504 - HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
CHAPTER LVII.
MIDDLEBURY TOWNSHIP.
FORMATION-BOUNDARIES-TOPOGRAPHY-FIRST SETTLERS
-"FRIEND5--DANIEL LEVERING -TRUMAN STRONG -
BATEMANS-SARAH LATER SETTLERS OF
PROMINENCE- ROADS- MILLS-ELECTIONS-JUSTICES -
PRESENT OFFICERS-WATERFORD-"LEVERING'S" POST
OFFICE - "FRIENDS" MEETINGHOUSE-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 separate 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 purchase 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 beginning; which shall henceforth be entitled to all the privileges of a separate and distinct township, 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 comer 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 Franklin 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 impregnated with lime to render it very productive. Owl creek traverses the township from northwest to southwest, affording ample drainage and considerable water-power which the early settlers did not fail to improve.
The first permanent settlers of Middlebury township were Friends, from Frederick county, Maryland. 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. - 505
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 institution. 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 1812 he was one of the 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. Townsend property, one and one-half miles north of Fredericktown 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 rejoicing. Mr. Townsend died March 18, x859, aged seventy-eight. He has no representative now in the township.
Samuel Willett was another of the Quaker fraternity 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 children-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 Waterford.
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, adjoining the town plat of Waterford.
Daniel Levering came to Knox county from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, prior to the War of 1812, purchased some land of John Mitchell, near Waterford, and entered some other tracts. In the spring of 1813 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 protection against the Indians. Mr. Levering was quite an ingenious man. He opened the first blacksmith shop in the township and built the first gristmill-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, 1871, 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, 1881, in the seventy-ninth year. of his age, and was buried in a reserved lot of the graveyard he had donated to the public; Joseph died May 26, 1871, in the sixty-eighth year of his age;
506 - 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, 1811, came to Knox county in 1812, and located on lot eleven in the southwest quarter of Middlebury township. He was a minister in the Universalist church, traveled 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 respectable 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 donated to the public by him.
Munson Pond was born in Stockbridge, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, September 18, 1772, married Anna Allen, June 17, 1796, at Middlebury, Vermont. She died in April, 1799, when he married Ruth Bateman in 1800, and came to Middlebury township in the early part of 1815. 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 diameter. 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 Batemantown. 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 October 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 of the township.
Jonathan, David, Richard and Robert Ewers, emigrated from Loudoun county, Virginia, and located in the eastern part of the township. They all raised large families, so that the name has become 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 occasioned 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 carried on until 1863. Basil Murphy still resides near the old homestead, and William lives in Fredericktown. 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 D-I. 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 th 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 1817, and William Watkins in 1819. The Johnsons, Denmans, Stevenses, Walterzes, Ebersoles, Grahams, 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. - 507
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 Daniel Levering in 1814; he also taught the first singing 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, Amariah Watson, William W. Farquhar, Samuel Watson 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, September 5, 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, Zebulon 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 Markley; Darius Strong was appointed surveyor.
A remonstrance having been presented to the commissioners, a review was ordered and returned December 3, 1817. It was confirmed as a county road in June, 1818, and made a State road in 1826.
The first saw- and grist-mill in Middlebury township was built by Daniel Levering at Waterford 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 r 860 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 `t'. 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 he sold to J. N. Gorden, and he to Gilbert Owens in 1855. After passing through several hands it became 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 Batemantown, 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 Johnson, 1824, re-elected and served until 1848; James Graham, elected in 1831, and served three terns; Stephen McPherson, 1842 and 1845; Ezra Marvin
508 - HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
and John W. Loofborow, 1848 and 1851; 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 Richards, 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, treasurer, 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. McKinney, board of education; David Bullyer, 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 supervisors.
