"
A COMPLETE HISTORY
FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO,
HERVEY SCOTT,
1795-187 0.
SIEBERT & L1LLEY,
COLUMBUS, I'lllO :
L877.
r^-Tf
INDEX.
PAGE.
Bar of Lancaster 16
Baptists, New School 120»
Band of Horse-thieves 148
Births and Deaths 157
Binninger, Philip 160
Banks of Lancaster 282
Commerce of Fairfield County 18
Choruses 27
Carpenter's Addition 34
County Jail , 36
Court of Common Pleas 52
Canal Celebration 59
Court of Quarter-Sessions 78
County Fair 96
Catholic Church 138
County Officers 144
Colored Citizens of Lancaster 281
Cold Spring Rescue 289
Conclusion 298
Dunker Church 142
Enterprise 20
Episcopal Church 135
Emanuel's Church, St 137
Evangelical Association (Albright) 140
First Settlement 4
First Born 7
First Mails and Post-route 12
Fourth of July 31
Finances of Lancaster in 1827 32
Finances of Fairfield in 1875 36
Fairfield County in 1806 36
Fairfield County in the War of 1812 79
Growth of Lancaster 11
Ghost Story 61
Grape Culture 68
General Sanderson's Notes 98
Germau Reform Church 136
IV INDEX.
PAGE.
Gas-Light and Coke Company 281
Governors of Ohio 287
Horticultural Society 119
Hocking Valley Canal 150
Introduction 1
Inscriptions in Kuntz's Graveyard 61
Incorporation 21
Judges of Court 278
Knights of Pythias 73
Knights of Honor 73
Knights of St. George 75
Lancaster 6
Lancaster Gazette 5S
Lutheran Church, first English 136
Land Tax 160
Mount Pleasant 10
Medical Profession 16
Miscellaneous 21
Miscellaneous 65
Masonic 69
Methodist Church 122
New Court-house 35
Nationality 156
01 1 Religious Stanzas 23
Old Plays 28
Ohio Eagle 57
Other Papers 59
Odd Fellowship 71
Ornish Mennonite Church 139
Primitive State of the Country 2
Public Square 34
Physicians 59
Patrons of Husbandry , 74
Political 120
Protestant Methodist 128
Pleasant Run Church 129
Presbyterian Church 131
Public Men t 152
Phrophesy 297
Presidents of United States 288
Ruhamah Green (Builderback) 8
Relics 56
Rush Creek Township in 1806 157
Refugee Lands 80
Reform Farm 80
PAGE.
Representatives in Congress 82
Kepresentatives and Senators, State Legislature 109
Rebellion of 1861 112
Regular Baptist Church ] 28
Railroads 285
St. Joseph's Benevolent Association 75
Statistics 79
St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church 135
Towuships 82
Typhoid Epidemic 152
Personal Recollections and Personal 161
Ashbaugh, John 177
Beery, George W 173 —
Bope, Jacob 199
Barr, Thomas 292
Chaney, John 161
Carlisle, B. W 165
Cherry, Thomas 204
Crook, John 209
Crumley, Daniel 216
Courtright, John 219
Cole, Thomas 222
Ewing, Hon. Thomas 171
Ewing, Thomas E 232
Fishbaugh, Mordecai 211
Foster, David 238
Foster, F. A 243
Griffith, Samuel 276
Hunter, Hocking H 172
Harmon, George 214
Hathaway, A 248
Heyl, Christian 252
Hunter, Andrew 264
Jackson, Thomas 196
Iric, John 220
King, Mrs. Flora 176
Kester, Samuel 296
Leonard, Henry 182
Leist, Michael 192
Leith, John 158
Lyle, David 228
Lamlis, Martin 237
McClung, William ; 176
Murphy, William 203
INDEX.
PAGE.
Murphy, Theodore 218
McClung, Mrs. Jane 268
Peters, Wesley 230
Eadibaugh, Mrs. Mary 206
Eudolph, Christian 241
Eutter, Mrs. Catharine 262
Eeam, Jonas A 178
Eeece, Thomas 277
Sheaffer, Jacob 207
Sites, Frederick 234
See, John 255
Shawk, Charles 261
Sherrick, Elizabeth 266
Stemen, Nicholas 167
Sherman, Judge Charles 172
Stewart, Levi 179
Van Pearce, Mrs 242
Vandemark, Elias 245
Vanzant, John 271
Williams, John 173
Wiseman, Joseph 194
Young, Mrs. Eachel 258
ERRATA.
Page 282, last paragraph, forjudge Schofield read Philomen
Beeeher.
In the notice of Lancaster Drug Stores in 1876, page 19, for
Wetzler read Wetzel.
On the 19th page, and seventh line from the bottom, read
James McManamy.
On page 20, in list of practicing lawyers, five names were
omitted, viz.: Tallman Slough, J. S. Sites, David Clover, New-
ton Schleich and John McCormick. These are all practicing
Attorneys in 1877.
Page 119, in second and third paragraphs from top, for John
C. Boviny read John C. ■■■■ Rainey.
In State Legislature, years 1866 and 1868, page 110, read U.
C. Rutter.
On page 128, second paragraph from bottom, for Rev. George
Debott read Debolt.
Page 56, in "Gins.ng Wanted," read Daniel Arnold for
Daniel Arnott.
SEE L.C
PHYSICIANS.
In the enumeration of the physicians of Fairfield County,
the following names were unintentionally omitted:
Dr. G. Miesse, Sen., will be remembered as a highly eminent
practitioner of medicine in the neighborhood of Dumontsville
for many years. About 1840, or a little later, he removed to
Greenville, Dark County, Ohio, where he still resides, at the
age of 70 years.
Dr. G. Miesse, now of Lancaster, is his son. Dr. Miesse, Jr.,
is known for his distinguished ability as a pianist and composer
of music. He makes a speciality of treating chronic diseases.
Dr. M. H. vliesse is a physician of Royalton.
Dr. Jonas Wiest, now of Circleville, was formerly a practi-
tioner at Dumontsville, this County.
Dr. Chas. Babcock and Dr. Barlow were former homeopathic
physicians of Lancaster.
Dr. Lurch of Amanda is a physician of many years practice,
and is extensively known.
Dr. Thomen, resident physician at Baltimore.
Dr. Rutter, medical practitioner of Clear Creek.
Dr. Thomas, resident physician of Rushville.
Dr. Hummel is a practitioner of Baltimore.
The difficulty the author has experienced in receiving re-
sponses to inquiries, is the apology for these names not ap-
pearing in the proper place.
Jacob Wiest emigrated from Pennsylvania and settled in
Greenfield Township, this County, in May, 1822, where he con-
tinued to reside untill the time of his death, on the 24th of
Nov., 1872, at the great age of S8 years, 11 months and 9 days.
He was the father of twelve children, of whom four have de-
ceased and eight are living. There were also living at the
time of his death, 96 grand-children and 129 great grand-chil-
dren. Mr. Wiest was a soldier in the war of 1812. His tomb
is near Dumontsville.
John Zeigler is almost the hist surviver of the original
settlers of Fairfield County. He settled on the place where he
now resides with his son Noah, five miles north of Lancaster.
among the very earliest of the settlers of the County. His age
is 92 years.
Benjamin Wiest, still living at the age of 7<> years, was an
early settler of Greenfield Township.
Joseph Miesse, Sen., was among the early settlers of Green-
field Township. The Miesse's of the County are his descend-
ants. He died many years ago. He was the founder of
Miesse's church near Dumontsville. This church is known as
the "coal mine" church, from some tradition.
The following names are miss-spelled in the text, but are
here rendered correctly :
In "grape culture," J. F. Bovring should be read F. J. Boving.
In "Knights of Pythias," page 73, read John A. Heim for
John A. Hern.
Page 76, in "Constituent Members," the first name should
be L. C. Butch instead of D. C. Butch. Also, on page 75, 2nd
line from the bottom, read L. C. Butch for L. C. Butler.
Wherever the name Newton Sclich occurs, it must be read
Newton Schleich.
The name of the pastor of the presbyterian church at Lith-
opolis was given to the author as Brown, and so written on
page 135, top line. The correct name is Downe.
Abraham Seifert has served a^ County Recorder, Probate
Judge and Member of the house of Representatives of the State
Legislature. By some strange inadvertance his name appears
variously spelled in the text, under the proper heads "Adam
Seifert" ; "Abram Seifert" ; "Adam Syfert."
On page 144, in "Probate Judges," third line from the bot-
tom, Wm. T. Rigley must be read Wm. L. Rigby. Also, on
page 153, the name is spelled Bigby intead of Rigby.
The spelling of names, especially those derived from foreign
languages, is sometimes various. It will be found however,
that with the foregoing corrections, this volume will be com-
plete, and it is hoped satisfactory.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, 0.
A history of Fairfield county in 1876, just seventy-six
years subsequent to its first organization, has been no easy
task; first, because the pioneers have nearly all passed away;
and secondly, because there are no records of much that
would be requisite to make up a complete history. This is
much to be regretted. So far as they could serve me, how-
ever, 1 have collected from state histories, and from state and
county records, statistical and other matter. Beyond this I
have collected from living witnesses who have been life-long
citizens of the county, so much of personal history, and inci-
dent, and anecdote, ' together with pioneer reminiscences, as
it has been possible to do. Much of this, however, as above
remarked, is lost, because those who first broke the forest and
planted civilization and religion in the Hocking Valley, were
dead before the conception of this work by the humble writer
had been formed. , This occasion is taken, however, to say,
that the book is presented to the public as a pretty full and,
as is believed, an entirely correct and authentic history.
Nevertheless, brevity and condensation have been observed,
because the author has desired to bring the work within the
financial ability of every citizen, by producing a cheap book.
But readers must excuse the limits of personal history, since,
to write out even brief notices of all pioneers who deserve
mention, would require several volumes.
Our history begins with the beginning of the white settle-
ments in the Hocking Valley. Beyond that, through the
ages of the unknown past, there is no vista for our eyes;
noth'ng to count the centuries by; and imagination is content
to picture an indefinite routine of years during which the
awful solitude was only broken by the discordant utterances
of wild beasts, and the scarcely less savage war whoop of the
red man. Fancy runs wild in trying to conjecture what was
1
2 HISTOKY OF FAIKFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
here before the tread of the Anglo Saxon race came, and the
sound of the woodman's ax and the tinkling cow bell were
heard. All is lost in oblivion.
In conclusion of these opening remarks, the compiler begs
leave to say, that he was born in western Ohio in the begin-
ning of the present century, and has therefore been identified
with the country from the time when the first log cabins were
built, and the first paths were blazed through the wilderness,
and has been familiar with all the transformations. He has
known the country in a state of nature ; and has seen the
wilderness become a garden.
PRIMITIVE STATE OF THE COUNTRY.
Marietta and Fort Harmer, at the mouth of the Musking-
um, were the first settlements made by the white race on Ohio
soil. Settlements were begun there about the year 1777, or
1778. Washington county, so named in honor of General
Washington of revolutionary fame, was one of the four coun-
ties into which the territory of Ohio was devided first, by
proclamation of Governor Arthur St. Clair. Its boundaries
extended north with the Pennsylvania line to Lake Erie, em-
bracing all that part of the state known as the Western Re-
serve, and extending down the lake to the mouth of the
Cuyahoga river, where Cleveland now is ; thence south on a
line to the Ohio river.
Not long after the settlements at Marietta began, scouts
from there penetrated the wilderness to the Hockhocking, and
up that stream as far as where Lancaster now stands. At
that time the Wyandot Indians occupied the valley of the
Hocking, and held it as did all the aboriginal tribes of North
America by the right of undisturbed possession for unknown
ages. There were two Indian towns at that time within what
is the present limits of 1'airfield county. The principle one
was Tarhe town, situated on the north bank of Hocking, and
occupying the same grounds now owned and used by the Rail
Road companies, on the south east borders of Lancaster.
This town was governed by Chief Tarhe, who was said to be
rather a noble Indian. The town was believed at that time
to contain about five hundred inhabitants. There was an-
other small village of the Wyandots' nine miles west of Tarhe
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 3
Town, near the present site of Royalton. This was Toby
Town, and was governed by an inferior chief whose name was
Toby.
At the close of the Indian wars of the north west, a general
treaty was held at Fort Greenville, the present county seat of
Darke county, Ohio. In this treaty the Wyandots surrend-
ered their possessions on the Hockhocking, and soon after-
ward removed to the Sandusky. There were however a few
of their number who for several years afterwards lingered
about the country, as if unwilling to leave their old hunting
grounds and the graves of their relatives. They were for the
most part peaceable, and gave little trouble to the white
settlements, unless where they were misused. But at last,
finding the game becoming scarce, they went away and joined
their friends at the north. The treaty of Greenville was
signed on the 3. of August 1795.
Fairfield county was first organized in 1800 by proclama-
tion of Governor St. Clair. At that time it embraced nearly
all of the present counties of Licking and Knox, with also
portions of Perry, Hocking and Pickaway. Subsequently, as
emigration flowed into the country, and new counties began
to be formed, Fairfield was contracted to near its present
outlines, and still later other portions were struck off to ad-
joining counties, which will be noticed in the proper place.
In 1840 Fairfield county consisted of fourteen townships,
viz : Amanda, Berne, Bloom, Clear Creek, Greenfield, Hock-
ing, Liberty, Madison, Perry, Pleasant, Richland, Rush
Creek, Violet, and Walnut. In that year the- aggregate
population of the county was 31,859, or 59 inhabitants to the
square mile. Previous to 1820 no authorized enumerations
were taken, consequently no populations can be given. In
1820 the first enumeration of the people was taken by author-
ity of Congress, as a basis of representation, and thereafter at
the end of each succeeding ten years. In 1820 the population
of Fairfield county was 16,508; in 1830, 24,753; in 1840,
31.859; and in 1870 it was 35,456. Arthur St. Clair was
appointed Governor of the territory of Ohio by General Wash-
ington, then President of the United States, in 1788, and
continued to fill that office until 1802, when the state was
admitted into the union.
Fairfield county was so named from the circumstance of so
4 HISTOKY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
many beautiful champaign fields of land lying within its
original boundaries. According to the best information deriv-
able from existing maps of the old surveys, made previous
to the beginning of the white settlements oif from the Ohio
river, the county seems to ly within that tract of country once
known as the purchase of the Ohio Land company ; but these
maps are believed to be inaccurate, and therefore unreliable.
This is a matter now however of little importance to history.
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
In the year 1797, one Ebenezer Zane entered into a con-
tract with the government to open a road from Wheeling^
Virginia, to Limestone, Kentucky, (now Maysville) over the
most eligible route, including also the establishment of three
ferries, viz. one over the Muskingum, one over the Scioto,
and one over the Ohio. There are different statements as to
what kind of a road it was to be. By some it is said it was to
be a wagon road; others, that his contract embraced nothing
more than the blazing of the trees, as a guide for travellers.
The former is the reasonable conclusion, and is best sustained,
as the mere blazes on ranges of trees would not ..constitute a
passable road for travel, and therefore of no use for emigra-
tion. The country was at that time an unbroken wilderness
tne entire distance of 226 miles, and the undertaking was at
once arduous and perilous, as hostile bands of Indians were
still more or less roving over the country. He however suc-
cessfully accomplished the work, and the route was denomin-
ated Zanes11 Trace, and continued to be so called for many
years after the state was settled. The route of Zanes' Trace
lay through where Zanesville now is, and also through Lan-
caster, crossing the Hocking two or three hundred yards
south of the present Chillicothe pike, and about one half mile
west of the crossing of Main and Broad streets.
The compensation which Mr. Zane received for this service
consisted of three several parcels, or tracts of land, patented
to him by Congress, and of the dimensions of one mile square
each. One of these tracts he located on the Muskingum,
where Zanesville stands, and one on the Hocking, embracing
the present site of Lancaster.
Following .is an extract from an address delivered by Gen-
eral George Sanderson before the Lancaster Literary Society,
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 5
in the month of March, 1844. General Sanderson was iden-
tified with the very earliest times of Fairfield county and
Lancaster, having come to the settlement at the beginning of
the present century, in company with his fathers' family, and
continuing to be a resident of Lancaster till the close of his
life, in the year 1870. His contribution to the early history
of Fairfield county is therefore most valuable, as there are
few, if any of the earliest pioneers left to tell of the events
and times now three quarters of a century past.
"In 1797, Zanes' Trace having opened a communication be-
tween the Eastern States and Kentucky, many individuals in
both directions wishing to tetter their conditions in life by
emigrating and settling in the "back woods", so called, visited
the Hocking Valley for that purpose and finding the country
surpassingly fertile, — abounding in fine springs of pure water,
they determined to make it their new home.
"In April 1798, Capt. Joseph Hunter, a bold and enterpris-
ing man, with his family, emigrated from Kentucky and
settled on Zanes' Trace, upon the bank of the prairie west of
the crossings, and about two hundred yards north of the
present turnpike road, and which place was called "Hunter's
settlement." — Here he cleared off the under-brush, felled the
forest trees, and erected a cabin, at a time when he had not a
neighbor nearer than the Muskingum and Scioto rivers.
This was the commencement of the settlement in the upper
Hocking Valley, and Capt. Hunter is regarded as the founder
of the flourishing and populous county of Fairfield. He lived
to see the countiy densely settled and in a high state of im-
provement, and died about the year 1829. His vife was the
first white woman that settled in the valley, and shared with
her husband the toils, sufferings, hardships and privations
incident to the formation of new settlements in the wilder-
ness. During the spring of the same year, (1798) Nathaniel
Wilson, the elder, John and Allen Green, and Joseph Mc-
Mullen, Robert Cooper, Isaac Shaeffer, and a few others,
reached the valley, erected cabins and put in crops.
"In 1799 the tide of emigration set in with great force. In
the spring of this year, two settlements were begun in the
present township of Greenfield; each settlement contained
twenty or thirty families. One was the falls of Hocking, and
the other was Yankeytown. Settlements were also made
6 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
along the river below Hunters, on Rush Creek, Fetters Run,
Raccoon, Pleasant Run, Toby Town, Mudy Prairie, and on
Clear Creek. In the fall of 1799, Joseph Loveland and Heze-
kiah Smith erected a log grist mill at the upper falls of Hock-
ing, now called the Rock Mill. This was the first mill built
on the Hockhocking.
"In April 1799, Samuel Coates, Sen., and Samuel Coates,
Jun., from England, built a cabin in the prairie, at the
"Crossing of Hocking" ; kept bachelors hall, and raised a
crop of corn. In the latter part of the year a mail route was
established along Zanes' Trace from Wheeling to Limestone.
The mail was carried through on horseback, and at first only
once a week. Samuel Coates, Sen., was the postmaster, and
kept his office at the Crossing. This was the first established
mail route through the interior of the territory, and Samuel
Coates was the first postmaster at the new settlement.
"The settlers subsisted principally on corn bread, potatoes,
milk and butter, and wild meats, flour, tea, and coffee were
scarcely to be had, and when brought to the country, such
prices were asked as to put it out of the power of many to
purchase. Salt was an indispensable article, and cost, at the
Scioto salt works, $5.00 for fifty pounds; flour cost $16.00
per barrel; tea $2.50 per pound; coffee $1.50; spice and
pepper $1.00 per pound."
Such was the beginning of the settlements in the Hocking
Valley, where Fairfield county is situated, coeval with the
commencement of the nineteenth century. It is proper to
pause here and speak of the beginning of Lancaster, before
further developing our history, because Lancaster was laid
out before the county of Fairfield was declared, and two years
previous to the adoption of the constitution of the state of
Ohio.
LANCASTER.
Ebenezer Zane was the original proprietor of the town. It
will be remembered that he was already the owner of one
section of land at the crossing of Hocking. Upon that tract
Lancaster now stands. In the fall of 1800, Mr. Zane laid out
and sold the first lots. The rates ranged from $5.00 to $50.00
a lot, according to location. A large proportion of the first
settlers of Lancaster were mechanics, who erected cabins
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 7
with little delay, finding the materials mainly on their lots.
To encourage emigration, Mr. Zane gave a few lots to such
mechanics as would agree to build cabins on them and go to
work at their respective trades ; and it is said, that the work
of organization went on so rapidly, that by the spring of 1801
the streets and alleys in the central part of the town assumed
the shape they still retain. "New Lancaster'' was the name
first given to the place, in compliment to emigrants from
Lancaster, Pa., who made up a considerable proportion of the
first settlers. The name however was changed by the Legis-
lature in 1805, to Lancaster, Ohio, to avoid confusion in the
postal service. The title, New Lancaster, nevertheless con-
tinued to be used for more than twenty years afterwards.
We continue quotations from General Sanderson's address.
"About this time merchants and professional men made
their appearance* The Reverend John Wright, of the Pres*
byterian church, settled in Lancaster in 1801 ; and the Rev.
Asa Shin, and the Rev. James Quinn, of the Methodist
church, traveled the Fairfield circuit very early.
"Shortly after the settlement, and while the stumps re-
mained in the streets, a small portion of the settlers indulged
in drinking frolicks, ending frequently in fights. In the
absence of law, the better disposed part of the population
determined to stop the growing evil. They accordingly met,
and resolved, that any person of the town found intoxicated,
should, for every such offence, dig a stump out of the streets,
or suffer personal chastisement. The result was, that after
several offenders had expiated their crimes, dram drinking
ceased, and for a time all became a sober, temperate and
happy people.
"On the 9. of December, 1800, the Governor and council of
the North Western territory organized the county of Fair-
field, and designated New Lancaster as the seat of justice.
The county then embraced within its limits all, or nearly all,
of present counties of Licking and Knox, a large portion of
Perry, and small parts of Pickaway and Hocking counties."
FIRST BORN.
It has been a subject of some discussion of late years, as to
who was the first born white male child within the borders of
Fairfield county. In Howe's history of Ohio, published in
8 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
1848, he says, that Buhama Green (Builderback) gave birth
to the first boy. This is beyond question an error. It has
commonly been understood about Lancaster, that the late
Hocking H. Hunter of Lancaster, son of Capt. Joseph Hun-
ter, first emigrant, was the first born. This however is con-
tested. Mr. Levi Stuart, now a citizen of Lancaster, whose
father was among the first settlers at Yankeytown, in conver-
sation with the writer, recently, said it was understood
between him and Mr. Hunter, that he, Mr. Stuart, was thir-
teen months the oldest. And I have been told there is a
fourth contestant on Clear Creek. We will not try to settle
the question, since it is of small importance in history.
Mrs. Buhama Green, as Mrs. Builderback, has a tragic
history that deserves full mention, as she was not only a
pioneer, but long and well known, she having lived in the
same neighborhood where she first settled, three miles west of
Lancaster, about fourty-four years, or until the close of her
life, which took place in 1842, at a very advanced age. Fol-
lowing is a transcription of the tragic part of her life from the
pen of Colonel John McDonald, of Ross county. It is prob-
ably the fullest and most authentic account of any written.
"Mrs. Buhama Green was born and raised in Jefferson
county, Virginia. In 1785 she was married to Charles Buil-
derback, and with him crossed the mountains and settled at
the mouth of Short Creek, on the east bank of the Ohio river,
a few miles above Wheeling. Her husband, a brave man,
had on many occasions distinguished himself in repelling the
Indians, who had often felt the sure aim of his unerring rifle.
They therefore determined at all hazards to kill him.
"On a beautiful summer morning in June, 1789, at a time
when it was thought the enemy had abandoned the western
shores of the Ohio, Captain Charles Builderback and his wife,
and brother Jacob Builderback, crossed the Ohio to look
after some cattle. On reaching the shore, a party of fifteen
or twenty Indians rushed out from an ambush and fired upon
them, wounding Jacob in the shoulder. Charles was taken
while running to escape. In the meantime Mrs. Builderback
secreted herself in some drift wood near the bank of the river.
As soon as the Indians had secured and tied her husband,
and not being able to discover her hiding place, they com-
pelled him, with threats of immediate death, to call her to
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 9
him. With a hope of appeasing their fury, he did so. She
heard him, but made no answer. "Here," to use her own
words, "a struggle took place in my own breast which I can-
not describe. Shall I go to him and become a prisoner; or
shall I remain ; return to our cabin, and provide for and take
care of our two children ?" He shouted to her a second time
to come to him, saying, that if she did it might be the means
of saving his life. She no longer hesitated, left her place of
safety, and surrendered herself to his savage captors. All
this took place in full view of their cabin on the opposite
shore of the river, and where they had left their two children,
one a son about three years of age, and an infant daughter.
The Indians knowing that they would be pursued as soon as
the news of their visit reached the stockade at Wheeling,
commenced their retreat. Mrs. Builderback and her hus-
band traveled together that day and the following night.
The next morning the Indians separated into two bands, one
taking Builderback, and the other his wife, and continued a
western course by different routes.
"In a few days the band having Mrs. Builderback in
charge reached the Tuscarawas river, where they encamped,
and were soon rejoined by the band that had taken her hus-
band. Here the murderers exhibited his scalp on the top of
a pole, and to convince her that they had killed him, pulled
it down and threw it in her lap. She recognized it at once
by the redness of his hair. She said nothing, and uttered no
complaint. It was evening, and her ears were pained with the
terrific yells of the savages, and wearied by constant travel-
ing, she reclined against a tree and fell into a profound sleep,
and forgot all her sufferings until morning. When she
awoke, the scalp of her murdered husband was gone, and she
never learned what became of it.
"As soon as the capture of Builderback was known at
Wheeling, a party of scouts set off in pursuit, and taking the
trail of one of the bands, followed it until they found the
body. He had been tomahawked and scalped, and appar-
ently suffered a lingering death.
"The Indians, on reaching their towns on the Little Miami,
adopted Mrs. Builderback into a family, with whom she lived
until released from c iptivity. She remained a prisoner about
nine months, performing the labor and drudgery of squaws,
10 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
such as carrying in meat from the hunting grounds, prepar-
ing and drying it, making moccasins, legings, and other
cloathing for the family in which she lived. After her adop-
tion she suffered much from the rough and filthy manner
of Indian living, but had no cause of complaint of ill treat-
ment otherwise.
"In a few months after her capture some friendly Indians
informed the commandant of Fort Washington that there was
a white , Avoman in captivity at Miamitown. She was ran-
somed and brought into the fort, and was sent up the river to
her lonely cabin, and the embrace of her two orphan children.
"In 1793 Mrs. Builderback married John Green, and in
1798 they emigrated to the Hocking Valley, and settled about
three miles west of Lancaster, where she continued to reside
until the time of her death in 1842. She survived her last
husband about ten years."
Note: — Charles Builderback, the first husband of Mrs. Green, had
commanded a company at Crawford's defeat in the Sandusky country.
He was a large, noble looking man, and a bold and intrepid warrior.
He was in the bloody Moravian campaign, and took his share in the
tragedy by shedding the first blood on that occasion, when he shot, toma-
hawked and scalped Shebosh, a Moravian chief. But retributive justice
was meeted to him. After being taken prisoner, the Indians asked his
name ; "Charles Builderback", he replied, after some little pause. At
this revelation the Indians stared at each other with malignant triumph.
"Ha", said they; "you kill many big Indian; you big captain ; you kill
Moravians". From that moment, perhaps, his fate was sealed. — Howes,
Ohio.
MOUNT PLEASANT.
Mount Pleasant, situated one mile due north of the cross-
ing of Main and Broad streets, in Lancaster, is a historic
point of some interest. Its summit is two hundred and fifty
feet above the table lands below. The area of its top is about
two acres. The main approach to the summit is from the
east, by gradual ascent, though there are oiher points of
ascent. Its face presenting south is a perpendicular ledge
of sandstone, of the white variety. From its summit the
Hocking Valley can be seen for many miles in both direc-
tions; and the state refoim farm is partly visible, six miles
to the southwest. By the Indians it was called the "Stand-
ing Stone". Since the settlement of the country by the white
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 11
race, it has undergone considerable transformation. Much of
the dense and thick forest has been cut away, and the wild
romance of the spot greatly despoiled. Mount Pleasant has
always been a favorite resort for citizens as well as strangers.
There are few strangers who visit Lancaster who do not
ascend to the top of the standing stone. The Duke of Sax-
ony, who visited this country many years since, climbed up
and chiseled his name in the sandstone, which has been read
by thousands, and still remains legible. I believe his visit
was in 1828.
In the first few years after the settlements began, Mount
Pleasant was notorious for the large numbers of mountain
rattlesnake which burrowTed in its fissures. The settlers
determined to destroy them, as far as possible, and for this
purpose they made several raids on their snakeships at the
early spring seasons when they were known to first emerge
from their winter quarters, destroying many hundreds of
them. They are probably now entirely extinct, as not one of
their tribe has been seen there for more than a third of a
century.
GROWTH OF LANCASTER.
My history of Fairfield county must necessarily be frag-
mentary and miscellaneous. There is no written history; at
least no complete history; which is very much to be regretted.
Beyond what is to be found in the histories of Ohio, and the
decennial government census, all else is to be sought for in the
state and county records, and the statements of the recollec-
tions of such living persons as have survived the pioneer age,
and have resided in the county from fifty to seventy years.
The labor of searching the records running through so many
years, and so many ponderous volumes, it will be seen at once
is both tedious and arduous. Nevertheless, all that it is
essential to know and preserve will at last be found in these
pages, and is here placed under appropriate headings, which
renders the items of quick and easy access.
In tracing the progress of Lancaster therefore from its first
rudimental log cabin beginning in the woods, through the
seventy-six years of its existence, every department of inform-
ation has been thoroughly canvassed and placed under specific
head lines, at least so far as the sour«es of knowledge exist at
12 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
this late day. The same care has likewise been observed
"with reference to the townships, respectively, and villages
and settlements, thus rendering the book a safe and satis-
factory reference to the future historian. The work is all
put down in the miscellaneous order I have been able to
exhume it from the debris of the fast receding past. And
while in the following pages I have mentioned first settlers,
and prominent citizens, I have carefully and scrupulously
escued fulsome flattery. The pioneers of Fairfield county
deserve enduring remembrance, and in the course of this
work their names are nearly all written. They have all
passed away. Let us venerate their noble" self-sacrifice that
has given us our land of plenty and enjoyment.
FIRST MAILS AND POSTAGE RATES.
In the latter part of the year 1799, and about two years
after the opening of Zanes' Trace, a mail route was esta-
blished from Wheeling, Va., to Limestone (Maysville), Ky.>
which was the first ever carried through the interior of the
territory of Ohio. A postoffice was established at Lancaster,
or rather where Lancaster now is, for the town had not yet
been laid out, and there were but a few families of emigrants
in the Valley. The mail was carried through on horseback
once a week, each way, over Zanes' Trace, the whole distance
being 226 miles through an almost entirely unbroken wilder-
ness. The line was devicled into three routes. The first was
from Wheeling to Zanesville, or rather to the Muskingum ;
the second from the Muskingum to the Scioto ; and the third
from the Scioto to the Ohio, or to Limestone. The late Gen-
eral George Sanderson, then a small lad. Avas for a time mail
carrier between the Muskingum and Scioto, — a distance of
about seventy-six miles. The condition of the roads, and the
facilities for travel were such, that to make the connections
in some instances a large portion of the way had to be passed
over in the night, which, through the dark and unbroken
forests, was no enviable task, especially for a young boy.
The first postmaster was Samuel Coates, Sen., an English-
man before referred to, and he kept his office at first at his
cabin at the crossing of Hocking, but subsequently, after
Lancaster began to grow, he removed it to a cabin on the
south side of the present Wheeling Street, on the same spot
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 13
where James V. Kenney now resides. Mr. Coates held the
office for a time, and was succeeded by his son, Samuel Coates,
Jun. The succession of postmasters from Mr. Coates, Sen., up
to the year 187(:>, here follows, for which I am indebted to
James Miers, who has resided in Lancaster all his life.
Samuel Coates (1799), Samuel Coates, Jun., Jacob D. Det-
rich, Elenathan Scofield, Henry Drum, Thomas U. White,
Daniel Sifford, Henry Miers, James Cranmer, John C.
Castle, Benjamin Connell, John L. Tuthill, C. M. L. Wise-
man, Melanchthon Sutphen (1876).
The present will be the proper place to say what is neces-
sary to be said of the postal service, and postal rates, at that
early day. The mails were at first entirely carried on horse-
back, and continued to be until the country became sufficiently
developed to introduce post coaches. The "mail boys"
carried with them small tin horns, and sometimes long tin
trumpets, a blast on which heralded their approach to the
post offices. In some instances the carriers acquired the art
of blowing respectable tunes on the long tin trumpets. They
were denominated tie "post boys horn", and the sound
awakened a lively feeling of cheer as far as they could be
heard. They were to the inhabitants then what the rail road
whistle is to-day, only far more joyful. They were likewise
carried by coach drivers for some time after the introduction
of that service.
The rates of postage were very different formerly from
what they are now. The price for carrying letters was fixed
in accordance witti the distance they had to go. Weight was
not regarded. Thus, a single letter was, for fifty miles and
under, 6\ cents. Over fifty miles and under one hundred
and fifty, Vlh cents. Between one hundred and fifty and
three hundred miles, 18f; and over three hundred miles, to
any point within the United States, 25 cents. Two sheets
folded into the same was treated as a double letter, and
double rates charged ; at least this was the law for a time.
Subsequently, and before the introduction of the three cent
rate, as at present, there was for some time a ten cent and a
five cent rate. I do not remember the dates. — Postage was
not, under the old rates, required to be paid in advance, and
seldom was so paid; but if prepaid, the word "paid" was
written on the outside of the letter by the postmaster, usually
14 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
at one corner. In like manner the price of the letter was
written in figures; thus, (>} ; 12|; 18|; or 25; and these
rates, if the word "paid" did not appear on the outside, were
to be paid by the parties to whom the letters were addressed.
The change then in use was silver coin, of the denominations
of 6^ cents (fippsnny bit); 12^ cents (ninepence); 23 cents,
and half dollars. Thus, if the price of a letter were 18|
cents, you gave the postmaster a quarter, and he gave you
back a fippenny bit, and so on. Letters were written on
three pages of the sheet, the fourth being left blank, and then
so iolded as to allow the blank page to form the whole outside
of the letter, upon which the address was written. There are
few persons now living of forty years and under, who could
fold up a letter in the old style. Letters were sealed with
sealing wax in the form of wafers, mostly red wax, though
black and blue were sometimes used. Wafers put up in
small boxes formed a considerable article of commerce, and
were for sale at every store and grocery. They are now
nowhere to be found. It was customary then for persons to
carry seals with which to stamp the wafers which were first
softened by moistening them with the tongue. And these
seals might be the initials of the name, or any figure fancied.
The introduction of letter envelopes took place previous to
1840, and cheap postal stamps about 1848, as my recollection
has it.
The growth of Lancaster, from the time the first trees were
cut down and the first log cabin built, in the year 1800, up to
1876, cannot be minutely and specifically traced, year by year,
nor would it be of importance to do so, so far as the present
actors on the stage of life are concerned. The former inhab-
itants did their work, and passed away. The present will soon
be gone, and scarcely remembered. The first settlers are all
dead, and there is little of the work of their hands visible —
nothing, beyond a few writings, and possibly a few log struc-
tures, mostly closed in and hidden from view. The original
log structures have every one disappeared, and everything
else constructed of wood by the original settlers. One can
scarcely find so much as a stone laid, or bearing the impress
of first hands. A few moss covered gravestones in the old
cemeteries tell where some of the pioneers were laid — tell when
born and when died, and that is all. Nobody can tell how
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 15
they looked, or how they spoke. It is as if they had never
lived. What is it .to the present surging throng how they
lived, and joyed, and sorrowed, and loved, and hated, and suf-
fered, and died ? Who feels one stirring emotion for the hon-
ored dead ? There is not one to weep for them ; and not one
will weep for us "a hundred years to come." "But other
men our streets will fill; and other men our lands will till; a
hundred years < o come." Thus does man and all his works
perish. Could we interview these veteran dead, volumes that
is forever lost, that we might have saved, could be placed on
paper. But there are none, not one to tell the story.
Some of their descendants are alive, but they cannot tell
the tales of their sires. They could tell us whence they came,
where they settled, and when they died, and there the curtain
would drop. It cannot be determined now, with few excep-
tions'; where the original settlers built their first cabins, at
least not the exact spot; so much has the onward march of
time transformed the face of things. All has drifted into the
dim and dimming past twilight. It is said, in a general way,
that a great many of the first inhabitants were mechanics, but
who were they? what branches did they follow? what was
their personal appearance? how did they succeed? were they
good men and women? and did they live exemplary lives?
We can occasionally hear it said, that seventy years ago such
a man was a blacksmith in Lancaster, or in Fairfield county,
and some one was a shoemaker, and one was a lawyer, and
some ethers kept tavern. Well, they are all gone, and their
houses are gone, and everything that belonged to them. Of
all these mechanics, and all that did the drudgery and bore the
heavy burdens, not one wTord is written. There are no means
of knowing anything about them. Only the few individuals
we can say much about; but so far as data can be found, every
Original settler of Fairfield county will be mentioned.
In a general way it will suffice to say, that Lancaster is one
of those inltnd towns of Ohio whose growth has been slow,
persistant and uniform. It has been a matter of some sur-
prise that Lancaster has not become a leading town of the
State in manufacturing, possessing as it does local advantages
and facilities nowhere surpassed, and seldom equaled by any
county seat of Ohio. Why capital has not sought this as a
place of investment in preference to other places with fewer
16 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
facilities, cannot be told, and we make no attempt at explana-
tion. To say it has been a lack of enterprise on tbe part of
the citizens, would scarcely be true. Capital, to a large ex-
tent, has not found its way here, and there we leave the
matter.
THE BAR OF LANCASTER.
In 1839, when the writer settled in Lancaster, he was told
that it had the strongest bar in the State, so far as legal abil-
ity was concerned. Of this there was probably no doubt.
At that time Hon. Thomas Ewing was at the zenith of his
legal career. There were also residing in the place, John T.
Brazee, Hocking H. Hunter, William Irvin, Henry Stanbery,
Wm. J. Reece, William Medill and P. Van Trump, with a few
of less distinction.
MEDICAL PROFESSION.
In like manner it was claimed, that at that time Lancaster
had the right to boast of a highly eminent board of practicing
physicians. Following are the names of the principal men who
wrere practicing in the place at that time : Paul Carpenter, J. M.
Bigelow, James White, M. Z. Kreider, Dr. Wait, George Boerst-
ler, Dr. Saxe, and Thomas 0. Edwards. Of these only two
are living, viz.: Paul Carpenter, still remaining in Lancaster,
and Dr. Bigelow, at Detroit. I am unable now to give the
names of all other physicians then practicing in the county.
I can however recall the names of Divide of Rushville, Dr.
Daugherty of Amanda, Dr. Evans of Bremen, Dr. Paul of
Royalton, Dr. Minor of Lithopolis, Drs. Helmich and Gohe-
gan of Baltimore, Dr. Brock of New Salem, Dr. T albeit of
Jefferson, Dr. Turner of Rushville, and a few others.
The dry goods merchants then doing business in Lancaster,
were, Ainsworth and Willock, Reber and Kntz, Myers Fall
and Collins, Levi Anderson, Lobenthal and Reindmond,
Rochol, Neigh and Culbertson, Samuel F. McCracken and
Alfred Fahnastock. There were then two^hardware stores;
Bope and Weaver, and the proprietors of the other I do not
now recall. The tailors were, Isaac Comer, and Smith and
Tong. Robert Reed and Joseph Work, Sen., and Joseph
Work, Jun., carried on the shoemaking business. There were
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 17
two tin and stove establishments, viz : Connell & Work, Mr.
Bliss. Smith & Arney, and Gilbert Devol were in the
iron foundry business ; and George Ring was the proprietor of
the Woolen Factory at the south end of Broadway. The
principal hotels were the Phoenix, now the Talmadge
House, the Shaeffer House, and the Swan Hotel. The Phoenix
was kept by G. Steinman; the Shaeffer House by F. A.
Shaeffer ; and the Swan by Mr. Overhalser. The Shaeffer
House has been changed into a business house, the first floor
of which is G. Beck's Drug Store. William E. Williams at
that time kept a small hotel, known as the Broadway House ;
and there were two small inns on Columbus street, kept by
two men by the name of Myers. In 1839 there were two
Drug Stores in Lancaster — one kept by George Kauffman, and
the other by Bury & Beck. The former is now continued by
Dr. Davidson, and the latter by Beecher White. William
Bodenheimer and George W. Claspill were gunsmiths, the for-
mer also a manufacturer of spinning-wheels. Mr. Bodenheimer
has deceased, and Mr. Claspill has discontinued the business.
The canal mill was then in operation, and was owned, I
believe, by John T. Brazee and George Kauffman. There were
two tan-yards — James M. Pratt owned one of them, and Gideon
Peters the other. David Foster was the chair-maker of the
place, and is still, in connection with his son, carrying on the
business at his old stand at the corner of Wheeling and Co-
lumbus streets. Luman Baker and Henry Shultz were cabinet-
makers ; and Henry Orman and Mr. Vorys were the principal
builders. These were the principal industries of Lancaster in
1839, though there were others on a small scale, such as
weavers, coopers, and the like, which I cannot take space to
particularize. I must not, however, omit to mention Hunter
and Edingfield, and Adam and Jacob Guseman, blacksmiths.
Groceries and saloons, as such, were almost unknown; groceries
were principally sold at the dry goods stores, and drinking
was principally done at the taverns. There was not then a
shoe and boot-store, or a merchant-tailor in the place ; cloth
was purchased at the stores, and made to order by the tailors.
This was a little less than forty years ago; and when Lancaster
is written as it is now, in 1876, the difference will appear.
2
18 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
COMMERCE OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY.
In 1839, when the writer's acquaintance with the county
began, the Hocking Valley canal was the commercial
thoroughfare. There were fronting on its eastern bank as it
passes along the western border of Lancaster, some nine or ten
warehouses, thronged with goods and produce the year round.
Through them passed the entire surplus wheat crop of the
county, as well as the merchandise for all the stores of Lancas-
ter and the villages of the county. To handle this large
amount of freight required a great many clerks and hands. In
addition, a great number of teams were in constant demand to
bring in the produce from all parts of the county, and to
wheel away the merchandise to its destinations. The days of
wagoning goods across the mountains in four and six-horse
wagons were past, the canal being the Eureka of transporta-
tion. The wheat trade alone of Lancaster, at that time, was
immense. On a single day, in the month of September, the
writer counted one hundred and twenty-five wagons pass down
the hill on Main street, freighted with wheat for the mills and
warehouses on the canal. This was about the year 1846. The
canal was at that time, during most of the navigable months,
lined from end to end with boats passing both ways, and
freighted with goods and produce, as well as coal from the
Hocking mines, which were chiefly developed after the open-
ing of the canal, three or four years before.
Following the same line of history very briefly, we will see
what Lancaster is in 1876, thirty-seven years later. The leap
is wonderful— so wonderful that if one, after having become
familiar with the place and its business in 1839 and 1845,
could have closed his eyes and remained oblivious to passing
events until the present year, he could find no recognition of
either persons or things. In the first place, he would scarcely
recognize a building in the place, if the old market-house and
the residence of Samuel Rudolph on Wheeling street be
excepted. The few remaining citizens he would at last
recognize would be so changed as to appear somebody else.
More than a full generation have been born and died within
the time. He would not hear a song sung he heard then,
scarcely a tune. If he should enter a Methodist class-meeting,
he would not hear a familiar voice or see a familiar face, and
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 19
all the congregations of the place would be new congregations
to him; new scenes would meet his eyes on every hand, and
new strains fall upon his ears ; he would not find a single mer-
chant on the streets he left there, except Joseph Reindmond
and John Reeber. Of mechanics left, Robert Reed and John
Pierce, shoemakers ; David Foster, chair-maker; Jacob Guse-
man and Stephen Smith, blacksmiths; and Henry Orman, car-
penter, only remain, so far as the writer remembers. Of phy-
sicians, only Dr. Carpenter remains ; and of the bar, not one,
and only two of them are living — John T. Brazee, near Lancas-
ter, and Henry Stanberry, now residing in Kentucky. Judge
Whitman and Wm. Slade are living away from here, but
neither of them were in Lancaster in 1839. The Arney and
Devol foundries have been turned into machine-shops ; and
if the returned citizen, after nearly forty years' absence, should
take a stroll along the canal, instead of beholding eight or ten
warehouses teeming with life and business, he would not see
one that deserved the name, and only now and then a solitary
boat laden with coal. The warehouses have been converted to
other uses. This change in the commercial affairs of Lancas-
ter has been brought about by the two railroads passing
through.
In August, 1876, five dry goods stores could be found, and all
situated on the north side of Main street, and on the same
square, viz. : between Broad and Columbus streets, as follows :
Reeber and Ulrich, Charles Kutz, Beck Brothers, Wren
Brothers, and Philip Rising. Four clothing stores, viz. : Peters
& Trout, Rising, Siple & Miller, Jacob Hite, and Moses Levi.
Seven drug stores, owned by George Beck & Son, A. David-
son, Beecher White, Daniel Sifford, Richey & Giesy, Mr.
Wetzler, and Crider Brothers. Five shoe and boot-stores,
namely: Robert Reed, James Work & Brother, Myers &
Getz, Richards & Webb, and Showers Brothers. Two hard-
ware stores: Wm. McCracken,and Hanson & Company. Three
tin and stove establishments: James McMacmanama, Stur-
geon Brothers, and . Three banks, viz. : First National
Bank, Hocking Valley National Bank, and FairLeld County
Bank. One wholesale grocer}' and some dozen or more retail
family groceries and provision stores. Five bakeries, as fol-
lows: A. Bauman, Sleekman & Huffman, Klinge, Blank and
Sliker. Five dentists, viz. : H. Scott, H. L. Creider, Doctor
20 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Von Bonhorst, Dr. Palmeter, and J. C. Scott. Four livery-sta-
bles, as follows: Christian Rudolph, Thomas Henderson,
Johnson & Straley, and Alex. Cunningham. Two furniture
dealers : Stroble & Bledsicker, and Williams & Wiley. Three
jewelers : L. Butch, Sieber & Co., and Frank Blaire. Three
book stores : John L. Tuhill & Son, A. Branemen, and Wyn-
koop. One queensware store, by Wm. Stuart.
The following are the practicing physicians of Lancaster in
1876: M. Efhnger, Dr. Turner, Dr. Jackson, Dr. Lewis, Dr.
Flowers, Dr. Harmon, Dr. Chas. Shawk, Dr. Geo. Boerstler,
Dr. Goss, Dr. Meisey, Dr. P. Carpenter, and Dr. Long & Son.
The practicing attorneys in the same year are : J. M. Corinell,
C. D. Martin, John S. Brazee, John Reves, Samuel Kistler,
Clay Drinkle, Charles Drinkle, C. F. Shseffer, Wm. Davidson,
Reese Eversole, Kinnis Fritter, Mr. Dolson, Mr. Hite, John
McNeal, and Wm. Shultz. Builders and lumber dealers: Or-
man Brothers, Vorys Brothers, Denton. & Sons, and others.
Coal dealers : J. V. Kinney, H. Carter, and others. Agricultural
works : Hocking Valley Works, Theodore Mithoff & Co., Eagle
Works, Whyly Brothers & Eckert. Woolen factory : McAnasby
& Co. Hotels at present are : Talmadge House, Mithoff House,
Bauman House, Wetzel House, Columbus Street House and
the Broadway Hotel. There are three marble-monument
shops, as follows : Mr. Blum, Mr. Findley, Pool & Co. Here
are also the machine-shops of the Cincinnati & Muskingum
Valley Railroad. There are likewise three carriage and buggy
establishments, run by Sears & Mahoney, Shutt Brothers, and
Geiser Brothers. All minor mechanical arts are respectably
represented in the place.
ENTERPRISE.
Lancaster has not been characterized for bold enterprise
and adventure. For the most part,' its citizens have been of
the conservative style— content to pursue a legitimate busi-
ness with gradual growth. An unusual proportion of its citi-
zens are freeholders, and reside under their own roofs, the pro-
portion of renters being less than in most similar towns. The
financial and judicial management of its affairs has, for the
most part, been judiciously managed. The Municipal Officers
are : One Mayor, one Marshal, a Clerk, Solicitor, City Sur-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 21
veyor and ten Councilmen. I find but little recorded of the
municipal affairs of the town previous to 1831, at which
time a special act of incorporation was passed,
INCORPORATION.
In the year 1831, Lancaster became an incorporated village,
by enactment of the Legislature of the State. During the
twenty years that elapsed between that and 1851. when Lan-
caster became a city of the third class, I have only been able
to learn the name of one of its Mayors. John Garaghty, Esq.,
now a resident of the State of Iowa, was Mayor two years,
about 1848 and 1849.
Here follow the succession of Mayors from 1851, in the order
of their election, in all eight : Wm. P. Cried, 1851-1853 ;
John D. Martin, 1853 to 1855 ; Silas Hedges, 1855 to 1857 ; Al-
fred McVeigh, 1857 to 1859; Kinis Fritter, 1859 to 1863; Sam-
uel Ewing, 1863 to 1867 ; Tallman Slough, 1867 to 1875 ; and
in April, 1875, Philip Benadum, the present incumbent, was
elected.
Note. — I find some difficulty I at first scarcely anticipated.
The oldest persons now living in Fairfield County, and who
have spent their lives here, differ more or less in their recol-
lections of dates and incidents. Therefore, in matters not of
record, discrepancies arise. I have been obliged to leave out
much that I would have been glad to insert, through fear of in-
accuracy. But this will not materially interfere with the gen-
eral tenor of the work.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The thread of narration is here interrupted for a time, by the
introduction of reference to relics of the olden-time. A legit-
imate part of the history of country and age is literature,
manners and customs, religion and social habits. In writing
up Fairfield County, therefore, the work would be incomplete
so far as a transcript of the times of sixty and seventy years
ago is concerned, if the relics of that pioneer age be not
brought forward. The people are gone, and their works are
gone; and it is the same to the present age as if they had
not lived at all. All that surging throng have faded from the
22 HISTOEY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
canvas, but their progeny live, and their virtues, examples,
patriotism and good deeds never die, though the actors pass
away forever and are entirely forgotten. The present inhab-
itants of Fairfield County, descendants of the pioneers, can
never have any conception of that frontier age. Written
words cannot convey the conception. It was a heroism to
sever from friends and neighbors and cherished association in
the older States beyond the mountains, and travel hundreds of
miles into the wilderness to take the chances of a precarious
living — to encounter wild beasts and savage man, and the pes-
tilential malaria, and to petition the forests and the virgin
soil for bread and raiment— to be content with a square log-
pen, covered with clapboards, amidst wild forest scenes. But
all this was only a part of the sacrifice. To find a subsistence?
the forests had to be cleared away, and the timber burned, and
a few acres inclosed with rail-fences, and then the soil broken
and the seeds deposited, and left to the chances of the inclem-
ent seasons and the depredations of animals. If the season
failed, or beasts destroyed, there was little left for man; and
this was a common occurrence. But few who read these pages
will, have an experimental knowledge of frontier life, and even
they will have lost much of its recollection. Pioneer life here
was pioneer life in all the West at the same age. But the
settlements, coming as they did from different circumstances
of life, and bringing with them their religions and social hab-
its at home, came soon, by the force and necessities of new and
strange circumstances, to form new social relations. Mutual
dependencies and mutual aid became the web and woof of the
new settlements. But how they did, how they appeared,
their sports and pastimes, the songs they sung, their melodies,
all that belonged to the log-cabin age died with the actors,
and now live only in tradition or written history. Their
narration stirs no heart, except that heart which has before had
its chords struck with the living realities. Still, there are
those yet on the stage who will be thrilled with some reminis-
cences that follow. The songs, and stanzas, and choruses, and
plays of fresh young life sixty years ago are yet dear to those
who once participated in them. Those were days of inno-
cence and sincere friendship and rational enjoyment. Imag-
ination will group around the aged, dear friends and loved as-
sociations long since' fled, capable, by their recollection, of
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 23
making in the bereaved heart yet beating, a little heaven on
earth. I love to believe it is a foregleam of the blessed im-
mortality that awaits us all beyond the confines of time and
sense here below. Faith pictures the family-circle re-forming
on the thither bank of the poetic stream of death, and await-
ing our coining. These are hallowed and thrilling remem-
brances, that, cherished, make us better and happier men and
women. I am happy while I call them up. I lived through
back-woods life, and here reproduce from memory a few of the
old stanzas and choruses that were sung by religious people
everywhere in the West sixty years ago ;
" Jesus, the vision of thy face
Hath overpowering charms ;
Scarce shall I feel death's cold embrace,
If Christ be in rny arms.
Then while you hear my heart-string break,
How sweet my moments roll !
A mortal paleness on my cheek,
And glory in my soul."
** Farewell, dear friends, I must be gone,
I have no home or stay with you ;
I'll take my staff and travel on,
Till I a better world do view.
Farewell, farewell, farewell,
My loving friends, farewell."
" Sweet rivers of redeeming love
Lie just before mine eyes*
Had I the pinions of a dove,
I'd to those rivers fly.
I'd rise superior to my pains,
With joy outstrip the wind ;
I'd cross bold Jordan's stormy main,
And leave this world behind."
" Hear the royal proclamation,
The glad tidings of salvation ;
Published to every creature,
To the ruined sons of nature.
Jesus reigns, he reigns victorious ;
Over heaven and earth most glorious."
24 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
" There is a land of pleasure,
Where streams of joy forever roll;
'Tis there I have my treasure,
And there I long to rest my soul.
Long darkness dwelt around me,
With scarcely once a cheering ray ;
But since my Savior found me,
A lamp has shown along my way."
" I'm glad that I was born to die ;
From grief and woe my soul shall fly ;
Bright angels shall convey me home,
Away to the New Jerusalem."
" There is a heaven o'er yonder skies,
A heaven where pleasure never dies ;
A heaven I sometimes long to see,
But fear again 'tis not for me.
But Jesus, Jesus is my friend, O, hallelujah ;
Hallelujah ; Jesus, Jesus is my friend."
" Brethren, hear the martial sound,
The gospel trumpet now is blowing ;
Men in order listing round,
And soldiers to the standard flowing.
Bounties offered : joy and peace —
To every soldier this is given,
When from toil and war they cease,
A mansion bright prepared in heaven."
" What happy children who follow Jesus,
Into the house of prayer and praise ;
And join in union, while love increases,
Resolved this way to spend our days.
Although we're hated by the world and Satan,
By the flesh, and such as know not God,
Yet happy moments and joyful seasons -
•We ofttimes find on Canaan's road."
" The people called Christians have many things to tell,
About the land of Canaan, where saints and angels dwell ;
But Sin, that dreadful ocean, compasses them around,
While its tide still divides them from Canaan's happy ground,'
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 25
1 Saw ye my Savior ! saw ye my Savior !
Saw ye my Savior and God ?
O he died on Calvary, to atone for you and me,
And to purchase our pardon he bled."
' From the regions of love, lo an angel descended,
And told the strange news, how the babe was attended ;
Go, shepherds, and worship this wonderful stranger;
See yonder bright star, there's your God in a manger.
Hallelujah to the lamb, who has purchased our pardon,
We'll praise him again when we pass over Jordan."
"O thou in whose presence
My soul takes delight,
On whom in affliction I call ;
My comfort by day,
And my song in the night,
My hope, my salvation, my all."
" Farewell, my friends, I must be gone,
I have no home or stay with you ;
I'll take my staff and travel on.
Till I a better world do view."
" The wondrous love of Jesus,
From doubts and fears it frees us,
With pitying eyes he sees us,
A toiling here below ;
Through tribulation driven,
We'll force our way to heaven ; .
Through consolation given,
Rejoicing on we'll go."
0 Jesus, my Savior, I know thou art mine ;
For thee all the pleasures of earth I resign ;
Thou art my rich treasure, my joy and my love,
Nothing richer possessed by the angels above."
" Ye weary, heavy-laden souls,
Who are oppressed sore,
Ye trav'lers through the wilderness,
To Canaan's peaceful shore :
Through chilling winds and beating rain,
The waters deep and cold,
And enemies surrounding you,
Take courage and be bold."
26 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
" Come, my soul, and let us try,
For a little season,
Every burden to lay by,
Come, and let us reason.
What is this that easts you down ?
Who are those that grieve you?
Speak, and let the worst be known,
Speaking may relieve you."
" The gospel's joyful sound
Is music in my ears ;
In Jesus I have found
Relief from all my fears ;
Darkness to light does now give place,
And all things wear another face."
" Begone, unbelief, my Savior is near,
And for my relief will surely appear;
By prayer let me wrestle, and he will perform ;
With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm."
" Drooping soul no longer grieve ;
Heaven is propitious ;
If on Christ you do believe,
You will find him precious."
"Don't you see my Jesus coming,
Don't you see him in yonder cloud,
With ten thousand angels around him,
See how they do my Jesus crowd ;
I'll arise and go and meet him ;
He'll embrace me in his arms;
In the arms of my dear Jesus,
O there is ten thousand charms."
"Savior, visit thy plantation ;
Grant us, Lord, a gracious reign ;
All will come to desolation,
Unless thou return again.
Lord revive us,
All our help must come from thee."
" Hail the blest morn when the Great Mediator,
Down from the regions of glory descend ;
Shepherds, go worship the babe in the manger,
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 27
Lo ! for your guide the bright angels attend.
Brightest and best of the S07is of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness and lend us thine aid ;
Star in the East the horizon adorning,
Guide where the infant Redeemer was laid"
CHORUSES.
Ho every one that thirsts,
Come ye to the waters ;
Freely drink and quench your thirst,
As Zion's sons and daughters."
"We'll walk about Jerusalem;
We'll walk about Jerusalem ;
We'll walk about Jerusalem,
When we arrive at home."
" And I'll sing hallelujah,
And glory be to God on high,
And we'll all sing hallelujah,
There's glory beaming through the sky.
" For the good old way is the righteous way.
And we'll march along in the good old way."
"Hallelujah, hallelujah,
We are on our journey home."
" Well-beloved blessed Savior,
Well-beloved priest and king,
Glory be to the lamb that was slain,
For us he did salvation bring."
" Glory, honor, praise and power,
Be unto the Lamb forever ;
Jehus Christ is our Redeemer,
Hallelujah, praise the Lord."
" Palms of victory, crowns of glory,
Palms of victory you shall wear ;
Shout! O glory, O glory,
Palms of victory you shall wear."
28 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
" O sweet heaven, 0 sweet heaven,
How I long to be with thee."
" My dying day is rolling around,
My dying day is rolling around,
Prepare me, Lord, to go."
" O hinder me not, for I will serve the Lord,
And I'll praise him when I die."
" Lord revive us, Lord revive us,
All our help must come from thee."
" 0 the place, the happy, happy place,
The place where Jesus is ;
The place where the Christians all shall meet,
And never part again."
"O glory, glory!
Glory, hallelujah !
We're going where pleasures never die."
The foregoing stanzas and choruses were in use principally
among the Evangelical orders of Christians, such as the Meth-
odists, Newlights, and other Armenian sects. Many of them
are expressive of deep religious feeling and strong faith. But
they are out of use, having been superseded by another class
expressive of the religious sentiments of the present age;
whether more devotional, let others determine.
The following plays of the early times will recall to the
aged thrills of priceless pleasure in days gone by — departed
joys never again to be realized on earth; but these joys are
limited to the individual. These social plays were practiced
all over the West sixty years ago, and there are few aged per-
sons now living who will not recognize them— thus:
' O, sister Phoebe, how merry were we,
That night we sat under the juniper tree,
Yon juniper tree, high O.
Take this hat on your head, keep your head warm,
And take a sweet kiss, it will do you no harm, it will do you no harm
I know ;
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 29
It will do you no harm, but a great deal of good,
So take five or six while you're now in the mood,
For you're now in the mood 1 know."
" It's thus the farmer sows his seed ;
And thus he stands to take his ease ;
He stamps his fcot and claps his hands ;
And turns all round to view his lands.
O come, my love, and go with me ;
0 come, my love, and go with me ;
0 come, my love, and go with me ;
And I will take good care of thee."
" As oats, peas, beans and barley grows ;
As oats, peas, beans and barley grows ;
There's none so well as the tanner knows,
How oats, peas, beans and barley grows."
" Come, Philander, let's be marching ;
Every one his true-love sarching ;
Over and over, ten times over,
Drink up your liquor, boys, and turn your glasses over."
" It's raining, it's hailing, it's cold frosty weather ;
In comes the farmer drinking all the cider ;
I'll reap the oats, if you'll be the binder;
He that wants a true-love let him go and find her."
" We're boldly marching to Quebec,
Where the drums are loudly beating;
The Americans have gained the day,
And the British are retreating.
We're now returning home again,
Never to be parted ;
Open the ring and take one in,
To relieve the broken-hearted."
" We're sailing in the boat while the tide runs high ;
We're sailing in the boat while the tide runs high ;
We're sailing in the boat with the colors flying high ;
Waiting for the pretty girls to come by and by."
30 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
" The fox loves the low land, the hare loves the hill ;
The lawyer loves his lady, and Jack loves Jill ;
Jill, boys, Jill; Jill, boys, Jill;
The lawyer loves his lady with a free good will."
" The eagle's eye as you pass by,
Was made for running through ;
Mary's the last that have gone past,
But now we have got you."
" Will you talk to the man, my bonny?
Will you talk to the man, my honey ?
She answered me right modestly,
If it were not for my mamma."
"Here I stand, long, slim and slender;
Come and kiss me while I'm young and tender;
For if you wait till I grow old and tough,
I'll ne'er get kisses half enough."
[There were always enough volunteers on hand to do what they could
to prevent the impending dire calamity].
" Where do you stand ? In the well. How many feet? Six. Who
will you have to help you out? Mary ; or Charles."
[Six kisses lifted the unfortunate out of the well, but always left the
kisser in the same predicament, to be in their turn helped out in like
manner].
" Sonny he loves cakes and wine,
And sonny he loves brandy ;
Sonny he can kiss the girls,
And he can do it handy.
If I had as many lives as stars in the skies,
I'd be as old as Adam ;
Eise to your feet and kiss complete,
Your humble servant, madam "
I write these plays as I knew them, and entirely from
memory, as I never saw them in print, and it is more than
fifty years since I have witnessed their performance. I as-
sume that they were the same everywhere. They belong en-
tirely to a former age— the pioneer age; they are probably
nowhere practiced now, but to the survivors of the early
times of the West they will be valued relics.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 31
A FOURTH OF JULY.
The following story of the celebration of the Fourth of July-
is so characteristic of the frontier times sixty years ago, that
it deserves a place here. The story was related to me by the
late General George Sanderson, some years ago, and I give it in
substance precisely as related by him, he having been an eye-
witness of the affair :
It was about the year 1802. Lancaster was no more than a
few rude cabins in the woods; and there were the merest nu-
clei of settlements along the creeks. The country was an
almost unbroken wilderness. The fires of the revolution were,
nevertheless, still burning, and the settlers took it into their
heads to celebrate the Fourth of July in an appropriate man-
ner. The spot selected for the occasion was the knoll between
Hocking and the present residence of Augustus Mithoff, and
on the left side of the Chillicothe Pike. A dinner, such as the
inhabitants were able to provide at that early day, was pre-
pared, and a barrel of whisky brought on to the grounds,
which was up-ended, the head knocked out, and several tin-
cups hung on nails driven into the staves, when everybody
was welcome to come up and drink ad libitum.
And thus it chanced, that while patriotism and corn-whisky
and general hilarity prevailed, a solitary traveler made
his appearance, slowly plodding along Zane's trace, and head-
ing to the west. Percieving the little crowd of patriots a couple
of hundred yards off on his right, he turned his horse's head in
that direction, and rode up to learn what was going on; per-
haps as much to be in company with human beings, for he
had been two days and one night entirely alone in the wilder-
ness, since passing Zanesville, which was then settled by a
few families. He was cordially greeted, and invited to "light
off"' and take a dram, which being done, the usual frontier
questions were put: Where was he going? — and what for?
He was from Virginia, and was going to Chillicothe. He had
heard of the fame of the Scioto Bottoms, and if he liked the
country he was going back for his family,-and would settle
there.
In the common parlance of back-woods life "the best man"
meant just one thing — it meant the man that could make an-
other man "holler" enough ; and the phrase "good man" sig-
32 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
nified one of strong muscles and quick motion. The mean-
ing attached to these words then has not yet died out, though
"good" and "best" are, by the transformation, assuming a
moral instead of physical interpretation. Thus, in the former
age, if one said, " I am a better man than you.;" or, " he is a
good man," it was to be understood that "/can whip you,"
and " he is a man not to be fooled with."
The traveler was solicited to settle on the Hocking ; its su-
periority and advantages were dilated upon and proposed as
reasons why he should not go further west. But he had his
mind fixed on the settlement at Chillicothe, and thought he
would go there. Stronger arguments were then used. He was
told that there were better men on the Hocking than on the
Scioto.
Whisky was by this time doing its work, and the traveler
felt inclined to doubt the proposition, for some of his friends
had gone to the Scioto. He believed there were better men
on the latter, or would be if he himself should decide to locate
there. This suited the celebrators exactly — the thing was
coming to a point. The traveler's last remark was construed
into a banter, and the proposition was at once submitted to
settle the question then and there. The stranger made no
objections, and several stout men volunteered to see that he
had fair play. The man to fight him was brought out, the
ring formed, and they stripped and went at it.
Rough and tumble was the style of those back-woods fights.
The combatants were allowed to strike, kick, choke, bite or
gouge — anything to whip. The "code" would not permit any
one to interfere until one of the fighters called " enough."
Upon that word being pronounced, if the victor did not at
once desist, the bystanders were bound to close in and part
them. It was a long, powerful, and bloody contest, but the
traveler was compelled at last to call "enough"
After the combatants were washed and dressed, whisky was
handed around, and the parties drank as friends, when the
new-comer remarked, that there were as good men on the
Hocking as he wanted anything £o do with, and he believed
he would settle there.
FINANCES OF LANCASTER.
In an old copy of the Ohio Eagle, published in Lancaster,
and bearing date of June 9, 1827, I find the following state-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 33
raent of the receipts and disbursements of the corporation for
two years, viz. : from April 20, 1825, to April 23, 1827, inclusive.
The statement was in tabular form, showing the sources from
which the income was derived, and for what disbursed. The
income consisted of taxes collected, and for licenses for shows
and exhibitions, thus :
Total amount of income $888 14]
Total disbursements 932 88|
Balance against Treasury $44.74]-
BENJAMIN CONNELL, Treasurer.
Attest : Gotleib Steinman, Eecorder.
In contrast with the above, is the annexed statement, taken
from the County Treasurer's books, showing the receipts and
disbursements of the corporation for two years, just fifty years
later. The difference in the gross amount of the receipts and
disbursements measures the growth of the place. Thus :
Total income from all sources other than
School Fund ...$61,437 86
Total disbursements for all purposes other than
schools 53,220 08
Balance in Treasury $8,217 78
During the two former years the corporation paid Thomas
Ewing, then a young lawyer practicing in the place, $5.00 for
legal services. During the latter two years the legal services
of attorneys cost the aggregate sum of about $1,000.
The population of Lancaster in 1876 was about 7,000; and in
addition to the assessment of taxes above shown, it supports
ten churches, at an annual cost, including building and repair-
ing church edifices, Missionary and Sunday-school collections,
and all other incidental church expenses, of not less than
$15,000. These two general items of cost to the people living
within the incorporate limits of the town are not all of the
public assessment. Within the last few years the town has
erected two school buildings, at an aggregate cost of about
$80,000. Within these buildings free schools are kept up ten
months in the year. For sustaining these schools and rjaying
interest on bonds sold to build the school-houses, the levy for
1876 was $25,566.29. The number of teachers employed in
1876 was twenty-two, and one Superintendant, besides one col-
3
34 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
ored school supported from the same fund. The boundaries of
the incorporation are two miles square. There is likewise a
Catholic school, including a majority of the children of that de-
nomination, amounting to two or three hundred. This school
is sustained entirely by private funds.
PUBLIC SQUARE OF LANCASTER.
What is denominated the Public Square in Lancaster, is loca-
ted at the crossing of Main and Broad streets, the streets cut-
ting it into four equal parts. The ground was deeded to the
city forever by the original proprietor, Ebenezer Zane, for pub-
lic purposes alone. The deed is said to be so drawn, that,
should the square, or any part of it, be diverted to any other use
than that of county and city purposes, such diversion would
work a forfeiture of the title to the heirs at law of the donor.
The first Court-house was built on this square, in the center
of the present Broad street, in about the year 1806, and was re-
moved by order of the County Commissioners in 1863. At
present the square is occupied by the old market-house, which
was built in the year 1824, as near as can be ascertained, the
City Hall building, containing the Mayor's office, Council-
chamber, Post-office, Odd Fellows' Hall and Engine-house and
two small parks.
carpenter's addition.
That part of Lancaster known as Carpenter's Addition, begins
with the south side of an alley, sometimes spoken of as Car-
penter's alley, which, beginning at the canal on the western
border of the city, runs a due east direction to High
street in front of the Methodist Church. This alley is situated
half way between Jail and Walnut streets. All that part of
the city lying south of Carpenter's alley is properly Carpen-
ter's Addition. Mr. Carpenter was known in his day as Eman-
uel Carpenter, Junior. (In the original plat, this alley was
called Jackson alley). He gave three lots on the east side of
High street, to be used for church and burial purposes. The
north division of thisgift isthat on which the Methodist Church
edifice now stands ; the middle division belongs to the African
Methodists, upon which they have erected a commodious frame
church ; and the south division has been used by the city for
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 35
opening Walnut street. All the ground in Carpenter's Ad-
dition, extending now as far as Maple street in front of Hun-
ter's residence, belonged originally to Zane's tract, though
Carpenter's Addition at first lay west of High street, that part
lying between High and Maple streets having been sold to par-
ties as out-lots, and since subdivided and sold as town-lots.
