coverlet,
two pairs of sheets and blankets (single), pillow-cases, towels,
napkins a plain napkin ring, and clothes-bag.
To avoid loss, each article of clothing or use must be distinct
ly marked with the owner's name.
The department of military drill and instruction is under
the charge of an officer of the United States Army, by whom
the pupils are regularly drilled. The system will be made sub
ordinate to the higher purposes of the school as a literary in-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

469

stitution. Its advantages are: (1.) It secures agreeable and
healthful exercise. (2.) It tends to give an erect carriage and
. good manners. (3.) It promotes habits of order and obedience,
important elements of success, both at school and in after life.
For such a school as Milnor hall there are great advantages
in uniformity of dress: (r.) In the matter of expense, giving
the advantage of wholesale rates. (2.) As a great help in pro
ducing a feeling of esprit du corps, among the pupils,
leading them to be careful, lest they should discredit the organ
ization whose badge they wear. (3.) As a means of avoiding
unpleasant comparisons by placing all upon the same footing
in the matter of dress.
A uniform has been adopted for the school, consisting of
coat, pants and vest of fine, dark blue cloth trimmed with neat
brass buttons and a small gilt stripe. The uniform is such
that, by removing the trimmings, it will answer for wear
when the pupils are away from school. It is distinctive, but
not peculiar.
The cost of each suit will vary from twenty to twenty-five
dollars, depending upon the size of the wearer. A sample of
the cloth used will be sent on application.
Parents and friends are earnestly requested not to furnish the
pupils with pocket money, except through the rector, or head
master. A deposit for this purpose should always be made.
Borrowing or lending of money and buying on credit are
strictly forbidden.
Believing the use of tobacco to be especially injurious to the
young students, the regents desire the cooperation of their
patrons in discouraging its use on the part of any pupil at
Milnor hall. Smoking in the students' rooms will be pro
hibited. To encourage habits of punctuality, a careful record of tardi
ness at meals, and at all school exercises, is kept and forwarded
to parents with the monthly report.
Suitable testimonials or references should accompany all ap
plications for admission.
All communications from parents should be made in writing to
the rector. We can not act upon messages received at second
hand. No pupil will be allowed to spend the night away from the
hall. Absence from the premises after supper is prohibited.
Boys who manifest vicious habits or a spirit of insubordination
will not be allowed to remain at the school.
Pupils are not allowed to have any firearms in their pos
session. All letters should be addressed to the care of the school.
Pupils are not allowed to have private boxes in the post-office,
and express packages must be always prepaid.
Forty years ago Bishop Mcllvaine wrote: "It should be
recollected that in the west a college can hardly be expected
to sustain a dignified stand as to the requisites for admission,
to enforce a vigorous system of internal discipline and carry
out such a course of study as becomes its profession and its
degrees, without sacrificing for a long time numbers for at
tainments. It is the determination of those in the adminis
tration of Kenyon college to endeavor to attain an enlarged
patronage without compromise with any defective notions of
educations, or any humoring of popular caprice. A few young
men, well educated, are worth a host superficially taught.
Such a determination in this country requires much patience
and firmness in its prosecution, but I trust it will never yield to

any temptation to popularity or pecuniary increase. Ultimately
it must have its reward. "
HARCOURT PLACE ACADEMY.
The Rev. A. Blake, D. D., the founder of the
Harcourt Place Academy, was a native of Keene,
N. H. — the home of Chief Justice, Salmon P.
Chase.* When probably about twenty years old
Young Blake came to Ohio and entered S. P.
Chase's school, as a student at Worthington, Ohio.
In 1828 he came to Gambier with the other mem
bers of the school. The first winter was pretty
hard on the boys.
Mr. Blake was a member of the first class t,hat
graduated at Kenyon college, (1829.) The mem
bers of the class, beside himself, were : Jas. B.
Chase, Samuel Chase, Geo. Denison, P. C. Free
man and B. B. Sayre. Four of the six were near
relatives of the bishop, and five of the six were
from New England. Mr. Blake graduated from
the Theological seminary in 1835. During the
next fifteen years Mr. Blake was engaged, a por
tion of the time, as president of Milnor hall and
city missionary in Cincinnati under the auspices
of Christ church. In 1852 he purchased the
house built for B. J. Mcllvaine and several acres of
land connected with it, and opened his select
school for boys. Mr. Blake, having many warm
friends in Cincinnati, the school was patronized at
once by the better class of people of that city and
other places. He continued at the head of the
school until his decease, July, 1877. His first as
sistant for many years was Rev. E. C. Benson, a
very popular and efficient teacher. Mr. Blake and
his estimable wife had a peculiar aptitude for man
aging boys, and the school has been a favorite in
stitution from its first opening. For several years
Mr. McKinley has had charge of the school. He
has now associated with him Mr. Blake's son
Leonard; both are graduates of Kenyon college.
The school has never been more successful than it
is at the present time.
Mr. Blake was universally esteemed by the citi
zens of Gambier — not only as a clergyman, but as a
benevolent, kind-hearted, Christian gentleman;
and it is safe to say that he had not an enemy in
the world. For several years Mr. Blake was an
efficient member of the board of trustees of Ken
yon college.

47°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

CHAPTER LI.
HARRISON TOWNSHIP.
Name — Topography — Indians — First Settlers and Set
tlements—Sketches of the Pioneers — Burlington
Storm — Roads — Mills — Post-Offices — Schools —
Churches,
HARRISON township was organized March 9,
1825, and named in honor of General William
H. Harrison. It is an excellent township of farming
land, being generally level or moderately rolling.
It was once very heavily timbered, with the usual
varieties found in Ohio, and much oak, sugar and
beech timber are still found in the township. It is
well watered, both with springs and streams. The
Kokosing river crosses the north-west corner. In
dian Field's run is the principal stream. It rises
in the western part of Butler township, runs west
to near the centre of Harrison, and turning north
flows into the Kokosing river. At the mouth of
this stream the Indians had cleared a large amount
of land, on which they raised much corn, and the
stream was so named from this fact. The Kokos
ing and Indian Field's run have numerous small
tributaries not named. Barney's run rises in the
northwest part of the township, and flowing north
into Howard township, empties into the Kokosing
river. There are no mounds in this township. A
small beaver dam still spans Indian Field's run on
Simon Dudgeon's farm.
The Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus rail
road crosses the northwest corner of the township.
The Indians were numerous when the first set
tlers came to Harrison, and for several years after
the first settlement they would come from Green
town and the Upper Sandusky to hunt the deer
and other wild animals which abounded here. The
old Indian trail leading from Greentown to the
Wakatomica, passed through Harrison, and bands of
Indians were passing frequently through the town
ship several years after the conclusion of the last
war with Great Britain. It was also much used by
the early settlers before any roads were laid out.
After General Lewis Cass, the distinguished Dem
ocratic statesman, was appointed governor of Mich
igan territory, he passed over this trail on horse
back, on going from his home in Muskingum
county to Detroit. He was accompanied by a
party of three or four men, and stopped over night

at the house of Simon Dudgeon, a pioneer of
Harrison. Andrew Casto was probably the first white man
to settle in Harrison township. He entered land
in the western part of the township. But little of
his early pioneer experience can be obtained as he
has been dead many years, and none of his family
are living in Knox county.
Jeremiah Biggs, who is claimed by some to have
been the first settler of Harrison, was born in Vir
ginia December 27, 1769. He came to this town
ship in 1808, settling on section sixteen. When
he first settled here, Harrison was almost, if not
altogether, an unbroken wilderness. Deer "were
as plenty as sheep," the wolves "made night hid
eous" by their howling, the Indian still lurked in
the forest, and Mr. Biggs experienced all the pri
vations, hardships, enjoyments, and pleasures inci
dent to pioneer life. He raised a family of eleven
children; one of his sons, John, who was born
here in 1812, is still residing in the township. A
few years after his removal to Knox county, Mr.
Biggs' friends- in Pennsylvania sent him a letter
addressed as follows: "To Jeremiah Biggs on
Owl Crick, State of Ohi," Notwithstanding this
vague direction it arrived at its destination. This
letter is still in possession of John Biggs. Mr.
Biggs lived long to enjoy the fruits of his arduous
pioneer labors. He died in 1844.
The Dudgeons have long been a prominent fam
ily. Simon Dudgeon was born in the county of
Donegal, Ireland, in 1776. His father owned a
small freehold in Ireland, and being a man of
much enterprise and resolution, determined to
better his condition by emigrating to America. At
the time he formed this resolution, his sons, Simon,
Moses and Thomas were in the British army, serv
ing as regulars. Desiring to have all his family
with him when he went to America, he sold his
freehold and bought the unexpired time of his
three soldier boys. He sailed for the United
States in 1801, landing at New York city. When
Simon landed he had but one English shilling left.
He procured employment in the city, and after
working a short time went to Connecticut, remain
ing in that State several months. From there he
removed to Delaware county, New York, purchased
a farm and lived there until 1810, when he came

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

47i

to Harrison township, and entered three quarter
sections of land near the centre of the township.
After making some improvements, he went to
Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he was
married to Miss Nancy Elliott, by whom he had
ten children, viz: Jane, Thomas, Charles, Moses,
David, William, Simon, Mary, John, and Andrew.
Eight are still living, four in Harrison. Mr. Dud
geon returned to Knox county in 181 1, living on
his place in Hurrison until his decease, June 2,
1845. John Schooler, another prominent citizen, was
born near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, about the yean
1770. When he was twenty-six years old he re
moved to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he
resided until his removal to Harrison township in
1818. Four years prior to his coming to Knox
county he entered one hundred and sixty acres of
land in the southeast part of Harrison township.
While living in Pennsylvania he was married to
Miss Sarah Walker. They raised a family of twelve
children: James, Rachel, William, John, Isaac,
Joseph, Moses, George, Hannah, Jane, Samuel,
and Sarah Ann — six of whom are still living. Mr.
Schooler was a member of the legislature from
Knox county, in 1831 and 1832; he also served as
justice of the peace several terms, and was other
wise prominent in public affairs. Mr. Schooler
was a participant in the Indian wars of the latter
part of the last century, and was also a soldier of
the War of 181 2. He endured many hardships,
and made some narrow escapes while a soldier.
At one time a squad of soldiers was sent in pur
suit of some Indians who had committed depreda
tions in the frontier settlements. They were cut
off from their supply of rations while in the wilder
ness, and were without provisions about a week,
when one of them shot a deer, and every-particle
of meat, even the hoofs and head were cooked
and devoured by the famishing soldiers. Mr.
Schooler had a small piece of bacon concealed,
from which he would take a bite or two each day,
so that he did not fare quite as hard as some of his
less fortunate comrades. He was a noted hunter.
In one year, while residing in Pennsylvania, he
killed one hundred and fifty-three deer, and at
another time shot two panthers. Game was still
abundant when he came to Harrison, and one fall

he shot twenty-three deer. He died in the year
1853- The Harrods were also noted pioneers, being
among the first to settle in Knox county. Michael
Harrod removed to Harrison early in this century,
settling in the southeast part of the township.
John, son of Michael Harrod, who was born in
1807, was many years a resident here. He was
married in 1829, to Rachel Veach, and removed to
Clay about the time of his marriage. They raised
a family of eleven children. Michael Harrod built
the second brick house in the township, which was
blown down by ths Burlington storm, and Mrs.
Harrod and an infant in her arms, were covered up
with the bricks. Mrs. Harrod had an arm broken,
but the infant was not injured.
Arthur Fawcett came to Harrison about 18 10.
He was a native of Ireland and being poor it was
with considerable difficulty that he secured sufficient
means to pay his passage across the Atlantic. He
settled in the dense wilderness of Harrison town
ship, and cleared up a farm. Many years after his
removal here, he experienced a considerable loss at
the hands of some thieves. He had secreted one
thousand dollars in his milk-house loft, for safe
keeping. It remained undisturbed some time,
when one night it was stolen, and no clue to the
thieves could be obtained.
Daniel Ullery was a thrifty Pennsylvania Dutch
man. He was born in Washington county, Penn
sylvania, in 1790, and came here in 1817, locating
one hundred and sixty acres of land. At an early
age he was married to Miss Mary Kinder. They
raised a family of thirteen children, seven of whom
are still living. One of his sons, Valentine, is a
resident of Harrison.
George Lepley, another Pennsylvania German,
was one of the first settlers, and is the oldest man
now living in the township. He is the only one of
the first generation that settled in Harrison, still re
siding here. He was born about 1790, and his
wife who is but one month younger than her hus
band, is still living. Mr. Lepley came from
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, about the year
1807, and first settled in Butler township, but re
moved to Harrison about 181 2. He served three
months in the last war with England, but was in no
engagements.

472

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

William Green, one of the early pioneers of
Ohio, was born in Maryland about 1789, and with
his father settled in the southern part of Licking
county, Ohio, about 1804. He removed to Harri
son township in 1824, settling in the southern part
of the township. He was married to Elizabeth
Morris while a resident of Licking county. One
of his sons, Daniel, has been a resident of this
township since 1824. He was married to Miss
Lydia Bowman in 1843, and their family of nine
children are all living. Two of his sons are resi
dents of Washington city, one being a clerk in the
census office, and another, an attorney-at-law.
William Green died in 1855.
The Horns are quite a numerous family. Benja
min Horn came from Washington county, Penn
sylvania, in 1818, and Joseph in 1820. They
both settled in the southeastern part of this
township. Joseph Horn was born about the year
1788, was married to Miss Anna Ely in Pennsyl
vania, and their family of eleven children are all
living. The Horns are noted for their longevity
and thrift.
Nathaniel Ross came to Harrison about 1815.
He was born in Green county, Pennsylvania, in
1794. Prior to his removal to Ohio he was mar
ried to Miss Sarah Hair, by whom he had eight
children, three — Samuel H., Mary, and Timothy —
only, survive. Mr. Ross was a man of indomitable
spirit, great liberalily, and was remarkable for his
extensive reading. He was one of the very first in
Knox county to embrace and advocate the politi
cal views and doctrines of the Abolitionists, and
was, consequently, the subject of much persecu
tion. So bitter at one time was this persecution
that he was both politically and socially ostracized
by his neighbors, but he never deviated in the least
from the path of duty as he considered it. He was
also one of the very first to espouse the religious
views of Alexander Campbell. At that time it was
almost as much of a stigma to be called a Camp-
bellite as it was an Abolitionist. But he lived to
see the unpopular political and religious doctrines,
which he so ardently contended for, both triumph
ant and honorable. While Mr. Ross was a resident
of Harrison he was a sufferer by two tornadoes
which swept over this place. The noted Burling
ton storm, May 18, 1825, prostrated all of his

buildings, destroyed much valuable timber, and
otherwise damaged him financially; and, on the
second day of September, 1846, another tornado
destroyed one of his out-buildings, and a log falling
upon his daughter, Rachel Ann, a young lady of
sixteen years, caused her death instantaneously.
But one of his children, Samuel, now resides here.
Several years since he removed to Hancock county,
Ohio, where he is now living with his daughter,
Mrs. Mary Crumrine.
The Lybargers, although not of the first settlers,
have long been identified with the history and in
terests of Harrison. George, Adam, Henry, and
Andrew Lybarger, brothers, emigrated from Bed
ford county, Pennsylvania, to Knox county, in the
fall of 1819. They rented a house in Mt. Vernon
and remained there during the winter of 1819-20.
The following spring they removed to Harrison,
where they purchased a large tract of land in the
northwest part of the township, much of which
was Owl creek bottom land and very prodnctive.
George Lybarger was born in Pennsylvania April
30, 1791. He was married to Miss Magdalena
Lybarger October 9, 1814. Their children were
Maria, Elizabeth, Valentine, Simon, Eli, George,
Henry, and Louis, five of whom are still living.
The Lybargers were industrious, frugal Pennsylva
nia Germans, very zealous Lutherans, and were the
prime movers in the organization of the Mt. Zion
Evangelical Lutheran church of this township.
George died in 1876, Adam in 1872. All of the
four brothers are dead. Their descendants are still
numerous here.
Isaac Coan, Hugh Miller, Paul Welker, Silas
Ralston, Wendell Melker, John Wolf, John Trout
man, Israel Dillon, Benjamin Ellis, Jacob Hayes,
Marvis and Asa Freeman were early settlers, and
influential citizens. The inhabitants of this town
ship are principally Pennsylvanians and their de
scendants, but there is also a sprinkling of Virgin
ians and Marylanders.
Most all of the early settlers who endured the
toils, privations and hardships in rescuing the town
ship from its wilderness condition are gone to their
long rest. Their children and grandchildren, who
are now living in comfort and even luxury, can but
faintly realize what their ancestors suffered to pur
chase the blessings they enjoy.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

473

Nathaniel Ross built the first brick house in the
township. The Burlington storm, one of the greatest that
has occurred in Ohio since its first settlement by
the whites, swept across this township from south
west to northeast. It prostrated everything in its
path, which was about three-fourths of a mile in
width. Log, frame and brick houses were blown
down, and not a large tree was left standing. It
was also accompanied by heavy hail; some of the
hail stones were said to be larger than hen's eggs.
The second, tornado, September 2, 1845, crossed
the southern part of Harrison, and caused a great
destruction of property and a loss of life.
In November, 1857, another violent whirlwind
swept over the southern part of the township. It
threw down the dwelling house of Jacob Ellett,
some of the family being covered by the debris,
and severely injured. It also uprooted many trees,
blew down the fences, and passing into Butler
township tore down a house in which a corpse was
laid out. There have been one or two severe wind
storms since the one of 1857, and the inhabitants
live in fear of a recurrence of these cyclones every
few years, though probably without reason. Several
accidents resulting in loss of life have occurred in
this township. Some twenty years since William
Lepley was killed by falling on an upright saw in
his mill while sawing logs. About 1859, John
Guess while engaged in cleaning out a well was
overcome by the "damps" or gas generated therein,
and lost his life. Samuel Lepley accidently shot
himself while handling a gun, and was found dead
by his friends. About 1833 a Mr. Morrison was
killed by a falling tree.
The first road in the township was the one lead
ing from Mt. Vernon to Coshocton, now known as
the Mt. Vernon and New Castle road. This was
laid out probably as early as 1809 or 1810. The
Gambier and Martinsburgh road was cut out some
years after this one.
The first saw-mill was built about 1833, by Wil
liam Lepley, on Indian Field's run. This was the
saw-mill in which Mr. Lepley was killed.
The first and only grist-mill in the township was
erected several years since by Simon Dudgeon, on
Indian Field's run. It is a small one and has
never done much grinding. The inhabitants gen

erally get their milling done at the Gambier or
Green Valley mills.
The first post-office was established about 1842,
and named Wolfe's post-office, in honor of George
Wolfe, the first postmaster. This office was dis
continued some ten years after its establishment.
Some years ago the inhabitants residing in the
central part of the township petitioned the post
master General for another office. Their petition
was granted, Pipesville post-office established, and
Mr. Warren Pipes appointed postmaster. Mr.
Pipes died some time after his appointment, and
his daughter Anna Bell has had charge of the
office since his death. The inhabitants receive
their mail semi-weekly, on Wednesdays and Satur
days, the mail route being from the office to Gam
bier. Mr. John Burkholder is the mail messsenger.
The first school as far as can be ascertained was
taught by John James in a small log building in the
Dudgeon settlement. Moses, Jane, Charles and
Thomas Dudgeon; John, Charlotte, Levi, David
and Elizabeth Harrod; Levi, John and Mary
Riggs and Mary Ross were some of the scholars
who attended the school. Samuel Hill was another
of the early school teachers of this township, as
well as of Butler, Jackson and Clay. His services
as a pedagogue were in great demand by the early
settlers. For many years after the first settlement
the schools were taught either in the dwelling
houses of the settlers or in small log school houses,
but these in course of time gave way for the more
commodious and neat frame buildings which are
now found in the township. The establishment of
the Martinsburgh academy and Kenyon college,
both contiguous to Harrison, was of great benefit
to the youth of that township, and many of them
received a thorough education at those places.
The religious interests of the people have not
been neglected. The early missionary preachers
through here were the Rev. James Scott and 
Cunningham, Presbyterians ; the Revs. Charles
Waddle,  Crawford and  Glancy, Meth
odists; Andrew Burns,  Taylor;  Lock-
heart,  White, and  Moody, Disciples;
and Truman Strong, Thomas Eaton, and W. W.
Curry, Universalists. The Methodists erected
the first church edifice, a log one, about 1823 or
1824. This was located in the northeastern part

474

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

of the township, and called the Mt. Labor church.
The organization continued to hold meetings in
this church several years, when the society dis
solved, and there are very few of that denomina
tion in the township at this time.
About 1832 a small log church was built on Na
thaniel Ross' farm by the Disciples, or Campbell-
ites, as they were then named. Nathaniel Ross
and Harrod Riggs, with a few others, organized a
society and worshipped several years in this small
building. From this little body of earnest work
ers has sprung the Union Grove church, built in
1841. It is a neat frame, located in section fifteen,
and occupied by all denominations, no particular
sect having absolute control. It is now principally
used by the Disciples. The Revs. Taylor, Burns,
Lockheart, White, William and Jackson Dowling,
Charles Van Voorhees, and Benjamin Bell, jr., have
preached at various times to the Disciple organiza
tion here.
The Mt. Zion Evangelical Lutheran church was
organized in 1835, by the Rev. H. W. Lauer. The
first elders were Henry Lybarger and Samuel
Stough; deacons, Adam Lybarger and Jesse Ly
barger; trustees, George and Peter Lybarger; clerk,
Samuel Stough. Among the first members of this
church were Samuel Stough and wife, Henry, An
drew, Peter, George, Jesse, and Anthony Lybarger,
and their wives; Ludwig Lehman and wife, Mich
ael and Frederick Lybarger, and Magdalena Ream.
The ministers who succeeded the Rev. Lauer, as
far as known, were the Revs. W. M. Gilbreath,
 Ritz,  Smedley,  Sensebaugh, 

O'Bannon, Thomas Drake,

Showers, and I.

K. Booker, the present pastor. The first church
edifice was erected in 1837. This was a frame
building of sufficient dimensions to hold the large
congregation which assembled for worship at that
early date. In 1854 this building was replaced by
a large and substantial frame, in which the society
worship at this time. This organization of Luther
ans was a strong body, numerically and financially,
from the beginning. The original members were
almost all Pennsylvania Germans, and the members
now are generally their descendants. The first
records of the church were kept partly in English
and partly in German. The present membership
is eighty-six.

The Baptists have no church or organization in
the township, but hold occasional meetings at the
Union Grove chapel.
The Universalists hold occasional meetings at
Union Grove, but have no organization here.
There are several families of Dunkards, or Naz-
arines in the township, who have occasional preach
ing at the Union Grove chapel. The Revs. Henry
Davie, John Workman, Isaac Ross, and 
Edmonston have preached here at various times.
There are a few Catholic families here, but they
do not have meetings in the township.
The Mt. Zion cemetery, attached to the church
of that name, was laid out about 1831, and the
first burial was in 1832.
The Union Grove cemetery was located about
1823, the first interment in the cemetery being in
that year.

CHAPTER LIT
HOWARD TOWNSHIP.
Location — First Officers — Topography — Indians —
Early Settlers and Settlements — Hunting —
Sketches of the Pioneers — Distilleries — Mills-
Schools — Churches — Kinderhook.
HOWARD was originally a part of Union town
ship, and now lies directly west of and joins
it. It was erected into a separate township, and
organized March 9, 1825. At the earliest election
recorded in the township records, held in 1834, at
the house of Nathaniel Critchfield, the following
officers were chosen : trustees, George Lybarger,
Joseph Critchfield and Jonathan Wartor; clerk,
Henry H. Wartor; treasurer, Nathaniel Critch
field ; fenceviewers, Thomas Elwell and John W-
Mason ; overseers of poor, Moses Porter, Nathan
A. Magers ; constables, Eli Engle, Samuel Critch
field. Joseph McMahon and Martin Engle were
the first justices of the peace elected in the town
ship. Amos Workman, Benjamin Huddington,
Thomas J. Porter and William Williams were of
the first justices. For several years after the organ
ization of Howard township, the trustees, clerk,
treasurer, supervisor, and other township officers,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

47 S

donated their legal services to the township. The
inhabitants, at that time, were comparatively poor,
money was scarce, and it was about all they could
do to support their families and pay state and
county taxes, and the strictest economy was nec
essary in order to "make both ends meet."
The surface of this township is generally broken,
but the ascents and descents are not as abrupt as
in most of the eastern townships of Knox county.
The soil is fertile, much of it being gravelly loam,
which is peculiarly adapted for the growing of
wheat and other cereals. The bottom lands of
Owl creek, and the big and little Jelloway streams,
produce very heavy crops of corn, etc. Howard
township originally was well timbered, and at this
date much valuable timber exists.
Owl creek, the principal stream of water, enters
the township about the centre of its southern side,
its course through Howard being north and east,
leaving the township near the southeast corner.
Big Jelloway creek enters the northeast corner of
Howard, from Brown township, and flowing in a
southwesterly direction empties into Owl creek
near the village of Howard. Little Jelloway creek
coming from the northwest, joins the big Jelloway
near its mouth. Schenck's run crosses the south
western part of the township, discharging its waters
into Owl creek. Barney's run, coming from Har
rison township, empties also into Owl creek. These
streams, with their tributaries, make Howard one
of the best watered townships in the county.
The Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus rail
road passes diagonally across the township, the di
rection being northeast to southwest.
There is one small mound in the southern part
of the township, situated on the farm of Worthing
ton Shipley.
There was a permanent Indian encampment in
this township, at the mouth of Indian Field's run.
The Indians had cleared quite a large tract of land
at this place, and raised large crops of corn and
vegetables. Game was plenty, the Owl and Jel
loway creeks abounded in fish, and altogether it
was a very desirable camping place for the red
man. There were also temporary encampments in
various places in this part of the county, especially
along Owl creek and the Jelloway streams, where
bands of Indians from Greentown, Upper Sandus

ky, and other places, would encamp during the
hunting season.
There was a somewhat noted Indian named Tom
Jelloway, in whose honor the Big and Little Jello
way creeks were named, who remained in this section
of the county several years after the removal of his
tribe to their western reservations. He became
very much attached to the whites, adopted their
dress, and, in a measure, their style of living, and
refused to go when the Government removed
the Indians in this part of Ohio to the west. He
obtained his living principally by selling brooches,
and other trinkets of Indian manufacture. He fre
quently visited at the Critchfields, Welkers, and
other pioneer families in order to dispose of his
wares. Howard township wvas one of the best hunting
grounds that could be found in the State at its set
tlement. The Critchfields, Welkers, and other pio
neers were very successful hunters. A few years
after Nathaniel Critchfield removed to this town
ship, he one evening heard a hog squealing in the
thicket near his residence. He seized his gun and
started for the place from which the noise of the
unhappy porker proceeded. Mr. Critchfield was
soon near the bear, which had the hog still living
in his embrace. He discharged the contents of
his gun into old bruin, who, not appearing to feel
any effects from the first shot, still continued holding
the hog in his paws. He fired another shot which
did not prove fatal, and reloading his gun he fired
the third load into the bear before he succeeded in
killing him. The bear weighed four hundred
pounds, and his carcass yielded ten gallons of oil.
On another occasion, Benjamin Critchfield and his
brother Isaac were out hunting wild turkeys. They
heard the cry of a panther, which was in the top of
a tree a short distance from where they were
standing. They each dreaded to fire the first
shot, but was finally agreed that Isaac should
shoot first, as he was an excellent marksman, and
rarely missed a shot. He deliberately, but not with
out some trepidation, aimed his gun at the panther
and fired. The ball penetrated the animal's brain
and he fell from the tree dead. He was of enormous
size, measuring eleven feet from tip to tip. This is
said to be the only panther ever killed in Knox
county by a white man.

476

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Abraham Welker was probably the first white
man to settle in Howard township. He came from
Harrison county, Ohio, about 1806 or 1807, and
located his farm on the Indian fields, near the
mouth of the stream by that name. This land had
been cleared by the' Indians and had been under
cultivation for generations probably. He was thus
saved the labor of clearing his land of the heavy
forests, which was no inconsiderable item of labor
and cost in those early days. At the time of Mr.
Welker's removal to Howard township there were
but a very small number of whites residing in the
eastern part of Knox county. There were three or
four families along Owl creek, in Butler township,
and scattering ones elsewhere in the adjoining
townships. Indians were encamped near his cabin.
His younger children were unused to seeing whites,
and his daughter, Mrs. Critchfield, now living in
this township, says that that the children were
much more alarmed at seeing a white man than
they were at seeing an Indian. Mr. Welker died
about 1820.
Paul Welker was another of the very first set
tlers, coming here about the same time that Abra
ham Welker did. He settled in the southern part
of the township. He often related the following
anecdot* :
Some time after his removal to Howard town
ship he was out hunting deer. He was not aware
of any white man living nearer than the settlements
on Owl creek in Butler township, and that of Ab
raham Welkers. He had chased a deer into a
swamp when he was startled by the sound of an
axe; in the hands of some one cutting wood. Not
deeming it probable that any white man would
settle in such a spot, he stealthily approached the
place from whence the noise of the chopping came,
expecting to see an Indian, but to his great and
agreeable surprise he discovered a white man cut
ting logs for his cabin. This man was Simon
Dudgeon, one of the pioneers and honored citi
zens of Harrison township. Although Welker ex
pressed much surprise and made considerable
sport at Mr. Dudgeon's selecting such a marshy
location for a home, it proved to be a wise one,
as Dudgeon became quite wealthy before his
death. Among the first settlers and prominent families

were the Critchfields. They are very numer
ous in this township especially and in other por
tions of Knox county. Nathaniel, Isaac, John,
Joseph and William, five brothers, emigrated from
Maryland to this township about 1807 or 1808.
Several of these brothers had been soldiers in the
war of the Revolution, and had been inured to
dangers and hardships while engaged in that strug
gle. They were well fitted to endure the toils and
privations necessary in the settlement of a new
and heavily timbered country. From these old
pioneers have sprung the numerous families and
individuals of that name in Howard and other
townships of Knox county. Their descendants
can be numbered almost by the hundreds. The
pioneer Critchfields were athletic, industrious
farmers and public-spirited citizens, and for many
years after the first settlement of Howard town
ship held a large share of the local offices. After
Joseph Critchfield came to this township he built
a cabin, cleared up a piece of land, and raised a
crop or two of corn. He then went to Somerset
county, Pennsylvania, where he was married. Pro
curing two horses, one for himself and one for his
wife, he packed a few articles of furniture and
utensils for cooking on the horses and they started
for their new home in Ohio, making the entire trip
on horseback, most of the way being through a
dense forest. Nathaniel Critchfield was married
to Miss Christina Welker at an early age. They
raised a family of thirteen children. He held
several township offices, and was an active Demo
cratic politician. He died about 1837. Isaac
died a short time after his removal to the county.
Benjamin Critchfield came from Bedford county,
Pennsylvania, where he was born May 18, 1797.
He was also one of the earliest settlers, coming to
Howard about 1808.
Isaac Dial, Uriah and Marvin Tracy, James
Logue, James Wade, Benjamin Ellis, Philip Dial,
George Lybarger, Jesse Enlon, John Stedman and
Andrew Lybarger were early settlers. Of the later
settlers were John Hull who came in 1830, Henry
Eckenrode in 1833, George McFarland in 1835,
John Durbin, Thomas McElroy, John Cassill,
Martin Engel, Amos Wotkman, H. H. McArtor,
Daniel McGugin and James Berry. As in the
case in the other townships of eastern Knox, these

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

477

settlers were principally emigrants from Pennsyl
vania, Maryland and Virginia. The absence ofthe
foreign and New England element in the popula
tion of the eastern and southern townships is a
notable feature.
For many years after the first settlement, the dis
tilling of whiskey was a common business. At one
time there were six 01 eight distilleries in full blast
in Howard township. One of the old distilleries,
owned by a Mr. Hawn, is still standing near Mill
wood, and is now used for a barn. Some of the
whiskey manufactured here was consumed at home,
as whiskey was a common beverage among all classes
at that date, even the minister ofthe Gospel drank
it. The remainder of the whiskey was hauled to
Mt. Vernon and Newark arid shipped from those
places to various points. The distilling business
was considered as respectable as any legitimate
business. After the Washingtonian Temperance
association was formed, and spread all over the
land a great change of opinion occurred in the pub
lic mind, and the owners of these distilleries quit
the business, and some of them became radical
temperance advocates.
The first bridge in the township was built across
Jelloway creek in 1830. The first grist-mill was
built about 181 5 by Nathaniel Critchfield. It was
situated on the Little Jelloway creek. There is
but one grist-mill in the township at this date,
which is owned and operated by Rollin Critchfield.
One of the first dwelling houses built in Howard
township is still standing about three-fourths of a
mile north of the village of Howard. It is a log
building, and was built by Benjamin Critchfield
about 18 10.
Steven Workman was the first man to bring a
threshing machine into the township. This was
about 1838-9.
The first brick house was erected by Benjamin
Critchfield. Good and substantial brick and
frame houses, have generally taken the place of the
rude cabins of the early times, although a log house,
lately erected, is occasionally seen, in this, as well
as in all the townships in the eastern and southern
portions of Knox county.
There are several iron and wooden bridges,
which span the Big and Little Jelloway, Owl creek
and other streams in this township placed at conve

nient distances, and which add much to the accom
modation of the citizens and travellers. Although
Howard has superior water privileges, and much
valuable timber still standing, there are no manu
factories but one grist-mill, and but a small number
of portable saw- mills in the township. Since the
completion of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Co
lumbus railroad through here, much of the oak
timber has been made into staves and shipped to
various points east and west, thus adding materially
to the income of the farmers.
The first school-house in Howard township was
a small log building, after the pattern of all primi
tive " school-houses so often described in other
chapters of this history. It was built on Joseph
Critchfield's farm. The early school teachers were
Joseph Dunlap, Nathan Heddington, William Wil
liams, Mr. McDermott and Jacob Lyons. There
had probably been school taught in the cabins ofthe
pioneers, before the erection of this school-house.
Among the scholars who attended the first schools
taught in Howard, were Lewis, Lydia and Hannah
Critchfield. The location of Kenyon college at
Gambier was a great advantage and blessing to the
youth of this township. Being in the immediate
vicinity, many ofthe young men of Howard availed
themselves of the privilege to secure a collegiate
education. The Methodists were the religious pioneers of
the township. At a very early day Rev James B.
Finley and Rev. Anthony Banning and Absalom
Waddle, Methodist ministers of considerable ce
lebrity, occasionally preached to the pioneers. Rev.
James B. Finley was one of the most energetic
and useful of the preachers of that denomination
in his day. He preached at many places in Ohio,
was stationed for some time at Detroit, Michigan,
and also had ministerial supervision of an Indian
mission at Upper Sandusky, Ohio. This mission
church of the Wyandots was mainly established
by his instrumentality. He succeeded in causing
the Government to appropriate money for this pur
pose. Rev. Anthony Banning was one of the pioneer
preachers of Knox county. He was not only an
active worker in the cause of Christ but was exten
sively engaged in commercial operations and busi
ness pursuits, was an ardent advocate of the tern-

478

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

perance cause, a zealous Whig politician, and was
president of the first meeting held in this county
in the interests of Henry Clay for President.
He began to preach at the age of sixteen years in
Virginia in the wild and mountainous portions of
that State. He thus early imbibed that energetic
spirit and resolute determination which are the al
most universal characteristics of all the inhabitants
of mountainous districts.
Rev. Waddle was a minister of much energy
and usefulness. The first church in Howard town
ship was built by the Methodists in 1830. It was
located on the farm of Philip Brown two and one-
half miles east of Gambier. The farm on which it
was built is now owned by Lewis Britton. Joseph
and Philip Brown were the prime movers in the or
ganization of this church. They came from near
Hagerstown, Maryland, and were very zealous
Methodists. Among the early members of the so
ciety were Isaac Critchfield, the Browns, and Peg
gy Miller; and such eminent ministers as Adam
Poe, Russell Bigelow, and John H. Powers pro
claimed the gospel of" salvation to this church in
its early history. Rev. Shafer, who was a great
singer, and revivalist, was another of the early pas
tors. There was a graveyard attached to this church
and quite a number of bodies interred therein.
In the course time it became expedient to build a
new and better church, and instead of placing it
near the old one it was decided that it should be
located at a more eligible point, a mile south of
Monroe Mills, in Monroe township. The old log
church and graveyard have disappeared and hardly
a vestige of either remains to mark their former lo
cation. The Jelloway church of the Disciples of Christ
was organized in 1836 by Elders John Dawson and
John McElroy. It is located near the Little Jol-
loway creek in the western part of this township.
There were thirteen members at the time of organ
ization, as follows : John McElroy and wife, George
McFarland and wife, John Dawson and wife, Mrs.
Nancy Cassill and her daughter, Nancy, Mrs. Ann
Graham, Nancy McFarland, Louisa Dawson, Mary
Dawson, and John Dawson, jr. The first officers
were John McElroy, and John Dawson, elders;
George McFarland, deacon. But four of the origi
nal members are now living. The first church was

built about 1839. The society worshipped in this edi
fice until 187 1 when a pew and more substantial
building was erected. Elders Sanders, James Port
er, Charles E. VanVoorhes, O. W. Keyle, and 
Rowe, have been pastors of the church. There is
no pastor at this time. The Jelloway church has
enjoyed a large measure of prosperity since its or
ganization, but on account of the removal and
death of many of its members it is not as numer
ically strong as at other times in its past history.
There are nearly one hundred members at this date.
A cemetery is attached to the church which was laid
out about the time of its organization. The pres
ent officers are Robert Cassill, Smith Drake, and
William Welsh, elders; James Dawson, Simon
Spindler, and Lyman Barker, deacons. The Dis
ciples of Christ is the leading denomination in
Howard township. There are a large number of
its citizens connected with the Millwood church in
Union township in addition to those belonging to
the Jelloway church, There is a lack of church
edifices here, there being but two structures in the
township. Howard, formerly Kinderhook, is the only vil
lage in Howard township. The original name
was changed at the time of the completion of the
Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad
through the village. It is situated in the southern
part of the township, on the west side of Jelloway
creek, and near Owl creek. The village did not
amount to much until after the completion of the
railroad, when it commenced to improve, and it
has gradually increased in population since. Henry
Warden built the first house in Kinderhook, at the
time of its laying out, about 1836. He also kept
the first store in the village. Ross Arbuckle was
the first hotel keeper, and James Cassill the first
tailor in Kinderhook. William Welker was the
first shoemaker. Lafayette Emmett taught the
first school. The village has a population of about
one hundred and fifty at this time. There are two
dry goods stores kept by William Ralston, and In-
sell & Critchfield; one hotel by John McNabb;
one harness shop by Ed. Beerbower; two black
smith shops by James Panorwood, and James
Launtz; one restaurant by Thomas Blake; two
wagon shops by C. Holbrook, and Thomas Wal"
lace; one cooper shop by Michael Cox; one boot

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

'479

and shoe maker, Samuel McGill; one livery and
feed stable by John McNabb; one grain warehouse
owned by Insell & Critchfield; two physicians,
Frank Humbert and N. Hull. A fine iron bridge
spans the big Jelloway creek at this place. A flour
ishing district school is sustained by the inhabitants.
The Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company
of Howard was organized in 1863. The first
board of trustees were :. Benjamin M. Morrison,
president; A. B. Cummings, secretary; L. D.
Whitford, Francis Long, S. M. Vincent, J. S. Til
ton. It remained a mutual company until 1868,
when it was reorganized as a stock company, with
a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. M.
Critchfield was the first president, and Eli Pealer,
the first secretary after the reorganization. The
company recently closed up its business for want of
proper support.
There is but one church in the village, the Free
Methodist church of Howard, which was organized
" in 1873, and is the only church of that denomina
tion in the county. The first society of Free
Methodists in this county was on Brush run in
Butler townhship. In February, 1872, they held
a series of meetings in that locality, and formed a
class of seven members. Rev. B. R. Jones, of the
Mansfield charge, preached the first Methodist
sermon in the county, and had charge of this
society during its first year. This society was soon
after disbanded, and absorbed by the Howard
organization. In August, 1875, tneY nekl a camp
meeting in Moses Smith's grove near mills, and
also another one in June, 1876, both of which
meetings were attended by thousands. During the
summer of 1877, they erected a church edifice at
the village of Howard, B. F. Shipley, Kinsey
Hartsman, now preaching in Michigan, and E. C.
Shipley being the first trustees. Among some of
the original members were Eugene, Benjamin,
' Emeline, Lizzie and Mrs. Mary Shipley, Sarah and
Jane Waddle, and William Parmenter. Among
the pastors of the Howard church have been:
Reverends  Burton,  Jones,  Frink,
 Ellsworth,  Leonardson, Nelson Woods
and Jasper Hayden, the present one. The present
officers are: Silas Workman, James Waddle and
Benjamin Shipley, trustees; Mary Shipley and
Silas Workman, stewards. Present membership

eleven. The Free Methodists are bitterly opposed
to the fashionable tendencies of the age, and pro
hibit the wearing of jewelry and ornaments by the
members. They are also opposed to all secret
societies. Their government is strictly democratic,
the members having an equal voice with the minis
ters in all the councils of the church. Both the
annual and general conferences are composed of
an an equal number of laymen and ministers. In
stead of presiding elders, they have chairman of
districts, who generally have circuits as well as those
they appoint.

CHAPTER LIII.
HILLIAR TOWNSHIP.
Location — Erection — Name — Topography — Settle
ment — Pioneer Anecdotes— James Houck — Dr. Hil
liar — Early Farming — First Election — Township
Officers — Mills — Churches — Schools — Roads — Vil
lages — Newspapers — Postmasters — Statistics.
HILLIAR township is situated in the extreme
southwest corner of the county, and was
erected from territory formerly a part of Miller
township, as appears by reference to the journal
of the county commissioners. The entry is made
August 28, 1818, and reads as follows:
On the petition of sundry inhabitants of Knox county praying
for a new township to be laid out — Ordered — That the follow
ing boundaries be, and are hereby laid out into a separate town
ship as follows :
Beginning at the southwest corner of said county and running
east on the line between the counties of Knox and Licking, seven
and a half miles ; thence north five miles, to the line dividing the
fifth and sixth townships ; thence west, seven miles and a half,
to the west boundary of Knox county ; thence south, five miles
to the place of beginning ; which shall' be known and called by
the name of Hilliar township.
On the ninth of March, 1825, the boundaries of
Hilliar township were changed as follows :
The township of Hilliar shall be composed of the fifth town
ship in the fifteenth range.
The township thus constituted contained sixteen
thousand acres, and was divided into four equal
parts, owned by different individuals and named
respectively the "Rathbone," "Dayton," "Hilliar"
and "Parker" sections. The Hilliar section was

480

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

the first to come into market, and that upon which
the first settlement was made; hence the new town
ship was named in honor of Dr. Richard Hilliar,
one of the original proprietors.
The physical features of Hilliar township are not
characterized by great diversity. The surface is
nearly level, or gently rolling. The water courses
have sufficient descent to afford good drainage, but
do not fall rapidly enough to present any attrac
tions to the millwright; although the early mills
were necessarily water mills. The north fork of
Licking creek traverses the township from north
west to southeast, passing near the village of Cen-
treburgh. Dry creek drains the northeast corner of the
township, and several other smaller streams, the
southwestern portion, furnishing sufficient living
water for stock and other purposes.
Geologically considered, the soil of Hilliar town
ship is composed of the debris of the olive shales of
the Waverly, intermingled with glacial drift, strongly
impregnated with lime, and generally covered with
a rich alluvial deposit. When cultivated it yields
ample returns for the labor of' the husbandman, but
the principal energies of the farmers appear to be
expended in raising sheep, as appended statistics
show. The land was originally heavily timbered with
black walnut and sugar maple; the former being
mostly destroyed before its value was appreciated.
The timber remaining is principally of the follow
ing varieties : Ash, white oak, beech, hickory, elm,
walnut and maple.
Large quantities of white ash and beech are be
ing shipped away on the railroads at the present
time, for which a good price is obtained.
No minerals have been discovered in this locality.
As Knox county lies almost entirely outside the
great Appalachian coal fields, coal must be brought
from other points, and costs the consumer at this
point about four dollars and a half per ton.
That mysterious people, the Mound Builders, have
left behind them in this locality but few remains.
Two small mounds on the property of Edward Rob
erts and one on Mrs. Thurston's property are all
that appear in the township.
The settlement of Hilliar township dates from
1806. Dr. Richard Hilliar, a native of England,

came to Zanesville, Muskingum county, Ohio, in
1805, and being a man of enterprise bought of
William Stanbery, of Newark, Licking county,
Ohio, eighteen hundred acres of military land,
situated in Knox county. In 1806 he repaired to
his new purchase and built a cabin in the south
west corner of what is now Hilliar township, mov
ing his family into it. After Dr. Hilliar, came
Joseph Jennings, Jacob Houck, James Houck,
Joseph Kerr, and George Hinton, with their
families, located near Hilliar on land purchased
from him. William Russell, William Reynolds,
John Borden, and Elijah Dowell came soon after,
and the woods began to resound with the sturdy
strokes of the hardy pioneers.
At first the Indians were not very troublesome,
but as the difficulties increased — which culminated
in the War of 181 2 — they became a constant
source of dread to the settlers, who never ventured
to step outside their cabin doors without their
trusty rifles in hands; no actual outbreak occurred,
however, and after the war the red men
' ' Folded their tents like the Arabs,
And as silently stole away,"
leaving the pale-faces in undisturbed possession of
the hunting grounds of their fathers.
The pioneers were generally equal to the diffi
culties that surrounded them. The Hilliar settle
ment seems to have been no exception to the rule.
A few anecdotes will serve to illustrate the temper
of the settlers. Being destitute of mills, and roads
to get to those built elsewhere in the county, they
petitioned the county commissioners for a road to
Shrimplin's mill on Owl creek, east of Mt. Vernon.
It was surveyed and reported on, but the commis
sioners refused to confirm it on account of the cost
of constructing a road such a distance through
the woods. Nothing daunted they went to work
themselves and cut a road from Houck's to the
settlement near Mt. Vernon. Previous to this time
they had gone to Zanesville, in Muskingum county,
to get grinding done.
On one occasion, during an apple-bee at Jacob
Houck's, a "scap" of bees mysteriously disappeared,
and suspicion rested on one Ferdinand McLain,
who indignantly denied it, and challenged young
James Houck to seftle the matter according to the
frontier code, i. e. take it back or take a whipping.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

481

Houck chose the latter horn of the dilemma, and
took the beating, but when it was over he said:
"Of course you can whip a sick man, but I'll see
you about this next election day." Accordingly on
election day they met, and Houck struck McLain
with such force that he was rendered insensible,
and it was with much difficulty that his friends
resuscitated him. This should have ended the
matter, and probably would, but whiskey got the
better of them, and the difficulty was only settled
after eight more bloody battles had been fought.
That was regarded as very fair amusement for one
day. Good men were plenty in those days, and some
of them, conscious of their muscular superiority,
were quarrelsome, but the best man amongst them
never picked a fight, and never was whipped. That
man was Stephen Sutton.
One day while Ebenezer Bordon was passing
through the woods he spied an old she bear and
two cubs up a tree. One of the cubs being near
the root of the tree he appropriated it, and started
towards the settlement, but the old bear did not
appear to relish his interference with her domestic
affairs, and quickly descending gave chase, and
Mr. Borden was reluctantly obliged to drop
his prize and flee for his life. He proceeded to
Houck's and securing re-enforcements returned to
the sport, and succeeded in securing not only the
cubs, but Mrs. Bruin also.
The following extract is taken from the statement
of James Houck, one of the original settlers of
Hilliar township. He resides at present in Iowa;
is ninety-nine years of age, in good health, active
in body, and his mental faculties unimpaired. He
is a ready and fluent talker, and takes great delight
in narrating the adventures of his early days.
In the spring of 1802, accompanied by five young men from
the head waters of the Juniata, in Pennsylvania, I made the
tour of central Ohio on horseback. Zanesville then contained
six log cabins and one hewed log house. In the winter of 1803,
in company with a party of young men on a bear hunt we
camped at the mouth of Dry creek, near where Hughes' tavern
now stands. In company with Jacob Houck and James Jen
nings, I followed Dr. Hilliar to Knox county, Ohio, the doctor
having preceded us about three years. There were then four or
five families in the new settlement, and our nearest neighbors
were the widow Perfect and her six sons, five miles west of us.
Our next nearest neighbors were Higgins, seven miles northeast
of us, and the Hardesties and Yoakams beyond.
During the winter of 1812, I went to Zanesville, purchased

one hundred bushels of oats at twenty-five cents per bushel,
hauled the same to Upper Sandusky and sold it to the army
quartered there at two dollars per bushel. It was there that I
made the acquaintance of Simon Girty. When the Indians be
came troublesome the settlers took refuge in the Perfect block
house. In 1811, the Wooster, Mt. Vernon & Columbus road was
laid out. I met the viewers and surveyors at Mt. Vernon, and
volunteered to pilot them through. My services were accepted
and I led them to the northeast corner of my brother Jacob's
land ; thence due west along our north lines, laying the road all
on Stanbery's land, north of us. Having passed our lands I
again turned to the southwest, and led them to Zoar — now
Galena. I cut the timber and brush from the road, from Hig
gins' to Zoar. Commissioner Mitchell gave me the contract. I
knew Dr. Richard Hilliar. He was a good looking, ambitious
man of medium size. He would never transact any business
with a man who told him a falsehood. When we came to Hil
liar township he lived in a pole house and had seven acres of
land cleared ; the work was done by a man named Hyatt Willi-
son, from the settlement ten miles north. Dr. Hilliar was affect
ed with consumption and dropsy, but boasted that he lived
eighteen years in spite of death. Before his death he broke
down some brush near a cherry tree in the woods, about thirty
rods southwest of the forks of the Sunbury road, and directed
that he be buried there and his grave be left unmarked, and he
wanted no man to say, "Here lies old doctor Hilliar." His
orders were obeyed, and ' 'no man knoweth of his grave to this
day." Early agriculture was pursued with difficulty.
The first plows used were of a very primitive kind,
familliarly designated as "go devils" and J'bull
plows." The Wood's plow was an improvement on
the latter, and had an iron share, secured by a bolt
and nut. ' Thomas Hinton was the happy possessor
of one of these improved plows, and hired Philan
der Bailey to use it. After plowing a few rounds
the new plow became unruly, and refused to pene
trate the ground. Not to be outdone, the boy
piled stones upon it until the weight kept it in the
furrow. Mr. Hinton now appeared on the scene,
and discovering the kind of work done, examined
into the difficulty, and found that Bailey had lost
the share off the plow, and had actually plowed sev
eral rounds without it.
Grain, when raised, had to be threshed with the
flail, or trodden out by horses, and then cleaned by
winnowing with a sheet or a large wooden "fan."
Sickles were the tools used to cut the grain, until
William Reynolds, in 1820, constructed a "grip"
cradle. This was not much of an improvement on
the sickle, and was soon superseded by the grain
cradle, which laid the grain in regular swaths to be
taken up with the rake. The first windmill was

482

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

introduced by a Mr. Matthews, about 1825, and the
first mower by George Jones.
"Brad." Follett, who introduced threshing ma
chines, was noted for his recklessness in running
the same; and while threshing at Gideon Sutton's,
the cylinder bursted with a loud report. Follett
coolly remarked, "I wish I had been astraddle of
that." An election for township officers was ordered to
be held on the fifteenth of September, 18 18, at the
house of Thomas Merrill; at which James Pell,
James Houck and Jacob Houck officiated as
judges; and John Borden and Joseph Jennings as
clerks. There were eighteen voters, namely: James
Houck, James Pell, Aaron Hill, John Davis, Benja
min F. Hilliar, John Pell, James Severe, Joseph
Jennings, Samuel Sickle, James Bell and John
Donelson. The following officers were elected: James
Houck, Joseph Jennings and James Pell, trustees;
John Severe and James Bell, overseers; James Se
vere and William Houck, fenceviewers; Jacob
Houck, lister; James Pell, appraiser; William Rus
sell, constable; James Houck, treasurer; James
Severe, supervisor.
At" the Presidential election, November 3, 1820,
only twelve votes were cast for electors. The vote
stood — Jeremiah Morrow twelve, and John Mc
Laughlin twelve.
At the Presidential election held on the twenty-
ninth of October, 1824, the Adams electors re
ceived fifteen votes each, and the Clay electors two
votes each.
Justices of the peace for Hilliar township were
elected in the following order : In 18 19, Jacob
Houck; 1822, William Reynolds; 1824, Jacob
Houck; 1827 to 1833, John Borden; 1835, Har
vey Jones; 1836, Daniel Nofsinger; 1838, Harvey
Tones; 1839, Ferdinand McLain; 1841, Gideon Sut
ton; 1845, Daniel Wolfe; 1847, N. Borden; 1848,
Daniel Wolfe; 1850, N. Borden; 1851, David F.
Halsey and Dr. E. Nichols, — the latter serving until
1870; 1854, D. S. Lyon; 1857, T. M. Owen; i860,
Simon Schaffer; 1863, Elisha Marriott; 1866,
George M. Acherman and Abraham C. Camp;
1868, Thomas H. Vankirk and Cassett Levering;
1870, Emanuel Yough ; 1871, W. L. Mills; 1872,
George Peardon; 1874, W. L. Mills; 1875, R- J-

Pumphrey; 1876, William A. Dumbauld; 1878,
J. M. Roberts; 1879, George Peardon; 1880,
George B. Hubbell.
The present board of township officers is consti
tuted as follows : George Peardon and G. B. Hub-
bell, justices ofthe peace; Henry Capell and Sam
uel Hopkins, constables; D. A. Sutton, William
Annett and J. T. Robertson, trustees; A. M. Mur
phy, clerk ; Edward Lyon, assessor; Reuben Jen
nings, treasurer; T. J. Wolf, land appraiser; W. L.
Woodruff, Lewis Kitzenberg, Samuel Sutton, S. H.
Grant, D. Bricker and W. T. Barnes, board of
education. Since Centreburgh became the central point in
Hilliar township, elections have been held at that
place. Dr. Richard Hilliar who was the first physician
in the new settlement was the first on the list of
mortality. He died in September 181 1, and was
buried on his own property.
The first public graveyard was laid out on land
donated by James Houck, for that purpose adjoin
ing his homestead. The next graveyard was laid
out at the Baptist church, southeast of Centreburgh.
The first marriage on record is that of John
Westbrook to Mary Houck, daughter of Jacob
Houck. The earliest mills were built on trie north fork of
Licking creek: One by Jacob Houck in 1835, sit
uated just north of the town of Centreburgh.
About the same time — or as some assert before —
Samuel Hupp built a saw-mill on the creek, near
the present residence of Harmon Debolt. John
Vandeberg built one above Houck's, and John
Rinehart another, followed by David F. Halsey.
John Mahanna also built a saw-mill on-the farm
now owned by Rollins Long, which did a good
business. White walnut logs were manufactured
into finishing lumber and black walnut into weath-
erboarding. Lewi? Rinehart built a tannery near
Rich Hill, about 1835, and in 1847 Gideon Sutton
and Daniel Wolfe built a carding and fulling-mill
in the town of Centerburgh. None of above named
mills are now in operation. Smith and Hopkins
built a steam grist-mill in Centreburgh in 1874,
which is still doing a good business.
The Methodist preacher, mounted on his trusty
horse, with his heart full of missionary spirit, and

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

483

his saddle-bags containing a Bible, hymn-book, and
a change of linen, was generally the first to pene
trate the western wilds and raise the standard of
the cross. Several of these pioneers of the gospel
visited Hilliar township, and preached at various
times and places, but no class was formed till 1834,
when the Rev.  Morrow organized one at the
log school house near Rich Hill.
The original members were: John Rinehart,
Harriet Rinehart, Samuel Degood, Julia Degood,
Ferdinand McLain, Mary McLain, William Bor
den, Margaret Borden, and Daniel Chadwick and
his wife. Ferdinand McLain was leader. Services
were held in the school-house about one year; after
that in the house of John Rinehart for several
years, or until the place of meeting was moved to
Centreburg in 1840, when the society assumed the
name of the Centreburgh Methodist Episcopal
church. In 1841 a frame meeting-house, thirty hy
forty feet square, was built just east of the public
square, which was used as a house of worship until
1843, when a new frame church was erected, on
lot fifty-five; size, forty by fifty feet; cost, two
thousand, seven hundred dollars. The present
membership is ninety-five. The class leaders are
George Peardon and William Smith; the preacher
in charge is Rev. Joseph McK. Barnes. A Sunday-
school of ninety scholars is connected with this
church, William Smith superintendent.
The Free-will Baptist church, of Centreburgh, is
the result of the labor of the Rev. George W.
Baker, a zealous preacher whose labors in the vi
cinity of Centreburgh finally culminated in the
organization of a regular church in 1839, at the
house of Absalom Debolt, three-fourths of a mile
southeast of Centreburgh. The original members
were: Philip Barnes, Tirzah Barnes, Laban Mess-
more, Mary Messmore, Jacob Wise, Harriet Wise,
Elizabeth Debolt, David Marshall, Moses Horn-
beck, and Sarah Reynolds.
The meetings were held in private houses, barns,
and log school-houses, until 1842, when a frame
building, thirty-six by forty feet in size, was erected,
one-half mile east of the town of Centreburgh,
still used as a house of worship by the congrega
tion. Elder George W. Boker was pastor from
1839 till i860, when he was succeeded by Elder
Kendall Higgins. Elder Wilford Whittaker came

in 1863, and was succeeded by Elder O. J. Moore,
after whose term of service Elder Kendall Hig
gins again became pastor. Elder A. H. Whittaker
followed Higgins, and was succeeded by the pres
ent pastor, Elder S. D. Bates. The first deacon
was Philip Messmore, and the present deacons are
Harvey Messmore and W. T. Debolt. Mr. Debolt
is also clerk. The present membership is ninety.
The Sunday-school numbers fifty scholars. Lo
renzo Barnes is superintendent.
The Centerburgh Cumberland Presbyterian
church was organized August 18, 1840, at Centre
burgh, by Rev. Harrison Thompson. The constit
uent members were as follows: James Huffty,
Thomas M. Rusk, David F. Halsey, Thomas Hill,
Jacob WaldrofT, Annie Bottenfield, Morris Wald-
roff, Isaac Waldroff, Rebecca Hill, John Miller,
Mary Miller, Lovina Miller, Elizabeth Miller, Aaron
Hill, Fanny Rutan, Mehitable Bishop, Phebe Bot
tenfield, Elizabeth Bottenfield, Sarah Haiden,
David Haiden, James Hill, Mary Hill, and Pame-
lia Huffty.
Meetings were held at various places until 1855,
when the congregation was moved to Rich Hill, a
frame house thirty-six by forty-six feet erected, and
the name of the society changed to Rich Hill Cum
berland Presbyterian congregation. At this time
Daniel Reynolds was clerk. In 1878 the church
was moved back to Centreburgh, and assumed the
original name A substantial frame building thirty-
three by thirty-five feet was erected on lot one hun
dred and twenty, at a cost of eighteen hundred
dollars, in which the congregration worship at pres
ent. The succession of pastors was as follows:
Harrison Thompson, 1840; James McFarland,
1850; J. W. Cleaver, 1853; Enoch Baird, 1866;
James Best, 1867; George W. McWhorter, 1872;
D. H. Green, 1875; J. W. Cleaver, 1877; R N.
Grossman, .1878 ; the latter being the present in
cumbent. The present number of members is sixty-
three. The presiding elders are Ira Gearhart, Dan
iel Reynolds, and John K. Haiden. Mr. Haiden
is also clerk. The Sunday-school has forty schol
ars. Sylvester S. Best is superintendent and Dr.
D. H. Ralston assistant.
The Christian Church of Centreburgh. — Rev. M.
Harrod organized this church December 20, 1872,
in the town of Centreburgh, with the following

484

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

membership: J. A. Willis, P. A. Willis, William
Eaton, Matilda Eaton, Anna Arlin, William Wilson,
Livonia Wilson, Aaron Gearhart, Sarah Gearhart,
John Armstrong, Rebecca Armstrong, and C. D.
Pelter. The Free-will Baptist meeting-house was
occupied by this congregation the greater part of
the time from its organization until 1879, wnen
a neat frame building, thirty-two by thirty-eight feet
square, was erected on lot one hundred and nine
teen on the plat of Centerburgh, at a cost of sev
enteen hundred dollars, and dedicated on the sec
ond day of September, 1879, by Rev. A. L.
McKinney. The names of the pastors who had
charge of this church, together with the dates of
their accession to the pastorate, are as follows:
Rev. M. Harrod, 1873; A. C. Hanger, 1874;
William A. Dobyns, 1876; S. A. Hutchinson,
1879; G. D. Black, 1880. The present number of
members is eighty. The deacons are Theodore
Crowel and John Armstrong ; clerk, William Eaton ;
trustees, William Eaton, Aaron Gearhart, Theo
dore Crowel, John Armstrong, and Oscar Jennings.
The attendance at the Sabbath-school is eighty.
Hart Ross is superintendent and Charles Bishop
assistant. Miss Fanny Mitchell was the pioneer school
teacher of Hilliar township. William Houck, father
of Jacob and James Houck, built a blacksmith
shop — the first in the township — on the property
of Jacob Houck, on the main road. The aban
doned shop was left standing, and in that Miss
Mitchell taught the first school, in 1820. Her
successor was Elizabeth Borden, who taught in the
same shop.
In 1823 James Houck donated an acre of ground
to the public for a graveyard and school-house.
On this ground a small log house was built, which
served its purpose well, and was the only one in
the township for a number of years. As the settle
ment progressed other houses were built in various
parts of the township, but the instruction imparted
in them was of a rather inferior quality.
Seeing the need of improvement, Mr. W. H.
Stephens, in 1855, organized a select school in a
small building near the present Methodist church
in Centreburgh. His first class was composed of
seven pupils, viz.: Emeline Roberts, John K Hai
den, Sarah E. Williams, William Goodrich, Moses

Skillen, Pulaski Gear and Mary Annett. This was
quite an innovation and required considerable cour
age on the part of Mr. Stephens to inaugurate, but
the friends of education rallied around him, and he
was ably sustained by such men as Dr. Nichols,
Gideon Sutton, John Riley, E. and W. Roberts,
Ira Gearhart, George Skillen, James Headington
and Ephraim Dally. His school increasing to one
hundred and ten, he, in the fall, fitted up two
rooms in the Jones hotel, where he taught three 01
four years. The common branches were taught
thoroughly, with the addition of algebra and phi
losophy. During the year i860 a joint stock company
erected a substantial frame building on the public
square in Centreburgh, and in the fall of the same
year Mr. Stephens rented the same, procured the
services of an assistant, and in addition to his select
school taught the children of the village. At the
flood tide of his success the tocsin of war sounded
and Mr. Stephens, obeying a higher call of duty,
enlisted in his country's service.
The building is still owned by the company that
built it; the upper part is used for a town hall, and
the lower part rented by the school board; but
no select school has been taught in the village or
township since 1861.
Hilliar township at the present time has six
schools, two of which are in the village of Centre
burgh, but controlled by the board of education of
the township. The buildings are neat, substantial
frames and in good condition.
The Centreburgh Lodge, No. 666, of the Inde
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted at
Centreburgh, June 22, 1877, by Henry Hedges,
grand master. The charter members were : C. M.
Jennings, George W. Granstaff, William A. Dum-
bauld, George Peardon, M. F. Hasson, John Burk-
holder, Ira Barr, William Mahan, William CrowelL,
J. E. Easterday, Levi Kile, William Smith, A. M.
Murphy, John Miller, J. W. Hopkins, T. O. Free
man, James Headington and W. A. Paul. The
original officers were: C. M. Jennings, N. G.;
George H. Granstaff, V. G; J. E. Easterday, R. S.;
Levi Kile, P. S.; William Smith, treasurer. This
lodge is in a healthy condition, and comprises in its
membership the elite of the town and surrounding
country; it meets every Saturday night in the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

485

Brokaw building. The present number of members
is forty-five. The present officers are as follows:
Henry Capell, N. G; George Hess, V. G; C. M.
Jennings, R. S.; Sylvester S. Best, P. S.; George
Peardon, treasurer.
The early roads in Hilliar township were very in
different in condition, and the bridges were of the
primitive type, called corduroy. The principal
road extended through the township from the north
east to the southwest corner, and on this the mail
was carried on horseback by Thomas Merrill.
Jacob Houck kept tavern about one mile and a
half beyond the present site of Centreburgh, and
William Houck plied his trade as blacksmith.
In February, 1829, the legislature of Ohio passed
an act to establish a State road from Mt. Vernon
to Columbus, and appointed James McFarland, of
Knox county, Adam Reed, of Franklin county, and
John Meyers, of Licking county, commissioners to
locate said road. In performing their duties the
commissioners, when passing through Hilliar, fol
lowed the route of the road formerly cut out by the
citizens of this township, and filed a copy of said
survey in the office of county commissioners of
Knox, January 10, 1830.
A line of stage coaches was established by Colo
nel B. Barney soon afterward, and in 1831 Neil &
Moore had a contract of carrying the mail, and
were running a line of coaches on the road. Horses
were changed three times between Mt. Vernon and
Columbus, viz.: at Blendon Corners, Sunbury, and
at Joseph Jennings' tavern in Hilliar township.
William Houck and Benjamin Jennings were the
original stage drivers on this road. Later, when an
opposition line of coaches was established by
Walker & Company, Samuel Clawson, John Landis
and Reuben Jennings held the reins and plied the
whip. Centreburgh was laid out in October, 1830, by
Edson Harkness, surveyor, and the plat recorded
December 22, 1834, by Stephen Sutton and Jacob
Houck, owners of the land on which the town now
stands. They gave the new town the name of Centre
burgh because it was in the centre of the township,
and supposed to be in the centre of the State. The
principal part of the plat was located on the north
west side of the State road. The first house was
built on lot thirty-five of the town plat by Harvey

Jones, who also kept the first tavern, and opened
the first dry goods store in 1835. Mr. Jones was a
wide awake, energetic business man, and soon
gathered around him a coterie of kindred spirits,
who made Centreburgh the centre of attraction for
miles around^
At this period the entire travel from the lake re
gion to Columbus passed over the road through
Centreburgh, and great efforts were made by the
rival stage lines to secure the greatest number of
passengers, and make the best time, as by these
means each party hoped to secure the United States
mail subsidy. The price of passage was reduced to
a mere nominal figure, the life of a horse was lightly
esteemed, and the driver who could rein up to
Jones' tavern with the largest load of passengers,
ahead of the opposition coach, was prouder than a
king. Centreburgh continued to flourish, houses were
built, stores opened, and trade multiplied. Daniel
Finch built a brick house on lot 17,- — the first in
the town and township, now(i88i) occupied as a
hotel, and known as the Central house. This state
of affairs was highly gratifying to the citizens of the
village, and continued as long as the mail coaches
kept on the road, but
Flowers have their time to fade,
And leaves their time to fall,
and when in 185 1, the Newark & Sandusky rail
road was finished, and the mail and travel was
diverted to that route, the coaches departed to
wards the setting sun.
About this time, too, the construction of a new
railroad was commenced, called the Springfield,
Mt. Vernon & Pittsburgh railway, the survey of
which passed through Hilliar township, near Rich
Hill. In anticipation of the speedy completion of
the new road a town was laid out at that point, by
Aaron D. Rinehart, August 11, 1852. To the new
town the name of Hilliar was given in honor of Dr.
Richard Hilliar.
The first house was built by Richard Shackle-
ton, who also kept the first hotel in 1853.
John Miller built a steam grist-mill, and Michael
Ross kept a store. Hilliar at this time was quite a
thriving village, and from its situation and prospects
became a formidable rival to Centreburgh, but the
failure of the railroad company — leaving the road

486

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

unfinished, virtually ended Hilliar's dreams of
greatness. The village now goes by the name of Rich Hill,
and contains one store, one post-office — Joseph
Riggs, postmaster; one grocery, one physician —
G. B. Hubbell; one carriage shop and one black
smith shop.
Centreburgh, which had been on the decline
since 185 1, received a new impetus in 187 1. That
year a new railroad company was organized, called
the "Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Delaware Rail
road Company." The new company bought the
right of way of the defunct "Springfield, Mt. Ver
non & Pittsburgh Company," and used the old
road-bed as far as the eastern line of Hilliar town
ship. From there they surveyed a new route to
Columbus, which brought the road through Cen
treburgh. The new road was completed as early
as 1874, and caused Centreburg to spring into
new life and activity. Town lots, which in i860,
were not worth more than twenty dollars, are at
the present time worth two hundred. Old build
ings were repaired, and many new ones built;
business houses multiplied, and all the modern
improvements were introduced. The following
directory will give a fair idea of the business of the
town :
Two railroad depots, Cleveland, Mt. Vernon and
Columbus, and Central Ohio; two express and tel
egraph offices, M. T. Hasson and William Ralston,
agents ; one post-office, J. M. Jennings, postmaster;
one newspaper, George E. Kalb, editor; four
churches, Methodist Episcopal, Freewill Baptist,
Cumberland Presbyterian and Christian ; one Odd
Fellows' lodge ; two schools ; one town hall ; one
steam grist-mill, Smith & Hopkins, proprietors;
two steam saw-mills, E. B. Cook and James M.
Osborn, proprietors; one warehouse, William
Smith, proprietor ; three hotels, William Harrod,
Peter Shaffer and S. W. Lyons, proprietors; four
physicians, R. C. M. Lewis, D. H. Ralston, W. B.
Merriman and J. R Moody; one dentist, J. B.
Wilson; three dry goods stores, John Hopkins,
Skillen & Hix Brothers, and M. H. Frost & Co.;
one clothing store, George W. Darling ; two drug
stores, E. C. Vincent and E. C. Emly ; two gro
ceries, J. Hildreth and S. W. Lyons; two hard
ware stores, Jennings & Faraba and A. Oberholtzer:

two millinery stores, Mrs. Mattie E. Updyke and
Mrs. L. T. Barnes ; two livery stables, A. T. Borden
and Peter Shaffer ; one undertaker, R. J. Pumph-
rey ; three blacksmiths, Isaac Pierce, sr., Henry
Cappell and Henry Bunnell ; one shoe shop, Geo.
Peardon, proprietor; one photograph gallery, E.
M. Maynard, proprietor; one marble shop, Dev-
ereux Brothers, proprietors ; one tinshop, Jen
nings & Faraba, proprietors ; one carriage shop, R
J. Pumphrey, proprietor; one tailor, Darling Barr;.
two meatmarkets, Timothy Baker & Son and
Willis Bedell, proprietors: one harnessmaker, P.
D. Kasson; three furniture stores, George Mc
Cracken, David Long and George McConchie,
proprietors ; one agricultural depot, R. J. Pumph
rey, proprietor ; two lumber yards, Bishop & Raney
and George W. Barnes, proprietors; one imple
ment factory, Burkholder & Brentlinger, proprie
tors ; one paint shop, Burt & Beach ; one cooper,
C. M. Tanner; one greenhouse, L. B. Barnes,
proprietor ; two barbers, Clinton Jones and Rufus
Webster; one cigarmaker, S. W. Lyons, and one
saloon, J. Anweller, proprietor.
Centreburgh is not a regularly incorporated
town, with full municipal powers, but was, in 1877,
made an independent district, which gives it con
trol of its streets and highways.
E. B. Cook, J. W. Burton and R. B. Jackson
are the trustees, and C. M. Jennings clerk and treas
urer. The town at present contains one hundred
dwellings and four hundred and fifty inhabitants.
The pioneer publication of Hilliar township was
the Universalist Advocate. It was a sixteen page
semi-monthly magazine, devoted to the advocacy
of universal salvation, and was printed in a build
ing on lot 45, in the village of Centreburgh. The
following extract is from the first volume of this
publication, issued September 26, 1848:
The Universalist Advocate will be published on the second
and fourth Tuesdays of each month, on the following low
terms: seventy-five cents per annum, paid in advance, one dol
lar if paid within the year. All communications intended for
the Universalist Advocate must be address to Daniel Wolfe &
Co., at Centreburgh, Knox county, Ohio. Free from postage.
The publication of the Advocate was discon
tinued about 1861.
The Centreburgh Mirror was a seven column four
page independent newspaper, established in Cen
treburgh in 1878, but it was short-lived, and

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

487

expired in a few months. John S. Watson was ed
itor and proprietor.
The Centreburgh Gazette is the name of an in
dependent seven column four page newspaper
published weekly at Centreburgh; the first issue
appeared January 6, 1881. It is devoted to the
interests of Centreburgh and surrounding country.
George E. Kalb is editor and proprietor.
Harvey Jones was the first postmaster of Centre
burgh. His successors were: Nimrod Bishop,
Edward Gant, Chester Heldt, Smith Hadley, J.
Scott, Enoch Nichols, Daniel Wolfe, Robert
Woods, Enoch Nichols, Robert Jackson and
Charles M. Jennings, the present incumbent.
The Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus rail
road enters Hilliar township at the northeast
corner and passes out at the southwest corner,
passing through Centreburgh. The first passen
ger train passed over this road September 1, 1874.
The Ohio Central railroad also passes through
Hilliar township, near the village of Rich Hill, and
crosses the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus
road at right angles near the town of Centreburgh.
This road was completed in the month of Novem
ber, 1880.
The Dayton section came into market shortly
after the organization ofthe township in 1818; the
Parker section in 1831, but the opening of the
Rathbone section to settlers was delayed till 1839;
hence the development of the township was re
tarded, but notwithstanding this drawback Hilliar
has made rapid improvements in growth and de
velopment. In 1820 the population of Hilliar township was
60; in 1830, 200; in 1840, 1,012; in 1850, 1,141;
in i860,  ; in 1870, 931, and in 1880, 1,101.
In 1880 the total number of acres under cultiva-
tion 2,816; the same m pasture, 11,011; in wheat,
808; bushels of wheat, 12,844; acres in oats, 656;
bushels of oats, 23,595; acres of corn, 1,778; bush
els of corn, 59,685; acres of potatoes, 51; bushels
of potatoes, 5,071; acres of meadow, 1,886; tons
of hay, 1,429; pounds of butter, 31,280; pounds of
wool, 5r,503; number of horses, 433 — assessed
value of same, $19,994; number of cattle, 1,008 —
assessed value of same, $14,784; number of sheep,
10,564 — assessed value of same, $21,097; number
of hogs, 1,008 — assessed value of same, $2,075;

moneys and credits, $61,225; value of all personal
property subject to taxation, $189,538.

CHAPTER LIV.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
Topography— Organization— Streams — Timber — Early
Settlers — Mills — Distilleries— Schools — Churches
Villages.
JACKSON township was organized out of Mor
gan, September 4, 181 5. It was named in
honor of General Andrew Jackson, the hero of
New Orleans. Topographically, the surface is
broken, and in the southern portion of the town
ship several large hills exist. The soil is product
ive and yields good crops of all the cereals. Val
uable springs of water abound, one especially on
the farm of William Darling being unusually large,
and the source of a considerable stream. Several
streams of water traverse the township, the largest
being the Wakatomica. It rises in Coshocton
county, running west across the township near to
the line of Clay, thence south in a meandering
course passing out of the township into Licking
county. Jug run rises near the centre of the
township and runs southeast into Coshocton coun
ty. Iron ore of superior quality is found in the
hills near to the Licking and Coshocton county
lines, and in such quantities that it may be profit
able to mine it, although no one has yet attempt
ed it.
Every part of Jackson was once densely wooded,
oak, sugar and chestnut being the principal varie
ties. Although much of this timber has been
cleared away, yet the hills along the Wakatomica
and elsewhere in the township exhibit a large
growth of oak and chestnut.
In the early history of the country, the hills of
Jackson township abounded with wild animals and
venomous reptiles.
The early settlers killed large numbers of deer,
bear and other animals. Though multitudes of
reptiles have been killed in former years, still at
this later period they are to be found. In Septem
ber, 1880, John Farquhar found a black-snake

488

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

eleven feet in length, and after a desperate fight
succeeded in killing it. Owing to the hills of
Jackson township abounding with deer and other
wild animals, it was a favorite hunting ground for
the Indians, who came from the region about
Greentown and Upper Sandusky in large numbers,
often camping weeks at a time.
From the time of the first settlement to the
present, large numbers of Indian relics have been
found, farmers ploughing up great quantities of
arrow points, wedges and other stone implements.
The old Indian trail from Greentown through to
Coshocton county passed across Jackson township.
This trail the first settlers found very convenient
for a guide when travelling. Evidences of ancient
fortifications, are to be found, one especially, on
the farm of Mrs I. Kerr, being the most remarka
ble. It is a wide trench encircling a small hill on
which her present residence is situated. It extended
completely around the hill, and was of such width
as to make it quite formidable to the foe. Early
settlers found it very plainly indicated, but frequent
plowing has almost obliterated it. One or two
small mounds are to be found in the northern part
of the township.
Robert Eaton is supposed to be the first white
settler of Jackson. He came from Wheeling, West
Virginia, in April, 1810, locating on section seven.
He was one of the soldiers that helped to suppress
the whiskey rebellion, and it is said, had seen Gen
eral George Washington several times. After liv
ing many years in Jackson he emigrated to the
west. Although Eaton had many opportunities of
becoming rich, he did not succeed in amassing
much wealth, being content to live on a small
income. David Meelick, the second settler, came to the
township in August, 18 10, settling on section seven.
He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land
from the Government at two dollars per acre. He
was one of the first two justices of the peace
elected after the organization of Jackson township,
and served in that capacity several years. At the
time of his coming, Jackson township was indeed a
wilderness. The surface of the entire country was
covered with a dense growth of hard wood timber ;
the woods swarmed with game, and he had no diffi
culty in procuring ample supplies for the family

larder. Being somewhat of a Nimrod, he succeed
ed in killing hundreds of deer, turkeys and other
wild game. With the exception of Robert Eaton,
the Indians were his only neighbors for some time
after his arrival. It was his belief that the hills in
the southern part of the township would remain an
unbroken wilderness to all generations, but he lived
to see them thickly settled. His descendants are
still numerous in the township.
Andrew McCamment was a native of Franklin
county, Pennsylvania. He emigrated to Jackson
township in 1819, selecting land in section nine
teen. He was married August 19, 18 16, to Re
becca Strain, of Brooke county, Virginia, by whom
he had eight children : John S., Mary, William,
Alexander, James, Sevenah, Hannah Jane, and
Thomas Jefferson. Mr. McCamment died Decem
ber 14, 1864, after a long life of industry and use
fulness. George Holtz was from Belmont county, where
he was born in March, 1800. He removed to
Coshocton county about the close of the last war
with England, and to Jackson township in 1830.
He entered eighty acres of Government land lying
in the southern part of the township, and in a few
years he purchased eighty acres more from the
Government. He married Susan Mavisin in 1825,
who bore him nine children.
Samuel Davidson was born near Baltimore,
Maryland, November 4, 1788, and came to Jack
son township in 1830, where he resided until his
death August 8, 1880. He was a soldier of the
War of 18 1 2, and was in the battle of Bladens
burgh. William Hall was another of the early settlers of
Jackson. He was born in Pennsylvania, and in
1809, when thirteen years of age, with his father,
^Obediah Hall, removed to Pickaway county, Ohio,
remaining there until 18 14, when he came to Jack
son township. He settled in the southern part of
the township. His family consisted of his wife
and ten children, viz: Washington, Columbus,
Jerome, Angenola, Benjamin F., Ruth M., Acci-
ous, Lane, Albert Fremont, and Abraham Lincoln.
Washington Houck, although not one of the
first settlers, is one of Jackson's most prominent
citizens, and has long been identified with its history.
He was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

489

February 18, 1799. He visited Ohio in 1821,
with one dollar and fifty cents in his pocket, walk
ing the entire distance from Pennsylvania, return
ing home in November. Soon after, he sold his
household and other goods, settled up all his ac
counts, and having but eight dollars, started for
Ohio on the fourth of February, 1822. He landed
in Hilliar township the twenty-fourth of that
month, and resided there until the twentieth of
July, when he removed to Clay, where he pur
chased eighty acres of Government land at one
dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. After pay
ing for his land, he had eighteen cents remain
ing but possessing extraordinary energy and
perseverance he soon cleared his land, and has
secured, a competence. At that date the' grow
ing of tobacco was the principal occupation of the
farmers of Jackson and the southern townships of
Knox county. Mr. Houck was once gone eleven
days in two weeks, to tobacco house raisings.
While in Hilliar township, he purchased a cow and
yoke of oxen, and brought them to Clay. They
got out of the enclosure, and after a search of ten
days, he found them at their old home in Hilliar.
He found but four houses in twenty-five miles
travelling through the forests, but the few settlers
that he did find were very clever and glad to see
any one in their secluded homes. He subse
quently sold his farm in Clay, and purchased some
land on the site of the village of Bladensburgh, in
Jackson township, where he erected a dwelling
house, and also a hotel, engaging in that business
several years. He also engaged in the mercantile
business many years. He still resides in Bladens
burgh. John Donahey entered eighty acres on section
twenty-six in 1810. He came from Westmoreland
county, Pennsylvania, where he was born June 27,
1799. He was probably the first settler who lo
cated land in the southern part of the township.
His neighbors were the Indians, and the hills sur
rounding his habitation were full of wild animals
and venomous serpents. He, like the other pio
neers, killed large numbers of deer, bear, and tur
keys. At that early date log-rollings and house-
raisings were frequent, and Mr. Donahey spent
much of his time assisting his neighbors in clear
ing their land and erecting their habitations. The

work was often severe, owing to the scarcity of
hands, but the festivities of the evening, after the
conclusion of the day's toil, afforded ample recom
pense. He was married at an early age to Martha
Rogers. They had nine children; five sons and
four daughters. He died in Jackson township in
1873- Peter Fry, who lived to be a centenarian, came
to Jackson at an early period of its history. He
was at St. Clair's defeat, and was forty years old at
that time. He remembered many of the impor
tant events that transpired during the exciting pe
riod of the Revolution, and had often seen Gen
eral Washington. He settled on section seven,
but did not succeed in acquiring much property.
Thomas Nichols, still living in his eighty-eighth
year, arrived from Virginia in "1828, and purchased
his land from the Government. He settled in the
southern part of Jackson, and still lives on the
farm on which he first settled. Several of his
children are still living in the township, in prosper
ous circumstances. For several years after first
settling in Jackson he was troubled by wolves vis
iting his flocks of sheep at night and carrying
away the choicest.
William Hanna, another of the early settlers,
and long a resident of the township, died in 1856.
Jacob Strieker, Adam Earlywine, Robert Wilson,
Joseph Scott, Daniel Massholder, Daniel Blue,
Peter Miller, Christian Baughman, James Harris,
John Wheeler, Elijah Harris, William Braddock,
and Daniel Strieker, arrived at an early date, and
a majority of them became prosperous.
William Darling, who came from Hampshire
county, Virginia, in 1820, to Butler township, and
from Butler to Jackson in 1835, has long been an
influential citizen. He has served as justice of the
peace fifteen years, and held other important local
offices. Johnny Appleseed was frequently a visitor in this
township. One of his largest nurseries in Coshoc
ton county being near this locality, he found a mar
ket for his apple-trees in Jackson. Many of the
first orchards were started from trees procured from
his nursery, and there are still trees remaining in
several orchards that originally came from his Co
shocton nursery.
A terrific tornado visited Jackson in early times,

49°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

the exact date being not now remembered.' There
were but few settlers in the township then, and the
damage done to dwelling houses and orchards was
comparatively -light, but many forest trees were
prostrated, and cattle, horses and sheep killed.
The first grist-mill was erected by Samuel
Wheeler about the year 1816, and the first saw
mill by S. Brown about 181 8. These mills were
busily employed to meet the demands of the in
creasing population, both for flour and meal for the
sustenance of the settlers, and lumber for their
dwellings. Samuel D. Ross built the first carding-mill in
1818. Prior to the. building of these mills, the in
habitants were compelled to go to Mt. Vernon or
Zanesville for their meal and lumber.
There are two or three small iron bridges that
span the Wakatomica, and several wooden bridges
spanning that stream and Jug run in the township,
but no large bridges have been erected.
Until after the establishment of Bladensburgh in
1833, there were no stores in the township, andthe
settlers were obliged to go to Coshocton, Mt. Ver
non, Zanesville and elsewhere for the purchase of
the groceries, dry goods, and other necessaries for
their families. About the year 1817, I. D. John
son started a store in Martinsburgh, then a village
of about half a dozen houses. He purchased all
kinds of produce, paying cash for the same. At
that time tobacco was the principal crop of the
farmers of southern Knox, and large quantities
were annually raised by them on their newly cleared
lands. Mr. Johnson purchased'all that was offered
him, and it is said, thus enabled many farmers of
Jackson and surrounding townships to pay for their
farms, who, if it had not been for Johnson, would
have been unable to pay for them, as money was
very scarce, and produce very low.
The distilling of whiskey was another business
in which the early settlers engaged. They could
convert their cereals into a smaller bulk, and as
there was always a ready sale for whiskey at remu
nerative prices, they found it more profitable to
manufacture their grain into whiskey than haul it
to distant markets and sell it at low rates. The
last still-house disappeared many years ago.
For several years after the first settlement of
Jackson, one private school was sufficient for the

entire township. This school was held in private
houses, and no school-house was erected for many
years. At first the only school-houses were built
of logs of very primitive style, but these have been
superceded by substantial frame buildings. The
first school, as near as can be ascertained, was
taught by William Braddock. He was rather illiter
ate, but could "read, write and cipher to the rule
of three," the "sum total" of his educational quali
fications. He was induced to become a teacher
more by the urgent solicitations of the pioneers,
than by his own preference. Braddock continued
the profession of teaching many years, and until it
became necessary for teachers to have a certificate,
when he ceased to be a pedagogue.
Abrkham McLane was another ofthe early teach
ers. His literary attainments were at par with
Braddock's. He also continued teaching until
certificates were necessary to enable teachers to
draw public money for their services, when he also
retired from the profession.
The people generally are a churclugoing people.
There are five churches, three having an organized
existence within the township limits; and two with
in the limits of Bladensburgh.
For many years after the first settlement there
were no regular church organizations. Preaching
was held occasionally in the houses of the settlers.
One of the first ministers to proclaim the gospel to
the inhabitants of Jackson, was a Rev. Mr. Cun
ningham, a Presbyterian divine. He was a very
plain man in his dress and habits, and of moderate
talents and ability. Being poor it became neces
sary to devise means for his support. A subscrip
tion paper was drawn up and circulated among the
people. One of the signers was proprietor of a
small distillery. When his subscription became
due, on demand, he refused to pay it. After re
peated demands and refusals he was sued, judg
ment for the full amount pf his subscription was
obtained against him, execution was issued, and
the constable, into whose hands it was given, .levied
on a barrel of whiskey, sold the same, and thus
satisfied the debt.
Rev. James Fry, a Baptist, was another of the
early ministers, who labored earnestly to lead the
people to eternal life. The Methodists were early
in the field, but did not erect a house of worship,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

49 1

holding their meetings in churches of other de
nominations, or at private dwellings. At one time
they were quite prosperous, but at present there are
but few in the township.
The first Disciple church in Ohio was organized
in this township in August, 1828. At that date
Alexander Campbell, and his co-laborers, were
zealously laboring in Ohio and other States. A
few copies of his paper, the Millennial Harbinger,
were circulated in the township, and being care
fully read, proved to be seed sown in good ground,
yielding a large increase. Elijah Harris, Washing
ton Houck, and John Wheeler, with their wives,
organized themselves into a Disciple church, which
is claimed to be the first regular church organiza
tion of that denomination in this State. Rev.
Charles Van Voorhes, still living, was the first pas
tor, and only preacher for many years.
Another Disciple church, known as Dennis
chapel, was organized about 1830. It is situated
in the southwestern part of the township. Wil
liam D. Beatty and George Eley were the first
elders, and William Braddock and Benjamin Eley
the first deacons. Rev. James Porter was the first
pastor, and continued in that capacity until 1839,
when he was superceded by Rev. Charles Van
Voorhes, who has preached to the people most of
the time since.
At the first organization of this church there
were about twenty members. At this date the
organization has nearly one hundred members in
full connection. A small frame church was erected
soon after the organization, which was replaced by
one thirty-six by forty feet in dimensions some
years since. There is a flourising Sunday-school
in connection with this church, S. E. Bell, super
intendent. The first Union church of Jackson township,
was organized about 1870. The first trustees were
John S. McCament, Uriah Blue, Henry Holtz,
J. F. Way and Ephraim Anderson. John Way,
Uriah Blue, and Jonathan Traver were the first
elders. Rev. George Stevenson was the first pas
tor, succeeded by Revs. Ambi Welch, J. B. Clover,
James Lamp, and Allen Mann, who is present pas
tor. In 1870 a neat frame building, thirty-five by
forty feet, was erected on section twelve. The

number of members at the commencement of the
organization was thirty, which has increased ten in
number. In 1879 a neat and commodious structure was
erected in the southeastern part of Jackson, known
as the Mt. Zion church. It was built for the ac
commodation of the people resident in that
locality, and belongs to no particular denomina
tion. The first and also the present trustees were
Simon Ashcraft, Perry Harris, and William Mer
cer. This church has no regular pastor, the constitu
tion prohibiting any one denomination or sect from
having absolute control.
The first village in Jackson township was Front
Royal. It was located on the farm of William
Darling, in the northern part of the township, about
the year 1832. It had a small store, blacksmith
shop, and several dwellings. It flourished for some
years, but owing to a deficiency in the title of the
village lots the village was abandoned, and not a
vestige of it remains to mark its location.
Bladensburgh was laid out in 1833 by John and
Samuel Wheeler and Washington Houck. The
village lies in both Jackson and Clay townships,
the main part being in Jackson. Washington
Houck built the first house. Mr. Houck first
started a blacksmith shop, and after a few months
engaged in the keeping of a hotel. After following
this business many years he engaged in the mer
cantile business.
John Wheeler started the first store in Bladens
burgh in 1833. He was for many years a promi
nent citizen, Whig politician, and a zealous worker
in the Disciple church. He subsequently removed to
Iowa, where he died some years since. Mr. Wheeler
was the first postmaster of Blandensburgh, and
Washington Houck was the first mail carrier. He
carried the mail once a week from Blandensburgh
to Martinsburgh, a distance of four miles, perform
ing the journey on foot, and received as compen
sation eight dollars for eighteen months service.
A flourishing mill was erected on the bank of
the Wakatomica, on the present site of the village,
prior to the location of the place. It is now oper
ated by Messrs. Anderson & Darling.
One of the early physicians and prominent citi
zens, Dr. A. C. Scott, came to Bladensburgh in

492

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

1841. He is a son of Rev. James Scott, the pio
neer Presbyterian preacher of Knox county. Dr.
Scott has been a very successful physician, and still
has a large and lucrative practice. He has served
as justice of the peace, and held other offices.
Ohio Lodge, No. 199, Free and Accepted Masons,
at Bladensburgh, commenced work under dispen
sation dated July 19, 1850, granted by the-Most
Worthy Grand Master M. Z. Kreider. The officers
by dispensation were: Eli Farnham, W. M.; A C.
Scott, S. W.; Peter Berry, J. W.
Organized under charter by Mr. Henry Bar
ton, proxy for Grand Master, on the third day of
November, 1851, under charter dated October 28,
185 1. Its first officers were installed on that even
ing, and were: Eli Farnham, W. M.; A. C. Scott,
S. W.; Peter Berry, J. W.; William Underwood,
treasurer; James Loveridge, secretary; Obed Un
derwood, S. D.; D. J. Bentz, J. D.; Alexander Mc-
Cament, tyler.
Its charter members were: Eli Farnham, A C.
Scott, Peter Berry, James Loveridge, Andrew Vance,
John S. McCament, Alexander McCament, Wil
liam Underwood, Obed Underwood, Jesse Under
wood, William McCreary, W. F. Redman, David
McCann. Robert Strahorn and D. J. Bentz were the first
Masons initiated; this was September 17, 1850.
The officers July 1, 1880, were: Schooler Horn,
W. M.; James Donohey, S. W.; W. A. Harris, sec
retary; Jeremiah Hess, S. D.; C. P. Ramsey, J. D.;
David Blyston, treasurer; William Underwood,
steward; Thomas Early wine, J. D.; Archibald Lit
tle, tyler.
The number of deaths since organization have
been eight. The present membership is fifty-five.
Following are the worthy masters of Ohio Lodge
with terms of service : Eli Farnham, seven years ;
A C. Scott, fifteen years; Levi Mercer, one year;
Daniel Paul, two years; John G. McGaw, one year;
E. W. Hall, one year; N. K. Kamsey, two years;
Schooler Horn, elected November, 1879.
The following have served as secretaries: James
Loveridge, Josephus Wheeler, Isaac N. Huey, John
H. Miller, R. S. Conner, S. T. Schooler, R. D.
Mavis, J. Fox Scott, Alexander S. Kerr, D. H. Tut
tle, John W. Scott, F. P. Hess, George McCament,
W. A. Harris.

This lodge has been fairly prosperous. It now
owns one of the finest buildings in the village,
erected three years ago, and is acknowledged to
have the best arranged and finest finished lodge
hall in the county.
A grange was organized several years ago and a
hall was erected by the organization in 1878. The
order is prosperous and numbers many of the sub
stantial farmers of Jackson and adjoining townships
as members. Several successful fairs under the
auspices of this grange have been held at Bladens
burgh since its organization.
For a long time after the village was started the
village school was held in a small frame building,
which was replaced by a large and substantial
structure in 1878, now known as the Bladensburgh
Union school. Professor Kennon, of Belmont
county, is the principal.
There are two churches in the village — Disciple
and Presbyterian. The first, known as the first
Disciple church in Ohio, is described elsewhere in
this chapter. It was organized before the village
had an existence, and the present church building
was erected some years after the founding of the
town. It enjoys a good degree of prosperity at
the present date.
The Presbyterian society was organized in 1846,
and was originally an outgrowth of the Presbyte
rian church of Martinsburgh. Rev. Henry Her
vey, pastor of the Martinsburgh church, having
preached a sermon on "the evils of war," denun
ciatory of the war with Mexico, then in progress,
gave such offence to a portion of the members of
his church, that several seceded and organized a
society at Bladensburgh. This society soon after
erected the present church building. Rev. James
Anderson was the first pastor. He was succeeded
by Revs. Densmore, Brough, and Brombarger.
The church has no pastor at present.
There are three dry goods and one grocery store,
one jewelry establishment, two hotels, one barber
shop, one millinery store, one harness and several
blacksmith shops, also one grist- and one saw-mill.
Its present population is about two hundred. Al
though .Bladensburgh is a small village it is an en
terprising one. Being at a considerable distance
from any large town, large numbers of farmers do
their trading at this place.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

493

In February, 1 869, a murder was committed which
caused much excitement at the time. S. L. Roley,
a very passionate and bad-tempered man, killed
Joshua Cackler. Roley became offended at Cack-
ler because of some slight misunderstanding con
cerning a trivial affair, when he procured a cluB,
and, striking Cackler on the head, caused his death
in a short time. Roley was caught after he had
fled to another State, was brought back to Knox
county, had his trial, was convicted of manslaugh
ter and sentenced to two years imprisonment in the
penitentiary. James Ross is the present postmaster. A daily
mail is received, the route being from the town of
Utica to Bladensburgh.

CHAPTER LV.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
Organization-Election— Justices ofthe Peace-Topog
raphy — Relics — First Settlfrs— Grand Hunt— Mills
— Schools — Churches — Greersville.
JEFFERSON was organized in March 1829. It
is the northeast corner township of Knox county,
and is bounded on the north by Ashland and
Holmes counties, on the south by Union town
ship, on the east by Holmes county, and on the west
by Brown township. In 1876 one mile was taken
from the south part of this township and annexed
to Union.
At the first election held in April 1829, the fol
lowing were chosen: trustees, John McMillan and
Josiah Trumbley; clerk, Robert Greer; constables,
Andrew Lockard and Joseph Critchfield.
The early political history of Jefferson is derived
from the official records which are still in a good
state of preservation. From these it appears that
the first official business transacted by the township
board after its organization, was the annual settle
ment with the township officers, recorded as follows :
March 1830.
On the first Monday of March 1830, the trustees met a full
board. The accounts of the different officers were settled with
out any charge being made by the township, and adjourned.
Attest, Robert Greer, clerk.

At the election held in 1832 at the house of
Frederick Rice the following officers were elected,
Alexander Greer, Josiah Frost and John Hibbetts
trustees; Alvin Critchfield and Jesse Casteel, con
stables; George Rice and Robert Greer, overseers
of poor, and Robert McMillen, fenceviewer.
The following justices of the peace have been
elected since the organization of the township :
1829, James Henderson and John Greer; 1832,
John Greer; 1835, James Greer; 1837, James With-
row; 1838, Joseph Greer, Josiah Frost; 1840, James
Greer, James Withrow; 1842, Alexander Greer;
1843, James Withrow; 1845, Alexander Greer; 1846,
James Withrow; 1848, Alexander Greer; 1849,
Robert Greer; 185 1, Alexander Greer; 1852, Robert
Greer; 1854, Josiah Frost; 1855, Robert Greer;
1857, Josiah Frost, James Greer; 1858, Charles
Miller; i860, James Greer; 1861, Charles Miller;
1863, John Workman; 1865, Charles Miller, Fred
erick Rice; 1867, Charles Miller; 1868, Edward
Day; 1869, Mark Greer; 1870, Charles Miller;
187 1, John D. Shrimplin; 1873, Charles Miller;
1874, Benjamin Wander; 1876, John C. Banbury;
1877, Jame? W. Baker, John Body; 1879, Philip
Love; 1880, James W. Baker.
This township was named after Thomas Jeffer
son, one of the Presidents of the United States:
The surface is exceedingly broken and hilly, some
of the lofty and precipitous hills reaching an alti
tude attaining to the grandeur of mountains. The
magnificent rocky and hilly country along the Mo
hican river, and elsewhere in the township, is un
doubtedly the most interesting geographical feature
in this county. In the early history of the country
these high hills and rocky bluffs formed a secure
retreat for the various wild animals, and dens for
large numbers of rattlesnakes and other venomous
reptiles. Hundreds of these reptiles were killed
by the pioneers. Wild game, such as foxes, coons,
opossums, and turkeys are still quite numerous in
the hills, and mink and otter are found along the
Mohican. The Mohican river, the principal stream,
crosses the entire eastern part of the township,
from north to south, in a meandering course.
Many interesting relics of former ages have been
found here. The early pioneers unearthed with
their plows hundreds of flints, or Indian arrow

494

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

heads, and various implements of Indian manufac
ture. On the farm of George Bird, near Greers-
ville, were several small mounds. These were ex
plored by the early settlers, several human skele
tons unearthed, and ashes and charcoal also found.
On the summit of a high and precipitous hill ad
jacent to Greersville are the remains of an ancient
fortification or intrenchment. The sides of a por
tion of the hill were so steep as to make an in
trenchment unnecessary, but the portions less ab
rupt were strongly fortified by a wide and deep
ditch, cut in the form of a semicircle.
In the vicinity of Greersville are various ledges
of rocks, some of which have received names, sug
gested by peculiar surroundings or individual ap
pearance. One of these ledges, alum rock, is so
named because the water which flows from its crev
ices is strongly impregnated with alum. The water
which exudes from the rock, on being exposed to
the rays of the sun and evaporated produces alum
in considerable quantities. This locatity is a fa
vorite resort for pleasure parties in the summer, and
is annually visited by many young persons from
Mt. Vernon, Loudonville and other places, who
encamp here for days at a time, and engage in fish
ing and hunting. Whortleberries are very plenty
in the hills of Jefferson township, and hundreds of
bushels are annually gathered by the inhabitants
here as well as by persons from adjoining counties.
It is difficult to ascertain who was the first white
settler of Jefferson township. Isaac Enlow and
Nicholas Helm were among the first to settle
within the present limits of the township. The
date of this settlement is not known, but it was
probably a short time after the close of the War of
1812. As far as known there was no settler to be
found in this township prior to that war. Jefferson
was the last of all the townships of Knox county to
be settled. Owing to the broken condition of the
surface and its isolation, settlers preferred other
government land as long as it could be had in the
vicinity. John Melton, Aaron Mathene, Andrew
McKee, Ephraim McMillen, Jacob Shiner, Elisha
Ross, John Dailey, Alexander Darling, James Hen
derson, John Hibbetts, Josiah Trimbley, Joseph
Critchfield and George Greer were of the first set
tlers. The Greers have long been identified with
the history of Jefferson. John Greer came from

Ireland to Knox county early in this century, set
tling near Danville. Possessed of a vigorous intel
lect and indomitable spirit, he soon took a promi
nent position among the early settlers. During the
War of 1 81 2 he did much to promote the forma
tion of companies, and became captain of one of
them. He served several terms as justice of the
peace, and was elected representative to the legis
lature in 1830. For forty years some ofthe Greer
name have officiated as justice of the peace in this
township. Robert Greer, another influential and useful citi
zen, was born in the county of Antrim, Ireland,
March 12, 1806. He emigrated to America in
1826, first settling in Maryland. In 1827 he re
moved to Jefferson, locating in the eastern part of
the township. He received a very thorough educa
tion in Ireland, was an accomplished scholar, well
versed in mathematics and the languages. After
his arrival here he engaged in farming, also school-
teaching; was the first clerk of the township, and
was elected justice of the peace for several terms.
He died March 13, 1865. His only child, Abra
ham W., is still residing here.
Jacob Colopy, was an early settler, emigrating
from Maryland to Knox county in 1812, first set
tling three miles south of Mt. Vernon, where he re
sided until his removal to Jefferson in 1825. He
located his farm in the southern part of the town
ship, in that portion attached to Union in 1876-
Mr. Colopy was very industrious, working night
and day, and at one time was the owner of seven
teen hundred acres of land. Because of his habit
of working early and late, he received the appella
tion of "Night and Day," from his neighbors. He
resides at present near the village of Gann.
Absalom Shrimplin, son of John Shrimplin, one
of Knox county's earliest settlers, was born in Owl
Creek valley, November 27, 1806, and was the sec
ond white child born in the county. His mother,
Elizabeth Shrimplin, nee Morrison, who was born
near the banks of the Ohio river in Jefferson county
September 7, 1787, is said to have been the second
white female child born in Ohio. Mr. Shrimplin
removed to Jefferson township a few years after its
organization and resided here until his death, De
cember 28, 1879.
James Witherow was from Beaver county, Penn-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

495

sylvania. He came to Jefferson township in 1836,
settling on section four. He was elected represen
tative by the Democrats in 185 1, Hon. Columbus
Delano, the Whig candidate, being the other
representative elected that year. Mr. Witherow
served one term, but being very much disgusted
with the lax morals of some of his brother repre
sentatives, he declined a renomination. He has
also served several terms as justice of the peace,
and was noted for his accurate decisions in cases
tried before him.
Samuel Beck came from West Virginia in 1837.
He was married in 1829, to Miss Mary Seaman,
of Virginia. Mrs. Beck resided near Bethany,
Virginia. She was intimately acquainted with
Philip Doddrige, the historian of western Virginia
and Pennsylvania, and Alexander Campbell, the
founder of the religious body known as Campbell-
ites or Disciples. She was present when he
preached his first celebrated sermon on immersion,
at a private house in the neighborhood of Bethany.
She has been a member of the Presbyterian church
for many years. Mr. Beck died October 4, 1848.
Mrs. Beck's father was born in London, England,
removed to Virginia about the close of the Revo
lutionary war, and purchased three hundred acres
of land near Wheeling. Her paternal grandfather,
Harris, lived near the Potomac river during the
progress of the Revolutionary war. At one time,
in company with a negro servant, he was pursued
by a band of Indians, was wounded, but managed
to secrete himself in a sycamore tree. The Indians
losing sight of Mr. Harris, continued in pursuit of
the negro, and finally captured him.
Jonathan Rice, another honored and useful citi
zen of this township, came from Allegheny county,
Maryland, in 1831. He has long been a member
of the Methodist church, and a zealous worker for
the cause of Christ. A short time after Mr. Rice's
removal here, a grand union hunt was organized
by the citizens of Jefferson, Brown, and Union
townships, and parties from Ashland and Holmes
counties also participated. It was estimated that
more than a thousand persons were present.
There were but few wolves or bears at that date,
but deer, foxes, wild turkeys, and smaller game
abounded. A central point was selected in the
woods, near where the Wesley chapel now stands.

Captains and other necessary officers were ap
pointed to manage the incoming lines, fill up va
cancies, and prevent the escape of game. The
lines were formed in a square, enclosing several
miles, and the hunters were armed with guns,
clubs, tin horns, knives, pitchforks, etc. At a
given signal the lines advanced toward the center,
every man and boy making as much noise as pos
sible. As the advancing column approached each
other, turkeys began flying over; the affrighted
game rushed from side to side, seeking an avenue
of escape, and by reason of mismanagement on
the part of some of the officers, a gap in the lines
was left open, through which most of the game
escaped. This was the last grand circular hunt in
the township.
The settlers of Jefferson were at first, principally
from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ire
land, but in later years a large number of Germans
have located in the township, and form an im
portant addition to its population. Settling among
the rugged hills, where it would seem almost im
possible to obtain a livelihood by agricultural pur
suits, they soon, by their good management,
industry and economy, acquire a competency.
Although the Mohican river affords abundant
water power for mills and manufactories, it has
never been much utilized by the inhabitants. The
first grist-mill in the township was built about 1833,
on the Mohican, by John Greer; he also erected
a saw-mill in connection with it. Some years later
a large flouring-mill was erected at Mt. Holly,
now Gann.
As in other townships, the first schools were
" subscription schools, " there being no public
school fund. These schools were taught at first
in the houses of the pioneers. The first school-
house was built about 1826, on Nicholas Helm's
farm. It stood about eighty rods west of Greers
ville, and was a small structure, built of unhewn
logs. Another of the early school-houses, prob
ably the second, was situated on Philip Hardinger's
farm, near the centre of the township. A third
was erected a few years after this, near the present
site of Wesley chapel. These were all log buildings
of a very primitive style of architecture. Elisha Ross,
Robert Greer, David Buzzard and Isaac Beann were
among the first teachers in this township.

496

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Only two churches have an organized existence
at present within the limits of Jefferson township,
one of these being in the village of Greersville.
The first church was organized by the Episcopal-
Methodists in 1832, at the house of Rev. Burriss,
whowas the first class-leader ofthe society. George
Burriss, William Cornell, Joseph and Henry Hess,
the Colwells, McMillens, Hickes and Harrises were
among the early members of this organization.
The first ministers were Revs. William Conant,
Russell Bigelow, John McNabb, Allen Moffatt,
Charles Waddle, Daniel Lambert, and 
Davidson. The early meetings were held at the
residences of the first members and in the school-
houses. Some years after the formation of the
society a log structure was erected, which was su
perseded by a frame building in 1866, still stand
ing, and in use by the members. This edifice cost
about eleven hundred dollars, and is a neat frame,
twenty-eight by thirty-four feet in dimensions.
There is a cemetery adjacent to the church,
known as the Wesley Chapel cemetery, in which
many of the former citizens of Jefferson are
buried. The present membership of the church is
about sixty-five. In 1853 a Winebrenarian society
was organized in the northwestern part of the
township, which held their meetings in the Jericho
school-house. Thomas Carpenter,  Chamber
lain, and  Russell, were among the first mem
bers. This organization was a weak one, and dis
banded in a few years. There was also a society
of Catholics organized here at an early date, and
a small log building, call St. Michael's church,
erected in the northern part of the township.
There being flourishing Catholic societies at Lou-
donville and Danville, it was deemed inexpedient
by the members of St. Michael's church to keep
up the organization, and it was dissolved many
years since, the members generally uniting with St.
Luke's church, of Danville, and the Loudonville
Catholic church.
The present winter (1880-1) has been a most
remarkable one in the history of this township, as
well as of the county. Winter and sleighing be
gan about the middle of November, 1880; the
sleighing was uninterrupted until some time in
February, 1881, and the cold extremely severe. A
fall of snow, nearly two feet in depth, occurred

about the first of April, and the voters went to
the spring election in sleds and sleighs. A winter
of such length and severity is not within the
memory of the oldest inhabitant.
Greersville is the only village within the present
limits of Jefferson township. It was laid out in
1836 by Robert Greer, is situated on the Mohican
river, about four miles north of Gann, and has a
population of about seventy. Solomon Hull built
the first house, a log dwelling; James Greer kept
the first store, and Miss Amanda Allen taught the
school. Prior to the erection of the first school-
house in the village, a school-house stood a short
distance outside of the town to which the first in
habitants sent their children. Arthur Greer taught
the first school in this house. At this date there
are in the village two dry goods stores, owned by
John DeWitt and John Friermuth; one hotel, kept
by George Derrenberger; one harness shop, by
Casper Paul; one wagon shop, by Edward Shrimp
lin, and one cigar store, by L. Shaw. John Frier
muth is the postmaster, and the village has a tri
weekly mail.
The Wesleyan Methodist church of Greenville
was organized in 1854, by Rev. George W. Bainum.
Its early members were Asa Greer, Agnes Severns,
Sarah Bird, Calista Severns. Rev. George B. Bain
um was the first pastor of this society. The subse
quent pastors were Reverends L. R. Royce, George
W. Smith, William Sewell,  McConnell, 
Hamlin, Richard Horton, J. A. Nettleton, James
Preston, and B. F. Hestor. The society wor
shipped in the Greersville school-house until 1861,
when a neat frame edifice was erected at a cost of
one thousand two hundred dollars. The present
officers of the church are Jonathan Rice, Michael
Wander and A. W. Greer, trustees; John Wesley
Rice, William Kaylor and Elmer C. Greer, stew
ards; Josiah Workman, class-leader. The present
membership is about sixty. An active Sunday-
school is connected with the church, A. W. Greer
being the superintendent.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

497

CHAPTER LVI.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
Location — Erection— Topography — Mounds — Settle-
ment— Roads— Mills— Election— Officers— Villages
—Stores— Schools— Churches— Cemeteries— Orders
—Statistics.
LIBERTY township was established by the county
commissioners, June 4, 1822, and bounded as
follows :
Ordered — That the following boundaries be laid off into a
separate and distinct township, to-wit : Beginning at the south
east corner of the sixth township of the fourteenth range, and
running west on the township line to the southwest corner of the
same ; thence north on the line between the fourteenth and fif
teenth ranges, to the northwest corner of said township ; thence
east on the township line to the northwest corner of the same ;
thence south on the range line to the place of beginning ; which
shall be known and distinguished by the name of Liberty town
ship, which shall be entitled to all the privileges of a separate
and distinct township.
March 9, 1825, the commissioners ordained
that: Liberty township shall be composed of the sixth township in
the fourteenth range.
The surface of Liberty is rolling, but not rough.
The southern part of the township is drained by
Dry creek, which empties into the Kokosing river
at Mt. Vernon, while, the northern portion is drain
ed by Granny's creek, Armstrong's run and other
small streams. The drainage is good, there being
little or no swamp lands in the township. About
one-third of the land is under actual cultivation,
the balance is in grass and woodland, but nearly all
is susceptible of cultivation. The soil is composed
of loam, impregnated with lime, and resting upon
substratum of drift gravel, hence very productive ;
all the cereals being successfully grown.
This section of the country was originally cover
ed with a heavy growth of timber, of the following
varieties : hard maple, black walnut, beech, white
oak, and other varieties indigenous to the soil, but
much of it has disappeared before the destroying
axe of the woodman.
There are very few relics of the Mound Builders
to be found in Liberty township. About the only
ones deserving mention are located on the property
of J. D. Higgins, one mile east of Mount Liberty.
On the hill north of Mr. Higgins' residence is a
mound about thirty feet in diameter, and was
originally eight or ten feet high, but is at present

very much reduced in height by being plowed over.
It was opened by Mr. Higgins, who, however, found
nothing but the traditional ashes and charcoal.
In an adjoining field, and occupying much lower
ground than the above described mound, is the
remains of a circular embankment one hundred
feet in diameter, but so worn down by the plow
that its original height cannot be determined. It
has the general appearance of a military work, but
its proximity to higher ground, and the fact of the
earth from the ditch having been thrown outward,
would seem to preclude that idea. The mystery
that surrounds the subject of the mounds and their
builders, appears to be enhanced by the fact that
the Indians who occupied this country when the
white man made his advent confess entire ignor
ance of their origin.
The earliest settlers were the following : Francis
Atherton, Francis Blakeney, Thomas Fletcher,
George Ginn, Francis Hardesty, and Alexander
Dallas. These came from Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1805, and settled on
Dry creek. Mr. Atherton located where John H.
Bird now resides. He was a very ingenuous me
chanic and was very useful in the new settlement.
The first frame house in the township was built by
him in 1808. He also built a mill — intended to
be a grist-mill — on Dry creek, but died before its
completion, and the mill was not a success. Fran
cis Hardesty located where Mrs. Bird now lives,
ahout three miles east of Mt. Liberty. Hr. Har
desty and his wife are said to be the first adults
who died in the township. They were buried a
few yards east of the Bird's graveyard. The first
death was that of a child of Francis Atherton. It
was buried in the woods north of Mr. Atherton's
house. Alexander Dallas was a rough character —
a distiller by occupation — and was sent to the pen
itentiary for burning a barn. Joseph Higgins ar
rived in the country in 1810, and pitched his tent
one mile east of the present site of Mt. Liberty,
where J. D. Higgins now resides. Michael Yoak-
am came in 181 1, and located west of Mr. Higgins.
John Yoakam, son of Michael, is still living, and
to his faithful memory this history is indebted for
many of the statements made. John Wilson was
the pioneer blacksmith. His shop stood, in 181 1,
on the farm now owned by George Carey.

498

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Lewis Bricker, sr., of Green county, Pennsylva
nia, had a very large family, and determined to
distribute them in the western country where lands
were cheap, and he could provide them with farms.
Accordingly he bought sixteen hundred acres of
land in what is now the northeastern portion of
Liberty township, and started the elder members of
his family to it in the spring of 1810. Of this
number were Peter Bricker and George Lewis, his
brother-in-law. They came out to this wild region,
camped one night, and the next day by noon were
on their way back. They reported the country
wild, and they did not believe it ever would be
settled. They saw many Indians, heard the owls
hooting, and the wolves howling all night; and
unaccustomed to these things they agreed with
their wives to let their land go, rather than risk
their own and their children's lives in the Dry creek
region. Their father, accustomed to frontier life, and
knowing also the value of land in this country, de.
termined in the fall to make another effort at a
settlement. Accordingly he sent another delega
tion, and continued the work until he got into this
township the following children : Peter, George,
John, Jacob, David, Solomon, Lewis, Catharine,
Rachel, and Mrs. George Lewis, who have in their
own time peopled the wilderness, felled the forest
trees, and cultivated the ground, multiplying the
original number by the double rule of three. Peter
Bricker had a dozen children, George Lewis six
teen, and the other members of the family were
nearly equally prolific. It is related of one of the
elder Brickers that he arrived at his destination
late in the fall, too late to build a cabin, and no
cabin could be rented. In this emergency a sub
stitute was thought of. Mr. Bricker had brought
with him a large Pennsylvania wagon, and turning
the bed of it up side down he transformed it into
a dwelling place, and in this novel habitation
passed his first winter in Knox county.
The children of George Lewis recollect when
their father went to Shrimplin's mill with a grist of
corn, and left his wife and family alone, with noth
ing to eat, and the Indians prowling about the
premises. The Coyles, Humphreys, Severes, Careys, Hol-
listers, Magoons, Gearharts, and Wolfs, came in

later but are still regarded as early settlers. The
last named family located on Granny's creek, in
the northwestern corner of the township, and it is
still known as the Wolf settlement. The most
numerous families at the present time are the
Brickers, Lewises, Ewalts, and Rineharts.
The hardships and vicissitudes incident to pio
neer life were . experienced by the early settlers of
Liberty, but they proved equal to the occasion, and
are to-day surrounded with all the comforts and
conveniences of civilization.
The first public road in Liberty township was
petitioned for by Samuel Katzer, Benjamin Butler,
Robert Anderson, James Walker, jr., Stephen
Chapman, Aaron Brown, C. Leffland, William
Wallace, James Craig, Robert Walker, Thomas
Merrill, Jesse Severe, Michael Barton, and John
Click; Ziba Leonard, Mathias Critchfield, and
Joseph Coleman were appointed viewers, and John
Dunlap surveyor. The road petitioned for was
surveyed nearly due west from Mt. Vernon to the
county line, and passed through the north of Lib
erty township. It was returned August 5, 1808, and
confirmed to the county commissioners on the fifth
of the same month.
June 4, 1810, Francis Hardesty and others peti
tioned for a road running from Mt. Vernon to his
place, and thence to Joseph Higgins'. The names
ofthe petitioners were: Francis Hardesty, James
Smith, Alexander Dallas, Joseph Higgins, Charles
McBride, Thomas Fletcher, Francis Blakeney,
James Dunlap, Daniel Dinimick, Jonathan Hunt,
jr., John McConnell, John Doth, John Boyle, Si
las Brown, Rufus Vore, James Haines, Barton Lu
cas, James Strange, Henry Haines, George Zinn,
Jacob Thomas, Joseph Walker, John Wilson, Nich
olas Kyle, Enoch Harris, Nathan Kyle, Samuel
Kratzer, J. Grant, and Michael Clark The view
ers were: Charles Cooper, John Harrod, and Hen
ry Roberts. Surveyor, John Dunlap. The return
was made to the county commissioners June 12th,
and confirmed in September, 1810.
Joseph Eichar, Benjamin Martin, and James
Carpenter were appointed by the State commission
ers to lay out a road from Mt. Vernon to Dela
ware, Ohio. They performed their duty and filed
a copy of the survey in the office of the commis
sioners of Knox county, September 1, 1817. The

RESIDENCE OF JUDGE C. E. CRITCHFIELD,
East Chestnut Street, Mt. Vernon, O.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

499

road is now known as the "Old Delaware Road,"
and passes through the northern part of Liberty
township. The "New Delaware Road" was also
laid out under the auspices of the State. Freder
ick Avery, John Storm, and George Lewis were ap
pointed, February 22, 1830, commissioners to lay
out said road, and filed a copy of the survey in the
office ofthe county commissioners, November 30th,
of the same year.
Gilman Bryant built the first successful mill on
Dry creek, near the present site of the county in
firmary. In 1824 he built a saw-mill, and in 1825
erected a grist-mill. John Wilson built a corn
cracker at the Proper place in 1829, and Albertus
Bird built a saw-mill in 1832 on the property now
occupied by Harman Hollister. In 1827 Samuel
Thatcher, sr., built a saw-mill on fhe north fork of
Dry creek, one and a half miles north of Mt.
Liberty, and in 1839 he built a carding-mill on the
south fork, one-half mile west of the present site of
Mt. Liberty. He conducted the latter about two
years and then abandoned it. Mr. Thatcher seems
to have had a mania for building mills, for he
shortly after built another saw-mill just south of
the village, and sold it to George Beardsheare.
This mill is still standing.
A saw- and grist-mill was built by Mr. Thatcher
in 1847, on the north side of the creek, just below
Mt. Liberty, and sold to Mr. John Inscho. John
D. Higgins subsequently purchased this mill and
turned it into a barn, and in 1865 it was burnt.
In 1862 two steam saw-mills were run in the village
by Youngblood & Weller, and Peter Shafer.
Francis Wilkins was the first regular hotel-keeper.
He lived in a brick house on the Columbus road,
one mile west of the east line of Liberty township,
in 1827. This building is yet standing, but is no
longer used for hotel purposes. For many years it
was kept by Jerome Rowley, a very clever gentle
man, now well along in years, and a resident of
Mt. Vernon. This tavern was in its day a noted
stopping place for stages and travellers long before
the advent of railroads; and also for sleighing and
dancing parties.
Samuel Thatcher, sr., in 1833 opened a hotel on
the Columbus road just west of Mt. Liberty, and
kept entertainment for man and beast till 1838,
when he rented it to a Mr. Baggs, moved to the

Carter place, built a new house and opened a hotel
at the east end of the village in 1839. This house
Mr. Thatcher sold to James Severe, in 1841, who
kept it about one year, and was succeeded by Har
rison and John Thompson. They were followed
successively by a Mr. Eastman, James Emery,
John Thompson, and lastly by Isaac Hawkins.
James Osborn opened a public house in the village
of Mt. Liberty in 1843, where George Shaffer now
lives, and Charles Bird kept tavern about the same
time in the building now occupied by David Tee-
garden. Mr. Bird was followed by James Emery.
After Mr. Emery's occupancy, the building was
used as a store until 1880, when Mr. Teegarden
reconstructed it as a hotel.
The county commissioners ordered an election
for township officers, to be held at the school house
near Francis Wilkins' on the fifteenth day of June,
1822. That was the first election ever held in the
township, but unfortunately, as is too frequently
the case, no record of the proceedings was pre
served, and it is impossible at this date to ascer
tain who composed the first board of officers.
The following is a list of the justices of the
peace for Liberty township :
Frederick Carey, from 1822 to 1828; Francis
Wilkins, 1828-33; Christopher Wolfe, 1831-37;
Luther Hill and Joseph Shaw, 1837; W. E. Da
vidson, 1839-44; William Oram and Joseph Shaw,
1842; Christopher Wolfe, 1844; John Inscho,
1846; Christopher Wolfe, 1847; John Inscho,
1849; Christopher Wolfe, 1850; James Severe,
1852; Christopher Wolfe, 1853; James Severe,
1855; A. Dalrymple, 1856; James Severe, 1858;
J. H. Tarr, 1858-63; Arthur Pratt, 1861; Charles
Wright, 1863; John H. Tarr and Corbin Line-
weaver, 1864; John H. Tarr and George R. Bowl-
by, 1867; Rezin B. Walsh and John W. Jackson,
1870; John Koonsman and G. W. Duval, 1873;
Frank Snyder and John Koonsman, 1876; Frank
Snyder and Jonathan Tucker, 1878; John Koons
man and William H. Smith, 1879.
Rezin B. Walsh is township clerk; Robert D.
McBride and Joseph C. Bricker, constables; Je
rome Bricker, treasurer; Andrew J. Sharpneck, as
sessor; Ransom Yoakam, Emmet L. Cotton, and
E. M. Hyatt, trustees; and Jesse P. Robertson, T.
J. Brown, J. Gardner, W. G. Lohr, William Col-

5°°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

ville, T. F. Cole, and Christian Tarr, board of edu
cation. Mt. Liberty is the principal town in Liberty town
ship and is situated on the State road leading from
Mt. Vernon to Columbus, in the heart of a product
ive country on Dry creek. The land on which the
town, stands was owned and the town laid out by
Samuel Thatcher, sr., and George Beardsheare,
October 8, 1835. T. G. Plummer was the surveyor.
The growth of the town was slow until the com
pletion of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus
railroad, since which time it has improved more
rapidly, and now presents quite a business appear
ance. The following is an inventory of the business of
the town : One railroad depot, express and ticket
agent, George M. Shaffer; one hotel, D. L. Tee-
garden; one post-office, J. P. Wintermute, post
master; one steam saw- grist- and planing-mill,
Peter Batty; one water saw-mill, A. Miser; two dry
goods stores, J. P. Wintermute and M. E. Dumfee;
groceries, W. R. Rowland; agricultural implements
and buggies, J. B. Brokaw; physicians, A. P. Rob
ertson and C. R. Bradfield; blacksmiths, D. Mostel-
ler and W. O. Coe; shoemaker, L. D. Campbell;
harnessmaker, George Kraft; stock dealers; T. D.
Updike and Isaac Hawkins; carpenters H. R.
Bostwick and Jonathan Tucker; butchers, Jackson
& Conway; grain dealer, G. M. Shaffer; painter,
Fenner K. Robertson; lumber dealers, H. W. Mos-
teller and N. L. Sperry; one church, Methodist
Episcopal; one graded school, B. F. Morris and
Philena Barr, teachers; one lodge of Sons of Tem
perance and one lodge of Knights of Honor.
There are at present one hundred and seventy-five
inhabitants. The following interesting matter regarding the
Wintermute family is furnished by Mr. J. P. Win
termute :
The Wintermute family is of German extraction;
and tradition says the founder thereof in this coun
try was a sailor who, when his vessel was lying off
the coast of New Jersey, went on shore with others
of the crew, and, being pleased with the country,
concluded to remain. Below will be found the in
scription on his tomb-stone in the Stillwater ceme
tery, New Jersey, with the translation of the same,
which was copied from the stone by Mr. J. P. Win

termute, while on a visit there in the fall of 1876:
ALHIER Here
RUHET in GOt IOH: GEORG Rest in God; George
WINDEMUTH GEBOHREN Windemuth born n May
D: n MAY 1711 INPUNG- 1711 in the town of Inpung
STAD. in EUROPA. NAGHAME- in Europe. Came to

America in the year 1736
and was married to M.
EI. Bernhartin in the
year 1739 and had 8
children. Lived in
wedlock 43 years and 3
months. He died
in the year 1782 tlie
19th of Dec, in the evening
at 10 P. M. His age
was 71 years 3 months and
8 days, and left behind
3 sons and 3 daughters
alive.

RIGAKOMEN, Ano 1736
VERHEYRATH MIT, M :
EL : BERNHARTIN Ano
1739, und ZEUGETeN 8
KINDER : LEBETE IM
EHESTAND 43 IAHR
UND 3 MONATH ANO
1782 den 19 DEC. Abend
UM 10 UHRSTARB ER
SEIN ALTER WAR 71
IAHR 3 MON : UND 8-
TAGE, Und VERLIES
3 SoHNE und 3 ToCH-
TeR LEBEND
Of these children one is renowned as having
built Fort Wintermoot, near Wilkesbarre, Pennsyl
vania. One was said to have been killed in the
massacre of the Wyoming, one killed in battle, one
uniting his fortunes with the British removed to
Canada, where his descendants now reside, near
Fort Erie, and who are reputed to be quite wealthy.
Another, the grandfather of J. P. Wintermute, after
bringing up a large family at the old home in New
Jersey, finally in his old age removed to Fayette
county, Pennsylvania, where several of his children
were residing, and where he died at the ripe age of
ninety years. The various branches of the family'
have been noted for their longevity.
Bangs is the name of a small village situated on
the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad,
near the eastern line of Liberty township. It was
named after George H. Bangs; superintendent of
United States mail routes, at the time the post-
office was established at that place.
In 1872, when the railroad was under construc
tion, William H. Smith purchased the adjoining
land of Shannon Rowley, built a house and opened
a store just opposite the county infirmary. He
was appointed postmaster in 1873, and still holds
that office, Mr. L. H. Burgess being his deputy.
Mr. Smith kept store about three years, and then
went to dealing in live stock. In 1875 Isaac
Babbs built a store room and opened a grocery.
He continued in the business till 1880, when he
was succeeded by L. H. Burgess, who now keeps
the only store in the village. Charles Casteel lo-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

5°i

cated here in 1876 and engaged in blacksmithing.
William Lee is the village shoemaker. Mr. Smith
sold off lots as occasion required, but the town was
never regularly platted till in the fall of 1880. It
now contains eleven dwellings and fifty-six inhabit
ants. Dr. Henry A. Childs was the first resident phy
sician in Mount Liberty. He began practice in
1837, and was followed by Drs. Riggs, Gunsaulus,
Foutz, Hildreth, Barkis, Duke, Deckrow, Russell,
Green, Bradfield and Robertson.
Henry Lavering kept a small store in 1829,
where the house of Henderson Bird now stands.
It was a rather diminutive establishment, but as it
supplied the people with the necessaries of life,
powder, lead, tobacco, whiskey and a small assort
ment of groceries and dry goods — it is entitled to
the name of the first store.
The next venture in the mercantile line was
made by Norton B. Rice in 1832, who rented a
part of Samuel Thatcher's house — afterwards known
as "Thatcher's tavern." Mr. Rice did a good busi
ness, and was followed successively by Samuel
Thatcher, sr., John W. Cotton & Company, Con
way & Arnold, Daniel Veatch, William Cooper,
Luther Hill, Conway & Higgins, Harman, Hollis
ter, Douglass Bryant, Bowlsby & Campbell, J. P. '
Wintermute and J. P. Davis.
Henry Lavering who kept the first store was also
the first postmaster. He was appointed in 1832,
and his successors have been James Severe, John
W. Cotton, Luther Hill, John McAllister, Dr.
Henry A. Childs, William Conway, Prentice S.
Wilson, William McGaughey, E. D. Bryant, D. K.
Waldruff, Judson Hildreth, C. R. Lineweaver,
Daniel Veatch, G. R. Bowlby and J. P. Winter
mute. Mr. Wintermute, the present incumbent,
has been postmaster during the last twelve years.
William Nash has the credit of teaching the first
school in Liberty township, as early as 181 1, in the
vicinity of Michael Yoakam's. The facilities of ac
quiring an education at that time were very meagre,
and both the school room and its appointments of
the most primitive type, but he taught what was
then considered an excellent school. John Yoakam,
one of his pupils, then eleven years of age, still
retains a lively recollection of the log cabin, with
its puncheon furniture and clapboard roof. Books

were a luxury, possessed only by the few, the
school-book fiend having not yet been developed —
but the inventive genius of Mr. Yoakam's mother
was equal to the occasion. She cut letters out of
a newspaper, pasted them on a paddle and sent
him on his way rejoicing, happy in possession of
his first spelling book. The snows of seventy
winters have come and gone since then. The little
band that composed Nash's school has been scat
tered far and wide. One by one they have passed
over the silent river; only one remains.
The pioneer preacher of this locality was Rev.
Thomas Carr, of the Methodist Episcopal church,
who filled appointments regularly in 18 14. Rev.
John Raymond was also an early herald of the
cross. Like the majority of the early itinerants, he
was a pious and zealous man, travelled over a great
extent of territory on horseback, following blazed
trails, and preached wherever he could collect an
audience. These men and others continued to
preach at intervals in the settlement, but no regu
lar class was formed until 1837. Father Conant
preached in the old log school house which stood
on the ground occupied by the present Mt. Liberty
school building. The class was composed of
Charles Wright, Joanna Wright, John Zent, 
Spellman, Martha Spellman, Allen Spellman and
his wife, Keziah Robertson, Eliza Robertson, John
Wilson, son and daughter. Charles Wright was
the first leader. From this class Mt. Liberty
Episcopal church originated. The early meetings
were held in the school house above referred to,
then in the church at Mt. Liberty, open to all de
nominations (afterwards known as the Christian
meeting house). In 1845, under the auspices of
Rev. Mr. Berry, a neat frame building thirty-six by
forty-five feet was erected in the village of Mt.
Liberty, which is still occupied as a house of wor
ship. In the Methodist Episcopal connection
where the itineracy obtains it is difficult to give the
succession of pastors, and it is not here attempted.
Rev. Joseph McK. Barnes is the present pastor.
Present number of members, fifty-four. Class
leaders, Wesley Jackman, and Wellington Winter
mute. A Sunday-school of about forty scholars is
connected with this church. Thomas Brimma-
combe is superintendent.
The Christian church of Liberty township was

502

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

organized in 1830, by Rev. Daniel Long. The
original members were Hugh Beardsheare, Riley
Beardsheare, Sarah Yoakam, Sheldon Riley, Sarah
Riley, John Lineweaver, Dorothy Lineweaver, Mary
McLain, .Elizabeth Wilson, Jesse Higgins, James
Severe, Elizabeth Colany, Daniel Decker, and
David Stothard. John Stevens and John Higgins
were the first deacons, and James Coleman, clerk.
When Samuel Thatcher and George Beardsheare
laid out the town of Mt. Liberty they donated lot
48 for the use of the religious public. Accordingly
a subscription was raised and a union meeting
house was erected on said lot. It was a frame,
twenty-eight by thirty-eight, two stories high, con
taining a gallery, and was to be used in common
by all demominations. The Christians, Disciples
and Methodists were its principal occupants, but
in time the Christians becoming the more numer
ous it came to be known as the Christian church.
The building is still standing, though not in use.
Neither the Christians nor Disciples have at this
time any stated preaching.
Friendship Methodist Protestant church was
organized in the month of March, 1834, in a log
house owned by Thomas Higgins, by Rev. Frank
lin L. Flowers. The early members of Friendship
were Berry Roby, Margaret Roby, Amelia Brown,
Ann Brown, Richard Harding, Ann Harding,
Philip Holland, Sarah Holland, Henry Lewis and
his wife. The early meetings of this society were
held in the log house already referred to for sev
eral years. The preaching was generally on a
week day instead 01 on the Sabbath. In 1841 the
place of meeting was changed to near the centre
of the township, on the New Delaware road and
near the site of the present church building. Gen
eral prosperity attended the society, and many
members were added to the roll. In 1843 what
was known as the Old Friendship meeting-house
was built, and occupied the lot on the north side
of the road. New Friendship edifice stands on
the south side of the road, and was built in 1870,
at a cost of one thousand six hundred dollars.
• The successive pastors have been Franklin L.
Flowers, David Howell, John Herbert, John
Beatty, Moses Scott, George Clancey, W. A
Sampson, J. M. Woodward, T. L. Dibble, and G.
W. Hissey. Rev. J. H. Hamilton is the present

incumbent. The present number of members is
eighty-five. A prosperous Sunday school is con
nected with this church, of which William Bryan
is superintendent. Beulah Methodist Protestant church is located
on the Mt. Vernon & Columbus road, in the south
eastern part of the township, near Bangs Station.
This church was first organized on the fourteenth
day of November, 1847, with Rev. Abram K.
Earle as pastor. Amongst the original members
were Berry Roby, Margaret Roby, Garretson
Brown, Ann Brown, Amelia Brown, Lydia Orme,
and Ann Brown.
Meetings were held in Bird's school-house up to
the time of the erection of the present house of
worship in i860. Owing to the system of itineracy
which prevails iu the Methodist Protestant church,
as in the Methodist Episcopal, the regular succes
sion of ministers cannot be given. The following
persons have been pastor at various times : Rev.
A. K. Earle, J. W. Southard, G. M. Scott, E. S.
Hoagland, Isaac Fister, J. H. Hamilton, T. L.
Dibbs, J. M. Woodward, and G. W. Hissey. This
church has seventy-one members at present. The
Sunday-school connected with it was organized in
1 86 1, and has a present membership of sixty.
Benjamin Casteel is superintendent.
Liberty chapel, a Methodist Protestant church,
was organized in February, 1847, at Bedell's school-
house, in Liberty township, near the Old Dela
ware road, by Rev. John Lamb. The original
members were David Morris, Mary Morris, Mrs.
Richard Ewalt, Sarah Myers, John Garden and his
wife, Mrs. Dart, David Willis, Susan Willis, Seth
Willis, Mary Willis, and John Merrihew and wife.
The society continued to meet in Bedell's school-
house till the present chapel was erected in 1856.
The pastors at this chapel have been as follows :
Revs. John Lamb, Thomas Potter, S. Catlin, James
Winn, D. B. Dorsey, J. W. Southard, J. H. Hamil
ton, G. Clancey, Chauncey Baldwin, W. H. Mar
shall, A K. Earle, N. S. Brown, J. H. Hamilton,
George Burnes, A. Abbott, G. W. Hissey, W. A.
Sampson, E. W. Grimes, T. L. Dibble, J. W.
Woodward, and L. Bowman. The present member
ship is seventy.
The oldest public graveyard in Liberty township
is called Bird's graveyard, and is situated on the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

5°3

Columbus road, about three miles east of Mt.
Liberty, on the property of George Carey. Michael
Yoakam, who died in 1823, was the first person
buried here. There were several private burial
places in existence previous to this, but none set
apart for public use. The graveyard at Friend
ship church is also an old one. That at Mt. Lib
erty was established in 1835.
The Hopewell Division No. 63, of the sons of
temperance was organized at Mount Liberty, Octo
ber n, 1875, by State Deputy A. M. Collins. The
following is a list of the charter members: J. P.
Wintermute, J. W. Jackson, Edward Robertson,
C. R Lineweaver, Charles Lineweaver, Elmer
Higgins, Norman Jennings, Arnold Bishop, Silas
Woodruff, W. A. Thompson, N. D. Skillen, R. C.
Wintermute, Russel Bird, Cliff. Gaylord, J. Tucker,
Allen S. Bishop, Hiram Mostellar, Thomas Thatch
er, A. B. Collins, Dana Mitchell, Clayton Bishop,
Olen Conway, Edwin Borden, William Dick, J. W.
Moffit, Price Jennings, W. A. Wintermute, C. R.
Bradfield, Clara Carroll, Emma Carroll, Elsie
Jackson, Sadie Jackson, Minnie Davis, Angie
Thompson, Mary Jackson, Ettie A. Wintermute,
Annie Bishop, Mary Hawkins, Angie Dripps,
Huldah Carroll, Sarah M. Bradfield, Minerva Mof
fit, E. J. Shira, Ellen A. Borden, Ida Bishop, Olive
Bishop, Emma Cleghorn, Nettie Bishop, Millie
Lineweaver, Jane Baskins, Sarah A. Bishop, Luella
Bishop, Lola Wintermute, Mary E. McKnown,
Mary Robertson, J. A. Moffit, B. F. Bishop and
Edith Waldruff. The original officers were : J. W.
Jackson, W. P.; Mrs. E. A. Borden, W. A.; J. P.
Wintermute, R. S. ; Mrs. Angie Thompson, A. R. S. ;
J. W. Moffit, F. S.; C. R Lineweaver, Tr.; W.
A. Wintermute, Chap. ; Russel Bird, Cond. ; Miss
Elsie Jackson, A. C. ; Miss Emma Carroll, J. S. ;
W. A Thompson, O. S.; Mrs. Sarah M. Bradfield,
P. W. P.; Dr. C. R. Bradfield, D. G. W. P. The
first meeting was held in the Methodist Episcopal
church. Afterwards the meetings were held in the
hall belonging to the Knights of Honor until 1877.
The society now meets every Saturday night in
Jackson hall.
The present officers are : Arnold Bishop, W. P.
J. W. Hawkins, R. S. ; Miss Ida Bishop, A. R. S.
Mrs. Ettie Wintermute, F. S. ; J. W. Jackson, Tr.
J. P. Robertson, Chap. ; H. W. Mostellar, Cond.

Miss Sadie Jackson, A. C; Miss Emma Hawkins,
J. S.; Benson Bishop, O. S.; Mrs. Mary J. Jack
son, P. W. This was not the first organization of
this character in Mount Liberty. From 1840 to
i86o,a lodge of the Sons of Temperance and a
lodge of Good Templars were in existence, and both
did a good work. Whiskey was in common use in
those days and the evil grew so rapidly that the
people were generally alarmed, and these lodges
sprang up all over the country. The lodges in
Mount Liberty were both in a flourishing condition
many years, and many a middle-aged man of to
day attributes his freedom from the habit of drink
ing, to the solemn pledges and oaths taken in those
organizations. Arnold Bishop whose name ap
pears above, was long a member of one or both of
these organizations. Dr. McGugin, a farmer and
a man of a good deal of ability and influence in
Mount Liberty, was saved from a drunkard's grave
by the old organization of the Sons of Temperance.
The good they accomplished cannot be computed
by figures. They very nearly or quite accomplished
the objects for which they were organized, and
passed away about the beginning of the war.
Mount Liberty Lodge, No. 41, of the Knights of
Honor was organized at Shaffers' hotel in Mount
Liberty, December 17, 1874, by Deputy Supreme
Dictator, S. D. Thompson of Mount Vernon,
Ohio. The charter members were: J. W. Williams, C.
J. Updike, F. Snyder, D. Wilson, C. R. Bradfield,
W. G Bradfield, G. J. Collins, S. Jaggers, J. W.
Jackson, John Thompson, P. Shaffer, A. P.
Robertson, E. Sharpnack, J. W. Moffit.
Original officers: J. W. Williams, P. D; C. J.
Updike, F. Snyder, V. D.; W. G. Bradfield, A. D.;
E. Sharpnack, guide; J. W. Moffit, Rep.; J. P.
Robertson, F. R. ; J. W. Jackson, Tr. G. J. Collins,
sentinel. This society meets in their own hall on each
alternate Tuesday evening. The present number
of members is thirty, and the present officers as
follows: J. W. Robertson, D. ; H. W. Mostellar,
V. D. ; Jonathan Tucker, A. D. ; H. R Bostwick,
reporter; B. F. Morris, F. R.; J. W. Jackson, Tr.;
H. H. Robertson, G; C. R. Bradfield, Chap; Wil
liam Austin, guard ; F. S. Rowley, sentinel.
Liberty township is a good agricultural district.

5°4

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

The first threshing-machine was introduced by
Leonard Weaver, and the first mower by Amos
Leech. The following statistics may be found
useful. :
Population in 1880, 1,036; total number of acres
in the township, 16,072; number of acres under
cultivation, 4,496 ; number of acres in pasture, 9,-
510; acres in wheat, 1,096; bushels of wheat, 14,-
239; acres of oats, 586; bushels of oats, 14,442;
acres in corn, 1,854; bushels of corn, 46,344;
acres in meadow, 1,510; tons of hay, 937; acres
in potatoes, 69; bushels of potatoes, 5,032; pounds
of wool, 22,864; pounds of butter, 31,251.
Number of horses in the township, 385 ; assessed
value of the same, $18,258; number of cattle, 991,
assessed value of the same, $14,516; number of
sheep, 6776; assessed value of same, $12,829;
number of hogs, 1,632; assessed value of same,
$2,533; moneys and credits, $67,923; total value
of all taxable personal property, $189,538.

CHAPTER LVII.
MIDDLEBURY TOWNSHIP.
Formation — Boundaries — Topography— First Settlers
— "Friends" — Daniel Levering — Truman Strong —
Batemans — Sarah Stellwell — Later Settlers of
Prominence — Roads — Mills — Elections — Justices —
Present Officers — Waterford — "Levering's" Post-
office — "Friends" Meeting-house — Other Churches
—Odd Fellows — Schools — Noted Men — Population
— Production.
MIDDLEBURY township was erected by act
of the commissioners, December 3, 1823, as
the following extract from their journal shows:
Ordered, That the following bounds be laid off into a separ
ate township, to wit : ' ' Beginning at the southeast corner of the
eighth township, in the fourteenth range, and running west on
said township line to the southwest corner of said township ;
thence north on the line between the fourteenth and fifteenth
ranges to the boundary line; thence westerly on said boundary
line to where the nearest north and south line in the new pur
chase strikes said boundary line; thence north on said north
and south line to the north boundary of Knox county; thence
east on the county line to where the west boundary line of
Berlin township strikes said county line; thence south on the
west boundary of said Berlin township to the place of begin
ning; which shall henceforth be entitled to all the privileges of a

separate and distinct towhship, in the county of Knox, and be
known and distinguished as Middlebury township."
An election was ordered to be held at the house
of Luther Bateman on the first Monday in April,
1824, for the purpose of electing township officers.
Again, on the ninth day of March, 1825, the
county commissioners had Middlebury township
under consideration, and enacted as follows :
Middlebury township shall be composed of the following
bounds, to wit: "Beginning at the northwest corner of the
seventh township in the fourteenth range; thence north on the
range line to the Indian boundary line; thence southwesterly to
Franklin township; thence north on the east boundary of Frank
lin to the county line; thence east to the line between the fifth
and sixth sections in Knox county; thence south on said line to
the old Indian boundary line; thence northeasterly on said line
to where the range line between the thirteenth and fourteenth
ranges strikes said boundary; thence south on said boundary to
the northwest corner of township seven, in range thirteen;
thence west on the township line to the place of beginning."
The township thus constituted is situated in the
northwest corner of the county, and is composed
of twelve and one-half square miles of territory,
south of the Greenville treaty line, in the United
States Military district, and seven and one-half
square miles of territory, north of said treaty line,
the latter being Congress land.
The surface of the country is gently rolling and
well adapted to farming purposes. The soil is
good, being composed of the debris of the olive
shales mixed with glacial drift, and sufficiently im
pregnated with lime to render it very productive.
Owl creek traverses the township from northwest
to southwest, affording ample drainage and con
siderable water-power which the early settlers did
not fail to improve.
The first permanent settlers of Middlebury town
ship were Friends, from Frederick county, Mary
land. In the fall of 1806 William W. Farquhar
arrived in Knox county, and stopped temporarily
with Henry Roberts in Morris township, but shortly
thereafter in company with other Friends located
at Fredericktown in Wayne township. Here he
remained till 1808, when he moved to Middlebury
and settled on the William Burkholder place, two
miles north of Fredericktown, where he died. Mr.
Farquhar was quite a prominent man. On the
fourteenth of February, 1808, the general assembly
of Ohio chose the first associate judges of Knox
county, and William W. Farquhar was selected as

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

5°5

one of them. He discharged the duties of that
office with faithfulness and ability till December 12,
1813, when he resigned. The first jury case ever
tried in the supreme court for Knox county, was
that of William W. Farquhar vs. James Craig, in
which a verdict was rendered in favor of the
plaintiff for one hundred and three dollars and sixty
cents. Mr. Farquhar was a stockholder in the Owl
Creek bank, owning fifteen shares in that institu
tion. In the year 1818 he was elected to the
legislature from Knox county. Basil Farquhar,
at an advanced age, still resides in Middlebury
, township. Samuel Wilson, another Friend from Frederick
county, Maryland, came about the same time as
Farquhar and located in the Quaker settlement.
His name appears on the poll book of the first
election held in Wayne township, October 11, 1808,
and in 181 2 he was one ofthe judges of election in
the same township. Mr. Wilson was a zealous
member of the Friends society of Owl creek, and
ran off an acre of land from the southeast corner of
his farm which he donated to that society on which
to erect a meeting-house. His son Joseph for a
time occupied the old homestead, but it finally
passed into the hands of strangers.
Thomas Townsend located on the A. M. Town-
send property, one and one-half miles north of Fred
ericktown in 1808. He was one of the Friends
from Maryland, and true to his Quaker principles,
kept a station on "the underground railroad." It
is related of him that he would harbor as many as
twenty fugitive slaves at a time, and when they
were sufficiently recruited, set their faces toward
the north star, and send them on their way rejoic
ing. Mr. Townsend died March 18, 1859, aged
seventy-eight. He has no representative now in
the township.
Samuel Willett was another of the Quaker frater
nity who located on section twenty-one, north of
Fredericktown in 1808.
Robert Wright and Jesse Vore were also early
settlers of the same persuasion.
The names of John and Jacob Cook appear on
the poll book of the first election held in Wayne
township, at the time it included Middlebury.
They came from Washington county, Pennsylvania,
and after sojourning for a time in Fredericktown,

located in the southeast corner of Middlebury
township in 1809. John Cook reared a family of
ten children. His daughter, Armanella, married
Noah Levering, and reared a family of ten chil
dren — seven of whom are still living. She died
June 13, 1879, in the seventy-first year of her age,
and was buried in Levering graveyard, near Water-
ford. Richard Hall was also an early settler. His vote
is recorded October 11, 1808. He lived on his
farm, south of the present residence of N. M.
Strong, where he died and was buried.
Thomas Finch and John Mitchell were early
settlers at Waterford. Mitchell's location is not
definitely known, but Finch located on the property
now owned and occupied by William Penn, ad
joining the town plat of Waterford.
Daniel Levering came to Knox county from Bed
ford county, Pennsylvania, prior to the War of 1812,
purchased some land of John Mitchell, near Water
ford, and entered some other tracts. In the spring
of 18 1 3 he moved his family to his new home, and
during the summer, with the assistance of a few
others, built a block-house on his farm as a protec
tion against the Indians. Mr. Levering was quite
an ingenious man. He opened the first black
smith shop in the township and built tbe first grist
mill — a history of which is given elsewhere. He
reared a large family, provided each with a home,
and "left his foot-prints on the sands of time." He
died December 31, 1820, aged fifty-six years and
eleven months. His wife, Mary, died October 24,
1846, in her eighty-fifth year. Of his children,
Grace, the oldest, married William Rambo, and
died at Rich Hill, Knox county, January 8, 1853,
aged sixty-four; Henry married Dinah Cook, the
first marriage in the township; Charles went to
Iowa, where he died; Nathan died December 20,
1872, aged seventy-seven years, and was buried at
the old homestead; John was a prominent business
man at Waterford for many years, and died March
13, 187 1, in the seventy-fourth year of his age;
Noah was one of the proprietors of the town of
Waterford, an enterprising business man, and died
March 4, 1 881, in the seventy-ninth year of his
age, and was buried in a reserved lot of the grave
yard he had donated to the public ; Joseph died
May 26, 1871, in the sixty-eighth year of his age;

5°<?

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

and William died September 4, 1864, aged eighty-
four years.
Truman Strong was born March 7, 1790, at
Poultney, Vermont, married Polly Ashley, March
21, 181 1, came to Knox county in 181 2, and lo
cated on lot eleven in the southwest quarter of
Middlebury township. He was a minister in the
Universalist church, travelled extensively and
preached wherever he went. He also figured as a
fourth of July' orator, as the following extract from
a published account of a celebration "by a respect
able number of citizens of Wayne township," in
1816, shows: "The Declaration of Independence
was read by Jabez Beers, and a patriotic and very
animated oration delivered by Truman Strong.''
He reared a family of five children, Harvey A,
Truman C, Eliza P., Franklin P. and Norman
Murray Strong. The latter is the only one now
living in the township.
Zebulon Ashley was born in Poultney, Vermont,
married Thankful Pond, September 25, 1770, and
moved to Middlebury township, Knox county,
Ohio, in the fall of 1812. He located on lot
twenty-two, ' and reared a family of six children,
none of whom are now living in the township.
Mr. Ashley died March 4, 1835, and was buried in
the cemetery, the ground for which had been do
nated to the public by him.
Munson Pond was born in Stockbridge, Berk
shire county, Massachusetts, September 18, 1772,
married Anna Allen, June 17, 1796, at Middle
bury, Vermont. She died in April, 1799, when he
married Ruth Bateman in 1800, and came to Mid
dlebury township in the early part of 18 15. He
settled on lot six, now known as the Elizabeth
Ladd farm, and essayed to open up a farm. On
this tract grew a sycamore tree twelve feet in diam
eter. This tree being hollow was cut down, a
fourth of July celebration held in a section of it,
and then turned into a bedroom. Mr. Pond
remained here until 1830 when he removed to
Huron county, Ohio.
Luther and Alvin Bateman came from Vermont
about 1815, and settled in the vicinity of Bateman-
town. They tried hard to emulate the example of
Romulus and Remus, but the fates seemed to be
against them. Batemantown as an embryo city
was not a success. Luther Bateman died July 2,

1852, in his sixty-fourth year, and Alvin died Octo
ber 18, 1856, aged sixty-three.
John Ackerman settled in the northwest corner
of Middlebury township in 1813. His sons
Stephen, Morgan, Leander and Harvey, are still
residents ofthe township.
Jonathan, David, Richard and Robert Ewers
emigrated from Loudoun county, Virginia, and lo
cated in the eastern part of the township. They
all raised large families, so that the name has be
come quite common in the neighborhood. Jacob
Young had a saw-mill and corn cracker on the
south fork of Owl creek in 1813, and was elected
associate judge in 1813, to fill the vacancy occa
sioned by the resignation of Hon. W. Farquhar.
William and Basil Murphy found a home one
mile north of Batemantown in 1815, and in 1816
commenced the tanning business, which they car
ried on until 1863. Basil Murphy still resides near
the old homestead, and William lives in Frederick-
town. Sarah Murphy, the mother of Basil, and at
whose house the first Methodist class-meeting was
held, died January 9, 1854, in the seventy-ninth
year of her age, and was buried in Levering's
graveyard. Obadiah Stillwell was born in Bedford county,
Pennsylvania, March 27, 1776. Sarah Warford
was born at the same place March 7, 1782. They
were married March 6, 1804, and came "to Knox
county, Ohio, in October, 1817. Mr. Stillwell
made his home on the northeast quarter of section
nine, in the western part of Middlebury township.
Here he reared a family of six children, Joseph W.,
Charlotte, Rachel, Arthur and Josiah M. Joseph
moved to Morrow county, but returned and is now
living in Waterford. Charlotte and Rachel are
dead. Jackson moved to Illinois and Arthur to
Iowa. Josiah lives on a part of the old farm, while
the old homestead itself is occupied by the widow,
Sarah Stillwell, now in her one hundredth year,
and from whom the above facts were obtained.
Warren Owen came to the township in 181 7,
and William Watkins in 18 19. The Johnsons,
Denmans, Stevenses, Walterzes, Ebersoles, Gra
hams, Zolmans, Comforts, Fiddlers, Cravens,
Eaveses, McPhersons and Martins were also early
settlers of more or less prominence.
These were the men who felled the forests,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

5°7

cleared the ground, erected the log cabins and
made civilization possible. As education was an
essential element in the development of the race, a
school was taught in one of the log houses by Dan
iel Levering in 18 14; he also taught the first sing
ing school. The first brick house in the township
was built on the J. B. Blackburn place by Darius
Strong. A road from Fredericktown by way of Cook's and
Wilson's to Mansfield, was petitioned for June 5,
1809, by William Y. Farquhar, Joseph Moore, Am-
ariah Watson, William W. Farquhar, Samuel Wat
son Daniel Ayers, Alexander Avery, Peter Wolf,
James Ayers, Samuel Wilson, John Kerr, William
Smith, Willis Speakman, John Cook, Thomas
Townsend, Jacob Casper Fitting, Jeremiah Brown,
Enoch Farquhar, William Mitchell, N. M. Young,
E. N. Taylor, Daniel Johnson, Thomas Clark, jr.,
Amos Hartley and John Click.
Casper Fitting, James Bryant and Henry Roberts
were appointed to view the same, and Jacob Young
surveyor. These parties made their return July
1, 1809, and the road was confirmed by the county
commissioners, Septembers, 1809.
"Pond's road" was laid out from Fredericktown
to Munson Pond's; thence to Luther Bateman's;
thence to Daniel Levering's blacksmith shop, on a
petition of Munson Pond, Luther Bateman, Henry
Levering, Charles Levering, Augustus Strong, Zeb-
ulon Ashley, Abel Pond, Abel Convers, Abner
Ayers, G. B. Mansfield, John Williams, David
Graham, Alfred Manning, Robert Buchanan and
Thomas Nevins. The viewers appointed by the
county commissioners were William W. Farquhar,
John Lewis and Henry Maikley; Darius Strong
was appointed surveyor.
A remonstrance having been presented to the
commissioners, a review was ordered and returned
December 3, 181 7. It was confirmed as a county
road in June, 181 8, and made a State road in 1826.
The first saw- and grist-mill in Middlebury
township was built by Daniel Levering at Water
ford about 1815. He first erected a saw-mill, and
shortly after put up a grist-mill with two run of
buhrs, which he operated until his death in 1820,
when the mill came into possession of his son, John
Levering. He sold to Alfred Walters, and he to
J. C. Stump, who rebuilt the mills in i860 and

christened them "Owl Creek Mills." Joel Starmer
was the proprietor who ran the same about seven
years, when he traded the property to Dawson &
Badger, and in 1875 Newton McCluckion bought
Badger's interest. In February, 1876, Dawson sold
out to J. Williams, when McCluckion purchased
Williams' interest, and is at the present time sole
proprietor. The mills are situated in the centre of
a productive country and do a good business.
There was a saw-mill, fulling-mill and carding
machine at Batemantown in 1824, but it was a
short-lived institution.
Craft's mill was originally a saw-mill, and in
1840 James Blair erected a grist-mill on the site,
which he operated about fifteen years, and then
sold to Washington Ewers. Elias Craft bought
out Ewers in 1865, and put in an extra pair of
buhrs. The mill is now owned and operated by
W. H. & A. L. Craft. It is situated on Owl creek
on the northwest quarter of.section twenty-two.
Abner Trowbridge built a saw-mill on lot 26, on
the west fork of Owl creek in 1830. In 1845 ne
sold to J. N. Gorden, and he to Gilbert Owens in
1855. After passing through several hands it be
came the property of J. L. Nicodemus, who still
owns it.
About 1850 William Watkins built a saw-mill
one-fourth of a mile above Nicodemus', which ran
five or six years and then ceased operations.
William Rambo, in 1845, built a saw-mill on
Owl creek about the centre of section four, which
he ran four or five years. After his death in 1853
it came into the possession of David Shaler, who
operated it until 1875, when it fell into disuse.
In 1850 R. D. Ketchum had a store in Bate
mantown, which he kept four or five years, when
he failed in business, and abandoned the enterprise.
A man named Hall tried the hotel business in
Batemantown but met with no better success; in
fact Batemantown seems doomed to never become
a town at all. A half dozen houses constitute the
village at present.
The first election was held at Luther Bateman's
in 1824. The following is a list of the justices of
the peace for Middlebury township: . James John
son, 1824, re-elected and served until 1848; James
Graham, elected in 1831, and served three terms;
Stephen McPherson, 1842 and 1845; Ezra Marvin

508

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

and John W. Loofborow, 1848 and 1 851; 'George
W. Ewers and Thomas Craven, 1852; J. D. Burke ;
and Daniel Ayres, 1855 ; J. D. Burke and Isaac
Lynde, 1858, 1861, and 1864; Daniel Rich
ards, 1865; David Ewers and David Cosner, 1867;
O. B. Johnson and William Penn, 1870 and 1873;
O. B. Johnson and J. L. Van Buskirk, 1876; F. V.
Owens and Daniel Randall, 1879; G..J. Ewers,
1881. The board of township officers is constituted as
follows: John W. Craven, William Cooke, and
Henry Wagner, trustees; George J. Ewers, treas
urer, Vincent E. Dye, clerk; A. S. Kirby, assessor;
-George E. Cook and F. H. Johnson, constables;
William Burkholder, A. S. Kirby, J. G. Bayer, A.
N. Wertz, Daniel Randall and George E. McKin-
ney, board of education; David Builyer, Robert
Martin, Jacob Zolman, Sylvester Caywood, J. C.
Levering, Jerry Williams, A. N. Wertz, G. B.
Ewers, F. C. Cochran, T. E. Carson, W. H.
Craven, and George Palmer, board of road super.
visors. The elections have always been held at Bate
mantown, except one year when Hezekiah Windom
was trustee. That year John Levering, by the mag
netic influence of a turkey dinner, drew the polls
to Waterford.
Waterford is situated on the north fork of Owl
creek, six miles north of Fredericktown. It was
laid out on the northwest quarter of section three,
town eight, and range fourteen, bf Congress lands,
north of the Greenville treaty line. The land was
owned by Josiah Fawcett and Noah L. Levering,
and was surveyed by Merritt M. Beam, November
25 and 26, 1841.
The first house was built on the town plat by
Josiah Fawcett.
The first store was kept by John and William
Levering before the town was laid out. In 1865
Levering sold out to Benedict & Smith. The
former sold his interest in the store to his partner
in 1866. Benedict disposed of the stock to Bar
ton and Leander Ackerman in 1867, and in 1868
they moved to Hagerstown.
Josiah Fawcett commenced keeping store about
1835, and continued in the business till 1858,
when he moved to Fredericktown.
In 1862 William Killen commenced merchan

dising in Waterford, at Josiah Fawcett's old stand,
and is still in the business.
The first post-office was established at Waterford,
October 25, 1836, and named "Levering," in.
honor of John and Noah Levering, - who were
instrumental in establishing a postal route from
Mount Vernon to Tiffin, Ohio, that year. While
the Democrats were in power John Levering was
secure in the possession of the post-office, but
with the accession of the Whigs to power the post-
office naturally gravitated towards the "shop across
the way," kept by Josiah Fawcett.
With the varying phases of political fortune the
post-office became a shuttlecock between rival
stores, and once, "While the lion and the unicorn
Fought for the crown,"
Batemantown stepped in and carried off the prize;
but it was not long permitted to remain at the rival
town. A united effort soon succeeded in restoring
the office to Waterford, where it has remained ever
since. Since 1853, the following persons have held
the office : Columbus Levering, Dr. Thomas Wat-
ters, J. D. Burke, Dr. Clayton W. Townsend,
Abraham Oberholtzer, Zoe Levering, Monroe
Keys, Frank V. Owen, and Curtis Hardgrove.
The first tavern in Waterford was kept by
Charles Wagner. He opened in 1844 and kept
till 1864, when he moved to Fredericktown. His
successor was Newton McCluckion, who still enter
tains strangers.
The practicing physicians of Waterford since
1841 have been: Drs. Copeland, Griffee, Turner,
Bird, Walters, Spooner, Townsend, Cook, King,
and C. C. Hill, a graduate of Jefferson Medical
college of Philadelphia.
Waterford at present contains one post-office,
Curtis Hardgrave, postmaster; one grist mill, New
ton McCluckion, proprietor; two churches, Meth
odist Episcopal and Presbyterian; one school-
house; one Odd Fellows' hall; two stores, Curtis
Hardgrove and William Killen, proprietors; one
hotel, N. McCluckion proprietor ; one blacksmith^
V. E. Dye; one shoemaker, J. G. Bayer; one
painter, E.' L. Grubb; one harness maker, George
Kolb; one sawyer, Robert Zolman; one barber,
L. L. . Glasser; twenty-three dwellings, and one
hundred and seven inhabitants.

~M2j&m&A*

QUAKER CHURCH.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

S°9

One fourth of a mile north of Waterford is a
cemetery which Noah Levering deeded to the
trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church in
1844, reserving one-fourth of an acre for the Lev
ering family. The first person buried here was
Allen Levering, January 26, 1817.
The Quaker graveyard is probably the oldest
burying ground in the township, but the date of
the first burial is not within the recollection of the
oldest inhabitant, and Quaker tombstones are pro
verbially as silent as the grave.
Some of the earliest and the principal settlers of
Wayne, Middlebury and Berlin townships have
been Friends, or Quakers, who emigrated from
Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Prominent
among them were John Lewis and family, Thomas
Townsend and family, Samuel Wilson and Family,
Amos Farquhar and family, Henry Roberts and
family, and Samuel Gregg and family. These peo
ple by strictly honest dealing and correct deport
ment won the respect and esteem of their neigh
bors, and by industry and economy added not a
little to the wealth and prosperity of the settlement.
People of their religious convictions and reverence
for the peculiar form of worship which character
ized their fathers, could not long remain destitute
of a place, as the Quaker poet expresses it —
"Where my brethren gather slow and calm."
So the Friends' society of Owl c:eek was organized
in 1809, and their meetings were held for some
time in private houses, and in course of time a
meeting house was erected. The first structure
was of the primitive type, composed of rough logs
ofthe forest, which answered its purpose till 1822,
when a brick building twenty-five by forty feet
square, with a large fireplace and chimney at each
end, was erected on the Fredericktown and Mans
field road, near the centre of section twenty. Here
for years the Friends met together on the first and
fourth days of the week to worship God according
to the dictates of their own consciences, with none
to molest or make them afraid, and perhaps no
people are more faithful to their Christian obliga
tions, or more punctual in their attendance at their
meetings than they. For some time these people
dwelt together in perfect harmony and friendship,
seeming to enjoy a realization of "peace on earth
and good will to men, " but the serpent of discord

netered the Eden of brotherly love, and a change
came over the spirit of their dreams. Elias Hicks
arose, and claiming to be guided by an inward
light superior to that which lighted the path of
George Fox, proclaimed divers new and strange
doctrines in the hearingof the heretofore solemn and
staid brotherhood. The consequence was, dissen-
tion in the course of time reached the Owl creek
society, and the sliding partition in the brick meet
ing house became a permanent line of division
between the Hicksites and the orthodox.
In their case the adage that, "a house divided
against itself cannot stand," was clearly verified,
and at this day scarcely anything remains to
memorize the Friends' society of Owl creek,
except the old brick meeting house, with its large
outside chimneys, plain front doors, moss-grown
roof and weather-beaten walls, as it still stands
there desolate and unoccupied in the pleasant
beech and maple grove, whose welcome shade long
years ago was sought by man and beast. There it
stands the very picture of desolation, gradually
yielding to the disintegrating tooth of time, des
tined soon to share the fate of the little flock that
used to meet within its walls.
The seasons roll on — spring time returns, and
with it the grass on the old churchyard comes forth,
matures, fades, and dies, untrodden by the foot of
man save by the stranger whose curiosity may have
led him thither. The beech and maple grove
obeys Nature's call, and in due time puts on its
robes of living green; the birds build their nests in
its branches and sing their merry songs; but the
ears that once heard them with so much pleasure
hear them no more. Eyes that gazed with delight
upon the surrounding forest see those beauties no
longer, for quietly they now sleep beneath the green
sod of the burying ground near the old church.
They have gone to rest while many of their off
spring have gone to seek their fortunes in the far
West, forgetting alike the scenes of their youth and
their early parental instructions.
Among the more recent faithful ones belonging
to this now extinct band were Joseph Barrington and
wife. Elizabeth, widow of Joseph Barrington, and
Birthday Cone are the only survivors that are now
living within the bounds of the old society. They
are now stricken in years, and when they have

5i°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

gone to their long home the last lights of the
Friends' society of Owl creek will have become ex
tinct. The class from which the Methodist Episcopal
chnrch of Batemantown originated was organized
at the house of Mrs. Sarah Murphy, one mile north
of Batemantown, in the spring of 1831. The or
iginal members were Alvin Bateman and Flora
Bateman, his wife ; Luther Bateman and Wealthy,
his wife; Sarah Murphy; William Murphy and
Sarah Ann, his wife; Jane Fiddler, Robert Murphy,
Charles Post, Hiram Murphy and Hannah, his
wife, and a man named Welch. Alvin Bateman
was the first leader. Leonidas Hamlin was the
first preacher and formed the class. This class
met at the house of Mrs. Murphy until 1832 when
a frame church, twenty-four by thirty-six, was erect
ed on the Main road about one-fourth of a mile
southeast of Batemantown. The trustees at that
time were William Murphy, Alvin Bateman, Lu
ther Bateman, Charles Post, and Robert Murphy.
In 1844 the congregation was divided, a part go
ing to Waterford where a society was formed, and
in 1856 the Bateman society erected a new frame
church, thirty by forty, at Batemantown in which
they still worship. The present number of mem
bers is about thirty. The leader is Zachariah
Zodiker. The first class of the Methodist Episcopal
church, organized in Waterford, was some time
previous to 1844, by Rev. Sandford Parker, and in
1844 a regular church organization was effected,
the following persons being members: William
McCluckion and Joanna, his wife; Lucinda Daw
son, Susan Dawson, Andrew Welch and Lydia, his
wife; Joseph Mann and Sarah, his wife; Charles
Wagner and Anna, his wife, and Jemima his
daughter; William Murphy and Sarah Ann, his
wife; Basil Murphy and Abigail, his wife; Hiram
Murphy and Hannah, his wife; Alfred Walters and
Winifred, his wife, and Elizabeth and Sarah V, his
daughters; John Levering and Charlotte, his wife;
Silas Pierson and Priscilla, his wife; N. Galliher,
Samuel Galliher and Phebe, his wife; Joseph
Galliher and America, his wife, David, his son, and
Elizabeth, his granddaughter; William Levering,
Ruth, his wife, Milton, his son, and Nancy, his
daughter, and Prelett Taft. The classleaders

were Joseph Mann, Samuel Galliher, and Alfred
Walters. In 1844 a neat frame church, forty by
sixty, was erected in Waterford, and the dedication
sermon preached by Rev. Adam Poe.
The following have been the preachers in charge
of this congregration : Revs. Sanford Parker, John
Scholes, Mansfield French, Hiram Shafer, 
Walter, John McNabb, James Wheeler, A K.
Owen, James Wheeler, Daniel Lambert, John Mc
Nabb, F. J. Close, John Mitchell, John Bloomfield,
Harvey H. Wilson, John Kellam, Oman Lawrence,
William Spafford, R. S. Moffatt, C. C. Ball, A. L.
S. Bateman, William Smith, G. R. Walker, W. W.
Smith, Silas Seymour, E. O. Buxton, M. B. Meade,
Elnathan Raymond, and James McMahon. The
maximum number of members was seventy-five.
The present is number, twenty. William Penn is
class leader.
The early Presbyterian preachers in the vicinity
of Waterford were Revs. James Scott and James
Cunningham, but no organization was effected till
1849, when Rev. J. M. Faris became pastor. He
was succeeded by Rev. John Hughes, and he by
Revs. Caldwell and Hamilton. The next in order
was Rev. Luke Dorland, succeeded by Rev. W.
W. Anderson. Following Anderson came Revs.
Brown and McClelland. The present pastor is
Rev. W. M. Ferguson. The first members of ses
sion were J. J. Turner and William Killen. In
1849 a neat frame church, forty by fifty, was
erected at the west end of the village, and the
Presbyterian church of Waterford became one of
the institutions of the town. The number of mem
bers is not known.
The Seventh Day Adventist church of Water
ford, was organized at the house of E. C. Penn, in
Morrow county, Ohio, by Elder O. Mars, of Bowl-
inggreen, Ohio. The original members were
George Bisel and wife, W. T. Carson and wife, E.
O. Penn and wife, and W. S. Boon. Their first
meetings were held in private houses until 1874,
when a neat substantial frame church was erected
on a lot purchased of R. S. Keyes, one-half mile
west of Waterford. The building is twenty-eight
by thirty-eight feet; cost one thousand two
hundred dollars, and was dedicated by Elder H.
A. St. John, in January, 1875. The present mem
bership is forty-four. E. C. Penn is the present

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

5"

elder. The church has no regular pastor at present.
Owl Creek Lodge No. 686, of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, located at Waterford, Knox
county, Ohio, was instituted July 31, 1879, by
Grand Secretary William C. Earle, assisted by
Past Grands S. Brown, R. G. Mills, N. E. Edwards,
E. F. Baugham, George Hostetter, and George W.
Shurr. The charter members were: V. E. Dye,
J. A. Fish, J. G. Bayer, O. P. Dyer, E. Daily,
Peter Drake, W. W. Ludwig, Jeremiah Williams,
and John Gleason. The first officers installed
were: J. G. Bayers, N. G; J. A. Fish, V. G; V. E.
Dye, secretary; O. P. Dyer, treasurer. The first
members initiated were: E. L. Grubb, Curtis
Hardgrove, C. C. Hill, John Adlesperger, Leander
Ackerman, and S. M. Painter. The lodge meets
every Saturday evening at their rooms in Waterford.
In addition to the charter members eighteen mem
bers have been initiated and one admitted by
card. The total membership is twenty-eight. The
officers installed January 1, 1881, are as follows:
O. P. Dye, N. G; W. W. Ludwig, V. G; Curtis
Hardgrove, secretary; Leander Ackerman, treas
urer. Middlebury was named by the county commis
sioners, at the suggestion of Luther Bateman, to
perpetuate the memory of Middlebury in Ver
mont, from whence many of the settlers came.
It is essentially an agricultural district, there be
ing but one village, and no manufacturing establish
ments of any importance within its bounds. It
contains six schools, of the ordinary district char
acter, and at one time boasted of an institution
denominated Westminster academy. It was situa
ted in the town of Waterford, and conducted by
Rev. Robert Morrison and his brother, Professor
William Morrison, both of the State of Kentucky.
This institution grew out of a division in the Pres-
hyterian church on the subject of slavery and its
abolition. Those who were opposed to that meas
ure seceded and started an academy to perpetuate
their views. It was well patronized for a time —
pupils coming from Holmes county and elsewhere
who were in harmony with the political character
of the institution, but after the settlement of the
vexed question by the emancipation proclamation
and the arbitrament of arms, Westminster academy
passed into history.

Middlebury township has produced some men
not entirely "to fortune and to fame unknown."
Lawrence Van Buskirk (now deceased) came to
Knox county in 1830 and located on the northwest
quarter of section two, one mile east of Waterford
In 1848 he was elected to the legislature of Ohio,
and in 185 1 he was elected to the State senate.
Hon. Columbus Delano was reared near Bate
mantown and went to Mt. Vernon to practice law,
whereby his history became identified with that of
the city, where it will be found.
Hon. William Windom was born in Belmont
county, Ohio, May 10, 1827. His parents, Heze
kiah and Mercy Windom, came from Virginia and
became members of the Hicksite branch of the So
ciety of Friends. At an early age he came with
his parents to Middlebury township and located on
the northeast quarter of section two, one and a
half miles east of Waterford, where his boyhood
days were spent on the farm; but disliking the
business he learned the tailoring trade with J. D.
Burke, of Waterford. The first coat he made after
fiinishing his apprenticeship was for John Walters,
now of Fredericktown, and was by no means a suc
cess as a fit. Being fully persuaded that he possessed
"a soul above buttons," he went to Mt. Vernon while
yet a young man, and there entered the law office of
the late Judge R. C. Hurd. After being admitted to
the bar he was elected prosecuting attorney of Knox
county, as a Whig, in 1852, by a majority of three
hundred. While studying law he delivered tem
perance lectures through the country, and on one
occasion, while lecturing m Morrow county, the
roughs of Woodbury threatened to mob him if he
attempted to speak. Nothing daunted, however,
he proceeded to the hall, and laying a pistol on the
stand, went on with his lecture unmolested. In
1855 he went to Winona, Minnesota, with his asso
ciate, Hon. Daniel S. Norton. Norton was elected
to the United States Senate, and at his death was
succeeded by Mr. Windom, since which time his
career is too well known to require repetition here.
In 1830 the population of Middlebury was 705;
in 1840 it was 1,002; in 1850, 1,092; in i860, 1,-
040; in 1870, 992; in 1880 it was 912. In 1880
the total number of acres returned for taxation was
12,790; the number of acres cultivated was 4,781;
number of acres in pasture, 6,457; acres in wheat,

Si2

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

971; bushels of wheat, 19,367; acres in oats, 571;
bushels of oats, 18,704; acres in corn, 1,577;
bushels of corn 52,268; acres in meadow, i,28oJ
tons of hay, 1,284; acres in potatoes, 45; bushels
of potatoes, 6,265; pounds of wool, 34,044; pounds
of butter, 40,300. The number of horses in 1880
was 378; the assessed value of the same was $20,-
955; the number of cattle was 849; assessed value
of same, $12,070; number of sheep, 7,681; assessed
value of same, $17,820; number of hogs, 994; as
sessed value of same, $3,132. Total value of
all taxable property, $188,314; moneys and credits,
$94,780.

CHAPTER LVIII.
MILFORD TOWNSHIP.
Topography — Timber — Wild Animals — Organization —
Name— First Settlers and Settlements— The Where
abouts of the Pioneers — The Great Wolf Hunt —
First Roads— Prominent Citizens— The Giant— The
Band— The First Volunteer Company— The Railroad
Swindle— The Soldiers' Monument Fund — Politcal
— Five Corners — Lock — Schools— Churches.
THE surface is generally level, or slightly rolling.
The north fork of Licking creek flows along
near the southern border of Milford. Along this
creek the soil is very fertile. Sycamore creek rises
in the western part, runs an easterly course through
the township near the centre; between these two
creeks the surface is level, and the soil fertile.
That part north of Sycamore is more rolling, and
some portions is composed of a heavy yellow clay
soil. Dry creek flows across the extreme northwest
corner of the township. The surface generally
slopes to the south and east, except in the extreme
northern part, where the slope is north, towards
Dry creek.
This township is well adapted to grazing; but by
proper cultivation any portion of it produces most
excellent crops or corn, wheat, oats, rye, buckwheat,
and various kinds of vegetables and fruit in abund
ance. It was originally covered with a dense forest, the
principal timber being beech, rock maple, soft ma

ple, elm, white and black ash, hickory, white and
swamp oak, black walnut, white walnut, wild cherry,
basswood, cucumber, buckeye and sycamore, with
a dense growth of underbrush, consisting chiefly of
spice-bush, black-haw, ironwood, dogwood, blue
beech, etc. Along the streams and wet lands were
an abundant growth of leeks, wild onions, cowslips,
and many other varieties of vegetation.
Among the wild animals, the deer, opossum, por
cupine, black and grey squirrel, raccoon and rab
bit were very abundant. The grey wolf, was the
most troublesome, frequently making sad havoc
with the few sheep, in the country. Occasionally
a black bear made his appearance among the first
settlers. The wild turkey, pheasant, and several
varieties of the owl and hawk, with many other
species of the feathered tribe, were very abundant.
In 1808 Milford, and what now comprises Hil
liar, Miller, Morgan and the west half of Clay, the
south half of Pleasant, and the southwest quarter of
Harrison township, constituted the township of
Morgan. On the fourth day of September, 1815, Morgan
township was divided by the commissioners, form
ing a new township called Sycamore. This town
ship, Sycamore, comprised what is now Hilliar,
Milford, Miller, and a strip of land one mile wide
from the west side of Morgan, and one section
from the southwest corner of Pleasant.
On the tenth day of October, 1815, the name of
this township was changed from Sycamore to Mil
ler.* In 18 18 a petition was presented to the commis
sioners of Knox county, praying for the erection of
a new township, to be taken off the west end of
Miller, to be called Hilliar. On the twenty-eighth
day of August, 1818, the prayer of the petitioners
was granted, and Hilliar township was organized.
In 1825 a petition was presented to the commis
sioners of Knox country, praying for the erection of
a new township, to be taken from the west side of
Miller, to be called Milford.
On the third day of March, 1823, the prayer of
the petitioners was granted, and Milford, from that
time to the present, has constituted one of the
townships of Knox county, and comprises a terri-

*See Miller township.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

5i3

tory five miles square. Norton says it received its
name in the following manner:
The settlers met together and various names were presented;
among the number, Judson Lamson proposed that it should be
called Milford, taking the idea from his native town, New Mil
ford, Connecticut. Some objection was offered to every other
name but this, and in consideration of the fact that Mr. Lamson
was one of the oldest settlers, and also of its being a New Eng
land name — those present being all from "down east" — it was
adopted. The north half of Milford consisted of unappro
priated military lands; was surveyed into sections
of six hundred and forty acres, and each section
divided into quarter sections. The south half con
sisted of United States military bounty lands. The
west half of the third or southwest quarter of the
township was owned by Celladon Symms ; and con
tained two thousand acres; the east half of the
same quarter was owned by  Burnett. The
fourth or southeast quarter was owned by James
Parker, and contained four thousand acres.
The first white settlement in Milford was made
in.1812. In the spring of that year, Thomas Mer
rill and James Pell, fi-Qm Massachusetts, purchased
the northwest quarter of section five, being the
northwest quarter section in the township. They
built their cabins and located there with their fami
lies the same spring. Mr. Merrill had one daugh
ter, Mrs. E. W. Cotton, now residing in Mt. Vernon.
In the fall of the same year, John Davis located
with his family on the southwest quarter of section
six. He was an elder in the Baptist church, and
in those early times he usually wore buckskin pant
aloons. His wife died about 1818, probably the
first white person to die in the township. Mr.
Davis was a small man — very industrious and per
severing. About 1828 he removed to Allen county,
Ohio, where he died, about 1855. He had one
daughter, Matilda, wife of Arnold Bishop, now re
siding in the township, at the age of seventy-three
years. She has lived in the township sixty-nine
years, being its oldest inhabitant.
In 1816, Major Buxton purchased the southwest
quarter of section nine, and his brother Sylvester,
the southeast quarter of the same section; each
built a cabin on his lot and lived there about one
year. These brothers were from Vermont, and they
and their families are all dead long ago.
In 1817, John Beardslee purchased the south

east quarter of section nine of Sylvester Buxton.
In 1818. William Beardslee, a brother of John,
purchased the west part of this quarter section, and
located there. In 1820 John Beardslee built a
cabin on the east part, where he now resides, at the
age of eighty-eight years; being the only one of the
first settlers now living in the township. He lives
with his daughter Mary on the old homestead.
He has three sons living ; George in Illinois, Charles
in Washington, District of Columbia, and Henry in
Nebraska William Beardslee lived on his farm
until about 1850. He reared a large family; his
oldest son, Piatt G, long a resident of the town
ship, died in the winter of 1880-81; John B. re
sides in Mt. Vernon; Betsy, wife of George Bene
dict, resides in Gambier; Catharine, widow of
Erastus Rouse, resides in Brandon; Adaline, wife
of Major Nathan Bostwick, in Newark; Job lives in
Union county, Ohio, and Dr. William, in Ross
county. Mary, wife of A. W Hildreth, is dead.
The Beardslees are descendants of the Rev. John
Beardslee, of Stratford, on Avon, Shakespeare's
home. They removed to this place from New
Haven, Connecticut.
In 181 7, two brothers, Harris and Stephen Haw
kins, from Rhode Island, purchased of Major Bux
ton, the southwest quarter of section nine. Here
they spent their remaining days on earth — and both
reared large and respectable families. Harris
Hawkins has three children now living in the town
ship, viz: Margaret, wife of Almon Mitchell; Mar
tha, wife of James Rice, and Daniel. Harris
Hawkins was a blacksmith and worked at his trade
several years, having the first shop in the township.
In 1828 he built the first brick house in the town
ship. He was an honest, industrious citizen, and
died August, 1865.
Stephen Hawkins died in 1856; of his family
only three are now living, viz: William, Sarah A.,
and Mary, wife of William Pickering; all reside on
the old homestead. In 1817, Gardner Bishop
purchased the southwest quarter of section three.
This farm has been in possession of the Bishop
family to the present time, his son, Daniel Bishop,
now residing on it, though it has recently passed
into the hands of Arnold Bishop, jr. Gardner came
from Rhode Island.
In the same year Jacob Simons, from Vermont,

514'

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

located on the northwest quarter of section ten; he
had one son, Horton J., now of Mt. Vernon, and
one daughter, Minerva, widow of Salmon Hooker,
now living.
In the year 1817, Aaron Hill, from Massachus
etts, who emigrated to Knox county in 181 1, pur
chased the northwest quarter of section three. Mr.
N. N. Hill, of Mt. Vernon, is the only son now
living. In the same year Erastus Riley and James Rob
inson purchased the northeast quarter of section
one; James Fay purchased the northwest quarter
of the same section, and John Lash, the southwest
quarter. In the same year Judson Lamson, from Connecti
cut, purchased the northeast quarter of section eight.
He came to Milford in the month of February,
and after making maple sugar through the month
of March, returned to Connecticut on foot, per
forming the journey at the rate of fifty miles per
day. The same year he returned with his family,
and made this his home. He died on the old
homestead, May, 1867, aged eighty-eight years.
He was a brickmason by trade, possessed great
power of endurance, and has probably performed
more hard labor than any man that ever lived in
this township. He was an honest, upright and
much respected citizen. His daughter, Jane, wife
of W. A. Disney, now resides in the township, and
his son, Levi J., resides in Wisconsin. Three
sons and one daughter are dead.
In the same year  Holister" purchased the
northeast quarter of section three. He reared a
large family of which most are dead. Harmon
resides in Liberty township.
During the next two years most of the north half
of the township was settled — one of the first pur
chasers being John Jeffers in 1818, who settled
on the southeast quarter of section three. Three
of his children are yet living, viz: Mary Ann,
widow of Smith Bishop, on the old Smith Bishop
farm in this township; Almira, wife of Johnson
King, in Springfield, Ohio, and Laura, widow of
David Hill, now in her seventy-first year, in Mans
field, Ohio.
Jesse Smith settled on the northwest quarter of
section two; Uziel Stevens, on the northeast
quarter of section two; Leonard Simons, on the

southeast quarter of section ten; John Simons, on
the northeast quarter of section nine ; Curtis Terril,
on the northwest quarter of section nine. The
latter has one daughter now living on the same
farm. John Stevens settled on the southwest
quarter of section two; Harvey Jones,, on the south
east quarter of section two; James . Severe, on the
northwest quarter of section four; John Severe, on
the southwest quarter of section five; John Lash,
on the southwest quarter of section seven.
In 1 8 19, the following persons settled in Mil
ford : John Beardslee, on the northwest quarter of
section eleven; Wilber and Russell, on the north
east quarter of section twelve; John Burbank, on
the southwest quarter of section ten.
About 1824 William H. Smith purchased the
northeast quarter of section eleven and the west
part of the southeast quarter of section ten. On
this lot he erected a tanyard, and carried on the
business of making leather several years. . He was
a representative in the Ohio legislature two terms.
His widow is living at the present time.
In the same year Smith Bishop purchased the
southeast quarter of section four, and Arnold
Bishop, the northeast quarter of section four where
he now resides, being one of the very few pioneers
now living in the township.
About 1826 Frederick J. Disney, from Mary
land, purchased the west part of the northeast
quarter of section thirteen ; his widow now resides
on the same farm.
About the same time Cornelius Sharp located
on the northwest quarter of the same section.
In 1829 Preserve Smith, from Connecticut, pur-
ceased the southeast quarter of section eight, and
made it his home until his death October, 1871.
This farm is now owned by his son-in-law, F. S.
Rowley. About the same year Aaron Teegarden pur
chased the southeast quarter of section fifteen; the
same farm is now owned by his son, Samuel.
John Hard purchased the southeast quarter of sec
tion seven.
In 1830 Milton Keech purchased the east half
of the southwest quarter of section eight, and John
Bostwick, the west half of the same quarter.
In the same year Thomas Niel purchased the
northeast quarter of section fifteen; and Samuel

3J3fi<.\\>»^1>t.V

FOREST HOME "—RESIDENCE OF JOHN NICHOLS, ESQ.,
Democracy Post Office, Pike Tp., Knox County, O.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

5i5

Triplet, the northwest quarter of section fourteen.
In 1 83 1 Gilbert McKown, from Virginia, pur
chased the northeast quarter of section fourteen,
the last quarter section held by the United States
in this township.
About the year 1824 Abraham Jackson, from
Pennsylvania, purchased of Lash the southwest
quarter of section one. This Jackson family have
continued much respected citizens of Milford to
the present time.
About 1830 Piatt G. Beardslee purchased of
John Burbank the south part of the southwest cor
ner of section ten, where he made his permanent
residence until his death, January 30, 1881. He
was a man much respected in the community where
he lived.
About the year 1820 the west half of the south
west quarter of the township, owned by Celladon
Symms, was surveyed and divided into twenty lots
of various sizes and shapes. About this time he
disposed of the south part of his section containing
one thousand acres, to Harrison & Shorts; this
being in the southwest corner of the township.
This land was offered for sale in the spring of 1821
by Stanbery & Brice, agents.
In 182 1 Frederick Myers, a Dutchman, from Vir
ginia, purchased lot fourteen, being the first lot
purchased in the south half of the township. Soon
after this John Myers purchased lot thirteen. They
reared large families, and quite a number of their
descendants now reside in the township. They
have been very honest and industrious citizens.
George Myers, a son of Frederick Myers, now re
sides on the old homestead purchased by his father
in 1821.
In the same year Eli Ford purchased lot eleven,
where he now resides, and Joseph Morey, from
Vermont, purchased lot twenty; several of his de
scendants now reside in the towhship.
In j822  Poppleton purchased lot eighteen;
Sylvanus Mitchell, from Massachusetts, purchased
lot nineteen, and his son, Almon, is now a citizen
of the township. Patrick Webster purchased lots
fifteen and sixteen; he was a Methodist preacher,
and a man of good intellect. Adam Stults pur
chased lot seventeen, and Samuel Woods lot
twelve. About the year 1833 Celladon Symms offered

the remainder of his section for sale, and the fol
lowing were the first purchasers: In 1834, Levi
Debolt lot six, Ephraim Piatt lot nine; in 1835,
Moses Cummins lot eight, Thomas Warrick lot
five. About 1842 Spencer Mitchell purchased lot
one, and about 1845 James Debolt purchased lot
ten, this being the last lot in the Symms section.
About 1826  Burnet divided the east half
of the southwest quarter of the township into lots
of one hundred acres each, and offered them for
sale. Between this time and 1834 these lots were
all sold. Among the first purchasers were Elijah
Dowell, lot one; Joseph Evans, lot ten; Samuel
Patch, lots eleven and twenty; David Jagger, lot
two; John Brown, lot nine; Solomon Freeman, lot
nineteen; John Redman, lot eighteen; John Wil
son, lots eight and thirteen; John Dunn, lot four;
Stephen Humphrey, lot fifteen. About 1830 James
Parker divided the fourth, or southeast quarter of
the township into thirty-four lots, and offered them
for sale. Between this time and 1838 these lots
were all sold. Among the first purchasers were the
following: Phineas Taft, from Vermont, lot six;
Thomas Larimore, from Virginia, lot fifteen; (his
son Henry now owns this same lot); Gideon Hall,
lots thirty-two and thirty-three, (his son is now liv
ing on lot twenty-nine); Peter Turst, lot nineteen,
(his daughter, Mrs. George Neible, is now living in
the township); Joseph Montonya, lot seven; Philip
Rimer, lot twenty-two; Joseph Postleweight, lot
twenty-three; Crisley Kratzer, lot thirty; Jacob
Smith, lot twenty-nine; Lemuel Jones, lot twenty-
one ; Joseph Mott, lot sixteen ; William Orme, lot
one; Thomas Vanasdel, lot two; John Vanasdel,
lot three; James Knox, lots eleven and twelve; Ed
ward Potter, lot seventeen; Naham Butcher, lot
twenty-eight. Not one of these families or their
descendants are now living in the township. Wil
liam Speelman,, purchased lot thirteen, where he
now resides.
About the year 1838 Isaac Dripps bought lot
twenty-seven, and George Myers lot thirty-four, be
ing the last two lots sold in the Parker section.
This completes the first settlement of Milford
township. The population in 1830 was four hun
dred and ninety-eight; in 1840, one thousand one
hundred and fifty-seven; in 1850, one thousand
three hundred and forty-nine; in i860, one thou-

5i6

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

sand and eighty-four; in 1870, one thousand and
twenty-four; in 1880, eight hundred and seventy-
four. The early settlers of Milford were honest, indus
trious, intelligent, and social. The price of land
varied from one dollar and twenty-five cents per
acre for Congress land, to four dollars per acre for
the choice military land, and but few of the early
pioneers possessed more than a sufficient sum of
money to purchase a quarter section or lot of land,
so that, the early pioneers were very nearly on an
equality, and each one had enough to do to attend
to his own business.
The dense forest, the hooting owl, and the howl
ing wolf, have nearly all passed away with the log
cabin, the ox team, the spinning wheel, and the
hand loom.
At the time of the settlement of this country,
grey wolves were quite numerous, and continually
committing depredations against the settlers, by
killing sheep; and sometimes pigs and calves would
fall a prey to their ravenous appetites.
For the purpose of assisting in the extermination
of these animals the commissioners would pay
from the county treasury a bounty of three dollars
each for wolf-scalps, the wolf to be killed within
the limits of Knox county.
In the winter of 1824-5, a grand wolf hunt was
planned and carried into execution. About the
tenth of February, 1825, was the time fixed for
a great slaughter of the wolves. The plan was to
form a circle around a large territory, and march
toward the centre. For the purpose of making
this hunt a success, three lines or circles were
plainly designated, one within the other. The
outer circle, with headquarters at Bryant's mill,
now Knox county infirmary, extended in a south
east direction along the Utica road, to the Gran
ville road, about one mile north of Brandon, in
Miller township; thence south along the Granville
road to Burlington, now Homer; thence west along
the road to the southwest corner of Milford; thence
north along the west line of Milford, to the Colum
bus road; thence down this road to the place of
beginning — inclosing all of Milford, about one-
half of Miller, and some other territory. The sec
ond line enclosed several hundred acres in the cen
tre ofthe outer circle; this second line was plainly

marked. The third line enclosed some one hun
dred and fifty acres, in the centre of the second
circle. The circumference of this outer circle was
about twenty-five miles, divided into twenty-five
sections, twenty-five captains being selected, and
each captain required to procure a company of at
least sixteen men, and to take charge of the partic
ular section designated for his company. The pro
gramme was published throughout this section of
the country, and many old hunters and young men
from the surrounding country came to join in the
sport. The captains found no difficulty in procur
ing the number of men required, and most com
panies had twice the required number.
The day arrived, and at early dawn old men,
young men, and boys, armed with guns, axes, and
pitchforks, were hurrying to their places in the
circle. Each captain, armed with a tin horn and a
bottle of whiskey, was at his post. A few minutes
after sunrise the first signal horn was blown at Bry
ant's mill, and the sound was repeated by the cap
tains to the left, around the entire circle. This
signal indicated that the line was complete.
After this thirty minutes were allowed for the
captains to complete the lines, at the expiration of
wnich time the horn was blown a second time at
the headquarters and repeated by the captains
both right and left around the entire circle; this
was the signal to advance. About eleven o'clock
the line had reached the second circle; here they
halted for the purpose of distributing the men
around the entire circle and making any other ar
rangements necessary. At this time deer could be
seen running in every direction. About twelve
o'clock orders were given to march to the inner
circle. The deer became frightened and collected
in groups of from twentv to fifty, and in their
fright many escaped through the lines. When the
inner circle was reached the deer that remained in
the circle had all collected in one large group and
ran around in the circle about one hundred yards
from the lines, thus giving the gunners time to load
their pieces and to be ready each time they came
around. A continual sound of the rifle was heard
along the line for more than an hour, and during
that time many of the deer escaped through the
lines and many were killed. The wolves were no
where to be found — not one wolf was killed. The re-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

5'7

suits of the labors of the day were one man, by the
name of Pratt, wounded in the hip by a rifle ball;
some four score of deer were killed, many wounded,
and perhaps one barrel of whiskey drank. The
next night the wolves were howling as if nothing
had transpired to disturb their quiet repose.
The first public road established in this township
was the Columbus road located in 1808, which
passes across the extreme northwest corner of the
township. The second was the Sycamore road
running east and west through the township near
the centre; this road was located and established
in December, 1818. About the year 1819 the
Johnstown road was located. These three were
the first highways established in the township.
From the time of the first settlement of Milford
down to the present time agriculture has been the
leading occupation of its citizens. Since about
1855 wool growing has been one of the leading
agricultural pursuits, and Milford now ranks as one
of the best wool producing townships in Knox
county. Among the former and present citizens, the fol
lowing appear somewhat prominent:
Dr. William Hayes, from Baltimore, - Maryland,
came to Milford about 1830. He was at that time
a young man, a physician by profession, in some
what destitute circumstances, and lived for several
years with Judson Lamson. He became a success
ful physician and a minister of the gospel. He
preached several years for the Christian church,
then several years for the. Disciple church, and was
also a successful farmer. Having purchased some
four hundred acres of land he made wool growing
the leading branch of his agricultural pursuits. He
now resides in the State of New York.
Major Nathan Bostwick, at the age of twenty-
one years was in destitute circumstances. He was
a carpenter and joiner by trade, but by industry and
economy became one of the well-to-do farmers.
At the commencement of the war of the Rebel
lion he enlisted in the Twentieth regiment Ohio
volunteer infantry, and before the close of the war
was promoted to the office of major of the same
regiment. He now resides in Newark, Ohio.
Isaac Hawkins has been a very successful farmer
and stock dealer. Thomas Larimore was for
several years a successful farmer. His son Henry

is now one of the intelligent and successful
farmers. Philip Rimer and Isaac Larimore were
for several years among the thrifty farmers. David
Staggers and Smith Bishop each had purchased
several hundred acres of land. They are both
dead. Among the early settlers was a man by the
name of Amzie Stevens who was remarkable for
his quaint proportions. He was a blacksmith by
trade and lived in the north part of the township.
It is said that his foot measured sixteen inches in
length, and that his limbs and frame were of the
same gigantic proportions. For the purpose of
perpetuating the fact of his existence, and also to
show to future generations, the fact that giants
lived in those days among the early settlers, he
sold his body to Dr. Maxfield, for his museum, but
the doctor died long before Amzie gave up the
ghost; therefore, when Amzie died he was buried
the same as other mortals. He was buried in
Morris township, but the exact spot is not known.
From 1838 to 1844 this township was especially
blessed with a martial band, for general or com
pany musters, fourth of July celebrations, and
other occasions when their services were required.
The members were Harris Hawkins, jr., Noble
Bostwick, and J. D. Hooker, tenor drummers;
Charles Hawkins, bass drummer, and Joseph Haw
kins, Nathan Bostwick, and Albert G. Simons,
fifers. They had an excellent reputation and were
often invited to considerable distances on fourth
of July and general training occasions.
The citizens of Milford have always had their
full share of patriotism. About 1841 a company
of volunteer infantry was organized under the then
existing laws of Ohio. Piatt G. Beardslee was the
first captain, and served a short time in that ca
pacity, when Ephraim Hawkins was chosen cap
tain. This company made quite a soldierly ap
pearance, and for several years was one of the in
stitutions of the township.
About the year 185 1 the Pittsburgh, Mt. Vernon
& Springfield Railroad company was organized for
the purpose building a railroad from Pittsburgh, by
way of Mt. Vernon, to Springfield, Ohio. This
proposed road was to be located along near the
north line of Milford, on the same line now occu
pied by the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus

5*8

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

railroad. For the purpose of obtaining large sub
scriptions from the citizens along the line of this
road, the company offered many inducements. No
stockholder was to be required to pay more than
the interest on the amount subscribed for twenty
years. Each stockholder was required to give a
bond, payable in twenty years, with interest payable
annually, and the payment of each bond, with the
interest thereon, was secured to the company by
first mortgage on real estate.
This road, by representation and on paper, was
to be the most important road on this continent,
and as soon as completed the stockholders were to
receive large dividends. It was represented that
all the subscribers would be required to pay would
be the interest on their bonds, for a few years, un
til the road should be completed, when the stock
would become a very valuable investment. The
company obtained bonds from the citizens along
the line of this proposed road in Knox county to
the amount of ninety-five thousand dollars, which
bonds were secured by mortgage on real estate
probably worth four hundred thousand dollars.
The road was never completed, but the stock
holders had to pay the full amount of their bonds
with the interest thereon. This caused much em
barrassment to many of the best farmers along the
line of the proposed road.
Later about the same operation was repeated in
the case of the road from Mt. Vernon to Colum
bus. Many of the farmers mortgaged their farms,
and were compelled to pay. The roadbed was
only partially made when the company broke up.
The road was subsequently finished by another
company. A history of Milford would not be complete with
out particular reference to the record made by the
citizens during the war of the Rebellion. They were
always ready to contribute their full snare for the
purpose of maintaining the Government. One cir
cumstance — the building of the soldiers' monument
at Mt. Vernon — will suffice to show their patriotism.
About the first of July, 1866, a subscription was
circulated among the citizens of Milford by Major
Nathan Bostwick and P. G Beardsley for the pur
pose of procuring funds for the erection of the
monument. By the tenth of July one hundred
and nineteen persons had contributed the sum of

nine hundred dollars.
of the subscribers and
N. Bostwick 
G. F. Bostwick 
Mrs. P. G. Beardslee.
G. L. Benedict 
Mrs. Beach 
A. Bishop, sr. 
D. Bishop 
S. Bishop 
C. Bishop 
G. D. Bishop 
L. Brollier 
S. Callihan 
S. Crego 
William Coe 
D. Coe 
B. Crisman 
B. A. Disney 
William A. Disney . . .
Miss A. Disney 
L. L. Ellis 
J. E. Fisher 
Miss C. Hayes 
J. H. Hayes 
J. Hildreth 
Mrs. W. Hildreth....
S. B. Hawkins 
William H. Hawkins.
J. H. Hull 
Mrs. A. Jagger 
S. Jagger 
A. Jennings 
J. I. Kinsey 
Mrs. J. Lamson 
T. Larimore 
N. Letts 
William McKinney . . .
S.Mitchell 
J. Morey 
D. Myres 
J. Niebel 
Mrs. William Niebel.
MissE. H. Pitkin....
T. Pitkin 
C. O. Poland 
J. Poland 
Esquire D. Patterson .
P. Rimer 
Mrs. R. Rimer 
F. Rimer 
P. Smith 
Captain B. C. Smith.
William Spelman 
J. W. Spelman 
W. P. Simons 
E. Stevens 
M. Thomas 
Mrs. S. Teegarden 
D. P. Weaver 
Mrs. C. R. Weaver. .

The following are the names
amount subscribed:
$25 Mrs. A. Bostwick  $IO
S P. G. Beardslee  23
10 William S. Burns  20
S P. Beach  I0
5 J. W. Beach  s
5 William Bishop  IO
10 A. Bishop, jr  ,  r
S B. F. Bishop  s
5 H. A. Bishop  5
3 D. J. Burgoon  3
5 G. F. Beardslee  I0
10 J. W. Callihan  s
5 M. Crego  s
5 Mrs. William Coe  5
5 T. D. Coe  5
5 Mrs. H. Disney  5
5 D. V. Disney  5
15 Mrs. William A. Disney... 10
5 G. R. Disney  x
S S. Elder  I0
1 J. Graham  IO
5 Rev. William Hayes  10
5 I. Hawkins  $0
10 W. Hildreth  16
S Aaron Hill, jr  c
1 D. W. Hawkins  5
S E. Hawkins  5
S Dr. William H. Hayes.... 5
S A. Jagger  IS
S H. S. Jagger  5
S William Kinsey  5
5 J. Lamson  5
5 G. J. Lamson  5
20 Captain H. Larimore  20
15 William C. Manson  5
S A. Mitchell  20
15 Mrs. S. Mitchell  5
5 J. McMannis  5
S L, E. Mahan  5
10 William Niebel  5
S Rev. J. Pitkin  10
S MissS. F. Pitkin  5
S L. Pickering  10
S C. L. Poland  10
S L. F. Poland  1
S T. Ross  10
ro Mrs. P. Rimer  5
2 J. K. Rimer  5
2 S.F.Redman  5
25 Mrs. P. Smith  5
5 S. Smith  ,  5
10 L. H. Spelman  5
S D. H. Spelman  5
2 Uzziel Stevens  17
3 A. H. Stevens  3
3 S. Teegarden  5
5 S. Thatcher  10
8 C. R. Weaver  10
S S. C. Wilson  5

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

519

Politically the vote of Milford has been very
evenly divided for several years between Republi
cans and Democrats. But few, if any, elections
have been held for the purpose of electing town
ship officers, within the last ten years, in which
either party has elected its entire ticket.
At the State and Presidential elections in i88o;
the Republicans had the largest majority that
either party has had for several years.
One of the prominent places in the township is
known as the Five Corners, situated near its centre.
At this place are two churches and a school-house.,
About 1843 a post-office was established here
called Milfordton; Emor Hawkins was the first
postmaster. James Rice, the present postmaster,
has held the office several years.
The most prominent place in the township is
the village of Lock, situate on its south line. In
1836 Isham Abbot purchased the south part of lot
ten in the Burnet section, and engaged in the bus
iness of making potash. In 1837 he laid out a
part of his purchase into town lots, and named the
place Lock. Isham Abbot was the first merchant
that sold goods in the place.
In 1839 a post-office was established, Isham Ab
bot being the first postmaster; Peter Eddy was the
second, Edwin Horton third, Eber Smith fourth,
James Stearnes fifth, and Washington Hildreth the
sixth, and present incumbent, and has held the
office since i860.
The village at this time has two dry goods
stores, one school-house, three churches, one black
smith shop, one harness shop, one cooper shop,
one wagon shop, one boot and shoe shop.
On the twenty-fifth of November, 187 1, a so
ciety of Good Templars was organized here, and
has been in a prosperous conditon to the present
time. Regular meetings are held in Hildreth's
hall every Saturday evening.
On the twenty-fourth of June, 1875, tne Knights
of Honor organized a society at this place. They
met in Hildreth's hall once in two weeks, on Tues
day evenings.
A cornet band organized June, 1879, consists of
thirteen members, and has an excellent reputation,
both for its professional ability and the intelligent
and moral character of its members.
The first school in this township was taught by

Frederick Carey, in a cabin on the northwest quar
ter of section two. As in other townships the first
schools were "subscription" schools, and were
taught in private cabins, there being no public
funds for school purposes.
The first school-house, making any pretensions
to respectability, was built on the extreme north
part of the southwest quarter of section nine, and
near the Johnstown road, about 1829. It was a
substantial hewed log about twenty-two feet square,
with a large fire-place and a brick chimney. This
same house was frequently used for religious meet
ings, singing-schools, etc. Previous to 1830 schools
were supported entirely by subscription. About
this time the legislature passed an act appropriating
a small fund for the support of common schools,
and also made it the duty of the trustees to divide
their respective townships into school districts. As
the population increased it became necessary to
form new districts, and make other necessary
changes; many changes being thus made between
1830 and 1850.
In 1853 the legislature passed a school law,
which in substance is the present school law. This
law created the township board of education, and
made all common schools free schools. The
school-houses, with puncheon floors and flat seats,
have all disappeared — and in their places are com
fortable frame school-houses, with the most ap
proved modern desks, and other suitable school
• apparatus. At the present time Milford has nine school-
houses conveniently located, to accommodate all
the youth in the township. The schools are small
— and competent teachers are employed, which
gives to all the young an opportunity to obtain a
.good common school education.
James Smith, of the Christian denomination,
preached the first sermon, and organized the first
church in the township. The date of the organ
ization of this church is uncertain, but probably
occurred about the year 1824. In a few years it
disbanded. In 1833 Henry Ashley organized a Christian
church at the school-house near the Five corners.
This church was in a prosperous condition several,
years. Among the members were Harris Hawkins,
Steven Hawkins and John Stevens. This denom-

520

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

ination has had no church organization in this town
ship since 1839.
In 1835 the first Methodist church was organ
ized in the south part of the township, by Rev.
Saxby. This church then consisted of seventeen
members, among whom were Silas Jagger, Samuel
Dowell, John Brown and Rachel Brown. In 1836
this church built a house for public worship, called
the Dowell meeting house, and in 1845 a new
meeting-house in the village of Lock, where the
church is located at the present time, being the
oldest church organization now in the township.
Rev. Craven is present pastor. Among the present
members are Jacob Lambert, Albert Ponnel, Har
vey Spitzer and Henry Disney. In 1835 a Meth
odist church was organized at the school-house
near the Five corners, by Rev. Lynch. Among the
members were Frederick Disney, Preserve Smith,
and Job Beardslee. In 1838 this church built a
small log house on the present cemetery ground,
near the Five corners, where they held their meet
ings until 1848, when meetings were held in the
school-house, and continued there until 1869, when
the church disbanded, part of the members joining
the church at Brandon, and others at Lock.
On the thirteenth day of May, 1844, the Baptists
held a meeting at the Dowell meeting-house, for the
purpose of organizing a church. Elder Daniel Wal-
don and Elder James Seymore were present. At
this time and place the Baptist church was
organized, and consisted of some twenty members,
among whom were Joseph Mantonya, Joseph
Jacobs, Benjamin Quick, and John Wilson. Elder
James Seymour was the first pastor, and Thomas
Larimore the first delegate to the Baptist associa
tion. In the year 1874 this church built a house
for public worship in the village of Lock.
The Congregationalists have a church organiza-
tiyn at the village of Lock. Among the original
members of this church were Peter Eddy, Potwin
Stoughton, and Nathaniel Stoughton. In 1844 the
church built a house for public worship. Rev.
Mr. McKeen is their pastor at the present
time. In 1839 Rev. John Pitkin, of the Presbyterian
denomination, organized a church in the school-
house at the Five corners. The elders of this
church were Cicero Camp, Martin Beach, and

Nathaniel Jackson. In 1848 a house for public
worship was erected at the Five corners, and for
several years was very prosperous. About 1855 it
began to decline, and about 1870 the organization
was abandoned. Rev. John Pitkin preached in
this township, and for this church thirty-two years.
He was formerly from Vermont; and preached for
the Presbyterisn churches forty-four years. He
now resides in Milford, and is very active for a
man who has lived to see eighty-seven years.
In 1845 Rev. William Hayes organized a Disciple
church at the school-house in the southwest part of
the township. This church has been known as
the First Milford Congregational (or Simmons)
church. Soon after this church was organized a
log meeting house was built where meetings were
held until 1853, when the house was destroyed by
fire. In 1854 this congregation built a new house.
George Litzenbufg, David Weaver, David Pattison,
Benjamin Compston, and  Cook were among
the original members. This church from the time
of its organization to the present has been the
most prosperous of any church in the township.
At the present time it numbers one hundred and
thirty members, among whom are Timothy Ross,
John Litzenburg, James Scott, Levi Fadeley, and
William Moreland. O. W. Kyle is the present
pastor. In 1845 R-ev- William Hayes organized a Disci
ple church at the school-house near the Five
corners. Emor Hawkins, W. A Disney, William
Hawkins, Stephen Hawkins, and Daniel Hawkins
were among the original members. In 1848 this
church built a meeting-house at the Five corners,
which continued in a prosperous condition several
years. At the present time it is in a very weak and
sickly condition. Daniel Bishop and Daniel Haw
kins appear as prominent members at this time.
In the winter of 1852-3 Andrew McNutt, ofthe
United Brethren denomination, organized a church
in a log house situated in the northeast part of the
township. The most prominent members were
Stephen Smith, Marcus Knowles, Nicholas Mur
rey, Bradley Smith, and Lovina McNutt. At first
the members were very zealous and enthusiastic,
but their ardor soon cooled, and the church had
an existence of less than four months.
Successive justices of the peace :

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

521

1823 — Nathaniel Stoughton.
" — John Stephens.
1826— John Jeffries.
" — Nathaniel Stoughton.
1825) — John Jeffries.
" — Nathaniel Stoughton.
1830 — Sylvanus Mitchell.
1832 — John Jeffries.
1833 — Sylvanus Mitchell.
1835 — Smith Bishop.
1836— Piatt G. Beardslee.
1838— David L. Hill.
1839— Piatt G. Beardslee.
1841— David L. Hill.
1842 — Joseph Montagna.
1845 — Emor B. Hawkins,
1848 — James Condon.
" — William Orme.
1849 — Smith Bishop.
1851 — William Orme.

1852 — John Litzenburg.
1853 — John Stephens.
1855— Silas Jaggers.
1857 — John Stephens.
1858 — David Patterson.
i860 — George F. Beardslee.
1861 — David Patterson.
1863— Piatt G. Beardslee:
1864 — David Patterson.
1866— Piatt G. Beardslee.
1867 — John H. Jaggers.
1869 — John Graham.
1870 — John H. Jaggers.
1871 — Isaac Monroe.
1872 — Edward Cummins.
1873 — Brown K. Jackson.
1875 — John Graham.
1876 — Brown K. Jackson.
1878— F. S. Rowley.
1879 — Brown K.Jackson.

CHAPTER LIX
MILLER TOWNSHIP.
Topography — Animals — Organization — Name — First
Setleeents and Settlers — Population — Pioneer
Matters — Roads — Brandon — Post Office — Storm —
Churches — Schools — Military Matters— Justices of
the Peace.
THE surface of this township is generally level,
or, slightly undulating. There are no large
streams of water within the township. Sycamore
creek is the largest and runs an easterly course
through the township, near the centre. Vance's
creek, in the southern part, runs nearly parallel
with Sycamore creek, and several small tributaries
empty into these creeks, which form the natural
drainage of most of the township. The northwest
part is a heavy, yellow, clay soil, the east and south
part has mostly a rich fertile soil. There is proba
bly no township in Knox county that has a grade
of soil so even as Miller. It produces most excel
lent grass, and any portion of it, by proper cultiva
tion, produces excellent corn, wheat, oats and rye,
various kinds of vegetables, and fruit in abundance.
It was originally covered with a dense forest; the
principal timber being beech, sugar or rock maple,
elm, white and black ash, hickory, white and
swamp oak, soft maple, black walnut, white walnut,

wild cherry, buckeye, basswood, and sycamore,
with a dense growth of underbush, consisting of
spice-bush, black-haw, dogwood, blue-beech, iron-
wood etc. Along the streams and wet lands, were
an abundant growth of leeks, wild onions, nettles,
cow slips, and many other kinds of vegetation.
Among the wild animals, the deer, raccoon,
porcupine, opossum, wood-chuck, and rabbit were
very abundant. Wolves were too plentiful in an
early day for sheep raising, and occasionally a black
bear would make his appearance; wild turkeys and
pheasants were very abundant. The last wild deer
killed in this township was by David Ash, on the
farm now owned by George Milligan, in the fall of
1839. The last wolf killed in the township was
by John Milhawn, in the winter of 1829-30, on the
north part of the farm now owned by J. P. Jones.
The only black bear ever killed in this township by
any white man was by Otis Warren, in the fall of
1817, on the south part ofthe farm now owned by
Dana Miller. The wild turkey gradually disap
peared, until about the year 1855, since which time,
but few, if any, have been seen in this township.
Previous to September, 1815, this township, with
several others, belonged to and constituted a part
of Morgan township. On the fourth of September,
1 81 5, Morgan township was divided by the com
missioners of Knox county, forming a new town
ship called "Sychamore." This township com
prised what now constitutes the townships of Mil
ler, Milford, Hilliar, and a strip one mile wide,
from the west side of Morgan, and one section
from the southwest corner of Pleasant.
September 15, 1813, an election was held at the
school-house, in what is now sub-district No. 1, in
Miller township, for the purpose of electing three
trustees and a clerk, for the township of Sychamore.
William Bair, Jonathan Hunt, jr., and Lemuel
Chapman were elected trustees, and John Mott, jr.,
clerk. The citizens were not satisfied with the
name given to this township by the commissioners,
and at this election they determined to give it an
other name. Several names were proposed by
different persons, and each urged his claim to the
right and. privilege of naming the township.
The State election was to be held on the tenth
of October following, and it was agreed that the
privilege of giving the township a name should be

522

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

sold at public auction on the day of the October
election. As whiskey was at that time considered
a necessary article — almost a legal tender — it was
agreed that the person giving the most whiskey, to
be used for drink at future elections, should have
the privilege of giving the new township a name.
James Miller was the successful bidder, giving five
and one-half gallons of whiskey, at that time worth
about fifteen cents per gallon. At that election
there were seventeen votes polled. From that time
to the present, the township has been known by its
present name — Miller. Mr. Miller was a promi
nent and influential pioneer.
Among those seventeen voters were Riverius
Newell, Otis Warren, Samuel Rowley, Gideon
Mott, Riverius Newell, jr., Aaron Hill, Abner Hill,
Alpheus Chapman, and James Miller.
In 1862, of these parties but one was living, viz.:
Aaron Hill. Mr. Hill died in Mt. Vernon in 1870,
in the eighty-eighth year of his age, honored and
revered by the whole community. His wife was a
daughter of Riverius Newell.
The name of Sychamore, as a township, is known
to but few in the county at this time.
Of James Miller's family, James Warner, the old
merchant, now living in Newark, who married
Mary Bryant; Madison, of Miller township, who
married Sarah Hill; Henry H, John F., Dr. Volney
and Dana, were the boys. Mrs. Rosannah San-
ford, Mrs. Harriet Knox, Mrs. Sally Sanderson,
Mrs. Lucinda Ellis, and Mary were the girls.
In r8i8 a petition was presented to the commis
sioners praying for a division of Miller township,
and for the establishment of a township from the
west part of it, to be called Hilliar. August 28,
1 8 18, the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and
Hilliar was organized. In 1823 a petition was pre
sented to the commissioners for the erection of a
new township to be called Milford. March 3,
1823, the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and
Milford was organized. In 1825 a petition was
presented to the commissioners for the erection of
the township of Pleasant. March 9, 1825, the
prayer of the petitioners was granted. Thus Mil
ler was reduced to its present boundaries; com
prising a territory five miles long from north to
south, and four and one half miles wide.
Miller township was composed of military lands,

except the second or northwest quarter, which was
unappropriated. The first, or northeast quarter,
was owned by William Stanberry, and contained
about twenty-four hundred acres. The third, or
southwest quarter, contained about four thousand
acres, and was owned by George Bomford. The
fourth, or southeast quarter, contained about three
thousand acres, and owned by George B. Jackson.
In the year 1808, Jackson sold the first piece of
land that was probably sold to any actual settler in
this township.
John Vance, sr., from Rockingham county,
Virginia, purchased lot number three and sold the
west part of same lot to his son, John Vance, jr.
Here, in 1808, John Vance, jr., erected the first
log house, it is believed, in this township. This
piece of land has been in possession of the Vance
family down to the present time, and is now owned
by Daniel Vance, a son of John Vance, jr. The
same old log house is standing, and will most
likely be kept in repair so long as the farm is owned
by the Vance family. It is used for a granary, and
looks as if it might be good for several generations
to come. The first white child born in this town
ship was born in this house. This was Hannah Vance
now widow of Daniel Houck, who was born in
this log house June 10, 1809. Daniel Vance, the
present owner of this farm, is now sixty-eight years
old, and is the oldest native of this township now
residing in the township. He was born in this
house. Daniel Vance narrates the following facts in re
lation to those early times: At the time John
Vance came to what is now Miller township the
Indians were quite numerous. After Mr. Vance
had built his log cabin (size sixteen by sixteen),
and moved into it, he used a blanket for a door.
He worked away from home, and frequently would
remain away over night, leaving his wife and child
(now Mrs. Hannah Houck) alone. The Indians
were frequent visitors to the cabin of their new
neighbors, and frequently brought venison and
other game to exchange for corn. One Indian in
particular seemed more warmly attached to the
pale-face neighbors than the others. Upon one
occasion he came to the cabin in the evening and
asked Mrs. Vance if "Pale-face" would be home
that night. Mrs. Vance's first impulse was to tell

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

523

him yes, as she did not know his designs in asking
such a question, but she thought it would not do
to tell him a falsehood, so she said no he would
not be at home that night, as he went to work for
corn. The Indian replied, "Pale-face shan't be
hurt; pale-face need not be afraid." He then lay
down in front of the door, and remained there all
night. He did this on several occasions.
In the year 1809 Abraham Cairnes, from Vir
ginia, purchased lot number one in the Jackson
tract, being the southeast corner of the township.
The same year Andrew Thompson purchased lot
number two.
In 1810 Cornelius Thompson, from Hardy
county, Virginia, purchased lot number four. He
died in a few years, leaving two children, one of
which, Enoch Thompson, now resides in the town
ship. About 181 2 Daniel Bailer purchased lot num
ber nine, William Campbell lot number ten, and
Henry Row lot number five. The latter has one
son, Henry Row, now living in the township.
About 18 1 6 Peter Weaver purchased lot num
ber eleven. He has two sons now living in the
township. About 1816 George B. Jackson died and his
lands remaining unsold, went into the hands of
minor heirs. The balance of this tract was a
wilderness for several years, and was not all occu
pied by actual settlers until about 1840.
In 1814 James Miller, Thomas Turner, and Otis
Warren, from Vermont, immigrated to Miller town
ship. James Miller purchased section number
five, the northwest corner of the township, contain
ing about six hundred acres. On this farm he
erected the first frame barn and the first brick
house built in this township. The barn was built
in 1815; the house in 1824. He was a man of
much energy and perseverance, and reared a large
and respectable family. He died in 1844. The
youngest son, Dana, now owns and resides upon
part of this farm, being the only one of the Miller
family now residing in this township. Thomas
Turner purchased the northeast quarter of section
six; he was about sixty-five years of age when he
came here. He had no children. The first labor
he performed after building was to clear a piece of
ground for a graveyard for himself; it is the same

now used for a graveyard in the northwest part of
the township. He died April, 1826, aged seventy-
seven years. Otis Warren was an adopted son of
Thomas Turner; preferred to hunt rather than
labor, and would spend his money for whiskey in
stead of bread for his family. In 1815 Cyrus Gates,
from Rutland, Vermont, purchased the southeast
quarter of section six, where he resided until his
death, August 21, 1867. He reared a family of
nine children, of whom four are now living, and all
reside in this township. The farm is now owned
by Lewis Gates, the youngest son now living.
From this time to 18 19 all this quarter of the
township was occupied by actual settlers; and it is
now almost impossible to give a correct account of
them all. William Hildreth, from Connecticut, in
181 7, purchased the northwest quarter of section
four, on which farm he died in 1828. He reared
a family of five sons, of whom only two are now
living. They both reside in this township — Arnold
W. and Epaphro. Rufus Ward, from Vermont,
purchased the northeast quarter of section four.
This same farm is now owned by his grandchildren.
The southwest quarter of section four, was pur
chased by Alpheas Chapman, from Vermont, who
had one daughter, Mrs. John Colopy, now residing
in the township. In 181 7 Nathaniel Lash pur
chased the southeast quarter of section four. Phin*
eas Squires, from Vermont, purchased the south
west quarter of section three, and reared a family
of eleven children, of whom but one is now living.
He resides in this township. Royal D. Simons
purchased the southwest quarter of section three,
of Phineas Squires in 181 8. Jacob Simons, from
Vermont, in 18 13-14, purchased the northwest quar
ter of section eight, and sold it in 181 7 to John 01-
ney, who came from Rhode Island in 1816. Emor
Harris purchased the northeast quarter of section
seven, where he lived until his death in 185 1. He
was elected to the office of justice of the peace
seven times. He was very much respected in the
community, and has one son and and one daugh
ter, now living in the township. James Sealts pur
chased the northwest quarter of section seven. He
is living at the present time, being the only man
among the first settlers of this quarter of the town
ship now living. His age is about ninety-two years.
Levi, Hiram and Manley Rowley, Riverius New-

524

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

ell, Silas Mott, John Mott, and his sons, John,
Gideon and Samuel, Lemuel Chapman and Aaron
Hill were among the early settlers. Salmon
Hooker came from Vermont in 1816; his widow is
now living in the township, aged eighty-six years.
Aaron Hill was born near Boston, Massachusetts,
emigrated to this county in 181 1, and shared in
the privations and toils of life in the new country.
During his residence in this township he worked
as a carpenter and joiner, a blacksmith and a
farmer, and with true Yankee instinct, lent a hand
at whatever work the wants ofthe country required.
Of his family of five, Norman N., of Mt. Vernon, is
the sole survivor. Riverius Newell (the father-in-
law of Aaron Hill) was one of the first, and many
yet believe him the first, settler in the township.
He died in Mt. Vernon, and was buried by the
Masons, March 30, 1835.
About 1820 Richmond Hillard purchased the
east half of the northwest quarter of section six.
This was the last piece of land held by the Gov
ernment in this township, and is the same piece
now owned by J. M. Hillard.
The first, or northeast quarter of the township,
owned by William Stanberry, was divided into
twelve lots of two hundred acres each, about 1815.
About 18 16 Timothy Colopy and William Colopy,
brothers, formerly from -Ireland, were the first to
locate in the northeast quarter of the township.
Timothy purchased lot No. 6. He had a good
education, was a man of good natural ability, and
much respected by his neighbors.
William Colopy purchased lot No. 11; he has
one son, Timothy, and one daughter, Mrs. Mar-
quand, now living in the township. His widow is
yet living, aged about ninety-two years, and is prob
ably the oldest person now living in the township.
In 1818 Benjamin Chambers, from Pennsylva
nia, purchased lot No. 8, on which he lived until
his death in 1839. His son Benjamin, who now
owns the farm, came here with his father in 1818.
His wife, who was Miss Rachel Walker, was born
in Morris township, this county, in 1802;* she is
the oldest person now living in this township, that
was born in Knox county.
John Smith, about the year 18 18, purchased the
* This is probably an error, as it is generally believed *here
was no white settler in the county as early as 1802.

lot in the northeast corner of the township, and
died on his farm in 1877. His two sons, Robert
and Finley, now own the farm.
In 1 81 8, John McCardle and David Morton
purchased lot No. 5.
In 1820, Isaac Lesser and Samson Shadley pur
chased lot No. 7.
In the same year Solomon Shafer purchased lot
No. 9, and James Fletcher lot No. 10.
The third, or southwest quarter, owned by
George Bomford, was divided into lots of one hun
dred acres each in the winter of 1829-30, and was
offered for sale in the spring of 1830. The first
sale was of lot No. 23, being the same now owned
by Joseph West and N. A. Chambers. It was pur
chased by William and Alpheas Baker. Within
the next two years all the lots adjoining the Gran
ville road were sold.
Among the first purchasers were James Osborn,
lot No. 19, John Osborn, lot No. 32, Thomas Os
born, lot No. 35. William Beadle purchased lots
Nos. 24, 25, and 33; Richard Mann and Orville
Fosdick the south part, and Thomas Fosdick the
north part of location lot; and Dr. Stimpson and
Luther Hall, lot No. 12. Of these families, none
are living in this township at this time.
Enoch Thompson purchased lot No. 34, and re
sides on the same lot at the present time. Lanson
Crippen bought lot No. 13; his son Henry resides
on the south part of the same lot.
S. F. Vose, Samuel Egely, William" Chambers,
and Alpheas Beadle, were among the early settlers
on this road.
In 1834 John Conaway, from Coshocton county
purchased lot No. 18; Reuben Hall lot No. 19;
and in the same year erected a saw-mill on Vance's
creek, in the west part of the Bomford section.
In 1835 a road was established from the Syca
more road south, through the west part of this sec
tion. Soon after this road was located the lots
remaining in this section were sold.
The first purchasers were as follows: Samuel
Mason, lots Nos. 1 and 8; Thomas Ash, lot No.
2; Oliver Squires, lot No. 7; Luther Freemam,
lots Nos. 10 and 17; John Conaway, lot No. 9;
William Paul, lot No. 28; Amos Hilliar, lot No.
27; Bryant Thornhill, lot No. 30; John Butcher,
lot No. 38; Samuel Hunter, lot No. 3; Levi Ward,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

525

lot No. 6 ; Jacob Oldaker, lot No. 1 1 ; David Row,
lot No. 16; S. F. Vose, lot No. 21; Levi Dila-
plane, lot No. 26; James Cunningham, lot No. 36.
In 1839 Joseph Pearson purchased lot No. 20, the
last lot owned by Bomford. This completes the
first settlement of the township.
The population of Miller township in 1830 was
548; in 1840, 977; in 1850, 1,064; in i860, 996;
in 1870, 929; and in 1880, 827.
The principal occupation of the first pioneers of
this township was clearing the land and farming.
Zanesville was the place where most of the trading
was done. In the spring of the year considerable
quantity of maple sugar was made, taken to Zanes
ville and exchanged for salt and groceries. Their
clothing was mostly manufactured at home, as each
farmer kept a few sheep, and the wool was spun
and wove into cloth by members of the family, and
made into clothing for winter. A small piece of
ground was sown in flax by each farmer, from the
lint of which the summer clothing was manufac
tured; all the labor of producing .this clothing
being performed at home. All farm products were
sold at very low prices — wheat seldom so high as
forty cents a bushel, and corn brought from eight
to fifteen cents. A first class cow would sell for
eight or ten dollars, and all other farm products at
equally low rates. Even at these rates it was al
most impossible to get the cash. Money was
scarce and almost all kinds of business was carried
on by barter. The merchants would sell their
goods to the farmers on time, the farmer agreeing
to pay with wheat, or pork, when he slaughtered
his hogs. The wheat and pork were again ex
changed by the merchant for goods. Thus trade
was carried~on with a small amount of money.
The wheat was made into flour and packed in bar
rels, the pork was also packed in barrels, and a con
siderable quantity of corn converted into whiskey.
All this made a demand for cooperage, and Miller
furnished her full share of coopers. Rufus Ward,
Levi Ward, Cyrus Gates, Emor Harris, James
Sealts, Oliver Squires, and Chester Coleman were
all engaged in coopering for several years. Since
1850 the farmers of this township have been largely
engaged in wool-growing, and it is among one of
the largest wool-growing townships in the county.
The first public road located in Miller town

ship was the Granville road, leading from Mt. Ver
non to Granville, and was established about 18 10.
The second was the Bryant's Mill road, leading
from Bryant's mill to Utica. This mill was situated
on Dry creek, near where the Knox county infirm
ary is now located, and the road was established in
181 5. It has been changed materially from its first
location, and a large part of the original road has
been vacated. That part from the north line of
lands owned by M. C. Bone, to the north line of
lands owned William McCuen; also from the
Granville road west to J. M. Hillard's, thence north
to the township line, is nearly on the original sur
vey; the remainder of this road has been vacated.
The third road is what is called the Sycamore road,
and was located and established in 18 18, It has
been changed in many places from its original lo
cation. The village of Brandon is situated near the cen
tre of Miller township, at a point where the Syca
more road crosses the Granville road. The first
house was built by James Hare, on the northwest
corner, about five rods from the Sycamore road,
and about two rods from the Granville road. The
second house was built by C. L. Bennett, on the
south side of Sycamore street, near where Dr.
Hatcher now resides. About 1824 Phineas Squires
purchased the land in the northeast corner — he
probably owned sixty-eight acres, then all a wil
derness. He built a hewed-log house, near where
J. C. Harstock now resides, which is worthy of no
tice. It was the largest log house ever built in
this township; that is, there were more logs used in
the building than any otheriog house built in this
part ef the country. The exact dimensions cannot
be given at present, but it was probably about
forty-five feet long, twenty-four feet wide, and two
stories high. It took two lengths of logs to reach
the length. The partitions and floors were of logs
hewn on three sides. The chimney was built in
the centre of the house, with a huge fireplace on
two sides of it. There was probably nearly as much
solid timber in this house as there is in all the
houses in the village at the present time. Phineas
Squires was captain of the militia, and the neigh
bors called this house the " war office."
About 1830 Manley Rowley purchased one acre
of land in the southeast corner, on which he erected

526

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

a building for a hotel, being the same property now
in use fo*r that purpose.
In 1830 Simeon A. Bagley and Enos Barnes
formed a partnership in the blacksmithing and
wagonmaking business. Barnes purchased James
Hare's lot. In 1831 they built a brick shop on
the lot now occupied by J. R. Milligan's residence.
This shop was about fifty feet long, twenty wide
and one story high, with a brick partition through
the centre, making two rooms, one for a wagon
shop the other for blacksmithing. Soon after they
had everything in good working order, the shop
with all its contents was destroyed by fire. Bag-
ley then sold his property and left the place.
Barnes put a new roof on the building, made other
necessary repairs, and continued blacksmithing in
one of the rooms several years. The other room
was used several years for a school-room and meet
ing-house and some time for a dwelling. In 1839
Enos Barnes sold his property to H. C. Lockwood,
which included some fifteen acres on the north
west corner. Previous to this time John Mott had
sold a piece of land, eight rods wide, along Syca
more street, from the corners west to the section
line, and there had been three cabins built on this
piece of land. In 1842 John Mott owned all the
southeast corner, and he and H. C. Lockwood
made an agreement to lay out a certain amount of
their lands into town lots. Accordingly they em
ployed a competent surveyor, and some fifteen
acres of the southwest corner were surveyed and
staked off into lots, streets and alleys, when a dis
pute arose about the exact location of the Granville
road. The surveyor went to Mt. Vernon to exam
ine the records, got drunk, and it was several days
before he returned. Previous to this time the place
had been known by the name of Four corners.
During the absence of the surveyor a dispute arose
about the name for the new town, Lockwood claim
ing the right of naming it, and gave the name of
New Windsor. Mott wished to give the town the
name of Brandon. These parties waxed warm in
their dispute, and when the surveyor returned they
had abandoned the project of making a new town.
From that time to the present the village has been
known as Brandon. It never was regularly laid
out into town lots, each person purchasing lots to
suit himself, for size, shape and location. Levi

Rowley in 1841 was the first merchant. A post-
office was established on the fifteenth of February,
1839, called Hildreth, and Miner Hildreth was the
first postmaster. About 1832 Hildreth resigned,
and H. C. Lockwood was appointed postmaster;
about this time the name of the post-office was
changed to its present name — Brandon. J. R,
Milligan, the present postmaster, has held the of
fice since 1869.
Sycamore Valley Lodge No. 553, 1. O. O. F., was
instituted at Brandon July 31, 1873, by the most
worthy grand master, John E. Bell, of Cincinnati,
assisted by Past Grands T. P. Fredericks, W. R
Hart, J. R. Wallace, and G. R. Martin, of Mt.
Vernon. The charter members were John L. Slater, A.
M. Welsh, H. C. Harris, Adam Williams, W. S.
Harrod, N. A. Chambers, H. J. Glaze, Orlando
Truman, John C. Jacobs, G. H. Phillips, J. Hart-
sook, Morgan Beaver, William Beaver and T. D.
Poland. In 1873 the following officers were duly in
stalled: G. H. Phillips, N. G; J. C. Jacobs, V.
G.; H. J. Glaze, financial secretary; H. C. Harris,
secretary; D. F. Poland, treasurer.
Those initiated at the first meeting were A. W.
Brown and W. H. Evans. The officers, July 1,
1880, were as follows: J. C. Hartsook, N. G; L.
French, V. G; G W. Stout, financial secretary; A.
W. Brown, secretary; A. Williams, treasurer.'
During the year 1880, aided by friends of the
order, the lodge erected a fine two story frame
building for lodge purposes, on the corner of
Granville and Sycamore streets. The first floor is
intended for a store room, and the second is de
voted to lodge purposes. The entire cost of the
building and furnishing was about one thousand
dollars. On the fifth of August, 1880, the hall was dedi
cated to the use of Odd Fellowship in an impres
sive manner by Most Worthy Grand Master Gra-
vatt, of Columbus, assisted by Past Grands
Thomas Trick and W. R. Hart, of Mt. Vernon
lodge No. 20; J. B. Warren, of Quindaro Lodge
No. 316; J. H. Hamilton, of Ellicott Lodge No.
267, and W. O'B. Honey and H. S. Bunnell, of
Sycamore Valley Lodge No. 543.
Brandon has, at this time, two churches, one

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

527

town hall, one steam saw-mill, one cider mill, two
wagon shops, one blacksmith shop, one dry goods
store, one grocery, one hotel, one boot and shoe
shop, one harness shop, two physicians, one artist,
and one butcher shop.
Isaac Coleman is the oldest resident of the vil
lage, having resided here since 1836.
L. W. Gates has held the office of notary public
in this place since 1868.
This township has been visited several times
with severe wind storms; the most disastrous of
these occurred on the twentieth of January 1854,
passed across the township in a northeast direction,
and was from forty to sixty rods in width. It first
struck the township at the west line of lot number
nine, in the third quarter of the township. At this
place it was not very severe. It then crossed lot
eight and the east part of lot one, owned by John
Robinson, taking off the top of his log house;
next it struck lot two, owned by John Turner, and
completely demolished his house and other build
ings, scattering fences and everything movable, in
wild confusion. Mrs. Turner had an arm broken.
A grain sack owned by Mr. Turner was found
after ths storm near Danville, a distance of about
twenty miles. It next struck the woods of George
Milligan, making a clean sweep of his standing
timber, and then crossed the farms of David Wat
son and J. W. Baxter, passing south and east of
•their buildings. Their fences and everything mov
able in its course, was left in wild confusion. It
next struck the farm of Chester Coleman, taking
off the roofs of his house and barn, and passing to
Dr. Wheaton's, where J. W. Baxter now resides,
completely demolishing his new frame house and
barn. The doctor was in the barn at the time, and
when it had left him he found himself among some
rubbish, with one arm broken. The Union church,
standing on the site now occupied by the Method
ist Episcopal church in Brandon, was entirely de
stroyed. The brick school-house, occupying the
present site of the town hall, at the time occupied
with a school of about fifty scholars, was blown
down to its foundations, but no one was killed or
dangerously injured. The roof was blown from
what is now the Baptist church. Several bnildings
in the west part of the village were more or less
damaged. Oliver Squires resided in a brick house

a few rods north of the village; on the approach
of the storm he and his family took refuge in the
cellar. The house was blown down to its founda
tion, likewise his barn, and everything movable
scattered about promiscuously. The storm contin
ued its northeasterly course, crossing the east line
of the township a short distance from the north
east corner, causing a general destruction of fences
and everything movable in its course. The house
of Mr. Slater, situated in its course, met the fate of
others, being blown to the ground.
About 1825, in May, a severe tornado passed
over the extreme southeast corner of this town
ship. At this time John Vance had three sons at
work on the farm, who saw the storm approaching
and attempted to make their way to the house;
the storm overtook them ; they took shelter by a
large black walnut log in the open field; the wind
rolled the log over them, killing two of them and
breaking the other boy's leg. The course of this tor
nado was in a northeast direction, and it was from
eighty to one hundred rods in width. The east
part of section six, in the second quarter, had been
visited by a tornado not long before the first settle
ment of the township.
The first pioneers of Miller paid but little atten
tion to religious matters. Elder John Mott was a
Baptist minister, and made his home here in an
early day. Elder James Hare, a Baptist minister,
came here in 1822. Daniel Barler and perhaps a
few others were also Baptists. The Colopy fami
lies were Catholics, and perhaps some others made
profession of religion, but no church was organ
ized prior to 1830. In that year a church was
organized by Isaac N. Walter, of the Christian de
nomination. Among the leading members at the
time of its organization were Simon A. Bagley,
Daniel Rowley, Leonard Simons, and Enos
Barnes. At this time there wae no house for pub
lic worship, in the township, and meetings were
held at private houses in the winter season; in the
summer they were held in the grove. This church
soon became one of the leading institutions in the
community. In 1832 a house was built for public
worship on the present site of the Methodist
Episcopal church at Brandon, his being the first
house for public worship in Miller township. In
1854 it was destroyed by a tornado. In 1858 this

52*

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

church built another house one and one-half miles
west of Brandon, which is now called Sugar Grove
church. Since this church was organized in 1820 it has
passed through many changes in membership.
Those that composed the first church organization
have all passed away, and the first pastors have
likewise passed off the stage of action. At this
time it is composed of about forty members.
Among the former pastors of this church were J.
N. Walter, Samuel Marion, Harry Ashley, Daniel
Long, Edward Lewis, James Hayes, J. W. Marvin,
and Mills Harrod. Andrew Hanger is the pastor
at the present time. Amzie Harrison, Nelson
Smith, Joseph Johnson, and Ruben Chrisman are
among its leading members.
In 1833 Harry Ashley, ofthe Christian denomi
nation, organized a church in the southeast part of
the township. Among the members at the time
of its organization were John Weaver, Andrew
Oldaker, John Row, Martin Lohr, and James
Oldaker. The members that first composed this
church have all passed away except James Old
aker, who has been a member from the time of its
organization to the present.
This church held its meetings at the school-
house, in district No. 1, until about 1844, when a
house of worship was built. This church is known
by the name of Fairview. J. W. Marvin was
pastor twenty-seven years. It is now the largest
church organized in the township, having sixty-
three members. Douglas Black is the pastor.
Since 1830 the Christian denomination (or New
Lights as they were sometimes called,) have been
the most prominent religious organization in Miller
township, and its membership has been composed
of some of its very best citizens.
About 1834 the Methodists organized a church
at the house of James Nolan, in the northwest part
of the township. Among the leading members
were James Nolan, John Conaway, Joseph Hare,
Andrew McNutt, and William Allison. In a few
years this church organization was abandoned.
In 1 841 the Methodists organized a church at
the school-house in district No. 6, south of Brandon,
on the Granville road. Among the members were
S. F. Vorse, John Osborn, William Beadle, and
Alphea Beadle.

About 1843 the Methodists organized a church
at the school-house in the southwest part of the
township. Among the members were John Bux
ton, John Conaway, and Charles Conaway.
In 1 85 1 a Methodist church was organized at
Brandon. Miner Hildreth and Erastus Rouse were
among its leading members. These three churches
continued in a sickly condition until 1863, when
they were consolidated into one church at Bran
don, where they built a church edifice, since which
time this church has been in a prosperous condi
tion. Rev. Craven is the pastor at the present
time. Its members number about sixty. Among
the leading members were F. A. Buxton, Adam,
William and Nathaniel Hunter and Gideon Long.
In 1853 a Methodist church was organized in
the east part of the township. A house of worship
was erected near Hunt's Station. Its members
mostly reside in Pleasant township. At the time
of its organization its members were John Sliger
Jonathan Wood and James Strong, of Pleasant:,
Christian Stinemates and John Phifer, of Miller.
This church is known by the name of Asbury;
Rev. Cravan is the pastor at the present time.
Probably fifteen or twenty members reside in
Miller, among whom are Thomas M. Jones, George
Sliger and Peter Sout. This church is in a pros
perous condition.
About 1834 Rev. Pitkin, ofthe Presbyterian de
nomination, commenced preaching in the Union
church at Brandon, and continued two or three
years, but probably no Presbyterian church was or
ganized at that time.
In 1852, under the leadership of Dr. Ramsey,
Dr. Wheaton and Levi Beach, a Presbyterian meet
ing-house was built at Brandon, dedicated by Rev.
Swift, and an effort was made to organize a church,
but it does not appear that any church of the Pres
byterian denominaiton was ever organized in the
township. In the fall of 1856 Elder Raymond, of the Bap
tist denomination, held a series of meetings at
Brandon, and organized a church in the month of
January, 1857. Among the members at the time
of its organization, were Emor B. Harris, Isaac
Stull, Philip Stull, J. H. Davis, H. C. Welch, A.
M. Welch, and Rodham Tulloss. In the spring of
1857 the church purchased the house formerly

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

529

built by the Presbyterians, which house they have
continued to occupy to the present time. This
church has continued to exist since the date of its
organization. Elder Lewis is the pastoi at the
present time. Among the members are J. H. Davis,
William Wynkoop, H. J. Glaze, Isaac Stull and N,
A. Chambers.
It may have been observed that the first two set
tlements were in the extreme corners of the town
ship, the southeast and northwest. A school-house
was built near the line in Morgan township, and
near the southeast corner of Miller, which accom
modated the scholars in the southeast corner of
Miller for several years.
The first school-house built in Miller was situ
ated on the Granville road, one mile north of Bran
don. This was a log house, and built about 1817
for the accommodation of the scholars in the
north part of the township. In the spring of 1825
two school-houses were built, one on the farm now
owned by Dana Miller, a short distance east of the
road west of his house; the other on the farm now
owned by Lewis Gates, and about midway between
his residence and the cross roads west of it.
Previous to 1830 schools were supported by in
dividual subscription. About that time the legis
lature passed an act, appropriating a small school
fund for the support of common schools; and also
for the purpose of establishing school districts.
Under the provisions of this act the township was
divided into school districts, the first in the south
east corner of Miller, and including a part of Mor
gan. The schools were continued in the house
formerly built in Morgan township. The second
district was in the north part of the township — and
continued to use the house north of Brandon.
The third district was composed of the northwest
part of Miller, and the northeast part of Milford.
This district erected a new house on the north part
of the farm now owned by J. P. Jones.
The trustees of the townships had control in dis
tricting the townships. In 1833 a new school-
house was built in district No. i, and on the site of
the present school-house in sub-district No. 1. As
the population increased it became necessary to
form new districts and make other necessary
changes, and but few years passed from 1832 to
1850 that some changes were not made with dis

trict lines. * In 1850 there were nine school-houses.
In 1853 the Ohio legislature passed a school law
which in substance is the present school law. It
created the township board of education, and made
all common schools free schools.
The first frame school-house in the township
was built in 1839, in what is now sub-district No.
6, about one and one-half miles south of Brandon.
In the same year the first brick school-house was
built in Brandon. The same house was afterward
destroyed by a tornado.
In 1867 the board of education determined to
reduce the number of sub-districts to eight, and
erect a new school-house for each sub-district; the
houses to be of brick, twenty-four feet wide and
thirty feet long, with a height of ten feet from floor
to ceiling. The house in sub-district No. 3 was
built in 1857; No. 5 in 1870; Nos. 1 and 6 in
1872; No. 7 in 1873; No. 2 in 1874; No. 8 in
1876; and No. 5 in 1878. The first seven were
built by L. W. Gates, the last one by N. W. Buxton.
The schools in Miller are small; good teachers
are employed, and each child growing up in this
township has an opportunity to obtain an education
suitable for the business transactions of life.
A history of Miller township would not be com
plete without the following from its record during
the late war :
Total number enlisted from Miller during the war  114
Total number killed in the army  5
Total number died during the war  16
The following regiments were represented by en
listments from Miller: Fourth, Sixteenth, Twen
tieth, Thirty-second, Forty-third, Sixty-fifth, Seven
ty-sixth, Seventy-eighth, Eighty-second, Ninety-sixth,
One Hundred and Twenty-first, One Hundred and
Twenty-ninth, One Hundred and Forty-second, and
One Hundred and Ninety-Seventh volunteer in
fantry; Third West Virginia Cavalry, First Ohio
cavalry, First Marine brigade, Second Heavy artil
lery, and Eighteenth United States infantry.
The sanitary records show that two societies were
organized by the ladies of Miller township for the
purpose of furnishing necessary supplies for the
sick and wounded soldiers. They continued their
labors from the spring of 1863 to the close of the
war. The estimated value of articles furnished
various hospitals amount to the sum of six hun-

53°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

dred and twenty-six dollars and seventy-six cents.
The successive justices ofthe peace have been:
1816— John Mott, jr. 1849— Emor Harris.
• ¦ —John J. Tulloss. 1850— Erastus Rouse.
1819— John Mott, jr., " —Rufus Ward.
¦' —John J. Tulloss. 1851— W, B. Beardslee.
1820— James Miller. 1853— Erastus Rouse.
1822— John Mott, jr. " —Rufus Ward.
« —John J. Tulloss. 1856— Erastus Rouse.
1825— John J. Tulloss. " —Rufus Ward.
" —John Mott, jr. 1858— Jesse Babbs.
" —James Miller. 1859 — Rufus Ward.
" — Royal D. Simons. 1861— Jesse Babbs.
1828— John Morey. 1862— Rufus Waid.
1831 — Timothy Colopy. 1865— James Oldaker.
" —Emor Harris. ¦' —Rufus Ward.
1832— Nathaniel Lash. 1868— Charles J. O'Rourke.
1834 — Emor Harris. " — Rufus Ward.
1836— E. S. S. Rouse. 1871— Lyman W. Gates.
1837— Emor Harris. " — W. A. Hunter.
1839— E. S. S. Rouse. 1874— Charles J. O'Rourke.
1840— Emor Harris. " — W. A. Hunter.
1842 — E. S S. Rouse. 1875— John B. Conaway.
1843 — Emor Harris. " — Daniel Fishbum.
1845— James Osborn. 1876 — Lyman W. Gates.
1846 — Emor Harris. " — Newton A. Chambers.
1848— James Osborn. 1879 — Henry C. Harris.
1879 — Newton A, Chambers.

CHAPTER LX.
MONROE TOWNSHIP.
Erection — Topography — Timber — Early Settlers —
Later Residents of Prominence — Roads — Mills —
Churches — Elections — List of Justices — Township
Officers — Area — Population — Production — Valua
tion.
MONROE township shall be composed of the
seventh township in the twelfth range — thus
reads the brief entry made in the journal of the
county commissioners, March 9, 1825. The new
township was named in honor of President Monroe.
This part of the county consisting of a high un
dulating table land was originally covered with
glacial drift. Erosion has intersected this town
ship with narrow ravines, and filled it with small
streams, leaving a succession of well rounded hills
of very graceful outline, characteristic of the
Waverly group. This peculiarity is only modified
by outcrops of the Waverly conglomerate. The
soil is mainly composed of the debris of the olive

shales, and moderately productive. The township
is well watered, and a considerable portion of it is
still covered with the original forest.
The principal stream in the township is Schenck's
creek, which traverses it from northwest to south
east, and is fed by numerous springs. This stream
took its name from General W. C. Schenck, who
at one time owned a large tract of land in the town
ship. The southwestern portion of the township
is drained by Centre run, which empties into Owl
creek just below Mt. Vernon. The timber found
in Monroe is mainly white and red oak, sugar and
soft maple, -hickory, white and black walnut, gum
beech, white and black ash, elm, sycamore, cherry
and linn.
Joseph Coleman was one of the earliest settlers
of Monroe township. He emigrated from Fayette
county, Pennsylvania, in 1806, and lived that year
in the Haines' settlement, south of Mt. Vernon,
and the next year moved to the Daymude place, ¦
on Schenck's creek. At the first election ever- held
in the county, at Mt. Vernon, April 4, 1808, Mr.
Coleman was elected trustee for the county, as di
vision into townships had not yet taken place. He
also served as justice of the peace from 1841 till
1853. He died in 1830, aged fifty-six. None of
his children now reside in the county.
Seely Simpkins was born in New Jersey in 1791,
and came with his father to Knox county in 1804.
They first located on Owl creek above Mt. Vernon,
but in 1807 moved to Monroe township, and loca
ted on the Wesley Clements' property on Schenck's
creek. Here John- Simpkins, Seely's father, died
and was buried in 1809. Mr. Simpkins is the eld
est of twelve children, and is himself the father of
twelve children, having married Christina Dial,
September 2, 1813. His wife having died he mar
ried Levina Durham, September 14, 1846, and is
now in the ninetieth year of his age, living in the
northern part of the township.
David Johnson was also an early settler. He
located on Schenck's creek, where Henry Barker
now lives, and erected a block-house as a protec
tion against the Indians. To him belongs the
credit of planting the first orchard in Monroe
township. In 1820 he erected a saw-mill on his
property, it being the first of the kind in the town-
. ship. Mr. Johnson came to Knox county from

J.l>.X!*ii'i.*J>t>--~.-

RESIDENCE OF GENERAL G. A. JONES,
Corner of High and Sandusky Streets, Mt. Vernon O.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

53i

Washington county, Pennsylvania, but the exact
date of his settlement in Monroe township is not
known. His name is found on the records of
Knox county as grand juryman in 1809.
Mr. Johnson failed in business about 1829, and
his property was purchased by James Smith, esq.,
of Mt. Vernon, who occupied the same until 1837,
when he sold to Mr. Barker, and moved to Lan
caster. Another early settler of some notoriety was an
eccentric character named James Smith, who was
the first to locate at Monroe Mills. His cabin
stood on the west bank of the creek, not far from
the site at present occupied by Ranna's store. His
name is to be found on the first jury empanelled in
this county.
John Adams came from Frederick county, Vir
ginia, and located in the extreme southwest corner
of Monroe township in 181 1. He was a quiet and
industrious citizen, and continued to reside at the
same place until his death, which occurred August
20, 1829.
Rev. William Thrift moved from Morris town
ship to Monroe at the close of the War of 181 2,
and located near where Commissioner Stephen
Craig now resides. Mr. Thrift was a Baptist min
ister, and as such was authorized to solemnize
marriages by the first court of Knox county, held
at Mt. Vernon, May 2, 1808.
William Ireland was also an early settler. He
located on Schenck's creek, one-half mile above
Gilcrest's mill, where he resided until the present
year, when he moved to Morrow county, Ohio.
Later residents of prominence were the Dowds,
Craigs, Lauderbaughs, Dixons, Clementses, Becks,
Irvines, Skeens, Youngs, Hunts, Hulls, Berrys,
Barkers, and Millers.
The history of the early roads laid out by the
county in Monroe township is very similar to that
of other townships, and does not require special
mention. The State road to Wooster was laid out
by Benjamin Martin, Joseph Eichar, and James
Carpenter, commissioners appointed by the legis
lature of Ohio, and a copy of the survey filed in
the office of the commissioners of Knox county,
September 1, 1818.
The Coshocton State road was surveyed by
John Stewart, and returned to the county commis-
=4

sioners by Thomas Watt and John Hawn, jr.,
April 12, 1822.
Schenck's creek in its passage through Monroe
township has considerable fall, consequently, affords
good facilities for milling, and this circumstance
was early taken advantage of by the settlers in the
erection of both saw- and grist-mills on its banks.
In 1825 Robert Gilcrest built a saw-mill on the
property now owned by Allison Adams, and in
1833 he erected a grist-mill with three run of burhs
and all the machinery to constitute a first class
mill for that day. In 1837 this mill ground forty
thousand bushels of wheat, the flour from which
found a market in Zanesville. Mr. Gilcrest operated
the mill till 1845 when he sold out to Peter Skeen,
who operated it about three years. A carding ma
chine and fulling-mill were attached to this mill in
1837 and successfully operated till 1847, when Mr.
Paige, the operator, built a fulling-mill of his own
farther up the creek. The flouring-mill was owned
and operated by different persons until 1876 when
it became the property of William Vian, and on
the night of April 13, 1876, it was destroyed by
fire and never rebuilt.
Mr. Davis erected a saw-mill on Schenck's creek
one half mile below Gilcrest's mill in 1828, and a
short time thereafter erected a grist-mill and added
a fulling-mill and carding machine. This mill was
operated successfully for several years after Mr.
Davis' death which occurred in 1857.
The next mill built on Schenck's creek was near
the western line of the township by Scott Gilcrest
and Truman Purdy in 1835, and in 1844 Henry
Boynton and Jacob Davis erected a grist-mill near
the same place, now known as the Monroe Mills.
The mills did a good business and the proprie
tors branched out into various enterprises. They
established a store and post-office in 1846, farmed,
and dealt in stock. In i860 Mr. Boynton failed
and made an assignment of his property to Jacob
Davis, James Graham, and James E. Woodbridge.
They operated the mills a few years and then
turned the property over to the Knox County bank.
Nelson and George Critchfield purchased the mills
of the bank for four thousand dollars and operated
them for seven or eight years. Jacob Horn,
Hiram Magers, Jacob Lybarger and James Mc
Elroy at various times held an interest in the prop-

532

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

erty. James McElroy is the present proprietor.
The Lhamon mills are located on the Wooster
road near the north line of Monroe township. The
original mill was a saw-mill erected by Jacob Lutz
in 1840. Mr. Lutz owned the mill but a short
time when it came into the possession of Jacob
Davis, who erected a grist-mill adjoining the same
containing one pair of flouring buhrs and one set
of choppers, both of which are still in use. In
1868 he old saw-mill was torn away and the pres
ent one erected by Abner Lhamon. The mills are
now owned and operated by William Lhamon.
A saw- mill was also built on the J. W. Perkins'
property by John Merron but its history is unim
portant. A tannery was built about the year 181 5, on the
H. H. Young plan, by Joseph Rogers, who sold it
to Joseph Robinson in 182 1. Mr. Robinson oper
ated it for four or five years, when it was abandoned.
Gilbert & Spindler's carriage, wagon and black
smith shops are located at Monroe mills. The
blacksmith shop has been in operation about forty
years. The carriage and wagon shop was erected
in 1 86 1, by Harmon Lybarger, who operated it till
the spring of 1864, when he enlisted in the One
Hundred and Forty-second regiment Ohio volun
teer infantry, and died at Portsmouth, Virginia.
The shop was sold by his administrator to Silas A.
Spindler, who still operates it, manufacturing
wagons and buggies of all kinds, which are ironed
by John C. Gilbert.
In 1846 the first store was opened at Monroe
mills, by Boynton & Davis, since which time the
following persons have engaged in merchandizing
at that place : William Shrimplin, Lewis Ralston,
John McFarland, James Bebout and M. J. Ranna.
The first school-house in the township was built on
the C. A. Young property in 1814, and the pioneer
teacher was William Marquis. The hewed log'
house was erected by John Adams in the south
west corner of the township in 1818, and the first
brick house was -built by James Adams on the
Hunt property about the year 1825. Later, brick
houses were built by William Marquis and Allen
Scott. Ichabod Coleman, son of Joseph Coleman,
claimed to be the first white person born in the
township.

In 1830 Andrew Miller kept tavern where the
Coshocton road crossed Schneck's creek, since
known as Monroe mills, and about the same time
a hotel was opened on the Wooster road, known
as the "Four Mile House." It was kept at varions
times by Clementine Wolverton, R. S. Clements,
Charles Bird, William Harold and others. It is no
longer used as a public house.
James Martin was the first to introduce fine
cattle into the township. In i860 he brought
some fine short-horn Durhams from Kentucky, and
has been very successful in their propagation.
Pleasant Valley Methodist Episcopal church
was originally organized at Brown's meeting-house
Howard township. Some of the original members
were Joseph Brown, Anna Brown, Philip Brown,
Mary A Brown, John Smith, Margaret Miller,
Thomas McMann and wife, John Tym and his
wife, Elizabeth, John Hunter and wife, Isaac Critch
field and his wife, Sarah, Joel Bartlett and wife,
Buckley Willis and his wife, Susan, Richard Lybar
ger and his wife, Rebecca, Walter King and his
wife, Sarah, Alexander Lybarger and his wife, Mar
garet, George Lybarger, and his wife, Sarah, Wil
liam King and his wife Mary Ann, John Hardin
and his wife, Sophia, A. K. Fobes and wife, Daniel
L. Fobes and wife. Joseph Brown was the first
classleader, about 1830.
In 1857 it was determined to move the church
to Morgan township. Accordingly Joseph Hill do
nated one half acre of ground situated one-half
mile south of Monroe Mills, as a building site for
a new church. A building committee consisting of
Joseph Hill, Nelson Critchfield and Thomas Cald
well was appointed, and a frame building thirty by
thirty-five feet was erected in October of the same
year. The new church was completed and the first
sermon preached in it by Rev. Wolfe June 12, 1858
The dedication sermon was preached by Rev,
Daniel Lambert. Subsequently one-half acre ad
joining was purchased for a burial ground and the
first persons interred therein were Mary, wife, and
Adelaide, daughter of Basil L. Critchfield. This
church attained its maximum strength in 1864.
The membership was then about sixty. Various
causes have tended to weaken it till at the present
time the entire membership is but nineteen. J. C.
Gilbert is classleader, and John Bennett and J.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

533

Stough, stewards. Rev. Lorenzo B. Shaw is the
present pastor. A Sunday-school of about forty
members is attached, and George Bennett is super
intendent. Ebenezer Methodist Protestant church was or
ganized in August, 1842, by Rev. John Lamb, at
the school-house on the Wooster road, near the
hotel known as the Four Mile house. The early
meetings were held in the above named school.
house about two years. The original members
were Robert Thompson and wife, Jacob Bricker
and wife, Joseph Goodale and wife, George Ben
son and wife, Jeremiah Belt and wife; James Ken
nedy and Lyman Benson. The first house of wor
ship was erected by this congregation in 1844, and
the second in 1872. The latter is a neat frame
thirty-two by forty feet and is located on the
Wooster road one-half mile northeast of the Four
Mile house. The successive pastors of this church
are as follows: John Lamb, John Dorcas, Moses
Scott, A S. Robinson, J. M. Winn, Thomas Potter
Samuel Catlin, John Lamb, N. S. Brown, W. H.
Marshall, D. B. Dorsey, E. S. Hoagland, J. Fister,
John McFarland, C. C. Ball, J. H. Hamilton, W. A.
Sampson, E. W. Grimes, J. M. Woodward, L.
Bowman, G. W. Hissey and J. H. Hamilton. A
Sunday-school is connected with this church, the
date of the organization of which is not now known.
The present superintendent is David Adams.
Monroe township was organized in 1825, but
no record of early elections has been pre
served. The list of justices of the peace, is
as follows: Thomas Dixon, 1821 and 1824; Wil
liam Beck, 1826; Thomas Dixon, 183 1 and 1834;
M. N. Scott, 1836; Thomas Dixon, 1838;
M. N. Scott, 1839; Joseph Adams, 1840; Jo
seph Coleman, 1843; M. N. Scott and Thomas
Dixon, 1843; Joseph Coleman, 1844; M. N.
Scott and R. S. Clements, 1846; Joseph Coleman,
1847; M. N. Scott and R. S. Clements, 1849;
Joseph Coleman, 1850; Isaac Irvine, 1851; M. N.
Scott and R. S. Clements. 1852; John Craig,
1854; R. S. Clements and Henry Boynton, 1855;
Joseph Hutchinson, 1856; R. S. Clements, 1858;
John Hutchinson and James Hutchinson, 1859;
Robert S. Clements, 1861; William Hartsock,
1862; John A. Beers, 1864; Allison Adams, 1865;
John A. Beers, 1867; Allison Adams, 1868; Wil

liam Hartsock, 1870; Allison Adams, 1871; John
A. Beers and Allison Adams, 1874 and 1877; Alli
son Adams, 1879, George W. Clements, 1880.
From 1855 to 1867 the elections were held in
White Hall school-house number five. In the lat
ter year a town house was built in the centre of the
township where the elections have ever since been
held. The present board of township officers is con
stituted as follows: Allison Adams and George
W. Clements, justices ; J. W. Clements and Adam
McGough, constables; James W. Davis, clerk;
Solomon Doup, James Paige, and LeGrand Mar
shall, trustees; William Grubb, treasurer; John W.
Perkins, assessor; Allison Adams, land appraiser;
Solomon Doup, E. S. Graham, Henry Patterson,
Rush Stough, and W. B. Dowdz, board of educa
tion. Monroe township is five and one-half miles
square, and returns for taxation 16,465 acres of
land. Its population in 1830 was 437; in 1840,
1,258; in 1850, 1,324; in i860, 1,085; m I87o,
1,085; and m 1880, 1,028. The number of acres
under cultivation in 1880 was 6,296; the number
of acres in pasture was 7,490; acres in wheat, i(-
853; bushels of wheat, 24,306; acres in oats, 563;
bushels of oats, 18,089; acres in corn, 1,978;
bushels of corn, 58,536; acres in meadow, 1,563;
tons of hay, 1,073; acres in potatoes, 61; bushels
of potatoes, 5,553; pounds of butter 48,000;
pounds of wool, 22,612; number of horses, 458;
assessed value of same, $16,962; number of cattle,
1,055; assessed value of same, $14,541; number
of sheep, 5,349; assessed value of same, $9,970;
number of hogs, 1,504; assessed value, $2,631;
moneys and credits, $40,431.