The elections have always been held at Batemantown, except one year when Hezekiah Windom was trustee. That year John Levering, by the magnetic 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, of 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 Barton 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 merchandising 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 Watters, 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 j Charles Wagner. He opened in 1844 and kept till 1864, when he moved to Fredericktown. His successor was Newton McCluckion, who still entertains 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 gristmill, Newton McCluckion, proprietor; two churches, Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian;. one schoolhouse; 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.
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY. - 509
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 Levering 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 proverbially 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 people by strictly honest dealing and correct deportment won the respect and esteem of their neighbors, 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 characterized 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 creek 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 of the 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 Mansfield 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 obligations, 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 entered 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 hearing of the heretofore solemn and staid brotherhood. The consequence was, dissention in the course of time reached the Owl creek society, and the sliding partition in the brick meeting 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 rime, destined soon to share the fate of the little flock that used to meet within its malls.
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 offspring-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
510 - HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
gone to their long home the last lights of the Friends' society of Owl creek will have become extinct.
The class from which the Methodist Episcopal church of Batemantown originated was organized at the house of Mrs. Sarah Murphy, one to the north of Batemantown, in the spring of 1831. The original 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 erected on the Main road about one-fourth of a mile southeast of Batemantown. The trustees at that time were William Murphy, Alvin Bateman, Luther Bateman, Charles Post, and Robert Murphy. In 1844 the congregation was divided, a part going 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 members 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 Dawson, 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 Waiters 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 congregation: Revs. Sanford Parker, John Scholes, Mansfield French, Hiram Shafer, ----Walter, John McNabb, James Wheeler, A K. Owen, James Wheeler, Daniel Lambert, John McNabb, 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. Baseman, 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 session 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 members is not known.
The Seventh Day Adventist church of Waterford, was organized at the house of E. C. Penn, in Morrow county, Ohio, by Elder O. Mars, of Bowlinggreen, .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 membership is forty-four. E. C. Penn is the present
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY. - 511
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. Shun. 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 members have been initiated and one admitted by card. The total membership is twenty-eight. The officers installed January 1, 1881, are as follows: 0. P. Dye, N. G.; W. W. Ludwig, V. G.; Curtis Hardgrove, secretary; Meander Ackerman, treasurer.
Middlebury was named by the county commissioners, at the suggestion of Luther Bateman, to perpetuate the memory of Middlebury in Vermont, from whence many of the settlers came.
It is essentially an agricultural district, there being but one village, and no manufacturing establishments of any importance within its bounds. It contains six schools, of the ordinary district character, and at one time boasted of an institution denominated Westminster academy. It was situated 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 Presbyterian church on the subject of slavery and its abolition. Those who were opposed to that measure 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 1851 he was elected to the State senate.
Hon. Columbus Delano was reared near Batemantown 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 Window was born in Belmont county, Ohio, May 10, 1827. His parents, Hezekiah and Mercy Window, came from Virginia and became members of the Hicksite branch of the Society 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 finishing his apprenticeship was for John Waiters, now of Fredericktown, and was by no means a success 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 temperance lectures through the country, and on one occasion, while lecturing in 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 associate, Hon. Daniel S. Norton. Norton was elected to the United States Senate, and at his death was succeeded by Mr. Window, 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 1860, 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,
512 - 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, 1,280; 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; assessed 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-POLITICAL -
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 abundance.
It was originally covered with a dense forest, the principal, timber being beech, rock maple, soft maple, 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. supine, black and grey squirrel, raccoon and rabbit 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 Hilliar, 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, forming a new township called Sycamore. This township, 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 Miller. *
In 1818 a petition was presented to the commissioners 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 commissioners 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. - 513
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 Milford, 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 England name-those present being all from "down east"-it was adopted.