The Zane tract, one mile square, begun on the north side of
what is known as Lundy's Lane, on the south front of the Fair-
grounds at the foot of Mount Pleasant ; its eastern boundary
was Maple street ; its southern line passed from a point a few
rods west of the present residence of Thomas White, Esq., on
Koontz's hill, thence west past Giesy's mill to the west line, to
intersect the north line, and embraced what is now the resi-
dence of G. Mithoff. Other
ADDITIONS
To Lancaster might be mentioned, but they all come within
the Zane tract, except that part formerly known as East Lan-
caster, and which has recently been annexed to the city proper,
and constitutes the Fifth Ward. A portion of East Lancaster
was formerly known as the Bank addition, the old Lancaster
Ohio Bank having laid off and sold the first lots. The
NEW COURT-HOUSE
Was erected, or rather completed in 1866, it having been in
progress of erection about three years. The total cost of the
building was about $150,000, though the act of the Legislature
authorizing the lev}' for that purpose was but $100,000. The
work, however, was completed, and the balance cheerfully paid
by the tax-payers. The building stands on the north side of
the Catholic Church ; it is built entirely of sand-stone taken
from the quarries in sight of the city, and is probably one of
the best constructed and arranged Court-houses in the State.
It contains all the county offices on the first floor, except the
Clerk's office ; on the second floor is the court-room, jury-rooms
and the Clerk's olEce. The basement is used for the heating
apparatus, the Janitor's residence, and storage rooms. From
the roof, or balustrade, which, by the courtesy of the Janitor,
is accessible to visitors at all times, the Hocking Valley and
surrounding county is seen for many miles, presenting one of
36 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
the most picturesque and beautiful views in Ohio. From it
trains can be seen coming and departing on the railroads for
many miles. The
COUNTY JAIL
Stands on the north side of Chestnut street, between Broad
and High. It is one of the best jails in Ohio. Its front is a
two-story brick residence, and is used by the Sheriffs success-
ively. The prison is of sand-stone, also two stories, and joins
the brick in the rear. It was built between the year 1840
and 1850.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY FINANCES FOR THE YEAR 1875, ENDING
SEPTEMBER 1ST, 1875.
Total taxes for the year, including school fund, $228,306.44.
Total expenditures same year, $252,855.50; leaving a balance
against the treasury of $14,569.06.
The above gross sum of receipts, as shown by the Auditor's
books for 1875, was levied on the respective townships as fol-
lows. In regarding the amounts, however, it is to be borne in
mind that they are not to be taken as correctly representing
the relative wealth of the townships, because the rates of tax-
ation were more or less various :
Clear Creek Township $12,441 31
Amanda Township 13,241 34
Bloom Township 13,714 13
Violet Township 13,222 40
Liberty Township 18,053 58
Greenfield Township 12,244 16
Hocking Township ! 11,962 25
Madison Township 6,269 03
Berne Township 15,130 30
Pleasant Township 11,398 29
AValnut Township 15.263 53
Richland Township 6,945 35
Bush Creek Township 11,112 85
Lancaster 67,268 02
Grand Total $228,306 44
FAIRFIELD COUNTY IN 1806.
There are no records found in the Auditor's office to show
that anything like a regular system of taxation was estab-
lished in the county earlier than 1806. At that time the
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 37
boundaries extended far beyond their present limits, and it is
difficult now to define the outlines. The reader is therefor
referred to the laws of Ohio establishing new counties, by
which Fairfield has been contracted to its present area.
These laws can all be found in the State Library at Columbus,
but they are altogether too voluminous for the plan of this
work. I am not aware that any changes took place between
1800, when Fairfield was established by proclamation by Gov-
ernor St. Clair, and 1806, to which year we are now referring.
I find, however, that in that year there were three townships
not now in existance, viz. : Clinton, Licking and Thorn, and
that there are now three townships not then in existance;
these are Violet, Liberty and Walnut. There have also been
two townships principally stricken from the southern borders
of Fairfield within the last thirty years, and attached to Hock-
ing county ; these were Auburn and Perry, for particulars of
which, please see laws. Thorn township lay at the north-east
corner of the county, and has since been attached to Peny
County ; Clinton and Licking lay on the north.
From the assessment of 1806, as recorded in an old book
before me, I here transcribe a complete list of the names of
the tax-payers then living in the county, alphabetically, and
by townships, by which they are rendered of easy reference.
By an early law of Ohio, houses were at that time assessed for
taxation separate from real estate, the lowest limit of which, I
think, was one hundred dollars.
The sums paid in that year for every species of property by
each person varies on the list from eight cents to $17.72-^,
which latter amount was paid by Rudolph Pitcher, of Lancas-
ter, whose house, standing on Main street, a few doors east of
Shawk's alley, and on the south side, was appraised at $2,500,
and seven lots at $1,407. The next highest tax-payer was
David Rese, whose assessment was $13.00. A few in Lancas-
ter paid ten dollars; but by far the largest number in the
county paid less than a dollar. But in no township, outside
of Lancaster, was more than four dollars paid by any indi-
vidual. The gross sum of the assessments for that year was
$1,011.64£.
Further in the same old book is found a tabulated state-
ment of the collections and disbursements for the county un-
der the following heading:
38 HISTOKY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
"Statement of the receipts and expenditures of Fairfield
County for six years and four months, commencing June 11th,
1804, and ending October 6th, 1810."
Gross collections for six years and four months, from all
sources $12,862 57
Gross amount of disbursements for all purposes,
for the same time $12,349 15
NAMES OF TAX-PAYEES IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY IN 1806.
Aller, John.
Baker, Daniel.
Bond, Thomas.
Babb, William.
Boiler, Elias.
Burton, Jacob.
Bucher, Philloman.
Boyle, Hugh.
Bryan, Peter.
Cox, Mary.
Clayton, John.
Converse, James.
Compton, Ezekiel.
Compton, John.
Coffenberry, George.
Carpenter, Emanuel.
Cisna, Thomas.
Coates, Samuel.
Collen, Timothy.
Duffield, William.
Dillen, Henry.
Daily, Charles.
Eckhart, Conrad.
Feather, Peter.
Ferry, Thomas.
Foglesong, John.
Fricher, Thomas.
Graham, Id ward.
Green, Samuel.
Green, Allen.
Green, George.
HOCKING TOWNSHIP.
Harper, Samuel.
Huffman, John.
Hanson, George.
Hunter, John.
Hunter, Joseph.
Harmon, Jacob.
Holler, Samuel.
Hardy, James.
Hunter, James.
Hutchins, Benidict.
Irwin, William.
Irwin, William D.
Ingman, Edward, jr.
Ingman, Edward.
Invel, Samuel.
Kemp, Henry.
King, Christian.
Koons, John.
Keller, James.
Lymk, Johnathan.
Lofland, John.
Mellon, Bandle.
Meek, Jacob.
McCabe, William.
McCabe, David.
Marshal, John.
Marres, Ralph.
Marr, John.
Myi'er, Henry.
Myrer, Joseph.
McPherson, John.
Pitcher, Abram.
Pew, Marshall.
Rees, John.
Rees, Solomon.
Roberts, Ezekiel.
Rees, David.
Rees, Thomas.
Rees, Morris.
Rees, Jesse.
Rever, Peter.
Reynolds, Larken.
Slaughter, Robert.
Spurgeon, Jesse.
Searls, John.
Swearengen, Thos.
Shope, Daniel.
Sturgeon, Timothy.
Shun-, John.
Sacket, Elizabeth.
Swizerk, John.
Selby, Ralph.
Stoops, Samuel.
Stoops, William.
Stigart, Luke.
Stull, John.
Scofield, Elenathan.
Thompson, Samuel.
Tumlinson, William.
Vanmeter, Daniel.
Woolford, Jacob.
Wilson, Nathaniel, sr.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
39
Green, Charles.
Green, William.
Green, Timothy.
Gaster, Jacob.
Gisinger, David.
Gates, Samuel.
Hedger
North, Mary.
Neel, John.
Neibling, Christian.
Price, John.
Pitcher, Budolph.
Painter, Jacob.
Peek, Wm B.
Watson, John.
Willetson, Elisha.
Weaver, Adam.
Work, Joseph.
Williamson, John.
AVilson, Nathaniel
Young, William.
,jr-
Huston, Andrew.
Pitcher, Frederick, sr. Zerba, Peter.
BERNE TOWNSHIP.
Adison, Jacob.
Applegate, Walter.
Acart, George.
Bowman, Henry.
Bibler, John.
Baldwin, John.
Bowman, Elisha.
Babbs, Beal.
Brook, John.
Blane, William.
B cker, Benjamin.
•ryan, William.
Beery, John.
Biddle, Benjamin.
Colley, William.
Ciiuger, Frederick.
Creason, William.
Crook, E.
Crook, William.
Collins, William.
Carpenter, David.
Cofman, John.
Carpenter, William.
Carpenter, Samuel.
Carpenter, John.
Critzer, George.
Drake, Henry.
Dodd, Jacob.
Earry, Jacob.
Freshouse, John.
Fowler, Job.
Fry, Elizabeth.
Francisco, John.
Gardner, HArchobold.
Harmsberger, Conrad.
Harmsberger, Henry,
Hammet, Joseph.
Hines, Peter.
Harper, Richard.
Hansel, Henry.
Hansel, Michael,
Harsh, John.
Hamcrsphere, Abraham
Hollenbach, Jacob.
Inesel, Henry.
Jackson, William.
Keller, John.
Kusic, John.
Kenner, Frederick.
Laughlin, Denman.
Lewely, Hugh.
Leek, William.
Moyer, Daniel.
Moyer, Abraham.
Main, John.
Miller, Catharine.
McCabe, William.
Needles, Philomen.
Ozenbaugh, Henry.
Perrel, John.
Perrel, Thomas.
Perrel, Hezekiah.
Pialer, George.
Pontens, John.
Pence, Frederick.
Phillips, David.
Pence, John.
Pitcher, Abraham.
Ream, William.
Ream, Abraham.
Reese, David.
Ream, Sampson.
Rhodes, John.
Rudolph, Peter.
Runnels, Burton.
Smith, William.
Seits, Lewis.
Sanders, Peter.
Shellenbarger, John .
Swartz, George.
Sheeny, Michael.
Shellenbarger, David.
Sturgeon, Peter.
Stollner, John.
Shellenbarger, Samuel.
Shellenbarger, Henry.
Stukey, John.
Smith, Henry.
Sisco, Mary.
Sellers, Jacob.
Sellers, John.
Taylor, Grove.
Van meter, Jacob.
Yanmeter, John.
Van meter, Joseph.
Welch, William.
Wolf, Jacob.
Walker, Abraham.
Winters, John.
Wilson, William.
Wiley, William.
Watts, Robert.
40
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Gardner, Peter. Pearce, William.
Highstand, Abraham. Pennebaker, John.
Hull, Abraham. Perrel, James.
Harmsb^erger, Michael. Roberts, Amos.
BLOOM TOWNSHIP.
Westenhaver, Christian.
Westenhaver, Joseph.
Altman, Adam.
Albright, David.
Alspaugh, Jacob.
Alspaugh, George.
Berringer, Andrew.
Bolebaugh, Jacob.
Barr, John.
Boyne, John.
Baldwin, James.
Bright, Major.
Courtright, Abraham.
Clymer, Charles.
Cromley, Christian.
Cheney, Drusilla.
Crowl, George.
Campbell, Jane.
Courtright, Jesse, D.
Campbell, John.
Crawford, James.
Clymer, John.
Courtright, John.
Crowl, John. .
Curty, Low.
Cronmer, Mitchel.
Campbell, Mathew.
Clymer, Masse.
Cheney, Samuel.
Clark, Horatio.
Courtright, Bichard.
Clark, William.
Critz, John.
Due, Charity.
Dove, Henry.
Davidson, James.
Death, Isaac, sr.
Davis, Nathan.
Drake, Zepama.
Fate, Martin.
Felner, Martin.
Fate, Thomas.
Fate, George.
Flict, Andrew.
Grubb, Jacob.
Hews, Walter.
Harris, Abraham.
Harlanger, Christian.
Hushor, George.
Hyenbaugh, Henry.
Harrison , Henry.
Harroof, John.
Helt, John.
Harrison, John.
Harroof, Peter.
Kitsmiller, Benjamin.
Kitsmiller, Elizabeth.
Kitsmiller, William.
Kirk, George.
Lee, Samuel.
Lee, Daniel.
Leephart, Mary.
Lambert, James.
Lovland, Joseph.
Lee, Johnathan.
Long, William.
Lane, Wilkinson.
Lee, Zebulon.
Martin, John.
Meason, Dorsey.
Moore, John.
Meson, Isaac.
Moor, Levi.
Manville, Nicholas.
McCollum, Samuel.
Needles, George.
Needles, John.
Newkirk, Ruben.
Newkirk, Lewis.
Perrin, William.
Rickets, Charles.
Ruvele, Daniel.
Ritter, John.
Rickets, Jerry.
Rickets, Rearson.
Richart, Peter.
Spurgeon, Samuel.
Swisher, Abraham^
Snider, Adam, s
Serpers, Christian.
Spurgeon, Elijah.
Spurgeon, Elias.
Smith, Francis.
Smith, Hezakiah.
Slough, John.
Small, John.
Stallens, Launcelot.
Swisher, Jacob.
Swisher, John.
Sehouser, John.
Saither, Nicholas.
Tumbleston, Henry.
Trout, Christian.
Tefore, John.
Wiseley, William.
Wright, David.
Wiseley, Edward.
Wells, George.
Wiseley, James.
Williams, Jeremiah.
AVintersteen, John.
Wheeler, Samuel.
Young, Abraham.
Young, Jacob.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
41
CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Anderson, James.
Anderson, Edward.
Augustus, John.
Brown, Moses.
Brough, George. '
Brough, Peter.
Berry, Alexander, jr.
Berry, Alexander.
Berry, Abraham.
Bashford, Francis.
Buzzard, George. ^
Buzzard, Andrew."'
Buzzard, Henryy
Buzzard, David. y
Buzzard, Jacob. *-
Bogart, George.
Black, Richard.
Bruner, Jacob.
Beard, John.
Coledren, Jacob.
Coledren, Nehemiah.
Coledren, Jacob.
Clayton, Thomas.
Clayton, William.
Clure, Conrad.
Camie, David.
Conrad, John.
Conrad, Daniel.
Clark, Henry.
Culp, Peter.
Clapper, Henry.
Conrad, Nicholas.
Conrad, jr., Daniel.
Drury, William.
Drury, Edward.
Drury, Isaiah.
Drury, Samuel.
Dush, Mrs.
Delshauer, jr., George.
Delshauer, John.
Delshauer, Michael.
Delshauer, George.
Devebaugh, George.
Devebaugh, Daniel.
Friend, Reason.
Friend, Samuel.
Fosnought, Adam.
Fos, John.
Foust, John.
Fogler, John.
Grimes, Jacob.
Hedger, Michael.
Hoffman, Jacob.
Hunter, Robert.
Helen, Frederick.
Helen, Jacob.
Howe, James.
Hammel, George.
Hoffman, Frederick.
Helen, John.
Hedger, Levi.
Hedger, Absolem.
Hoffman, Jacob.
Jules, Henry.
Julian, William.
Julian, jr., John.
Julian, John, f
Julian, Isaac.
Julian, Stephen.
Jackson, John.
Julian, John, sr.
Kenson, George.
Kepnue, Benjamin.
Landis, Martin.
Lamb, James.
Lutz, John.
Lethers, Jacob.
Miller, Felis.
Marks, Jacob.
Myres, Christian.
Millhouse, Philip.
Mc Arthur, Alexander.
Moor, Harmon.
Mills, Amos.
Moss, Edward.
Mathias, Henry.
Moor, Henry, jr.
Millisson, Barnet.
O'Hara, James.
Owens, Nathan.
O'Hara, Hugh.
O'Hara, Charles.
Palmer, Jesse.
Parcels, John.
Peters, Daniel.
Peters, Abraham.
Pickle, Jacob.
Parks, John.
Reynolds, John.
Reynolds, Stewart.
Reynolds, William G.
Reynolds, William.
Russel, Peter.
Smart, John.
Stolder, John.
Stukey, Christian.
Shoop, Barnet.
Shafer, Isaac.
Shafer, Samuel.
Shafer, Abram.
Sharrack, John.
Sidder, Nicholas.
Shad, John.
Shoemaker, Jacob/x
Sneeyer, Lewis.
Sailor, Widow.
Shaw, Alexander.
Shanie, Philip.
Smith, Stuart.
Stotts, John.
Spangler, Samuel.
Sering, John.
Smith, Jacob.
Shoemaker, John.
Willets, Isaac
Wishard Archibald.
Wiley, William.
Willets, James.
Whetsel, Henry.
Weaver, Samuel.
Willets, Samuel.
Willets, William.
42
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Devebaugh, Jobn.
Devebaugh, Widow.
Daniel, Thomas.
Daniel, John.
Evans, Joshua.
Friend, Elijah.
Friend, Charles.
Myres, Widow.
Miller, John.
North, Zachariah.
North, William.
Nigh, Jacob.
Nogle, George.
North, Thomas.
Wheeler, Isaac.
White, John.
Young, Robert.
Young, John.
Young, Mathew.
GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Abrams, Henry.
Athey, Thomas.
Ayers, Wm.
Alden, Daniel.
Alspaugh, Jacob.
Alspaugh, Nicholas.
Baylor, Jacob.
Bright, David.
Brakebill, Jacob.
Bennett, Oliver.
Beard, John.
Basler, Jacob.
Bennett, Harry.
Bradley, John.
Bush, John.
Balenback, John
Brown, Jas.
Brettenham, Solomon.
Brandt, Ludwick.
Ballenback, Nicholas.
Bowman, Henry.
Bowyer, Jacob.
Borer, Jacob.
Bomback, David.
Bowder, Nicholas.
Bennett, Jacob.
Bennet, Elisha.
Cline, Geo.
Cook, Sarah.
Cherry, Ralph.
Cammerly, David.
Davis, Jacob.
Doddleston, Ralph.
Everland, Frederick.
Evans, Jas.
Eckhart, John.
Feniehauser, Daniel.
Firestone, Daniel.
Gary, Gilien.
Geirhart, Daniel.
Green, Lemuel.
Gundy, Christian.
Gezy, John.
Heistam, Jos.
Hanna, Jas.
Hess, Geo.
Heistand, Samuel.
Harris, Wm.
Johnson, Wm.
Johnson, Chas.
Johnson, Isaac.
Johns, Henry.
Johns, John.
Kennan, John.
Laehey, James.
Lush, Patrick.
Latshaw, Jos.
McNeal, Jos.
Morris, Daniel.
Mangale, Henry.
Moorhead, John.
McCall, Thos.
McFarland, Robert.
McFadand, Wm.
McCollum, Frank.
McArthur, John.
McCawly, Edward.
Miller, Samuel.
Moires, John.
Manville, Eli.
Noggle, Henry,
dinger, Benjamin.
Rearden, Michael.
Robertson, John.
Read, Wm.
Rough, Peter.
Randal, Samuel.
Roberts, Ebenezer.
Rigby, Wm.
Rise, Michael.
Smethers, Geo.
Sells, Wm., sr.
Sells, Wm.
Sells, Jacob.
Stewart, Jos.
Shimp, Geo.
Sanderson, AlexandeJ
Shartle, Philip.
Small, Valentine.
Showbery, Jacob.
Saim, Peter.
Sim, Henry.
Swisher, Jacob.
Tallman, Samuel.
Tannehill, Mr.
Thompson, Richard.
Tong, Wm. H.
Taylor, Drake.
Tootwiler, Jacob.
Tippy, Conrad
Wohing, Peter.
Wintermood, John
Wilson, Wm.
Wagoner, Jacob.
Wintermood, Wm.
Williams, Jos.
Wells, Jas
Wiseley, John.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
43
Edgar, John.
Eversole, Peter.
Elder, John.
Erb, John.
Fairchild. Peter.
Owen, David.
Olspach, Jacob.
Pier, John.
Pever, Isaac.
Pever. John.
Fitzgerald, Henry. Porter, David.
Fairchild, Abraham. Pence, Jacob.
Wagoner, Adam.
Wagoner, Daniel.
Weaver, Jacob.
Wilson, John.
Wilson, Jas.
Williamson, Peter.
Archer, Geo.
Armstrong, Geo.
Allen, Nathen.
Avery, Geo.
Ardoes, Holcombe.
Allen, Alexander.
Beard, John.
Branson, J-oshua.
Bean, Richard.
Bean, John.
Baker, Aaron.
Benjamin, Mr.
Beauer, David.
Benjamin, I.
Belt, C.
Borcher, Jos.
Barrick, Phillip.
Barrick, Peter.
Barlow, Abram.
Barrow, Daniel.
Belt, Acquilla.
Baleer, Daniel.
Buttler, Lewis.
Bancroft, Samuel.
Belt, Catura.
Belt, John.
Black, Jas.
Belt, Davies.
Belt, John.
Belt, John, sr.
Buskirk, John.
Buttler, Enoch.
Buttler, David.
Church, Robert.
Caruthers, Win.
Croca, John.
LICKING TOWNSHIP.
Gulfin, Job.
Gane, Wm.
Galasby, John.
Hughs, Thos.
Hughes, John.
Halden, Alexander.
Hook, John.
Henthorn, John.
Harris, Nehmiah.
Hughs, Thomas.
Hughs, Wm.
Holms, Alexander.
Heavens, Jesse.
Herron, John.
Hughs, Ellis.
Hains, Jesse,
Hickman, Samuel.
Harris, Jos.
Harris, Nehemiah.
Hays, Levi.
Hays, Seth.
Haskins, Titus.
Hilliar, Justin.
Harris, Jesse.
Haines, Wm.
Herron, Crook.
Harris, Geo.
Harris, A.
Harris, Ephraim.
Holcomb, Ezra.
Holcomb, Alvin.
Holcomb, Asa.
Hount, John.
Johnsou, Robert.
Johnson, Jchn.
James, Jesse.
Pitzer, R.
Pew, Evan.
Pew, Wm.
Phelps, John.
Parish, Joseph.
Parker, Mary.
Pratt, Worthy.
Phelps, Wm.
Pomroy, E.
Pew, A.
Peek, Catura.
Parr, Samuel.
Rathbone, Job.
Robinson, Stephen.
Radcliff, John.
Rose, Geo.
Root, Martin.
Rose, Levi.
Roseley, Bosswcll.
Rose, Samuel.
Rose, G.
Rose, Hiram.
Stith, S.
Sampson, John.
Shultz, Adam.
Sutton, Moses, jr.
Sutton, Philip.
Stadden, John.
Swisher, Jacob.
Seigler, Philip.
Sutton, Jos.
Stuart, Jas.
Spencer, John.
Shoemaker, John.
Stome, Tho.s.
Smith, Philip.
44
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Chamsel, John.
Clener, Frederick.
Canaday, Jas.
Conner, Isaac.
Claybangh, Henry.
Carr, Henry.
Creamer, Thos.
Case, Job.
Clark, A.
Cromwell, Gideon.
Cooley, Zaedock.
Cow, Jas.
Carry, Ebenezer.
Cuningham, Patrick.
Carlisle, Zachariah.
Dewees, Thos.
Dotson, Win.
Debolt, Wm.
Davis, I.
Dongan, Thos.
Duke, John
Denman, Mathias.
Dayton, Giles.
Evins, John.
Edwards, John.
Elliot, Samuel, jr.
Elliot, Samuel, sr.
Evins, Bod.
Elliot, Neal.
Evins, John.
Ford, Robert.
Ford, Phineas.
Farmer, John.
Groner, Martin.
Green, Daniel.
Green, Benjamin.
Groner, John.
Green, Thos.
Green, T.
Groner, R.
Gavit, Wm.
Gavit, Josiah.
Godard, N.
Godard,. Moses.
Gillman, Elias.
Jones, Samuel.
Johnson, Jas.
Johnson, Abraham.
Johnson, Jos.
Kite, Michael.
Kirk, Thos. '
Kiger, Anthony.
Kelso, Jos.
Kelley, Hugh.
Kendal, Joshua.
Leach, Vincent.
Livingston, Geo.
Livingston, D.
Lathley, John.
Lewis, David.
Lemuel, Jos.
Lewis, Zed.
Linkhorn, Martin.
McCawley Andrew.
Merridale, Samuel.
Manfield, Jas.
Miller, Isaac.
Miller, Abraham,
McCawley, Jas.
McCawley, Wm.
McCawley, Jas. jr.
Myres, John.
McKitrick, Jas.
Murphy, Samuel.
Mufford, Job.
Monson, Jesse.
Munson, Guston.
Miller, O.
Mitchel, Sylvanus.
Moor, Frederick.
Monson, Jeremiah.
Nelson, Joel.
Nash, Edward.
Newman, Samuel.
Newman, Morris.
Obaker, Jesse.
Orr, Geo.
Obour, Wm.
Parr, Samuel.
Parr, Richard.
Smith, Henry.
Shadier, Michael.
Shadier, John.
Shadier, Daniel.
Simpson, Isaac.
Shadier, John, jr.
Simpson, I.
Simpson, Jas.
Seym ore, Thos.
Shadier, Jacob.
Slocum, Cornelius.
Slocum, Wm.
Spelman, Timothy.
Sherwood, Robert.
Smith, Samuel.
Turnbean, Andrew.
Taylor, Wm.
Taylor, Jas.
Taylor, Wm, jr.
Tharp, Jos.
Thompson, Daniel.
Thomas, David.
Thrall, Samuel.
Taylor, Theodore, jr.
Taylor, Theodore.
Wilson, Abraham.
Wates, Daniel.
Wilson, Jacob.
Wilson, John.
Ward, Catharine.
Way man, John.
Wardeu, John.
Ward, John.
Walson, Cornelius.
Ward, Daniel.
Ward, A.
Wilcox, John.
Wells, I.
Wright, Jonathan.
Waters, Benjamin.
Winshall, Silas.
Wright, Spencer.
Williamson, John.
Wilson, Archabald.
Waters, Samuel.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
45
Anderson, Thomas.
Allen, Lemuel.
Allen, Frederick.
Allen, S.
Allen, Whiting.
Barr, John.
Barr, Andrew.
Barr, William.
Barr, Thomas.
Barr, Samuel.
Brothers, Francis.
Barnhart, Jacob.
Brown, William.
Jones, Binjamin.
Beal, James.
Burnap, Abner.
Bull, B.
Booker, James.
Brown, T.
Brown, William.
Brian, Mary.
Brian, John.
Brian, William.
Burhart, William.
Crist, John.
Caton, Benjamin.
Collins, Timothy.
Cole, Broad.
Clayton, John.
Cain, Daniel.
Cole, Shadrick.
AMANDA TOWNSHIP.
Chilcold, Mordecai.
Chilcold, John.
Clark, Neal.
Cole, Joshnay.
Cole, D.
Eagle, Thomas.
Eagle, William.
Erington, Ebenezer.
Earnman, Frederick.
Frettle, Lewis.
Gardner, Jacob.
Good, Peter.
Gossage, John.
Galagher, Thomas.
Huffer, Isaac.
Howe, James.
Hardister, Joseph.
Herron, Philip.
Howe, David.
Hooker, Richard.
Hayes, Mary.
Herrocl, John.
Hoover, John.
Highlands, Joseph.
Ingonan, Luke,
lies, Isaac.
Kester, David,
Kester, Jacob.
Kester, George.
Linebaugh, George.
Long, James.
Lane, Jesse.
Lane, William.
Lane, John.
Leathers, Frederick.
Long, William.
Morris, James.
Metcalf, Vachael.
McLane, Robert.
Murry, William.
Mackerel, Benjamin.
Nigh, George.
Owens, John.
Oram, Thomas. -—
Pavey, Samuel.
Pilcher, Frederick.
Rica, Abraham.
Russel, Thomas.
Bauer, Valentine.
Shadden, Jacob.
Swope, David.
Selby, George.
Stevens, William.
Sdarles, John.
Selby, jr., Thomas.
Torance, John.
Whiteman, Christian.
Williams, John.
Williams, Thomas.
Willets, Jesse.
Wollet, Philip.
Albright, Adam.
Arnold, Frederick.
Armstrong, Thomas.
Burton, Jacob.
Bredenstone, Frederick,
Bright, Nimrod.
Bell, Isaiah.
Bailey, James.
Barr, David.
Barr, Joseph, jr.
Buchanan, Andrew.
PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.
Giger, Martin.
Good, John.
Hill, George.
Hopman, Henry.
Hall, Daniel.
Harmon, Frederick.
Hammond, Samuel.
Hammell, Samuel.
Hite, Andrew.
Hite, Andrew, jr.
Hite, Jacob.
Neeley, William.
Pulleu, Thomas.
Pope, Abraham.
Perrin, John.
Pope, Frederick.
Powel, Aaron.
Pew, Jesse.
Powlis, Jacob.
Powel, Muses.
Quinn, James.
Radibaugh, Nicholas.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
" Berry, Jacob.
,/Berry, Christian.
Bibler, Jacob.
Brown, Ludwick.
Brown, William.
Bibler, Barbary.
Barkhammer, John.
Black, Luke.
Black, John.
Beaver, William.
Beard, William.
Beard, John.
• Baker, David.
. Caldwell, William.
Cornell, Benjamin.
Comer, Samuel.
Cagy, Christian.
Crawford, William.
Catures, Nicholas.
Cofman, Martin.
Gulp, Henry.
Chaffan, Robert.
Clove Bobert.
Dild, Jacob.
Duncan, James.
Dumna, John.
Dumna, Martin.
Durbin, Thomas.
Durbin, Samuel.
Erwin, William.
Ernest, George.
Fink, John.
Fetters, Peter.
Feemen, Benjamin.
Feemen, John.
Fetters, Conrad.
Farmer, William.
Flake, John.
Frazer, Alexander.
Fox, Jacob.
Graham, A.
Giger, Adam.
Giger, David.
Gardner, William.
Hoover, Christian.
Houser, George, jr.
Houser, John.
Hite, John.
Hampson, John.
Hill, George.
Hendrix, James.
Hite, John, jr.
Ewing, John.
Ewing, Mathew.
Inks, John.
Jones, William.
Kemerer, Philip.
Kortman, Jacob.
Kratzer, Samuel.
Kortman, jr., Jacob.
Laffady, .
Lamb, Jacob.
Laffady, Samuel.
Laffady, Thomas.
Lee, Soloman.
Lindsey, William.
Lantz, Martin.
Lamb, George.
Liuch, Henry.
Martin, William.
McCune, Adam.
Miller, Christian.
McDaniel, William.
My res, Abraham.
Maclin, Tenalt.
Musselman, Jacob.
Maclin, Peter.
Matear, Robert.
Manley, John.
Mills, Samuel.
Miller, Abraham.
Murphy, Asa.
Murphy, Benjamin.
Miller, John.
Miller, Jacob.
Murphy, William.
McNoughton, John.
Nowlin, Barnaby.
Ross, Thomas.
Roof, Peter.
Redman, Martin.
Rowley, Jacob.
Rogers, James.
Seigler, John.
Staltzer, Jacob, jr.
Springer, William.
Sturgeon, Robert.
Solter, Christian.
Siple, Frederick.
Smith, Jesse.
Soliday, Adam.
Stevenson, Thomas.
Smith, Christian.
Smith, Daniel.
Shepler, John.
Sheats, Mathias.
Shisler, John.
Sterm, Michael.
Tool, M.
Twig, Francis.
Trimble, John.
Trimble, William.
Teal, Edward.
Teal, Arthur.
Teal, Edward, jr.
Teal, Samuel.
Teal, Nathaniel.
Teal, Walter.
Thompson, William.
Torence, Robert.
Walters, Gasper.
Walters, Jacob.
Weger, John.
Wagner, Andrew.
Wagner, Benjamin.
Wiekle, Jacob.
Warner, Thomas.
Wiseman, Samuel.
Watson, Thomas.
York, William.
Ulster, Widow.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
47
Archer, George.
Bowers, A.
Bowers, Abner, jr.
Blakeny, Frances.
Beers, Jacob.
Bryon, James.
Boyd, T.
Banks, Peter.
Brown, Silas.
Brown, Aron.
Buttler, Benjamin.
Babbit, Calvin.
Br ice, Jobn.
Buttler, Isaac.
Brown, Benjamin.
Brown, David.
Brown, Ebenezer.
Brown, Luther.
Craig, Andrew.
Cook, John.
Cook. Jacob.
Craig, James.
Converse, James.
Calvin, James.
Conrad, Joseph.
Conrad, Nathan.
Dunlap, James.
Dooty, Peter.
Dunlap, Samuel.
Darling, Win.
Duglass, Wm.
Dirt, George.
Ertmell, Thomas.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
Evins, Wm.
Finley, Alexander.
Fognier, Wm.
Gass, Wm.
Hardisty, Francis.
Haines, Henry.
Herrod, James.
Henderson, James.
Harrod, John.
Harrod, Levi.
Hall, Eichard.
Harris, Enoch.
Henthorn, John.
Johnson, David.
Johnson, Abraham.
Johnson, John.
Kratzer, Samuel.
Kerr, John.
Kite, Peter.
Knight, Wm.
Kite, Nicolas.
Lyon, Abraham.
Leonard, Benjamin.
Lash, John.
Lewis, John.
Lash ley, Jacob.
Lashley, Peter.
Leonard, Wm.
Leonard, Zeba.
Marens, John.
Morrison, John.
McGowen, Chas.
McBride, Chas.
Murphy, Jacob.
Panebaker, Jacob.
Pitney, James.
Priker, Peter.
Patterson, Thomas.
Eoberts, Henry.
Eebe, Nicholas.
Eichardson, Edward.
Severe, Jesse.
Shimplin, John.
Simpkins, John.
Stotts, Joseph.
Stockwell, Michael.
Spurgeon, Nathaniel.
Shrimplim Samuel.
Simpkins, S.
Schruchfield, Wm.
St. Clair, John.
Spurgeon, George.
Talmage, Joseph.
Thomas, Samuel.
Thompson, Edward.
Walker, Alexander.
Watson, A.
Walker, Abraham.
Walker, James.
Walker, Joseph.
Woods, John.
Walker, Philip.
Wilson, Samuel.
Williamson, John.
Walker, James.
Walker, Joseph.
Acherson, Edward.
Bartholomew, John.
Barnes, Joseph.
Brooks, David.
Baker, David.
Black, James.
Bean, Paul.
Bearshore, John.
Binkley, John.
THORN TOWNSHIP.
Harris, John.
Hall, Uriah.
Humberger, Henry.
Heller, David.
Humberger, John.
Humberger, Peter.
Henderson, James.
Hooper, Jacob.
Huber, Daniel.
NefT, Henry.
Neel, James.
Orr, Kobe t.
Ogg, George.
Parr, John.
Eeam, Wm.
Eamsey, John.
Kedingur, Mathias.
Kipple, Mathias.
48
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Bowman, Henry.
Berry, John.
Chalfant, Mordecai.
Cooper, Joseph.
Cooper, Jacob.
Claypole, Wm.
Dickeson, John.
Dean, M.
Emrick, Leonard.
Fisher, John, jr.
Fisher, John.
Furguson, Joseph.
Fickle, Joseph.
Good, John.
Graham, Widow.
Howard, Chas.
Harris, Wm.
Harris, Edward.
Huffman, George.
Hoover, Christ.
Johnson, John.
Johnson, Wm.
James, John.
King, John.
Livingston, Peter.
Meek, Clelland.
McMullen, Mr.
Myres, Frederick.
Mclnturft, Frederick.
Myres, Andrew.
Mager, George.
Myres, Adam.
Myres, John.
McMullen, John.
Mervin, James.
McOwen, Thomas.
Eeam, Jacob.
Reddinger, Ludwig.
Reason, John.
Stockberger, S.
Strawn, Joel.
Stotts, Jacob.
Starret, Wm.
Starkee, Peter.
Skiner, Wm.
Smith, Andrew.
Sane, Peter.
Taylor, Wm.
Thorn, Michael.
Thompson, John.
Valentine, George.
Weadmau, George.
Wiseman, Jacob.
Weadman, John.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
Anspach, B.
Anderson, Simon.
Anspach, John.
Anderson, Ephraim.
Ashbaugh, Andrew.
Alexander, Wm.
Bolen, Wm.
Black, Peter.
Blosser, George.
Bond, John.
Brinkley, Adam.
Brinkley, Jacob.
Basehore, Frederick.
Brinkley, Henry.
Bowman, George.
Beakle, John.
Bearge, Isaac.
Bearley, Nicholas.
Brinkley, Henry.
Bright, George.
Beery, Abraham.
Beery, Henry.
Custard, Joseph.
Cooper, Robert.
Carpenter, Samuel.
Hamerly, Andrew.
Harper, Wm.
Howell, Jacob.
Head, John.
Hedleback, George.
Heek, Frederick.
Howseker, Jacob.
Henry, George.
Holt, Wm.
Harding, Ignatius.
Hiles, John.
Harford, Caspar.
Ijams, Wm.
Ijams, Isaac.
Ijams, Thomas P.
Ijams, Wm, jr.
Jervis, James.
Johnson, Benjamin.
Johnson, Asa.
Kerr, John.
Kiger, John.
Kemper, Daniel.
Kemper, Isaac.
Kindle, John.
Kino;, Christian.
Miller, George.
Maricol, John.
McGinn is, Wm.
Neely, David.
Nelson, George.
Owens, Archibald.
Overmire, Peter.
Owing, P.
Orendors, Henry.
Pew, David.
Patten, John.
Polen, Richard.
Polen, Martin.
Ruffner, Emanuel.
Rowland, James.
Rolle, Jesse.
Robertson, Wm.
Rees, Jacob.
Ray, Samuel.
Shaver, T.
Spohn, Philip.
Stiffie, Stephen.
Swagg, David.
Senfit, Jacob.
Sentit, Philip.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
49
Conaway, Jeremiah.
Clayton, Wm.
Chilcote, James.
Cool, Joseph.
Cook, John.
Comer, Philip.
Davis, Thomas.
Duvall, M. H.
Drum, John.
Drum, Peter.
Deubler, Peter.
Deubler, Leonard.
Driver, Josiah.
Downey, James.
Fay, Jacob.
Freisner, Frederick.
Glosser, George.
Godfrey, John.
Goofis, John.
Hattle, George.
Hardy. David.
Householder, Adam.
Huddle, Henry.
Kenshaw, Wm.
Lakesley, Wm.
Leonard, Jacob.
Lintch, Philip.
Laremore, Ebenezer.
La re mo re, Isaac.
Laremore, Robert.
Leath, John.
Love, John.
Laremore, James.
Murphy, Edward.
Murphy, John.
McCormick, Thomas.
McCormick, Hugh.
"McCormick, John.
McCormick, James.
McCormick, Wm.
Miller, John.
McClung, Chas.
Miller, Peter.
Musser, Theobald.
Miller, Joseph.
Moins, John.
Sain, Philip.
Sunderland, John.
Sain, David.
Stephenson, Jesse.
Sellers, Henry.
Sherrick, Andrew.
Sterner, Henry.
Shield, Edward.
Stembrink, Henry.
Turner, Benjamin.
Turner, Joseph.
Turner, Wm, sr.
Turner, Wm, jr.
Turner, James.
Thompson, Wm
Wiseman, Wm.
Whitmer, Peter.
Wilson, Wm.
Wilds, Sarah.
Winegardner, Adam.
Wills, John.
Wills, Wm.
Young, Edward.
There were, therefore, within the bounds of Fairfield county,
in the year 1806, one thousand five hundred and fifty-one tax-
payers. To make the reasonable assumption that there were
five additional persons to every tax-payer at that time within
the county, it would have given a population of a little over
nine thousands When it is remembered that the first white
family built their cabin on the Hocking in the spring of 1798,
this rapid increase of population within about seven years is
wonderful, regarding the wilderness state of the country, and
its remoteness from sources of supply. It is, however, to be
borne in mind, that the area of the county was at that time
more than three times what it is at present.
It is a melancholy reflection forced upon the mind, that of
that 1,551 tax-payers of 1806, not one is alive to-day. They
were the pioneers of the county. It was them that broke the
wilderness and drove away the wild beasts and savage men,
and opened the way for the prosperity, and plenty, and
luxury, and ease of to-day. It was them that endured hard-
50 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
ships, and toils, and privations, and the sickness of a new and
uncultivated country. Their descendants know nothing of
how they lived, and how they did, nor can a written work con-
vey any just conception of it all. These men and women have
passed away and are forgotten — nearly forgotten — the largest
mumber of them are totally forgotten ; a few only are remem-
bered—those of them who did prominent deeds. And when
another generation comes up to displace the present, the
pioneer fathers, and all they did, will have been lost to the
world forever. History tells us the numbers that went into
the field in the revolution one hundred years ago, but that is
all ; we do not know who they were, or how they appeared.
The most prominent officers are all we have any conception
of — all have turned to dust.
But the immediate descendants of the pioneer fathers of
Fairfield County, many of them, are with us, and many who
came at an early day, but after the settlements had made con
siderable progress. From them we glean much that pertains
to the early history of the county. The times of the log-cabin
era of the Hocking Valley have not faded from their memories,
but the realization is lost.
But recurring again to the tax-payers of 1806. They have
gone from the scenes of earth forever — all they did, what they
endured, how they loved, and joyed, and sorrowed, is all noth-
ing now. Their voices have all been hushed into eternal
silence, so far as earth is concerned ; their faces have faded
from memory ; the waves have closed over them forever more.
They were a noble, enduring race of men and women ; their
names and deeds ought to be carried down to posterity, far
into the coming ages. Their names have mostly faded out;
only a few of them are to be seen chiseled in the cold marble
or sand-stone that marks their last resting-places. Would-
that their virtues and patriotism were written in imperish-
able script on every threshold and on every wall, the pioneers
of Fairfield County.
To one familiar with the present population of the county,
traces of many of the pioneer families are recognized in all the
townships and original settlements, by the names and families
of their descendants, but the largest number of the families of
the tax-payers are extinct in the county. Most of the names
are entirely lost ; moving away, intermarriage, and death,
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 51
accounts for this. Many of the oldest inhabitants at present
residing in the county came early, but subsequent to 1806.
In personal notes, elsewhere, will be found notices of such
prominent early settlers, both before and after 1806, as facilities
have enabled me to secure. These older citizens still cherish
the memory of the log-cabin age of the county. The house-
raising, the log-rolling, the corn-husking, the quilting, the
country wedding, country dance; " Sister Phebe;" " Marching
to Quebec;" "Thus the farmer sows his seed;" "As oats,
peas, beans and barley grows ;" " Kilimacranky ;" and other
pla}^s then so universal. The hominy block, lie hominy, the
Johnny cake, hoe cake, corn dodger, the tinkling cow bell,
sound of the woodman's ax, the dinner horn, drumming
pheasant, and the thousand things peculiar to frontier life
sixty years ago and more ; all have passed away forever, but the
recollection of them is precious to the aged yet living — hal-
lowed, priceless. The writer has passed through all the
phases of frontier life in another part of the State. There is
nothing so dear to the aged as the remembrances of the past,
the long ago, of life's first young dreams, its loves, and joys,
and dear associations. It is a thrilling comfort to the aged
Christian man or woman, when recollection falls back to the
humble cabin with its slab benches, rude corner cupboard, and
wide fire-place, and dwells upon the sincere, simple and true
worship of other days, days that were before the carking cares
of the world, and the follies and absurdities of fashionable life
were brought in to ornament the simplicity of the religion of
the great founder of the church. Reader, did you ever let your
thoughts go back to your young days, where, unbidden, the
scenes of the past, with all that was precious to memory, came
grouping around you ? Is there anything this world can afford
that you would be willing to exchange for that hour of elysium,
that bliss that is all your own, and that cannot be taken from
you, nor marred by enemies? These good old days are all gone,
never to return, and the old mourn unavailingly their depart-
ure. There is really nothing now that was sixty years ago,
or nothing as it was then; grey heads and bent forms remain,
and tender emotions come up, but the loves and endearments
of other years have drifted back into the dim vista of the past.
Regarding the pioneers of Fairfield County during the first
fifteen or twenty years of the present century, with all they
52 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
were and what they did, they appear to the contemplative
mind as a wave of humanity that laved the shores of time for
a brief season, only to ebb away into the vast ocean of what,
to mortals in this mundane sphere of existence, seems oblivion.
They were here and did the work of their day, but they are
gone, and that is all we can say. No visible work of their
hands stands out in relief. And what has their lives and
deeds availed? Much ; but the present age fails in due appre-
ciation. To the busy throng of to-day, in their irrational race
for riches and fame and enjoyment, the former age is obliv-
ious. We rush almost frantically, at best heedlessly, over
their sleeping dust to grasp the baubles that even our own ex-
periences tell us will dissolve in our grasp. And for what?
A few more brief decades of years, and Ave will be as the
pioneers are now — gone — forgotten. We do not even pause an
hour to remember, and possibly appreciate how much we owe
to that noble and sturdy race. By their hands the forests and
jungle have been cleared away, by which the pestilential fogs
and fens have been disarmed of mischief, mostly. They did
the hard work and gave us a clear soil to till. Can we say we
are carrying forward their virtues, their practical common
sense, their good manners, humanity and worship ? Have
we inherited their patriotism ? We have grown wiser, possi-
bly, and gained wealth, material wealth. Have we grown in
goodness ?
FIRST COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.
The first judicial records for Fairfield County were entered
in a small blank book of 231 pages. The paper is very coarse,
of a dull white color, and unruled. From it I am able to make
some highly interesting extracts. The first dates are in 1803.
The manner of keeping the records would appear strange
enough at this day. Though one year after the State was ad-
mitted into the Union, the word Ohio occurs but seldom in
the volume. The records are strangely deficient in another
respect, which is, that with the exception of the names of
judges, jurors, and parties to suits, no others appear, save that
of Hugh Boyl, who was appointed Clerk of the first Court. One
fails, in passing quite through the book, to learn the name of
a Sheriff, or any other officer of the Court. Another pecu-
liarity is, that in giving the verdicts of juries— it is simply
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 53
written that the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plain-
tiff, or defendant, as the case might be, but with few excep-
tions the amount of damages is not stated. The record in this
quaint old book runs over a period of six years, viz. : from 1803
to 1809 ; but there are no dates given to any of the entries,
other than that they were a part of the proceedings of the
May term, the March term, or the June term, etc. And again,
at the opening of each term it is a part of the record, that
"The following jury was elected and sworn in." Sometimes it
is said the jury was impanneled ; at others, that the jury ap-
peared ; and at the July term of 1806 it reads : "Came a Grand
Jury." Indictments are given, with name of accused, and
crime, a few interesting examples of which will appear.
The style of the book of records before me is :
"Minutes of the proceedings of the Court of Common Pleas
for Fairfield County, beginning at May term, 1803."
At this first term of the Court of Common Pleas for Fair-
field County, which commenced on the second Tuesday of May,
1803, the record stands : "Before Wyllys Sillman, Esquire,
President, and his associates." The following are the names
of the Grand Jurors who were sworn in at that term : David
Resse, foreman ; Joseph Hunter, Henry Mesner, Jacob Lamb,
John McMean, Thomas Cisna, Frederick Leather, Thomas
McCall, Joseph Work, James Black, John Shepler, John Mills
and David Shellenberger. "And after being duly sworn, re-
tired to their room, and after some time returned into Court,
and having made no presentments, nor found any bills of in-
dictment, were discharged."
Immediately succeeding is the following, which seems to
have been the first action of the Court in a business way :
" A petition, or recommendation for a tavern-license for Peter
Biver was read to the Court. Ordered, that license be granted
to the said Peter Biver for one year from this term. " Follow-
ing this were orders to grant license for one year from " this
term" to James Black, of Newark (Newark was then within
Fairfield County), and Samuel Hammil, to keep tavern, "and
then the Court adjourned till to-morrow morning. "
" Wednesday morning, May 11th, the Court met pursuant
to adjournment. "
" The Court proceeded to the appointment of a clerk pro tem.,
when Hugh Boyl was duly appointed. "
54 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
A license was then granted to William Trimble to keep a
public house on the road leading from Lancaster " towards the
Muskingum river" (on Zane's trace). And then
" A petition for a road from Hunter's saw-mill was read,
April term, and ordered to lay over to May term." The quo-
tation is literal.
The Court then proceeded to the trial of a number of civil
cases, the first of which was styled, William Austin vs. James
Philips ; 2nd, William Peek vs. Nathan Kennedy ; 3d, Moses
Reese vs. Thomas Laplana; 4th, Amassa Delano vs. Jeremiah
Conway.
The first term of the Common Pleas for 1804 commenced on
the fourth day of January, and seems to have been held by the
three Associate Judges, as no mention of a presiding Judge ap-
pears in the record. The Associate Judges. were: Samuel Cai-
penter, Daniel Vanmeter and William Irwin. At this term a
Grand Jury was sworn, but it does not appear that they did
any work. The associates proceeded to try and determine
several civil cases, of which Charles Friend vs. Elijah Ander-
son was the first, and James Crane vs. John Elder was the
second. At this term John Cullerton, Methodist Minister,
was authorized to solomnize marriages. Some cases of a civil
nature seem to have been tried before a jury of nine ; at least
only nine names are recorded. In others, twelve are entered.
Several cases were, by consent of the parties, referred to three
arbitrators. The first was George Thompson vs. George W.
Shelby, referred to Elanathan Schofield, Joseph Hunter and
John Irwin.
The number of civil cases tried in a single term of the Com-
mon Pleas at this early day, is surprising. At the January
term of 1804 alone, there were on the docket no less than forty-
three cases.
At the opening of the April term of 1805, Robert F. Slaugh-
ter appears first on the bench. He is styled the "President."
His associates at that term were William Irvin and Robert
Cloud. Here a Grand Jury of twelve were discharged from
further attendance on the ground of not having been legally
summoned. The first case tried was Levi Merrit vs. Jacob
Resler ; the fifth was Thomas Hart vs. Alex. Sanderson. Dur-
ing this judicial year there were docketed 136 civil suits on
forty pages of the small book of records. No names of counsel
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 5
appear, and the awards of juries or amount of damages are
named but in a few instances.
The March term of 1806, Robert F. Slaughter, President, and
Henry Abrams and Jacob Burton associates, opens its proceed-
ings with the hearing of several criminal cases.c We quote
from the docket literally, thus : " State of Ohio vs. William
Long ;" "same vs. Samuel Chaney ;" "same vs. Reason Reckets ;"
"same vs. same;" "same vs. same;" "State of Ohio vs. James Lam-
bert. " In no instance is the nature of the offense or crime
specified. Wm. Long was fined one dollar and costs ; Samuel
Choney-was acquitted; Reason Rickets was fined in one case
three dollars and costs; in the two others he was acquitted.
At the March term of 1807, Hon. Leven Belt was presiding
Judge, and the Grand Jurors were Elenathan Schofield, Abra-
ham Miller, John Johnson, John Carpenter, James Love, John
Shepler, Thomas Ijams, Abraham Heistand, Elijah Spurgeon,
Abraham Courtright, John Brinkley, Peter Fetter and Jacob
Shellenbarger. At this term the .Grand Jury indicted Susan
Pealt for larceny, and were discharged. George Renie sued
Emanuel Carpenter in attachment. The record says: "the
defendant being called three times and defaulted. " Further
on is a case, " State of Ohio vs. Daniel Reese, John Elder,
John Edgar, James Taylor, Joseph Barr, George Reese, Ben-
jamin Feemen and John Baker." The offense was for non-
attendance as Petit Jurors, and the entry has it; "David Reese
and John Elder, under attachment, thereby appeared and is
discharged."
At the June term the Grand Jury were, Timothy Sturgeon,
Joseph Work, Andrew Barr, Edward Murphy, I. Maclin, Samp-
son Ream, Christian King, Thomas Ijams, John Beery, Elijah
Spurgeon, Johnathan Simpson, Jno. Stalter and Daniel Thomp-
son. This jury presented several indictments, viz. : " One
against George Livingston and Jacob Leather for assault
against each other; one against John Tent and John Fogle-
song for assault on each other ; one against Abraham Johnson
for keeping a public house and retailing spirituous liquors;
one against Samuel Taylor and Samuel Pot for assault on each
other ; one against John Spencer for assault on Oliver Stoker;
one against Joseph Cunningham for assault on Oliver Stoker;
one against Morris A. Newman for disorderly conduct in his
own house."
56 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
In February, 1808, Judge Belt was still on the bench. Asso-
ciates at this term : Leonard Carpenter, Henry Abrams and
Jacob Burton. Two indictments were found: one against
John Inks and Peter Pence for assault and battery on one an-
other ; one against John Fisher, for what offense is not stated.
During this year, as in the Courts of the four preceeding ones,
a great number of civil suits were entered on the docket.
Through the proceedings of the sessions of the Common
Pleas for the six years, viz. : 1803 and 1808, inclusive ; are
found a great many indictments for retailing spirituous liquors
without license. Other offenses against the State, so far as
specified, are mostly for assault and battery. In addition to
the usual business of the Courts, orphans, guardianships and
the like, received due attention.
The foregoing is but a very brief synopsis of the constitution
and operation of the early courts of Fairfield county. The
reader will comprehend that a fuller account would be
incompatible with the bounds this volume must assume.
RELICS.
(From the Ohio Eagle, sixty-one years ago.)
ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD! — Ran away from the
subscriber, living near Moorfield, Hardin County, Virginia, on the 29th
of April last, a negro man, named Berry. He is about twenty years of
age, five feet eight or nine inches in hight, round-shouldered, rather
slender made ; he is active and undaunted, but not viciously inclined;
reddish lips; stutters when closely examined. Whoever will secure
said slave, in any jail in the United States, so that I can get hjm again,
shall receive the above reward, and all reasonable charges paid, if
brought home. WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM, Sr.
July 31, 1815.
GINSANG WANTED. — I am now buying ginsang on every Satur-
day, at my tan-yard in New Lancaster, and giving seven cents per
pound.
The ginsang must be sound, clean washed, and the curls taken out.
DANIEL ARNOTT,
x for M. HEYLIN.
Mr. Heylin is also buying it at this time, at the above price, on every
day of the week, at J. Bush's store in Toby Town.
August 17, 1815.
BOOT AND SHOE-MAKING.— Jacob Embich (late of Hagers-
town), respectfully informs the inhabitants of Lancaster and its vicinity,
that he has commenced the Boot and Shoe-making business in all its va-
rious branches, in the house lately occupied by Christian Neibling as a
tavern.
September 7, 1815.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 57
Mr. Printer : Please insert the following ticket until the next elec-
tion. A VOTER.
Assembly — Richard Hooker ; Jacob Claypool.
BY MANY SUBSCRIBERS.
Assembly — Jacob Claypool ; Benjamin Smith ; Peter Reeber.
Commissioners — Michael Garaghty; John Huber.
, 1815.
MARRIED— On Sunday last, by Thomas Fricker, Esq., Mr. John W.
Giesy, of this town, to the amiable Miss Magdalen Hensil, daughter of
Mr. Michael Hensil, of Berne township.
December 14, 1815.
THE OHIO EAGLE.
There are some slight discrepancies among old citizens now
resident in Lancaster, as to the exact year in which the Ohio
Eagle was established. Its present issue fixes its origin in
1809, as will be seen by reference to number of volume at the
top of first page. It is possible, however, that its first begin-
ning as a German paper was a little earlier. I am told by a
citizen, that General Sanderson told him, that it was first
issued in 1807. The history then may be given briefly thus :
A little previous to 1810, Jacob D. Detrich began the publi-
cation in Lancaster of "Das Ohio Adler" and continued it for
some time as a purely German paper ; subsequently the estab-
lishment fell into the hands of Edward Shaeffer, who
continued the publication during the war of 1812, in the Eng-
lish language. It was at that time a very small sheet, of
coarse, dull, white paper. Some of its literature at that time
will appear a little odd to the present age. Here are a few
specimens copied from a number before me, of the date of 1815 :
"A QUANTITY OF upper and sole leather will be exchanged by re-
tail for good merchantable wheat, rye and corn, at Carpenter's Mills, by
ISAAC KUNTZ.
January 25th, 1815."
"TAKE NOTICE.— I take this method of informing the public that
I do not offer for sale any tickets in my lottery of personal property, nor
do not know that I shall dispose of any in the State of Ohio, but that I
am about to draw a lottery in the State of Pennsylvania, of property in
Ohio. WILLIAM DUFFIELD.
Lancaster, May 20th, 1815."
Beyond current news, advertising and other printed matter
belonging to county newspapers, the Eagle has been a strictly
58 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
political partisan sheet. In 1832, under the editorial control
of T. U. White, it supported the claims of Andrew Jackson for
the Presidency, and in 1836, those of Martin Van Buren. It
will be remembered, that during the campaign of 1832, the
Jackson party assumed the name " Democratic Party," and from
that time to the present the Eagle has been the county organ
of that party. During most of the time it has been ably con-
ducted, and has stood high among the Democratic papers of
the State.
With some trouble and research I have been able to procure
a list of the editors of the Eagle, from 1809 to 1876, which I be-
lieve are here put down in the order of their succession.
There may be a single exception or two. but the list may be
accepted as about correct. I am indebted for the information
to Mr. John Wright, who has been identified with the press
of Lancaster for more than half a century, and to the courtesy
of Thomas Wetzler, the present editor, in referring to his files.
Thus: Jacob D. Detrich, Edward Srueffer, John Hermon, T.
U. White, John and Charles Brough, Dr. Casper Thiel, Sam-
uel Pike, Robertson, Robinson, F. M. Ellis, John Tuthill,
Charles Roland, Baker, Zahm, Thomas Wetzler.
LANCASTER GAZETTE.
The Gazette was established in 1826 by General George San-
derson. Like the Eagle, it has been a partisan political
weekly. In the Presidential campaign of 1828, the Gazette
supported John Quincy Adams. And as the Jackson party
took the designation "Democratic party" in 1832, so the Adams
and Clay party took the title "Whig party" in the same year,
and the Gazette was the Whig county organ until 1854, when
that party disbanded to give place to the American, or Know
Nothing party. During that year the Gazette advocated the
Know Nothing ticket. In 1856 it adopted the Philadelphia,
or Republican platform, which party it has been the persist-
ent and able defender of to the present. The Gazette has
doubtless earned the reputation of a leading county Repub-
lican weekly of the State. Its succession of editors compare
favorably with any similar weekly publication in Ohio. I
have before me some of its earliest issues, from which a few ex-
tracts are taken, that will recall to the mind the earlier days
of Fairfield County. The following samples will suffice :
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 59
CANAL CELEBRATION.
WASHINGTON VOLUNTEERS, ATTEND.
You are ordered to parade in front of Mr. Eeed's tavern, at Monti-
cello, on the Fourth ot July, at nine o'clock, for the purpose of saluting
the canal hoat "Hebron," which will be the first to run on the Ohio Ca-
nal. Bv order of the Captain.
JACOB BOPE, O. S.
AN ORDINANCE, entitled an ordinance for levying a tax for the year
1827. — Be it enacted and ordained by the President, Recorder and
Trustees of the town of Lancaster, that a tax of three-eighths of one
per centum, or thirty-seven and a half cents on every one hundred dol-
lars, be levied on the assessment for the current year, for the use of said
town. Done in Council, this 25th day of Mav, 1827.
JACOB D. DETRICK, President.
G. Sieinman, Recorder.-
MILLINERY. — Mrs. Elizabeth Deiteich respectfully returns
thanks to her friends, and the public generally, for the very liberal
encouragement she has heretofore received, and informs them that she
continues at her dwelling-house the making of plain dresses and Calash
Bonnets. Also, Leghorn and Straw Bonnets bleached in the very best
manner, and altered to any fashion desired.
Lancaster, May 22, 1827.
The editors of the Gazette have been: George Sanderson,
Wm. J. Reece, D. L. Moler, James Percivill, George Weaver,
Thomas Slaughter, George McElroy, Joshua Clarke & Son,
Dr. H. Scott, Robert Clarke, A. P. Miller, and S. A. Griswold,
present incumbent.
OTHER PAPERS.
There have been a number of other weeklies and campaign
papers started in Lancaster at various times, and one daily ;
but none of them were of long continuance. We mention the
"Independent Press," of 1812; the " Enquirer," by P. Van-
trump; " Telegraph," King & Gruber; "Fireside," by A. P.
Miller; "American Democrat," by W. S. Beaty; " Union," by
Miller & Fritter. i
physicians.
The following are the names of the physicians who have
practiced in Lancaster from its organization up to the year
1876. To Dr. Charles Shawk and Dr. Paul Carpenter, old
physicians of the place, and both still living, I am indebted
mainly for the information. The list may be relied on as en-
60 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHTO.
tirely correct. It has not been possible, for the lack of data,
to fix the exact time of settlement of the early practitioners.
The list, however, begins with those who are known to have
settled first in the place, Dr. John Shawk being the first who
came to Lancaster and erected his cabin in the woods. Thus :
John M. Shawk, Dr. Erwin, Dr. Carr, Dr. Wilcox, Dr. Flor-
ence, Dr. Robert McNeal, Dr. James White, M. Z. Kreider,
Dr. Clark, Dr. H. H. Wait, Dr. Deepe, Dr. Wolfley, John M.
Bigelow, Dr. Paul Carpenter, Dr. Wilson, Dr. Saxe, Dr. Gou-
cher, Dr. Brecker, M. Effinger, Dr.Xynch, A. Davidson, G. W.
Boerstler, T. 0. Edwards, P. M. Wagenhals, J. M. Lewis,
Geo. K. Miller, Geo. Boerstler, Dr. Turner, Dr. Jackson, Dr
Frampton, 0. E. Davis, Dr. Dawson, Dr. Kinsman, Dr. Goss,
Dr. Flowers, Dr. Harmon, Dr. Myers, Chas. Shawk and Dr.
Shrader.
Of these, the following are still resident practitioners in
Lancaster, viz.: Paul Carpenter, Dr. Lynch, Charles Shawk,
M. Effinger, Geo. Boerstler, J. M. Lewis, Dr. Turner, Dr. Jack-
son, Dr. Goss, Dr. Flowers, and Dr. Harmon.
Of those who have removed to other parts, and are known
to be still living, are : J. M. Bigelow, 0. E. Davis, P. M, Wag-
enhals, Dr. Shrader and Dr. Kinsman. Dr. Andrew Davidson
purchased the drug establishment of George Kauffman, on
Main street, wher.e he still continues.
Those who are known to have deceased previous to 1876, are:
John M. Shawk, James White, Robert McNeal, M. Z. Kreider,
Dr. Clark, H. H. Wait, D. Deppe, Dr. Wolfley, Dr. Saxe, Dr.
Goucher, Dr. Brecker, Geo. W. Boerstler, Dr. Dawson, George
Miller, Dr. Ervin, Dr. Carr, Dr. Wilcox, Dr. Florence, Dr.
Myers and T. 0 Edwards.
'* I have not at my command the facilities for learning the
names of all the physicians who have practiced in the villages
and other parts of the county since its organization, but men-
tion the following from memory : Baltimore : Dr. Gohegen, Dr.
Helmic, Dr. Horr and Dr. Sprague. Lithopilis : Dr. Minor and
Dr. Eels. Jefferson : Dr. Tolbert. Royalton : Dr Paul, Dr. Daw-
son and Dr. Reed. Amanda: Dr. Daugherty, Dr. Peters, and the
brothers Hewitson. Oakland: Dr. Shaeffer. Clear Creek:
Dr. Porter. Sugar Grove : Dr. Brown, Dr. Foster, Dr. Sharp
and Dr. Brooks. Bremen: Dr. Evans, Dr. Holcom, and Dr.
Frampton. Rushville : Dr. lde and Dr. Turner. West Rush.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 61
ville: Dr. Dolison and Dr. Lewis. New Salem: Dr. Brock and
Dr. Yontz. Pleasantville: Dr. Goss. Millersport: Dr. Brison
& Son. Basil: Dr. Maines. Carroll: Dr. Aldred. Dumont-
ville : Dr. Mills and Dr. Bright.
I am aware that this list is not quite complete, but it is as
nearly so as my possibilities will permit.
INSCRIPTIONS IN KOONTZ's GRAVEYARD, ONE MILE SOUTH
OF LANCASTER.
" Emanuel Carpenter, died in 1832." [Mr. Carpenter came into the
county in 1802, and built his first cabin where Salem Wolf recently re-
sided, near Lancaster].
"Isaac Kuntz, died in February, 1861, aged 75 years."
" John Carpenter [father of Mrs. John Van Pearce], died in 1807, aged
64 years."
" David Carpenter, died in 1847, aged 79 years."
"Mrs. Susana Carpenter, wife of David Carpenter, died in 1840, aged
66 years."
" Robert F. Slaughter, died in October, 1846, aged 77 years."
"Sarah Slaughter, wife of Judge Robert Slaughter, died in March,
1858, aged 63 years."
A GHOST STORY.
The mental and intellectual status, as well as the social
constitution of society, was about the same throughout the
whole of the north-western territories, at, or during the log-
cabin era. The emigrants at first brought with them from
the old States their religion, their social habits, their manners
and customs; but residence for a few years in the wilderness,
far away from the more densely populated and better con-
ditioned ultra montane lands of their birth, created by a kind
of necessity, a state of society peculiarly western, which, pass-
ing into history, constitutes an era. The times are referred to as
pioneer life, frontier life, backwoods life, the log-cabin era, and
the like. The prejudices and superstitions were about the
same everywhere; they belonged to the age; they were not
peculiar to backwoods life ; old and aristocratic, and what it is
common to call refined and more enlightened countries, have
had their ghosts and witches ; Fairfield County has* had its
ghosts, and apparitions, and witches. The story I am about
• to tell did not belong to this county, but to a western county
of Ohio, and it reflects the times of its occurrence.
t>2 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
It is more than half a century since — three-fourths of all the
people concerned are dead ; three-fourths of all the people of
our settlement believed in apparitions, witches and supernat-
ural omens. Salem Witchcraft, so-called, had infused itself over
the entire country, and there were few neighborhoods that had
not had, at one time or another, their ghosts, and witches,
and occasional visitants from the land of " Deepest Shade. "
Sounds and appearances now well understood, and that disturb
nobody, were then supernatural. Several volumes would
scarcely suffice to narrate all the signs and wonders and inci-
dents that, during that more diffused dominion of superstition,
held the people in awe. The celestial realms, as well as the
land of demons were represented on earth occasionally. But as
the fogs and miasmas of the wilderness have lifted, so has the
mind been cleared of much of its superstition by the brighten-
ing rays of science. But neither have the fogs nor the mental
sombre quite all gone, though the luminaries seem well up
from the horizon. But no matter for all that, our neighbor-
hood had its ghost, which the writer never saw but once, and
we shall presently see how.
A majority of all the people within a radius of five or six
miles around had seen the apparition at some time ; it usually
assumed the size and form of a human being, and always
clothed in pure white. It was seen by persons returning from
night meetings and other gatherings, and sometimes by
solitary parsons who chanced to be abroad after night. There
were two small graveyards in the settlement, and two or three
waste cabins by the road sides that had been once occupied,
and afterwards vacated. These were the points where his
ghostship usually chose for his materialization as mortals
passed by in the dark. The neighborhood had been in the
utmost terror at times during more than two years, and it
came at last to be, that only a few could be found brave enough
to undertake to pass either of the graveyards or waste cabins
alone in the dark. Even those who assumed to ridicule the
stories that were told about the ghost, would always prefer to
have company when their business required them to pass
those places in the night time.
Two theories were canvassed, the first of which was, that a
peddler had previously disappeared from the settlement, and
under the dark apprehension that he had met with foul play,
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 63
it was believed that his troubled spirit was hovering aboutt
The other theory was, that a company of North Carolina explor-
ers who had penetrated the county before the settlement
began, had foully murdered one of their number, and buried
his body in the forest not far, as was believed, from there, and
that his perturbed spirit could not go to rest unavenged.
My father's farm was separated from that of neighbor H. by
a partition fence, ours being situated on the north side. The
distance between the two houses was about one-third of a mile.
On their side was a stubble-field and peach-orchard; on ours
was a cornfield. At the crossing of the partition fence was one
of the little graveyards before referred to. It was grown up
with scrubby bushes, which partially concealed a few mossy
palings and log-pens that were placed over some of the graves.
Altogether, the graveyard was a neglected spot.
There was a corn-husking and quilting at the house of our
neighbor. It was the latter part of October, and the weather
Avas mild, and of that kind commonly spoken of as Indian
Summer. At about two o'clock in the night the work had all
been finished, and the supper over, and the folks were begin-
ing to depart for home. Two brothers, two sisters and my-
self, with half a dozen other young folks were going to cross
the field, which would take us directly past the graveyard.
We were strongly fortified, and believed we should not be
much afraid of ghosts ; still, all of us, I think, would have pre-
ferred daylight for the walk. We had got as far as the door
of the new house, where part of the young people were going
to finish the night with a dance, and were halting a little to
listen to the fiddle, when, by accident, I chanced to turn my
face in the direction of the old house, some three or four rods
distant, when I caught a glimpse of three chaps as they came
out of the kitchen door, and whipped around the corner to the
right. But their movement was not so quick as to prevent
me from seeing a roll of something white under one of their
arms by the aid of the burning candles in their rear. It oc-
cured to me at once that the scamps, knowing that we were
starting, were intending to anticipate us at the graveyard
and give us a fright. I plucked the boys to one side and
whispered my discovery and my suspicions. We called the
girls, and hurried across the peach-orchard to where the stub-
bles set in. Here we left them under cover of a peach tree,
64 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
while six boys of us hastened across to the fence. The woulcl-
bj-ghosts we knew would have about three times our distance
to go, and we knew we were ahead of them time enough to
complete our plans.