534

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

CHAPTER LXI.
MORGAN TOWNSHIP.
Location — Name — Topography — Ancient Works— Ag
riculture — First Settlers and Settlements —
Sketches of the Pioneers — Schools — Churches.
MORGAN belongs to the southern tier of town
ships, with Pleasant on the north, Clay on
the east, Licking county on the south, and Miller
township on the west. It was named after Gen
eral Daniel Morgan, a noted officer in the Revolu
tionary war. As originally organized, May 2, 1808,
it comprised within its limits the present townships
of Morgan, Miller, Hilliar, Milford, the west half
of Clay, the south half of Pleasant and the south
west quarter of Harrison. In the general reorgani
zations of townships in March, 1825, it was re
duced to its present limits. It is well watered with
numerous streams. Sycamore creek, the principal
stream, rises in Milford township, flowing generally
east and south through the townships, and with
Tumas run finds its way into the Licking. Big
run, which rises near the village of Martinsburgh,
crosses the northwestern part, passing into Pleas
ant. The Rocky fork heads in the eastern part of
Morgan, running in a southeasterly direction into
Licking county. These are the principal streams,
but several small brooks are found in various parts.
Muck Shaw run and Owl creek water the northern
part. There are several mounds in the township, one
of these, on the farm of James Campbell, is about
five feet high and forty feet in diameter. Some
years since it was opened, and ashes and charcoal
were found, but no remains of human beings. In
the immediate vicinity an unusually large number
of Indian arrowheads were found by the early set
tlers. The other mounds have not yet been ex
plored. Agriculturally considered the land is excellent.
The soil is very rich and productive, and Morgan
township is noted for the wealth of its farmers, and
the large crops of wheat, corn and vegetables
raised. The timber presents the usual varieties in Ohio
—beech, sugar, poplar, walnut, ash and oak. Al
though much of this timber has been cleared away,
there still remains large forests of red and white

oak, beech, sugar and poplar, and it is claimed
that there is more valuable timber in Morgan than
any other one township in the county. The land
is owned comparatively by a few individuals, and is
not divided into small farms as is general through
out the county.
The inhabitants are made up largely of Virgin
ians and Pennsylvanians, and their descendants.
The Pennsylvanians preponderate. There is also
a sprinkling of the New Jersey and Maryland ele
ments. There are but few foreigners in this or
the other townships in the southern part of the
county. The absence of the foreign element is a
noticeable feature, and probably but few localities
in Ohio, of equal population, can compare with it
in this respect.
No colored persons are residents of this town
ship at this time.
The first settlers located- their lands in the west
ern part of the township.
John Green was probably the first white man to
settle within the present limits of Morgan. He
came from Maryland about the year 1805 or 1806,
entering land in the northwestern part of the town
ship. He was a prominent citizen in early times,
and served as justice of the peace and in other
local offices for many years.
Cornelius Bartalow, sr., was one of the very first
to settle here. He emigrated from Martinsburgh,
Virginia, in 1806, and located forty acres of mili
tary land near the village of Utica, Licking county.
When he came Indians were numerous, and were
about all the neighbors he had for some years.
After residing some years here, he removed to
Clay township, near the village of Martinsburgh,
where he died in 18 14, and was the second person
buried in the cemetery at that place.
Azariah Davis came from Green county, Penn
sylvania, and settled in Utica, Licking county. He
was born in 1756, and was a participant in the war
for independence. The season prior to his removal
from Pennsylvania, he harvested a crop of wheat
which he threshed and hauled to Zanesville, Ohio,
where he had it ground into flour and stored in a
mill at that place. As often as the necessities of
his family required it he went to Zanesville and
procured flour from this storage. By this precau
tion his family was well provided with breadstuffs

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

535

until he could clear up a patch of land and raise a
crop. Although Mr. Davis lived several years
among the Indians, he had little difficulty in living
peaceably with them. He raised a family of nine
children, all of whom are dead but Mrs. Rachel
Stevens, who resides at Utica, Licking county, in
the eighty-fourth year of her life.
Jacob Hanger came from Virginia about the
year 1809, and settled in the southeastern part of
the township. He was married to Miss Rebecca
Davis about 1796, and reared a family of twenty
children, ten sons and ten daughters. He was a
man of strict integrity and figured quite promi
nently in the early history of Knox county. He
served twenty-one years as justice of the peace in
this township, and was otherwise honored by his
neighbors with local offices. He died in 1834.
The Pumphreys were among the pioneer fami
lies of Morgan who were quite prominent in its early
history. They were zealous Methodists, distin
guished for their piety, intelligence, and hospitality,
and their home was the stopping place of all the
early itinerant ministers of that denomination.
Caleb, the patriarch of the family, died in 1817.
There are none of the family now residing here.
John Sellers, still living in Morgan, is the largest
landholder in the township. He is the owner of
eleven hundred acres of valuable land. Mr. Sellers
came from Green county, Pennsylvania, in 1823,
located two hundred and fifty acres of land in the
northern part of this township, erected a cabin, re
turned to Pennsylvania, and permanently removed
to Morgan in 1824, where he has since resided.
He is possessed of great energy and perseverance,
which is no doubt the secret of his success in accu
mulating property. He is now about eighty-five
years of age. In connection with Mr. Seller's his
tory it would be proper to mention the memorable
tornado, known as the "Burlington storm," which
passed over his place on the eighteenth day of May,
1825. It originated near Burlington, now Homer,
Licking county, entering the southwest corner of
Morgan, and sweeping across the township from
southwest to northeast. Its path through this town
ship was from one-half to three-fourths of a mile in
width. It caused a terrible destruction of timber,
fences, cabins, etc. Thousands of forest trees were
uprooted or twisted off at the tops; houses were

torn down or unroofed, fences prostrated and the
rails carried through the air, shingles were blown
from Homer into this township, and a featherbed
was taken up from a dwelling house and lodged in
a tree in Harrison township, several miles distant.
James Honey had five head of cattle and three
horses killed, and Mr. Sellers had many acres of
timber prostrated. After it became thoroughly dry
he fired it, and it was completely consumed. He
was saved the labor and expense of chopping down
the trees and rolling the logs together, and thus the
old adage was verified that "it is an ill wind that
blows nobody good." The roads in the. township
lying in the path of the tornado, were all blockaded
by the fallen timber, and all the able bodied men
in the neighborhood were busy in removing the
debris, and bringing order out of confusion. Prov
identially no one was killed or severely injured in
this township, although there was a loss of life in
other places where the storm passed by. It spent
its force among the Mohican hills.
Aaron Davis came from Essex county, New
Jersey, in 181 9, and was at one time the only
Whig voter in this township. In course of time
he was reenforced by another Whig, a Mr. Mc
Farland. Mr. Davis was of Revolutionary stock, his father,
Joseph Davis, having served several years in the
patriot army, being for a time one of General
Washington's body-guards. When the British
army occupied Elizabethtown, New Jersey, he was
engaged to be married in two weeks, and had pur
chased his wedding suit, which the British secured
with the other plunder, and he afterwards saw an
English officer wearing it. The proposed marriage
was postponed until after the close of the war.
Aaron Davis resided many years in this town
ship, and was an honorable, upright citizen and an
active working member of the Martinsburgh Pres
byterian church. He died in 1842.
John F. McLain, another prominent citizen, re
moved to Morgan from Pennsylvania in 1828. He
was a large landholder and extensive stock dealer,
and was several years part owner of a store in Mt.
Vernon. He died in 1858.
The Bells have long been prominent citizens
both of Morgan township and of Ohio. James
Bell emigrated from Green county, Pennsylvania,

536

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

in 1815. He hauled his household goods in
wagons from Pennsylvania, and was sixteen to
seventeen days on the road, settling in the eastern
part of Morgan township, where he resided until
his death, which occurred in June, 1867. His son
Samuel, who was born in 1800, and who now re
sides in Licking county, was also an early settler in
this township, having removed with his father in
1815 from Pennsylvania. He was married in 1819
to Miss Betsey Hannah, by whom he had ten
children ; only one, his son Lee, is now residing in
Morgan township. Another of his sons, William
Bell, has long been a prominent Democratic politi
cian of Ohio. He has served several terms as
sheriff and auditor of Licking county; was elected
secretary of State in 1864, and served one term as
railroad commissioner, by appointment of Gover
nor Bishop. ~ Samuel Bell is still living in the en
joyment of reasonable health and a competency.
He has long been an earnest member of the Bell
Disciple church.
John Clutter came from Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in 1818, and settled near the centre
of the township. He has been twice married, and
reared fourteen children. He has been a member
of the Owl Creek Baptist church thirty-six years,
and has served several terms as justice of the
peace. Eight of his children are still living, and
all but two residents of Knox county.
Jacob Sperry was an early settler, and influential
man in this township. He was born in Hardy
county, Virginia, April 24, 1789, and removed to
this township in 181 2, settling about two miles
from Utica, Licking county. He was married
January 6, 1813, to Miss Mary Wilson, of Virginia,
who bore him seven children. He was a promi
nent and active member of the Owl Creek Baptist
church, not in its early history, but in later years.
Mr. and Mrs. Sperry were killed by the cars of the
Baltimore & Ohio railroad while crossing the track,
with their team on the second of August, 1872.
James Honey came from Virginia in 1818, and
settled on the third military section. At that date
wild animals were numerous, and he had much
trouble in protecting his flocks of sheep from de
predations by wolves. His neighbors, when he
first moved into the township, were John Green,
Jacob Sellers and John Lash. For some years he

hauled his wheat to Zanesville, where he sold it for
thirty-one and one-fourth cents per bushel, and
paid five dollars per barrel for his salt. He is still
a resident of Morgan, and is eighty-seven years
old. David Campbell, who was born in Ohio county,
Virginia, in 1793, came to Morgan in 1824, locat
ing one hundred and forty acres on military lot,
No. 14. He was married in 1817, to Miss Maria
Vance, of Virginia. They had three children:
James, Elizabeth and Margaret. James still resides
in the township, and is a Republican politician of
some local prominence, and a leading member of
the Baptist church. Among the early settlers in
addition to those mentioned were Abram Debolt,
Moses Mariott, John Boyle, John Dunlap, William
Beam, Samuel Harrod, Philip Melker, Philip
Smith, Abner Brown, George Cooper, John Harris,
Jonathan Agnew, John Vance, Michael Mills,
Titus Rigby, Cornelius Callihan, Abraham Carnes,
Isaac Beam, Smith Hadley, David Debolt, Bernard
Reece and William Green. As far as ascertained
they are all dead.
The Browns were a prominent family, and among
them several good hunters. On one occasion the
elder Brown, needing some articles that could not
be had without money, determined upon securing
a bear, as bear hides always brought the cash. For
this purpose he went out one moonlight night, tak
ing his dogs, his flint-lock rifle and one of his sons,
the latter carrying an axe. The dogs were success
ful in treeing a bear, and Mr. Brown fired at it,
but on account of the insufficiency of light only
wounded it in the leg. This was, however, suf
ficient to bring bruin to the ground, where he was
fiercely attacked by the dogs, several of which he
wounded in the fight, and one was killed. The
boy came bravely to the rescue with the axe, and
the bear was finally dispatched. Adventures of
this character were frequent in those days.
The first wedding in the township was that of
Thomas Huston and Elizabeth Brown, and the first
funeral was that of Calvin Brown, and the second
that of a Mrs. McLain. John Harrod was the first
person buried in the Owl Creek Baptist cemetery,
and Ziba Leonard, sr., the second. James and
Asa Beam probably built the first saw-mill. It was
situated on the head waters of the Rocky fork.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

537

John Lash also erected a saw-mill at an early date.
There have never been any grist-mills built within
the present limits of the township.
The Baltimore & Ohio railroad runs north and
south across the entire western part of Morgan, but
there is no station in the township.
The first road was the one leading from Mt.
Vernon to Newark, which was cut out about 1805
or 1806. The second was the Utica and Martins
burgh, laid out about 181 7.
Ziba Leonard, jr., now living in Martinsburgh,
claims to have taught the first school. The school-
house was a small log cabin, on Benjamin Bell's
farm. It had no floor and greased paper consti
tuted the windows. It was in the summer when he
taught this school, and neither the teacher nor any
of his scholars wore any covering on their feet dur
ing the entire term.
Among the students who attended this school
were Luther Brown, Eleazer Brown, Joseph Hunt,
James and Asa Beam, Maria Spratt, Uriah Reece,
and John Hays. Mr. Leonard charged one dollar
and a half per scholar for tuition, and says he
"never got half of that." James Kirkland prob
ably taught the second school in the township. All
of the householders in Morgan township who had
children of sufficient age, patronized these schools.
The log school-houses have been supersceded by
neat and commodious brick and frame buildings.
Probably the first church in Morgan was built in
the western part, on the Mt. Vernon and Newark
road, about 1807 or 1808, and was of logs. Ben
jamin Leonard, a bachelor, and a very zealous
Presbyterian, was the prime mover in its erection.
In this house, on the Sabbath day, a few individ
uals religiously inclined would assemble. Leonard
would lead in prayer, and read a sermon from an
old book published in England two hundred years
ago, and which is now in possession of Ziba Leon
ard. He would also appoint prayer meetings to
be held on week-day evenings, in the settlers'
cabins ; and he never neglected an opportunity to
sow the seeds of gospel truth. His earnest, un
pretentious labors were blessed, and their fruits are
seen to this day. The Martinsburgh Presbyterian
church, one of the strongest country churches of
that denomination in the county, sprung from this
little band of Christian pioneers; for after worship

ping some years in this little log church the or
ganization was transferred to Martinsburgh and
merged into the Presbyterian church of that village.
The Owl Creek Baptist church was organized in
1809, by the Rev. Amos Mix. The society wor
shipped in a log church from 1809 to 1842. In
the latter year a neat and substantial frame house
of worship was erected, at a cost of six hundred
dollars. The present brick structure was built in
1865, and dedicated February 4, 1866. Its cost
was forty-two hundred dollars. This old organi
zation is one of the strongest Baptist churches,
both numerically and financially, in the county.
Rev. Amos Mix was its pastor from 1809 to 181 7;
Thomas Rigdon, 1817-33; Revs. Ashbrook and
James Berry, 1833-4; Rev. Kauffman, 1834-7;
James Seymore, 1837-42; D. E. Thomas, B.
Thomas, and Benjamin H. Pierson, 1842-4; D.
D. Walden, 1844-7; C. Piatt, 1847-52; C. E. N.
Willoughby, 1852-4; N. Martin, 1854-7; Rev.
Wilson, 1857-8; Rev. Fink, 1858-9; Rev. Stan
ley, 1859-63; John Letts, 1863-8; D. B. Simms,
1868-71; C. King, 1872; L. Yarnall, 1872-4; A.
J. Wiant, 1874-8. The present pastor, J. Tudor
Lewis, settled with the church in May, 1879.
The original number of members was twelve.
The present membership is one hundred and
ninety-six. This church has been visited with sev
eral revivals. During the pastorate of the Rev.
D. E. Thomas, in the winter of 1843, sixty were
added to the church; in the winter of 1854, thirty-
seven; in the winter of 1859, fifty; and in the
winter of 1865, forty-eight. A parsonage was
erected in 1858. A Sabbath-school was organized
in 1840; W. O. B. Honey is the present superin
tendent. The Bell church, Disciple, was organized in
1829, and in 1834 a neat church edifice was
erected on the farm of Benjamin Bell, sr., in the
southeast corner of Morgan township, and on the
line between Knox and Licking. The original
membership was ten, viz : Rev. James Porter, Ben
jamin Bell, sr., Stephen Harris, Isaac Henthorn,
and their wives; Elizabeth Bell and Isaac Stout.
Rev. James Porter preached for- this church several
years. The society has had no settled pastor for a long
time, but Elders John Secrest, John Reed, Reuben

538

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Davis, John Sargeant, James Mitchell, Jesse B.
Ferguson, Arthur Critchfield, James J. Moss, Wil
liam Hayes, J. H. Jones, Andrew Burns, Abner
Lemert, David Sharpless, David Weaver, Jonas
Hartzell, Isaiah Jones, David G. Mitchell, and
Benjamin Bell, jr., have preached at various times
to the congregation. Being contiguous to Licking
county, a majority of the members are residents of
that county. There are about one hundred and
fifty members at this time. The Bell church is one
of the strongest, numerically and financially, of the
Disciple churches in the county. A flourishing
Sunday-school is sustained.
There are no other church organizations or edi
fices in the township at the present time. In the
early history of Morgan, the Methodists held fre
quent meetings in the houses of the settlers, but
they did not erect a church for worship. John
Green, esq., and Caleb Pumphry were very zealous
members of the Methodist church at an early day,
and labored ardently for its success, but the or
ganization finally disbanded, and the members con
nected themselves with the Utica and Martinsburgh
Methodist societies.
Rev. James Scott, the pioneer Presbyterian
preacher of Knox county, frequently preached to
the pioneers of Morgan. The citizens generally
are believers in the religion of Christ.
There are no villages in this township. An ef
fort was made to establish one at an early date in
its history ; some lots were sold but no buildings
erected thereon, and the project was abandoned.
The people do their trading at Mt. Vernon, Utica
and Martinsburgh.
There are no physicians or lawyers resident here,
nor has any post office been established in Morgan
since its organization, the inhabitants receiving
their mail matter at Utica and Martinsburgh.
The press is liberally supported by the citizens
of this township, a large number of both secular
and religious papers being in circulation.

CHAPTER LXII.
MORRIS TOWNSHIP.*
Situation— William Douglass— Douglass' Mill— Sam
uel H. Smith— Clinton Laid Out— The Ohio Regis
ter—James Loveridge— Colonel Alexander Enos—
Other Early Settlers— Roads— Stores— Distiller
ies— Schools — Churches — Mills— Tanneries— Clin
ton — Elections — Tustices.
AT the time of the first division of Knox coun
ty into townships, the territory now comprising
Morris township was equally divided between
Wayne and Clinton townships. Occupying a cen
tral position, being watered by the two principal
branches of the Kokosing, and affording some of
the finest agricultural lands in the county, this
section naturally attracted home seekers at the
earliest period in the history of this part of the
State. The western half of the township — as at present
constituted — comprises two military sections of
four thousand acres each; the southwest quarter
of the township being known as the Canfield sec
tion, and the northwest quarter as the Armstrong
section. The eastern half was laid out in lots of
one hundred and sixty acres each. The former
half is mostly level bottom land, an alluvial de
posit with a gravelly substratum, and few springs,
while the eastern half is moderately undulating
upland, abounding in good springs.
One-half mile east of Fredericktown, on the bank
of Owl creek, may be seen a mound about twenty
feet high and sixty feet in diameter, surrounded by
a ditch and embankment, the latter being outside
the former. On the land of William Loveridge,
north of the former site of Clinton, exists a relic
of the Mound Builders, in the form of a circular
ditch and embankment, very closely resembling a
modern circus ring. It is about forty yards in
diameter, the ditch being inside the embankment.
William Douglass left his home in Morris county,
New Jersey, and wending his way to the far west,
pitched his tent on the bank of Owl creek, just be
low the junction of its principal branches in 1804,
the first permanent settler in Morris township. At
this time the settlers in and around Mt. Vernon
were obliged to go to Newark or Lancaster to mill,

*Hon. William Bonar furnished much of the material for
this chapter.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

539

and Mr. Douglass determined to relieve them of
that inconvenience by erecting a mill on his land
above Mt. Vernon. With such a man as Douglass,
to conceive an idea was equivalent to its execution ;
so calling to his aid his son Aaron he built a dam,
dug a race and erected a saw-mill, preparatory to
the erection of a grist-mill; but as that undertaking
involved considerable labor, time and expense, he
put a corn cracker in his saw-mill, which served a
good purpose until the grist-mill proper was com
pleted in 1 806. He also built a fulling-mill and
carding machine about 1808. These were of ines
timable advantage to the settlers.
The utility of the carding and fulling establish
ments can hardly be appreciated to the extent of
their merits at the present time, when the old-time
process of domestic manufacture of clothing ma
terial has been superceded by modern woollen and
cotton factories. Each farmer kept a small flock
of sheep. The wool from these was taken to the
machine and carded. It was then spun and woven
in the family, taken to the fulling-mill and fin
ished into cloth, suitable for men's wear, or, if de
signed for women's wear, merely colored and
pressed. So highly were Mr. Douglass' achievements val
ued by his appreciative neighbors that the county
commissioners made this entry on their journal,
May 2, 1809: "The tax on William Douglass'
mill is ordered to be taken off as it is a public
benefit." The first grand jury impaneled in Knox county
May 2, 1808, included William Douglass, and at
the first election held in Clinton township on Oc
tober 11, 1808, he was elected county commis
sioner. In the War of 18 12 Mr. Douglass reh
dered valuable service as captain of a volunteer
rifle company, and in that capacity escorted the
Greentown Indians beyond the lines.
Captain Douglass having some surplus capital in
1816 he invested the same in Owl Creek bank
stock, and at the settlement in 18 18 he was found
to have paid on his seventy shares the sum of six
hundred dollars. Being a man of enterprise and
desiring a field of operation commensurate with his
ambition, the gallant captain in 1830 sold out to
Anthony Banning and removed to Indiana with
his son Aaron, where they have both since died.

His daughter Phoebe married Richard Ewalt, and
Sarah married James Rogers. They are both still
living in the county.
James Walker, sr., came from Pennsylvania in
1804 and located near Douglass' mill site, just
south of where Mr. Thomas Banning now lives.
He occupied a little log cabin, said to have been
built by Captain Fitting in 1803. Mr. Walker was
the father of Philip, Joseph, Alexander, James,
Robert, and John Walker, who figured more or less
in the history of the county. His daughter, Sarah,
married Stephen Chapman, and Mary, his other
daughter, married Solomon Geller, and subse
quently moved to Morrow county. Mr. Walker
and his wife died many years ago and were the
first persons buried in Clinton graveyard, one of
the oldest, if not the oldest, burying-grounds in the
county. No stone now marks the spot where they
lie. Let these lines be their monument.
John Simpkins, with his son Seeley, arrived from
Virginia in 1804, and settled temporarily about a
mile above William Douglass', on the place now
owned by George Cassell, between the main
branches of Owl creek. He subsequently removed
to Monroe township.
To Samuel H. Smith, from New England, Mor
ris township is indebted for the first and only town
laid out within its borders. With true Yankee en
terprise Mr. Smith conceived the idea of laying out
a town and selling lots at a considerable advance
on the first cost, to those who might follow him be
yond the beautiful Ohio in quest of homes. In
pursuance of this idea he prospected up the Ko
kosing, and having, as he thought, found the land
of promise, he blazed a tree — the recognized sign
of possession — wended his way to Franklinton, pro
cured compass and chain, returned and laid out
the town of Clinton, in section four, township
seven, and range four, of the United States Mili
tary district. The new town contained one hun
dred and sixty lots, streets, public square, and all
the appointments of a first-class town — on paper.
The plat was cfuly acknowldged before Abraham
Wright, justice of the peace for New Lancaster,
December 8, 1804, and received the name of Clin
ton, in honor of Governor DeWitt Clinton, of New
York. Mr. Smith by his energy and business tact soon

54°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

succeeded in drawing around him a colony of
mechanics, laborers, and business men, which soon
gave to Clinton not only the appearance, but the
actual advantages, of a central town. The first
house erected on the new town plat was Mr.
Smith's. Samuel Ayres got out the timber and
Amariah Watson, James Loveridge, and William
Douglass, assisted in raising it. On the second
day of March, 1808, Mr. Smith was appointed
county surveyor; being the first to fill that office in
Knox county. He was also a member of the first
grand jury. In 1807 Mr. Smith opened the first
store in Clinton. If was kept in a small frame
building a few rods west of the present residence
of Uriah Walker, a large brick building erected by
Mr. Smith in 1808 for a hotel. Being a man of
varied accomplishments he was not contented with
being surveyor, storekeeper, and landlord, but
must needs play tanner also. To this end he
built a tannery in 1812, at the junction of Clinton
street with the Mt. Vernon and Frederick road,
and advertised to pay two dollars and fifty cents
per cord for oak bark. In July, 18 13, Mr. Smith
induced Mr. John P. McArdle to engage with him
in the publication of a newspaper at Clinton. A
press was put up in a small log building on Clinton
street, wes^ of Smith's store, and there the first
newspaper ever printed in Knox county, styled
The Ohio Register, made its appearance, printed
and published every Tuesday by Smith & Mc
Ardle. The wanning fortunes of Clinton and the
rising greatness of Mt. Vernon caused the office,
with all its material, in 18 15, to be transferred to
the latter place. In 1809 Mr. Smith also figures
as worthy master of Mount Zion Masonic Lodge
No. 9, organized at Clinton that year, and in 1814,
at a meeting of the Grand lodge at Chillieothe,
Samuel H. Smith was the representative. During
the time of his mercantile operations he received
a good deal of money, and on one occasion he
threw a shot-bag full of specie on the counter and
said that any one who could run away from him
with that bag, might have it. Taking him at his
word Henry Smith, his nephew, an active young
man, grabbed it and ran, pursued by the owner.
After coursing down the road some distance, and
finding the old gentleman gaining on him, the
young man climbed over into the field to escape,

but Samuel caught him, and he gave up the bag
amid the shouts and cheers of Captain Nye's
cavalry company, who witnessed the ludicrous
scene. It appears that with all his energy, tact and
business qualifications, Mr. Smith could not stand
the enervating effects of prosperity. He became
involved, failed in business, and emigrated to
Texas, where he was at the outbreak of the Rebel
lion, engaged in surveying.
James Loveridge was a native of Morris county,
New Jersey, who in 1805, in company with his
wife, sought shelter at William Douglass' place
until he could erect a cabin of his own. Just above
Douglass' cabin a small stream put into the creek,
and this Loveridge followed up until he discovered
a beautiful spring, which caused him to select that
spot as his future home. The only Yankee then in
the country claimed to have located the land, and
proposed to sell it to Loveridge at a higher price
than the Government rate, which was then two dol
lars per acre. Concealing his intentions from
all but his wife, Loveridge slipped off to the land
office, examined the record and finding the land
unsold entered it himself, returned with his pat
ent in his pocket and bid defiance to speculation.
In the spring of 1806 he built his first log house
near the spring above mentioned, and as soon as
he got a spot of land cleared he sought out Johnny
Appleseed and laid in a supply of apple trees, %
which he planted just above the spring, and there a
number of the same trees are still standing —
patriarchs in Pomona's domain. One of them
measures nearly eight feet in circumference, and
another recently cut down exhibits seventy annual
rings or growths. In the year 1807 Mr. Loveridge
built the first tannery in Knox county. It stood
just below the road leading from Mt. Vernon to
Mansfield, and near the house now occupied by
William Loveridge, son of James. The old log
building was replaced by one of brick in 1822,
which is still standing; the tannery business having
been carried on at the same place for seventy con
secutive years. William Loveridge relates that
when the prisoners taken at Hull's surrender were
subsequently returning home, many of them stop
ped at Clinton in a destitute condition, and that
his father cut up his hides and made them mocca
sins. James Loveridge was on the first petit jury

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

541

empanelled in Knox county, May 2, 1808. Mr.
Loveridge's barn, built by John Johnson, the car
penter, was the first frame structure of the kind
in Morris township. His old log house was re
placed by a substantial brick in 1820, which he
occupied till his death, in the ninety-first year of
his age. Mr. Loveridge was noted for his industry
and an inveterate tendency to blossom out in
rhyme in conversation. His son William, born
on the eleventh of June, 1806, inherited his father's
broad acres and his partiality for words that "hunt
in pairs."
One of Samuel H. Smith's right hand men was
Ichabod Nye, captain of a troop of horse, who
acted a prominent part in the scenes "of the early
history of Clinton. His name first appears as a
member of the first grand jury impanelled in the
county. Captain Nye lived on the north side of
Clinton street and just west of Smith's tavern. In
181 1 he was elected sheriff of Knox county, as
sisted in organizing the Masonic lodge in Clinton,
served acceptably in the War of 18 12, and kept
hotel in Clinton in 18 13. The captain, as well as
his brother Samuel, have long since passed away.
Amariah Watson arrived from Wyoming, Penn
sylvania, and put up with William Douglass in
1805, but in 1806 moved to Fredericktown.
The spring of 1806 brought with it a new ele
ment into the wilderness region, in the form of
Friends,- the forerunners of a large number of
that society, who, by their quiet yet industrious
ways, have contributed very much to the prosperity
and peace of the county. The venerable Henry
Roberts may be justly regarded as the head of this
emigration from Maryland. In 1805 he left
Frederick county, in that State, with his family,
and directed his course to the far west ; but on
reaching Belmont county he found it necessary to
winter his family there. On the seventh of April,
1806, he landed at Henry Haines', in the Ten
Mile settlement, and after spending a few weeks
looking for a good location, on the fourteenth of
that month settled down with his family at the
little prairie, five miles above Mt. Vernon, of late
known as the Armstrong section. His family con
sisted of his wife, three sons, and one daughter.
William moved to Illinois, Isaiah to Missouri, and
Richard to Berlin township. His daughter, Mas-

sah, married Dr. Timothy Burr, and died at Clinton
in 1814.
The Roberts family at once proceeded to farm
ing, and with a four-horse team broke up nine acres
of the prairie and planted the same in corn. It
was a difficult operation, but yielded them an
abundant crop, fully remunerating them for the
labor expended.
Mr. Roberts was joined in the fall by William Y.
and William W. Farquhar, and from this nucleus
sprang the numerous families of Quakers in
Wayne, Middlebury, and Berlin townships in after
years. John Johnson, of Chester county, Pennsylvania,
found his way to Knox county in the fall of 1806,
and located near a large spring on the property
now owned by William Day's heirs, in Morris town
ship. The spring spoken of was situated on an
Indian trail known as the Greentown trail. The
Indians journeying to and from Greentown used to
camp at this spring in considerable numbers, and
were a great source of annoyance to Mr. Johnson.
On one occasion a big Indian went so far as to en
force his demand for butter by flourishing a large
knife in a very threatening manner. Mr. Johnson,
who happened to be within hearing, came to the
assistance of his wife, and the Indian was driven
off. Soon after this the Greentown Indians were
removed, much to the relief of the entire settle
ment. Mr. Johnson was one of the first carpenters
in the country, and to his skill not a few of the
better class of citizens are indebted for the com
fort of the homes they occupy. He served in the
War of 181 2, and was at the siege of Fort Meigs.
His sons were Thomas,, known as the jailer of
Knox county for many years; William, who moved
to Hardin county; John, who lived on the old
homestead; Joseph, now living in Miller township;
Samuel Johnson, who now lives in Polk county,
Iowa, and Isaac Johnson, who resided on a farm
just south of the old homestead. John Johnson,
sr., died in March, 1858.
William Mitchell came to Morris township in
1807. His children were Jacob, Nathaniel, Abi
gail (Mrs. John H. Mefford), Mary (Mrs. John*
Young), Hannah (Mrs. William Mefford), Naomi
(Mrs. Thomas Evans), Sarah (Mrs. Cyrus Cooper),
John, Silas and William. Nathaniel was one of

542

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

the scouting party that went out at the time ot the
Copus massacre in 1812, and died in 1813, from
disease contracted by exposure in the Indian
campaign. William Mitchell, sr., died August 12,
1848, in the eighty-third year of his age.
Daniel Cooper moved from Butler county, Penn
sylvania, in 1809, and located west of the main
branch of Owl creek, on the Philip Leveridge
property, and was followed shortly after by his
brothers, Carey and Elias. Carey Cooper's sons
were Charles, Elias, Hugh, John and Lewis.
Carey Cooper was elected justice of the peace in
1822. Daniel had seven children: Thompson,
William, George, Henrietta, Julia, Josiah and
Sarah. Thompson Cooper was justice of the
peace in 1836, 1839, 1842, 1845, 1848 and 1851.
Hiram, Uzziel, Cyrus and Timothy Ball came
from New Jersey, and located on the Owl creek bot
toms where their father owned one thousand acres
of land which is still owned and cultivated by their
descendants. Colonel Alexander Enos was another of Samuel
H. Smith's New England coadjutors, and lived in
Clinton, east of Smith. He was a private in Cap
tain Walker's company in 1812, and at the time
of Hull's surrender, was taken prisoner. After
the war Colonel Enos practiced law, being the
second lawyer in the county, and in 181 5 was
elected representative. Later he moved to Rich
land county.
Dr. Timothy Burr was the first physician in
Morris township. In December, 18 13, the follow
ing advertisement appeared in the Ohio Register:
Samuel H. Smith having added a large stock of goods to his
former assortment, will trade for butter, sugar, country linen,
rye, corn, hides, deer skins and furs.
Dr. T. Burr is duly authorized to attend to his business, and
will prescribe gratis to purchasers of drugs and medicines.
In the War of 18 12 Dr. Burr was surgeon and
paymaster in Colonel Alexander Enos' regiment.
The above named were the more prominent of the
early settlers. Prominent citizens of a later date
were Jabez Beers, Joseph Coleman, Ichabod Mar
shall, Benjamin Barney, Joseph Rickey, John
Trimble, Richard Loveridge, Barnet Bonar, Ben
jamin Jackson, John Wheeler, Samuel Youman,
Peter Rush, John Irvine, John McAbee, Joshua
Braddock, and Christian Rinehart.
Barnet Bonar came to the county in 1812, from

Washington county, Pennsylvania, and located on
Granny's creek. He died in May, 1844, aged
eighty. His son, William, was elected to the State
senate in 1859, and resides at present in Mt. Ver
non. The Winterbothams were a highly intelligent
family, but one of whom now resides in Knox
¦ county. Mrs. Ann S. Stephens, the accomplished
authoress, residing in New York, is a descendant of
this family.
May 8, 1808, a petition was presented to the
county commissioners for a road from Mt. Vernon
to Fredericktown, signed by Jacob Young, Nathan
iel M. Young, William Mitchell, A. McLaughlin,
Ziba Jacksdn, William Smith, Eliphalet Lewis,
Simeon Lyons, John Kerr, Casper Fitting, Amariah
Watson, John Lewis, Samuel Watson, William Y.
Farquhar, Amos Yarnell, William W. Farquhar,
Daniel Ayres, Richard Hale, Abram Ayres, Henry
Markley, and Joshua Vennum. Viewers : William
Gass, James Colville, and Matthew Merritt. Sur
veyor : William Y. Farquhar. Their report was
approved and recorded April 7, 1809.
June 4, 1810 John Young, jr., William Evans,
Jacob Young, John Haldeman, William Mitchell.
Andrew Kilpatrick, John Young, sr., James Lewis'
Aaron Young, Matthew Young, Adam Hand, Cal
vin C. Lawrence, Ephraim Lyon, and Charles
Cooper petitioned for a road from Douglass' mill
to the Young, settlement. William Gass, Henry
Haines, and Joseph Walker were appointed viewers,
and John H. Millikin. surveyor. The view was re
turned July 9, 1 8 10, and approved September.
1810. John Fish, Daniel Johnson, and William Bevans
were appointed commissioners to lay out a State
road from Johnstown, Licking county, through
Knox county to New Haven, in Huron county, and
having performed their duty, filed a copy of said
survey in the office of the comissioners of Knox
county, July 11, 1820. That road is now called
the Mt. Vernon and Mansfield road.
Samuel H. Smith had the first store in Clinton,
in 1807. Richard Fishback's store stood on Clin
ton street, just west of the present residence of J.
B. Banning. Ralph Granger kept store in Clinton
in 1 81 5, and J. S. Banning near the old Douglass
mill in 1835. The first hotel was also kept by

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

543

Samuel H. Smith. Benjamin Barney followed in
1810, and in 181 3 there were four houses of pub
lic entertainment with their inviting signs swinging
in the breze, in the streets of Clinton. The re
spective hosts were Ichabod Nye, Alfred Manning,
John Barney, and Samuel Youman.
Very early in the history of Knox county, Mor
ris township became somewhat famous for its dis
tilleries, in which the surplus rye and corn were
converted into whiskey, or "fire-water," as the In
dians aptly called it. Simeon Carpenter and his
brother Freeman were amongst the first to engage
in the business. William Douglass had a distillery
a short distance east of his mill. Richard Philips
carried on the business on the west side of the Fred-
ricktown road, near Smith's tannery. Smith Had
ley, on land now owned by James Ramsey, and
Robert and James Rogers on the Harvey Cox
place, east of the Fredericktown road. In addition
to these there were several other distilleries in oper
ation. The excuse for the existence of these estab
lishments was the fact that whiskey, in those early
times, was an article of almost universal consump
tion. The exceptions to the rule were found
amongst the Society of Friends, a few of whom
settled in the west part of the township.
The pioneer school-teacher of Morris township
was Ichabod Marshall. In 18 12, he taught in a
little log house which stood at the junction of
Clinton and Main streets, where J. B. Banning
now resides. The next school was taught in a
house built especially for that purpose, which stood
northeast of Smith's hotel. Silas . Knapp was
teacher. The third house stood southwest of J.
B. Banning's, and the first school in it was taught
by James Brown. The fourth stood on the hill
south of Clinton,  Hill, teacher. The fifth
was erected north of the Wooster road, at its junc
tion with the Mansfield road, near William Love-
ridge's house, Milton Lewis, teacher. The sixth
in succession stood on the south side of the afore
said road, William Drake, teacher. The present
house is the seventh, a fine frame structure, erected
in 1873, and stands on the east side of the Mans
field road, about midway between J. B. Banning's
and William Loveridge's houses, Alexander A.
Hanna, teacher. William Loveridge is the only
surviving pupil of the first school taught at Clinton.

There are at present six school-houses in the town
ship, all good substantial buildings.
Rev. James Scott, of the Presbyterian church,
was the pioneer preacher in the vicinity of Clinton.
As there were no churches in those early days,
meetings for religious purposes were held in James
Loveridge's frame barn until a house of worship
could be built; hence that structure became known
for miles around as "God's barn," verifying the
adage that "the use sanctifies the place."
In 1814 the Presbyterians built a frame church
on a lot in Clinton, where J. Blackstone Banning's
barn now stands. This building was never finished
as a church, and in 1820 it was moved to James
Loveridge's orchard, and turned into a cider-press,
the first of the kind in the county. Rev. Scott, at
tha time referred to, lived about one-half mile
west of Loveridge's tannery. He subsequently
moved to Mt. Vernon, where he died September
18, 1850, in the seventy-ninth year of his age.
About the year 1830, under the auspices of Rev.
William Thrift, of the Baptist denomination, a
frame church was built on the Fredericktown road,
two miles north of Clinton. For a time this con
gregation grew and flourished, but the vicissitudes
of time and fortune have left scarcely a trace of
its history.
A third church was built as a non-sectarian edi
fice, and was called the Morris Union chapel. It is
a neat frame structure, situated four miles north
east of Mt. Vernon, on the old Greentown road,
and was erected about 1870. It is free for all de
nominations, but is principally used by the Meth
odist Episcopal church, that persuasion being the
more numerous in that locality.
As heretofore stated, the mill of William Doug
lass was the first built in the township. In 1830,
Douglass sold out to Anthony Banning, and he in
1835 so'd to his son, James S. Banning, who re
modelled and repaired the same. These mills did
good business until 185 1, when the close proximity
of the Newark & Sandusky railroad rendered them
useless for custom work. A few years after this a
freshet destroyed the dam, and the mills were
abandoned. About the year 1835, B. H. Taylor built a simi
lar establishment to that of Douglass, near Freder
icktown. Still later, Henry Cooper and John

544

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

Duyer built saw-mills on Owl creek, and about the
year 1832 James Turner built a flouring-mill on
the same stream, two and a half miles north of
Mt. Vernon. This mill contained three runs of
buhrs, and was subsequently owned by Eli Miller,
Elias Boudinot, George W. Brown and Uriah
Walker. It ceased running in 1862.
In 1825, Aaron Jackson built a saw-mill on the
south fork of Owl creek, and in 1836 James
Walker purchased the property and erected a grist
mill, which was subsequently owned by N. M.
Jackson, William Parrish, States Williams, Elias
Butler, John Horner, and J. Stump. It ceased
operations about 1875.
As before stated, James Loveridge was the first
tanner in Morris township. He was succeeded by
Samuel H. Smith, Benjamin Corwin, John Mc
Mahon, Hugh McMahon, James S. Banning, and
others. James Miller dressed deerskins and manufac
tured them into all kinds of buckskin goods. He
was succeeded by Joseph Rickey, who added a
preliminary department to the business — that of
killing the deer. Mr. Riley still survives, and re
sides with his son-in-law, Mr. Cramer, of Liberty
township. He is now in the ninety-fifth year of
his age.
The pioneer blacksmith in Morris township was
John Sawyer. His shop stood about eighty rods
southwest of Thompson Coopers — where Mr. Ban
ning now lives. Sawyer was followed by Abel
Cook and others.
John Wheeler was the first carpenter, followed by
John Johnson, the Woodruffs, Bartletts, and others.
The first stone cutter in the neighborhood was a
Welchman by the name of William George, from
Chester township. It was he who cut the stone for
the foundation of James Loveridge's brick house.
William Douglass employed William McCloud
to build the first stone house in the township.
Daniel Zerrick came to Morris township in 18 14,
and brought with him a machine for weaving stock
ings. He died in 185 1 aged eighty-six. His daugh
ter Patsey married John Miller and is still living
on the Mansfield road, north of the former site of
Clinton. A chair factory was at one time carried on in
Clinton by John Barney.

The founder of the town of Clinton entertained
a laudable ambition to make that town the perma
nent seat of justice for Knox county, and to all
appearance Clinton's advantages were far superior
to either of the other competing towns. Popula
tion, improvement, wealth and intelligence appar
ently preponderated in Clinton, but —
" The best laid schemes of mice and men
Gang aft aglee."
and Mt. Vernon won the prize. Clinton made a
gallant fight, but fate was against her, and the once
flourishing town — with tanneries, mill, distilleries,
shops, hotels, stores, a printing press — on which
was printed the first book ever issued in the county
— and other business enterprises went into a de
cline. One by one her business men deserted the
sinking ship. The legal existence of Clinton was
terminated on the seventeenth of April, 1818, when
the court heard the petition of Samuel H. Smith
Ichabod Marshall, Elihu S. Webster, Lathrop Shurt-
liff, John P. McArdlp, Benjamin Barney and Rich
ard Ayres for a vacation of a part of the town of
Clinton, and granted the prayer. The Clinton post-
office, established in 1810, was the first in the
county. Its successive postmasters were Samuel
H. Smith, Richard Fishback, Ichabod Marshall
and S. H. Smith. The last known of it, Andrew
Clark was acting as deputy postmaster, in 1819.
Daniel Norton bought Samuel H. Smith's inter
est in the real estate of Clinton, but was dispos
sessed in a suit at law by Hosmer Curtis. J. S,
Banning bought fifty-six acres of it and Uriah
Walker the residue.
On the second day of March, 181 2, upon peti
tion of several citizens this township was laid off,
and an order issued for an election, to be held at
the house of Benjamin Rush, for township officers.
A majority of the early settlers being natives of
Morris county, New Jersey, caused the name of
Morris to be selected. The officers of the election
this year were William Douglass, Daniel Cooper
and William Thrift, judges; James Trimble and
John Wheeler, clerks. The township was listed
by N. C. Boalse, who received a six dollar county
order for his services.
At a special meeting of the associate judges,
March 14, 18 12, three justices were allowed to this
township. At the election ordered by the county

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

545

commissioners there were fifty voters. James
Trimble was chosen township clerk, Scott Dnrbin
and James Miller constables, and James Loveridge
treasurer. The following is a list of the justices of the peace
of Morris township: John Trimble, Benjamin
Barney and Joseph Coleman, 1812; William Doug
lass and Joseph Coleman, 181 6; James Dickson,
William Douglass and Joseph Coleman, 1819; Al
fred Manning, 1820; Carey Cooper, 1822; Uzziel
Ball and John Trimble, 1823 and 1826; James
Adams, 1830; B. H. Taylor, 1831; Uzziel Ball,
1832; James Adams, 1833; B. H. Taylor, 1835;
James Adams and Thompson Cooper, 1836; B.
H. Taylor, 1838; Ceorge Irwin, 1837; Thompson
Cooper, 1839; George Irwin and John Durbin,
1840; B. H. Taylor, 1841; Thompson Cooper,
1842; Alexander McGrew, 1844; Thompson
Cooper, 1845; B. H. Taylor, 1847; John H. Win-
terbotham and William Bonar, 1848; Benjamin B.
Brown, 1850; Thompson Cooper, 185 1; Uzziel
Ball, 1853; John Mclntyie, 1854; B. T. Smith,
1855; Allen Scott and Uzziel Ball, 1856; John Mc
lntyre, 1857; I. L. Jackson, 1859; John Mcln
tyre, 1861; I. L. Jackson, 1862; John Mclntyre,
1863; Adam Rinehart, 1865; John Mclntyre and
Isaac L. Jackson, 1866; E. J. Mendenhall and
Edward Burson, 1869; Isaac L. Jackson, 1871;
James Steele, 1872; Isaac L. Jackson, 1874; Da
vid Cosner, 1875; Thomas Banning, 1877; Ed
ward Burson and Isaac L. Jackson, 1878.

CHAPTER LXIII.
PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

Situation— Boundaries— Topography— Pioneers— Mills
— Brewf.ries — Roads — Churches — First Things- Or
ganization — Present Officers — Mt. Vernon Nursery
— Population and Production— Justices ofthe Peace.
PLEASANT township is situated directly south
east of Mt. Vernon, and its original bonndaries
are set forth in the following order of the county
commissioners, bearing date March 9, 1825.
"Pleasant township shall be composed of the
sixth township in the twelfth range."

The name Pleasant was given to the new town
ship by John Kerr, a prominent citizen of the same,
on account of its pleasant scenery. December 7,
1838, the county commissioners ordered that "the
first quarter of Pleasant township be struck off into
a separate township." That was accordingly done,
and the new township named College — in honor of
Kenyon college. Pleasant township was thus re
duced to its present size. The northern portion of
the township is traversed by Vernon, or Kokosing
river, consequently is somewhat bluffy and rough,
but the southern portion, drained by Big run, is
comparatively smooth and presents excellent facili
ties for farming operations, the average crop of
wheat being twenty bushels to the acre.
The general surface of Pleasant is somewhat
higher than the surrounding townships, conse
quently the deposit of glacial drift is not so deep,
and in many places is entirely wanting. White
oak, ash, maple, white and black walnut, hickory,
elm and beech, are the varieties of timber that
formerly covered the soil. No mounds are found
in this township.
At this date it cannot be determined who the
first inhabitant of Pleasant township was. Amongst
the earliest settlers was James Colville. He came
from Washington county, Pennsylvania to Knox
county about 1803-4. In 1804 he purchased one
hundred acres of land, east of Mt. Vernon, in
Pleasant township, cleared some land, planted an
orchard, and raised a crop in 1805. The same
year he built a small log house, and in 1806 he got
married and moved into it. This was setting an
example worthy of imitation, which others were
not slow to follow.
Jonathan Hunt, born in Somerset county, New
Jersey, October 23, 1780, married Honor Wells,
of West Virginia, and moved to Knox county,
Ohio, in 1806. In company with his father, Jona
than Hunt, sr., he located in what is now the south
west corner of Pleasant township. Being a gun
smith he was often employed to repair guns for the
Indians, previous to the War of 181 2. Mr. Hunt
was present at Mt. Vernon on the twenty-eighth of
March, 1808, when the commissioners appointed
to locate the seat of justice for Knox county ar
rived, and volunteered to work on that memorable
occasion. His name appears on the panel of the

'J I

546

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

first grand jury for Knox county, May 2, 1808,
and at an election held in Sychamore township;
September 13, 1815, he was elected trustee. Dur
ing the War of 181 2 he served under Major Krat
zer, and was a part of the time employed in re
pairing guns, for which he received one dollar per
day extra pay. License was granted to him to
keep tavern in 181 5. Hunt's Station perpetuates
his memory.
Silas Brown came about 1806, and located near
the line between Pleasant and Clinton townships,
north of Hunt's Station, on land now owned by
the Schnebley family. At the first election held in
Knox county, April 4, 1808, Mr. Brown was elected
sheriff, commissioned by Acting Governor Thomas
Kirker June 6th, and reelected October 11, 1808.
During his first term of office William Hedrick
was sentenced to be publicly whipped — an account
of which will be found elsewhere — and Sheriff
Brown performed his duty by executing the sen
tence. Mr. Brown was also justice of the peace
for Pleasant township in 1832, and was re-elected
in 1835.
James Parks and William Patrick were early set
tlers, who located near James Colville, and prob
ably came at the same time. Mr. Parks was jus
tice of the peace in 1832. His son, Joseph V.
Parks, was elected justice in 1857, and held the
office till 1875.
Daniel Applegate settled near where the election-
house now stands, but little is known of him at
this time.
William Harrod was one of the pioneers, and
used to boast that he had killed more than two
hundred deers sitting on old baldy's back.
William Buckingham lived on the Martinsburgh
road, near where George Hughes now lives, and
John Steinmetz on the same road, near the place
now occupied by William Hyatt.
Philip Smith lived on Big run, in the southeast
part of the township, and George Crouse resided
further down the run, north of the present Hope
well Methodist church.
The Grahams, Veatches, Beatys, Crawfords, and
Rohrers, were reckoned amongst the pioneers of
Pleasant township, but time has almost obliterated
their history. The most of them were located
along the Mt. Vernon & Martinsburgh road. Fred

erick Rohrer was justice of the peace in 1825,
and Robert Graham in 1835.
In 18 15 John Kerr resided at Nashport, in
Muskingum county, but having lived in Knox
county, he determined to return to the vicinity of
Mt. Vernon, and purchasing a tract of land on the
Kokosing river, two miles below the town, he em
ployed Solomon Geller to build a dam and erect
a saw-mill, for which he paid him one thousand
dollars. Early in 181 7 Mr. Kerr moved to his new
purchase and erected a grist-mill, fulling-mill and
carding machine. In 1819 he erected the first
brick house in Pleasant township, and in 1825 he
built a distillery. This last building was of stone,
thirty feet square, and for a while did a flourishing
business, but
" Change is written on all things earthly,"
and this one soon joined the long procession of
distilleries gone before to the limbo ofthe past Mr.
Kerr removed to Missouri in 1837, and the prop
erty came into the hands of his son Benjamin, who
sold out to John and James Morrison, from Eng
land. In the course of a few years the property
came into the possession of Robert Miller, who
added a new saw-mill and greatly improved the
grist-mill. This mill, together with a large amount
of grain stored in it, was totally destroyed by fire
on the night of August 11, 1880.
A brewery was erected on the Gambier road in
l835. by Jacob Kurtz, and by him sold to George
Pfeifer. About 1850 it came into the possession
of John Bechtel, who operated it till the "Crusa
ders" depreciated his business and the brewery
was abandoned. Frederick Rohrer, who lived on
the Martinsburgh road in 1825, kept a tavern and
conducted a brewery at the same time.
Hurford's steam grist-mill is situated on Big
run, in the northeast corner of the township. This
was originally a small water-mill, built bya man
named Hurford, afterwards owned by a Mr. Wyant.
It then became the property of Mr. Simon Dud
geon, who added steam to the motive power, put
in an extra pair of buhrs, and still operates it.
Warmon's steam grist- and saw-mills are located
near the Martinsburgh road, on the old Graham
farm, five miles southeast of Mt. Vernon. The origi
nal structure was a Mulay saw-mill, built by the Bell
Brothers, in 1850, and operated by them a few

RESIDED
(DANVILLE. P.0.|

HUNIY OH

HISTORY OF- KNOX COUNTY

547

years. The Bells sold the mill to Mr. Graham,
who sold it to John Warman, sr., in i860. Mr.
Warman operated it until 1865, when the present
proprietor, John Warman, jr., purchased it from
his father. The original mill was burnt down
in 1866. After the erection of the new mill Mr.
Warman put in a circular saw, which he operated
a few years, and then put in a feed chopper. In
1876 he added a pair of wheat buhrs.
One of the first, if not the first, public road sur
veyed through Pleasant township, was the Mt.
Vernon and Newark road. A petition was pre
sented to the county commissioners August 5,
1808, by John Dunlap, Samuel Dunlap, sr., Abra
ham Sperry, John Nash, Joseph Conrad, Joseph
Harris, Alexander Walker, William Brown, Gil
man Bryant, James Walker, Andrew Craig, Thomas
Brown, James Craig, Jesse Severe, William Doug
lass, Jabez Beers, Calvin Shepherd, Samuel Krat
zer, William Critchfield, John Lewis, Nathaniel
Critchfield, and Samuel Baxter, praying for the
establishment of the road. William Gass, Henry
Haines, and James Colville were appointed view
ers, and John Dunlap, surveyor. The road was
accordingly viewed, and the return made to the
county commissioners on the twenty-second of Sep
tember, 1808.
On petition of John Kerr and others, James Mc-
Gibney, John Hawn, jr., and John Mefford were
appointed, June 1, 1818, viewers, and William Y.
Farquhar, surveyor, to lay out a county road from
Mt. Vernon to John Kerr's mill, in Pleasant town
ship. The road was confirmed July 16, 18 18.
The Mt. Vernon and Martinsburgh road was
also laid out in an early day, but it was not until
the winter of 1823-4 that the legislature appointed
commissioners to survey the present State road.
A copy of their survey was filed in the office of the
commissioners of Knox county, November 25,
1824. The Gambier road was also made a State
road at the same time.
Pleasant Hill Christian church was organized at
Pleasant grove on the Mt. Vernon and Martins
burgh road, by Rev. Isaac N. Walter, September
24, 1832. The original members were: William
Buckingham, James K. Litzenberg, Jane Litzen-
berg, Mary Staggers, Margaret Price, Dorcas Carey,
Elizabeth Smith, Rhoda Harrod, Sarah Seaborn,

Sarah Price, Elizabeth Harrod, Nancy Buckingham,
John Mahanna, John Graham, Mercy Graham,
Elizabeth Kisor, Morgan Litzenberg, Mary Wise,
Christina Kisor, and James Hartsock. January
21, 1835, Samuel Price, Abraham Wise, and James
R. Litzenberg were elected trustees. The same
year William Buckingham donated three-fourths of
an acre of ground near the junction of the Gambier
road with the Mt. Vernon and Martinsburgh road,
for church purposes, and a frame building thirty
by forty-five feet was erected thereon. February
8, 1845, Levi Harrod and D. M. Carey were elect
ed trustees. August 10, 1845, Elder James Hose
was employed as pastor for one year. A Sunday-
school was organized May 9, 1846, with W. H.
Stevens and D. M. Carey as superintendents. Au
gust 20, 1846, Elder James W. Maroni became
pastor. March 9, 1853, Isaac Lefever was elected
trustee, and Mills Harrod clerk. June 24, 1854,
Isaac Lefever, sr., Levi Harrod, and Thomas Boyle
were elected trustees, and Mills Harrod and Levi
Harrod deacons. August 1, 1862, Elder Mills
Harrod was employed as pastor for one year.
In 1854 a new frame church was built near W.
T. Hyatt's, and the name changed from Pleasant
grove to Pleasant hill. April 22, 1876, James Bell,
J. W. Marvin, and W. T. Hyatt were elected trus
tees, and May 27th Elder J. W. Wright, F. S. Ulery,
and James Bell were elected deacons, and W. T.
Hyatt clerk. No regular services are held at this
time. St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church. — As
early as 1820 Rev. Jacob Bovee preached in the
neighborhood. He was succeeded by Rev. 
Baughey, but no church was organized until June
4, 1853, when Rev. William M. Gilbreath preached
at Crawford's school-house on the Martinsburgh
road. The following persons were members of the
first class: George Beckley, Nancy Beckley, Wil
liam Morgan, Maria Morgan, Martin Bechtel,
Sophia Bechtel, John Sensal, Catharine Sensal,
David Dean and his daughter, Laurensa, David
Stecher, Anna M. Stecher, Henry Smith, Catharine
Smith, and George Koutz.
In 1854 a subscription was taken up to build a
church, and Benjamin Kerr appointed treasurer.
A frame church thirty-six by forty feet was erected
one-half mile south of Kerr's mill, on the Martins-

548

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

burgh road, and dedicated July i, 1855, by Rev.
J. W. Sloan.
August 23, 1857, Rev. J. L. Gilbreath, who had
labored jointly with Rev. W. M. Gilbreath from
September, 1854, was elected and installed pastor.
He continued his ministrations until 1875, when
his connection with the church ceased. The con
gregation was without a regular pastor until Janu
ary 12, 1879, when Rev. J. K. Booher, the present
incumbent, took charge.
The following is a list of elders : George Beck
ley and David Dean, 1853 ; George Beckley and
Martin Bechtel, 1855 ; Martin Bechtel and Henry
Heefer, 1857 to 1861 ; Henry Heefer and George
Stinnet, 1863; John Senzal and John Hammond,
1865; Jonathan Wentling, 1868; Martin Bechtel
and John Wentling, 1875; David Stecher and
Henry Mills, 1870; George Bechtel, 1880. Dea
cons: David Stecher and William Morgan, 1853;
David Stecher and Lemuel Beckley, 1855; David
Stecher and Henry Mills, 1857 to 1861; Martin
Bechtel and David Stecher, 1863 ; Henry Mills and
Martin Bechtel, 1865 to 1875; Henry Mills and
Burr Shaffer, 1875; Jorm Taylor and John Sensal,
1879. Trustees: George Beckley, Henry Mills,
and Burr Shaffer. The present number of mem
bers is fifty-six. A small Sunday-school is con
nected with the church, of which Daniel Steam is
superintendent. Pleasant Hill Presbyterian church was the result
of the labors of Rev. Henry Hervey, who preached
a number of years in the southern portion of Pleas
ant township. The date of the first organization
is not positively known, but may be set down as
about 1845. The original members, as near as
can be ascertained, were Robert Graham, Martha
Graham, Matthew McKibben, Jane McKibben,
Enoch Bebout, Eliza Bebout, John Allen, Martha
Allen, Charles McLain, Ruth McLain, James Mar
quis, Nancy Marquis, Charles Swaney, Ann Swaney,
Henry Barnes, Gracie Ann Barnes, Henry Graham,
Martha Graham, and Mrs. John McLain. In 1850
a neat frame church thirty-five by forty feet was
built on the Martinsburgh road, about one mile
from the south line of the township, which is still
used by the congregation as a house of worship.
The following pastors have had charge of the con
gregation: Rev. James Anderson, Henry H ervey,

James Read, Rev. Helfride, Rev. Walkinshaw,
Dwight Hervey, O. H. Newton, and John Watt,
the present incumbent. The elders are John
Warman, Charles McLain, jr., and Ebenezer Be
bout, and the clerk is Charles McLain, sr. The
present number of members is forty.
Hopewell Methodist Episcopal church is situated
on the East Union road, one mile west of the east
line of the lownship. Its history cannot be ob
tained. The following facts are all that can be as
certained in reference to it. The present struct
ure — a frame thirty-six by forty feet — was built
under the auspices of Rev. Allen Moffat, in 1855,
The present number of members is forty-three:
The class-leaders are William Smith and David B.
Kerr. A Sunday-school of thirtyrfive scholars is
attached to this church. Michael Noon is super
intendent. To each of the above churches a cemetery is at
tached, the date of the establishment of which is
coeval with the building of the churches. Besides
these, there are a few burying-grounds separate from
any church building — the oldest of which is that
situated about a mile and a half east of Hunt's
Station. William Marquis was the pioneer pedagogue.
He taught the first school in this section, in a log
cabin on the property of James Colville, about the
year 1825. This school was not different in its
character from others of the period, and needs no
special mention. Pleasant township has at the
present time six fine brick school-houses. Good
teachers are employed and a high standard of
qualification maintained.
There are no villages in the township, and but
one railroad station — Hunt's. A store was
opened and a post office established at this point
soon after the opening of the Newark & Sandusky
railroad, in 185 1. William Beech was the first
proprietor; then came John Graham, Homer
Stoughton, Hiram Coleman, William Piatt, and W.
H. Tucker, the present postmaster and ticket agent.
About 1870 A. W. Mavis opened a small store
at Hurford's mill, in the northeast corner of the
township, and is still engaged in merchandising at
that point. Martha Colville was born August 25,
1807, and is believed to be the first white child
born within the present bounds of Pleasant town-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

549

ship. The first blacksmith was Jonathan Hunt.
His shop was on the Newark road, just east of the
present railroad station. Dr. Eggleston, who prac
ticed medicine between i860 and 1870, was the
only resident physician. Dr. Augustus Marvine
commenced the practice of dentistry in i860, and
still pursues that calling. James Morrison was the
"first to import thoroughbred short-horn Durham
cattle into the township; he having in 1838 brought
thirteen head from England. The first thresher
and separater was introduced from Pennsylvania
by Thomas Anderson. The first election for town
ship officers was held at Frederick Rohrer's tavern,
on the Martinsburgh road, in 1825. No records
of the proceedings have been preserved, conse
quently the original board of officers cannot be
given. The following is a list of the justices of the
peace: David Ash and Frederick Rohrer, 1825;
Harvey Brown, 1827; Frederick Rohrer, 1828;
James Parks and Silas Brown, 1832; Robert Gra
ham and Silas Brown, 1835; Alvin Foote, 1837;
Robert Graham and James D. Porter, 1839 to
1845 ; Robert Graham and Richard Hunt, 1845 t0
1854; Robert Graham and John Colville, 1854;
Joseph V. Parks and Henry McLain, 1857 to
1867^ Joseph V. Parks and W. H. McLain, 1869
to 1873; Thomas Colville, 1875; A. W. Mavis,
1877; Thomas Colville, 1878; Francis M. Lha-
man, 1880. The other township officers areas fol
lows: Josiah Hutchinson and Samuel Beeman,
constables; G. W. Glenn, assessor; Abraham Bar
ber, treasurer; Joseph Ulery, A. F. Hilliar, and T.
B. Gorsuch, trustees; Alexander Debolt, clerk; J.
W. Forry, William Morgan, J. V. Parks, William
Smith, Abraham Barber, and William Houck, board
of education; J. K. Schnebley, land appraiser.
Mt Vernon nursery is located in the northern
part of Pleasant township, on the Gambier road.
It was established in 1848, by Barton Starr. The
nursery contains all kinds of fruit trees, such as ap
ples, peaches, pears and plums; also grapes and a
variety of small fruits. About five or six years af
ter its establishment Mr. Starr added to his stock
all kinds of ornamental trees and shrubbery. The
business was successfully conducted by Mr. Starr
until his death in 1874, when his son, Newton P.
Starr, took charge of the establishment, and has

made extensive improvements, and has now one of
the best nurseries in this part of the State.
The Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus rail
road traverses the valley of the Vernon river for
some distance below the city, and passes through
the northern portion of Pleasant township, but has
no depot within its bounds. The Lake Erie di
vision of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad passes
through the southwest corner of the township, and
by the location of Hunt's station furnishes the citi
zens of that vicinity with railroad facilities.
In 1830 the population of Pleasant township
was 918; in 1840, 1,880; in 1850, 909; in i860,
828; in 1880, 851 ; and in 1880, 1,033.
The reason of the sudden increase, as shown by
the census of 1840, was the laying out and growth
of Gambier, the site of Kenyon college, and the
cause of the decrease, as shown by the census of
1850, was the setting off of Gambier into the new
township of College.
The number of acres in the township is 12,220;
number of acres under cultivation, 4,115; acres in
pasture, 6,086; acres in wheat, 1,388 ; bushels of
wheat, 20,926; acres in oats, 250; bushels of oats,
7,015; acres in corn, 1,440; bushels of corn, 43,-
375; acres in meadow, 907; tons of hay, 722; acres
in potatoes, 32; bushels of potatoes, 2,525; pounds
of butter, 32,208; pounds of wool, 29,113.
Number of horses, 369; assessed value of same,
$17,482; number of cattle, 879; assessed value of
same, $12,469; number of sheep, 5,775; assessed
value of same, $15,549; number of hogs, 956; as
sessed value of same, $2,361; moneys and credits,
$22,422; total value of all taxable personal prop
erty, $108,754.

55°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

CHAPTER LXIV.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
Boundaries — Topography — First Settlers — First Elec
tion — First Birth — Sketches of the First Settlers —
Mills — Roads— Schools— Churches — Danville— Mill
wood — Gann Station — Rossville — Buckeye City —
Cavallo.
THIS township as originally organized in 1808,
consisted of Brown, Jefferson, Union, Butler,
Jackson, Howard, three-fourths of Harrison, and
the east half of Clay. In 1825 it was reduced to
five miles square, having Jefferson on the north,
Howard on the west, Butler on the south, and
Coshocton county on the east. Union retained
the boundary given it in 1825 until 1876, when one
mile from the south side of Jefferson was attached
to it.
Union contains within its limits a very fine body
of land, embracing almost every variety of soil,
which is well adapted for the production of grass
or grain, as well as every variety of fruit and vegeta
bles grown in Ohio. The surface is broken and
hilly, especially along the Mohican river and Owl
creek, where there are numerous high bluffs, for the
most part still well timbered. Beyond these hills
the township is moderately undulating, and is cov
ered with fine farms and farm houses. The farm
ers are generally well and comfortably settled, and
many evidences of wealth and prosperity are seen
while passing through the township. It is well
watered. The two largest streams in Knox county
flow through the township. Owl creek crosses the
southwest corner, and the Mohican river cuts across
the northeastern part, passing out of the township
into Coshocton county, and flowing southwardly,
it again enters Union in the southeastern part of
the township, and continuing a southeastwardly
course about three-fourths of a mile it again passes
into Coshocton county.
Little Jelloway and its tributaries water the
northern portions, and several small streams the
central and southern portion of the township.
The Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad
runs diagonally across the northern part of Union,
the direction being northeast and southwest.
Originally the township was densely timbered,
but owing to the large amount destroyed in clear
ing up the land, and the demand for fuel and build

ing purposes, the timber is now confined to the
high hills, and to small tracts in other parts of the
township. The first white people who remained perma
nently, came to Union about 1806 or 1807. George
Sapp, sr., entered the first piece of land within the
present limits of Union about 1806. He settled
in the northwestern part of the township."
Jacob Baugh man came from Somerset county,
Pennsylvania, in 1809, and located in the central
part. Paul Welker emigrated from Pennsylvania in
1807 or 1808, and located his farm in the western
part of the township.
The Critchfields, Robinsons, Rightmires, Dur-
bins, Spurgeons, McMillins, Hibbitts, Logues,
Greers, George Davidson, Jacob Black, Charles
Ryan, John Wood, William Shaw and John Arnold,
settled here prior to 18 14. The settlement ofthe
township progressed slowly until after the War of
181 2. At the election held in 1 810 but twenty-
three votes were polled. In 1816 the number had
increased to forty-five.
After the close of the War of 18 12 settlers came
in from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia in
large numbers, and Union, notwithstanding the
large amount of territory detached in the formation
of other townships, ranks among the first in popu
lation in the county at this time.
The Sapps, who were the first to settle in the
township, as now constituted, have long been prom
inent in the county. Four brothers, George, Dan
iel, William and Joseph, emigrated from Maryland
to Knox county in 1806, two of the brothers,
George and Daniel, settling within the present lim
its of Union.
The ancestors of the Sapps were members
of Lord Baltimore's colony of Maryland. Jona
than, son of George Sapp, sr., who was born in
Union, July 17, 1809, was the first white child bom
in the township. He was married in 1830 to Miss
May Durbin. Their children were Simeon, Cath
arine M._, Susan, Francis, William, Francis second,
Edmund, Sarah Ann, Susannah, John B. and Timo-
othy. George Sapp, sr., was a soldier of the War
of 1812, acting as ensign in Captain John Greer's
company. His brother Daniel was a lieutenant in
the same company.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

55i

The settlers lived in great fear of the Indians,
and during the absence of George Sapp in the
army his wife would take her children each night
to a block-house, which stood near the present site
of Rossville, and stay over night Daniel Sapp
raised a family of twelve children. Hon. William
R. Sapp, one of his sons, was many years a leading
citizen of the county. The four brothers have been
dead many years, but their descendants are still nu
merous in Union and adjoining townships.
The Welkers deserve more than a passing notice.
John Welker, sr., came from Pennsylvania in
1808, settling on section fifteen. About the same
time his brother, David Welker, came. The
Welkers were of German descent. These pioneers
were industrious, energetic, hard-working men.
They had to encounter all the privations of early
occupation of unsettled territory. At that early
day they packed their salt and other necessaries
with horse and pack-saddle from Zanesville,
through an almost unbroken wilderness, and did
their milling at the same place. In the War of
1812 John Welker served as a high private, and
received a land warrant for his services, and that
was the highest position he ever sought. Although
often urged by his neighbors to accept office, he
always refused. He reared a family of fourteen
children, all of whom lived to the age of manhood
and womanhood. One of his sons, Martin Welker,
born in Union in 1819, left the farm in 1831, and
went with his brother, John, jr., to clerk in his
store at Millwood, where he remained several years.
He intended to make a merchant of himself, but
an incident occurred, which changed his plans of
life. In the store one day, a man offered him a
bank bill which, on inspection he found to be
counterfeit, and so informed the man. It was
passed on another individual, and he prosecuted,
and Martin was subpoened as a witness, before the
grand jury at Mt. Vernon. He attended, and was
compelled to remain several days. He had never
seen a court, or a live judge. He there saw
Judge Dean, then in the prime of life on the bench,
and who seemed to him a much greater man than
General Jackson, of whom he had heard. He also
there saw Brown, the Curtises, Delano and other
lawyers engaged in court matters, and he con
cluded it would be a great thing himslf to be a

lawyer. Sitting beside another boy of his acqaint-
ance, he informed him that he would be a lawyer
and a judge, and some day take the place of Judge
Dean. He kept that resolve before him, and
worked for that aim and purpose, and within twenty
years, with their great changes, he became a law
yer, and was elected in 1851, judge of the district
over Judge Dean, who was his opponent at the
election. He sat upon the same bench, held the
same court at Mt. Vernon, the holding which by
Judge Dean had inspired his youthful ambition.
After leaving his brother's store, he studied law
with the late Hon. W. R. Sapp at Millersburgh,
Holmes county, and subsequently practiced law in
partnership with him for several years. In 185 1
he was elected judge of the sixth district as before
mentioned. In 1857 he was elected by the Re
publicans, lieutenant-governor on the ticket with
Governor Salmon P. Chase. He served one term,
and declined a renomination. In 1864 he was
nominated for Congress for the fourteenth district,
and elected, and was reelected in 1866 and 1868,
serving six years in Congress. During the war he
served as as aid-de-camp to Governor Dennison,
and assistant adjutant general with Governor David
Tod, with the rank of colonel. In November,
1873, ne was appointed by President Grant, dis
trict judge for the United States, for the Northern
district of Ohio, which office he still holds. John
Welker, sr., lived many years in the enjoyment of
the fruits of his pioneer labors. He died in 1869.
William Lydick, a brother-in-law of John Welker,
sr., came at the same time with him to Union
township. He settled on section sixteen. He was
married while residing in Pennsylvania to Miss
Catharine Welker. He continued to reside in
Union until his death in 1861. One of his sons,
Reuben, still lives here.
Another early settler was Dr. Charles Waddle.
For many years he was engaged in the mercantile
business, and also practiced medicine at Danville.
He was a man of great ability and energy, and one
of the most eloquent Methodist preachers of that
region and day, having a remarkable power over a
congregation. He died a year or two since at the
ripe age of eighty-seven.
John Hann, sr., came from Pennsylvania in 1808.
He first settled in Mt. Vernon, where he followed

552

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

the occupation of hatter until his removal to this
township in 1825. Mr. Hann was an intimate
personal friend of Hon. Henry Clay and wife, hav
ing been a resident in the locality of Mrs. Clay,
prior to her marriage and of his removal to Penn
sylvania. Naturally, from his associations with and
personal regard of Mr. Clay, he was politically an
ardent Whig, and during the existence of that party
was an earnest advocate of its principles. Mr.
Hann was a soldier in the War of 181 2. His
father, John Hann, sr., was a Revolutionary soldier,
and his grandson John Hann a soldier of the war
of the Rebellion. One of his sons, Gilman Hann,
was the second white child born in Mt. Vernon.
John, sr., died in 1856.
Jesse Winterringer, sr., came from Maryland to
Jefferson county, Ohio, early in this century, and re
moved from that county to Union township in
181 6. He located his farm near the centre of
Union. His family of twelve children are all
dead but two sons, Jesse, jr., and Barney, who still
reside here. The Winterringers are active working
members of the Presbyterian church of Millwood.
Jesse Winterringer, sr., died on .he nineteenth of
September, 1854.
David Welker came from Pennsylvania in 1809.
He purchased one hundred and ten acres on sec
tion fifteen, and he reared a family of eight children.
He died in 1853.
Joseph Workman emigrated from Alleghany
county, Maryland, in 18 14. He was a very zeal
ous minister of the Dunkard or German Baptist
church, and was the first to promulgate the princi
ples and doctrines of that sect here. His labors
were crowned with much success, as that denomi
nation numbers many members in the southern and
eastern part of Knox county.
Rev. Jacob Hammond, although not of the very
first settlers of Union, has long been an influential
and useful citizen. He removed from Alleghany
county, Maryland, in 1824, first settling on section
sixteen. He engaged in farming for many years
after his arrival in Union. In 1848 he was ordained
a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, since
which time he has been actively employed in min
isterial labors. He has solemnized some fifty
marriages and preached one hundred and twenty-
five funeral sermons of persons residing within a

circle of ten miles of Millwood since his ordination
in 1848.
Among the latter settlers are various names more
or less familiar. Jacob Ross, proprietor of Ross
ville and a very public-spirited citizen, has been a
resident of Union for many years. George Gann,
who became a resident of Union in 1876, by rea
son of the annexation of a portion of Jefferson,
was a man of more than ordinary enterprise. He
came to Jefferson township in 1831. In consider
ation of his services in securing the right of way for
the Cleveland, Pittsburgh & Mt. Vernon railroad,
Gann, one of the stations on the railroad, was
named in his honor. He died September 7, 1877.
The first grist-mill was erected by Robert Griffin,
about 1812 or 1813. It was located in the south
eastern part of the township, on Owl creek. Al
though a very insignificant one, when compared
with the mills of this period, it had an extensive
patronage. The settlers residing in Knox, Coshoc
ton, and other counties were its patrons. It was
torn down many years ago, and no vestige of it re
mains. Another grist-mill was built by John Greer,
on Jelloway creek, in 1815 or 18 16. The first
saw-mill in the township was built about the same
time, by Daniel Sapp, on Little Jelloway creek.
The first road was the Mt. Vernon and Coshoc
ton, cut out about 1809. The Mt. Vernon and
Millersburgh road was laid out soon afterwards.
For some years after the first settlement, the
schools were held in the houses of the pioneers
and in small log school-houses. John Wells proba
bly taught the first school in the township. Wil
liam Critchfield was another of the first school
teachers. He taught in a log shool-house near the
site of Millwood.
The Catholics were the religious pioneers of
Union. Shortly after the first settlers came to the
township, George Sapp, sr., Elias Arnold, David
Logsdon, Samuel Durbin, sr., Thomas White and
wife, Catharine Sapp, Mrs. Daniel Rogue, Benjamin
Durbin and wife, and Isaac Dial, organized what
is now known as "St. Luke's Catholic church, of
Danville," which is situated about one mile west of
that village. The congregation consisted chiefly
of emigrants from Maryland, who were descend
ants of Lord Baltimore's English Catholic colony.
The society was organized by Rev. Edward Fen-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

553

wick. Among the resident pastors were Reverend
Fathers Dominick Young, Rymaker, Francis, Mar
shall, O'Leary, McAlear, Hill, Joseph Martin,
Boland, Myers, Berger, Brink, and Lamy, who is
now archbishop of the diocese of Santa Fe, New
Mexico; Thomas J. Boulger, Julius Brent, who
died in 1880, and the present priest, Rev. Francis
Marquery. The first church building, a log one, was built
about 1809 or 1810. George Sapp, sr., donated
the land for the church and cemetery attached to
it. During the pastorate of now Archbishop Lamy,
a frame church was erected, in which the congre
gation worshipped until 1877, when the present
beautiful and commodious brick edifice was erected
at a cost of about twelve thousand dollars. The
church is probably the strongest numerically of
any country church of Roman Catholics in Ohio.
One hundred or more families are members and
regular attendants of St. Luke's. The parsonage,
or priest's residence, is situated near the church,
on land donated by Henry Porter, sr., one of the
early members. A new parsonage is in process of
building. The cemetery attached to the church
was laid out probably before 181 2. It is enclosed
with a neat, board fence. Many beautiful ever
greens, emblematical of a life that never ends, is
planted at proper distances in the grounds, and af
fords a very desirable resting place for the hun
dreds of devout Catholics interred there.
The German Baptist church was organized about
1832, by Elder James C. Workman. Solomon
Robinson, Jacob Shultz, Isaac Workman, William
Robinson, Jacob Robinson, and their wives, were
the first members. Solomon Robinson was the
first deacon. Elder J. C. Workman was the first
pastor. He was succeeded by Elders Elias Work
man, John L. Workman, and John J. Workman,
who is the pastor at this time. From 1816 to the
organization in 1832 the Dunkards, or German
Baptists, held frequent meetings at the houses of
the Workmans and other adherents to the church.
The present church building was erected in 1861.
It is a frame forty-five by sixty-five feet in dimen
sions, located about one mile south of Danville.
There are two or three other organizations and
churches situated in Miller and other townships of
Knox county known as the Danville German

Baptist church, but are all considered as one or
ganization and one church. The total membership
of all the societies in the different townships which
are included in the Danville church is one hundred
and sixty-one. Near the church is a cemetery,
neatly fenced and properly cared for, in which
many repose. The foregoing are the only churches
in the township, outside of the towns.
There are five villages in Union : Danville, Mill
wood, Gann, Rossville and Buckeye City. None
of them have been incorporated.
Danville is one of the oldest towns in the eastern
part of Knox county. The exact date of its laying
out cannot be ascertained. Jonathan Sapp, son of
George Sapp, sr., who with Robert Waddle was
the founder of the town, puts the date as late as
1818, although it is generally claimed to have been
as early as 1813 or 1814. John McDaniel built
the first house, McConnell and Grant were the first
merchants and William M. Brooks the first physi
cian. William Critchfield kept the first hotel.
The first post-office in the eastern part of Knox
county was established at Danville, and W. R.
Sapp was the first postmaster. The first school-
house was a hewed log building erected a short dis
tance south of the village, and the first school was
taught by James Cain. The present population is
about four hundred, and is steadily increasing.
For many years before the advent of the Cleve
land, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad the town
was at a stand still, but since its completion through
Union township, the business of Danville has
greatly increased. There are now two dry goods
stores kept by L. Frost & Son, and Workman &
Workman; one grocery by Julius Sapp, one drug
store by Burns & Shaw, one clothing store by John
Smithhiser, one hardware store by Sapp Brothers,
one hotel by Emrick & Sapp, one furniture and
undertaking establishment by T. M. Metcalf, one
wagon shop by Jacob Shindle, one blacksmith
shop by Welker Bimm, one cooper shop by Jesse
Riser, etc. George Shaw is postmaster. The vil
lage has a flourishing district school, and it is
probable the union school system will be adopted
before many years.
There are two churches within the village limits,
Christian and Methodist. There was a society of
Presbyterians established here a few years after the

554

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

laying out of the village, which had an existence of
some years, when the organization was disbanded,
and the society was reorganized under the name of
the Presbyterian church of Millwood, and trans
ferred to that town. The Christian church of
Danville was organized April 20, 1834, by Elder
James Hays. The first members were Daniel
Sapp, William Robinson, William Shaw and Eliza
beth Robinson. In 18.37 Elder James Marvin
succeeded Elder Hays as pastor, and remained
such until 1861, when he resigned his pastorate.
The church was without a stated pastor until 1868,
when Elder Marvin again resumed the pastoral
charge of the congregation, and continued in that
relation until 1872, when he was succeeded by
Elder C. A. Williams, who in turn was succeeded
by Elder A. Hanger, the present minister. From
1832 until 1840 or 1841, tfTe society held their
meetings in the Methodist church of Danville, and
until the present frame church edifice was erected.
This building was repaired in 1866, to the amount
of nine hundred dollars. In 1866 a series of meet
ings were held by Elders Harrod and Chrisman,
which resulted in an addition of forty-six members
to the society. There are about sixty members in
full connection with the church at this time. The
officers at present are: Deacons, H. C. Robinson*
and Joseph Church ; trustees, Thomas Snow, Eliza
Porter, H. C. Robinson and Joseph Church.
The Methodist Episcopal church was organized
at an early date, b^t as no records were kept, and
the first members all dead, but little of its history
can be obtained. Among the early members were
the Welkers and Waddles; and the early preachers
were Rev. John Welker, jr., and Rev. Charles Wad
dle, both for several years residents of Danville.
Both were men of much note in the Methodist
church and in the community at that time. They
were men of great ability and eloquence, and were
instrumental in doing much good. The frame
church in which the society now worships was
erected many years since. The church enjoys a
moderate degree of prosperity.
Antioch Lodge, No. 286, F. and A. M., located
in Danville, was organized under a charter dated
October 23, 1856.
Charter members— Dr. John White, Wait Whit
ney, U. B. Kinsey, Isaiah Hieth, S. W. Corner,

Zachariah Hibbets, John Biggs, Daniel Hess, B.
S. Church, A. S. Church, Miner Hildreth, Solomon
W. Sapp, B. Casteel, C. W. Page.
The first officers (1856) were: Dr. John White,
W. M.; Wait Whitney, S. W.; U. B. Kinsey, J. W.;
Miner Hildreth, treasurer; .Solomon W. Sapp, sec
retary; Benjamin S. Church, S. D.; Zachariah Hib
bets, J. D.; Abram S. Church, tyler.
First initiation was that of Henry Hibbets, Jan
uary 5, 1856, while the lodge was working under
dispensation. The officers, July 1, 1880, were: Francis M
Hibbets, W. M.; Edwin D. Cash, S. W.; William
R. Langford, J. W.; Dr. William Balmer, treasurer;
Edward T. Slaight, secretary; Matthias Tressel, S.
D.; Levi Frost, J. D.; Nathaniel Critchfield, tyler.
The following members of the lodge have de
ceased since its organization : 1857, Dr. John White,
April 20th; 1862, Wait Whitney, October 12th;
1864, Ebenezer Wilson, April 26th; 1866, Daniel
Hess, April 20th; 1869, Solomon W. Sapp, March
ist; 1870, William Magers, December 18th; 1871,
Mark Greer, April 29th; 1872, Thomas S. Barber,
August 29th, John M. Church, November 23d;
1873, Solomon H. Porter, May 27th, Samuel Kin
sey, August 31st, Dr. Isaac Putnam, October 7th;
1876, Alonzo Gardner, March 29th, William Por
ter, October 2d; 1879, John Spurgeon, October
ist — total deaths, fifteen.
Millwood is situated in the southeastern part of
the township. Owl creek flows along its north bor
der. It was so named in consequence of the first
mill in the locality being built in the woods, although
it is claimed by some of the citizens to have been
named in honor of a Mr. Millwood, of Virginia, a
friend of the founder of the town. It is a neat and
ordinary village of about two hundred inhabitants.
At one time it was the most flourishing village in
Union, and a large amount of business was trans
acted in the place; but since the location of the
Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad at
Howard and Rossville, the tide of business has
ceased to flow here and has been diverted to those
villages. The town was laid out about 1825, by
John Hann. James Britton built the first log house,
and Israel Houseworth the second one. Ross Ar-
buckle built the first frame dwelling. The first grist
mill was built about 1825, by John Hann and Eli-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

555

sha Gibbs. The present grist-mill, the second one
in the town, was erected by John Hann. The first
school-house, a small log building, was built on
Jacob Hammond's farm about 1829, and William
Critchfield taught the first school in this house.
John- Welker was the first merchant and also the
first postmaster. Israel Dillon was another of the
early merchants and leading business men. The
first tanyard was built in 1829 by Jacob Garret.
Samuel Welker kept the first hotel. This hotel
was the favorite resort of the students of Kenyon
college when that institution was in its palmiest
days. During the summer season they would make
frequent trips in small boats down Owl creek to
the locality known as "The Caves," near Millwood.
After rusticating among the caves and hills until
satisfied they would adjourn to "Uncle Sam's" ho
tel where they would spend many hours in social
conviviality before returning to Gambier.
There are three churches in the town, Metho
dist, Presbyterian, and Disciple. The first church
was erected in 1833; >t was a small brick building,
and known as the "Union church," no particular
denomination having control but free for all sects
to hold meetings in.
The Episcopal church was organized about 183 1.
Jacob Hammond, John Welker, James Britton, and
their wives, were of the first members. Rev. John
Hazzard and  Hooper were of the first who
preached in this society. Some of the later pas
tors were Revs. Abner Gough, Hiram Shafer, Jacob
Hammond, David Gray, and Abner Shaw, the pres
ent minister. The society worshipped in the Un
ion church several years, when it became unsafe
and was torn down, after which they held their
meetings in the school-house until about 1850, when
the present frame building was erected. The origi
nal membership was about twelve, the present,
seventy-three. The Presbyterian church at Millwood is a con
tinuation of the Danville Presbyterian church which
was organized at an early day at Danville, and after
an existence of several years the organization was
transferred to Millwood and thereafter known as
the Millwood Presbyterian church. The society
worshipped some years in the Union church,
school-house, and private houses, when on the
seventh of January, 1855, a deed for the building

lot was made, and soon after the church in which
the congregation now worship was built. Rev.
John Burns, a graduate of Kenyon college, was the
first pastor, and remained such until his death in
1859. The society being weak there has been no
settled pastor since his decease. Rev. J. Newell,
Rev. Henry Hervey, J. D. Walkinshaw, and 
Newton have preached at various times. The origi
nal membership was fourteen, present, forty. Jesse
Winterringer and Ephraim McMillin were the first
elders. The present elders are Daniel L. McGugin,
Edward Gash, and. Jesse Winterringer. During the
pastorate of Rev. John Burns he taught a select
school which was attended by students from various
portions of the county.
The "Disciples of Christ" organized a society in
1858. The early members of this church were
William Moody, Albert Ellis, Lewis Critchfield
and wife, William Cassell, Laura Moody, Benja
min Ellis and wife, Eliza Gist, Elizabeth Cassell,
Norman Farmer and wife, and John Wolford and
wife. The first officers were: Elders William
Moody, Albert Ellis; Deacons Lewis Critchfield
and William Cassell. The first pastor was Elder
William Moody, who was succeeded by Elders
William H. Taylor, Uriah Hoffman, Charles Van
Voorhes, and O. W. Kyle. The church has no
pastor at this time. A frame church was erected
in 1858. The society is in a flourishing condition,
having eighty members in full connection with the
church at present. A Sunday-school is connected
with the church; Abram Ryan is superintendent.
There are several other features of the town which
adds to its completeness, and its desirableness as a
place of residence. A fine, new iron bridge spans
Owl creek at the approach on the southeast of the
village. Much beautiful natural scenery is to be
found in the immediate vicinity, consisting of
beautiful high hills, rocky elevations, and "the
caves," a subterranean opening in the banks of
Owl creek. The town has one first-class dry goods
store, one grocery, one shoe store, two hotels, one
harness shop, one shoe shop, etc.
Gann, formerly Mt. Holly, was laid out by John
Hibbitts in 1838. It is finely situated on the east
side of the Mohican river. It has a population of
about two hundred. The name was changed from
Mt. Holly to Gann by the president of the Cleve-

556

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

land, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad, in honor
of George Gann, deceased. John Hibbitt built
the first house, Robert Long built the first grist
mill about 1840. It is still standing and is now
owned by Isaac and James Thompson. Isaac
Means kept the first store. The village contains
two dry goods stores, two groceries, one hardware
store, two hotels, one drug store, pne harness shop,
one blacksmith shop, etc. The village school is
taught by Joseph Bluebaugh. Joshua Ferenbaugh
is the agent for the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Co
lumbus railroad. A fine iron bridge, several hun
dred feet long, spans the Mohican river.
There are two church edifices in the town, but
only one organization at this time. The Method
ists organized a church in 1848. At that time a
series of meetings were held in the village by Rev.
Lawrence, resulting in a large number of conver
sions, and a class of some forty members was
formed; James and John Hibbitts and Elizabeth
Titus were of the first members. Rev. Lawrence
was the first pastor. His successors were Revs.
Jacobs, Wheeler, Baughman, Barnes, Markum,
Houston, Harris, and Ayres, the present pastor.
The church was built in 1864.
The United Brethren organized a society and
built a church in 1864. Some of the first mem
bers were Stephen Day, William Black, Charles
Hibbitts, L. Severns and their wives, Isaac Hyatt,
and Edward Day. The organization continued a
few years, when it was discontinued and the church
building sold to the Catholics. There is no organ
ization of Catholics in Gann, the church being
used principally for funeral occasions.
Rossville was laid out by Jacob Ross, about the
time of the completion of the railroad. It is sit
uated one-half mile south of Danville, and has a
population of about two hundred and twenty-five..
It is a live village and is steadily advancing. There
are one dry goods store, one drug store, one grocery,
one hardware store, one steam flouring-mill, one
planing-mill and lumber yard, one jewelry shop,
one hotel, etc., in the village. As yet there are no
churches erected in the village. Last and least is
Buckeye City, laid out in the fall of 1880 by J. C.
Tilton, who has an insurance office in the embryo
village. The new school edifice, a large and sub
stantial brick building, is located in the village.

These structures, with two or three dwellings, com
prise the sum total of buildings. As the village is
situated midway between Danville and Rossville,
it is not probable that it will ever attain much
prominence. The three villages will, no doubt, in
course of time be consolidated.
Cavallo was among the many towns that have
had an existence in Union. It was located in the
southeastern part of the township, on the Mohican,
and for several years enjoyed a large measure of
prosperity. From 1840 to 1848 were its best days.
Three or four large warehouses were erected for
the receiving of the exports and imports that were
conveyed to and from the town, and shipped via
the Mohican through the Walhonding canal. The
building of numerous railroads in central Ohio
was the cause of its death, for it ceased to be a
village many years ago, and no trace is left to mark
its location.

CHAPTER LXV.
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
Organization and dimensions— Topography— Mound
Builders and Their Works— The Indians— Killing
of the Indian Horse Thieves by Hughes and Ratliff
—Remains of the Indians Thus Killed— First Set
tlers—Nathaniel Mitchell Young — The "Jersey
"Settlement"— Trapping Wolves— The Quakers— Oc
tober Election of 1808— Roads— Mills— Lucerne—
The Lewis Block-House— GreenValley— Churches-
Justices of the Peace.
And I have said, and I say it ever,
As the years go on and the world goes over,
'Twere better to be content and clever,
In the tending of cattle and tossing of clover,
In the grazing of cattle and the growing of grain,
Than a strong man striving for fame or gain.
Joaquin Miller.
THE original Wayne township was No. 1 in the
division of the county into four townships by
the county commissioners at their session May 2,
1808. The journal reads :
Ordered, That the following bounds be laid off into a separate
township, to-wit: Beginning at west boundary line of said
county between the fifth and seventh township line, and running
east to the west of the thirteenth range line, thence north to the
centre of the seventh township line; thence on the east to the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

557

east line of the thirteenth range; thence north to the county
line which shall be called and known by the name of Wayne
township. Recorded April 5, 1809.
In the commissioners' journal, April 15, 1815,
this entry is found :
Ordered, That all that part of Knox county lying north of
Wayne township be attached to the said Wayne township, and
henceforth be considered a part of the same.
Again, June 8, 1813, the following entry is found
in the commissioners' journal:
Ordered, That the boundaries of Wayne township shall be
altered, and that in future the following shall be the boundaries,
and recorded as such : Beginning at the southeast corner of
township number seven, range number fourteen, and running
to the southwest corner of the same ; thence due north to the
north boundary of Knox county; thence east on said boundary
so far that a line running due south would strike the old boun
dary line where the line between the thirteenth and fourteenth
range in the old purchase strikes the old boundary ; thence to
run south on the last described south line to the place of begin
ning. May 2, 1820, the commissioners again used the
pruning knife, as the pages of their journal is evi
dence :
Ordered, That the east boundary line of Wayne township be
altered as follows, to-wit: The alterations to begin at the
northwest corner of Ellicott's section in the eighth township
and thirteenth range, and running east to the southeast corner
of lot number eleven; thence north so as to strike the centre of
section number four, township number eighteen ; thence north
to the county line, which line shall henceforth be the division
line of said township.
March 9, 1825, an entry on the commissioners'
journal reads as follows :
Wayne township shall be composed of the seventh township
in the fourteenth range.
In 1830 it listed sixteen thousand two hundred
and fifty-eight acres of land for taxation, and con
tained one thousand and forty--eight inhabitants.
In 1850 it contained one thousand eight hundred
and sixty-four inhabitants, in i860, one thousand
seven hundred and eighty-nine; in 1870, one thou
sand six hundred and fifty-eight, and in 1880, one
thousand six hundred and eighteen.
The above quotations from the journal of the
commissioners are unintelligible to the general
reader, owing in part to the fact that the whole of
Richland county, which included parts of the
present Ashland and Crawford counties, was at
first a part of Knox, as was also a part of the pres
ent Morrow county. Wayne was named in honor

of "Mad Anthony" Wayne, the hero of Stony
Point and Fallen Timbers, and at one time em
braced within its limits the present townships of
Franklin and Chester, in Morrow county, and
Middlebury, Berlin, Wayne, and the north half of
Morris townships in this county. Reductions were
made from time to time, and it reached its present
dimensions in 1825, as stated in the commission
er's report.
Topographically considered, the township, at the
present day, presents a beautiful appearance, every
acre of its soil, except the timber land, being under
a high state of cultivation. It is well watered, the
surface gently rolling, and possesses uncommon at
tractions to the agriculturalist and the seeker after
a prosperous and happy home.
In its primitive condition it was densely tim
bered with all varieties of hard wood — beech, oak,
hickory, ash, sugar, black walnut, and other varie
ties, the beech, perhaps, predominating. Possibly
one or two little patches of prairie appeared on
the Owl creek bottom, whether cleared of timber
by Indians or white men, or whether natural prai
ries will probably remain unknown. The south
branch of Owl creek passes across the township
near its centre, from west to east, and this, with its
numerous branches, waters the northern and cen
tral portions, while the pretty and historical little
stream called Granny's creek, with its tributaries,
waters the southern portion. Many mills were, in
an early day, erected along these two streams, and
around these mills clustered a large amount of fact
and romance that might profitably enter into these
pages could it be gathered and truthfully pre
sented. Centuries before any white man set foot on its
soil, possibly before any white man had an exis
tence in the now known world, this same territory
of Wayne township was inhabited, perhaps densely
populated, by that "lost race" known as the
Mound Builders. Where they came from, who
they were, and what became of them, are ques
tions as yet unanswered — problems yet unsolved
and probably unsolvable.
So far as known none of their works now exist
in this township, with the single exception of one
in the woods, not well preserved, in the southern
part; but when the first settlers came a very perfect

558

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

work existed within the present limits of the town
of Fredericktown. The older inhabitants of this
place yet remember this work. Its location was
upon the highest point of the hill, upon which the
town stands, directly in Sandusky street, a little
east of the public square. The entire work cov
ered perhaps an acre of ground, and included a
portion of the lots upon which the present Metho
dist and Baptist churches stand, and also contigu
ous lots. In the grading of the street and build
ing of the houses, the work has entirely disap
peared. The embankment was in a circular form,
two or three feet in height, with ditch inside, and a
gateway opening toward the east. A mound was
within this enclosure, and in size was thirty or forty
feet in diameter at the base and seven or eight
feet in height at the date of the first settlement.
The soil here is somewhat sandy and loose, and
favorable to the erection of these works. The
Mound Builders seemed to have a preference for
sandy, loamy soil, and seldom erected their works
upon other soil. From the summit of this mound
an extensive view could be had of the valley of the
Owl creek, several miles to the southward, and
across the valley to the hills some distance east
ward. Some three or four other mounds, located
in Morris and Berlin townships, were evidently
connected with this one, and would be in view
were the timber cleared away, a condition of things
probably existing when the Mound Builders occu
pied the territory.
It is not unlikely that many other works of this
mysterious people existed in this vicinity, but all
have disappeared, except those mentioned. What
could be expected to survive the ravages of a thou
sand years or more? The wonder is that any trace •
of this people remain.
The next race to occupy the soil of this town
ship, so far as known, was the red Indian ; a race
almost as mysterious as the Mound Builders.
They have no written history and even tradition is
silent as to their origin. Several such races might
have inhabited this territory and passed away, leav
ing no trace of existence, as the Indian will leave
no permanent footprint behind when he is gone;
and were it not for the little history of him pre
served by the white race, coming peoples, who may
occupy this territory in the coming centuries, would

not know of his existence. This race was here,
however, when the white race came to drive him
out and subdue the wilderness. Probably many
permanent Indian camps were located along Owl
creek and its wild and pretty tributaries; but about
the time of the first white occupation no permanent
Indian camp existed within the limits of Wayne
township. Temporary camps for hunting purposes
existed along Owl creek, and occasionally an Indian
hunter and his family occupied a lone wigwam in
the depths of the forest, where he fished, hunted,
and lounged away his life in happy ignorance — like
the beasts of the field, of whom Joaquin Miller
thus sings:
I have said it once and I say it over.
And can prove it over and over again,
That the four-footed beasts on the red-crowned clover,
The pied and horned beasts of the plain
That lie down, rise up, and repose again,
And do never take care, or toil, or spin,
Nor buy, nor build, nor gather in gold,
Though the days go out and the tides come in,
Are better than we by a thousand-fold.
It was probably within the limits of this township
that the Indian horse-theives were killed, by Hughes
and Ratliff from the Licking valley, in Licking
county. They were overtaken and killed in the
bottom, just south of Fredericktown — probably on
the south branch of Owl creek. The facts are
that irf 1801, a party of Indians stole some horses
from a little enclosure near the cabins of Elias
Hughes and John Ratliff, who, in 1798, had located
on the Bowling green about four miles below the
present city of Newark, on Licking river. Hughes
and Ratliff were the first settlers of Licking county,
were related, the latter being a nephew of the
former, and lived- near each other with their fami-
lies-on a beautiful natural prairie. At the time the
horses were stolen, a Mr. Bland, who lived further
down, at the mouth of the Licking, was a visitor
at Hughes' cabin, and his horse was among the
number stolen. In the morning, finding the horses
gone, these three men started in pursuit, following
the trail of the savages, gaining rapidly upon them,
and overtaking them on Owl creek, at the place
mentioned. They came upon their camp at day
break in the morning, shot the Indians, recovered
their horses, and returned unmolested to their cab
ins on the Licking. It is said that Bland and Rat-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

559

liff relented when they saw they had the Indians in
their power, and were in favor of taking the horses
and letting the Indian thieves go; but Elias Hughes
was not that kind of a man ; he was an old Indian
fighter and hater, and he expressed his views in such
emphatic language that the others gave up to his
way of thinking and the Indians were killed.
Elias Hughes was a well known pioneer of Lick
ing county, and died near Utica, Ohio, in Decem
ber, 1844, at the age of ninety years or thereabouts.
His son, Jonathan, is yet living in Utica at an ad
vanced age.
The information comes from William Mefford,
an old citizen of this township, that when he was
clearing off the ground on which to erect his house,
on Mile run, he plowed up the remains of the two
Indians killed by these pioneers; also a rusty gun-
barrel, brass guard, and other pieces of a gun, which
had not decayed. This was in 1835, and these
relics were placed in the hands of Jacob Mitchell.
George Conkie gathered up the bones and reburied'
them, and the house was built on the spot. It is
the old Peck place on Mile run bottom, where
Mrs. Acre has since lived.
In early days there was a favorite camping ground
about three-fourths of a mile from where these In
dians were killed. Large parties camped here for
the purpose of hunting. They were the Delawares
and Wyandots from the Sandusky plains, as well as
the Greentown and Jerometown Indians, under
Chiefs Armstrong and Captain Pipe, who were
often seen in this vicinity.
Indians remained in this vicinity until the War
of 181 2, when they generally disappeared, never to
return. The bear, deer and wolf rapidly followed
the retreating savages, and upon their heels came
the all-conquering white race.
The first settler in this township was the first per
manent settler within the present limits of Knox
county. His name was Nathaniel Mitchell Young.
Andrew Craig, who was in the territory embraced
within the county limits several years before Mr.
Young, can hardly be called a settler at all. He
was not a permanent resident, he did not purchase
or enter land; he was a sort of renegade, living
among the Indians, and shortly after the whites be
gan a settlement he went away to Greentown,
where a small tribe of Indians were encamped un

der Chief Armstrong. It was within the present
limits of Ashland county. Mr. Young may, there
fore, be called the first settler of Knox county. He
was from New Jersey, and wandered up into the
this wilderness in the spring of 1805. He was a
hardy, adventurous fellow, and a sort of blacksmith.
He probably came by way of Zanesville and New
ark, the latter place having been laid out the year
before, after leaving which he found no further
white settlers, until he reached the cabin of Craig
on Owl creek. Why he continued on up Owl
creek to the spot where he ever afterward lived, is
not certainly known, but it is probable that he had
a land warrant in his pocket, was hunting for, and
found up here, the land it called for. It must be
remembered that this belonged to the United States
military lands, and was consequently first settled,
either by Revolutionary soldiers or their heirs, with
land warrants. The "axe maker," as the Indians
soon named him, had probably one of these war
rants, and he located upon his land on the south
branch of Owl creek in the western part of this
township, five to six miles a little south of west
of the present town of Fredericktown. From the
fact that several of his kinsmen soon followed him
and settled around him, this came to be known far
and wide as the "Jersey settlement," and one of
the most important settlements in the county.
Mr. Young erected a little log pen for a shelter,
and as Indians visited him often, he soon began to
employ his leisure time, between hunts, having a
few tools with him, in repairing the knives, toma
hawks and guns of his red neighbors; hence the
sobriquet of "axe maker," which for more than half
a century afterward clung to him. He was soon
followed by Jacob Young, Abraham and Simeon
Lyon, and not long afterward by Eliphalet and
John Lewis, and James Bryant — all from New
Jersey. In the winter of 1805-6 this settlement entered
into a written agreement among themselves to give
nine bushels of corn for each wolf scalp that might
be taken ; and during the winter some of them did
a flourishing business catching wolves, three of
them securing forty-one in steel traps and pens.
The early history of this settlement is similar to
that of every other pioneer settlement. They
erected cabins, chopped and cleared their farms,

560

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

hunted the game in the forest and fished from the
stream at their leisure; erected mills; tried to build
a town; lived to see such changes as they never
dreamed of, and passed away; most, if not all are
dead, but their descendants and others occupy the
farms staked out by them in the wilderness. These
lands are probably unexcelled for productiveness.
James Bryant was followed by several others of
the same name, who settled in the vicinity. James
was a strict, steady man, with a "Sunday-go-to-
meeting" face, and because his neighbors to the
west of him did not walk as near to his way as he
thought they should, he called the place Sodom, a
name it has ever since borne.
Some years after Mr. Young settled here, Jabez
and Daniel Beers, and Joseph Denman also joined
the settlement.
In 1806 a party of Quakers came from Mary
land and settled on Owl creek, though the first
who came, William Y. Farquhar, and his cousin,
Henry Roberts, probably first settled within the
present limits of Morris township. These were
soon followed by William W. Farquhar and family,
and in 1807 by Samuel Wilson and John Kerr, all
Quakers, the two latter making, probably, the sec
ond settlement within the limits of this township,
upon the site of Fredericktown. These good peo
ple, by their sobriety, industry, and honesty, placed
some of the best material in the foundation of the
present structure of society in this township. They
composed the first settlement of Friends in this
part of the country. Amariah Watson was also a
settler in this township, near the site of Frederick-
town, in 1806. His place was subsequently sold
to Jacob Ebersole.
The next settlement made in this township, as
before stated, was in 1807, on the site of Freder
icktown, by Kerr and Wilson. The former began
immediately the erection of a grist-mill upon the
site of a mill yet standing near Fredericktown; he
also laid out Fredericktown on the first quarter,
seventh township, fourteenth range, United States
military district, which, on the eleventh of Novem
ber, 1807, he acknowledged in the presence of
George Chambers, before William W. Farquhar.
The history of this settlement will be followed up
in the next chapter, on Fredericktown.
At the October election of 1808, the first regu

lar vote was taken for State and county officers.
The following is a copy of the poll-book of this
township, one of the most populous in the county:
Poll-book of an election held in the township of Wayne, in
the county of Knox, and State of Ohio, the eleventh day of
October, 1808, at the house of Daniel and Abner Ayers, in the
town ot Frederick. John Kerr, chairman, Nathaniel M. Young,
John Cook, Henry Roberts, judges, and Jacob Young, William
W. Farquhar, clerks of the election, were duly sworn as the
law directs, previous to their entering on the duties of their re
spective offices. Certified to by me,
William W. Farquhar, A. J.
Casper Fitting, Joseph Talmage, Amariah Watson, Abraham
Lyon, Joshua Vennom, Samuel Wilson, Charles McGowen,
Joshua Milligan, Reuben Skinner, Jacob Cook, Henry Roberts
John Kerr, Henry Markley, Nathaniel M. Young, John Walk
er, William W. Farquhar, Jacob Young, John Cook, Richard
Hall, Thomas Durbin, Samuel Durbin, Jeduthan Dodd, Thomas
Townsend. Samuel. Huntington had at the above election, for governor,
a majority of twenty-three -votes (all the votes that were cast);
Jeremiah Morrow, for Congress, received twenty-one, and Phil
emon Beecher two.
William Trimble and Jacob Burton had a majority of twenty-
one votes each for the senate.
Hezekiah Smith had two votes for senator, and Elnathan
Scofield two.
Alexander Holden, for representative, had twenty votes, and
Jeremiah R. Munson two.
For commisioners, William Douglass had twenty-one votes,
Calvin Shepherd two, Henry Markley twenty-three, Mathew
Merritt twenty-one.
For coroner, John Merritt had twenty-one votes.
For sheriff, Silas Brown thirteen, Ichabod Nye nine.
John Harrod had two votes for commissioner, and Joseph

Walker two.
Attest :

William W. Farquhar,
Jacob Young,
Clerks.

An examination of the above list of voters, will
give a pretty fair idea of the number and names of
the settlers in Wayne township in 1808, though
Wayne township then occupied a large territory,
and only a portion of those named then lived with
in the present limits of this township. There was
no opportunity then, and probably no inclination,
to "bulldoze" the voters, stuff the ballot-boxes
with tissue ballots, and miscount the ballots in favor
of one party, as is done at this age of the Republic.
Roads were of primary importance to the first
settlers of Wayne, as of many other townships not
located on navigable streams. Preliminary steps
were taken as early as 1809 to open the first regu
lar highway through this part of the county. On
the twenty-third of January of that year "Mr.

HISTORV OF KNOX COUNTY.

56i

Holden presented to the legislature a petition from
sundry inhabitants of Licking county; also a peti
tion from sundry inhabitants of the counties of
Licking, Knox, and Richland, setting forth their
remote situation from water carriage, and the ne
cessity of having good roads; that they have no
road whereby they can receive letters, or any kind
of intelligence, or any property from any part of
the United States, or this State, except by chance
or private conveyance, nearer than Newark or
Zanesville, and praying for the establishment of a
road from Newark, in Licking county ; thence to
Mt. Vernon, in Knox county; thence to Mans
field, in Richland county, and thence to the mouth
of Huron river, Lake Erie," etc.
The petition for this road was granted, and in
March of the same year a portion of the route was
surveyed by William W. Farquhar, and the road
opened that spring from Mt. Vernon to Frederick-
town and thence to Joseph Denman's, by James
Colville and Matthew Merritt. About the same
time a road was opened through the influence of
the Youngs and Bryants, from Douglass,' in the
present township of Morris, near the forks of Owl
creek, to the Jersey settlement on the South
branch. These two roads gave the people an .put-
let for their produce, and communication with the
outside world. It was not, however, until 181 1,
that the north and south road was finished through
to the lake.
Mills were a most necessary thing in the early
settlement. Before the erection of the Kerr mill at
Fredericktown, the settlers were compelled to get
along with hominy blocks, horse-mills, and other
crude structures, occasionally, however, packing
their grist to Ten Mile, beyond Mt. Vernon, where
the first mill in the county was erected; or over on
the Mohican, or down on the Licking river. There
were but few settlers in this township when Kerr
built his mill in 1807-8. Subsequently many mills
were erected along Owl creek and its branches,
both grist- and saw-mills, for this stream furnished
plenty of water for milling purposes — much more
in those days than at present. Several mills were
erected on the South branch, in Wayne township,
also on Granny's creek in the southern part of the
township; the saw-mills were especially numerous.
But the days of the old water saw-mills are gone

forever, because they are no longer needed. Tim
ber is getting scarce and the saw-mills are now con
fined to the cities and larger towns, except in un
settled portions of the State. Probably the second
mill in this township was the Young mill in the Jer
sey settlement. It was a primitive affair at first,
like all other early mills — a mere "corn-cracker" —
but improved as the years went by; has changed
hands several times, and is yet doing business. It
is now a good-sized frame structure and owned by
James Cunningham. A saw-mill was connected
with it as long as there was sawing to be done.
The Lyons were early settlers in the vicinity of
this Jersey settlement, and many of that name yet
reside there. They were also, probably, from New
Jersey. These go-ahead and enterprising Jersey-
men, in addition to the grist-mill and several saw
mills, which they erected at different times, at
tempted the building up of a town, which they
called Lucerne. Daniel and Jabez Beers owned
the land and started this town about 1835 or I84o.
John Beebe had previously located his saw-mill
there, and established a factory for making wind
mills. He sawed his own poplar lumber, from
which the mills were made, and did, for some years,
quite a business in that line. The Beers built a
frame dwelling house and a woollen-mill, and for
fifteen or twenty years, run a carding and fulling
mill These mills were very common in those days,
but have long since disappeared. Messrs. Byrant
& Leonard, probably fifty years ago, also erected a
still on the creek near this place. Several dwell
ings were erected in this place, a blacksmith shop,
a church, and for some years Conger & Lewis kept
a small store. A post-office was first established at
Young's mill, and afterward moved to the store in
the village. Like so many other places, however,
with bright prospects, it has almost disappeared.
Four or five dwellings remain ; the mills have gen
erally disappeared, as has also the business of the
place. In 181 2, when the war with Great Britain
broke out, and an Indian invasion threatened, these
settlers erected a block-house for the protection of
their families. John Lewis now owns the land
upon which this stood. It was built in a circular
form, on a high bank above the creek, of logs set
on end and standing fifteen feet above the surface
of the ground, a stockade. It has long since dis-

562

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

appeared. It was not attacked, but these families
occupied it frequently during the war.
A little town called Green Valley, located on
Granny's creek in the southern part of the town
ship, struggled some years for existence and finally
died. It was started fifty years ago or more by a
New Englander named Cromwell Newcomer, and
was first called Newcomerstown. It is located in
a beautiful and productive valley. Thirty or forty
years ago a Union church was erected here. It
was built mostly by the Methodists and Presbyte
rians, but is used by all denominations, as was iri-
tended by the projectors. Preaching is not regu
larly held in the church, but it is in frequent use by
various religious societies. Prior to the erection of
this church, services were frequently held in the
Granny's creek school-house, where a Union Sun
day-school was established and maintained with
considerable regularity many years. A temperance
society was also organized at this school-house in
an early day, and the interest kept up many years,
sowing seed that is no doubt yet bearing fruit.
There are six churches within the limits of the
township; only two, however, besides the above,
are located outside of Fredericktown. One of
these called the Wayne Baptist church (Old School)
is located on Owl creek in the Jersey settlement.
It was probably organized as early as 18 10, and is,
therefore, one of the first in the township. The
Lewises were, probably, the most influential in its
establishment; William, John and Eliphalet and
their wives being among the original members. A
Mr. Ackerman, a Revolutionary soldier, was also
among the first members. The first meetings of
the organization were held in the cabins of the
Lewis family. Their first church was erected about
1815'. It was a frame building, for their saw-mill
was in active operation; but it was never wholly
finished. It had been the intention to put in a
gallery, but this was never done, owing to the fact,
in part, that it was sufficiently commodious to ac
commodate the scattered settlers without one. The
seats were rude puncheon benches. It was used
until 1837, when the present church was erected in
its place. The present building is a neat white
frame, with green shutters, comfortably seated and
in size is, perhaps, twenty-six by forty feet. At
present the membership is twenty or thirty. They

have no Sunday-school, as the Old School Baptists
are not much in favor ol Sunday-schools.
Another church, the Salem Methodist Episcopal,
is located in the northwestern part of the township.
The Jacksons, Lyons and Beers were probably
influential in establishing this church. It was or
ganized as early as 1830, or before. The "original
members were Daniel Lyons and wife, Daniel Beers.
and wife, Henry Wider and wife, James Beebe and
wife, Mrs. Jeffers, Aaron Jackson, Mr. Young, and
probably some others.
Their first meetings were held in a school-house,
but about 1 83 1 a church was erected. It is a two
story frame, with gallery, about thirty-two by forty-
four feet in size, and is at present in a dilapidated
condition. The congregation is preparing to erect
a new one.
Among the early preachers here were Rus Goff,
Pilcher and Bishop Hamlin. Rev. Allen Moffitt
has charge at present. There are thirty or forty
members, and a Sunday-school is maintained.
The following list comprises the names of the
successive justices of the peace of this township:
William Y. Farquhar, 1808; Daniel Ayres, 1809;
Abner Ayres, 1812; W. W. Farquhar, 1815, also
1818; Abner Ayres, 1816, 1819, 1822, 1825; Dan
iel Beers. 1817; Anson Brown, 1 821; David Wads
worth, 1826; Byram Leonard, 1826, also 1829;
Michael Sockman, 1830; George H. Bull, 1831,
1834, 1837, 1840; John Allen, 1830; Samuel Bry
ant, 1836, 1839, 1842, 1845, 1848; Byram Leon
ard, 1837; John Lewis, 1840; A. Greenlee, 1843;
G. W. Woodcock, 1846, 1849, r852, 1855; Ptter
Ink, 1846; J. B. Roberts, 1849; Mitchell Lewis,
1851; George T. Potter, 1852, also 1855; W. G.
Strong, 1855; T. V. Parke, 1856; A. Greenlee,
1857, also i860; Henry Phillips, 1858; D. S.
Beers, 1859; W, D. Bonner, i860; D. S. Beers,
1862; William Wyker, 1862; A. B. Ink, 1863;
Samuel Wright, jr., 1863; Archibald Greenlee,
1865; John Randall, 1866; William Wilkinson,
1866; A. Greenlee, 1868; J. W. Lindley, 1868;
James Cooper, 1869; William J. Struble, 1871;
Andrew Cayton, 1871; J. W. Lindley, 1871, also
1874; Columbus D. Hyler, 1874; Benjamin W.
Phillips, 1875; M. H. Lafever, 1877; John W.
Lindley, 1877, also 1880; and Samuel J. Castner,
1880.

VIEW OF FREDERICKTOWN, OHIO— FROM THE EAST.
(Drawn by Francis Bodine.)

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

5«3

CHAPTER LXVI.
FREDERICKTOWN.
Location — Lucas Sullivant— John Kerr and his Mill
— LAYrNG Out the Town— First Cabin and First
Brick House — The Quakers — Names of the Earliest
Settlers — The Ayers — Appearance of the Town
in 1812 — Garrison and his Store — Nicholas McCarty
—The Business and Whereabouts of a Few of the
Settlers— Captain Williams — First Fourth of July
Celebration — The Block-Houses and Incidents Con
nected with Them — "Uncle Abner" and his "Tav
ern" — Hotels of Fredericktown — The Mills around
the Town — Produce Dealers — Banks — Newspapers
— Mayors — A Summary of the Business — Schools —
Churches.
It was once a city only in name,
The houses and barns had not yet a frame,
The streets and the squares no mortal could see,
And the woodman's ax had scarce hit a tree.
SEVEN miles from Mt. Vernon lies the pretty,
quiet village of Fredericktown, situated on a
bluff, on the west bank of the east fork of Owl
creek. It is in the northeastern corner of Wayne
township as at present defined, though when first
brought into life, it was in the midst of a vast
¦wilderness, and surveyor's lines were few and far
apart. The foot of the Mound Builder had pressed
the soil centuries before, and the red Indian had
hunted through the silent forest for other interven
ing centuries, but the savage white man came at
last, to destroy and build up, to sweep the ground
of everything old, and build upon it a new civiliza
tion. This particular military section of four thousand
acres was purchased from the Government by Mr.
Lucas Sullivant, of Franklinton, and it may be of
interest to the good people of Fredericktown to
know something of the man who first owned the
land upon which their beautiful village stands.
Mr. Sullivant was born in Mecklenburgh county,
Virginia, in 1765. He was well educated and
adopted surveying as a profession, being employed
jn Kentucky in that business in early life, and
afterwards in Ohio. He was appointed deputy
surveyor under Colonel Richard C. Anderson, a
distinguished officer of the Revolution, and sur
veyor-general ofthe Virginia Military Land district,
of which a large part was in this State. The sur
veying operations of Mr. Sullivant gave him an ex
tensive knowledge of Ohio lands, and- in 1797,

having possessed himself of lands on the Scioto,
he laid out the town of Franklinton, opposite the
present city of Columbus. He married Sarah
Starling, daughter of Colonel William Starling, of
Kentucky, and settling at Franklinton, remained
there until his death. His descendants are yet
living in that neighborhood. He died August 8,
1823, aged fifty-eight years. Among his early ac
quirements of landed property was the Sullivant
section in Wayne township, lying between the south
and east forks of Owl creek. Mr. Sullivant early
discovered the excellent facilities for a mill seat,
afforded by the east fork of Owl creek, on his land,
and with commendable liberality, and a view to
the enhancement of the value of his property,
gave John Kerr his choice of fifty out of four
thousand acres of land, including the mill seat, if
he would settle there and erect a mill. Accord
ingly in the fall ot 1807 Mr. Kerr constructed a
dam, raised a little log building, and set one run of
stone to grinding or "cracking" corn. This was
the beginning of the future village. Very few set
tlers had then penetrated the wilderness to that
point* The Jersey settlement, with Nathaniel Mit
chell Young at its head, had been in existence
four years; there were a few settlers in the region
further south, about- Mt. Vernon and Clinton; but
settlers were rapidly coming, the old Revolu
tionary heroes, with land warrants in their pockets,
were seeking homes in the west, and Mr. Kerr
knew that his mill would not be idle, and it never
was idle; settlers came from far and near to pat
ronize it. For several years afterwards it was the
main reliance for those pioneers north of it, in
Richland county.
Upon the fifty acres given Kerr, and near his
mill he laid out the town of Frederick, November
n, 1807, and soon after, he purchased four hun
dred and fifty acres of land around it. William
Y. Farquhar surveyed and platted the town, and
erected the first cabin in it, giving it the name
Frederick, in honor of his old home in Maryland.
Mr. Farquhar afterward moved to Mt. Vernon, and
became a prominent man in the county, holding
many offices of trust and profit.
The first road opened through this place was the
north and south road, in 1809, and has been

564

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

alluded to in the previous chapter. The original
plat of the town was in the form of a parallelo
gram, the length being north and south, and
greater by one square than the width. It extended
from Mulberry street on the west to the present
township line on the east, and from one square
beyond Donation street on the north to Sixth street
on the south, with an ample public square in the
centre. Additions have since been made to the
east and west; that on the east side extending into
the present limits of Morris township. The streets
were named First or Donation, Second, Third or
Sandusky, Fourth, Vine alley, Chambers, State
Road or Main, and Strawberry alley.
Mr. Kerr built his cabin upon the lot now occu
pied by Mr. Simons, the merchant; and upon this
same lot Mr. Williams, who bought out Kerr in
1 8 14, erected the first brick house in the village,
and probably in the township.
W. W. Farquhar, a brother of W. Y. Farquhar,
and a cousin, Henry Roberts, were very early set
tlers in this neighborhood. They were Quakers,
and with some others comprised the first settle
ment of that society in this county. W. W. Far
quhar was justice of the peace in 1815 and 1818
in this township. He was subsequently a resident
of Middlebury township, where some of his de
scendants yet reside.
Among the earliest settlers in Fredericktown are
found the names of Abner, Thomas, and David
Ayers, John Milligan, Jeduthan Dodd, John and
Jacob Cook, Jacob Haldeman, William and Isaac
N. Richardson, Samuel Watson, John Wright,
Charles McGowan, Thomas Durbin, Samuel Wil
son, Thomas Townsend, John Walker, Willis
Speakman, John Garrison, John Vennum, Nicholas
McCarty, James Rigby, George Girty, Joshua Ven
num, Samuel Wolf, Anson Brown, Absolom. Thrift,
Osgood Dustin, Celestial LeBlond, Amariah Wat
son, Mr. McCoy, Ebenezer Taylor, Jedediah Peck,
John Williams, and Dr. John Byers.
The next family to locate within the town plat
after Farquhar and Kerr, was that of Mrs. Ayers;
her sons, David, Abner, and Thomas, soon becom
ing leading citizens. There were quite a number
of Ayerses, and some of them subsequently moved
further north, into the northern part of Richland
county, where, in connection with Abraham Trux,

they established the village of Truxville, since
called Ganges. It was quite an important town in
an early day, but has gone down.
John Milligan and Jeduthan Dodd were from
Ten Mile, Pennsylvania, and came shortly after the
Ayerses to Fredericktown, with their relatives, John
and Jacob Cook and Jacob Haldeman. In 1809
Rachel Richardson purchased the little improve
ment of John Cook, and settled there with her
family, consisting of William, Isaac N., Polly, and
Nancy. The girls subsequently married Samuel
Watson and John Wright.
In 18 1 2 there were in the town nine log cabins
and one frame building, and they were probably
occupied by Willis Speakman, Rachel Richardson,
John Garrison, W. Y. Farquhar, John Kerr, John
Vennum, and the Ayerses.
Mr. Garrison opened the first store in 181 2, and
lived in the only frame house; it was situated where
the Methodist church now stands. He led a some
what migratory life; was a native of New Jersey;
married near Philadelphia;" moved to New York;
thence to Knox county, where he sold goods sev
eral years; thence to Mansfield; from there to De.
troit; then back again to Knox; thence to Chicago,
Illinois; and when last heard from resided in Ce
dar Falls, Iowa, in the ninety-first year of his age.
Nicholas McCarty was the second merchant,
and came here from Mt. Vernon.
Mr. Norton thus writes regarding the early days
of Fredericktown :
In July, i8r7, Nicholas McCarty & Co. closed up their mer
cantile business and left their notes and accounts with Abner
Ayres, esq., for settlement, and also a quantity of lake fish.
The mother of Mr. McCarty died at Fredericktown; he moved
to Indiana, and for many years drove a prosperous trade at the
State capital. In 1853 he returned to Frederick on a mission of
filial affection, and erected a monument at his mother's grave.
In 1855 he paid the debt of nature, leaving a large family in
prosperous circumstances. During his life he was a zealous
Whig, and represented the capital district in the senate of In
diana, and was also the candidate of his party for governor of
the State. He had the respect and confidence of all, and well
deserved the title he bore— "Honest Nic. McCarty."
James Rigby long and faithfully followed merchandising here.
George Girty was another merchant, who left this section about j
1815 for other parts. Joshua Vennum, the first house-joiner,
built the first frame house in the village. None of his name
survive in this county.
Mrs. Wolf kept the first boarding-house. She is dead long
since. Her oldest son, Peter, lived on a farm near the Burk-
holder flat, which he sold to Henry B. Carter, who was abrother
to Jacob Cook's wife, and moved to Knox county in 1810.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

565

Samuel Wolf was a sterling man — lived in Richland, and served
as sheriff. When the county went wild for Jackson he was an
Adams man, and consequently "done for politically." Her
daughters have done well. Artemissa married lawyer May, of
Mansfield; Eliza, as elsewhere related, Mr. Drennan, and Mary
married and lived in the neighborhood of Lancaster. The first
tavern was opened by Abner Ayres, and with a slight intermis
sion during the war, when, for good and sufficient reasons, his
brother Daniel took it ; the same hotel was kept up more than
forty years. "Uncle Abner" was not any "great shakes" in
the way of dancing attendance on guests, but "Aunt Amy" did
know how to have the culinary department carried on; and for
making good brandy mince pies, and brandy peaches, she was
unsurpassed by any of womankind since Eve eat the forbidden
fruit. She knew just when, where, and how to apply the spirit
to make it most palatable, as all of the generation, who feasted
there during sleighing excursions, well know. They have both
departed to a better land, leaving the record of a Ufe spent in
contributing to the happiness of their fellow-creatures. Abner
served as captain in the War of 1812, as a justice of the peace
fifteen years, and associate judge seven years, a county com
missioner three years, and postmaster near forty years. He was
as quiet, unassuming, and well disposed man as ever wore
shoe-leather. The first preaching was in the little school-house, hereafter
mentioned as a fort, etc. In it ministers of various denomina
tions held forth at stated times. About 1820 the Presbyterians
undertook to build a church, but having started out on too
large a scale they were compelled to succumb, and the building
in its unfinished state, a mere shell, was sold to Absalom Thrift,
who converted it into a warehouse, and it is to this day used
as a livery stable. Some time after this the Universalists, who
have ever been quite numerous in this -locality, erected a spa
cious frame church, which they have since occupied, until for a
few years past the supply from some cause has ceased. The
Presbyterians made another effort, and built the present excel
lent edifice ; and the Methodists and Baptists have also fine
churches/ ^The population is of a decided "go to meeting''
character ; they have also been noted for their zealous efforts in
behalf of temperance, and have kept up varions organizations
of a reform class many years./
The first blacksmith was Thomas Ayres, who went to work
in r8o8, and continued many years. The first school was kept
by William Y. Farquhar; the first shoeshop by Osgood Dustin.
The first hatter was Celestial Le Blond, a little frisky French
man, whose vote, in 1811, is entered as "Celestial Light" onv
the poll-books. He was the son of a wealthy French gentleman,
and had to flee from his native land in consequence of having
killed an antagonist in a duel. He frequently received from his
father remittances of five hundred dollars or so, but made very
foolish bargains. With money once sent he bought a mill-seat,
set about erecting a mill where Shaler's now is, and "broke flat"
by the time he got a saw-mill up. The premises were then sold
to Christopher Brollier, and by him to David Shaler, an ener
getic millwright. Shortly after this Celestial received another
remittance and moved to Bellville. In 1838 he went to France,
obtained a considerable sum of money, and returned with a large
stock of goods. He died at Bellville, leaving a very respectable
family. An old man named McCoy, a sort of cobbler, tried his
hand at making cloth shoes for the women at an early day. The
men then generally wore moccasins. A singular freak of another
creature in 1809, has been related. His name was Ebenezer

Taylor, and he undertook to do work in the shoe line, but before
he got fairly started an itinerant preacher came along, and Ebe
nezer was so taken with his discourse that he followed him off,
leaving his kit of tools and an estray animal, which he had
taken up and advertised, and has never been heard of since.
Speaking of shoemakers brings to mind a somewhat noted man
in these parts, Jedediah Peck, who attempted to get up a patent
way of making boots, having last and tree all together, but found
that it was easier to make.them on, than to get the boot off the
tree; and after vain attempts, he concluded to fasten the tree to
the house and hitch on a mule to pull the boot off. His house
was built around a walnut tree, and it was considerable of a
curiosity to travellers to see a tree growing out of the top of a
house. Jedediah and his wife died without issue, and his two
pretty nieces, who dwelt with him, are gone also.
In T815 Captain John Williams, of Frederick, Maryland,
bought out John Kerr's mill property, and at the same time
started a store in the village. He brought out forty thousand
dollars in money, and dissipated through the country. He was
a man of talent, clever and sociable, and is spoken well of by
all old settlers. He came to this county in i8r4 with his family.
His children are much scattered. William moved to Peoria,
Illinois; Thomas to Henry county, in that State, as also Rachel,
wife of Colonel Prather, to the same county; Eliza, wife of
Milton Bevans, to Fulton county, Illinois; Pendy died in Illi
nois, Abraham in this county, and Gist W. in Missouri, in 1852.
The post office was kept, from its establishment, by Abner
Ayres, until 1850; B.J. Lewis succeeded him; in May, 1852,
Thomas A. Reed was acting postmaster, in place of Lewis, re
signed; L. S. McCoy followed, and his successor was George
..Ball. In 1840, Fredericktown contained five hundred inhabitants;
in 1850, seven hundred and twelve; in i860, seven hundred and
ninety, of whom sixteen were negroes, and in 1880, eight hun
dred and fifty. The place in 1850 put on city airs, and with
George W. Woodcock as mayor, and T. A. Reed, recorder,
carried on a right sharp crusade against "doggeries." The
warfare was subsequently taken up by the common pleas courts,
and for a time better "order reigned in Warsaw." In later
years, however, the "spirits" assumed, at times, a very bold
and threatening appearance; and in 1873 a second grand
crusade was inaugurated, which had the effect of closing all the
saloons. They have since opened out, but, taken altogether,
Frederick may be said, during its existence, to' have been a
model town in the line of "law and order." In 1816, the en
tire township cast but eighty-one votes.
~~" The fourth of July, 1817, was duly commemorated at Anson
Brown's, in Fredericktown. Daniel Beers was chosen moder
ator, and Anson Brown, clerk. The committee of arrangements
consisted of Christian Haldeman, Job Allen, Munson Pond, Jo
seph Talmage, Jacob Young, and Henry Markley. Munson
Pond was officer of the day; Job Allen commanded the volun
teer company; Jabez Beers was reader; Truman Strong, orator;
Benjamin Jackson, Anson Brown and Benjamin Jackson, jr.,
conducted the singing. The Rev. John Cook and James Scott
were present — and last, but not least, Alvin Bateman was toast
master. A good dinner was eaten, all felt glorious. The Mc-
Cutchens, Strubles, Cochrans, Cravens, Sagerses, Beerses,
Leonards, Thrifts, Harters, Strongs, and Corbins, were present.
Of the Cochrans, William and Samuel were young men of good
mind. The former is dead, and the latter became a preacher
of celebrity in New York. Jabez Beers was one of the old set-

566

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

tiers, and his son, Joseph, lived in Frederick at an early day.
Dr. John Byers located here in 1812. He moved about 1835
to Hardin county. His three sons emigrated to Arkansas;
Thomas and John are both dead. The boys acquired consid
erable distinction as attorneys. The old gentleman was one of
the earliest practitioners of medicine in this township. Dr.
David Wadsworth, another physician, died many years ago.
His son, T. B., died a soldier in the Mexican war; and his
daughter, Eliza Ellen, became Mrs. Struble.
In 18 1 2, when the Zimmer and Copus families
were murdered by Indians on the Blackfork, and
Jones was ambushed and shot near Mansfield by
the same stealthy foe, the few settlers at Frederick-
town, as well as along the entire frontier, were
greatly alarmed, and immediately sought the pro
tection of block-houses. Three were constructed
in Wayne township. The Lewis block-house, on
the South fork, has been mentioned.
William Mitchell prepared his cabin for a siege
by making heavy batten doors, with iron bars, port
holes for guns, etc. One of his boys rode the ex
press; another kept out with scouting parties, and
the old man, with the two workmen, who were
with him, were constantly on the lookout for an
attack. The girls practiced shooting with rifles, so
as to be ready for a large force of Indians at any
time; and with the two dogs, Gunner and Rover,
that two-story log cabin was prepared for emer
gencies. The block-house at Fredericktown was a light
frame building, enclosed in a heavy stockade, and
located on the bluff overlooking the railroad depot,
in rear of the present Presbyterian church. The
building was constructed on the square, under the
direction of Captain Ayers. Mr. W. B. Cox, of
Fredericktown, thus writes of it :
The block-house was surrounded by a stockade, commencing
a few feet southeast of the southeast corner of David Struble's
dwelling house, and running west to the southeast corner of the
Presbyterian church lot, thence north to the brow of the hill,
above the Baltimore & Ohio depot; thence east to a point near
the centre of David Struble's garden; thence south to the place
of beginning. The stockade was so arranged as to be nearly
bullet proof, and moved on wheels to its position, a command
ing one, overlooking the valley of Owl creek. This building
was used for a school-house and church for several years after.
The settlers were several times alarmed and fled
to this block-house. Upon the occasion of the
killing of Jones, Captain Douglas had followed the
Indians in the direction of Upper Sandusky, but
not finding them, and thinking it unsafe to return

by the way he went, came back by way of Fred
ericktown. His men, some fifteen in number, were
roughly dressed, and had handkerchiefs tied about
their heads instead of wearing hats. They looked
more like Indians than white men, and as they
were jjoing into Fredericktown they fired off their
guns, by way of salute, and greatly frightened the
inhabitants. Two women fainted in the street,
and a general stampede for the block-house took
place. The news of the killing of Jones was car
ried to Fredericktown by Johnny Appleseed, who
went as a volunteer from the fort at Mansfield to
alarm the settlers and obtain re-enforcements from
further south, as it was supposed an attack would
be made on the fort at Mansfield. Johnny ran all
night barefooted through the woods, stopping at
the cabin of every settler on the way, and arriving
at Fredericktown in the morning. The news, of
course, caused the greatest excitement along his
route, and many amusing and ludicrous things
were said and done.
Samuel Wilson, who then lived near the Quaker
meeting-house, within the present limits of Berlin
township, was so badly scared that he sprang from
his bed, and putting on his overcoat and taking his
pantaloons under his arm, ran in that condition all
the way to the Fredericktown block-house.
Abner Ayers, who kept the tavern in Frederick-
town at that time, raised a company of twelve
rangers, by authority of Governor Meigs, and went
to the assistance of the garrison at Mansfield.
Uncle Abner Ayers, as he was called, was an im
portant citizen of the village. On the commission
er's records of February, 1808, it appears that the
Ayerses were licensed to keep a house of entertain
ment in Fredericktown on payment of five dollars.
Abner, in addition to his tavern, kept the post
office, was justice of the peace, judge, etc. In his-
later years, he was fond of telling how General Har
rison stopped at his tavern, and how he and the
general consulted together regarding the war, and
seemed to be under the impression that he and.
General Harrison were two of the greatest men in
the world. His tavern stood on the present site of
the Wagner house, and was a hewed log; a very
solid, substantial building, and was patched up and
added to from time to time, and weather-boarded.
over, but finally was compelled to succumb to the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

5^7

ravages of time; was torn down and the present
substantial brick erected in its place.
While on the subject of hotels, it may be well to
mention that the next one was erected on the south
west corner of the square. It is yet standing, is a
large square frame, was used many years as a hotel
and is now used as a boarding-house.
The Commercial house was erected twelve or
fifteen years ago, and is now the principal hotel in
the place.
Abner Ayers and most of his cotemporaries have
long since passed away, and many of the younger
generation will call to mind the appearance of that
sedate old man as he walked the long porch that
surrounded two sides of his brick hotel (now the
Wagner house), with his, hands crossed behind him,
and his clay pipe in his mouth, ready to greet a
friend or join in pleasant reminiscence of the past,
or tell some laughable story of his early life, for
which he was much noted.
The Kerr mill property has always been consid
ered among the important industries of Frederick-
town. Williams sold it about thirty years ago, or
more, to Mr. Struble, who, in turn, sold it about
1873 or 1874, to Cuykendall & Seiler, of Plymouth,
Ohio, and shortly after it was destroyed by fire.
The owners, however, rebuilt it, with some help by
the citizens, and conducted it a few years, but were
unable to recover from the effects of the fire, and
sold out to S. S. Tuttle and others, who still keep
its wheels turning.
When the Baltimore & Ohio railroad (then the
Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark) was completed to
Fredericktown, the village took a long step forward.
It had been in existence about forty years before
this important event occurred. John D. Struble
built the first warehouse and began a shipping busi
ness, and for many years this was comparatively a
large produce market. Struble's old warehouse is
yet standing, having been purchased by the railroad
company and moved to its present location; being
now used as a depot and warehouse by the company.
Peter Boyce was also an early grain dealer, as
were Messrs. Charles Strong & Sons. The latter
took in grain at their mill, located about a mile
above Fredericktown, within the present limits of
Berlin township. This mill was also destroyed by
fire.

Charles R. Hooker, now a resident of Mansfield,
was many years a resident of this place, a large pro
duce dealer and an influential and honored citizen.
After the war a bank was started in the town
by Daniel Struble and William Merrin; other
partners were connected with it in the course of
time, and a large business conducted several years,
but it failed through the dishonesty of Merrin, who
succeeded in getting away with most of its funds.
Within the year succeeding the failure, Daniel
Struble and his father-in-law, N. M. Young, started
a private bank, which they are yet conducting. S.
S. Tuttle is also in the banking business as well as
engaged in other business enterprises, including
merchandising, manufacturing sash, doors, etc.
He, with others, is also conducting a foundry, at
which farm-bells constitute the principal article
manufactured. Mr. C. Hosack, the druggist, and
Mr. Cummings are also connected with this foun-
.dry business.
But three newspapers have made their appear
ance in town to date. The first of these was the
Rainbow, a migratory journal, which opened out at
Mt. Vernon, and removed to Fredericktown
about 1845; removing thence in about a year to
Bellville, and when last heard of was at Tiffin. It
was conducted by Rev. A. Laubach. In 187 1 Mr.
A. M. Smith started the Independent, and was
succeeded in 1872 by W. S. Ensign, now of the
Cardington Independent. He sold out to C. W.
Townsend who conducted it until April, 1875,
when he failed for want of proper support, caused,
probably, by the strong prohibition tendencies of
his paper. M. F. Edwards purchased the press
and material, and the first issue of the Free Press
made its appearance June 1, 1875. This was con
ducted by Mr. Edwards until October, 1880, when
the present proprietor, Mr. H. P. Johnson, took
charge of it. In politics it is Independent Repub
lican ; is a five-column quarto, and a live paper.
The mayors of Fredericktown have been George
W. Woodcock, A. Greenlee, W. B. Cox, C. R.
Hooker, Morgan LeFever, and Gideon Elliott, the
present incumbent.
The following is very nearly a correct summary of
the present business of the place: There are two
hardware stores, kept by H. Cassell, and Hill &
Haggerty ; two stove and tin stores, by C. W. Lyon,

568

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

and E. R. Edwards; three dry goods stores, by
Cassell & Lewis, M. J. Simons & Sons, and Faw
cett & Co.; two drug stores, by Wyker & Vincent,
and C. Hosack; five grocery stores, by W. P. Ger-
hart, J. M. Axtel, C. M. Hildreth, A. Thrift, and
G. W. Wells; three boot and shoe stores, by W. B.
Cox, Condon & Co., and C. F. Karr; two jewelry
stores, by U. C. Simons, and O. P. Rowley; two
banks, by Daniel Stubble, and S. S. Tuttle; three
millinery establishments, by Miss Clara Rowley,
the Misses Flattery, and r]ie Misses Mount; one
newspaper, conducted by H. P. Johnson, one
merchant tailor, A. B. Thrift; one manufacturing
tailor, J. F. Ghrist; two harness makers, S. J Cas
sell, and L. Rigby; one photographer, J. L. Scoles;
two hotels, the Wagner house, by A. V. Gest, and
the Commercial house, by J. McNabb; two butcher
shops, by Braddock & Hurst, and Remy Brothers;
two livery stables, by John Walters, and I. H.
Steele; two carriage shops, by Stephens & Scott,
and William Gibson; two undertakers, George
Rinehart, and Louis Sargent; two furniture dea
lers, George Rinehart, and Hill & Haggerty; two
barbers, C. Chauncey, and Thomas Miller; two
dentists, A. J. McGrew, and  Swingley; four
physicians, S. B. Potter, W. E. Edwards, E. M.
Hall, and William Burch; one leather and findings,
G. A. Kraft; lawyers, J. L. Baldwin, and B. F.
Moree; S. S. Tuttle & Co. conduct the bell foun
dry, the sealing wax factory, the planing-mill and
lumber yard, and the Fredericktown flouring-mill;
they run two steam engines; the marble works are
conducted by John Getz; the steam feed-mill by
Elliott & Co.
The benevolent societies consist of three churches;
the Masonic Hall Lodge No. 176; the Ellicott
Lodge Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No.
267; the Sons of America; Washington Camp No.
33, and Royal Arcanum.
One of the best things about Fredericktown, as
about every other town and township in this free
State of Ohio, is the public schools.
It is believed the first school in the place was
taught either by Artemas Corbin or William Y.
Farquhar in the little frame building erected dur
ing the. War of 181 2 for a block-house. About
the same time a school was opened in the cabin
that stood on the Columbus road, within the pres

ent limits of Morris township, on the farm of Ben
jamin Dowler. Alma Ashley was a teacher here,
as was also Artemas Corbin and Mr. Curtis Allen;
the last of whom taught four years. Asa B. Wood
ward and Mr. Ausburn were among the first
teachers. Mr. Philo Doolittle was one of the early, prom
inent, and long continued teachers in Frederick-
town. He erected for himself a dwelling house
with school-room attached, on the ancient earth
work near the public square, and taught a select
school until'he died. He taught altogether, prob
ably, twenty-five years.
The second school-house was erected very near
the old block-house, and is yet standing, being used
for a cabinet shop by Mr. Sargent. It is a good
sized frame building, and was used twenty years or
more, or until the present brick was erected.
Asa B. Woodward was one of the teachers in the
old block-house. He taught here as late as 1828,
and must have been its last teacher. This fact
throws light upon the time the block-house stood,
and when the second school-house was built.
Among others who taught in that building were
Sturges, Wilcox, Horner, Duncan, Baugh, Miss
Elizabeth Duncan, Miss Roberts, and others.
The system of Union or graded schools was es
tablished in 1852. At the first meeting in the dis
trict for the election of a board of education, W.
B. Cox and Philo Doolittle were elected to serve
one year; Dr. L. Dwyer and Thomas A. Reed two
years; and S. W. Woodruff and C." R. Hooker
three years. Mr. Cox had been in the board sev
eral years prior to this, and is yet a member of it.
The first board under the new law organized by
electing Dr. Dwyer president, Philo Doolittle sec
retary, S. W. Woodruff, treasurer; Rev. John M.
Farris, Philo Doolittle, and Rev. H. D. Webb,
school examiners. The district deeming it neces
sary to furnish more extensive accommodations,
directed the board to levy a tax, purchase and
erect a new building. After much deliberation the
present site was selected, containing about two and
a half acres in the west part of town, in Woodruff's
addition, and the present substantial and beautiful
edifice erected. It is thirty-eight by fifty-eight feet
on the ground, two lofty stories in height, and di
vided into four spacious rooms, two recitation

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

5^9

rooms, and a hall, furnished in modern style. The
building is surmounted by a cupola. Before decid
ing upon the particular arrangement of the house,
the board consulted a number of experienced
teachers, and spared no pains, compatible with the
means placed at their disposal, in securing the best
possible adaptation to the wants and conveniences
of the schools. In the early part of September,
1853, the schools were formally opened with the
following instructors : William Mitchell, of Colum
bus, Ohio, superintendent and teacher in the high
school; Miss Mary S. Rogers, teacher in the gram
mar school; Miss C. E. Gates, secondary depart
ment; Miss Olive E. Weatherby, primary depart
ment. This school has been in successful operation
since, and yearly turns out into the world of strife
its proportion of educated young people.
The Presbyterian church was the first organized
in Fredericktown; this being accomplished as early
as 1808, by Rev. Mr. Wright. The members of
this organization were Jacob Cook, Matthew Mer
ritt, Jeduthan Dodd, Abner Brown, and Ziba Leon
ard. Their meetings were held in the old block-
' house after its erection, and prior to this, in the
cabins of its members. As before mentioned they
attempted to build a church about 1820, but failing
to pay for the same, it passed into other hands.
The building is now used as a livery stable. This
congregation was associated with the Mt. Vernon
and Martinsburgh churches until September, 1827,
under charge of Rev. James Scott. Rev. John Mc-
Kinney, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, was
probably the first pastor regularly installed in this
church. The present building, which is on Main
street, near the site of the old block-house, was
erected- about 1840. It is frame, about thirty by
fifty feet, with columns in front, cupola and bell.
Mr. W. B. Cox adds the following regarding this
church :
In 1836 Rev. Simeon Brown was called by the Fredericktown
church. While he was perhaps the most inferior looking minis
ter the church ever had, yet much the most interesting in the
pulpit. He had a low retreating forehead, one leg shorter than
the other, so that his carriage was not very graceful, and one of
his flock who got offended at him gave him the name of " Old
Limpy. '' During his administration the church prospered, and
the present house was built, finished and paid for.
Among those that followed him as ministers were Revs. John
W. Ferris, Mr. Colwell, Mr. Engleson, Mr. Brough, and others
for shorter terms. The church, perhaps, never had a minister

and his family that they so much loved, on account of good
qualities, as they did J. M. Ferris and family.
Mr. M. Ferguson is pastor of the church at this time. He
came here from Columbus, Ohio,, where he served as chaplin of
the Ohio penitentiary during Governor Bishop's administration.
The Methodist Episcopal church is located on
Sandusky street, near the public square. It was
organized about 1818, the first subscribers being
Catharine Haldeman, Mr. and Mrs. Aker, Mr.
Fidler and wife, Hannah Benedict, S. Doty, and
probably some others. Its first meetings were held
in the old block-house, and afterward in Mr. Hal-
deman's shop, until the erection of the first church
about 1840.
Christian Haldeman was not a member of any
church at that time, but a clever old Pennsylva-
nian, who swept out his shop on Saturday evening
and placed temporary seats for the accommodation
of the audience. His shop and dwelling stood
near the place on which Dr. Hosack's dwelling now
stands. The new church was a frame and stood on San
dusky street. It is still standing on the same street
west of the square, being used as a dwelling by
David Condon. The present beautiful brick struct
ure was erected in 1856. It is an honor and orna
ment to the place. A few of the early ministers
were Revs. Havens, Crawford, Camp, Oldfield, and
others. The present minister is Rev. E. O. Mcln
tyre, and the present membership about two hun
dred. The Sunday-school connected with this church
was organized in Mr. Haldeman's shop about 1828,
and has been in successful operation ever since.
Its present membership is about one hundred. A
Protestant Methodist church was organized here
about 1830, and continued several years, but went
down, the members generally joining other churches.
The Fredericktown Regular Baptist church was
organized by Rev. John Thomas, sr., Saturday,
March 17, 1838. The members constituting this
first organization were five in number, viz: Mrs.
Mary Struble, now the widow of the late John D.
Struble; Mary Wright, wife of Dr. Lyman Wright;
Miriam Corbin, Jacob Mitchel, and John Colgrove,
all of whom are now dead except the first named,
who is yet active and influential in the church.
The first pastorate ended in 1841 when Rev. D.
E. Thonas was called, and was eminently success-

57°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

ful in his labors. During the single year of his
pastorate about forty members were added to the
church. He was succeeded, for a few months only,
by Rev. Stovers as supply.
In 1843 Rev. H. B. Fuller entered upon a five
years' pastorate. He was an excellent pulpit ora
tor and a man of a good deal of business ability.
It was during his pastorate that the present house
of worship was erected and paid for, he having the
hearty cooperation of a united and active congre
gation. The lot upon which the building stands
was donated by the wife of Judge Ayres, and the
stone for the foundation of the church by Absa
lom Thrift. H. H. Struble gave one hundred dol
lars towards securing the bell and placing it in the
tower, which was accomplished in 1856.
Rev. A. P. Mather supplied the pulpit from 1848
to 1851; Rev. J. C. Miller, a short time in 1852;
Rev. E. D. Thomas was recalled, and served from
1852 to 1855. A great revival resulted from his
labors, as many as twenty-five persons being bap
tized in a single day.
Rev. Amos Pratt was pastor from 1855 to 1858;
Rev A. J. Buell served as supply during six months
ot the latter year. Rev. J. B. Pratt served the
church during the stirring times incident to the
breaking out ofthe war, from 1859 to 1862. He
was a, man unusually devoted to his duties, both
to the church and country and as a citizen, and,
withal, an excellent preacher.
Rev. J. Hall, D. D., president of Denison uni
versity, at Granville, Licking county, Ohio, was
pastor from 1863 to 1865; Rev. G. W. Miller
served the church during the year 1866, and was
succeeded by the Rev. William B. Watson, who
was ordained in 1866, and continued to labor with
much success for five years. He was very popular
and efficient, many members being added to the
church during his pastorate.
Rev. D. B. Simms became pastor in 187 1, and
was followed in 1872 by Rev. B. F. Siegfreid, who
in turn was succeeded by Rev. B. F. Tulloss in
1875. Rev. J. B. Tuttle was the next pastor, and
closed his labors of sixteen months in 1879.
The church during all its history has been sing
ularly fortunate in the high moral and intellectual
standing of its ministers. It has included in its
membership during its career many wealthy and

prominent families. The membership is now a
large and active one, numbering at present about
one hundred and sixty, though this is less than it
has been heretofore
The following have been the deacons of this
church: James Mitchel, David Brown, James
Jackson, Usual Ball, David Cosner, S. Wright, John
Cosner, Daniel P. Kenyon, William J. Struble, Wil
liam McClure, James F. Ghrist, and H. C. Simons.
All these were good and true men, and some of
them have passed to the "shadow land."
The present pastor, Rev. J. A. Kirkpatrick, M. D.,
began his labors in 1879, but did not enter fully
upon his work until January 18, 1880, when he
brought his family and settled in town. A revival
in 1880 resulted in twenty-two additions to the
church. The church has for many years maintained an
interesting and prosperous Sunday-school under
the leadership of James F. Ghrist as superinten
dent. It promises grand results for the future.
The church and school are in the habit of contrib
uting liberally to every benevolent work.
A Universalist church was organized in Fred
ericktown about 1 83 1. It was quite weak at first
and grew very slowly for several years. After
building a good house of worship and securing a
minister that attracted attention, the increase in
members was more rapid, and for a few years the
society was in a flourishing condition. The mem
bers of the first organization were principally east
ern people; among them the Strongs, Corbins,
Clarks, Doolittles, Benedicts, Wadsworths, John
sons, Ponds, Gillits, and others. Truman Strong
was their preacher many years, and was a very
exemplary man. The organization went out of
existence many years ago. For many years their
church edifice was used as a masonic hall.
A Congregational church was organized in
Fredericktown about 1 841, by a Mr. Mead, who
was at that time preaching to a church in Mt. Ver
non. The prime movers in fhe organization were
Joseph Hitchcock, and Pascal Dunklee, both men
of means and liberality. Among the early mem
bers of the society were Messrs. Dunklee, Hitch
cock, Dr. Allen, J. M. Allen, James Richards,
Daniel Richards, Gavin Blair, S. H. Sherwood, L.
W. Foot, Mrs. Cone, Mrs. Hitchcock, Miss Wright,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

57i

Mrs. Dunklee, Mrs. Sherwood, and others. The
society built a very good church edifice on East
Sandusky street, and for some time their meetings
were well attended, but it began to decline, and in
the course of fifteen years was extinct. The lot
and building were purchased by D. C. Lewis, and
the timber and lumber now forms a part of his
dwelling house.
The Protestants and Methodists some forty years
ago had a flourishing society and a comfortable
house of worship, but they, too, have long since
disappeared. The Fredericktown lyceum was organized Octo
ber 12, 1832, by electing James Rigby president,
William Byers, secretary, and Philo Doolittle,
treasurer. Among its first members may be found the
names of James Rigby, William Allen, Philo Doo-
litde, James Shaw, Asa Gregg, G. W. Woodcock,
Eli Smedley, James Reed, Rev. John McKinney,
_ Dr. John Byers, Eli Gregg, and others.
The society had a continued existence from
1832. to 1856. The records show that during that
time it had a membership of over two hundred.
Its last recorded meeting was held at the school-
house in the fall of 1856.
The village at an early day had a public library
comprising about a hundred and fifty volumes.
James Rigby was president, and George H. Bull
was librarian many years, but no record of it ap
pears anywhere to-day.
Thrall Lodge, No. 1 70, F. and A. M., is located
in Fredericktown, and is working under a charter
granted October 18, 1849.
The charter members were Benjamin J. Lewis,
Israel Underwood, William McK. Amadon, Delano
Dexter, John Garrison, Thomas Trahern, H. M.
Shafer, Jesse L. Holley, Truman Strong, Abner
Ayres, B. H. Taylor, and Benjamin F. Smith.
The first officers installed were: Chancy Hill,
W. M.; T. V. Parke, S. W.; A. Keller, J. W.; O.
W. Rigby, secretary; D. C. Beach, S. D.; D. P.
Coffinbury J. D.; J. Wages, treasurer; N. S. Reed,
tyler. The first member installed was Morris Sharpe.
The officers elected July 1, 1880, were: N. J.
McGrew, W. M.; L. B. Ackerman, S. W.; John W.
Leedy, J. W.; O. G. Fawcett, treasurer; W. E. Ed

wards, secretary, C. W. Edwards, S. D.; C. A.
Lindley, J. D.; D. R. Hackinson, tyler.
The number of members at present is sixty-seven.
Mr. Israel Underwood, formerly sheriff of Knox
county, now a citizen of Mt. Vernon, and Benjamin
F. Smith, now a citizen of Minnesota, are the only
charter members now living. Mr. Underwood still
retains his membership in Thrall lodge.
Ellicott Lodge, No. 257, I. O. O. F., Frederick-
town, was instituted April n, 1855, by M. W.
Grand Master T. J. McLain, assisted by Past
Grands William M. Bunn, John W. White, J. Frank
Andrews, R. C. Kirk, J. W. Lybrand, A. C. Elliott,
of Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 20, and George W.
Shurr, of Chester Lodge, No. 204, of Chesterville,
Morrow county.
Charter members — A Love, T. Mosure, G. Cole,
B. F. Mosure, R. Cole, N. B. Rowley, G. W. Con
don, J. Z. Griffith, Alden Snow, jr., J. B. Roberts,
and J. W. Condon.
The first officers installed were: G. W. Condon,
N. G; J. Z. Griffith, V. G; Alexander Love, sec
retary; R. Cole, treasurer.
Those initiated at the first meeting were D. S.
Headley, C. G. Mount, R. Ewers.
This lodge, July 4, 1857, gave their first public
celebration, P. G John Lamb being the orator of
the day.
The officers, July 1, 1880, were: L. H. Lewis,
N. G.; M. Hagerity, V. G; John Davis, secretary;
A. Stephens, permanent secretary; G W. Glosser,
treasurer; J. C. Merrin, sitting past grand.
Number of deaths since organization, four.
Present number of members, one hundred and ten.
Representatives to Grand lodge, J. Z. Griffith, and
Issacher Rowley.
In 1872 the lodge dedicated their new hall, situ
ated on Main street, with appropriate ceremonies.
The building is a frame one, sixty-five by sixty feet,
and three stories high. The first story is intended for
commercial purposes; the second is used as apub-
lic^hall, and on the third floor is the lodge. The
building and finishing of the whole, cost the lodge
six thousand dollars, and is considered one of the
neatest halls devoted to Odd Fellowship in central
Ohio, outside of the cities.
Knox Encampment, No. 211, 1. O. O. F, was in
stituted at Fredericktown, June 30, 1877, by Grand

572

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Patriarch J. W. Porch, of Mansfield, assisted by a
number of past patriarchs from Mansfield and
Belleville. The charter members were William Gordon,
.Henry Cassell, Abram Stephens, G. W. Glosser,
Levi Cassell, M. P. Howes, and J. C. Ebersole.
The first officers were: J. C. Ebersole, C. P., D.
W. Gordon, H. P.; Levi Cassell, S. W.; G. W.
Glosser, J. W.; A. Stephens, scribe; H. Cassell,
treasurer, The following persons were, initiated at the first
meeting: H. C. Simons, E. S. Winterbotham, Har
rison Rowley, Alex. Trahern, S. R. Glosser, Robert
Darling, and George W. Ditwiler.
The officers, January i, 1881, were: A. Trahern
C. P.; J. C. Ebersole, H. P.; M. P. Howes, S. W.;
A. Stephens, J. W.; James Duncan, jr., scribe; J,
S. Mosteller, treasurer.

CHAPTER LXVII.
TERRITORY DETACHED FROM KNOX COUNTY.
Madison, Greene, Chester, Bloomfield, and Franklin
Townships.
THE act establishing the county of Knox was
passed January 30, 1808, and was to go into
effect March 1, 1808. An act establishing Rich
land county was also passed January 30, 1808,
which contained a provision placing it under the
jurisdiction of the county of Knox until the legis
lature may think proper to organize it. In pursu
ance of said provision, the commissioners of Knox
county, on the eighth of June, 1809, declared the
entire county of Richland a separate township,
named Madison, which at the annual election of
said year cast seventeen votes, and only nineteen
votes at the annual election in the year 181 1.
The first judges of election were Melzar Tanney-
hill, Isaac Pierce, and Samuel Lewis. Peter Kin
ney and Thomas Coulter were the clerks.
The election judges in 1810 were James Copus,
William Gardner, and John Foglesong; and John
C. Gilkison and James Cunningham were the
clerks. At one of the early elections Madison

township cast fourteen votes for Jeremiah R. Mun
son for the legislature, and three votes, for William
Gass. In 181 1 Winn Winship and John C. Gilki
son were the election clerks. Archibald Gardner
was elected justice of the peace in May, 1809;
Henry McCart, in 1810; George Coffinberry and
Peter Kinney, in 1812; and James McClure and
Andrew Coffinberry, in 18 14.
On the seventh of January, 181 2, the county
commissioners divided Madison township, and es
tablished Greene township, which at the annual
election of this year cast forty-one votes. The
common pleas court of Knox county on the four
teenth of March, 1812, ordered that three justices
of the peace be elected in Greene township.
By act of the legislature passed January 7, 1813,
which took effect on the first Monday in March of
said year, Richland county was organized. On
the second of April, 1809, John Heckewelder,
John M. Connell, and Moses Ross, as commission
ers, established. Mansfield as the county seat. In-
February, 1813, Thomas Coulter, William Gass,
and Peter Kinney, were elected associate judges
of the Richland common pleas court, who subse
quently elected Winn Winship clerk of said court.
He was also the first postmaster of Mansfield.
ORGANIZATION OF MORROW COUNTY.
Knox county in 1848 contributed the three
townships of Chester, Bloomfield, and Franklin,
toward the creation of the county of Morrow.
Chester was organized April 10, 1812; Bloomfield
township June 23, 1817, and Franklin was erected
December 23, 1823. They were three important
townships of the county, diminishing its population
nearly four thousand, and their detachment from
Knox county destroyed its symmetry and marred
its form and proportions.
The first election in Chester township was held
April 25, 1812, the judges being Joseph Duncan,
Henry George, and Evan Holt. William and
Samuel Johnson were the clerks.
Rufus Dodd was the first assessor of taxable
property. A branch of Owl creek passes through this
township, and Chesterville is its chief town or
village. The population of the township in 1830
was seven hundred and seventy-eight; in 1840 it

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

573

was one thousand two hundred and ninety-seven,
and in 1850 it was one thousand six hundred and
twenty. Enos Miles was the proprietor of Chesterville,
which was situated on the road from Mt. Vernon
to Mt. Gilead, distant from the former fourteen
miles, and from the latter ten miles. As early as
1830 its population was two hundred and fifty.
Evan Holt, who served six years in the Revolu
tionary war, and who settled in this section of
Knox county in 1808, was one of the most noted
men hereabouts. He lived here nearly forty years,
and died at the age of more than eighty-three
years. The following is a list of the justices of the
peace of Chester township from its organization
until it became a part of Morrow county, together
with the time of service of each :
William Johson, 1812 to 1817; Rufus Dodd
1817-19; Joseph Denman, 1817-19; W. Van Bus
kirk, 1819-20; Enos Miles, 1820-22; Daniel Beers,
1820-22; W. Van Buskirk, 1822-23; Daniel Beers,
1823-24; John Stilley, 1824-26; John Beebe,
1826-27; Moses Powell, 1827-29; John Beebe,
1829-30; Moses Powell, 1830-32; John Beebe,
1832-33; Moses Powell, 1833; Enos Miles,
1833-35; Henry Dewitt, 1835-38; Enos Miles,
1836-39; Byram Beers, 1836-39; Henry Dewitt,
1838-42; Enos Miles, 1839-42; Byram Beers,
1839-43; P. B. Ayres, 1842-44; Thomas Peterson,
1843-45; Charles Dalrymple, 1844-48; Byram
Beers, 1845-47; P. B. Ayres, 1845-46; Davis Miles,
1846-48. BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP.
This was another of the western townships of
Knox county that was attached to Morrow county
in 1848. In 1840 the inhabitants of Bloomfield
township numbered one thousand two hundred and
fifty-two; in 1850 they had increased to one thou
sand three hundred and ninety-five. In 1818, the
year after Bloomfield was organized, Benjamin H.
Taylor served in the office of assessor of taxable
property. There were but sixteen voters in the
township. The first post office established in
Bloomfield was Clark's X Roads, and was located
at the intersection of the road leading from Johns
town to New Haven, with the road leading from
Mt. Vernon to Delaware — a central point — being

thirteen miles from Berkshire, Mt. Vernon, Ches
terville and Johnstown. It was subsequently called
Bloomfield. The .second post office was estab
lished at Sparta, a small village situated on the old
State road leading from Mansfield to Columbus;
Sunbury and Fredericktown being intermediate
towns. The first brick house built in Bloomfield town
ship was erected in 1825, by Roswell Clark: and
the first two-story frame building was built in 1828,
being the one long occupied- by Sheldon Clark.
The first church erected in Bloomfield township
was by the Methodist Episcopal church in 1839.
The same denomination built the second church
in Sparta in 1846; and in the same year the
Christian church erected a church edifice in Sparta.
Revs. Thomas Kerr and Mr. Cooper, of the Meth
odist church, and Rev. James Smith and a Mr.
Britton were Christian or New Light pioneer
preachers. In 1850 the Wesleyan Methodists
built a small church near Sparta, in which the
distinguished abolitionist, Rev. Edward Smith, offi
ciated, and near which he was buried in 1859.
Marshall Clark died in 181 8, and was the first
death in the territory that soon after became
Bloomfield township. The family of Artemas
Swetland settled in this section of the county in
1812, and are generally regarded as the first set
tlers. Those that succeeded them not long after
were the Clarks, Walker Lyon, Preston Hubbell,
Seth Nash, John Helt, William Ayres, John
Blinn, Dr. Bliss, Samuel Whitney, Lucius French,
Stephen Marvin, Samuel Mead, Lemuel Potter,
and others. The Clarks were from New Haven
county, Connecticut; as were also Lyon, Hubbell,
Nash, Whitney, French, Marvin, and Mead. Helt
and Ayres were from Washington county, Pennsyl
vania. In Norton's History of Knox County it is stated
that Bloomfield township received its name in this
wise : Several of the settlers were at the house of
Sheldon Clark early in the spring of 1817, talking
about the prospective township, when John Blinn
called attention to the flowers in the field in which
they were, and suggested that as the field was in
bloom the new township should be called Bloom
field, and it was so called.
Matthew Marvin was the first justice of the peace

574

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

of Bloomfield township. He was elected in 1818;
Walker Lyon, 1819; John Manville, 1820; Walker
Lyon, 1822; Stephen D©dd, 1823; James Thomp
son, 1824; David Bliss, 1825; John Manville,
1827; R. Clark, 1828; John Manville, 1830; James
Thompson, 1833; David Bliss, 1834; James Shu
mate, 1836; David Bliss, 1837; John Beebe, 1837;
David Bliss, 1840; John Beebe, 1840; Jared
Irvine, 1843; Jacob T. Thompson, 1844; Jared
Irvine, 1846; Wheeler Ashley, 1846; Charles M.
Eaton, 1848.
One of the noteworthy incidents of Bloomfield
township, given by Norton, is as follows:
An aeronaut by the name of F. H. Westbrook met with a
terrible end on the Fourth of July, 1862. There was a large
concourse of people at Sparta, commemorating our national
anniversary, who were addressed by Rev. Mills Harrod, W. L.
Bane, esq., and Hon. A. Banning Norton, and at 5 o'clock p.
M. , as previously announced, a balloon went up with Westbrook
in it, to the height of perhaps five hundred feet, when it burst
in pieces and fell to the earth, killing him instantly. About
three thousand people witnessed the sad termination of an
otherwise joyful occasion.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, KNOX COUNTY.
Franklin is the third and last of the western town
ships of Knox county that were annexed to the
county of Morrow in 1848. It was authorized De
cember 3, 1832, named in honor of Benjamin
and the first election for township officers was held
on the first Monday of April, 1824. The popula
tion of Franklin township in 1830 was eight hun
dred; in 1840 it was one thousand three hundred
and forty-three; and in 1850 it was one thousand
four hundred and fifty-six. Pulaskiville is the
principal business place of the township. Allen
Kelly, an emigrant from Northumberland county,
Pennsylvania, was one of the earliest settlers here.
David Peoples, David Shaw, William T. Campbell,
Washington Strong, the Petersons, Hickmans,
Blairs, and Van Buskirk's were also pioneer settlers.
Abraham Blair, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey,
settled upon the farm in 181 1, on which he died in
his ninetieth year, on the second of October, 1846.
He served as a minute-man during the Revolu
tionary war, and participated in the battles of Tren
ton and Monmouth.
David Shaw served his fellow-citizens over twen
ty-one years as a justice of fhe peace, and was a
county commissioner nine years.

Colonel Strong was one of the noted military
men and politicians of Franklin township. So also
was Lieutenant Bernard Fields. Among office
holders or prominent men of Franklin township
may be named the Swingleys (emigrants from Ha-
gerstown, Maryland), Samuel Livingston, Henry
Weatherby, Anson Prouty, William Faris, William
Gordon, Benjamin Corwin, Alexander Wilson, Jon
athan Olin, William Lavering, Caleb Barton, H. P.
Eldridge, C. Sapp, William Linn, B. O. Pitman.
David Ewers, Ebenezer Hartwell, B. and E. Lyon,
Benjamin Hathaway, and Thomas Morrison.
Upon the organization of this township William
Van Buskirk, a justice of the peace within the ter
ritory, who had been reelected in 1822, continued
to act until again elected in 1824. In 1824 John
Truas was also elected, and in 1827 David Shaw
was again elected, and reelected until 1848, when
the township was carried over into Morrow county.
H. W. Strong was elected in 1834, and reelected
in 1837. William Van Buskirk was elected in 1840,
reelected in 1843, an(i in 1846, and during his
term of service the connection with Knox county
was severed.

^tyi/^Hy

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

575

CHAPTER LXVIII.
PIKE TOWNSHIP."
Erection — Boundaries — Topography — First Settlers
Elections — Present Officers — Justices — Mills-
Schools — Churches — Amity — Odd Fellows — K n ights
of Honor — North Liberty— Statistics.
PIKE TOWNSHIP was established June 8,
1 1819, by act of the county commissioners and
given the name of Pike in honor of General Pike.
The following extract is taken from their journal
for the date above given :
Ordered. That the following boundaries be and are hereby set
apart into a separete township, viz. : Beginning at the south
east corner of township number eight, and range number
twelve, and running west to the east line of range number thir
teen ; thence north to the southeast corner of township number
eight in range thirteen; thence west to the southwest corner of
said eighth township; thence north on the line between the
thirteenth and fourteenth ranges to the north boundary of said
Knox county; thence east on said boundary to where the line
between the eleventh and twelfth ranges intersects said boun
dary; thence north on said range line to the place of beginning,
which shall henceforth be considered a separate and distinct
township, and enjoy all the privileges of such, which shall be
called and known by the name of Pike township.
At their session the next day the commissioners
ordered an election to be held at the house of
Michael Harter, on the twenty-sixth day of June
instant, for the election of township officers.
On the ninth of March, 1825, the commission
ers changed the boundaries of Pike as follows:
Pike township shall be composed of the eighth and ninth
township in the twelfth range, and the twentieth township in
the seventeenth range.
Pike township is situated in the northern part of
the county, and contains thirty-six square miles of
territory, a portion of which lies north of the Green
ville Treaty line, adjacent to Richland county. The
surface of the country is somewhat broken by
Schenck's creek, which traverses the township from
north to south. The soil is not of the best, being
principally composed of the debris of the Waverly
sandstones, but is well adapted to the production
of grass, oats and wheat. About one-fourth of the
township is still in woods, chestnut, white oak and
hickory predominating. By judicious farming Pike
township has been enabled to rival her more favored
sisters in wealth and improvement.

*The manuscript history of this township was received by
the printers too late for insertion in its proper place.

The date of the first settlement has not been
ascertained; but in 18 16 an Irishman named
Henry Lander was found living on the southwest
quarter of section No. 13. He was a man of giant
stature and Herculean strength, and had been a
member of the Irish dragoons, the exploits of which
he used to relate with great gusto. He was six
feet six inches high, weighed two hundred and fifty
pounds, and would wager whiskey for the crowd
that seven men could not take off his hat. He
would then back up against a wall or tree, and with
his long arms swinging in the air defy all approach
of his adversaries.
John Arnold was born in Maryland in 1785,
came to Pike township in 1816, and located on the
southwest quarter of section No. 8, where he reared
his family, one of whom, William Arnold, is still
living in the township, aged seventy-seven.
Charles McBride also came from Maryland, and
settled on the southwest quarter of section No. 4,
in 18 16, where he lived and died. His sons, Hugh
and William, moved to the west about 1855. None
of his descendants now live in the township.
Aaron Bixby came from Huron county, Ohio, to
Howard township, and moved from there to Pike
township in 1816, and located on the southeast
quarter of section No. 16, known as the Josiah
Crawford place. Mr. Bixby taught school in the
first school-house built in the township. It was a
rude, round log structure, and stood about one-half
mile south of the present town of North Liberty,
in 1823. He has now no representative in the
township. Philip Armentrout located on the northwest
quarter of section JSTo. 8, where he remained till
his death. None of his family now reside in the
township. Nicholas Headington was born in Baltimore
county, Maryland, and moved to Pike township,
Knox county, in 1822. His son, Nicholas, brought
the first tobacco seed to Knox county, and raised
the first tobacco for shipment.
Aaron Wilson was also an early settler and a use
ful citizen. He moved west in 1837. His son
Lewis still lives in the township, and has reared a
large family.
William Wright came to where Amity is now
located when quite small — about 181 9.

576

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

The first election was hehi at the house of Mich
ael Harter, June 26, 1819, but as no records have
been preserved the names of the officers elected
cannot be given. The entire number of voters in
the township in 1822 was nineteen. Their names
were John Arnold, Robert Kennedy, Jacob Swartz,
Thomas Elwell, William Wright, Aaron Wilson,
John Scoles, William Smith, Thomas Scoles, An
drew Scoles, George H. Scoles, Phillip Armen-
trout, Benjamin Austin, John Butler, William Spry,
Francis Popham, David Holloway, John Gordon,
and Cyrus McDonald.
The present board of township officers is con
structed as follows: John Nichols and Henry
Lockhart, justices ofthe peace; Philip Arnold and
Henry Philips, constables; James J. P. Mishey,
treasurer; John Wallace, assessor; John Wyman,
Joseph Stoffer, and George Shipley, trustees; John
Fletcher, clerk; S. D. Parrish, Thomas Simmons,
John T. Read, Joseph Stoffer, John Nichols, Sam
uel Burger, Calvin Lone)', John Wineland, board
of education; Wesley Bryant, Silas Daniels, Wil
liam Horn, Henry Stoffer, Miles Dakins, Samuel
Burger, David Leedy and Samuel Horton, board
of supervisors.
The elections have generally been held at the
school-house near the centre of the township, but
about 1840 the polls were changed to the Six Cor
ners, and vibrated between the two places for some
time. Finally the present location, school-house
No. 4, was settled upon.
The following is a consecutive list of justices:
Andrew Scoles and Robert Silcost, 1819; William
Smith, 1820; Bernard Reece, 1822; William Smith
and Aaron Bixby, 1823; Bernard Reece, William
Johnson and William McNear, 1825; Andrew
Scoles, 1827; William Smith, 1829; Hugh Kirk-
patrick, 1850; F. Popham and John Cochran, jr.,
1 831; William Smith, 1833; John Gordon and F.
Popham, 1834; John Cochran, jr., 1836; John
Gordon and J. Y. Barnhard, 1837; John Cochran,
jr., 1839; John Gordon, 1840; Emanuel Wagoner,
1842; John Gordon and William Arnold, 1843;
John Ramsey, 1844; Amos De Haven and W. W.
Maneer, 1846; John Ramsey, 1847; W. W. Ma-
neer and Eli Dickerson, 1840; C. P. Frederick,
1850; Eli Dickerson and W. W. Maneer, 1852;
R. C. Sweeney, 1853; H. P. Roberts and J. D.

Hammell, 1855; R. C. Sweeney and David Brad
dock, 1856; J. D. Hammell and Samuel Kirkpat-
rick, 1858; John Weis, 1859; R. C. Sweeney,
i860; J. D. Hammell, 1861; Matthew Cunning
ham, 1862; R. C. Sweeney, 1863; John B. Scar
borough, 1864; R. C. Sweeney, 1866; David
Porch and J. B. Scarborough, 1867; W. W. Wal-
key and J. Scarborough, 1870; W. W. Walkey and
S. F. Hunter, 1873; Henry Lockhart and John
Nichols, 1876 and 1879.
The first grist-mill in Pike township* was built by
John Arnold in 1831, or. Schenck's creek, on the
southwest quarter of section No. 8. It was a
small mill, containing but one run of buhrs, but
did a good business for one of its size, grinding
sometimes one hundred bushels in the course of
twenty-four hours. It continued in operation till
about 1 85 1. The next grist-mill was built bya
man by the name of Hillis, who erected a small
mill on the northwest quarter of section No. 23,
in 1834. He sold out to James Stephens. Ste
phens sold to Benjamin Spry, who sold to John
Walkey in 1836. Mr. Walkey put in two run of
buhrs, and operated the mill until 1874.
The first saw-mill was built by an Englishman
named Thomas Smith, on the southwest quarter of
section No. 18, about 1832. This mill sawed a
great deal of lumber, and was a very useful one.
Silas Daniels bought it in 1836.
Jacob Wineland built a saw-mill on the southwest
quarter of section No. 4, in 1833, which is now
owned by his son, John Wineland, and is running.
A saw-mill was also built by Daniel Armentrout
in 1854, and sold to Martin Kunkel. It is not
now in operation.
In 1849 John Walkey built an excellent saw
mill on Schenck's creek, near the centre of section
No. 23, which is still operated by Mr. Walkey, he
filing his own saw without glasses at the age of
eighty-four. The first school was taught by William Scoles,
in a pait of his own house in the southwest quar
ter of section No. 13.
The first hewed log school house was built on
the land of Robert Kirkpatrick, near the present
election house, about the year 1833.
The first brick house in the township was built
by Francis Popham on his property.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

577

David Braddock keDt store at Braddock's Cross
roads from 1840 till 1850, being the only store
kept outside the villages of Amity and North
Liberty. David Hatch, the son-in-law of Isaac
Vernon, who located on the northwest quarter of
section twenty-four now occupied by J. R. Phillips, in
1834 brought with him the first threshing-machine
and first cooking stove seen in Pike township.
John Arnold and Daniel Grubb at one time ran
a distillery, but at the present time Pike township,
with a population of one thousand three hundred
and seven, has not a single saloon, or other place
within its borders, where intoxicating drinks are
sold. The first Methodist preaching in Pike township
was held in private houses, by Rev.  Goff.
Meetings were held at McBride's, Wilson's, Bixby's,
and Vernon's. The first class leader was Aaron
Wilson; and the early members were Aaron Bixby
and Nancy, his wife; Isaac Vernon and Martha,
his wife; Charles, Thomas, and William McBride,
Thomas and Sally Wilson, the Fletchers, Elwells,
Deems, and others. The first quarterly meeting
was held in Aaron Bixby's barn — the first frame
barn erected in the neighborhood — now owned by
Henry Eckenrode. A great revival occurred at
this meeting, and the accessions to the church were
so numerous that it was determined to build a
house of worship. Accordingly a small plat of
ground was obtained of Hugh Hardesty, on the
southwest quarter of section twenty-four, and in
1827 Hugh and John Cochran built a log church,
which served the purpose until 1850, when a more
commodious and substantial edifice was erected.
The new building, is a frame, forty by fifty feet, the
lumber for which was hauled from Waterford, Mid
dlebury township. The building committee were
Richard Scoles, Joseph Hollis, and Reuben Kettle.
Among the ministers who preached in .the old
log church were Revs. John Scoles, John Morey,
James Quigley, Elnathan Raymond, Daniel and
William Conant, Zephaniah Bell, Revs. Block,
Clark, and Blue, Oliver Burgess, John Burgess, and
Daniel Lambert. The present preacher in charge
is Rev. John Thompson. The present number of
members is about seventy-five. Allen Kirkpatrick is
recording steward, and Lyman Magers, W. W.
Walkey, and George H. Scoles class leaders.

North Liberty Methodist Episcopal church is an
offshoot of the old Pike Methodist church; and
some of the same persons who were early members
of that congregation were early members of this.
Among them were Francis Blakeney and Hannah,
his wife; George Frizzle and wife, Charles Mc
Bride and wife, Thomas McBride and wife, William
McBride and wife, J. Nelson Dean and wife, John
Arnold and wife, William Arnold and wife, Henry
Armentrout and wife, and Simon Armentrout and '
wife. Charles McBride was the class leader.
About the year 1840 a frame church, thirty-five
by forty-five feet square, was built in the village of
North Liberty, which is still used as a house of
worship. In 1861 the demon of political discord
entered this church, and it was rent in twain.
During the war, and for some time afterwards, the
church stood idle; but after the settlement of the
vexed question, slavery, the church revived, meet
ings were once more held, and now there is a mem
bership of about fifty. William Penrose and Lock
hart Arnold are the class leaders. Rev. John
Thompson is the preacher in charge.
A Methodist Episcopal church was built on the
southwest quarter of section ten, about 1845. An
organization had been effected some years previous
to the erection of the church, and the members
held their meetings in the school-house. David
Guthrie donated the land and most of the timber
for the church, which was built of hewed logs.
John Cochran and wife, Eli Dickerson and wife,
John Ruby and M. Truckle and wives were of the
first members.
Revs. John Scoles, John McNabb, and Absalom
Waddle were among the first pastors.
The organization was dissolved about 1856, the
members uniting with the Methodist church at
Amity and North Liberty. There was a cemetery
attached to this church, which was laid out many
years before the church was built. David Guthrie
was the 'first person buried in the cemetery. John
Cochran, one of the first members, was buried here
in August, 1835.
A union church is now being erected, which is
free for all denominations to worship in, but will
be known as the Pike Cumberland Presbyterian
church. Rev. William Gilbreath preached in the vicinity

578

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

of North Liberty in 1846, and formed a Lutheran
class, amongst whom were Henry Boven and wife,
Jacob Gower and wife, William Worley and wife,
and Adam Stump and wife.
In i860 the congregation had become large
enough to need a church building, and a neat brick
edifice, thirty-six by forty-six feet square, was erect
ed in the town of North Liberty.
The following is a list of communicants in De
cember, 1862: George Stahl, jr., Elizabeth Stahl,
Margaret Stahl, Mary M. Stern, Margaret Stern,
Jacob Gower, Mary Gower, Samuel Gower, Eliza
beth Gower, William H. Stahl, Amy Stahl, Nancy
Stahl, John Wohlfort, Catharine Wohlfort, Joshua
Kneffer, Elizabeth Kneffer, John H. Kneffer, Mary
J. Loney, Jacob Myers, Elizabeth Myers, Julian
Smith, Allen Smith, Racina Smith, Abraham C.
Shawton, David Whorley, Elizabeth Whorley, Mary
A. Phillips, David Porch, Catharine Porch, Adam
Stump, Rebecca Stump, Lovina Reeps, Jacob
Bowman, Melchior Krise, Mary Krise, Sarah Stahl,
Eliza Knarr, Elizabeth Myers, Mary J. Myers,
Louisa Myers, Elmira Arnold, Andrew Balliet,
Mary Semly, Eli F. Pond, Sarah Pond, John
Bishop, Eliza Loney, Michael Crunkleton, and
Caroline Crunkleton.
The successive pastors have been William Won
ders, 1852; A. S. Miller, 1856; George Leider,
i860; D. I. Faust, 1862;  Sensabaugh, 1864;
William Gilbreath, 1866; S. Ritz, 1872; G. Z.
Coachill, 1873: and James Williams, 1879.
Amity is situated m the southeast corner of Pike
township. It is a neat and and orderly village,
having a population of about one hundred and
fifty. It was laid out in 1832 by David Jackson,
who owned the land on which the village was loca
ted. It was originally called Emmettsville, but
the name was changed from that to Amity about
1837. The town was on the line of the old stage
route leading from Wooster to Columbus, and in
an early day was a place of considerable business.
Lewis Strong was the first merchant in the village.
His successors were Scott Gilchrist, Mackey Ma-
teer, Joseph Mateer, Frank Popham, Dr. Wright,
and Isaac Cline, nnder the firm name of Wright &
Cline. About 1840 John Collins started another
store in the village, which he carried on for about
two years, when he sold his stock of goods to D. P.

and E. R. Wright. The firm of D. P. & E. R.
Wright was dissolved in 1844, and a new firm,
D. P. & C. W. Wright, commenced business, con
tinuing about a year, when D. P. Wright pur
chased his partner's interest in the establishment.
D. P. Wright was in turn succeeded by Dowds &
Barber, who are still doing business.
David Jackson kept the first hotel. His suc
cessors in the hotel business were Muncie, Willet
& Paxon, Benjamin P. Wright, Joseph Popham,
Scott Gilchrist, John Riddle,  Jones, D. P.
Wright, E. W. Douds, and John Weirick John
Britton was the first blacksmith.  Johnson
was the first physician : Drs. Mire and Stinger were
also early physicians. A post office was established
a short time after the village was laid, and named
Democracy. William Gordon was the first post
master; he was succeeded by Henry Yarrick,
James Gilchrist, D. P. Wright, Jerrod Parrish, and
C. C. Barber, the present incumbent The first
school-house, a log building, was erected about
1833; it was situated in the south part of the vil
lage.  McDermott taught the first school in
this edifice, and Jesse Cain the second one. This
structure was burned about two years after its erec
tion, and the village school was taught for some
years afterwards in an old log cabin outside of the
town. This log building, that was destroyed by
fire, was replaced by a neat frame school-house,
built within the village limits about 1842.
At present the village contains two dry goods
stores, owned by M. A. Barber and son and J. A.
Wright; one hotel, kept by John Weirick; one
steam tannery and saw-mill combined, owned and
operated by Charles Fletcher; two blacksmith
shops by C. Doup, jr., and C. C. Clements; one
wagon maker, S. D. Parrish; one shoemaker,
James Westcott; one undertaker, D. P. Wright;
one physician, J. L. Black; two lodges of secret
societies, Odd Fellows, and Knights of Honor;
and two churches, Methodist Episcopal and Bap
tist. Amity Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fel
lows, was organized October 23, 1879, with a
membership of ten, viz : J. L. Black, C. W. Wright,
James McGinley, Jeremiah Belt, L. G. Mavis, L.
A. Wright, James Reed, Ziba Leonard, H. W.
Phillips, and J. Hetrick. The first officers were :

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

579

L. A. Wright, N. G; H. W. Phillips, V. G; Ziba
Leonard, R. S., and J. L. Black, treasurer. L. A.
Wright, the first noble grand, died before the ex
piration of his term of office, and by a special dis
pensation of E. K. Wilson, grand master, J. L.
Black was elected to fill the vacant chair as noble
grand for the remainder of the term. This lodge
is known as Bartholo Lodge No. 692, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, and is the last lodge
instituted within the county up to the present date.
It has not yet had an opportunity to make for it
self a history, but being located in a wealthy and
intelligent community, its future is bright and full
of encouragement. There has been but one death
since its organization. The present membership is
twenty-nine. The officers at this time are : H. W.
Phillips, N. G; Ziba Leonard, V. G; J. L. Black,
secretary, and James McGinley, treasurer. The
lodge holds its regular meetings on each Satur
day evening.
Amity Lodge No. in, Knights of Honor, was
instituted May 20, 1875. Its charter members
were: William Loney, Curtis Fletcher, S. D.
Parrish, Henry Davis, J. L. Graves, George Mc-
Clurg, Miles Dakins, Henry Snyder, Samuel Har
din and J. B. Lybarger. The first officers were :
C. Fletcher, dictator; Miles Dakins, reporter;
William Loney, treasurer; S. D. Parrish, past
dictator; George McClurg, assistant dictator;
Henry Snyder, guide, and Henry Davis, sentinel.
The present officials are: Miles Dakins, dictator;
Curtis Fletcher, reporter; William Loney, treasurer;
George McClurg, past dictator; William Loney,
guide; Samuel Hoag, assistant dictator; Thomas
Berry, sentinel; J. B. Lybarger, financial reporter.
The present membership of this lodge is seventeen.
The regular meetings are held the first and third
Saturday evenings of each month.
The Amity Methodist Episcopal church, organ
ized about 1834, was the first in the village. The
early members of this organization were, Rev.
Francis Popham and wife, Samuel Britton and wife,
Albert Grubb, Absalom Waddle,  McNear, and
Henry Oram and wife. Two of the prominent
members of this society were also licensed local
preachers, viz : Absalom Waddle and Francis Pop
ham, who frequently preached to this church. The
meetings were at first held in the houses of the

members, and in the village school-house. About
1840, a frame church was erected at a cost of one
thousand five hundred dollars. One of the earliest
ministers was Bishop W. L. Harris. His minis
terial labors were greatly blessed, and during his
pastorate a remarkable revival occurred, and one
hundred and seven members were added to the
church. The following ministers have officiated as
pastors of this church since 1848. 1849-50, E.
Raymond, assisted by 0. Mitchell and William M.
Conant; 185 1, John McNabb; 1852-3, Leonard
Parker, assisted by John K. Ford and Baruch
Jones; 1854-5, Joseph Wolf, assisted by Albert
Cochran and Daniel M. Conant; 1856-7, Philip
Plummer, assisted by Benjamin F. Heskitt; 1858-9,
D. Lambert, assisted by Benjamin Heskitt; 1860-
61-62, Chilton Craven and William Hudson; 1863,
Daniel M. Conant; 1864, Daniel Lambert; 1865,
supplied; 1866, Joseph McBarnes; 1867-8, sup
plied; 1869-70, William Kepler; 1871-2, Thomas
G. Roberts; 1873, S. Z. Kauffman; 1874, G. E.
Scott; 1875, W. W. Smith; 1876-7-8, A. S. Mof-
fitt; 1879-80, J. W. Thompson. In 1871 a new
church edifice was erected at a cost of one thousand
five hundred dollars, and in 1874 a parsonage was
built at a cost of about one thousand dollars. The
present membership is fifty-three, thirty-two being
in full membership, and twenty-one probationers.
The present officers are : class-leaders, J. W. Rock
well and J. W. Simmons; stewards, Michael Mc-
Ginney and J. W. Simmons; trustees, Frank Cun
ningham, Martin Fletcher, J. W. Rockwell, and J.
W. Simmons.
The second church organized in the town was
the Amity church of Disciples of Christ. This
society was organized about 1840, by Elder John
Gordon. Its early members were, Joseph Gordon,
Jacob, Esther, and Eleanor Pealer, William Gordon,
Samuel Pealer, Elias Pealer and their wives, Rigdon
Gordon, John Gordon and wife, Elizabeth Gordon,
Catharine Gordon, O. Quimby and wife, John Rid
dle and wife, Mrs. Ball, John Quimby, Jesse Ed
gar, Amos Nichols, William Hartgrove, John Pond,
James Harrison and their wives, and  Latta.
Elder ,  Sanders was the first stated pastor, and
remained in that relation several years. John
Stannard and Monroe Simons were also of the first
ministers. The church depended principally on

58o

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

supplies from other societies for its preaching.
This society held their meetings in private houses
until 1850, when a frame edifice was erected, in
which the members worshipped until 1880, when
it was torn down. On account of removals, deaths
of members, and dissensions in the church, the or
ganization was disbanded several years since.
The Amity Baptist church was organized June
21, 1847, under the auspices of Rev. James Sey
mour. The original members were William Wright,
Daniel Hardin, Joel Odors, Mary Wright, Eliza
beth Hardin, Mrs. Odors, Marion Daniels, Jane
Vian, Jane Daymude and Sarah Hicks. Prior to
the- organization, and about the year 1845, Elders
Stoors, and David Thomas, of Mt. Vernon, occa
sionally preached in the village, and by their earn
est labors laid the foundation for the organization
of this society. Rev. Daniel Thomas was the first
stated pastor. His successors in the pastorate
were Elders Reason Lockheart, James Fry, Benja
min George, James Seymour, Rev. Tullison, Ben
jamin Tulloss, Benjamin Morrison. This church
enjoyed a high degree of prosperity for several
years after its organization, but in course of time
several of the members having emigrated to the
west, and a large number dying, the society be
came weak, and they were without a regular pastor
for several years. In 1880 Rev. J. A. Davis took
ministerial charge of the church, and the church
has now regular preaching. The society worships
in a frame edifice erected by the Presbyterians,
but subsequently purchased by this society. The
present offices are: C. W. Wright, deacon; B. F.
Vian, clerk.
North Liberty is situated in the northern part of
Pike township, and was laid out by Francis Blake-
ley, William Johnson, Daniel Grubb, and J. Nel
son Dean, in 1838. The first house on the new
town plat was built on the northwest corner of the
principal street crossings, by Daniel Grubb, for a
dwelling house. A store room now occupies the
corner owned by James K. P. Mishey. The first
frame house was built by Daniel Grubb for a tav
ern and store room, and was situated on the south
east corner of the street crossing. David Grubb
dug the public well, assisted by the most public
spirited citizens of the new town. The store room
on the southwest corner of the crossing was not

built till 1849, by Jacob Smith. The first store in
the village was kept by a man named Doolittle, in
the store room built by Daniel Grubb. His suc
cessors were Henry Reichart, Jacob Smith, Israel
and Miller Moody, Charles Hedges, Philip Fred
erick, William Arnold, and his brother Philip,
James Pearce, Samuel Bishop, and Christian
Mishey, Jacob Myers, M. L. Lane, Truman Mix,
and James Mishey. Mr. Mix died and Daniel
Beal became Mr. Mishey's partner, remaining in
business with him about two years, since which
time Mr. Mishey has carried on the business him
self. Mr. Christian Mishey also kept a grocery in
the post office corner, where Albert Mishey now
keeps a grocery. J. N. Ruby also kept a grange
store from 1875 till 1880.
Daniel Grubb kept the first tavern in the house
built by him for that purpose. His successors
were Jacob Myers, Samuel and George Black,
George Sickles, John Bishop, Lloyd Meeks, Henry
Westonhaver, John Fry, William Armstrong,
Samuel Shyers, Jacob Beal, John Hammett, and
Dr. Charles Mahaffey.
The post office was first established at Jonathan
Smith's, in the northwest corner of Pike township,
in 1848, with Jonathan Smith as postmaster, but
in 1850 it was moved to North Liberty, and Henry
Taney appointed postmaster. His successors were
Levi Ponds, Joshua Kneffer, Robert Sweeney,
Christopher Mishey, Seymour Hunter, and Albert
Mishey, who was appointed January 1, 1880.
The practicing physicians of North Liberty have
been Drs. John Waddell, Robert McLaughlin,
Edward Booth, T. Jefferson Young, George Shira,
and Charles Mahaffey, the latter of whom is the
present practitioner.
The first blacksmith was James Huston; then
Jacob Lautz, Hugh Beach, David Kenig, James
Ward, Samuel Brown, Wilson Turney, and John
Shanton. North Liberty at present consists of one post
office and grocery, Albert Mishey, postmaster; one
dry goods store, J. K. P. Mishey, proprietor; two
churches, Methodist and Lutheran; one cabinet-
shop, William Loose, proprietor; one wagon shop,
Caleb Brokaw, proprietor ; two blacksmith shops,
thirty-five dwellings, and one hundred and fourteen
inhabitants.

Biographical Sketches,

"Note.— All matter contained in these sketches has been obtained directly from families or individuals cognizant of the facts contained
them. Being thus written, those furnishing the information are alone responsible for the facts and dates written.

A

ABBOTT, JOHN S., farmer, was boin in Luzerne county,
Pennsylvania, June 18, 1826. In 1855 he emigrated to Knox
county, Ohio, locating in™t. Vernon. In the fall of the same
year he purchased the farm on which he is now living, in Clin
ton township, located on the Granville road, two miles from Mt.
Vernon, and has since made farming his occupation. February
15, 1865, he married Miss Mary E. Johnston, born in Clinton
township, Knox county, Ohio, March ir, 1842, daughter of
James and Mary J. Johnson. They moved on his farm, where
they are now living. Their union resulted in one child, a daugh
ter. ACKERMAN, L. B., insurance agent, Fredericktown, was
born in Knox county, Ohio, August 17, 1839, and was married
September 20, i87r, to Ella Cook, who was born in Wayne
county, June 12, 1848. They have four children, viz: Ida C. ,
bora July 8, r872; William A., December 26, T873; Ernest Lee,
March 13, 1875, and Edith E., March 31, 1879. Mr. Acker
man received a. liberal education and has been engaged in
teaching, having taught school twenty-three years. He was
principal of the Fredericktown union schools during the years
1877 and 1878, and has the reputation of being one of the ablest
instructors of Knox county. He is at present engaged in the in
surance and collecting business. He has been a citizen of
Fredericktown for three years, and is one of the intelligent and
enterprising men of this township, and has done much to pro
mote the standard of education in Knox county. He has also
taken quite an active part in political matters.
ACKERMAN, HARVEY. Middlebury township, farmer,
post office, Levering, born in Middlebury township, July 14,
1850; married in 1872 to Ara Smith, who was born in Coshoc- '
ton county, Ohio, in 1852. They have two children — Blanche,
born January 10, 1874, and Carle, born July 2, 1877. Mrs.
Ara Ackerman died April 2, T878. Mr. Ackerman has been
engaged in teaching school about ten years.
ADAMS, JAMES, Monroe township, deceased, son of John
and Ann Adams, was born in Frederick county, Virginia, No
vember 22, 1792. He accompanied his parents to this county
in i8n, who located near Mt. Vernon, where they deceased —
Mrs. Adams in 1827, and Mr. Adams in r829. James Adams
was reared on a farm, and followed farming as his vocation
through life. October 10, i8r5, he married Miss Eleanor
Newell, daughter of Hugh and Margaret Newell, who was born
in Washington county, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1798, and came
to Knox county with her sister Mary, wife of Tudge McGibeney,

in 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Adams settled on a farm in Monroe
township, known as the Hunt farm, and remained until r836.
They then moved on farm in the same township, located on
Schenck's creek, now owned by their son, Allison Adams, where
he deceased April 1, 1838. His companion survives him at the
age of eighty-two years, and is living on the home farm with
her son Allison. He served in the War of r8i2. He filled the
office of justice of the peace in Monroe township about ten
years. He was the father of three children: John, born August
5, 1816: Allison, born November 6, 1818; and Mary J., born
November r2, 1820. John and Mary T. have deceased. Alli
son Adams married Miss Phebe A. Paige, of Monroe township,
who deceased October 10, r854. He was then united in marri
age with Miss Elizabeth E. Dowds, in November, 1855; born
December 27, 1834; daughter of Elijah Dowds, deceased.
They settled on the Adams homestead, where they are now liv
ing. They have a family of six children — three sons and three
daughters. He has made farming and stock raising his voca
tion. He owns a large farm in Monroe township. He enlisted
in company H, of the Sixty-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, and
served about ten months in the war of t86i. He was in the
battle of Stone River December 3r, 1862. He has served the
people of Monroe township as justice of the peace since Octo
ber, 1865.
ADAMS, GEORGE, deceased, was born in Redgrave, a vil
lage in Suffolk county, England, March 16, 1797. He came to
America in 1853, first settling in Gambier, where he lived one
year, and then removed to Mt. Vernon, where he resided up to
the time of his death, which occurred about noon on Thursday,
December 4, 1879, in the eighty-third year of his age. Mr.
Adams was twice married. By his first wife he had thirteen
children, seven of whom are still living — five sons and two
daughters — Mr. Adam Adams, of the firm of Adams & Rogers,
hardware merchants, being the eldest. ' Besides these, he leaves
twenty-four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Mr.
Adams' death was sudden. He had been engaged in wheeling
tanbark from the street in to his lot, and at dinner time his wife
found him in the front yard, lying on his back, dead. Apo
plexy is supposed to have been the cause of his death.
ADAMS, JACOB, Berlin township, farmer, post office, Fred
ericktown, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1822,
came to Ohio when fourteen years of age, and was married in
18S0 to Sabra Brown, who was born in this township in 1830.
They have six children, viz: Annetta, born in 1854; Alice M.,
in 1856; Sabie C, in 1858; Mary E., in i860; Duddie, in 1863,
and John E. , in 1866. Mr. Adams is a prosperous farmer, and
a careful, judicious finaneier.

584

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

ADAMS, ARTHUR, blacksmith and horseshoer, Mulberry
street, between High and Vine streets, Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
Arthur Adams is a native of Mt. Vernon, and was born No
vember 6, 1848, and received his education in the public schools
of the city. He learned his trade, blacksmithing, with his
father, Mr. Adam Adams. Serving three years as an appren
tice, he worked one year after instructions in his father's
establishment. He then opened a shop in Fredericktown and
worked two years. He then returned to Mt. Vernon and
entered into partnership with his father for some two years, and
then took charge of the shop for himself, which he still conducts.
The business amounts to about two thousand dollars per year.
Horseshoeing is a specialty, he having a thorough knowledge
of the theory of shoeing truck and draft horses, and of all de
partments of shoeing. He took the first premium at the Knox
County Agricultural society's fair in 1873. His father, with
whom he learned his trade, also took a first premium from the
State Board of Agriculture at the fair held at Cleveland some
years ago. He does all kinds of repairing on short notice, and
for reasonable terms. All his work is warranted to be first-
class. Mr. Adams in 1863 enlisted in company R, One Hun
dred and Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, in which he
served until the close of the war. M. Adams has represented
his ward in the city council.
ADAMS, REV. MORTON D., pastor of the Disciple church,
was born at Vincennes, Indiana, May 24, 1856, and received
his preparatory education there, and at Butler university, Indian-
polis, and completed at Vincennes university, from which he
graduated in 1875. In 1876 he entered upon pastoral duty at
Vandalia, Illinois, where he remained one year, and then went
to Massillion, Ohio, and served the church there one year. In
1879 he came to Mt. Vernon and took charge of the Disciple
church of this place, in which he has served with acceptance to
the present, and during which the church has been greatly re
vived and built up, having had forty additions during his pas
torate. ALER, CHARLES E., travelling agent, post office, u Freder
icktown. He was born in Virginia in 1850, and came to Ohio
in 1877. He was married in 1875 to Eugenia B. Linfield, who
was born in North Carolina in 1855. They have two children:
Margaret V. was born in 1877, and Claudia I. in 1879. Mr.
Aler has been a very successful book agent, and is still engaged
at that business.
ALLEN, ASAHEL, farmer, was born in East Bridgewater,
Massachusetts, November 18, 1803. In February, 1804, his
parents, Asahel and Rhoda Allen, nee Fillson, moved to Benson,
Rutland county, Vermont, where he was reared to manhood. In
September, 1833, he, in Company with two sisters, Salome C.
and Rhoda A., and his father and mother, emigrated to Knox
county, Ohio, located in Mt. Vernon for the following winter,
and in the spring of 1834 they purchased and moved on the
farm now owned by him, one and a half miles southwest of Mt.
Vernon, on the Columbus road, in Clinton township. There
was a log cabin on the farm, which served them as an abode
until 1835, when he erected the brick dwelling, which is now
used as a tenant house. Rhoda Allen deceased June 19, 1848
His father, Asahel Allen, died April 22, 1850, aged eighty years'
Rhoda, wife of Asahel Allen, and mother of Mr. Allen, jr. '
departed this life December 1, 1857, aged eighty-six years and
six months.
On the eighteenth day of February, 1841, Asahel Allen, jr.,

married Miss Content Wing, daughter of John and Phebe
Wing. Miss Wing was born in Queensbury, Warren county,
New York, November 10, 1812, and emigrated with her parents
to Mt. Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, in 1817. After the mar
riage of Mr. Allen to Miss Wing they settled on the Allen
homestead, where they are now living. In 1843 he erected
their present residence, which is a frame structure.
They reared a family of four children, Belinda E., Alice A.,
Charles R., and Henry A. who are all living. He has followed
farming and stock-raising as his vocation. His sister, Salome
C„ married, and is now living at Mt. Vernon.
ALLEN, W. P. , was born in Washington county, Pennsyl
vania, March 7, 1817, where he remained until twenty-three
years old ; was reared on a farm and was educated at the dis
trict schools. In 1840 he came to Ohio and settled in Pleasant
township, Knox county, where he followed farming for twelve
years, when he traded his farm for another in Clay township,
where he remained for five years. In the spring of 1857 he
moved to Martinsburgh and dealt in stock until the fall of 1865.
In the spring he commenced dealing in agricultural implements
in which he has since been engaged. He came from Martins
burgh in the spring of 1871 to Mt. Vernon, where he now lives,
and has been engaged in his present business for fifteen years,
and has done a business of ten thousand dollars per year. He
at present represents Whitely, Fassler, & Kelley, of Springfield,
manufacturers of reapers and mowers; J. A. Case & Co., of
Racine, Wisconsin, manufacturers of engines and separators,
and a number of other prominent manufacturing firms in his
line. ALLEN, JAMES, farmer, Micldlebury township, post office,
Fredericktown ; born in Monroe county in 1832, married in
1855 to Mary E. Devore, who was born in Belmont county,
Ohio, in 1836. They have the following family, viz: Josephine
C, born January 17, 1857; Adalaide V., June 10, 1864; Jennie
A., February 7, 1867, and Lillie I., July 29, 1870. Mr. Allen
came to Knox county in 1867, and located in Middlebury town
ship, He owns a well impioved farm, and is one of the active
and energetic men of the township.
ALLEN, FRANCIS M., farmer and stock raiser, was bora
in Liberty township, August 26, 1852. He is the son of Wil
liam and Joanna Allen nee Coffing. Hz was raised on a farm,
and attended the public schools of the district. He was mar
ried to Miss Carrie Coleville, daughter of William and Hannah
Coleville, September, 1875. They have one child.
Mrs. Joanna Allen was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania,
1810, where she was reared. Her maiden name was Coffing.
In 1832 she married William Allen, who was born in England,
November 10, 1805, and about 1819 came to the United States
with his parents, who settled in Fayette county, Pennsylvania,
About 1835 Mr. and Mrs. Allen came to Ohio and settled on
the farm on which he died, Febraary 20, 1877. They settled in
the woods, and of course had almost the same experience as
pioneers. Mr. Allen became one of the influential citizens of
the township. He was regarded as an exemplary man. They
had a family of seven children, six of whom are living. Mrs.
Allen still occupies the old homestead.
AMOS, JOHN F., farmer,' Middlebury township, post office,
Fredericktown, was born in Perry township, Richland county,
in 1850, and was married in 1874 to Mary E. McNutt, who was
born in Stark county in 1856. He came to Middlebury town
ship in 1867. Mr. Amos owns an improved farm, with good

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

585

buildings thereon, and is one of the prominent citizens here.
AMOS, F. A., farmer, Middlebury township, post office,
Fredericktown; born in Hartford county, Maryland, in 1809,
came to Richland county, Ohio, in 1836, and removed to Knox
county in 1867. He was married twice and had a family of six
children, viz.: Joshua, John F., Freddie P., Amanda, Mary
Elizabeth, and Albert (deceased). Mr. Amos owns one of the
finest farms (with excellent buildings) in Middlebury township.
AMSBAUGH, CHRISTOPHER, C, farmer, Berlin town
ship, post office, Shaler's Mills; bom in Richland county, Madi
son township, Ohio, in 1835, and was married in 1867 to Sarah
Adams, who was born in Berlin township, Knox county, Ohio,
in 1840. They have the following children: Sheridan M., born
March 22, 1868; John F., March 5, 1869; Wilson C, April 9,
1870; Nathan M., June 23, 1872; Mary A., February 18, 1874;
Alice L., November 5, 1877; and Sadie E., April 6, 1880. Mr.
Amsburgh was a soldier in the late war, a member of company
E, Sixty-fourth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and was in
the following engagements: Stone River, Chickamauga, Peech
Tree Creek, Jonesborough, Kennesaw Mountain, and Franklin.
He was wounded at Chickamauga September 20, 1863, and was
detained from service eight months and sixteen days. He was
engaged in the service for three years and was honorably dis
charged. Mr. Amsburgh was elected justice of the peace in 1873,
was reelected in 1876, and also in 1879, and has filled the posi
tion with credit to himself and satisfactorily to the people. He
is identified with the Republican party and is always ready to
promote every cause that is calculated to promote the welfare
of the public. He came from Richland county to Knox county
February 29, 1868.
ANDERS, WILLIAM P., Morris township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in Ohio, and married to Martha M.
(daughter of Joseph Ebersole), who was born in Knox county.
They have one son — Webster J. Mr. Anders is a farmer, owns
a beautiful farm on the Vernon road, with good buildings and
under a good state of cultivation.
ANDERSON, W. B., Howard township, farmer, post office,
Howard, was born in Pleasant township, Knox county, August
3, 1852; married June 2, 1877 to Mary F. Cory. They had one
ehild bom March 19, 1878. He built a fine little cottage on his
farm in 1879, in which he now resides. His father was born in
Franklin county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1811; and became
a widower March 24, 1875.
ANDREWS, LORIN, LL. D., deceased. The subject of
this sketch was not an early settler, nor a long resident of Knox
county, "but holding the position of president of Kenyon col
lege from 1854 until 1861, he naturally became prominent, and
ranked as a man of commanding influence.
President Andrews was bom in Uniontown, then a small
villege of Richland county, but its name was afterwards changed
to Ashland, in compliment to Henry Clay, the great statesman
of the West (whose country seat, near Lexington, Kentucky,
bears that name), and is now the county seat of Ashland county,
Ohio. The date of President Andrews' birth was April 1, 1819.
Lorin attended the district schools of the village, says Dr. Hill's
History of Ashland county, and made rapid progress in the
branches taught at that period, giving evidence of that mental
force and talent for which, in after years, he became so noted.
He was much beloved by his schoolmates because of his ami
able disposition, sprightliness of manner, and acuteness. His

first public literary or oratorical effort, of which we have au
thentic information, was a fourth of July oration, delivered near
Ashland in 1836. Dr. Hill says it was delivered with a cool
ness and self-possession that astonished the assemblage. It
had been carefully prepared, well studied, and delivered with an
ease of manner and grace of gesticulation that was pronounced
admirable, and its young and promising author was compli
mented with the publication of his highly creditable and rhetori
cal oration.
A bright future was predicted for the youthful orator, and his
father was induced to send him where his ambition, as a stu
dent, could have a better field and be more fully gratified. He
at once entered the grammar schpol of Kenyon college, where
he commenced a thorough course of instruction. He remained
in the grammar school about two years, and entered college,
but during the junior year, in 1840, owing to financial embar
rassments, was withdrawn from college. In a few months after
his return to Ashland, he, by invitation of the trustees, took
charge of the Ashland academy, as principal, aided by several
able assistants, in the male and female departments. Under his
superintendence, says Dr. Hill, the school was in a most flour
ishing condition ; students from every part of this State, and
from distant States, came in by the hundred and enrolled their
names. Not having completed his collegiate course. Professor
Andrews was compelled to continue his studies in advance of
his students. Having applied himself with great industry he
was enabled to keep well in advance of his most advanced
classes, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the branches taught,
and a readiness in recitation that was really surprising. His
manner, as an instructor, was agreeable and well calculated to
win the esteem of his students. He had a peculiar faculty of
enlisting the sympathy, respect and confidence of all with whom
he was brought in contact. He was frank and pleasing in his
address, and his scholars honored and loved him. When com
pelled to enforce, with apparent severity, the rules governing
the academy, it was done in such a way that the student re
spected him for his impartiality and evident intention to do jus
tice. As an instructor Professor Andrews evinced his deep
insight into human nature, and often succeeded in taming the
ferocity of the worst students, and changed the whole current
of their lives. With him "kind words can never die."
Professor Andrews was a fluent conversationalist, unselfish,
and very kind and gentlemanly in his manners. It is therefore
not at all surprising that he had a flourishing school, and was
always popular among the students and the people. If he
found a student stmggling to obtain an education, teaching in
the winter and attending the academy in the summer, he would
not exact tuition, but insist that his pupil should go ahead, and
pay him when he could.
As a speaker, Professor Andrews was not an orator, unless
we define oratory to be the ability to please and hold an audi
ence. His addresses at school institutes, and lectures before his
classes, were all delivered, continues Dr. Hill, in a conversa
tional style. He talked remarkably well, and could hold an
audience or an institute for hours. There was a fascination
about his manner that invariably made his audience feel friendly
towards him, while the lucidness of his ideas enlisted their whole
attention. As => lecturer before institutes, county and State
school conventions and associations, societies and meetings con
vened to promote educational interests, Professor Andrews was
widely known throughout the State, and probably exercised as
much or more influence than any other teacher or educator in

586

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

the west. Professor Andrews' preeminent success as a teacher
secured the honorary degree of A. M. from Kenyon college, in
1846. Between the years 1848 and 1852, many of the towns and
cities of Ohio adopted the union school system, and established
graded and high schools. Professor Andrews was largely in
strumental in accomplishing that result. His lectures and ad
dresses in many of the county seats of Ohio, in favor ofthe now
popular union school system, were influential and effective, and
well entitle their author to honorable mention.
Professor Andrews, in 1850, accepted the position of super
intendent of the union schools of Massillon, tendered him by
the board of education of that place. He remained at the
head of the Massillon schools for about three years, during
which time they were very efficient and popular. Professor
Andrews was the agent nnd missionary of the Ohio Teachers'
association in 1851-52. In 1853 he received the endorsement of
said association as a candidate for State school commissioner,
and in 1854 he was its president.
At the height of his reputation and influence in the cause of
general education, near the close of 1854, Professor Andrews
was chosen to the presidency of Kenyon college. He was the
first lay member of the Episcopal church, who had been invited
to fill that position. To be selected to preside over such an in
stitution was indeed a flattering compliment. His high edu
cational attainments added to his purity as a man, made him
the worthy recipient of such an honor. The condition of the
college, said Bishop Mcllvaine, demanded just the qualities for
which he was so distinguished — the talent for administration, a
very sound judgment, a prompt and firm decision, united with
a special drawing of heart toward young men in the course of
their education. All the highest expectations of his administra
tion were more than fulfilled. "His presence in the college,"
says Dr, Hill, ' ' acted like magic — his friends from every part of
the State began to look toward Kenyon as an appropriate place
to educate the young men of the country ; the college received
new life, and energy and prosperity were diffused through every
department. Students began to fill the classes, and everything
betokened a prosperous future for the institution."
Some months after Professor Andrews had been inaugurated
president of Kenyon college, the honorary degree of LL. D.
was conferred upon him by Princeton college, New Jersey.
This was a high distinction and well deserved, because of his
remarkable success as an educator. President Andrews, A. M.,
LL. D., served Kenyon college as president, from 1854 to 1861,
which embraced the period of its greatest prosperity — the inter
mediate years were those of its success, its achievements, its
triumphs — and Lorin Andrews was entitled to the honor of
securing those successes and triumphs.
In Whitelaw Reid's Ohio in the War, it is said of Lorin An
drews that he ' ' was one of the earliest and costliest offerings of
Ohio to the war. He was not permitted to develop fully his
military ability, but there was no reason to doubt, from his
known character, and his zeal in the distinguished positions he
had filled, that as a soldier he would have reached as high a
rank as he had already won in civil life." Of his entrance into
the military service Bishop Mcllvaine says: "When the first
call of the President of the United States for quotas of volun
teer troops from the several States was made, he was- the first
man in Ohio whose name Governor Dennison received. He
did it for an example. He sought no military distinction. He
led to the camp a company of his neighbors, expecting only to

be allowed to lead them in the war. But his talents and charac
ter were appreciated and he was placed in command of the
regiment — the order and discipline of which soon became con
spicuous, as also did his devotion to the interests and comfort
of his men."
He was commissioned colonel of the three months' organiza
tion of the Fourth Ohio infantry. When, in June, the organi
zation was changed to a three years' regiment, he was retained
in the same command. His faithfulness in whatever position he
was placed, united with his ability to master whatever he chose
to learn, made him very soon an able and efficient commander
and disciplinarian. He went with his command to western
Virginia, where he soon fell a victim to the exposure incident to
camp life. In the beginning of his sickness he could not be
prevailed on to leave the camp, saying, "my place is with my
men;" but as he grew worse he was at last removed to Gambier,
Ohio, where, amid the scenes of his labors, in the best years of
his life, and among his weeping friends, he breathed his last,
September 18, 1861.
ANDREWS, JAMES M., grocer, Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Mr.
Andrews is a native of New Jersey, was born in Franklin, War
ren county, on the thirteenth day of December, 1823, and there
resided until the year 1846. His education, although derived
from the common schools of that day, was thorough and com
plete. At the age of twenty the subject of this sketch was ap
prenticed to the blacksmithing and machine work, and as such
served for three years, and for two years thereafter worked as a
journeyman with his old employer. In the year 1846 his father
and family, of which James was one, emigrated to Ohio, and lo
cated in Clinton township, Knox county, and continued there
up to the time of his death, which occurred on the thirtieth day
of October, 1867, aged seventy-eight years. The first year of
his residence in Ohio, young Andrews spent in travelling, with
the exception of a few months in which he worked at his trade
with his old employer. From 1847 to 1853 Mr. Andrews was
principally engaged in farming, working upon his father's farm.
In 1853 he came to Mt. Vernon, and engaged in the grocery
and provision business, in which he has continued up to the
present day, making his the oldest continuous grocery house in
the city. He is doing a successful business, and it is increasing
daily. His present store room is one ofthe neatest in the place,
and was erected by himself in 1876. His stock is always of the
first class, consisting of family groceries, confectioneries, flour,
feed, and choice liquors ofthe best brands.
On the tenth day of June, 1852, Mr. Andrews was united'in
marriage with Miss Harriet Wing, a. daughter of Mr. John
Wing, Mrs. Andrews being a native born of this county. From
this marriage four children have been bom — three fair daugh
ters and one intelligent son — all of whom start out with a fair
prospect of living useful lives.
ARMENTROUT, SIMON, Pike township, retired, post office
Mt. Vernon ; born in Rockingham county, Virginia, December
16, 1810, and was married in 1833 to Rachel Phillips, who was
born in Baltimore county, Maryland, June 5, i8r6. They had
the following children — Rebecca P., born November 18, 1834;
Sarah E. , September 23, 1836; Lucinda P., December 12,
1838; George W., March 27, 1841; Lyman W. September 14,
1844; Smantha J., April 14, 1840; Mary O., May 29, 1852;
William P., December 9, 1854; and Simon F. July 2, 1857. The
deceased members are Martha J., James O., Rachel, and
Rebecca. The married members are Rebecca P., married Feb-

(XC-zc-zLe^-o^twuKt^J^^-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

587

ruary 17, 1853, to Lawrence Arnold, who resides in Shelbyville,
Shelby county, Missouri. Sarah E. was married September
23, i860, to Stephen Chapman, now resident of Mt. Vernon.
Lucinda was married Feb. 20, 1857, to John McGinley, who
resides in Porter county, Indiana. George W. Married to Sarah
E. Smith, February 20, 1868, now residents of Jasper county,
Iowa. Lyman W. was married Nov. 3, 1871, to Maria Tullis,
now residents of Bellville, Ohio. Smantha J. was married in
September, 1867 to George Mahaffy, now residing in Shelby
ville, Missouri. Mary O. was married in August, 1870, to
Cyrus Hunter, and resides in this township.
Lyman W. studied medicine with Dr. Russell, of Mt. Vernon,
attended medical college at Ann Arbor, Michigan, also at
Detroit. He commenced the practice at Centerburgh, this
county, remained there a short time then located in Bellville,
Richland county, in 1870, and has an extensive practice. He is
also a partner in a drug store.
Mr. Armentrout has resided on the same farm since his mar
riage, and all the children were born at the old home in this
townsnip. He sold his farm in 1880 and removed to Mt.
Vernon. Mr. and Mrs. Armentrout have been worthy members
of the Methodist Episcopal church since 1848. His father,
Philip Armentrout. was born in 1770, in Rockingham county,
Virginia, was married to Mary M. Flook, who was born in
Maryland December 25, 1785. Philip Armentrout died Jan
uary 15, 1858. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, serving as
orderly sergeant.
ARMENTROUT, ROBERT M., Pike township, farmer,
(post office Democracy), was born in Pike township, Knox
county, Ohio, in 1853, and was married in 1878 to Eluetta Mar
shall, who was born in Brown township, this county, in 1859.
They have one daughter, Julia Cleona, born November 18, 1879.
Mr. Armentrout has always been identified with this township.
He is a member of a pioneer family, and is a fanner by occupa
tion. ARMSTRONG, ELIPHLET, was born May 6, 1810, in
Frederick county, Maryland, but when quite young his parents
moved to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where they re
mained two years; then coming to Ohio they settled in Rich-
lend county, where they spent the remainder of their days.
Mrs. Armstrong died in 1825; Mr. Armsrrong died in 1850.
Our subject came to Mt. Vernon January 11, 1830, being
twenty years old, and went to work with Richard House to com
plete learning his trade (carpenter). Mr. House had a contract
to build the court house, on which Mr. Armstrong worked. He
has been engaged at his trade ever since, mostly in Mt. Vernon,
and built most of the best buildings in that city, many of which
will be monuments of his mechanical skill for years to come.
He was married March, 10, 1836, to Miss Tacy Irwin, by whom
he had three children, one daughter and two sons, all living, and
have families living in Knox county.
ARMSTRONG & MILLER, grocers, southeast corner of
Main and Gambier streets, Mt. Vernon. Mr. J. M. Armstrong,
senior member of the above firm, was born in Monroe township,
Knox county, in 1839, where he resided until he had reached
his thirteenth year. After that period his time was occupied in
attending school and acting as salesman for different mercantile
establishments in this city. His first engagement as salesman
was with George M. Fay, grocer, and then with Messrs. Swet-
land & Bryant, dry goods house. In this employment he re
mained until the party with which he affiliated placed him in

nomination for and elected him to the honorable position of sher
iff of his native county. This was in the year 1873. After the
expiration of his first term he was elected for the second, thus
serving four years.
In 1877 Mr. Armstrong purchased the stock of Mr. John
Ponting, and formed a partnership with Mr. J. M. Tompkins.
In 1878 Mr. Tompkins sold his interest to Mr. Miller, since
which time the name of the firm has been Armstrong & Miller.
They commenced with a capital of about eighteen hnndred
dollars, and their stock was increased so that at present they
carry a stock of goods to the value of about four thousand dol
lars, consisting of staple and fancy groceries and confectioner
ies. Their stock is rapidly increasing in value. Their house is
located on the southeast corner of Main and Gambier streets.
ARMSTRONG, WILLIAM A., Fredericktown, was bom
in Brown township, Knox county, in 1840. He was married to
Nancy Ross, who was born in Knox county in 1842. She died
October 1, i860. Mr. Armstrong afterwards married Sophronia
M. Hardgrove, who was born in Ohio in 1842. They had two
children, viz; Hema E. and Adella, both now dead. Mr.
Armstrong has resided in Fredericktown since 1870, and is one
of the leading men of the county.
ARNHOLD, ADAM, Jefferson township, farmer; son of
Michael Arnhold, born in France December 19, 1822; brought
to America by his parents in 1840, landing in New York. From
there they came to Loudonville, Ohio, where they remained a
short time, when his father purchased a farm in Brown town
ship, Knox county, about one mile northeast of Jelloway, where
he then moved his family, and where Adam, the subject of this
sketch, was raised and educated.
On the twenty-fifth of January, 1847, at the age of twenty-
five years, he married Mary A. Heyd, daughter of Jacob H.
Heyd, who was born in Wayne county November 17, 1828.
After his marriage he located on a farm of eighty acres,
east of Jelloway, which he had purchased previous to his mar
riage, and where he now resides. In 1851 he purchased a tract
of fifty acres more, known as the Messmore farm. In 1856 he
bought seventy acres more; in 1859, fifty acres; in 1868, eighty
acres, making in all three hundred and thirty acres.
During that time he erected for himself a fine frame house
and barn, making a very pleasant home. Mr. and Mrs. Arn
hold are the parents of twelve children, viz: Michael H., born
April 27, 1848, (died December 3, 1851); Frederick, December
8, 1849; Mary E., June 17. 1852; Sarah C, April 12, 1854 (died
September 1, 1856); Rosena, April 12, 1856; Sarah Catharine,
March 4, 1858 (died August 30, i860); Sarinda, March 31,
i860; John W., March 1, 1862; Henry J., January 20, 1864;
William, April 12, 1866 (died December 21, 1879); Wallace,
January 20, 1868; Charles A., July 31, 1871.
Mr. and Mrs. Arnhold are members of the German Lutheran
church of Brown township.
ASH, JAMES, Clinton, a native of Donegal county, Ireland,
was bom in January, 1777, and emigrated to America in 1784,
and located first in Washington county, Maryland. About the
year 1812 he moved to Jefferson county, Virginia, where he re
sided until the year 1833. During his stay here he went back
to Ireland and was married to Jane Chambers, after which he
returned to Maryland and resided there some time, when he
brought his family to Ohio and located in Clinton township,
where he followed agricultural pursuits the rest of his iife. He
died September 9, 1878, being at the extreme age of one hun-

588

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

dred years seven months and eleven days . Mrs. Ash died in
1878 in the seventy-fifth year of her age. They reared a family
of six children, viz: Robert, Elizabeth, Maria, Chambers,
Margaret, and James, all of whom lived to maturity, and at pres
ent all are deceased except Chambers, who resides in Clinton
township, and is the fourth member of the family. He was
married March 27, 1838, to Miss Louisa Resley, daughter of
Jacob Resley, one of the early pioneers of this county, by
whom he has a family of eight children, seven of whom are
living, viz: Jacob, Robert, Elizabeth, MaTgaret, Anna, Maria,
and Russel.
ASHTON, MRS. ELIZABETH, deceased. At the time of
the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Ashton, she was supposed to have
been the oldest person within the bounds of Knox county.
Though of small stature and frail, she was, up to the time of
her great affliction, blindness, remarkably lithe and active in all
her motions, and with a voice like Cordelia's, ' ' ever soft, gentle
and low," she made life pleasant to all within the sphere of her
influence. Mrs Elizabeth Ashton, nee Miss Elizabeth Palmer, was born
in Devonshire, England, on the twenty-seventh day of May,
1780. She married Mr. John Ashton in 1801. In 1847 she,
with a part of her family, emigrated to the United States and
took up her residence in the Fifth ward, Mt. Vernon, where she
resided with her eldest son, Philip, up to the time of her death,
which occurred on the twentieth of April, 1880, making her
age one hundred years lacking one month and seven days, mak
ing her the oldest person in Mt. Vernon, and probably in Knox
county. Mrs. Ashton was the mother of ten children, four sons and
six daughters. One of her daughters, the wife of William
Tathwell, died a few years since in this city. Two of the four
sons are dead. Two of her children reside in London, Eng
land; one in another part of England; one in the city of New
York; one in Gambier, Ohio; one in Georgia, and Philip, her
oldest son, in Mt. Vernon. The last named was born in Eng
land in the year 1802, and is now past his seventy-eighth year,
and with his daughter, Mrs. Eliza Cooper, and her husband,
have been interested in caring for their recently deceased rela
tive during the last eight years of the closing part of her history,
which to her was a memorable one, for those eight years were
spent in darkness, her sight having failed her. She was recon
ciled to the loss, and waited patiently for the great and final
change to come. She was baptized and confirmed in the
Church of England in early life, and lived the life of an earnest
Christian woman.
ATHERTON, JOHN, Pike township; farmer; post office,
Democracy; born in Pike township in 1836, and was married in
1858, to Mary Ann Spry, who was born in Monroe township in
1834. They had seven children: William W., born in 1857;
Sarah, in 1859; Mary Ellen deceased; Julia, born in 1863; Mar
garet Alice, in 1866; Merinda Jane deceased, and Hallie May,
bom in 1873. Mr. Atherton has always resided in this town
ship. He has been engaged in running a threshing machine
for about thirty years. He is also a farmer. His father, An
drew Atherton, deceased, was born in Vermont. He was
married to Sarah Sargeant, who was born in Pennsylvania.
They had two children: John and an infant (decased). Andrew
Atherton and wife both died in this county.
ATWOOD, HARRISON, Mt. Vernon, was born December
22, 1815, in Plymouth county, Massachusetts, where he re

mained until twenty years of age, when he went with William
Wright, of New York, to Mobile, Alabama, to clerk in the
Starr hotel owned by Mr. Wright. He remained there about
four years, and witnessed the great fire and yellow fever scourges
of 1839. After leaving Mobile, he located in Orleans county,
Vermont, on a farm where he remained about twelve years, then
moving to Trumbull county, Ohio, and settled in Bristol in the
mercantile trade, in which he remained but a short time, and
then engaged in real estate business, speculating in western
lands for twelve years. He came to Mt. Vernon in 1865, and
went into the office of B. Grant, internal revenue assessor,
where he remained a short time; then going to Cleveland, he
entered the employ of N. O. Fauster, a queensware merchant,
for whom he was general manager for over two years, when he
returned to Mt. Vernon, and engaged in the boot -and shoe
trade with B. Grant under the firm name of B. Grant & Co.
In 1867 Mr. Grant sold his interest in the business to Mr. Bow-
land, and the firm name was changed to Atwood & Bowland,
which association continued for about four years, when he sold
his interest to his partner. He then established his son in the
boot and shoe business at Canton, Ohio, under the firm name
of H. W. Atwood & Co., who are now doing a good business.
Mr. Atwood employs his time in the real estate business. He
was married in October, 1838, to Miss Washburn, and has
reared a family of four children, all of whom are living. Mrs.
Atwood died in May, 1862.
AUTEN, HENRY M., Berlin township, farmer, post office
Fredericktown, born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1816,
came to Ohio in the Spring of 1836, and was married in Knox
county in 1863, to Matilda Fink, who was born in Trumbull
county, Ohio. They have the following children: Sarah Ann,
married to John C. Williams, living in Crawford county. Ohio,
Thomas B., Louisa Jane, and Rebecca. Mrs. Auten died in
Knox county January 23, 1854. Mr. Auten subsequently mar
ried mary Ann Wood, who was born in Knox county, Ohio.
They had one son, Charlie H., who still remains at home. Mrs.
Mary Ann Auten died in Knox county in 1862. Mr. Auten's
third marriage was to Sarah Jane Masteller, who was born in
Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1825. Mr. Henry Auten has
been a resident of Knox county, most of the time in Berlin town
ship. AUTEN, WILLIAM A., Berlin township, farmer, post office
Fredericktown, born in Pike township, this county, in 1846, and
was married in 1874 to Ida M. Steele, who was born in Wayne
county in 1855. They have two children — Gracie R., bom in
1876, and Emery C, in 1879.
His father, Jacob C. Auten, was born in Columbia county,
Pennsylvania, in 1813, and was married in 1837 to Rebecca Col-
ley, who was bom in the same county in 1817. They had eleven
children — Henry C, Alexander C, Mary E., Sarah L., Jacob
W., William A., John S., Elmina M.; Rebecca R., Emma L.,
and James F. The deceased members are Henry C, Sarah L.,
and James F. Mr. Auten emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1838,
located in this township, and has since been a resident. He
learned the carpenter trade when a young man, and that has
been his principal occupation. He owns a good farm in this
township, and is one of its enterprising citizens.
AUTEN, J. W., Berlin township, farmer, post office Freder
icktown, was born in Berlin township in 1844, and was married
to Mary Pealer, who was born in Columbia county, Pennsylva
nia, in 1849. They had three children, viz, Myrtle Belle, Anna

HISTORV OF KNOX COUNTY.

589

E., and George W. Mrs. Auten died in 1875, and he was
married to Caroline Love. They had one child, Robert. Mrs.
Caroline Auten died in March, 1880.
AUTEN, THOMAS B., Berlin township, farmer, post office
Fredericktown, born in Liberty township, this county, Septem
ber 12, 1847, and was married October n, 1877, to Lucretia L.
Foote, who was bom in this township September 12, 1858.
They have one daughter, Eva Dell, who was born April 4, 1879.
Mr. Auten came to this township with his parents at the age of
four years, and has since lived here.
AUTEN, HENRY, deceased. He was bom in Columbia
county, Pennsylvania, November 5, 1837. His parents emi
grated to Ohio when he was a child. He was married in 1864
to Mary J. Hasbin, who was born in Guernsey county, August
17, 1842. They had one son, Bryant E. , born December 4,
1867. Mr. Auten died April 6, 1870. He was a worthy mem
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.
AUSTIN, B. D., Fredericktown, ticket agent, was born in
Knox county in 1857. He is now engaged at the Baltimore &
Ohio railroad office at Fredericktown.
AXTELL, J. M., Fredericktown, dealer in groceries and
country produce of all kind, was born in this county September
12, 1832, and was married in 1857 to Almira J. Hellis, who was
bom in this county August 20, 1835, and died February 6, 1880.
They had one daughter, Eliza Bell, who was born May 9, 1859,
and died August 12, 1859. Mr. Axtell established his business
in 1879. He is a practical business man, having been identi
fied with business interests for many years in this county. Com
bined with experience he has superior qualifications, and is fully
prepared to meet all competition. All who wish anything in
his line will do well to give him a call.

B

BAILE, URIAH, farmer, Middlebury township, post office,
Fredericktown; born in Frederick county, Maryland, October
11, 1812; came to Ohio in 1845, and was married July 15, 1838,
to Susanna Nicodemas, who was born June 26, 1816; they have
the following children, viz.: Sarah E., born September 1, 1839;
Abraham O., Maich 3, 1842; Augustus E., February 25, 1844;
Emory R. September 7, 1845; Charles W. , July 1, 1848; Martha
C, November 18, 1851; Bascom C, September 21, 1854; Mor
gan, April 27, 1856; and Eugene E., July 1, i860. The follow
ing have deceased: Sarah E., died August 22, 1840; Charles W.,
June 26, 1851; Abraham O., Februarys, l863- Abraham was
a soldier of the late war, a member of the One Hundred and
Twenty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. His death oc
curred from sickness contracted in the army. Augustus and
Emory R. reside in Louisville, Kentucky. Martha was married
tp Albert Tobin, and lives in Republican county, Kansas. Bas
com C. was married to Deborah Zolman; they reside in Morrow
county, Ohio. Mr, Baile owns a well improved farm with ex
cellent buildings.
BAILEY, WILLIAM R., farmer, Jefferson township, post
office, Jelloway; son of John R. and Mary A. Bailey, born in Jef
ferson township, Knox county, November 10, 1846. He was
educated by his parents, and on the twenty-third of March,
1869, at the age of twenty-three years, he married Miss Lucy
E. Whitney, third daughter of Ebenezer J., and Sarah A.
Whitney, bom in Brown township, Knox county, June 5,
1844. After his marriage he located on a farm in Jefferson

township, owned by J. R. Bailey, his father, two and a quar
ter miles east of Jelloway, where he now resides. He has
made farming a specialty all his life. He is now holding the
office of trustee in said township. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are the
parents of four children, viz.: William A., born January 12,
1871; Whitney J., June 5, 1872; Henry C, February 10, 1875;
Oliver E., July 5, 1879; all of whom are living. Mrs. Bailey
is a consistent member of Wesley chapel, of Jefferson township.
BAKER, JAMES W., farmer and stock-raiser, Jefferson
township, post office Greersville, son of Philip and Sarah Baker;
born in Jefferson township, Knox county, December 7, 1841;
was raised by his parents, and received a common-school edu
cation. Soon after he arrived at the age of twenty-one years
he purchased a portion of the home place, where he now resides,
and is the owner of four hundred and seventy-five acres of
land — three hundred and seventy-five acres in the home place.
Mr. Baker has held quite a number of township offices viz:
Clerk, assessor, and land appraiser, and is now justice of the
peace. He was also census enumeratoi for 1880.
BAKER, PHILIP, (deceased), Jefferson township; born in
Pennsylvania, September 22, 1794. In 1808 he was brought to
Ohio by his parents, who located near Danville, Knox county,
where he was married J uly 19, 1821, to Miss Sarah Butler, a
daughter of John Butler, born in Virginia, March 20, 1800.
After his marriage he located in J efferson township, one mile
north of Greersville, on the farm now owned by James W., his
son, where he raised his family, consisting of ten children, viz :
Allen R., born July 6, 1822; Druzilla, August 5, 1824; Hester,
April 29, 1826; Oliver, April 1, 1828; John, September 4, 1832;
infant, a girl, June 22, 1834; Caroline, December 26, 1835;
infant, a girl, September 19, 1838; Jackson, August 27, 1839;
James W., December 7, 1841; four of whom, namely, Oliver,
James W. , Hester, and Caroline, are still living. '
BAKER BROTHERS, druggists, Mt. Vernon. George R.
and S. L. Baker, sons of Samuel Baker, were born near Union-
town,. Muskingum county, and devoted the early years of life
in working on their father's farm. George R. enlisted in the
Ninth Ohio cavalry, and was in the service during the war,
serving part of the time in the capacity of hospital steward.
After his return from the army he engaged in the drug business
at Tarlton, in which he continued until he came to Mt. Vernon.
S. L. Baker enlisted in the Ohio National guard, and after the
close of the war engaged in general mercantile business in
Adamsville, in which he continued until he came to Mt. Vernon.
In 1874 they formed a partnership, and have ever since been
doing business under the firm name of Baker Brothers. They
carry a stock of from five to six thousand dollars, consisting of
pure drugs, chemicals, toilet articles, and fancy goods.
BALCOM, ELISHA S., Gambier, retired, was born in Rhode
Island on the third day of June, 1803. In 1824 he engaged in
the mercantile business as clerk, and continued about two years.
In 1826 he was engaged by Stanley Mann, in the counting room
of his factory, and remained with him one year. In 1827 he
commenced working at the cabinetmaking business, which he
followed as his vocation about five years. In 1832 he engaged
in farming, and continued in that business about twenty years.
In 1852 he worked in a boot and shoe factory about four or five
months, and then moved to Vermont, where he spent three
years as clerk in an iron manufactory. In 1855 he emigrated to
Ohio and located in Gambier, this county, where he at once

59°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

commenced work again at his trade as cabinetmaker, and con
tinued in the business until 1877, when he retired from business
and is living a quiet life in Gambier.
He has been married twice; first in 1829, to Miss Lydia Jill-
son, of Cumberland county, Rhode Island, who was born Janu
ary 13, 1808. Their union resulted in two children — one son
and one daughter.
Mrs. Balcom died November 25, 1832. His little daughter
died a few months prior to the death of its mother, and the son
died a few months after. The death of his wife and two chil
dren occurred within the space of nine months' time.
Mr. Balcom consummated marriage with Miss Clarissa Blake,
December 1, 1833, born June 3, 1806.
They remained in Vermont until 1855, when they emigrated
to Gambier, this county, where she deceased November 8, 1879.
Their union resulted in one son, Roger, who graduated at Ken
yon college, and is now engaged as an Episcopal minister at
Norwalk, Ohio.
BALDWIN, JOSEPH L., attorney and counsellor at law,
Fredericktown, Ohio.
BALL, DAVID, (deceased). He was a native of Essex
county, New Jersey, a descendant of Timothy Ball, born in
1756, and came to Ohio in 1803 ; purchased a military section
of land (one thousand acres), of Lemuel Cobb, for three shillings
per r.cre. He came to Ohio in company with a Mr. Douglass
on horseback and landed at Zansville. The only road from
Zanesville to Sandusky was was an Indian trail. He met and
conversed with the chief of the Wyandot Indians, and asked
him if he would allow his boys tocomehere; he answered, "yes,
if they behave themselves. "
David Ball was married January 12, 1779, to Mary Baldwin.
They had four sons, Hiram, Cyrus, Zenas and Timothy. Zenas
Ball was born November 15, 1792, and was married March 16,
1820, to Sarah Taylor, who was bom May 24, 1796. They had
two sons, Aaron T., born December 19, 1820, and David, bom
July 5, 1829, and died June 25, 1830.
Zenas Ball came to Ohio in 1819, and made arrangements to
have some land cleared, on the farm where his son, Aaron T.,
now resides. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving over
three months.
Mr. Ball was a strong advocate for the cause of temperance,
and had the first log rolling in the neighborhood where they
dispensed with strong drink. Several of the neighbors be-:
came offended and returned home without supper, but Mr. Ball
was temperance all the same.
The first Sabbath-school organized in Morris township was at
his house, superintended by his sister Lydia, who was a great
worker in church, and a poineer missionary. She is yet living
and resides in Newark, New Jersey, aged ninety years. There
were two married women who learned to read at this Sabbath-
school. BALL, AARON T,, farmer, post office, Fredericktown. — He
was born in Morris township, December 19, 1820, and has al
ways resided here, on the same farm where he was born; he was
married in 1846 to Miss Sydney Ann Clay, who was born at
Newmarket, Frederick county, Maryland, April 2, 1820. They
have nine children, all living and enjoying good health, viz:
Webster C, Nellie S., Nettie A., Walter L„ Anna M., Julia Z.,
Oliver T., Willard E. and F. Grant.
Aaron T. received a liberal education, attended the Martins
burgh academy, after which he attended Mt. Vernon academy,

taught by Professor R. R. Sloan. After completing his educa
tion he engaged in teaching for five terms. Mr. Ball and family
are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has
been identified with the Republican party since its organization.
Webster C. resides in Cleveland, Ohio, and is engaged in the
wholesale and retail jewelry business at No. 233 Superior street.
He was married October 15, 1879, to Miss Florence I. Young,
of Kenton, Ohio. They have one son, Sidney, born September
19, 1880.
Walter L. resides in Cleveland, is reading law, and expects to
engage in that profession.
Nellie S. and Nettie A. have been engaged in teaching — the
latter instrumental music.
Mr. Aaron T. Ball has always resided in this township, is a
farmer by occupation, and owns a well improved farm, which
was owned and improved by his father. His father, Zenas Ball,
(deceased), was born in Essex county, New Jersey, November
15, 1792, and was married March 19, 1819, to Sarah Taylor,
who was born May 24, 1796. They had two children: Aaron
born December 19, 1820; David, born Julys, 1829 (died June
29, 1830.
Mr. Zenas Ball died October 3, i860. Mrs. Sarah Ball died
March 30, i860.
BALL, UZZIEL, Morris township (deceased), was born May
8, 1790, in Morris county, New Jersey, and was married No
vember 9, 1816, to Peninah Lyon, who was born January 10,
1797, in Morris county, New Jersey. She was a daughter of
Simeon Lyon. Mr. Ball came to Knox county in 1814. Mrs.
Ball came with her parents in 1806. They had the following
children : Martha, Amanda, Eliza, Mahlon, Susan, Albert
Judson. The following are dead: Amanda, Eliza, Mahlon.
Uzziel Ball died in Morris township, Knox county. Mr. Bal
was justice of the peace of Morris township about fourteen years
ago. He was a worthy member of the Baptist church, and has
done much for the general improvement of this county. He
was an honest and upright man, through his industry, economy
and frugality he acquired considerable property.
Mrs. Ball has a clear recollection of pioneer life. She remem
bers quite distinctly of seeing Johnny Appleseed, also many
Indians, and well understood their ancient customs. She re
members about the forts or block-houses, into which they would
flee for refuge in time of danger. She also remembers the first
Methodist, Baptist and Episcopal churches of this county.
BALL, ANDREW J., Morris township, farmer, post office,
Mt. Vernon; born in Morris township, this county, in 1832,
and was married in 1858, to Rebecca McFadden, who was bom
in Mt. Vernon, in 1831. They had six children: Henry, born
January 19, i860; Elmer E., October 16, 1861; William C,
August 19, 1863; Minnie Blanche, July 13, 1865; Charles, Sep
tember 5, 1867; Ida May, January 7, 1869; Fred. Cliffton,
August 25, 1870; and May Frances, February 5, 1874. The
following are deceased: Elmer E., Charlie, Ida May, and
William C.
Andrew J. Ball is the son of Silas Ball, who was bom March
15, 1795, in New Jersey, and was married August 12, 1819, to
Ann Broadwell, who was born in New Jersey, June 20, 1801.
They had six children, viz: Elizabeth, born September 30'
1820; Sarah J., November r9, 1824; William B., February 16,
1826; Lydia A., August 25, 1827; Louisa M., December iq,
1829; Andrew J., February 20, 1832; Harriet N., September 9,
1835; and Alfred P., September 30, 1844.

04

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

59i

Silas Ball died January 8, 1864; Mrs. Ann Ball died June 3,
1873; William B. died August i, 1826; Harriet N. died De
cember 2, 1839; and Lydia, April 30, 1862.
John Ball, father of Silas, was born February 14, 1746, and
had the following children: John, Uzziel, David, Daniel, Silas,
Elias and Mahlon.
The Ball family were among the first settlers of Knox county.
BECHTEL, SIMON, farmer, post office, Shaler's Mills, was
bom in Berlin township in 1854, he was married in 1871, to
Mary Ellen Swank, who was born in Pike township in 1856;
they have one son living; Dora, born in 1878, and Sylvia B.
(deceased). Dr. Bechtel has always been identified with this
township; he is a model farmer.
BALL, SCHUYLER C, Wayne township, farmer, post
office Fredericktown ; born in Knox county in 1840, and was
married in 1865 to Diana Ink, who was born in Knox county in
1839. They have one daughter, Stella, who was born in Sep
tember 1869.
Mr. Ball has always resided in this county, farming being his
chief occupation. His parents are pioneers of this county.
BALL, THOMAS J., Fredericktown, brickmaker; was born
in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1840. He came to Ohio with
his parents in 1850, and was married in 1866 to Margaret Braw-
ner, who was born in the same county in 1844. They have one
daughter, Effiie May, who was born in 1867.
Mr. Ball is engaged in burning brick, and supplies the brick
that are used for building purposes in Fredericktown, owning
the only brick yard in this vicinity. He was a soldier in the
late war, being a member of company B, Ninety-sixth regiment
0. V. I. under Colonel Vance, and continued in the service for
three years, participating in the engagements at Arkansa Post,
Vicksburgh, Jackson, Mississippi, Sabine Cross Roads, Grand
Coteau, Louisiana, Fort Morgan, Fort Gaines, Fort Spanish,
and Mobile and was honorably discharged.
BANBURY, RICHARD, deceased, Jefferson township; was
bom in Devonshire, England, in 1791. He married Miss Mary
Cornish in 18 14, who was born in Devonshire, England in 1795.
He, with his wife and four children emigrated to America in
1832, and located in Jefferson township, Knox county, Ohio.
His first purchase of land was from William Starner, June 26,
1832. The farm is now owned by his three sons, Charles, Rich
ard and John C. By the new township line that was run a few
years since, the farm is now in Union township. He lived on
the same farm and followed farming and stock raising as his
vocation until his death. Mr. -Banbury and wife raised a family
of six children, four born in England, viz: Charles, Mary A.,
Elizabeth and Richard. Two were born in Jefferson township,
Knox county, Ohio, John C. and Hannah. All are living,
married and have families.
Mr. Banbury was father of six children, grandfather of forty-
two children, and great-grandfather of forty-two children. He
departed this life in 1875, aged eighty-four years. His com
panion survived until July 3, 1877, when she died, aged eighty-
one years.
BANBURY, CHARLES, Jefferson township, farmer, post
office, Danville, oldest son of the aforesaid Richard Banbury, was
born in Devonshire, England, October 17, 1815. He emigrated
with his parents to America in 1832, who located in Jefferson
township, Knox county, September 16, 1841. He married Miss
Barbara Robeson, born in Union township, Knox county, Ohio,

January 18, 1819, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Robeson.
They settled in Jefferson township on a forty acre tract of land,
where they lived a few years, when Mr. Banbury purchased and
moved on a seventy acre lot of land in the same township, re
maining five years.
In 1853 he purchased and moved on the farm where he is now
living. He has made farming and stock raising his vocation.
They raised a family of nine children, viz.: Sarah A., Solomon,
JohnR., Mary E., Richard, Martin F., Martha F., Charles F.,
and Albert L. All are living. Solomon served three years and
three month in the civil war. He enlisted in company A,
Sixty-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, in October, 1861, and was
honorably discharged in January, 1865.
BANBURY, JOHN C, Jefferson township, farmer, post
office, Danville, son of Richard and Mary Barnbury, was born
in Jefferson township, Knox county, Ohio, October 11, 1832.
He lived with his parents, in said township, until 1852, when he
married Miss Eliza Caldwell, who was born in Germany in the
year 1831, and emigrated to America in the year 1843. Mr,
and Mrs. Banbury became the father and mother of twelve
children, all of whom yet survive. Mr. Banbury is now living
about one mile north of where he was born.
BANNING, JAMES S., Morris township, deceased, was a
son of the Rev. Anthony Banning, who emigrated from Con
nellsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. He was bom in 1800.
In 1822 he returned to his native town, where he found the little
girl, Eliza A. Blackstone (with whom he had played when a
child at the foot of the mountain, on the banks of the river),
grown to be a beautiful and accomplished woman. Mr. Ban
ning, then only twenty-two years of age, wooed and won the
heart of his early playmate, then only seventeen years of age.
The were married on the morning of March 12, 1822. The
same day they started on horseback for their new home in Mt.
Vemon, distant more than two hundred miles. It was a novel
wedding trip, far different indeed from the modem bridal trips.
It was eight days' hard horsehack riding, across a new country,
with such entertainment as the country tavern afforded in that
early day; but it was bravely performed by this delicate and re
fined lady, who, with her true and noble husband, journeyed to
their new home, where they lived a life of usefulness.
James S. Banning was a native of Connellsvill, Fayette
county, Pennsylvania. He came to Mt. Vernon in 1812, and
resided in that vicinity until his death. In former years he car
ried on the mercantile business, but latterly he attended to
farming and milling, a short distance north of Mt. Vernon. He
was a useful and enterprising citizen, a kind and peaceful neigh
bor, and an affectionate husband and father. His death oc
curred at an early hour Wednesday May 22, 1867, at his resi
dence near Mt. Vemon.
Mrs. E. B. Banning died in 1878 in the seventy-ninth year
of her age. She was born in Connellsville, Fayette county,
Pennsylvania in 1804, and was married in 1822. She lived in
Mt. Vernon fifty-six years, and was identified more or less with
every interest in the growth of this city. She was a woman of
fine culture and more than ordinary attainments. Her home
was for many years the popular resort of the literary and musi
cal people of the place. She was of a modest and retiring dis
position; always ready to assist in every good work. She was
specially devoted to her family, yet endeared herself to her neigh
bors, and was characterized by true Christian deportment.
She was one of the early, if not one of the original members

592

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

of St. Paul's church, but afterwards hearing and learning the
gospel presented by the Disciples, she severed her connection
wiih the Episcopal church and united with the Disciple church,
and continued faithfully until her death. She was the mother
of ten children, all of whom are now living except Anna,
who died in infancy. The others are as follows: Sarah,
who resides at the old home; Blackstone, of Clinton;
Anthony, of Pennsylvania; Priscilla, wife of J. D. Thompson,
of Mt. Vernon; William D., a farmer north of town; Hon.
Henry B., of Cincinnati; Eliza, wife of William Brown; ex-
Mayor Thomas D., who resides on the old place; Mary, wife of
Frank Watkins — all of whom are good and respected citizens,
and owe much of their success in life to their excellent parental
training. BARBER, C. C, Pike township, merchant, post office De
mocracy, born in Monroe township, this county, in 1853, and
was married in 1876 to Jennie C. Patten, who was born in
Brown township, this county, in 1854. He has been engaged
in the mercantile business from boyhood. Since the death of
his father he has taken charge of the store, which compares
favorably with those of larger towns. He keeps constantly in
stock a complete line of goods, consisting of dry goods, grocer
ies, boots and shoes, etc. Mr. Barber was appointed post
master of the Democracy post office in 1873. He is a popular
man in this vicinity, and is transacting the business of the post
office very satisfactorily. He is a young man, enterprising and
ambitious, and is meeting with success in business.
His father, Thomas Barber, was born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in 1829, and was married in 1848 to Mary A.
O'Bryan, who was born in Frederick county, Maryland, in
1828. They had five children: Frances L., deceased, born in
1850; Arminta B., deceased, born in 1851; Cornelius C, born
in 1853; Eva E., deceased, born in i860; and John T., born in
1864. Thomas S. Barber died in 1872. He came to Ohio in 1830,
was engaged in farming till 1861, then moved to Amity and en
gaged in the mercantile business, in which he continued until
his death.
BARKER, HENRY, Monroe township, farmer and stock-
grower, born in Monroe county, New York, February 19, 1815.
In 1837 he emigrated to Ohio with Asa Patterson and family, and
located on the farm in Monroe township where is now living.
In 1839 he married Lovina Pealer, bom in Columbia county,
Pennsylvania, May 8, 1820, and came to this county with her
parents, Jacob and Eleanor Pealer, in 1824, who located in Pike
township, near Amity.
Mr. and Mrs. Barker settled on the farm where Mr. Barker had
located when he came to this county, where they have since re
sided. In 1861 they erected their present frame residence.
They reared a family of six children, five sons and one daughter.
Their son, Patterson Barker, died during the late war at Mem
phis, Tennessee, July 31, 1863. He had served one year in
company B, of the Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry.
BARKER, JOHNSON A., Fredericktown, grocer, was born
in Morris township in 1836, and was married in Mt. Vernon in
1857, to Sarah A. Little, who was born in Stark county in 1831.
They had five children, all of whom have deceased.
Mr. Barker learned the carriage trade and worked at that
business for twenty-three years. He was for a time a member
of the firm of White, Stephens & Co. His health became im
paired and he was compelled to abandon the carriage business.

He then engaged in the grocery trade, continued for seven years,
and then went to New York and attended the Eastern Business
college. In 1880 he returned to Fredericktown and resumed the
grocery trade. He occupies a room in King's block, and has an
entire new stock of every variety of goods in his line. His past
experience and ability qualify him to make a success of business,
and he is known in this community as an honest and upright
man. BARKER, JOSEPH N., city barber; shop, cigar and news
department, Peterman block, first floor, Main street, two doors
north from Gambier street, Mt. Vernon.
Mr. Barker is a native of Delaware county, Ohio, born on
the ninth day of October, 1841, and when eight years old his
parents removed to Fredericktown, in this county. Joseph re
mained with his parents until 1861. When sixteen years of age
he engaged in learning the blacksmith trade, which he followed
until the commencement of the great Rebellion. On the nine
teenth of October, 1861, he enlisted in company B, Fourth Ohio
volunteer infantry, Colonel Lorin Andrews, in which he served
for three years. At the close of his term of service he returned
home and remained a short time, and then went to Nashville,
Tennessee, and engaged in blacksmithing for the Government,
but in consequence of his health failing, he quit the business
and engaged in barbering for a short time, and then in cooking
for the Planter's hotel for a while, and then went to Atchison,
Kansas, where he stopped about eight weeks, and then engaged
with Howe & Byram, of Atchison, in hauling Government
freight to Fort Union, New Mexico. He then engaged with'
the Government at blacksmithing for one year, when he re
turned home in 1867. In consequence of his mother's poor
health, he started a barber shop in Fredericktown; and contin
ued the business there a short time when he came to Mt. Ver
non and bought out the business of Otto Martin, and contin
ued it until 1872, when he went to Mansfield and engaged in the
same business for one year. He then .opened shop at Newark,
ane continued there two years and a half. In 1876 he returned
to Mt. Vernon and established his present business. He runs
four chairs, and makes hair cutting a speciality. He is also a
dealer in fine tobacco, cigars, etc. He has lately added to his
business a news department, in which he keeps all the leading
daily papers as well as the city papers. His shop does an av
erage business of forty dollars per week in barbering and hair
dressing, and about ten dollars per»week in tobacco and cigars,
thus making his establishment the most extensive and complete
in the city. All his appointments are first-class, and his busi
ness is rapidly increasing.
BARNES, HENRY, Mt. Vernon, retired, son of Henry
Barnes, deceased, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania,
December 24, 1807, and was brought to Ohio by his father in
1817, who located in Coshocton county. He was reared on a
farm, and has made farming his principal vocation through life.
In 1833 he came to Martinsburgh, this county, and made his
home with an older brother for a few years. In October, 1837,
he married Miss Grace A., daughter of Simon and Ann Sitzen-
berg, then of Morgan township, this county. Miss Sitzenberg
was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1813,
ahd came to this county with her parents in 1829. Mr. and Mrs.
Barnes settled on a farm in Morgan township, this county, and
remained on the same farm until 1873, when they sold it and
moved to Mt. Vernon, where they are now living a retired life.
Three children were born to them — Melissa A., Hiram P., and

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

593

Charles E. Melissa A. deceased July 23, 1872. Hiram P. mar
ried Miss Julia Huntington, of Cleveland, Ohio, and now resides
in Portage county, Ohio. Charles E. married Miss Rose Rob
inson, of Akron, Ohio, and is now living in Plymouth, Ohio.
He served about four months in the Ohio National Guard during
the late war.
BARRINGTON, JOSEPH, Middlebury township, (deceased)
was born in Ireland in 1804, married to Elizabeth Sharp, who
was born in York county, Pennsylvania. He died in July, 1878,
in Middlebury township.
George A. Palmer (born in 1844) from a child eighteen months
old made his home with and was raised by Joseph Barrington.
He was marrried to Mary Farquhar, and they had one child,
Joseph, bom in in October, 1867. Mrs. Mary Palmer died in
in 1873. Mr. Palmer's second marriage was to Lavina Painter.
They had three children — Rosa (deceased), George, born Febru
ary, 1877, Louis, born February, 1879. Mr. Palmer was en
gaged in the late war in the One Hundred and Forty-second
regiment Ohio National Guard.
BARRON, JAMES, Brown township, son of William and
Elizabeth Barron, was born near Zanesville, Muskingum county,
¦Ohio, March 11, 1820. His father, a farmer, was born in
Washington county, Pensylvania, 1784, and was of Scotch de
scent. His mother was born in Ireland in 1784, and emigrated
to New York with her parents when she was fifteen years old.
The parents of the subject of this sketch being of the pioneers
of Ohio, and his youthful years passing at a time when the
school-houses were built of round, unhewed logs, seated with
puncheons or slabs, his education was comprised of a fair
knowledge of the three R's, "readin', 'ritin', and 'rithmetic."
In 1836 he removed with his parents from Muskingum to Knox
county, where they located on the farm on which he still resides
— known as Willow Spring farm. In 1850 he married Louisa
Jane, daughter of William and Nancy Hall, the fruit of their
married life being two daughters, Ella — now Mrs. R. S. Shipley,
M. D., of Lindsey, Ohio, and Dora, and one son, John M
White, yet a young man. Mr: Barron spent several years as
salesman in the mercantile houses of G. B. Potwin, and others,
of Mt. Vernon, but has for the last thirty years engaged in farm
ing, stock-raising, and shipping stock, at which he has been em.
inently successful. Mr. Barron has always taken an active part
in politics. He identified himself with the Liberty party in^
1841, and represented his county in the first Liberty State con
vention, held at Columbus in 1842. This party becoming the
Freesoil party, Mr. Barron became an untiring worker in that
party, and since received the nomination for State treasurer at
the convention held at Cincinnati. He continued in the party,
frequently stumping his county when it took a man of nerve to
be an Abolitionist, until the Freesoil party was merged into the
Republican party in 1856, since which time he has been identi
fied with that party. Mr. Barron's connection with the church
dates from the organization of the True Wesleyan connection —
now the American Wesleyan — in 1843, since which time he has
been an earnest worker in the church. Mr. Barron has always
been an avowed temperance worker, and has identified himself
with all the important reforms of the day. He has filled the
office of treasurer of the Farmers' Insurance company, now of
Howard, Ohio, and of the Farmers' Home Insurance company
of Jelloway, Ohio, with credit to himself and profit to the com
panies. BARTLETT, TIMOTHY M., proprietor of livery, feed, and

sale stables, West Vine street, Mt. Vernon. Mr. Bartlett was
born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, January 27, 1810, and
when about eight years old his parents emigrated to Ohio, stop
ped awhile in Zanesville, and then located onafarm in Delaware
county, where they resided ten years, and then came to Knox
county and settled on a farm on Granny's creek, three miles
from Mt. Vernon.
Mr. Bartlett came to this city in 1838. In his early life he
followed farming, and then engaged in the carpenter and joiner
trade, in which he continued for twenty-five years. He then
took up peddling drugs, medicines, dry goods, and notions,
which he followed with great success for seven years. In 1853
he engaged in the livery business in which he still continues. He
carries an average stock of three thousand dollars, comprising
twelve head of hoises, and ten vehicles, consisting of single and
double carriages, buggies, sleighs, etc.
BARTLETT, JOHN D., Fredericktown, carpenter; was
born in Pennsylvania in 1813; came to Ohio with his parents in
infancy, and to Knox county in 1831, locating in Mt. Vemon.
In 1855 he removed to Fredericktown. He was married to Anna
Conger, who was born in Knox county. They had three chil
dren, all of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Anna Bartlett died in
1854, in Mt. Vernon. Mr. Bartlett afterwards married Sophro-
nia Page, who was born in Knox county.
Mr. Bartlett has been identified with this county for sixty-
seven years. When he was a young man he learned the car
penter business, and has been engaged at that several years; he
was also engaged in the drug business in Fredericktown seven
years. He has always taken a great interest in hunting and
shooting, and makes an annual visit to the hunting grounds in
northwestern Ohio. He is still a resident of Fredericktown,
and is engaged in selling farming implements.
BARTLETT, E. H., Morris township; farmer; post office,
Mt. Vernon, was born in this township in 1833, and married in
i860, to Anna Eliza Randolph, who was born In Mt. Vernon
in 1836. They have two children, namely, Jennie E, born in
1863, and Willie R., in 1868.
BARTLETT, WILLIAM, Monroe township; farmer; a
native of Knox county, and son of David Bartlett, was born in
Morris township on the twenty-seventh day of October, 1816.
He has worked at several trades, viz : carp:enter and joiner,
and cabinetmaker, but the most of his mechanical work has
been on threshing machines and plows. In 1848 he married
Miss Evaline Evans, daughter of Thomas Evans, of Mt. Ver
non. They settled in Mt. Vernon, and remained several years.
In 1871 they purchased and moved upon the farm in Monroe
township, where they are now living. He then turned his at
tention to farming, in which business he has since been engaged.
BARTON, CHARLES P., Berlin township; farmer; post
office, Fredericktown, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia,
in 1841 ; came to Ohio in 1850, locating in Richland couhty, and
remained there till 1857, when he came to Knox county, and
located in Morris township. He afterwards moved to Iowa,
and remained four years. He then returned to Ohio, and car
ried on farming in Wayne township. In 1877 he purchased
eleven acres of land in Morris township, and remained there
three years; then sold it, and purchased twelve acres in the same
township. He lived on that land two years.
In the spring of 1880 he purchased twenty-five acres of land
in Berlin township, on which he now resides.