The north half of Milford consisted of unappropriated military lands; was surveyed into sections of six hundred and forty acres, and each section divided into quarter sections. The south half consisted of United States military bounty lands. The west half of the third or southwest quarter of the township was owned by Celladon Symms; and contained 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 Merrill and James Pell, from 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 families the same spring. Mr. Merrill had one daughter, 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 iii the Baptist church, and in those early times he usually wore buckskin pantaloons. His wife died about 1818, probably the first white person to die in the township. Mr. Davis was a small man-very industrious and persevering. About 1828 he removed to Allen county, Ohio, where he died, about 1855. He had one daughter, Matilda, wife of Arnold Bishop, now residing 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 southeast 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, Platt G., long a resident of the township, died in the winter of 1880-81; John B. resides in Mt. Vernon; Betsy, wife of George Benedict, 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 1817, two brothers, Harris and Stephen Hawkins, from Rhode Island, purchased of Major Buxton, 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 township, viz: Margaret, wife of Almon Mitchell; Martha, 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 township. 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, Norton J., now of Mt. Vernon, and one daughter, Minerva, widow of Salmon Hooker, now living.
In the year 1817, Aaron Hill, from Massachusetts, who emigrated to Knox county in 1811, purchased 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 Robinson 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 Unison, from Connecticut, 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, performing 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 brick-mason 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 purchasers 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 Mansfield, 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 southeast 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 1819, the following persons settled in Milford: 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 tan-yard, 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 Maryland, 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, purchased 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 purchased the southeast quarter of section fifteen; the same farm is now owned by his son, Samuel. John Hard purchased the southeast quarter of section 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
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY. - 515
Triplet, the northwest quarter of section fourteen. In 1831 Gilbert McKown, from Virginia, purchased 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 Platt G. Beardslee purchased of John Burbank the south part of the southwest corner 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 southwest 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 S Brice, agents..
In 1821 Frederick Myers, a Dutchman, from Virginia, 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 resides 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 descendants now reside in the township.
In 1822 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 purchased lot seventeen, and Samuel Woods lot twelve.
About the year 1833 Celladon Symms offered the remainder of his section for sale, and the following were the first purchasers: In 1834, Levi Debolt lot six, Ephraim Platt 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 Wilson, 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 living 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; Edward Potter, lot seventeen; Naham Butcher, lot twenty-eight. Not one of these families or their descendants are now living in the township. William Speelman purchased lot thirteen, where he now resides.
About the year 1838 Isaac Dripps bought lot twenty-seven, and George Myers lot thirty-four, being the last two lots sold in the Parker section. This completes the first settlement of Milford township. The population in 1830 was four hundred and ninety-eight; in 1840, one thousand one hundred and fifty-seven; in 1850, one thousand three hundred and forty-nine; in 1860, one thou-
516 - 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, industrious, 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 howling 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 southeast direction along the Utica road, to the Granville 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 Columbus road; thence down this road to the place of beginning-inclosing all of Milford, about one-half of Miller, and some other territory. The second line enclosed several hundred acres in the centre of the outer circle; this second line was plainly marked. The third line enclosed some one hundred 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 particular section designated for his company. The programme 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 procuring the number of men required, and most companies 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 Bryant's mill, and the sound was repeated by the captains 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 which 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 arrangements 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 twenty 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. - 517
sults 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 following 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 somewhat destitute circumstances, and lived for several years with Judson Lamson. He became a successful 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 Rebellion 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 company musters, fourth of July celebrations, and other occasions when their services were required. The members were Harris Hawking, jr., Noble Bostwick, and J. D. Hooker, tenor .drummers; Charles Hawkins, bass drummer, and Joseph Hawkins, 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. Platt G. Beardslee was the first captain, and served a short time in that capacity, when Ephraim Hawkins was chosen captain. This company made quite a soldierly appearance, and for several years was one of the institutions of the township.
About the year 1851 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 occupied by the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus
518 - HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
railroad. For the purpose of obtaining large subscriptions 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, until 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 stockholders had to pay the full amount of their bonds with the interest thereon. This caused much embarrassment 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 Columbus. 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 without 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 circumstance-the building of the soldiers' monument at Mt. Vernon-will suffice to show their patriotism.