One of our number stood six feet in his stockings. He was,
moreover, not much afraid of spirits, either in or out of the
body, and he at once volunteered to take the role of ghost. He
wore at the time white pants, and when divested of coat and
vest, was white all over. He then went in among the bushes
and laid flat down by the side of one of the little log-pens,
where he was entirely hid from view, while the balance of us
prostrated ourselves snugly in the fence corners to await what
might follow. It was not more than a couple of minutes be-
fore the rustling leaves and cracking sticks hearalded the ap-
proach of the ghosts. They were coming from the east, and on
our side of the fence. They advanced exactly opposite to where
the figure lay, and having halted, began to unroll the sheet. I
could easily have put out my hand and grabbed one of them by
the calf, but I waited. Presently an awful groan issued from
the bushes. The scamps were instantly transfixed and petri-
fied. Another groan, and with it a white form began to rise
up apparently from the little log-pen; slowly it ascended, un-
til it had probably attained the altitude of twenty feet or more,
in the enlarged imaginations of the boys who were standing
in breathless awe.
Then a voice, solemn and sepulchral, was heard. It said :
" Why, vain mortals, do you come at this silent hour to disturb the
peaceful sleepers of the grave ? Retire and pray, for where we are,
you too soon will be;" and then the apparition sank back ap-
parently into the ground.
The fence was eight rails high, and without stakes or riders.
I believed my time had come, and so I reached out from my
dark corner and laid hold of a leg, and in the twinkling of an
eye the fence rails began to tumble about us with such fearful
profusion as to require the greatest activity on our parts to es-
cape with sound skulls and bones, while three pair of long legs
were seen making the quickest time on record across the stub-
ble-field, to where the forms disappeared under the peach trees.
It is about fifty-three years ago, but from that day to the
present, so far as I have ever heard, no ghost has been reported
in that settlement.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 65
There was but one wonder in the matter, and that was, how
Aiese boys had so long escaped detection.
MISCELLANEOUS,
While we are chronicling what the world denominates the
dead past and the living present, it will be well if we take
plenty of time to think the time all over and see if we can
consent that all the claimed advancement of the age is in
fact;, in every respect, advancement to a higher and better con-
dition of mankind. The world is surely growing wiser (the
world of man), but is it growing better? We ought to try to
satisfy ourselves whether, in getting wisdom, we are getting
good hearts. I am impelled to introduce this suggestion be-
cause I fear that morals and religion and secular governments
are not as good as they were when the world was not as wise
as it is to-day. The art of war, and the art of getting rich are
controlling forces now. Are these forces civilizing ? I know
it is a common belief that civilization and religious faith are
growing rapidly in this second half of the nineteenth century.
I do not contradict the claim, but let us pause and consider
whether we are not leaving behind the essential maxims, and
let me say good manners, good sense, and the golden rule.
Where is the golden rule in war and the race for riches, and
other popular movements of the age. These are all subjects
for grave thought and more earnest and candid consideration
than men, in their hurry, are in the habit of thinking. We
ought never to lose sight of the fact that there is such a thing
as educating the intellect far in advance of £he heart and the
moral and religious sentiments. And I think none who are
careful observers can say, that such is not the present course
of training the rising generations.
We demand of our orators and writers now elegance of ex-
pression and diction, and hence more attention is given to
brilliancy and finely-uttered sentences than to truth and
humanizing thought and practice, and the really useful les-
sons of life. If more pains were taken in the matter of speech
than the manner, higher wisdom would be displayed. Teach-
ers should labor more to instruct than to please or amuse. Am-
biguity, it seems to me, has usurped the place of simplicity
and unostentatious words that convey understanding and use-
5
66 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
ful thoughts. The world will condemn a man more for a
blunder in grammar, or orthography, or elegance of express-
ion than it will for gross immorality, often, or for the violation
of the rule of good manners. To be scholarly is to be correct
in grammar, and to be able to quote fine sentiments from
popular authors. But he is not fit to be an educator who
cares more to please his auditors by brilliancy that he may
gain popular applause. And I shall insist that, with all our
learning, we can profit much every way by reverting often to
the old maxims and usages that we have run away from.
There are some beautiful maxims in the old school books of
sixty years ago that the world has discarded, mainly. At
least they are no more printed. But they are not forgotten
by the old people, who, in their school days, were familiar
with Webster's Spelling Book, "the easy standard of pronun-
ciation." They will be easily recalled, and will bring the
mind back to the little log school-house with its slab benches
and oiled paper windows, and to pleasant scenes and joys de-
parted, never again to return. The book has long been out of
print ; scarcely a copy of it can be found in existence ; but its
precepts live in the memories and hearts of those who were in
school sixty years ago, and are still living. I quote from
memory the following, which were the first reading lessons,
my older readers, you and I learned. How delightful to pass
over the lines which bring back fond recollections, and group
around us delights we once felt, but which we shall feel no
more. The mind at once takes in the twenty or thirty boys
and girls and thdteacher, every one of whom we knew so well,
and we instinctively ask : where are they all now ? Here is
the very first reading lesson :
No man may put off the law of God ;
My joy is in His law all the day.
O, may I not go in the way of sin !
Let me not go in the way of ill men.
Do as well as you can, and do no harm.
Mark the man that doth well and do so too.
Help such as want help, and be kind.
Let your sins past put you in mind to mend.
Sin will lead us to pain and woe.
Love that which is good and shun vice.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 67
Hate no man, but love both friends and foes.
A bad man can take no rest day nor night.
Slight no man, for you know not how soon you may stand in -need of
his help.
Tell no tales ; call no ill names.
You must not lie, nor swear, nor cheat, nor steal.
Here is a beautiful poem which will be remembered as
standing just before "the pictures" of this old spelling book.
The moral it teaches was not taught us by our teachers, and I
can remember that we saw nothing in the lesson but the girl,
the lamb and the cold blast.
THE LAMB.
A young, feeble lamb as Emily passed,
In pity she turned to behold,
How it shivered and shrank from the merciless blast,
Then fell all benumbed with the cold.
She raised it, and touched with the innocent's fate,
Its soft form to her bosom she pressed ;
But the tender relief was afforded too late —
It bleated, and died on her breast.
The moralist then, as the corse she resigned,
And weeping, spring flowers o'er it laid,
Thus mused, "so it fares with the delicate mind,
To the tempest of fortune betrayed."
Too tender, like thee, the rude shock to sustain,
And denied the relief that would save,
She's lost, and when pity and kindness are vain.
Thus we dress the poor sufferer's grave.
The goldfinch that was "starved in his cage" will likewise
be remembered :
Time was when I was free as air,
The thistle's downy seed my fare,
My drink the morning dew ;
I perched at will on every spray,
My form genteel, my plumage gay,
My strains forever new.
68 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
But gaudy plumage, sprightly strain,
And form genteel, were all in vain,
And of a transient date ;
For caught and caged, and starved to death,
In dying sighs, my little breath
Soon passed the wiry grate.
Thanks, little Miss, for all my woes,
And thanks for this effectual close,
And cure of every ill ;
More cruelly could none express,
And I, if you had shown me less,
Had been your prisoner still.
Those who have been once familiar with the quotations,
will be all the better men and women by the reproduction and
review, because they place the thoughts back before the
beginning of the turmoil of life, to where innocence, truth and
purity reigned. One more quotation, and we leave the old
spelling book. I feel sure my reproductions are literal, though
I quote from memory across a chasm of more than fifty years.
"of the boy that stole apples."
" An old man found a rude boy upon one of his trees steal-
ing apples, and desired him to come down, but the young
sauce-box told him plainly he would not. Won't you ? said
the old man, then I will try to fetch you down, so he pulled
up some tufts of grass and threw at him, but this only made
the youngster laugh to think that the old man should pretend
to beat him down from the tree with grass only. Well, well,
said the old man, if neither words nor grass will do, I will try
what virtue there is in stones, so the old man pelted him
heartily with stones, which soon made the young chap hasten
down from the tree and beg the old man's pardon."
GRAPE CULTURE.
I am indebted to Mr. J. F. Bovring, of Lancaster, for the
following approximative synopsis of the grape culture of Fair-
field County. It is in place here to say, that a large propor-
tion of the surface of the county is adapted to the grape, but
most especially the south part.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 59
Mr. Bovring estimates, from facilities at his control, the
number of acres now planted in vineyards within the county,
more or less productive, at three hundred ; others place the
number higher. He thinks grape growing, as a business,
began in the county about the year 1864. Average product to
the acre, in a fair season, 2,000 pounds, equal to 200 gallons of
wine. The leading varieties grown in the county are, Catawba,
Isabel, Concord, and Ives' Seedling.
STATISTICS OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY.
Below is a tabulated statement of the valuation of real and
personal property within the county, as returned for taxation
for four consecutive years. This,- however, does not represent
the true valuation, as property is never, or seldom, placed on
the tax duplicate at its selling value.
Valuation. Taxes.
1873 $17,840,970 00 $260,499 59
1874 18,167,540 00 245,432 25
1875 18,442,370 00 223,016 13
1876 18,422,840 00 215,741 99
SPECIAL TAX FOR PAVING AND CURBING.
1874 $1,173 02
1875 2,333 60
1876 5,693 17
SECRET SOCIETIES.
The following letter from W. J. Reece, Past Worthy Grand
Master, is the history of Free Masonry in Lancaster, from its
inception :
Dr. H. Scott — Dear Sir : The Masonic Fraternity obtained a formal
and recognized status in Lancaster at an early period.
On December 15th, 1820, Lancaster Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons was constituted under charter from the most worshipful Grand
Lodge of Ohio, with James Wilson for its Worthy Master, Charles R.
Sherman First Seignior Warden, and Jacob D. Detrick First Junior
Warden.
Lancaster Chapter of Royal Arch Masons was organized under
authority from the M. E. Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ohio, on the
12th day of January, 1826, Charles R. Sherman being first High Priest.
Lancaster Counsel of Royal Select Masons was instituted on the 11th
day of January, 1828. by John Barker, Esq., as Sovereign Grand Inspec-
tor of the Supreme Council of the 33d Degree, Charles R. Sherman its
T. I. Grand Master.
Lancaster Encampment, or Commandary of Knight Templars and the
appendant orders, was organized December 16th, 1837, under warrant
from the General Grand Encampment of the United States. William
70 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
J. Keece was its First Grand Master, George Sanderson First General-
ising, and Joseph Greet First Captain General.
Within these respectable and' associated bodies, some of the most
prominent and influential and best citizens of Lancaster and Fairfield
County, found elevated and congenial fellowship.
The' fundamental life-sustaining principles of Masonry have been
sometimes misapprehended, and therefore misunderstood. Its mission
upon earth has been superbly consequential through all the rough, rude,
barbaric, the ignorant, clashing and conflicting ages of the past. It has
preserved inviolate and intact the knowledge of one Supreme Creator
and universal God ; and it has grandly helped to nurse into activity
the beneficent idea of human brotherhood. It will culminate and end
whenever the prohphetical lion everywhere lies down with the typical
lamb, actuated with the spotless innocence of the lamb.
Lancaster, Ohio. WM. J. REECE.
VILLAGE LODGES WITHIN THE COUNTY AND BEYOND LANCASTER*
Salem Lodge of F. & A. M., No. 87, at New Salem, was insti-
tuted in 1842. The charter-members were : M. D. Brock, S.
Baker, W C. Galleher, Caleb Coplen, J. Linville, J. Baker, J.
H. Baker (7). Number of members in March, 1877, 84.
Baltimore Lodge of F. & A. M, at Baltimore, was instituted
October 22d, 1873. Charter-members: Harrison Applegate,
William Myres, W. W. Luckey, J. H. Schaertzer, D. H. Sands,
J. R. Brandt, William Cook, John Sauns, Samuel Fenster-
maker, E. K. Grube, G. W. Watson, Thomas Smurr, J. W.
Buchanan, Daniel Albright, Lewis Shearer. Number of mem-
bers in March, 1877, 42.
Napthalia Lodge of F. & A. M., at Carroll, No. 262. Date of
charter, October 15th, 1855. Names of charter-members : Jos.
Grubb, A. T. Aldred, James Holmes, Andrew Saylor, E. H.
Davis, Thos. W. A. Wilson, William Jacobs and John P. Gute-
lins. Number of members in March, 1877, 40.
[There has occasionally occurred a name in the lists sent
me, that it has been impossible for me to be absolutely certain
of the correct orthography. The last one in the Carroll list
was one of that kind. — Ed.]
Rushville Lodge, No. 2il, F. & A. M., at Rushville, was insti-
tuted in 1852. Charter-members: Wm. Coulson, David Wil-
son, D. M. Rea, Wm. Harper, John P. Hodge, N. B. Coulson,
N. B. Teel, Daniel Baker, W. Vansant. Number of members
in March, 1877, 40.
Lithopolis Lodge, No. 169, F. & A. M., was instituted January
21st, 1848. Charter-members: Joshua Glanville, William
Teegardin, Daniel Teegardin, Peter Teegardin, John B. Moore,
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 71
Zebulon Perril, Jacob Teegardin, Daniel Miller, Joseph Miller,
John Smith, W. W. Hite, William Riley, Jacob Shrock and
William Jacobs. Number of members in March, 1877, 75.
The regular meetings of this Lodge are held on Friday even-
ing preceding each full moon, but if the moon fulls on Fri-
day evening, then the meeting takes place on that evening.
Amanda Lodge of F. & A. M., No. 509, was instituted October
28th, 1876. Names of charter-members: H. G. Trout, Edward
Griner, Levi Lawrence, J. D. Landis, B. F. Rambo, # Jacob Bal-
thaser, D. M. Miesee, J. A. Julien, D. J. V. Wolf. Number of
members in March, 1877, 20.
ODD FELLOWSHIP.
CHARITY LODGE, NO. 7.
Charity Lodge, No. 7, of Odd Fellows, was organied in Lan-
caster, Feb. 8th, 1838. Its charter-members were : Jacob W.
Holt, B. R. Banes, R. Timber, Jacob Grubb, George H. Ar-
nold, R. P. Hazlett. Number of members at the beginning of
the year 1877, two hundred and twenty.
ALPINE LODGE.
Alpine Lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 566, was " instituted in
Lancaster, June 2d, 1874, by Jos. Dowdall, P.G. Representative
and Special Deputy." Following are the names of the
charter-members :
R. G. Shugert, P. G. ; B. F. Reindmond, P. G. ; A. Breneman,
P. G. ; H. J. Reinmond, P. G. ; J. C. Hite, P. G. ; Thomas H.
Hall, Geo. M. Bell, Geo. W. Bcerstler, Thomas H. Dolson,
Leonard Kissner, Thomas Reap, Lewis Boyer, Abe. Myres,
Charles Elliott, C. F. Ochs, Leo. Billhorn, John A. Heim, Allen
Titler, Jacob Heinbarger, Simpson Sturgeon, J. E. Hall, Geo.
A. Bryant, John McKown, Henry Borneman, E. W. Daniels,
P. G. ; J. W. Faringer, P. G. ; Wilber Downs, P. G. ; H. C Out-
calt, P. G. ; H. F. Smith, P. G. ; W. W. Davis, M. S. Harps, ,
Wm. Kooken, J, M. Sutphen, Wm. Strayer, Wm. Ditto, D. W.
Boyer, B. H. Saunders, R. J. Harris, Wm. Dennis, John Bill-
horn, W. H. Walker, Christian Gaiser, 0. S. Stoneburner, Jas.
H. Smith, A. A. Beery, J. K. Davis, A. W. Swartz, Wm. F.
Getz, James Wilson. Present number of members, 108.
72 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
ENCAMPMENT.
The Hocking Encampment of Odd Fellows, No. 28, was in-
stituted Dec. 4th, 1847. Charter-members : Jacob W. Holt,
Thomas Hyde, Joseph C. Kinkhead, Wm. Baker, Josiah Wil-
son, B. F. Brannon, James W. Pratt. Present number of mem-
bers, 220.
LODGES OUT OF LANCASTER.
Crescer>t Lodge, No. 561, at Bremen, was instituted Oct. 2d,
1873. The charter-members were : C. B. Holcomb, H. Shull,
N. Westenberger, S. F. Abell, W. H. Hartsough, Wm. Wehr,
S. H. Alexander, J. M. Work, S. A. McCullough, J. S. John-
son, W. S. John: on. Membership in Feb., 1877, forty-four (44).
Sugar Grove Lodge, at Sugar Grove, No. 654, I. 0. 0. F.,
was instituted Aug. 4th, 1876. The charter-members were :
J. V. Sharp, G. F. Hummel, W. H. Elder, W. F. Noggle, L. C.
Mathena, R. F. Brown, Joseph Sharp, James H. Foster, Jacob
Walter, G. W. Pannabaker, Abraham Ream. Membership in
Feb., 1877, eighteen (18).
Central Valley Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., No. 548, at Amanda, was
instituted July 10th, 1873. The charter-members Avere : W.
H. Dickson, B. Balthaser, T. J. Barr, C. H. Sunderman, T. L.
Hewetson, Wm. Acton, W. B. Sunderman, P. Hewetson, H.
D. Aldenderfer, George Aldenderfer, David Crites, Joseph
Bechtel, Andrew Laps, Samuel Griffith, Sr. Whole number
of members in Feb., 1877, forty-five (45).
Weaver Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., No. 486, at Greencastle, was or-
ganized July 20th, 1871. The charter-members were : M. B.
Custer, A. S. Beaty, Wm. Kiger, Samuel Crist, Samuel Wiser,
Elijah Alspach, Y. Courtright, Paul Alspach, H. R. Roller, R.
H. Mason, S. P. Crist, J. T. Williamson. Membership in
Feb., 1877, fifty-nine (59).
Baltimore Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., No. 202, at Baltimore, was in-
stituted June 11th, 1852. The charter-members were : ■ Cas-
per Fiddler, A. L. Simmons, H. L. Nicely, Wm. Potter, J.
Bartholomew, Wm. J. Smart, J. Schlosser, James Pugh, Job
McNamee, Thomas M. Watson, Jacob Ketner, John H.
Weekly, Frederick Graff, Wm. Paul, Elijah Warner. Whole
number of members in Feb., 1877, eigh.ty-three (83).
Liberty Encampment of Baltimore, No. 169, was organized
July 14th, 1873. The names of the charter-members were:
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 16
Jonas Messerly, J. J. Hansberger, A. L. Gearhart, Daniel
Langle, V. H. Grinder, J. W. Whitely, Samuel Rader, Daniel
dinger, W. P. Littlejohn, J. Norris, F. G. Littlejohn, W. H.
Oliver, John Javoi, T. I. Arnold, Peter Roshon, J. W. Chap-
man, R. S. Broch, S. S. Weist, Frederick Born, Wm. Cook.
Membership in Feb., 1877, thirty-five (35).
Fairfield Lodge, I. O. 0. F., No. 163, at Pleasantville, was
instituted Oct. 7th, 1850. The charter-members were : Thos.
O. Wilson, Wm. Buchanan, Wm. Cupp, Jacob Bope, Thos.
Andrews, Benjamin Walters, John F. Irick, Solomon Weaver,
Job McNamee, Adam Shaw. Thomas A. Bratton, Martin Ka-
gay, N. C. Miller, Samuel Cupp, James Brown, Thos. Kidwell.
Number of members in Feb. 1877, seventy-one (71).
Philo Lodge, 1. 0. 0. F., No. 392, at West Rushville, was in-
stituted July 12, 1867. Following are the names of the
charter-members : W. B. Strickley, Joseph McFee, H. L.
Whitehead, J. M.-Strickler, Chas. McClung, James Henderson,
Michael Keelm, C. C. B. Duncan, Jacob Lamb. Membership
in Feb., 1877, fifty, (50).-
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Mount Pleasant Lodge, No. 48, of the order of Knights of
Pythias, was instituted in Lancaster on the 20th day of Feb-
ruary, 1873. The charter-members, twenty-seven in number,
were : H. B. Gray, J. H. Heed, Leo Bilhorn, R. R. Pierce, John
A. Hern, J. A. Richards, C. A. Scoville, William Ditto, J. D.
Hcilbron, R. M. Wiley, J. A. Bartholomew, N. C. Rudolph, H.
Getz, C. H. Towson, W.' W. O'Bough, 0. S. Stoneburner, N. N.
Gates, T. C. Ochs, J. Bilhorn, H. Boneman, F. Etzel, J. D.
Widner, W. F. Getz, M. H. Harps, S. H. Beck, A. Deitz, C.
Bartholomew. Number of members in March, 1877, 110.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
Columbia Lodge, No. 27, of the order of the Knights of
Honor, was instituted in Lancaster September 9th, 1874. The
charter-members were fourteen, as follows : Jno. W. Faringer,
John C. Tuthill, John C. Hite, J. M. Sutphen, A. M. Beery, ^
Wm. B. McCracken, Wallace W. Hite, Wm. Bush, Dr. George J
74 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Boerstler, J. D. Allen, Robert Durane, Henry B. Peters, Solo-
mon Weaver, M. A. Philips. Number of members in March,
1877, 54.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
CAPT. KELLER'S LETTER.
Dr. H. Scott — Dear Sir: I herewith hand you the information you
requested. The " Grange "' was first organized in Washington City, in
July, 1867, with Wm. Saunders, Master, and O. H. Kelly, Secretary.
The first Grange organized in Ohio was in February, 1871, wdiich was
the only one organized in that year.
In 1872 there were organized 7 Granges.
In 1873 " " 315
In 1874 " " 779
In 1875 " " 128
In 1876 " " 63
Total number in Ohio 1292 Granges.
Total membership in Ohio to the close of 1876 55,000.
OHIO OFFICERS.
S. H. Ellis, Master, Springboro, Ohio ; W. S. Miller, Secretary, Cas-
talia, Ohio.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
J. H. Brigham. Chairman, Wauseon, Ohio ; J. P. Schenck, Frank"
lin, Ohio ; C. C. Cummings, Painesville, Ohio ; A. E. Keller, Lancaster,
Ohio; N. H. Albaugh, Tadmer, Ohio; H. McDowell, Canton, Ohio;
H. S. Ellis and W. W. Miller, Ex-officio. General Business Agent, Box
50, Cincinnati.
GRANGES IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY.
The first Grange organized in Fairfield County was Rush Creek
Grange, No. 67, located at Bremen, in July, 1873; and the following
were instituted in the order named :
Bloom Grange, No. 395; Pleasant Grange, No. 675; Violet Grange,
No. 683 ; Greenfield Grange, No. 725 ; Hocking Grange, No. 706 ; Union
Grange, No. 762 ; Cedar Hill Grange, No. 763 ; Amanda Grange, Nofn
815; Stoutsville Grange, No 917; Harvey Grange, No. 930; Walnut
Grange, No. 931 ; Berne Grange, No. 959 ; New Salem Grange, No. 971 ;
Richland Grange, No. 838; Clear Creek Grange, No. 1011; Summit
Grange, No. 1038 ; Fairfield Grange, No. 1148 ; Liberty Grange, No.
929. Total Granges in Fairfield County, 19.
The last organized was Fairfield Grange, April, 1874. A majority of
the above were organized by William Funk, of Rush Creek, who was
Deputy during 1874, during which year most of the Granges were or-
ganized.
Nos. 706 and 725 (Greenfield and Hocking), have consolidated, as
have also 838 and 1,148 (Richland and Fairfield). Halls have either
been built or purchased by Pleasant. 675 ; Greenfield, 725 ; Cedar Hill,
763 ; New Salem, 971 ; and Fairfield, 1148.
Greenfield Grange has the greatest number of members, aggregating
135. The total membership of the county is about 1,200. The excite-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 75
merit of organization carried many into the order who were influenced
by purely selfish motives, and who expected to grow suddenly rich with-
out effort, and some of this class have expressed dissatisfaction and
dropped from the rolls of their respective Granges. But the order is in
a much better condition now than ever before, a majority of the most
enterprising farmers of each community having become identified with
it. Respectfully, A. R. KELLER.
st. Joseph's benevolent association, catholic brotherhood.
This association was organized in Lancaster, on the 2d day
of July, 1861. The following quotations will show the objects
and aims of the society :
" This society shall be known as the St. Joseph's Benevo-
lent Association of Lancaster."
" Any member of St. Mary's congregation who has attained
to the age of eighteen years, and has not passed his fifty-fifth
year, may become a member of this association."
" No active member of the old St. Mary's Society shall be
excluded from the privilege of becoming a member of St.
Joseph's Benevolent Association on account of his age."
"No person who is not of good Catholic life and standing
can become a member of this association. This last condition,
viz. : honorable Christian character, shall always remain essen-
tial to membership."
" The hour of commencing the stated meetings shall be
about 4 o'clock p. m., or immediately after vespers on the first
Sunday of each month."
The initiation fees for membership of this society are
graduated as follows : From the age of eighteen to twenty-
five years, $2.00 ; from twenty-five to forty years, $3.00 ; from
forty to fifty-five years, $5.00. Monthly dues of twenty-five
cents are paid by each member at the stated meetings. Sick
members of six months standing, receive two dollars a week ;
and those who have been members one year and upwards,
receive three dollars a week; provided in all cases, that the sick-
ness has not been induced by voluntary self-abuse. The
society tenders twenty-five dollars for funeral expenses upon
the death of members ; but this is contingent upon one hun-
dred and fifty dollars being in the treasury at the time of such
death.
Officers of the Assoc ia tin n — L.C.Butler, President; George E.
Blaire, Vice-President ; Gerhardt Miller, Treasurer ; John
76 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Weigle, Recording Secretary; Charles F. Fuchs, Corresponding
Secretary; Leo. Noles, Messenger; Thomas 0. Connor, Banner
Bearer ; Joseph Kurtzman, John Bletzacker and Charles Bau-
meister, Committee for the Sick.
Trustees — Maurice Barrett, Hugh Cannon, Joseph Kurtz-
man, Rudolph Seiple and John Weigle.
CONSTITUENT MEMBERS.
D. C. Butch, Hugh Cannon, M. A. Daugherty, James Mc-
Sweney, George E. Blaire, Rudolph Seiple, Joseph Kurtzman,
Wolfgang Bininger, Leo. Noles, Barth. W. Vagnier, Sr., John
Bletzaker, Charles Baumeister, Lewis Kern, Gerhardt Miller,
Jos. Steck, Thos. Malone, John Weigle, Michael Reigamer,
Garret Rhyan, Jacob Messenberger, Henry O'Neal, Gotlieb
Ebart, Michael O'Garra, Joseph Pfadt, Bernard Vagnier,
Benjamin Streigle, Martin Kethinger, John Kuntz, Michael
King, John Hines, Thomas O'Conner, Patrick Maher, Peter
Miller, Henry Grady, F. A. Steck, John Welker, Maurice
Barrett, Barth. W. Vagnier, Sr., Thomas O'Regan Tarpy,
Michael Steck, John Ritter, John Welch, Patrick J. Franey,
Charles F. Fuchs, Joseph, Bletzaker, Philip Casseley, James
Butler, John Bausy, Frank Oger, George W. Smith, Joseph
Jounk, Frank Winter, Jacob, Steck, Tall Slough, George H.
Brown, Joseph C. Miller, Victor Vagnier, Thomas J. Hanson,
Augustus Winchkier, Mathias Thimmis, Alexander Buechler,
Adam Bausy, Jacob Loni, Charles Raforth, Gregory Bender,
Jerry Shea, Joseph Spezer, Charles Warum, Jr., Jos. Vagnier,
Jacob Fuchs, Jacob Host, Thomas Uhl, John Martz, John Caw-
ley, Pins J. Clarke, Edward Binninger, P. W. Binninger,
George Binder, John Morris, Thomas Cullen, John Sullivan,
Henry Abener, Albinus Trinkle, Mathias Danner, Michael
Danner, Henry P. Bausy, Frank Reinman, Lewis A. Blaire,
John Sears, Martin Konkle, Dennis Piper, Tobias Banner,
William Smeltzer, Joseph Hock, Geo. Messenberger, Anthonjr
Graff, James Tanner, Samuel Sommers, John Kennedy, Patrick
Gordon, George Pfadt, Peter Voht, Joseph Sharting, Joseph
Flemm, Daniel Sweeney, Charles Warum, Sr., Charles Joss,
Henry A. Smith, Robert Shannon, Charles Thomas McGrew,
Fredrick Shanting, John Cahill, Henry Landerfelt, John Bau-
meister, Rob't. Rody, Rob't. Devine, Lewis Brooker, Chas. Bau-
meister, Jr., Jos. Miller, Michael Oger, Henry Ricker — 121.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 77
KNIGHTS OF ST. GEORGE, CATHOLIC.
The order of the Knights of St. George was instituted in
Lancaster on the 2d day of November, 1875. The objects of
this association are : Beneficial, charitable, benevolent and
the cultivation of good Christian character. Eligibility for
membership in this order consists, firstly : The applicant must
be between the ages of eighteen and forty years ; and secondly :
He must be of "good Catholic life and standing." The initia-
tion fee is three dollars, and the monthly dues fifty cents.
Worthy sick members receive five dollars a week upon the
certificate of a physician. The maintenance of "Honorable
Christian character shall always remain essential to member-
ship." A funeral benefit of $25.00 is allowed in the case of the
death of a member; but all the benefits to which members are
entitled, may, at their option or that of their friends in the
event of death, be donated back to the association. But bene-
fits are only allowed to members in good standing. In the
case of sickness, brought on by drunkenness, no benefits are
allowed.
Karnes of Knights— The constituent members were thirty-
two, as follows :
Frank Oger, Gustave A. Hamberger, Anthony Evarst, Jos-
eph Hamberger, Amos Shreller, John D. Binninger, Daniel
McShane, John Bonner, Michael Oger, John Baumeister, Paul
Evarst, Charles Ruforth, John Bletzaker, John McShane, An.
drew Keiser, John Kooney, Cornelius Cormedy, Jerry Ang-
lim, Maximillian Guiana, Hugh Owens, F. A. Buechler, Ber-
nard Bartles, Bernard Cranmer, Edward Binninger, Michael
Steck, Jr., Frank Steck, Anthony Ritter, William Donnelly
John Hamberger, George Brown, Edward Seiple.
Names of Civil Officers — Honorary President, Rev. Father
Schmidt ; President, Frank Oger ; Vice-President, Anthony
Evarts; Corresponding Secretary, Charles Baumeister; Re-
cording-Secretary, J. H. Hamberger; Treasurer, John D. Bin-
ninger; Messenger, Jerry Anglim.
Names of Military Officers— Captain, Joseph Hamberger; 1st
Lieutenant, ; 2d Lieutenant, Michael Oger ; Orderly
Sargent, John Baumeister.
The Society holds monthly meetings on the first Sunday of
each month, at half-past one o'clock.
78 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
FIRST COURT OF QUARTER SESSIONS.
The first Court of quarter sessions for Fairfield County, and
previous to the establishment of the Court of Common Pleas,
in May, 1803, was held on the 12th of January, 1801. Emanuel
Carpenter, Sr., was the presiding Justice, and Nathaniel Wil-
son, sr., David Vanmeter and Samuel Carpenter were his
associates. The session was held in a log school-house. A
Sheriff by the name of Samuel Kratzer, was appointed by the
bench.
A Jury was also appointed, which was called a Jury of
Inquest. The following are the names of the Jurymen : Jas.
Converse, Foreman ; Abramam Wather, Jeremiah Conaway,
Arthur Teal, Conrad Fetters, Robert McMurtry, Gam'l. Coats,
Abraham Funk, Thomas Cisfina, Amassa Delanoe, John Mc-
Mullen, Joseph McMullen, Edward Teal, David Reese and
Barnabas Golden. There were no indictments found, and the
Jury was discharged.
Two Attorneys were sworn in— William Creighton and
Alexander White.
Three County Commissioners were also appointed, viz. :
Nathaniel Wilson, Jr., Jacob Vanmeter and James Denny.
Though appearing little in history, the town of Lancaster
seems sometimes to have been called the town of Fairfield, for
at the quarter sessions just referred to, there was an order
issued for the survey of a road " from the town of Fairfield to
the head of the muddy prairie;'' and the survey was made by
Hugh Boyle.
The first mortgage of which any record appears, was made
by John Cleves Symmes to Benjamin Murphy, for the pur-
chase of one hundred acres of land, for which payment was to
be made in six years with six per cent, interest. The instru-
ment bears date of August 19th, 1801, and the sum contracted
to be paid was two thousand dollars. These figures are prob-
ably an error, as twenty dollars per acre for wild lands at that
early day was hardly likely.
In October, 1802, and on the 12th day, two members of the
Constitutional Convention for Ohio were chosen by popular
election. This was the first election for the county. Emanuel
Carpenter, Sr., and Henry Abrams were elected, the former
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 79
receiving two hundred and twenty-eight, and the latter one
hundred and eighty-one votes.
The members of the convention convened at Chillicothe on
the first day of November following, and organized by the
appointment of Edward Tiffin as President, and Thomas Scott
as Secretary. This convention held an adjourned session on
the 29th of the same month, when they completed their work ;
and the constitution was submitted directly to Congress, and
accepted, without being placed before the people of the State
for their approval.
STATISTICAL.
Statistics show that there were in Fairfield County, in the
year 1870, 2,318 farms, aggregating 232,016 acres of cultivated
land; and that there were within its limits the total of
316,420 acres, including all outlying and timbered lands.
FAIRFIELD IN THE WAR OF 1812.
In the month of April, 1812, a company of infantry volun-
teers, under the command of Capt. George Sanderson, was
raised, to operate on the northern border against the British,
in what is known as the war of 1812. This company formed
a part of Colonel Lewis Cass's Regiment of Ohio Volunteers,
which was betrayed into the hands of the British General
Brock, as was believed, by the cowardice of General Hull, on
the 12th of August following, in front of Detroit. They were
paroled not to fight against the British until exchanged,
which exchange took place in May, 1814. It is said, however,
that some of the men went and joined Harrison's campaign
to the Maumee and Thames in 1813, and continued until peace
was concluded.
There was a second company, partly from Fairfield, which
was commanded by . This company was attached to
Colonel Paul's Regiment of Twenty-seventh United States
Infantry. They were honorably discharged at Detroit in 1814.
In an old blank book purchased at the sale of the venerable
John Leist, west of Amanda, and furnished me by one of the
sons of the late William Graham, of this county, I find the
records in part of a third company that left Lancaster for the
North in 1812. This company was commanded by Jesse D.
80
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Courtright; John Leist, First Lieutenant. The record, or
journal, was kept by one Samuel W. Taylor, probably an
Orderly. The journal opens thus :
"Rendezvoused at Lancaster on the 26th of August, 1812, for
a six months' tour on an expedition towards Canada."
The record then proceeds in the form of a diary, until the
Maumee country is reached, when it terminates abruptly
thus :
"General Harrison arrived at the Rapids, and started next
day with a thousand men, commanded by General Perkins, to
reinforce General Winchester. They did not get far when
they met some of Winchester's men, who told them that Win-
chester's army was all taken prisoners or killed."
REFUGEE LANDS.
We notice very briefly the Refugee Tract, so-called. It
passes through the northern part of this county, from east to
west. Its width is two miles, and length eighteen miles. The
origin of this reservation was as follows : There were citizens
of Canada who, during the revolutionary war, gave their sym-
pathies and aid to the American colonies. Congress appropri-
ated this strip of land, of eighteen miles east and west, and
two miles north and south, for their use, hence " Refugee
Lands. " After it had been taken up to the extent of the
claimants who presented themselves, the unclaimed portion
was sectioned and sold as other Congress Lands.
REFORM FARM.
The first efforts to obtain appropriations and encouragement
for the establishment in Ohio of a Reform School for boys
through the Legislature in 1857 and 1858, did not issue in any
definite or effective result.
Charles Reemelin, of Cincinnati, having returned from a visit
to Europe, reported his investigations of several institutions
of the kind in that country. His suggestions gave impe'tus
to the idea, and in 1857 the first log-structures were built on
the site selected. To Mr. Remelin belongs much of the credit
of the inception and subsequent development of the Ohio Re-
form Farm.
There were ten boys brought there from the House of Re-
fuge in Cincinnati, on the 30th of January, 1858. This was
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 81
the beginning of the " State Farm," as it is familiarly called.
In 1876 the estimate of all the buildings and the farm was
$200,000. Up to that time the total number of boys, who had
passed through the institution, as shown by the official report
of the Superintendent, was 2,019. The cost of each boy to the
State, not including buildings and improvements, for the year
of 1875 is put down at $118.53. Geo. E. Howe has been the
Acting Commissioner from the first, and still holds the position.
In his report in general he says, that "'eighty per cent, of the boys
leaving have turned out well.''''
The farm is said to contain eleven hundred acres. The
buildings are mostl}r of brick, and of a fine syle of architecture,
and occupy about twenty acres of ground. The land lies some
five or six hundred feet above the level of the Hocking Valley,
three or four miles to the east. The surrounding hills are de-
lightfully romantic with pine and chestnut groves. Besides
farming on a small scale, and fruit growing, the boys are em.
ployed in the manufacture of cane-seats, brushes of a great
variety, shoes, brooms and other wares. There is a chapel
where religious instructions are given every Sunday. There
are also a number of schools in operation the year round, where
all . the boys receive competent education in the English
language.
There are no lock-ups. Generally the boys are under the
care of a select class of young men, denominated "Elder
Brothers," and held to close and rigid discipline. Their time
is diversified with school, labor and recreation. Many of them
show themselves to be entirely trustworthy, and are allowed
to go and come* and even to transact responsible business. Mrs.
Howe, wife of the Acting Commissioner, is Matron, and it is
said by those best acquainted with the institution, that her
influence and motherly supervision has had a marked effect
for good on the boys.
The farm is situated six miles from Lancaster, in a south-
west direction. A good turnpike road leads from the foot of
Broadway directly to the .farm, most of the distance through
delightful pine ^groves, which, in summer, make the air redo
lent with resinous exhalations. The farm is at all times ac-
cessible to visitors, who are politely shown round. On Sun-
6
OZ HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
days, however, visitors, except for the purpose of attending
church, are not desired.
The term of detention of those sent there is not fixed, and
their discharge, when thought prepared to leave, is left to the
Acting Commissioner.
FAIRFIELD REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.
At an early day (1819-1821), and (1821-1829), Philemon
Beecher was in the Lower House of Congress. Later, citizens
of the county who have been elected in the various districts to
which it has belonged, have been : William W. Irvin, John
Chaney, William Medill, Charles D. Martin, Thos. 0. Edwards,
Edson B. Olds and Philadelphus Van Trump. Senate and
member of the Cabinet : Thomas Ewing.
TOWNSHIPS.
Following will be found a brief history of the townships and
villages, which is as full and specific as the plan of this work
will permit, and it is hoped will be found satisfactory. It is
perhaps possible that, in collating such a work, non-important
errors may creep in. Such, if any shall be found, will be ex-
cused, if the general tenor of the history shall be approved,
for, as before said, much has to be taken from tradition, and
the recollections of living witnesses vary more or less.
CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Clear Creek Township is situated in the south-west corner
of the county. Its name was suggested from " Clear Creek," a
small stream running through it. Its school district system
m well arranged. There are nine school-houses, located re-
spectively at the cornerings of the sections.
It contains the villages of Oakland and Stoutsville, the
former laid out by Charles Sager, and is twelve miles from
Lancaster, on the Chillicothe pike ; the latter by Benjamin
Stout, in 1854, and is about sixteen miles west, or south-west
of Lancaster. Clear Creek formerly extended over parts of
the Townships of Madison and Amanda.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. S3
We note among the early settlers of Clear Creek, John Leist,
who came there in 1807. He was born in 1784, and was a
member of the Legislature from 1813 to 1820. Mr. Leist
served in the war of 1812, and was under Harrison at Fort
Meigs and Detroit. He died several years since, at a very
advanced age. Mr. Dillsaver is said, to have built the first
horse-mill in the township. Michael Nye was also an early
settler. Charles Friend came in 1800, and built the first
water-mill on Clear Creek. Among the first teachers were
Apple Young and John Young. Jacob Leist was an early
Lutheran preacher there. It is believed the Lutherans built
the first meeting-house, which was a log-cabin. It was situa-
ted near the somewhat historic place, known as " Dutch Hol-
low. " The last census gave Clear Creek a population of 1,743.
AMANDA TOWNSHIP.
Amanda lies immediately north of Clear Creek. It is com-
monly understood that the name was given by William Ham-
ilton, who was the first County Surveyor of Fairfield. It con-
tains the villages of Amanda and Royal ton. Amanda is eight
miles west of Lancaster, on the Cincinnati Railroad. Its first
proprietor was Samuel Kester, and its beginning was about
1830. Royalton is six or seven miles north of Amanda. It is
a small village, and was known as Toby Town at the begin-
ning of the settlements.
Frederick Leathers is spoken of as the first settler. He
kept a tavern on the old Chillicothe road. Isaac Griffith suc-
ceeded him as landlord, and remained there until 1834, soon
after which the house was burned. Other early settlers were :
Disinger, William Ward, Mr. Norris, Mr. Denison, William
Hamilton, Thomas Barr, John Christy and Mr. Morris, who
acquired notoriety as a ring-fighter at public gatherings. A
school-teacher, by the name of Solomon Grover, is spoken of as
having school in the upper story of his house, in 1817. A
Presbyterian Church was organized in the village, in 1838, by
Rev. Dr. Hogue, of Columbus. The first minister was Wil-
liam Jones. The first Sabbath-School in Amanda was in-
augurated in 1860, by the Rev. Thorn.
It is due to Amanda Township to say, that no draft was
84 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
made within its borders during the Southern Rebellion. There
were more volunteers than the township quota.
BLOOM TOWNSHIP.
Bloom was established in 1805. The following names have
been furnished as first 'settlers : Abraham Courtright, Jesse
D. Courtright, Zephemiah Drake, Christian Merchant, Peter
Powel, Conrad Platner, Michael Thrash, John Smaltz, Michael
Allspaugh, Jacob Allspaugh, Levi Moore and Daniel Hoy.
Bloom Township contains Lithopolis and Greencastle. Green-
castle was first laid out, and Jesse D. Courtright was its first
proprietor. This was in 1810. In 1814, one Bougher laid out
the town of Lithopolis. It is the largest village in the
county, possibly. It has three churches and an academy.
Lithopolis is fourteen, and Greencastle ten miles from Lan-
caster, both on the old Columbus road.
A quaint rule is spoken of as having been established in
this township in its early history, viz. : No man was allowed
to vote at their elections who could not produce a certificate
that he had performed two days' work on the road, removing
the stumps.
The first school-teacher in Bloom Township was Abraham
Courtright. He taught there in 1805. The first church in
the township was built by the German Presbyterians, in the
year 1807. It was near the old State road, and is said to be
still standing.
The Trustees seem to have occupied much of the time of
their meetings in attention to the reports and duties of Road
Supervisors and Fence Viewers. The latter office, in Ohio,
has long since been abolished. There was there, as in all
townships at that early day, provided by law a special Board
of Overseers of the Poor. Under the action of this Board, the
Overseers sometimes sold the paupers to the lowest bidder for
their maintenance.
Saw-mills were very numerous. Of those who run saw-mills
at that early day, are mentioned Jacob Allspaugh, Sam'l Ivist-
ler, Judge Chaney, and a Mr. Barnett. The last two, Kistler
and Chaney, are old citizens of Bloom Township, and refer to the
times in the past when goods were brought on horseback from
Wheeling, Marietta and Zanesville, and of going to Zanes-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 85
ville for their grinding, a distance of over fifty miles. As late
as 1822, it is said, there were no grinding facilities in Bloom
besides one small raccoon-burr mill. Wheat was exchanged
for salt, bushel for bushel, which was considered a great point
gained by the farmers.
In 1822, there were two hewed log churches in the township,
that were used jointly by the LutherMis and German Reforms.
Rev. Steck was the pastor of the former, and Rev. Geo. Wise
of the latter. Methodists, Presbyterians and others, at that
time, held their meetings in private residences.
Jefferson and Lock ville are in the northern part of the
township. The population of the township of Bloom Avas, in
1840, 2,288.
VIOLET TOWNSHIP.
This township makes up the north-west corner of the
county. It formerly contained the village of Winchester,
but an act of the Legislature a few years since, struck off a
tier of sections from its western border, which was attached to
Franklin County, including Winchester.
The name " Violet" is understood to have been derived from
the luxuriance with which the flower bearing that name grew
on some portions of its soil. Pickerington is situated in
Violet. A man by the name of George Kirk first purchased
the eighty-acre tract in which the village stands. Subse-
quently the land fell into the hands of Mr. Pickering, who
laid out the town and christened it with his own name.
Of those who settled in Violet previous to the year 1806, are
mentioned : H. Donaldson, A. Donaldson, Edward Rickets,
Westenburger Hustand, Dr. Tolbert, A. Pickering and Mor-
decai Fishbaugh. Waterloo, on the canal, is within this town-
ship.
Violet, in churches, schools, and the general spirit and
enterprise of the times, is not behind any township of the
county. Settlements were first .begun in the vicinity of
where Pickerington now stands. Residences were located
through the township with reference to springs and water
.streams, as well as the quality of the lands. Some of the first
settlers came out in advance of their families and first built
their cabins; in other instances the families came together,
and took their chances in the forests. Dr. Tolbert was prob-
86 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
ably the first physician in the township — at least among the
first. He is still living at a very advanced age, and has been
for many years a citizen of Jefferson.
Wolves are said to have been very abundant in Violet when
it was first settled ; but subsequently the premium paid for
their scalps had much to do in thinning their ranks,
t
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
A large portion of the first settlers of this township were Swiss.
The writer has been told that it was at their suggestion that
the name " Liberty " was adopted. They came from a country
where the liberties of citizens were very much restricted by
Monarchical Government, and they seemed to desire that their
freedom in the new country of their adoption should be per-
petuated in history, hence "Liberty Township."
Baltimore and Basil, on the canal, are in Liberty, and are
both places of considerable business. Baltimore is a consider-
able village, and is quite noted for the strength and respecta-
bility of its secret orders. It has the usual amount of church
and school facilities. Before the trade of the county was dis-
tributed by its two railroads, Baltimore had a heavy grain
trade, on account of the facilities of transportation afforded by
the Ohio Canal, upon whose banks it stands.
Liberty lies between Violet and Walnut, in the northern
tier. I have not the facilities for giving the exact dates of its
organization, or that of either of its villages, or the names of
their proprietors, but they are both old villages.
The roads through Liberty follow the cardinal points. The
first tavern of the place was kept by Michael Allen. The first
Methodist class-leader was a Mr. Kniseley Schumaker, who
also established the first Sabbath-School. The surface was
originally covered with dense forests of beach, sugar, and other
forest trees, to clear away which, and make the soil available
for farming, was a heavy and tedious work.
GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Greenfield was first settled in 1799, and was incorporated as
a township in 1805. Isaac Meason, father of the late Vener-
able John Meason, was among the first to settle in the bounds
of Greenfield. At the time of his coming there is said to have
been not above half a dozen of families within the boundaries
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 87
of the then very Large township. Their names are : 'Captain
Joseph Stewart, father of Levi Stewart, now of Lancaster, Wm.
McFarland, Ralph Cherry, Jeremiah Cherry, Joshua Meeks,
Dorsey Meason and Samuel Randall. They expected to hold
their lands under the "Tomahawk" Pre-Emption Claim, but
they were subsequently sectioned and sold as Congress Lands
at two dollars an acre, without an^ reference to " Squatter
Sovereignty. "
Following these first settlers were the Willetts, the Ben-
nets, the Fitzeralds, the Drurys, the Rices, the Smotherers,
and others.
Yankeytown and forks of Hocking were first settlements in
Greenfield. The site of the former is now known as the Clay-
pool neighborhood, and the latter as the Rock Mills.
The name of Henry Abrams, father-in-law of the late General
George Sanderson,Ms also prominent among the first settlers of
Greenfield, he having arrived in 1800, settling first, I believe,
on what is at present known as the Sanderson farm.
The first election for the township was held at Yankeetown
in the fall of 1805. The first tax-collector in Greenfield was
Colonel Crooks, who was subsequently Sheriff of the county.
Emanuel Carpenter is also spoken of as being at that time a
citizen of Greenfield. His surviving friends, however, do not
remember that he ever lived anywhere but down Hocking.
[A general remark is here proper. At the early times, of
which we write, the taxes of Ohio were collected by special
collectors. The manner was as follows : A house in the town-
ship was designated, and a day named; at that house, on the
specified day, the collector remained all day to receive the
taxes, it being the duty of the tax-payers to come there and
take up their receipts],
Walter McFarland, John Meason and Gideon Martin, old
and prominent citizens of Greenfield, deceased during the last
ye.ar, aged respectively above eighty years.
Joseph Loveland and Hezekiah Smith, New Englanders,
built a grist and saw-mill combined at the forks of Hocking in
1800. The place is familiarly known at present as the Rock
Mill. It is on the old Columbus road, seven miles from Lan-
caster. These men are said to have sold goods at their mill
which were brought on pack-horses from Detroit. They also
sold whisky, charging one dollar a quart for it. The Indians
88 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
often bought it and took a big drunk, always leaving one or
two of their number sober to restrain the drinkers, a custom
not observed by their more civilized brethern of the " pale-
faced" race.
A wrestling tournament between Isaac Meason and a stout
Indian is spoken of, in which Mr. Meason was successful in
three straight falls, when the Indian, in a very surprised man-
ner, gave up the contest.
It is related that some of the first emigrants erected tents,
which they roofed with bark, inhabiting them until they
could find the time to put up cabins. Two or three families
are said, in some instances, to have jointly occupied one cabin
of small dimensions.
The second or third years, after the settlements began, were
characterized by a great deal of sickness. A form of disease
prevailed that was thought to be yellow fever. Of those who
.died with it are mentioned: Jeremiah Cherry, Joshua Meeks
and Benjamin Edgar. For their interment no better coffins
could be provided than rude structures of puncheons.
The first Methodist preacher who came into the township,
it is believed, was one John Williams. A Scotch Covenanter,
by the name of Wallace, made an effort in 1816 to establish a
church, but failed. In 1813 the Lutherans built the first
church of the township. A Union Church was built in 1840,
which afterwards fell into the hands of the Methodists. It is
said to be still in use. It was called Pleasant Summit. The
first circuit-riders who preached in it were Hand and Milligan.
There are three villages in Greenfield. Carroll was laid out
by William Tong, at the junction of the Ohio and Hocking
Valley canals. Havensport, a small village on the canal, was
laid off by Isaac Havens; and Dumontsville, four miles north-
west of Lancaster, by Mr. Dumont, from France.
Greenfield ranks among the wealthiest townships of the
county. It is situated north-west from Lancaster. The first
man who taught school in Greenfield is believed to have been a
Mr. May. The township at this time contains'seven churches.
An object in this township that merits commemoration, is
Greenfield Academy on the Carroll Pike. It was erected in
1830 by Jacob Claypool, and was at first used for school and
church purposes, and afterwards converted into an academv.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 89
John Williams was Principal, and under him many of Fair-
field's best young men received fine educations.
"Greenfield " was derived from the many beautiful meadows
of land within its borders.
HOCKING TOWNSHIP-.
In this township Lancaster is situated, near its northern
and eastern borders. Its name derives from the Hockhocking
river, which flows past its western and southern limits. The
history of Lancaster is a large part of the history of Hocking
Township. And the history of the first settlements of the
county would, in a general way, be the history of all frontier
life seventy years ago.
Within this township, and in near proximity to Lancaster,
are inexhaustible ledges of the fines sand-stone in the world —
sufficient in quantity to build a hundred cities. It will be
remembered this township was the theatre of the Wyandot
and Delaware Indians when the valley was first penetrated by
the white race. But now not the slightest trace of that
swarthy race which once made these hills echo with their
wild and discordant shouts, remains ; not a mark to show they
were ever here. And the_pale faces are gone too, and their
foot-prints are nearly faded out ; that is, the first comers.
Their forms have dissolved away, and their voices are all
hushed forevermore.
The first settlers of Hocking township have been mentioned
elsewhere, when speaking of the first settlers of Fairfield
county, and it is needless to recapitulate.
Outside of Lancaster, there is but one village in the town-
ship—the village of Hamburg; five miles to the south-west.
It is a place of a few families, and has a little trade.
Hocking, perhaps more than any township in the county,
presents more mementoes of the frontier age in the form of
remnants of old log-cabins and the like. At present it is the
chief grape-growing township of the county. The hills for a
few miles south are, to a large extent, covered with the vine
in healthy conditions of culture. The State Farm is in Hock-
ing township.
We have said there are no traces of the Indians left. There
are no visible traces; but one will learn, by conversation with
90 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
oldest inhabitants, that some of the arts of the red man in ex-
tracting healing virtues from wild plants have been diffused
and are not lost.
MADISON TOWNSHIP.
Madison Township was honored with the name of one of the
illustrious Presidents of the United States, James Madison. It
lies immediatel\*east of Clear Creek, on the southern border of
the county. It was established with pretty near its present
boundaries, in the year 1812. Previous to that time it
formed, I believe, a part of Clear Creek Township. The first
election for the township after its independent organization
was held at the house of Mr. Valentine Wolf.
Still-houses wei'e numerous there at an early day, and their
influences were manifested at public gatherings, such as log-
rollings, corn-huskings, house-raisings and sales. There is no
village of any consequence in Madison.
We mention a few of the first men, who, with their families,
settled on her soil : Ewel Shseffer, Mathew Young, Robert
Young, Adam Deffenbaugh. Names of other first settlers have
not transpired to me.
The first saw-mill in the township Avas built by Isaac
Shreffer. A man by the name of Aker is referred to as having
been the first to carry on the blacksmith business, and the
first and only tavern for the time was kept by John Sweyer.
In the year 1835, there were five mills in the township,
owned respectively by Shaeffer, Deffenbaugh, Welsheimer,
Griffith and Guy. The Methodists and Lutherans have
churches in Madison. There are two hamlets in the town-
ship, known as Clearport and Mechanicriburg. Rev. Mr. Steck,
Lutheran, preached there as early as 1816. John Wiley, an
extensive stock dealer, settled in Madison in 1828. In 1854,
a post-office was established at Clearport, commonly called
Abbot's store. The Abbot family have kept the office from its
beginning till now. •
BERNE TOWNSHIP.
It is said that Berne Township was named in honor of the
Canton of Berne, in Switzerland, by Samuel Carpenter, at the
time of its organization, a citizen. There are two post-offices
in the township — Sugar Grove, eight miles below Lancaster,
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 91
and Berne Station, on the Zanesville Railroad, six miles
east of Lancaster.
Some of the first settlers were four brothers, Reams, Henry
Hansel, James Harrod, William Brandon, George Beery,
David Carpenter, and others.
George Reams built the first grist-mill. Daniel Reams
built the first saw-mill. The township is at present credited
with ten churches and prosperous Sunday-schools.
John A. Collins is remembered as an early 'Squire. Mr.
Collins was favorably known, and lived to a ripe old age. He
was Justice of the Peace fully thirty }7ears.
The first wedding in Berne has been brought to my notice ;
that of Joseph Loveland to Miss Shellenbarger, as having
taken place in 1802.
Judge Joseph Stukey built a grist-mill on Rush Creek,
just at the foot of what is now Sugar Grove, at a very early
period. Mr. Stukey will be remembered as having been one
of the Associate Common Pleas Judges for Fairfield County.
He served a number of years, embracing the year 1840. He
died several years ago.
A large portion of the surface of Berne is rough and hilly,
but it also contains a great deal of rich, fertile land. That
part of the township lying nearest Lancaster was first settled.
PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.
Pleasant is situated north of Berne. The origin of the
game has not, so far as I know, been handed down. There is
a creek running through the township, known as Pleasant
Run ; but which was named first, or whether one took its
name from the other, is not now known. But the township
might very properly have been called Pleasant Township,
from the extent and quantity of its pleasant and fertile land.
Pleasant Township was early settled. One of the first set-
tlements of the county was «in Pleasant; and the first grave
of a white man was made on the bank of Fetter's Run, as
early, I believe, as 1798. Two or three men pitched their tent
near the present crossing of Fetter's Run, on the old Zanes-
ville road, a little more than one mile north-east of the present
site of Lancaster. Within less than a month after their ar-
rival, one of their number, Wm. Green, sickened and died.
92 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
There was no possibility of procuring a coffin, and one was
improvised by peeling the bark from a kickory tree (it being
in the month of May, when the sap was up), and in it he was
buried near where the bridge over the run now stands, though
I believe no one pretends to point out the spot.
In 1820, a German Reform Church was built in Pleasant,
which was in use fifty years, and in 1870 was replaced by a
better structure.
Pleasantville is the village of the township, and is nearly
on the north line. It has a popular and flourishing seminary.
Pleasant was early platted and inhabited. Nearly its en-
tire area is arable, and its farmers are mostly thrifty and in
good circumstances. The following may be mentioned as of
the first settlers : The Hoovers, Ashbrooks, Trimbles, Beerys,
Harmons, Hites, Hampsons, Cupps, Ruffners, Kellers, Ewings,
Duncans, Feemens, Foglesongs, Raclabaughs. Maclins, Ar-
nolds, Kemerers, John Baldwin, and others.
WALNUT TOWNSHIP.
Walnut is immediately north of Pleasant. New Salem and
Millersport are the villages of Walnut Township ; the former is
a place of some trade, and two churches; it was first settled,
and is situated on the eastern border of the township. Mil-
lersport is situated at the southern point of the "Big^Reser-
voir," and just where the Ohio Canal enters it. Its thrift and
importance is owing, in a large degree, to the fisheries of that
artificial lake, which is of several miles in extent in i^js
greatest diameter. The reservoir was formed to supply water
to the canal in dry seasons ; it is in the northern part of the
township. Millersport has the usual churches and schools.
Its commerce has been considerable, on account of the ship-
ment of grain and other produce.
Walnut Township dates its municipal existence from the
year 1807, since which time, I ♦believe, it has undergone no
changes of outline.
In 1806, there were not exceeding a dozen families within
its borders, and they were distributed in different parts of its
territory. Some of these have reached me. Of them I record,
William Murphy, Asa Murphy, the Crawfords, Hendrixes,
Watsons, and David Lyly.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 93
A man named Debold is mentioned as having preached the
first sermon (of the township, I suppose), at the cabin of Wil-
liam Hauer. He was a Baptist, I believe.
At that early day, Walnut, in common with all the town-
ships and other parts of. the frontier country, was without
roads. Old citizens speak of a trace having been blazed from
the Scioto, at a point probabl}T where Columbus now is,
through to Zanesville, pushing through Walnut, which sub-
sequently was opened into a wagon road.
[A brief explanation of what is meant by a blazed road is
necessary, because not one in fifty of the present inhabitants
of Fairfield County have any knowledge of them. They were
a necessit}7 of the pioneer age. They were called at first,
"bridle-paths" and "foot-paths." The manner of opening
them was in this wise: One or more men set out with axes
from one point to another, say, from one cabin to another, and
taking trees in range, and from twenty to forty feet apart,
chopped or hewed the bark from the two sides facing in the
two directions, thus making a "blaze" that caught the eye
readily by the contrast between the bark and the bare wood.
Then these blazed trees were followed in both directions, on
foot and on horseback, until by use a beaten track rendered
the blazes unnecessary. I have known guns to be fired and
horns blown, at the outcome, or at points along the way, to
guide the blazers].
It is related that William Hauer built the first hewed log-
house in Walnut, in 1807, and made in it a puncheon floor,
leveling them off with a foot-adz.
The first hand-mill used in the township is credited to Mr.
Crawford. The first crop of wheat that promised well was
greatly damaged by squirrels. A Mr. Holmes has the credit
of building the first brick house within the township — prob-
ably about the year 1812.
RICHLAN^) TOWNSHIP.
It is believed that this township was so named because of
the richness and fertility of its soil. Richland was cut down
in 1817 by striking off two tiers of sections from its eastern
side to be attached to Perry County, thus reducing its dimen-
sions to four sections wide by six in length, which is its pres-
ent area.
94 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHTO.
East and West Rushville, one mile apart, and on opposite
sides of Rush Creek, are situated in the southern third of the
township. Both these villages have churches and Sabbath-
Schools, and their citizens are characterized for temperance
and good morals. It is understood that a man by the name of
Teal first owned the land upon which West town is built, and
a Mr. Turner that where the East town is.
Among the first settlers, the names below are presented :
William Wiseman, Theo. Turner, Stephenson and Ijams'
families. Judge William McClung was also an early-comer.
Judge McClung was a prominent public man, and died in
West Rushville in 1876, at a very advanced age, Abram Geil,
James Rowland, and Jesse Rowles, are likewise mentioned
as among the pioneers in the township. Mordecai Stevens
was an early settler and leading farmer ; he lived and died on
the land first entered by his father. William Coulson is
remembered as a leading man of Rushville, both in trade and
as an active and devoted Methodist. Patrick Owens is said to
have sold the first goods in Richland; and Moses Plummerthe
proprietor of the first mills on Rush Creek, between the two
villages, in the year 1802, or about that time.
These villages, as well as Richland Township, shared with
all other parts of the county in the early organization of relig-
ious societies and churches ; but their first meetings were held
in the log-cabins of the settlers. Rev. Clymer and James
Quinnwere pioneer Methodist preachers in Richland.
The first marriage in the township was between Edward
Murphy and Sarah Murphy, in 1802. The ceremony was per-
formed by William Trimble.
Dr. Nathaniel Waite was a physician in West Bushville at
an early day ; and Dr. Ide of East Rushville. The first Post-
master's name is given as Marquette. One Harper, is named
as the first blacksmith.
In former years vast quantities of tobacco were packed and
shipped from both the Rushvilles. It was a staple product of
that end of the county. The leading men in the tobacco trade
were the Ijams', Coulson and Vansant.
RUSH CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Rush Creek lies south of Richland, and borders on the ea^t
of Berne and Pleasant Townships. Settlements began in this
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 95
township in 1799. It is a six-section township ; Bremen is its
village, and is situated about the middle of the township.
Rush Creek and Raccoon are the principal streams that pass-
through it. The Cincinnati and Zanesville Railroad cuts it
in the center. Nearly all the surface of Rush Creek is arable
and fertile. The name derives from Rush Creek, its principal
stream.
The survey of this township, and of that part of the county,
was made by Elenathan Schofield, an early citizen of Lancas
ter, soon after the first settlement of the county.
The names of the men who first entered land within the
bounds of Rush Creek Township, mostly along Rush Creek?
here follow : John Laremore, William Thompson, John Carr,
David Martin, William Martin, John Cone, James Young,
Charles McClung, Henry Sellers, John Patton, William Mc-
Ginnis, John Willis, Abraham Geil, and others.
The township was organized in 1804 ; and its first election
was at the house of a Mr. Hammels, soon after.
In 1810, Samuel Hammel built the first mill, I believe, on
Rush Creek ; and a little later Mr. Leib built a saw and grist
mill, also on Rush Creek ; the same, I believe, is at present
owned by the Shaw family. Casper Hufford also built a grist
mill on Raccoon very early in the settlements ; this mill, I am
told, has entirely disappeared.
The settlmements began along the creeks in 1800, but the
eastern portion of the township was settled latter. Many of
the first-comers settled down on the squatter plan, and after-
wards, when the land came into market, bought their places
at two dollars an acre. It is said that no competition was
gone into in the purchases, which was the result of a mutual
understanding among the squatters.
One of the Larimores was the first Justice of the Peace, and
Charles McClung was elected to the same office in 1804. Wm.
McClung, a brother, I believe, of Charles, was a prominent
citizen of the township. He was a soldier in the war of 1812,
serving under General Sanderson, who was then Captain of a
company from Fairfield County. Subsequently he represented
the county in the State Legislature, and was Associate Judge
of the Common Pleas in 1840 and 1841, or about that time.
The Presbyterians built a hewed log meeting-house in 1807,
and were the first religious pioneers in the township. Their
96 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
preacher for many years was the Rev. John Wright, of Lancas-
ter, where he settled in 1801.
Bremen was laid out by George Beery in very early times,
and was so named, I have been told, in honor of the city of
Bremen, Germany. There is likewise a small village a little
south of Bremen, called Geneva. The first woman to settle in
the township is said to have been Phebe Larimore, who in
1801 married William Martin. Robert Larimore is reported
as the first man to die in the township. '
I could not descend into more particularity in separate town-
ship histories, without swelling my work far beyond the plan
contemplated. Perhaps enough has already been recorded to
meet the demands of a county history. I would have been
glad to have said more about the original settlers of the
first ten years of Fairfield County, did the possibilities exist
for acquiring correct information; but the possibilities do not
exist. As before said, the pioneers have all passed away, and
with them much of their history. We are, therefore, obliged
to be content to gather up what little the records give, which,
together with tradition, as far as it will serve, it is hoped, will
make a satisfactory reflection of the times from 1798 to 1876,
of Fairfield County, Ohio.
In closing up the separate history of the townships, I must
again beg readers to excuse little errors, should any be de-
tected, since no pains have been spared to arrive at accuracy
from all the sources of information available. It is believed
the main points of history are all correct; and should small
errors be found, they will be referable to differences of recol-
lection.
COUNTY FAIR.
The Fairfield County Agricultural Society was first organized
in 1851, and held its first Fair in October of that year. John
Reeber was President, and John S. Brazee, Secretary. The first
Fair-ground was on the west side of Columbus street, on lands
belonging to John Reeber, lying a little south of the Reservoir.
The Fair was a flattering success; but, owing to the disordered
and lost state of the papers, it has been impossible to obtain
statistics of that, or several of the subsequent years. Never-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 97
theless, the society has held its -annual Fairs, viz. : in the month
of October, for twenty-five consecutive years, and has grown
into one of the best County Fairs in the State.
In 1852, Mr. Reeber, as President, was vested by the Board
with power to purchase permanent Fair-grounds, which he
accomplished by buying a part of the farm of Thos. Wright,
deceased., at the foot of Mount Pleasant, on its western side.
The purchase was made from John A. Fetters, Administrator
of Thos. Wright, and on very advantageous terms to the so-
ciety. The first purchase was twelve or fifteen acres, perhaps
less. Subsequently the Widner place was purchased and added
to the west of the grounds, and two or three acres from Mrs.
Van Pearce on the north, thus making the aggregate of twenty-
two acres, which is the pi esent Fair-ground.
The trotting park, amphitheaters, exibition halls, music
stand and all other appointments of the grounds are of the
best, and have been engineered and executed by skillful and
competent men. From the first the citizens of Fairfield
County have taken the matter of their Fair in hand with a
pride and zeal, nowhere surpassed; nor has the interest at
any time seemed to flag in the least.
During the last six or seven years a systematic course of
book-keeping has been kept up, from the pages of which some
extracts are here introduced. I deem it right, however, first
to say, that Mr. Reeber, first President, served in that capacity
for several years, then was out, and subsequently again elected.
I would be glad to introduce the names of the various men
who, for the first sixteen or eighteen years, filled the principal
offices of the society, but for the want of records at hand I am
unable to do so.
In 1868, which begins the regular records, John S. Brazee
was President, and John G. Reeves, Secretary.
In 1869, John Reeber was elected President, and John G.
Reeves continued Secretary; John C. Weaver, Treasurer.
In 1870, John Reeber was President; John G. Reeves, Secre-
tary; and John C. Weaver, Treasurer.
In 1871, B. W. Carlisle was President; John G. Reeves, Sec-
retary; and John C. Weaver, Treasurer.
In 1872, Andrew J. Musser was President ; John G. Reeves,
Secretary; and William Noble, Treasurer.
7
98 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
In 1873, Andrew J. Musser was President; John G.Reeves,
Secretary ; and William Noble, Treasurer.
In 1874, Joseph C. Kinkead was President; John G. Reeves,
Secretary ; and William Noble, Treasurer.
In 1875, Joseph C. Kinkead was President; William David-
son, Secretary; and William Noble, Treasurer.
In 1876, f. H. Busby was President ; William Davidson,
Secretary; and S. J. Wolf, Treasurer.
The first financial showing on the available records is the
total cost of the erection of the two amphitheaters, in the year
1873, which was $2,115.57.
In 1874, the Art and Horticultural Hall was erected at a
total cost, as shown by the report of the Building Committee,
of $3,111.59.
Other improvements and expenditures for the same year,
not including premiums awarded, amounted to $927.39.
For the year 1874, the total receipts of the Society from all
sources was $10,369 15
Total expenditures for the same year 10,631 15
Showing a deficit of. $262 00
Then due the Society from various sources $262 69
Deduct the deficit 262 00
Balance in Treasury 69
This was the settlement on the 1st of December, 1874,
which shows the financial condition at the beginning of the
year 1875.
The total amount paid by the Society in the items of pre-
miums, as shown by the Treasurer's report, was $2,800.50.
The receipts of the Society for the year 1876, from all
sources, as furnished by the Treasurer, J. S. Wolf, was
$6,001.31, and the expenditures for all purposes, /or the same
year, $5,888.42, leaving a balance in favor of treasury of
$112.89.
The Society is reported in a flourishing condition, and out
of debt.
GENERAL SANDERSON'S NOTES.
After nearly a full year's research, I have at last, and just
when my manuscript was nearl}' completed, succeeded in un-
earthing a copy of General George Sanderson's pamphlet, pub.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 99
lished in 1851, by Thomas Wetzler, and entitled "A Brief
History of the Early Settlement of Fairfield County."