594

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Mr. Barton was married in 1868, to Jane Silliman, who was
born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1841. They have two
children: Allie Belle, born January 4, 1877, and Ann Luella,
January 24, 1880. He has also an adopted son — Samuel R.
born June 15, 1870, and is a studious boy.
BAUGH, JACOB, farmer, Brown township. Among the
early pioneers of Brown township, though not the earliest, was
Jacob Baugh, yet living, and in his eighty-sixth year. He is a
native of the Old Dominion, bom in Fauquier county in the
year 1795, and removed to eastern Ohio, and settled fifteen
miles west of Wheeling, in the year 1810, and from thence to
Knox county in 1834.
He is a genuine Virginian with western education, proud of
his birthplace, jealous of her honor, and full of admiration " of
her great name." At the time of his settlement here there
were few better scholars (outside of Kenyon college) in the
county, and perhaps with one exception, no person in it, who
was his superior. Tall, active, muscular, and sinewy, he was
equal to the requirements of western pioneer life, being a fear
less hunter, a good woodsman and a crack shot.
For many winters he taught school in the rude log shanties
with puncheon floors above and below, huge fireplace, with
mud and stick chimney at one end, and oiled or greased writing
paper for window glass.
In these primitive academies he soon raised the standard of
acquirement in common schools from a very meagre acquaint
ance with spelling, reading, writing, and arithmetic, as far as
the rule of three to a thorough acquaintance with Jess. Walsh,
Daboll, Bonnycastle, Playfair, Morse, and Lindley Murray, and
other authors of that day, in their respective fields, and soon
no more wsts heard the school-boy's favorite and oft repeated
doggerel: The Rule of three, it puzzles me
And Practice makes me sad,
At Tare and Fret I swear and sweat,
And Fractions drives me mad."
Soon the counties and townships were districted under a new
school law, and more commodious school-houses began to be
built. Under the law every township had a board of school
examiners, and a certificate of qualification from that board gave
license to teach any school within the township. Mr. Baugh
was a member of the board. In that capacity he accomplished
much in building school-houses in the township, raising the
qualifications of teachers, and awakening a healthy interest in
schools among the people of the township.
Next to schools the opening of roads and bridging of streams
were objects of his solicitude and concern, and to a certain
extent continues still to be, though nearly four score and ten
years have abated his ardor and tempered his zeal, but have not
extinguished his desire for the success of the objects he so ably
and earnestly championed in the vigor of his manhood.
BAUGHMAN, CHRISTIAN, farmer, Miller township, was
born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1807. His
parents, Christian and Elizabeth Baughman nee Bair, emigrated
from Pennsylvania about 1811, and came to Muskingum
county, Ohio, settling about seven milea south of Zanesville,
where they lived and died. They came to this county in a one-
horse wagon. They had thirteen children, eight of whom are
living, one died in infancy. The children were named John (de
ceased), Jacob (murdered August 28, 1863, in Muskingum
county), Christian, Joseph (deceased), Adam (deceased), Samuel,

Elizabeth (married to Isaac Logan), Solomon, and Jesse. Mr.
Baughman, the subject of this notice, was reared on a farm and
commenced to assist his father when quite young to clear land.
His schooling was limited as his parents needed his services
and there was but three months' school taught in each year.
Mr. Baughman remained in Muskingum county and followed
the occupation of farming until February, 1850, when he re
moved to Miller township, Knox county, where he purchased a
farm of one hundred and seventy-six acres, and has resided on
this farm to the present time. Previous to his coming to Knox
county he had earned the money to pay for this farm. Since
he has lived here he has purchased considerable more land, and
is now one of the largest land-owners in the township. He is
a good farmer, and his farm shows the work of care and experi
ence. He was married three times. His first wife being Sarah
Willis, his second was Mary France, and his third wife was
Susan Groves. His family consisted of fourteen children, six
by his first wife, namely: Lucinda (married Thomas Osbom),
Elizabeth (married Thomas Tarman), David (died in infancy),
Jane (married Clem Barber), William (died in infancy), and
Caroline (married Adam Williams). By the second marriage
there was one child, Mary C, who died in infancy. By the
third marriage there were seven children, viz: Christy, Clara
(married Henry Hildreth), Eunice I., Emma (died in infancy),
Willie (died in youth), Melissa (married Frank Miller), Louisa
(married Decatur Daily).
Mr. Baughman has always been a m?n of temperate and
laborious habits, and now, at the age of seventy-four, he enjoys
good health for a man of his years.
BAXTER, JOHN W., farmer, Miller township, was born in
New York city August 13, 1823. His father, John Baxter, was
a natiye of Boston, Massachusetts, where he studied medicine,
and subsequently practiced his profession in New York city. In
1834 he came to Miller township where he purchased one hundred
and twenty acres of land. He continued in the practice of his pro
fession when called upon in the community, and had a supervision
of his farm. He was original in his ideas, a man of indepen
dent thought, and weighed all matters thoroughly before arriv
ing at a conclusion. He was firm in his opinions, strictly tem
perate in his habits, not even using coffee or tea; in politics he
was an Abolitionist of the most pronounced type. In business
he was straightforward and reliable; he was quiet in his deport
ment and manners, and was esteemed for his kindness of heart
and his liberality of views; he accorded to others the same right
he claimed. He was three times married; his first wife was
Miss Lucy Wainwright, by whom he had two children, one of
whom, J. W. Baxter, is living; the other died in infancy. Mrs,
Baxter died in New York city. Mr. Baxter's second wife was
Miss Ruth Hodges, who died without issue. His third wife
was Miss Cassandra Hodges, by whom he had three children,
viz.: Ruth (deceased), Thomas M. (produce dealer in Chicago),
and Harris H., a practicing physician in Cleveland. He died
on his farm in Miller township February 3, 1848. The subject
of this notice, J. W. Baxter, remained in New York city until
1835, when he came to Miller township, and was with his father
on the farm, and attended the schools of the district. He pur
chased the interests of the heirs in his father's farm, and subse
quently purchased other property, until he is now one of the
successful men of the township. He is a careful, conservative
man, of good judgment, and has the esteem and confidence of

^yfaffiv™*/ (&

7? cr

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

595

the community. He was married three times; his first wife was
Anna E. Beech, with whom he had four children, viz. : Lucy W.
(married to John M. Davis), Mary M., John, and Don Carlos;
his second wife was Laura Rowley, daughter of Daniel Rowley,
who had one child, which died in infancy; his third wife was
Lorancy Gates, who was the mother of three children, viz.:
Charles Chase, Harris M. , and Anna Laura.
BAXTER, J. B. , farmer, Fredericktown; was born in Mid
dlebury township in 1848. He was married in 1877 to Ollie
Gleason, who was born in Morrow county in 1855. They have
one daughter, Laura, born in 1878. Mr. Baxter is one of the
leading citizens of Fredericktown.
BEACH, BENNETT, deceased, was born in Rutland, Con
necticut, in 1774. He married Miss Sallie Sweet in 1796, of the
sameS tate, who was born in Rutland in 1774, and was the daugh
ter of Bennett Sweet. They remained in Connecticut a few years
then moved to Vermont, and in 1824 they emigrated to Knox
county, Ohio, purchased and moved on a farm in Liberty town
ship, now owned by Mr. Flack, where they passed the remainder
of their days. He deceased May 25, 1850, aged seventy-six
years. His companion survived him until February 3, 1853,
when she died, aged seventy-nine years. They were constant
members of the Presbyterian church for many years. He fol
lowed farming as his vocation. They reared nine children:
Lauien, Abigail, Warren, Allen, Bennett, Esther, Sarah, Martin
and Rollin, four of whom are now living; Esther, Bennett, Mar
tin and Rollin.
BEACH, ROLLIN, farmer and gardner, youngest child of
the aforesaid Bennett and Sally Beach, was born in Vermont,
November 7, 1817, and came with his parents to Knox county,
Ohio, in 1824. He married for his first wife Miss Mary Bricker,
in 1840, born in Knox county in 1818, and daughter of Solomon
Bricker. They settled on his father's home farm in Liberty
township, which he purchased at his father's death. In 1861 he
sold his farm and purchased the property where he is now living,
near Mt. Vernon on the Columbus road. Formerly he followed
farming as his vocation, but since living near Mt. Vernon, he
makes gardening his principal business. They have had one
son, J.-hn S. His wife deceased February 5, 1852. In 1853 he
married Miss Sarah Graham, born in Liberty township, Knox
county, in 1825. By this marriage he had six children, four
sons and two daughters ; one of the sons has deceased. His
son John S. , served four years in the Eleventh Ohio volunteer
cavalry in the war of 1861.
Bl ACH, THOMAS, farmer, post office, Millwood, was born
in Harrison County, Ohio, February 13, 1815, is a son of Joseph
Bea '1, was brought to Coshocton county when a child, where
he was raised, remaining at home farming on the shares, for his
mother, until her death, which occurred in 1841. He then be
came the owner of the old homestead farm, where he remained
until 1853, when he sold it and purchased a farm in Harrison
township, Knox county, where he then moved, and at present
resides. During the time he lived in Coshocton county he mar
ried Margaret J. Moar, October 12, 1858. She was a daughter
of John Moar, and was born in Cumberland county, Penn
sylvania, December 22, 1822. They have nine children, as
follows: Camella, Elmer J., Charles H., Mary E., Milo, Gehiel,
Jerusha, Ella and Alia, eight of whom are living. Jerusha died
October 12, 1865.
BEACH, NANCY, MRS. was born in Guernsey county,
28

Ohio, July, 1816. She is the fourth child of James and Mary
Murphy, who came to Hilliar township about 1830, and settled
near where the village of Centreburg is now located. When the
Murphy family came there was no house within the limits of the
present *town. The first house which was built was by a Mr.
Hendricks, and used for a number of years as a hotel. About
the same time there was also another house built near the first
one, and it was also used as a hotel. They were both frames,
and are yet standing. The first not occupied. In this family
were twelve persons — ten children and the two parents. The
parents died where they first settled. Thus Mrs. Beach saw
the site of Centreburgh when it was but little marred by the
hand ofthe settler. Mrs. Beach has spent her days near where
she now resides, and it was here that she was married to Wil
liam Beach, May 10, 1845, who was a native of Jersey City, New
Jersey. As a result of this marriage they had two children,
both of whom are living. Mrs. Beach is an early settler, having
been in the vicinity a half century. Mr. Beach died some years
ago. BEACH, ALLEN J., Mt. Vernon, was bom in Livingston
county, New York, September 23, 1830, and is a son of Allen
and Amanda Beach nee Root. He received his education in
the common schools of Knox county, and was early trained in
habits of industry. When twenty years of age he began busi
ness on his own account as a butcher and victualler, and carried
it on very successfully for twenty years.
He has taken a great interest in political matters, and has
been an unwavering and consistent Democrat, serving as a
member of the county Democratic committee for a number of
years, and has repeatedly been a delegate to various conven
tions of that party. In 1862 he was elected sheriff of Knox
county on the Democratic ticket, and was renominated in 1864,
but failed of an election. In 1868 he was again nominated,
and received a majority of the votes cast, and was reelected in
1870, thus serving in that office for the period of six years in
all. In 1873 he was elected to the lower branch of the State
legislature, and during the sessions of that body served on the
committee on Federal Relations, and also on that of the Peni
tentiary, being chairman of the latter. His earnest manner
and sterling honesty gained him many friends, and he had a de
cided influence in the House while he was a member. In the
winter of 1876 he was elected sergeant-at-arms of the house of
representatives, and served for two years.
He was married January 1, 1850, to Matilda Buckland, of
Knox county, by whom he has had five children, all of whom
have died.
BEAL, MICHAEL, farmer, Butler township, post office ad
dress Zucks; born in Southampton township, Somerset county,
Pennsylvania, March 9, 1821. He was married February 5, 1842,
to Margaret Albright, who was born in Londonderry township,
Bedford county, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1823. He came to
Butler township in 1842. Their children were Edward, born July
22, 1845; Charles H., born July 2, 1847; Levi, born February 22,
.1849; George, born July 29, 1850; Mary M., born October 12,
1852; Martha E„ born August 31, 1854; Lucy, born April 12,
1856; Christian, born July 6, i860; Sarah J. bom February
20, 1863; Michael, bom February 12, 1865, and two children
still-born. Edward died March 29, 1851; George died March
12, 1852.
BEAL, DANIEL, farmer, Pike township, post office North
Liberty; born in Jefferson township, Richland county, in 1831,

596

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

and was married in 1854 to Leah Rhodes, who was born in
Pennsylvania in 1832. They have seven children— Jacob, Asa
R., Charles, Harvey, Ellen, Ida, and John. Mr. Beal is a
farmer, who came to Knox county in 1870.
BEAL, JACOB R., merchant, post office, Shalers Mills.
He was born in Richland county in 1854, he was married in
1876 to Mary E., daughter of Rev. H. Keller, of Pike town
ship; she was born in 1856. They have two children: Linney
Viola, born August 9, 1877, and Howard M., born May 3,
1879. Mr. Beal received a liberal education, engaged in teaching
school in Richland county. In 1876 he came to North Liberty,
engaged in the mercantile business, continued till 1879, then
came to Ankenytown, and opened a new store. He is doing a
successful business. He is ticket, express, and freight agent
for the Baltimore & Ohio railroad at this station.
BEAM, WILLIAM, Mt. Vernon. His father, John Beam,
came from Green county, Pennsylvania, to this county in 1807,
locating in what is now Morgan township, where he resided sev
eral years, and where his son, William, was born. When he was
about eight months old his fa. her moved to a farm he had pur
chased in Clinton township, about three miles south of Mt.
Vernon When the War of 1812 came Mr. Beam served in the army
under General Harrison, as a teamster. William received as
good an education as the schools of that date afforded ; but by
diligent study fitted himself for teaching. He assisted his father
on the farm, and followed the same occupation until 1838, when
he was elected shfriff, and served two terms. He then engaged
in the wholesale grocery business, establishing the first whole
sale house in Mt. Vernon. When he sold his interest in this
business, he went to Buffalo and Oswego in the interest of the
Baltimore & Ohio railroad. Quitting this, he engaged in the
dry goods trade several years; then in the business of patent-
rights, and in various pursuits until the present.
William Beam was married in 1836, to Miss Emeline Willett.
They are the parents of eight children, six of whom" (four
daughters and two sons) are now living.
BEAM, J. W., manufacturer of tinware and dealer in glass
ware, West High street, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, is a native of this
city, born February 28, 1847, and was educated in the city pub
lic schools. He enlisted in August, 1862, in company A, Ninety
sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, Captain Mitchell, being but fif
teen years old when lie enlisted; served until February, 1863,
when he was honorably discharged. He again enlisted in May,
1864, in the Ohio National guard, where he served during the
full term of service, after which he came home and engaged to
learn the tinning business with Byers & Bird, and completed the
trade with H. Everett, after which he engaged iu business for
himself, in which he continued a short time, when he travelled
and did journeymen work for different firms in various parts of
this State. In the spring of 1877 he established his present
business, in which he has been successful. He manufactures all
kinds of tinware in his line, also deals in table glassware, which
is sold from wagons, four of which he keeps on the road. He
trades his goods for scraps and produce, doing a business of
from four to six thousand dollars a year.
BEAM, FRANK L, queensware goods, South Main street,
Mt. Vernon. Mr. Beam is young man of promise; although
scarcely past his majority he has manfully started out in the

race of life, and at an age, too, that is usually frittered away in
seeking bubbles. Mr. Beam is a native of this city, bom No
vember 14, 1858, and has not yet reached his twenty-second
birthday. From our efficient public schools he received a thor
ough education. His first business engagement was with Bo
gardus & Co., hardware dealers, with whom he served six years.
On the twenty-second of March, 1880, he opened the business
he is now engaged in. He carries a complete stock of crockery,
chinaware, glassware, lanterns, lamps, looking glasses, house
fnrnishing goods, wall paper, window shades and fixtures, pocket
and table cutlery, plated ware, etc., etc. He is located in a
part of the old Woodbridge property, now Rogers' Arcade,
South Main street, east side.
BEARD.SLEY, JOHN, pioneer of Milford township, was
born September 26, 1792, in Fairfield county, Connecticut. He
came of Revolutionary stock, his father having served during
fhe war, and was at the Battle of Stony Point. While in the
service he received an injury which caused the loss .of his hear
ing. His mother's father, Burns by name, was a marine during
the war. His parents had seven children, and so far as is
known he is the only one living. He was raised on a farm.
At about the age of fifteen he learned cabinetmaking, and
worked at it while in Connecticut. In 1812, he was a member
of a militia company and stood guard along the shore of
Long Island. In 1818 he started for Ohio, came by boat to
New York, thence on foot to Bristol, Pennsylvania, thence to
Philadelphia by boat on the Delaware river, from thence to
Pittsburgh on foot ; from thence by way of Wheeling to Knox
county, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land
in what is now Milford township. He paid the balance, or one-
half on another piece of one hundred and sixty acres of land
which another man had entered, which gave him two hundred
and forty acres. In the spring of 1819 he returned to Connecti
cut, and in September, 1822 he was united in marriage to Miss
Fitch in Connecticut, and shortly started for Ohio in a one
horse wagon, coming by the way of New York city, Lancaster,
Pennsylvania, Wheeling and Zanesville. In coming over the
Allegheny mountains he was upset and came near losing his horse
and effects. After six weeks' journey he arrived at his destina
tion. He remained with his brother .William Beardsley, who
came some time previously, until he built his cabin'. He cleared
up the land and made for himself and family a pleasant home.
He was one of the organizers of Milford township. He worked
at cabinetmaking considerably, and there are many pieces of
his handiwork in the county yet. He is spending the evening
of his life in his comfortable home, respected and esteemed for
his many good qualities. By his marriage they had six children ;
of these Elizabeth and Malissa are deceased, George is in Illinois,
Charles is in the Treasury department of the United States,
Hem y in Nebraska, Mary A. lives at home. Mrs. Beardsley
was born October 9, 1800; died August 13, 1879.
BEARDSLEY, PLATT G., Milford township, pioneer
farmer, was born in Massachusetts, August 6, 1806. He is the
son of William Beardsley, who was born March 20, 1783, at
Old Stratford, Connecticut. He married Miss Eunice Gardner,
a native of Massachusetts, who was born July 18, 1786. They
had nine children— Piatt G, Mary G., born March 3, 1808;
Job G., September 10, 1810; Betsey M., August 12, 1812, died
July 2i, 1813, William B., born September 3, 1814; Betsey,
July 20, 1818; Catharine M., July 24, 1820; Adaline, January
11, 1823! John B,, February 20, 1825; Mary G. (deceased,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

597

married to W. Hildreth); Betsey, married to George Benedict;
Catharine M. (widow of Erastus Rouse) ; Adaline, wife of A.
Bostwick. The Beardsley family are of English origin. Three brothers
came from England at an early date, whose descendants are scat
tered over many of the States and territories, Mr. Beardsley the
elder learned the shoemaking trade while in Conecticut. About
two years after his marriage he moved to New York, where he
resided until about 1814, when he came to Granville, Ohio,
where he remained until 1818, then moved to Homer, where he
remained for a short time. He purchased a forty-acre tract of
land in what is now Milford township. He then cut a road
from Homer to this tract, on which he lived for many years.
He was one of the organizers of the township and always took
an active interest in public affairs. He was an influential and
leading member of society, a leading member of ihe Masonic
fraternity, and a representative to the Grand lodge in 1817; and
at his death was the oldest living member in the State. He
lived to see his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren
to the number of eighty. Twelve of his descendants entered the
army for the suppression of the Rebellion, seven of them losing
their lives. His father was a soldier of the Revolution. He
always followed his trade, and by it made considerable prop
erty. About five years before his death he removed to Brandon.
He died January 28, 1863, and was interred with Masonic hon
ors. His wife survived him until July 8, 1876.
The subject of this notice (P. G. Beardsley) being the oldest
child, it, naturally devolved upon him to assist his father in
clearing up their new home. He worked at the cooper trade
for a short time, but preferred the farm. His education was
that ofthe schools of those days. He has always taken an ac
tive interest in the affairs of the county, and was a leading citizen
ofthe township and county. He was a justice ofthe peace for
nine years, during which time he married over thirty couples.
He was infirmary director six years and always took an
active interest in military affairs. He was elected lieutenant of
militia and was successively captain, major and colonel, and at
one time knew most of the men in the county. He was suc
cessful in acquiring for himself a very pleasant and comfortable
home. He was social, hospitable and pleasant in his manners.
He was married twice, first to Miss Mary M. Miller, June 1,
1837, daughter of James Miller, a pioneer of Miller township.
They had four children, two of whom are living. The children
were Emily N. (married to L. H. Burgess); Charles S., who was
killed July 22, 1865, at Atlanta while serving in the army; James
M., died young, and Mary M., who married W. V. Wright.
His last wife was Elizabeth Burns. He died January 30, 1881,
aged seventy-four years.
BEAVER, WILLIAM, Miller township, farmer, was born
in Rockingham county, Virginia, November 30, 1830. His
parents came to Ohio about 1835, and lived for a short" time in
Knox county, and then moved to Licking county, where Mr.
Beaver died. Mrs. Beaver still survives him. They had eight
children, seven of whom are yet living. The subject of this no
tice is the second of the family. His youth was spent on the
farm with his mother until he was about twenty-three years of
age. His father died when Mr. Beaver was about fifteen years
of age, so that considerable of the management fell upon him
at an early age. This was perhaps the foundation of Mr.
Beaver's after success. It gave him self-reliance and a knowl
edge of that which is necessary to success. Mr. Beaver started

poor in life, but has secured a competency by industry and
good management. He is a systematic farmer, and his farm
bears the marks of good cultivation. He married Miss Eliza
beth Weller, daughter of Philip Weller, December, 1853, ar>d
commenced housekeeping on the farm on which he now resides,
and where he has resided ever since, except seven years while
out of the county. They had twelve children, four of whom
died in infancy. The living are Sarah Ann, Mary, Ellen, George
W., Isabella, William, Evaline, Ida E., and Abram Franklin.
BEBOUT, ENOCH, Pleasant township; deceased; a native
of Holland; was born born July 24, 1801. He was brought to
America in 1805, by his parents who located in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood. November
r, 1832, he married Miss Eliza Boggs, of Washington county,
Pennsylvania; born December 27, 1808. They emigrated to
Knox county, Ohio, and located in Harrison township, where
he remained until March, 1845, when he purchased and moved
on a farm near Martinsburgh, this county. He remained there
five years; then in 1850 he bought and moved on the farm in
Pleasant township, now owned by his son-in-law, David B.
Kerr. He died October 27, 1879. His wife is still living on
the home farm. They raised a family of seven children:
William, Rebecca, Hannah, James, Eliza, Enoch and Mary J.,
all living except William, who died at Fortress Monroe July 25,
1864, while serving as a Union soldier in the war of the great
Rebellion. BEBOUT, WILLIAM, deceased, was born July 12, 1834,
in Knox county, and was married to Miss Malinda Pipes
January 19, i860. When a young man, he taught school for
some years, and afterwards engaged in farming up to the time
of his decease, July 25, 1864. Their children were James Wil-
ber, Eva May and William Grant. Mr. Bebout was a soldier
of the Union army, and lost his life in the service, dying of
typhoid fever in Virginia.
BECHTEL, MARTIN, deceased, Pleasant township, was
born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1802. He
was raised a farmer, and was considered one of the best in
Knox county. In 1829 he married Miss Sophia Fetter, bom
in Washington county, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1806.
They remained two years in Washington county, Pennsylvania,
and in 1831 emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, and located on
the farm in Pleasant township, now known as the Bechtel
homestead, on the Martinsburgh road, five miles from Mt. Ver
non, where they passed the remainder of their days. He de
ceased March 4, 1875. His wife died September 16, 1875.
They had a family of six children: Malinda, Barbara, Jonas,
Catharine, Jacob, Cornelia A. and Frances J.
BECHTEL, JACOB J., farmer, Pleasant township; son of
Martin and Sophia Bechtel, was born in Pleasant township,
this county, July 30, 1839. On the twenty-eighth day of Janu
ary, 18—, he married Miss Kesiah J. Eley, born in Knox
county, Ohio, November 1, 1840, daughter of Peter and Sab-
inah Eley. They settled on his father's home farm where they
are now living. They have a family of five children — four sons
and one daughter. Farming and stock raising is his vocation.
BECHTEL, ANDREW, farmer, Berlin township, post office,
Shaler's Mills; born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in
1829, raised in Bedford county, and was married to Elizabeth
Brumbaugh, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in
1828; they had four children, viz. : Simon, Jackson, Mary Ann

598

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

(deceased), and Nancy Jane. Mrs. Elizabeth Bechtel died in
Knox county. Mr. Bechtel was afterward married to Elizabeth
Frederick, who was born in this county. They had four chil
dren, viz.: Isaac (deceased), Lewis, Sarah E., and Minnie C.
Mr. Betchel came to Ohio in 1853, located in Berlin township,
and owns the old Frederick farm. He has erected one of the
finest residences in this township.
BECK, JOHN, farmer, Union township, post office, Danville,
was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, September a, 1818,
and lived there until 1829, when he came to Union township,
Knox county. In 1844 he was married to E. J. McDonald, and
settled on a portion of the old homestead wheie he has since
remained. They have the following children, viz. : Sarah, bom
in 1846, Mary, in 1848, Newton, in 1850, Theresa Ann, in 1853,
Eliza Ellen, in 1856, and Nancy Jane, in i860. They have lost
three children: Sarah, Grant, and Rebecca.
BEDELL, SYLVESTER, farmer, Liberty township, was
born in Niagara county, New York, April 23, 1823; his parents,
Michael and Mary Willis, were married in New York, and about
1836, and emigrated to Ohio, settling in Liberty township some
four miles west of Mt. Vernon, on the Delaware road, where he
purchased a farm in the woods and cleared it up. He was an
estimable citizen and was highly respected in the community.
Mr. and Mrs. Bedell lived to a good old age. They died in Mt.
Vernon, where they resided some years previous to their death.
They had a family of nine children, all living and doing well.
The subject of this sketch is the oldest child; he assisted his
parents until he was twenty-one years old, attending school in
the winter until he acquired the necessary qualification to teach.
His first certificate was granted by Joseph S. Davis, of Mt.
Vernon. He taught his first term in 1844, and taught thirteen
terms thereafter. He was twice married; his first wife was
Matilda Tucker, to whom he was married February 18, 1848;
they had three children, two living. He was married to Mrs.
Mary Hobbs in April, 1876. Mr. Bedell is a pleasant, social
gentleman, and an influential citizen.
BEDELL, ISRAEL, M. D., Mt. Vernon, was bom in New
York, October 19, 1834. He spent his youth on a farm. His
father was born in Massachusetts, and his mother in Connecti
cut, and emigrated to Ohio about 1848. He commenced read
ing medicine with Dr. McCarther, of Circleville, and finished
his course of reading with Drs. Russell and Thompson, of Mt.
Vemon. The first course of lectures he attended was at Ann
Arbor. He finished his course at the University of New York,
in New York city, March 3, 1863. He taught school for some
nine terms prior to entering his course of reading medicine.
About six weeks after his graduation he was examined at Co
lumbus and appointed first assistant surgeon of the Sixth regi
ment, Ohio volunteer infantry, formerly the Guthrie Grays of
Cincinnati, Ohio, and reported to his regiment in the field at
Bridgeport, Alabama, and remained with it until the regiment
was discharged.
On his return home he was appointed contract surgeon, and
was stationed at Camp Dennison, and had charge of it about
eight months. He received a commission as first assistant sur
geon of the One Hundred and Fourth Ohio regiment, but was
not mustered into service. He came home and located in Car-
dington, Ohio, where he remained about two years, and then
came to Mt. Vernon, where he has since been practicing. He
associated himself with Dr. Bryant, and continued with him

two years, when the health of Dr. Bryant gave way, and the
partnership was dissolved.
Dr. Bedell married Miss Lydia L. Saelts, of Mt. Vernon, in
1863. They have had four children born unto them — three sons
and one daughter, only two of whom are living.
BEERS, JOSEPH, Fredericktown, farmer, was bom in this
county December 15, 1811. He was married December 14,
1841, to Jane Douglass, who was born in this county in Sep
tember, 1822. They have two children: Theodore, who is
now married and resides in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; and Aaron,
who is now engaged in farming the home place.
Mr. Beers has been identified with this county from infancy,
and through his industry, economy and frugality, has succeeded
in securing a good property. He owns a beautiful farm near
Fredericktown. BEEMAN, SAMUEL, of Brown township, chairman of the
county board of commissioners, was born in Alleghany county,
Maryland, June 6, 1820. He receeived his education in the
common schools of the day. His youth was spent on the farm
of his father, William Beeman. His father, with his family,
came to Ohio in 1820, settling in Wayne county, where he re
sided until 1833, when he removed to Knox county, and located
in Jefferson township, remaining there up to the time of his
death, in 1872.
Samuel Beenman, the subject of this sketch, in 1855, married
Miss Mary Withrow, daughter of Hon. James Withrow, of
Jefferson township, unto whom five children were born — three
sons and two daughters — two of whom are dead, one son and
one daughter. The names of the living children are, James,
Mary A., and Chester F. James married Miss Lovina Gardner
of Brown township. In 1851 Mr. Beeman engaged in the mer
cantile business in Brownsville, this county, and conducted it
successfully up to 1867, a period of sixteen years, when he gave
up the business and retired to the farm, where he and his family
live a happy and contented life, with all the comforts within
their reach. In 1875 Mr. Beeman was elected county commis
sioner, and was in 1878 reelected to the same position. As a
merchant, as a fanner, as a county official, and as a citizen, Mr.
Beeman has occupied a high and prominent position.
BEERS, ASHER L., stone mason, Fredericktown, was born
in Wayne township, Knox county, in 1830, and marrried in
1852 to Mary E. Coleman, who was born in Knox county in
1832. They have the following children, viz: Lawrence A.,
born in 1856; Clio M., in 1862. Mr. Beers is a stone mason by
trade, and has worked at this business over fourteen years. He
is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, being a
very efficient worker, especially in Sabbath-school.
BELL, BENJAMIN, Morgan township, is one of the largest
land owners in Morgan township, and, in fact, in the county.
He is a native of Green county, Pennsylvania, where he was
born, May 17, 1813. His father was a well-to-do farmer of the
same county. The Bell family were early settlers of that part
of Pennsylvania.
The subject of this notice was raised on a farm, and received
such schooling as was customary in those days. He remained
in Pennsylvania until about 1843, when he came to Ohio and
purchased a part of the farm on which he now resides, and
settled upon it. For this one hundred acres he paid one thou
sand four hundred dollars, but having no money, he went in
debt for it. He succeeded by hard work and economy in pay-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY,

599

ing for this farm, and was soon enabled to buy more. He thus
was fairly started in life, having laid a foundation for his future.
success, before he received any portion coming from his father's
estate. He now owns one thousand and twenty-nine acres of
land. Mr. Bell has always been punctual in the payment of all
contracts made by him. He is engaged quite extensively in
sheep raising. He was married to Miss Mary Woodruff, a
native of Knox county, in 1844. They had a family of seven
children: John, Ella, (deceased, who was married to L. B.
Mantouya), two infants, Lucilla, (who married D. W. Archer),
Morgan and Edison.
BELL, JAMES, Pleasant township, deceased, a native of
Green county, Pennsylvania, born on the fifteenth day of April,
1818. He was brought to this country by his parents, Benjamin
and Elizabeth Bell, when but a small boy, who located in Mor
gan township, where he grew to manhood. On the twenty-
second day of November, 1838, he was united in marriage with
Miss Rowena Robinson, of Coshocton county, Ohio. By this
marriage he had six children, only two of whom are now living,
viz, Edwin W. and Benjamin T. They settled on a farm in
Coshocton county, where his companion deceased March 12,
1856. On the sixteenth day of August, 1857, he was married
to Phoebe J. Wright, of Coshocton county, born August 24,
1832, daughter of Willis and Anna E. Wright. They settled
on his farm in Coshocton county, remained until January 23,
1863, when he purchased and moved on his farm in Pleasant
township, this county, now owned and occupied by his heirs,
where he deceased April 9, 1879. His last marriage resulted in
four children, one son and three daughters. Farming was his
vocation. BELL, HIRAM, Hilliar township, farmer, born in Knox
county, October 16, 1833. He spent his youth in Licking
county on a farm, receiving a common school education. In
1858 he moved to Clay township, Knox county, and in 1864 he
purchased the farm on which he now lives, and moved on it the
same spring. His principal business is the raising of sheep.
Mr. Bell is a quiet and influential citizen; has been elected sev
eral times to fill the different offices of the township, and has
the confidence of the community and the esteem of all who
know him. He was married to Miss Mary A. Hughes, of Clay
township, December 17, 1856. She was born January 1, 1836.
As a result of this union they had three children, two of whom
are living, viz, Florence E., married to Augustus M. Wolf, and
resides near them; John E. at home.
BELL, JAMES, farmer, post office Bladensburgh, is a native
of Clay township, born here September 20, 1839, and has lived
in Clay most of the time since his birth. He was married to
Sarah Paul, May 14, 1866, two children being the fruits of this
union, viz., Iva Olive, and Ottie S. Mr. Bell is in very com
fortable circumstances, financially, and is a highly respected
citizen. BELL, JAMES W., farmer, Pike township; post office
North Liberty; born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in
1848, and was married in 1874 to Bessie Price, who was born in
Ashland county, Ohio, in 1850. They have one son, Edward
Austin, born in 1875. Mr. Bell came to Knox county in 1875.
He is a farmer by occupation. He has been engaged in some
interesting and lively debates in this county — the first an Ad
vent question, "Will the wicked be eternally punished?"
Affirmative, Mr. Bell and Mr. Scarbrough; negative, Jesse

Nichols and William Romine. They had five judges. Uni
versal decision for affirmative. He was engaged in a second
debate with the Dunkard question, "Is the bread and wine the
Lord's supper." Affirmative, James W. Bell and Levi Mar
shall; negative, Joseph Barnard and Mr. Workman. De
cision in favor of affirmative.
BELL, MORGAN, farmer, Morgan township; was born in
Morgan township, May 6, 1852. He is a son of Benjamin
Bell, of this township, and of whom mention is made else
where. He was raised on a farm and received a common-
school education. He was married to Miss Jennie E. Horn,
daughter of Jacob Horn, July 8, 1875.
BELT, JEREMIAH, farmer, Pike township; post office
Democracy; born in Monroe township in 1850, and was mar
ried in 1875 to Permelia Fields, who was born in Pike township
in 1856. They had two children — Clara Belt, in 1876; Per
melia (deceased). Mrs. Permelia Belt died in 1877. Mr. Belt
was subsequently married to Ellen Fields, who was born in
Pike township in 1852. They have one daughter, Izora
Blanche, born in 1880. Mr. Belt is a farmer of this township.
BENEDICT, ZIBA, Morris township, deceased, was born
in Danbury, Connecticut, in 1784. He came to Ohio in 1818,
settled in Mt. Vernon, and remained there until 1820, when he
located in Fredericktown. He was married in 1815 to Hannah
Keeler, who was born in Brookfield, Connecticut, in 1787.
They had three children: Nancy Jane, born in 1816; Clarinda,
bom in 1818; Lucian, born May 15, 1820. Mr. Ziba Benedict
died May 6, 1833, in this county. Mrs. Hannah Benedict died
June 11, 1850. Clarinda died July 21, 1840.
Mr. Benedict was one of the earliest settlers of Knox county.
He came here when it was in its wild state and all in timber.
He cleared the farm where his son Lucian now resides. Mr.
Benedict was a hatter by trade and worked at that business in
Mt. Vernon two years, and also in Fredericktown.
Nancy Jane Benedict was married July 4, 1833, to Joseph
Barker. They had nine children.
Lucian Benedict was married in 1847 to Sarah Trimble, who
was born in Morris township in 1815. They had three children:
L. G. Benedict, born September 12, 1851; Orien, born Decem
ber 19, 1852; Charles, born October 6, 1856.
L. G. Benedict was married February 21, 1878, to Arabella
Randolph. They reside in Fredericktown.
Charles Benedict graduated from the Business college at
Poughkeepsie, New York, in July, 1880. He is a young man
of promise, and is well educated.
Mrs. Sarah Benedict died October 21, 1878,
Orien Benedict died March to, 1879.
Mr. Benedict has always been identified with this county.
He is a farmer by occuption, and is one of the leading men of
the township.
BENEDICT, TRUMAN, a native of Vermont, and son of
Solomon and Laura Benedict, was born in Bennington county,
on the twenty-ninth day of April. 1823. In 1837 he accompa
nied his parents to this county, who located in Pleasant town
ship, near the Hurford mills, remained until 1851, then moved
to Clinton, one mile north of Mt. Vernon, where, in 1868, Sol
omon Benedict died. His companion survives him, at the
advanced age of eighty-nine years.
In 1852 Truman Benedict married Miss Lorrain, daughter of
Samuel B. Bassett, born in Bennington county, Vermont,

6oo

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

February 10, 1821. She came to this county in 1851. They
settled in Clinton, remained about seven years. In 1859 moved
to Monroe township, this county, remained until 1873, then
moved upon the farm where they now reside, in College town
ship, north of Gambier. Farming has been his principal voca
tion through life.
BENNETT, CLARK L, livery, feed and sale stable, West
Gambier street, near Main street, Mt. Vernon. Clark L. Ben
nett was born in the State of Vermont in the year 1804. When
less than a year old his father moved to Ticonderoga, Essex
county, New York. In 1824 he came to Ohio and located in
Licking county. In 1825 he removed to Knox county. In 1832
Mr. Bennett came to Mt. Vernon, where he has resided ever
since. Prior to settling in this city he followed the occupation
of farming. His first occupation in Mt. Vernon was brick
making, which he followed several years. In 1849 he. opened a
livery establishment, in which he still continues, assisted by his
son, George S. Bennett, who was born in this city, and was
educated in our public schools.
George read medicine with the late Dr. Matthew Thompson,
and then attended the university at Cleveland, where he grad
uated. After graduating, young Bennett located at Chester-
ville, Morrow county, where he practiced for four years. In
consequence of his father's failing health he gave up his prac
tice and returned to Mt. Vernon, and assumed the management
of his father's establishment. This establishment is a large and
complete one, comprising horses, single and double carriages,
barouches, phaetons, and sleighs. Here the travelling public
find first-class accommodations at all hours, as the horses are in
fine condition and the vehicles all in good order.
BENNETT, JOHN, Monroe township, fanner, son of
Thomas and Elizabeth Bennett, nee Stratton, was born near
Steubenville, Jefferson county, Ohio, April 7, 1826.
Thomas Bennett, late of Gambier, and father of John, was
born in Maryland, January 20, 1805, and emigrated to Jeffer
son county, Ohio, where he married Miss Elizabeth Stratton,
born in June, 1805. In 1828 they came to this county, located
in Danville and remained until 1832, then moved to Gambier,
where he deceased in May, 1880. For several years after their
settlement in the village he was engaged in clearing on the
college land, then turned his attention to farming, which he
made his principal vocation until 1858, when he engaged in
running a hack line and carrying the mail from Gambier to
Mt. Vemon, which he continued until the completion of the
Cleveland, Mt. Vemon & Columbus railroad. He then turned
his attention to farming again, which he followed until his
death. John Bennett, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a
farm, and has made farming his principal vocation. On the
twenty-ninth day of March, 1853, he married Miss Eliza Con-
ley, a native of Ireland, born April 19, 1830, and came to this
county in 1852, settling in Monroe township. In 1873 they
purchased and moved on the farm where they are now living, in
Monroe township. They raised a family of four children:
Thomas, George W., Emma J., and Isabella.
BENSON, GEORGE, Monroe township, farmer and stock
raiser, post office, Mt. Vernon, son of Lyman and Emery Ben
son, was born in New Millford, Connecticut, on the twenty-fifth
day of June, 1815. In 1831, at the age of sixteen years, hecom-
menced working at the cabinet-maker's trade, and served as an
apprentice about four years. In 1835 he accompanied his par

ents to this county and located in Monroe township, on a farm
.now owned by John Hardesty, where his father and mother re
mained until T851, when they moved to Illinois, where they
passed the remainder of their days. His father died at the age
of eighty-five . years. His mother deceased when eighty-four
years of age. He continued at his trade for about three or four
years after his settlement in Monroe township, and then turned
his attention to farming and stock raising, which business he has
since been engaged in. He owns a farm of one hundred and
sixty and one-half acres in Monroe township, which is in a good
state of cultivation.
In 1836 he married Miss Rebecca Spry, of Monroe township,
daughter of William and Sarah Spry, who was born in Penn
sylvania, October 20, 1816, and came to this county with her
parents in 1820, who located in Monroe township, on a farm
now owned by Edwin Scott. Shortly after the marriage of Mr.
Benson they settled in Monroe. They have lived on three dif
ferent farms in the same township. They moved on the farm
where they now reside in 1855, and have raised a family of
eight children, three sons and five daughters, one son and three
daughters have deceased.
BEENY JOSEPH, farmer, a native of England, was born
October 8, 1802. He came with his parents, James and Sarah
Beeny, to America in 1822, and located in Knox county, Ohio,
in Clinton, a small village one and a half miles north of Mt.
Vemon. Just before sailing from England he married Miss
Hannah Wright in 1822, who came with him to America. They
lived in Clinton about three years, then his father, James Beeny,
purchased and moved on a farm in Clinton township, three
miles from Mt. Vernon, on the Columbus road, where he lived
until about 1855, when he moved to Licking county, Ohio,
where he deceased in November, i860, aged seventy-two years.
His companion survived him until 1870, when she died, aged
eighty years. They reared a family of ten children, six sons
and four daughters. He and his family lived with his father
until 1825, when he moved to Liberty township, Knox county,
and located on a farm, where they lived several years, then
bought several other farms, and finally, in 1850, he purchased
and moved on the farm where he is now living, three miles from
Mt. Vemon, on the Columbus road. He has followed farming
as his vocation. They reared a family of ten children, six sons
and four daughters. His companion deceased July, 1871. He
then married Mrs. Jane G. Maxwell, nee Ryan, in 1872, bom in
Pennsylvania in 1816, who is still living, to take care of him in
his old age.
BEST FAMILY, The, Hilliar township. Peter Best, the
father of this family, was born in New Jersey, May, 1797. In
1823 he married Miss Mary Trimmer, who was born in New
Jersey in 1802. They remained in New Jersey until 1839, when
they immigrated to Hilliar township, Knox county, Ohio, settling
on a farm. They lived and died in this township being much es
teemed. They had eleven children, nine born in New Jersey,
an two in Ohio ; nine are yet living.
John Best, born in New Jersey October 3, 1823, was mar
ried to Mary Jane Yeocom, in Champaign county, Ohio,
November 27, 1849. He is a plasterer by trade, which he fol
lowed for a number of years, and then settled on a farm on
which he is yet living. William was born in New Jersey, June
9, 1825, married November 18, 1846, to Sophia Huock, a
daughter of one of the pioneers of this township. After his
marriage he settled on a part of the Houck farm in Hilliar

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

60 1

township, where he closed his days. He died September 12,
1877. His wife still resides on the farm. Jesse was born in
New Jersey January 7, 1827, and was married to Mary Spaurin
Butler county, Iowa, November 30, 1856. He was a wagon-
maker by trade, but now owns » farm in Woodson county,
Kansas, and is engaged in agriculture. Jacob was born in New
Jersey January 14, 1829. When a young man he emigrated to
Illinois, where he dealt in stock for many years. He married a
lady in Lexington, McLean county, Illinois, and settled down
in the lumber business, at which he is still engaged. Mary E. , born
in New Jersey, October 25, 1830, married Lemon Chadwick,
with whom he still lives in Kansas an a farm. David T. born
in New Jersey, January 5, 1832, married Susannah, Addleman
January 4, 1855, in Hilliar township. By trade he is a plas
terer. After his marriage he purchased a farm in Hilliar town
ship, where he still resides, engaged in farming and breeding
Aresican Merino sheep, of which he has a fine flock. He has
three children, John T., born September 23. 1855; Lydia
Ellen, born December 9, 1857, and Wilbert Irvine, born July
21, 1868. Mr. Best is an estimable citizen. Lydia Ellen, born
May 20, 1834, in New Jersey, married October, 1880, to John
McGuier, a plasterer, residing at Centreburgh, Ohio. Ananias,
born in New Jersey July 10, 1836, married in Iowa to Miss
Kate McCrary. He is a wagonmaker, but is now engaged in
farming in Butler, county, Iowa. Peter, born in New Jersey,
September 5, 1838, lived until fifteen 'years of age, dying
in Hilliar township. James, born October 25, 1840, in Knox
county, Ohio. He obtained a collegiate education at Waynes-
burgh, Pennsylvania, and took a theological course at Cincinnati,
Ohio, and is now a minister of the 'Cumberland Presbyterian
church at Bradford, Ohio. He married Narcissa M. Conner
of Cumberland, Ohio. Sylvester was born in Hilliar township,
January 30, 1843,, remained on the farm until September 22,
1862, when he enlisted in company F, One Hundred and
Twenty-first regiment O. V. I. He participated in the battles
of Perryville, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and Kennesaw
Mountain, where he received a gunshot wound in the left hand
June 27, 1863. He was discharged October 10, 1864 by reason
of disability caused by his wound. After his return home he
finished his education at Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He was married
to Miss Martha Annett, of Centreburgh, Ohio, May 19, 1866.
He followed photography for seven years, after which he
engaged in farming near Centreburgh, Ohio, at which occupa
tion he is still engaged. They are the parents of the following
children: Carrie Bernice, born at Centreburgh March 29,
1869, died at Lock, Ohio, October 24, 1870; Sylvester Robert,
born at Lock, Ohio April 5, 1872 ; Jesse Taylor, born at Sun-
bury, Ohio, May 1, 1874; Charlie Sherman, born at Sunbury,
Ohio, February 10, 1876.
BEST, MRS. SOPHIA, Hilliar township, was born in Hilliar
township in 1823. She is the daughter of Henry and Rhoda
Houck, nee Jennings. Her parents were among the first settlers
of Hilliar township. They came in 1811. She spent her youth
at home. She was married to William Best November 10,
1846. They had a family of five children, two of whom are liv
ing. Mr. Best died September 12, 1877.
BIGGS, JAMES, Howard township, farmer, post office How
ard, was born in Jefferson township1, Knox county. His mother
died when he was a small child, and he was given to his uncle
with whom he lived fourteen years. He then went to Coshoc
ton county, Ohio, and learned the shoemaking trade, and fol

lowed it five years. Then after two years of farming life he
married and settled on his present farm, where he has lived
twenty-one years. He has four children: Carrie, Maggie,
Jackson, and Olive. His wife died in 1877, and was buried in
the Millwood cemetery.
BINGHAM, L. O., Middlebury township, mason, post office
Levering, born in Licking county, Ohio, in 1849, and was mar
ried in 1874 to Amanda Gaumer, who was born in Knox county
in 1850. They have two children: Bessie O. , born in 1876, and
Henry L., born in 1877.
BIRD, MRS. KEZIAH, Liberty township, born in North
umberland county, Pennsylvania, November, 1802, being the
daughter of Abner and Abigail Johnston, who had a family of
nine children, seven daughters and two sons. The sons died
when young. The daughters all grew up and were married.
The parents died in Pennsylvania. The subject of this notice
was married to John Bird, August 11, 1824. He was a native
of New Jersey, and was born January 16, 1801. Shortly after
their marriage they settled upon the farm on which she still re
sides. Mr. Bird had been here two years previous, having come
with his father, Sylvanus Bird, who emigrated with his family
about 1822, and settled on this farm. Here John Bird died
September 11, 1878. He was a good citizen and an exemplary
man. There were born to them nine children, viz: Oliver P.,
died in Delaware county; left a family of ten children;
Johnson A., farmer, in Delaware county; Ellen S. resides with
her mother on the old homestead; Milton, farmer, a resident of
Liberty township; Charlotte H., wife or Henry Strickler de
ceased, and resides in Iowa; Esther Ann, wife bf John McAl
lister, in Union county, Ohio; Corinda, wife of John D. Hig
gins, of Liberty township; Mary E., wife of George Hull, of
Morrow county, Ohio; and John, a farmer, and resident of Lib
erty township.
Mrs. Bird is spending the evening of her life on the old home
stead, where she and her husband settled fifty-seven years ago.
Their children are all doing well, and have the esteem of the
community in which they live.
BIRD, GEORGE W., farmer, Hilliar township, was born in
Liberty township, Knox county, December 18, 1828. He is the
seventh child of Elisha and Susan Bird (nee Haggerty), who
emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio.
The youth of Mr. Bird was spent on a farm, and like boys of
his day, he attended school during the winter. He was married
to Miss Lucinda Abbott, in June, 1853, She was born in Lick
ing county. The following spring they moved to Hilliar town
ship, on the farm on which he now resides, and began the
improvement of their future home. He has succeeded in
beautifying his home and adding considerable land to his first
purchase. He is a careful farmer, a good citizen, and has the
confidence of the community. He is hospitable and agreeable
in his manners. The raising of cattle is his principal business.
The marriage of Mr. Bird was blessed with six children, three
sons and three daughters, four of whom are living, viz : Joel
A. (farmer, Wyandot county, Ohio), Sarah E., Dora M., and
George M.
BIRD, MILTON, farmer, Liberty township, born there
November 14, 1831, and is the son of John and Keziah Bird,
of whom mention is made in this volume. He spent his youth
on the farm and attended the common schools, and has always

602

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

followed farming as his occupation. He married Sarah M.
Robertson, daughter of Hezekiah K. Robertson, of Liberty
township, November, 1855, and has a family of five children,
viz: Eva M. (wife of Dr. W. Merriman, of Centreburgh,
Ohio), Elmer M., Flora M., Alfrata M., and Orville. M.
Mr. and Mrs. Bird are much esteemed by their acquaintances.
BIRD, WILLIAM, JR., hardware dealer, Mt. Vernon, son
of William Bird, sr., was born at Catawissa, Columbia county,
Pennsylvania, February 10, 1835, where he resided until March
28, 1859. He then emigrated to Ohio and located at Mt.
Gilead, Morrow county, Ohio, where he resided seven years,
during which he was in the boot, shoe, and leather business,
after which he came to Mt. Vernon and engaged in the hard-'
ware, stove, and tinware business, in which he still continues,
and has been successful in. He carries a stock of from eight
to twelve thousand dollars.
He married Miss Marie E. Kreigh, February 4, 1854, and
has a family of five children : Charles A., Daniel K., Kate S.,
Annie E., and Bessie M.
BIRD, JOHN H., Liberty township, farmer, born in Lib
erty township February 23, 1843, being the son of John and
Keziah Bird, of whom mention is made in this work. He was
raised on the old homestead farm, doing the ordinary work of a
farmer's son. He enlisted in company F, One Hundred and
Twenty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and was in the
battle of Perrysville, Kentucky; taken prisoner, and'parolled on
the field. In May, 1864, he returned to his regiment and pur-
ticipated in the battles of Kennesaw Mountain and Mission
Ridge, and marched with Sherman to Savannah, thence to
North Carolina and Washington, and was discharged with his
company at Columbus, Ohio. After his return home he en
gaged in farmtng, which he has since followed. On September
7, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Carrie A. Brokaw,
daughter of John A. Brokaw, and of whom mention is else
where made. They have one child, Edith W., born November
25, 1870.
BIRD, MORGAN, Wayne township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, born in Morris township, this county, in 1849,
and was married in 1871 to Sarah McCutchen, who was born in
Morrow county in July 1849. They have the following chil
dren: Leroy. born in 1872; Etta, 1875; Daisy, 1878, andCeorge,
in 1880. Mr. Bird has always resided in this county. He is
one of the intelligent and active farmers of Wayne township.
BISHOP, ARNOLD, Milford township, farmer, was born in
Milford township February 1828; is the son of Gardner and
Millie Bishop, nee Young, who were natives of Rhode Island,
and early settlers of Milford township. Mention is made of the
Bishop settlement of Milford in the general history ofthe town
ship. The subject of this notice was raised on a farm. He enlisted
in company F, One Hundred and Twenty-first regiment, Ohio
volunteer infantry; was second sargeant of the company at its
organization, and about a year after commissioned orderly'
which he held until he was discharged He participated in most
of the battles in which his company and regiment was engaged.
He did not participate in the campaign from Atlanta to Savan
nah on account of disability. He joined his regiment at Sa
vannah, and was with it from that time until the discharge of
the company. After his return home he resumed farming, at
wh1Gh he has since been engaged. Politically he is a zealous

Republican; is a good citizen; was married to Miss Sarah A.
McClelland December, 1854. They had two children (one of
whom died in infancy), Luella, is the wife of Aaron W. Gear
hart. BLACK, WILLIAM B., farmer, Pike township; post office
Corning, Adams county, Iowa; born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, January 1, 1823, and was married to Margaret
Cornell, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1827.
They had eight children — Ransom B., John L., Mary E., (de
ceased), Alvin S., Sarah R., (deceased), Martha A., Irena M.,
and Harriet.
Mr. Black came to Ohio . with his parents at the age of four
years, who located in Union township, this county. His father,
. George Black, remained on the same farm they purchased until
his death. After maniage W. B. Black located in Danville,
and engaged in manufacturing wagons and buggies for some
years, after which he moved to Gann, this county, and con
tinued in the same business till 1869, when he moved to Iowa,
where he still resides, engaged in farming in that State.
BLACK, John L., physician, Pike township; post office
Democracy; born in Union township, this county, in 1846, and
was married in 1869 to Dora J. Sapp, who was born in this
county in T850. They have three children — Aurilla, Robert R..
and Eva A. Dr. Black attended school at the academy at
Spring Mountain, Coshocton county, and studied medicine
with Dr. C. Sapp, of Danville. He attended lectures at Cleve
land, in the medical department of the University of Wooster,
(formerly called Charity Hospital Medical college). He gradu
ated in the spring of 1869, and commenced the practice of
medicine the same year in Amity, where he still remains.
Dr. Black has been successful as a physician, has accumulated
considerable property, and stands high in his profession in this
county. He was a soldier in the late war, a member of "com
pany K, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth regiment, independent
volunteer infantry, continuing in the seivice for about six
months. BLACKBURN, WILBUR, farmer, Middlebury township;
post office Fredericktown; born in Middlebury township, July
19, 1842, and was married February 6, 1866, to Elvina Keyes,
who was born in Middlebury township, July 15, 1849. They
have one daughter, Effie, who was born March 26, 1879. Mr.
W. Blackburn was a soldier in the war, a member of company
A, Twentieth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and was en
gaged in the service over three years.
BLAKE, WILLIAM, born in Ireland in the year r76i, and
at an early day emigrated to America. He married Miss Han
nah Sprague, born in Connecticut in 1778. They came to
Knox county and settled in Clinton township in 1812, on the
farm now owned by John Grey. He died in 1848, aged eighty-
seven years, and his companion in 1850, aged seventy-two years
and five months.
BLAKELEY, HUGH, Pike township, farmer, post office
North Liberty, born in Clinton township, this county, in 1809,
and was married in 1827 to Catharine Wallace, who was born
in Pennsylvania in 1803. They had the following children:
James W., born in 1828; Zephaniah and Joel, born in 1830; Is
abella in 1832; Hugh H. in 1836; Rachel in ^34; Thomas' C
born August 19, 1839; Margaret A. in 1841; Lyrnan p. in lg '.
and Mary C. in 1848.
Mrs. Catharine Blakeley died April 21, 1866. James Blake.

DR. J. N. BURR.

PERSONAL SKETCH OF JOHN S. BRADDOCK.

John Sellers Braddock, dealer in land warrants and real
estate, Mount Vernon, Ohio. The name of Braddock (Saxon
Broad-Oak) at once suggests a chapter in colonial history in
separably connected with that of the country, and to trace the
history of that family, connecting the past with the present, is
the object of this sketch.
Major General Edward Braddock was born in England about
1650, served with distinction under George II, and won for
himself the name of an "honest, brave old gentleman." He
died at Bath, June 15, 1725, and left one son, then about thirty
years of age.
Edward Braddock, jr. , was born in England about 1695. On
the eleventh day of October, 1710, he entered the army with" the
rank of ensign in the grenadier company of the Cold Stream
guards, "the flower of the British army." Promotion followed
rapidly, until, on the twenty-ninth of March, 1754, he was made
major general, and in the September following was appointed to
the command of all the troops to be sent against the French. in
America. On the twenty-first of December he sailed for Hamp
ton Roads, in Virginia, where he arrived February 20, 1755.
His military career in America, and especially his unfortunate
defeat at Braddock's Field, on the ninth of July, T755, and
his tragic death four days later, are too well known to require
repetition here.
His cousins, John and Raphael Braddock, came to America
about the same time, located in Baltimore county, Maryland,
served in the Revolution, and after the close of the war, or in
1789, they moved to Washington county, Pennsylvania.
Raphael Braddock had four sons — Frank, David, Cyrus, and
Harvey. David was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, and
moved to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he died in
1814. Joshua Braddock, son of David and grandson of Raphael,
was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1781,
married Susanna Sellers (born October 15, 1783) in 1807, by
whom he had ten children — Elizabeth, Sarah, Margaret, David,
Susanna, Joshua, Mary, Arena, Anna, and Robert M. Braddock.
He moved to Knox county, Ohio, in 1814, and located tempo
rarily in Morgan township, on the Jacob Sellers farm, where he
remained until 1816, when he entered six hundred and forty
acres of Government land on Schenck's creek, in Morris town

ship. He was'one of the early settlers in that section of country.
Possessed of Christian character and high moral worth, he
was greatly beloved by his neighbors and friends; he was fond
of sport and enjoyed hunting, having killed during his resi
dence in Morris township fifty-four bears, and deer in numbers.
He died January 9, 1837.
David, the fourth child and oldest son of Joshua and Susan
na Sellers Braddock, was born in Washington county, Penn
sylvania, November 8, 1813; and Catharine Headington was
born in Baltimore county, Maryland, March 6, 1817, and they
were married on the twenty-fourth day of March, 1836. David
Braddock and Catharine H. Braddock had twelve children, six
sons and six daughters. Joshua C. and David W. reside in
Sacramento, California; J. Thomas, Rebecca H., Eliza A.,
Arena E..„: and Ruth A. reside near Charleston, Illinois. Two
sons and two daughters died in infancy.
John S., the sixth child and second son is the only member
of David Braddock's family residing in Ohio. He was born at
the old homestead, in Morris township, Knox county, Ohio,
December 13, 1844, and received a common school and prac
tical education. He was sent by his father, at the age of nine
teen, to Illinois, where he farmed two years. Upon attaining
his majority he returned to Knox county, Ohio, and engaged
in teaching school during the winters of. 1866-7-8-9 and 1870,
and travelling the summer months, hunting up, purchasing and
selling land warrants. In July, 1870, he went to Nebraska and
entered three thousand five hundred acres of land, and in Oc
tober of the same year located in Mt. Vernon, and engaged in
the purchase and sale of real estate,;|\ogether with the land
warrant and scrip business ; where, by industry, integrity and
promptness he has built up a successful^'and prosperous busi
ness. On the fourth of March, 1869, he married Miss Maggie
Burson, daughter of .Edward Burson, esq., of Morris township,
Knox county, Ohio, who was bom J? — ry 16, 1851, in Parke
county, Indiana.
John S. and Maggie B. Braddock have six children: Orrinda
Kate, born September 19, 1870; Edward Burson, born De
cember 3, 1872; Walter David, born March 6, 1875; Maggie
May, born May 8, 1877; John Sellers, born June 17, 1879;
Alice Anna, born February 23, 1881.

¦'¦'"' ' ' ¦

^9" ly j\.jz niiC

^^2.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

603

ley is dead. Joel died in Jasper county, Iowa, in 1875. Cath
arine E. died in 1871. Thomas C. and Lyman P. have de
ceased. Mr. Blakeley moved to Pike township in 1871, and
has since been engaged in farming. He is numbered among
the pioneers; is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church,
and one of the good citizens of this township.
BLAIR, Z., son of Joseph Blair, who was a native of Mon
mouth county, New Jersey, was born in Bedford county, Penn
sylvania, October 1, 1811. He came with his parents to Knox
county in 1820, and located in Middleberry township, where the
family have ever since resided, except about two years in Dela
ware county, Ohio. Mr. Blair, sr., was a soldier in the War of
1812; was a musician. He died in 1873, m tne ninety-second year
of his age. He is one of a family of eleven children, of whom
seven are now living. He leceived an education such as that
day afforded in the country. Early in. life he learned the trade
of a millwright, did his first work on the Norton mill, then on
the red mill owned by Gillman Bryant, and has been engaged
in the business ever since. He has been engaged with J. C. &
G. Cooper, and John Cooper, for the last twenty years, in put
ting up mill works in different States for them; he was married
July 7, 1835, to Miss Jane, daughter ot William Petigrew, of
Mt. Vernon, by whom he had two children, both of whom are
dead. Mrs. Blair died in 1842. He married Miss Ann Hanlan
in 1847, by whom he had five children, two of whom are living.
Mrs. Biair died June 15, i860.
BLAIR, ISAAC G., Jefferson township, farmer, post office
Greenville, the sixth son of William Blair, born in Jefferson
township, Knox county, September 16, 1853, where he was
raised by his parents and received a common school education.
At the age of twenty-two years, November 28, 1875, he married
Miss Victoria Critchfield, a daughter of Robert and Emily
Critchfield, born in Danville, Knox county, May 10, J857.
Soon after his marriage he located in Greersville, where he re
mained eighteen months, and then removed to Rosstown, where
he performed labor in a flouring-mill for about eight months,
when he moved to Brown township, and from there to Jefferson,
locating on a part of his father's farm, where he now resides.
Their union resulted in one child, Olive Blanche, born July 21,
1878. Farming is his vocation at present.
BLAIR, WILLIAM H., Jefferson township, farmer, post
office Greersville; son of Thomas and Phebe Blair, born in Al-
Alleghany county, Maryland, October 7, 1808, and re
ceived a common school education. He remained at home till
he arrived at the age of twenty-three years, when he married
Levinia Shaw (September 24, 1833), daughter of John Shaw,
born in Maryland, June 20, 1814. After his marriage he moved
to Knox county with his family, locating in Danville, and re
mained about three years, then moved into the neighborhood of
Greersville, where he hpurchased a farm of eighty acres; remain
ing about two years and a half; he then sold and bought fifty
acres in Milford township, where he removed and remained
eighteen months, then sold and bought fifty acres in Jefferson
township, four miles northwest of Greersville, where he then
moved and now resides. In 1877 he bought sixty-six acres adjoin
ing him on the west, making one hundred sixteen acres. By
their marriage they became the parents of eight children, viz:
Thomas H., bom December 29, 1834; James F., June 2, 1836,
died November 17, i860; John F., September 27, 1838, died
March 25, 1865; Emily M., April 12, 1841, died November 20,
1841; William B,, November 12, 1842; Phebe B., February 16,

1845; Rollin N., August 11, 10,47; Walter S., May 2, 1849.
Five children are living.
Levinia Blair, his companion, died March 21, 1850, in her
thirty-sixth year. November 5, 1850, he married Olive Simp
son, widow of Samuel Simpson, born November 11, in Jefferson
township, Knox county, 1819. Their marriage resulted in five
children, viz: Sarah E., born September 1, 1851; Isaac F., Sep
tember 16, 1853; Mary F., December 30, 1855; Calvin S.,
March 18, 1858; Leroy, July 6, i860; all of whom are living.
Mr. and Mrs. Blair are members of the Wesleyan church of
Greersville. BLUBAUGH, MRS. SARAH, post office Rosstown, was bom
in Jefferson township Knox county, December 9, 1839, and was
married January 1, i860, to H. Blubaugh; settled on a farm,
lived there one year, and then moved to their present farm. In
1874 Mr. Blubaugh was killed by falling from a tree. They had
three children ; Henry, born October 22, 1864; Clinton, born
August 20, 1867; and Charles, born July 3, 1870.
BLUE, PETER (deceased), was bom near Columbus, Ohio,
January 1, 1825, and removed to Jackson township, Knox
county, Ohio, at an early age, residing there until his demise,
May 8, 1868. He was married August 2, 1849, to Mary Mc
Camment, who was born in J ackson township, February 3, 1829.
They had nine children: Laura J., Henrietta E., Ella M., Alice
E., Susan M., Wilbur M., James O., Emma B., and Maggie
L. Alice died March 7, 1865; Henrietta died May 21, 1879;
Laura was married September 16, 1869, to Franklin Giffin; and
resides in Coshocton county.
BOGARDUS & CO., hardware dealers, Southwestern quar
ter, Puhlic Square, Mt. Vernon. Mr. William P. Bogardus,
the managing partner, was born in Huntsville, Luzerne county,
Pennsylvania, August 26, 1841. When seven years of age his
parents moved to Wilkesbarre, where he attended Wyoming
academy. In 1856 he, in company with his parents, removed
to Huron county, Ohio. In 1863 he enlisted in the United
States service, and was enrolled as a member of the Seventh In
dependent cavalry, which served as Lincoln's body guard. In
April, 1865, he received a commission as second lieutenant in
the Twenty-fourth regiment United States colored troops. In
this position he served until October 1, 1865, when he was hon
orably discharged. He returned to his home in Huron county
and engaged in farming, which he followed for three years.
He then entered the service of the United States express com
pany as messenger, and continued in that capacity until 1870,
when he was transferred to Mt. Vernon, to take charge of the
express office at that place, where he remained for two years.
In May, 1872, he engaged in the hardware business. In this
business he remains. The firm has met with good success from
the commencement to the present day. They carry a stock
valued from five to six thousand dollars. Their stock com
prises mechanics' and builders' hardware, and sash, doors,
blinds, and carpenters' supplies.
Mr. Bogardus was married June i, 1871, to Miss Elizabeth
Speny, daughter of Mr. Jared Speny, merchant of this city.
The issue of this marriage is four children, viz: AnnaL., Be
linda M., Everett J., and Ruth.
Mr. Bogardus served six years as a member of the city board
of Education.
BOGK, EVERHART, Howard township, farmer, post of
fice, Howard, was born in Hesson, in Europe, in 1804. He;

604

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

lived in the old country until 1822, when he came to New York.
He came to Maryland in 1832, and then went to California in
i860, and remained there fourteen years. He then came to
Knox county. He came from California poor and worked on
the canal from Rosco to Rochester two years, made some money
and bought a farm. He married his first wife in tbe old coun
try, but she died the first year of their marriage. He married
his second wife in Knox county. He has five children. His
wife died in i860.
BONAR, WILLIAM, a resident on the east side of North
Main street, Mt. Vernon, was born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, May 2, 1805. In the year .1812 his parents came
to Ohio, and located in Morris township, this county, where
they resided the balance of their lives. His father died May 22,
1844, aged eighty-one years, and his mother died April 18,
1857, in the eighty-eighth year of her age. After their death
Mr. Bonar remained on the home farm, having had charge of it
some years previous, where he gave his time and attention
principally to farming. In the year 1859 he was elected to the
Ohio State legislature, in which he served one term, after
which, in 1874, he became a resident of Mt. Vernon, where he
has since resided. He was married to Abigail L. Case, daugh
ter of Aaron Case, of Morris county, New Jersey, by whom he
had a family of six children, viz : Elizabeth, wife of Rev. J. W.
White, of Long Mont, Colorado; Isabella, Caroline and David
(deceased); Sarah J., wife of C. W. Vanakin, who is a merchant
in Mt. Vernon, on the west side of Main street near public.
square, and one who died in infancy.
Mrs. Bonar died December 16, 1879, in the seventieth year of
her age.
Mr. Bonar has always been an aggressive and progressive
man, believing all good improvements should be utilized even if
popular opinion did not always sanction them. His speeches in
the legislature show an earnestness of purpose and a determina
tion to stand for progress and the right.
BONAR, JOSIAH, Monis township; farmer; post office,
Mt. Vernon, was born in 1826, in Morris township, Knox
county, Ohio. He was married in 1854, to Margaret A. Swan,
who was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1836. They
had two daughters: Anna B. and Ada. Ada died in 1865.
Mr. Bonar has always been identified with this county, and
owns one of the best improved farms in the county with modern
style buildings, He is a model and enterprising farmer, and
has done much to promote the general interest of schools and
public enterprise of the township.
BONAR, JOHN, deceased, Morris township, was born in
Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1803, and was married in
1826, to Lucinda Cooper, who was born in 1805, in Washing
ton county, Pennsylvania. They had three children: Josiah,
born in 1827; Catharine, in 1829, and Belle, in 1837.
Mr. John Bonar died in i860, in Morris township, Knox
county, Ohio. He emigrated with his parents, to Knox county,
in 1812, who located in Morris township, on a farm that was
all in timber, and the country was in its infancy. He was a
member of the Congregational church.
BONE, MOSES C, Miller township, farmer, was born in the
county of Cornwall, England, about 1832, and was reared on a
farm. In 1852 he emigrated to America and worked at wagon
making for some time. He then worked by the month for some
time until he had earned enough to set himself up on a rented

farm. On account of failure in crops he lost all his previous
earnings; but being determined to succed he struggled on until
he succeeded in being able to make a purchase of six acres of
land. A few years after, he purchased the farm of one hundred
and forty-seven acres on which he now resides, and subsequently
purchased adjoining land until he now has two hundred and sev
enty-three acres, and is one of the leading farmers of Miller
township. His farm is improved, having a commodinus, new,
and substantial dwelling, with all other necessary farm buildings.
Mr. Bone is a leading citizen, and is highly esteemed for his
many good qualities. He was married March 18, 1858, to Miss
Martha White, a native of Pennsylvania. They had nine chil
dren, eight of whom are living, viz.; John H., Lovilla C, Mary
Jane, Frank E., Alta Amelia, Charley C, Anna Dell, and Mar
tha M. Bumella has deceased.
BONER, MATTHEW, Wayne township, farmer, post office
Fredericktown, bom in Knox county in 1831, and was married
in 1854 to Hannah Dalrymple, who was born in Knox county
in 1831. They have one daughter, Avarilla, who still resides
with her parents. Mr. Boner is one of the leading and enter
prising men of this township, and one of the official members
of the Baptist church.
BONER, F. P., Wayne township, farmer, post office Freder
icktown, born in Morrow county, Ohio, in 1853, and was mar
ried in 1877 to Amanda Cooper who was born in Knox county
in 1855. They have two children — Mary, born in 1878, and
Olla, born in 1880. Mr. Boner has been a resident of Wayne
township about fifteen years.
BONNETT, Simon L., retired, Gambier, a son of John and
Eva Bonnett, was born in Virginia, October 22, 1814; his father
died in 1817, from disease contracted while serving in the War
of 1812; his mother married Daniel Blue in 1818. Mr. Bonnett
was brought to Franklin county, Ohio, in 1819. by his mother
and stepfather. In 1824 they moved to Knox county, Ohio,
and located in Jackson township, where his mother is now living
at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. In 1828 he returned
to his native county in Virginia, where he remained five years,
then in 1833; he emigrated to Coshocton county, Ohio, April
14, 1837, where he married Miss Marinda Boggs, born October
30, 1817. They settled on a farm in Coshocton county, and
remained fourteen years. In 1851 he sold his Coshocton farm
and purchased one in Harrison township, this county, on which
he moved and lived until 1877, when he came to Gambier, where
he is now living a retired life. Their union resulted in six chil
dren, three sons and three daughters. One of the sons has de-
¦ ceased. His companion departed this life on the twenty-third
day of January, 1877. His second wife was Miss Jane Kelley,
of Gambier, to whom he was married June 30, 1877. Two of
his sons, Benjamin L., and Henry W., setved in the war of 1861.
BORDEN, ANDREW T., Hilliar township, proprietor of
livery and sale stable, was born in Knox county, March, 1843.
His youth was spent on his father's farm and attending the dis
trict schools. In 1861, when about seventeen years of age, he
enlisted in company F, Sixty-fifth Ohio volunteers. He was
with his regiment until the battle of Stone River, where he
was taken prisoner and parolled on the field. He was sent to
Nashville, Tennessee, where he was taken sick and was dis
charged on account of physical disability. He returned home,
but being in ill health, he took a journey to the west. His first
point was Helena, Montana territory. He was engaged there

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

605

in the mines for about one year. He then went to Hamilton
City, Nevada, where he remained for some time. From Ne
vada he went to Idaho territory. He returned to Nevada,
thence to California, and then returned again to Nevada. He
came home from Nevada after spending about two years and a
half in the various places named. After his return home he
clerked in a store in Bellville, Richland county, for about two
years. He then went into the livery business in Mt. Vernon,
and was engaged in that for a year. He then went to Sunbury,
Delaware county, Ohio, where he engaged in the livery and
hotel business, in which he was successful. He sold his busi
ness in Sunbury and in April, 1880, moved to Centreburgh and
opened the livery business. He keeps the latest and best style
of rigs, and his teams are above the average. He is affable
and pleasant and always ready to wait on his customers. Mr.
Borden was married to Miss Agnes C. White, of Belleville,
Richland county, Ohio, September 12, 1872.
BELL FAMILY. This family originally came from Penn
sylvania to Ohio. James Bell, James Hayes, his brother-in-law,
and Benjamin Bell came from Green county, Pennsylvania, and
settled in Knox county. Benjamin Bell and James Hayes in
the spring of 1813, and James Bell in the fall of 1815, bringing
with them their families. They settled in what was then an
unbroken forest and still the happy hunting ground of the na
tives, where they lived for near half a century, and by their in
dustry, economy, and frugality, they cleared up large farms and
acquired for themselves a competence of this world's good. In
religion they were Disciples of Christ ; in politics Democrats, to
which party their numerous descendants, consisting of children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren, in all numbering three
hundred and three, of whom two hundred and sixty-seven now
survive, a large part of whom adheie most tenaciously to the
faith of their fathers. September 19, 1878, this family had a
reunion near Martinsburgh, Ohio. Rev. Benjamin Bell was
president, and Leman A. Bell secretary. There was present a
great number of friends and relatives of the family. Hon.
William Bell, Professor Harris, Rev. Mitchell, and several
others made suitable speeches. The following is a brief history
of the family now in Morgan township:
Isaac Bell, son of James Bell, was born in Pennsylvania in
1802; came to Ohio in 1815 with his parents. In 1820 he mar
ried Miss Catharine Hanger. They had a family of six chil
dren: Amelia, James, Elizabeth, Robinson, Alexander, and
Harriet M. Of these Elizabeth and Alexander are dead. Mr.
Bell still resides on the farm on which he has lived for many years.
Robinson Bell, son of Isaac Bell, is a farmer in this township,
and is a worthy and esteemed citizen.
L. A. Bell, son of Samuel Bell and Elizabeth (Hanger) Bell,
was born in Licking county, March 30, 1838.
Samuel Bell was born in Pennsylvania December 10, 1800;
came with his father, James Bell, to Ohio in 1815. By his mar
riage he had twelve children, as follows: Nancy, Betsey, Jacob
H., William, Julia, Rachael, Orrin W., Lee A., David P., and
Letty. Leman A. Bell was married to Miss C. A. McClelland De
cember 31, 1861. They had two children, Edwin and Ida R.
He was reared on a farm and educated at the common schools.
He is a leading citizen. He was nominated in the fall of 1877
for county auditor, but was defeated at the ensuing election.
Carey Bell was born November 1, 1830. His paternal grand
father was Benjamin Bell. His father, Jacob Bell, was born in

1807; came to Ohio with his parents in 1813. In 1828 he mar
ried Rachel Letts. They had a family of nine children. Three
died in infancy. The living are Carey, Emily, wife of Charles
Vanausdall; Elizabeth, wife of George H. Moore; Carrie,
wifeof Dr. Garrison, of Utica, Ohio; Dr. R, L, of Springfield,
Ohio, and Willis R., of Cass county, Iowa.
Carey Bell spent his youth on a farm. He attended school
two years at Granville, Ohio. He married Miss Mary E.
Hughes, daughter of George Hughes, March 10, 1854. They
had three children. One died in infancy, and the other two
were Clara E., wife of Orrin S. Gilbert, of Alexandria, and
Hugh C. Mr. Bell is a leading member of the Baptist church.
Politically a Republican, which in the Bell family is rare. He
was first lieutenant of company I, One Hundred and Forty-
second regiment, Ohio National guards.
BOTTENFIELD, WILLIAM L, Milford township, farmer,
was born May 2, 1839, in Green county, Pennsylvania. The
Bottenfield family were very early settlers in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, but at what time they settled there is not
definitely known. There was quite a numerous family there,
but their descendants are now mostly scattered over the western
States, and but few of the family remain in Pennsylvania. John
Bottenfield, the father of William L., was bom in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, April 21, 1788, and married Mary Wood
ruff, born April 13, 1794, who was a native of New Jersey, born
near Elizabethtown. While quite young her parents emigrated
to Washington county, Pennsylvania.
Mr. and Mrs. Bottenfield came to Ohio in October, 1839, and
located in Milford township, where they remained until their
death. John Bottenfield died August 7, 1866; his wife died
December, 1871. They had ten children, all of whom are liv
ing, and all were born in Pennsylvania: Sarah, widow of Peter
Wolff; Joseph, farmer, in Crawford county, Illinois; Barbara,
widow of Job Sutton; Meaker, farmer, in Mason county; Es
ther, wife of William Bishop; Phebe, wife of James McClellan,
in Warren county, Iowa; Jane, wife of William Williams, in
Warren county, Iowa; Elizabeth, wife of David Martin, in Mor
ris county, Kansas ; Nehemiah, farmer in Crawford county, Illi
nois; and William L., who has always resided in Milford town
ship. He was raised on the farm and has followed farming as
his occupation. He is one of Milford's best citizens, and is a
strong advocate of any cause which he espouses and which he
believes to be right. He is a man of generous impulses and is
always ready to further any enterprize which has for its object
the elevation of the community. In politics he is a Democrat of
the Jacksonian type, and is one of the leaders of his party in the
county. On the eleventh of September, 1872, he was united in
marriage to Clamana L. Stevens, who was born in Milford
township, September 27, 1846. They have one child, Lee Mal
colm, born October 24, 1873.
Mrs. Emeline Stevens, nee Ferrell, mother of Mrs. Bottenfield,
was born in Milford township, March 15, 1818. Her parents
came from Litchfield county, Connecticut, about 1816, and set
tled in what is now Milford township, where they both died.
She was joined in marriage to John Stevens in 1843. They had
a family of six children, all living. Mr. Stevens died April, 1862.
BOUTON, HENRY, Wayne township (deceased), bom in
Tompkins county, New York, in 1801, came to Ohio at the age
of sixteen years, and was married to Phebe Rood, who was
born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1804. Their
children are Jane, Amanda, James M., and Eliza.

6o6

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Mr. Bouton located in Knox county in 1816, bought timber-
land, cleared, and improved it, and has at present one of the
most beautiful farms of this township. He died April 18, 1877,
and was buried at Fredericktown. Mrs. Bouton died August
18, 1,878. They were known by many of the earliest settlers of
this county.
BOWERS, WILLIAM, farmer, Morris township, post office
Mount Vernon, was born in New Jersey in 1814, went to New
York with his parents in 1827, and married Sarah Cosgrove,
who was born in New Jersey in 1811. They have two children:
Charles, born in 1840, and Louisa, born in 1845.
Mr. Bowers went to Ashland county in 1853, and remained
there till 1861, then came to Knox county. He first resided in
Mt. Vernon, after which he located on a farm in Morris town
ship, in 1872. Mr. Bowers is a farmer by occupation. Charles
Bowers enlisted in company A, Ninety-sixth regiment Ohio
volunteer infantry, and died at Memphis, Tennessee, July 6,
1863. BOWLAND, R. M., boot and shoe dealer, Banning block,
corner of Main and Vine streets, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, was born
September 27, 1832, in Washington county, Pennsylvania,
where he resided until fifteen years old. He then came to Ohio
and located at Martinsburgh and made his first business en
gagement as salesman, in which he continued until 1852. He
then came to Mt. Vernon and engaged with the firm of Miller
& Browning, dry goods merchants, for a short time, after which
he entered the employ of J. E. Woodbridge, whom he served
four years, he then engaged with the firm of Beam & Mead,
where he served six years, the firm then dissolved, and he re
mained with D. W. Mead, one of the firm, until 1869, when he
bought out Mr. Grant, of the firm of Grant & Atwood, and
did business under the firm name of Atwood & Bowland until
1876, since which Mr. Bowland has been sole proprietor. He
carrys a stock of about four thousand dollars, consisting of
boots and shoes, and has one of the largest and most complete
stocks in this line in the city, doing a business of from twenty
to twenty-five thousand dollars per year.
BOYD, JOHN, Mt. Vernon, was born January 20, 1808, is
a native of Allegheny City, where he received his education,
and when seventeen years old engaged with James Taylor, of
Pittsburgh, to learn the baking business, at which he served four
years; he then engaged in business for himself, in which he con
tinued about one and a half years, when he went to Louisville,
Kentucky, where he worked at the business for some time; he
next went to St. Louis and remained in business there until
1836, when he returned to Pittsburgh and remained there until
December of that year; he then came to this State, locating in
Mt. Vemon, where he engaged in the grocery and baking busi
ness, in which he continued until 1866, when he engaged in
the business at Smith's Ferry, Pennsylvania, where he remained
fonr years (during which his family remained in Mt. Vernon),
after which he returned in 1870, since which he has been engaged
in various ways. He was collector in 1872-3, and from 1873 to
1875 was nrst clerk in the pension office at Washington, District
Columbia. He was elected township trustee in 1875 in which
office he still continues. He was married April 22, 1830, to Miss
Margaret O'Hanlan, daughter of Michael O'Hanlan, of Pitts
burgh, by whom he had a family of eight children, viz, : John
C, William, Robert A., Maggie A., George W., and W. H.
(twins), Mary, and Sadie; four are living, viz., William, Mag
gie A., George W., and Sadie. Mr. Boyd enlisted in 1864 and

served in the One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio National
guard, and his sons, John C, and William, were in the Eighty-
second Onio volunteer infantry, and George was in the Twen
tieth Ohio volunteer infantry.
BOYD, SAMUEL, of Fredericktown, deceased, was bom in
Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1811; came to Knox
county, Ohio, in 1864, and was married to Matilda Hastings,
who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1820.
They had the following children, viz.: Sarah J., now Mrs. John
W. Leedy; and William, who married Anna B. Mane; they re
side on the home place. Mr. Samuel Boyd died in 1874. He
was a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Boyd still resides on the
home place.
BOYD, THOMAS, farmer and wool-grower, Brown township,
post office, Jelloway, son of James and Nancy Boyd, born in
Leesville, Carroll county, Ohio, January 13, 1828. At the age
of six months his parents died, and he lived with Archibald
Elliott until he was thirteen years old. Thomas then worked
among the farmers until he arrived at the age of sixteen, when
he entered into a contract with David Copper to work for five
years for the sum of one hundred dollars and a freedom suit.
After that he followed farming and dealing in stock. On the
twentieth of March, 1850, at the age of twenty-two years, he
married Miss Mahala, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth, Nor-
rick.born in Harrison county, January 13, 1828; after his marriage
he moved to Brown township, Knox county, where he purchased
forty acres of land, and there located and reared his family. In
1 85 1 he bought fifty- three acres of woodland adjoining him; and in
about three years bought thirty-three acres more. In addition to
that, he in 1862 bought seventy-five acres, and in 1871 fifty acres
more, making in all two hundred and forty-eight acres. In 1871
Mr. Boyd erected a very fine dwelling, which, with other buildings
to correspond, make a very desirable and comfortable home. For
merly Mr. Boyd followed buying and shipping stock in connec
tion with farming, but is at present giving his attention to
raising fine sheep. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are the parents of
eleven children, viz, : James W., Hezekiah F., Elizabeth J.,
Emelia U., Daniel W., Jemima A., Thomas M. (died August
27, 1867), Olive B., Ettie P.; one died in infancy, leaving nine
living. Mr. apd Mrs. Boyd are consistent members of the
Wesleyan Methodist church of Shadley Valley.
BOYD, WILLIAM, farmer, was born in Clay township,
where he has always resided. He was married to Henrietta
McWilliams; they have two children, viz.: Charles and Lorena.
BOYLE, MICHAEL, is a native of Londonderry, Ireland,
where he was born Christmas eve of 1797. and resided until his
nineteenth year, when he came to this country and settled in
Baltimore, Maryland, where he worked at his trade (learned
the trade of house plasterer in Ireland) for about four years,
after which he worked in Pennsylvania, Buffalo, New York, and
several other places for a aumber of years. He then engaged
in the real estate business in Buffalo, in which he was at first
very successful, but finally met with reverses, when he con
cluded to move to St. Louis, Missouri, but when he got as far
as Newark, Ohio, he concluded to settle in Ohio. He settled
in Mt. Vernon in 1837, where he has ever since remained,
working at his trade until his age warned him it was about time
to retire. He was married December 11, 1836, to Miss M.
Boyle of Buffalo, New York, by whom he has had a family of
seven children, of whom only three are living: John, Michael,
and Edward.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

607

BOYLE, EDWARD, dealer in tobacco, cigars, etc., was
born in Mt. Vernon, June 14, 1859, and was educated in the
public schools. When seventeen years of age he commenced
selling papers as a newsboy, which he followed until he was
twenty years old, when by economy and industry he had enough
money to buy out J. M. Roberts' cigar store. He now carries
a large stock of cigars, tobacco, confectionery, daily papers,
etc. BRADDOCK, JAMES A., Fredericktown, butcher, was
bom in Knox county, December 22, 1848, was married in
1870, to Nora A. Phillips, who was born in Knox county, No
vember 21, 1851. They reside in Fredericktown. His father,
Joshua Braddock, (deceased) was born in Knox county, Ohio,
in 1818,. He was married in 1839, to Margaret Durbin, who
was born in Knox county, in 1819. They had the following
family: Emeline, born March 10, 1840; Jefferson, October 30,
1841; Levi, July 10, 1844; Elizabeth, October 30, 1846; John D.
and James D. December 2, 1848;' Rebecca, February 9, 1851.
Joshua Braddock came to his death by being kicked by a
horse, December 5, 1874, in Morris township. His occupation
was farming and dealing in stock. He was one of the leading
men of this county.
BRADDOCK, LEVI S., Morris township, farmer, post
office Mt. Vemon, was born in this county in 1844, and mar
ried in 1866 to Elizabeth J. Brumbaugh, who was born in this
county in 1848. They have one daughter, viz, Stella M. Brad
dock. The father of Mrs. Braddock, Daniel Brumbaugh, deceased,
was a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, who came to
Knox county at a very early day, with a small pack. He was a
shoemaker of very small means, but by industry and economy
he succeeded in accumulating wealth. He made his first pur
chase in Monroe township of fifty-five acres of land, for two
hundred and twenty-five dollars, and finally became the owner
of three hundred and thirty acres, and at the time of his death
was worth over thirty thousand dollars.
BRADDOCK, JOHN D., Pleasant township, son of Joshua
and Margaret Braddock, was born in Knox county, Ohio, De
cember 2, 1848. On the tenth day of October, 1875, he mar
ried Miss Minerva Mclntire, born in Holmes county, Ohio, in
1851, daughter of John and Mary Mclntire. They settled in
Morris township, this county, remained until the spring of 1878,
when he purchased and moved on the farm in Pleasant town
ship, where they are now living, located on the Martinsburgh
road, five miles from Mt. Vemon. His business is farming and
stock raising.
BRADFIELD, JAMES W., Union township, farmer, son
of John and Amy Bradfield, was bom in Loudoun county, Vir
ginia, December 6, 1819. His father died in 1820, leaving him
without paternal care. In 1836 he, in company with his mother,
his uncle, James P. Bradfield, and wife, his sister and her hus
band, Ferdinand Bolon, emigrated to Knox county, and located
on a farm now owned by Mr. J. W. Bradfield, adjacent to
Danville, where his brother-in-law, Mr. Bolon, died August 28,
1837. His uncle, James P. Bradfield, died on the same farm,
in the winter of 1845. During the winter of 1837, the subject
of this sketch, and his mother and sister, moved on a farm in
Brown township, this county, where his sister married Robert
D. Barr, of the same township, and he and his mother made
their home with Mr. and Mrs. Barr several years. Mr. J. W.

Bradfield married Miss Sarah A. Sapp, July 6, 1845. She was
born in Union township, Knox county, November 6, 1824, and
is the daughter of Levi and Mary Sapp. They settled in Brown
township, and remained until 1850. He purchased and moved
on a farm in Howard township, near the Catholic church, where
they lived ten years, and in i860 he purchased and moved on
the farm where they are now living, in Union township, near
Danville. They have five sons and four daughters. He was a
millwright by trade, and made that his principal vocation until
he was about forty years of age, when he turned his attention
to farming, and is at present farming and stock-raising, making
fine sheep a specialty. He filled the office of county commis
sioner from 1861 to 1867. He held the office of justice of the
peace from i860 to 1866, and was internal revenue assessor from
1862 to 1869. He is a man that is well known in the county,
and highly esteemed by all his acquaintances. After the death
of his sister, Mrs. Barr, which occurred April 7, 1848, his
mother made her home with him until she died, February 8,
1867, aged seventy-eight years.
BRADFIELD, CHARLES ROBERT, Liberty township, phy
sician, Mt. Liberty post office. He was born in Union township,
May, 1846. His youth was spent on the farm and attending dis
trict school. He attended school at Hayesville and Danville,
While on the farm he read anatomy during his leisure time.
When about seventeen years of age he went to read medicine
with Dr. L. W. Sapp, a Homeopathic physician of Cleveland,
but changed his purpose and read with Drs. Sapp and Balmer
of Danville, physicians of the regular school. He read with
them three years and attended lectures in Cleveland, and fin
ished his course at Detroit, Michigan, in 1870.
His first practice was with his preceptors at Danville, where
he remained until 1872, when he came to Mt. Liberty. He soon
secured a large practice and has been successful in retaining it.
He is social in his manners and liberal in his views.
He was married to Miss Sarah Dunlap, daughter of Salathiel
Dunlap, of Butler township, January, 1868. They have three
children — Stella, born December 14, 1869, died July, 1871; Liz
zie A., born May 3, 1871; Dale, born January 10, 1870.
BRADRICK, JOHN, Berlin township, farmer and carpenter,
post office, Fredericktown, born in Belmont county in 1818,
and was married in Richland county to Elizabeth Jane Beans,
who was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1822. They had
five children, viz: Mortimer, born in 1849; Wilson, in 1851;
Harrison, in 1854; Paul A. (deceased), in 1856; and Jonathan,
jr. (deceased), in 1858. Mrs. Elizabeth J. Bradrickdied in 1874.
His second marriage was to Mariam Gibson (Tavenner), who
was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1836. Mr. Bradrick
came to Richland county in 1833, and remained there till 1849,
when he located in Berlin township, this county.
When a young man he learned the carpenter trade ; he built
a barn on the farm of James Trayer in 1836, and in 1876 he
built a barn on the same location for Isaac Leedy, and has
worked at his trade in different localities.
Elizabeth was married to Daniel Fallen, now living in Perry
township, Richland county. Catharine died in 1879. George
died in 1852. Margaret was married to A. C. Huntsman, now
of Richland county. Lorain is engaged in the study of medi
cine with Dr. Hall, of Fredericktown, and attending lectures at
Chicago. Leroy is residing with his parents.
BRANYAN, J. HARVEY, Mt. Vernon, general blacksmith
ing, comer Front and Gay streets. Mr. Branyan is a native of

6o8

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

Richland county, Ohio ; born July 3, 1831. When about seven
years old his father moved to Knox county and located about
one mile west of Mt. Vernon. There he resided three years
when he returned to Richland county and located three-fourths
of a mile east of Shelby. After residing there three years he
again moved, making a home in Crawford county. Mr. Bran
yan, senior, died July 5, 1845.
After the death of his father young Branyan returned to
Richland county and resided there for some three years, and
then went to Gambier and engaged in learning the blacksmith
trade with Mr. F. Penhorwood, and served three years. At
the expiration of his apprenticeship he opened a shop for him
self, and conducted it for two years. The four following years
were spent in travelling and working as a journeyman in differ
ent places in Ohio and Indiana. After thus travelling he came
to Mt. Vernon and for two years worked as a journeyman, after
which he opened a shop for himself. He does a business of
about two thousand dollars per year, and makes horseshoeing
a specialty, having a thorough knowledge of the theory of
shoeing track and draft horses, and all other departments of
shoeing. He does also all kinds of job work and repairing on
short notice. All work first class and warranted. Mr. Branyan
has represented his ward in the city council.
BREECE, EDSON J., Fredericktown, painter; was born in
Fredericktown in 1829, and married in 1852 to Ruth Snow,
who was born in Lake county in 1828. They have three chil
dren, viz: Elva I., born in 1853; Etta M., in 1855, and Ells
worth W., in 1866. Mr. Breece enlisted in company H, O. N.
G,, during the late war and served out the time of his enlist-
'ment, receiving an honorable discharge. He is engaged in
house and carriage painting, and is a skilful mechanic.
BREECE, ADAM, Pleasant township, farmer ; son of Adam
and Eliza Breece ; was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, May
29, 1832. He was brought to Coshocton county, - Ohio, by his
parents in 1836, where he was brought up on a farm, and has
followed farming as his principal vocation. In 1855 he came to
Knox county and located in Harrison township, where he mar
ried Miss Elizabeth Biggs in 1859, born in 1836 and daughter of
Levi Biggs. They settled in the same township, and remained
until 1869, when he purchased and moved on the farm in Pleas
ant township, where he is now living. They have a family of
seven children, four sons and three daughters.
BRENT, REV. JULIUS, deceased, former pastor of St. Vin
cent De Paul's Catholic church, Mt. Vernon, and of St. Luke's,
near Danville, Ohio, was born in the city of London, on the
twentieth of February, 1827. He was the youngest of six chil
dren of Samuel and Anne Virtue Brent. His father and grand
father were ship-builders, who at one time had a large interest
in the London and Greenwich docks, and had during the "thir
ty years war " amassed a considerable fortune in building men-
of-war vessels for the British Government. After the close of
the war by the treaty of Ghent the business of ship building de
clined, and little was done in that line except in remodelling war
vessels into merchantmen. This the Brents refused to engage
in as being out of the province of the business proper. Reverse
of fortune caused Mr. Brent to turn his eyes to America in the
hope of retrieving his losses, and in 1829 he settled with his
family in Brooklyn, Long Island, New York. In 1835 the
family immigrated to Knox county, locating in Brown town
ship, on the farm that the elder sons Edmund (Judge Brent of
this city) and Edgar (the father of Samuel J. Brent, the present

clerk of the court), had commenced clearing of the primi
tive forest the year before. Change of circumstances and of
habit told severely upon Mr. Brent, and after a lingering ill
ness he died in the autumn following his arrival. The eastern
portion of Knox county was largely settled by immigrants from
Maryland, who brought with them the faith that their fathers
had learned from the pious missionary fathers of Lord Balti
more's Catholic colony. The sincere and earnest lives of these
good people attracted the attention of the " English folks, "
and when the good priests came to administer to the religious
needs of the " settlement " they sought them out, obtained
Catholic books, made themselves acquainted with the doctrines
of the church, and when Father John Lamy, now archbishop of
Santa Fe, New Mexico, was sent by the bishop of Cincinnati to
take charge of St. Luke's mission, near Danville, the entire
family, one member after the other, were received into the fold
of the Catholic church.
Young Julius at once resolved to devote himself to the minis
try, and his good mother, at no little sacrifice and effort, ad
vised by Father Lamy, placed him at the age of thirteen, under
the care of the learned and saintly Father Amick, then prefect
and professor of St. Xavier's college at Cincinnati. From his
mother and sisters he had obtained the rudiments of an educa
tion so that he at once entered upon the college course. His
conduct here was in every respect unexceptionable. An assiduous
student, an agreeable comrade, he won the love and respect of
both professors and fellow-students, and at the end of each year
few carried off more, if as many, of the college prizes. The
venerable archbishop of Cincinnati, learning of his desire to
enter the ministry of the priesthood, and pleased with the good
account of his abilities and deportment that he had received
from the Jesuit fathers at St. Xavier's, sent him to the seminary
of St: Sulpice, Paris, to study theology. He made the arduous
curriculum in four years, and at the age of twenty-four was
ordained priest, June, 1851. On his return home he visited the
family relatives in England, arriving at Cincinnati, and report
ing to the archbishop for duty in September of the same year.
While at the archbishop's house, he learned the sad news of his
brother Edgar's death from Asiatic cholera, the week previous.
The archbishop gave him the choice of the mission at Chilli
eothe or of returning to the scenes of his early boyhood in
Knox county. He chose the latter, and when in later years
better places in point of numbers and prominence were offered
him, his invariable answer was that he preferred his first love.
For over twenty-three years he was pastor of St. Vincent de
Paul's at Mt. Vernon, and of St. Luke's near Danville, attend
ing each place, week and week about, besides giving a monthly
mission at St. Michael's chapel, among the German Catholics of
Jefferson township, Knox county, and the south part of Ash
land county. No weather, indisposition, pleasure or engage
ment, except the order of his er.clesiatical superior, prevented
him from making these weekly trips. In all these years, but two
who had sent for him in their dying moments were reached by
him too late to receive at his hands the last rites of the church.
At Danville his saintly mother assisted by his sister Emma, pre
sided over his household up to the time of her death in April,
1854. Emma continued his housekeeper till her death in April,
1873. At Mt. Vernon his sister Frances, "Aunt Fanny" as
she is so well and lovingly known, not only among the relatives
of the family and entire congregation, but to many outside, has
continuously kept house for him. To the orphan children of
his brother Edgar and of his sister Isabella (Mrs. Tardeville),

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

609

he took the place of a father and his house or houses became,
much of their time, their home. The old homestead in Brown
township has been sold, and the proceeds invested in property
in Covington, Kentucky, while Father Brent was in France.
This was sold at an advance after he returned. and became
located in Knox county, and the proceeds again invested in
real estate, near the church property at Danville. In improving
and farming this land, Father Brent spent much of the leisure
time not occupied in his clerical duties. At the same time it
was earnest work with him and hard; it was not in his nature
to do anything slightingly. " If anything is worth doing at all
it is worth doing well " was a motto that he practiced as well as
endeavored to impress upon tbe young men with whom he often
labored. In 1874 the ordinary of the Columbus diocese determined to
separate the Mt. Vernon and Danville charges and give each a
pastor. Since then Father Brent has given this congregation
his undivided attention. In 1863 he had a very severe attack
of rheumatism, which he bore with the greatest resignation, but
from the effects of which he never recovered. This fact, and
the death of his sister Emma, doubtless had much to do with
his selecting Mt. Vernon rather than the country congregation
at Danville, for country life and its labors and pleasures were
naturally dear to him. The land near St. Luke's was sold at a
handsome advance and the proceeds invested in a farm
near Mt. Vernon, as a provision for himself and sister in
old age and the decrepitude, that he feared was overtaking
him prematurely. For the last year or two before his death
he was an intense sufferer, but never complained, and seldom
spoke of his trouble; so much was this the case that his most
intimate friends did not anticipate the danger he was in. By
the advice of his physician he had resolved upon taking a trip for
the benefit of his health, but the resolution was too late. Father
Brent died at his late residence in Mt. Vernon, July 22, 1880.
BRENT, SAMUEL J., Mount Vernon, clerk of the court,
was bom in Brown township, Knox county, Ohio, September
25, 1839. His father, Edgar Brent, moved to Cincinnati, Ohio,
when Samuel was about twelve years of age. His father, dying,
left him to be educated by his mother. Samuel attended
St. Mary's of the Barrens, in Missouri, and at Bardstown,
Kentucky. He graduated at St. Mary's college at Cincin
nati, (Bishop Rosecrans, president), in the class of 1861.
December* 31, 1861, he enlisted in company B, Fiftieth Ohio
volunteer infantry for three years. His regiment consolidated
with the Sixty-first, and he was then discharged from the Sixty-
first to take a commission as second lieutenant in the Fifty-
second Ohio volunteer infantry. He was detailed as a signal
officer, and commissioned by the President, with the consent of
the United States Senate. He remained with the corps until
the general order of discharge, August 22, 1865. After his dis
charge from the signal corps, he completed his law studies and
was admitted to the bar in June, 1866. In the fall of 1869 he
was nominated and elected clerk of the courts, and again re
elected in 1872. He remained out of office for three years, and
was, in 1878, reelected for the third time, which office he still
holds. He was married to Miss Mary A. Zimmerman, daughter
of the late F. J. Zimmerman, of Mt. Vernon, September 27,
1864. By this union, four children, all daughters, were born.
Mr. Brent's father was English by birth. His mother, whose
maiden name was Magers, was a descendant of Lord Baltimore,
of the Maryland colony.

BRENT, C. F., Mount Vernon; was born October 27, 1848,
in Covington, Kentucky, but when about two years of age his
parents came to Knox county, Ohio, and settled near Danville,
where they remained until i860, when they moved several times
in the next two years; came to Mt. Vernon in November, 1862,
where they have since resided. In April, 1864, he engaged in
the printing business, at which he worked until 1867, when he
came back to Mt. Vernon; he then went to work for Mr. Ken
drick at cigar making, with whom he served until 1875, when he
went to Columbus and worked until December 8, 1877, on the
Catholic Columbian, when he returned to Mt. Vernon and
opened up a cigar factory, wholesaling exclusively until May
1880, when he moved to a new place of business, and now is en
gaged in manufacturing and retailing cigars, tobacco and
smokers articles.
BRICKER FAMILY, Liberty township. Ludwig Bricker,
the grandfather of the original Brickers of Liberty township, was
a soldier of the Revolution. He entered two thousand acres of
land in what is now the northeast corner of Liberty township.
He was a resident of Washington county, Pennsylvania, where
he lived and died. Banning Norton, in his History of Knox
county, says that Lewis Bricker came to Liberty township about
1810; but David Bricker says he came prior to that time, as
Lewis Bricker, his brother, was born in this township in 1807.
Ludwig or Lewis Bricker induced his son, Peter, and George
Lewis, a relative of the family, to come out and settle the land
he had entered. Accordingly they brought their families. They
remaind one night, and by noon the next day they were on their
way back to Pennsylvania. They saw many Indians, heard the
wolves howling, and the owls hooting. They agreed with
their wives to let the land go to the devil and they would return
to Pennsylvania, as they thought no one would or could ever
live in the Owl Creek country. He however induced some of
his tribe to settle this land. He finally got Peter, George, Jacob,
David, Solomon, Lewis, Catharine, Rachel, and Mrs. Lewis,
to come here. From these have descended the Brickers of this
county, mostly. David went to Morgan township. All the
original Brickers remained in this township but David.
The Bricker family became quite numerous, and it is not our
purpose to write or follow up the family of each, but give such
an outline of the family that it will be preserved to their descend
ants. Among these is David Bricker, grandson of Peter Bricker,
and son of Peter Bricker, one of the first of the family who
came to Ohio. He was born in Washington county, Pennsyl
vania, October 30, 1805. His parents came, April, 1806, to
Ohio. David was raised as were pioneer children, with but
few educational advantages; he, however, acquired sufficient
to transact business. On the twelfth day of October 1830,
he married Sarah Beam. They had - nine children, five
living — Malinda, Jacob, Wilson, Marshal, and Jerome. Lewis
P. Bricker, one of this family, was born November 5, 1807, in
what is now Liberty township. It is said ne was the first white
child born in this township. December 6, 1832, he was married
to Sarah White. She was born July 7, 1809. They had a fam
ily of eight children — Abigail, born November 24, 1833, mar
ried Nelson Bidwell ; Margaret E., born July 6, .1836, married
Nicholas Darling; Ann Rebecca, born April 19, 1839, married
Mortimer Hayatt; Mary Sophia, born June 5, 1841, married
William Gray; Sarah E., born March 24, 1844, married John
Creamer; Viola M., born July 21, 1846, married L. B. Lewis;
Peter, born December 28, 1848; Alexander, born November 29,
1852.

6io

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

We might go on and follow up this family, tracing the differ
ent branches, but it will suffice to say that our work does not
admit of so much space being occupied by one family. The
Bricker family are good citizens, industrious and well-to-do peo
ple. BRICKER, HIRAM, Morgan township. The name Bricker
is of Dutch origin. Tradition says there were three brothers
came from Europe, but at what date is not exactly known.
They settled in Maryland. One of the branches of the family
went to eastern Pennsylvania, where quite a numerous progeny
sprang up; and subsequently a number of their descendants
settled in Richland county, Ohio, near Shelby. Lewis, or Lud
wig Bricker, the paternal grandfather of Hiram Bricker, moved
from Maryland to western Pennsylvania shortly after the Revo
lutionary war, in which he was a soldier. He raised a large
family. Some time in the early part of 1800 he came to what is now
Liberty township, Knox county, and located two thousand
acres of land, and subsequently induced a number of his chil
dren to become settlers on it, although he never moved upon it.
David Bricker, father of Hiram, and son of Peter, was born
in Pennsylvania in 1799. He married Indiana Cox, in 1818,
who was . born March 8, 1798, and is yet living. Soon after
their marriage they came to Liberty township, but did not re
main long. About 1821 they located and settled on the farm
in Morgan township, which he cleared up, and became, one of
the well-to-do citizens of the community. He died September
14, 1878, in Utica, where he had resided some time prior to his
decease. By his marnage they had six children, viz: Elizabeth,
(deceased); she was the wife of Jesse Bell; Christopher and
Emeline, (deceased); Anna B., wife of Samuel Elliott; Hiram
and Demas are living.
Hiram was raised on the farm, was educated at the,common-
schools, and has farmed and dealt in stock as his occupation. In
April, 1853, he moved to Licking county, where he remained for
twenty years. He was lieutenant of company A, One Hundred
and Thirty-fifth regiment Ohio National guard, and subsequent
ly was captain of the same. February 17, 1853, he married
Melissa Bell, daughter of Isaac Bell, of Morgan township.
They had a family of twelve children, viz; David A., Isaac,
(deceased when about seven years old), Catharine, (wife of R,
McWilliams), Anna B., Elizabeth, (wife of Hugh Harrison),
Jennie, James F., Emeline, Cary F., Laura, Charley C, and
Nellie M. Mr. Bricker is well informed upon general matters,
is a good farmer, and one of the substantial men of Morgan
township. BRICKER, DEMAS, Hilliar township, retired farmer, was
born in Morgan township, Knox county, March 7, 1828. His
youth was spent on- the farm, and he attended the district
schools, and spend about two years at an academy at Martins
burgh, where he was a classmate of William Windom , Secre
tary of the Treasury, from Minnesota. Mr. Bricker taught
school for several terms. His principal business, however, has
been farming and the raising of stock. He gave up farming in
1875, and removed to his present home in Rich Hill. He is a
man who is well informed; has a remarkably retentive memory;
is a ready and interesting talker, and takes an interest in the
questions of the day. He was married to Miss Cinderella
Miller April 1, 1857. They have a family of two children.
BRICKER, MARSHALL, Milford township, thresher, son
of David Bricker, a pioneer of Liberty township. He was

bom June 13, 1844, was raised on a farm, and remained at
home until he enlisted in company F, One Hundred and
Twenty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. He participated
in the engagements at Perryville, Duck river, and Franklin,
after which he was taken sick and was in the hospital for some
time. He spent about eleven months at Indianapolis. He en
deavored, with several others, to return to his regiment, but was
retained. After his discharge he returned home, and has been
engaged at farming and running a separator.' Mr. Bricker is
social and pleasant in his manners, and has the reputation of a
good fellow. He married Miss Amanda Lewis, of Liberty
township, November 29, 1866, and they have one child — Clara,
born April 10, 1868.
BRICKER, WILLIAM M. Mr. Bricker was born in Cum
berland county, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1844. When
about nine years Old his parents emigrated to Ohio and located
in Wayne county, where he resided until January 26, 1880.
His first business was in the dry goods and grocery line,
under the firm name of Paul Bricker & Co. In this he re
mained two years, when he sold out his interest and continued
as a salesman- in the same house for one year more. He then
engaged in the hotel business, and became proprietor of the
American house, in Shreve, Wayne county, in which he con
tinued four years. In January, 1880, he removed to Mt. Ver
non, and became proprietor of the Philo House, in which he
did a successful business for one year, since which he has been
engaged with a nursery, selling all kinds of fruit and ornament
al trees.
BRIGKER, DOUGLASS, Wayne township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in Clinton township, Knox county,
and was married in 1874 to Hannah Brachling, who was born
in Ireland. They have three children — Fannie, born in 1875 '•
Edward, born in 1876; and Olive, born in 1878. Mr. Bricker
came to Wayne township in 1877, and is a farmer by occupa
tion. BRIGGLE, ANDREW C, Berlin township, railroad em
ploye, post office Fredericktown, born in Pennsylvania, March
22, 1845, and was married to Rebecca Furcell, who was born in
Columbia county, Pennsylvania, May 11, 1844. They had five
children — Ella C, bom August 4, 1869; Ehua L., June 3, 1873;
Jessie W., February 16, 1876; Lenora, October 3, 1878; and
Thomas (deceased).
They emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio when children,
were married in Morrow county, and moved to Richland, re
mained there there till 1870, when they moved to Knox county,
where they have since remained. Mr. Briggle is now engaged
in working on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. Louisa H. Pur
cell was born in Knox county, Ohio, November 26, 1856, and is
now residing with her sister, Mrs. Briggle.
BRIGGS, ELISHA H., is a descendant in a direct line from
a Mr. Briggs, from Wales, who settled in this county shortly
after the landing of the Pilgrims. His father was a native of
Staunton, Massachusetts. Mr. E. H. Briggs was born June 13,
1803, in Worcester county, Massachusetts, where he resided and
worked upon a farm until seventeen years of age, then he worked
at the carpenter trade for two years, not liking which he com
menced work in machine shops, at which he remained until he
came to Ohio in 1834, located at Mt. Vernon and commenced
work for C. & E. Cooper, in their pattern shops, with whom he
remained until a few years since, when old age placed him upon

-2>L

y itnj jLEEixchu

J^-e-uyp'

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

611

the retired list, but even yet he does some work for the firm and
feels more at home among the din of machinery than in the par
lor. He was married January 6, 1851, to Miss Lydia B. Norton,
daughter of Silas Norton, of Worcester county. Massachusetts,
and has reared a family of six ehildren, three sons and three
daughters, all of whom are living except his two youngest sons.
A. Judson enlisted in the .Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteer in
fantry, and died at Vicksburgh of fever. J. A. died of con
sumption in 1870.
BRODRICK, HARRISON, Berlin township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, was born in Ohio, and married Martha
J. Smith, who was bom in this county in 1851. They have
four children, viz: Cora May, born in 1875; Jesse Belle, in
1877; Nellie G., in 1879; and Lulu, in 1880.
BROKAW, JOHN A., Liberty township, retired shoemaker
and farmer, Mt. Liberty, Ohio, was born in Somerset county,
New Jersey, July 4, 1804. The Brokaw family are of French
extraction. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Caleb
Brokaw, had two brothers, Abram and Isaac, who married in
New Jersey. Isaac had a family. Abram was twice married,
but had no issue. There are quite a number of this family still
residing in New Jersey, Caleb Brokaw married a lady of the
same name, Jane Brokaw. They had a family of three sons
and two daughters. The sons names were Isaac, Abram, and
Caleb; the daughters were Ann and Polly.
Abram, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in
New Jersey in 1773. He married Mariah Stryker, a native of
New Jersey, about 1791. She was born March 12, 1775.
They had a family of fifteen children: Mariah, born August 8,
1792, married ] ames Dehart, and raised a family ; both are now
dead; Jane, born June 8, 1794, died August 17, 1794; Peter,
born August 6, 1795, deceased; Caleb, born December 11, 1797.
He came to Ohio when a young man, and yet resides in North
Liberty, this county. He has a family: Simon, born February
22, 1799, emigrated to Ohio, thence to Nebraska, where he died
in 1880. He left a family: Abram, born March 24, 1801, mar
ried in New Jersey, emigrated to Ohio, and died in Morrow
county in 1870. He left afamily: John A., born July 4, 1804;
he is the subject of this sketch; Jane N., born October 5,
1806, married Gabriel Devaul, and died near Mt. Liberty, Feb
ruary 24, 1881. He left a family: Cornelia and Elizabeth,
born March 15, 1809. Cornelia married Henry Stillwell and
resides in New Jersey; Elizabeth, deceased. She married
George Maloney and died in Bethany, Virginia. A son, born
August 23, 1810, deceased September 2, 1810.
Isaac, born September 20, 1818; he resides at Centreburgh,
Ohio; Henry, born February 10, 1816, resides at Centreburgh,
Ohio; Peter, born March 31, 1818, died in Indiana; William
C, born January 16, 1820, deceased April 21, 1821-
Caleb Brokaw, grandfather of this subject, and Isaac, his
brother, were soldiers ofthe Revolution, Caleb holding a lieuten
ant's commission. They both served during the war.
Abram Brokaw, father of the subject of this sketch, came to
Ohio about 1822 or 1823, with his family and settled in Jeffer
son county, Ohio, where he died about 1826. His wife re
turned to New Jersey, where she lived and died.
John A. was raised on a farm. At about the age of seven
teen he began to leam the shoemaker trade. He came to Ohio
with his parents, remained about eighteen months, and returned
to New Jersey; remained r.bout a year and again came to.Ohio,
and remained until after the death of his father, when he re

turned with his mother to New Jersey, and married Caroline
Bush, October 22, 1827. She was born June 20, 1809. They
remained until the spring of 1831, came to Ohio and remained
one year in Jefferson county, and then came to Morris town
ship, this county; thence to Liberty township; thence to Bloom
field township; thence to Chester township (now Morrow
county), where he remained until 1876, when he came to Mt.
Liberty, where he has since resided. He followed farming and
shoemaking, by which he gained a competence for his old age.
Mr. and Mrs. Brokaw started poor in life. When they arrived
in Knox county he had a horse and wagon, with a few house
hold effects and three dollars twelve and one-half cents in cash.
They had thirteen children, all of whom did well, thus showing
that they were carefully and judicially trained:
Sarah, was bom in 1829; married Henry Slack and died in
1852; Maria, born February 21, 1831; married Peter Sprack-
len in 1851, and deceased in 1855; Effa, born February 26,
1833, married George Barr in 1853, and resides in Shelby
county, Iowa; Elizabeth, born November 22, 1834, married D.
L. Brackenridge in 1855, aI>d died in Tama county, Iowa, De
cember 23, 1872; a daughter, born January 25, 1837; Phoebe
A., born June 17, 1838, married Frank Lambert, May 10,
1859, resides in Jasper county, Iowa; Caroline, bom January
27, 1842, married John Bird September 7, 1865, resides in Lib
erty township; Mary L., born February 11, 1843, married Smith
Gearhart, of Milford township, June 10, 1865; Andrew J., born
June 6, 1845, farmer in Jasper county, Iowa; William B., born
August 8, 1847, is a farmer near Richwood, Ohio; Abraham
G., born February 4, 1850, farmer, Shelby county, Iowa; John
B., born July 25, 1852, dealer in buggies; he is a good sales
man, and a young man of good qualities; Marcus, born July
8, 1855.
BROOKS, SYLVANUS P., Wayne township (deceased),
was born in Tompkins county, New York, June 15, 1817, and
was married to Amarilla Hewett. They had five children, viz:
Phylena (deceased), Cyrenajane, Cyrus Hewett, John Wesley,
and Sarah Amarilla. Mrs. Amarilla Brooks died April 8, 1867.
He was married in 1841 to Mary Angeline Cocharan, who was
born in Newark, Ohio. Their children are: Squire Sylvanus,
born April 5, 1861; William Emlus, September 14. 1866 ; Car
rie, October 15, 1868; Waitie ; Orphy; Rosa, June 24, 1873:
Streby Deso, November 28, 1875. Sylvanus P. died in Liberty
township, April 15, 1879, aged sixty-one years and ten months.
BROWN, CAPTAIN RICHARD, Montgomery (deceased),
was born in Concord county, Maine in 1789, and descended
from good parentage, his father being a captain in the Revolu
tionary war, who fought gallantly at the battle of Bunker Hill.
He removed to Brooke county, Virginia, in 1802, and located in
Mt. Vernon in the fall of 1811, where he resided up to the time
of his death— a period of over fifty-eight years. He was there
fore one of the early pioneers of Ohio, coming here shortly after
the county of Knox was organized and the county seat estab
lished. In the warm contest between Mt. Vernon and Clinton
for the location of the seat of justice, Mr. Brown took a de
cided stand in favor of the former, and was gratified to know
that his efforts were crowned with success.
In the War of 1812 Captain Brown took an active and an
honorable part. He received a lieutenant's commission from
Colonel (afterwards General) Cass, authorizing him to raise a
company of volunteers in this vicinity, which he proceeded to do
without delay. He was afterwards promoted to a captaincy for

6l2

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

meritorious conduct. He marched his men through the wilder.
ness from Mt. Vernon to Detroit, sometimes being compelled
to cut bushes and small trees in order to accomplish the journey.
His company had frequent sharp skirmishes with the- British and
redskins, although they had no general engagement, and at one
time he was taken prisoner by the enemy.
For about forty years Mr. Brown was engaged in the mercan
tile business in Mt. Vernon, and during all that time he sus
tained the reputation of being an upright, honest, and honorable
man. He was prompt and correct in all his dealings, and was
kindhearted and benevolent to a fault.
He was married in 1814 to Miss Mary Hahn, of this county,
by whom he had ten children, eight of whom are still living.
He died January 6, 1870, in the eighty-first year of his age, and
in his death the community sustained a severe loss. He was al
ways identified with and took a lively interest in every measure
that was conducive to the growth and prosperity of the commu
nity in which he lived. He was a good citizen in every sense of
the word, a kind neighbor and an affectionate husband and
father. Mrs. Brown died February 28. 1867.
BROWN, THOMAS, Liberty township, deceased, was
bcjrn in Montgomery county, Maryland, August 11, 1796, died
July 16, 1877. This exemplary man spent his youth on a farm
in Maryland, where he remained until 1832, when he came to
Ohio, and in 1838, married Miss Jemima Harvey, a native of
Frederick county, Maryland, born December 18, 1811, and
came to Knox county in 1836. Mr. Brown spent his life farm
ing. He was a member of the Methodist church for many
years, and in his walk through life was always consistent with
his profession. He was much esteemed for his many Christian
virtues, and was a leading citizen of the township. He was
possessed of a fine farm. His wife still survives him, and
resides on the old homestead. They had four children, two
sons and two daughters.
BROWN, JONATHAN, (deceased) was bom in New Jer
sey, May 22, 1800. His parents died when he was young and
he was bound out to Abram Day, a farmer. In 1816 Mr. Day
came to Ohio, as he could not hold young Brown out of New
Jersey without his consent, which, however, was obtained, and
he came to Ohio with Mr. Day, and remained with him until
he became of age, at which time he went to work for himself.
The first work he did was to make rails at twenty-five cents per
hundred, to obtain money with which to buy clothes. He was
married to Miss Mary Larason, daughter of Sylvester Larason,
a pioneer of this county. She had fifty acres of land, and this
was the beginning of Mr. Brown's future success. He after
wards purchased a farm in the northeast part of the township,
which, by the aid of his sons, he cleared up. He died Novem
ber 16, 1879; his wife died December 5, 1867, aged sixty-four
years. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom are
living, two died when young. The living are: Thomas R., in
Morrow county; Joel F., in Morrow county; James S. ; Ann
Eliza, married to Samuel Clutter, in Morgan; Jonathan H., in
Morgan township; Mary J., wife of Leander Buxton, of Ful
ton county, Ohio; Phcebe S., wife of Thomas Bodle, Clay
township; and James S., was born September 7, 1831. He was
reared on the farm, and has always continued farming as his
occupation. He was twice married. He married Catharine
Chipp November 3, 1859. They had two children, viz: Wil
liam, born December 12, i860; and James M., born October 9,
1867. His wife died in November, 1867. His second wife,

Catharine Stocdale, was born in Knox county, in 1837. She is
the daughter of William Stocdale, of Fulton county, Ohio.
BROWN, REV. M. M. (deceased), Morris township, was
born in Martinsburgh, this county, in 18 17; educated at Jeffer
son college, Pennsylvania, and graduated to the Allegheny
Theological seminary. He preached in Buffalo, Cumberland,
and Chandlersville. He was married in 1844 to Eliza Ebersole,
who was born in Wayne township in 1817. They had two sons,
viz. : Theodore and Chalmers. Rev. Brown died February 16,
1853, in Cumberland, Guernsey county, Ohio.
BROWN, MRS. JENNIE, M. D., is the the third daughter
of Gilman Bryant, the first merchant in Mt. Vernon. She was
born May 18, 1819, and was married to Dr. Joseph Brown Feb
ruary 25, 1851, who was a professor of the Eclectic Medical
college of Cincinnati. She read medicine with her husband,
attended lectures at Cincinnati, also at Syracuse, New York,
where she graduated in 1854. She assisted her husband in his
practiceuntil her graduation, making female diseases a speciality.
Shortly after she graduated her husband moved to Lyons, Iowa,
where they erected a health institute, which they conducted with
success for two years, when they sold out and went to Chicago,
where they practiced for years, during which time her husband
died (June 20, 1874). She was so unfortunate as to be burned
out twice, which left her in limited ciicumstances. In April,
1873, she returned to Mt. Vernon and has been engaged in her
profession since. She was the fourth lady graduate in medicine
in the United States.
BROWN, WILLIAM B., jeweler, Main street, Mt. Vemon.
Mr. Brown is anative of the city; he was born January 17,1832,
and received his educatiou in the public schools of the piace.
At the age of eighteen he commenced learning the jewelry busi
ness with his father, who was the pioneer jeweler of the city,
having opened his establisrment in 1826, and carried it on
up to the time of his death which occurred in 1854. Mr.
J. B. Brown (the father), filled the office of mayor for two terms,
and had entered upon his third just previous to his death. Mr.
Brown was one of the associate judges of this county for five
years. This was in 1848. The constitution of 1850 abolished
this office.
After the death of the Hon. Jacob B. Brown, his son, William
B., took charge of the business, in which he still continues. He
has faithfully followed in the footsteps of his father. He has
served one term as mayot of the city, and is now serving the
first year of bis second term.
Mr. J. B. Brown and his son, William B., have carried on
successfully the jewelry business for fifty-four years, and for
forty years in the same room. Mr. Brown's is a first class
stock, consisting of watches, clocks, jewelry, etc.
BROWN, JOHNATHAN H., Morgan township, farmer;
was bom December 19, 1834. He is the son of Johnathan and
Mary (Larison) Brown, of whom mention is made in the biogra
phy of T. S. Brown of Morgan township. The subject of this
sketch was reared on the farm on which he now resides and
where he was born. He married Miss Sarah Bebout Novem-
her 16, i860. She was born April 15, 1836. They had two
children, viz: Ada A., born October 10, 1861, and Mary E,
born May 15, 1866, died June 18, 1869.
BROWN, OHIO, Berlin township, deceased, the son of
Thomas D., sr., and Rachael Brown. He was born in Berlin
township April 18, 1846. He enlisted in the late war December

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

613

9, 1861, as a member of company I, Twentieth regiment O. V.
I. He was appointed sergeant of company I July 22, 1864.
He was wounded by a shell from the enemy's works, from the
effects of which he died the same day, December 13, 1864. By
his death the Union lost a noble, fearless soldier, a true patriot,
and his comrades a man whose virtues endeared him to all.
His patient endurance of the fatigues and privations of the
campaign, his modesty0and his gentle nature won for him the
respect and admiration of his brother soldiers. His remains
were intened on southern soil near Savannah, Georgia.
BROWN, WILLIAM, farmer, Hilliar township, was born
in Clinton township, October 19, 1849. His father, Garrett
Brown, was born in Maryland in the year 1800. He married
Mary Holland, a native of West Virginia, about 1827, and sub
sequently moved to Knox county, living for a short time in
Liberty township, when they moved to Clinton township, where
Mr. Brown died in 1865. His wife now resides in Mt. Vernon.
They had ten children, viz: James W. died while in the army;
Ann E. , wife of Caleb Burdett, a resident of Maryland ; Resin
H., deceased, left a family in Mt. Vernon; Joanna V, wife of
Robert G. White, of Mt. Vemon; a son died in infancy; Mary
L. in Mt. Vernon; Amanda, wife of George W. Newell, farmer,
Jasper county, Iowa; William M.; Henry M., a resident of
Des Moine, Iowa; Frank C, Des Moine, Iowa, carpenter.
The subject of this notice was raised on a farm in Clinton
township, and has always followed farming. He was married
to Miss Nancy J. Mills, September 12, 1876, who is the daughter
of Henry and Mary J. Mills, nee Beckley, of Clinton township.
They have three children, viz: Henry C. , born October 15,
1877; Ettie and Nettie, twins, born Febraary 23, 1880.
BROWN, J. R., Gambier, son of Joseph and Ann Brown,
was born in Ireland September 24, 1849. He was brought to
America by his parents in December, 1849, who located near
Milford, Clermont county, Ohio, where they remained four
years. In 1853 they moved to this county and located in
Gambier, where they now reside.
Mr. Brown commenced work at shoemaking in 1870, with W.
E. Wootton, of Gambier, remaining with him two years as an
apprentice, then finished his trade in 1873 with Mr. A. Jacobs.
In May of the same year he began business for himself, and
has since been manufacturing all kinds of boots and shoes,
gaiters, slippers, and in fact everything in his line. He keeps
constantly on hand a good supply of his own manufacture of
boots and shoes, and is always ready to fill all orders for work
on short notice. All of his goods are warranted to give satis
faction. BROWN, THOMAS D., farmer and stock raiser, Berlin
township, post office Shaler's Mills, was born in Berlin town
ship, on the farm where he now resides, in 1850. He was mar
ried in 1872, to Lavina Grubb (daughter of Daniel H. Grubb),
who was born in 1853, in Pike township. They have three
children, viz: Pauline Delia (born in 1872), Irena Belle (born
in 1874), and Bernice Maude (in 1880).
Mr. Brown resided in Independence in 1877 engaged in deal
ing in stock. He spent one year in the west, the remainder of
his life was spent in Knox county. His residence was destroyed
by fire in 1879, and he lost all his goods and provisions.
BROWN, ANDREW, Wayne township (deceased), born in
Scotland in April, 1811, came to Knox county December 29,
• 1854, and was married in 1843 to Catharine Dexter, who was

born in 1821. They had the following children : John Brown
(born June 17, 1844), Elizabeth (born in 1845), William (born
August 27, 1847), Robert (born June 17, 1849), Andrew, jr.
(born February 22, 1852), James (born April 2, 1854), Thomas
(born May 31, 1856), Sarah (born July 5, i860), and Kittie
(born April 25, 1862). Andrew Brown died February 9, 1876;
Elizabeth died October 16, 1846; Andrew, jr., died September
17, 1858; John Brown was married to Amanda A. Heskett in
1874, they reside in Vernon county, Missouri; William mar
ried in September, 1871, Elizabeth E. Cornman, they reside in
Mt. Gilead, Ohio; Robert was married, in 1874, to Julia Stein
metz, they reside in Fredericktown, Ohio; James married, Sep
tember 28, 1876, Ella M. Bruce, they reside on the old home
stead; Sarah E. married, in 1879, to Harvey Hui.ter, theylive
in Fredericktown; Thomas resides in Vernon county, Missouri;
Kittie resides at the old home.
John Brown was a soldier in the late war, in the One Hun
dred and Forty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, served his term
of enlistment and received an honorable discharge.
BRUBAKER, LUTHER M., Berlin township, carpenter,
post office, Shaler's Mills, was born in Hanover township, Ash
land county, Ohio, in 1853; learned the trade of carpenter with
his father; works at his trade in this county, and is a first-class
mechanic. He has filled the offices of constable, clerk, and
trustee, and is an enterprising and industrious man.
BRYAN, WILLIAM, Liberty township, farmer, was born
in the County Farmaugh, Ireland, in 1822. His father was a
farmer and store-keeper, and William assisted him on the farm
and in the store until 1848, when he emigrated to America,
coming to Mt. Vernon, thence to Pike township, where he sub
sequently bought a farm and remained until 1855, when he
came to Liberty township and purchased his present farm, and
where he has remained ever since. In 1850 he married Miss
Jane Dudley, of Pike township. They had nine children, eight
of whom are living.
Mr. Bryan began life poor, but by his industry he has ac
quired sufficient of this world's goods to make him independent
in life. He is a good farmer. He brought many recommenda
tions of a high order from his native county, being from lawyers,
ministers, and business men, thus showing that he stood well in
the community where he lived. This reputation he still main
tains. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
His parents, Thomas and Ann Bryan, came to the United
States in 1850, bringing four daughters with them. The parents
died in Philadelphia, and the remainder of the family still re
side there.
BRYANT, GILMAN, Mt. Vernon, deceased, was born in
Peacham Vermont, July 27, 1784. and died in Mt. Vernon,
Ohio, June 10, 1859. The history of Knox county would be
incomplete without a record of the good and extensive influence
yielded by this pioneer in its early settlement and prosperity.
He was also a remarkably early pioneer in the settlement of the
State, having emigrated with his father, Lieutenant David
Bryant, in 1797, to the Northwest Territory. He was engaged in
boating on Lake Erie until 1799, and visited the sight of the
large and populous city of Cleveland when containing but two
or three inhabitants. His father purchased and cleared five
acres of ground at two dollars and fifty cents per acre and made
a com field on a spot which is now in the heart of the city. It is
believed that Lieutenant Bryant never parted with the title of this
land. Years afterwards the papers were lost which would have

614

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

proved his claim, and at that early day its value was so little
the claim was lost sight of and fell into other hands. This
ground at the present day, now covered with magnificent build
ings, is worth millions. He was also engaged with his father in
getting out grind-stones near Newburgh, and they made the
first pair of millstones used in Northern Ohio, which are to-day
kept as relics in the Cleveland park. In 1799 Mr. Bryant left
the Lake region and made journey to Marietta, by way of Erie,
French creek and the Alleghany river, in a canoe or flat-boat.
Marietta was settled by many of the old Revolutionary officers
and soldiers. In December, 1799, news came of the death of
General Washington, when a solemn procession took place
composed of his old companions in arms. Mr. Bryant was a
witness of that impressive scene, and listened to the funeral
oration pronounced by Return J. Meigs. While in that region,
Mr. Bryant assisted in making the brick used in the construc
tion of the celebrated mansion on Blennerhassets' Island, around
• which Wirt has thrown the charm of enchantment by his
eloquence. In 1800 Mr. Bryant returned to Cleveland and
spent five years along the lake between that point, Detroit and
the river Raisin, from whence he went to Lanesville in a canoe
by the Cuyahoga river, hauling his canoe across the portage
from Akron to the Tuscarawas, by oxen, and arrived at Lanes
ville in April, 1805. Here he was taken with the ambition of
becoming a merchant; and upon the recommendation of James
Loveridge, concluded to settle in Mt. Vernon. He accordingly
procured a scanty outfit and with a cargo of goods, consisting
principally of whiskey and salt set sail in a canoe up the Musking
um and its branches. He navigated Owl creek and landed in
Mt. Vernon March 4, 1807. In these days of railroads it
would seem a novel mode of transportation to go by river from
Lanesville to Mt. Vernon, but at that time when the wild
forests were almost impenetrable except through narrow bridle
paths, and the streams presented a larger volume of water than
at the present time, it may, after ah, have been the best route of
travel, and this enterprising first merchant of Mt. Vernon took
advantage of the spring freshet and successfully steered his
vessel into the new and inviting haven.
He found but three families within the boundaries of this em
bryo city. The village of Clinton was then of more importance;
and it is surmised that Mr. Loveridge was anxious that the
young merchant would add to its population, but Clinton was
not situated on a navigable stream. Mr. Bryant, having been
somewhat of a sailor, could not be induced to go so far from as
good a harbor as Mt. Vernon presented. However, his fore
sight must have been almost prophetic, as the sequel proved.
He lived to see his chosen settlement grow to the dimensions of
a city, and Clinton go to decay.
No citizen contributed more to the early growth and prosperity
of Mt. Vernon than did Gilman Bryant. It was not expected that
a dozen families of whites in and about the settlement would
contribute much to his traffic. The settlers' wants were few,
and with the exception of whiskey and salt the forest and smal'
patches of corn ground provided them with the necessaries of
life — luxuries they knew not nor desired — but the Indians came
in great numbers from long distances with their furs, pelts, cran
berries, ginseng, and maple sugar, and returned with the wares
of the merchant.
The Indians had their peculiarities in their mode of trading
which Mr. Bryant respected and adhered to. They came in
bands of ten to fifty, their numbers greater in proportion to the
distance travelled. They would encamp for several days on the

bank of the Kokosing, and when they had disposed of their
produce and provided their wants departed in peace to their
hunting grounds. A number would file into Mr. Bryant's little
log store — as many as the benches would seat — and one at a
time commence trading, the others waiting their turn. As soon
as one article was purchased it was paid for before another was
offered. If the price did not suit, the Indian passed it by and
did not parley for a better bargain. When the cranberries were
measured — which were carried in bark baskets — the Indian's
squaw received in her hand a berry tor every measure until all
was done. The maple sugar was also measured in bark baskets,
and Mr. Bryant returned cornmeal, measure for measure, to the
entire satisfaction of his customer. The furs and pelts were
valued by the standard of a buckskin, which represented the dol
lar. Mr. Bryant's customers were mostly of the tribes of Wy
andots, Shawnees, and Delawares, and he soon became familiar
with their different languages. His success, however, may be
more attributed to the knowledge he obtained of their peculiar
ities, which he so thoroughly respected, together with his hon-
estyand fairness which attracted towards him a large traffic from
great distances. Mr. Bryant commanded the respect and love of
a large portion of the tribes and chiefs who then occupied the
northwestern part of the State. Knox county was remarkably
free at that time from the outrages perpetrated in other parts of
the State by the savages, and the peaceful demeanor of these
red men towards the early settlers may be attributed in a large
measure to Mr. Bryant's influence. His kindness and honesty
warded off, many times, any hostile intention that may have
lingered in the breasts of the natural enemies of the whites.
As time passed and the flood of emigration rapidly filled up
the new county, the Indians grew less in numbers. Mr. Bryant
then bent his whole energy towards the development of the
county, and finding an outlet for its products. At his death a
writer of Jiis biography says of him:
"His history shows him to be a man of great coolness and
fortitude. The scenes of his latter days bring those truly great
characteristics out in striking and impressive lustre. Few fully
realize how large and extensive was Mr. Bryant's influence upon
the prosperity which marked the early settlement of Knox county.
He was the first, and longm aintained the position of the promi
nent merchant in the county. His unaffected simplicity of man
ners, his frankness and urbanity made him a common centre for
counsel and advice, to the most humble as well as to the most
exalted; and to his sound judgment may be attributed, to a
considerable degree, the sober, steady and substantial cast
which so clearly marked the character and operations of that
noble lace of men, the pioneer settlers of Knox county.
Mr. Bryant never initiated any novel or wild speculations to
dissipate and destroy the energy and labor of our people. His
influence always went to promote the practical and useful pur
suits of life. Industry and economy were the great virtues he
ever practiced and strove to foster and encourage. Three great
and unestimable virtues flourished in strength and beauty among
that remarkable people, to whom he for a long time sustained
the relation of coworker, friend and adviser.
He also, for a long time, aided the people in securing a
market for the surplus produce of the county. In this he was
distinguished for most valuable pecularities. His efforts seemed
ever to be to keep the market steady, not to speculate by either
inflating- or depressing it, but to secure to the people the best
market they could have, after paying to him a reasonable re
ward, by way of profit, for his agency in the matter.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

6i5

The value of such a man can hardly be fully estimated in any
producing community, much less can it be in a community such
as that in which he had chosen his lot. Many a gray-headed
veteran in those arduous but interesting scenes of our past
history have alluded to these excellencies of Mr. Bryant's life
with feelings of undisguised emotion.
He was not what, in this flashy age, is called a brilliant man.
Yet he was possessed of qualities of mind and heart which
much more justly and deservedly gave him distinction. Plain
good sense, and sound judgment, unbending integrity, and
sincere kindness, traits now too lightly esteemed, constitute the
sole foundation on which his excellent character rests. Few
men ever carried on so large and promiscuous a business as he
did with so few differences with his fellow-men, and still fewer
without more litigation. If the legal profession esteem him,
as in truth they do, it is for something better than creating busi
ness for them. Such was his reputation for integrity and ve
racity that those well acquainted with him, never thought of
caviling at his word.
Such was his universal kindness, too, that he seems to have
been regarded as a kind of common ancestor to the early settlers.
This is strikingly manifest from the large number of children
throughout the county, by worthy and grateful parents, honored
with his name. His own family and friends, however, know
best and most highly appreciate this crowning virtue of his
character. His religious views, though somewhat peculiar, he never ob
truded upon others, but quietly acted out the sterling virtues
which he considered the great and good Creator of man re
quired of him as a condition of his being. And it must be con
fessed by those who knew him well, that in the ordering of his
moral conduct Mr. Bryant set an example worthy the imitation
of all, and one from which most Christians might find sugges
tions for their own improvement.
In his political views he was also conciliatory; while he ad
hered very decidedly to one party he was never known to pro
scribe a man for mere difference of opinion on these matters.
In early life he belonged to what was known as the Democratic
party. In 1828, when the contest arose between President
Adams and General Jackson, he espoused the side of Mr.
Adams. To the party then organized he adhered, in the main,
till his death.
Gilman Bryant was the first postmaster of Mt. Vernon, and
the first recorder of deeds in the county of Knox. He built the
first frame and brick dwelling house in Mt. Vernon, the former
on Main street, and the latter on the corner of Vine and Gay
streets, which last is still standing, and at present occupied by
Mr. Byers as a residence.
Mr. Bryant continued in business in Mt. Vernon until about
the year 1850, and accumulated a large estate. He was the
owner of two flouring and saw-mills, one located on Centre ran
just east of Mt. Vernon, and the other on Dry creek, where he
also owned the farm now occupied by the county infirmary. He
moved his family to the latter place in 1819, and returned to
Mt. Vernon in 1822. He established a large tobacco warehouse
in the rear of his building on Main street, where he packed and
shipped large quantities of leaf tobacco— a considerable product
of Knox county at that day. He shipped principally to the Bal
timore market, the only mode of transportation then being by
wagons. He owned at one time considerable of the property
on and near Main street, which has since become very valuable,
among which may be mentioned the corner of Main and Vine

streets, now occupied by the First National bank and post
office, running back to Gay street. He also owned and built
upon the lot upon which now stands the Curtis house, also the
hill in the rear and the ground east of Gay street to the alley;
also the hill which was cut down and now occupied by the
Kremlin block; also owned property on the west side of Main
below Vine street. He built the large market house on the
southwest corner of the square for a ground lease of forty years
which was granted by the town.
Later in life he owned a, farm two miles east of Mt. Vernon
on the old Gambier road. The large brick residence he built on
the hill, now standing in the rear of the Curtis house, was the
finest mansion at that time in the county. Here Mr. Bryant,
for many years, extended the most generous hospitality to
friends at home and abroad which his wealth enabled him to do
in a manner quite beyond the means of the average pioneer. It
became quite a resort for New York merchants and the students
and professors of Kenyon college, many of whom have become
distinguished in later days.
Mrs. Bryant was of an old Virginia family, and dispensed the
hospitalities of her house with a dignity and courteousness of
manner characteristic of southern people.
On the second day of March, 1809, Mr. Bryant married Eliz
abeth Thrift, who was a daughter of the Rev. William Thrift,
of Fairfax, Virginia, the first minister of the Gospel who settled
in Knox county. Mrs. Bryant was born November 18, 1792, in
Leesburgh, Virginia, and came to Mt. Vernon with her father
in 1807. She died at Sparta, December 17, 1865.
Twelve children were born to this worthy couple, three died
in infancy and nine were reared to manhood and womanhood.
Seven of the number are living at this day. Their descendants
number ninety, of which sixty-eight are living, but scattered in
four States. The following is their family record :
Nancy, born October 18, 1810, married George Browning,
and had eight children and seventeen grandchildren. She died
July 23, i860.
Timothy Burr, born July 17, 1812, married Elizabeth C.
Reeve. He died July 23, 1855.
Mary Gilman, born June 24, 1814, married James Warner
Miller, and had ten children and twenty-nine grandchildren.
They now reside in Newark.
William Thrift, born December 1, 1816, died March 8, 1817.
David, born April 19, 1818, died August 16, 1818.
Hannahjane, born May 18, 1819, married Dr. Joseph Brown
and had four children and one grandchild. She now resides in
Mt. Vernon.
Cassondra, born October 18, 1821, died December 12, 1821.
James Gilman, born September 8, 1823, marned Mary P.
Swetland, and has one son. They reside in New York city.
Charles Grandison, born March 22, 1826, married, first, Eliz
abeth D. Smith; second, Louisa Harrison, and had six children
and two grandchildren. He resides in Rock Island, Illinois.
Hamilton Thrift, born August 27, 1829, married Mary E.
Cornell. They reside in Richland county.
Edwin Douglass, born December 26, 1831, married Lucy V.
Inscho. They reside in Sunbury.
Elizabeth Ellen, born September 30, 1834, resides in Mt.
Vernon. Ofthe many'descendants of Gilman Bryant, there only remain
living now in Mt. Vernon, Mrs. Dr. Brown and son Charles,
William Dudley Browning, Mrs. Emma Sperry (with one child),
Bessie and Lawrence, children of Elizabeth (Browning) Taylor,

6i6

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

and Frank W. Miller, son of Mary (Bryant) Miller, with two
children. The following is a record of the paternal and maternal an
cestors of Gilman Bryant. His father, Lieutenant David Bryant,
was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, about the year 1755, and
is supposed to be a descendant in the fifth generation of Ste
phen Bryant, of the Plymouth colony, who lived about the
year 1620-90. David was a cousin of William Cullen Bryant,
the poet. The mother of Gilman Bryant was Mary Gilman,
daughter of Colonel Jeremiah Gilman, who commanded a regi
ment of the New Hampshire line during the Revolution. Lieu
tenant David Bryant served in his father-in-law's regiment.
The history of the Gilmans is thus narrated :
"In May, 1638, Edward Gilman, with his wife, three sons,
two daughters and three servants, came from Norfolk county,
England, in the ship called the Delight, of Ipswich, and settled
in Hingham, Massachusetts. Moses, the third son of Edward
Gilman, lived in New Market, New Hampshire, and had six
sons — Captain Jeremiah, born in 1660, had Thomas, Andrew,
Joseph and others. The last two sons were captured by the In
dians, in 1709, and taken to Canada. At a war dance, Joseph
was burnt. Andrew was sold to the French, and imprisoned,
but obtained favor of the governor and was permitted to work
for wages until he earned a sum sufficient to puichase his free
dom. He returned to his old home, married, and had one son,
Jeremiah, and three daughters. Jeremiah was born about the
year 1721. When the Revolutionary war broke out he was
commissioned a colonel and commanded a regiment in the New
Hampshire line. His daughter, Mary Gilman, married Lieu
tenant David Bryant, who served in his father-in-law's regiment
during the war. Lieutenant Bryant was the father of the sub
ject of this sketch.
The genealogical successions of the seven generations in this
line, therefore, stand as follows: First, Edward Gilman, born
in Norfolk, England, about 1600; second, Moses Gilman, born
in Norfolk, England, about 1630; third, Jeremiah Giiman, born
in New Market, New Hampshire, 1660; fourth, Andrew Gil
man, born in New Market, New Hampshire, 1690; fifth, Jere
miah Gilman (second), born in New Market, New Hampshire,
1720; sixth, Mary Gilman, born in Vermont, about 1760; sev
enth, Gilman Bryant, born in Vermont, 1784.
Mr. and Mrs. Gilman Bryant lived to celebrate their golden
wedding, which proved to be a rare and interesting occasion.
It was celebrated in Mt. Vernon, at the residence of their son-
in-law, Mr. James W. Miller, March 2, 1859. The following,
as taken from the published account of the affair at that time,
will be interesting to their descendants and friends :
"The occasion was the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary
of the marriage of our old, well known, and esteemed fellow-
citizen, Gilman Bryant, and his respected lady, as it was also the
thirtieth anniversary of the marriage of their eldest daughter,
Mrs. George Browning, the oldest native of this city now living
within the county. The highly interesting and affecting cere
monies were heralded to the guests by the following card :
Married: March 2, 1809,
Gilman Bryant,
Elizabeth Thrift.

Golden Wedding.

J. W. Miller and Lady, Compliments.
Wednesday Evening, March 2, 1859."

The party was composed almost exclusively of relatives, num
bering some seventy persons, and embracing five generations,
viz: The remarkable mother of Mrs. Bryant, Mrs. Coleman, a
spirited old lady of eighty-seven years; the bride, Mrs. G.
Browning; Mrs. S. L. Taylor, daughter of Mrs. Browning, and
the four children of Mrs. Taylor, Emma, Fannie, Georgie, and
Eddie. At a giving signal the company repaired to the dining-room
to partake of the wedding supper, which was rich, rare, and
abundant. Upon several cakes were beautifully iced names, de
vices, and dates, and on the bride's cake a pair of delicate little
doves in the act of billing. The company being seated the
Rev. Charles Hartley, of Utica, chaplain of the occasion, arose
and pronounced a beautiful and appropriate blessing.
After feasting upon the good things, all returned to the par
lors, where the parties directly participating were grouped in a
semi-circle as follows: The bride and groom in the centre, Mr.
and Mrs. Browning and Mrs. Coleman on the right, Mr. and
Mrs. Taylor and their daughter Emma on their left ; thus pre
senting in the eldest born of each family an unbroken chain of
five generations, the eldest and youngest occupying the ex
tremes of the figure. Thus placed, and with the guests stand
ing around them, the Rev. Mr. Hartley presented himself to
the centre of the group and invoked the blessing of heaven up
on all present in a very impressive prayer, after which, in a
most eloquent and feeling manner, delivered an appropriate ad
dress. The address closed, Mr. Hartley advanced to Mr. and
Mrs. Bryant and requested them to join hands, when the mar
riage ceremoney was re-enacted in a most solemn and beautiful
manner, the parties renewed their pledges of love made fifty
years ago, and the gallant groom placed upon the finger of his
bride the golden ring as an emblem of the unending duration of
his affection. Then followed the congratulations and a general
kissing of the happy pair, in which ancient custom the whole
company participated with a zest that smacked loudly of the
olden time.
Hannah Moffett, the great-great-grandmother, was born in
Leeshurgh, Virginia, February 27, 1772, four years before the
signing of the Declaration of Independence, and at the time of
the golden wedding it was ascertained by an enumeration that
her lineal descendants reached the extraordinary number of one
hundred and sixty, of whom only twenty-nine had deceased,
and of these but four adults.
Quite a host of other relatives, husbands and wives, children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, were present, includ
ing five generations in another line of descent through Mrs. J.
W. Miller, her son, J. B. Miller, and his little daughter, Jennie
May. Mr. Bryant did not long survive the golden wedding. There
seemed to have settled upon his heretofore jovial disposition an
air of sadness. To the solicitous enquiry of family and friends
he expressed the strange belief that the event just celebrated
had some connection with the close of his earthly career. The
frailities of age reminded him of an inability for further useful
ness, and on the tenth day of June, the same year, he passed
away, greatly lamented by all who knew him.
BRYANT, SAMUEL, was born in Morris county, New
Jersey, October 15, 1799. His father, James Bryant, moved
with his family to Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1800,
and remained there until 1804, when he came to Ohio and
located in Wayne township, this county, bringing only a part

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

617

of his family with him, but the same fall he returned and
brought the younger members of his family. Mr. N. M.
Young, Mr. Bryant's brother-in-law, came with him. At that
time the country was very thinly settled. They located on a
farm in the west part of Wayne, where they attacked the forest
and cleared up a home on which they lived four years. They
then purchased a farm near Fredericktown where they began
anew. Mr. Bryant went to the district schools and received an
education such as that day afforded. His time was mostly spent
in converting the forest into a harvest field. When about
twenty years old he taught school some, and practiced survey
ing for a number of years. He resided on the home farm until
1866, when he came to Mt. Vemon where he still resides. He
was manied April 4, 1822, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Samuel
Potter, by whom he had *» family of three children, Ellen B.
Headley, now dead; Cassander E., a physician and surgeon of
Mt. Vernon, and Orlando, a farmer, two and one-half miles
east of Mt. Vernon. Mr. Bryant is now in his eighty-first year,
and is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, settlers in the county.
BRADDOCK, JOHN SELLERS, dealer in land warrants
and real estate, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, The name of Braddock
(Saxon Broad-Oak) at once suggests a chapter in colonial his
tory inseparably connected with that of the country, and to trace
the history of that family, connecting the past with the present,
is the object of this sketch.
Major General Edward Braddock was born in England about
1650, served with distinction under George II, and won for
himself the name of an "honest, brave old gentleman." He
died at Bath, June 15, 1725, and left one son, then about thirty
years of age.
Edward Braddock, jr. , was born in England about 1695. On
the eleventh day of October, 1710, he entered the army with the
rank of ensign in the grenadier company of the Cold Stream
guards, "the flower of the British army." Promotion followed
rapidly, until, on the twenty-ninth of March, 1754, hewasmade
major general, and in the September following was appointed to
the command of 'all the troops to be sent against the French in
America. On the twenty-first of December he sailed for Hamp
ton Roads, in Virginia, where he arrived February 20, 1755.
' His military career in America, and especially his unfortunate
defeat at Braddock's Field, July 9, 1755, and his tragic death
four days later, are too well known to require repetition here.
His cousins, John and Raphael Braddock came to America
about the same time, located in Baltimore county, Maryland,
served in the Revolution, and, after the close of the war, or in
1789, they moved to Washington county, Pennsylvania.
Raphael Braddock had four sons— Frank, David, Cyras and
Harvey. David was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, and
moved to. Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he died in
1814. Joshua Braddock, son of David and grandson of Frank,
was bom in Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1781,
married Susanna Sellers (born October 15, 1783) in 1807, by whom
he had ten children— Elizabeth, Sarah, Margaret, David, Susan
na, Joshua, Mary,, Arena, Anna, and Robert M. Braddock. He
moved to Knox county, Ohio, in 1814, and located temporarily
in Morgan township, on the Jacob Sellers farm, where he re
mained until 1816, when he entered six hundred and forty acres
of Government land on Schenck's creek in Morris township.
He was one of the early settlers in that section of country.
Possessed of Christian character and high moral worth, he
was greatly beloved by his neighbors and friends ; he was fond

of sport and enjoyed hunting, having killed during his resi
dence in Morris township fifty-four bears, and deer in numbers.
He died January 9, 1837.
David, the fourth child and oldest son of Joshua and Susan
nah Sellers Braddock, was born in Washington county, Penn
sylvania, November 8, 1813; and Catharine Headington was
born in Baltimore county, Maryland, March 6, 1817, and they
were married on the twenty-fourth day of March, 1836. David
Braddock and Catharine H. Braddock had twelve children, six
sons and six daughters. Joshua C. and David W. reside in
Sacramento, California; J. Thomas, Rebecca H., Eliza A,,
Arena E., and Ruth A. reside near Charleston, Illinois. Two
sons and two daughters died in infancy.
John S., the sixth child and second son is the only member
of David Braddock's family residing in Ohio. He was born at
the old homestead in Morris township, Knox county, Ohio,
December 13, 1844, and received a common school and prac
tical education. He was sent by his father, at the age of nine
teen, to Illinois, where he farmed two years. Upon attaining
his majority he returned to Knox county, Ohio, and engaged
in teaching school during the winters of 1866-7-8-9 and 1870,
and travelling the summer months, hunting up, purchasing and
selling land warrants. In July, 1870, he went to Nebraska and
entered three thousand five hundred acres of land, and in Oc-
! tober of the same year located in Mt. Vernon, and engaged in
the purchase and sale of real estate, together with the land
wanant and scrip business; where, by industry, integrity and
promptness he has built up a successful and prosperous busi
ness. On the fourth of March, 1869, he married Miss Maggie
Burson, daughter of Edward Burson, esq., of Morris township,
Knox county, Ohio, who was born January 16, 1851, in Parke
county, Indiana.
John S. and Maggie B. Braddock have six children: Orrinda
Kate, born September 19, 1870; Edward Burson, born De
cember 3, 1872; Walter David, born March 6, 1875; Maggie
May, born May 8, 1877; John Sellers, born June 17, 1879;
Alice Anna, born February 23, 1881.
BRYANT, WILLIAM, Wayne township, deceased ; born in
New Jersey in 1795, came to Ohio in 1810, and was married to
Elizabeth Norton. They had three children, Anna, born in
1819, James in 1821, and William in 1830. Mrs. Elizabeth
Bryant died.
Mr. Bryant afterwards married Maria McGinis, Who was
born in 1810. They had three children, David, born in 1832 ;
Jacob, born in 1837, and Rebecca, in 1839. Anna Bryant is
dead ; William died in 1877.
Mr. Bryant located in this county at an early day, when the
county was mostly in timber and the howl of the wolf, panther
and wild-cat could be heard in the forests. He assisted in
clearing up the county and building up society and establishing
churches. Jacob Bryant was in the late war, a member of the
Twentieth O. V. I., remained in the service three years and
received an honorable discharge.
BRYANT DAVID, farmer, post office Lucerne. He was
born in Knox county in 1832 ; married to Abigail Struble in
1858. They had three children, Naomi Maud, William, and
Samuel. Mrs. Abigail Bryant died in 1875. Mr. David
Bryant subsequently married Abigail Foote, who was born in
Knox county in 1847. Mr. Bryant is a farmer by occupation. __
BRYANT, CASSANDER E., M. D., Mt. Vemon, was born
in Knox county, Ohio, March 3, 1826. He spent his youth

6i8

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

on a farm, attending school in the winter at the country schools,
and at the schools at Fredericktown. When about twenty-one
years of age he commenced reading medicine with Dr. Lewis
Dyer, of Fredericktown, and with Dr. T. R. Potter, his uncle,
of the same place. He attended two courses of lectures at
Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia, graduating in the spring
of 1850, and began practice the same year in Fredericktown,
with his preceptor, Dr. Potter. He remained there one year and
then came to Mt. Vernon. He practiced with Dr. W. F. Mc
Clelland about five years, and with Dr. J. N. Burr for some four
years, being in partnership with them. In the spring of 1868,
on account of failing health, and in order to get out of practice,
he went to Europe, and travelled extensively, remaining there
during the summer. He has given up practice.
June 2, 1857, he married Miss Caroline L. Scott, daughter of
the late A. G. Scott, of Gambier, Ohio. They have two chil
dren, both daughters, and at home. His parents are both
living. BRYANT, GEORGE M., proprietor livery, feed, and sale
stables, South Main street, adjoining the Philo house, Mt. Ver
non, was born in Windsor county, Vermont, June 12, 1825. Up
to the year 1853 he followed farming and contracting on rail
roads. In 1853 he came to Ohio and engaged in railroading in
Cincinnati and neighborhood, which he followed eighteen
months. He then came to Mt. Vernon and went into building
and contracting. This business he continued in up 101875. His
next venture was- the establishment of a livery and feed store,
in which he is still engaged. His stock in trade is valued at two
thousand dollars, consisting of twelve horses and fourteen vehi
cles, among which may be found single and double carriages,
barouches, phaetons, and all in good order ready for instant
use. His establishment affords first class accommodations for
the travelling public,
BUCKMASTER, CORBIN W., Liberty township, was
born in Charlestown, Jefferson county, Virginia, April 24, 1798.
His father died about a year after, and his mother, who mar
ried again, died about six years after. He was then taken by
his grandfather, with whom he remained until the sixteenth year
of his age, when he went to learn the trade of hatter with his
uncle, with whom he remained about two years. In 1816 he
came to Zanesville, Ohio, and remained three years, being then
twenty-one years of age. He then travelled as a journeyman in
Kentucky, thence to St. Louis. In the spring of 1821 he went
to New Orleans, took passage thence to Baltimore, and thence
to his old home in Virginia, where he married Miss Catharine
Davis, November 28, 1822. She was a native of Reading,
Pennsylvania, born July 29, 1803. He remained in Virginia
until 1827, when he came to Zanesville, where he followed his
trade for a number of years. He held the office of constable
for seven years and justice of the peace for twelve years. While
justice of the peace he filled nine civil dockets and one State
docket. He was considered by all a man of sound judgment.
They had a family of nine children, three of whom are living —
William, in Nebraska; Henrietta, wife of J. P. Wintermute;
and Catharine, wife of Hiram Fisher.
Mr. and Mrs. Buckmaster are spending the evening of their
lives at the residence of their son-in-law, J. P. Wintermute, Mt.
Liberty. BUCKWALTER, JOSHUA, farmer, Berlin township ; post
office Fredericktown ; was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl
vania, in 1823, and came to Wayne county, Ohio, with his

parents at the age of ten years. He was married to Rachel
Nelson, who was born in Ohio. They had five children: Jehiel,
Benjamin, Ann (deceased), Mahala, and J. C. Mrs. Rachel
Buckwalter died in Knox county, Ohio, in 1864.
Mr. Buckwalter's second marriage was to Rachel Buckholder,
who was born in Knox county in 1834. They have four chil
dren—Herman, William B. (deceased), Rachel, and Philip.
Mr. Buckwalter located in Berlin township in 1856, is engaged
in farming, and is one of the leading men of the township.
BULYER, ANDREW, carpenter, Pike township; post office
North Liberty; born in Pike township, Knox county, in 1832,
and was married in 1854 to Martha Grice, who was born in
Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1830. They have two children,
Samantha and Byron, both living with their parents. Mr.
Bulyer learned the carpenter trade in this county, and has been
working at it in different parts of the county.
BULYER, DAVID, farmer, Middlebury township; post
office Fredericktown; was born in Pike township February 4,
1836; manied in 1864, to Amanda Reep, who was born March
2, 1846. They have two children — Henry Watry, bom J anuary
7, 1865, and Lucy, born January i, 1866. Mr. Bulyer is en
gaged in farming in Middlebury township. He has lived in
this township for nine years, and is one of its active and ener
getic citizens.
BUNN, GEORGE W., Mt. Vernon; was born inMt. Vernon
on the seventh of July, 1839, and attended R. R. Sloan's academy,
where he received a good English education. When but eleven
years old he commenced to learn the painter trade, working
during the summer and going to school during the winter. In
this way he served nine years at the trade, after which he en
gaged in business for himself, in which he has continued ever
since, and in which he has been highly successful. His busi
ness, like his trade, has been ascending the ladder round by
round until it has become quite extensive. He employs from
twelve to twenty hands per year. He was married to Miss R.
M. Crandell, daughter of Russel Crandell, of this city, and
had a family of four children, three of whom are living.
BURGER, LEVI S., farmer, Pike township, post office
North Liberty, born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1833,
and was married, in 1858, to Catharine Wohlford, who was
born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1837. They had eleven chil
dren : Allison P. (born in 1859), George W. (in i860), James
L. (in 1861), Priscilla A. (in 1864), John E. (in 1865), Catharine
L. (in 1867), Jacob A. (in 1869), Joseph H. (in 1871), William
A. (in 1873), Edward F. (in 1876), and Lomorie Blanche (in
1878). The deceased members of the family are George W.,
Joseph H., and John E.
Mr. and Mis. Burger are worthy members of the German
Baptist church. His father, Jacob Burger, was born in Bed
ford county, Pennsylvania, in 1796, and was married to Susan
nah Rush, who was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, in
1798. They had ten children: Rebecca, Elizabeth, Mary,
Susan (deceased), Catharine (deceased), Levi S., Hannah,
Joseph, Abiaham, and Maria (deceased). Mrs. Susannah Bur
ger departed this life in 1848, Jacob Burger in 1880.
Mr. Burger emigrated to Knox county in 1835, and
located in this township on the same farm where his son Levi
now resides. He was a very industrious man, and by his in
dustry, economy, and perseverance, he succeeded in clearing
and improving one of the most beautiful farms of this township.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

619

He was a deacon of the German Baptist church, of which he
was a member for many years, and remained firm in his religious
faith until his death.
BURGESS, MRS. LYDIA GRIFFITH, Milford township,
was born in Frederick county, Maryland, May 31, 1798. Her
parents, Jesse and Ruth Plummer, nee Griffith, were natives of
Maryland, and of English extraction. Mr. Plummer was a
Quaker in religion, and his wife a member of the Episcopal
church. They remained in Maryland until about 1825, when they
came to Ohio, and settled in Morris township, where Mr.
Plummer purchased a farm, and- where they lived and died,
being highly respected citizens. They had a family of ten chil
dren, three of whom, only, are yet living.
The subject of this sketch was manied to William P. Bur
gess, a native of Maryland, in 18 16. They remained in Mary
land until about 1825. Mr. Burgess was engaged in the drug
business, and settled in Mt. Vernon, where he opened a dry
goods store, and was successful, and became possessed of con
siderable property in Mt. Vernon and other parts of the county.
He died in 1845. They had a family of ten children, viz: Oliver,
a minister in the Methodist church; Louisa, married to W. T.
Bristow; John, a Methodist minister; Lafayette, deceased;
Jane P., deceased; Lydia J., deceased; Sarah W., married
William Reinick, a Methodist minister, now deceased; William
T., postmaster, Fairfield, Iowa; Ella and Leonidas.
Mrs. Burgess is an active lady for one of her age, and retains
the use of her mental faculties to a marked degree.
BURGOON, DAVID J., farmer, Milford township, was born
in Licking county March 21, 1832; his father, David, and his
mother, Rachel, nee Coe, were born in Frederick county, Mary
land, and were reared and married there, and about 1824 came
to Ohio and settled in Licking county, where he lived in various
places until about 1836, when he moved to Morgan township,
Knox county, and in 1845 purchased a fifty acre tract of land,
slightly improved, in Milford township, and the same spring
moved on it, where they lived and died. Mr. Burgoon died
August, 1856, aged about seventy-four; hie wife survived until
1863. They had four children who grew up, viz. : Darius (de
ceased), Catharine (married to Calvin Milbum), Ann E. (de
ceased), and David J., the subject of this notice, who was raised
on a farm, and had the same means of schooling as the boys of
his day. He has always followed farming. He was a member
of company B, One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio National
guard. Mr. Burgoon was married to Miss May J. Speilman,
daughter of William Speilman, in 1859; they had six children,
three of whom are living — two died in infancy, Emma I., died
when two years old. The living are: Sarah E. (married James
E. Beech), Clyde E., and Ann E. Mr. Burgoon is a good citi
zen, a successful farmer, and has the esteem of the community.
BURKE, THOMAS, farmer, Middlebury township, post
office, Levering; born in Waterford May 13, 1846, and was
married August 14, 1870, to Lizzie W. Martin, who was born
in this township; they have two children, viz.: Hannah M.,
bom March 7, 1871; Furney F., July 30, 1873. Mrs. Burke
died October 25, 1878, in this township.
BURKHOLDER, JOHN, Hilliar township, patentee of the
celebrated Acme wheat steamer, Centreburgh, Ohio, was born in
Rockingham county, Virginia, December 15, 1815. His parents
were bom in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and went to Vir

ginia, where they remained until 1833, when they came to Ohio
and settled near Martinsburgh, Knox county, where they re
mained until about 1858, being engaged in farming and the
manufacturing of lumber.
The subject of this notice removed to Rich Hill, Hilliar town
ship, about 1857. When he first started out he worked for
some time at cabinet making, but subsequently engaged in the
saw-mill business for a number of years, and also in the milling
business. From his knowledge of the milling business, he con
ceived the idea of making a more perfect wheat steamer than
was ever before used ; so after many months of study he pro
duced his Acme steamer, on which he received a patent, January
29, 1878. It is acknowledged by all millers who have used it
to be the most perfect and complete separator of the wheat and
condensed steam extant. The great advantage of the Acme is
that it toughens the bran, thereby admitting a perfect sepa
ration and producing a much finer grade of flour than could
be otherwise produced. The steamer is now being used in some
of the best mills of the country, and to the entire satisfaction of
the parties using them. Mr. Burkholder has also in course of
construction a scourer and separator, which is intended to make
wheat in a perfect condition for the manufacturing of flour. He
was married to Miss Elizabeth Dudgeon, of Harrison township.
They had a family of five children, three of whom are living.
BURKHOLDER, WILLIAM, farmer, Middlebury town
ship, post office Fredericktown, born in this county in July,
1831, and was married in 1858, to-Samantha Murphy, who was
born in this county in 1836. They have the following family,
Frances E., born in 1862; George in 1870; Anna in 1874, and
Ethel in 1876. His father, Jacob Burkholder, was born in
Pennsylvania, came to Ohio in 1842, and reared a family of six
children, Sarah, Henry, Elizabeth, Catharine, George and
Mary. Jacob Burkholder died in 1853; Mrs. Elizabeth Burk
holder died in 1864.
BURR, JONATHAN N., M. D., Mt. Vernon, was born in
Fairfield county, Connecticut, November 15, 1800. Dr. Burr's
family are of English extraction. His ancestor was Jehu Burr,
who came to America with Winthrop's fleet in 1630, and settled
in Roxbury, Massachusetts. They belong to the Puritan
branch. Ozias Burr, the father of the subject of this sketch,
was twice manied. His first wife was a Miss Lois Jennings,
and his second wife was Miss Elizabeth A. Couch. One child
was the issue of the first marriage — a daughter — who married
Mr. Charles Sherwood, and resides near Bridgeport, Connecti
cut. By the second wife eight children were born in Connecti
cut and one in Ohio, making in all ten children by the two
marriages. Dr. Burr is the second son by the second maniage. His
parents immigrated to Ohio in 1818, and settled in Franklin
county, near Worthington. They brought with them a family
of eight children. Seven of the ten children are living — six
sons and one daughter. Young Burr taught school his first
winter in Ohio, and the following spring began reading medi
cine with Dr. Daniel Upson, of Worthington, with whom he
studied one year. In 1820 he went to Columbus and entered
the office of Dr. Samuel Parsons, with whom he read medicine
until the fall of 1822, when he went to Transylvania Medical
college, Lexington, Kentucky, and attended the winter's course
of lectures.
In the summer of 1823 he associated himself with Dr. James
R. Hill, of Delaware, Ohio, and continued to practice his pro-

620

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

fession with him until the spring of 1825, when he came to Mt.
Vernon, May 6th, nearly fifty-six years ago. Dr. Burr is the
oldest physician in the city. He soon had an extensive prac
tice, and retains it up to the present time. When he located in
Mt. Vernon he found only two physicians in practice here, one
of whom shortly after left the place, leaving the field to Di.
Burr and his one competitor. The faculty of Sterling Medical
college at an early day conferred the honorary degree of M. D.
on Dr. Burr.
May 6, 1830, Dr, Burr was united in marriage with Miss
Eliza Ann Thomas, daughter of the Hon. Richard S. Thomas.
Miss Thomas was born in Lebanon, Ohio, March n, 1809.
Her father moved to Missouri in 1811, where he died about
1826. Miss Thomas came to Mt. Vernon in 1828, and resided
with her uncle, the late Hon. Jesse B. Thomas. As a result of
their union three children were born — two daughters and one
son. Frances Elizabeth died in infancy; Jesse Thomas Burr
was born August 22, 1841, and Jessie Rebecca Burr, May 16,
1863. Jessie married Francis C. Crawford, of Terre Haute,
where she now resides. The son, Thomas, commenced reading
law, but when the late Colonel Vance's regiment entered the
field in 1862, he went with it in the capacity of a non-commis
sioned officer, and served with credit until mustered out of ser
vice, in consequence of sickness contracted while the army was
before Vicksburgh.
Dr. Burr was one of the members that established St. Paul's
Protestant Episcopal church at Mt. Vernon, and has been an
active member and officer thereof for more than fifty years. He
has been a trustee of the Theological seminary and Kenyon
college, located at Gambier, Ohio. He also has been for more
than fifty years an active member of the Masonic fraternity.
He served as master of Mount Zion Lodge No. 9 many years;
has filled the office of high priest of Clinton Chapter No. 26;
has been commander of Clinton commandery many years, was
deputy grand master of the Grand lodge of Ohio; deputy
grand high priest of the Grand chapter; aided and assisted in
the formation of the Grand commandery of Ohio, and was its
first captain general. The doctor has often attended the meet
ings of the Grand Masonic bodies, and has been elected to
posts of honor therein, such as deputy grand master of the
Grand lodge, and deputy high priest of the Grand chapter.
BURSON, EDWARD, farmer, Morris township, post office,
Fredericktown, was born in Jefferson county in 1824; he was
married in 1848 to Patience A. McBumey, who was born in
Belmont county in 1823; they had five children: Isabella, Mar
garet, Rachel, May, and Elizabeth. Margaret manied John S.
Braddock, and resides in Mt. Vernon; Rachel married Joseph
B. Martin, and resides south of Mt. Vernon; May married
James Wynkoop, and resides south of Mt. Vernon; Elizabeth
married Frank Lafever,. and resides on the Columbus road,
south of Mt. Vernon. Mrs. Patience Burson died June 16,
i860, in Noble county, Ohio. Mr. Burson was subsequently
married to Lydia A. Armstrong, who was born in Guernsey
county, Ohio. Mr. Burson went to Guernsey county in 1826,
remained until 1848, then moved to Park county, Indiana, re
mained there four years, then returned to Noble county, Ohio,
remained there until 1866, when he came to Morris township.
He has been engaged in farming and dealing in stock. He was
elected justice of the peace in Morris township April 10, -1869;
he served the term and was reelected April 12, 1878. He is one
of the leading men of the township.

BUTLER, GEORGE W., son of Benjamin Butler, who was
one of the noted pioneers of Knox county, was born in Butler
township September 16, 1823; he was married to Lydia Lydick
March 4, 1845; they had six children, viz.: Frances Ellen, Wil
liam R., Benjamin B., Franklin Pierce, George Elmer Ellsworth,
and Ida May; all dead but William R.
BUTLER S. J., Union township, farmer, post office, Dan
ville. He was born in Union township August 12, 1821. His
father, Benjamin, came from Virginia to Mt. Vernon in 1801.
He was the first white man to use the axe to clear the ground
where stands the city of Mt. Vemon. He built the first cabin,
and in a few years he enlarged it, giving it the name Travel
lers' Inn. He continued this business for a long time and
was keeping this house at the time of the location of the
county seat. B. Butler was previously appointed by the
people of Mt. Vernon, to go in advance of the commission
ers to Clinton. After they had visited Mt. Vernon they started
for Clinton. When they arrived there the people rushed out of
the tavern, stores and other places, and commenced drinking,
fighting and committing all sorts of depredations. The com
missioners seeing this, would not dismount and so they started
for the spot where Fredericktown now stands. Previous ar
rangements being made the same sort of drunkenness and
fighting took place here as did at Clinton. But the commis
sioners dismounted here to look around and investigate the
location. Here Mr. Butler wished to leave them, but they
would not submit to this. He remained with them, but they
insisted on going home with him to Mt. Vernon, for 'they said
they were pleased with his hospitality. This they did and re
mained that night. The papers were made out and Mt.
Vernon was chosen the county seat.
Mr. Butler's father had thirteen children, viz: Elizabeth,
Benjamin, Reason, Hiram, Joseph (who was the first white
child born at Mt. Vernon), Matilda, Hulda, Palla, Mariah,
Laben, Hattie, Squire (the subject of this sketch) and George.
Squire was married September 9, 1848, to Mary Jane Work
man' and settled east of Millwood where they remained a long
time. They then moved to Ashland and lived there four years
and then moved to Danville. His wife died March 10, 1870,
and left two children. His daughter is Mrs. J. R. Pain.
The other one is in Delaware county. Mr. Butler remains on
the old farm alone.
BUTLER, WILLIAM R., Union township, farmer, post
office, Millwood; born July 2, 1847, in Union township, lived
here with his parents four years, and then went to Millwood and
remained until his fifteenth year. He was married January 14,
1869, to Miss Martha E. Walker. They have two children:
Lydia C, born May 16, 1870, and Mary W., February 18,
1873. The farm where he now resides is known as the old home
stead of B. Butler, his grandfather, who died in his ninety-fifth
year. BUTLER, JOHN, Brown township, grocer, post office,
Jelloway, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, Novem
ber 28, 1838. He came with his parents to Ohio in 1844, and
located in Wayne county. In 1861 he commenced teaching
school, and followed that profession for fourteen years, spending
most of his time in Ashland and Knox counties. In i864»he
married Miss Susan Weirick, of Ashland county, daughter of
George Weirick. They lived in several neighborhoods, he
teaching in the schools. In 1878, they moved to Jelloway, ,
where they are now living. In August of the same year he

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

621

was engaged in the grocery business, dealing in groceries, no
tions and produce.
BYERS, ELIZABETH OGLESBY, of Mt. Vernon, was
born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on February n, 1788,
and died at her late residence, corner of Gay and Vine streets,
Wednesday morning, August 4, 1880, aged ninety-two years
five months and twenty-four days. Her husband, the late
Samuel Byers, died in 1832. Her son, Joseph M. Byers, came
to Ohio, and located in Newark, in 1841, and in 1842 went back
to Pennsylvania and brought his mother to his Ohio home. In
1854 the family came to Mt. Vernon, and located in the house
at the comer of Gay and Vine streets, where they have re
mained up to the present time. The deceased was the mother
of seven children. Four children, Mr. Joseph M. Byers, of
this city, Mr. James D. Byers and Mr. John H. Byers, both of
California, and Miss Margaret Byers, of this city, survive her.
Some sixty years ago Mrs. Byers associated herself with the
Presbyterian church, and up to 1838 ratained her membership
with that organization, but on account of being removed from
church privileges by a change of residence, she joined the
Methodist Episcopal church by letter, and remained a member
to the close of her life. Besides her four surviving children,
deceased leaves sixteen grandchildren and numerous great
grandchildren, with a large circle of friends and acquaintances
to mourn her departure. An intimate acquaintance with
Mother Byers for nearly thirty-five years enables the writer to
say that the beauty of a blameless life has been shown in her
every act, as a wife, as a mourning widow, and as a mother
mourning for the loss of her children; and the cheerfulness with
which she patiently waited for long years the call to meet those
members of her family who had gone before her, evidenced a
life free from guile.
1 ' Who seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her
hands, who riseth while it is night, and giveth meat to her
household."

c

CAIN, ELIAS, deceased. — He was born in Harrison county,
Virginia, in 1798. He came to Ohio in 1802, and located in
Muskingum county. He remained there until 1810. He then
came to Knox county; he was married to Ann Eliza Britten,
who was born in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1802. They had five
children, namely, John, James, Nancy Ann, Sarah E., and
R. W. Mrs. Cain died in 1859. Mr. Cain afterward married
Margaret Latta, who was born in Loudoun county, Virginia,
in 1822. Mr. Cain was a pioneer of this county. He left his
farm and moved to Amity in 1823. He died at his residence
November 16, 1880.
CAIN, JOHN, Pike township, shoemaker, post office, Democ
racy, was born in Amity in 1823, and married in 1858 to Sarah
E. Kesler, who was born in Columbus in 1833. They had four
children, viz.: Elias (deceased) Francis S., Elias H., and Allen.
Mr. Cain has been engaged in manufacturing of "boots and shoes
for many years in Amity.
CAMPBELL, RICHARD, Union township, farmer, post
office, Millwood, horn in Virginia, September 10, 1814; emi
grated with his parents to Ohio in 18 16, and settled in Butler
township. He lived there until 1838, when he bought a farm.
In 1841 he was married to Sarah A. Huddle, and settled on his
farm in Union township, where he still remains.
He had four children, viz: John, who was born November 3,

1855, and manages the farm for his father. The other three
children have deceased. John married Miss Siza Lyle, in 1877,
and located on the farm. Richard Campbell's father died in
1870, and his mother three months previous. They had ten
children, all living except Abner and Elizabeth G.
CAMPBELL, JOHN, Miller township, farmer, was born in
Washington township, Licking county, February 28, 1815.
His father was a native of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania,
where he married Mary McDonald. Shortly after their mar
riage they came to Ohio and settled in Washington township,
Licking county, Ohio, where they lived and died.
The subject of this notice was born on the farm and contin
ued to reside on it until he moved to Miller township, where he
has since resided on the farm situated on the southeast corner of
the township. He is an estimable citizen, and a consistent
member of the Reformed Presbyterian church. He is one of
the leading farmers of Miller township. Honest and conscien
tious in his dealings, and ever ready to lend a helping hand
to the poor. In 1844 he married Margaret Magill, a native
of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. They had a family of
eight children; three of whom are living, viz: William G. and
Joseph O. R., druggists in Kansas city, Missouri; William
Boyd, at home. James R., served three years in the One Hun
dred and Twenty-fifth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry. He
died at home.
CAMPBELL, JOHN, farmer, was born in Butler township
in November, 1817, and was married to Phebe Babcock Janu
ary, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have had no children, but
their niece, Miss Marietta Campbell, resides with them. Al
though quite young, Miss Campbell is an accomplished artist,
and has painted many very fine pictures. Politically, Mr.
Campbell is a Republican, and a much esteemed citizen.
CAMPBELL, JAMES, farmer, Morgan township, was born
in Butler township March 14, 1818. His parents, David and
Mariah Campbell, nee Vance, were natives of Virginia, and
came to Ohio prior to 1817, but at what time is not definitely
known. Mr. Campbell came to Butler township some time be
fore he was married, and entered a tract of land, and returned
to Virginia where he married Miss Vance, and then returned to
his land. He lived for some time in a wagon until he roofed his
log house. He resided there until the spring of 1824, when he
moved to Morgan township, where he purchased the farm on
which John Campbell yet resides, and where he died in 1825.
His widow married Samuel Coe, and has deceased. They had a
family of six children — three deceased. The living are James,
Mrs. Buckingham, and Margaret, wife of Rev. Benjamin
Tulloss. The subject of this notice was raised on a farm and received a
common school education. He has always followed farming as
his chief occupation, and has been successful in acquiring con
siderable of this world's goods. He is an upright man, a close
observer, and well informed, and a leading member of the Bap
tist church. January 29, 1844, he marriedMiss Eliza A. Speny,
daughter of Jacob and Mary Sperry. They have a family of
seven children, viz: David P., of Utica, Ohio; Mary A., wife
of E. W. Bell; Mattie M., wife of Rev. W. E. Stevens, of Day
ton, Ohio; Elizabeth J., wife of W. H. Sellers; H. S., E. J.,
and Clyde E.
CARPENTER, THOMAS, was born in Butler township,
March 17, 1817. He was manied to Miss Mary Weisel, about

6.22

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

the year 1839. They have had nine children, viz: William,
Margaret, Sarah, John, Thomas, Thomas, Jacob, Susan and
George M.
CARSON, ROBERT, farmer, Wayne township, post office,
Mt. Vemon; born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1825,
came to Ohio with his parents in infancy, and was married in
1856 to Sarah A. Masteller, who was born in Pennsylvania in
1825. They have one son, William Carson, who was born
November 25, 1862. Mr. Carson resided in Coshocton till he
was twenty-three years old, then came to Liberty township, and
in 1869 moved to Wayne township. He owns a well improved
farm with good buildings.
CARY, JOSEPH, deceased, Pleasant township, was born in
Morris county, New Jersey, October 17, 1778. In 1800 he mar
ried Miss Susan Morris of same State, and in 1822, he, with wife
and family, emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, and located on a
farm in Morgan township, on which they lived until 1829, when
he purchased and moved on the farm in Pleasant township, this
county, now owned by his son, George L. Cary, and where he
died in 1839. His companion survived him until 1865, when she
died at the age of eighty years. Their union resulted in eight
children, viz.: Mahala, born in New Jersey December 15, 1801;
James B., born in New Jersey April 10, 1804; Daniel M., born
in New Jersey June 17, 1806; Joanna, born in New Jersey Oc
tober 12, 1808; Aaron, born in New Jersey July 19, 1811; Mar
tha, bom in New Jersey May 6, 1816; Nancy, born in New
Jersey September 9, 1819; George L., born in Knox county,
Ohio, May 5, 1823, who married Margaret J. Turner, daughter
of John B. and Ruth J. Turner, October 16, 1861. They settled
on his father's home farm where they are now living. He
is following farming and stock-raising as his vocation.
CARSON, JAMES, Pike township, farmer, post office, Fred
ericktown, born in Coshoction county, Ohio, in 1834, and was
married to Susan Bird, who was born in Liberty township, this
county, in 1835. They had three children: Clarrissa E., born
in 1856; Martha A., in 1862, and Hugh, November 21, 1867,
who died September 28, 1868.
Mr. Carson resided in Wayne township for some years. In
1878 he purchased a farm in Pike township, and has since
lived here.
Mrs. Susan Carson's father, Elisha Bird, was bom in 1791 in
Pennsylvania, and was married to Susan Haggerty, who was
born in Pennsylvania in 1794. They had the following chil
dren: Samuel H., born in 1818; Julia A., in 1821; Amada, in
1823; Simon, in 1825; Sarah A., in 1826; George Washington,
in 1829, and Susan, in 1835. Mr. Elisha Bird died in 1850,
and Mrs. Susan Bird in 1853. They were among the first set
tlers in this county.
CARY FAMILY.— The family of Cary in England is one of
the oldest, as it has been one of the most illustrious and hon
ored in the kingdom. Those of the family who wish to learn
particularly of their English ancestry can consult Burk's His
tory of the Landed Gentry of England.
In 1198, according to Sir William Pole, Adam DeKarry was
Lord of Castle Karry or Kari, in the county ot Somerset. This
castle now only exists in history. The village situated in that
locality is known as Castle Cary. As early as the reign of Ed
ward I, the name was spelled C-a-r-y. William and'John Cary
represented the county of Devon in the English Parliament in
the thirty-sixth and forty-second of Edward III. John Cary

was made a baron of the exchequer by Richard II. Sir Robert,
his son succeeded to his honors and estates. Sir William Cary,
a grandson of Sir Robert, fell in the battle of Tewsbury, 1471.
Lucius Cary was chancellor of the exchequer under Charles I,
and his marble statue stands at the entrance of the Parliament
house. He was regarded in England as the greatest man of his
day. Sir William Cary married May Boleyn, a sister of Anne,
the unhappy wife of Henry VIII. Henry Cary was created by
his cousin, Queen Elizabeth, Baron Hunsdon.
The Carys of Ireland are very numerous. Although de
scended from a common ancestor they spell the name C-a-r-e-y.
These few fragments are only given to show the antiquity and
distinction of the name, and not to give a connected history of
the family in the old country. The family is still numerous in
England, and traces back its history through many centuries
with pride.
The name Cary is quite common in almost every one of the
United States. They are doubtless descendants of DeKarry, of
the Domesday book of William the Conqueror, whether of En
glish, Irish or Scotch extraction. Most of those who spell the
name with an e are of Irish extraction, but this rule is not uni
versal, as persons not remotely connected spell the name both
ways. Those of the descendants of John Cary, of Plymouth colony,
who spell the name with an e do so without authority, as he
spelled the name C-a-r-v. John Cary joined the Plymouth col
ony about 1634. He came from Sometshire, England, near
Bristol. He is the progenitor of the families of whom we intend to
speak. We find his name among the original proprietors and
settlers of Duxbury and Bridgewater. Some of his descendants
of the eighth generation still occupy a portion of Bridgewater
land. In 1656 he was elected a constable of Bridgewater. He was
elected first town clerk and held the office consecutively until
1681. He was prominent among his fellows, well educated and
public spirited.
He manied Elizabeth Godfrey in 1644, a daughter of one of
the first settlers of Bridgewater. The year of his birth is not
known. He died in 1681. They had a family of eleven chil
dren. Joseph Cary, his son, born in Bridgewater in 1663, was
twice married, had six children, and died in 1722. John Carey,
son of Joseph Carey, was born in Windham, Connecticut, in
1695, married Hannah Thurston in 1716, and died in 1776. He
had nine children. John Cary, son of last named John Cary,
was born in Windham, Connecticut, in 1717, married Rebecca
Rudd, and died in 1788, having eight children.
Jonathan Cary, son of last named John Cary, was born in
Scotland, Connecticut, in 1749, married Martha Hurlbut, and
removed to Norwich, Connecticut, where he died, having had
seven children.
Frederick Cary, son of Jonathan, was born in Norwich, Con
necticut, February 14, 1786, married Ama Savage, in Norwich,
Connecticut, June 22, 1817, and emigrated to Ohio the same
year, and settled in Liberty township. He died in 1875. His
wife died November 13, 1863. Prior to his marriage he had
been in Ohio trading with the Indians and the white settlers for
furs, which he took east and sold. He had nine children :
Thomas, born July 31, 1818, married Cynthia Marriman in
1853. They had one daughter, born March 18, 1855. He is
engaged in farming in Liberty township. Emily, born August
8, 1820, married James Meniman, who has deceased. She

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

623

resides in Liberty township, they had two sons of whom men
tion is made. William L. , born September 25, 1822, he was
reared on a farm in Liberty township. His education was ob
tained at the common schools and the high schools at Mt. Ver
non. He taught school for sixteen terms. He married Eveline
Graham October 29, 1851. They yet reside in the township
and had seven children. Ralph W., born July 2, 1852. He is
a physician located in Mt. Vernon; was elected coroner of the
county in the fall of 1880. Henry Y., born January 4, 1854.
Samuel F., born October 11, 1855. JohnW., born October 9,
1858. EvalineE., born August 24, i860. William, born Novem
ber, 1862. Grant has deceased. Caroline, born November 15,
1824, died unmarried December 2, 1863. George W. , born Jan
uary 28, 1827; he was reared on the farm, and resides in Liberty
township; he-was married to Sarah Chambers in 1861; no issue
by this man-iage. Frederick W., born July 18, 1829; died un
married January 2, 1853. John, born January 22, 1832, died
unmarried, August 5, 1856. Charles, born March 10, 1834;
he married Martha A. Frazier, December, 1865; they had five
children, only one of whom (Rose Ella, born February 23,
1874) is living. James was born May 4, 1838; he was reared on
a farm, and enlisted in company F, One Hundred and Twenty-
first regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, August, 1862. He par
ticipated in the battle of Perrysville, Kentucky; was taken sick
at Nashville, Tennessee, rejoined his regiment in Georgia, was
with the regiment until it was mustered out, participating in the
different campaigns. He was manied to Miss Rebecca Phil
lips, September 26, 1871; they have three children and reside on
the old homestead.
The Cary family are all well-to-do citizens and much esteemed.
CASH, E. D., Howard township, farmer, post office, Howard,
was born in Wayne county, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1831.
He came to Ohio, when he was six months old. His father
settled in Knox county, and he remained with him until he was
fifteen years old, when he left to learn the saddler trade which
he followed fifteen years. He was married in 1866, to Susan
Buchanin, and settled on his present farm. He has two child
ren: William J., born January 15, 1868; and Walter B., April
2, 1875. Walter died January 27, 1879.
CASSELL & LEWIS, merchants. They established busi
ness in 1876, and have enjoyed a lively trade. They keep a
well selected stock of foreign and domestic dry goods, ladies'
dress-goods, hosiery and gloves, queensware glassware, gro
ceries and provisions. Mr. Cassell was bom in Maryland.
L. H. Lewis is a native Buckeye and now serving his second
term as treasurer ofthe corporation of Fredericktown.
CASSEL, HENRY, Fredericktown, merchant. He was
born in Maryland in 1823. He came to Knox county, Ohio, in
1830. He was married in 1851 to Viola Jane Beers. They
had two children, Ida and Louella.
Mrs. Viola Cassel died in 1861. Mr. Cassel was manied
again in 1863, to Carrie Hyatt. Mr. Cassel has been a resident
of Wayne township since coming to this county. In 1861 he
moved to Fredericktown. During the war he took a position
in the hardware store (which was done to accommodate a friend
that went to the army) of William Rodgers, who went as a sol
dier and was promoted captain. Mr. Cassel finally became
proprietor of the Cassel hardware store. He carries a full
and complete line of hardware in every department. He has
built up a very extensive trade through his honest dealing and
enterprising spirit. All who want anything in his line will do

well to call on him, as he is always obliging and pleased to
show goods.
CASTEEL, OTHO, Gambier, a son of Mishick and Mary
Casteel, was born in Howard township, this county, on the
fourth day of March, 1836. Mishick Casteel, a natiye of Mary"
land, was born in in 1798, emigrated to this county in abou
1820, and located near Greersville, in Jefferson township. In
1823 he married Miss Mary Critchfield, daughter of Nathaniel
and Christina Critchfield, who was born in Virginia in 1804, and
was brought to this county by her parents in 1806, who
located in Howard township, where they passed the remainder
of their days. Shortly alter their marriage they settled in How
ard townshipand remained until 1842, when they moved to Union
township, where he deceased in a few months after their settle"
ment in the township. Mrs. Casteel is now living in Gambier,
with her son Otho, aged seventy-six years. They reared a fam
ily of five children, viz.: Benjamin, Appleton, Pierce, Sarah C,
and Otho. Only two of the number are now living, viz. : Ben
jamin and Otho. Otho Casteel was reared a farmer, and fol
lowed farming as his principal vocation until 1871, when he en
gaged in butchering, and has since been following that business.
In June, i860, he married Miss Sarah E. Hutcheson, born in
Gambier, May 14, 1836, daughter of A. B. Hutcheson. They
settled in Gambier, where they now reside. They have had two
children, a son and a daughter.
CHALFANT, JAMES, Wayne township, retired farmer,
post office, Mt. Vernon, born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania,
in 1827, and was married in 1849 to Margaret Statler, who was
born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. They came to Knox
county in 1856. They have the following children: John S.,
born January 22, 1851; Charles A., January 5, 1853; William
B., July 10, 1858; Ellen, November 3, i860; Walter I., May 18,
1864; Emery W., September 21, 1866; Joseph G., April 5, 1875,
and Mary B., July 24, 1855, who died November n, 1862.
CHANNELL, HENRY, Miller township, farmer, post
office, Homer, was born in Randolph county, Virginia, Janu
ary 22, 1824. The Channell family, of which he is a descend
ant, emigrated from Ireland to South Carolina, but at what
date is not known. The parents died in South Carolina. They
left four sons, viz: Aaron, John, Joseph, and Jerry. Aaron
went to sea as a sailor and was never heard of afterward by the
family. The three brothers came to Randolph county, Virginia, and
subsequently John and Joseph, with their families, came to
Ohio and settled in Licking county, being among the first set
tlers. Jerry remained in Virginia. His descendants are now
quite numerous in that State.
Joseph, grandfather of the subject of this notice, married
Judith Hodge, a native of Scotland. They had a family of six
teen children, twelve of whom reached maturity. The de
scendants of these children are now numerous and are scat
tered throughout the West.
Isom, the father of the subject of this notice, was one of the
sixteen children. He enlisted three times in the War of 1812.
His first and second terms of service were of short duration.
He served seven months in the last enlistment. He went to
Virginia and there married Eve Harper, and in 1829 returned to
Ohio and settled in Burlingham township, where he died in
1845. His wife survived him until March, 1877. She died
with her children in Missouri. They had nine children, five of
whom are living.

624

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Mr. Channell spent his youth on a farm in Licking county.
In 1858 he came to Miller township, where he has since resided,
being among the most influential and esteemed citizens. In
1843 he married Miss Jane Crasen, a native of Licking county,
Ohio. They had five children, three of whom died young.
The living are Aaron and Hattie, the wife of Greenbury Sher
man. CHANCEY, JAMES B., Fredericktown, was born in New
York in 1834, was brought to Ohio when three years old, and
was married to Martha A. Brown, who was born in this county
in 1837. They have six children, viz: Cora B., born February
23, 1859; Mary D., November 10, 1861; Joseph H., November
8, 1863; Ellen R., December 10, 1865: Carrie B., November
13, 1867, and Adda F., December 28, 1869. Mr. Chancey is a
painter by trade, and has been engaged in that business for
twenty years.
James B. Chancey was a soldier in the late war, and a mem
ber of company H, One Hundred and Forty-second regiment
Ohio national guard. He served out the time of his enlistment,
and received an honorable discharge. Mrs. J. B. Chancey's
father, Samuel Brown, deceased, was born in Virginia in 1798,
and was married to Nancy Carter, who was born in Virginia in
1800. They came to Ohio in 1831, and located in Berlin township.
They had the following children, viz: Mary E., boin in 1829;
James, in 1831; Daniel, in 1833; Jefferson, deceased; Martha,
born in 1837; Joseph, in 1838; George, in 1842, and Susan, in
1845. Samuel Brown died in 1847, in Berlin township. He was a
farmer by occupation, and a worthy member of the Protestant
Episcopal church, and an honored citizen. Mrs. Nancy Brown
is now residing with her son, James H. Brown, in Michigan.
CHANDLER, HENRY, deceased, Clay township, was born
in Essex county, New Jersey, January 9, 1806. He was mar
ried at an early age. His wife, Susan C. Chandler, was born
September 18, 1799. Their children were Sarah E., born De
cember 9, 1830; Mary B., January, 9, 1832; Elmira V., May 27,
1833; Henry M., October 21, 1834; William H., May 25, 1836;
Maria F. , June 26, 1838; Henrietta W., November 9, 1839;
David J., May 30, 1841; JohnW., May 13, 1843. All are liv
ing except Mary B., Henry M., Maria F., and John W.
CHANDLER, DAVID J., shoemaker, was born in Clay
township, August 30, 1841, was married December 5, 1865, to
Margaret Finney. They have five children, viz : Susan M. ,
Charles H., Edward F., William M., and James B. He was a
soldier in the war of the Rebellion, being a private in company
C, Fifty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, and the only Knox county
man in the regiment.
CHAPIN, L. H., mechanic, Howard township, post office,
Howard. He was born in Union township, August 19, 1844.
His mother died in 1854, and at this time he went to B. Sim
mons' in Coshocton county, and farmed there four years. He
then returned to Millwood and remained there two years. In
1861 he enlisted under Captain Walker in the Forty-third Ohio
volunteer infantry. He was in the battle of Corinth in 1862,
and at Iuka, Mississippi. They made a charge, called the end
ways charge, on the rebels where a portion of the troops crossed
the river on pontoons.
He served his time and received an honorable discharge. In
1869 he was married to Sarah Baker and lived at Spring Moun

tain a year, then removed to Union township, remained there
four years, and then came to Howard. They have five children,
Fenton, Elmer, Oliver, Salona, and James.
CHAPMAN, JUDGE STEPHEN, Mt. Vernon, deceased
Among the early settlers of this county, was Stephen Chapman,
who in after years became a man of note, and was honored and
trusted by his fellow citizens. He was born in Saybiook, Con
necticut, on the twenty-fourth of April, 1783. His parents
came to Ohio and located at Marietta in 1794, when Stephen
was only eleven years of age. Grandfather Chapman was an
old and intimate friend of General Rufus Putnam, who induced
him to take "that step. He was to erect a block-house at Mari
etta, and was to keep within it nine soldiers for the protection
of the settlers in the neighborhood, for which the Government
was to reward him by two large tracts of land lying within
what is now Washington county. Mr. Chapman complied
with the wishes of the general in every respect. For the sol
diers he substituted his own sons, nine in number, Stephen
making one. The Government compensated him with two
tracts of land situated one on Duck and one on Bear creek.
In 1806 Mr. Chapman, the subject of this sketch, came to and
settled in Mt. Vernon, and opened what was then called a
"trading station," keeping a little of everything that could be
bartered for a little money, deer skins and furs. The cunency
at that time was "mixed." He was a friend of the red man,
and considerable trading was carried on with them. This sta
tion was continued for some time.
December 25, 1808, he married Mary Walker, a sister of Mr.
Joseph Walker, one of the proprietors of Mt. Vernon. In 1811
he purchased and moved on the farm on Dry creek, where he
resided up to the time of his death, making a continued resi
dence of fifty-eight years. During a part of the War of 1812
he was engaged in collecting and wagoning provisions for the
sustenance of the soldiers stationed at Milan and Sandusky.
In 1813 the people of the county became alarmed at rumored
Indian raids, and several block-houses were erected in the
county. Mr. Chapman aided his neighbors to erect one on
Dry creek, on the Hardesty farm, better known in latter days
as the Carey farm, to which his family was removed,, where
they remained a short time for safety and protection.
Judge Chapman was a man of more than ordinary ability and
sound judgment, and was honored and respected by his neigh
bors and acquaintances throughout the county. In 18 17 he
was elected a justice of the peace for his township, as his com
mission, signed by Governor Thomas Worthington, and dated
February 15, 1817, shows. A vacancy occurring on the asso
ciate judges bench of the county, Governor Ethan Allen Brown
appointed him to fill that vacancy, and on the thirtieth of Oc
tober, 1819, signed his commission as associate judge. During
the session of the legislature in the winter of 1819-20, he was
elected associate judge for a full term, Governor Brown signing
his commission on the twenty-sixth of February, 1820. These
three old commissions are in a good state of preservation, and
are kept as relics of the past by the family. Although by no
means a robust man, yet he was a person of strong nerves and
athletic, and enjoyed the best of health. He died full of honor
and full of years, October 4, 1869, in the eighty-seventh year of
his age.
CHAPMAN, DAVID, Milford township, farmer and car
penter; was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1822. His
father's name was Martin ; was a native of New York , his

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

625

mother (Henrietta Wright) was a native of Connecticut, both
being of English descent. They were married in Ashtabula
county, Ohio, and remained there six or eight years. They
went to Upper Canada, remained about eight years and then
returned to Ashtabula county, and thereafter succesively lived
in Holmes, Tuscarawas, and Coshocton counties, both parents
dying in the latter county. They had a family of twelve chil
dren, six yet living. The subject of this notice is the third
child. When about nineteen years of age he went to the car
penter trade, and followed it until 1877. In 1844 he married
Miss Margaret King, a native of Pennsylvania. At the time of
his marriage he was poor, and, as he =ays, "his wife no better
off." He had also to support his parents principally from the
time of his marriage until their deaths. Thus he had to strug
gle against adverse circumstances. In 1858 he moved to
Miller township, and resided there until 1868, when he pur
chased the farm of one hundred and forty-six acres in Milford
township on which he now resides. He went in debt on this
farm four thousand five hundred dollars, but by industry and
good management he has paid this amount. Mr. Chapman is a
hard working man, a good citizen and neighbor.
By his marriage they had seven children, six of whom are
iving, viz. : Alonzo, a carpenter by trade, who enlisted in com
pany C, Forty-third regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, February,
1864, and was with Sherman from Chattanooga to Savannah,
participating in all the conflicts in which his company was en
gaged until their discharge; William B., was a member of the
same company, enlisting at the same time, and was also with
the company and regiment until its discharge; Julia, married
Benjamin Hunter; Jane, married Robert McCune; Mina, and
Belle, live at home ; Malissa died young.
CHASE, PHILANDER, D.D., deceased. Rev. Philander
Chase, D.D., first bishop of the diocese of Ohio, was for a num
ber of years one of the most prominent men of Knox county,
He was born in Cornish, New Hampshire, December 14, 1775.
He was descended from Aquila Chase, who came from Corn
wall, England, in 1640, and settled at Newbury. His grandson,
Dudley, father of the bishop, settled on the Connecticut river
and founded *the town of Cornish, New Hampshire, where the
bishop was born. His parents were plain, pious people, living
on a farm, devoted members of the Congregational church, and
young Philander adopted their religious views early in life.
Philander intended to chose his father's vocation, but the course
of events, says his biographer in the "American Cyclopedia,"
seemed plainly to indicate that a different career was before him.
A severe injury to one of his limbs confined him for a long time
to the house, and after much reflection upon his position and
prospects, he resolved to prepare himself for college and the
ministry of the gospel. He entered Dartmouth college in 1791,
and was graduated in 1795. At the time of his graduation Phi
lander Chase was a Congregationalist, but having met with a
prayer book of the Episcopal church, he examined and studied
it with great care, and was led to the conviction that he ought
to enter the ministry of that church, Leaving his home in New
Hampshire, he set out for Albany, New York, where he was
kindly received by the resident Episcopal minister; and after a
course of study in theology, he was ordained in St. George's
church, New York, in May, 1798. For several years he devoted
himself, amid many privations, to missionary labors in western
New York.
Rev. Philander Chase, in 1805, with wife and children, re

moved to New Orleans, where, for six years, he was zealously
engaged in organizing the Protestant Episcopal church, in which
he was successful. In 1811 he returned to the north, and for
six years was rector of Christ church, in Hartford, Connecticut.
Deeply interested in the leligious condition and prospects of the
great west, and being full of missionary zeal and enterprise, he,
in 1817, went to Ohio, and set about planting and enlarging the
Episcopal church in that then young and rapidly growing State.
After a year's labor in Ohio a diocese was formed embracing
the entire State, and he was elected its bishop, and was conse
crated in St. James' church, Philadelphia, February 11, 1819.
Amid many and peculiarly severe trials, says his biographer,
Bishop Chase persevered in his work. He established a clas
sical school at Worthington soon after coining to Ohio, and
conducted it personally until 1822, when he moved to Cincin
nati to take charge ofthe college then recently established there,
and remained about two years, serving as president of said in
stitution. It soon became evident to Bishop Chase that in order to the
successful and permanent establishment of the Protestant Epis
copal church in Ohio, and in the west, measures must be taken
promptly to educate men on the ground for the service of the
ministry. Accordingly, with the approbation of the Protestant
Episcopal convention of Ohio, although opposed by many Epis
copalians in the older States, he resolved to visit England and
solicit donations toward founding a college and theological sem
inary in Ohio. He embarked in October, 1823, arrived safely
in England, and, although he at first met with opposition, soon
overcame it, and was unusually successful, collecting about
thirty thousand dollars for his object. After his return in 1824,
the Bishop purchased eight thousand acres of land situated in
Knox county, took the initial steps to establish the projected
college and seminary upon it, and perpetuated the names of the
two generous Englishmen (Kenyon and Gambier), whose mu
nificent donations so largely aided the bishop in his grand en
terprise, by giving the name of the former to the college, and
that of the latter to the site of the seminary and college, and
which also became the name of the prospective village estab
lished there.
. For a time, says the authority heretofore quoted, everything
went on prosperously; but difficulties and disputes having risen
between the bishop and some of the clergy about the disposal of
the funds received from England, and other matters connected
with his administration of the college and the diocese, he re
signed his jurisdiction in September, 1831, and the general con
vention the next year gave their assent to this step, and Bishop
Mcllvaine became his successor.
Bishop Chase, now removed to Michigan, seemingly intent
upon the life of a pioneer missionary bishop. There he re
mained until 1835, when he was elected bishop of the recently
formed diocese of Illinois. Again he visited England in be
half of Christian education in the west, and collected about ten
thousand dollars towards purchasing land and founding a col
lege. Jubilee college, at Robin's Nest, Peoria county, Illinois,
owes its foundation, in 1838, to this second effort, and here the
venerable prelate spent the remainder of his life. The first com
mencement of Jubilee college took place in July, 1847, and its
subsequent career has evinced the perspicacity of Bishop Chase
in providing for the future needs of the Episcopal church in the
west. Bishop Chase was an exceedingly active and laborious man,
and, though not very learned, had great diplomatic talents, and

626

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

intuitive knowledge of human nature, great shrewdness, and ac
complished an amount of good ten fold greater than many in
comparably his superiors in scholastic knowledge. Keenly
sagacious in reading character, quick to avail himself of oppor
tunities, full of zeal and determination, unwearied in laboring
for the. cause of religion and the interests of the Protestant Epis
copal church, Bishop Chase left his impress upon the western
country, and deserves honorable mention as the pioneer bishop.
He published in two volumes "Reminiscences of his life and la
bors," "Plea for the West," "Defense of Kenyon College,"
and other works.
Bishop Chase was one of fourteen children, eight sons and
six daughters. Dudley Chase, one of his brothers, was long a
member and sometimes speaker of the legislature of Vermont;
also chief justice of that State, and United States Senator.
Another of his brothers was the father of the late Salmon P.
Chase. Four of the brothers were graduates of Dartmouth
college. Bishop Chase's first wife was Miss Fay of Bethel, Vermont,
who became the mother of two sons (George and Philander)
both dead. The latter married a daughter of Hon. Bazaleel
Wells, of Steubenville, Ohio, and died young, of consumption.
Mrs. Chase died at Worthington, Ohio, in 1818.
Bishop Chase manied his second wife, Miss Sophia May In-
graham, of Kingston, New York, at Zanesville, July 19, 1819,
Rev. Dr. Morse officiating. Four children were born to them,
viz: Dudley, a clergyman of Philadelphia; Henry, in business
in Chicago; Philander, deceased, and Mary, wife of Rev. J. S.
Chamberlain. A severe injury, caused by being thrown from his carriage,
hastened the aged bishop's decease, and a few days, after he
sank quietly to rest. His death occuned at Jubilee college, in
Peoria county, Illinois, September 20, 1852, in the seventy-sev
enth year of his age.
CHAUNCEY, CORYDON, Fredericktown, barber, was born
in Berlin township, Knox county, in 1837. He was married in
1865 to Mary Roberts, who was born in Mt. Vernon in 1838.
They have three sons, viz.: Frederick E., born in 1866; Charles
N., born in 1870; Burr Roberts, born in 1874. Mr. Chaunceyis
the leading barber of Fredericktown. He keeps everything*
very neat, and is a type of the perfect gentleman.
CHRISMAN, HARVEY, Milford township, farmer and far
rier, was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, February 24,
1828. His father, Benoni Chrisman, came to Knox county with
his family, in 1837. He located in Milford township, where he
had previously purchased a quarter section of land, and remained
there until 1879, when he went to reside in Homer, Ohio. He
married Annie Kratzer in Virginia, who died in 1879. Mr.
Chrisman died in the winter of 1880. They had ten children.
Those living are are Harvey, Joseph, Burtley, George, Reuben,
Catharine (wife of Lemuel Buxton), and Sarah. The deceased are
Benoni, Martha, and Susan. The subject of this notice was the
oldest son, and it therefore devolved upon him to assist his father
to clear up the farm, and in consequence his educational advan
tages were limited; but he acquired sufficient to enable him to
transact business. He remained at home until he was about
twenty-three years of age. Mr. Chrisman began life with but
little aid. He determined to obtain for himself and -family a
home. About 1851 he came to his present home, and has suc
ceeded in obtaining two hundred and fifty acres of good land,
and is one of the leading farmers of Milford township. His

farm is under good cultivation. He was married twice. His
first wife was Miss C. Hall. His second wife was Miss Sarah
E. Jaggers, daughter of Silas Jaggers. They have eleven chil
dren, and as they get married he assists each one by giving
him one thousand dollars. Their names are Ellen A. (wife of
N. J. Coe), Flora P. (wife of Marcus Riley), Josephine, Oscar
Caroline, Emma, Elizabeth, Martha, Frank, Edith, and Mary'
CLARK, ABEL, deceased, Jefferson township, born in
Green county, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1792, where he lived
until he anived at the age of eighteen years, when, in company
with his brother, came to Ohio, locating in Canoll counTy about
1810. During the time he remained there, he married Mary E.
Burtnett, which event occured in 1815, who was born in Green
county Pennsylvania, July 21. 1792. In 1822 he moved with
his family to Knox county, locating in Harrison township,
where he remained until 1836, when he moved to Jefferson town
ship and there entered a farm of one hundred acres, upon which
he erected a hewed log house. He carried on farming for many
years. Mr. and Mrs. Clark became the parents of nine chil
dren, four of whom died in infancy. The other five children
were: Michael Clark, born June* 17, 1818, killed at Fort Donel-
son; Priscilla, born December 3, 1821, died August 24, 1880;
Josiah, June 14, 1823, died in 1868; Nancy, January 2, 1825;
Amos, January 31, 1834, all of whom have died except Nancy
and Amos. Mrs. Abel Clark died August 27, 1851, aged fifty-
nine years. He married again in 1853, and his second wife died
in 1872. Mr. Clark became the owner of one hundred and sixty
acres of land in Jefferson township and died in January, 1870,
in the seventy-eighth year of his age.
CLARK, AMOS, Jefferson township; farmer and stock-
raiser; son of Abel and Mary E. Clark, was born in Harrison
township, Knox county, January 31, 1834. In 1836 his father
moved to Jefferson township, locating on Military Land lot
No. 2, four miles east of Jelloway, where the subject of this
sketch was reared and received a common school education.
He remained with his father, farming until 1858, when he
bought sixty acres of the home place, and continued to farm
the balance of his father's farm in connection with his own.
This he continued until i860, and then purchases* the balance
of the home farm, making in all one hundred and sixty acres.
In 1866 he bought one hundred and nine acres of land in
Jefferson township, adjoining Ashland county, for the sum of
fifteen hundred dollars, which he owned for three years, and
then sold it to Conrad Snider for the sum of twenty-four hun
dred dollars.
October 5, 1856, he married Sarah C. Heyet, a daughter of
Jacob H. and Mary E. Heyet, born in Ashland county,
December 3, 1839. After his marriage he located on the old
farm, which he had purchased of his father, where he remained
until 1871, and then moved on a farm of one hundred and forty
acres adjoining him, on the southwest, which he purchased in
the same year, where he at present resides. May 13, 1864, he
enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio volunteer
infantry, in company F, under Captain Cummings, and served
until the second day of September of the same year, when he
was honorably discharged and mustered out at Columbus, Ohio.
He then returned home, where he remained until the twelfth
day of October of the same year, when he enlisted in the Ninth
Ohio cavalry under the command of Killpatrick, where he
served until June 7, 1865, when he was honorably discharged
and mustered out of service at the United States hospital near

qJ^A4*^~Q0 csfrsf^&stst

^W/ ^5^. ^Ur^^L.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

627

Columbus, Ohio. He then returned home, and proceeded to
business as usual. Mr. Clark is at present engaged in the
insurance business in connection with farming, being a stock
holder in the Jelloway Insurance company, and president of the
same. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the parents of six children, viz:
Mary E. , born September 30, 1857, married J. W. Rice
September, 1877, and resides one mile west of Greersville; Jesse
E., September 12, 1859; and died August 31, 1864; Emma F.,
June 10, 1862, and died September 6, 1864; William W., Au
gust 16, 1866, and died September 26, 1867; Henry W., Au
gust 16, 1868; John B., February 21, 1870. Only three chil
dren are living,
Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of Wesley chapel of Jeffer
son township.
CLARK, T. L., Mount Vernon, anative of Stuben now Yates
county, New York, where he received his education in the
district schools, was born June n, 1811, and when fourteen
years old engaged with his brother to learn the millwright trade
with whom he served seven years, after which he served four
years as a mechinist, and was one. of the partners of the
firm under the firm name of Clark & Huston, manufacturers
of engines and mill machinery, in which he continued until
1836. After this he engaged at the millwright business, which
he followed until 1841. He then came to Mt. Vernon where he
engaged with the firm of C. & E. Cooper as draftsman and
machinist. He remained in this capacity until 1848 when he
became a partner under the firm name of Coopers & Clark, in
which he remained until 1858, when he took charge of the Koko
sing Iron Works for C. P. Buckingham for one year, when he went
to Detroit and engaged in building grain elevators for Dr. Clark
and continued with him until the summer of 1864, when he
returned to Mt. Vernon and took charge of the mechanical de
partment of Coopers' establishment in which he remained until
1868. He then went to Kansas City to superintend the State Line
machine shops, but not finding things as he expected and as was
represented, he returned after a stay of three months. He then
engaged with H. & F. Blandy, of Zanesville, as superintendent
of their works in Newark where he remained until the spring of
1876, when he leased the Kokosing Iron Works and conducted
them two years, since which he has operated in patent grain
shovels for unloading cars of bulk grain in elevators. This in
vention relates to machinery for unloading grain in bulk from
cars, and consists of a shaft which extends parallel with the line
of cars to be unloaded, and is automatically reversed in its revo
lutions and to which scoops are attached by means of ropes for
drawing the grain from the cars as the shaft revolves in one
direction and allowing the scoops to be returned as it revolves
in the opposite direction. This is a great labor-saving inven
tion, and does its work more expiditiously and successfully than
any former invention.
Mr. Clark was married July 20, 1836, to Miss Amanda Blair,
daughter of Luther and Emblem Blair, of Massachusetts, by
whom he had a family of five children, viz: T. Eugene, infant
son, died; Jerome, Alonzo, and John, two of whom, T. Eugene
and John, survive, and both are married and reside in Mt.
Vernon. T. Eugene received his preparatory education at
Kenyon college and Otterbein university and read medicine with
Dr. E. M. Clark, of Detroit, and graduated at the medical uni
versity at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and entered upon the practice
of his profession at Middletown, Ohio. In 1863 he entered the
United States naval service as surgeon, in which he served two

years, after which he engaged in practice in this city in which he
continued until recently when in consequence of ill health he re
tired. John is engaged with his father and is a practical drafts
man, proficient in his profession and a successful business man.
CLARK, SAMUEL, harness and saddle manufacturer,
West Vine street, near Main, Mt. Vernon, a native of Chatau-
qua county, New York, born September 5, 1821, where he re
sided until 1838, during which time he received his education,
and learned the harness and saddler trade. His first trip was to
Michigan, where he travelled, working as a journeyman, in Mich
igan, Indiana, and Illinois. He opened a shop at Coldwater,
Michigan, and continued in it for one year. In consequence of
inflammation of the eyes, he was compelled to retire from busi
ness tor about two years; after which, in 1842, he went to
Mansfield, Ohio, and worked for the firm of Smith & Robinson
about eighteen months. He then went to Wooster and en
gaged with a Mr. Dyerman, and worked about two years. He
then travelled for about one year with Mr. Dyerman, after
which he enlisted in the United States service for twelve months,
joining company A, Third Ohio volunteer infantry, Captain .
McLaughlin. The regiment was commanded by Colonel
Samuel R. Curtis.
With this regiment Mr. Clark went to Mexico, serving some
eighteen months. After quitting the service he went to Newark
and engaged with Captain Owens. Here he remained only a
short time, when he came to Mt. Vernon, and commenced
working for the late George W. Hauk. He continued with Mr.
Hauk until 1852. He then went to Warrentown, Mississippi,
and engaged with his brother, where he worked one vear. In
consequence of the prevalence of the yellow fever, Mr. Clark
came back to Mt. Vernon and was engaged again by Mr. Hauk,
with whom he remained till 1858, when his health gave way.
From Mt. Vernon he went to McDonough county, Illinois, and
engaged in farming. In 1862 he returned to Mt. Vernon, and
for a third time was employed by Mr. Hauk, and in 1863 he
bought out his employer and commenced business on his own
account, and has continued it up to the present time. During
part of this time his business has been quite extensive, requir
ing from three to five hands. At this time he does all the work
himself, and has the gratification of warranting all work manu
factured in his shop. His work embraces heavy and light single
and double harness. Repairing is done on short notice, and on
reasonable terms.
CLARK, BOYD, farmer, Wayne township, post office Mt.
Vernon, born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, July 31,
1825, and was married February 15, 1855, to Ann McKee, who
was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, April 11, 1837. They
had the following children: Sarah M., born December 29,
1855; John C. Fremont, May 15, 1857; Eliza J. and Mary
Eva, (twins), October 26, 1858; Nancy M., June 22, i860; Wil-
metta, February 22, 1862; Thomas H., August 11, 1864; James
W., June 10, 1866; Ida May, May 10, 1868; Steward E.,May
17, 1870; Samuel P., August 8, 1872, and Nellie Myrtle, April
r6, 1875. Sarah M. died July r6, 1875, and Nancy June 26,
1875. Mr. Clark settled in Wayne township in 1854, and has
resided here since that time.
CLARK, JOSIAH, farmer, Middlebury township, post office
Fredericktown, was born in Connecticut, and came to Ohio in
1850, and was married in 1871 to Mary A. Wagoman, who was
born in Morrow county. They have two children, Sarah May,
and Charlie Russell.

628

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

His sister, Betsy Clark, was born in Fairfield county, Connect
icut, came to Knox county in 1852, and now resides wi^h her
brother, Josiah Clark.
Salina Clark, the mother of Josiah and Betsy, was born in
Connecticut in 1778, and came to Ohio in 1852. She remained
here till her death, December 29, 1875.
CLAYTON, JACOB, deceased, died at his late residence in
Mt. Vernon, February 1, 1881, aged sixty years. The deceased
was a native of -Maryland, was born at Rising Sun, in that
State on the twenty-ninth of December, 1821. He came to
Ohio in 1851, and settled in this city, where he has resided ever
since. Mr. Clayton was at his work as usual Monday, in the
carpenter shop of his brother-in-law, Mr. W. B. Bounds. He
went home after work, and complained some of pain about the
heart, and at fifteen minutes of twelve o'clock died, it is sup
posed, of heart disease. He was a kind neighbor, a good citi
zen, and an industrious man. He was a member of the ma
sonic fraternity, and held a certificate of membership in the
Knights Templar and Masonic Mutual Aid association of Cin
cinnati, Ohio.
CLEMENTS, HENRY (deceased), a native of Virginia, was
born February 17, 1807. His father died when he was but a
small child. In 1821 he came with his mother, Anna Clements,
to Knox county, Ohio, and located in Clinton township.
On the sixth day of March, 1836, he married Miss Eliza A.
Hammond, bom in Maryland, September 17, 1816, and daugh
ter of Francis S. and Mary Hammond. They settled in Gam
bier, remained there three years, and in 1839 he purchased and
moved on the farm in Clinton township, now owned and occu
pied by his heirs, located three miles southwest of Mt. Vernon,
on the Columbus road. He deceased January 5, 1867. They
reared a family of ten children, five sons and five daughters.
Four of the children are dead, two sons and two daughters.
Their son James died in the war of 1861, from a wound re
ceived at the battle at the mouth of White river.
CLEMENTS, WILLIAM H., Monroe township, travelling
salesman and collector for C. C. Cooper & Co., of Mt. Vernon.
Mr. Clements was born in Howard township, this county, Jan
uary 25, 1829. He is a machinist by trade, having commenced
with C. C. Cooper & Co. as an apprentice, in 1852, and remained
in the shop as a mechanic about eight years, then in i860 be
came their travelling agent, which position he has since filled,
travelling over, and doing business for them, in more than half
the States in the Union.
In 1847 he married Miss Elizabeth French, a native of Corn
wall, England, born in 1826; and emigrated to America in 1845,
and located in Mt. Vernon. After Mr. Clements marriage to
Miss French they settled in Mt. Vernon, remained until 1874,
when he purchased and moved on the farm in Monroe township,
where they are now living. They reared two children, viz: John
W. and Ada Blanche. John W. Clements was born in Mt. Vernon
in 1848, married Miss Didama R. Fresh, of Wayne county,
Ohio, in 1870. They settled in Mt. Vernon, where he operated
a door, sash, and blind factory about seven years. In 1878 he
sold his establishment and moved on the farm with his father,
in Monroe township, and is now engaged in the saw-mill busi
ness. They have one child, Ada B.
CLINE, JOSEPH, farmer, Union township, post office
Millwood, born in Germany in 1840 and came to this country
in 1845. He moved to Knox county in 1858. In 1867 he was

married to Miss S. M. Winterringer, and moved to a farm
where he still remains. He has four children : Mary Jane,
Saiah C„ Joseph, and Manning.
CLOW, ANDREW J., Pike township, farmer, post office
North Liberty, born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1828, and was
married in 1854 to Mary Rhodes, who was born in Perry county,
Ohio, in 183 1. They have three children, Ellen S., born in
1858; Joseph C, in 1865; Gertrude M., in 1869. Mr. Clow
came to this county in 1867, located in Brown township, and
remained there for eighteen months, then removed to Pike
township. In 1862, Mr. Clow fell from a load of hay, and after
falling was kicked by a horse in the team, and has not been able
to do any labor since. He has suffered a great deal, but is en
during it patiently; is a good citizen, and highly respected.
CLUTTER, JOHN, Morgan township, farmer, born in Wash
ington county, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1804. The name
Clutter is German, but at what time the ancestors emigrated to
America is not known. The father of the subject of this sketch
was born in New Jersey; his parents dying a few years after his
birth, he was raised by his uncle. Samuel Clutter, the father
of the subject of this notice, married Rachel Denman in New
Jersey, and a few years after emigrated to Washington county,
Pennsylvania, where he remained, being engaged in farming,
until April, 1818. when he came to Knox county, and located
near the centre of Morgan township. He lived here until 1853,
when he died, aged eighty-eight years and seven months. His
wife died in 1855, aged about eighty years. They had a family
of ten children. The living are Mary McCollum, living in
Washington county, Pennsylvania; William, a farmer of Ma
rion county, Ohio; John James, of Milford township, and Sam
uel Jackson, of Kansas. The deceased are Joseph, Jane, Ec-
lecta, David B., and Cornelia.
Mr. Clutter was reared on a farm, and has continued farming
all his life. He was twice married, his first wife being Sarah
Sellers, to whom he was married in 1831. They had ten chil
dren, viz: Elvira, now the wife of Daniel Newton, of Wood
county; Sarah Jane married David Noffsinger, and died in
Iowa. His first wife dying, he in 183^ married Miss Rachel
Marlin, a native of Morgan township. They had twelve chil
dren, viz: Celesta, married to William Ewart, has deceased;
Zebina Ann, married to William Ewart, has deceased; Van
Buren, deceased ; Waldon D. ; Lucy, married to John Euart, of
Morgan township; Samuel Judson, deceased; John A.; Hugh,
of Clay township; Nancy Alice; Nora Belle, married to David
Bell, and William O. Mr. Clutter is a member of the Baptist
church, and has the respect and esteem of the community.
CLUTTER, JAMES, Milford township, farmer, born in
Washington county, Pennsylvania, September 29, 1806. In
1818 he came to Morgan township, with his parents, Samuel and
Rachel, nee Denman. His paternal grandfather, William Clut-
tei, was a native of Germany, and some time during the eigh- -
teenth century emigrated to New Jersey with his parents, and
served in the war of the Revolution. He married in New Jer
sey and died there. They had three children, two of whom grew
up: Samuel and Jane, the last of whom married Mr. Karl, and
remained in New Jersey. Samuel married Rachel Denman, and
about the year 1800 moved to Washington county, Pennsylva
nia, where he remained until 1818, when he emigrated to Mor
gan township, Knox ounty, Ohio, with the family, and both died
there. They had ten children, viz. : Mary, widow of Moses Mc
Collum, who resides in Washington county, Pennsylvania;

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

629

William, a resident of Marion county, Ohio; Joseph, deceased;
Jane (deceased), married Thomas Harris; John, a resident of
Morgan township; James, the subject of this sketch; Electa
(deceased), married Joseph Green; David (deceased); Cornelia
(deceased), married to John Miller, of Morgan township; and
Samuel J., living in Kansas.
The subject of this notice remained in Morgan township until
he was about twenty-eight years of age. He then went to
Bennington township, Licking county, thence to Clay town
ship, Knox connty, and thence to Hartford township, Licking
county, and in 1865 he removed to his present farm in Milford
township. His first wife was Elizabeth Larason, daughter of
Sylvester Larason, to whom he was married November 12,
1831. They had six children. Orlando, two infants, Sylvester
W., and Elizabeth have deceased. Amanda, wife of William
Reynolds, resides in Jasper county, Iowa. His wife died July
21, 1841. He was married to Rhoda Myers August 18, 1842,
who was born August 3, 1816, in Licking county. They had
nine children, eight of whom are living: Troubadour, born
July 12, 1845, in Iowa; Emanuel, Decembers, 1846, in Iowa;
William O. and James A., twins, born Angust 9, 1848; Oiilla
Z., December 7. 1850; Mary E., July 23, 1852, died June 22,
1855; Phila, October 4. 1856; Manceleta, November 17,1857;
Art, September 10, 1859.
Mr. Clutter's first purchase of land was a tract of one hun
dred and four acres in Bennington township, on which he paid
two hundred and seventy-five dollars, all he had. He now owns
a comfortable home and has gained a competency.
CLUTTER, SAMUEL, Morgan township, farmer, was born
in Knox county, January 3, 1827. His father, William Clutter,
was born in New Jersey in 1798, moved to Washington county,
Pennsylvania, and in 1817 to Ohio. He married Miss Eda
McKeown. They had ten children, seven of whom are yet
living. Samuel was reared on a farm. He married Miss Ann Eliza,
daughter of Jonathan Brown, in March, 1853, a pioneer of
whom mention is made. She was born in March, 1833, in
Morgan township. They had six children, viz; Mary A., wife
of Lewis C. Rose, Davis county, Kansas; Anis and Alice
(twins); Alice died when four years old; Anis manied Abram
Mason, and resides in Marion county, Ohio; William J., and
David. Mr. and Mrs. Clutter reside on the old homestead, where
Jonathan Brown, father of Mrs. Clutter, first settled.
COCANOWER, SAMUEL, Fredericktown, foreman in
planing mills, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in
1829, emigrated with his parents to this county when a boy,
and was married in 1868, to Rachel Pinkley, who was bom in
this county in 1842. They have one daughter, Mary Ellen,
born in 1869. He is foreman in the planing mills of S. S. Tut
tle & Co., in Fredericktown.
COCHRAN, MATTHEW, residence West High street, Mt.
Vernon. Mr. Cochran was born April 8, 1794. in Straven,
Scotland, and in 1798 his parents emigrated to America and
located in Philadelphia, where they resided until 1810, and dur
ing which Mr. Cochran received his education, and learned the
baking business. In the year 1814 he went to Baltimore, where
he worked at his trade about one and a half years, when he em
igrated to Ohio and located in Liberty township, five miles south
west of Mt. Vernon, in the year 1816. He here took a squat
ter's claim in the woods, and erected himself a cabin and com

menced to fell the forest. He resided here about seven years,
during which he cleared up about twenty acres, and after which
he moved about one mile and erected another cabin and com
menced a second time in the woods; and by indomitable energy
and perseverance he succeeded in changing the gigantic and un
broken forest into beautiful and productive fields, which yielded
him an abundant recompense for his labors, and he was thereby
enabled to change his cabin for better improvements. He has
an excellent farm house and barn and all the necessary out
buildings, a good 01 chard, and one hundred and and fifty acres
of finely improved fields, and fifty acres of excellent timber
The timber of this farm was unusually good. He resided on
the farm place until 1869, when he felt that he had fought the
good fight as a pioneer and farmer, and that declining years
would compel him to resign his place to younger hands. He
then came to Mt. Vernon and located on West Vine street, where
he resided until April, 1876. He then came to his present loca
tion on West High street, where, in his eighty-sixth year, he is
enjoying the fruits of his labors and the comforts of a pleasant
home. Mr. Cochran has been twice married. He was first
married to Nancy Slemmons, by whom he he had three children,
one of whom is living — Alexander (deceased), John S., who re
sides on and manages the home farm, and James (deceased).
His second wife was Mary E. Brown, daughter of Matthias
Brown, of New York city, who is now his companion in his de
clining years.
COCHRAN, JOHN, deceased, was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, in 1804, and married Mary Oram January
28, 1830. They had eight children: Mary A., bornDecember 1,
1830; Henry O, in 1831; Frances P., in 1832; Albert C, in
1833; Levi C, in 1835; John C, in 1837; Louisa, in 1839; and
Esther, in 1840. The deceased members are: John Cochran,
died April 10, 1875; Henry O., June 20, 1848; John C, July 20,
1840; Louisa, July 19, 1839; and Esther, February 4, 1842.
The following are married: Mary A., married Jesse Penrose;
they have eight children: John C, Eli, Mary Elizabeth, Isaac,
Benjamin, Frances, William, and Laura; they reside in Mar
shall, Indiana. Albert C, married Amanda, daughter of Rev.
Scoles; they have one daughter: Olive A. Albert received a
liberal education, studied medicine and practiced for some time.
Being impressed with a higher responsibility, he entered the
ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is still engaged
in that calling. Francis P. Cochran was born in Pike township,
and married Jane Reed, who was born in this county in 1833.
They have seven children: Florence G., was bom in 1857;
John B., 1859; Mary N., 1867; Charlie B., 1864; Sarah A.,
1866; Amanda J.. 1871; and Walter R., in 1875. Mr. Cochran
is a resident of Monroe township, and a prominent member o
the Methodist Episcopal church. His son, John B., is attend
ing the theological institution at Berea, Ohio, preparing for
the ministry. The Cochran family are all identified with the
Methodist Episcopal church. The father united with the church
in 1833, was an official classleader for many years, and an
exemplary Christian. Mrs. Mary Cochran is a resident of Fred
ericktown, and is also a worthy member of the church, and
highly respected,
COE, CAPTAIN, CHARLES HENRY, farmer, Hilliar
township. He was bom near Fredericktown, Maryland, No
vember 5, 1823. His father, Joshua Coe, was born December
21, 1783, in Frederick county, Maryland. He was married to
Mary Bergoon, a native of the same county. She was born

6.3°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

June 7, 1790. They remainedm Maryland until 1826, when they
emigrated to Licking county and settled near Utica, bringing
with them a family of five children. They remained in Licking
county a few years, and moved to Milford township, Knox
county, where they purchased a farm. They lived and died
here. They had a family of eight children, viz: Ephriam; Ke-
turah, married Thomas Wells; Mary E., married James Con
rad; Francis, David, Charles H., Thomas D., William J.
D. F. ; of these Ephriam, Keturah, Mary E. and Francis, are
deceased. Captain Coe, the subject of our notice, remained with his
father, until he was seventeen years of age, when he went to
learn the trade of tanner and currier. He served three years
and then set up for himself, and carried it on successfully until
1858. December 10, 1844, he was manied to Eliza Ann Con
rad, youngest daughter of Joseph Conrad, who came to Ohio
in 1805 from Fredericktown, Virginia, and settled in Morgan
township. The first-building he put up was a hewed log dwel
ling, which is yet standing. His nearest mill was near where
Fredericktown now stands. While at mill waiting for his grist,
the inhabitants were suggesting names for the village, but it
seems could not agree, so Mr. Conrad suggested the name of
Fredericktown, after his native town in Virginia. This name
was adopted. Mr. Conrad died on the farm on which he after
wards settled near Utica, at the age of eighty-eight years.
From 1858 to i860 Mr. Coe was improving and stocking a
farm in Kansas and driving sheep to the west. In May, 1861,
he was commissioned captain, with orders to be ready to go into
camp. July 27th, ot same year, he was ordered into Camp
Chase, near Columbus. When the men came to be examined
there was quite a number rejected, and on account of the rejec
tion there was a consolidation of the different companies, thus
requiring less officers. Consequently he was detailed to recruit
for the First and Tenth Ohio cavalry. In August, 1862, he was
ordered by the department to recruit a company of First Inde
pendent Ohio volunteer sharp-shooters at Zanesville, Ohio.' On
account of the burning of their camp, they were ordered to re
port to Camp Cleveland, where, by requirement, they were
tested by target shooting.
Each man before he was mustered into service as a sharp
shooter was required to make a string of twenty-four inches at
two hundred yards range. Those failing were rejected. The
captain had the honor of making the best string out of six hun
dred men. He made a string of seven inches, four of the shots
not making over one and a half inches, the last shot making
five and a half inches. The company was mustered into ser
vice December 20, 1862, and ordered immediately to the front
for duty. The captain reported to General Rosecrans at Mur-
freesborough, Tennessee, and was placed upon his body guard,
and was with him at Franklin, Tennessee, Crooked Creek, Ten
nessee, Liberty Gap, Hoover's Gap, and all the marches and
campaigns that his company participated in until December 17,
1864, when he resigned on account of physical disability. After
his return home he moved on the farm on which he now resides,
which he has improved until it is now one of the best farms in
Hilliar township. December 7, 1873, he lost his wife, she dy
ing with consumption. Decembei 13, 1875, he was married to
Sarah E. MUls, youngest daughter of Samuel Mills. The cap
tain spends considerable of his time at the hot spring of Arkan
sas. He has an interest in silver mining in Arkansas.
COE, THOMAS D., farmer, Milford township, was born in

Licking county May, 1825, and is the son of Joshua and Mary
Coe, of whom mention is made in the sketch of Captain Coe,
of Hilliar township. When he was about fourteen his father
died and in his will he expressed a wish to have his two
youngest children (the subject of this notice and William J.) to
learn trades, so when about sixteen years of age he contracted
with Phillip Pierce, of Homer, to learn the carnage and wagon-
making trade. On the fourth day of March, 1842, he com
menced his apprenticeship at Homer, and remained there until
his trade was learned, receiving as compensation his board and
clothes. Mr. Coe next went to Utica, in the same county, and
commenced business for himself and remained there six years
and six months. Being successful, he purchased a tract of
seventy-five acres of land in Monroe county, where he was
engaged in farming and fruit-growing. He then purchased a
farm in Milford township, upon which he is now living. He
thus started in life under discouraging circumstances, but by
hard work and economy he has succeeded. He manied Miss
Mary E. Scribner, daughter of Asa Scribner, a native of Con
necticut, who was born in Newark, New Jersey, December,
1830. He had four children, two of whom are living — Norton
J., farmer, resides in Milford; Sylvia J., wife of Sprague
Hawkins, of Centreburgh, Ohio. The deceased are Ellis W.
and Clifton T.
Mr. Coe is engaged in the cultivation of choice fruits, con
sisting of grapes, peaches, apples, and small fruits. He under
stands fruit growing, and has most excellent orchards.
COE, W. J. D. F., farmer, Milford township, was born in
Morgan township, Knox county, Ohio, in 1829; is the son of
Joshua and Mary Coe, nee Burgoon, and of whom mention is
made in this work. He remained on a farm until about four
teen years of age, when he went to learn the trade of carriage
blacksmith in Utica, Ohio. After learning his trade he con
tinued working at it until he was twenty-four years of age. He
then farmed for a few years, when by his economy he had saved
enough of money to purchase a home. He purchased a farm
of sixty-five acres in Licking county, and remained there until
the spring of 1865, when he moved to the old homestead where
his father settled in 1833, and has resided there ever since. He
is a leading citizen of the township, a good farmer, and takes an
interest in public affairs.
The Coe family of which Mr. Coe is a member are among
the most successful ones of the county. They all started poor
in life, and have, by their industry, acquired considerable prop
erty, and are among the influential men of the county. Mr.
Coe was married in 1856 to Miss Emily Truman, of Licking
county. They had four children, one of whom died in infancy.
The living are Eddie, Charles Sumner, and Cyntha Ann. Mr.
Coe was a member of company A, One Hundred and Thirty-
fifth regiment Ohio National guard, and served his term of
enlistment; COGGINS, JONATHAN, Pleasant township, was born in
Chester county, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1813. He com
menced working at the carpenter trade when sixteen years of
age, and has made that his principal vocation during life. In
the fall of 1835 he emigrated to Ohio and located in Knox
county. In September, 1838, he married Miss Louisa Mar-
quand, of Coshocton county, Ohio, born in 1818.
They settled in Knox county, where they lived until 1852,
when they moved to Coshocton county, remaining until 1865,
when they returned to Knox county, purchased and moved on

^Vtrfc ^r^yfa

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

631

the property- where they are now living, in Pleasant township'
about two miles southeast of Mt. Vernon. They have six chil
dren, one son and five daughters. Two of the latter are dead.
COLE, THOMAS F., Liberty township. An ancient and
very extensive family of British origin, to be distinguished from
the German name Kohl by the method of spelling.
As far back as Edward's time one named Cole appears to
have been employed by that monarch to communicate with tbe
Scots. Henry Cole, D. D., dean of St. Paul's, preached the condem
nation sermon when Thomas Cranmer, archbishop of Canter
bury, suffered martyrdom under Queen Mary, 1555.
To the female side of this family was allied Nicholas Ridley,
bishop of London, burned for his religion at Smitbfield, Lon
don, 1555, a full-sized portrait of whom, in a sitting position is
preserved in the family homestead of a branch of the family in
Downham, Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire, England. This home
stead, intimately connected with the branch of the family now
in the United States, was built some five centuries ago. Its
massive dining-table of princely proportions has been an object
of curiosity for many years and is suggestive of
" The banquet waits our presence, festal joy
Laughs in the mantling goblet, and the night,
Illumined by the taper's dazzling beam,
Rivals departed day — "
The designs of the tapestries hung upon the walls of its din
ing hall have long puzzled visitors from all parts of the kingdom,
some believing them to represent the pains of purgatory, and
others, the torments of the damned. The portraits of the mis
tresses of the house in due succession (among them a fairhaired
Hollander), for a period of nearly three hundred years, still (or
did a few years ago) adorn its walls.
Inseparably associated with the history of this family is a tree
known in the annals of Downham as the "Old Oak," which,
until 1833, stood a few paces from the homestead door. Such
was its age and proportions that an extensive ball-room had
once been erected among its branches. Its fall will probably be
best illustrated by a quotation from a letter written July 22,
1833, by Francis Cole to his brother Michael, in this State:
" Our dear old father is in good health as ever I saw him. A
serious accident, however, had like to have befallen him at the
fall of the Old Oak Tree, which had liked to have killed him.
We employed John Wall to take it down. Its fall was sudden,
owing to the decay of its roots. At the time of its fall there
were several children playing about it ; three met with instant
death, and Robert Walsham had his thigh broken, and several
others were slightly hurt." The history of this tree and other
curiosities of the Isle of Ely, were found in a book owned by C.
Baely, M. D., of Brownsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania.
There is one character connected with the family of Michael
Cole, late of this county, which we would fain notice, i. *., Miss
Jennie Hancock, having been present at his birth, and at the
birth of each of his brothers and of his sister, and continually
interesting herself in their welfare, they learned to regard her
almost as one of themselves. In her latter years she was called
the wise woman of England, and was accounted a witch. One
pious cottager averring that he saw her and the knobbed cane
she carried pass through the key hole of his street door. An
other ascribed the shower of pins and needles which fell upon
his table while the family were at breakfast to her malignancy.
In other cases, well vouched for, the milk became sour and even

curdled before reaching the house after milking. Strange sick
nesses came upon those who dared to anger her, and all the
absurdities usually ascribed to witchcraft were imputed to her.
A gratuity, however, appeased her wrath, and an apron full of
cabbage, or a donation of half a crown, was presumed to have
averted many calamities. Her death, which occurred at an ex
treme old age about the year 1841, was extensively noticed, and
her life and sayings commented upon by the newspapers of the
United States, as well as by those of England and the conti
nent. Thomas Cole, who died about the year 1760, left two sons,
Thomas and Ridley. Ridley died young. Thomas inherited
the ancestral home at Downham, and -married Ann Stubbins.
His death occurred March 8, 1836. His wife, Ann Stubbins
Cole, died upon the birth of their seventh child, Michael, De
cember 12, 1794. Seven children were born to them: Thomas,
Ridley, Francis, Ann, Robert, and Michael, of whom four,
Thomas, Robert, Ridley, and Michael, emigrated to America
and settled in New York State. To Thomas were born two
daughters, who are still living near Ithaca, New York.
Two of Ridley's sons, Ridley and Thomas, and two of
Robert's sons, James and Thomas, went to Iowa and settled
Colesburgh, in Delaware county.
Of Francis, John, and Ann, who remained in England,
Francis became engaged in government works, and purchased
the old homestead. He reared a family of four children, three
of whom, daughters, remain in England. His son, Michael, is
now in Colesburgh, Iowa.
Francis died August 29, 1849.
Ann, when very young, married James Luddington, of. Little-
port, England, and became the mother of a family distinguished
for their wealth and culture.
John reared a family of eight children, four of whom, James,
Thomas, Ridley, and Joseph, are now in Iowa.
Michael was born December 12, 1794. His schoolmaster was
John Aspland, grandfather of the winner of the international
belt, 1880. He was married to Mary Utteridge May — , 1815,
with whom he embarked for America on Good Friday, April 17,
1832, settling in Chautauqua county, New York, where he in
vested all his means in a farm, the title to which proving imper
fect he found himself penniless. In 1835, with wife and child,
he removed to Butler county, Pennsylvania; thence; in 1836, to
Allegheny City, now a part of Pittsburgh. During the follow
ing sixteen years the family removed twelve times, finally start
ing from Brownsville, Fayette county, they left the Keystone
State and arrived in Knox county, Ohio, in March, 1852,
settling in Green Valley, on the farm now owned by G. L.
Cochran, esq. ; after one more remove they rested upon the
farm in Liberty township, which they called Mt. Airy, and on
which they now reside.
On the thirteenth day of October, 1867, in her sixty-seventh
year, the mother was called to her eternal rest, and on the
eleventh day of February, 1879, Michael Cole, having been
counted among the people of God for more than seventy-five
years, and successfully braving every vicissitude of fortune,
calmly slept the sleep of death, leaving one son.
Thomas Francis, the subject of the present sketch, who was
born October 1, 1834. in Chautauqua county, New York, was
partially educated in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania; removed
with his parents to Knox county, Ohio, in 1852; was married to
Charity, daughter of W. O. Phillips, Esq., July 4, 1855. Six
children were the result of this union:

632

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Michael Francis, bom March 24, 1856, married to Sadie-
daughter of J L. Jackson, esq., May 24, 1876, to whom a
daughter, Maud, was born March 10, 1877. He is now farm
ing near Mt. Vernon.
S. P. Chase, born September 24, 1857, married Etta Hull,
daughter of James Hull, esq., July 3, 1878, to whom was born,
April 16, 1879, a son, Thomas Francis Cole. Chase is now
living at Bangs engaged in teaching.
W. Utteridge, born April 13, 1861, attending school at Leb
anon. Robert, born September 7, 1865; Mary, February 28, 1870;
Alice, March 24, 1873. The last three we found with their par
ents at Mt. Airy in 1880.
COLE, WILBERT E., Berlin township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, was born in Connecticut in 1811. He came to
Zanesville, Ohio, in 1815, and to Berlin towhship in 1819, where
he still resides. He is the oldest settler of Berlin township now
living. He was married in 1839 to Mary A. Woodruff who was
born in Knox county. She died in 1875 after a protracted ill
ness of four years, with a cancer. Mr. Cole's second marriage
was to Sarah Pritchard, who was born in Maine in 1833, and
came to Ohio in 1838.
COLE, SILAS, was born February 5, 1836, in Devonshire,
England, where he remained until 1867, learning the trade of
ship blacksmithing. In 1867 he came to America and settled at
Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where he engaged with the firm of Bucking
ham, Gutherie, Taylor & Hupton, whom he served about one
year; afterwards worked a short time in Newark and in Cincin
nati, when he established himself in Mt. Vernon in the black
smith trade, which he has carried on successfully ever since. In
1879 he added to his shops and commenced making iron bridges,
the first ever made in Knox county. He is doing a good busi
ness in every department at this time. He was married to Miss
Mary Ann May, daughter of Thomas May, April 5, 1867, and
is the father of eleven children, three of whom are living.
COLE, WILLIAM M., farmer, post office, Council Grove,
Moms county, Kansas. He was born in Berlin township, Knox
county, Ohio, in 1840; was married in 1861 to Elizabeth M.
Hunter, who was born in Pike township, this county, in 1840.
They have eight children, namely: Lydia E. born in 1862;
Mary E., in 1864; Lavina A., in 1866; Frank E., in 1868;
Charlie E., in 1870; John H., in 1872; Martha A., in 1874; and
William A. in 1879. Mr. Cole and wife were identified with
this county till the spring of 1881. They sold their farm and
have emigrated to Morris county, Council Grove, Kansas.
COLE, RACHEL, widow, Berlin township, post office,
Shalers Mills, was married first to Hugh McBride and had one
son, Ambrose, now a resident of Richland county. Mr.
McBride died in Pike township in 1842. Mrs. Rachael McBride
was afterward married to Thomas D. Brown, and had a son —
Thomas D., a resident of Berlin township. Mr. Thomas D.
Brown died in Knox county. Mrs. Rachael Brown's third mar
riage was to Isaac B. Cole, of Berlin township. They had one
daughter, Hannah, who was born in 1854, and was married in
1872 to Levi Grubb. They have two daughters, Nettie A., born
November 25, 1872, and Bertie A., December 17, 1875. Mr.
Grubb is a carpenter and farmer.
COLE, WHEELER W., farmer, Berlin township, post office,
Fredericktown, was born in Berlin township, this county, in
1852, married in 1877, to Alice R. Auten, who was born in this

township in 1854. They have one son who was born May 19,
1879. Mr. Cole is engaged in farming, and is a quiet and good
citizen. COLOPY, JOSEPH, farmer, Union township, post office,
Gann, born in Maryland, June 3, 1802. In 1804 he was taken
to Virginia, and remained there until 1813, when he came to
Knox county and settled south of Mt. Vernon. In 1825 he
married Delila Sapp, and settled on the farm which he now
owns and occupies. When they came here it was all timber
land, but they cleared it up and now he owns a good little farm .
His wife died in 1861, and left nine children. The oldest son
died in California, and two of the daughters died later. He was
married afterward to Mrs. E. Myers in 1868. She was a
daughtei of Mr. Chase, who is a second cousin of Governor S.
P. Chase. She was the first white girl born in Massillon.
Joseph and Levi Colopy remain at home on the farm. Joseph
was married to Jennie Durbin in 1871. They have one child,
Bessie, born in 1878.
COLOPY, JACOB, Union township; retired farmer, was
born near Baltimore, Maryland, June 3, 1802. With his father,
Timothy Colopy, he came to Knox county in 1812. He first
settled in Miller township, five miles south of Mt. Vernon, and
resided there until he was twenty-two years of age, when he
removed to the southern part of Jefferson township, now in
cluded in Union. He was married September 18, 1825, to
Delila Sapp, who was born August 23, 1804. Their children
were: Timothy W., born October 31, 1826; Jonathan A., July
17, 1828; Sarah C, February 27, 1830; George E., March 12,
1832; Joseph H., December 1, 1834; Levi F., December 31,
1838; Delila A., July 7, 1841; Mary M., July 29, 1844, and
Sarah C, April 29, 1849. Timothy died in California in about
1851. First Sarah C. died in about 1849, and second Sarah C.
died June 5, 1855. Mrs. Colopy died May 19, 1861.
Mr. Colopy was married second time, September 15, 1867, to
Mrs. Emily V Myers, who was born in Massillon, Ohio, Sep-
, tember 20, 1822. When he removed to Jefferson, it was almost
a wilderness. Deer, wolves and wild animals were numerous.
Possessing an indomitable spirit, he went to work with a deter
mination to succeed, and by dint of perseverance and hard
work he was at one time the owner of seventeen hundred acres
of excellent farming land lying in Jefferson and Union town
ships. Owing to his advancing years and loss of health and
strength, he divided this among his children some years since.
He voted at the first election held in Jefferson township, and is
the only one living of those who voted at that election. He has
been a life long member of the Catholic church, and has always
voted the Democratic ticket.
COLOPY, MRS. HULDA, Miller township, was bom in this
township February 12, 1817, and was daughter of Alpheus Chap
man, who was born in Vermont in 1786, served in the War of 1812,
was taken prisoner at Malone, New York, and was confined in
Montreal, Canada, during the winter. His father was a soldier
of the Revolutionary war. After Mr. Chapman was discharged
from the army, he went to Vermont, where he remained for
some time, and then came to Miller township, where he married
Emma Ward, daughter of Rufus Ward, a pioneer of Miller
township, about 1816. They remained some time in Miller
township, and then went to Licking county (Homer), where
Mr. Chapman died in 1832. His wife survived until 1839.
They had a family of five children, viz: Hulda, the subject of
this notice; Lucinda, married to James Stone; Julia, married to

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

633

Royal N. Hickox; Henry C. ; Fannie, married to George
Wykman. Hulda married John Colopy October, 1842, He was a na
tive of Virginia, born in 1812, and- died in 1871. Farming and
raising sheep was his principal business. He kept hotel in
Brandon for a number of years, and was widely known. They
had three children, viz: Albina, married to Charles J. O'Rourke;
William C, and Emma C, wife of Shelton R. Butcher. Al
bina and William C. have deceased.
Mrs. Colopy taught school for a number of terms, and is a
woman above the average in intelligence. Her father, A. Chap
man, was a commissioned colonel, and took an active interest
in military affairs.
COLOPY, TIMOTHY, Miller township, farmer, was born
in Miller township, March 8, 1823. His father, William Col
opy, was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to America a few
years prior to the War of 1812. He married Mary Fitzpatrlck,
in Baltimore, Maryland, a native of county Limerick, Ireland,
and in the spring of 1813, the young couple came as far west as
Wheeling, Virginia, where they remained a few years and then
came to Miller township. Mr. Colopy died on the farm now
owned by his son, on the Granville road. His wife still survives
him (December, 1880). They had seven children; the living
are: Catharine, widow of Elijah Colony; Mary Ann, wife of
Oliver Squires; Timothy; Ellen, widow of Jacob Row; and
Sarah J., wife of T. L. Marquand; John, and Thomas have
died. The subject of this notice was reared on a farm, and has
followed farming as his occupation. He enlisted in company
F, First battalion, Eighteenth United States infantry, October,
1861, at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and served with the armies under
Generals Buell, Rosecrans, and Thomas. He was in the battles
of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and, Buzzard's Roost, besides a
number of skirmishes. He was taken sick and discharged on
account of physical disability, after serving about two years and
eight months. He was slightly wounded at Mission Ridge, on
the chin. He manied Miss Theresa Doyle, daughter of James
Doyle, deceased, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. They have five children,
viz: Mary A., James W., Francis T., Nellie M., and John P.
COLOPY, JONATHAN, farmer and stock-raiser, Brown
township; post office, Democracy; son of Jacob and Delila
Colopy; .born July 17, 1828, in Jefferson township, Knox
county, Ohio, where he was reared, receiving a common-school
education, after which he remained with his father until the
nineteenth of February, 1856, when, at the age of twenty-eight
years, he was united in marriage with Sarah J. Berry, daughter
of James and Lucy Berry, born in Guernsey county, October 1,
1832. He afterwards located in Brown township, Knox county,
on a farm of eighty acres, given him by his father-in-law, James
Beny. Three years afterward, in the spring of 1859, he bought,
adjoining him on the west, forty acres; and in 1861, two hun
dred and seventy-five acres adjoining on the south and south
west; in 1868, ten acres on the west; in 1871, eighty-two acres
on the north; in 1872, twenty more on the north; in 1878 and
1880, forty-five acres on the southeast, making in all five hun
dred and ninety-two acres, where he now resides. He is also
the owner of three hundred and eighty acres in Union township,
Knox county, making a total of one thousand acres. Mr.
Colopv also owns a share in the woollen mills at Gann; is also
the owner of a portable saw-mill. He is considered an ener
getic and shrewd farmer.

Notwithstanding all his losses, he has accumulated a large
amount of property. From 1877 to 1880 he paid ten thousand
dollars security money, but is nevertheless at present-erecting a
very fine dwelling house at a cost of five thousand dollars.- The
union of Mr. and Mrs. Colopy resulted in three children, viz :
James E., born December 6, 1856; Lucy B., born October 13,
1858; who, on the seventh day of October, 1879, married Louis
G. Welker, of Howard township, Knox county, where she at
present resides on a farm given her by her father; Mary A.,
born May 3, 1864, all of whom are living. Mrs. Colopy died
September 17, 1864, aged thirty-two years. Mr. Colopy at
present remains a widower. He and his family are members of
the Catholic church, located near Danville.
COLOPY, JOSEPH H, farmer, Union township; post office,
Gann; was born in Jefferson township, Knox county, in 1837,
and married in February, 1871, to Jennie Durbin, and settled
on the old homestead. He has one child, Bessie, born August
29, 1873. His business is farming and raising stock.
COLVILLE, JAMES (deceased), Pleasant township. He
was born near Winchester, Virginia, in 1767. When a young
man he emigrated to Washington county, Pennsylvania, re
mained there until 1803, when he came to Knox county, Ohio,
and located on land now owned by his sons in Pleasant town
ship, a short distance from Mt. Vernon. -He at once com
menced to improve his land by clearing away the forest, erect
ing a cabin, and tilling the soil. His cabin was erected as early
as 1805, in which he and another man lived, for some months
prior to November, 1806. He assisted on the survey of the
military land of Knox county. In the fall of 1806 he returned
to Washington county, Pennsylvania, and on the twenty-
seventh day of November, of same year, he married Miss
Mary Jackson, born in Washington county, Pennsylvania,
October 3, 1781, daughter of James and Nancy Jackson. In a
short time after his marriage he returned with his wife to his
forest home in Knox county. His log cabin served them as an
abode until about 1824, when he erected a hewed log house,
which, with an addition of a frame, erected in a few. years,
served them as a residence until his death. He filled the office
of associate judge, in Knox county, for a short time. He de
ceased February 7, 1837. His companion survived him until May
17, 1851. Thus ended the lives of two of Knox county's earliest
pioneers. They reared a family of eight children, viz: Martha,
Joseph, Nancy, James, John, Thomas, Robert M., and Mary
J. Two of the number (Martha and Mary J.) have died.
Joseph is now living in Iowa ; Nancy is in Wisconsin, and the
other four brothers are living on the home farm. James and
John are not married. Thomas was born in Knox county,
Ohio, November 9, 1818; he married Miss Sarah Patrick in
1847, born in Mt. Vernon in March, 1825, daughter of Uriah
and Delilah Patrick.
They settled on his father's home farm, where they are now
living They have five children, three sons and two daughters.
He has filled the office of justice of the peace in Pleasant
township since April, 1875. Robert M. was born in Pleasant
township, Knox county, Ohio, July 16, 1821. He married Miss
Hannah J. Patrick in 1854, daughter of Uriah Patrick, born in
Pleasant township, Knox county, February 3, 1831. They
settled on a part of his father's home farm, where they are now
livin<*. They have four children, three sons and one daughter.
COLVILLE, JAMES, was born in Frederick county, near
Winchester, Virginia, in 1767. In 1803 he came to Knox

634

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

county, Ohio, and settled on a farm in Pleasant township (now
owned by his sons), a short distance east of Mt. Vernon. His
log cabin was built as early as 1805. November 27, 1806, he
married Miss Mary Jackson, who was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, October 3, 1781. He aided in surveying
the Military lands in Knox county. He was one of the associ
ate judges of the county in 1808. Mr. Colville died February
7, 1837, aged seventy years, and Mrs. Colville on the seven
teenth day of May, 1851, also aged seventy years.
COLWILL, SIMON, retired, Monroe township; a native
of England, and son of Thomas Colwill, was born in Septem
ber, 18 10. He began working at the wagon making trade as
an apprentice in 1826; served three years as such, then worked
six years as a journeyman at his trade in England. On the
twenty-ninth day of March, 1835, he married Miss Ann Heard,
of England, born May 28, 1812, daughter of John Heard. On
the third day after their marriage, April ist, they sailed for
America, landing in New York, on the sixteenth day of May,
and from thence to Gambier, this county, arriving at the end of
their journey June 7th. He at .once engaged at his trade, and
carried on a wagon shop in Gambier for twenty years. In 1848
he purchased and moved on the farm where they are now living,
in Monroe township, one mile north of Gambier. He contin
ued in his business in Gambier until 1855, when he erected a
shop on his farm, in which he canied on his trade until 1874,
when, on account of bad health, he quit business and is now
living a retired life. They reared a family of nine children, viz. :
Mary J., William H., Daniel, Elizabeth, John T., Emma L.,
Frances E., Simon A., and Charles G. William H. Colwill
served one year in the war of 1861, and died at Vicksburgh
July 30, 1863. Daniel Colwill, served about eighteen months
in the war of 1861, and was wounded at the battle of Stone
River December 26, 1862, and died from the effects of his wounds
January 3, 1863.
COLWILL, WILLIAM, Liberty township, farmer, was born
in county Cornwall, England, December 27, 1831. His parents,
William and Harriet Colwill, nee Harris, came to the United
States about 1842, settling in Jefferson township, and pur
chased a tract of two hundred and eighty acres of land, and
were among the best citizens of that section. They have both
deceased, Mr. Colwill died on the farm, and his wife survived
him'some time, and died at Gambier. They had seven children,
William being the only son. He was reared on the farm, atten
ded the district schools and select school, and also an academy
at Loudonville. He taught school and worked on the farm
until the death of his father. He sold his property in Jefferson
township, and in 1865 removed to Liberty, where he purchased
a farm, and where he has continued to reside. He was super
intendent of the building of the Rossville flouring mill, and was
secretary of the company, and one of the partners. He is a
direcjor of the Farmers' Insurance company, of Jelloway, and
collecting agent, which position he has held since the organiza
tion of the company. Mr. Colwill is a man of general infor
mation, an accurate and good business man, and is one of the
leading men of the township. He was married to Miss Han
nah Danbury, of Jefferson township. They had seven children
— two sons and five daughters.
CONDON, D. W., Fredericktown, shoe merchant, was bom
in Frederick county, Maryland, 1831. He emigrated with his
parents to this county in 1851, and was married in 1862 to Me-
Iinda Jane Royce, who was born in this county. They had

three children, Frank, Jennie and Mary. Mr. Condon learned
the shoe trade with his father, and has since worked at that
business. He is a member of the firm of D. W. Condon &
Co., boot and shoe dealers. He was a soldier in the late Re
bellion, was brave, rendered good service, and was honorably
discharged. CONGER, DANIEL, deceased, Wayne township, born in
New Jersey, December 24, 1787, and was married to Mary
Burch, who was born in Brooke county, Virginia, in May 1802.
They had the following children : Elizabeth, born October 28,
1826; Catharine, January 8, 1828; Jane, October 31, 1829;
MaryD., January 31, 1832; Daniel L, September 27, 1833;
Hannah, December 27, 1835; Martha E.,  . Mr. Daniel
Conger died November 4, 1845, and Catharine, September, 28,
1835. They came to Knox county in 1825. Mrs. Conger is
stih residing in this township.
CONKEL, JOHN, farmer, Howard township, post office
Howard. He was bom June 6, 1844 in Union township. In
1866 he was married to Miss Charlotte Hammon and settled on
the farm where he now resides. They had three children, Laura,
Charles and Birchfield.
His father was born in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio at an
early day. His mother came from the old country. His father
has been dead twenty-five years. His mother is still living on
the old homestead.
COOK, SAMUEL N., painter, Fredericktown, was bom in
Wayne county, Ohio, in 1846, and was married in 1872, to
Mary E. Johnston, who was born in 1849. He was a soldier in
the late war, in the Ninth Ohio volunteer cavalry, and served
three years. Mr. Cook received a liberal education. He has
been correspondent for several popular daily newspapers, such
as the Cincinnati Times-Star, New York Dramatic News, and
Mt. Vernon Republican. He has written and produced a num
ber of dramatic pieces. The Mayor's Daughter, has been ren
dered publicly in this city, and highly commented and ap
plauded. Two other of his productions, entitled The Wanderers
Return, and Paul Black, (a war drama), are popular. Mr.
Cook is engaged in the carnage factory of Stephens & Scott, as
painter. COOK, STEVEN, deceased, was born August 19, 1789, in
Washington county, Pennsylvania ; removed to Knox county
about 1814, was married to Susanna Elston October 29, 1810.
Their children were Elston, Elizabeth, Sarah, Phebe, Isaac
Newton, Oliver Cromwell, Emeline — four, Sarah, Phebe, Isaac
and Emeline, still living. At the time of Mr. Cook's coming to
Knox county wild animals of all kinds abounded, and he found
it necessary at times to keep fires burning in order to protect
his flocks from the ravages of the wolves. Mr. Cook was a
hard-working pioneer, partially clearing up three farms in the
forests of Morgan and Clay townships in those early times. He
was elder in the Presbyterian church many years, when becom.
ing dissatisfied with the attitude of the church on the slavery
question joined the Free Presbyterians. He died at his home in
Martinsburgh May 20, 1870. Phebe, daughter of Mr. Cook,
was married May 3, 1853, to Joseph Moore, two children
being born unto them, Susan and Edmund L., the son dying
April 3, 1863. Mrs. Moore was born on the farm on which she
resides and has resided for the past sixty-two years, and is a
very intelligent Christian lady, being with her husband a member
of the Presbyterian church.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

635

COOPER, MRS. REBECCA, Hilliar township, was bom in
Green county, Pennsylvania, December 20, 1808. Her parents
came to Ohio in 1810, and settled in Morgan township on the
farm now owned by the brother of Mrs. Cooper (John Roberts).
They settled in the woods and cleared up the farm. There
were nine children in the family, five of whom are yet living.
The parents both died on their favorite spot, the old farm.
They were among the early settlers of this county. Rebecca
was manied to John Cooper June 4, 1842. As a result of this
union they had a family of children, two of whom are living:
Adaline, at home, Sarah B., married to Alonzo R. Hubbell and
resides on the farm. Mr. Cooper died November 23, 1855.
Mrs. Cooper recollects many of the early events of the county.
Her mind is unimpaired and she can recollect dates with dis
tinctness. She has the esteem of all who know her.
COOPER, CHARLES, the senior member of the firm of C.
& G. Cooper & Company, is the son of Carey Cooper, who em
igrated from Butler county, Pennsylvania, and located in Knox
county about the year 1806. Charles and John are the only
living sons of this early settler. Charles Cooper was born on a
farm a few miles south of Mt. Vernon, January 2, 1811. He
received such an education as the schools of that day could
give. He was employed during the early part of his life on the
home farm. In 1818 his parents moved on a farm three miles
northwest of Mt. Vernon, where his father died in 1831. He re
mained on this farm until he moved to the Hamline farm, near
Zanesville (now a part of that city), and engaged in the coal
trade and dairy business, in company with his brother Elias.
In this business the brothers continued for two and a half years.
In 1834 they gave up their Zanesville farm and returned to Mt.
Vernon. Shortly after their return to this county they engaged
in the foundry business on a scale suitable to their finances.
Their first efforts were devoted mainly to manufacturing plows
and hollow-ware, and such castings as were mostly in demand
in that day. In 1840 they commenced to manufacture thresh
ing machines. In 1842 they added to their business the manu
facturing of engines and saw-mills, and in 185s they added to
their list of specialties the manufacture of boilers.
Mr. Elias Cooper died in 1848. The business was conducted
by Charles Cooper alone until 1849, when he sold a one-third
interest to Mr. Thaddeus L. Clark, and the business was con
ducted under the firm name of Cooper & Clark until 1851, when
Charles sold a one-third interest to his brother, John Cooper,
when the firm was changed to that of Coopers & Clark. Un
der this last name the business was conducted until 1857, when
the brothers bought the interest of Mr. Clark, changing the
name of the firm to C. & J. Cooper, which remained intact up
to 1866, when they sold a small interest to Mr. Frank L. Fair-
child, and also a small interest to Mr. I. Douglass Maxwell.
The firm name was then C. and J. Cooper & Company. In the
spring of 1869 the firm of Coopers & Rogers, proprietors of
the Kokosing Iron Works was consolidated with the firm of C.
and J. Cooper & Company, by which action Colonel George
Rogers and Mr. C. Grey Cooper became members of the firm.
Messrs. C. & E. Cooper established this firm on a capital of
about eight hundred dollars, and their business amounted to
between eight thousand and ten thousand dollars per year. The
firm of C. and G. Cooper & Company, the successors to C. &
E. Cooper, now do an annual business amounting to four hun
dred thousand dollars.
Their buildings are extensive. Tbe moulding house is seventy

by eighty feet. The machine shop is two-story, thirty by sixty
feet, built in 1842. In 1850 the firm erected a three-story build
ing in the form of an L, eighty-eight feet on Sugar street, one
hundred and thirty-two feet on Sandusky street, and forty feet
in width. In 1852 they built on the west side of Sandusky
street a blacksmith shop forty by one hundred and twenty feet,
a wood shop, forty-two by one hundred and twenty feet, a boiler
shop, thirty-eight by one hundred and twenty feet. In 1866
they built an engine house thirty by thirty-five feet. In 1868
they built an -erecting room thirty by eighty feet. In 1872 the
firm added a two-story warehouse forty-eight by one hundred
and twenty feet. In 1879 they built another warehouse, sixty
by one hundred and thirty-six feet, on the corner of Sugar and
West streets, and rebuilt their bcjiler shop, changing it from
thirty-eight by one hundred and twenty feet to forty-five by one
hundred and twenty-five feet, and also enlarged the engine
house from thirty by thirty-five feet, to forty-five by sixty-five
feet. The motive power employed in this immense establishment
now, and that used in its pioneer days, shows a remarkable im
provement, from a mere shed in 1834, to its present palatial ap
pearance in 1881, after forty-six years of changeful existence. In
1834 the original proprietors performed their work with an old
horse and wooden gearing. In 1842 they put in an eight-horse
engine; in 1846 an upright engine with a capacity of sixteen-
horse power; in 1852 the motive power of an upright engine of
twenty-horse power was required; in 1866 a forty-horse power
was demanded; and now, in 1881, their immense business re
quires an engine of ninety-horse power. Such is the result of
perseverance and tact.
At present the force employed is two hundred men in the va
rious departments, as follows: Four clerks, ten foremen, forty
in moulding room, forty-five in boiler room, twenty in black
smith shop, twenty-five in paint shop, thirty-one in wood shop,
twenty-five in pattern shop.
COOPER, COLONEL WILLIAM C, Mt. Vernon, law
yer, was born December 18, 1832, in Mt. Vernon, of American
parentage, and of Scotch-Irish lineage. His parents were from
Washington county, Pennsylvania. His father followed agri
cultural pursuits through life, and was a man of influence in the
county, and filled the office of mayor of the city.
William attended the Mt. Vernon academy and other pri
vate schools until he was nineteen years of age, working on the
farm during vacation. He then commenced the study of law
with Colonel Joseph W. Vance and James Smith, jr., and was
admitted to the bar when twenty-two years old. He afterwards
became associated with one of his preceptors, Colonel Vance ,
and practiced his profession in that connection until 1864; when
the firm was dissolved by the death of Colonel Vance on the
battlefield. During the continuance of this copartnership they
had the largest practice in Mt. Vernon. At the outbreak of
the war the junior partner had enlisted in the Fourth Ohio vol
unteer infantry, and was elected first lieutenant of company B.
He served with that command until January, 1862, when he re
signed and returned home to take charge of his business. In
1864 he was appointed colonel of the One Hundred and Forty-
second regiment, Ohio volunteers, and served at Petersburgh
during the period of one hundred days' service; this was imme
diately after the death of Colonel Vance. He then returned to
Mt. Vernon, where he passed a year in real estate operations,
and then resumed the practice of law for another year, alone.

636

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

He afterwards associated himself with Henry T. Porter, with
whom he practiced two years, when Lewis H. Mitchell was
added to the firm, the name and style of which became Cooper,
Porter & Mitchell. This copartnership was dissolved in June,
1875, since which time he has practiced alone, and enjoys an
extensive and lucrative practice. He has filled several offices,
having been elected prosecuting attorney in 1858 and reelected
in i860, his term expiring in 1862. In i860 he was also elected
mayor of Mt, Vernon, and reelected in 1862, his official term
expiring in 1864. In 1871 he was elected a member of the Ohio
legislature, where he served two years, but declined a reelection.
In political views he is a Republican, and was chairman of the
Republican State central committee for the years 1876, 1877,
and 1878. He is now a rqember of the National Republican
executive committee, a position he has held since 1876. He
was a delegate to the National Republican convention at Phila
delphia in 1872, also Chicago in 1880. In February, 1877, he
was appointed judge advocate general of the State of Ohio,
with the rank of brigadier general, which position he held until
January, 1878, when he was succeeded by General Samuel F.
Hunt, of Cincinnati. In January, 1880, he in turn succeeded
General Hunt in the same office, which he now holds. He has
been repeatedly importuned by his political friends to be a
candidate for Congress', but has refused to abandon his large
business, which has for years been the leading practice in the
county. Mr. Cooper was married January 8, 1864, to Eliza, only
daughter of Dr. John W. Russell, of Mt. Vernon. They have
two children: Eliza R. and Sarah C.
COOPER, C. GREY, Mount Vernon, of the firm of C. & G.
Cooper & Co. , son of Elias Cooper, one of the founders of this
firm, was born December n, 1846, in the city of Mt. Vernon,
and received his education in the public schools of the place.
His first business employment was with the firm of Coopers &
Rogers in the management of the Kokosing iron works, orig
inally established by General C. P. Buckingham, which the firm
of Coopers & Rogers conducted three years. Mr. C. G. Cooper
became connected with the firm of Coopers & Rogers in the fall
of 1866, in which he continued until the two firms were consoli
dated in 1869.
COOPER, AARON, farmer, Wayne township, post officeFred-
ericktown, was born in this township December 27, 1825, and was
married in 1851, to Jane B. Morrison, who was born in Beaver
county, Pennsylvania, in 1821. They had two children: Hat-
tie, born in 1853, and Phebe, in 1861. Phebe died in 1862. Mr.
Cooper has always resided in this township, and owns an im
proved farm, with good buildings. Their daughter, Hattie
Cooper, was married to Rayjnond G. McClenland, and resides
in Andover, Massachusetts.
CORCORAN, DENNIS, wholesale and retail dealer in malt
liquors, cigars and tobacco, Corcoran block. West Vine street,
Mt. Vernon. Mr. Corcoran was born in Kings county, Ireland,
August 4, 1822. When nine years of age his parents emigrated
to America and located at Columbus, Ohio, where they resided
until 1848. Young Corcoran, during his residence, obtained his
education and learnt the carriage business. In 1848 he settled
in Mt. Vernon and commenced the carriage business, in which
he continued until 1870. He then engaged in the liquor
business, which he still continues, as a wholesale and retail
dealer in malt liquors, cigars and tobacco. He is also sole
agent for Wainwright's ale, and Born & Company's lager beer,

and proprietor ofthe Exeelsior bottling works, stone front, West
Vine street. This is the only first-class house in this line in the
city. CORNELL, JOHN T., carpenter.— He was born in Clark
county, Virginia, February 8, 1839. He was married in Knox
county, January 1, 1868, to Margaret J. Davis, who was born
in Berlin township. They have five children. Edwin was born
April 5, 1869; Nettie B., May 21, 1871; Willie C, April 5,
1875; Charlie, October 31, 1878, and Jane, November 5, 1879.
Mr. Cornell came to Knox county in 1859. He was a soldier
in the late war, a member of company G, One Hundred and
Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, afterward a member ofthe
Ohio National guard.
COSFORD, DAVID, was born in Ireland, August 15, 1831,
where he grew into manhood. In 1851 he emigrated to
America, and located in the northern part of Ohio, where he
remained until 1857, when he came to Gambier, this county,
where he engaged at work on a farm. In August, 1861, he
enlisted in company A of the Thirtieth Ohio volunteer infantry,
and served until March, 1864, when he reenlisted as a veteran in
company A of the Thirtieth Ohio volunteer infantry. On re
ceiving a furlough of one month to enable him to visit his
friends, he married Miss Mary Troutman, April 21, 1864,
daughter of John and Elizabeth Troutman. On the first day
of May he left home again for his regiment which was at Kings
ton, Georgia. In a few weeks after his return to the regiment
they were inarched to Kennesaw Mountain, where while en
gaged in battle on the twenty-seventh day of June, 1864, he
received three musket balls — one in his thigh, and two in his
left arm which caused his arm to be amputated. He was taken
to the hospital, and remained until discharged torn the service
in June, 1865, reaching home on the nineteenth day of the
same month. While in the service, he fought in several fierce
engagements, viz: Carnifex Ferry, West Virginia; Antietam,
Maryland; South Mountain, the seige of Vicksburgh, Jackson,
Mississippi, and Kennesaw mountain, which put an end to his
soldiering. Afier his return home from the army, he moved
upon the farm in College township, where he is now living, and
is engaged in tanning.
COTTON, EMMETT, W., was born in Mt. Vernon,
Fayette county, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1808, and is a son
of Harris Cotton, a native of Virginia. Mr. Cotton, sr., set
tled in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, about 1804 or 1805, and
diedthere in 1815. E. W. Cotton, and his brother, Harris
Cotton, settled in Bloomfield township, Knox county, in 1823,
bringing their mother and three unmanied sisters with them.
The balance of the family were married and remained in Penn
sylvania. He worked for different persons at clearing land,
chopping wood, etc., for about eight years. His mother died
in 1848, in her eighty-fourth year. He continued to support his
sisters until their marriage. In 1833 he commenced teaching
school ; taught select schools in Mt. Vernon about five years,
during which time he read law and was admitted to the bar in
1836, but finding law did not suit him, after practicing five
years, he quit. In 1842 he was elected justice of the peace, in
which office he served for fifteen years, and during this time he
read medicine, but never attended lectures. In 1846 he was
elected to the legislature and returned for a second term, after
which, in consequence of bad health, he retired from politics.
He has been an amateur surveyor for forty-seven years, and
deputy of every county surveyor since 1833, except the present

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

637

one. In 1870 and 1871 he was assistant engineer of the Cleve
land Mt. Vernon &' Columbus railroad. He cast his first and
last vote in Knox county, and has been a voter of this town
ship for forty-seven and ore-half years ; was manied to Miss
Sarah Merrill, daughter of Thomas Merrill, of Massachusetts,
who came to Ohio in 1807 or 1808. Mrs. Cotton was born
February 11, 1811. They were married January 21, 1830, and
have had ten children, five of whom are living. All of his
father's family came to Ohio, and three are living at this time.
COTTON, J. BENT, is a son of Hon. Emmett W. Cotton,
one of the pioneers of Knox county, was born in Mt. Vernon,
November 21, 1841, and received his preparatory education at
the public schools of the city. When about sixteen years of
age he served an apprenticeship to a carnage blacksmith, and
followed this trade until 1862, when he enlisted in the Ninety-
sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, and went into camp at Delaware.
Upon his arrival at Columbus, Ohio, he was appointed recruit
ing agent, with commission of second lieutenant, after which he
helped recruit a company and was assigned to the One Hun
dred and Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, in which he
served as second lieutenant until 1863, when he received wounds
at Perryville, Kentucky, which disabled him, and he was dis
charged. Upon returning home he worked at his trade until
1874, during which all his leisure moments were spent in read
ing medicine. He is now practicing as veterinary surgeon with
success, and continues to read medicine, having been a student
of Dr. Gordon since 1875.
COTTON, EMMETT S., farmer, Liberty township, was
born in Bloomfield township, Knox county, now Morrow, July
3, 1828. His father, Harris W. Cotton, was born in Fayette
county, Pennsylvania, emigrated to Ohio and married Abigail
Craig, daughter of James Craig, a pioneer of Mt. Vemon,
Ohio. They had a family of four children. He died in 1836.
His wife manied Jeremiah Debolt. She is now deceased. The
subject of this sketch (E. S. Cotton) was raised on a farm and
has always followed farming as his vocation. His schooling
was that of the district schools. Mr. Cotton is one of Liberty
township's best citizens, and is highly esteemed for his many
good qualities. He married Miss Martha Ewalt, December,
1869, daughter of Isaac Ewalt, by his second wife. They have
two interesting children : Frank E., born May 9, 1871, and
Alice, January 19, 1876.
CONDON, J. T., farmer, Wayne township, post office, Fred
ericktown; bom in Maryland, October 16, 1842, and was mar
ried in 1866 to Rosalia Berry, who was bom in Knox county,
Ohio, July 24, 1844. They have one son : Freddie B., born in
Monow county, June 25, 1870. Mr. Condon is a resident of
Wayne township, and emigrated with his parents from Indianna
to Ohio in 1851. He was a soldier in the late war; he enlisted
August 19, 1861, in the Twentieth regiment Ohio volunteer
infantry. He was in the Sherman march and rendered faithful
service until the close of the war, and received an honorable
discharge. COUTER, JACOB, carpenter, Berlin township, was born in
Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1839, and came to Ohio with
his parents when he was young. He was married in 1861 to
Sarah E. Davis, who was born in Virginia in 1837. They have
five children: William Franklin, born in 1866; Charles Edgar,
in 1868; Winfield Scott, in 1872; James Finney, in 1874; and
Robert Alexander, in 1880. Mr. Couter was a soldier in the

late war, a member of Company A, Twentieth regiment Ohio
volunteer infantry; he served four years and received an honor
able discharge. He is a carpenter by trade, a skilful mechanic,
and a good citizen.
COVER, W, H,, farmer, Middlebury township, post office,
Levering; born in Richland county, Ohio, in 1841, and was
married in 1865 to Mary E. Courson, who was born in Richland
county. He enlisted in the late war; was a member of company
B, One Hundred and Sixty-third regiment Ohio volunteer in
fantry; was engaged about four months. Mr. Cover owns an
improved farm with excellent buildings. He is a dealer in stock
and is a very prominent citizen of this township.
COX, WILLIAM, (deceased), was born in Hartford county,
Maryland, in the year 1776, of English parents. At the age of
twenty-five years he moved to Frederick county, Maryland, and
engaged in mercantile business. While there he married Han
nah, daughter of Solomon and Susannah Shepherd, and reared
a family of three children, Charles, William Baines and Ann
Elizabeth. In 1812 he made his first visit to Knox county, Ohio. Find
ing the country new and very heavily timbered, and feeling that
it would not amount to much in his day, he returned home
without having entered land, which was the principal object of
his visit. After being at home a while, and not feeling satisfied
with the result of his first trip to Knox county, he again made
it a visit in 1816, after the close of the war, and found the
country looking more home-like, with an occasional person with
whom he was acquainted. He liked the appearance of things
much better than on his first visit, but returned home without
accomplishing anything in the way of land purchase.
At Wheeling, Virginia, he had a stock of goods, having
shipped them to that point with the intention of taking them to
Knox county and trading them for land. On returning to
Wheeling, he reshipped his goods for home. On his way back
he traded them for land in Pennsylvania, which in a few years
became quite valuable, in consequence of having large quanti
ties of coal and iron ore in it. The discovery, however, was
not made until after he had sold the land at a very small ad
vance. His attachment to Knox county was very strong, and not
withstanding the fact that he had twice turned his back upon
it, he again, with his family, in 1823, wended his way over the
mountains to its attracting borders, and settled down in a log
cabin on a farm in Berlin township, now owned by Burr Rob
erts, and generally known as "Maple Grove." His attach
ments were now so firmly fixed to Knox county, that he would
gladly have become the owner of some of it; but fortune had
so turned with him that he had not the wherewith to do it, and
after a sojourn of five years in the land of his choice, he again
left it and moved back to his old home in Maryland.
During his stay of about five years in that country he fell heir
to several thousand dollars, through the death of a relative, and
in 1833 he and his family again headed for Knox county. This
was the fourth and last move over the Alleghanies. He now
bought two hundred acres of the Ellicott land, lying near Fred
ericktown, which had just come into market, giving an average
of about eighteen Hollars per acre, for land no better than he
could have had at Government price on his first and second
visits. He was now settled for life, and after living many years
in the enjoyment of good health, he departed this fife at the
mature age of eighty-six years.