About they first of July, 1866, a subscription was circulated among the citizens of Milford by Major Nathan Bostwick and P. G. Beardsley for the purpose 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. The following are the names of the subscribers and amount subscribed:
N. Bostwick ..............;$25 Mrs. A. Bostwick ....................$10
G. F. Bostwick........... 5 P. G. Beardslee......................... 25
Mrs. P. G. Beardslee ....10 William S. Bums ..................... 20
G. L. Benedict.............. 5 P. Beach.................................... 10
Mrs. Beach................... 5 J. W. Beach................................ 5
A. Bishop. sr. ............... 5 William Bishop .........................10
D. Bishop..................... 10 A. Bishop, jr.............................. 5
S. Bishop....................... 5 B. F. Bishop............................... 5
C. Bishop...................... 5 H. A. Bishop.............................. 5
G. D. Bishop ................ 3 D. J. Burgoon............................. 5
L. Brollier..................... 5 G. F. Beardslee.......................... 10
S. Callihan................... 10 J. W. Callihan ........................... 5
S. Crego . . . . . . . . . . . 5 M. Crego . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . ... 5
William Coe................. 5 Mrs. William Coe....................... 5
D. Coe........................... 5 T. D. Coe..................................... 5
B. Crisman. .................. 5 Mrs. H. Disney............................ 1
B. A. Disney................. 5 D. V. Disney.................................5
William A. Disney......15 Mrs. William A. Disney............. 10
Miss A. Disney ........... 5 G. R. Disney................................ l
L. L. Ellis..................... 5 S. Elder....................................... 10
J. E. Fisher.................. 1 J. Graham.................................... 10
Miss C. Haves............. 5 Rev. William Haves ................... 10
J. H. Hayes.................. 5 I. Hawkins ................................. 50
J. Hildreth...................10 W. Hildreth................................. 16
Mrs. W. Hildreth........ 5 Aaron Hill, jr ................................ 5
S. B. Hawkins............. 1 D. W. Hawkins ............................. 5
William H. Hawkins.....5 E. Hawkins................................... 5
J. H. Hull..................... 5 Dr. William H. Hayes.................. 5
Mrs. A. Jagger............. 5 A. Jagger................................... 15
S. Jagger...................... 5 H. S. Jagger ................................. 5
A. Jennings . . . . . . . . . 5 William Kinsey ............................ 5
J. I. Kinsey.................. 5 J. Lamson..................................... 5
Mrs. J. Lamson............ 5 G. J. Lamson ................................ 5
T. Larimore. ......... . ..20 Captain H. Larimore................... 20
N Letts....................... 15 William C. Manson .................... 5
William McKinney . . . 5 A. :Mitchell, , . . . . ................... 20
S. Mitchell . ............... 15 Mrs. S. Mitchell.......................... 5
J. Morey....................... 5 J. McMannis ................................ 5
D. Myres...................... 5 L. E. Mahan ................................. 5
J. Niebel...................... 10 William Niebel . .......................... 5
Mrs. William Niebel ... 5 Rev. J. Pitkin.............................. 10
Miss E. H. Pitkin...........5 Miss S. F. Pitkin.......................... 5
T. Pitkin....................... 5 L. Pickering ............................... 10
C. O. Poland................. 5 C. L. Poland................................ 10
J. Poland...................... 5 L. F. Poland.................................. 1
Esquire D. Patterson.... 5 T. Ross. .......................................10
P. Rimer......................10 Mrs. P. Rimer .............................. 5
Mrs. R. Rimer.............. 2 J. K. Rimer ................................... 5
F. Rimer ..................... 2 S. F. Redman.................................. 5
P. Smith......................25 Mrs. P. Smith................................. 5
Captain B. C. Smith . . 5 S. Smith . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . ............ 5
William Spelman ......10 L. H. Spelman.................................. 5
J. W. Spelman............ 5 D. H. Spelman................................ 5
W. P. Simons ............ 2 Uzziel Stevens ...............................17
E. Stevens................. 3 A. H. Stevens................................. 3
M. Thomas. . ............. 3 S. Teegarden.................................... 5
Mrs. S, Teegarden..... 5 S. Thatcher .................................... 10
D. P. Weaver............ 8 C. R. Weaver................................... 10
Mrs. C. R. Weaver..... 5 S. C. Wilson...................................... 5
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY. - 519
Politically the vote of Milford has been very evenly divided for several years between Republicans and Democrats. But few, if any, elections gave been held for the purpose of electing township officers, within the last ten years, in which either party has elected its entire ticket.