The pamphlet embodies the substance of a lecture delivered
by the General in 1844, before the Lancaster Literary Society,
but with extended additions. Extracts of his lecture have al-
ready appeared in this work ; but, so indispensable to a com-
plete historjr of Fairfield County are the notes of 'George San-
derson, that I proceed here to give copious quotations from the
pages of the book just come to hand. I give them literally
and full, although much of their matter is a repetition, in
part, of the same points already incorporated in this work.
General Sanderson, as has previously been said, was identi-
fied with Fairfield County from its very beginning until his
death in 1871. He was, moreover, a man of careful observa-
tion and wonderful memory, and during a large portion of
his life a public man in offices of trust and responsibility.
I proceed with the extracts:
" The present generation can form no just conception of the
wild and wilderness appearance of the country in which we
now dwell, previous to its settlement by the white people; it
was, in short, a country
' Where nothing dwelt but beasts of prey,
Or men as fierce and wild as they. '
" The lands watered by the sources of the Hockhocking
river, and now comprehended within the present limits of
the County of Fairfield, were, when discovered by some of the
early settlers of Marietta, owned and occupied by the Wyan-
dot tribe of Indians, and were highly prized by the occupants
as a valuable hunting-ground, being filled by almost all kinds
of game and animals of fur. The principal town of the nation
stood along the margin of the prairie, between the mouth of
Broad street and Thomas Ewing's canal-basin, and extending
back as far as the base of the hill south of the Methodist
Church. It is said that the town contained in 1790 about one
hundred wigwams, and five hundred souls. It was called
Tarhe, or in English, Cranetown, and derived its name from that
of the principal chief of the tribe. The Chief's wigwam in
Tarhe stood upon the bank of the prairie, near where the
fourth lock is built on the Hocking Canal, and near where a
beautiful spring of water flows into the Hocking river. The
wigwams were built of the bark of trees set on poles, in the
L.ofC.
100 HISTORY OF] FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
form of a sugar-camp, with one square open, fronting a
fire, and about the hight of a man. The Wyandot tribe at
that day numbered about five hundred warriors, and were a
ferocious and savage people. They made frequent attacks on
the white settlements along the Ohio river, killing, scalping
and capturing tbe settlers without regard to age, sex or con-
dition. War parties on various occasions attacked flat-boats
descending the river, containing emigrants from the Middle
States seeking new homes in Kentucky, by which, in many
instances, whole families became victims to the tomahawk
and scalping-knife. * * * * The Crane Chief
had a white wife in his old age. She was Indian in every
sense of the word, except her fair skin and red hair. Her
history, as far as I have been able to learn it. is this: Tarhe,
in one of his predatory excursions along the Ohio river, on the
east side, near Wheeling, had taken her prisoner and brought
her to his town on the Hocking river. She was then about
eight years old ; and, never having been reclaimed by her
relatives or friends, remained with the nation, and afterwards
became the wife of her captor. * * * * *
" On the 17th of May, 1796, Congress, with a view no doubt
to the early settlement of their acquired possessions by the
treaty of Greenville in 1795, passed an act granting to Ebene-
zer Zane three tracts of land, not exceeding one mile square
each, in consideration that he would open a road on the most
eligible route, between Wheeling, Virginia, and Limestone
(now Maj'sville), Kentucky. Zane performed his part of the
contract the same year, and selected one of his tracts on the
Hocking, where Lancaster now stands. The road was opened
by only blazing the trees and cutting out the underbrush,
which gave it more the appearance of an Indian path, or
trace, than a road, and from that circumstance it took the
name of ( Zane's Trace ' — a name it bore for many }^ears after
the settlement of the county. * * It crossed the
Hocking at a ripple, or ford, about three hundred yards below
the turnpike-road, west of the present town of Lancaster, and
was called the ' Crossing of Hocking. ' This was the first at-
tempt to open a public highway through the interior of the
North-western Territory.
" In 1797, Zane's trace having opened .a communication
between the Eastern States and Kentucky, many individuals
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 101
from both directions wishing to better their conditions in life
by emigrating and settling in the ' back woods,' then so-called,
visited the Hockhocking for that purpose, and finding the
country surpassingly fertile — abounding in springs of purest
water, determined to make it their new home.
" In April, 1798, Captain Joseph Hunter, a bold and enter-
prising man, with his family, emigrated from Kentucky and
settled on Zane's trace, upon the bank of the prairie west of
the crossings, and about one hundred and fifty yards north-
west of the present turnpike-road, and was called ' Hunter's
Settlement.' Capt. Hunter cleared off the underbrush, felled
the forest trees, and erected a cabin, at a time when he had
not a neighbor nearer than the Muskingum and Scioto rivers.
This was the commencement of the first settlement in the
upper Hockhocking Valley ; and Captain Hunter is regarded
as the founder of the flourishing and populous County of Fair-
field. He lived to see the county densely settled and in a high
state of improvement, and paid the debt of nature about
20 years agd. His aged companion, Mrs. Dorotha Hunter, yet
lives, (in 1851) enjoying the kind and affectionate attentions of
her family, and the respect and esteem of her acquaintances.
She was the first white woman that settled in the valley, and
shared with her late husband all the toils, sufferings, hard-
ships and privations incident to the formation of the new set-
tlement, without a murmur or word of complaint. During the
spring of the same year, Nathaniel Wilson, the elder; John
Green, Allen Green, John and Joseph McMullen, Robert
Cooper, Isaac Shaeffer, and a few others, reached the valley,
erected cabins, and put in crops.
"In 1799, Levi Moore, Abraham Bright, Major Bright,
Ishmael Due and Jesse Spurgeon, emigrated with their families
from Allegheny County, Maryland, and settled near where
Lancaster now stands. Part of the company came through by
land from Pittsburg, with their horses, and part of their horses
and goods descended the Ohio in boats to the mouth of the
Hockhocking. and thence ascended the latter in canoes to the
mouth of Rush Creek. The trace from Wheeling to the Hock-
hocking at that time was, in almost its entire length, a wil-
derness, and did not admit the passage of wagons. The land
party of men, on reaching the valley, went down to the mouth
of the Hockhocking and assisted the water part}' up. They
102 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
were ten days in ascending the river, having upset their eanoes
several times, and damaged their goods.
" Levi Moore settled with Jesse Spurgeon three miles below
Lancaster. The Brights and Due also settled in the neighbor-
hood. These pioneers are all dead except Mr. Moore. He
resides near Winchester, in Fairfield County, blessed with all
this world can give to make him happy. * * *
" James Converse, in 1799, brought from Marietta, by way of
the Ohio and Hocking rivers, nearly a canoe load of merchan-
dise, and opened a very large and general assortment of dry goods
and groceries, in a cabin at Hunter's Settlement. He dis-
played his specimen goods on the corners of the cabin, and
upon the stumps and limbs of trees before his door, dispensing
with the use of flags altogether. He of course was a modest
man.
" The General Government directed the public domain to
be surveyed. The lands were laid off in sections of one hun-
dred and forty acres, and then subdivided into half and quar-
ter sections. Elenathan Schofield, our late fellow-citizen, was
engaged in the service.
" In 1800, 1801 and 1802, emigrants continued to arrive, and
set lements were formed in the most distant parts of the
county. Cabin-raisings, clearings and log-rollings, were in pro-
gress in almost every direction. The settlers lent each other
aid in their raisings and other heavy operations requiring
many hands. By thus mutually assisting one another, they
were all enabled in due season to provide themselves cabins to
live in. The log-cabin was of paramount consideration.
After the spot was selected, logs cut and hauled, and clap-
boards made, the erection was but the work of a day. They
were of rude construction, but not always uncomfortable."
Here the General introduced an extract from KendalPs Life
of Jackson, descriptive of log-cabins, that pleases me so well,
because so perfect a picture of those primative buildings
throughout the entire pioneer age of the West and North-west,
that I most gladly give it place. All who lived in the West
fifty years ago will recognize every feature of the picture :
from Kendall's life of jackson.
"The log-cabin is the primitive abode of the agricultural pop-
ulation throughout Western America. Almost the only tools
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 103
possessed by the first settlers were axes, hatchets, knives, and
a few augurs. They had neither saw-mills nor carpenters,
bricks nor masons, nails nor glass. Logs notched and laid
across each other at the ends, making a pen in the form of a
square or parallelogram, answered the purpose of timber and
weather-boarding, and constituted the body of the structure.
The gable-ends were constructed of the same materials, kept
in place by large poles, extending lengthwise the entire
length of the building. Up and down upon these poles, lamping
over like shingles, were laid clap boards, split out of oak logs,
and resembling staves, which were kept in their place by other
poles laid upon them, and confined at the gable-ends. Roofs
of this sort, well constructed, were a sufficient protection from
ordinary storms. The crevices between the logs, if large, wer?
filled with small stones, chips, or bits of wood, called chink-
ing, and plastered over with mud inside and out ; if small, the
plastering alone was sufficient. The earth was often the only
floor; but in general, floors were made of puncheons, or slabs
split from logs hewed smooth, and resting on poles. The lofts,
or attics, sometimes had puncheon floors, and rough ladders
were the stairways. Chimneys were built of logs rudely dove-
tailed from the outside into those constituting one end of the
structure, which were cut to make room for a fire-place, ter-
minating at the top with split sticks, notched into each other,
the whole thickly plastered with mud on the inside. Stones
laid in mud formed the jambs and back walls of the fire-places.
The doors, made of clap boards, or thin puncheons pinned to
cross-pieces, were hung on wooden hinges, and had wooden
latches. Generally they had no windows; the open door and
broad chimney admitted the light by day, and a rousing fire
or grease-lamp was the resource by night. In the whole build-
ing there was neither metal nor glass. Sometimes a part of
a log was cut out for a window, with a piece of sliding pun-
cheon to close it. As soon as the mechanic and merchant ap-
peard, sashes of two or four lights might be seen set into gaps
cut through the logs. Contemporaneously old barrels began to
constitute the tops of chimneys, and joice and plank sawed by
hand took the place of puncheons.
"The furniture of the primitive log-cabin was but little su-
perior to the structure. They contained little beyond pun-
cheon benches, and stools or blocks of wood for tables and chairs ;
104 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
a small kettle or two answering the manifold purposes of
buckets, boilers and ovens, and a scanty supply of plates,
knives, forks and spoons, all of which had been packed on
horse back through the wilderness. Bedsteads they had none;
and their bedding was a blanket or twor with bear and deer-
skins in abundance. "
General Sanderson resumed:
"The early settlers were a hardy and industrious people,
and for frankness and hospitality have not been surpassed by
any community. The men labored on their farms, and the
women in their cabins. Their clothing was of a simple and
comfortable kind. The women clothed their families with
their own hands, spinning and weaving for all their inmates
the necessary linen and woolen clothing. At that day no
cabins were found without their spinning-wheels, and it is the
proud boast of the women that they could use them. As an
evidence of their industry and saving of time, it Avas not an
unfrequent occurrence to see a good wife sitting spinning in
her cabin upon an earthen floor, turning her wheel with one
foot and rocking her babe in a sugar-trough with the other.
" The people of that day, when opportunity offered (and
that was not often), attended to public worship; and it was
nothing new nor strange to see a man at church with his rifle
— his object was to kill a buck either going or coming. "
FIRST FUNERAL.
" William Green, an emigrant, soon after his arrival sick-
ened and died, in May 1798, and was buried in a hickory-bark
coffin on the west bank of Fetters' Run, a few rods north of the
old Zanesville road, east of Lancaster. This was the first death
and burial of a settler on the Hockhocking. Col. Robert Wilson,
of Hocking Township, was present and assisted at the funeral.
The deceased had left his family near Wheeling, and came on
to build a cabin and raise a crop. "
FOURTH OF JULY.
" In 1800, for the first time in the Hockhocking settlement,
the settlers — men, women and children — assembled on the
knoll in the prairie in front of the present toll-house [the toll-
house has since been removed farther west. — Ed.] on the pike
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 105
west of Lancaster, and celebrated the Anniversary of Ameri-
can Independence. They appointed no President, or other
officers of the day — no orations delivered or toasts drank.
They manifested their joy by shouting, and " hurrah for
America," firing off their rifles, shooting at targets, and dis-
cussing a public dinner. It may not be improper to say,
that their repast was served up in magnificent style. Although
they had neither tables, benches, dishes, plates or forks, every
substantia] in the way of a feast was amply provided, such as
baked pone, johnny-cake, roasted bear's meat, jerked turkey,
etc. The assemblage dispersed at a timely hour in the after-
noon, and returned to their cabins, full of patriotism and
love of country. It was my fortune to be present on that in-
teresting occasion."
Here General Sanderson spoke of several townships that
were originally in Fairfield County at its first organization, and
when it embraced considerable portions of present adjoining
counties. These townships have not before been mentioned
in this volume, and I here allude to them in the General's
own language :
"Reading Township was named by Peter Buermyre, a pio-
neer settler from Reading, Pennsylvania. He also laid out
the town of New Reading, in that township. Somerset, the
present seat of justice of Perry County, is situated in this
township.
" Pike. — This township was named in honor of General Pike,
who gallantly fell in defense of his country, at Toronto, Canada,
in the war of 1812.
" Jackson — Named in honor of General Andrew Jackson.
" Saltcreek Township formerly belonged to Fairfield, but now
forms part of Pickaway County. It was named Saltcreek from
a stream watering its territory. Tarlton, a flourishing vil-
lage, is in this township.
" Falls Township, now in Hocking County, was named from
the great falls of the Hockhocking river.
" Perry Township, now in Hocking County, was so called in
honor of Oliver H. Perry, the hero of Lake Erie in 1813.
This township was originally a part of Hocking Township."
An Incident. — " At the June term of 1802 (Court of General
Quarter Sessions) — Emanuel Carpenter, Sr., Nathaniel Wilson
and Amasa Delano, Justices, on the Bench — the Court ordered
106 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNIY, OHIO.
the Sheriff to take Alexander White. Attorney-at-Law, into
custody, and commit him to prison for one hour, for striking
Robert F. Slaughter, also an Attorney-at-Law, in presence of
their Honors, when in session. I note this circumstance to
show that the Court, at that early period, did not suffer an in-
dignity to pass unpunished.
CONVENTION ELECTION.
"The first popular election held in the county of Fairfield,
was for two members of the Convention to form the Constitu-
tion of the State of Ohio. It took j lace on the 12th of Octo-
ber, 1802, and the following was the result of the poll :
Emanuel Carpenter 228 votes
Henry Abrams 18i "
Robert F. Slaughter 168 "
Philemon Beecher 144 "
William Trimble 124 "
Samuel Carpenter 15 "
Samuel Kralzer 4 "
Ebenezer Larimer 1 "
Brice Sterrit 1 "
Hugh Boyle 1 "
" The two first were elected.
"The members of the Convention assembled at Chillicothe
on the first day of November, 1802, and organized by electing
Dr. Edward Tiffin, President, and Thomas Scott, Secretary ;
and after framing the first Constitution of the State of Ohio,
adjourned on the 29th of the same month. The Constitution
was not submitted to the people, but to Congress for approval;
and on the 1st day of March, 1803, the State of Ohio was ad-
mitted into the Union as a Sovereign State."
Greneral Sanderson made brief reference to the ancient
mounds and fortifications found in Fairfield County, in com-
mon with all parts of the West and North-west sections of the
North American Continent. Nothing can be known concern-
ing these relics of an extinct people, except the fact that they
are. Mere mention of the principal monuments of this kind
within the limits of the county will be all, as I think, that
modern history requires.
The most important of these is that above the rock-mill,
seven miles from Lancaster, on the Lithopolis road. Another
embankment, inclosing some ten or twelve acres, near Bauher
Church. There are others in Berne Township, near Ream's
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUN¥y7 OHIO. 107
Mill. But as verbal descriptions without diagrams would fall
short of satisfaction, and as the mounds constitute no part of
the history of the county, the notice of them closes here.
war of 1812.
I am able here to transcribe, from Sanderson's pamphlet,
the organizations of two companies commanded by him in the
war with England, in 1812 and 1813.
His first company enlisted in Fairfield County in 1812, to
serve one year. The following shows the organization :
Captain, George Sanderson ; Lieutenant, David McCabe ;
Ensign, Isaac Larimar ; Sergeants, John Vanmeter, John
Smith, James Larimar and Isaac Winter; Corporals, James
White, Daniel Hudson, Robert Cunningham and William
Wallace; Privates, George Baker, William Brubeck, Daniel
Baker, Robert Cunningham, John Dugan, John Davis, Wil-
liam Edmonds, Reese Fitzpatrick, John Hiles, Christopher
Hiles, Thomas Hardy, Philip Hines, Archibald Darnell, Wil-
liam Jenkenson, William Jenkens, Samuel Johnson, Isaac
Finkbone, John Kerley, Joseph Loffland, John Collins, Chas.
Martin, John Mclntire, Jacob Monteith, Jonas Monteith,
Jacob Mellon, Daniel Miller, William McDonald, William
McClung, Henry Martin, William Nelson, Joseph Oburn, Cor-
nelius Post, William Ray, John Swiler, Daniel Smith, Jacob
Sharp, Thomas Short, Samuel Work, Joseph Whetson, Henry
Shoupe, John Huffman and Samuel Nolan — 42.
This company, with all its officers, on the 16th day of Au-
gust, 1812, was captured by the British in command of Gen-
eral Brock, or rather surrendered by General Hull, and were
paroled not to enter the service until regularly exchanged.
The exchange did not take place until May, 1814. In the
meanwhile, many of the privates and officers re-enlisted on
account of the perfidy of General Hull in surrendering them
when there seemed, according to the best judgment of the
Americans, no occasion for it. Under this belief the men dis-
regarded the parole. General Sanderson was one of the mem-
bers who re-enlisted before the exchange, and in April, 1813,
he mustered another company from the counties of Franklin,
Delaware, Fairfield, and from portions of the Western Reserve.
The following is its constitution:
108 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Captain, Geo. Sanderson; 1st Lieutenant ; Quartermaster,
Abner P. Risney ; 2d Lieutenants, Arora Butler, Andrew
Bushnell, John H. Mifford, Abraham Fisk; 3d Lieutenant,
Ira Morse ; Ensign, William Hall. Sergeants: 1st, John Van-
meter; 2d, Chaney Case; 3d, Robert Sanderson; 4th, John
Neibling ; 5th, Luther Edson. Corporals: 1st, John Duganj
2d, John Collings ; 3d, Peter Carey ; 4th, Smith Headly ; 5th,
Daniel T. Bartholomew.
Musicians : John C. Sharp, drummer; Adam Leeds, fifer.
Privates: William Anderson, Joseph Anderson, John At-
kins, Joseph Alloways, Thomas Boyl, John Bartholomew,
John Berryman, Henry Bixler, Abraham Bartholomew, Sam-
uel Bartholomew, James Braden, Sheldon Beebee, James
Brown, John Beaty, Eli Brady, Charles Burdinoo, John Bat-
tiese, Daniel Baker, John Busley, Thos. Billings, Daniel
Benjamin, Henry Case, Archibald Cassy, Joseph Clay, Holden
R. Collins, Blades Cremens, Chester P. Cabe, Nathan Case,
Chaney Clark, Almon Carlton, Stephen Cook, David Crosby,
Jesse Davis, Asa Draper, Walter Dunham, George Daugherty,
Enos Devore, Benjamin Daily, John Evans, Joseph Ellinger,
Peter Fulk, John Forsythe, Daniel Filkall, John Faid,
Ephraim Grimes, Wm. L. Gates, Elenathan Gregory, Joseph
Gibson, Samuel Gause, John Hunt, James Hagerty, Josiah
Hinkley, John Hall, Frederick Hartman, David Hughs, Per-
lin Holcomb, John Harter, Jacob Headly, John Harberson,
John leas, Ambrose Joice, James Jones, John Johnson,
James Jackson, John L. Johnson, John Kisler, James
Kincaid, George Kyssinger, Jonathan Kittsmiller, Samuel
Kinisman, Joseph Larimon, Frederick Leathers, Henry
Lief, Amos Leonard, Merinas W. Leonard, William Lanth%r,
John McClung, Peter Miller, Morris McGarvy, Joseph Mc-
Cluhg, John McElwayne, Francis McCloud, Hosea Merrill,
John McCarkey, Joshna Mullen, James Moore, Thomas Mapes,
John McBride, Wm. M. Clair, Henry Mains, Andrew Miller,
JohnMcConnell, Alexander McCord, William Harper, Isacher
Nickerson, George Osborn-, Geo. Parks, Samuel Pratt, Powel
Pain, Benjamin Burkhart, Luther Palmer, Arzell Pierce,
John Ray, David Ridenour, William Reed, Geo. Raphy, Elijah
Rogers, Asa Rose, Joseph Straller, Henry Shadley, Christian
B. Smith, Perry Spry, John Sunderland, Christian Shypower,
David Severs, John Severs, Henry Skolls, Ephraim Sum-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 109
mers, Henry C. Strait, Jonathan Sordan, Jacob Shoup, Chas.
Smith, Mynder Shears, Adam Senor, John Smith, T. Sharp,
S. Sheanar, G. Shadwick, S. Taylor, J. Trovinger, F. Tesler,
B. Thorp, F. Tucker, I. Thorp, J. Twadle, P. Vancleaf, I. Yan-
ney, A. Walker, A. White, I. Weaver, I. Wheeler, T. Wheatly,
D. Walters, J. Wright, J. Welshaus, C. Wolffly, F. Williams,
W. Wallace, A. Wilson, W. Watson, J. Young. H. Zimerman,
D. Zeigler, D. Woodworth, S. Tyler, G. Tennis, L. Vanney, J.
Wilson — 157.
SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF FAIRFIELD.
Here follows a list of all the members of the General Assem-
bly of Ohio, from 1808 to 1876, inclusive, who were citizens of
Fairfield County. The date shows the year of their election :
Representatives.
1808— Patrick Owings and Elijah B. Merwin.
1809 — Thomas Swearingen and Thomas Ijams.
1810 — Thomas Swearingen and Thomas Ijams.
1811 — Thomas Ijams and Richard Hooker.
1812— Richard Hooker, Nathaniel Wilson, Sr., and George
Nye, Sr.
1813 — Emanuel Carpenter, John Leist and Benj. Smith.
1814 — Benj. Smith, Richard Hooker and John Leist.
1815 — Benj. Smith, Richard Hooker and John Leist.
1816 — John Leist, Jacob Claypool and Jacob Catherlin.
1817— Daniel Smith, Robert F. Slaughter and John Leist.
1818 — Daniel Smith, John Leist and Jacob Claypool.
1819— Robert F. Slaughter and John Leist.
1820— Wm. Trimble and Valentine Reber.
1821— Robert F. Slaughter and George Sanderson.
1822— Geo. Sanderson and Jacob Claypool.
1823 — Geo. Sanderson and Robert F. Slaughter.
1824— John Leist and Robert F. Slaughter.
1S25 — Geo. Sanderson and Wm. W. Irvin.
1826— Wm. W. Irvin and Samuel Spangler.
1827— Wm. W. Irvin and Samuel Spangler.
1828— Samuel Spangler and John Chaney.
1829— John Chaney and David Ewing.
1830 — David Ewing and John Chaney.
1831 — David Ewing and Samuel Spangler.
110 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
1832— David Ewing and M. Z. Kreider.
1833— Jos. Stukey and John M. Creed.
1834— Joseph Stukey and J. M. Creed.
1835— Wm. Medill and John M. Creed.
1836— Wm. Medill and John Grabill.
1837— Wm. Medill and John Grabill.
1838— John Brough.
1839— Lewis Hite.
1840-Charles Brough.
1841— William McClung.
1842— John Chaney and Wm. McClung.
1843— Jacob Green and Jos. Sharp.
1844— David H. Swart? and Andrew Foust.
1845 — Andrew Foust and David H. Swartz.
1846 — Salmon Shaw and David Lyle.
1847 — David Lyle and Salmon Shaw.
1848— Daniel Keller.
1849— Daniel Keller.
1850 — Christian Baker.
Here the rule changes by the new Constitution, under
which the Legislature is elected every two years, the first
General Assembly under it being chosen in 1852, and there-
after every other year. The following dates refer to the meet-
ing of the Legislature, instead of, as previously, the year of
choosing its members.
1852 — Christian Baker.
1854 — Samuel H. Porter.
1856— John Chaney and David Lyle.
1858— B. W. Carlisle and T. W. Bigony.
1860— B. W. Carlisle.
1862— J. C. Jefries.
1864— Edson B. Olds.
1866— U. C. Butler.
1868— U. C. Butler.
1870— Geo. S. Baker and Jesse Leohner.
1872— Jtsse Leohner.
1874— George S. Baker.
1876— Adam Seifert.
It will be observed that in the early Legislatures of the State,
there were two or more members of the House of Represent-
atives from Fairfield each year, notwithstanding the popula-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. Ill
tion was comparatively sparse; but it is to be remembered,
that at first the county was more than four times its present
area. The first contraction of its borders was by the formation
of Licking County, in 1808, which fixed our northern border
on its present line ; then by the creation of Perry County, in
1817, fixing mainly our eastern boundary. Both Newark and
Somerset were originally in Fairfield County. Considerable
territory was also taken from the original Fairfield County, as
established by proclamation of Governor St. Clair, on the 9th
of December, 1800, by the formation of Pickaway and Hocking
counties. In the Senate of Ohio, the names of actual residents
of Fairfield County are here inserted, beginning also in 1808,
and coming up to 1876. The county has much of the time
been represented in the Senate by men from other counties
forming the Senatorial District ; and as the districting has fre-
quently been changed, Fairfield has only had her proportion
Senators.
1808— Elenathan Schofield.
1809 — Jacob Burton and Elenathan Schofield.
1810— Wm. Trimble and Robert F. Slaughter.
1811— Robert F. Slaughter and Wm. Trimble.
1812— William Trimble.
1813— William Trimble.
1814— William Trimble.
1815— William Trimble.
1816— William Trimble.
1817— William Trimble.
1818— Richard Hooker.
1819— Richard Hooker.
1820— Elenathan Schofield.
1821— Elenathan Schofield.
1822— Elenathan Schofield.
1823— John Creed.
1824— Jacob Claypool.
1825— Jacob Claypool.
1826— Robert F. Slaughter.
1827— Robert F. Slaughter.
1828— Robert F. Slaughter.
1829— Robert F. Slaughter.
1830— Robert F. Slaughter.
112 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
1831— Robert F. Slaughter.
1832— Samuel Spangler.
1833— Samuel Spangler.
1831— Samuel Spangler.
1835 — Samuel Spangler.
1836— Samuel Spangler.
1837 — Samuel Spangler.
1838— Samuel Spangler.
1839— Samuel Spangler.
1840— Samuel Spangler.
1841— Samuel Spangler.
1844— John Chaney.-
• 1845— John Chaney.
1848— Henry C. Whitman.
1849— Henry C. Whitman.
1850— Andrew Foust.
1856— John T. Brazee.
1858— Newton Scleich.
I860— Newton Scleich.
1862— Alfred McVeigh.
1864— John M. Connel.
1870— Michael A. Daugherty.
1872— Michael A. Daugherty.
In 1842 and 1843, Nelson Franklin, of Pickaway, repre-
sented the District of Fairfield and Pickaway in the Senate.
In 1846 and 1847, the Senator from Fairfield and Pickaway
was Edson B. Olds, of Pickaway.
After the adoption of the new Constitution, in 1851, Fair-
field was associated with Hocking and Athens, and Lot. L.
Smith, of Athens, was chosen Senator in the two terms of 1852
and 1854.
In 1866 and 1868, Wm. R. Golden, of Athens, was Senator
from the same district.
In the General Assembly of 1874 and 1876, Robert E. Reece,
of Hocking, was Senator for the District of Fairfield, Hocking
and Athens.
FAIRFIELD IN THE REBELLION OF 1861.
Sixteen years have been registered on Time's scroll since the
patriotism of this great nation was aroused by the lightning's
flash, anouncing that Fort Sumpter had been fired upon by
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 113
the Confederate guns. It is difficult, at this somewhat distant
period, to chronicle with specific minuteness the full extent
of the part Fairfield County took in the four years' war that
followed. Her soldiers were so widely distributed, and so
variously; her officers passed through so many promotions; so
many were consigned to southern graves from the fields of
carnage; the hospitals and southern prisons; that nothing
short of a thorough canvass of the rolls could show it all. It
is a work of altogether too great a magnitude for our plan.
While I record the names and ranks of the officers, to the ex-
tent that existing facilities allow, I would be glad to register
the names of every volunteer from the county, because every
one that went out deserves equal mention. This will not be
compatible with a three-hundred page county history. It may
be that some omissions may occur of names even of officers.
Should this be found to be so, the only apology the author
can offer is, that he has accomplished all that his possibilities
have permitted. To Colonel J. M. Connel, Capt. Geo. Blaire,
Capt. J. M. Sutphen, Gen. N. Schleich and others; and to
" Ohio in the War," by Reid, I am indebted for valuable aid
in the war record of Fairfield County.
During the progress of the war, according to the best estimates
attainable from available data, there were in the field from
this county, including drafted men and hundred-day men,
about the aggregate of three thousand soldiers. Two drafts
were made for small numbers, but the drafted men, with few
exceptions, it is believed, subsequently volunteered into the
regular volunteer service. And moreover, the townships acted
with a surprising promptness in filling their respective quotas
by a liberal system of hiring recruits by voluntary contri-
butions of money. Large sums were contributed for this pur-
pose. At one time, viz. : in August, 1862, the county had sent
out two hundred men in excess of her quota.
Within twenty-four hours after the President's call for
75,000 volunteers, on the 15th of April, 1861, one company from
Lancaster was on its way to the seat of war, commanded by
Captain J. A. Stafford. Seventeen days afterwards, viz.: on
the 2nd day of May, two other companies were organized under
Captains J. W. Stinchomb and Henry H. Giesy. On the 23d
two other companies were accepted — Captains C. D. Clark and
8
114 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Michaels. As early as the 20th of September of the same
season, there were eight full companies in the field from the
county, all for three years' service. In all, Fairfield had in
the war, including two full companies of cavalry, seventeen
companies, not including volunteers who were sent to regi-
ments beyond the county, and drafted men.
It is proper here to remark, that the citizens of this county,
from the inception to the close of the war, contributed freely
and liberally, clothing, provisions, medicines and other re-
quirements for the sanitary supplies. At once, it may be
said, that it is probably not presuming too much to say, that
perhaps no county in Ohio presents a fairer war record than
Fairfield.
Following are the assignments of Fairfield companies, as far
as ascertainable :
THREE MONTHS' SERVICE.
Company A — Captain, J. A. Stafford ; 1st Lieutenant, Thos.
M. Hunter; 2nd Lieutenant, Ezra Rickets; 101 strong. This
company was assigned to the 1st O. V. I., Colonel Alex. M.
McCook. After the mustering out in August the company
was reorganized for the three years' service; Stafford, Captain ;
E. T. Hooker, 1st Lieutenant; J. M. Wiley, 2nd Lieutenant.
In February, 1862, Stafford was promoted to the rank of Major,
and First Lieutenant Hooker to the captaincy ; H. Fullerton,
pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Lancaster, Chaplain.
Benj. F. Smith went out as Colonel of the regiment. .
The 17th 0. V. I. was organized at Camp Anderson, on the
Fairfield Fair-grounds. The county furnished two companies
to this regiment. Captains, H. H. Giesy and J. W. Stin-
chomb; 1st Lieutenants, A. Ogden, John Wiseman ; 2nd Lieu-
tenants, Leo Noles, J. C. Watson. This regiment reorganized
for the three years' service in August, 1861, with J. M. Connell
for its Colonel. To this three years' regiment Fairfield fur-
nished five companies; Captains, B. F. Butterfield, J. W.
Stinchomb, Ezra Rickets, A. Ogden, Daniel M. Rea; 1st Lieu-
tenants, Benjamin Showers, A. P. Ashbrook, Irwin Linn, Wm.
Cook, 0. W. Brown; 2nd Lieutenants, Henry Arney, Daniel
Sullivan, Seth Collins, 0. B. Brandt, Theodore Michaels ; Chap-
lain, A. F. Fullerton.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 115
Thirtieth 0. V. I.— Three years' service; Hugh Boyl Ewing,
of Lancaster, was appointed Colonel of this regiment. No
Fairfield company.
Forty-Sixth 0. V. I. — One company from Fairfield. Cap-
tain, H. H. Giesy ; 1st Lieutenant, Emanuel Giesy ; 2d Lieu-
tenant, Charles H. Rice.
Sixty-First 0. V. I. — This regiment first formed at Lancas-
ter, and used the starch factory building for a barracks. It
contained one Fairfield company. Captain, Daniel Schleich ;
1st Lieutenant, George J. Wygnm ; 2d Lieutenant, Edward
Hay. Newton Schleich, of Lancaster, was its first Colonel.
The regiment was subsequently, in April, 1862, re-organized
at Camp Chase, when Colonel Schleich was, I believe, as-
signed to another regiment, and was subsequently promoted
to the rank of Brigadier General.
Sixty-Second 0. V. I. — In this regiment, Clemens F. Steel,
of Lancaster, served as Major and Lieutenant-Colonel. No
Fairfield company.
Ninetieth 0. V. I. — Two Fairfield companies entered the
Ninetieth. Captains, Alvah Perry, R. Carpenter; 1st Lieu-
tenants, J. M. Suphen, A. Keller; 2d Lieutenants, George W.
Welch, Samuel Widner.
(As a general thing, the officering of the companies at first
going out is only given. Subsequent promotions are difficult
to follow).
One Hundred and Twenty-Third 0. V. L— To this regiment
Henry B. Hunter, of Lancaster, was assigned as Lieutenant-
Colonel. No company from the county.
Fifty-Eighth 0. V. I.— One company. Captain, Ezra Jack-
son ; 1st Lieutenant, Wilford Stires ; 2d Lieutenant, Win. H.
Hulls.
One Hundred and Fourteenth 0. V. I. — Colonel, John Cra-
dlebaugh. One company. Captain, Isaac Butterfield ; 1st
Lieutenant, Joseph Bury.
One Hundred and Seventy-Eighth 0. V. L— Colonel, J. A.
Stafford. One company from Fairfield. Captain, Charles
Cravinor; 1st Lieutenant, Patrick McGrew ; 2d Lieutenant,
John Sears, of Lancaster.
116 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
There were two companies of cavalry from Fairfield in the
service. The first went into the first regiment of Ohio Cav-
alry, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Valentine Cupp, of
Walnut Township. Of this company, Lafayette Pickering was
Captain; Peter B. Cool, 1st Lieutenant; Joseph Pierce, 2nd
Lieutenant.
The second company served in the 11th Regiment of Ohio
Cavalry, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel W. 0. Collins.
Its Captain was John Van Pearce, of Lancaster; 1st Lieuten-
ant, Thomas P. Clark ; 2d Lieutenant, John Reeves.
The foregoing is a condensed history of Fairfield County in
the Southern Rebellion, which began in April, 1861, 'and
terminated with the surrender of General Lee in the spring
of 1865, and is as complete, perhaps, as a mere county history
demands. As remarked in the outset, omissions may have
occurred that should have found mention. Such omissions, if
any, have not been intentional, but rather from the inability
of the compiler to trace the diffusion of all of Fairfield's men.
Errors may also have crept in, but for which the author is not
responsible, since he has followed carefully the records and
personal statements of parties interviewed. In the main,
however, the record of Fairfield in the rebellion will be found'
correct. It is to be borne in mind that a history of the war
has not been intended, but only Fairfield County in it. There
were many deaths, and promotions, and resignations, continu-
ally occurring, which would be quite too voluminous for the
author to collect. All this belongs rather to the history of the
rebellion, and can be found in the rosters of "Ohio in the
War, " by Reid, to which please refer— the war of 1861-1865.
PROMOTIONS.
Among those promoted and serving as Captains and Lieu-
tenants at different times, I notice the following names, ad-
ditional to those already mentioned, which were personally
known to me.
Captains, Gilruth Webb, Willis G. Clark, Emanuel Rich-
ards, Daniel Sheets, Thomas R. Thatcher, James F. Weakley,
Geo. E Blaire, John B. Eversole.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 117
First Lieutenants, A. J. Davis, Caleb B. Sharp, Levi Corn-
wall, Jacob M. Ruffner, George Rainey, James Outcault, Allen
Tittler. •
Second Lieutenants, Theodore Michaels, Wra. H. Pugh, Levi
Cornwall, Lyman W. Barnes, James Strode, John Matlock, 0.
E. Davis.
AN INCIDENT.
I can find room but for a single incident among thousands
in which Fairfield men distinguished themselves:
Colonel Connell, in command of the Seventeenth Regiment,
was ordered to defend a ford on the Cumberland river, at a
place known as Mill Springs. When some two or three miles
from the rebel position, he took with him ten men, in addi-
tion to Captain Ezra Rickets and Lieutenant Sifer, and ad-
vanced on a reconnoitering expedition. He stationed his men
as pickets, who, becoming alarmed, fled back to camp. The
Colonel advanced alone to an eminence in front of the enemy's
camp, where, at a bend in the road, he suddenly encountered
a band of mounted rebels, not exceeding thirty yards off.
They suddenly dashed toward him, unslung their carbines,
and shouted the challenge. The Colonel put spurs to his horse,
and fled under the harmless fire of his pursuers ; but unfortu-
nately, the animal stumbled and fell, leaving his rider stunned
upon the road. In this perilous dilemma, Captain Rickets,
being attracted by the firing and the challenge, dashed up,
and dismounting, assisted the Colonel on his horse, and in-
stantly turning, discharged his revolvers at the advancing
enemy, dashed on foot into the thick woods, and both reached
the camp in safety.
BANDS IN THE REBELLION.
During the progress of the war of 1861-1865, there were two
full bands from Fairfield County in the field. The members
of the 17th Regiment Band — the second one here mentioned —
were, I believe, entirely citizens of this county. In the
Brigade Band — the first in order — there are a few names from
other counties. The following letter from Capt. Wolfe, has
been kindly furnished me by him, and is complete :
Dr. H. Scott — Dear Sir: At your request I herewith transmit to
you the history of our regimental band, which was in the service
118 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
of the 61st O. V. L, Colonel Schleich, at their quarters in Lancaster,
during the summer and fall of 1861.
Names of Members.— E. W. Wolfe.. lea<fcr ; E. E. Pierson, O. B. Shoe-
maker, R. B. Alexander, T. M. Summers, C. C. Norton, J. S. Norton, J.
J. Anderson, Geo. Marsh, John Gardner, John Bussart, Isaac Newhor-
ter, Samuel Ney, John A. Mayes, T. Shaw, T. E. Williams, Otis Criger,
S. Hockey, John White, H. Huff, L. Huff, I. N. Wolfe, E. Himrod, E.
Hulbert, George Cromley, George Lutz, John Clinger.
The band was mustered out in May, 1862, by order of the War De-
partment, immediately after which it was mustered into Gen. Hugh
Ewing's Brigade, as Brigade Band. During the operations about Vicks-
burg, Miss., the band became disabled by death and sickness, and was
again discharged by special order from the War Department, in May,
1863. After this the band was reorganized as Post Band at Camp Chase,
where it remained till the close of the war, and was finally mustered out
on the 4th of February, 1865.
Very truly, E. W. WOLFE.
SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT BAND.
The members of this band were entirely, or nearly so, from
about Lancaster. They were attached to the 17th 0. V. I., and
served in the Army of the Tennessee. For information con-
cerning this band, I am indebted to Robert Gates, of Lancas-
ter. The following are the names of the members:
George Blaire, leader ; David Stalter, second leader; James
Home, Robert Gates, Anthony Steck, Michael Steck, Jacob
Lehman, William Lehman, Louis Geiss, William Getz, Wm.
Stalter, Mr. Taylor, George Gage, Thomas Pugh, Mr. Beall,
Noble Gates, Newton Pierce (fifer), Mr. Card (drummer).
The band was mustered out at Nashville, on the 9th of Sep-
tember, 1862, after a service of nearly one year.
Robert Gates re-enlisted in the Second Heavy Artillery, on
the 8th of August, 1862, and served till August 7th, 1865, and
was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, August 27th, 1865.
George Blaire was, subsequent to the mustering out of the
band, commissioned as Lieutenant, and was taken prisoner and
held in Libby prison at Richmond, Va., during most of a year.
There were three deaths of members of this band during
their term of service, viz. : Jacob Lehman died on the 19th* of
December, 1861 ; Thomas Pugh died on the 8th of January,
1862, and Mr. Beall died on the 3d of February, 1862.
There were likewise two deaths in Mr. Wolfe's band, during
their term of service, viz. : H. Huff and J. Huff, both dying
in the month of April, 1863.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO, 119
HOCKING VALLEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
This society was organized in Lancaster on the 18th of Feb-
ruary, 1865. Its object, as set forth in its preamble, was the
general promotion of the floral and horticultural interests, or
an improved system of gardening. The call for the initial
meeting, which took place on the 26th day of January, 1865,
was signed by the following names :
John A. Fetters, F. J. Boving, Charles Dunbar, John C.
Boving, J. C. Kinkead, Ambrose Bender, John D. Martin, John
Gravit, H. V. Weakley, John S. Snyder, S. A. Griswold and
John Clark.
Of these, three have since deceased, viz. : Charles Dunbar,
John C. Boving and H. V. Weakley.
Officers of the Society. — The officers of the first permanent
organization of the society were, Joseph C. Kinkead, Presi-
dent; R. J. Black and F. J. Boving, Vice-Presidents; J. D.
Martin, Treasurer ; J. C. Weaver, Librarian ; J. C. McCracken,
Recording Secretary; J. A. Fetters, Corresponding Secretary.
The above officers were all living in March, 1877, except J.
C. Weaver, Librarian, who died in February, ultimo; and John
C. McCracken, Recording Secretary, who died a few months
since in the West.
On the first day of November, 1865, the membership of the
society was fifty-four in number, and the following are the
names :
M. A. Daugherty, H. V. Weakley, John C. McCracken, Jas.
Scott, John Gravit, Thos. H. White, P. B. Ewing, John A.
Fetters, Robert J. Black, S. A. Griswold, J. D. Martin, Robert
Work, R. J. Peters, C. Pairan, C. Spielman, Thos M. Young,
Emanuel Fetters, B. F. Reindmond, Martin Landis, D. Tal-
madge, J. W. Lewis, T. 0. Edwards, Robert Black, C. M. L.
Wiseman, Daniel Ward, T. Brumfield, M. Effinger, J. C.
Kinkead, Henry Borchers, C. F. Garaghtz, F. J. Boving, John
C. Rainey, John S. Snyder, J. D. Clark, David Stalter, John
Rhodes, J. C. Weaver, A. Dennis, E. E. Meason, J. R. Mu-
maugh, Kinnis Fritter, Samuel Barr, Salem Wolfe, John Artz,
L. H. Olds, J. T. Busby, R. H. Hooker, George Hoffman, C. F.
Shaeffer, Daniel Ream, JacobMayer, G. A. Mithoff, John B.
McNeal and William Van Hide.
120 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Ten of this number have deceased previous to the first of
March, 1877, as follows : H. V. Weakley, John C. McCracken,
Emanuel Fetters, T. 0. Edwards* Henry Borchers, John C.
Rainey, J. C. Weaver, E. E. Meason, Salem Wolfe and Daniel
Ream.
The society holds bi-monthly meetings in Lancaster, viz. :
on the second and fourth Saturday's of each month. It pays
premiums on best samples of products, which premiums are
awarded by special committees. Fruit-growing is a special
feature of attention by the society. The meetings of the
society are characterized, after business, by a free interchange
of opinions, theories and experiences, and thus individual dis-
coveries and improvements become the common property of
the society, and of the community by publication, March, 1877.
POLITICAL.
Previous to the year 1832, the elective franchise was exer-
cised in Fairfield County, as in all other parts of the country,
by the prerogative of each elector in casting his ballot for the
best men to carry out the best measures for the common weal,
according to the voter's best judgment. In other words, poli-
tical party lines had not yet been established. There were,
however, differences of opinion as to the safest and best forms
of government, and these differences of opinion were mainly
between the National Republicans, strictly, on the one hand,
and on the other, those who favored the doctrines promulgated
by Alexander Hamilton and others, which contemplated a
stronger central power in the Constitution and Laws. This
was denominated the Federal Party. It is not necessary here
to enter into a history of the Hartford Convention, or the
principles proposed there. They met with little favor, and
amounted to nothing as against American Republicanism.
The Federal Party nevertheless had sufficient potency to create
more or less agitation in the political affairs of the country
for a great many years.
As early as 1828, grave national questions began to agitate
the country, among which were the policy, or otherwise, of an
American National Bank; a high tariff for the protection of
American industries; the improvement, at the National ex-
pense, of the rivers and harbors within the United States, etc.,
etc. The great question of State Sovereignty had ceased to be
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 121
an absorbing theme since the adoption by the States of the
Federal Constitution. The abolition of African slavery in
the States was at that time no more than beginning to incu-
bate, and had scarcely made even a riffle on the surface of
the affairs of the country. The agitation of the question was
about equally contemned by all, but especially the churches,
if the Quakers and Scotch Presbyterians be excepted; Among
the other churches only individual exceptions existed. But'
in 1832 these questions of policy took form, and rove the mas-
ses in two distinct political parties of very nearly equal bal-
ance. One division of the people supported Andrew Jackson
for the Presidency in that year, and assumed the name of
the Democratic Party. The other division adhered to Adams
and Clay, and denominated themselves the Whig Party. The
Jackson, or Democratic Party, was dominant in Fairfield
County, and has ever since, with two exceptions, maintained
a majority of the popular vote, ranging from eight or ten to
sixteen or eighteen hundred. The two exceptions referred to,
were in the years 1843 and 1854. In 1843 the question of
"hards" and "softs" came up on the currency question, the
latter carrying the county by a decisive majority, and electing
to the Legislature one Democrat and one Whig, irrespective
of old party lines. This was for some reason denominated the
" Cork-Leg Party. " In 1854, what was equally oddly named
the " Knovv-Nothing Party, " for the time submerged all other
parties and elected their entire ticket in the county by respect-
able majorities. But in the following year the Democratic
Party re-established its lines, which are still maintained.
The Whig Party, respectable in. members, and in the ability
and intelligence of its leaders, nevertheless remained in the
minority during its existence, unless the two years spoken of
might be -claimed as Whig victories. The Whigs, in 1843,
were the acknowledged Soft Money Party, and probably unani-
mously voted the Cork-Leg ticket. And so in 1854, they nearly
all went into the Know-Nothing organization, which, with a
portion of the Democratic party, secured the triumph of that
ticket, and electing men from both the old parties. In 1856,
the Philadelphia Convention to form a Presidential ticket for
that year — a Convention composed of old line Whigs and
Know-Nothings— organized the Republican Party, and upon
its platform a majority of the Whigs of the county took posi-
122 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
tion, together with more or less Democrats, constituting the
Republican Party of Fairfield County. This party maintains
about the same numerical comparison with the Democratic
Party that the Whigs previous to 1854 did — the number of
Democrats coming into it being about equal to the number
of Whigs going over to the Democrats. The Whig Party,
therefore, is to be regarded as having been disbanded in the
early part of 1854.
RELIGIOUS.
The histories of all the religious societies and church or-
ganizations within Fairfield County, will be found in the fol-
lowing pages, as complete as it has been possible to make
them. Some of the church records I found very defective ; in
other instances none could be found. It has been my aim to
go back to the very first nuclei of the societies, at the begin-
ning of the settlements at the ending of the last and com-
mencement of the present century. If I have failed, in some
cases, it has been because no information at all could be ob-
tained. Much of what I have collected has been from the per-
sonal statements of oldest citizens, and slight errors may, there-
fore, have crept in, since I find all do not remember things
alike. As a whole, however, the history may be accepted as
entirely correct in the main. To ministers and laymen of the
various churches, I acknowledge my obligations for the cour-
tesy they have shown in affording me important aid.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The first Methodist Society in Fairfield County was formed
in the year 1799. The little band seems to have been formed
into a class under the management and advice of one Edward
Teel, who had previously been a class-leader in Baltimore
County, Maryland. Its place of meeting was at the cabin of
Mr. Teel, three miles east of Lancaster, and, I believe, on
Zane's trace. The names of the members when the society
was first formed, and at the time when first visited by Rev.
James Quinn, then a young Methodist preacher, were Ed-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 123
ward Teel and wife, Jesse Spurgeon and wife, Ishmael Dew and
wife, Nimrod Bright and wife, and Elijah Spurgeon and wife
— in all, ten. The first quarterly-meeting ever held in the
county was at the house of John Murphy, at which were pres-
ent Bishop Asbury and Daniel Hitt, the latter a Presiding
Elder in Baltimore Conference.
It is believed that the first class formed in Lancaster was
in 1812. Its membership at first was : Jacob D. Betrick and
wife, Peter Reeber, Sarah Reeber, Christian Weaver, Eliza-
beth Weaver, George Canode, Mary Canode, and Thomas Orr
and wife— ten in all. The first place provided for public wor-
ship in Lancaster was erected in 1816. It was a small frame edi-
fice, and stood on the site where the present brick church build-
ing now stands, on the hill. Rev. Jas. Quinn preached the first
sermon in it from a carpenter's bench. Lancaster then belonged
, to the Hockhocking circuit. In 1801, Joseph Chenowith was
the preacher in charge on the circuit, and returned at the
close of the year 366 members. This seems wonderlul, when
it is remembered that emigration to the Hocking Valley first
began in 1798, only three years previous. In 1802, Nathaniel
B. Mills supplied the circuit, and in 1803 and 1804 James
Quinn, assisted the latter year by Joseph Williams.
From this time up to 1811, both Lancaster and Fairfield
County were included in Hockhocking circuit.
Between 1811 and 1830, the church had so extended that
several circuits had been formed, Fairfield circuit being one of
them. At the close of this period of nineteen years, the mem-
bership of Fairfield circuit was 1,276. During the nine suc-
ceeding years, Lancaster was made a half station, with a few
appointments in the country, and the following preachers
filled the station : Zachariah Connell, William Young, John
Ferree, Edward D. Roe, William H. Lowder, Levi White, W.
T. Snow, John G. Bruce, Charles Swain, William T. Hand,
Charles R. Baldwin, John Reed and Charles R. Lowell. The
present brick church was built in 1838 and 1839.
In 1840, Lancaster made was a station, since which time the
following preachers have filled it : In 1840, Henry Baker, one
year; in 1841, Wm. R. Anderson, one year ; in 1842, Wm. P.
Strickland, two years ; in 1844, R. S. Foster, two years; in 1846,
M. Dustin, one year; in 1847, Granville Moody, two years; in
1849, William Sutherland, one year ; in 1850, Moses Smith,
124
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
one year; in 1851, Ancel Brooks, two years ; in 1853, N. Wes-
terman, one year ; in 1854, James M. Jamison, two years ; in
1856, E. M. Boring, one year*; in 1857, Joseph H. Creighton,
two years ; in 1859, Wm. Porter, one year; in 1860, C. E. Fel-
ton, two years ; in 1862, C. A. Vananda, two years ; in 1864, T.
H. Phillips, two years ; in 1866, L. Taft, two years ; in 1868, B.
N. Spahr, two years ; in 1870, T. R. Taylor, three years ; in
1873, Joseph H. Creighton, one year ; in 1874, T. W. Stanley.
Mr. Stanley is, in 1877, in his third year. The dates refer to
the year of appointment.
The total membership of Lancaster station in 1876, as fur-
nished by the pastor, is about 600.
The following paper, prepared and kindly furnished me by
the Rev. Mr. Stanley, pastor of Lancaster Church in 1876,
shows the operations of the Methodist itinerancy within
Fairfield County and adjacent territory, for seventy-six years,
beginning with 1800:
"1800— The first Methodist society
was formed in Fairfield
County in 1800. The circuit
was called Muskingum and
Hocking. Preachers : Jesse
Stoneman and James Quinn.
It was in Baltimore Confer-
ence.
1801— Jos. Chinowith.
1802 — Little Kanawha and Muskin-
gum, N. B. Bird.
1803— Hockhocking, Asa Shin.
1804 — (six months) James Quinn,
John Meek.
The work was now in the Western
Conference.
1S04 — (six months) James Quinn,
J. P. Williams.
1805— John Meek Jas. Oxley.
1806 — Jos. Hays, Jas. King.
1807— Fairfield Circuit, W. Patter-
son.
1808 — Ralph Lotspeich, John Bow-
man.
1809— Ralph Lotspeich.
1810 — Francis Travis.
1811 — Isaac Quinn, James B. Fin-
lev.
1812— (This year the Ohio Confer-
ence was formed). Fairfield,
Wm. Lambden.
1813— Archibald McElroy.
1814— Chas. Waddle.
1815— Chas. Waddle, M. Ellis.
1816— Jas. Quinn, John McMahon.
1817— Michael Ellis.
1818— Sadosa Bacon, Peter Stephens.
1819 — Abner Cough, Henry Ma-
thew.
1820— Abner Gough, Chas. Thorn.
1821 — Wm. Stephens, Zarah Coston.
1822— Wm. Stephens.
1823— Jas Gilruth, J C. Hunter.
1824— Chas. Waddle, Homer Clark.
1825 — Leroy Swormstedt, James
Quinn.
1826 — Jas. Quinn, Jas. Laws.
1827— Jas. Laws, Gilbert Blue.
1828 — Jacob Young, C. Springer.
1829— Z. Connell, H. S. Fernandez.
1830— Samuel Hamilton, H. S. Fer-
nandez.
1831 — (Fairfield Circuit was divided
this year into two parts, Lan-
caster and Rushville). Lan-
caster District was formed in
1819. The following have
been the Presiding Elders:
1819— Chas. Waddle.
1820— Jacob Young.
1821— Chas. Waddle.
1822-25— Jacob Young.
1826-29— David Young.
1830-31— Leroy Swormstedt. The
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
125
District was now included in
Zanesville and Columbus Dis-
trict, till 1851.
1851-54 — Zachariah Connell.
1856— J. L. Grover.
1856-59— D. D. Mather.
1860-63— J. W White.
1864-67— B. N. Spahr.
1868— Jos. M. Trimb e.
1869-72— W. T. Hai vey.
1873-76— T. H. Hall.
Rmhvillc Circuit was formed in
1831, and from it have been divided
off several other Circuits ; but it ex-
ists as a flourishing charge this day.
1831— Sam'l Hamilton, J. Hooper.
1832 — J. Carper, J. Young.
1833 — J. Carper, J. Armstrong and
S. H. Holland.
1834 — J. Armstrong, R. S. Kemper
and B. Cooper.
1835— Jas. T. Donahoo, E. D. Roe.
1836 — James T. Donahoo, Moses A.
Milligen.
1837— C. W. Swain, W. T. Hand.
1838— James B. Gurley, F. H. Jen-
nings.
1839— M. P. Kellog, W. M. D. Rvan.
1840-M. P. Kellog, A S. Murphy.
1841 — Jacob Young, A. Carroll.
1842— John W. Young, B. A. Cas-
sot.
1813— John Fitch.
1844-W. R. Davis.
1845— W. R. Davis.
1846— J. W. Stone.
1847— J. W. Stone.
1848— John Fitch.
1849— W. Webster. John Fitch.
1850 — Levi Cuninngham, G. G.
West.
1851 — Levi Cunningham, J. T.
Langmau.
1852— J. T. Langman, W. S. Ben-
ner.
1853 — -Samuel Harvey, Samuel Tip-
pet.
1854 — Samuel Harvey, R. Doughty.
1855-^R. Doughty, R. Pitzer.
1856— S. C. Kicker, T. G. Ross.
1857— S. C. Kicker, T. G. Ross.
1858 — A. Fleming, X. Speck.
1859— A. Fleming, N. Speck.
I860— D. Mann, J. C. Gregg.
1861— I). Mann, J. C. Gregg.
1862— W. C. Hollida, H. Gortner.
1863— W. C. Hollida, H. Gortner.
1864— U. L. Jones, B. Ellis.
1865— U. L. Jones, B. Ellis.
1866— R. B. Ben net, J Y. Rusk.
1867— R. B. Bennet, J. Y. Rusk.
1868— R. B. Bennet, J. Barringer.
1869— J. Barringer, G. L. Seits.
1870— G. L. Seits, J. T. Finch.
1371— J. H. Baker, J. H. Beery.
1872— F. F. Lewis, J. H. Beery.
1873— F. F. Lewis, R. H. Griffith.
1874— F. F. Lewis.
1875— F. S. Thurston.
1876— F. S. Thurston.
Royalton Circuit was formed in
1840.
1840 — Thomas Laikins, Alexander
Morrow.
1841— Moses A. Milligen, G. S. Crea-
ger.
1842— James Gilruth, Thos. Hurd.
1843 — A. Morrow, John C. Havens.
1844: — Joseph Morris, Jas. Hooper.
1845 — Joseph Morris, J. T. Lang-
man.
1846— Jas. Laws, J. T. Langman.
1847 — James Hood, J. B. Morrison.
1848— J. B. Morrison, A. B. See.
1849— B. Ellis, S. C. Riker.
1850— B. Ellis. Henrv Lewis.
1851— A. M. Alexander, B. Mark.
1852— A. M Alexauder, D. Sharp.
1853— S. M. Bright, J. W. Steele.
1854— S. M. Bright, J. W. Steele.
1855— G. G. West, John Kemper
and I. D. Day.
1856— G. G. West, H. Gortner.
1857— H. H. Ferris, J. T. Miller.
1858— H. H. Ferris, J. T. Miller.
1859— T. H. Hall, W. C. Holliday.
1860— D. Smith, J. W. Young.
1861— D. Smith, E. Siblev.
1862— E. Sibley, A. Fleming.
1863— S. M. Merril, A. Fleming.
1864— J. W. White, F. A. Spencer.
1865— J. W. White, J. Stewart.
1866— C. M. Bethauser, H. Gulp.
1867— C. M. Bethauser, L. T. Han-
navvalt,
1868— C. M. Bethauser.
1869— J. C. Gregg.
1870— J. C. Gregg.
1871— J. C. Gregg.
1872— S. C. Riker.
1873— S. C. Riker.
1874— T. H. Bradua.
1875— F. F. Lewis.
1876— H. B. Westervelt.
126
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHTO.
Tarlton Circuit was formed in
1841. It embraced quite a portion
of the west part of Fairfield County.
1841— Daniel Eoe.
1842 — James Laws.
1843 — James Laws.
1844— A. Morrow, P. P. Ingals.
1845— A. Morrow, P. P. Ingals.
1846— Joseph Morris, D.H.Sargeant.
1847— Joseph Morris.
1848— A. Carrol.
1849— A. Carrol.
1850— A. Nelson.
1851— J. W. Steele.
1852— J. W. Steele.
1853— J. H. McCutcheon, H. Gart-
ner.
1854— J. H. McCutcheon, E. D.
Fink.
1855— D. C. Howard, R. B. Bennet.
1856— R. D. Anderson, E. W. Kirk-
ham.
1857— G. G. West, H. L. White-
head.
1858— G. G. West, H. L. White-
head.
1859— J. T. Miller, I. F. King.
1860— J. T. Miller, B. Ellis.
1861— A. Carrol, B. Ellis.
1862— W. C. Filler, T. R. Taylor.
1863— W. C. Filler, J. P. Lacroix.
1864— W. Z. Ross.
1865— E. Sibley, J. M. Weir.
1866— E. Siblev.
1867— T. H. Hall.
1868— T. H. Hall.
1869— T. H. Hall, J. Rickets.
1870— W. H. McClintock, W. T.
Jones.
1871— W. H. McClintock.
1872— F. S. Thurston.
1873— F. S. Thurston.
1874— F. S. Thurston.
1875-T. Mackey.
1876—1. Mackey.
Baltimore Circuit was formed in
1842.
1842 — Moses A. Milligan, Joseph
Carper.
1843— James B. Gurley, P. P. In-
gals.
1844— James B. Gurley, E. O.
Bing.
1845-C. C. Lybrand, Jas. Hooper.
1846 — James Hooper.
1847— James Gil ruth, B. Mark.
1848— S. Harvey, R, Pilzer.
1849— S. Harvey, A. B. See.
1850— A. B. See, David Lewis.
1851— B. Ellis, J. S. Adams.
1852— R. Doughty.
1853— R. Doughty, A. M. Alexan-
der.
1854 — A. M. Alexander, Isaac D.
Day.
1855— S. M. Bright, H. Gartner and
J. T. Donahoo.
1856— S. M. Bright.
1857— N. Speck, E. W. Kirkham.
1858— W. Z. Ross, B. Ellis.
1859— W. Z. Ross, B. Ellis.
1860— A. Fleming, C. C. Lybrand.
1861— A. Fleming, C. C. Lybrand.
1862— J. M>-rtiD, N. Speck.
1863— J. W. Young, N. Speck.
1864— H. G. G. Fink, C. A. Phil-
lips.
1865— H. G. G. Fink.
1866— H. H. Ferris.
1867 — Wm. Beacham.
1868— H. L. Whitehead.
1869— S. C. Riker.
1870— F. T. Lewis, T. C. Reade.
1871— F. T. Lewis.
1872— J. W. Baker.
1873— J. W. Baker, L. C. Brooks.
1874— J. W. Baker, W. Z. Filler.
1875— J. H. Beery.
1876— J. H. Beery.
West Rushville Circuit was form-
ed in 1854.
1854— C. C. Lybrand, H. Gortner.
1855— C. C. Lybrand.
1856— W. C. Filler.
1857— W. C. Filler.
1858— R. Pitzer.
1859— R. Pitzer.
I860— T. H. Hall.
1861— T. H. Hall.
1862— W. Z. Ross.
1863— W. M. Mullenix.
1864— J. Stewart.
1865— T. R. Taylor.
1866— H. L. Whitehead.
1867— H. L. Whitehead.
1868— J. H. Acton.
1869— J. H. Acton.
1870— H. H. Ferris.
1871— T. H. Brodrick.
1872— T. H. Brodrick.
1873— T. H. Brodrick.
1874— W. T. Jones.
1875— W. T. Jones.
1876— W. T. Jones.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
127
Maxville Circuit was formed in
1855.
1855— Levi Hall, J. W. Stump.
1856— N. Speck, H. L. Whitehead
1857— B. Ellis.
1 858— E. D. Anderson, S. M. Bright.
1859— R. D. Anderson, J. M. Adair.
1860— W. C. Holliday, J. Robinson.
1861— W. C. Holliday, W. M. Mul-
lenix.
1862— H. G. G. Turk, J. M. Adair.
1863— H. G. G. Turk, Jno. Brown.
1864— N. Speck.
1865— S. Rankin, G. L. Seits.
1866— S. Rankin.
1867— J. W. Lewis.
1868— J. W. Lewis, J. Rickets.
1869— J. W. Lewis.
1870— E. O. King, J. H. Beery.
1871— H. B. Westervelt, J. F.
Kemper.
1872— H. B. Westervelt, R. H.
Griffith.
1873— J. T. Finch, W. F. Filler.
1874— J. T. Finch.
1875 — This year called Junction
City. This Circuit embraced
a part of Fairfield County.
1876— W. Mor is, J. P. Langley.
Junction City Circuit was formed
in 1874.
1874— J. F. Kemper.
1875— J. W. Baker, J. M. Langley.
Carroll Ci.cuit was formed by a
division of Baltimore Circuit in
1874.
1874— W. F. Filler.
1875— C. H. Warren.
1876— J. H Postle.
New Salem Circuit was formed by
a division of Rushville Circuit in
1874.
1874— J. H. Beery.
1875— B. F. Thomas.
1876— B. F. Thomas.
Lithopolis Circuit was formed in
1839.
1839 — Jacob Young, David Lewis.
1S40— Jacob Young, T. A. G. Phil-
lips.
1841— Jas. Gilruth, T. A. G. Phil-
lips.
1842-J. T. Donahoo, W. Litzinger.
1843— J. T Donahoo.C. C.Lybrand.
1844 — Jas. Laws, Sheldon Parker.
1845— Jas. Laws, Sheldon Parker.
1846 — S. Bateman, A. Carroll.
1847— A. Carroll, J. S. Brown.
After this the circuit was called
Groveport, embracing the same ter-
ritory in Fairfield County.
Groveport Circuit was formed in
1848.
1848— J. S. Brown.
1849— J. Hooper, R. Doughty.
1850— E. B. Chase, A. Fleming and
J. S. Vail.
1851— J. W. Clarke.
1852— Jacob Young, L. Taft.
1853— S. M. Merril, D. Young.
1854— F. A. Timmons, J. Martin.
1855 — F. A. Timmons, J. Martin.
1856 — Levi Cunningham, C. C. Ly-
brand.
1857— C. C. Lvbrand, H. Gortner.
1858— S. Fleming, S. Bateman.
1859— S Fleming, S. Bateman.
1860— H. H. Ferris, F. F. Lewis.
1861— H. H. Ferris, F. F. Lewis.
1862— S. C. Riker, A. Carroll.
1863— S. C. Riker, A. Carroll.
1864— J. Mitchel, S. M. Donahoo.
1865— S. Tippett, J. E. Moore.
1866— S. Tippett, J. E. Moore.
1867— S. Tippett, A. Brooks.
1868— D. Horlocker.
1869— D. Horlocker.
1870— D. Horlocker.
1871— S. M. Bright.
Canal Winchester Circuit was
formed in 1872, embracing the
Fairfield County part of the ap-
pointments.
1872— W. H. McClintock.
1873— W. H. McClintock.
1874— W. H. McClintock.
1875— W. C. Holliday.
1876— W. C. Holliday.
Pickerington Circuit was formed
in 1851.
1851 — A. Fleming, D. Lewis.
1852— R. Pitzer, D. Lewis.
1853— R. Pitzer, J. Young.
1854— J. Stewart S. M. Merril.
1855 — J. Stewart, C. M. Bethauser.
1856— F. A. Timmons, W. Z. Ross.
1857— W. Z. Ross, W. P. Grant-
ham.
1858— T. D. Martindale, C. C. Ly-
brand.
1859— T. D. Martindale, W. S. Ben-
ner.
I860— W. C. Filler, W. S. Benner.
1861— W. C. Filler, H. G. G. Fink.
128
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
1862— J. F. Given, B. Ellis.
1863— E. Sibley, J. F. Langman.
1864— E. Sibley, C. C. Lybrand
Then in 1865, the name was
changed to Reynoldsburg Circuit.
1865— S. C. Riker, J. M. Adair.
1866— S. C. Riker, J. C. Gregg.
1867— S. C. Riker, J. C. Gregg.
1868— J. C. Gregg, T. H. Brodrick.
1869— C. M. Bethauser, T. H. Brod-
rick.
1870— C. M. Bethauser, T. H. Brod-
rick.
1871— R. B. Bennett.
1872— R B. Bennett.
1873— M. V. B. Evans.
1874— M. V. B. Evans.
1875— M. V. B. Evans.
PROTESTANT METHODIST CHURCH.
A Protestant Methodist Church was organized in Lancaster
a little previous to the year 1840, and continued its existence
a number of years. During its existence it had a respectable
membership and a regular succession of pastors. It also owned
a commodious church edifice on Chestnut street. The society
has now been disbanded a numuer of years, and the building
has passed into the hands of the Regular Baptists, and is their
present place of worship. The constituent members have de-
ceased and moved away, and there are no records to be found
from which to obtain a history of the organization.
REGULAR BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Regular Baptist Church was organized in Lancaster in
1817, by Rev. George Debott, who was its first pastor. The
constituent members were six, viz.: Isaac Church and wife,
James Lowrey and wife, Stephen Whittlesey and Anna Bruen.
The last-named died recently at the great age of 106 years.
The other five are deceased. Mr. Debott also lived to a very ad-
vanced age. Rev. William White, father of thelate Dr. James
White, of Lancaster, succeeded Mr. Debott as pastor, and con-
tinued in that relation for many years. Rev. Samuel Carpen-
ter was the next pastor ; he began his labors in that relation
in 1829, which was only broken off by his death, which took
place in the summer of 1870. The maximum number of the
membership at any given time was about fifty, though much
of the time it was below that. The present membership, in
1876, is stated at twenty, and the present pastor is the Rev.
William Fisher.
Very soon after the organization, the members built a frame
church edifice on Chestnut street, south of the Talmadge
House, which they occupied until it was consumed by fire, in
about the year 1864. The ground was subsequent!}' sold for
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 129
fifteen hundred dollars, which sum was used in the purchase
of the present church building.
There are at this time four other churches of this denomi-
nation within the county, some of which are said to have
been organized previous to that of Lancaster, especially the
one at Thornville.
The Turkey Run Church, north of Amanda, has a member-
ship of forty or fifty.
Walnut Creek Regular Baptist Church was constituted on
Saturday before the second Sunday in January, 1816, with
eleven members. Beyond tbis there are no accessible records
from which further particulars can be obtained.
BAPTIST CHURCH (NEW SCHOOL).
[I understand this church disclaims the appellation "New
School," but claims to be Regular Baptists. — Author].
This church was organized in 1842, with a constituent mem-
bership of twelve persons. Very soon after the organization,
they erected a fine brick church building on the west side of
North Columbus street, on the corner of Columbus and "Mul-
berry streets. Within the thirty-four years of its existence it
has, with the exception of a very brief period, been regularly
supplied with stated pastors. The following are the names of
the pastors, in the order of their succession :
Rev. J. M. Courtney, Rev. S. T. Griswold, Rev. J. B. Sachet,
Rev. E. F. Strickland, Rev. S. G. Dawson, Rev. T. R. Powell,
Rev. Wm. Sharp, Rev. H. A. Lyon, Rev. E. Dannels, present
pastor.
The present membership is stated at ninety. The church
sustains a flourishing Sabbath-School.
PLEASANT RUN RAPTIST CHURCH.