638

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

During his last sojourn in Maryland his oldest son, Charles,
learned the house-joiner trade, and worked many years at that
business in Knox county. He was never married, but lived a
quiet, Christian life, and died in the city of Delaware, Ohio, at
the age of sixty-three years.
His second son, William B. ,. while living in Maryland learned
the shoemaking trade, and for about six years after coming to
Fredericktown worked as a journeyman, after which for several
years he carried on the boot and shoe manufacturing business.
On the tenth day of October, 1844, he married Sarah Ann,
oldest daughter of James and Elizabeth Rigby, of Frederick-
town, Ohio, having a family of three children, viz: Sarah Eliza
beth, Otho Rigby, and William Lee. About the year 1856, he
quit the manufacturing business, and commenced the sale of
ready-made work, and has for many years been successfully
keeping a shoe store in Fredericktown, Ohio.
While a youth he displayed quite a taste for mechanism, and
was noted for skill in manufacturing miniature mills, etc. His
first pair of scales was made by himself. The first musical in
strument that he owned was a violin manufactured by himself.
His first speculation was in an old watch, which he purchased
at a cost of three shillings and sold for six dollars, after having
repaired it by putting in four new wheels, and making it act
something like a time-keeper.
In addition to close attention to business he was fond of
books, and during the time that he worked on the shoe-bench
he bought and read quite a number of useful books; and has at
this time a well selected family library. He had more than or
dinary liking for debate and lyceum exercises, and will be re
membered by many of his lyceum friends whom he so often
met in debate.
While he was not an enthusiastic politician, he was not desti
tute of an interest in home political matters, and was several
times elected to township and municipal offices. Has been a
member ofthe board of education between thirty and forty years
consecutively; was elected to the Ohio legislature in 1857, and
served two terms; was reelected in 1859, and served two terms,
his fourth term ending in 1861, at the commencement of the
War of the Rebellion.
His military career during the progress of the Rebellion was
very brief and soon told. On March 4, 1863, when Kirby
Smith attempted to raid Cincinnati, he, with many others from
Knox county, responded to the call issued by Governor Tod
for aid to defend our southern border against rebel incursion;
and after aiding to guard the Ohio river at Anderson's ferry,
below Cincinnati, for several days, received a lieutenant's dis
charge from service, by C. W. Hill, adjutant general of Ohio;
Sarah Elizabeth, oldest child of W. B. and Sarah Ann Cox,
died while an infant. Otho Rigby, their oldest son, is thirty
years of age, lives in Galion, Ohio, having a wholesale and retail
hardware store; married Hallie J. Boland, of Martinsburgh,
Ohio, November 19, 1874; has one child, William Ralph, who
is now in his sixth year. William Lee is not married, lives in
Mansfield, Ohio, and is a partner in a shoe store with W. R.
Rigby, his uncle.
James Rigby, deceased, was born in the State of Virginia
on the third of May, 1788, and came with his parents at an early
day to this country and settled near Lancaster, in Fairfield
county. At the age of twenty-eight he came to Newark, Licking
county, and engaged in mercantile business in company with P.
M. Weddell, with whom he continued as partner sixteen years.

In October, 1820, he married Elizabeth Smith, near Newark,
and reared a family of six children, four boys and two girls. In
1821 he left Newark and came to Fredericktown. After a short
stay in Fredericktown he moved to Wooster, Wayne county,
Ohio, and after remaining there about two years went back to
Newark, having continued in the dry goods business at each
stopping place. In the fall of 1832 he again came to Frederick-
town, where he remained in the mercantile business between
thirty and forty years.
In the early part of his business history in Knox county he
had a large trade with the Indians, and was the leading mer
chant of the town for many years. Mr. Rigby was a great
reader, and having an unusually retentive memory, he rendered
himself very interesting in conversation . His political creed was
Republican, and the antecedents of that party were his political
antecedents; while he was an earnest partizan politician, he
never sought, and seldom held office, which may be accounted
for more on the ground of his business engagements than to a
repugnance to office.
Mr. Rigby, after living a great many years in Knox county,
died in the year 1867, at the age of seventy-nine years. Wil
liam Henry, oldest son of James Rigby, lives in Mansfield,
Rkhland county, Ohio, and is the senior partner of the boot
and shoe firm of Rigby & Cox.
Otho Weddell, second son of Mr. Rigby, clerked for many
years for P. M. Weddell, of Cleveland, Ohio, (his father's
former partner), in the dry goods business in the city of Cleve
land. In 1865 he went to Iowa and bought land, intending to
follow stock raising, but died in a few years. Sarah Ann, old
est daughter of Mr. Rigby, married W. B. Cox, of Frederick-
town, Ohio; his second daughter, Laura Jane, married William
Wensell, who now lives in Galion, Ohio. Lucian, third son of
Mr. Rigby, is now living in Fredericktown, and is canying on
the saddle and harness business. Philanthropist, his fourth son,
lives in Galion, Ohio, and is a machinist by trade.
COX, HARVEY, is a son of William Cox, and is a native of
Green county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until coming to
Knox county in 1836. He commenced life for himself working
on a farm for his uncle, where he stayed two years, when he
worked for Stephen Ulery, another farmer, for fifty dollars for
the first year, one hundred dollars for the next, two hundred
dollars for the next, and the fourth year he got two dollars per
day, and was then taken into partnership in the stock business,
and continued in the bnsiness six years, when the partnership
was dissolved and he went into partnership with John Bell in the
same business, with whom he did business about three years,
since which he has been farming and dealing in stock.
Mr. Cox, by his diligence and economy, has been successful,
notwithstanding his small beginning. He now owns a farm
of about two hundred acres, within one mile of Mt. Vemon,
on the Fredericktown road. He came to Mt. Vernon to live in
1862, where he has since remained.
He was married to Emeline, daughter of David Bricker, by
whom he had four children. Losing his wife, he was married,
the second time, to Catharine, the daughter of Eliphalet Tow-
bridge, by whom he has had eight children, three of whom are
living. Mr. Cox has lived thirty-six years in Knox county, and has
always enjoyed the esteem of his neighbors.
COX, WILLIAM D., farmer, Monis township, post office
Mt. Vemon; was born in Knox county in 1851, and was manied

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

639

in 1874 to Mary A. Alters, who was born in Zanesville, Ohio, in
1851. They have two children: Harvey Earl, born in 1875;
and William Adam, born in 1877. Mr. Cox is engaged in farm
ing in this township.
COX, DAVID JAMES, farmer, Pike township, post office
Democracy; was bom in Richland county, in 1854, and was
manied August 2, 1875, to Elizabeth Shultz, who was born in
this county.
When Mr. Cox was one year old his parents moved to Fay
ette . county, Illinois, where they remained six years, then re
turned to Knox county, Brown township. In 1879 David Cox
located in Amity. He owns a pleasant home, and is a good
citizen. CRAFT, ALBERT L, millwright, Middlebury township,
post office Fredericktown; bom in Morris township, February 1,
1844, and was married December 30, 1875, to Susannah Zolman,
who was born in Morris township, December 14, 1845. They
have two children — Levi, born October 12, 1876; and Carrie.
born June 14, 1878.
Mr. Craft is one of the members of the firm in the Craft mill,
and is an energetic man.
CRAFT, HEADLY, miller, Middlebury township, post
office Fredericktown; was born in Morris township in 1841, and
was married in 1868 to Ellen Baxter, who was born in Middle
bury township, in 1846. They have two sons — Gaylord, born
July 22, 1872; and William, April 11, 1877.
Mr. Craft engaged in the milling business in 1867 with John
Boggs, and is still engaged in that business.
CRAIG, JONATHAN, Monroe township, deceased, a na
tive of New Hamphsire. was born in 1780, and learned the
shoemaker's trade when a young man, which business he fol
lowed as his principal vocation for many years. For a number
of years prior to his death he turned his attention to farming to
some extent, and still worked some at his trade.
In 1805 he migrated to Knox county and located in Clinton
township, near the Stilly farm. While living in Clinton town
ship he supplied the settlers with boots aud shoes for several
miles around.
He was the first coroner in Knox county, elected in 1808. In
1812 he married Miss Polly Kyser, daughter of John and Mary
Kyser, born in Virginia in 1793. Miss Kyser came to this
county in 1810 with her mother and brother, John Kyser, her
father having previously deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Craig settled in Clinton township, remained
some years; then, in 1816, they purchased and moved on the
farm in Monroe township, now known, as the Craig homestead.
There had been a small cabin built upon the land on which they
moved and lived several years, when he erected a frame dwell
ing, which served them as an abode until he deceased May 5,
1850, at the age of seventy years.
His companion survives him at the age of eighty-seven years,
and is living on the home farm, where she has resided since
1816. She is a pensioner of the War of 1812, her husband
having been a soldier in that war. They reared a family of
eight children, viz.: Priscilla, Ann, Sarah, John, Nancy,
Clark N., James S., and Stephen. Three of the number have
deceased — Priscilla, Sarah and John.
Clark N., served about four months in the late war in the
One Hundred and Forty-second, Ohio volunteer infantry.
Stephen served about nine months in the Sixty-fifth, Ohio

volunteer infantry, and was discharged on account of disability.
He then reenlisted and served about four months in the One
Hundred and Forty-second, Ohio volunteer infantry.
CRAIG & BLACK, proprietors carriage shops, Gambier.
These shops are located on South Acland street, Gambier.
They were established by F. Penhorwood about 1850, who
conducted them successfully for a nurnber of years. William
T. Hart became a partner in the firm, and remained as such
until 1873.
In 1874 Mr. Craig became a partner with Mr. Penhorwood
and remained as such until the death of Mr. Penhorwood July 2,
1880. After the death of the original proprietor, Mr. Craig as
sociated with him Mr. G. A. Black, and the firm name is now
Craig & Black. They manufacture all kinds of carriages,
spring wagons, road and farm wagons, and everything in that
line of business. All work is finished under roof, wood work,
ironing, trimming, and painting. They also give special at
tention to horseshoeing. They are good workmen, and worthy
of patronage. All work leaving their shops is warranted to be
such as represented.
Mr. Black also carries on the harness business in their trim
ming rooms. He manufactures all kinds of harness, both light
and heavy, and saddlery in all its branches.
CRANE, JOSEPH, farmer, post office, Shaler's Mills, was
born in New Jersey in 1823; came to Ohio in 1840, and located
with his parents in Mt. Vernon. In 1850 he married Ruth E.
Gibson, whowas born in Berlin township, Knox county, in 1823.
They had three children, Samuel, born in 1854; Henry, 1861,
and Mary, 1856. Mrs. Ruth Crane died in 1867. Mr. Crane
has resided in this county since 1840. He owns the old home
stead where his wife was born. He is engaged in farming.
His father, William P. Crane, was born in New Jersey in
1795, and emigrated to Ohio in 1840. He was first manied in
New Jersey to Mary Haines who was born in 1792. They had
five children, Susan, (deceased), Joseph, Henry, Lizzie, and
Charles, who is a resident of Iowa.
Lizzie was married to Edward Prouty, and had one daughter,
Emma. Mr. Prouty died in Iowa. The mother, Mrs. Mary
Crane, died in Knox county, in 1850. Mr. Crane then married
Lucinda Walker, and now lives in Richland county.
CRAVEN, HIGHLEN, farmer, Middlebury township, post
office, Fredericktown, born in Virginia June 5, 1805, and was
manied in 1828 to Eliza .Wynn, who was bom in Loudoun
county, Virginia, in 1809. They emigrated to Knox county in
1837, and have the following family : Susan Margaret, born
November 12, 1829; Harriet Ann, July 5, 1831; John Henry,
December 2, 1833; Mary Ellen, May 26, 1836; Mahlon Taylor,
May 22, 1840; James W., September 10, 1842; Francina Caro
line, March 22, 1845; Thomas Quigley, February 28, 1848;
Ulysses Edgar, October 10, 1850; Cynthia E., March 18, 1853,
and Walter H., September 15, 1855. The following have de
ceased: Mary Ellen, February 1, 1847; Harriet Ann, February
1875; Ulysses E., May n, 1877, in Colorado, with small-pox.
Mahlon K., was in the late war, having been a member of com
pany B, Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, and was killed at
Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 18, 1864.
James was also in the war in the same company with his
brother. John Henry was in the Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteer
infantry, and a member of company B. John H. was manied
to Francis Lynd, and now resides in McPherson county, Kansas.
Thomas Q. was manied to May Shaler, and resides in the same

640

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

place. James W. resides in Clear Creek county, Colorado.
Francina was married to Evander Stevens and now lives in
De Kalb county, Missouri. Harriet Ann manied Isaac Lyon,
but has deceased.
Mr. Craven settled in Middlebury township, bought land,
mostly in the woods; he cleared and improved it, and now has
one of the most beautiful farms in the county.
CRAVEN, LEANDER, Wayne township; farmer; post
office, Fredericktown; bom in Virginia in 1818, came to Ohio at
the age of fifteen years, and married in 1842, Leonora Ewers,
who was born in Virginia in 1824. They have three daugh
ters: Marcilla, now Mrs. Elias Cooper, who resides in this
county; Lililias, now Mrs. Milton Grove, who resides in Mor
row county, and Linna Craven resides with her parents. Mr.
Craven has lived in this township about twenty-four years, and
is a good and respected citizen.
CRITCHFIELD, BENJAMIN, deceased, Howard town
ship, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, May 18,
1797. He came to Knox county in about 1807, settling in this
township, near where the village of Howard is now located.
He was married September 11, 1820, to Miss Mary Welker.
Their children were: Sabry, born May 3, 1822; Horace, January
9, 1824; Calvin, August 2, 1827; Marvin, January 20, 1829;
Christie Ann, April 28, 1833; Nathaniel, February 25, 1835;
Mary, April 27, 1838, and Roland, March 24, 1840. Mary died
March 9, 1847. Benjamin Critchfield died February 16, 1878.
CREVELING, MARTIN, Pleasant township; farmer; son
of Samuel and Elizabeth Creveling, was born in Iowa October
9, 1851. In 1853 his parents returned to Knox county, where
they they had been living. He was brought up on a farm, and
has followed farming as his vocation. In August, 1877, he mar
ried Miss Etta Moninger, born in Pennsylvania in 1856; daugh
ter of Henry Moninger. They settled on the farm in Pleasant
township, which they purchased shortly after their marriage,
and where they are now living.
CRIDER, WILLIAM, SR., farmer, Miller township, was
born in Virginia January 19, 1810. He came of patriotic and
heroic stock, his grandfather having been a soldier in the War
of Independence, and his father, Martin Crider, a soldier in the
War of 1812. Mr. Crider has yet in his possession the
old powder horn his grandfather carried in the war. Martin
Crider married Mary Nieswanger, a native of Virginia. In
1820 they came to Ohio and settled in Hanison county, where
they remained three years, when they moved to Knox county,
Ohio, and lived for some time in Pleasant township, and thence
to Miller township, and from thence to Union county, where
they died. They had ten children. The subject of this notice
was reared on a farm, or rather was reared to clearing up the
land for farming. He attended school but little but acquired
sufficient knowledge of the rudiments to be able to transact bus
iness. He is a man who reads considerable, and has always
been industrious. He married Miss Sarah Crottinger, a native
of Pennsylvania, and in 1838 moved on the farm on which he
now resides. They had a family of fifteen children, five of whom
are yet living, viz.: Madison, Christina (married to Henry
Rine), Phidelia (married to Fletcher Frost), Abigail (married to
Charles Hooker) , and William. Mr. Crider is a good farmer
as is seen in his improvements, and the taste generally displayed
on his farm.
CURTIS, WILLIAM, deceased, Mt. Vernon, was born in

New York city April 11, 1784. He was taken to Northampton,
Massachusttts, by his parents when yet very young, and from
thence to Vermont in 1794. About 1808 he went to Lower
Canada and engaged in teaching, where he met and married
Miss Sally, daughter of Zarah and Phalley Curtis, and sister of
Henry B. Curtis, in r8og. Miss Curtis was born in Vermont
April 30, 1791, and moved to Canada with her parents about
1798. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis emigrated to Ohio shortly after
their marriage and located in Lieking county, where they re
mained until 1827, when they moved to this county and located
in Morris township, near Mt. Vernon. In 1835 they moved to
Mt. Vernon where he passed the remainder of his days. He
died August 15, 1858. Mrs. Curtis is still living at the good
old age of eighty-nine years. They reared a family of ten chil
dren, viz.: Christopher C, Leonora, Julius C, Aldulia, Helen
M., M. Hicks, Lydia P., Angeline E., William W., and Clarin
da A. Three of the above named are now deceased: Christo
pher C, Leonora, and Aldulia. Helen M., followed teaching
school as a profession about twenty-five years, eighteen of which
were passed in the public schools of Mt. Vernon. In 1877 she
retired from teaching and is now residing in Mt. Vernon taking
care of her mother in her declining days.
CRITCHFIELD, ALEXANDER, Howard township, farmer,
post office, Howard, was born September 11, 1845. His father
came from Pennsylvania in 1806, and commenced life on the
old farm. He died September 16, 1854. His mother still re
mains on the old farm. She is seventy-four years of age. Al
exander Critchfield was married to Matilda Humbert January
12, 1867. They have one child — Emma, born August 22, 1868.
Alexander Critchfield enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-
first regiment Ohio volunteer infantry in 1863. He went from
Mt. Vernon to Chattanooga and remained at this point until the
army started on the Atlanta campaign. After this he went to
Florence, Alabama, as a scout, then to Gailesville and to Rome,
Georgia, then to Kingston, and remained there until the army
went with Sherman to the sea. From there they went through
North and South Carolina, then to Richmond, Virginia, then to
Alexandria, and from there to Louisville, Kentucky, and were
there mustered out of the United States service. They then
went to Camp Denison and were mustered out of the State ser
vice, and then went home.
CRITCHFIELD, CHARLES EDWARDS, lawyer and pro
bate judge, Mt. Vernon, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio,
November 25, 1836. He spent his youthful days on a farm and
teaching school. When seventeen years of age he went to Cal
ifornia via Nicaraugua, and remained theie seven years. He
was engaged in mining about two years, and two years teaching,
and three years on a ranche near San Jose. He returned bo
Ohio and settled in Mt. Vernon in March, 1862, and commenced
reading law with Major W. R. Sapp, and read law two years.
He was admitted to the bar in 1864. He was in practice about
four years. In 1869 he was elected probate judge on the Dem
ocratic ticket by a majority of one hundred and seventy-four,
although the county was Republican. He was reelected in
1872. His majority was fonr hundred and twenty-five. He
served to February, 1876. He then went to the practice of the
law, and was thus engaged until the fall of 1878, when he was
again elected probate judge by a majority of nine hundred, and
which office he now holds. He was married to Miss Amanda
Vincent, October 2, 1862, by whom he had two children — a son
and a daughter.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

641

CRITCHFIELD, MARTIN, Howard township, farmer,
post office, Howard, was born in Howard township, March 10,
1840. He remained at home until 1868, when he went to
Union township and worked on a farm. He was married to
Mary Bradish July 4, 1870, and came to Howard township,
where he has remained. His business has been farming, the
greater part of the time.
CRITCHFIELD, LEWIS, Howard township, farmer, post
office Howard. He was born August 17, 1812, in Howard
township. In 1827 he moved to Brown township, remained
there five years and then removed to Howard township. In
1838 he was married to Mary Jane Dawson and immediately
settled on his present home, where he has lived forty-two years.
They had the following children: Joseph, John, Eleanor, and
Mary Jane.
Joseph enlisted in the Sixty-fifth regiment, O. V. I., in 1861,
for three years ; served his time, then reenlisted and was known
as one of the old veterans. At the close of the late war he went
to Texas with a number of other members of the Sixty-fifth regi
ment, remained there until the following January when he
received an honorable discharge.
John married Mary E. Hammond in March, 1864, and set
tled in Union township on a farm only a short distance from
the old home. They have two children, Lulu and Keturah.
Eleanor married M. Welch in 1868 and moved to a farm
near Howard township. They had two children, Lewis and
Charles. Mary Jane married Thornton Whitworth in 1869, and settled
in Howard township. They have two children, Abraham and
Sarah E.
Mr. Lewis Critchfield has lived in Howard township sixty-
three years.
CRITCHFIELD, CHARLES, Howard township, farmer,
post offiec, Howard, was born in Pennsylvania in 1804, moved
to Knox county in 1806, and settled on what, is now known as
the Upper Prairie Indian lands, in Union township, near Owl
creek. He remained with his father at this place until he was
twenty-three years of age. He was married in 1829 and moved
to Coshocton county, Ohio, where he remained seventeen years,
and then removed to Knox county and settled on the old home
stead, where he lived until 1878, and then moved to the farm
known as the Indian Fields, on which he now lives. His father
moved from the Upper Prairie, Union township, to Howard in
1809, and remained on the old homestead until his death,
March 23, 1865. The day of his burial was his eighty-fifth
birth-day. Charles Critchfield buried his first wife in Union township in
1848 and married again in 1850. He had three children by his
first wife. Amanda, who died in 1848 in her seventeenth year;
George, who moved to California, and Charles Edward, for
some time a probate judge. He had three children by his sec
ond marriage— Albert Judson (who died September 15, 1851., in
his sixth year) and Ellen, who still remains at home.
CRITCHFIELD, HARRIS, Howard township, farmer, post
office, Howard, was born in Howard township, Knox county,
January 9, 1820. He married in 1851, and commenced business
on his farm in Harrison township, where he lived fourteen years.
On the fourth of April, 1868, he moved to the farm which he
now owns. They have four children — Dora, Emma, Ellen, and
Rosa. Dora was married to Clark Stow, December 19, 1872;
Ellen to Legrand Britton, August '24, 1876; Emma to O. C.

Farmer, January 1, 1879; Rosa to W. T. Horn, January 1,
1880. CROUCH, JOHNSON, Pleasant township, was born in
Harrison county, Ohio, January 10, 1819. He moved to Co
shocton county, Ohio, in 1836, with his parents, Robert and
Mary Crouch. In 1842 he married Miss Hannah Gault, born
in Coshocton county, in 1826, daughter of Adam and Margaret
Gault. They settled on a farm in Coshocton county, remained
there until 1867, when they moved to Knox county, purchased
and moved on the farm in Pleasant township, on which they
are now living. He has followed farming and stock raising as
his vocation. Their union resulted in six children, only one of
the number is now living, viz: Margaret, who married John
Warman, and is living in Pleasant township.
CROWELL, FRED S., photographer, Ward's block, cor
ner Main and Vine streets, Mt. Vernon. Mr. Crowell was
born April 26, 1844, in Huron county, Ohio, where he resided
until 1856, when his parents came with their family to Mt. Ver
non. His first business engagement was with Moses White,
bookseller and stationer, as salesman, with whom he continued
two years. He then engaged with Hyde & Young, jewelers,
where he remained two years, when he engaged in the photograph
business in Payne's gallery, where he worked one year. He
then went to Norwalk and engaged with Mr. Benham, with
whom he remained only a short time. He went into Week's
gallery at Sandusky city and operated there some eighteen
months. In the galleries at Cleveland, and at Erie, Pennsylva
nia, where he operated a short time in each city. In 1866 Mr.
Crowell went to Fredericktown and bought a gallery there, and
run it for three years. In 1869 he sold out and came to Mt.
Vernon and opened out an establishment, which he still contin
ues. He carries a stock of about five thousand dollars, consist
ing of a general supply of photo material, picture frames, art
goods and cards. His establishment is the largest in the city,
and the past productions of this gallery establishes the abili
ties of Mr. Crowell as an artist, and assures all patrons of ob
taining first-class work.
CRUNKELTON, M. L., Pike township, retired, post office,
North Liberty, born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1816,
-and came to Ohio when seven years of age. He was married
in 1845 to Caroline Rocb, who was born in Pennsylvania, in
1819. They had three children: Daniel (deceased), born in
1846, Sophia, in 1849, and James in 1851.
Mrs. Caroline Crunkelton died in Knox county, Ohio, in
September, 1879.
Mr. Crunkelton came to Knox in 1854. He is a farmer by
occupation, has always been in that business until his recent
retirement. CRUNKELTON JAMES, Pike township; farmer; post
office, North Liberty; born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1851,
was married in 1870, to Catharine L. Allen, who was born in
Richland county in 1 85 1. They have four children: Curtis O.,
born in 1873; Harry L., in 1876; Lucinda E., in 1878, and
Daniel, in 1880. They came to this county in 1854, and have
lived here since that time.
CULBERTSON, WILLIAM CRAIG, Mt. Vernon, at
torney, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania,
January 1, 1847. He spent his youth on the farm, and attend
ing the schools of the district during the winter. He is the
second son of Franklin and Narcissa Culbertson nee Craig. In

642

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

1865 he attended the academy at Elder's ridge for two years,
and then in 1867 he entered the junior class in Washington
and Jefferson college at Cannonsburgh, Washington county,
Pennsylvania, from which college he graduated in the fall of
1869. He came to Wooster, Ohio, and entered the law office
of General Aquilla Wiley. He read law until 1871, when he was
admitted to the bar in the fall of that year. In January, 1872,
Mr. Culbertson came to Mt. Vernon, and formed a partnership
with Mr. McClellan under the firm name of McClellan & Cul
bertson, which firm still exists.
CULP, ROWLAND D., farmer, is a native of Clay, was
born September 9, 1848, and has lived on the farm of his birth
ever since. He was married to Miss Mollie F. Harrington, of
Martinsburgh, February 8, 1872. Mr. Culp engaged in farm
ing for several years, but owing to ill health he procured a
printing press and material, and is engaged in the job and
card printing business at present.
CUMINGS, ANSON D. Brown township (deceased), only
son of Gilbert and Betsey Cumings, was born in Oneida county,
New York, August 25, 1828. His father was a farmer, and em
igrated to Summit county, Ohio, near Akron, in 1838. His
parents being unable to send their son to college, he received
his education in the country schools of his day; attended the
union schools of the city of Akron for a short time, and finished
his education at the Haskell academy in Loudonville. He early
developed a disposition to take care of himself, and engaged in
teaching and other enterprises, among which the insurance agen
cy seemed to afford a field for which he was peculiarly adapted.
November 10, 1852, while a clerk in the American house —
then the principal hotel of Cleveland — he married Clara R.
daughter of Erastus and Julia Eldridge. After his marriage
he engaged for some time in furnishing large contracts of
timber lor ship-building on the lake shore, and also in taking
and filling contracts for timber for railroad purposes. In 1853
he moved upon a farm three miles south of Loudonville, in
Ashland county, where he remained with his family six years,
engaged in teaching, farming, and lumbering, filling the office
justice of the peace and other township offices, and acting as
an insurance agent.
In 1859 he removed to Jelloway, in Knox county, where he
remained until his death. After removing to Jelloway he en
gaged more earnestly in the insurance work, and in 1864 organ
ized the Farmers' Insurance company, of Jelloway, a mutual
campany, of which he was for several years the secretary and
general manager. In 1868 he reorganized the company, chang
ing it from a mutual to a joint stock company, with a paid up
capital of one hundred thousand dollars.
In 1863 — during the Rebellion — he organized a company of
the Ohio National guards, of which he was elected captain. In
the spring of 1864 his company was called into the hundred
days' service, and on the Knox county companies reporting at
Columbus it was discovered that there were not positions for all
the commissioned officers, and it being known that Captain
Cumings was interested in the new insurance company just or
ganized, and from which he could illy be spared, he was offered
three hundred dollars to resign in favor of some other officer.
To this proposition he answered: " Not a cent of your money,
but if my company is willing I will resign." The matter was
laid before the company and a vote taken, resulting in an unan
imous vote to retain Captain Cumings. That he went to the
front and won the respect and confidence of the entire regiment

for bravery on the field and kindness to his men, will be attested
by many of the old One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio Na
tional guard.
In 1869 a cancer devoloped itself in his lower jaw and neces
sitated an appeal to the surgeon, and at Good Samaritan hos
pital, Cincinnati, he had the entire bone of the lower jaw re
moved. The operation, however, was not successful, the disease
causing his death J une 26, 1870, after months of the greatest
misery, but of which he was never heard to complain.
During his residence in Jelloway he was for a time deputy
revenue assessor, and held a recruiting officer's commission under
Governor Brough. He also held the office of postmaster for a
number of years, and at his death his wife succeeded him to the
office, which she still retains.
After his death the insurance company of which he was the
founder was removed to Howard, Ohio.
Cut down by disease in the prime of" vigorous manhood
many of his cherished aims for the future were frustrated.
The fruit of his marriage was seven children, viz: Three sons
— Frank A., Edgar L., and Anson B. ; and four daughters —
Julia D., M. Ella, Emma J., and Ansonette A.
The following, written by a friend at the time of his death,
deserves a place in this sketch :
"Died at. his residence at Jelloway, Knox county, Ohio, on
Sunday, the twenty-sixth inst., of cancer. A. B. Cummings,
aged forty-two years. Anson B. Cummings was born in
Oneida county, New York, and has resided at Jelloway for
twelve years. He leaves a wife, seven children, and many
friends to mourn his loss. No one in this community enjoyed a
more extensive acquaintance. Possessed of an honest, moral,
genial, and pleasant character, with him to form acquaintance
was to enlist a friend.
"The Farmers' Insurance company, of Jelloway, owes its exis
tence to the vigorous and fertile mind of Mr. Cummings, as he
conceived the idea of its organization, and held an important
office in the company from its beginning, until disease compelled
him to resign.
"In 1864, when Governor Brough called on the National Guard
of Ohio, Mr. Cummings took command of company F, of the
One Hundred and Forty-second regiment, and spent the sum
mer in the service. That he was an acceptable officer, kind,
pleasant, and agreeable to his command, every member of the
regiment will attest. During his early life a cancer developed
itself on his lower lip ; this was treated with the knife by a sur
geon in Cleveland, with apparent success, as no signs appeared
of its return until some four years since it began to develop
itself on his chin. In November, 1868, he went to Cincinnati,
where Professor Blackman removed his entire lower jaw, back
to the angle, or behind the teeth, but without success, as the
dread disease remained, and gradually grew and increased in
effect. To undertake to describe his sufferings would be vain.
A faint idea of his sufferings could only be conveyed by having
been with him. But through all he was not known to murmur
or complain. That he died the death of a Christian, we think
we have abundant evidence. Thus passed away one dear to his
family, beloved by his friends, and respected by all.
"At a meeting of the directors of the Farmers' Insurance
company, at Jelloway, Ohio, on the second inst., E. L. Waltz,
E. A. Pealer, and James Barron, were appointed a committee
on resolutions expressive of the feelings of the company, on the
decease of one of its members. The following was read and
adopted :

£r~*J? '"- - :

BENJAMIN CRITCHFIELD.

MRS. MARY CRITCHFIELD.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

643

" 'Whereas, In the events of His providence, it has seemed
well for the Great Dispenser of all good to remove from our
midst our friend and brother, A. B. Cummings, and
" 'Whereas, The deceased was one to whom we were wont
to look for counsel, as a corporate body, whose instructions were
wise, and one whose society was always pleasant, therefore
•"Resolved, That in his death we feel deeply humiliated, and
recognize in his decease the divine workings of the Ruler of
nations and of men, and that in his death we greatly sympa
thize with his bereaved family.
" 'Resolved, That in his death the community has lost a
valued citizen, the poor a friend, and his family a husband and
father, marked for his kindness and affection.
'"Resolved, That these resolutions be recorded on the com
pany's journal, and that a copy thereof be presented to the
family of the deceased as a token of our appreciation of his
loss to the community, this company, and his family, and that
a copy be furnished each of the county papers for publication.
E. L. Waltz, Secretary.
James Barron, Treasurer."
CUMMINS, WILLIAM, farmer, Milford township, was
born in Reckingham county, Virginia, December t, 1823, and
is the son of Thomas and Christian Cummins nee Fogle, both
born, reared, married, and died in Virginia. They had a fam
ily of ten children,- seven of whom are living : Catharine,
Nancy M., Amanda, Elizabeth, Edmund, Joseph, and the sub
ject of this notice, who spent his youth on the farm until 1852,
when he went to Texas, but remained only a short time. While
in Galveston he had an attack of cholera. He shortly after
went to Licking county, Ohio, and in 1855 married Miss L.
Butcher. He remained in Licking county until 1858, when he
came to Knox county, where he has since lived.
Mr. Cummins is a self-made man. While a resident of Lick
ing county he borrowed five dollars out, of which he has made a
competency. He is one of the leading men of the township
and county, and is a zealous advocate of the doctrines of the
Democratic party, which honored him in 1871, by electing him
infirmary director, which office he filled with credit. At the
expiration of his term he refused a second nomination. He has
held many of the different township offices. He is social and
affable in his manners.
CUMMINS, JOSEPH, Milford township, farmer, was born
in Rockingham county, Virginia, March 19, 1833, son of
Thomas and Christina Cummins, nee Fogle, of whom mention
is made in the biography of William Cummins. The subject of
this notice spent his youth on a farm. In 1854 he went to Lick
ing county, Ohio, and remained there until about 1862, when
he came to Knox county and located in Mt. Liberty, where he
remained for some time. He was married to Miss Ann Eliza
Vankirk in September, 1864. They have three children: Car
rie Virginia, bom July 12, 1865; Thomas, June 17, 1867; Wil
liam, May 11, 1871. Mr. Cummins is a good citizen, quiet in
his manners and hospitable to those who call on him.
Mrs. Cummins' father, Asher Vankirk, was a native of Penn
sylvania. He married Elizabeth Stephenson. They came to
Ohio in 1862, and have had six children, four of whom are liv
ing. The parents are both dead. The living are Thomas, a
physician in Delaware county, Ohio; Rachel, Adie, and Mrs.
Cummins. CUNNINGHAM, JAMES J., Wayne township, farmer,
post office Fredericktown, born in Greene township, Ashland

county, April 19, 1817; married in 1845 to Nancy J. McGibbin
who was born in Pennsylvania. They had four children: Isa
bella, born January 26; 1847; Margaret, October 26, 1854;
Alonzo, February 2, 1861; and James, July 19, 1857. Mrs.'
Nancy Cunningham died October 29, 1861.
Mr. Cunningham's second marriage was on March 1, 1866, to
Sarah Jane Taylor, who was born August 9, 1839, in Richland
county. They have the following children: Eliza May, born
January 9, 1867; David, September 10, 1868; Lou Verta, July
29, 1870; William, September 3, 1872; Mary Ellen, April n,
1875; and Catharine, April 14, 1877.
Mr. Cunningham came to Knox county August 28, 1866, and
was engaged in the mercantile" business in Fredericktown for
over eight years. He afterwards moved to his farm in Wayne
township, and resides there still.
CUNNINGHAM, JOHN, ESQ., College township, son of '
Alexander and Mary Cunningham nee Thompson, was born in
Jefferson county, Ohio, near Steubenville. February 2, 1820.
His parents were natives of Ireland. His father born August 1,
1784, his mother January 4, 1797. His paternal grandfather
and grandmother came with their families to America and
located in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1804. His mother came
with her parents to America in 1807. The parents of the sub
ject of this sketch were married in March, 1819, and moved into
their little log cabin in the woods, in Jefferson county, Ohio,
where they lived thirteen years. The old log cabin disappeared
long years ago. Mr. Cunningham was reared a farmer, and
has followed farming as his vocation to the present time. In
1841 he married Miss Isabella Foster, of Coshocton county,
Ohio, who was born July 22, A. D. 1817, in Jefterson county,
Ohio, daughter of James and Nancy Foster. They settled in
Harrison, county, Ohio, where she died July 22, 1844. He
was on the twenty-seventh of June, 1847, united in marriage
with Miss" Sarah A. Bone, of Harrison county, Ohio, who was
born in England December 11, 1824, daughter of James and
Mary Ann Bone, nee Hillyer, and came to America hi 1836 with
her mother, her father having died. They remained in Harrison
county until September 1, 1852, when they started for Knox
county, reached College township on September 4th and located
on the farm on which they have since resided. They reared
two children, viz: Robert Pittis and Isabella. Three of their
children died in infancy. He filled the office of justice of the
peace for twelve years in College township.
CUNNINGHAM, MILTON M., Pike township, farmer,
post office Democracy ; born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1835,
and was -manied in 1862 to Jane Armstrong, who was born in
Canada in 1837. They have one daughter, Arminta, born
July 18, 1863. Mrs. Cunningham came to Knox county in
1838. They own a well improved farm with good buildings.
CUNNINGHAM, ELI S., Pike township, farmer, post
office North Liberty ; born in Wayne county, Ohio, September
18, 1833, and was married May 17, 1855, to Sarah A. Ober-
holtzer, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, June 12, 1837.
They have six children: Marrietta, born July 9, 1857; Milton
J., February 22, i860; Alvin H., March 16, 1862; Dillman F.,
January 25, 1866; Matthew E., August 2, 1868, and William,
March 27, 1872. Mr. Cunningham came to this county about
1862, and owns a well improved farm with all the modern im
provements. He is engaged in farming, also owns a threshing
machine, threshing all kinds of grain, and is an active and
enterprising citizen.

644

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

CURTIS, HENRY B., Mt. Vernon, retired. His father,
Zarah Curtis, was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, in
1762. At an eaily age he entered the Continental army, in
which he served five years, to the end of the war of the Revo
lution; first under his father, Jotham Curtis, of Watertown,
Connecticut; subsequently joining Captain Webb's company, in
which command he remained till the close of the war, when he
received an honorable discharge with the rank of a sergeant.
In 1785 Zarah Curtis married Phally Yale, eldest daughter cf
Aaron and Anna (Hosmer) Yale. She was born in Hartford,
Connecticut, in 1762. Her family was quite prominent in
its day in New England, and descended from a distinguished
family in the Old World.
The first remove of the parents of the subject of this sketch
was from Connecticut to Charlotte, Vermont, where some of his
oldest sisters were born. His oldest brother, the late Hon.
Hosmer Curtis, whose death occurred at Keokuk, Iowa, in
1874, was born at Litchfield, Connecticut. The family subse
quently removed to and settled upon a farm on the west side of
Lake Champlain, near the village of that name, where they re
sided until 1809, when they removed to Newark, Licking coun
ty, Ohio.
His father, a few years later, purchased a small farm on the
South fork of Licking river, where the family resided at the
time Henry B. left home. This farm was subsequently sold
and another purchased on the North fork, in Washington town
ship, in the same county, where the father died, beloved and re
spected as a Christian minister, in 1849, in the eighty-eighth
year of his age.
Henry B. was born near the village of Champlain, New York,
November 28, 1799, and was nine years old when his father re
moved to Ohio. Many of the events of that long journey are
still vivid in his memory.
At that time (1809), Newark was but a small hamlet of about
fifty or sixty rude homes, mostly log houses. He can recall but
two frame houses in the place, both very small tenements.
The opportunities of a thorough education were somewhat
limited at this time. Henry was sent to the private school of
Roswell Mills, and at a later period to that of Amos H. Caffee.
To their faithful teaching, and that of some private instructors in
a partial classical course, and his own hard study, he is indebted
for an education, liberal under the circumstances, though falling
far short of the plane to which his ambition inclined. During the
whole course of his school studies he also assisted his father in
his farm work, and after he left his boyhood's home, though
contrary to his indulgent parents' wishes, he continued tq pay to
them all his wages and earnings, except his necessary expenses,
until he was twenty years of age, when his father remarked to
him that he had nothing to give him as an outset in life but his
education, and he therefore peremptorily insisted that he should
retain all his earnings of the ensuing year. This constituted all
the advancement young Curtis ever received from his parents,
except a small patrimony at the sale of the homestead after his
father's death.
At the age of seventeen young Curtis left his father's farm to
make a home for himself. On the invitation of his brother,
Hosmer, then a practicing lawyer in Mt. Vernon, he came to
this place.
On the twenty-eighth day of April. 1817, young Curtis crossed
the Kokosing, and paying the boy who ferried him across the
river a silver sixpence, he found himself in Mt. Vernon, walking t
up Main street with the sum of twenty-five cents.

With the recommendation and assistance of his brother Hos
mer, he obtained a situation in the clerk's office, where his as
siduity to business and ready skill soon secured him the ap
pointment of deputy clerk. As he progressed in knowledge,
nearly all the duties of that responsible position fell upon him.
Elder James Smith was then clerk of the court, but being some
what advanced in years, he removed to a farm, leaving the
office and its duties almost wholly to Mr. Curtis.
This official connection with the business and records of the
court brought him into immediate contact and personal ac
quaintance with the principal lawyers of that period, who were
then regular and constant practitioners at the court. Among
them were Charles P. Sherman, Thomas Ewing, William Stan-
berry, Wyllys Silliman, William W. Irwin, Charles B. God-
dard, Samuel W. Culbertson, Alexander Harper, and several
others, all of whom resided in other counties, but, as was the
custom then, travelled on the circuit. These distinguished men
of the bar, nearly all of whom then or subsequently held high
political stations in the State, and who are identified with its
history, constituted the bar of Knox county, for the foreign
lawyers were as much a part of the court as the resident judges
and lawyers.
As an evidence of the kindly estimation in which the judges
of the court held young Curtis, after he had retired from the
clerk's office and while studying for the bar, the court, then
composed of four judges, unanimously appointed him to the re
sponsible office of recorder for the county, a situation which he
held seven years. This appointment, in the outset of life
was a material aid, and its fruits enabled him to supply himself
with a good law library, which soon became one of the best in
the country.
He entered the office of his brother, Hosmer, early in the fall
of 1820, and December 9, 1822, he presented himself with his
credentials before Judges Hitchcock and Pease of the supreme
court, for examination and admission to the bar. The exami
nation took place at the Franklin house, in Newark, in presence
of several resident lawyers. The oath was administered to him
by Judge Peter Hitchcock.
When Mr. Curtis entered upon the practice of the law there
were but two other resident lawyers in the county, his senior
¦ brother, Hosmer, and an older man, Samuel Mott, esq., who soon
after withdrew from the profession, to engage in other pursuits.
But the field was soon further occupied by the advent of others
who were fellow students, but who came in a little later. Among
these were John W. Warden, Benjamin S. Brown, Columbus
Delano, Rollin C. Hurd, and John K. Miller. All of them
were able and successful lawyers. Mr. Warden and Mr. Brown
died early, and Mr. Miller and Mr. Hurd some time later. To
the foreign members of the bar still practising at the court, were
added Henry Stanberry and the late H. H. Hunter, who entered
practice about the same dale as Mr. Curtis.
In the earlier years of his practice Mr. Curtis' professional
"circuit" embraced the counties of Licking, Richland, Dela
ware and Coshocton ; with freqent extensions, in special cases,
to the courts in Lancaster, Zanesville, Wooster, Canton, Nor-
walk, and Sandusky. In addition to these regular terms of the
supreme court, and the United States circuit and district courts
at Columbus, were embraced in his practice.
Mr. Curtis was admitted to the bar of the United States su
preme court, Washington city, January 9, 1863. After a success
ful practice before the courts of his country for half a century, in
December, 1872, Mr. Curtis concluded <o withdraw from the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

645

legal field, and devote his remaining life to the care and protec
tion of his large and increasing possessions, which had been
somewhat neglected. This anniversary was held at his beauti
ful homestead, " Round Hill" (a cut of which appears else
where), and was in the form of a supper given to the resident
members of the bar, with invitations to, and attended by many,
old time friends, from adjacent counties and more distant parts
of the State. It was a cheerful and happy occasion, bringing
up pleasant reminiscences of the past, and the mutual inter
change of kind greetings. On that occasion Mr. Curtis an
nounced to his brethren that he declined all new retainers
hereafter, and left the field for his younger brethren.
On the subject of politics Mr. Curtis wrote:
"In politics I am a Republican, and was present and took
part in the convention in which that party was organized. I
was of the Whig school, and united in the recommendation for
the reorganization of the party under the new name of Repub
lican. Although I have ever preserved my identity with my
party and acted with them in all their political movements, yet
I never, except in one instance, allowed myself to become a
candidate for a political office. I do not, of course, include
city offices, of mayor and councilman, whose duties I have been
called to fulfil, nor the candidacy for the Constitutional con
vention in the spring of 1873, to which I was pressingly urged
by many of both parties, and which election I lost by reason of
the Prohibition party having a third candidate in the field. The
exception to which I refer was in 1840, when the Whig party
selected me as their candidate for Congress from this district,
then composed of Knox, Coshocton, Holmes, and Tuscarawas
counties. My district was one hundred miles long and terribly
Democratic. I stumped the district considerably during the
campaign, as I did also other counties in the State the same
season. I made a good run, cutting down my opponent's ma
jority about one thousand votes but not quite enough to defeat
him. It was pleasant enough to go out and make political
speeches for the principles of the party with which I acted, but
I had no taste to run for office, or to make public speeches in
my own interest. Twice after this I was designated by our
county conventions as Knox county's choice as candidate for
governor, but in both instances I prevented my name going be
fore the general convention. My name has also, on several oc
casions, been presented by my friends and members of the bar
for the judgeship."
In the winter of 1840-41 Mr. Curtis represented Knox county
in the State board of equalization. For twelve years he held
the office of trustee of the Central Ohio Lunatic asylum, and
was the acting president of the board. Mr. Curtis was influ
ential in leading Bishop Chase to establish Kenyon college in
its present location, as will be seen by reference to the chapter
devoted to that institution. Mr. Curtis was for many years one
of the trustees of the college, and while on the board, inaugu
rated the policy of the survey and sale of the college lands,
thus substituting for an irresponsible tenantry a class of pro
prietary farmers in the immediate neighborhood of the college.
When Mr. Curtis came to the bar the court docket was full
of cases against the "Owl Creek bank, of Mt. Vernon," or
rather against its members, for it had no corporate existence.
The subject was finally referred to a special commissioner and
receiver, to which honorable position Mr. Curtis was appointed
by the supreme court. After years of investigation and arduous
labor, the intricate affairs of the bank were brought to a satis
factory conclusion. Every dollar of an outstanding liability

was paid, and the losses adjusted and equalized among the
several members of the unfortunate association on acknowl
edged principles of equity and justice. Mr. Curtis' proceed
ings, and their results, were fully approved and confirmed by
the court, with flattering commendation.
In 1848 Mr. Curtis organized the Knox County bank, and
has been connected with that institution as its president ever
since. When aid and action were called for to obtain railroads, Mr.
Curtis' services were required and freely given. He was the di
rector ofthe first railroad that entered Mt. Vernon, and also of
several embryo schemes that failed after large expenditures.
He is now a director of the Lake Erie division of the Baltimore
& Ohio railroad. He was also a large contributor and advocate
of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad.
In the spring of 1873 Mr. Curtis received from President
Grant the appointment and commission of a member of the
board of visitors at West Point, to attend and report upon the
examination of the graduating class, and to examine into the
condition and administration ofthe affairs of the institution gen
erally. While in this service he learned that some eighty youths, chil
dren of professors, officers and employes of West Point, were
destitute of the usual means of common school education, ex
cept as to a few that had the advantages of private instruction.
Being on a military reserve, the jurisdiction of which was in the
Government, it was held that the residents were not included
within the provisions for the benefits of the common school sys
tem of the State of New York. He therefore introduced a reso
lution recommending that Congress make provision by a suita
ble appropriation for maintaining, at West Point, a common
school for the benefit of the children of that station. The reso
lution was also supported by Senator Sherman and Judge
Thayer, of Philadelphia, and finally unanimously adopted, and
its recommendations incorporated in the report of the board.
July 2, 1823, Mr. Curtis was manied to Miss Elizabeth Hogg,
daughter of Percival and Elizabeth Hogg, of Mt. Pleasant,
Jefferson county, Ohio. She was a niece of William Hogg, esq.,
of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, an old and successful merchant.
His family had but recently arrived in this country. Tbey were
from Chester-le-street, Durham county, England, where Miss
Hogg was born June 22, 1803. By this marriage Mr. and Mrs.
Curtis became the parents of eight children — six daughters and
two sons — three only of whom suryive — two daughters and one
son. Their eldest daughter and child, Elizabeth, was married
to Mr. John Gershom Plimpton, a merchant of New York city,
February 19, 1845. Mr. Plimpton died in Mt. Vernon April
18, 1869, leaving three children — the eldest is now married to
George C. Clark, esq., of New York, and a second daughter
recently married to Mr. John B. Beardsley, a prominent drug
gist of Mt. Vernon. Mr. Curtis' daughter, Ella, is manied to
the Hon. Joseph C. Devin, late senator from Knox county in
the State legislature, and a practicing lawyer, residing in Mt.
Vernon. They also have three children. Mr. Curtis' son, Henry
Lambton Curtis, is a graduate of Kenyon college, of the class
of 1862. He was married to Miss Lucia Chittenden, of Keo
kuk, Iowa, October 28, 1868. He is a lawyer, and a partner
with Mr. Devin. Mr. Curtis has also a grandchild, Emma
Bridge, only child of a deceased daughter (Ada), who was mar
ried to Mr. Louis K. Bridge, of New York, also since deceased.
Miss Bridge made her home since the death of her parents with
her grandparent until the time of her marriage with Mr. Charles

646

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

D. Seebarger, of Chicago, October 15, 1879. Mrs. Curtis died
on the seventeenth day of July, 1878, aged seventy-five years,
honored and respected by all.
Mr. Curtis' pecuniary means have constantly kept growing
from his memorable quarter, until to-day he is classed among
the county's wealthiest citizens. Notwithstanding all this rapid
accumulation, he has responded in a liberal manner to every
benevolent and public enterprise that has been brought to his
¦attention. His time and money were freely given during the late Re"
bellion in raising volunteers.
Holding, at the period of the war, as now, the appointment
of United States commissioner for the northern district of Ohio,
his judicial services were often required in disposing of cases
connected with the military movements of that time.
CURTIS, HOSMER, lawyer, born in Litchfield county,
Connecticut, on the twenty-ninth of July, 1788, was the eldest
son of Zara Curtis, a Revolutionary soldier and officer in
Colonel Sheldon's regiment of dragoons of the Connecticut
line. On his mother's side he was allied to the Hosmers and
Yales of Connecticut. In 1809 his father's family removed to
Ohio, and settled in Newark; while he himself, then about
twenty years old, removed with the family, and after a few years
spent in school teaching, during which time he read law under
the preceptorship of Edward Herrick and Jeremiah Munson,
then eminent lawyers of Newark, was admitted to the bar in
1813, and prepared his first briefs in a little office that stood
where the Newark market house now stands. The next year
he served in the campaign for the relief of Fort Meigs, under
General Harrison, and in the fall of 1814 married Miss Eleanor
Melick, of Turkey Foot, Pennsylvania, a lady of distinguished
excellence of character, and the mother of all his children except
the youngest, Samuel P. Curtis, late of Washington city, now
deceased, who was a son by a second marriage. In 1815 he
removed to Mt. Vernon, Knox county, where he regularly at
tended the courts from the commencement of his practice. The
first prosecuting attorney for the county, an office that he filled
for many years, he became the leading resident lawyer; and as
nearly all the younger members of the profession in the county,
who were admitted to the bar for the first fifteen or twenty
years, were pupils from his office, he became generally known as
"the father of the bar." He continued in full practice in'
Knox county forty-two years, and for a considerable part of
that time, as was then the custom, he also regularly attended
the courts of the adjoining counties, and the United States
court at Columbus, Ohio. His great industry and indefatigable
labor in the preparation of his cases, more than the power of
his oratory or quick perception of his points, established his
reputation for a clear knowledge of the principles of the com
mon law; while his probity of character always insured him
earnest attention and the highest confidence and respect of both
court and jury. In 1822-3 be represented his county in the
Ohio legislature, and held several other important offices and
public trusts, in all of which, as also in the large interests of his
clients, which, in so long a period of practice, came under his
care, his character for honesty and fidelity was ever preeminent.
In 1857 Mr. Curtis removed to Keokuk, where several of his
children had previously settled, and there resumed the practice
of law in connection with Mr. Gilmore, and which he continued
to pursue several years, when finding a nervous infirmity grow
ing upon him, about 1867 he retired from all professional en

gagements, while continuing to give personal attention to all
his own private business. Naturally of strong mental powers,
cultivated by philosophic research and study, he was distin
guished in the days of his best vigor for his capacity in obtruse
speculation and close analytical investigation of every subject
presented to him for consideration. He accepted no conclu
sion without duly weighing all the facts for or against the pro
position or theory. These traits'marked his character through
out all his professional career, and the aspiration inscribed
on the fly-leaf of his first law book: "God preserve my mental
vigor, " seemed to be mercifully and certainly granted him to
the close of his life. He died at Keokuk, Iowa, on the four
teenth of May, 1874, ripe in years, and the honors of a well-
spent life. Of his surviving children, Henry H. Curtis resides
in St. Louis; J. L. Curtis, banker, at Chicago; Charles Curtis,
physician, at Quincy, Illinois, and his daughter, Eleanor, widow
of Uzziel Stevens, at Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
CURTIS, GENERAL SAMUEL R., was born Febmary 3,
1807, spent-his childhood years in Newark, Ohio; applied him
self diligently to his studies, made a good scholar; sometimes
was a clerk in the clerk's office of the courts of Licking county,
Amos H. Caffee, esq., being the clerk; and in 1827 entered the
West Point academy as a cadet, and graduated in 1831, with
the appointment of brevet second lieutenant in the Seventh
United States infantry, in which he served until June 30, 1832,
when he resigned. He then studied law in Ohio, and was ad
mitted to the bar, but left that profession to devote himself to
engineering, and from April, 1837, to May, 1839, was the chief
engineer of the Muskingum river improvement. At the begin
ning of the Mexican war he was chosen colonel of the Third
Ohio volunteers, serving under Zachary Taylor on the Rio
Grande line, and was successively Governor of Matamora, Ca
margo, Monterey, and Saltillo. At the expiration, in 1847, of
the term of service of his regiment, he remained as acting as
sistant adjutant general to General Wool.
Sometime after the close of .the Mexican war General Curtis
moved to Keokuk, Iowa, and was elected in 1856 a representa
tive in Congress, and was reelected in 1858, and again in i860.
He was also a member of the peace congress in 1861. In Con
gress he strongly urged the building of a railroad to the Pacific
ocean, and all other Republican measures.
In June, 1861, General Curtis was commissioned colonel of
the Second Iowa regiment, and ordered to duty in Northern
Missouri, but soon went to Washington to attend the extra ses
sion of Congress. Resigning his seat in Congress in 1861, he
entered zealously into the military service to preserve the Union.
He served under General Fremont, and subsequently was ap
pointed to command the army destined to operate against the
confederates in southwestern Missouri and Arkansas. General
Curtis fought and won the important battle of Pea Ridge,
March 6, 7, and 8, 1862, upon which he received a major gen
eral's commission, establishing his headquarters at St. Louis,
December, 1862.
General Curtis was in command at Fort Leavenworth, Kan
sas, during the Price raid in October, 1864, and cooperated in
the pursuit and defeat of General Price's army. From August
to November, 1865, he served as United States Commissioner
to treat with the Sioux, Cheyennes, and other Indian tribes.
He was examiner of the Union Pacific railroad from November,
1865, to April, 1866. His death occurred at Council Bluffs,
Iowa, December 25, 1866. General Samuel R. Curtis rendered

JkijeJkA S> <^&v-Lj

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

647

valuable civil and military services to his country, and was an
elegant, high-toned, honorable gentleman, of intelligence and
probity. He was a brother ot Hon. Henry B. Curtis, of Mt.
Vernon.

D

DALLY, LANE, Hilliar township, farmer, was born in
Hilliar township, February, 1842. He is the youngest son of
John and Mary A. Dally, nee Walters, who were married in
Richland county, Ohio, and in 1834 came to Hilliar and settled
in the woods. They had a family of ten children. Mr. Dally
died in 1869. His wife still survives him. The subject of this
notice was reared on his father's farm. He was married to Miss
Cypha Cumpston, of Licking county, Ohio, December 6, 1866.
They have a famiiy of five children.
DALRYMPLE, JACOB, Wayne township, farmer, post of
fice, Fredericktown, born in New Jersey in 1797, came to Ohio
.in 1809, and was married in 1821 to Phebe Lewis, who was born
in Pennsylvania in 1802. They had the following children :
Roda, born December 4, 1822; Aaron, August 18, 1824; Wil
liam, April 7, 1827; Mitchell Y., January 17, 1830; Robert M.,
June 28, 1833; Sarah S., April 1, 1837; Lafayette, June 16,
1841; Mary E., October 16, 1844.
Lafayette Dalrymple was a soldier in the late war, a member
ofthe One Hundred and Twenty-first regiment Ohio volunteer
infantry, but was soon discharged on account of sickness.
Robert M. Dalrymple was manied to Nancy S. Strubble.
They have two sons — Lorain E. and Lew M. Robert is en
gaged in farming the home place.
DALRYMPLE, WILLIAM BRICE, Liberty township,
farmer, was born January 22, 1852, in Liberty township. He
is the son of Andrew Dalrymple, deceased, who was born in
Sussex county, New Jersey, in March, 1810, where he remained
until he was about twenty-three years of age. He then came
to Ohio and resided near Fredericktown for some years. On
April 12, 1838, he was joined in marriage to Mary A. Wolfe,
who was born in February, 1821. She is a daughter of Christo
pher and Phebe Wolfe, nee Rhinehart, pioneers of Knox
county, and whose history appears in this work. They had six
children, four daughters and two sons, viz: Phebe, wife of Alex
ander Jackson; Susan, deceased, who manied William H.
Scarborough; Eliza J., wife of Thomas J. Scarborough; Ella,
wife of Winfield Coe; and Squire and William Brice. Mr.
Dalrymple died in October, 1871, in Liberty township, where he
had resided about forty-three years. He was much esteemed
for his many good traits of character. He was a leading citi
zen, and by his death the community lost a useful man. Mrs.
Dalrymple resides on the homestead.
William B. Dalrymple was reared on the farm on which he
yet resides. He is a rising young man of the township. He
married Miss H. Coleville, of Liberty township, February 18,
1875. They have two children.
DALRYMPLE, SQUIRE D., Liberty township, farmer, was
born in Liberty township, April 9, 1854, and is the son of An
drew and Mary A. Dalrymple, of whom mention is made in the
biography of William B. Dalrymple. He was reared on the
farm, and like the rest of the family, had the advantages of the
schools and the instruction of kind and and excellent parents.
He is a good farmer, and a young man who is much esteemed.
He married Miss Sarah L. Allen December 17, 1874, daughter

of William and Joanna Allen, of whom mention is made. They
have three children.
DARLING, WILLIAM, farmer, was born April 9, 1814, in
Hampshire county, Virginia. He moved to Butler township,
Knox county, Ohio, in 1820, and to Jackson township in 1835.
He was married to Eliza Melick April 6, 1841. They have had
ten-children, viz.: Lucy A., James K., Morgan, Louisa, Cyrus,
Nan, Sarah E., Avilda, Otto, and Louis. Mr. Darling is an
old and respected citizen of Jackson; has served several terms
as justice of the peace.
DARLING, JOHN, Berlin township (deceased), was born in
New York in 1817; came to Ohio when a young man, and was
married in 1842 to Mary Ann Rundle. They had three children
— Richard L., Charles T., and James E. Mrs. Mary Ann Dar
ling died in 1852. Mr. John Darling married Lydia Ann Kin
ney in 1854, who was born in Knox county in 1820. They had
three children— James E., born in 1855, Henry M. in 1857, and
Alva B. in 1861. The father, John Darling, died July 26, 1876.
James E. died in 1843, and James Edson in 1856. Henry Dar
ing was married in 1877 to Mary Vore, who was born in Mt.
Vernon in 1857. They have one son, George W., who was
born July 26, 1878.
DARLING, WILLIAM, Wayne township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown ; born in Coshocton county in 1825, came with
his parents to Knox county in 1829, and was married October
15. I857, to Saprona Willis, who was born June 11, 1835, in
New York. She came with her parents to Knox county in
1839. They'have one son, Herbert Stanton, born January 17,
1862. He is now engaged in the study of medicine in Fred
ericktown with Dr. S. B. Potter. Mri William Darling is one
of the leading men of this township, and owns a beautiful farm
with excellent buildings.
DARLING, NICHOLAS R., Morris township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown; was born in Wayne township in 1830 '
and married in 1864 to Margaret Ellen Bricker, who was born
in Clinton township in 1830. An infant child was left on the
porch of their house in a basket (warmly dressed), on the morn
ing of October 7, 1880 (a mystery). They cared for and became
attached to it, named it Eddie V., and were making arrange
ments to have it adopted, but it died in January, 1881.
Mr. Darling purchased the first threshing machine manu
factured by Altman Taylor & Co., Mansfield. They attribute
much credit to Mr. Darling for his ingenuity, skill and patience
in making many improvements so that the machine became a
success. He used this machine for fifteen years. In 1864 they
made him a very liberal donation on a new machine.
DARLING, GEORGE W., Hilliar township, clothier, Cen
treburgh, Ohio, was born near Newville, Richland county,
Ohio, January 18, 1845. He was reared on a farm. He en
listed in the Sixty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, company C,
in 1861; he participated in the battle of Shiloh and all the
battles in which his regiment and company were engaged until
after the battle of Stone River, Tennessee, when he was taken
with typhoid fever and rendered unable to do service, and was
discharged. He returned home and after regaining his health
he went to Bloomington, Illinois, where he enlisted in company
D, Third Illinois cavalry, and served with them six months;
he was then detached on General Saul Meredith's staff as pri
vate orderly, and remained as orderly until the war was over,
at Paducha, Kentucky, after which he joined his regiment, and

64Z

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

was with the expedition to Devil's lake, and thence to Fort
Snelling, Minnesota, and there mustered out of service October
10, 1865, having served in the two regiments about four years.
His busines life commenced in 1868, in Independence, Rich
land county, Ohio, in a country store. He bought a half inter
est in the business of William Severns, his father-in-law. The
firm bought produce of all kinds. He was for a time agent of
the railroad at that point. In 1873 the firm lost about all their
property by fire. After the fire he travelled for some time for a
woolen-mill and powder factory. In 1875 he commenced clerk
ing for Mr. Severns, his former partner, and he remained with
him until August, 1879, when he purchased a stock of clothing
and came to Centreburgh, where he carries a full line of all
kinds of ready-made clothing, hats, caps and gentlemen's fur
nishing goods. He has a growing trade and carries about three
thousand five hundred dollars worth of stock. He is a good
business man and his customers never find a reason to complain
from any misrepresentation, as he confines himself to business
principles, truth and veracity. He was married to Miss Del-
norta S. Severns, of Richland county, Ohio, January, 1868, and
by this union they had four children, three of whom are living.
DARLING, ROBERT D., Wayne township, post office,
Fredericktown; born in Wayne township, this county, in 1845,
and was married in 1870 to Clotilda Lyon, who was born in
Wayne township, this county, in 1846. They have four chil
dren, Nellie, born in 1871; Frank, in 1875; Nina, in 1877; and
Willie, in 1879. Mr. Darling is a farmer by occupation, and
has always lived in this county.
DAVIS, JACOB, Monroe township, was born near Hagers-
town, Maryland, April 4, 1800, and came to Mt. Vernon, Knox
county, with his father, Henry Davis, in 1815. He married
Elizabeth Downs, daughter of George Downs, of Knox county,
April 3, 1827, and moved to Monroe township, where he pur
chased land and erected a saw-mill on Schenck's creek in 1828.
Shortly afterward he erected a grist-mill and added a fulling-
mill and carding machine. Being an enterprising business man
he not only ran his own mill but owned an interest in the Mon
roe mills, Gilcrest's mills, and Shamon's mills. Mr. Davis died
September 12, 1837, and was buried in St. John's Evangelical
Lutheran cemetery, the ground for which was donated by him.
He was the father of nine children, of whom James Wood-
bridge Davis was the youngest. He was born June 9, 1849, at
the old homestead on Schenck's creek, and reared on the farm.
He manied Jennie Daymude, daughter of William Daymude, of
Monroe township, December 14, 1876, and has two children,
Elmer S. and Herman.
DAVIS, THOMAS, Berlin township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1809; was
married to Jane Jenkins, who was born in 1815 in Loudoun
county, Virginia. They had six children: Sarah, born 1838;
John, in 1840; Martha, in 1841; Eliza, in 1844; Margaret, in
1847; Stephen Taylor, in 1859.
Mrs. Jane Davis died in 1850. Mr. Thomas Davis married
again, his second marriage being to Elizabeth Baker, who was
born in Wayne township, Knox county, in 1820. They had
two children, W. Scott, born in 1852, and Charlotte Ellen, in
1855- John Davis was a soldier in the late war. He enlisted in the
One Hundred and Twentieth regiment, and continued inthe
service until his health failed. After his health was restored he
again enlisted, but was again discharged on account of ill

health. His health improved again, and he again enlisted, and
received an honorable discharge at the close, of the service.
Mr. Davis came to Ohio in 1838, and located on a farm in
Berlin township, Knox county. He owns a well improved
farm and has been identified with this county for forty-eight
years. He has been a Methodist for fifteen years, and has
been a Republican since the organization of the party.
' DAVIS, W. SCOTT, farmer, Berlin township ; post office,
Fredericktown; born in Berlin township in 1852, and was mar
ried in 1874 to Mary Morriston, who was born in Wayne town
ship, in ,1854. They have three children: Robertie Bell, born
in 1875; Steward, in 1877; Daisy Dell, in 1878. Mr. Davis is a
farmer, and resides on the old home farm.
DAVIS, JESSE, farmer, Liberty township, was born in
Cecil county, Maryland, October 16, 1812. His father, a native
of Ireland, emigrated to the United States when quite young.
He served in the War of 1812 under Commodore McDonough,
and received a wound. He was a man of considerable attain
ments, taught a select school for some years, and married a
Miss Mary Nebb, a native of York county, Pennsylvania. They
had nine sons and one daughter, all of whom are believed to be
dead except Jesse Davis, who learned the blacksmith trade,
which he followed for some years.
When about twenty years of age he went to Ohio county,
Virginia, where, in April, 1835, he married Rosanna Frazier,
who was bom in Ohio county, West Virginia, January 9, 1808.
They remained in Virginia until 1850, when they came to their
present home. There were born to these parents four children
in Virginia, viz: Samuel H., Robert F. , Mary, and James W.
Samuel H. and Robert F. enlisted in company G, Twentieth
Ohio volunteer infantry. Samuel H. was taken sick and died
May 30, 1862. While sick he was commissioned second lieu
tenant, but was never mustered. Robert F. was discharged in
the fall of 1863, on account of physical disability. He is now
bookkeeper in the First National bank, of Canton, Illinois.
Mary and James W. are on the farm.
Mr. Davis was captain of company D, One Hundred and
Forty-second Ohio National guard. When the regiment was
called out some of the companies were consolidated. Mr.
Davis was transferred to company A, which company he com
manded during his enlistment.
DAVIS, MRS. JOANNA, Liberty township, was born in
Milford township, November 30, 1829. She is the daughter of
Smith Bishop and Mary Ann Jeffries, of whom mention is
made in the history of Milford township. They had a family
of eight children, six sons and two daughters, viz: John J.,
Joanna,, the subject of this notice; Henry A., Benjamin F.,
Gilford D., Allen S., Clark N., and Adaline L. , wife of James
Ray, who resides near Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Bishop died in 1866. His wife survives him. Joanna
was married to Joseph P. Davis, November 18, 1861. He was
a native of the State of New York, and died in 1877. They
had three children, viz: Anna Mary, born July 10, 1862; Cora
Estelle, born January 10, 1866, and Ellen Adaline, born Sep
tember 26, 1868. Mrs. Davis is an estimable lady.
DAVIS, JOHN M., farmer, Miller township, was bom in
Clinton township, September 28, 1853, is the son of George W.
and Margaret Davis, nee Morton. Mr. Davis spent his youth
on his father's farm, and, like farmers' sons generally, he
worked during the summer, when old enough, and attended

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

649

school during the winter. On the twelfth of January, 1876, he
married Miss Lucy W. Baxter, daughter of J. W. Baxter.
Mr. Davis is an energetic and enterprising farmer and an
estimable citizen. They have two children, viz: George W.
and Daisy M.
DAVIS, JOSEPH SLOCUM, Attornev at law and secretary
of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Delaware railroad company,
Mt. Vernon, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, November 21,
1812. He is the third child of Henry and Avice Davis, nee
Towne. His father was born in Cornish, New Hampshire, his
mother in Wilkesbarre, Luzeme county, Pennsylvania, where
they were married, and came to Ohio in the year 1808, settling
in Ross county. After a residence there of three years they
moved into Pickaway county, remained there about four years,
and then removed to Hillsborough, Highland county, Ohio,
where they lived until they died. The father was engaged in
mercantile pursuits.
The subject of this notice, when not at school, assisted his
father in the store. In 1829 he entered the preparatory school
at Gambier and continued two years in that department. He
then entered the freshman class in Kenyon college, passed reg
ularly through the several college classes and graduated in 1835.
He read law with the late Benjamin S. Brown, of Mt. Vernon,
and in the winter of 1836-37 attended the Cincinnati law school,
and was admitted to the bar in 1837. He commenced the prac
tice of law in company with the Hon. C. Delano, and continued
for several years, but after a severe attack of pleurisy his health
failed to such an extent that he was compelled to retire.
He was twice elected probate judge of Knox county on the
Republican ticket, this last term expiring in 1861.
In 1849-50-51 he was elected mayor of Mt. Vernon, and
again in 1866-68-70 and 71.
He was the first editor of the True Whig, a newspaper es-
tsblished at Mt. Vernon in 184.8, to advocate the election of
General Zachariah Tayloi to the Presidency of the United States.
In 1850 he was appointed deputy United States marshal and
took the Federal census of Knox county.
In the winter of 1864-5 he was appointed by President Lin
coln paymaster in the United States army — was ordered to
Washington city, mustered into the service, and remained there
until July after the close of the Rebellion.
He has always taken a lively interest in the public schools.
and has been connected with the city board of education twenty-
five years, or since its organization in 1856, is now and has been
for the last nine years president of said board.
In 1869 the directors of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Dela
ware Railroad company elected him secretary of said company,
which position he still holds.
Mr. Davis is esteemed as a frank, candid man, of scrupulous
integrity, modest and retiring in disposition, affable in his man
ners, reserved in speech, honorable in his dealings, and a relia
ble friend, but firm and decided in his opinions, prompt and
conscientious in the proper discharge of every public or private
trust committed to his care.
Mr. Davis was married to Miss Sarah B. Moore, who was
born in Connellsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, March,
1813, the only daughter of Doctor Robert D. Moore. They
have had four children, two sons and two daughters, all pf
whom are living. Captain Henry M. Davis resides at Santa
Fe, New Mexico. Anna C, married to John W. Hall, lives in
Washington city. Mary A. and Rorlin H. are at home.

Mrs. Davis died May 3, 1879 — a Christian woman highly re
spected by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance.
DAWSON, JAMES, Howard township, farmer, post office,
Howard. He was born in Howard township, November 1,
1849. His father, John Dawson, died in July, 1858. His
grandfather died at the same place just one week previous.
James Dawsdn was married to Etta Critchfield in January,
1875, and commenced business on the old farm. He has two
children: Philip, born February 10, 1870; Catura, May 21,
1878. His mother lives with them.
DAY, STEPHEN, Union township, merchant, post office,
Gann. He was born in New Jersey in 1815, and came to Ohio
in 1830, and was engaged in farming on what is called the
George Freshwater farm, where he remained until his twenty-
first year; then removed to Rochester, Ohio; engaged in the
grocery business for one year. He was then engaged in a
flouring-mill at Roscoe, in Coshocton county, for one year. He
then moved back to the farm and remained there for five years;
then to Rochester; then to Oxford, Ohio; then back to the old
home, where he purchased the Miller farm, and remained there
for about five years. From there he went to Oxford and en
gaged in the mercantile business for two years, and then to the
old home again, where he remained until he sold it. He then
went to Mt. Holly, and bought the Hast farm. He then sold
the farm and went to Spring mountain, then returned to Mt.
Holly and lived there for a year. Then he purchased the
Draper farm, and lived there for five years, and then returned
for the last time to Mt. Holly, remained for one year, and then
went to Cambridge. April 25, 1870, he started for California in
company with his father, mother and wife; remained there for
three months. Then he removed to Bloomfield, Davis county,
Iowa, his wife remaining in California where his sons had set
tled. After going to a number of places he finally settled in
Gann, where he is at present doing business with his younger
son, selling dry goods, groceries, clothing, and doing a general
mercantile business.
DEAN, BENJAMIN, Wayne township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, born in Washington township, Richland county,
in 1851, and was married in 1873 to Amanda Rowe, who was
born in this township in 1848. Their children are James L.,
born April 2, 1875, and Charlie, October 23, 1878. Mr. Dean
came to this county in 1868. He is one of the leading farmers
of this township.
DEBOLT, REUBEN, Morgan township, farmer, born in
Morgan township, January 19, 1812. His father, Abraham
Debolt, was born and reared in Fayette county, Pennsylvania.
The family came from Germany, rear the river Rhine, but at
what time they came to America is not known. They settled in
Fayette county, Pennsylvania, whence a large connection has
sprung up. As a class they are industrious and well-to-do, be
ing mostly farmers. The fathar of the subject of this sketch
married Christiana Craiger, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania.
About 1805 they came to what is the southeast part of Morgan
township, where they lived and died.
The farm on which they first settled is owned by their son,
Washington Debolt, They had a fam% of eleven children,
one of whom died in infancy. The names were Isaac, Jacob,
Daniel, Mary, Samuel — the above have deceased. The living
are Michael, Reuben, Elizabeth, wife of George Clark, Wash
ington, John, Rachel, wife of A. J. Hoten.

650

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

The subject of this notice was reared in Morgan township,
and has always resided in the community, except nine years,
when a resident of Licking county. December 7, 1837, he mar
ried Sal ah French, who was born in Green county, Pennsylva
nia, in 1817, and came to Ohio with her parents. They had a
family of nine children, viz: Mary, wife of James Vanvoris;
William, Margaret E., Rachel, wife of Joseph .Henington;
Christiana, Emma H., wife of Samuel Hall, and Delia. Sarah
J . and David have died.
Mr. Debolt is a man of social qualities and an estimable citi
zen, a good farmer, and has tbe esteem of the community.
DELANO, HON. COLUMBUS, Mt. Vernon. Very few, if
any persons in Knox county have been so long and so inti
mately connected with the various business enterprises, the di
versified secular interests, the educational, moral, benevolent
and religious institutions, or who were more effective in move
ments that tended to give shape and direction to the affairs of
social life, and form the customs, manners, and habits of the
people, than Hon. Columbus Delano. For fifty years he has
been prominent in the politics of Knox county. Fifty years
ago he was admitted lo the bar, and soon attained to the posi
tion of an able lawyer and a popular politician.
Columbus Delano was a native of Shoreham, Vermont; born
there in 1809. In 1817, when a lad of only eight years, he was
brought to Mt. Vernon, where his home has since been, a period
of sixty-four years. He became a law student before reaching
full manhood, having previously been indefatigable at his stud
ies, and diligent in the acquisition of knowledge, and in storing
his mind with useful information. In 1831, just half a century
ago, he was admitted to the bar, and as his friends predicted,
soon became an eminently successful lawyer. His ambition,
talents, excellent habits and exemplary deportment gave assur
ance of success and distinction in his chosen profession, and his
early promise as a lawyer was fully realized in after years. He
became eminent as an advocate and criminal lawyer, and no
less so as a criminal prosecutor, for he became by popular elec
tion, soon after he was admitted to the bar, the prosecuting at
torney of Knox county. The prosecuting attorney became an
elective officer by act of the legislature in 1832, and Mr. Delano,
although a Whig, or rather a National Republican, was elected
to that office, in a county then decidedly and strongly Demo
cratic, which shows that he was then very popular with both
parties. Success continued to crown Mr. Delano's career as a lawyer
until 1844, when he became a candidate for Congress in the dis
trict composed of the counties of Knox, Licking, and Frank
lin. The Whig party had nominated Hon. Samuel White, of
Licking, as their candidaee, who had accepted the candidacy
and canvassed a portion of the district, before his death oc
curred. After due deliberation and consultation among the
leaders of the Whig party, it was decided to place Columbus
Delano on their ticket in place»of their deceased candidate,
Samuel White, who had been regarded as the most popular
Whig, as well as the ablest, in the district, which was generally
conceded to be Democratic by a few hundred majority. Col
onel Caleb J. McNulty was the candidate of the Democratic
party, and was considered the ablest political campaigner of
his party in the district. He and his competitor, White, were
well matched as orators before promiscuous assemblies. They
were, indeed, both men of remarkable force and ability as stump
orators, and the Whigs regarded it of paramount importance'

to select the ablest man they had in the district to conduct the
ampagn against McNulty. The canvas was fierce and of
doubt ul issuf , as was natural enough in so close a d.stnct, and
The result was not known until after the last township in the
district was heard from. Colonel McNulty, it turned out, did
not carry the entire vote of his party, and Mr. Delano received,
by some hundreds, more than the full Whig vote of the district.
and was elected a member of the Twenty-ninth Congress by the
central or capital district of Ohio, by a majority of twelve
votes. The popularity of Mr. Delano will appear more fully
in the light of the fact that the district, at the same election
gave to Governor Tod, the Democratic candidate, nine thou
sand six hundred and six votes; to Governor Bartley, the Whig
candidate, eight thousand, nine hundred and ninety votes, and
to L. King, the Abolition candidate, five hundred and twenty-
seven votes; giving Tod six hundred and sixteen majority Over
Bartley, and eighty-seven majority over both the Whig and
Abolition candidates.
Hon. Columbus Delano served on the committee on invalid
pensions, and made a vigorous speech against the Mexican
w ar, which was widely circulated.
In 1846 Mr. Delano came within two votes of receiving the
nomination of the Whigs for Governor or Ohio, William Bebb
being his succsseful competitor in the convention, and who was
also successful by a small majority.
Hon. Columbus Delano was a delegate to the National Con
vention at Chicago in i860, which nominated Abraham Lincoln
for President, and in that memorable campaign rendered yeo
man's service in behalf of the martyr President and the Repub
lican party generally.
In 1861 Mr. Delano was appointed commissary general of
Ohio, and filled the office with great success until the General
Government assumed the subsistance of all State troops. In
1862 he was a candidate for United States Senator, and on one
of the ballots in caucus lacked only two votes of the nomina
tion. In 1863 he was elected to the house of representatives
of Ohio, and was a prominent member of that body, taking a
leading part in shaping the important legislation of the State
during the last two years of the war.
Hon. Columbus Delano was a member of the National
Republican convention held in Baltimore in the year 1864,
serving as chairman of the Ohio delegation, and zealously sup
porting President Lincoln's renomination, and the nomination
of Andrew Johnson for Vice-President. In the same year he
was elected a member of the Thirty-ninth Congress, and served
as chairman of the committee on claims. In 1866 Mr. Delano
was a delegate to the Loyalists' convention, held in Philadel
phia. He was also a member of the Fortieth Congress, taking
his seat after a successful contest before the House of Repre
sentatives. After his election to Congress in 1864 Mr. Delano relin
quished the practice of his profession, and became extensively
engaged in sheep husbandry, agricultural pursuits, and in the
business of banking.
Mr. Delano, after the close -of his service as a member of the
Fortieth Congress, was appointed by President Grant commis
sioner of internal revenue, and in 1870 he received the appoint
ment of Secretary of the Interior, succeeding Governor T D
Cox, thereby becoming one of President Gnntv u- \,
.... . .. , .. . _ brants cabinet. He
tendered his resignation of this office in 1875 af,
five years, which was accepted by the President with Servlc,e
of satisfaction with the manner in which he perform d ^ressl°ns

E. W. DOWDS.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

6Si

that had devolved upon him, and with manifestations of regret
in view of his desire to retire from public life.
Since Mr. Delano's resignation of the honorable position of
Secretary of the Interior, he has lived in comparative retirement
among his early friends in Mt. Vernon, which for sixty-four years
he has called his home. There, amidst the elegance, the quiet,
the contentment of j well ordered home, among cherished
friends of earlier and later times, he enjoys the philosophic com
posure, the otium cum dignitate, the sage-like dignity, the leisuref
the retirement becoming one whose years of activity, of success,
of honor, have so largely outnumbered those of mankind gener.
ally; whose "ways of life'1 have been such as that his retrospec
tions would be pleasurable, be recalled with delight, and cher
ished with complacency.
Mr. Delano has led an active, useful, busy, laborious life, and
has merited and enjoyed success and prosperity in a large
measure. In peace and in war he has been patriotic; especially
was he the friend of his country in the perilous years of the
great Rebellion. Always the friend of Freedom and the enemy
of slavery, none more zealously supported emancipation. Tem
perate, and the friend of temperance; the supporter of educa
tion and good morals; the schools, colleges and churehes always
found in him an advocate. His recent large gift to Kenyon col
lege was the liberal act of a noble man.
DENNIS, ABRAHAM, deceased, Berlin township, was born
in New York; came to Knox county in 1865; he died in 1874.
He had four children: William H., Martha, Laura E., and
Philip H. Dennis. William died in Guernsey county, and left
a family of eight children. Martha died in Knox county in
1875. Laura E. Dennis and her nephew, Willard, are living on
the home place.
DENNY, JAMES A., was born in Jackson township April
4, 1840; he was married February 3, 1865, to Mary Ann Dugan.
They have had eight children, viz. : Leona, Leota, Maude, Guy,
Edith E,, Downey E., Leroy, one infant not named. Leona,
born November 22,11865; Leota, November 22, 1866, Maude,
January 15, 1867; Guy, July 2, 1870; Leroy, July 23, 1876;
Edith E., June 26, 1878; Downey E., April 2, 1880; infant not
named, April 21, 1874. Mr. Denny was a member of company
I, Eighty-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, and company F., One
Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry.
DEVER, BENJAMIN F., retired, Fredericktown, was born
in Knox county April 17, 1833, and was married November 20,
1859 to Sarah Pollock, who was born in Washington county,
Virginia, July 4, 1837. They have the following children, viz. .
Franklin H., born February 2, 1858; Alfred D., July 17, i860;
Eddie, August 19, 1862; and Robert R., April 9, 1865. Mr.
Dever has resided in Fredericktown for twenty-four years, and
has been engaged in buying and selling horses, he has also been
a drayman. Franklin H., has been engaged in the drag busi
ness for about six years, and is a good practical druggist. He
has been elected marshal of the town two terms and is now
constable of Morris township.
DEVOE, SAMUEL J., Pleasant township, son of Samuel
and Mariam Devoe, was born in Richland county, Ohio, No
vember 20, 1817. He came to Mt. Vernon in 1837, and com
menced working at the carpenter and joiner trade, with Blake
& Armstrong, and continued at his trade until 1856 or 1857;
he then engaged in the manufacture of doors, sash and blinds, at
Shannon's old buggy factory, which he operated successfully by

horse power, until about 1866, when he attached an engine to
his machinery and continued in the business until 1870 when his
factory was destroyed by fire, and since that date he has been
engaged in farming. On the twenty-sixth of February, 1842, he
married Miss Hannah Files, of Richland county, Ohio, who was
born in 1821. In the spring of 1843, they settled in Mt. Vernon
where they remained until 1866, when he purchased and moved
on the farm, where they are now living, situated on the Gambier
road, about one and one-half miles from Mt. Vernon. They
have a family of seven children, three sons and four daughters.
DEWITT, BENJAMIN W., farmer, Brown township, post
office, Jelloway, son of Jonathan and Mary Dewitt,, bom in
Richland township, Holmes county, where he was reared and
received a part of his education. He graduated in Madison
college, Guernsey county, in his nineteenth year; he then com
menced the teaching of school, which he continued for twenty-
one quarters, teaching seven quarters in one district. He also
taught vocal music in connection. On the eleventh day of No
vember, 1847, in his twenty-fifth year, he married Sarah A.
Workman, of Knox county, James S. Blair officiating. She was
the first daughter of S. C. and Mary Workman, born Septem
ber 6, 1828. After his maniage he moved upon a farm of his
father's in Holmes county, where he remained about one year.
While there he taught one term of school in the town of Millers
burgh during the winter season ; he then moved back to Knox
county, Brown township, locating on the farm where he now re
sides, which was then known as the McCall and Stokley lands.
By their marriage they became the parents of fifteen children :
Normanda E., born February 5, 1849; Squire E., August 11,
1850; James H., January 31, 1852; Jonathan C, April 1, 1853,
and died August 4, 1853; Mary E., October 17, 1854; Solomon
H., March 27, 1856; Sarah J., March 27, 1857, and died August
28, 1858; Priscilla S., August 8, 1859; Channing C, October
20, i860; Benjamin F., July 18, 1862, died August 28, 1862;
Osmer B. , July 18, 1863; Elma F., Semtember 3, 1865; Harriet
L., April 3, 1867; Susannah B., March 8, 1869, now dead;
William F., December 8, 1870, died April 15, 1871, Mr. and
Mrs. Dewitt and family are members of the German Baptist
church. DEWITT, SQUIRE E., Jefferson township, farmer, post
office, Jelloway, was born in Brown township in 1850. He was
married in 1873 to Melinda Shambaugh, who was born in Ash
land county, Ohio, in 1848. They had three children — Charles
Alpheus, born in 1874; Iva May, born in 1876; John H. O.,
born in 1879. Mrs. Melinda Dewitt died in 1879, in Jefferson
county. Mr. Dewitt is a farmer by occupation and an active
and enterprising man.
DETWILER, GEORGE W., Wayne township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in Richland county, Ohio, in 1845,
and was married in 1869, to Lydia Cassell, who was born in
Knox county. Mr. Detwiler has been a resident of this town
ship ever since he came from Richland county, and is one of its
active men. He was a soldier in the war, served out his time of
enlistment and received an honorable discharge.
DIAL ISAAC, retired farmer, >• resident of Monroe town
ship, this county, and a native of Pennsylvania, was born on
the twelfth day of October, 1797, and came with his parents,
George and Elizabeth Dial, to Ohio in 1800, who located near
Coshocton, and remained about two years. In 1802 they
moved to the Shrimplon prairies, near Millwood, this county.

652

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

They were living on the prairies when the first assessor came
around assessing the property, after Ohio became a State in
1803, where they lived about five years. In 1807 they moved to
Howaid township, this county, on the land owned by William
Hays, remained about one year, then, in 1808, moved on land
now owned by T. K. Head, in Harrison township, where they
lived during the War of 1812, and for several years afterwards.
In about 1817 the father of Mr. Dial moved to Holmes county,
Ohio, and remained about two years; in 1820 he returned to
this county, and remained a number of years, and then emi
grated to Illinois, where he deceased.
Mr. Dial was reared on a farm and has made farming his
principal vocation during his life. When he came to this county
a small boy, he spent many days at play with Indian boys. He
says many a wrestle he has had with the sons of the red man.
There were no white boys in the neighborhood that he could
have for playmates. Their neighbors were few and far apart.
Their nearest mill was at Zanesville, for several years, then the
Banningjuill was erected.
He was deprived of the privilege of obtaining an education in
his forest home, as schools were very scarce in those days.
In 1818, he cut wheat off of the ground where the Theolog
ical seminary now stands. Around the building where you now
see the trees standing, was at that time a cleared field. He
helped to erect the first house for Bishop Chase, which was a
hewed log structure, in which Warner Terry lived for several
years. January 20, 1818, he manied Nancy Durbin, born in 1794.
They settled in College township, where they remained about
nine years. In 1827 they moved on the T. R. Head farm, in
Harrison township, and remained five years. On March 14,
1832, he purchased the land on which he is now living, in Mon
roe township, erected a cabin, into which he moved his family
the same year. This served them as an abode for many years.
He then, erected his present frame residence on his farm. His
companion deceased May 24, 1873. They reared a family of
nine children — Maria, Lewis, William, Elizabeth, Miranda,
Benjamin, Matilda, George, and Rhoda E. William and Eliza
beth have deceased. Mr. Dial is still living and enjoying good
health for a man of his age.
DIAL, JAMES, College township, miller and farmer, son of
William and Rebecca Dial, was born in Knox county, Ohio,
March 26, 1834. He was reared to manhood on a farm. In
November, 1861, he enlisted in company K, of the Forty-third
Ohio volunteer infantry, under Captain William Walker. He
served three years and nine months and was discharged in
August, 1865; after the close of the war, and returned home.
In September, 1865, he commenced working in the Gain's grist
mill, and remained with them about two years; then, in 1868,
he purchased a one-fourth interest in the mill property, and con
tinued in that way about three years. In 1871 he became a one-
third partner, and in 1875 he bought a half interest in it,
which he retains. October 18, 1868, he manied Miss Catha
rine Lauderbaugh, born in College township in 1847, daughter
of John and Catharine Lauderbaugh, and settled where they
are now living. They have a family of three children, two sons
and one daughter. He followed farming in connection with
milling. DICKESON, ALFRED J., Gambier, son of Wells and Lu
anda Dickeson, was born in Monroe township, this county, on
the twenty-eighth day of February, 1842. In August, 1862, he

married Miss Mary O. Fobes, bom in Newcastle, Coshocton
county, Ohio, February 13, 1842, daughter of the Rev. D. L.
Fobes. They settled in Gambier, where they now reside. They
have three children: Francis H., Luella A. and Maria G.
In 1862 he enlisted in company B, of the Ninety-sixth Ohio
volunteer infantry, and served three years and was discharged
in 1865, after the close of the war. He was in the Thirteenth
army corps. He is a blacksmith by trade, and is carrying on
the business in Gambier. He is the partner in the Hart &
Dickeson carriage shops, and has charge of the ironing depart
ment. He also gives special attention to horse shoeing, and is
a first-class shoer.
DICKSON, JAMES, Wayne township, farmer, post office
Fredericktown, born in Knox county in 1846, and was married
in 187 1 to Mary Bricker, who was born in Knox county in
1850. They have one son, Ray B., born September 14, 1879.
His father, Samuel Dickson, was manied to Elizabeth Rood.
They had a family of six children. They were among the
earlier settlers of this county. Mr. Dickson died in this county
in 1870. Mrs. Elizabeth Dickson died in 1875.
DISNEY, MRS. HARRIET, was bom July 14, 1806, in
Anne Arundel county, Maryland. Her father's name was Jacob
Barry, a licensed local preaeher of the Methodist Episcopal
church. He was reared on South River, Maryland. His father,
Basil Bany, reared four children — Sally, Mordecai, Jacob and
Basil. Jacob and Basil, aged respectively twenty-one and eighteen,
went into the army of the United Colonies and were in the first
battles fought for American independence. Basil died of the
bloody flux while in the Northern army. Jacob was in the
army during the whole war, and for a while was a captain. He
received a wound in the under jaw, and about twenty-seven
small pieces of bone came out. At the close of the war he re
turned to South River, Maryland, and in 1786 Rev. Jacob
Barry married Miss Mary, daughter of William Disney. They
moved up to the Pine Woods and there they reared a family of
seven children — Elisha, Basil, Caleb, Mordecai, Jacob, Anna
Maria, and Harriet.
Elisha, Caleb, and Mordecai, were in the War of 1812, and
in the camp at Annapolis when "Washington was burned by the
British August 14, 1814. Basil and Mordecai were ordained
ministers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and were mem
bers of the Baltimore conference.
Rev. Jacob Barry, sr., died in March, 1830, and was buried
in the cemetery at the Sulphur Spring meeting-house, Mary
land. In the fall of 1831 Jacob Barry, jr., with his family, his
mother and sister Harriet, moved to Utica, Licking county,
Ohio. He had his wife and three little children, and this left
Harriet to caie for herself and her now aged mother. She
rented a house of Mr. Cornelius Vanausdal, where she and her
mother lived. April 25, 1833, she was married to Mr. Fred
erick J.J. Disney, by the Rev. Alfred Loraine, of the Metho
dist Episcopal church.
Frederick was born in Anne Arundel county, Maryland,
January 20, 1808. His father was William I. Disney; his mother
was Amelison, daughter of Jacob Elliott, and his grandfather
was James Disney. •,
William and Amelison were married in 1806, and reared
thirteen children, of whom Frederick was the oldest. In 1826
they, with their family, moved to Utica, Licking county, Ohio.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

653

At this time but six of this large family are living, representing
Ohio, Iowa and Kansas.
After Harriet Barry moved to Utica, Ohio, in 1831, she and
Frederick were married. In April, 1834, they moved to the
eighty acres of land in Milford township, which Frederick had
bought, and on which he had cleared about two acres. The log
cabin which they moved into was about sixteen by sixteen feet.
They were the first to organize a Methodist class in the settle
ment, and in their log cabin they had regular preaching, and
sometimes had a two days' meeting.
In 1840 they moved into the brick house now standing on the
northwest coiner of the farm, near where the cabin stood. Mr.
Disney was a great lover of education and very zealous in
pushing forward the educational interests in the settlement and
among the first to organize a school and to raise money for the
teacher. He was a strong Democrat and took an active part
in politics. For seven years in succession he was elected treas
urer of Milford township. F. J. J. Disney died May 17, 1854,
leaving a wife and nine children, the oldest not yet twenty. It
was his object to give his children a good education and make
pf them useful men and women.
The oldest child, Alfred W., was born in the fall of 1834, was
educated at Chesteiville, Ohio. At the age of twenty-two he
commenced the study of medicine under Dr. William Hayes,
sr. After completing his studies he went to Amity, Knox
county, Ohio, where he opened an office and practiced medicine
about one year. At the age of twenty-seven he married Miss
Mary A., daughter of Thomas Brown, of Liberty township.
Immediately after his marriage he went to La Rue, Marion
county, Ohio, where he practiced medicine with Dr. J. Cope-
land awhile, and then opened an office j)f his own. He was a
graduate of the Starling Medical college, Columbus, Ohio. In
the summer of 1875 he was taken sick, and on the twentieth of
September he died of typhoid fever, leaving a wife and three
little boys.
The second child, Larkin E., was bom in 1836. He received
a good education in the district school, and also in the Ohio
Wesleyian university, Delaware, Ohio. He studied dentistry
with Dr. McBriar, formerly of Mt. Vernon, now of Columbus,
Ohio, and in 1862 he went to Coshocton, Ohio, where he com
menced practicing his profession. In 1867 he married Miss
Anna Spangler, of that place. At the present time he and his
wife are in Peabody, Kansas. He is practicing dentistry.
The third child, Basil A,, received a fair education at home,
and also attended the school at Delaware, Ohio. He joined
the Methodist Episcopal church when very young, and at the
age of eighteen he received license to preach. He is a member
of the North Ohio conference, and now is stationed at Lorain,
Ohio. In 1869 he married Miss Hannah M. Hardee. They
have lost two children. He is now translating the New Testa
ment from the Greek to the English.
George R. is the fourth child. His education, in the com
mon branches, is good. At the age of twenty-one he married
Miss Clamanda E., daughter of Mr. William H. Hawkins, of
Milford township. By birth and practice he is a farmer; by oc
cupation, a carpenter. He has one child. His home is in
Milford township.
The next child is Mary A. She attended the district school
and received a liberal education. After she was grown she
fitted herself for teaching, and taught several terms of school.
In October, 1880, she was married to Mr. W. H. Orme, of
Hawleyville, Page county, Iowa, where she now resides.

Dorson V was born in July, 1844. He has a good educa
tion. For some time he was a travelling agent for the Ameri
can Bible society. He canvassed Knox and Coshocton counties,
and found many families without even a Testament. In 1874
he married Miss Mary C, daughter of Rev. C. C. Craven, of
the North Ohio conference. They have a small family, and
are living in Homer, Licking county, Ohio.
The seventh child, Henry B., received some education in the
district school. In August, 1867, he went to Baldwin uni
versity, Berea, Ohio, where he stayed one year. In the winter
of 1868-69 he taught his first school in the district where he
once attended. He taught school the next winter, and in the
spring of 1870 returned to college. At the close of the year he
graduated in the seminary course of the Sunday-school Normal
department, besides keeping up with his classes in other studies.
He is teaching his eighth term of school in Brandon, Ohio. His
home is with his mother.
Emily I., is the next child and the second daughter. She re
ceived some education in the district school, and for awhile
attended the Union school in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. When young
she was the pet of the family. She is now at home.
The ninth child, Finley, attended the district school; for
nearly a year he attended the normal school under Professor
John Ogden, in Worthing, Ohio. In the summer of 1879 he
went to the Musical Normal school in Youngstown, Ohio, under
the direction of Professor N. Coe Stewart, of Cleveland, Ohio.
For a number of years he has made the study of music a special
ity. He is the author of "Willie's Farewell," published in 1877,
and by it he has the honor of being the first resident of Knox
county who composed the words and music of a song and had it
published. At present he is with his mother in Milfordton.
Mrs. Haniet Disney is residing on the farm to which she and
her husband came in 1834. She joined the Methodist Episcopal
church when fourteen years of age, and has ever lived an exem
plary life. Her children are all members of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
DISNEY, WILLIAM A., farmer, Milford township, was
born in Anne Arundel county, Maryland, February 11, 1813.
His parents, William I. and A. Disney nee Elliott, came to Ohio
with a family of nine children and settled in Miller township, in
1825, where they remained about a year, then moved to Mil
ford, where they both lived and died. Six of their children are
living. The subject of this sketch spent his early life on the farm,
assisting his parents. When about eighteen years of age he
was apprenticed to learn the trade of blacksmithing, and
worked at his trade for a number of years, after which he en
gaged in farming, and which he yet follows. Mr. Disney's
reading has taken a wide range, he is therefore a man of exten
sive information. He was an ardent advocate of the principles
of the Abolition party. In 1836 he cast his vote for James G.
Birney, the Abolition candidate for President, and it was the
only ballot cast for him in the township. He acted with this
party until the forming of the Republican party, when he
helped organize that political party, since which time he has
acted with it. He married Miss Mary Jane Lampson, October
6, 1836, a daughter of Judson Lampson, a pioneer of Knox
county, of whom mention is made elsewhere. She was born
October 6, 1818. They had four children : Judson L. was a
member of company A, Ninety-sixth regiment Ohio volunteer
infantry, and died May 24, 1864, at New Orleans, while in the

654

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

service; Angeline, wife of Charles O. Poland; Louisa R., wife
of John R. Poland; Ada, married to John W. Walter.
DODD, STEVEN B., deceased, was born June 20, 1820, in
Washington county, Pennsylvania. He removed to Knox
county, Ohio, at an early age, and commenced the practice of
medicine in Martinsburgh in 1853. He was a very successful
physician. He was a graduate of the Physio-Medical college
of Cincinnati, and was married to Miss Sarah Ann Sinkey
September 7, 1841. Their children were: Abraham N., Ste
phen B. , Alfred M. and James F., all living except Abraham N.
James F. is agent for the Singer Sewing Machine company, and
does a good business.
Dr. Dodd died June 30, 1863. He had lived a consistent
Christian life, being a member of the Free Presbyterian church,
and elder for many years. Abraham Sinkey, father of Mrs.
Dodd, was born in Pennsylvania, and was married to Ann
Boyd Foster, 'of Maryland, who was aunt of President James
Buchanan and the celebrated poet, Stephen Foster. Mrs.
Sinkey died at Martinsburgh at the advanced age of ninety-
eight years.
DONAHEY, P. N. , Jackson township, merchant; post office,
Bladensburgh, was born in Jackson township June 4, 1843. He
was married to Miss Sophia M. Houck in August, 1869.
They have two ehildren: William, born May 11, 1871, and
Lotta, May 31, 1878. Mr. Donahey has resided in Tackson
township the principal part of his life. He went to Illinois in
August, 1874, where he was engaged both in school teaching and
the mercantile business. He returned to Ohio in July, r88o,
locating in Bladensburgh, where he is now engaged in the
grocery business, keeping a good stock of groceries and provis
ions on hand for his many patrons.
DOOLITTLE, S. R., merchant, and son of Philo Doolittle,
was born in Fredericktown, this county, in 1838. In 1865 he
came to Gambier, engaged in the mercantile business, and has
been actively engaged in that business since that time. He
constantly keeps on hand a full assortment of every thing in his
line, such as dry goods, groceries, notions, hardware, agricul
tural implements, etc.
DOTY, CHARLES, Pike township, farmer, post office, De
mocracy, born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1823, and was married
in 1854 to Ann Tharp, who was born in Wayne county in 1834.
They have two children — Elizabeth and Stanton W. Mr. Doty
came to this county in 1841, first located in Jefferson township,
and in 1872 came to this township. He is a farmer, owning a
good farm in this township.
DOUP, CONRAD, Pike township, blacksmith, post office,
Democracy, bom in Union township, Knox county, in 1839,
and was married in 1866 to Margaret Kirkpatrick, who was born
in this township in 1847. They had six children: John Sherman,
born in 1867; Frank W., born in 1869; Ada C, born in 1871,
died in 1872; Ava I., bom in 1873; Zara Clifton, born in 1876,
and Altha M. in 1879. He commenced the blacksmithing busi
ness in 1856, with his brother George, and has been engaged in
that trade ever since, except during the late war. He enlisted
in Captain James Drake's company H, Twenty-third regiment
Ohio volunteer infantry, continued in the service for over three
years, and was honorably discharged. He is now a resident of
Amity, and is one of the leading men of the place.
DOUP, LOUIS, Pike township, farmer, post office, Democ
racy, born in Union township, this county, in 1843, and was

married in 1866 to Lenah F. Smith, who was born in Johnson
county, Iowa, in 1847. They have six children — Martha (de
ceased), Byron, Elmer, Clara, Nancy, and Laura. Mr. Doup
was a soldier in the late war, a member of company H, Twenty-
third regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and was engaged with
this company for three years, when it was consolidated with
company G. He was in the war four years and three months,
and was a valiant soldier. His father, Conrad Doup, was born
in Germany in 1805, came to America in 1830, located in Knox
county in 1832. He was married to Catharine Best, who died
in 1832. His second maniage was to Catharine Hager, who
was born in Pennsylvania in 1809. They had nine children —
George, Daniel, Solomon, Conrad, Elizabeth (deceased), Louis,
Joseph, Barbara (deceased), William (deceased).
DOUP, FREDERICK, Butler township, was born in Ger
many, and came to America about forty years ago. He served
in the Mexican war and in the war of the Rebellion, proving a
gallant soldier. He is now a prosperous farmer of Butler town
ship. DOWDS, ELIJAH, Pike township, deceased ; was born in
Virginia in 1807. His parents emigrated to Ohio when he was
a child. He was first married to Nancy Wilson who was bom
in 1808. They had nine children, viz: Samuel N., Margaret,
Martha A., Elizabeth E., William B., Nancy J., Elijah P.,
Lucy E. , Sophia C. , and Mary A. Mrs. Nancy Dowds died in
1855. Mr. Dowds afterwards married Mary Ellen Barber, who
was born in this county in 1833. They had seven children, viz:
Wilson B., Joseph S., John H., Sheridan G., Charles C, Cor
nelius K., and Alva A. Two of the sons were in the late war.
William B. was a member of the Sixty-fifth O. V I. Elijah P.
was a soldier in the Twentieth regiment O. V. I., and was
killed in the battle of Raymond, Mississippi, May 12, 1863.
Mr. Dowds was an early settler of this county ; industrious,
economical, and succeeded in accumulating a good property.
He died June 7, 1879.
DO WD, SAMUEL N., Monroe township, farmer and stock
grower, son of Elijah and Nancy Dowds, nee Wilson, was born
in Monroe township, this county, November 4, 1829 ; was
reared on a farm, and has made farming his vocation through
life. October 22, 1855, he married Miss Eliza A. Popham, of
Pike township, this county, born in 1841, daughter, of Samuel
and Elizabeth J. Popham. They settled in Monroe township
on a farm where they now reside. They have a family of nine
children, three sons and six daughters.
DOWDS, WILLIAM B., Monroe township, farmer, son of
Elijah W. and Nancy Dowds, nee Wilson, was born in Monroe
township, this county, July 4, 1837. He was reared on a farm
and has made farming his vocation. In 1859 he married Miss
Julia A. Hersh, born in November, 1835, daughter of John and
Rebecca Hersh. They settled in Monroe township, remained
until in 1863, when they moved to Pike township, this county,
where they remained until 1875 or I87f>, when he purchased and
moved on the farm in Monroe township, where they are now
living. They have a family of eight children, two sons and six
daughters. He served about thirteen months in the war of
1861, having enlisted August 11, 1862, in company B, Ninety-
sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, and served until April 3, 1863,
when he was honorably discharged from the service, on account
of sickness, and returned hoine. In 1864 he enlisted in com
pany F, of the One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio volunteer

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

6SS

infantry, for one hundred days, served out his time and was dis
charged, and returned home again,
DOWLER, B. F., St. Louis, Missouri, dealer in horses,
Nos. 20 and 21 Market street; born in Knox county, Ohio,
in 1830, and was married in 1850 to Miss Hannah Rodgers,
who was born in Wayne township, this county, in 1830. They
have two children, Adelpha and Freddie. Mr. Dowler has been
quite extensively engaged in buying and shipping horses from
this county to eastern States and cities. He has moved to St.
Louis, owns two farms near the city, and still continues shipping
horses. DOYLE, JAMES, Ml. Vernon, deceased, a native of Ireland,
was bom in the spring of 1806, in the parish of Femes, town
and county of Wexford. In 1833 he entered the Government
employ under contracts for building Government wharfs and
piers in the different harbors along the Irish coast. On the first
day of January, 1836, while in Liverpool, England, he entered
the British navy as a volunteer, and was transferred to the royal
mail service as a boatman, and stationed at Kingstown, Ireland.
A great amount of the work required of him while in the mail
service was necessarily performed during the night time. The
mail ships that carried the great mail between London and
Dublin, made no stop at Kingstown, where he was stationed,
and the boat service was sometimes one of great danger. It
was often with great difficulty that the boat, in darkness and
amidst mountain waves, was enabled to reach the shore. Twice
while In this service he received slight bodily injuries. He was
discharged from the mail service by the board of admiralty,
after serving faithfully for fifteen years, February 20, 1851. The
reason assigned for the discharge was that the mail service was
transferred by the Government to that of a private company.
In all making about eighteen years of his life spent in the ser
vice of- the British Government.
In 1851 he with wife and family emigrated to America and
located in Massillon, Stark county, Ohio, remained about six
years, then, in April, 1857, he came to this county and settled
in Mt. Vernon, where he passed the remainder of his days.
About thirty-three years of his life were spent in performing
night duty, including naval and civil life. After his coming to
Ohio he was employed as a night watchman, both while living
in Massillon and in Mt. Vernon. As a night watchman at the
Buckingham foundry he remained for many years. He married
Miss Mary Harney, of Ireland, born in 1817. They had nine
children, five of whom were born in Ireland and four in Amer
ica. The first born died and and was buried in Ireland, and
two others breathed their last in America. The other six are
still living. Two of their sons. John M. and Philip E. Doyle,
served as private soldiers in the late war; John M. was in the
Sixty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, served until the close of the
war, returned home and is now residing in Mt. Vernon; by
trade he is a machinist in the shops of the John Cooper's man
ufacturing company. Philip E. served about three years in the
Eighteenth United States regulars. He returned home at the
expiration of his term of service, and now resides in Leadville,
Colorado. Patrick, their youngest, is a moulder by trade and is now
living in Mansfield, Ohio, having been employed by Aultman &
Taylor several years. Mr. Doyle departed this life April 12,
1880. Mrs. Doyle is still living in rigorous old age.
Of the parents of Mr. Doyle but little can, at this late date
be learned. He is a son of Philip Doyle, who married a Miss

Brennon, of Wexford, Ireland, about the year 1798, just after
the suppression of the great Irish rebellion.
Seven children were born to them, one of which was James,
the subject of this sketch.
DUNBAR, WILLIAM, attorney, Mt. Vernon, was born in
Mifflinsburgh, Northumberland, now Union, county, Pennsyl
vania, January 31, 1806. He came of revolutionary stock. His
grandfather was commissary to General Washington at Valley
Forge. His parents, with a family of nine children, came to
Ohio in 1814, and settled in Columbiana county, where they re
mained some two years, and then moved to Stark county, Can
ton, where they lived and died. He is of Scotch and German
extraction, his father being Scotch and his grandmother Ger
man. He learned the trade of carpenter, at which he worked
for some years. He taught school for several terms. He was "
appointed postmaster at Canton during the administration of
Amos Kendall, postmaster general, December 24, 1835. He
resigned the office about 1837.
At about that time, 1834, he purchased the Stark County
Democrat, and from the work bench he became editor and post
master. After he resigned the post office he threw his whole
energy into the work, and in a short time the circulation of his
paper was largely increased. The majority of his party was
also increased from one hundred and fifty to nine hundred. He
met with exceedingly bitter opposition, but wielded his pen with
such force as to rout his enemies. He was elected county
treasurer in the fall of 1839, after one of the fiercest straggles in
the politics of the county, coming out with eleven of a majority.
He was again elected at the expiration of his first term, without
opposition. He sold his paper in the winter of 1839. He com
menced reading law while in the treasurer's office, and was ad
mitted to practice in the courts of Ohio in 1842, and in August,
1847, was admitted to practice in the United States courts. In
November, 1847, Mr. Dunbar moved to Knox county and loca
ted in Mt. Vernon, and has since practiced his profession. In
1854, during the Know-Nothing epidemic, he was nominated
for Congress, but was defeated.
Mr. Dunbar purchased the Mt. Vernon Banner office No
vember, 1847, and was editor and proprietor of the same until
the fall of 1852, when he sold the paper to Mr. E. J. Ellis.
When he first came to Mt. Vernon he entered into law part
nership with Hon. John K. Miller, which continued until the
failing health of Mr. Miller caused him to retire from business.
A partnership was also formed with Judge John Adams, and
also a law partnership with General H. B. Banning, which con
tinued until the general went into the army.
October 2, 1827, Mr. Dunbar was married to Miss Harriet
Tofler, of Canton. They have had eleven children, seven of
whom are living, five sons and two daughters. The living are:
Caroline, William B., (assistant treasurer of Knox county);
Homer J., at Fremont, Ohio; Edward L., Pittsburgh, Pennsyl
vania; Robert P., Fremont, Ohio; George M., Mt. Vernon, and
Hattie, teaching in blind asylum, Columbus, Ohio. The de
ceased are: Albina, died in 1862; John E., Limerick, and
Julia, died when young.
DUDGEON, SIMON (deceased). The subject of this
sketch was born in Ireland, county Donegal, June 3, 1776,
where he was reared, and lived until 1802 (being twenty-six
years of age), when he sailed for America, landing in the city of
New York, he having but one English shilling left, which he
soon parted with to have his shirt washed. From New York

6S6

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

city he went to the State of Connecticut, where he remained
and worked a short time. From there he came back to Dela
ware county, New York, and hired to perform labor by the
month, on a farm, where he remained but a short time, after
wards engaging in the lumbering business, continuing at it until
the year 1810, when he came to what is known as Harrison
township, Knox county, where he entered three quarter sections
of land, and afterwards sold one quarter-section to his brother
Moses, in order to get money to improve the balance. After
this he went to Washington county, Pennsylvania, and there, in
September, 1811, he married Nancy Elliott, daughter of Charles
and Jane Elliott, born in Ireland in 1791. After his marriage
(in October, 1811) he returned to Knox county and moved upon
his land, which was all a dense forest at that time, and erected
, himself a small tent, covering the same with sheets, to shelter
himself and wife from the storm and the wild animals that in
fested the country at that time. He then proceeded to cut logs
and build a cabin, which he and his wife soon occupied. He
then proceeded to clearing his land and getting it ready for
cultivation. ' In this labor he was engaged from year to year
until he became the owner of a fine farm. In the meantime he
kept purchasing land until he was the owner of seven hundred
and twelve acres, which at his death was divided among his
sons and daughters. There were born to Simon Dudgeon and
Nancy Elliott ten children as follows : Jane, Thomas, Charles,
Moses, David, William, Simon, Mary, John, and Andrew,
eight ot whom are now living.
The subject of this sketch died June 2, 1845, in his sixty-ninth
year; his companion survived him till December 14, 1859, when
she died, aged nearly sixty-nine years.
DUDGEON, MOSES, farmer and stock-raiser, post office
Gambier; fourth son of Simon and Nancy Dudgeon, born in
Harrison township, Knox county, January 31, 1818, where he
was reared and enured to the hardships of a pioneer life.
The subject of this sketch remained with his father until the
age of twenty-six years, when his father gave him a quarter
section of land in Allen county, which he owned about three
years, when he exchanged it for an interest in the old homestead
in Knox county, where he at present resides.
December 26, 1844, he was united in marriage with Hannah,
a daughter of Benjamin and Mary Devare, born in Cumberland
county, Pennsylvania, where she was reared until at the age of
eight years, when her parents both died. She was then brought
to Knox county by Daniel Sawyers, with whom she lived.
Mr. Dudgeon is at present the owner of two hundred and
forty acres of land, and has also held quite a number of offices
of trust in said county and township,;being county commis
sioner, justice of the peace, and treasurer.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Dudgeon resulted in five children,
as follows: Marvin, Lyman, Mary, Simon, and Angie, who are
all living.
DUDGEON, DAVID, farmer and wool-grower, post office
Gambier; fourth son of Simon and Nancy Dudgeon, born in
Harrison township, Knox county, April 11, 1820. He received
an education, and at the age of twenty-one years he went to
Allen county, and remained about five years, In 1845, when in
Allen county, he purchased two hundred acres of land, then
came back to Knox county, and then went to farming for his
mother. About a year after returning home he sold his land in
Allen county to his brother Thomas, for the sum of nine hun
dred ^dollars, aud then purchased a share in the home-place,

where he continued to remain and farm, purchasing shares in
the home-farm. This he continued about eight years, by which
time he had become the owner of three hundred and fifty acres.
On Febmary 10, 1848, he was united in marriage with Mary
J., a daughter of Asa and Catharine Freeman, bom in Knox
county, Butler township, August 2, 1831. Their union resulted
in eleven children, viz: Martha, Eunice, Ann, Lydia, William,
Jessie (died May 21, 1863), Andrew, Caroline, Lee, Reuben, and
Jane. In April, 1880, he purchased seventy-four acres in Pleasant
township, Knox county, at a cost of three thousand seven hun
dred dollars, which he deeded to his daughter, and which she
now occupies.
DUKE, WILLIAM, marble cutter, Fredericktown, was born
in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1849. He came to
Ohio in 1863. He commenced the manufacture of gun stocks
with Hoover & Fisher, and worked at that business till 1865.
In 1871 he went to Newark, Licking county, and engaged in
the manufacture of tombstones. He was married in Newark in
1874 to Emma J. Sasser, who was bom in St. Louis. They
have two children, viz.: Luther James, born November 22,
1874; Cora Mabel, March 17, 1877. Mr. Duke came to Fred
ericktown April i, 1879, and is engaged with John Getz in the
manufacture of monuments and tombstones. He is a good me
chanic, and an active citizen of the county.
DUN, J., farmer, Howard township, post office, Howard'
was born in Wheeling, Virginia. His father came to this county
in the early days of his son's life, and died shortly after. Mr.
Dun has lived all his life in Knox county. He was married in
1865 and settled in Howard township. He had five children,
two of whom died in iufancy, and the other three are still living.
DUNCAN, JAMES, JR., teacher, Fredericktown, was born
in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1846; came to Ohio in 1857,
and was married in 1871 to Lucy A. Mitchell, who was born in
Richland county, Ohio, in 1848. They have two children —
Cloyd, born in 1873, and Bessie, born in 1875. Mr. Duncan
was educated at Washington and Jefferson college. He is now
superintendent of the union schools, of Fredericktown. He
enlisted in the late war as a member of One Hundred and
Forty-second regiment, Ohio National guard, and served out
his time and received an honorable discharge.
DUNCAN, WILLIAM H., mechanic, Union township;
post office, Gann. He was bom March 7, 1829, in Baltimore,
Maryland. At twelve years of age he enlisted in the United
States navy, remained five years, and then went to Cincinnati
and remained five years. He then went to the Mexican war
aud was gone two years. After being discharged, he went to
Cincinnati, and then to Baltimore, then to Mt. Vemon, and
worked at his trade eighteen months. In 1855 he was married
to Miss Swats, and settled in Mt. Holly, and remained there
until the Rebellion, when he went out with Colonel H. B. Ban
ning, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry,
and remained until the close of the war. Since that time he
has paid strict attention to the boot and shoe business. He
was married to Miss E. Johnson in 1865, and she only lived
about ten years after. In 1877 he manied Miss H. Comstock.
He has the following children: William, Margaret, Louisa,
Margaret, Benjamin, Ira M., Cora Lee, and Lucy Fisher. . His
grandchild, Viola Minnie, is living with him.
DUNCAN, JAMES SR., Fredericktown, retired farmer, was

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

657

born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, January 6, 1806,
and came to Ohio in 1837. He was married, in 1841, to Mary
McKowen, who was born in Virginia in 1814. They had the
following family, viz.: Thomas, born July, 3, 1842; George,
born April 3, 1844; James, jr., born May 5, 1846; Albert, born
April 19, 1848; Charles, born November 11, 1849; Mary, born
May 26, 1851; Charles Albert, born June 26, 1854; Norris, born
November 11, 1856.
George died November, 1862; Thomas died in Wayne town
ship January n, 1861; Albert Charles and Charles Albert died
in Pennsylvania; Norris in Ohio.
Mary Duncan was married to W. H. Lane, and resides at
Lindsey. Mr. Lane is engaged in the practice of medicine at
that place.
Mr. James Duncan, sr., was a farmer by occupation, and has
lived in this township since 1857. In 1868 he moved to Fred
ericktown, and has always been one of its enterprising citizens.
DUNHAM, WILLIAM E., Wayne township, farmer, post
office, Mt. Vernon, born in Clinton townsnip in 1831, and was
married to Martha King, who was born in Knox county. They
have the following family: Clarence, born December 25, 1853;
.Clara, born in 1856; Jefferson, February, 1862; Delia, October,
1863, and Alna, January, 1875.
Clarence died May 25, 1854; Clara died May 10, 1872.
Mr. Dunham came to this township with his parents in 1832,
and since then has been a resident of this county. He has ac
cumulated by industry and frugality, a very handsome property,
consisting of a fine residence with a well improved farm. He
was elected treasurer of Knox county in the fall of 1871 by a
large majority, and filled the position with honor and credit to
himself and to his party. The vote of his own township, which
is Republican by about one hundred majority, gave Mr. Dun
ham a majority of one hundred and ten.
DUNHAM, JACOB, deceased, a native of New Jersey,
and a soldier of the Revolution, was born on the ninth day of
October, 1757. He married Miss Sarah Outcelt in 1787, bom
in New Jersey August 21, 1767. They settled in New Jersey,
where they remained until 1820, when he, with his wife and
family, emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, and located in Morris
township ; where they lived about seven years, and then moved
on a farm in Clinton township in 1827. In 1829 he purchased
and moved on the farm now known as the Dunham homestead,
and owned by their son, Jacob Dunham, in the same township,
where he deceased July 6, 1839. His wife died in 1859, aged
ninety-two years and some months. They reared a family of
eight children: Lydia, born in New Jersey July n, 1791;
Jemima, in New Jersey May 5, 1795; John, in New Jersey Au
gust 9, 1797; Hiram, in New Jersey March 3, 1798; Jacob, in
New Jersey November 6, 1802; Jehu, September 10, 1803;
Frederick, in New Jersey February 15, 1807, and Margaret, in
New Jersey November 14, 1810.
All of the above named are deceased except Jacob, who is
living on the old home farm, at the age of seventy-eight years,
highly esteemed by all that know him.
DUNN, JOHN, Brown township, farmer, and a son of
George and Alice Dunn, was born in Licking county, Ohio,
March 26, 1834. His early life was spent on a farm. In 1857
he manied Miss Elizabeth Divan, of Licking county, and
settled there. Their union resulted in one child — a daughter.
His companion deceased in 1859.
In 1864 he came to Jelloway, this county, where he married

Miss Mary E. Tilton, of Jefferson township, in October, 1864,
daughter of Josephus and Sabina Tilton, born in 1842. They
settled near Jelloway, and remained until 1864, when he pur
chased and moved on the farm, where they now reside in Brown
townshship, about three-fourths of a mile northeast of Jelloway.
They have a family of five children — three sons and two daugh
ters. He has made farming his vocation through his life.
DURBIN, SAMUEL, Fredericktown, deceased; was born
in Pennsylvania about the year 1780, and married to Rebecca
Collins, who was born in 1783. They had the following chil
dren, viz: John, Thomas, Elizabeth, Clemency, James, Sarah,
Charity, Margaret, and Samuel. He came to Fairfield county
at a very early day and afterwards to Morris township, this
county, in 1808. He was the fourth settler in this township,
and cut his road from Mt. Vernon and cleared and improved
the farm (now the Grant farm) in this township. Mr. Durbin
died April 22, 1822.
DURBIN HENRY P., Morris township, fanner, post office,
Mt. Vernon ; was born in Clinton township in 1842, and mar
ried in 1864 fo Mary Chilcoat, who was born in Pennsylvania,
Huntingdon county, December 4, 1837. They have the follow
ing children: Thomas E., born January 23, 1866; Jessie A.,
born September 9, 1870; Rhoda E., born April 9, 1873; Willie
R., born November 28, 1874; Miles S., born November 26,
1878. Mr. Durbin has resided on his present farm in Morris
township fifteen years.
DURBIN, BAPTIST, deceased, Union township, was born
in Maryland in February 1816. He emigrated to Belmont
county, Ohio, in 1825, where he manied Miss Catharine King,
in November, 1825. She was born in Belmont county, Ohio,
and is the daughter of J ohn King. They settled in Belmont
county; remained until 1832, when they moved to Knox county,
and located in Howard township, on a farm two miles north of
Howard village, where they passed the remainder of their days.
His wife died in August 1854. He survived her until July 26,
1878. They reared a family of eleven children: John, Benjamin,
Jane, William, Mary, Trecy, Sarah C, Margaret, Baptist, Al
exander, and Emma C. All are now living except Baptist who
died in 1874.
DURBIN, JOHN, farmer, Union township, the oldest son of
Baptist and Catharine Durbin, was born in Belmont county,
Ohio, August 26, 1862, and came with his parents to Knox
county, Ohio, in 1832.
He was reared a farmer and has made farming and stock rais
ing, his principal vocation. He commenced working at the
carpenter and joiner trade, at the age of twenty-one years, and
has followed that business to some extent in connection with
farming. In April, 1852, he married Miss Lucinda Sapp, born
in Union township, Knox county, May 11, 1831, daughter of
Levi and Mary Sapp, nee Colopy. They settled in Union
township on the Sapp homestead, where the lived a few years,
and after living on several farms in Union township, he pur
chased, in i860, and moved on the faim where they are now
living, one-half mile north of Danville. At this time he owns
three farms, one in Jefferson township, one in Howard, and the
one he is living on in Union township. They have ten children,
five sons and five daughters. He filled the office of township
treasurer four years.
DURBIN, BENJAMIN, Union township, farmer, second
son of Baptist and Catharine Durbin, was bom in Belmont

6S8

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

county, Ohio, May 8, 1828. On the nineteenth day of Janu
ary, 1858, he married Miss Margaret, daughter of William and
Bridget McNamara, born October 20, 1833. They settled in
Howard township, Knox county; remained until 1864, when he
purchased and moved on the farm where they are now living,
in Union township, one-half mile north of Danville. They
have four children, one son and three daughters. He was
brought up a farmer, and has followed farming and stock rais
ing. At present he owns two farms, one in Jefferson, besides
the one he is living on in Union township.
DURBIN, RAPHAEL, Howard township, farmer, post
office Howard. He was born October 26, 1834, in Bedford
county, Pennsylvania. In 1845 he moved to Knox county and
settled in Howard township. He was married April 16, 1861,
and a short time afterwards settled on his farm. His father
died in 1852 and his mother in 1873. They have nine children,
Mary, Anna, Charles, Joseph, John, Margaret, William, Fran
ces and Leo.
DURBIN, PETER, Howard township, farmer, post office
Howard. He was born in Alleghany county, Maryland, Janu
ary 31, 1835. His father came to Ohio in 1843 and died in
1852. His mother died in 1873.
They raised ten children, who are settled in Howard township:
Marion, Susan, Rachel, Peter, Simeon, John, Margaret, George
Benedict, and Pius. They now own six hundred acres of good
farming land.
DURBIN (DAWSON), MRS. RACHAEL, post office,
Howard, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in
1822, and came to Knox county in 1836 with her father, and
settled on the L. Pealer farm. She was married to John Daw
son April 1, 1846. Mrs. Dawson and her husband lemained on
the old farm nntil 1859 when they came to their present farm.
Mr. Dawson died July 1, 1855, and left Mrs. Dawson with two
children, James and Louisa, who still remain with her. Mrs.
Dawson's father died in 1838, and her mother lived with her
until 1869, when she too passed away.
DYE, VINCENT E., blacksmith, Middlebury township, post
office, Levering; born in Richland county, June 15, 1841, and
was married November 13, 1874 to Ellen M. Smith, who was
born September 3. 1848, in Coshocton county, Ohio. They have
two children.'viz. : Clyde L., born January 30, 1875; Earl W.,
January 14, 1878. Mr. Dye learned blacksmithing with David
Paxton, and has been engaged in that business ever since he
came to Waterford in 1874. He does custom work and is a first
class workman, as all can testify that have employed him.
DURBIN, THOMAS, Howard township, farmer, post office,
Howard, was born March 29, 1849, in Howard township. His
father, Basil Durbin, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to
Knox county in 1830, and moved to the farm where his son now
lives, in 1850. He died July 5, 1865, and left his little home to
his son Thomas Durbin, who was married to Hattie Porter, Oc
tober 27, 1879. Thomas Durbin's mother was born in Balti
more county, Maryland, in 1806, and came here in 1826. She
still remains with her son, but is very feeble.
DUSENBERRY, WILLIAM, was born in Bethlehem town
ship, Coshocton county, Ohio, November 2, 1840. In 1867 he
removed to Butler township. April 4, A. D. 1867, he was mar
ried to Matilda A. Schrimplin. They have had eight children,
viz: Jackson, born Febmary 24, i860; Ida Annis, January 24,
1870; Fannie Alice, August 9, 1871; Rose Ellen, October 9,

1872; Romaine, November 24, 1876; Sarah L. , March, 1879.
Two dead not named.
Mr. Dusenberry was a member of company K, Thirty-second
Ohio volunteer infantry, Colonel Thomas H. Ford command
ing, during the war of the late rebellion.

EBERSOLE, JOHN, was born in Lancaster county, Penn
sylvania, June 10, 1786. He made a visit to Knox county,
Ohio, in 1812, to see his parents, who were living here on a farm
north of town, in Middlebury township. He then returned to
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in milling.
He was married in the fall of 1824 to Miss Mary Ann Johnson,
and removed to Ohio in the fall of 1825, and lived in the house
with his parents that winter. In the spring of 1826 he removed
to his farm in Morris township, containing two hundred acres
that his father had purchased for him. He erected a cabin to
live in, and a log barn and smoke-house; the latter is still stand
ing. In 1834 his wife died, leaving him with three small chil
dren, the eldest eight years of age, viz. : Elizabeth, Matilda, and
Rebecca. Elizabeth was bom in Lancaster county, Pennsylva
nia. He never married again after his wife died, but removed
to his mother's, north of town, and lived there one year, and
then returned to his farm, where he spent the remainder of his
days. He was industrious, economical and frugal in his habits.
A friend contributes the following memorial sketch of Mr.
Ebersole: John Ebersole (Uncle John, or Dutch Johnny, as he was called
by us boys since about 1840) was a very peculiar man. His
greatest peculiarity was his being strictly honest and considering
everybody so until he found them otherwise. He was an easy
man to do business with as long as there was no deception
practiced on him ; but the man who would decieve him once
never would have an opportunity to do so again, as he would
never do business with him again on any terms. If he was a
man's friend he was a firm one; if he was not'his friend, he
would have nothing to do with him. He was a man of few
words. We venture to say that no man ever lived in Morris
township as many years as he did, who had the power of speech,
who talked less than he did. The writer has been in his com
pany for hours that he did not speak. We remember going to
see him once on business, and seeing him in a field near the road
whetting his old Jerusalem-bladed scythe, we hastened on to get
there before he started in. We accosted him — "Good morning,
Unclejohn; I came down to see about  ." He said not a
word; stuck his whetstone into its'place and swung his broad
bladed scythe into grass, and all we had to do was to wait pa
tiently until he mowed across the field and back, when he at
tended to the business without further ceremony. Another time
we visited him on business and addressed him as usual and told
him our business just as he laid up a sheep to shear it; as soon
as that sheep was sheared we got an answer, and a favorable
one, as no man granted favors more readily than he did to those
who treated him as he deserved.
EBERSOLE, WILLIAM, farmer, Monis township; post
office, Fredericktown; was born in Knox county in 1831, and
married m 1866 to Matilda Ebersole, who was born in this
county in 1827. Mr. Ebersole owns an improved farm with
good buildings. He enlisted September 11, 1862; was a mem
ber of company G, One Hundred and Twenty-first regiment

ELIZABETH EBERSOLE.

JOHN EBERSOLE.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

659

Ohio volunteer infantry, and was honorably discharged January
8, 1865.
His father, John Ebersole, deceased, was born in Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, in 1786, and was married to Mary A.
Johnson, who was born in the same county, same State.
They had three children — Elizabeth, Matilda, and Rebecca.
John Ebersole died in 1873. His wife, Mary, died in 1832.
They located in this county in 1812.
EBERSOLE, JACOB C, farmer, Fredericktown, wis bom
in Wayne township, this county, June 1815; was married No
vember 23, 1837, to Harriet Worthington, who was born in
Virginia. They had four children to-wit: Elizabeth, born
September 8, 1838; George W., March 7, 1840; John D., Feb
ruary 10, 1844, and Sheridan O. Mrs. Harriet Ebersole died
August 15, 1850. Mr. Ebersole was afterwards married to
Caroline M. Stevens, who was born in New York. They have
two daughters, viz: Sarah E., bom November 29, 1851, and
Harriet B., February 16, 1855.
Mr. Ebersole settled on an improved farm where W. Coursen
now resides, in Middlebury township. He moved to Frederick-
town in 1854; has been street commissioner in this place twenty-
two years, and is a member of one of the pioneer families of
the county.
EBERSOLE, DAVID, farmer, Wayne township; post office,
Fredericktown; born in Knox county in 1834, and was married
in 1863 to Elizabeth Kreider, who was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, in 1828. They have the following chil
dren: Rosalia E., born November 19, 1865, and Charles D.,
June 23, 1873.
His father, John Ebersole, was born in Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, in 1788 and came to Knox county, Ohio, in 1814.
. He was married May 5, 1812, to Elizabeth S. Kreider, who was
born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, in 1796. They had
the following family: Jacob G, born June 18, 1815; Eliza,
December 14, 1818; John E., July 12, 1820; Joseph D., Febru
ary 15, 1823; Emily, December 11, 1826; Jefferson, May 14,
1828; William, July 26, 1831; David, August 19, 1834, and.
Henry, November 19, 1837. William Ebersole was a soldier in
the late war — a member of company G, Ohio volunteer infantry,
and received an honorable discharge.
EDWARDS WILLIAM E., physician. He is the son of
Moses and Catharine Edwards, he was born near the town of
Union Bridge, Carroll county, Maryland, in 1827, came to Ohio
with his father's family in 1832, lived in Coshocton county four
years, came to Knox county in 1836. He was married to
Sarah Paulina Heath, of Richland county. His father died
when he was young. He supported the family until twenty-five
years of age; he then engaged in the study of medicine with
Dr. Aaron Edwards and attended lectures at the University
of Michigan, commenced practice in Putman, Muskingum
county, in the spring of 1855, came to Fredericktown in the fall
of 1859, removed to Amity, this county, remained there twelve
years, then returned to this place with his family, two sons and
one daughter. He joined the Methodist Protestant church,
afterwards united with the Methodist Episcopal church and is
still a member; also a member of the Independence Division
Sons of Temperance, also Ellicott Lodge 267, I. O. Q. F.,
also No. 170 F. & A. M.
EDWARDS, McKENDRE TREMONT, deceased, son of
W. E. and Sarah P. Edwards, was born in this place on the
36

thirteenth day of March, 1856; removed to Amity, this county,
with his father's family, when in his third year, in 1859; remained
there twelve years and returned to this place in 1871. In the
spring of 1872 he went into the office of the Fredericktown
Independent to learn the printing business, under the direction
of W. S. Ensign, now of the Cardington Independent. He con
tinued in that office when it passed into the possession of Dr.
C. W. Townsend, and until the paper suspended, when he went
to Cincinnati, where he remained a few months, and in 1875 he
returned to this place, purchased the material of the Independent
office, and on the twelfth day of June, 1875, he issued the first
number of the Fredericktown Free Press, starting in business in
his nineteenth year, => poor boy, without influence, money, or
more than a common school education. As a journalist he was
complimented by his patrons and brother journalists as a
success. He continued to issue his paper until September 24,
1880. On the twenty-eighth day of September, 1876, he was married
to Ada J., daughter of Abram and Mary Stephens, of this
place. On the twelfth day of June, 1877, they were given
a son, William Morris Edwards. On the nineteenth day of
March, 1878, his wife died of consumption. In 1876 he was con
verted and joined the Methodist Episcopal church, under the
labors of Rev. J. A. Kellam, but he wandered from his father's
house and fell among thieves, and they stripped him and left
him for dead; when he "came to himself," and discovered his
destitution, he started back, and the father met him while yet a
great way off, and he fell on his neck and kissed him, and his
end was peace.
He was a member of Ellicott Lodge No. 267, I. O. O. F., and
Washington Camp No. 33, P. O. S. of A.
EDGAR, J. K., deceased, Pike township; born in Washing
ton county, Pennsylvania, in 1818, and was married in 1846 to
Elenor Chiddister, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in
1826. They had five children: Orlando P., born in 1847; Wil
liam M., in 1848; Auretta J., in 1851; Miranda O. , in 1856
deceased; and Frank C, in i860.
Mr. J. K. Edgar was a soldier in the late war, a member of
company B, Ninety-sixth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and
remained in the service until his health became impaired. While
in the war he contracted a disease of which he died at his home
in Amity, January 18, 1865, at the age of forty-six years and
six months. He was a brave soldier and a Christian, and was
highly respected by all who knew him. He was a member and
an exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal church, but afterward
joined the Disciple church, and was an official member of that
church until his death. His widow, with her son, Frank C,
lives in Amity.
EDWARDS, C. W., Fredericktown, dealer in stoves, tin
ware, and job work, was born in Fredericktown, Ohio, in 1838,
and was married in 1869, to Emma Rinehart, who was born in
Knox county. They have two children, viz: Clemmie, bom
1871; Willie E., in 1877.
Mr. Edwards has always been identified with this county. He
was a soldier in the late war, a member of One Hundred and
Forty-second regiment Ohio National guards. He served out
his time of enlistment and received an honorable discharge. He
established his business in 1874, and has built up quite an ex
tensive trade. Mr. Edwards is a practical mechanic, and a
live business man. He is taking the lead in this branch of trade,
and all who wish anything in his line will do well to call and gei

66o

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

his prices, as he keeps in stock a complete and extensive line
of goods at all times.
EGGLESTON, EUGENIO R., M.D., Mt. Vernon, was
born in Portage county, Ohio, July 28, 1838. He is of English
descent. When about fifteen years of age, young Eggleston
began clerking in a store in Munson, Ohio, and continued there
until September, 1861, when he enlisted in company G, Forty-
first Ohio volunteer infantry, and was with the army of the
Cumberland. He was appointed orderly sergeant of the com
pany, and sergeant major, and in June, 1862, he received a
second lieutenant's commission in the same regiment, and in
1863 he was commissioned first lieutenant, and appointed adju
tant of the regiment, and in 1864 he wasbrevetted captain, with
others, for meritorious conduct. He resigned in October, 1864,
and returned home. He commenced reading medicine with Dr.
T. H. Sweeney, of Chardon, Ohio, and graduated in February,
1874, at the Cleveland Homoeopathic college. He came to Mt.
Vernon, Ohio, in the fall of 1875, and has since been practicing
with eminent success.
Dr. Eggleston was twice manied. His first wife was Anna
M. Davis, of Geauga county, to whom he was married in Sep
tember, 1862. They had one child, now living. His wife dy
ing, he married, June 17, 1876, Mrs. Abbie A. Darby, nee
Thompson. His wife is also a physician of the same school,
having graduated at the same college in 1876.
EGGLESTON, BYRON, M.D., was born near Chicago, Illi
nois, September 29, 1836, in an Indian tent of the Cherokee
tribe; received his education at Utica, Ohio, and read medicine
with his father, Hiram Eggleston, M.D., and attended lectures
at Springfield, Illinois, after which he commenced practicing,
and has been located at several different places, but now at Mt.
Vernon, where he expects to remain; was married May 27,
i860, to Miss Elizabeth Ann, daughter of John Hearns, of Mt.
Vernon, by whom he has had four children, three of whom are
living. Amanda Ann, born November 21, 1862; John Hiram,
January 7, 1865; Carey Evan, August 9, 1868; Adella, October
10, 1872. Amanda Ann died May 15, 1870.
ELLIOTT, JOEL (deceased), Berlin township, was born in
Frederick county, Maryland, in 1775, and was married in 1807
to Hannah Gibson, who was born in Maryland in 1779. They
have the following children, viz : Gideon, Amos, and Mary.
Mr. Elliott died in 1849, and his wife, Hannah, died in 1852.
Mr. Elliott came to Belmont county, Ohio, in 1827, and in
1828 came to this county, settled in the woods in this township,
built a cabin and lived in pioneer style. Amos and Mary are
living on the home place.
ELLIOTT, MRS. MARTHA, one of Mt. Vernon's early
settlers, died at her late residence on East High street, Decem
ber 3, 1879, in the eighty-first year of her age. Mrs. Elliott,
whose maiden name was Miller, was born in Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, September 16, 1799. Her father, the late Reu
ben Miller, sr., wishing to better the condition of himself and
family, concluded to remove to the western country. With his
wife and children he started from Philadelphia in the fall of
1805, and after a tedious journey of twenty-two days, he ar
rived at Pittsburgh, then'a town of less than four thousand in
habitants. Here Mrs. Elliott was reared, and received a good
education, and April 11, 1816, she was united in marriage to
Samuel Elliott. They remained in Pittsburgh until April, 1829,
when her husband concluded to remove to Mt. Vernon, where

he formed a partnership with his brother, Alexander Elliott, in
the mercantile business. Mrs. Elliott was the mother of ten
children, of whom four were born in Pittsburgh and six in Mt.
Vernon. ELLIOTT, JAMES, of Monroe township, a retired farm
er, was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, September 24,
1808. He was the second child of William and Elizabeth Elli
ott, nee Eaton. His parents immigrated to Ohio in 1816, with
a family of five children. They settled in Mt. Vernon. Being
a miller by trade required him to change residence from place to
place, wherever he could procure employment. He died near
Fredericktown in Jtme, 1840. His wife survived him for some
years. The subject of this notice learned the milling trade with his
father; he also learned the carding business, and followed card
ing and milling for some years. He has been principally en
gaged in farming since 1835. He has been successful in all his
undertakings, making his own way in the world, until he now
has a competency in life. He was married to Miss Hannah B.
Perry November n, 1830, who was born in Knox county March,
1811. By this union they had eleven children, six sons and five
daughters, eight of whom are living. His wife died in April,
1875. He was afterward married to Miss Mary E. Martin, in
April, 1877. Of the children of Mr. Elliott, Joseph, a farmer,
resides in Liberty township; William, farmer, in Monroe town
ship; Rose, married to Jacob Young, farmer, Monroe town
ship; Orange H., farmer, Monroe township; Elizabeth; James
B. ; Alice May, married to Leander Farquhar, Gambier.
ELLIOTT, GIDEON, Fredericktown, mayor, was born in
New Market, Frederick county, Maryland, March 9, 1811,
came to Belmont county, Ohio, in 1827, and in 1828 located in
Berlin township; remained there fifty years and then removed to
Fredericktown, where he has remained ever since. He was
married in 1835 to Rebecca Roberts, who was born in Knox
county, Ohio, in 1815. They had a family of four children,
viz.: Henry R., bom in December, 1835; Ellen, born in 1837;
Charles, now deceased; Edwin, in July, 1844, who was a soldier
in the late war, a member of the Ohio National guard, died
during the service in Virginia, July 15, 1864.
Mrs. Rebecca Elliott died in January, 1858, in Berlin town
ship. Mr. Elliott was married in i860 to Cordelia A. Shafer, daugh
ter of Henry Markley.
Mr. Elliott was elected mayor of Fredericktown in 1879, and
reelected in 1880.
Henry Elliott resides in Berlin township and is engaged in
farming. Ellen was manied to Levi Cassell, who is engaged in the dry
goods business in Fredericktown.
ELLIOTT, HENRY R., Berlin township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in this township in 1835, and was
manied in 1859 to Elma Willits, who was bom in this town
ship in 1837. They have two daughters, Lamyra W., born in
i860, and Mary E., in 1862. Mr. Elliott is one of leading and
enterprising farmers of this township. He owns a beautiful
farm, a part of the Ellicott section, and has the best buildings in
this township, built after the modern style. He has done much
to promote the general interest of the county; is enterprising,
liberal and honest in all his dealings.
ELLIOTT, ANDREW, Liberty township, superintendent
of the county infirmary, Bangs post office, was born in Coshoc-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

661

ton county, Ohio, January 13, 1842. He was born and raised
on a farm, attended the public schools, and has followed farm
ing as his occupation.
In 1872 he moved to Harrison township, Knox county, and
subsequently to Jackson township. In the spring of 1880 the
directors of the county infirmary appointed him as a competent
and trustworthy man to take charge of that institution. He
makes a worthy officer, being kind but firm to the inmates, and
judiciously manages the affairs of the farm and institution to
general satisfaction. He was twice married, his first -.wife being
Miss Theresa Blue, of Coshocton county, to whom he was mar
ried in 1865. They had one child, Milton. In 1872 his wife
died. In 1877 he married Miss Olive Myers, of Perry town
ship, Coshocton county. She is an efficient governess.
EMERSON, J. W., Wayne township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1823, and
was married to Charlotte McCaron, who was bom in Columbi
ana county, Ohio. They had the following family — Ida and
Frank W. Ida Emerson was married to Noble Gray. They
have one daughter, Stella May, who was born in 1878. They
reside on the homestead.
Mr. Emerson came to Ohio in 1846, and located in Wayne
township, this county. For thirty-four years he has lived on
the same farm. Thomas Emerson, his father (deceased), was
born in Ireland in 1760, and came to America in 1800. He was
married in the United States to Margaret Craven, who was
born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They had two sons —
James, born in 1821; JohnW., 1823. Thomas Emerson died
in 1866 at the age of one hundred and one years. Mrs. Mar
garet Emerson died in 1861.
They emigrated to this county in 1846, located on a farm in
Wayne township, now the residence of John.
Mr. Emerson was engaged in the Revolutionary war, and was
one of the pioneers of this county.
ENGLE, MARTIN, Howard township, farmer, post office,
Howard. He was born January 21, 1823, in Howard town
ship. His father, Elias Engle, came from Pennsylvania in
1805, settled in Butler township, remained there a few years and
then removed to Howard and built and conducted a distillery
twenty years. He was married in 1853 and settled in Howard
township, where he still lives. He has had the following fam
ily of children: Rosa, John, Mary, William, and Artance.
Rosa died when six months old, John early in life, and Mary in
the seventeenth year of her age, in 1873.
ENGLISH, A. U., Fredericktown, painter; was born in Co
shocton county in 1854, and was married in 1877 to Elizabeth
E. Shaffher, who was born in Knox county in 1857. Mr.
English learned the carriage painting in Fredericktown ; com
menced in 1870. He is a skilful workman, and is now engaged
with the firm of Stephens & Scott.
EVANS, THOMAS, Mt. Vernon, is a native of Berks
county, Pennsylvania, where he was born July 24, 1797. When
about fifteen years old his parents moved to Catawissa, where
he resided until 1818, when he went to Milta to learn the trade
of plasterer, and there he remained until 1841 working at his
trade. He married Miss Martha Doubler, by whom he had
two children, one son and one daughter. Mrs. Evans died
April 15, 1825. He married his second wife, Phebe Nevins, in
1826, by whom be had three children who died in infancy and
five who are still living. In 1841 he came to Knox county and

settled three miles northwest of Mt. Vernon in Morris town
ship, and engaged in farming. On November 25, 1843, he lost
his wife and married his third wife, Mrs. Ann Rogers, nee
Cooper, by whom he had one son. His third wife died October
25, 1854, and the following year he married his fourth wife,
Mrs. A. Young, nee Mitchell, who is still living. She is a
daughter of William Mitchell, one of the earliest settlers. Mr.
Evans came to Mt. Vernon to live in 1849, and remained about
four years. He then bought a farm one mile west of town
where he lived twenty years, and then moved back to Mt.
Vernon to spend the balance of his days in retirement.
EVANS, DAVID (deceased), Hilliar township, was born
June 10, 1813, died March 11, 1873. He was born in Green
county, Pennsylvania, where he remained until about the year
1845, when he emigrated to Ohio and settled in Hilliar town
ship, on the Columbus road, where he remained until his death.
He married Miss Elizabeth Lemley, of the same county. She
died January 19, 1873. They had ten children, viz : Harriet,
wife' of M. B. Weaver, of Milford township; Ruhamah married
Jacob Annett, and died in Illinois; Barzillai was a member of
company F, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio volunteer in
fantry, died while in service ; Martha Ann (deceased), wife of
Russell Bird; James L., deceased; George L., deceased; Oliver
C, farmer, resides on the homestead; Emma V., wife of
Timothy Squires, of Miller township; Sarah M., deceased;
Louisa E. resides on the homestead. Five members of this
family died during the winter of 1872 and 1873, v'£ : Martha
A., George L., James L., and Mr. and Mrs. Evans. Those
who died previous were Ruhamah and Barzillai, and_Sarah M.,
leaving four of the original family yet living.
EVANS, OLIVER, farmer, Hilliar township, was born in
Knox county, March, 1854 ; is a son of David and Elizabeth
Evans, nee Lemley, who were born in Green county, Penn
sylvania, June 10, 1813, and October 12, 1816. They were
married in Pennsylvania, and about 1848 came to Ohio, settling
in Hilliar township. They had a family of ten children, four of
whom are living, viz : Harriet, married to B. Weaver ; Annie,
manied to Timothy Squires ; Oliver and Louise, who live at
home. Four of the family died within a few months of each other ;
the first to be taken was the mother, who died January, 1873 ;
death soon after claimed James and George, and March n,
1873, the father followed those who had "gone before." One
of the family, Barzillai, died while in the army, and Ruhamah,
wife of Jacob Annett, died in the west, thus leaving but four re
maining. Oliver, at the age of nineteen, was left in charge of
the farm, and has succeeded in carrying it on successfully.
EWALT, JOHN, deceased, a native of Pennsylvania, was
born in 1760. About 1790 he manied Miss Elizabeth Bonnett.
They emigrated to Knox county, Ohio,- in 1815, and located on
land now owned by their son Isaac, in Clinton township, about
two miles west of Mt. Vernon.
The erection of a brick dwelling house had been commenced
on the land prior to his purchasing it, which he completed, and
used as a residence during the remainder of his days. August
19, 1828, he deceased, his companion surviving him until in
February, 1844.
They reared a family of eleven children: John, Sophia,
Henry, Anna, Richard, Sarah, Isaac, James, Samuel, Robert,
and Eliza; all have died except Sarah, Isaac, and Samuel.

662

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

EWALT, ISAAC, farmer, fourth son of John and Elizabeth
Ewalt, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, on the
twenty-third day .of February, 1806. In 1815 he came with his
parents to Knox county, Ohio, and located in Clinton town
ship. He was reared on a farm, and has followed farming and
stock raising as his vocation.
In 1829 he married for his first wife Miss Margaret Rinehart,
born in 1807, daughter of Christian and Mary Rinehart. They
settled on the old homestead, where he is now living. They
reared one child, a son, John, who is married and lives in Hil
liar township, this county. In 1834 his wife died. In April,
1836, he married Miss Eunice Rush, by whom he had eight
children; four sons, Samuel, Benjamin, Joseph, and Robert, and
four daughters, Martha, Margaret, Eunice, and Alice. In
1869 he erected and moved into his present residence on his
father's home farm, where he and his wife are now living.
EWALT, SAMUEL, farmer, sixth son of John and Eliza
beth Ewalt, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, Octo
ber 18, 1810, and was brought to Knox county by his parents in
1815. He was reared a farmer and has made farming his avo
cation through life.
On the sixth day of January, 1836, he married Miss Elizabeth
Johnson, daughter of Nathaniel and Isabella Johnson, nee
Adams. Miss Johnson was born in Hampshire county, Vir
ginia, August 2, 1809.
They settled on the Ewalt homestead, Clinton township, re
mained about five years and moved to Mt. Vernon, where they
lived three years, then returned to the home farm again, re
mained one year, then, in 1846, they moved on- a part of the
Johnson homestead, in same township, where they are now liv
ing. They reared a family of five children, viz: Isabella A.,
Isaac N., Manley J., Emma J., and William B., allliving.
EWALT, MRS. ELIZA, nee Ridell, was born in Wayne
county, Ohio, December 25, 1819, where her father had located
in 1813. She was married to Robert Ewalt, August 4, 1836.
Mr. Ewalt was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1813,
and came to Knox county, Ohio, with his parents, in 1815.
After their marriage they located on a farm about two miles
west of town, upon which they lived until 1869, when they
moved to Mt. Vernon and located on East Gambier street,
where she still lives. They had four children, two of whom are
living: Rebecca, who lives at Valparaiso, Indiana, and AnnaE.,
who lives in Chicago.
Mrs. Ewalt still owns the home farm ; Mr. Ewalt has passed
to the better world.
EWALT, WILLIAM D., farmer, and a leading citizen of
Liberty township, was born in Morris township, February 21,
1828, and is the son of Richard D. and Phebe Douglass. Mr.
Ewalt was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. The Doug
lass family came to Ohio in 1805; the Ewalt family in 1816.
The subject of this notice spent his youth on the farm and had
the advantages of the common schools of those days. In 1850
he went to California by way of the Isthmus, and remained
there about eleven months, but on account of sickness he re
turned to Ohio and resumed farming. He has resided in Lib
erty township about forty-five years. He is well situated, own
ing a well-improved farm which he has made by his industry.
He has held the office of township clerk for seventeen years and
has made an acceptable officer. Politically Mr. Ewalt is a
Democrat, and takes a great interest in the success of the prin
ciples that are advocated by his party. He is well known by

the leading men of his party all over the county, for his great
zeal in what he consider to be right. He is an esteemed citizen,
and has the confidence of the public.
He married Rispah Moxley, a native of Maryland. They had
thirteen children, ten of whom are living, viz: Cassius R.,
Stepen D., Frank L., Dallas R., Clement V., Allen W., Colum
bus, Flora Ellen, Cora E. , and Hattie M.
EWALT, JOHN, Hilliar township, farmer, was bom in
Clinton township January 8, 1830. His grandparents were
among the early settlers of Knox county. His grandfather,
John Ewalt, came from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1815,
and settled in Clinton township, purchasing about one thousand
acres of land. He was married to Miss Bonnett, and by her
had a family of eleven children. Three are yet living: Isaac,
father of the subject of this notice, who lives about one and a
half miles from Mt. Vernon, and Sarah Kenton, who resides in
Wayne county, Ohio.
Isaac Ewalt was born in Pennsylvania. He was married to
Margaret Rhinehart, who died about 1834. He was again
married to Eunice Rush.
The subject of this sketch spent his young days on a farm in
Clinton township, with his father. In 1854 he came to Hilliar
township. He was married in August of the same year, to Miss
Elizabeth Henry, and the young couple began life in a log
cabin on the farm, on which he now resides. The cabin was
so open that, to use his own words, he could throw a cat
through the openings. Things went well, and in this cabin
they lived until 1856, when they erected their present pleasant
dwelling. The old log cabin is no more, but memory still gives
it a pleasant place in life's voyage.
When Mr. Ewalt first came to his farm, there was but little
improvement. Those who see the farm now, and saw it twenty-
six years ago, can truthfully say: "What a great change !" In
dustry did it.
Mr. Ewalt is a social and pleasant gentleman. He has the
esteem of those who know him, and the confidence of those
with whom he deals. His marriage has been blessed with
two children: Aaron O., at home, and Ida Mary, married to
James Huddleson, farmer, of Delaware county.
EWALT, J. M., was born May 7, 1840, in Clinton township,
Knox county. After finishing his education he taught school
until the opening of the war in 1861. He enlisted in August,
1862, in company A, Ninety-sixth, Ohio volunteer infantry, in
which he served about eight months, when he returned home
and worked on the farm until 1871, when he was elected to the
office of county auditor, and reelected in 1873. In 1875 he
took his present position — cashier in the bank.
EWERS, JOHN G., Middlebury township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born January 22, 1815, and was married
August 7, 1845, to Amanda Fidler, who was bom November 5,
1826. They have the following family of children: Rebecca
Jane, born September 19, 1846; Lafayette, March 19, 1850;
Abner, September 12, 1852; James Fenton, February 16,
1856. Deaths — Rebecca J., September 12, 1850; Lafayette, March
19, 1861; Abner, January 18, 1855; Arminda. August 4, 18—;
Martha, mother of John Ewers, March 2, 1836, aged forty-
seven years five months and two days.
James F. Ewers was married March 24, 1880, to Alice E.
Armstrong, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, Novem
ber 15, 1857.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

663

EWERS, WILLIAM, farmer, post office, Fredericktown,
was born in this county in 1817. His father, Robert, was born
in Pennsylvania; came to Ohio in 1812 and entered land in this
township, and returned to Pennsylvania. In 1815 he came
back to Ohio and located on his land. They had twelve chil
dren, six of whom are now living.
EWERS, DAVID, Middlebury township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, born in Middlebury township, December 23,
1819, was married in 1842, to Almina Johnson, whowas born
in Wayne township, March 19, 1819. They have one daughter,
Frank, born November 23, 1848, and was married to Leander
Caywood, and at present resides in this township. Mr. Ewers
is the owner of a well improved farm in this township, with
good buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Ewers are both members of
pioneer families.
EWERS, GEORGE J., Middlebury township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in Knox county, in 1848, and was
married in 1877, to Annetta Adams, who was born in Berlin
township. They have one son, Frank, born August 31, 1878.
EWERS, ROBERT S., Middlebury township, carpenter,
post office, Fredericktown, born in Middlebury township. He
is a son of Thomas Ewers, and is engaged at the carpenter
trade, and is a skilful mechanic.

F

FADELY, L., farmer, Milford township, was born in Shenan
doah county, Virginia, March 3, 1815. His parents came to
Ohio in the fall of 1823, and settled in the northeast part of
Morgan township, where the father died, his wife surviving him
a number of years. The subject of this notice remained' at
home until he was twenty years of age. He then began life for
himself. He worked at whatever was offered; was saving, lay
ing up a little at a time, until he had earned two hundred dol
lars. He then bought a forty-acre tract of land, leaving a bal
ance of four hundred dollars to be paid. He succeeded in
paying this amount ; was industrious and economical, and has
succeeded in obtaining his first object, a farm. He is now a
leading fanner of the township, and for his industry and integ
rity has the esteem of the people of the community. In 1835 he
.was married to Miss Catharine Warrick. They have six chil
dren living, viz: Mary Jane, married John W. Myers; Thomas
P., druggist in Richwood, Ohio; Elizabeth, Matilda married
A. Moreland. His second wife was Angeline Atherton, and
have one child, Charles R.
FAIRCHILD, JOHN L., retired, Fredericktown, was bom
in Woodbury, Litchfield county, Connecticut, in 1818; came to
Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and was married in 1849 to Lucinda B.
Runnian, who was born in Mt. Vemon in 1823. They had two
children, Mary, born in 1851; John, 1853.
Mirs. Fairchild died in Mt. Vernon in 1877. Mr. Fairchild's
occupation has been a tinner, and sheet-iron smith He was
engaged in Mt. Vernon in this business for some years, has
lived in this county for over forty years, and at present is resid
ing with his son in Fredericktown.
John was married to Sabra E. Talmage, who was born in
Morrow county, Ohio. They have one daughter, Stella S-,
born 1879. Mr. John Fairchild is engaged in the insurance
business. FAIRCHILD, FRANK L, of the firm of C. & G. Cooper
& Company, Mt. Vernon, was born in Lorain county, Ohio,

December 4, 1843, where he resided until 1865. During the
earlier part of his life he was engaged on the home farm and at
tending school at Oberlin. For two years after leaving school
he was engaged as book-keeper in a dry goods house in Ober
lin. At the expiration of those two years, 1865, he came to
Mt. Vernon, and was engaged by the firm of C. &. J. Cooper
& Co., as book-keeper, where he remained until January i,
1868, when he was admitted as a member of the firm, in which
he still remains.
FARMER, VAN B., farmer, post office, Millwood, was
born in Harrison township, Knox county, July 5, 1828, a son
of Nathan and Esther Farmer, by whom he was reared and
educated. On the twentieth of November, 1850, at the age <4f
twenty-two years, he married Catharine Staats, a daughter of
Joseph and Catharine Staats, who was born in Butler township,
Knox county, July 11, 1829. After his marriage he remained
one year on the home place with his father. He then moved
to Butler township, on a farm owned by his mother-in-law,
where he lived one year. He then moved back to Harrison
township, and soon after purchased a farm of forty acres in*
Brown township, where he then moved and remained four years.
He then sold said farm and bought a small farm near Millwood,
and at the same time bought a share in the home place, located
in Harrison township. He lived on the farm near Millwood
about six years, and then sold it and moved on a part of the
home farm, where he at present resides. Mr. Farmer made a
business of teaching school during the intermission for eight
winters. In 1862 he was drafted for nine months, and was the only
one that went into the service out of thirty-two that were drafted
at the same time. He served his time, got an honorable dis
charge, and came home. Mr. Farmer is the owner of one hun
dred and eighty acres of land, all under good cultivation. Mr.
and Mrs. Farmer are the parents of nine children — six sons and
three daughters — seven of whom are living.
FARQUHAR, MOSES, Berlin township (deceased), born in
Frederick county, Maryland, in 1789, and was married to Mas-
sey Pusey, who was born in the same county. They had the
following children: William H., George (deceased), Edwin,
Ruth P., Mary B., Francis P., and Sarah Ann. They emi
grated to Ohio in 1822, located in Berlin township, bought a
part of quarter section ten, range thirteen, township eighteen.
There was a cabin erected and a small patch cleared. They
built the first saw and chopping mill in this township. The first
mill stones (buhrs) that were used in this county was in this
mill, and can still be seen at the old home farm, where Edwin
resides. Moses Farquhar assisted in organizing Berlin town
ship, and was the first clerk, and fenceviewer of this township
as long as this office continued.
He was an active member of the Society of Friends or Quak
ers. He assisted in erecting the present brick church in Mid
dlebury township (Owl creek quarterly meeting).
In early life he was a prominent and active member of the Free
Masons; he assisted to organize a number of societies and build
halls tor their meetings. He was a member of the joint stock
company, known as the Fourier Phlanp, in Clermont county,
Ohio. Through this enterprise he lost one thousand dollars.
November 1, 1878, he departed this life at his home after a
short illness.
In about 1863 their house was destroyed by fire, which caught
accidentally. All their household goods were destroyed, also all

664

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

books and papers were burned, which accounts for lack of dates
and history. Mrs. Massey Farquhar died in 1881.
FARQUHAR, EDWIN, Berlin township, was married to
Margaret E. Gibson, daughter of Hiram E. and Elizabeth Gib
son. They had three children — Flora L. Laura E. and Emma.
The mother departed this life in 1866. He is a millwright and
worked at this trade for many years.
FARQUHAR, BASIL, Middlebury township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, was born in Frederick county, Maryland,
in December, 1796, and came to Knox county in 1807, locating
in this township. In 1824 he was married to Susan Wright, who
died in 1843. In 1852 he was married the second time to Eimer
M. Farquhar.
Amos Farquhar, father of Basil, was bom in 1775, and was
married to Jane Moor. They had a family of five children —
Basil, Mary, Phebe, Elizabeth, and Abraham. Amos Farquhar
died in 1851, Jane Farquhar in 1856, and Phebe in 1836. Abra
ham resides in Missouri. The Farquhar family are among the
earlier settlers, pioneers who came when the country was all
new, and cleared up and improved several farms, among them
being the Burkholder farm. They were prominent pioneers of
Knox county.
FERENBAUGH, JOSEPH,' farmer, post office, Millwood,
was born in Union township, Knox county, Febmary 17, 1836
— a son of Fidel and Eliza Ferenbaugh. He was educated by
his father, and remained with him until he was thirty-five years
old. On the third of January, 1874, he was united in marriage
with Susanna Stillinger, a daughter of John Stillinger, of Union
township, born October 8, 1834. After his marriage he located
in Howard township, where he remained two years; he then
moved to Union township, where he remained a short time;
from there to Harrison township, Knox county, where he pur
chased a farm, and at present resides. Mr. Ferenbaugh served
as land appraiser in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Ferenbaugh are the
parents of two children, one of whom only is living — a son,
George H., born November 20, 1875. In 1877 Mr. Ferenbaugh
purchased a hardware store in Rossville, where he did business
for about eighteen months.
FERENBAUGH, MRS. ELIZA, post office, Rossville, was
born September 6, 1813, in Knox county, Ohio. Her father
was born in Virginia, and came to Knox county in 1805 with a
wife and one child. Not long after his wife died, and he was
again manied. In 1866 he died, in his eighty-eighth year.
Eliza Ferenbaugh married F. Ferenbaugh May 14, 1835, and
bought her present farm. June 29, 1875, her husband died
and left five children — Joseph, born February 17, 1836; Maiy,
bom October 28, 1840; Leo, born October 20, 1843; Edman,
born November 25, 1848; and Franklin, born September 20,
1856. Edman died September 8, 1878. Leo and Joseph are
married and settled in Knox county.
FERENBAUGH, PETER, Union township, farmer, post
office Rossville , was born in Germany, January i, 1810. He
came to America in September, 1831, with his brother, his
father being dead. He came to New York, then to Buffalo,
then to Cleveland ; he then settled in Fairfield county for a few
years, then came to Knox county, Ohio, and settled on his-
present farm.
In 1845 he was manied to Lena Whehond. They have five
children: Rosinda, born December, 1848; Priscilla, August 24,
1851; Eliza Ellen, October 24, 1855; Manvilla, July 7, 1858;

and Mary Frances, April 12, 1862. All are married except
Mary and Manville.
Peter Ferenbaugh learned to make clocks in Germany, and
after coming here he sold them all through the country, espec
ially in the Scioto valley and Kentucky, and all over the State of
Ohio. After they had established a good trade in this sort of
merchandise, they shipped their clocks from Germany in large
lots. One day a vessel was about to land which contained
about eight thousand dollars worth of clocks for them. It
struck a barge which stove in the bottom of the ship, and all
sunk — ship, cargo, clocks, and all. The clocks were under a
partial insurance, and after a long litigation they managed to
obtain a portion of the value of their goods. But this crippled
them in such a way as to destroy their clock trade, and they
lost about three-fourths of their capital, and could not fulfill
their engagements. After this disaster Peter Ferenbaugh was
compelled to preempt his piece of land which he had cleared
for a home.
FERRISS, HARRISON, Wayne township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in Wayne township, and was mar
ried in 1867 to Sarah Darling, who was born in Knox county
in 1843. They have five children: Willie, born November 28,
1868; Minnie, March 28, 1871; Norma, October, 1873; Jennie,
deceased, and Emery, March 26, 1880.
Mr. Ferriss was in the late war, being a member of the One
Hundred and Twenty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry,
and continued in that service two years and ten months. He
is now a citizen of Wayne township.
FIDLER, DANIEL, Middlebury township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in this county in 1832, and was
married in 1862 to Mary J. Cross, who was bom in Richland
county in 1843. They had the following family : Willie, born
in 1863; Bertha D., in 1866; Ida R., in 1868; Elmina, in 1872;
Minte E., in 1874, and Walter D., in 1878.
Mr. Fidler was in the late war, a member of the One Hun
dred and Forty-second regiment, Ohio National guard, and
served out the time of his enlistment. He is one of the active
and prominent men of this township.
FIDLER, CHARLES, Middlebury township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in Middlebury township in 1833,
and married in 1864 to Melisse Needham, who was born in
Guernsey county January 20, 1832. They have the following
family, namely: Milo E., born November 12, 1865; Lovilla,
born June 30, 1867; Howard, born January 22, 1877, and died
February 21, 1877.
FIELDS, THOMAS, Pike township, deceased, born in
1826, and was married in 1851 to Sally Gooddale, who was born
in Monroe township in 1830. They had the following children:
Ellen, born in 1852; Joseph, in 1853; George, in 1854; Per
melia, in 1856; Thomas, in 1857; Robert, in 1858; Mary, in
1859, and Charlotte, in 1861.
The following have deceased: Thomas, 1802; Sarah, 1866;
George, 1856; Mary, 1861, and Charlotte, 1862.
FISH, JOSEPH A., Middlebuiy township; farmer; post
office, Fredericktown; born in Morrow county September 29,
1838, and married October October 13, 1859, to Mary Finfrock,
who was born in Richland county June 11,1840. They have
two children, viz: John F., born October 23, i860, and Miles
J., August 30, I864.
Mr. Fish came to this county in 1872. He owns a well im-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

665

proved farm with excellent buildings, and is one of the active
men of this county.
FISH, CHARLES H., Brown township, farmer, was born
in Beverly, New Jersey, on the twenty-second day of February,
1851, and was reared by his mother till he arrived at the age of
twelve years, when he was brought to Cleveland by his
uncle. While there, he attended school one year. He then
left his uncle, and commenced working at whatever he could
get to do. This he continued until he arrived at the age of
nineteen years, when he enlisted in the regular army for the
term of five years, where he remained one year, when he was
discharged. He then came back to Cleveland, where he re
mained but a short time. He came to Mt. Vernon, Knox
county, and then went to Howard, where he was engaged to
clerk for John McFarland in a grocery store, remaining about
eight months. On December 25, 1872, he was uitedin marriage
with Catharine Arnold, born in Brown township, Knox county,
March 24, 1851. After his marriage he moved to Loudonville,
Ashland county. While there, he performed labor for deacon
Taylor, but remained only a short time, soon entering into the
service as brakeman for the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & West
ern railroad company. He remained about three years, during
which time he moved his family to Crestline. From there he
moved back to Knox county, near Jelloway, where he has since
remained. In August, 1880, he purchased a small home in Jefferson
township, Knox county. Their union resulted in five children,
four of whom are living.
FINK, W. H., Mt. Vernon, was born in 1836 in Seneca
county, Ohio. He was married in 1856 to Miss Mary J. Tryon,
of Ottawa county, Ohio, by whom he had a daughter, Ida, and
a son, Frank. Mr. Fink was married a second time to Miss
Angeline Conley, of this city, in 1879.
Mr. Fink came to this city about three years since, and en
tered the sash, door and blind factory of C. Mitchell, as foreman
where he remained one year, when he went to the shop of
While & Simpson, where he remained until the close ofthe firm
in 1879.
Mr. Fink is a fancier of rare birds, of which he has an exten
sive and beautiful aviary. He is now employed with C. Mitch
ell, his former employer, in the planing mills.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK northeast corner of Main and
Vine streets, Mt. Vernon. This bank is one of the solid mone
tary institutions of Ohio, and the foremost of the county, and
as such is recognized by the best business men of the State. It
was first organized and established as a private bank by Russel,
Sturges & Co. in 1853, J. W. Russel, M. D., president, and
Fred D. Sturges cashier, and continued to do business under
that firm name until 1862, when it was reorganized under the
name of the Mt. Vemon Bank, and had for its officeis, J. W.
Russel president; Fred D. Sturges cashier, and for directors
Hon. Columbus Delano, J. W. Russel, M.D., Fred D. Sturges,
Mathew Thompson, and W. H. Smith. This firm continued
until 1865, when it was reorganized under the banking law of
the United States and took the name of the First National
bank, with Hon. Columbus Delano president, J. W. Russel
vice president, Fred D. Sturges cashier; and as directors, Hon.
C, Delano, J. W. Russel, M. D., F. D. Sturges, D. W. Lam
bert, and H. H. Greer. It has a capital of fifty thousand dol
lars, with a surplus of ten thousand dollars. Its average de
posits for the past year were one hundred and seventy-five thou

sand dollars, and the volume of business for the same year was
about five million or six million dollars. There has been but
one sale of stock in this bank since itwas organized, and it does a
straight general banking business, has always loaned, and contin
ues to loan all its moneys at the legal rate of six per cent. Its
officers are among the most respected and wealthy gentlemen of
the county, against whom the breath of suspicion has never
blown; consequently this is one of the most solid, safe, and
reliable organizations of this county, and where everything in
the banking line will receive prompt and faithful attention.
FISHER, REUBEN M., retired, Berlin township, post office,
Fredericktown; born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1816;
came to Ohio with his parents when a child, who located in
Richland county. He was married to Mary Carey, who was
born in Sandusky, Ohio. They have one son, H. W., who
was born in Palmyra. He has been engaged in farming and
working at the cooper business, but has retired from labor, and
is enjoying the fruit of his labor. He has in his possession
twenty-six rattles that came from one rattlesnake, which was
killed by him and his father in their house. He also has four
pieces of continental money, and three silver dollars — one piece
handed down from his great-grandfather, dated 1735; another
dated 1791, and the third dated 1807. They have been carefully
preserved. He is now the oldest living citizen of Palmvra.
FISHBURN, HIRAM, Milford township, farmer, was born
in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, February 10, 1843. His
father, Samuel Fishburn, was a native of the same county, born
September 5, 1803. Lewis Fishburn, father of Lewis, and
grandfather of Hiram, was a soldier of the Revolution. He
married Catharine Grimm. They had- ten children, Samuel be
ing the only one living. He married Elizabeth Muma in 1825.
She died in September, 1876. They remained in Dauphin
county, Pennsylvania, until 1852, then emigrated to Ohio, and
settled in Miller township. Mr. Fishburn now resides in Dau
phin. He married Mrs. Margaret Brackbill. By his marriage
they had ten children: David, Amos, Catharine (married Henry
Shupe), Jacob, Daniel, Elizabeth (married Peter Beinhour)
Mary (married James Chambers), Josiah and Hiram. Samuel
has deceased.
The subject of this notice, Hiram Fishburn, was raised on a
farm, and remained with his father on the home farm until he
was about twenty-seven years of age. He married Miss Nancy
E. Smoots, daughter of H. K. Smoots, of Miller township,
October, 1868. In 1870 he removed to Milford township. He
is a good farmer, and a good citizen. They have two children:
Mary Estell, born January 17, 1871, and Olive Odell, born Jan
uary 1, 1875.
FLAGG, WILLIAM C, Wayne township, farmer, post
office Fredericktown, born in Washington county, Ohio, April
8, 1842, and was married to Dora Litlimer, who was born in
Indiana, October 31, 1850. They have the following children:
Eva L., born February 21, 1869; Jennie C, October 13, 1871;
Dora V., September 29, 1872; Minnie M., March 12, 1873;
Charlie C, June 14, 1876; and James L., June 18, 1879. Mr.
Flagg was a soldier in the late war, being a member of com
pany G, Ninety-sixth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry; was
in a number of engagements, and was taken prisoner and kept
three months, when he was exchanged. He was in the service
three years, and received an honorable discharge.
FLETCHER, SYLVESTER, Pike township, (deceased),

666

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

was born in this township in 1826, and was manied in 1847 to
Mary M. Frizzell, who was born in this township in 1829. They
had three children: Ephraim (deceased), bom in 1850; John, in
1852; and Joel E., in 1856, now deceased.
Sylvester Fletcher died July 10, 1875, at home in this town
ship. He was a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, also a member of the Odd Fellows' lodge in Bellville.
He was buried by the members of that lodge, the procession at
his funeral being the largest that was ever witnessed in this vi
cinity. In his death this county lost a good citizen, his wife an
affectionate companion, and his children a kind father. He died
in the triumphs of living faith, giving evidence of the power of
religion in death.
FLETCHER, CHARLES, tanner, Pike township, post office
Democracy; born in Brown township, this county, in 1847, was
married in 1875 to Clara B. Ridenhour, who was born in Washing
ton county, Maryland in 1852. They have one son — Clarence
C, who was born in 1877. Mr. Fletcher is a tanner by trade,
and resides in Amity, where he has established a good trade.
FOOTE, GEGRGE W., farmer, Berlin township, post office
Fredericktown; was born in this township in 1848, and was
married in 1876 to Harriet E. Willits, who was born in Berlin
township in 1857. They have two children — Herbert W. , bom
in 1878, and Lucy R., in 1880.
Mr. Foote has always been in this county, with the exception
of the time when he was attending school in Oberlin.
FOOT, HENRY R., farmer, post office, Fredericktown.
He was born in New York in 1834. He came to Ohio with his
parents in 1838, and was married in 1854 to Sarah A. Rowley,
who was born in Michigan in 1837. They have three children,
Abigail R., born in 1855; Ephraim, in 1848, and James H.
in i860. Mr. Foot was a soldier in the late war, a member of
company H, One Hundred and Forty-second regiment O. N.
G., and was' honorably discharged.
FORSYTHE, JAMES S., Morgan township, farmer; was
born in Licking county, Ohio, January 1, 1817. His grand
father, John Forsythe, emigrated from Ireland with his family
prior to tbe Revolutionary war, and upon the breaking out of
the war he enlisted and served four years. He died in Lan
caster county, Pennsylvania. His family moved to Washington
county, Pennsylvania. Thomas Forsythe, father of the subject
of this sketch, married Mary Hardy in Harrison county, Ohio,
and' in 1809 settled near Utica, where he resided until 1844,
when he moved to where his son now resides and where they
both died. They had four children, all dead except the subject
of this sketch. He was reared on a farm, and has always fol
lowed farming as his occupation, July 7, T842, he married
Mary J. McCullough. They had eleven children, three of whom
died in infancy — the living are George W., in Iowa; Lovina,
wife of James Lahman; Thomas A., James L., William M.,
Lena, wife of Manly W. Johnson; John Wesley, and Samuel
C. Mr. Forsythe is an estimable citizen.
FOWLER, JAMES, Howard township, farmer, post office,
Howard; was born in Green township, Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in 1812. In 1827 he moved to Tuscarawas
county, Ohio, remained there until 1853, when he moved to
Knox county and settled in Jefferson township. He then
moved to Pike township in 1863 and remained there five years.
He then came to Howard where he has remained until the pres
ent time. He was married in Harrison county, Ohio, February

n,' 1830. He has twelve children: Maria, Andrew, William,
Hammer, Elizabeth, Margaret, John, Charles, Winfield, Mary,
Florence and Laura. Charles graduated in medicine at Cleve
land, Ohio, in 1879 and is doing well. Maria died January 15,
1831, Mary died August 12, 1853. In 1839 Mr. Fowler's
services were engaged to build the Holmes church in Tusca
rawas county. In 1845 his services were engaged to build
another church called Rahabetta. On February n, 1880,
Mr. and Mrs. Fowler gathered a number of their friends to
gether and celebrated their fiftieth anniversary of married life.
FRAZIER, THOMAS J., farmer, post office, Frederick-
town, was born in Muskingum county, in 1849, and was mar
ried in 1874, to Sarah McKee, who was born in this county.
They have three children, viz: Robert E., born in 1875; Edie
E. , in 1877, and Louis G., in 1879.
FRAZIER, JOSEPH P., farmer, Berlin township, post office,
Fredericktown; was bom in Muskingum county, in 1852, and
was married in 1879 to Mary J. McKee, who was born in this
county in 1841. They have one daughter (Dessie Belle), born
in 1880.
FRENCH, R. S., a native of New York city, was born in
. 1827. His father, Robert French, a native of Maryland, was
sergeant in the United States army for twenty-five years. His
mother, Hellen French, was a native of New York city. Mr.
R. S. French came to Gambier, this county, entered Kenyon
college in 1845, and graduated in 1849. He studied medicine
three years, then purchased two hundred and fifty acres of the
college land, and conducted a stock-farm for three years. He
was the first man to bring a mowing machine into Knox
county. In 1855 he engaged in the mercantile business in
Gambier, and was actively engaged at the business for fifteen
years. He then left his store in the care of a clerk and became
agent for J. H. Gauter & Co., of Jersey City, and continued as
their agent for four years, travelling over twenty-six States and
territories. In 1878 he retired from all business and has passed
his time at his residence in Gambier. November 13, 1851, he
married Mrs. Sarah A. Evans, nee Hobb, and sister of Profes
sor Alexander Hobb, late of Kenyon college. The union re
sulted in four children, two sons and two daughters. One son
and one daughter are deceased.
In 1876 he was succeeded by his son, H. H. French, who is
still engaged at the business in Gambier, dealing in drugs of all
kinds, patent medicines, stationery, etc.
FRIZZELL, EPHRAIM, Brown township, farmer, post office
Democracy, son of John M. and Elizabeth Frizzell, born in
Baltimore county, Maryland, September 16, 1816, and was
brought by his parents to Ohio in 1826, when a boy often years
of age. His father located in Pike township, Knox county,
where he reared his family. At the age of twenty-three years
Ephraim Frizzell, the subject of this sketch, married Miss Mary
Muntis in 1859, daughter of John and Susan Muntis, born in
York county, Pennsylvania, September 10, 1816. After his
marriage he remained in Pike township a short time, and pur
chased a farm in Brown township, where he moved in 1849,
and remained until 1853, when he exchanged said farm for a
farm and tannery in Amity, Pike township, where he then
moved, operating said tannery and farmed in connection with
it until 1857. He then sold his property in Pike township, and
purchased a farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Brown
township, where he then moved and now resides. While living

THOMAS FIDLER.

MRS. JANE FIDLER.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

667.

in Pike township he held the office of trustee for four years. By
their marriage they became the parents of nine children —
George, Allen, Eleorah, Sarah C, Mary A., Susan, John M.,
Elizabeth. Normanda died May 2, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Friz
zell are members of the German Baptist church of Danville.
Allen Frizzell, son of Ephraim Frizzell, served four years in the
late Rebellion, under Captain A. Cassil in the Sixty-fifth Ohio
volunteer infantry, company E.
FROST, JOSIAH, Union township, deceased, was bom in
Alleghany county, Maryland, July 15, 1790. He manied Miss
Peggy McNair in 1812, born in Frederick county, Maryland,
February, 1795. They settled in Maryland, where they re
mained ten years, and in 1822 he, with his wife and five chil
dren, emigrated to this county, located in Jefferson township on
a farm now owned by J. C. Banbury, two miles northwest of
Danville. The land at that time was a dense forest, no wood
man's axe had been there except an occasional trespasser. His
first work was the erection of a log cabin, which served them as
an abode for five years. In 1825 he erected a hewed log barn.
In 1827 he built a hewed log dwelling house. These served
them several years, when larger and more*commodious build
ings were erected. He continued improving his land until, by
persistent toil be made his farm to rank among the best im
proved ones in Jefferson township. His farm contains about
three hundred acres. He also owned several hundred acres of
land in Jefferson and adjoining townships. He lived on his
first purchase of land until 1864, when he sold it and moved to
Millwood, Union township, and lived a retired life until he died,
January, 1866.
They reared eleven children, viz: Elizabeth, Ann (deceased),
Joseph, Enoch (deceased), Levi William, Nelson, Maria, Jo
siah (deceased), Susan and Otho, They married and reared
families. In March, 1846, his wife departed this life. In October, 1846,
he married Hannah Harris. By this marriage he had one child,
Francis A. In 1856 his wife died.
In the latter part ofthe year of 1856 he was united in marriage
to Mrs. Lucy Workman, nee Holts, who survives him.
FROST, LEVI, Union township, third son of the above
Josiah Frost, was born in Alleghany county, Maryland, July
25, 1821. He was brought to Knox county by his parents in
October, 1822. He was a farmer and followed farming as his
vocation many years. In September 1843, he married Miss
Keziah Harris, born March 20, 1824, daughter of Thomas and
Elizabeth Hanis.
They settled on land given him by his father, in Jefferson
township, three miles north of the home farm, on which he made
improvements, and lived until 1854. He then sold his land and
purchased a part of the Harris farm, located in the same town
ship, one mile north of his father's farm, where they lived until
1868, when he sold his farm, moved to Danville in the fall of
1868, and engaged in the mercantile business, which business he
has since followed. They reared a family of five children, 'viz:
Thomas J., Madison H., John W., Parmenas T., and K. Flora.
His companion died October 8, 1S74. In September, 1876, he
married Elizabeth Butler for his second wife.
He enlisted in company A of the Sixty-firth Ohio volunteer
infantry, October, 1861, served until January, 1865, when he
was honorably discharged from the service, his time having ex
pired; thus having given three years and three months of his
time to the service ol his country. In 1874, his sons became his

partners in the mercantile business, and the firm is now known
as L. Frost & Sons, dealers in dry goods, groceries, in fact
everything kept in a village store.
FROST, MADISON H., Hilliar township, merchant, Cen-
terburgh, Ohio, was born in Knox county in 1849. His father,
Levi Frost, came to Ohio from Frostburgh, Maryland, with his
parents about fifty-six years ago and settled in Jefferson town
ship, where Mr. Frost spent his youth, and where he married
Keziah Hanis, and had a family of twelve children, five of whom
are living and doing well.
The subject of this notice clerked for about two years in Gam
bier. He then assisted his father in the store at Danville, and
in 1875, he associated himself with his father, and in 1877 he
opened a store at Hartford, Licking county, and succeeded in
establishing a good trade. In the spring of 1880 he purchased
the store of R. I. Pumphrey, in Centreburgh, which is now
known as the store of M. H. Frost & Co. Thus they control
three stores, which gives them a special advantage in the pur
chasing of goods, as they make large contracts and have the ad
vantage of close prices, and can afford to do well by their cus
tomers. Their stock is selected with special care, and from the
long experience which Mr. Frost has" had he is well calculated to
carry on a successful business. He is affable and pleasant,
always ready to answer all questions relating to his business.
He does not misrepresent and will not allow an employe to do
so. System is apparent in all departments of his business. He
carries a full line of all goods usually kept in a first-class general
store. Mr. Frost was married to Miss Arminta Shaw, August
30, 1873. They have a family of three children.
FRY, JACOB, Pleasant township, deceased, was born near
Strasburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1796. He was a tanner, and
followed tanning as his vocation for many years. He then en
gaged in farming which he made his business during the re
mainder of his life. He married Miss Catharine Bowers, born
nearStra sburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1795. They remained in Penn
sylvania until 1836, when he, with his wife and seven children,
emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, and located on a farm in
Monroe township, which he owned until his death. Septem
ber 19, 1877, his companion departed this life, aged eighty-two
years. December 31, 1877, he deceased in his eighty-first year.
They had eight children: John, Jacob, Wesley, Maria, Eliza,
William, Simon, and Philip, only four of whom, John, Simon,
Maria, and Philip, are living.
FRY, PHILIP, Pleasant township, farmer, son of the afore
said Jacob and Catharine Fry, was born in Knox county, Ohio,
June 18, 1838. On the eleventh day of October, 1859, he mar
ried Miss Minerva Taylor, born in Knox county, December 6,
1847, daughter of John G. and Nancy Taylor. They settled in
Monroe township, where they lived six years, then, in 1865, he
purchased a farm in College township, and remained upon it
until 1877, when he purchased and moved on the farm in Pleas
ant township, where they are now living. They have a family
of eight children, three sons and five daughters.
FRY, HENRY, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania,
on the twenty-sixth day of March, 1801. At the age of fifteen
he emigrated with his father, John Fry, to Ohio; was married
to Darcy Huffman, January 20, 1830. They had nine children,
viz: Amarian, Samuel, Christopher, Charlotte, WilLam, Eliza
beth, Priscilla, Jane, and Mary. Mr. Fry died in the winter of
1880--1.

668

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

FULLER, DANIEL, Wayne township, retired farmer, post
office Mt. Vernon, was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania,
Febmary 19, 1790, was brought to Ohio at the age of thirteen
years, and has been a resident of this county for seventy-eight
years. September 29, 1814, he was married to Margaret Rose,
who was born July 3, 1795. They had the following children:
David, born March 7, 1816; Elizabeth H., December 15, 1818;
Hannah, March 6, 1820; Ruth M., August 25,1824; John, April
25, 1826; Job J., June 26, 1829; Maria, March 6, 1831; Miriam
J., September 22, 1833; and Sarah A., August 21, 1838. Mr.
Fuller died September 22, 1838. Mrs. Margaret Fuller died
August 7, 1867, at the age of seventy-two years. John Fuller
and Job J. were in the late war. Mr. Fuller resided in Harri
son township, and has been identified with this county about
seventy-eight years. He is one of the pioneers of this county,
having come here when it was a howling wilderness, infested by
wolves, bears, wildcats and Indians. He has done much to im
prove it, and to advance every good cause and work.
FULTZ, JOSEPH J., now of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, born April
26, A. D. 1845, on the banks qf the Schuylkill, near Morris-
town, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is the oldest of
five children — Joseph Jackson, George Washington, Jacob
Pierce, Albert Buchanan, and Elizabeth A. — all living. His
parents, Joseph E. and Mary A. Fultz, nee Millington are de
scendants of the earliest pioneer settlers of Pennsylvania; emi
grated to Ohio in the year 1850, locating on the banks of the
Ohio below Pomeroy, now Middleport, in Meigs county, where
they now reside, and where their eldest children secured their
early education, trudging some two miles or more, winter and
summer, to an old log school-house of ye olden kind, where
split logs, with sticks for legs, constituted the seating capacity
of the backwoods structure dedicated to the cause of educa
tion, and where the domine's teaching qualities were best shown
in his ability to handle the rod — in fact, his best hold — upon
the boys, J. J. coming in for his full share of said ability, if not
more. Anon, and during the years 1859-60, he attended a
normal school for teachers under the management of H. C.
Watterman, at Middleport, and in the winter of i860 began
his first term of many as a country school-teacher, at Carr's
run, in said county of Meigs, where, among the big boys, he
was the smallest among several, luckily getting through the
term without being ducked in the stream running near by, as
was his predecessor of the winter before.
After the close of the late war, and during the fall of 1865, he
went south, visiting the States boidering on the Ohio and Mis
sissippi rivers, crossing over into Texas, making the trip in a
little more than one year. Returning home he engaged with
and took charge of the mathematical department of a commer
cial school then located at Pomeroy, Ohio. From there he
went to Tiffin, Ohio, engaging with the same parties in the
management of a branch school. During the winter of 1869 he
came to Mt. Vernon, where he has since resided, and where,
with J. W. Oldham, he opened a commercial college, of which,
by the departure of his said partner, he was soon in entire con
trol. This school was successfully managed until 1871, when it
was disposed of to R. G. Dildine and W. P. Harrison, and
soon closed for repairs.
In May, 1871, he was married to Mary E. Calkins, (whose
grandfather, Lewis Young, built the first frame house in Knox
county), only child of Edward and Sarah M. Calkins, nee
Young. During the same year he engaged with Judge C. E.

Critchfield as deputy probate clerk, and securing a contract
under the judge compiled and arranged an alphabetical abstract
of the probate court records from the origin of said court,
which, for accuracy and completeness, has not its superior in
the State.
Leaving Judge Critchfield he engaged for a time with Max
Leopold, in the clothing trade, until the year 1875, when he
was a candidate for, and received the nomination, for clerk of
the court of common pleas, at a Democratic delegate conven
tion, receiving the nomination on the first ballot, with four
competitors in the field, a compliment of which he was de
servedly proud. Owing, however, to the strong anti-temper
ance feeling that had been created by the women's crusade that
had raged throughout the country the previous winter, as also
the fact that he had ever been recognized as an advocate of
temperance (although not radical), he was defeated by the Re
publican candidate.
After his defeat he turned his attention to, and made a spec
ialty of, insurance, in which field he has been more than suc
cessful. In I879 he organized a company, associating with him
such well known men as Hon. John D. Thompson, Colonel W.
C. Cooper, General George W. Morgan, arid David C. Mont
gomery. And almost alone in the working thereof, he (in four
months) organized the Eagle Mutual Fire Insurance company,
with a capital of over fifty thousand dollars in premium notes,
which has already grown to a net capital of over two hundred
thousand dollars.
Later, and during the same year, he originated, and, with
the same association of gentlemen, organized the Ohio Mutual
Aid, an association already widely known throughout the State,
destined to be far-reaching in its benefits, and already number
ing its members by the thousands, and represented in several
States of the Union.
As secretary and general manager of both companies, he has
shown much executive ability, and, without clerical assistance,
has labored early and late to bring both to their present solid,
fast-growing condition,  , A. D. 1881.

G

GAMBLE, JOHN R,, deceased, was born in Pennsylvania,
September 27, 1796. His father, William Gamble, having emi
grated from county Antrim, Ireland. He was of Scotch-Irish
lineage, having been obliged to flee the country for his demo
cratic principles, and on account of a personal collision with
one of the king's officers. He settled in Pennsylvania, near
Philadelphia, where John R. Gamble was born. He came to
Delaware county, Ohio, about the year 1810. He was married
in 1825, to Miss Lovina Collins, who still survives. The fruits
of this union were six children, viz: William, George W.,
Horatio N., Sarah Jane, Constant, and John R., of whom
William, George W., Jane, and Constant, still survive. Mr.
Gamble subsequently resided in Columbus, Newark, Tuscar
awas, and Coshocton counties, removing to Butler township in
1836, where he resided until the time of his decease, which
occurred in 1857. Mr. Gamble was a public spirited citizen, a
prominent Democratic politician, and was much respected for
his sterling qualities.
GANN, GEORGE, deceased, was born in Lycoming county,
Pennsylvania, January 24, 1810. While residing in Pennsyl
vania he was married to Miss Sarah Bridgen, in November, 1831.
He came to Jefferson jn 1834, locating in the southwestern

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

669

corner of the township. He reared a family of six children,
viz: Jacob, born October 23, 1832; Nancy, born in 1833;
Mary, July 6, 1835; Margaret, March 3, 1837; Martha, Sep
tember 6, 1838; Maria, January 18, 1852. Nancy died March
12, 1834; Maria died, September 14, 1854; Sarah died Septem
ber 7, 1877.
Mr. Gann was many years an influential citizen of Knox
county, and of Jefferson township. By the detaching of a
portion of Jefferson in 1876, and its annexation to Union, he
became a citizen of Union township. He took an active part
in the locating of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Pittsburgh
railroad at Mt. Holly, and in consideration of his services the
station and village were named Gann. He was the owner of
four hundred acres of good farming land at the time of his
decease, which occurred September 7, 1877.
GANN, JACOB, Union township; farmer; post office, Gann,
was born in Pennsylvania October 3, 1832, and came to this
county in 1835. In 1844 he settled on the farm, where he now
resides. He married Myrtilla Maxfield in 1866, and settled on
the Gann homestead, where he has remained until the present
time. He has two children: George W., born March 7, 1867,
and John, January 13, 1871.
His father's will granted him one hundred and sixty-seven
acres including the old house. This is to be divided between
the children at the time of his death. His wife was bom
January 23, 1837, in New York, and came to this county in
1840. She taught school until her marriage.
GANTT, STEPHEN H., Hilliar township, farmer, bom in
Loudoun county, Virginia, February 16, 1818. His ancestors
were Virginians. His father had been a soldier, in the War of
1812, and served for some time in Norfolk, Virginia.
In 1835 the parents, Samuel and Mary Gantt, nee Andrews,
came to Ohio, and settled in Morris township, where they re
mained about seven years, then came to Hilliar township, and
settled near where their son Stephen now resides, and where
they spent their lives, being respected and honored citizens.
They had a family of eight children, six of whom are living.
The subject of this short sketch remained at home until he
was about twenty-two years of age. In 1840 he came to where
he now resides, and which was some time before his parents
came. There was no improvement, woods covered the land, and Mr.
Gantt was compelled to do like the early, pioneers, build his
cabin first for a habitation, and then clear the land of the
"giant oaks." He remained in his cabin for about twelve
years, enjoying his life as well as ever he did, happy and con
tented with the result of his labor. He then built his present
substantial and comfortable dwelling. He started in life poor,
but by industry he has made for himself a competence. He is
an intelligent and careful farmer, and an estimable citizen, and
has the confidence, respect and esteem of the community. He
is social in his manners, and hospitable to strangers.
Mr. Gantt has been twice manied. His first wife was Miss
Eliza Loveridge, to whom he was married May 14, 1840.
They had a family of six children, three of whom are living,
viz: Martha, married to Elmer Burgoon, farmer, and resides in
Hilliar township; Cynthia, married to Henry Motley, farmer,
Hilliar township, and Mary Jane, married to Charles Sager,
farmer, in Union county, Ohio. Two children died in infancy.
Mahlon died when about sixteen years of age.
Mrs. Gantt died May 19, 1858. He was afterwards married

to Miss Emily Barker. As a result of this marriage they have a
family of four children, viz: Lucy Ellie, married to Charles
Corwin, and resides in Monow county, Ohio; Orlin, Flora Elsie
and Alvah live at home.
GANTT, WILLIAM F., grocer, Jones' block, West High
street, Mt. Vernon, is a native of Knox county, and was born
near Fredericktown. At the age of fifteen he went into the dry
goods store of his uncle, E. R. Gantt, Centreburgh, 'as a sales
man, where he continued three years. He next entered the em
ploy of James Johnson, Fredericktown, and clerked for thirteen
years. His next engagement was with the late George B. Pot
win, grocer and provision dealer, Mt. Vernon, where he served
four years. On the first of February, 1869, with A. B. Tarr as
partner, they commenced the grocery business. In the spring
of 1871 Mr. Gantt purchased the interest of Mr. Tan, and con
tinued the business in his own name. He has done business in
the same room for eleven years. On the sixth of January he sold
his business to Mr. Trott. Shortly after this sale Mr. Gantt
formed a partnership with J. M. Roberts, and rented the room
in the same block formerly occupied by N. Whittington & Son,
and filled it with a large stock of groceries and provisions, and
opened out on the sixth of March, 1880, where they may still
be found ready to wait upon old friends and new ones. This
gives Mr. Gantt a business of thirty-two years — half a lifetime.
Their stock embraces a full line of staple and fancy family gro
ceries and confectioneries. Their stock is valued at about two
thousand dollars, and is frequently renewed to supply the de
mand. They have a successful and a daily increasing trade.
Their establishment is one of the first-class family grocery houses
in the city.
Mr. J. M. Roberts was in Mr. Gantt's employ for five years
prior to his entering the firm as partner.
March 14th Mr. Gantt bought Mr. Roberts' interest, and
at this time is conducting the business alone.
GARDNER, W. S., physician, Union township, post office,
Rosstown. He was born in Mt. Holly, Knox county, and was
taken to New Jersey when he was small, and remained about
three years, then he commenced his medical education as well
as his literary. His mother died in New Jersey. After his
father's second marriage he went to Philadelphia and finished
his medical education, and commenced practice in the city.
His health failed him there and he removed to Bladensburgh,
Ohio, where he met and married Emma M. Gardner, in 1874.
He practiced there for five years and built a good little home.
He came to Rossville in 1879, where he has settled and is
pleased with his success.
GATES, LYMAN W., Miller township ; bom in Miller
township, September 21, 1819. His father, Cyrus Gates, was a
native of Rutland, Vermont, emigrated to Ohio in 1814. In
the month of September, 1815, he purchased of the United
States Government a quarter section of land in the west part of
Miller township. In the month of September, 1816, he married
Elizabeth McKee, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio
in 1795, with her parents, who settled at Marietta: In 1802 she
removed to Zanesville, where she lived until after her marriage.
In the month of December, 1816, they removed to Miller town
ship, then nearly, an unbroken wilderness, with probably not
more than fifteen families within the present limits of the town
ship. Then commenced the hardships of pioneer life in a howl
ing wilderness. They lived to see the fruits of their labors.
The farm was cleared, and by industry, economy, and frugality,

670

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

acquired a competency. Both sank to rest in a good old age.
Cyrus Gates died August 21, 1867, aged seventy-five years. Eliza
beth Gates died June 16, 1876, aged eighty-four years. They
both died on the old homestead first purchased by Cyrus Gates.
By this marriage there were ten children ; six dead and four liv
ing. Of the dead, the first child died in infancy; Roena,
Cyras, Elizabeth, Dorcas (married Henry C. Harris), and
Charles B. The living are : Lyman W. , Lewis, Sallie, widow
of A. G. Simons, and Lorancy, married to J. W. Baxter, and
all reside in Miller township. Lewis owns the old homestead
farm, and with Sallie Simons resides on the farm which has
been owned by some of the family since 1815.
The subject of this notice was reared on a farm. He had the
advantages of the common-schools of those days, which were
very different from those of the present day. The first school-
house in which he attended school, was located on his father's
farm, situated on a sm.ill eminence near the road-side, on the
west bank of the brook. It was probably ahout fifteen feet
square, and built of round logs, and covered with split oak
boards four feet long, with poles placed on them to hold them
in place. The door was on the south side, next . to the road;
one window of six lights, with eight by ten inch glass; no ceil
ing of any kind overhead, except the roof; the floor was white
ash split slabs, and placed so near together that the children
would not be in danger of falling through the floor, yet it was
very rough. There were two seats, about ten feet long, made by
splitting an inch log about one foot in diameter and boring
two holes near the end of each piece, then pins of wood were
inserted for feet. This done, the house was completed. This
building was erected in the spring of 1825. Cyrus Gates was
the principal superintendent of the building, and it occupied
his time nearly three days. There were residing in the neigh
borhood-, at this time, nine children, of school age, that at
tended school in this house. The first school was taught by
Miss Sophia Hillard and a sister of J. M. Hillard, who now resides
in Miller township. The price paid was fifty cents per week of
five and one-half days, or about nine cents per day. Schools
were taught in this house only in the summer season, for five
summers. In 1830 a district was organized and a more commo
dious sc'iool-house built of hewed logs, wit'i a large fireplace at
one end of the room. A Mr. Hall taught the first winter school
at twelve dollars per month, or fifty cents per day.
The subject of this notice has some striking (?) recollections
of the teachers of those days, and the teachers generally had
some striking (?) qualifications for teaching. The prices paid
teachers in those days were generally governed by their striking
(?) qualifications, varying from eight to twelve dollars per
month in winter, and from sixty to seventy-five cents per week
in summer. In those days no teacher was required to obtain a
certificate of qualification to teach a common-school. Reading,
writing, and arithmetic, were the common branches taught.
At the age of twenty-one years he had acquired the necessary
qualification to teach a common school, which business he fol
lowed in the winter seasons for thirty-seven years, teaching
thirty-five terms. He learned the carpenter's trade, and worked
at his trade during the summer seasons. He has lived all his
life in Miller township, now sixty-one years. He served as
township clerk sixteen years, and as justice of the peace six
years; was elected county commissioner in the year 1867, by the
Republican party, and served three years; and was nominated
again in 1870 for the same office, but the Republican ticket was
defeated that year in the county. He now holds the office

of notary public, which office he has held nearly twelve years. '
He served in the late war against the Rebellion, in the One
Hundred and Forty-second regiment, in the summer of 1864,
most of the time in front of Petersburgh, Virginia.
He always openly and fearlessly defended what he believed to
be right, and was always ready to condemn whatever he be
lieved to be wrong, either morally, politically, or in matters of
religion. Slavery he believed to be an evil and a wrong in every
sense of the word, and he was recognized as one of the few
Abolitionists as early as 1842, yet voting with the Whig party
until 1848; then united with the Free-soil party until the Re
publican party was organized, in 1856, with which party he has
acted to the present time. He has never failed to vote at every
county, State, or Presidential election in forty years, and never
failed but twice to vote at township elections in the same time.
He never uses intoxicating drink of any kind, and is a zealous
advocate of temperance.
In religion he is a liberalist, freely granting to others the right
and privilege of expressing their own religious opinions; and at
the same time asks the same rights and privileges for himself
that he so freely grants to others. He was married April 14,
1841, to Miss Prudence Hooker, whose parents were also pio
neer citizens of Miller township.
By this marriage they have ten children. Three died in in
fancy; seven are living, viz: Caroline, married to Henry Robin
son; Orlinda E., married to William H. Taylor, of Palmyra,
Otoe county, Nebraska; Lucretia, married P. W. Mason; Lo
rancy married J. C. Hartsock; Jennie married M. B. Rouse;
Omar C. and Howard are the remaining two.
GATES, LEWIS, Miller township, farmer, was born October
16, 1825. He is the son of Cryrus and Elizabeth Gates, nee
McKee, of whom mention is made under the biography of L.
W. Gates.
The subject of this notice spent his early days on his father's
old homestead, and at the common schools of the district. He
remained in the community until April, 1862, when he enlisted
in company A, Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, for three
years, and participated in the skirmish at Front Royal, Virginia.
He was taken sick in Virginia, and was discharged, after being
in the service five months. He was in the quartermaster's de
partment as carpenter at Nashville, Tennessee. He travelled
in Missouri, Kansas, and the west for four years. He has been
suceessful in life. In religion he is a liberal, and accords to
others the same privilege he claims for himself. He now resides
on the old homestead, where he was born.
GAY, JOHN F., Mt. Vernon, ex-sheriff of Mt. Vernon,
was born in Wesmoreland county, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1845.
His paternal grandfather, Peter Gay, emmigrated to the United
States from Wales prior to the Revolution, and settled in
western Pennsylvania, where he became a leading citizen, and
represented the county of Westmoreland in the legislature of
the State. He married in Pennsylvania, and had a family of
five children, two sons and three daughters.
William Gay, the father of the subject of this notice, was
born in 1815 and died in 1866. He was a farmer by occupa
tion, and a leading citizen. He married Martha S. Speer, of
Fayette county, Pennsylvania. They had a family of eight
children, all of whom are living but Peter, who was a member
of the Eleventh regiment, Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, and
died from wounds received at Gettysburgh, Pennsylvania.
John F., the subject of this notice, was born on the farm

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

671

and there reared, attending the common schools and several
terms at an academy at Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania. He re
ceived an appointment to the naval academy at Annapolis,
Maryland, where he remained eight months, and on account of
sickness returned home.
In 1866 he came to Ohio and engaged in the dry goods busi
ness, in Fredericktown, Knox county, as clerk for M. J. Sim
mons, with whom he remained for three years, when he became
one ofthe firm. About 1871 he engaged in business for him
self in Fredericktown. where he remained two years, when he
was burned out. He then came to Mt. Vemon and clerked
successively for J. W. Miller and D. W. Mead. In 1876 he
was nominated for the office of sheriff by the Democratic con
vention, without his personal solicitation, and at the ensuing
election received a majority of one hundred and twenty-six. He
made a very efficient and acceptable officer, and was again nom
inated in 1878, running largely ahead of his ticket, receiving a
majority of one thousand five hundred and sixteen. Mr. Gay is
an accurate business man, and by his pleasant manner has suc
ceeded in making many friends. He was married to Miss Mary
A. Nevius. They have been the parents of four children, two
of whom are living. Mr. Gay is now in the dry goods business,
having connected himself with the well known house of G. W.
Mead, of Mt. Vemon.
GEARHART, SMITH, Milford township, farmer, was born
in Hilliar township, December 17, 1843. He is the son of White-
field and Harriet Gearhart, who was a daughter of Jesse Smith.
She was born in Rhode Island in 1820. and in 1833 came to
Ohio with her parents who settled in Liberty township. Mr.
Smith came to Ohio at a much earlier date and purchased a tract
of land, then returned to Rhode Island, where he married Mary
Jenks. By this marriage there were six children, Mrs. Gearhart
being the oldest of the family. Mrs. Smith died in 1865. Some
time after his wife's death he went to Iowa, where he yet residesi
aged eighty-five years. Harriet was married to Whitefield Gear
hart March 1, 1838. They had nine children, six of whom are
living, viz.: George, Mary, (married to John Spearman), Smith,
Charles, Mary (manied to John New), Aaron W. Mr. Gear
hart died in 1874, aged fifty-nine years. Mrs. Gearhart still re
sides on the farm in Liberty township. The subject of this
notice, Smith Gearhart, was reared on a farm. In 1862 he en
listed in company F, One Hundred and Twenty-first regiment
Ohio volunteer infantry for three years, and participated in the
battle of Perrysville, Kentucky. He was taken sick and dis
charged on account of physical disability contracted while in
service. He was out about eight months. After his return
home, and upon the recovery of his health, he engaged in farm
ing, which he has followed ever since. He is one of Milford
township's best citizens, and a good farmer. June 10, 1865, he
married Mary L. Brokau, who is a daughter of John A. and
Caroline Brokaw, of Mt. Liberty, Ohio.
GEORGE, JAMES, deceased, late of Clinton township, was
a native of England, having been born in Somersetshire, May
4, 1809. His early years were spent in and around his old home,
for which he had up to his last sickness a veneration that made
bim somewhat restless, and he often expressed a desire to return
and spend his remaining days with the "old folks at home."
So great was this desire to be at "home" once more, as he
often expressed himself, that on three different occasions he
braved the dangers of the mighty deep to gratify the yearnings
of his heart. On his first return home, in 1844, he acknowl

edged things looked changed, they were not as his fond wishes
hoped to find them — a reaction took place. In 1859 was his
next return, the old desire to visit England being too great to re
sist. Again disappointment met him at every place he visited —
old scenes had vanished, and new scenes had taken their place
— the people were also new and strange. Again he returned to
America — it appeared better to him than before. In 1867 the
old homesickness again seized him — the tenors of the ocean
stood not in his way. So again we find him "going down to
the sea in ships" — Somersetshire the objective point. Greater
changes than before met him face to face. He took sick almost
unto death. His devoted wife was sent for — she crossed the
waters — nursed him to convalescence, and cared for him on his
fourth voyage to America.
In July, 1833, Mr. George, then in his twenty-fourth year,
made his initial voyage to America, landing in New Yoik.
From New York he went to Portchester, where he remained two
years. Here he met, wooed and won Miss Catharine A. Brown,
of Portchester, and on the fourth of March, 1855, they were
united in marriage. Miss Brown was bom in New York, Octo
ber 25, 1811. Shortly after his marriage Mr. and Mrs. George,
in May of 1835, removed to New Rochelle, and remained
there until November, when they came to Ohio, locating in
Coshocton county, and made that county their home for one
year. In 1836 they again broke up their home and settled in
Columbus, Ohio, where he engaged in the baking business.
Mr. George erected the building known as the Buckeye block,
now occupied by Mr. William Taylor. Ho also increased his
business by entering into the wholesale and retail grocery trade,
which he conducted with great success up to 1849. He then
sold his stock of goods and part of his real estate property in
Columbus and purchased and moved upon a farm near Freder
icktown, this county. Until about 1852 he followed farming,
when he and his family came to Mt. Vernon, where he engaged
in the mercantile business. This he continued for a number of
years. "Indeed," says Mrs, George, "during his residence in
the city, he was never idle — being always employed either in
selling goods, erecting houses, improving property, or farming."
In 1875 he purchased and moved to a small farm, one mile west
of Mt. Vernon, on the new Delaware road. Here he lived until
June 25, 1879, when his last sickness terminated in his death.
Mr. George was a good citizen, an affectionate husband, and
an indulgent father, honest to the heart, and liberal to a fault.
His death was a loss to all.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. George five sons and one daughter were
bom; four sons and the daughter are still living, viz: James,
William, John, Thomas, and Mary. The sons are living in Mt.
Vemon and engaged in business. The daughter, Mary, the
widow of the late George Fay, is a resident of Tama City, Iowa.
Mary is now the wife of Mr. Charles Kingsbury. Their first
child, a son, died young.
Mrs. George, now in her sixty-ninth year, resides on the little
farm in Clinton township, where her husband passed from earth.
GERHERT, W. P., Fredericktown, dealer in groceries,
provisions and notions ; was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1850,
and was manied in 1870 to Liscettie Chronester, who was bora
in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1849. They have the following family,
viz: Curtis, bom in i87i;Jennie, born in i874;John B., born
in 1877.
Mr. Gerhart established his business here in 1876, and has
built up a very extensive trade. He has become a very popular

672

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

business man, so that his store is one of the leading institutions
of the town.
GETZ, JOHN, Fredericktown, marble and monument manu
facturer; was born in Germany in 1845, emigrated with his
parents to this country in 1846 and located in Berlin township,
Holmes county, Ohio. He was married to Maggie Culler, who
was born in Pennsylvania. They had six children : Edwin W. ,
Anna Mary, Grace Geneva, Erma, John and an infant.
Mr. Getz learned the marble cutting trade in Holmes county,
and worked at it in the same county. He came to Frederick-
town in 1879 and established marble and monumental works.
He is doing business on quite an extensive scale, giving em
ployment to a number of hands, and has the best material in
the market, employs the best workmen, is a practical mechanic
himself, and is prepared to meet all competition of larger towns
in prices and quality. He is establishing a good trade, and it is
increasing rapidly, as his establishment compares favorably
with those of Mt. Vernon and Mansfield.
John Getz enlisted in the late war in 1862, and was a member
of company F, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth regiment O. V.
I. He continued until the close of the war, and was in the fol
lowing engagements: Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca,
Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, at Atlanta (several en
gagements), Jonesborough, Franklin and Nashville, besides a
number of smaller engagements. He was' honorably dis
charged. GHRIST, JAMES F., tailor, Fredericktown, was born in
Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1829, and was married in 1854
to Sarah L. Latimer, who was born in the same county in
"1829. They have three children: Thomas E., born in 1856;
Clara M., in 1858; and Orlando P., in 1872.
Mr. Ghrist learned the tailor trade in Galion, Ohio, remained
there four years, and then returned to Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania. He there engaged in the same business, and re
mained in that State for twenty-five years.
He was a soldier in the late war — a member of company K,
Two Hundred and Sixth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteer in
fantry, and was engaged in the service one year. He returned
to Richland county, Ohio, in 1876, and engaged at his trade in
Independence and Bellville.
In 1878 he located in Fredericktown, and is doing a custom
trade. Mr. Ghrist is a first-class mechanic, and makes cutting
a specialty, doing quite an extensive business.
Mr. Ghrist is an active official member of the Baptist church,
and superintendent of their Sabbath-school.
GIBSON, SAMUEL (degeased), was born in Frederick
county, Maryland, and was married to Ruth Elliott, who was
born in Montgomery county, Maryland, in 1815. They emi
grated to Jefferson county, Ohio, and remained there until the
spring of 1818, when they came to Knox county. He bought
one quarter section in Richland county.
They had nine children: George W., Sarah, Hannah, John,
and Hiram — all born in the State of Maryland. John died in in
fancy; Ann, who was born in Jefferson county; William, born
on the Farquahar farm; Mary (deceased) and Ruth, who were
bom on the farm where Joseph Crane now resides. Ruth was
married to Joseph Crane.
William Farquahar and Henry Roberts settled on the farm
where Nicholas Darling resides, in Morris township. They had
to cut the road through from Mt. Vernon. They raised com at
that time in that neighborhood fourteen feet high. Basil Far

quahar, when fourteen years of age, climbed a stock of corn,
which incident is still remembered by some of the older citizens.
GIBSON, GEORGE W., was married to Mary Garrett; they
had one daughter, Abigail, who was married to Issachar Gregg,
Mr. G. W. Gibson subsequently married Frances Green. There
are three of their children living, viz. : Caroline, now Mrs. John
Wagner, of Middlebury township; Eliza, now Mrs. Dove;
Hiram M., a resident of Berlin; George W., resides on the farm
with Hiram M.
GIBSON, HIRAM M., farmer, Berlin township, post office,
Fredericktown, was born in Richland county, in a cabin, in 1845,
and was married in 1874 to Clara Comfort, who was bom in
this county in 1851.
GIFFIN, LAURISTON, farmer, post office, Shaler's Mills.
He was born in Worcester county, Massachusetts, in 1809, and
came to Ohio in 1838, purchasing land in Berlin township, this
county. He was married to Lucia F. Willis, who was born in
Pittsford, Vermont, in 1812. They had four children: Arminta
M., deceased; William C, Emma E., and Mary Alice.
William C. Giffin was married in 1864 to Amy Gower. They
have five children living: Mattie May, Charles H., Emma A.,
Mary L., Herbert L, Lucia J., and Loretta A. The deceased
members are Emma A., and Herbert L.
Mr. W. C. Giffin was a soldier during the late war, a member
of company H, One Hundred and Forty-second regiment Ohio
National guard. He is engaged in farming, threshing, and
during the winter is running a mill for grinding feed, which is
located at Fredericktown.
Mary Alice was married in 1872 to Columbus W. Smith.
They have three children: Burton G., born in 1873; Fannie W.,
in 1876; and Carl C, in 1879. Mr. Smith is residing with Mr.
L. Giffin and farming the home place.
Mr. L. Giffin, when he first came to Knox county, was a citi
zen of Fredericktown for about eighteen months. He was en
gaged in manufacturing hair cloth for sofas and chairs.
It was in the days of Judge Ayers. The judge would get Mr.
Giffin to break his wild colts that no one had the courage to
handle. Judge Ayers positively claimed that Mr. L. Giffin was
the champion horseman.
Mr. Giffin moved on his farm in Berlin township in 1839. He
built the first frame house on the street where he now resides.
He kept a public house to accommodate the travelling public.
Mr. and Mrs. Giffin are very hospitable, and are well remem
bered by many that shared their hospitality.
GIFFIN, ROBERT, SR., was born in Virginia, November
21, 1813, and came with his father, William Giffin, to New Cas
tle township, Coshocton county, Ohio, at an early age. In
March, 1838, he removed to Butler township, and has
since resided here. November 16, 1837, he was married to
Miss Martha Busenberg, who was born Febmary 11, 1821, in
Butler township. They have had eight children, viz: Louisa
Giffin, bom March 28, 1839; Sarah Catharine, September 16,
1841; Amanda J., March 20, 1843; William B., June 28, 1844;
Mary Elizabeth, August 9, 1847; Charles Francis, September
20, 1850; William Monroe, June 5, 1853; Martha Ellen, June
5, 1853. Louisa Giffin died October 2, 1840; William Monroe
Giffin, August 14, 1855; Charles Francis Giffin, August 29,
1855; Martha Ellen Giffin, September 9, i860.
Politically Mr. Giffin was an old line Whig and afterwards a
Republican. He is owner of two hundred and fifty acres of fine

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

673

farming land lying in Butler township, and is possessor of a very
fine residence.
GILBERT, JOHN, son of Samuel and Thompson Gilbert,
was bom in England, March 23, 1836. In 1850 he came with
his parents to America, and located in Mt. Vernon. In 1851
he commenced an apprentice at the blacksmith trade in Mt.
Vernon, and remained one year; then, in 1852, he came to Mon
roe Mills, where he finished his apprenticeship in 1854 with
Stephen Parmenter. He at once commenced business for him
self, purchased Mr. Parmenter's shop and accouterments, in
which he worked until 1861, when he erected his present shop at
Monroe Mills, in which shop he has since carried on the busi
ness of blacksmithing in all its branches.
In 1856 he married Miss Phcebe E. Lybarger, born in Knox
county, November, 1838, daughter of Jesse Lybarger. They
settled at Monroe Mills, where they now reside. Their union
resulted in four children, two sons and two daughters. In May,
1864, he enlisted in company F, of the One Hundred and Forty-
second Ohio volunteer infantry, and served until the close of
the war. He was then discharged from the service, returned
home and again engaged at his business, which he has since
been following.
GILBERT, WILLIAM H., farmer, Liberty township, was
bom December 28, 1848, near Fredericktown, and is the son of
Samuel and J oanna Gilbert nee Hicks.
Samuel Gilbert was born in Devonshire, England, and when
about nineteen, came to the United States with his brother
John. He remained in New York city two years, and then emi
grated to Wayne township, subsequently to Clinton and Hilliar
townships, where he died in September 1875. He was twice
manied, his first wife was Joanna Hicks, who had two children,
William H. and Mary E. His second wife was Mrs. D. Mar
shall, with whom he had four children. She is yet a resident of
Hilliar township.
The subject of this notice was reared on a farm, and has al
ways followed farming. November 23, 1872, he married Miss
Mary Ann Sharpnack, who is the daughter of Daniel Sharpnack,
vvho was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, January 23, 1804.
He married Miss L. Coleman in Fayette county, Pennsylvania.
She was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, August 30,
1803. They came to Ohio about 1838. They are both dead.
They had ten children, four of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs.
Gilbert have one child, Mary L., born September 25, 1875.
GILMORE, FRANCIS, farmer, Pike township, post office,
North Liberty, born in Pike township, this county, July 9, 1839,
and was married January 25, 1864, to Mary Jane Loney, who
was born in Pike township, this county, September 6, 1844.
They have the following children : Mary, bom April 12, 1867;
John L., January 26, 1874; Blanche, July 21, 1876; William
Calvin, April 24, 1879. He owns the old homestead and has
resided on it since his marriage.
GILMORE, JOHN, Pike township, farmer, post office,
North Liberty, born in Knox county, and was married to
Maria Clawson, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio. They
had four children: Lovena, Eddie, Willie (deceased), and
Walter. Mr. Gilmore is a farmer hy occupation, and has a
beautiful farm in Pike township, with all the modern improve
ments, his buildings being among the very best in this county,
and he is a model farmer.
GLASENER, ABSALOM, Brown township, farmer, post

office, Jelloway, was bom in Alleghany county, Maryland, No
vember 19, 1804, and remained with his parents until he arrived
at the age of twenty-five years, when he was united in marriage
with Elizabeth Pierce, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio,
December 2, 1804. After his marriage he moved with his
family to Knox county, locating on a farm of one hundred and
sixty acres, in Brown township, which he had entered previous
to his marriage. There he commenced life in a cabin he had
erected previous to coining to said farm. He cleared the land,
made it ready for the plow, and soon had a fine farm. Said
farm is located on the headwaters of Bear run, and is a very
pleasant home. He now lives there and is enjoying himself in
his old days. By "their marriage they became the parents of
four children : Elizabeth S., bom March 7, 1831, now resides
in Mt. Vernon; Rebecca J., November n, 1833; Mary M.,
April 23, 1836, now lives in Fredericktown; Jacob H., Novem
ber 11, 1838, died September n, 1840.
GLASGOW, JOHN W., Pike township, farmer, post office,
Democracy, born in Pike township in 1855, and was married in
1876 to Mary Guthrie, who was born in Pike township in 1853.
They have two children, John, born in 1876, and Edith Rachel,
in 1878.
Mr. Glasgow has always been identified with this county and
is one of its leading citizens.
GLASGOW, JAMES JR., Pike township, farmer, post office,
North Liberty, born in Pike township, this county, September
10, i860, and was manied by Rev. W. Ferguson, in Mt.
Vernon, September 16, 1880, to Miss Kittie Hively, who was
born September 16, 1861. They reside in Knox county, Ohio.
His father, James Glasgow, sr., was born January 10, 1809, and
was married in 1833 to Nancy Robinson, who was bom in 1817.
They had four children: Isabella, born in 1835; Nancy, in
1837; Eliza A., 1839; Margaret J., 1842.
Mrs. Nancy Glasgow died January 18, 1842.
Mr. Glasgow subsequently married Alice A. Petterson, born
in 1807. They had two children, Robert and James, deceased.
Mrs. Alice Glasgow died in 1850. His third marriage was in
1850 to Mary Jane Armstrong, who was born in 1824. They
had eight children: . Emma, born in r8si; Abigail, in 1853;
John, in 1855; Mary, 1858; James, jr., i860; Robert, 1863;
Harvey, 1866, and Elizabeth, 1869. Elizabeth died in 1875. The
following are married: Isabella and Samuel Ruby, Nancy and
Newton Blair, Eliza and William Reed, Margaret and Nelson
Hushberger, Emma and William Dunmire, John and Mary
Guthrie, Abigail and Eliza Guthrie, James, jr., and Kittie
Hively. GLENN, DAVID (deceased), Pleasant township, was born
in Carlisle, Penneylvania, July 9, 1788. On May 13, 18 13, he
manied Miss Jane McConnell, of Pennsylvania, born in 1792.
They settled in Pennsylvania, where they lived until 1847, when,
with his wife and ten children, he moved to Ohio, located for
one year in Wayne county, then moved to Ashland county, re
mained two years, and in 1850 moved to Knox county, locating
on a farm in Green valley, four miles west of Mt. Vernon. In
1852 he purchased and moved on the farm now owned and occu
pied by his heirs. Febmary 27, 1869, he died here, aged eighty-
one years. He was one term in the legislature, and filled the
office of justice of the peace for many years, in Pennsylvania,
August 27, 1875, his companion died, aged eighty-four years.
They reared a family of ten children, viz. : Eliza J., John, James
M., David, Nettie E. and Mary A. (twins), George W., Samuel

674

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

H., Thomas S., and William S.— all now living, except David,
who died February 4, 1858.
BROWN, JOSEPH C, farmer, Pleasant township, was
born in Cork county, Ireland in 1827, where he grew to manhood.
In 1856 he emigrated to America and located in Clermont county,
Ohio. In 1861 he came to Knox county, Ohio, where he mar
ried Miss Mary Clark, of College township, March 31st of same
year. They returned to Clermont county, where they lived a
year; then, in 1862, they moved to this county and located for
three years in College township, and In 1865 he purchased and
moved on the farm in Pleasant township where they are now
living. They have a family of seven children, three sons and
four daughters. He has followed farming as his vocation. Miss
Clark was born in county Cork, Ireland, November 23, 1833,
daughter of Thomas and Mary Clark. She emigrated to Amer
ica in 1852; lived in Hamilton county, Ohio, three years, and
in 1855 came to Knox county.
GLOSSER, LEROY, Fredericktown, carpenter, was bom in
Fredericktown in 1850, and married in 1874 to Clara Castner,
who was born in Woodbury, Pennsylvania, in 1852. They have
one son, George E., born August 4, 1878.
GORDON, SIDNEY W., Middlebury township, dealer in
hardware, born in Knox county, now Morrow, June 24, 1831,
and was married October 3, 1852, to Mahalia L. Gardner, who
was born in Knox county, September 12, 1834. They have the
following children: Helen A., born Decembers, l853i RosaD.,
October 15, 1855; John W., October 28, 1857; George H., Feb
ruary 1, i860; Charles N., February 25, 1862; Sidey L., Feb
ruary 25, 1864; Mary A., May 30, 1868.
Mr. Gordon is engaged in the hardware business in Water
ford. He began there in the spring of 1880, and carries a gen
eral stock of hardware, keeping the stock well supplied, and is
ever ready to compete with larger towns in this line of goods.
All who need anything in his line will do well to call and see
him. His father, William G. Gordon, was born in Manchester,
England, September 17, 1772. He came to America in 1802,
and was married in New Jersey September 25, 1809, to Mary
Hedden. He now resides in Chester township, Morrow county,
Ohio. GORDON, JOSEPH M. D., Mt. Vernon, was born in
Chester county, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1841. His father, Si
las Gordon, is of Scotch extraction, and a native of Pennsyl
vania. He married a Miss Coffman, of the same county. They
had a family of ten children, eight of whom are living. In
1853 Mr. Gordon with his family, emigrated to Knox county,
Ohio, and located near Mt. Vernon, where they remained some
years, and then removed to near Fredericktown, where they yet
reside. They are estimable citizens, by ocupation farmers.
Ths subject of this notice spent his youth with his parents on
the farm, obtaining his education mostly at the schools of Fred
ericktown, after which he taught school for several terms. In
August, 1861, he enlisted in company A, Twentieth regiment,
Ohio volunteer infantry, and participated in the battles of Fort
Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, Chatahoochie, Savannah, At
lanta, Champion Hills, Marietta, Jonesborough, Kennesaw
Mountain, Port Gibson, Jackson, Boliver, Ackwood, Vicks
burgh, Raymond, Black Creek, Grand Junction, Goldsborough,
Fayetteville, besides numerous minor engagements. He was
discharged in the fall of 1864. He began reading medicine in

the spring of 1865 with Dr. Russel. After his course of read
ing he graduated at the Jefferson Medical college, of Philadel
phia in 1868, and remained for a short time in New Jersey. He
then came to Mt. Vernon, where he began practice, and soon
succeeded in building up an excellent reputation. He is presi
dent of the Knox County Medical society, and clerk of the board
of education. He married Miss Clara L. Corey in 1871. They
have three children, viz: Mary P., Lula M., and Stella S.
GOWER, SAMUEL, Pike township; farmer; post office,
North Liberty, was born in Washington county, Maryland, in
1817, and came to Ohio in 1824. He first settled in Stark
county, and remained there till 1840, when he came to Pike
township, Knox county. He was married in 1841, to Elizabeth
Jane Kirkpatrick, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in
1822. They have seven children, viz: Mary, born in 1842;
William, in 1844; Amy, in 1846; Nancy, in 1847; Washington,
in 1849; Martha, in 1852, and John, in 1855.
John Gower died in 1877, in Iowa, of hemorrhage of the
brain. His remains were brought to Ohio.
Amy Gower married William Giffin in 1864. They reside in
Berlin township.
William married Elizabeth Munaw in 1867. They reside in
Mt. Vernon.
Nancy married T. Scoles in 1868. They reside in this town
ship. Martha married Ira Umphreys in 1876. They reside on the
home place.
Samuel Gower's father, Jacob Gower, deceased, was born in
Virginia, in 1785, emigrated to Maryland, and was married to
Mary Swope in 1815. They had three children, viz: Samuel,.
Martha and an infant child. Mr. Gower settled in Pike town
ship in 1840, and remained there until his death in 1869. Mrs.
Mary Gower died in 1871. They were among the earliest set-
lers. Mr. Jacob Gower was a soldier in the War of 1812.
GOWER, WASHINGTON, Pike township; farmer; post
office, North Liberty, born in Pike township, Knox county,
Ohio, in 1849, and was manied in 1879, to Mary E. Cutman,
who was born in Switzerland. They have one daughter: Alice
Ardella, born in 1879.
Mr. Gower is a farmer by occupation, was raised on a farm,
and was brought up with all of the habits of a farmer.
GRAHAM, SAMUEL,, Mt. Vernon, deceased, a native of
Pennsylvania; was born September 23, 1794, and came to
Ohio in company with two of his brothers in 1808 and located
near Newark, Licking county. On the eleventh of September,
1817, he married Miss Eliza Curtis, daughter of Zarah and
Phalley Curtis and sister of our worthy townsman Henry B.
Curtis. Miss Curtis was born in the State of New York June
30, 1794, and came to Licking county, Ohio, with her parents
in 1810, who located near Newark. Mr. and Mrs Graham set
tled on a farm in Newark township, same county, where he
followed farming for many years. They had eight children.
The oldest child, Marion, deceased when very young; Maria
died at the age of sixteen years. In 1839 he, with wife and six
children, moved to this county and located on a farm in Clinton
township, where he deceased June 21, 1842, with what was then
known as milk sickness. Three of the children, William H.,
Ralph O. and Curtis G., died with the same disease within one
week after their father's death, leaving the mother and three
children, Samuel H., Sarah J. and Eveline C, to mourn their
loss. Mrs. Graham remained in the county until 18 c. when

GEORGE GANN.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

675

they removed to Mt. Vernon where she now resides, enjoying
good health for a woman of her years.
Samuel H. Graham died at Chicago, Illinois, April, 1877;
Sarah J. married Roland Beach, and is now living near Mt.
Vernon in Clinton township; Eveline C, married William
Carey and now lives in Liberty township, this county.
GRANDLE, MANUEL, fanner, Milford township, was
born in' Licking county, in 1833. Jacob Grandle.his father,
came from Virginia about 1824, and settled in Licking county.
He married Elizabeth Conard, and they had a family of eight
. children, five of whom are living. The subject of this notice
was reared on a farm, and has always followed farming as his
occupation. In 1859 he went to Iowa in a two-horse wagon, and located
in Linn bounty, where he remained twelve years, and then re
turned to Ohio, settling in Milford township, where he has re
sided ever since. He is one of the leading men of the town
ship. His farm is well improved, and gives evidence df careful
management. He married Miss Rachel Ann Jaggers, in 1859,
who was born April 30, 1834. She is the daughter of David
and Ann Jaggers.
David Jaggers was born in New Jersey, September 20, 1803.
He married Anna Brown August 3, 1833. She was bom in
"Knox, county, August, 1809. Mr. Jaggers died in 1844, and
Mrs. Jaggers died in December, 1876. They had five children,
Mrs. Grandle being the only child living. Mr. and Mrs. Gran-
dle had three children born to them, two of whom are dead.
Frank A., a promising boy, born November 9, 1867, is their
only living child.
GRANT, BENJAMIN, general business agency, Weaver
block, Mt. Vernon. Mr. Grant is a native of Orleans county,
Vermont, where he was bom January 2, 1823, and resided there
thirty years, during which time he received a good education in
the Derby Literary institute, and was engaged in the mercantile
business. In the year 1853 he emigrated to Ohio, and located in Mt.
Vernon, where he engaged in the grocery and dry goods busi
ness, which he followed for three years. From 1856 to 1861 he
was engaged in general business, travelling in most all parts of
-the country. He was appointed, August 19, 1861, assessor of
internal revenue, in which he was retained until October 1, 1866.
He then engaged in the boot and shoe trade, which he con
ducted until 1870, and was also appointed deputy collector and
assistant assessor in 1866, in which he remained until 1873.
Since then he has been engaged in general business up to the
present. Mr. Grant has the necessary talents and judgment to enable
him to successfully conduct or transact any kind of business
without an extended experience; but, in addition to these ad
vantages, he has had about thirty-three years of practical busi
ness experience in an unusual variety of different kinds of busi
ness, many of which were of the most difficult and complicated
kind. But he has invariably succeeded in rendering entire sat
isfaction to the parties interested. His natural abilities and
past experience in various business operations in the country
are a sufficient guaranty that any business entrusted to him will
receive prompt attention, and will be in safe and competent
hands. Mr. Grant was married April 29, i860, to Miss Elizabeth Ann,
daughter of William Willey, of Lancaster,' Fairfield county,
by whom he has three children, two sons and one daughter.
38

GRAY, REV. J. H., pastor of the Methodist Protestant
church of Mt. Vemon, was born June 11, 1854, in Zanesville,
where he was educated. He is a son of Rev. H. L. Gray. He
became a member of the church when fifteen years of age; at
seventeen he was licensed to exhort, and at the age of twenty-
one years was licensed to preach, and was appointed by the
conference at Zanesville to the Page circuit in Morgan county ,
where he rema ned one year. He then went to Attica, Seneca
county, Ohio, where he organized a congregation and erected a
house of worship; remained three years and then came to Mt.
Vernon and took charge of the Mulbery Methodist Protestant
church, where he is now located.
GREAR, SILAS, Union township, farmer, post office,
Gann, born July 25, 1822, in Jefferson township. In 1849 he
was manied to Amanda Bradfield, and settled in Coshocton
county, Ohio, where he was engaged in the mill business until
1856, when he sold the mill property and bought one hundred
and twenty acres of land near the same place, and lived here
until April 1, i860, when he moved to Mt. Holly and engaged
in the mercantile trade until 1865. Then he bought a faim in
Union township, where he now lives. He had the following
children: Winfield, born in 1849; Cecelia, 1852; Clementine,
1855; Francis, 1857; Clifford, i860; Newton, 1863; Charming,
1866, and Murtilla, 1869. Francis died December 10, 1862;
Clementine November 9, 1861.
GREAR, E. D-, Howard township, farmer, post office,
Howard, was born in Maryland, July 31, 1842. He went to
Stark county, Ohio, in 1855, and worked at farming five years,
but not liking it changed his occupation and engaged in the sale
of agricultural implements. After three years he left this busi
ness and commenced herding cattle on the Mexican plains for
Mr. Jacob Sager at sixty dollars per month, expenses paid.
But this was connected with much exposure and many hard
ships, and he began' to think that the old farming business,
though slow, was sure, and so, December 25, 1866, he manied
and settled in Knox county, Ohio, on a rented farm, and in 1869
he came to his present home. He had three children, two of
whom are now living, Mary and Johnny.
GREGG, ISSACHER, farmer, Berlin township, post office,
Shalers Mills, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1832.
He came to Ohio with his parents when a child, and was mar
ried to Abigail Gibson, who was born in Richland, near the line.
of Knox county. Her mother died when she was two years of
age; she then went to live with her grandparents, Samuel and
Ruth Gibson. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg- have two sons, Charles
Allen and Albert Sherman. Mr. Gregg was a resident of Rich
land county for about two years, at the end of which time he
came to Berlin township. He is a farmer by occupation.
GREEN, WILLIAM, farmer, Monroe township, is a native
of England, and was born in Kent county, July 13, 1810. In
1830 he engaged in butchering in London, and continued in it
for about five years. In 1835 he emigrated to America, locating
in Rochester, New York, where he again engaged in the butch
ering business, which he continued about six months, after
-which he engaged in farming. In 1837 Mr. Green returned to
England for the purchase of some Southdown and Leicester
sheep. He remained in England about six months, when he
returned to America with the sheep he had purchased while ab
sent. He settled at Rochester and engaged in sheep raising.
In September, 1837, he was united by maniage to Miss Mary

676

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Ann Barker, daughter of Lyman and Mary Barker. Mrs.
Green was born in Monroe county, New York, May 10, 1817.
Mr. and Mrs. Green remained in Monroe county, New York,
for two years. In 1839 they came to Ohio and located in Mon
roe township, Knox county, on the farm now owned by Thomas
Harris. He still continued at sheep raising, having brought
with him thirteen of his Southdown and Leicester sheep, they
being the first sheep of the kind ever brought into Knox county.
Mr. Green remained on the Monroe township farm for about
two years, when he purchased and removed to a farm in Dela
ware county, Ohio. On this last named farm he remained about
six years. In 1847 Mr. Green purchased the farm in Monroe
township now owned by him, where he -and his family have re
sided ever since. Their first residence was a hewed log house,
twenty-four by thirty, which stood on the north side of the road
from where his present residence stands. The old log house
served them as an abode until 1859, when he erected his present
frame residence.
Mr. Green continued in the sheep raising business until 1867,
when he sold his sheep and gave his attention to feeding cattle.
This business lie has since followed in connection with farming.
He owns about two hundred and fifty acres of land in Monroe
township. He has cultivated his land, and enriched it so highly,
that he can raise forty bushels of wheat, and seventy bushels of
corn to the acre. He has everything ananged for convenience on
his farm. He has an engine, a corn-sheller, a French bun, on
which he grinds his own feed for his cattle. He also has a saw
mill, which he runs by the same engine, and it is so arranged
that it furnishes the power for threshing his grain. In fact it is
one of the most convenient arrangements that can be found in
the county for farm use.
Mr. Green is known all over the county as being one of the
leading farmers. He is the father of four children, William H.,
Maria, Mary, and Charles, all of whom are living and married.
GREEN, CHARLES, farmer, Berlin township, post office,
Fredericktown; was born in this county, May 26, 1827, and was
married in 1854, to Emily Ewers, who was born in Virginia,
April 15, 1826. Her parents emigrated to Ohio when she was
five years of age. They have one son (Wilson), who was born
April 3, 1857. He is married to Laura White, and lives in
Palmyra. GREENLEE, ARCHIBALD, notary public, Fredericktown;
was born in Belmont county, Ohio, July 3, 1807; was married
in April, 1832, to Margaret E. Bonar, who was born in Knox
county, February 3, 1812. They had the following family, viz:
Mary A., born May 21, 1834; James, born November 16, 1838.
Barnett B., born December 5, 1842; Charles, born September
11, 1846; Margaretta, born October 5, 1849.
Mrs. Margaret Greenlee died December 25, 1852, in Mt.
Vernon. Mr. Greenlee was again married to Catharine Beaver,
who was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, January 25,
1819. They had the following family, viz: Thomas B. , born
December 29, 1855; Lizzie, born November 15, 1861; also two
deceased children.
Mr. Greenlee came to Knox county in 1833. He was en
gaged in the furniture business for some years. He afterwards
became an attorney at law. He has been a justice of the peace
in Wayne township over thirty years. He stands fully identi
fied with the public interests of Knox county, and has done
much to promote the advancement and improvement of society.
He is one of the active men of this county, although he is now

living a more retired life, and commands the confidence and
esteem of the community. He has been a member and elder
of the Presbyterian church forty-eight years.
GREER, ROBERT (deceased), Jefferson township, bom
in the county of Antrim, Ireland, March r2, 1806; when at the
age of twenty years he sailed, in company with his mother, two
brothers, and four sisters, for America, landing in Baltimore,
Maryland, August 22, 1826, where they remained until 1827,
when they moved to Jefferson township, Knox county, locating
on the place now owned by Thomas Greer. Here he remained
with the family two years. On the sixteenth of April, 1829, he
united in marriage with Sarah Severns, daughter of Joseph and
Mahala Sevems, born in Monongalia county, Virginia, April
14, 1803. After his marriage he moved on the farm now owned
by Levi Butler, where he remained about five years, during
which time he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres southwest of and adjoining the village of Greersville,
where he then moved, and remained until 1841. During that
time he laid out the village of Greersville, which was in 1836,
from whom it derived its name. In the spring of 1841 he
opened a dry goods store in Greersville, and continued to do
business, and farming in connection, until 1857; he then moved
back on the farm, where he remained until his death, which
occurred March 13, 1865, aged fifty-nine years ten months and
one day. Sarah Greer, his companion, died in 1869, aged
sixty-six years six months and twenty-seven days.
Mr. and Mrs. Greer became the parents of one child, a son,
Alexander W., born February 7, 1830, who now lives on and
owns the old farm formerly owned by his father.
Robert Greer was the first clerk elected in Jefferson township,
and served as justice of the peace for fifteen years.
GREER, ALEXANDER W., farmer, post office Greers
ville, son of Robert and Sarah Greer, was bom in Jefferson
township, Knox county, Febmary 7, 1830, where he was reared
and educated. On the eighteenth of May, 1856, at the age of
twenty-six years, he was united in marriage with Miss Caroline
Baker, a daughter of Philip and Sarah Baker, who was born in
Jefferson township, Knox county, December 26, 1835. In 1857,
after his marriage, he located in the town of Greersville, where
he engaged in the mercantile business, in which he continued
about three years, when he sold his store to A. C. Tuttle. He
still remained in town and farmed his home place for his father
until 1863, when he purchased a new stock of dry goods and
opened a new store in the town of Greersville, where he contin
ued to sell goods eleven years, in connection with farming,
when he sold the store to J. J. Freiermuth. Mr. Greer is at
present giving his attention to farming. He is a good farmer,
and now resides on and owns the old farm formerly owned by
his father, and is among the most desirable farms of Jefferson
township. Mr. and Mrs. Greer are the parents of seven children, viz:
Emma Z., born April 29, 1857; Ella A., October 29, 1859; El
mer C, April 7, 1862; Ellsworth B., September 10, 1864 (died
September 23, 1864); Edith J., March 14, 1866; Edwin B., Oc
tober 10, 1868; Eldon P., November 22, 1873.
Mr. and Mrs. Greer are members of the Wesleyan Methodist
church of Jefferson township.
GREER, RICHARD, Jefferson townnship, deceased, was
born in 1810, October 10th, in county Antrim, Ireland, near
Belfast. In 1827 he came to America, and was married Sep
tember 20, 1838, to Lydia Remmington, who was born Novem-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

677

ber 27, 1814, in Coshocton county, Ohio. Richard and Lydia
Greer became the father and mother of three children, viz: Wil
liam E., Thomas E., and Robert A. Thomas E. is the only
child who yet survives. Robert A. enlisted in the late war, No
vember, 1861, and died near Corinth, Mississippi. He be
longed to company K, Forty-third Ohio volunteer infantry.
Richard Greer was sick for years with inflammatory rheuma
tism, of which he died December 14, 1878, in his sixty-eighth
year. His companion survives him in her sixty-sixth year, living
with her son Thomas, on the farm formerly owned by her hus
band. Mr. Greer held the office of township treasurer. Mr. Greer
was a member of the Wesleyan church, of Greersville. Mrs.
Greer is also a member of said church.
GREER, THOMAS, farmer, post office, Greersville, a son of
Richard and Lydia Greer, born in Jefferson township, Knox
county, January 5, 1842, where he was reared and received a
common school education. After he became of age he still re
mained at home and farmed .for his father. This he continued
until May 2, 1864, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and
Forty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, company F, under A. B.
Cummings, of Jelloway, where he served until the second day
of September of the same year, when he was honorably dis
charged and mustered out of service at Columbus, Ohio. He
then returned home and assumed his old business of farming,
which he has since continued. In 1867, January 20th, he married
Miss Minerva Shrimplin, daughter of Absalom and Priscilla
Shrimplin, born in Knox county, Butler township, December 6,
1840. Their marriage resulted in three children, viz: Robert
A. Greer, born January 9, 1868; Charles E., September 8,
1869; Fordyce F., June 5, 1876; all of whom are living. Mr.
Greer has held the office of trustee of said township.
GREER, ALEXANDER, deceased.— Mr. Alexander Greer
was one of the pioneers of Jefferson township. His parents
were natives of Antrim county, Ireland, and about the year
1800 emigrated to America and settled in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, where, on the eleventh of March, 1805, the sub
ject of this sketch was born. In 1811 John Greer, father of
Alexander, moved to Knox county and located in its eastern
portion, at or very near the site of the present village of Ross
ville, in Union township. There they remained a few years and
then settled upon an improved tract of land situated about two
miles north of the present village of Danville, where Alexander
spent the years of his minority, working industriously in clearing
land and in farm labor generally. He attended school in win
ter and managed to secure a limited education. He was a
young man of good mind and excellent habits. Of quick per
ceptions, he early became familiar with the practical affairs of
life. He was of studious habits, a careful reader and close ob
server; his mind was soon stored with useful knowledge, and
an unusual fund of information for one of his years and limited
opportunities. In August, 1826, Alexander Greer entered into the married
relation with Margaret Robeson, who is still living. He settled
upon a tract of woodland he purchased of the Government, sit
uated a little more than a mile north of the present village of
Danville, and had there the usual experiences, hardships and
privations incident to pioneer life. Here, being industrious,
frugal and temperate, he made life a success, and acquired more
than a competency. He had the well merited reputation of a
man of integrity, and of one who favored educational enter
prises and whatever tended to promote good morals, religion,

and the welfare of the people, physically, mentally and morally.
Mr. Greer served as justice of the peace of Jefferson township
for twelve years, deciding about one thousand cases. Few ap
peals were taken from his decisions, and none were reversed.
In 1859 he was elected treasurer of Knox county, but his health
failed him and he had to discharge its duties by deputy, conse
quently he was not a candidate for reelection.
Alexander Greer's death took place March 24, 1868, at the age
of sixty-three years, his widow and some children surviving him.
He reached the end of a well spent life in philosophic compo
sure and Christian resignation, and was mourned by many sur
viving neighbors, friends and acquaintances, who knew him as
one who had been faithful in all the varied relations of son,
brother, husband, father, magistrate, friend, neighbor, patriot,
and Christian.
GREER, HENRY HARRISON, Mt. Vernon, lawyer, was
bom in Knox county, Ohio, July 22, 1837. He spent his youth
on a farm. He attended school at Millwood, Haysville, and
Dennison university, and commenced reading law with Messrs.
Delano, Sapp & Smith. The firm dissolving, he finished his
course of reading with Walter H. Smith, esq. He was admit
ted to the bar May 8, i860. His father having been elected
treasurer of Knox county, he (Henry) entered the office as
deputy treasurer.
In 1861 young Greer was nominated by the Republican party
as their, candidate for treasurer, and was elected. He continued
in that position until 1864. He declined nomination for another
term. He commenced the practice of law with the Hon. W.
R. Sapp in 1865, and continued with him until April, 1869,
when he took charge of the Hon. W. H. Smith's practice, and
found about one hundred cases on the- docket. Since that time
he has practiced alone.
Mr. Greer was manied to Miss Josie E. Gaines, of Knox
county, September 18, i860. Two children are the issue of
this union — a daughter and a son. The daughter, Millie G. ,
was born September 12, 1863, and the son, Robert, was born
April 15, 1867.
The great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch was
Major Alexander Greer, who emigrated to America from County
Antrim, Ireland, about the year 1785. He settled in Washing
ton county, Pennsylvania. He had three children, one of whom
was Colonel John Greer, the grandfather of Henry. Alex.
ander Greer (Henry's father) who was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, in 1805. He came to Knox county,
Ohio, in 1810 or 1811, and settled in Union township, and was
one of the very early settlers of the county. He remained in
Union township two or three years, when he removed to Jeffer
son township, where he resided up to the time of his death,
which event occurred in 1849. Mr. Alexander Greer had been
twice married.
GRIFFITH, B. L., farmer, Pike township, post office, North
Liberty; born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1839, and
was married in 1867 to Rachel Hiner, who was born in Ashland
county, Ohio, in 1844. They have two sons: William M., born
November 22, 1868; and Calvin J., born May 23, ,1870. Mr.
Griffith came to Ohio with his parents when he was young. He
is a farmer, enterprising, and active; he is making a success of
farming, and is now classed among the leading citizens of Pike
township. GRIFFITH, WILLIAM, farmer, Pike township, post office,
North Liberty; born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1848,

678

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

and was married in 1870 to Mary E. Mishey, who was born in
this township in 1851. They have one daughter, Ella Lizzie,
bom December 24, 1874. Mr. Griffith emigrated with has
parents to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1855, and remained there
one year then removed to Pike township, this county. He is a
farmer, and an active and honorable citizen.
GRUBB, DANIEL H., retired, post office, North Liberty,
was born near Hagerstown, Maryland, in 1799; his parents
emigrated to Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and remained
there until 1830; he then came to Ohio and located in Pike
township. He was married in 1823 to Elizabeth Broombaugh,
who was born in Woodbury township, Bedford county, Penn
sylvania, February 25, 1807. They had thirteen children, viz. :
Anna, born in Pennsylvania February 19, 1826; Samuel, No
vember 8, 1827; Elizabeth, September 11, 1829; Mary Ann,
bom in Pike township December 13, 1831; Henry, December 4,
1834; Daughter, November, 1836; Daniel B., December 13, 1838;
Esther, December 5, 1844; Levi, April 14, 1843; Catharine,
April^, 1845; Joseph, May 26, 1847; Lncinda, June 2, 1849;
Isaac, June 7, 1851; and Lavina, August 1, 1853. Mrs. Eliza
beth Grubb died June 25, 1870, aged sixty-three years, three
months and twenty-nine days. Anna died in Pennsylvania
August 8, 1830, and Mary A., December 9, 1832.
Mr. Grubb learned the tanner trade in the east; he built the
first tannery in this part of the county; he tanned by the old
process, which made the very best leather; his reputation as an
honest man was extensively known. He and his wife were
members of the German Baptist church. He is a pioneer of this
township, and has reared a large and respectable family, most
of whom are married and have left the paternal roof. He still
survives, has a good memory and health; he resides with his
son, Daniel B.
GRUBB, SAMUEL, farmer, Pike township, was born in
Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1824, and was married in 1845
to Mary Zook, who was born in this township in 1824. They
had seven children — David, born in 1846; Joseph, in 1848; Sarah
Elizabeth, in 1849; Daniel, in 1852; Mary Ellen, in i860; Ezra,
in 1862; and Amanda, in 1864. Mary Ellen died in 1861, and
Ezra in 1864. David is married to Mary Jane Silcot ; Joseph to
Elizabeth Moore — both families living in Mt. Vernon. Sarah
E. is married to Isaac Hess, and lives in Richland county;
and Daniel to Maggie Cunau, of this township.
Mrs. Grubb's father, David Zook, was born in Bedford county,
Pennsylvania. He was married in 1817 to Nancy Mock, who was
born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, in 1795. They had the
following children: John, born in 1818; Catharine, in 1819;
Elizabeth, in 1821; Jacob, in 1822; Joseph, in 1823; Mary, in
1824; Alexander, in 1826; Louisa, in 1828; Hannah, in 1829;
Lydia, in 1831; Sally, in 1833; and David, in 1835.
GRUBB, JOSEPH, faimer, post office, North Liberty, was
bom in this township May 26, 1847. He is a son of Daniel H.
Grubb, and is engaged in farming on the David Leedy farm.
He is a young man of good habits.
GRUBB, ISAAC, teacher, post office, North Liberty, was
bora in this township, and received a liberal English education
in the common branches. He engaged in teaching district
schools a number of terms, and in the spring of 1881 he started
in a theological course in the Ashland college. He is a promi
nent member of the German Baptist church, and in some future
day will be a minister of that church.

GRUBB, HENRY, farmer and stock raiser ; son of Daniel
H. and Elizabeth Grubb; was bom in Pike township, this
county, December 4, 1834. In 1856 he married Miss Mary A.
Jeffries, born in Stark county, Ohio, September 15, 1835, and
came with her mother in 1841 to this county. Mr. and Mrs.
Grubb settled in Pike township, remained two years, then
moved to Morris township where they remained until 1874,
when they purchased and moved on the farm in Monroe town
ship where they now reside. They have four children, three
sons and one daughter.
GRUBB, DANIEL B., Pike township, farmer, post office,
North Liberty; born in Pike township, Knox county, in 1838,
and was married in 1874 to Catharine Betchel, who was born in
Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1847. They have one son,
Lawrence E., who was born in 1876.
GUTHRIE, DAVID, Pike township, deceased; born in
Pennsylvania in 1796, and was married in 1820 to Mary Ann
Kirkpatrick, who was born in 1802. They had six children:
Jane, Ann, Elizabeth, Hugh, Samuel, and Sarah. Mrs. Ann
Guthrie died in 1833. Mr. Guthrie was afterwards married to
Sarah Parish, who was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1812.
They had ten children: William, David C, Francis M., Rachel,
Jane, John, Elza, Nancy, Mary, and Nathan. Mr. Guthrie
died in 1870.
GUTHRIE, JOHN N., farmer; post office, Democracy.
He was bom in Pike township on June 1, 1847. He is a mem
ber of a pioneer family. He is a carpenter.
GUTHRIE, JOHN, farmer, Berlin township, post office,
Shaler's Mills, was bom in Knox county, in 1845. He was
married, in 1873, to Rachel Cole, who was born in Berlin town
ship, in 1851. They had five children: Marilla, bom in 1874 ;
James A., born in 1875; infant (deceased); Arabella, born in
1878; Maude, in 1880.
Mr. Guthrie is a farmer by occupation, and has always been
identified with this county.
GUY, JOHN (deceased), was born in Chester county, Penn
sylvania, on the twenty-fifth day of January, 1792. He emi
grated to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he married
Miss Mary Woodbum, in 1819, a native of Ireland, born in
1790, and migrated to America in 1810. They settled in Wash
ington county, Pennsylvania, near Alexander, and remained
there until in 1853, when he sold his farm and moved to Utica,
Licking county, Ohio, remained about one year and a half,
when, in 1855, he purchased and moved on the farm now owned
by his son John, in Clinton township, Knox county, where they
passed the remainder of their days. His wife deceased March
19, 1863, aged seventy-three years. He deceased April 1, 1876.
He served in the War of 1812. They reared a family of five
children: Joseph S., John, Martha J., Elizabeth, and Margaret.
Only two of the above named are now living, John and Martha.
GUY, JOHN, farmer, second son of John Guy, deceased,
was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, October 28,
1822, and came with his parents to Knox county, Ohio, in
1855. He married Miss Emeline Lafever in 1859, daughter of
Thomas P. and Eliza Lafever, who was born in 1836. They
settled on his father's home farm, where they are now living.
Their union resulted in two children (daughters). He has fol
lowed farming as his vocation.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

079

H

HADLEY, ISAAC, of the First ward, Mt. Vernon, is a New
Yorker by birth. From the age of fifteen he has been a resi
dent of Mt. Vernon, and has been honored by his fellow citi
zens, not only with their confidence and respect, but he has been
placed in offices of profit as well as of honor, and faithfully and
honorably has he discharged the duties of his several posts.
Mr. Hadley was born in the town of Willsborough, Essex
county, New York, January 14, 1795, within sight of the waters
of Lake Champlain, since made famous by Commodore Mc-
Donough's victory, September 11, 1814. In 1810 Mr. Hadley's
father, with his family, came to Ohio, and settled in the county
of Knox. His father, Mr. Smith Hadley, was born August 14,
1765, and died February 4, 1850, aged eighty-five years, five
months, and twenty days.
November 9, 1825, Mr. Isaac Hadley was married to Miss
Sarah Davidson, of Mt. Vernon. She was born in Knox coun
ty, November 22, 1805, and deceased January 16, 1873, in the
sixty-ninth year of her age. To Mr. and Mrs. Hadley were
born seven children, six of whom are still living. Four reside
in this city, one in Iowa, and one in Bellaire, Ohio.
Mr. Hadley's public life has been a remarkable one, having,
for twenty-four years, held commissions, either from the Presi
dent of the United States, or from the Governor of Ohio. Mr.
Hadley acted as sheriff and postmaster, at the same time, four
years. April 28, 1830, he received the appointment of deputy United
States marshal, and served as such four years. During that
time he took the census of Knox county, and in the discharge
of that duty he visited every house and every family at that
time within the limits of the county.
August 12, 1831, Postmaster General Barry appointed him
postmaster at Mt. Vernon. He served in that capacity about
nine years. In 1832 he was appointed by General Bevins, dep
uty sheriff. In 1834 he was elected and commissioned sheriff of
Knox county, and in October, 1836, he was reelected, without
opposition; thus, with his own four years, he was acting as
sheriff six years.
Mr. Hadley was appointed clerk of the court of common
pleas April 13, 1839, and served seven years, that being the con
stitutional limit. In 1834 Governor Robert Lucas commissioned
him as paymaster of the volunteer brigade of Knox county,
with the rank of major.
April 30, 1863, he was appointed and commissioned by the
Piesident of the United States, commissioner, with the rank of
major, for the Thirteenth Ohio Congressional district, composed
of the counties of Knox, Licking, Muskingum, and Coshocton,
and served as such until the close of the rebellion, and was hon
orably discharged.
Notwithstanding his fourscore years, few men in the prime of
their manhood can compete with Mr. Hadley in the discharge
of the duties of every-day life.
HAGERTY, MORRIS, Fredericktown, merchant, was born
in New Jersey, 1844; came to Ohio in 1869; located in Fred
ericktown, and was married in 1873 to Anna Adams, who was
bom in Knox county, Ohio. They have one son, Hugh, who
was bom in 1875.
Mr. Hagerty is a member of the firm of Hill & Hagerty,
dealers in hardware, established in 1872. They cany a com
plete stock, and an extensive line of goods in the hardware

business, and are both practical business men, prepared for all
competition in price and qualities of goods.
HAGERTY, WILLIAM H., Wayne township, carpenter,
post office, Mt. Vernon, born in Muskingum county, August
22, 1845, and married August 26, 1871, to Alice King, who was
born in Mt. Vernon, July 18, 1850. They had the following
children: Bessie F., born June 19, 1872; Nellie, September 27,
1873, and Edna, August 17, 1877, who died June 12, 1878.
Mr. Hagerty had his residence in Nebraska about one year,
but is now a resident of Wayne township.
HAIDEN, JOHN K., farmer, was bom in Hilliar township,
in March, 1838. His father, David Haiden, was born in Penn
sylvania. His mother was a Virginian by birth, and when quite
young went to Pennsylvania. His father came to Morgan
township about 1832 and purchased a tract of land, and then
returned to Pennsylvania and married Miss Sarah Bottenfield,
and the following year moved to Ohio and remained in Morgan
township until March, 1837, when he came to Hilliar township
and purchased a farm on the Parker section. He built his
cabin and began to clear the land and make for himself and
family a home, a future dwelling place. He died on the old
homestead August 6, 1859, aged about fifty-five years; his wife
survived him until March, 1878, aged near seventy-four years.
Thus ended all that was mortal of two of Hilliar township's
most esteemed and respected citizens. They have passed away,
but left their impress on the minds and hearts of those they left
behind. In the "old cabin" the subject of this notice was born. He
was an only child, and was reared with solicitude. His home
training, by Christian parents, was kind but firm; his youth
was thus spent. He assisted on the farm during the summer
and attended school during the winter. He attended a select
school at Centreburgh, and made fine progress in his studies.
He never availed himself of a collegiate course. He is self
educated to a great degree; studied at home, searched for the
"fountain of knowledge" by himself; he delved deep and re
vealed the hidden treasure; is a ready and impressive speaker;
deals in facts rather than rhetoric; is a good debater, a close
observer, and a deep thinker; a well informed man. He is
unassuming, affable and pleasant in his manners, and social in
his habits, and a leading member of the Cumberland Presby
terian church.
Mr. Haiden was married to Miss Emma, daughter of Squire
Halsey, of Clinton township, October, 1876. They have one
child. HAIR, OSCAR, Middlebury township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, born in Utica, Licking county, September 15,
1842, and was married in 1865 to Emily Rapp, who was born in
Knox county in 1844. They have four children, viz. : William
L., born August 30, 1867; Charles W., born December 7, 1870;
Wiley E., born July 22, 1872; Clara B., born January 14, 1874;
Mr. Hair has been a citizen of this township about fifteen years,
and owns a good farm.
HALL, JOSEPH W., Berlin township, farmer and stock
dealer, post office, Shaler's Mills, was born in Cumberland
county, Pennsylvania, in 1812. In 1815 his parents emigrated
to Holmes county, Ohio, and lived for some time in a block"
house the first year during the trouble with the Indians. Mr.
Hall came to Berlin township, this county, in 1852. His first
purchase was the Jackson farm, then the Cole and Handley

68o

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

farms. The Hall family owns seven hundred and seventy acres
of land in this township. He is one of the most extensive
farmers in Knox county. On the farm where he now resides is
one of the best springs in Ohio, the main one being about a half
mile from his house. He has the water conducted through
stone pipes to his house and barn, and has a beautiful fountain
in the front yard. The water is cool, pure and inexhaustible.
Mr. Hall has been a very extensive dealer in stock, and in ship
ping horses and cattle to the eastern States. In Ohio and other
States he is widely known as a man of superior judgment in
business affairs. Mr. Hall was married in 1838 to Rachel Wad
dell, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1816. Their
children are James M., born in 1838; David F., in 1841; Phillip
C, in 1842; William A. B., in 1844; George W. S., in 1846;
Susan S., in 1849; John W., in 1850; and Rigdon P., in 1855.
The deceased members are James W., who died September 22,
1847; David F., August 3, 1855; Susan (Mrs. Phillips), died in
Berlin township.
HALL, JOHN M., farmer and stock dealer, post office,
Shaler's Mills. He was born in Holmes county, Ohio, and was
married to Amanda Durben, who was born in Knox county.
They have one daughter, Nellie. Mr. Hall devotes most of his
time to buying, selling and shipping horses and cattle. In this
he is very successful.
HALL, J. N., Hilliar township, carpenter, Rich Hill post
office, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, August 20,
1829. Ten years later his parents, George and Jane Hall, nee
Cherry, came to Ohio, and remained one year in Guernsey
county, and then moved to Delaware county, purchasing a tract
of one hundred and forty acres of land. The parents both
died on the land on which they settled in 1840. The father died
in 1858. The mother survived her husband until 1876.
The subject of this brief notice remained on the farm until
he was nineteen years of age, when he went to learn the carpen
ter trade. He built a number of the buildings in Knox and
Delaware counties. He is a good workman, and aims to do
justice to those who employ him, and is held in high esteem by
the community, who know him to be an honest man. He was
married to Miss Nancy Hupp, of Knox county, April 5, 1855.
His wife died in 1871. They had a family of five children, all
of whom are living, viz.: Sarah Jane, married to George Pat
ton; Julia A., Mary Lutetia, Laura, and Robert M., living at
home. HALL, THOMAS J., Pleasant township, farmer, son of
Francis and Harriet Hall, born in England, November 7, 1833,
was brought to America by his parents in 1836, who located in
Connecticut, and remained there until 1849, when they emi
grated to Mt. Vernon, Knox county, Ohio. He remained in
Mt. Vernon working in the woollen factory two years, and
clerked in a grocery store until 1853, when he moved to Califor
nia, where he remained seven years, then, in i860, he returned
to Knox county, remained a while, then moved to Zanesville,
Ohio, and commenced working with H. & F. Blandy, in their
machine shop, doing the wood work for machinery.
In 1862 he married Miss Emily Hillier, born in Zanesville;
Ohio, October 3, 1836, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Hil
lier. They settled in Zanesville, remained until 1873, then pur
chased and moved on the farm where they are now living, in
Pleasant township, two and a half miles from Mt. Vernon, on
the Gambier road.