At the State and Presidential elections in 1880, 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 business 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 Abbot 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 1860.
The village at this time has two dry goods stores, one school-house, three churches, one blacksmith shop, one harness shop, one cooper shop, one wagon shop, one boot and shoe shop.
On the twenty-fifth of November, 1871, a society of Good Templars was organized here, and has been in a prosperous condition to the present time. Regular meetings are held in Hildreth's hall every Saturday evening.
On the twenty-fourth of June, 1875, the Knights of Honor organized a society at this place. They met in-Hildreth's hall once in two weeks, on Tuesday 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, m a cabin on the northwest quarter 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 meetings, 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 fiat seats, have all disappeared-and in their places are comfortable frame school-houses, with the most approved mod modern desks, and other suitable school apparatus.
At the present time Milford has nine schoolhouses 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 organization 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 township since. 1839.
In 1835 the first Methodist church was organized 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, Harvey Spitzer and Henry Disney. In 1835 a Methodist 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 meetings 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 Waldon and Elder James Seymore were present. At this time and place the Baptist church was organized, and consisted of some twenty members, among them 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 association. In the year 1874 this church built a house for public worship in the village of hock.
The Congregationalists have a church organization 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 schoolhouse 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 Presbyterian 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 Litzenburg, David Weaver, David Pattison, Benjamin Compston, and - Cook were among the original members. This church front 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 Rev. William Hayes organized a Disciple 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, of the 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 Murrey, 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. 1852-John Litzenburg.
" John Stephens. 1853-John Stephens.
1826-John Jeffries. 1855-Silas Daggers.
" Nathaniel Stoughton. 1857 John Stephens.
1829-John Jeffries. 1858-David Patterson.
" -Nathaniel Stoughton. 1860-George F. Beardslee.
1830-Sylvanus Mitchell. 1861-David Patterson.
1832-john Jeffries. 1863-Platt G. Beardslee.
1833-Sylvanus Mitchell. 1864-David Patterson.
1835-Smith Bishop, 1866-Platt G. Beardslee.
1836-Platt G. Beardslee. 1867-John H. Daggers.
1838-David L. Hill. 1869-John Graham.
1839-Platt G, Beardslee. 1870--John H. Daggers.
1841-David L. Hill. 1871-Isaac Monroe.
1842-Joseph Montoyna. 1872-Edward Cummins.
1845-Emor B. Hawkins, 1873-Brown K. Jackson.
1848 James Condon. 1875 John Graham.
" -William Orme. 1876-Brown K. Jackson.
1849-Smith Bishop. 1878-F. S. Rowley,
1851-William Orme. 1879-Brown K. Jackson.
CHAPTER LIX
MILLER TOWNSHIP.
TOPOGRAPHY - ANIMALS - ORGANIZATION - - NAME -FIRST
SETTLEMENTS A\D 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 probably no township in Knox county that has a grade of soil so even as Miller. It produces most excellent grass, and any portion of it, by proper cultivation, 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, ironwood etc. ?lung 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 of the farm now owned by Dana Miller. The wild turkey gradually disappeared, 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, 1815, Morgan township was divided by the commissioners of Knox county, forming a new township called "Sychamore." This township comprised what now constitutes the townships of Miller, 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 another 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 nameMiller. Mr. Miller was a prominent 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 Sanford, Mrs. Harriet Knox, Mrs. Sally Sanderson, Mrs. Lucinda Ellis, and Mary were the girls.