Alfred Mesnard has kindly furnished me the original and
continuous books of record of the Pleasant' Run Regular Bap-
tist Church, of which he is the present Secretary. It will be
seen by the following extract from the first page, that the
church was first constituted in the year 1806 :
April the 19th, 1806, then met according to appointment and'opened
our meeting with prayer and praise. Second — proceeded to business,
130
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
with choosing our Moderator, Martin Coffman. Third — we also chose
Samuel Coiner for our Clerk ; so ending our meeting with praise and
thanksgiving.
MARTIN COFFMAN, Moderator.
Samuel Comer, Clerk.
Then follows the minutes of succeeding business meetings,
occurring in May, June, July, August, September, October,
and so on, at which Lewis Sites acted mostly as Moderator, and
Samuel Comer as Clerk, with occasionally Martin Coffman as
Moderator, on up to August, 1809, at which time the church
had a membership of ninety, whose names here follow pre-
cisely in the order of the record. Rev. Lewis Sites, sr., was
the first pastor of the Pleasant Run Church. The names of
the members are copied literally as they stand on the twenty-
first page of the first church book of records, which leaves it
difficult to understand why the interruption occurs at the
number 50:
NAMES OF THE MEMBERS OF PLEASANT RUN CHURCH
1
Wm. Hopwood.
22
Ann Hite.
44
Emanuel Ruffner.
2
Abraham Hite.
23
Christian Hover.
45
Ann Spitler.
3
Magdalen Ruffner,
, 24
Susan Musselraan.
46
Jacob Spitler.
4
Elizabeth Warner
. 25
Barbary Hite.
47
Timothy Collins.
5
Adam Giger.
26
Samuel Comer.
48
Phoebe Collins.
6
Mary Giger.
27
Elizabeth Comer.
49
Barbary Beaver.
7
Magdalen Giger.
28
Sister Hannah.
50
Magdalen Taylor.
8
Conrod Hite.
29
Sister Bibler.
Joseph Stider.
9
Aaron Powel.
30
Christian Cagy.
John Moorhead.
10
Sister Powel.
31
Mary Cagy.
Christian Coffman,
11
Martin Coffman.
32
John Hite.
James Owens.
12
Ann Coffman.
34
Sister Cussman.
79
Mary Coffman .
13
Magdalen Wise.
35
Jacob Bibler.
80
Smith Goodens.
14
Ann Miller.
36
Jacob Bibler, jr.
Aaron Ashbrook.
15
Elizabeth Histand
. 37
Caty Bibler.
Eli Ashbrook.
16
Frank Bibler.
38
David Bibler.
Caty Ashbrook.
17
Mary Bibler.
39
John Bibler.
81
Neely Bibler.
18
Andrew Hite.
40
Barbary Bibler.
82
Magdalane Spitler.
19
Ann Hite.
41
Lewis Sites.
83
Magdalane Hite.
20
Samuel Hite.
42
Ann Sites, v
21
John Hite. '
43
Christiana Woolf.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
131
Baptised since our last :
51
George White.
61
Abraham Bibler.
71
Sister Brumlang.
52
Jacob Spitler.
62
Sister Keller.
72
53
Susan Spitler.
63
Cissa Miller.
73
Mary Bibler.
54
Jacob Musselrnan.
, 64
Joseph Hite.
74
Jacob Bibler.
55
Peter Spitler.
65
James Davis.
75
Barbary Bibler.
56
John Hite.
66
Thomas Warner.
76
57
Betsy Bibler.
67
Susanna Spitler.
77
58
Mady Hoopwood.
68
Martin Histand.
78
59
Abraham Hite.
69
Cissa Studer.
60
John Bibler.
70
Jacob Studer.
The omission of number 33 in the list, reduces the number
to 89, by supplying the numbers 72, 76, 77 and 78 with names,
which we are allowed to think were not remembered. The
record literally quoted, is a relic as well as history, and on that
account valuable.
So far as is known, not one of the above persons is living to-
day. Pleasant Run Church is a living church at this time,
with a few less than one hundred members. The congrega-
tion has continued its place of worship from the first, viz. : in
April, 1806, up to the present spring of 1877, on the same spot
where it began, which is a short distance north of Strickler's
Cross-roads, in the north-east corner of Pleasant Township.
They have a commodious church edifice, sometimes spoken of
as Strickler's Church, and sometimes as the Baptist Church,
though the title they assume is that of the Pleasant Run
Church.
It is a melancholy thought, that the ninety persons once
composing that body, so full of life, and love, and Christian
zeal, and filling their places in all of life's affairs, are no more.
Their voices are all silent, and their forms have disappeared.
They have passed to their reward in the better land.
The present pastors of the church are : Revs. Schofield and
Barker.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
A Presbyterian Church was organized in Lancaster at a very
early day. The Rev. John Wright settled here in the year
1801, and continued pastor of the church up to 1835, when he
was succeeded by Rev. William Cox.
132 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
They held their meetings in the old Court-house during a
number of years, when they built a small brick church, or
chapel, on the lot where the present church stands. I have
not been able to ascertain the date of the building of this little
chapel, but the best recollections fix it a little prior to the year
1820. In 1835, Mr. Wright left Lancaster and settled in In-
diana, at which time William Cox became the settled pastor
of the Presbyterian Church, and remained until 1854, when he
accepted a call to the Church of Piqua, in Miami County, at
which place he closed his life a few years subsequently, and
was interred in the cemetery east of Lancaster. The present
church edifice was erected in 1835. Below is given the suc-
cession of pastors from 1801 to 1876 :
Rev. John Wright from 1801 to 1835; Rev. William Cox
from 1836 to 1854 • succeeding him were Rev. J. M. Lowry,
Rev. Robert Galbraith, Rev. Webster, Rev. George Fullerton,
Rev. Worden, Rev.. Muse, Rev. Snodgrass, and the Rev. J. R.
Boyd, who is the present pastor. Besides these there were
several supplies who remained short periods, whose names I
have not the means of finding out. The present communion
is about two hundred persons. There is likewise a full Sab-
bath-School that meets every week.
The following incident is deemed worthy of mention here,
because it took place on the lot now owned by the Presbyter-
ians, and also because it belongs to the history of Lancaster.
The occurrence took place some time previous to the building
of the little brick chapel. It has been related to me by Dr.
Charles Shawk, who as a boy was an eye-witness, and by
others. There are probably many persons living who can re-
call the affair. I give it in substance as narrated by the
Doctor.
Peter Reeber owned the grounds, and had in operation on
them a horse-power mill, in which corn, wheat, and other
grain was ground. He also had a log barn, that stood nearly
on the site of the present church, but a little more up the
hill. On one Sunday the barn was struck by lightning and
set on fire. The citizens rushed from all directions and began
the work of trying to put out the fire. The wells in the
vicinity were, soon exhausted, when a bucket-line was formed
to a pond of water near by, and the muddy water passed up,
by which the flames were at last extinguished, and the build-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 133
ing partially saved. Two oxen in the barn at the time were
killed by the lightning. In the management of the bucket-
line, Thomas Ewing and Adam Weaver fell out, and came to
blows, so tradition says.
It is to be borne in mind that personal notes and references
in this work are limited to pioneers. The following items are
relics of the early days, and will be of interest to Presbyterians
and others, as mementos, but especially the descendants of
first settlers about Lancaster. Mr. Joseph Work, of Ireland,
was an early settler, and a first member of the Presbyterian
Church of Lancaster. Robert, John and Henry Work, of this
vicinity, are his sons. Mr. Work came to the United States
about the year 1792:
Certificate. — That Joseph Work, from the Kingdom of Ireland,
has lived from his infancy within the bounds of this congregation,
always maintaining a fair moral character ; has been admitted to Church
privileges in said congregation, and may safely be admitted to Christian
Society where in providence his lot may be cast.
WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM, Pastor.
St. Johns Town, 25th June, 1792.
Eeceipt. — Received of Joseph Work, one of the collectors for Hock-
ing Congregation, one dollar, on my first vear's salary.
JOHN WRIGHT.
January \Ath, 1807.
Receipt. — Received of Joseph Work, one of the collectors for Hock-
ing Congregation, fourteen dollars and fifty cents, in part of mv first
year's salary. JOHN WRIGHT.
December 17th, 1806.
Receipt. — Received of John Smith, two dollars on my salary for
Hocking Congregation. JOHN WRIGHT.
December ISth, 1814.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT WEST RUSHVILLE.
To Rev. L. D. Smith, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at
West Rushville, I am indebted for the following information :
Rush Creek Presbyterian Church was organized A.D. 1806, by Rev.
John Wright. The ruling Elders were Wm. Larrimer and Wm. Trim-
hie. Mr. Wright continued to be pastor of the church at Rush Creek
for about twenty-seven years. Rev. James Anderson succeeded him,
and remained about twenty years. This hrirgs the history of the
church down to about the year 1853, when Rev. J. Milligen became pas-
tor. At this time Fielding Alford, David Abright, D. Y. Davis and
Wm. Thompson were Elders. Rev. Milligen was succeeded by Rev. J.
134 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
M. Drake, and he by Eev. H. E. Peairs. This was in 1863. In 1866,
Eev. C. C. B. Duncan came, and was succeeded in 1871 by Eev. J. L.
Gourley; and in 1874, the present minister. L. D. Smith, took charge,
with Elders David Abright, D. Y. Davis, Edward Johnson, John W.
Dilger, E. Kagey and Wm. Clenaghan.
The present membership of the church is 120. Our church building
is a frame, and was erected about twenty-two years ago, and is the third
erected since the organization of the society.
L. D. SMITH, Pastor.
THE BETHEL CHURCH,
Four miles south-east of Bremen, was organized in 1832, by
Rev. Francis Bartlett. In 1852, Rev. J. Milligen was pastor
of Bethel Church, and Isaac Larimer, John Sherwood, Aaron
Work, Geo. McCandlish and James Black were its ruling
Elders. Rev. J. M. Drake took charge of the church in 1858,
and was followed by Rev. H. R. Peairs; and again, in 1866,
Rev. C. C. B. Duncan assumed the pastorate. In 1872, Rev.
J. L. Gourley took charge, and in 1874, Rev. L. D. Smith, who
is its present pastor, in 1877. Its present membership is 60.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT BREMEN.
The Bremen Church was organized on the 21st of October,
1844, by a committee of Licking Presbytery, consisting of Rev.
Jacob Little, Rev. H. Boutelle and Rev. A. Duncan. The first
pastor mentioned was Rev. J. Schlosser. The first elders were
Daniel Rodahafer, John Ashbaugh and Wm. Rowles. Their
reported number of members in 1856, was fifty-seven commu-
nicants. In this year, Mr. Schlosser's connection with the
church ceased, when he was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Grif-
fith. In 1859, the Rev. S. J. Humphrey took charge. In 1865,
Rev. C. C. Hart, of Logan, supplied the congregation. The
Elders then were John Ashbaugh and J. Leib. In 1870, Rev.
W. A. Galbraith was preaching there. In 1871, Rev. J. L.
Gourley was the supply; and his connection ceased as pastor
in April, 1873. In November, 1874, the church employed the
Rev. L. D. Smith, of West Rushville, to give them one-fourth
of his time, and he was still supplying the congregation in
July, 1877. The number of communicants in January, 1876,
was forty-two.
The Presbyterians also have societies at Amanda, Lithopo-
lis and Greencastle, with regular pastors, but up to the time
of going to press they have failed to return specific statements.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 135
The present pastor of Lithopolis Church is the Rev. Mr. Brown,
who also supplies the Church at Greencastle.
The Greenfield Presbyterian Church, four miles from Lan-
caster, on the Carroll road, has been supplied since its first or-
ganization by the Rev. J. R. Boyd, of Lancaster Church.
EPISCOPAL PARISH OF ST. JOHN.
LETTER OF WM. J. REECE.
Dr. H. Scott : The Protestant Episcopal Parish of St. John was
organized in Lancaster during the Year of Grace 1835, and the Rev.
Sherlock A. Bronson was its first rector. The present church building
was erected during the influential rectorship of the Rev. Alvah Guion.
The prominent active laymen who co-operated with him. were Messrs
Henry Stanberry, John T. Brazee, Daniel Sifford, John Reeber, Daniel
Kutz and Win. P. Creed, Esqs. When the church was completed, these
gentlemen assumed and paid off the-then existing debts, and it was then
consecrated by the late Rev. Bishop McElvain.
After Mr. Guion, the following clergymen were rectors, in the order
in which their names are here written, viz.: Rev. Messrs. Daniel Risser,
J. M. C. Bonte, Frederick Grey, Henry D. Lathrop, E. Owen Simpson,
Wm. Brittain, John Scott, A. S. Gorrell and Edward B. Cartmell, who
resigned his clerical position in the church October, 1875, to accept that
of Principal in the Lancaster High School.
Very truly yours, WM. J. REECE.
st. peter's evangelical Lutheran church.
This church was organized in Lancaster at a very early
period in this century. Rev. Mr. Steck was its first pastor,
and continued in that relation for a great many years, and
was succeeded by Rev. J. Wagenhals; at least his succession
is the information given to the writer. No records are known
to be in existence, and I can neither fix the exact year of the
first formation of the Society, nor the number and names of
the constituent members. The ground was deeded to the
church by Jacob Beck, the elder, first member.
The Society subsequently built a two-story log church edi-
fice on the site of their present brick building, sometimes
spoken of as the Canal Church. Subsequently this log struc-
ture was removed, and a two-story brick substituted. This
was destroyed by fire in 1846. This church was incorporated
by act of the Legislature in 1840. The names of the incor-
porators were : Henry Arnold, Geo. W. Bantler, Christian
Baesster, Christian Baughman, Henry Orman, Philip Bope
and Coonrod Crumley.
136 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
After the burning of the brick church in 1846, the German
members purchased the ground and built the present church
building. The ministers who have filled the pulpit since the
retirement of Rev. John Wagenhals were : Rev. H. Burcher,
Rev. Leon Hart, Rev. Speilman and Rev. Mechling, present
pastor. Present membership, 600.
FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH OF LANCASTER.
The first English Lutheran Church of Lancaster was organ-
ized as a distinctive congregation, in the year 1843, with a
constituent membership of about twenty persons. The or-
ganization was effected by the withdrawal of the English
members from the parent church of St. Peter's, in part. For
about three years after the separation, the two societies con-
tinued to worship in the same house. After the building was
burned, in 1846, the English, 'having sold out their interest
to the Germans, purchased ground on Columbus street, and
erected upon it the same church edifice in which they now
meet. The house was built in 1846. The succession of
pastors, from 1843 to 1876, has been as follows :
Rev. John McCron, one year ; Rev. Charles F. Shaeffer,
three years ; Rev. A. J. Weddle, three years ; Rev. L. Kizer, one
year ; Rev. J. Hamilton, two years; Rev. J. F. Reindmond,
seven years; Rev. Samuel Sprecher, two years; Rev. N. J.
Knisely, two years; Rev. Charles Steck, one year; Rev. John
B. Helwig, four years ; Rev. John 0. Hough, one year ; Rev. G.
W. Halderman, six years.
The membership in 1876 is computed at about two hundred
persons, there remaining in the body about half a dozen of the
original members. The foregoing statements have been furn-
ished me by the present pastor, Rev. G. W. Halderman.
GERMAN REFORM CHURCH.
I am indebted to the courtesy of Mr. Emanuel Giesy, for the
following synopsis of the history of the German Reform Church
in Lancaster, which he obtained from the church records. I
insert his letter entire :
Dr. H. Scott: The following notes may be of use to you, as in reply
to your request. The German Reform Church of Lancaster was organ-
ized by the Rev. George Wise, about the first of October, 1816, with
twenty members, and he continued to be its pastor up to the year 1838.
During that time he also preached to other congregations in Ross, Pick-
away, Hocking, Perry, Licking and Franklin counties.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 137
In March, 1818, the congregation purchased a lot in Carpenter's Addi-
tion, on Columbus street, and built a house of worship, which was first
used as a school-house, but was, in 1832, dedicated to the service of God
as a house of worship. In this house the congregation continued to
worship until 1845, in which year their new church on Chestnut street
being completed, they moved into it. Mr. Wise was succeeded by the
Rev. Henry Willard, who filled the pulpit six years, and was succeeded
by Rev. Jesse Steiner. He was succeeded by Rev. Jeremiah Good,
who served the congregation three years ; and was succeeded by Rev.
Henry BrinkerhofT, serving the congregation two years; and was suc-
ceeded by Rev. John Rike, who died in the midst with his armor fully
polished. Mr. Rike was succeeded by Rev. P. D. Schory ; and he by
Rev. G. W. Meckling, who was succeeded by Rev. H. Hock man. After
him came Rev. John Swander, who was followed by Rev. L. Strassman;
and on the first of April, 1872, the Rev. Win, Hale, the present pastor,
settled in the congregation. The name of the church edifice was, short-
ly after the coming of Mr. Hale, changed to Grace Reform Church. The
present membership is 225.
Respectfully, E. GIESY.
THE IMMANUEL'S CHURCH.
The first German Evangelical Lutharan congregation of
unaltered Ogsburg confession was organized in Lancaster, 0.,
on January 31st, 1849, the constituent members being twelve
in number Rev. F. W. Richman was thcfirst pastor. Suc-
ceeding him have been the following ministers, in the order in
which their names occur. The dates refer to the year when
each pastor took charge :
Rev. J. P. Kalb took charge in 1852 ; Rev. F. W. Faclinger
in 1857 ; Rev. J. L. Daib in 1868; Rev. M. Merz in 1859 ; Rev.
J. F. Niethamer in 1885 ; Rev. E. J. Fredrick in 1866 ; Rev. G
Sclum in 1869; Rev. C. A. Frank in 1870; Rev. E. Kaeler in
1873; Rev. C. A. Frank again in 1876.
This church was constituted by withdrawing members from
St. Peters' Lutheran Church, in the year 1849. The primary
object of the withdrawal, as set forth, was, to institute purely
German services. Immediately after the separation, the
members of Immanuel's Church purchased a lot on Chestnut
street, between Broad and High streets, and proceeded forth-
with to erect a church building, which being completed, was
dedicated as a house of worship in 1852.
This organization recognizes a voting qualification, viz. :
only male members of the age of twenty-one years and upwards
exercise that franchise. Of these, there are in the congrega-
tion seventy. The communing members of the congregation,
in 1876, upon the return of Rev. Mr. Frank, numbered two
138 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNXY, OHIO.
hundred and fifty-five. The children of the congregation at
the same time numbered about fifty. Rev. C. A. Frank,
p istor.
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
LETTER OF HON. P. B. EWING.
"St. Mary's Church of Lancaster, Ohio. — There were Catholic families
among the very earliest settlers of the town and county.
" From 1820 to 1822, the first Catholic Church, a small frame build-
ing, was completed at the foot of Chestnut street.
" In 1841 the brick church on the north-east corner of High and Chest-
nut streets was completed for occupancy.
" In 1864 the new church, the large and elegant edifice now occupied
by the congregation, was completed. In the same year the old brick
church was remodeled for use as a parochial school.
" A small frame building for a pastoral residence was built in 1844,
adjoining the old brick church. This building was removed to the east-
ern side of the church property, and a substantial brick addition made
thereto in 186S, making the present pastoral residence.
"Until 1839 the congregation was under the care of the Dominican
Fathers of St Joseph's, Perry County. In that year the Rev. J. M.
Young was sent by the Bishop of Cincinnati, and remained in charge for
fifteen years, until 1854. when he was promoted to. the new See of Erie.
He was succeeded here by the Rev. Henry Lange, who remained for ten
years, and until his death early in 18(31. Rev. J. W. Brummer was
temporarily in charge for a few months, and was succeeded in August by
Rev. Bernard Evers, who, on account of failing health, returned to Cin-
cinnati in the early part of the next year, where he died soon after.
" Rev. Dr. Daniel O'Regan came in May, 1865, and was here some-
thing more than two years, when ill-health compelled him to relinquish
labor. He joined his family in Dubuque, Iowa, and died there.
" The next in order was Rev. F. J. Rudolph, who remained from July,
1867, until May, 1868, when, on the division of the Diocese of Cincin-
nati, he preferred to retire to that part of it remaining under the Arch-
bishop of Cincinnati.
"Rev. Louis Decailly came in 1868, and remained until the early
part of 1874, when he was transferred to Newark, and was succeeded
here by Rev. N. E. Pilger. Father Pilger remained only a few months,
when he was transferred to Delaware, and Rev. J. B. Schmidt took
charge of the congregation, where he still remains.
" In June, 1875, Rev. Gabriel Volkert was assigned as assistant pastor,
and served until his death here in September of the same year, when
Rev. F. J. Campbell was appointed to the place.
" The Parochial School has an average attendance of two hundred and
twenty, who are instructed by a corps of four Dominican Sisters, and
one male teacher for the large boys.
"The St. Mary's congregation, aggregating about sixteen hundred
souls, numbers 260 families, with an annual average of fifteen marriages,
and seventy-five baptisms.
"Missions. — As the Lancaster congregation increased in numbers, it
was found desirable to establish three mission churches in the southern
part of the county. Afterwards a resident priest was assigned to their
exclusive care.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 139
" At the 'Sacred Heart' Chapel, near Bremen, there are twenty-eight
families; at 'St. Joseph's,' near Sugar Grove, there are thirty-two fami-
lies; and forty families at the chapel of 'Our Lady of Good Hope,' in
the south-eastern corner of the county."
OMISH MENNONITE CHURCH.
To Joseph Kurtz, of Pleasant Township, I am indebted for
valuable aid in collecting notes of history of this religious de-
nomination in Fairfield County, sometimes improperly called
the "Ormish Church."
Simon Menno was a Catholic priest of Switzerland, where
he was born in the town of Friesland, in Mitmarsum, in the
year 1495. At the breaking out of the reformation of the six-
teenth century, he dissented from the Catholic church, and be-
came the compeer of Luther, Malangthon, Zwinglius, and
others, in carrying on that great work. He soon secured a
numerous constituency, among whom, of his immediate dis-
ciples, wTere also many learned and influential men. Hence
the denomination known as Mennonites.
JACOB AMEN.
Jacob Amen wras also a native of Switzerland, and a zealous
preacher of the Mennonite doctrine. He flourished during the
seventeenth century. He was not the founder of a sect,
strictly, though he taught some views differing with Simon
Meno, thereby securing personal followers. This was the
origin of the Ornish, or Amish Church, the name deriving from
Jacob Amen ; and in the United States the title they assume
is that of Ornish Mennonite. They maintain a distinct church
organization, nevertheless. In 1848, there were estimated to
be in the United States one hundred and twenty-five thousand
Mennonites, including the adherents of Jacob Amen.
The Ornish Mennonite Order have some distinctive views
and practices that merit special mention. They administer
baptism by pouring. They hold war to be forbidden by the au-
thority of Christ. They pay no fixed salaries to their preach-
ers. They will not take an oath, nor resist force by force.
They do not allow one of their members to become a public
charge, but provide for the poor within the church. Any
member in regular standing has the right to speak in the
public congregation, and expound the Scriptures. In gen-
140 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
eral doctrine, such as the incarnation, the atonement, the
trinity, and regeneration b}r the new, or spiritual birth, they
are accredited as being orthodox. Their public worship is
conducted similar to all other orthodox denominations of the
Evangelical branches of the Christian Church.
The Ornish Mennonite Church took its origin in Fairfield
County in 1834. The principal settlement of them has been
in Pleasant and Berne townships. In former years they
were more numerous than at present, their numbers having
diminished chiefly by moving away. They have at present
no church building, but hold their meetings in private houses.
Within the history of the church in Fairfield County, the
following preachers have resided among them : David Zook,
Bishop ; Jonathan Zook, Jacob Hartzler, Rev. Gingrich, David
Hartzler, Joseph Yoder and Solomon Stutzman. At present.
May, 1877, Jonathan Zook is their preacher.
They assume the plain, or Quaker garb, and are everywhere
recognized by their dress. Their intercourse is at all times
friendly and assuring; and in their dealings they are faithful,
and, as a rule, strictly reliable. This is a cardinal part of
their religion. Sober and temperate in their lives, they com-
mand the confidence and respect of the community. As a
rule, they are industrious and frugal, and it would be very
rare to find an idler among that people, commonly spoken of
as the " Ormish. " By common reputation, the Ornish women
have acquired the reputation of being very superior butter-
makers. And such is their known faithfulness, that the word
of an Ormish man is always current in all his contracts.
THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION (ALBRIGHTS).
The denomination commonly spoken of as "Albrights," but
properly the Evangelical Association, had its beginning as a
distinctive church organization first in the State of Pennsyl-
vania, about the year 1800. The first members were called
"Albrecht's Leute" (Albright people), after Jacob Albright, the
founder of the church. Mr. Albright was converted in 1790,
and during the succeeding ten years preached and exhorted
more or less until, about 1800, he had a great many followers,
when he founded a society with the above title. At first the
membership was confined to the Germans, because all their
services were held in that language.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 141
In doctrine and creed the "Association" is Armgfnian and
Evangelical. Their itenerancy and forms of government, as
likewise their modes of worship, are very much like the
Methodists. From their organization, and during their weak-
ness in numerical force, the}7 suffered the usual persecutions
of new sects, until now, in 1877, they Have acquired a strength
and popularity that places them among the leading Protestant
denominations of the world.
The following letter, kindly prepared for me by Rev. Andrew
Swartz, furnishes the history of the Evangelical Association
in Fairfield County :
Dr. H. Scott : The following is a condensed history of the Evangel-
ical Association in Fairfield County :
In the year A. D. 1816, the first missionary visited this county, viz. :
Frederick Shower, father of the Shower brothers who are now doing a
successful business in the shoe and boot trade in Lancaster.
He commenced operations on Big Rush Creek, among the Swartz and
Einsel families. An organization was soon formed in that neighbor-
hood, followed by others in Greenfield and Liberty townships. After a
few years the first circuit was formed, bearing the name of Lancaster
Circuit, but embracing portions of Fairfield, Hocking, Ross, Pickaway
and Franklin counties.
For a number of years the meetings of the society were held prin-
cipally in private houses. The first church edifice of the denomination
in this county was erected on the land of Mr. John Bright, on Poplar
Creek, Liberty Township, about the year 1830. For the first forty
years of her labors among our population, her exercises were conducted
almost exclusively in the German language, and as a consequence her
increase in membership was not as rapid as might have been expected,
had the religious exercises been conducted in the language of our
country.
About twenty years ago the Pennsylvania element of our church,
which formed the basis of the several societies in the county, waked up
to the importance of saving the youth for the church of their choice,
and yielded their own preference in language for the benefit of their
children. The growth and development of the denomination has been
more rapid since said change was effected. Old societies have been
strengthened, and a number of new ones formed. The denomination
now numbers fifteen societies in Fairfield County, each one having their
own house of worship ; and there are now five resident pastors in the
county.
The denomination has its strongest hold in Liberty Township, where,
in the last two years, over eight thousand dollars have been raised for
new church edifices. '
There is a Sabbath-School in connection with almost every society,
into which schools nearly one thousand children and youth are gathered
every Sabbath. By this it will be seen, that the Evangelical Associa-
tion has a bright future in Old Fairfield. That she may live and pros-
per, and be made a great blessing to our population for all time, is the
earnest wish, sincere desire, and iervent prayer of the writer.
Respectfully, ANDREW SWARTZ.
May 2Qth, 1877.
142 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
DUNKER CHURCH.
I obtain the following history of the Dunker denomination
of Christians in Fairfield County from John Hunsacker, of
Rush Creek Township, he having been a preacher and bishop
in the order for many years. Tffe society at one time numbered
about one hundred members, but at present, viz. : in May,
1877, their number is reduced to about seventy, chiefly by
emigration. They have three church buildings — one, a mile
and a quarter south of Bremen; one, eight miles south-west of
Bremen; and one on Durbin Run, five miles south-west from
Bremen. The title they assume is, the " Brethren Church" the
name Dunker, or Tunker, having been applied to them de-
risively, as will presently be seen. There is no other society
of the Brethren in Fairfield County besides that on Rush Creek
and the Raccoon.
They have been styled l Die Tceufer" or Baptists, the German
words, Die Tceufer, meaning to dip, because they baptize by
dipping, or plunging under the water. The ordinance is ad-
ministered by the candidate kneeling in the water, while the
administrator plunges the body forward, head foremost, three
times, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost ; hence
Tceufer, or dipper. For the same reason they have sometimes
been called tumblers.
The origin of the order was in Germany, soon after the be-
ginning of the great reformation; and from their mode of bap-
tism they were sometimes called German Baptists. Their first
emigration to America was in the fall of 1819, when about
twenty families came over and landed first in Philadelphia.
The denomination has peculiarities that deserve special
mention. First, their general doctrines are Armenian. They
have no written or published creed, but take their title from
Matt, xxiii, 8 — " One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are
brethren." Their dress is the plain Quaker garb. They like-
wise use a plain and unostentatious form of speech. They
will neither take an oath nor go to war. They do not go to
law, nor take interest for money loaned. [This rule has been
modified so that sometimes now they take lawful interest, but
never from their poorer brethren. — Ed.] The men commonly
wear their beards long. They celebrate the Lord's Supper with
love-feast, washing of feet, kiss of charity and the right-hand
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 143
of fellowship. They also anoint the sick that they may re-
cover.
In referring to this denomination, the Rev. E. Winchester,
English Missionary, says : " They are industrious, sober, temp-
erate, kind, charitable people, envying not the great, nor des-
pising the mean. They read much ; they sing and pray much ;
they are constant attendants upon the worship of God. Their
dwelling-houses are all houses of prayer. They walk in the
commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly, both in
public and private. They bring up their children in the nur-
ture and admonition of the Lord. The law of kindness is in
their mouths ; no sourness nor moroseness disgraces their re-
ligion; and whatsoever they believe their Savior commands,
they practice, without inquiring or regarding what others do."
It is their custom, and they hold it a religious duty, at their
big meetings, to spread a large table and feed the " multitude."
The first establishment of the Dunker, or Brethren denom-
ination, in Fairfield County, was about the year 1809, on Rush
Creek and the Raccoon in the eastern part ; and the number
of the constituent members was about twenty-five. The fol-
lowing are the names of the principal members at that time :
Casper Hufford and w if 3; Isaac Beery^-and wife ; John Beery-^
and wife; Henry Beery and wife; Solomon Hufford and wife;
Daniel Hartsough and wife; George Bright and wife; Freder-
ick Friezner and wife; Jacob Hunsaker and wife; Abraham
Beery and wife; Jacob Stoner and wife; John Miricle and
wife; Abraham Hufford and wife; Sally Hartsough; and per-
haps a few others not remembered.
Their first religious meetings were, held in the cabins of the
members, respectively.
Their first preachers were (they do not use the prefix Rev.) :
Elijah Schofield and Jacob Staley. Sometime after the organi-
zation, George Bright and Isaac Beery were chosen as their
paeachers ; and, subsequently, Daniel Snider often came from
Perry County and preached for them.
In L03S, Philip Stoneburner was established in the church,
and continued to preach about ten years, and was succeeded
by John Hunsacker, who continued until 1857, when he was
ordained Bishop, and continued until 1871. Joseph Hendricks
was chosen preacher in 1851, and ordained in 1857. Between
1871 and 1877, Daniel Hartsough, Michael Moore, Abraham
144 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Stemen and John Hufford supplied the congregation as their
preachers.
"The German Baptists, or Brethren (Dunkers), have dis-
persed themselves almost through every State in the Union,
more or less, but they are most numerous in Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and Indiana. It would be difficult
to give a regular statistical account of these people, as they
make it no part of their duty to keep an exact account of the
number of their communicants. * * None of their
ministers receive any pecuniary compensation for any ser-
vices they perform pertaining to the ministry. * *
Their ministers will not perform the rites of marriage if
there are lawful impediments against it in the parties. "
PROBATE JUDGES.
The office of Probate Judge, in Ohio, was created in 1852 by
the provisions of the new State Constitution adopted in that
year. The functions of this Court were previously performed
by the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, and by the Asso-
ciate Judges. Marriage licenses, previous to the Constitution
of 1852, were issued by the Clerk of the Court.
The first Probate Judge elected was Joel Rodibaugh, in 1852.
Before his term expired he resigned, and Jesse Leohner was ap-
pointed to serve out the time. In 1854, Virgil E. Shaw was
elected, and held the office three years. In 1857, Jesse Loehner
was elected, and re-elected the two succeeding terms, serving,
in all, nine years, or up to 1866. In 1866, Abram Seifert was
elected, and re-elected in 1868, bringing the time up to 1872,
when Wm. T. Rigley was elected — and again in 1875^and is
the present incumbent. The term of the office, as fixed by
the Constitution, is three years.
CLERKS OF COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.
Hugh Boyl was appointed Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas for Fairfield County at its first session in 1803, and
served uninterruptedly until about 1833, when Dr. M. Z.
Kreider was appointed in his place, who served up to 1842.
Joel Rodibaugh was then appointed, and held the office until
the adoption of the new Constitution, in 1852. By the pro-
visions of the new Constitution, the Clerkship became an
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 145
elective office, and Martin Cagy was first elected, and served
the first Constitutional term of three years. John Radibaugh
succeeded him, serving also three years. John C. Rainey was
next elected for the two succeeding terms, aggregating six
years. After him Jesse Vandemark held the office six years,
followed by Chas. F. Rainey six years, his second term expir-
ing in February, 1876. In October, 1875, George Grabill was
elected, assuming his office upon the expiration of Mr. C. F.
Rainey's second term, in February, 1876.
Hugh Boyl continued Clerk of the Supreme Court until the
time of his death.
Edward B. Thompson, 1824 to 1828.
George D. Sites, 1828 to 1832. *
Nathan Wetherby, 1832 to 1834.
Silas Tain, 1834 to 1838.
Thomas Edingfield, 1838.
Samuel Ewing, 1840.
1842.
Elias Perry, 1844.
1846.
Oliver H. Perry, 1848.
1850.
James Weaver, 1852.
Wm. Potter, 1854.
Aaron W. Ebright, 1856.
1858.
James Miller, 1860.
1862.
Emanuel Shisler, 1864.
1866.
John D. Jackson, 1868.
" " 1870.
William Bush, 1872.
" 1874.
George See, 1876.
Among those known to have served as Sheriffs of Fairfield
County previous to 1820, is George Sanderson and William
Crook, but whose term of office, or the exact date, I have been
unable to fix.
TREASURERS.
The office of County Treasurer, properly, was created by law
in 1828. Previous to that time, tax collectors were appointed
by the County Commissioners, viz. : from 1802 to 1827. Dur-
ing that time of twenty-five years, the taxes were so collected
and paid over to the treasurers, who, I believe, were also ap-
pointed, but I have been able to learn only two or three of
their names from tradition, the only source of information in
the absence of records. Since 1828, the list of County Treas-
urers for Fairfield County stands as follows :
10
146
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Adam Weaver, 1826.
Jacob Beck, 1830.
Ewel Jeffries, 1837.
Asa Spurgeon, 1841.
Jephthah Newkirk, 1845.
Francis Lilley, 1849.
Edward Grabill, 1853.
Peter C. Bennadum, 1857,
O. E. Davis, 1861.
Bateman Beaty, 1863. i/
Jacob Baker, 1867.
Gilbert Shaeffer, 1871.
Henry A. Martens, 1875.
The dates show the year of election.
The following incident has been related to me by a friend
of one of the old-time Treasurers. The lesson it contains
might be utilized.
When Jacob Beck went out of office, in 1837, and when his
settlements with the Commissioners and the State had been
completed, he found he had on hand a surplus sum of be-
tween four and five hundred dollars. His accounts were all
closed, and the question was, where did the money belong ?
He insisted it belonged to the State. His political adversaries
wanted to charge him with irregularity. It subsequently
turned out that the State Auditor had erroneously transferred
that amount from Muskingum to Fairfield County school fund.
COUNTY SURVEYORS.
Previous to the year 1823, there does not seem to have been
any legally constituted Surveyors for the County of Fairfield.
Since that time the following men have served as County Sur-
veyors, in the order and time below :
Samuel Carpenter, 1823 to 1826.
Jonathan Flattery, 1826 to 1836.
Salmon Shaw, 1836 to 1842.
Win. J. Card, 1842 to 1849.
Gabriel Strunk, 1849 to 1854.
Wm. Hamilton, 1854 to 1856.
EzraS. Hannum, 1856 to 1867.
Frank H. Carpenter. 1867 to 1869.
Levi Hartzler, 1869 to 1874.
Ezra S. Hannum, 1874 to 1876.
Charles Boreland, Jr., 1876.
The foregoing record of Probate Judges, Clerks of the Court,
and County Surveyors, is completed up to the year 1876. In
compiling the succession of other county officers I have expe-
rienced difficulties, some of which, after much labor and pa-
tient research, I am compelled to regard as insurmountable.
The files of the Ohio Eagle between 1810 and 1838 are want-
ing. From them we could have shown the annual and bien-
nial election of officers. In the Gazette office the files are still
more incomplete. The Court-house records are so voluminous
and miscellaneously disposed, as to render the research too
onerous to be undertaken clear through the seventy-six years
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
147
of the civil history of Fairfield County. I am, nevertheless,
under great obligations to the county officers for their kind-
ness in affording me help in the prosecution of my researches
during the last year, by which I have obtained valuable in-
formation. The files of the Eagle from 1838 down, are com-
plete, with the exception of one volume and a few mutilations.
Following are the dates of the election of the respective of-
ficers, which I have no doubt are entirely correct:
COUNTY AUDITORS.
After the most thorough search through the Court-house
records, I have been unable to go behind 1820 in the list of
Fairfield County Auditors, as follows :
Samuel Carpenter, 1820 to 1828.
Thomas U. White, 1829 to 1832.
Henry C. Widler, 1833 to 1837.
John C. Castle, 1838.
1840.
1842.
Alfred McVeigh, 1844.
1846.
Wm. L. Jeffries, 1848.
1850.
1852.
James W. Towson, 1854.
A. J. Dildine, 1856.
1858.
Wm. Robinson, 1860.
1862.
Wm. Shopp, 1864.
" 1866.
Louis Blaire, 1868.
1870.
John C. Hite, 1873.
1875.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
Wm. W. Irvin, 1838.
• " 1840.
" 1842.
Washington Van Ham, 1844.
Emnnuel Giesy, 1846.
Wm. R. Rankin, 1848.
1850.
Virgil E. Shaw, 1852.
Alfred Williams, 1854.
James W. Stinchomb, 1856.
James W. Stinchomb, 1858.
Wm. T. Wise, 1860.
Tollman Slough, 1862.
1864,
Wm. A. Shultz, 1866.
1868.
John G. Reeves, 1870.
1872.
1874.
Thus. H. Dolson, 1876.
COUNTY RECORDERS.
Hugh Boyl, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, did the re-
cording of the County, in connection with the County Clerk-
ship, up to about 1830, as is supposed, when Wm. Gruber was
appointed, and after him Henry Miers. These latter two men
filled up the interregnum between Hugh Boyl and Mr. King,
148
HISTORY OF F AIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
who took charge of the office in 1837. There may be one or
two inaccuracies in the following dates, but not important :
Wm, L. King, 1837 to 1848.
John K. Baker, 1849.
Adam Syfert, 1859 to 1852.
E. C. Hannum, 1854 to 1856.
Adam Syfert, 1857 to 1864.
Timothy Fishbaugh, 1866 to 1876.
JUDGES OF COURTS OF COMMON PLEAS.
Alexander H. Keith was Judge of Common Pleas for Fair-
field County from about 1837 to 1850. Henry C. Whitman
succeeded him, and remained on the bench until about 1860
or 1861, when he resigned, and P. B. Ewing was appointed to
fill out his time. In 1862, Philadelphus Van Trump was
elected, serving until his election to Congress in 1867, when
Silas H. Wright was chosen, and has continued up to this
time.
Judges Swan and Grimpky preceded Judge Keith, but their
time I have not the means of fixing definitely. In a former
chapter we have given several of the early Judges of the Com-
mon Pleas, beginning with Judge Wyley Siiliman, who opened
the first Common Pleas in Fairfield in the year 1803. Follow-
ing him was Judge Belt, and then Robert F. Slaughter, who
was on the bench a number of years.
A BAND OF HORSE-THIEVES, AND HOW THEY WERE BROKEN UP.
The following statement, in substance, has been given me
by more than one of the older citizens, and is therefore probably
correct in its main features, as I find only slight discrepancies
by the different narrators :
The time of the occurrence was not far from 1820 — perhaps
a little later. There was a band of horse-thieves and counter-
fiters infesting the southern portion of Fairfield County, and
the country below. Possibty some of them lived in surround-
ing counties ; but, be that as it may have been, their place of
rendezvous was ascertained to be three or four miles south, or
south-west of Lancaster, in what is commonly known as
" Sleepy Hollow." The number of the thieves was not exactly
known, but it came to be understood that six or eight of them
were in the habit of meeting at a house in Sleepy Hollow.
They were rough and desperate characters, and their leader,
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 149
who waa well known, was a man of powerful strength and
activity, and as desperate and daring as he was strong.
Several attempts to make arrests and break up the lodge had
been unsuccessful, the villains defying all law and all the posse
that had undertaken their capture. Thomas Ewing was the
Prosecuting Attorney for the county at the time of the final
descent upon their den, and upon report being made that they
could not be taken, he said the conclave must be broken up,
and asked that he might be deputized as special constable for
the occasion. His request was granted, and having, by some
method, best known to himself, learned the night and place of
their meeting, he proceeded to select and organize his posse
romitatus, composed in part of the following names : Nathaniel
Red, Christian Neibling, Adam Weaver, Christian King, David
Reece and Elenathan Schofield. At a suitable hour, when the
darkness of night had " in her sombre mantle all things clad,"
the company, equipped with ropes and other implements that
might be needed in the execution of their mission, mounted
their horses and proceeded down through the hills in the di-
rection of the cabin where they expected to find their birds.
Having arrived in the vicinity of the lodge, they halted
under the cover of a thicket, and began the reconnoiter. They
soon found that they were on the right track, and having
matured their plans, they surrounded the house silently, and
bursting the door, rushed in without giving a moment's time
to extinguish lights or attempt escape. The thieves were
holding their conclave in the second story, and instantly each
deputy attacked his man, Mr. Ewing selecting the leader as
the most powerful man of them all. Within a very brief space
of time every man of the robbers was securely bound, with a
single exception — Mr. Schofield's adversary was about proving
too much for him, which fact coming to Mr. Ewing's notice,
he at once went to his assistance. While the tying of this
last man was in progress, the leader, who had regained his
feet, threw himself backwards through the window, bound as
he was, and, strange to say, actually succeeded in making good
his escape. It was a fearful risk, but he did it, and was never
subsequently heard tell of. It was supposed that he was as-
sisted by the women below. The balance of the robbers were
taken to town and lodged in jail, and subsequently, I believe,
every one sent to the Penitentiary.
150 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHTO.
I have given this story as it has been given to me. It may
be relied on as true; at least in outline and in the principal
facts. The men selected by Mr. Ewing as his posse were all
men of herculean strength and undaunted courage; but to
himself, undoubtedly, belonged the credit of the success of the
enterprise, and of the clearing of the country of the bandits.
HOCKING CANAL HISTORY,
The response of Major B. W. Carlisle to the toast, "The
Hocking Canal, " given at the Hocking Sentinel anniversary,
held at the Remple House, in Logan, on the 26th of April?
1877, is of such value as a part of the history of Fairfield
County, that I here insert it entire. Also the letter of Gen.
Thomas Ewing,- addressed, on the same occasion :
RESPONSE OF MR. CARLISLE.
"In response to the sentiment assigned us, we beg to indulge while
we review in abstract, and briefly, the history and reminiscences of the
Hocking Canal. Its history, though brief, and to some probably mo-
notonous and uninteresting, is fraught with facts important to, and
well remembered by the pioneers of the Hockhocking. We call upon
you friends who have lived for two and a half or threescore years in
this beautiful valley of ' milk and honey, ' to return with us upon the
wings of memory and hear again the shouts of joy echoing through the
length and breadth of this valley, as we heard them in the earliest days
of our settlement.
" The first part of the Hocking Canal was built by the Lancaster Lat-
eral Canal Company, from Lancaster to Carroll, there forming a junc-
tion with the Ohio Canal. The Lancaster Lateral Canal was put under
contract in 1832, by Samuel F. McCracken, Jacob Greene, E. Schofield,
Benjamin Connell, and others, with F. A. Foster as Secretary. This
piece of canal, known as the 'Side Cut,' was completed, and the first
boats towed into Lancaster on the 4th day of July, in 1835, or 1836,
amidst the booming of cannons, beating of drums, and the wafting to
the breeze of flags and banners, and being witnessed by some ten thou-
sand of Fairfield's yeomanry, who were assembled at the Cold Spring
Hill, near Lancaster, where there was a roasted ox and a free dinner
served ; and after which the Greenes, Bill Furgusou, and others, in-
dulged in the popular exercise of fisticuffs.
" Up to this period (1836), our farmers usually got from 25 to 40
cents for wheat, but many of them became rich from prices received for
their surplus products afterward. Lancaster was then one of the large
commercial cities of the country, getting all the grain from most parts
of the county, as well as from parts of Perry, Hocking and Pickaway
counties. There were nine dry goods stores, all doing a large business.
" In March, 1838, an act was passed by the Legislature of the State,
authorizing the then Commissioners to purchase the Side Cut from its
owners. On April 6th, 1838, a committee was appointed to confer with
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 151
the Lancaster Company and negotiate terms; and on the 22d of Decem-
ber, 1838, a contract was matured for the same, at a cost of $61,241.04.
" The Hocking Canal was projected and put under contract by the
Board of Public Works, in 1836, that Board having just been made to
substitute the Canal Commissioner of the State. Sixteen and one-half
miles, being from Lancaster to Bowner's Lock, was put under contract
in 1837, and to be completed in 1839. And that portion from Bowner's
Lock to Nelsonville, being sixteen and one-half miles, was put under
contract in October, 1837, and to be completed in 1839, but was not
completed until 1840. In September of this year the first boats loaded
•with coal came out of the Hocking, and served as a curiosity to most of
the upper valley citizens, who had never seen stone-coal. In 1841, the
canal was completed to Monday Creek, being forty-four miles from
Carroll; and from Monday Creek to Athens completed and boats run-
ning through in 1841.
" The Hocking Canal has 31 locks, 8 dams, 34 culverts, and 1 acqueduct
of 80 feet span.
" The total cost of construction of this canal was $947,670.25.
"To the opening of this canal, Lancaster, Logan, Nelsonville and
Athens owe their principal prosperity, in affording an opening for the
importation of their goods, and the exportation of their grain, pork,
lumber, salt and various minerals of the Hocking Valley. Hemmed in
as you were by towering hills, your agricultural wealth was unobserved,
your mineral wealth unknown. To the Hocking Canal you owe your
introduction to the world without. Through the medium of the canal,
a market was brought near, and the latent wealth of your hills was then
developed, and the beautiful hills of the Hockhocking became the '"hub"
of the mineral wealth of Ohio.
" By the introduction of this old water-horse (the canal), the long-
hidden treasures of mineral wealth of this valley wrere brought into
notice and general use; manufactories built up in all the contiguous
towns and territories, thus affording employment to a large and needy
class of mechanics, and the employment of an equal number of laborers
in penetrating the bowels of the earth for fuel, and the employment of
horses, boats and men, to ship the fuel all along the line of our canals,
and enriching many of the citizens of the Hocking Valley.
" Allow me to say, in conclusion, that although the iron-horse moves
majestically along the valley, bearing the greater share of your trade,
yet the old water-horse still lives aud possesses a large amount of vitality,
and is therefore not yet ready to be turned out to die. as some would
have him. And if any inanimate object were capable of awakening in
the human breast sentiments of gratitude and esteem, these, the citi-
zens of the Hocking Valley owe to the canal."
LETTER OF GENERAL EWING.
Lancaster, Ohio, April 26th, 1877.
Eds. SENTINEL — Gentlemen: But for unexpected business calling me
elsewhere, I would have attended the anniversary banquet to-night, to
join your other friends in bragging of the success and promise of the
Sentinel, and of the wonderful region, in the development of which it
has had, and will yet have, an important part. We who were bom in the
Hocking Valley always knew, and "the rest of mankind" are fast
finding out, that it is one of the choicest regions ever fashioned by the
Almighty for the abode of man. Rich, healthful and beautiful, she
152 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
hoids her sons and daughters to her breast by every tie of interest and
affection.
Yet she attracts us more by what she is than what she is soon to be —
for all men love to be associated with the birth of great events and indus-
tries. The most western out line of the Apalachian basin, this coal and
iron region, began six years ago to furnish light, heat and power, to the
cities and towns of the great agricultural plain of the North-west ; and
now it is about to become, not only their coal-yard, but their work-shop.
The hard times, by means of which the usurers are crushing and robbing
the industrial classes, have only demonstrated its unequaled capabili-
ties for making cheap iron; and great industries perishing elsewhere, are
being transplanted here, where even the blight of forced resumption
can't kill them.
It needs no seer to predict, that before the editors of the Sentinel
shall have grown grey in the cause of Democracy and the country,
every hill-top of this region will be teeming with husbandmen, every
depth with diggers of coals and ores ; while the clang and roar of mills
and furnaces will make each valley resonant — a busy hive, which, in
time, as my father long ago predicted, will surpass in numbers and pros-
perous industry any equal space on earth.
Very truly vour friend,
THOMAS EWING.
TYPHOID EPIDEMIC.
The oldest citizens of Lancaster describe a typhoid epi-
demic that prevailed in the village in the fall of the year
1823. Its ravages are believed not to have been exceeded on
the continent at any age, or by any visitation of epidemic
disease, not even excepting the cholera. No direct or remote
cause could be assigned. It prevailed largely among the promi-
nent and better conditioned citizens. It is spoken of as having
decimated the town, which means one death out of every ten
citizens. One gentleman thinks the mortality exceeded even
that proportion. If one should inspect the grave-stones
of the old grave-yards in the vicinity of Lancaster, he would
be surprised at the number of stones bearing date of 1823, most
of the occupants having fell by the epidemic of that year. No
similar disease and mortality has subsequently visited the
place. It is said that some portion of the time there were not
well persons enough to nurse the sick and bury the dead.
fairfield's public men.
Governors of Ohio from Fairfield County, from the organization of
the State up to 1876. — William Medill was elected Lieutenant
Governor of Ohio in the fall of 1851. His term began in
January, 1852. He was Acting-Governor the latter part of
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 153
the term. He was subsequently elected to the Gubernatorial
chair in the fall of 1852, and served until 1856.
Judges of the Supreme Court under the Constitution of 1802. —
William W. Irvin, of Lancaster, was appointed to the Su-
preme Bench in the early years of the State, but the exact
year does not appear upon the records.
Charles R. Sherman, of Lancaster, was also on the bench.
He was appointed to fill the place of John McLain, of Warren
County, who resigned on the llth of January, 1823. Mr.
Sherman was Judge at the time of his death, at Lebanon, in
1829.
Hocking H. Hunter was elected to the Supreme Judgeship
for the District of Ohio, under the Constitution of 1851, but
resigned before taking his seat.
U. S. Senators. — Thomas Ewing Avas first elected to the Sen-
ate of the United States to fill the place made vacant by the
resignation of Thomas Corwin, in 1831, and served till 1837.
He was again Senator from 1850 to 1851.
Members of Congress. — The following are the men who have
been elected to the Lower House of Congress from Fairfield
since the admission of the State into the Union, in 1802:
Philomon Beecher, 1817 to 1821, and 1823 to 1829.
William W. Irvin, 1829 to 1833.
John Chaney, 1833 to 1839.
William Medill, 1839 to 1843.
Thomas 0. Edwards, 1847 to 1849.
Charles D. Martin, 1859 to 1861.
Philadelphia Van Trump, 1867 to 1873.
Of the foregoing mentioned men, only two are living in
1877, viz : John Chaney and Charles D. Martin.
Officers of the year 1876. — State Senate, Robert E. Reece (Dis-
trict) ; Representative, Adam Seifert; Judge of Common Pleas,
Silas H. Wright; Probate Judge, Wm. L. Bigby; Clerk of
Court, Geo. W. Grabill ; Auditor, John C. Hite ; Treasurer,
Gilbert Shaeffer ; Recorder, Timothy Fishbaugh ; Sheriff, Wm.
Bush; Prosecuting Attorney, John Reeves; Commissioners,
Thomas Barr, Caleb Moore and William Fink.
Here follow some important historical and statistical mat-
ters, culled from the various official reports of the Secretaries
of State :
154 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
The first General Assembly of the State of Ohio met in Chil-
licothe on the first Tuesday of March, 1803. The names of the
Senators were :
John Beasley (this seat was contested and given to Joseph
Darlington early in the session), Joseph Buell, William Buch-
anan, Nathaniel Massie, Abraham Claypool, Francis Dunlavy,
Jeremiah Morrow, John Paul, Daniel Symmes, Samuel Hunt-
ing, Zenan Kimberly, Razaliel Wells, William Vance.
Representatives. — Michael Baldwin, Robert Culbertson, Thos.
Worthington, Win. Patton, Rudolph Bear, Z. A. Beaty, Thos.
Elliott, Isaac Meeks, Thos. Brown, John Bigger, James Dunn,
Wm. James, Robert McClure, Wm. Maxwell, Thomas McFar-
land, Wm. Jackson, Robert Safford, Wylly Silliman, Thomas
Kerker, Ephraim Kibby, Joseph Lucas, Wm. Reuffie, Ephraim
Quinby, Aaron Wheeler, David Reece (of Fairfield), R. Walker
Waring, Amos Ellis, Joseph Sharp, Elijah Woods. Speaker,
Michael Baldwin ; Clerk, R. Dickerman.
In the month of December, 1803, Fairfield County contained,
by official report, 1,051 free white male inhabitants over the
age of 21 years. (The word "free ".was used because at that
time there were in the county redemptionists— persons who
had been sold to service to pay their passage from the old
country). In 1807 it contained 2,166 free white males above
the age of 21 years.
Here follows a statement of the vote cast by Fairfield County
for Governor, from and including 1806, up to and including
1873:
1806— For Edward Tiffin, without opposition, 327 votes.
1808 — Three candidates — Samuel Huntington, 973; Thos.
Worthington, 192; Thos. Kirker, 3.
1810— Return J. Meigs, 335; Thos. Worthington, 738.
1812— Return J. Meigs, 241 ; Thos. Scott, 1,213.
1814— Thomas Worthington, 945; Othniel Looker, 176.
1816— Thomas Worthington, 1,059; James Dunlap, 878.
1818— Ethan A. Brown, 1,535 ; James Dunlap, 239.
1820— Ethan A. Brown, 1,794; Jeremiah Morrow, 33; Wm.
H. Harrison, 35.
1822— Jeremiah Morrow, 87; Allen Trimble, 32; William
W. Irvin, 1,819.
1824— Jeremiah Morrow, 1,369; Allen Trimble, 1,157.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 155
1S26 — This year there were four candidates who were voted
for, as follows, in Fairfield— Allen Trimble, 2,609; John Big-
ger, 5; Alexander Campbell, 14; and Benjamin Tappin, 2.
1828— Allen Trimble, 1,234 ; John W. Campbell, 2,076.
1830 — Duncan Mc Arthur received 1,035 ; Robt. Lucas, 1,819.
1832 — This year we give the votes cast in Fairfield for Presi-
dent of the United States, thus : Andrew Jackson received 2,648
votes; Henry Clay received 1,274 ; Mr. Wirt, Anti-Mason can-
didate, received 2 votes.
1834— For Governor : Robert Lucas (Dem.), 2,024 ; James
Finlay (Whig), 1,349.
1836— For President of the United States: Martin Van Buren
(Dem.) had 2,906 votes in Fairfield ; and William H. Harrison
(Whig), 1,846.
1838— For Governor : Wilson Shannon, 2,717 ; Joseph Vance,
1,633.
1840— Thomas Corwin for Governor (Whig), 2,421 ; Wilson
Shannon (Dem.), 3,411.
1842— Wilson Shannon, 3 212 ; Thomas Corwin, 2,037.
1844— Mordecai Bar tley (Whig), 2,402 ; David Tod (Dem.),
3,584.
1846— William Bebb (Whig), 2,116; David Tod (Dem.), 2,931.
1848— John B. Weller (Dem.), 3,573 ; Seabury Ford (Whig),
2,266.
1850— Reuben Wood (Dem.), 3,232; Wm. Johnson (Whig),
2,098.
1852— Reuben Wood (Dem.), 3,042; Sam'l. F. Vinton (Whig),
1,736; Samuel Lewis (Abolition), 2 votes.
1853— For Governor : William Medill (Dem.), 2,803 ; Nelson
Barrere (Whig), 1,157.
1855— William Medill (Dem.), 2,614; Allen Trimble (Know-
Nothing), 52; Salmon P. Chase (Rep.), 2,474.
1856 — This year the vote for Attorney General is given:
Christopher P. Wolcott (Rep.), 1,631; Samuel M. Hart (Dem.),
3,095 ; John M. Bush (Know-Nothing), 581.
1857— For Governor : Salmon P. Chase (Rep.), 1,281 ; Henry
Payne (Dem.), 2,917 ; P. Van Trump (Know-Nothing), 357.
1859— William Dennison (Rep.), 1,394; Rufus P. Ranney
(Dem.), 2,821.
1861— David Tod (Rep.), 2,137; Hugh J. Jewett (Dem.),
3,119.
156 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
1863— John Brough (Rep.), 2,790 ; Clement L. Valandingham
(Dem.), 3,478.
1865— For Governor : Jacob D. Cox (Rep.) ; home vote, 2,328 ;
army vote, 23; total, 2,351. Geo. W. Morgan (Dem.); home
vote, 3,393 ; army vote, 1 ; total, 3,394.
1867— Rutherford B. Hayes (Rep.), 2,056; Allen G. Thur-
man (Dem.), 3,940.
1868— For President : U. S. Grant, 2,439 ; Horatio Seymour,
4,076 votes in Fairfield County.
1870— In 1870, the candidates for Governor in Ohio, were
Rutherford B. Hayes (Rep), and George H. Pendleton (Dem.)
Hayes received in Fairfield County 2,144 votes; and Pendleton
3,831 votes.
1871— For Governor : Edward F. Noyes (Rep.), 2,185 ; Geo.
W. McCook (Dem.), 3,622 ; Gideon T. Stewart (Prohibitionist),
25 votes.
1872— For President: U. S. Grant (Rep.), 2,540; Greely
(Dem.), 3,888.
1873— For Governor : Edward F. Noyes (Rep.), 2,034 ; Wm.
Allen (Dem.), 3,551.
NATIONALITY.
The German element of nationality predominates in Fair-
field County. The first emigrants were largely from Pennsyl-
vania, especially in and near Lancaster. These almost en-
tirely spoke the German language ; and some of the first
schools were purely in that language. Subsequently, the
county became the center of immigration from the Fatherland,
including Swiss and Hollanders, so that probably to-day
every provincialism of the Teutonic language is spoken
within the limits of Fairfield County.
Next to Pennsylvania, Virginia and Kentucky contributed
to the early settlement of the county. A few came from the
more southern States, and afterward Maryland supplied many
good citizens. There is, perhaps, not one of the original
States that is not represented — New England, probably, furn-
ishing the fewest number. And there is, perhaps, no civil-
ized trans-Atlantic country that is not represented here, and
whose language is not spoken.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
157
BIRTHS AND DEATHS IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY IN THE YEAR END-
ING APRIL 1st, 1877.
From the following tables a very just estimate may be
formed of the average births and deaths in a given population
within a given time. The figures are obtained from the As-
sessors' returns for the spring of 1877, and including one year:
CITY OF LANCASTER.
Births.
1st Ward 30
2d Ward 14
3d Ward 22
4th Ward 14
5th Ward 17
Total in city 97
COUNTY.
Births.
Hocking Township 28
Amanda Township -. , 48
Richland Township 28
Rush Creek Township 40
Clear Creek Township 58
Greenfield Township 33
Madison Township 25
Bloom Township 46
Walnut Township 40
Violet Township 66
Berne Township 31
Pleasant Township 24
Liberty Township 58
Total 525
Births.
Total in city and county 622
Deaths.
16
8
14
4
5
47
Deaths.
9
10
9
14
16
12
17
9
17
18
15
28
15
189
Deaths.
236
158 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
JOHN LEITH;
OR, A WHITE MAN OCCUPYING A TRADING-POST AMONG THE IN-
DIANS ON THE SITE OF LANCASTER ONE HUNDRED
AND FOURTEEN YEARS AGO.
To Judge G. W. Leith, of Nevada, Wyandot County, Ohio, I
am indebted for the following passage from the life and highly
romantic career of his grandfather, John Leith. The narra-
tion concerns so intimatety the history of Fairfield County,
that it deserves a place. It will be seen that it will not do to
say that the Marietta and Hocking scouts, previous to the be-
ginning of the nineteenth century, were the first white men
that ever trod the Valley of the Hockhocking.
" John Leith was born in the city of Leith, Scotland. His
parents being of the Huguenots who emigrated to South Caro-
lina near the middle of the eighteenth century, where they died
soon after, he was left without relatives. He was put to learn
the tailoring business, but soon became dissatisfied and ran
away. At Little York, Pennsylvania, he hired with an In-
dian trader, and went with him to Fort Pitt (Pittsburg). Soon
after, together, they took a stock of suitable goods and started
west, and in due time arrived at the Valley of the Hocking
and opened a trade with the Delawares and Wyandots, on
the very spot where Lancaster now stands, and it is thought
near the foot of Mount Pleasant.
"He had not been there long when he felt a strong desire to
return to South Carolina, and resolved to do so; and when he
had made his determination •known to his employer, the lat-
ter proposed to him that he wished to go to Fort Pitt to dis-
pose of the large stock of furs and skins he had on hand, and
that if he (Leith) would remain and take care of the stores
until he returned, he would send him under the guidance of
an Indian back to Carolina by a near route. This was agreed
to, and the trader took his departure.
"He had not been long gone when the Indians informed Leith
that the whites were marching on them in force to destroy
them, and that he must be adopted and go with them, or die.
He was adopted, and the remnant of the goods was parceled
out among the tribe, and they left for the north.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 159
"He was a captive among the Indians twenty-nine years.
He married a white captive girl, by the name of Sallie Lowry ;
and in 1791, with his wife and two children, made his escape,
and succeeded in reaching Pittsburg, closely pursued by his
captors. There was a sister of his wife, also a captive, who
was subsequently married to the father of the late Thomas
McNaughten, of Walnut Township.
"About the year 1810, John Leith moved into Walnut Town-
ship, of this county, where he died about the year 1837, and
was buried in the Methodist grave-yard at New Salem. His
son, who was the father of Judge Leith, of Wyandot, as well
as the Judge, were, I believe, citizens for a time of Walnut
Township.
uThe occurrence of the traffic with the Indians at Mount
Pleasant, was in 1763, just one hundred and fourteen years ago,
and thirty-five years before Joseph Hunter built the first cabin
on the Hockhocking."
RUSH CREEK TOWNSHIP IN 1806.
The townships assessed for taxation in 1806, and which
have already been incorporated into this volume, were Hock-
ing, Berne, Bloom, Clear Creek, Greenfield, Licking, Amanda,
Pleasant, Clinton, Thorn and Richland. There were several
other townships belonging to the county at that time that
do not seem to have been taxed ; at least the County records
show no evidence that they were. Among these were Salt
Creek, Jackson, Falls and Redding, none of which were
stricken off previous to 1806. Licking Count}' was the first
border county to be organized, which took place in 1808.
Pickaway and Hocking were incorporated a little later, and
Perry in 1817. This took off several townships, which con-
tracted Fairfield County to pretty near its present bounds.
It seems a little strange, however, that Rush Creek Town-
ship does not appear among the assessed townships for that
year, for it was organized in 1804. There were two purposes
contemplated in transcribing the names of the tax-payers
into this history by townships : first, to exhibit the financial
condition of the county in its incipient state; but especially
to show who were the early settlers, and in what townships
and neighborhoods they settled. Rush Creek was one of the
earliest settled townships in the county, and has always been,
160 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
and is now, within the present Fairfield County. It is, more-
over, among the wealthiest and most populous townships in
the county. The second end, however, viz. : to give reference
to the names and location of early settlers, will be found to
be accomplished if the reader will search the alphabetical
lists in Berne, Pleasant and Richland, where he will find all,
or most of the names of the early settlers of the territory con-
stituting the present Rush Creek Township, which goes to
show that that township was made up from these three town-
ships. Here we are obliged to leave the matter without
further explanation.
LAND TAX.
In addition to the chattel tax of 1806, mentioned in the as-
sessments already given, a land tax was assessed and collected
in the same year, amounting to about nine hundred and fifty dol-
lars ($950), which, added to the chattel-tax, as before, aggre-
gates the sum of about two thousand dollars ($2,000). A
further evidence that Rush Creek had not yet been separated
from the other townships as a distinct municipality, is found
in the fact that the land assessments were made on the same
townships, numbering eleven.
PHILIP BINNINGER.
In noticing the business men and industries of Lancaster in
the year 1876, by a strange inadvertence the establishment of
Mr. Binninger was omitted among the list of jewelers and
watch dealers. His business place is on the north side of
Main street, opposite the Hocking Valley National Bank.
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS.
RECOLLECTIONS OF JUDGE JOHN CHANEY, OF
WINCHESTER.
At my strong solicitation, Judge Chaney consented to give
me the following statement of his private and public life. He
remarked that he had often been asked for similar statements,
and that he had concluded now, in view of the near approach
of the close of his very long and somewhat eventful life, and
because he was pleased with the plan and design of the his-
tory of Fairfield County, to give me the statement, especially
as I assured him that his numerous and life-long friends asked
for it.
STATEMENT.
" I was born in Washington County, Maryland, on the 12th
day of January, 1790. At the age of four years, and at the be-
ginning of my recollections, my father removed to and settled
in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. When I was fourteen years
old, my father died. The family then consisted of my mother,
three sisters, one brother and myself. Three or four months
subsequent to my father's death, my brother died. The death
of my father left the family very poor. He was a generous
man, and underwrote his friends, who were unfortunate, until
he lost his farm, which was a good one, and nearly all his loose
property. From my fourteenth to my twentieth year the care
of the family devolved almost entirely on myself.
" In the fall of the year 1810, I came west to Fairfield
County, Ohio, stopping first on the spot where the village of
Waterloo now stands, on the Ohio canal. I did not remain
there long, but went over into Pickaway County, where I
stayed until the fall of 1812, when my health having become
poor, I returned to Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
11
162 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
" In the fall of 1815, my health having been restored, I
again came west and settled in Bloom Township, near its
northern border, in the same community where I have resided
up to this time; my present home being in the village of
Canal Winchester, which was a few years since struck off into
Franklin County with a tier of sections, the Fairfield line
skirting the east border of the village.
" In the fall of 1816, J married Mary Ann Lafere, of Bloom
Township, and went to housekeeping in a log-cabin fourteen
feet square. Its floor was made of rough puncheons split out
of forest trees. It had a clapboard roof and clapboard loft,
was one low story high, had a stick and mud chimney, wide
open fireplace with the primitive back wall, jams and hearth.
It was a very rude and humble home, but we were as happy
as kings. Our living was that of the frontier settlers. We
worked hard and were poor ; but did not doubt the future, for
our aims were set. We intended to live correct and honorable
lives, and take the chances of the coming years. There were
wolves and wild turkeys in great abundance, and now and
then a bear. There were hawks of a great many varieties,
which have nearly entirely disappeared ; and the owls were
hooting about the woods all the time. The whole country
was new and wild. The little farms were small, and fenced in
with rails; and the dwelling-houses were log-cabins; and the
stables and barns were built of logs.
"At the time of my settlement in Bloom Township, the price
of a day's work was a bushel of wheat, or two bushels of corn.
Cash was seldom paid for work, and when it was, twenty-five
cents a day was the wages. Almost everything was paid for
with trade. A few things had to be paid in cash. The taxes
were cash; and coffee and a few other commodities commanded
cash when anybody could get it to pay with. Our markets,
whatever they amounted to, were at Lancaster and Franklin-
ton. The little mills of the settlements sometimes went dry,
and we had to go all the way to Chillicothe or Zanesville to
get our grain ground. The streams were not bridged, and in
the muddy seasons of the year the roads were sometimes des-
perate. I made rails for fifty cents a hundred, and cut cord-
wood for twenty-five cents a cord.
" My sisters having married, I went and brought my mother
out to this county. She subsequently went back on a visit,
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 163
but was taken sick there and died, and was buried beside my
father. I went, and was with her during her last illness.
" Our schools were the primitive schools of the early West.
After the passage of the first Ohio School Law, we built a little
log school-house at the cornerings of sections 1,2, 11 and 12.
We obtained a lease of the land for that purpose for thirty
years. The log school- house stood a great many years, when
it was removed, and a brick built on the same ground, which
is still standing.
[I am not positive whether he said the brick house was
built on the same site, or in the same district. — Ed.]
'• We accepted the situation, and struggled on to better
times and better life. There were no inducements to change
our habitation. Ohio was rapidly filling up, and with every
revolving year conditions were improving. Markets were im-
proving, and by slow degrees we began to have better roads.
Rough bridges began to be constructed over the smaller
streams. The first bridges were made of logs cut from the
forests for sills and butments, and the top, or platform, was
made of slabs split from sections of trees, and generally hewed
to a level, on the upper side, with the broad-ax, or leveled
down with the foot-adz. These were the first or primitive
bridges ; but after saw-mills became plenty, oak planks of the
thickness of one and a half or two inches were used for the
platform.