HALL, E. M., physician and surgeon, Fredericktown, was
born near Delaware, Ohio, October 31, 1845, removed with his
parents to Morrow county, Ohio, when a child, and in August,
1862, left school to join the One Hundred and Twenty-fust
regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, remained with it until 1864,
when he was severely wounded in one of the battles before At
lanta, Georgia, and was mustered out in 1865. For the next
six years he was engaged in preparing himself for the practice
of medicine.
Immediately after graduation, in the spring of 1871, he lo
cated in Fredericktown, where he has been engaged in the prac
tice of medicine. He was married in 1874 to Laura B. Nevius,
daughter of Aaron and Susan Nevius, who were among the
earlier settlers of this county. They have two daughters, Mary
and Aletheia.
HALL, JOSEPH K., farmer and dealer in stock; post office,
Shaler's Mills; was born in this county in 1853, and was mar
ried in 1879 to Mattie W. Knox, who was born in Holmes
county in 1859. Mr. Hall is one of the enterprising farmers of
this township. He also engaged quite extensively in dealing in
stoek. HALL, LANE, Jackson township, farmer, post office, Bla
densburgh, is a native of Jackson township, and was born on the
ninth of August, 1855. He is a son of Obadiah Hall, one of
the pioneers of Jackson township. July 2, 1879, he was mar
ried to Mary B. McCamment, who was born in Clay township
on the twenty-first day of January, 1861. Politically Mr. Hall
is a Republican.
HALL, WILLIAM B., Berlin township, farmer and stock
dealer, post office, Shalers Mills, was born in Holmes county,
Ohio, in 1844, came to this county in 1855, and was married in
1868, to Margaret Knight, who was born in Holmes county in
1845. They had two daughters, Leila, born in March, 1874,
and Jennie R., in June, 1875. Mr. Hall is engaged in farming,
buying and selling stock.
HALL, GEORGE S., Berlin township, farmer, post office
Fredericktown, was born in 1846, and married in 1872, to Mira
M. Auten, who was born in Berlin township, Knox county,
Ohio, in 1852. They have two children: Alice, born in 1873,
and Joseph, born in 1875.
Mr. Hall came to Knox county in 1852, and located in Berlin
township. He is a farmer and also a dealer in stock. The
Hall family are of Irish descent. The grandparents came from
Ireland. HALSEY, D. F., farmer, son of Henry and Elizabeth Hal
sey, was born in Flanders, Morris county, New Jersey, July 18,
1808. In 1830 he married Miss Lucinda Wolfe, born in New
Jersey, in 1807. They settled on a farm in their native county,
and remained nine years, then, in 1839, emigrated to Knox
county, Ohio, and located in Hilliar township, near Rich
Hills. He purchased and moved on a farm, where they lived
until 1853, when he purchased and moved on the farm where
they are now living, in Clinton township. They reared a
family of five children: Henry, Jacob, Lydia A., Mahlon K.,
and Emeline E. Henry and Lydia A. have died.
Mr. Halsey has made farming his principal business through
life. He filled the office of township clerk for three years in
Hilliar township, and acted as justice of the peace in the same
township one term, being elected in 1849. He also filled the
office of county commissioner, from 1869 to 1875.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

68 1

HAMILTON, REV. J. H., pastor of the Methodist Protes
tant church; is a son of the Rev. William Hamilton, a native of
Virginia, who located in Muskingum county in 1805. He was
born in Muskingum county, Ohio, July 23, 1826, and is one of a
family of twelve children, all of whom lived to maturity, and
ten of whom were sons who averaged six feet in height and were
all men of fine mental and physical development. He received
his preparatory education in the district schools, and com
menced to preach when but seventeen years of age and has been
a faithful aud zealous minister of the cross ever since. He
united with the Muskingum conference when eighteen years
old and was ordained when twenty-one years, which was in
1847, since which he has had the pastoral care of the following
churches, viz: Coshocton, Muskingum and Licking, four years;
the church at Louets two years, Circleville two years, Steuben
ville, five years, Newcomerstown one year, McConnellsville two
years; after which he served as president of the conference one
year. He came to Knox county in 1857, and took charge of
the church at Fredericktown, in which he remained seven years
and during which he took an active part in everything that was
conducive to the moral and religious development of the com
munity. In i860 he came to Mt. Vernon and took charge of
the church on Mulberry street, where he has labored zealously
ever since with great success. He commenced a series of
meetings December ist and continued until March ist, which
resulted in one hundred and fifty-four conversions, and the fol
lowing spring he administered the ordinance of baptism to
thirty-six persons. During his association with the people here
he has attended over three hundred funerals, and solemnized
more than that many marriages. He was married August 30,
1848, to Miss Charlotte, daughter of Joseph and Mary Rodman,
near Zanesville, by whom he has a family of children, all of
whom are married and have families.
HAMILTON, WILLIAM, farmer, Morgan tosvnship, was
born in Harrison county, Ohio, November 26, 1822. His par
ents, Joshua Hamilton and Jane Craig, were natives of Penn
sylvania, and by their marriage had nine children, all of whom
are living. Joshua Hamilton died in 1870; his wife still survives
him. The subject of our notice was reared on a farm, receiving a
common school education. He remained in Harrison county
until 1846, when he came to Morgan township and with his
brother purchased land. He sold his interest in the property
and purchased the farm on which he now resides, he is one of
the leading farmers of Morgan township, an estimable citizen
and takes an active interest in the affairs of the county. Janu
ary 20, 1848, he married Miss Elizabeth Sellers, daughter of
John Sellers, of Morgan township. They had a family of five
children, three of whom are living.
HAMMETT, JOHN F., harnessmaker, Pike township, post
office, North Liberty, born in 1845, in Ashland county, Ohio,
and was married in 1869 to Emily Mix, who was born in Inde
pendence, Richland county, in 1848. They had one son, Jud
son J., who was bom in 1870, and one daughter, Emma, born
in 1871. Mrs. Emily Hammett died in Independence in 1872.
Mr. Hammett's second maniage, in 1873, was to Mary C.
Hammond, who was born in Fredericktown, Knox county, in
1856. Mr. Hammett, when a young man, learned the harness trade
with L.' Ridgeley, in Jeromeville, Ashland county, Ohio. After
his marriage he engaged in" business in Independence, and re

mained there until after the death of Mrs. Hammett — then went
to Mansfield, worked with F. Johnson for one year — then came
to Fredericktown, remained there till 1876, when he removed to
North Liberty. He is engaged in the harness business, he is an
excellent mechanic, having an extensive custom business. He
is also keeping hotel, the only one in North Liberty, and it is
first-class. The fathei of Mrs. Hammett, George A. Hammond, was
born in Frederick county, Maryland; his parents emigrated
to Ohio in 1819; he was married in 1837 to Elizabeth Anderson,
who was born in Virginia. They had seven children: Sarah P.,
Ellen P., Thomas J., Francis E., Louis F., Harriet, and Mary
C. Mr. Hammond learned the shoe trade when a young man;
he is still engaged in working at his trade; he is now among the
oldest business men of Fredericktown,
HAMMOND, JACOB, farmer, Union township, post office,
Milwood, born October 31, 1802, in Maryland, and remained
there until 1821, then moved to Pennsylvania, remained there
three years, then in 1824 came to Knox county and settled in
Union township. He married in 1821, and his wife lived with
him until April 13, 1869. Six of his ten children are living and
four are dead: Eliza, Jonathan, Mary, and an infant have de
ceased. Those living are : Charles, Henry, Jacob, John,
Lydia, and Syltia.
In 1848 he labored to bring about the building of the Metho
dist Episcopal church. He commenced by trying to raise a
subscription, but not succeeding, he became discouraged with
that plan and concluded to have a church at all hazards. He
made a contract with John Musser to build a church for eight
hundrei and fifty dollars. He went to work with him and
hewed all the timber for it, and assisted in other matters, but
finally he fell sick and was unable to do anything for a year. A
building committee and trustees were organized to assist him
in this work. But not long after they became discouraged and
concluded to sell the building to pav the carpenter. Jacob
Hammond would not give his consent and they refused to do
anything more. He, not feeling satisfied, concluded to borrow
the money. He did so, and paid the debt without any assist
ance. In 1851 he managed to complete the building. He has
been an oidained local preacher for forty years. He has
preached one hundred and twenty funeral sermons, and con
ducted over fifty marriages. He is seventy-nine years of age.
HAMMOND, WILLIAM P., Howard township; farmer,
was born June 17, 1850, in Selmont county, Ohio. His father
died when he was eighteen months old, and in April, 1855, his
mother was married, and removed to Howard township. His
step-father died July 26, 1878.
Mr. Hammond was married Febmary 15, 1876, to Mary R.
Sapp, and lived on the old farm for two years, with his mother,
and then moved to his present farm. He has two children;
Lucy, born March 12, 1877, and Rosa, January 30, 1880. Mr.
Hammond contributed largely to the building of St. Luke's
church, and gave his services as well. He has taught thirty-four
terms of writing school in Missouri, Knox county, Ohio; Al
bion, Ohio; Hardin county, Ohio, and Muskingnm, Ohio.
December 12, 1869, he went to Missouri, and remained there
three years engaged as a teacher. From there he went to
Texas by the overland route, doing his own cooking along the
trail. He remained there three months, and then returned
home. HAMMOND, J. L, Union township; farmer; post office,

682

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Millwood, born February 4, 1852, and was married to Miss W.
Tracy October 23, 1873. In 1875 he moved to his present
farm. His father came from Maryland at an early date. He
had two children: J. L. Hammond and Mary S.
HANGER, REUBEN, Union township, farmer, post office,
Rossville, born July 5, 1817. In 1816 his father came here,
when they had no neighbors except Indians. He had eleven
children, viz: Catharine, Susanna, Betsey, Polly, Reuben,
Barbara, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, John, and Priscilla. Jacob
died February 29, 1876; Polly, January, 1878; Barbara, July,
1878. Reuben Hanger married Hannah Lydie, September 1,
1839, and settled on the old homestead, where he still remains.
He has ten children, viz: Mirion Jane, William F., George
Washington, Leander Sherman, Isaac Newton, Joseph Curtis,
Martin W., John Russell, Henry B., and May Elizabeth.
Mirion died in 1873, and left to her husband two children —
Elizabeth Ellen and George C.
Isaac Newton was married, but lost all his family by death.
HANGER, JOHN, Union township, farmer, post office,
Millwood, born in Union township. In 1810 his father came
from Pennsylvania, and lived here until his death in 1851. In
1868 his mother died. John Hanger married Mary Larabell,
March 1, 1854, and settled on the old home. They have four
children — Lyman, born December 25, 1835; Barnett, Novem
ber 29, 1857; Seltura, June 27, 1859; and Victoria, November
29, 1865.
His wife was born August 19, 1834. Seltura died when she
was seven weeks old. Barnett married Sarah Shafer Septem
ber 14, 1879, and lives with his parents.
HANGER, LEE, farmer, Union township, post office, Mill
wood, was born August 31, 1841, in this township, and re
mained at home until 1863. He was married to Christina Hy
att in 1865, and settled immediately on his farm. They have
two boys — Curtis, born in 1870, and Charles, born in 1873.
HANGER, JOSEPH, Brown township, farmer and stock
raiser, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Hanger, was born in
Union township, Knox county, March 3, 1831. At the age of
nine years his father died, but he remained with his mother till
he became of age. During that time he controlled and farmed
his mother's portion of the farm. He married Juliza Winter
ringer, August 25, 1854, she being a daughter of J. B. Winter
ringer, born in Union township, Knox county. After his mar
riage he still remained in Union township, renting and moving
on the farm owned by the widow Workman, where he remained
about eighteen months, and then rented his father-in-law's
farm, where he removed and remained about two years. While
there he purchased his brother's share in the old farm, which,
with his own share, made him sixty-seven acres. In 1857 he
moved on this farm, and remained there ten years, and then sold
the farm to his brother Reuben for three thousand dollars. He
then purchased the farm known as the John Frost farm, of one
hundred and twenty-five acres, in Brown township, where he
moved and now resides, it being a very desirable and pleasant
home. In 1855 he was elected justice of the peace of Union town
ship, serving three consecutive terms.
Mr. and Mrs. Hanger were the parents of ten children: Alice
C, born June 8, 1855, was married to Hudson Majors, and re
sided in Rosstown, Knox county, until her death, July 26, 1878;
J. B. Leonard, born February 15, 1857, and died in July of the

same year; Mary J., born December 9, 1858, and died in in
fancy; Elizabeth, born December 17, 1859, and died in April of
the following year; J. C, born April 14, 1861; Laura C, Octo
ber 25, 1863; Ida E., November 17, 1865; W. F., January 2,
1867; Martin L, November 23, 1872; and Rhoda M., July 25,
1864. Edith M. Majors, granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Han
ger, was born September 24, 1874.
Mrs. Hanger is a consistent member of the Presbyterian
church of Millwood, Knox county.
HANCOCK, JOHN R., farmer, was born in Fayette county,
Pennsylvania, March 23, 1835, removed to Coshocton county,
Ohio, in 1856, and to Clay township in 1876. He was married
December 3, 1856, to Elizabeth Bradfield. They have had
eight children, viz: Joseph L., George W., Maggie A., Wil
liam, James, Nancy, Arabella, and Ermina. Notwithstanding
Mr. Hancock is a second cousin to General Winfield Scott
Hancock, Democratic candidate for President in 1880, he is a
strong, life-long Republican. He is the owner of several hun
dred acres of good land, and is financially in very comfortable
circumstances. HARRISON, AMZI, Miller township, farmer, was born in
Morgan township, May 2r, 1831. His parents, Timothy and
Phebe (Edwards), were natives of New Jersey, where they were
married and shortly after came to Ohio and settled in Morgan
township, and subsequently moved to Licking county, where
they died, near Appleton. They had eleven children, four of
whom are yet living.
Mr. Harrison was reared on a farm, and in his youth attended
the common schools. He has always followed farming as his
occupation; is a careful husbandman and an esteemed citizen.
He came to Miller township in 1867. On the twenty-fourth of
December, 1862, he married Miss Malissa Callihan, and has
three children: Ella May, Charles Wesley, and Frank Wilbur.
HARDEN, COLUMBUS, drayman, Fredericktown, was
born in Monow county in 1840, and manied in 1862 Julia
Iden, who was born in Sparta, Morrow county. Mr. Harden
has been engaged in farming in Morrow county. In 1876 he
moved to Fredericktown where he is engaged in draying.
HARDESTY, GEORGE, farmer, Morris township, post
office, Mt. Vernon, was born in Williams county, Ohio, in
1857, and was manied in 1879 to Sadie Hogue, who was born
in Knox county in 1859. They have one son, Austin C, who
was born in 1880. Mr. Hardesty has resided in this county
seven years.
HARDING, THOMAS, grocer and coal dealer, was bom in
Yorkshire, England, May 4, 1819, on the old homestead where
the Harding family had successively resided for over four hun
dred years. He remained on the home place until he was thirty-
two years of age, during which he was engaged in farming. In
1851 he emigrated to America and located in Mt. Vernon. His
first engagement was in the employ of J. E. Woodbridge, in
the warehouse business, where he remained until October, 1852,
when he established a coal yard and office, which was the first
in the city, consequently making Mr. Harding the pioneer coal
dealer of Mt. Vernon. He has continued in this business ever
since, and about three years ago he added to his business that
of groceries. In the coal trade he does business to the amount
of about twenty thousand dollars per year; in the grocery busi
ness he carries a stock of about fifteen hundred dollars, and at
the present does a business of about eighteen thousand dollars

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

683

per year in the two departments, the coal trade having become
greatly divided during the past few years.
HARIMAN, DAVID, Wayne township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, born in Knox county in Febmary, 1835, and
was married in 1859 to Margaret Sharp, who was born in Knox
county in 1837.
HARNWELL, BENJAMIN, merchant, Gambier, Ohio, was
born in England in the year 1836. When only six years of age
(in 1842) he accompanied his parents, Adam and Leonora Harn
well, to America. His parents located in Geneva, New York,
and remained there about one year. From Geneva they re
moved to Wisconsin, and resided there until the fall of 1844,
and then came to and settled in Gambier, this county.
The subject of this brief sketch entered school in that village,
and received his education. In 1848 he engaged in the mercan
tile business as clerk for the late A. G. Scott, the then leading
merchant of Gambier, with whom he remained six years.
In 1854 young Harnwell went to Cincinnati and engaged
with George N. Wood & Co. , corner of Fifth and Vine streets,
with whom heramained until 1857. From Cincinnati he came
back to Gambier, and engaged in the mercantile business in the
room he now occupies. In 1859 he left Gambier and went to
Nashville, Tennessee, where he only tarried a few months,
when he left the city and went to Memphis, Tennes
see, and continued there until 1870. While residing in
Memphis Mr. Harnwell was engaged in the publishing
business. He published the Daily Argus nearly all through
the war and after the war. He published Hardie's Tactics,
first edition twenty thousand copies, second edition ten thousand
copies, and an edition of the Laws of Memphis. He also
edited and published the Southern Monthly. He also pub
lished many other works. He printed the blanks for the cotton
loan for the State of Mississippi for the amount of twenty mil
lion dollars. He also published Scott's Grammar. His print
ing establishment at Memphis was a large one, superior to any
other in the Southern States at that time.
From Memphis, in 1870, Mr. Harnwell returned to his old
Ohio home in Gambier, and engaged in the mercantile business
at his old stand, where he has continued ever since. He deals
in general merchandise. He is also agent for the Union Ex
press Company running over the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon &
Columbus railroad.
On December 29, 1863, Mr. Harnwell married Miss Emma
Probasco, of Lebanon, Ohio, daughter of Judge John and
Susan Probasco, nee Freeman. This union has been blessed
with three children, two sons and one daughter.
HARPER, HON. LECKY, editor and proprietor of the Mt.
Vemon Democratic Banner, was born in the county of Done
gal, Ireland, December 29, 1815. His parents, Hugh Harper
and Catharine (Long) Harper, with their children, three sons
and two daughters, emigrated to the United States in the sum
mer of 1820, and settled in Washington, District of Columbia.
The following year his father died of malarial fever, leaving his
mother and four young children almost entirely among
strangers. The bereft mother, being a woman of Christian
principles and no ordinary force of character, put forth un
expected energy, attending to their wants, their culture, and
their education, assisted, however, by the advice of members of
a family to whom they bore relationship. Nothing was neg
lected to prepare them for a project, which the mother kept
always in view, to take them, as soon as practicable, to the
39

State of Ohio, then the "far west," an undertaking deemed by
their immediate friends extremely hazardous.
In the month of June, 1826, the little family crossed the Alle
ghany mountains, and anived, without any accident, in Jeffer
son county, where they were met by relatives and friends.
Mrs. Harper died at the residence of her second son, in
Akron, in 1866, in the eighty-fifth year of her age. Only two
children remain, one a well known citizen of Pittsburgh, John
Harper, esq., president of the Bank of Pittsburgh, and the
third son, Lecky, the subject of this memoir.
Lecky Harper came to Ohio in the eleventh year of his age,
with some education, which was increased by such acquisitions
as could be obtained in a country school-house amid the hills of
Jefferson county in early days. In 1830, young Harper went to
Steubenville, and entered as a clerk in a mercantile establish
ment. After clerking about a year he entered the office of the
old Jefferson Democrat, for the purpose of learning the "art
preservative of all arts." In that office he remained a year,
when he found but little could be learned in an establishment
where the proprietors were entirely ignorant of tbe profession.
He therefore concluded to enter into an engagement with Judge
Wilson, then editor of the Steubenville Herald, to go with him
to Pittsburgh, in 1832, where the judge established the first
daily paper in that city, called The Pennsylvania Advocate.
During the period of his apprenticeship Mr. Harper spent his
leisure hours in reading historical and literary works, kindly
loaned him by -. valued friend. He made frequent contribu
tions to the Saturday Evening Visitor, a family paper then
published in Pittsburgh. In May, 1837, Mr. Harper returned
to Stubenville and purchased a half interest in the American
Union, the successor of the old Jefferso?i Democrat. For two
years he edited and conducted the Union with marked success.
During the session. of the Ohio legislature for 1839-40 he re
ported the proceedings of that body for the Ohio Statesman,
then under the management of the late Colonel Samuel Medary,
and also assisted in the editorial department of that paper.
During his connection with the Statesman a warm personal
friendship sprang up between the colonel and Mr. Harper, that
lasted until the death of Mr. Medary. During the exciting
presidential campaign of 1840 Mr. Harper edited the Crawford
Democrat, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, whilst the proprietor was
engaged in taking the census. At that time Mr. Harper had
made arrangements for establishing a daily Democratic paper at
Pittsburgh, but the unexpected defeat of Van Euren changed
the political aspect of affairs, rendering it impolitic at that time
to undertake so hazardous an enterprise, and induced him to
embark in some other profession. He entered the law office of
Messrs. Metcalf & Loomis, and in due course of time he was
admitted to the bar of Pittsburgh. During his course of study
he edited the Pittsburgher, a weekly Democratic paper. In
1843, after his admission to the bar, he located at Cadiz, Ohio,
where he practiced law, and purchased the Cadiz Sentinel,
which he edited three years, and then disposed of the paper and
returned in 1846 to Pittsburgh, by the invitation of leading Dem
ocrats of that city. He bought the Morning Post, then a small
paper, with limited circulation, and printed on a hand press.
Under the editorial management of Mr. Harper, the circulation
of the Post rapidly increased, soon taking rank as one of the
leading papers of Pennsylvania. It became necessary to throw
aside the hand press and substitute steam power presses. Doing
all the editorial work of a daily was too severe a task for a con
stitution at no time robust; he therefore disposed of the Post, so

684

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

as to secure a location and paper demanding less mental work
than a leading daily in a large city.
During Mr. Harper's editorship of the Post, he was drawn
into a very exciting controversy on the labor question. The
legislature of Pennsylvania passed a law making ten hours a
day's labor in all manufacturing establishments, more especially
in factories where children were employed. Previously little
children had been compelled to work twelve and even fourteen
hours a day, commencing at six o'clock in the morning and
laboring until seven or eight o'clock in the evening. Mr.
Harper sustained the law, not only because it was the law, but
that it was a just and hum ine enactment. Every other paper
in Pittsburgh opposed the law, taking sides with the manufac
turers, who claimed that they could not compete with the
manufacturers of the east, unless they run the long hours.
The Commercial-Journal at that time was the special organ of
the manufacturers, who called to their assistance their attorney,
who undertook the task of writing Mr. Harper down and
destroy his paper. To accomplish this, it was alleged, he was
ruining Pittsburgh's leading industries, etc. This was followed
by a movement to induce business men to withdraw their
patronage from the paper. But a reaction took place, and for
every man that stopped the Post at least fifty new names were
added to the list. The mechanics and working men of the city
made the cause their own. The largest meeting ever held in
Pittsburgh assembled in the old market square to sustain the
Post, and when Mr. Harper appeared at the meeting he was
lifted on the shoulders' of the men of toil and carried to the
speaker's stand, where he addressed the excited people, advis-
sing them to stand up for their rights and the rights of human
ity, but to commit no act of violence. The ten hour law was
triumphant. Finding an opening in Mt. Vernon, Mr. Harper, after dispos
ing of the Post, came here and purchased, in 1853, the Mt. Ver
non Democratic Banner, which he has since ably conducted and
edited. From being a poorly unsupported institution he soon
brought the Banner to the front with a large subscription, and
it is now one of the most ably conducted and edited newspapers
in the State. A few years since the building in which the paper
is published was destroyed by fire, including the entire outfit of
type and presses. This calamity required a complete refurnish
ing of both type and presses, which was accomplished within a
space of ten days. The Banner office is now one of the most
extensive and complete printing establishments in Ohio, outside
of the leading cities. Mr. Harper was president of the Ohio
Editorial association four years, and is the president of the Dem
ocratic Editorial association, organized in 1880. In 1879 he
was elected State senator in the Seventeenth and Twenty-eighth
Senatorial districts, composed of the counties of Wayne,
Holmes, Knox and Morrow, and is a member of several of the
most important committees in that body.
Mr. Harper is one of the oldest editors in the State. From
May, 1837, up to the present time, over forty-three years, he
has worn the editorial harness, with a prospect of many more
years of usefulness before him. As an editor he occupies the
highest rank, and as a news compiler he is unequalled ; as a
citizen, honored and respected; as a neighbor, kind and obliging.
On the eighteenth of September, 1844, Mr. Harper was united
in marriage to Miss Eliza A. Mercer, at Florence, Washington
county, Pennsylvania. She is a descendant of General Hugh
Mercer, of the American Revolutionary war. From this union
nine children were born, the three oldest of whom died in in

fancy. The names of the living are William M., Howard and
Clarence B. , bom in Pittsburgh ; John, Frank, and Kate, born
in Mt. Vernon.
The Harper ancestors went originally from England to Ire
land, after the Earl of Tyrone's rebellion; and, by purchase, be
came possessed of a town land named Pollyarnoii, of the con
fiscated estate of the Manor of Hastings. The last of his
paternal ancestors, whose remains were laid in Irish soil, was
his great-grandfather, Robert Harper, who died March 10, 1780,
in the forty-fourth year of his age, according to the monumen
tal inscription in the English churchyard at Castlederg, in the
county of Tyrone. His grandfather came to this country at an
earlier date than his father, and so also at various times others
of the family; some settling in the Shenandoah valley, Vir
ginia, and some in Ohio. Of the latter branch was the late
Judge Alexander Harper, of Zanesville, who was his father's
cousin. Mr. Harper's baptismal name, Lecky, was derived
from the maiden surname of his paternal grandmother, Lillias
Lecky, daughter of Hugh Lecky, of Gortumuck. The Lecky
family were Scotch Presbyterians — the Harper family belonged
to the English church.
HARRIS, HENRY C, Miller township, farmer, was born
in Miller township, September 29, 1832, and is the youngest son
of Emor Hanis, who was born August 1, 1792, near Providence,
Rhode Island, and Sarah Sweet, who was born April 12, 1797,
near the same place. They were married in 1814, and came to
Ohio in 1817, settling in Miller township, where they perma
nently located. They were among the best citizens of the town
ship. Mr. Harris was a justice of the peace for nearly twenty-
three years, and was regarded as a man of sound judgment, and
a safe and wise counsellor. He died September 28, 1850; his
wife died November 30, 1873. Tbey had eight children, viz:
Caroline, wife of R. C. Walker; Emor B. ; Sarah; Mary J.,
widow of Madison Miller; Lydia M., deceased; Betsey and
Emily, who died in infancy. Emor B. now resides near Red
Oak, Iowa.
Henry C, the subject of this notice, was reared on the old
homestead, where his parents first settled. His education was
at the district schools. He was captain of company C, One
Hundred and Forty-second regiment Ohio National guards, and
served with his command in Virginia. In the spring of 1879 be
was elected a justice of the peace. He is ? man of comprehen
sive ideas, and has the esteem of the community. He was
married to Miss Dorcas Gates, February, 1856, daughter of
Cyrus Gates, an early settler. She died some years since. They
have had four children: Mary W., Cyrus G., Carrie A., and
Henry G.
HARRIS, THOMAS, Monroe township, farmer and stock
raiser, was born in Devonshire county, England, January i,
1815. In 1840 he accompanied his parents, Thomas and Eliz
abeth Harris, to America, and located on a farm in Jefferson
township, now owned by John Hobbs, where his parents passed
the remainder of their days.
In 1849 he married Miss Ellen McMillen, then of Jefferson
township, born in Pennsylvania in 1814, daughter of Joseph
McMillen. They settled on his home farm, remained one year,
then moved to Defiance, Ohio, remained a few years, and then
returned to the old home farm again, where they lived until
1867, when he sold the home farm, and purchased and moved
on the farm in Monroe township, where they now reside. Their
union resulted in four children, one son and three daughters,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

685

all of whom are now deceased except one of the daughters,
Keziah M.
HARRIS, MICHiEL, Liberty township, farmer, was born
in Hilliar township May 1, 1841, and is the son of Burr and
Catharine Harris, nee Shaffer.
Burr Harris was born in Licking county, Ohio, removed to
Hilliar township, and thence to Bloomfield township, where he
yet resides. They had nine children, five of whom grew up.
The subject of this notice was reared on a farm with his par
ents. In July, 1861, he enlisted in company G, Twenty-fifth
Ohio volunteer infantry. The regiment belonged to the Eastern
army. He participated in the battles of Green Briar, Mc
Dowell, Cross Keys, Second Bull Run, besides a number of
skirmishes. He was wounded slightly while in West Virginia.
He was discharged on account of physical disability contracted
while in service in 1863, having been almost two years in service.
November 1, 1863, he married Miss Caroline M. Tucker.
They have seven children — four sons and three daughters. Mr.
Harris is a good farmer, takes an interest in his occupation, and
is a good citizen.
HARRISON, J. C, Pike township, post office, North Liberty;
born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1829, and was married in
1851 to Martha Matthewson, who was bom in Holmes county.
They had one child, Jerusha (deceased). Mrs. Martha Harri
son died in 1872. Mr. Harrison was afterwards married to
Cyrene Hathaway, born in Morrow county. They had one
child, John, born in 1873. Mrs. Cyrene Harrison died in 1874.
Mr. Harrison was afterwards married to Mary Eley, who was
born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1848. They have one
daughter, Luella May, born in 1875. His father, B. Harrison,
was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1804, and came
to Harrison county, Ohio, with his parents at the age of
eighteen months, and remained there until he reached the age
of twenty-four years when he removed to Wayne county, re
mained there till 1855 and then came to Knox county. He was
married to Rachel Caldwell, who was born in Pennsylvania.
They had two children, Louisa and James. Mrs. Rachel Har
rison died in 1876. Louisa, their daughter, died in 1840.
HARROD, WILLIAM L., Hilliar township, proprietor of
Central house, Centreburgh, Ohio, was born in the county
August 14, 1835. His youth was spent on a farm until he en
gaged in the saw-mill business, which he followed until he en
listed in company C, Thirty-second Ohio volunteers, July
20, 1861, and was mustered into service August, 1861.
The company left Camp Dennison September, 1861, for Cheat
mountain, Virginia. He participated in the battles of Green
Briar, McDowell, and in the skirmishes of the Virginia valley,
and in the battle of Cross Keyes. He was in the battle of and
surrender of Harper's Ferry, and paroled on the field, and was
subsequently exchanged at Cleveland, Ohio. His regiment
was sent to Vicksburgh, where he participated in the fight at
Champion Hills and the Vicksburgh campaign. He then vet
eranized in 1863, and joined Sherman's army. July 22, 1864, he
was taken prisoner at Atlanta and sent to that famed prison,
Andersonville, where he was kept until September 22, 1864,
when, fortunately, he was exchanged. During 1864 and 1865 he
participated in all the various campaigns and marches in Sher
man's army, and was at the surrender of Johnson's army. He
was first lieutenant of his company the last seven months, thus
serving his country faithfully and honestly for four eventful years,
never losing a day except when a prisoner. When he returned

home he engaged again in the saw-mill business, and subse
quently farmed until he came to Centreburgh in the spring of
1880, and became proprietor of the Central house, where he is
always willing to wait upon his patrons. In 1858 he was mar
ried to Miss Mary Hayes. They have two children.
HARVY, JAMES, blacksmith, Fredericktown, was born in
Jeromeville, Ashland county, in 1830, and mairied Gracie
Hicks, who was born in England, in 1838. They had a family
of seven children, named as follows: Elizabeth, Philena,
Amanda, William, Carrie, Dollie, and Charlie.
Mr. Harvy learned the blacksmith trade in Mt. Vernon with
Stephen Bishop. He came to Fredericktown in 1849 ; started
in business and still continues. Through his industry and
economy has secured a good home, and is otherwise in com
fortable circumstances.
HART, WILLIAM T., Gambier, son of John D. and Mar
garet Hart, was born near the Hopewell church, Pleasant town
ship, Knox county, Ohio, September 18, 1840. John D. Hart,
a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, was born March 13,
1816, married Miss Margaret Taylor, June 5, 1834, who was
born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, May 17, 1816.
In 1835 they moved to Richland county, Ohio, and remained
one year. In 1836 they moved to this county and located in
Pleasant township, near the Hopewell church, where they lived
until 1853, when they migrated to Noble county, Indiana,
where they passed the remainder of their days. His compan
ion died November 17, 1854. He survived her until October 1,
1864, leaving a family of eleven children to mourn their loss,
viz: Mary A., born May 10, 1835; Nancy, born May 14, 1837;
Matthew, born December 4, 1838 ; William T. , born September
18, 1840 ; James, born May 4, 1843 ; Samuel, born January 12, '
1845 ; Sarah F., born October 12, 1846 ; George W. , born May
30, 1848; John, born August 29, 1850; Margaret, born May 14,
1852; Susannah, born June 4, 1854. Samuel and Margaret have
died. William T. Hart married Miss Mary A. Wright, December
28, 1865, born in College township, this county, June 29, 1840,
daughter of William and Mary Wright. They settled in Gam
bier, where they are now living. Their union resulted in three
children, viz: Lewis E., Eva M., and Frederick W. Eva M.
is dead. Mr. Hart is a carriage-maker by trade and is carrying on
the business of manufacturing all kinds of carriages and
vehicles of every description in Gambier. He is also engaged
in undertaking, and is doing a first class business. In April,
1861, he enlisted in the three months' service in company B,
Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry. June 5th, of same year, he re-
enlisted in same company and regiment for three years, or dur
ing the war. His time expired June 5, 1864, and was discharged
from the service June 23d, same year. February 16, 1865, he
enlisted as a veteran and served until the close of the war. He
received two wounds, the first was at the battle of Chancellors
ville, the second at North Anna river, on the twenty-third day
of May, 1864.
HART, WILLIAM R., carriage painter, Mt. Vernon, is the
second son of father Abel Hart, sr., who is now in the eighty-
sixth year of his age. William was born June 1, 1828, in the
city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and when about seven
years of age came to Ohio with his parents, who settled in Mt.
Vemon in 1835, where they have continued to reside. His
mother died in 1864. He received such an education as the

686

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

schools of that day afforded. His first business engagement
was made with Mr. Noah Hill, where he learned the chair mak
ing and painting trades. With Mr. Hill he worked four years,
and then engaged with Mr. John A. Shannon, as carriage
painter, where he worked some eighteen months. The follow
ing six years he spent in travelling and working. He .worked
as journeyman painter in different places in the State, and in
1855 returned to Mt. Vernon. He worked for the different
firms in the city up to 1874. That year he established his
present business, which consists in the getting up of a fine grade
of single and double carriages and buggies. Carriage paint
ing is a specialty in all its branches. He does none but first
class work.
Mr. Hart became a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows in 1850, and joined a lodge of the order in Tiffin,
Ohio, a member of lodge No. 20, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, on card. In 1875 he was elected grand junior warden
in the grand encampment branch of the order. In 1878 he was
elected in the same branch grand high priest. In 1879 he was
elected most worthy grand patriarch ofthe encampment branch
in Ohio. Mr. Hart is the only member of the order in Knox
county who has attained to the honor of these offices. He has
also served as representative of both the grand lodge and the
grand encampment. Mr. Hart has represented his ward in the
city council.
HART, ABEL, SR., Mt. Vernon was born at Little Compton
in the State of Rhode Island, on the twenty-second of Septem
ber, 1794. His father, Noah Hart, was a soldier in a Massa
chusetts regiment in the Revolutionary war. He raised twelve
children, all of whom lived to a good ripe age, and a number of
whom are still living. His ancestors settled in Massachusetts
about the year 1634.
The subject of this sketch came to this part of the country
in the year 1817. He first lived with his brother Isaac, who had
previously lacated on the Mohican, twenty miles east of Mt.
Vernon. After remaining in Ohio a few years, he returned to
the east, and in the year 1834 removed to Mt. Vernon with his
family, and in the year 1835 built a house on East Gambier
street, where he has resided ever since.
Mr. Hart was made Master Mason at Parkersburgh, Virginia,
in 1820, and is now, perhaps, the oldest Mason in Knox county.
He was one of the charter members of the Knox Mutual Insur
ance company, and was one of its directors for over twenty
years. He is the only charter member now living. Hr. Hart
was one of the military escort that accompanied General La
fayette, when he visited Boston in the year 1824. He was well
acquainted with General Andrew Jackson. Mr. Hart raised a
family of four children, all of whom are living.
HART, ABEL, JR., Mt. Vernon, attorney at law, is the
youngest son of Abel Hart, sr., and was raised in Mt. Vernon.
He had a common school education, and learned the carriage
making trade. The subject of this sketch read law with Dun
bar & Banning, and after that firm dissolved, finished his studies
with John Adams, now judge of the court of common pleas.
He was admitted to the bar at the March term of the supreme
court at Columbus, Ohio. In the year 1868 he was a candidate
for prosecuting attorney of Knox county, and was defeated by
four votes. In 1870 he was a candidate for the same position,
and was elected, and in 1872 was reelected. In 1875 he was
elected representative, and reelected in 1877.
HART, W. T. undertaker, Gambier. Gambier has one of

the best and most extensive undertaking establishments in the
county, opened in 1878 by Mr. W. T. Hart, who keeps on
hand first-class burial material of all descriptions. He is also
prepared to embalm bodies, and can respond to a call on short
notice. Special attention is given to this branch o f undertaking.
He has for his use one of the best and finest hearses and teams
in the county. His success in the business has been beyond his
most sanguine expectation, He has calls from and attends
funerals in a territory of more than ten miles around Gambier.
Within thirty months he has received ninety-three calls, and
has promptly attended the same. His past experience in that
line is a guarantee that the work in the future as in the past will
give equal satisfaction to the bereaved.
HART & DICKESON, proprietors carriage shops, Gambier.
Messrs. Hart & Dickeson in 1873 established their manufactory,
from which they have succeeded in supplying the wants of the
community with remarkable success. They manufacture bug
gies, light and heavy farm wagons, phastons, and all vehicles
necessary to the wants and luxury of man. They also do all
kinds of repairing at short notice, and what is more to the
point, they warrant every vehicle manufactured by them, and
every repair job that leaves their shops. Horseshoeing is a
specialty with them, and in which branch they acknowledge no
superior in the county.
In their shops they have recently built one of the finest hearses
in the county, which is now used by Mr. William T. Hart, the
undertaker at Gambier. The people of the county will find
Hart & Dickeson enterprising gentlemen, always ready to attend
to the wants of their customers.
HARTMAN, WILLIAM (deceased), a native of Cumber
land county, Pennsylvania, born December 20, 1807, and a son
of Casper Hartman. March 5, 1833 (at the age of twenty-five
years), he united in marriage with Sarah Ramsey, a daughter of
Thomas Ramsey, who was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania,
May 14, 1808. After their marriage, he, in company with his
wife, came to Ohio, locating in Wayne county, where he re
mained about four years, and then moved to Knox county,
locating in Harrison township, on a farm of one hundred and
eleven acres he purchased, where he raised a family of eight
children, six sons and two daughters. His death occurred No
vember 29, 1879, in his seventy-second year. Mrs. Hartman,
his companion, survives him in her seventy-second year.
HASSON, MARVIN FREW, Hilliar township, station agent
of Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad at Centreburgh,
was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1844, is
the second child of William and Rachel Hasson, nee Black,
who were born and married in Venango county, Pennsylvania,
and still reside near Utica, Pennsylvania.
The youth of Mr. Hasson was spent on a farm, and attend
ing the schools of the vicinity. He also attended an academy
at Utica, and was preparing for college, but when the late war
broke out he went with the three months' men, but the quota
being full he was not mustered into service. He returned home
and resumed his studies until August, 1862, when he enlisted in
company I, Sixty-fourth Pennsylvania volunteers, and partici
pated in many of the hardest struggles on the field during that
ever memorable conflict. He canies the scars of two wounds.
At High Hill bridge he received a wound in the knee which kept
him in the hospital for about two months and a half, and he
was again wounded at Dinwiddie Court House, being struck on
the forehead with a minnie ball. He was in the battle of An-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

687

tietam, Maryland; Fredericksburgh, Virginia; Brandy Station,
Virginia; Gettysburgh, Pennsylvania; Sulphur Springs, "Vir
ginia; Kilpatrick's raid; Malvern hill; Deep Bottom; Wyatt's
farm, and Stony creek, besides twenty-two smaller engagements.
He never missed roll-call nor duty until he was wounded. After
his return home he worked at carpentering and teaching school.
While teaching he learned telegraphy. About 1871 he came lo
Ohio and was engaged in Akron in telegraph and railroad ser
vice. In 1873 he came to Mt. Vernon, and in the fall of the
same year was appointed agent at Centreburgh, for the Cleve
land, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad. From his quick busi-
neas habits and his systematic regulations he has given general
satisfaction to the business and travelling public. He is a posi
tive man, being governed by principle; is decisive in his opinion
and convictions. He was married to Miss Hattie F. Rinehart,
November 30, 1873. They have a family of three children, viz:
Jessie, born September 27, 1874; Emma G., March 10, 1876;
and John W-, April 12, 1879.
HAWKINS, ISAAC, Liberty township, a successful farmer
and stock raiser; was born in Hampshire county, Virginia,
May 31, 1821. Joseph Hawkins, his father, was born in
Hampshire county, Virginia, January 18, 1789, married Sarah
Larimore about 1811, and remained in Virginia until about
1829, when they came to Ohio, remaining three years in Lick
ing county and then removed to Milford township, Knox
county, where Mr. Hawkins died August 11, 1870. Mrs. Haw
kins died there also. They had a family of ten children, viz:
John, born June 23, 1812, died in Tazwell county, Illinois, and
left a large family; Margaret, born in i8r5, died in infancy;
Harriet, born November 19, 1817, married Charles Hall, and
died November 12, 1859, left a family; James, born March 25,
1819. He is an influential farmer in Licking county near Lock;
Isaac, the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, born December 16,
1824, married Edward Wilson. She is deceased, left a family;
Joseph, born June 26, 1826. He is a resident of Milford town
ship; Sarah Jane, born June 29, 1828, married Henry Row.
She died August 9, 1877, left a family; Thomas H., born Sep
tember 6, 1831; he is a resident of Mt. Vernon, Ohio; Wil
liam D., born December 28, 1833.
The parents of this family were of the renter class; they
owned no land, and hence their sons and daughters were in
early life under the necessity of making for themselves almost
their own way. They all became substantial and useful citizens
in after life. Indeed it might be truthfully said that there are
few families who had started in life in moderate circumstances
that did so well. The subject of this sketch spent his youth at
home until he was about nine years of age. From nine to
thirteen he was on a farm away from home. He then returned
to assist his parents on the farm, as his older brothers were
doing for themselves. He aided in keeping his younger broth
ers and sisters at home. He remained at home until January
24, 1841, when he married Miss Pennennah W. Huddlestun, a
native of Virginia who was born November 4, 1822. From this
time he began for himself. The following summer he farmed
with his brother James, and in the fall sold his shareof the crops
for seventy-five dollars out of which he paid sixty dollars of
debts, leaving fifteen dollars as net gain for a summer's work.
He then went to Licking county, near Granville, and put out a
wheat crop, and when the crop was sold he had fifty-one dollars
clear of all expenses.
It might be mentioned here, to show how Mr. Hawkins

started, the way he obtained his first smoothing-iron. Wishing
to have that necessary article in the house, and not having
the money to buy it, he contracted to split two hundred and
fifty rails, for which he was to have a smoothing-iron made at
Porter's foundry, near where he then lived. This iron he still
possesses, as a reminder of his early start. He remained over
three years at Granville, sold out his crops, and had two hun
dred and sixty dollars in money. He returned to Milford town
ship, Knox county, and five years after, he purchased ninety
head of ewes and thirty lambs for one hundred dollars. This
was his beginning in sheep-raising, and in which he has been
eminently successful. He purchased a farm of one hundred
and twenty-eight acres for two thousand three hundred dollars.
He had eight hundred dollars in cash, which he paid as hand
money. On the balance he had seven years' time, but was able
to pay for it in four years.
The first buying and selling of stock was commenced on the
farm, and carried on with eminent success until 1877. In 1868
he moved from his farm to Mt. Liberty, where he has since re
sided. Mr. Hawkins, it will be remembered, commenced life with no
aid. His advantages for education were limited. In fact, he
never learned to write, and it was not until in after years that
he learned to read. This was no fault of his, as his time was
so occupied in his youth that it was impossible for him to ac
quire any education. He was kept at work early and late, and
when evening came he needed rest. He has been successful in
life. He worked under the disadvantage of having no educa
tion. He is naturally a business man. His judgment has in
some degree made up for his lack of education. But had he
been so fortunate as to have had the advantages of education,
he would have added much more largely to his property. He
deserves more than passing notice in thus overcoming the many
obstacles which met him at every turn. He has given largely
to each of his five children as they were married. He made it
a point to give them five thousand dollars' worth of real estate,
besides an outfit of at least a thousand dollars extra, making at
least thirty thousand dollars.
The children are, Levina, married to S. T. Vannatta, of
Miller township; Mary, married to J. T. Robertson, of Hilliar
townsnip; Ann, widow of J. L. Evans; Louisa married W. A.
Wintermute, of Milford township, and Charles O., married to
Ella Snyder.
HAWKINS, WILLIAM H., Milford township, brick mason
and farmer, Milfordton post office, was born in Rhode Island,
near Providence, April 26, 1814. His parents, Stephen and
Sallie Hawkins, nee Belknap, came to what is now Milford
township in 1818. They came in a three-horse wagon, bring
ing with them their three sons — Emor B., William H. and
Joseph S.
Emor B. and Joseph S. have died. There were three more
children born to these parents in Milford township, viz.:
Stephen, Sallie Ann, and Laura M. Of these Stephen and
Laura M. are dead.
The subject of this notice recollects very distinctly when his
parents went to locate the site of the cabin. His mother, when
she saw the dense forest, and the recollections of her former
eastern home filled her mind, she wept bitterly. This site was
on the farm on which Mr. Hawkins now resides on the Mt.
Vernon and Hartford roads. Here Mrs. Hawkins died in 1841.
Mr. Hawkins' second marriage was with Mrs. Petitt, by whom

688

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

he had one daughter, Mary P., wife of William Pickering. Mr.
and Mrs. Hawkins both died on the old homestead.
William H. spent his youth in the cabin. When old enough
he assisted his father in clearing up the land. At about the
age of eighteen years he learned brick laying with his brother,
Emor B. He has built many of the brick dwellings in Milford
and surrounding country. He frequently made the brick and
contracted for the dwellings. He is an estimable citizen. He
was married to Miss Emily Beach January 25, 1838. They
have one child, Emily C, born September 26, 1844, wife of
George Disney.
HAWKINS, THOMAS, Liberty township, was born in
Licking county, September 6, 1831. He is the son of Joseph and
Sarah Hawkins, of whom mention is made in the biography of
Isaac Hawkins.
The subject of this notice remained with his parents until
about eleven years of age. From eleven until twenty-two he
was with his brother James. In the fall of 1854 he went to
Tazwell county, Illinois, where he remained until the fall of
i860, engaged on a farm. On October 11, 1858, he married
Miss Mary A. McClees, who was born in Tazwell county,
Illinois, April 12, 1839.
In the fall of i860 Mr. Hawkins returned to Licking county,
where he remained six years, being engaged in farming, when
he moved to Knox, and farmed one year, and then moved to
Mt. Liberty. In 1872 he engaged with J. P. Wintermute in
huckstering, at which he has since been engaged. He is an
efficient salesman and was instrumental in building up a large
trade, which he still holds. He enjoys the confidence of the
trading public.
His marriage has been blessed with a family of four children:
Joseph W., born September 2, 1858; Mary E., wife of Emmett
M. Ramey, born March 11, i860, married November 25, 1880;
Emma, born February 24, 1862; and Thomas Clifford, born
July 5, 1871.
Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins have the esteem of the community.
HAWKINS, WILLIAM D., Liberty township, farmer, was
born in Licking county, Ohio, December 28, 1833, is the son of
Joseph and Sarah Hawkins, of whom mention is made in the
biography of Isaac Hawkins, of Mt. Liberty.
The subject of this notice was raised on a farm, and has con
tinued farming as his occupation. In his younger days he drove
stock east, and upon several occasions he took entire charge,
and was successful.
March 29, 1863, he married Mary Lucretia Wilkins, of Mt.
Liberty, daughter of Abner and Susan Wilkins.
Mr. Hawkins has held a number of offices in the township
and has always filled them to the satisfaction of the citizens gen
erally. In 1879 he was elected land appraiser.
Mr. Hawkins is a social, pleasant gentleman, hospitable to
all who call upon him, and has the esteem of the community.
HAWKINS, JAMES, JR., Milford township, farmer and
sheep raiser, Lock post office, was born in Knox county, in
January, 1850, is the oldest child of Joseph and Ann Hawkins,
of Milford township. August 24, 1871, he was married to The
resa M. Coe, who is the daughter of David Coe. They have
four children, viz: Mallie, Burton, Edward, and Elizabeth Ann.
Mr. Hawkins, from his experience, fully understands the rais
ing of first class sheep. His flock consists of choice registered
rams and ewes. His first sheep were eight ewes numbered in
Vermont register, volume second, Nos. 178, 182, 185, 225, 221,

208, 208. From ewe No. 182, two choice rams, Nos. 5 and 20;
ewen85, one choice ram, No. 1; ewe No. 10, ram No. 50; ewe
No. 12, ram No. 22. Ram No. 40 originated from purchase of
Hiram Rich, sired by J. T. Stickney's stock ram.
One of the largest clips from one sheep in this county was
from ram W. S. Grant, shorn by Torrence Mitchell, Lock, Ohio,
second fleece, April 1, 1880; weight of fleece, twenty-six and one-
fourth pounds. His weight, after beiug shorn, was one hundred
and thirty pounds— his age two years.
Mr. Hawkins has a flock of pure Spanish merino ewes. He
is determined not to be outdone by any sheep raiser in the
county, and makes sheep raising a special business, Those
who contemplate purchasing would do well to call upon him.
He resides near Lock, Ohio.
HAWN, G. B., Howard township, farmer, post office, How
ard. — He was born February 22, 1809, in Mt. Vernon. In 1827
he came to Millwood, Union township. At an early day his
father came to Millwood and bought large tracts of land. He
surveyed and laid out the lots in Millwood. The work was
done in 1825, and he built a flouring and carding mill, as well
as a distillery, and conducted his farm besides. G. P. Hawn
was married to Hattie Gifton, May 20, 1830, and settled in Mill
wood. They had eleven children — Louisa, Charles, Hattie,
Sarah, John, Marion, Rebecca, George, Catharine, Robert and
Lola. John enlisted in the late war in 1861, for three years,
At Lookout Mountain he was taken prisoner, and was in the
hands of the rebels three months. He was taken to Atlanta to
be exchanged, but a misunderstanding came up among the
officers in regard to the exchange, and he was started back;
but by some good fortune he, with another of the prisoners, es
caped from the trail while they were returning. Marion enlisted
in the same company, and died in the hospital, in 1863. G. B.
Hawn's grandfather was in the Revolutionary war and his father,
John H., was in the War of 1812, serving as quartermaster.
His brother, John H., was orderly sergeant in company B. in
the Mexican war. His son John served in the late war. It ap
pears from above statement that a John Hawn represented each
of the three generations past, one serving in each of the wars of
our country. G. B. Hawn's wife died March 27, 1870. He is
now cared for by his children.
HEAD, THOMAS R., Gambier, a native of Virginia, and
son of Nathan and Penelope Head, was born in Hampshire
county, August 5, 1823.
His parents were natives of Maryland, and moved to Vir
ginia in the spring of 1823. In May, 1835, they came to this
county, and located in College township, near Gambier, and
remained sixteen years. In 1851 they moved to the State of
Indiana, where Mrs. Head deceased, in February, 1877, aged
eighty-two years. Mr. Head, father of Thomas R., is now liv
ing in Mt. Vernon, aged eighty years.
They reared ten children, viz: Nathan, Mary A., Thomas
R., Hannah, Joseph, Sarah A., Nancy J., Penelope, John, and
Benjamin F. Only four of the number are now living, viz:
Mary A., Thomas R., Hannah, and Benjamin F.
On the twenty-first day of October, 1849, Mr. Head was
united in marriage with Miss Angeline Derby, daughter of Ru
fus Derby. Miss Derby was born in the State of New York,
July 17, 1826, and came with her parents to Morrow county,
Ohio, in 1836. After their marriage they settled in Gambier,
where they have since resided. Mr. Head engaged in butcher
ing and dealing in stock, having made the former his principal

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

689

vocation for twelve years. In 1861 he gave up the butchering
business, and turned his attention to farming, stock raising and
dealing,- which he has been actively engaged in since, for twenty
years. At present he owns a large farm in Harrison township,
this county.
HEADINGTON, J. N., Mt. Vernon, surveyor of Knox
county. Burder, in his history of all religions, in speaking of
the Roman church, says "the first important movement in
gaining a footing in the United States was made by Lord Balti
more. In 1832 he reached the shores of the Potomac with
about two hundred gentlemen of rank and fortune." In the
company were two young unmanied men named Headington.
They married and located at Gunpowder falls, a few miles above
Baltimore, and from there as far as known descended all the
Headingtons in the United States. .
This introduction is not to establish nobility of birth, for the
per cent, of this gentility or ranking blood remaining, after being
reduced with geometrical rapidity through a series of eight or
ten generations, would be too small to estimate. He therefore
lays no claims to gentility except that resulting from poverty; or
to greatness, except the essential part of it — goodness.
In 1820 Nicholas Headington, from Baltimore county, Mary
land, located in Pike township. James, the eldest, who has
since gained considerable celebrity as an auctioneer, married
Ruth Hardesty, of the same township, in 1835. The family
were among the earliest pioneers on Dry creek, and were from
Virginia, near Wheeling. She proved a model wife and a good
mother. Mr. Headington started in " the free for all " Octo
ber 10, 1842, in the unsubdued forests of Delaware county.
Six months later his father moved to Centerburgh and engaged
successively in staging, grocery and hotel, until 1854, when
finding himself with a family of five children, among them three
sons with sufficient muscle to perform farm labor, purchased
and moved on a farm one mile from the village where the old
folks are still at home.
Thus, for the first eleven years of his life, Mr. Headington
had the benefit of all the opportunities usually afforded by vil
lages for the moral training of boys. From this period he per
formed farm labor, and during the winters attended the district
school and Centerburgh union school until 1863 when he passed
from parental authority and entered the "go as you please. ''
He served in the quartermaster's department at Nashville dur
ing the campaign of 1864.
During the winters of 1864-5 and 1865-66, and the spring of
1866, he taught school at Newport, Indiana, farming the inter
vening summer. Returned home and taught the following
winter at Warsaw, Indiana. During the summer and fall of
1867 he rode the prairies of central Iowa, engaged in fire insur
ance. The following winter he attended Holbrook's celebrated
National Normal school, Lebanon, Ohio. For a year and a half
he had figured as principal in an enterprise that would not pay
cash dividends, but absorbed all his remaining resources so care
fully husbanded for educational purposes. He was compelled
to leave school and returned to Iowa in March, 1868. It was
the dark hour. The outlook was not flattering. A fielder in
the pools, he reengaged in insurance with increased efforts,
and in August, one week before the beginning of the schoo
year at Lebanon, he had regained his entire loss — six hundred
dollars. After one day's visit ,at home he reached the school
for roll call, entering the junior class of seventy members. His
first address before the class appeared in a public journal, which

gave him a high reputation as a writer and speaker, which was
maintained during the course. He was assigned the highest
position upon the programme, and the significant subject, "De
bating an Element of Mental Discipline," for his graduating
oration. He maintained his record. On the stage, at the close
of his performance, he received the congratulations of the prin
cipal, and most of the faculty and members of the class; an
honor never before accorded to one of the graduates of this
school. Mr. Headington taught the Centreburgh school during the
winter of 1869-70, and spent the summer and fall of 1870 at
Warsaw, Indiana, and Union county, Ohio, teaching at the
latter place. He took charge of the schools at Centreburgh
again during the winter of 1870 and spring of 1871, and during
the summer assisted in atlassing Knox county. From Novem
ber, 1871, he taught six months at Monticello, Illinois, and one
day and a half from the close of this engagement was working
on the atlas of Columbus and Franklin counties. He continued
here until the winter, when he took charge of the Bridgeport
schools. Before their close he was employed as chief engineer
of an atlas corps located at Bucyrus, Ohio, beginning in the
spring of 1873 and serving until the winter, when he began
business for himself as principal of the Champaign County
Atlas company, which work was delivered in the winter of 1874.
There being no available territory Mr. Headington continued in
the business as an employe of an eastern company, operating
in Athens county until the summer of 1875, when he received
the nomination for surveyor at the Democratic county conven
tion of Knox. Tired of being a child of the world this nomi
nation was quite acceptable. He was elected by three hundred
majority, and reelected in 1878 by seven hundred majority.
He filled the position of county school examiner one term.
He is a trader in real estate. In politics he is a Democrat. It
is but just to say that Mr. Headington is self-made; it might
relieve other powers of accountability. This sketch, as far as
it goes, is literally true; yet there is much unwritten, but those
who know Mr. Headington best will have no difficulty in draw
ing upon their imaginations to supply the omissions.
HEATHCOT, JOHN H„ retired farmer, Liberty township,
was born in the county of Cheshire, England, August 23, 1790.
His father was a farmer and manufacturer of cloths. The sub
ject of this notice, when quite young, was put at the same
trade. He remained in England until about 1821, when he
emigrated to the United States, working at his trade in Con
necticut and Pennsylvania, until 1834, when he came to Ohio
and purchased a farm on Granny's creek. He remained in Ohio
until 1839, when he went to York county, Pennsylvania, and
worked at his trade until 1844, when he again came to Ohio and
traded his first farm for the one on which he now resides, in
Liberty township. Mr. Heathcot is a man of fine physical
form. His mind is clear for a man of his age ; he is a good
citizen and has the esteem of the community. He was married
to Miss Mary Chandler, a native of New Castle, Delaware,
about 1824. She died April 24, 1880, aged eighty years. They
had a family of three children, viz: Matthew, who resides in
Morrison, Illinois ; Alice A. , wife of Thomas J . Stone, Sioux
City, Iowa, and Elizabeth, widow of Samuel Tarr. She has
one son, John W., who married Emma Barton, November 13,
1879, and resides on the farm.
HENEGAN, JOHN, born in Scotland, in the year 1833, died
in Olathe, Kansas, September 19, 1877, aged forty-four years.

690

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

The subject of this sketch, with his father's family, came to
Mt. Vernon in 1853, and resided here until his death.
For nearly two years Mr. Henegan was confined more or less
to his house by disease beyond a physician's healing art. A
short time prior to his death he visited Olathe to close up some
business in that place. He lived to finish that business, and
then passed away from earth as calmly and as quietly as a child
slumbering the sleep of innocence, During the last few days of
life he named many of his Mt. Vernon friends, wishing they
were with him to soothe and cheer him in his declining mo
ments, the end of which he knew was fast approaching.
From early youth Mr. Henegan devoted himself to railroad
ing. Tbe last of such work was on the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon
& Columbus railway, to the interest of which many years of his
life were devoted.
In 1867, in company with his father, he took the contract of
constructing a canal around the Des Moines rapids, one of the
greatest undertakings of the kind in America. Other hands
have just completed this great work.
In the fall of 1874 he commenced work upon the new infirm
ary building, and brought it nearly to completion. This build
ing is the most substantial ofthe kind in the State, and an honor
to the county, and also to the State.
At the age of sixteen years, the subject of this sketch, with
his father and mother, together with the rest of their family, left
Glasgow, Scotland, September 16, 1849 — Liverpool, England,
September 18th, and arrived at New Orleans, United States of
America, on the twentieth day of December following; thus the
voyage, between the port of departure and the port of disem
barkation, appears to have been thirteen weeks and four days
in duration. To vary the interest, and to add to the perils of
those "who go down to the sea in ships," the vessel, upon
Whose deck the lives and fortunes of the hardy emigrants were
placed, was cast away in a storm, and thrown upon the shores
of an island now called Concon, situated near the barren coast
of Yucatan, Central America. The passengers and crew were
detained twenty-eight days upon that desert island.
During their forced residence upon the island, the passengers
and crew, imitating the people of the country in which most of
them were seeking a new home, organized a government and
made laws for their own protection, and unanimously elected
Mr. William Henegan the first governor of the State of Con-
con, Central America. The necessity of this organization was
soon apparent
The island of Concon, for its favorable and safe harbors, was
one of the favorite rendevous of the piratical vessels making
those waters their cruising grounds. One of those sea rovers
passing the island, the captain seeing the wrecked ship of the
' emigrants, determined to take position, and rob it of all the rig
ging and stores left upon it, (the passengers and crew, while
waiting for rescue, living in tents upon the shore).
To allay suspicion, the pirates also landed, and pitched their
tents a short disstance from the shipwreck, as though they
wished to rest awhile from their bloody and murderous career.
One of the crew of the wrecked ship, wandering over the island
one day, being weary from his long and difficult tramp, threw
himself down behind some rocks and fell asleep. How long he
had remained in that unconscious state he knew not. He was
finally awakened by hearing voices in conversation, apparently
immediately above him. Listening for awhile, he gathered
enough of their conversation to convince him that the voices
belonged to some of the crew of the piratical vessel, and that

the rascals were detailing to themselves their plans for attacking
the unfortunate voyagers and sacking the wrecked vessel. After
the departure of the loquacious pirates, the sailor made his way
to his own camp, and detailed the plot of the pirates to Gov
ernor Henegan.
After a consultation with his council, the governor formed his
plans for retaliation, which were to capture the pirate vessel,
and put to sea with his little colony. This was "canying the
war into Africa," with a vengeance, yet, under the circumstan
ces, was perfectly justifiable.
The governor's plans were well laid, and would have been
successfully carried out, had not one of the passengers betrayed
the governor's plans to the pirate chief. The pirates immedi
ately struck their tents and began their retreat to their boats,
and thence to their vessel. In the melee that ensued, the pirate
captain was wounded so severely as to compel his crew to take
him upon their shoulders. In this condition, with their help
less captain, the pirates reached their boats and made for their
vessel. When upon her deck, they hoisted sails and put out to
sea, leaving the shipwrecked in possession of their diminutive
republic. HENDRICK, LYMAN, tanner, Fredericktown, was born
in Sunbury, Delaware county, December 19, 1819; was manied
to Rhoda Runnian, who was born in Knox county, in 1827.
They had one daughter, Mary I., who was born in 1862. Miss
Rhoda Hendrick died in this county. Mr. Hendrick was after
wards manied to Mary Hodges, daughter of Joshua Hodges.
Joshua Hodges was born in Massachusetts April 2, 1780, and
married Sophia Jones, who was born in Connecticut April 25,
1786. They had the following family, viz: Hiram Chapman,
bom in 1812; Harrison G., born in 1815; Julia, born in 1817;
Clinton, born in 1819; Levi, born in 1821; Eliza, born in 1823;
Mary, born in 1825; Harry, born in 1827, and Sarah, in 1829.
Mr. Hodges came to Knox county in 1837, and died in Mt.
Vernon, in 1864. Mrs. Sophia Hodges died in Morris town
ship, this county, in 1871.
The mother of Joshua Hodges (whose maiden name was
Phebe Chapman) was a sister of Jonathan Chapman, generally
called "Johnny Appleseed."
HENRY, DANIEL, carpenter, Union township; post office,
Gann, was born in Pennsylvania March 25, 1834, and came to
Knox county in 1858, and settled in Jefferson township. He
enlisted in company B, Ninety-sixth regiment Ohio volunteer
infantry; went to the south in 1862, and returned at the expira
tion of his time, in 1865. In 1875 he was married to Miss
Grear. They had one child that died in infancy.
HENWOOD, JOHN, deceased, Monroe township, a native
of Washington county, Pennsylvania, was born Febmary 22,
1800; married Miss Jane Taylor in 1825, of same county, bom
in 1798. They settled in Washington county, Pennsylvania,
and remained until 1840, then emigrated to Ohio and located
in Monroe township, this county, on the farm now owned by
their son, John Henwood, jr., where they passed the remainder
of their days. He deceased August, 1870. His companion
survived him until August, 1874.
They reared a family of six children— Mary A., John, Samuel
C, Flora J., Taylor, and Amanda, all living except Samuel C,
who enlisted in the fall of 1861, in company A, Sixty-fifth regi
ment Ohio volunteer infantry, served two years as a private,
and was then promoted to second lieutenant, which position he
filled until he fell a victim to the enemy's bullets, at the battle

Jda^vuJ- M ^m^U,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

691

of Chattanooga, on the seventeenth day of September, 1864.
HERDMAN, FRANK, Fredericktown, blacksmith, was
born in Utica, New York, in 1845, and came to Ohio in 1870,
He was married to Mary E. Cochran, who was born in Knox
county. They have three children viz: Isabella, born in 1874;
Harry, in 1877; and Frank, in 1879.
Mr. Herdman learned the blacksmith trade in Detroit, Mich
igan, and is now engaged in doing custom work. He is a first-
class mechanic, accommodating and obliging. All who wish
work in his line will do well to give him a call.
HESKITT, BENJAMIN F., deceased, was a minister of
the Methodist Episcopal church from 1856 till his death, Janu
ary 4, 1863. He was captain in the Fifty-first Ohio volunteer
infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Stone River, and
lived but two days. Rev. Heskett was born in Loudoun county,
Virginia, February 2, 1823, and was married September 17, 1857,
to Miss Almira V. Chandler, of Martinsburgh, One son, Stan
ley F. , was the issue of this marriage.
HESS, MICHAEL, Berlin township; letired; post office,
Shalers Mills, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania,
in 1817, and married in 1837, to Elizabeth Hare, who was born
in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1819. They had ten
children: David, born in 1838; Lewis, in 1841; Israel, in 1843;
Catharine L., ini845; Jacob C, in 1848; Wilson S., in 1850;
John S., in 1853; Ezra J., in 1855; Francis M., in 1858, and
James P., in T859. The deceased members are Jacob C,
Ezra J. and James P. The following are manied: David Hess,
married to Mary McDaniels, now deceased, and resides in, Floyd
county, Iowa; Lewis Hess, married to Harriet Mishey; Israel
Hess, married to Isabella Welker; Catharine Hess, married to
George Ankney, deceased.
Mr. Hess emigrated from Pennsylvania to Berlin township,
Knox county, in 1839, and purchased a farm from Alfred Hamp
ton. He remained upon the farm over eleven years. In 1850
he purchased a part of the Ellicott farm of G. Shafer, and re
mained there till 1879, when he moved to Ankneytown. Mr.
Hess was elected infirmary director in Knox county in 1875,
and reelected in 1878, an office that he filled with credit to him
self and satisfaction to the public. He was elected justice of
the peace in Berlin township for one term, ai.d positively re
fused to accept the second term. Mrs. Hess is a member of the
German Baptist church.
HESS, DAVID, Union township; farmer; post office, Gann,
was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, in 1808. In 1837 he
came to Jefferson county Ohio, and lived there until 1842, when
he removed to Knox county, Ohio, where he still remains.
The same year he commenced to erect a grist-mill in Howard
township, and he was six years building it, doing all the work
himself. At this time he sold the mill, and moved to Millwood;
remained there two and a half years, and came to his present
farm in 1850. In April, 1829, he was married to Miss M. E.
Clingar, who lived with him until 1877, when she died, leaving
him ten children. They are all married except Elizabeth, who
stays with her father. Milling and building mills is his business.
HESS, REV. MARTIN L., itinerant minister, Jefferson
township, son of Henry and Prudence Hess, born January 30,
1830, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, was brought to Knox
county, by his parents, in the spring of 1847, who located in
Jefferson township, where he received his education. At the
age of twenty-five he took a five years' theological course.
40

During that time he was ordained for the ministry by the United
Brethren in Christ, and has labored twenty-five years. On the
twenty-fifth day of September, 1866, he united in marriage
with Miss Elender Kelley, born in Holmes county, October 18,
1837. After his marriage he remained in Holmes county about
three years, when he removed to Jefferson township, ¦ Knox
county, where he remained one year. He then moved to
Coshocton county, remaining there two years. After making
a journey to the west he located in Jefferson township, Knox
county, on the old homestead formerly owned by his father,
two miles east of Jelloway; there he has since remained, engaged
in the ministry.
HESS, J. T., M. D., Mt. Vernon, was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, February 16, 1830. His parents were
born and married in the same county, and emigrated to
Ohio with a family of four children, in May, 1830. His father
.settled in Jefferson township, Knox county. He was educated
at the common and select schools in Mt. Vernon. Dr. Hess
read medicine with Dr. Shannon and Professor Smith, of Phila
delphia. He attended the University of Pennsylvania in Phila
delphia, and graduated in the spring of 1857. He first prac
ticed in Bloomfield, Morrow county, Ohio, and a short time in
Fredericktown. August 14, 1862, he was commissioned assistant
surgeon of the Ninety-sixth O. V. I., served one year with the
Thirteenth regulars, General Sherman's regiment, when he was
commissioned surgeon and assigned to the Ninety-sixth Ohio,
Colonel Vance's regiment. He was in charge of the United
States hospital at Fort Gaines during the summer of 1863. April,
1864, he was taken piisoner at Sabine Cross Roads, and was
held three months, until June, and then took charge of the hos
pital at Carrollton, Louisiana. He returned to his regiment
and was with it until the close of the war. He was division
surgeon from early in the spring of 1865 until the close of the
war. He amputated hundreds of limbs. On his return he
took up the practice of medicine in Delaware, Ohio, where he
remained until the spring of 1877, when he took up his residence
in Mt. Vernon. He married Miss Sophia C. Colwill August
19, 1850. She is the daughter of William Colwill, deceased.
She was born in England, near London, October 12, 1830.
They had three children, Emma D., wife of E. C. Emley,
of Centreburgh, an infant and Agnes I.
HESS, MICHAEL W., Wayne township, farmer, was born
in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1832, came to
Ohio at the age of five years, and was manied in i860 to Agnes
C. Deakins, who was born in Brown township, January 6, 1842.
They had the following children: Alice A., born August 29,
1861; James W., April 12, 1863; Martha J., October 4, 1866;
Louella, January 3, 1869; Florence M., January 6, 1872; John
R., December 9, 1875; and Freddie C, May 6, 1879. Mrs.
Hess died May n, 1879.
HESS, FRANK P., was born October 10, 1834, in Jackson
township, Knox county, Ohio. He was married to Maria
Melick, daughter of Daniel Melick, an old pioneer of Jackson
township, on the third of April, 1856. Mrs. Hess was born in
Jackson township January 1, 1833. They have had five chil
dren, viz; Evaline, born April 17, 1859, and who died November
16, 1876; Mary B., born February 14, 1859; Thomas Jefferson,
born January 28, .1862; Isodore J., born May 3, 1864; and
Laura Iona, born June 15, 1867.
Mr. Hess is a justice of the peace of Clay township, and re
sides in the village of Bladensburgh.

692

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

HESS, GEORGE W., Hilliar township, foreman of the
Cleveland, Columbus & Mt. Vernon railroad, was born in
Frederick county, Maryland, March 14, 1842. When he was
five yeais of age his parents, David and Mary E. Hess, came to
Knox county, Ohio, and settled in Howard township, where Mr.
Hess built a mill on the Little Jelloway, which is yet standing.
The subject of this sketch learned the milling trade with his
father. In May, 1861, he enlisted in company F, Sixteenth Ohio vol
unteer infantry, three months' service. Shortly after his return
from the three months' service he enlisted in company I, 
Ohio volunteer infantry, (September, 1861,) for three years,
and participated 'in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, and
Chickamauga, after which he veteranized, and was in the battles
of Mission Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Siege of At
lanta, Franklin, and Nashville, besides numerous skirmishes.
During the Atlanta campaign he was under fire for sixty-three
consecutive days. He was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky,
October 19, 1865, having served his country four years and
three months.
The following year after his return he went west and was with
a surveying party for mail service. In 1872 he was engaged on
the railroad, and in June, 1878, he was given section number
nineteen. He is held in esteem by all who know him, and is an
efficient and trusty fireman.
He was married to Miss Mary E. Sapp, daughter of Robert
Sapp, of Union township, Knox county, December 20, 1868.
They had three children, two of whom are living — Thomas C.
and Charles E.
HESS, LEWIS, Berlin township, farmer, post office, Sha
ler's Mills, born in Knox county in 1851, was married in 1863 to
Harriet Mishey, who was born in Pike township, this county.
They have three children — Olie W., born in 1864, Ida E., in
1868, and J. Clifford C, in 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Hess are both
members of pioneer families.
HESS, HENRY, farmer, post offics, Shaler's Mills. — He was
born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1823. In 1839
he came to Ohio, and located in Berlin township. In 1844 he
was married to Sarah Frederick, who was born in Ohio in
1824. They had six children. Isaac was born in 1845, Amanda,
in 1849, Eli, in 1851, Jacob, in 1853, Martha, in 1858, and Sarah
A. , in 1861. Mrs. Sarah Hess died with cancer, in 1876; was
buried in Owl Creek cemetery. She was a worthy member o'
the German Baptist church. Mr. Hess located on the farm
where he now resides, and which he owns, in 1854. He is a
prominent and official member of the German Baptist church.
His sons are liberally educated. Eli is teaching vocal music.
Jacob is engaged as salesman in the Gregor store.
HESS, GEORGE, Pike township, farmer, post office, Democ
racy, was born in this county, Union township, in 1851, .and
was married in 1876 to Emeline Gressling, who was born in
Wayne county in 1850. Mr. Hess is engaged in farming in
this township. He is an enterprising and good citizen.
HILDRETH, EPAPHRODITUS, Miller township, a pio
neer of Miller township, is a son of William and Ruth Hildreth,
of whom mention is made in biography of Arnold Hildreth. He
was born August 5, 1808, in Hartford county, Connecticut;
came with his parents, in 1814, to Ohio, and in 1817 came to
Miller township, where his youth was spent, and where he has
resided ever since, being engaged in farming. He now lives,

and for more than three score years has lived, at the old home_
stead. He is a man of social habits, strong convictions and
honesty of purpose.
June 9, 1832, he was married to Miss Emeline Eddie, a na
tive of Connecticut, who was born November 9, 1808. They
had one son, Albert E., born April 12, 1834. Mrs. Hildreth
died December 18, 1874. Albert was reared on the old home
stead, educated at the common schools, and is one of the sub
stantial men of the township. April 20, 1853, he married Miss
Jennie, daughter of Samuel Cake. They have one son, viz:
Frank E., bom April 19, 1868, who is an intellectual, promising
boy. HILDRETH, ARNOLD W. (pioneer), Miller township, was
born in Hartford county, Connecticut, December 27, 1803.
His parents, William and Ruth Hildreth, came to Zanesville in
1814, and remained there until 1817, when they came to Miller
township, where Mr. Hildreth had previously become owner of
one hundred and sixty acres of land in the northwest part of the
township. When Mr. Hildreth came to Ohio he had a family
of five sons, viz: John, William, Samuel, (who have deceased),
Epaphroditus, and Arnold. The parents died on the old home
stead. The subject of this notice was reared on a farm and had the
advantages of such schools as the district afforded. He was
twice married. His first wife was Miss Mary Beardsley, daughter
of William Beardsley, a pioneer of Milford township. They
had nine children, viz: Angeline, Alfred B. , Piatt G., Wells A.,
Hellen, Emeline, William, Henry, and Harrison. He con
tracted a second marriage with Miss Amanda Stanton, who be
came the mother of two children, viz: Charles R., and Jennie.
Mr. Hildreth is a good citizen and a man of general intelligence.
He still resides on the old homestead, where sixty-three years
ago his parents located.
HILDRETH, WASHINGTON, Milford township, mer
chant, Lock post office, was born in Monroe county, New York,
in 1829. In 1835 he came to Richland county, Ohio, and sub
sequently to Brandon, Knox county. From twelve to fifteen
years of age he was in the family of Hon. Columbus Delano,
and attending school in Mt. Vernon. At about fifteen years of
age he entered the store of Freeman & Ward, of Mt. Vernon,
and was with them for some years. He was next employed by
George W. Potwin, who sent a stock of goods to Danville and
placed Mr. Hildreth in charge.
In 1852 he purchased this stock of Mr. Potwin and remained
in Danville two years, and then removed to Brandon, where he
remained until 1856, when he removed to Lock, where he has
since carried on the business of merchandising. Mr. Hildreth
started business with but a few hundred dollars, going in debt
for the greater part of his stock, but by prudent management
and strict attention to business he was enabled to liquidate the
amount. He is practically a self-made man, and has been sue-,
cessful in building up a good trade, understands the business
of merchandising, and from his well selected stock he can sup
ply the wants of his customers. His trade increased so that it
became necessary to have a more commodious business room .
In 1871 he built his present room, a model of good taste and
judgement. It is fifty by twenty-five feet, two story, with an ad
dition of twelve by twenty-five feet, one story. The second story
is for a lodge room. Mr. Hildreth is a business man in every
sense of the term. He is reliable, allows no misrepresentation,
has the confidence of the public, and is one of the leading men

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

693

of the community. In i860 he was appointed postmaster, and
has held the office ever since. He was twice married, his first
wife, Hattie B. Harder, to whom he was married March 20,
1855, was the mother of four children, two of whom are living:
Ida E., wife of W. H. Mitchell, who is a son of Almon Mitchell,
of Milford township, and Hattie B. The deceased are Ells
worth and Edward, who died young.
His second wife was Mattie Smith, sister of Dr. Eber Smith,
to whom he was married May 10, 1874.
HILL, NORMAN NEWELL, Mt. Vernon, Ohio. His
father, Aaron Hill, was born in Charlestown, near Boston,
Massachusetts, in 1782, and subsequently removed to Corn
wall, Addison county, Vermont, where he married Sarah Newell
about 1801, and where the subject of this sketch was born Sep
tember 28, 1803. In 1807 Aaron Hill removed to Pennsylvania,
where he remained two years and then moved to Zanesville,
Ohio, with his family, in company with Mr. Gideon Mott and
family. His funds gave out before arriving at Zanesvillle, and
he borrowed, of Mr. Mott, fifty cents to liquidate a hotel bill,
thus arriving at his new home pennyless and with a family on
his hands. He appears to have understood the blacksmith
trade, and probably found work in Zanesville, where he re-
remained until 1811, when he came to Mt. Vernon, his future
home. Here he found shelter for his family in a cabin on the
southwest corner of Gay and Chestnut streets, now known as
the Dr. Burr lot. At that time the forest extended almost up
to the door. Here the family remained two years, when they
removed to the southwest corner of High and Mechanic streets,
now known as the Anthony Banning lot. Land was cheap and
Mr. Hill, by his industry, was soon enabled to purchase a farm
in Miller township, to which he removed, and where he re
mained about two years, when he purchased a quarter section
in Milford township, upon which the family lived about fifty
years. These farms were in the woods, as were all farms in
those days, and had to be cleared of timber by great labor.
The Milford township farm is located on what is known as
Bishop street, and subsequently passed into the hands of his
son David, whose family occupied it untill 1866.
In their declining years Aaron Hill and wife made their home
at the residence-of his son, N. N. Hill, in Mt. Vernon, where
they died in 1870, within a few days of each other, aged eighty-
eight and eighty-six respectively.
Aaron Hill's family consisted of Norman Newell, David L.,
Satah, Lurena, and Lovina.
At the age of sixteen Norman N. Hill left his father's farm
and took up his residence with the family of Samuel Mott, in
Mt. Vernon, Mr. Mott being at that time a leading lawyer and
merchant of the place. Mr. Hill received the rudiments of his
education in the old log court house that then occupied the
public square, and was used, as were such buildings generally in
those days, for courts, schools, and public meetings. At the
age of twenty-nine he entered Mr. Mott's store as clerk; soon
made himself master of the business and became managing
clerk. About 1832 he purchased the stock, and began a mer
cantile career on his own account, which was successfully con
tinued about forty years. Six years of this time he owned and
conducted a large wholesale establishment in Cincinnati.
In addition to his mercantile business he has been engaged in
various business enterprises in Mt. Vernon, in all of which he
has been quite successful, and has amassed considerable wealth.
He wasa stockholder and director in the old Knox County bank,

and still continues a stockholder and director of the Knox
County National bank, his connection with these institutions
covering a period of twenty-eight years. For nineteen years
past he has been a director in the Knox county Mutual Insur
ance company.
When the Springfield, Mt. Vernon & Pittsburgh railroad was
in process of construction he was made secretary and treasurer
of the company. About 1845 he erected the large brick build
ing at the foot of Main street, formerly known as the Mt. Ver
non woollen mills, but for many years past occupied as a ware
house. Here for nearly two years he was engaged in the man-
facture of woollen fabrics, and did a large and successful busi
ness. For twenty-two years, and until within a few years, he was
superintendent and successful manager of the city gas works.
During all his business career he has been extensively engaged
in the purchase and shipping of wool and other products, Dur
ing the early days of his mercantile career, that business was
conducted very differently from what it is to-day. Exchange
was the rule, money the exception, and the merchant was com
pelled to buy all the produce of the farm and the chase if he
did business.
Mr. Hill was a large shipper, to various markets, of hogs,
cattle, sheep, horses, etc., and often accompanied his shipments
and superintended the sale. He remembers with lively satisfaction
an occasion of this kind. He had purchased some three hundred
head of hogs and driven them to Huron (now Sandusky city),
the only market then convenient. Quite a number of merchants
were, at that time, doing a pork-packing business at Huron;
and, although the market was lively, prices high, and merchants
anxious to buy, yet when they found Mr. Hill on the ground
with three hundred hogs, which they were aware he must sell at
some price, or be at considerable expense in feeding and attend
ing to them, they rather leagued together, concluding they had
the advantage of him, and would compel him to sell at their
own prices.
Compretending the situation, and being well known at
Huron as a merchant of considerable means and good credit,
he determined not to be imposed upon, and therefore announced
that he would not only slaughter and pack his own pork, but
would buy and pack all the pork that came to that market that
he could get — in other words, he would become a competitor in the
pork-packing business — and with that end in view made anange-
ments at the warehouse of Jenkins & Tracy for receiving and
paying for pork that he might purchase on the street. This
brought the Huron pork-packers to terms, and before night of
the day he had determined upon becoming a competitor in the
business, he had sold all his pork at the highest market price,
the packers being glad to get him out of town 50 easily.
After an honorable and successful business career of nearly
half a century among the business men of Mt. Vernon, he has
retired from active business, and now resides on North Main
street. February 12, 1833, he married Mary Shaw, a daughter
of John Shaw, a prominent citizen of the county. Mr. Shaw
was elected sheriff in 1815, reelected in 1817, and again, for a
third term, in 1828. In 1817 and 1824 he was also county col
lector. In 1821-2 he represented Knox and Richland counties
in the Ohio senate, and in 1825 was a member ofthe Ohio house
of representatives. In 1807 he came to Mt. Vernon from Mary
land. His wife was a daughter of Michael Cramer.
Mary Shaw was born June 26, 1816, and is therefore one of
the oldest persons at present living in the city who was bom

694

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

here. At the date of her birth her father occupied a small tene
ment house on the lot now owned by Mr. John Boyd, east side
of Mechanic, and south of Vine street. From there he moved
to a small two-story log dwelling on the lot now occupied by
Dennis Corcoran's store, on the south side of West Vine street.
Of the three children of Norman and Mary Hill but one is
living, John S. , who resides on a farm in Monis township, about
three miles from the city.
Sarah Newell, the mother of N. N. Hill, was the daughter
of Riverius Newell, a well known and well remembered pioneer
of Knox county, a Revolutionary soldier, who had fought at
Bunker Hill and suffered at Valley Forge. He was also in the
War of 1812.
Sarah Newell was a woman of great strength of mind, cheer
ful disposition, and a model pioneer mother. During the War
of 1812, when the Indian raid was expected, she was living in
the great woods, in a cabin on the Miller township farm, and
remained at home alone many days and nights, with her chil
dren, while her husband was working at his trade in Mt. Ver
non. N. N. Hill says they had scooped out a hole under the
puncheon floor of their cabin large enough to admit a straw
bed, and when bed time came a puncheon was raised, the
mother and children descended into this underground bed-room,
and carefully replacing the puncheon, remained there during
the night. Many nights were thus passed in those early days.
Regarding the remainder of the family of Aaron Hill; David
married Laura Jeffres, and died in his thirty-fifth year; Sarah
married Madison Miller and died many years ago, "leaving one
child, Rose, now the wife of Henry Bostwick, of Newark;
Lurena married the late Dr. E. Woodward, of Mt. Vernon,
and died many years ago ; Lovina died young.
Norman N. is the only survivor, and has lived to see Mt.
Vernon grow from a little hamlet in a wilderness of stumps,
logs, and hazel-bushes, to the present beautiful city.
HILL, DAVID— family of— Milford township. David Hill,
son of Aaron Hill, and brother of Norman Newell Hill, whose
biography appears above, was bom in Vermont in 1807, came
with his father to Ohio, and March 12, 1830, married Laura
Jeffres, settling on the old Hill farm in Milford township, where
he lived until his death, May 4, 1842. His life was a promising one,
but was cut short by death. He was of medium height, slender,
fine looking, very active and had accumulated some property.
His wife, Laura Jeffres, who was thus left with a family of six
children, was born January 28, 1811, in Douglass, Saratoga
county, New York, and came with her father, John Jeffres, to
this county when quite young, settling on a farm adjoining — or
rather cornering — that of Aaron Hill. Their family consisted of.
Joan, born November 26, 1831; Charles Mortimer, December 1,
1833; Edwin L., February 15, 1835; Aaron, jr., August 7, 1837;
Norman N., jr., April 29, 1840, and Josephine E., January 2,
1843- Joan manied James Lemon, is now living in Kansas and has
one child, Estella, born October 20, 1858. Charles M. died at
the age of two years.
Edwin L. went to Illinois on coming of age, settling in Mon
ticello, Piatt county, in that State, where he engaged in the
mercantile business, and where he married Eliza Moffit. They
had no children. Upon the breaking out of the war in 1861, he
enlisted in the Forty-second Illinois infantry, and while the regi
ment was encamped at Paducah, Kentucky, contracted a camp
disease from which he died January 23, 1862, having first been

brought home to Monticello. He was buried in the graveyard
of that place.
Aaron, jr., worked on the old farm in Milford township until
the war broke out, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and
Forty-second Ohio National guard, and went into the hundred
day service. His health not being good, the exposures of this
campaign probably hastened his death. He died March 11,
1870, in Mansfield, Ohio, but was buried in the old Dry Creek
graveyard, five or six miles west of Mt. Vernon.
Norman N., jr., went west in 1859, where he was engaged in
school teaching near Monticello, when the war began in 1861,
he enlisted as a private in a company raised in Champaign City,
Illinois, which company was subsequently attached to the Third
Missouri cavalry volunteers, and became company D of that
regiment. He enlisted September 24, 1861; was in nearly all
the battles and skirmishes in which the regiment was engaged;
was promoted from time to time until he reached a first lieuten-
antcy; resigned on account of ill health, and was mustered out
of the service April 20, 1864. October 16, 1873, he married
Dollie Rogers, of Plymouth, Ohio. They have three children:
Walter R., born June 20, 1875; Florence J., March 9, 1877,
and Laura Rose, September 19, 1880.
Josephine married Elijah Crable, of Mt. Liberty, who was a
soldier in the late war where he contracted a disease which
hastened his death. She is now living with her mother in Mans
field, Ohio, and has one child, Maud, born November 26, 1866.
The farm in Milford township was sold in 1866 to Arnold and
William Bishop, and the family removed to Mansfield, Ohio,
where they have since resided.
HILL, CHANCEY P., Fredericktown, hardware merchant,
born in New York in 1820; came to Ohio in 1836 and located
in Fredericktown; was married in 1842 to Ann Sargent, who
was born in Knox county in 1818. They have one child — Mary
Blanch. Mr. Hill was a soldier in the late war and a member of com
pany H, One Hundred and Forty-second regiment, Ohio volun
teer infantry. He served out his time and was honorably dis
charged. HILL, JOSEPH, Fredericktown, retired farmer, was born in
Trumbull county, Ohio, 1818; was married April 26, 1838, to
Mary Ann Dwigins, who was born in Guernsey county in 1821.
They had the following family, viz. : Margaret, born in 1839;
Elizabeth, in 1840; Orlando F., in 1845; John W., 1847;
Francis A., in 1849; Mary M., in 1852; Charles E., in 1854;
Lorain A., in 1857; Lambert, in 1859; Joseph G., in 1863.
Mrs. Hill died in 1873, and Mf- Hill was married to Mary
C. Snyder, who was born in Virginia, and came to Ohio at the
age of two years.
The following children are dead: Charles, Febmary 20, 1855;
Orlando, June 13, 1864. Margaret died in Knox county, at the
residence of her father, in 1878.
Orlando was a soldier in the late war, a member of the
Ninety-sixth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, aud was in the
service till he died, June 13, 1864. He died from sickness at
Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Mr. Hill came to Knox county in 1851, located in Monroe
township, and engaged in farming. He removed to Wayne
township in 1859, where he lived on a farm. From there he
moved to Fredericktown in the spring of 1880. He has heen an
active farmer of this county, and is now living a peaceful and
quiet life.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

695

Elizabeth was married to A. J. Dicus, and resides in Guthrie
county, Iowa.
John W. married Elizabeth Whitworth, and also resides in
Guthrie county, Iowa.
Francis and Mary live in Minnesota.
Lambert lives in Iowa, and Lorain and Joseph live with their
parents. HILLIER, THOMAS C, Pleasant township, a native of
New York city, was born August 9, 1804. In 1805 he was
brought to Ohio by his parents, Richard and Anna Hillier, who,
with his family, located in Zanesville, remained until 1808, then
moved to Knox county and located in Hillier township. He
gave the township its name. He remained in this county until
his death, in September, 1811, leaving his wife and five children,
the oldest then only fourteen years of age, alone in their forest
home. In 1812 the mother, with her children, returned to
Zanesville. One of her sons learned the shoemaking trade,
which he followed as his vocation until 1837, when he engaged
in the manufacture of brick, and burning lime, which he con
tinued several years. In 1848 he turned his attention to farm
ing, and has since been engaged in that business. He has been
married twice — first in 1825, to Miss Bathsheba Crossley, of
Zanesville, which union resulted in three children, viz. : Isaac,
Mary A., and Bathsheba, who died. February 8, 1830, his com
panion departed this life. He was then united in marriage with
Miss Sarah Lehew, of Zanesville, August 6, 1833. They re
mained in the city until 1848, when they moved on the farm where
they are now living, in Pleasant township, Knox county, on
the old Gambier road. Their marriage resulted in eight chil
dren, viz.: Spencer L., Emily, Thomas, George, Susan M.,
Albert T., Smith, and Henry — all living. Our subject had thirty
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He has been a
constant member of the Baptist church since 1824.
HILLS, H. C, dealer in general house furnishing, Mt. Ver.
non, Ohio. — Mr. Hills is a native of Bristol, Ontario county,
New York, and was born June 16, 1816. When he was about
nine months old his father moved near Lockport, where he re
sided until the year 1840, when he went to Cass county, Michi
gan, and located on a farm and followed farming until 1866,
when, in consequence of ill health, he sold the farm and came
with his family to Mt. Vernon. He left his family here and re
turned to the pinery of Michigan and engaged in the lumber
business, in which he continued four years. He then returned
to Mt. Vernon and bought a half interest in the firm of Horner
& Kelley, and did business under the firm name of Horner &
Hills, in which they continued until 1872, when Mr. Homer sold
his interest to Mr. Wells, and the business was conducted under
the firm name of Wells & Hills until 1877, when Mr. Hills
bought Mr. Weils' interest, after Mr. Wells death, and has
since been sole proprietor.
The business in the hands of Mr. Hills has been a success,
and he carries a stock of about four thousand dollars, consisting
of a full line of queensware, glassware, silverware, cutlery, wood
and willow ware, wall paper, toys and notions.
He married Miss Julia A. Chesbrough, and has a family of
five children, all of whom are living and four of whom are mar
ried. HIBBETS, HENRY, Union township, was born in Knox
county, Ohio, in 1832, and was married in 1858 to Martha
Gann, and settled on a portion of the homestead known as the
Gann farm.

Martha Gann's father (George Gann) was born in 1810, in
Pennsylvania, and came to this county in 1834. He had four
children — Jacob, Mary, Margaret, and Martha. He came here
when the land was covered with timber, but he worked hard,
and became one ofthe prominent citizens of the county. In 1873
he became dissatisfied living in Jefferson township, and wished
to have a portion taken from Jefferson and attached to Union.
This was much against the wishes of a majority of the people.
But he circulated a petition, and by the assistance of others the
south side of Jefferson township was at once attached to Union
township. He was one of the most benevolent and charitable
men of Knox county.
Henry Hibbets has three children — Osburn, born in 1859; Z.
L., in 1866, and Charlie, in 1873. He has lived all his life on
his present farm, his business being farming and carpentering.
Mrs. George Gann is living with him, and is about seventy-
two years old.
HIGBIE, J. L., farmer. Liberty township, was bom in Mus
kingum county July 14,. 1820. His parents came from Duchess
county, New York. Fleming Higbie, his father, married Sarah
Bainey. About 1825 they came to Licking county, Ohio, re
mained there a short time, and subsequently lived in Clinton
and Wayne townships. They have both deceased. They had
a family of eleven children, six of whom are living.
J. L. Higbie worked at home until he was about seventeen
years old, then worked at the carding business for some time.
In 1842 he married Miss C. Ewalt, daughter of Richard Ewalt,
a pioneer. He worked for four years on a rented farm, then
purchased a tract of land in Liberty township. Mr. Higbie
was possessed of little property when he started in life. He
purchased an axe by first borrowing one from a friend, and with
it earned enough to pay for a new axe — a novel way of starting
life. He has succeeded in making for himself a very comfort
able and beautiful home, and adding considerable to his first
purchase. He has many friends. He was the father of five
children, four of whom are living. He was a member of com
pany A, One Hundred and Forty-second regiment Ohio Na
tional guard, and served his time of enlistment.
HIGGINS, JOHN, deceased, a pioneer of Knox county,
was born in Vermont in 1800. His father, Joseph Higgins, was
born January 9, 1762. He served in the war of the Revolution,
and was three times married. By his first wife he had eight
children, one of whom is living — Polly McGee, who resides near
Marietta, Ohio. By his second marriage he had four children :
Two living, residing in Iowa. By his third marriage he had no
children, and remained in Vermont until 1807, when he emi
grated to Marietta, Ohio, where he resided until 1810, when he
came to Knox county, and settled about a mile east of where
the village of Mt. Liberty now stands. He cut a road from
where Homer now stands to the land which he had selected.
The first cabin which was erected, was about the usual size of
a pioneer's first habitation, probably sixteen by sixteen feet, in
which a family of twelve persons lived for some time. This
cabin was succeeded by a frame structure, which in turn has been
succeeded by a beautiful residence occupied by J. O. Higgins,
grandson of Joseph Higgins.
When Mr. Higgins settled on his land, there were but a few
families west of him, in Knox county. The Houck settlement
was about seven miles west, but these pioneers were not aware
of each other's location for several years after. The subject of
this notice, John Higgins, passed his early life on the frontiers,

696

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

and his educational advantages were limited. In fact his eariy
life was spent without attending school. When about twenty-
one years of age, he attended school for about three months,
and attended school after this long enough to learn to read and
write and cipher. After this he was employed on several occa
sions to teach. Being a man of more than ordinary intellectual
eapacity, he was made justice of the peace, and subsequently
became familiar with the statutes of the State, and was called
upon to take charge of almost every case within a range of ten
or fifteen miles from his home, and is yet spoken of by many of
the old inhabitants as one of the most successful contestants of
his day. For many years the law business occupied almost his
entire lime.
He was twice married, and his first wife was Parnell Ashley,
by whom he had four children: Orange, a Disciple minister,
who resides in Monroe county, Iowa; Colonel Thomas W.,
attorney, Pike county, Ohio; Ethan A., editor Democratic
Times, Toledo, Ohio, and Henry, deceased.
His second wife was Mrs. Charity Pierson, nee Jaggers, by '
whom he had one son: John Delano, who was born June 3,
1837- Mr. Higgins died March 1, 1874, and was much esteemed
for his uprightness of character and many good traits. His
wife survived him until May 10, 1880. His son John D. re
ceived a common school education, and has always resided on
the homestead, being engaged in farming. He was a member
of company A, One Hundred and Forty-second regiment, Ohio
national guard, and was married to Miss Corrinda Bird May 13,
1858. By their union they have been blessed with six children:
John W. died when four years old; Ida B., Elmer F. and Willie
C. ; Frank D. died when eight months old, and Olive L.
Mi. Higgins is much esteemed, and is liberal in his views,
pleasant and social in his manners.
HILDEBRAND, JOHN L., Brown township, secretary of
the Jelloway Mutual Aid association, located at Jelloway, Knox
county. Mr. Hildebrand was bora in Hanover township,
Ashland county, Ohio, December 18, 1857. He was educated
in the Jelloway high school. In 1872 he engaged as dry goods
clerk with J. W. Stacher & Brother in Loudonville, where he
remained two years. In 1874 he came to Jelloway and engaged
as clerk in the office of the Farmers' Home Fire Insurance com
pany, and remained with it until in the fall of 1878. He then
engaged as secretary of the Jelloway Mutual Aid association,
which position he is filling at present. In Julyi 1879, he was
united in marriage with Miss Martha A. Vincent, of Jelloway,
daughter of Samuel M. and Rosannah Vincent.
They settled in Jelloway, where they are now residing.
HILDRETH, MRS. MARY, Union township, post office,
Millwood ; born April 14, 1829, in Union township. Her
mother died when she was very young. She was married to
Samuel Hildreth January 27, 1848. They lived on the old Hil
dreth farm for twenty-two years. Samuel Hildreth died Sep
tember 21, 1869, aged forty-five years, leaving two children,
Charlotte, born June 17, 1849, and Esther Jane, January 22,
1853. Mary Hildreth's father came to this county at an early
age. He was one of the old veterans of the Revolutionary war,
and served four years. He died October 17, 1874, at ninety-
one years of age.
At the request of her brother, Mary Hildreth moved from the
old homestead near Mt. Vernon and bought her present farm,
where she has lived since 1870.

HIMES, NORMAN, Union township, mechanic, post office,
Danville, was bom in Rochester, New York, December 20, 1836.
His father came from England in T799, settled in New York
city, and followed butchering for about ten years; then moved
to Buffalo in 1812, and conducted the butchering business for
about fifteen years. In 1829 he moved to Rochester, and started
a cigar manufacturing establishment, and pursued that business
until 1849, when he died. His wife died in 1861. Norman
Himes remained in Rochester until 1865, and officiated in set
tling his father's estate. He then removed to Cleveland, where
he followed the tobacco trade until 1874, when he removed to
Knox county, Ohio, and settled on a farm in Jefferson town
ship. In 1877 he moved to Danville, where he still remains.
He was married in Rochester in 1864, and his wife and two
children died in Cleveland. On December 25, 1874, he married
Miss Nancy Breuker. They have one child, Clinton, born Feb
ruary 28, 1876.
HINES, PHILIP J., Morris township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, was born in Jefferson township, Richland
county, in 1826, was married in 1851, to Catharine Baughman,
who was born in Pennsylvania in 1823, and came to Ohio at
the age of five years with her parents.
They have four children, viz: Lydia A., Mary E., James D.,
and William F. Mr. Hines learned blacksmithing in Bellville,
Richland county, and worked at that trade for several years.
He came to this township in 1852, owns a farm, has been a very
industrious and active man, and is a good and peaceable citizen.
Mr. Hines' father, John W. Baughman, deceased, was born
in York county, Pennsylvania, in 1792, and was manied to Anna
Ebersole, who was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1793.
They had six children, viz: Francis, E., Catharine E., Lydia E,
Jacob, Henry, and John E. Mr. Baughman died in 1866, and
Mrs.- Baughman in 1879. Both died in Richland county, Ohio.
HISSONG, WILLIAM P., Berlin township, was born in
Worthington township, Richland county, in 1840, manied in
1861, to Electa Ann Grubaugh, who was born in Richland
county, in 1841. They had ten children: Oliver, born in 1863;
Nancy, deceased; Charles, born in 1866; Lilla, in 1868; Eli, in
1870; Ira, in 1872, William, in 1873; Albert, deceased; John,
born in 1878; Joseph, in 1879. Mr. Hissong came to Knox
county in 1867, and has resided here since that time.
HITCHCOCK, JOSEPH, Fredericktown, deceased, was
born in Pittsford, Rutland county, Vermont, March 12, 1802;
was married January 7, 1833, to Eliza Wright, who was bom
in Hanover, New Hampshire, June 6, 1807. They had the fol
lowing children, viz: Henry Chapman, was born in Frederick-
town, Knox county, Ohio; two infant sons died at the age of
eight months; Joseph Edson was bom in Fredericktown, Knox
county, Ohio, May 6, 1841.
Mr. Hitchcock came to Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio,
in November, 1833. He erected a brick block and engaged in
the mercantile business in this town, was a leading merchant in
the place, and an active and energetic man. Mr. Hitchcock
was one of the constituent members of the Congregational
church in this city, and was a worthy Christian gentleman. He
died in Fredericktown, November 16, 1842. Mrs. Hitchcock
remained here till 1853, then removed to Oberlin, Ohio, to edu
cate her two sons.
Henry C, Hitchcock graduated at the Oberlin college, after
which he attended the theological seminary in Andover, Massa
chusetts, and graduated at this institution, also. He engaged

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

697

in the ministry at North Amherst, Ohio, and continued his
labors there about seven years. He preached in Kenosha, Wis
consin, seven years, and in Milwaukee for one year. He is now
ministering to a congregation in Thomaston, Connecticut.
Joseph E. Hitchcock was educated at the Oberlin college,
and has been engaged in newspaper work, writing and editing.
He also attended the university college of London. He has
been engaged with some of the leading periodicals of our larger
cities, such as Cleveland and Detroit. Mr. Hitchcock is now
preparing himself for the ministry.
HOGLAN, JOHN, farmer, Union township, post office,
Gann, was born September 10, 1814, in Knox county, Ohio-
In 1826 he came to Mt. Holly, Knox county, where he has
remained until the present time. He was married to Mary
Snow July 19, 1838. She died in 1854 and left three children. ¦
one of whom was helpless. In 1864 he married Mary Sherley,
who died in 1866, leaving one child. His mother takes care of
the house and his last child since the death of his wife; the other
children are all married.
HOKE, PETER, Mt. Vernon, was born February 11, 1810,
in York, York county, Pennsylvania, and when quite young his
parents removed to Franklin county, Pennsylvania, where he
remained twelve years, after which he came to Ohio and located
at Steubenville, where he resided one year and then went to
Wayne county, where he remained until 1839, when he came to
Knox county and resided in different parts of the county for
about thirty-two years, during which he was engaged in farming
and dealing in stock. He then came to Mt. Vernon, where he
resided nine years, during which time he did quite an extensive
business in live stock. In 1880 he removed to his present loca.
tion, living in retirement. He has been twice married, his fii'st
wife was Margaret, daughter of John Clippinger, of Franklin
county, Pennsylvania, by whom he had two daughters, viz. :
Ann Elizabeth Hull, and Sarah Jane Wahl, deceased. Mrs.
Hoke died February 23, 1835. His second wife was Sarah,
daughter of Isaac Baughman, of Franklin county, Pennsylvania.
HOLLIBAUGH, JOHN F., Fredericktown, shoemaker,
was born in Richland county, in 1832, and was marreid in 1858
to Louisa Hughes, who was born in Knox county in 1837.
They have seven children: Lee P., Delphine, Flora, Estella L.,
Fred R., Wilbert, and Ethel.
Mr. Hollibaugh learned the shoemaker's trade, and has since
worked at that business. He is a member of the firm of D. W.
Condon & Co., dealers in boots and shoes.
HOLLISTER, ZACHARY T., Milford township, farmer,
was born in Knox county, September 5, 1850, and is the son of
Almon and Nancy Hollister, nee Myers.
Almon Hollister was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut,
January 20, 1808, and came to Knox county with his parents in
1817. They settled in Milford township, and were among its
pioneers. He resided in Milford township until his death, which
occurred August 8, 1878. He married Nancy Myers, a
native of Richland county, in 1831. She was born in 1813.
They had eight children, one of whom died in infancy— George,
deceased; Lydia Ann, who married Elijah Leedy; Eli; Louisa,
who married James H. Myers; Clarinda, who married E. A.
Caven; Cassius; and Zachary T.
George was - member of company G, Second regiment, in
the three months' service, was captured at Bull Run, and was
a prisoner three months.

Eli served three years in the Twentieth Ohio volunteer in-
funtry. The subject of this notice was reared on the old homestead,
and continues to reside on it, having charge of the farm.
HOLMES, LEMUEL, retired, Monroe township, was born
in Plymouth county, Massachusetts, March 11, 1798. In 1812
he moved to Baltimore with his parents, Samuel and Patience
Holmes, where he engaged as dry goods clerk for four years.
In 1818 he engaged in the grocery business, which he followed
about four years. In 1822 he married Miss Mary T. Newton,
of Baltimore, born in Connecticut August 5, 1805, and was
taken to the city when but a child. In June, 1824, they moved
to Ohio, located in Zanesville a short time, then moved to West
Bedford, Coshocton county, Ohio. In 1828 he purchased and
moved on a farm in the same county, remained there about
nine years, and in 1837 moved to this county, and located on
the farm in Monroe township, where they are now living. Their
union resulted in five children: Samuel J., Mary R. , Malvina,
Josiah H., and Adaline. Mary R. and Adaline have deceased.
In 1828 he turned his attention to farming, which business
he has since been following, until a few years since, when he
retired from business and is now living a retired life. He has
been a member of church since 1818. His wife connected her
self with the church in 1835, and has since been a constant
member. HOLMES, J. H., farmer, a native of Coshocton county,
Ohio, and son of Lemuel and Mary Holmes, nee Newton, was
born on the eighteenth day of June, 1830. He was brought to
this county by his pnrents in 1836, who located in Monroe
township, on the farm where they now reside.
He was reared a farmer and has made farming and stock-rais
ing his principal vocation through life. October 16, 1855 he
was united in marriage with Miss Sarah C. Wasson, of Dela
ware county, Ohio, born November 22, 1833, daughter of Wil
liam and Lucy Wasson. Their first -permanent settlement was
on the farm in Monroe township, this county, where they are
now living. They settled on this farm a few years after their
marriage. They have a family of five children, two sons and
three daughters.
HONEY, WILLIAM O'B., Morgan township, farmer, was
born in Morgan township, April 17, 1832; is the eldest son of
James Honey, and the only son of a family of five children.
He was reared on a farm, and educated in the common-schools.
He is a leading citizen, taking an active interest in the affairs of
the township. He has held nearly all the offices of the town
ship, and administered them with strict fidelity.
Mr. Honey received a commission from General Todd as
colonel of Knox county militia, and held the commission until
the repeal of the law. He is a leading member of the Owl
Creek Baptist church. He was married to Miss Ellen F. Harris
March 21, 1861, a daughter of Emor B. Hanis, a native of
Miller township, now a resident of Red Oak, Iowa. They had
a family of seven children, viz,: Emma V., born August 17,
1862; Frank, March 2, 1864; Mary, November 8, 1865; James
H., March 14, 1868; William Burgess, January 21, 1870; Addie
J., November 20, 1871, and Roxey E., August 10, 1875.
HONEY, JAMES, Morgan township, pioneer farmer, was
born in Fauquier county, Virginia, June 20, 1794, and is the
twelfth child of a family of thirteen. His father died when the
subject of our sketch was young. His mother, with the family

698

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

of ten children, came to Ohio in 1818, and settled in Morgan
township. She died in Morgan. The family are all dead ex
cept Lucinda Powlson, a resident of Coshocton county, Ohio,
and the subject of this notice, who was reared on a farm and
has always followed farming as his vocation. He was married
to Susan Sellers in 1830, daughter of Jacob Sellers. They had
a family of six children, three living, being William O. B.,
farmer of Morgan township; Nancy, wife of William Musser, a
farmer; Caroline, M., Margaret J., manied to James H.
Cooksey. An infant and Mary Elizabeth have died.
Mr. Honey has always lived in the township since his coming
here. He came to where he now lives in 1836. At that time
the farm was entirely covered with forest. His wife died in
1875- HOOK, MR. AND MRS. EZRA, East Gambier, Mt. Ver
non. Mr. Hook is a native of Licking county, Ohio, where he
was born March 25, 1820, and where he resided until 1847,
being engaged in farming; was married December 10, 1844, to
Miss Honor Hunt, daughter of Jonathan Hunt, who was one
of the earliest pioneers of Knox county. After their marriage
they resided three years in Licking county, when, in 1847, they
bought her father's farm, and her parents made their home with
them during the balance of their lives. Mr. Hook still gives
his attention to farming, but has resided in the city, since which
Mrs. Hook has been keeping a first-class boarding-house.
They have had a family of three children, one of whom, their
eldest daughter, Sarah E. , is deceased, who died in her twenty-
third year. Thomas J. and Alice G. are the names of the sur
viving ones.
HUNT, JONATHAN, Mt. Vernon, was a native of New
Jersey, and was born October 23, 1780. His birthplace was in
sight of the memorable battlefield of Princeton. When he was
about nine years of age his parents emigrated to Washington
county, Pennsylvania, and located at Cross creek. When he
was quite young he apprenticed himself to learn the wagon-
maker trade, at which he served a term, and which he folowed
as a business for many years.
He was married to Miss Honor Wells (who was born January
9, 1782) about the year 1804, and in the year 1806 he emigrated
to Ohio, in company with John Doty and John Boyle, and lo
cated, or took a squatter's claim, on which he remained some
time before he knew to whom the section belonged. After as
certaining the rightful owner, he bought a farm and erected a
cabin thereon. They had Indians for neighbors, and could see
as many as thirty and forty camp-fires in the evenings. Some
time after his arrival there was a competition in regard to the
location of the county seat. At that time there were only three
cabins in Mt. Vernon, and in order to insure the court house
being located there, the settlers turned out and cleared off a site
for the proposed court house, felling trees and rolling logs
where the compact blocks of the city now stand.
Mr. and Mrs. Hunt had a family of eleven children, seven of
whom lived to maturity, and four of whorn still survive.
In 1847 his son-in-law and daughtei, Mr. and Mrs. Hook,
purchased the home farm, with whom they lived the balance of
their lives. Mr. Hunt died March 23, 1864, and Mrs. Hunt
died October 9, 1869. Thus ended in peace and happiness the
lives of two that were among the earliest pioneers of Knox
county, leaving the fruits of their labors after them to be en
joyed by their descendants and their many friends, who greatly
revere their memory.

HOOKWAY, SAMUEL, Liberty township, farmer, was
born in the county of Devonshire, England, in 1824. His fathet
was a farmer, and he was reared on a farm. In 1851 he emi
grated to Mt. Vernon, Ohio. In December, 1861, he enlisted
in company H, Twentieth Ohio volunteer infantry, and partici
pated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburgh, and
in the campaign with Sherman from Atlanta to Savannah, par
ticipating in all the different engagements of that memorable
campaign. He was discharged at Savannah after serving his
adopted country faithfully for three eventful years. After his
return home he worked in the Cooper machine works until 1868,
when he purchased the farm on which he now resides and
moved on it.
He is a good farmer, and his farm shows that he was well
educated as a farmer. He is possessor of a fine flock of thor
ough-bred sheep. Mr. Hookway began life poor. His mother
died in England, and his father, Richard Hookway, came to
the United States in 1874. He resides with him. Mr. Hook
way was twice married. His first wife was Susannah Pickard.
They had five children. His second wife was Miss Sarah F.
Pitkin. They were married October 1, 1878. She is the daugh
ter of Rev. Pitkin, a retired minister of Milford township.
HOOVER, I. M., marble and granite dealer, corner West
Gambier and Mulberry streets, Mt. Vernon, Ohio. — Israel Hoo
ver, of the firm of I. M. Hoover, was born in Licking county,
November 13, 1820, and followed farming until he was twenty-
three years old, when he went to the trade of marble cutting in
Galena, Ohio, where he served two years, and then went to Co
lumbus, where he put in tv, o years more, after which he went to
London, Madison county, and carried on a shop two years.
He then returned and bought out the heirs ofthe old homestead
where he engaged in farming and in the marble business for
eleven years, a part of which time he had a partner in the mar
ble business. In 1875 he came to Mt. Vernon and engaged in
the marble business, which he carried on until the business was
transferred to his brother, who conducts it for him. They carry
a stock of about fifteen hundred dollars and manufacture all
kinds of marble momuments and tombstones, and deal in all
kinds of granite work.
HOPKINS, JOHN W., Hilliar township, merchant, Centre
burgh, Ohio, was born in Green county, Pennsylvania, Decem-
ber 6, 1839. Levi Hopkins, his father, owned a mill and farm,
and when John was old enough he learned the trade of milling
in his father's mill. He remained at home until May, 1861,
when he enlisted in company F, First Pennsylvania cavalry. He
was with the Army of the Potomac and participated in the bat
tles of Fredericksburgh, Cedar Mountain, and second Bull Run.
December 6, 1862, he was discharged on account of physical
disability, contracted while in the service. After his return home
he was engaged in business at Hopkin's Mills, Pennsylvania, in
a country store, and also in milling business. In 1868 he left
his native State, and came to Ohio, settling in Morrow county,
where he was engaged at farming for three years. In 1871 he
gave up farming and opened a store at Rich Hill, in which he
was successful. In connection with his store he was postmaster.
In the spring of 1876 he came to Centreburgh and opened a store.
He carries a full line of staple and fancy goods, as well as a
general assortment. He has succeeded in building up a good
trade, doing a business of twenty-one thousand dollars per year.
He has the confidence of the public, as he is straightforward in
his business, and does not allow any to misrepresent. He is

fal^ftv^

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY,

699

social and pleasant in his manners, liberal in his views, and
takes an active interest in all matters which tend to the building
up of the community. He was manied to Miss Lucinda
Swartz, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1864.
As a result pf this marriage they have two bright and intelligent
daughters. HORN, ABRAHAM, was born January 2, 1813, in Wash
ington county, Pennsylvania, and was married March 16, 1837,
to Miss Rebecca Staats, who was born January 28, 1818, in
Butler township. They have had ten children, viz: Catharine,
Jacob, Louisa, Joseph S., Maria, Mary M., Magdalena,
Selonia Alice, Rebecca Jane, William Osborn, Benjamin
Franklin; all living except Joseph S. and Benjamin Franklin.
Joseph S. was wounded at Big Shanty, Georgia, June 22, 1864,
and died the following day. Benjamin F. died September 30,
1862. Catharine manied to William J. Withrow April 22, i860.
Jacob was married to Isabella Withrow June 22, 1861.
HORN, JACOB, was born in Washington, Pennsylvania,
January 1, 1815, and removed to Butler township, Knox
county, Ohio, in 1816. He was manied March 12, 1845, to
Miss Keuren Happuch Morningstar, who was born in Knox
county, Ohio, March 10, 1818. They have had six children,
viz: Abraham, born October 3, 1845; Elizabeth, born June 7,
1847; William, born September 5, 1849; Solomon, born Octo
ber 1, 1857: Alonzo, July 11, 1857; Mary Ellen, July 9, i860;
all living except Alonzo, who died January 27, 1863. Mr.
Horn is owner of two hundred and eleven acres of good farming
land. HORN, SOLOMON, farmer. He is a native of Butler
township, bom November 23, 1820. He was married August
14, 1845, to Sarah Staats. They have had six children: George
W., Eli F., Lewis L., Joseph N., Landora E., and Calvin
Wheeler. Lewis died February 19, 1863; Landora E. died
November 10, 1870.
HORN, GEORGE W., carpenter, post office, Pipesville;
was born in Jackson township, Knox county. Ohio, on the
thirtieth day of May, 1846. He was married August, 23, 1866,
to Miss Elizabeth Ann Giffin, daughter of Hiram and Mary
Giffin. She was born December 8, 1847. They have one
child, viz: Willis Elmore, who was born in Butler township,
July 17, 1868. Mr. Hornwasa member of company F, Second
Ohio heavy artillery, and served during the war. He is a Re
publican, and is a member of the Knox county central com-
committee from Butler township.
HORN, WILLIAM, was born in Jefferson township, Knox
county, Ohio, on the fifth day of September, A. D. 1849. May
21, 1871, he was married to Ellen Giffin, daughter of Hiram
Giffin. They have had one child, Marie Mc  , who was born
April 21, 1874, and died December 28, 1879.
HORN, WILLIAM R., was born November 17, 1850, in
Union township, Knox county, Ohio. March 29, 1874, he was
married to Miss Mary Jane Green, of Monroe township, Knox
county, Ohio. They have had one ceild, Maria, born Decem
ber 18, 1876.
HORN, ELI, farmer, post office address, Bladensburgh. Mr.
Horn is owner of a very fine farm on the beautiful prairie in the
northeast comer of Clay, and is a well-to-do citizen.
HORNER, WILLIAM J., agent Union. Express company,
southwest corner Public Square, Mt. Vemon. — William J.
41

Horner was born in Millwood, Knox county, Ohio, May 18,
1836. When William was a child his parents removed to Ros-
coe, Coshocton county, and from there to Cavalo, this county,
and from Cavalo the parents moved on to a farm in the country
where they resided some six years. From this farm William
came to Mount Vernon and engaged in learning the carpenter
and joiner trade with Giles & Emery. After completing his
trade he went to Iowa and worked at his trade in various parts
in that then frontier State for some fourteen years. In 1871 he
came back to Mt. Vernon, and in company with John P. Kelly,
opened out under the firm of Horner & Kelly, a queensware and
house furnishing establishment, which they continued nearly two
years, when, in the fall of 1872, Mr. Horner took charge of the
Union Express office, then just opened in this city, where he
still remains. In consequence of entering into competition with
the United States Express company, which had been doing
business in Mt. Vernon for many years, the business of the new
company was light during its first year or two. The Union's
business afterwards increased rapidly, so that at present the
company is doing a business amounting from ten thousand to
twelve thousand dollars per annum.
During Mr. Horner's stay in Charleston, Cole county, Illi
nois, in 1861, he enlisted in the United States service, and
joined the Eighth Illinois regiment, R. J. Oglesbee, colonel.
This regiment was organized for the three months' service. In
September, 1862, Mr. Horner again volunteered, and joined the
One Hundred and Twenty-third regiment Illinois volunteer in
fantry, and was commissioned as second lieutenant, in which
capacity he served until the nineteenth day of December, 1863,
when he resigned his commission and retired from service. His
next engagement was with the Adams Express company, as
messenger, running over the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & Columbus
railroad, from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh, in which capacity he
continued until the spring of 1865. Leaving the express com
pany Mr. Horner returned to Illinois, remaining there until his
return to Mt. Vernon in 1870.
During the rebellion he was a member of the celebrated
Wilder brigade, and was engaged at Hoover's Gap, in the three
davs' fight at Chickamauga, Wheeler's raid, and at Farmington,
Tennessee. HOSACK, CYRUS, Fredericktown; druggist, was born in
Richland county in 1832, and married Albia Foote, who was
born in Knox county. They have three sons, viz: Hany E.,
Fred F., and William A. Mr. Hosack has been a citizen of
this county twenty-one years. He was engaged in the late war
as assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Eighty-third reg
iment, Ohio volunteer infantry, retaining his position to the close
of the war.
Since the war he has been engaged in the drug business in
Fredericktown, and also keeps a line of books and stationery.
He has been successful in the mercantile business ; has done
much to advance the interests of the town, and is now one of its
leading and most enterprising citizens. Mr. Hosack takes an
interest in good horses, and is part owner of a horse called the
Crown Prince, which is sixteen hands and two inches high, a
rich black, with strong, heavy bones, and weighs one thousand
nine hundred pounds. This horse has won the first premium
and sweepstakes at every place he has been exhibited since com
ing to this country.
HOUCK, WASHINGTON, Jackson township, son of
William and Ellen Houck, was born in Huntingdon county,

700

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Pennsylvania, Febmary 18, 1799, and was married to Sophia
Pinyard, September 9, 1819. He visited the State of Ohio in
1821, and, being pleased, returned home, and after disposing of
his goods and chattels, emigrated to Knox county, landing in
Hilliar township on the fonrth of February, 1822. He resided
in the township until the twentieth of July, 1822, when he re
moved to Clay township, where he cleared up a farm that he
purchased from the Government. After a residence of several
years in Clay, he removed to Jackson township, where he has
resided ever since. He was the first man to locate in the village
of Bladensburgh. He has been engaged in the mercantile busi
ness, hotel keeping, and various other employments since his
removal to Jackson.
Mrs. Sophia Houck died May 28, 1861.
There were born unto them nine children: Adolphus, William,
Isaiah, Sarah Ann, Alexander, Jerome, Jane, Thomas, and Ma-
hala. Mr. Houck was married to Avaline Bebout September 30,
1862. Three children were the fruit of this union : Anthony E. ,
George W., and Lewis B.
HOWES, M. P. , Fredericktown, railroad agent, was born in
this county, in 1843, and was married in 1872 to Elizabeth Love,
who was born in this county. They have one son, Wheeler E.,
who was born in Fredericktown, May 26, 1874. Mr. Howes
has been with the Baltimore & Ohio railroad company as ticket
agent at this place about sixteen years, is a live business man,
and an obliging agent.
HUBBELL, GEORGE B., Hilliar township, physician, Rich
Hill post office, was born in Bloomfield township, Knox county,
now Monow county, August 21, 1819. His parents were
among the early settlers of that county, having come from Con
necticut in 1816, and located in that section, where Preston
Hubbell, father of the subject of this notice, died in 1822. His
wife still survives him at the age of eighty-two years. She is
bright for one of her age, and remembers much of the early
history of the settlement. George spent his youth on the farm.
When he was about twenty years of age he commenced reading
medicine with Dr. Page, with whom he read for one year, and
then went to Bath county, Kentucky, and read two years with
his uncle, Dr. Burton Hubbell. After his course of reading he
returned to his native place and began the practice, and re
mained about six years, then went to Centreville, Delaware
county, Ohio, where he practiced for fourteen years, and then
went to Indiana; thence to Kansas, where he remained for
some time, and returned to Indiana, and thence to Monow
county, Ohio. While in the west he was mostly engaged in
farming. In 1876 he moved to Rich Hill, where he has since
followed his profession.
December 16, 1841, he was married to Miss Nancy Fox, and
as a result has a family of four children, two sons and two
daughters. Mr. Hubbell has been a consistent member of the Methodist
church since he was twenty-one years old. He has been tem
perate in his habits, and never recollects of having taken any
spirituous liquors as a beverage, and he has never to his recol
lection been guilty of profanity. He is a man of will power,
and can resist the tempter. In 1880 he was elected justice of
the peace, and will no doubt fill the position with ability and
good judgement.
HUGHES, GEORGE (deceased), Pleasant township, born
in Greene county, Pennsylvania, on the ninth day of May

1807. He spent his boyhood on a farm. In March, 1828,
he emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, and lived with his brother-
in-law, John Buckingham, in Morgan township, during the
summer, and in the fall of the same year he moved to Mt. Ver
non, and remained there three or four years. He made fre
quent visits to his native county in Pennsylvania, dunng that
time. In 1830 he commenced dealing in stock of all kinds,
buying and driving it east, which he made a specialty for about
twenty years, then retired from the business, and since 1850
gave all his attention to farming and stock-raising.
In 1832, while on one of his visits to his native county, he
was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ellston, of Jefferson,
Greene county, Pennsylvania. He returned to Knox county
with his wife, and settled in Martinsburgh, where they lived until
in 1858, when he purchased and moved on a farm near Martins
burgh, and remained on the farm ten years. In 1848 he sold
his farm and moved his family back to Martinsburgh. On the
eighth day of January, 1850, he purchased the farm in Morgan
township, now occupied by his son Thomas O., and moved his
family on this farm during the same year, where they remained
twenty years. January 8, 1870, he purchased the farm in
Pleasant township, where he lived until his death, March 24,
1881. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes became the parents of seven children:
One daughter deceased at the age of five years ; a son, only
twelve years of age, was killed by a horse running away with
him while raking hay with a horse-rake ; the other five, Mary,
John, Catharine, Thomas O., and Sarah, grew to be men and
women. John died in Missouri, in 1869, the others are living.
Mrs. Hughes died September 7, 1850.
Mr. Hughes second marriage was with Miss Margaret Weaver,
of Licking county, Ohio, born in Virginia, July 23, 1827, and
came to Licking county, Ohio, in 1839, who is still living.
HUGHES, ISAAC (deceased), Morris township, was bom
in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1825, and was married
to Catharine Watson, who was bom in Montgomery township,
Washington county, Maryland, in 1825. They had one son,
Matthew T., who was born in Pleasant township, this county,
February 8, 1867.
Isaac Hughes died in the same township, September 6, 1870.
He was a farmer and a worthy citizen.
HULL, JOHN, farmer, post office, Howard, was bom in
Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1806. He moved to
Wheeling, Virginia, and remained there six years; he then re
moved to Coshocton county, Ohio, where he lived sixteen years.
From thence he went to Howard, where he has remained until
the present time.
In 1810 the Indians broke into one of his neighbors' houses
and killed the whole family. Colonel Williams raised a body
of men to fight the Indians, John Hull's father being among
them. It was his fiist skirmish with the savages.
HULL, JACOB, physician, post office, Howard, was bom
June 22, 1841. In 1858 he went to Illinois and worked on a
farm in summer and taught school in winter for about five years.
The last year he commenced the study of medicine. He has
been a citizen of Howard since 1874, and has quite an extensive
practice. HULL, WILLIAM, farmer, Howard township, post office,
Howard, was born in Knox county February 28, 1826. In 1852
he removed to the farm where he now resides. The same year

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

701

he was married to Elizabeth Jane Wallace. They had three
children: Mary Adeline; Elizabeth born August 9, 1859; Wil
liam T., born November 26, 1861; died September 10, 1862.
Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Hull died March 10, 1865.
Mr. Hull was again married August 22, 1-865, to Elizabeth
Jane Gilmore. They have three children: John, Laura, and
Perry. John died in 1875.
HUNT, JOHN E., son of David Hunt, is a najive of Jeffer
son county, Ohio, where he was born February 1, 1825, is the
fifth of a family of eleven children, of whom five are living.
The family came to Knox county and located in Monroe town
ship in 1838, upon a farm. David Hunt died August 24, 1867,
since which time the family has been widely scattered. Mr.
Hunt was married May 9, 1847, to Miss Rebecca Glaze, daugh
ter of Adam Glaze, an early settler of Knox county, now dead.
He had a family of four children, three of whom are living, viz:
Eldon B, Helen, and Anna. Eldon married Josephine Osborn,
and has two children. Helen married S. P. Fogwill. Anna re
sides with her parents.
Mr. Hunt's early life was spent on the farm; he has been en
gaged in various kinds of business, quite a number of years be
ing spent in the mercantile trade; at present is engaged in deal
ing in fresh fish, oysters, etc.
HUNTER, GEORGE, Union township, farmer, post office
Danville, born in Union township, Knox county, January 20,
1821. His father came from Pennsylvania, and was captain of
a boat on the Ohio river, remaining in this business for a num
ber of years, but finally came to this county and settled on a
farm. Mr. Hunter was married to Marion Bell in 1845. They have
seven children, viz: Frances, Matica, Matilda, Mary Ellen,
Leander, Lyman, and Milond. Two daughters and one son
are married, and the others are living with their father.
HUNTER, DAVID, Pike township, farmer, post offie
North Liberty, born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1817, and was
married in 1842 to Mary Waits, who was bom in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, in 1818. They had seven children, viz:
Aquila, born in 1844; Cyrus, in 1845; Ellen Jane, in 1848; Da
vid B., in 1849; James S., in 1851; Esther O., in 1854; and
Mary E., in 1862.
Aquila Hunter was a soldier in the late war, a member of the
Ohio National guards, and died at Bermuda Hundred, Vir
ginia, in 1865. David B. died in 1850. Mr. Hunter came to
Knox county in 1843. He has been treasurer of Pike town
ship about thirty-two years, and still holds that office, which
speaks well for his integrity.
* HURD, HON. ROLLIN C. Mr. Hurd was born at West
Arlington, Bennington county, Vermont, on the twelfth day of
September, 1815. Asahel Hurd, his father, was a well-doing
farmer; prominent as an influential citizen, who at one period of
his life represented his town in the legislature, and to whom was
also committed other public trusts.
In the days of his early boyhood, young Rollin's time was
divided between the common school and giving assistance to his
father, in the usual routine of farm employment. At the age of
twelve years, he was sent to a boy's boarding school, at Norwich,
Connecticut, where he received the first rudiments of an academic
education. *From the Mt. Vernon Banner, February 27, 1874.

In 1831, Professor Herman Dyer, of Kenyon college, formerly
of the same county in Vermont, being on a visit to his native
town, his attention was called to his neighbor's son, then at
home; and through his (the professor's) advice, it was arranged
that the youth should accompany the former to Gambier, the
seat of Kenyon college, with the view to his education in that
institution. Under the guardianship of Piofessor Dyer, young Hurd ac
companied him to Ohio, and at the opening of the classes in
1831, was regularly entered at the "grammar school" attached
to Kenyon college, and of which the late Judge Finch was then
tutor. He subsequently entered the college proper, in the reg
ular course for the class of 1836, but for reasons that hastened
him to enter upon the active duties of life, anj solely from these
private considerations, he withdrew from his college course of
studies at the end of his second year, to enter the office of the
late Benjamin S. Brown, in Mt. Vernon, as a student at law.
It was during his college course that he became acquainted
with Miss Mary B. Norton, daughter of the late Daniel S.
Norton, a prominent citizen of Mt. Vernon, which resulted in a
mutual attachment. On the fourteenth of August, 1836, they
were married, and shortly afterwards commenced housekeeping
in the old Kratzer house, so called, then situated where the
Judges' office now stands, and on the sapne lots on which he
subsequently erected his beautiful residence, which he continued
to own and occupy down to the time of his death.
Judge Hurd was admitted to the bar about the first of April,
1837, and applied himself with great zeal to the study and
duties of his profession. The death of his preceptor the year
following created a vacancy in the few offices that then chiefly
controlled the legal business of the county, and the industry,
application, and legal ability of Mr. Hurd made him prominent
to the public eye, as the fitting and proper successor to fill that
vacancy. He therefore immediately took position by the side
of the older members of the profession then in full practice, and
by faithful study and strict attention to his cases, he rapidly
rose in reputation and public confidence, and soon placed him
self, deservedly, in the foremost ranks of the profession.
Judge Hurd was eminent at the bar, not only for profound
legal learning, but also for a quick perception of the strong
points of his case, for a clear consecutive mode of thought, and
a logical, comprehensive grasp of his subject, that enabled him
with clear analysis to present his premises and conclusions with
great effect. When to these qualities were added zeal and
earnestness of manner, and a remarkable candor and fairness
in the statement of facts, his power with the court and jury was
always very sure to win for him all the success to which his case
was entitled — sometimes, perhaps, more than its merits de
served. With these distinguished abilities, his practice had become
wide and extended, embracing as well cases in the United States
courts of the northern district, as in the State courts of many
of the counties of which it is composed. He was also admitted
to the bar of the supreme court of the United States, at Wash
ington, on the ninth of January, 1863.
In 1852 he accepted the nomination of the Whig party as its
candidate for judge of the court of common pleas for the judi
cial district, and was elected. He filled this position with great
credit to himself, and with satisfaction to the bar and the peo
ple of the district, for five years.
On retiring from the bench he resumed the practice of law.
It was during the latter part of his judicial term, and the first

•J02

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

year of his resumption of practice, that he found leisure to pre
pare and write his work on Habeas Corpus, now a standard
work in the profession, and found in every good law library.
For the last three or four years of his life Judge Hurd ap
plied the great energies of his mind chiefly to the organization
of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad company,
and to the success of the object of this enterprise. In this great
and useful public work he became so absorbed that for the last
few years he was compelled to relinguish, in a considerable de
gree, the duties of his legal profession. In his new role he
proved himself equally successful. And by the application of
the natural forces of his mind — his energy, good judgment,
personal influence and administrative ability — as president of
the company, he carried the road through to its completion,
successfully and triumphantly, and it now stands as an impor
tant liuk in one of the greatest thoroughfares of our country,
and a monument of his latest success. It is well said that
for this act alone the citizens of Mt. Vernon, and of the
entire region through which the road passes, will ever cherish
his memory, and feel that his loss is a public calamity.
Judge Hurd, by his maniage with Miss Norton, who survives
him, has had seven children, three of whom died in infancy,
and one, the late Rollin Hurd, jr., about two years prior to his
father's decease. Those who survive are Hon. Frank H. Hurd,
of Toledo; Mrs. John S. Delano, now of Colorado, and Mis.
Robert Clarke, of Washington City; all of whom, with the be
loved wife of his youth, as well as of his mature years, were
permitted, through a kind Providence, to minister to his wants
In his protracted sickness, and to be present at his bedside in
his last moments.
He died at one o'clock on Thursday morning, the twelfth of
February, 1874. Disease that baffled the most skilful efforts
to arrest its progress, had given its warning for some months;
but hope remained with its delusions. When the final sum
mons came he sank to rest so calmly, so quietly, it was as if but
gentle sleep had wrapped him in her arms.
HURFORD, CRAWFORD, Pleasant township, a native of
Pennsylvania, was born in Fayette county, June 4, 1822, was
reared a farmer, and followed that as his vocation until 1846.
He emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, in 1844, and located in
Pleasant township, on a farm now known as the Hurford mill
farm, wheie he is now living.
In 1846 he erected the Hurford grist-mill, a frame structure,
thirty-six by forty, three stories high, containing two ran of
buhrs, which has the capacity for manufacturing from ten to
fifteen barrels of flour per day. He operated the mill success
fully until 1866, when he sold it, and again turned his attention
to farming, which business he has since been engaged at. In
June, 1848, he married Miss Mahala Lee, of Utica, Licking
county, Ohio, daughter of John Lee, born in June in 1817.
They settled on the Hurford mill farm, where he is now residing.
They have two children: Amelia and Thomas Dv Mrs. Hur
ford died March 4, 1880. He has been a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church since 1839. Mrs. Hurford was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church from 1835 until the
time of her death.
In 1863 he connected himself with an independent company.
In the spring of 1864 his company was ordered out, and re
mained about four months in the service in the war of 1861. He
is a man well known in the neighborhood, and esteemed by all
of his acquaintances.

HURST, CHARLES H., Fredericktown, butcher; was
born in Germany in 1842, came to America at the age of thir
teen years, and first located in Plymouth, Richland county,
Ohio. He came to Fredericktown in 1875. In 1863 he married
Catharine Swope, who was born in Crawford county in 1842.
They have four children, viz: Edward, born in 1863; George,
in 1869; William, in 1870, and Artie in 1874.
Mr. Hurst enlisted in the late war in company I, First regi
ment', Ohio artillery, and remained till the close of the war.
He is a member of the firm of Braddock & Hurst, butchers.
They have established a good business in Fredericktown and
vicinity. HUTCHISON, LEANDER, son of John and Elizabeth
Hutchison, was born in Licking county, Ohio, one mile south
of Homer, April 28, 1828. He is a carpenter by trade, and fol
lowed carpentering as his vocation until a few years, since when
he turned his attention to farming, which he is engaged in at
present. In 1852 he married Miss Nancy ]. Vernon, born in
1829, daughter of Joseph Vernon. Their union resulted in two
children, one son and one daughter. He served three years in
the war of 1861, enlisting in company B, Fourth Ohio volunteer
infantry, and was discharged at the expiration of his term of
enlistment. HYATT, PHILIP, was a native of Montgomery county,
Maryland, born October 11, 1795. He was married to Miss
Rizpah, daughter of Joseph Watkins, of the same county, July
18, 1822. She was born October 31, 1802. They resided in
Montgomery county, Maryland, until 1833, during which time
they had a family of six children, viz: Luther L. , born May 21,
1823; Ann Riggs, October 30, 1824; Susan Matildajanuary 21,
1826; Philip H., March_i8, 1828; Joseph H., Febmary 19,
1830; Elizabeth S., March 1, 1832.
In 1833 Mr. Hyatt came to Knox county, and settled on a
farm in Liberty township, where he remained until 1868, during
which time six more children were born to them, as follows:
John Thomas, born April 14, 1834; Columbia Ann,- April 19,
1836; Caroline, April 25, 1838; Oliver, November 30, 1840;
Maria, August 4, 1842, and Columbus D., June 8, 1845, making
a family of twelve children, all of whom lived to maturity. Three
are now dead and two remain single, the rest being married and
have families. In 1868 Mr. Hyatt came to Mt. Vernon, where
he lived until his death. May 16, 1873. Mrs. Hyatt is still liv
ing, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years.
HYATT, LUTHER L., farmer, Wayne township, post office,
Fredericktown, born in Montgomery county, Maryland, in 1823;
emigrated to Ohio in 1832, and was married in 1851, to Fanny
Smith, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1829. They
had four children: Charlie, born in 1854; Louella, 1856; Carrie,
1859, and John, 1865. Mrs. Fanny Hyatt died in 1867, in Lib
erty township. She was a worthy member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. Mr. Hyatt was subsequently married to
Matilda Walker, who was born in Knox county, in 1823, and
died in 1877. She was a member of the United Presbyterian
church. Mr. Hyatt's third marriage was to Kate D. Wolfe,
who was bom in 1835. Mr. Hyatt located in Wayne township
in 1870, and owns a well improved farm.
HYATT, L., Washington, Liberty township, deceased, was
born in Maryland in 1830, and came to Ohio with his parents.
He spent his youth on a farm and was a farmer by occupation.
He enlisted in company A, One Hundred and Forty-second reg-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

7°3

iment Ohio National guard. While in the service he was on
picket duty where he was taken with congestive chills of which
he died in August, 1864, and was buried near Point of Rocks, in
Virginia. He was a good citizen and was esteeemed by his
neighbors. He married Miss Sarah A. Hurd May 27, 1853,
who was born in July, 1835, in Cornwall county, England. She is
a daughter of John and Griselda Hurd, natives of England.
JohnHurd was born July 25, 1801. In 1834 he married Griselda
Gilbert, who was born in 1810. They were both farmers' chil
dren. They remained in England until 1842, when they emi
grated to Gambier, but subsequently lived in Mt. Vemon, and
in 1849 moved on the farm in Liberty township, which he had
previously purchased. They had a family of five children.
The subject of this notice, Mrs. Hyatt, had three children, viz. :
Martha E., deceased; George W., born March 12, 1856; Sildia,
December 17, 1862.
HYATT, A. J., M. D., Brown township, was born in Coshoc
ton county, September 25, 1835. His parents were early settlers
there, emigrating from Maryland, where they were born. The
subject of this memoir remained at home until about eighteen
years of age, when, being the youngest of the family and al
lowed his time, he determined to obtain an education. Im
pressed with this idea, he entered the Martinsburgh academy,
then under the charge of Rev. John Burns. After his limited
means were exhausted he began teaching. By doing this dur
ing the winter, and by attending school during the summer, he
was enabled to complete a thorough course in study. He ac
quired an excellent reputation as teacher, and was enabled to
educate himself entirely by his own efforts.
In 1855 he began the study of medicine with Dr. Isaac Put
nam, of Mt. Holly. He attended medical lectures at Ohio
Medical college, at Cincinnati, during the term of 1857-58. In
March, 1859, he began the practice of medicine in Greersville.
In 1861 Dr. Hyatt was married to Miss Catharine Smith, of
this county. Soon after the doctor sold his practice in Greers
ville to Dr. Welker, and in 1862 removed to Nashville, Holmes
county, where, in September, his wife died. December 3d, of
the same year, he removed to Jelloway, where, for eighteen
years, he has resided and and enjoyed a good practice.
In 1867 Dr. Hyatt received the honorary decree of M. D.,
from the Charity Hospital college of Cleveland. In Decem
ber, 1871, the doctor was again married to Miss Emma J.
Gains. They are the parents of three children: John J.,
Dwight, and Roby, who died at the age of eighteen months.
HYATT, ISAAC, Union township, mechanic, post office,
Gann. — He was bom September 22, 1822, in Coshocton county,
Ohio. In 1845 he was married to Miss R. Stoonee, and lived
in Coshocton county for a few years, and then moved to Jeffer
son township, where they still remain. He has two children
living — Martin and Rosannah. They have lost three. Nathan
died in the late war. Lewis died in Illinois, and Peter died at
home. Isaac Hyatt's business has been farming, wagon making,
and carpentering; but he has paid strict attention to carriage
and wagon making for the last twenty-two years. Martin is now
engaged in the business with his father, and they are running at
present a large wagon and buggy manufacturing establishment,
which is quite successful. Their business is large and still im
proving. HYLER, COLUMBUS D. (deceased), bom in Morrow
county in 1830, and was manied in 1852 to Ann Lefever, who
was born in this county. They had one daughter— Alice, born

in 1853. Mr. Hyler died in 1877. Alice died in 1875. Mr.
Hyler was postmaster of Fredericktown for about five years-
He was elected justice of the peace for two terms; also mayor
of Fredericktown. He was one of the leading and enterprising
citizens of his day. He was engaged in the late war as second
lieutenant; served out his time of enlistment, and received an
honorable discharge.

IRVINE, JAMES C, deceased. — Mr. Irvine was born in
Tomika, western Pennsylvania, July 12, 1807, and died in the
seventy-fourth year of his age. He came to Mt. Vernon in
1810, where he has since resided. He began life as a printer in
the office of the Ohio Register, published here. In the year
1835 he commenced business on Main street, continuing therein
until 1861, when he responded to the first call for troops to sup
press the late Rebellion, and to Mr. Irvine belongs the honor of
organizing the first company of soldiers in Knox county. As
captain of company A, he went out with Colonel Lorin An
drews, in the Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry. On account of
his then somewhat advanced age, Mr. Irvine did not reenlist.
After the expiration of three months — the term designated in
the first call — he resumed his business, in which occupation he
continued until quite recently.
At the date of his death, Mr. Irvine represented his ward in
the common council of this city, to which position he was
elected in the spring of 1880, and which body took fitting cog
nizance of his demise. An evidence of the high esteem in which
deceased's sound judgment, integrity and thorough business ca
pacity were held, may be found in the fact that he had been
appointed almost innumerable times as a member of the city
board of equalization.
Martha N. Irvine, his wife, was born on the twenty-second
of February, 1803, at Salem, New York. She came to Knox
county at an early date with her father, Bartholomew Bartlett,
and settled at Clinton, just north of this city. She was married in
Mt. Vernon to Mr. Irvine in 1829. They had by this union six
children, five of whom survive them — three daughters and two
sons — Mrs. M. J. Becker, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Mrs. C.
F. Baldwin, and Martha Irvine, of this city. Mr. Clarke Irvine,
of Oregon, Missouri, and Mr. Jefferson Irvine of this city.
Mr. Irvine died Friday evening, January 28, 1880, after a
very short illness. He was to have been buried the following
Tuesday, but on that day his wife, who had most sincerely
mourned his loss, was also called home, and the burial of one
became the burial of both, who had so long been united in life.
IRVINE, WILLIAM, farmer, post office, Fredericktown;
was born in Ireland in 1837, and emigrated to America with his
parents in 1840. They located in Knox county. He was mar
ried in i860 to Emeline Braddock, who was born in this county
in 1840. They have two sons — Ellsworth, born in 1862, and
who is attending school at Ada; and John R., born in 1864.
Mr. Irvine is engaged in buying and selling stock, and is one of
the enterprising farmers of this township.
IRVINE, CLARK, Mt. Vernon, attorney at law, was bom
in Knox county, Ohio, October 1, 1840. His parents were both
born in Ohio — his father in Trumbull county, and his mother in
Knox county. His mother's maiden name was Matilda Blair,
daughter of James Blair, esq., and Hannah Waddle, both from
the State of Maryland. His father, Clark Irvine, was of Scotch-
Irish extraction, and the son of Thomas Irvine, who was born

7°4

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

near the old town of Enniskillen, Ireland, and Tabitha Meredith
Clark, who was bom in the State of Pennsylvania. His father
came to Knox county in 1811, was a lawyer by profession, and
held the office of prosecuting attorney for one term, being
elected in 1850.
The subject of this sketch studied law with his father, after
whom he was named, and was admitted to practice in 1869. He
was nominated by the Democratic party for the office of prose
cuting attorney, and elected, in 1874, and was reelected in 1876.
Mr. Irvine was nominated as the Democratic candidate for the
lower house of the State legislature in 1879, but was defeated at
the general election in the fall of that year. He has represented
Knox county as a delegate to the Democratic State conventions.
At the State convention held in Cleveland in 1880, Mr. Irvine
was elected a member of the State central committee, represent
ing the Ninth Congressional district on the committee, and also
secretary of the Democratic State executive committee.
IRVINE, ROBERT L., farmer and dealer in stock, post
office, Fredericktown, was bom in Ireland in 1839. His parents
emigrated to America when he was an infant, and located in
Knox county. He was manied in i860 to Lavina Nixon, who
was bom in 1837. They ha\e four children — Edith, William,
George, and Jessie.
Mr. Irvine is engaged in buying, selling, and shipping stock,
and is also one of the enterprising farmers of Morris township.
IRWIN, GEORGE A., farmer, post office, Mt. Vemon, was
bom in this township in 1844, and was manied in 1867 to Net
tie Johnson, who was born in this township in 1849. They have
one son, Walter, who was born in 1868.
Mr. Irwin was a soldier in the late war, a member of company
I, Twentieth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. He was in
seventeen engagements, was taken prisoner in July, 1864, at At
lanta, Georgia, was at Andersonville, Florence, Millen, and
Savannah, and was honorably discharged.
IRWIN, ISAAC, Morris township, farmer, post office, Mt.
Vemon, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1810, and
was brought to Ohio by his parents at the age of six months.
He was manied in 1832 to Nancy McCracken, who was born
in Washington county, Pennsylvania. They had six children:
Emily, deceased; Harriet, Elsie, Gillman, George, Angeline,
deceased. Emily was manied to Elisha Lewis. They reside in
Middlebury township. Mr. Lewis died in Middlebury. Har
riet was married to George Merrin. They had four children:
Emily, Nannie M., Lina Maud, and Tacie Merrin.
Isaac Irwin's father, George, was born in New Jersey, and
came to Pennsylvania when he was young. He was married to
Martha Norcross, who was born in Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania. They came to Ohio in 1810, and settled in
Chester township, formerly Knox county. They remained
there five years, then located on C. C. Ball's farm. They died
in Berlin township.
ISRAEL, SAMUEL, attorney, Mt. Vemon. Mr. Israel
was bom in Bedford, Winchester county, New York, October
8, 1810. In 1814 his parents went to New York city, where he
remained till 1830. In the spring of that year Mr. Israel came
to Mt. Vernon, which has been his home since. During the
next winter he was manied to Elizabeth Harper, of Muskingum
county. They became the parents of seven children, six of
whom are still living.
Mr. Israel read law in the office of Hon. Columbus Delano,

and was admitted to practice in 1840. He afterwards was Mr.
Delano's partner a number of years. Mr. Israel has continued
the practice of law since his admission with the exception of
about six years, from the spring of 1869 till the winter of 1875,
during which time he was engaged with the late Hon. Rollin C.
Hurd in the construction of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Co
lumbus railroad.
ISENBERG, PHILIP, farmer, Berlin township, post office,
Shaler's Mills, was born in Maryland in 1803. His parents
moved to Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1808. He came
to Ohio in 1835, located in Knox county, and was manied in
1838, to Sarah Burkholder, who was born in Cumberland
county, Pennsylvania, in 1814. They had eight children: Jacob,
born in 1840; Elizabeth, 1842; Catharine and George, (twins),
1845; Margaret, 1849; Leroy and Lorain, (twins), 1852. Mr.
Isenberg settled on the farm where he now resides in 1841. He
cleared up and improved the most of this farm; has been a
man ot good habits, and is one of the pioneers.
His son, Jacob, was manied to Louisa Murphy, and moved
to Michigan, where he died in i860.

J

JACKSON, ZIBA, Monis township, deceased, was born in
Morris county, New Jersey, February 2, T777, and married
Phebe Lyon, who was born in Morris county, New Jersey,
February 17, 1782. They had seven children: Aaron C,
Nathaniel M., Benjamin L., Abbey C, Shalon, Eh, and
Isaac. Ziba Jackson died September 27, 1848, in Morris township.
Mrs. Phebe Jackson died July n, 1836, in this township.
Ziba Jackson emigrated to Knox county in 1807, and settled
in Wayne township when it was all in a state of nature. In
i8i4he commenced clearing, and in the fall of the same year
built a cabin and moved to this township. He was an officer in
the War of 1812; rendered faithful service, and received an
honorable discharge.
JACKSON, MRS. HAMUTAL, Liberty township, born in
Washington county, Pennsylvania, Febmary 22, 1810, and is
the youngest child of Hanson and Mary Ann Hobbs, nee Ship
ley. May 20, 1829, she was married to Elijah Jackson, of
Washington county, Pennsylvania. They remained in Penn
sylvania until about 1835, when they came to Liberty township
and purchased a part of the Hogg section, which was entirely
covered with forest. They had the usual experience of early
settlers, and succeeded in clearing the farm and making a
pleasant home, though they started in life poor. They had a
family of eight children, two daughters and six sons, all of
whom are living and doing well in life.
Mary E., wife of George Scott, resides in Fredericktown;
Samuel H., resides in Mt. Vernon; Free Gift, farmer in Monow
county; Leonard Wesley, carriage manufacturer, Lima, Ohio;
David S., farmer in Liberty township; Henry A., farmer in
Crawford county, Ohio; John R., miller; Adelia E., married
William H. Easterday. He is now deceased. They had one
child, a daughter — Willie Belle.
Mr. Jackson died March, 1879. The sons of this family are
all tradesmen but one, Henry A., who is a prosperous farmer,
Mrs. Jackson is spending the evening of her life cared for by
her daughter, Mrs. Easterday.
JACKSON, ISAAC L., Morris township; farmer; post
office, Mt. Vernon, was bom in Morris township, March 25,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

705

1823, on the farm where he now resides, and was married in
April, 1848. His children are as follows; Mary E. , born Au
gust 17, 1849; Sarah E. , April 12, 1852; George F., November
30, 1853; Nancy S., September 15, 1856; Albert M., February
11, 1859; Amanda A.; December 15, 1863, and Eva B. , Febru
ary 24, 1867.
Mrs. Sarah Ann Jackson, his wife, died January 17, 1877.
Albert M. Jackson was thrown from a horse, and killed
September 5, 1878.
Mr. Jackson's second wife was Sarah Jane Converse, who
was bom in Madison county, Ohio, July 20, 1834. Mr. Jack
son has been justice of the peace in this township twenty-one
years, and is one of its leading citizens. He owns one of the
finest farms in the township, and is a member of one of the
pioneer families.
JACKSON, OLIVER, Hilliar township, farmer, was bom
in Washington county, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1825. His
parents came to Ohio about 1837, and settled in Milford
township, where they lived and died on the farm, on which they
settled, which was entirely covered with forest trees when
they first lived on it. Here the subject of this notice spent his
youth, and was married to Miss Ellen Pritchard August 28,
1851. Her parents were Welsh, and emigrated to the city of
New York, where Mrs. Jackson was born, and where they both
died. They had a family of two children: Elizabeth J. and
George N. Elizabeth is married to Hiram W. Frost.
Mr. Jackson has a pleasant and beautiful home. He is a
good farmer, and has the confidence of the community.
JACKSON, JOHN, one of the leading farmers of Liberty
township, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, No
vember, 1826. His parents, George and Elizabeth Jackson
were farmers. Mrs. Jackson died while in Pennsylvania, They
had fourteen children, all of whom grew up, and seven of whom
are yet living.
He (George Jackson) married Mary Hobbs, in Washington
county, Pennsylvania. In 1834 they came to Milford township,
where they spent, their days. They had five children, all
grew up, four of whom are living. The Jackson family are
good farmers, and industrious and respectable citizens. The
subject of this notice was reared on a farm, and has always
made farming his occupation, in connection with it raising stock
quite extensively. Mr. Jackson began life on a seventy-five
acre tract of land which was covered with timber. He had but
little aid, but by his perseverance and economy has made for
himself a competence, owning considerable land. In 1853 he
married Mrs. Susan Ann Jackson, daughter of John and Nancy
Litzenberg. They have two children, viz: Edward and Ellen A.
Mr. Jackson moved to his present home in 1848.
JACKSON, I. M. V. B., farmer, Milford township, was
born in Milford township, March 4, 1836, and is the son of
George and Mary Jackson, nee Hobbs. Mr. Jackson was born
on the farm where his father settled in September, 1835, and
has remained there ever since. He was married to Miss Rachel
O. Jackson October 28, 1858, and they have three children —
William H., Theodora A., and Lillie Bell.
The history of the Jackson family will be found in the biog
raphy of John Jackson, of Liberty township. Mr. Jackson is
an industrious farmer, and one of the substantial citizens of the
township. JACKSON, BROWN K., justice of the peace, farmer, and
eacher, Milford township, post office, Lock, was born in Mil

ford township, January 15, 1846, and is the son of George W.
and Sarah A. Jackson, nee Riley, now residents of Licking
county. He was reared on a farm, attendednhe common
schools, and a term of twelve months at the Harrison univer
sity, at Granville, Ohio. He has followed teaching during the
winter for sixteen terms, thirteen of which were in his native
township, In 1873 he was elected a justice of the peace, which
office he still holds. He is a man of good judgement, a lead
ing and influential citizen of the community, pleasant and
social in his manners, well informed, and takes an active interest
in the affairs of the county. He was manied to Miss Cynthia
Dowell in 1871. They had three children, two of whom are
living. JACOBS ALONZO, a son of Rev. S. T. L. Jacobs, was born
in Gambier, Knox county, September 15, 1846. In 1861 he
commenced working at the shoemaking trade in Gambier with
D. S. Snyder, and served as an apprentice over two years. In
August, 1863, he enlisted in company I, Second Ohio volunteer
heavy artillery, and served until the close of the war. In 1865
he returned to Gambier and began working at his trade, con
tinuing as journeyman until 1868, when he commenced the busi
ness of manufacturing boots and shoes, and has been actively
engaged at that since that time. He is prepared to manufac
ture anything in the line of boots and shoes. In 1871 he began
dealing in ready-made boots and shoes, and keeps constantly
on hand everything in his line of business needed in a country
village. JAMES, E. C„ is a native of Delaware, Delaware county,
Ohio, and was born January 18, 1856; was educated at the pub
lic schools of Delaware, and took a course at a commercial
school. He learned telegraphy when thirteen years of age and
has since followed it. Was located at the Delaware office, then
Lewis Centre, Westerville, Howard, then was promoted to car
accountant and operator at the general office of the Cleveland,
Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad in Mt. Vernon, where he
served four years. February 7, 1877, he married Miss Ida P.
Miller of Mt. Vernon. February 1, 1878, took charge of the
Western Union telegraph office, where he is still engaged.
Since he took charge the business has increased largely.
JACKSON, KDWARD, Liberty township, farmer, was born
in Liberty township, May 10, 1859, and is the son of John and
Susan Jackson, of whom mention is made elsewhere. He was
married on the farm his parents now live on, is an industrious
farmer, and a worthy young man February 12, 1880, he was
married to Miss Caroline Robertson, daughter of Jesse P. Reb-
ertson, whose biography appears in this work.
JENKINS, DAVID, Wayne township, farmer, post office,
Mt. Vernon, born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in
1825, came to Knox county in 1828 with his parents, and was
married in 1857 to Margaret Huntsberry, who was born in
Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1837. They have the
following children: David L, born tn April, 1859; James H, ,
August 28, 1861; Emmitt L. F., October 7, 1863; Georgiana,
April 23, 1867; Byron H., August 17, 1870.
Mr. Jenkins has been. engaged in farming in this county over
twenty-five years, and is one of the active men of this township.
JENNINGS, REUBEN, Hilliar township, carpenter, Cen
treburgh, Ohio, was born in what is now Hilliar township, Feb
ruary 5, 1814. He is the oldest man now in the township, who
was born in it. He is the third child of Joseph and Rebecca

706

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Jennings, nee Hinton. They were born, reared, and married in
Monongalia county, Virginia. In about 1803 they came to
where Zanesville now stands, where they remained until 1811,
when they came to what is now Hilliar township, settling on a
tract of land southwest of the present village of Centreburgh.
He kept a hotel, or tavern, as it was called in those days, for a
number of years. They had a family of eight children, six of
whom are yet living. His wife dying, he went to Columbus,
Ohio, where he died, in 1862, at an advanced age. Thus in
brief is the outline sketch of two of Knox county's first settlers
— pioneers who saw the forest when unbroken, and who lived to
see much of it disappear before the hardy stroke of the early
settler. The subject of this notice remained at home until he learned
the carpenter's trade. He has erected about seven hundred
buildings, most of which are in Knox county. Mr. Jennings is
a quiet and estimable citizen. He has the esteem of all who
know him, and by his industry and steady habits has done
much for the community. Of him it can be said that he has
not lived in vain. He was twice manied, his first wife being
Miss Mariah Murphy, to whom he was mairied in 1837. They
had two children: Charles M. , of whom we have spoken, and
Alice Lenora, wife of Calvin Shaffer, farmer, who resides in
Crawford county, Kansas. His second marriage was to Rebecca
C. Conkey.
JENNINGS, C. M., Hilliar township, of the firm of Jen
nings & Faiaba, dealers in hardware, stoves, and tinware, Cen
treburgh, was born in the village, December 8, 1844. He at
tended the village schools, and when about seventeen years of
age, enlisted in company F, Sixty-fifth regiment Ohio volun
teers, November, 1861, for three years. His regiment belonged
to the Fourth corps, Third brigade, Second division, Army of
the Cumberland. He participated in the battles of Shiloh,
Stone River, and Chicamauga, where he was wounded by a
musket ball in the thigh. The following day he was taken
prisoner and parolled on the field. From September, 1863, to
May, 1864, he was a parolled prisoner at Camp Chase, Ohio.
He was declared exchanged at Camp Chase, and in May, i864t
he joined his regiment at Chattanooga. He participated in the
Atlanta campaign, and the fights of Spring Hill, Columbia,
and Franklin, besides many skirmishes. He was mustered out
of service with the regiment December 14, 1864, after serving
his country faithfully and honestly for over three eventful years.
After his return from the army he worked for the Government at
Columbus, for about six years, and then returned to his native
town, where he engaged in the grocery business for some time.
January, 1873, he formed a partnership with M. Faraba in a
general store and to this they added the stove and tinware
stock of another store doing business in the village. They have
since added a full line of hardware, and are doing a good busi
ness. Mr. Jennings was appointed postmaster October 25,
1875, and makes a very efficient and satisfactory officer. He is
quiet in his manner, and has the confidence of the public and
the esteem of those who know him best. He started in life
without the aid of a dollar, but by his industry and integrity he
has so established himself that his complete success is assured
He was married to Miss Emily A. Hames, of Columbus, Ohio,
February, 1871. They had two children, a daughter and son,
the latter having died.
JENNINGS, HENRY W., dry goods merchant, Mt. Ver
non, was bom in the city of Mt. Vernon, and received his

education in our public schools. His business engagements
were with Mark Curtis two years, with J. Sperry & Co., fourteen
years, two years of which he had an interest in the cassimere
department. In 1873, in company with John S. Ringwalt, they
established the house of Ringwalt & Jennings. Jennings re
mained in the firm until January, 1880, when he purchased the
stock in trade of C. Peterman & Son, and commenced business
for himself with a stock of abont eight thousand five hundred
dollars. He has been doing a good and increasing business.
He now carries a stock of about twelve thousand dollars, consist-
of a full line of staple and fancy goods. His sales average about
fifty thousand dollars per annum.
JOHNSON, NICHOLAS, of Pike township, was one among
the ^oldest citizens, as to age, if not as to residence. He was
born in Rocklin county, New York, 1784. At the age of twenty
he went to Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, and learned his trade
with an Englishman named Daniel Large. In 1823 he built the
first locomotive engine ever mn in the United States. In 1834
he moved to Columbiana county, Ohio, and followed farming
for two years; he then went to Salem and started a foundry.
In 1842 Mr. Johnson moved to Knox county. In 1845 he
moved to St. Louis, Missouri. In the year i860 he moved back
to this county where he lived up to the time of his death in i88o_
Mr. Johnson had four children — three girls and one boy, all
living. JOHNSON, WILLIAM (deceased), was born in New Jersey,
February 16, 1756, and was a man noted for his great piety and
intelligence. He was an officer in the Revolutionary war. He
married Miss Sarah Douglas a short time after the war closed;
came to Knox county in 1810, and settled near Mt Vernon. At
the commencement of the War of 1812 he. was considered one
of the wealthiest farmers of Knox county. He served several
years as justice of the peace, and was a prominent member of
the Presbyterian church, and the pioneer preacher, Rev. James
Scott, frequently held meetings at his residence. When the
War of 1812 commenced he, with three, of his sons, enlisted,
William being a captain. He returned in safety and moved to
Richland county after the conclusion of the war. He resided
there but a few years, till his death occurred. All of his sons
are dead. A granddaughter, Mrs. Jane Crocraft, is still living
in Lexington, Richland county, Ohio, at an advanced age.
JOHNSON, NATHANIEL (deceased), a native of Hamp
shire county, Virginia, was born April 11, 1783. In 1806 he
married Isabella Adams, who was born in Hampshire county
Virginia, August 2&, 1778. They settled in same county, re
mained until 1812, when they emigrated to Knox county, Ohio,
located for a short time near Mount Vemon, then moved
on the old Applegate farm; remained there a few years
and in 1817 they moved on the Cooper farm, where they
lived until 1832, when he purchased and moved on the farm in
Clinton township now known as the Johnson homestead, two
and one-half miles southwest of Mt. Vernon, where he passed
the remainder of his days. Mr. Johnson followed farming as
his vocation. March 2, 1832 his wife deceased, and he survived
her until 1868, when he died, aged eighty-seven years and six
months, highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him.
He was the father of eight children— Thomas A. Rebecca and
Elizabeth (twins), William O., Lucinda, James and Susan (twins),
and Isaac. Thomas A., Lucinda, and Susan have died.
JOHNSON, WILLIAM O., farmer, second son of Nathan
iel and Isabella Johnson, was born in Ohio, June 25, 1812.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

707

November 10, - 1837, he married Miss Lucinda Sawyer, of
Noble county, Iudiana, but formerly of Mt. Vernon, Ohio; she
was bom in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, January 12. 1814, and was a
daughter of John Sawyer, who was among the early settlers of
Mt. Vernon, and carried on the first blacksmith shop in the
county-seat. He remained in Knox county until 1834, when
he sold his property and moved to Noble county, Indiana.
Shortly after the marriage of Mr. Johnson they settled in
Noble county, Indiana, where they lived until 1844, when they
removed to Knox county, Ohio. He purchased and moved on
the Mike Sockman farm in Wayne township, remained there
until 1852, when he purchased and moved into the old Joe
Kinney property, where his wife died January 3, 1854. His
oldest daughter, Elizabeth, has been his housekeeper since the
death of his wife. In 1855 he purchased the farm on which he
is now living, completed the erection of his present residence
and moved into it in 1857. He is the father of four children:
Elizabeth, William H., Susannah, and Parker T. Susannah
deceased April 1, 1875. He has followed farming and stock
raising as his avocation.
JOHNSON, JAMES, farmer, third son of Nathaniel John
son, deceased, was bom in Knox county, Ohio, August 27,
1816. He is a carpenter and joiner by trade, and followed that
in connection with farming for about fifteen years, but farming,
stock raising, and dealing in stock has been his principal voca
tion. In 1843 he married Miss Mary J. Morton, born in Washing
ton county, Pennsylvania, in 1829, daughter of Joseph and
Margaret Morton. He purchased and moved on a part of the
old home farm in Clinton township, remained until i860, when
he erected and moved into his present residence, two miles
south of Mt. Vernon, on the Columbus road. They reared a
family of five children: Emeline, Margaret B., Martha E.,
Laura, and Clara L., all living.
JOHNSON, ISAAC, farmer, youngest son of Nathaniel and
Isabella Johnson, was born in Clinton township, Knox county,
Ohio, December 20, 1818. He was reared a farmer, and has
made farming, stock raising, dealing, and shipping his busi
ness. At present he owns several farms in Clinton township,
and is one of the leading farmers in the township.
On the eighteenth day of November he married Miss Bell C.
Davis, of Clinton township, daughter of George and Margaret
Davis, nee Morton. They settled on the farm where they are
now living, one and one half miles from Mt. Vernon, on the
Granville road.
JOHNSON, JOHN (deceased), Morris township, was born
in this, Knox, county in 1810, was married in 1835, to Priscilla
Montgomery, who was born in 1819. They had the following
children: Elizabeth, born in 1837; Joseph M., In 1840; David
A., in 1842; Samantha, in 1844; John T., in 1846; Hannah A.,
in 1849; Ida, in 1852; Charles D., in 1855; and Mary and Jane
(twins), in 1858.
Mr. Johnson died in Knox county in 1858; Elizabeth died in
1843; John T. in 1857; Ida in 1858; Mary in 1859; Joseph in
1863; and Charles D. in 1864.
Joseph Johnson enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-
fifth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and was killed at the
battle of Chickamauga. *
JOHNSON, ORLIN B., Middlebury township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, bom in Vermont, June 7, 1811, came to
4*

Ohio with his parents, in February, 1814, and located in this
township. He was married in 1844 to Elizabeth Burke, who
was born in Maryland and came to Ohio in 1834. They had a
family of five children, of whom three are living, viz: Abigail,
George, aad James.
Mr. Johnson is among the very earliest settlers of this county.
He has been a justice of the peace nine years in this township;
has also been one of the leading men, and has always been
ready to promote every good work and cause.
JOHNSON, JOSEPH, Miller township, farmer, was born in
Knox county, August 31, 1811. His father was born in Ches
ter county, Pennsylvania, August 4, 1775, and married Rebecca
Baker, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, about 1802. She
was born March 3, 1778. Her father was a Revolutionary sol
dier and served under General Morgan. John Johnson, the
father of the subject of this sketch, was a soldier of 1812. They
emigrated to Ohio in 1806, and settled in the town of Clinton,
this county, He was probably the first carpenter in the county.
He resided there about three years when he purchased a quarter
section of land where he lived until he moved with his son, Jo
seph Johnson. His wife died in 1835, and he died in 1839.
They had a family of nine children, six sons and three daugh
ters. Thomas, William, Margaret, John, Isaac, and Mary
Jane have died. Joseph, Sarah Ann, married to James Dean,
and Samuel, are still living. Mr. Johnson was raised to work
early and late, assisting his father on the farm. When twenty-
one years of age he left the parental roof to seek his fortune.
His early training fitted him to successfully battle with the
problem of economy. He worked until he had two hundred
dollars to pay on a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres,
which he purchased for one thousand two hundred dollars, pay
ing the two hundred dollars in hand, and agreed to pay the
balance, one thousand dollars, in two annual payments of five
hundred dollars each. This land was entirely covered with tim
ber. The problem was how to make that amount. He set to
work, and during the winter cleared ten acres of land, put five
acres in tobacco, three acres in corn, and two in oats and pota
toes. Out of the tobacco he made his payment. The following
winter he cleared more land, planted nine acres in tobacco, and
again made his payment out of the weed. He has cleared up
his first purchase and added more to it. He is a careful, syste
matic farmer, and his farms show careful husbandry.
Mr. Johnson is a man of strong individuality, and retains his
mental faculties with a clearness seldom seen in a man of his
age. He is social and pleasant in his habits, and makes all
feel at home who cail upon him.
November 6, 1834, he married Mary Cosner, daughter of
Philip Cosner, of Morris township. They had eleven children,
all of whom are living, viz: Samuel, Dorothy, married David
Neible; Martin V., James Scott, John C. ; Sarah J. married
Henry Martin; Willliams, Joseph; Mary married Jacob Yoak
um; Ann V., Emma and William M. All the Johnson's sons-
in-law and daughters-in-law are living. They, with their chil
dren and the Johnson family, number thirty-six individuals.
There never has been a death in the family which, perhaps, has
no equals in Ohio,
JOHNSON, ISAAC N., deceased, was born May 23, 1814,
on his father's farm in Morris township. He was reared on the
farm, and at the age of thirty he married Eliza Dripps, daugter
of John Dripps, esq., of Licking county. He reared a family
of ei°-ht children, as follows: Thomas Jefferson, Morgan, Scott,

708

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

Frances, Marietta, Ellen, Ida and Viola, of whom Frances and
Ida are dead.
In 1842 Mr. Johnson purchased of C. P. Buckingham eighty
acres of land in Morris .township, near the old homestead, and
in 1853 engaged in fruit growing, which he made a success,
having about thirty acres planted in fruit trees of all kinds
adapted to this latitude. He was an industrious and liberal
man, and after a life of usefulness departed July 29, 1878, and
was buried in Union Chapel cemetery.
JOHNSON, H. P., editor, is a son of Rev. Johnson, Metho
dist Episcopal clergyman, a member of the North Ohio con
ference. H. P. was born in Ohio and attended the Delaware
college; prepared himself himself for the editorship. He pur
chased the Fredericktown Free Press September 24, 1880, suc
ceeding Mc. F. Edwards. He is conducting the paper with
ability and success.
JOHNSON, ELIJAH, Fredericktown, stonecutter, was born
in Tennessee in 1841, came to Ohio in 1863, and was married
to Hannah Jackson, who was born in Virginia. They have five
children: Samuel, William, Kate, Loa, and Dwight.
Mr. Johnson was a slave in Tennessee till 1862. He is en
gaged in the marble and monumental works of John Getz, of
this place.
JONES, GENERAL G. A., superintendent ofthe Cleveland,
Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad, Mt. Vernon. General Jones
was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, April n, 1812. In
1813 his father emigrated to Washington county, same State,
and located at Claysville and West Alexander, where the sub
ject of this sketch resided till 1834, when he came to Mt. Ver
non. At West Alexander he engaged in purchasing produce
and buying wool. At Claysville he had charge of a general
store for Mr. George Wilson.
After his arrival here he engaged in merchandizing and deal
ing in produce and wool, in which he continued till 1850, when
he gave up that business. In 1850 he was appointed United
States marshal by President Zachary Taylor for the district of
Ohio. He superintended the census of Ohio that year, holding
the position for four years. He then, in connection with John
H. Winterbothan, engaged in the manufacture of agricultural
implements, employing the convict labor at Fort Madison. In
this business he was employed about eleven years. He then
spent about seven years in prospecting, and visited several of
the most important mining regions of the United States and
the oil fields.
In 1869 he was elected superintendent of the Cleveland, Mt.
Vernon & Columbus railroad, which office he still retains.
JONES, ELIAS O., Wayne township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, born in this township, July 20, 1838, and was
married March 23, 1870, to Amanda Clarke, who was born in
Holmes county, Jannary 8. 1848. Their children are: Ada C,
born February 21, 1871; Amanda M., October 10, 1872, Eura,
September 19, 1874; Carrie M., April 21, 1877, and Jennie A.,
April 10, 1879.
The following have deceased: Anna M., died July 27, 1873,
and Jennie A., October 26; 1879.

K

KAHN, D. & CO., clothing and furnishing goods, Mt. Ver
non, Ohio. This firm was formerly known as Hexter &
Weineaman, afterwards as J. H. Hexter, and then succeeded

by the present firm of D. Kahn & Co. Mr. Kahn, the senior
partner, is of the well known firm of Kahn, Halhan & Co., of
Cincinnati, wholesale dealers in clothing, cloths, etc. Mr. J.
C. Levi, the Junior member of the firm, is a native of Philadel
phia, and recently a citizen of Dayton, Ohio. The firm is
carrying a stock of three thousand to four thousand dollars,
consisting of ready-made clothing, hats, caps, and furnishing
goods. They occupy the corner room in the well known Ward
block, corner Main and Vine streets, and is known as "The
Lucky Clothing House. ' ' This establishment was organized in
April, 1879, and the stock in trade purchased by the present
firm in January, 1880.
KARR, JOHN, shoemaker, Fredericktown, was bom in
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and came to Knox
county in 1830. He was married August 8, 1830, to Miss
Deliah Ayers, who was born in Ohio January 1, 1811. They
had the following family, viz: Corydon, born August 25, 1831;
Maria L., May 4, 1833; James N., December 29, 1835; Thomas
A., November 14, 1837; Elizabeth R., September 22, 1839;
Martha E., April 7, 1841; John E., July 7, 1843, and Deliah,
October 26, 1845. Mrs- Deliah Karr died April 12, 1846.
Mr. Karr afterwards manied, February 18, 1847, Elizabeth
R. Winterringer, who was born in this county August 22, 1824.
They had the following family, viz: Joseph S., bom December
5, 1847; Aaron L.. August 24, 1849; George B., December z6,
1851; infant daughter, April 18, 1854; Mary Eva, 'April 18,
1857; Charlie F., February 26, 1859, and Willie B., August
24, 1861.
The following are married: Corydon Kan married June 23,
1853, Margaret S. Powell. They reside in Buffalo, New York.
James A. married Martha Dunham, and is living in Chicago,
Illinois. Elizabeth married Henry Mohler. John E. married Anna
Baughman; Aaron L. married May Carr, and lives in Green
field, Iowa. Joseph S. married Ellen M. Patton, and lives in
Nebraska. Deliah Karr married Peter P. Laughlin. They
reside in Buffalo, New York. Charles F. Kan married Olive
M. Weirick, April 15, 1879, adn is living in Bellville, Ohio.
Mr. John Kan has been constantly engaged in working at
the shoe trade in this place more than fifty years, and is yet so
engaged, having reared a large family, and is yet hale and vig
orous. KARRIGER, GEORGE, retired, Berlin township, post office,
Fredericktown, was bom in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in
1811, and married Elizabeth Haines, who was born in 1809.
They had the following children, namely: Ester A., Lydia A.,
Cordelia, John H., Rebecca, and George W. The deceased
members are John H., who died in 1857; and Mrs. Elizabeth
Karriger in 1879. Her' parents emigrated to Ohio when she was
an infant. The Karriger family located in this county in the
woods. On trie northwest corner of the Ellicott section they
built a cabin and commenced clearing and improving their farm.
They are living on the old homestead. Mr. Kaniger has re
sided here seventy years.
His father, John, was born in the east in 1755; married Mar
garet Frederoff, and had a family of thirteen children. He was
a soldier in the Revolution and died in Knox county in 1846.
Mrs. Kaniger died in 1850.
KARRIGER, GEORGE W., Berlin township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown; was born in this township in 1850, and
was married in 1872 to Abbie Foote, who was born in this
county. They have two children-Lottie B. , born in 1873, and

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

709

Lewis, bom in 1876. George W. resides on the home place
in this township, and is engaged in farming.
KELLAM, SAMUEL M., Middlebury township, farmer,
post office, Fredericktown, was bom in Zanesville, Muskingum
county, Ohio, December 8, 1821, and was manied March 2,
1843, to Elizabeth Stilley, who was born in Knox county, Jan
uary 4, 1823. They had one son, James S. , born January 30,
1844, and died August 11, 1858. Elizabeth' Kellam died in
Decmber, 1847.
Mr. Kellam subsequently married Nancy'Gardner, who was
born in Delaware county, Ohio, December 11, 1825. They had
three children, viz: Viola L., born September 19, 1849; Edwin
B., January 14, 1851; and Eva E., October n, 1853. Mrs.
Nancy Kellam died June 25, 1854. Viola L. died July 17, 1850.
Eva E. died February 3, 1854.
Mr. Kellam married for his third wife Margaret Cassell, who
was bora January 13, 1830, in Carroll county, Maryland. They
have one son — Charlie E. Kellam — born October 24, 1863.
George I. Kellam was born September 5, 1849. He was a son
of George H. Kellam, who died when George I. was an infant.
He was reared and educated by Samuel M. Kellam, and re
sides in Lafayette, Indiana.
Edwin B. Kellam now resides in Aftan, Union county, Iowa,
and is engaged in farming. Mr. Kellam moved with his par
ents to Delaware county, Ohio, in December, 1839, and there
cleared up and improved a farm.
Samuel M. learned the carpenter and joiner trade in that
county, and came to Knox county in 1841. He continued to
work at his trade in Fredericktown until March, 1870, when he
purchased a farm in Middlebury township, and has since re
sided there.
KELLER, CHRISTIAN, produce dealer, Mt. Vernon, Ohio,
a native of this State, was born near Lancaster, Fairfield county,
April 19, 1819, and in 1828 his father came to this county
where he resided until his death. C. Keller has resided within
the limits of this county since 1828. He received such an educa
tion as the subscription schools of that day afforded, and by dili-
ence and energy he acquired a good English education. His
first business engagement was with the firm of J. A. Sherman &
Co., where in appreciation of his faithfulness and abilities he was
retained eight years. He then engaged in the dry goods and
produce business, which he conducted with success for seven
years, after which he sold out the dry goods and engaged in the
grocery, butter and eggs and produce business, which he car
ried on about eighteen years and during which he did business
to the amount of over two million dollars. He quit the retail
grocery trade about eleven years ago, and he now sells all his
groceries out of the wagons. He keeps an average of fifteen
two-horse wagons on the road and furnishes employment to
about twenty-five men, nearly all of whom have families. He
ships about five thousand barrels of eggs and about ten thou
sand packages of butter per year, and in a good fruit season he
ships about four thousand barrels of dried apples for export
trade. His business is on an increase of about ten per cent.
He was married in November, 1848, to Miss Julia A. White,
who was a native of Vermont. They had one child, a daugh
ter, who died when about twelve years old.
KELLER, HENRY, Pike township, farmer, post office,
North Liberty; born in Knox county in 1829, and was married
in 1850 to Elizabeth Grubb, who was bom in Bedford county,

Pennsylvania, in 1829. They have four children, Daniel, Mary
E., John W., and Delpha.
Mr. Keeler owns a good farm with all the modern improve
ments. He is a minister of the German Baptist church, and
officiates at the Owl Creek church of Berlin township, and his
labors are highly appreciated.
KELLEY, FRANK, of the firm of J. P. Kelley, Mt. Ver
non, Ohio, son of Andrew Kelley, who was one of the pioneer
hardware merchants of Knox county. He engaged in the hard
ware business in Mt. Vernon in 1844, in which he continued un
til 1870, with the exception of eighteen months. In 1870 his
son, John P. Kelley, took charge of the business, and conducted
it until 1879, when he went west and engaged in business there,
his brother Frank remaining to close out the business here, with
a view of changing the stock to that of agricultural implements,
in which business he expects to engage on his own account, and
in which he will be sure to succeed, as he is a young man of
character, energy, and ability, and makes friends of all with
whom he comes in contact. He was born February 17, 1854,
and is one of a family of eight children, four of whom are
living. The hardware business, as conducted by Kelley & Sons, has
been a success, and they carried a stock of about six thousand
dollars, consisting of foreign and domestic hardware, etc., and
is the oldest existing firm in this line in the city.
KELLEY, J. A., was born May 1, 1851, in Mt. Vernon,
Ohio, received a common education at the public schools, after
which he learned the trade of carriage smithing, at which he
worked four years; for the next few years he was engaged in
various ways. In 1878 he established his present business,
which consists of staple and fancy groceries, and all kinds of
wines, brandies, ale, beer, and choice liquors generally. He
was married July 29, 1877, to Miss Lovina E., daughter of
Frederick Weber, of Mt. Vernon.
KELSER, JOHN (deceased), was married to Mary Drake;
who was born in Holmes county in 1838. They had two sons,
John W. was born in 1863 (he is now residing with his grand
mother, Mrs. Margaret Drake); Philip S. was born in 1865.
David Drake was married to Margaret Freshwater, who was
born in Brook county, Virginia. They had eight children,
Nancy, Martha, Mary, Sarah E., Normanda, William, and in
fant. William Freshwater (deceased), was a native of Virginia;
he was married to Nancy Chain, who was born in Pennsylvania.
They had eight children, William, Reuben, Margaret, Mary,
Fanny, Sarah, Nancy and George. Mr. Freshwater came to
Knox county in 1818, and settled in Union township; he after
wards moved to Holmes county and died in that county.
KENDER, ISAIAH, landlord, Union township, post office,
Danville, was bom in Carroll county, Ohio, October 5, 1835.
He remained there nntil 1848, when he came to Knox county,,
and settled in Jefferson township with his father. In 1865 he
married S. E. Myers, who was born April 28, 1838. They set
tled in Brown township, Knox county, on a farm which he still
owns. In 1878 he moved to Rosstown and bought the Union
hotel, which he is conducting with fair success.. He has three
children: Odessa, William, and Alma.
Isaiah Kender enlisted in the Eighty-second Ohio volunteer
infantry in 1861, and went to the war from this district. They
landed first in Virginia, and were organized in the Eleventh
corps under General Siegel, and was with him in four battles.

710

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

In the battle of Red Tree Creek he was wounded and had to
have his arm amputated. Shortly after he recovered from this
injury he was made a prisoner and taken to Anderson ville, where
he laid five months before he was exchanged. Five months
?fter he was exchanged he was discharged from the service and
came home, where he has remained ever since.
KENYON MILLS, College township, Gaines & Dial pro
prietors. These mills are located in college township, on Owl
creek, one mile southeast of Gambier. The grist-mill was
erected in about 1840, by the late Daniel S. Norton, and the
saw-mill was erected shortly afterwards by the same party. The
grist-mill contains three run of buhrs, aud has power to grind
three hundred bushels of wheat per day. The saw-mill is
capable of sawing two thousand five hundred feet of lumber per
day. KERR, JOHN (deceased), was bom in Pennsylvania. His
wife was a Miss Sarah Chambers, a native of Ireland. He
emigrated with his family to the great Northwest Territory, and
settled in what is now Franklin county, Ohio, and remained
there several years. In 1803 Mr. Kerr and family moved on the
Sullivan tract of land, some four thousand acres lying in and
around what is now Fredericktown. Mr. Sullivan was then a
resident of Franklinton, Franklin county, and knowing Mr.
Kerr to be a man of sterling integrity and moral worth, gave
him fifty acres of land, including a mill site, if he would settle
upon it and build a mill there. The offer was accepted. In
1807 the town of Fredericktown was laid out by Mr. Kerr on
the fifty acres thus donated.
In the fall of 1807 he constructed a dam, raised a little log
house, and set one run of stone to grinding, or "cracking
corn." After laying out the town Mr. Kerr purchased four
hundred and fifty acres around it. The town was surveyed by
W. Y. Farquhar, and named Frederick, in honor of Frederick,
Maryland. Mr. Kerr remained there until 1812, when he
moved to what is now Nashport, Muskingum county, and kept
tavern in that place for some two years. He then sold
his property to Mr. Nash, the proprietor of Nashport, and re
turned to Knox county, and located in Pleasant township, on
the farm now owned by Robert Miller, esq., formerly treasurer
of Knox county.
In the year 1815 he erected the Kerr (or now the Miller) grist
mill. This mill was totally destroyed by fire on the night of the
 of August, 1880, after a service of sixty-five years.
Its destruction was the work of a fire fiend.
In 18 19 Mr. Kerr erected the brick residence now occupied
by Mr. Robert Miller. He remained on his mill property and
followed farming and milling as his vocation until 1837. Dur
ing that year he emigrated to the Plat purchase, in the western
part of Missouri, where he died. The exact date of his death
is not now remembered. He had six cmldred by his union
with Miss Chambers, viz : Martha, Jane, Benjamin, Thomas,
Dorcas, and Chambers. Only two of the number are now liv
ing, Benjamin and Thomas.
After the decease of his wife, which occurred on the twenty-
second of August, 1811, at Fredericktown, he married Miss
Anna Wells, of Nashport, Muskingum county, who bore him
four daughters : Amanda, Sarah, Emily, and Mary, all of
whom deceased in Missouri.
His second wife went west with him in 1837, where she died.
In 1822 Mr. Kerr was elected to and filled the office of county
commissioner of Knox countv, Ohio, and served as such for

three years. During his term of service the township of Pleas
ant was laid off and organized, and he gave it the name the
township now bears.
KERR, BENJAMIN, farmer, of pleasant township, post of
fice, Mt. Vernon, is the oldest son and third child of John and
Sarah Ken, both now deceased, was born on the west bank of
the Scioto river, in what is now Franklinton, Franklin county,
Ohio, April 14, 1800. In 1803 he came with his parents to
Knox county, and they located at Fredericktown. He re
mained with his parents until 1827. He assisted in the erection
of the Kerr, or now Miller, grist-mill, in 1815, and the present
residence of Mr. Miller, in 1819. In about 1826 he sank the
fiist well on the public square, in Gambier, for Bishop Chase.
October 30, 1827, he married Miss Rosa Elliott, daughter of
William and Elizabeth Elliott, nee Eaton, who came to Knox
county in 1815. Miss Elliott was born in Pennsylvania, Sep
tember 22, 1806. After the marriage of Mr. Ken he settled on
the homestead farm in Pleasant township, and remained there
until 1838, when he sold the mill property, purchased and moved
on the farm where he is now living, in the same township, ad
joining the mill property.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kerr resulted in a family of
seven children — Sarah A., John B., William E., Eliza J., Cham
bers, Wilson S., and Rose E. Rose E. has been a sufferer
from infancy — from spinal disease. For nearly forty years she
has been confined to her chair, and has never walked a step in
all that long period of time. John B. and Eliza J. are dead.
John B. died at Helena, Arkansas, in 1862, while serving his
country in the war of the Rebellion. He was captain of his
company. Mr. Kerr is still living on his Pleasant township farm, and en
joying remarkable health for a man of his age — four score years.
Milling and farming have been his principal avocations.
KERR, JOHN, deceased, was bom in Pennsylvania. He
moved to Ohio and settled in Franklin county. In 1803 he
moved to Fredericktown, this county. In 1807 he laid out the
town and erected a mill there, one of the first in the county. In
1812 Mr. Kerr moved to Nashport, Muskingum county, and
remained there about two years, and then returned to Knox
county and settled on a farm in Pleasant township. In 1815 he
built the mill on his farm now known as the Robert Miller mill.
In 1837 he removed to Missouri, where he died. His son,
Thomas, was born in Fredericktown in 1803, and is supposed
to be the oldest man, native born, now living in the county.
KERR, DAVID B., farmer, Pleasant township, son of James
and Mary Kerr, was born in Morrow county, Ohio, Febmary
r7. t845. His father, James Kerr, was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, in 1804, and was brought to Knox county
by his parents in 1808, where he grew to manhood. In 1824 he
married Miss Hannah Baskens, of this county. They settled in
Morrow county, Ohio, and reared a family of five children-
four sons and one daughter.
Mrs. Kerr died in 1838. He was then united in marriage
with Mary Barnes, of Morrow county, by whom he had eight
children — seven sons and one daughter. He died December 6,
1867. His companion is still living.
David B. Ken, son of the foregoing, was brought up on
a farm and has made farming his vocation. October 18, 1866,
he married Hannah Bebout, of this county, daughter of Enoch
and Eliza Bebout. They settled on a farm in Clay township,
this county; remained two years, then moved on his father's

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

711

home farm in Morrow county. In 1870 they returned to Knox
county, purchased and moved on a farm in Pleasant township
known as the Scott-Miller farm. In 1880 he sold the Miller
farm, purchased and moved on the Enoch Bebout farm, where
they are now living. They have three daughters.
KERR, JAMES, deceased, was born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in 1804, and came to Knox county in 1808 with
his parents. In 1824 he married Miss Hannah Baskens, of this
county, and removed to Morrow county. He died in 1867.
KEYS, JOHN, Liberty township, farmer, born in Lancaster-
shire, England, December, 1856. His father, John Keys, was
born in Canada, and taken to England when about two years
old. He learned the shoemaking trade, and married Sarah
Clements in England. They had ten children, seven of whom
are living.
In 1868 the family emigrated to Connecticut, and remained
until 1875, when they came to Ohio. Mrs. Keys died in May,
1880. Mr. Keys is a worthy young man, and a good farmer.
KEYES, LEROY, Middlebury township, farmer, post office,
Levering, born in this county in 1846, and was married in
1869, to Ida Allbery, who was born in Licking county in 1844.
They have three children, viz: Ella, born July 22, 1871; Myrta,
May 7, 1876, and Robert, February 19, 1878.
Mr. Keyes is engaged in farming, and owns a well improved
farm with good buildings.
KICK, GODFREY, Brown township, farmer, post office,
Jelloway, son of Godfrey and Catharine Kick, was born in
France April 23, 1822, and was brought to America by
his parents when a boy, his father locating in Canton, Stark
county, where they remained a short time, and then moved to
Holmes county, where the subject of this sketch grew into
manhood. December 6, 1845, he married Mary Wolf, daughter of John
Wolf, born in France November 10, 1826. After his marriage
he purchased a farm of eighty-five acres in Brown township,
Knox county, southwest of Jelloway, about one mile, where he
moved, and has since remained, and reared his family. Their
marriage resulted in eleven children: Mary A., Daniel, John,
William, Priscilla, Henry, Adaline, Matilda, Frederick, Amelia,
and David A., all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Kick are
members of the German Lutheran church of Brown township.
KIME, JOSEPH, Fredericktown, farmer, was born in Stark
county, Ohio, September 22, 1830; came to Knox county in
1842, and was married in 1858 to Hannah R. Filmer, who was
born in Knox county. They have two children — George and
Ida. Joseph Kime was a soldier in the late war, being a member
of company A, Twentieth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry.
He veteranized at Vicksburgh, Mississippi, and was in the ser
vice for about four years. He received two honorable discharges,
and was never sick or from duty for one day.
Mrs. Hannah Kime died in Illinois, June 4, 1858. Mr. Kime
was afterwards married in 1864 to Helen Stan'fer. They have
one son— William H.
KIMMEL, WILLIAM, Fredericktown, was born in Carroll
county, Ohio; was married to Louisa Welch, who was born in
Stark county, Ohio. They have one daughter, Jessie, who
was born in Fredericktown, Ohio. Mr. Kimmel is engaged as
a travelling salesman.
Mrs. Susan Welch, mother of Mrs. Kimmel, was born in

Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and came to Ohio in
1812. She was the mother of seven children, five of whom
have died. Mrs. Welch is now living with her daughter in
Fredericktown, Ohio,
Olive Shafer was born in Stark county. Her parents died
when she was quite young. She has been reared by Mrs. Kim
mel, and is still making her home there.
KING, WILLIAM L, Mt. Vernon, was born in 1816, at
Milton, Middlesex county, New Jersey, where he lived until
1830, when he came with his parents to Newark, Ohio, where
they remained about one year, then moving to Granville, where
they remained but a short time, when they returned to Newark.
Mr. King came to Mt. Vernon about 1834, and learned the hat
ters' trade with his brother-in-law, S J.^Voorhees, served four
years, and then formed a partnership with Mr. Voorhees for one
year, after which he engaged in business by himself, and con
ducted it successfully until 1874, when he sold his business to Mr.
Baldwin and retired from the trade. He learned his trade un
der the old process, when all work was done by hand, and the
styles changed once in about seven years, but the times changed
and Mr. King made his business change to suit the times.
He was married in 1838 to Miss Caroline, daughter of Tru
man Purdy, of Mt. Vernon, and they have had two children,
one son and one daughter.
KINNEY, G. W., Berlin township, post office, Frederick-
town, was born in Knox county in 1842, married in 1868 to
Jeannette Sharp, who was born in Scotland in 1850. They have
two children: James, born in 1868; Bryant, in 1877. Mr. Kin
ney was a soldier in the late war, a member of company G, One
Hundred and Twenty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry.
He was in the service for about three years, and was honorably
discharged. After going through with his regiment in all the
skirmishes and battles, he stands conspicuous among the loyal
soldiers of Knox county.
KINSEY, C. R., Fredericktown, miller, was born in Mill
wood Knox county, January 14, 1854; married in 1875 to P. N.
Blystone, who was born in Illinois. They have one son — Mor
ris M., born in 1877. Mr. Kinsey moved to Fredericktown in
1880, and is engaged in the mill of S. S. Tuttle & Co.
KIRBY, NATHAN, Middlebury township, farmer, bom in
Knox county, October 23, 1823, and was manied January 3,
1845, to Isabella Burk, who was born in Fredericktown, Mary
land, February 13, 1825, and came to Ohio at the age of ten
years. They have the following family of children: Henrietta,
born April 14, 1849; Winfield, born February 16, 1852; Adilla,
born January 18, 1855; Dayton, born August 20, 1851. Henri
etta was manied to David Cosper. Winfield married Samantha
Hair, now residents of Middlebury township. Mr. Kirby has
always been a citizen of this township, and is one of its active
and energetic men.
KIRBY, ABNER S., farmer, post office, Fredericktown, was
born in this county in 1840; he was married in 1866 to Chloe A-
Beans, who was born in Richland county in 1848. They have
four sons and three daughters — W. B., Etta M., Frank E., Zoa
R., W. S., Estelle, and infant son. Mr. Kirby is engaged as
an auctioneer, is becoming popular in this busines, and is
meeting with success. He was a soldier — a member of com
pany K — Ohio volunteer infantry; and he was engaged for four
years. KIRK, HON. ROBERT C, was born February 26, 1821,

712

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

at Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson county, Ohio. Both his parents were
natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a Quaker and farmer.
and died in 1838. His mother died at the age of eighty-two.
Robert, in his early boyhood, attended district school in his na
tive place, and afterwards became a student in Franklin college,
at Athens, Ohio. After leaving college he commenced the study
of medicine under the instnictions of Dr. William Hamilton,
at Mt. Pleasant. After a time spent in this preliminary study,
he entered the old university at Philadelphia, where he attended
lectures until he was twenty years of age. After attending the
course he removed to Fulton county, Illinois, where he began
professional practice. In the fall of 1843 he returned to Ohio,
and abandoned the practice of his profession. In the spring of
1844 he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Mt. Vernon, forming
a partnership with T. W. Rogers in the dry goods business.
The association ended with the death of Mr. Rogers. He then
formed a partnership in the same business with Mr. John Hogg,
his father-in-law, which continued until 1853, when the firm sold
out. In 1857 he went to Winona, Minnesota, and was associ
ated with his brother as dealers in real estate, He returned
to Ohio in 1858, and has remained there ever since, except when
holding official positions abroad. In 1856 he was elected a
member of the Ohio State senate, and served in that body one
term. In 1859 he was elected lieutenant governor of the State.
He served two years. In 1862 he received from President Lin
coln the appointment of Minister to the Argentine Republic.
During his official residence at Buenos Ayres he was successful
in settling all the old claims due to American citizens, amount
ing to over four hundred thousand dollars; these claims origi
nated in 1814, and were abandoned by our former ministers.
Over nineteen thousand dollars were sent from Buenos Ayres to
Mr. Bellows, president of the United States Sanitary commis
sion, for the benefit of our soldiers, during Mr. Kirk's residence
there. This position he held until 1866, when he resigned and
returned to Ohio. In 1869 he was reappointed by President
Grant to the same position, but resigned again in 1871, return
ing home in January, 1872. In February, 1875, he received
from President Grant the appointment of collector of internal
revenue of the Thirteenth Ohio district, at Mt. Vernon, and
that position he held until Congress consolidated the revenue
districts, and the office at Mt. Vemon was removed to Colum
bus, Ohio. He was married December 11, 1843, to Eleanor
Hogg, daughter of John Hogg, and niece of William Hogg,
of Brownsville, Pennsylvania. They had four children, viz:
John, who was a member of the Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteer
infantry, served during the war of the Rebellion, and died in
Mt. Vemon in January, 1873, aged twenty-nine years; Desault
was an attorney at Mt. Vernon; Plimpton and William H.,
twins. KIRKPATRICK, WILLIAM A., farmer, post office, North
Liberty, born in Pike township, Knox county, in 1845, on
the farm where he now resides. He was married in 1870, to
Ella Daniels, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1851.
They have four children: William W. was born in 1871; Fran
cis E., in 1874; Emma, in 1876; Morilla M., in 1878. Mr.
Kirkpatrick is a farmer. He has filled the office of assessor of
this township with credit to himself and entire satisfaction to
the public.
KIRKPATRICK, JOHN WALLACE, deceased; he was
born in Knox county, and was married to Sarah A. Dunmire.
They had six children: Jacob A., Mollie, Edward L. , George,

John, and William W. He is now a member of George Pop-
ham's family, and is a very intelligent and faithful boy.
KNERR, AMOS, Pike township, farmer, post office, North
Liberty, born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1810, and
was married in 1835, to Catharine Snyder, who was born in
Union county, Pennsylvania, in 1814. They have eight chil
dren living, viz: Eliza, John, Mary, William Henry, Malinda,
Sophrona, and Alice Amanda. The following have deceased,
viz: Sarah, Cyrus, and Catharine Lucinda.
Mr. Knerr came to Ohio in April, 1838, and first located in
Wayne county, and remained there nine years. From there he
removed to Stark county, and remained six years. In 1853
he came to Knox county, and located in Pike township, and
at present owns a well improved farm.
Two members of the family (John and Malinda) are living
in Wayne county.
KNERR, HENRY, farmer, Pike township, post office,
North Liberty, born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1845, and was
manied in 1868 to Julian Cayhoe, who was bom in Berks
county, Pennsylvania. They have three children : Bertie
Viola, born in 1868; Nora Ellen, in 1872; Chailie, in 1875.
Mr. Knen- came to Pike township, Knox county, in 1872, and
is a farmer.
KNOX COUNTY SAVINGS BANK, North Main street,
near public square. This bank is one of the solid monetary in
stitutions of this county, and as such is recognized by the best
business men wherever it is known. It was organized under
the banking laws of the State of Ohio, in 1873, with a capital of
fifty thousand dollars, and a surplus of four thousand three
hundred dollars. Its present officers are, Jared Sperry, presi
dent; S. H. Israel, cashier, and C. W. Pyle, assistant cashier.
Its directors are, Jared Sperry, General G. A. Jones, John D.
Thompson, Samuel Israel, O. M. Arnold, Thomas Odbert,
Alexander Cassil, and S. H. Israel.
There has not been a sale of stock in this bank since it was
organized, and it does a straight general banking business. Its
officers are amongst the most respected and wealthy gentlemen
of the county, and are all of marked and well known business
integrity and ability; consequently, this is one of the safe and
reliable organizations of the county, and everything in the bank
ing line will receive prompt and faithful attention. Parties in
any part of the county, or elsewhere, having business to trans
act in the banking line, can have the same promptly attended
to by sending instructions to this bank.
KOHL, JACOB, Wayne township, farmer, post office, Fred
ericktown, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 20,
1850, and was married April 24, 1879, to Flora McMahon, who
was born in Knox county in 1856. Mr. Kohl is a farmer by
occupation, and is an active and energetic man. He came to
Knox county in 1855 with his parents.
KOONS, COLLIN W., engineer of fire steamer, Mt.
Vemon. Mr. Koons was born in Marion county, Ohio,
August 17, 1846, where he resided until 1849, when his
parents came to Mt. Vernon. He received his education in
the public schools of this city. When of suitable age he
commenced learning the moulding business with the firm of
C. P. Buckingham & Co. After completing his trade he went
to Fredericktown and engaged with Davis Rankins, with whom
he worked until the year 1864, when he enlisted in company B
(Captain Larimore), One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

7i3

National guards (Colonel Cooper), in which he served one hun
dred days. After his return home he enlisted in company K,
Ohio sharp-shooters, in which he served until after the close of
the war, and was honorably discharged August 17, 1865. He
was one of the five men who ventured into Petersburgh, Vir
ginia, at the time of the evacuation and hoisted the United
States flag on the city hall. This daring feat was performed
before daylight of the morning of April 2, 1865. He also, in
trading with the enemy, distributed circulars issued by General
Butler offering inducements to the enemy to desert. These
circulars were the means of many of the enemy coming into
our lines. After his discharge from the army he entered the
service of John Cooper & Co. and had charge of the moulding
department where he remained until 1875, when the shop
temporarily closed business. In the winter of 1875 he took
charge of the steam fire engine of the Mt. Vernon fire depart
ment, which position he fills with acceptance.
KOONS, WILLIAM McKEE, attorney, Mt. Vernon, was
born in Marion county, Ohio, June 9, 1850. He is the son of
George M. and Elizabeth Koons, nee Wilson, who about a year
after the birth of William, came to Mt. Vernon, where Mr.
Koons died in 1867. His wife still survives him.
The subject of this sketch is the youngest of seven children.
He was educated at the schools of Mt. Vernon, May, 1864,
learned the trade of machinist at the shops of C. & G. Cooper,
of Mt. Vernon; remained four years and then took up drafting
under J. C. Debes, where he remained nine months. He was
then offered and accepted the foremanship of Duval's jnachine
works at Zanesville, Ohio, and remained four years. While
there he read law during his leisure hours, and then attended
law school at Ann Arbor, Michigan. September, 1871, he was
appointed by the council of Mt. Vernon as engineer of the fire
department, and while there finished his course of reading under
William McClelland, esq., and was admitted to the bar, July 7,
1874. He remained in the fire department until January, 1875,
when he began practice with D. C. Montgomery, esq., with
whom he remained about a year. In April, 1876, he was elected
city solicitor, and reelected in 1878, and resigned in 1880. In
the fall of 1879 he was elected to the lower house of the Ohio
legislature. Mr. Koons is a good lawyer and has a good prac
tice. He manied Miss Ella R. Steinmates in October, 1876.
They have two children, viz: May A., and William.
KOONSMAN, ABRAM, Liberty township, farmer, was
born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1821. His father,
George Koonsman, was born in 1789, in Bucks county, Penn
sylvania. About 1810 he married Catharine Bowser, who was
born in 1784. By tiade Mr. Koonsman was a shoemaker, and
Mrs. Kopnsman a weaver. They remained in Pennsylvania
until about 1827, when they emigrated to Ohio, coming by
wagon, bringing with them their family and some household ar
ticles, together with some cattle, which they drove. They set
tled in Liberty township, on a tract of land covered with timber,
which, with the aid of the family, he cleared up and made for
himself a comfortable home.
Mr. Koonsman died in 1854, and his wife died in 1864. They
had a family of eight children, four of whom are living, viz:
John, born in 1814, is a justice of the peace and resides on the
farm, having his office at the farm residence ; Sarah B. , born in
1817, is also living on the farm; Ann K., born in 1819, resides
on the old homestead.
Abram, the subject of this sketch, was married to Miss Mary

Ann Dalrymple in 1858. They had a family of three children,
viz: George, born April 6, 1859, diedDecember 9, 1863; James
Albert, born Novembers, 1861; Maggie Jane, born February
21, 1864. This family has the esteem and respect of the com
munity for their honesty and industry.
KOST, JOHN, deceased, Monroe township, a native of
Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, was born in 1796. He was
a blacksmith by trade, and followed that business as his princi
pal vocation through his life.
In 1815 he married- Miss Elizabeth Wolf, of Cumberland
county, Pennsylvania, born in 1799. In April, 1832, they left
their native county with a family of eight children, and a fine
horse team for Ohio. After a wearisome journey of five weeks
over the mountains, they reached Mt. Vernon on the tenth day
of May, where they remained about three weeks, during which
time he erected a cabin on his land in Monroe township, which
he had purchased of a Revolutionary soldier before leaving
Cumberland county. About the last of May he moved his
family into the cabin on his land. The farm is now known as
the "Big Spring farm," located in the northwest corner of
Monroe township, and is owned by his son, Jacob Kost.
He lived in his cabin about two years and six months, and
died on the sixteenth of December, 1834, leaving his companion
with ten children to her care, in their forest home, viz; Samuel,
John, Abraham, Jacob, Mary A., Margaret, Eliza, William,
George W. and David L., all of whom are living, except
Samuel and Mary A.
Mrs. Kost survived her husband until June 13, 1876, when
she died, aged seventy-seven years.
KOST, JACOB, son of the aforesaid John and Elizabeth
Kost, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, December
16, 1822, came with his parents to this county in 1832, and
located on the farm where he is now living in Monroe township.
In 1850 he returned to his native county in Pennsylvania,
where he married Miss Mary Kost, born in December, 1831 ;
daughter of George Kost. They returned to Ohio shortly
after their marriage, and settled on the old farm, where they
have since resided. They reared three children — two daughters
and one son.
He has one of the best improved farms in Monroe township.
His residence is one among the best in the township. He has
followed farming and stock-raising as his vocation.
KULB, GEORGE, Middlebury township, carriage painter,
post office, Fredericktown, born in Knox county, August 18,
1846, and married July 16, 1868, to Annie Burket; who was born
in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1846. They
have the following children, viz: Eliza A. (deceased), born
June 28, 1869; Louisa J., July 15, 1871; Joseph M., May 1,
1874; infant (deceased), July 11, 1876,
Mr. Kulb is a practical painter and a skilful mechanic. He
is now engaged as a buggy painter in Waterford, where he does
all kinds of work in that line.
KUNKEL, SAMUEL, Mount Vernon, attorney and re
corder, was born in Pike township, October 11, 1850, and is
the son of Martin and Leah Kunkel, nee Keller, natives of
Pennsylvania, and whose biographies appear in another part of
this work.
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and attended
the common schools, and in 1869 he completed a commercial
course at Iron City college, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He at-

714

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

tended the National Normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, and also
attended school at Worthington, Ohio. He taught school a
number of times and was successful. In 1876 he commenced
reading law with General Morgan, of Mt. Vernon. In 1877 he
was nominated for the office of recorder by the Democratic con
vention, and was elected the ensuing election.
In 1880 he was again nominated, and after a close contest was
elected, being one of three who ran ahead of the ticket. He
finished his course of law while attending to the duties of his
office, and in 1879 was admitted to practice. He is an efficient
officer.

L

LAFEVER, WILLIAM, deceased, was bom near Hagers-
town,. Maryland, in 1788. By trade he was a cooper, and fol
lowed coopering as his vocation in connection with farming,
making the latter his principal business. He married Miss
Mary Price, of Pennsylvania. In 1810 they emigrated to Knox
county, Ohio, and located near Fredericktown, where they lived
until 1822, when he purchased and moved on a farm near Mar
tinsburgh, same county; remained there ten years, and in 1832
tie purchased and moved on a farm now owned by his son,
Thomas P. Lafever, on the Brandon road, about three miles
from Mt. Vernon. They lived on this farm about six years,
when he purchased and moved on the old Sawyer farm in same
township, adjoining his old farm on the north, where they re
mained a few years, retaining his other farms. He bought and
moved on the farm now owned by Isaac Sperry, on the Newark
road. They lived on this farm four years, he then sold it and
purchased and moved to a farm near Martinsburgh; remained
there about five years. His last purchase was the property now
owned and occupied by his son, Thomas P., on the Newark
road, about three-fourths of a mile from Mt. Vernon. Here his
wife died in 1864, and he passed the remainder of his days
among his children, living with one awhile and then with
another. He deceased in 1870, age eighty-two years.
They reared a family of thirteen children, viz. : John, Darcus,
Thomas P., Isaac, James, Mimard, Samuel, Wiley, Abram,
Sprague, Margaret, Rebecca, and Chambers. Four of whom
(John, Isaac, James, and Rebecca,) are dead.
LAFEVER, THOMAS P., farmer, second son of the afore
said William and Mary Lafever, was born near Fredericktown,
Knox county, Ohio, September 2, 1812. He was reared a
farmer, and has followed farming as his principal vocation
through life. In 1840 he married Miss Eliza Beam, daughter
of John and Mary Beam. They settled in Clinton on a rented
farm; remained on rented land until 1842, when he purchased
his father's old home farm in Clinton township, on which he
lived until 1878, when he rented the farm to his son Calvin and
moved on the property where he is now living a retired life,, near
Mt. Vernon. They had five children— Emeline, Merrit, Wil
liam S., John, and Calvin, all now living.
LAFEVER, WINARD, farmer, fifth son of William and
Mary lafever, was born near Fredericktown, Knox county,
Ohio, April 12, 1815. He was brought up on a farm, and has
made farming his principal vocation.
April 22, 1841, he mairied Miss Emily J. Blake, born in
Knox county, Ohio, March 3, 1820, daughter of William and
Hannah Blake, deceased. They settled on the farm now owned
by William Shinebeny, in Clinton township. They lived on
three different farms in Clinton township until 1854, when he

purchased and moved on the farm where they are now living in
the same township. Their union resulted in two children —
daughters. LAFEVER, WILLIAM, Wayne township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in this township in 1830, and was
married in 1864 to Mary Lafever, who was born in this town
ship in 1856. They have one son, Frederick Earl, born in 1874.
His father, John Lafever, was born in Pennsylvania in 1809,
and was manied to Deliah Herod, who was born in 1808.
Their children were William, Isaac, Molancy, Morgan, and
Eli who enlisted in the late war, in the One Hundred and
Twenty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and was killed
at the battle on Kennesaw Mountain. His body was left on
southern soil. Mr. John Lafever was one of the early settlers
and pioneers of this county.
LAFEVER, M. H., Fredericktown, salesman, was born in
Knox county, Ohio, in 1847, and was married in 1868 to Eunice
Bricker, whowas born in Liberty township in 1847. They have
one son, John C. , born in 1871. Mr. Lafever is engaged as
salesman with the firm of Hill & Hagerty, dealers in hardware
and furniture. He has always been identified with this com
pany, and has resided in Fredericktown for a period of .five
years. LAFEVER, THOMPSON, Middlebury township, farmer,
post office, Levering, born in Knox county, August 28, 1848,
and was married to Helen Wilkins, who was bom in 1837, in
this county. They had the following family: Ella, Emma L.,
James P., Olive May, and Oliver (twins, deceased), Anna Bell,
and Charlie Gay. Miss Ella Lafever was married to Clinton
Ewers, who was born in this county. They have one son, Guy
L., bom July 3, 1879.
LAHMAN, GEORGE (retired), Morris township, post
office, Mt. Vernon, was born in Rockingham county, Virginia,
in 1810, came to Ohio in 1820, and was manied in 1834 to
Hannah Weyner, who was born in 1810, in New York, and
came to Ohio when a child. They had seven children, viz:
Lewis W., William (deceased), Augustus (deceased), Robert,
Mary, Sarah, and George. Augustus volunteered in the late
war, and was a member of company A, Sixty-fifth regiment
Ohio volunteer infantry. He was wounded at the battle of
Stone River. Forty-one days after he was wounded he died,
after a severe and painful suffering.
Mr. Lahman has been a citizen of this county for sixty years.
His wife, Hannah, died April 9, 1878.
LAHMON, ABNER, deceased, Monroe township, son of
William and Elizabeth Lahmon, was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, June 4, 1818. In 1827 he came with his
parents to Knox county, who located in Morris township, about
two miles south of Fredericktown. They lived in three differ
ent townships in this county. In 1839 they moved to Monroe |
township, where they passed the remainder of their days.
Mr. Lahmon made farming his principal vocation through
life. In 1839 he married Miss Elizabeth Lutz, daughter of
Jacob and Susannah Lutz, who was born in Pennsylvania in
1818, and came to this county with her parents in 1835, and lo
cated on the farm now known as the Lahmon Mill farm, located
in Monroe township. Mr. and Mrs. Lahmon settled on the
Lahmon Mill farm, where he died March 4, 1879. His com
panion is still living on the home farm. They reared a family
of four children: Elizabeth, John, Mary A., and William.

JOHN C. LEVERING.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

7i5

LAHMON, WILLIAM, son of the aforesaid Abner Lah
mon, was born in Monroe township, this county, on the farm
where he is now living, August 8, 1850. At the age of fifteen
¦years he commenced working at the milling business in the Lah
mon mills, where he has since been engaged in that business.
At present he operates the Lahmon mills.
November 2, 1872, he married Miss Margaret E. Bowman, of
Knox county, daughter of Daniel Bowman. They settled on
the Mill farm, where they are now living. They have three
children, two sons and one daughter.
LAMBERT, D. W., is a native of Ohio; was born October
16, 1838; received an academical education, and shortly after
entered the banking house of Russel, Sturges & Co. as a clerk.
When the bank was reorganized, in 1862, he was promoted to
assistant cashier, in which capacity he still remains.
LAMSON, GEORGE J., Miller township, carpenter, post
office, Brandon, was born in Milford township, October 29,
1830, and is the son of Rhoda and Nathan Lamson, of whom
mention is made in the biographies of Milford township.
Mr. Lamson spent his youth on the farm of Milford town
ship, and has followed the trade of carpentering for a number
of years, commencing to work at it at an early age, and is a
good workman. He has always lived in Knox county, except
ing about one year and a half while in Missouri, and some six
months at Government work in Nashville, Tennessee. He was
married to Miss Emma E. Lockwood, May 20, 1855, who was
born in Windham county, Vermont, December, 10; 1828, and
came to Ohio about 1833 or 1834, with her parents, Reuben and
Catharine Lockwood, who had a family of fifteen children, three
of whom are living.
Mr. Lamson remained in Milford township until 1867, when
he moved to Brandon, where he has since resided. They had
two children, one who died in infancy; the other is Lillian E.,
who married Thomas Thatcher.
LANE, W. C, Morris township, farmer, post office, Fred
ericktown, was born in Berlin township, this county, March 10,
1862. He is now a resident of Morris township, and is engaged
in farming.
LANGFORD, DUDLEY, deceased, was born in Rhode
Island in 1775. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and
followed that as his principal vocation. He emigrated to Vir
ginia with a Mr. Avery, for the purpose of building that gentle
man a house, intending to return to Rhode Island. By the time
he had the house completed he concluded to remain in Virginia
and work at his trade. In 1798 he manied Miss Rebecca
Slotts, born in Virginia in 1782. They settled in Virginia,
where they lived ten years, and in 1808, he, with wife and family,
migrated to Butler township, Knox county, where he continued
working at his trade in the summer, and manufactured chairs,
spinning-wheels and reels during the winter. In 1818 he leased
and moved on a piece of land in Howard township, agreeing to
clear so many acres and have the use of the land cleared for
four years, as a compensation for his labor, but death called
him away May 18, 1821, prior to the completion of his contract,
leaving his wife with ten children to provide for in their forest
home, viz: Isaac, Lydia, Lucinda, Nancy, Polley, Julia, Susan,
Rebecca, Rachel, and Dudley C. The widow and children
finished the contract, and lived on the land until the expiration
of the lease. The mother being possessed of energy, managed
to keep her children together until they were all able to take

care of themselves. In 1835, when her youngest son, Dudley
C, was but fourteen years of age, she was taken sick with in
flammatory rheumatism. By this time her children had all mar
ried and left her except the two youngest — Rachel and Dudley
C. — who took care-of and supportedherduringher ten long years
of sickness. She died August 28, 1845, and all of the children
are now deceased except Lucinda and Dudley C.
LANGFORD, DUDLEY C, farmer, Union township, the
youngest son of Dudley and Rebecca Langford, deceased, was
born in this county, May 21, 1821. He married Mary Robin
son Februrry 27, 1845, who was born in Union township, Knox
county, October 5, 1821. She was a daughter of William and
Sarah Robinson. They settled in Howard, Knox county, lived
two years, and in 1847 they moved to Coshocton county, re
mained there fourteen years, and in 1861 he purchased and
moved on the farm where they are now living, in Union town
ship, one mile south of Danville. He has made farming and
stock raising his vocation, and owns one among the best farms
in Union township, containing about six hundred and eleven
acres. They reared a family of seven children — four sons and
three daughters.
LARASON, THOMAS (deceased), was born in Chester
county, New Jersey, August 27, 1814, and emigrated with his
father, James Larason, the following year to Licking county,
Ohio. He was married to Malinda Ciaig. They have had
eleven children, viz: Emily, Eunice, Lucinda, James, Oliver,
Harriet, Abraham E., Luman, Leonard, Melinda Jane, and one
that died in infancy.
Oliver Larason was married to Williametta Mercer. They
have had three children — Edwin, born July 24, 1873; Laura,
November 22, 1874; Sylva, July 11, 1876.
Thomas Larason died December 3, 1879.
LARIMORE FRANK C, physician, Mt. Vernon, was bom
in Columbus, Franklin county, Ohio, April 12, 1846. His fa
ther was a merchant and canal contractor. He died when
Frank was about ten years of age. He came to Knox county
to live with his uncle, Thomas Larimore, of Milford township,
who was a prominent man in the county. He went to school
in the winter and in summer worked on the farm. In 1861 he
enlisted in company G, Twentieth Ohio volunteer infantry. He
was wounded at Pittsburgh Landing, April 7, 1862, by a shell,
and in consequence of his wound he was discharged in Septem
ber, 1862. The following spring he went to school at Utica,
Licking county, Ohio, and taught school during the winter of
1863-64, during the summer attending school. In the spring of
1864 he enlisted in company B, One Hundred and Forty-sec
ond Ohio National guards, and was appointed third sergeant.
March 20, 1865, he commenced the study of medicine in the
office of Drs. Thompson & Smith. He read eighteen months,
and then attended the first course of lectures at Ann Arbor for
six months, and then returned to Mt. Vernon and read six
months with his old preceptors, Drs. Thompson & Smith. On
the death of Dr. Thompson he went to read with Dr. Russell.
He then attended his second and last course at Bellevue Hos
pital Medical college, in which he graduated March, 1869. He
commenced practicing in Mt. Vernon and practiced three
years. In May, 1872, he went to Europe for the purpose of
seeing the hospitals. He visited the hospitals of Dublin and Bel
fast, Ireland; Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland; London, Paris
and Berlin. He spent six months in Vienna, Austria, under the
instructions of private teachers, in medicine and surgery. After

716

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

leaving Austria he came through Italy, Switzerland, thence to
Paris and London, Liverpool, and thence home. He returned
to Mt. Vernon after an absence of thirteen months, and opened
the office he now occupies. He was tendered and accepted the
chair of lecturer of minor surgery in the Columbus Medical col
lege in the fall of 1876. He was.promoted to professor of the
same subject in 1879, which position he still holds.
Dr. Larimore became a member of the Knox County Medical
society in 1869, and a member of the Ohio State Medical society
in 1870, and a member of the American Medical association in
1872. During 1877 and 1878 he was president of the Knox
County Medical society — two years.
He was married to Miss Fanny Odbert December 30, 1875.
They have one child.
LARIMORE, HENRY, Milford township, a leading farmer
of Milford, was born in Licking county, Ohio, July 30, 1833,
His father, Thomas Larimore, a native of Hampshire county,
Virginia, came to Ohio about 1820, and remained for awhile
near Zanesville. He then returned to Virginia, where he re
mained for some time, and again came to Ohio, and was engaged
on the Ohio canal. He married Jemima Johnston, nee Huddle-
ston, by whom he had four children: James, Hester, Sarah.
and the subject of this notice, who was the oldest child. Of
these, James has deceased.
About 1834 he purchased the farm on which Henry now
resides, and moved upon it the same year. He was a leading
citizen ; was infirmary director six years, and filled the office with
credit. He died on this farm February, 1867, aged sixty-six
years. His wife survived him until January, 1880, when she
died at the age of about seventy-three years,
Henry Larimore resided on this farm and continues to reside
on it. He enlisted in company G, twentieth regiment Ohio
volunteer infantry, and was mustered into service September
27, 1861. He served about one year; was at the taking of Fort
Donelson, but the company did not participate. He was in the
engagement at Middleburgh, Tennessee. He was discharged
by the War department to take a commission in the Seventy-
sixth, but the regiment being subsequently officered, he did not
serve in it. He remained at home on the farm until May, 1864,
when he was commissioned captain of company B, One Hun
dred and Forty-second regiment Ohio National guard, and
served during the term. Upon his return home he resumed
farming. In 1879 he was nominated for county treasurer, by the Re
publican convention of Knox county, but defeated at the elec
tion, with most of his ticket. Mr. Larimore is one of the lead
ing men of the township, and is esteemed for his uprightness
of character and high moral principles.
He married Miss Ella Colony, of Miller township in T872.
They had two children: Charles, bom February 13, 1873;
Frank, September 2, 1876.
LARIMORE, ISAAC P., Hilliar township, post office, Cen
treburgh, is one of the leading farmers of Knox county. He
was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, March ro, 1821. His
parents were farmers, and he remained on the farm assisting his
father until 1844, and then settled in Milford township, Knox
county, Ohio. He worked by the month until November 16,
1845, when he was married to Miss Mary Manconya, born May
i, 1829, the daughter of Joseph Manconya, of Milford town
ship. He engaged in farming and remained in Milford town
ship untii 1875, when he moved to his present home near Cen

treburgh, where he has since resided. He has been engaged in
raising fine short-horn cattle, and has an enviable reputation in
that line.
Mr. Larimore did not have the advantages of a liberal educa
tion, but he acquired the ordinary branches, and keeps well in
formed upon the cunent events. He is comprehensive and
liberal in his views, is a good reasoner, and weighs a subject in
a logical manner. He is a consistent member of the Christian
Union denomination and a leading member, and is esteemed
for his moral rectitude and for his enthusiasm for any cause
which he espouses.
As a result of his marriage they had eleven children, six of
whom are living, viz: Joseph; Emma, who married Marion
Selby; Ettie, James, William, and Rose.
LEE, JOHN, proprietor of grocery and restaurant, east side
of North Main street. Mr. Lee is a native of the county of
Galway, Ireland, where he was born in the year 1852, and in
the year 1870 he emigrated to America and located in Mt. Ver
non, where he made his first business engagement as salesman
with George B. Potwin, in the produce business. He remained
in this capacity until 1876, when he established himself in the
grocery and restaurant business, in which he still continues.
He carries a full stock of staple and fancy groceries and con
fectioneries, also a first-class stock of restaurant- goods, consist
ing of brandies, wines, gins, beer, and ales, of the best Ameri
can brands, also imported wines and brandies. He carries a
stock of about two thousand dollars, and he does a business of
about seven hundred to eight hundred dollars per month, and
up to the present his business has increased about twenty per
cent. LEEDY, REV. SAMUEL A., German Baptist, post office,
Shalers Mills. He was bom in Morrison's cove, Bedford county,
Pennsylvania, May 19, 1816. He came to Ohio in 1829, and
located in Knox county. He was married in 1838, to Elizabeth
Bostater, who was born in Washington county, Maryland, in
1815, and came to Ohio with her parents in 1836. They had
twelve children; Simon, Susannah, Isaac, Elizabeth, Joshua,
Elijah, two infant daughters (twins), Emanuel, Martha, Rufus,
and Ezra. Joshua died November 24, 1849; 'win daughter,
August 14, 1848; Emanuel, February 27, 1854; Martha, March
2, 1854.
Mr. Leedy is a descendant of Abraham Leedy. Mr. Leedy
located in Berlin township in the fall of 1838, and since has
been a citizen of this township. He joined the German Baptist
church or Dunkards, at the age of twenty-three years. Mr.
Leedy was elected deacon in the church in about 1825;
served in this capacity until 1854; he was then appointed minis
ter in that church. He has since been a faithful and liberal ad
vocate for the principles of the church, but always charitable
with and for the opinions of others. His zeal in the work has
characterized his labors. He is still laboring to raise the stand
ard of the church as a faithful embassador of the Cross.
His occupation has been farming; in this he has been indus
trious and active, always keeping up with the progress of the
times. He owns the farm formerly known as the Long farm.
He has retired from farming, and his sons are now farming the
place. Mr. Leedy has been a man of remarkable constitution, and
is still in enjoyment of reasonable good health. Mr and Mrs
Leedy are now living alone. Their children are all manied,
and have left the parental roof.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

717

Simon Leedy was married to Elizabeth Martin, of Richland
county. They reside in Cedar county, Missouri, post office,
Monta Valla, Vernon county, Missouri.
Isaac Leedy was married to Mary Wole. They reside in
Vernon county, Monta Valla post office, Missouri.
Elizabeth Leedy was married to Noah F. Cripe. They reside
in Vernon county, Missouri.
Elijah was married to Araminta Tenser. They reside in Mis
souri. Rufus was married to Ida Belle Grubb. He resides on the
home place.
Ezra L. was married to Ann McLaughlin, of Richland county.
Susannah Leedy married Isaac Shenabargar. They reside in
Ankneytown. LEEDY, DAVID A., Pike township, farmer, post office,
North Liberty, born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, Novem •
ber 23, 1821, came to Ohio with his parents when eight years
old, and located in Knox county." In 1847 he was married to
Susannah Grubb, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylva
nia, in 1827. They had the following children : Daniel, born
December 4, 1849; an infant daughter (deceased); Mary A.,
born July 22, 1853; Elizabeth, March 26, 1857; Martha, August
24, 1868; and Charles M., April 18, 1873. Daniel Leedy died
December 9, 1870. . Mr. Leedy owns an improved farm with
good buildings, located near North Liberty. He is a model
farmer, and has assisted in improving and raising this county to
its present standard, both socially and religiously. He has
been a member of the German Baptist church for twenty-two
years, being a member of the congregation that worships in the
Berlin chapel.
LEMLEY, WILLIAM (deceased), Pike township, born in
Richland county in 1848, and was married in 1867, to Mary
Ellen Simpkins, who was born in Monroe township in 1851,
They have three children — Clara J., born in 1868; James G.,
born in 1871; and William A., born in 1872. William Lemley
was one of the victims of the sad collision that occurred in
Richland county during the State fair at Mansfield in 1872. He
was wounded on Thursday and died on Saturday. This was a
sad bereavement to the family. After the death of her husband
Mrs. Lemley moved to North Liberty, where she still lives.
LEONARD, ZIBA, Clay township, retired. He was born
August 28, 1798, in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and removed
to Clinton township in 1803, arriving November 14th. He
came with the Pennsylvania colony, who setttled in what is
known as then Ten Mile Settlement. The names of his com
panions will be found elsewhere in this work. At his advent
into Knox county, Mr. Leonard was but a few months past his
fifth birthday. He is one of the few now living who came into
the county as early as 1803. His mind is strong and active,
and his memory is well stored with reminiscences ol the almost
forgotten past.
In 1796 William Leonard, grandfather of Ziba, came out
from Pennsylvania, and bought a large tract of land south of
Mt. Vernon. The farm of Hon. Columbus Delano lies in the
northeast corner of the tract. Mr. William Leonard after
wards gave the land to his children.
Mr. Leonard's father was a frequent sufferer on account of
the depredations committed on his flock of sheep by wild
animals; sometimes the wolves would come under the house
and help themselves to the best of the flock. For about two
years all the meat used in the Leonard family was procured jn

the forest; but as game was so abundant, it was no trouble to
obtain a sufficiency for the family larder. One of Mr. Leon
ard's brothers shot three deer without moving out of his
tracks. The nearest mill was at Zanesville, and until a hand-mill was
procured, all the corn necessary for the family use had to be
taken there to be ground.
The first wedding in Knox county was that of Mr. Leonard's
sisters, in the winter of 1804— Amariah Watson and Sarah
Leonard, and Daniel Dimmock and Rachel Leonard. The
parties were united at the same time. A justice of the peace
from Lancaster, Fairfield county, performed the ceremony,
there being no justice or minister nearer than that place.
The first death of any white person in Knox county occurred
the next day after the arrival of the Leonard family, November
15, 1803, being a little daughter of Mr. Ziba Leonard's sister,
Nancy Baxter, aged about eighteen months. The second
death occurred in the spring of 1805, being that of Mr. Wil
liam Leonard, grandfather of Ziba, and called the patriarch of
the colony.
For several years after the settlement of fhe Leonard family
in Knox county, on each returning winter, a tribe of Delaware
Indians camped on Mr. Leonard's farm.
For some months there was no preaching in the neighbor
hood; but on each Sabbath day and Thursday nights, prayer-
meetings were held at his father's house.
The first sermon ever delivered in Knox county was preached
at the house of his father by the Rev. James Scott, a Presby
terian minister, about the year 1804.
Mr. Ziba Leonard was married in 1819 to Mrs. Jane Beam.
Five children were born to them, viz; Eleazer, Amos, Benoni,
Malvina, and Martha— all alive except Benoni and Martha.
Mr. Leonard served several years as captain of the militia,
and was also justice of the peace, constable, and township
clerk of Morgan township several years. He moved into Clay
township in 1831. Mr. Leonard has been a farmer and car
penter, working some forty years at the latter trade, having
built nearly all the dwelling houses and other buildings in the
village of Martinsburgh.
Mr. Leonard was originally a Jackson Democrat, afterwards
Whig, then Abolitionist, and then a Republican,-' having acted
with the latter party ever since its organization, until the past
two years, when he has acted with the Prohibition party. Al
though Mr. Leonard drank of the first whiskey ever distilled in
Knox county, he is an ardent temperance man, and firmly be
lieves that no one that drinks whiskey, or chews tobacco will
ever be admitted to heaven. .
He has been a member of the Presbyterian church in Mar
tinsburgh over fifty years, and is a firm believer in " the West
minster confession of faith.1' He has been sexton of the Pres
byterian church many years; has attended over five hundred
funerals in Martinsburgh, and has been noted for his acts of
charity to the sick and afflicted.
Mr. Leonard has often seen the eccentric Johnny Appleseed,
and on being shown a picture of him, given in this history,
recognized it immediately as being a very accurate likeness.
Mr. Leonard had some very bitter experience in connection
with the failure of the celebrated Owl Creek bank, of Mt. Ver
non. His father, who died in 1814, had willed him one hundred
acres of vaiuable land lying north of the village of Lexington,
Richland county. This land was lost to him by the failure
the bank. He has also lost several thousand dollars by oing

7i8

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

security for persons; yet, notwithstanding his much ill-luck,
financially, he still has a competency.
Mr. Leonard remembers the first tree cut on the site of Mt.
Vernon, and is well-informed relative to its first settlement.
The first court was held in a small log cabin which stood exactly
on the site of the soldiers' monument. He remembers well the
Butlers, Walkers, Pattersons, Clicks, Wallaces, Pyles, Millers,
et at., of the first settlers of the village.
Mr. Leonard taught the first school in Clay township, then
called Morgan. The first school taught in Knox county was
taught by his cousin, Silas Brown, in Clinton township.
For a few years Mr. Leonard was acquainted with every
individual in Knox county.
LEONARD, E. B., Pike township, farmer, post office, De
mocracy; born in Morgan township in 1819. He was married
in 1839 to Elizabeth Walker, who was bom in Union county in
1820. They have three children, Ziba, born in 1840; Rebecca,
in 1843; Elnora, in 1849. Mr. Leonard came to Pike township
in 1838. He owns a well improved farm. He is a member of
a pioneer family and is now numbered among the pioneers.
LEONARD, HANNIBAL B., Wayne township, farmer,
post office, Fredericktown; born in Wayne township July 19,
1827, and was married April n, 1849, to Catharine A. Boner,
who was born in Morris township February 23, 1830. They
have the following children: John A., born May 14, 1850; Her
man L., April 28, 1855; Mary Belle, Febmary 20, i86ff, and
William L., October 23, 1864. Mary Belle died April 4, 1865.
His father, Byram Leonard, was born in New York April 12,
1798. He removed from New York to Knox county in 1819,
and was married to Abigail Lewis, who was born in New Jersey
April 11, 1801. They had the following children: William L,
born October 6, 1823; John, August 20, 1825; Hannibal B.,
June 19, 1827; Mary S.,July 23, 1829; Elizabeth, August 26,
1831, and Elleanor, March 21, 1834. Mrs. Abigail Leonard
died October 15, 1858. Mr. Byram Leonard died December
27, 1851. Elleanor is also dead. William L. v, as manied to
Elizabeth Young, and resides at Winterset, Madison county,
Iowa. John married Minerva Best, and lives in the same
place. Mary S. was married to Israel W. Moody, who also
resides in said place. Elizabeth was married to David B. Thrift
and resides in Iowa.
Byram Leonard joined the Baptist church in 1841. He was
vice-president of the Ohio Baptist convention five years, and
filled the office with credit to himself and with entire satisfaction
to his brethren. He was elected a member of the Legislature,
and was also warden of the Ohio penitentiary.
LEPLEY, GEORGE, Harrison township, pioneer and
farmer, post office Millwood, was born in Somerset county,
Pennsylvania, August, 1791, a son of Adam and Barbara Lep
ley, came with his parents to Knox county in 1807, locating on
Brush ran, now Butler township, where they set about to clear
the land and raise grain, which they continued for many years.
The subject of this sketch was considered a great hunter in
his day, having killed two hundred deer that he secured, also
seven bears, five wolves, and a large number of turkeys. He
asserted that he killed two deerat one shot with a single ball
while they were running, also at one time three turkeys with
one shot, The subject of this sketch was at Mansfield as a sol
dier to protect the white settlers against the Indians, and assisted
in moving the Indians from Greentown, which was situated on
the Black fork of the Mohican, about four miles north of Perry

ville, within the present county of Ashland, to a point in the
present county of Miami, which occupied his time about three
months. He then resumed his old business of clearing land
and farming. Some time after he came home he and his broth
er Joseph entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in what
is now Harrison township.
Mr. Lepley became the owner of over seven hundred acres of
land, which he divided among his children. On October 6,
18 16, he married Barbara Baughman, a daughter of Christian
and Mary Baughman, born November 27, 1792. Eight chil
dren were born to them, as follows: David, Daniel, James, Mary
M., Louis, Martin, Simon, Colvin. Mary M. , Martin, Simon,
and Colvin are the only ones now living.
LEPLEY, JACOB, deceased, born in Cumberland county,
Pennsylvania, in 1804, was brought to Ohio by his parents at an
early day, locating on Brush run, now Butler township, where
they remained a few years; his father then entered a farm of
one hundred and sixty acres in Harrison township, where he
moved with his family, where the subject of this sketch was
reared and received his education. Mr. Lepley was considered
one among the pioneer farmers.
In October, 1833, at the age of twenty-eight or thirty years,
he married Delilah Eley, a daughter of Michael Eley, who was,
born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, November 2e, 1814.
After living for some years on the farm entered by his father, he
became the owner of it, and henceforth lived upon it until his
death, which occurred May 8, 1864, in his sixty-second year.
Mrs. Lepley survives him in her sixty-seventh year. They be
came the parents of ten children, as follows: Daniel Lepley,
born June 4, 1835; Noah, born March 30, 1837, died October
18, 1838; Sarah A., born July 31, 1839, died December 18
1862, aged twenty-three years four months and eighteen days;
Catharine, born January 6, 1842, died November 31, 1848, aged
six years ten months and twenty-five days; Francis M., bom
May 16, 1844; Mary E., born August 2, 1846; Angeline, Sep
tember 21, 1848; Martha E, November 21, 1850; Eley C, June
20, 1853, died October 3, 1865, aged twelve years three months
and thirteen days; Almeda J. February 21, 1856; six of the
foregoing children are still living.
LEPLEY, JOSEPH (deceased), was born in Somerset
county, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1812, and emigrated to
Ohio when a young man, locating in Butler township, where he
resided until his death, January 10, 1878. He was married
three times— to Catharine Korns, November 26, 1832; to De
lilah Beal, May 29, 1836; and to Lydia Mossholder, February
28, 1846. He was the father of eleven children, viz; Joseph R.,
Elizabeth, Michael, Alonzo, Alpheus, Aaron, Hannah, Malona,
Lloyd, Rhodinia, and Thaddeus, all of whom are living except
Michael, who died at Chattanooga, Tennessee, April 23, 1864.
LETTS, JACKSON (deceased), farmer, was bom in Mor
gan township, August 16, 1828. His parents were natives of
Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Morgan township. There
were ten children in the family, three of whom are yet living.
The subject of this notice spent his early life on the farm and
attending school. After the death of his parents Mr. Letts
purchased the interest of the heirs in the homestead, and, by
judicious management, was enabled to pay for the farm in a few
years. He subsequently purchased adjoining land, and became
one of the leading farmers. He improved the homestead
by building a substantial dwelling and made many other
improvements on the farm. He was a kind and obliging neigh-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

719

bor, a faithful friend, and an affectionate father. He was born,
reared, and died on the home farm. His death occurred Sep
tember 16, 1879.
October 26, 1862, he was married to Sarah Larimore, daugh
ter of Thomas Larimore, of Milford township, who was born in
July, 1840. They had a family of eight children, viz, : Minnie
M., born August 18, 1863; Roger W., May 29, 1865; Mary
Ella. January 9, 1866; Frank L., November 14, 1868; Anna,
October 25, 1870; Clara B., February 19, 1874; Sadie E., April
8, 1878. Ada died July 14, 1867.
Mrs. Letts occupies the homestead.
LEVERING, NOAH, deceased, born in Bedford county,
Pennsylvania, November 17, 1802, and died at the residence of
his daughter, Mrs. Andrew Rusk, March 4, 1881. He was the
last survivor of the family of Daniel Leveriiig, who came to
Knox county from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, on horseback,
before the War of 1812, and purchased and entered lands in
Middlebury township, near Waterford, In the spring of 1813
Daniel Levering moved his family — six sons and one daughter,
to his western home, and during the same summer with a few
other settlers built a block-house on his farm to protect their
lives from the Indians.
Noah Levering was born the year before the State of Ohio
was admitted into the Union, and moved to Knox county when
ten years old, and lived in Middlebury township until shortly
before his death.
March 27, 1828, he was manied to Miss Armanella B. , daugh
ter of John and Anna Cook, who settled'in Middlebury township
in the spring of 1811, from Washington county, Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Levering died June 12, 1879. By this union there were
ten children- seven that survive their parents. Noah Levering
sold the lands, and laid out the village of Waterford, and in
1836 was instrumental in establishing a postal route from Mt.
Vernon to Tiffin, with the assistance of his brother John, who
became sureties to the department that the route would be a
paying one; in honor of which the Postmaster General named
the office at Waterford, "Leverings. " Noah Levering never
voted anything but a Democratic ticket, having voted for every
Democratic candidate for president from Andrew Jackson to
W. S. Hancock. He united with the Presbyterian church at
Waterford, in 1852. His remains were intened in the family
cemetery on the old farm, to which he came in 18 13.
LEVERING, JOHN C, farmer, Middlebury township, post
office, Levering, born in Middlebury township, 1829, and was
married in 1854, to Mary E. Ewers, who died in 1859. They
had one son, Wilbert F. Mr. Levering was again married in
1861, to Carrie Richardson, who was born in Hamilton, Canada.
Their children are: Frank O., Noah C, Daniel L., John C,
andjennette C.
Mr. John Levering was elected commissioner of Knox county
in 1871, and reelected in 1874. To show the appreciation of
him, the following from the Mt. Vernon Republican, dated
November 29, 1877, is given :
"Superintendent Williams gave a dinner at the infirmary,
chiefly in honor of Commissioner Levering, whose tenure of
office has about expired. Mr. Levering might be called the .
founder of the new infirmary, as he has been in office since its
conception, and he has had more to do with it than any officer.
Quite a number of guests from the city were invited, and the
dinner was wholly appropriate, as commissioner Levering goes
out of his office with the respect of both parties. As we never

lose an opportunity to tell the truth about a Democrat, it is
proper to say that any compliment we can pay to the gentle
manly conduct of Mr. Levering while in office, and to his
honesty and uprightness as a private citizen, is not out of place. "
LEVERING, EDWARD, farmer, Middlebury township,
post office, Levering, born in Knox county, July 26, 1845, and
was married November 27, 1878, to Satire Lanning, who was
born in Chesterville, Monow county, August n, 1845. His
father, Joseph Levering, was born in Bedford county, Pennsyl
vania, November 18, 1805. They came from Pennsylvania in
1813, starting on the eighth of April and landing May ist.
He was married May 21, 1833, to Elizabeth Blair, who was
born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1806. They had
seven children, one of whom (Edwin) has died.
LEVERING, RILEY, Wayne township, farmer, post office,
Lucerne, born in Ohio, March 22, 1848, and was married March
5, 1873, to Elizabeth Lewis, who was born in Wayne township,
Knox county, Ohio, May 22, 1853. They have three sons —
Fred B., born November 17, 1874; James Hoy, May 28, 1876;
and .Lewis Benton, January 1, 1879. Mr. Levering came to
Wayne township in 1873.
LEWIS, JOHN B., Liberty township (deceased), was born
in Greene county, Pennsylvania, September 10, 1804. His parents
came to Ohio some few years after and settled in what is now
Liberty township, where he was reared. November 5, 1835, he
was married to Miss Julia Bricker, daughter of George and
Catharine Bricker, nee Thomas. She was born June 4, 1809-
He was a farmer by occupation and continued farming until his
death, which occurred April 4, 1875. They had four children,
one only of whom is living, viz. : Deliam, born July 25, 1840'
and married to Annias Rush, June -29, 1871. They had two
children, George F., and A. Belle. Mr. Rush died December
11, 1873, aged forty-five years. Mrs. Lewis is spending her
days on the old homestead.
LEWIS, GEORGE, Morris township, farmer, post office, Mt.
Vernon, was born in Liberty township, March 3, 1809, and was
married in 1837 to Mary Gardner, who was born in Maryland-
They had two sons. Anson B. was born in 1838; George W.>
in 1840. Mrs. Mary Lewis died in 1843. Mr. Lewis subse
quently married Miss Gassaway, who was born in Belmont
county, Ohio. They had children — Amanda Ellen was born in
185 1 ; Mary Eveline, in 1853; Elizabeth Ann, in 1855; Sarah
Isabelle, in 1857. Mrs. Elizabeth Lewis died in 1861. He was
married in 1863, to Catharine Studer, who was born in Wayne
county, and came to this county when an infant. Anson B.
married Nancy Hireman. They reside in Clinton township.
George married Ellen Green and resides in Union county, Ohio-
Elizabeth Ann married Alexander Buckman. They reside in
Liberty township. Mary E. married Fenner Robinson. They
live in Mt. Liberty.
Mr. George Lewis has always been identified with Knox
county. He remembers the howl of the wolf, and has seen the
different wild animals that in early times roamed over the forest.
He is acquainted with all the early customs, remembers Johnny
Appleseed, and also the Indians when they were more numer
ous than the white people.
LEWIS, REV. JOHN S., Morgan township, was bom in
the town of Llandilo, Carmarthewshire, South Wales, March
20, 1844. His father was a cabinetmaker, descended from a
long line of tradesmen and professions. He is the sixth of ten

720

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

children. His youth was spent attending school. When
young, and while on a visit to his brother, who was older, he
became connected with the Baptist church. His father was a
Calvinistic Methodist, in which church our subject was bap
tized, and to the teaching of which he was carefully trained. It
was no small matter for him to leave this churchy and become
connected with an organization which his father thought was
little better than infidelity. However, he determined to edu
cate himself for the ministry, and, as is customary, he preached
a trial sermon at about the age of fifteen years. He attended
an academy at Swansea about three years, where he made fine
progress. He also attended the theological seminary at Haver
fordwest for four years.
He was ordained in 1869 at Mytletwy, and preached there
"until 1872. He arrived in New York in April, 1872, where he
remained for a short time, when he came to Ohio, and preached
in Morrow county for some time. His next charge was at
Sharpsburgh, Pennsylvania, and in 1879 he came to the Owl
creek charge, where he now preaches. He is a preacher of
force. He is logical, and rarely fails to enlist close attention.
April 26, 1876, he was married to Miss Laura E. Lash, of
Ashland county, Ohio. They have three children, Albert T.,
Bertha A., and Charles C.
LEWIS, D. C, a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania,
was born near Brownsville, November 22, 1810, where he re
ceived a knowledge of the English or common school branches,
and surveying, and in 1829 he came to Ohio and located in Mt.
Vernon, where he engaged in the office of the clerk of the
court under James Smith, and remained during the winter,
after which he returned to his home in Pennsylvania, where he
remained one year. In July, 1831, he returned to Mt. Vernon,
and has resided here ever since. After his return he engaged in
the tailoring business, which he continued until 1857, when he
concluded to put his knowledge of surveying into practice, and
from that time he was engaged on railroad work, in the capacity
of a civil engineer, until 1857, and during which, in 1855, he was
elected to the office of county surveyor, and served three succes
sive terms, and one year by appointment. After this, until
1870, he was engaged in machine work and general drafting,
and served three years as auditor's clerk. Since 1870 to the
present he has been engaged in drafting county atlases
and maps of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis (Pan-Han
dle railroad, under M. J. Becker, chief engineer), and was city
civil engineer from the spring of 1872 until the spring of 1880.
In the mean time he has produced the county atlas of this county
for i860, 1870 and 1880, and an atlas of Ashtabula county in
1871-72. Mr. Lewis is a man of marked abilities, and as a
draftsman has few equals.
He was married May 4, 1830, to Miss Mary, daughter of
Benjamin F. Murphy, of Mt. Vernon.
LEWIS, JAMES, Pike township, farmer, post office Democ
racy, born in Virginia in 1826, came to Ohio with his parents in
1830, and was married in 1848 to Rebecca Hardesty, who was
born in Pike township in 1824, on the farm where they now re
side. They have six children— Mary A, born in 1849; Lydia,
in 1850: Eliza J., in 1853; Sarah E., in 1855; Alice Adaline, in
1857; and Frances Isabella, in 1863. Mary and Alice are dead.
Lydia was married to William Cain, and resides in Amity.
Eliza married Franklin Stinemetz, and live ins Gentry county,
Missouri. Sarah married John Arnold; they reside in Newark,
Stark county, Ohio.

Mr. Lewis worked at the mason trade— laying brick and stone
for some years. In 1877 he engaged in farming and continues
at that still.
Mrs. Lewis' father, Hugh Hardesty, was born in Pennsylva
nia, in 1788. In 1812 he was married to May Finch, who was
born in Pennsylvania. They had the following family: Thomas,
born in 1813; Ruth and Sally, in 1815; Rachel, in 1817; Han
nah, in 1820; Rebecca, in 1824; Ann, in 1828; John, in 1831.
The following have deceased; Francis, died in 1818; and Ann,
in 1830. Mrs. May Hardesty died in 1831; Rachel died in
1842; and Thomas, in 1844.
Mr. Hardesty 's second marriage was in 1834, to Ann Finch,
who died in 1876. Mr. Hugh Hardesty died in 1873.
LEWIS, R. C. M., Hilliar township, physician and surgeon,
Centerburgh, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio. He spent
his youth at Bakersville, and when old enough he worked on a
farm during the summer His father, Samuel Lewis, was a Vir
ginian by birth, and by descent Welsh. He came to Ohio with
his mother, who was a widow, and it subsequently devolved
upon him to maintain her, which he did for many years. He
was married to Nancy, daughter of Robert C. Hagan, a well
known stageman of western Pennsylvania. As a result of this
union the doctor was born. When a young man the doctor
went west, to Indiana, Illinois, and Kansas, where he joined a
party of surveyors, and was engaged with them during the sum
mer of that year. He was in Arkansas and Texas for a short
time. He retraced his steps and came to St. Louis. Prior to
going west he read medicine, and when in St. Louis he prose
cuted his studies and attended lectures. He had excellent ad
vantages during vacation, being with the physician in charge of
the city hospital, and had access to all critical cases which came
to the institution. He graduated while in St. Louis. From his
natural mechanical skill he feels and takes a special pride in
surgery. He is having a good practice, and as he has "come
to stay," he is at all times ready to attend to professional calls.
His father was a soldier in the late war, and received a wound
at the battle of Winchester, Virginia, from which he died. The
doctor is social and genial in his manners, and makes all feel at
home who call upon him.
LINDLEY, CHARLES A., blacksmith, was born in Mans
field, Richland county, Ohio, in 1853; was married in 1877 to
Annie McNare, who was born in Fredericktown in 1858. They
have one daughter, Nare E. He was formerly engaged in the
manufacturing of buggies and wagons.
LITZENBERG, JOHN, Milford township, farmer; was
born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, February i, 1819.
His father came to Ohio in 1835 and settled in Milford town
ship where he died in 1840. The subject of this notice spent
his youth on a farm, and remained at home until after the death
of his father, when he settled on the farm where he now resides.
The farm was but little improved. He began life with little aid,
but by hard work and economy has been enabled to add to his
first purchase until he is now one of the substantial farmers of
Milford township, and has made for himself a competency.
He is a leading citizen of the township, honorable in his deal
ings and esteemed by all who know him. He was twice mar
ried. His first wife was Mary Myers, daughter of Frederic and
Mary Myers, of whom mention is made in this volume. They
had five children, four of whom are living, viz: William, Fred
eric Van, Lewis J. and George N. His second wife was
Abigail E. Kisor, daughter of Jonh Kisor, a pioneer of Knox

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

721

county, and a soldier of the War of 1812. They have one
child, John K. E.
LOCKHART, HENRY, Pike township, professor, post
office, North Liberty; born in Ashland county in 1840, and was
married October 29, 1869, to Ellen Gilson, who was born in
New Lisbon, Columbiana county, Ohio. They had four chil
dren, Sylvia B., Ardella M., Frances M. and Floyd W. Mr.
Lockhart received a very liberal education and was a soldier in .
the late war, being a member of company E, Third Ohio cav
alry, and continued in the service one year.
LOCKWOOD, IRA L., Miller township, was born in Wind
ham county, Vermont, December 6, 1818. Some time after his
parents went to St. Lawrence county, New York, where they
remained about thirteen years, and about 1834 moved to Sum
mit county, Ohio. They had a family of thirteen children, four
of whom are living.
The early years of Mr. Lockwood were spent with^his parents.
His educational advantages were the common schools. His
father being a carpenter he learned that trade, and in connec
tion learned painting, but never followed either trade for any
considerable time. In 1853 he came to Miller township, where
he has been principally engaged in farming. He enlisted in
company C, One Hundred and Forty-second regiment Ohio
National guard, in May, 1874. He was taken sick while in the
service and has suffered much since, so that he has not been
able to follow his usual vocation. He is a good citizen and has
the confidence and respect of those who know him. He was
married to Miss Adaline Valentine February 9, 1842. They
had four children, three of whom are living, viz: Mary Ann,
married to Charles Conaway : Ida L. , married to Christian C.
Baughman; and Katie L., who is living at home. Mr. Lock-
wood has been one of the trustees of the township for several
terms, and takes an interest in public affairs.
LOGSDON, FRANK J., Brown township, farmer, pos-
office, Democracy, was born in Knox county in 1841, and mar
ried Catharine Blubaugh, who was born in this county. They
have six children, viz: Carlotte A., Arellia A., Rebecca M.,
Mary F., Stephen F., and Benjamin W. Mr. Logsdon enlisted
in the late war, November 20, 1861, under Captain Walker,
company K, Forty-third regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry.
He was in the service four years, and was honorably discharged.
LOOSE, WILLIAM, Pike township, cabinetmaker, post
office, North Liberty, bom in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in
1823, came to Ohio in 1835, and was married to Eliza Dehaven,
who was born in Pennsylvania in 1823. They had four chil
dren: Emanuel, bom in 1848; Joseph, in 1850; Sarah M., in
1858, and Mary Catharine, in i860. Mrs. Eliza Loose died
July 7, 1875.
Mr. Loose has been a resident of Pike township since 1835.
He is a cabinetmaker by trade, and has been engaged in that
business in North Liberty for about thirty-five years. He is a
good mechanic and has a very extensive trade, especially in the
undertaking department.
His father, Jacob Loose, was bom in Maryland in 1796, and
was taken by his parents to Pennsylvania when three years old,
who located in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. He was married
in 1821 to Nancy Broombaugh, who was born in Bedford
county, Pennsylvania, in 1802. They had five children: Su
sannah, botn ini82i; William, in 1823; Catharine, in 1825;
Daniel, in 1829, and Elizabeth, in 1833.

Mrs. Nancy Loose died July 9, 1873, and Elizabeth in 1835.
Mr. Loose was engaged in teaching school when a young man.
He emigrated to Ohio in 1825, engaged in farming and contin
ued till he became aged and infirm, and has retired from busi
ness and is living with his son William in North Liberty. He
has been an industrious and enterprising citizen. Mr. and
Mrs. Loose have been members of the Dunkard church for
about forty years, and have adhered strictly to their faith.
LONG, DAVID, retired, Pike township, post office, North
Liberty, born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, came to
Ohio in 1816 with his parents, who located in Berlin township,
this county. He was married in 1832, to Margaret Mock, who
was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1813. They had
nine children, viz: Uriah, born in 1833; Lydia A., in 1834;
William, in 1836; Jacob, in 1838; Allen, in 1840; Andrew, in
1843; Benjamin F., in 1845; Ephraim, in 1848, and Samuel, in
1851. The following have deceased: Lydia A., died in 1855,
and Benjamin F. , in 1848.
Mr. Long is a member of a pioneer family, and has been an
invalid four years. Mr. Long has been a member of the Ger
man Baptist church for about twenty-five years, and bears up
with Christian fortitude under his severe affliction.
His son, Allen, was married in 1863, to Susannah Beemiller,
who was born in Elkhart, Indiana, in 1845. They have six
children, viz : Ezra J., born January 22, 1864; Ellen, October
28, 1866; Jacob, March 7, 1868; Samuel, November 2, 1870:
Alpha Dora, April 25, 1875, and Emma, January 10, 1880.
Mr. Long is engaged in farming the home place ; and is an
active and enterprising citizen.
LONG, GIDEON, farmer, Miller township, was born in
Greene county, Pennsylvania, May 10, 1818. He is a twin of
Benjamin Long. His father, Samuel Long, was a native of
Pennsylvania. He married Miss Annie Young, by whom he
had thirteen children. Mr. Long died in Virginia.
The subject of this notice came to Ohio about 1840, and set
tled in Knox county, where he remained some time, and then
moved to Licking county, where he remained about ten years,
when he again returned to Knox county. He enlisted in com-
H, Seventy-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, in November, 1861,
and participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Arkan
sas Post, Siege of Vicksburgh, thence to Chattanooga, Atlanta,
and was also in numerous skirmishes, raids, and always ready
to do his duty, and go where duty called. He served his coun
try faithfully over three years. After his return home he re
sumed his usual occupation of farming, at which he has been
since engaged. He is esteemed by his friends and neighbors as
an upright man. He married Sarah Conaway, and they have
had eight children, viz: John C, who was a member of com
pany H, Seventy-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, died at Rock
Island, Illinois, after serving two years ; Isabella V., married
Dr. James Runyan; James, Elizabeth, married Granville Long;
Ellen, married Albert Mitchell; Charles C, and William (twins),
and Frank.
Mr. Long's mother, a lady over eighty years, -resides with
him. LONG, ROLLINS, Hilliar township, farmer, was born in
Greene county, Pennsylvania, August, 1820. A few years after
his parents came to Ohio and settled in Licking county. Mr.
Long spent his youth on the farm with his parents until October
24, 1841, when he married Miss Elizabeth Ann Conaway, of
Coshocton county. They had a family of ten children, eight

722

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

of whom are living. Joseph is a minister of the Methodist
church. They are all doing well, thus showing that they have
been carefully instructed. Shortly after he was manied, he
moved to Milford township, where he was engaged in farming
for about eighteen years. He then moved to Hilliar township,
where he has since resided. He added considerable to his first
purchase. He started in life comparatively poor, but has
worked hard, and as a natural result he has succeeded. He is
social and pleasant in his manners, conscientious in his dealings,
and one of the estimable citizens of Hilliar township. His
parents, Solomon and Mary Long, nee Posthlewaite, settled on
the other fork of the Licking in Bennington township, Licking
county, and were among the early settlers of that county. In
those days they had to go to Zanesville to mill.
LONG, FRANCIS, Brown township, farmer, was born in
Portage county, Ohio, April 4, 1828. He was reared on a farm,
and made farming his principal vocation. In 1853 he married
Miss Rachel Kesleer, born in Delaware county, Ohio, April 6,
1827, and daughter of John and Betsey Kesleer. They settled
in Paulding county, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming
until 1856, when he was engaged in the mercantile business, and
continued in it for three years.
In 1859 they moved to Jelloway, this county, where they
have since resided. He was engaged in the mercantile business
in Jelloway for a short time, and then turned 'his attention to
farming again, which business he has since been following.
They have a family of seven children— three sons and four
daughters. He served about nine months in the war of 1861,
enlisted in the Eighty-second Ohio volunteer infantry in Novem
ber, 1861, and was discharged from the service August, 1862,
on account of a wound received at the battle of Cross Keys, '
Virginia, June 8, 1862.
LONEY, WILLIAM, Brown township, farmer, post office
Democracy, son of John and Nancy Loney, was born in Pike
township, Knox county, November 2, 1825, and was reared and
educated by his parents. When he arrived at the age of fifteen
years his father died — March 8, 1841. William then remained
with his mother on the farm until he arrived at the age of
twenty-two years. He, in company with his brothers, bought
the old homestead, paying their three sisters six hundred dol
lars each. Here he remained until 1855. In the spring of that
year he bought a farm of one hundred and eighty acres in
Brown township, and at present is the owner of three hundred
and twenty acres.
On the eighth of March, 1855, he married Miss Mary Mc
Clurg, daughter of Robert and Nancy McClurg, who was born
in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1833. He
still lives on the farm he bought in 1855.
Mr. Loney has held the offices of trustee and treasurer for a
number of years in the township.
Mr. and Mrs. Loney are the parents of ten children, viz:
Elseie, Florence, Salina M., Eugene, Festus, Edwin, Judson,
Elmore, and Jennie — seven of whom are living, five sons and
two daughters.
LORE, PETER, Liberty township, farmer, is a native of
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, was born July 17, 1810. His
parents, Henry and Rosannah Lore nee Glessner, came to Ohio
about 1826 and settled in Union township, where they lived
until about 1834, when they moved to Liberty township and
settled on the farm on which the subject of this notice lives, and

where they both died. They had twelve children, all of whom
grew up, and five of whom are yet living.
Mr. Lore remained at home until he was about eighteen years
of age. He then learned chair-making at Wheeling, West Vir
ginia, serving four years, and worked some ten years thereafter
at his trade. He worked some time in Mt. Vernon, after which
he came to where he now resides, and where he has lived ever
since. He is a good citizen and a man of comprehensive ideas,
and social in his manners.
He married Miss Jane Newell May 15, 1851, who was born
in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in September 1818. Her
parents, James and Mary Newell nee Fleming, came to Ohio in
1819. They both died in Clinton township.
LORE, HARMAN P., farmer, Wayne township, post office,
Fredericktown, was bom in this county in 1851, and was married
in 1874 to Kate Allen, who was born in Monroe county, Ohio,
in 1851. They had three children: Maud, deceased; Willie,
born in 1876; Olive Bell, in 1879. Mr. Lore is engaged in
farming the Searl farm in this township, and is a good citizen.
LOREE, GEORGE C, farmer, post office, Mt. Vemon,
was born in Morris township, and married Anna Chambers, who
was born in Ireland in 1835, and came to America when a child
with her parents. They have one daughter, Eliza D., bom
July 12, 1866. Mr. Loree received a severe injury by the dis
charge of his gun, the shot injuring his right hand, crippling
him so that he cannot engage in farming.
LOREE, JOHN, retired, Morris township, post office, Mt.
Vernon, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1797,
and was married in 1821 to Sarah Rush who was born in Morris
county, New Jersey, in 1803, They had seven children, viz:
Clarissa R., born in 1823; John W., in 1826; Hannah, in 1828;
Job in 1836; Sarah E., and George C. (twins), in 1840; and
William L., in 1844.
Mr. Loree came from Pennsylvania when about fifteen years
old and located in Knox county. After marriage he located on
the farm where they now reside, which at that time was all in
timber. He cleared up and improved most of this farm. Mrs.
Loree has been a member of the Baptist church for twenty-eight
years. LOREE, GEORGE N., farmer, Morris township, post office,
Mt. Vernon, was born in Monroe township in 1851, and mar
ried in 1880 Miranda E. Trollinger, who was bom in this county
in 1861. They have one daughter, Aera Almertie.
LOVE, ALEXANDER, Fredericktown, laborer, was born
in Coshocton. county in 1817, and married in 1851 to Angelina
Carter, who was bom in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1819.
They have two children — La Torrie, born in 1854, and Annie
B., in 1856.
Mr. Love came to Knox county in 1825; located in Berlin
township, where he engaged in farming till 1848, when he
moved to Fredericktown, and engaged in the hardware trade
for some time, after which he went into the provision and pro
duce business. He was postmaster in Fredericktown over two
years; also coroner of this county four years, and was one of
the charter members of the Odd Fellows' society in Frederick-
town. LOVE, THOMAS, Fredericktown, deceased, was born in
Ireland, and came to America with his parents in infancy. He
settled in Berlin township, Knox county, where he was mairied
in 1839 to Sophia A. Keir, who was born in Knox county in

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

723

1816. They had three sons and two daughters— Mary Jane,
Andrew A.. Alexander S., Le Grand B., and Elizabeth.
Thomas Love died in December, 1852, in Berlin township, in
this county.
Mrs. Love is at present residing in Fredericktown with her
family. LOVE, JOSEPH, Berlin township, farmer, post office,
Shaler's Mills, was bom in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1821,
and was brought to Knox county in 1824. He was married in
1851 to Ann Jane Thompson, who was born in Ireland in 1827,
and came to America in 183 1. They have four children —
Sheriden, Matthew, Mattie, and John. Georgia Anna is de
ceased. Mr. Love has been identified with Berlin township since 1824.
He owns the old homestead, one of the beautiful farms of Knox
county, with buildings of the modern style, and one of the
best farm residences in the county.
Joseph Love had not the advantages of a good education,
but being endowed with more than ordinary ability, he im
proved every opportunity, and has become one of the leading
men of the county. He has filled different positions of public
trust. He has always been identified with and is one of the
leading Democrats of Knox county.
LOVERIDGE, PHILIP W., Morris township, farmer, post
office Mt. Vernon, was born in Morris township in 1820; mar
ried in 1856 to Adelaide E. Frost, who was born in Luzerne
county, Pennsylvania, in 1835; came with her parents to Ohio
in 1840. They have two children: Ida, born in 1837; John,
bom in 1864.
Mr. Loveridge has always been identified with this county,
and is a member of a pioneer family. He is a farmer by occu
pation, and owns a well improved farm with good buildings.
He is a son of Richard and Ann Loveridge, who were born in
New Jersey, emigrated to Knox county in 1814, and located on
the farm where Philip Loveridge now resides.
LYAL, JOHN, Hilliar township, farmer, post office Centre
burgh, one of the successful men of Hilliar township, was born
in the parish of Thornbury, county of Devonshire, England,
April 15, 1814. His father was a farmer, and it was on a farm
that Mr. Lyal spent his youth.
His father was what is termed a "renter," and could not
give him the advantages of an education. He, however, in af
ter years acquired a knowledge of the common branches, so
that he could transact his business.
He is tall and well built, and was required to serve in the
English army; but rather than spend his best days in the service
of the Queen's guard, he concluded to leave England. Accord
ingly, in March, 1835, he was furnished with thirty dollars to
pay his passage to New York. After his arrival in America
he proceeded as far west as Buffalo, New York, where his money
run out. He worked at Buffalo for some time, and again started
for the west, and arrived at Mt. Vemon in the same year, 1835,
where he commenced work and remained for some three years,
saving his money with a view of purchasing land. In 1839 he
moved to Hilliar township, where he had purchased a tract of
ninety-two acres of heavily timbered land. He had the usual
experience of the early settler — first to build a cabin, and then
proceed to clearing the land. He worked hard, and in due
course of time he was rewarded for his labors, and was enabled
to purchase more land, until he now is one of the largest land
owners of the township. From a poor boy he attained a com-
44

petence, and has the esteem of his neighbors. He has been
twice honored by the voters of Knox county. He was elected
county commissioner in 1870, and again in 1873, during which
time many of the improvements of the county were started. He
has always been an advocate of iron bridges, of which this
county can justly boast.
Mr. Lyal, in fact, was the first to advocate iron bridges. He
also was in the board when the county infirmary was built. He
has been president of the Hartford central fair, of Licking
county, Ohio, several years, and one of the board of directors
of the Mt. Vernon fair, and one of the main men in keeping it
up. He has been engaged for a number of years in raising
short horned Durham cattle, and much of the best stock of
central Ohio came from his herd. He was married to Miss
Elizabeth Jackson, November, 1842; she was born in Washing
ton county, Pennsylvania, in 1823. They have six children,.
two sons and four daughters: William B., Theodore J., far
mer, in Milfoid township; Mary Ann, wife of John Gearhart;
Louisa H., wife of John B. Campbell, Millwood, Knox county,
Ohio; Emma S., wife of Ogden M. Thatcher, of Milford
township; Margaret E., wife of George M. Shaffer, of Mt.
Liberty, Ohio.
LYBARGER, GEORGE, deceased, was born in Bedford
county, Pennsylvania, April 30, 1791, son of Louis Lybarger.
At about the age of thirty years he, in company with Andrew
Henry and Adam Lybarger, came to Ohio, locating in Knox
county. The subject of this sketch located with his family a short
distance south of Mt. Vernon, where he remained but a short
time when he purchased a farm in Harrison township, two
miles east of Gambier, where he then moved and reared a
family of twelve children, and remained until his death, which
occurred October 18, 1877, in his eighty-fifth year. Magdalena
Lybarger, his companion, was born in Pennsylvania, August 6,
1793 ; died December 25, 1848, in her fifty-fifth year.
Nine of the family are living, four sons and five daughters.
LYBARGER, HIRAM, farmer, Union township, post office,
Danville. He was born in Clinton township, Knox county,
February 3, 1818, moved to Danville in 1826, and lived there a
few years, and in 1849 moved to Pike county, Ohio, lived there
two years, and in 1852 moved back to Danville. He purchased
his father's tannery in 1863, made extensive improvements on
the old property, and conducted the business on a larger scale,
continuing until 1878, when he left this trade and commenced
farming. He was married October 5, 1843, to Miss L. J. Roland, who
died in 1851, and left one child, J. R. Lybarger. He was mar
ried in 1856 to Mary Williams, who died in 1858. His third
marriage was to Lydia M. Wolf. They had one child, who
died in infancy. His son, J. R. Lybarger, was manied in 1868,
to Mary Baker, and settled in Rossville.
Hiram Lybarger always lived an honest and worthy life ; has
been one of the most liberal supporters of the gospel, and is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
LYBARGER ASA, farmer, Union township, post office,
Millwood, born February 18, 1826, in Howard township, and
lived at home until his tenth year, when he went to Brown
township and remained three years. He then came to Millwood
and worked as a mechanic thirty-two years. He was married
to Miss Margaret Conkle in 1848, and settled on a rented "farm
for a few years, and then bought a farm, which he now owns

724

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

and occupies. He has three children : Clinton, Victoria, and
Hattie, all living at home.
LYDICK, WILLIAM, deceased, -was bom in Somerset
county, Pennsylvania, October 28, 1781. He married Miss
Catharine Welker in 1807 or 1808, daughter of Paul Welker.
Miss Welker was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, De
cember 20, 1787. They emigrated to Union township, Knox
county, in 1809, and located on the farm now owned by their
son, Reuben Lydick. His first improvement on the land was
the erection of a log cabin, which served them as a residence
for several years, when he built another log cabin, and in a
short time he built an addition to it of hewed logs. The dwell
ing stood on the ground where the present brick residence is
being erected by Mr. Reuben Lydick. They lived in the
hewed log and the log cabin until 1835, when he erected a brick
residence near their cabin, which served them as an abode the
remainder of their days. His wife deceased September 12,
1859. He died May 8, 1861.
They reared a family of three children — Reuben, Drazilla,
and Lydia — all of whom are married and have families. Farm
ing was his vocation.
LYDICK, REUBEN, farmer, Union township, son of Wil
liam Lydick, was born January 27, 1820. He was reared on a
farm, and has made farming his vocation. On the fifteenth day
of January, 1843, he married Catharine Hardin, born April 17,
1824, daughter of John and Catharine Hardin. They settled
on the Lydick homestead, where he is now living. By this
union he reared five children, two sons and three daughters.
Mrs. Lydick died March 31, 1857.
He married Calista Severns October 28, 1858, daughter of
Benjamin and Rebecca Severns. By this marriage he had two
sons and one daughter.
LYONS, BENJAMIN, Middlebury township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in Sussex county, New Jersey, Feb
ruary 4, 1802, came with his parents to Wayne township in
1806, and was married in 1828 to Margaret M. Jackson, who
was born in New Jersey. They had two children, viz: Isaac
J., born in 1830; Eliza Jane, in 1836.
Mrs. Margaret M. Lyons died about 1867. Mr. B. Lyons'
second marriage was to Amy Conger, who was born in Knox
county in 1818.
Mr. Lyons was among the earliest settlers of this county. He
located on the farm where he now resides, about fifty years ago,
when it was all heavily timbered. He cleared up and improved
this farm, has erected excellent buildings, and it is now one of
the most beautiful farms of Knox county. Mr. Lyon has done
much for general improvement, and has always been a quiet and
unassuming man, but is one of the reliable men of this county.
Eliza J. Lyon married James P. Killin, and they live in
Waterford. IsaacJ. Lyon, now resides in Michigan.
LYON, WILLIAM, farmer, Wayne township, post office,
Fredericktown, born August 14, 1811, in Wayne township, and
was married in 1838 to Louisa Keyes, who was born March 2,
1814, in Vermont. They had the following children— Asher
Newton, born August 30, 1839; Francis Marion, March 29,
1842; Mary Elizabeth, February 6, 1844; Sarah Clotilda, De
cember 4, 1846; Arminta Pernina, July 17, 1850; Mertrice Jape,
December 31, 1853; Hattie R., November 28, 1856. Mr. W.
Lyons' father, Simeon Lyons, was born in Marsh county, New
Jersey, August 22, 1767, and was manied to Hannah Serring,

who was born in 1772, in New Jersey. They had the following
children — Mehitable, bom December 29, 1792; Abigail, April
10, 1795; Perninah, January 10, 1797; Benjamin, February 4,
1802; Eliza, June 3, 1804; Jane, March 30, 1807; Asher, July 5,
1806; William, August 14, 1811; Caroline, April 17, 1814; Mary,
January 17, 1817; and Phoebe A., September 4, 1820. Simeon
Lyon died January 22, 1844; Mrs. Hannah Lyon died June,
1858. They were among the early settlers of this county.
Robert Keyes, father of Mrs. William Lyon, was bom in
Vermont, September 6, 1783, and was manied to Sally Scribner,
who was born in New Hampshire, November 26, 1781. Their
children were named Harriet, Elvina, Louisa, Betsey, and
Robert. Mr. Robert Keyes died in this township, December
22, 1870; Mrs. Sally Keyes died February 28, 1864.
LYON, REV. EPHRAIM, farmer, Wayne township, post
office, Fredericktown, born in Wayne township, this county, in
1853. He studied and prepared himself to engage in the min
istry, and received a license from the Methodist Episcopal
church. He is now engaged as a supply, filling the pulpit at
Newville, Ohio. Although Mr. Lyon had not the facilities and
privileges to receive a liberal education, he is successful, and his
labors are very acceptable, and he is destined to make his mark.
LYON, S. W., Hilliar township, proprietor of Lyon's house,
Centreburgh. He is the son of Newton and Hannah Lyon,
nee Lonesberry. He was born in 1853. He was reared on a
farm. He kept store about a year, and then moved to Centre
burgh and kept livery for four years, and then purchased what
is known as the Scott property and repaired it, and opened a
hotel where he is now located. He keeps a good house, is ac
commodating, and takes especial pride in making his guests
feel at home. He was married to Miss Emma A. Herron in
1872. She is the daughter of Abraham Herron, of Sparta,
Morrow county. They had two children, one of whom is living.
LYNCH, REV. SAMUEL, Mt. Vernon, was born near
Londonderry, Tyrone county, Ireland, Febmary 2, 1807, where
he received his education, after which he studied theology un
der the direction of the Rev. James Lynch. He was licensed to
preach in 1831, and in 1832 he emigrated to America, locating
in Holmes county, Ohio, where he engaged in teaching and
preaching. In March, 1833, he received an appointment from
the presiding elder, Rev. William B. Christie, for the Roscoe
circuit, Wooster district, Ohio conference, which at that time
included the western part of Virginia, Ohio, and Michigan.
He remained in the Roscoe circuit six months, which ended
the conference year. He was then recommended to the Ohio
conference held at Cincinnati, and was appointed to the Mans
field circuit, where he remained one year, after which he served
the following churches, viz: Martinsburgh, one year; Ashland,
one year; Millersburgh, one year; Mt. Gilead, two years; Lima,
one year; Sidney, two years; Bellefontaine, two years; West
Liberty, two years; Olivesburgh, two years; Mt. Vernon, as
presiding elder, four years; Delaware, as elder, nine years, and
pastor three years; also agent for the Female college of Dela
ware three years; Huntsville circuit, two years; Bellefontaine
station, one year; Toledo, as presiding elder, four years;
Mourne station, one year, and Elmore circuit two years,
He came to Mt. Vernon in 1877, where he has since resided,
and has devoted his time in aiding in the work as a supply, and
as agent for the Superannuated Ministers Aid society of the cen
tral Ohio conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, which
he has served for the past four years.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

725

He was married September 3, 1835, to Sarah R., daughter of
the late Samuel G. and Mariana Berryhill, of Martinsburgh,
Ohio. They have had a family of ten children, seven of whom
are living.