In 1818 a petition was presented to the commissioners 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 20, 1818, the prayer of the petitioners was granted, and Hilliar was organized. In 1823 a petition was presented 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 Miller was reduced to its present boundaries; comprising 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 twentyfour 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 township 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 relation 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 Virginia, 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 township.
About 1812 Daniel Bailer purchased lot number 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 1816 Peter Weaver purchased lot number 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 occupied by actual settlers until about 1840.
In 1814 James Miller, Thomas Turner, and Otis Warren, from Vermont, immigrated to Miller township. James Miller purchased section number five, the northwest corner of the township, containing 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 seventyseven years. Otis Warren was an adopted son of Thomas Turner; preferred to hunt rather than labor, and would spend his money for whiskey instead 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 18ig all this quarter of the township was occupied by actual settlers; and it is now almost impossible to give a correct account of them ail. William Hildreth, from Connecticut, in 1817, 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 purchased by Alpheas Chapman, from Vermont, who had one daughter, Mrs. John Colopy, now residing in the township. In 1817 Nathaniel Lash purchased the southeast quarter of section four. Phineas Squires, from Vermont, purchased the southwest 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 1818. Jacob Simons, from Vermont, in 1813-14, purchased the northwest quarter of section eight, and sold it to 1817 to John Olney who came from Rhode Island in 1816. Emor Harris purchased the northeast quarter of section seven, where he lived until his death in 1851. 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 daughter, now living in the township. James Sealts purchased 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 township 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 1811, 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 of the 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 lend held by the Government 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 1816 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. ii; he has one son, Timothy, and one daughter, Mrs. Marquand, now living in the township. His widow is yet living, aged about ninety-two years, and is probably the oldest person now living in the township.
In 1818 Benjamin Chambers, from Pennsylvania, 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 1818, purchased the
* This is probably an error, as it is generally believed there 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 1818, John McCardle and David Morton purchased lot No. 5.
In 1820, Isaac Lesser and Samson Shadley purchased lot. No. 7.
In the same year Solomon Shafer purchased lot No. g, and James Fletcher lot No. 10.
The third, or southwest quarter, owned by George Bomford, was divided into lots of one hundred 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 purchased by William and Alpheas Baker. Within the next two years all the lots adjoining the Granville road were sold.
Among the first purchasers were James Osborn, lot No. 19, John Osborn, lot No. 32, Thomas Osborn, lot No. 35. William Beadle purchased lots Nos. 24, 25, and 33; Richard Mawn 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 resides 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 sutlers 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 Sycamore road south, through the west part of this section. 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.2z; 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. 11; David Row, lot No. 16; S. F. Vose, lot No. 21r ; Levi Dilaplane, 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 1860, 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 Zanesville and exchanged for salt and groceries. Their ' clothing was mostly manufactured at home, as each j 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 manufactured; 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 almost 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 hods. The wheat and pork were again exchanged 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 barrels, the pork was also packed in barrels, and a considerable 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 township was the Granville road, leading from fit. Vernon to Granville, and was established about 1810. 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 infirmary is now located, and the road was established in 1815. 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 survey; the remainder of this road has been vacated. The third road is what is called the Sycamore road, and was located and established in 1818. It has been changed in many places from its original location.
The village of Brandon is situated near the centre of Miller township, at a point where the Sycamore 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. .bout 1824 Phineas Squires purchased the land in the northeast corner-he probably owned sixty-eight acres, then all a wilderness. He built a hewed-log house, near where J. C. Harstock now resides, which is worthy of notice. It was the largest log house ever built in this township; that is, there were more logs used in the building than any other log house built in this part of 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 neighbors 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 for 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. Bagley 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 meeting-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 northwest corner. Previous to this time John Mott had sold a piece of land, eight rods wide, along Sycamore 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. According)), they employed a competent surveyor, and some fifteen acres of the southwest corner were surveyed and staked off into lots, streets and alleys, when a dispute arose about the exact location of the Granville road. The surveyor went to Mt. Vernon to examine 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 claiming 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 postoffice 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 office since 1869.