'• There was another method of bridging the low, marshy, or
swamplands. These were called 'pole bridges,' or 'corduroy
bridges.' They were common all over the West. The follow-
ing was the manner of constructing them : Poles or logs were
cut from the woods, of the length of ten or twelve feet, and
laid down side by side across the road for the distance to be
corduroyed. Then on top of this ground-structure was placed
a foot or more ot earth dug up along the sides, if it were not
under water, or hauled in on wagons. This bed of earth filled
the space between the logs or poles, and when sufficiently
packed made a passably good road. And it was a part of the
work of the Supervisor to repair these roads by adding ad-
ditional earth when the logs became too much exposed by
wearing or the washing rains.
" On the north were the Indians ; and west, in Indiana, the
county was still newer and less promising, much of it still in
164 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
a condition of nature. We therefore concluded to remain in
Bloom Township; for, however much we might have desired
to re-cross the mountains back to my native and older State,
we were too poor to do so.
" At the time of my settlement here, I mention the follow-
ing names, who, with their families, were my predecessors in
Bloom, and my neighbors : Abram Plummer, Henry Tumlin-
son, Henry Dove, Chaney Rickets, Charles Rickets, Rev. Geo.
Bennadum, Rev. Elijah Spurgeon, Isaac Meason, Martin Felt-
ner, the Courtrights, Zebulon Lee, Dorsey Meason, Henry
Himebaugh, Major Bright, the Glicks, and 'the Alspaughs.
"In Violet Township I mention: Abram Pickering, Jacob
Pickering, Samuel McCollum, George Wells, George Long,
Jonathan Looker, Mordecai Fishbaugh, the Cramers and the
Kraners, the Donaldsons, Frederick Bauer. All the fore-
going, and others, were residing here in 1812. Not over two
or three of them are living now.
" In the early years of my residence in Bloom Township, I
bought a mill on Spring Run, near me (Spring Run is fed by
three or four springs), where for several years I run a grist-
mill, a saw-mill, and a distillery, which enabled me to form
the acquaintance of a pretty wide circle of citizens.
" At the time of my settlement, the Lutherans and German
Reforms were the principal religious denominations of the
neighborhood. The Betzer Church was their place of meeting
in common. The church is situated four miles north-east of
Lithopolis. There was also a church south of Lithopolis, known
as the Glick Church. Both are still meeting places.
" I was elected Justice of the Peace in 1821, 1824, and in
1827, serving in all three terms, or nine years. I served as
Township Trustee twenty-three years. In the Ohio Militia,
old system, I served at various times as Major, Colonel, and
Paymaster.
"In the years 1828, 1829, and 1830, 1 was elected to the Legis-
lature as Representative of Fairfield County. In the spring of
1831, the Legislature elected nre as one of the Associate Judges
of Fairfield County.
"In the fall of 1832 I was elected to the Lower House of
Congress, from the district composed of Fairfield, Perry, Mor-
gan and Hocking counties. Was re-elected from the same
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 165
district in 1834, and in 1836. In 1842 I was again returned to
the Ohio Legislature, Lower House, and was at that session
elected Speaker. In 1844 I was elected to the Ohio Senate,
the term being two years; and again in 1855 returned to the
Lower House.
" In 1832 my friends placed my name on the Presidential
electoral ticket, and I had the honor of helping to make An-
drew Jackson President of the United States. In 1851 I was
a member of the Constitutional Convention that framed the
present Constitution of the State of Ohio. I am now within
a few days of the close of my eighty-eighth year, and in the
enjoyment of good health."
From the friends and long acquaintances of Judge Chaney,
I have received the information, that never once during his
public life did he solicit office. But, when placed in nomina-
tion by his political friends, he entered into the spirit of the
canvass, and helped the ticket through.
In parting with the venerable Judge, as he grasped my hand
cordially, he remarked, while his voice swelled up in volume
and animation, that, whatever his life may have been, there
was one thing that he was proud of, and that was the good
opinions of his neighbors and constituents. That good opinion
has been merited. And how blessed it would be, if every one
could say at the close of life, that he, or she, was proud of the
good opinions or their acquaintances.
STATEMENT OF B. W. CARLISLE.
The following is, in substance, the statement of B. W. Car-
lisle, in regard to his mother and others of the first emigrants
into the Hocking Valley :
" Mrs. Sarah Carlisle was a resident of Greenfield Township
for the full period of sixty-four years, ending with her death
on the 14th of January, 1866, at the residence of her son. She
was one of the pioneer mothers of this county. She, with her
father's family, in true rioneer fashion, came with wagons,
rifle-guns and trusty dogs, passing through where the city of
Lancaster now stands, when nothing was there but an un-
166 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
broken wilderness. Where Lancaster is, no white man had
settled. "
This was in 1799. Across the prairie, near the present resi-
dence of Mr. Mithoff, was a small encampment of Indians.
"Her father, John Edwards, located on Buckskin, west of Chil-
licothe, in that year, where she underwent the hardships and
enjoyed the novelties of pioneer life, until the fall of 1802,
when she was married to James Wilson, brother of old Colo-
nel Robert and Nathaniel Wilson, formerly residents of Hock-
ing Township. " She moved with her husband on the farm
now owned by her son, B. W. Carlisle, in Greenfield Town-
ship, the same year of her marriage. In 1807, she was left a
widow by the death of Mr. Wilson.
"Subsequently, she was united in marriage to Thomas Car-
lisle, on the 2Bd day of January, 1813, with whom she lived
until the fall of 1844, when she was again left a widow by the
death of her second husband. "
Mrs. Sarah Carlisle descended from Scotch parentage, who
were Presbyterians, she herself uniting with that church in
Lancaster soon after her first marriage, Rev. John Wright be-
ing pastor.
Mrs. Margaret Ewing, late of Pleasant Township, and
mother of Thomas E., William and James Ewing, was Mrs.
Carlisle's sister. She, also, with her husband, were among the
earliest settlers of Fairfield County.
Mrs. Carlisle was fond of dwelling on the scenes and incidents
of the pioneer age, and had a fund of highly interesting anec-
dotes and amusing incidents to narrate. Among her early ac-
quaintances of the new settlement, she often spoke of the fol-
lowing persons : the Whites, the Coateses, the Bradshaws, the
Wilsons, the Stewarts, the Lackeys, the Greens, the Bigger-
staffs, the Builderbacks, the Burtons, George Sanderson, and
numerous others.
Mrs. Carlisle saw Lancaster spring from the wild woods,
where the white man never trod before. She spoke of the first
two cabins she remembered — one near the present steam-mill
at the foot of Chestnut (Jail) street, the other near a spring at
the foot of what is now Wheeling street, on the canal. She
lived to see Lancaster a flourishing city of over five thousand
inhabitants. Like most of the women of frontier life, she was
an expert horseback rider. She often rode from her home in
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 167
Greenfield to her father's, fort}' miles distant, in a day, carry-
ing her babe on her lap.
An incident of her romance is well worth telling, because
such occurrences were common to the pioneers. Returning
from Lancaster, she came upon a young fawn in the woods, at
a point somewhere near the cabin of Joseph Hunter. She
knew it had strayed from its mother, and springing dex-
trously from her horse, she threw the bridle over a limb, made
chase, and captured the little spotted fugitive, carried it home,
and raised it as a pet.
Her second husband, and father of the present B. W. Car-
lisle, who is remembered as Thomas Carlisle, late of Green:
field Township, entered what is known as the war of 1812 the
same year of his marriage, viz. : 1813. He served in Captain
Richard Hooker's mounted men, who went to the relief of
Colonel Croggan, who was besieged by the Indians at San-
dusky.
Thomas Carlisle came from Virginia, and setted in Fairfield
County in 1811 ; was married in 1813, and lived on what is
known as the Carlisle farm until the time of his death, in
1844. Mr. Carlisle was an active business man and a highly
useful citizen. He served many years as a Justice of the
Peace. At the time of his death he was one of the acting
Commissioners of the county.
STATEMENT OF NICHOLAS STEMEN.
Henry Stemen came from Virginia/and settled on Raccoon,
in 1803. His wife was Mary Beery, sister of the late George
Beery. Nicholas Stemen was one year old at the time his
father came to Fairfield County. He continued to reside in
Fairfield until he was about thirty years old, and then moved
across the line into Perry County, where he still resides. Mr.
Stemen stated that his father helped to clear off some of the
first ground where Lancaster now stands. Below is his state-
ment of the
168 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
BEERY FAMILY,
Who came into the Raccoon neighborhood a little before the
Stemens. Nicholas Beery was the father of eight sons and
seven daughters, viz.: John, Jacob, Abraham, Isaac, Henry,
George, Joseph and Christian; Barbara, Magdalene, Elizabeth,
Mary, Susanna, Fanny and Rebecca. Most of his large family
settled in the east part of Fairfield County, and became thrifty
and useful farmers and citizens. Most of them are buried in
the county.
THE HUFFORDS.
Caspar Hufford settled on the Raccoon at a very early day.
He built the first mill, on the site where Lobenthall's, and
since, Mike Moyer's mill stands. It was a small Raccoon Burr
Mill, of the capacity of eight or ten bushels of corn a day. Mr.
Hufford's sons were : Solomon, Abraham, Daniel, Jacob and
John. These all settled on the Raccoon. Catharine Hufford,
daughter of Caspar, married John Friezner ;/and Susan married
David Beery, son of John Beery, and grandson of Nicholas
Beery. David Beery built the brick house in which Solomon
Beery, son of George, now lives, on the Bremen road. J
Mr. Nelson built a mill on Raccoon in 1805, on the land now
owned by James Driver. Mr. Stemen remembers that, when
a mill-boy, about 1812, he saw the miller carrying the ground
wheat in a half-bushel up the steps, and turning it into the
hopper of the bolting-chest, while the owner of the grist stood
turning the bolting-cloth by means of a crank. (The writer
has witnessed the same operation many times about the same
era.) William Johnson built a mill on Rush Creek, a little
below Rushville, during the year 1812, or about that time.
Johnson's mill is well remembered. Jacob Rhodes built a still-
house on Rush Creek at a very early day. Mr. Harmon, father
of Fred. Harmon, erected a distillery in Pleasant Township.
RELIGIOUS.
The first religious societies formed in the Raccoon settle-
ments were : Dunkers, Mennonites, Presbyterians, Seceders,
German Reforms and Methodists.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 169
Were kept in small log school-houses about three months in
the year. Reading, writing, and "cyphering," as far as the
Rule of Three, was the course of instruction. Webster's and
Dillworth's spelling-books, and Pike's Arithmetic were used.
For readers: The Testament, English Readers, Columbian
Orator, and the American Preceptor. This was the English
course. Some of the first schools were exclusively German*
and others were German and English.
MANNER OF LIVING.
Corn-bread, vegetables, milk and butter, and wild meats,
constituted the principal subsistence, but even these were
sometimes scanty. When the mills were stopped for lack of
water, breadstuffs became very scarce, and the neighbors would
borrow from one another as long as there was any in the
community. Venison was quite plenty, and also wild-turkey.
Coffee and tea were dear, and hard to come at. As substitutes
the people used spice-wood and sassafras teas; and for coffee,
burned rye and wheat. Pounded and lye hominy were univer-
sal. The forms of corn-bread were johnny-cake, hoe-cake,
dodger, ash-cake and pone.
WEARING APPAREL.
The wearing apparel of the settlers was nearly entirely
home-made, consisting of flax and tow linens, linsey and
flannels. Every farmer raised a patch of flax, from which the
linens were made. The flax and tow were spun on hand-
wheels. Wool was carded at first on hand-cards, and after-
wards by carding-machines run by water or horse-power. The
weaving was done on hand-looms. Every neighborhood had
its weavers, and sometimes nearly every house. The girls
often spun, wove .and made up their own wedding-dresses in
the most primitive times of frontier life. Puckskin pants,
and sometimes vests, were very common as men's wear. Shoes
were almost wholely home-made, and boots were nearly un-
known.
170 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNLY, OHIO.
In common with all the frontier settlers, the inhabitants of
Raccoon and Rush Creek Valleys practiced the plays common
to the times. Mr. Stemen's parents did not approve them.
In those times the family discipline was very rigid. The same
ruling would be tyranny now. Nevertheless, that kind of dis-
cipline gave the world a more noble class of men and women
than we shall ever see again.
WILD ANIMALS.
Wolves were very numerous, making it difficult to keep
sheep. The State paid premiums for their scalps. Panthers,
bears and wild-cats were plenty, deer abundant. Bear's meat
was common. Catamounts were also often seen in the woods.
(The catamount is of the feline species, and in size is inter-
mediate between the domestic cat and the American panther.
They were greyish, and sometimes spotted). When wounded,
or enraged, they were dangerous enemies.
There were bands of various tribes of Indians wandering
about the country during several years after the white settle-
ments commenced. They were peaceable for the most part,
but had to be kept in a good humor. Mr. Stemen spoke of an
instance where several Indians came to his father's house and
asked for something to eat. His mother had a corn pone
baked for her family, and little besides to give them. She
gave them half of the pone, and they went away, but soon re-
turned and demanded more, and to pacify them she gave them
all she had.
The writer remembers many similar instances in another
part of the State, but there, the Indians, for the most part,
had something to give in exchange for what they wanted,
such as furs, peltry and venison hams, and sometimes cut
money. On one occasion a company of Miamis came to our
house when my mother was a hundred yards away at the
spring rinsing her clothes. I was the baby, and had been left
alone in the cradle in the cabin. As was their custom, they
stopped out in the grove and sent their commission of two
squaws into the house, who finding no one in besides the baby,
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 171
took me from the cradle and carried me out to their comrades
for a show. In a few minutes my mother returned, and find-
ing the cradle empty, ran screaming out into the yard, when
the squaws seeing her distress, hastened to meet her and» re-
store the object of her alarm. She at once gave them every-
thing she had about the house that could be eaten, and they
left in good humor.
They were Miamis, and their town was seven miles from
our house. I never heard of them plundering or stealing in
time of peace. They always asked for what they wanted.
HON. THOMAS EWING.
Of this truly distinguished citizen and Jurist, I need not
write much. His fame is as wide as American history. It is
written in books, and in the hearts of the people. I speak
only of his citizenship in Fairfield County.
Mr. Ewing settled in Lancaster in 1815, and commenced the
study of law with Hon. Philemon Beecher, and was admitted
to the bar in 1816. He continued to reside in Lancaster until
the time of his death. Of the high positions of trust and
honor he was called to fill in the nation, I do not speak ;
they are recorded in the archives of the nation. It will not
be too much for my humble pen to say, that Mr. Ewing was
in some respects a remarkable man. No man living, perhaps,
possessed the powers of speech and logic in a superior degree.
He used no needless or superfluous words. He was not ver-
bose. This was his strong forte in argument. He said much
in few words. All understood him at once.
Of Mr. Ewing's family still surviving, arevMrs. General
Sherman, Mrs. Colonel Steele, Hon. Hugh Boyl Ewing, Gen.
Thomas Ewing and Gen. Charles Ewing. On the lid of his
burial-casket was engraved —
"THOMAS EWING;
Born December 28th, 1789;
Died October 26th, 1871."
Mrs. Maria Ewing, consort of Hon. Thomas Ewing, was
born in Lancaster. She was daughter of the late Hugh Boyl.
She was married to Mr. Ewing in January, 1820, and died in
February, 1864. They are buried in the Catholic Cemetery,
172 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
east of Lancaster, and their graves are designated by fine
marble monuments.
JUDGE CHARLES SHERMAN.
Charles Sherman was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, May
26, 1788. In 1810 he was admitted to the bar, and in the same
year married Mary Hoyt, also of Norwalk. In the following
year, with his wife and infant child, he came to Lancaster, 0.,
and began the practice of law. In speaking of his emigration,
Gen. Wm. J. Reece, one of his sons-in-law, says : " The way
to it (Lancaster) from their New England home was far and
weary, beset with hardships, and exposed to dangers. They
were obliged to journey the greater part of the distance on
horseback, carrying their infant child on a pillow before them.
* * * * The little boy they carried on the pillow
before them is now the Hon. Charles Taylor Sherman, United
States District Judge of the Northern District of Ohio."
Judge Charles Sherman was elected by the Legislature of
Ohio to the bench of the Supreme Court in 1823, which place
he filled a few months over six years with distinguished
ability, when his labors were ended by death. He died at
Lebanon, Ohio, while attending Court, on the 24th day of
June, 1829, in his 41st year. His companion, Mary Hoyt
Sherman, survived him many years. Their tombs are in
Lancaster Cemetery.
Judge Sherman was the father of Gen. W. T. Sherman, and
Hon. John Sherman, U. S. Senator ; also of Mrs. W. J. Reece,
now of Lancaster, besides several other sons and daughters,
with whom the writer was not acquainted.
HON. HOCKING H. HUNTER.
Hocking H. Hunter was one of Ohio's leading lawyers. He
was once elected to the Senate of Ohio, and subsequently de-
clined the poll for Governor. As a law}Ter he was eminently
successful. He began life in a very humble way, as most of
the sons of pioneers did, and worked his way up to fortune
and fame by his own personal application and diligence. Mr.
Hunter was a man of stern integrity of character, and unsur-
passed administrative ability— pre-eminently just and up-
right in all the affairs of life. He was the son of Joseph Hun-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 173
ter, who was the first white man that erected a cabin in Fair-
field County.
Mr. Hunter was born in the month of August, 1801, and died
February 4, 1872, in the 71st year of his age. Of his children
there are six yet living, viz. : three sons and three daughters.
It has commonly been believed that Mr. Hunter was the first
white male child born in Fairfield County. There are, how-
ever, two or three other aspirants to that distinction, but the
matter is too far back in history to be settled at this late day.
DR. JOHN WILLTAMS.
Dr. Williams is not mentioned as a pioneer of Fairfield
County, though he deserves a place in its history. He is one
of the living men who has made his mark, and who will leave
a record. He has a brain seldom equaled or surpassed. Few
men have lived of his mental capacities in his specialties.
As a mathematician, grammarian and general scholarship, he
stood, at his meridian, unrivaled. He has been a teacher, and
author of school text-books. He was not brilliant ; but as a
teacher and general educator he was forcible, clear and con-
cise. There are probably more men to-day who owe their suc-
cess in the professions and other vocations in life to having
been pupils of Dr. Williams, than to any one man living. He
was proprietor for several years of an Academy in Greenfield
Township, known as "Greenfield Academy ;" and subsequently
teacher and Superintendent of Lancaster schools. From age
and infirmity, he, five or six years since, retired to his small
farm, four miles north of Lancaster, where at present he re-
sides.
LETTER OF GEORGE W. BEERY.
Upper Sandusky, 0., July 20th, 1876.
Dr. H. Scott — Dear Sir: I learn that you propose to pub-
lish a history of Fairfield County, and desire information in
aid thereof. I herewith inclose a letter prepared by me for
Dr. Tom. 0. Edwards, in 1871. If of any use to you in your work,
174 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
you are at liberty to use the same as you may think proper.
When your book is ready, please send me ten copies, and I
will remit the price at once.
Very truly Yours,
George W. Beery.
Hon. Tom. 0. Edwards : Your favor of the 8th inst., contain-
ing request to furnish dates and names of early settlers of
Fairfield County, is received. In answer, I am only able to
state, from memory, conversations had with my father on the
subject of his first settlement in your county. He was the
youngest of six brothers of his father's family, in the order
here given : John, Isaac, Abraham, Jacob, Henry and George.
There were two half-brothers, Christian and Joseph, all of
whom were among the first settlers of Fairfield County.
George, my father, was born in Rockingham County, Vir-
ginia, in the year 1783, and emigrated to the almost unbroken
wilderness of your county in the year 1800. He came down
the Monongahela and Ohio rivers in a fiat-boat, and up the
Hocking to the falls, thence through the woods on foot to Lan-
caster, and remained over winter, clearing land for others by
the acre. He returned to Virginia the next spring, and finally
returned to Fairfield County in the fall of 1801, and settled on
the Raccoon Creek, near Bremen, clearing land and working
for others, thus enabling him to enter eighty acres, which he
did in the fall of 1807.
In 1809 he married and settled on this small tract of land,
continuing to live thereon, and in the neighborhood of Bre-
men, until the spring of 1832, when he moved to the little
Raccoon, five miles east of Lancaster, where he died in 1856.
John Beery, his eldest brother, came to the county in 1805,
and the other brothers soon after, all settling on and near the
streams mentioned, in Rush Creek and Berne townships.
They were a hardy, stout and industrious set of men, and did
their full share of clearing and improving that part of the
county. They are all dead, leaving families scattered all over
the country.
Their education being very limited, and their habits sober
and industrious, were content with the occupation of farming,
except my father, who was always far in advance of his
neighbors in schools and public improvements. He took an
active part in the construction of the canal from Carroll to
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 175
Lancaster ; also in building the Zanesville and Maysville
Turnpike-road; was one of the Commissioners of the county, I
think, in 1828; and assisted in locating and building the
County Infirmary.
In 1834 he laid out the town of Bremen; and in the next
year, in partnership with Mr. Hedges, commenced the busi-
ness of selling goods, an occupation yet followed by several of
his children, who received their first lessons under his super-
vision.
In the war of 1812, he was pressed into the service with his
team, and while Major Crogan was defending Fort Stevenson,
at Lower Sandusky, with team and provisions he was
encamped at Fort Ball, now Tiffin, and within hearing of the
guns of the fort.
He was a personal friend and admirer of Hon. Thos. Ewing,
claiming that he had no superior as a lawyer and statesman
in the Union. Such was his admiration of this truly great
man, that he called his tenth and youngest son Thos. Ewing.
As a citizen, he was public-spirited ; as a neighbor, kind and
benevolent ; as a father, strict in his requirements, yet tenderly
devoted to his? children. .
My mother was a Cradlebaugh, a daughter of a revolutionary
soldier, a German Reform minister, and a man of considerable
influence in his day. He emigrated to Western Pennsylvania
soon after the war closed, and in 1810 or 1811, to Fairfield
County, where he soon afterwards died. My mother was born
in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1789, emi-
grated to Fairfield County in 1806 or 1807, and died in 1870.
She was a woman of more than ordinary force of character;
positive in her opinions, and free to express them ; industrious
and economical; loving right and hating wrong; prompt
and active in every duty ; exercising a marked and controlling
influence over her husband and family — a mother of the old
type, in every sense of the word. They had twelve children,
nine of whom still survive. Four are living here, one near
Urbana, Ohio, and the balance in and near the family village
of Bremen.
George W. Beery.
176 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
WILLIAM McCLUN.G.
William McClung died at the residence of his daughter, in
West Rushville, on Friday, September 8th, 1876, aged 83 years,
7 months and 19 days.
Judge McClung came into Fairfield County in 1803, where
he resided continuously until his death, and was among the
last of the surviving pioneers. Few men have lived and
passed away within the limits of the county, who more emi-
nently deserved the reputation of a good man. He was up-
right, just and reliable in all the affairs of life, and, so far as
the writer knows and believes, he had few, if any, enemies.
Of him it may be very justly said, that he was one of that
noble class of first men who helped to break the wilderness,
and who lived to give character and prosperity to the country —
a class that, very much to the world's detriment, is rapidly
passing away.
Judge McClung, during his protracted and useful life, filled
successively, and with the popular approval, the offices of Jus-
tice of the Peace, State Legislator, and Associate Judge under
the old Constitution, as also many minor positions of trust in
the civil and military service. He was one of the volunteers
who enlisted under Captain George Sanderson in the war of
1812, and was included in the surrender of Gen. Hull in front
of Fort Detroit.
He was likewise an officer in the church of his choice ; and
it is said of him, by those who best knew him, that Christi-
anity was illustrated by all his intercourse with the world,
both in his public and private walks.
STATEMENT OF MRS. KING.
One of Fairfield's pioneer mothers is still living in Lancas-
ter, at the venerable age of 87 years. Mrs. Flora Buttler King
has been in most respects a very remarkable woman. Follow-
ing is a condensed synopsis of her statement recently made
to me :
Her father, Ebenezer Buttler, and the father of Gerrit Smith,
were first pioneers in Onondagua County, N. Y. She was
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 177
born in Onondagua County in January, 1790, and during her
early childhood and youth was the school companion of Gerrit
Smith. She was the first female child born in that county.
In 1812 she came to Ohio, and soon after to Lancaster. She
was the first female teacher in Lancaster. Her school-house
was a rough cabin built hy Christian King, and stood where
Doctor Turner's office now is, on Main street. In February,
1813, she was married to Christian King. She was mother of
two children — William, who died many years ago in Califor-
nia, and Flora, wife of Charles Deshler, of Columbus, 0.
After the death of her husband, Mrs. King devoted herself
to painting and drawing, by which she accumulated a con-
siderable amount of cash. Receiving intelligence of the death
of her son in California, she made the trip there alone, by the
Isthmus, and brought back his three children, their mother
also being dead. She raised two of the boys, who are now in
honorable positions. The other one died young. She wit-
nessed the riot at Panama, when one hundred Americans were
killed, and barely escaped with her own life by paying the
natives a gold bonus.
William and Christian King came t) Lancaster in 1799, and
sold goods under the firm name of W. & C. King. Christian
King built a toll-bridge across the prairie, west of town, on
the track of the present turnpike-road.
Mrs. King remembers, that in 1812 the Kings and John
Creed were merchants; Philemon Beecher, Robert F. Slaughter
and William Irvin were practicing law ; Drs. Wilson, Tor-
rence and Shawk were practicing medicine ; Thos. Sturgeon
ke^t tavern where Mrs. Creed now lives, and Mr. Swoyer on
the Shaeffer corner.
William King died in 1831, and Christian, her husband, in
1840.
STATEMENT OF JOHN ASHBAUGH.
John Ashbaugh was my grandfather, and Andrew Ashbaugh
was my father. They came into Fairfield County in 1801, and
settled near where Bremen now is, and died there. My father's
12
178 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
brothers were: Jacob, John, Frederick and Joseph ; his sisters,
Elizabeth, Mary, Patsy and Polly.
The Indians stole our horses, and were followed, and -the
horses recovered at Bowling Green, north of Zanesville, by
paying the Indians one dollar a head for them.
Andrew Ashbaugh, my father, and a big Indian had a hop-
ping-match, in which the Indian got beaten, and became ang-
ry, but others interfered, and all ended well.
On one occasion the Indians removed the bells from some
horses and slipped them away, but fearing the consequence,
as was believed, they restored the bells and the horses.
John Davis and Edward Young came and settled in Rush
Creek Township in 1802.
THE REAM FAMILY.
9
BY JONAS A. REAM.
Abraham Ream was born in Reamstown, Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania, in 1746, and removed to Fairfield County, Ohio,
in 1798, at the age of fifty-two years. He came to Pittsburg in
wagons, then down the Ohio river in a flat-boat as far as the
mouth of the Hocking river, thence up that river to its falls
(now' one mile above Logan), in dug-outs, or canoes, thence by
land up the stream to the point yet known as Ream's 'mill,
where he settled down. He there entered four and a half sec-
tions of land in a body. His family consisted at the time of
twelve children, viz.: five sons and seven daughters. In 1804
he built the mill which still retains his name.
His daughters were married to the following persons, viz :
John Panebaker, Abraham Sheafer, Isaac Sheafer, Joseph
Stukey, Lewis Hershberger, Henry Aneshensel. The young-
est of the daughters died single, from the effects of a stroke of
lightning.
His sons' names were : Sampson, William, Absalom, Abra-
ham and George. Abraham died at the age of twenty years
(single). The others married and raised families. Not one
of the children of Abraham Ream are now living.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 179
In early days, the Ream men were all great hunters
— strong, fearless ai.d daring.
When they arrived in Fairfield County they were the sixth
family of white settlers. The Indian villages were not entire-
ly broken up where Lancaster is.
Jacob Ream, half-brother to Abraham, came a little later —
four years, I think. He located south of Ream's mill, about
one mile. Jacob L. Ream, who died recently, was his son.
The Ream family was very numerous, and are widely inter-
married, so that in that jegion, now, almost every third per-
son one meets can claim relationship to them.
Of Sampson Ream's family, there are but three out of thir-
teen living. Two died 'in the Mexican war, and one in Cali-
fornia. Of the sons-in-law of Abraham Ream, two yet survive
— Aneshensel and Hershberger. The first winter the family
were here they killed eighteen bears and twenty-seven deer.
They also killed numerous wolves, wild-cats and panthers. A
bear-skin then was worth seventy-five cents, and a deer-skin
fifty cents. Deer-skins were dressed and made into panta-
loons and moccasins, and bear-skins were used for bed-covers.
RECOLLECTIONS OF LEVI STEWART.
Levi Stewart (now a citizen of Lancaster) was born in
Greenfield Township, in 1800, and is therefore now in his 77th
year. His father was one of the first settlers of Fairfield
County. He came in 1799, and settled near the Hocking,
immediately south of the residence of the late Judge John Gra-
bill, two miles north-west of Lancaster, on the Columbus pike.
Mr. Stewart has spent his long life in the vicinity of the
place of his birth, and has made it his care to preserve a recol-
lection, not only of the first settlers, but of the places where
they located, as well as of the general condition of the coun-
try, and domestic life of the pioneers. The following is a con-
densed note of his statement :
At his first recollections, the country was almost a literal
wilderness, interspersed with rude cabins of unhewed logs,
180 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
one story high. The country abounded with wolves, deer,
bears, wild-cats and panthers. Indians were more or less
numerous, who lingered about until about the year 1810, be-
fore they entirely disappeared.
FIRST SETTLERS.
Samuel Bush came in 1802, and settled on the spot which
is the present farm of Daniel Bush, his grandson, one and a
half miles north-west of Lancaster, on the Columbus road.
David Fink settled near the same time one and a half miles
north of Lancaster, to the right of the Baltimore road. Ralph
Donelson settled first where Samuel Bush (son of the pioneer)
now lives. Henry Cline, about the same time, settled on the
farm, as he thinks, now owned by Judge Shaw, near Shimp's
Hill. Alexander Sanderson (father of the late Gen. Sander-
son), settled in 1798, and located in the same neighborhood.
Jacob Sells, in 1800, entered a large tract of land embracing
the site of the present village of Dumontsville, four miles
north of Lancaster. John Sells came in the same year.
David Bright (father of the present David and John Bright),
came in 1800, and located where John Bright now resides.
Henry Abrams came in 1800, and settled on the place now
owned by David Bright. John Bailar settled where James
McCleary now lives, in 1800. Adam and John Westenberger,
brothers, settled in the McCleary neighborhood in 1800. Mr.
Nail, about the same time, located on the William McCleary
place. John McArthur settled where Newton Peters at pres-
ent resides, probably in 1800. John Morgan located about
the same time on the John Grabill farm. Joseph Stewart,
father of Levi, first settled a short distance south-west of the
Grabill place, in 1799, and on the north side of Hocking. In
the year 1805, Samuel Grabill, father of John, Jacob, Gabriel,
Christopher and Samuel, succeeded Mr. Morgan on what has
ever since been known as the Grabill farm, where Judge Gra-
bill was born and died. In the year 1800, Gideon Geary set-
tled on the place now known as the G. H. Smith farm, on the
pike, west of Grabill's. About the same time, Samuel Tall-
man located immediately joining the Smith farm on the west.
At Yankeytown (Claypool's), James Brooks, Mr. Cook and
Drake Taylor squatted in the year 1799. Jacob Claypool,
father of Isaac, bought them out in 1805, and opened a farm
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 181
Isaac Meason came into Greenfield, in 1798, first locating on
the Carroll road, where the late Elijah Meason resided. Isaac
Meason was the father of the late John Meason. Patrick
Lnsk, in 1800, settled on the place afterward known as the
Isaac Wilson farm, south of Carroll. John McFarland, father
of the late Walter McFarland, in 1798, located on the spot
where Walter lived and died. Isaac Rice located near the
present woolen factory, below the rock-mill, in 1799. Wil-
liam and James Reed, brothers, in 1798, settled a little east
of the subsequent Rice place, in 1798. Their places were near
the Hocking. Thos. McCall, about the same time, settled near
the Reeds. James Wells settled on the present Hooker land,
in 1799. William Wilson, in 1798, located a little south of
Hooker's. His son James now resides on the same place.
Samuel Wilson settled the same year, adjoining William.
James Wilson, Sr., settled on the Carlisle farm. He was the
first husband of the late Mrs. Thos. Carlisle.
David Pence, Henry Gearhart, Daniel Gearhart, David
Wintermuth, Daniel Wintermuth, Adam Wagner, David
Baugher, John Hanna, James Hanna, Abraham Fairchild*
William Wiseley, Edmund Wiseley and John Miller settled
in the north-east part of Greenfield Township, in the years
1800 to 1805.
Henry Abrams built the first hewed log-house in Green-
field. David Bright built a still-house near where John Bright
lives, at a very early day. William and James Reed built a
saw mill on the Hocking, below rock-mill, very early. John
Goolthrite taught the first school that is remembered in
Greenfield. Another school is said to have been taught in the
" Spook's Hollow, " east of the Grabill farm, at a very early
day. School-houses were log-shanties with oiled-paper win-
dows.
The Indians procured lead not far from the present rock-
mill, but the mine, if any, has not been discovered to this day.
No inducements could prevail on them to tell where they got
the lead. They had rifles, and knew how to handle them.
The intercourse between the log-cabins of the pioneers of
Greenfield was over paths worn by following the blazed trees,
at first. Mr. Stewart remembers a tornado which passed over
the country in 1809, that he has not seen equaled in his nearly
182 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
fourscore years. The timber was so blown down as to block-
ade the roads seriously.
The subsistence of the pioneers was corn-bread, wild meats,
wild-honey, milk and butter, and vegetables. Roasted rye
and wheat were used for coffee, which could not be had, or sel-
dom, and then at enormous prices. They carried their corn on
horseback to the falls of Hocking (Logan), to get it ground,
and sometimes had to wait several days for their turn. Salt
was packed from the Scioto below Chillicothe, and from the
Muskingum, and cost about $5.00 a bushel. He had known
seasons of three to five weeks when the whole community was
out of breadstuff, because the mills were stopped for want of
water. They pounded hominy, grated corn, and cooked
vegetables, and made other shifts.
The sports and pastimes of the settlers were pitching quoits,
jumping, running foot-races, wrestling, dancing, plays of a
great variety, and in rough and tumble fights. Fighting was
very common at public gatherings, such as sales, log-rollings,
corn-huskings, house-raisings, and the like. Horse-swapping
was almost universally practiced. The most of it was done at
gatherings. Sometimes the family fire went out over night,
when some member of the family had to go to neighbors to
procure it before the breakfast could be started. The first and
only chairs known were called split-bottoms. Many families at
first sat on slab-stools of their own make.
One pair of shoes a year was all that could be had ; the re-
mainder of the time they went barefoot. The boys had two
suits of home-made flax and tow-linen in summer, and in win-
ter one suit of linsey — no underclothes. The young ladies
thought they were fine if they had one calico dress in a year.
Wheat was worth twenty-five cents, and corn from five to
twelve and a half cents a bushel, in trade. A day's work was
from sunup tounsdown, and the wages was 25 cents.
HENRY LEONARD'S COMMUNICATION.
LIBERTY TOWrNSHIP.
Dr. H. Scott — Dear Sir: Having learned that you are en-
gaged in preparing a history of Fairfield County, I hereby
send you a few pioneer items and incidents of the early settle-
ment of Liberty Township, for your disposal.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 183
I was bom on the 14th day of February, 1812, just 65 years ago
this day. My object is not so much to speak of what I know
personally of the early history of our township, as it is to refer
to facts that transpired prior to my coming on the stage of
action, and for such information I am indebted mainly to sev-
eral of the descendants of the very first settlers. Among these
I mention the names of Jacob Bibler, Joseph Alt and Noah
Gundy, still living, and whose united ages are over two hun^
dred and forty-four years.
OLD PIONEERS.
Christian Gundy and wife came in 1800. They came from
Lancaster County, Pa., as far as Wheeling, Va., on horseback.
Mr. Gundy left his wife at Wheeling, and came out here on
Walnut Creek, and planted three or four acres of corn, and
then went back and brought his companion, and lived all
winter in a sugar-camp with a blanket for a door. Robert
Wilson came about the same time, and they both, with their
families, squatted on unsurveyed lands. After the surveyor
established the lines, these two neighbors found that the}7 had
settled on the same section ; so Mr. Gundy moved his tent east-
ward. Noah Gundy, his son (my informant), was born in
1806, and still lives on the old homestead.
DAVID BRUMBACK
Came in 1803 or 1804, and settled half a mile south of the
present town of Baltimore, near Walnut Creek bridge, on the
west side of the present pike. The farm is now owned by
Emanuel Rinch. Mr. Brumback afterwards settled on Poplar
Creek, where his son now lives. Martin Brumback, the son,
has the most extensive vinyard in the county.
BADER AND SHOWLEY.
In 1804, Nicholas Bader and Jacob Showley came and entered
a half section of land south of the Brumback place, where
they lived and died. They came from Switzerland. At Pitts-
burg they embarked on a flat-boat and paddled down the Ohio
river to the mouth of the Hockhocking. Here they put their
chests and bedding in skiffs, or canoes, and poled and paddled
them up to the falls of Hocking (Logan). From there they
184 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHTO.
made their way through the wilderness to this township, and
settled down in a strange land, with few neighbors.
JOSEPH ALT AND FAMILY
Came from the same country, one year afterward, passing over
the same route. While floating down the Ohio river their
boat struck a snag, and sprung a leak and sunk. They got
ashore safely, but with soaked clothes and baggage. While
they were waiting on the bank for another boat to come
along, they built a fire and dried their clothes. At the mouth of
Hocking the wife and three young children were left alone,
while the father and son Joseph started on foot up stream, over
hills and gullies, in search of their countrymen, Showley and
Bader, in this township, and make arrangements with one of
them to go to Chillicothe and enter land. The second night,
while they camped in the wilderness, about midnight they
heard a noise such as the}7 never heard before. Old Joseph
got up and began to stir up the fire until the sparks and
flames made it light all around, and took up his gun, but the
animal had fled. The next day they were told it was a
panther.
GOING TO MILL.
Old Father Bader, son of Nicholas Bader, has told me, that
when a small boy, his father sent him to Ream's mill with a
bushel and a half of corn, and that it required three days to
make the trip. Noah Gundy says that the first grist of corn
his father took to mill he carried to Newark, in Licking County.
I asked how his father found the way. He said, over an Indian
trail. The first horse-power mill in Liberty was built by Jacob
Showley. Almost every pioneer family had a hominy-block.
FRANCIS BIBLER,
Of Shenandoah County, Virginia, landed here in the woods in
1805, with four sons and four daughters. Their log-cabin was
built on the spot of ground where John W. Chapman, Post-
master of Basil, now resides. This family moved into their
•cabin late in the fall, and before the chinking or daubing of the
cracks was done.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 185
NO BREAD.
This family had not had a mouthful of any kind of bread in
their house for over five weeks. Old Father Bibler went to
Chillicothe to buy some corn. Owing to the short supply there,
he only got one bushel, for which he had to pay two dollars.
This he brought home, and sent his son Jacob (my informant)
to Woodring's mill, about five miles west on Walnut Creek,
where he had to wait for his turn. He said that when the
warm meal was running from the spout out of the burrs, he
caught some in his hand, and that he never tasted anything
so good in all his life.
COONS AND SQUIRRELS.
The first season they planted about three acres of corn, but
they did not even get a peck of ripe corn. The squirrels visited
the cornfield in day-time, and the raccoons in the night.
Jacob told me that his father, Abraham, went out with his
rifle one morning and killed thirty-eight squirrels off of one
tree, and then he was not able to count the remainder on the
same tree. On another occasion he brought down eighteen
raccoons from a single tree.
INDIANS AND WHITE BOYS PLAYING.
It was a common thing for the boys of both races to meet
and engage in testing their skill and activity by running foot-
races, jumping and tusseling. My informant spoke of Thos.
Warner's, in Walnut Township, and of Tutwiler's, and at his
father's, where Basil is, as frequent meeting-places of these
boys of both races. He referred by memory to the spot
where A. T. Mason's residence is, and the foundry, as these
old play-grounds.
TOWNSHIP ELECTION.
" I remember," said the narrator, " of hearing my father and
other old men tell, that onetime when a township election was
to be held, they had to send around word and hunt up seven men
in order to be able to hold an election for township officers."
We have none of that kind of trouble now, and there are six
to seven hundred voters in the township.
186 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
FIRST MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL.
The first resident minister was Rev. Martin Kauffman, a
Baptist. Rev. John Hite, of Walnut Township, also preached
in the neighborhood for many years. Rev. Benedum, of the
Unite:! Brethren, preached for a long time at the house of Mr.
Showley. He was a resident of Bloom Township. Rev. Geo.
Weis, of Lancaster, was the first German Reform minister who
came about. He preached first at Amspach's, two and a half
miles north of Basil, where St. Michael's Church now is. This
was about 1817.
CAMP-BOY.
In conversation with Gen. Geo. Sanderson, of Lancaster, some
fifteen years ago, he told me that when he was a small boy he »
came with a couple of hunters into this (Liberty) township,
and served them as camp-boy about a week, at a time when
there was not a cabin or white man within its limits. He
spoke of the site of their camp as being just above the spring,
or on the hill immediately north of where Pugh's warehouse
stands, at Basil, on a lot now owned by my sister, Mrs. Musser.
Where now, are the hunters, and the camp-boy, and the camp?
FIRST TAVERN IN BASIL.
Henry Yanna built the house now owned by Jacob H.
Campbell, our hardware merchant. This was our first tavern.
Mr. Y. was a Swiss, and a professional butcher. Many thou-
sands of pounds of beef did he haul on the " Deep Cut " to
Monticello (a town then near the present Millersport). But
now Monticello is a cornfield. Beef then was sold at three
cents per pound. There were more than a hundred hands
constantly at work. Mr. Yanr a had for his tavern-sign an ox
painted on the board.
PETER DARING,
Also a Swiss, had the second tavern. There was business then
for two taverns in Basil, not so much for entertainment as for
the sale of whisky and " stone-fence cider," which meant four
gallons of whisky in a barrel of water, to make it to keep.
For his sign he had the Swiss hero, Wilhelm Tell.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 187
FIRST STORE IN BASIL.
Henry D. Bolle, a Frenchman, on the clay of the first sale
of town-lots, purchased the old homestead, which consisted of
a hewed log house, and the old vacated log-cabin , built in 1809.
The purchase price was about sixty dollars. This was inlot
No. 9. He put one shelf up-stairs, twelve feet long and one
foot wide. On this shelf he was able to put his entire stock
of goods.
One year after, he put up shelving and a rough counter in
the old log-cabin. In this cabin he did business for two years.
In 1828 he called at our house and wanted to sell his store to
my father. My father replied, " Wat do I want wid your
store ?" Bolle replied, " You put little Henry in dere ; he
make sthore-keeper some day." He left the goods in the cabin
for us to sell in a year, promising to take back what was not
sold. We took them at retail price, but could not make one
cent on them. But father had one hundred dollars in silver,
which he kept in a wooden box on top of the clothes-press.
He sold a horse for fifty dollars. This made a capital of one
hundred and fifty dollars, which was carried to Lancaster on
the 15th day of April, 1828, and with that amount our first
purchase of merchandise was made.
Our sales did not average two dollars a day during the first
year, the aggregate amount sold being no imore than $500.
But by perseverance, diligence and attention, the Leonard
brothers were enabled to navigate the turbulent waters of
trade for nearly forty }rears, without meeting any serious
disaster from the frequent and fierce storms and hurricanes
caused by the risky and unreliable trade-winds, on account of
which so many mercantile ships were swamped or sunk.
PIGEON-HUNT.
There was a time in the early history of this country
when wild-pigeons were so very plenty, that they literally
" darkened the heavens " in their flight to and from their roost
in Licking County.
On one occasion five young men set out from this neighbor-
hood for the pigeon-roost, to bring back, as they doubted not,
large numbers of these birds. The company consisted of
Samuel Bader, John Hively, Jacob Showley, Jacob Bibler and
188 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Jacob Goss. The two latter are still living. They provided
themselves with punk, flint and steel, for the purpose of rais-
ing a fire at night. But alas ; a cold, driving rain set in, and
they were soaked to the skin, with no possibility of starting
a fire, as everything was dripping wet. Their expedition was
a failure, of which they never heard the last. Old Father
Shriner, who was auctioneer in the settlement, or " sale-crier,"
as the term was then, loved to twit the boys when they were
present. " Here, Jacob," he would say, "is a tub; it will do to
salt down your pigeons. How much will you give?" Or, if he
offered a small vessel, he would say, " Sell ist gut fuer Saltz,"
by which he meant, this will answer to carry salt for salting
down your pigeons. Old Father Shriner was a jolly old pioneer.
His grandchildren are now grandparents. Such is the flight
of time.
NAILING COFFINS SHUT.
Our old pioneer, David Brumback, was the undertaker in
our township. He buried, or rather made all the coffins Avhen
I was a small boy. I remember once I went with my grand-
father to a funeral at Showley's, and as screws were scarce in
those primitive times, nails were used to fasten down the lid
of the coffin ; and I heard my grandfather tell my mother this :
" Barbi, \venn ich sterbe, will ich nicht mit dem Hammer zu-
genagelt sein." Barbara, when I die, I will not have my coffin
nailed with a hammer.
WHISKY-BOTTLE AT FUNERALS. .
I remember, too, when it was customary to carry, or hand
round a bottle filled with whisky before the funeral would
leave the house. I had the honor myself, when called on, to
hand the long-necked green bottle around, and a young lady
would follow with cakes and pies.
INDIAN SQUAW WOUNDED.
Mr. Noah Gundy, who has been living in the vicinity more
than seventy years, told me, that the Indians almost every
spring would come on Walnut Creek, near their farm, for the
purpose of boiling sugar. One time a man came to hunt, and
seeing some object moving among the pawpaw bushes, and be-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 189
lieving it to be a bear, fired at it, and was startled by the
scream of a squaw, and alarmed, he lost no time in giving
"leg-bail." The Indians were soon on his trail, but he eluded
them by his fieetness, and by taking to the bed of the creek,
thus causing them to lose his track; and he kept safely out
of their way until the matter was settled and the Indians
pacicified. Dr. Shawk, of Lancaster, was sent out to dress the
wounded arm, and he partially succeeded in persuading them,
that it was unintentional, though they for a long time enter-
tained lingering doubts. The squaw, however, got well, and
all was over.
[This I believe to be the story that is told of the late Judge
David Ewing, of Pleasant Township. The circumstances are
nearly the same in both statements. The friends of Mr.
Ewing, however, do not locate the scene on Walnut Creek, but
in the Arnold settlement, in Pleasant. They also say that
the Indians refused the services of a doctor, and that the affair
was settled by Daniel Arnold and others, by the payment of
money and other things. — Ed.]
A HOG STORY.
At one time old Father Gundy drove forty head of fat hogs
all the way to Zanesville, Ohio, for which he expected to re-
ceive $1.50 per hundred, but it seems that when he arrived
with the porkers, Mr. Buckingham backed out, and said that
he could not pay more than $1.25 a hundred, that they had
come too late. Mr. Gundy was displeased, an 1 said, "You
shan't have them." So the old man left the forty fat hogs to
take care of themselves, and returned home in a bad humor.
Strangely enough, in about three weeks every one of the hogs
straggled back to the Gundy farm, over a distance of more
than forty miles, and were afterwards sold to a Chillicothe
man for $1.50 per hundred pounds. Hogs were then sold by
net weight.
STRONGEST MAN IN THE TOWNSHIP.
In the early settlement of our township, especially before we
had a canal, our farmers would go to Zanesville with their
wagons and exchange their wheat for salt. At one time six
or eight teams from Walnut Creek went in company, and after
190 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
' «
they had sold and unloaded their wheat, they drove to the
salt-house. Mr. Fairchild (long since dead) said to the clerk,
or salt man, " We will bet you a gallon of brandy that we have a
man in our crowd that can pick up a barrel of salt by the chimes
and lift it into the wagon. " After the salt man had eyed
the crowd closely, and could see no giant among them, he said,
"Agreed." Mr. Fairchild then called out, "John Huntwork,
pull off your coat and go to work." And John did not only
load one barrel, but, as one wagon after another drove up, he
picked up the barrels of salt as though they were firkins of
butter, and loaded the wagons. And it is to be remembered,
that at that time a barrel of salt weight d more than 280
pounds ; many of them weighed over 300. Mr. Noah Gundy
(my informant) further told me, that John Huntwork at one
time carried eleven bushels of wheat up a pair of steps at one
load. The wheat was put in one large sack especially for
the occasion.
AN INDIAN SCARE.
It was rumored that the Indians were coming in to plunder
the pioneers. Bibler's cabin was the place of rendezvous.
It was not long before several guns were heard at a neighbor-
ing cabin, when the women began to scream. One old lady
said : " 0 ! I wish the Indians had killed me long ago." My
mother wanted father to go, but he said no, he would not
run away from his own house. They all stayed at home,
but no savages appeared. The rumor had been started and
the guns fired by ro.wdies, for fun, but the neighbors did not
recognize the fun.
HOW BASIL GOT ITS NAME.
Old Father Jacob Goss landed here in 1807 or 1808, and put
up a cabin. He had two sons and one daughter. When the
canal was being located, Henry Hildebrand laid out a new
town, which was named New Market, but is now the "Balti-
more, Ohio." Jonathan Flattery surveyed the lots of Basil,
and when he was through he asked Father Goss what he was
going to call his town, and he (Goss) decided to leave the
naming of it to his neighbors. My father proposed Basil,
and 'Squire Joseph Hustand proposed Geneva, both Swiss
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 191
names. It was decided to determine by ballot. At this stage
of the case, I, a boy, came along on my return from the old
Hively log school-house, with my copy-book under my arm.
Father told me to write some tickets, which I did, upon a
blank sheet torn from my copy-book. The votes were cast,
and upon counting out from the hat it was found that there
were six for Basil and six for Geneva — a tie. At this point
my uncle, John Goss, came up the hill, when my father said :
"John, vote Basil." He gave the casting vote, and hence
Basil. I was, therefore, the first to write the name of our vil-
lage, Basil. This was in 1825, and therefore these two villages
are a little over fifty years old. Henry Hildebrand was first
proprietor of Baltimore, and Jacob Goss first proprietor of
Basil.
THE FIRST CORN PONE.
A number of our Swiss families, instead of going to the
mouth of Hocking, and up that stream in skiffs, turned up the
Muskingum and came to Zanesville, a nearer and more eligi-
ble route. Among them were the Weber and Erb families.
They laid up a little below Zanesville. In the morning, old
Mother Erb went to a cabin near by to get t^ome milk for their
coffee. She took with her a silver quarter. The woman of
the house had no change. The old lady made motion for her
to let her have a piece of what she took to be an egg-pudding,
which she saw in the skillet. The woman gave her the whole
of it, and she hurried back to the camp with the pudding (?)
in her apron, saying: "Now we will have a nice breakfast."
The pudding was cut, but no one could eat a bite of it. Even
their dog would not touch it. It was a corn pone. But they
got well over that before they were five years older.
CHEAP WHEAT AND CORN.
Joseph Bibler told me only last wreek, when speaking of the
price of grain, after the little farmers had raised more than
they needed, that they would have been glad to have got ten
cents a bushel for their corn, but could not get five cents cash.
At one time he (Bibler) went to Lancaster to see if he
could sell some wheat. A prominent citizen and business
man there, said to him : " I have no use for any wheat now,
but if you will bring it in and empty it into one of these mud-
192 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
holes, so our gentlemen can have a clean and dry walk, I will
give you twelve and a half cents a bushel." I had heard the
story before, but this from my old and reliable friend settled
the question.
CONCLUSION.
Following are the names of the principal pioneers who set-
tled in Liberty Township prior to the year 1812 :
Robert Wilson, Christian Gundy, David Broomback, Francis
Bibler, Jacob Showley, Nicholas Bader, the Erb and Weber
families, Philip Shepler, McCalla, Fairchild, Switzer, Gaster,
Amspach, Giesy, Hiser, Hanna, Minehart, Howser, Hensel,
Apt, Heistand, Alt, Morehead, Bartmess, Cook, Leisteneker,
Finkbone, Heyle, Bader, Black, Hiveley, Eversoles, Farmer,
Shisler, Campbell, Zirkle, Kumler, Leonard, Brown, Sann,
Bolenbaugh, Rouch, Paff, Newel, Blauser, Shriner, Knepper,
Wright, Olinger, Growiler, Kemerer, Sager, Tusing and Soltz.
Respectfully,
Henry Leonard.
RECOLLECTIONS OF MICHAEL LEIST.
CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Michael Laist was born in Clear Creek Township sixty-six
years ago, and has resided within its bounds all his life. The
following are the names of the first settlers of the township, to
the extent that he remembers them.
John Leist (father of Michael) came in 1805. He is well
remembered. He served many years as Justice of the Peace,
and was thirteen times elected to the State Legislature. The
very first settlers of Clear Creek, as Mr. Leist remembers them,
he named as follows — the time of their arrival varying from
1800 to 1810. They settled in different parts of the township:
Martin Smith, Mr. Binhimer, the Fosnaughts (the des-
cendants of the Fosnaughts constitute a large voting force
of the township to this day). John, Nicholas and Daniel Con-
rad came early. Henry and Daniel Conrad, two descend-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 193
ants, are still living, at an advanced age. George Conrad
is still living at the age of 82 years. He was a son of
John Conrad. Daniel has two sons living, and Nicholas
one. George Nigh was a very early settler. His descendants
are all dead. Peter Swineford settled east of John Leist. John
Welsheimer, Mr. Stott, John Starr, Peter Good, Peter Baker,
George Baker. George Stout and Benjamin Chrisman were
among the early settlers of Clear Creek. Mr. Dilsaver built
the first horse-mill in the township. This was a little east of
Stouts ville. George and John Hammel settled a little east of
Dilsaver's. George Augustus was a very early settler. There
were either three or four of the Hedges amongst the first-
comers. They had a numerous progeny, and the family is
still conspicuous in Clear Creek. John Reynolds came very
early. His three sons, Stuart, Thompson and Franklin, are
all dead. Mr. Stukey was among the first pioneers in Clear
Creek Township. Two or three brothers by the name of
Friend came about the same time. Their descendants still
reside in the township. Mr. Spangler was among the first
settlers. Two of his sons are still living, viz. : Jeremiah and
Samuel. Jacob Schumaker, a pioneer, lived and died in Clear
Creek Township. Jonathan Dressback was a very early
settler.
DUTCH HOLLOW CHURCH.
Mr. Leist described the two-story log church, built seventy
years ago. in Dutch Hollow. Among, the preachers who
attended there more or less regularly, were Rev. George Wise,
German Reform ; Rev. Stake, Lutheran ; Rev. Leist and Rev.
Bing.
Mr. Leist also gave an interesting description of the first
school-house and school in Dutch Hollow, near the church.
School was kept there from two to three months in the year.
The back-logs for the fire were drawn in with the log-chain
and horse power, through an opening in the wall opposite the
fireplace, and in very cold days the opening was closed by
banking up the ashes to keep the cold wind out. He learned
to spell by rote from hearing his brothers spell before he knew
a letter of the alphabet. On one occasion he cried because the
13
194 HISTOEY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
master refused to allow him to stand up with the spelling
class ; but to please him, finally he was permitted, and when
the hard words passed along down the class, missed by several,
he spelled them correctly and went up, very much to the
amusement of the school.
The first election for the township was held in a log school
house near its center. The same spot has been the voting
place ever since, and continues to be at this day. George
Valentine was remembered as among the early 'Squires. The
pioneer house-raisings, log-rollings, corn-huskings, rail-maul-
ings, grubbings, quiltings, and the like, were referred to as
things that had been, but that are never to be again. Also, the
old hominy-block, the corn-grater; mills dried up and scarcity
of breadstuffs — the dear old days of peace, and happiness, and
brotherhood.
JOSEPH G. WISEMAN'S LETTER.
WALNUT TOWNSHIP.
New Salem, March 8th, 1877.
Dr. H. Scott — Dear Sir : The note you intended for Charles
Wiseman was placed in my box, there being no man by
that name residing in the neighborhood. Not having come
to this neighborhood until 1818, I have most of my informa-
tion from first settlers.
The first settlement in this neighborhood commenced about
1804, by Samuel Wiseman, Edward Berry, James Miller, John
Miller, John Manly, George Hill, Jacob Cagy, Robert Chal-
fant, Thomas McNaughton, Thomas Watson and John
Goldthwait ; also, the Teals and Stevensons, about the same
time. Thorn Township, then in Fairfield County, now in
Perry, was settled about the same time, by Daniel Snyder,
George Stinchomb, Jacob Hooper, Sr., Jacob Hooper, Jr.,
James Hooper, John Groves, and the Fosters.
INCIDENTS.
James Hooper, coming up one day to look at their land,
heard the sound of an ax to the west, and following the sound,
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 195
came to a man cutting logs for a cabin, his family living in
his wagon in the woods. In answer to the inquiry as to his
name, he answerd, " Samuel Wiseman. " On returning to his
father's cabin, in the Teal settlement, James told his mother
the joyful news, that he had found a neighbor. " What is his
name?" said she. "Samuel Wiseman," James replied.
" Well, " said she, "he has a wise name ; would to God he is a
wise and good man. "
The citizens of Fairfield and Perry counties are indebted to
John Goldthwait for the excellent variety of grafted fruit he
introduced into those counties at an early day. I have vis-
ited fruit-stands in Baltimore, Harrisburg, Philadelphia and
New York, and could find no better fruit than he introduced
sixty-five years ago, in his nursery, two miles west of the
present village of New Salem. Soon after Goldthwait's
orchard began to bear, two lawyers from Lancaster came out
to examine his choice varieties of fruit. Goldthwait was a
peculiar little Yankee, and a strong Federalist. The lawyers
were strong Jefferson Democrats. He showed them his Royal
Russet, Seek-No-Farther, Golden Pippins, Rhode Island
Greenings, and his Federal apples. The lawyers said to him,
" You have shown us your Federal apples, now show us your
Democratic ones. " He said, " Come down this way ; " and
he pointed out a little scrubby tree with a few knotty apples
on. " That, " said he, " is the Democratic apple. "
REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS.
John Manly and George Hill served five years in what was
then called Lee's Legion of Horse, in the Revolutionary war.
Rev. John Wiseman settled in this neighborhood in 1819. He
served two terms in the Revolution, and was with Washing-
ton and Lafayette through the memorable winter at Valley
Forge, while the British were occupying Philadelphia.
Respectfully,
Joseph G. Wiseman.
196 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
STATEMENT OF THOMAS JACKSON, OF BERNE
TOWNSHIP.
My father, William Jackson, came from Frederick County,
Maryland, in 1805, and settled in Berne Township, Fairfield
County. He came over Zane's trace from Wheeling to Lan-
caster. I was four years old. He left his goods at Wheeling,
and came through on horseback, he and my mother, carrying
two or three small children before and behind, as was the cus-
tom then. At Lancaster he met an acquaintance who had
preceded him. His name was Sliger. He took us all to his
cabin, which was two miles south of Lancaster, on the place
which has for many years been known as Clarksburg, from the
name of Joshua Clark, who lived there since, and carried on
the milling business, in connection with which he run a dis-
tillery. My father and Mr. Sliger then rode about the country,
and found an empty cabin on the bank of Pleasant Run, on
the spot now known as the Reuben Shellenbarger place. There
was belonging to the cabin twelve acres of cleared land, on
which the timber was deadened. This was in December. We
moved into the cabin and spent the winter, I do not know
how. In the spring my father planted the twelve acres in
corn, and then returned to Wheeling and brought out his
wagon and little stock of household goods. We remained in
that cabin two years. I cannot remember how we managed
to live. At that time I had one brother and two sisters— I
was the fourth child. My sister Polly married Joseph Sheets.
She is at this time 85 years old, a widow, and living with her
daughter, who is the widow of the late John Grabill, Jr. My
brother John lives near the Colonel Sharp place, below Sugar
Grove, and William lives two miles below Lancaster. My age
is 76 years.
My father then took a lease on the lands of Samuel Shellen-
barger, embracing the place where Reuben Shellenbarger now
lives, and opened a farm. We little fellows had to pick and
burn brush, and worked ver}r hard. Afterwards my father
bought eighty acres of John A. Collins, and moved on it. It
was the same place now owned by the widow of David Huffman.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 197
After the death of my mother, in 1836, father came and lived
on my place, on the east side of Hocking, where he died ahout
fourteen years afterwards.
At my earliest recollection our neighbors were : Mr. Brooks,
father of George, Jacob and John S. Brooks; David Carpenter.
Peter Gundy then lived on the Prindle place, in a hewed log-
house ; William Carpenter lived near the Kuntz mill; Sam'l
Carpenter lived on the Kuntz place, the same that is now the
residence of Thomas H. White, Esq. Mr. Reynolds lived be-
tween the Kuntz mill and Lancaster.
The first school I attended was in a little log-hut near us on
the south, and the teacher was John May; and after him a
Mr. Adison. The next school-house I went to was on the six-
teenth section. It was taught by a man by the name of Sken-
nel. He was a funny Irishman, but was called an excellent
teacher. This was in 1813.
The first religious meetings I remember were held in the
cabins of Gundy and Reynolds, who were Methodists. Among
the preachers that I remember, were Revs. Bright and Jesse
Spurgeon. The Baptists preached at our school-house; and
Lewis Seits, Eli Ashbrook, Mr. Baker and Benjamin Caves
preached there.
We took our grists to Shellenbarger's and Carpenter's
(Kuntz's) mills.
Our nearest neighbor was Mr. Crossen, when we first settled
on the bank of Pleasant Run. It was some years before we be-
gan to have comfortable roads. At first we blazed the trees so
as to go from one house to another. The woods were full of
wild-turkeys, which, when the corn got ripe, came into the
fields and preyed upon it, and it was a part of the duty of the
children to go and scare them away. In the spring and fall
the crows and black-birds were often very destructive to the
cornfields. In the spring they pulled up the little stalks to
get the grain from the root, and in the fall they eat the corn
from the cob when the grains were soft. Raccoons were also
troublesome. We put up scare-crows, and went round the
fields continually to frighten them away. But the greatest
enemies the cornfields had in the fall of the year were the
squirrels, which some years came in such numbers as to abso-
lutely defy our vigilance.
198 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Wolves were numerous. At the sugar-camp they often came
howling around in the night — so near that we could hear the
bushes cracking under their feet, and we threw fire-chunks at
them, which they paid little attention to.
John Carpenter killed a panther one Sunday, when we were
stopping at Sliger's. It was brought to the house, where they
measured it eleven feet from the point of the nose to the tip
of the tail.
Deer were very abundant, and bears more or less. Venison
and wild-turkey meat could be had any time, and they con-
stituted a large part of the living of the early settlers. Turkeys
were caught in pens, and taken with the rifle. A bear was
occasionally killed.
Mrs. Crossen was at one time coming through the woods to
our house, when she discovered a bear in the act of killing a
hog. Mr. Garner and my father, with us little fellows, went
out with the gun and clogs, and soon found the bear. Upon
seeing us approach, he left his prey and climbed up a tree. If
he had had a competent understanding of the range and power
of the rifle in the hands of a back-woods hunter, he would
probably have sought another means of safety. As it was, the
leaden messenger soon brought him lifeless to the ground.
His weight was over three hundred. Wild-cats sometimes
carried off our pigs.
At the time of our settling there, the whole country was in
a wild condition ; a condition of almost unbroken woods. In
the early years breadstuffs sometimes became scarce, and we
grated meal from the first corn that ripened. Mr. Pitcher had
a small raccoon burr-mill, where Green's mill now is, down
Hocking ; and Mr. Crossen had a still-house near where Reuben
Shellenbarger lives.
The good old days of log-rollings, corn-huskings and house-
raisings, and of the social plays of " Sister Phebe," and the
country dance, and nearly everybody that had anything to do
with them, revive gladness in the heart, but are never to be
seen again.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 199
STATEMENT OF JACOB BOPE, OF PLEASANT
TOWNSHIP.
Abraham Bope, father of Gen. Jacob Bope, of this county,
and of Philip Bope, of Lancaster, emigrated from Rocking-
ham, Virginia, in the year 1803, and located six miles north
of Lancaster, in Pleasant Township. His brother, Frederick
Bope, and Henry Ketner accompanied him, and located in the
same neighborhood. It was late in the fall, or beginning of
winter when they arrived, and a camp was erected b)^ the
side of a big log, where they spent the winter. In the spring
a cabin was erected, into which they moved. It is not said
whether the Ketner family shared the winter camp by the big
log, but that is the inference.
In the following fall there came and settled in the same re-
gion John and Benjamin Feemen, Casper Walters and Jacob
Weaver. The second fall after the arrival of the Bopes and
Ketner, a considerable colony came out and settled round in
the same neighborhood.
Mr. Bope, now in his seventy-ninth year, preserves distinct
recollections of the times and incidents of the infant colonies
which were begun there over seventy years ago, and detailed
them with great readiness. ■>.
The Indians, chiefly Wyandots and Delawares, were all
over the country in small hunting squads, often camping near
the cabins of the white settlers. They were harmless, and the
young folks often went out and looked at them while they sung
and danced. The first roads through the settlements were
over blazed paths. The Bopes and Ketner were two days get-
ting from Lancaster out to their destination, having to cut
their way through the thickets. The men of the early settlers
were mostly hunters.
On one occasion Abraham Bope was returning from a hunt,
or possibly from a trip to some neighboring cabin, when night
overtook him before he reached home. He suddenly found
himself surrounded with wolves. He fired upon them, but
failed to scare them away. They seemed to press him, and
200 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
becoming alarmed he clambered up into the top of a sapling
or small tree. He loaded and fired again, but finding that his
unpleasant and most unwelcome com] anions were inclined to
stay by him, he set up a volley of stentorian shouts, which at
last reaching the ears of some of his nearest neighbors, brought
several men to his aid. But the men, on arriving near enough
to communicate with the man up the tree, finding that the
wolves were not inclined to give up their expected prey, they
thought caution the better part of valor, and advised Mr.
Bope to remain in the tree till daylight, when the wolves
would go away. Which advice he took, and found, to his great
joy, that with the disappearance of the darkness the wolves
disappeared also.
A bear was discovered near his house. He took his favorite
old Virginia dog, and his gun, and went to the attack. His
first shot wounded the beast and made him savage. His dog
went in, and was gathered to the embrace of Bruin, who was
about to press the last breath of life out of him, when Mr.
Bope went to his dog's rescue, when the bear instantly drop-
ped the dog and made chase after the man, and was not long
in fastening his teeth in the garments of the frightened hun-
ter. At this moment Mrs. Bope arrived, and perceiving the
state of affairs, advanced on the beast in a menacing attitude,
which seeing, the quadruped released his hold and made for
the gentler sex. There was a hickory-tree close b}?, that had
been broken by a storm, the upper end of the trunk still
resting on the stump twenty feet from the ground, and the
top lying on terra jirma, thus forming an inclined plane of
about forty-five degrees with the perpendicular. Mr. Bope
called to his wife to run for her life; but she being in the
vigor of young womanhood, at once began the ascent of the
angle of forty-five.
The dog by this time recovered his breath, and came again
to the attack ; and in the meantime Mr. Bope had re-loaded,
and now poured in another broadside, without, however, bring-
ing down his game. Bruin placed his back against a tree, in
an upright posture, the better to use his powerful paws; and
while he was thus compelled to turn his head in all direc-
tions from which a deadly foe might be approaching, his
eye caught sight of Ays. Bope snugly perched on the stump
twenty feet above. In an instant he made for the stump, and
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 2 1
began the ascent. And now the finale approached, for Abra-
ham Bope, Esquire, comprehending that from the positions of
all the actors in the drama he was absolute master of the sit-
uation, at once placed a ball in a vital part, and the bear fell
dead at his feet. Seven charges were said to have been
lodged in bis body before he capitulated.
Mr. Jacob Bope said the first school be attended in the new
settlement was German, and taught by Henry Camp. After-
ward an English school was taught in the neighborhood by
Abraham Winters, over on the Newark road. This was pre-
vious to 1810, and when he was eight or ten years of age.
The first preacher he remembered to have heard was the
Rev. Mr. Stake of the Lutheian denomination, and afterward
Rev. Wise, of the German Reform Church. Soon after this
the Methodists and Albrights began their work, and estab-
lished camp-meetings in some parts of the county, holding
them annually.
In their settlement the meetings were held in the cabins
of the settlers.
Everybody bad to work hard, but were contented with what
they had, and far happier, he believed, than the majority of
the people are to-day. Money was seldom seen by anybody,
and it was extremely difficult to pay what little tax was lev-
ied. A majority of the men of the settlement went out in the
war of 1812. Of all those who were of men's age, and entitled
to be called pioneers, and who came into the settlement pre-
vious to 1810, John Zeigler alone is living, at the great age of
ninety-two years.
There was little that could be sold for call. The price of a
day's work, from sunup to sundown, was twenty-five cents,
which was always spoken of then as a " quarter of a dollar. "
Jacob Rope was a carpenter, and often worked at his trade for
fifty cents a day. He referred to the corn-huskings, house-
raisings and log-rollings, and other gatherings and usages of
the pioneer age, and which were the same everywhere, and
need not to be particularized here.
He remembered Lancaster when there were not more than
half a dozen cabins in it. He was a pupil in music of a Mr.
Imhoff, and himself taugbt music when be was sixteen years
old. Mr. Bope served as Captain, Colonel and General in the
Ohio Militia. He spoke at some lengtb of the pioneer man-
202 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNXY, OHIO.
ners and customs, and of the social pastimes and the kindly
relations that existed between all ranks and conditions, when
every one was ready to help his neighbor. And when I re-
peated : " We're boldly marching to Quebec, where the
drums are loudly beating;" and, "As oats, peas, beans and
barley grows," his face dropped at least twenty-five years of its
age.