M

McARTOR, JAMES O., farmer, post office, Gambier, was
born in Knox county, Harrison township, June 20, 1848; is a
son of Jonathan and Minerva McArtor, by whom he was edu
cated. When he anived at the age of twenty-one years he
rented the home place of his father, farming it on the shares,
and has continued to do so until the present time. On the
twelfth of November, 1868, he married Elizabeth Gaumer,
daughter of Peter and Susannah Gaumer, born in Union town
ship, Knox county, September 5, 1848. Their marriage re
sulted in three children: Lulu B., born December 17, 1869;
RobertF., June 5, 1873; Russell B., August 8, 1874; all of whom
are living. In 1878 Mr. McArtor was elected justice of the
peace of Harrison township, and is performing his official duties
acceptably. MCBRIDE, ROBERT D., carpenter, Liberty township, post
office, Bangs, was born in Adamsville, Muskingum county,
Ohio, March 22, 1841. About 1848 his parents moved to
Gilead, Ohio. His father was a carpenter, and Robert learned
the trade with him. At the breaking out'of the war he enlisted
in company C, Fifteenth regiment of three months men, served
his time, and again enlisted in company C, Fifteenth regiment,
for three years. He participated in the battles of Shiloh and
Stone River. He was taken prisoner at the latter place, and
was confined for four months in Castle Thunder and Libby
prison. He was exchanged, and a few months afterwards
-joined his regiment, and participated in the battles of Chicka
mauga, Mission Ridge, and siege of Knoxville. He veteranized
January, 1864, and was on the Atlanta campaign. He was
under Thomas, at Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee, besides
numerous skirmishes. He was also in Texas with his regiment.
He was discharged December 24, 1865.
After his return home he engaged in farming and working at
his trade. He was elected constable of Liberty in the spring of
1880. He was married to Miss Ann L. Roby December 19,
1867. They have four children.
McCAMMENT, JOHN S., farmer, was born in Brooke
county, Virginia, October 14, 1818, and with his father removed
to Jackson township, Knox county, Ohio, April, 1819, and has
resided there ever since. He was married to Sarah Hammell,
January 2, 1840; who was born in Butler township, February
8, 1821. They have had five children: Andrew Jackson, born
July 10, 1842; Margaret Jane, July 27, 1844; Caroline Mc
Nulty, October 4, 1846; John H., May 13, 1849; Emily Re
becca, November 21, 1857; Emily R. died March 4, 1859. Mr.
McCamment has been justice of the peace ever since 1855. He
has served three years as commissioner of Knox county, and
three years as infirmary director.
McCAMMENT, SAMUEL, farmer, is a native of Jackson
township, and was bom November 1, 1822. He was married
October 17, 1844, to Mary E. Blount, who was bom in Dres
den, Muskingum county, Ohio, March 29, 1825. They have
had eleven children.-viz: Maria, bom August 6, 1845; JamesA.,
March 29, 1847, Benjamin F., November 27, 1848; Martha A.,
July 23, 1851; Thomas J., October 13, "1852; Alonzo C, August

14, 1855; William A., March 13, 1857; Mary L., October 2,
1858; Sylva J., November 3, r86o; Samuel R., June 1, 1863;
Nancy Ellen, June 23, 1866. Thomas Jefferson died February
8, 1857; Alonzo C, September 2, 1858; Maria, March 1, 1863.
James A. was married to Miss Angeline Bell, October 17,
1868; Martha A. was married to Samuel Davidson, August 17,
1872; Benjamin F. was married to Accious Hall, September,
1873; Sylva Jane was married to Jacob Holbrook, November 9,
1880. Mrs. McCammet died July 21, 1879.
Mr. McCammet enlisted as a private in the Sixth company
Ohio volunteer sharpshooters, on thefith day of October, 1862;
at the organization of the company was appointed first cor
poral, was afterwards promoted to third sergeant, then orderly
sergeant, first lieutenant, and subsequently became captain of
the company.
McCAMMENT, JAMES M., was born April 22, 1832, in
Jackson township, this county, and was married to Miss Almira
Giffen, March 26, 1854. Mrs. McCamment was born February
19,1836. They have had two children; Leonora, born J anuary
26. 1855; and Rebecca, born October 3, 1854.
Mr. McCamment removed to Butler township in 1864. He
has served eight years as justice of the peace for Butler town
ship. During the late civil war he was a member of company
K, One Hundred and Ninety-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry.
McCAMMENT, BENJAMIN F., Jackson township, farmer,
is a native of Jackson township, and was born November 27,
1848. September 12, 1874, he was married to Accious Hall.
They have had three children — Olla Bell, bom June 28, 1875;
Adda Jane, September 3, 1878; Edmund Garfield, November 2,
1880. McCAY, DAVID, Hilliar township, farmer, was born in
Washington county, Pennsylvania. February 22, 1824. He was
reared to work on a farm. In 1843 he went to Indiana, but not
liking the country he returned to Ohio the following year, and
settled near where he now resides, where he had been engaged
in farming.
Mr. McCay is social in his habits, and has the respect of the
community. He is industrious and honest. He was manied
to Miss Mary Rinehart, who died in 1872..
Mrs. Sarah Rinehart, nee Ewart, was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, J une 22, 1809. Her mother died in Penn
sylvania. Her father came to Ohio some years after with two
of his daughters, and settled in Delaware county, where he died
at a ripe old age. Sarah was married to Lewis Rinehart, Feb
ruary 22, 1852. They moved on the farm now owned by the
heirs of Henry B. Wright, where Mr. Rinehart died September
4, 1855. Shortly after his death Mrs. Rinehart moved to Rich
Hill, where she still resides, respected by all who know her.
McCLELLAN, JOHN A., Pike township, farmer, post of
fice, North Liberty, born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylva
nia, in 1821, and was married to Sarah A. Miles. They had five
children— Mary. Rosella (deceased); Willie D.; Hattie Bell (de
ceased); Charlie W., and James H,
Mrs. Sarah A. McClellan died in 1870. He afterward mar
ried Ellen Gilmore, who was born in this township and county.
MCCLELLAND, WILLIAM, Mt. Vernon, attorney at law,
was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, December 22, ,
1815. He was the second child of James and Jane McClelland,
nee Craig. He spent his youth until the age of twenty-three at
home on the farm. He attended the schools of the county.

726

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

About 1839 he went to Millersburgh, Ohio, and read law with
the Hon. William R. Sapp, of that place. In the spring of
1844 he came to Mt. Vernon and opened an office in connection
with William R. Sapp and Martin Welker, under the name of
Sapp, Welker & McClelland— Sapp and Welker residing in
Millersburgh, Ohio. Mr. Welker is now district judge of the
United States district court at Cleveland. He was also of the
law firm of McClelland & Sapp (W. F.) Hon. W. F. Sapp is
now a member of Congress, representing the Council Bluff,
Iowa, district. Mr. McClelland is now senior member of the
firm of McClelland & Culbertson. Mr. McClelland is princi
pally engaged in the settlement of estates, of which he has a
large number. He was elected county commissioner in 1856,
and held that office for thirteen years. He also held the office
of city solicitor for some fifteen or eighteen years.
MCCLUCKION, NEWTON, Middlebury township, miller,
post office, Levering, born in Northumberland county, Pennsyl
vania, January 3, 1834, came to Ohio in 1836 with his parents
and was married January 19, 1854, to Sarah Cook, who was
born in Morrow county, March 16, 1832. They have three chil
dren — Ira, bom November 15, 1856; Miriam, May 3, i860, died
March n, 1862; Eva, June 25, 1864. Mi. McCluckion came
to Waterford in 1844, and has been engaged in Owl Creek mills
five years. He is a good practical miller, and is doing custom
work. He formerly learned the shoe trade, and worked at it
some thirty-five years. Newton McCluckion was a member of
company C, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth regiment Ohio vol
unteer infantry; served out his time of enlistment, and received
an honorable discharge.
MCCLUCKION, HARMON S., Middlebury township,
farmer, post office, Levering, born in Knox county (now Mor
row), May 19, 1836, and was married July 8, i860, to Betsy A.
Wait, who was born in Knox county, May 6, 1845. They have
one daughter, Jennie May, who was born April 26, 1866. Mr.
McCluckion has always been a citizen of this county, or near
the line in Morrow county since his birth. "He is one of the en
terprising men of this township.
McCLURG, GEORGE, Brown township, farmer, post office,
Democracy; son of Robert and Nancy McClurg, born in Wash
ington county, Pennsylvania, September 24, 1824: was brought
by his parents to Knox county, Ohio, when a boy about thirteen
years old; they locating in the Jelloway valley, Brown township,
where he was reared to manhood. He then learned the tanning
business with W. H. Robinson, of Wooster, Ohio. After fin
ishing his trade he made a trip to Indiana, where he worked at
his trade for two years. In 1853 he crossed the plains to Cali
fornia, where he remained until the year 1858. From thence he
went to Texas and spent the winter; and in the spring of 1859
he returned to Ohio. After being at home about one year he
made a purchase of a tannery in Amity, Knox county, which he
operated until 1862.
On the sixth of June, 1861, he married Frances J. Marshal,
daughter of E. W. Marshal, born in Connecticut August 13,
1837. He then enlisted in the Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteer in
fantry August 9, 1862; promoted to corporal October 25, 1862;
was in the battles of Chickasaw Bluffs and Fort Hindman ; pro
moted to sergeant May 1, 1863; received his commission as sec
ond lieutenant May 15, 1863; was in the battles of Vicksburgh
Jackson, Grand Coteau, and Sabine Cross Roads; mustered as
first lieutenant June 14, 1864; came home on furlough June 15,

1864; returned August 31, 1864; was in the battles of Forts
Gaines and Morgan, and mustered out with the regiment July
7, 1865, and returned home.
After being home a short time he made a trip with his wife
to Connecticut, New York city, western New York, Canada,
and Michigan. He then engaged in farming and has continued
at it to the present time. In August, 1866, he purchased a farm
of one hundred and eight acres, known as the Parish farm,
where he then moved and now resides. In 1872 he purchased
eighty acres more adjoining him on the east, making in all one
hundred and eighty-eight acres.
By their marriage they have become the parents of five chil- .
dren: Albertie, born August 29, 1862; Julia, October ro, 1866;
Albert E., August 1, 1871; Addison H., May 10, 1873; Effa I,
Febmary 8, 1875.
McCONNEL, J. S., of the firm of McConnell & Co., Mt.
Vemon. This firm began business April 1, 1880. Mr. McCon
nell is a native of Kenton, Hardin county, Ohio. His first bus
iness engagement was with James Horn & Co., Pittsburgh, as
salesman, with whom he remained two years. He then entered
the employ of T. C. Jenkins & Brother, as travelling salesman.
In this he continued three years. He then became a partner in
the firm of McCandlass, Son & Co., wholesale grocers, and re
mained in the firm over two years, when his health failed. As
his time and attention were devoted to the business of the firm
they closed it out, he not being able to attend to it. After his
health had improved some he engaged with the firm of R. R.
Wallace & Co., of Pittsburgh, as travelling salesman, where he
served about two years, during which time he married Miss
May Mills, daughter of Milton L. Mills, esq., of Mt. Vemon.
He then came to this city and engaged in the paper and rags,
pelts and fur business, which he still carries on, having taken in
partnership, April i, 1880, Mr. James Rankin. In addition to
their regular business, the firm make a specialty of shipping
apples during the apple season. The business has increased to
about four times what it was during the first year. The-firm
is now doing a business of about fifty thousand dollars for the
present year, and have a fair prospect of a rapidly increasing
trafic in all the different departments of their business. The
firm is connected with a large exportiug house in furs. Mr
Rankin at present is not a member of the firm.
McCONNELL, THOMAS, J., Morris township, farmer'
post office, Fredericktown, was born in Belmont county, Ohio1
January 17, 1818, moved to Holmes county in 1833, remained
there till 1867, and then removed to Worthington township,
Richland county, resided there for some time, and came to
Knox county, in 1869. He was married in 1848 to Ellen D.
Hawkins, who was born in Stark county in 1832. They have
the following children: Mary Ellen, bom in 1849; Eliza H., in
1851; Sarah M., in 1853; William F., in 1855; Samuel J., in
1857; Thomas L., in 1863. Mary Ellen was married in Octo
ber, 1868, to R. W. Black. They reside in Mansfield, Ohio,
and have the following children: Howard M., bom November
16, 1870; Myrtie L., November 11, 1872; Vernie I., January 2,
1875; Maudie Belle, April 13, 1877.
Mr. Thomas McConnell enlisted in the late war, and was a
member of company B, Sixteenth regulars, Ohio volunteer in
fantry. He remained in the service ten months, was wounded
and taken prisoner at Vicksburgh. His time expired before he
was exchanged. After being exchanged he received an honora
ble discharge August 3, 1863.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

727

Mr. McConnell is a farmer by occupation and is one of the
active and energetic men of this township.
McCREARY, A. C, Middlebury township, blacksmith, post
office, Levering, born in Waterford, March 22, 1848, and was
married to Rhoda E. Martin, who was born December 5, 1848,
in Middlebury township. They have the following children:
Charlie A., born May 2, 1872; Clara, May 2, 1875; Louis War
den, December 25, 1876. Mr. McCreary learned the blacksmith
trade in Waterford, and is now located one mile and a half
southwest of Waterford.
McCUEN, ROBERT S., farmer, son of James and Mar
garet McCuen, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania,
December 14, 1835. He was brought to this county by his pa
rents in 1848, who settled in Clay township, near Martins
burgh, where they passed the remainder of their days. James
McCuen, father of Robert, deceased in 1859, aged seventy-three
years. Margaret, mother of Robert, deceased February 6,
i860, aged sixty-three years.
Robert McCuen was reared on a farm, and has made farming
his principal vocation. January 27, 1869, he married Miss
Lydia Sutherland. They settled in pleasant township, this
county, on the farm where he now resides. Their union re
sulted in one child, Pearl E. Mrs. McCuen died December 10,
1 871. He was then united in marriage, November 8, 1877, with
Jennie Chapman. One daughter, Lulu C, was born to them.
MCDONALD, JOHN, Middlebury township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania,
in 1807; came to Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1828; remained
there five years; then came to Knox county, and was manied in
1834 to Mary Zinc, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsyl-
vrnia. They had two children — Hannah and Joseph.
Mrs. Mary McDonald died in 1844. Mr. McDonald after
wards married Hannah Fidler, who was born in Knox county.
Their children are: William, Louisa, Alexander, Louis, Sarah,
Ellen, Mary, and Melvin.
Joseph McDonald was in the late war, in the One Hundred
and Twenty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and was
engaged about three years. Mr. McDonald has been engaged
at the cooper trade and farming, and is a prominent citizen of
this township.
MCDOWELL, DANIEL, was born July 9, 1809, in Franklin
county, Pennsylvania, and when seven years of age his mother
came to Ohio and located in Mt. Vernon, where they have re
sided ever since. His father died about the year 1815,
Our subject is one of a family of five sons. The two oldest,
William and John, remained in Pennsylvania.
Daniel was educated in the schools in Mt. Vernon, carried on
in those days by subscription, after which he learned the trade
of cabinetmaker with Daniel McFarland, his uncle, for whom
he worked for some time, and then formed a partnership with
him, which continued several years. Their shops were the
second established in the city. He has remained in the business
ever since.
In connection with his business he has devoted a portion of
his time to the fine arts, and has produced some paintings that
show fine natural abilities. At present he devotes most of his
time to painting.
Mr. McDowell in his youthful days was fond of athletic
sports, and was noted as being one of the swiftest runners in

the county." He is now seventy-two years of age, and physi
cally much younger; can see to read and write nearly as well as
he ever could. He was married December 26, 1833, to Patience
Elliott, daughter of W. Elliott, of Mt. Vernon, by whom he
had a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, four
of whom are living.
McELROY, C, Union township, farmer, post office, Mill
wood, born in Orange county, New York, May 5, 1818. His
father came to Knox county, Ohio, and settled on the farm
where his son, C. McEiroy, now lives. He built a log cabin
and reared his children on this little spot of ground. He was
one of General Washington's soldiers, and had two horses shot
from under him in the army, but escaped all serious injuries
himself. C. McElroy was married to Mary Baughman in 1838. His
wife died in February, 1864, leaving twelve children, as follows:
Henry, Charles, Alexander, Rachel, Robert, Mary, Philip>
Ebenezer, Lida, William, Elihas, and Christine.
His next marriage was to Mary Thomas. They had the fol
lowing children born to them: Olive, Eveline. Wellington,
Celina, and an infant.
McELROY, ,C. A., post office, Rossville, farmer, was born
March 4, 1846, in Union township. He lived here until his
twenty-second year. He went to a number of places, and in
1870 returned to the old farm, where he still remains. In the
same year he was married. He had two children, both of
whom died.
McELROY, JOHN, deceased, Monroe township, son of
John and Mary McElroy, was born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, on the fifteenth of December, 1804, was educated
at Bethany college, Brooke county, West Virginia, and followed
teaching school as his vocation during the winter months for
several years, while unmarried, but farming was his principal
vocation through life.
May 24, 1827, he manied Miss Mary Cassil, of Washington
county, Pennsylvania, born July 24, 1808, and daughter of John
and Nancy Cassil. They settled on a farm in their native
county, and remained about four years. In 1831 they moved
to Brooke county, West Virginia, and remained until 1836,
when they emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, and located in
Howard township, on the farm now owned by their son James,
and remained until the fall of 1837, when they moved on an ad
joining farm in Monroe township, now owned by their son
John. On this farm they lived until the fall of i860, when they
moved back on their farm in Howard township, and erected the
present frame residence in whieh he passed the remainder of his
days, dying September 5, 1879. His companion survives him,
living on the home farm with her son James in Howard town
ship. He filed the office of county commissioner for two
terms in Knox county. They reared a family of seven chil
dren: Tabitha, Nancy J., John, James, Mary E., Margaret
E. and Juliette V. — all now living, married, and have families.
John and James McElroy served in the war of 1861.
McELROY, CHARLES, post office Gann, was born in
Union township, September 6, 1849, and lived at home until he
was • twenty-one years of age, after which he worked at different
places until March 4, 1874. He was married to Elizabeth Hess
and settled in Gann, where he lives at present. He has one
child, Henry, born August 12, 1878. His busniess since his
maniage has been carpentering, which he has made a success.

728

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

McFADDEN, HENRY (deceased), was born- near Cham-
bersburgh, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1804. He emigrated to
Hagerstown, Maryland, where he manied Miss Hannah Stine-
metz in 1826, who was born in 1807, daughter of John Stine-
metz. They remained at her father's a short time, and in Oc
tober, 1827, they, with her parents, moved to Knox county,
Ohio, making the entire journgy in a two-horse wagon, and lo
cated in Mt. Vernon, where he and his family lived about six
years, then moved on a farm in Wayne township, remained
there about twenty years, and then removed to Clinton town
ship, near Mt. Vernon, where he deceased March 27, 1861. As
expressed by a writer at the time of his death, "he was a good
citizen, an obliging neighbor, an affectionate husband, a kind
father, and a good Christian." His companion survived until
May 9, 1869.
They reared a family of seven children, viz: William, John,
Rebecca, Henry, Samuel, Mary Ann, and Lannis A.
McFARLAND, J. H., was born in Mt. Vernon May 1,
1821, was educated in the public schools, and learned the cabi
net maker's trade, also painting, with his father, who was one
of the pioneers in the business in Knox county. He remained
with his father until 1852, when he was elected county treasurer,
in which office he served two terms, and then went into the
hardware trade, which he continued in about five years and then
sold the store back to Mr. Kelly, the man of whom he bought.
He then worked on his farm for about three years, when he es
tablished the firm of McFarland & Son, and dealt in hardware,
but sold the business to J. M. Byers.
He was married to Miss Cordelia L. Hyde in March, 1848,
and has had a family of six children, only two of whom are
living. McFARLAND, ROBERT, farmer, Morgan township, was
born in county Tyrone, Ireland, February 20, 1821. His
parents emigrated to the United States in 1831, and settled in
Coshocton county, Ohio, where the father died, andthe mother
died in Indiana. They had a family of eight children, viz:
Margaret, deceased; Armar, of Muskingum county, a minister;
Patrick and James, deceased; Joseph and Charles in Lake
county, Indiana; Mathew, in Coshocton county, Ohio ; Robert,
the subject of this notice, was reared on a farm and has always
followed farming as his occupation. In 1842 he came to Mor
gan township and settled on the farm on which he now resides.
He is one of the neat farmers of Morgan township, and his
farm and surroundings show marks of good judgment.
Mr. McFarland is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian
church. He was twice married. In 1847 he married Elizabeth
Jane Wallace. His second wife was Miss Jane Watterson,
whom he married in 1878. She was a native of Wheeling,
West Virginia.
McFARLAND, IRA M., farmer, born in Clinton township,
December 25, 1827. His father and paternal grandfather came
from Scotland, and moved to Washington county, New York,
in 1784.
In 1786 James McFarland, the father of Ira M., was bom.
In 1814 he settled near Mt. Vernon. In 1818 he married May
Irvine, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, whose
parents came to Ohio in 1807. James McFarland died in 1856.
His wife still survives and is, perhaps, the oldest living resident
of Knox county. They had a family of nine children, three of
whom are living, viz: Ira M.,John A., a banker in Boone,
Iowa, and Mary, wife of R. L. Winston. The deceased are:

Hannah C. Johnson, Margaret, an infant; William W., and
Thomas. The subject of this notice was reared on a farm and attended
the common schools, and having obtained sufficient education,
he taught school a number of terms. During the war he re
cruited for the Forty-third and Sixty-fifth regiments Ohio volun
teer infantry, and was with the Forty-third regiment about six
months. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-second
regiment Ohio National guard, and was quartermaster for the
same. In 1858 he manied Margaret Guy. They had a family of
two children, viz : Mary A. and Guy Wallace. His wife died
in 1866. In 1871 he married Miss Copper. They had one child
(Charles Johnson). Mr. McFarland is a good farmer, owning
near four hundred acres of excellent land, and is an excellent
citizen. McGIBENY, JAMES, Mt. Vemon. James McGibeny, the
son of David McGibeny, was born near Trenton, New Jersey,
January 18, 1788. His parents dying while he was quite young,
he was thrown upon his own resources. Without patrimony,
except a sound body and an indomitable will, by dint of indus
try and frugality, and by the wise use of the fragments of time
at his command, he so improved upon the elementary education
acquired at the neighborhood schools, that he developed into
the noble character the sequel shows him to be. He engaged
in the carpenter business. At an early age he was united in
marriage to Miss Mary Newell, and in 1814 emigrated to Mt.
Vernon. Here, by energy, industry and frugality that charac
terized his earlier years, he soon acquired a competence. As a
citizen, he was public spirited, and liberal in all laudable enter
prises tending to the upbuilding of the then village of Mt. Ver
non, for which his fellow citizens showed their appreciation by
placing him in various positions of public trusts, such as county
commissioner, justice of the peace, postmaster, associate judge,
etc. But his indomitable energy and public spirit show most
conspicuously in his character as a Christian. Judge McGibeny
had a well rounded symmetrical character. In 1814, when the
subject of this sketch came to Mt. Vernon, Christians of all de
nominations had a common preaching place, in the court house,
no church edifice having been erected in the village. Sometime
prior to this, about 1810, the Presbyterians put up a frame
meeting house in Clinton, one and one-half miles north of Mt.
Vernon, which place had been an unsuccessful candidate for
county seat. When the county seat was established in Mt.
Vemon, the business and population naturally drifted thither
ward, and the church building at Clinton gradually went into
dilapidation, and the society determined to build a house of
worship in Mt. Vernon. Here the sterling qualities of James
McGibeny, as an energetic and safe business man, and a skilful
and wise leader in a difficult enterprise, shone conspicuously.
He took upon himself the superintendence of the entire con
struction of the building, from the making of the first brick to
the driving of the last nail.
The subscription list for the building of that church would be
a decided marvel at the present day. Anything and everything
was put down, but the one thing most needed— cash. With
that motley subscription, McGibeny furnished a comfortable
house of worship, in which the church grew and flourished for
many years. In the course of events, when the Master saw that
the time had come for a new colony to go out, the old hive was
shaken up a little, and the progressives, of whom McGibeny

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

729

was a leader, became restive under the old regime, and yearned
for new measures and more aggressive work than would be tol
erated in the old hive. The result was a "swarm;" the radicals
forming a new colony, which was the nucleus of the present
Congregational church, while the conservatives remained to
build up the old society.
Here again McGibeny's business tact was put to the test in
furnishing a house of worship for the new colony, and was found
adequate to the emergency. Here in this new organization
Judge McGibeny found full scope for the free exercise of his
active and energetic mind in Christian and philanthropic enter
prise. As to the family: An only child — a son — named John N.,
was born, who survived his parents, to inherit the homestead, a
valuable farm, one mile northeast of Mt. Vernon, who enjoyed
his patrimony for a few years, and then passed away, leaving
his inheritance to his family. On the twelfth day of March,
1868, James McGibeny was gathered to his fathers, full of
years and good works.
McGINLEY, JAMES, farmer, Pike township, post office,
Democracy, born January 26, 1846, and was married December
29, 1867, to Elizabeth Braddock, who was born in Morris town
ship this county, October 30, 1846. They have three children,
Kitty Estella, born June 1, 1869; Walter, July 24, 1871, and
Ella Pearl, August 21, 1879.
His father, Robert McGinley (deceased), was born in West
moreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1806, and was married in
1830, to Eva Lindsey, who was bom in Bedford county, Penn
sylvania, in 1806. They had ten children, Isaiah, born Septem
ber 27, 1828; John, July 8, 1831; Mary J., September 8, 1832;
William, July 26, 1834; Michael, April 10, 1836; Nancy Ann,
January 28, 1838; David, March 22, 1840; Sarah, July 15, 1841;
Wilson S., August 24, 1843, and James, January 16, 1846. The
following have deceased, Mr. Robert McGinley, August 23,
1871, at his home in Pike township; David, December 4, 1853;
Nancy Ann, June 17, 1863, in Porter county, Indiana.
Isaiah and John reside in Porter county, Indiana; William in
Jefferson county, Nebraska; Mary J. married to William Davis,
now living near Cincinnati.. Mr. Robert McGinley came to
Knox county when about eighteen years of age. Mrs. McGin
ley still resides on the old homestead.
McGINLEY, MICHAEL, Pike township, farmer, post office,
Democracy, born in Pike township, in 1836, -and was married
in 1861 to Clitha Jane Parrish, who was bom in Pike township,
Knox county, in 1841. They have three children, viz: Flor
ence B., born in 1862; Wilson C, in 1863; George B., in 1869.
McGREW, ALEXANDER, Berlin township, retired, post
office, Shaler's Mills, was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania,
in 1806, came to Harrison county with his parents when a child,
and was married in Richland county to Elizabeth Cobean, who
was born in Harrison county. They had four children, namely:
James, John F., William, and N. J.
Mrs. Elizabeth McGrew died in 1853. He married L. A.
Ball, who was bom in Morris township in 1819. They have
one son, viz: L. L., who was born in i860.
Mr. McGrew moved to Knox county in 1835, located on the
farm now known as the Burson farm. In 1866 he came to Ber
lin, bought the Mclntire farm, and was elected justice of the
peace of Morris township. Four sons of the family were in the
army, viz: James, William, John F., and N. J.

McGREW, JOHN, F., Berlin township, farmer, post office,
Shaler's Mills, was born in Morris township in 1836, married in
1866 to Susan Mclntire, who was born in Holmes county in
1845. They had the following family, namely: Mary E., Os
car Fred (deceased), Milo M., Martha H. (deceased), Lima A.
(deceased), and James E.
Mr. McGrew was a soldier in the late war, a member of com
pany A, Fifty-sixth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, Captain
Banning. He was in the following engagements: Port Gibson,
Fourteen Mile Creek, Champion Hills, Siege of Vicksburgh,
Siege of Jackson, Mansfield, La., Monatt's Ferry, Alexandria,
Snaggy Point, May 5, 1864, where he was taken prisoner; was
released June 17, 1864, and was honorably discharged.
Oscar Freddie McGrew came to his death through a sad acc-
dent, which occurred January 16, 1881, at his father's barn,
while engaged in playing in company with other children. He
jumped through a mow hole, a distance of twenty feet, struck a
sill, fractured the skull, above the left eye, and died January 24,
1881. Freddie was highly esteemed by all his schoolmates and
neighbors. McGREW, N.J., Fredericktown, dentist, was born in Mor
ris township in 1847, and was married in 1871 to Melinda J.
Moose, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1849. They
have two children — John A., born June, 1873, and Lizzie L. , in
December, 1878.
Mr. McGrew studied dentistry with Dr. W. F. Semple, of
Mt. Vernon, and received a certificate from the State board of
examiners, testifying to his ability.
McILVAlNE, RIGHT REV, BISHOP. The residence of
Bishop Mcllvaine in Knox county, commenced in 1832, and
continued many years, and it is probable that he attracted to
himself during those years, as much public attention as any
man that ever lived within the limits of the county.
Charles Pettit Mcllvaine Was born in Burlington, New Jersey,
January 18, 1798. He was a son of Joseph Mcllvaine, a dis
tinguished lawyer, judge and statesman of New Jersey, who
died in 1826, while one of the United States senators from that
State. His son, the subject of this sketch had excellent educa
tional opportunities afforded him, and was graduated at Prince
ton college in 1816, at the early age of eighteen years, and some
months. He was ordained a deacon in the Protestant Epis
copal church, July 4, 1820, by Bishop White, and having la
bored in Christ church, Georgetown, Distict of Columbia, he
received, two years later, priest's orders from Bishop Kemp of
Maryland. He officiated as professor of Ethics and History in
the United States Military academy at West Point, New York,
from 1825 to 1827, meanwhile also serving as chaplain in that
institution. From 1827 to 1832 he was rector of St, Anne's
church in Brooklyn, New York, serving also during those five
years of his Brooklyn ministry, as Congressional chaplain, hav
ing been elected twice to that position. In 1831 he was ap
pointed professor of the Evidences of Revealed Religion and
Sacred Antiquities in the university of the city of New York.
In 1832 Rev. C. P. Mcllvaine was chosen bishop of the
diocese of Ohio, as successor of Bishop Chase, resigned, and
was consecrated bishop of Ohio, October 31, 1832. Bishop
Mcllvaine was a large contributor to theological literature.
His " Lectures on the Evidences of Christianity,' delivered in
the New York university in 1831, were published by request of
the council of that institution, and have gone through about
thirty editions. He was the only bishop of the diocese of Ohio

73°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

from 1832 to 1859, when Rev. G. T. Bedell, D. D. was elected
and consecrated an assistant bishop of the diocese. Bishop
Mcllvaine continued to exercise episcopal functions until his
death in 1873, embracing ap eriod of forty-one years. He also
discharged the duties of president of Kenyon college from 1832
to 1840 ; and for many years served as president of the theo
logical seminary of the diocese of Ohio. He was also a large
contributor to the various religious periodicals, and a volumi
nous writer, having written many pamphlets and books, some of
which were widely circulated and popular.
Among the earlier works given to the public by Bishop
Mcllvaine were the ' ' Lectures on the Evidences of Christianity, "
delivered in the university of New York in 1831, and first pub
lished soon after they were delivered, comprising a. volume of
more than four hundred pages.
His justification by Faith appeared in 1840. His Oxford
Divinity compared with that of the Romish and Anglican
Churches, was first published in 1841. In the same year he
gave to the public in pamphlet form, his sermon preached at the
ordination held at St. Paul's church, Chillieothe, on Sunday,
September 12, 1841. It was published by request of the clerical
and lay members of the convention. Soon after his appeal on
behalf of Kenyon college, appeared in a small pamphlet. His
respectful address to the Protestant Episcopalians of the city of
Cincinnati also appeared in pamphlet form about this time.
In 1843 and at previous dates he published pamphlets with
the following titles: An Earnest Word in Behalf of the Church
Institutions at Gambier, Ohio; Respectful Address to all who
would Promote the Progress of Learning and Religion in the
Western States; The Christian's Duty in the Present Crisis;
The Chief Danger of the Church in these Times — a charge to
the Clergy of the Diocese of Ohio; Baccalaureate Discourse to
the Senior Class of Kenyon college, and others on various topics.
In 1854 Bishop Mcllvaine published a volume of sermons en
tiled "The Truth and the Life.'' He also compiled, soon after,
two volumes of select family and parish sermons. His next
publication which appeared in 1857, was a large pamphlet en
titled "Correspondence between the Right Rev. C. P. Mcllvaine,
D.D., D.C.L., and the Rev. James A. Bolles, D.D., Rectorof
Trinity Church, Cleveland, with an Explanatory Pastoral Letter
to the Members of the Parish of Trinity Church, Cleveland."
"Bishop Mcllvaine's Address to the Convention of the Diocese
of Ohio, in Newark, June 3, 1858, " was a pamphlet publication,
as was also his "Sermon at the Consecration of Calvary
Church, Clifton, Ohio, May 5, 1868."
Bishop Mcllvaine received the honorary degree of D.C.L.
from the University of Oxford in 1853, and in 1858 that of
L.L.D from the University of Cambridge; and it is safe to say
that those honors bave been seldom more worthily conferred.
During the great Rebellion Bishop Mcllvaine acted the part
of a pure patriot, and exerted a highly favorable influence. He
was an active member of the Sanitary and Christian commis
sions, and at the request, and by appointment of President
Lincoln, he visited England, as a special commissioner to ex
plain to the clergv and people of that country the position of
the Federal Union on the question at issue. This was a labor
of love with the patriotic bishop. He entered with alacrity and
spirit upon the discharge of the duties devolved upon him by
the commission he had promptly accepted, and no reasonable,
intelligent man doubts but great good was the result. The
faithful, devoted bishop performed with fidelity and efficiency

an honored patriot's duties.

Bishop Mcllvaine was a man of marked ability. His scho
lastic attainments, his many elegant accomplishments, his su
perior intellectual endowments, and his force and dramatic
power as an orator, no less than his highly cultivated ministerial
manner, his rhetorical style as a public speaker, especially in
his .earlier career; his forcible methods in the presentation of
scripture truths; his philosophical mode of dealing with the
high themes of religion, immortality, and the life to come; his
able, eloquent, and convincing arguments in support of the
truths of revelation; his acumen and profoundness as a logi
cian, as displayed by the thoroughness of his investigations of
the subjects he presented ; his clearness of views, and soundness
of argument, all tended to make his pulpit efforts not only in
structive and edifying, but exceedingly attractive and popular.
Bishop Mcllvaine, as may be supposed from the foregoing
paragraph, was a gentleman of pleasant, elegant, stately, dig
nified manners, in and out of the pulpit, and held a high rank
as a divine, not only in his own denomination, but also with
other Christian churches generally. Being best known among
those of his own sect, his influence naturally would be greatest
in the Protestant Episcopal church. And it is probably not
too much to say that, for many years. Bishop Mcllvaine exerted
a wider influence among Episcopalians, not only in Ohio, but
throughout the United States, than any other man; and that
influence was always for good. He probably left his impress
upon the Episcopalians of the United States to an extent be
yond that of any other one bishop during the past generation.
But Bishop Mcllvaine had not only a national reputation, but
was probably also better known in Europe, and especially in
England, than any other American prelate. Certain it is that
President Lincoln thought that he was able to exert a wider,
better, greater influence over the English mind, and especially
the English clergy and laity, than any other bishop, cleryman,
or layman then resident in the United States.
Bishop Mcllvaine, during the closing years of his life, lived
in or near Cinncnnati, where he died, in 1873, at the ripe age
of seventy-five years.
McINTIRE, SAMUEL A., farmer and dealer in stock,
Berlin township, post office, Shaler's Mills, was born in Holmes
county, Ohio, in 1825, and was manied to Mary Nixon, who
was born in the same county in 1828. They had three children:
Sarah E., William A., and Cornelius. Mrs. Mary Mclntire
died in 1873.
He afterwards married Mary Kelser, who was born in Holmes
county in 1838. They have two children, Margaret Ann and
Dorothy Ellen.
Mr. Mclntire came to Knox county in 1857, and purchased
the Johnson farm. He is engaged in buying, selling, and ship
ping stock, making a specialty of short-homed cattle. He has
had extensive experience, has good judgment, and stands at
the head of the enterprising men of Berlin.
McINTIRE, JOHN, Morris township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown ; was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in
1813 ; came to Ohio with his parents when quite young, and
was married in 1837 to Mary Riley, who was born iu Holmes
county in 1818. They had eleven children: Martha Jane, bora
in 1838; Alfred R., in 1840; Cornelius, in 1842; Susan in 1845;
Winfield S., in 1847; Elmer Y, in 1849; Minerva, in 1851;
Joseph H., in 1853; Agnes, January 28, 1856; John Mitchell,
in 1858, and Luella, in 1869. The following have deceased:
Martha Jane, Cornelius, Joseph H., Winfield S., and Agnes.

SERGEANT OHIO BROWN.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

73i

The following are married: Susan married John McGrew,
Alfred R. married Helen Richards, Minerva married John Brad
dock, Elmer Y., married Alice Brown, and lives in Morrow
county. Mr. Mclntire has resided on his present farm twenty-seven
years. Through his industry and frugality he has secured a
considerable property, and is now enjoying the fruits of his
labors. McINTIRE, ALFRED R., Mt. Vernon, lawyer, was born
in Holmes county, Ohio, July 14, 1840. He is of Scotch-Irish
lineage. His father was of Scotch descent and his mother of
Irish. He attended school at Fredericktown, and in his early
years taught school three winters. When about twenty years
. of age he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware,
where he graduated in 1865. In August, 1862, he enlisted in
company A, Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, and was dis
charged in February, 1863, on account of physical disability.
He also served as first lieutenant of company H, One Hundred
and Forty-second regiment Ohio National guards, during the
summer of 1864. He began studying law with Judge R. C.
Hurd, April 1, 1867, and was admitted to the bar June, 1869.
Immediately after his admission he formed a law co-partner
ship with his preceptor, which partnership continued until the
death of Judge Hurd. He continued his practice of law alone
until 1875 when he associated with him Mr. D. B. Kirk, which
partnership still continues. Mr. Mclntire has been a member
of the city board of education for many years. In the fall of
1879 he was a candidate for State senator in the district com
posed of the counties of Wayne, Holmes, Knox and Morrow,
all Democratic counties with the exception of Morrow. Mr. Mc
lntire made a remarkable run under the circumstances, coming
within about forty votes of carrying Knox county. He was
manied to Miss Helen Richards, of Fredericktown, by whom
he had two sons.
McINTIRE, WILLIAM A., Berlin township, farmer, post
office, ' Fredericktown; was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in
1846, came to this county in 1861, and was married in 1868 to
Achsah Kimmel, who was born in Carroll county, Ohio, in
1848. They have three children, viz: James E., born in 1868,
Belle, in 1874, and Lola in 1880. Daniel Kimmel, father of
Mrs. Mclntire, was born in Pennsylvania in 1807, was married
to Lavina Swarringer, who was born in Ohio in 1812. They
had ten children, viz: Catharine, John, Matilda, Elizabeth J.,
Noah W., Thomas J., Richard M., William J., Wesley (de
ceased), and Achsah. Mr. Kimmel died in this township in
1877. Mrs. Kimmel died in Bellville in 1876. The Kimmel
family have all left this county except Mrs. Mclntire, who oc
cupies the home place.
McINTIRE, GEORGE, farmer, Berlin township, post
office, Fredericktown; born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1852;
went to Knox county in 1861, and was married in 1874 to Alice
M. Adams, who was bom in this township in 1856. They have
three children: Sabra, born in 1875; Jesse, in 1877; and J. A.,
in 1878. Mr. Mclntire is identified with the farming interests
of this township.
McKAY, R. S., stone-mason, Pleasant township, a native of
Scotland; born in Aberdeen October 31, 1813. His young days
were spent around his native town. In 1836 he emigrated to
England, where he married Miss Emma Hursh, who was born in
Manchester, England, in 1825. In 1848 they emigrated to
45

, America, and located in Springfield, Ohio, where they remained
until 1853, when they moved to Knox county, Ohio, and located
in Jefferson township. There they lived until 1859, when he
purchased and moved on the property where they are now living
in Pleasant township, near Mt. Vemon. They have four chil
dren: William W., Erich, Anna, and Clara. He was engaged
in the building of the Cleveland, Columbus & Mt. Vernon rail
road, doing all the masonry along the road from Millersburgh,
Holmes county, to Bang's station, Knox county, Ohio.
McKEE, R. B., farmer, Union township, post office, Ross
ville, was born April 18, 1820, in Brown township, Knox county.
He was the first white male child born in Brown township. His
mother died in 1864, and his father in 1874.
Mr. McKee manied Clarinda Mix in 1839 and settled on the
old farm. His wife died in 1857 and left four children.
In 1858 he married Matilda Caster. They lived on the old
farm for about twelve years, then moved to Howard township;
remained eighteen months, then went to Berlin township, Knox
county; remained three years, and then came to their present
farm. He had six children: Mary Ellen, Squire, Scott, Amanda,
John, William, and Iras, who died in her eighth year.
R. B. McKee was compelled to take his schooling near home,
and his graduation at the plow handles.
He still retains some of the sayings of John Blair, the justice
of the peace, which are as follows :
"That feeling heart I yet retain,
It lies within my breast,
And through coming life I shall remain
A friend to those distressed.
" Though many friends I used to have,
My foes have turned to be,
When I am silent in the grave,
Will doubtless think of me.
"The man that led them through the vale,
Wherein they were distressed,
That hostile foe I did assail,
By whom they were distressed.
"The scenes of sorrow passed away;
All tribulation is o'er,
The shade of night is turned to day,
They need a friend no more.
"These lines are from my hand and pen,
And you may thus conclude,
They will remind malignant men
Of their ingratitude.
"I challenge all malicious men,
And thus conclude my song,
To fairly state the place, and where,
I shall have done them wrong."
McKEE, C. H., farmer, Union township, post office, Ross
ville, was born January 26, 1862. His mother died when he
was small, and he was given to G. D. Barr, whose farm joined
his father's. ¦ He worked for Mr. Barr until he was twenty-one
years of age. He was then manied to Miss Priscilla Firen-
laugh, April 10, 1873, and settled on a portion of the old Barr
farm, where he still lives. He has two children: Harry, born
July 6, 1874, and Jennie, November 19, 1878. His wife was
born April 24, 1851, in Union township.
McKENLEY, MARTIN, mechanic, Howard township,
post office, Howard ; was born in Ireland in 1826. His father
came to America in July, 1830. He drove a hack in the city of

732

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

New York for three years, when the panic came and he was.
thrown out of employment. He then went to Philadelphia, re
mained there awhile, and then went to Pittsburgh. He worked
there at railroading for about nine years, and had his left leg
broken twice during his work on the railroad.
In 1849 he came to Knox county, and settled in Jefferson
township, on a new farm. Shortly after this he went to work
on the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis railroad
and worked there about five years.
In 1854 he was married to Miss Maggie Meggs, and kept a
boarding-house for the train hands on the Cleveland, Columbus,
Cincinnati & Indianapolis railroad at different points along the
line, until in 1865, when he came back to Jefferson township,
and settled on a farm. He remained there until 1876, when
he came to Howard township, and bought a farm, which he
now owns, besides a portion of the old homestead. His father
and mother died in 1876. He had seven children, four are de
ceased and three are living: John, who lives in Michigan;
Joseph, in Columbus, Ohio, and Maggie, who is at home.
McKENLEY, S. W., Howard township, mechanic, post
office, Howard. He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
March 1, 1844. In 1864 he went to Cincinnati, and spent two
and a half years there, learning the carpenter trade, which he
still follows. In 1868 he was married to Miss Mary Jones, in
Mt. Vernon, where he settled and carried on business until
1875, when he moved to Jefferson township, and remained two
years, then moved to Howard, where he has remained until the
present time. His wife was born December 22, 1848. They
have had three children, as follows: Maggie, Belle, and John.
The latter died in 1871.
McKENNA, J. B., was born January 3, 1824, in Ireland,
and was educated at Wooster college, Oxford. After leaving
school he started to learn the trade of wood carving, but had
an occasional job in stone and marble, and preferring that kind
of work he turned his attention to it exclusively. He worked
for Forcyth & Bro., of London, England; Lane & Lewis, of
Birmingham; and in the fine art works under Berber., the Lon
don architect. After this he travelled through the principal
cities of Europe, doing some work. He came to America
in 1867, and followed his trade in different places for three years
when he came to Mt. Vernon, where he has since been engaged
in his business, doing all kinds of marble, granite, and stone
carving and cutting. He did the work on the Curtis house,
Raymond block, and about all the large blocks that have been
erected since 1870, he also designed and erected the soldier's
monument on the public square, Mt. Vernon.
McKIBBEN, JAMES B., Pleasant township, farmer, son
^of Matthew McKibben, who was born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in 1803. He came to Harrison county, Ohio,
in 1810, married Jane Eagleson, October 11, 1832, and came to
Pleasant township in 1835. He purchased one hundred acres
of woodland, which he cleared, and on his farm he reared a
family of nine children, of whom James B. was the eighth.
James B. was married September 23, 1869, to Mary Ann
Warman, and has at this time four children: Jennie O.,
Charles E., Margery E., and John M. Mr. McKibben now
occupies the old homestead, and is engaged in the propogation
of fine stock. His stock consists of thoroughbred Merino
sheep and short horn Durham cattle, and is among the finest in
the county.

McLAIN, CHARLES S., Morgan township, justice of the
peace and farmer, post office, Hunt's Station. He was born in
Green county, Pennsylvania, June__28, 1813. His father,
John F., was born October 18, 1791, in the same county, and
remained there until 1829, when he came to Knox county,
where he died. He was a business man and farmer, and a
citizen of influence. He married Phoebe Swan, June 3, 1812;
she was born March 17, 1792, and died in 1856.
They had a family of eight children, four of each sex, viz:
Charles S., Abijah S., Ann, Permelia (deceased), Henry, Sam
uel (deceased when young), Mary A. (deceased), Cassandra,
and William H.
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and had the
advantages of the common schools. In 1836 he went into his
father's store and subsequently purchased it. He remained in
business until 1843, when he sold out and returned to his farm,
where he has since resided. In 1849 he was elected justice of
the peace, which office he has held almost continuously. He
has also held almost all the township offices. He is a man of
much force of character, and well and favorably known. He is
well informed upon topics of general interest. He was twice
married; he married Ruth Berryhill June 16, 1835, and had
nine children; the living are: Samuel B., Fulton county, Ohio;
Hattie, at home; William E., Colorado; Frances, Blooming-
ton, Illinois; Charles A., Hemy H., and Ruth B., in Morgan
township. Mary A. and Laura are deceased.
Mrs. McLain died in 1857. In 1868 he married Mrs. Re
becca Coffin, who died in 1872. Mr. McLain is one of the
most systematic and intelligent farmers of Morgan township,
His farm is a model of neatness and thrift.
McLARNAN, GEORGE M., farmer, was born August 28,
1829, in Butler township. He was married to Miss Normandy
Campbell, March 30, 1854. She was born November 27, 1830.
They have had six children — Augusta Olivia, born September
9, 1855; John Thomas, born September 20, 1859; Daniel Camp
bell, born January 17, 1863; James Clarence, born January 23,
1866, and two died in infancy.
MCLAUGHLIN, MARTIN, Pike township, farmer, post
office, North Liberty, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in
1845 ; came to Knox county in 1873 ; located in Pike township,
and was married in 1874 to Lavina Scoles, who was born in
this township in 1837. They reside on a farm in this town
ship. McMAHON, JOSEPH, Wayne township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in College township, July 29, 1845,
and was married in 1867 to Eliza Jolly, who was born in Knox
county in 1847. They have the following children: Harry,
born in October, 1868; Fannie, in December, 1870; Josie, Oc
tober, 1873; Helen, June, 1876; Alice, October, 1879.
Mr. McMahon is a farmer, and is fully identified with this
county, and is one of its active men. He was engaged in the
late war, a member of company C, Thirty-second regiment,
Ohio volunteer infantry, and was in the service a year, and re
ceived an honorable discharge.
McMAHON, ERASTUS, Wayne township, blacksmith,
post office, Mt. Vernon, born in this county in 1845, and was
•married in 1871 to Amanda Jenkins, who was bom in Knox
county in 1852. They have one son — Harry N.— who was born
May 10, 1878.
Mr. McMahon learned the blacksmith trade in Gambier,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

733

Ohio, and is now engaged doing custom work in Green Valley,
in this county, and is a first-class mechanic.
MCMILLEN, DAVID, farmer, post office, Butler, Richland
county, Ohio. He was born in Westmoreland county, Penn
sylvania, in 1805. In 1830 he was manied to Rachel Williams,
who was bom in the same county in 1807. They had five chil
dren: Jesse was born in 1836; Lavena, in 1838; Isaiah, in
.1840; James A., in 1842; and Marion, in 1844. The deceased
members are: Mrs. Rachel McMillen died in 1880; Isaiah
died in Knox county; Lavena died in Wayne county in 1844.
They located in Wayne township in 1830.
He settled in Knox county in 1849. He owns a good farm
with all the modern improvements. His father, Alexander Mc
Millen, was born in 1779, in Westmoreland county, Pennsyl
vania, and was manied to Christina Yearian, who was born in
the same county. They had five children: Christena, Mary,
Esther, Alexander, and David. Mrs. McMillen died in Penn
sylvania; Alexander McMillen died in Berlin township in 1864.
Jesse McMillen was married to Louisa Yarger, who was born
in Ashland county, Ohio, in 1840. They have three children:
Georgia Alice, born May 12, 1876; Bertha Celia, October 10,
1877, and David Franklin, January 9, 1879,
Mr. McMillen is a plasterer by trade, and assisted in plaster
ing the court house in Mansfield. James McMillen was a sol
dier in the late war, and was a member of the Ohio National
guards. McMILLEN, JOSEPH, deceased, Jefferson township, a na
tive of Pennsylvania, born in 1785. He moved to Belmont
county, Ohio, where, in 1809, he married Miss Mary Peny.
About 1815 he, with hiswife and three children, moved to Union
township, Knox county, where he lived a number of years,
making farming his vocation. In 1817 Ephriam bought eighty
acres of land in Jefferson township. He had nine children, as
follows: Hamilton, Ephraim, Ellen, John, Silas, Jane, Robert
and Margaret, twins, and Mary. They are all dead except El
len, who married Thomas Hanis, and now lives in Monroe
township, Knox county.
McMILLEN, SILAS, deceased, Jefferson township, third
son of Joseph McMillen, was born in Jefferson township, Knox
county, Ohio, July 15, 1818. His father was one of the pioneer
settlers of Jefferson township, and entered the farm now owned
by the heirs of Silas McMillen, where he made improvements
and passed his remaining days. He reared a family of six chil
dren, viz: Hamilton, John, Silas, Ellen, Margaret, and Jane,
all married and have families except Margaret, who was mar
ried but had no children. Only two of the above named chil
dren are now living: Hamilton and Ellen.
Mr. McMillen married Elizabeth Hicks, October 17, 1852.
She was born in England August 3, 1834, emigrated to America
in 1835 with her parents, Andrew and Mariah Hicks, who set-
tied in Jefferson township, Knox county, Ohio, on the McMil
len farm, where his wife and children are now living. They
reared a family of four children, viz: Alice M., Lorin H., How
ard R., and George S., who died September 21, 1879.
McNABB, JOHN, Fredericktown, landlord, was born
March 5, 1824, in Coshocton, Ohio, was married in 1849 to Su
san Adams, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania,
November 4, 1829. They have nine children: Theodius, Jo
seph, Laura, William, Dora, Florida, Edgar, Georgia, and
James.

Mr. McNabb came to Howard, in this county, in 1879, and
engaged in the hotel business. In 1880 he took charge of the
Commercial house in Fredericktown, and is at present doing a
successful and profitable business.
McNAMARA, FRANCIS, Jefferson township, farmer, post
office, Danville, was born in county Clare, Ireland, in 1798.
In 1850 he emigrated to America, locating in Rochester, New
York, where he remained about one year, then moved to Holi-
daysburgh, Pennsylvania, where he and three of his brothers
took a contract on a railroad, which they completed in about
two years. In 1838 he went to Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and
took a contract for building several miles of the National road.
His last contract was near West Alexandria, Washington
county, Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Christina Weber
in 1835.
Mrs. McNamara was born in Germany in 1812. They set
tled in Brownsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, remaining
until in 1840, when they came to Knox county, Ohio, and lo
cated in Jefferson township, on the farm where they are now
living. Since his settlement in Jefferson township he has made clear
ing, farming and stock raising, his vocation. They have had a
family of nine children, viz: William, John G., Margaret A.,
Mary, Francis K., Barbara, Bridget, Matthew, and George G.
Barbara and Bridget are dead.
Mr. McNamara is living now at the age of eighty-two years,
enjoying good health.
McNARE, ISAIAH, Fredericktown, cabinet-maker, was
born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1826, and came to
Knox county, Ohio, in 1847. In 1852 he was married to Mary
Sergeant, who was born in Knox county in 1833. They had four
children, viz: Ida, Anna, Chancey H., and Mary Blanche.
' Mrs. Mary McNare died in Fredericktown in 1867. Mr. Mc
Nare was afterwards manied to Mary E. Reed, who was born
in Virginia. They have had three children — Frederick N. , Rosa,
and Nellie,
Mr. McNare learned the cabinet business when a young man,
and is now engaged with Hill & Hagerty in the manufacture of
fumiture. He is an excellent mechanic, and has resided in this
place since 1847.
McWilliams, Charles elliott (deceased), .was
born July 4, 1836, in Clay township, and always resided here.
Was married to Angeline C. Marriott, June 12, 1856, by John
Stevenson, esq. They had seven children — Samuel W. (de
ceased); born March 28, 1857; Hugh M., June 20, 1858; Frank
lin B., May 22, i860; Laura Bell, December 4, 1861; John R.
(deceased), March 29, 1864; Mary A., June 16, 1866; Lilian E.,
July 17, 1868.
Mr. McWilliams was a farmer and stock dealer during his
lifetime. He was a member and elder of the Presbyterian
church of Martinsburgh at the time of his death, and was a
much respected citizen. He died July 10, 1875.
McWILLIAMS, JOHN, farmer, a native of Ohio county,
Virginia, was bora January 31, 1797, removed to Belmont
county, Ohio, in 1802, and to Knox county in 1818. He was
married September 11, 1817, to Lydia Ferguson. They had
nine children, viz: James, William, Mary Ann, Hugh, Phebe,
john, George S., Sarah Jane, and Charles. All are dead but
William, Phebe, and George S.
Mr. McWilliams was treasurer of Clay township several

734

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

years. Mr. and Mrs. McWilliams were members of the Pres
byterian church for many years, he being deacon forty-one years.
He resided on his farm one mile east of Martinsburgh fifty-eight
years. He now resides in the village.
MAGERS, NATHAN, North Sandusky street.— Mr. Ma
gers is a native of Montgomery county, Maryland, where he
was born August 19, 1793, and when about thirteen years old
came with his brother-in-law and located in this county, on land
adjoining the present town of Gambier, in the year 1806. He
commenced life here by assisting the pioneer settlers in clearing
up land and in making rails, which he followed about fourteen
years. On September ±, 1812, he went out to guard the fron
tier, where he witnessed many exciting scenes of that eventful
war. He assisted in the taking of the Greentown Indians, and
took an active part in the trying events that took place in this
and Richland counties. In 1813 he went out to Sandusky, where
he served twenty-one days, and in the fall of the same year he
was called to Delaware, where he was a short time. He has
witnessed all the changes this county has undergone, from the
wild and unbroken forest populated by wild and hostile tribes of
Indians, ferocious panthers, wolves, and bears, with deer as
plentiful as the sheep of to-day, to its present state of civiliza
tion, densely populated with a refined and educated Christian
people, where on every hand the eye is greeted with highly cul
tivated farms, teeming with their crops and stocks, beautiful
towns and villages, extensive manufactories and business em
poriums, interspersed with churches of all denominations and
institutions of learning of all kinds.
In the year 1820 he commenced farming, which he followed
about seven years. He then engaged in the hotel business at
Danville and Millwood, which he followed about two years,
after which he engaged in the milling business, running a saw
mill and grist-mill, during which, in consequence of bailing cer- .
tain parties, he lost all he had earned up to that time, so that he
was obliged to commence life anew. He then came to Mt. Ver
non and engaged in the brick business, which he followed, in
connection with farming, for about ten years.
He was married in the year 1820 to Keziah Barkus, by whom
he had five children, one of whom is living — Calvin.
Mrs. Magers died in 1854, aud he married his second wife,
Mrs. Mary Berk (Bell), who was born in 1792, and came to
Ohio when quite young, consequently she is one of the early
pioneers of the State, and has passed through hardships that
would be incredible to the women of to-day. We give space to
one incident. In those days they had to manufacture all their
wearing apparel from the raw material— first spin, then weave,
then cut and make it up for wear. She had no place to put up
her loom, her brothers were out in the War of 1812, and she,
feeling that all depended on her, shouldered her axe and went to
the woods and cut logs for a cabin to weave in. When she had
them ready she called in some of the nearest neighbors to raise
the building, after which she completed it and set up her loom
to make cloth for the family. Such was the indomitable energy
of some of the pioneer mothers of our county and State.
MAGERS, CALVIN, city marshal of Mt. Vernon, is a son
of Nathan Magers, one of the earliest pioneers of the county.
He was born in this county  , and when about eight
years old his parents came to Mt. Vernon, where he received
his education. He was engaged in various ways until 1863,
when he was elected to the office of city marshal, which position
he has filled, with the exception of two and a half years, until

the present. He was appointed and served as United States
deputy marshal in the Northern district for five years, after
which he was appointed to the same office in the Southern dis
trict in 1880, and in which office he still remains. The above
facts are sufficient evidence of his faithfulness and abilities as an
officer. MAGERS, ELIAS, Monroe township, deceased, was born
in Maryland in 1806, and while yet an infant was brought to
Ohio with his parents, who died when he was ten years old,
after which Elias made his home among strangers. He was
married to Mary Lybarger, who was born in Pennsylvania.
They had six children, viz.: Susannah, Lewis (deceased), Ly
man, Martha J., Lucinda E., and Nathan A. Mrs. Mary Ma
gers died in 1854. Mr. Magers married Christina Scoles, who
was born in Pike township in 1830. They had one daughter,
Clara I., who is living with her mother. Mr. Magers has been
identified with this county since 1810. He was reared a Catho
lic, but when he reached maturity joined the Methodist Episco
pal church. He was a very prominent and consistent member
of the Pike church.
MAGERS, LYMAN, Mt. Vernon, farmer, was born in How
ard township in 1837, married to Louisa H. Lambert, daughter
of Rev. Daniel Lambert, of this county. She was born in
Utica, Licking county, in 1835. They had six children, viz.:
William S., Romyne A., Daniel M., Alice A., Blanche E., and
Mary E. Miss Alice A. departed this life November 17, 1880,
having assurances of a blessed immortality. Mr. Magers is one
of the official members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in
Pike township. He was a soldier in the late war — a member of
the Ohio National guard — served out the time of his enlistment
and was honorably discharged.
MAGILL, S. W., Howard township, mechanic, post office,
Howard, was born in Pittsburgh, April 13, 1836. He
enlisted in the late war, in 1861, in company A, Fourth Ohio
volunteer infantry for three months, then re-enlisted for three
years; served one and one-half years, and was transferred at
Harper's Ferry to battery C, Fourth volunteer artillery. He
served till the close of the war; was in nineteen different battles,
and only received two slight wounds. February 22, 1865, he
was married to Miss Emily Rawly. She was born in Union
county, Ohio, September 28, 1843. Then he lived in Mt. Vernon
for a time, then in Millwood, in Mt. Holly, and then moved to
Howard, where he has since remained, working at his trade and
farming. He had eight children — Litta, born August 18, 1866 i
Lettice, April 18, 1868; Charles, July 27, 1870; Samuel, Sep"
tember 6, 1872; Frank, June 11, 1874; Curtis, July 9, 1876'
Emily, April 12, 1878; Mary, April 16, 1880. lattice died Jan
uary 9, 1875, aged seven years, seven months and two days.
MAGILL, ALEXANDER, farmer, Milford township, was
born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1824.
About nine years after his parents removed to Washington
county, Pennsylvania, where they remained until 1838, when
they moved to Monroe county, Ohio, where they settled. They
had nine children, five sons and four daughters.
At about nineteen years of age he learned the tanning trade,
which he followed for about ten years. In 1855 he came to
Knox county, and resided in Harrison and Monroe townships
until 1879, when he purchased in Milford township and moved
there. His parents are both dead. He married Miss Elizabeth
Willoughby, April 23, 1846, who was born Febmary 8, 1827, in

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

735

Danville, They had one child, who died in infancy, but have
an adopted son (Theodore Magill). Mr. Magill.is a good citi
zen and also a good farmer. The father of Mrs. Magill (Henry
Willoughby) lives with her. He was born in Oxfordshire, near
Oxford, England, October 3, 1790. He spent' ten years of
his life in the English army, three years in marine service, and
seven years with the land forces, and passed through many
exciting scenes. He was in the English campaign in Spain,
and has been in all parts of the world. In 1812 he served
against the United States. He was discharged from the Thirty-
seventh English regiment, January 21, 1816, and the same
month came to the United States. His regiment was in
Canada. In 1819 he came to Knox county and has resided
here ever since. He helped to build Kenyon college, and was
well known over the county. He was three times married and
by one of his wives (Mariah Furness) he had eleven children,
seven of whom are living.
MAHAFFEY, C. M., Pike township, physician, post office,.
North Liberty, born in Mt. Vernon, Knox county, in 1854, and
was educated in tbe Mt. Vemon public schools; studied medi
cine with Dr. J. C. Gordon, of Mt. Vernon, and attended
lectures at the Cleveland Medical college. He engaged in the
practice of medicine in Brownsville in company with Dr. Hyatt,
and continued about eighteen months. From there he went to
Mt. Vernon, remained there some time, and came to North
Liberty in 1879.
The doctor has established quite an extensive practice; is
meeting with good success, and is now classed with one of the
leading physicians of this county.
Mr. Mahaffey was married in 1877 to Ida A. Corey, who was
born in Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1856. They had one infant
daughter, deceased.
MANN, CLAYTON J., Middlebury township, carpenter,
post office, Fredericktown, born in Morrow county in 1854, and
was married in 1875 to Lurella Caywood, who was born in this
township in 1856. They have one son — Earl Mann, bom in
1877. Mr. Mann is engaged at the carpenter trade, and is a practi
cal and skilful workman.
MARPLE, HIRAM B., Fredericktown, painter, was born, in
1830 in Virginia, and came to Ohio in 1841. He was married
to Sarah Phipps, who was born in Morrow county in 1834.
They have the following children: Lura, born in 1857; Elroy,
deceased; Frank, iri 1839; Lincoln, in i860; McClellan, in 1862;
Maca, in 1866; Mary, in 1857; Will, in 1869; Gertrude, in 1871;
Annias C, in 1873; Birdie, deceased; Ivanna, in 1877.
Mr. Marple has been a citizen of Fredericktown for about
twenty-seven years. He was a soldier in the late war, and a
member of the Ohio National guards ; served out the time of his
enlistment, and received an honorable discharge.
MARRIOTT, MRS. JUDI ANN, Hilliar township, was
born in Licking county May 21, 1823. She was the third child
of Abraham and Margaret Plumner, who died in Licking
county. The subject of this notice was married to Elisha Marriott in
1845, and about three years after moved to Hilliar township,
and settled on the farm on which Mrs. Marriott still resides,
and where Mr. Marriott died in June, 1879. They had a family
of nine children, six daughters and three sons, seven of whom
are living, viz: Mary, married to Harvey Hupp; Jerusha,

married to Richard A. Hall; Margaret, Plumner, Jonathan,
Ellen, and Lydia.
Mrs. Marriott is a lady well and favorably known in the com
munity. MARSH, EBER, deceased, Monroe township, a native of
Vermont, born on the twenty-seventh day of February, 1801,
was a carpenter by trade, and followed carpentering as his
vocation through life. In 1826 he married Miss Sophia
Jackson, of Vermont, born June 17, 1807. They settled in
Franklin county, New York, and remained about eleven years.
tn 1837 they emigrated to Knox county, located in Mt. Vernon,
and remained two years. They then moved to Monroe town
ship, and located on H. H. Young's farm, where they lived
about two years, during which time he erected the residence
now occupied by his widow and son, Eber P. Marsh, into which
they moved in March, 1841. This served him as an abode until
he deceased January 17, 1876. His companion is still living on
the home farm, where she has resided since 1841. The farm is
now owned by their son, Eber P. Marsh.
They reared a family of eight children, viz: Eber P., Louisa
S., Lewis J., Eri C, Mary C, Hollis L., Sarah J., and Orlinda
O. All are living except Eri C. and Hollis L., who were killed
in the war of 1861. Eri C. enlisted in the Second Wisconsin
regiment, and was killed in the battle of the Wilderness on the
fifth day of May, 1864. He was a veteran at the time of his
death. Hollis L. enlisted in the Sixty-fifth Ohio volunteer in
fantry, and was wounded at the battle of Stone River, which
caused his death in a few days. Eber P. and Lewis J., each
served about four months in the same war.
MARSH, A. M., RICHARD BLACKMORE, superinten
dent public schools, Mt. Vernon, was born August 2, 1835.
His father, Moses Marsh, was born in the city of Boston, in
1800, and his mother, Hannah Blackmore Marsh, in Truro,
Nova Scotia, in 1820. The subject of this sketch was named
for a distant ancestor, Sir Richard Blackmore, a distinguished
physician, and a poet of some reputation, who lived in the lat
ter part of the seventeenth century. His early life was spent in
New England, from which he removed to Gambier, Ohio, in the
winter of 1856, and entered the Kenyon grammar school, then
under the charge of Professor H. D. Lathrop. He was poor
and friendless, and had a wife and one child dependent upon
him for support, which rendered his struggle for an education
difficult. His design was to study for the ministry of the
Protestant Episcopal church. His vacations and half holidays
were spent in building fences, putting in glass, and painting for
the college. Parts of his fences are yet standing in Gambier.
When he had acquired sufficient education to teach, his spare
time was employed in assisting students who had to make extra
exertion to overtake classes in branches in which they were
found deficient.
Mr. Marsh was a good student, intelligent and industrious to
a remarkable extent. In 1861 he was appointed tutor in Ken
yon grammar school, at a salary of five hundred dollars per
year. His success as a teacher and disciplinarian was so
marked that he was advised by the bishop and faculty of Ken
yon college to devote his life to teaching, and to relinquish his
intention of entering the ministry.
In 1862, Professor Lathrop resigning, he was appointed prin
cipal of Kenyon grammar school, and became a member of the
faculty of Kenyon college. The school at this time was small
in numbers, the last year having only seventeen students, but

736

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

three of whom expected to return. By energy and popularity
he succeeded in building up the school to nearly a hundred in
number. Notwithstanding his arduous labors and incessant
teaching, he continued his college studies and graduated with
his class in 1863. He continued as head teacher of the gram
mar school, kept up the reputation and numbers, and had for
years been making a salary of two thousand two hundred dol
lars, but at the close of the school year, 1867, not being satis
fied with the appointment of J. Kent Stone to the presidency
of the college, and foreseeing a straggle between the High and
the Low church party, in which the former, with whom he had
no sympathy, was likely to gain the ascendency, he accepted an
invitation to superintend the schools of Mt. Vernon at a salary
of one thousand five hundred dollars and house rent, which po
sition, at the same salary, he has continued to hold.
In 1866 he received the degree of A. M. in course from
Kenyon college. In 1879 he received a life certificate from the
State board of examiners.
Mr. Marsh is an ardent and enthusiastic mason, and was for
many years master of Mount Zion lodge, high priest of Clinton
chapter, and is at present eminent commander of Clinton com
mandery Knight Templars. He has devoted some time to the
special study of elocution, and has lectured at institutes and
normal schools in many counties of the State, and has spent a
large part of the Sabbaths of the year in preaching for no
pecuniary consideration.
Testimonials from distinguished educators, and from the
press of the State, amply manifest the high esteem in which
Professor Marsh is held both as an educator and as an elo
cutionist. A few of these testimonials will suffice :
Professor J. J. Burns, superintendent public schools, speak
ing of the teacherss' institute, held at Barnesville, Ohio, in
August, 1874, says :
"The institute just closed was most successful in number and
enthusiasm, and in the interest aroused' in the good cause
among the citizens. These good results are largely due to the
earnest and efficient services of R. B. Marsh, Mt. Vernon,
Ohio, who, in public and private, has continually labored to
sow that seed which must bear fruit in many school-rooms of the
county. Professor Marsh's public readings were admirable;
fully satisfying the large expectations of his very large audience. "
Professor John Ogden, associate principal Ohio Central
normal school, Worthington, Ohio, says :
"It was my pleasure to be associated, as colaborer, with
Professor R. B. Marsh, superintendent ot public instruction, Mt.
Vernon, Ohio, during the recent session of the Stark county
teachers' institute, the largest, perhaps, ever held in the State;
and it has seldom been my fortune to meet a more earnest and
able lecturer. His special subject is elocution, for which he has
a rare gift. His evening entertainments, in which he renders
some of the most difficult and entertaining pieces, are inimit
able. I recommend him to all teachers' institutes and literary
associations." The fifth resolution of the Belmont county teachers' institute
reads as follows:
' ' That a vote of thanks be tendered to Professor Marsh for
the masterly manner in which he conducted the elocutionary
and reading department, for those ennobling impressions which
will not only benefit teachers in life, but go with them through
eternity." The Canton Repository: "The institute was very fortunate
in securing three such splendid lecturers as Professors Harvy,

Ogden and Marsh. Each in his way is without a superior.
This evening Professor Marsh will deliver a lecture on elocu
tion, with recitations, in the Opera House. He has more power
and ability in this line than any man we know in Ohio. It will
be a rare treat.
' ' November 6th — One of the best houses that ever assembled
in Canton greeted Professor Marsh at the Opera House on
Thursday evening last. He is thoroughly educated and drilled
on the subject of elocution. His voice has great compass and
power, and his ability to give it the proper tones for deep feel
ing, or for gay humor, is perfect. In serious, sympathetic
pieces he drew tears from many eyes, while in humorous pieces
he often convulsed the house with laughter. . Pro
fessor Marsh has made many friends by his visit to Canton, who
will be happy to greet him at future meetings of our teachers'
institute. The following is from Colonel D. F. DeWolf and signed also
by Hon. Thomas W. Harvey : "Having worked in a teachers'
institute with Professor R. B. Marsh, I take great pleasure in
saying that his course of lessons in elocution and reading has
been highly entertaining and instructive — indeed, one_ of the
most useful and pleasant courses on this subject that I have
ever witnessed in an institute. "
Similar tributes might be quoted from the public press at
Barnesville, Mansfield, Mt. Gilead, Marysville, Circleville, Co
shocton, Marietta, New Philadelphia, Tiffin, and at other cities
in the State, but the few quoted will suffice to show the high
esteem in which the Professor is held throughout the State.
MARING, JACOB, retired, post office, Fredericktown; was
born in Sussex county, New Jersey, in 1800, came to Knox
county in 1832, first locating in Fredericktown and engaged in
the mercantile business about sixteen years. In 1848 he pur
chased a farm in Berlin township and has since been a resident
here, engaged in farming and dealing in and raising stock.
He was elected a member of the Legislature in 1854, which
place he filled with credit. He was married in 1833 to Harriet
Headley, who was born in Morris county, New Jersey, in 1808.
They had ten children, viz: William L., Sarah E., Joseph H.,
John C, Theodore P., Mary H. (deceased), Ella H., Ann A.,
Jacob E., and L. W. Mr. Maring is now one of the oldest
living settlers of this county. In 1880 he drove the horses to
the reaper during the entire harvest.
MARTIN, JACOB, deceased, born in Huntingdon county,
Pennsylvania, in 1782, and was brought to Knox county, Ohio,
by his parents, George and Sarah Martin, in 1811, who located
in Mt. Vernon where his father deceased in 1812; Jacob
Martin married Miss Ann Adams about 1813, born in Win
chester, Virginia, about the year 1800. They settled in Mt.'
Vernon, where he died in July, 1870, aged seventy-eight years.
His companion is still surviving him at the age of eighty
years, and is living in Mt. Vernon where they first settled.
He was a cabinet-maker and joiner by trade, and carried on the
business in Mt. Vernon for many years. They reared a family
of eleven children, viz: George R., Sarah A., Samuel S.,John
M., Jacob, Benjamin F., Ellen, Joseph, Martha, Albert, and
Clara, four of whom died, viz: Sarah A., Jacob, Benjamin F.,
and Joseph.
MARTIN, GEORGE R., oldest son of the aforesaid Jacob
Martin, was born in Mt. Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, Novem
ber 22, 1821. He learned the cabinet-makers' and joiners'
trade with his father, and followed that business as his princi-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

737

pal vocation until 1853, when he engaged in the saw-mill busi
ness, which he has followed in connection with farming as his
avocation. In 1844 he married Miss Agnes Shipley. They
settled in Mt. Vernon and remained there until 1856 when they
moved to their present location, on the Granville road a short
distance from Mt. Vernon. They have reared a family of eight
children, four sons and four daughters. His oldest son, Mil
ton P. Martin, served nineteen months in the Third Ohio volun
teer cavalry in the war of 1861.
MARTIN, JAMES, Middlebury township, retired, post of
fice, Fredericktown, born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania,
in 1793, came to Ohio, this county, in 1811, and was married in
1819 to Luhamar Warden, who was born in Chambersburgh,
Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1798. They had three chil
dren — Henry P., born in 1822; William S., in 1825; and Mary,
the eldest, born in 1820.
Mis. Martin died in this township in 1864, at the age of sixty-
four years.
Mr. Martin is the oldest resident yet living in this vicinity.
He was a cabinet-maker and worked at that business for some
years, but has been a farmer for many years in this township.
It affords much pleasure to Mr. Martin to relate reminis
cences of pioneer times.
MARTIN & PARK, coal and feed dealers, foot of Main
street, Mt. Vernon. — (The firm consists of J. R. P. Martin and
D. M. Park).
Mr. Martin was born in this city, May 31, 1842. He was
educated in our common schools. His first business engage
ment was made in 1857, with the late Adam Weaver, as sales
man in his hardware store at Mt. Vernon. Here he continued
five years. He then enlisted in company A, Ninety-sixth Ohio
volunteer infantry, in which he served three years, and was hon
orably discharged, July, 1865. He returned to Mt. Vernon,
remained at home but a short time only, and then went to
Jackson, Tennessee, and engaged in the hardware business,
which he conducted for five years with success. His next move
was to Frogmore, Louisiana, where he engaged in a general
store business, in which he remained three years. He then re
turned to Mt. Vernon, and went into the hardware store of J. H. '
McFarland, where he continued three years, and then with C.
A. Bopes for one year. For some time after this last clerkship
he engaged in a variety of businesses. About a year since he
purchased the grain and feed store of J. H. McFarland & Co.,
and the firm of Martin & Park was formed. They carry a full
stock of coal, ice, feed, etc., and average in winter, coal to the
amount of one thousand six hundred dollars per month, and of
feed, lime and cement about one thousand dollars. The firm is
doing a business of about twenty thousand dollars per annum.
MARTS, JOHN C, Berlin town, farmer, post office, Fred
ericktown, born in Berlin township, in this county, in 1842, and
was married in 1867, to Malinda Adams, who was bom in
Berlin township in this county in 1842. They had three chil
dren: Alda M., born in 1868 ; George Sherman, deceased, and
Madison Lloyd, deceased. Mr. John Marts was a soldier in
the late war, a member of company G., One Hundred and
Twenty-first regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and was in the
following engagements— battle of Champion Hills, Chattanooga,
Buzzard's Roost, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jones
borough, Atlanta to Savannah, and from there to South Caro
lina. He was wounded, April 10, 1865, near Goldsborough, in
the left knee with a piece of shell, which has crippled him for

life. He was in the service more than three years, was honor
ably discharged, and is receiving a pension.
MASTELLER, JACOB S., Wayne township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania;
came to Ohio in the fall of 1844 ; settled near Mount Vernon
and remained there till 1865 ; then came to Wayne township.
He was married in 1850, to Sarah Stillery. They had the fol
lowing children, of whom three are living: Charles F., Minnie
B., and Rebecca E. Mrs. Mastellar died in 1869. Mr. Mastel-
lar's second marriage was to Sarah Cassell, who was born in
Maryland in 1831.
MATHENY, JAMES W., Pike township, farmer, post office,
Democracy, born in Brown township in this county, September
7, 1858. He is engaged in farming in this county, and is an
active and enterprising young man.
MATHEWS, JOSEPH B., Hilliar township, farmer, was
born in Knox county, March 11, 1824. He is the son of Henry
and Mary Mathews, nee Harris. His father was born in Mary
land, and moved to Hilliar township in 1811. He was a soldier
of the War of 1812, and during the latter part of his life drew
a pension. When he first came to Knox county, he worked for
James Houck and in consideration of his work, he got fifty
acres of land, on which he now resides. This was about 1818,
or perhaps a few years earlier. There were ten children in the
family, five of whom are still living, viz: Joseph B., the subject
of this notice, John W., Isaac, Sarah A., married to Allen
Moore, and Caroline M., married to Almind Perfect. Mrs.
Mathews died in 1858, and Mr. Mathews in 1872. Thus passed
away two of Knox county's first-class pioneers. The subject of
this notice was twice married. His first wife was Miranda J.
Kempton, to whom he was married December 25, 1855. They
had three children, two living. His first wife died September,
1861. His second wife was Jane A. Jones. They have four
children, two sons and two daughters. Mr. Mathews is social
and pleasant. He has the esteem of his neighbors. Mrs.
Mathews died recently.
MAVIS, LINAS, Brown township, farmer, post office, De
mocracy, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Mavis, born in Coshoc
ton county, January 2, 1845; was brought by his parents when a
child to Knox county, his father locating in Howard township,
where they remained about seven years. His father then pur
chased a farm in what is now known as the Jelloway valley,
Brown township, where-he lived until he arrived at the age of
eighteen years, when he enlisted in the Sixty-fifth Ohio volunteer
infantry, in company A, under Captain Cassil, Colonel Harker
being the commander of the regiment in which he served three
years, during which time he was engaged in a number of battles,
among them being Franklin, Tennessee, Pittsburgh Landing,
Corinth, Mississippi, Stone River (where he received a wound
in the shoulder), Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Knoxville, Ten
nessee, and Buzzard Roost, where he received the second wound,
and was then sent back to Murfreesborough, Tennessee, where he
remained until his time expired; and he received his discharge
and was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio. He returned home
and went to farming for his father, at which he continued up to
February 27, 1867, when he married Sarah J. Norick, a daugh
ter of Jacob and Emily Norick, bora in Harrison county, Ohio,
June 10, 1846. After his marriage he moved to another
township, but soon moved back to Brown, and then to Hilliar
township, and again to Brown, locating on the old home farm,

73«

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

where he now resides. Their marriage resulted in six children
—Franklin C, Delia B., Alverda, Burley M., Samuel, and Ora,
all of whom are living.
MEAD, ALFRED, Hilliar township, brick and tile manufac
turer, Centreburgh, Ohio, was born in Newark, New Jersey,
May 27, 1845, and is the fifth child of Alfred and Hellen Mead,
nee Collins, who came to Ohio about 1848. They settled in
Jersey township, Licking county, Ohio, where they now reside.
Alfred spent his youth on the farm. He enlisted October 27,
1861, in company H, Seventy-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, for
three years. He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson,
Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post,
Jackson, siege of Vicksburgh, siege of Jackson, Lookout Moun
tain, Mission Ridge, Ringgold, Resaca. He was then appointed
third sergeant of the company, and afterward participated in
the battles of Dallas, siege of Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta,
Ezra Chapel, siege of Atlanta, Jonesborough, Lovejoy Station,
where he was wounded with a musket ball. He also partici
pated in the sieges of Savannah, Columbia, and Bentonville,
North Carolina, besides eleven skirmishes. He veteranized at
Woodville, Alabama. He served his country for three years
and nine months, never failing in the performance of his duty.
After his return home from the army he learned the carpenter
trade and followed it for about eight years, working in Iowa for
some time, and spent some time in the lumber business in Indi
ana. In the fall of 1875 he opened a brick and tile kiln in Cen
treburgh. Mr. Mead started in life without the aid of any one,
but assisted his parents in life and also succeeded in making for
himself a comfortable home, establishing a growing trade. Mr.
Mead is highly esteemed by the community, is social and pleas
ant in his manners, is a good citizen, was a good soldier, and
has the confidence of all who know him. He was married to
Miss Nichols, of Licking county, November 28, 1867.
MEELICK, GREENBURY, farmer, post office. New
Castle, was born in Jackson township, Knox county, Ohio,
on the eighth day of October, 1818. He has been thrice mar
ried, and is the father of two children, viz: Lorenzo, born
January 3, 1847; Mary Imus, February 6, 1849. His present
wife was Mrs. Esther McCrea, widow of Walter McCrea, who
had five children, viz: Walter, born January 10, 1852; Robert
O., July 23, 1855, and who died December 14, 1862; Leora A.,
born November 26, 1857, and died November 25, 1862; Eva
Esther, born November i, 1859, and died September 17, 1863;
Joseph M., born November 5, 1862, and died December 5,
1862. MEGINNIS JOHN, mechanic, Howard township, post
office, Howard. He was born April 4, 1812, in Franklin
county, Pennsylvania, came to this county in 1834, and pursued
the business of stone and brick laying. In 1841 he was married
to Rachel Lybarger, settled in Howard township, and has re
mained there ever since. They have five children: Catharine,
Maoza, Emeline, Mary, and Henry.
Catharine married John Roberts and moved to Delaware
county, Ohio. Maoza married Alexander Newton and settled
iu Howard township. Mr. Megihnis has built a large number
of stone and brick structures. His son, William, is at present
with him.
MELICK, the family of, Jackson township. David Melick,
one of the pioneers of Jackson township, was bom in Pennsyl
vania November 2, 1784, and was married to Hannah Haskins

about the year 1805. She was born July 4, 1789. He emi
grated to Jackson township in the yearr8io. His son, William
Melick, was born in Pennsylvania December 1, 1806. He was
married November 6, 1828, to Ermina Cooper, who was bom
June 12, 1809, and who died June 13, 1835. She bore him
three children, viz: Daniel, born October 22, 1829; Nancy,
born November 30, 1831; Hannah, born November 11, 1833.
He was manied the second time to Sarah Beattie, of Butler.
township, who was born October 12, 1808. Eight children
were the fruit of this union, viz: Abraham D., bom May 23,
1837; Margaret, February 26, 1839; Jane E., October 12, 1840;
Harriet, April 12, 1842; Timothy, December 22, 1843; Chris
tina, September 28, 1845; Hosmer E., June 22, 1847; William,
T., July 26, 1850.
Mary married Jonathan Bishop, December 1, 1853; Chris
tian, Nancy Anderson March 29, 1854; Delilah, Jonathan
Miller June 10, 1854; Sarah, William Fleming April 16, 1857;
Minerva Jane, William Fleming November 18, 1858; Sarah
died February 21, 1858; Delilah died June 8, 1859; William, sr.,
died December 8, 1872.
MELICK, A. D., farmer, Jackson township, was born May
23, 1837, in' Jackson township; was married to Minerva Jane
Schooler November 18, 1858. She was born January 29, 1838.
They have had six children, viz: Sarah, bom December 8,
1859; Allison H., November 13, 1861; Robert E., October 30,
1863; William T., Febmary 1, 1866; Rebecca E., June 24,
1868; Reuben E., January 4, 1872; Alvin V, August 18, 1876.
Allison H. died December 12, 1864. Sarah was married to
Albert F. Hall July 3, 1880.
MELTON, ROBERT, teamster, Fredericktown, was bom in .
Knox county in 1849, and was married in 1878 to Sarah Frasier,
who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio. They have one
daughter, Sanora May, who was born in March, 1879.
Mr. Robert Melton has always been identified with this county,
and is now engaged in working for the firm of W. Tuttle & Co.
MENDENHALL, E. I., was born in Chester county, Penn
sylvania, April 21, 1840, but when about seven years of age his par
ents came to Mt. Vernon, where he attended school. He was then
sent back to Pennsylvania, and attended an academy two
years at Kennett square; then returned to Mt. Vernon and en
tered the law office of General G. W. Morgan, where he remain
ed until he was admitted to the bar, when he opened an office
and devoted his time to his profession, in which he has succeed
ed. After practicing for three years he formed a partnership
with Joseph Watson, which continued for two years, then Mr.
Watson went to Columbus, and since, Mr. Mendenhall has
been alone, having a good practice, and is a highly respected
member of the Knox county bar.
MEREDETH, BENJAMIN, deceased, Union township,
was bom in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1810. He married
Delila Welket, daughter of John and Elizabeth Welket, in 1832.
They settled in Union township, remained a few years, then
purchased and moved on a farm in Howard township, where
they spent the remainder of their days. He died July 4, 1847.
and Mrs. Meredith died July the seventeenth, 1855. They
reared a family of seven children: Elizabeth J., Margaret
M., Sarah E., Mary S., Leander W., Lucinda F., and John S.
Elizabeth J. and John S. are dead.
MEREDITH, LEANDER W., plasterer, Union township;.
eldest son of Benjamin Meredith, was born in this county Janu-

JAMES MARTIN.

MRS. L. MARTIN.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

739

ary 4, 1843. He married Martha J. Dillon, daughter of Thomas
and Eliza Dillon, in 1864' They settled in Union township; at
present they are living in Rosstown. They have four children;
two sons and two daugters.
MERRIEN, ANDREW B., deceased, Morris township, was
bom in Chester township, Morrow county, Ohio, in 1826, and
manied in 1850 Margaret L. Rush, who was born in Morris
township in 1829. They have the following children: Anna M.,
bom in 1850; John A.; in 1853; Sarah J., in 1856; Joe Bell, in
1859; Oakley M., in 1861; Jacob, in 1868; Ada B., in 1873;
Frederick, in 1875.
Anna M. was married to Ira D. Haggerty; they reside in
Fredericktown. John A. married Mertice J. Lyon. Sarah J.
married Charles W. Wise.
Mr. Merrien died in Morris township in 1876. He was en
gaged in the lumber trade near Fredericktown, and was among
the active men of the county. In his death the community and
family met with a great loss. Mrs. Margaret Merrien still
resides in this township.
MERRIN, JOHN C, post office, Fredericktown, teacher,
Morris township, Ohio, born in Fredericktown, Knox county,
Ohio, February 6, 1840; lived there until the fall of 1848, when
his father, the Hon. Jacob Merrin, moved to his beautiful farm
in Berlin township. Lived with his father until 1879; was mar
ried to Miss Zona Ravenscroft, of Henry county, Ohio, June
18, 1879; lived in Fredericktown during the winter of 1879-80,
then moved to Morris township, where he now resides. Studied
law under his brother, Joseph H. Merrin, one of the leading
lawyers of Mansfield (now deceased), and after a rigid exam
ination by the supreme court of Ohio, was admitted to practice
law in 1863.
Served in the Union army a short time; was taken danger
ously sick at Bermuda Hundred ; was removed to the hospital
at Fort Schuyler, a few miles above New York city, where he
was honorably discharged on account of sickness.
The field of education had far greater charms for him than
the practice of law. He has been intimately connected with
the educational interests of the ungraded schools of Knox
county for many years, probably more so than any other edu
cator in Knox county. Has been president of the teachers'
institute of Knox county many years. At the present time he
fills that honorable position, He is recognized as one of the
leading spirits in the interests of ungraded schools. His life
has been devoted, heart and soul, to their progress and pros
perity. He taught his first term in Berlin township, when a mere boy
of seventeen, where the township house now stands, and where
he had been a pupil for many years. In this place he taught
four consecutive terms. Teaching has been his profession ever
since. He was appointed county school examiner in January,
1877, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Isaac
Lefever, jr. ; was reappointed in 1877, and again appointed in
September, 1880. He is the most experienced member of the
present board, and is one of the most efficient examiners Knox
county ever had. He has labored hard and successfully to
advance the standard of qualification of teachers as fast as
wisdom and prudence dictated. He is to-day one of the live
educators and unfaltering friends of common schools.
MERRIEN, JOHN M., Morris township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, was born December 5, 1853, and was
manied October 3, 1878, to Mertice Lyon, who was born De-
46

cember 31, 1853, in Wayne township. They have one daughter,
Myrta Grace, who was born December 21, 1879.
MERRIMAN, CHARLES AUSTIN, Mt. Vernon, attorney
at law, was born near Chesterville, Morrow county, Ohio, Jan
uary 20, 1851. He is the oldest child of James H. and Emily
Merriman, nee Carey, daughter of Frederick Carey, one of the
old settlers of Knox county. He spent his youth on the farm.
He worked during the summer and taught school in the winter.
While teaching he read law. He attended law school at Mich
igan State university, during the winters of 1873-4 and 1875-6,
graduating, taking the degree of LL. D. He was admitted to
the bar in Michigan in the year 1876, and the same year was
admitted in Ohio. He spent eighteen months in the office of
H. H. Greer, esq., in order to get a knowledge of the practice,
and on the ninth day of November, 1877, he opened an office
of his own, and has been practicing with a steady increase of
business. He was married to Miss Emma Clegem, October
17, 1878. They have one child, Bessie L.
MERRIMAN, B., Waldo, Hilliar township, physician and
surgeon, Centreburgh, Ohio, is one of the rising young doctors
of Knox county. He was born in Bloomfield township, Mor
row county, March 20, 1854. His father was a farmer, and it
was on the farm that the doctor spent his youth, holding the
plow during the summer and going to school in the winter.
He taught for several terms. When about twenty-one years of
age he began reading medicine with Dr. F. R. Larimore, of
Mt. Vernon, with whom he read for some time. He finished
his course of reading with the well known physicians, Drs. Rus
sell and McMillin, of Mt. Vernon. Ohio. His first course of
lectures he attended at Columbus Medical college, and his suc
ceeding courses were at the Long Island college, Brooklyn, New
York, where he graduated in J uly, 1878. He was a close stu
dent, and had the advantages of first-class preceptors, which,
coupled with his collegiate medical education, gave him such
knowledge of his profession as to enable him to take a high
rank with the public and his professional brethren. He first
began his practice in Marengo, Morrow county, where he re
mained for about one year.
The town of Centreburgh opening up a wider field for prac
tice, he came therein the fall of 1879, and has a growing prac
tice. He is a man of reserved manners, but readily makes
friends by his constancy rather than by familiarity. He was
married to Miss Eva M. Bird, of Liberty township, July 25, *
1878. They have one child.
MERYHEW, JOHN A., Wayne township, farmer, post
office, Mt. Vernon, bom in Mt. Vernon in 1848, and was mar
ried in 1874 to Ida Bell Horner, who was born in Mt. Vernon
in 1858. They have the following children: Jessie M., born in
1875; Frank H., in 1877; and Laura M., in 1879. Mr. Meyhew
is a farmer by occupation.
MESSENGER, DAVID, deceased, was born near the city of
Hartford, Connecticut, September 20, 1790. His parents re
moved from Connecticut previous to the War of 1812, and were
among the earliest settlers of Granville. When the War of 1812
was declared, he enlisted in Captain Spencer's company of vol
unteers, recruited in Licking county. They marched from Gran
ville to Urbana, and from there to Fort Meigs, having to cut
their way through the then unbroken wilderness of Northwest
ern Ohio. From there they went to Detroit, and were among
the troops commanded by General Hull, when he surrendered

74°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

to the British at Fort Maiden. After remaining a prisoner of
war for a few weeks, he was paroled and returned to his home
at Granville. Some time prior to 1825, he went to Utica and
engaged in the dry goods trade. August 24, 1825, he was mar
ried to Mrs. Martha Silliman, then a young widow lady, of Mt.
Vernon, she having two little daughters, one of whom is Mrs.
Wareing, of Utica, the other, Mrs. Kelsey, of Mt. Vernon.
Mrs. Messenger died at the advanced age of eighty-four years,
on the twenty-ninth of September last. Mr. and Mrs. Messen
ger had three sons: S. B. Messenger, a dentist of Newark;
Captain H. C. Messenger, of Jackson, Ohio, who died in the
army during the rebellion; and U. B. Messenger, of this city.
David Messenger was, perhaps, the oldest Mason in this part of
the country, having been a Mason in Centre Star Lodge, No. 11.
Granville, in 1812, receiving his degrees up to and includ
ing the master mason degree there during that year. He
had not been engaged in active business for many years
previous to his death, which occurred at his home on Friday'
January 14, 1881, at the advanced age of ninety years and
nearly four months. He died of old age, having no disease,
and confined to his bed only a few days. Since the death of his
wife, with whom he had lived happily for more than fifty-five
years, he has been only waiting and anxious to go.
METHEANY, ISRAEL, retired, Pike township, post office,
Democracy, born in Preston county, Virginia, in 1816, and was
married in 1840 to Rebecca Dewitt, who was born in this town
ship. They had eight children: Daniel, Simeon, Mary A.,
Harvey, Rebecca E., Aaron, William, and Emma. Daniel,
Aaron, and Simeon have died. He came to Ohio with his par
ents in 1820, located in Jefferson township, this county, in 1858,
and came to Pike township where he has since resided.
His father, Israel Metheany, was born in Virginia; in 1789
he was married to Rebecca Conner. They had twelve children.
Mr. and Mrs. Metheany died in this county. They were among
the earlier settlers.
METZGER, JOSEPH, Milford township, faimer and stock
grower. Mr. Metzger was bom in Cambria county, Pennsyl
vania, June 18, 1819. In 1823 he was brought to Ohio by his
parents, who located in Perry county, where they passed the re
mainder of their days. In 1842, Joseph Metzger married Miss
Mary A. Bechtoll, of Muskingum county, Ohio, born July 24,
1823. They settled in Muskingum county, remained about two
years, then moved to Morgan county, Ohio, and remained one
year. In 1845 they moved to this county and located on the
farm in Pleasant township now owned by Thomas Hillier,
where they remained about two years, and in 1847 they moved
to Mt. Vernon, remained until the fall of 1850, then moved on
the farm in Monroe township where they are now living. Their
union resulted in five children, three sons and two daughters.
One of the daughters has deceased. His companion died July
12, 1851, leaving five small children to his care. He remained
a widower about five years, then January 4, 1856, married Mrs.
Rachel Houck, nee Walker, born September 2, 1832, daughter
of Isaac Walker. They have a family of six children; five sons
and one daughter.
MEYERS, MAX, Mt. Vernon, was born November 17,
1843, in Berlin, Prussia, and came to America in 1865. He
stopped in New York, Cincinnati and Columbus until 1872,
when he came to Mt. Vernon, and commenced business as a
dealer in glassware, manufacturing of tinware, etc. , in which he
is still engaged. He has several wagons on the road, and does

a business of from four thousand to five thousand dollars per
year. He married Sarah Shaw, by whom he has had a family
of five children, two of whom only are living.
MILLER, JAMES, deceased, Miller township, was born in
Dummerston, Vermont, December 16, 1783, and died Septem
ber 30, 1844. Miller township was named in honor of this
respected pioneer. The family tradition in regard to the cir
cumstances connected with the naming of the township dis
agrees somewhat with the account given by Mr. Gates in his
history of the township.
Mr. Miller invited his neighbors, who then embraced the
whole township, to a raising of the first frame barn built In the
township. In those days it was customary for the people to
turn out for miles around, and" assist each other when a cabin or
a barn was built. Upon this occasion all the voters of the
township happened to be present. It was about the time of the
organization of the township, or when the old name — Sycamore
— had been dropped, and the inhabitants were casting about
for a new name. Mr. Miller entertained his guests very gener
ously at the feast after the raising. Apple toddy and whiskey
flowed freely, and when the company was feeling very fine, the
question of naming the township came up, and the party un
animously resolved to name it in honor of their generous host.
The honor was conferred as mueh too in consideration of the .
high esteem and respect in which Mr. Miller was held by all who
knew him. He was a gentleman of education, and was looked
up to for counsel and advice by the settlers for many years.
Mr. Miller emigrated from Windham county, Vermont, with
his wife and four children in 1814, and was six weeks making
the journey. The story of his emigration is but a repetition of
that of other pioneers who left the barren hills of New England
and turned toward the virgin soil of the great west.
Mrs. Miller's family — the Warners — bad proceeded them sev
eral years and settled on the Licking, near Zanesville. They
had written letters glowing with praises of Ohio's rich soil and
mild climate. It was a great journey to make and had to be
accomplished in wagons over mountains and valleys and across
great rivers.
Ohio was then far west, the great unknown, sometimes called
the "new world." When Mr. Miller reached the Hudson, near
Newbury, a rare vision presented itself. The broad expanse of
water at that point, the rock bound shores covered with au
tumnal tinted foliage, excited the wonder of the children. Mad
ison, then a boy of five, exclaimed: "Oh, mother, is this the
new world ?"
The route across the Susquehanna and over the Aileghanies
to Wheeling presented rare natural attractions. Near Zanes
ville Mrs. Warner, the mother of Mrs. Miller, was on her death
bed, awaiting the arrival of her children, praying she might live
to see their faces again, but when the emigrants reached Cam
bridge word came to the sorrowing daughter that the mother
had expired. Mr. Miller left his family with the Warners dur
ing the winter of 1814-15 until, he had located his land and pre
pared a shelter in Knox county, where he removed them in
January, 1815.
What a task presented itself to those early pioneers! A
square mile of solid timber to remove before it could be tickled
by the plow and made to bring forth fruit 1 A man of less en
ergy and will would have quailed at the prospect.
Mr. Miller had purchased of the Government a section of land
in the northwest corner of the township at two dollars per acre,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

74i

and received his deed direct from President Madison, which
deed is now preserved by Dana Miller, his youngest son. The
land was part of a reservation of Congress lands, as distin
guished from so called military land, which latter embraced
most of this part of the State.
Mr. Miller was not fully satisfied with the title of the military
tract, hence sought an original grant from the United States.
As stated before, this land was covered by a dense forest. Game
was abundant. The boys could shoot deer near their cabin any
day. The woods were alive with turkeys. Wolves made the
night hideous by their howling, and bears were frequently met
with, nor had the red man entirely forsaken these hunting
grounds, now encroached upon by fast spreading civilization. One
day while the family were at breakfast, with the cabin door open,
a powerful savage stepped stealthily in and presented to the af
frighted mother and children a spectacle which was truly new,
novel, and apalling. He was armed with rifle and tomahawk,
and plumed with feathers and beads. Mr. Miller preserved his
coolness and arose from the table, addressing the Indian kindly
found by signs he had been hunting in the neighborhood and
desired something to eat. He was accordingly accommodated
with a morsel at a side table, when he granted thanks and
departed. Mr. Miller performed a vast amount of labor in clearing his
farm, and in a few years his boys rendered valuable assistance.
The pioneer boys were given axes at an early age, and soon
learned to use them effectively. The land, meanwhile, began
to produce corn and wheat, but there was no market. Mr.
Miller often hauled wheat so far as the lake, and aftewards to
Zanesville and Newark, and sold it as low as thirty-seven cents
ber bushel. For many years produce would not bring money;
the merchants only offering store goods. Hides were the only
exception; they brought cash. The taxes must be paid in cash,
and Mr. Miller considered himself fortunate, in wintering cattle,
when enough died to enable him to pay his taxes.
Mr. Miller was of small stature but possessed of wonderful
energy. He arose early and stirred up the whole household
before the sun that the work might be executed always in season.
His industry lasted until the day of his death. He was at that
time finishing the brick house where his son now resides, and,
conscious of his approaching end, he was careful to attend to
every detail, even to paying the laborers each day all wages due,
and giving directions for the coming day. He died of a disease
of the tongue, which had affected his speech for several years,
and was buried in the family cemetery near his residence.
James Miller was educated at Williams college, and during
the War of 1812 was a member of the company of Captain
Hayes, the father of President Hayes. He was married near
Wordsborough, Vermont, in March, 1806, to Sarah Warner,
who was bom in Newfane, Vermont, April 1, 1788, the eldest
daughter of Daniel Warner, jr. , of Newfane , son of Daniel
Warner, sr. , supposed to have been from Shrewsbury, Massa
chusetts, and whose ancestors emigrated from England at an
early day. Both the Warners emigrated to Ohio about the
year 1807. Sarah Warner's mother was the daughter of the
Hon. Luke Knowlton, a distinguished citizen of Vermont dur
ing the Revolution, and was a descendant of Thomas Knowl
ton, of Ipswitch, who lived about 1660 to 1700. Sarah Warner,
at the time of her marriage, was an accomplished and educated
young lady of rare personal beauty, and seemingly too tender
to endure the hardships of pioneer life, but she lived to see the
primeval forest on her husband's land replaced by smiling and

fruitful fields. Besides, she reared a family of eleven children,
all grown to manhood and womanhood. She died November
26, 1858, lamented by all who knew her, and leaving memories
of a character for sweetness and gentleness that will stand as a
shining example for all time. A brother and sister of Mrs. Mil
ler survive her, and now reside at Newark, Ohio, viz: Luke K.
Warner and Mrs. E. S. Woods.
The descendants of James and Sarah Miller numbered eighty,
of which seventy are now living. They had eleven children:
James Warner, the eldest, born in Vermont, July 8, 1807, mar
ried Mary G. Bryant, and had ten children and twenty-nine
grandchildren. He was a prominent merchant in Mt. Vernon
for forty years, and now resides in Newark, Ohio.
Madison, born in Vermont September 12, 1809, died Febru
ary 25, 1868; married, first, Sarah M. Hill, second, Mrs. Kate
Bliss, and third, Mrs. Mary Daily. He had four children —
two died young, and two are now living.
Volney, born in Vermont October 13, 181 1, married Phebe
Beebe, and had two children and two grandchildren. They live
in Missouri.
Henry H., born in Vermont October 1, 1813, died in Mt.
Vernon October 6, 1862.
Mary M., born in Miller township, November 18, 1816, died
November 30, 1846. She married Piatt G. Beardslee, and had
four children. One died young, Charles was killed in the battle
of Atlanta, July 22, 1864, Emily and Mary married and had six
children. Rosanna W., born in Miller township, January 1, 1819, mar
ried Charles Sanford, and now resides in Belmont, Illinois.
John F., born in Miller township, May 22, 1821, married
Mary C. Sherwood, and had two sons. They now reside in
Newark. Harriet M., born in Miller township, May 5, 1824, married
James H. Knox, and had four children, two now living. They
reside in Indianola, Iowa.
Sarah Warner, born November 10, 1830, in Miller township,
married Samuel Sanderson, and had two children. They now
reside in Mt. Vernon.
Dana, born in Miller township, April 5, 1833, married Belle
A. Ewalt, and had six children. They reside at the old home
stead in Miller township.
Lucinda A., born in Miller township, May 12, 1838, and died
in Bement, Illinois, May 17, 1872. She married, first, William
Ellis, and had one daughter; second, to Robert Fisher.
The genealogy of James Miller's family is thus narrated:
His family has ancient and honorable lineage, dating back over
two hundred years in America, and ante-dating from its emigra
tion to America into traditional genealogy another century in
Scotland. The Millers, of Scotland, were of Saxon origin, and followed
the leadership of Edwin, who conquered the Picts and founded
Edinburgh, A. D. 449. The history of the family is rather ob
scure, until about the year 1600, when the country was dis
tracted by civil war, assuming a religious character between
Catholicism and Protestantism. The Millers took sides with
the Protestants, and later with the Presbyterians or Covenan
ters, when persecuted by James the First, in his efforts to es
tablish Episcopacy. The laws against Presbyterianism were so
arbitrary that it led to great disorder and opposition by the in
habitants, and many personal encounters passed between the
liberty-loving Scots and the minions of the king, in the enforce
ment of obnoxious laws. The name of James Miller is found

742

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

twice recorded in a list of those who paid fines for transgress
ing the laws in the city of Edinburgh, and is recorded in this
quaint style:
' ' The compt of mony resauit in fra sick persones as hes trans-
grest aganest the statutis and ordenances of the guid toun ; the
namis of the persones that pay it, and the soun that evrie man
pay it, and the occatione whair foir they pay it, begining at
Mychelmas, 1608 yiers, till Mychelmas the yier of God, 1609
yiers, the time of thair offices of baill yiers, as follows: James
Miller, for being found be the gaird, at twelve hours at even,
with one sword drawin at James Harvie, £4. James Miller,
for the bluid wyte of Patryk Chalmers, £g i8d.
The oppression of the covenanters led many to seek the
shores of America, where they could worship God without re
straint, and one senior Miller and his son James (who are the
direct progenitors of this family in America), emigrated from
Edinburgh about the year 1660. They settled in Charlestown
near Boston, and joined the established Presbyterian church at
that place.
We find recorded in the Genealogical dictionary of the first-
settlers of New-England: "James Miller, the Scotsman, Charles-
town, admitted to First church, December 17, 1676, and made
freeman May 23, 1677, and died July 14. 1690. His wife Mary
joined church August 5, 1677, being baptized that day with her
eight children: James, Mary, Robert, Job, Abraham, Isaac,
Mercy and Jane. The record of his father's death August 1,
1688, calls him 'Sen,' an aged Scotsman above seventy."
Isaac Miller, the son of J ames, removed to Concord, Massa
chusetts, and afterwards to Worcester about the year 1718.
His son Isaac, born in Concord May 7, 1708, married in Wor
cester, one Sarah Crosby, and reared a large family. In 1770,
the year of the Boston massacre, he removed to Dummerston,
Vermont, which town he surveyed and settled. John, the son
of Isaac, jr., was born in Worcester December 20, 1756, and
lived and died a farmer in Dummerston. His son James who
was born in Dummerston December 16, 1783, emigrated to Ohio
in 1814, and settled in Knox county, in what is now Miller
township, named in his honor.
The genealogical order of the six generations as far as au
thenticated will then stand as follows: First, Sen. Miller,
born in Edinburgh, Scotland, about 1613; second, James
Miller, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, about 1640; third, Isaac
Miller, born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, about 1670; fourth,
Is.iac Miller, jr., bbm in Concord, Massachusetts, 1708; Fifth,
John Miller, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1756; sixth,
James Miller, born in Dummerston, Vermont, in 1783.
In order to present the history of this family more in detail
we must return to the Scotch ancestors.
Many of the Scotch Millers attained eminence in literature
and in science. The ancestors of Hugh Miller, the great geol
ogist, were a seafaring race. Among the great writers wer;
John Miller, of Lanarkshire, professor of law in the university
of Glasow; James Miller of Ayr, physician and chemist, and
editor of the fourth edition of the Encyclopedia Britianca ;
James Miller, professor of surgery in the university of Edin
burgh ; Thomas Miller, of Glenlee, baron and lord justice clerk
of court sessions.
The ancient coat of arms of this family, adopted by the vari
ous Scotch branches, bears a similarity in the chief points of the
field ; the only variations appearing in minor objects in the
divisions according to the fancy ofthe bearer, or as conferred by
heraldic law. The chief points, as borne by all the scotch

families, are: first, the color of the shield (white); second, the
Moline cross, which represents the figure of the iron that sup
ports the upper mill stone; third, the wavy bar in the base,
and -last, the mullet, or rowel of a spur. A description of the
arms borne by the American branch of the family, as near as
can be authenticated, and as expressed in heraldic terms, is as
follows : Argent, a cross moline, azure. In chief, second, bor-
dure of three cinquefoils, gules, lozenge between two mullets ;
sinister chief lozenge between two mullets. In fessee, hand with
first and second fingers extended, two arms with hands clasped, .
moline cross, sable, between four hearts ; in base wavy band of
vert : crest, lion rampant with moline cross, sable, between
paws; motto, Optima Ccslo, Unione Augetur.

A very complete record has been preserved of the family of Isaac
Miller, jr., the grandson and great-grandson of the Scottish emi
grants. He was a staunch Republican in the troublesome times
preceding the outbreak of the Revolution. Being a surveyor by
profession, he became useful in the settlement of the then new
country north of Massachusetts, but his enterprise met with
disaster through the machinations of the tools of the king, who
had set a mark on all Republicans.
In 1763, he, with others, were granted a township of land in
New Hampshire, which they settled and paid for, but by a sub
terfuge, the British court then in session in Worcester, re-grant
ed it to General Bellows, a Tory. He moved his family in 1770
to Dummerston, Vermont, which town he surveyed and set
tled. Isaac Miller, jr., had twelve children. Vespatian was a
soldier in the old French war, and afterwards followed the sea.
Hosea was a farmer. Rosanna married Major Joseph Negus,
of Petersham. Among her descendants are Mrs. General R. B.
Marcy, Mrs. General George B. McClellan, and Mrs. Major W.
B. Russell, of the United States army.. Sarah married Silas
Wheeler, of Petersham. Joseph was a soldier ofthe war ofthe
Revolution, and served seven years with distinction, being pro- .
moted to the rank of major, and merited the friendship and con
fidence of General Washington. Isaac was a captain in the
Revolution, and was badly wounded early in the war near Bos
ton. Marshall was a farmer and left many descendants.
John, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a Revolu
tionary soldier, and subsequently became very prominent as a
citizen of Vermont. Catharine married a Mr. Knapp and
reared a large family. William, the youngest, was a soldier in
the latter part of the Revolution and rose to the rank of Major.
John Miller, who was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, De-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

743

cember 20, 1756, had eight children: Lewis, James, Levi, Sally,
Polly, Rosanna, Susan, and John B. Rosanna and Susan are
still living in Vermont, the former eighty-six and the latter
eighty-four years of age.
MILLER, MARGARET Mrs., post office, Howard, was
bom in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, November 29,
1793. She moved to Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1795,
and remained there fourteen years. She came to Howard town
ship in 1810, and lived with her father until 1814, when she was
married to Andrew Miller, and settled on her present farm.
Mr. Miller was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in
1783. He was one of the old veterans of 1812, and was in the
Second platoon. He was one of the twelve who were detailed
to kill James Burde. Mr. Miller belonged to Captain Sander
son's company, Twenty-seventh regiment United States in
fantry, and received an honorable discharge. He was enrolled
on the pension roll of the Columbus agency. Mr. Miller lived
on the farm until his death.
MILLER, JAMES, deceased. He was a native of Pennsyl
vania, and was married to Martha Zerick, who was born in
Maryland in 1793. They had one daughter, Zarada, who was
born in Knox eounty and married in 1861 to Adam Kime, who
was born in Stark county.
Daniel Zerick located in Clinton township in 1806, when there
was one house in Mt. Vernon (so says Mrs. Miller). Mr.
Daniel Zerick died in this county in 1851; his wife Martha died
in 1836, Mr. James Miller died in Indiana about 1845.
MILLER, JOHN W., Jefferson township, farmer and me
chanic; born in Montgomeiy county, Pennsylvania, May 14,
i8i5;.was brought to Ohio by his parents when a child, his
father locating in Columbiana county; where he was reared
and received a common school education. At the age of sev
enteen years he contracted with his brother to learn him the
carpenter trade, and served apprenticship of three years. He
worked at his trade about eighteen years, he then worked one
season for Christian Pherenbaugh at the plastering business,
and since that time has conducted said business on his own
responsibility, making it his principal vocation. In the winter
of 1838 he came to Knox county, locating in Jefferson town
ship near 'Greersville, and there commenced to work at his
trades. May 13, 1847, he married Miss Sarah Burtnett, daugh
ter of John Burtnett, born in Coshocton county May 14, 1826.
After his marriage he purchased eighty acres of land in Jeffer-
erson township northwest of Greersville two and a half miles,
where he then moved and now resides: Mr. Miller has held the
offices of trustee and assessor. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the
parents of five children, viz: Cinderella L., born June 27, 1850;
John B., August 18, 1855; Effie A., Apnl 13, 1861; Mira J..
April 28, 1866. Four are living and one died in infancy.
MILLER, ISAAC (deceased), Wayne township, born in
Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1817, and was married in
1868 to Sarah Fuller, who was born in Knox county, Ohio,
in 1838. They have two children: William Eugene, born in
1870, a-nd Daniel Oscar, in 1871. Mr. Miller died in 1872, in
Green Valley, Wayne township, this county. Mrs. Sarah
Miller, with the family, is still residing here, and is educating
her children liberally.
MILLER, MRS. MARY J., Miller township, was bom in
Miller township in 1822. She is the daughter of Emer Harris,
a pioneer of Miller township, and a native of Providence,

Rhode Island. She was twice married. Her first husband was
Dorton Daily. They had four children, viz: Sarah H, mar
ried to William R. Rowland, of Mt. Liberty; Carrie A., de
ceased, who was married to John Hayes; Wildmina, died when
about a year old, and Dorton L. Mr. Daily died, and she then
married Madison Miller, son of James Miller, a pioneer. They
had a son named Charles. Mr. Miller has deceased.
MILLER, JOSEPH M., farmer, Middlebury township, post
office, Fredericktown, was born in Fayette county, Pennsyl
vania, in 1826, came to Ohio in 1830, and was married in 1848
to Terry Cecill, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in
December, 1827. They have the following family: Ann Maria,
born February 1, 1849; John Benjamin, October 31, 1850; Mar
garet Jane, Febiuary 27, 1853; Jacob, July 8, 1855; George,
January 21, 1859; Francis, January 31, 1861, and David, July
16, 1864. The following have deceased: Jacob died Septem
ber 13, 1856, and Ann Maria March 14, i860.
John Benjamin was married to Elmyra Denman, now of
Chesterville, Ohio. Mr. Joseph Miller located in Middlebury
township in 1869. He owns a well improved farm with good
buildings. MILLER, DANA, Miller township, farmer, was born in Mil
ler township, April 5, 1833, and is the son of James Miller, a
pioneer of this township.
The subject of this notice (Dana Miller) was reared on the old
homestead, and attended the common schools and two terms at
an academy. He was a member of company C, One Hundred
and Forty-second regiment Ohio National guard. Mr. Miller
is a close and thoughtful observer, and is well and favorably
known in the community in which he lives for his integrity, gen
erosity, intelligence and kindness of heart.
He was married to Miss Isabella A. Ewalt, daughter of Sam
uel Ewalt, of Clinton township, December 29, 1858. They had
six children, viz: Mary Warner, born December 27, 1866; Liz
zie E., born March 24, 1870; Frank K., born November 16,
1871; Clara, born January 27, 1877; Fannie G, born Novem
ber 28, 1878. The oldest (a son) died in infancy.
MILLER, WILLIAM A., Middlebury township, laborer,
post office, Fredericktown, bom in Missouri, August 3, 1844,
and was married J anuary 2, 1866, to Eliza Stoughteagle, who
was born in Knox county, in April, 1836. They had the fol
lowing children. Charles R., born May 7, 1869; Mary Alice,
November 16, 1870; and Sadie Delia, July 12, 1876. Four o
their children died.
William A. Miller enlisted in the war December 3, 1863, in
the One Hundred and Second regiment Ohio volunteer infantry.
After the regiment was discharged he was transferred to the
One Hundred and Eighty-ninth regiment Ohio volunteer in
fantry. He was engaged in the service till the war closed.
He resided in Morrow county nine years, then came to Mid
dlebury township, and has since remained there.
MILLER, THOMAS, Fredericktown, barber, was born in
Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1852; came to Ohio in 1866,
and located in Fiedericktown April 10, 1877. He was married
in 1875 to Elsie Swartz who was born in Licking county, Ohio.
They have two children, viz. : Myrtie May, born October 27,
1877; Robert Lee, born January 1, 1880.
Mr. Miller is the leading barber of Fredericktown. He is
an energetic man, and a good mechanic.
MINTEER, MILTON P., Fredericktown, travelling agent

744

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

was born in Knox county, June 26, 1836, nnd was married
May 18, i860, to Eliza Rankin, who was born in Licking coun
ty, July 5, 1834. The have two sons. James I., was born in
Illinois, February 18, 1862; John Gay, born in Fredericktown,
December 22, 1868.
Mr. Minteer is engaged in travelling for a large Cincinnati
carriage and buggy manufactory.
MISER, PETER, who was born in the province of Ham-
berg, Holland, came to New Netherlands, now New York, in
1623 with Cornelius J. May, afterwards lieutenant governor of
New Netherlands. He returned to Holland in 1634, and in
1637 again came to New Netherlands, where he remained until
the French and Indian war commenced, when he removed to
the province of Pennsylvania. There his son, John Conrad
Miser, was born.
John Conrad settled on Tulpahocken creek, now in Lebanon
county, who also had a son born there November 2, 1696, who
was named Conrad.
At the urgent solicitation of Quagnant, a chief of the Mo
hawk nation, he went with him to his country to acquire a
knowledge of the Mohawk language. Having mastered the
language he returned home, and was occasionally employed as
an interpreter. In 1729 he married and settled in Tulpahocken
valley, and located a half mile east of the present site of Wolmes-
dorf, Berks county, Pennsylvania.
Conrad Miser, as occasion demanded, acted in various ca
pacities, both public and private. Governor Gordon, in 1731,
appointed him interpreter. Soon afterwards Governor Thomas
appointed him justice of the peace. Governor Morris commis
sioned him as colonel of a regiment of volunteers for Berks
county. He spent more than a quarter of a centuiy in the
service of his country. He closed his eventful life July 13,
1760. Conrad Miser had a son, Henry, born November 6, 1758, on
Tulpahocken creek, who was grandfather of Dr. Thomas B.
Miser, of Martinsburgh, Knox county, Ohio. At the age of
six months his father removed to Northumberland county,
Pennsylvania, and settled on Mahantango creek, where he was
reared. He was married to Margaret Drucker Miller in 1794,
but came to Ohio before his marriage to see the country. He
returned to Pennsylvania and afterwards removed to Ohio in
1802 and settled on sections thirty-two and thirty-three, township
three and range ten of the Northwest Territory, now Jefferson
county. He laid out Salem or Annapolis in Jefferson county.
He had six sons and three daughters, viz. : John, Henry, Mary,
Samuel, Barbara, David, George, Margaret, and William.
William was born April 5, 1815, in Annapolis, Jefferson
county, on the farm his father settled on when he first came to
Ohio; was married to Jane McDowell January 1, 1837. They
had seven children, viz.: Thomas B., Robert H., George A.,
Mary M., Margaret I., William J., John S., and Dilla J.
T. B. Miser was born in Annapolis, Jefferson county, Ohio,
on the seventh day of February, 1839; received the first/udi-
ments of his education at district schools, and afterwards went
to Carrollton academy, at Carrollton, Ohio, remaining about
two years, when he went to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, attending
a select school for young men, where he completed his educa
tion. He then commenced the study of medicine with Drs.
Hammond and Montgomery, of Annapolis, Ohio, and was
with them about two years, when Dr. Hammond removing to
Steubenville, went with him, still pursuing his studies for about

two years longer. He attended lectures one term at the Cin
cinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, afterwards graduating
at Louisville Medical university.
He also received a diploma from the Cincinnati College of
Medicine and Surgery. After graduating at Louisville he went
to Missouri and practiced his profession. The war breaking
out he was conscripted in the rebel army and was assigned to
the Fifteenth regiment, Confederate States of America, George
Law, colonel commanding. After serving two or three months
he succeeded in making his escape to the northern States, went
into the service of the Union as acting assistant surgeon, Uni
ted States army, Magazine hospital, Louisville, Kentucky.
He remained there during the fall and winter, and then came
home and located in Martinsburgh, Knox county, Ohio, July
13, 1863, where he was about a year, practicing in partnership
with Dr. D. H. Ralston, when he was appointed assistant sur
geon Twenty-ninth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry; after
serving six months was promoted to surgeon of the regiment.
He went with Sherman on his " March to the Sea, '' and was
appointed brigade surgeon at Savannah, Georgia. He remained
until the close of the war, when he was appointed surgeon in
charge of hospital at Camp Cleveland, Ohio, since that time
has practiced medicine in Martinsburgh.
He was married December 13, 1866, to Sue McWilliams, of
Martinsburgh, who was born January 1, 1836, and who died
July 14, 1878. They had two sons, viz: George, born March
30, 1872, and Harry B. , born December 5, 1875, and who died
May 17, 1879.
MISHEY, J. K. P., Pike township, merchant, post office,
North Liberty, born in Knox county, in 1847, and was married
in 1868, to Aminda M. Crunkilton, who was born in Wayne
county, Ohio, in 1849. They have three children: Clara Etta,
born in 1870; Sherman Scott, in 1875; Frank Herd, in 1877.
Mr. Mishey engaged in the mercantile business in North
Liberty, in 1867, and is still in business there. He is a practical
business man, has a stock of goods consisting of dry goods,
boots, shoes, groceries, and drugs, and constantly keeps a fresh
supply on hand direct from manufacturers.
MISHEY, A. W., Pike township, merchant, post office,
North Liberty, born in Pike township, this county, in 1854, and
was married in 1877, to Alvina Spayde, who was born in Wash
ington township, Richland county, in 1859. Mr. Mishey re
ceived a very liberal education and engaged in teaching for
some time. In 1879 he located in North Liberty, and engaged
in mercantile business, making a specialty of hardware and gro
ceries, keeping constantly on hand a good supply to meet the
demand. He is the postmaster of North Liberty, the post
office being in his store room. Mr. Mishey is a young man of
good business ability; has the confidence of this community,
and by his honesty and uprightness has gained the high esteem
of all. He is a worthy member, of the Evangelical church, and
has a bright future before him. Mr. Mishey is one of the lead
ing men in this township.
MITCHEL, WILLIAM, JR.— His father, William Mitchel,
sr., was a native of Sussex county, New Jersey, and was mar
ried to Phebe Southard in 1789. In 1796 or 1797 they located
about twenty-five miles from Pittsburgh, on the Monogahela
river, where they resided until 1808 when they came to Ohio and
located one and one-half miles southwest of » Fredericktown,
where, with the assistance of his family he cleared up a farm,
and also engaged in making brick. He had a family of eleven

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

745

children, viz.: Jacob, born September 21, 1790; Nathaniel, May
6, 1792; Abigail, May 5, 1794; Mary, August 15, 1796; Han
nah, October 8, 1798; Naomi, December 26, 1800; Sarah, Jan
uary 7, 1803; John, May 19, 1806; Margaret, May 25, 1808;
William, jr., July 15, 1811; and Silas, April 20, 1814. Of this
large family all lived to maturity, and all except one were mar
ried and had families, and were all members of the church.
Only five survive, viz.: Hannah, Naomi, Margaret, William, jr.,
and Silas. William, jr., the tenth member of this family, re
ceived such an education as the days of his childhood afforded,
after which he learned the axe trade with his brother-in-law, J.
L. Young, which he followed closely for twenty-five years, and
has worked at it occasionally since. In 1839 he went to Logan
county, Illinois, where he followed his trade, together with farm
ing, for seven years. In 1846 he went to Morrow county where
he lived five years ; then moved to Knox county, where he has
since resided. He was married May 23, 1833, to Miss Lucy,
daughter of Anson Brown, of this county. They have had a
family of seven children, three of whom are living, viz. : L. Y.
Mitchel, R. C. Mitchel, and Luella Mitchel.
MITCHELL, ALMON, Milford township, farmer, was
born in Licking county, March 30, 1816. His parents, Sylva
nus and Betsey Mitchell, nee Knox, were natives of Massachu
setts, and came with the Granville colony to Licking county,
Ohio, in 1805, where they lived until 1822, when they moved to
Milford township, one mile west of Lock, where they lived and
died. They had ten children, six sons and four daughters.
Three only of this family are now living, viz : Albert, Almon,
and Olive. The latter married Daniel Patterson, who resides in
Pulaski county, Indiana. Those who are dead are Orrin (who
was a Methodis minister), Cornelius, James, Lawrence, Spencer,
Fannie (married to Joseph Morey), Lucina (married to Emer
Hawkins), and Mary (married to S. Mead).
The subject of this notice was reared on a farm, and during
the winter months attended the schools of those days and as
sisted on the farm. In October, in 1837, he married Miss Mar
garet Hawkins, a native of Milford township, who was born
May 2, 1818. She is. the daughter of Harris Hawkins, a pio
neer of Knox county; of whom mention is made among the pio
neers of Milford township. After Mr. Mitchell was married he
remained on his father's farm about four years, when, in 1842,
he moved to his present farm, which he had previously pur
chased. When he moved on his farm the cabin stood near the
site of his present house. Mr. Mitchell had the usual experience
of early settlers. He persevered, however, and as a reward of
his efforts he has added considerable to his first purchase, until
he is one of the substantial farmers of Milford township.
They have fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters:
Harris, deceased when young; Emer H., who lives in Piatt
county, Illinois; Charles Lewis; Alice Amanda, who married
Monroe Crego; Betsey Clarinda (deceased), who married
Dempsey Conaway; Stephen Albert ; Harriet Weltha, who mar
ried Thomas Wade; Torrence; Maria; Isabella; Willie H.;
Laura Lucina, who married Emer Harris ; Dana A. , and Mary O.
Mr. Mitchell commenced life comparatively poor, but is now
one of the leading men of the county.
MITCHELL, A. T, ofthe firm of C. Mitchell, planing
mill, Sandusky street, Mt. Vernon, was born in Richland
county, Ohio, near Ontario, June 19, 1828, where he resided up
to 1845. He then came to this county, and resided with his
uncle, Mr. Thomas Mitchell, four miles west of Mt. Vernon,

and worked on the farm for five years. He then went to car
pentering and wagonmaking, which he followed for twelve
years. He then moved to Morrow county, and purchased a
steam saw- and grist-mill which he ran about two years. In
1864 he came to the city, and engaged in the grocery business,
which he continued about four years. He then went to Sparta,
Morrow county, and opened a general store under the firm of
Mitchell & Robinson. He remained in Sparta only about six
months, when he went to Mt. Vernon. He again went into the
grocery business. This continued about one year. He then
entered into business with Mr. Kelly, and did business under
the name of Mitchell & Kelly, which continued about one year.
May 1, 1877, he purchased the planing-mill of Clements &
Reed. Recently, he disposed of the planing-mill, and at pres
ent is engaged in running a saw-mill.
MOODY, WILLIAM, Miller township, retired, farmer and
minister of the Disciple church, was born in Licking county,
Ohio, December 8, 1813. His father, William Moody, was
an only son of James Moocy who died in Newfoundland.
William Moody, sr., married Mary Stadden, whowas bom
in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1771, and there
married. They emigrated to Licking county, Ohio, about
1805, and located in Madison township, on the Bowling Green,
four miles east of the town of Newark in 1807, where they
resided until the death of William Moody, which occurred
August 28, 1828, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. The sub
ject of this sketch at that time was fifteen years of age. He
continued to live with his mother and younger sister until March
24, 1835, when he married Miss Laura A. Wells, daughter of
Osmond Wells, of Hanover township, Licking county, Ohio.
She was born February n, 1817.
Selling his interest in the homestead, he moved in 1837, to
Richland county, Ohio, where he remained until 1852, when he
sold and purchased one and a half miles west of Millwood, on
Owl creek. Here his mother died in 1855, having lived with
him since 1851. She was aged eighty-four.
Mr. Moody continued to reside here until 1865, being en
gaged farming during the week, and the ministry on the Sab
bath. He then sold his farm, and gave his attention entirely to
the ministry, and by the blessings of the Lord many were
added to the churches where he labored, tn 1874 bis health
failed so as to prohibit active duties in the ministry. He still
resides on the small farm in Miller township, which he pur
chased in 1865. He is esteemed by all who know him for his
many Christian virtues. He is the only survivor of nine chil
dren. There were born to this couple eleven children — five are
dead, and six are living. The living are: John, a physician at
Centreburgh, Ohio; Elisha, farmer, Delaware county; Mrs.
Emma Hunt and Mrs. Laura Jewel in Delaware county, Ohio;
Mrs. Mary Johnson in Miller township, and Mrs. Rachel Barker
in Missouri. They had twenty-four grandchildren, all but three
of whom are living.
MOODY, JOHN REED, Hilliar township, physician and
surgeon, was born in Mansfield, Ohio, November 22, 1839.
His father, who is now a minister in the Disciple church, came
to Knox county and settled on a farm. It was here where John
spent his youth. When about seventeen years of age he en
tered the grammar school at Kenyon college, with a view of
taking a full collegiate course. He got on well with his studies
and had entered the sophomore class, when the call for volun
teers was made in 1861. He enlisted in company A, Fourth

746

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

Ohio, for three months. He served the three months, and
shortly after his return home he went to New York and enlisted
in the Fifty-ninth regiment. He was appointed hospital steward
for the regiment. The regiment belonged to the Army of the
Potomac, and was through the different campaigns, until after
the battle of Antietam, when it veteranized. His term of enlist
ment having expired in the Fifty-ninth New York, he came home
and in a few days enlisted in company A, Ninety-sixth Ohio
volunteer infantry. He was in all the fights with his regiment
from Haine's Bluff, in the rear of Vicksburgh, until the surren
der of Mobile, Alabama. He served his country faithfully and
honesty for over four years, receiving two wounds as the price
of his patriotism. On his return home he concluded to read
medicine with Dr. George W. Barnes, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
After his course of reading he went to the Western Homoeopathic
college at Cleveland, and graduated there in the spring of 1866'
After leaving college he practiced one year in Newark, Ohio,
and one year in Somerset, Ohio. The faculty of the college
recognizing his ability appointed him demonstrator of anatomy,
which position he held for seven years, to the satisfaction of the
management of the college. His health not being good he re
signed his appointment, and opened an office in the city, where
he remained ten years, doing a large business. His practice be
ing arduous and confining in the' city, he concluded to relin
quish it there and go where he could have more out-door work.
He accordingly came to Centreburgh in 1877, where again he
has been successful in building up a good practice. He was
married to Endorah A. Brown, January, 1876.
MOORE, FRANK R., attorney, Mt. Vernon, was born in
Richland county April 16, 1852. His parents were natives of
Maine, emigrating from their native State to Richland county,
Ohio, and in 1857 they came to Mt. Vernon, where they yet
reside. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools, and
while so doing was twice appointed to the United States Military
academy at West Point, New York, from his congressional
district, but on account of the objections of his parents he did
not go. He graduated at the Mt. Vernon schools in June, 1871.
He learned and worked at the carpenter trade, and upon the
surveying ofthe Columbus and Mt. Vernon railroad he was a
member of the engineer corps, as assistant. He read law with
Cooper, Porter & Mitchel], and was admitted to practice at the
June term of 1875. After the dissolution of the firm Mr. Moore
continued with Colonel Cooper until the fall of 1878, when he
was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney, and again in
1880, running some three hundred ahead of his ticket. In poli
tics he is a Democrat. He was for several years a member of
the county board of school examiners. He was joined in mar
riage November 6, 1880, to Miss Blanche Struble, daughter of
Daniel Struble, of Fredericktown, Ohio.
MOORE, A. C, baker and confectioner, East Gambier,
between Main and Gay streets, Mt. Vernon. Mr. Moore was
born in Harrison county, Ohio, February 28, 1836. When
quite young his parents removed to Holmes county, where he
remained until he reached the age of twenty-one years, during
which time he attended school, worked on a farm, and served
an apprenticeship at cabinet-making with J. Taylor at Millers
burgh. He worked at his trade at Loudonville for a short time,
when he commenced the manufacture of Dulcimers, which he
continued for four years. In 1861 he engaged in the baking
busines in Ashland county, and served an apprenticeship of two

and one-half years, after which he went to Fredericktown and
run a bakery for three and one-half years. He then commenced
with Sargent & McKnear, cabinet-makers, and worked four
years. He then came to Mt. Vernon and opened his present
bakery in the old George bakery stand, East Gambier street, in
which he still continues. He uses about one hundred and twen
ty-five barrels of flour per year, and does a business of about
twelve hundred dollars per annum.
MOORE, D. M., merchant tailor, Woodward block, Vine
street, Mt. Vernon. This firm was established March 1, 1880,
and is a branch of the firm of D. M. Moore, of Newark, Ohio.
The business here is conducted by J. C. Hartley, who is also
cutter. They carry a large stock of goods.
Mr. Hartley is a native of Alliance, Ohio, and was born June,
1851. His first business engagement was with Hugh Bleakley,
grocer, as salesman, where he served two years. He then en
gaged in tailoring, in which he has since been engaged, and has
had seventeen years experience in the business.
MONTGOMERY, DAVID CARTER, attorney at law, pres
ident of Eagle Mutual Fire Insurance company and treasurer of
the Ohio Mutual Aid association, of Mt. Vernon, was born in
Washington county, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1816. His
father, David Montgomery, with his wife and family, came to
Ohio in April, 1823, and settled in Knox county. His father
was twice married. His first wife's maiden name was Hannah
McDowell, by whom he had six children, two of whom are now
living. Upon the death of his wife he was married to
Hannah Coleman, nee Carter, by whom he had one son and two
daughters. Of these three children, two are living, viz: Mrs.
Isaac Irwin, of Knox county, and the subject of this sketch.
His father, by unfortunate flour and whiskey speculations on the
lower Mississippi, lost his mills and farm on Ten Mile, Pennsyl
vania, and remained in very humble circumstances during his
after life. He followed teaching principally while in Pennsylva
nia, and on coming to Ohio he continued in that avocation.
In the fall of 1838, the father was elected recorder (being sev
enty years of age, March, 1838), and was reelected at the expi
ration of his first and second terms, thus serving the people in
that capacity for nine years. David's early life was spent on a
farm. At the age of twenty-two he began to help his father in
the recorder's office, and remained with him two years. He was
deputy sheriff under William Beam, and also under Absalom
Thrift, with the two over six years. In October, 1846, he was
elected sheriff, and in October, 1848, he was reelected, thus
serving two terms. While in the different offices of the county,
he read law. He paid attention to farming about four years.
He removed on the farm in November, 1853. In 1854 he rented
the farm and returned to Mt. Vernon, and through advice of
friends he reviewed his law studies. In the fall of 1856 he was
put on the ticket for sheriff, but was defeated on account of
Know Nothingism. Afterwards he was nominated for probate
judge, and was defeated on account of political Know Nothing
ism. Mr. Montgomery was admitted to the bar in 1858, and
has since been engaged in its practice. He was married to
Miss Jane Pratt, January 7, 1845. They have had four chil
dren— all died in infancy. He was twice placed on the Prohibi
tion ticket for supreme judge. He was appointed provost
marshal in 1862, and served until all apprehension of resistance
and revolt against the draft of that year had passed away, when
he resigned.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

747

MORGAN, REUBEN H., attorney at law, has been a res
ident of Martinsburgh about four years. He was born in
Muskingum county, Ohio, June 25, 1844.' Mr. Morgan was
probate judge of Muskingum county, and at the present time is
justice of the peace, township clerk, and mayor of Martinsburgh;
was married May 10, 1871, to Miss Angie Harris; has three
children: Minnie V., Edith E. and Frankie; is a leading local
Republican politician and member of the county central com
mittee. MORELAND, WILLIAM, Milford township, farmer, was
born in Jefferson county, Ohio, November 19, 1819. His father,
Bazaleel Moreland, was born in Charles county, Maryland,
February 25, 1782. The Moreland family are of English origin,
and came to America in the early part of the last century, and
settled in Maryland. There is now a numerous family living in
Hampshire county, Virginia, and a number reside in the West-
em States. Bazaleel Moreland went from his native county in
Maryland to Hampshire county, Virginia, when he was about
twenty-one years of age, and there married Margaret Fahs,
born November 6, 1785, a native of that county, and by descent
German. They remained in Hampshire county, Virginia, after
their marriage about ten years. About 1816 they emigrated to
Jefferson county, Ohio, and settled near Smithfield, remaining
there some time and then moved to Hanison county and in the
spring of 1829, moved to Licking county, eight miles north of
Newark, in Newton township, where they remained until 1848,
when they came to Knox county, settling in Milford township,
on the farm, where their son William now resides. Here they
both died: Mr. Moreland, September 19, 1857; and Mrs. More-
land, September n, 1864. They had a family of twelve chil
dren, viz: Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Evans, resides near Canton,
Illinois; Anne, deceased, married Reese Jones; Mary, deceased,
married Peter Evans, died in Illinois; Margaret, widow of Alban
Warthen, resides in Pataskala, Ohio; Philip, deceased; Martha,
widow of Burdett Warthen, resides in St. Louisville, Licking
county; William the subject of this notice; Rebecca, wife of
Felix Donnelly, resides in Remmington, Indiana; Lettice,
(deceased, ) wife of William Donnelly ; Richard in Milford town
ship; Katharine, wife of Robert Horton, in Newton township,
Licking county, Ohio; George W., farmer, near Utica, Licking
county. The subject of this notice remained at home until 1843,
with his parents. He remained in Licking county until 1856,
when he came to Milford township, where he has since resided.
He was married to Miss Nancy Samson November 2, 1843.
She was born May 27, 1824, in Licking county, Ohio, was the
daughter of Daniel Samson. They had a family of nine chil
dren: first child died in infancy; Alban W., born February 25,
1848, farmer, resides in "Milford township; Daniel H., born
June *, 1850, farmer in Milford township; Eliza, bom July 16,
1852, wife of George W. Myers, Milford township; Rosa, born
August, 1854, wife of Albert Vance, resides in Utica; Eugene,
born August 26, 1856, lives at home; Matilda, born December
13, 1858, died October 7, 1862; Bert, born May 20, 1864, died
July 10, 1877; Caroline, born March 12, 1867. Mr. Moreland
has held several of the offices of the township, being clerk four
years; assessor one year, and was elected land appraiser in 1880.
He is a faithful member of the Disciple church. In politics he
is a democrat; is a leading citizen of the township, and is much
esteemed by the community for his many Christian virtures.
He is an unpretentious, well informed man.
MOREY, MRS. RHODA, Milford township, born in Vir

ginia, December 1, 1809; she is the daughter of William and
Betsy Daily, nee Kilngore, natives of Virginia, who were born,
reared and married there, and in the spring of 1810 emigrated
to Granville, Licking county, where they remained for about
six years, and in 1816 moved to Dry Creik, near the Columbus
road, in Liberty township, settling in the timber, where they
lived and died. These highly esteemed people had a family of
fourteen children, four of whom died in infancy: Daniel, de
ceased; Rhoda, the subject of this notice; Dorton, deceased;
Serrepta, deceased, married Hezekiah Clements, and had a
family of children; Betsy, wife of Daniel Vance, of Miller
township; Polly Ann, wife of Emor B. Harris, and now resides
near Red Oak, Iowa; Decorum, living in Westerville, Ohio;
Decatur, in Red Oak, Iowa; Dennis, who resides on the old
homestead in Liberty township; Diskin, deceased.
The subject of this notice was married to Nathan Lamson,
in 1824, who was born in New Milford, Connecticut, and came
with his father, Judson Lamson, a pioneer of Milford township,
to Ohio. They had three children: Betsy R., widow of Wil
liam C. McKenney; George J., a resident of Brandon and of
whom mention is made in the biographies of Miller township;
and Lawrence H., deceased.
Mr. Lamson was a farmer and very worthy gentleman, who
died in 1838. Mrs. Lamson married Joseph Morey, who was
born near Rutland, Vermont, December 19, 1799, died April 9,
1880. He came to Granville, Ohio, in 1813. He was one of
Milford's best citizens, and was much esteemed. By this mar
riage there were two children bom: Rose T. and Corwin.
Mrs. Morey is spending the evening of her life on the home
stead, where she has resided for forty-five years. She is much
respected by all who know her, for her many Christian virtues.
MOREY, WILLIAM, farmer, Miller township, was born in
Licking county, Ohio, September 13, 1826. About a year after
his parents, David and Harriet C. Morey, nee Reynolds, moved
to Clinton township on a farm three miles south of Mt. Vernon,
on the Utica road. Here they lived and died. She had a
family of eleven children. The subject of this sketch was
reared on a farm and attended the district schools. From six
teen to twenty-one years he was at Cincinnati, where he learned
the baking and confectionery business. He worked for a few
years in Ohio and Illinois; the remainder of his time he has
spent on the farm, except three months, when he was a member
of company C, One Hundred and Forty-second regiment, Ohio
National guards. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Ann My
ers, daughter of John Myers, of Milford township, January,
1856. They had seven children, six of whom are living, viz:
Marion S., Aldon D., Halleck J. (deceased), Carrie O., Dora
D., Ida May, and Eddie Chase.
MORRISON, THOMAS (deceased), Berlin township, was
born ill Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and married Isabelle
McReynolds, who was born in the same county. They had
four children,, viz: Isabelle, Eliza, John, and Hugh M. They
emigrated to Mt. Vernon in 1821, moved to Berlin township in
1825 on their farm. The parents died at home. Hugh M.
owns the home farm at present.
MORRISON, W. D., farmer and blacksmith, Berlin town
ship, post office, Fredericktown, was bom in Columbia county,
Pennsylvania, in 1827, came to Ohio in 1844, and married Isa
belle Morrison, who was born in this township in 1826. They
have seven children, viz : Mary, Eliza, Martha, Josephine,
Anna Bell, Geraldine, Emma A., Thomas W. and Lilla E. Mr.

748

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Morrison learned the blacksmith trade in Fredericktown and
worked at it thirty years.
MORTON, JOHN W. (deceased), son of Joseph and Mar
garet Morton, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania,
November 29, 1817. His father died in 1823. In 1826 his
mother, with her children — one son and three daughters — emi
grated to Knox county, Ohio, and located on a farm in Clinton
township, now owned by Mrs. Margaret Morton's heirs.
Mr. Morton married Miss Martha Chambers in 1848, who
was born in Miller township, Knox county, Ohio, November
25, 1826, daughter of Benjamin and Rachel Chambers. They
settled on the old home farm with his mother, remained about
seventeen years, and, in 1866, he purchased and moved on the
farm where his widow and daughter are now living in Clinton
township, adjoining the home farm on the north, and known as
a part of the old Johnson farm.
They reared a family of four children: Amanda, Mary J.,
Joseph B., and Rachel A. — all living.
MOUNT, CHARLES J. (deceased), Fredericktown, was
born in New Jersey in 1825, and came to Knox county when he
was quite young. He was manied in 1850 to Phebe D. Boberts,
who was born in Knox county in 1824. They have the follow
ing family, viz: Sylvi2 W., born in 1852; Ella ]., in 1855;
Charles B., in 1857; Martha R., in i860; and Elliot, in 1862.
Mr. Charles Mount was a carpenter by trade, and worked at
this trade in Fredericktown. He was a soldier in the late war —
a member of the Twentieth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry.
He enlisted in November, 1861, and received an honorable dis
charge in August, 1862. He died in September, 1863, from
effects of disease contracted in the army.
His widow and children are living in Fredericktown.
MOWRY, JACOB, Union township, farmer, post office,
Rossville, was bom in Jefferson township in August, 1847, and
remained at home until 1875, when he came to Union township.
He married Catharine Armstrong in 1874, and not long after
bought the farm on which he now lives. He has two children 
Minnie Viola and Alpha Alice.
MOXLEY, GREENBURG W., Liberty township, deceased,
was born in Maryland, November 30, 1830. He came to Lib
erty township when he w.is about four years old, was reared on
a farm and followed farming all his life. He was a straight for
ward, upright man, industrious in his business and a good
farmer, kind husband and affectionate father.
August 29, i860, he was united in marriage to Miss M. Hyatt,
who was born September 25, 1835. They had two children,
viz; Morris R. and Elizabeth. He died January 21, 1880.
MUCK, AARON, Middlebury township, laborer, post office,
Fredericktown, born in Washington county, Maryland, in 1823,
came to Miller township in 1837, and was married in 1851, to
Catharine Shafer, who was born in Franklin county in 1830.
and had the following children: Mary E., born September 14,
1852; John W., April 27, 1854; Louisa C, February 17, 1856-
Nancy N., December 13, 1857: Emma J., February 8, i860;
LillieA.,July6, 1865; Franklin D., July 21, 1867; Rosa B., Oc
tober 9, 1869. The following are deceased : Franklin D., died
January 5, 1869; Mrs. Catherine Muck died January 21, '1878,
in this county.
Mr. Aaron Muck was a soldier in the Mexican war, and also
in the late war, a member of company F, One Hundred and

Twenty-fifth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry. He entered the
service October 4, 1862, and was discharged in May, 1863,
MUENSCHER, D.D., REV. JOSEPH, was born in Provi
dence, Rhode Island, December 21, 1798. He prepared for
college at Phillips' academy, Andover, Massachusetts, and grad
uated from Brown university in 1821. He then entered the
Theological seminary at Andover, where he remained one and
one-half years, and on March 7, 1824, he was ordained deacon,
and on March 13, 1825, was ordained priest of the Protestant
Episcopal church. He was rector of Christ's church, (South
Leicester, now Rochdale), Massachusetts, from 1824 to 1827;
and of St. John's church, Northampton, from 1827 to 1831; of
Trinity church, Saco, Maine, from 1831 to 1833, after which he
came to Ohio and was chosen professor of sacred literature, in
the Theological seminary at Gambier, where he remained from
1833 to 1841, when he resigned and accepted a call from St.
Paul's church, Mt. Vernon, but continued as instructor in He
brew in the seminary from 1841 to 1843. He was rector of St.
Paul's church from 1841 to 1855, when he resigned, and has re
mained without any particular charge, but officiates occasionally.
He is the author of several very popular and instructive works,
one of which consists of notes explanatory of the Proverbs of
Solomon, another being A Manuel of Biblical Interpretations;
and a work on the orthography and pronunciation of the Eng
lish language; also The Church Choir, being a collection of
sacred music, which has been extensively used in the Episcopal
church. He has also contributed articles to the Theological
periodicals and other religious publications. He was the
founder of the " Society for the relief of widows and orphans of
deceased clergymen of the Protestant Episcopal church of Ohio, "
and has been its secretary most of the time to the present. He
was married to Miss Ruth Washburn, a sister of the late Hon.
Emory Washburn, ex-governor of Massachusetts, and daughter
of Joseph and Ruth Washburn, of Leicester, Massachusetts.
They have had a family of seven children, viz: Joseph W.,
Eliza C, Emory W., Sophia, Charles H., Robert P., and
Sarah. Joseph W. graduated at Kenyon college and read law
at Cambridge, and entered upon the practice of his profession
at Sandusky, Ohio, where he died July 30, 1849. Eliza c-
Terry died in Mt. Vernon, March 23,. 1866. Emory W. gradu
ated at Kenyon college and engaged in civil engineering at
Grand Rapids, Michigan. Charles H. engaged in the mercan
tile business in Sandusky, Ohio, and Mrs. Sarah Young .resides
in Butler, Montgomery county, Illinois.
In 1849 the degree of D.D. was conferred on Rev. Mr. Muen
scher, by Kenyon college, and the same in 1852 by his Alma
Mater. MURPHY, BENJAMIN, decease'd, was born in Morgan
county, Virginia, on the twenty-sixth day of April, 1783, and
brought up in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. May 2, 1805, he
married Missjoannah Lewis, born in New Jersey, April 5, 1786.
They settled on a farm in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where
they lived until the fall of 1823, when they moved to Knox
county, Ohio, and located in Mt. Vernon, where he remained
several years, and then purchased and moved on a farm near
Fredericktown, same county. They lived on this farm a few
years and then moved back to Mt. Vernon, where his wife de
ceased in 1862. He died at the home of his son, Elias, two
miles west of Mt. Vernon, January 18, 1867, aged eighty-four
years. They reared a family of seven children, viz: Israel, born
in Pennsylvania, March 18, 1806; Elias, in Pennsylvania, Au-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

749

gust 5, 1808; Mary, in Pennsylvania, March 14, 1811; Oliver
P., in Pennsylvania, January 1, 1816; Martha J., in Pennsylva
nia, March 21, 1819; Lewis S., in Pennsylvania, November 1,
1821; Eliza, in Ohio, Julys, '824. AH are now deceased ex
cept Elias, Mary, and Eliza. Two of Mrs. Murphy's brothers,
John and Thomas Lewis, served in the War of 1812. Benja
min Murphy was drafted in the same war, but owing to circum
stances he could not leave home, and his brother, Barrick, went
into the army in his place, served the time out and returned
home. MURPHY, ELIAS, farmer, second son of Benjamin and
Joannah Murphy", was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania,
August 5, 1808. He came with his parents to Knox county,
Ohio, in 1823. On the twenty-ninth day of May, 1834, he mar
ried Miss Margaret Newell, who was born in Washington coun
ty, Pennsylvania, on the first day of August, 1812, and was
brought to Knox county, Ohio, by her parents, James and
Polley Newell, in 1819. Shortly after his marriage to Miss
Newell he purchased and moved on the farm where they are
now living, in Clinton township, two miles west of Mt. Vernon,
He has made farming and stock raising his vocation. Their
union resulted in eight childrens, two sons and six daughters.
One son and one daughter are deceased. His son, Lewis M.,
served in the war of 1861.
Newell, James, deceased", was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1782. He married Miss Polley
Fleming July 2, 1811, born in Pennsylvania July 17, 1792. They
settled in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where they re
mained eight years, and in 1819, emigrated to Knox county,
Ohio; located in Clinton township on a farm now owned by
Joseph Meyrs, two and one-half miles west of Mt. Vernon,
where they passed the remainder of their days. He died De
cember 7, 1848. His companion survived him until April 15,
1850. They reared a family of seven children: Margaret, born in
Pennsylvania August 1, 1812; Samuel, born in Pennsylvania
June 10, 1814; Sarah, born in Pennsylvania July 14, 1816; Jane,
born in Pennsylvania September 20,1818; Eliza A., born in
Ohio December 25, 1821; Hugh, born in Ohio December 25,
1824, James S., April 4, 1828. Two of the number are now
deceased — Sarah and James S.
MURPHEY, WILLIAM, Hilliar township, farmer, was
born in Guernsey county, Ohio, March 31, 1818. His father
was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother a Virginian by
birth. His name was James Murphey, and his wife's maiden
name was Mary Ann Paschal. They were married in Guernsey
county, Ohio, and came to Hilliar township in June, 1830, and
settled immediately west of where Centreburgh now stands,
where he owned four hundred acres of land. They had a
family of ten children, the subject of our sketch being the fifth
child. Ihey were among the early settlers of Hilliar town
ship. Mr. Murphey spent his youth at home with his parents on
the farm, until he was about twenty-two years of age. He
lived in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri about seven years, and the
rest of his life has been spent in Hilliar township. He is an ex
cellent farmer, and has the esteem of the public. He was
married to Miss Julia Ann Smith in 1846. They had five chil
dren, two of whom are living — Alva M. and Ida J.
MURPHY, M. M., was born January 9, 1840, in Cleveland,

Ohio, where he was reared and educated at the public schools,
and remained until 1858. After leaving school he learned boat
building, at which he worked three years; he then followed
sailing for about two years, and at the opening of the war he
enlisted in company F, Forty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, and
served two years and one month, when he was discharged on
account of disabilities and returned home.
During his term of service he came to Mt. Vernon and was
married to Miss Lizzie Crandall in May, 1862. After his dis
charge he moved to Columbus and resided thereuntil 1864, when
he again enlisted in company A, One Hundred and Seventy-
sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, and was made orderly sergeant.
In January, 1865, he was commissioned second lieutenant,
and in March was commissioned first lieutenant, and was mus
tered out and discharged in July, 1865, but was immediately
commissioned second lieutenant of company A, Seventeenth
United States Colored infantry; and in the following December
was promoted first lieutenant, in which capacity he served until
1866, when the regiment was mustered out and discharged. He
was given the honor of brevet captain for meritorious service,
commission to date from 1865. After his discharge he returned
to Mt. Vernon and went into business. He was appointed
deputy sheriff under Sheriff Steel, and was continued under his
seccessor. He has been secretary of the board of health since
1868, but is now engaged at his trade as house finisher.
Mrs. Murphy was born in October, 1838. Since 1868 she has
been ministering to the comfort and happiness of the community
by keeping elegant ice cream parlors; furnishing to the public
ice cream of all flavors desired, by wholesale as well as retail;
also lemonade and wedding cakes, as well as all other kinds of
cake. MYERS, GEORGE, farmer, Milford township, was born
near Woodstock, Virginia, in the year 1813. About 1820 his
parents Frederick and Mary Myers, nee Riffy, with their family
came to Licking county and remained one year, and then moved
to Milford township, having traded a five-horse team and wagon
for one hundred acres of land, which was unimproved. They
had twelve children, six of each sex, six of whom are living.
They (the parents) lived and died on this farm.
The subject of this notice spent his young days on the farm
he now resides upon and has followed farming all his life. He
is a pioneer in every sense of the word. He came here when
but few families lived in the township. * Here he passed the
years of his young manhood, and here is spending his old age.
He married Miss Catharine Gripp June 1, 1838, who was born
in Bennington township, Licking county, June 1, 1816. The
young couple began house-keeping in this township, and here
reared their family.
Mrs. Myers died March 18, 1880, aged nearly sixty-four years.
They had eleven children, ten of whom grew up and nine are
yet living, viz: Ezra Lewis, William W., Henry John, Torrence,
George M., Winfield Scott, Fredenck, Oscar. Harrison and
Ida V. have deceased.
Mr. Myers is one of Milford's best citizens, and of its most
substantial farmers. After the death of his father he purchased
the old home farm on which he now resides.
His father, Frederick Myers, served in the War of 1812, in
Virginia. He was of the light horse cavalry.
MYERS, DAVID, Brown township, farmer, post office,
Jelloway, and son of Abraham and Elizabeth Myers, born in
Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1815, was brought to

75°

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

Ohio when a child by his parents, his father locating in Steuben
ville, Jefferson county, where he remained until 1826, when
"he removed with his family to Knox county, locating near Dan
ville, where he remained a few years. His father then moved to
Pike township, where David Myers, the subject of this sketch,
was reared to manhood.
July 28, 1836, he manied Miss Catharine Pinkley, daughter
of David Pinkley, born in Richland county, April 28, 1817.
After his marriage he rented a farm in Richland county, which
he occupied about three years. He then moved back to Knox
county, where he has since remained. About 1855-56 he pur
chased a farm of fifty acres one mile and a half south of Jello
way, in Brown township, where he then moved. By their
union they became the parents of nine children; Sarah E.,
Joseph, who served three years in the late Rebellion, in the
Sixty-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, in company A, under Cap
tain Cassil; Margaret A., James, who died in the army in
December, 1863, he being a member of the Ninety-sixth Ohio
volunteer infantry in company B, Leonard being his captain;
William, Armanda, Masey, David M. and Mary. January 1,
1857, his companion died at the age of forty years.
In 1867 he married Libby Bailey, widow of William Bailey,
born in Danville, Knox county in 1825. About five years after
this marriage he bought a farm of one hundred and four acres
southwest of Jelloway, where he then moved, and has ever since
lived. MYERS, JOHN, treasurer of Knox county, is a resident of
Mt. Vernon. He was born in Bedford caunty, Pennsylvania,
December 6, 1830. His parents came to Knox county in 1836,
and engaged in farming. The subject of this sketch followed
farming for a few years, and then engaged in the grocery busi
ness. From the grocery he entered the dry goods store of
William Hendrick, where he remained for one year, and then
returned to farming.
Mr. Myers was elected county recorder in 1871, and reelected
in 1874. At the October election in 1879 he was elected county
treasurer, which office he now holds. He was married to Miss
Lonetta J. Armstrong, eldest daughter of the late Colonel
John Armstrong, September 22, 1858, by whom he has had
three children, only one of whom is now living.
MYERS, JOHN W., Milford township, farmer, is a native of
Milford township, was born February 21, 1837, son ot Frederic
Myers, of whom mention is made in this volume, in the biogra
phy of Jeorge W. Myers.
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and has
always followed it as his vocation. He started in life poor, but
has secured a competency by industry and frugality. He is an
excellent farmer, and his farm shows careful attention, and is an
estimable citizen.
He married Miss Mary Jane Fadely, September n, 1859,
daughter of Levi Fadely. They have one child named Alonzo,
born July 23, i860.
MYERS, WILLIAM W., Milford township, wagonmaker
and repairer of all kinds of farming implements, Lock post of
fice, was born in Milford township, March 13, 1841. He is the
son of George and Catharine Myers. He was on his father's
farm until twenty years of age. He then went to the carpenter
trade, learned it, then took up the trade, which he is now fol
lowing. He is a natural mechanic and can manufacture almost
anything which can be made in the way of sleighs, sleigh run
ners, in fact he can construct anything of the vehicle kind. He

has had twenty years' experience in wood work, and with his
natural ability he is one of the best workmen in the county.
He was married to Miss Julia Niebel, daughter of Joseph
Niebel, April 14 1864. They had three-ehildren— James Lewis,
bom January 8, 1865, died October 3, 1877; Ella Elma, July
19, 1868; Aremenia, January 25, 1872, died April 9, 1875.
MORGAN, GENERAL GEORGE W. The paternal and
maternal ancestors of the subject of this sketch were Celts.
His great-grandfather, Evan Morgan, emigrated to the United
States from Wales, and established himself at Prospect, a
country seat near Princeton, New Jersey.
Prior to the war of the Revolution, George Morgan, son of
Evan, became a member of the firm of Baynton, Wharton &
Morgan, one of the largest commercial houses in Philadelphia,
and in 1764 he married Mary Baynton, daughter of the senior
member of the firm. Her mother's maiden name was Cheva
lier, and her parents were both of French extraction.
Early in April, 1776, about four months prior to the declara
tion of independence, the Continental Congress appointed
George Morgan Indian agent, with instructions to negotiate
certain treaties with the Indians.
His appointment reads as follows, and is in possession of
General George W. Morgan :
To All Whom It May Concern:
Know ye; That the delegates qf the Colonies of New Hamp
shire; Massachusetts Bay; Rhode Island; Connecticut; New
York; New Jersey; Pennsylvania; Delaware; Maryland; Vir
ginia; North Carolina; South Carolina; and Georgia, in Con
gress assembled; reposing especial confidence in George Mor
gan Esquire, have nominated and appointed him, the said
George Morgan, Esquire, Agent under their Commissioners for
Indian Affairs in the middle department.
By order of Congress,
John Hancock,
Attest: President.
Chs. Thomson, Secy.
The annals of Heckewelder and Hildreth, and Taylor in his
history of Ohio, speak of the important services rendered by
George Morgan in his negotiations with the various tribes of
Indians, whom he never deceived.
Among other treaties, he negotiated one with the Delawares,
whose confidence he enjoyed to an almost unlimited extent. As
an evidence of their regard, they conferred upon him the title of
Tamerind — the Trath Teller — after the great Delaware chief
who had borne that name.
During the Revolution, George Morgan acquired the rank of
colonel, and became deputy commissary general.
That war was not an exception to wars generally, so far as
the rivalship and ambition of leaders were concerned. They
clashed then, as they have since, and will always continue to do.
Certain generals aspired to chief leadership, and sought to
supplant Washington. Prominent among those aspirants were
Gates and Lee. General Conway belonged to their faction,
which was opposed with bitterness by Generel Cadwalader. A
duel was the result. Cadwalader challenged Conway, and ac
cording to the usages of the times, Colonel George Morgan, al
though a friend of Washington, acted as Conway's second, or,
as the French term it, his witness. They fought with pistols.
The choice of ground, and the first shot, by lot fell to Conway.
The day was gusty, and probably to this fact Cadwalader owed
his life. A gust swept across Conway's line of fire, and his ball

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

75i

whistled harmlessly near Cadwalader's head. The wind still
blew in sudden puffs. Cadwalader raised his arm to fire, but
feeling the force of the wind, let it fall again, without touching
the trigger. •
Conway exclaimed: " General, why do you not fire?"
"I will do so, sir, when the wind falls."
Conway faced full to the front, and said: "You shall have a
fair mark, sir."
The wind lulled, and with the utmost deliberation, Cadwala
der fired, and Conway staggered and was caught in Morgan's
arms. The ball struck him squarely in the mouth, barely
missed the spinal column, and was caught in his hair, which, ac
cording to the custom of that day, was worn long, and tied in
a clump or club behind.
Conway cleared his mouth of blood, and said: "General you
are not only a very good shot, but a very cool one. "
The ball is still in possession of Colonel James B. Morgan, a
grandson of Conway's second.
In this connection, the following conespondence, literally
copied from the original letter, is not without interest:
" Mount Veknon, August 20, 1786.
Sir: — You will see by the enclosed letter from the Marquis
de la Fayette to me, that the Empress of Russia is desirous of
obtaining some authentic documents, respecting the language
of the natives of this country for the purpose of compiling an
universal Dictionary.
As I have thought no person was more in condition to accom
plish that essential service, for the republic of letters than your
self, I have taken the liberty of transmitting a specimen of the
vocabulary to you, together with a request that you will do me
the favor of paying as early and accurate attention to the com
pletion of the matter, as your avocations will admit.
Persuaded that a gentleman of your taste for' science in gen
eral, and particularly of your capacity for acquiring the infor
mation in question, will enter upon the task with pleasure, I
make no apology for troubling you with it, nor do I think it
necessary to add anything farther, than that it may be expedi
ent to extend the vocabulary as far as with the aid of your
friends, you conveniently can, and that the greatest possible
precision and exactitude will be indispensable, in committing
the Indian words to paper by a just orthography.
With sentiments of esteem and regard
I have the honor to be Sir
Yr. most obed't H'ble Sr.
G. Washington."
Colonel George Morgan,
of Prospect,
near Princeton. " Paris, February the 10th.
The enclosed, my dear General, is a vocabulary which the
empress of Russia Has requested me to Have filled up with
indian names, as she has ordered an universal dictionary to be
made of all languages. It would greatly, oblige her to collect
the words she sends translated into the several idioms of the
nations on the banks of the Oyho (Ohio). Presly Nevil and
Morgan of Fort Pitt, General Mullenberg in Fayette county,
and our other friends could undertake it for us, and be very at
tentive in accuracy. I beg your pardon my dear General, for
the trouble I give you, but Have been particularly applied to,
and cannot dispense with paying great attention to the business.
This goes with so long an epistle of mine that I shall only pre

sent you here with my best love and wishes, and am my dear
General, your respectful and tender friend Lafayette."
Some years after the recognition of American Independence,
Colonel George Morgan purchased a farm, long known as
Morganza, nearCanonsburgh, in western Pennsylvania. It was
from that place President Jefferson received his first intelligence
of Burr's conspiracy.
In his life of Aaron Burr, Parton says: "It so chanced that
one of Burr's first visits, on his western tour had consequences
of the utmost importance.
"It was to the house of Colonel Morgan, a name of renown
in the west, a valiant old campaigner who lived with his two
stalwart sons near the little town of Canonsburgh, Pennsylvania,
that this fatal visit was made. Civilities had passed between
Morgan and Burr in former years, and that old patriot had con-
cevied for Burr a very warm friendship, which his misfortunes
and peculiarities strengthened. As his custom was, Colonel
Burr gave notice of his coming, arid the old gentleman bursting
with hospitality sent forth his two sons to meet the expected
guests. Colonel Bun rode with one of the sons and Colonel
De Peister with the other. Burr's conversation surprised the
young gentlemen. Among other things he said the Union
could not last long; a separation of the States must ensue in
four or five years. He made minute inquiries respecting the
militia and arms of the country, and of the character of the
officers. One of Morgan's workmen chanced to pass, and
Bun said he wished he had ten thousand such men."
These and other facts too numerous to mention here, were
communicated to President Jefferson, and led to the arrest and
trial of Burr.
Colonel George Morgan and his sons, John and Thomas, were
witnesses on behalf of the Government at Burr's trial; and it was
at Richmond, where the trial took place, that Thomas Morgan
and Katherine Duane, the future parents of George W. Morgan,
first met. Miss Duane was daughter of Colonel William
Duane, editor of the Aurora, the recognized organ of Thomas
Jefferson. His father, John Duane, married Anastatia Sars-
field, a collateral relative of General Patrick Sarsfield, who
commanded the Irish troops at the famous battle of Limerick.
John Duane and wife emigrated from Ireland to the United
States in the first half of the Eighteenth century, and settled
near Lake Champlain in the State of New York. Their son
William was bom in 1760, and after the death of his father, in
1771, his mother returned to Ireland, where he received a clas
sical education, and greatly excelled as a linguist. Anastatia
Duane was a devout Catholic, and became forever estranged
from her son because he married Katherine Corcoran, a Pres
byterian. In 1784 William Duane went to Calcutta, in India, and es
tablished a journal called The World, one side of which was
printed in English and the other in Hindoostan. The paper
acquired great influence, and Duane amassed a considerable
fortune in a few years. He dreamed of an Anglo-Indian em
pire; and the governor general became uneasy at the influence
of The World. One fine morning when a ship was about to
sail for England Duane was invited to breakfast with that
officer, and was entertained with every semblance of hospitality.
The breakfast over, in marched a guard of soldiers, who ar
rested Duane and conveyed him on board the English ship.
His large property was confiscated by the governor general,

752

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

and on his arrival in England he in vain sought for redress.
He soon became the editor of The Advertiser, the organ of the
pronounced liberals who followed the lead of John Home
Tooke. In consequence of the boldness of his articles he was
anested for libel; and in 1795 he returned to the United States,
and became the associate editor with Bache of The Aurora,
and soon became the sole editor and proprietor. That journal
led the opposition to the administration of John Adams, and
upon the action of the Senate, Duane was indicted and tried for
libel under the sedition laws. He was heavily fined, but the
fines were afterwards remitted by President Jefferson.
Duane was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel in a regiment
of rifles in the army of the United States, and held that rank in
the War of 1812. He was the author of a number of scientific
and literary works, among which was a work on tactics, which
for many years was recognized as authority. His son, William
J. Duane, was Secretary of the Treasury under Andrew Jackson,
with whom he had a rupture. Duane refused to remove the
public deposits from the United States bank, on the ground
that the bank was entitled to hold them until the expiration of
its charter. As a compromise, Jackson tendered him the mis
sion to Russia, which he declined. He was then removed, and
Roger B. Taney was appointed his successor.
George W. Morgan was bom at Washington, Pennsylvania
September 20, 1820. The course of his education was irregular.
He was for four years in what was then known as the English
department connected with Washington college, and was in the
grammar school before enrolling as a private soldier in the army
of the Republic of Texas.
He early evinced a fondness for history, and read with
avidity the Lives of Plutarch, Rollins' Ancient History, and the
separate lives of the great military captains. After his return
from Texas he entered Washington college, and was in that in
stitution about eighteen months, when he was sent to the mili
tary academy, where he remained two years.
On the sixth day of September, 1836, Captain Thomas J.
Morgan organized a company of volunteers for service in the
Republic of Texas, then menaced with a second invasion by
Mexico, and George enrolled his name as a volunteet in his
brother's company. Not long after the arrival of the company
in Texas, George was promoted to be first sergeant, and entered
with zeal on the discharge of his duties.
The army of Texas was then in Camp Independence, on the
La Bacca, under the command of Brigadier General Felix
Huston, late a lawyer of Natchez, Mississippi. He was a man
of eloquence, courage, and energy, and by' instinct a soldier.
His army was well drilled, but not well disciplined. As a com
mander, Huston was after the style of Wallenstein, and gov
erned his soldiers by his personal magnetism ; and they would
have followed him wherever he chose to lead. During the in
tervals of drill he would make passionate harangues to his
troops; recite the tragedy of the Alamo, and the butchery of
Fannin and his five hundred comiades at Goliad. Then would
follow a glowing description of Mexico; a thrilling narrative of
the conquest by Ferdinand Cortez; and he promised to lead
his soldiers to the halls of the Montezumas, if the President
and Congress would allow him to do so. Sam Houston was
then President, and Congress was in session at Columbia, the
capital of the State. Albert Sidney Johnston, who afterwards
fell at Shiloh, was the adjutant general of Texas. He was a
graduate of the United States military academy, and was rec
ognized by all who knew him as possessing many elements of

greatness. With a kindly heart, he was grave, dignified, and
reserved, but without the magnetism that was one of the chief
characteristics of Sam Houston.
Major Gray, Captain T. J. Morgan, Shd probably other offi
cers, informed the President through the adjutant general, of
the demoralized condition of the army.
Felix Huston was brigadier general in command of the army
in the field, while the rank of Sidney Johnston was colonel.
Congress authorized the President to commission a first briga
dier general, a grade till then unknown, and the commission
was bestowed on Johnston.
In the meantime Sam Houston visited the camp on the La
Bacca. He was a man of majestic presence; six feet four
inches in height, and nobly developed in person. He was alike
great as a statesman and as a soldier. Having called upon
General Huston, he visited the hospital, cheered the sick, and
here and there recognized an old comrade of San Jacinto. The
next day he reviewed the army; caused it to be formed in
double column closed in mass, and addressed the troops in deep
and solemn tones, as a father might speak to his erring chil
dren. When Felix Huston harangued the army, as he often did,
the cheers of the soldiers could be heard far away over the
prairies. But when Sam Houston spoke, there was an impres
sive silence. He briefly reviewed the straggle of Texas for
independence. The most dangerous enemies of Texas, he said,
were not in Mexico, but in the United States. Texans had no
cause to fear those who would meet them in the field, with arms
in their hands; but real danger to Texas was to be apprehended
from the charges of those who represented the Texans as a
lawless banditti. He appealed to the soldiers to aid him in
making Texas respected by the nations; and that could only
be done by every citizen and soldier yielding cordial obedience
to the laws.
When he closed his address not a cheer went up, but the
spell in which Felix Huston had held the army was broken.
A few days after President Houston had returned to Colum
bia, while Felix Huston was manoeuvering his troops on the
prairie, several horsemen were seen to approach along the trail
leading towards the capital. It was Sidney Johnston and his
staff. At a glance, Felix Huston comprehended the situation; and
advanced to meet the man, by whom he had been overslaughed.
Their saluations were courteous and dignified. Huston invited
Johnston and his staff to sup with him, and the invitation was
accepted. These two men were of opposite types in every thing,
but courage. In aspect, Johnston was bronzed and stern. His
hair was was thick and nearly black; his forehead, broad and
high; his brows, heavy and projecting; his eyes, dark brown,
and serious in their expression. No one ever met Sidney John
ston, who did not feel he was in the presence of a remarkable
man. Felix Huston was the taller, but not the heavier man. His
complexion was fair; his eyes, in one of which was a slight cast,
were grey-blue; and his hair, light brown. He possessed more
magnetism than Johnston, but was not so great man. Huston
had a dash of recklessness in his composition, and the faults
which belonged to his temperment ; but was as generous, as he
was brave.
While thus, the rival chieftains, greeted each other, the eye
of every soldier was bent upon them; and as they parted,
young Sergeant Morgan, turned to his brother and said: Tom,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

753

those men will fight! "Tut, tut," the captain answered, "there
is nothing to fight about."
The supper passed off pleasantly ; but scarcely had Johnston
reached his quarters, when Major Ross of Huston's staff,
delivered him a cartel from his chief. The correspondence, the
author has never seen, and what He narrates of the duel, is
legendary ; but believed to be trae.
In his note, Huston said there was no man in Texas, under
whom he would be more proud to serve, than General Johnston,
for whom he entertained great respect as an officer, and gentle
man. But the President, with authority of Congress, had
promoted a junior officer over him. That as he could not
demand satisfaction of them all, he requested the honor of a
meeting with their representative; and that Major Ross was
authorised to make the necessary arrangements. Johnston
promptly replied, reciprocating the courteous sentiments ex-
presed by Huston, named sun-rise the next morning, as the
time, and the west bank of the La Bacca as the place of meet
ing; and designated Colonel Moorehouse as his friend.
While this was going on, Dr. Ezra Reed, lately deceased at
Terre Haute, called at the quarters — half tent, half house — of
Captain Morgan, to borrow from the assistant surgeon  ,
who messed there, a pocket case of surgical instruments, to
amputate the crashed fingei of a poor fellow, as Reed said, who
had been accidentally injured. Sergeant Morgan exclaimed:
"And so it requires pocket instruments to amputate a finger,
does it?" The captain still discredited the idea of a duel.
The next morning, as young Morgan was calling the roll of his
company at reveille, two pistol shots were heard from the direc
tion of the river; and the sergeant, without finishing the roll
call, ordered: "Break ranks! march! "and exclaimed: "Boys,
Johnston and Huston are fighting," and broke for the river, on
the opposite bank of which, but out of view, the duel was tak
ing place.
There was but one brace of duelling pistols in camp; they
belonged to Huston, and of necessity were used. The spring
of one of the locks was weak; Huston called attention to the
fact, and chose that pistol for himself. Johnston had never
pulled a hair trigger, while Huston was a crack shot. To
equalize the chances it was arranged, at Huston's suggestion, that
the elbow of the pistol arm should be kept against the hip, and
that the forearm alone should be raised to fire. At the first
shot Johnston's ball cut a twig, which fell at Huston's feet. He
took it up, and said: "A capital shot, General." Johnston
passed a finger through a bullet hole in the lappel of his coat,
andrephed: "Not so good as yours, General." Huston missed
at the second shot, and the ball of Johnston entered the ground
a few feet from him, on the line of fire. At the third shot
Johnston missed his aim, and Huston's pistol snapped. He
sat down at the root of a tree, and braced the spring by insert
ing a small splint of wood. While doing so, he noticed that
Moorehouse, Johnston's second, was about to load with a de
fective ball when Huston called out, " Here, Colonel, is a good
ball. The flaw in that one would catch the wind," and Johns
ton's pistol was loaded with the perfect bali taken from Huston's
pocket. At the fourth shot Johnston fell. The ball entered
the hip on the right side, and was extracted from the left by a
simple incision of the skin. The wound was painful, and not
free from danger. When Johnston fell, he promptly raised
himself on his elbow, and said: "Gentlemen, I call upon you
all to bear witness that this affair has been conducted honor
ably."

The combatants now repose in death. Huston died, long
since, in the south; and Johnston fell at Shiloh. His friends
believe, that had he not fallen, the fate of that day had been
different. In February, 1837, Sergeant Morgan was promoted to a sec
ond lieutenantcy of artillery, in the regular army, and was or
dered to report to the commandant of the post on Galveston
island. In an army, and especially in such an army, inaction breeds
discontent, and discontent is the parent of mutiny. Nearly
every State in the Union was represented, and every man had
gone to avenge Fannin, and Travis, and Crockett, and Bowie.
Every man wished to aid in transferring the lone star of Texas,
to our National banner, but the Mexicans threatened and made
demonstrations, but did not seek those whom they denounced
as invaders. The fare of the army was rough; for long months
at a time the soldiers lived on beef, coffee, and tobacco, without
bread or vegetables. But if the fare was rough, the clothing
was worse, for the treasury of Texas was empty, and the soldiers
received no pay. And for all this, never, in the world's history,
did any country do so much for her soldiers as Texas has done.
Those who enlisted for the war, on their discharge, received a
warrant for one thousand two hundred and eighty acres of land.
One-third of a century after Texas was annexed to the Union,
every surviving veteran oi the Texan revolution was given a
pension of one thousand dollars; and, several years ago, an
additional land grant of six hundred and forty acres was made
to every indigent veteran who had served in that revolution;
and on the fifteenth of March, 1881, by act of the Texas legisla
ture, another grant of one thousand two hundred and eighty
acres was made to every surviving veteran, or to his widow.
Nevertheless, a mutinous epidemic broke out in the camp Of
the main army in 1837, and spread to every post in Texas.
Amidst a terrific midnight storm, Colonel Teal was shot dead in
his tent. Who fired the shot has never been known.
Shortly afterward a mutiny broke out at Camp Johnston, on
the Navadad. The leaders were arrested and put in irons. The
guard was doubled, and Captain Thomas J. Morgan was cap
tain of the guard. During the night, a large body of armed
men assembled in front of the guard tent and demanded the
release of the prisoners. The guard was under arms ready to
obey orders. Captain Morgan stepped to the front and briefly
addressed the mutineers. He spoke to them in a kindly man
ner, but with firmness. He appealed to them to return to their
duty, and told them they could only reach the prisoners over
the dead bodies of the guard. His firmness and presence of
mind restored discipline, and as a recognition of his services he
was commissioned major; by which title he was known until the
hour of his death.
The post atVelasco next suffered. Lieutenant Sprowl joined
the mutineers, and was shot and instantly killed by Captain Snell,
commandant of the post.
At that time there were two companies at Galveston, under
the command of Lieutenant Colonel Lynch, and the disease of
mutiny next attacked them. The entire want of pay, for Texas
had no money; the want of proper food — the soldiers having
lived on fresh fish for three weeks; the want of clothing; and,
more than all, the want of an active and glorious campaign,
were the combined causes which demoralized the army.
Lieutenant Berth had been a sergeant in the army of the
United States, and in that service would have been efficient as
an adjutant — he was the adjutant of the post of Galveston. He

754

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

was as cold and precise as a machine, and the soldiers detested
him. He received an anonymous warning not to sleep in his
quarters; and that very night a shell exploded under his bed
and blew it to pieces, while Berth lay concealed in the grass
near by. The next day he fled from the island.
Adam Clendennin, Morgan's captain, was very unpopular.
He was young, haughty and brave. A note was sent to him,
demanding that he should leave the island. He treated it with
contempt. The next night, while Clendennin and Morgan were
in their quarters, built of sand sod, matted together by the
roots of grass, Herculano, a Mexican servant, came running
in, pale and trembling, and exclaimed: "The soldiers! the
soldiers!" Seizing their swords, they rushed out, and saw three soldiers
loading a cannon pointed at their sand sod building, and not
over fifteen paces from it. They rushed toward the gun; the
would-be assassins sunk in the tall prairie grass and disap
peared. The gun was spiked, and left in its position. On the
next morning, while Clendennin and Morgan were at breakfast,
the crack of a musket was heard, and a ball crashed through
the slats of the window in front of the table at which they were
seated. A prompt, but fruitless search was made. They re
turned to breakfast, and consulted as to what was best to be
done. Clendennin determined to ask for orders to proceed to
Houston, to report the condition of affairs at the war office.
He had made but a step from the door, when the report of a
musket was heard, and a ball whistled close to his head. He
took the first boat for Houston.
First Lieutenant Beaumont had resigned, and Morgan, was
left in command of the company. A committee of three, com
posed of First Lieutenant Agnew, a half-breed Indian, named
Smith, and another, called on Morgan to assure him that he
had nothing to fear if he did not interfere. He replied that
it was their place to obey orders, not to give-them; that he was
in command of the company by the authority of his commis
sion, and would do his duty. The military forms of roll call,
parade, and guard-mounting were continued, but the mutineers
were in frequent consultation. That day and night passed off
quietly, but towards morning Morgan was awakened by Ordi.
nance Sergeant Keoph, who told him that Smith was ring
leader of the mutiny; that he was trying to pursuade the men to
kill the remaining officers, seize a brig, then lying in the bay,
and put to sea. That on the coming midnight a general con.
sultation was to be held in the street formed by the huts occu
pied by Morgan's company. Ten of Morgan's men, and Ser
geant Grover remained true, but feigned to sympathize with the
mutineers. By prearrangement they were detailed for guard
duty, on the following day, and by the roster it fell to Morgan's
lot to be officer of the day,.
The new guard was mounted; the day passed off with unusuaj
quiet, and at night Morgan had the faithful Herculano conceal
himself in the grass to watch any movement on part of the mu
tineers. Toward midnight he crept to Morgan's quarters and
told him they were assembling, but without arms. The Mexi
can was sent with written orders to Sergeant Grover to meet
Morgan with his ten men in rear of his company's quarters.
The tall grass concealed their approach. Their arms were
loaded with buck shot. Grover was charged to look to Smith.
The guard noislessly filed between the huts, faced to the muti
neers with their backs to a hut. The surprise was complete.
Morgan had cautioned the guard not to fire unless he gave the
word. He commanded, "Make ready!" The half-breed stepped

forward and commenced to draw a heavy blunderbuss pistol
but was instantly struck over the head and knocked senseles by
the butt of Grover's musket. Morgan then told the men that
only seven of them were guilty, and, calling their names, ordered
them to step to the front, or be fired upon. They came for
ward and were ironed, marched to the guardhouse, and the re
mainder of the command were dismissed to their quarters, with
the injunction to return to their duty. The suddenness of the
surprise, the fall of Smith, the sense of guilt, and the chance of
being regarded as innocent, demoralized those who were on the
verge of desperate mutiny.
In the meantime Clendennin was not idle. He rallied a large
body of officers who had just been furloughed, and armed to
the teeth, and reenforced by a party of citizens who were keen
for a fray, took a steamer and reached Galveston on the night
following the arrest of the ringleaders. It was well they came.
Toward morning a large body of mutineers by their numbers
overawed the guard and liberated the prisoners. By this time
Clendennin's reinforcement had landed, and the mutineers qui
etly retired to their quarters. On the beach near Lynch 's quar
ters were two heavy guns which he had turned towards the bar
racks of the two companies, and they were ordered to parade.
The order was obeyed, and the ringleaders were again returned
to the guardhouse.
Ten minutes afterwards, Colonel Lynch, by Surgeon Shep-
pard, sent a challenge to Clendennin. It had been reported to
Lynch that Clendennin had uttered some serious reflections
against him at Houston. The challenge was peremptory, and
was instantly accepted, the duel to take place immediately after
the adjournment of the court martial, which was at once to as
semble to try the mutineers. Lynch was the president; Morgan,
as junior officer, the judge-advocate; and Clendennin was a
member of the court.
The court immediately assembled. The accused were jointly
tried, and found guilty. But the court considered all the cir
cumstances of mitigation, and was lenient in its sentence. All
pay, and one thousand two hundred and eighty acres of bounty
land were forfeited, and the mutineers were dishonorably dis
charged, and sent from the island, with a warning not to return.
Lynch and Clendennin proceeded from the court to the beach,
and while Morgan was writing the report of the proceedings of
the court, the report of the pistol of the combatants was heard.
The principals, at the word, wheeled and fired. Clendennin
was struck in the side, but the ball, striking a button, glanced,
and the wound was slight.
Morgan was immediately promoted to the first lieutenantcy,
made vacant by the resignation of Beaumont, and on the reor
ganization of the army, under President Lamar, he was made
captain in the First regiment of regular infantry, commanded
by Colonel Bruleson, and at eighteen years of age commanded
the post at Galveston.
Peace was never ratified between Texas and Mexico, and a
quasi war continued until the conclusion of the treaty of peace
between the United States and Mexico, in 1848.
Morgan enlisted in the service of Texas September 6, 1836,
and resigned his commission of captain on September 6, 1839.
In June, 1843, Captain Morgan, as he was then known,
came to Mt. Vernon. He had but fifty cents in his pocket, and
there were only three persons in Knox county whom he had
ever met — Caleb J. McNulty, A. Banning Norton, and Dr. A.
C. Scott. He was young, strong, full of hope, and ready to
work. He entered the law office of the Hon. John K. Miller

ANDREW B. MERRIN.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

755

as a law student, and became the partner of his preceptor as
soon as he was admitted to the bar. But the following spring
the war with Mexico broke out, and he abandoned the law office,
to become the captain of "The Young Guard," which organ
ized in Mt. Vernon. He had been in Ohio only three years,
when at Cincinnati he was elected colonel of the Second Ohio,
by the unanimous voice of his company officers.
As is generally the case, every one seemed to believe that the
war would be of short duration ; and the volunteers were en
listed to serve for a single year. They could have been as
readily enlisted for the war. During that year Colonel Morgan
served in the army, commanded by General Zachary Taylor.
For some months he was stationed at Camargo, which enabled
him, with the efficient assistance of Lieutenant Colonel Irwin
and Major William Wall, to bring his regiment to a high state
of drill and discipline. Not the discipline of regulars, for the
very nature pf the volunteer service renders that impracticable.
Nay, more, it requires years to establish such discipline, under
favorable circumstances, but when once established an army
acts with the certainty of a machine, and it is superior to a ma
chine because action is guided by reason. But there are
advantages in the volunteer system. There is more individual
ity; and the road to promotion and glory is open to every
soldier in the ranks ; which is the inspiration of success.
Morgan's regiment was well disciplined; and in the rapidity
of its evolutions, and in steadiness of courage, it was the
equal of any regular regiment. On the twenty-sixth of Febm
ary, 1847, with a batallion of his regiment, he fought and
repulsed General Urea and a force of lancers ten times Morgan's
strength. The march and fight was in a square, and Morgan's
men displayed the coolness and steadiness of veterans. Had
they been less steady or less cool, not a man would have been
left to tell the story of slaughter and defeat. Taylor devoted a
special report to that series of actions, and that report secured
the promotion of Morgan to the senior colonelcy of the eight
additional infantry regiments in the regular army; and he was
the only officer in that war who commanded a separate volun
teer and regular regiment.
After the final repulse of Urea, Morgan left his command with
Lieutenant Colonel Irwin, and proceeded to the citadel of Mon
terey. Meeting Adjutant Riddle, whom he knew, but by whom
he was not recognized, he said : ' 'Adjutant, I wish to see Col
onel Ormsby." "The colonel is not in the fort; if you have any
message I will deliver it to him on his return." "I wish to see
the colonel personally. " "Who are you? Are you an orderly
from Colonel Morgan? " Morgan straightened himself and re
plied: "I am Colonel Morgan, sir." At this unexpected reply
Riddle and the officers with him gave a hearty laugh ; but see
ing that Morgan was offended at once with courteous hospital
ity invited, him to his quarters, placed a lunch and bottle of
bourbon on the table, and invited him to partake of them. Ex
hausted and hungry Morgan relished the lunch, after whiGh
Riddle handed him a small minor, when Morgan gazed and
scarcely recognized himself. He was begrimmed with powder
smoke and dust; his hair was mattered and unkempt; his shirt
was soiled and black, and he wore no badge of an officer on
his person. He now laughed as heartily as the Kentuckians
had done, and said: Now, gentlemen, I understand you."
When Morgan reached Agua Nueva he was cordially re
ceived by Taylor, who congratulated him on his victory over
Urea. As "Old Zac," as the soldiers loved to call him, was
about to leave for Walnut Springs, he ordered Morgan to're-
48

port to Brigadier General John E. Wool, who was to remain in
command of the main body of the army, to be established on
the field of Buena Vista.
Morgan's regiment was without tents, and nearly without
camp equipage of any kind. During the two days' rest at Sal
tillo the men had to go into quarters, and as they were exhaust
ed they were relieved from duty, but conducted themselves re
markably well. However, the military governor of that place,
feeling that he might be superseded in command, reported to
Wool that the soldiers of Morgan were behavii.g badly. When,
therefore, in obedience to orders, Morgan' reported to General
Wool, he was received coldly. He said that he had been in
formed that Morgan's troops had been carousing at Saltillo, and
asked "What have you to say to that sir?"
"General," replied Morgan, "I have great respect for you
as my commanding officer, but you have not a better disciplined
regiment in your command than mine. The report made to
you, by whomsoever made, is not true.'
"It comes from agood officer, sir," replied Wool.
."Then I have a right to his name."
"No, the report is official, and it will be well if you will give
your officers to understand that they are under an officer who
will not tolerate abuses."
Morgan received written orders to go into camp at "The
Nanows, " immediately in front of the Buena Vista, and to
thoroughly police the ground which was still littered with the
bodies of mules, horses, and some unburied Mexicans. He was
informed that the day after the morrow the whole army would
go into camp at Buena Vista, and received written orders not
to allow any officer or soldier to pass "The Narrows," in ad
vance of the column without a written pass from Wool's head
quarters. This order was intended for the volunteers; as it
turned out, it caught the regulars.
It is nineteen miles from the Aqua Nueva to the Narrows. At
dawn the next morning, with a few wagons laden with tarpaulins
and poles, instead of tents, eight companies of the Second Ohio,
under Morgan — two having been left with Wool at the pass of
the Rinconada— took the lines of march for the Narrows. Ar
rived there, Morgan told his men what had taken place between
himself and Wool; that they were sent to police that ground,
as a punishment for an offence they had not committed. Al
though they had just marched nineteen miles, he told them to
redeem their reputation by a thorough police of the ground upon
which they were to camp before sun-down. The men sprang
cheerfully to work; every vestige of the battle, save the blood
stains on the rocks, was removed; and the sinks were all dug
and arranged before sunset.
The army of Wool was to come down the next morning. The
officer of the day and the officers of the guard were instructed
not'to allow any officer or soldier to pass the Narrows in ad
vance of the army, without a written pass from General Wool.
About nine in the morning Colonel Churchill, inspector general
of the army, a.veteran of merit, and a rigid disciplinarian, with
two or three other officers, reached the Narrows, on their way to
lay out WooVs camp. They were halted by the guard, and
their passes demanded. In vain they replied they had been
sent forward by General Wool. The guard refused to allow
them to pass, but an officer of the guard offered to conduct
them to Morgan's quarters. He saw them coming, and sup
pressing the smile which sought to assert itself, met the veteran
colonel with grave courtesy and requested him to alight. The
inspector general declined; said he was under orders from

756

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

General Wool to lay out his camp. Morgan regretted to detain
him; but he, too, was acting under orders, which it was his
duty to enforce. The officers were again invited to alight, and
this time the invitation was accepted. Cigars were offered; de
clined by the veteran, but smoked by his juniors.
In about an hour, Wool arrived. He, too, was halted by the
guard, who did not recognize him; his pass was demanded, and
he was escorted to Morgan's tent. The old martiriet had a
keen sense of humor, and failed to repress a smile, on seeing
the veteran and rigid Churchill held as a prisoner. Raising his
cap, Morgan advanced to receive his general, when Wool said.
"What does all this mean, colonel?" "These gentlemen, gen
eral, sought to go through my lines without a written pass from
your headquarters, and I have arrested them and await further
orders." "Well, colonel, let them proceed. You enforce or
ders rather strictly." "No exceptions were made, in the order,
general, and it is my habit to obey orders as I receive them."
"Well, well, we will let it pass. Your camp is nicely policed,
but you must have sinks dug:" "That, sir, was done on yes
terday.'' "I will look at them," he said. The boys had worked
like heroes, and Wool said with an approving smile, "That's
very well, sir, very well. Good morning colonel." The heart
of the old chieftain was won, and ever afterwards, he called the
Ohio troops his regulars.
As the expiration of the term of service of the Ohio troops
drew nigh, Colonel Morgan expressed a desire to reorganize
his regiment. General Wool gave him a letter to General
Taylor, requesting the commanding general to give Morgan a
letter to the President, advising that authority might be given
Morgan to reorganize his regiment.
On presenting to General Taylor Wool's lettei , after reading
It, Taylor turned to Major Bliss, his chief of staff, and said,
" Major, give Colonel Morgan his commission as colonel of the
Fifteenth infantry." The surprise of Morgan was complete, as
he had received no intimation of the good fortune which awaited
him. Early in June, 1847, Colonel Morgan reached Vera Cruz to
take command of his new regiment, which was composed of
five companies enlisted in Ohio, three in Michigan, one in Wis
consin, and one in Iowa. The lieutenant colonel, Howard, had
served twenty years as an officer of the regular army; Major
Woods was promoted from a captaincy in the Sixth infantry,
and Major Mills was a man of fine intelligence, great personal
courage and ambition. He was killed at the very gates of the
City of Mexico.
Thornton Broadhead, who was colonel of the First Michigan
cavalry in the late civil war, and who died an heroic death at
the second battle of Bull Run, was the adjutant of the Fifteenth
infantry; and one of the color-bearers of that regiment, Mor
gan met at Chickasaw as lieutenant colonel of an Iowa Regi
ment. The yellow fever was raging at Vera Cruz; hundreds perished,
but the marvel is that any one escaped its pestilential atmos
phere. Just as the Fifteenth was about to take up the line of march
for the interior, Lieutenant McCleary, of Hamilton, Ohio, who
was the regimental quartermaster, rode up to Colonel Morgan
and said: "Colonel, I will join you to-night, or in the morn
ing. I must look to my vouchers." His hand was hot and
dry, and before morning he was dead.
During the next day's march eight men out of two thousand
died of sunstroke. A halt of two days was made at San Juan

to let the troops recuperate. From thence to Puebla the column
was annoyed along the line by a rattling fire from Juarez's
men, but not of sufficient consequence to narrate.
Of all the lands beneath the sun none is so grand, or so
beautiful as Mexico. It has its pest spots, but one forgets them
while contemplating the grandeur of her mountains, the mag
nificence of her table lands, and the luxuriant beauty of htr
groves of the orange, the lime, the fig, the pomegranate, and
the mango. And of the cities of the world among the most
beautiful are Puebla and Mexico.
The deeds of Scott outshone those of Cortez. The Spaniard
attacked the Aztecs with firearms, while they had none.
Cortez had cavalry, but the Aztec regarded a mounted soldier
as a god. But when Scott came he met not the Aztec but the
Aztec's conqueror.
Vera Cruz is defended by what is regarded as one of the most
powerful fortresses in the world; but Scott captured the walled
city, thus defended, with a loss of only thirty men.
Then came Cerro Gordo; its rugged crests piercing the clouds,
the impassable ravine which flanked the road, making destruc
tion inevitable to those who might be driven over the precipire.
The place seemed impregnable — against an ordinary army it
was so. But there was Scott and Worth, and Persifer Smith,
and Shields and Harney, and Duncan and Hunt, and scores of
other heroes; and Cerro Gordo added one more leaf to the
chaplet which crowned Scott's brow.
Pueblo became a school of training for Scott's whole army.
And such rivalry, such emulation to excel, has been seldom
seen. The old army did not love the new; and while the new
regiments acccepted the old ones as models they aspired to
excel them.
There was a striking contrast between Scott and Taylor.
Each merits a place on the roll of renowned captains. Scott
was lofty in statue and in character. He gloried in the pomp
and panolpy of war. In Mexico he never appeared on the
street without epaulets, and sword, and sash, and coat buttoned
to the chin.
As for Taylor, he was never so uncomfortable as when in full
uniform. Scott's ten thousand men at Puebla formed a splen
did army. It was in the very heart of a country with nine
million inhabitants, whose capital it proposed to capture. The
army was composed of the divisions of Twiggs, Quitman,
Worth, .and Pillow, the whole four only equal in numbers to
the division of Morgan while he held Cumberland Gap. The
four divisions advanced from Puebla on the seventh, eighth,
ninth, and tenth of August, 1847, in the order already named.
On the twelfth and thirteenth a reconnoissance was made of the
bill, El Penon, which commanded the main route to the city,
and which was armed by three tiers of heavy guns, the base of
the hill being enveloped in water. On the thirteenth a recon
noissance was also made on Mexicalcingo, which was five miles
from the city. Both places were regarded as impracticable,
Our army was in position about Lake Chalco, with its head
towards El Penon. The order of advance was inverted. Worth,
Pillow, Quitman, and Twiggs marched, in the order named,
southward around Lake Chalco, and thus the city was turned.
When Twiggs withdrew to follow the column he was attacked,
but the skirmish was light, and without any result. * On the
eighteenth, Captain Seth Thornton, the same who was wrecked
on the coast of Florida during the Indian war, and who was
captured with Hardy at the opening of our war with Mexico,
was sent forward from San Augustin to aid a reconnoissance.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

757

He was fired upon by a masked battery, and cut nearly in two.
He was the first man killed in the valley of Mexico. By repu
tation he was known to the whole army, and the news of his
death created a greater shock than the fall of an hundred per
sons would have done under other circumstances. Three
young officers were standing on the road on which Thornton
had advanced a few minutes before, when an officer came dash
ing up, his brow knit, and his face pale. In reply to "what's
the word?" answered, as he galloped on, "Seth Thornton is cut
in two by a nine-pound shot 1"
The next morning, August 19th, the divisions of Twiggs and
Pillow were sent forward to attack the enemy at Contreras,
whose right was defended by a work mounting twenty-seven
guns. In his report, Scott says :
' ' From an eminence I observed the church and hamlet of Con
treras, on the road leading up from the capital through the en
trenched camp to Magdalena, and seeing the stream of reen-
forcements advancing by that road from the city, I ordered
(through Major General Pillcfw) Colonel Morgan with his regi
ment, the Fifteenth, till then held in reserve by Pillow, to
move forward and occupy Contreras (or Ausalda), being per
suaded, if occupied, it would arrest the reenforcements and ulti
mately decide the battle. A few minutes later Brigadier Gen
eral Shields, with his volunteer brigade, came up from San
Augustine; I directed Shields to follow and sustain Morgan.
.. These corps reached Contreras, and found Cadwalader in
position, observing the formidable movement from the capitol,
and much needing the timely reenforcement."
The position occupied, and the movement made by Mor
gan, was one of the operations which led to the famous court
of inquiry which resulted from the charges prefened by Scott
against Pillow, Worth, and Duncan.
In his report Pillow says: "About this time Brigadier Gen
eral Cadwalader's command had also crossed the plain, when
some five thousand or six thousand troops of the enemy were
observed moving rapidly from the direction of the capital to the
field of action. Colonel Morgan, with his large and fine regi
ment which I had caused to be detached from the rear of
Pierce's brigade, was now ordered to the support of Cadwalader,
by direction of tbe general-in-chief, who had now arrived upon
the field."
This portion of the enemy's forces moved steadily forward
until a conflict seemed inevitable, when Colonel Morgan's regi
ment, having reached this part of the field, presented a front so
'formidable as to induce the enemy to change his purpose, and
draw off to the right and rear of his former position.
The advance of Morgan was in a diagonal line from near the
hill of observation, where Scott and Pillow had established
themselves, across the pedrigal (volcanic slag) which extended
to Contreras. The pedrigal was broken by abrupt chasms and
nearly as sharp as glass. En rotite Morgan met Lieutenant
Beauregard, of the engineers (confederate general in the civil
war), returning from having conducted Cadwalader's»brigade to
its position. Beauregard returned and conducted Morgan to
the right of Cadwalader. The moment Morgan formed, he ad
vanced in line to the crest of a slope in front and halted.
The enemy's column also halted; sent forth an engineer
officer to make a reconnoissance. He approached so near that
his retreat was cut off, and he was captured, when the enemy
changed direction to the right; and the fight which seemed im
minent was postponed.

The night soon closed in. It was black and tempestuous; and
the rain poured down in torrents. After midnight, the brigades
of Persifer Smith, Shields, Cadwalader, and Morgan's regiment,
passed between the right of the enemy's line, and the fort of
Contreras, which was stormed by Riley's brigade at dawn.
The fighting, from the firing of the first to the last gun, occu
pied about seventeen minutes.
The enemy's loss was seven hundred killed, eight hundred
and thirteen prisoners, the wounded included; twenty-seven
cannon and a number of standards; while Scott's loss was only
sixty. The enemy fell back to the rivulet of Cherubusco, where
another battle was fought on that afternoon, August 20, 1847.
In his report Scott says, "The Ninth, Twelfth, and Fifteenth
regiments under Colonel Ransom, Captain Wood, and Colonel
Morgan, of Pierce's brigade; and the New York and the South
Carolina volunteers, under Colonels Burnett and Butler; to
gether with the mountain howitzer, under Lieutenant Reno, of
the ordinance corps, all shared in the glory of this action, our
fifth victory in the same day. . . Several changes in
command occurred on this field. Thus: Colonel Morgan
being severely wounded, the command of the Fifteenth infantry
devolved on Lieutenant Colonel Howard; Colonel Burnett
receiving a like wound, the command of the New York volun
teers fell to Lieutenant Colonel Baxter; and on the fall of the
lamented Colonel P. M. Butler, earlier, badly wounded but
continuing to lead nobly in the hottest of the battle, the com
mand of the South Carolina volunteers devolved, first on Lieu
tenant Colonel Dickenson, who being severely wounded, as
before at Vera Cruz, the regiment was ultimately under the
command of Major Gladden."
In his report, Pillow says:
"I cannot distinguish between the conduct of the command
ers of regiments in my division. They all acted a distinguished
part, as did their field and company officers; though the cir
cumstances of battle caused Ransom's, Morgan's, and Trous
dale's regiments, and the Twelfth infantry, under command of
Lieutenant Colonel Bonham, on the nineteenth and twentieth,
to be most actively engaged. In this last engage
ment, the gallant Colonel Morgan was wounded severely, when
the command of the Fifteenth regiment devolved on Lieutenant
Colonel Howard."
In reviewing the operations of that glorious day, Scott thus
gives the results: "The army has in a single day, in many bat-
les, as often defeated thirty-two thousand men; made about
three thousand prisoners, including eight generals (two of them
ex-presidents), and two hundred and five officers, killed or
wounded four; thousand of all ranks, besides entire corps dis
persed and dissolved; captured thirty-seven pieces of ordnance,
with a large number of small arms, and a full supply of am
munition. Our loss amounts to one thousand and fifty-three
killed and wounded."
"For gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Con-
treas and Cherubusco," Colonel Morgan was brevetted brigadier
general in the regular army of the United States. He was
then twenty-seven years of age. On his return to Ohio, at the
conclusion of the war, he was welcomed back with every de
monstration of regard. A banquet was tendered him at the
capital of the State, and a superb sword, with gold mounting,
was presented to him by citizens of the State, and the citi
zens of Knox county, gave him a splendid brace of holster
revolvers with silver handles. He resumed the practice of the

758

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

law, and was elected prosecuting attorney; as his practice
rapidly increased, he declined being a candidate for a second
term, and formed a partnership with James G. Chapman, under
the style of Morgan & Chapman.
In 1853 President Pierce tendered General Morgan a mission
in Europe, which he declined. Two years afterwards, his health
broke down, and he was offered and accepted the consulate at
Marseilles in the south of France.
In every respect, except as to salary, Marseilles is an agree
able consulate. The place is thoroughly cosmopolitan, and
probably at no other post in the world, can the flags and cos
tumes of so many different nationalities be seen. And the
general style is as much Oriental as European. From Marseilles,
General Morgan was promoted to the post of minister to Portu
gal; a position at one time held by John Quincy Adams, and
afterwards by James B. Clay.
Both as consul and as minister, General Morgan gave full
satisfaction to his Government. He was yet in Europe when
the first battle of Bull Run was fought, and returned to the
United States in the fall of 1861.
Civil war was a new experience in the United States. The
angry flow of words at length culminated in the clash of arms.
Reason had been fruitlessly exhausted, and force was the final,
and only resource left.
The people of the North were divided into three classes.
The first was revolutionary — bent upon the destruction of
slavery, even at the cost of the Union. To this class belonged
Phillips, Garcison, Chase, and others.
The second desired to preserve the Union, with or without
slavery; and at the head of this class stood President Lincoln.
Those who composed the third class, were in favor of pre
serving the Union at any cost of men and money, but were not
only opposed to making slavery an object of the war, but were
opposed to arming the slaves, on the ground that the ballot
would inevitably follow the use of the bayonet, and that the col
ored people were not prepared for the elective franchise. To
this class belonged George W. Morgan, the subject of this
sketch. In December, 1861, General Morgan was consulted by Secre
tary Chase as to the policy of invading Texas, and as to his
willingness to assume the command of a column to occupy that
State. He replied in writing, and recommended the invasion.
Among other reasons he gave the following:
"The occupation of Texas would prevent supplies of beef and
corn from being sent into Louisiana, and the importation of
munitions of war, and the exportation of cotton, by way of the
Rio Grande. If the invasion were conducted in a spirit of mag
nanimity it would consolidate the Union men in Texas, and
thereby weaken the rebellion."
About a week after the plan had been submitted to Secretary
Chase, he received a note requesting General Morgan to call at
his residence that evening. When he called he was met at the
door by Mr. Chase, who congratulated him on the approval of
his views as to the invasion of Texas. The Secretary told him
that his fortune was in his own hands. He then asked Morgan
what he thought of the propriety of organizing colored regi
ments in Texas. He replied that to do so would consolidate
the south and divide the north; that the policy would be bad as
a matter of strategy.
Other interviews were had without result, and General Mor
gan returned to Ohio. Shortly afterward he received the fol
lowing letter:

Treasury Department, January 16, 1862. f
My Dear General:
I have learned recently that General Butler was authorized to
raise troops for Texas, with the expectation of commanding the-
expedition, before your name was mentioned for the post by me.
"It would gratify, me beyond measure if you would consent to
join him as a brigadier general. I should then be confident of
success. I am sure you can have the post, if you say the word.
' ' Yours truly, S. P. Chase.
"General G. W. Morgan.'
The civil war occupied a vast area, upon whose surface sev
eral campaigns were being conducted at the same time, but
hundreds of miles apart.
Among the miljtary points regarded as of importance was
Cumberland Gap. Mr- Lincoln had, in i86r, suggested the
propriety of building a railroad, connecting Lexington, Ken
tucky, with that place. East Tennessee once in the possession
of a large Union army, the evacuation of Virginia would be
come inevitable. But a mountain wildnerness lay between the
two places, and the gap itself was' regarded as impregnable, if
properly supplied with military stores.
In April, 1862, General Morgan was assigned to the com
mand of the Seventh division of the army of the Ohio, com
posed of four brigades of infantry, embracing fourteen regi
ments, one battalion of cavalry, and four batteries of artillery.
The brigades were commanded by Brigadier Generals Carter,
Spears, Baird, and Colonel deCourcy.
During several months Carter had been in position at Cum •
berland Ford with a force inadequate for active operations
against that stronghold.
When Morgan assumed command he found many of the
troops threatened with scurvy. The roads had been impassa
ble, and Carter's brigade had been living on short tations of
salt provisions, and wholly without fresh meat. By telegraph
Morgan ordered cattle to be driven up from the blue grass re
gion twice a week. As there was no forage they were at once
slaughtered, and fresh beef was supplied to the troops. The
companies forming the different regiments were supplied with
arms of different calibres, and there was but one battery, and
it was composed of only four guns. A redistribution of arms
was ordered; new arms were brought forward, and each regi
ment was supplied guns of the same calibre.
Two reconnoissances — one secret, one armed — were made,
and Morgan became satisfied that Cumberland Gap could not
be taken by an attack in front.
Several times the enemy sent spies into his lines, and instead
of shooting them Morgan utilized them to his own purposes.
One of them pretended to be a zealous Union man, dined with
Morgan, who afforded him an opportunity of overhearing a
conversation carried on in an adjoining tent in regard to his
plans. The spy learned that a column of fifty thousand men
was shortly to be concentrated at Cumberland ford, when the
Gap was at once to be attacked in front, and turned by heavy
columns by way of Rogers and Big Creek Gaps. This fable
was carried to Knoxville, and laughed at. A heavily laden
wagon had never gone over Rogers Gap, and the defiles leading
to the gap at Big creek were heavily blockaded for eighteen
miles. In the meantime, Morgan sent Spears with his brigade to
clear the blockades ; with orders to fall back on the approach of
an enemy, and to return to the blockade when he retired. The
enemy did advance in force to cut off Spears; but warned in

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

759

time, he fell back, and again resumed the work, after the enemy
had recrossed the mountain.
Brigadier General Carter L. Stephenson, with five thousand
men, held Cumberland Gap; Lieutenant General E. Kirby
Smith, a vigilant and able officer, with a force of ten thousand
men, was at Knoxville, while two brigades in Powell's Valley,
watched Big Creek Gap, and another force held Chattanooga.
When his plans were completed Morgan, by telegraph, re
quested Buell to cause a demonstration to be made against
Chattanooga in order to cause Smith's army in the field to go
to the relief of that place. Morgan then occupied a narrow de
file at the Moss house, where the Deer Creek road debouches,
and threw up a work there in order to becloud, the enemy at
the gap as to his plans. When ready to move he seized every
suspected person between the Moss house and tie gap, and
each day sent a brigade over the Deer Creek road, until at
length the whole division had gone forward. The crossing at
what is miscalled Rogers' gap, was full of difficulty. The guns
were dragged up the mountain side by the aid of block and
tackle, and by this means a -battery, composed of six twenty-
pounder Panott guns, was carried across the mountains. At
the foot of the mountain on the south side the enemy had a
cavalry post. The pickets heard the heavy thud of the artillery
wagons, and spread the alarm, after having captured one or
two stragglers belonging to Morgan's column. The Knox
ville Whig announced that east Tennessee was invaded by
fifty thousand Yankees, and as Morgan kept his army con
cealed in the dense forest until it was fully concentrated, the
very stillness of his command gave his movement an air of
mystery, which was greatly in his favor. His division was con
centrated on the afternoon of the sixteenth of June, and at i
o'clock on the morning of the eighteenth he advanced in two
columns, by parallel roads, to attack the gap.
The men had their cooked breakfasts in their haversacks, and
their canteens filled with coffee. At daylight they halted for
breakfast. A force of the enemy was known to have been on
the night previous, about three miles in advance of the break
fast halt. Morgan had not slept during the previous night, and
went into a house by the road side, to snatch a few moments
sleep. He was soon awakened by Colonel de Courcy, who
came in with a farmer who reported that the enemy was evacu
ating the confederate stronghold. The march was renewed,
and the footprints of the confederates on their retreat were still
fresh when the Union troops took possession of the place.
The occupation of this stronghold was more glorious than
gaining a battle. It was a victory achieved without the loss of
a life, and was fully appreciated by the Secretary of War, by
the general commanding the army, to which the Seventh divis
ion belonged, and by the country. The following telegrams
and general order, speak for themselves: "Washington, June 22, 1862.
Brigadier General Morgan:
This department has been highly gratified with your success
ful operations against Cumberland Gap, and commend the gal
lant conduct and labors of your officers and troops, to whom you
will express the thanks of the President and of this department.
It is out of the power of this department to supply you at
present with any cavalry for offensive operations, and as your
force can for some time be advantageously employed defensively
in its present position, I trust you will not need it. With thanks
for your diligence and activity, I remain, yours truly,
Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War."

"Headquarters,
Army of the Ohio. In Camp,
Huntsville, Alabama, July 11, 1862.
General Order, No. 27.
The general commanding the army of the Ohio, takes pleas
ure in announcing the success of an arduous campaign by the
Seventh division, Brigadier General Morgan, commanding, by
which the enemy's fortified position at Cumberland Gap was
turned, and his force compelled to retreat as our troops ad
vanced to the attack.
The general thanks Brigadier General Morgan and the troops
of the Seventh division, for the ability displayed in their opera
tions against this important stronghold, and for the energy,
cheerfulness, and fortitude which they exhibited in their strug
gles with difficulties of the most formidable magnitude for an
army. By command of Major General Buell, James B. Fry,
Colonel and chief of staff."
Morgan intended to advance on Knoxville, and established
an arsenal at the Gap, containing a large supply of ammunition
and four thousand extra stand of arms.
The following dispatch was sent to General Buell, and the
Secretary of War: "Cumberland Gap, June 22, 1862.
I might as well be without eyes as without cavalry. The
enemy is said to have taken up a strong position in the Clinch
mountains, in the direction of Morristown, but not on the route
I would advance, if authorized to go forward; but this place
would be threatened by the enemy's position were I to pursue
another route. One strong brigade with six heavy guns, and
five hundred cavalry to act as scouts and foragers should be left
here; and I should be strengthened by two brigades of infantry,
one battery of artillery, and two regiments of cavalry. With
such a force I could sweep East Tennessee of every rebel sol
dier. My effective force is now about seven thousand five hun"
dred men of all arms.
George W. Morgan,
Brigadier general commanding.'1
Every energy was at once directed to strengthen Cumber"
land Gap. Lieutenant W. P. Craighill (now colonel of engi
neers) had charge of the work of fortification, and Captain
Patterson, of the volunteer engineers, was engaged in the con
struction of a storehouse capable of containing six months
supplies for twenty thousand men.
The whole question of holding that rugged fortress was one
of supplies. This fact was well understood by the Union and
the Confederate authorities. As has been already said, in 1861,
Mr. Lincoln recommended the construction of a railroad from
Lexington to that place.
The Hon. John Forsyth, of Alabama, a man of distinguished
ability, and at one time a volunteer aid on the staff of Bragg,
in his Memoranda of Facts bearing on the Kentucky Campaign,
says: "The strongholds of Cumberland Gap would have de
fied our combined armies in a direct assault."
On the thirtieth of June, 1862, Morgan telegraphed to Assist
ant Quartermaster General Swords, at Cincinnati : ' ' We are in
want of everything. We are destitute of forage.''
On the twentieth of July, Engineer Craighill telegraphed to
Brigadier General Totten, chief of the department of engineers:
"The country in our rear is exhausted. That in our front soon
will be."

760

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

On the twenty-third of July Morgan telegraphed to the Sec
retary of War and General Buell: " My supplies are very short."
On the eighth of August he telegraphed to Captain Brown in
charge of the base of supplies at Lexington, Kentucky:
' 'Twenty-five thousand of the enemy are between this place and
Knoxville, and the enemy's troops are constantly arriving by
way of Dalton. The safety of this place depends upon the
supplies you can rush forward. Not a second is to be lost,
Give us supplies^and we will hold this place, regardless of the
enemy's force." On the tenth of August Morgan telegraphed
to Buell and Stanton ' ' I have about three weeks' supplies. "
On the night of August 16, 1862, the aimy of Stephenson,
variously estimated at from fourteen to twenty-five thousand
men, went into position about four miles west of Cumberland
Gap, and a few days previously the army of Kirby Smith en
tered Kentucky by way of Rogers and Big Creek Gaps. Smith
established his headquarters at Barbourville and sent two divis
ions under McKown to summon Morgan to surrender. He re
plied: "Present my compliments to General Smith, and say that
if he wants this post he must come and take it. "
Thousands of brave soldiers have been sacrificed to gratify the
vanity of their commander. Smith was too wise a general and
too true a man to uselessly throw away the lives of his men.
He knew Cumberland Gap and the wilderness country which
surrounds it. Morgan was hemmed in on every side, and he
regarded his surrender as inevitable; and it was so reported to
the Government at Richmond.
On the sixteenth of August Morgan telegraphed to the Sec
retary of War, and to Buell: "Kirby Smith cannot possibly
remain three weeks in my immediate rear, while I can hold this
place five weeks with my present command." He did hold the
Gap four weeks and five days from that time. But Bragg and
Smith remained in Kentucky until the middle of October. Gen
eral in Chief Halleck telegraphed as follows. The telegram
was sent to Lexington, and thence to Morgan by private courier:
"Washington City, twenty-second August, 1862.
General Morgan, Cumberland Gap:— Hold on firmly. You
will soon be reenforced. Don't yield an inch. Fight the enemy
whenever he appears, and I will see that you are very soon sup
ported with other troops. Try to open communications with
General Buell; if you cannot do this, telegraph to General
Wright at Cincinnati.
H. W. Halleck.
General in chief."
Morgan did not ask for men, but rations to feed an army
strong enough to hold the gap against all the armies which en
vironed him. Instead of wanting men, he sent men to aid in
the defence of Lexington. The following note was also sent
Morgan from Lexington, Kentucky:
"Headquarters United States Forces. \
Lexington, August 23, 1862. J
General: — Yonr despatches reached me safely. Their spirit
. makes me your servant forever. If your officers and regiments
are similarly inspired the great gap will be ours as long as the
hills last. I will make a strong effort to relieve you. My brig
ades are already en route in your direction. For reasons, I may
have to come slowly, but I will come.
Respectfully, Lewis Wallace,
Major General.
To General G. W. Morgan."
The promises of Halleck and Wallace were not, and could

not be, made good. On the nineteenth of August the Union
troops were driven back at Big Hill, and on the thirtieth of that
month they were routed by an overwhelming force at Richmond,
Kentucky. Lexington was abandoned, and in a few days
more not a single soldier, wearing the Union uniform, was to be
found between the Ohio river and Cumberland Gap.
During the thirty-three days that Cumberland Gap was in
vested, Morgan's troops were on less than half-rations ; bread
and other articles having been utterly exhausted. While thus
threatened he made five assaults upon the out-posts of the
enemy, took over five hundred prisoners, and killed or wounded
one hundred and eighty men, against a loss of under forty on
the Union side.
In order to save his artillery, cavalry, and wagon horses from
starvation, and at the same time reinforce the Union column
organizing at Lexington, Morgan mounted four hundred of
Colonel Garrard's regiment, under the command of that officer,
and sent him, and the batallion of cavalry, under Lieutenant
Colonel Munday, to report to the commanding officer at Lex
ington. One Tennessee batallion of Morgan's command fought at
Big Hill, and three batallions at Richmond.
Smith withdrew from Cumberland Ford on September ist,
and Morgan sent the brigade of Colonel de Courcy to Man
chester, in the hope of obtaining flour; but it was with difficulty
that sufficient supplies could be got for his own brigades.
Colonel de Courcy wrote to General Morgan that he had re
ceived intelligence, which he regarded as reliable, that a large
force of the enemy was about to attack him, in which case he
might be compelled to retire towards Boonville. To guard
against the risk of having his command cut up in detail, on the
morning of the seventeenth of September, Morgan dispatched
Captain J oline with the following order to Colonel de Courcy :
"Headquarters, Cumberland Gap, )
september 17, 1862. j
Colonel: — A courier arrived here this morning at two o'clock
with information that the enemy was beyond Lexington. The
information you have received is entirely false, and I am satis
fied no force is approaching you.
"You will in no event advance toward Boonville ; but in
case you are threatened by a superior force, you will retreat to
this place by way of Flat Lick, sending me a courier in advance.
"This order is imperative and relieves you from all responsi
bility. If threatened by an enemy not superior to your own
force, fight him.
To Colonel J. F. de Courcy,
Com'd'g 4th Brigade ¦
7th Division. ( Division, Army of the Ohio.
The most painful position a commander can be placed in, is
to be compelled to abandon a position he has captured by
strategy or by battle. Such was Morgan's position. Without
the loss of a life, by combined tactics and strategy, he had
forced the enemy to abandon one of the strongest positions on
the continent. He was now destitute of supplies; not a Union
soldier was within two hundred miles, aud he was engirdled by
the armies of Stephenson, Bragg, Smith, and Humphrey
Marshall; with the ubiquitous J ohn Morgan, ready to pounce
upon his flanks, front or rear at any moment.
The enemy would not attack; and starvation threatened the
very existence of Morgan's army.
A council of war, composed of the division and brigade com-

, ( G. W: Morgan,
< Brig. Gen '1. Com'd'g 7th
(^ Division, Army of the Ohi

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

761

manders, unanimously decided that the place must be evac
uated, and the following order was issued:
"Headquarters, 7TH Division Army of the Ohio.
Cumberland Gap, September 17, 1862.
Soldiers — You will be glad to learn that you are to be lib
erated from the duty of a garrison, to enter upon an active
campaign. Three months ago the enemy who lies hidden in
the woods before, fled from this stronghold on your approach.
Supposing that you would be equally frightened by the ap
proach of a foe, more than one month ago, he besieged, and
proclaimed to the world that you were already prisoners.
What has been the result? You sent Garrard and Munday to
aid our friends, menaced by an overwhelming force, and yet the
enemy dared not attack you. Afterwards you sent a brigade
sixty miles away to procure supplies, and still the enemy slum
bered on his arms. You have made five successful attacks
upon his out-posts; captured Barbourville and London; made
five hundred prisoners; and killed or wounded one hundred and
eighty of the enemy, with but a trifling loss on your part. But
you cannot longer wait to coax the enemy to unfurl his colors.
A more glorious field awaits you, and in crushing the enemy on
the soil of Kentucky, you will give freedom to Tennessee.
I know well, soldiers, that you will be -patient under difficulties,
and heroic in danger — that you will prove yourselves to be
worthy of the great army of the Union.
George W. Morgan,
Brig. Gen'l Comd'g."
With a piece of red chalk Morgan had already marked his
line of retreat on the map, by way of Flat Lick, Manchester,
Proctor, Hazle Green, West Liberty, and Grayson to the Ohio
river. Major Lyons, Morgan's topographical engineer, had
been the State geologist of Kentucky, and was familiar with
every foot of the route thus marked.
"Major," said Morgan, "follow that red line and tell me
what kind of a country it runs through." " It is a hellniferous
country, sir; but by abandoning your artillery, wagons and
mules, your infantry might get through. You can judge of the
country by the names of its streams. Here is the Little Devil;
there is the Big Devil, and yonder is Hell-for-certain creek;
during the rainy season they are torrents; now they are all dry. "
Morgan adhered to his plan and did not deviate from it by a
¦mile on the march of two hundred and nineteen miles to the
Ohio. On the afternoon of the night of the retreat, a confederate flag
approached the gap. It seemed like a reconnoissance under a
flag of truce. Morgan sent out Colonel Gallup, Fourteenth
Kentucky, to receive it. He took along a box of cigars and
some liquor, with instructions to beguile and amuse the enemy
as long as possible. By mischance the quartermaster's build
ings were fired, and the smoke curled over Poor Valley ridge,
which masks a view of the gap from the south, and beyond
which the representatives of the stars and bars and the stars
and stripes were coquetting with each other.
"What is the meaning of that smoke?" asked a confederate.
"Oh," replied Gallup, "the boys are burning brush on the
mountains." The confederates returned to their lines while the work of
preparation went on. On the previous night a large wagon
train was sent north under the escort of the Thirty-third Indi
ana and Wetmore's battery, and during the entire night of the
seventeenth, the troops defiled through the gap. Toward day

light Gallup fired the great store-house on the mountain, those
in the valley, and fired the immense magazine and arsenal. The
explosion was heard at Cumberland Ford, fourteen miles away.
By daylight the head of the column reached Flat Lick, twenty
miles from the gap. That night the army rendezvoused at
Manchester, where de Courcy was already in position. Here
Morgan halted one day to organize for the struggle before him.
Just before the column resumed the line of march on the morn
ing of the nineteenth, the cavalry of Stephenson made a dash
at Morgan's train, but were promptly repulsed by the Sixth
Tennessee, under Colonel Cooper.
Proctor, on the Kentucky river, was an important strategic
point, and had it been occupied by a proper force, what the re
sult would have been cannot now be known. It is situated
on the high and abrupt banks of the river, and the crossing
might have been rendered doubtful. General John H. Morgan
had been there on the previous night, but after destroying the
large flouring-mills and a large quantity of flour, he fell back
upon Irvine. The moment General George W. Morgan reached
Proctor he pushed a brigade across the river, with a battery,
and took possession of the opposite bank. This done, the
point of greatest danger was passed.
At Proctor there are diverging roads, one leading towards
Irvine; two others, one of them almost impassable, towards
Hazle Green ; one running along a narrow ridge, and the other
along the North fork of the Kentucky. The former road was
almost destitute of water, and the little that was to be found
was in holes away down eighty or one hundred feet amid the
cliffs. The North fork was seldom travelled, and in many places
had been washed away by the winter and spring freshets.
Baird and Carter, the latter in front, were directed to proceed
by that route, with the wagon train; and the credit of saving it
from being abandoned or destroyed was mainly due to General
Baird, and the indefatigable Captain Patterson.
With the brigadesof Spears and de Courcy, Morgan advanced
along the ridge to Hazle Green, where he halted one day, to let
the brigades of Carter and Baird come Up. Two confederate
officers were captured at that place. From them Morgan
learned that two divisions of Kirby Smith were at Mount Ster
ling, on the main road between Lexington and Pound Gap, and
that Humphrey Marshall was expected there. During the day,
Carter came up, and as it was important to occupy West Lib
erty, in order to cut off communication between Pound Gap
and Lexington, the next morning Morgan pushed forward with
the brigades of Spears, de Courcy, and Carter, with the inten
tion of awaiting Baird at West Liberty.
Between Proctor and Hazle Green John Morgan hovered
about the Union column, and let no chance of advantage es
cape him ; but it was between Hazle Green and West Liberty
that he gave his namesake serious trouble. Every defile was
blockaded with felled trees and huge rocks; and from every am
bush, from behind which a dash could be made and a retreat
be effected, was utilized. But the men of George Morgan were
skilled in removing bldckades, and abundantly supplied with
axes, saws, block and tackle. Frequently, the advance guard
of the Union general surprised the confederates in the very act
of blockading the roads. A sharp skirmish would be the re
sult, and it is believed that the confederates fared the worst.
At one point the road was so thoroughly blockaded that an in
spection showed that it would be easier to hew out a new road
through the forest, than to clear the old one. The ring of a
thousand axes was soon heard in the forest, and every block and

762

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

tackle was strained to the uttermost, and sufficient clearing was
effected to allow the Union army to advance.
The moment Morgan reached West Liberty, he advanced
with the brigade of de Courcy across a little stream, the only
running water for twenty miles, towards Mount Sterling, and
there planted his batteries and went into bivouac. Had an
enemy advanced from Mount Sterling, he would have gone into
action with his men and horses parched with thirst. But no
enemy came. Morgan remained in position two days, and, as
Baird had come up, the march was resumed towards the Ohio
river. It had been the purpose of Smith to attack Morgan, and for
this purpose he had sent two divisions to Mount Sterling; but
Bragg determined to concentrate his entire army, and Smith
was ordered to join him.
There was frequent skirmishing between the two Morgans
along the route from West Liberty to Grayson, at which point
the Union army arrived at midnight on the second of October;
and the next day, after having made a march of two hundred
and nineteen miles through a country which has but few equals
in the obstacles to be overcome by an army, the ten thousand
Union soldiers, ragged, barefooted and hungry, went into camp
on the banks of the beautiful Ohio.
Throughout the march General Morgan was ably sustained
by Generals Baird, Carter, Spears, and Colonel John F. de
Courcy, and by all his officers and soldiers.
Throughout the loyal States great anxiety had been felt for
the safety of our little army at Cumberland Gap; and at Rich
mond the troops of Morgan's division were regarded as pris
oners of war. When it was learned that they had safely reached
the Ohio, the entire press of the loyal States spoke in terms of
high commendation of Morgan and his successful retreat. The
New York Post ranked it with the retreat of Xenephon ; and the
Herald demanded that he should be assigned to an independ
ent command.
Major General Wright, then in command of the department
ofthe Ohio, one of the ablest officers in our service, and now in
command of the engineer department, made a report to the
general in chief, from which the following extracts are made:
Headquarters Department of the Ohio, 1
Cincinnati, October 15, 1862. j
General — I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of
the report of Brigadier General G. W. Morgan, dated the twelfth
instant, detailing the circumstances occasioning the withdrawal
of his forces from Cumberland Gap.
It appears from this report that the evacuation, which was in
pursuance of the unanimous opinion of the general officers of
the command, was a matter of necessity, arising from the pro
visions being exhausted, their communication being cut off, and
no information of any prospect of relief being received.
While the evacuation of the gap is to be regretted, 1 do not
see how, with starvation staring him in the face, and with no
certainty of relief being afforded, he could have come to any
other conclusion than the one arrived at.
After the unfortunate battle near Richmond, Kentucky, the en
tire country between the Ohio river and Cumberland Gap was
in possession of the rebels.
The march of General Morgan from Cumberland Gap to the
Ohio river was most successfully accomplished, and reflects
much credit on him and his officers for the skill with which it
was conducted, and on the men for the cheerfulness with which
they bore the hardships of a toilsome march of some two hun

dred miles, on scanty fare, over a country affording little sub
sistence, and often for long marches with an insufficient supply
of water. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. G. Wright,
Major General commanding.
H. W. Halleck, General in Chief.
On the evacuation of Cumberland Gap, Captain de Silva and
about two hundred other Union soldiers were left in the hos
pital at that place. General Morgan had left a letter to General
Stephenson, commending the sick and wounded in our hospital
to his especial protection; and they were not only treated with
kindness, but with marked courtesy. One day Captain de Silva
was invited to dine with Colonels Rains and Vance, both brig
ade commanders, each of whom became a brigadier general.
During the dinner they narrated to Captain de Silva, Stephen
son's plan for Morgan's capture, which the confederates regard
ed as certain. Colonel Vance's brigade was composed of five
infantry regiments and five hundred Indians. This force was
at Baptist Gap, on the north side of the mountain, only four
miles ftom Cumberland Gap. From Baptist Qap runs the
Yellow Creek road, parallel to the Kentucky State road from
Cumberland Gap. From the latter point is another road, par
allel to the Kentucky road, but on the north and east side of
the Cumberland river. On the morning of the eighteenth of
September, Vance was to have passed along the Yellow Creek
road, until within three miles of Cumberland ford, when he was
to have crossed the mountain and placed his command in am
bush along a defile of less than one hundred yards between the
mountain and the river. The moment Morgan left the gap,
Stephenson was to have sent five thousand men by the Harland
road, on Morgan's right flank, while he was to press Morgan
from the rear; and the north side of Cumberland ford was to
have been occupied by infantry and artillery. Had these plans
been executed, Morgan's division would have been in a network
of steel.
In 1864 General Vance was a prisoner at Camp Chase, and
Morgan wrote to him through the headquarters of General
Heintzelman, commanding the district of Ohio; and Vance's
reply was received through the same channel.
"Camp Chase, Ohio,
March 22, 1864.
My dear sir: Your favor of yesterday from Columbus was
handed to me to-day, and I hasten to make such response as I
feel to be consistent with my duty to my feelings of embarrass
ment in fully complying with your request. While, therefore, I
am anxious to gratify the desire of so gallant a foeman as you
proved yourself to be, I must bear in mind that my own breth
ren in arms are now in front of Cumberland Gap. It is true
that time has elapsed sufficient for the Federal troops to know
every path across the mountains, and native guides, are doubt
less, always in readiness to point out the passages; yet if by any
turn a statement of mine should be used to the prejudice of my
country, I should regard myself as blameable in the highest
degree. 1 think, although that my duty does not prevent my saying
that I did have the honor to command a brigade at the time
mentioned by you, and had the way opened, proposed for use,
sufficiently to cross the mountain, and did effect a crossing, on
the morning (September 18, 1862), the last of your troops left
the Gap. Without going into details, I will say that in a short
time our troops would have covered the Yellow Creek and the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

7°3

Harlan roads, in your rear, and would thus effectually have
cut off your retreat, your front being pressed at the same time.
It was the opinion of every officer of rank in the command,
that you moved exactly at the proper time, and with great skill
and judgment. Let it be borne in mind, that a few days pre
vious, General Leadbetter was in your rear, and of course the
difficulties of retreat would have been greatly enhanced. His
moving off, and our other plans not consummated, left the way
open for you, and you wisely availed yourself of the opening.
1 remember with pleasure the chivalrous bearing of the
troops on both sides in the frequent skirmishes between them,
as well as the courtesy which prevailed in times of less excite
ment and activity.
I am, General, with great respect, your obliged and obedient
servant, Robert B. Vance,.
Brigadier General C. S. A.
General George W. Morgan,
Columbus, Ohio."
The narrative of Morgan's operations in the Cumberland
mountains, cannot be better closed than by the following letter
from Secretary Chase. "Treasury Department, June 23, 1864
My dear General: Your note with the copy of your letter to
General Thomas (adjutant general of U. S. A.), was received
this morning, and I thank you for the opportunity of reading
the letter. It seems to show conclusively that had you been
properly supported, east Tennessee would now have been per
manently restored to the Union, and a great internal position
secured, from which the Rebellion could have been struck in
any direction effectively. I saw the great necessity for the
movement in the spring of 1861, and conferred with General
McClellan on the subject. It is a mystery to me that it has not
been effected. Your ideas put into practical accomplishment,
would have saved many a life and many a campaign.
Sincerely yours, S. P. Chase.
Brigadier General Morgan."
The Seventh division of the Army of the Ohio was now dis
solved, and General Morgan was directed to report to General
W. T. Sherman, at Memphis, with the brigade of de Courcy
and Foster's battery. He was assigned to the command of the
Third division of Sherman's army, composed of three brig
ades. A movement against Vicksburgh was in preparation — Grant
to advance upon an interior line, and Sherman by the Missis
sippi. Before the flotilla had left Memphis it was there known that
President Lincoln had designated General John A. McClernand
(an officer in whom he had great confidence), for the command
of the army to operate against Vicksburgh. It is believed that
the knowledge of that fact caused the premature departure of
the army from Memphis, and the loss of one thousand eight
hundred men in front of Chick.-.saw bluffs.
Sherman's army, then called the right, wing of the Thirteenth
army corps, was composed of the divisions of Steele, Morgan,
Morgan L. Smith, and A. J. Smith.
The plan was to carry the bluffs in the rear of Vicksburgh
from the direction of the Yazoo.
These bluffs were impregnable against attack; were pro
tected by a large bayou, several lagoons and marshes. Two
49

causeways, each about twelve feet wide, led through the
marshes to solid ground, but they were commanded by the
trenches and batteries of the enemy.
The division of A. J. Smith was on the right, and no assault
was attempted.
The division of Steele was on the left, beyond the bayou,
with one of the narrow causeways leading through the marsh
to dry land. Steele reported that the position in his front was
impregnable, and his division was massed on the left centre, in
rear of the division of Morgan.
The enemy then withdrew from his right, and massed his
troops in front of Morgan.
Morgan L. Smith occupied the right centre, Morgan the
left centre.
On the twenty-eighth of December Morgan L. Smith was
severely wounded, and his division was placed under the com
mand of A. J. Smith.
General Sherman regarded two lines of attack as practicable;
the one in front of Morgan's division, and the other in front of
the division of Morgan L. Smith.- Of one of these practicable
routes Sherman says:
"Meantime the Sixth Missouri infantry (division of M. L.
Smith), at heavy loss, also crossed the bayou, but could not
ascend the steep bank. Right over their heads was a rebel
battery, whose fire was in a measure kept down by sharp-shoot
ers posted behind logs, stumps, and trees, on our side of
the bayou. The men of the Sixth Missouri actually scooped
out with their hands caves in the bank, which sheltered them
against the fire of the enemy, who right over their heads
held their muskets outside of the parapet vertically and fired
down." It was over such ground that an assault was ordered to be
made after a reconnoissance, as we are told, by General Sher
man. Morgan's front was like that of Steele's original position,
with the addition that Morgan had the bayou to overcome.
His troops had to advance under fire, through a morass knee
deep with tangled weeds and water, or over the narrow cause
way, less than twelve feet wide.
Five brigades were under the immediate command of Morgan.
The ground was such, that it was impossible to send more than
two — each of four regiments, — to the assault.
In his official report written four days after the action was
fought, Sherman says: "It was near twelve o'clock (noon) when
Morgan was ready." * * * "The assault was
made, and a lodgment effected on the hard tableland near the
county road, and the heads of the assaulting columns reached
different points of the enemy's works, but then met so wither
ing a fire from the rifle pits, and cross fire of grape and can
nister from the batteries, that the columns faltered, and finally
fell back to the point of starting, leaving many dead, wounded
and prisoners in the hands of the enemy.
" General Morgan's first report to me was that the troops
were not discouraged, though the losses in Blair's, and de
Courcy's brigades were heavy, and that he would renew the
assault in half an hour, but the assault was not renewed."
In twenty minutes time, the brigades of Blair and de Courcy,
in killed, .wounded, and taken prisoners, lost about one thou
sand eight hundred men. Despite that, the troops were of
good heart, and on any ground upon which a battle could have
been fought, would have advanced to the assault with a cheer.
Morgan did mass two brigades to renew the assault, but after

764

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

making a reconnoissance, which showed the field strewn with
the dying and the dead, and observing the confident calm along
the lines of the enemy, who would not fire on the newly massed
columns, although within easy range, he determined not to
double the sacrifice, when there was no possibility of success;
ordered the brigades to retire, and reported the fact to Sherman
in person.
In his report, Sherman says: " I assume all the responsibility,
and attach fault to no one, and am generally satisfied with the
high spirit manifested by all." . . "I attribute
our failure to the strength of the enemy's position, both natural
and artificial, and not to his superior fighting; but as we must
all, in the future, have ample opportunities to test this quality,
it is foolish to discuss it." "The only real fighting
done during the assault, was done by Morgan's and Steele's
divisions, and at the time of the crossing of the Sixth Missouri. "
The following is quoted from the Memoirs of Sherman :
"There was no bungling on my part, for I never worked
harder, or with more intensity in my life; and General Grant,
long after, in his report of the operations of the siege of Vicks
burgh, gave us all full credit for the skill of the movement, and
described the almost impregnable nature of the ground."
Napoleon was once asked, "What qualities make the ablest
general?" His reply was, "He is the best general who makes
the fewest mistakes." And he might have added — there never
was a general who did not make mistakes. After the return of
the army from the capture and destruction of Post Arkansas,
Grant reenforced it with additional troops, and still more by his
own presence. He captured Vicksburgh. but he did not attempt
to do so from the direction of the Yazoo. He crossed to the
Louisiana bank of the river; marched past Vicksburgh on the
opposite side; run transports past the enemy's batteries in the
night; recrossed the Mississippi and captured Vicksburgh.
That was generalship, not a mistake; but it is a mistake to select
the enemy's strongest point of defence for assault.
After the repulseat Chickasaw, General John A. McClernand
assumed the command of the army, now styled the army of the
Mississippi, which was organized into the First and Second
corps. The command of the first corps composed of the divis
ions of A. J. Smith and Osterhaus, was assigned to Morgan;
and the second, composed of the divisions of Steele and Stuart,
to Sherman, successor to Morgan L. Smith.
McClernand embarked his army, and under the convoy of
Porter's gun-boats, proceeded to Post Arkansas, called Fort
Hindman, by the enemy.
The fort was defended by seven thousand five hundred men,
and is thus described by Morgan in his report: " Post Arkan
sas is situated on a bluff, about twenty-five feet above the water,
on the left bank of the Arkansas, and two hundred and fifty
miles above its mouth. The fort (since destroyed by order of
Major General McClernand) was a little above a bend, and
oblique to the river, facing southwest and northeast. On the
southern face of this fort were two strongly constructed case-
mated works, riveted with iron bars. Each casemate contained
one nine inch gun, and both commanded the approach from
down the river. In the southwestern section there was a nine
inch traverse gun in barbette, and there were ten other guns in
barbette. During the action on the eleventh of January, 1863,
seven of the thirteen guns were utterly destroyed by the com
bined fire of the gun-boats;, and four twenty pounders of Fos
ter's battery— Osterhaus' division — which opened fire on the
fort at a range of eight hundred yards. Fragments of shell

from the gun-boats and twenty-pounders were found within the
casemates." The field upon which the action was fought is a parallelogram
of about one thousand yards square. The southern face rests
upon the river, the east or northeast is formed of the east face
of the fort, and a broken line of rifle pits, protected by wooden
traverses, and running in a northeasterly direction about seven
hundred and twenty yards to a small bayou which, on the day
of battle was twelve feet wide and eighteen inches deep, across
which were several easy fords. Across the bayou, beyond the
extreme left of the enemy's line is a forest with undergrowth,
amid which is a slight elevation, which flanks the line occupied
by the enemy's rifle pits. Had General Sherman Succeeded in
turning the enemy's left, as contemplated by the original plan
of General McClernand, and planted a battery upon that eleva
tion, it would have enfiladed the enemy's rifle pits and driven
him from his cover in twenty minutes.
It will be remembered that Post Arkansas is on the left bank
of the river. By land it is five, and by water twelve miles from
Fletcher's landing, on the right bank. At the fori the river
turns abruptly to the left, and runs for thiee miles in a south
easterly direction nearly parallel to its own channel below the
fort; so that from Fletcher's on the right bank to Smith's on
the right bank, across the bend, is only three miles, and Smith's
is three miles from the fort.
By direction of General McClernand, Morgan sent Lindsay's
brigade with a section of ten, and a section of twenty-pounders
under Captain Foster, and Captain McBride's cavalry company
to land at Fletcher's and push across to Smith's, and from
thence to establish a chain of videttes to the bank opposite the
fort. As soon as the guns of the fort were silenced, Lindsay caused
his guns so to be placed in position as to enfilade the enemy's
rifle pits, and the battery of artillery, and the infantry in the
field in their rear.
The handling of these guns was admirable. The fuses were
cut so as to explode the shells at estimated distances; and this
unexpected raking fire filled the enemy's trenches with dead;
silenced the field artillery behind them, and largely contributed
to the result of the day.
Morgan's corps occupied the left, and that of Sherman the
right of the Union line, and both bore themselves gallantly.
In his report, General McClernand spoke in terms of com-
memdation of the technical and strategic skill displayed by
General Morgan during these operations, which closed his ser
vices in the civil war. His health was seriously broken, and he
resigned. In 1864 General Morgan returned to the practice of the law.
The next year he was nominated by acclamation as the Demo
cratic candidate for governor, against General J. D. Cox. The
majority against him was under thirty thousand, while it was
over one hundred thousand two years previously.
He was three times nominated by acclamation, and three
times elected to Congress from the district composed of the
counties of Knox, Licking, Coshocton, and Muskingum. His
majority over Mr. Delano was two hundred and seventy-one.
his seat was contested and he was ousted in Mr. Delano's favor
during the second session of the Fortieth Congress. He was re
nominated in 1868, and was elected by over sixteen hundred
majority. He was again nominated in 1870, and carried the
same district by over two thousand one hundred majority.
Knox county was then transferred to the ninth district, com-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

765

posed of the counties of Knox, Morrow, Delaware, Union'
Marion, and Hardin.
Morgan, for the fourth time, was nominated by acclamation,
and was only beaten by about four hundred votes; although
three weeks afterwards Grant carried the same district by two
thousand two hundred.
While in Congress Morgan served on the committees on
Foreign Relations, Military Affairs, and Reconstruction; and
in the Forty-second Congress received the votes of the Demo
crats for speaker, against Blaine, Republican. Since then he
has been engaged in the practice of his profession, and declares
his purpose not to be again a candidate.

N

NEAL, GEORGE D., carriage manufacturer, corner Front
and Main streets, Mt. Vernon, Ohio. A native of Mt. Vernon,
was born September 20, 1844, and was educated in the public
schools of this city. His first business engagement was with
the firm of J. W. Weaver, wholesale and retail grocer, as sales
man, where he served about three years, and then was in the
employ of James George & Son one year. He then entered
the employ of S. H. & L. W. Jackson, carriage manufacturers,
to learn carriage trimming, and remained with them until the
dissolution of the firm, after which he served other firms as
journeyman at carriage trimming until 1871, when he estab
lished himself in the carriage business, in which he still con
tinues. In 1877 he added to the carriage business that of ship
ping green fruits, cider, and vinegar, and in favorable seasons
he ships about five thousand barrels of apples, and about five
hundred barrels of vinegar. In the carriage business he carries
a stock of about four thousand dollars, and manufactures all
kinds of double and single carriages and light wagons, and
does a business of from ten to twenty thousand dollars per
year, and employs from eight to ten hands in the different
departments. He occupies the commodious buildings erected
by himself expressly for the business, which consists of a two-
story brick building, thirty-two by sixty-three feet, with a two-
story frame addition, twenty by thirty feet. Residence at No.
27 East Vine street.
NEIBEL, GEORGE W., Milford township, deceased, was
born in Licking county, in 1829. He came to Knox county
with his parents, and was reared on a.farm, and always fol
lowed it as his occupation. He married Miss Mary A. Twist,
February 29, 1852; she is the daughter of Peter and Catharine
Twist, nee Beardsly. She was bom in New York, and came to
Ohio about 1834, with her parents. Her father was a soldier in
the War of 1812. The subject of this notice enlisted in com
pany B, One Hundred and Forty-second regiment Ohio Na
tional guard. After his return home he was taken sick with
lung disease, from which he died, April 11, 1866. They had
one child, John H. , born June 4, 1854. He is a man of ster
ling qualities, is well read, and highly esteemed by the com
munity. He was married to Miss Ida A. , daughter of David H.
Speelman, November 18, 1880. They reside on the farm where
he was reared.
NEIDERHOUSE, JACOB, Union township, farmer, post
office, Rossville, born in Switzerland, in 1829, and came to this
country in 1852. He settled in Holmes county, Ohio, where he
lived fourteen years, and 1867 settled in Union township, where he
now is. He was married in 1854, but his wife only lived three

years. His second marriage was in 1858, to Miss C. Frederick.
They have nine children— Mary, John, Robert, Samuel, Caro
line, Lavina, Edward, Cora, and William. Mary manied Dan
iel Kirk, and moved to Coshocton county, where she now lives.
NEFF, PETER, Gambier, Knox county, Ohio.— Resident
twenty-one years, and has been engaged for many years in the
developement of the county for petroleum, and in the manufac
ture of Diamond Black. See his pamphlets, and the Ohio State
Geological Survey, etc.
NEWELL, JAMES, deceased, born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, May 20, 1782. He married Miss Polly Fleming,
July n, 1811, who was born .in Pennsylvania, July 17, 1792.
Mr. Newell located in Clinton township in 1819. He died De
cember 7, 1848, aged sixty-six years, and his wife, April 15,
1850, aged fifty-eight.
NEWTON, REV. CHARLES H., Mt. Vernon, deceased,
was born at Warren, Washington county, Ohio, in September,
1820. He received a classical education at Marietta college, in
which institution he graduated in 1845. Determined to lead a
ministerial life, he entered Lane Theological seminary at Cincin
nati, where he graduated in 1848. Immediately thereafter, on
June 15, 1848, he was married to Miss Catharine Walter, of
Walnut Hills, near Cincinnati. He took charge of the congre
gation of the Presbyterian church at New Richmond, Ohio, in
1848, where he remained six years, giving great satisfaction to
the people, and doing much good. From New Richmond he
removed to Delaware, Ohio, in October, 1855, where he re
mained for about fourteen years, very much beloved by his peo
ple, until he was chosen chaplain of the Ohio penitentiary, at
Columbus, in 1870. As chaplain he was very popular, and his
kind words and wholesome advice will long be remembered by
those whose transgressions forced them to become inmates of
that institution.
During his chaplaincy, Mr. Newton suggested and aided the
officers of the penitentiary in introducing many reforms into the
government of that institution, which were of great practical
good to the inmates. His system of prison reform has been
adopted in the government of nearly every institution of the kind
in the United States.
From Columbus Mr. Newton came to Mt. Vernon in June,
1874, and had charge of the Presbyterian congregation up to
the time of his death. He also preached to the congregation at
Millwood. He died at his residence in Mt. Vernon, August 8, 1878, aftei
about a week's sickness. His disease was paralysis of the
heart. The funeral took place on Saturday, August 10, 1878.
The memorial services were held at the Presbyterian church on
the next morning, Sunday, August nth. The funeral service
was conducted by the Rev. William E. Moore, pastor of the
Second Presbyterian church, of Columbus, assisted by the Rev.
William Thompson, rector of St. Paul's Episcopal church, in
this city, and by the Rev. lams, of the Baptist church. Dr.
Moore preached from the words: "For me to live is Christ, and
to die is gain. "
NEWTON BROTHERS, corner West High street and pub
lic square, Mt. Vernon, Ohio. — Waller M. and Frank B. New
ton, are sons of the Rev. O. H. Newton, who was at the time
of his death pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Mt. Vemon,
and had Occupied that pulpit for several years previously. Rev.
Mr. Newton was at one time chaplain of the Ohio penitentiary,

766

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

and during his chaplaincy started the prison reform movement
that has since met with great success in all the prisons of the
country. During his father's chaplaincy W. M. Newton served
as assistant clerk in the office of the prison, and his brother, F.
B. Newton, attended school.
The family came to Mt. Vernon in 1874, when W. M. entered
the employ of T. B. Mead as salesman, with whom he remained
two and a half years. He then formed a partnership with J.
M. Tompkins, with whom he did business one year, when he
bought out the interest of Mr. Tompkins, and formed a part
nership with his brother, F. B. Newton, and the business has
since been conducted under the firm of Newton Brothers. They
commenced with a stock of about two thousand dollars and
have met with marked success. They now carry a- stock of
about two thousand five hundred dollars. This firm is a new
one; the partners are young and energetic, of good business
habits, with moral characters beyond reproach ; and they merit
succcess and will win a rank among the mercantile men worthy
of respect and honorable to themselves.
NIXON, ANDREW, farmer, Berlin township, post office,
Shaler's Mills, was born in Jefferson county, in 1810, and was
married to Mary Scarlet. They had one son, Michael, a resi
dent of Mt. Vernon. Mrs. Nixon has deceased. Mr. Nixon's
second marriage was with Jane Knight (Culberson), who was
born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1816. They
have one son, Edwin, who was born in 1862, and is living with
his parents.
NICHOLS, JOHN, farmer, Pike township, post office,
Democracy; born in Howard township, this county, in 1839,
and was married in i860 to Mary Hammel, who was born in
Pike township in 1838. They have five children: Celesta A.,
born in 1861; Nancy Emogene, in 1864; Ardella F., in 1867;
Permelia, in 1869, and John H. in 1873.
He was elected justice of the peace in 1876, and was re
elected in 1879, and is a very active Democrat of this township,
always looking to the best interest of the township and county.
He was engaged in the war about sixty days.
His father, John Nichols, deceased, was born in 1800, in
Loudoun county, Virginia. He came to Ohio in 1813, located
in Mt. Vernon, and was married in 1820 to Sarah Davis, who
was born near Hagerstown, Maryland, and came to Mt. Ver
non in 1812. They had the following children: Martha, Sarah,
Daniel (deceased), Peter, Jesse, Amos, Louisa, Rebecca (de
ceased), John, Jonas, and Drusilla. Mr. Nichols died in 1868,
and Mrs. Sarah Nichols in 1879. They were among the earlier
settlers of Mt. Vernon, moved to Howard township, and re
mained there until i860. Jesse, Daniel, and Jonas were
soldiers in the late war. Daniel died from the effects of his
service in the army. Jonas was a member of the Ohio Na
tional guard.
NICODEMUS, JACOB L, farmer, Middlebury township,
post office, Fredericktown, was bom in Maryland, in 1804,
came to Ohio in 1852, and was married in 1835 to Susan Baile,
who was born in Maryland in 1816. They had ten children,
viz: Cecelia, bom December 11, 1836; Evaline M., September
17, 1838; Ann S., February 17, 1840; Sarah L., June 7, 1841;
Abraham P., August 27, 1843; Elizabeth M., August 20, 1845;
Rachel F., June 28, 1848; Mary A., October 12, 1851; Charles
W., November 22, 1853, and Susan C, August 12, 1857. The
following children are dead: Evaline M. and Susan C. Cece
lia was married to Lamvil S. Owen, and resides in Delaware

county, Ohio; Evaline (deceased) was married to John Wells;
Ann S. married to Marwin B. Gordon, they are now in Steuben
county, Indiana; Sarah L. married Whiting Hawkins, of Mor
row county; Abraham P. married Lucretia V. Reed, of Mans
field, Ohio; Elizabeth M. married Sheriden Ebersole, and re
sides in Ottawa county, Kansas; Rachel F. married Welling
ton Watkins, now living in Republic county, Kansas; Mary A.
married Stuart J. Dixon, now living in this township; Charles
W. married Martha E. Herendon and resides on the old home
place. Mr. Nicodemus came to Monow county in 1852, remained
there until 1856, then located in Middlebury township; since
that time he has been a resident of this township and, has reared
a large and respectable family of children, who are all married
and have located as above noted.
NICHOLAS & ZUCK, proprietors of Green Valley flouring-
mills, Butler township, are prepared to do all kinds of merchant
and custom work, also sawing at their saw-mill.
NORRICK, WILLIAM H., salesman, Pike township, post
office, Democracy, born in 1850, in Harrison county, Ohio, and
was married, in 1876, to Mary M. Donel, who was bom in
Ohio, in 1855. Mr. Nortick is engaged in selling buggies for
Louis Cook, of Cincinnati, and has had good success, being
the only man in this section of Ohio representing this manu
facturing establishment.
NORTON, DANIELS., deceased.— The first American set
tlers in the Attakapas of Orleans were the Nortons, who for sev
eral years endured contentedly the perils and privations in that
then foreign climate, until sickness and death reduced their
number and deprived them of their head and the managment of
the affairs of Mrs. Ann Norton, and nine children, devolved en
tirely upon young Daniel S., who, possessed of a peculiar busi
ness mind, and an adventurous spirit, carried on various trading
operations in the territory and the Mexican provinces. Some
of his practical operations are worthy of notice.
He introduced the first sugar-cane in the Attakapas, and es
tablished that it could be cultivated successfully. His active
and well informed mind, and inventive genius, were always striv
ing to make improvements, and he first directed attention to the
navigation of the bayous and rivers, and was interested in the
first boat that engaged in their trade. He travelled on the first
two boats that made trips on the Mississippi, and subsequently
on the first boat built'by a company at Brownsville, Pennsylva
nia, and run by Captain Gregg on the Lower Mississippi and
Red rivers. His suggestions in construction and navigation,
his knowledge of the rivers and the country, contributed much
to those enterprises.
It was with the view of carrying on a trade with the southern
country that he located at Connellsville, Pennsylvania, and en
gaged in erecting machinery for manufacturing; and hence the
deep solicitude for successful navigation of the rivers, to pro
mote which he carried on correspondence, published articles,
made investments, and labored industriously. The first cotton
factory on the Youghiogheny (Pennsylvania) he erected, and ope
rated successfully, bringing the raw cotton from his old home in
Louisiana. His lands in that country were of great value, and
his business there for about a half century was faithfully af-
tended to by Governor Johnson, as his agent.
Mr. Norton never relinquished the idea which he had en
tertained through life, of returning there to live, and which
was only broken in upon by his coming to Knox county to

J-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

767

marry Miss Sarah Banning, daughter of Rev. Anthony Banning.
This was in 1816. He was still further irresistibly attracted by
the fine water power, fertile lands and beautiful prospects of
Owl creek.
The building of machinery and improving of mills and manu
facturing establishments may be said to have been the ruling
passion of his life. A petition was presented to the general as
sembly of Ohio, when it met in Chillieothe, by Daniel S. Nor
ton, John H. Piatt, and Herman Long of Cincinnati, Asa
Norton of Kentucky, and Abraham Baldwin of Pennsylvania,
who had associated in manufacturing business, asking for en
couragement of woollen manufactories, etc.
The first complete carding machines west of the Alleghany
mountains were put up by Daniel S. Norton.
His career in this county — his efforts to promote education,
home manufactures and internal improvements — his contribu
tions to objects calculated to benefit the public — his assistance
to old settlers in purchasing their farms and stock, making im
provements, and providing for their families — his kindness to
friends, and generosity to relatives — will long be remembered.
His love of country was unbounded, and the blood of the
Revolution never coursed through veins more determined to
perpetuate Liberty and Union. His liberality and patriotism
in the War of 1812, the Texan Revolution, and the Mexican
War is on record.
From a notice of the death of Mr. Norton, which took place
Tuesday morning, October 25, 1859, of congestion of the
lungs, in the columns of the Mt. Vernon Banner, the following
extract is taken. At the time of his death Mr. Norton was
seventy-two years of age, having been born in 1787:
"He first visited Mt. Vernon in the spring of 1816, and in
the summer of that year introduced the first complete carding
machine in this part of the State, and set it up at the mill of
William Douglas, afterwards owned by James S. .Banning. In
the summer of 1817 he moved to Mt. Vernon, and in the fall of
that year, having secured the admirable mill seat and water
power which his sagacious eye had discovered the summer
previous, he built the mills, which, improved and enlarged from
time to time, as the wants of the county required, he continued
to occupy and operate until his death.
" He engaged also in the mercantile business and carried it
on prosperously for many years. He erected a woolen and a
cotton factory, and an oil mill, and engaged extensively in agri
culture and the raising of cattle and horses, and contributed
much to the improvement of the stock of both in the county.
"He was elected to the State senate from Knox and Rich
land counties in 1825, and while in that body took lively inter
est and an active part in inaugurating and establishing the wise
canal policy of the State. He was a member of the committee
appointed in 1825 to welcome De Witt Clinton. At the canal
celebration in July, 1825, he first met Bishop Chase, who served
as chaplain on that occasion, and was one of the gentlemen
who accompanied the bishop in his tour of observation through
a part of the county, looking up grounds for the location of
Kenyon college, which resulted in the selection of the site now
occupied by that institution. He contributed liberally to the
establishment of that college, and was always its steadfast
friend. "He was always among the foremost in all public enterprises
calculated to increase the growth of the town, or improve and
develop the resources of the county. In July, 1849, the editor
of the Times said: 'We are of the opinion that none of the

earliest pioneers of our town have ever done so much to pro
mote its growth and prosperity as Mr. Norton. If Mt.
Vernon is specially indebted to the enterprise and liberality of
any one man, that man is Daniel S. Norton.'
"As a man of business, he had no superior. Prompt, ener
getic and deliberate, he appeared to see the end from the begin
ning, and his plans, wisely laid, were worked out with a precis
ion which commanded the admiration of all.
"A man of social qualities, he was the pride of the society in
which he lived. Remarkable for his address and conversational
power, his extensive reading, his acute observation and his won
derful memory, he attracted notice wherever he appeared, at
home or abroad, and entered no circle which was not entertained
and instructed by his presence.
' ' The cultivation of the cotton plant attracted his youthful at
tention, and among his papers of 1810 are calculations as to its
culture and manufacture. He planted the first black seed in the
southwest (it had been brought from the Bahamas), and he was
the first experimenter with the hirsutum and the herbaceous in
that locality.
" He had a keen perception of merit in the young, and not a
few owe the beginning of their prosperous career in busines to
his kind and wise patronage. He was ever ready to aid the in
dustrious, and had a lively sympathy for the unfortunate. It
was a touching sight to see the poor gather around his bier, and
not the least of a good man's reward to hear them call him
blessed." NORTON, G. K., was born in 1826, and was a son of D. S.
Norton, who was married to Sarah Banning, and had a family
of six children, viz: Mary, wife of the late Judge Hurd; A.
Baldwin, who was appointed superintendent of Indian affairs at
Santa Fe, New Mexico, but is now dead; A. Banning, and G.
K. G. K. Norton, the subject of this sketch, after his prepar
atory education entered Kenyon college, but completed his edu
cation at Norwalk, Ohio, after which he took charge of his
father's business, in which he continued until his father's death.
Judge R. C. Hurd was appointed administrator of the estate of
his father, and George was continued in charge by Mr. Hurd
for two years after, when he purchased the mill and conducted
the business until 1871, when he sold to Mr. Hurd. He then
engaged in the grocery and produce business, in which he con
tinued until his death.
He was married January 13, 1861, to Mrs. Elizabeth Weirick-
nee Raymond. Mrs. Norton had two children by her first hus
band, and two by Mr. Norton. The last two are now residing
with her.
Daniel S. Norton, a brother of G. K., was educated at Ken
yon college, after which he studied with Judge Hurd. He went
to Minnesota, where he was elected to the State senate, and
then to the United States Senate. He has deceased.
Sarah B. Norton, another of his father's family, was educated
at Putnam Female seminary, near Zanesville, but died in No
vember, 1851.
NORTON & KINDRICK, millinery and notion store, South
Main street, Mt. Vernon. — Mrs. J. K. Norton, senior member
of this firm, was bom in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, December
28, 1829.
Miss S. E. Kindrick was born in .Florence, Pennsylvania,
February 10, 1828.
When quite young the parents of these ladies came to Ohio
and located in Steubenville, where they resided many years,

768

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

after which they settled in this county, and then removed to the
city. '
Miss J. Kindrick was married to D. B. Norton, M. D., a
native of this county, who was born June 27, 1831. He was a
graduate of Willoughby Medical college, Cleveland. Shortly
after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Norton went to Chillieothe, Mis
souri, where he practiced his profession about eighteen months,
when they returned to Ohio and settled at Worthington, near
Columbus, where they resided five years. They then went to
St. Charles, Illinois, where they resided nearly two years, when
Dr. Norton died, and Mrs. Norton returned with her two chil
dren to Mt. Vernon, where she has resided ever since.
After the death of Dr. Norton, which look place in 1858, Mrs.
Norton entered a co-partnership with her sister, and in i860,
under the name of Norton & Kindrick, they opened a millinery
estalishment, to which they added from time to time such goods
in that line as the needs of the people and the fashions of the
day required, until they placed their establishment on a par
with the best in the State. At no time is their stock in trade
less than two thousand dollars valuation, consisting of millinery
goods in all its departments, and ladies' furnishing goods. The
firm does an average business of from six thousand to seven
thousand dollars per year. This firm has the best selected
goods of any similar establisment in the city.
NYHART, JOHN M., Brown township, farmer, was bom
December 13, 1839, in Jeffeison township. He is the son of
Jacob and Mary Nyhart, now residing in Jefferson township,
Knox county. He was reared on a farm. His education was
obtained at a select school taught at Danville, this county, and
several terms at Loudonville, Ashland county. During the
winter of 1862-3 be taught a five months' term of school in
Hanover township, Ashland county. In 1863 he was united in
marnage with Miss Sophia Ganett, bf Hanover township, Ash
land county, daughter of William and Prudence J. Garrett.
They settled on the farm where they are now residing, located
in Brown township, this county, near Jelloway. He then
turned his attention to farming and stock raising, making sheep
a specialty. He is the father of two children, one son and one
daughter. He filled the office of township treasurer in Brown
township for three years. o
O'BRIEN, WILLIAM E., Pike township, post office,
Democracy, born in Frederick county, Maryland, in 1820, and
was manied in 1847 to Elizabeth Rockwell, who was born in
New York, in 1828. They had eight children: Terance W.,
Ann Caroline, Daniel W., Emily V., Lovilla E., William E.,
and Julia Estella.
Mr. O'Bryan came to this county in 1841, and was engaged
in the late war, having been a member of the Ohio National
guard. OBERHOLTZER, ABRAHAM O., hardware and jewelry,
Hilliar township, Centreburgh, Ohio, was born in Montgomery
county, Pennsylvania, in 1833. His parents came to Ohio in
1835 and settled in Holmes county, where he spent his youth.
He learned the carpenter trade, and for some years worked dur
ing the summer and taught school in the winter. He also
farmed and worked some in the mines, thus he was taught by
his experience that there is no royal road to success, and that
he himself, in order to reap, must "both hold and drive." He

had no means with which to begin life, so he found himself
with no money when he wished to enter into business, but with
a determination to make an effort, and with an honest purpose,
he entered into business in Waterford, Knox county. He kept
a general line of goods, and by his strict adherence to the prin
ciples of business, he succeeded beyond his expectation. He
remained in Waterford for seven years, and in 1879, came to
Centreburgh, and opened up his present business. He carries
a full line of foreign and domestic hardware, and has a rapidly
growing trade.
He was married to Miss Rebecca L. Lidball, May 20, 1858.
They had a family of five children, two only of whom are living.
OLDAKER, JAMES S., Miller township, farmer, was bom
in Licking county, Ohio, March 30, 1815. His parents were
natives of Virginia, who emigrated to Ohio at an early day, and
were married in Miller township, or what is now Miller town
ship, about 1811, and soon after, moved to Burlington township,
Licking county, where they lived and died. They had five
children? two of whom are living, viz: James and Elizabeth.
The subject of our notice was reared on a farm, and has al
ways followed farming as his vocation. Upon the division of
the old homestead, after the death of the parents, Mr. Oldaker -
took the northern part of the farm situated in Miller, township,
and moved upon it, and has resided there ever since. His farm
shows care and prudent management, and his improvements
are among the best in the township.
Mr. Oldaker is one of the leading members of society in
the vicinity. He is highly esteemed for his excellent qualities.
He has been a consistent member of the Christian church for
over forty years, and one of the principal organizers of
Fairview church, and is now secretary of the organization. He
was married to Miss Elizabeth Ann Butcher, who was born
December 5, 1819. They had eight children. The living are:
Mary R., wife of Philip Losh; John B., Octavina, James W.
Lewis, and Lucretia. Henry was a member of company G,
Twentieth Ohio volunteer infantry, and died at Grand Junction,
Tennessee. Andrew died at home.
OLIVER, WILLIAM, Gambier, a native of England, was
born on the third day of August, 1810. At the age of fourteen
years he engaged in the mercantile business as clerk, remained
two years. In 1826 he commenced working in a flouring-mill
with his father.
In 1837 he was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Harris,
of England, born February n, 1811.
He continued in the mill with his father until 1840. They
migrated to America and located in Gambier, this county. In
the spring of 1841 he took charge of the Gambier mills, which
he operated successfully until the fall of 1846, when he moved
on the farm in Monroe township, this county, which he pur
chased in 1843. He then turned his attention to farming and
butchering, remaining on the farm until 1861, when they moved
to Gambier, where they are now living.
He continued the butchering business until 1866. In 1865 he
engaged in the grocery trade, and carried on the two branches
of business in connection with overseeing his farm, until 1866,
and then gave his attention wholly to butchering, his grocery
trade and farming, and continued to do so to the present time.
ORSBORN, JAMES M., Hilliar township (pioneer), Centre
burgh post office; was bom in Bloomfield township, Knox
county (now Morrow county), June 13, 1819. His parents
were natives of Hartford, Connecticut. His father, Thomas

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

769

Orsborn, was bound in his youth to a sea captain, and after
wards served in the War of 1812 as a marine. His wife was
Miss Olive Manning. ' They came to Ohio abput 1816, and set
tled in Bloomfield township, Knox county, now Morrow
county. Mr. Orsborn had never seen a tree felled by the axe
prior to his coming to Ohio, and knew little of the experience
of a pioneer; but he soon became accustomed to the forest and
was successful in clearing up his farm, and finally became one
of the well-to-do farmers and an influential citizen. He and his
wife passed over the river on the old homestead. They had a
family of nine children, seven of whom are yet living. The
subject of this notice remained at home assisting his father on
the farm until he was married to Miss Sophronia Thatcher, July
5, 1840. They some time after went to Mt. Liberty, where
they kept hotel for about ten years, when to the hotel business
was added a store, which in connection with the hotel was car
ried on five years more, when he sold out and went to farming,
which he followed for some five years more when he sold out.
He afterward purchased land in Illinois, but did not move upon
it. He engaged in various undertakings until 1872, when he
purchased property in Centreburgh and moved there, where he
has since been engaged in the saw-mill business. Mr. Orsborn
has always been an active, energetic, hard working man. They
have a family of three children, viz: George W., Lenora (mar
ried to Lewis Mitchell), Jerusha (married Isaac Teagarden).
OSWALT, HENRY, farmer, post office, Dempcracy, was
. born in Jefferson township in 1849, and was married in 1876 to
Ellen Norrick, who was born in Brown township in 1854.
They have one daughter — Sarah Edith — who was born August
18, 1880. Mr. Oswalt located in Pike township in 1879, on
the Arnold farm. He is accumulating wealth. Economy and
ndustry is the cause of his success.
OWEN, WILLIAM W., Middlebury township, carpenter,
post office, Levering, was born in this township, August 13,
1828, and was manied December 22, 1850, to Rebecca Burke,
who was born in Martinsburgh, April 16, 1832. They had
the following family: Sylvania, born March 5, 1852; Olive, Jan
uary 22, 1854; John D., June 1, 1861; Dan, July 30, 1864;
Harriet L., Febmary 10, 1870; and Willie B., November 27,
1872. Olive Owen died April 13, 1867. Sylvania was married
to Frank Coursen November 10, 1870, and resides in Richland
county. Julia E. was married to William Forsyth, and resides
in Bloomington, Illinois.
Mr. Owen has been engaged as carpenter some years, is a
first class mechanic and an enterprising citizen.