Sycamore Valley Lodge No. 553, I. 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. Hartsook, Morgan Beaver, William Beaver and T. D. Poland.
In 1873 the following officers were duly installed: 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 devoted 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 dedicated to the use of Odd Fellowship in an impressive manner by Most Worthy Grand Master Gravatt, 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 village, 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 buildings, scattering fences and everything movable, in wild confusion. Mrs. Turner had an arm broken grain sack owned by Mr. Turner was found after the 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 Watson and J. W. Baxter, passing south and east of their buildings. Their fences and everything movable 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 Methodist Episcopal church in Brandon, was entirely destroyed. 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 buildings 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 foundation, likewise his barn, and everything movable scattered about promiscuously. The storm continued its northeasterly course, crossing the east line of the township a short distance from the northeast 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 township. 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 tornado 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 settlement of the township.
The first pioneers of Miller paid but little attention 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 families were Catholics, and perhaps some others made profession of religion, but no church was organized prior to 1830. In that year a church was organized by Isaac N. Walter, of the Christian denomination. 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 was no house for public 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 s 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
528 - 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, of the Christian denomination, 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 I Oldaker. The members that first composed this church have all passed away except James Oldaker, who has been a member from the time of its organization to the present.
This church held its meetings at the schoolhouse, 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 sixtythree 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 1841 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 Buxton, John Conaway, and Charles Conaway.
In 1851 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 Brandon, where they built a church edifice, since which time this church has been in a prosperous condition. 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 aside 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 prosperous condition.
About 1834 Rev. Pitkin, of the Presbyterian denomination, commenced preaching in the Union church at Brandon, and continued two or three years, but probably no Presbyterian church was organized at that time.
In 1852, under the leadership of Dr. Ramsey, Dr. Wheaton and Levi Beach, a Presbyterian meeting-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 Presbyterian denominaiton was ever organized in the township.
In the fall of 1856 Elder Raymond, of the Baptist 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 pastor 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 settlements were in the extreme, corners of the township, the southeast and northwest. A school-house vas built near the line in 'Morgan township, and near the southeast corner of Wiper, which accommodated the scholars in the southeast corner of Miller for several years.
The first school-house built in Miller was situated on the Granville road, one mile north of Brandon. 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 individual subscription. About that time the legislature 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 southeast corner of Miller, and including a part of Morgan. 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 districting the townships. In 1833 a new schoolhouse was built in district No. 1, 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 district lines. In 1850 there were nine school-houses. In 1853 the Ohio legislature passed a school taw 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 cornplete 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 enlistments from Miller: Fourth, Sixteenth, Twentieth, Thirty-second, Forty-third, Sixty-fifth, Seventy-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 infantry; Third West Virginia Cavalry, First Ohio cavalry, First Marine brigade, Second Heavy artillery, 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-
530 - HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
dred and twenty-six dollars and seventy-six cents. The successive justices of the peace have been:
1816-John Mott, jr. 1849-Emor Harris.
" John J. Tulloss. 1850-Emstus 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 Ward.
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 Fishburn.
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-VALUATION.
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 undulating table land was originally covered with glacial drift. Erosion has intersected this township 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 southeast, 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 township. 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 line.
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 division 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 located 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 eldest of twelve children, and is himself the father of twelve children, having married Christina Dial, September 2, 1813. His wife having died he married 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 protection 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 township. Mr. Johnson came to Knox county from
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY. - 531
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 Lancaster.
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, Virginia, and located in the extreme southwest corner of Monroe township in 1811. 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 township to Monroe at the close of the War of 1812, and located near where Commissioner Stephen Craig now resides. Mr. Thrift was a Baptist minister, 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 legislature 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 commissioners 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 i845- when he sold out to Peter Skeen, who operated it about three years. A carding machine 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 un