Thus the past drifts back into the soon-to-be-forgotten, and
to be buried beneath the debris of the dead ages. The merest
inklings, or perhaps it were better to say scintillations, of the
life and times of sixty and seventy years ago, lives to-day in
the recesses of the minds and hearts of the aged. They come
to the eye and the visage when referred to in speech, or song,
or tune ; but with the exception of here and there a breast, no
responsive chord is struck. But to the man or woman who
lived on the frontier threescore, or threescore and ten years
ago, there is no joy on earth so sweet as these reminiscences
that come floating through the inward thoughts like angel-
whispers, of childhood and youth's first young loves. and inno-
cence. There we can go for consolation, and live with our
own dear associations, when the present has nothing clear for
us. It is the priceless boon which thieves cannot steal, and
which none but ourselves can participate in.
The first death, Mr. Bope said, that occurred in their settle-
ment, that he could recall, was that of his grandfather Bope,
which took place soon after they came. He said he was a very
good man, and always prayed with the children every night
before they went to bed. There are four of Abraham Bope's
children living — Jacob and Philip, and two daughters.
Daniel Arnold built the first mill. It was on Fetter's Run.
Jacob Weaver built the first still-house ; it stood on the land
now owned by Philip Watson, adjoining the Bope farm. The
first wool they had carded into rolls was done where Baltimore
now is. Name of the owner of the carding machine not re-
membered.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 203
STATEMENT OF WILLIAM MURPHY, OF WALNUT
TOWNSHIP.
My father, William Murphy, came from Virginia in about
'1800, and settled in the north part of what is now Walnut
Township, one mile south-east of the present village of Mil-
lersport. Two brothers came with him and settled in the same
neighborhood — Edward and Benjamin. My grandfather, Wil-
liam Murphy, was also of the same company. My uncle Ed-
ward afterwards went further east and settled one mile west
of the present village of Rushville.
At the time of the arrival of our family there, the whole
country wis unbroken and uninhabited, savj by wild beasts
and roving bands of Indians. James Homer bought the
lands lying between our settlement and where Millersport is.
Soon after our settlement my father's cabin became a preach-
ing place, and the Rev. James Quinn, of the Methodist
denomination, was one of the preachers who held meetings
there. At this time, June 1877, not one of the original pio-
neers is living.
The first school I remember was in 1824. It was kept in a
little log-pen, with the usual log-cabin fixtures of that time.
John Griffith was the first teacher I went to. He was fol-
lowed by John Granthum in the same house. There were no
female teachers employed at that time ; at least not in that
neighborhood.
The first mill I went to was on Licking Creek, and stood on
the borders of the present town of Newark. It was owned by
John Buskirk. Newark was then a log-cabin village. My
father took his grain to the mill in a wagon with wooden wheels
called " truck-wheels." They were made by sawing off, with a
cross-cut saw, sections of a very large oak tree, of the thickness
of about four inches, with holes made in the center for the
axle-tree. If they were not kept well greased, the creaking
they caused when in motion could sometimes be heard a mile
or more. He generally drove a four-horse team to his truck-
wasron.
204 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
I was not familiar with the wildest condition of the country,
only through the representation of m}^ parents and others.
My father killed a panther on the Muddy Prairie, where
Amanda now is. He killed sixty-three wolves and received
bounties for their scalps from the State. Of raccoons, foxes
and wild-cats, he killed six hundred, with also about six hun-
dred muskrats. He took the skins to Winchester, Virginia,
on pack-horses, realizing for them money enough to enter
three quarter-sections of land, embracing the farm on which I
now live. He likewise traded extensively with the Indians
for their peltries. The Indians got the impression that he
had cheated them, and on one occasion when they returned to
the neighborhood he kept himself hid until they went away,
though they made no attempt to disturb him.
STATEMENT OF THOMAS CHERRY, OF WALNUT
TOWNSHIP.
My age is seventy-nine years. I came to this neighborhood
about 1810, and have lived here ever since. At the time I
came the settlers in this region were :
William Hane, Samuel Crawford, Andrew Crager, James
Homes, William Bowman, William Murphy, Mathias Miller,
William Pugh, Henry Eversole. This was in 1810. Soon af-
ter came Abel Williams, Peter Hauer and David Keller.
When the war of 1812 came on, a great many from the set-
tlement went into the service.
The first death that occurred in the neighborhood after I
came was that of Samuel Crawford, and the next that I can
remember was Andrew Crager. The first marriages after I
came were Lydia and Jane Cherry ; Lydia married Robert
White, and Jane married Robert Mc Arthur.
Nearly every man in the country owned a good gun, and a
great many of them were hunters. All kinds of wild game
abounded in the forests. William Murphy and William Bow-
man were distinguished hunters.
At one time William Murphy heard that Indians were
about, and he kept himself out of the waj', for he had heard
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 205
that they charged him with cheating them, and he was afraid
of them. But nothing ever came of it.
Squirrels, crows and black-birds destroyed the corn so fear-
fully that it was difficult some years to save enough for bread.
Raccgons, likewise, often caused a scarcity by preying upon the
corn when it was in roasting-ears.
I killed a bear where Millersport stands. I had to shoot
him five times before he gave in. At my last shot, he was com-
ing at me with extended mouth, hut my ball took effect, and,
I believe, saved my life. I killed fifty odd deer in one winter,
four of them in a single day. I caught a great many foxes by
the chase. I could walk several miles and roll logs all day,
and then walk home at night and not feel much tired.
At one time I took my breakfast at home, and then walked
thirty miles to Columbus, or rather to Franklinton, and took
dinner at two o'clock. When I first visited the site of the
present Columbus, it was all in woods. At one time when
there was a general squirrel-hunt, my brother Nathaniel killed
eighty-four in one day.
I have owned a great deal of property, and lost it all. I
never sued a man in my life, and was never sued.
My father died in 1863, and my mother two years before
that. I had four brothers, all residing in Walnut Township,
and all died in the township. Their names were : John, Na-
thaniel, William and James; and five sisters: Lydia, Jane,
Betsy, Rosanna and Mary. Four of my sisters were buried
here, and one near Chillicothe. I was the third in age, and
am the only one living.
When I came here the site of Millersport was a thick woods.
The village was laid off by Mathias Miller.
The "Big Reservoir" was a marsh. The upper end of it
was a lake and a cranberr}?-marsh. It was called " the lake. **
It became the reservoir when the Ohio Canal was made.
During the early days and years of the settlement, the peo-
ple lived very much on wild meat, particularly venison and
wild-turkey, and on corn-bread, vegetables and rye-coffee.
They also made use of spice-wood and sassafras teas. Milk
and butter were always plenty. When cows and horses were
turned out to graze in the woods, bells were put on them to
make it easy to find them. They seldom strayed far away.
206 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELDCOUNTY, OHIO.
The women spun and made all the family clothing, and the
shoes were made by the men of the settlement, a few of whom
were shoemakers. There were small tan-yards that furnished
the leather. We dressed deer-skins and made pantaloons of
them. We had hatters who made wool and fur-hats. In sum-
mer we went barefoot, and got our shoes about Christmas.
RECOLLECTIONS OF MRS. MARY RADIBAUGH, OF
GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP.
I came from Berks County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1805,
and settled in Fairfield County, at first fourteen miles down
Hocking, then in Pleasant Township, and afterwards in Green-
field, where I have been residing thirty-six years. My father
was Jacob Zeller Radibaugh. He died in Greenfield Town-
ship in 1841. Of those who came out with our family from
Pennsylvania, were: Benjamin Boucher, Frederick Klinger,
and their families. They both settled down Hocking, within
Fairfield County, and are both dead. There were but few cabins
in Lancaster when we came. It was all a wild wilderness
country. Our neighbors down Hocking were Mr. Watts and
John Zeller. In Pleasant we lived in the Ewing settlement.
My husband's father was George Radibaugh. He owned the
farm now belonging to William Rigby, joining Frederick Seitz
on the south.
The elder Radibaughs who lived in Pleasant were Nicholas
and George. They settled there previous to 1810. They have
both deceased, and their descendants are largely represented
in the county.
Down Hocking we lived in a small log-cabin that had oiled
paper for window-lights. Newspapers were often used for
that purpose, and hog's-lard and bear-grease for oiling them.
We had no mills very near us, and the small ones, that were
some distance away, often failed for want of water, so that
breadstuff's were sometimes very scarce. Sometimes several
weeks passed when scarcely anybody in the whole neighbor-
hood had a pound of meal or flour. ,In these times of scarcity
we used pounded hominy and vegetables. Nearly every cabin
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 207
had its hominy-block. Venison and wild-turkey meat were
always plenty.
The Indians often came about, but we were not afraid of
them, and they never disturbed anybody. Wild animals of
all kinds were plenty.
The first wedding I attended was Mary Cisco to Jas. Philips.
The next was my own, in 1811. The first death which occurred
in the neighborhood was that of Adam Sellers, a small boy.
The first religious meetings that were held in our neighbor-
hood down Hocking, were held at my father's cabin by the
United Brethren. My father was a Brethren preacher. I am
82 years old. The early settlers of Fairfield County that I
knew have all passed away.
RECOLLECTIONS OF JACOB SHEAFFER, OF MADISON
TOWNSHIP.
His father, Samuel Sheaffer, came from York County, Penn-
sylvania, in company with Christly Stalter and George Dush,
and settled in Madison Township in the year 1802, and when
Jacob was seven years old. He has lived on the same place
ever since, and is now eighty-three years of age. They came
in wagons all the way— came by Wheeling, and from there
over Zane's trace to Lancaster. Lancaster at that time was
all forest trees, with the exception of a few rude log-cabins.
They stopped over night threp miles west, at the place since
known as Sheaffer s tavern.1' There was a cabin there, occu-
pied by a man named Swygart. From there they followed
the trace to near where Amanda is, then turned south a few
miles, and stoped on the same section of land where Jacob
now lives. Stalter and Dush built their tents within a couple
of miles. On the route between Zanesville and Lancaster
there Avere at that time not over three or four cabins. The
Swygart cabin and the Leathers House were the only struc-
tures between Lancaster and where they stopped, on Clear
Creek.
203 HISTORY OF FAIEFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
At the time of the arrival of this colony of three families
in Madison Township, or what is now Madison Township,
there had already preceded them Martin Landis, Sr., Mike
Shellenbarger, Nathan Owens, Peter Prough, the father of
Mathew, John, William, Robert and Joseph Young, who lived
one mile east of where Mr. Sheaffer stopped, and a Mr. Hun-
ter, who lived a little east.
They first went to Isaac Sheaffer's, and the men went over
and built a cabin, cutting out a single log for an entrance,
through which the family crawled, on their arrival. The
first winter was spent in it without so much as a chink in
one of the cracks. There was no other floor than Mother
Earth. The fire was built in one corner of the cabin. They
at once began the work of clearing off some land for a corn-
field, and during that winter, Mr. Sheaffer testified, he be-
lieved they were the happiest people in the world.
Subsequent to the arrival of these families, there came and
settled in the adjacent region, George Buzzard, old Mr. Stal-
ter, John, Nicholas and Daniel Conrad, Abram Sheaffer,
father of the late Joel Sheaffer, and a Mr. Wolf. During the
following ten or fifteen years the township filled up rapidly.
Mr. Sheaffer's father hired him to Martin Landis, Sr., for
three dollars a month. He said he could not keep himself in
clothes at such wages, and before he would be compelled to do
so he would run away. Landis told his father, and he said,
" Send him home." To satisfy him and keep him at home,
his father gave him a horse, saddle and bridle, and he was
satisfied.
The first mill in the township was built very early, by
Charles Friend. Samuel Sheaffer, father of the narrator, put
up a small distillery early after his arrival. Drinking men
came there, and it caused a good deal of disturbance.
The first school of the settlement was taught by one Richard
Clark. The first remembered death, after the arrival of the
Sheaffers, was that of George Lusk and child. The first mar-
riage remembered was George Prough to Barbara Shoemaker.
The Indians, he said, were their best friends and neighbors.
Mr. Sheaffer said the first vote he cast was for James Monroe,
for President.
The Menose were the first religious society spoken of. They
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 209
met at the Leathers House, and held their meetings in the
bar-room.
For a great many years there was very little the farmers
could raise that would bring cash. But the taxes had to be
paid, and it was often very difficult to scrape up what little
money was required for that purpose.
At first it was necessary to blaze the trees in order to go from
one point to another with safetj', for the country was literally
a wilderness — a trackless desert. In one instance the trees
were blazed between the cabin and the litte cornfield; and
also to a branch of water where they went to water the stock,
though the distance was in one case but a quarter of a mile,
and in the other half a mile.
The settlers made all their own clothing, on domestic
wheels and looms. Every house had its hominy-block. There
was in the neighborhood a hand-mill, where people went and
ground their own corn. The black-birds and crows were very
destructive to the corn, both in spring and fall; but the
squirrels and raccoons were far more so. The first salt was
brought from the Scioto works, and cost four and five dollars a
bushel, which was fifty pounds. Pack-saddles were used.
Almost everything was transported on horseback, for the want
of wagon-roads.
RECOLLECTIONS OF JOHN CROOK, OF BERNE
TOWNSHIP.
I am a son of William Crook, for a long time a citizen of
Berne Township. My father came from Henry County, Vir-
ginia, in 1805, and settled in Berne Township, on the farm
now owned by George Huffman, two miles south-east of Lan-
caster. My grandfather, Ephriam Crook, came out first and
lived on the same place. My father had six brothers, who
also preceded him to this county, all residing in the same
neighborhood. They are all deceased.
My father served as Sheriff of Fairfield County, and also as
Justice of the Peace for many years, besides other positions of
14
210 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHTO.
trust. He was in the war of 1812. He went out as a Major,
and was promoted to the rank of Colonel. He died at his
home in Berne Township, in about 1855.
At my earliest recollection our neighbors were Thomas
Stone, Emanuel Carpenter, Sr., David Carpenter, William
Carpenter, Israel Carpenter, Emanuel Carpenter, Jr., John
Carpenter (John Carpenter was the father of Mrs. John Van
Pearce), Jacob Vanmeter, John Vanmeter, James Pearce,
Abraham Ream, Jacob Ream. Sampson, William, Absalom, '
Abram and George Ream were sons of Abraham Ream. Jacob
Ream had two sons— Philip and Jacob. Peter Sturgeon was
one of the earliest settlers. Abram Walker, Nicholas Crawfish
and James Mumford were also early settlers of Berne Town-
ship. Mr. Jackson, father of Thomas Jackson, Esq., and
grandfather of John D. Jackson, of Lancaster, came at a very
early day. The father of the late Judge Joseph Stukey and
Samuel Stukey was likewise an early comer.
The first mill that I can remember was the Eckert mill. It
was built by the father of Jacob Eckert, who was the father of
George and Henry Eckert. The mill was built on Hocking,
one mile above the Ream mill. The Ream mill was built a
little later. The Kuntz mill was perhaps built first. The
Shellenbargar mill was built by Samuel and Henry Shellen-
barger. Samuel Shellenbarger was the father of the present
Reuben Shellenbarger.
The first school I went to was on the land now owned by Mr.
Prindle, two miles below Lancaster. John Adison was the
teacher. This was in about 1809. He was a humorous man.
On one occasion I lost my book, and did not find it until the
next day. He asked me where I found it. I told him I found
it in the bush. After that, when I went up to say my lesson, he
would lay his hand on my head and say good-naturedly : "This
is the boy that found his book in the bush." Hocking H.
Hunter afterwards taught in that house, and also a Mr. Bur-
rows.
The first funeral Lean remember was that of my mother,
who died in 1813.
The Presidential election of 1828 was held where the fulling-
mill of James R. Pierce is, on the sixteenth section, and after-
wards at the house of Henry Ozenbaugh, who was also one of
the early settlers of Berne Township.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 211
We lived at first in a little log-cabin in the woods. It had
but one room, which was parlor, sitting-room, bed-room and
kitchen for the whole family. The trees were deadened, and
the underbrush cleared off, and the logs rolled and burned, and
the corn was raised in among the trees. The rails to fence in
the fields were for the most part made from trees cut down on
the clearing. (The clearing was the ground in process of
being prepared for the plow).
I knew one man who hauled his back-logs into the house
with a horse and log-chain. His fireplace was nearly the full
width of his cabin.
M}r mother used to spread a bed before the fire in cold
weather, and five or six of us little folks would lie down
in a row, with our feet towards the fire. This was made
necessary by the scarcity of beds and bed-clothes.
Dances and country plays were practiced by the young peo-
ple. There were little or no distinctions among the people ;
every well-behaved person was as good as anybody else.
Money made no difference then, for we did not have enough of
it to get up an aristocracy upon. Of one thing I am sure —
everybody then had better manners than they have now ; and
there was real friendship and sociability amongst all classes.
Everybody was ready to help each other whenever help was
needed. And I think everybody was honester than now— a
man's woid was worth something. I love to think of those
good days, departed never again to return. Our associations,
and loves, and friends, are.nearly all lost in the now fast-grow-
ing dim vista of the past, and we can only strain our eyes to-
wards the better land, where, by faith, we expect to meet
them all again.
There is scarcely anything left of the wilderness state of
this country seventy years ago.
RECOLLECTIONS OF MORDECAI FISHBAUGH, OF
VIOLET TOWNSHIP.
I came from Baltimore County, Maryland, in the year 1812,
and settled in violet township, three miles east of Picker-
ington, and on the same spot where I now reside. My age is
212 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
ninety years. When I arrived here I found living in the
vicinity, or at least within the township, Michael Kraner,
Alexander Donald, Philip Ebright, Andrew Peck, James
Bight, Edward Rickets, George Fenstermaker, Henry Hunt-
work, John Bowser, Frederick Showers, Jacob Growlej^, John
Chaney and Thomas Homes. Of all these, and several others
who lived in the township at that time, John Chaney and
myself are the only ones now living. My brother, Acquilla,
came out with me, and we purchased jointly half a section of
land.
When we settled down here we were in the midst of wild
woods in every direction. We cleared off the ground and put
up little cabins, and then began the work of clearing some
land for cornfields. To be able to find our way through the
settlement from one point to another, we made blazes on the
trees by peeling or hewing some bark from both sides ; and
these blazes were followed until beaten tracks were formed.
As occasion required we cut out wagon-roads. There was a
wagon-road that passed half a mile east of us, over which the
army of the war of 1812 passed. This was in 1813. It was a
cold winter, and we could hear the army wagons passing day
and night, and could hear the shouts of the drivers.
Upon our first settlement the wolves howled around us day
and night. There were also panthers, bears, and wild-cats in
the woods ; wild-turkeys were in vast flocks in every section
of the country, and flocks of them would come up to the rear
of our cabin and look in through the little window. I have
shot them through the window. We could have wild-turkey
and deer-meat whenever we wanted.
My brother Henry died two years subsequent to my arrival.
His was the first funeral I remember in the settlement.
Jacob Nepper had a mill at that time, two miles from my
cabin, on Little Walnut, and Solomon Barts had one on Poplar
Creek, a little farther up the country. A man named Don-
alson had a still-house three miles south of me, at the place
now known as Waterloo.
Almost every little place had a peach-orchard, more or less.
The natural seedling peach was all that was known at that
early day. The crop seldom failed, and there were peaches in
great abundance almost every year ; large quantities of them
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 213
were hauled to the still-houses and converted into peach-
brandy.
The Methodists had a society in the settlement, but there
was no meeting-house; the meetings were held in the cabins
of the settlers. In 1816 I married Isabella McDonald. She
was the mother of my children, and died in 1870, in the
month of June.
The first taxes I paid in Fairfield County was two or three
dollars a year. My land was not taxed for five years. after I
entered it. This was provided for in the patent. Money was
hard to come at, and there was very little the farmers pro-
duced that would bring it, for we had no market and no way
to get our little surplus out of the country. What little
money we had was almost entirely silver, and much of it was
cut money. The men soon learned to make five "quarters"
out of a Spanish dollar, and five "ninepences" out of a half-
dollar, or five " fipenybits " from a twenty-five-cent piece.
In harvest times the price of a daj^'s work was fifty cents, or
a bushel of wheat. Log-rollings, corn-huskings, and house-
raisings were universal all over the county. One spring I
rolled logs thirty days in succession, and I can't remember now
how I got my own work done, but we all got along somehow.
The elections were then, and have been ever since, held at
Pickerington. In the war of 1812 a great many went as
soldiers. A good many of them did not live to get home.
When we came out from Maryland, we traveled in wagons
by the way of Wheeling, and over Zane's trace to Lancaster.
There was a tavern then on the Schseffer corner, in Lancaster,
but I cannot remember who kept it. We came from Lancaster
to Michael Kraner's in one day, which was considered extra-
ordinary for the kind of roads we had to pass over.
Lancaster was then a village of log-cabins, with perhaps the
exception of two or three small brick buildings.
I have three sons and five daughters living. Timothy Fish-
baugh, of Lancaster, and at present County Recorder, is my
second son. I have lived to see Violet Township become
wealthy, populous and well cultured. I was thirteen years old
when I landed in Violet Township, and have lived on the
same place sixty-five years. Have never returned to Mary-
land since I first came away.
214 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
RECOLLECTIONS OF GEORGE HARMON, OF VIOLET
TOWNSHIP.
My father, Frederick Harmon, came from Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1800, and settled five miles
east of the present city of Lancaster. There were seven fami-
lies emigrated in the same company, viz.: My father, Lewis
and Christ Bonsey, George Henry, John Miller, Jacob Fox,
Debolt Macklin ; and all settled in the same neighborhood.
We came in a fiat-boat from a point on the Manongahela to
the mouth of the Scioto. There the boat was abandoned, and
the little stock of household goods and farming implements
placed on two or three wagons, and the journey up the Scioto,
through the wilderness, began. A road had to be cut most of
the route. Myself, with most of the others, walked the greatest
part of the way. A number of days were required in coming
as far as the Pickaway Plains, above Chillicothe. From the
plains to Lancaster the journey was made in two days.
When we arrived on the Hocking, and crossed over, we found
on the site where Lancaster now stands, not over one or two
cabins; all besides was a forest, with ponds of water and
swales passing over it. We encamped that night on the spot^
as I subsequently found, where the old Court-house was after-
wards built. On the following day we continued our journey
to the point of our destination, which was the place since
known as the Harmon settlement, in Pleasant Township.
My father and two or three others had been out the previous
year and selected the spot, and built two or three small cabins.
During their sojourn there, in 1799, the Indians stole my
father's horse, and he was compelled to walk all the distance
back to Westmoreland County. The horse, by some means, got
away from the Indians, and was recovered the following fall in
the vicinity of Marietta, having been recognized by a brand
on his shoulder.
Subsequently the Indians stole two horses from a settler.
The owner found them at an Indian camp near Rushville, and
demanded them. The Indians shook their heads. The man
insisted, when an Indian came out and circled a butcher-knife
around his head, and he was obliged to leave. The next morn-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 215
ing he returned with a posse of his neighbors, armed with rifles.
The Indians still refused to let the horses go, whereupon the
men pointed their guns at them and told the man to go and
untie his horses, which he did, and there the matter ended.
All around us was a wilderness. There were a few families
over on Ewing's Run, and on Fetter's Run, and down on Rush
Creek. A man by the name of Lynch had opened a small tan-
yard where Baldwin's brick house stands, two miles north-east
of Lancaster. Jacob Harmon had a cabin where East Lancas-
ter is. He was not of our fafnily. I was eight years old when
we came to Fairfield County. I am eighty-five years and six
months now.
In 1815 I married Sarah Cramer, whose parents lived in Vi-
olet Township, north of the present town of Winchester.
Her father owned a considerable body of land there, and I set-
tled on that portion of it which fell to my wife, and have
lived on it ever since, or sixty-two years.
There were no roads through the settlement — that is, no es-
tablished roads; but we got up petitions and had them located
and opened. At the time of my marriage there had not been
a stick cut on my wife's land. I at once built a cabin and
moved into it, and went to work to clear out fields.
At the time of my settlement here, my neighbors might be
mentioned as, George Long, Peter Robnold, Jacob Algire,
John Algire, William Stevenson, Greenberry Ashley, Jona-
than Looker, Michael Cramer, Mr. McArthur and old Father
Cramer.
The Methodists and United Brethren had societies in the
neighborhood, and held their meetings in the cabins of the
settlers. Newcomer and Troxel were Brethren preachers.
At an early day I went to a mill north of Columbus for my
grinding, and to Zanesville for salt. Our place of election was
where Pickerington is. The woods everywhere abounded with
wolves, wild-cats, wild-turkeys, with occasional bears and pan-
thers, though the settlements had been forming for several
years. There was a woman who went into the woods to look
for her cows ; she was absent too long, and the men went in
search of her. They found the body partly devoured. She
had been killed by a panther, as was believed, for the men
saw it in the act of running away from her. One of her arms
216 HISTOKY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
was eaten off, and other parts of her body were more or less
mutilated.
There was a usage in our settlement, which, 1 believe, was
common in the new country during the pioneer age — it was
that of blowing horns in the night, in case of accidents or dis-
tress of any kind where help was needed. The blast of the
horn in the night never failed to bring the nearest neighbors.
During the war of 1812 I drove a wagon on the frontier. I
was out several times, and received for my services a land-
warrant. Our lands were entered at the land-office in Chilli-
coth'e. It was Congress land, and the price was two dollars an
acre.
Wild bees were plenty. Bee-trees could be found every-
where, and any one who found a tree had the right to cut it
down, for timber was not regarded as of much value. It was
rather an incumbrance.
My taxes then was two dollars and fifty cents. I have
since paid one hundred dollars, which I could raise more
easily than I could sometimes raise the little sum of the early
times.
I have six sons and two daughters living. The descend-
ants of the»early settlers of Violet Township, with few excep-
tion, are still living in the township. Lithopolis was a vil-
lage when I settled here, in 1815, but there was no other vil-
lage at the time in Bloom Township.
I am the oldest son of my father, Frederick Harmon, and the
only one living. My brother Frederick died about two years
ago, at the old place in Pleasant Township.
RECOLLECTIONS OF DANIEL CRUMLY, OF BLOOM
TOWNSHIP.
My father, Christian Crumly, came from Pennsylvania in
1802 or 1803, and settled in Bloom Township, one mile south
of Greencastle, on the head of the Hocking river. He had
previously entered 'land, and in settling down in the first
place, he supposed he was on his own land, but after living a
year or two in his first cabin, he made the discovery that he
HISTOEY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 217
was on the wrong land, when he abandoned his cabin and
moved over on the other side of the stream, which was on the
west side. On this place he lived until the time of his death,
which was in the year 1856, if my memory is correct.
At my earliest recollection, our neighbors were the follow-
ing families, as near as my memory serves me. There may
have been a few that I cannot recall, probably not many :
Father Courtright, who was the father of Jesse, Abram and
John Courtright; Daniel Glick, John Ritter, Mr. Bright,
Horatio Clark, Mr. Alspaugh, who was the father of George,
John, Henry and Jacob Alspaugh ; John Solt, Mr. Roler, the
grandfather of Henry and Elijah Roler, now living ; Peter
Lamb, father of the present Peter Lamb, of Bloom Township;
John Swartz, Father Elias Swartz, still of Bloom ;.Mr. Thrash,
father of Eli Thrash ; Rev. Mr. Bennadum, father of Philip
and Peter Bennadum ; Mr. Morehart, father of John and Chris-
tian Morehart; Martin Bogart, Mr. Crites, father of John
Crites, late of Bloom Township; Simon Crites, father of Sam-
uel Crites, still of Bloom Township ; Mr. Homrighouse, father
of John, William and PhilipHomrighouse ; Hugh Scott, father
of James Scott, and father-in-law of F. A. Boving, of Lancaster ;
Mr. Mesmore, George Crowley, James Donaldson, Mr. Gordon,
Henry Leaphart, John Fellows, father of Joshua Fellows, still
of Bloom Township, and father-in-law of Coonrod Crumley, of
Hocking Township; Frederick Fellows, father of Coonrod Fel-
lows, at present of Bloom.
Frederick Baugher was proprietor of Lithopolis, which he
laid off in about 1815. An addition to the town was after-
ward made by Solomon Baugher. The place was at first
named Centerville.
A Presbyterian Church was established there at a very early
day, and later by the Methodists and Lutherans. The first
church built in Bloom Township was the Glick Church —
Lutheran and German Reform.
Abram Haines was a very early settler of the township, and
is still living. Mr. Needels, father of B. J. Needels, still of
the township, was also among the first settlers. Daniel Hay
was the father of Isaac Hay, who still resides on the home-
place. Adam Snyder was an early settler.
Our first mill was the rock-mill. The first structure there
218 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
was built by Loveland .& Smith, and was set low down
among the rocks. The grists were taken in at the gable-end
and let down to the hopper with ropes, and then raised to the
level by the same means.
The first still-house in Bloom Township, that I can remem-
ber, was built by J. D. Courtright. It was at the Stump
Spring, between Lancaster and Greencastle. The first school
I attended was in a little log-cabin on the bank of the Hock-
ing. It had oiled paper for window-lights.
The wolves came in a large flock around our smoke-house,
in the night, and the conch shell was blown to frighten them
awav.
RECOLLECTIONS OF THEODORE MURPHY, OF
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
I am the third son of Edward Murphy, who settled one
mile west of West Rushville, in the year 1802. I was born on
the farm where I now live, the same where my father first
settled. My father came from Virginia, in 1798, returned in
1799, and with his father and brothers moved to Fairfield
County in 1800, settling in the north part of Walnut Town-
ship, near the present village of Millersport.
My father intended to enter the land since known as the
Buchanan farm, and started to Chillicothe for that purpose,
with his saddle-bags full of silver. On the way he met Mr.
Buchanan, who had preceded him, and had already made the
entry.
My mother's father first entered the section where I now
live ; his name was John Murphy. There were Indians on
the tract before he made the entry. One of them showed him
five springs on the section, and he marked the spots by toma-
hawking the trees. The springs are all still running.
My father kept a little tavern. It sometimes happened that
so many men stopped for a night's lodging, that it was impos-
sible to give them all beds, and straw was spread down for
them to sleep on. Sometimes every room was full.
The Indians often came to our house for something to eat ;
they were fond of salt, and always wanted the half of what
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 219
was produced. If it was a bushel, they would not be satisfied
without a half-bushel. My mother coming to understand this,
adopted the plan of producing a tinful, and then they would
always go away with half a tinful. She was always afraid of
the Indians, and on one occasion when my father had gone to
Chillicothe to mill, to be gone over night, she took her chil-
dren and dog and went into the fodder-house and remained
till morning. To keep the dog from barking, she kept him
by her with her hand on him ; and for fear the baby would
cry, she kept it constantly at the breast. She, however, had
never been molested by them.
My mother raised five children of her own, and, in addition,
thirty-two orphans. She never failed, when a mother died
and left small children that were not provided for, to take one
or more of them. A woman named Batson -died, and mj'
mother took four of the children, and I, having a family of
my own, took two of them off her hands. She raised Joe
Blanchard, colored barber of Lancaster.
I have seen fifty or more men and boys at a corn-husking at
night. It was the custom for a lot of girls to be stationed in
the rear of the huskers to take back the husks — some with
rakes, and others using their arms. It was the privilege of
the boys, when they found a red ear, to take a kiss, a custom
also understood by the girls, and no sooner was the red ear
brought to light than the lucky finder would break for his
girl. This, together with carrying the husks, was the occa-
sion of a good deal of sport. [The writer remembers the cus-
tom, and has often participated in itj.
STATEMENT OF JOHN COURTRIGHT, OF BLOOM
TOWNSHIP.
My mother was a sister of the late Walter McFarland, of
Greenfield Township. She came with her father, William
McFarland, to this county in 1799, and settled first on Hooker's
Prairie, four miles north- west of Lancaster. Her father in-
tended to enter the land where the Hookers live, but there
were two men who claimed it by tomahawk-right, and he
220 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
went and entered the land where Walter McFarland after-
ward lived and died.
William McFarland had two sons — John and Walter. John
was the father of William, Robert and Walter McFarland, late
of Greenfield Township, and Walter was the father of John
McFarland, now of Greenfield.
About two years after the arrival of the McFarlands, Abra-
ham Van. Courtright, my grandfather, came into the county,
and settled near what is now known as the Betser Church,
two miles south of Lockville. He did not remain there long
before he bought land and moved over in the vicinity of the
present village of Greencastle, where he died fifty-one or two
years ago, or about the year 1S25. His three sons — John,
Jesse and Abraham Courtright, settled in the same neighbor-
hood, where they are all buried. John settled two and a half
miles south of Greencastle ; Jesse lived in Greencastle, where
he deceased many years since. My father, Abraham Court-
right, bought a place from a Mr. V andemark, one mile east of
Greencastle, on the old Columbus road, upon which he lived
many years, and died at a ripe old age.
RECOLLECTIONS OF JOHN IRIC, OF BERNE
TOWNSHIP.
My father, Jacob Iric, came from Maryland in 1805, and
stopped first in Lancaster, when it was a cluster of log-
cabins among the trees and stumps, interspersed with ponds
and swales. He did not remain but a short time before he,
in connection with his father, a man then in middle life,
bought land two miles south of Lancaster, erected a little
cabin on it, and moved in. There he lived until the time of
his death in 1859, at a ripe old age.
They were unable to meet the deferred payments, and
the land was forfeited at the land-office at Chillicothe. My
father then went to work with energy, and, by hard labor and
careful saving, accumulated money enough to redeem the land,
when my grandfather deeded him the half of one hundred and
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 221
fifty-three acres. My grandfather died before my recollection.
My mother died in about 1861.
At my first recollection our neighbors, in part, were General
David Reece, Martin Baker, Mr. Pannebaker, near the Kuntz
mill ; the Carpenters and the Shellenbargers. All these were
very early settlers.
My mother was a daughter of Michael Hensel, who lived on
Rush Creek. He came out one year before my father,, or in
1804. Mr. Hensel and his wife died a little more than thirty
years ago. Mrs. John U. Giesy was a sister of my mother.
William and George Crook, brothers, married two of the
Hensel girls. There was but one brother. He moved up to
Big Walnut, and I believe is not living.
The first school I went to was near the present Prindle
farm — a little log structure with paper windows. It was in
the woods. A Mr. Myres, William McAboy, and Paul Carpen-
ter taught in it; and previously, and before I went there,
Hocking H. Hunter was the teacher.
Religious meetings by the Lutherans and German Reformeis
were held in the cabins of settlers, and in school-houses.
Revs. Stake and Wise were the preachers.
There were Indians about when I was a small boy. I do
not know whether the people were afraid of them, but I can
remember that the men used to carry their guns and shot-
pouches with them when they went to meeting, though the
precaution was probably more on account of wild animals.
Almost every man was a hunter. A great many bears were
killed; and deer and wild-turkeys could be taken at any time
with very little trouble, for the woods were full of them.
The first mill my father and his neighbors went to was
Crouse's, near Chillicothe. Afterwards little raccoon burr-
mills and horse-mills were built near us, and in different parts
of the county.
The men of our settlement sometimes went as far as twelve
miles, and more, to help put up cabins, and to roll logs, and to
give other assistance to the settlers. The country was wild and
new, and everybody had to work hard and live hard for many
years until the lands became improved and the facilities
for getting a living increased. I have heard my father say
that he and his family experienced six weeks at one time
when they had very little else to live on than boiled turnips.
222 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
They built a turkey pen7 in which more than two hundred
turkeys were caught. I heard my father say that he bated the
pen, and sat hid near by and saw them flock round it by the
dozen ; some of them would go in through the trench. One
time he ran from his hiding-place to the pen, and found seven
turkeys inside, which he secured. At another time he was
loading corn in the wagon, and while he was at work on one
side the turkeys were on the other pecking the ears. He tried
to kill them by throwing ears- of corn at them, but failed.
Nelsy Robinson and Lawrence Beck were married by Rev.
Stake, about the year 1820. I was told that old Father Ream,
father of Sampson and George Ream, and Henry Shellen-
barger, died about 1812. Henry Rudolph, who I think was
the father of Peter Rudolph, of Sugar Grove, died about the
same time.
I heard my father say his tax was two or three dollars, at
an early day, and that he had hard work to raise that amount.
I am sixty years old, and live on my father's old place,
where I was born. I have three brothers" and one sister
living;.
CONTRIBUTION OF THOMAS COLE, OF AMANDA
TOWNSHIP.
Royalton, March loth, 1877.
Dr. H. Scott— Dear Sir: At your request I send you the
following items pertaining to Toby Town, and the early set-
tlers of Amanda Township : Toby Town was the name of an
Indian village situated in what is now Bloom Township, sec-
tion 33, about 80 rods eastward from the west line of said sec-
tion, and about 20 rods north of its southern line. A small
stream, known in early times as Toby Creek, and so marked
on the old maps, ran through the village, but its eastern bank
was its principal site. Said creek has long been known and
called by those living along its entire length, by the name
Little Walnut, and so marked on late maps. Tradition says
nothing of the origin of the village, but in about 1806, or 1807,
the Indians left it, and went to Sandusky, among the Wyan-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 223
dot tribes, and no doubt became a part of that people. A few
straggling ones were occasionally seen for a year or two after-
wards, when they all finally disappeared. A few incidents re-
lating to frhem I will state :
Shortly after they left, William Clark built, on the old village
site, and in digging for clay to daub his cabin, he came upon
Indian remains, supposed to be those of a chief, as a large
double-handful of silver rings, brooches, and other ornaments
were discovered with the bones. Elijah Clark, a little son of
Horatio Clark, being about thirty rods off, brought some of
them to his mother, who fancied she could perceive an un-
pleasant odor, and thereupon ordered the little boy to return
them to their sacred resting-place. The next Sunday, how-
ever, they were again taken up by two young men named
Wintersteen, whose parents lived in section 32, one half mile
westward, at or near the site of an old family grave-yard, where
now repose the ashes of several of the Clark family, some of
whom settled near Toby Town in 1799.
The Indians would take a short journey eastward, and come
back with plenty of lead, which they traded to the whites.
No one ever knew, nor was it ever found out where they ob-
tained it; but from the length of time they were absent, the
place could not have been very distant. An opinion long
after prevailed that it was obtained near the present site of
the rock-mills. But all search for the place has thus far
proved futile.
The Clark family, who settled within thirty rods of them in
1799, were never seriously molested by the red-skins, though
they frequently found prudence the better part of valor, when
their red neighbors paid devotion to Bacchus. About twenty
years ago Mrs. Clark related to me, that on one occasion that
she remembered, Indians came to her house hunting whisky,
and that she took her little children and hid in the brush
until after they went away. Mrs. Clark's grandchildren are
the present occupants of the farm, and they tell me that for
many years human bones, arrow-heads, and other Indian relics
were frequently turned up by the plow. Tradition alone now
marks the spot. The village and tribe took their names from
their chief, whose name was Toby. i
224 HISTOKY OF FAIEFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
AMANDA TOWNSHIP.
In the spring of 1800, three men, names not remembered,
came from near Chillicothe and broke ground on the prairie
in section number 4, planted corn, and then returned home.
They came back in due time and tended their corn twice.
The next fall one of these men sold his share to Horatio Clark,
receiving a horse in payment. The other two likewise dis-
posed of their shares to parties not now remembered. In No-
vember of the same year, Wilkinson Lane, of Huntingdon
County, Tennessee, settled on section 8, and was succeeded in
the month of June following by Thomas Cole, my grandfather,
who had entered the sertion. His grandchildren still own
one half of the section. The family were never troubled by the
Indians. In a few years my grandfather built a school-house
on his land, hired a teacher, Abraham Cole, for eight dollars a
month, and then invited all who wished to send their child-
ren and pay a, pro rata share, or not, as they could or would.
In those days school hours were from "sun, to sun," or as
soon as scholars arrived. On one occasion, my father, Broad
Cole, (born in 1802), thought of " beating the master to school,"
some day, and, after a few failures to do so, left home one
morning about day-break ; but, on arriving at the school-house,
he was greeted with a good fire, and found the master, a Mr.
Smith, banking up dirt against the school-house to protect
against cold. That house was built on the north part of sec-
tion 18. David Swope and William Long were settlers on sec-
tion 8, in June, 1807. In 1800, Dr. Silas Allen bought and set-
tled on section number 3, building a house on the crest of a
hill, near the western line of said section, and fronting a
prairie on the west, in section number 4. His purchase con-
sisted of about five hundred acres. At that time there was
not the mark of an ax from Lancaster to his house. Said
section was soon given to his four sons— Whiting, Lemuel,
Jedediah and Benjamin Allen. Lemuel and Jedediah gave
ground for a village, and about 1810 William Hamilton, then
living on section 22, surveyed and laid out the village of Roy-
alton, about one mile south-east of Toby Town. For some
years it went by the name of Toby Town, generally, but by
the Allen family it was called Royalton, after a village in Ver-
mont, from whence they came. Elvira Allen, now Mrs.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 225
Meeker, was born in 1803, the first female child born, it is
supposed, in that part of the township. Mrs. Meeker still dis-
tinctly remembers the Toby Town Indians coming over the
prairie in single file, the squaws carrying their papooses on
their backs, lashed to a board, and on arriving at her father's
house, would stand up the boards upon which their little re-
sponsibilities were tied, against the outside, while they went in.
The first schools in Royalton were taught by Warren Case
and his sister Sabre, in 1810; and by Henry Calhoon, in 1812.
The Rev. Dr. Hoag, (late of Columbus) a Presbyterian,
preached in Lemuel Allen's house, in Royalton, as early as
1810. About the same time the first tavern was opened there
by Lemuel Allen, as also the first store by Jacob Rush. In
about 1814, the Methodists organized a society there, and their
first preacher is supposed to have been Isaac Quinn.
In this year Stephen Cole built a grist-mill and a carding
machine combined, on what is called Cole's Run, heading at
a spring in section 8, the mill being situated on section 7.
Richard Hooker helped to build the mill ; and in 1817, Piper
and Reynolds built what is known as the Hooker mill, on
Turkey Run. Mr. Hooker lived on section 19. The mill has
long since disappeared, only bare traces of it being now visi-
ble. Mr. Richard Hooker, now of Hocking Township, and in
his 79th year, assisted in digging the mill-race.
The first horse grist-mill and still-house were situated in
the south part of the township, and were owned by a Mr.
Huffer, the exact date of their erection not being known.
Richard Hooker was a Justice of the Peace for the township
at a very early day. I have recently seen a deed, dated No-
vember 15, 1805, the acknowledgment of which was taken by
Jesse Willets, J. P. Hamilton and Rush were also Justices
for Amanda Township.
On the 6th day of September, 1817, Elders Eli Ashbrook and
Jacob Tharp organized the Turkey Run Regular Baptist
Church. This church is still in existence. They held their
meetings in Hooker's school-house as late as 1838, about which
time a house of worship was erected. None of the original
members are now living, and but one now lives who became
a member by letter a year or two afterward, viz. : Permelia
Ashbrook, now 83 years old. Elder ati Ashbrook, one of the
15
226 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
original founders of the Turkey Run Church, died in Jan-
uary, 1877, aged 96 years.
In 1803 Valentine Reber came out from Pennsylvania, and
entered section 10 of our township, and in 1805 he brought
out his young wife from Berks County and settled on the sec-
tion. Frederick Leathers settled in the southern part of the
township, about the year 1800.
The township steadily and rapidly increased in population,
and the red-men, deer, bears and wolves disappeared in pro-
portion. The nearest neighbors were out of sight, because of
trees and brush. The diet was plain, but the people had
much better sauce for their tables than the present owners
of the soil, and it was not a compound article, but simply
hunger. Try it, ye dyspeptics ; and then eat corn-pone, or
johnny-cake, or venison-jerk, with ash-cake, buckwheat-cakes,
wild-honey, butter, and coffee once a week for a rarity, and
you will adopt the language of an old settler, and say, "It
don't go bad." The difference in diet within the last seventy-
five years was once referred to by an old uncle, a pioneer,
thus: "Nowadays, when folks go a visiting, the inquiry at
table is, ' will you take coffee or tea ?' but when I was young,
the word was, ' will you take sweet milk or sour?' "
Boys and girls then went to meeting barefooted, the girls,
and their mothers too, sometimes putting on shoes and stock-
ings just before going into the meeting-house. After meeting,
a chicken-pie was sometimes indulged in, if the hawks and
owls had not flown off with them. One great fear in those
days was that the timber would give out. For fear it would,
some would even buy rail timber of their less fearful neigh-
bors. The settlers were usually that class known as " roor
men," who were glad to sell their timber to raise a little
money. Coon-trees and bee-trees had, on this account, to be
cut on the sly.
Now, Doctor, permit me to introduce a few anecdotes, and I
am clone. A quite early settler, who had entered a section
and settled upon it, went to work and met his payments
yearly, until but one remained. The time drew near, and he
lacked but three dollars. None of his neighbors could help
him to the amount. Only one day remained, and he had to
pay the money at the %nd-office at Chillicothe, nearly forty
miles distant. If he failed, his all would be gone. In this
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 227
extremity his only cow died. This opened the way for relief.
He skinned her and sold the hide for enough to let him out,
and setting off for the land-office, arrived there a little before
midnight of the last day, barely in time to save his land.
My grandfather, Thomas Cole, once made the round trip to
Chillicothe and back, carrying on his shoulder a flax spin-
niug-wheel to get it repaired, the whole distance both wa3^s
being sixty miles. When moving to this county from Hunt-
ingdon County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1801, he always
first waded the creeks with a long stick in his hand, to test
the depth of the water and firmness of the bottom.
George Disinger was one of the early settlers. He once
went to Mr. Valentine Reber's to get straw for a bed-tick,
but failing to procure any, he and his wife filled the tick with
dry forest leaves. After sleeping on it for two or three nights,
they thought something was wrong, and upon emptying out
the leaves they found that they had had a black-snake for a
bed-fellow.
William Long, before-mentioned, was a small man, hut
remarkably well-proportioned. He once had a pair of pants
made from a single yard of tow-linen, but the pattern was
rather scant, and the pants too tight. He said he would never
'spile" another yard of linen in that way. This same Wm.
Long found that his cows would not eat straw, so he adopted
a strategy. He stuffed straw in the fence cracks, and several
times drove the cows away when they had tasted it, and after
that he had no trouble in getting them to eat it, and even to
eat up his entire crop of straw.
Pages might be written of anecdotes, jokes, etc., that would
be enjoyable, because they would so richly smack of those
good old times when men were free and equal in the sub-
stantial sense of the term ; and of sociability, such as no longer
attains. These were the characteristics of the pioneer age; at
least as the rule. One more anecdote must suffice for the
present, lest I trespass too much on your space, which I do not
wish to do.
Mr. Henry Kiger and his wife, aunt Polly Kiger, are resi-
dents of Amanda Township, though they were not among its
first settlers. Mr. Kiger is now nearly ninety-seven years of
age, and his wife is about six months younger. She is quite
brisk, and able to walk several miles to visit her children.
228 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
The old gentleman is rather feeble. From a personal inter-
view had with them last Monday, March 5th, 1877, I took the
following from their lij>s : When nearly nineteen years of
age, she was living in Hancock Town, with an Irishman
whose name was James Foley, and who was a tailor. She was
there for the purpose of learning the trade. On one occasion
General Washington came there on some business connected
with the " Whisky Boys." The General put up at Johnston's
Tavern, and presently came to Foley's to have his suspenders
mended. Foley passed them to Polly Walduck (now Mrs.
Kiger) to be repaired. They were profusely ornamented with
silver. When she returned them, the General inquired of Mr.
Foley if the young lady was his daughter. He replied that
she was not, but that she was a mighty fine girl, "tvhen the
General put his hand on my head, and called me a pretty girl,
ivhich made me mad, though I made no reply."
Mr. Kiger was in the war of 1812, serving seven months.
His company was encamped three weeks at Washington City,
after the burning of the Capitol by the British, in 1814. He
says he walked up the stone steps of the burned Capitol fre-
quently and viewed the ruins.
The first settlers of our township are all gone, and not more
than five or six of the children first born to them remain.
The rest are all hidden by the sods of the valley. Very shortly
nothing of the past scenes will be known, except through
uncertain tradition, and written history made up at so late a
day as to be deficient in much that ought to have been
recorded, and which would have added greatly to the interest
of the future. Nevertheless, sweet thoughts will roll over
life's troubled sea, while perusing the pages of the history of
first settlers and early times of our county.
Yours, truly, Thomas Cole.
March 9th, 1877.
LETTER OF DAVID LYLE, OF WALNUT TOWNSHIP.
Dr. H. Scott— Dear Sir: Your note of the 12th ult. was
duly received. It would" require an older person than myself
io give a full and correct account of the very earliest settlers
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 229
of this township. But such older persons are scarce, and my
health not being good, I cannot go to see many that might as-
sist me most, but I will do the best I can. I was less than four
years old when, with my parents, I came into the township,
and I have lived here ever since— 63 years. I will merely
-mention the names of some of the earliest settlers who have
been known to me, as follows :
James Holmes, Wm. Murphy, Thomas Cherry, Eli Whit-
aker, Wm. Harvey, James Crawford, Andrew Krager. These
settled in the northern part of the township. Then Samuel
Wiseman, Edward Berry, Abraham Harshbarger, Jas. Miller,
Wm. Milligan, David Runk, Asa Murphy, Wm. Irvin, Thos.
Ross, George Heis, David Dillinger, John Miller, A. Miller,
Nicholas Ketner, Samuel Mills, David Lyle. These lived in
the central part. Then in the more southern section of the
township were Mr. Thoman, Jesse Pugh, Solomon Barks, Ed-
ward Teal, Jno. Decker, Job, Thomas and Adam McName, Wm.
Beard, Samuel Trovinger, Tillman Baker, Adam Geiger, John
Shipler, Daniel Hall, Jonas Rienhart.
The religious societies first organized were the Methodists
and Baptists. Both societies built log meeting-houses on lots
donated by Job McName. The first Methodist preachers were :
Charles Waddle, James Quinn, Father Goff and James Gil-
ruth. First Baptist preachers : Eli Ashbrook, John Hite,
Rev. Caves, Rev. Snelson and George Debolt. School Districts
were not known. The settlers built log-cabins to suit neigh-
borhoods, and teachers were hired by "articles of agreement.''
The article of agreement was drawn up by the teacher, either
male or female, in which the terms were stated. Then the
paper was by them carried around and presented to the heads
of families, who put down their names for so man)' scholars,
according to the size of the family, at a price named per scholar.
The most noted teachers were James Allen and Jesse Smith,
who taught in different neighborhoods for many successive
years. The other teachers were transient persons.
The first grist-mill built .was by George H. Houser, on Wal-
nut Creek, where the Foglesong road crosses. The second was
built by John Good, one mile above. The third was built by
Solomon Barks, on Little Walnut, in the same neighborhood.
These little mills have all disappeared long since, principally
230 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
because the water failed, and also because larger establish-
ments have been erected on larger streams.
Two still-houses were early erected on section 15 — one by-
William Irvin, and the other by Thomas Ross. Another, and
third one, was established on section 4 by Eli Holmes. All
have disappeared about fifty years ago.
The people lived in log-cabins. Their dress was chiefly
home-made cloth, linsey and flax and tow-linen. The men
found pastime enough at log-rollings and house-raisings; and
for more social gatherings they had singing-schools, and the
like.
The morals of the people were good for a new country.
Gambling of any kind was almost entirely unknown. The
first log-cabin in the township was built by Thomas Warner,
on the south-east quarter of section 20.
The names I have given you of the early settlers were all
here previous to the year 1813. I have stated matters as they
occurred to my mind, and without system. You will arrange
my items to suit yourself, any of them, or all of them, if you
deem them worthy of a place in your history of Fairfield
County, a volume I hope we shall soon see.
Very truly yours, David Lylb.
April 12th, 1877.
STATEMENT OF WESLEY PETERS, OF HOCKING
TOWNSHIP.
My father came from Baltimore County, Maryland, in the
year 1812, and settled first in Rush Creek Township, in this
county. In 1817 he removed to Amanda Township, locating
on Clear Creek, one and three-quarters of a mile south of the
village of Royalton. He was the father of nine sons, viz. :
Henry, Robinson I., Nathan, Wesley, Stephenson, Andrew,
Gideon, Lewis and Ebenezer. His four daughters were :
Rachel, Leah, Mary and Elizabeth. Of the sons, eight are
living, in April, 1877, Gideon having deceased in 1844. The
four daughters married as follows: Rachel married William
Broomfield ; Leah married Broad Cole ; Mary married Daniel
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 231
Walters, and Elizabeth married Newton Williamson. Wil-
liam Broom field deceased about the year 1874. His sons at
present residing in Fairfield County, are : Robinson I., Wes-
ley and Andrew ; Lewis and Stephenson reside in Pickaway
County ; Henry in Upper Sandusky, and Nathan and Ebene-
zer in Marion, Marion County, Ohio.
I mention as my father's neighbors, at the time of his set-
tlement in Amanda Township, in 1817, Valentine Reber, Jos.
Huffman, Jacob Restler, Abram Myres, George Disinger,
'Squire Stevens, 'Squire William Hamilton, Jacob Prestler,
Mr. Hanaway, Jesse Hutchins, Jacob Schleich, Thomas
Galaher and Mr. Huber. These were all citizens of Amanda
Township. They have all passed away.
I settled in Hocking Township in 1838, three miles west of
Lancaster, and have resided in the township ever since. Of
my neighbors in Hocking Township, there have died since
the time of my settlement, Abram Hedges, Jacob Burton, Jas.
Reed, George Strode, Henry Ingman, Father Kemp, James
Grantham, Mr. Smith, Allen Green, Father Broomfield, Wil-
liam Broomfield, Joseph Work, Jesse Spurgeon, Nathaniel
Wilson, Robert Wilson, William Graham, iBuhama (Builder-
back) Green, Alice Hedges, Mrs. Burton, Mrs. ^roomfield, the
elder ; Mother Kemp, Mrs. James Grantham, Mrs. Henrietta
Ingman, Mrs. Joseph Work, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Work, near
Royal ton ; Mr. and Mrs. Huffman.
Our place of worship at that time was the Methodist
Church, known as Mount Zion. There was likewise a Breth-
ren congregation in the neighborhood, and a Lutheran
Church. Our school-house stood on William Broomfield's
land, and the school district was number two. The building
was a hewed log structure with a shingled roof. My father died
about forty-nine years ago, and my mother some years after-
ward, at the age of eighty-seven years.
I have known the county in its pioneer age, and have
marked its progress to its present population of about thirty-
five thousand, and its more than two hundred and fifty thou-
sand dollar tax-duplicate. I have seen two full generations
pass away, and two new ones come upon the stage. I have
lived to witness the disappearance of every thing common to
the log-cabin age, and live in a new condition of society.
232 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELDCOUNTY, OHIO.
STATEMENT OF THOMAS E. EWING, OF PLEASANT
TOWNSHIP.
The first settlements in Pleasant Township were begun in
1799. The following persor s, with their families, came in
1800 and the few succeeding years: Thomas, Mathew and
David Ewing came in 1800, and settled on Ewing's Pvun, four
miles north of Lancaster. Thomas was my father, and David
was the father of the present David Ewing, who resides on
and owns the paternal farm. James Ewing was a son of
Thomas, and now is the resident owner of the old place. John
and Benjamin Feemen came in 1801, and settled immediately
north of the Ewings. James Duncan, father of the present
Thomas Duncan, Esq., came in 1800, and settled on lands ad-
joining Thomas Ewing. Peter Lamb first settled where Fred-
erick Sites lives, purchasing the lands at the Government
sales. This was in 1801. In the fall of the same year, his
father came with his family and settled on the same land.
George and Nicholas Radibaugh settled in the township in
1801. George was the father of George, Jacob and William
Radibaugh, who have all been well and favorably known resi-
dents of Pleasant Township, but now deceased. George had
three daughters ; Mary was the wife of Jacob Culp; the second
daughter married Adam Conklin — her name is not remem-
bered ; Betsy married John Nelson. Both of these latter
moved out of the township early. John, George and Daniel
Smethers came into the township in about 1801, all settling
on Ewing's Run. John Burton came into the same neighbor-
hood also in the same year, and located on what is known as
the old Christ Huber place, on the east of Ewing's Run. The
father of the three Smethers brothers was also a first settler,
his sons being }Toung men at the time ; but his Christian name
is not recollected.
During the war of 1812, a rifle company was raised on Ew-
ing's Run and adjacent settlements, which marched to San-
dusky. David Ewing was its Captain ; Thomas Ewing, 1st
Lieutenant ; John Burton, 2d Lieutenant. The company
numbered from 80 to 100 men.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 233
While encamped at Sandusky, this company was chal-
lenged to a wrestling match by a man of another company
near by, who denominated himself " Cock of the Walk. " The
challenge was accepted, and the Ewing company came out
best in every fall. Jacob Culp, of the latter company, threw
his man three straight falls, thus securing the title " Cock of
the Walk. "
Mr. Ewing gave the correct version of an incident of David
Ewing shooting an Indian squaw, elsewhere alluded to ; at
least his statement of the affair is likely reliable. ' A party of
six men went out on a hunting expedition. In the course of
the day they divided into squads of two. David Ewing and
his companion, when somewhere in the vicinity of Daniel
Arnold's cabin, discovered what they supposed to be a bear,
by its motion among the bushes, and the black hair. Mr.
Ewing fired at the object, and was terribly frightened at the
scream that responded to his shot — he had wounded a squaw.
The two men fled with all possible speed, for well they knew
that the Indians, whom they could not doubt were in the near
vicinity, would soon be upon their trail. In fleeing, they
passed the Arnold cabin. The Indians were soon on the
trail, and having followed it to that point, supposed they had
gone in there, and at once rushed in. Mrs. Arnold was
seated with her baby on her lap, when one of the Indians
raised his rifle to fire upon her. She raised her hands, ex-
claiming, " Herr Yesu " (Lord Jesus) just as a stalwart Indian
rushed forward and threw the gun aside, thus saving her life.
She protested that her husband was not out that day with his
gun, and thus dallied them until she sent her little eight-
year-old daughter to a neighboring cabin to tell her father to
come home. He came with one or two of his neighbors, who
succeeded in satisfying the excited savages that Mr. Arnold
was innocent, when they went away. Mr. Ewing kept con-
cealed until the affair was compromised, after which he re-
turned to his family, ani nothing more came of it, the In-
dians having become satisfied that the accident was the result
of a mistake. The little girl sent by Mrs. Arnold to bring her
father was the present Mrs. Sheric, of Lancaster, now an old
lady.
Old Mr. Arnold, whose Christian name Mr. Ewing could not
recall, was a very early settler of Pleasant Township. He was
234 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
the father of Frederick, Daniel, Henry, Jacob and Geo. Arnold,
all of whom are well remembered as citizens of Pleasant Town-
ship, but now all deceased. Father Arnold had three daugh-
ters, who were respectively married to John Fogiesong, Thos.
Orr, and Jacob Fetters. Conrad, Jacob and Philip Fetters
settled on Fetters' Run, Pleasant Township, in 1801. Old
Father Harmon, father of Peter, Frederick and George Harmon,
also came into the township in 1801, settling on Pleasant Run.
John Baldwin, the same year, settled on what is still known
as the Baldwin farm, two miles north-east of Lancaster.
The first school-house Mr. Ewing remembers was a small
round log-cabin standing on the Radibaugh land. He remem-
bers a Mr. Newman who taught school in it, about the year
1820. The first meeting-house in the settlement was built by
the Lutherans, and has since been known as the Ziegler
Church. He thinks it was built between 1801 and 1810. The
first preacher there, which he remembers, was Rev. Stake.
The first building was constructed of hewn logs, but that was
subsequently removed to give place to a good frame church
edifice. The first still-house in the settlement was erected by
Thomas Ewing, father of the narrator, previous to 1810. The
first mill recollected was erected on Arnold's Run, by old
Father Arnold, father of Frederick, Daniel, Henry and Jacob.
The site of it was a little north of where the County Infirmary
now is. It was a raccoon burr-mill, and its capacity was about
ten bushels in twenty-four hours. When it dried up the
people had to go to Zanesville to get their grists ground.
There is not a vestige of the mill now to be seen.
STATEMENT OF FREDERICK SITES, OF PLEASANT
TOWNSHIP.
My father, Peter Sites, came from Rockingham County,
Virginia, and settled on the farm where I now reside, in 1809.
He purchased the land from Jacob and Philip Lamb, they hav-
ing bought it at the Government land sales about the year
1801. My father continued to reside on the same place until
the time of his death, at the age of 85 years. My mother sur-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 235
vived him ten years, she being about ninety at the time of
her demise.
Our neighbors sixty years ago were : Judge Burton, Thomas
Ewing, David Ewing, Mathew Ewing, James Duncan, John
Feemen and Benjamin Feemen. The first school-house that I
can remember stoxl on my father's land. It was a small cabin
built of round logs, with stick and mud chimneys and paper
windows. I also remember another school a little further east,
on Mr. Harmon's place. It was kept in the second story of
his spring-house. This was in 1815. The teacher's name at
that time was G. Langfore.
The Methodists held meetings at my father's cabin. The
first Methodist preachers who held meetings there were: Rev.
McElroy, James Quinn, Jacob Young, Cornelius Springer and
Charles Waddle. The meetings were afterwards moved to
Nimrod Bright's ; and again they met at the cabins of Thomas
Anderson, Daniel Arnold and Peter Sites. The United Breth-
ren had also a society in the neighborhood, and held their
meetings at my father's, and at Daniel Arnold's. Their preach-
ers at that time were : Rev. Stewart, Rev. Anderson, Rev.
Havens, and Bishop Christian Newcomer. In the east part of
the township were Jacob McLin, Dewal Maclin, Peter McLin.
Not one of the early settlers I have named are living, and
there were likewise a great many of their compeers, previous
to 1820, who have passed away.
During the war of 1812 an incident occurred which caused
great excitement throughout our new country for a few days.
An alarm spread over the country that hostile Indians were
coming. The settlers mostly went into fort. The people of
our neighborhood forted at the house of Judge Burton ; and
those of North Berne Township forted where James Driver
now resides, near Bremen. The people in some instances car-
ried their extra clothing and valuables and hid them in the
clover fields and other outdoor places. We took our pitchforks
and axes into the house as weapons of defense against the ex-
pected foes. The fighting men of the settlement rendezvoused
at Lancaster for organization and offensive operations. I re-
member that some persons came to the fort in the night for
protection, and called to be recognized, and to assure the people
that they were friends. The rumor proved false, and within
a few days all was as before.
236 HISTOEY OF FAIRFIELD COUNXY, OHIO.
We wagoned our wheat to Zanesville and sold it at first for
twenty-five cents per bushel, sometimes taking salt in ex-
change. A little later we got forty cents. We likewise went
there to mill, when our home mills failed for want of water.
Our wearing apparel was almost entirely home-made, con-
sisting of flax and tow-linens in summer; and for winter wear,
linsey, flannel and home-made fulled cloth. Our women spun
their flax and wool on spinning-wheels; and the weaving was
done by the women on hand looms. Every neighborhood had
several looms. The wool was at first carded with hand-cards;
and afterwards we had carding-machines.
Boys and girls had for the most part one pair of shoes in the
year, and these were often not obtained until towards Christ-
mas. To economize these, and make them hold out as long
as possible, they were carried in hand in going to meeting on
Sunday, until near the meeting-house, when the shoes and
stockings were put on, to be taken off after coming out. The
girls thought they did well if they got one calico dress in the
year. Young ladies not unfrequently spun, wove, and made
up their wedding-dresses.
In those days people confided in each other — promises were
seldom made that were not kept. Almost every man's word
was as good as his bond. What little money we had was
almost entirely silver, and the change, by fractions of the dol-
lar, was made with cut money; thus, a quarter of a dollar cut
in two made two ninepences ; and cut in four pieces, made
four fipenybits, of the value of six and one-fourth cents each.
It was said that people sometimes made five fipenybits of
one quarter. And in the same way a half-dollar cut made two
quarters, or four ninepences. These latter were sometimes
called elevenpences. Men had hard work to pay their little
taxes.
From my twenty-second year, for twenty-five years, I drove
a six-horse team backwards and forwards across the moun-
tains, taking produce and bringing back goods. Afterwards I
took over droves of hogs and cattle.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 237
RECOLLECTIONS OF MARTIN LANDIS, OF MADISON
TOWNSHIP.
My father, Martin Landis, Sr., visited this valley in 1798,
when all that is now Fairfield County was an unbroken wil-
derness, if Zane's trace, and perhaps the cabin of Joseph Hunter
on the Hocking be excepted. In 1799 he moved to the county,
settling first two miles below where Lancaster stands, and as
near as I can state on the land now known as the Prindle
farm. After remaining there about one year, he removed and
settled within what is now Madison Township, where he died
in the year 1814, or about the close of the war of 1812.
He served as Justice of the Peace during the administration
of James Madison as President of the United States. He
entered land in the land-office at Chillicothe for Henry and
Samuel Shellenbarger, the same that was afterwards known
as the John Wiley farm, on Clear Creek. He also entered for
Miss Katy Shellenbarger, sister of Henry and Samuel, the
place now owned and occupied by Isaac Julien. Miss Shellen-
barger was afterwards and long known as Mrs. Eckert. For
another sister of the Shellenbarger's he entered the land now
known as the Ezra Wolfe farm. This was Sarah Shellen-
barger, who became the wife of Emanuel Carpenter, Jr.
My father had six children — two sons and four daughters.
My only brother died in childhood, at the Prindle farm.
My sister Mary married William Guy; Katy married Isaac
Wolfe; and Sarah married Emanuel Dunic ; Nancy did not
marry. The sisters are all living.
My father sustained such pecuniary losses during the war
of 1812, as to seriously embarrass him. He engaged in stock
driving, and was within twenty-five miles of Washington
City with a drove of fat cattle, when it was burned by the
British. This disaster compelled him to sell his cattle at
a sacrifice. He did not live to retrieve his losses.
My father was a Mennonite, and was very charitable and
liberal in his religious views. He built a church in his neigh-
borhood, which was called in its time "The Mennonite Meet-
ing-house." It was, however, free for all denominations. Rev.
23S HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
Stake, Lutheran, of Lancaster, often preached in it. The
building was likewise used for a school-house. It was a log
structure, of the size of about twenty by thirty feet. It con-
tinued to stand until recently.
There was a powder-mill that I remember well. It stood
near where Abbott's store now is. I do not remember by
whom it was built, or the year, but it remained a long time.
RECOLLECTIONS OF DAVID FOSTER, OF LANCASTER.
David Foster was born in Lancaster in 1811, and has been
a life-long citizen of the place. In 1827 he went to learn the
chair-making business with Jacob Grubb. In 1831 he suc-
ceeded John B. Reed in that business, at his stand on the
north-west corner of Columbus and Wheeling streets, where
he still continues, under the firm of Foster & Son. He uses
the same lathe and work-bench with which be began ; also, all
his other implements, and has never changed his plans of work.
Mr. Foster has witnessed the transformation of Lancaster
from a condition almost of woods to its present population and
business. He has preserved a wonderful memory of its early
mechanics, their location and business, with also many other
things belonging to the early history of the place. The fol-
lowing is his statement, given to me, which is probably en-
tirely correct :
He has a distinct recollection of the sickle-mill, which was
on Baldwin's Run, a few hundred yards below the fourth lock,
and a little above the crossing over the canal on the old
Logan'road. Christian Rudolph informs me that the estab-
lishment was built by a man named Roland [David Foster
said the name was Funk] previous to the year 1810. It was
run by the water-power of Baldwin's Run, and was used for
cutting teeth in sickles, and grinding them, and, I suppose,
their entire manufacture. The sickle was an implement used
for cutting wheat and other small grain at an early day. Mr.
Foster remembers that the establishment was not entirely
removed in 1828. During the past winter (1876-7), in sink-
ing a culvert under the canal where the sickle-mill stood, part
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 239
of the fore-bay and other remnants of the old mill were found
several feet below the surface, including a fragment of a grind-
ing-stone.
Mr. Foster likewise describes another establishment which
I have not previously heard spoken of — it was a water-power
mill for the purpose of breaking and scutching flax. It stood
about on the site of a dwelling-house now opposite what is
known as the Giesy mill, on the Logan road, three-fourths of
a mile below town. He remembers seeing it at work when
he was a small boy. The establishment has long since en-
tirely disappeared. He fixes his recollections of it at about
1816. He thinks it was erected by John Rolan !, or Funk, who
was also the proprietor of the sickle-mill.
About the same time, there was in operation a powder-mill,
on the lands now known as the Fricker farm, three miles
south-west of Lancaster. The concern was owned and run by
one George Bickler. He thinks it was discontinued about the
year 1823.
He spoke of the mechanics of Lancaster in 1815 and the few
succeeding years. A Mr. Matlock and William Eodenheimer
were wheelwrights — that is, makers of spinning-wheels. Mr.
Matlock's shop was at the foot of the present Main street. A
Mr. Spogle likewise made spinning-wheels. His shop was in
with Henry Miers, who was a cabinet-maker. Mr. Miers was
the father of the late Henry Miers, and of the present James
Miers. Their shop was on Main street, next west of what is
now Bauman's tavern. It was a two-story log-building.
William Tony made chairs and spinning-wheels about where
Mr. Stroble's furniture-store now is. This was from 1817 to
1820. Jacob Grubb bought out Mr. Tony, and carried on the
business at the same stand.
William Duffield was a carpenter. He built the first frame
house in Lancaster— at least such is Mr. Foster's recollection.
It stood on the ground now occupied by the new Court-house.