PAINTER, GEORGE, Wayne township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, born in Holmescounty in 1847, and was married
in 1867, to Ellen McLaughlin, who was born in New York in
1847. They have the following children — Jennie Maggie, born
September 14, 1868; Cora Melinda, December 31, 1869; George
Ostin, Novembei 10, 1871; Lillie Bella, May 1, 1874; Patsie
Mountainia, December 3, 1876; and Roberta Blanche, June 30,
1879. Mr. Painter is a farmer by occupation and has resided
here since 1878.
PARK, JAMES, deceased, late of Pleasant township, was
born in Washington county," Pennsylvania, in 1787. He was of
Scotch parentage. His grandfather came to America about the
year 1730, and was a man of some note in the history of his

adopted country. His father was killed by the Indians in Penn
sylvania shortly after St. Clair's defeat. The subject of this
sketch married Miss Elizabeth Marquis, of Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in 1803. Shortly after his marriage he moved to
and settled in Belmont county, Ohio, and resided there twelve
years. While residing in Belmont county he entered the ser
vice of his country and served in the army during a part of the
War of 1812. In 1816 he came to Knox county and settled on
a farm in pleasant township, where he resided up to the time of
his death, in 1853. After his death his son Joseph received a
land warrant from the general Government for his fathers' ser
vices during the war. Mr. Park was a man of strong mind and
great energy, and soon made for himself and family of nine
children— five sons and four daughters — a pleasant home out of
the wilderness, in which he had pitched his tent. His son
Joseph, and his two youngest sisters are now the only living
ones in the county of that once large family.
PARK, JOSEPH V., son of the late James Park, was born
at the old homestead in Pleasant township, on the twenty-third
day of March, 1818. He received his education from the com
mon schools of the neighborhood. His early days were spent
in labor on his father's farm, which he now partially owns and
successfully operates. He has served the people of the town
ship eighteen years in the office of justice of the peace, and at
the expiration of his last term he refused the offer of reelec
tion. October 12, 1853, he was united by marriage with Miss
Elizabeth J. McFarland, daughter of the late Daniel McFar
land, then of Mt. Vernon, from which union five children were
born, viz. : Daniel M,, James H., William V., Bessie I., and
Frank J., all of whom are living. William and Bessie are
twins. One of the scenes of his early life in 1825 Mr. Park recollects
with vivid distinctness. Like all early settlers his father kept a
flock of sheep that required considerable attention, and upon
the younger boys that care mostly developed. During the day
the sheep were permitted to graze around the clearings and upon
the commons, and were gathered at night and penned to protect
them from the wolves, that great pest of pioneer farmers. His
father had, at different times, been a severe loser by those night
prowlers. One day the sheep strayed from their usual haunts, and Jo
seph and an elder brother were sent out in search of them. It
was nearly dark when the boys came across them on the river
bottom nearly opposite the Kerr mill, now -Miller's. It was
dark by the time the boys started homeward with the sheep.
They were soon startled by the howl of a wolf in the direction
of Fallen Timbers, then in Pleasant, but now in College town
ship. The signal was answered from another direction, and
then the dismal howl came from every quarter, and each repeti
tion came nearer and nearer. The speed of the sheep was hur
ried by the alarmed boys, as they were too young to defend
their charge from the attack of a pack of hungry wolves. The
boys had reached the barn, where the pen was located, when
the father and two older sons came out with lighted torches and
guns, as the howls had been heard at the house, causing consid
erable alarm. The approach of the wolves had been checked
by the light of. the torches at about forty rods from the fold, as
was supposed, as it was too dark to see the prowlers, but their
snarls could be distinctly heard. After the sheep had been se
cured, the father fired his gun in the direction of the wolves,

770

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

when their snarls instantly ceased, and for a few moments pro
found silence prevailed. Then the disappointed wolves broke
into continual howls, likened to nothing the boys had ever
heard before, so dismal and prolonged as though all the demons
of the lower regions had broken out. Sheep in those early days
were a necessity to the pioneers, and great care was required to
protect them from wolves.
Another incident in which wolves were prominent actors is
thus related: During the summer of 1822, a spelling bee was
held at a neighboring school-house, which nearly all the young
people attended. It was past midnight when the young folks
started for their respective homes in small parties. One
party, when about half-way home, was surrounded by a pack
of wolves, and to save their lives the youngsters were forced to
take to trees, and rest in the higher branches. Thus protected,
the party was compelled to spend the balance of the night, lis
tening to the snarls and howls of the disappointed beasts.
PARK, GEORGE W., Mt. Vernon, was born in Franklin
county, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1852, educated at the district
schools, but by close application he received a good English
education. Followed farming until 1869, when he established
the seed gardens at Fannettsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he did
business until 1875, when he came to Mt. Vernon and estab
lished gardens. He is publisher of a floral magazine, which he
started in 1871, at Fannettsburgh, and which has been a finan
cial success. He started a green-house in 1879, where he keeps
a rare collection of plants. He has a very extensive collection
of flower seeds, also all the leading varieties of garden seeds.
Publishes a catalogue annually of flower and vegetable seeds,
giving valuable information upon their cultivation.
The Floral Magazine is a sixteen page illustrated pamphlet,
devoted to the culture of flowers of all kinds and is the pioneer
of the floral magazines devoted entirely to flower culture, v
He also does book and job printing in all its branches,
with dispatch. Having all the modern improvements, in the
shape of Baxter's engine, new press, and all the latest styles of
type, his work is fine.
PARK, D. M., ofthe firm of Martin & Park, coal and feed
dealers, Mt. Vernon. — Mr. D. M. Park was born in Pleasant
township, Knox county, Ohio, August 5, 1854. His father is a
farmer, and young Park assisted on the farm and attended
school until he reached his nineteenth year, when he engaged
with Mr. Starr in the nursery business, in which he continued
one year.
In April, 1877, he became a member ofthe firm of J. H. Mc
Farland & Co., in which he remained until some time in the
year 1879, when Mr. McFarland disposed of his interest to Mr.
J. B. Martin, and the firm of Martin & Park was formed.
May 2, 1878, Mr. Park married Miss Nellie C. Chancey.
One son, Clarence W., is the issue of this union, who was born
October 18, 1879.
PARKE, JUDGE THOMAS V., Mt. Vernon, was born in
Baltimore, Maryland, July 5, 1805, and in 1819 his parents
moved into Frederick county, and Thomas engaged in the mill
ing business. In 1832 he came to this county and located at
Fredericktown, where he engaged in merchandizing, in which
he continued several years, and during which he did business in
different towns of the county. He came to Mt. Vernon in
1857 and was appointed deputy sheriff under I. Underwood, and
served two terms. During his first year, as deputy, he was
elected justice of the peace and served one term. In i860 he

was elected probate judge, in which he served two terms. In
1869 he was again elected to the office of the justice of the
peace, to which he was successively elected for three terms, dis
charging the duties of his office with acceptance, and has now
retired from public life. He was married, January 16, 1834, to
Miss Mary, daughter of Charles Strong, of Fredericktown, by
whom he had a family of eight children, four of whom are liv
ing, viz: Webster, Elnora Hyde, Kate H., and Thomas V.
PARKES, THOMAS, is a native of Gloucester, England,
where he was born July 18, 1828. After leaving school he
learned the trade of boot and shoe making, which he has made
his business in life so far.
He came to America in 1857, stopping at Brooklyn, New
York, where he manufactured the "copper nailed shoe" for
four years, when he sold out and came to Mt. Vernon in 1862,
and started shops, where he does all kinds of work with neat
ness and dispatch.
He was married to Miss Amelia Clara, daughter of John L.
Shepperd, by whom he has had a family of five children, four
of whom are living.
PARKER, MRS. H. C, millinery and notions, South Main
street, Mt. Vernon. Mrs. Parker was born in Danville, this
county, January 12, 1848. When about ten years of age, her
father, Mr. S. W. Hopwood, came to Mt. Vemon with his
family. At the age of sixteen Miss Hopwood engaged with
Mrs. Andrews to learn the milliner business, with whom she re
mained five years, after which she went into partnership with
Miss A. G. Critchfield, of Millwood, this county, and under the
name of Hopwood & Critchfield, opened out an establishment
for themselves, which was continued three years, when she
bought her partner's interest. She has conducted the business
successfully, and carries an average stock of one thousand dol
lars, comprising millinery in all its departments, notions, hair
goods, etc. Mrs. Parker does a business of from five thousand
to six thousand dollars per year.
Miss Hopwood, on the twenty-fifth of July, 1875, married
Mr. H. C. Parker. They have a family of two children. Mr.
Parker is engaged in the boot and shoe establishment of Mr.
R. M. Bowland.
PARMENTER, S. A., farmer, Morris township, post office,
Mt. Vernon, was born in Boston in 1829, came to Ohio in
1838, and in 1851 married Grace Penhorwood, who was bom in
England in 1832, and came with her parents to America at the
age of nine years. They have the following children: Edward,
born in 1853; Charles, in 1855; Dora, in 1858; Elmer, in 1861;
John, in 1867; Minnie Grace, in 1868; Arthur, in 1871; Myrta,
in 1876.
The following have deceased : Charles F. died in 1857;
Elmer, in 1863; John, in 1867; Myrta, in 1877.
Mr. Parmenter purchased a farm in Morris township in 1866,
and has since been engaged in farming. He came to Knox
county in 1838, and located in Monroe township, and remained
there until 1846. He learned the blacksmith trade in Mt. Ver
non with Joseph Murphy. After learning the trade he worked
at different places. He was married in Morris township, and
remained there about four years, then went to Hilliar township,
then to Mt. Vernon, where he worked at his trade.
PARR, SILAS, Mt. Vernon, a native of Devonshire, Eng
land, was born September 1, 1848. He came to America
in the year 1866, and settled in Mt. Vernon October 9, 1867.

dfeytdo-^d

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

771

He was engaged with Thomas Trick to learn the boot and shoe
trade, with whom he worked four years, and then with Mr.
Weaver three years, at the expiration of which time he com
menced business for himself at his present location on West
High street, where he does all kinds of work, and repairing,
and guarantees satisfaction.
He was married April 29, 1872, to Miss Mary E., daughter ot
George Fisher, of Mt. Vernon, by whom he has two daughters.
PARRISH, JARRETT, was born January 27, 1836, in Co
shocton county, Ohio, and came with his father to Knox county
when about two years old. He is the ninth child of a family of
eleven children, viz: Mary Ann, Rachel, Ureth, Mordecai,
English, Samuel, James, Benjamin, Jarrett, Salathel, and
Telitha Jane, of whom two are dead — Mary Ann and Samuel.
' Mr. Pan attended school at the district schools, also at
Fredericktown, after which he followed farming until 1864,
when he engaged in merchandizing in the village of Amity,
where he continued until 1877, when he sold out and went into
the insurance business for one year, since which he has been
travelling for E. Shedd & Co., wholesale grocers, Columbus,
Ohio. He, at present, is a candidate for sheriff.
He was married August 14, 1859, to Miss Amanda' M. Lewis,
of Knox county, and has a family of six children: Lydia Ellen,
born November 3, i860; Emma, May 1, 1862; Albert, October
3, 1865; Delia May, May 7, 1867; Mary Etta, February 7,
1872; Burly E., February 27, 1875. All are living, but Albert,
who died March 1, 1870.
PARROTT, DAVID, farmer, son of John and Rachel Par-
rott, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, Febmary 2,
1817. He was brought to Knox county, Ohio, in 1827, by his
parents, who settled in Clinton township. He received a com
mon school education, was reared a farmer, and has made
farming his business through life.
April 4, 1844, he married Miss Mary Davidson, who was born
in Mt. Vernon in 1823, daughter of John and Effie Davidson.
They settled on a farm in Clinton township, remained two
years, then moved on the Rogers farm, in same township, lived
there five years, and in the spring of 185 1 moved on the farm
where they are now living, he having purchased the farm in
1850. There was a small brick dwelling on the farm, which
served them as an abode until 1858, when he erected their pres
ent brick residence.
They reared a family of four children, two sons and two
daughters. PARSONS, NATHAN, Union township, farmer, post office,
Rossville, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, December 19,
1823, and lived at home until 1844, when he followed agricul
ture in summer and teaching school in winter. In 1845 he mar
ried Miss M. Workman and settled in Holmes county, where he
lived eight years. He then went to Illinois, and returned in
1856 to Knox county and settled on .his present farm. He has
seven children: Abraham, born in 1849; Jacob, 1851; Isaac,
1849; Edith Jane, 1854; Grace, 1857; Delia Ann, i860; Ida J.,
1863. Abraham commenced his medical education in 1863 with Dr.
Putnam, of Mt. Holly, now deceased, and finished it in 1869.
He graduated in the Wooster university and settled in Gann.
He takes the field of his preceptor, who was well known
throughout the country. Mr. Parsons has filled the office of
justice of the peace for a number of years. He has tried to fill the
office with zeal and energy and judge for the right in all cases.
5°

PATTERSON, ASA, Monroe township, retired farmer. A
native of the State of New York, born in Pittsford, Monroe
county, January 21, 1806. In March, 1832, he married Miss
Jane Barker, of Monroe county, New York, born January 22,
1813, daughter of Lyman and Mary Barker, nee Munson.
They remained in Monroe county until February, 1837. They
migrated to Ohio and located in Monroe township, this county,
on a farm now owned by Henry Barker, on which they resided
about two years. Mr. Patterson purchased the land on which
he now resides in a short time after his arrival in the county.
It was then an unbroken forest, no woodman's axe had been
there. He at once began making improvements on his land by
clearing away the forest, cultivating the soil and erecting a
cabin in which he moved his family in August, 1839, which
served them as an abode until 1853, when he erected his pres
ent frame residence. They reared a family of ten children, viz:
Henry, Isabella, Mary, Eleanor, Hutchison, Emily, Aaron,
Frances and Agnes (twins), and Ida R. Hutchison deceased
in the war of 1861, at Romney, Virginia, December 25, 1861.
PAUL, JAMES, was born March 12, 1803, in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, and removed some years afterwards to
Knox county, is now residing in Morrow county; was married
to Sarah Bane January 15, 1854. They had the following
children: Elizabeth, William, David, Daniel, Mary, Sarah,
and James B., all living except David and James.
PAUL, DANIEL, one of Knox county's well known public
citizens, is a nntive of Clay township, his birth occuning Janu
ary T9, 1833. Mr. Paul is one of the wealthiest farmers of Clay
township; has been a prominent Democratic politician; was
senator from Knox- Wayne senatorial district in the Sixty-first
general assembly; came very near receiving the nomination for
Congress at the hands of the Democratic Congressional con
vention. Mr. Paul never married,
PEALER, SAMUEL, Pike township, farmer, post office,
Democracy, born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1818;
parents emigrated to Ohio when he was a child and located in
this county. He was married in 1842 to Sarah C. Corbus,
who was bom in Ohio in 1824. They had seven children:
George, born in 1843; Henry, in 1844; Hannah, in 1846; Daniel,
in 1848; John, in 1850; Sarah E., in 1854; and Charles S., in
i860. Mrs. Sarah C. Pealer died November 25, 1862. She was a
worthy member of the Disciple church. Henry died in 1845;
Hannah in 1863, and George died in 1875.
Mr. Pealer was a member of the Ohio National guards dur
ing the war, being in the service a short time only. He was
very prominent in this township during the war, raising men
and contributing means to sustain the Union. The Pealer
family was loyal in every emergency.
PEALER, IRA, Pike township, deceased, born in this town
ship in 1828, and was married in 1852 to Susan Minteer, who
was born in this county in 1829. They had six children — Mi
randa E., born in 1853; Sarah J., in 1855; Ida A., in 1857; Sa-
lena I., in 1859; Clara F., in 1861; and Ira O. E., in 1863.
Mr. Pealer enlisted in the late war and was a lieutenant Of
company F, One Hundred and Forty-second regiment Ohio
National guards.
He was faithful in the discharge of his duties as a soldier and
an officer. At Bermuda Hundred, Virginia, he became a victim
of disease, and was cqnveyed to the Chesapeake hospital, at

772

HISTORY OF KNOX COUN'IV.

Fortress Monroe, where he died August ii, 1864, after a short,
but severe illness. His body was sent home and buried on the
farm where he was born.
It is but just to say of Lieutenant Pealer that in many re
spects he was a model man, such a man as any parent could be
proud of. He was a man of industry and economy, strict
habits, and an honest, upright man. He was sociable, amiable,
quiet, and inoffensive, and thought no evil of his neighbor, and
a man of many friends and few enemies.
He was the friend of education, temperance, and good order.
While he loved his family, friends and home, with life and all
its comforts, he also loved his country that gave him birth. Of
this love he gave abundant evidence, in that he forsook father,
mother, and his own wife and children and home, to defend,
protect, and maintain his country's honor; yea more, he laid
his life on the altar of his country, and with other patriots died
that his country might live and her free institutions be perpet
uated. He thus transmitted a reputation to his posterity that
was untainted and unsullied.
PEALER, F., Howard township, farmer, post office, How
ard, was born January 13, 1835, in Union township. He came
to Howard township in i860, and worked on a farm three years.
He then went to Danville and engaged in the mercantile trade,
and followed it two years. He then followed undertaking and
carriage making for a time, and then removed to the farm,
which he now owns.
In 1863 he was married to Eleanor Rolstead. They have
four children — Angeline, Mary, Garry, and Humphrey. Garry
died at the age of six months.
PEALER, E. A., of the firm of Pealer & Son, dealers in
farming implements, No. 1 Kremlin building, southeast corner
High street and public square, Mt. Vernon. Mr. E. A. Pealer
was born in Pike township, Knox county, December 20, 1830,
and has continued a resident of the county up to the present
day. His education was such as could be obtained from the
district schools of forty years ago. Up to January, 1880, his
occupation was that of a farmer. He commenced life for
himself when about twenty-one years old. At the age of
twenty-three he purchased a farm. In 1868 he engaged in the
insurance business, and in 1871 he was elected secretary and
treasurer of the company in whose employ he was. In that
capacity he served four years. In 1875 he engaged in the
grain, produce and stock business, in which, together with
farming, he continued until January, 1880, when he removed to
Mt. Vernon. In company with Mr. J. H. Norrick, he rented
the corner room in the Kremlin block, formerly occupied by
the late George B. Potwin, and opened out an agricultural
supply wareroom, and has met with good success in the under
taking. The firm carries a full line of all kinds of agricultural
implements, together with wagons, carriages and buggies.
They represent goods of C. Aultman & Co., of Canton, Ohio;
Buckeye mowers and reapers, and self binders, Canton Monitor
engine, Bucher & Gibbs' Imperial plows, First and Bradley's
and Hughes' sulky plows, Brown's corn cultivators, Champion
corn planters, Studebaker and Moline farm wagons and spring
wagons, carriages and buggies, of five different manufactures,
from Moline, Illinois, Courtland, and Syracuse, New York,
Toledo, and Troy, Ohio.
Mr. Pealer was married August 10, 1853, to Miss Selina E.
Vincent, and had a family of three sons and one daughter. The
daughter died February 22, 1877, aged seventeen years.

PEARDON, GEORGE, justice of the peace, Hilliar town
ship, post office, Centreburgh, was born in Devonshire, Eng
land, in 1823. His young days were spent on a farm, and at
tending school until about fourteen years of age, when he was
apprenticed to learn the trade of shoemaking. He served until
his master gave up the business, thus giving George his free
dom. Some time after this one of his neighbors, a Mr. Cald
well, was coming to America, and Mr. Peardon came with him
to Ohio, and stopped for a short time near Danville, and then
came to Gambier, where he worked at his trade, for several
months. He then came to Mt. Vernon and workedat his trade
with Samuel Smail for six years, and then set up for himself,
where he remained until July, 1855, when he came to Centre
burgh, where he has since remained.
He is a man of sound judgment, and exerts a quiet influence
in the vicinity, and has the esteem of his neighbors. He was
elected justice of the peace in 1872, and served for three years
to the satisfaction of the public. He was again elected in the
fall of 1878. He is prompt in his decisions and accurate in his
judgment. He was married to Miss Mary Hicks, of Mt. Vernon, March
21, 1845, by Rev. Leonard Gurley. They had seven children,
six of whom are living.
PENICK & RANSOM, leather manufacturers, succes
sors of G. E. Raymond, West Gambier street, Mt. Vernon. —
Mr. William Penick, of this firm, was born in Washing
ton county, Pennsylvania, on the eleventh May, 1822, where he
resided until he was ten years of age, when his parents came to
Ohio, and located near Martinsburgh, this county. In 1841 he
came to Mt. Vernon and entered the tannery of Hugh Oglevee
to learn the trade, where he served three years. He then went
to Millersburgh and worked for S. Weirick for two years and
seven months. From Millersburgh he returned to Martins
burgh and purchased the tannery of O. Lord, and conducted
the business for nineteen years, when he sold out. In 1865 Mr.
Penick bought a half interest in the yard of George E. Ray
mond, and for three years the firm of Raymond & Penick con
ducted a successful business. He then sold his interest, and
was engaged in various ways until the fall of 1878, when he, in
company with J. H. Ransom, bought the Raymond tannery,
which the new firm still carries on.
PENN, WILLIAM, Middlebury, farmer, was born in Vir
ginia, near Harper's Ferry, in 1826; came to Ohio in 1834 with
his father, John Penn, and located in Richland county. He
was married in 1851 to Ruth Clark, who was bom in this town
ship and county. They have two children: William, born in
1867, and Chloe, born in 1854.
Mr. Penn came to Knox county in 1853, and has remained
here ever since. He is one of the useful and intelligent men of
this county. His father, John Penn, was born in 1800, in Bal
timore, Maryland, and died in 1879. Mrs. John Penn has
moved to Indiana. Mrs. Ruth Penn's father, William Clark,
was born in Vermont in 1777. He came to Ohio in 1818, and
was married to Abigail Owen, who was bom in 1797 in Ver
mont. They are among the old pioneers of the county. They
had two children: Rachel, born in 1829, and Ruth, born in
1833. William Clark died in 1862, aged eighty-four years five
months and eight days. Mrs. Abigail Clark died in T871.
PENROSE, EVERARD, painter, Pleasant township, son of
Benjamin and Rachel Penrose, was born in Bucks county
Pennsylvania, on the fifteenth day of April, 1818. He was

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

773

brought to Knox county, Ohio, by his parents in 1828, who
located in Monroe township, remained a few years, then pur
chased and moved on a farm in Clinton township, where he
grew to manhood. At the age of sixteen years he commenced
teaching vocal music during the winter season, and has followed
that as his vocation nearly every winter since that time. In 1838
he went to Philadelphia, where he learned painting and paper-
hanging, which he has made his principle vocation.
He has been married twice; first in 1846 to Elizabeth Arm
strong, of Philadelphia, who died in 1847. In 1849 he was
united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Mills, of Philadelphia.
In 1851 he returned to Knox county with his wife and one child,
where they have passed most of their time. In 1870 he pur
chased the property in Pleasant township, where they are now
living. They have had eight children, four sons and four
daughters; one of the latter is dead.
PETERMAN, CHRISTIAN, deceased.— Christian Peter
man was born March 13, 1819, in Maple township, Delaware
county, Pennsylvania, and at the time of his death his age was
sixty-one years, eight months and fourteen days. He was a
miller by trade. While he was yet a young man he was ap
pointed to the position of warden of the Westchester prison, in
Chester county, Pennsylvania, his administration lasting one
year. The board of managers of the institutions showed their
confidence in his abilities by offering him the position for an
other term, with an increased salary. By kindness he had won
the confidence of the prisoners, and labored diligently to teach
them Christian principles, and effected many reformations. His
sensitive nature led him to believe that the position was one of
too much responsibility and the burden too heavy for one of his
youthful years, and he tendered his resignation. He left his
native State in the year 1854, and settled in Millwood, Knox
county, Ohio, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, in com
pany with his brother-in-law, Mr. C. W. Page. In 1864 he
removed to Mt. Vemon, purchased the stock of dry goods of
Peter Mclntire, at the corner of Main and Gambier streets,
where he continued the business under his own name until 1870,
when his eldest son, Samuel H., was made a partner. In Jan
uary, 1880, he sold his stock and retired from business.
He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church for twenty-
one years, during which time he proved to be a steadfast Chris
tian, and was known for his many acts of kindness during
sickness and death, among families of his own acquaintance.
He was superintendent of St. Paul's Sunday-school, and also
junior warden in the church for a number of years. He was
also an active member of the Young Men's Christian associa
tion of this city, and it was while in attendance at one of its
meetings, in 1875, that he suffered a slight stroke of paralysis.
He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, having associated
himself with Antioch lodge at Danville.
Mr. Peterman died Saturday, November 27, 1880.
Samuel H. Peterman was a native of Pennsylvania, and came
to this county with his parents in 1854. He received his educa
tion in the union schools in this city (Mt. Vernon), and his first
business engagement was as an employe of the United States
Express company. In this employment he remained from 1869
to 1871, after which he went into partnership with his father. In
April, 1880, he established a general insurance agency, and
opened an office in the Peterman block, room 3, second floor,
for conducting both fire and life insurance business. He repre
sents such standard companies as the British American; Frank

lin, of Columbus; Travelers' Life and Accident; German Fire,
of Pittsburgh; the Ohio Insurance company, Dayton; Mutual
Fire, of Delaware; Merchants' and Mechanics', of Mansfield;
Capitol City, of Columbus; Ohio Mutual Relief, of Urbana.
German, $360,000; British American, $5,000,000; Ohio, of Day
ton, $200,000; Travelers' Life and Accident, paid up cash capi
tal, $600,000.
PHILLIPS, HENRY, deceased, late of Mt. Vernon, was
born in Devonshire, England, March 20, 1803. He came to
America in 1821 with his parents, who settled at Phillipsburgh,
Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1824, when he went to
Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio. In 1825 he took up his resi
dence in Steubenville, Jefferson county, where he followed his
trade (stone-mason and stone-dresser), until 1835, when he
went into the tavern business, and kept the Washington house
for five years with great credit to himself.
In 1825 he was married to Miss Maria Wise, then of Steu
benville, but formerly of Washington county, Pennsylvania,
where she was born March 24, 1806. She had removed to
Steubenville in 1816 with her parents. Her mother died in
1845, and her father in 1850.
Mr. and Mrs. Wise had two children — a son and a daughter.
The son died in 1836, and the daughter, in 1825, became the
wife of the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Phillips came to Knox county in 1840, and located on
a partly cleared farm in Wayne township, where the family re
sided till i860, when he took up his residence in Mt. Vemon,
where he resided until his death. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Phillips
ten children were born, seven of whom are still living — Eliza
beth was born in 1830; Henry, in 1832; Thomas, in 1833;
Harrison, in 1836; Mary Ann, in 1839; and Maria and Martha
(twins), in 1841.
Three sons and two daughters are residents of Jasper county,
Iowa; one daughter, the wife of John Scarbrough, resides in
Newark; and one daughter, the wife of Simon H. Bair, is a
resident of Mt. Vernon.
Mr. Phillips died at his late residence on West High street,
Saturday morning, March 25, 1876, aged seventy-three years
and five days. For the three years prior to his death his health
had been on the decline. On the day previous to his death he
was able to walk to the house of a friend, and none supposed
he was so near his end.
During his residence in Steubenville he joined a lodge of Odd
Fellows, and on his removal to this,place he took a withdrawal
card, which he deposited with Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 20, I. O.
O. F. He passed regularly through all the high positions, both
in the subordinate lodge as well as in the encampment branch
of the order, and at the time of his death he was the oldest
Odd Fellow in this part of the State. He was a man of strong
mind and sterling integrity, and stood ready at any moment to
render aid and comfort to those in trouble or distress. He was
a member of the Christian church, and stood prominent in its
councils, and as a citizen was a valuable member of the com
munity. He served one term as justice of the peace in Wayne
township, and four terms in Clinton township after his removal
to Mt. Vernon. His funeral services took place at the Chris
tian church, on Vine street, Sunday, March 26, 1876, the Rev.
Southmayd preaching the discourse. At the door of the church
the remains were taken in charge by the Odd Fellows in the
city, and taken to the cemetery, where the body was consigned to
the tomb, according to the beautiful burial service of the order.

774

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Mrs. Maria Phillips, the beloved companion, now in her sev
enty-fifth year, survives her departed husband. She is a woman
of uncommon intelligence, and of as strong marked character
istics as a woman as her -husband was as a man; is of sound
mind and good health, more so than most women of her ad
vanced age. She feels her loss deeply, but is upheld by the lov
ing hands of the Father of the widow and of the orphan. Long
may she be spared to minister unto the poor and destitute.
Among the proceedings of Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 20, I. O.
O. F., are the following resolutions, expressive of the great loss
the lodge sustained on the death of Brother Henry Phillips:
"That in the death of Brother Henry Phillips we recognize
the loss of a trae and faithful brother, whose life and conduct
has won the love of our brotherhood, and his pure and upright
character the respect and esteem of his friends and acquaint
ances. That in the life of our brother.we recognize the virtues
which adorn the noblest of our race. He was a father in the
highest sense of the word; a kind and affectionate husband, and
a perfect gentleman in all his intercourse with his fellow citizens.
In all, he was one of the masterpieces of God's creation."
PHILIPS, MOSES, farmer, post office, New Castle, was
born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1812, and came
with his father, Jacob Philips, to Coshocton county, Ohio,' in
1818. From there he removed to this township, in 1838, and
has resided in Butler ever since. He has been married twice.
The first time to Margaret Fry, May 14, 1835, by whom he had
eleven children, viz: Henry, Amy, William, Mary Ann, Char
lotte, Jonathan, James, Levi, John, Peter, Samuel.
His second wife was Sarah Ann Underwood, daughter of
Jesse Underwood, to whom he was married October 1, 1863,
and by whom he had five children, viz: Charles L., Delano,
Arminia, Viola, and Robnetta. Mr. Philips' family is the largest
in number of any one family in Butler township.
Peter Philips died in September, 1856; Jonathan, September,
1857; James died in the army, in 1864. His funeral discourse,
delivered by Rev. Daniel Lambert, in the grove near the
Woods church, Butler township, was an event long to be re
membered by the hundreds of citizens who listened to its de
livery. PHILLIPS, HENRY, carpenter, was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, July 11, 1814. He was brought to Knox
county, Ohio, in 1818 by his parents, David and Nancy Phil
lips, who located in Clinton township, where they passed the
remainder of their days.
David Phillips deceased February 20, 1863, aged eighty
years. He served in the War of 1812. His companion sur
vived him until April 14, 1864, when she died, aged seventy
years. They reared a family of thirteen children: Mary,
Henry, Samuel, James and Thomas (twins), Permelia, Levi and
Ruth (twins), Jackson, David, Johnson, Priscilla, and Han
nah. Five of the foregoing, namely: Mary, Samuel, Levi,
Jackson, and Priscilla have died.
Mr. Phillips is a carpenter and joiner by trade, and has fol
lowed that as his vocation during life. On the ninth of April,
1839, he manied Miss Sarah Howard, bom in Maryland No
vember 2, 1820. They settled where he is now living, in Clin
ton township, two and a half miles from Mt. Vernon, on the
Granville road. They ¦ reared a family of seven children, four
sons and three daughters. His wife deceased February 27,
1864. PHILLIPS, GEORGE deceased, Berlin township, was born

in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1819, and married in 1840, to Ema-
line Woodraff, who was born in Pike township, this county, in
1823. They had eight children, viz: Amos P., born in 1842;
Malinda A., 1844; ElnoraA., 1851; Elmira E., 1854, deceased;
William D., 1859, deceased; Laura B., 1861; Clement R,,
1864, and Lizzie B., 1869. Mr. Phillips came to Knox county,
at the age of six years, and remained a citizen until his death,
January 26, 1879.
The father of Mrs. Phillips, Amos O. Woodraff, deceased,
was born in 1795, in New Jersey; he was married to Elizabeth
Rodgers, who was born in New Jersey in 1797. They had three
children, viz: James R., Mary A., and Emaline. Mr. Wood
raff came to Knox county, Ohio, in a very early day, and was a
pioneer. He died in Michigan, and Mrs. Elizabeth Woodruff
died in Pike township, in 1872.
PHILLIPS, JOHN R., farmer, Pike township, post office,
Democracy, was born in Jefferson county, in 1823, and was '
married in 1843, t0 Sarah Quinn, who was born in Knox county
in 1826. They had five children, viz: Elizabeth, born in 1845;
Robert, 1848; William, 1854; Lydia, i860, deceased; and John
Shannon, 1870. Mr. Phillips came to Knox county with his
parents in 1825.
James Quinn, deceased, was bom in New Jersey in 1781, and
was married to Lydia Parks, who was born in Pennsylvania in
1796. They had six children, viz: Robert, bom in 1819; Wil
liam, 1821; John, 1823; Sarah, 1826; Thompson, 1829; and
Elizabeth, 1838. The deceased members are Thompson and
Elizabeth. James Quinn died in 1865, and his wife in 1881.
PHILLIPS, JOHN, Berlin township, post office, Frederick-
town, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1821, and came
to Knox county in 1825. He was manied in 1843, to Ruth
Hipsley, who was born in Carroll county, Maryland, in 1826,
and came to Ohio with her parents at forty-seven years of age.
They have the following children: Clarinda, bom in 1843;
Margaret deceased in 1845; Henry W., born in 1847; Deroy
E., in 1850; Sarah E., in 1853; Albert W., in 1856. Clarinda
Phillips is married to Hugh C. Wilson, and lives in Pike
township. Henry W. is married to Elvira Wilson, and they
also reside in Pike township. Deroy married Julia Beard, and
resides in Jasper county, Iowa Sarah E. manied Isaac C.
Dunmire, and also resides in Jasper county, Iowa. Albert W,
married Mary McCerg, and lives on the home place.
Mr. Phillips is a farmer by occupation, and has been identi
fied with Knox county since 1825, and remembers well many
incidents of pioneer life.
The father of Mrs. John Phillips, Joshua Hipsley, is a native
of Maryland, and was married to Elizabeth Wilson, who was
a native of the same State. They came to Knox county in
1834, and located in Berlin township, on the farm where John
Phillips now resides. They had ten children: Mary Ann, mar
ried to Mr. Lee, deceased; Amos, living in Iowa; Louis, in
Indiana; Joseph, in Iowa; Nicholas, in Illinois; Ruth, now
married to Mr. Phillips; Caleb resides in Iowa; Sarah, now
Mrs. Wilson, lives in Carroll county, Maryland, and Joshua
deceased. Mr. Joshua Hipsley died May 29, 1866.
Mrs. Elizabeth Hipsley died February 11, 1854.
PHILIPS, MRS. RACHEL, was born in Perry township,
Coshocton county, Ohio, on the sixteenth day of September,
1826, and was married to John Dalyer, October 6, 1842, by
whom she had seven children, viz: Anna, born October 3,
1843; Levi, April 22, 1845; Ftances M., August 11, 1847; Mary

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

775

Elizabeth, April 19, 1849, died September 14, 1876; Martha
Eliza, April 16, 1851; Moses Franklin, Febmary 15, 1853;
Maria Josephine, January 29, 1855, died Febmary n, 1856.
John Dalyer was a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-
first Ohio volunteer infantry, and died April 29, 1865, of
chronic dysentery, at Moorehead, North Carolina.
Levi enlisted in company F, Eightieth Ohio volunteer in
fantry, and was killed at Mission Ridge, November 25, 1863.
Mrs. Dalyer was married to Arthur Fawcett, December 19,
1871, who is still living.
PHILLIPS, BENJAMIN, Wayne township, farmer, post
office, Mt. Vernon, born in Wayne township, in 1831, and mar
ried in i860 to Clara Bonner, who was born in Muskingnm
county in 1839. They have five children: William B., born in
1861; Sarah, 1863; Benjamin, deceased at three years; Mable
C, in 1869; Grant, in 1871, and Ellis H., in 1876.
Mr. Phillips has resided here a number of years. In 1864—5
he took a tour to Europe.
PHILLIPS, ELIAS, farmer, Pike township, post office.
North Liberty, boin in Pike township, this countv, on the farm
where he now resides, October 19, 1837, and was manied in
i860, to Sarah Bowman, who was born in Ohio, in 1841. She
died in 1861.
Mr. Phillips was afterwards married to Sarah J. Weimer,
who was born in Knox county, in 1842. They had five chil
dren: Alva C. , bom May 13, 1863; Milan E., October 15,
1864; William C, March 24, 1866; Ira E., December 29, 1868,
and Hallie I., October 1, 1876. Alva C. died August 5, 1876.
Mr. Elias Phillips has always been identified with this town
ship and county. He owns the old homestead, which is now
one of the most beautiful farms of this county.
PHILLIPS, HENRY W., farmer, Pike township, post
office, Mt. Vemon, born in this township in 1847, and was mar
ried, in 1868, to Elvira Wilson, who was born in this township,
in 1845. They have three children : Margaret Alwilda, born
in 1870 ; Ida Blanche, in 1872, and Eddie W., in 1876.
Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have always been residents of this
township, and are both members of pioneer families.
PHILLIPS, JAMES W., Pike township, farmer, post office,
North Liberty; born in this township July 30, 1849, and was
married in 1874 to Sarah M. Reed, who was born in this town
ship March 7, 1854. They had three children, Mary L., born
January 2, 1875; Clarence Leroy, October 14, 1876, died April
24, 1877; and Jenered J., bom May 30, 1880.
Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are both members of pioneer families.
He owns an improved farm and is a model farmer.
PHILO, HENRY, Mt. Vernon., is a native of Swaffham,
England; was born April 17, 1846, and remained there until
1874. Upon arriving at manhood he learned the trade of car
riage-making, and worked for the same man sixteen years, until
he came to America. He first located at Mt. Holly as a sales
man in a store, where he remained four years, after which he
came to Mt. Vernon and bought out A. E. Philo, and engaged
in keeping a grocery and restaurant, in which he is now en
gaged. PICKARD, PETER, physician Mt. Vemon, was bom in
Devonshire, England, May 13, 1832, and attended the schools
of Devonshire. When about seventeen years of age his parents
came to America, and he worked two summers on a farm, and
in the winter attended school; he also attended select school

several terms. At about the age of twenty -four years he began
reading medicine with Drs. J. W. Russel and Matthew Thomp
son, and read with them three years and a half. He attended
his first course of lectures at the College of Physicians and Sur
geons, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and his last term he attended at the
University of Buffalo, New York. He graduated February,
1859, and commenced practice in Martinsburgh the spring fol
lowing; remained there eight and a half years and then came to
Mt. Vemon, where he has since been engaged in the profession.
November twenty-eighth, 1862, he received the appointment
of first assistant surgeon of the Forty-fifth regiment, but did
not accept.
He is a member of the State Medical society and also a mem
ber of the Knox county society, and its treasurer.
He was married to Miss Harriet J. Veatch, of Knox county,
May 17, 1865. They have three children — one son and two
daughters. PICKERING, ENOCH, farmer, Milford township, was
born in Guernsey county, Ohio, in October, 1832. His father,
Greenbury Pickering, was a native of Maryland. He was mar
ried in Greene county, Pennsylvania, to Miss Susannah Darr, a
native of Virginia. About 1831 they came to Guernsey county,
Ohio, where they remained until 1844, when they moved to
Hilliar township, Knox county; remained until 1854, then
moved to Henry county, Iowa (near Mt. Pleasant), where they
lived and died. They had twelve children, six of each sex, and,
so far as is known, ten of them are living, viz: Lot, Albert,
Corbley, Enoch, Philip, David, Maria (married William Wil
son), Orpha (manied John Hosick), Hannah (deceased), Eliza
beth (married N. Boyd), Fannie (deceased), Lucinda (married
William Parrin).
The subject of this notice remained at home with his parents
until he was about twenty-two years of age, when he returned
to Ohio. He was married to Miss Catharine Ward in 1854.
Since his marriage he has been engaged mainly at farming.
They have five children, viz: Sarah E., Manville, John S.,
Albert, and Lucinda.
Mr. Pickering is a good farmer and a good citizen, being both
industrious and honest.
PIERCE, ISAAC, Hilliar township, blacksmith, was born
in Mansfield, Richland county, January 30, 1810. His parents
came to Knox county about six years after and settled on the
Indian fields, south of Mt. Vemon, where Isaac remained until
he was about ten years old, when his uncle, Peter Kinney, took
him to Wheeling, Virginia, and he shortly after got on a boat
as cook on the Ohio river. He followed the river for some years
and then came to Mt. Vernon, where he learned the trade of
blacksmithing with William Davis. His next move was to
Hilliar township in 1834, and about two years after came to
Centreburgh and carried on his trade for many years, until he
became afflicted with rheumatism.
He was among the early settlers of Knox county.
He was married to Miss Ann Eliza Belcher, July 24, 1834.
By this union there were nine children born, five of whom are
living, viz: Sarah, married to John Crawford, lives in Broad
way, Union county, Ohio; Mary, widow of George Jones, in
Centreburgh; William M., in Union county, Ohio; Louisa,
married to Ira Barr, living in Centreburgh; Frank C, black
smith, in Centreburgh.
Mr. Pierce was a soldier or the late war. His two sons, Jack
son and William, were in the army also, and Mr. Pierce, al-

776

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

though near fifty-two years of age, volunteered in company A,
Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, August 8, 1862. He was
in the fights in front of Vicksburgh and at Arkansas Post. In
March, 1863, he was discharged on account of chronic rheuma
tism, contracted while in the service. February, 1864, he again
enlisted in company F, One Hundred and Twenty-first regiment
and was sent to Chattanooga, and participated in several of
the engagements, among which were Akworth, Resaca, At
lanta, and Jonesborough. He was again taken with rheuma
tism and sent to the hospital. He was discharged at Camp
Dennison, May 17, 1865.
PITKIN, REV. JOHN, Milford township, retired minister
of the Presbyterian church, was born in Rutland county, Ver
mont, May 12, 1794. His parents were natives of Connecticut,
and belonged to the farmer class. They had a family of four
children, all of whom are dead, but the subject of this notice,
he being the youngest child. He remained at home until he
was eighteen years of age, when he enlisted in the Thirtieth
United States infantry. This was in 1812. The first rendez
vous was at Burlington, Vermont, thence to Plattsburgh, where
they went into winter quarters. The spring of 1813 the com
mand went to Lacole Mill, Canada, where they had an engage
ment with a British force. They guarded the ship-builders while
constructing a fleet for Commodore McDonough. This fleet was
used on Lake Champlain. He was discharged in June, 1813.
He then worked at the hatting business for about two years,
while in Vermont. He also taught school for several terms.
About 1815 he came to Ohio, locating at Chillieothe, where he
taught schoolt for several months. He then attended an acad
emy, working night and morning for his board. He attended
school there for several years, working his way by teaching,
principally. He then attended Jefferson college at Cannons-
burgh, Pennsylvania, for a year and a half. Having the minis
try in view he studied theology three years with Rev. Dr.' Wil
son, a Presbyterian minister. Upon the completion of his
studies he went to Indiana, where he preached three months
then returned to Waterford, Washington county, Ohio,- where
he preached about six years; then at Dresden six years; at Utica,
Licking county, Ohio, one year, and at the Milford Presbyterian
church as stated supply. He also preached some time in Dela
ware county, Ohio. He preached regularly until he was seven.
ty-five years of age. He is a theologian of the old school, and
is regarded as a man of ability. His preaching was accepta
ble, and through him many were added to the church. He is
spending the remainder of his days on his farm. He was mar
ried to Miss Eliza W. Wilson in 1824, who was the daughter of
Rev. Dr. Robert G. Wilson, his preceptor. She was born in
South Carolina in 1801, and died in 1864. She was an exem
plary woman, and a devoted wife and mother. They had a
family of ten children, eight of whom are living— John G. and
Ebenezer, died in the army; Elizabeth J. (married Mr. Camp);
Robert W.; Mary W. (manied George L. Smith); Emily H.;
Samuel J.; Sarah F. (married Samuel Hookway); Paul H., a
minister of the Presbyterian church; and Theodore S.
PLUMMER, FRANKLIN W., Fredericktown, deceased,
was born in Maryland in 1824; married in 1844 to Eliza Walter,
who was born in 1824. They had the following family, viz.:
Philip, bom in 1846; Alfred, in 1848; Anna, in 1849; Mary,
in 1852; Charles, in 1854; Thomas, in 1856; and Jessie, in 1859.
Franklin Plummer died in i86o*in Wayne township. Anna
M. died in 1868.

Mr, Plummer emigrated with his parents to Ohio in 1827,
and located in Knox county. Mr. Plummer was engaged in
buying and selling stock. He was one of the earliest settlers
of this county, and also one of its best citizens.
Philip Plummer was a soldier of the late war, being a mem
ber of company B, Ninty-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry. He
was afterward transferred to the Seventy-seventh Ohio volun
teer infantry. He continued till the close of the war, and
received an honorable discharge. He is now residing in Fred
ericktown engaged with the firm of S. S. Tuttle, manufac
turers. Alfred H. was a member of the Ohio National guards. He
served out his time and received an honorable discharge.
PONTING, JOHN, county commissioner, is a citizen of
Mt. Vernon. He wasbornin Somersetshire, England, June 21,
1826. He emigrated to America in the fall of 1847, and settled
in Fredericktown, this county, and was engaged with the late
James George for about three years, and then entered into the
butchering business in Mt. Vernon, which he followed about
one year, and then engaged in stock business, shipping to the
eastern cities. He then engaged in the grocery business, which
he successfully carried on for some years, when he sold out his
business to Messrs. Armstrong & Tompkins, in 1877. In Octo
ber, 1876, he was elected county commissioner, and served three
years with great efficiency, and was again elected in 1879,
which office he now holds.
Mr. Ponting was married to Miss Eliza Thompson, Juiy,
1856. . She died June 18, 1876. Mr. Ponting has been emi
nently successful in all that he has undertaken. He started in
life without a dollar in the world.
POPHAM, FRANCIS (deceased). He was bom in Mary
land in 1784, and was manied in 1803, to Mary Scoles, who was
born in 1785. They had a large family, viz : Elias, bom in
1805; George, in 1807; Samuel, in 1809; Easter, in 1810; John
S., in 1811; Elizabeth, in 1814 ; Margaret, in 1816; Joseph, in
1817; William, in 1819; Minerva C, in 1821; Thomas, in 1822;
Richard in 1824, and Rebecca, in 1825. Mrs. Mary Popham
died in Indiana, September 5, 1857.
They emigrated to Ohio in 1808, and located in Pike township
in 1809.
The father of Francis, Samuel Popham, was born" in Eng
land, and came to America as a British subject, during the
Revolutionary war; he became attached to this country and set
tled in Maryland, and died there.
POPHAM, SAMUEL (deceased), Pike township, was born
in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1809, and was married'in 1836 to
Elizabeth Scoles, who was born in 1819. They had the follow
ing children, viz: Salena, born September 15, 1837; Eliza
Ann, February 17, 1839; Columbus D., August 23, 1841; Mar
garet J., August 28, 1844; George F_, October 21, 1846;
Thomas J., September 5, 1849; Mary J., January 22, 1852;
Amanda Olive, March 15, 1859; and Samuel L., September 12,
1862. Salena died September 30, 1837. Mrs.. Elizabeth Pop
ham died in March, 1874.
Samuel Popham manied for his second wife Nancy Johnson,
who was born in Richland county, in 1833. They lived to
gether but a few years. Mr. Popham died June 8, 1880. He
was a citizen of this county for many years, a good financier,
became the owner of a number of farms, and gave to each of
his children a good home.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

777

POPHAM, ELIAS, farmer, post office, Fredericktown, was
bom in Baltimore county, Maryland, in 1805, and came to Har
rison county, Ohio, with his parents at the age of three years,
and to Knox county in 1820, and was married in 1826 to
Elizabeth Durbin, who was born in this county in 1810. They
had the following family: Curtis, born in 1828; Samuel, in
1830; James, in 1834; Sherman, in 1835; Francis, in 1838; Eu-
retta, in 1840; Christiana, in 1841; Corydon, in 1850; and
Thomas, in 1852. Mrs. Elizabeth Popham died December 8,
1857; James died August 24, 1834; Euretta in 1840; and Chris
tiana August 21, 1842.
Mr. Popham married for his second wife, in 1858, Julia E.-
Berry, who was born in Virginia in 1827. They had the fol
lowing children: Louis B., born in 1861, and Ida May, born in
1863. Mr. Popham settled in Pike township when he came to this
county, and in 1840 he came to Morris township. He owns a
good farm with all modern improvements.
POPHAM, COLUMBUS D., farmer, post office, Lytle
City, Iowa county, Iowa. He was born in Pike township,
Knox county, in 1841; he was married in 1866, to Margaret
Patten, who was born in Tuscarawas county, in 1849, They
have four children living: QuintilaJ., Florence O., Herbert C,
and Hallie M. The deceased, Charles B. , died in Iowa, in
1878. Mr. Popham emigrated to Iowa in 1869. His memory still
lingers in Knox county, Ohio, on the scenes of his childhood.
POPHAM, GFORGE F., farmer, post office, Democracy,
born in Pike township, this county, October 2, 1846, and was
married March 23, 1875, to Mary A. Matheny, who was born
October 10, 1845, in Monioe township, this county.
Mr. Popham owns a well improved farm in this township,
and is an enterprising and industrious farmer.
PORTER, J. H., Howard township, farmer, post office,
Howard. He was born November 9, 1852, on what is now
known as the Critchfield farm. His father was born in Brown
township in 1831, and lived at different places in the county
until his death, which occurred in 1866. His mother was sub
sequently married to William Taswell, and lived in Mt. Vernon.
Mr. Porter was married to Miss Lydia Smith April 21, 1878.
POTTER, M. D., S. B., Fredericktown; was born in Bloom
field township, Morrow county, Ohio, November 7, 1828.
He was educated in the common schools till about twenty-one
years of age, then he attended the Fredericktown acadamy,
after which he attended the Norwalk college, Huron county,
Ohio. To defray his expenses he engaged in teaching and
working at different kinds of work. He commenced reading
medicine with Dr. T. R. Potter about 1850, after which he
graduated at the Jefferson Medical college at Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, in 1854. He then located in Fredericktown and
engaged in the practice of medicine. He has since remained
here, continuing the practice. The doctor has established a
wide and extensive practice, has met with excellent success,
and stands to-day at the head of the medical profession in this
section of Ohio. He was one of the charter members of the
Knox County Medical society, was elected three consecutive
terms president of this society, also vice-president a number of
terms. Dr. S. B. Potter was married to Eleanor B. Leonard, daugh
ter of Hon. Byram Leonard, of Knox county. They had two

children: Anna H. and Nellie A. Mrs. Eleanor Potter died
March 10, 1871.
The doctor then married Delia M. Burns May 8, 1872, who
was bom in Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio. She was a
widow of Dr. Alfred Burns, and daughter of Dr. A. W. Swet-
land, of Sparta, Ohio.
The doctor has been identified with the Baptist church, and
still adheres strictly, and advocates those Christian doctrines.
He has been connected with the Democratic party, has always
voted that ticket, and promulgates its principles. He has had
a number of students, and at present he has with him William
M. Furgerson, son of Rev. W. M. Furgerson, of Frederick-
town, and also Herbert S. Darling, son of William Darling, of
this county.
PRATT, HENRY, Liberty township, retired farmer, was
born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1802.
He is the son of William and Elizabeth Pratt, nee Hooper, who
came to Ohio in 1819 with a four horse team. They brought a
family of six daughters and two sons, andsettled in Clinton town
ship, near the Ewalt settlement, where they had a tract of two
hundred acres of land. He remained here until 1829, when he
was drowned in Owl creek while on his return from Mt. Ver
non. He was was on horse-back, and it is supposed was taken
with a paralytic stroke and was unable to regain the shore. The
horse which he rode upon finding the rider gone came home and
neighed. The subject of this notice, Henry Pratt, rode the horse
to the ford and dismounted leaving the horse unhitched. He (the
horse) returned again to the farm, and again returned to the
ford, seeming to understand that his master had met with some
serious accident. Mrs. Pratt survived her husband until 1853.
The children are all dead except Henry and Jane, the wife of
D. C. Montgomery, esq., of Mt. Vernon.
The subject of this notice spent his youth on a farm and re
mained at home until he was twenty-six years of age. He
worked at the carpenter trade and wagon making for some
time. In 1829 he married Miss Penelope Buckingham, and in
1835 moved to his present farm where he has resided ever since.
They have had seven children, three of whom are living, viz:
Sylvester, farmer; John, in Tama county, Iowa; and Eliza J.,
who married William C. Parker, of Liberty township. Mrs.
Pratt died in March, 1878. Mr. Pratt has always been an in
dustrious man, and has helped to improve the neighborhood in
which he lives. He- is social in his habits.
Sylvester Pratt, a son of Henry Pratt, was born in Liberty
township in 1831, and has continued to reside there ever since.
He is a good farmer and an excellent citizen. In 1852 he mar
ried Miss Cordelia Parrish. They had one child, John Frank
lin. In 1854 his wife died. His second wife was Mary E. Tarr.
They had three children, only one living, viz: Sarah Isabelle.
PRICE, VEAZEY, was born in Washington county, Penn
sylvania, April 17, 1819. He was brought to Knox county,
Ohio, by his parents, Samuel and Margaret Price, in 1826, who
located in Pleasant township, where they remained until 1856,
when he, (Samuel Price), with wife and family, all except
Veazey, emigrated to Iowa, where he deceased at the age of
seventy-two years. His wife died aged eighty-two years. They
reared a family of seven children: William, Thomas, Veazey,
James, Samuel, Dorthus, and Sarah. Only three of the above
named are now living: Sarah, Veazey, and Samuel. Veazey
Price married Miss Eliza R. Veatch, in 1846, daughter of Peter
Veatch, and settled in Mt. Vemon. By tiade he is a joiner and

778

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

pattern maker. He commenced working at his trade in 1837,
and served three years as an apprentice with John Arentrue at
the joiner trade, after serving his time as an apprentice, which
ended in 1840, he remained one year with his old employer, and
in 1841 he commenced work with Charles Cooper, making the
wood work on carding machines and spinning jacks, and making
patterns. He continued with Mr. Cooper as pattern maker
until 1854, when he purchased and moved on a farm in Morgan
township, same county, where they lived twelve years, and in
1866, he purchased and moved on the farm where he is now
living, in Clinton township, two miles west of Mt. Vernon.
Since leaving the employ of Mr. Cooper, and moving on a farm,
he has made farming his vocation. They have three children-
one son and two daughters.
PRICE, SAMUEL, farmer, youngest son of Samuel Rice,
deceased, was born in Knox county, Ohio, May 14, 1825. He
married Miss Sarah A. Kerr in 1852, born in Knox county,
Ohio, in 1828, daughter of Benjamin and Rose Kerr. They
settled in same county, and remained two years. In 1854 they
emigrated to Iowa, where they lived sixteen and a half years,
and then returned to Knox county. In the spring of 1871 they
purchased and moved on the property where they are now
living, on the Newark road, a short distance from Mt. Vernon.
He owns a farm in Pleasant township, and follows farming as
his vocation.
PRICE, CALEB H., farmer, post office, Shaler's Mills, was
born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, in 1818. He came
to Ohio in 1860, and was married to Nancy Simmons, who was
born in Jefferson township, Richland county. They have two
children: Abraham, born in 1871, and Aldie, in 1874. Mr.
Price has been engaged teaching school, and in the ministry in
the German Baptist church.
PUGH, HENRY H., Pike township, tanner, post office
Democracy, born in Newark, Licking county, August 19, 1841,
and married December 31, 1868, to Josephine Wierick, who
was born in Knox county, June 6, 1848. They have four chil
dren; Edward E., born March 24, 1870; Mary Jane, Decem
ber 17, 1871; William H., October 13, 1873; and Charles M.,
April 30, 1876.
Mrs. Pugh when a girl received a liberal education, and was
engaged in teaching school for six terms in Knox county.
Mr. Pugh was a soldier in the late war, enlisted June 9, 1862,
and was a member of company K, Eighty-second regiment,
Ohio volunteer infantry. He was in the following engagements.
Perryville, Kentucky; Stone River, Tennessee; Gallatin Land
ing, Tennessee; Hovey's Gap, Tennessee; two battles at Frank
lin, Tennessee; Chicamauga, Lookout Mountain, and Mission
ary Ridge, Tennessee; battle of Ringgold, Georgia; battle of
Resacca, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Etowah Creek, Geor
gia; Jonesborough, Savannah, Georgia; Bentonville, North
Carolina; and Waynesborough, North Carolina. He was en
gaged in the service until 1865, and received an honorable dis
charge. He learned the tanner's trade in Wilmington, Ohio,
and is now engaged in that business in Amity.
Mrs., Pugh's father, John Weirick, was born in Zanesville,
Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1810. When he was two years
old he went with his parents to Pennsylvania. He learned the
tanner's trade in Harrisburgh, Pennsylvania, and was engaged
in that business for forty-seven years. He was first married
November 23, 1838, to Nancy Long, who was born in Dayton,
Ohio, in 1838. They had three children: George B. S., bora

in 1839; James L., in 1842; and Sarah M., in 1845. Mrs.
Nancy Weirick departed this life Febmary 15, 1846.
Mr. Weirick's second marriage was to Miss Eliza Steiner,
who was born in Newville, Ohio. They had four children:
Amanda E., born in 1847; Josephine, in 1848; Harriet, in 1850;
and Mary E, in 1853.
The family have married as follows: George B. and Lousetta
Anderson, in i860; James L. and Nancy Simkins, in 1868;
Amanda E. and Melleville B. Rowley; Josephine A. and H. H.
Pugh, in 1868; Harriet W. and Milton Lattie, in 1866; Sarah
M. and Asaph Rowley, in 1861; Mary E. and B. J. Porter, in
1873- Mr. Weirick and two of his sons, George and James, have
been marned the second time, and are all living with their
second wives. Mr. Weirick is proprietor of the Amity hotel,
and has been engaged in the business since 1871, keeping a
very respectable house. He and his wife have the ability.to
make their guests feel at home, and all who stop with them, find
the Amity house a pleasant home for the traveller.
PUMPHREY, BASSILL WELLS,' M. D., (deceased), was
born August 22, 1812, in Brooke county, Virginia. His ances
tors on his father's side came with Lord Baltimore. One set
tled in South Carolina, and the other in Maryland, of which
latter family the subject of this sketch is a descendant. His
grandfather, on his mother's side was a captain in the Revo
lutionary army, and was one of the men who organized the
State of Ohio, and was a member of the first constitutional
convention. Until fourteen years young Pumphrey remained with his
parents. He attended school at Athens, Ohio, and read medi
cine with Dr. Sellers, of Pittsburgh, and then went to the Uni
versity of Maryland, and graduated in 1832. He commenced
the practice of medicine in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio, in 1833, where
he remained until 1842, when he removed to Mt. Vernon, where
he continued to follow his profession till his death. He was
appointed examining pension surgeon in r842, and served ten
years, and was reappointed and resigned his position. He
died October 19, 1880, of apoplexy.
Dr. Pumphrey was married to Miss Maria J. Updegraff in
1832. She was the daughter of James Updegraff, one of the
first settlers of Ohio. Three children were born to them, one
son and two daughters. The son died when young. His
daughters are both married. His oldest daughter married An
drew Parrott, and lives near Mt. Vernon, and his other daugh
ter married Brooklyn L. Terry, and resides in Columbus.
PUMPHREY, R. J., Hilliar township, real estate dealer,
Centreburgh. — He is the fourth child of Fleming and Mary J.
Pumphrey, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, June'23, 1846.
His parents moved to Knox county in 1852, and settled on a
farm where the subject of this notice spent his early days assist
ing his father on the farm and attending school during the win
ter months.
When about twenty years of age he went to Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, for the purpose of attending commercial college,
but upon receiving an appointment as clerk in the city hospital
he relinquished his object, He remained in the clerkship for a
year, and then returned to Ohio and opened a general store in
Centreburgh. By his judicious management and strict adher
ence to business principles he attained an enviable reputation
for integrity, and was successful in his business. He is a close
observer and weighs any undertaking in which he might engage,

NICHOLAS RILEY.

HANNAH RILEY.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

779

viewing the possibilities and probabilities of success. This,
coupled with a comprehensive knowledge of the world, makes
him a safe counsellor in matters of business.
He was elected justice of the peace and served for three years
with -satisfaction to those who had business to transact before
him. He is a member of the council and takes an active in-
tive interest in the improvement of the town. He has had more
to do with improving the village, perhaps, than any other indi
vidual. He is social in his manner, and is calculated to make
fast friends. He is in the heyday of his life, young, striving and
vigorous. He is a leading citizen. He was married to Miss Mary E.
Conard, of Hartford, Licking county, Ohio, October, 1872.
Their union has been blessed with two children.
PUMPHREY, JOSIAH M., is owner of the "Prairie farm,"
one of the best in Clay. He was born in Belmont county, Ohio,
June 4, A. D. 1821. He removed to Licking county in 1848,
and to Clay township April, 1, 1858; was manied to Miss
Celia A. Ross, February 24, 1849, who was bom in Clay town
ship in 1830. They have one child, Ross.
Mr. Pumphrey has been a prominent member of the Disciple
church for twenty-seven years, and elder in the same twenty
years. PUTNAM, NORMAN WILLIAMS, College township, was
born in Windsor county, Vermont, October 17. 1800. All the
Putnams, of New England, descended from John Putnam,
who, with two brothers, came from Buckinghamshire, England,
in 1634, and settled at Salem, or Danrase, Massachusetts.
John Putnam had three sons, John, -Nathaniel, and Thomas.
General Israel Putnam's father was Joseph, son of Thomas. A
great-grandson of General Israel Putnam (Douglas Putnam)
now lives at Marietta, Ohio. Many others of his descendants
are living there and in the neighborhood.
General Rufus Putnam's father was Elisha, son of Edward,
son of Thomas. There are also a large number of the de
scendants ot this branch of the Putnam family living in and
about Marietta.
Daniel, the grandfather of N. W. Putnam, was bom in Sut
ton, Massachusetts, the birthplace of General Rufus Putnam,
about the year 1733. He married Ann, a daughter of Hon.
Samuel Chase (the grandfather of Bishop Philander Chase),
moved from Sutton to New Hampshire with the Chase colony,
in 1764, and settled upon the township of land given to Deacon
Dudley Chase, on account of his being the first settler on Con
necticut river north of Charlestown, New Hampshire, then
known as Fort No. 4. He had three sons and several
daughters. The youngest son, Isaac, was the father of N. W. Putnam.
He came with his family to Gambier in 1833, and died in Gam
bier in 1849, aged seventy-nine years. His wife died in Gam
bier in 1837.
His youngest daughter, Mary, married in 1835 Rev. S. A.
Bronson, D. D., now of Mansfield, Ohio. She died in Gam
bier, in 1849, the next day after the death of her father, and
were both buried in the same grave. His youngest son, Daniel,
is still living near Potsdam, New York.
His son, N. W. Putnam, came to Ohio in 1829, and was at
once employed as clerk in the college store. He remained in
that capacity until the store was given up, in 1834. In Febm
ary, 1833, he was married to Maria, third daughter of Archibald
Douglass. The result of this marriage was the birth of ten

children — five boys and five girls. Three of the girls and two
boys are still living.
The eldest son, Rufus, died in August, 1851, from the acci
dental discharge of a shotgun in the hands of a companion and
relative. The charge destroyed the knee joint, requiring am
putation. He would have entered the Freshman class in Sep
tember, had his life been spared.
His second son, Douglass, when of age!, went to Tene Haute,
Indiana, in 1858. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he en
listed for three months in the Eleventh Zouaves, under General
Lew Wallace, now governor of New Mexico. The regiment
was ordered to West Virginia. At the expiration of the three
months they returned to Indiana, and was reorganized. A new
regiment of infantry, the Seventy-first Indiana volunteers, was
being raised in the neighborhood of Tene Haute. Young Put
nam joined the new regiment, and in a short time was made
quartermaster. He held this position until near the close of the
war, when he was promoted to a captaincy. In September,
1865, after the regiment was disbanded, he went to Kansas.
For some years he has been employed in the United States rail
way mail service, and was head clerk in Superintendent, Col.
Hunt's office, in St. Louis when his health failed, and in May,
1879, came home, and in June died at the family homestead in
Gambier. Mr. Putnam's third son, John Henry, was a graduate of
Kenyon college class of 1864. There were fifty-five members
entered the Freshman class in i860, and only fifteen graduated.
At the breaking out of the war quite a number of the class,
and many other students of the college, with their esteemed
president, Colonel Lorin Andrews, left the institution, and
joined the Union army.
Mr. Putnam has occupied his present residence for over
twenty years. He has, in connection with his boarding house,
been engaged in a small way in gardening and fmit culture—
mostly for the purpose of supplying his table with fresh fruits
and vegetables, and has enjoyed better health than ever before
in his life. He has long since come to the conclusion that he
was not cut out for a merchant. Bishop Chase used to say that
he (Bishop Chase) was not much of a preacher that his forte
was in begging. He claimed to be the prince of beggars. He
said he got nothing for preaching in Gambier, and it was "poor
preach and poor pay."
Mr. Putnam feels that his end is near, and when called to de
part this life, he desires to be at peace with God, and in perfect
charity with all the world.

R

RANDALL, DANIEL, Middlebury township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, bom in Rensselaer county, New York,
March 7, 1837, and was married in October, 1869, to Mary
Allen, who was born in 1843 in Monroe county, Ohio. They
have two sons — Edward, born November 1, 1872, and John,
September 11, 1874.
Mr. Randall came to Knox county in the spring of 18501
He is justice of the peace in this township, and is an enterprrs-
ing citizen.
RANDALL, JOHN 1")., Fredericktown, deceased, was bom
in New York in 1838; manied in 1866 to Alice McCaskey, who
was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1842. Ihey have one
daughter — Maggie J. Randall — who was bom in 1868.
Mr. Randall resided in this county for a number of years

780

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

and then moved to Illinois, remaining there about seven years.
His health became impaired and he moved to Michigan for its
improvement. While there he died in 1873. He was a soldier
in the late war. He first enlisted for three months, and then
reenlisted for three years.
Mrs. Alice Randall and her daughter are now residents of
Fredericktown. RANKIN, L. D., deceased, was bom November 5, 1804, in
Fayette county, Pennsylvania; came to Ohio in 1815; located in
Knox county in 1849; was married to Christena Livingston,
who was born in Monongalia county, Virginia, July 1, 1803.
They had six children— James, Margaret, Eliza Ann, Malissa,
Rebecca J., and Elizabeth.
Mr. L. D. Rankin died in Fredericktown May 31, 1867. His
Wife, Christena Rankin, died in the same place June 10, 1869.
RANSOM, R. B., farmer, Wayne township, post office, Mt.
Vernon; born in 1838, and was manied to Mary Chancey, who
was born in Berlin township in 1842. They have four children:
Laura T., born in 1862; Edwin M., in 1864, Bertha M., in
1868; Pearl, in 1874; and Edith Grace, in 1877.
Mr. Ransom has always resided in this township, and owns a
beautiful farm in Green Valley — the garden spot of Knox county.
RANSOM, JOHN H., Mt. Vemon, of the firm of Penick
& Ransom, leather manufacturers, was bom in this city on the
nineteenth day of September, 1847. He was a pupil of our
public schools. His first effort in a business way was with the
late George B. Potwin. produce dealer, with whom he remained
two years. He then engaged with S. L. Taylor, dry goods
dealer, as salesman and bookkeeper, where he was retained
five years. For three years he was engaged as salesman with
firm of Swetland & Bryant. He then engaged in the grocery
business which he carried on some nine months, when he sold
out and engaged in the butchering business with Mr. Penick,
under the name of Penick & Ransom. This business he con
ducted for five and a half years, when they purchased the tan
nery of G. E. Raymond in the fall of 1878, and still continues
the manufacture of leather. This is one of the best establish
ments in central Ohio, and is much the largest in the county,
and has a capacity of about six thousand pieces a year. The
establishment has steampower for pumping, grinding and
leaching bark, and heating purposes. The building is eighty
by one hundred feet, and contains seventy vats, three finishing
rooms, shaving room, boiler and engine room, and office, with
machinery enough to ran a first class tannery. Their specialty
is in harness, also upper leather, calf, kip, etc.
RAYMOND, RACHEL (BANNING), deceased. Mrs.
Rachel B. Raymond, relict of the late Rev. Elnathan Raymond,
was the third child of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Banning, and was
born in the town of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, on the twelfth
of November, 1796. Her death occurred on Friday morning,
July 23, 1880, at Mt. Vernon, making her at the time of her
death nearly eighty-four years of age. In the year 1812 Miss
Banning, with her parents, emigrated to Ohio and settled in
this city, when it was a mere hamlet in the wilderness. Seven
years later, or in 1819, Miss Banning was manied to Mr. Elna
than Raymond, and the same year the. newly married couple
left this comparatively new country and returned east, locating
in New York, only to remain a few years, however, for in 1834
they returned, where they resided the balance of their lives.
From this union six children were bom, five of whom still sur

vive, viz: Mrs. G. A. Jones, Mrs. G. K. Norton, Miss Mary
Raymond, Mrs. James Blanchard, and George E. Raymond.
Mrs. Raymond survived her husband six years, he having died
in this city August, 1874. Her last illness was the first seri
ous indisposition that any of her surviving relatives remem
ber, as she was in excellent health to within a week of her de
mise. Her children all reside in this city, with the exception of
George E. Raymond, who was at once advised of her condition,
and at the hour of her death all of her children living were pres
ent. Her last illness was general congestion, though her mental
faculties were unimpaired to within a few minutes of death.
She was able to talk with her~sonowing children and grand
children gathered around her bedside. Five children, eleven
grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren mourn the loss
of a kind and loving parent.
Mrs. Raymond was always actively engaged and ever ready
to lend a helping hand to anything that was of a benevolent char
acter. Amongst the many organizations she was a member of
and took a special interest in was The Soldiers Aid society, which
was organized in 1861, at her residence. Ih 1863 the Union
League society was organized, the object being to erect a monu
ment to the memory of the Union soldiers at the close of the
war. She was its first proposer and its permanent presi
dent, and one of its most active members, being one of the first
to solicit funds for the erection of the monument, and it was
ever an object of great solicitude with her to see it erected dur
ing her lifetime, in which she was gratified. Great credit is due
her for the zeal she manifested in that enterprise. Her family
were its most liberal contributors. She was also a champion of
temperance, and a most zealous worker in the cause.
REED, ELIAS, Pike township, farmer, post office, North
Liberty, was born in Brown township, this county, in 1847,
and was married in 1871 to Anna C. O'Bryan, who was bom in
Pike township, this county, in 1851. They have two children:
Debert, born June 26, 1872, and Maude, February 4, 1874.
Mr. Reed came to Pike township in 1871, is a farmer, and
one of the active men of this township.
RESSEL, L. D. , Union township, farmer, post office, Ross
ville, was born in Brown township, Knox county, August 21,
1843. His father came to this county and settled on a farm
which he cleared up himself. He died in his seventy-sixth year.
L. D. Resselwent to Columbus in 1867 and manied Miss M. E
Moor. In 1872 he moved to Knox county, where he remained.
He has been engaged in farming until the present time. He
has bought and sold several farms, but finally has settled him
self permanently on his present farm. He has two children —
Maggie and Carrie.
REYNOLDS, DANIEL, Hilliar township, farmer, was born
in Hardy county, Virginia, February 4, 1811. He is the son of
William and Rebecca Reynolds, nee Hanis. They were born
in Virginia, and married there, where they remained until about
1815, when they came to Licking county, Ohio, where they re
mained until about 1820, when they removed to Knox county,
settling in Hilliar township, where they both died.
The subject of this sketch remained at home with his parents
until they died, and now resides on the farm where they settled.
He is one of the few pioneers who are now living in the
township. He remembers when the township was almost an
unbroken forest. He was married to Miss Mary Battomfield
June 19, 1840. They had a family of five children, four of
whom are living, viz; Amanda, married to Stephen Rinehart;

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

78i

JohnW., farmer, Delaware county, Ohio; Miles M. and Leslie,
who live at home.
Mr. Reynolds is a social and pleasant gentleman, and is es
teemed by the community.
RHINEHALT, DAVID, wagon maker, Middlebury town
ship, post office, Fredericktown, born in District of Columbia,
October 13, 1844, came to Richland county, in 1848, and to
Knox county in 1872, where he has remained since his mairiage,
in 1867, to Martha Warick, who was born in Richland county,
February 2, 1849.
They have the following family : Olive, horn March 17,
1868; Dellvan, October 24, 1870; Lide, May 31, 1873; Landon,
March 13, 1876, and Hoy, July 23, 1878.
He is the owner of a stationary saw-mill, located on his place
in this township with all of the modern improvements, and is
doing custom-work to order. He is one of the active men of
this township. David Rhinehalt was a soldier of the late war,
having been a member of company D, One Hundred and
Sixty-third regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and was engaged
in the service four months.
RICE, EPHRAIM, farmer, Brown township, post office,
Danville, son of Isaac Rice, bom in Bedford county, Pennsyl
vania, August 15, 1827, was brought to Knox county by his
parents when a boy, in 1827, his father locating in Jefferson
township, where he erected a good hewed log house, into which
he moved his family. Here the subject of this sketch was
reared and remained until February 3, 1857, when he married
Mary M. Bowman, she being the widow of Martin Bowman,
born July 5, 1835. After his marriage he purchased a farm of
one hundred and twenty-five acres in Brown township, where he
then moved and has since remained.
Mr. Rice has held the office of trustee for a number of years.
By their marriage they have become the parents of seven chil
dren: Clinton M„ born November 6, 1857; Tamsen J., March
13, i860; Emma F., September 1, 1861; Hattie E., June 2, 1863;
Solomon B., March 12, 1865; William B., January 28, 1867; J.
I. C, November 21, 1869.
Tamsen J. and Emma E. are both married and reside in
Brown township, Knox county.
RICE, FREDERICK, Jefferson township, deceased, son of
Isaac and Cordelia Rice; bom in Washington county, Pennsyl
vania, December 19, 1821; was brought to Knox county by his
parents when seven years of age, his father locating in Jeffer
son township, north of the village of Danville, where the sub
ject of this sketch received his education. At the age of twenty-
one years he commenced teaching school, and taught five
terms. On November 11, 1857, at the age of twenty-five years,
he united in marriage with Miss Nancy J . Withron, daughter
of James and Elizabeth Withron, born in Carroll county, Oc
tober 6, 1826.
After his marriage he moved on a farm owned by Philip Ba
ker, where he remained about five years; he then rented a farm
owned by Marshal, and remained there until his father's death,
which occurred about the year 1855 or 1856. He then purchased
the farm formerly owned by his father, where he moved with his
family, and remained until his death, which occurred March 20,
l87S. aged fifty-three years. Mr. Rice filled the offices of trus
tee, clerk, and justice of the peace, in Jefferson township. The
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Rice resulted in eight children, viz:
James W., born December 26, 1846, died September 16, 1850;
Isaac 0., born July 28, 1851; ChanningF., December 10, 1854;

William B., June 25, 1857, died October 2, 1857; Charles P.,
born November 7, 1858; Frederick F., March 2r, 1863, died
September 11, 1879; Elizabeth C, born October 2, 1865; Byron
L., March 2, 1871. Five of the children are living.
Nancy J. Rice, wife of Frederick Rice, died September 17,
1879, aged fifty-three years. She had been a consistent mem
ber of the Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal church of Jefferson
township. RICE, NELSON F., farmer, Clay township, bom in Greene
county, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1832, and with his father,
Thomas Rice, came to Knox county, Ohio, in 1835, locating
first in Jackson township, but removing to Clay township about
1838. He was married to Catharine Travel March 10, 1857. His
wife was born December 19, 1836. Their children were Colum
bus Ohio, born December 29, 1857; Henry M., born October
7, 1859; William S., born July 10, 1865; and an unnamed
daughter which died in infancy.
Mrs. Rice died January 31, 1880. Mr. Rice was married the
second time February 12, 1880, to Miss Allie Smith, who was
bom in Licking county, Ohio, June 3, 1857. He is the owner
of two hundred and fifty acres of good farming land in the
southern part of Clay township.
RICHARD, HELEN, Gambier, farmer, a native of Ireland,
was born in the county of Cork, February, 1811. In 1851 he
emigrated to America and located near Milford, Clermont
county, Ohio, and remained two years. In 1853 he came to
Gambier, this county, and accepted the position of janitor at
the college, which position he held and faithfully discharged his
duty for twenty-one years, then in 1875, he turned his attention
to farming, and has since made that his vocation. In 1854 he
returned to Clermont county, where he married Miss Jane Par-
rott, December 3d , of same year, bom in Clermont county in
1826. They settled in Gambier, where they now reside. They
reared four children, viz: George, Stephen, John, and Richard.
RICHERT, JOHN, Brown township, farmer, son of George
and Barbara Richert, was bom in Stark county, Ohio, August
23, 1839. He was brought to Brown township, this county, by
his parents in 1840. In 1859 he went to California by land,
and returned by way of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in 1864.
In the spring of 1865 he again went to California, and remained
about a year, when he again returned to his old home in this
county. While in the gold regions he followed mining as his
vocation, and since then his time has been spent on a farm. At
present he owns a farm about two miles west of Jelloway, in
Brown township, on which he has erected buildings, which are
among the best improvements in the township.
In February, 1867, he mairied Miss Sarah Oswalt, of Brown
township, born in 1845, daughter of Frederick and Catharine
Oswalt. They settled on the farm where they now reside.
They have a family of children, both sons and daughters.
RICHERT, PETER F., Brown township, dealer in all kinds
of boots and shoes, Jelloway. — Mr. Richert was born in Brown
township, this county, April 2, 1850. He was brought up on a
farm. When seventeen years old he commenced working at the
shoemaker's trade, with his father, George Richert, being a
shoemaker by trade. He would work at the trade during the
fall and winter months, and on the farm for his father during
the summer months, until in September, 1874, he moved to Jel-
oway, where he engaged in the business on his own account,

782

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

dealing in all kinds of boots and shoes, both course and fine,
also manufactures everything in his line of business on short
notice. He generally employs from two to three hands to man
ufacture boots for his trade, all of which are warranted to give
satisfaction. He is always ready and willing to wait on his
customers. In August, 1874, he manied Miss Catharine Rein-
hard, of Brown township, this county, daughtor of George
Reinhard. They settled in Jelloway, where they now reside.
Their union resulted in two children, only one of whom is now
living — Emanuel Theodore.
RIGBY, LUCIAN, Fredericktown, harness-maker was born
in Licking county, Ohio, in 1831; came to Knox county with
his parents in infancy. He was married in 1866, to Elizabeth
Coulter, who was born in Alleghany county, Pennsylvania, in
1842. They have two children, viz. : Laura V. , born May 30,
1868; Otho R., born April 14, 1870. Mr. Rigby learned har
ness making in Madison county, Ohio. He enlisted in the war
September, 1861, and was a member of company A, Twentieth
regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. He was engaged in the ser
vice three years, and received an honorable discharge. After
his return he opened a harness shop, and has continued here
since. Mr. Rigby is a practical mechanic, a wide awake busi
ness man, and is one of the active and energetic men of Fred
ericktown. RILEY, JOHN, Hilliar township, farmer, was born in
Culpeper county, Virginia, May, 1811. His parents came to
Ohio about 1824, settling near three miles west of Zanesville,
on Fallen Timber run, where the elder Riley died. About two
years after his wife, with her family of nine children — four sons
and five daughters — came to Hilliar township. Here Mrs.
Riley died at the advanced age of eighty-four years. The chil
dren are yet living, except Elijah who died when young.
The subject of this notice was married to Miss Susan B.
Curtis, of Cambridge, Ohio, in September, 1837, and shortly
after their marriage he purchased the tract of land now owned by
the Evan heirs, being one of the first settlers on the Rathbone
section. Here he constructed his rude cabin, and the young
couple began life in the unbroken forest.
Mr. Riley worked with energy and a determination to suc
ceed. Almost day and night the sound of his axe might be
heard. He cleared this tract without assistance. He disposed
of this farm and bought a farm farther west, which he traded
for his present home. This, like his first farm, was covered
with heavy timber. He cleared this farm and made for himself
and family a pleasant home. He owned at one time quite a
quantity of land, but as his children grew up he divided it.
Mr. Riley, though comparatively small in stature, has done
more laoor perhaps than any man of his age in the township.
He has always been active and industrious, starting in life with
out the aid of a dollar. He was unfortunate in his first pur
chase. He paid two payments on his land, and had worked
hard to earn the money for his third and last payment. His
house took fire when he and the family were away and the
dwelling, together with his money, was entirely consumed.
Mr. Riley had but little advantages of education. He has the
esteem of the community.
By their marriage they had twelve children: Francis M.,
wifeofHany Messmore; Judson F., Harrison county, Mis
souri, a farmer; Leicester T., farmer, Harrison county, Mis
souri; Mary Emaline, wife of Mahlon Rinehart, Kansas; Wit
ham A., farmer in Hilliar township; Shelton M., farmer in

Morrow county, Ohio; Morgan T., died September, 1870, aged
twenty-three years. Brace and Clara Ann died when young.
Emma E. (deceased), married J. W. Rinehart, and left a
family of ten children; Loretta Belle, wife of Wesley Coe.
Five of Mr. Riley's sons were in the army— Judson F., Leceis-
ter P., William A., Shelton M., and Morgan T.
RILEY, NICHOLAS, SR. (deceased), was bom in Mary
land about the year 1778, and emigrated to Butler township,
Kiiox county, about the year 1806, purchasing land of John
Shrimplin, the owner of Shrimplin's mill, one of the first in Knox
county. This land, lying on Owl creek, was very heavily tim
bered with walnut, sugar, and sycamore.
Mr. Riley soon cleared up his farm, which was a very produc
tive one and lived on the same until the time of his death, De
cember 15, 1866.
He was married to Hannah Shrimplin at Wellsburgh, Vir
ginia, prior to his removal to Ohio. The children born unto
them were: William, born January 12, 1803; Harriet, Septem
ber 22, 1804; Isaac, March 26, 1806; John, July 3, 1807; Eliza,
September 23, 1809; Mary, February 4, 1812: Margaret, May
23, 1814; George Washington, August 7, 1816; Abraham
Shrimplin, September 25, 1818; Maria Rachel Stockton, De-'
cember 23, 1820; Hannah, January 14, 1823; Almira, Decem
ber 30, 1825; Susanna, March 17, 1827; Nicholas, December
24, 1829.
Mr. Riley was an industrious and honored citizen, and did
much for the development and impiovement of that section of
Butler township lying along Owl creek.
RILEY, GEORGE W., was born in Butler township, August'
7, 1816. He is a son of Nicholas Riley, one of the very first
settlers of Butler township. He is the owner of several hundred
acres of good fai ming land, is an honored, industrious eitizen
and a life long Democrat.
RILEY, NICHOLAS, was bom December 24, 1829, in But
ler township, and was married to Elizabeth Mercer, January 26,
1854. Mrs. Riley was born January n, 1853. They have had
seven children, viz: Ransom, Martha Jane, Samuel M. C,
George A., Canie E., David M., who are all living — one dead
not named. Mrs. Riley died November 21, 1875.
Mr. Riley is the owner of three hundred and thirty acres of
land lying on Owl creek.
RINEHART, MRS. HARRIET, was born in Clinton
township, April 21, 1814; she was the daughter of Samuel and
Mary Nye, nee Bartlett, who were born in New York, and mar
ried there in 1808, and the same year Mr. Nye came to Ohio,
leaving his wife in New York. He located at the town of Clin
ton, his wife coming the next year. He remained in Clinton
for some years and then moved on the farm now owned by
Charles Swan, about two miles and a half from Mt. Vernon.
The farm at that time was entirely covered with forest, and of
necessity Mr. Nye had to swing the axe for months and years
to make for himself a home. They here reared a family of
nine children, seven daughters and two sons, five of whom are
yet living.
Mr. Nye was a soldier of the War of 1812, and was a lead
ing, citizen of the community. He died at the ripe age of
eighty-five years. His wife survived him for some years, dying
with her daughter, Mrs. Robert Thompson, of Mt. Vernon, while
on a visit. Thus ends all that is mortal of two of Knox coun-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

7»3

ty's early settlers. They have left their impress, however upon
the community.
John Rinehart, deceased, was bom in New Jersey, March 28,
1810. His parents moved from New Jersey about 1815, and
settled a few miles west of Mt. Vernon. October 24, 1833, he
was married to Miss Harriet Nye, and the following year they
moved to a farm two miles northeast of Centreburgh, and now
owned by George Rinehart, their son. The land was entirely
covered with forest, but he cleared it, and became one of the
most prosperous farmers in the community. He was for many
years a consistent member of the Methodist church, and took
an active andleading part in the erection of suitable buildings
for church purposes. As early as 1837 he was successful in
having a place of worship erected in Centreburgh. When this
church was no longer fit to occupy, he was instrumental in
having the present church building erected. He was a leading
and influential citizen, and his loss was felt when he died, Jan
uary 15, 1880. They had a family of twelve children, -six of
whom are living. The living are William M., farmer, in Kan
sas; George, farmer, in Hilliar township; Preston and John
Wesley; Hattie, married to M. F. Hasson, resides in Centre
burgh; and Eliza J., married to Marshal Doty, farmer, and
resides in Morrow county.
RINEHART, GEORGE, Hilliar township, farmer ; was
born in Hilliar township September 26, 1840. He is the fifth
child of John and Harriet Rinehart. His youth was spent on
his father's farm until he went to clerking in a store at Rich
Hill, where he remained until he was about twenty years of
age, when he returned home. He remained with his parents
until he was married to Miss Alice P. Coe, daughter of Captain
C. H. Coe, November, 1864. He shortly after moved to his
father's old homestead, and a few years after he became owner
of the farm by purchase, where he has since resided. He is a
successful farmer. By their union they have three children.
Preston H. Rinehart was born in Hilliar township October 22,
1842? He is a son of John and Harriet Rinehart. He was
attending a select school in Centreburgh, and his parents not
wishing him to leave school opposed his going to the army, but
Preston could not confine himself to his studies, so he took
leave of his friends and schoolmates and enlisted in company F,
Sixty-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, November 14, 1861, and
was with the army of the Cumberland. He participated in the
battles of Shilo, Stone River, Chattanooga, Chickamauga,
Knoxville, Franklin, Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Columbia,
Spring Hill and Nashville, besides many skirmishes. He was
wounded at Nashville in the right ankle, and was laid up for
some time. He was discharged at Nashville. He was a brave
and trae soldier, never shirking his duty, or never asking for a
furlough. William M. Rinehart, who now lives in Kansas, was also in
the army. He enlisted in company F, One Hundred and
Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, and served for three years,
receiving an honorable discharge. Thus the Rinehart boys
served their country faithfully.
RINEHART, WILLIAM, Monis township, farmer, post
office, Mt. Vernon, born in Monis township, this county, July
10, 1819; and was married in 1844, to Elizabeth Willhit, who
was born in Frederick county, Maryland, March 4, 1825. They
had one daughter, Mary Ann, who was bom in 184s. Mrs.
Elizabeth Rinehart died August 8, 1846. Mr. Rinehart after
wards married Abigail A. Sherman, who was bom in Wayne

township, this county, January 25, 1835. They have six chil
dren — Martha, born September 20, 1854; Williard, February
29, 1856; Jefferson W., December 17, 1857; William S., No
vember 12, 1866; Byran J., October 7, 1869; and Eva Nett,
November 12, 1871.
Mr. Rinehart is a man of some prominence; he has been
elected to different offices in this township, and filled them with
credit; he received the nomination for infirmary director in July,
1880. His father, Christian Rinehart, was born in 1766, in Morris
county, New Jersey, was married in 1794, to Mary Douglass,
who was born in New Jersey, in 1777. They had ten children
— Phebe, Adam, Aaron D., Lewis, Ann, Margaret, John, Sam
uel, Mary, and William.
Mr. Rinehart emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, in 1816, and
located on the farm where his son William now resides. They
cleared and improved this farm and remained here until death.
They were among the pioneers of the county, and reared a large
and respectable family.
RINEHART, JOHN, farmer, post office, Fredericktown,
was born in this township in 1828, and was married to Susan
Alfred, who was born in Carroll county, Ohio, in 1832. They
had nine children — Charles (deceased), George D., Martha B.,
Adam A., William B., Anna, Jesse, John L. (deceased), and
Stanton M.
Mr. Rinehart was elected treasurer of this township in 1877,
and reelected in 1880. He is an extensive landholder and is
one of the leading farmers of Morris township.
RINEHART, DAVID, farmer, post office, Fredericktown,
was born in Morris township, Knox county, Ohio, in 1839, and
was married in 1861 to Harriet Darling, who was born in Wayne
township in 1839. They have the following children: Edith M.,
born in 1862; Clement D., in 1864; Sarah J., in 1865; Adam
D., in 1867; Edward R., in 1868; and Ella R., in 1875.
Mr. Rinehart is fully identified with this township, having al
ways resided here, and is one of its most active and enterpris
ing men. He owns a well improved farm with excellent build
ings. His father, Adam Rinehart (deceased), was born in Morris
county, New Jersey, March 1, 1799, and came to Morris town
ship in 1816, and was married to Martha Bonar, who was
born in Washington county, Pennsylvania. They had the fol
lowing children: Sarah Ann, John, Mary (deceased), George, Is
abella, and David. Adam Rinehart died in Morris township in
1874. He was among its earliest settlers.
Mrs. Martha Rinehart died in this township in December,
1866. Mr. Rinehart cleared up the farm where his son David now
resides. Mrs. Rinehart when a young woman, in company with two
other ladies, went from this county to Washington county,
Pennsylvania, on a visit, travelling the entire distance on horse
back, going and returning.
RINGWALT, JOHN S., dry goods merchant, Mt.Vemon.
This house was first opened May 10, 1873, undei the name of
Ringwalt & Jennings, and commenced in the Norton building,
northeast corner of the public square, with a new stock of
about twenty-five thousand dollars, where they did business
four years. Then they moved into the Kirk building, formerly
owned by Mr. A. Wolff, where they remained two years. In
1879 Mr. Ringwalt purchased the Sapp block, on west side

784

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Main street, between the public square and Vine street, into
which the firm moved their stock in the commodious and ele
gant room in said block. Their trade has so increased that
they now carry a stock of about fifty thousand dollars.
January i, 1880, Mr. Ringwalt purchased the interest of Mr.
Jennings, since which time he has been sole proprietor, and is
now doing a business of about ninety thousand dollars per year.
His stock is much the largest and most complete in the city, and
consists of a full line of black and colored silks and cashmeres,
and dress goods of all kinds; also a full line of notions. Mr.
Ringwalt keeps a force of six salesmen to wait upon the large
number of customers who daily visit his store. His present
stock is valued at thirty-five thousand dollars.
Mr. Ringwalt has been in business in Mt. Vernon twenty-
seven years.
RISLEY, JACOB, deceased, of Clinton township, was bom
in Hancock county, Maryland, in the year 1785. In August,
1815, he was manied in Augusta county, Virginia, to Miss
Anna Fauber. This maniage took place on the twenty-third
day of March. In September of the same year he emigrated
to Ohio, and located in Knox county. His father, in the year
1812, came to Ohio and purchased one thousand and fifty acres
of land in Knox county. Jacob Risley owned the farm three
miles from Mt. Vernon, now in possession of his son-in-law,
Chambers Ash.
Mr. Risley had one son and two daughters. One daughter,
Mrs. Chambers Ash, is living in Knox county, and the other
is living in Morrow county. The son, Dr. John Risley, is living
in Iowa. In the year 1850 Jacob Risley moved to Morrow
county, Ohio, and died on the seventeenth day of March, 1854,
aged sixty-nine years.
ROBERTS, MRS. ESTHER, Hilliar township, daughter
of Henry and Rebecca Slater, of Greene county, Pennsylvnnia,
was born March 1, 1804. When she was about five years old,
her parents emigrated to Ohio, and settled about a mile and a
quarter south of Mt. Vernon, and were among the early settlers
of Knox county. They remained for a number of years in
Clinton township, where they first settled, and then moved to
Hilliar township, settling west of where the subject of this
notice resides. They reside there for a number of years, and
died in Morrow county December, 1830.
Esther was married to David Roberts, and early in the
spring of 1831 they moved on their farm in Hilliar township.
The farm was entirely covered with forest, ahd of necessity Mr.
Roberts had to clear the land, and of course, had all the experi
ence of an early settler. There were born to them three sons
and five daughters, six of whom reached maturity, and four of
whom are still living, viz: Elizabeth, married to Levi Kyle;
Phebe, married to Jackson Kyle; William J,, of whom we
will speak hereafter, and Ivy, married to Benjamin Laughery.
Mrs. Roberts enjoys good health, and has the use of her
mental faculties to a great degree for one of her age. She still
resides on the old homestead with her son, William J. Roberts,
who was born November 7, 1846, who lives now where he was
bom and raised, and never lived out of the township, except
five years when he was in Hardin county, Ohio. He was mar
ried to Miss Sarah Lyon, of Morrow county, February 23,
1869, and as a result of their union they had a family of six
children — all sons, five of whom are living.
Mr. Roberts is a respected citizen, and is quiet and social in
his manners. Mr. John Roberts died on his farm January,

1857, aged about fifty years. He was born in Greene county,
Pennsylvania, and when quite young, his parents moved to
Morgan township, and it was here that Mr. Roberts was raised
to manhood.
ROBERTS, CHRISTIAN S., Hilliar township, retired
farmer, was born in Morgan township December, 1812. His
parents came from Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1810 and
settled on the farm now owned by John Roberts, brother of
the subject of this notice. They became large land owners,
having about twelve hundred acres. They were among the
pioneers of Knox county, and by their honest toil helped to
make Knox county what it really is, a beautiful land. They
died on their favorite spot where they first settled, esteemed by
all who knew them.
Mr. Roberts spent his young days on the farm. He remained
at home until 1838, when he was married to Miss Elizabeth
Braddick, of Knox county, and shortly after moved to Hilliar
township where he has since resided, being engaged in farming
until recently, when he retired and is now spending his days in
his comfortable dwelling in Centreburgh. By his marriage
there were three children, all of whom are dead.
ROBERTS, JOHN, Morgan township, farmer, born in
Morgan township, December 31, 1818. He is the son of Abra
ham Roberts, of Virginia, who married Elizabeth Sellers and
came to Ohio, being pioneers of Morgan township. They both
died on the farm on which they first settled. They had a family
of nine children.
The subject of this sketch was born on the farm on which he
now resides, having never lived off this farm. September 26,
1844, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Jones, daughter of Nel
son Jones. They are the parents of twelve children. Those
living are: Anna B., wife of Homer Burris, of Henry county,
Missouri; Cordelia, wife of John Calvin, of Morgan township;
Rogers P., David O., George Walter, Lizzie D., and Chailey
L. The deceased are Clarence, Nelson, Reed, Edwin, and an
infant. Mr. Roberts is a good citizen and has the esteem of
the community.
ROBERTS, EDWARD, Hilliar township, farmer, was born
in Trumbull county, Ohio, October 21, 1829. Elizabeth Rob
erts was born in New York, November, 1814. Ezra Roberts
was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1837.
Daniel Roberts, father of the above children, was born near
New Haven, Connecticut, in 1787, and emigrated to Broome
county, New York, where, in 1812, he was married to Mary
Green, who was born May 19, 1789. They remained in New
York until about 1824, when they moved to Trumbull county,
Ohio, where they remained until August, 1837, when they came
to Hilliar township, and about three years after moved to the
farm on which three of their children yet reside.
They had a family of nine children, and so far as is known
only the three named in this sketch are living. January 31,
1843, Mrs. Roberts died; her husband followed her about seven
years later.
The Messrs. Roberts ai e good farmers, and among the sub
stantial and influential' men of Hilliar. Their farm contains
about two hundred and forty acres of good land, and well im
proved. They have several herds of thoroughbred cattle and
a lot of fine thoroughbred sheep. They have the confidence
and esteem of the public, are social and pleasant people, take
great interest in the affairs of the country, and are good citizens.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

785

ROBERTSON, JESSE PRATT, farmer, Liberty township,
Mt. Liberty, Ohio, was born in Washington county, New York ;
June 15, 1832. His father, Hezekiah Robertson, was born in
1805, and married Eliza Pratt, of the same State, in December,
1836. They came to Knox county and settled on the farm on
which Mr. Robertson now resides, where the father died in
1867. His wife still survives him. They had eleven children,
nine are yet living, viz: Jesse P., the subject of this notice, is
the oldest; Mary E., wife of W. R. Proper, of Liberty town
ship; Sarah M., wife of Milton Bird, of Liberty township, Ruth
E., wife of Warren Bedell; Phillip E., farmer, Morrow county;
Charles £., farmer, Morrow county; Frances A., wife of David
Farr, of Liberty township; Caroline J., wife of Benjamin Thomp
son, who resides in Sullivan county, Missouri ; and Kate. Two in
fants have died. Mr. Robertson was reared on a farm and received
a common school education. He enlisted in company A. , Nine
ty-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry in July, 1862, and participated
in the battle of Arkansas Post, where he was slightly wounded
in his right arm. He was discharged September 18, 1863, on
account of physical disability, caused from sicknes. On his
return home he engaged in farming. He married Miss Caroline
A. McComb, November 2, 1854. She was born in Tompkins
county, New York, 1832. Her father, Solomon McComb, em
igrated to Ohio in 1847, and now is a resident of Mt. Vernon,
Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson are the parents of e.even chil
dren, all of whom are living — Edme, born February 22, 1856;
Charles, November 16, 1857; Caroline Adelia, born March 15,
i860, wife of Edward Jackson; Phillip E., November 27, 1861;
W. Delos, August 6, 1864; William K., July 20, 1867; Frank
B.June 20, 1869; Linda J. M., May 6, 1872; Walter B., Feb
ruary 4, 1874; Grace O., July 26, 1876; and Fred., January 21,
1880. Mr. Robertson is an estimable citizen, and is highly es
teemed for his uprightness of character.
ROBERTSON, AMASA PRATT, Liberty township, eclectic
physician, Mt. Liberty post office, was born in Washington
county, New York, January 5, 1843. His parents about a year
after moved to Knox county; where the doctor spent his youth
on a farm. In 1862 he enlisted in company F, One Hundred
and Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, and served until the
close of the war. He was Third sergeant of his company and
was subsequently commissioned sergeant major and as such he
was discharged. He participated in the battles of Perryville,
Kentucky; Franklin, Tennessee; Chickamauga, Lookout Moun
tain, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and with the army
to Savannah, thence to Bentonville, North Carolina. This, of
course, includes all the skirmishes, battles and marches of that
memorable campaign. After he returned home he attended
school at Mt. Vernon and Columbus, Ohio, where he graduated
in a commercial course. He taught school for several terms,
and in 1869 began reading medicine with Dr. T. H. Vankirk,
of Mt. Liberty, Ohio, reading about three years. In 1872 he
entered the Eclectic Medical institute at Cincinnati, Ohio.
He graduated and commenced practice in Mt. Liberty, where
he has succeeded in securing a good practice. He was married
to Miss Mary Thompson in November, .1873. They have one
child, Olive, born December 29, 1878.
ROBERTSON, EZRA S., deceased, the father of Dr. Rob
ertson, was born in Washington county, New York, September
26, 1809. His youth, until nineteen years of age, was spent on
a farm, He then learned the trade of wagonmaking, working
at it until 1843, when he immigrated to Ohio and located on a

farm in Hilliar township. He sold this farm and removed to
Liberty township where he purchased a farm and remained on
it until 1864, when he moved to Mt. Liberty where he engaged
at his trade. He died November, 1880. He was an exem
plary man and had many friends. He married Sarah Pratt, of
Mew York. They had nine children, seven yet living. His
wife survives him.
ROBINSON, SOLOMON, deceased, a native of Maryland,
was born in 1871; he married Miss Rebecca Workman in 1801
or 1802, a native of Maryland, born in 1873, daughter of Isaac
Workman. They settled in Maryland, remained a short time,
then migrated to Harrison county, Ohio, where they lived until
1811, when they moved to Knox county, Ohio, and located in
Union township, on the farm now owned by Jacob Rose, near
Danville. He erected a log cabin, which served them as an
abode for about ten years, when he built a hewed log house in
which they lived for several years, when he erected a frame ad
dition to his residence, which he used as a dwelling until 1866,
when he moved to Clinton township, near Mt. Vernon, where
he passed the remainder of his days. By his marriage to Miss
Workman he had twelve children: Joseph, Barbara, William,
Isaac, Sarah, Hugh, Matilda, Jacob, Margaret, Daniel, Basil,
and Nancy, five of whom are living. His companion de
ceased March 14, 1835. He married for his second wife, Nancy
Wells, nee Workman, in 1837, by whom he had one child,
Louisa, deceased. He died September 10, 1866. His wife sur
vived him until 1878, aged ninety years. He was reared a
farmer and followed farming as his vocation.
ROBINSON, WILLIAM, deceased, Union township, was
born in Maryland in 1783, and married Miss Sarah Workman,
of Maryland, in 1802. They settled in Maryland and remained
the.e until 1811, when they emigrated to Knox county, Ohio,
and located in Union township, on land now occupied by J. C.
Langford, where they passed the remainder of their days. His
first improvement on his land was the erection of a log cabin,
which served them as an abode until 1822, when he erected a
hewed log dwelling, in which they lived the remainder of their
days. They reared a family of ten children: John, Margaret,
David, Maria, Barbara, Lucinda, Matilda, Julia A., Sarah, and
Mary, all of whom are dead except Lucinda, Mary, Matilda,
and Margaret. His wife died in 1829. He married for his sec
ond wife, Mrs. Margaret McKinzie, nee Logstone, in 1831, by
whom he had four children: Henry C, Lyman W., Royal D.,
and Elizabeth. He served in the War of 1812, and represented
Knox county in the legislature one term. He also held the
office of county commissioner several years. He followed farm
ing as his vocation. His wife died in 1848 ; he survived her
until 1863, aged eighty years.
ROBINSON, LYMAN W., farmer, post office, Gambier,
son of William and Margaret Robinson, born in Union town
ship, Knox county, September 12, 1835, by whom he was
reared and educated. He was married October 28, 1858, to
Deliah Dillin, daughter of Isaac and Eleanor Dillin, who was
bom in Harrison township, Knox county, March 8, 1833 _
After their marriage he remained one year with his father,
farming on shares; he then moved to Harrison township, on
the farm now owned by Joseph Ferenbaugh, where he remained
one year, and then moved to Howard township on a farm
owned by his father, where he farmed two years. During this
time he purchased a farm of ninety-seven and a half acres in
Harrison township, where he then moved and at present re-

786

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

sides. They are the parents of three children— one died in in
fancy; and those living are Carrie M., born March i, 1862,
and on November 25, 1880, she married Leander Hays, of
Clay township, where she at present resides; William D., born
June 20, 1864, who lives at home.
ROBINSON, ISAAC F., Pike township, farmer, post office,
Democracy, born in Union township in 1835, and was married
in i860 to Elizabeth Kramer, who was born in Mercer county,
Pennsylvania, in 1844. They have seven children — Lydia Jane,
born in 1861; Mary E., in 1863; William H., in 1865; Francis
Emma, in 1867; George W., in 1869; Ella S., in 1871, and Effa
May, in 1877.
Mr. Robinson purchased a farm in this township in 1855, and
has displayed good taste in erecting his buildings; his house
especially being a model one, with all in modern style. His
father, Isaac Robinson, deceased, was a native of Union town
ship, and was married to Rosannah Crouse, who was a native
of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio with her parents when a
child. There are three surviving members of their family —
William, who resides in Floyd. Iowa; Mary (now Mrs. Mor
gan), who resides in Iowa, and Isaac F.
Mr. Robinson died in Illinois several years ago. The Robin
son family were pioneers of Knox county.
ROBINSON, JAMES RUSSELL, physician, Mt. Ver
non, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on the seventeenth
day of April, 1850. He attended such schools as the county
then afforded. He went mainly to the schools of Mt. Ver
non. He is of Scotch and Irish parentage, his father being
Scotch, and his mother of Irish extraction. He read medicine
with Dr. James Loar about two years, and two years with Dr.
Newcomer, who resides in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. He
then attended the University of Philadelphia, graduating in
1872, when about twenty-two years of age. He associated
himself with his old preceptor, Dr. Newcomer, and in the
spring of 1873 he purchased the interest of his associate. In
1875 he took his brother, L. E. Robinson, into partnership,
which continued until 1877, since which time he has been prac
tising alone. He was appointed, in 1874, physician to the
county infirmary, and township physician. In 1877 he was ap
pointed examining surgeon for the United States Government.
When he was quite young his parents moved to Knox county,
where his youthful days were spent.
ROCK, JAMES, landlord of Rock hotel, Fredericktown, was
born in Ireland in 1809, and came to America in 1821. He
located in Whitehall, New York, and in 1844 came to Mt. Ver
non. He was married in 1840 to Hannah Lloyd, who was born
in Vermont. They bad four children, viz: George E. ; John,
deceased; Clark L., deceased; and Mary E., who was married
to Frank Jacobs, and lives in Mt. Vernon.
Mrs. Hannah Rock died in Richland county, August 19, 1861.
Mr. Rock afterwards married Harriet Cornell, who was born in
Virginia in 1829. They had the following children, viz: James,
jr., born January 7, 1863, died an infant; George E. was a sol
dier in the late war, a member of the Third Ohio cavah y, and
died during the service at Nashville, Tennessee; Clark L. was
a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth regiment,
Ohio volunteer infantry, and died during the war at Vicksburgh.
Mr. Rock located in this town in 1864. He is proprietor of the
Rock hotel, keeps, a good house, and is an accommodating
landlord, and though advanced in years, is still able to attend to
business.

ROGERS, JAMES, deceased, Wayne township, born in
New York in 1805, married January 1, 1828, to Sarah Doug
lass, who was born in this county, Clinton township, February
9, 1809. They had the following children, viz: Samuel, born
October 3, 1828; Hannah J., August 24, 1830; Mary, February
9, 1833; William, October 7, 1835; Timothy, October 30, 1837;
Elizabeth, May 11, 1841; and Sarah, August 28, 1846.
Mr. Rogers died May 18, 1879. Mary died August 7, 1845.
They resided in Fredericktown for twenty-five years. Mr. Rog
ers was engaged in buying, selling, and shipping horses to the
east. He was an active and enterprising man, and had excel
lent business qualifications. He left his family in good circum
stances. Mrs. Rogers is residing in Fredericktown with her
daughter, Mrs. Foote.
ROGERS, EDWARD, meat market, Vine street, Mt. Ver
non. Mr. Rogers was born in Weston, Warwickshire, England,'
February 22, 1829, where he resided until he was twenty-
eight years of age, during which time he was engaged in farm
ing. In 1854 he came to this country and located in Mt. Ver
non, and engaged in the baking business in partnership with his
brother James, working under the firm name of J. & E. Rogers,
This firm continued for two years, when Edward went to Gam
bier and continued in the same business, meeting with good
success during thirteen years. He then adopted the butchering
business, in which he continued for four years. In 1874 Mr.
Rogers came back to Mt. Vernon, and engaged in butchering,
which he still continues. He does the most extensive business
in this line in the city. His sales amount to about two thousand
dollars per month, or twenty-five thousand dollars per year.
He keeps constantly on hand fresh meats of all kinds, and
: smoked salt pork. He slaughters about two hundred and
twenty-five head of cattle, seventy-five calves, seventy-five sheep
and lambs, and fifty hogs per annum. ,
ROGERS, JAMES, manufacturer and dealer, Mt. Vernon,
Ohio, was born in Weston, Warwickshire, England, March 1,
1831, where he resided until twenty-three years old and during
which time he followed farming, and learned the baking busi
ness. In 1853 he emigrated to this country and located in Mt.
Vernon, where he has resided ever since. His first business-
engagement here was with the firm of J. George, in a bakery*
in which he continued one year. He then established a busi
ness for himself, in which he continued with good success for
sixteen years. He then moved out on his farm and devoted his
attention to farming for two years, when he purchased a lot
and built the Rogers' block, and engaged in the grocery busi
ness, in which he still continues. In 1875 he engaged ,in the
hardware business, and in 1878 he added the merchant tailoring
business, and is proprietor of the Norton flouring-mills, and is
also managing his farm and dairy. He has made four addi
tions to the city known as the Rogers' Addition, Rogers'. North
Addition, Rogers' Eastern Addition, and Rogers' and Doyle's
Addition. He was married January 21, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth
Tighe, and they have had a family of seven children, only one
of whom is living, William J., who is assisting his father in the
hardware business. Mr. Rogers is a man of real energy and
unusual business abilities; has done much to develop the busi
ness interests of this city, and is one of its most respected cit
izens. ROGERS, GEQRGE, Mt. Vernon, of the firm of C. and G.
Cooper & Co., Mt. Vernon, was born in Licking county, Ohio,
September 19, 1836. His parents came to Mt. Vernon when

j^w foyLu-fuiu

ia,clu&(J /2ne4Lu

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

787

George was about four years of age, where he has resided ever
since, with the exception of four years.
From the age of fourteen to that of twenty he was connected
with the Cooper establishment, and attended the city high
school. He read law with Messrs. Cooper & Vance, and trav
elled for the firm of C. and J. Cooper & Co. He was admitted
to the bar in 1861, but never practiced.
In April, 1861, he enlisted in the second company of volun
teers raised in the city, and was elected and commissioned sec
ond lieutenant of company B, Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry,
Colonel Lorin Andrews, called into service for three months.
At the expiration of his term of service Lieutenant Rogers came
home and raised a company of one hundred and fifty men for
the Twentieth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and was com
missioned captain of company B, m which position he served
until January, 1863, when he resigned. Shortly after his resig
nation the President appointed him lieutenant colonel of the
Fourth regiment of the United States colored troops. He con
tinued in command of the regiment until the close of the war.
His regiment took part in the assault on Petersburgh. In June,
1864, he was detailed chief mustering and dispensing officer of
the State of North Carolina, with headquarters at Newbern.
He took an active part in breaking up the rebel rendezvous in
that State. In the fall of 1864 he rejoined his command at
Hampton Roads, where they embarked in the Fort Fisher expe
dition, the colonel taking a part in that affair. For meritorious
services in the field he was commissioned brevet colonel, and
also brevet brigadier general.
After the Fort Fisher expedition Colonel Rogers returned
home and purchased a one-third interest in the Kokosing iron
works, in connection with Charles and John Cooper. The firm
of Coopers & Rogers had charge of the Kokosing works for
three years, their specialty being building mowers. In 1869
that firm was consolidated with the firm conducting the Mt.
Vernon iron works.
ROOD, WILLIAM HARRISON, Wayne township, farmer,
post office, Fredericktown, born in Fayette county, Pennsylva
nia, October 18, 1816, came to Knox county August 9, 1817,
with his parents, and was married May 3, 1837, to Anna Maria
Bell, who was born in county of Westmeath, Ireland. They
had the following children: Frank, born December 16, 1857;
Cynthia Jane, October 12, i860; Clara, August 8, 1861;
Mary E., May 3, 1866; and Benjamin Franklin, November 3,
1870. Frank Rood died October 15, i860. Mr. Rood is one
of the earliest settlers of Wayne township. His father, Noah
Rood was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and
married in Washington county, Pennsylvania, to Mary Minick,
who was born in Pennsylvania. They had four sons and three
daughters, viz.: Thomas, Phebe, Betsy, Samuel, Cyntha Ann,
William, Harrison, and James Madison. Noah Rood died in
Chester township, Morrow county, at the age of seventy-four
years. Mrs. Mary Rood died in the same county at the age of
ninety-five years. ' They were pioneers of this county.
ROSENTHALL, I. & D., clothiers, Woodward block, cor
ner Main and Vine streets, Mt. Vernon. Mr. I. Rosenthall,
managing partner of this firm, was born in Richmond, Virginia,
March 15, 1844. When nine years of age his parents removed
to New York city, where they resided two years. From New
York city the family removed to Pittsburgh. In the fall of i860
Mr. Rosenthall came to Ohio, where he made his first engage
ment with the firm of William Flemming & J. Fink, who located

at Bellefontaine, Logan county. He afterwards entered the
house of Stofal & Gates, with whom he continued one year,
when he purchased the stock of the firm and conducted the
business himself for five years. He went from Bellefontaine to
Wooster and conducted the business for some five years. At
the expiration of this time, he established a house of business
at Akron, where he remained six years. From Akron he went
to Altoona, Pennsylvania, and engaged in business with his
brother — the firm being I. & D. Rosenthall. April 1, 1878, he
came to Mt. Vernon and established the present house, while
his brother remains at Altoona, in charge of the house there.
The firm here carries the largest stock of ready-made clothing
of any similar establishment in the city. They also have a
largeand fine assortment of gentlemen's furnishing goods, hats,
caps, etc.
ROSS, TIMOTHY, Milford township, farmer, was born in
Knox county December 25, 1820. His paternal grandfather,
Timothy Ross, was a resident of New Jersey, and removed to
western Pennsylvania at an early day.
Nathaniel Ross, a son of Timothy Ross, sr. , was born in
Greene county, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1794. He married
Sallie Hair, of the same county, and in 1817 they came to
Harrison township, Knox county, and. settled in the woods.
Mr. Ross cleared up this farm, and remained on it until the
death of his wife, when he went to live with his children. He
is yet living, and for a man of his years, is physically strong
and mentally bright. He was the father of eight children, viz:
Polly, wife of Adam Crumrine, of Hancock, Ohio; Cynthia,
drowned while returning from school; John died young; Tim
othy, the subject of this notice; Rachel Ann, killed by the fall
ing of a log from the spring house during a storm; Delilah, de
ceased, who was the wife of Robert Melick; Samuel, a resident
of Harrison township; Benjamin died before reaching mature
age. The subject of this notice, Timothy Ross, remained with his
parents until he was about twenty-three years of age, assisting
his father on the farm. In April, 1844, he married Miss Esther
Ann Crouse, who was born January 11, 1826. She is the
daughter of George Crouse, who was born in Cumberland
county, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1799, where at sixteen years
of age he learned blacksmithing. At eighteen he went to Au
gusta county, Virginia, and in the fall of 1820 he came to Mt.
Vernon, and engaged in blacksmithing and farming. He mar
ried Lydia Melker, a native of Rockingham county, Virginia,
in January, 1825. They had four children: Jacob, deceased;
Henry M., of Indiana; Philip M., of Iowa, and Esther Ann,
wife of T. Ross. His second wife was Catharine Bitner, a
native of Pennsylvania. He is yet living at the home of his
daughter, Mrs. Ross. Shortly after the marriage of Mr. and
Mrs. Ross they moved to Hancock county, Ohio, remained
there about four years, and returned to Knox county, locating
in Milford township, where they have since resided.
Mr. Ross is a leading citizen, and is highly esteemed for his
many good qualities. He takes an active interest in the affairs
of the township, and is a leading member of the Christian or
Disciple church to which organization he has belonged for
about twenty years. They had five children, viz: Sarah E.,
wife of Abraham Ewing; Delilah; Mary, deceased, who was
the wife of Bruce E. Jackson; Melvina, wife of C. B. Jackson;
and Ida.
ROSS, WILLIAM, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania,

788

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

December n, i82r. He removed with his father, William Ross,
today township, Knox county, Ohio, in 1823, and remained
there about four years, when he removed to Jackson township,
where he resided until A. D. 1836, removing that year to Jeffer
son township, where his father died in 1841. Two months prior
to his father's decease he left home to learn the stone-mason
trade, to which he served an apprenticeship of three years, with
James Blount, of Jackson township. During the time of his
apprenticeship, in 1841, he went to school three months.
During the winter of 1843 he taught school in Brown town
ship. He went from Brown to Jackson township to work at his
trade, removed from Jackson to Butler township in 1854, where
he has ever since resided.
He was married September 5, 1844, to Miss Elizabeth Eley, of
Butler township, who was bom January 2, 1824. They have
had five children, viz: Lemuel, born July 7, 1845; James, April
18, 1847; Benjamin and Jacob, twins, who were born July 15,
1850; Mary, December 16, 1855; N. W. Farmer, who was born
July 22, 1861, resides with Mr. Ross.
During the war of the Rebellion Lemuel and James enlisted in
company G, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio volunteer in
fantry, Colonel H. B. Banning. Lemuel died April 2, 1864,
and James April 4, 1864. Both died of measles near Rossville,
Georgia. Their remains were brought home and buried in Den
nis cemetery, Jackson township.
Mr. Ross has been a member of the Disciple church ever
since he was twenty-one years of age, and elder in the church
about thirty years. He was first a Democrat and afterwards
became a Republican, and still continues in that political faith.
ROSS, JOSEPH, Brown township, farmer, a son of Elisha
and Dorcas Ross, was bom in this county on the seventh day
of April, 1842. He was reared on a farm and has followed
farming as his vocation. In 1866 he married Miss Mary Work
man, of this county, daughter of Solomon and Mary A. Work
man. They settled on the farm in Brown township, one and a
half miles south of Jelloway, where they are now living.
Their union resulted in three children — Franklin, Clinton, and
David. Mr. Ross owns a farm of one hundred and seven acres about
one-half of which is bottom land.
ROUSE, E. S. S., is a native of Rensselaer county, New
York ; born February 23, 1795. He was a member of Colonel
Ken's regiment in the War of 1812, in which he served six
months. In 1818 he came to Ohio and located in Muskingum
county on a farm, where he lived nine years, during which he
was elected captain of a company in Colonel Springer's rifle
regiment, of which he had command two and a half years.
After leaving his farm he went to Dresden and engaged in the
commission business, in which he remained about one and a
half years, after which he returned to Oneida county, New
York. He was married March 1, 1820, to Polly Mills, by whom
he had a family of six children, five of whom are living, and
are married, viz.: Maria Sealts, Lydia C. Rowley, Erastus,
Andrew M., and John D., who enlisted in the Seventy-seventh
Illinois regiment; was promoted to lieutenant, and afterward to
captain ; served about three years, after which he was appointed
judge advocate of New Orleans. He came to Knox county
and settled tn Miller township in 1833, and resided there until
1850, when he came to Mt. Vemon and engaged in the factory
business, and has been in different kinds of business until he
retired.

Mr. Rouse served the people of Miller township as justice of
the peace for nine years, and ten years as township clerk. He
was mayor of the city of Mt. Vernon one term. Mr. Rouse
has always been an active business man, and in retiring from
the field he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has done his
part. He is now in his eighty-sixth year, and his wife is eighty-
two. They are the oldest couple living in the city.
ROWE, LEWIS, Wayne township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown; bom in New York April 9, 1812, and was mar
ried January 17, 1839, to Mary Campbell, who was bom in
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, November 28, 1815. They
have the following children: Sarah, born October 30, 1843;
Lyman, August 21; 1846; Amanda, July 15, 1848.
Mr. Rowe has been engaged in farming, and owns a well im
proved farm with good buildings.
Lyman Rowe is now residing in Toledo, Ohio, engaged as
bookkeeper for a manufacturing firm.
ROWLAND, JAMES F., Milford township, one of the lead
ing farmers of Milford township, was born in Richland county
(now Ashland county), Ohio, April n, 1824; is the son of
Simon Rowland, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio
at an early day and settled in Green township, Richland
county, where he manied Sarah Hill about 1817, who was a
native of Vermont. They had eight children, five of whom are
living, the subject of this notice being the eldest. Jane, mar
ried to John Ohler; Cysus A.; AUetha, married Joel Ward, and
Joseph. The deceased were Eliza, Thomas, and Mary, the
last of whom was married to Levi Browlyier. The parents died
in Green township, Richland county, now Ashland county.
The subject of this notice was reared on the farm his father
entered, and continued to live on it until i860, when he moved
to Knox county having sold the old homestead. In 1848 he
manied Sarah Ohler. They 'had ten children, viz: Simon,
Calvin J., William L-, Frank, Shannon, Jane (deceased), Alice
(married to William Rizor), Ida (deceased), Lizzie, and Ella.
Mr. Rowland is a leading member of the Baptist church and a
man of influence. He is township trustee.
ROWLEY, SAMUEL, was bom May 11, 1787, in Rutland
county, Vermont, and emigrated to Ohio in 1813, stopping one
year in Muskingum county. He came to Knox county in 1814
and located in Miller township, where he resided until 1824,
when he came to Mt. Vernon and remained until 1832, when he
went to Licking county and remained two years, after wbich he
came back to Mt. Vemon, where he resided until the day of his
death, November 20, 1851.
He was married to Miss E. Ward November 3, 1808. She is
still living at the advanced age of ninety-one years. She was
born April 7, 1790. They reared a family of six children, four of
whom are living.
From 1824 until the day of his death Mr. Rowley was engaged
in keeping hotel.
ROWLEY, HORACE, harness and saddle manufacturer,
corner Main and Front streets, Mt. Vernon. Mr. Rowley was
born in Pittsford, Rutland county, Vermont, on the fourth day
ot September, 1809. When he was about three years of age
his parents emigrated to Ohio and settled in Miller township,
this county, where they resided about ten years, and then came
to Mt. Vernon. After he came here he went into the saddle and
harness trade, and served his time with William Mefford & John
Gregg. He then entered into business for himself in this city,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

789

and carried on his shop for thirteen years. He then went to
Indiana and worked awhile in New Albany, and then at Ger-
mantown, He then returned to Ohio and located in Marysville,
Union county, and carried on his business there for about one
year. His next location was at Mt. Liberty, this county. He
remained in business there for five years, In 1849 he returned
to Mt. Vernon and engaged in the harness business and has
continued in it ever since.
Mr. Rowley is the pioneer saddle and harness manufacturer of
this city. He has always conducted the business himself, doing
all his work, and has the satistaction of making his trade a suc
cess, and giving the people good, honest work, which he is still
prepared to do.
ROWLEY, MRS. ELIZABETH, deceased.— The deceased
was bom in Connecticut on the seventh of April, 1790, and was,
at her death, in the ninety -first year of her age. She came with
her husband to Ohio in 1814, first settling in Muskingum
county. From thence the family removed to Knox county, lo
cating in Miller township, and subsequently in the year 1824,
they settled in Mt. Vemon. Since her husband's death, in 1851,
she has made her home with her son Jerome. She reared a fam
ily of six children, four of whom are still living, viz; Horace
Rowley, Jerome Rowley, Mrs. Semanthe Winne, and Mrs. E.
C. Vore, all of whom were at her bedside when she died.
She was a member of the Baptist church for sixty-five years,
and was a good Christian woman, respected and honored by
all who enjoyed the pleasure of her acquaintance.
ROWLEY, JEROME, Mt. Vernon, is a native of Knox
county, born in Miller township June 23, 1816, and received
such an education as he could get at the public schools of tha'
day. He followed farming until they came to Mt. Vernon,
when he assisted his father in the hotel, during which he mar
ried Miss Maria Watkins, a daughter of Francis Watkins, who
came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and settled in
Mt. Vernon in 1812. Shortly after his marriage he went to
Ciark county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming, milling,
merchandizing, and the stock business. He remained there
until 1847, when he returned to Mt. Vernon, where he engaged
in farming, and kept a country hotel about five miles from the
city on the Columbus road, in Liberty township, where he re
mained until 1864, when he was burned out, and returned to
Mt. Vemon, where he has lived ever since. He has been en
gaged in the flour trade for several years, but has retired from
business. He has reared a family of five children, four of whom are
living — two sons and two daughters— all of whom are married
and live in Knox county.
ROWLEY, SHANNON F., Milford township, farmer and
justice of the peace, Milfordton post office, was born in Mt.
Vernon, January 24, 1839, and is the son of Jerome and
Mariah Rowley, nee Wilkins.
The subject of this sketch spent his youth from his ninth year
on a farm, and has always followed farming as his occupation.
He was elected justice of the peace in 1878. Mr. Rowley is
pleasant and social in his manners, and is a good citizen.
He married Miss Cynthia A. Smith, September 9, 1862, who
was born February 20, 1844; she is the daughter of Preserve
and Amelia Smith, nee Knowles, natives of Litchfield county,
Connecticut, who came to Milford township in 1831. They
were highly respected citizens, and died at their home, known
as the Five Corners. They had ten children: Henry A.,

George L., William D., L. F., Fannie M. (deceased), who was
manied to Luther Hyatt; Charles G, Emeline C, wife of John
Milligan, of Brandon, Ohio; Sarah V., wife of Ira D. Hunt;
Benjamin C, Cynthia A., wife of S. F. Rowley; and Oscar E.
Mr. and Mrs. Rowley are the parents of three interesting
children: Killian W., born December 17, 1869; Frank S. ,
June 30, 1871; Jerome, December 31, 1874.
ROWLEY, H. YOUNG, proprietor of Rowley house, South
Main street, Mt. Vernon, was bom in this city December 26,
1848, and was educated in our excellent common schools. He
first engaged in business with his father who conducted a grocery
and feed store. In 1869 he became interested in the brewery
business with James Miller, under the firm of Miller & Rowley.
For two years the firm continued, when he bought his partner's
business, and for three years more run the brewery successfully.
In 1874 Mr. Rowley took charge of the Rowley house, and has
continued proprietor to the present. The house is pleasantly
located, and at this time is doing a large business. The house
contains in all four-four rooms — thirty transient, and eleven
sample rooms. On the first floor, one dining hall, office and
bar, and ladies' and gentlemen's parlors, etc. Mr. Rowley
has represented his ward in the city council.
ROWLEY, ISAACHER, was born in Steuben county, New
York, April 12, 1815, and came to Ohio in 1837, located in Fred
ericktown, and was married January, 1838, to Ruth Corbin, who
was born in this county in 1811. They had four children: Ar
temas C, Mellville, Theodore (deceased), and an infant (de
ceased). Mrs. Ruth Rowley died September 2, 1848.
Mr. Rowley subsequently married Sarah A. Tremley. They
had three children: Eva C. (deceased), an infant (deceased),
and Anna R., who married George W. Mozier. They reside in
Mt. Gilead, Morrow county. Mrs. Sarah Rowley died May 6,
1877. Mr. Rowley married for his third wife Mrs. E. B. Neal, sister
of his first wife.
Mr. Rowley has resided in > Fredericktown and vicinity for
forty-four years, and was engaged in farming the most of the
time. He studied law and is engaged in a home practice; he is
also a notary public, and has been justice of the peace in Berlin
township. He is a prominent member of the Independent Or
der of Odd Fellows, and has been a representative in thiee ses
sions in the grand lodge ofthe State of Ohio. He was a dele
gate to the State convention, and voted for Salmon P. Chase
for governor at the organization of the Republican party, and
has since been identified with this party.
He was appointed postmaster of Fredericktown in February,
1874, during General Grant's administration. He was formerly
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for' twenty-five
years, was an official member and did much to advance the in
terest of the church.
ROWLEY, O. P., farmer, College township, son of Hiram
and Betsy Rowley, was born in Miller township, this county,
February 1, 1821. Hiram Rowley, father of the subject of this
sketch, was born in Vermont in 1794. He married Miss Betsy
Wheeler, of Vermont, about 1817, who was born in 1793. They
emigrated to Ohio and located in Miller township, this county,
in about 1819, where they passed the remainder of their days.
Mrs. Rowley died in 1876; he survived her until 1878. They
reared a family of three children— Ellen, Olney P., and John R.
The first named is dead.
Mr. Rowley married Miss Eliza McKinzie, of this county, in

790

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

1843. They settled in Monroe township, remained several years,
then moved to College township where they are now residing.
Their union resulted in four children, viz: John R:, Hiram,
Olney G., and Noah S. John R. served three years in the late
war, enlisting in 1862, and serving until the close of the war.
ROWLEY, WILLIAM, salesman, Fredericktown, was bom
in New York in 1832, emigrated to Michigan and remained for
four years, then removed to Illinois, stayed there four years,
then in 1840 came to Knox county, Ohio, and in 1852 went to
California, remained there about fourteen years, and after re
turning to Ohio was married in 1876, to Miss E. F. Roberts
daughter of Richard Roberts, who was born in Knox county,
Ohio, in 1842. Mr. Rowley is engaged with the firm of S. S.
Tuttle & Co., in the saw-mill and lumber yard.
ROWLEY, WILLIAM H., Berlin township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, was born on the farm where he now re
sides, in 1839. He was married in 1864, to Catharine Lloyd,
who was born in Morrow county, Ohio, in 1845. They have
four children: Jennie, bom in 1866; Frank, in 1867; J. T.
Rowley, in 1869; Sadie, in 1876.
Mr. Rowley was a soldier in the late war, a member of com
pany G, One Hundred and Twenty-first regiment, Ohio volun
teer infantry, and was engaged in the service for twenty-two
months. He was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga in
1863, and was left on the battle-field. He fell into the hands
of the rebels, and was held a prisoner nine days, and then pa
roled. He was honorably discharged. He was also engaged
in the battle of Perryville. He has an Indian relic different
from any inserted in the History of Richland County. He also
has the bullet which was taken out of his limb, which wounded
him during the service.
ROWLEY, ASA F., -hardware and metal worker, post office,
Rosstown. He was born January 14, 1841, in Berlin township,
Knox county. In his fifteenth year he went to Mt. Vernon and
learned the tintmith trade with James Huntsbury. He enlisted
in the One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry,
and went to the south in 1862. He was special messenger un
der General Thomas the entire time he served, except three
months. He was taken prisoner at Columbus, Kentucky, by
General Morgan, and was sent to Camp Chase; and shortly
afterwards was discharged. He then reenlisted in the United
States engineers, under Lieutenant Senate, of Granville, Ohio,
and assigned to Captain Thomas, in company G. , and then de
tached to General Thomas as special messenger, and there re
mained until 1865, when he was discharged. In 1870 he was
married to Sarah M. Weirick, and settled in Martinsburgh,
Knox county, and there pursued his trade for three years, and
then came to his present home. He does a very good business
in tinware, stoves, hardware, etc. , and is considered an excel
lent workman. He has two children, Charles and Lucy. His
mother lives with him, is seventy-three years old, and in very
good health.
ROWLEY, MELVILLE B., carpenter.— He was born in
Fredericktown, July 18, 1844. April 28, 1866, he was married
to Amanda E. Weirick, who was born in Amity, this county,
in 1847. They have four children, namely: Irwin was born
July 10, 1868; Issacher, jr., born May 4, 1871; Irene A., born
January 31, 1873; and Melville, jr., bora March n, 1881.
He has been and is still engaged at the carpenter trade dur
ing the summer, and in the winter engaged in stripping poultry.

Mr. Rowley enlisted in the late war August 16, 1862, a mem
ber of company G, One Hundred and Twenty-first regiment,
Ohio volunteer infantry. He was in two battles and a number
of skirmishes; he was injured at the battle of Chickamauga,
Georgia, September 20, 1863; he was then sent to Cincinnati
and transferred to the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth regiment,
Second battalion, Invalid corps. He was detailed with R. P.
L. Baber, paymaster United States army, as clerk, and re
mained with him till June 28, 1865. He was honorably dis
charged, and is now a pensioner of the Government.
ROWLEY, WALTER, Morris township, carpenter, post
office, Fredericktown, was born in 1849, in Illinois. He came
to Knox county with his parents when he was an infant, and
was married in 1872, to Mary Haft, who was born in Morris
township in 1856. They have three children: Freddie, born
in 1873; Florence, in 1876; Addie F., in 1878.
Mr. Rowley is a carpenter by trade and is a skilful mechanic.
ROWLEY, O. P., Fredericktown, dealer in watches, clocks, '
jewelry, and silverware, was born in Berlin township; served as
an apprentice with W. M. Young, in Mt. Vernon, and came to
Fredericktown, where he established his business in 1878. He
has an extensive trade, is a skilful mechanic, an enterprising
young man, and well deserves a liberal patronage.
ROYCE, AMOS H., Fredericktown, retired, was born in
Harwington, Litchfield, Connecticut, September 26, 1786. He
is a son of Nehemiah Royce, a native of Connecticut, who was
a graduate of Yale college. His first diploma was signed Sep
tember 4, 1794. His diploma for the higher branches was given
September 9, 1778. He was a soldier of the Revolution, com
missioned a lieutenant by John Hancock, date January 1, 1777,
and aiterwards received a captain's commission, March 19, 1779.
Amos H. has in his posession the two diplomas, also the two
commissions. He has in his possession the inventory of his
father's estate, written February 24, 1792. The amount was
three hundred and three pounds, six shillings and eight pence;
also a land warrant for three hundred acres of land valued at
thirty shillings (five dollars), located in Knox county, Ohio.
Amos H. was the only heir. In the fall of 1792 he" was taken
from Harwington, where his mother resided, to Berlin, Hart
ford county, Connecticut, to live with his guardian, and grand
father, Amos Hosford, after whom he was named. He remem
bers how he rode from Harwington to Berlin on horseback be
hind his uncle, and his reception at the time at his grandfather's,
who was a farmer, a man of wealth for those times, also of in
fluence, being a justice of the peace, which was an important
position in those days.
He was elected to the assembly of the town of Berlin a num
ber of years, at which time the subject of this sketch took him
to the seat of government in a carriage, and when the session
closed he had to bring him home. He was reared on a farm
put to work as soon as he was old enough through the summer,
and during the winter went to school and received a good com
mon school education, sufficient at least to transact business,
He gives a few items of interest that occured when he was in
his minority while living with his grandfather. The town of
Berlin consisted of three parishes or societies, viz: Worthington,
Kensington, and New Britton; Worthington was located on the
main or turnpike road leading from New Haven to Hart
ford and consisted of one main street nearly one mile in length,
containing the stores, taverns, manufactories, and private resi
dences of the place, of which there were a respectable number.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

791

In the north end of the street on a triangular piece of ground
stood the Presbyterian meeting-house, a large building which
was generally filled every Sabbath'. It was also used for a town
house in the spring election of county and State offices.
On the main road about twenty rods from the meeting-house
stood that ancient relic for the punishment of crime, the stockade
and whipping-post, although seldom used. Yet he remembers
that the ancient mode of punishment with the cat-of-nine-tails,
according to the Mosaic law, was inflicted.
In the fall of 1804 he moved from Berlin, Hartford county,
Connecticut, to Lewis county. New York, occupied a house ad
joining land that he bought the next season. He built a cabin
on his own land, making such improvements as his means per
mitted. In the fall of 1809 he received the land warrant for his father's
services in the Revolution. He then came to Knox county and
located his land in Berlin township. Before he returned he en
gaged Jeremiah Brown to build a log cabin, but as the State
road from Mt. Vernon to Mansfield was located before he com
menced, and as the road passed through the centre of his land,
he omitted building until he moved out, when he selected a
location. A few years later he found it necessary to build a
larger and more convenient house.
In those times the citizens took but little interest in the name
of their township, but when Berlin was organized it became a
subject of general interest. Mr. Stephen Cole and Amos H.
Royce, being emigrants from the town of Berlin, they con
sulted together and proposed to call it Berlin, which name was
accepted by common consent. Mr. Royce was the first justice
of the peace elected, and was reelected and served in said of
fice over fifteen years. He was an independent man, a strong
abolitionist during slavery times, and always a strong advocate
of temperance. He never used tobacco in any form, and was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church until the slavery
.question was strongly agitated, when he left the church; he
has never joined any church since, but has lived a very exem
plary life. He resided on the same farm in Berlin township
nearly sixty years.
He never had any occasion to use spectacles, although a great
reader. He has taken the Cincinnati Daily Gazette since i860
and has read it daily, Sundays excepted, ever since.
Amos H. Royce was first married in 1804, to Nancy Dan-
ning. They had the following children, viz: Mary, born in
1804, Samuel in 1808, Emaline in 1810, Sally in 1813, Julia
Ann in 1815, Louisa L. in 1818; Alfred in 1820, Laura A. in
1823, Jane A. in 1824, and Lucy in 1826. Mrs. Nancy Royce
died January 21, 1852. Mr. Royce's second wife was Maria
Parly, who died in 1859. He afterwards married Marilla John-
- son, who died in 1870. His fourth wife was Abbie M. Sherwood.
Amos H. Royce was a resident of Knox county during the
War of 1812, and was drafted. They made their rendezvous at
Mt. Vernon till they were ordered to Mansfield, where they
remained three weeks. He assisted to build the block-house
at Trucksville (Ganges). He was at New Haven during the
massacre of the Copus and Zimmer families. He was also called
out during the siege of Fort Meigs in 1813, also in 1814 when
Fort Stephenson was besieged, but was soon relieved and re
turned home.
RUCKER, W. H., Berlin township, farmer, post office,
Frederickstown, was born in Noble county, Ohio, in 1856.
He came to Knox county in 1869, and was married in 1878 to

Miss Lamyra Elliott, who was born in Berlin in the year i860.
RUMMEL, JOHN, Berlin township, deceased, was born in
Adams county, Pennsylvania, June 7, 1807, and was married
March 17, 1831, to Elizabeth McPhern, who was born in
Adams county, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1807. They emi
grated to Ohio in 1836; located in Richland county, and re
mained till 1852, and then moved to Knox county. They had
eight children— Hezekiah, born December 10, 1831; James E.,
September 28, 1833; George, December 20, 1835; Sarah J.,
April 26, 1838; Hiram, July 30, 1840; Elias, February 21, 1843;
Mary E., September 24, 1845; and Melinda, September 3,
1848. Hezekiah was married in Iowa and resides in Kansas; James
E. resides in Washington territory. Hiram was married in
Oregon and resides there.
Mr. John Rummel died August 26, 1877, in Berlin township,
this county, and was buried in Worthington township, Richland
county, in the cemetery near St. John's church.
Mrs, Rummel joined the Lutheran church in 1832, and was a
member forty-nine years. She died at her residence in Berlin
township in April, 1880, of paralysis, after a brief illness.
RUMMEL, GEORGE, Berlin township, farmer, post office,
Shaler's Mills, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in
1835. His parents emigrated to Ohio when he was a child.
He was married in 1866 to Eliza J. Irvine, who was born in
Monroe township in 1844. They have one son— John I. — who
was born September 9, 1867, and one daughter, who was born
April 7, 1870, and died in 1871. In i860 Mr. Rummel went to
California and returned in 1865. He was engaged in mining.
RUMMEL, ELIAS, farmer, Berlin township, post office,
Fredericktown, was born in Worthington township, Richland
county, in 1843, and was married in 1871, to Sarah E. Mclntire,
who was born in Holmes county in 1849. They have five chil
dren, viz: Jessie M., born in 1872; A. D., 1874; James W.,
1876; Herbert M., 1878, and an infant in 1880. Mr. Rummel'
when a young man, went to California and remained there four
years, then returned to Ohio and located in this township. He
owns a good farm,
RUSSELL, M. D., JOHN WADHAMS, Mt. Vernon, was
born in Canaan, Litchfield county, Connecticut, June 28, 1804.
He was the son of Stephen Russell, a man of influence and char
acter in his time, who was repeatedly chosen to represent the
people in the State legislature, and once by a unanimous vote
of the district.
The subject of this sketch first attended the district school, and
then prepared for college at Morris academy. Having advanced
sufficiently he entered Hamilton college, New York, in 1821.
His health soon after failed, and he was advised by physicians
to seek a residence, for a time at least, in a milder climate in
some southern State. Accordingly he went south, and obtained
a situation as teacher in the academy at Red Bank, Colleton
district, South Carolina. He became warmly attached to his
southern friends, and had, he says, "a noble class of pupils."
Dr. Sheridan, he says, "was not only a friend, but a father to
him," and by his advice he commenced the study of medicine
in 1823.
Dr. Russell returned to Connecticut in 1824, and continued
his medical studies under Dr. Alanson Abbe, of Litchfield.
Having studied and reviewed the course prescribed by office
students, he attended lectures in 1825 and 1826, at Yale college,

792

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

and then a second course at Berkshire Medical college in 1826.
The following winter he went to Philadelphia and became a
private pupil of Dr. George McClellan, attending lectures at
Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia, where he graduated in
1827. In April of this year he began to practice in partnership
with his preceptor in Litchfield, where he continued one year,
giving a course of lectures on anatomy and physiology to the
medical students, and such members of the law class as wished
to attend. Although his prospects were good for gaining a
practice in Litchfield, nevertheless, in the spring of 1828, he re
moved to Sandusky City, Ohio, and in the fall of the same year
settled at Mt. Vernon, where he has from that time to the pres
ent been actively engaged in the practice of medicine and sur
gery. In the latter branch he has been remarkably successful,
and has performed as many, if not more, capital operations
than any inland surgeon in Ohio.
Dr. Russell has frequently operated for stone, and on one
occasion upon two patients the same day. For encysted cal
culus he has performed the high operation with success.
During the late war the doctor was one of the examining sur
geons for admission of volunteer surgeons into the army, and
was chairman of the board.
He was president of the Mt. Vernon bank during its exist
ence, and is now connected with the Phcenix Mining and Min
eral Land company of Colorado.
He has been solicited on several occasions to accept chairs in
medical colleges in Ohio, but he has devoted his energies to pri
vate practice, which has been the favorite pursuit of his life.
He has been a member of the medical society of Knox county
and also of the Ohio State Medical society from their organiza
tion, and was president of the latter; of the American Medical
association since 1861, and attended the meeting in San Fran
cisco in 1871, and is an honorary member of the California
State Medical society.
He has been twice married; first, in the spring of 1828, to
Eliza, daughter of Hon. William Beebe, of. Litchfield, Connec
ticut. He has two children living — Ann Eliza and William
Beebe. His second marriage was in 1872, to Ellen M. Brown,
of San Francisco, California.
His daughter, Ann Eliza, now Mrs. William C. Cooper, ac
companied him to California to attend the meeting of the Amer
ican Medical association in 1871. They both enjoyed the trip,
and often refer in terms of fond recollection to the many pleas
ant incidents of the journey, and the kindness and hospitality
experienced from the profession and the citizens of California.
After the adjournment of the association they made excursions
to some noted places on the Pacific coast, and stopped three
days at Salt Lake City, en route. Mrs. Ellen M. Russell died
October 14, 1879.
RUSSELL, WILLIAM B., Mt. Vernon, oldest son of J.
W. Russell, M.D., was born February 23, 1829, in Mt. Vernon,
where he received his preparatory education, when he entered
Kenyon college, taking a partial course. After leaving school,
he accepted a position in the drug house of Buckingham & Co.
In 1852 he bought a half interest in the business, and shortly
after, bought Mr. Buckingham out, and has been engaged ever
since in the business. He carries one of the largest stocks of
drugs in the city.and keeps the only place where physicians' wants
can be fully supplied. His stock consists of a full line of pure
drugs, chemicals, surgical instruments, etc.
RYAN, JOHN, Pleasant township, farmer, and son of

Elijah and Margaret Ryan, was born in Licking county, Ohio,
near the Knox county line, January 13, 1814. He was brought
up on a farm, and followed farming until 1834, when he com
menced working in a grist- and saw-mill with James Patterson.
In 1838 he married Miss Mary Payne, born July n, 1816,
and daughter of Ralphiel Payne. They settled in Mt. Vernon,
where he continued working in the mill until 1849, when he pur
chased and moved on the farm where they are now living in
Pleasant township, one mile and a half east of Mt. Vernon,
since which time he has been engaged in farming. Their union
resulted in seven children — all dead.
RHODES, JACOB, Pleasanr* township, farmer, and son of
John and Elizabeth Rhodes, was born in Licking county, Ohio,
April 20, 1836. On the twenty-first day of January, 1861, he
was united in marriage with Miss Mary Hunt, bom in this
county January 17, 1835, and daughter of Richard and Nancy
Hunt. They settled in Morgan township, and remained until
1876, when he purchased and moved on the farm in Pleasant
township, where they are now living. Their union resulted in
five children — two sons and three daughters. He has followed
farming as his vocation.
In August, 1862, he left his home and family, enlisted in
company G, of the One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio volun
teer infantry, and served in defence of his country until the
close of the war, when he received an honorable discharge in
June, 1865. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea.
On his return he resumed the business of farming.

SAILOR, FREDERICK, deceased.— Among the early set
tlers in Pleasant township was the family of Frederick Sailor.
Mr. Sailor was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the fourth
day of March, 1801. On the twenty-eighth day of September,
1830, he married Miss Elizabeth Himes, who was born on the
seventh of September, 1804, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.
The family emigrated from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in
the year 1844 to Ohio, and settled on a farm in Pleasant town
ship, this county, near the line of College township. Mr. Sailor
died on the thirteenth of May, 1859, in the fifty-eighth year of
his age. Mrs. Elizabeth Sailor and her youngest daughter reside
on the old homestead farm.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sailor five children were bom namely:
Henry William, John Bissant, Thomas Benton, Mary Himes,
and Ann Eliza.
Henry William went to Iowa in 1853, and on tne breaking
out of the late Rebellion, joined an Iowa regiment, was taken
sick, died, and was buried at Memphis, Tennessee.
John Bissant moved to Iowa in 1867, where he still resides.
On the tenth day of April, 1854, he manied Miss Mary Ann
Walker, of College township. Four daughters are the issue of
this marriage.
Thomas Benton went to Pennsylvania in 1861, where he en
listed in the Second Pennsylvania cavalry and served three years.
On the twenty-seventh of January, 1862, he married Miss Martha
Ann Burgoyne, of Philadelphia, resides in that place, and is
the father of three children — two daughters and one son.
Mary Himes was, on the tenth day of August, 1859, married
to Mr. Philip Lough, of Pleasant township, and in 1873 they
moved to Nebraska. Mrs. Lough died in 1875. One son was
the issue of this maniage.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

793

Ann Eliza, on the first of November, 1864, married Mr.
Joshua Payne, who was born in Orange county, Vermont.
SANDERSON, WILLIAM, SR., lumber dealer, corner Of
High and Sandusky streets, Mt. Vernon. This venerable gen.
tleman— one of Mt. Vernon's oldest citizens — was born in Cum
berland county, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1803, where he
resided until he was twenty-seven years old (1830). At the age
of sixteen, Mr. Sanderson commenced to learn the carriage-
making trade, which he followed up to within a few years past.
In 1825 he married Miss Hannah Wolf. Eight children were
born unto them. With one exception, the children have all
married and have children of their own.
Mr. Sanderson emigrated to Ohio in 1830. The journey was
made in wagons, and some twenty-four days were spent on the
road. There were no railroads at that date. Mr. Sanderson
located at Mt. Vernpn and established himself at wagon-making.
He made the first wagon ever made in the city. Several of his
eariy wagons are yet in existence, and one is in good repair that
he made thirty years ago. He carried on business in this city
for thirty-two years, during which he manufactured very exten
sively. During the lasf three years he built one hundred and
seven carriages and one hundred and seven buggies each year,
besides making many wagons and sleighs and repairing. He
employed constantly from eighteen to twenty hands. Besides
his manufacturing branch, his repair department brought in a
revenue amounting from two thousand to three thousand dol
lars per annum. Ill health caused him to transfer his business
to his son-in-law, and he moved on to alarm. Here he remained
for ten years.
Mr. Sanderson, on returning to this city, engaged in the lum
ber business with Thomas McCreary, under the name of Mc.
Creary & Sanderson. This firm continued for two years, when
Thomas McCreary sold his interest to R. B. Creary, and the
firm was changed to Sanderson & McCreary. This last firm
was successful in business for three years.
At this period Mr. Sanderson bought the interest of his part
ner, and has continued the business on his own account, and
has constantly on hand a stock of the value of between five
thousand and six thousand dollars. This large stock comprises
pine lumber, building lumber, shingles, lath, flooring, siding,
fence posts, etc. His business is large and increasing.
SANDERSON, DAVID, carriage manufacturer, East street,
near the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus depot, Mt.
Vernon. David Sanderson was born in Mt. Vernon July 7,
1841, and was educated in our city schools. His first business
engagement was with his father where he worked at carriage
trimming. He worked in his father's shop until he was twenty-
three years old. After his father sold out he engaged with S.
H. Jackson, with whom he worked four years. He next engaged
with Hezekiah Graff, with whom he continued one year. In
partnership with his brother he established himself in business
in the old Rowley building, northeast corner of Main and Front
streets. This firm continued for two years. His next effort
was establishing himself in the old Crable shop, where he car
ried on business for three years. He erected the shops he now
occupies, which are large and commodious. His building is
two and one-half stories, forty by sixty and eighteen by twenty
feet. His residence is on the north side of Water street on the
same lot with his shop. Mr. Sanderson carries a stock of about
two thousand dollars, and manufactures all kinds of caniages,
buggies and spring wagons; also, does all kinds of repairing.

SANDERSON, W. H., livery, West Front street, Mt.
Vernon. Mr. Sanderson was born in Coshocton county, Ohio.
His parents moved to Delaware county when he was a child,
and still reside there. Mr. W. H. Sanderson's first business
engagement was in learning carriage painting with Mr. William
Sanderson, sr., Mt. Vernon, which he followed about two years.
He enlisted in company C, Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry,
and served nearly four years. After his honorable discharge
from the service he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and engaged with
John Anderson of that city as bookkeeper, with whom he con
tinued ten years. He returned to Mt. Vernon and engaged in
the livery business, in which he has continued up to this date.
He has met with good success. He keeps a stock of from ten
to eighteen horses, eight buggies, two sample wagons and
coach and carriages. His stock is all first class. He does a
business of from three thousand to five thousand dollars per
annum. SANDERSON, WILLIAM, Jr., proprietor livery, feed, and
sale stable, West Vine street, Mt.Vemon, was born in Cumber
land county, Maryland, May 18, 1828, and when about two
years old his parents emigrated to Ohio and located in Mt. Ver
non in 1830, where they still reside.
Mr. Sanderson is the second of a family of eight children, all of
whom are living, and have families. His first business engage
ment was in the carriage manufactory of his father, where he
continued to work until he was about twenty-six years old (1854).
He then engaged in the livery business, in which he has re
mained ever since. He carries a stock valued at about three
thousand five hundred dollars, including nine horses and ten
vehicles, consisting of buggies, carriages, and hacks, all of
which are in good order and afford first class accommodations
for the travelling public.
SANDERS, EUNICE (deceased), at time of her death said
to be the oldest settler in Knox county, was born August 12,
1783, in Morris county, New Jersey, and emigrated to this
county in 1808, as the wife of Ephraim Lyon. She lived on the
farm on which she died seventy-three years. The country was
in the hands of the Indians when she came here, and she re
membered very well when they used to take refuge in the old
Lewis fort, situated where Luzerne now stands. She was the
mother of eight children, two of whom went before her to the
spirit land. Two daughters are married and are living in the west,
while the other four children are living in this township. She
remembered all the Presidents, Washington having been inaug
urated when she was six years old. For many years she had
been noted as being the oldest one living of the first settlers.
She lived to see the country that was a wooded wilderness be
come a land of beautiful homes. For fifteen years she had been
unable to walk a step. Her age was ninety-seven years, four
months and twelve days.
SAPP, JONATHAN, Howard township, farmer, post office,
Howard, was born July 17, 1809, in Union township. He was
married to Miss Mary Durbin, July 15, 1830. He lived on the
old farm with his father thirty years. He then bought the old
Bradfield farm just across the line in Howard township, where
he still lives.
They had eleven children: Simon, Catharine, Susan, Fran
ces, William, Francis, Edmond, Susanna, John, Timothy, and
Sarah Ann. Catharine died at nineteen years of age; William,
at thirty; Edmond, at twenty-two; Susanna, at three; Francis,
at three; and Sarah Ann, at three.

794

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

SAPP, ROBERT, Union township, carpenter, post office,
Gann. He was bom September 10, 1813, in Alleghany county,
Maryland, and came here in June, 1818. He settled in Howard
township, and lived there until his twenty-second year.
In 1834 he was married to Rosanna Lose, .and settled in Jef
ferson township, where he still rem.iins. His business has been
farming and carpentering. He had eight children: Joseph,
who died at nine years of age; Margaret, born June 16, 1839;
Drusilla, January 19, 1840; Adam, August 21, 1841; Emma,
March 4, 1843; M. E., March 2, 1845; H. E., October 30,
1846; Henry, March 3, 1848; Frederick, June 5, 1850; R. D.,
January 8, 1857; all living and doing well.
SAPP, CALVIN, M. D., deceased, son of Joseph and
Drusilla Sapp, was born near Danville, this county, on the
twenty-first day of December, 1821. He was educated at
Kenyon college. In 1842 he commenced the study of medicine
in Danville with Dr. Houtz. He read one year there and then
went to Loudonville, Ashland county, where he completed his
course with Drs. Fuller and Whitney.
In the winter of 1846-7 he attended his first course of lec
tures in Cleveland. He then engaged in the practiee of medi
cine, and continued to practice twenty-three years, and in the
winter of 1869-70 he graduated in the Cleveland Medical col
lege. March 4, 1847, he married Miss Sarah B. Baker, born near
Danville, this county, in June, 1824, and settled in Loudonville.
In the spring of 1847 he became a partner of Dr. Fuller in the
practice of medicine, and remained as such about four years,
when their partnership ceased.
In the spring of 1851, leaving his wife at home, Dr. Sapp
went to California, where he continued in his profession. He
located first in Sacramento City, and remained about six
months; from thence to Weaverville, where he remained nine
months; then went to Portland, Oregon, where he remained
about six months. In 1852 he returned to San Francisco and
remained there about nine months. In 1853 he went aboard a
merchant vessel, as physican and surgeon, bound for Philadel
phia by way of China, East and West Indies, reaching Phila
delphia in the fall of 1853; and ""om thence he returned home
to his family.
In the spring of 1854 he commenced the practice of medicine
in Danville, and continued until 1870, when he moved to Gam
bier, where he resided until his death. He left a family of five
children — Clinton E. , Laura C, Dora, Victoria and Luetta.
His son, Clinton E., was educated at Gambier, read medicine
with his father, attended his first term of lectures at Cleveland,
and graduated at Cincinnati in the Ohio Medical college in the
winter of 1874-5, and is a partner of his father's in the
practice of medicine at Gambier.
Dr. Sapp died on Sunday, February 27, 1881. His life was
closely devoted to his profession, in which he became eminently
successful. SAPP, JAMES, with the firm of M. C. Sapp, boot and shoe
dealer, Rogers' Arcade block, east side south Main street, Mt.
Vernon. Mr. James Sapp was born in Knox county, October
2, 1832. He remained on a farm until his seventeenth year,
when he went as an apprentice to the boot and shoe trade, and
served three years, and then worked as a journeyman for six
months. He then entered the employ of Messrs. Miller &
White, at Mt. Vernon, and continued with them for four years,
He then went to Cleveland and engaged with the firm of Web
ster, Spencer & Miller, and remained one year. On his return

to Mt. Vernon he entered the boot and shoe store of Nathaniel
McGiffin as salesman, with whom he remained two years. In
i860 he purchased the stock of Mr. McGiffin, and continued the
business for five years, and then sold out to Mr. W. J. Morton,
and went to New York city and engaged with the wholesale
house of Howes, Hyatt & Co., with whom he remained one
year. He then returned to Mt. Vernon and repurchased the
stock he had previously sold to Mr. Morton.
In 1866 he sold his stock in trade to Mr. W. T. Patton, and
remained in his employ as salesman for ten months. His next
engagement was with the firm of Miller & Houston, Columbus,
Ohio, as travelling salesman. For one year he remained with
the above mentioned firm. He commenced business in his
present location in the fall of 1878, and has retained it ever
since. He carries a stock of about one thousand five hundred
dollars, comprising boots, shoes, and rubbers ; also does manu
facturing and repairing in all its branches.
SAPP, WILLIAM G., Union township, farmer, post office,
Gann, born in Gann, March 3, 1840. In 1861 he enlisted in the
Fifty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, company I., and served his
full time and returned with the honors'of a brave soldier, Sep
tember 3, 1865. He was married to Margaret Gann, and set
tled in Union township, where he has since remained. His
business is chiefly agricultural. His children are: George,
born May 30, 1868; John, November 23, 1870, Sarah Catha
rine, August 2, 1875; and Samuel, November 20, 1876. Oscar
died October 3, 1878, and Samuel, November 22, 1876. The
living children are all at home and attending school. William
Sapp was wounded in the hip at the battle of Stone-River
Tennessee. He was in about thirteen battles, but sustained no
other injuries, except a deficiency in his eyesight, which has
never been removed.
SARGENT, WILLIAM I., Fredericktown, painter, was
born in Fredericktown in 1854. He was married in 1876, to
Jennie Randall, who was born in Licking county in 1857. They
have one daughter, Martha L., bom in 1878. Mr. Sargent is a
painter by trade and is a skilful mechanic.
SAWER JAMES S., Gambier, retired, a native of England,
was born in Suffolk, on the twelfth day of October, 1804. The
early part of his life was spent on a farm, in taking care of sheep
and cattle. In 1833 he emigrated to America and located in Dela
ware, Ohio, where he remained one year and a half, then came to
Gambier, this county. In 1835 he returned to his native county
in England, where, on the eleventh of February, 1836, he was
united in marriage with Miss Sophia Adams, of same county,
born June 12, 1806, daughter of George and Elizabeth Adams.
On the eighteenth day of February, 1836, they sailed from
St. Catharine docks for America, and he returned with his com
panion to Gambier. They have since made that their place of
residence. They reared a family of four daughters, viz,: Mar
garet E, Emma A., Sophia T., and Sarah. In 1836 he engaged
in keeping a place of refreshments for the college, which he con
tinued until 1874, when he retired from business, and is now
living a retired life.
SCHNEBLY, JOHN A., deceased, Pleasant township, was
born in Washington county, Maryland, June 26, 1815. He was
a son of John and Susan Schnebly; his father died in 1819. In
1829 he came with his mother to this county and located in
Pleasant township. On the twenty-sixth day of October, 1841,
he was united in marriage with Miss Rhoda A. Veatch, daughter

k

JJ%t~

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

795

of Peter and Thankful Veatch, who was born in Knox county,
Ohio, on the eighteenth day of July, 1820. They settled on the
farm in Pleasant township, this county, now owned and occu
pied by his widow and family, where he passed the remainder
of his days. He died March 6, 1872. He was the father of ten
children, four sons and six daughters; all were living at the time
of their father's death, but two of the number, one son and one
daughter, have since deceased.
SCHRIMPLIN, SAMUEL, is a native of Butler township,
born on the twenty-fourth day of April, 1815. He was married
to Miss Lena Ream in December, 1837, who was born in Penn
sylvania, June 30, 1817. They have had eleven children, viz:
Elizabeth, John Van Buren, Richard M. Johnson, William Allen,
Bruce, Matilda, Anna Belle, George, Lydia, Abraham, and
Sarah Catharine.
John Van Buren and William Allen enlisted in 1861 in com
pany K, Forty-third Ohio volunteer infantry. John Van Buren
was killed at the battle of Corinth, October 4, 1862, and Wil
liam Allen was wounded at New Madrid, Missouri, was brought
home and died May 20, 1864. Bruce enlisted in the Sixty-fifth
Ohio volunteer infantry, in 1861, and died March 23, 1862, at
Nashville, Tennessee, of typhoid pneumonia.
SCHROEDER, WILLIAM L., Middlebury township,
farmer, post office, Fredericktown, born in Wayne township,
August 31, 1846, and was married March 30, 1868, to Louisa
Alverson, who was born in Middlebury township, May 3, 1844.
They have the following children: Corie L., born January n,
1870; Charlie W., August 9, 1873; Glenn T., March 15, 1877;
George, January 22, 1879, died March n, 1879.
SCHWEIKERT, PHILIP F., was born in Baden, Ger
many, June 26, 1836, and at the age of seventeen came to New
York with his father, where he was apprenticed to George F.
Bort, a barber, with whom he remained two years. Upon at
taining his majority he went to Quincy, Illinois, where he
worked at his trade two years. His next move was to Kansas
City, Missouri, where he embarked in an expedition to Pike's
Peak. After working awhile in the mines he established the
first barber-shop in Aurora — now Denver City — in 1859. From
there he went to New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico; thence to
Corpus Christi and New Orleans. At the latter place he was,
in 1861, induced to serve in the Magnolia Guards, under Gen
eral Tracy, of the confederate army; and after the occupation
of New Orleans by the Federal troops he enlisted in company
B, Thirteenth regiment, Connecticut volunteers, under General
Butler. He was taken prisoner at Fisher's Hill, October 7,
1864, and sent to Libby prison, where he remained until Feb
ruary, 1865, when he was paroled, and discharged May 25,
1865. Going to New York, he married Miss Susanna Stephens, by
whom he had five children, four' of whom died in infancy.
Freddie K., the surviving^child, was born January 25, 1869.
In 1875 Mr. Schweikert came to Columbus, Ohio, and in 1876
moved to Mt. Vernon, where he has remained until the present
time, working at his trade.
SCHOLES, JOHN, Brown township, was born in Belmont
county, Ohio, July 27, 1815. His parents removed from Bel
mont county to Holmes county in 1823; from thence to Ash
land county, two miles south of Loudonville, in 1832. He
spent the greater part of his life in that county, living with his
parents until his father died, after which he proceeded to buy out

the interests of the other heirs in the homestead. His mother
lived with him until death called her away.
His occupation during his life was farming, although he
taught several terms of school during his younger days. He
was manied in April, 1847, to Lucy L. Shearer, of Ashland
county, and a near neighbor of bis. This marriage resulted in
eight births, viz: Sarah J., Allen, Mary, Charles, William,
James N., Francis H., and Thomas, all of whom are living ex
cept William and James N., who died in their youth of scarlet
fever. Those living are all married except Thomas.
In the spring of 1865 he removed from Ashland county to
Brown township, Knox county, two miles south of Jelloway,
the present home of his family. He was a great lover of travel
ling, having traversed most of the Western States during his life.
He joined the German Baptist church in March, 1879, and was
an exemplary member. During the last year of his life he was
an invalid, being confined to his house most of the time by that
fell disease, consumption. Although he suffered a great deal,
he bore it with that patience and fortitude which becomes a
Christian. Being loved and respected by all his relatives and
neighbors, his death left an aching void which will be felt for
years to come. He died May 31, 1880, aged sixty-four years,
ten months and four days.
SCHOLES, CHARLES, Brown township, was born January
20, 1855, two miles south of Loudonville, in Ashland county,
Ohio. His parents were John and Lucy M. Scholes. He was
reared by his parents and removed with them to Brown town
ship, Knox county, two miles south of Jelloway, in April, 1865.
Farming is his principal occupation, although he has taught
several terms of school. He went to the Centennial exhibition
in 1876, and crossed over into New Jersey. He has made two
trips to the far west, the last one to Kansas during the summer
of 1879, where he spent five months visiting different parts of
that State. Then, in company with two other young gentle
men, he made a tour from the central part of Kansas of about
six hundred miles, in a wagon, passing through the northeast
part of Kansas, through Missouri, and up into the northeast
part of Iowa. From there he started home, visiting friends and
relatives along the road, arriving home after an absence of seven
months. He was manied June 24, 1880, to Miss Laura Richert, a
neighbor's daughter, and at present is residing with his mother,
on the home farm in Brown township.
SCHOLES, ALLEN, Brown township, was born July 9,
1850, in Ashland county, Ohio. His parents' names were John
and Lucy L. Scholes. He was reared by his parents, with
whom he lived until he was twenty-five years of age. He re
moved with his parents from Ashland county to Brown town
ship, Knox county, two miles south of Jelloway, April 4, 1865.
Farming is his chief occupation, but he teaches part of the year.
In the spring of 1874, he and his father bought one hundred
acres of land adjoining the homestead, Allen taking one-half
of it.
He was married, at the age of twenty-five years, to Mary C.
Nyhart, of Jefferson township, Knox county, and immediately
moved on his farm, where he still resides. This marriage re
sulted in three births, viz: Lola M., Charles F., and John E.
He has been clerk of Brown township, for the last five years.
N In the fall of 1879 he was elected land appraiser of the town
ship without any opposition; he was also census enumerator for
Brown township for 1880.

796

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

SCOLES, GEORGE W., Gambier, a native of Knox county,
Ohio, and son of Henry and Jemima Scoles, was born in Clay
township, near Martinsburgh, April 15, 1826. His father, a na
tive of Ohio, was born February 17, 1799, and came to this
county in an early day, where he died about the year 1828. His
mother, Jemima Seoles, was a native of Washington county,
Pennsylvania, born January 24, 1799, and emigrated to this
county about 1820, where she manied Henry Scoles and reared
four children, viz: George W., Keziah A., Jackson, and Aman
da, and died March 6, 1875, aged seventy-six years.
Mr. G. W. Scoles married Miss Martha A. Thompson
March 12, 1848, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Thompson,
who was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, in April, 1827.
They settled in Harrison township, this county, and remained
until 1852, when they moved on a farm in College township,
where he engaged in farming and followed that as his vocation
until in 1879, when he moved to Gambier and engaged in hotel
keeping, which is their present business.
SCOLES, GEORGE H., Pike township, farmer, post office,
Mt. Vernon, born in this township in 1840, and was manied in
1866 to Rebecca J. Leonard, who was born in this township in
1843. They have two children — Ida Belle, born in 1869, and
Alva L., born in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Scoles are prominent
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has held and
filled prominent positions in the church, also township offices.
He owns a farm and is one of the active, farmers of Pike town
ship. SCOLES, JAMES, L., Fredericktown, photographer, was
born in this county in 1843, and was manied April 18, 1872, to
Ella J. Hunter, who was born in this county in 1848. They
have two sons — L. Guy, born November 7, 1875; Carl Brook,
May 19, 1878. Mr. Scoles learned photographing in Mt. Vernon,
and engaged in that busines in New London, Ohio. In 1873
his property was all destroyed by fire, after which he ¦ came to
Fredericktown and engaged in the same business. His well ar
ranged and furnished rooms are located over W. B. Cox's shoe
store. He is a first class artist, and is building up a paying
business. SCOLES, JOHN T., blacksmith, post office, Mt. Vernon.—
He was born in Pike township in 1844. In 1868 he was married
to Nancy Gower who was born in this county in 1847. They
have three children — Amy L., born June 15, 1869; Rebecca A.,
April 13, 1874; and Etta Edith August 10, 1877, and died Au
gust 15, 1879. Mr. Scoles has been engaged working at the
blacksmith trade. He is a good mechanic and is doing an ex
tensive custom trade.
SCOTT, REV. JAMES, Mt. Vernon, the pioneer Presby
terian minister of this county and section of the State, was
born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, on the twenty-second
day of February, 1773. His father, Josiah Scott, and family
came to western Pennsylvania in 1781, and settled on lands
which are now the eastern suburbs of the town of Washington,
the present site of the "United College of Washington and
Jefferson." ' In early youth he united with the Presbyterian
church under the ministry of Rev. Dr. McMillen. Some time
after this, his convictions of duty led to the preparation for the
Gospel ministry. After completing his preparatory studies, he
entered Jefferson college, and graduated in 1805. Having com
pleted his theological studies under the direction of Dr. Mc
Millen, he came to this section of Ohio in the year 1807.

For the first two or three years he was associated with the
Rev. Dr. McCurdy in the superintendency of an Indian school
and mission at Upper Sandusky, spending, however, a majority
of his time in travelling from that place to Newark, and preach
ing to settlements on the route.
On the third day of July, 1810, he was united in maniage by
the Rev. George Van Eman, to Miss Jane Wilson, daughter of
Captain Archibald Wilson, of Newark, Ohio. Soon after his
marriage, he removed to the then village of Clinton in Morris
township. In 1828 he removed to Mt. Vernon, and in 1829, to
the house on Wooster avenue, still occupied by a portion of his
family. For several years previous to the year 1828, he had the charge
as pastor of the churches at Fredericktown, Clinton (now Mt.
Vernon), and Martinsburgh. From that time until about 1842
or 1843, he gave his whole time to the church at Mt.. Vernon,
when he resigned the charge, still however, continuing to
preach at different places, until some ten days previous to his
death, which occurred on the eighteenth day of September,
A. D. 1850.
Mr. Scott, as a man, was remarkable for his evenness of dis
position. His most intimate acquaintance never saw him give
way to anger or passion. '
Rev. Mr. Hervey, of Martinsburgh, long, his associate and
intimate friend, thus portrays him as a public teacher: "As a
preacher of the Gospel he was remarkably earnest and sincere.
He caused his hearers to feel, because he felt. With him a text
was not merely a motto for a sermon (as is the tendency of
certain tastes), but it was the brick and mortar of the super
structure, and its adornment also, and while he understood and
presented the doctrines of the bible, and peculiarities of that
scheme of theology which he held forth as the ground of the
sinner's hope, he had acquired the rare excellency (not often
attained), of preaching doctrinal truth in a practical and experi
mental manner. In his private duties, and in the graces of his
own soul, he leaves a high example. The consistency of his
daily life, in connection with his unfeigned piety, produced such
an impression, not only upon the church but upon the men of
the world, that the remark was frequently made that if he failed
to reach Heaven it would be useless for others to try. His
knowledge of the bible was so complete, consequent upon a
faithful perusal of its sacred pages, and his wonderfully reten
tive memory, that he could give invariably the chapter and al
most always the verse of any important text it contains."
One distinguished trait of his, it would be well for ministers
in these days to imitate. He made it a point always to be in
the pulpit when his congregation had a right to expect him.
Possessed of a good, natural constitution, he was known to
fail but once to fulfill his Sabbath engagements by sickness dur
ing the whole course of his ministerial life.
His remains now rest by the side of his wife, who died in
August, 1862, having survived him nearly twelve years. They
repose in the cemetery overlooking from the north the city of
Mt. Vernon, and the church he so long and faithfully served in
the cause of his Master.
Unto James Scott and his wife Jane, seven children were
born, viz: Josiah Wilson, who died when about three years of
age; Abraham C, now an eminent physician, and residing at
Bladensburgh; Ann V., Margaret J., Mary; James Foster,
who went as a soldier in the Mexican war, and died in that
country in 1847, and Felicia, who married William Tulloss.
Mr. Tulloss died in 1866.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

797

SCOTT, A. C. — Among the old citizens of Jackson town
ship, is Dr. A. C. Scott, who is a native of the county and was
born near the village of Clinton, in Morris township, March
13, 1817. His father was the Rev. James Scott, the first Pres
byterian minister of the county. He attended the school in his
boyhood at Clinton and Mt. Vernon, and was a pupil at the
first session of the old Martinsburgh academy, after which he
spent one year at Washington college, Pennsylvania. On his
return from thence he studied medicine in Mt. Vernon with Dr.
J. N. Burr as his preceptor. He commenced the, practice of
his profession at Centreburgh, in Hilliar township, in April,
1840; was married to Miss Hannah Denny, of Jackson town
ship, on the twenty-fourth day of June of the same year. He
has four sons, the oldest of them, Dr. J. Foster Scott, resides
at Sarcoxie, Jasper county, Missouri; William B. and A. C.
Scott, jr. , are farmers and reside in the vicinity of Bladens
burgh, and Dr. John W. Scott, who is associated in the prac
tice of medicine with his father. His two daughters are Violette
and Lizzie. Dr. Scott became a citizen of Bladensburgh in
October, 1841.
SCOTT, BALDWIN BANE, Mt. Vernon, a rising physi
cian, was born in Knox county, Ohio, November 10, 1846. His
father, Thomas E., is of direct Scotch descent. He came
from Culpeper county, Virginia. His mother is of English
origin. Her parents came from Brainbridge, Connecticut.
The subject of this notice learned the trade of millwright
with his father, and in the winter season taught school. He
commenced to read medicine in the spring of 1872 with Drs.
J. W. and Isaac W. Russell. He attended his first course of
lectures at the Michigan university in 1874-5, an(i 'be winter of
1875-6, at the Medical Department of the Wooster university
at Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated in the spring of 1876, and
the same summer commenced the practice, in which he has been
successful. He graduated perfect in his class — one hundred.
He was married to Miss Lunetta E. Kost, March 14, 1869, by
whom he has had two sons — Walter K., bom April 19, 1870,
and Edwin j., born May 10, 1872 — one of whom is living. He
is secretary of the Knox County Medical society. He was
elected one of the board of censors of the Medical Department
of the University of Wooster, located at Cleveland, Ohio, in
1876, and again in 1881.
SCOTT, JAMES, Milford township, farmer, was bom in
Greene county, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1818. His father
was a native of Maryland, and his mother of Pennsylvania.
Her maiden name was Jane Fitch. They were married in
Greene county, Pennsylvania. He came to Ohio in 1837, bring
ing with him three children, leaving James in Pennsylvania,
where he remained until 1841.
They bought land in Bloomfield township, Knox county (now
Monow county), where Mr. Scott died. His wife survives him
at an advanced age. Two ofthe children are yet living— James
and George.
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm. When
about eighteen years old he learned the cooper trade, and worked
more or less at that business for fifteen years.
In 1847 he purchased a tract of fifty-one acres of land and a
twenty-one acre tract, which was entirely covered with forest.
He cleared up this land, and has resided in Milford township
for the last thirty-three years, being engaged in farming.
He was elected infirmary director, serving three years to the
satisfaction of the public. He was president of the Hartford

Agricultural society, and now is one of the directors. He has
held most of the township offices, is a prudent, careful business
man and farmer, and has the esteem of the public.
He was married to Miss Sarah Horn in 1838, a native of
Washington county, Pennsylvania, by whom he had five chil
dren, viz: Sarah Jane (married to John Williams), Priscilla
(mairied to Thomas P. Fadely), Corbin T., James L., and
Chinsworth, a promising boy of nineteen who was killed by a
collision on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad at Independence,
Richland county, in 1872. His wife died May, 1879.
SCOTT, JOSEPH, Wayne township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, born in England, in 1833, came to Richland
county, in 1849, and to this county in 1855. He was married
in 1856, to Louisa Ball, who was born in this county, in 1829.
They have been residents of Wayne township since 1873. Mr.
Scott was formerly engaged in working on the railroad, and
filled different prominent positions for twenty-two years. He
settled on a farm in Wayne township, and is one of the leading
farmers of this county.
SEARL, OTIS, Wayne township, farmer, post office, Fred
ericktown, born in New York, in 1818, came to Ohio in 1847,
and was manied in 1849, to Amelia Livingston, who was born
in New York.
He owns a well improved farm with excellent buildings and is
one among the best farmers in the township. He is enter
prising and always ready to assist in every good cause and
work. SEILER, SIMON, Fredericktown, butcher, born in Dauphin
county, Pennsylvania, in 1845, came to Ohio with his parents in
childhood, they locating in Plymouth, Richland county, Ohio.
He was married in 1867, to Edessa Cuykendall, who was born
in Ohio, in 1848.
Mr. Seller in company with Don Cuykendall owned the
Fredericktown mill, and they were engaged in operating it until
1874, when it was burned. They erected a new mill in 1875,
sold out to S. S. Tuttle & Co. ; then engaged in butchering in
1879. He is a member of the firm of B. F. Seiler & Co.
SEILER, B. F., meat market. He was bom in Plymouth,
Huron county, in 1848 ; he was married in Richland county in
1871 to Delphine Brumback, who was born in Huron county.
They have two children. Mildreth J. was born in 1873, and
Carl in 1880.
Mr. Seiler learned the harness trade and worked at that busi
ness for five years, after which he engaged in the painting trade
for nine years, then engaged in the butchering business in
Fredericktown, where he is a member of the firrh of B. F. Seiler
& Co. They are doing quite an extensive trade.
SELBY, JOHN, Hilliar township, farmer, was born in Rich
land county, Ohio, December n, 1817. His father, James, was
bom in Maryland, and served in the War of 1812. Soon after
the war he came to Richland county settling in Perry township.
He was married to Miss Elsie Dally, by whom he had eight
children; six are living, the subject of this being the oldest
child. He came to Hilliar township about 1840, and worked
for his uncle, John Dally, on a farm. His first purchase was a
tract of land of ninety acres where he now resides. He has
since purchased a number of other tracts, and is one of the
substantial farmers in Hilliar township. He started in life
without the aid of a dollar, but by his industry and perseverance
he has attained a competency. He is a good farmer, a good

798

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

citizen, and has the esteem of the commuuity. He was married
to Miss Rebecca Debolt, by whom he had eight children, one
daughter and seven sons, all doing well.
SELBY, SOLOMON, farmer, Middlebury township, post
office, Levering; bom in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1815; came
to Knox county in the spring of 1820, and was married in
1844 to Margaret Yates, who was born in Virginia in 1816.
His father, Caleb Selby, was bom in Maryland in the year
1783. He was one of the pioneers of this county, and died in
Morrow county about 1858. His wife, Nancy Selby, died in
Morrow county in 1853.
SELLERS, JOHN, farmer, Morgan township, was born in
Greene county, Pennsylvania, in June, 1795. His parents be
longed to the farmer class, being industrious and well-to-do
people. The subject of this sketch was one of ten children, only two
of whom are now living. He spent his youth on the farm with
his parents, attending such schools as were taught in the county
in those days. His father purchased a tract of two hundred
and fifty acres of land in Morgan township, and in the fall of
1823 Mr. Sellers came to this land and erected a cabin and then
returned to Pennsylvania, where he remained until the spring
of 1824, when he emigrated to his new home with his family.
He worked during the summer of 1824 in subduing the forest
— the whole tract being heavily timbered.
In the spring of 1825, the noted " Burlington storm " swept
over M. Sellers' new home, levelling most of the timber. This
was discouraging to him as he was bitterly hemmed in by an
almost impenetrable jungle of fallen timber. But what he
supposed was a misfortune proved a blessing — from the fact that
the fallen timber dried so, that the following year fire did the
work of the axeman and the logroller.
Mr. Sellers, by his industry, prospered, and soon had a good
farm, and in the course of tirfte was enabled to purchase more
land, until he is now the largest land owner in the township,
and among the largest in the county. His success and integrity
of character soon made him a leader, and he has always taken
an active interest in the affairs of the township and county.
In politics Mr. Sellers is a Democrat of the Jackson type.
In 1850 his party nominated and eleeted him a member of the
Constitutional convention of Ohio.
Mr. Sellers is of benevolent impulses, and through his many
acts of charity is known as ' ' the poor man's friend. " He never
sends any one away without supplying their wants. In religion
he is a Universalist.
He was three times married. His first wife was Nancy
Mitchell, a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, to whom he
was married before coming to Ohio. They had twelve chil
dren, five of whom are living: Elizabeth, wife of William
Hamilton; Levi, an influential farmer of Morgan township;
George M., in Illinois; Mary A., wife of James Elliott, who
resides in Texas; and Maria. His second wife was Miss
Honey, who died without issue. His present wife was Mrs.
Charlotte Rapp, nee Taylor. They have four children, viz:
James B., Rufus P., C. L. Vallandigham, and Mitchell.
SELLERS, JABOB, farmer, Morgan township, was born in
Morgan township, March 2, 1816. His father, Jacob Sellers,
came to Morgan township in 1808 and purchased quite a large
tract of land. He was a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania.
His wife was Mary Beam, a native of Virginia. They had a
family of eleven children, viz: William, Susan (wife of James

Honey), Sarah (wife of John Clutter), Isaac, David, John, Jack
son, and Mary (wife of Joseph Bolwine). The above are de
ceased. The living are Christian, Jacob, and George.
Jacob Sellers, sr., was born in 1785, came to Knox county in
1808, and died in 1846. His wife was born December 18, 1790,
and died August 6, 1878. When this couple came to Morgan
township they lived in what is called a camp, and while living
there built a small cabin on the site of the buildings now owned
by John Penick. The farm was entirely covered with forest,
which he cleared off and became one of the good farmers of
that section.
The subject of this sketchwas reared on the old homestead
and has always resided on a part of it. He married Miss Cyn
thia Carmon, and they have a family of four children, viz: Ida
M. born May 1, 1859; Delphos S., April 22, 1861; James M.,
June 12, 1863 (died September 20, 1863); and Jesse H., June
7, 1870.
SELLERS, LEVI, Morgan township, farmer, was born in
Greene county, Pennsylvania, August 9, 1823. He is the son of
John Sellers, of Morgan township, of whom mention is made.
His father shortly after the birth of Levi came to Morgan town
ship, and settled here. Mr. Sellers spent his youth on the farm,
and when old enough assisted in clearing it up. His education
was such as the common schools afforded. He remained with
his father until he was about twenty-five years of age. In Octo
ber, 1848, he married Miss Cassandra McLain, daughter of
'Squire Charles S. McLain, of Morgan township. Shortly after
his marriage he moved to his present home, where they have re
sided ever since. Mr. Sellers is one of the well-to-do and influ
ential farmers of old Morgan, and is highly esteemed. He is
the father of seven children, viz: Charles W., William H.,
Ella F., wife of H. B. Hughes, of Clay township; George W.,
Lizzie M., Jennie M., and Anna L.
SELLERS, GEORGE, Morgan township, farmer, bora in
Morgan township, May 8, 1824. He is the son of Jacob Sel
lers, sr., of whom mention is made in the biography of Jacob
Sellers, jr. The subject of this notice was reared on a farm,
and has always followed farming as his occupation. He resides
on a part of the original tract his father purchased when first
settling in Ohio.
On March 11, 1847, he manied Miss Adaline Hughes (daugh
ter of Jonathan Hughes, a pioneer of Licking county), who was
bom December 7, 1829. They had a family of eight children,
viz: One who died in infancy; Orcelia L., wife of John Old
aker; Zilpah C, wife of Aaron Channel; George H., Jacob 0.,
Rosa D., Mary F., wife of Lewis Hall, and Cora Ettie. Mr.
Sellers is a good farmer and citizen.
SELLERS, WILLIAM H., Morgan township, farmer, born
October 5, 1850. He is the son of Levi and Cassandra Sellers,
of whom mention is made. He was reared on his father's farm,
educated at the common schools,, and Dennison university,
Granville, Ohio. He is a rising young farmer, intelligent and
industrious. He was married August 8, 1878, to Miss Elizabeth J. Camp
bell, daughter of James Campbell, of Morgan township. They
have one child, Gertrude, born March 22, 1880.
SELLERS, JAMES B., Morgan township, farmer, born in
Morgan township, March 26, 1858, son of John sellers, of same
township, and of whom mention is made elsewhere, was reared
on a farm, and has continued farming ever since. He attended
common schools and about a year at an academy.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

799

He was married to Miss Grizzilda Beney, daughter of William
Beney, of Clay township, on December 6, 1877. They have
one child, John William.
SELLS, EMANUEL, Union township, farmer, post office,
Millwood, born in 1824, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, came
to Ohio when ten years old, remained for a time in Ashland,
and then moved to Knox county in 1848. In 1861 he enlisted
in the Forty-third regiment, company K, Ohio volunteer in
fantry. He was through a large number ofthe southern States,
and was in several battles and skirmishes. He served his time
and received honorable discharge. He then settled on his farm,
where he still remains.
In 1867 he was married to Miss Marion Persons. Their chil
dren are William, General Logan, Matthew, Charles, and
Elmer. SEMPLE, WILLIAM FINLEY, surgeon dentist,. Mt. Ver
non, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1834.
He is the first child of Alexander W. and Mary F. Semple, nee
Finley, who, at the time of her marriage resided at Steubenville,
Ohio. The parents removed to Steubenville, where the subject
of this sketch spent his youth. His father being a dentist, he
commenced the profession at an early age. In 1856 he came to
Fredericktown, this county, and opened rooms, where he prac
ticed his profession until 1868, and then located in Mt. Vernon,
where he has ever since practiced his profession with eminent
success. In December, 1870, he was examined by the State
board, who were appointed under the laws of Ohio. He was
not compelled to be examined, but submitted to an examina
tion, as he was desirous of having their certificate; he has a large
and lucrative practice; he is regarded as a proficient and expert
dentist. He was married to Miss Abbie Young, of Freder
icktown, September, 1869. Unto them were bom three children,
two of whom are living.
SEVERNS, JAMES, retired farmer, Brown township, a son
of Joseph and Mary Severns, was born in Coshocton county,
Ohio, on the tenth day of February, 1805. His mother de
ceased when he was a boy of about nine summers. In 1817 he
was brought to Knox county, Ohio, by his father and step
mother (his father having married again), who located near
Millwood, remained one year, then moved back to Coshocton
county and located near New Castle, where they lived about two
years. In 1820 he purchased four hundred acres of Military
land from Columbus Delano, in Brown township, this county,
on which he made improvements and moved his family the same
year, where he remained and followed farming as his vocation
until his death, at the good old age of about eighty-eight years.
At the time of his settlement in Brown township there was
but one cabin between his residence and Danville; neighbors
were few and far apart. Their nearest grist-mill was one known
as the Shrimplin mill, near Millwood. The red man was his
friend and often called to see him ; wild animals were abundant ;
the forests were full of game of all kinds; he was known as a
great hunter and a good marksman. He was married twice,
and was the father of twenty-two children, all of whom are now
deceased, except James, by his first marriage, who is now liv
ing on a part of the old home farm, and two sons and one
daughter by his second wife.
James Severns, the subject of this sketch, was reared a farmer
and has made farming his vocation through life, and has lived
on the same farm since 1820, which is situated two miles west
of Jelloway, Brown township. He has been married three times,

first to Miss Elizabeth Pierce, of Richland county, January 1,
1832, who bore him one child, Lyman W. She died in August,
1832, and he married Mrs. Armelia Frazier, nee Hughes, of
Holmes county, Ohio, in May, 1838, who lived with him
eighteen years, and deceased in 1856. He manied Jane Sells,
of Knox county in 1857, by whom he has had six children, four
of whom are now living, viz: Joseph B., Mary E., John B., and
James. SEVERNS, ISAAC D., Pleasant township, farmer, son of
Samuel Severns, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, Decem
ber 23, 1824. Farming is his vocation. On the eighth of Oc
tober, 1847, he married Miss Elizabeth Mills, born April 10,
1826, daughter of Joseph Mills. They settled on a farm in
Coshocton county, where they remained until 1876, when he
purchased the farm in Pleasant township, Knox county, Ohio,
where they are now living. They have a family of four children,
two sons and two daughters.
SEYMOUR, JESSE (deceased), Pleasant township, son of
James and Susan Seymour, was born in Virginia, September 8,
1809, and brought up in Greene county, Pennsylvania. In 1838
he in company with his parents and other members of the
family, emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, and located in Clin
ton township, where they remained a few years, then moved on
a farm in Morgan township, where they remained until about
1850, when he purchased, and moved his fathers family, on a
farm in Pleasant township, now owned by his heirs, and where
his parents passed the remainder of their days. His mother
died in 1862, aged seventy-six years. His father died in 1868,
aged ninety-one years.
He was a Baptist minister, and preached at the Owl Creek
church for many years, also in Mt. Vernon and other places.
In 1858 he had the misfortune to lose his sight, and though
blind, continued to preach occasionally. He followed farming
as his chief vocation.
In i8t;8 he married Mrs. Rachel Worley, born in Harrison
county, Ohio, November 25, 1822; daughter of Jarret and
Mary Parrish. They settled on the farm in Pleasant township
now owned and occupied by his widow and family, consisting
of one daughter and two sons.
He died July 12, 1879. He was a member of the Baptist
church many years.
SHAFFER, PETER, Hilliar township, proprietor of Shaffer
house, Centreburgh, Ohio, was born in Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania in 1826. George Shaffer, his father, was a soldier
in the War of 1812, and came to Ohio with his family in 1848
and settled in Berlin township, where the subject of this sketch
spent his youth. Mr. Shaffer kept hotel in Mount Liberty
and in connection run a farm. At Mt. Vernon he also kept a
hotel. He returned again to Mt. Liberty after being in Mt.
Vernon, and in connection with farming kept hotel. From Mt.
Liberty he came to Centreburgh and opened his present hotel;
in connection with the hotel he has a livery stable. From his
long experience in the business of catering to the public he has
acquired the art of making his guests feel at home. He is do
ing a good business and is always pleased to see his friends.
Mr. Shaffer is pleasant and sociable in his manners, and merits
the patronage of the public. He was manied to Miss Ellen
Thacher, of Liberty township, in 1854, and by this union they
had a family of six children, all of whom are living.
SHAFFER, GEORGE M., agent of Cleveland, Columbus &

8oo

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Mt. Vernon railroad, Mount Liberty, was born June 6, 1854;
he was the son of Peter and Ellen Shaffer, nee Thatcher. His
youth was spent with his parents, and when he was old enough
he was put to work; his educational advantages were limited,
but he acquired sufficient to transact business. He was ap
pointed agent at Mt. Liberty on the completion of the road, and
has held it ever since. He makes an efficient and competent
agent and is affable in his manners. In connection with his
other business he buys grain. He was married to Miss
Ella Lyal, daughter of John Lyal of Hilliar township, Febru
ary 22, 1877. They have one child, Earl L., born June 19,
1878. SHALER, DAVID, Middlebury township, millwright, post
office, Levering; born in Washington county, Pennsylvania,
July 14, 1812, and was married June 12, 1841, to Martha
Dwyer. They have the following family: John D., born March
1, 1842; Catharine, August 27, 1843; E. Shauck, February 20,
1845; Martha, June 1, 1847; Mary E., December 22, 1848;
Charles, May 31, 1852; Olive, March 18, 1854. Mrs. Shaler
died Febmary 22, 1858. Olive Shaler died February 15, 1857.
Mr. Shaler was married September, 1859, to Helen Burk, who
was born in Martinsburgh, Knox county, July 21, 1861. They
have the following children: Charlotte, born July 21, 1861;
Frank L., June 8, 1863; Leah D., January 28, 1865; Bertie,
Febmary 12, 1870; David, December 16, 1873; William, Octo
ber 27, 1874.
SHANNON, JOHN, Morris township, farmer, post office,
Mt. Vernon, was born in Licking county, Ohio, in 1830; was
married in 1855 to Margaret Davis, who was born in Licking
county in 1833. They had the following children: Emma
Jane, born in i860; Alonzo, born in 1862; William, in 1856;
Byron, in 1864; Maggie, in 1866. William died in 1861.
John Shannon is a farmer by occupation, and is one of the
active men in his township.
Mrs. John Shannon died in Morris township, June 10, 1880.
SHARP, DAVID, deceased, Monis township, was bom in
New Jersey in 1808, and married in 1832 to Mary Rinehart.
They had twelve children: William, bom in 1833; Christian, in
1835; Margaret May, in 1837; Morris, in 1839; Caroline, in
r84i; Anora, in 1844; Samuel, in 1846; Mary, in 1847; Rebec
ca Jane in 1849; David, in 1853; George and Thomas in 1855.
Mrs. Mary Sharp died in 1S59. Mr. Sharp subsequently mar
ried Margaret Studer, by whom he had four children: Catha
rine, born in i860; Fanny Ellen, in 1865; Philip, in 1868; Dan
iel, in 1870.
Mr. David Sharp died in 1876, at his residence in Monis
township. David Sharp, jr., died in 1853. George died in
1858. Monis and William were soldiers in the late war.
SHARP, W. L., Morris township, gardener, post office, Mt.
Vernon, born in Morris county, New Jersey, in 1822, and was
manied in 1852 to Matilda A. Carr, who was born in the same
county in 1834. They had eight children: Mary A., born in
1853; Pealey A., in 1855; Anna E., in 1856; Peter C, in 1858;
Cyrena A., in i860; Edward P., in 1862; Margaret J., in 1864;
and Pearlie M., in 1869.
The following members of the Sharp family are married:
' Mary A., to Dennis Jackson, September, 1871, and resides in this
township; Anna E., to John S. Cowden, March, 1879, and is a
resident of Clinton township.
Mr. Sharp moved to Bureau county, Illinois, in 1854, and re

mained there seven years. While residing there Pealey A.
Sharp died, March 31, 1855. Mr. Sharp moved back to Dela
ware county, Ohio, and resided there a short time; then came
to Morris township, this county, and resides here. He owns a
pleasant home, is engaged in raising vegetables, fruits, etc. He
is an industrious and worthy citizen.
SHARPNACK, E., Mt. Vernon, was bom in Greene county,
Pennsylvania, in 1836, and left there with his parents in the
same year and came to Liberty township, Knox county, Ohio,
and has been a citizen of Knox county ever since. He com
menced in the grocery business in 1877, March 20, in which he
has been engaged ever since. Previous to 1877 he was a
farmer; educated at the common schools; doing a business of
fourteen thousand dollars per year; married January 9, 1859 to
Miss C. Tocam, of Knox county, and has a family of two
children. SHARTLE, DANIEL, Pike township, farmer, post office,
Democracy, was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, in 181 1;
came to Ohio in 1838, and was married in 1851 to Rebecca
Carmichael, who was born in Brown township, this county, in
1826. They have five living children — Louisa E., born in 1852;
William H., in 1854; Aaron D., in 1855; Almeda C, in 1861;
and Alice M., in 1864.
Their oldest daughter, Louisa E., was manied to N. M.
Black, and now lives near Danville, in this county. William
H. was married in Kansas in 1880 to Miss Phosia E. Zigler,
and is a resident of that State. Almeda was manied in 1880
to Thomas McDonel, and is a resident of Monroe township.
Aaron D. and Alice M. are living with their parents.
Mr. Shartle purchased the farm where he now resides, con
taining eighty acres, on the east half of the northwest quarter
of section twenty, in township eight, range twelve. He paid
three hundred dollars for the faim, cleared and improved it,
and it is now one of the most valuable farms of this county.
He gave his children a very liberal education.
SHAW, JOHN, deceased, Union township, son of William
and Charlotte Shaw, was born in Allegheny county, Maryland,
August 16, 1787. He was reared on a farm, and made farming
his principal vocation. In 1809 he married Miss Charity
Rickets, born in Allegheny county, Maryland, in 1792.
They settled in Allegheny county, remained until the fall of
1833, when he, with wife and family, emigrated to Danville,
Knox county, Ohio, where they passed the remainder of then-
days. They reared a family of ten children, viz: William, Benjamin
R., Otho, Lavinia, Ruth, Josephus, Parmenas, Henry N.,
Eleanor andjohn T. William, Benjamin R., Laviniaand Ruth
have died. Mr. Shaw filled the office of justice of the peace for
several years, in Union township. He died in 1842, and Mrs.
Shaw, in 1855. Their third son, Josephus Shaw, was born in
Allegheny county, Maryland, March 27, 1820. He is a saddler
and harness maker, served his apprenticeship for three years,
with M. L. Dayton, in Martinsburgh, Knox county, Ohio,
from 1839 to 1842. He then worked as journeyman at his trade
until 1844, when he commenced business for himself, in Dan
ville, in the same county, where he has since lived, being the
oldest man in the business in Danville.
In 1846 he married Martha Robinson of Union township.
They settled in Danville, where they are living now. Their
union resulted in six children, five sons and one daughter.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

801

SHAW, JOHN, Mount Vernon was born March 4, 1809, in
Lancashire, England, where he remained until 1826, when he
emigrated to America and located in New Haven county, Con
necticut, where he lived four years, then moved to Ohio and
settled in Wayne township, Knox county, where he followed
farming, but becoming dissatisfied in the spring of 1833, he
started for Philadelphia on foot; when he got as far as Chester
county he got a job in a cotton factory, where he remained some
two years. During this time the railroad had been built, and
he returned home by rail. He went east again in the spring,
and worked in the woollen factory, in Cecil county, Maryland,
but very soon after his arrival, he was taken sick, and when
recovered sufficiently, he relumed to England and spent the
winter, and regaining his health; in the spring he returned to
Cecil county, Maryland, and was married shortly after, to Miss
Charlotte Porter. He remained in Cecil for three years and
then with his family, he returned to Knox county, Ohio, and
farmed for four years; he then worked in a woollen factory in
Wavne township. In 1849 he came to Mt. Vernon and worked
three years in the woollen factory here, then purchased the
Marshal factory which he operated for eleven years. In 1864
he returned to Mt. Vernon and rented the Norton factory
and has been engaged in various ways to the present time.
They have had a family of eleven children, seven of whom are
living. SHAW, THOMAS, Boston boot and shoe house, corner
Main and Gambier streets, Mt. Vernon. Mr. Shaw is a son of
one of the pioneers of this city, ex-Senator John Shaw, and
was born October 31, 1822. His first business engagement was
with the firm of Hill & Woodard, in a general store, where he
served two years; he then served the firm of K. Winne one
year, after which he was engaged with N. N. Hill for six years.
In July, 1843, he went to New York City and engaged with
the firm of Dibblee, Pray & Co. , dealers in fancy dry goods, as
salesman. He was retained five years, after which he entered
the firm of Benedick Hall & Co., boot and shoe jobbers, with
whom he remained until 1856, when he went to Boston and en
gaged as manufacturer and wholesale dealer in boots and shoes,
under the firm name of Shaw & Childs, and Thomas Shaw &
Co., in which he remained until the fall of 1876, when he re
turned to Mt. Vernon, and finding the old room vacant that he
has occupied when a boy, he decided to go into the boot and
shoe business, in which he has since been engaged. He has a
stock of from ten to twelve thousand dollars, consisting of
boots and shoes, being one of the largest and most complete
stocks in the city.
SHAW, WILLIAM A., deceased, born in Brownsville,
Pennsylvania, in 1825; was married in 1847 to Emeline Berry,
who was born in Waterford in 1830. They had nine children-
Hamilton, born September 16, 1848; Jane, August 8, 1850;
Sarah, Mays, 1853; Alpheretta, March 7, 1856; Stanley, Feb
ruary 18, 1854; May, September 5. 1859; Douglass, October
16, i860; Anne Belle, August 21. 1864; Dick, October 25, 1867,
and John, February 8, 1869.
William A. Shaw died April 4, 1880; Mary. died November
.30, 1861; Douglass, May 21, 1877, drowned near Mt. Vernon
while engaged in shearing sheep.
Mr. Shaw came to Knox county with his parents when a
child; was engaged in farming during life; was a highly re
spected citizen. Mrs. Shaw resides in this township with her
children.

SHEFFER, ADAM, Pleasant township, deceased, was
born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, February 24,
1788. He was a cabinetmaker and joiner by trade, which
business he followed as his avocation until 1828, when
he turned his attention to farming which he made his
avocation until the time of his death. In 1813 he married
Miss Susannah Shaffer, of Greene county, Pennsylvania, who
was born in 1794. They migrated to Ohio shortly after
marriage and located in Licking county where they" remained
until 1828, when they moved to this county and located on a
farm in Morgan township. In 1836 they moved to Clinton
township and located near Mt. Vernon, where he died Novem
ber 24, 1838, leaving a wife and eleven children. He was a
good citizen, an affectionate husband, and a kind father. His
companion survived him until April 24, 1877. Of the eleven
children only four are now living, viz: Lovina, Lemuel, Lydia,
and Burr.
SHEFFER, BURR, Pleasant township, farmer, son of
Adam and Susannah Sheffer, was born in Knox county, Ohio|
on the second day of May. 1833. He has followed farming
and stock raising as his avocation. On the eighteenth of Feb
ruary, 1858, he was united in marriage with Miss Catharine
Bechtel, born in this county, March 1, 1837, daughter of Martin
and Sophia Bechtel. They settled on a farm in Clinton town
ship, remained there until 1866, when he purchased and moved
on the farm in Pleasant township now owned by Philip Fry.
They lived on this farm about eleven years. In 1877 he pur
chased a part of the Bechtel homestead, on which they are now
living. Their union resulted in four children: Ida M., Charles
B., Anna S., and Mary M. Mary M. deceased February n,
1877. SHELLENBARGER, J. J., Howard township, post office,
Howard, was born in Jefferson township, June 4, 1840. He
remained at home until he was eight months old when his father
died and he was taken to Mr. S. Nighhart's, and remained there
until he was fifteen years old. From this time he went from
place to place farming, until his twenty-first year. He was
then married to Mary Allen, December 3, i860; moved on a
farm and lived a year in Howard township. In October, 1861,
he enlisted in Colonel Cassil's company, Ohio volunteer infantry.
He went to Kentucky. The first battle he remembers was
the battle of Stone Bridge, where he was wounded in the fight
and was laid up for seven months. He met his company at
Chattanooga. Not long after they engaged in the battle of
Mission Ridge. He was in eleven battles, besides severaj
scouting expeditions. He had seven children: F. M., J. C,
Nora Ellen, W. G., J. H., H. N., and W. F. Shellenbarger.
SHEPPARD, GEORGE C, Middlebury township, carpen
ter, post office, Fredericktown, born in Richland county, Ohio,
June 14, 1845, and was married in 1869 to Louisa E. Lukens,
who was born in Richland county in 1852. They have two
children— Ada A., born September 9, 1872; and Annette May,
born March 8, 1875.
Mr. Sheppard was in the late war, a member of company I,
Second Ohio artillery. He enlisted July 26, 1863, and was hon
orably discharged August 29, 1865.
SHERWOOD, HUMPHREY, was born in Rutland Ver
mont, November 19, 1806, where he resided until 1833, being
reared on a farm; came to Ohio in 1833, and engaged to work
on a farm for a Mr. Allen during the summer. He then re-

802

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

turned to his old home in Vermont. Coming back to Mt. Ver
non the following October, he bought a farm in company with
his brother, which they owned about three years, when they
sold it and went to Indiana, where he bought a farm, but sold
it shortly after; came back to Mt. Vernon, and in the spring
moved to his father-in-law's place (Nathan Johnson) in Clinton
township, where he lived thirteen years, he then rented a farm
one and one-half miles from Mt. Vemon, where he lived until
January i, 1863, when he moved to his present residence.
Mr. Sherwood was married to Miss Johnson, Febtuary 20,
1839, but lost her by death January 20, 1840. His second wife
was Miss A. Wing, to whom he was married August 24, 1849.
She died August 27, 1871. He married Sarah Larabee, August
23, 1877, who is a native of Howard township, and was born
June 19, 1844.
SHERWOOD, STEPHEN H., retired farmer, post office,
Fredericktown. — He was born in Benson, Rutland county, Ver
mont, February 28, 1811; came to Knox county in 1835; mar
ried August 28, 1836, to Mary E. Manly, who was born in
Benson county, Vermont, February 13, 1811. They had four
children — Julia M., born September 23, 1837; Horace H., June
21, 1846; Herbert A., March 27, 1851; Lucy M., July 2, 1853;
Julia M. Sherwood was married April 16, 1857, to John H.
Wilhelm, who was engaged teaching at different places, Cleve
land, Fredericktown, etc. Horace H., was married to Anna R.
Robinson, February 24, 1869. They had two children — Lua
Dell and Herbert R. , both deceased. Herbert A. was married
September 12, 1878, to Acelia J. Thompson, of Warren, Tram-
bull county, Ohio. He studied medicine and graduated at the
Homoeopathic Cleveland Medical institute in 1876. Dr. Sher
wood is engaged in the practice of Medicine in Warren Ohio.
Mrs. Julia M. Wilhelm died May 5, 1861.
Mr. Sherwood is an intelligent and enterprising citizen of this
township and county. He has taken great pains in educating
his children, and they are reaping the benefits of his efforts.
His son, Dr. Sherwood, is having an extensive practice in his
profession, and his daughter Lucy is an accomplished lady en
gaged in teaching instrumental music.
SHINABERRY, WILLIAM, deceased, was born in Lan
caster county, Pennsylvania, in 1800. He emigrated to Knox
county, Ohio, with his parents in 1806, who located in Clinton
township, on land now owned by William O. Johnson and Mis.
Keifer, one mile from Mt. Vernon, on the Columbus road. His
father was killed by a tree falling on him about one year
after his settlement in this county. He was reared on a farm,
and followed farming as his vocation. About 1819 or 1820 he
married Miss Rebecca Cramer, by which marriage he had two
children — Elizabeth and Rebecca — both dead. His companion
deceased in 1822, leaving two small children to his care. He mar
ried for his secondwife Miss Sisson Fisher, about 1823, daughter
of Enoch Fisher. They settled in Clinton township, on a pai t of
his father's home, now owned by William O. Johnson, where
they lived until 1837, when they moved on the farm now owned
by Henry Myers, in same township, remained there two and a
half years, and from thence they, in 1839, moved on the farm
now owned by James and Isaac Johnson, located on the Colum
bus road, about two miles from Mt. Vernon. In 1847 he sold
this farm and purchased and moved on a small property near
the Johnson school-house, where, in 1853, his wife died. In
1853 he moved back on the old farm and there died in 1855.
They reared a family of six children — Mary J., Enoch B., Ma

linda, William B., Ransom, and Nancy C. (who is deceased).
SHINABERRY, ENOCH B., farmer, was born in Clinton
township, Knox county, Ohio, September 1, 1826. He married
Miss Henrietta G. Gotshall, June 29, 1847, who was born in
Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1826. They
settled on his father's home farm, where they lived until 1852,
when he purchased and moved on the George Davis farm, where
they are now living, located on the Granville road, two miles
from Mt. Vernon. Their union resulted in eleven children —
three sons and eight daughters. Five of the daughters have
deceased. He was brought up on a farm, and has followed
farming and stockraising.
SHINABERRY, WILLIAM B., farmer, second son of the
aforesaid William and Sisson Shinaberry, was born in Clinton
township, Knox county, Ohio, March 25, 1835. He married
Miss Lydia Ann Halsey, March 4, 1858, born in Knox county,
February 27, 1840, daughter of D. F. Halsey, esq. They set
tled on his father's home farm, remained five years, and in
1863 they moved on the farm now owned by Minard Lafever,
in Clinton township, and from thence, in 1866, he purchased
and moved on the farm where he is now living, in same town
ship. His companion deceased in June, 1867. He manied for
his second wife Miss Anna Parrott, March 3, 1868, born in Clin
ton township, daughter of Edmond and Margaret Parrott, nee
Lafever. Their union resulted in one child — Dora. His voca
tion is farming.
SHIPLEY, AMON MASSENA, Mt. Vernon, deceased, was
born in Springhill township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, Oc
tober 5, 1806. He was reared on a farm, and married Miss
Susannah Saddler, about one year his senior, and of the same
neighborhood, on the fifth day of April, 1827. They came to
Knox county in 1832, and settled on what is known as the Old
Hill place in Monroe township, about three miles east of Mt.
Vernon, on the Coshocton road, where they met with all the
privations and hardships incident to clearing up and improving
a farm at that time. Mr. Shipley was for some years engaged
in school teaching in the winter and farming the balance of the
year. In 1852 he sold his farm in Monroe township and bought
the "old Indian fields " in Howard township, containing four
hundred and eight acres, where, for many years, he carried on
farming and lumbering.
On the sixteenth of November, 1872, his wife, Mrs. Susannah
Shipley, after eight weeks of intense suffering, passed away in
great peace, her wonderful patience in suffering being a signal
proof of the triumph of the Chrisrian's faith. Soon after his
companion's death, Mr. Shipley sold his land in this county
and retired from business, and moved to Jackson county,
Michigan, where he still resides. He has eight children living,
viz: Minerva, the eldest daughter, was born in Fayette county,
Pennsylvania, July 14, 1828, and manied William D. Woolli-
son, of Monroe township, who is now a successful farmer in
Cedar county, Iowa, and has five children living; Worthington
R., was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, November
5, 1829; he is now farming in Howard township; Benedict F.
(see biography) ; Emeline, born July 12, 1838, resides in Spring
Arbor, Michigan; Agnes D., born March 13, 1842, married
Calvin Miller, of Clay township, and is now living in Marion
county, Illinois; Eugene C, born June 8, 1845, manied Miss
E. J. Baker, of Monroe township, December 15, 1871, and now
resides in Jackson city, Michigan; he is an excellent mechanic,
and is a local preacher in the Free Methodist church; Almon

/4l QU^d^

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

803

D. born August 9, 1847, married Miss Elizabeth Hale, of West
Windsor, Richland county, September 10, 1878; he is a physi
cian and surgeon, and resides and practices near Toledo, Ohio;
Robert S., born October 26, 1852, married Miss Ellen Barron,
of Brown township, March 6, 1877. He is a very ingenious
mechanic and a successful physician and surgeon, and is prac
ticing medicine at Lindsey, Ohio.
SHIPLEY, WORTHINGTON, Howard township, farmer,
post office, Howard, was bom in Springfield township, Fayette
county, Pennsylvania, November 5, 1829, and moved to Mon
roe township, Knox county, with his father in 1832, who lived
in Monroe township twenty years, and then moved to Howard
township in 1852, where he lived on his farm twrenty-five years.
He then moved to Spring Arbor, Michigan.
Worthington Shipley's mother died in Howard township,
February 10, 1873, on the old farm. March 10, 1857, he was
married. He has been engaged largely in lumbering, and con
ducting milling as well as farming.
SHIPLEY, BENEDICT F., Monroe township, son of Amon
and Massena Shipley, was born in Monroe township, Knox
county, Ohio, January 29, 1836. His childhood and youth
were spent on the farm and in the saw-mill. In 1858 he went
to South Carolina, via Baltimore, Washington City, and Rich
mond. After visiting several places in the southern States he
went to Charleston, South Carolina, intending to follow the
sea, but after applying to a number of sea captains for a berth,
he abandoned the idea, and, as he afterwards learned, barely
escaped shipping on a pirate craft. In the spring of 1859 he
returned home, visiting all the eastern cities except Boston. The
following autumn he started south again via Cincinnati, and
down the river to Memphis, and across Arkansas on foot to
Clarksville, Texas, where he engaged in merchandizing. In
this he continued until early in 1861, when he joined an expedi
tion organized by the State, to march against a force of about
twelve hundred Indians, under the old chief Hopotholoholo,
who with his braves were threatening the border settlements
with destruction. The summer and winter of 1861 he spent
among the Indians in the territory, being with his command in
some desperate encounters with Hopotholoholo's band, who
were finally routed and scattered. In the spring of 1862, he,
with the whole command, was marched to White river, in Ar
kansas, and turned over to the confederate government as con
scripts, and placed under command of General Beauregard at
Corinth, Mississippi. Having been promoted to a lieutenantcy,
Mr. Shipley soon sent in his resignation. It was never accepted,
but he was turned over instead to Jeff Davis at Richmond.
Having obtained leave of absence on tendering his resignation,
he visited Mobile, Alabama, and returned to Texas via. Vicks
burgh and Monroe, Louisiana. From Texas he returned to
Mississippi, and spent the winter of 1862 and 1863 in Talla
hatchie county, hunting bear on Tipp's lake, in a large swamp
near the Tallahatchie river. In the following summer, feeling
feeling no longer safe from confederate conscription, Mr. Ship
ley made his way to the Mississippi river, flanked the confeder
ate pickets and appeared in the Yankee lines at Helena, Arkan
sas, July 16, 1863.
Mr. Shipley returned home, but soon went to California via
New York and Aspinwall. Here he engaged in merchandizing
at Mugginsville, on Cats-paw flat, west of Mule-ear divide, in
Lyekiyou county, where he remained nearly three years. Mr.
Shipley returned to Knox county in 1866, and married Mary C.

Anderson, of Howard township, September n, 1866. He now
resides in Monroe township, near where he was bom. Four
children were the issue of this marriage, viz: Marion Eugene,
born July 16, 1868; Price McKendree, born June 28, 1871;
William Burrk, born June 29, 1873; Lida Ora, born September
20, 1875.
SHIPLEY, GEOPGE W., Pike township, farmer, post
office, North Libesty, -born in this township in 1838, and was
married in 1861 to Sarah J. Rummel, who was born in Worth
ington township, Richland county, in 1838. They have three
children — Mary G, bom in 1862; Willard B., in 1865, and
Edwin R. , in 1870.
His father, Elias Shipley, was born in Maryland in 1791, and
was mairied to Rebecca Phillips, who was born in Maryland in
1796. They had twelve children — Reuben, Catharine, William
A., James, Brice, George W. , and Rebecca. The deceased
children are Mary Jane, Caroline, Elias, Charles, and John
Wesley. Elias Shipley, sr., died in this township in 1861. They came
to Knox county at an early day and settled in this township,
and are numbered among the pioneers.
SHIRA, RUDOLPH H., Pike township, farmer, post office,
North Liberty, was born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1820; went
to Richland county when quite young; remained there eleven
years, and was married in 1844 to Catharine Loose, who was
born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1825. They have
eight children— William, bom in 1845; Rob Roy, in 1847;
George, in 1849; Emma, in 1854; Amanda, in 1855; Abi S. , in
1859; Wilson, in 1861; and Lloyd, in 1867.
The following are married: Rob Roy, to Ellen Shacklet,
deceased; George, to Mary Penroe; he is a practicing physician
at Dunkirk, Ohio. William is engaged in the study and prac
tice of medicine in Scottown, Marion county, Ohio. Amanda
Shira was married to Melvin Sweitzer; they reside at Inde
pendence, Richland county.
SHOWERS, JEREMIAH, Berlin township, mason, post
office, Fredericktown, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
in 1841. He came to Ohio in 1856, and located in Berlin town
ship, Knox county, where he was married in 1865, to Sarah
Ann Davis, who was bom in Berlin township, in 1842. They
have two children: Leota, born in 1867; Frank B., in 1870.
Mr. Showers was a soldier in the late war, and was among
the first to respond to the call. He was a member of company
E, Third Ohio volunteer cavalry, and was engaged with this
company and regiment three years and six months. He was
also engaged in the company of Guthrie Grays for six months.
He continued until the close of the war, and was one of the
loyal, faithful, and brave soldiers of Ohio.
SHRIMPLIN, ABSALOM, Jefferson township, deceased,
son of John Shrimplin, born in Knox county, Butler township,
November 27, 1806, where he was reared and received a com
mon school education.
In 1829, June 23d, at the age of twenty-two years, he married
Miss~ Priscilla F. Dial, daughter of Isaac and Hannah Dial,
who was born in Pleasant township, Knox county, in 1810,
October 28. After his marriage he remained in Butler township,
being the owner of one hundred and ninety-two acres of land.
In 1849 he sold said land, purchased a farm of two hundred
and twenty-two and a half acres in Jefferson township, about
eighty rods southeast of the village of Greersville, where he

804

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

then moved with his family, and remained until his death,
which occurred the twenty-eighth day of December, 1878, in
his seventy-second year. His companion survives him in her
seventy-first year.
Mr. and Mrs. Shrimplin became the parents of twelve chil
dren, viz: John D., born May 17, 1830; Hannah E., July 25,
1832; Isaac M, May 28, 1834; Oliver B., May 28, 1836, died
July 9, 1846; Margaret M., October 6, 1838; Minerva S., De
cember 6, 1840, Edward R., March 26, ^43; James K. P.,
March 13, 1845, died in Fairfax hospital, Virginia, August 18,
1863; Louis C, September 16, 1847; Silas M. C. D., March
22, 1850; Franklin P., January 31, 1853; Joseph C. B., May 2,
1858, died October 2, i860. Nine of these are living.
The subject of this sketch is said to be the first white male
child born in Knox county.
SHERMAN, ABNER D., farmer, Middlebury township,
post office, Fredericktown, born in Middlebury township,
August 23, 1837, and was married January 3, 1858, to Elizabeth
Tobin, who was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, February 28,
1836. They have one son, Walden L., born April 1, 1859.
His father, Abner Sherman, was born January 29, 1804, in
Belmont county, and was married March 26, 1826, to Katherine
Kerby, who was born in Maryland March 19, 1806. They had
two children: Mary Jane, born December 7, 1826; and Abner,
August 23, 1837. Mary Jane Sherman was married January 4,
1845, to Luther Mann. They reside in Perry township, Rich
land county.
SHULTS, JACOB, farmer, Jefferson township, post office,
Danville, was born in Sommerset county, Pennsylvania, February
15, 1808. In 1809 he came with his parents to what was then
known as Stark county, Ohio, but by the changes that have
been made in the county lines it is now known as Carroll county.
He lived with his parents in said county until the year 1836,
when he married his wife, Miss Mary Breakler, who was born in
Germany, December 16, 1808. In 1809 Mr. and Mrs. Shults
moved on the farm where they now live. They became the
parents of seven children, who grew to be young men and
women. Their two sons, Jacob and Christopher, volunteered
to defend their country December 8, 1861. Christopher died in
Jackson, Tennessee, September 2, 1862. Jacob died at same
place, October 28, 1862. Both died of camp disease. Henry
also enlisted in the autumn of 1864, in company K, Sixty-
ninth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and was honorably
dischargen in 1865. Mr. Shults how resides in Jefferson town
ship, on the farm he entered September, 1833. He is seventy-
two years old and enjoys good health for a man of his age.
Their seven children are still living.
SILLIMAN, ALEX, horse dealer, Fredericktown, was born
in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1839, came to Ohio
when quite small, and was married to L. J. Trayhern, who was
born in Ohio. They have seven children, viz.: Alex S., James
A., Samuel Ulysses, Susie, Nellie, Mamie, Nannie. Mr. Silliman
is engaged in buying and selling horses, and is one of our best
judges in this trade.
SIMS, JOHNSON, farmer, was born in Clay township July
8, 1835, and with the exception of four years when he was in
Iowa, has resided in Clay township. He was married Septem
ber 15, 1869, to Miss Harriet Floyd, who was'born January 23,
1842. They have only one child: Hannah May, who was born
September 3, 1870, in Polk county, Iowa.

Mr. Sims was a member of company D, One Hundred and
Twenty-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, and was severely wounded
at the battle of Chickamauga. They are members of the Pres
byterian church of Martinsburgh, and Mr. Sims is a deacon in
the church.
SIMMONS, THOMAS, Pike township, farmer, post office,
Democracy, bom in Worthington township, Richland county,
Ohio, in 1850, and was married in 1873, to Lorilla Evlyn
O'Bryan, who was born in Pike township, this county, in 1855.
They have four children: Emerald Alvemon and Sylva Alberta
(twins), born in 1873; Samuel Douglass, in 1876; and Estella
May, in 1878. Mr. Simmons came to Knox county in 1861.
SIMONS, NICHOLAS, Milford township, farmer, was
born in Pennsylvania March 5, 1796, and remained there until
about 1825, when he came to Ohio. He worked east of Mt.
Vernon for some time. While there, he made the acquaint
ance of Miss Hannah Devours, and they were married. She.
was born July 28, 1815, and is a native of Pennsylvania. Soon
after their marriage they came to Milford township, where he
has resided ever since. He purchased the farm he now owns,
which was a wilderness at the time, and built his first abiding
place near the site of his present dwelling.
Mr. Simons has been a hard working, industrious man,
honest in his dealings, and by his industry he has made for
himself a comfortable home wherein to spend his remaining
days. They had a family of thirteen children — those living are:
Catharine; Barbara, married to John Blaker; Jacob; Margaret,
widow of David Glancy; Henry, Nathaniel, Lavina, Louisa
and Sarah; and the deceased are: John, Elizabeth, Solomon
and an infant.
SIMONS, M. J., Fredericktown, dealer in dry goods, notions
and queensware, was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1832, and
was married in 1855, to Alice Smith, who was born in Canada.
They have three children, viz: Charlie, Fred, and Maude. Two
died young.
Mr. Simons was engaged in his business in 1852, has the most
extensive store in this place, and has been one of the most suc
cessful men in the mercantile business here. He has a very
large and complete stock, and the best the market affords.
SIMPKINS, BENJAMIN F., Pike township, fanner, post
office, Democracy, was born in Monroe township, this county
in 18.17, and was married November 3, 1867, to Martha E. Hy
att, who was born near Mt. Holly, this county, in 1849. They
have one son — Isaac E. — born August 8, 1868. Mr. Simpkins
came to Pike township in the spring of 1878, and has built a
residence in Amity. During the summer season he engages in
farming, and during the winter in manufacturing axe handles.
He is a member of a pioneer family.
SIMPSON, JOHN, Howard township, farmer, post office,
Howard, was born in Brown township on the second day of
pril, 1841, His father died in the year 1846. He lived with
his grandfather until he was eighteen years old. He was
married in his twenty-first year to Miss Drusilla Clark, and
moved to his present farm in 1865. He moved to Union town
ship in 1869, remained there two years, and then went back to
his present farm. He has nine children: Slora Jane, Elmer,
John, Grant, Olive, Quincy, William, Frank, and an infant.
SINGER, J. W. F., merchant tailor, Hill's block, South
Main street, Mt. Vernon, was born in Center, Pennsyl
vania, August 9, 1819, where his parents resided until, he was

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

805

seven years old, when they removed to Clearfield county, and
located on a farm where he resided fourteen years, and then em
igrated to Pittsburgh, Wayne county, Ohio, where they lived
three years, and until April 1, 1840. While living in Clear
field young Singer entered the employ of an elder brother and
learned the tailoring trade, where he served four years. His
first business engagement in his own hehalf was at Pittsburgh,
Wayne county, where he started a tailor shop and continued it
until 1840, when he came to Mt. Vernon and engaged in the
same business, and carried it on until 1852,'when he went to
Lancaster, Ohio, and engaged as cutter in an establishment
there, remaining there two years. On his return to this city he
entered the employment of A. Wolff as cutter, which continued
eight and a half years, and then two years with Mark Curtis.
He then commenced merchant tailoring, and has carried it on ever
since. He commenced with a capital of fifteen hundred dollars,
and has been doing a business of about twenty thousand dollars
per year. He now carnes a stock of five thousand dollars, com
prising cloths, cassimeres, suitings, overcoatings, and merchant
tailoring in all its branches, and warrants every suit that leaves
his establishment.
Mr. Singer was married to Miss Kate Stockwell, of Wayne
county, in March 1838.
SLAIGHT, GEORGE, deceased, Union township, was
bom in Richmond county, New York, June 10, 1796. He
worked in the coasting trade as a sailor between New York and
Richmond, Virginia, when a young man. In February, 1820,
he married Mary D. Winant, born in New London, Connecti
cut, May 15, 1794. They settled on Staten Island, near New
York city, remaining until 1828, when they moved to New York
city, where they lived until the spring of 1838. They then came
to this county and settled in Jefferson, now Union township, on
land now owned by his heirs, where they passed the remainder
" of their life. They reared four children: Edward T., Henry G.,
Frances E. , and Elizabeth E. ; all living.
Mr. Slaight served in the War of 1812. His wife deceased
May 22, 1853; he survived her until September 17, 1858.
SLOAN, ROBERT R., deceased, was born Febmary 28,
1815, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where his early
years were spent. He graduated at Jefferson college, Pennsyl
vania, in 1841. He has been a citizen of Ohio, with the excep
tion of two years spent in Missouri, since the year 1840. He
taught during this time in the Ashland academy with Professor
Fulton and Miss Jane Coulter, who, in 1843, became his wife.
In 1844 Mr. Sloan opened a boys' school in Mt. Vernon, be
ginning with one scholar, and increasing to fifty or sixty in four
months. At the same time Mrs. Sloan opened a school for
girls,' which ripened at last into the Mt. Vernon seminary, under
charge of Mr. Sloan as superintendent, and Mrs. Sloan as prin
cipal and matron. They continued jointly in the management
of this seminary until 1867, when they removed to Cleveland.
In 1861 Mr. Sloan was chosen corresponding secretary of the
Ohio Christian Missionary society, which position he filled with
great credit to himself and efficiency to the society until 1869,
when he resigned.
In 1875 he was elected president of the Ohio Christian Mis
sionary society, which position he filled at the time of his death,
which occurred July 30, 1877, in his sixty-third year.
SMITH, DEACON JOHN S., deceased, late of Miller town
ship, was bora on the ninth day of March, A. D. 1793, in Ty
rone county, in the north of Ireland, and came to the United

States with his parents in 1756, who located in Westmoreland
county, Pennsylvania, where the subject of this sketch continued
to reside with his parents until after his marriage in December,
1817. In May, 1818, he removed to Knox county, Ohio, and
located on the farm where he died, having been a resident of the
county nearly sixty years.
Mr. Smith united with the Presbyterian church in Westmore
land county, Pennsylvania* at about the age of twenty-two
years, of which church his parents were members — uniting by
letter upon his removal to Ohio with the Presbyterian church in
Mt. Vernon, which church was then under the pastoral care of
Rev. James Scott. He served in the capacities of deacon and
ruling elder in the church for many years. He was a faithful
attendant of the church of his choice until prevented by the
infirmities of age, and was greatly attached thereto. He was a
devoted Christian, and always felt his dependence on Christ, in
whom he trusted for eternal life. That faith which he so long
enjoyed did not fail him in the closing days of his life, for he
died with a full and clear view of his acceptance with God, and
could exclaim "J know that my Redeemer liveth."
This good man died at his late residence, three and one-half
miles south of Mt. Vernon, on the fifth day of November, 1877,
in the eighty-fifth year of his age.
The subject of the above sketch was manied to Miss Mary
Sterret December 4, 1817. She was of Scotch descent, born in
Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1801, and died
January 26, 1879, on the old homestead. She was a lady of
many Christian virtues.
They were the parents of eleven children, viz: Mrs. Eliza
Levering, of Gratiot county, Michigan; Mrs. Mary Letts, of
Utica, Licking county, Ohio; Moses, farmer near Gambier;
Robert, who resides on the old homestead; Sarah, who lives on
the farm; Mrs. Emily Bebout, Morgan township; William is a
lawyer of St. Louis, Missouri. The deceased: John N., died
September 24, i860, on the farm; Catharine B., wife of A. J.
Hyatt, of Brownsville, Ohio, died August 15, 1862; Cynthia
Tulloss, died January 20, 1864, in Franklin county, Kansas;
Nancy Sims, died December 25, 1878, in Delaware, Ohio.
SMITH, JAMES, Pleasant township, deceased (a native of
Ireland), was born in 1798. When but seventeen years of age
he emigrated to America, and located in Hunterdon county,
New Jersey, where he engaged in the mercantile business, and
continued in it a number of years.
In 1825 he married Miss Frances Jones, daughter of Abra
ham and Catharine Jones, born in New Jersey on the fifteenth
day of October, 1801. They settled in New Jersey, where they
remained fourteen years. Their union resulted in six children,
one of whom deceased young.
In 1839; he, with his wife and five children — Mary, Sarah,
William I., Frances, and James, emigrated to Knox county,
Ohio, and located on the farm in Pleasant township now owned
by his son, William J. He then engaged in farming, living on
the same farm until his death, which occurred February 9, 1856.
He owned a farm of two hundred acres. His companion is still
living, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years, enjoying good
health. She is living with her son on the home farm. Only
two of her children are now living, viz: Sarah and William J.
Sarah married Reed Setts, and is now a widow, her husband
died in 1876. William J. was born in the State of New Jersey,
February 7, 1831. He was brought up on a farm and made
farming and stock raising his vocation.

8o6

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

In August, 1858; he married Miss Susannah Baker, born in
Knox county, February 12, 1832, daughter of Peter and Bar
bara Baker. They settled on his father's home farm, where
they are now living. They have a family of five children, two
sons and three daughters. In 1878 he erected one of the finest
brick residences in Pleasant township, on the old home farm, in
which he now resides.
SMITH, JAMES, deceased. There were none of the earlier
settlers of Mt. Vernon more generally known, or more promi
nently connected with every good work tending to promote the
interests of the pioneers of Knox county, than the person whose
name heads this article. Mr. Smith was born March 6, 1779,
at the family homestead near Harrisburgh, Rockingham county,
Virginia. His father died during the minority of James, leav
ing him, the youngest of a large family, to the care of his wid
owed mother, by whom he was educated. At the decease of
his mother, in the distribution and settlement of his father's es
tate, he inherited eight negr o slaves. He married Miss Rebecca
Emmett, daughter of Rev. John Emmett, then of Staunton,
Virginia. Impressed with the truth and justice of the declaration "that
all men are created equal, and entitled to the enjoyment of per
sonal liberty," he emancipated all his slaves, and with his wife
and child, Jane, who afterwards manied Colonel Charles Sager,
he removed to Ohio. Arriving in Knox county in 1806, he first
settled on the Haines farm, one and one-half miles south of Mt.
Vernon. The journey from Virginia to Ohio was no easy matter, as it
had to be made on pack-horses, through an unsettled region,
without suitable roads or stopping places. It was a tiresome
and fatiguing journey for his young wife and infant child.
When he reached Knox county he had expended all his money
but fifty cents.
He soon removed to the new town of Mt. Vemon. With a
disposition to engage in any honest employment, he was rea
sonably prosperous; a member of the Christian church, and a
local preacher of that denomination, he preached without pay
or salary, and his house, for many years, was the stopping place
of tho ministers of that and other denominations, and especially
of the early settlers in other parts of the county visiting Mt.
Vernon. When the county was organized and courts established, Mr.
Smith was appointed clerk of the supreme court and court of
common pleas, a position he filled to the satisfaction of the
judges for a quarter of a century.
A season of great financial embarrassment induced the busi
ness men of Knox county, as well as of Licking, Richland and
other localities, to engage in banking as a means of relief, and
the result was the establishment of banks of issue at this and
other localities in advance of legislation expressly authorizing
the issue of paper money. Mr. Smith, Robert Giffin, John
Hawn, jr., Samuel Kratzer, and others, organized "The Owl
Creek bank," of Mt. Vernon, and were induced to loan upon
the notes of solvent persons, a large amount of the money issued
by the bank, relying upon the payment of these notes, in addi
tion to the capital paid in for their redemption. The makers of
these notes combined, and were able to defeat the expected leg
islation, and refused to pay their notes; the bank, not having
been legally incorporated, could not enforce the collection. The
bank bills thus loaned were put in circulation by these borrow
ers, and the bank stockholders compelled to redeem them; this,

by reason of the non-payment of the notes thus given, they were
unable to do in full.
Mr. Smith, and the other stockholders, were compelled to re
deem those outstanding bank notes, not being able to legally
enforce collection of the notes received, and upon the faith of
which they were issued. The last payment on the part of Mr.
Smith, to redeem those bank bills, required the application of
the entire proceeds of the sale of his farm, situated on the Mar
tinsburgh road, near Mt. Vernon. The old case of Luke Wal-
pole vs. Robert Giffin and others, finally closed up this unfor
tunate banking venture, and virtually rained most of its
stockholders, men who never realized a cent of profit out of it.
Allusion is made to this matter in justice to all the parties inter
ested, as the facts have not been fully understood by those who
refer to the old Owl Creek bank in terms not complimentary to
its originators.
Mr. Smith continued to reside in and near Mt. Vernon until
the year 1838, when he removed to Madison county, Ohio,
where he died in 1841, in the sixty-second year of his age. His
death was occasioned by injuries received in being thrown from
his horse. His remains were removed to Mt. Vernon, where
they rest near those of his wife, who died of cholera in 1832.
All the children of Mr. Smith, except Jane, were born in Mt.
Vernon — three girls and three boys. The daughters are all dead
save Mrs. Adaline Davis, who still resides in Ohio. The sons,
Benjamin, James, jr., and Vispacian, are all citizens of Minne
sota, where they have resided since 1856. The desire to "go
west," which induced the father to leave Virginia, appears to
have, fifty years afterwards, possessed the sons. Whilst they
are reasonably prosperous and attached to their homes in Min
nesota, they note with pride and pleasure the growth and pros
perity of their native town of Mt. Vernon.
SMITH, ISAAC, farmer, post office, North Liberty. He
was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1814. He was married to
Deliah Smith. They had two daughters, Sarah and Maria.
They reside in Iowa. Mrs. Deliah Smith died in this county,
September 28, 1858.
Mr. Smith subsequently married Sarah Wallace, who was
born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, in 1832. They have
six children: Eldaah, born in i860; Armina A., in 1862; Ettie,
in 1864; Mary, in 1866; Charlie, in 1868; Milton, in 1869. Mr.
Smith came to this county in 1854, and located in Pike town
ship, where he now resides. He was engaged at the carpenter
trade while in Wayne county. He erected his present residence
with his own hands. He owns a good farm and is engaged in
farming. SMITH, BENJAMIN, farmer, Morgan township, was born
in Greene county, Pennsylvania, January 27, 1807. His father,
James H., was born in Maryland, in 1780, emigrated to Greene
county, Pennsylvania, where he manied Martha Davis in 1804.
In 1811 he came with his family to Ohio, and settled in Morgan
township, where he purchased a tract of heavily timbered land.
He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in i860. His
first wife died in 1828. He afterwards married Martha Honey,
who died in 1863. By his first wife he had eleven children, five
of whom are living. Mr. Smith made a trip to Ohio as early
as 1800. The subject of this notice learned blacksmithing with
his father and worked at it for some years. January 17, 1833,
he was joined in marriage to Miss Sarah Brown, a native of
Virginia. She died September 26, 1870. They had two chil
dren, viz: Martha, deceased, and Sarah, living at home. Mr.

cA^^<£~~-^£:

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY,

807

Smith is a man of general information, well informed upon the
issues ofthe day, and a man of considerable genius. He has
always been industrious, and cleared up the farm on which he
now resides, and is in comfortable circumstances.
SMITH, THOMAS, deceased. He was born in this county
in 1816; he was married in 1840 to Ruth Ann Bamhard, who
was born in Frederick county, Maryland, in 1823. They had
the following children: Isaac B., was born in 1841; Fidelia D.,
in 1843; Sheldon, in 1845; John F., in 1847; Columbus W., in
1850; Martha Jane, in 1851; Emma L., in 1854; Mary M., in
1856, and Alice M., in 1858. Thomas Smith died in 1858.
Isaac B. was a soldier in the Rebellion; he was a member of
the Third Virginia cavalry till August, 1863; he reenlisted in the
Second Ohio heavy artillery; he continued till he was killed
accidently by the cars near Concord, Tennessee, January 29,
1865. He was second lieutenant. His remains were brought
home and interred in the Berlin cemetery.
John F. was married in 1874 to Semantha Beach, who was
born in Illinois in 1857. They had two children, Freddie L.,
deceased, and Myrtle M.
Mrs. Ruth Ann Smith's father, David Barnhard, deceased,
was a native of Maryland; he was married to Margaret Walker;
she was bora in Maryland. They had the following family:
Mary, John, Rosanna, and Ruth Ann.
Mr. Bamhard emigrated to Knox county in 1833. He came
to his death through an accident; he was engaged in pressing
tobacco, when the lever of the press flew back and struck him,
and killed him almost instantly.
John F. was a soldier in the late war, a member of company
1, Ohio heavy artillery; he was in a number of skirmishes;
he was engaged in the service for two years, and was honorably
discharged. The deceased children of the Smith family are : Sheldon,
died in 1848; Mary, died in 1857. They both died in Berlin
township. SMITH, JACOB, Pike township, farmer, post office, North
Liberty, born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1821, and was
married to Maranda Kairger, who was born in Berlin township,
this county, in 1825. They have four children: Mary A. was
born in 1848; Howard, in 1852; Esther, in 1857; John, in 1862.
Mr. Smith came to Ohio with his parents when he was five
years old. They located in Stark county, and forty years ago
came to Knox county. Mr. Smith is a farmer and stock dealer.
SMITH, M. D., H. W.. was born in June, 1826, in Litch
field county, Massachusetts, and came to Ohio with his parents
in 1839; received his preparatory education in Mt. Vernon;
read medicine with Drs. Russell and Thompson, and graduated
at a medical university in New York city, after which he prac
ticed in that city for twelve years ; was also engaged in the drug
business. He married Miss Cornelia, daughter of Charles Bax
ter, of New York city, and has a family of six children.
In 1861 he came back to Mt. Vernon and formed a partner
ship with Dr. Thompson, which continued until the death of Dr.
Thompson, after which he continued the practice alone, and
also engaged in the drug business, in which he continued 'until
his death, December 15, 1875. He was a deacon in the Con
gregational church for several years.
SMITH, GEORGE L., Liberty township, farmer, was born
in New Milford, Litchfield county, Connecticut, October 15,
1827. When he was about three years old his parents, Pre

serve and Amelia Smith, came to Ohio and settled in Milford
township. A notice of them will be found under the biography
of F. S. Rowley, of that township.
George L. Smith was the second child. His youth was spent
on his father's farm at the Five corners in Milford township,
where he also attended school. In 1850 he was seized with the
"gold fever," and to the land of gold he went by the overland
route, which means he rode and walked alternately. He re
mained in California five years. The first eighteen months he
was engaged in the mines, the remaindei of the time he was em
ployed with a pack-train taking provisions to the mines in the
mountains. He came home by the way of Nicaraugua, and re
sumed farming. While in California he saved some money.
He commenced poor in life, but he has succeeded in making
for himself considerable property. He is a good farmer and
an estimable citizen. He enlisted in company A, One Hun
dred and Forty-second regiment, Ohio National guards, and
served out the term of his enlistment. March 5, 1857, he mar
ried Miss Mary W. Pitkin, daughter of Rev. John Pitkin, and
shortly after moved to his present home.
SMITH, WILLIAM W., farmer, was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1816. On the twenty-
fourth of April, 1849, he married Miss Elizabeth Guy, born in
Washington county, Pennsylvania, October 11, 1S28, daughter
of John and Mary Guy. They settled in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, where they lived until 1854, when they emigrated
to Licking county, Ohio, remained there until i860, when they
moved to Clinton township, Knox county, Ohio, and located on
a farm three miles from Mt. Vernon, on the Granville road,
where he is now living. His wife died January 12, 1873. They
reared a family of four children, two sons and two daughters.
Farming has been his vocation.
SMITH, EBER, Milford township, physician, post office,
Lock, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, August 30, 1821.
His parents were pioneers in Delaware county, locating there
about 1810. They were Pennsylvanians by birth.
Dr. Smith is the only son of seven children, was reared on a
farm and his early education was that of the common schools.
At about the age of twenty years he obtained sufficient educa
tion to teach a common school, and he taught several terms,
then attended an academy at Westerville, Ohio. He decided
to enter the medical profession, but being poor he was obliged
to teach in order to obtain funds with which to attend lectures,
receiving fifteen dollars per month.
He read medicine with Dr. J. R. Clapp, of Galena, attended
the Starling Medical college at Columbus, and graduated there
February, 1849.
He first located at Lock, where he has since practiced, and
has been successful in his practice.
He was assistant surgeon at the Post hospital'at Springfield,
Illinois, for seven months.
Dr. Smith married Miss Cordelia Stoughton, daughter of B.
P. Stoughton, of Licking county, in 1850, and they have one
son, Willie A.
SMITH, WILLIAM K., farmer, post office, Pipesville,
son of William J. and Elizabeth Smith, born in Holmes county,
May 17, 1831, where he continued to reside most of the time
until i860. On the twenty-first of J une, i860, he married Susan
Kinsey, a daughter of Samuel and Susan Kinsey, bom in
Coshocton county, December 27, 1835. After his marriage he

8o8

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

purchased eighty acres of land in Hanison township, Knox
county, where he then moved and at present resides.
Mr. Smith is an industrious and enterprising farmer; at present
the owner of one hundred and forty-six acres of land. He is
the father of two children, one of whom .is living, Norris D.,
bom November 24, 1874.
SMITH, MRS. SARAH, was bom December 27, 1835, in
Franklin county, Ohio, and came to Knox county in 1864; was
married to A. R. Funk in October, 1856, from whom she has
lately been divorced; has seven children — Mary Jane, Julia C,
Finley, Elliott H., Franz F., Allison R., and Lyman B. Mrs.
Smith is owner of the new seminary building.
SMITH, WILLIAM H., Liberty township, justice of the
peace and stock and wool buyer, Bangs post office, was born in
Milford township, June 10, 1836. His paternal grandfather,
Henry Smith, was a captain in the War of the Revolution.
William H. Smith, his father, was born in Ohio county, Vir
ginia, October 17, 1799.
In 1823 Mr. Smith came to Ohio and bought a tract of land
in Milford township. In 1828 he manied Esther J. Dill, of
Ohio county, Virginia, who was born September, 18 11. They
had a family of eight children, six of whom are yet living. He
worked at tanning for some years. In 1843 he was nominated
by he Democrats of Knox county and elected to the legisla
ture, and reelected in 1845. In 1847 he was defeated for the
nomination for senator by one vote. This concluded his active
political life. He remained on the farm the remainder of his
days. He died May 9, 1871.
The subject of this notice was reared on a farm and received
the education of the common schools. He taught for several
terms. He moved to Bangs, Ohio, in 1873. In April, 1858, he
married Hannah J. Milligan. They have had eleven children,
seven of whom are living, Mr. and Mrs. Smith are estimable
people. SMITH, ROBERT R., farmer, Berlin township, postoffice,
Fredericktown, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, December
24, 1837, and was married first to Eliza E. Gouser, who was
born in Knox county. They had one child, John Henry,
deeeased. Mrs. Smith died in Harrison township, this county,
May 22, 1864. Mr. Smith's second marriage, in 1867, was to
Ellen E. Lybarger, who was born in Harrison township in 1846.
They had two daughters — Rosa May, born June 30, 1868; and
Delia R., November 25, 1870. Mr. Smith has been identified
with this county since 1853. He united with the Presbyterian
church at Millwood, October 6, 1866, and was a ruling elder
while he remained there. He is now a member of the Presby
terian church of Fredericktown, and is one of the official
members of that society. Mr. Robert Smith was elected justice
of the peace of Berlin township in 1878.
His father, John Smith, (deceased) was born in Jefferson
county, Ohio, September 17, 1809, and was married October 6,
1836, to Sarah Crouch, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio,
March 30, 1813. When they started housekeeping they located
in Coshocton county, and remained there until September 14,
1853, when they moved to Knox county, settled in Harrison
township, and moved from there to Union, and to Berlin town
ship in March, 1875, where he died February 2, 1880. He was
a worthy member of the Presbyterian church, and attended
church in Fredericktown.
They had the following children, viz.: Robert P., Nancy
Jane, Mary E., John M. (deceased), Simon S., now a resident

of Grundy county, Iowa; Rebecca A. and Sarah E. (manied
to J,- M. Cliffton). They reside in Danville, Knox county.
During his membership he was a ruling elder at' Millwood, this
county. SMITH, JOHN T., farmer, post office, Howard. He was
born in Howard township, September 16, 1849. In 1870 he
went to Brown township, and lived there two years. In 1873
he married Sarah Jones, who died in 1874. He then went to
Franklin county, Ohio, clerked in a store two years, then mar
ried Olive Jones. After a year he came to Howard township,
where he has remained. He has one child, Dortha.
SMITHHISLER, MICHAEL, farmer, Union township,
was born in France, May 15, 1824, and was brought to America
by his parents, Philip and Mary Smithhisler, in 1828, who
located in Baltimore, Maryland, remained until 1835, then
emigrated to Holmes county, Ohio, and settled in Knox town
ship, two miles northeast of Greersville, where Michael's father
died, January 4, 1873. Mrs. Smithhisler survived her husband
until May 1, 1874. She died in Knox county, Ohio, near Dan
ville, at the home of her son, Michael. They reared a family
of four children — Magdalene, Michael, Anthony, and Philip.
Michael married Mary Milless in 1844, who was born in
Alsace, France, June n, 1827, emigrated to America in 1835,
daughter of Jacob and Catharine Milless. After his marriage
to Miss Milless they settled in Knox township, Holmes county,
Ohio, remained until 1847, then moved to Knox county. He
now owns a farm near Danville, Union township, on which they
are living. They have a family of eleven children, eight sons
and three daughters.
SMITHHISLER, GEORGE, Howard township, farmer,
post office, Howard, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, March
18, 1850, moved to Knox county with his parents in 1855.
He was mairied June 27, 1871, and moved to his farm on
which he now lives.
SMOOTS, HARRISON K., Miller township, farmer, was
born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, May 26, 1822. His
parents came to Licking county about 1824, and purchased a
farm, where he lived and died. His wife survives him. The
subject of this sketch is the oldest child of the family, and was
reared on the farm, and worked, as boys usually do, in the
summer and attended school during the winter. About 1852
he moved to Miller township, where he has since resided, being
exclusively engaged in farming. Mr. Smoots is an enthusiastic
advocate of any principle which he espouses; is a leading Dem
ocrat of the township. He is affable and pleasant, and es
teemed for his many good qualities.
He married Miss Christiana Smith, daughter of Benjamin
Smith, of Miller township, bom May 13, 1857. They had
seven children, one of whom died in infancy. The living are
Joseph Willard, Nancy E., manied to Hiram Fishburn; George
Franklin, Charles W., Mary Emily, and Justice Douglass.
SNIDER, CONROAD, Jefferson township, farmer, post
office, Greersville, son of Peter Snider, born in Pennsylvania,
April 29, 1813; was brought to Ohio when a child by his parents,
they locating near Marietta, and afterwards removed to Mus
kingum county, where he grew to manhood. In 1841, October
18th, he married Miram Watson, of Knox county, a daughter
of George Watson, born in Miltontown, Indiana, and brought
to Knox county when a child. After his marriage he located in
Zanesville, Ohio, where he remained three years, and then moved

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

809

back to Knox county, locating in Jefferson township, purchas
ing a farm of forty-one acres, near Danville, where he remained
until 1847, when he sold his farm and purchased another of one
hundred acres, in Jefferson township, adjoining Ashland county,
where he then moved and now resides, owning one hundred and
twenty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Snider are members of the Uniteil
Brethren church.
SNIDER, JONATHAN, Howard township, farmer, post
office, Howard, was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania,
June 27, 1817. In 1850 he removed to Howard township. In
1845 he' was manied to Sarah Johnson, who was bom in Knox
county in 1816. They had three children — Hannah Jane, born
in 1848; Samuel, in 1853; Angelina, in 1858. She died in 1876.
SNIDER, CHRISTIAN E., Brown township, farmer, was
born on the seventeenth day of June, 1840, in Richland county,
Ohio. His father, Philip Snider, was a native of France. His
mother, Mary Snider, was a native of Stark county, Ohio. In
1850 he came to this county with his parents, and located on
the farm in Brown township now known as the Snider home
stead. In 1864 he married Miss Ann Hall, daughter of James
Y. and Lydia Hall. They located in Brown township and have
since resided in the same township. At present they are living
on Solomon Workman's farm. He ownes a half interest in the
old Snider farm. They have six children — three sons and three
daughters. SOCKMAN, H. A., Fredericktown, physician, post office,
Dunkirk, Hardin county, is the son of Washington and Esther
Sockman, of Green Valley, Knox county, Ohio, and was born
May 26, 1854. After having completed his common school
education, he attended college at Mt. Union, Ohio. After
leaving college, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr.
S. B. Potter, of Fredericktown. After his office course he at
tended lectures at the Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, and graduated at that institution in 1879. He
commenced the practice of medicine in Dunkirk, Hardin county,
Ohio, and is regarded as one of the leading physicians of that
place. He was married to Miss Lura Marple, of Frederick-
town, Knox county, Ohio, August 9, 1880. She was born in
Fredericktown February 8, 1856, and is the daughter of Hiram
and Martha Marple, who are still residents of Fredericktown.
SPEARMAN, WILLIAM, Liberty township, farmer and
boiler-maker, was born in Devonshire county, England, May 16,
1835. His father, William Spearman, was born in 1799, came
to the United States in 1844, and remained in Mt. Vernon
seven years. In 1821 he married Ann Brock. They had ten
children, five of whom are living. Mrs. Spearman died on the
farm. The subject of this notice spent his youth attending school.
He learned the blacksmith trade and boiler-making, which trade
he has followed for a number of years. He married Anna
Moore, with whom he had two children. His second wife was
Mary Maginnis, who had three children.
Mr. Spearman is a good citizen, an industrious man, and is
much esteemed.
SPEELMAN, DAVID H., Milford township, farmer, was
born in Licking county, Ohio, August 23, 1835. His father,
William Speelman, was born in Frederick county, Maryland,
March 26, 1806. He came to Greene county, Pennsylvania,
with his parents, about 1817. . Ihey moved to Fayette county,

the same State, where they died. He remained in Pennsylvania
until he was twenty-six years of age.
March 18, 1832, he married Letitia Long, and shortly after
ward came to Ohio, locating three miles west of Homer. He
remained there about seven years, and in 1838 he purchased
a tract of land in Milford township, which was unimproved,
but is now a comfortable home. By his marriage he had a fam
ily of nine children, seven of whom are living.
Mr. D. H. Speelman was raised on a farm, and assisted his
father. He enlisted in company B, One Hundred and Forty-
second Ohio National Guards, and served his time. At the
same time he had a substitute serving in the army, and was not,
therefore, obliged to serve.
He is a hard-working, honest, npright man, and has the es
teem of the public. He commenced poor in life, but by indus
try and economy he has made for himself a good farm and
home. He married Miss Deborah B. Kinsey, December n,
1858. They had a family of three children: Ida Alice, wife of
J. H. Neible; William Lewis; and Eliza Effie.
SPERRY, ISAAC N., farmer, a son of Jacob and Mary
Speny, was born in Morgan township, Knox county, Ohio, on
the sixth day of October, 1819. He was brought up on a farm,
and has made farming and stock raising his vocation. On
November 5, 1844, he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa
Letts, born in the county, September 14, 1827, daughter of
Caleb and Maria Letts. They settled on a farm in Morgan
township, in this county and remained until 1870, when they
moved on the farm in Clinton township, where they are now
living. The farm is located on the Newark road one mile and
a half from Mt. Vernon. "They reared a family often children,
two sons and eight daughters, all living.
SPINDLER, N. J., Howard township, farmer, post office,
Howard. He was born in Howard township October 12, 1850.
His father came from Pennsylvania in 1812, and lived and died
in Howard township. He was sixty-three years of age at the
time of his death. His business was farming and cattle deal
ing. Mr. Spindler's mother was sixty-one years old at the time
of her death. He was married to Miss Isabella Dorta in 1872,
and settled on their farm. They have one child, Mary.
SPRAGUE, E. H., general manufacturer, and repair shop,
corner of Chestnut and Mulberry streets, Mt. Vernon. Mr.
Sprague is a native of Attleborough, Bristol county, Massa
chusetts, and was born May 31, 1807. He afterwards resided
at Hampshire, where he learned the machinist trade, and then
at Berkshire, where he worked at his trade on cotton machinery.
In the year 1834 he went to New York city, where he was
engaged in manufacturing, which included an endless variety
of tools, implements, fixtures, instruments &c, in which he was
engaged about two years; after which he went to Allegheny
City, where he engaged in the manufacturing of iron fencing,
railing, ballustrading, cresting, and erecting doors for safe
vaults, to which was added a general line of jobbing and repair
ing. He continued in this until the year 1872, when he went to
Columbus, where he engaged with Peter Hayden, contractor at
the Ohio State prison, where he took charge of prison labor, in
manufacturing, and in which he continued until 1846, then
entered the employ of J. Ridgeway & Co., builders of steam
engines, with whom he was engaged on the coatract for weights
and measures for the different counties of the State of Ohio.
In 1849 he went to McConnelsville, and engaged in the machine
shop of James L. Gage, as superintendent, in the manufacture

8io

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

of engines ; after this he served the firm of D. Rolf & Co. , manu
factures and builders of engines, of Harmar, Washington
county, one year. He then went to Beverly, where he engaged
in the general manufacturing and repairing of engines, in
which he continued until 1853. After this,' he went to Zanes
ville, working for the Central Ohio road (now the Baltimore &
Ohio), the firm of H. F. Blandy & Co., builders of locomotives
and the firm of Douglas Smith & Co. , builders of cars. He
then came to this county and engaged at Fredericktown with
the firm of J. & T. Craven, manufacturers of saw-mill engines,
where he remained until 1859, when he came to Mt. Vernon,
where he has been engaged in various ways, and with different
firms, and was engaged with the firm of C. & G. Cooper & Co.
at different times, until the year 1866. He then established his
present shop, where he is engaged in the manufacturing of and
repairing of all kinds of novelty work, which consists in part
of gunning, filling, • and repairing all kinds of saws, and all
kinds of light machinery, manufacturing of all kinds of patent
models, and light novelty repairing, including everything that
mecahical skill can accomplish. Mr. Sprague is a mechanic of
fifty-eight years' experience, and as has been noticed has had
practical experience in all kinds of mechanical work, in ad
dition to his great natural mechanical talents, which warrant
us in saying, that he is one of the most proficient mechanics in
the State.
SPROULE, JOSEPH, grocer, Mt. Vernon, was bom in
county Fermauagh, Ireland, in 1834, came to America in 1852,
and settled in Mt. Vernon, then being about eighteen years of
of age, under the firm name of Sproule & Watson engaged
in the grocery business. By tbe judicious use of printer's ink
and the use of an unique advertisement that attracted the at
tention of the reading public, the firm soon built up a lucrative
trade. By square dealing and attractive goods they retained all
their first customers and gained many new ones, which they re
tained. Said partnership being dissolved Mr. Sproule continued
the business, all of which he, in time, sold, and engaged in
farming in Liberty township, which he continued for two years.
On his return to the city he entered into partnership with Mr.
Samuel A. Trott, and opened a new and extensive grocery store
in connection with the shipping business, and purchased the
block on, the northwest corner ofthe public square, part of
which they occupied. When the partnership dissolved Mr.
Sproule retained the business, and has since continued it alone.
Mr. Sproule has been married twice, his first wife being Miss
Maria, daughter of John Craft, of Green Valley, this county.
By this union three children were bom — two sons and one
daughter. The two sons are both dead, dying within a short
time of each other, aged respectively nine and eleven years.
The daughter, Miss Iva, a young lady of fine mind, is now fin
ishing her education at Oberlin college.
He married for a second wife Miss Mary, daughter of the late
Rev. John Mitchell, of this city. They now reside on East
Gambier avenue.
SQUIRES, OLIVER, Miller township, pioneer farmer, was
bom in the town of Pittsford, Rutland county, Vermont, Janu
ary 20, 1812. His parents, Phineas and Esther Squires, nee
Rowley, came to Ohio with a family of six children, in the
fall of 1812, and'settled near Dresden, where they remained
about two years, and then came to Miller township, being
among the early pioneers. About the year 1834 they removed to
Chesterville, Morrow county, where he died. During the time

of his residence in Miller he was engaged in farming and clear
ing land. He would purchase a piece of land in the wilderness
and erect a cabin and commence clearing a farm, when he would
sell and purchase another piece in the wilderness, and com
mence again to make a farm; and this he continued during the
time he lived in this township, performing as much hard labor
as any man living in this country. They had twelve children,
all of whom are now dead, except the subjeect of this notice.
Eleven of these children lived to the years of manhood.
Oliver Squires was reared to hard labor. As soon as old
enough he was put to work picking brash and other hard labor-
His advantages for education were limited. The old log school.
house, with its puncheon floor and clapboard roof, with weight-
poles, its window of six lights, eight by ten, and the log fire,
was the kind he attended for a few months each winter. He
remembers their old home in what is now the village of Bran
don. The huge log house; the large fireplace; are distinctly re
membered. After he left home he learned the cooper's trade,
which he followed for several years, but farming has been his
principal business.
He was married to Mary Colopy, daughter of William Col
opy, an early settler, October 18, 1841, and in 1842 he removed
to his present home, where he has resided to the present time.
They have five children, viz: Earl O., farmer; Timothy G, far
mer; Ellen, who married Jasper Hall; Emma, who married
R. Shepperd; Fulton, and Douglas.
Mr. Squires is a man who acts honestly and independently
when he is conscious that he is right, he trusting to his own
judgment, and acts without fear or favor. In politics he was for
merly a Democrat, but when he became fully satisfied that the
measures advocated by that party would be injurious to our pub
lic welfare, and having no confidence in the Republican party,
he became an honest advocate of the principles held by the
Greenback party. In religion he is Liberalist, freely grant
ing to others the rights and privileges he claims for himself. He
is a kind and affectionate husband and father, and a kind
neighbor and worthy citizen.
STAATS, ISAAC, Pike township (deceased), born in Knox
county, December 15, 1819, and was married in 1844 to Re
becca Giffin, who was born in Coshocton county in 1821. They
had three children — Louisa, born in 1846; William Alonzo, in
1848; and Joseph, in 1851. William was married to Elizabeth
Doty, and resides on the old homestead.
Mr. Staats died October 10, 1853, at his home in Knox
county, Ohio. His occupation was farming, and he owned a
good farm in this county. Mrs. Staats still resides on the home
place in Pike township.
STAATS, JOSEPH, who is a native of Butler township, was
born May 8, 1823. June 18, 1846, he was married to Eliza Jane
McCahon. Their children are: Maria Esther, born March 27,
1847; Margaret Ellen, October 22, 1848; Clarissa Jane, No
vember 21, 1850; Orange Jefferson, December 12, 1852; Catha
rine, March 27, 1856; Alwiida A., May 8, 1857; Hortense Flor
ence, January 21, 1859; Normandy, October 15, 1865; Joseph
B., July 8, 1866. All are living except Maria E. and Joseph B.
STAATS, JOHN, Jefferson township, farmer and. stock
raiser, post office, Jelloway, son of Joseph and Catharine Staats,
born in Butler township, Knox county, March 18, 1827; he re
ceived a common school education and continued to farm for
his father until 1849, November 10th, when he was united in
marriage with Miss Rosannah Horn, a daughter of Jacob Horn,

JOHN D. STRUBLE

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

811

bom in Butler township, Knox county, April 10, 1826. After his
marriage he remained in Butler township for about nine years,
and then moved to Jefferson township, and there purchased a
farm of one hundred and twenty acres, where he then moved
with his family, and devoted himself to farming, which has been
his vocation all his life.
Mr. and Mrs. Staats became the parents of six children, viz:
Sarah J., Jacob H., Joseph L., Calvin F., Edward S., one of
whom died in infancy. Five are still living. Mrs. Rosannah
Staats, his wife, died August 20, 1863, aged thirty-seven years.
On the tenth of March, 1864, he married Miss Hannah Berry,
daughter of Joseph and Matilda Berry, born in Wayne county,
January 20, 1838. By their union they became the parents of
five children, two of whom are dead and three are living, viz:
Carrie B,, Canesie B., Charles B.
Mr. Staats now resides on a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres, known as the Marshal farm, two and one-half miles south
east of Jelloway
STADLER, A. M. , clothier, Kirk block, corner of public
square and Main street, Mt. Vernon. This firm was established
in 1877 in Kirk's block.
Mr. Stadler is a native of Champaign county, Ohio, born
August 28, 1852. His first business engagement was with Max
Stadler, wholesale and retail clothier in New York, where he
had charge of the manufacturing department, in which position
he was retained five years. After this he came to Mt. Vernon
and established the present firm. He carries a large stock, con
sisting of ready-made clothing, hats, tmnks, valises, and gents'
furnishing goods. This stock is one of the best in the city, and
is conducted strictly on the one price system.
STARR, BARTON, deceased, late of Pleasant township,
Knox county, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, on
the twentieth day of November, 1816. He emigrated to Mas
sillon, Ohio, remaining there a few years, and then went to
Oberlin, Ohio, and graduated at the Oberlin college in 1846.
His intentions were to prepare for the ministry, but the failure
of his health compelled him to give up the idea of going into
the ministry and seek some other vocation. In 1847 he came
to Mt. Vernon and in the following year he engaged in the
nursery business. His first nursery was on a farm which he
- rented, situated on the Wooster road, one and a half miles from
Mt. Vernon, where he continued in the business" until 1854,
when he purchased and moved his stock to the present location
of the Mt. Vernon nursery, where he continued the business,
making it a success until his death, which occurred April 2,
1874. In 1849 he married Miss Sarah J. Marquis, daughter of
Edward and Elizabeth Marquis. Mr. Marquis was a native of
Pennsylvania, migrated to Ohio and located in Knox county
in 1817, where he deceased in i860. Miss Marquis was born in
Monroe township, this county, June 26, 1824. His union with
Miss Maiquis resulted in four children, viz: Newton, Devella,
Mary E., and Edward E. Mrs. Starr and children are still
living on the nursery farm and carrying on the business.
STAUFFER, JOSEPH, of the firm of J. Stauffer & Son,
clothiers, Mt. Vernon, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio,
on the fifteenth day of July, 1817, and resided in that county
until he was seventeen years of age. He then removed to
Price's Mills, Trumbull county, Ohio, and engaged in selling
goods for William Porter, where he remained nearly three years,
and then took a stock of goods for Mr. Porter to the village of
Sutherington to sell on commission. He remained thus en-
55

gaged about nine moths, and then went back to Price's Mills
and remained some six months. He then went to Greene vil
lage, Columbiana county, and engaged in the grocery business,
and continued in this branch of trade for one year. April 17,
1839, he removed to Knox county and purchased a farm in
Monroe township, which was all in woods, having only ten acres
deadened and five acres grabbed. On this farm he remained
about six years, which time was spent in clearing up his farm
and farming. After this he went to Monroe Mills, and engaged
with Mr. Henry Boynton as salesman in a dry goods store.
Here he continued ten years. He then came to Mt. Vernon,
and sold goods for Mr. Mark Curtis, with whom he remained
seven years, and then Mr. Curtis established a clothing depart
ment, and Mr. Stauffer conducted that branch as salesman for
some three years. In 1868 Mr. Stauffer bought out the cloth
ing department and engaged in conducting that branch of trade
for himself, in which he has continued ever since. He com
menced with a stock of six thousand three hundred dollars. He
has been doing a successful business, which is constantly in
creasing in value. The firm always keep on hand, and in
crease as trade demands, a full and well selected stock of cloth
ing and gentleman's furnishing goods. To the establishment
has been added a merchant-tailoring department for all who
desire home-made clothing, having for that speciality one of
the best cutters in the State in their employ.
This house has met with good success from the beginning.
Their annual sales amount to about thirty-five thousand dollars.
They now carry a stock valued at about nineteen thousand dol
lars. This house is the original "one price clothing house."
The firm consists of Messrs. Joseph Stauffer, A. J. Stauffer,
and R. C. Mitchell.
STAUNTON, JOHN H., Pike township, blacksmith, post
office, North Liberty, born in Augusta county, Virginia, in
1850, and was married in 1873, to Catharine A. Rolfe, who was
born in Nova Scotia in 1853. They have three children:
Marshall C, born in 1874; Albert, in 1875, and Charles, in 1877.
Mr. Staunton came to Ohio in 1871, located in Mt. Vernon,
remained about four years, and then went to Brownsville. He
remained there three yeais. He came to North Liberty in 1878,
where he now resides. He is a skilful mechanic in all the
branches of his trade, horse shoeing being a speciality.
STEELE, J. & H, Fredericktown, liverymen, established
the livery business some two years ago, and keep good horses
and conveyances. They are good business men, obliging and
accommodating, and always ready to wait on those who will
give them a call.
STEELE, ISRAEL, Fredericktown, livery, born in Frederick
county, Maryland, in 1822, came to Ohio in 1848, and was mar
ried to Hannah Runkles, who was born in Canoll county,
Maryland, in 1822. They had the following children: Richard
V., born in Maryland, and drowned at Cape May in 1877;
James J., in Maryland, and died in Knox county in 1865;
Albert T., in Columbus, Ohio, and died at that place in 1850;
John L., in Ohio, resides in Boston, and is a travelling sales
man, and Mary Alice was married to J. A. Bennett,, who now
resides at Chicago Junction.
Mr. Steele was a soldier in the Mexican war about one year.
He was also in the late Rebellion, and continued in the service
one year.
STEELE, JAMES B., Morris township, deceased, bom in

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Wayne county, in 1827, and was married in 1854 to Rebecca
Patterson, who was born in Wayne county, in 1832. They had
five children: Ida, born in 1855; William P., in 1857; Sarah E.,
in 1858; Walter S., in i860; and May Belle, in 1,861.
Mr. Steele came to Knox county in i860, located on the farm
where they now reside, is engaged in farming and has been suc
cessful in accumulating property. He was a prominent mem
ber of the Presbyterian church in Fredericktown ; and a worthy
Christian. He djed at his home, August 3r, 1874.
William Patterson, father of Mrs. Steele, was a native of Fay
ette county, Pennsylvania, and was married to Rebecca Findley,
a native of the same county. They had seven children: Eb
enezer F., deceased; Jane, deceased; Matilda, deceased; Mar
garet, James, Rebecca, and Martha.
Mr. Patterson died in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1854. Mrs.
Patterson is a resident of this township, living with her daugh
ter, Mrs. Steele. They are all members of the Presbyterian
church .
STEMM, JOHN W., miller, Fredericktown, born in Adams
county, Pennsylvania, in 1830, came to Ohio with his parents,
who located in Seneca county, remained there some years, then
moved to Indiana, remained there several years, and then re
moved to Maryland. He was married in Virginia to Laura V.
Smoot, who was born in that State in 1840. They had eight
children: William H., Laura V., Mary B., Harriet E., John R.,
Samuel J., Herenden, deceased; and Jacob, deceased.
After marriage Mr. Stemm located in Altoona, Pennsylvania,
erected a flouring-mill, and was engaged at that business sev
eral years. He then moved to Wooster, Ohio, engaged in the
milling business for seven years, then moved to Wyandotte
county, and was engaged there at tbe same business for three
years. He then removed to the Rocky Fork mills, near Mans
field, then to Lucas for one year. From there he went to Ash
land county, and engaged in the Charles mill. In 1875 he pur
chased the Mound City mills, has been successful in doing mer
chant and custom business. He has a good reputation as a
miller. STEPHENS & SCOTT, carriage works. The business
was originally started in 1865 by Messrs. White, Stephens
& Barker, who continued five years. After this the firm became
Stephens &rCo., and continued as such until December, 1879,
when the present firm was organized. They have very much
improved, remodeled, and made new additions to the works.
They have a woodwork department, ironwork department,
painting and trimming department, and wareroom in addition
to the repository building for the display of finished work.
This company manufacture and keep on hand fine carriages,
single and double buggies, barouches, phaetons, spring and
platform wagons, and every style of farm wagons. The re
markable perfection in the execution and finish of their work,
as well as the substantial materials which they use, enable them
with confidence to invite those who contemplate buyingto call and
examine their stock before purchasing elsewhere. They feel able
to satisfy all of the justice of their claim — that their vehicles are
made of the very best material in use, and put together by
workmen of skill and experience. They use in their gearing
the best second growth hickory; in bodies, the best poplar and
ash; the wheels are the genuine Sarvern pattern, second growth
hickory; the springs are Forest City; axles number one; tubu
lar bow sockets, trimmed with good leather, rubber, or flock as
customers may desire. Their painting speaks, to all who see it,

of superior skill, finish, and excellence. All their work is well
ironed with the best iron in the market, and is warranted.
Stephens & Scott are able to compete' in beauty of work,
style, finish, quality, and price with any establishment in this
part of the State.
Mr. Stephens is a thoroughly skilled workman of large
experience, and a gentleman who stands high in the community,
both in business and social circles.
Mr. Scott is a young man completing and perfecting himself
in the business under the most advantageous circumstances,
and with his skill, natural ability, and business qualifications
will eventually take a prominent position in the field of business
activities. Each of these gentlemen are natives of this State.
STEVENSON, WILLIAM, carpenter, residing in Martins
burgh; was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, January
18, 1807; lemoved to Mt. Vernon at an early date, residing
there until 1861, when he removed here. He was married
December 27, 1836, to Christiana Graham. They were the
parents of eleven children: Thomas A., John G., William F.,
Emeline, Anna M., Frank, and Fred A. ; the others dying in
infancy. John G. and Anna are now the only surviving children.
Mr. S. is a member of the Presbyterian church of Martinsburgh.
STEVENS, W. A., of the firm of W. A. Stevens & Co.,
butter and egg packers, Mt. Vernon. Mr. Stevens is a native
of Newark, New Jersey. He resided in that State until he was
about ten years old, when his father emigrated to Ohio, locating
on a farm near Chesterville, Morrow county, where he resided
about ten years. From the farm near Chesterville the subject
of this sketch went to Missouri and engaged in the drug and
dentistry business in the town of Cameron. Here he remained
about four years. From Cameron he came back to Ohio and
for one year resided in Mansfield, and then went to Belleville,
where he engaged in the dry goods business. In this business he
remained some two and a half years. His next remove was
from Belleville to Bucyrus, where he engaged in egg and butter
packing, with his father and brother. Some two years were
thus spent, when he and his brother came to Mt. Vernon and
engaged in the same business, to which was added the pur
chasing and shipping of hides, pelts and furs. The firm of W.
A. Stevens & Co. is well established and is doing a large and a
steadily increasing business. During the first year their busi
ness amounted to twenty thousand dollars, and for the year
just past amounted to thirty-five thousand dollars, and from the
favorable commencement, this year's trade will exceed the
amount last mentioned.
STEWARD, DAVID, farmer, Brown township, post office,
Jelloway, son of John Steward, born in Brown township, Knox
county, May 27, 1827. He remained with his parents until he
arrived at the age of thirty-eight years. In 1865 he married
Miss Martha J. Workman, a daughter of S. C. and Mary P.
Workman, born in Brown township, Knox county, December
25, 1841. During the time he remained at home he made a
purchase of the old homestead, containing one hundred and
sixty acres, where he remained after his maniage, it being a
very pleasant and inviting home. He also owns one-half of
eighty-four acres in Brown township, known as the widow
Wolfard farm, making in all two hundred and two acres. By
their marriage they became the parents of three children: Solo
mon C, born November 29, 1867; Clinton M. C, May 22,
1871; Mary E., January 31, 1878.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

8i3

STILLWELL, OBADIAH, Middlebury township, deceased,
bom in Pennsylvania, and was married to Sarah Whaford, who
was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1782.
They came to Ohio in 1818. They had the following children,
viz: Josiah, bora December 29, 1804; Charlotte, February 1,
1806, now deceased; John, deceased; Rachel, July 6, 1811;
Jackson, January 18, 1815; Arthur, January 9, 1817; Josiah,
October 1, 1819.
Obadiah Stillwell died April 8, 1850. Mrs. Sarah Stillwell is
still living on the old homestead, with her great-granddaughter,
Olive S. Blackford, who was born February 24, 1862.
STILLWELL, JOSIAH, Middlebury township, farmer,
post office, Levering, born in this township October 1, 18 19,
was married in 1849, to Mary Levering, who was born in Mor
row county, April 7, 1825. They had the following children:
Zantha, born November 6, 1852; Zoe, August 13, 1856; Mary,
November 29, 1859; Lee V., April 28, 1863; Jay W., June 15,
1866; Jennie L., October 6, 1869.
Mrs. Mary Stillwell died March 17; 1872; Zantha Stillwell is
married to George Ireland.
STIVES, JOSHUA N., was bom in Guernsey county, Ohio,
January 31, 1840, and came to Butler township, Knox county,
in 1872. He was married February 16, 1862, to Rosan Smith,
who was bom July, 1844, in Guernsey county. They have had
eight children, viz: Minnie May Bell, born November 11,
1862; Charles W., April 25, 1865; .Lillie F., born April 13,
1867; Theudas E. , September 14, 1870. Samuel Martin, Au
gust 28, 1872, James D., September 25, 1874; John R. Han
cock, May 27, 1876; Joshua L., June 7, 1880; all are living
except Minnie, who died February 13, 1863. Mr. Stives was a
member of company H, Sixteenth Ohio volunteer infantry,
served three months and reenlisted in the Ninety-seventh Ohio
volunteer infantry.
STOFER, ABRAHAM, Pike township, retired, post office,
North Liberty, born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in
1807; came to Ohio in 1834, and was married in 1836, to Bar
bara Bearinger, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania,
in 1814. They had fourteen children: Flora, born in 1837;
Joseph, in 1838; Jane, in 1839; Rachel, in 1840; Jacob, in 1842;
Nancy, in 1844; John, in 1845; Samuel, in 1847; Allen, in 1848;
Harriet, in 1852; Eli, in 1855; Amanda, in 1857; and George,
in 1859. The deceased are: Flora, Jacob, Jane, Nancy, and
Allen: Joseph married Margaret Swank; Rachel married James
Landes; John married Sarah E. Hipsley.
Dr. Samuel Stofer was married to Lucretia Frances Boals,
of Richland county, and resides in Danville, engaged in the
practice of medicine.
Harriet Stofer was married to William H. Harris; Henry was
married to Adda Loney.
Eli Stofer is engaged in the study of medicine, attending
lectures in Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. Stofer, after marriage, returned to Fayette county,
Pennsylvania, and remained about three years and then came
to Knox county, and located in this township. He has im
proved and cleared a farm, and by industry and economy has
accumulated a competency. He has reared a large and respec
table family, and is one of the reliable and respected citizens of
this township, everybody esteeming him highly.
STOFER, JOSEPH, Pike township, farmer, post office,

North Liberty, bom in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1838,
and was married in 1869 to Margaret Swank, who was bonHn
Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1838. They have four chil
dren living— Amanda, born in 1870; Arminda, in 1871; Alfred,
in 1877; and John A., in 1879. The deceased members are in
fant twins, and Rosa.
Mr. Stofer resided in Indiana from 1864 to 1866, then re
turned to Pike township, Knox county. He owns a farm in a
good state of cultivation, and is a leading active citizen of this
township. Mrs. Margaret Stofer's father, Gabriel Swank, was bom in
Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1795, and was married to
Catharine Stone, who was born in the same county in 1797.
They had ten children— Henry, born in 1818, was a resident of
Richland county, and came to his death by the falling of a Iree,
which occurred in 1876; Lenah was born in 1820; Zachariah,
Elizabeth, Susannah, Christena, Mary, Sarah, Margaret, and
Catharine. Mrs. Catharine Swank died in Franklin county, Pennsylva
nia, in 1856. They came to Ohio in 1866, first to Richland
county. In 1878 came to Knox county. Mr. Swank resides
with his daughter, Mrs. Joseph Stofer.
STOFER' JOHN J., Pike township, post office, North Lib
erty, born in Pike township in 1845, and was manied in 1873 to
Sarah E. Hipsley, who was born in Berlin township in 1849.
They had two children — Jesse L., bom April 5, 1874, and died
April 24, 1875. Cora May was born April 28, 1876.
Mr. Stofer is a farmer, owns a well improved farm, with good
buildings, and has been very successful in his occupation, hav
ing accumulated rapidly. He bought the farm on which he re
sides, and made most of the means to pay for it upon the farm.
STOW, HARRISON N., Pike township, carpenter, post
office, North Liberty, bom in Crawford county, Pennsylvania,
in 1827, came to Ohio in 1836, locating in Holmes county, and
remained there a year; then came to this county and was mar
ried in 1851 to Louisa Johnson, who was born in this township.
They had six children, four of whom died in infancy. Ampuda
Winton and Cora May are living in North Liberty. Mrs.
Louisa Stow died at their residence in this township, July 4,
1879. Mr. Stow is a carpenter engaged in working at his trade in
this and adjoining townships. He is a skilful workman and the
leading carpenter in this neighborhood. Ampuda W. Stow is
engaged in canying the mail from North Liberty to Independ
ence, three times per week, and is a promising young man.
STREETER, FREDERICK, Union township, teamster,
post office, Rossville, was born in Jackson county, Michigan, in
1843, and remained there until his twenty-sixth year. He was
then married to Ella A. Howell, who was born in Coshocton
county, Ohio, in 1840. In 1864 Mr. Streeter and his wife set
tled in Harrison township, Knox county, and lived there two
years; then moved to Jackson county, Michigan, for two years;
then to Columbus, Ohio, for one year; then back to Harrison
township for two years, and once more to Jackson, Michigan,
for a year, and from there to Rossville, where he has bought a
piece of land and is making a permanent home. He has one
child, Samantha B., born in 1866.
STRONG, LEWIS, Fredericktown, farmer, was born in
Frederick county, Maryland, in 1815, came to Ohio in 1830, and
was married in 1839 to Susannah R. Cone, who was bom in

814

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

New York. They have one son, Clayton Strong, who was
born in 1847. He is now manied and resides in Meadville,
Pennsylvania. Mr. Strong is a dealer in stock.
STRONG, NORMAN M., Middlebury township, farmer,
post office, Fredericktown, born in Middlebury township in
1832, and was married in 1856 to Sarah A. Farquhar. They
have five children — Wilbur T., Charles F., Edwin Franklin, and
Eddie. Mrs. Sarah A. Strong died in March, 1871. Mr. Strong
married Ruth P. Farquhar, who was born in Knox county.
Mr. Strong owns an excellent farm, with buildings in a fine con
dition. His father, Truman Strong, was born in Vermont;
came to Ohio in 1811; was engaged in the War of 1812, under
General Hanison, and was among the earliest settlers of this
county. When it was all in woods he settled in Middlebury
township, cleared up a farm, and was engaged in preaching in
the Universalist denomination, and was very conscientious and
zealous in his religious faith. He had a charge in Huron
county several years, and was familiarly known by many of the
early settlers. In 1870 he died in this county, at an advanced
age. STRONG, REV. P. B., was bom in Medina county, Ohio,
May 3, 1842, and received his preparatory education at Baldwin
university, at Berea, Ohio, after which, in 1861, he enlisted dur
ing the first call for troops, in company H, Eighth Ohio volun
teer infantry, in which he served three months. He then en
listed in company H, Ohio volunteer cavalry, in which he served
about twenty months, when he was honorably discharged in
consequence of disability. After his return he engaged in the
study of law at Elyria, Ohio, where he remained two years, and
was admitted to the bar August 29, 1864, but did not engage
in practice. He then entered the ministry in the travelling con
nection of the North Ohio conference, and was ordained to
deacons orders in 1867, at Tiffin, Ohio, and was ordained elder
by Bishop E. S. Janes (deceased) at Norwalk, September 12,
1869. His first charge was Republic circuit, where he remained
one year, then East Townsend, two years, Milan, three years,
Fairfield, one year, Troy, two years, Ashland, two years, San
dusky City, three years, and at present is laboring on the Mt.
Vernon station. He was appointed presiding elder of the Mt.
Vernon district by the conference held at Norwalk in September,
1880, Bishop J . T. Peck presiding.
STRUBLE, JOHN D., Berlin township, deceased, was
born in Sussex county, New Jersey, in 1792, and was married
in 1822 to Mary Hadley, who was born in Norris county, New
Jersey, in 1802. They had nine children — Rebecca, born in
1824; Headley, in 1826; Daniel, in 1828; William J., in 1831;
JohnS., in 1834; Charles S., in 1836; Oscar, in 1839; David
W., in 1841; and Edwin Dallas, in 1845.
Mr. Struble located in Fredericktown in 1832. He was an
extensive land holder, owning over four hundred acres, and a
very active and successful business man, engaged in different
enterprises, such as the sale of merchandise and the milling
business, superintending all himself.
In 1874 his mill property was destroyed by fire. He did much
to improve Fredericktown, and was a prominent member of the
Baptist church. He departed this life May 21, 1875.
Mrs. Struble is living with her son, John S., in Berlin town
ship. STRUBLE, DAVID W., Fredericktown, retired from busi
ness, was born in Wayne township, this country, in 1841; was

married in 1866 to Anne Cummings, who was born in Rich
land county in 1844. > He was a soldier in the late war, a mem
ber of company B, Second New York cavalry, and was in the
service over three years.
Mr. Struble has been engaged in the mercantile business for
some time, but has retired from all business pursuits.
STUDER, DAVID, Morris township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in
1825; emigrated with his parents to Ohio in 1830, and was mar
ried in 1858 to Rebecca Ebersole, who was born in this county
in 1833. They have three children — Byron, born in 1859;
Albert, in 1864; and Castilla, in 1866.
Mr. Studer's parents first located in Fairfield county, Ohio;
also resided in Holmes and Wayne counties, and then came to
Knox county. He has since been a resident of this county,
and owns a beautiful farm in this township, with fine improve
ments. STULL, MARTIN, farmer and stock raiser, Miller town
ship, was born in Gteene county, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1828.
He is the son of George and Elizabeth Stull, deceased, who
came to Ohio in 1833, and resided for about seven years in Mil
ford township, when they came to Miller townthip. They had
ten children, viz: Mary, Elizabeth, Catharine, Abram, Martin,
Philip, Isaac, Sarah Ann, Lucinda, and Lucina, of whom Mary,
Elizabeth, and Philip have since died. Mr. Stull was reared on
a farm, and was educated at the district shook In April, 1861,
he enlisted in company H,' Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, and
was in several of the engagements in West Virginia, and in the
army of the Potomac. He suffered considerable while in the
army from chronic diseases, which greatly impaired his health.
He was discharged with his regiment. Mr. Stull entered the
army upon patriotic principles. Nothing can deter him from
expressing his sentiments on the political issues of the day. He
is a Democrat from principle, and is well informed upon the
policies of the two great parties. Mr. Stull started in life poor,
but with a determination to succeed; he has gained the object
of his determination. He is a man of strict integrity, and his
word is regarded as "good as gold." He hasa beautiful home.
He was married to Miss Magdalene Ilgenfritz, December 10,
1867. They had seven children, three of whom died in infancy.
STULL, PHILIP, was born in 1840- in Millwood, Knox
county, Ohio. He was married to Melissa Darling on the
seventeenth of November, 1865. Mrs. Stull was born in 1847.
They have had five children, viz: William, born July 13, 1866,
and died July 23, 1866; Ida May, born July 4, 1867; Sherman,
born October 2, 1869; Eliza D., bom October 15, 1871; Sam
uel, born February 4, 1874, and died July 6, 1874.
Mr. Stull was a member of company F, One Hundred and
Twenty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, enlisting in
1862, and served about three years and until the war was over.
Mr. Stull was wounded at Perryville, Kentucky; he was also in
the engagements at Crab Orchard, Kentucky; Campbellsville,
Kentucky; Chickamauga, Kennesaw Mountain, also in Sher
man's march to the sea.
STURGES, FRED D., cashier of the First National bank of
Mt. Vernon, was born in Zanesville, Muskingum county, June
1', 1833, where he received a preparatory education, entered
Marietta college, and graduated in 1851; came to Mt. Vernon
in 1853, and engaged m banking, where he has since lived.
He was formerly engaged in a bank at Zanesville and at New
ark.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

8i5

STYERS, JACOB, of Mt. Vernon, was bom in Greenwich
township, Warren county, New Jersey, October 31, 1813, about
two miles from Easton, Pennsylvania, the Delaware river being
the boundary line between the two States. His education was
received in the common schools of that day. He has been a
hard worker from his youth up to old age, enjoying good health
through life. At the early age of nine years he left his father's
house and commenced work on the farm of Mr. John Lance,
with whom he continued six years. His father, John Styers,
was the father of ten children, eight sons and two daughters,
Jacob, the subject of this sketch, being the second child. All
are living except two of the sons, one of whom died while quite
young, and the other was drowned in Wisconsin. The parents
are both dead.
In 1832, after leaving the Lance farm, Mr. Styers went south
and engaged with his brother Daniel, a carpenter, who had
been employed by a New York company to erect houses in the
town of St. Joseph, located by them on St. Joe's bay, Florida.
Here he remained about one year, when he returned to his
father's home in New Jersey. On May 31, 1838, he married
Miss Elizabeth A. Andrews, daughter of Mr. Jacob B. Andrews,
of Warren county, New Jersey, by whom he had three children:
Sarah Ann, who married William A. Rose; Jacob M., who
married Miss Callie C. Reed, to whom one child was born, a
daughter, and James W., who married Miss OUa Jadden, to
whom three children have been born.
Mr. Styers came to Knox county with the family of his father-
in-law, Mr. Andrews, September, 1846. Mr. Styers engaged
with the late Samuel F. Voorhies to work on his farm in Clin
ton township, now owned by the heirs of Jacob B. Andrews,
where he worked one year when Mr. Voorhies sold the farm and
came to Mt. Vernon, retaining Mr. Styers in his employ with
whom he remained six years. Mr. Styers' next employment
was at the foundry of General C. P. Buckingham as general
teamster, where he remained for six years and until 1859. For
the last few years Mr. Styers has been in the employ of Mr.
Charles A. Bope, an extensive coal merchant.
SUTTON, GIDEON, Hilliar township, retired fanner, was
born in Licking county, December 24, 1807. His father, Jehu
Sutton, was born in Uniontown, Fayette county, Pennsylvania,
September 8, 1777. He was married in the year 1801, and in
1804 came to Licking county, being among the early settlers.
He was lieutenant of a company of soldiers during the War
of 1812, and went to Upper Sandusky to protect the frontier
from the devastations of the Indians. He was esteemed by all
who knew him.
He was a consistent member of the Old School Baptist
church for many years, and died at the ripe old age of nearly
eighty-eight years. His aged companion died some years later,
at the age of ninety-six years. Thus passed away two of Licking
county's first and most influential settlers.
They did not live in vain. They left their impress on the
minds and hearts of their family, who grew up to be useful and
influential citizens.
Gideon was one of their sons. We leam from him that
he spent his youth on his father's farm. After leaving
home he engaged in cutting stone for the National road, which
was then being built. He subsequently contracted for stone
work in Newark and surrounding country, in which he was
successful. In the fall of 1834 he came to Hilliar township, Knox county,

and the following spring he moved on the farm he now occu
pies. His first abode on the farm was a cabin near his present
dwelling. This he occupied until 1839, when he built his pres
ent dwelling. He has been successful in making for himself a
competence. He was elected justice ofthe peace in 1841, and held the office
until 1847. He is a man of good judgment, social and conge
nial, and makes all who call upon him feel at home.
We are indebted to him for an article entitled Centreburgh,
its Past and Present, which he had written some years previous,
and which he kindly lent us.
He was married to Miss Eliza Shaver, of Licking county,
March 8, 1832. They have therefore been together for over
forty-nine years. They had four children born to them, viz:
Rebecca, married to David N. Potter; Jasper N., and Joseph
S. , and Samantha A. , married to Dr. W. S. Pollard.
SUTTON, DAVID A., Hilliar township, farmer, was bom
in Licking county, Ohio, December 31, 1826. His parents
were Elijah and Nancy Sutton, nee Gillespie, born respectively
July 24, 1802, and January 8, 1799. They were married Feb
ruary 12, 1824. They had two children, one of whom died
when young. Mrs. Sutton dying, he married Sarah Stone-
braker, June 4, 1829. They had six children. Mr. Sutton died
November 12, 1872, his wife dying some years previous.
Mr. Sutton was from Greene county, Pennsylvania, came
to Ohio with his parents, and was a stone-cutter by trade. The
subject of this notice, after the death of his mother, and when
about eighteen months old, was taken by his grandfather, David
Gillespie, and by him reared until about eighteen years old,
when he went to his Grandfather Sutton's, where he remained
several years. June 10, 1851, he was manied to Miss Sarah
Emery, and in 1853 they moved to Hilliar township, where he
purchased the farm on which he now resides. Mrs. Sutton was
born in Greene county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Sutton is a good
farmer, a man of fine social qualities, and is respected by the
community. They have had three children, all sons, viz:
Elijah, Ellmore, and Allen K.
SWANK, GEORGE, Pike township, farmer, post office,
North Liberty, was born in Pike township, Knox county, in
1825, on the same farm he now resides. In 1851 he was mar
ried to Nancy Gilmore, who was born in Pike township in 1829.
They had the following children: Christain, born in 1854;
Mary Ellen, in 1856; Eliza Alice, in 1858; John, in 1866, and
Amanda, in 1868.
Christian Swank was married in 1880 to Irena Garber. Mary
Ellen Swank was married to Simeon Betchel in 1877. Mr.
and Mrs. Swank are both members of pioneer families. He
now owns the old homestead, a farm that was improved and
cleared up by the Swank family.
SWETLAND, H. G, dry goods merchant, comer of Main
and Gambier streets, Mt. Vernon, was born in Morrow county
April 7, 1855, where he resided until he was sixteen years old,
and during which he attended school, and assisted his father
who was a merchant in the store. He then came to Mt. Ver
non, and entered the employ of J. C. Swetland as salesman,
where, in appreciation of his abilities and faithfulness, he wa«
retained until 1880, when he bought out his employer, and has
since been conducting the business himself. He commenced
with a stock of about fifteen thousand dollars, and has been
doing a successful business. He now has a stock of about
sixteen thousand dollars, consisting of foreign and domestic

8i6

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

dry goods, notions and fancy goods, and does a business of
from forty to forty-five thousand dollars per year.
Mr. Swetland is a young man of character, energy and
ability,, and his prospects for the future as a citizen and -a busi
ness man are most flattering, as he commands the respect ofthe
public generally.
SWETZER, ALLEN, Berlin township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, was bom in Richland county in 1833, came to
this township when a child, and was married in r862,' to Mary
Ann Pound. They had three children, viz: Charles M., born
in 1865; Marion, in 1867, and an infant, deceased. Mrs.
M. Swetzer died in 1867.
Mr. Swetzer's second wife was Ruth Ann Kesler, who was
born in Pike township in 1837.
SWITZER, JACOB, deceased, Berlin township, was born
in Berlin township, this county, in 1836, and was married in
1857, to Alvira Hughes, who was bora in Berlin township, this
county, in 1839. They had four children: Hiram M., born in
1858; Clayton, in i860; Freddie, in 1862, and Willie A., in
1865, and died January 24, 1864.
Mr. Switzer studied medicine with Dr. Ring, of Frederick-
town', and attended lectures in Cleveland. He engaged in the
practice of medicine in Sparta, Morrow county, and in T836
located in Fredericktown, where he remained until the time of
his death. He was a member of the Disciple church.
Hiram M. was married December 29, 1880, to Miss Minnie
Gibson. He has been engaged in teaching school in this
county for about four years.
Clayton Switzer is teaching school in district No. 4, and is a
very promising young man.
Dr. Switzer died March 17, 1867.
SCHINDLER, JACOB, owner and proprietor of the Danville
Carnage and Wagon works. These works were established in
1875, in the Collins building, where he carried on the business of
blacksmiting, carriage and wagon making, until 1877, when he
erected his present shop, in which he is manufacturing all kinds
of wagons, carriages, sleighs, etc. Prompt attention given to re
pairing of all kinds.

T

TABOR, CHARLES R., Middlebury township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in Rutland county, Vermont, in
1820, came to Fredericktown in 1824, and was married, in 1858,
to Eliza Tooman, who was born in Pennsylvania. They have
the following children: Alonzo A., born December 25, 1862;
Mary J., November 22, i860; Erie Smeadley, March 16, 1865;
Charles R., jr., March 11, 1867.
Mr. Tabor left this county in 1852, and settled in Cedar
county, Iowa, remained there eleven years and then returned to
Middlebury, and has continued to make that his home ever
since. His father, Alanson Tabor, was born in New York,
and came to Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio, in 1824, re
mained there for one year, and then moved to Berlin township,
where he died at the age of eighty-three years.
TAFT, H. C. & SON, booksellers, stationers, and circulat
ing library, Main street, between Vine and Gambier streets, Mt.
Vernon. Mr. Taft is a native of Northbridge, Massachusetts,
born April 12, 1815. In 1830 his parents moved five miles
south, to Uxbridge, where he resided with them ten years. He
was married June 12, 1839, to Miss Catharine Grout, daughter

of- Colonel Moses Grout, of Westborough, Massachusetts.
They had a family of four children, one only of whom is living,
J. Grout Taft, born June it, 1846. Mr. Taft, in consequence
of his health failing, emigrated to Georgia in 1854, and located
at Hawkinsville, where he engaged in the mercantile business,
in which he continued four years. Finding his health consider
ably improved, he sold out and returned home; and finding his
wife's health rapidly declining, he took her west, with a view of
her recuperation, but the seeds of death were too deeply rooted,
and she died at Chicago in 1850. Mr. Taft brought her back,
and her body was interred in the family tomb.
In 1854, failing health again compelled him to seek a warmer
climate, and he returned to Georgia and located at Millidge-
ville, where he remained two and a half years. After which, in
April, 1856, he emigrated to Ohio, and located at Mt. Vernon,
being attracted thither by the educational advantages afforded
by Kenyon college, he having a son, Cheney Taft, that he
wished to educate. The boy attended Kenyon college about
three months, when he sustained injuries in a game of foot-ball
which led to a disease that proved fatal January 5, 1857.
Mr. Taft married Miss Sophia Parkman, daughter of Hon.
Charles Parkman, of Westborough, Massachusetts, by whom
he had two children, one of whom, C. Parkman Taft, is living,
and was born in Mt. Vernon, July 11, 1856. Mr. Taft engaged
here in the cultivation of market produce, in which he contin
ued eleven years. He then engaged in the book business, un
der the firm name of H. C. Taft & Son, J. Grout Taft being
the junior member. He has always been his father's assistant
in business, and is a young man of energy and ability. Although
he was so unfortunate as to lose his left arm some years ago, it
is interesting to see with what dexterity and expedition he man
ages to wait upon their large custom. The second son, C.
Parkman Taft, is of a classical turn of mind, and is preparing
for the ministry. He graduated at Racine college, Wisconsin,
in the class of 1877, taking the highest honors, being selected
to deliver the valedictory for his class. Messrs. Taft & Son
have an extensive business, and carry a large stock of miscella
neous books, all of which are of a high grade of literature, and
are the productions of the best authors. They keep in stock a
large assortment of school books, pictures, picture frames, mu
sical instruments, sheet music, brackets, and all the latest and
most popular periodicals of the day. They have also a circu
lating library of about one thousand three hundred volumes,
which consists of the most interesting and instructive miscella
neous publications of the period, among which every lover of
reading will find that which will be pleasing to them, and at a
very-trifling expense. Their entire stock is first-class, and their
circulating library is the only one in the city.
TARR, JOHN IT., was born in Fayette county, Pennsyl
vania, February 14, 1801, and was married to Miss Hannah
Price in 1824, and reared a family of nine children, seven of
whom are now living.
Mr. Tarr emigrated to Ohio in 1850, and settled in Liberty
township, Knox county, on a farm, where he lived until 1868,
when he retired from business, but still made that his home until
his death, May 9, 1872.
Mrs. Tarr is still living. Alexander B., the seventh member
of the family was born in December, 1837; was educated at the
district school, after which he followed farming until 1869,
when he came to Mt. Vernon and engaged in the grocery busi
ness. In consequence of bad health, after being four years in

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

817

the business, he sold out, since which he has been engaged in
various kinds of business.
Alexander B. was married October 31, 1867, to Miss Maria
Hyatt, by whom he has a family of three children, two sons
and one daughter — Alexander P., born September 7, 1871;
Rizpah N., June 21, 1876; and Philip H., June 15, 1878.
TAVENNER, GEORGE N., farmer, Fredericktown, born
in Loudoun county, Virginia, May 25, 1813, and was married
January 26, 1836, to Elizabeth Jane Hann, who was born in
Loudoun county, Virginia, December 24, 1823. They had
eight children— Joseph H., bom June 21, 1840, and was married
to Linda Rummel, and now lives in California; David, October
2, 1842, and died July 9, 1863; Jerome B., born in Virginia,
March 15, 1844, and was married November 25, 1873, to Louisa
Auten, and resides in Wayne township, this county; Richard
D., bom August 15, 1847, and was married January 1, 1874, to
Rebecca Auten, and resides in Berlin township; William C,
bom October 15, 1849, and died May 16, 1867; Rosa E., born
March 14, 1853, and was manied to James A. Knapp, and re
sides in Marion, Ohio; America, born August 13, 1856; and an
infant that died February 28, 1861.
Mr. Tavenner removed to Fredericktown, Knox county,
March 28, 1855, and since then has resided in Hardin and
Logan, but is now residing in Fredericktown.
TAYLOR, SAMUEL, Mt. Vemon, was born April 16, 1800,
at Tioy, New York, where he remained until June, 1840, when
be came to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, having previously made arrange
ments to take charge of the coopering shops of J. & J. Slocum,
where he remained one year when the firm failed and he estab
lished a business for himself, in which he was very successful,
doing a very large business. He employed about six hands,
and manufactured barrels, meat tubs, butter kegs, etc. In
1870, on account of his age, he gave his son charge of the busi
ness. He was married to Catharine Balson in 1825, by whom
he had fourteen children, six of whom are living. Losing his
wife, he married November 27, 1853, Isabella Bumpus. Mr.
Taylor was one of the oldest citizens of Mt. Vernon, having
lived here forty-one years and being eighty-one years old.
TAYLOR, STOUGHTON L., of Mt. Vernon, was born in
Saratoga county. New York, March 6, 1822. He was born on
a farm. He commenced to work on the farm at quite an early
age. His father emigrated to Ohio when the subject of this
sketch was about fifteen years of age, and settled in Licking
county, where he resided up to the time of his death, his wife
surviving him for some years. In 1838 Stoughton went to clerk
in a store in Homer, Licking county, and shortly after to Utica,
same county, where he remained until 1843. He continued
clerking up to 1846, when he commenced business for hrmself,
which he continued' for a short time. He went from Utica to
Logan county and engaged in business, and also acted as agent
for the Knox Mutual insurance company for some nine years.
He came to Mt. Vernon and engaged in business here. In
1870 he was elected by the board of directors of the Knox
Mutual Fire Insurance company as general agent and adjustor
for the company. He has been a member of the board of
directors for several years.
Mr. Tayior has been twice manied. His first wife was Miss
Elizabeth T. Browning, to whom he was married in June, 1849.
She was a daughter of the late George Browning. Mr. Brown
ing was born in a block-house in Marietta. He was the son of
a daughter of Rufus Putnam. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor had six

children, four of whom are living. Mrs. Taylor died June 6,
1874. He was married June 29, 1876, to Miss Rebecca Rice.
TAYLOR, ALEXANDER, farmer, Middlebury township,
post office, Fredericktown, was born in Greene township, Ash
land county, May 8, 1838, and was married April 13, 1862, to
Elizabeth Heck, who was born near Holmes county, Ohio.
March 30, 1836. They have six children: David W., born Jan
uary 25, 1864; John R., November 26, 1866; Carrie B., March
10, 1868; James, March 19, 1870; Millie Maud E., August 8,
1872; and Eva M., born September 3, 1875.
Mr. Taylor is a son of David Taylor, esq., of Richland
county. In 1821 he settled in Greene township, now Ashland
county. They first came to Monroe township and remained
there till 1844, when they moved to Worthington township.
Mr. D. Taylor has been commissioner of Richland county for
two terms of three years.
Alexander Taylor came to Middlebury township, Knox coun
ty, Ohio, April 25, 1871, and remained there till the fall of 1880,
when he sold out and moved to St. Clair county, Missouri, his
post office being Lowery City, St. Clair county, Missouri. Mr.
Taylor has been a worthv citizen of this county.
TAYLOR, THOMAS N., farmer, Pleasant township, was
born in Logan county, Ohio, August 14, 1844. He was reared
a farmer and has made farming his vocation. In 1872 he mar
ried Miss Mary E. Bowman, of same county, born in 1854.
They settled in Logan county, where they remained until 1876,
when they came to Knox county, purchased and moved on the
farm where they are now living in Pleasant township, known as
the old Park farm, two miles east of Mt. Vernon.
TAYLOR, JOSEPH W„ Mt. Vernon, physician and sur
geon, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, near Wooster, in De
cember, 1849. He remained in the family until about fourteen
years of age, when his parents removed to Mt. Vernon. He
read medicine with Dr. Jacob Stamp, of Mt. Vernon, for three
years — 1869, 1870 and 1871. He attended two courses at the
medical department of Wooster university, located at Cleve
land, from which he received his diploma. He returned to Mt.
Vernon, and practiced with Mr. Stamp in 1871, 1872 and 1873.
He then purchased the drug store of Mr. L. Rowley. After
the erection of the Curtis house, in 1877, he moved his store to
the room in building where he has since remained.
He came first to Mt. Vernon about 1866. He attended
school at Kenyon about one year. He was deputy auditor un
der Colonel Alexander Cassil for two years.
He purchased a half interest in the Mt. Vernon Republican
in February, 1881, and is the political editor of said paper.
TEETER, GEORGE L., Brown township, was born in Pike
township, Knox county, August 11, 1852, being the eldest son
of John L. and Elvina Teeter.
In 1854 his father removed to a farm in Richland county, re
maining there until 1864, when he sold it and purchased one in
Berlin township, known as the Moltsbaugh farm, where he at
present resides. George remained at home assisting his father
on the farm during the summer and attending school during the
winter until he was twenty-one. By the advice of his friends he
adopted school teaching as his profession, teaching in the win
ter and working by the month during the summer, in the mean
time purchasing books and reading them so as to better qualify
himself for teaching, so that he is now competent to teach all
branches commonly taught in common schools, and is well

8i8

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

versed in many of the higher branches. He is well informed
concerning current events, also in matters of history.
In 1877 he united with the Dunkard church, of which he and
his wife are still members. In the summer of 1874 he came to
Brown township in the employ of Mr. Elisha Ross. On the
third of January, 1878, he was united in marriage with Miss
Priscilla Dewitt, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Dewitt, and
granddaughter of S. N. C. Workman, since which time he has
resided in Brown township. Two children have resulted from
his marriage — both daughters. The first was born May 11,
1879, and died the same day. The second daughter, Laura,
was born June 28, 1880. In the spring of 1880 he purchased a
small tract of land, being a portion of the Moomaw lot near
Jelloway, on which he now resides.
John L. Teeter, the father of George, was born in Bedford
county, Pennsylvania, Febmary 26, 1824. His parents remained
in Pennsylvania until 1830, when they emigrated to Ohio and
located on the farm now owned by the Wallace family, in Pike
township. On the second day of September, 1851, John L. Teeter was
united in marriage with Elvina Cramer, who was born near Phil
adelphia, May 30, 1831, being the daughter of George L. (de
ceased) and Elizabeth (Henry) Cramer, late of Worthington
township, Richland county.
Jacob Teeter, grandfather of George, was born in Maryland
in the year 1782. In 1863 he died, and his remains were interred
by the side of those of his wife in the Wallace graveyard, Pike
township. John Deeter, great-grandfather of George, was born
in Maryland, as was also his father.
The original surname of the family was Deitrich. Near the
beginning of the eighteenth century a family of the last men
tioned name emigrated, some say from Ireland, while others as
sert that they came from Switzerland, and located in the present
State of Maryland. The family, if not German speaking when
they came to America, became so afterward. The name Dei
trich became corrupted into Deeter in some localities, Deetery
in others, Teeter in some places, while a large number of the
descendants of the family still retain the original name. The
above mentioned facts render it extremely difficult to obtain any
accurate information concerning the family.
TERRY, WARNER, deceased. Mr. Terry was born in
Cecil county, Maryland, November 18, 1796. During the War
of 1812, he served six months, being stationed on Chesapeake
bay. Early in the fall of 1826 he removed with his family to
Gambier, and during Bishop Chase's absence acted as his agent,
and superintended the clearing of the land and making arrange
ments for the foundations of Kenyon college and other buildings
on the college lands. When the ground on which Kenyon col
lege now stands was prepared for digging to lay the foundation,
Mr. Terry threw out the first shovel full of earth, the bishop de
siring him to take a hand in the great work. Shortly after this
he removed to a farm nine miles north of this city, where he re
mained until the year 183 1, when he moved his family and per
sonal effects to the house on East Chestnut street, where he re
sided up to the hour of his death, a period of nearly half a
century. Mr. Terry was not a professional man, but since his
residence in Mt. Vernon, turned his attention purely to mercan
tile pursuits, having been engaged the greater part of the time
in the grocery trade. Three years since he was obliged to give
up his business on account of an affection of the kidneys, which
disease has kept him closely confined to the house. The de

ceased reared a large family of children, six of whom are still
living, viz: Mrs. Emily T. Shipley, residing near Portland, Ore
gon; Mrs. M. L. Hood, formerly postmistress of this city; Miss
Johanna Terry, of this city; Mr. Edwin W. Terry, of this city;
Mr. Brook L. Terry, of Columbus, Ohio, and Miss Caroline
Warner Teny, of this city. Mr. Terry was taken suddenly
worse on Sunday with hemorrhage of the kidneys, and at an
early hour on the morning of July 13, 1880, breathed his last.
The funeral services were held in St. Paul's Episcopal church.
THOMAS, HON. JESSE BURGESS, deceased. The Hon.
Jesse B. Thomas was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, in the
year 1777, and came west in 1799, and studied law with his
brother, Richard Symmes Thomas, df Bracken county, Ken
tucky. During his stay there he manied, but was so unfor
tunate as to lose his wife within a year after their maniage.
Mr. Thomas was full six feet high, florid brown complexion,
dark hazel eyes, brown, nearly black, hair, muscular system
well developed, and sometimes weighed over two hundred
pounds, and was very particular in his personal appearance,
having much of the mode and manners of a refined gentleman
ofthe last century.
On the organization of Dearborn county, Indiana tenitory,
March 7, 1803, Jesse B. Thomas located in Lawrenceburgh, the
county seat of said county, as a practicing lawyer. The first
election of members to the Tenitorial legislature was held Janu
ary 3, 1805, and Jesse B. Thomas was elected a member for
Dearborn county. The Tenitorial legislature was called to
gether by proclamation of the governor (General William H.
Harrison, elected President of the United States in 1840), to
meet in the town of Vincennes, on the first day of Febmary,
1805, to choose members of the legislative council. They chose
ten persons and sent their names to Congress, which body se
lected five of the ten named to serve as members of the Terri
torial council. After the council was chosen, and the legisla
ture having been elected as above stated, they were called, by
proclamation of Governor Harrison, to meet at Vincennes (the
seat of government of the territory), on the twenty-ninth of
July, 1805, to discharge their duties as legislators.
At this first session of the legislature of the Indiana territory,
Jesse B. Thomas was elected speaker of the popular branch,
and Benjamin Chambers, also of Dearborn county, was elected
speaker of the council. On the twenty-fourth of August, 1805,
Governor Harrison appointed Hon. Jesse B. Thomas as a cap
tain of a portion of the militia of Dearborn county.
Hon. Jesse B. Thomas served as speaker of the first and sec
ond sessions of the first general assembly, closing his service as
speaker October 24, 1808, having served as such more than
three years, when he resigned to accept the position of delegate
to Congress, to which he had been elected by the Territorial
legislature. During his term of service in the Territorial legislature, he
made the acquaintance ofthe young and accomplished widow
of the late Colonel Hamtramck, whom he subsequently married.
He then removed to Vincennes, but remained there only a short
time. After serving as Territorial delegate a year, he was ap
pointed in 1806, upon the organization of the Illinois territory,
one of the judges of said territory, by the President of the
United States, and then removed to Kakaskia, thence to
Cakokia, and afterwards to Edwardsville, and served nine years
as a Territorial judge.
On the formation of a State government in Illinois, in 1818,

&MjU**<if ¦ #'<&***£

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

819

Judge Thomas was elected a member of the convention to form
a constitution f3r the new State, and was chosen president of
said convention. He was elected in the same year, by the first
legislature of Illinois, one of the members of the United States
senate, and being reelected served ten years in said dignified
body, retiring in 1828.
Judge Thomas introduced into the United States senate, the
once famous Missouri Compromise, (see Journal of the United
States senate of 1820), which he regarded as one of the most
prominent members of the celebrated caucus which nominated
William H. Crawford for President of the United States in 1824-
Atthecloseof his term of service in the United States senate in
1828, Judge Thomas and his wife, (they had no children) , removed
Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, where they had large property to
interests. Colonel Hamtramck, who died in 1S03, left a son,
bearing his father's name, John Francis, born at Fort Wayne
in 1797, and who also acquired his father's title, having com
manded the First Virginia regiment in the Mexican war. The
elder Hamtramck had acquired title to four thousand acres of
land, adjoining the tract on which Monnt Vernon was after
wards located, and after his death some years, General Har
rison and Judge Thomas became trustees for the management
of said land, and it has been alleged that they were in no small
degree instrumentral in securing the location of the Knox
county seat of justice at Mount Vemon.
In this connection it may be stated that the elder Colonel
Hamtramck was born invCanada, in 1757; was a soldier in the
Revolutionary war, came out of it a captain, remained in the
United States army, reached the position of major in 1789, was
lieutenant colonel commanding the first sub-legion in 1793, com
manded the left wing under General Wayne, in the battle of the
Fallen Timbers, in August, 1794, and became a colonel in the
United States army in 1802, having sustained until his death,
April n, 1803, at Detroit, the reputation of a gallant soldier
and patriot.
His son graduated at West Point Military academy in 1819,
remained in the army serving on the frontiers under General
Taylor, and as Indian agent; and commanded a brigade in
1847, in Mexico, though holdiug only a colonel's commission.
He afterwards resigned his position m the army, was mayor of
Shepherdstown, Virginia, from 1850 to 1854, and served as one
of the justices of the Jefferson county court from 1853 until
April 21, 1858, when his death occurred.
In 1829 Judge Thomas took an active part in the organiza
tion of St. Paul's Episcopal church in Mt. Vemon, and was a
member of the congregation from its inception until his death.
He made large additions to Mt. Vemon, laying out lots in the
eastern and northern parts of the city.
Judge Thomas, in 1830, took the preliminary steps to make
the canvass for a seat in Congress, in the district of which
Knox county was a part, but finding that Hon. William Stan
bery had a strong hold upon the voters that year, he declined
the candidacy before the time of election.
In 1840 Judge Thomas took a lively interest in bringing
about the nomination of his old time friend, Governor Harri
son, for President, attending the great convention held at Co
lumbus that year, to secure that object, and labored zealously
afterwards to effect his election.
Judge Thomas died at his residence in Mt. Vernon, in June,
'853, aged seventy-five years.
He was twenty-five years of age when he began the business
of life in Lawrenceburgh, as a lawyer, passing through the
56

various positions of captain of a military company, member of
the territorial legislature, speaker of said body more than three
years, delegate in Congress, United States judge in Illinois
territory, delegate to a constitutional convention, and its pre
siding officer, and United States senator from Illinois for ten
years, which closed his service of twenty-five years of public
life, after having held many positions of responsibility, honor,
and dignity.
Mrs. Thomas was a lady of marked and distinguished charac
ter. She was a Mackenzie, and her early life was spent in
Montreal. When she married Major Hamtramck she was the
belle of Detroit, where the major was then stationed in com
mand, and where he died some few years later.
THOMAS, DANIEL, Liberty township, farmer, born in
Liberty township, July 7, 1812. His father, Jacob Thomas,
was a native of Pennsylvania; he married Betsy Kile, a native
of Maryland; he came to Ohio about 1810; they had a family of
six children, viz: John, Peter, Sallie, Rosanna, Daniel and
Polly. Of these John was drowned at Gains mills, on Owl
creek; his father also was drowned at the same time. Jacob
Thomas was a soldier of the War of 1812. The subject of this
notice married Celina Sisk, a native of Virginia, bom in 1818.
They had four children. Henry was a member of company F,
One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry ; he died
while in service. Mary E., wife of Cornelius McElroy, of
Union township; Morgan S., farmer in Milford township;
Francis M., born May 21, 1846. He manied Miss Anna Belle
Davis, Febmary 27, 1879. She was born January 18, 1851, and
is the daughter of John and Susannah Davis, residents of Mil
ford township. They have one child, Walter, born September
15, 1880.
THOMPSON, FRANKLIN P. (deceased), Middlebury town
ship. — Abner Murphy (father of Mrs. Thompson) was born in
Pennsylvania, in 1777, and was married to Sarah Gattern.
They had the following children: Hiram, born in 1800; Rob
ert, in 1802; William, in 1804; Jane, in 1806; Mary, in i8r8;
Eleanor, in 1810; Basil, in 1812; Rachel, in 1814; Sally, in
1817; and Elias, in 1820.
Abner Murphy died in 1826, and Sarah Murphy, February 19,
1854; Sarah died August 17, 1840; Albert L., April 19, 1842;
Abner E. , April 19, 1849.
George T. enlisted in the late war in 1862, was a member of
the Ohio volunteer infantry; James F. was also in the war, a
member of the Ohio National guards, and served his time of
enlistment. Ella O. Murphy was married November 23, 1872, to Frank
lin P. Thompson, who was born in Richland county. They
had the following family, viz: Ora Belle, born November 4,
1874; Alice Belle, February 5, 1876; Karloss, November 4, 1877;
and Mabel, August 7, 1879.
Mr, Thompson died February 13, 1879.
THOMPSON, ENOCH, Miller township, pioneer, was born
in Hampshire county, Virginia, April 17, 1808. His parents,
Cornelius and Rebecca Thompson, nee Baker, came to Ohio in
1809, remained one year in Licking county, and settled in the
southern part of Miller township, a short distance west of the
Vance settlement. Mr. Thompson died here. His widow sub
sequently married John Row, and died in the township.
The subject of this notice has always resided in the township,

except a very rew years.

He manied Rachel Tush in 1830,

who was a native of Virginia. They had eight children, two

820

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

daughters and six sons. Two died while young. The living are
Virgil, Elizabeth (wife of D. W. A. Cunningham), John, Lewis,
James, and Thomas.
Virgil was bora April 16, 1831, in Miller township. He went
to Iowa in 1856, and remained about five years. He subse
quently removed to Indiana and remained until 1869, when he
again returned to Miller township, where he has since resided,
being engaged in farming. He is successful in his undertakings
and reliable in his business.
THOMPSON, ROBERT, president of the Knox County
Mutual Fire Insurance company, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, was born
in county Fermanagh, Ireland, May 5, 1814. His youth was
spent on a farm. His parents came to the United States in
1831, when the subject of this sketch was about seventeen years
of age. When about twenty-one years of age he commenced
working at the carpentering business, which he followed until
about 1850, when he went into the grocery business in Mt.
Vernon, and followed that until 1863, when, on account of
failing health, he sold out his business. He was very successful
in the grocery line. In 1862 he was appointed internal revenue
collector of the thirteenth district, (Knox county) Ohio, which
he held until 1867, when he resigned. He dealt quite exten
sively in agricultural implements between 1867 and 1876. In
July, 1876, he was elected president of the Knox Mutual, and
was also a director of the same company for ten years previous
to his election as president. He also travelled for the same
company three years as travelling agent. He travels still for the
company during the winter season. He was married to Miss
Sarah Ney, August 13, 1840, by whom he has had two children,
both daughters.
THOMPSON, MATHEW, M.D., Mt. Vernon, was born
in Ireland May 10, 1816, emigrated to the United States with
his parents in 1831, and located in Knox county. He made a
profession of religion, and united with the Methodist Protest
ant church in 1837. He graduated from the Medical university
of New York in 1842, and entered upon the practice of his pro
fession in 1844 in company with Dr. J. W. Russel, with whom
he remained until 1861, when he engaged in practice for him
self, having established a high reputation as a physician and
gentleman. He associated with him in practice, Dr. Smith,
deceased, with whom he continued until his death which oc
cured June 19, 1867.
He was married May 15, 1851, to Miss Phebe Veach, of this
county, by whom he had a family of four children. Mrs.
Thompson was the third daughter of Peter Veach, one among
the early settlers of Knox county.
Doctor Thompson, as a physician, was highly proficient and
successful, and had the universal esteem and confidence of his
brother physicians, and as a man he, in his daily life and con
duct, exemplified the Christian character, and was profuse in
his liberality to the church in all her various benevolent enter
prises, for the advancement of religion and for the amelioration
of the condition of man. He was beloved and esteemed by all
who knew him.
THOMPSON, JOHN D., of Mt. Vernon, treasurer of the
Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Delaware railroad company, was bora
in the county Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1821, the fourth son of
Irvine Thompson, a farmer.
Having emigrated to the United States in 1831, the family
proceeded to Ohio and settled in Mt. Vernon. Although far
from being a wealthy man, Irvine Thompson had each of his

five sons well educated, three of them being fitted at his expense
for the several professions of their choice — the ministry, medi
cine and the law.
The subject of this sketch, having received a fair education,
and contented to work on his father's farm, did so until he be
came a farmer on his own land.
In 1852 he went to California, and returned to this county in
1854, and continued to cultivate his farm. While thus engaged
he was nominated and elected county auditor in 1862, a posi
tion he filled with credit to himself and profit to the State. He
was the first Democrat that had been elected in the county for
the previous ten years. He was nominated to this office without
his knowledge, and in like manner he was nominated and elected
in 1869 to represent the county in the Ohio legislature. In the
same year he was appointed to the office he yet fills. At the
close of his legislative term he declined a second nomination,
and devoted himself to the interests of the company whose treas
urer he is.
Something may be learned of Mr. Thompson's activity in
business from the number of responsible positions he held. For
while he was treasurer of the railroad he was also treasurer of
the Knox County Savings bank, the Mt. Vernon Savings Loan
and Building association, the Knox County Agricultural society,
the Eagle Mutual Fire Insurance company, and president of the
Ohio Mutual Aid association.
He was a delegate to the National convention at St. Louis of
1876, also a delegate to the Cincinnati convention of 1880.
His great modesty of bearing has caused him to decline nom
inations for various offices his friends and neighbors sought him
to fill, including nominations to represent his district in Con
gress offered him in 1876, and again in 1878, as one of the
staunch supporters of the Democratic party.
Although not a professor of religion, he practices the precepts
of Christianity in his daily life, being to all objects and enter
prises a liberal contributor, and the true and substantial' friend
of the weak and of the oppressed.
In 1864 he married Miss Priscilla, second daughter of James S.
Banning, of Mt. Vernon, and whose family is one of the oldest
and most substantial of the county.
THOMPSON, M. D., SAMUEL C, was bom in Cadiz,
Ohio, January 21, 1824. His father, Robert C, and his mother,
Ann Cochran, were born and married in Washington, now Alle
ghany county, Pennsylvania. They came to Ohio about 1823.
They subsequently returned to Pennsylvania and died in their
native county.
The subject of this notice attended the common schools, and
several terms at Du Quesne college, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
He was clerk on a steamboat on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
At about twenty-one years of age he began reading medicine.
He was taken sick, and while confined to his room, his physi
cian, Dr. Sheldon, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, furnished him
with books, which he read. After his recovery he continued
reading until he was about twenty-four years of age, then entered
the university of Louisville, Kentucky, and graduated in 1849.
After he finished his course of lectures he practiced in Louisville;
Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and New Philadelphia,
Ohio. In 1864, he came to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where he has
since practiced. In 1854 he changed his practice from allopathic
to homoeopathic. He is one of the trustees and the examining
physician of the Mt. Vernon Mutual Aid association. In April,
1869, he married Miss Malinda Ward, daughter of Dr. Truman .

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

821

Ward, of Mt. Vernon. They had a family of six children, five
of whom are living.
THOMPSON, THOMAS, Wagonmaker. He was born
in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, in 1830, and came to
Holmes county, Ohio in 1834; remained there till 1855, then
came to Brownsville, Knox county, where he engaged in
working at wagonmaking. In 1868 he moved to Frederick-
town. He married Sarah Robinson, who was born in Mus
kingum county in 1837. They have two children: Lavisa J.,
bom July 7, 1858, and Hattie B., bom September 10, 1863.
Mr. Thompson is engaged at present in the carriage shops of
W. E. Gibson, of Fredericktown, and is a skilful workman.
His father, Benjamin Thompson, was bora in Union county,
Pennsylvania, November 30, 1801, and was married to Sarah
Ligget, who was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, October
5, 1798. They had the following family: James, born Decem
ber 20, 1825; Lavisa, March 17, 1827; George, February 17,
1828; Thomas L. and Davis (twins), December 5, 1830; Mar
garet, December 28, 1835; Cyrus, deceased, and Mary M., the
last of whom was born June 15, 1840.
Mr. Thompson came to Holmes county, Ohio, in 1835, and
remained there sixteen years, then moved to Ashland county,
remaining there sixteen years. In 1867 he came to Frederick-
town, where he now resides.
THOMPSON, REV. WILLIAM, was born in county Ty
rone, Ireland, in 1834, where he resided and received his prepar
atory education, until about fourteen years of age, when he
emigrated with his parents to America and settled at Circleville,
Ohio, where he attended school. In 1853 he entered the pre
paratory department of Kenyon college, at which institution he
graduated in 1858. He then entered the seminary, and gradu
ated in 1861. Shortly after he was ordained a deacon and ap
pointed by the bishop to a mission in northern Ohio, where he
remained two years. In r862 he was ordained priest, and in the
fall of 1863 was called to the rectorship of St. Peter's church,
Gallipolis, Ohio, where he remained three years, when he was
called to Kewanee, Illinois, as rector of St. John's church,
where he remained three years, when he received a call to Grace
church at Galesburgh, Illinois, where he remained two years,
when he went to Cincinnati and took temporary charge of Trjn-
lty church one year. In 1872 he came to Mt. Vernon and took
charge of St. Paul's church.
He was married September 18, 1865, to Miss Gertrude A.
Menager. THRIFT, ABSALOM, Fredericktown, retired, is a native of
Loudoun county, Virginia, came to Ohio in 1808, and was mar
ried to Amanda Brown, who was born in Charlotteville, Vir
ginia. They had nine children. He has been longer in busi
ness here than any other person. For several years he con
ducted the leading dry goods trade of the place. In March,
1875, his store, building and contents were consumed by fire,
by which he sustained a loss of ten thousand dollars, having no
insurance. He was elected sheriff of Knox county in 1842, and
reelected in r844. He filled the office with ability and credit.
While filling this position he was also deputy United States
marshal, and held this position for eight years.
A. B. Thrift, son of Mr. Absalom Thrift, now occupies the
same store room, in which he cairies on the merchant tailoring
business. He is a workman of experience and skill and keeps a
full line of cloths, cassimeres, suitings, vestings, gents' furnish
ing goods, ladies' hosiery, cuffs, collars, etc. His goods and

styles will always be found up with the times, and his prices
will compare favorably with any similar merchant tailor in this
section of the State. He does the leading business of this sec
tion, giving employment to three experienced hands, and guar
anteeing perfect fits in all cases. His store room is twenty-five
by fifty-five feet in size, and located on the corner of Main and
College streets.
Absalom Thrift, though advanced in years, is an active busi
ness man, and takes a lively interest in all matters promising
public improvement. His father, William Thrift, was born in
Fairfax, Virginia, came to Ohio, Knox county, in 1808, and
was one of the pioneer Baptist ministers. He preached in
Licking, Coshocton, Muskingum and Knox counties, and con
tinued his labors in the ministry until his death. He was a sol
dier in the Revolutionary war, entering it at the age of sixteen
years. TILTON, REV. A. H. is the son of Wanen Tilton, of
Easton, Washington county, New York, and was born March
17, 1808. He remained at home until his twentieth year and
received a goo'd school education. At the age of twenty he
went to Oneida county and engaged in cabinet-making, which
business he followed three years. During this time he determined
to devote himself to the ministry, and engaged in the regular
course of theological reading prescribed by the bishops of the
Methodist Episcopal church. In 1831 he was licensed to preach,
and travelled on the Westmoreland circuit.
He was married to Miss H. M. Lovejoy, daughter of Joseph
Lovejoy of Cambridge, Washington county, New York, born
November 14, 1809, in September, 1833, by whom be had three
children: Caroline M. born October 3, 1834; James A., August
8, 1836; George H., December 2, 1842.
In May, 1855, Mr. Tilton came to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where
he has made his home ever since, but has travelled extensively
as agent of the American Bible society, preaching on the way.
From 1835 until the downfall of slavery Mr. Tilton never lost
an opportunity of raising his voice against that institution, and
all through the war of the Rebellion was an uncompromising
Republican. Of his children, Caroline died May 14, i860,
James A. is general ticket and freight agent on the Cleveland,
Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad. George H. is engaged in
merchandising in Mt. Vernon.
TILTON, J. A., Mt. Vernon, was bom August 8, 1836, in
Onondaga county, New York, and moved with his parents to a
number of different places, and at the age of fifteen years he
left home and went to learn printing. He was first at Rome,
New York, and then went to the office of the Buffalo Christian
Advocate, after which he attended school at Lima, New York,
and then went to Genessee college, where he remained four
years. After leaving school he went to work on the Lima
Weekly Visitor for a short time, then came to Ohio and was em
ployed on the Ohio State Journal at Columbus, where he re
mained about nine months, when he came to Mt. Vernon, where
his parents had located. In 1857 he went to Kansas and Mis
souri, and was foreman in a printing office at West Point, Mis
souri, where he remained one year, then went to Kansas City
and worked on the Kansas City Journal of Commerce. He
then took charge of the Manhattan Express as foreman, where
he remained about one year, then came back to Mt. Vemon and
established the Knox County Express, under the firm name of
Agnew & Tilton, in which they continued one year. He then
enlisted in company B, Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry for

822

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

three months, and reenlisted for three years, but came home in
1862 and engaged in the printing business until 1863. In March
he enlisted in comprny E, Twentieth Ohio volunteer infantry
and remained until the close of the war, when he returned to
Mt. Vernon; was appointed chief clerk of the internal revenue
assessor ofthe thirteenth district; then was appointed assistant,
after which he was appointed to the special mail service, in which
he remained until the spring of 1874, when he was appointed
clerk in the auditor's office of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Co
lumbus railroad, which place he held until 1875, when he was
appointed general ticket and freight agent, which position he
now holds.
TILTON, DANIEL M., Brown township, farmer, son of
Josephus and Sabina Tilton, was born in Jefferson township,
this county, August 29, 1838. His education was that obtained
in a select school taught by Professor Burns, at Millwood, this
county. He taught one term of school in district number four,
Brown township, in 1861. He served in the One Hundred and
Forty-second Ohio National guard, one hundred and twenty
days in the late war. He has made farming his' principal voca
tion. He has also been engaged in the saw-mill business to
some extent.
Mr. Tilton has been married twice, first in 1859 to Miss Caro
line Hagam'an, of this county, daughter of George and Nancy
Hagaman. They settled on a farm one mile and a half west of
Jelloway. Their union resulted in seven children — five sons and
two danghters. His companion deceased in June, 1870, leav
ing seven small children to his care. In 1871 he purchased and
moved on the farm near Jelloway, Brown township, this county,
where he now resides.
Mr. Tilton's second marriage was with Mrs. Isabella Wat
son, nee Dunn, of Licking county, Ohio, in December, 1872, by
which marriage he has two children — one son and one daughter.
TILTON, ASBURY J., farmer, born in Jefferson township
September 22, 1840. Elijah Tilton, his grandfather, was an
early settler in Muskingum county, Ohio. By his marriage he
had thirteen sons and three daughters, of whom five sons and
one daughter are living, and among whom is Josephus S., father
of our subject, who was born October 1, 1811, thirteen miles
north of Zanesville. In 1812 his father, Elijah, moved north of
where Dresden now stands. He moved to Newcastle town
ship, Coshocton county. In 1817 he moved to Jackson town
ship, Knox county.
Elijah Tilton being poor and having a large family, he could
not, in those early times, give his children the advantages of
much schooling, as their help was needed in clearing up the
ground. Thus Josephus S. spent his youth to manhood; and
among his earliest recollections was seeing the Indians pass his
father's house on their way to Zanesville to trade. He remained
at home assisting his parents, until the fall of 1832. Being then
twenty-one years old, he launched his bark and commenced
life's voyage. His first work for himself was at the mouth of
Owl creek, for one Walter Turner, who was cleaning up a large
tract of land.
In the spring of 1833 Mr. Turner put him in charge of his
canal-boat Dresden. He remained during the summer on the
canal. He clerked for a short time in his brother's store in
Newark, and the summer of 1834 worked at various things, and
in the fall took quite an extensive trip through the State on foot.
The summer of 1835 he was engaged in clearing land and rais
ing tobacco.

July 6, 1835, he married Sabina Jones. She was born Feb
ruary 15, 1815, in Muskingum county, Ohio, January, 1835,
he moved five miles north of Danville, settling on one .of the
forks of the Jelloway, where he purchased a small tract of land.
He remained on this land until April, 1880, when he moved to
Rosstown. On the farm ten children were born: J. S., D. M.,
A. J., Mary E., Maria J., Julia A. ; M. C, who died when fif
teen months old; Sabena, who died in infancy; Rebecca E.,
who died in her nineteenth year, and J. R.
Mr. Tilton's first vote was cast for Andrew Jackson for Pres
ident. In 1833 he became dissatisfied with the extension of
slavery, and having read the life and writings of Thomas Jef
ferson, he, became what was known as an Abolitionist. He
voted for James G. Birney in 1840, and again in 1844, he being
the liberty candidate. He suffered much persecution for his
political views. He voted with the Republican party in 1856,
and still adheres to that party.
In 1862 Mr. Tilton became one of the incorporators of the
Farmers' Fire Insurance company, of Jelloway. In 1871 he
severed his connection with the company. He organized the
Farmers' Home Insurance company, a stock company, was a
stockholder and its president for seven years, declining a re
election. He was also an incorporator of the Buckeye Mutual
Aid association, of Danville.
Mr. Tilton is a strong advocate of temperance. As early as
1833 he abandoned the use of all intoxicating drinks, and was
the first man in the community to do away with the use of whis
key at gatherings.
The subject of our notice, Asbury J., was reared on a farm,
receiviug a common school education. Farming has been his
occupation. He served in the war, being a member of company
F, One Hundred and Forty-second regiment, Ohio National
guard. In 1865 he moved from Jefferson township to where he
now resides. November 2, 1865, he married Mary E. Doup.
They had five children. Mr. Tilton is a man of general infor
mation. TIMS, ANDREW W., Liberty township, farmer! was bom
in Morris county, New Jersey, September 2, 1835. His parents,
James W. and Sarah Tims, nee Cook, came to Ohio in 1849,
and settled in Bloomfield township, Knox county, now Monow
county, where they yet reside. They had ten children, six of
whom are living.
The subject of this notice was reared on a farm and attended
the schools of the district. Mr. Tims is one of the most sys
tematic and careful farmers in Liberty township, or in fact, in
the county. His farm shows judicious and careful cultivation.
Mr. Tims is well informed upon all general topics, is a good
thinker and a debater of no mean ability.
He married Miss Minerva J. Hewett in April, 1862; she was
born in 1843. They have two children: Wilmer A., bom Oc
tober 12, 1863, and Jessie M., August 28, 1867. Mrs. Tims
died in the fall of 1880. She was an estimable lady.
TISH, GEORGE W., Berlin township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, born in Millwood, Knox county, September 25,
1842, and was married in 1866, to Livona Weston, who was bom
in Fredericktown, Ohio, January 24, 1844. They have two
sons: Charlie, born June 13, 1868, and Freddie, January 16,
1876. He was a soldier in the late war, a member of company B,
Ninety-sixth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and was in the
following engagements: Chickasaw Bluffs, Mississippi, Decern-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

823

ber 28, 1862; Fort Hindman, January n, 1863; Siege of Vicks
burgh, from May 28, 1863, until July 4, 1863; Jackson, Missis-
sipi, July 10th to July 17, 1863; Battle of Grand Coteau,
November 3, 1863; Siege of Fort Gains, Alabama, from August
3rd to August 9, 1864; Fort Morgan, Alabama, from August 9th
to August 23, 1864; Fort Spanish, Alabama, from March 27th
to April 8, 1865, and Mobile, Alabama, April 12, 1865. He
was honorably discharged, and has resided in Berlin township
for a period of eleven years.
During the war he was taken prisoner November 3, 1863, and
was paroled December 25, 1863, and exchanged in May, 1864.
He was a prisoner five months. He was a corporal of com
pany B, One Hundred and Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteer in
fantry. TISH, FRENCH, farmer, post office, Fredericktown, was
born in Harrison township, Knox county, Ohio, in 1853, and
was married in April, 1875, to Julisa McKinsey, who was bora
in Brown township in 1847. They have one son: Walter Clin
ton, who was born November 30, 1876.
Mr. Tish purchased a home in Berlin township in November,
1878. TOBIN, MATILDA, Middlebury township, was born in
Guernsey county, Ohio. Wesley Tobin, her father, came to this
county in 1852. They had a family of nine children. Mr.
Wesley Tobin died in this township in October, 1865. Mrs.
Barbara Tobin died in 1863, in this township.
TOMS, WILLIAM, Berlin township, miller, post office,
Shaler's Mills, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in
1826. His parents emigrated to Wayne county, Ohio, when he
was an infant, remained there fourteen years, and then came to
Ashland county (formerly Richland).
He was married in Richland county in 1853, to Elizabeth
Schrack, who was born in Richland county in 1833, daughter of
Charles Schrack. They had eight children, James Allen, born
in 1853; John K., in 1855; William W., in 1859; Herschel O.,
in i860; Sarah Ann, deceased; Lena May, born in 1865;
Charles S., in 1867; and Nina Myrta, in 1871.
Mr. Toms learned the milling business with his father, and
afterwards worked in the Schrack mill. He then went to New-
ville and purchased a farm, and has been engaged at farming
eight years. In 1870 he purchased Shaler's mill, and has since
been engaged in operating it.
Charles Schrack, father of Mrs. Toms, was born in Pennsyl
vania in 1790, and married Susannah Kerstetter, who was born
ii), Pennsylvania in 1795. They had nine children — Jacob, born
in 1821;, George (deceased), in 1824; Margaret, in 1826; Sarah,
in 1828; Phebe, in 1830; Elizabeth, in 1832; Catharine, in 1835;
John (deceased), and Mary Helen in 1840.
Charles Schrack died in Monroe township, Richland county,
December 10, i860. Mrs. Susannah Schrack resides with her
son Jacob in Monroe township, Richland county. They came
to that township and settled in 1820, and were among the early
settlers and pioneers of that county.
TONENS, JAMES,' farmer, Monis township, born in county
Donegal, Ireland, December 26, 1828. His ancesters came
from Scotland, about 1806. The subject of this sketch was
reared on a farm and received a common education. He re
mained in Ireland until September 10, 1864, when he emigrated
to the United States and settled in Licking county, Ohio, where
he remained one year, and in 1865 purchased the farm on which

he now resides. He married Miss Mary McClure, February 7,
1847. They had eight children, viz: Margaret Ann, married to
Alexander Fletcher, of Scott county, Iowa; Frank, it is sup
posed was abducted at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he had
gone to dispose of sheep in 1871; Mary Jane married James R.
Stewart; Matilda, Belle, Thomas John, David, and James.
Mr. Tonens is a consistent member of the Reformed Presbyte
rian church, and is an estimable citizen.
TRAHERN, ALEXANDER. Fredericktown, cabinet-ma
ker, was born in Knox county in 1850. He was married in
1871 to Eliza Ball, who was born in Virginia. They have two
children — Carrie, born in 1872; Walter, born in 1874.
Mr. Trahern learned the cabinet trade with G. W. Sargent,
in Fredericktown. He is a skilful mechanic.
TRESSEL, MATTHIAS, Union township, mechanic, post
office, Danville. — He was born in Prussia, January 30, 1833, and
emigrated to America in 1854, and settled in Cleveland, where
he remained two and a half years.
During this time he visited Germany, and on his return, in
1858, settled in Mt. Vernon. He was there a year and married
Miss W. Smith, of Germany. She only lived about three years,
being the mother of two children — Clara and Mary. He married
Mary E. Sapp in 1861, who was born in Danville. He settled in
Danville in 1859 and worked at his trade. In 1878 he bought
and moved upon a farm, where he still lives. He has five chil
dren — Clara, born September 29, 1859; Sarah, in July, 1866;
U. S. Grant, September 7, 1869; Charles Wilson, September
7, i873;"and Louisa Jane, in 1876.
TRICKLE, JOHN, Fredericktown, blacksmith, was born
in this county in 1849, and was manied in 1871 to Eliza Jane
Kulb, who was born in this county in 1850. They have the
following children: Andrew, born in 1873; Samuel R. H., in
1875. Andrew died May 6, 1878.
Mr. Trickle learned carriage-ironing with the firm of W.
E. Gibson, and has been engaged at that business, in this town,
for about sixteen years.
TRIMBLE FAMILY. —John Trimble, sr., was born
near Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and emi
grated to Ohio in the year 1801, and located near Lancaster,
Fairfield county. At that time Fairfield county comprised all the
territory included in Fairfield, Licking and Knox counties.
He resided there until 1809, when in the fall of that year he
came and located in what is now Morris township, five miles
north of Mt. Vernon, where he attacked the forest to trans
form it into productive fields. He took an active part in every
thing that was for the promotion of good and the development
and best interests of the pioneers and community, of whom he
was one. He assisted in building the first log cabin in Mans
field. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, where he served
with credit to himself. He was also associate judge, and served
the people as justice of the peace for many years. He was a
staunch Presbyterian, and was an elder in the first Presbyterian
church of the county. He died in the year 1845, aged sixty-
six years. His wife died in 1865, in the eighty-fifth year of
her age.
John Trimble, jr. , was but three years old when his father
located in this county, consequently he has seen all the im
portant changes this county has undergone. He received such
an education as the times afforded, getting most of his educa
tion by studying at home by the light of hickory bark. The

824

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

first school he attended was in a little log stable that was neither
chinked or daubed, and when it was cold they had to suspend
school. The early part of his life was spent in helping to clear
away the forest, and in learning the tanner trade, after which he
gave his attention principally to farming -until 1834, when he
came to Mt. Vernon, having purchased property here in 1831.
After his arrival in the city he engaged in the carpenter business
and farming, which he conducted for several years. He then
engaged in the chandlery business, in which he continued about
seven "years, and during which he did quite an extensive busi
ness. During the last two years of this time he had two shops,
one in Mt. Vernon and one at Zanesville, and during these two
years he manufactured one hundred tons of candles per year.
He had to quit the business on account of his health, after
which he engaged in farming.
Mr. Trimble has been thrice married. He was first manied
July 15, 1835, to Nancy G. Drake, by whom he had one child;
was married to his second wife Eliza Day, April 14, 1841, by
whom he had five children. His third wife was Ruth H. Boyd,
to whom he was married May 27, 1872, who still survives to
comfort him in his declining days. Mr. Trimble has been a
citizen of the county seventy-one years, and of Mt. Vernon
forty-six years.
TRIMBLE, SAMUEL, Union township, post office, Mill
wood; born in Alleghany county, Maryland, February 16, 1804.
In 1829 he was married to Susa Hammon; in 1838 he moved
to Knox county, Ohio, and lived in Millwood for a year then
moved to his present farm in 1840. He has nine children, viz:
Mary, born April 22, 1830; John, December 28, 1831; Eliza
beth, April 22, 1833; Enoch, September 18, 1836; Henry,
April 21, 1839; Solomon, February 27, 1841; Eloyza, April 27,
1843; Mariah, March 25, 1849, and Josephine, October 25,
1853. All are married except Josephine, who is at home.
Mr. Trimble's wife was born September 7, 1813, in Maryland.
Enoch Tiimble, his son, enlisted in the late war, from Iowa, in
the cavalry; he went with Captain S. D. Bryant's company,
served his time, and returned to Iowa where he still resides.
TRIMBLE, JOSEPH, College township, farmer, son of
Professor John Trimble, was born in Ireland July 10, 1837. He
was brought to America by his parents in 1851, who located in
Gambier. His father, Professor John Trimble, accepted the
professorship of Latin and Greek, in Kenyon college, which
position he rilled with honor to himself, and credit to the institu
tion for about twenty-five years. In 1879, on account of failing
health and advanced age, he was compelled to resign the
position and live a retired life. He died on the twenty-third
of April, 1878, leaving eight children to mourn the loss of a kind
father, viz:James, John, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, Mathew,
and Anna. Mr. Joseph Trimble married Miss Margaret Sawer
October 1, 1863, daughter of James and Sophia Sawer, of
Gambier, born November 6, 1836. They settled in College
township, where they now reside. He has followed farming,
stock raising and dealing in stock as his vocation. At present
he is conducting a farm of two hundred acres in College town
ship. TRUMBULL, E. A., carriage manufacturer, West Chest
nut street, residence on West High street. Mr. Trumbull is a
native of Mt. Vernon, where he received his education and
made his first business engagement in learning carriage paint
ing, at which he served three years, he then entered the employ
of his father, with whom he remained three years, after which

he engaged with the firm of C. & G. Cooper & Co; he remained
in their employ for four and a half years, during which time, in
1872, he married M. A. Bedell, of Mt. Vernon. In June, 1873,
he established the carriage business at his present location, where
he has been doing a good business ever since. He manufac
tures all kinds and grades of- single and double carriages and
light wagons. He builds from twenty-five to thirty vehicles per
year, and does a business in the different departments of about
four thousand dollars per annum. He manufactures two grades
of work; his first grade is first-class and is not excelled in the
county, his second grade is good, substantial work in every
way, and far excels the work known as Cincinnati and Colum
bus buggies.
All work is guaranteed for two years. He carries on all the
different departments of tbe business, wood-work, iron-work,
painting, trimming, and silver plating, all of which is done
under his immediate supervision.
TUCKER, JONES, deceased, Union township, was born in
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, on the twenty-seventh day of
December, 1806. He was brought to Knox county, Ohio, by
his parents, William and Rachel Tucker, in 181 1, who settled
in Union township near Mt. Holly or Gann station. William
Tucker erected a log cabin which served his family as an abode
for a number of years. He followed clearing, farming, hunting,
and fishing as his vocation. There were but few settlers in the
neighborhood, and they were far apart at the time of Mr.
Tucker's settlement in the township. His wife deceased, leav
ing him with seven children to care for in their forest home,
viz: John, Jones, Obediah, Thomas, Runnicks, James, and
Elizabeth, all dead. He married for his second wife a Mrs.
Smith, and they moved to Auglaize county, Ohio, where he
passed the remainder of his days.
Jones Tucker married Catharine, a daughter of John and
Elizabeth Welker, July 27, 1826; she was born May 30, 1809.
They settled in Union township, where they lived eleven years,
and in 1837, he, with his wife and children, emigrated to Illi
nois. They reared a family of seven children — Elizabeth, Bar
nett, William, John, Wilson, Mary F., and James. His com
panion died in 1845. After her death, he, with four of the
children, Bamett, William, John, and Wilson, returned to Knox
county, Ohio, where a part of. the children are now living. He
served one year in the Mexican war, and was discharged at its
close. In 1851 or 1852 he returned to Illinois, where he died
in August, 1870. He served two years in the war of 1861 in an
Illinois regiment.
His oldest son, Barnett Tucker, was born in Knox county,
Ohio, February 9, 1831, and married Miss Margaret M. Mere
dith, November 27, 1853, daughter of Benjamin and Delila
Meredith, born August 6, 1836. They settled in Millwood,
where they lived several years. In 1861 he purchased and
moved on the farm where they are now living in Union town
ship. They have two children, daughters. He is a cabinet
maker by trade, and followed that as his vocation, until his set
tlement on the farm in 1861, and since that time has made
farming and stock-raising his occupation.
TUCKER, JOHN, Union township, third son of Jones and
Catharine Tucker, was born in Union township, Knox county,
Ohio, January 15, 1837. He commenced working at the cabi
net trade in 1856, and has made that his principal vocation,
carrying on the business in Millwood.
In 1861 he manied Miss Rose B. Welker. They settled in

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

825

Millwood, where they are now living. They have one child, a
son. In 1871 he purchased the hotel stand in which they are
now living, and entertain the travelling community. Good ac
commodations given to travellers, and all who wish to stop with
them. The place is known as the Tucker house. His cabinet
rooms are in the same building, and prompt attention is given
to all work in his line. He has filled the office of justice of the
peace two terms, and postmaster at Millwood five years, and
also held various township offices.
TULLOSS FAMILY.— John J. Tulloss, the progenitor
of the Tulloss family in Knox county, was born in Farquier
county, Virginia, September 6, 1783, where he remained until
1807, when he moved to Newark. He made the first brick in
the village, was school teacher and farmer, and served as cap
tain in the War of 1812. He returned to Virginia, where in
1815 he married Elizabeth Honey, and returned, locating in
Morgan township, w here he had purchased some five hundred
acres of land. He became an influential and highly respected
citizen, and died in 1841. His wife died in 1869. They had a
family of nine children, eight of whom grew up, and six are still
living, viz: Mrs. Ann Seymour, Mrs. Elizabeth Stevens, Rich
ard S., John J., Susan and Benjamin. The deceased are
William, Rodham, and an infant.
Richard S. was born June 13, 1819. He was reared on the
farm, and after his father's death took charge of the farm. He
was elected to the Constitutional convention of Ohio in 1873,
and served on the committees of privileges and elections, on
preamble and bill of rights, and on agriculture. He has filled
a number of trie township offices. He is an influential citizen,
and is highly esteemed for his socical qualities and straight for
ward business transactions.
Benjamin is a minister of the Baptist church.
John J., farmer in Morgan township, was bom September n,
1820. He was reared on the old homestead, and has always re
sided in Morgan township, being engaged in farming. October
24, 1844, he married Miss Caroline Smith, daughter of James
H. Smith, who was born April 8, 1826. They had a family of
eight children, viz: Emily born August 1, 1845, and died Octo
ber 24, 1861; Byram L., December 9, 1846, a druggist in
Utica; John J-, September 27, 1848, died April 3, 1879; Reese
P., October 24, 1852, resides in Putnam county, Ohio;
Benjamin F., October 3, 1854, now in Texas; George W.,
March 21, 1856; Cynthia A., April 3, 1858; Caroine C, August
22, 1861.
The Tulloss family are estimable citizens.
TURNER, WILLIAM, Mt. Vernon, secretary of the Knox
County Mutual Insurance company, was born in Norfolk
county, England, in December, 1813. He spent his youth
while in England in farming and milling. He was the first child
of Walter and Sarah Turner. He came to America in 1832,
with his parents, who purchased land in Coshocton county, on
the Walhonding river, where the town of Walhonding now is.
He purchased a large tract of land — some four thousand acres.
In the crash of 1837 he was canied with it, losing all.
About 1835 the subject of this sketch went into the store of
Buckingham & Sturgis, Zanesville (or rather Putnam then), and
retained that position for three years. He came to Mt. Vernon
in 1839, and opened a store under the firm name of Freeman &
Turner, and about a year after the name of the firm was changed
to Buckingham & Turner. Mr. Buckingham was president of
the Knox Mutual and brother-in-law of Mr. Turner. On the

resignation of the secretary of the company, Mr. Turner was
elected to fill the place by the board of directors, which position
he has held ever since.
He was married to Miss Laura Guernsey, of Rochester, New
York, in 1841. They have had four children, three of whom are
living — one son and two daughters. His wife died and he af
terward married Mrs. Julia Guernsey, nee Palmer.

u

ULREY, VALENTINE, farmer, post office, Gambier, son
of David Ulrey, born in Washington county, Pennsylvania,
April 29, 1814, was brought to Knox county, in 1817 when a
child three years, old by his parents, they locating in Harrison
township, where the subject of this sketch was reared to man
hood and received a good common school education; after
which he performed labor among the farmers by the day, month
and by the job, which he continued about six years.
In 1840 he made a trip to Illinois, where he remained until
1843; being engaged in school teaching. He returned to Knox
county, where he remained a short time, and then purchased a
half interest in a grist-mill, located in or near Oxford, Holmes
county, which was conducted under the firm name of Thomp
son & Ulrey. He also followed farming in connection in 1862.
He then sold his interest in the mill to John Duncan, but still
remained two years in Oxford, continuing to farm.
In 1848, March 23, he married Elizabeth Bucklew, who bore
him one child, a son, Eugene, born April 17, 1855. On the
thirtieth of August, 1856, she-died, being in her thirty-second
year. On the twenty-fourth of June, 1858, he married Lydia
A. Close, widow of Malachi Close, a daughter of Samuel Uhl,
born in Holmes county, June 30, 1827. This union of Mr. and
Mrs. Ulrey resulted in five children, viz: Mary J., born Sep
tember 2, 1859; William A., Febmary 28, 1861; Laura S., De
cember 28, 1862; David S. , November n, 1868, and died
November 2, 1871; Margaret E., December 28, 1870, and died
September 4, 1873, leaving three children living.
In 1864 he sold his farm and property in Oxford and pur
chased a farm in Knox county, two miles south of Danville,
where he then moved with his family and remained four years,
when he sold said farm, purchased the old homestead formerly
owned by his father, in Harrison township, where he then
moved and at present resides.
Mr. Ulrey has held the office of justice ofthe peace and clerk
in Hanison township.
Mr. and Mrs. Ulrey are members of the Disciple church of
Union Grove.
UMPHRYES, IRA, Pike township, farmer, post office,
North Liberty; born in Knox county in 1841, and was manied
to Martha Gower, who was born in this county in 1852. His
father, Jacob Umphreys, was born in Virginia in 1801, and was
married to Martha Johnson. They had seven children: Mar
garet, Elizabeth, Catharine, Keziah, Ruth (deceased), Mary J.
(deceased), and Henry (deceased). After the death of Mrs.
Martha Umphryes, Mr. Umphryes married Mary A. Wallace,
and thev have had four children : J osephine, Ellet, May, and Ira.
Mr. Umphryes emigrated to Licking county, Ohio, in 1804
with his parents, and they remained there a few years, then
came to Knox county, and remained here until his death, which
took place in March, 1880. He was a good citizen and a
stanch Democrat, as are all his sons.
UNDERWOOD, ISRAEL, Mt. Vernon, was bom in Clinton

826

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

county, Ohio, June 18, 1820. His parents came to this county
in 1828 and located in Middlebury township near Frederick-
town where he received his education. He spent several years
of his life on the home farm, after which he learned the potter
trade, which he followed until 1846. He then went to Freder
icktown and engaged in the hotel business for one year, after
which he engaged in the sale of clocks and general collecting in
which he continued until 1854, when he came to Mt. Vernon,
and that year was appointed deputy sheriff under Lewis Strong,
in which he served two years; and in 1856 he was nominated
and elected to the office of sheriff, in which he served four years
and three months. He served three months in consequence of
the time of the expiration of said office being changed from
October ist to January ist. He was the first one in the county
to respond to the first call for troops, enlisting in April, 1861 ;
he was a member of company A, Ohio volunteer infantry,
which was the first company organized in the county, and was
assigned to the Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry. He was com
missioned first lieutenant, and afterwards made regimental
quartermaster, and in 1862 was promoted to captain and was
detailed on General Kimball's staff as brigade commissary. In
1863, in consequence of ill health, he resigned and returned
home, and in 1864 he, in company with his brother, took charge
of the Main Street Exchange hotel of Fort Wayne, Indiana,
where he remained one year, then returned to Mt. Vernon and
has since been in the employ of different railroad companies as
solicitor of railroad stocks, the right of way, etc. , etc.

V

VAIN, BENJAMIN F., Pike township, farmer, post office,
Democracy, born in Pike township, this county, on the farm
where he now resides, in 1840, and was married in 1864 to Eliz
abeth L. Hardesty, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio,
in 1841. They had eight children — Theodore E., born in 1865;
Jerusha A., in 1867; Marion Jasper, in 1868; Hannah Jane in
1869 (deceased); Millie Blanch, in 1871; Charlie A., in 1874;
William Ray, in 1876; and Earnest A., in 1878. Mr. Vain has
always been identified with this county, and' is a member of a
pioneer family. /
VANCE, DANIEL, Miller township, pioneer farmer, was
born in Miller township July 14, 1813, and is the oldest man
now living in the township that was bom in it. His father was
John Vance, a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, born
August 9, 1785. He married Rebecca Van Tramp, a native of
the same county, Virginia, in 1808. He came to Ohio in the
same year in company with his father, whose name was also
John, and a soldier of the Revolution. They all settled in what
is now the southern part of Miller township, where John Vance,
sr., had entered two hundred acres of land, and of which John
purchased sixty acres, to which he subsequently added one hun
dred more. He died on this farm, aged eighty-nine years.
His wife died some years previous. They built the first house
in the township in 1808-9. It is of hewed logs, and still stands
in a good state of preservation. They had eight children, viz. :
Lemuel, who was killed in the Burlington storm ; Hannah, now
Mrs. Houck, who was the first white child born in the township;
James, who was also killed in the Burlington storm; Daniel,
who had a leg fractured in the same storm; Elizabeth, wife of
H. Moore of Delaware county, Ohio; Mariah, wife of William
Debolt, near Richwood, Ohio; Rebecca, widow of L. C. Wright;
Lucinda, now deceased, married Alex. McFarland.

Mr. Daniel Vance married Miss Elizabeth Daily, January 9,
1840. She was bora February 17, 1818. They had five chil
dren, viz.: Harriet (deceased); Rebecca, married J. B. Conway;
John Oscar, manied Miss Ward; Mary Elizabeth, who lives at
home; Emma, died in infancy.
VANCE, JOSEPH W., was born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in 1809. In the spring of 1840 he removed to
Mt. Vernon. In 1842 he was admitted to the bar; he rose rap
idly in his profession, and soon attained a high position as an
advocate. He made a profession of religion and united with
the Presbyterian church in 1846. As a Christian and church
officer he was intelligent, consistent, and efficient. As a man
his individuality was strongly marked. For firmness in what he
thought was right, for decision of purpose and persevering
energy he was remarkable. His power of will was immense.
In fitting himself for his work he had many difficulties to con
tend with, but he did not despair. He looked at them boldly
and grappled with them manfully ; he persevered until moutains
became plains before him. He had a keen sense of justice, and
that which is always asssociated with in a man of principle, in
corruptible integrity. As a citizen he was influential. He was
not one of that class that simply move along with the current
of public opinion; he gave character and direction to that cur
rent; he helped mould opinions. On every question that con
cerned the community in which he lived, or society in general,
he had decided views and convictions, based upon an investiga
tion of the subject, and on most questions he was generally in
advance of the common sentiment. This was especially true
on the subject of slavery. He was one of the first advocates of
anti-slavery sentiments in this county. For a time he stood
almost alone, and received no little obliquy and censure. But
he believed himself in the right, and in that right he was strong.
As a lawyer his strength lay in the force of his arguments in
the presence of ajury. Here he won many a laurel. His ardent
nature gave to his address an earnestness and fire which many
times told with wonderful effect. He had the rare faculty
of becoming one with his client, it mattered not who that
client was, or what his circumstances in a financial point of
view, of identifying himself with all that was fair and good
on the side he advocated, which gave him great advantage
in doubtful cases, and armed him with unusual power when
right lay on his side. Entering thus so ardently into the
cause he advocated, sympathizing thus warmly with his client in
what there was of truth and justice in his cause, he could press
his suit with that sincerity of conviction and earnestness of per
sonal feeling which always have such great weight with men.
He was a true patriot. When his country was assailed he had
but one end in view, to uphold his country's honor. In August,
1862, he was commissioned Colonel of the Ninety-sixth Ohio
volunteer infantry, and soon thereafter marched with his regi
ment to the front, and was under General Sherman in the first
attempt to take Vicksburg. At Arkansas Post his regiment was
in the thickest of the fight. It was also in the engagement at
Jackson, Mississippi, and participated in the final siege and
capture of Vicksburg, under General Grant. His regiment was
transferred to General Banks' command, and formed a part of
his army in the unfortunate Red River expedition. In the
battle of Sabine Cross Roads on the eighth of April, 1864, he
fell, mortally wounded. He fell at his post, heroically dis
charging his duty. He died in a noble cause, died the Christian
patriot's death, and fills the Christian patriot's grave.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

827

VAN HORN, WILLIAM, farmer, Union township, post
office, Rosstown, was born in Virginia in 1808, and lived there
until 1836, when he emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, and
settled near Danville, and has remained in Union township
until the present time. He married Miss Lucinda Roberson
May 24, 1841, and lived in Danville three years. In 1865 he
settled on his present farm. He has six children — Francina,
Rouseyville, Jasper, John W., William, and Newton. The
three last named have died.
VAN HORN, JASPER, farmer, Howard township, post
office, Howard, was born in Union township September 25,
1855. He was manied to Miss L. R. Howell April 9, 1879,
and came to his present farm in October, 1879. His father
came from Virginia in 1835, to Knox county, Ohio, and settled
near Danville, where he died. Mr. Van Horn has been engaged
in teaching school in winter and farming in summer.
VANNATTA, SAMUEL T., Miller township, farmer, was
bom in Warren county, New Jersey, September 14, 1835. He is
the son of Peter and Sarah J . Vannatta, nee Weller, who were
natives of New Jersey. Mr. Vannatta died in New Jersey in
1836. They had two children, one of whom died in infancy,
and the subject of this sketch.
Mrs. Vannatta remained in New Jersey until 1840, when she
came to Miller township with her father, Philip P. Weller; she
and her son Samuel remained with her father until he was about
twenty-four years of age, when they purchased a tract of
ninety-two acres of land, and moved upon it. Mr. Vannatta,
is now one of the leading farmers of the township, owning
over three hundred acres of good land. He is systematic in his
management, and his farm shows more than usual care. He
was elected land appraiser of the township in 1879, and has
filled a number of offices to the satisfaction of the people. He
is a man of good judgment and considered a wise counsellor.
His educational advantages were very limited; he, however, ob
tained a sufficient knowledge of the common branches to enable
him to conduct his business. He married Miss Levina Haw
kins, January 29, 1864, daughter of Isaac Hawkins, of whom
mention is made elsewhere. They have three interesting chil
dren, viz: Frank A., Charles O.. and Flora Emeline.
VERNON, AARON, Monis township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, Novem
ber 19, 1809, came to Ohio in December, 1821, and was mar
ned in March, 1831, and had the following family: Jesse, born
January 11, 1832; John, November 17, 1833; Jacob L., Febru
ary 8, 1836; Isaac, January 17, 1838; Francis L-, August 19,
1839; Daniel L, October 17, 1841; William Allen, July 18,
1844; Oliver B., August 6, 1846; Samantha M., January 22,
1848; Sarah E., April 28, 1852; Aaron C. G, November 17,
1854. Mrs. Elizabeth Vernon died in this county, February 19,
1878. Mr. Vernon subsequently married Mrs. Elizabeth Lam
bert, who was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1827.
Jesse Vernon was married February n, 1852, to Sarah Brawl-
ier, and now resides in Allen county, Ohio; John was married
November 4, 1855, to Rose L. Lawrence, and now lives in Linn
county, Iowa; Jacob L., was married March 25, 1858, to
Elizabeth Hisler, who since deceased; Sarah E. was married to
Frances Brawlier, and now lives in Cardington, Ohio; Aaron
C. G. was married in Allen county to Barbara Pletcher; they
reside in Hancock county, Ohio; Samantha was married to
Frank Brawlier.
The following are deceased: Jacob L., died April 14, 1863 ;
57

Frances L., died in Iowa; Isaac, June 22, 1838; William A.
October 3, 1845; Oliver B., November 9, 1849; Samantha
Brawlier died February 12, 1872.
Mr. Vernon was here at a time when the county was covered
with timber. He was quite a hunter, having in his time killed
two deer with one shot, a feat not many can boast of.
VERNON, DANIEL L., Wayne township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in Pike township in 1840, and mar
ried in i860 to Sarah A. Enon, who was born in Ohio. Their
children are: Florence, Alfred B., Frank E., and Ellen. Ihey
came to Wayne township in 1867, afterwards emigrated to
Iowa, remained for three years, and then returned to this town
ship. He was a soldier in the war, a member of company H, One
Hundred and Forty-second regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry,
and remained in the service until he received an honorable dis
charge. VINCENT, S. M., Brown township, attorney, post office,
Jelloway, a son of Robert and Jane Vincent, nee Miller, was
born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on December 16,
1821. Heaccompanied his parents to Ohio in 1830, they locat
ing on Dowdy creek, in Holmes county, where they lived about
eight years. In 1838 they moved to this county and located in
Howard township, remaining until 1856, when they moved to
Pike county, where they passed the remainder of their days.
Mrs. Vincent died in September, 1863, Mr. Robert Vincent sur
viving his companion until February, 1865.
Mr. S. M. Vincent, the subject of this sketch, is a self-edu
cated man. In 1847 he commenced the study of law under the
instructions of S. W. Shaw, attorney. In 1850 he was admit
ted to the Knox County bar, and in 1859 he was admitted to
practice in the Supreme court. At present he is located at Jel
loway, Knox county, Ohio, and practices in the courts of Knox,
Holmes, Ashland, and Richland counties. He is the attorney
for the Home Fire Insurance company, and the Jelloway Mu
tual Aid Insurance company, both located at Jelloway, and
does business for them in about twenty counties in the State.
In 1847 he married Miss Rosanna Lybarger, born in Knox
county in 1825, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Lybarger. They
settled at Ashland, Ohio, and remained one year, and then re
turned to this county. In 1850 they moved to Jelloway, where
they have since resided.
They reared a family of six children: Sarah J., married B.
W. McKee; Victoria, married Lyman Workman; John Fre
mont Vincent was born February 2, 1857, and died September
9, 1880; Martha A., married John L. Hildebrand; Jessie Q.,
and Lincoln are at home with their parents in Jelloway.
w
WADDELL, JAMES P., Howard township, farmer, post
office, Howard, was born October 2, 1826, in Union township,
Knox county. Until 1833 he lived in Danville, when he moved
to a farm in Brown township, and lived there twelve years, and
continued farming until he was drafted in the late war; but on
account of ill health was rejected. He was drafted the second
time and sent a substitute.
He was married March 22, 1879. He engaged in shoemak-
ing, following it a year. He then moved to the old farm, and
remained there a year and then moved to the farm on which he
now resides.
WAGES, JAMES J., Fredericktown, blacksmith, was bom

828

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

in Baltimore county, Maryland, in 1821, and came to Ohio in
1827. He was married to Catharine Brown, who was born in Penn
sylvania, and died in January, 1848. Mr. Wages was again
married June 6, 1849, to M. W. Drake, who was born in Tus
carawas county, Ohio, in 1822. They had six children, viz:
Catharine, born in October, 1849. She is married to O. F.
Crall, and resides in Ashland, Ohio; Paxton (deceased); Mar-
thaj. is married to F. Marble, and lives in Michigan; Clara B.,
and Mary E. are dead; Clement was born in March, 1867.
Mr. Wages is a blacksmith by occupation, and has been en
gaged in that business since 1849, and is a good practical me
chanic. WAGNER CHARLIE, Fredericktown, retired, was bora in
Northampton county, Pennsylvania, July 6, 1805, and was
married in 1826, to Anna Allbach, who was born in New Jersey
in 1804. They had the following family, — Sarah, Nathan,
deceased, Grace, deceased, Jemima B., John and Colwell.
Mrs. Wagner died April 3, 1865, in Waterford, Knox county,
Ohio. Charlie Wagner came from New Jersey to Knox county
September 10, 1838, located in Waterford, Middlebury town
ship, and kept hotel twenty years. He was engaged in the
tailoring business a number of years, then removed to Frederick-
town and engaged in keeping hotel, and continued in that about
fourteen years. His name is still continued with the Wagner
house, which has given it character and influence.
WAGNER, GEORGE, Middlebury township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl
vania, March 16, 181 1, and was married December 25, 1850, to
Catharine Henry, who was born July 22, 1822, in Bedford
county, Pennsylvania. They have the following family: Francis,
born July 9, 1852; Catharine, August 14, 1856; Florence, Feb
ruary 5, 1859; George, November 28, 1861; Hattie B.. October
21, 1864; and Mary I., August 7, 1869. Florence was married
to Samuel A. Stretey, April 18. 1880, and now resides in this
township. Mr. Wagner has resided in this county ever since he came
from Pennsylvania. He was a soldier in the Mexican war, and
is one of the active men of this township.
WAGNER, HENRY, Middlebury township, post office,
Fredericktown, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,
January n, 1822, and was married March 5, 1846, to Sarah A.
Jeffreys, who was born in Wayne township, this county, De
cember 22, 1825. They had six children: Susan M., born Jan
uary 9, 1848; George P., January 1, 1851; Sarah E., March 8,
1853; William H., November 8, 1856; John L., January 22,
1863; and Mary E., April 16, 1868. The latter died December
28, 1868.
The following members of the family are married: Susan M.
married January 6, 1870, to Sylvester Caywood; Sarah E. to
Robert Martin; George P. to Susan Lyons; William H., April
20, 1878, to Sarah E. McDonalds.
Mr. Henry Wagner was brought by his parents to Ohio at
the age of two years, who settled in this township in April,
1824. They improved the farm where he now resides, which is
one of the most beautiful farms in Knox county. Through in
dustry and frugality he has accumulated a competency that en
ables him to retire and enjoy the fruit of his labors.
WAGNER, GEORGE P., farmer, Middlebury township,
post office, Fredericktown, born in this township, January, 1,

1851, and was married October 24, 1872, to Susan Lyon, who
was born in Wayne township, May 3, 1856. They have three
children: Louis B., bora July 11, 1875; Corliss, February 24,
1877; and an infant, April 7, 1880. Mr. Wagner is engaged in
farming in this township, and is one of its active and enterpris
ing men.
WAIGHT, JOHN B., attorney and counsellor at law, Mt.
Vernon, was born in New Market, Harrison county, Ohio, May
14, 1853. He is the third child and only son of George H. and
Biddy {nee Gordon) Waight. He spent his youth in attending
school, and graduated from the New Market college in 1870.
He then commenced reading law with Lewis Lewton, esq., of
Cadiz, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar at Carrolton, Ohio,
September, 1873. He taught school in New Comerstown,
Ohio, in 1872. In January, 1874, he opened an office in Mt.
Vernon, where he has since been practicing. He was nominated
on tha Republican ticket in 1874 for prosecuting attorney, but
was beaten by eighty majority; the county went over four hun
dred Democratic. January, 1880, he was appointed city solici
tor, and at the following April city election he was elected so
licitor. WALKER, WILLIAM, deceased, Pleasant township, was
born in Virginia in 1800; was brought up on a farm, and made
farming, stock raising and dealing in stock his vocation through
life. He emigrated to Ohio and located in this county in 1835.
In 1837 he married Miss Mary A. Smith, daughter of Samuel
and Phoebe Smith, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio,
in 1820, and came to this county in 1834. They settled on the
farm in Pleasant township now owned by his widow. Their
union resulted in ten children, viz: Sarah, Charles, Minerva,
Harrison, William, Emeretta, Emeline, Harriet, Olive, and
Joseph A. Two of the number, Harrison and Harriet have
died; Mr. Walker is also dead.
WALKER, ALEXANDER, farmer, Middlebury township,
post office, Fredericktown, born in Washington county, Pennsyl
vania, in 1833, and married in 1857 to Sarah M. Gault, who
was born in Ashland county, Ohio, in 1837. They have the
following children, viz: Mary E., born in 1857; Lizzie J., 1859;
William H., (deceased) 1861; Orie A., 1863; Carrie E., 1865;
James C, 1867; Edwin M., 1869; Hettie B., 1871; and Theo
dore F. , 1875. Mr. Walker is engaged in farming, and owns a
well-improved farm with good buildings.
WALKEY, WILLIAM, farmer, Pike towship, post office,
Democracy, born in Pike township, Knox county, in 1837. He
was married in 1859 to Nancy Lewis, who was born in Monroe
township in 1838. They have one child, Eva Jane, born in i860.
Mr. Walkey was elected justice of the peace in Pike township
in 1870, and reelected in 1873. He filled the office with credit
and satisfaction. He is now notary public.
His father, John Walkey, was born in Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, in 1796. He was married in 1818 to Rebecca
Bensinger, who was born in 1801. They had seven children:
Elizabeth, born in 1819; Daniel, in 1822; Maria, in 1825; Mar
garet, in 1829; Susan, in 1830; John, in 1833; William, in 1837.
Maria was married to Samuel Shira. They reside in Messer
county, Missouri. Margaret married Fuller Lambert. They
reside in Cass county, Iowa. Susan married James Shipley;
she died in 1878. Daniel died in 1834; came to his death by an
accident. Mr. Walkey is engaged in a saw-mill. He is one ot
the leading and respected citizens of the township.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

829

WALLACE, CHARLES, Howard township, farmer, post
office, Howard, was born in Washington county, Pennsylva
nia, in June, 181 5. In 1837 he came to Knox township,
Holmes county, and in 1858 removed to his present farm in
Knox county.
He was married to Nancy Hardisty, October 18, 1858. They
had the following family: Elizabeth, Thomas, Charles, and
Nancy. Thomas enlisted in the late war, in 1864; served his
time out and received and honorable dischaige.
WALLACE, DAVID, Morgan township, farmer, was born
in county Armagh, Newtown-Hamilton, Ireland, September
30, 1815. His parents, David and Mary Wallace, nee Glenny,
were natives of Ireland; their parents were Scotch, or the
grandparents of the subject of our sketch were Scotch. His
parents immigrated to the United States in 1819, with a family
of three children, and settled in Burlington township, Licking
county, where they subsequently purchased a farm, and lived
and died there. They had a family of six children, five of
whom are living, viz: David, Margaret, manied William
Wiley; Henry, Robert, of Mansfield; Mary Ann, married Bur
gess Helphrey; Eliza Jane, married a Mr. McFarland.
The subject of this notice was reared on a farm, and received
a common school education. In 1847 he moved to Morgan
township, where he has since resided. He was married to Miss
Mary Dunlap, May 5, 1847; she is a native of Muskingum
county, Ohio. Her parents were of Scotch-Irish descent. They
had nine children, viz: Mary E., wife of John T. McKee;
Elizabeth J., Maggie E., Sadie A., wife of James R. Boyd;
Wylie D., and Loretta A. The deceased are: Anna M.,
Maudna A., and William H., who died of diphtheria.
Mr. Wallace is a good citizen and is esteemed by his neigh
bors for his kindness of heart.
WALLACE, JOHN, Pike township, butcher, post office,
North Liberty, born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1842, and was
manied in 1864, to Jane Blakely, who was born in 1848. They
have the following family of children: Eva Estella, born in 1864;
Edna Luella, in 1867; Verna May and Bertha Day, in 1873;
Winifred, in 1875; Anna Bell, in 1876, and Ida Arivilla, in 1880.
Edna Luella died in 1872, and Bertha Day, in 1873.
Mr. Wallace came to this county in 1858, and was engaged
in farming for a number of years. For the last ten years he has
been engaged in butchering in North Liberty. Anna Bell died
October 13, 1880. -
WALTER, GEORGE A., salesman, was born in Morris
township, Knox county, in 1842, and was married in 1870, to
Mary L. Smith, who was born in Fredericktown in 1851. They
have one son: Carleton G, born March 14, 1872, in Mt. Vemon.
Mr. Walter learned the carpenter trade when a young man,
in Mt. Vernon, continued to work at his trade till 1872, when
he was engaged in the butchering business with S. Kirby,
afterwards with M. P. Minteer, and in 1880 was engaged with
Braddock & Hurst.
WALTERS, JOHN, Union township, farmer, post office,
Howard, born in 1821 near Steubenville, Ohio; came to Knox
county in 1835, and settled upon the farm he now owns. He
was married to Miss M. C. Johnson in April, 1843. They have
five children— George, Sarah, Mary Jane, Harriet, and Frances.
He has generally worked at farming, but has done some black
smithing. WALTERS, JOHN J., Fredericktown, liveryman, was born

in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1833; came to Ohio in 1835,
and was married in 1858 to Mary E. W7agner. He had the
following family: Charles, bora in 1859; Edward, in 1865;
Hattie, in 1867; and Frank, in 1873.
Mrs. Mary Waters died in 1861. Mr. John Walters was
afterwards married, in 1863, to Susan Baxter, who was born in
1844 in Middlebury township.
Mr. Walters came to Fredericktown in 1878 and engaged in
the livery business. He has the leading and best livery in this
city. WARD, RUFUS, Miller township, deceased, was born June
22, 1801, in Pittsford, Rutland county, Vermont. In 1816 he
came with his parents to Zanesville, and in 1818 moved to Knox
county and resided in Mt. Vernon, for some years after which
he moved to Miller township, where he purchased a farm and
became one of the large land owners of the township, and a
leading man of tbe community. He held the office of justice
of the peace for twenty-one years, to the satisfaction of the
public. He was a self-made man — began life without any aid — but by
industry and economy was successful. He was a farmer, and
his farm presented evidence of careful tillage.
His first wife was Miss Laura Davis, and his second wife was
Miss Ellen Rowley, a native of Vennont, to whom he was mar
ried July 2, 1843.
Mr. Ward died September 10, 1879; his wife died September
12. 1870. They had nine childern, viz: Laura E. (married to
Newton E. Chambers); Mary E. (married to Douglass Bricker);
Emma E. (married to Alonzo Chapman); Lavina A. (manied to
Oscar Vance) ; Nellie A. (married to William Turner) ; Rose B.
married to Rollin Hyatt). The sons are Rufus D., John F.,
and Fred L.
WARD, TRUMAN, was born July 19, 1805, in Rutland
county, Vermont, came with his parents to Zanesville, Ohio, in
1813, and lived there until 1815, when they came to Miller
township, Knox county, and lived there until November i,
1827, when he came to Mt. Vernon. He was married on the
same day to Eliza Maxfield, a native of Vermont. They have
had a family of nine children, six of whom are living. After his
marriage he spent a number of years in the cooper business.
He commenced reading medicine in 1847, and graduated at the
Willoughby Medical college in 1849, after which he practiced a
short time in Mt. Vernon; also in Sunbury, Delaware county,
after which he engaged in the drug business, in which he was
successfully engaged until November 7, 1878, when in conse
quence of bad health he sold out and retired from business.
WARD, L. B., was born in Brandon, Vermont, April 10,
1808. His father, Rufus Ward, was a native of Massachusetts.
His parents emigrated to Zanesville, Ohio, in April, 1814,
where they remained two years, wben on January 1, 1816, they
came to Knox county and located in what is now Miller town
ship. When they came to Ohio they came by team as far as
Olean, New York, where they exchanged their team for a flat-
boat and floated down the Allegheny river to Pittsburgh, then
down the Ohio to Marietta, where they hired a keel-boat to
take them to Zanesville.
When he first settled on the farm he had a family of eight
children, all of whom, but one, lived to see three score and ten
years. At this time four are living, whose ages aggregate three
hundred and twenty-four years. All of the family were mar
ried and had families, and all lived in Knox county but one.

S3o

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Mr. Ward, sr., died in 1834, in the seventy-sixth year of his
age. His wife died in 1848, at the age of eighty-five years.
Mr.- Ward followed farming until 1842, when he engaged in the
mercantile business until 1864, when he sold his store and went
back to his farm. In 1874 he opened a jewelry store in com
pany with his son, in which he is now engaged.
He was married to Mary Freeman, daughter of Luther Free
man, then a resident of Knox county, by whom he had five chil
dren, all living, and all married, and all live in Knox county.
WARD DENNIS, Miller township, farmer, was born in
Miller township August 15, 1858, and is the son of Rufus Ward,
of whom mention is made in this work. He was married to
Miss Jennie E. Hildreth October 9, 1879, daughter of Arnold
Hildreth of Miller township, mentioned elsewhere. The sub
ject of this notice was reared on his father's farm and received
a common school education, and is a social and pleasant gentle
man. WARREN, J. B., blacksmith and general jobber, Mechanic
street, between High and Chestnut streets, Mt. Vernon. Mr.
Warren was born in Ontario county, New York, November 10,
1833. When about three years of age his father emigrated to
Ohio, and located in LaGrange, Lorain county. Here the
family resided for seven years, and then removed to Kirkland
township, Lake county, where they remained for twelve years,
following the avocation of a farmer, in which he was assisted by
his son, the subject of this sketch. The father and family then
removed to Van Wert county, tbe son making that his home
till 1867.
In 1861 J. B. Warren enlisted in the first call for three months,
but on examination was rejected. He then engaged as sales
man with Casto & Hartsock. This position he retained until
July, 1864, when he again enlisted and was accepted. He
entered company H, Fifteenth Ohio veteran volunteer infantry,
First brigade, Third division, Fourth corps. In this company
he served until May 27, 1864, when he was wounded at Pickett's
mill, near Dallas, Georgia, and in consequence of this wound
was discharged from service August 25, 1865. He returned to
Van Wert county and engaged in mercantile pursuits, in which
he continued for about eighteen months, when he took up his
residence in Mt. Vernon. He entered into the Kokosing Iron
Works as a mechanic in general work where he remained for
two years. He then engaged with C. and C. G. Cooper & Co.
as boltmaker. At this he worked for eighteen months then
served eleven and a half years on saw-mill work. After this he
established his present business in which he has been engaged
about seven years. Mr. Warren does business of about one
thousand dollars per year, and does all kinds of job work, horse.
shoeing, etc. On the tenth day of December, 1868, he married
Miss Abbie R. Smith. Mrs. Warren died on the third day of
January, 1880. He has a family of one son, C. Warren, and
one daughter, Dora E. The son assists his father in his busi
ness. WATKINS, THOMAS, was bom in "The Hay," Wales, in
the year 1812, where he remained until 1822, when he came
with his parents to America and settled at Steubenville, Jeffer
son county, Ohio, where he remained for a number of years.
He was married to Miss Eliza Brown, daughter of Hervey
Brown. She was born February 13, 1822. They reared a
family of two sons and two daughters. They left Steubenville
and located in several different places, but did not remain
long.

Mr. Watkins died August 7, 1857. The family settled in
Mt. Vernon, on Cemetery avenue, in 1868, where they still live.
The children are all living,
WATKINS, WILLIAM J., Middlebury township, farmer,
post office, Fredericktown, born in Knox county in 1828, and
and was married in 1863 to Mary A. Zedaker, who was born in
Morrow county in 1840. They have two children — Frank,
born in May 3, 1864, and Eva, November 14, 1873.
WATKINS, DALLIS, Middlebury township, farmer, Post of
fice, Levering, born in this county December 12, 1843, and was
married in 1866 to Mary Martin, whowas born in Knox connty,
November 25, 1845. They have the following family, viz:
Isaac, born August 1, 1867; Phebe Bell, October 11, 1868, Lu
ella, May 8, 1872; Gladys, September 1, 1875; and Maude,
August 21, 1878.
Mr. Watkins has always lived on this farm where he now
resides. WATSON, ABRAHAM, Pleasant township, deceased, was
born in Pennsylvania, in 1770, of Irish parents. He was a
blacksmith by trade, and followed that business as his vocation
for many years.
In 1803 he married Miss Elizabeth Rivers, of Maryland, born
in Washington county in 1781. They settled in Maryland, re
mained until 1834, when he with wife and eight children, emi-
gratad to Knox county, Ohio, travelling the whole distance of
over three hundred and fifty miles in a one-horse wagon, being
almost four weeks on the road. They located in Miller town
ship, where they passed the remainder of their days.
His companion died in 1856, aged seventy-five years. He
survived her until 1863, aged ninety-three years. He served in
the War of 1812.
They had a family of eight children, viz: Maria, Matilda,
David, Abram, John, Catharine, Elizabeth, and Amanda. Two
of them (Maria and John) have died.
WATSON, DAVID, farmer, son of the aforesaid Abraham
and Elizabeth Watson, was born in Washington county, Mary
land, January 22, 1814. He came with his parents to Knox
county in 1834,
In 1840 he married Miss Sarah Muck, born in Pennsylvania.
April 17, 1824, and came to this county in 1839. They settled
in Miller township, this county, remained until 1874, when they
purchased and moved upon the farm in Pleasant township,
where they are now living. He still owns the farm in Miller
township, on which they lived from 1842 to 1874. They reared
a family of nine children, four sons and five daughters.
WATSON, JOSEPH, Attorney, of Mt. Vernon, was born
March 1, 1827, in the town of Ballyreagh, county Fermanagh,
Ireland. He was married in Ballinamallard, 'on the seventh day
of July, 1848, to Miss Rebecca Sproule, daughter of John Sproule,
of Aultamulen, county Tyrone, and emigrated- to America in
August, 1849. In April, 1852, he settled in Mt. Vernon, and
engaged in the grocery business, in which he continued until
1859. In 1861 he was admitted to the bar to practice law, and
has continued at his profession ever since. In April, 1880, he
opened an office in Columbus, Ohio, and was there admitted to
practice in the United States courts. Mr. Watson has reared a
family of six children — William B., Isabella, John S., Joseph
H., Matthew O. , and Frank C. — all living. John married
Stella, daughter of James Stockwell, of Sunbury, Delaware
county, Ohio, and has had two children. Isabella was married

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

831

to Silas A. Spindler, of Monroe Mills, this county, in 1878, and
has one child — a son, Austin.
WATSON, J. S., merchant, Hilliar township, post office,
Rich Hill, was born in Mt. Vernon in 1856, is the third child of
Joseph and Rebecca Watson, nee Sproule. He attended the
schools of Mt. Vernon, and clerked in a store for about one
year and a half. At the age of nineteen he purchased tbe Sun-
bnry Spectator, a weekly published at Sunbury, Delaware
county, Ohio. He edited and published this paper for about
four years and a half in Sunbury, and then moved it to Centre
burgh, Knox county, where he continued to publish it, changing
the name to The Mirror, for about six months, and sold out.
He was successful in the newspaper enterprise, and after he sold
his paper he purchased the stock of the general store of M.
Roberts, of Rich Hill. He "stocked up," and now carries a
full line of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, queensware,
hardware, glassware, and such goods as are carried in a general
line. Mr. Watson is a careful business man, prompt in his
dealings, pleasant in address, and well calculated to do well.
He was married to Miss Stella Stockwell, of Sunbury, Delaware
county, September, 1876. They have one child.
WEAVER" JONATHAN was born at East Greenwich,
Rhode Island, February 12, 1816, removed to Ohio with father
and mother and one sister, and settled in Ashtabula, Ashtabula
county, about the year 1822, receiving and concluding his
education at the high school of that place. His father and
family removed from Ashtabula, and settled in Worthington,
Franklin county, Ohio, in 1834. In about one year after, J.
Weaver left Ashtabula and came to and lived at Worthington,
Ohio, and for two months was engaged in the dry goods store of
B. Comstock (in which business he had three years previous ex
perience with John Booth at Ashtabula). On leaving Comstock's,
he engaged with Champion & Lathrop, wholesale dry goods
dealers, of Columbus, Ohio, southwest of High and Broad streets,
afterwards with Comstock & Buttles, forwarding and com
mission merchants and pork packers, Columbus, Ohio. In the
spring of 1839 he engaged in the grocery business in Columbus
with Frank Stewart under the firm name of J. Weaver & Co.
In May, 1844, he commenced a grocery business with H. Hol
lister at Newark, Ohio.
The following October the firm removed to, and continued a
wholesale and retail grocery business at Mt. Vernon, under the
firm name of Hollister & Weaver, until the fourth of Maich,
1846, when J. Weaver bought out H. Hollister, and associated
himself in business with Dr. M. W. Stamp (a resident of Mt.
Vernon) under the firm name of J. Weaver & Co., wholesale
and retail grocers. This firm continued business until the first
of May, 1850, when it was mutually dissolved, and the business
continued by J. Weaver (Dr. Stamp uniting with the firm of C.
P. Buckingham & Co. in the building of Kokosing foundry
in Mt. Vernon).
During the year 1851 J. Weaver closed up business in Mt.
Vernon, and was engaged in business with H. H. Curtis at
Keokuk, Iowa, for a few months, after which he returned to
Mt. Vernon, and engaged again in the grocery business with
James George. This firm continued one year, and was mutually
dissolved, J. Weaver continuing the wholesale and retail grocery
business from that period until May, 1876 — a period of twenty-
four years at Mt. Vernon.
During a period of thirty-seven years J. Weaver has made a
home at Mt. Vemon. On the fourteenth of January, 1846, he

was married by Rev. James Muenscher, to Miss Elizabeth,
eldest daughter of Samuel J. Updegraff, esq. (an early resident
of Mt. Vernon), who now have living two sons and two
daughters, and two granddaughters, having lost two grandsons,
children of Howard and Anna Harper, residents of Mt. Vemon.
WEAVER, JOHN, Liberty township, farmer, born in Lib
erty, Febmary 22, 1831. He is the fourth child of Leonard
and Mary Weaver, nee Zent. His youth was spent on the farm
on which he now resides, and on which he has spent all his life
except six years. He enlisted in company A, One Hundred
and Forty-second regiment Ohio National guards, for one
hundred days.
He married Miss Frances M. Coyle of Monow county, in
1856. They had two children: One died while young; and
Emarine, wife of Samuel Bricker.
Leonard Weaver, the father, was bora in Rockingham coun
ty, Virginia, March 31, 1804. His parents came to Ohio at an
early day, and remained in Fairfield county until 1814, when
they removed to Jefferson tSwnship, Richland county, where
they lived and died, being pioneers. He remained with his
parents until 1823. About 1825 he moved to Liberty township,
and purchase^ a tract of land, which was heavily timbered. He
had the usual experience of early settlers. Hard work and
economy, however, overcame the disadvantages. He is a good
citizen, and has the esteem of the community. He was mar
ried August 28, 1823, to Miss Mary Zent, by whom he had
seven children. His wife dying, he married Harriet Farreson.
He resides on the farm on which he settled in 1825.
WEBSTER, EDWIN P., Gambier, was bom in Summit
county, Ohio, December 6, 1849. He was educated at the
Bissell institute, at Twinsburgh. In 1872 he accepted a posi
tion at Dawson, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, as night tele
graph operator, which position he held about six months. In
February, 1873, he came to Gambier, this county, and accepted
the position of agent and operator in the office of the Cleveland,
Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad company, which position he
is now filling.
In 1875 Mr. Webster married Miss Sarah R. Cheyney, of
Dawson, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. They settled in Gam
bier, where they are now living. They have three children,
all daughters.
WEEKS, WILLIAM, Monroe township, farmer, a native
of England, and son of Matthew Weeks, was born May 25,
1824. He migrated to America with his father and located in
Gambier in 1842. His father deceased in about two years after
their arrival at Gambier.
In October, 1844, Mr. Weeks married Miss Nancy Ayers,
born in Wayne county, Ohio, March 4, 1824. They settled in
Jefferson township, this county, remained a few months, and in
June of the same year they moved to Gambier, lived one year
in the village, and then moved to Monroe township, where his
companion deceased in June, 1859, but he is still living in Mon
roe township. Their union resulted in seven children, only two
of whom are now living. He served one year in the war of
1861. His son, John H., died in the service of his country
during the late war.
WELKER, DAVID (deceased), Union township, was bom
in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, Febmary 28, 1787. He em
igrated to Knox county, and located in Union township in
1809, on the farm now owned by his son, John D. Welker. In

832

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

1810 he married Sarah McMillen, who was born in 1791, daugh
ter of Robert and Nellie McMillen. He erected a log cabin on
his land, which served them as an abode for a number of years.
He lived on the farm and followed farming as his vocation until
he died, Novembei 16, 1853. His companion died in March,
1857. They reared a family of se.ven children: Paul, David,
Sarah, John D., Eleanor, Simon, and Mary — all of whom mar
ried and reared families.
WELKER, DANIEL, Howard township, farmer, post office,
Howard, was born in Union township, Knox county, Decem
ber 5, 1812. He remained here twenty-eight years. He was
married'in 1840, and removed to Howard township, where he
has remained ever since. He has six children: Shiply, Curtis,
Edith, Maria, Dillon, and Elizabeth. Curtis died at the age of
two years, three months and nine days; Dillon died at the age
of twenty-one years, eleven months and fourteen days.
WELKER, PAUL, Howard township, farmer, post office,
Howard, was born in Union township, Knox county, Septem
ber 16, 1813. He remained in trlis township until the thirtieth.
year of his age, when he removed to Howard township, and
settled on the farm which he now owns and occupies.
He was married in 1838 to Crysta M. Ankeny. They had
four children: George, David, Sylvester, and Belle. David
died July 24, 1874, at the age of thirty-three years and twenty
days; Sylvester. is at present (June, 1880) assessor of this town
ship. WELKER, M. D., A. D., Gambier; a native of Knox
county, and son of Elliott and Rachel Welker, was born in
Howard township on the twenty-second day of October, 1847.
He is a self-educated man, studied medicine with Dr.'s McMa
hon, Coleman and Moffett, of Millwood, this county. In the
fall of 1870 he entered the Louisville Medical college, at Louis
ville, Kentucky, and graduated February 29, 1872. On the
fifteenth day of the following April he came to Gambier and
began the practice of medicine, where he has since been
engaged in his profession, meeting with good success. In Sep
tember, 1870, he married Miss Louisa White, of Howard
township, this county, daughter of Anthony White. Their
union resulted in two children, daughters. Mrs. Welker died
August 22, 1875. His second marriage was with Miss Fannie
Colwill, in 1878, daughter of Simon Colwill. By this union he
has one child, a son.
WELKER, GEORGE A., physician, Berlin township, post
office, Shalers Mills, was bora in Union township, Knox county,
in 1839. He received a preparatory education in the common
schools, and attended the Ann Arbor Medical college in Michi
gan. He also attended lectures at the University of Wooster
Medical college, located at Cleveland, and graduated in 1875.
He commenced the practice of medicine in Greersville; remained
there for two years, then located in Millwood, where he re
mained two years and six months. In 1866 he moved to An
kenytown, where he has since been engaged in the practice .of
his profession. He now has an extensive practice, and stands
high in his profession. He was united in marriage to Miss
Emma Giffin, of Berlin township, who was born in 1845,
daughter of Lauriston and Lucia F. Giffin. They have two
children — Nina Belle, born in 1868, and Harry B., 1870.
WELLS, G. W. , Fredericktown, baker and grocer, was born
in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1832, and came to Ohio with
his parents in 1835. He was married in 1858 to Anna E. Logs-

don, who was born in Knox county in 1834. They have three
sons: William, born February 22, 1859; David, boin Novem
ber 28, i860; and Freddie, born March 27, 1869.
Mr. Wells began business in this town in 1867, where he has
built up a good trade. He is a first-class baker, and is pre
pared to meet the wants of the public in his line.
WELLS, JOSEPH, Middlebury township, deceased, born in
Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and manied Sophia E. Noble,
who was bora in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1842.
They have two children: George W., born February 22, 1859,
and Joseph M., August 30, i860. Mr. Joseph Wells died
August 13, 1872.
George W. Wells was manied to Rosa Haraman. They re
side in Pike township. Joseph M. still resides with his mother.
WELSH, JOHN, farmer, oldest son of William and Rebec
ca Welsh, nee Budd, was born in Washington county, Pennsyl
vania, March 19, 1814. He received a good common school
edncation, was reared on a farm, and has followed farming as his
principal vocation. October 7, 1834, he married Miss Sarah J.
Beall, daughter of Zephaniah and Mary Beall, nee Purcell. She
was born near Beallsville, Washington county, Pennsylvania,
December 25, 18 18. .
Mr. Welsh remained in Washington county about two years
after his marriage to Miss Beall. In the fall of 1836 he came to
Knox county, Ohio, and located in Clinton township, about
three miles south of Mt. Vernon, on the Columbus road, re
mained there one year, then, in 1837, he purchased and moved
on the farm, in the same township, one mile west of Mt. Ver
non, where they are now living. He bought the land of Benja
min Keller. The dwelling house consisted of a double log cabin,
which served them as an abode until 1847, when they erected
their present brick residence.
Their union resulted in eight children — William, Mary, Zeph
aniah B., Reasin, Rebecca, Lucretia, Joseph, and Sarah J. — two
of whom are deceased, Mary and Joseph. Mary died at the
age of four years.
Joseph enlisted in company B, Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteer
infantry, under Colonel Vance, in March, 1864, and died in the
service on the steamer J. H. Groesbeck, on his way home from
New Orleans, September 22, 1864.
All of Mr. Welsh's sons served in the war of 1861. His son
William was the first to enlist and go into service from Knox
county. Mr. Welsh taught several terms of school in Clinton and ad
joining townships, making that his vocation during the winter
months, for a few years after his arrival in this county. He
taught his first term in the county in the winter of 1836-7. He
understood surveying, and did a great amount of that work in
different parts of the county. He also followed contracting
and building to some extent, having made some fine improve
ments in Mt. Vernon for himself and others.
WELSH, J. W., Union township, mechanic, post office, Ross
town. — He was born in Mt. Vernon, Knox county, Ohio,
August 31, 1858. His father and mother both died in Freder
icktown when he was eight years old. He returned to Mt. Ver
non, remained five years, then moved to Rossville, where he
now lives and works at bis trade.
His father, Peter Welsh, was a weaver and worked a long time
in Mt. Vernon.
In 1833 he was married, and had four children. Two are liv
ing and two are dead. In 1848 his wife died. He was married

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

833

again in 1851, and had five children — Bridget, Agnes, J. W.,
Edward, and Anna.
WERTZ, GEORGE, deceased, Morris township, was born
in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, May 25, 1809; was married
to Amanda Myers October 1, 1835, who was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, May3i, 1817. They had the following chil
dren: Jacob, born June 9, 1837; Anderson, May 8, 1851 ; Azariah,
September 5, 1843; Theophilus, June 16, 1845; George H,
July 3, 1852; Sarah Ann, December 25, 1838; and Mary E.,
September 19, 1847.
Jacob married Maria L. Koch, June 25, 1858; they reside in
Crestline, Ohio. Sarah married J. Madison Rood, December
16, 1858. Azariah manied Leppe Greenland January 28, 1868.
Mary married Frank Foster. Theophilus manied Lucinda
Baughman; they reside in Scott county, Iowa. George Henry
manied Anna Mullen January 10, 1875. Andrew married Mar
tha Vernon in 1874; they have two children: George, bom
March 6, 1875; Louis, August 15, 1878.
Mr. George Wertz died April 27, 1877, in Morris township,
aged sixty-seven years, eleven months and two days. He came
to Ohio in 1819.
Mrs. Amanda Wertz lives on the home place in Monis
township. Jacob Wertz was engaged during the late war as surgeon.
He rendered efficient service, and distinguished himself as a
man of ability.
WERTZ, ALBERT, Middlebury township, farmer, post
office, Levering, born in Licking county, in 1851, and was mar
ried in 1875 to Deliah Fidler, who was born in Monow county.
They have three children: Emery E., born November 27, 1875;
John H., November 16, 1877; and an infant born in 1880. Mr.
Wertz has resided in this township three years, and owns a farm
with all the modern improvements.
WESTON, HIRAM, Fredericktown, mason, was born in
Rutland, Vermont, in 1816, and came to Ohio in 1836. He
was married in 1843 t0 Eliza Hodges, who was bom in New
York in 1823. They have the following family: Livonia, born
in 1845; Harriet, in 1848; Eleanor, in 1851; Anice and Alice,
in 1855; Amasa and Amy, in 1859; Ada, born in 1861, and died
in 1869.
WHITE, THOMAS, College township, deceased, a native
of Maryland, was born in 1779. About the year 1802 he mar
ried Miss Winnie Logsdon, of Maryland. They migrated to
Ohio and located in the county near the Indian fields about
1804 or 1805, remained a few years, then moved on a farm in
College township, near Gambier, where they deceased.
They reared a family of seven children — Anthony, Nancy,
Lewis, Joseph, David, James, and Lydia. Only four of the
number are now living, namely: Lewis, James, David and
Lydia. WHITE, LEWIS, College township, farmer, son of the
aforesaid Thomas and Winnie White, was bom in College town
ship, this county, on the twenty-eighth day of October, 1811.
He was reared on a farm and has made farming his principal
vocation during life.
In 1831 he married Miss Rebecca Welshhammer, born in 1809.
They settled in College township, a short distance south of
Gambier. They have six children — Amanda, Matilda, Nor
man H., William H., Ellen, and Charles J.
In 1849 his companion deceased. In February, 1851, he was

united in marriage with Miss Sarah Dial, of Holmes county,
Ohio. By this marriage he has three children, two sons and
one daughter.
In 1851 he purchased and moved on the farm in College town
ship, where he is now living.
WHITE, GEORGE BERKELEY, postmaster, Mt. Ver.
non. Mr. George B. White, the present postmaster of Mt.
Vernon, Ohio, was born on the seventh day of July, 1814, in
Derby, New Haven county, Connecticut. Mr. White is a de
scendant in a direct line from Elder John White, one of the
first settlers of Cambridge, in Massachusetts; of Hartford, in
Connecticut, and of Hadley, in Massachusetts. The elder was
born in England, about the year 1795. He sailed from London,
England, on the twenty-second day of June, 1632, and arrived
at Boston, in Massachusetts, on Sunday, the sixteenth day of
September following, after a tedious voyage of eight weeks.
He died in the winter of 1683-4. He had six children, four
sons and two daughters. From the second child, Nathaniel,
the subject of this sketch descended. Elder White was a man
of great prominence in his day, and held many important pub
lic trusts.
When about twelve years of age George B. White went to
New York city, and engaged as a salesman with Folgar, Lamb
& Co., where he remained about five years. In 1835 be came
to Gambier, Ohio, and engaged in the mercantile business with
his brother Mardenbrough, now a resident of Gambier, under
the firm name of M. & G. B. White, and continued in business
there until 1838, when they closed up their business in Gam
bier and came to Mt. Vemon and entered into the same line of
business, and under the old firm, which they conducted until
1841. His brother returned to Gambier, and Geoige engaged
in mercantile pursuits of various kinds from 1841 to 1872; the
most important branches were the boot, shoe and leather busi
ness, with his brother-in-law, T. Ewing Miller, for twelve years ;
and the queensware, crockery, and house furnishing goods for
some three years. In T872 he was appointed inspector in the
internal revenue department and stationed at Cleveland, Ohio,
where he remained eighteen months. He then went to Wash
ington city, where he had been appointed to the special service
division in the pension office. This position he held for six
months, when, in consequence of ill health, he resigned and
returned to his home.
He was appointed postmaster at Mt. Vemon, Ohio, and
entered upon the duties of said office on the first of May, 1874.
He was reappointed to the same position in 1878, in which he
still continues.
For some fifteen or more years Mr. White represented his
ward in the city council, and was its continued president from
the time he took the oath of office until he voluntarily retired
from the service of the city.
On the tenth day of October, 1839, he was married to Miss
Clara Miller, daughter of the late Judge Eh Miller, of Mt.
Vemon. Eleven children were the issue of this maniage, five
sons and six daughters, all living but two of the sons.
Mrs. White passed away from earth a few yeais since, loved
by her immediate family, and esteemed and respected by her
numerous friends and acquaintances.
WHITE, DAVID, Gambier, retired; son of Thomas and
Winnie White, was bom in what is now College township, this
county, December 21. 1816 He was reared a farmer, and has
followed farming as his vocation. In 1838 he married Miss

834

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

Elizabeth Majors; they have had one son, Emanuel, who was
killed near Lagrange, Mississippi, in the war of 1861. His
companion deceased January 16, 1851. He was united in
marriage with Margaret Howard, who deceased in 1877. His
last marriage was with Catharine Gorsuch, who is now living
with him in Gambier.
WHITE, JOHN A., farmer, was bom in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, about 1820. He remained in Pennsylvania until
1840, when he came to Liberty township and remained a year,
then went to Noble county, Ohio, and engaged in cultivating
tobacco. While in Noble county he made several trips to Lib
erty township. In 1866 he removed to the farm on which he
now resides and which he had purchased tbe fall previous. Mr.
White, although not having an education, has been successful
in making for himself and family considerable property. He
began poor in life, but by his industry and good management
overcame all obstacles, and is now one of the leading farmers
of the vicinity, and is esteemed by his neighbors for his upright
ness of character. He manied Elizabeth Craft, of Guernsey
county, Ohio. They had eleven children, ten of whom are
living. They are an industrious family.
WHITE, WILLIAM J., wagon-maker, Fredericktown.
Lieutenant White was a member of company G, One Hundred
and Twenty-first regiment, and was engaged in the service about
three years, attaining to the position of lieutenant. He was
born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1823. He came to
Ohio with his parents in 1829, and located in Knox county. He
was married in 1845, to Amnnda Lambert, daughter of Rev.
Daniel Lambert. She was born in 1826. They have one
daughter, Sarah C, married to W. L. Merrin. They reside in
Newark, Licking county.
WHITFORD, JAMES. W., travelling salesman, Frederick-
town, was born in Maryland in 1826, came to Ohio in 1844, and
located in Richland county. He was married in 1855, to Mar
garet Rankins, who was born in Licking county in 1823. They
have the following family: Rankin born in 1856; James, in 1858;
Hattie, in i860; Jefferson, in 1862; Ralph, in 1870; William H.,
in 1873. Mr. Whitford settled in Fredericktown in 1845. He
has good business qualifications, and is one of the enterprising
men of Fredericktown. He has been engaged with the firm of
H. M. Weaver & Co., of Mansfield, since 1871, and has the
reputation of a successful salesman.
WHITNEY, DUDLEY G, Brown township, farmer, post
office, Danville, son of Ebnezer and Sarah A. Whitney, born
in Brown township, Knox county, August 16, 1846. He re
mained with his parents until February 13, 1873, when he was
united in marriage with Miss Maria F. Tremble, daughter of
Samuel and Susan Tremble, born in Union township, Knox
county, on the twenty-fifth day of March, 1849. After his mar
riage he built a house on the old home place, where he then
moved, and where he has since remained, farming for his father.
He is at present a justice of the peace in Brown township.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are members of the Methodist Epis
copal church of Danville.
WHITNEY, E. J., farmer, post office, Danville, son of
Thomas Whitney, born in Orleans county, Vermont, Decem
ber 6, 1806, where he was reared by his parents until he arrived
at the years of manhood. In the year 1830 he was united in
marriage with Sarah A. Boardman, born in Norwich township,
Windsor county, Vermont, July 13, 1806. After his marriage

he located in Hartford, Vermont, where he engaged to work in
a foundry, and did so until October, 1837, when he moved with
his family to Ohio, locating in Brown township, Knox county,
where he made a purchase of a farm of .one hundred and nine
and a half acres of land in the Jelloway valley, where he erected
a rude log cabin, and moved his family into it. He cleared his
land and af present has a very pleasant home.
Mr. Whitney has 'filled a number of offices of trust while
living in said township. In 1850 he erected a saw-mill on his
farm, which he operated a number of years. His marrige re
sulted in eight children, as follows: Edward E., born Novem
ber 5, 1833, and died January 26, 1879; Virginia C, August 4,
1835, and died February 25, 1849; Victoria P., November 29,
1839; Girdon B., November 29, 1839, and died in Portsmouth,
Virginia, August 4, 1864; Lucy E., June 5, 1844; Dudley C,
August 16, 1846; Luella M., November 21, 1850; Helena, April
19. 1853.
Mrs. Whitney died December 4, 1876, in her sixty-eighth
year. Mr. Whitney survives his companion in his seventy-third
year, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of
Danville. WHITTINGTON, NEHEMIAH, grocer and confectioner,
North Sandusky street, Mt. Vernon, Ohio. — Mr. Whittington
is a native of Caroline county, Maryland, where Jie was born
September 29, 1808, and where he resided until 1834, when he
came to Ohio and located in Licking county, where he resided
one year. He then came to Mt. Vernon and engaged in dray-
ing, in which he continued several years, and after which he en
gaged in the manufacture and sale of tinware,- which he con
ducted about two years. He then engaged with the firm of C.
and E. Cooper, to do stove mounting, which he followed sev
eral years, when he was given the position of shipping clerk,
and in consideration of his faithfulness and abilities he was re
tained with this firm in all twenty-eight years. In the year 1872
he established himself in the grocery business, in which he has
since been engaged. He carries a good stock of staple and
fancy groceries and confectioneries, flour and feed.
He has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah Grad-
less, by whom he had two children, one of whom, a daughter,
is living. His second wife was Lovica Hindens, by whom he
has a family of six children — three sons and three daughters-
all of whom are living, and all but one of whom are married
and reside within the limits of this county. His daughter by
his first wife is mairied and- resides at Cardington, Ohio.
WHITWORTH, A. T., Howard township, farmer, post
office, Howard, was born in Maryland, July 27, 1818. His
father died when he was five years of age; he lived with his
mother and took care of their little farm. In 1831 they sold
their farm and moved to Jefferson township, Knox county, re
maining there five or six years, and then removed to Howard.
In July, 1839, he was married to Rosa Clute, of Mt. Vernon.
His mother died in 1856 at sixty-four years of age. He had
three children: Joseph, born September 10, 1841, and died in
1850; Sarah, September 12, 1845, and died in 1850; Susanna,
September 15, 1849, and is now living iri Michigan.
WIERJOHN, Monroe township, farmer, son of Noble and
Ann Wier, was born in Ireland in 1818. In 1833 he accom
panied his parents to America, who located in Monroe town
ship, Knox county, on a farm now owned by Robert Marshall's
heirs. They remainetl a few years in Monroe township, then in

/^<?-UaJ

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

835

1838 they moved to Liberty township, this county, where they
died. Noble Wier, father of John, died in 1874; his companion
survived him until 1376.
In 1839 Mr. Wier married Miss Mary A. McClelland,
daughter of John and Sarah McClelland. They settled in
Monroe township and have lived in the same township since
their marriage, except about two years that they spent in Mor
row county, Ohio. They moved on the farm on which they
now reside in i860, and have a family of nine children, two
sons and seven daughters. He has made farming his vocation
through life.
WILKINSON, C, Mt. Vernon, was born near St. Clairs-
ville, Belmont county, Ohio, November 27, 1842. He passed
his early life on a farm. In 1862 he entered the army as a vol
unteer in the Ninety-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry. In the
battle of Penysville, Kentucky, he was wounded by a rifle ball
passing through his left leg, rendering him unfit for service. In
1863 he was discharged from duty. After returning home he
entered the Ohio Wesleyan university at Delaware, Ohio, and
graduated from that institution in 1866. After graduating he
spent three years teaching in the public schools of Lancaster
and elsewhere.
In 1870 he purchased the Belmont Chronicle, published at St.
Clairsville. The Chronicle was the Republican party paper of
Belmont county, which he edited for two years. He then re
moved to Fostoria, Ohio, where he published the Fostoria
Press for a time. In the fall of 1876 he purchased, in partner
ship with Mr. S. S. Knabenshue, the Mt. Vernon Republican.
In September, 1878, he purchased Mr. Knabenshue's interest
on the Republican, and continued the publication of the same
until May 6, 1880, when he sold the Republican to Armstrong
& Co. At present Mr. Wilkinson is engaged in farming near
Mt. Vernon.
WILLIAMS, MILTON B., Berlin township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in Wayne township, Knox county,
in 1827, was married in 1851 to Elizabeth Roberts, who was
born in Berlin township in 1831. They have two children —
Bryant and Jesse. Mr. Williams has resided in Berlin town
ship for forty-three years. He owns a well improved farm with
all the modern improvements, and is a model farmer.
Mr. Williams resided in Richland county one year, and was
engaged in a saw-mill before he removed to Knox county.
His father, Daniel Williams, was born in Frederick county,
Maryland, in 1792, and emigrated to Ohio at the age of twenty-
two yeais, with his parents, and first located in Fredericktown.
He bought the first mill property of Mr. Carr, also a large
quantity of land. He died in Knox county in 1876.
WILLIAMS, ADAM, Miller township, blacksmith, at Bran
don; was born in Miller township, December 14, 1834. He is
the fourth child and the third son of a family of five chil
dren. His parents, Jacob and Sarah Williams, nee Litzenberg,
were natives of Pennsylvania, and were married there and came
to Ohio about the year 1828. They both died in Miller town
ship, this county.
The mother of the subject of this notice died when he was
about four years old, and was therefore in early life deprived of
her fostering care. He remained with his father on the farm
until about the age of twelve years, when his father discontinued
housekeeping, when Mr. Williams was place'd with his aunt,
Mrs. Susan Jackson, where he remained about a year, and then
resided with his uncle, David W. Litzenberg, with whom he re-
58

mained about a year. His father again going to housekeeping
he returned to the place of his birth, and remained with his
father until his death. Some few months after this, and when
about seventeen years of age, he was bound to Boyles & Cole
man, of Brandon, to learn the trade of blacksmithing. He re
mained about two years in Brandon, then went to Mt. Vernon
with William Sanderson to finish his trade. He remained about
two years and then went to Mechanicsburgh, Pennsylvania,
where he remained six months and again returned to Mt. Ver
non, where he remained about two years working at his trade.
In the fall of 1858 he came to Brandon and entered into part
nership with Aaron Boyles, which continued for some two years,
when he purchased his partner's interest, and for the first time
commenced business for himself.
He worked at his trade until November, 1861, when he en
listed in company C, Forty-third regiment, Ohio volunteer in
fantry, command by Colonel Smith. He participated in the
engagements of New Madrid, Missouri, and Island Number
Ten. At Corinth he was appointed sergeant, and at Decatur,
Alabama, he was appointed color-bearer. He was at Resaca,
Georgia; Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, thence on the Sherman
campaign to Savannah, and thence to Washington, District of
Columbia. He received a second lieutenant's commission
about two months before he was discharged. He thus served
his country three years and eight months, participating in all
the battles and marches in which his regiment was engaged.
He was slightly wounded at Resaca, Georgia, in the shoulder.
He veteranized at Prospect, Tennessee, in January, 1864.
Mr. Williams was discharged with his regiment at Columbus,
Ohio. After his return from the army he resumed his trade, at
which he has since been engaged. He has been successful in
his business, and has the esteem and confidence of the com
munity in which he lives. He takes an active interest in public
affairs. He joined the Methodist Episcopal church in the fall
of 1861, and has been a consistent member.
Mr. Williams was married to Miss Caroline Baughman, July
14, 1858. She was born March 14, 1840, and a daughtei of
Christian Baughman, sr.. of whom mention is made in this
volume. They had a family of five children — Leonora L., born
April 23, 1859, who manied Henry Bunnell; Albert W., de
ceased when six months old; Stanley A., born June 14, 1862;
- Elmer C, April 8, 1867; and Rosa May, July 30, 1872.
WILLIAMS, GRAFTON, farmer, post office. Levering.—
He was born in Maryland in 1841; he came to Ohio with his
parents. He was married to Armina Fiddler (widow), who was
born in Licking county.
Mr. Williams was a soldier in the late war, a member of com
pany A. He was wounded at the battle of Missionary Ridge,
Tennessee; the ball entered in the centre of his breast, came out
under the right shoulder blade. He made a very narrow escape.
He is drawing a pension.
His wife, Mrs. Fiddler, had two children with her first hus
band. Lawrence Edward was bom in 1867; Emirella J., born
in 1869.
WILLIAMS, BRYANT B. , farmer, post office, Frederick-
town. He was born in this township in 1854. He was manied
September 31, 1880, to Sadie E. Steele, who was born in Wayne
county in 1858.
WILLIAMS, A. H., Newark, Ohio. Mr. Williams is pro
prietor of the Licking county blank book manufactory. His
establishment is located on West Main street, in Felt's block.

836

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

He has had twenty-two years' experience and is doing a large
and successful business.
WILSON, DEXTER, Morris township, farmer, post office,
Mt. Vernon, was born in this county in 1826, and married in
1850 to Sarah Love, who was born in this county in 1830. They
have four children, viz: Oscar W., born in 1852; Philittia J,,
in 1853; Frank M., in 1864; and Minnie Bell, in 1870.
WILSON, HODGSON, school teacher and farmer, was born
in the county of Durham, England, March 10, 1847. He re
moved to America in 1852, residing for a short time in Cleve
land, Ohio, and removed the same year to Butler township.
He received the first rudiments of his education in the district
schools of this township. He afterwards attended select school
at Millwood, taught by Professor Jones, a graduate of Kenyon
college, and also the Northwestern Normal school at Fostoria,
Ohio. Mr. Wilson, although a strong Republican, is one of
the justices of the peace of the Democratic township of Butler.
WILSON, JOHN, farmer, Wayne township, post office,
Fredericktown, born in Wayne county, January 15, 1831, and
was married December 12, 1858, to Harriet McFelow, who was
born in Wayne county, October 27, 1841. They had the fol
lowing children — Arabel, born July 7, 1859; William Elmen
September 28, 1864; Laura Etta, June 4, 1877, and Agnes May,
April 17, 1879. They were all born in Knox county except the
first, who was bom in Wayne county. Mr. Wilson came from
Wayne to Knox county in 1859, located on a farm and is one
of the leading men of this township.
WILSON, JOHN B., was born in Belmont county, Ohio, on
the twenty-ninth day of July, 1835. He removed to Washing
ton county, Ohio, at an early age. From there he emigrated
to Butler township, Knox county, in 1856, remaining there a
short time when he came to Clay township, where he has since
resided. He was married October 27, 1861, to Miss Rhoda M.
Rice, who bore him one child — a son, jnamed Marion, who was
born June 1, 1862. Mrs. Rhoda M. Wilson died March 29,
1871. He subsequently manied, September 26, 1872, Miss
Elanor Mckee, by whom he has had one son, Harry Leslie, born
July 31, 1878.
John M. Wilson, father of John B., was' born in Fayette
county, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1800. He removed to Ohio,
settling in Belmont county when a young man. He was mar
ried to Anna Mason, of that county, April 12, 1830. They had
five children, viz: John B., William B., Joseph M., Sarah A.,
Samuel H. John M. Wilson died December 28, 1869.
WILSON, E. J., M. D., Mt. Vernon, office over Eagle drug
store, Main street, Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Dr. Wilson was born
near Granville, Licking county, Ohio, on the ninth day of
August, 1853, and was educated at Dennison university in Gran
ville. On the nineteenth of April, 1875, he commenced the
study of medicine with Dr. Larimore, of Mt. Vernon, During
the winter of 1877-8, he attended his first term of lectures at the
Columbus Medical college, and graduated on the twenty-third
day of June, 1879, at the Long Island college hospital, at Brook
lyn, New York. He was appointed resident surgeon of the
hospital after a competitive examination, which position he filled
with much honor to himself, until July 1, 1880, when he returned
to Mt. Vernon, and accepted a partnership with his former
preceptor, Dr. F. C. Larimore, with whom he is now actively
engaged in the practice of his profession.

WINDOM, HON. WILLIAM.— The present Secretary of
the Treasury, Hon. William Windom, was, during his child
hood, youth, and early manhood a resident of Knox county.
He was a native of Belmont county, Ohio, where he was born
May ro, 1827. In the autumn of 1832, his father'-with his fam
ily removed to Middlebury township, this county, and coutinued
to reside there until 1848, when he removed to Illinois, Wil
liam went into the law office of Judge Hurd, of Mt. Vernon,
as a law student, having previously received an academic educa
tion. He was admitted to the bar in 1850, and the next year,
1851, became a partner of Judge Hurd, who, in 1852, on being
elected judge of the court of common pleas, surrendered his
practice to William Windom and D. S. Norton, two young
lawyers, the last named being his brother-in-law.
In 1852 William Windom was elected to the office of prose
cuting attorney of Knox county. He was the candidate of the
Whig party, and succeeded by more than three hundred major
ity, although the county generally gave the Democratic ticket a
larger majority than that.
Mr. Windom was a young man of excellent talents, good
habits, exemplary deportment, and ranked well among the
promising young lawyers of Mt. Vernon. He took a deep inter
est in the celebrated Main Law campaign, as it it was called, in
1853, making many speeches in all sections of Ohio in favor of
temperance legislation. Mr. Windom was widely and favorably
known as a zealous and able advocate of temperance in general
and of laws prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors. He
held a high position in the ranks of the temperance hosts of the
State, and while yet quite young was chosen the chief officer
of an order known as the Sons of Temperance, in which posi
tion he served not only acceptably but also quite efficiently,
making many public addresses, and in various ways laboring to
promote temperance and good morals.
In September, 1855, Mr. Windom removed from Mt. Vernon
and settled in Winona, Minnesota, and there, in company with
his law partner, Daniel S. Norton, esq., entered upon the prac
tice of his profession. Both gentlemen were possessed of de
cided talents, and as a law firm were successful.
Mr. Norton was elected a member of the Senate of Minnesota
four times, and in 1862 was elected a member of the lower
branch of the State legislature; and in 1865 he was elected a
member of the United States Senate for a full term of six years,
ending in 1871, but died in Washington city July 1, 186 — , be
fore his term had expired.
Hon. William Windom was elected a member of the Thirty-
sixth Congress in 1859, and served as a member of the com
mittee on public land, and also as a member of the special
committee of thirty-three. He was also elected a member of
the Thirty-seventh Congress, serving on the committee on public
expenditure; and of the Thirty-eighth Congress, serving as
chairman of the committee on Indian affairs, and of the special
committee to visit the Indian tribes of the west in 1865.
Mr. Windom was also elected a member of the Thirty-ninth
Congress, serving on the committee on the death of President
Lincoln. He was again at the head of the committee on Indian
affairs, and also served as chairman of a special committee on
the conduct of the commissioner of Indian affairs. He was
meanwhile a delegate to the Philadelphia Loyalists' convention
of 1866. He was elected to congress for the fifth time in 1866,
and through the Fortieth congress served on the same standing
committees as in the immediately preceding years.
Hon. William Windom, after an honorable career in Congress,

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

837

of ten consecutive years, was appointed by the Governor in
1870, to serve out the unexpired term of Hon. D. S. Norton in
the United States Senate, and was soon thereafter elected to the
Senate ofthe United States for a full term of six years, beginning
March 4, 1871, and ending March 4, 1877", during which time
he served as chairman of the committee on enrolled bills, and
on the committee on transportation, and also served as a mem
ber of the committee on appropriations. Before the expiration
of his term in 1877, he was again elected for another full term of
six years, which would have terminated March 4, 1883, had he
not tendered his resignation as United States senator March 1,
1881. He has thus served his State, with credit and honor, for
a period of a little more than ten years, as a member of the
United States Senate, making a period of more than twenty
consecutive years of service in the National councils.
Hon. William Windom has taken an active part in the legis
lation of the country during the last twenty years, a period that
may well be called the most eventful in its history — a period
that embraced all the years of the civil war. He kept abreast
of the times — took a part in all the discussions of the great war
measures that demanded consideration and deliberation in the
councils of the Nation. He was always patriotic — always will
ing to vote for more money and more men to put down and
crash out the great rebellion — always voting like a patriot, a
philanthropist, a philosopher, a statesman when questions
affecting slavery, public credit, finance, currency, rebellion were
acted upon and demanded the exercise of prudence, wisdom,
and the highest style of statesmanship.
By selection of President Garfield, and by the unanimous
vote of the members of the United States Senate, Hon. William
Windom is now (April, 1881,) Secretary of the Treasury. And
in that appointment the country yields general acquiescence.
It was an appointment eminently fit to be made. He has many
friends and few enemies. Mr. Windom was his own State's
first and almost only choice as the candidate of the Republican
party for President of the United States. Where best known
he is most highly appreciated.
Hon. William Windom married Miss Ellen Hatch, daughter
of a Congregational minister. She had been a popular and
successful teacher in the Mt. Vernon Female seminary, con
ducted by the late Professor R. R. Sloan. They are the parents
of three children.
WINELAND, JOHN, Pike township, farmer, post office,
North Liberty, born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1824.
He came to Ohio in 1827, and was married in 1850 to Joannah
Biddle, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1828. They
have seven children— George Wineland, born in 1851; Jacob,
in 1853; Sindrilla, in 1855; Clarvina, in 1857; Mary Elizabeth,
in 1862; Emma Etta, in 1864; Sarah L., in 1866; Iona, born in
1869. Jacob Wineland died in 1866, in Pike township, Knox
county, Ohio.
Mr. John Wineland has always resided on his present farm.
He has been elected to different township offices, and has held
the office of township trustee for a number of years.
WINELAND, ALONZO, barber and hair-dresser, basement
of Woodward block, corner of Main and Vine streets, Mt.
Vernon. Mr. Wineland is a native born of this county. He was bora
January 1, 1854, being a New Year's gift from his mother to his
father. When quite young he went to Fulton county, Ohio,
where he resided about sixteen years, where he was engaged in

attending school, after which he returned to Mt. Vernon, and
engaged in the barber business with Phil. Schwikert, where he
remained a short time, and then entered the employ of Albert
& Shoper, where he remained until January 1, 1880, when he
bought out the firm and has conducted the business ever since.
He runs four chairs, and has two bath-rooms. He has one
hundred and seventy-five regular customers, besides accommo
dating transient visitors, and does an average business of about
forty-five dollars per week. Hair-cutting a specialty. He does
the largest business in this line, and has the most commodious
and best accommodations in the city, a place where every
visitor will be comfortable, and will be waited upon in first-class
style. WING, MELVIN, was born in Warren county, New York,
July 8, 1804, and came to Ohio with his parents in the fall of
1816, and located in what is now Milford township, Knox
county, where they commenced in the unbroken forest to clear
up a home. Mr. Wing, sr. , was of rather delicate constitution
and young Melvin being the oldest son, a great portion of the
work fell upon his shoulders, but being energetic and of great
physical endurance it was not long until the forest had given
way and in its stead fine fields of grain were to be seen. They
resided on this farm until 1822, when they sold and rented a
farm for one year. The following year they bought one hun
dred and four acres, one mile south of Mt. Vernon, where his
parents spent the remainder of their days. His father reared a
family of six children, and died April 10, 1865, in his eighty-
sixth year; his mother died December 25, 1867. Melvin mar
ried Miss Elizabeth H. Ash, daughter of James Ash, and reared
a family of four children, one daughter and three sons. Mrs.
Wing died March 17, 1874. His daughter Maria J. died
March 17, 1879. His three sons, viz: W. C. , James A., and
W. R., are all married and live in Clinton township.
Melvin Wing is one of the pioneers of the county, and has
lived to see a great many changes take place. In consequence
of severe injuries, caused by a horse running away, he is now in
feeble health and has retired from business to enjoy the balance
of his days in peace and quiet.
WINTERMUTE, JACOB PERRY, merchant, Mt. Liberty,
Ohio, is the third in descent from George Wintermute, or Win-
demuth, as originally spelled, who was an emigrant from the
old country, settling in Sussex county, New Jersey, in the early
part of the last century, and from whom has descended an ex
tensive family connection, now scattered over all the northern
States, territories and Canada.
His son George, who died in 1837, in the ninetieth year of his
age, was married to Nancy Arason, a descendant of Jeptha
Arason, who was commissioned and sent over by one of the
King Georges' to do some surveying, receiving for his services a
large tract of land in the northern part of New Jersey.
His son George, the father of the subject of this sketch, was
born in Sussex county, New Jersey, April 28, 1787, was mar
ried to Anne Wintermute, nee Lanterman, October 24, 1807,
and at once removed to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where
he followed his trade of blacksmithing, removing from there to
Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1809, where he, with an elder
brother, was drafted and served in the War of 1812. After the
close of his term of service, the times being very hard in that
then new country, he moved back to Fayette county, Pennsyl
vania, in 1814, where he remained until the year 1825, when he
again moved to Ohio, this time settling in Muskingum county,

838

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

ten miles west of Zanesville, which place he made his permanent
residence until the date of his death, January 4, 1862. His
widow died Febraary 1, 1871, at her daughter's, near the old
homestead. They had a family of six sons and one daughter,
as follows: Arason, John Ogden, Asahel Wells, Sarah Ann,
Ashfordby, James Frey, and Jacob Peny, all of whom are liv
ing with the exception of the second son, who died in Grayville,
Illinois, April 3, 1876.
The subject' of this sketch, the youngest of the family, was
born in Hopewell -township, Muskingum county, Ohio, De
cember 15, 1852, and remained on the farm until his sixteenth
year, when he went to Zanesville in the fall of 1848 to learn a
trade with his brother, remaining with him four years, after
which he engaged in daguerreotyping, following the business in
various parts of the State about seven years.
On the last day of December, 1857, he was united in mar
riage, in Zanesville, Ohio, by the Rev. David E. Thomas, to
Ettie A. Buckmaster, who was born in Muskingum county,
Febraary 7, 1837, and who was a daughter of C. W. Buckmas
ter, whose biography appears in another part of this work.
This union resulted in a family of two sons and two daughters,
as follows: Robert Corbin, born June 27, 1861; Nina, October
14, 1863, both in Norton, Delaware county, Ohio; William
Edward, April 4, 1869, and Pearlie, April 9, 1876, both in Mt.
Liberty, Knox county.
After a residence in Zanesville of a little more than one year
he removed to Norton, Delaware county, Ohio, and engaged in
mercantile business with his brother, remaining there five years,
when he changed his location to Mt. Vernon, and became one
of the firm of J. W. Purviance & Co. Just after the date of
this move — May, 1864 — he was called into the service of his
country, being orderly sergeant of company C, One Hundred
and Forty-fifth regiment, Ohio National guard. The regiment
did garrison duty on Arlington Heights, Virginia, the whole
term of their enlistment.
In the spring of 1867 he changed to his present location and
engaged in mercantile business alone, where, by steady persist
ence and careful management, he has made his business a suc
cess. At the present time he holds the honorable and responsible
position of grand worthy patriarch of the Grand division Sons
of Temperance, of Ohio, having been elected thereto October
28, 1880.
WINTERMUTE, WELLINGTON ASHFOURDBY, Mil
ford township, farmer, was born in Licking county, Ohio, June 2,
1845. The Wintermute family are of German extraction, a
history of which will be found in the history of Liberty town
ship. The subject of this sketch is the son of Arason and
Virenda Wintermute, nee Wayland, and was reared on a farm.
He enlisted in company A, Seventy-sixth regiment Ohio volun
teer infantry at Newark,. Ohio; belonged to the Fifteenth
army corps, First brigade, First division, and participated in the
battles of Resaca, Dallas, Kingston, Kennesaw Mountain,
Peachtree Creek, Ezra Church, Atlanta, Jonesboro' Lovejoy
Station, Siege of Savannah, Columbia, Fayetteville, Bentonville,
Raleigh, and all the skirmishes and engagements in which his
regiment participated, but one. He was discharged with his
regiment at Columbus, Ohio, July 25, 1865, after serving his
country faithfully, never shirking any duties that devolved upon
him. After his return home he resumed farming. He is a mem-
of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a good and useful

ber citizen. He married Miss Louisa Hawkins, daughter of Isaac
Hawkins, of Mt. Liberty, August 6, 1871. They have two
children, — Charles W. born June 5, 1872, and Mary, March
26, 1877.
WINTERRINGER, BARNETT, Union township, farmer,
post office, Rossville, born in Jefferson county, Ohio, Novem
ber 29, 1804. His father came to Knox county in 1816.
Barnett Winteninger remained at home until 1827, when he
was married to Sarah Workman, and settled on his present
farm. His wife died April 12, 1859, leaving thirteen children,
all of whom have died except three, who are living near their
father and doing well. He was married the second time Janu
ary 1, 1861. He has always lived a quiet life. He contributed
largely to the Presbyterian church at Millwood, and also a
handsome amount to the Wooster university, at Wooster,
Ohio. WINTERRINGER, J. S., Jackson township, was bom\t
Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio, February 27, 1852. He
removed at an early age to Jackson township, where he resided
until nine years of age, when he removed to Harrison township,
where he received the first rudiments of his education. He was
a student at Martinsburgh academy; also at the Ohio university,
at Delaware. In the meantime, while pursuing his studies, he
taught several terms of school in Knox county. On the twen
tieth of May, 1874, he commenced business at Bladensburgh
in a hardware and grocery store. In the meantime he has added
a general stock of dry goods, etc. Everything necessary for
the household can be found in his establishment. His business
is large and increasing. j
Mr. Winterringer was married to Miss C. T. Hartupee, of
Bladensburgh, December 21, 1874. They have had three chil
dren — Nettie A. , born September 12, 1875; Warren L.," July
30, 1878; and Frank R., May 4, 1880.
WISE, JOHN C, farmer, post office, Fredericktown.— He
was born in Monroe county, Ohio, in 1825. In 1847 he was
manied to Louisa Barton, who was born in Noble county in
1824. They had six children — Edward (deceased), Richmond
(deceased), Theodore B., Charles W., Felissa Jane (deceased),
and Frances Louisa (deceased).
Mr. Wise located in this township in 1872. Theodore B. was
married in 1876 to Adelaid Ickes. They have one daughter —
Gertrude L. Charles W. was married in 1875, to Belle Menin.
They have two children — Wellington R. and Loetta B.
WITHROW, JAMES, Jefferson township, farmer, post
office, Greersville, son of David and Elizabeth Withrow, born
in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, May 28, 1804; was brought to
Ohio in the spring of 1816, by his parents, his father locating
in Columbiana county, where he received his education. In
1823, December 15th, he married Elizabeth Downs, daughter of
John Downs, born in Jefferson county, Ohio, August 15, 1807.
After his marriage he remained in Columbiana county until
1837. In 1836 he came to Jefferson township and entered forty
acres of land, and at the same time bought eighty acres adjoin
ing him on the west. In the spring following he moved with
his family to his land, where he has since remained. In 1841
he bought eighty acres adjoining him on the west, making in all
two hundred acres. Mr. Withrow was elected justice of the
peace in about six months after he came to Knox county, and
served five terms, making in all fifteen years. He was also
captain of a rifle company for seven years. In 1849 he was

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

8.39

elected representative of Knox county for one term. In 1855
Mr. Wrthrow, in company with Mr. Beeman, established a dry
goods store in the town of Jelloway, which they conducted until
1862, when Mr. Withrow sold his interest to James Skilling,
after which time the business was conducted by Beeman & Skil
ling. During the time he was engaged in this business he
owned the farm now owned by John Nyhart. Previous to this
he owned two hundred acres in Henry county, Ohio, which he
sold, and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Marion county,
Ohio, which he gave to Iris sons William and John; and they
now live there.
Mr. and Mrs. Withrow are the parents of ten children, viz.:
Hugh, Nancy J., Mary, William J., John W., Elizabeth, Caro
lina B., David C, Hannah E., Fannie A., James F. Seven
children are living. William Withrow served one year in the
late Rebellion. James Withrow was elected county commis
sioner in 1842, serving six years; was also elected land appraiser
in i860 and 1870.
WOLFE, CHRISTOPHER, Liberty township, pioneer of
Knox county, was born in Roxbury township, Morris county,
New Jersey, July 15, 1791. His paternal grandfather was a
German Baptist minister. His father's name was John; his
mother's name prior to her maniage was Nancy Cassad, who,
by descent was Irish. They were both natives of New Jersey,
farmers by occupation, and were highly respected citizens.
They both died in New Jersey. They had eight children, all
of whom grew up, and four of whom are living, viz: Mrs.
Elizabeth Yauger; Mrs. David F. Halsey, wife of Squire Halsey,
of Clinton township; Mrs. Mary Drake, of Johnston county,
Iowa, and the subject of this notice.
Mr. Wolfe's early life was spent at home on the farm. His
education was limited to the district schools.
May 12, 1816, he was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe
Rinehart, daughter of Christian and Mary Rinehart. Until
November of the same year he remained in New Jersey, when
he, with the Rinehart family, emigrated to Ohio. They came
by wagon, bringing with them some household goods. After
five weeks of travel they landed in Morris township, near Mt.
Vernon, where Mr. Wolfe remained until 1821, when he pur
chased a tract of land in Liberty township, on which there had
been a small opening, and some improvements made, but
it was almost entirely covered with heavy timber. He, how
ever, by persistent efforts felled the "giants ofthe forest," and
beautiful harvests rewarded his labors. In due time the log
cabin dwelling was superseded by a fine brick dwelling house,
and new barns were erected for his crops. He soon became a
leading citizen of the township and county.
Politically Mr. Wolfe is a Jeffersonian Democrat, and always
took an active interest in political affairs. In his younger days
he was widely known over Knox county as one of the leaders
of the party. He served for many years as justice of the peace,
and filled the office with very general satisfaction. He was also
commissioner of the county for six years, and filled that office
with credit. In religion Mr. Wolfe is a Presbyterian, having
been a member of that denomination for many years.
Mrs. Wolfe died in April, 1868. The couple lived over a half
century together, having had fifty years of happy wedlock.
They were blessed with eight children, six sons and two daugh
ters, seven of whom are living, and highly respected and influ
ential citizens, showing that they impressed the same traits of
character on their children that they possessed, namely, industry,

honesty, and economy. The names of the children are John
D., farmer, Poweshiek county, Iowa; Mary A., wife of Andrew
Dalrymple, deceased, of Liberty township; George W., farmer,
of Morrow county, Ohio; Lewis R., farmer and stock dealer of
Oxford, Johnston county, Iowa; William, farmer and stock
dealer, Johnston county, Iowa; Thomas Jefferson, farmer,
Hilliar township; Eliza, wife of Jacob Myers, deceased, of Lib
erty township; and Samuel C, the youngest, who is deceased.
Mr. Wolfe is spending the ' 'evening of his life" with his daugh
ter, Mrs. Myers, awaiting the summons to join those "who
have gone before. "
WOLF, SIMON, deceased, was born in Coshocton county,
Ohio, in 1816, and emigrated to Butler township, Knox county,
Ohio, when a boy. He was manied to Nancy Kemmerer,
October 17, 1832, by whom he has had eleven children, viz : —
Samuel, Martin, Mary Ann, John, Jacob, Lydia, James, Lem
uel, Emanuel, Lorenzo, and Dorcas Ellen.
Martin served as a soldier of the late civil war, being a mem
ber of the Forty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, and died at
Memphis, Tennessee.
Jacob was also a member of the Forty-third Ohio volunteer
infantry, and was killed at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain.
Lemuel died October 7, 1854. Mr. Simon Wolf died June 11,
1869. WOLFE, THOMAS J., Hillian township, farmer, was born m
Liberty township, Knox county, May 20, 1829. His youth was
spent on his father's farm. He was married to Miss Sarah M.
Hewett, of Knox county, October, 1850, who was bom May
30, 1829. She is the daughter of Cyrus and Syrene Hewett.
The following year after their marriage they moved to Hardin
county, Ohio, where they remained four years, and then moved
to Johnston county, Iowa, where they remained two years and
returned to Knox county, and about two years after purchased
the farm on which they reside. He has improved the farm and
added largely to it. .
As early as 1858 Mr. Wolf began to deal in stock and ship to
the eastern markets. He continued in this for a number of
years, and has been successful.
Mr. Wolfe is one of the solid men of Hilliar township. He is
judicious, and consequently successful in his undertakings.
His principal business as a farmer is the raising of stock. He
was elected land appraiser of this township in 1879. He is re
garded as a safe counsellor^ a man of sound judgment. Mr.
Wolf is social in his manner, liberal in his views, and has the
esteem of his neighbors, who look upon him as a man whose
word is taken at par; in short, he does what he says. He takes
an interest in National matters, and can not be moved from the
position he takes upon the political issues of the day. He is a
Democrat. His marriage has been blessed with two children, viz. : Squire
M. , and Samuel F. , both at home. In addition to his own
family he has two orphan children, Adda Craft and Amanda E.
Yough, to whom he and his estimable wife accord the same
privilege as their own family.
WOLFE, SAMUEL, Jackson township, farmer, post office,
Bladensburgh, was born August 11, 1838, in Butler township,
Knox county, Ohio. He removed to Jackson township in
1861, and has resided there ever since. Mr. Wolfe was married
in Febraary, 1858, to Miss Mary Jane Hayes, of Harrison
township. They have had nine children, viz: Arminda, born
Febraary 14, 1859; Lovenia, January 3, 1861; Melvin, June 9,

840

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

1863; Alma, December 10, 1864; Elfrenda, December 14, 1866;
Myrtle, June 7, 1868; Ormsby, April 7, 1870; Silva, January
25, 1872; infant, bom July 19, 1874, and died July 22, 1874.
Mr. Wolf was a member of the Sixth company Ohio sharp
shooters during the war of the Rebellion.
WOLF, JOHN, is a native of Butler township, born Septem
ber 13, 1843, and was married to Hannah M. Hayden may 30,
1872. They have had four children, viz: Everett L., Addie
Mabel, Simon Virgil, Edith Violet.
Mr, Wolf served during the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in
the Forty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, in November, 1861, at
Millwood, under Captain Walker, and served in the same until
the twenty-fourth day of December, 1864, when he enlisted in
the veteran service and served until the close of the war. He
was engaged in numerous battles and skirmishes; among the
number were New Madrid, Iuka, Corinth, Island No. 10, Re
saca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, etc. He also marched with
Sherman to the sea, and was present at Johnson's surrender.
WOOD, I. & T., brick manufacturers. Isaac Wood, man
aging partner of this firm, is a native of Yates county, New
York, where he was born May 24, 1820, and came to Ohio when
about sixteen years old and located first in Licking county, near
Hartford, afterward resided in Delaware county, and came to
this county in 1845 and located in Mt. Vernon where he engaged
in working at the brick business, in which he continued a short
time when in 1850, in company with his brother, Thomas Wood,
they established the present business, in which they have con
tinued ever since with good success. They were located first
north of the fair grounds until 1877 when they removed to their
present location where they have all the needful appliances and
facilities for the business. They have three kilns, twenty-five by
forty feet each, and an extensive yard and four drying sheds,
twenty-five by one hundred feet each, and have a ten-horse
power engine for grinding. This firm have facilities for manu
facturing one million brick per year, and annually manufacture
an average of from six hundred thousand to one million, vary
ing according to the demand, and in which they confine them
selves to a first class building brick. This is the largest and
longest established brick establishment in the county, and justly
deserves commendation as one of the leading industries of the
county. WOOLISON, BYRON, farmer, a native of this county, and
son of Reuben D. and Mary Woolison, was born in Monroe
township on the sixth day of October, 1832. Reuben Woolson,
father of Byron, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in
1789. He married Miss Mary King, born in Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania. In 1828 they emigrated to this county and located in Monroe
township, where they passed the remainder of their days. His
wife deceased in October, 1875; he survived her until February,
1876. They reared a family of seven children : Eliza, William,
Charlotte, Byron, David, Mary, and Angeline.
In 1854 Byron Woolison married Miss Mary Hall, born in
Licthfield, Connecticut, in March, 1838, and emigrated to this
county in 1847, and settled in Monroe township. In 1857 they
moved upon the farm where they are now living, in same town
ship, one mile and a half north of Gambier.
They have a family of eleven children — seven sons and four
daughters. He has followed farming as his vocation through life.
WORKMAN, JOHN, Union township, farmer, post office,

Rossville, born in 1803, in Belmont county, Ohio, and in 1824
was married to Hannah Baker. In 1825 he settled on his present
farm. His wife died nine months after their marriage. In 1832
he was again married, but his second wife died June 6, 1875,
leaving ten children: Susan, Jerome, Peter, Caroline, Rebecca,
James, Samuel, Adeline, Delila, and John. Caroline, Rebecca
and James are dead. Samuel married Julia Richards in 1875,
and settled with his father. He has two children: Hannah and
Amy. John Workman's father died in his one hundredth, year on
the old farm.
WORKMAN, SOLOMON C, Brown township, farmer
and stock raiser, post office, Jelloway, and son of Joseph and
Sarah Workman, was born near Frostburgh, Alleghany county,
Maryland, January 12, 1807. In 1812 his father, with his
family, moved to Ohio, and located in Union township, Knox
county, near the present village of Danville, on a farm of one
hundred and sixty acres, and there erected a log cabin for his
family. In those days the country was thinly settled, wild
Indians were seen occasionally, and a block-house was erected
upon the farm on which he settled to protect the early settlers
from those savages. There was also hereabouts in those days
plenty of game, such as bears, turkeys, wolves, panthers, foxes,
wild-cats and deer.
On the fourth day of October, 1827, he manied Miss Polly
Draper, daughter of Isaac and Nancy Draper, born near
Morgantown, Virginia, November 7, 1800. Her father was one
among the first settlers in Coshocton county, who came from
Virginia on pack-horses, and endured all the hardships of
frontiersmen. He died at the ripe age of ninety-three years.
J oseph Workman, his father, also .endured all the hardships
of -a frontiersman, and reared a family of fourteen children —
eight sons and six daughters, Solomon being one among that
number. Joseph died upon the farm, on which he settled, in the
seventy-second year.
Some time after Solomon's marriage he rented his father-in-
law's farm, remaining but one year. In 1829 he purchased two
hundred acres of wild land in Union township, said county, of
Hosmer Curtis, for the sum of four hundred dollars to be paid
in four years, where he erected a cabin, and moved into it.
In May, 1833, Benedict Peherenbaugh came from Germany
— a dealer in brass clocks. He at once engaged to help sell
them for three months for the sum of seventy-five cents per day
and one dollar on each clock. When his time expired he en
gaged the second time for three months on the same terms. He
then sold the farm spoken of to said party for the sum of eight
hundred dollars, to be paid for in brass clocks at cost and car
riage from Germany, which was in 1835.
In the spring of 1836 he gave possession of said lands to
Peherenbaugh, moved to Rochester, Coshocton county, Ohio,
on the Mohican river, and there commenced the sale of his
clocks. He also traded for stock and other articles, particu
larly notes and obligations, at the same time paying strict at
tention to military wild lands, and titles and locations, as they
were the only wood lands to be purchased, or for sale, as about
all were taken up or sold. In the fall of 1836 he secured, of the
heirs of Alexander Brevard, a Revolutionary soldier in North
Carolina, a title for three hundred acres of land in Brown town
ship, Knox county, located in the Jelloway valley, where he
moved in 1837 from Coshocton county, lodging in a cabin built

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

841

by squatters on said lands, and commenced to improve them.
On the first day of January, 1837, he started east in search of
land titles, crossed the Ohio river at Steubenville, travelled
through a part of Virginia and Pennsylvania, crossing the
comer of Maryland, returning home by the way of Pittsburgh,
Cleveland, Canton and Wooster, arriving at home the third
week of Febraary of the same year. Here he felt it to be his
special duty to compliment his friends, Benedict Peherenbaugh
and his three brothers, Fadilla, Peter, and Christian Peheren
baugh. From his first acquaintance to the last he found them
gentlemen of truth and honesty. He failed to accomplish any
thing on his first trip, and in May of the same year he made
the second journey to the State of Maryland, visiting some of
its principal towns, but failed the second time in getting the re
quired and desired information. He then started for home by
the way of Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Canton, arriving at home
in a short time in Brown township, and lodged in his cabin in
the woods. He then gave his attention to the clearing of the
land and erection of buildings, laboring from year to year until
the present time, and he has now elegant buildings and a fine
farm. He also attends to other matters, such as getting up
petitions for roads, securing rights for opening and working the
same for the benefit of the whole country.
.Roads in early days were few and not in good condition, but
as the country settled up they became better by working them
thoroughly. At one time a tax was levied for the erection of
school-houses and paying teachers for instructing the young.
Knowing the difficulties a man labors under who has no educa
tion in the matter of keeping accounts and in conducting busi
ness generally, he, of course, favored those movements.
He believes that our common schools should be our high
schools, language excepted.
In 1827, when he left his father's house to go into the world
and transact business for himself, he could not read or write,
and he very soon saw the necessity of an education. Procuring
a few books, slate, and writing paper, making use of them all,
in a short time he could read, write, and cipher. Seeing that
he could learn as well as others he was not a long time in ac
quiring the rudiments of an education,
In early times it was difficult to sell produce for cash, and it
had to be hauled to Bristor, Dover, Massillon, or Newark, and
then get only from sixty to eighty cents per bushel for wheat,
and seldom a dollar.
At the time of the grading of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne &
Chicago railroad, by the way of Loudonville, he had on hand
five hundred bushels of wheat, worth from sixty to seventy cents
per bushel. - Hearing that the Clear Fork mill, situated near
Newville, was buying and paying seventy-five cents, he con
cluded to go over and sell his wheat, but failed, and then went
to Loudonville and Wooster and found no market. From there
he proceeded to Elyria, Lorain county, but found the market
dull. While at the latter place a dispatch came from
the city of New York showing an advance in the prices. He
contracted one thousand bushels of wheat, at one dollor
per bushel, to be delivered at his barnin Brown township,
Knox county, and received five hundred dollars on said con
tract, to be taken on or before the fourth day of July. He then
started home, aniving the next morning, when he changed
horses and started out, buying five hundred bushels at a cost of
from seventy to seventy-five cents per bushel, to be delivered on
short notice, the parties selling receiving one-half of said con
tract. Wheat declining they failed to take balance, although

tendered, but about the first of August of the same year, wheat
began to advance, and kept on until it reached one dollar, when
the company spoken of made a demand for the wheat, but as
they failed to comply with the contract he, of course, declined
to let them have it. Wheat continued to raise until October and
November of the same year, when he hired teams and hauled it
Massillon and Fulton, and realized one dollar and seventy-five
cents per bushel out of this wheat.
May 13, 1868, just at twelve o'clock at night, the lady of the
house discovered it to be on fire. Water was applied, with the
assistance of neighbors, but without avail, the building soon
being burned to ashes, and only a small amount of the house
hold goods saved. He then built the house he now lives in the
same year, commencing on the tenth of August, and moved into
it on the thirteenth of November.
Mr. Workman has been the owner of one thousand acres of
land in the Jelloway valley, Brown township, a part of which
he sold, and a part he gave to his children, leaving him the
owner of three hundred and twenty acres.
Mr. and Mrs. Workman are the parents of eleven children,
six living, and five dead, four of whom died in infancy, one at
maturity; grandchildren, total forty-one; deaths, ten, leaving
thirty-one living; great-grandchildren fifteen, fourteen living.
In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion a German Bap
tist. He was elected twice by this church to preach, but de
clined, not thinking himself a suitable man for a minister; for
he believes that a minister should teach by example as well as
words. Mr. and Mrs. Workman are enjoying good health at the npe
old ages of seventy-four and eighty-one years.
Mr. Workman held the office of treasurer a number of years
in the township, also justice of the peace for three years.
WORKMAN, SOLOMON, Brown township, farmer and
stock raiser, post office, Danville, son of David Workman, born
in Alleghany county, Maryland, May 7, 1813, was brought to
Knox county by his parents when a boy thirteen years old, his
father locating in Howard township, on Jelloway, where he
erected a rude log cabin to shelter his family; then by the help
of Solomon, the subject of this sketch, they went to work clear
ing the land and making it ready for tilling. This they contin
ued until they had a very good and comfortable home.
At the age of twenty-five years he. married Mary A. Brand-
bury, June 8, 1837, she being a daughter of Richard and Mary
Brandbury, born in England, February 14, 1818. His father
gave him eighty-five acres adjoining him, where he then moved
and set up housekeeping, remaining about five years, when he
exchanged said farm with his father for a farm in Brown town
ship, where he now resides, it being a very pleasant and com
fortable home. By their marriage they became the parents of
ten children: Elizabeth, born May 27, 1838, died August 17,
i860; Richard, September 23, 1839; David, July 25, 1841;
Mary, September, 1843; Barbara, October 14, 1845, died in
August, 1880; Jerusha F., Junuary 1, 1848; Marilah H., Janu
ary 9, 1859; Normanda F., November 16, 1853; Columbus J.,
July 31, 1856; Amos C, February 22, 1859. He and his com
panion are consistent members of the German Baptist church of
Danville. WORKMAN, S. D., Howard township, farmer, post office,
Howard. — He was born June 2, 1814, in Maryland, and at the
age of thirteen years came to Howard township. He lived
with his father until his twenty-fifth year, when he was married

842

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

to Fileana Denison. They settled immediately on their farm
and commenced business in the woods.
In 1841 Mr. Workman loaded his wagon with rye and started
for Loudonville; but while crossing the Clearfork river, just as he
was in the centre of one of the spans of the bridge, the stringers
gave away, and he with his grain and team fell a distance of
twelve feet, the water being about five feet deep, the bridge fall
ing partially upon them. He was under the wagon bed? but by
some good fortune he was rolled out from under it. One of his
horses was held under water by a portion of the bridge. The
grain was in bags and sank to the bottom of the creek. By
some means the alarm was given and the people flocked to the
rescue. The most interesting feature of the affair was that all
came out with but slight injuries. Another strange incident was
that his vest was lying upon the bags of grain, and when the
bridge went down it was carried to the bottom of the river.
After reloading the grain they started off. Mr. Workman
turned his head to gaze for the last time upon the spot, and by
reason of the sun shining brightly, the first thing that he saw was
his vest floating down the stream. He commanded his hired
man, Mr. Snyder, who was with him to get it, as there wasfo.ur
hundred dollars in it.
He has four children — Amanda, Olive, Barbara, and' Andrew,
the latter at present a merchant in Danville.
WORKMAN, AMOS, Union township, farmer, post office,
Danville. He was born in Union township, Knox county, July
11, 1849. In 1870 he went to Illinois and worked in a mill for
two years. In 1872 he returned and married Miss Amanda
Jales, and settled upon a farm the following year. His father
has lived in this county since 1830. He came from Maryland
at that time, and died March 17, 1873, in his sixty-third year.
March 16, 1871, his wife died.
Amos Workman's business has always been farming and
raising sheep. He has two children : Donald, bora December
10, 1873, and Mary Jane, February 27, 1875.
WORKMAN, THEODORE W., post office, Jelloway,
physician and surgeon, son of H. H. and Sarah C. Workman;
was born in Brown township, Knox county, September 7, 1855,
where he was reared and received a part of his education, after
which he attended a few terms of school at Danville, Knox
county; he then taught school for about thirteen months. In
the spring of 1876 he commenced the reading of medicine
under the instructions of Dr. A. J. Hyatt, of Jelloway, and
continued three years, during which time he attended two
courses of lectures at the Medical College of Ohio, where he
graduated in 1879, after which he located in Jelloway, where he
at present resides, engaged in the practice of his profession.
On January 1, 1880, at the age of twenty-five, he married Flora
S. Patten, a daughter of William Patten, born in Brown town
ship, Knox county, July 18, 1857. Their union resulted in one
child, a son.
WORLEY, JAMES, residence corner of High and Norton
streets, Mt. Vernon. Mr. Worley is a native of Harrison
county, Ohio, born four miles south of Cadiz, July 6, 1814; and
in the year 1828 he came with his parents to Knox county, and
located in Brown township, where they resided one year. They
then moved into Pike township. Mr. Worley left the home
farm in 1836, and came to Mt. Vernon and engaged in the brick
business, in which he continued about eight years. In the year
1844 he engaged with the firm of C. & E. Cooper to learn the
moulding trade. After serving his time he remained with them

for twenty-two years, and in consideration of his faithfulness
and abilities he served twelve of these years as foreman of the
moulding department. In the year 1866 he quit the trade and
purchased the elegant property where he now resides, opposite
the Baltimore & Ohio depot, where he engaged in the hotel and
boarding business, in which he has continued for fourteen years.
Mr. Worley has been twice married. His first wife was Mary
Ann Haiell, daughter of John Harell, of near Leesburgh, Vir
ginia, by whom he had six children, two sons and four daugh
ters. One son died in infancy, and the other, Douglas E., was
drowned in the Potomac river near Piedmont. He was a mem
ber of company B, Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry. The four
daughters are all married, two of whom, Ida and Eva, reside at
Council Bluffs, Iowa. Mary E. and Alice J. reside in Mt. Ver
non. Mrs. Worley died April 29, 1858, and he was married to
his second wife, Mrs. Uphemia Peters, nee Trump, who still
survives and shares the joys, cares and responsibilities of life
with him.
WORLEY, M. W., farmer, Howard township, post office,
Howard, was born in Monroe township, Knox county, Ohio, in
1821. His father came from Maryland, settled in Monroe town
ship, arid died July 2, 1835. His mother came from Virginia in
1818, and with her people located in Mt. Vernon, and remained
there until the death of her father in 1833. Mr. Worley learned
the harness making trade and followed it fourteen years, in dif
ferent places. In 1848 he was -married to Olive Megs, and
went to Mt. Pleasant, Illinois, and worked at his trade four
years. He then moved back to Monroe township, and lived on
a farm until 1855, when he bought and came to his present
home. His wife died December 15, 1851. January 1, 1855, he
was married to Eliza Patsfield, and shortly after moved to his
farm. He had two children: Laura, who died in her second
year; and Charles, who remains at home.
WRIGHT, ROBERT, deceased, of Gambier, son of Jona
than Wright, was born in England May 14, 1814. In 1828 he
was apprenticed to the carpenter and joiner trade, and served
as such until 1835, after which he went to London and continued
working at his trade. November 27, 1839, he was married to
Miss Betsey Edmonds, of London, born October 24, 1823,
daughter of Mr. Henry Edmonds of that city. After their mar
riage Mr. and Mrs. Wright settled in Herdfordshire, and re
mained there until the fall of 1842, at which time they emigrated
to America and located in Mount Vernon. His first work in
his new home was at cabinet-making in the employ of Mr.
James Ralff, with whom he worked some eighteen months. In
1844 he visited St. Louis, where he worked at his trade for some
four or five months. On account of sickness he was compelled
to return to Mt. Vernon. In April, 1844 he removed to Gam
bier, where he has remained ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Wright
have a family of three children — Henry C, Elvira Emma, and
Charles Norton.
After his settlement in Gambier, Mr. Wright at once com
menced working at his trade, contracting and building. He
built sixty-five dwellings in Gambier and vicinity. He built the
Kenyon house and carried on the hotel for about fourteen years.
He also built the Neff residence and many otheis of the best
houses in the town. When he located in Gambier, he estab
lished a cabinet and undertaking warehouse, in connection with
his cabinet and joiner shops, and for many years he supplied
all calls in the undertaking line, manufacturing the coffins for
many years, not only for Gambier, but for miles around the

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

843

village. He also manufactured and supplied the neighborhood
with furniture of all descriptions.
In April, 1868, his son, Henry C, became his partner. They
are now prepared to dress lumber of all kinds, having in their
shops, planers, turning and moulding machines, and scroll saws,
all of the best and most approved patterns in the country. In
fact their shops are better supplied with approved machinery
than any establishment of the kind in Knox county. They
manufacture sash, blinds, doors, cornices, and all kinds of
mouldings. The firm are now prepared to attend to all calls in their line
of business, such as attending funerals, contracting for build
ings, etc. Mr. Wright's letter of recommendation as a con
tractor and builder was both wide and extensive, embracing his
handiwork in nearly seventy tenements, has erected in and
around Gambier, both in College and Pleasant and surround
ing townships, consisting of dwellings, school-houses and other
tenements. Robert Wright was one of the charter members of old Mt.
Vemon Lodge No. 20, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, insti
tuted June 2r,_ 1843, one ofthe oldest lodges of that order in
Ohio. Mr. Wright unfortunately met with a severe accident in
his shop lately, in Febmary, 1881. He lingered a few days, dying
from the effects ofthe injury Febraary 24th.
WRIGHT, SR., WILLIAM, a native of Suffolk county,
England, was born Febmary 22, 1814; he was reared on a farm.
In 1837 he emigrated to America, landing at New York, July
4th. He continued his journey westward until about the
eighteenth of July, when he reached Gambier, this county,
where he located and engaged as gardner with Bishop Mcll
vaine. In October, 1837, he was united in maniage with Miss
Mary Ransom, daughter of John and Mary Ransom. Miss
Ransom was born in the county of Suffolk, England, January
5, 1820, and emigrated to America with ber parents, in 1837.
They came over on the same vessel, and reachel Gambier at the
time that Mr. Wright did, where her parents located. Shortly
after Mr. Wright's marriage with Miss Ransom, they settled in
Gambier. He continued his work with the bishop for four years
In 1841 they moved to Mt. Vemon, remained until 1853, when
he purchased and moved on a fann in Monroe township, this
county; he then turned his attention to farming. In 1859 he
sold his farm and moved his family to Gambier. He leased all
ofthe college farming land for six years, and commenced farm
ing on a larger scale, which he made a success. In 1850 he
moved his family upon the farm where they are now living in
College township. At the time of the expiration of his lease of
the college land, in 1865, he purchased one hundred acres of
the farm on which he was living, from the college trustees, and
has since bought one hundred acres more adjoining his first
purchase, which makes him a farm of two hundred acres, one
hundred and seventy-five acres of it is first-class bottom land,
the remainder being upland. He makes stock-raising a specialty
on his farm. He is the father of twelve children, ten of whom
are now living, seven sons and three daughters. Two of his
sons, William and John, served three years in the war of 1861.
William served in the Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, and
John in the Fourth Ohio volunteer cavalry.
WRIGHT, DANIEL P., retired, Pike township, post office,
Democracy, was born in Mt. Vernon in 1818, and was married
in 1841 to Ann Harding, who was born in Belmont county in
1822. They had seven children, viz; William A., born in 1842;
59

Lewis A., in 1844; Mary E„ in 1846; John A., in 1847; Lauretta,
in 1849; Samantha, in 1851; and Sarah E., in r8s6.
William A. Wright enlisted in the late war, as a member of
the Ninety-sixth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and died at
Milliken's Bend, March 10, 1863.
Lewis A. Wright died in Amity, April 3, 1880. He was a
soldier in the late war, serving over four years.
Daniel P. Wright, in the early part of his life, was a farmer,
after which he was engaged in the plastering and stone-mason
business. He was also engaged in the mercantile business in
Amity for some time, but has retired from the busiuess.
WRIGHT, C. W., harness-maker, Pike township, post office,
Democracy, was born in this township in 1828, and was married
in 1868 to Amanda Ellen Peeler, who was born in 1840. They
have five children: Elsie E., born in 1870; Tima Alice, in 1872;
Alta Viola, in 1874; Carl K., in 1877; and Cary Austin, in 1879.
Mr. Wright learned the harness trade in Knox county, and
has been in the business for about seventeen years. He is a
practical mechanic and is doing general custom work. He was
a soldier in the late war, being a member of company I, Second
Colorado cavalry. He eontinued in the service for about three
years and received an honorable discharge.
WRIGHT, MRS. PERMELIA, nee Riggle, Hilliar town
ship, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, August 19,
1829. She was married to Henry B. Wright, April n, 1847.
They remained in Pennsylvania some four years, and then came
to Knox county, remaining two years, near Gambier, when they
moved from Knox county to Morrow county, where they re
mained for some time, and then moved to the farm on which
she now resides. Mr. Wright died Septerhber 13, 1878, and
left Mrs. Wright with considerable indebtedness, but by judi
cious management she has succeeded in liquidating the claims,
and thus saved to herself and family a home. She had a family
of six children, viz: Jane, bora July 6, 1849, died March 16,
1878; Anne Eliza, July 10, 1851; Ellen, May 25, 1856; Alexan
der H., September 5, 1861; James, July 12, 1864; May, August,
1866. Anne Eliza married John Mahan, and resides in Mor
row county, Ohio; Ellen is a successful teacher. The other
children are at home.
WRIGHT, LYMAN D., Wayne township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born February 27, 1836, was manied
October 5, 1859, to Ann E. Beers, who was born October 5,
1838. They have two children: V. Adele, born March 23,
1862, and Mary G, born May 19, 1872. Mr. Wright is a
farmer, and has always been identified with this township.
The father of Mrs. Ann Wright, John Beer (deceased), was
born May 26, 1807, in Sussex county, New Jersey, came to
Ohio in 1810 with his parents, and was married to Maria Spun,
who was born January 5, 1811. They had the following chil
dren: Daniel, bom December 3, 1829; Viola J., September 3,
1831; Amanda, July 18, 1833; Jacob S., March 31, 1835; and
Anna E., October 5, 1838; Daniel died January 31, i83o;"Ja-
cob, born January 2, 1837; Viola, October 24, 1861.
Daniel Beers, deceased, father of John Beers, was born De
cember 29, 1783, in Sussex county, New Jersey, and was mar
ried to Elizabeth King, who was bora September 29, 1781, they
had the following children: Margaret, born Febraary 4, 1806;
Azulah, March 16, 1809; Ruth, Febraary 16, 1811; John, May
26, 1807; James, September 24, 1815; Hiram, February 12,
1818; Elizabeth, October 27, 1819; Daniel, December 24, 1821;

844

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Hiram died October 6, 1800; Daniel, April 23, 1822; Viola J.,
October 24, 1861, and Jacob S., January 2, 1837.
WRIGHT, LEMUEL P., farmer, post office, Frederick-
town, born in Wayne township, October 25, 1838, and was
manied July 2, 1868, to Marilla V. Helt, who was born in Mor
row county, October 1, 1849. They have three children: Carle-
ton H., born March 25, 1871; Anna P., October 19, 1874; and
Mattie Ruth, December 7, 1876.
Mr. Wright owns a weli improved farm with good buildings.
He has been identified with this county from his infancy, and
is one of its most active and intelligent men. His father,
S. Wright, was born in Herkimer county, New York, July 30,
1811, and died October 31, 1878. He was married to Saman
tha J. Potter, who was bom July 12, 1816. They had two chil
dren: Simon D., born February 27, 1836, and Lemuel P.,
October 25, 1838. Mrs. Samantha J. Wright is now living with
her son.
WRIGHT, WILLIAM H., Liberty township, farmer,
Bangs, Ohio, was born in Knox county, May 1, 1842, being
the son of William and Mary Wright, nee Ransom. He was
bora in England in 1813, emigrated to the United States about
1837, and settled near Gambier, Ohio, where he yet resides.
He married Mary Ransom,' who settled in Knox county at the
same time. They had twelve children, ten of whom are yet
living. The parents yet reside near Gambier.
The subject of this notice was reared on a farm, and edu
cated at the common schools. He enlisted in company B,
Ninety-sixth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, in 1862, and was
mustered out with his regiment in 1865. He served as a wag
oner, but was in the battles of Arkansas Post, Grand Coteau.
Vicksburgh, Spanish fort, at Mobile, and Yazoo Swamp. After
his return home he engaged in farming, which is still his occu
pation. He was married to Miss. Sarah A. Freeman October 31,
1866; she is the daughter of Asa Freeman, and was born in Knox
county, July 27, 1842. They had three children, viz: Alonzo T.,
born July 9, 1867; an infant; and Albert, born Febmary 26,
1881. WRIGHT, VANCE WELLINGTON, Milford township,
farmer, was born in Burlington township, Licking county, April
8, 1845. He is the son of L. C. and Rebecca Wright, nee Vance;
was reared on a farm, received a common school education, and
has always followed farming as his occupation. He is a social
gentleman, esteemed by the community a good farmer and an
estimable citizen, in comfortable circumstances. He was mar-'
ried to Miss Mary M. Beardsley in November, 1867, daughter
of Piatt G. Beardsley, an early settler of Milford township, and
of whom particular mention is elsewhere made.
Mr. Wright came to Milford township in 1870. Charles L.
and Lola are their only children.
WRIGHT, JOHN A., Pike township, merchant, post office,
Democracy, born in this township in 1847, and was married in
1875 to Inez O' Bryan, who was born in Amity, this county, in
1852. They have one son, Charles E., born in 1878.
Mr. Wright has been connected with the mercantile business
from a boy. In 1867 he became a member of the firm of D. P.
Wright & Sons, and is now the principal man, conducting and
transacting all the business. He has good business qualifica
tions, and keeps constantly on hand a complete stock of general
merchandise adapted to his locality, and is having an extensive
trade and a successful business.

WYKER, & VINCENT, dealers in drugs, Fredericktown.
They established themselves in the drug business in 1878, and
keep in stock a complete line of drags, medicines, books and
stationary. Dr. Vincent was born in England in 1845. He served an ap
prenticeship for seven years in the drug business in England.
He came to America in 1867, engaged in the same business in
Cleveland, Ohio, after which he went to Chicago, Illinois, and was
engaged with one of the largest houses (drugs and prescriptions),
and lemained two years and a half, and then came to Mt. Ver
non, where he engaged in the same business and remained there
till 1878, then came to Fredericktown, formed a copartnership
with John Wyker, and they are doing business under the firm
name of Wyker & Vincent. They occupy a large and spacious
room on Main street.
They make a specialty of compounding medicines and pre
scription orders. All physicians would do well to give them a
call.

Y

YAUGER, SAMUEL G., Hilliar township, farmer, was born
in Morris county, New Jersey, May 1, 1838. He is the young
est son of Samuel H. and Elizabeth Yauger [nee Wolf), who
emigrated to Ohio in the spring of 1839, and settled about six
miles west of Mt. Vernon. They remained there about a year
and then came to Hilliar township and settled on the farm now
owned by Joseph Barker, where he lived until 1850, when he
moved to Clinton township, where he died March, 1877, aged
about eighty years. His aged wife still survives him at the age
of eighty-four years.
The subject of this notice was manied to Miss Mary A. Mc-
Fadden, of Clinton township, April 27, 1862, and the following
spring he moved on the farm on which he now resides. He is
a good farmer, social in his manners, and has the confidence
and esteem of the community in which he resides. He takes
an active interest in the affairs of the country.
He is blessed with a family of five children, two sons and three
daughters. YEISLEY, WILLIAM, Middlebury township, farmer, post
office, Fredericktown, born in Belleville in 1843, and was mar
ried in 1875 to Nancy Garber, who was born in Richland county.
They have three children — Eddie, Milo, and an infant (de
ceased). Mr. Yeisley was in the late war, being a member of the One
Hundred and Second regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and
continued until the close of the war. He received an honorable
discharge,' and since that has been engaged in farming.
YOAKAM, JOHN, Liberty township, pioneer, was born in
Randolph county, Virginia, in 1801. In the fall of 1810 his
parents, Michael and Roselia Yoakam, came to this county, and
remained over winter in Clinton township. In the spring of
1811 they moved to near where Mt. Liberty now stands, and
where they lived and died. They had twelve children, ten of
whom reached adult age — seven sons and three daughters, four
of whom are yet living.
In 1823 the subject of this notice was married to Miss Ma
linda Shinaberry, a native of Pennsylvania. They had ten chil
dren — four daughters and six sons, three of whom are living:
Ransom, George W. and Nathaniel A., all farmers, and live in
Liberty township. His wife died in 1871. He is now spending

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

845

the remainder of his life with his son Nathaniel A., on the farm
on which he settled in 1833.
At the time his parents came, the following families lived in
the township, viz: Joseph Higgins, who came in June, 1810;
Alexander Dallas, Francis Hardesty, Francis Elliott, Peter
Bricker, Francis Blankery, Thomas Fletcher and George Zinn.
Mr. Yoakam spends his time in reading. He has a clear
intellect, and remembers recent occurrences distinctly as well
as those of many years ago. He has been a hard worker and a
farmer by occupation. At the time he came there many Indians
still passed th rough this part of the county. He was a man of
m uscular strength. Politically, he was a strong Democrat.
Nathaniel A. Yoakam was bora in Liberty township in 1843.
He is the son of John Yoakam, was reared on => farm, and al
ways followed farming as his occupation. In 1863 he married
Miss Rebecca McKinstry. They had three children, two of
whom are living: John and Charles (twins).
Mr. Yoakam is an excellent farmer, and a good citizen.
YOUNG, WILLIAM MITCHELL, jeweler, South Main
street, between Vine and Gambier streets. Mr. Young is a
native of this county. He was born about two miles west of
Fredericktown May 31, 1830. When about ten years of age
his parents removed to Mt. Vernon, and placed their son, Wil
liam, in the public schools, where he received a thorough educa
tion. His first business engagement was with Mr. C. H. Strie
by, in the jewelry business, with whom he remained about two
years, and then engaged with Mr. Joshua Hyde, with whom he
finished his trade, after which he formed a partnership with his
late instructor, and for twelve years the business was carried on
under the firm name of Hyde & Young. At the expiration of
this time (in 1868) he bought out his partner's interest. Since
then he has conducted the business as sole proprietor. He car
ries at all times a full stock of fine gold and silver watches,
clocks, jewelry of all grades, and solid and plated silverware.
He also attends to watch, clock, and jewelry repairing in a style
equal to the best establishments in the State, and on the shortest
notice. During his partnership with Mr. Hyde, Mr. Young enlisted
in company A, Nineiy-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, and was
commissioned first lieutenant, and served with the regiment
about eight months, when he resigned and came home, remain
ing about eighteen months. He then entered the service again
and was commissioned major of the One Hundred and Forty-
second regiment Ohio National guard, Colonel William Cooper
commanding, in which he served the full time for which the
regiment was called — one hundred days.
On the fourteenth day of October, 1852, Mr. Young was mar
ried to Miss R. W. Ward, of Mt. Vernon. Five children were
born to them — three sons and two daughters.
Mr. Young is one one of Mt. Vernon's most prominent busi
ness men, prompt in all his business engagements, and, in a
social point of view, is highly esteemed for his many good
qualities. His parents were of the old pioneer stock, who
aided in rescuing the county from its wilderness condition.
YOUNG, MICHAEL, Pike township, farmer, post office,
North Liberty, born in Stark county in 1842, and was married
in 1866 to Mary Eley, who was bom in this county in 1831.
They have one son, William J., bom in 1872.
Mr. Young is a strong advocate for the Democratic party,
and was reared and educated in that faith.
YOUNG, JEFFERSON, Wayne township (deceased), bom

in Holmes county, and was married in 1867, to Eliza Jane La
fever. They had the following children : Clarence Ray, born in
1869; Cora I., in 1871; and Clyde, in 1874.
Mr. Jefferson Young died October 23, 1879, in Middlebury
township, Holmes county, Ohio.

z

ZIMMERMAN, FREDERICK J., of Mt. Vernon, was
born in Hagerstown, Maryland, on the twenty-fourth day of
June, 1807, and died in Mt. Vernon. Early in the fall of 1816
his father and family removed to Mt. Vernon and settled in a
log house, then situated where the residence of Mrs. John Ir
vine now stands, in the second ward. His father, Mr. Gotleib
Zimmerman, died in this city Febraary 22, 1845. For many
years old Mr. Zimmerman kept tavern where Mr. T. B. Mead's
grocery store now is. This old tavern building was removed,
and Mr. Montgomery Brown erected a large brick building on
its site. No doubt many old citizens remember the "Zimmer
man tavern." Like others of the old gentleman's nationality,
Mr. Zimmerman dearly loved his pipe or a good cigar. At that
early day tobacco was' a luxury not easily obtained; but the old
gentleman was equal to the emergency, as his son Frederick
vouched for, as he had made many a horseback trip to Lan
caster, an older settlement, to procure the weed his father loved
so well. At the time the Zimmerman family came to Mt. Ver
non, 1816, there was only one brick house in the village. That
one now forms a part of the pleasant family residence of Mr.
Joseph M. Byers, corner of Gay and Vine streets. The brick
house on the corner of Mulberry and Vine streets, now occu
pied by Mr. O'Connor, was at that time in the course of erec
tion, its walls having reached the second floor. That was the
second brick house erected in Mt. Vemon.
Mr. F. J. Zimmerman was a saddler and harness-maker by
profession. He was postmaster in this city for some five years,
under the administrations of Pierce and Buchanan. Mr. Zim
merman in 1846 built the house on East Fiont street, and dwelt
therein up to the time of his death. He was married July 7,
1835, to Miss Sarah Colopy, of this city. Miss Colopy was
born in Virginia. Her parents came to Ohio, and settled in
Miller township, and afterwards removed to Mt. Vernon. Seven
children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman, six of whom
are still living. Three reside in this city, one in Jackson, Mich
igan, one in Chicago, and one in Mt. Holly, this county.
ZOLMAN, JACOB, Midddlebury township, deceased, bom
in Frederick county, Maryland, February 16, 1783, and was
married July 20, 1806, to Elizabeth Kerbe, who was born in
Frederick county, Maryland, November 5, 1782. They had
four children born to them in Maryland, viz: Mary, born July
22, 1807; Aryann, January 16, 1809; Ephraim, August 14,
1811; and Susannah, born February 4, 1814. They came to
Ohio about 1815, where the following children were born, viz:
John Zolman, born January 1, 1816; Jacob, October 3, 1818,
and Philip, October 3, 1818, being twin brothers; David, Feb
ruary 3, 1820; Philip, July 11, 1822; Lewis, August 18, 1827;
Elizabeth, April 8, 1831. The following have deceased:
Philip died April 15, 1820; John, December 15, 1835; Jacob,
June 14, i860; Mrs. Elizabeth Zolman died January 20, 1863;
Mary Ann Zolman died January 20, 1876, at the residence of
her brother, Lewis Zolman.
ZOLMAN, LEWIS, Middlebury township, farmer, post

846

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

office, Fredericktown, born in Knox county, August 18, 1827,
and married to Abigail Curtis, who was born June 5, 1827.
They had the following family: Lafayette, born October 12,
1850; Susan, June 3, 1852; Deborah, October 25, 1854; Jacob,
October 23, 1856; Mary E., July 29, 1859; Lodema, July 19,
1861; Louisa, September 29, 1863. Susan, died December 28,
1863; Abigail Zolman died March 2, 1877, in this township and
county. Deborah Zolman was manied to Baskin Bailes, now of
Morrow county, Ohio; Lafayette married Lavina Mowery.
Mr. Zolman has been for years one of the energetic men of this
township. ZOLMAN, JAMES, Berlin township, farmer, post office,
Fredericktown, born in Berlin township in 1853; was manied in
1877 to Mary Nonis, who was born in Ashland county in
1857. They have one daughter, Sylvia Belle, born April 29,
1878. Mr. Zolman has always been identified with this town-
-hip and is an enterprising farmer. His father, Jacob Zolman,

was born in Middlebury township, in 1818, and was married in
1838 to Mary Ann Heron, who was born in Pennsylvania in
1813. They had six children, viz: Rebecca, born in 1839;
Ephraim, in 1841: Nancy Jane, in 1843; Samuel, in 1846; Jacob
(deceased), in 1850, and James L., in 1853. Rebecca was
married to David Richard, and they reside near Bangor;
Ephraim resides in Morrow county.
Mr. Zolman worked on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad when it
was graded and was superintendent of a working force. He was a
soldier in the late war, being a member of the Sixth Michigan
battery. In an engagement that took place about half a mile
from Atlanta he was wounded in the right leg, and still carries
the marks of the wound with him. He served nearly four
years in the army and was honorably discharged in the State of
Michigan. He was in forty-seven conflicts and engagements,
his last battle being at the British Cross Roads, where he had a
very narrow escape.

ADDENDA.

The following historical matters and biographical
sketches were not received by the printer in time
for insertion in their proper places :
ELECTION, MT. VERNON, 1880.
The municipal officers of Mt. Vernon, elected in
April, 1 88 1, were as follows :
Calvin Magers, marshal ; Colonel William C.
Cooper and Dr. B. Scott, board of education ; Otho
Welshymer, street commissioner; Samuel H. Peter
man, First ward; J. H. Branyan, First ward; H. Y.
Rowley, Second ward ; W. C. Culbertson, Third
ward ; John H. Ransom, Fourth ward ; John
Moore, Fifth ward, members of the council.
Charles W. Doty, justice of the peace for Clinton
township. THE DUNKARD CHURCH, BERLIN TOWNSHIP.
The German Baptist church, Dunkard, of Berlin
township, is located near Anknytown, Knox county,
Ohio. It was organized about November 22, 1824,
by John Moltzbaugh, elder. The following were
some of the first, members: Abe Leedey and wife,
Jacob Leedey and wife, Daniel Leedey and wife,
Daniel Hetrick and wife, Joseph Hetrick and wife,
John Long and wife, Jacob Frederick and wife,

Jacob Garber and wife. Among some of the earlier
members were: John Moltzbaugh, Daniel Het
rick and Jacob Garber.
About 1842 Henry B. Davey and Abraham H.
Leedey were elected to the ministry. Since that
time the following have been elected and preached
in the church : Henry Keller, Henry Hess, Abner
Fiddler; William Murray, son of James Murray,
who came here from Stark county.
They built a frame church, forty by sixty feet, in
1858. It was neat, comfortable and convenient,
but everything plain, nothing extravagant in finish,
although they are abundantly able, but humble
people. It was dedicated by Elder John Moltz
baugh, assisted by H. P. Davey and Daniel
Hetrick. They are very plain and practical people. They
have prospered and multiplied until they have,
from this congregation, established a congregation
in North Liberty, Pike township. They have
bought a lot, and intend to build a church this
summer, (1881). The present membership is
about one hundred and sixty. It is known as the
Owl creek congregation of the German Baptist
church. The church building cost about twelve

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

847

hundred dollars. They have an organized Sabbath-
school at North Liberty.
The present elders of this church are William A.
Murry and Henry Keller. They have never
adopted a salary system, but are a generous and
hospitable people, are always ready to assist their
needy. In this respect they are an example to
many other churches and Christians.
ACKERMAN, L. B., insurance and notary public, was born
in Middlebury township; reared on a farm, attended district
school until fifteen years of age, then attended a select school at
Chesterville, Ohio, taught by Professor J. B. Selby, after which
he was a student at the Fredericktown high school for one year;
he then engaged in teaching, his first term was in Berlin tow n-
ship; he continued teaching for a series of terms; he taught in
Johnsville, Waterford, and Fredericktown; in the latter town he
was superintendent for one year. In 1879 he engaged in insur
ance, notary public, and collecting; in these he has been very
successful. Mr. Ackerman has taken quite an active part in
local politics; he has always been identified with the Democratic
party ; he is not a selfish party man, but promulgates the true
principles of the party. He was married in 1871 to Miss Ella
Cook, of Dalton, Wayne county, Ohio. They have four chil
dren, viz: Ida C. , William A. , Ernest Virgil, and Edith E. Mr.
Ackerman moved to Fredericktown in 1877. He purchased
property here in 1879, located on Sandusky street.
His grandfather, John Ackerman, sr., was born in Bedford
county, Pennsylvania, in 1756; he came to Knox county, Mid
dlebury township, in 1811. He was married to Amy Barton;
they had four children — John, Abraham, Catharine, and Maiy.
He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His son, John,
was married in 1829, to Ida Cook. They had nine children-
Stephen C, Morgan, Rachel, Louis B., Amy Ann, Leander,
James Harvey, and two deceased. The Ackerman family were
among the early settlers of this county.
ADAMS, JOHN, common pleas judge, was born on Decem
ber 11, 1824, at Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He was a farmer's son, and
the experience of his boyhood and youth were such experiences
as befall almost any farmer's boy whose father has only the
wealth that comes of hard toil, in every day, in every season.
He "learned to labor and to wait;" for as soon as he was old
enough he took part in the labors of the farm, and for the ful
filment of such hopes and aspirations as come to the ambitious
and capable boy he had to wait until the opportunity for grati
fying them could be made. Pie attended school first at Martins
burgh, and afterwards at Kenyon college. Subsequently he en
tered Jefferson college, in Washington county, Pennsylvania,
and graduated there in the spring of 1847.
After leaving college he commenced the study of law, reading
with Hon. John K. Miller, at Mt. Vernon. In 1850 he was ad
mitted to the bar in Mt. Vernon, and at once commenced the
practice of his profession there. At first he practiced alone,
but at the end of a year he formed a professional partnership
with Mr. Dunbar. Eventually this partnership was dissolved,
and subsequently he associated himself with his former precep
tor, Hon. John K. Miller. He prospered well in his profession
and gained a practice that was large and lucrative.
In politics he is a Democrat, and has acted steadily and con

sistently with that party. In 1871 he was a candidate, on the
Democratic ticket, for judge of the court of common pleas for
the district of Mt. Vernon, and was elected by a large majority.
He took office in 1872 for a term of five years. His course
while on the bench has fully vindicated the wisdom of those who
elevated him to the position. To high abilities and fine
attainments he joins the strictest integrity, a judicial impartiality
which nothing can swerve, and a regard for principle which all
recognize and appreciate. At the expiration of his first term,
in 1876, he was again nominated and reelected to the position
he so eminently adorns, by a respectable majority: He is hon
ored and esteemed as the right man in the right place; and the
fact that his high and responsible station was awarded to him
because of the sterling characteristics belonging to his nature,
and the high attainments which he acquired through his own
almost unaided exertions, is a fact that must be gratifying to
himself no less than encouraging to all men who are struggling
and aspiring within the circle of his influence. He was manied
on the sixteenth of May, i860, to Julia Huxford, of Fort Wayne,
Indiana. Three giris and one boy, have blessed the union.
BANNING, ANTHONY, deceased.— Among the old settlers
whose names have figured conspicuously in the history of Knox
county, was Anthony Banning. Connected with the business'
the growth and prosperity of the county at every period of its
history after the first, and concerned as he was in various indus
trial pursuits, in commercial operations, in temperance move
ments, in church affairs, in political actions; as his name has
been widely known in legal history, his memory is worthy o'
more than a passing notice.
"Judge" Banning as he was called more frequently than
"Parson," notwithstanding his monument states that he was a
Methodist preacher sixty years, was born in Talbot county,
Maryland, May 13, 1768, and was the only son of James Ban
ning, a proprietor of much consideration and influence, who
had but two children — the son, James Mansfield Anthony Ban
ning, and a daughter who married Benjamin Chew, of Phila
delphia, chief justice of the State of Pennsylvania, a lawyer of
much distinction and a man of great wealth, who was a bosom
friend of Washington, and whose family were his most intimate
associates. His parents died when he was very young, and he was con
signed to the care of an uncle, Henry Banning, a bachelor, who
was a sea-captain and took Anthony with him several voyages-
The family were members of the Episcopal church, but in his
fourteenth year Anthony joined the Methodists. When about
eighteen he went to preaching as a circuit rider in Greenbrier,
Virginia, and the wilderness mountain region. In consequence
of the great length of his name, and its inconvenience in writ
ing, he dropped a portion of it in early youth.
July 30, 1791, he married Mrs. Sarah Pierce, daughter of one
of the first settlers on Redstone, near Uniontown, Pennsylvania,
who was also a native of the eastern shore of Maryland, and had
been reared near Ellicott's Mills. The children by this marriage
were Sarah, wife of Daniel S. Norton; Jacob M., who died in
1835, and whose widow and children reside in Hardin county;
Rachel, wife of Rev. Elnathan Raymond; James S. ; Mrs. Mary
Caswell; Elizabeth, Mrs. Bronson; Priscilla; and Anthony.
Priscilla Banning was born May 1, 1807, and on November 2,
1875, married Sewall Gray, of Massachusetts, who was born
April 9, 1806, and died of paralysis, at Mount Vernon in May,
1862, without issue.

848

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY

After his maniage Mr. Banning settled in Fayette county,
Pennsylvania, and resided for several years near Mount Brad
dock and Connellsville, where he preached the Gospel, having
been ordained by Bishop Asbury in 1791, carried on a tanyard,
kept store, officiated as justice of the peace, from 1791 until 1799,
traded in stock of every description and navigated the western
waters. He made several trips up the Muskingum with goods and
wares from 1808 till he moved out in 1812. After he had bought
lands in the county he traded a lot of iron, leather and saddlery
to Samuel Kratzer, esq., for the principal part of his interest in
the town of Mt. Vernon, and then took up his residence here.
During his long abode he was engaged, as elsewhere, in a di
versity of pursuits; and by reason of his remarkable energy,
industry, prudence and business tact, prospered in all, and en
joyed to a very great extent the confidence of the people. He
was for the greater part of his life concerned in merchandizing
at Mt. Vernon, Tymochtee and Danville — carrying on his mills
at Clinton and his tanyard, farming extensively and preaching.
His name is found as president of the first Clay meeting ever
held in this county; he was all his life an ardent admirer and
friend of that great statesman and patriot. In principle, polit
ically, he was a Whig — religiously, a Methodist — strictly moral
and temperate — in all the relations of life a good example.
He was honest and conscientious — liberal and kind hearted —
determined and resolute — never disguised his sentiments or har
bored unkind thoughts; was not a fanatic in temperance, mor
als, politics or religion ; but by his well balanced mind and daily
walk exerted a great influence for good.
Among other public positions held by him was that of com
missioner to select the premanent seat of justice of Clermont
county, under an act of the general assembly, January 25, 1823,
associated with John C. Wright, then of Jefferson, and James
Clark, of Stark. He served as one of the associate judges of
this county from 1827 to 1834.
In every public enterprise and work calculated to benefit the
town, county and people he was active, liberal and useful.
Among the many incidents of his life the following most
clearly shows the liberality of his mind: In 1836 he set about
erecting a church near his residence, and upon his own land.
The neat brick edifice had been inclosed and about completed,
when the Right Rev. Bishop Purcel visited Mt. Vernon for the
first time, and there being no Catholic church the followers of
that denomination, of whom there were but two or' three fami
lies then in the place, to wit: David Morton's, William Brophy 's
and Timothy Colopy's requested the use of one of the churches
for the bishop to hold service in on the forenoon of a certain
Sunday. The favor was denied. An effort was then made to
procure the use of the court-house, ahd that, too, was refused.
The writer, then a small boy, having heard the circumstances
on his way home, stopped in at Judge Banning's and stated
what had occurred, when he at once buttoned up his vest and
coat, took his cane, went up to David Morton's, where the bishop
was staying, and tendered the use of the Banning chapel for
Catholic service. The offer was most gratefully and graciously
accepted, and the first Catholic discourse ever delivered in this
town was pronunced at the Banning chapel. This, in the eyes
of many bigoted and intolerant minds, was a very great sin;
but the religion of grandfather Banning was of that catholic
spirit which enabled him to do acts of kindness and pour out
heart offerings as becometh a trae Christian.
In the month of February, 1844, Judge Banning was drowned

in the dam of the Clinton Mill company, while attempting to
cross upon the ice to his farm. His body was soon recovered
and great efforts made to resuscitate it, but in vain. The bold
spirit that left its impress on this world had gone to explore the
mysteries of another. He was in the seventy-sixth year of his
age, and remarkably vigorous in mind and body.
BANNING, GENERAL HENRY B., attorney at law, Cin
cinnati, Ohio. — The subject of this sketch was, on his father's
side, of Maryland stock, and his mother's family were Virginia
people. Shortly before the Revolutionary war both his father's
and his mother's families emigrated from their native States and
settled near old Fort Redstone, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania:
They were pioneers in that then new country.
In 1812 the Rev. Anthony Banning, a pioneer Methodist
preacher, the grandfather of General Banning, settled on the
banks of the Kokosing, having traded a lot of iron, leather and
saddlery for an interest in the then small village (now prosperous
town) of Mt. Vemon. James S. Banning, the father of General
Banning, was then twelve years old. When he grew to man
hood he revisited his native town of Connellsville, Pennsylvania,
and manied Eliza Blackstone, the mother of Henry. The
Banning family has been actively and conspicuously identified
with the growth and prosperity of Knox county from its organ
ization. In religion they are all Protestants. His mother was
one of the principal organizers of St. Paul's Episcopal church,
of which sect she was then a commuicant, although at her death
she was a member of the denomination known as Christian. In
politics the Bannings were originally Jackson Democrats, after
wards Whigs.
Henry B. Banning was the sixth child of his parents and was
born November 10, 1836. His childhood was passed at Ban
ning's Mills and on the old Banning farm at Clinton. He first
attended school at the Clinton school-house, in 1842, when
Father Mott was the teacher.
Among the children attending that school with him were the
Coopers, the Curtises, the Drakes, the Lovages, the Johnsons,
the Brookses, and the Montises.
After leaving this school he attended Hull Bigsby's private
school at Mt. Vernon, and Sloan's academy. He was exam
ined and admitted to Kenyon college, but never attended.
At the age of seventeen he commenced the study of law in
the office of Hosmer, Curtis & Devin, in Mt. Vernon, and was
in due time admitted to the bar, and began the practice. He
became the partner of William Dunbar, esq., the firm being
Dunbar & Banning, at Mt. Vemon. He soon established and
maintained a large practice, and was , succeeding finely when
the war began in 1861. He was one of the first to volunteer to
put down the Rebellion, almost before the President had issued
his call for seventy-five thousand troops. He was at once
elected captain by his company, which-afterwards became com
pany B, Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, a regiment which
made one of the most gallant records of the war.
He was afterward, upon the recommendation of General
Shields, appointed major of the Fifty-second Ohio volunteer
infantry, but never joined that command, being placed in com
mand of the Eighty-seventh, a three months' regiment. At the
expiration of the term of this latter regiment, he was made
lieutenant colonel of- the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio
volunteer infantry, and served as such until the spring of 1863,
when he was made colonel of the One Hundred and Twenty-
first Ohio.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

849

This regiment was in a badly demoralized condition, but the
new colonel soon restored the esprit de corps, gained the confi
dence of the officers and men, and by a thorough system of
discipline made it one of the best drilled regiments in the ser
vice. It took part in the Chickamauga and Atlanta campaigns,
showing such signal instances of gallantry in action as to call
forth frequent mention in the official aud unofficial reports of
its engagements. At the battle of Chickamauga, in a bayonet
charge, the regiment under lead of Colonel Banning, captured
the battle-flag of the Twenty-second Alabama regiment, the
only Confederate colors taken by our troops upon that bloody
and disastrous field. At the battle of Kennesaw Mountain an
eye witness in describing the fight said:
"Yesterday was a bloody day for the One Hundred and
Twenty-first Ohio, more bloody in numbers than Chickamauga.
More than one-third of her gallant sons were killed or wounded.
History's page will recall the deeds of her fallen heroes; and the
command of the gallant Banning: 'Lie down, One Hundred
and Twenty-first, and don't retire one inch until I order you,'
when the storm of battle was at its highest, will make for him
an imperishable record, and the stubbornness with which the
regiment obeyed the order, unsupported, and exposed to a
galling fire from both flanks and front, of artillery and small
arms, for more than four hours, will be rehearsed in story and
in song in after years. "
In the spring of 1865, after the fall of Atlanta, on the recom
mendation of General Jeff. C. Davis, approved by Major Gen
eral George H. Thomas, General Banning was promoted to be
a brevet brigadier general, for gallant and meritorious service
during the Atlanta campaign.
After Atlanta had been taken, General Banning, still in com
mand of the One Hundred and Twenty-first, accompanied
General Thomas and the Army of the Cumberland, and took a
gallant and conspicuous part in the fierce and decisive battle of
Nashville. In the spring of 1865 he was placed in command of the One
Hundred gnd Ninety-fifth Ohio infantry, and served in the val
ley of Virginia. He was commander of the post of Alexandria,
Virginia, until December, 1865, when he was mustered out of
the service with the rank of brevet major general, a rank which
his,gallant conduct had won for him, enlisting as a private in
1861. In the fall of 1865, while he was still in the service, the peo
ple of his home elected him to represent Knox county in the
general assembly. Stepping from the field to the forum, he
became a leading spirit in that legislative body. He was made
chairman of the house committee on military affairs. He de
voted his attention to the wants of the laboring classes, and
through his efforts much good was accomplished for them.
After the expiration of his term in the general assembly, Gen
eral Banning removed to Cincinnati, where he resumed the
practice of law, with his usual success.
In 1872 he was nominated by the Liberal Republican conven
tion as the candidate to represent the Second district in Con
gress. His opponent was R. B. Hayes, now ex-President.
After an exciting canvass General Banning was returned by a
handsome majority. He was reelected twice to the same office
as a Democrat, beating successively Job E. Stevenson in 1874,
and Stanley Mathews in 1876. In 1880 he was again a candi
date, but was defeated by a small majority.
General Banning, in all his relations in life, has been a true

representative of American manhood of the highest type;
modest in assuming responsibility, but when assumed firm,
faithful and energetic in the execution of a trust. In all his
career, both public and private, there is not an act can sully his
name or stain his honor. A good son, a good husband, a good
father, a gallant soldier, a faithful and industrious representa
tive, in all a worthy citizen, he is one of the sons to whom Knox
county can front with pride as a part of her history.
BLAKE, WILLIAM, deceased. The subject of this sketch
was one of Knox county's pioneers. He was born in Ireland
in 1761, migrated to America, located in New York, remained
several years, and from thence went to Connecticut, where he
married Miss Hannah Sprague, born in Connecticut in 1778.
They moved to Knox county, Ohio, in 1812, and located in
Clinton township, on the farm now owned by John Guy, where
they passed the remainder of their days. He died in 1848, aged
eighty-seven years. His companion survived him until 1850,
when she died, aged seventy-two years and five months.
They reared a family of seven children — Sarah, Hannah,
William, Mary, Richard, James, and Emily J. Two of the
children, Hannah and Richard, are dead. When Mr. Blake
came to Clinton township, it was comparatively a forest, and
settlers were few and far apart.
BOSTWICK, NATHAN, Newark, Ohio, was born Novemr
ber 2, 1819, in Pike township, Bradford county, Pennsylvania;
emigrated to Ohio with his parents in 1830, landing in Newark,
and living the first winter in McKean township, Licking county.
In the spring of 1831 the family moved into Milford township,
Knox county, and settled on a farm then covered with a dense
growth of hardwood timber, as were all farms in those early
days in Knox county. The immense labor of making a home
out of the wilderness can only be fully understood by the pio
neers engaged in the work.
Nathan Bostwick was married in 1840 to Adaline A. Beards
lee. They had seven children, all boys, as follows: Julius C,
George F., Henry C, William W., Burr W., Harmon R., and
John A. — all living but Julius C.
All the boys who were old enough became soldiers. Julius C.
enlisted first in the three months' service, in the Eighth Indiana
regiment, and served out his time, then reenlisted for three
years in a company his father was recruiting for the Twentieth
Ohio regiment. He was in delicate health and died on the battle
field of Shiloh, of hemorrhage of the lungs, April 9, 1862.
George F. (Fayette as he is better known), also enlisted in his
father's company in the Twentieth, and shared in the hardships,
battles and glory of his company and regiment until the army
reached Atlanta, where he was desperately wounded July 22,
1864, by a canister shot through the thigh, and with his father,
fell into the hands of the enemy, and was taken to Anderson-
ville prison pen. He had before been a prisoner for a month,
and had been exchanged at Vicksburgh, having been captured
in a fight with Wheeler's cavalry, near Middleburgh, Tennessee.
He made his escape from Andersonville in October, and hiding
in swamps and bayous was pursued with bloodhounds, but
finally secured a skiff and paddling down the Ocomulgee river,
reached the Federal gun-boats in safety.
This young man suffered terribly from his wounds and prison
life, a complete history of which would make an interesting
volume; but he lived to see the end of the war, and to return
home. He is now residing near Mt. Liberty, this county.
Henry C, although in somewhat delicate health, and quite

850

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

young, became a soldier, enlisting in company A, Ninety-sixth
regiment, under Captain Mitchell, of Mt. Vemon. Joseph
Devin, a patriotic citizen of Mt. Vernon, had offered a prize of
fifty dollars to each of the first two men who should enroll their
names in this regiment. Henry Bostwick and Henry Hildreth
were first to enlist, and received the money.
The history of the Ninety-sixth is detailed elsewhere in this
work. W
Henry was with the regiment at the battle of Arkansas Post,
followed its fortunes through the Vicksburgh campaign, but
was taken sick during the operations at Vicksburgh, and
brought home. He was unable to again enter the service and
was discharged. He is now a merchant in Newark, Ohio, en
gaged in the jewelry trade.
William W. Bostwick was a mere boy when the war began,
but before it closed he enlisted, at the age of sixteen, in the
One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio National guards, under
Colonel Cooper, and was with it during its one hundred days
of service in the rear of Grant's army. William is also in the
jewelry trade in Coshocton, Ohio.
Nathan Bostwick went into the army as recruiting officer Oc
tober 18, 1861, at Columbus, Ohio, with the rank of second
lieutenant; was attached to company G,. Twentieth regiment,
which was sent, with three other companies of the same regi
ment, to Warsaw, Kentucky, in January, 1862, where they
settled some trouble between the Union men and rebels of that
place. Company G remained in Warsaw until in February, when
it returned to Cincinnati, and soon after joined the expedition
against Fort Donelson, and was in the last day's battle at that
place. After the battle, Captain John N. Cassil and Lieutenant
Bostwick, with their company, were detailed as- guard for rebel
prisoners, and escorted eleven hundred of them to St. Ixjuis,
from which place, in company with a portion of company C,
of the same regiment, they escorted all the officers captured at
Fort Donelson to Camp Chase, at Columbus. Lieutenant
Bostwick came home from this place, sick with typboid fever,
but his company went on to Boston with the field and staff of
that capture.
Upon his recovery from his very severe illness, he rejoined
his company at Bolivar, Tennessee, in June, 1862, and in Sep
tember took command of company C, Twentieth regiment,
with rank of first lieutenant. He continued in command of
this company through the Vicksburgh campaign, the captain of
company C having resigned. He was commissioned first lieu
tenant May 9, 1862, and was with Grant during all the opera
tions of "the army for the capture of Vicksburgh; the first battle
of that campaign in which the regiment was engaged being at
Thompson's Hill, fought immediately after the battle of Grand
Gulf. He was also in the battle of Raymond and that of Jack
son immediately following it; also the battle of Champion Hill,
where he received a sunstroke, from which he yet suffers. The
siege of Vicksburgh lasted forty-seven days, during which he
was on duty almost incessantly, day and night, fighting and
working in the trenches. After the surrender the Twentieth
remained in camp until Sherman marched to Meridian, Missis
sippi, in Febmary, 1864.
Lieutenant Bostwick was promoted to captain, January 30,
1864, and transferred to the command of his old company, G,
accompanying Sherman to Meridian.
After that campaign, the regiment reenlisted as veterans, and

Captain Bostwick came home on veteran furlough. The fur
lough having expired, the regiment rendezvoused at Cairo,
Illinois, going thence by boat up the Tennessee river to Clifton,
Tennessee, where it landed and marched over the Sand moun
tains, a distance of three hundred miles, joining Sherman at
Ackworth, Georgia, shortly after engaging in the siege and
battle of Kennesaw Mountain. Captain Bostwick was in the
charge made by his division at this place.
The next desperate battle in which he was engaged was that
before Atlanta, July 22, 1864, where his division, under General
Leggett, surrounded by Hood's forces was attacked in front and
rear, and engaged in some ofthe hardest fighting of the war. Cap
tain Bostwick says their division moved across their breastworks
five times during the day, fighting first on one side then on the
other. He was wounded twice in this action — with a sliver from
a ball in the left eye, and a piece of shell in the left knee — and
fell into the hands of the enemy. The brigade lost about half
of its number in this bloody battle, in which it was frequently
engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict.
After his capture Captain Bostwick was robbed of two hun
dred and thirty dollars in money, and most of his outer cloth
ing, except his boots, which, being a fine, heavy pair, he refused
to give up except with his life, and when a rebel captain ap
proached for the purpose of taking them, he received such a
kick in a vital part as sent him several feet distant, and nearly
ended his life. Captain Bostwick expected to be riddled, with'
rebel bullets for this act, as the guards were all around him, but,
probably from admiration of his pluck, they did not molest him.
The rebel officer, however, after regaining his breath and
his feet, again approached him the intention, no doubt, of
running him through with his sabre, but just before at
tempting the cowardly act, he discovered a small Masonic em
blem attached to the captain's waistcoat. This stopped him,
and turning to the guards he ordered them to take the belliger
ent captain away. There is no doubt but that this mystic sign
of Masonry saved his life at that time. He was taken to the stock
ade at Macon, Georgia, and subsequently to Charleston, South
Carolina, and placed in prison. He was again taken sick and
remained for some time in the hospital, being treated by Dr.
Todd, a rebel and brother of Mrs. Lincoln. From there he was
taken to Columbia, South Carolina, October 6, 1864. Here ha
was outrageously treated, being sick with chills and fever and
compelled to lie on the ground, without shelter or medical at
tention for three weeks, and came near dying, being reduced to
a skeleton. He was then put into a tent hospital, and treated
by a doctor named LaGrone, a Frenchman, from whom he re
ceived much attention. December 1, 1864, he made his escape
in company with Captain McFadden, of the Fifty-seventh New
York, and H. C. Payne, a sergeant of- the' Twentieth Illinois.
They travelled twenty-seven nights through the smoky moun
tains of North Carolina, travelling only in the dead of night,
aided, fed, and piloted on their way by the negroes, and reached
our lines at Knoxville, Tennessee, December 27, 1864. Here he
reported to General Carter, provost marshal at that place, who
ordered clothing for the starved and ragged prisoners, forward
ing them to Chattanooga, and thence to Nashville. After being
ordered to various places Captain Bostwick obtained a leave of
absence and came home, remaining, however, only a short time
• when he went by way of New York to join Sherman, and then
on the march through the Carolinas.
He was promoted major January n, 1865, and joined Sher
man and the Twentieth regiment at Goldsborough, North Car-

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

851

olina. After Lee's surrender he asked permission of his brigade
commander, General R. K. Scott, afterward governor of South
Carolina, to resign, believing the war over, and his health being
poor he wished to return home. His resignation being accepted
he went to Washington, settled with the Government, and was
there at the time of the assassination of President Lincoln, after
which he came home to his farm in Knox county.
He subseqnently sold his farm and spent some time travelling
in the west; living a short time near Fredericktown, Ohio,
Charleston, Illinois, and Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
In April, 1873, he settled in Newark, engaging in the drag
business, where he yet remains.
This brief biography, merely touches upon the military life of
this gallant soldier. The story of his capture, prison life, suffer
ings, and subsequent escape, would make a very readable vol
ume of many pages, and would verify the fact that "truth is
stranger than fiction." He tells of his continual but many
times unsuccessful efforts to escape; of sickness, exposure, hun
ger, and the horrors of prison life; of his escape in a strange
manner with two confederates; of their hiding in the swamps
and mountains; of exposure and starvation; of being tracked
by bloodhounds who came suddenly upon them in a darke gorge
in the mountains, compelling them to fight for their lives, which
they did, and came off victorious; of capturing a rebel picket
that was in their way, killing one man and taking two others
prisoners; of continual hairbreadth escapes, and incessant dan
ger, and above all, of the faithfulness of the blacks, who never
once betrayed them, but fed and guided them on their way at
the peril of their own lives.
People scarcely realize that they have in their midst living,
walking heroes, before whose deeds of daring and suffering the
most intricate combinations of fiction pale and become com
monplace. CONDON, DAVID W., shoe merchant, was born in Mary
land, Frederick county, in 1831. He came to Ohio in 1851,
and was married May 8, 1862, to Melinda J. Royce, grand
daughter of Amos H. Royce. She was born in Berlin town
ship, this county. They have three children: Frank R. was
born April 17, 1863; Jennie M., November 10, 1865, and Maiy
E., June 18, 1873.
Mr. Condon learned the shoe trade with his father in Mary
land, and has always been engaged in that business. He is a
member of the firm of D. W. Condon & Co., leading shoe
merchants of this city. Mr. Condon was a soldier in the late
war. He first enlisted April, 1861, under Captain H. B. Ban
ning. They went to camp Jackson. They elected Professor
Andrews (of Kenyon college) colonel. When they came to
organize their company they had too many men, consequently
Mr. Condon was relieved. He enlisted in the spring of 1864;
was a member of company H, One Hundred and Forty-second
regiment Ohio National guards, under Captain Cochran and
Colonel W. C. Cooper ; he served four months and was honorably
discharged. Mr. Condon has always been identified with the
Republican party, and is one of the loyal men of Frederick-
town. DONAHEY, P. N„ was born June 4, 1843, in Jackson
township, Knox county, Ohio. He was married to Sophia M.
Houck, August 31, 1869. They have had two children, viz:
Willie J. and Lotta. Willie J. was born May 15, 1870; Lotta
was bom May 31, 1878. Mr. Donahey is engaged in the
grocery business at Bladensburgh.
60

HOLLIBAUGH, JOHN F„ shoe merchant. He was bom
in Richland county, Ohio, December 7, 1832; he was married
November 8, 1857, to Louisa M. Hughes, who was bom Sep
tember 6, 1837 in Berlin township in this county. They have
seven children: Lee Porter born August 31, 1858; Delphene,
February 17, i860, Flora Alice, March 14, 1864; Estella
Lute, December, 16, 1866 ; Frederick Roston, July 16,
1871; Wilbert Alton, June 5, 1874; Ethel, November 11,
1878. Mr. Hollibaugh learned the shoe trade in Fredericktown,
and has been engaged at that business since; he is a member of
the firm of D. W. Condon & Co., leading shoe merchants of this
city, and has been identified with the business interests in this
place for some years. Mr. Hollibaugh was a soldier in the
late war; he enlisted in the spring of 1864. He was a member
of company H, One Hundred and Forty-second regiment Ohio
National guard under Captain Cochran and Colonel W. C. Coop
er. He served out the time of his enlistment, and was honorably
discharged. HORN, ABRAHAM, was born January 2, 1813, in Wash
ington county, Pennsylvania, and was married March 16, 1837,
to Miss Rebecca Staats, who was born January 28, 1818, in
Butlei township. They have had ten children, viz: Catharine,
Jacob, Louisa, Joseph S., Maria, Mary M., Magdalena;
Selonia Alice, Rebecca Jane, William Osbom, Benjamin
Franklin; all living except Joseph S. and Benjamin Franklin.
Joseph S. was wounded at Big Shanty, Georgia, June 22, 1864,
and died the following day. Benjamin F. died September 30,
1862; Catharine married William J. Withrow, April 22,
i860; Jacob was married to Isabella Withrow, June 22, 1861;
Louisa was married to Jacob Delong January 15, 1863; Maria
to Robert B. Giffen, June 21, 1869; Mary M. to Reason Lov-
ett, February 7, 1869; Rebecca J. to Benjamin Ross, October
6, 1872; Jacob, married (second wife) Lydia Hall, September
23, 1873; W. O. to Alvila Bailey, November 2, 1878. Mr.
Horn is owner of two hundred and ten acres of good farming
land in Butler township, and three hundred and fifty acres in
Jefferson township.
HORN, MARTIN C, deceased, was one of the wealthiest
farmers of Clay township, owning about five hundred and
thirty-seven acres of good tillable land at his decease. He was a
native of Knox county, was born April 9, 1823, and married to
Jane Crumrine November 11, 1847; six children being born
unto them; three, Laura, Lennie, and Emma, are living. Mr.
Horn was a highly respected citizen, very ambitious and indus
trious, and was census enumerator for the present census. He
died at his home, near Martinsburgh, July 25, 1880.
HYATT, R., farmer, Liberty township. He was born in
Liberty township, September 11, 1848, and is the son of
Mescheck and Elizabeth Hyatt. He spent his youth on a farm,
and has followed farming as his vocation. He spent four years
in the Western States. He married Elizabeth Ann Bryan, No
vember 19, 1871. They have one child, named Maggie A.
JOHNSTON, SAMUEL K., deceased. He was born in
Morris township in 1820; was married to Susan A. White, who
was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1825, and came
to Ohio in 1825. They had five children— Williard W., Mary
E., Edwin F., Charles C, and Lee R.
Mr. Samuel K. Johnson died May 23, 1862.
Williard W. was a soldier in the late Rebellion, being a mem
ber of company A, One Hundred and Nmety-fourth regiment,

852

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

Ohio volunteer infantry. He is now a resident of Columbus,
Ohio. Peter Johnson, father of Samuel K., was a soldier in the War
of 1812,
C. C. Johnson is a practical printer engaged with the Free
Press, and is an industrious and active young man.
KNIGHT, JOHN, deceased, was born in Beaver county,
Pennsylvania, and married Jane Culberson. They had two
daughters and one son.
Marth was bora in Holmes county in 1840; married J. B.
Nixon. The have three children — Luella J., Nettie B., and
Maggie K. They reside in Johnson county, Indiana.
Maggie Knight is manied to William Hall.
Henry D. Nixon has deceased.
Mr. John Knight died in Wayne county, February 2, 1850.
WALTER, GEORGE A., salesman, was born in Morris
township, Knox county, in 1842, and he was married in 1870 to
Mary L. Smith, who was born in Fredericktown in 1851. They
have one son — Carleton C. — who was born March 14, 1872, in
Mt. Vernon.
Mr. Walter learned the carpenter trade in Mt. Vernon, and
continued to work at it until 1872, when he engaged in the
butchering business with S. Kirby, and afterwards with M. P.
Minteer. In 1880 he engaged with Braddock & Hurst as clerk
and salesman, and is one of the active and enterprising men of
this town. He was a soldier in the late war. His father, Samuel
Walter, was born in Frederick county, Maryland, in 1809; came
to Ohio in 1836; married Mary Ann Clay, born in the same
county in 1818. Tbey had eight children— Jesse, deceased;
George A., JohnW., Martha J., Mary E., Charles R., Orpha,
deceased, and Sarah G.
Mrs. Mary Ann Walter died in 1879.
George Smith, father of Mrs. George Walters, was born in
Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1824; was married to Abigail
Tirrill, who was born in New Hampshire in 1826. They had
two children — Mary and Ophelia.
Mr. Smith was engaged as travelling salseman for a manfac-
turing house in Columbus. He died in 1856.
ALVERSON, THOMAS, farmer, deceased, Middlebury
township, was born March 19, 1807, in the town of Guilford,
Windham county, Vermont. His early ancestors were from
Holland, and later in affinity with the English. In early child
hood he was taken to Moriah, Essex county, New York. His
widowed mother being poor he was obliged to live with other
families. By hard labor and strict economy he secured sixty
acres of land, which he improved, and on which he built suit
able buildings. He was baptized by immersion in Lake Cham
plain. In his conviction of duty he had a very remarkable
dream, in which he saw the Savior, with outstretched arms,
standing in the sun.
Mr. Alverson was manied to Miss Lucinda Doolittle. They
moved on the farm he had formerly purchased, and remained
there until the fall of 1837, and then moved to western New
York, near Middleport, and remained there until the fall of
1839, when they moved near Medina, Michigan, to his brother,
Oliver Alverson, and in the month of February, 1840, he emi
grated to Ohio and settled near the Quaker brick meeting
house, known as the Owl Creek settlement. In 1845 he pur
chased one hundred acres of land on the ridge, four and a half
miles northwest of Fredericktown, in Middlebury township.
Here his property increased to over six thousand dollars in. ad

dition to his real estate, which he loaned out. He had seven
children, all of whom are living except the youngest — James T.,
born March 1, 1834; Sophia, November 4, 1836, and manied
to J. N. Talmage, living near Chesterville, Morrow county.
Ohio; Emma, October 3, 1838, married to Miller Mendenhall,
now lives in Green Vally, Knox county; Sarah, November 14,
1839, married to John Disman, now living in Lima, Allen coun
ty, Ohio; Byram, January 19, 1843, now a resident near Lone
Star post office, Gentry county, Missouri; Louisa, May 3, 1844,
now Mrs. William Schroeder, of Knox county, Ohio; and John
P., May 4, 1849, died in infancy.
Thomas Alverson became a strong Abolitionist, voting for
the first candidate for the Presidency nominated by the Aboli.
tion party — James G. Birney.
Mr. Alverson was powerful in his reasonings and arguments
in favor of freedom and equal rights to all. He afterwards acted
with the Republican party.
In September, 1866, during a season of tent-meetings at
Fredericktown, Ohio, held by Elders Vanhorn and Lawrence,
he embraced the doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventists, and
became an ardent advotate of its faith, giving liberally to its
institutions and missionary work. The subjects " Man's Nature
and Destiny," "The Bible," "Seventh-day Sabhath," and the
"Soon Coming of Christ," were his happy themes of conversa
tion and work.
The last year of his life was the happiest, during which time
he visited relatives and friends in tbe east — Vermont, Boston
Massachusetts, and the Round Lake camp meeting in Maine,
and then to his brother, Samuel H. Russell, of Crownpoint
Essex county, New York, where he died September n, 1878, at
the age of seventy-one years, five months and twenty-two days.
He leaves nineteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Lucinda Alverson died December 28, 1864, and was buried
in the Salem cemetery.
James T. Alverson, post office, Fredericktown, Ohio, born in
Essex county, New York, came to Knox county, with his
parents in childhood. Through industry, in teaching and labor
ing, he accumulated means to purchase one hundred and sixty
acres of western land. He became a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and for a time a faithful worker. He was
married August 1, 1861, to Miss Rebecca Price, daughter of
John and Barbara Price, of Morrow county, Ohio. She was an
amiable and Christian lady. After their marriage they purchased
nearly seventy acres of land in Morrow county, still retaining
the one hundred and sixty acres of western land. Her useful
life ended November 25, 1864, and her remains were interred in
Bloomfield cemetery, near Sparta, Morrow county, Ohio. J.
T. Alverson is left with one daughter, Luella J., now Mrs.
Olmstead, and one son, James T., jr.
In early life Mr. Alverson was a Methodist in faith, but by
reading and investigating the Bible he changed his religious views
June 23, 1877. He kept the Bible Sabbath, the seventh day of the
week, endorsing fully the Bible doctrines of man's nature and
destiny, the seventh day Sabbath as in the commandments of
God, and the faith of Jesus Christ and his soon coming at the
completion of his work as priest of the heavenly sanctuary;
then the gathering home of all the saints, both dead and living,
in the first resurrection; and finally, after the resurrection and
destruction of all the wicked, enjoying the Sabbath with the
redeemed in Christ 'in the earth made new. So August 27
1877, he took a letter from the Methodist Episcopal church'
being in good standing.

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

853

FIDLER, THOMAS, retired, post office, Fredericktown, was
born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1804. His parents
emigrated to Belmont county, Ohio, when he was a child. He
came to this county in 1824, and was married to Rebecca Shu-
man. They had one daughter, Arminda; she married John
Ewers, and is now dead. Mrs. Fidler died in Richland county.
Mr. Fidler was married (the second time) to Jane Dehart, who
was born in New Jersey. Their children are: Marinda, now
Mrs. James, a resident of Morrow county; Emily, deceased;
Mary, deceased; Louis, deceased; Samuel A., deceased; Henry,
married Mary Smith; he'died in 1877; Anna, deceased; Deliah
J., now Mrs. Wertz; Hannah L., now Mrs. Burson; they reside
in Morrow county. Mrs. Jane Fidler died in 1872.
Mr. Fidler is now living with his daughter, Mrs. Wertz. He
has been a successful farmer, and has accumulated considerable
wealth, and has a competency for old age. Uncle Tom, as he
is familiarly called, is one of the best citizens of Middlebury
township. LEWIS, JOHN and HANNAH came to Ohio from New Jer
sey, in the year 1805, stopping for a short time at Mt. Vernon,
where there were two or three log cabins. They remained there
only a few days, and following the trail of the Sandusky Indians
on horseback for about ten .miles in a northwest direction, they
located in the wilderness on Owl creek, near what is now the
village of Luzerne, in Wayne township, where they resided
during the rest of their lives. Soon after selecting this place as
their future home, they put up a cabin, fourteen feet square, of
Buckeye logs, which was their residence for a number of years,
and until they had aid enough to erect a house of heavy logs,
about thirty feet square, which remained standing for a number
of years. This building was used regularly for religious pur
poses, there being no church at the time in that part of the
country. During the Wrar of 1812, there was a fort, also a block
house, adjoining and communicating with this residence, and
when these early settlers were threatened with danger, they
would gather hurriedly together at this fort for protection.
There were but few settlers in that part of the country prior to
and during the war, and for some time Mr. Lewis' nearest neigh
bors resided at Mt. Vernon, and the nearest store and mill were
located at 'Zanesville. The trail of the Sandusky Indians, used in
going to and from Mt. Vernon and Zanesville, was within one
hundred yards of his house, and his family was very frequently
honored with their calls, which were usually friendly. These
Indians would frequently have access to whiskey when meeting
with white traders, and, when intoxicated, were sometimes
troublesome customers. These early settlers had but little
knowledge of the luxuries and comforts of modern homes.
They owned a Bible, which was in many cases their only
printed book, and constituted their only reading. A long rifle
with a flint lock, a rude bed and a puncheon table, and but
little more. Tea, coffee, sugar and flour were luxuries to be
seldom indulged in. Their corn was pounded in a wooden
mortar with a pestle, the finest part being used for bread and
the coarsest for hominy. Their meat was mostly wild game,
of which there was a great plenty. Mr. Lewis had some sing
ular and exciting experiences and adventures with the wild
animals that infested the then unbroken forest. Wolf scalps
were a legal tender, and were received in payment of taxes, and
he, with the assistance of Mr. James Bryant, who came into
Ohio soon after, killed fifty-three wolves in one winter. One
of the traps used by him is still in the possession of the family.

Live stock had to be protected from these wild animals. One
night Mr. Lewis was awakened by some strange noises made by
his pigs in the pen, and, taking his rifle, he proceeded to ascertain
the cause. Seeing some object moving about, he fired at it,
and the next morning, on going to the place, found a black
bear lying dead.
About the year 1820, Rev. Henry George, a Welsh Baptist
missionary, came from the east and located in this neighbor
hood, and was the first ordained minister to conduct religious
services in that part of the State. His first sermon was from
the text, Isaiah 63 : i. After he had labored a number of years,
a little congregation was collected together, and a church was
organized. They erected a log building that had neither stove
nor fireplace, on the spot where now stands what is known as
the Wayne Baptist church. At the dedication of this log
church Mr. George preached from Psalm 122: i.
The first school building in this neighborhood was erected a
little way east of Mr. Lewis' residence, was made of logs, and,
having no glass, the windows were made of greased paper. Mr.
Lewis raised nine children, three sons and six daughters. There
are yet four living: William Lewis, near Waterford, in Knox
county; Mitchel Lewis, near Morrison, Illinois; Mary Jackson,
near Gallion, Ohio ; and Jane Bonar, who lives in Bellville.
PHILO, GEORGE J., farmer, post office, Mt. Vernon,
born in England in 1834, emigrated to America in 1854, and lo
cated in Knox county. In 1856 he was married to Christina
Haines, who was born in Muskingum county in 1840. They
have five children living: Jesse E., Alice E., John H., Charles
M., Agnes I.
Mr. Philo owns one of the best farms in Morris township,
and is making a success of farming. He is a member of the
Protestant Episcopal church at Mt. Vernon.
RINEHART, GEORGE, dealer in furniture. He was born
in Morris township, this county; he was married to Hannah
Jane Stinemetz, who was born in Mt. Vernon. They have four
children : Ada A. ,-Mary, Samuel, and Grade.
He learned the cabinet-makers' trade, and has been engaged
in that business over twenty years, also connected with furniture
and undertaking; he is doing a good business.
NEFF PETROLEUM COMPANY. Mention has been
made in the geological chapter of this work of the Neff Petro
leum company, whose operations are so extensive in the Ko
kosing valley in the eastern part of this county and extending
into Coshocton county.
The work of this company, of which Mr. Peter Neff, of
Gambier, is the heart and soul, is continually extending and
has assumed much greater proportions than the people of the
county are generally aware. Already Mr. Neff has expended
more than one hundred and fifty thousand dollars in this region,
and still the work goes on with increasing interest.
Last spring (1880) Mr. Neff sunk " Laurel Well" (No. 9) to
the depth of one thousand and five feet, passing through the
regular succession of sub-strata. Its log varies but little from
the general developments in other oil regions. It is a gas well.
Personally, Mr. Neff is, and has always been, much interested
in the study of geology and archaeology, and in the develop
ment and preservation or utilization of whatever is found under
the earth's surface. In accordance with this feeling he has all
his life been collecting archaeological specimens, and at present
has in his home at Gambier one of the most complete and
extensive collections of this character in the country, the larger

854

HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.

part of which has been gathered from the fruitful fields of Knox
and adjoining counties. His "Sandstone Image," supposed
to have been the work of the Mound Builders, is a rare relic,
and is highly important as showing some sort of connection
between this mysterious people and the Hindoos — the features
of the image being of an unmistakable Hindoo type, or cer
tainly much resembling the images left by that people.
He has many other rare and valuable specimens, and is con
tinually on the lookout for others, his means enabling him to
indulge his taste in this important branch of science.
The followiug is interesting in connection with the production
of " Diamond Black" in which Mr. Neff is so largely engaged:
"NOTES OF WORK BY STUDENTS OF PRACTICAL
CHEMISTRY IN THE
LABORATORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA."
No. VII.
Communicated by J. W. MALLETT, Professor of General
and Applied Chemistry in the University.
Reprinted from the CHEMICAL NEWS, Nos. 978 and 979.
LONDON: 1878.

Analysis of Lamp-black made from, the Natural Hydrocarbon
Gas of the Ohio Petroleum Region. By J. R. SANTOS.
This material is described in the following passage from my
portion of the ' ' Report of the Judges on the Philadelphia Ex
hibition of 1876" (Group III Chemical Manufactures); "One
of the more interesting among the minor American exhibits
consists of the fine lamp-black which has for about two years
past been made at Gambier, Ohio, by imperfect combustion of
the natural gas which occurs throughout the petroleum region,
and which frequently escapes in such quantity from borings,
yielding little or no mineral oil, as to give rise to the term 'gas-
well. ' There are two such wells in Knox county, Ohio, near
the junction of the Kokosing and Mohican rivers, affording
very large quantities of hydrocarbon gas, which Mr. Peter
Neff, of Gambier, has utilized in the manufacture of lamp
black, which he calls 'Diamond Black.' He has patented, and
uses several kinds of apparatus for burning the gas [of which
two are described and figured in the Report]. In the building
used, 1,800 burners are at work, consuming about 275,000 cubic
feet of gas per twenty-four hours, being about one-fourth of the
available supply. The composition of the gas by volume is
given as —
Marsh gas  81.4
Ethyl hydride  12.2
Nytrogen  4.8
Oxygen  0.8
Carbon monoxide  0.5
Carbon dioxide  o.g
100.0
"No mention is made of free hydrogen, though from the ex
periments of Professor Sadtler on samples of natural gas from
Western Pennsylvania, it probably is present in small quantity.
The lamp-black is at present manufactured to the extent of

about sixteen tons per annum. It is very fine and smooth, free
from coarse or gritty particles, and of an intense blue-black
color. The absence of oily matter is very strikingly shown by
mixing it with water. Although from the large amount of air
in the mass of loose powder most of it floats at first upon the
surface, stirring soon mixes it in large quantity with the water,
rendering the whole black and opaque; in its behavior it con
trasts strongly with the common lamp-black. It does not color
ether, and the liquid, when evaporated, leaves but a trace of
residue, while ordinary lamp-black, presumably from rosin,
gives a deep yellow solution, leaving an orange-brown tar on
evaporation. On burning a quantity of the diamond-black
sufficient to fill a large plantinum dish, a barely visible trace of
ferruginous ash was left, derived, no doubt, from the scraping
of the metallic surfaces (on which the material was deposited
and collected). This material is sold to makers of fine printing
and lithographic inks in the United States, and has been sent in
small quantity to Europe. It deserves to become more widely
known." I have used this lamp-black for a number of laboratory pur
poses requiring an artificial form of carbon of very high degree
of purity. Mr. Santos has analyzed it, with the following results:
"Sp. gr. at 170 C, after complete expulsion of air, equals 1.729.
The air-dried lamp-black lost by exposure at ordinary tempera
ture over sulphuric acid 2.30 per cent of moisture, and a further
loss of 0.40 per cent was experienced by heating to 100° C.
Continued heating to 2000 and then to 300° under atmospheric
pressure gave rise to no further loss, but a minute amount of
water was expelled by subsequently heating in a Sprenge'
vacuum. The material dried at 2000 C. gave in two combustions —
I. II.
Carbon  96.041 96.011
Hydrogen  0.736 0.747
The occluded gases, driven out by heating to low redness in a
Sprengel vacuum,* represented on calculating weight from vol
ume — Carbon monoxide  1.378 p. c. by weight.
Carbon dioxide  1.386 " "
Nitrogen  0.786 " "
Vapor of water  0.682 " "
There was also expelled, and condensed on the cooler part of
the tube, 0.024 of a solid light yellow hydrocarbon, soluble in
alcohol, fusible, and volatilizing rapidly under atmospheric
pressure between 2150 and 225° C. (impure napthalene ?)
Hence the composition of the lamp-black may be calculated
as — Carbon  9S-°57lt
Hydrogen  0.665 j
Nitrogen  0.776
Carbon monoxide  1387)
Carbon dioxide  1,386 y
Water  0.682
Ash (Fe203 and CuO)  0.056
100.000
* See similar results obtained by Wright and Luff for carbon pre
pared from sugar and from carbon monoxide. — Chem. Soc. fourn.,
January, 1878, pp. 18 to 20.
t Including the C and H of 0.024 solid hydrocarbon.
t These gases were doubtless partly formed from solid carbon and oc
cluded oxygen by the heat applied in vacuo.

ERRATA.

Page 202, second column, fifteenth line from top, 1800 should
be 1809.
Page 238, first column, fifteenth line from bottom, eleven
thousand should be eleven hundred.
Page 254, first column, eighth line from top, 1818 should be
1816. Page 254, first column, fifth line from bottom, 1801 should be
1810. *
Page 256, first column, fourteenth line from top, G. W. Cook
should be G. W. McCook.
Page 259, last column, eleventh line from bottom, 1793 should
be 1798.
Page 275, last column, fifteenth line from bottom, sick should
be sink.
Page 294, first column, twelfth line from bottom, Smucker's
should be Snicker's.
Page 295, first column, second line from top, Smucker's
should be Snicker's.
Page 367, second column, eighth line from top, 1846 should
be 1852.
Page 395, first column, seventh line from top, 1871 should be
1817. Page 404, first column, second line from, bottom 1705 should
be 1795.
Page 438, second column, middle, county should be town
ship. Page 447, first column, eighteenth line from bottom, 1859
should be 1839.
Page 480, second column, third line from top, William Stan
bery, of Newark, Licking county, should be Dr. Jonas Stan
bery, of Muskingum county.
Page 495, first column, sixteenth line from top, Philip should
be Joseph.
Page 512, second column, ninth line from bottom, 1825 should
be 1823.
Page 530, second column, middle, 1830 should be 1856, and
aged fifty-six omitted.
Page 536, first column, sixteenth line from top, 1864 should
be 1874.
Page 532, second column, nineteenth line from bottom, Mor
gan should be Monroe.
Page 539, second column, fifth line from bottom, New Lan
caster should be Licking township, Fairfield county.
Page 555, middle of first column. Episcopal should be Meth
odist. Page 559, second column, fifth line from top, 1805 should be
1803. Page 588, second column, the maniage of H. M. Auten took
place in 1836, instead of 1863.

Page 613, second column, seventh line from bottom, sight
should be site.
Page 6r4, Lanesville should be Zanesville.
Page 628, second column, ten should be two, in giving the
number of John Clutter's children.
Page 629, first column, three lines from bottom, ohio should
be Ohio.
Page 634, second column, twenty-six lines from bottom, com
mented should be commended.
Page 638, first column, twelfth line from top, having should
be and they have.
Page 646, second column, fourth line from top, obtmse should
be abstruse.
Page 647, second column, third line from bottom, Saul should
be Sol.
Page 653, second column, twenty-fourth line from top,
Worthing should be Worthington.
Page 655, first column, third line from bottom, rigorous
should be vigorous.
Page 656, first column, middle, enured should be inured.
Page 6^y, second column, middle, 1816 should be 1806.
Page 657, second column, nineteenth line from bottom, 1862
should be 1826.
Page 658, first column, eleventh line from bottom, Putman
should be Putnam.
Page 664, second column, ninth line from bottom, 1802 should
be 1862.
Page 674, second column, twelfth line from bottom, 1810
should be 1809.
Page 689, first column, tenth line from top, 1832 should
be 1632.
Page 689, first column, fourteenth line from top, there should
be these.
Page 693, second column, near middle, Huron in several
places should be Portland, now Sandusky city.
Page 697, second column, fourteen lines from bottom, Gen
eral Todd should be Governor Tod.
Page 704, second column, eighth line from bottom, Winches
ter should be Westchester.
Page 705, second column, fourth line from top, Hanison
should be Denison.
Page 706, second column, fifteenth line from the top, Rocklin
should be Rockland.
Page 733, last column, seventh line from top, 1850 should be
1830. Page 740, second column, middle, proceeded should be pre
ceded. Page 769, last column, twenty-sixth line from bottom, de
veloped should be devolved.

ERRATA.

Page 771 , first column, fifteenth line from top, Mr. Parr
should be Mr. Parrish.
Page 781, Richard Helen should be Helen Richard.
Page 785, last column, ninth line from top, 1871 should be
1781. Page 785, last column, tenth line from top, 1873 should be
1783- , ,
Page 789, last column, nineteenth line from top, four-four
should be forty-four.
Page 799, first column, twentieth line from bottom, 1820
should be 1840.
Page 816, first column, twentieth line from top, 1864 should
be 1874.

Page 816, second column, fourth line from top, i8S4 sn0U
be 1844.
Page 818, second column, sixth line from bottom, 1806 should
be 1809.
Page 819, first column, tenth line from top, dropped out. The
intelligent reader will be able to supply the omission.
Page 828, first column, fifth line from top, June should be
January. Page 1841, second column, eighth line from bottom, 1859
shold be 1849.
Page 847, second column, third line from bottom, 187-5 should
be 1835.

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