Christian Weaver was a carpenter, and occupied the lot where
Mrs. M. Z. Kreider lives. John Foglesong carried on black-
smithing where John D. Martin resides, and which was the
residence of the late Samuel F. McCracken. John Leonard,
James A. Weakley and Wilson Latimore were early carpen-
ters, also John K. Myers. Samuel Blazell carried on black-
smithing at a very early clay, on the same corner occupied by
240 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
D. Foster & Son as their chair and furniture-shops. Henry
Johns, carpenter, had his shop where Dr. P. Carpenter now
lives.
John Leonard, Luman Baker and Thomas Dawlin carried on
cabinet-making where Bauman's tavern is, on Main street.
Samuel Effinger had a tin-shop about where the First Na-
tional Bank is, on Main street. This was previous to 1820.
Scipio Smith (colored) carried on tinning about the same
time. Thomas Sturgeon was a silversmith, and carried on
where Sturgeon's row is, east of the Public Square. John
Townsend was a silversmith previous to 1820. James Gates
came to Lancaster early, and succeeded Thos. Sturgeon in sil-
versmithing. This was Thomas Sturgeon, Jr., who is at pres-
ent a citizen of Lancaster.
Mr. Foster remembered a tailor, who, previous to 1820, car-
ried on where John Work lives on Chestnut street, opposite
the Jail ; also, shoemakers of the same times. He thought
John Stallsmith, Jacob Embick and John Napkin were here
as early as 1815. Joseph Work, Sr., was carrying on shoe and
boot-making in 1827. He spoke also of Hiram Hanson, who
was in the same business very early.
John Beeman and Col. Geo. Seits were gunsmiths, and had
their shop near Dr. Shawk's office, on Main street. Samuel
B. Thompson, George W. Claspill, John Gibbs and William
Bodenheimer commenced the gun-making business probably
about the year 1826.
Robert R. Claspill, blacksmith and plow-maker, came to
Lancaster in 1825. Robert 0. Claspill carried on the same
business on the grounds now occupied by the English Lutheran
Church, in 1831.
Colonel Samuel Blazer first introduced into Lancaster patent
scales, about 1825.
John Shur, father-in-law to Mr. Foster, was a baker in Lan-
caster as early as 1812. He also kept a small tavern. Other
bakers were remembered, who were in the business at a very
early day. Among them were Daniel Keltner, Hiram Hanson,
Gotleib Steinman and John U. Giesy.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 241
STATEMENT OF CHRISTIAN RUDOLPH, OF
LANCASTER.
Christian Rudolph came to Lancaster in 1815, when it was
little more than a log-cabin town. The same fall he hired
himself to Richard M. Johnson, who then had the contract for
carrying the mail from Pittsburg to Limestone (Maysville),
Kentucky. He was then fifteen years of age. He commenced
carrying the mail in October of that year on horseback. His
route was from Lancaster to Zanesville, and back, over Zane's
trace. The route required him often to be out all night,
which, over the narrow road, and through the forests, especially
in very dark nights, was a lonesome and dreary business. It
was often so dark that he could see no part of the road, and
was obliged to depend on the better eyes of his horse to follow
the path. On one occasion he arrived at Zanesville late in
the night, and being behind time, he received his mail and
turned back, and came as far as Somerset without feeding or
taking a bite to eat. In these mail routes he forded the streams
that were fordable, sometimes when they were dangerously
high. The rivers were crossed in canoes, and horses changed
on each side.
Two or three years after he began to carry the mail, open
box-wagons were put upon the road. I think he said the new
contract required the mail to be carried six months in wagons,
and six months on horseback. This latter contract was by J.
S. Dugan. Stage-coaches were introduced on the route by Mr.
Dugan, about the year 1820.
Mr. Rudolph carried the mail in all about five years, when
he purchased a four-horse coach and team, which he drove four
years as a common carrier, and then opened a livery-stable, in
which business he is still engaged, at the age of about seventy-
seven years.
He spoke of the taverns in Lancaster at the time of his ar-
rival. John Swoyer kept a house of entertainment on what,
for many years, has been known as the Shaeffer corner, now
16
242 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
occupied by George Beck's drug store. Frederick Shaeffer suc-
ceeded him as hotel-keeper. Mr. Beck, father of the present
George and Jacob Beck, kept a tavern on Columbus street, on
the grounds now occupied by the dwelling of George Beck. It
was known as the Black Horse Tavern. Mr. Beck also had a
blacksmith-shop on the same lot. A third tavern was then
kept on what is sometimes spoken of as the Latta corner, on
Main street, east of the Public Square, by Thomas Sturgeon.
Mr. Sturgeon was uncle to Thomas Sturgeon, now of Lancaster.
The store-keepers at that time were: John Creed, between
McCrackin's alley and Columbus street. Wm. and Christian
King, on the corner now occupied by Beecher White as a
drug store. Frederick A. Foster kept a store also on the same
square; all on the north side. Mr. Rudolph thinks the build-
ings were either frames, or log-houses weather-boarded. At
that time the town was all below the hill. He stated that
Sosthenes McCabe had the contract for furnishing the brick
for the old Court-house, and that he made them for two dollars
and fifty cents a thousand.
RECOLLECTIONS OF MRS. VAN PEARCE.
Mrs. Van Pearce was of the Carpenter family, and was born
on what is now the Giesy farm, one mile south of Lancaster,
in the year 1800. John Van Pearce, her late husband, was
brought across the mountains when a child — part of the way
strapped fast to a pack-saddle. He came in 1810.
Mrs. Van Pearce remembers Lancaster when it was a village
of log-cabins in the woods. She claims to have been the first
white female child born in the county. She was the daughter
of John Carpenter, Jr., and her mother was a sister of Emanuel
Carpenter, Jr., who was the proprietor of the south part of
Lancaster.
She referred to a few incidents of her childhood days. On
one occasion, when her mother had gone to visit the family of
Rudolph Pitcher, she being as she thinks about four or five
years old, she wandered away from home, and can just recall
the circumstance of lying in the door of some cabin in the vil-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 243
lage and crying for a piece of bread, and that she was eating
it when she was found by her scared family.
At another time she went with other children to gather
hickory-nuts, over in the vicinity of Kuntz's mill. When
she came out of the bushes that were close up to her father's
yard-fence, she was greatly surprised at seeing the yard filled
with people, all seated on the ground. They were Indians.
Her mother came out with all the cold victuals she could find,
and divided it among them, giving each one a pittance, which
they ate, and then went peacefully away. The had papooses,
which Mrs. Pearce says she took and nursed, which pleased
the squaws very much.
She said that during the Indian scare in 1812, her father
refused to leave his own house, and that he rolled bars of lead
round, and then cut them in small pieces, and rolled them in
the bottom of a large iron kettle, to be used as shot if the
Indians came on him, designing to make his house his fort,
and the windows port-holes. She spoke of the Dr. Shawk
family, the Pitcher family, and many others then here. Be-
tween their house and town all was thick woods and marshy
prairie, and the only road was a path.
She remembered going to school in town to two teachers,
named Rober and Smith. The first meeting she remembers
going to was in a log-cabin below where Mr. Prindle now
lives. She spoke of Carpenter's mill, the first built— where
Kuntz's mill subsequently stood. Her story of how the people
lived, and what they did, and how they did it, was the same
given in several places throughout this volume. It was the
pioneer age ; and pioneer life differed in no essential points
throughout all of the great North-west at the same era.
STATEMENT OF F. A. FOSTER, OF LANCASTER.
Mr. Foster came to Lancaster in 1810. He was born in
Providence, Rhode Island, on the 7th of May, 1791, and is
therefore at this writing 86 years of age. He was first
employed as a clerk, and at about 1816 began business on his
own account, and was for many years one of Lancaster's dry
244 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
goods merchants. He named the following dry goods men
who were in business when he came :
Christian and William King, Nathaniel Cushing, on what
is still spoken of as Connell's corner. Samuel F. McCraken
sold goods on the old Green corner. Archibald Carnahan
had a store about where the First National Bank stands.
John Creed sold goods near the spot where Bininger's jewelry-
store stands. Rudolph Pitcher also sold goods, and Andrew
Crocket had a store where Giesy's block is, on the south side
of Main street.
There were others who came in afterwards and sold dry
goods. Jacob Green came from Tarleton at an early day.
Then followed John Black, Samuel Rogers, Jesse Beecher,
Elenathan Schofield, Thomas Cushing, Latta & Connell, Robt.
Smith, and Ainsworth and Willock. All the above were more
or less engaged in selling dry goods previous to 1825. There
were no groceries, as such. Everything in the grocery line
was kept in the dry goods stores, as also iron, hardware, cut-
lery and all kinds of farmers' goods, such as sythes, sickles,
hoes, grubbing-hoes, chopping-axes, pitchforks; all kinds of
castings ; nails, saddle-stirrups, bridle-bits, log-chains and
trace-chains ; spades, andirons, smooth-irons, drawing-knives,
augurs, gimlets, chisels; a great many things not now in use ;
and whisky.
He stated that the Lancaster Ohio Bank went into opera-
tion in 1816, and closed in about 1842. After it resolved to
wind up, the officers contracted with Jacob Green to redeem
all outstanding notes, for the sum of $4,001. The amounts
came out about even. The bank was solvent, and nobody lost
anything by it, with the exception of some slight shaves on
some of its notes in changing hands after it suspended opera-
tions.
The first President of the bank was Philemon Beecher, who,
Mr. Foster thinks, remained about one year, when he was suc-
ceeded by John Creed, who continued to be its President until
it ceased. Michael Garaghty was Cashier throughout the en-
tire course of the bank.
The immediate cause of the close of the bank was the re-
fusal of the Legislature to renew its charter. At that time
there was found to be on hand about three-quarters of a mil-
lion of dollars of unissued bills of all denominations. These
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 245
were, by the order of the Directors, delivered over to Fred,
erick A. Foster and Jacob Green, to be burned, which they pro-
ceeded to do.
Mr. Foster referred to the typhoid epidemic that prevailed
in Lancaster in 1823. He remarked, that to the best of his
recollection, only two persons in the town escaped its in-
fluence entirely, whom he named as Christian Weaver and
himself. A great number of leading citizens died.
At the time of Mr. Foster's coming to Lancaster there was
but one brick building in the place, and that was the office
since known as that of John T. Brazee, on the Schofield corner,
Main street. In the fall of the same year, viz. : 1810, Phile-
mon Bjecher built his brick office adjoining his residence, on
what is at present known as Rising's corner— once Beecher's
corner, on Main and Columbus streets. The third brick build-
ing was a residence, which is still standing, and at this time
occupied by Henry Reindmond, on the north side of Main
street going east, up the hill. It was built by Rev. John
Wright, first pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Lancaster.
The very first tavern in Lancaster was on Wheeling street,
south side, a little below Center, or McCracken's alley. It
was a log building, and was removed at an early day.
RECOLLECTIONS OF REV. ELIAS VANDEMARK.
Mr. Vandemark, when a boy of five years, came with his
father, Gared Vandemark, from Luzerne County, Pennsylva-
nia, and settled three miles north-west of Lancaster, in the
year 1810, and in the autumn of that year. Their first loca-
tion was on the same spot which was the residence of the late
John Levering. Their nearest neighbor was Adam Bear,
father of Adam Bear, who at this time resides on the same
place of his father. He spoke of the following persons at that
time residing within neighboring distance of his father's
cabin : Peter Woodring, Joseph Hunter, Mr. McKey, Samuel
Grabill, Joseph Work, Jesse Spurgeon and Mr. Stewart, father
of the present Levi Stewart, of Lancaster.
246 HISTOKY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
He remembered Lancaster as being at that time a village of
log-cabins, whose streets were filled to some extent with
stumps and mud-holes. He spoke of the swale that crossed
Main street at Center alley, and thought the fill there now,
east of Shawk's alley, is from six to ten feet. There were only
one or two small brick houses in the place, and a few frames.
South of Chestnut street there were no houses, and the ground
was used for a muster-field and race-course. East of High
street, and occupying all the present church grounds, as well
as the Court-house lot, was at that time a small cornfield,
fenced with split rails and surrounded with woods. All the
railroad grounds, and including the starch factory, was a com-
mon, grown over more or less with wild-plum, black-haw and
hazel-bushes, interspersed with a few large elm-trees.
The first school-house he remembered stood near the house
known as the Jesse Beecher place, perhaps a little west of it.
It was a round log-hut. They got their water from a spring
near a big elm-tree that he thought is still standing. The
first teacher in it was a Mr. Cole"; and after him W. H. Coley.
That was in about 1813. He had not forgotten the droll way
Mr. Coley required them to spell and pronounce their words,
and for failing to do which they often got their ears soundly
boxed. He tried to imitate the teacher's way, thus : S-a-1 sal,
v-a vay, salva, t-i-o-n shun, salvashun ; the final pronunciation
being broad, and accented on the third syllable. After that,
and in the year 1818, he went to school to a Mr. Jas. Hunter,
at the same place.
Mr. Vandemark said : ': My sister Jane married David West-
enbarger in 1812. It was the first wedding I had ever seen.
The license was issued by Hugh Boyl, and the ceremony was
performed by Adam Weaver, Esq., father of the late John C.
Weaver. Mr. Boyl was at that time Clerk of the County Court.
" During our three months' term of school, which was all we
had in the year, we had spelling-schools, and a polemic, which
was sometimes denominated a 'debating society,' or 'debating
school.' It was at one of these debating schools that I was re-
ligiously convicted under the following circumstances: We
held these meetings at night, and in a log-cabin that had pre-
viously been a dwelling, and which stood somewhere between
the present residences of Robert Work and Newton Peters.
The question debated on this particular evening was, ' Which
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 247
is the most useful to mankind, the Doctor of Divinity, or the
Doctor of Physic ?' Myself and Levi Stewart were appointed
chief combatants. I took the affirmative, and Mr. Stewart the
negative. I tried to show the value of an immortal soul, and
in the effort I became so affected that I shed tears, and the
whole house was so wrought upon that the meeting broke up
without any decision being given on the question, or arrange-
ments for another meeting. Jacob and Daniel Strayer, brothers,
were the judges. From that evening I identified myself with
the Christian people, and have ever since been trying, in my
humble way, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ."
Mr. Vandemark remembered that they went to Carpenter's
mill (later Kuntz's mill), for their grinding, and when the
water got low, and the little mills could not grind, they were
compelled to go all the way to Chillicothe, or Zanesville, to
mill. He spoke of the old hominy-block, and of the corn-
grater, and of the way the people dried pumpkins, and
beans, for winter sauce. He had also a distinct recollection
of the old-time log-rollings, corn-huskings, house-raisings,
quiltings, grubbings, rail-maulings, and the like. Also, the
fodder-house, ash-hopper, and potato and turnip holes. He
said his father was a teetotaler all his life, and on that account
sometimes had difficulty in getting his harvesting and other
work done, because he refused, from conscientious scruples, to
furnish whisky. But he never yielded, and at last got his
work done.
He described another custom of the pioneer age, which the
circumstances of the times compelled the people to adopt, and
of which the writer has also a distinct remembrance. The
wheat was thrashed out with flails, or tramped out with horses,
often on dirt-floors ; and then, after raking the straw clean
from the wheat and chaff, the latter was shoved into a heap,
and the following method of cleaning it resorted to: The
wheat was let down from an elevation as high as a man could
raise his arms, either through a riddle (which was a kind of
course sieve) or from a shovel, falling in a stream, from which
the chaff was blown away with a common bed-sheet held at
each end by two persons. From eight to ten bushels in a day
was good work for three hands, as it had to be gone over gen-
erally two or three times before the wheat was ready for the
bags.
248 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
RECOLLECTIONS OF A. HATHAWAY, OF CANAL
WINCHESTER.
Mr. Hathaway's father was one of the early settlers of the
vicinity of Winchester. He is at this writing seventy-one
years of age, and has spent his life in the neighborhood. He
remembers the times and incidents of the log-cabin state of
the section of country, since known as Violet Township. He
named the following persons as having been his father's
neighbors, at the time his recollection reaches to, or, about
sixty-five years age. He fixed the time at 1812 to 1815:
William Perin, George Tong, Michael Creamer, John Shoe-
maker, Lewis Phillips, John Daniel ; Adam, Jacob and George
Creamer; George Harmon, John and Jacob Algire, John Huff,
Clem Green, David Painter, Thomas Roberts and John Tall-
man. Old Mother Creamer, wife I believe of Michael, was
familiarly known all through the country as "Granny
Creamer." This was an appellation given to certain old ladies
in the early days of the country, who performed duties now
belonging to the doctors. The title has become obsolete. The
above-named persons have all deceased, with the single excep-
tion of George Harmon, who is living near Pickerington, at
the great age of more than eighty years.
Mr. Hathaway related an incident which reflects back-woods
life, and has many similar counterparts which still live in the
memory of the writer. At the age of four years, he was
accompanying his mother to the cabin of Mr. Tallman. They
discovered a large black-snake near the path, and his mother
having an instinctive dread of Eve's betrayer, told him to
stay and watch it while she went to fetch Granny Creamer to
kill it. Mrs. Creamer was in sight of them, in the act of
grubbing up bushes in the clearing. She came and killed the
snake, greatly to the relief of Mrs. Hathaway, and then
returned to her grubbing-hoe.
Their cabin was two miles north of the present village of
Winchester. There was a sorrel mare belonging to the
family, which was nightly stabled in a log-pen. The wolves
came every night and howled in the near vicinity, which
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 249
caused the family to believe they were after the old sorrel.
The country abounded with wolves, bears, wild-cats, panthers,
deer and wild-turkeys. He spoke of the sociability and kindly
feeling that united the people together, and thought every-
body was happier then than they are now.
He spoke of the first mill of the settlement. It was built
on Little Walnut, one mile below where Winchester now is.
In the latter part of summer, and in the fall, it " went dry,"
and then the people had to go to Zanesville for their grinding.
In a good stage of water the mill could grind ten bushels of
corn in twenty-four hours. It was a raccoon burr-mill, the
only kind known in the pioneer country.
He gave a full account of the pioneer hominy-block, corn-
grater, lye-hominy, johnny-cake^ hoe-cake, ash-cake ; flax and
tow-linen, linsey ; the one pair of shoes a year; and how the
people went to meeting barefooted in summer. A man by the
name of Hughes built a hand-mill, and the neighbors went
there and ground their corn on it.
The first school he remembered was three miles from his
father's. It was a pioneer school-house, with a paper window.
He remembered that William Hackney, Thomas Mc Arthur,
William King, and a Mr. Allen taught school in it, and that
John Swasey taught in the same neighborhood about the year
1820.
William Stevenson settled in the neighborhood in about the
year 1815. He was a Methodist, and opened his house for
preaching and other religious meetings. The ministers who
preached at his house the few succeeding years were, Vananda,
Charles Waddle, Russel Bigelow, Jacob Cooper and Jacob
Young. The United Brethren organized a society in the
neighborhood soon after, and Lewis Creamer was their
preacher. Presbyterians likewise made their appearance at
an early day in the settlement of the township.
Mr. Hathaway thought that George Tony was the first
'Squire in the township. He was at least among the first.
Abraham Pickering and John Rickets were also early Justices
in Violet.
Reuben Dove was the first propietor of Winchester. He
laid off and sold lots in about 1825. The plan of forming a
village there was settled upon immediately after the location
of the Ohio Canal was made. Subsequent additions to the
250 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
town were made by Mr. Dove, David Dixon, John Coleman,
William Miller, John Creamer and Reuben Tine. Some re-
marked that perhaps their grandchildren might live to see
the canal completed ; but notwithstanding the prediction,
boats passed there in 1831.
The first church built in Winchester was by the United
Brethren, which was for a time, by arrangement, used by the
Methodists. The second was by the Lutherans and German
Reforms, jointly.
Winchester has now, in April, 1877, one Odd Fellows' Lodge,
four physicians, two dry goods stores, one clothing store, two
hotels, two hardware stores, one drug store, five groceries, one
flour mill, three warehouses, one livery-stable, one brickyard,
one carriage factory, two blacksmith-shops and one saw-mill.
"There was a mute by the name of Shoemaker, who was
among the early settlers. He was a successful hunter, and
shot a great many deer. My father made a business of dress-
ing deer-skins for clothing. Many wore buckskin breeches.
Skin vests were likewise often worn, generally with the hair
on. My pants often got wet by running through the snow
and water, and when dry, became brittle and broke off at the
knees, leaving the lower half of my leg naked for some time
before I got another pair. These buckskin pants were made
to fit close to the skin, and as at that early day we wore no
underclothes, it was very much like putting one's limbs into
bags of snow on very cold winter mornings.
" Flocks of wild-turkeys used to come around a corn-rick
that stood near the house, to peck off the grains. I devised a
plan for catching them, which was as follows : I secreted my-
self in one end of the rick, with my handful of shelled corn,
and held it out, expecting they would come along, when,
in the attempt to take the grains from my palm, I intended
to seize them by the neck with my other hand. But the
birds were my superiors in sagacity, and always kept at a
safe distance from me. We, however, caught a great many of
them in turkey-pens.
" My father was a bee-hunter, and found a great many bee-
trees. There were two methods of coursing them. One was
from the wild flowers where they came to gather their stores ;
the other was the dish of honey-comb, which was set out to
attract them. The latter was generally used in the early
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 251
spring. It was more successful if the comb was burned a
little.
" Our social evenings were often spent in the old plays of
1 Sister Phcebe, ' ' Marching to Quebec, ' ' Kilimakranky, '
1 Oats, peas, beans and barley grows, ' ' Thus the farmer sows
his seed, ' 'It's raining, it's hailing, it's cold frosty weather, '
and the like. Dancing was little practiced. Our school-books
were Webster's Spelling Book (' Easy Standard of Pronuncia-
tion '), Pike's Arithmetic, Columbian Orator, American Pre-
ceptor, Primers, and the Bible and Testament. Our games of
ball were bull-pen, or corner-ball, cat-ball and town-ball. We
also had another game which was pretty generally practiced
all over the country, which was called the game of " Baste. "
[The game of "Baste" was played all through the West
during the pioneer age. The bastes were two trees, or stumps,
usually, and situated fifty to seventy-five yards apart. Two
captains were appointed, who chose the boys off alternately,
and the right to the first choice was determined thus: One
of the captains, taking a ball-paddle, would spit on one side of
it, after which he gave it a whirling toss in the air, when the
other party called out " wet," or "dry." If the side having
his call on it came up twice out of three times, he won ; if but
once, his adversary won. The same method was used in choos-
ing off for a game of ball, and afterward for the first inning,
or paddle. The game of baste consisted in " daring," thus :
Any one of the players would start out and advance as near
the other baste as he chose, and when he got sufficiently near,
one or more of the party thus dared would dart out and try to
catch him before he got back to his baste. If caught, or tagged,
he was taken, and afterward played with the other party. In
turn, when the pursuers came too near the home-baste, the
other party had the right to pursue them home and catch or
tag them if they could. The game often became highly ex-
citing. Girls often took part in the game of baste. The game
was ended when either party took all the others prisoners.
The tag was a simple touch, even with the finger. But in
either case, if the pursuer caught his man, both were at lib-
erty to walk leisurely back to baste unmolested. The adven-
turer was not home, after having made the sally, until he
touched the baste; but the pursuers generally stopped within
what they judged to be a safe distance. The game has long
252 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
since been abandoned. But in this, as in games at ball, at
the word "books," the paddle dropped instantly, and all
started for the school-house door. — Ed.]
" The first wedding I ever attended was that of Mary Starr
to John Courtright ; and the first funeral I can remember of
being at was that of John Huff. This, I think, was in 1823.
During the years 1823 and 1824 there was much sickness — a
great many died of bilious fever. Dr. W. W. Tolbert was the
physician of the settlement at that time.
"Of all the neighbors of my father, in 1812 and 1815, or
about that time, or heads of families within the township,
there are but two persons living now, in April, 1877 — George
Harmon, and George K. Stevenson, both of great age.
" I have lived to see the wilderness transformed into a popu-
lous and wealthy community, and to see the tax list multi-
plied many hundred times. Two full generations of people
have passed away, and two new ones have taken their places.
All the institutions, manners and customs of the early times
have drifted back, and are nearly forgotten. All birds and
beasts have turned to dust. A. Hathaway."
RECOLLECTIONS OF CHRISTIAN HEYL, OF
COLUMBUS.
Christian Heyl emigrated from Germany in 1800, and settled
first in Baltimore, Maryland. While there he was the com-
panion and associate of the late Gotleib Steinman, of Lancas-
ter. There they both learned the baking business. In 1807
Mr. Heyl came to Lancaster, Ohio. During his residence in
Fairfield County he purchased, in connection with his brother
Coonrod, a piece of land containing one-hundred and sixty acres,
in the vicinity of the present Basil, in Liberty Township,
where he opened a little farm and lived on it five years, after
which he removed to Columbus in 1813. He named the fol-
lowing persons who were citizens of Lancaster at the time of
his coming — other names he could not recall :
Christian and William King, Elenathan Schofield, Jonathan
Lynch and brother, Sam'l Coates, Philemon and Jesse Beecher,
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 253
John Creed, Wm. Irvin, Geo. Sanderson, Robert F. Slaughter,
Thomas and Timothy Sturgeon, Peter Reeber, Rev. John
Wright, William Duffield, Charles Sherman, David Crocket,
John Shur, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Mullenour, Rudolph Pitcher, David
Reece and Mr. Cisney. Of all those just mentioned, Mr. Heyl
is the only one living. He is a citizen of Columbus, and is
ninety years old.
During his residence in Fairfield the Indians were about.
He spoke of their coming into Lancaster with their handy-
work to trade for goods and trinkets.
He mentioned his neighbors in the neighborhood of Basil,
during his residence there, previous to 1813 : Joseph and Sam'l
Heistand, the Walterses, Mr. Saliday, John Zeigler, Nicholas
Radibaugh, John Houser, Jacob Weaver.
When he landed at his place near Basil, it was all wild
woods. He cleared off the ground and built a small hut of
round logs, to live in. He next cleared and fenced a small
field, and planted it with corn and " truck " (truck, in the
vernacular of the pioneer age, meant all kinds of garden veg-
etables, including potatoes, turnips, and the like). He had
two small glass windows of four 8-by-10 lights each, put into
his cabin, which circumstance brought upon his family the
reputation of being aristocrats. He remembered that the
women sometimes placed their spinning-wheels up in the wide
fireplaces, to secure the better light that came down the spa-
cious chimney.
From his little farm, near Basil, he returned to Lancaster
and remained awhile. When in 1813 he moved to Columbus,
he loaded two six-horse wagons, partly with his household
goods, and partly with flour. He went on foot himself, with
his ax, and cut out a road some part of the way. There were
few cabins between the two places. It took them three days
to get through. The first house he occupied in Columbus was
a rough log-cabin. In it he followed baking and tavern-keep-
ing. The first evening of his arrival there the supper was set
on the lid of his dough-trough, rested on the heads of two up-
turned flour-barrels, and the participants sat upon flour-barrels.
He occupied the log-house as a tavern and bake-house two
years, and then, in 1815, built the Franklin House on an ad-
joining lot, and moved into it, where he kept hotel for twenty-
eight consecutive years. The location of the old Franklin
254 HISTORY OP FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
House, on High street, east side, a little south, of the present
Cotton Block, will be remembered by all who have been famil-
iar with Columbus. In 1841 he traded the hotel for a farm on
Alum Creek, and removed to it, where he continued to live
twenty-one years, or until 1862, when he again returned to
Columbus.
Mr. Heyl was a generous and kind man, and in trying to
help others lost much of his property by going their security.
Mr. Heyl related an occurrence that took place when he was
moving from Lancaster to Columbus, in 1813. They had ar-
rived with the two six-horse wagons on the south vicinity of
Columbus, where it became necessary to pass over lands owned
by one John McGowen. Mr. McGowen refused to allow the
wagons to pass over his grounds. There seemed no other way
to get the teams into the village, and a negotiation was en-
tered into, which ended in Mr. Heyl agreeing to give McGowen
a bottle of whisky for the privilege, and the teams passed over.
On the following day the lord of the soil presented himself at
the cabin of Mr. Heyl, with his half-gallon bottle, and got it
filled.
In Mr. Heyl's parlor hung a photograph representing four
generations in a group — himself; his oldest son, Lewis; his
grandson, Henry ; and great grandson, Reney.
He detailed the great squirrel-hunt of 1816, an account of
which is given elsewhere in this volume, and in which he
was a participant. He stated the number of scalps returned at
15,000, and thought the wager, to be paid for by the party
having the fewest number, was a barrel of whisky. He gave
the number of men engaged at two hundred. The Scioto was
the dividing line ; one hundred of the men taking the east,
and the other hundred the west side. Columbus was the
rendezvous. The hunt lasted but a single day. He stated
the squirrels were so numerous that, in some places, a racket
made by knocking on the fence, or otherwise, started them so
that dozens were seen running up the same tree.
Mr. Heyl related an incident. Both himself and his brother
Coonrad married into the Alspaugh family, who were early
settlers near the rock-mill, Fairfield County, and where the
descendants of the Alspaugh's still reside. He had gone with
his wife to visit her people in that neighborhood, and while
there word was brought to him that his brother had fallen
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 255
from the Court-house in Columbus, and received dangerous
injury. They at once started on horseback. His oldest son,
Lewis, was a baby. He held the baby in his arms, allow-
ing his horse to follow at his pleasure that of his wife, who
rode in the path before him.
When Mr. Heyl came to Columbus there were but fifteen
families there, the heads of which he named as follows : John
Carr, John Collet, Michael Patton, William McElvane, Benj.
Thompson, John McGowen, Daniel Kutzer, Samuel Keys,
George McCormic, George B. Harvey, Benjamin Johnson,
Peter Putnam, John Putnam, Alexander Patton, and himself.
Wheat at that early day there sold for from fifty to seventy-
five cents a bushel ; corn twelve and a half cents; whisky six
dollars a barrel ; oats ten cents a bushel. He bought a cow
for twenty dollars, and delivered two hundred bushels of oats
in payment. This was in 1841, while he was living on his
Alum Creek farm.
Mr. Heyl named his family still living. He had five sons,
but no daughters. Lewis was the oldest. Lewis, John K. and
George, were residing in Philadelphia. William and Charles
were in Columbus.
Christian Hyel is lingering on the verge of time. He has
outlived his generation. He has lived through nearly three
full generations of men. All he knew and associated with in
Fairfield County and in Franklin County; sixty-five years ago,
has faded out of sight. What he did is as nothing to the bust-
ling throng that tread the earth ; all has been covered over by
the debris of time. He resides with his son Charles, his
companion having passed away some years ago. He is feeble,
but his mind is clear.
RECOLLECTIONS OF JOHN SEE.
Mr. See is a son of George See, who came to Fairfield
County in 1805, and settled on the place now owned by George
Huffman, adjoining the present See farm, in Berne Township.
This farm he purchased of William Carpenter. It consisted
of 160 acres. Mr. See has lived the past threescore years on the
same spot. He was born in 1816. He remembers the siekk-
256 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHTO.
mill and the flax-mill; and also of seeing the remnants of the
Indian wigwams on the plat of Tarhe Town, where the rail-
road shops now stand. He spoke of the first school he
attended. It was taught in a little log-building a short dis-
tance below the Prindle farm. The teacher at that time was
Bartholomew Foley. Thomas Paden and Hocking H. Hunter
subsequently taught in the same house, in about 1828. He
named the following persons who were patrons of the school
when he attended it : James Pierce, father of the late John
Vm Pierce; 0. Lewis, David Reece, Isaac Kuntz, John Pane-
baker, Jacob Iric, Simeon Bixler, Mr. Shellenbarger, father of
Reuben Shellenbarger; Peter Tool, Henry Crawfus, William
Jackson, father of 'Squire Thomas Jackson ; Thomas Mason
and David Carpentjr. William Jackson lived where Reuben
Shellenbarger now lives. The first preacher he remembered
hearing was the Rev. Samuel Carpenter, in the school-house
below Prindle's.
The boys of the settlement wore tow and flax-linen in sum-
mer, and linsey in winter. The women wore linen dresses in
summer, and in winter linsey and striped flannel. Their
cloths were all home-made, and were colored with bark and
copperas, and sometimes with indigo. The boys got but one
pair of shoes in the year; and sometimes went barefooted half
the winter. He sometimes went to his partridge-traps through
the snow with his feet tied up in flax-tow to keep them from
freezing, for the reason that he had no shoes.
He said deer were so plenty that they could be seen every
day. He had seen fourteen of them at one time within one
hundred yards of his father's house. Any man who had a
gun could go into the woods almost any day and shoot a deer.
He had known instances where the dogs chased deer into
the ponds, among the bushes, and kept them at bay until the
men went in and killed them with clubs.
He related the killing of two bears, the manner in which it
was done being quite primitive, and new to the present gen-
eration. The first one was driven under cover of the top of a
large fallen oak, by dogs, which were holding it bay, when Mr.
See's father and William Garvin came up. They climbed on
the limbs above, where the bear was plainly in view below,
and succeeded in knocking it in the head with a chopping-ax.
It weighed three hundred pounds. The spot where this took
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 257
place was within one mile of the See house. The other one
was killed by Mr. Duhma, with a handspike. The occur-
rence took place on the farm now owned by Daniel Akers.
The bear had got into the hog-pen, with the intention, doubt-
less, of carrying off a shoat. Mr. Duhma, hearing the disturb-
ance, came armed with a handspike, and, entering the pen,
with one stroke broke the animal's back, after which he easily
dispatched it. This one weighed four hundred pounds.
Barring the master out was practiced; and on one or two
occasions they had rough times with their old Scotch teacher,
who would not submit to their terms. Mr. See spoke of the
manner of living of the early times. Sometimes breadstuff's
could not be had in sufficient quantities, and they were
obliged to pound corn in the hominy-block, sifting the finest
of it out for meal, and boiling the coarser part for hominy.
Boiled wheat was also a very common article of food. Wild-
honey was abundant, and bee-trees were to be found in all
parts of the country.
He related the following characteristic incident: David
Reece lived then on what is now known as the Pardee farm.
He had a young bearing orchard. On one occasion he sur-
prised three half-grown chaps stealing apples. He asked
them what they wanted them for. They replied that they
wanted them for dumplings. He said, "Come along with me."
He shut them into his loft over night, and until the afternoon
of the following day, when he ordered the girls to make for
each of them twelve large apple-dumplings, which he re-
quired them to eat, and then start for home.
[This story has been told me slightly different, by another,
but the main points were true.— Ed.]
At that time corn was a drug at 12^ cents per bushel, and
wheat the same at 25 cents. Oats would bring from 8 to 10
cents. Mr. See said he had often sold partridge for ten cents
a dozen. On one occasion he traded a mud-turtle to William
Peck for a small glass salt-cellar. A man's wages was twen-
ty-live cents a day in trade, except in the harvest-field, when
fifty cents was paid in cash. Rye was a good article in trade.
It was made into whisky at the little still-houses all over the
country.
17
258 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNXY, OHIO.
It was a common thing to work in the clearings at burn in g
logs and brush until midnight, or later. They drank rye-cof-
fee, sassafras, spice-wood and birch teas. A large proportion
of the meat eaten was from the woods, such as deer-meat, bear-
meat and wild-turkey ; and, in winter, partridge.
RECOLLECTIONS OF MRS. RACHEL YOUNG.
Rachel Young was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., May
1st. 1784. In 1799, in company with her parents and three
or four other families, she came to Fairfield County, Ohio, ar-
riving there on New-Year's Day. They floated down the Ohio
river on a flat-boat to the mouth of the Hocking. From there
they ascended that stream in canoes to the falls, where Logan
stands. There the canoes were unloaded and dragged over the
falls, where they were re-loaded, and paddled up to the mouth
of Rush Creek, the present site of Sugar Grove, where they
were abandoned, and the goods and stores packed on horse-
back, the most of the company traveling on foot through the
forest up Hocking to where Mr. Prindle now lives, two miles
below Lancaster. From there they proceeded in the same
manner to the neighborhood of Bremen, or rather the pres-
ent site of Bremen, where they all settled, in the beginning of
1800. In their passage up the Hocking, obstructing logs were
severed with a cross-cut saw, and removed from the stream to
allow the canoes to pass. Some of the men had been out the
previous spring and cleared off some ground, and planted corn
and potatoes, and also put up some rude cabins.
The company numbered fifteen souls, including one child,
whose name was Joseph Ashbaugh. The following are the
names of the fifteen : Elizabeth Miller and her mother, An-
drew Ashbaugh, Joseph Ashbaugh, Frederick Ashbaugh, Jos.
Miller, John Ashbaugh, Sr., and wife, John Ashbaugh, Jr.,
and wife, three daughters of John Ashbaugh, Sr., Joseph Ash-
baugh, the baby, and Rachel Miller, now Rachel Young.
Mrs. Young was married to Edward Young on the 2d of
April, 1802, and remained in married life fifty-eight years ;
and, on her ninety-third birth day, had been a widow seven.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 259
teen years. At that time she had six children living, viz. :
three sons and three daughters. She became a member of the
Presbyterian Church in 1820, and has lived a Christian woman
and worthy pioneer mother. She was ninety-three years
old on the 1st of May, 1877.
The men who came out the previous spring and made the
preparations for emigrating were: Joseph Miller, and John
and Joseph Ashbaugh. The spot where they made the first
opening has since been known as the James Neely farm, now
belonging to the estate of the late John C. Weaver.
The first school Mrs. Young remembered in the Bremen
neighborhood was near William Black's present residence.
This she thought was in 1803. The first preachers who held
meetings in the settlement were Rev. Cradlebaugh, of the
German Reform Church, and Rev. John Wright, Presbyterian.
This was also about 1803.
On one occasion, when Mr. Young came to see her as a
suitor, he shot a bear on his way. He sent some parties back
to skin and dress Bruin, while he remained with the object
that was the cause of his visit. On another occasion she
went out on the hill to cut a rock, [a rock was a five-pronged
switch formed into a kind of reel, upon which the hatcheled
flax was wound preparatory to spinning — the best of the
kind were found in the tops of dogwood saplings. — Ed.] and
while she was looking round for a good one, a very large bear
came walking leisurely along in unpleasant proximity, but
as he did not show any disposition to molest her, she con-
cluded the best plan for her to adopt would be to not molest
him, and so each party took the course that suited them best.
The first hog killed in the settlement was a small shoat,
which made a part of her wedding-dinner. After the cere-
mony of the dinner, dancing was introduced, John Ashbaugh
being the fiddler.
Mrs. Young spoke of a method of salting down pork at that
early day, which the writer remembers as having been prac-
ticed. She said coopers were at first not to be found, and the
settlers dug troughs from the trunks of large trees, and used
them as meat-tubs. She remembered that at one time she
had five wild-turkeys salted down in one of these troughs.
She spoke of a turkey-pen they built near her house, in which
she caught twenty-one turkeys within less than two weeks.
260 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
She and Catharine Ashbaugh were the ones that went in the
pens to catch them.
She also spoke of another matter which perhaps few, even
of the oldest inhabitants, have any recollection of, as it was
not everywhere known. I allude to the art of manufacturing
fine linen from the fiber of wild-nettles. The wild-nettle
grew in some sections in great abundance, and always on the
low and richest soil. It was a weed that grew up from three
to four feet high, and bore a remote resemblance to the bone-
set, or ague-weed. Its fiber was as fine as the finest flax, and
the nettle-weed was treated in the same way that flax was, by
roting, breaking, scutching and spinning, with the exception
that it was mowed down instead of being pulled up by the
root, as flax was.
The nettle has nearly entirely disappeared from the country,
and is seldom seen, and never, except in remote and wild spots.
Few of the present living generation have ever seen it at all.
A peculiarity of the nettle was that it had on its stem a
prickly beard, that, upon touching with the hands or other
parts of the body, inserted itself into the skin, producing a
most intolerable itching and burning sensation scarcely to be
endured; hence, everybody soon learned to go round the "net-
tle patch.1'
Every family manufactured their own clothes. Hand-cards
were used in preparing wool for spinning. The young people
went to meeting barefooted ; sometimes carried their shoes
and stockings in their hands to near the meeting-house, and
then sat down and put them on.
Mrs. Young was present at the first Fourth of July celebra-
tion held in Fairfield County, half a mile west of Lancaster,
but did not remember the whisky-barrel and the fight, but she
remembered that the wild meat was roasted before a big fire.
The first wedding in her neighborhood was that of James
Wilson and Patsey Hammel. The first death was that of a
Mr. Hamerly. The first birth in the new settlement was
David Ashbaugh.
The writer was present at the celebration of Mrs. Young's
ninety-third birthday, on the first day of May, 1877, at the
residence of Jacob Moyer. She was in fine spirits, cheerful,
and her memory very little impaired. There were present on
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 261
that occasion two sons and two daughters, fifteen grandchild-
ren, and thirteen great-grandchildren of the venerable mother.
REMINISCENCES BY DR. CHARLES SHAWK.
" My father, Dr. John M. Shawk, came from Lexington, Ken-
tucky, to Lancaster, in 1801, and purchased from Ebenezer
Zane the lot upon which I now live, on Main street. Lancas-
ter was then principally a forest of trees and underbrush. He
hired the father of Jacob Gaster, well known here, to clear off
the ground and inclose it, and then returned to Lexington.
In 1806 he removed to the place, living first where the canal
now is, and on the south side of the mouth of Main street.
The same building was afterwards moved on rollers up to his
lot on Main street, and is at present a part of the same build-
ings occupying the grounds. To move it to this spot, the
trees and stumps had to be cut out of the way. I was six
years old when my father came here, and have resided on the
same spot ever since. The house my father first lived in — the
one removed on rollers — was built by Dr. Irvin."
Dr. John M. Shawk was a practicing physician up to the
time of his death, in 1846. His wife was Susanna Stoy. Dr.
Stoy was distinguished for his art in curing rabies canina
(hydrophobia), which art also descended to the Shawk family,
through Susanna, and has been successfully practiced by the
present Dr. Charles. Mrs. John Shawk was a highly educated
lady, and possessing also a strong mind. She was a mother of
the old type, of whom there are few left, and whose places
will not be filled until another revolution in the human race
takes place, and another era sets in. She died in 1863, at a
very advanced age.
The following are some of Dr. Shawk's recollections of the
early days of Lancaster. The first elections he remembers
were held in the Court-house. He remembers when Governor
Worth ington made a speech in the Court-house yard when he
was a candidate, and how the people cheered him because he
was a favorite. This was about 1810. He remembered that
Governor Worthington, assisted by Judge Abrams, surveyed
262 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
the lands lying south of Lancaster, and extending down into
Hocking County, or Avhat is now Hocking County. Judge
Abraras was a successful hunter. He (the Doctor) said he saw
him bring a huge bear into Lancaster about the year 1810.
The Doctor spoke of the streets being full of stumps, and
that Main street sometimes became so deep with mud that
wagons stalled in it, and had to be pried out. On that account
Wheeling street was the principal thoroughfare. Main street
was at one time bridged with poles, which, in early times, were
called corduroy bridges. There was a swale crossing Main
street about where Shawk's alley is, extending up towards the
Talmadge House. He had seen people watering their horses
there; and there was a pond that sometimes became so deep
that it would nearly, or quite swim horses. At that time,
about 1806, there were not more than six or eight cabins on
Wheeling street, and on Main not exceeding thirty.
The fights on muster and other public days were vivid in
his recollection. He said that bears and deer often came into
town. In 1817 he shot and killed a bear on Kuntz's hill.
Wild-turkeys were seen in immense flocks, especially in the
beach woods ; and they likewise often came into the village,
which at that time was full of forest trees. A man by the
name of John Rhoads killed a huge panther near Mr. Stukey's,
below town. It measured seven feet from the tip of the tail
to the point of the snout. The Indians came every fall from
Sandusky, to hunt. He sometimes went to their camps and
saw them beat their breasts and grunt their songs.
RECOLLECTIONS OF CATHARINE RUTTER, OF
PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.
Catharine Rutter came with her late husband, Balser Rutter,
from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1815, and
settled in Pleasant Township, on the same place where, with
her son, she still resides, at the age of 85 years. She is a re-
markably active, social and intelligent old lady, and in the
possession of all her faculties, scarcely perceptibly impaired.
She has a good recollection of the state of the country at that
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 263
time, and of the way people lived, and of the incidents of the
surrounding settlement.
She named the following as her principal neighbors at th-e
time of her settlement there, in 1815 : Thomas Anderson,
Henry Hockman, John Burton, Tewalt Maclin, Jacob Maclin,
Mr. Harmon, Daniel May, Henry Culp, Thomas and David
Ewing, James Duncan, Christian Neibling, John Feemen,
Benjamin Feemen.
She spoke of the new and wild state of the country, and of
the manners and customs of the people, and how almost im-
perceptibly everything had changed, until not even a vistige
of the good old times was to be seen. She lamented the de-
parture of the better days, because she believed people were
far happier, better contented, and more social and kind to one
another then than they are now. They had fewer wants than
at present, but enjoyed life far better. They worked hard,
and sometimes lived hard, but were never seiiously pinched,
because at that time the new farms yielded plenty. When
they first arrived, in the fall of the year, they had nothing pre-
pared for the winter, and their neighbors brought them sup-
plies. One man brought a full sled-load of cabbage-heads.
They spun and wove their own clothing, at first carding the
wool on hand-cards. Her oldest daughter, Susanna, spun in
one summer fifty pounds of wool, besides helping with other
work. Susanna is now Mrs. Henry Bell, of Lancaster.
They attended church at the Court-house, in Lancaster, to
hear Revs. John Wright and Stake preach. The first wed-
ding she was at in the settlement was that of Nellie May to
William Creighton. This was in 1816 or 1817. The first
funeral she remembered was that of a Mr. Bope — first name not
remembered — probably in 1817. He was uncle to Philip
Bope, now of Lancaster.
Mrs. Rutter was a weaver, and, besides weaving for her own
family, wove also for some of her neighbors. She had her
spinning-wheels and reel set away as relics of a departed age,
and to be viewed by coming generations as curious imple-
ments belonging to a forgotten era, and, perhaps, at a time
when not a living soul should know anything of their use.
She recurred to the house-raisings, log-rollings, quiltings,
sewings and pumpkin-butter boilings, and other gatherings
peculiar to the times, and thought they were the most enjoya-
264 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
ble occasions of her whole life, but occasions never again to be
enjoyed. And as we talked on of the log- cabin and pioneer
age, we fell into a sympathetic relation that recalled happy
memories, and joys, and loves, and loved ones departed, that
filled the heart with thrilling comforts worth more than all
the gold of earth, for the writer came up from the begin-
ning of the century through all the experiences of frontier life.
RECOLLECTIONS OF ANDREW HUNTER, OF HOCKING
TOWNSHIP.
Andrew Hunter was the son of John Hunter, who emigrated
from Virginia in company with Maurice Reece, Jesse Reece,
Solomon Reece and James Hunter, in the year 1800, and settled
one mile and a haif west of Lancaster, on the same spot of
ground where Andrew now lives. Mr. Hunter was born there
in 1806, and has spent his life on the same farm.
The company came down the Ohio to the mouth of Hocking
on a flat-boat, then up Hocking in canoes to the falls. There
their little stock of goods was unloaded, and a portion of them
placed on "drags" (two poles framed together, the slim ends
forming the shafts), and by horses pulled up to the destination
west of Lancaster; the men, women and children walking
through the wilderness. Some of their goods were left at a
cabin near the falls, and were not brought away for several
months.
James Hunter was a brother of John Hunter, and uncle of
Andrew. He once taught school in a cabin that stood on the
site of Steven Smith's blacksmith-shop, on Columbus street,
Lancaster. He also taught west of Lancaster. Mr. Hunter
said he went to school to his uncle one day, when he thinks
he was about eight years old. It was the first time he had
ever been in a school-house, and he kept his hat on. The
scholars "giggled," and at last the teacher laughed, and then
he got mad and gathered up the wooden poker from the chim-
ney-corner, to make battle, and the master had to quiet him
by telling him they were laughing because he had his hat on
in school. But he would not go back again to that school.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 265
At Mr. Hunter's first recollection, the following were his
father's principal neighbors : Nathaniel Wilson, Sr., Jesse
Spurgeon, Joseph Work, John Searl, Maurice Reece, Joseph
Hunter, John Green, Mr. Vandemark, and old grandfather
Hunter..
Mr. Hunter referred to the great Indian scare, elsewhere re-
ferred to in this volume. Nathaniel Wilson's house, as being
the best one in the neighborhood, was used for the fort, where
the women and children were taken for protection. A neigh-
bor (I think he said Jesse Spurgeon) took him and some other
little fellows in charge to convey them to the fort, and was
himself so frightened that he half dragged them along by the
hands, telling them all the time that the Indians were coming.
Mr. Wilson and another man rode to Lancaster to get the news
about the Indians, soon returning to tell the people that it was
a false alarm, and they might all go home.
Mr. Hunter remembered of riding on bags of corn to Hun-
ter's mill when he was a very small boy. He also said the
boys used to go in companies down to the mills on Kinnikin-
nick, and all wait till they got their grists, and then return in
a crowd, because they were afraid of the Indians. It did not
occur to them that a couple of warriors could easily capture a
regiment of them.
He related that a man by the name of Converse lived where
Robinson Peters now lives, three-quarters of a mile west of
Lancaster, and that the settlers at a previous day met there to
the number of eighteen men, for the purpose of making de-
fensive preparations against the Indians, of whom they were
afraid. They had whisky, got drunk, and had bloody fights
among themselves. This had been told to him, and he thought
the occurrence took place about 1801.
Some of the early purchasers of land in the settlement were
about to forfeit their purchases, and their lands were to be re-
sold at Chillicothe. Ebenezer Zane came into the neighbor-
hood and told the men to raise all the money they possibly
could, which they did, and he took it and went to the land-
office and succeeded in saving most of the purchases.
Mr. Hunter also related an amusing story of a fox-hunt,
which he said he had heard a man tell. It occurred less than
forty years ago, as he thought. The fox was so closely pressed
by the hounds, that it took refuge in a meeting-house where
266 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
the congregation was worshiping at the time, the door being
open. The people were thrown into the wildest confusion, for
no sooner had poor Reynard entered, and sought concealment
under the benches, than in poured the hounds, followed by old
Father Grabill, the great fox-chaser, who was the leader of the
band, and so intent on securing his prey that not even the
sanctity of the worshiping assembly stood in his way. The
fox was taken, and the gravity of the congregation left to find
its equilibrium.
RECOLLECTIONS OF MRS. ELIZABETH SHERRICK.
Mrs. Sherrick is a daughter of the late Daniel Arnold, of
Lancaster, and granddaughter of George Arnold, who emi-
grated from Pennsylvania and settled on Fetter's Run, in
Pleasant Township, in this county, in the year 1801. Mrs.
Sherrick was born in 1798, and has resided all her life in Fair-
field County. Her grandfather, George Arnold, was the father
of Daniel, Henry, Jacob and George Arnold, late of Pleasant
Township. She preserves a good recollection of the state of
tire country in its pioneer age. The first school she remem-
bers was taught by a Mr. Curtis, an emphatic and stern old
Scotchman, who sometimes got drunk.
The place where they lived was what is still known as the
Arnold farm, north of the Infirmary, and four miles north of
Lancaster. She said the Indians came often to their cabin for
something to eat. Her mother always set the table and gave
them what she had, to keep them in a good humor. One of
their peculiarities was, they would not allow her to cut the
bread, but would themselves take the loaf and pass it round,
each one cutting off his own slice. If they had anything left
that was not eaten, they would tuck it under their blankets
and take it away for their squaws and pappooses. She said
they were always afraid of offending the Indians, and there-
fore made it a point to do all they could to keep them in a
good humor.
During the first years, grain and other feed was often scarce
in the spring and summer, and they spanceled their horses
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 267
by tying the fore-feet with ropes or hickory bark, and turned
them out to eat grass, or to orowse on the twigs of bushes when
grass was scarce, usually putting a bell on one of their necks
so they could be easily found. She stated, if any one took
very sick in the night, or any accident occurred of a serious
nature, a horn was blown, and the nearest neighbors went to
see what was the matter.
At her first recollection there were but few cabins, and they
were scattered through the forest, and blazes were made on
the trees from house to house, which were followed until
plain paths were worn. Her father, Daniel Arnold, was the
first tanner ; and she thought that when he opened his tan-
yard there was no other nearer than Zanesville, on the Mus-
kingum.
The first death she remembered that took place after they
came there, was that of Katy Ditto, in 180(>, she thought, for
she was eight years old at the time. The Dittos lived on the
site of the present Infirmary. The next death in the settle-
ment was grandfather Fetters, who was the father of Jacob,
Coonrod and Philip Fetters, early settlers on Fetter's Run, and
fathers of the present Fetters men of the same neighborhood.
They had to cut a road through bushes to get the wagon to
the grave. This was in 1808, or about that time.
Grandfather Arnold built a mill on Fetter's Run, a few rods
below the present crossing of the poor-house road. That was
a great jubilee for the settlement, for previously they had to
carry their grists all the way to Zanesville. (A grist is a sack
of grain.) There was also a saw-mill built in connection with
it, which was the first in the settlement. They have both
long since disappeared.
The first preachers were Revs. Bennedum and Heistand,
United Brethren; and Revs. Bright, Charles Waddle, Cloud,
Asa Shin, James Quinn and Jacob Young, Methodists. Meet-
ings were held in the cabins of the settlers, and in the log
school-houses.
The young people had their plays and usual sports of the
pioneer age, but dancing was not allowed, on account of the
religious conscientious scruples of parents. Every one had
enough to do to occupy all the time; and when the youngsters
had a little time for play, it was by special permission. Mrs.
Sherrick, when a girl, could spin her two dozen (cuts) of flax
268 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELDCOUNTY, OHIO.
in a day, and sometimes thirty cuts of wool. At first the
rolls were carded with hand-cards, and afterwards on carding-
machines. She said her mother, in trying to show the girls
how to use the hand-cards, did it so quick they could not
learn.
They made all their clothing. Coffee was'fifty cents a pound,
and they put a couple of dozen grains with the burnt rye to
give it a coffee flavor. Tea was $1.50 and $2.00 a pound. The
substitute for it was spice-wood and sasafrass tea.
Ginsang was very plenty, and they dug the roots and dried
them, and sold them by the pound, mostly for cash. The
price was not remembered.
STATEMENT OF JANE McCLUNG, OF WEST
RUSHvILLE.
I am the widow and second wife of the late Judge William
McClung, and daughter of William Trimble, who was one of
the first settlers of Fairfield County. I am above eighty years
of age, and have lived here to see the wilderness become a
garden.
My father, William Trimble, came from Cumberland
County, Maryland, in the beginning of the present century,
and settled five miles north-east of the present city of Lan-
caster, where he continued to live until the time of his death,
which, as I think now, was in 1829.
Among his neighbors at the time of my earliest recollection
were: William Jones, Mr. Hammel, Frederick Harmon, the
Roughs, the Macklins, the Hites, the Browns, and Thomas
Anderson.
The first school I attended was half a mile from my father's
cabin. I was then five years old. The teacher then was a
Mr. Watsbaugh, and after him Mr. Irvin. The school-house
was built of round logs, covered with clapboards, and had
oiled-paper windows, and a stick and mud chimney. The
benches were rough slabs, with wooden legs. The fireplace
was just the width of the house.
The first place I attended meeting was a little south of the
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 269
present turnpike-road, leading from Lancaster to Rushville.
It was called " The Tent, " because the first meetings there
were held in a tent. The place is still spoken of as
"The Tent." The denomination that worshiped there
was the Associate Reform Presbyterian. The society was
organized about the year 1803, by Missionaries from Ken-
tucky. The church has maintained its organization up to
the present time, and is now known as the United Presby-
terian Church. The first established pastor was the Rev. Mr.
Craig. He was succeeded by Rev. Benjamin Waddle, and af-
ter him Rev. Ebenezer Calderhead, who remained twent}T-one
years. The next pastor was Rev. Buchanan. This was in
1859 and 1860. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Boyd.
There was a Presbyterian Church about the same time two
miles south of West Rushville. We also attended church
there. At this place the Rev. John Wright, of Lancaster,
preached at a very early day. It was a hewed-log house, two
stories high. The logs of this old church were many years
ago taken down and removed to West Rushville, where they
were re-erected on Main street, and the building is at this
time being used as a mechanic's-shop.
The first death I remember as happening in my father's
settlement was that of Maria Hite, who, I think, was about
nine years old.
The first wedding I ever attended was that of Poll}r Rugh to
Charles Baker. This was about the year 1814.
Upon mj" father's first settlement there, the whole country
was in a complete state of nature. The little cabins of the set-
tlers were scattered through the woods, and the paths between
them were made by following the blazes on trees. We could
hear the wolves howling almost every day and night in the
year, and often in very close proximity to our cabin. It was
difficult for a long time to keep sheep, for the wolves would
take them sometimes very near the house. Wild-turkeys
swarmed all through the woods. They were shot, and caught
in pens. I saw my father shoot one while he stood in his
door.
The family wear of the early settlers was entirely home-
made. The women spun and wove flax and tow-linen, and
linsey and flannels, and made up the garments. The color-
ing was done with the bark from trees, such as oak, maple,
270 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
hickory and walnut. Copperas (sulphate of iron) put into
the "ooze" of these barks made a variety of colors, ranging from
yellow to red and black, or brown.
The first mills were at Zanesville and Chillicothe, and the
men had to pack their grain all the way to these places on
horseback, and along the paths through the woods, to get it
ground into meal or flour ; pack-saddles were us( d. The sup-
ply of salt was brought from the works, on the Muskingum,
and sometimes from the Scioto.
There was a camp-meeting established north of Rushville,
at a very early day, and continued annually for many years.
It was known as Stevenson's camp-ground. It was said to
have been the first camp-meeting in Ohio. It was a Metho-
dist camp-meeting, and was attended by the Finleys, Jacob
Young, James Quinn, Charles Waddle, Asa Shin, and other
pioneer Methodist preachers. It is still spoken of through the
settlements as the " Camp-Ground. " There is a grave-yard
there now. It is believed these camp-meetings were estab-
lished about 1806, or 1808.
My father was a 'Squire, and the first couple he was called
on to marry was Edward Murphy and Sally Murphy, who
were cousins ; but as my father had been newly-elected, they
were compelled to wait a few days until his commission
arrived.
There was a man by the name of Mike Rough living in the
settlement. A few men who had been on an unsuccessful
hunt, disguished themselves as 'Indians and went to his house
in a menacing manner. In terrible alarm, he took his
family and fled, spreading the word that the Indians were
upon them, and for a couple of days the greatest consternation
prevailed all over the country. The people in all the settle-
ments forted themselves, and the fighting men prepared for
the defense, but when the Indians failed to come, they went
to Rough's cabin and found that the pseudo Indians had
stripped it of all its little store of eatables, and disappeared,
without doing any other mischief.
I love to think of those good old log-cabin times, when we
were all friendly and contented, and all willing to do all we
could to help each other. I love to think of the social " 0 sis-
ter Phoebe," and " We're boldly marching to Quebec," and of
the many ways we had to enjoy ourselves. But alas! my
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 271
youthful companions are all gone, and all the bright, joyful
scenes of youth have vanished, and now my eyes are turned
toward my eternal home in heaven, where I expect to rejoin
all I have loved below.
STATEMENT OF JOHN VANZANT, OF WEST
RUSHVILLE.
I-aac, William and Thomas Ijams, brothers, came from
Frederick County, Maryland, and settled immediately on the
west of the present village of West Rushville, among the
earliest settlers of Fairfield County, where they all three died
at somewhat advanced ages. Isaac was the father of Isaac,
John and William Ijams ; William was father of Richard and
Howard; and Thomas was the father of John, Joseph and
Frederick. All of these eight sons have been known as citi-
zens and business men in and about Rushville ; but they are
all gone — most of them have deceased.
William Wiseman was also a Frederick County man, and
came out with the Ijams brothers. He settled south and ad-
joining West Rushville, where he died at an advanced age.
Mr. Wiseman acquired considerable wealth, and dying child-
less, willed it principally to the Catholic Church at Somerset,
Perry County, of which church he was a member.
John J. Jackson, also a Marylander, came with the same
company, and lived in the same neighborhood. His wife was
an Ijams.
Father Wilson was a very early settler in the neighbor-
hood of West Rushville. He entered a large tract of land
lying north-west of the present site of the village. This con-
stituted the Wilson settlement. His sons were William,
Thomas, Joseph, Isaac and David, all of whom weie formerly
well known. The Wilsons were a stalwart class of men, of
the true pioneer type. David is the only survivor of them all,
and is residing in Illinois.
Jesse, Mordecai, Daniel and Edward Stevenson, brothers,
were among the first settlers. They entered lands and settled
272 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
north of Rushville, in Richland Township. Thsy were from
Maryland, and are all dead.
Arthur and Walter Teal came from Maryland, in about 1799,
and settled in the same community. Edward Teal, a brother,
went a little further west, and located two and a half miles
east of the present Lancaster, on what is known as the old
Rushville road. These brothers have passed away.
Edward Murphy came about the same time, and settled one
mile west of Rushville, on the place now owned by his son,
Theodore Murphy. The Murphys were Virginians.
Mrs. Vanzant said that when her mother first came to West
Rushville, in 1823, there were but three houses in the place,
and that there were a few houses on the east side. Nathaniel
Wait, step-father of Mrs. Vanzant, was the first physician in
West Rushville.
Emanuel Ruffner was a very early settler. He located north
of the Wilson settlement, and immediately joining. Joseph
Ruffner was his son, and died a few years since at a consid-
erable age. Daniel Keller and Christian Baker married two
of the daughters of Emanuel Ruffner.
The descendants of all these early settlers above-mentioned,
more or less, are still citizens of the county.
William Coulson, of Rushville, was an early citizen, and
died there recently at the great age of about ninety.- His ca-
reer there as a merchant and dealer in tobacco, as also that of
John, Joseph and William Ijams, in West Rushville, will
long be remembered. They are all dead, and the immense
production of tobacco on Rush Creek, of former years, has
almost entirely ceased, and not even a vestige of the trade is
to be seen.
STATEMENT OF THOMAS BARR, OF AMANDA
TOWNSHIP.
My father, Thomas Barr, with four of his brothers, came
from Chester County, Pennsylvania, in about the year 1800,
and settled in Amanda Township. The brothers of my father
were— Samuel, James, William and John. They all located
in the same neighborhood, about two miles west of the present
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 273
village of Amanda. They have all five deceased. At the time
of their arrival there were a few cabins on the Mudy Prairie,
and perhaps two or three in the vicinity of Royalton, or Toby
Town, as the locality was then called, it being a small village
of the Wyandot and Delaware Indians, governed by a chief
whose name was Toby. There were small mills erected soon
after the settlements began, at the forks of Hocking (rock-mill),
and at Kinnikinnick, to which the settlers carried their corn
to be ground. There was also a horse-mill near where Tarle-
ton now stands, owned by one Dilsaver, where grists were
ground. I can remember when there were blazed roads
.through the woods. In emigrating west, the company came
in wagons over Zane's trace, from Wheeling to the Hocking, at
a time when there was no cabin between Zanesville and Lan-
caster, and on the site of Lancaster not more than two cabins
stood.
The first school of the neighborhood was on my father's land.
It was a little log-house, with oiled-paper windows. The first
man who taught in it was Thomas Magee. The next that
taught after him was James Hunter. Thomas Moore and John
Young also kept school in the same house.
The first meeting-house was built by the Lutherans in our
neighborhood, and the first preachers were Revs. Leist and
King. The Methodists and Presbyterians came in some time
afterwards, the latter forming their first society where Amanda
now is. The Rev. Mr. Jones was the first Presbyterian preacher
there that I remember.
My grandfather, Andrew Barr, as also my grandmother, died
about the year 1812 or 1818.
The first death that occurred in the settlement, that I can
recall, was a neighbor of my father's, by the name of Christy.
He was familiarly called " Father Christy."
When we came to have wheat for market, we hauled it to
Circleville and traded it off for twenty-five cents a bushel. At
a very early day I hauled corn to Circleville and traded it at
sixteen cents a bushel. My father, with others of the neigh-
bors, went to Zanesville for their salt, packing in out on
horseback.
We had the usual log-rollings, corn-huskings, etc., of the
frontier settlements at that time. Also the old-fashioned plays
and dances of the young people.
18
274 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
STATEMENT OF SAMUEL KESTER, OF AMANDA
TOWNSHIP.
My father, George Kester, was one of the first settlers at
Yankee Town, now Claypool's neighborhood, in Greenfield
Township. He first settled on the Richard Hooker place.
This was in 1799. Subsequently he bought land in Amanda
Township, the same on which I now reside, three miles east
of the village of Royal ton, where he died in April, 1852, at
the age of 72 years. I am his only surviving son. I was born
in Fairfield County, and have lived on the same place all my
life.
There was a little log school-house on Kemp's land, near our
place. It was the first place I went to school. The first
teacher I remember there was James Granthum. It was in
1852. The logs of that little school-house were removed and
rebuilt on the Jesse Spurgeon place, two miles west of Lan-
caster, near the Cedar Hill pike, where they still stand. The
next school I attended was on the Hutchison farm. A
teacher there that I remember, was John Cunningham. The
logs of that house are now used as a stable near the pike, three
miles east of Royalton.
The first religious meetings I remember were held in a log
school-house in Royalton, by the Lutherans. The Methodists
had a society there. They sometimes held their meetings in
barns. The United Brethren preached at the houses of George
Grow and Jacob Bullenbaus. This was from 1828 to 1832.
The first funeral that took place in the Yankee TowTn settle-
ment, was in 1801 or 1802 ; I have forgotten the man's name.
He died on Black Lick, in what is now Licking County. He
came out with the company that settled at the Claypool place,
or was a relative, and they brought his remains down there
for interment. There were no roads, and the body was brought
by two horses, in the folloAving manner: Two long poles
were cut. A wagon-cover was made fast to them, after the
manner of a hammock ; upon this the body was laid, and the
poles suspended on the backs of the horses, which were pre-
pared with pack-saddles, one horse before, and the other in the
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 275
rear. The distance was several miles. There was neither
planks nor cabinet-makers in the settlement, and a coffin was
improvised with slabs split from large trees. The slabs were
set in the dug grave, the body lowered, and a wide slab laid
for the lid, upon which the clay was filled in. This statement
I received from my parents.
The first wedding I remember was that of my uncle, Jacob
Harrison, to Julia Ann Hanaway. She died six weeks after-
wards.
Wolves swarmed all over the county at the beginning of
the settlements, and for a number of years subsequently.
For some time after my father built his cabin, there was no
door-shutter, and to close the opening, called the door, a wagon-
cover was suspended in it. Wolves howled around daily.
When sheep were first introduced, they were herded and
watched through the day, and shut up in a strong log-pen at
night, to preserve them from the jaws of the wolves. The
first years in the Yankee Town settlement the ague attacked
almost everybody, and that was the principal reason why my
father moved further west.
The following were the principal first settlers of that section
of what is now Greenfield Township: Father McFarland,
who was the father of the late Walter McFarland;; Mr. Cherry,
and others I cannot now name. Our neighbors in Amanda
Township, at my first recollection, were Tunis Newkirk,
father of Jephthah Newkirk; Grandfather Kemp, Henry Kemp,
Theodore Williamson, Henry Ingman, Henry Kiger, William
Kiger, Richard Herrod, Widow Osborn, who was familiarly
known as Granny Osborn. (She was one of the very first
settlers.)
Deer and wild-turkeys were abundant; and occasionally a
bear. Wild-cats were quite plenty; hawks were very trouble-
some in the destruction of chickens.
Our first grinding was done at the rock-mills. But in the
very early times the men went all the way to Chillicothe to
mill, packing their grists on horseback. Salt was first
brought from Zanesville, on horseback. It cost from $3 to $5
for fifty pounds, which was called a bushel.
First roads were made through the woods by following the
blazed trees from cabin to cabin. Dancing was practiced to
276 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
some extent by the 3-011 ng people ; and we played the old plays
of "Sister Phoebe," and kindred plays.
It was no uncommon thing for the young people to go to
church, or "meeting," as it was called then, barefooted; and
older people too, in some instances. The reason for this was
the scarcity of shoes, as well as the inability on the part of the
people to always command the means of paying for them.
Our manner of living was in accordance with the general
pioneer life of the times. The old time hominy-block was
found in every cabin, and spinning-wheels, and reels, and the
corn-grater. Our clothing was mostly home-made. We had
to work hard, and had very little time for play. The wants of
the people were fewer than at present, and more easily met,
for our real requirements were natural, and we were satisfied.
STATEMENT OF SAMUEL GRIFFITH, OF AMANDA
TOWNSHIP.
My father, Isaac Griffith, emigrated from Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania, in 1818, and settled in Amanda Township, on
the place known as the Leathers Tavern, adjoining the present
village of Amanda on the south-east corner. At that time the
site of Amanda, and all the surrounding country, was in a wild
condition. There were a few small settlements in different
parts of the township, mostly living in rude log-cabins, and
small farms were opened ; but there were neither good roads
nor markets.
The best house in the community was the Leathers house.
It was of hewed logs, and two stories high. Mr. Leathers
settled there at a very early day, and had kept a tavern many
years. At the time of our coming there was neither a frame
nor a brick building in the township. My father kept tavern
in the Leathers House about twenty-five years, or until his
death, which occurred in 1855. The house burnt down in 1858
or 1859.
Our neighbors at the time of coming there, in 1818, were
Abram Kestler, Abram Myres, John Welsheimer, Frederick
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 277
Welsheimer, David Leathers, Samuel Leathers, Mr. Gardner,
William Hamilton, Michael Shellenharger, Martin Landis,
Judge Vanmeter, John Leist, Samuel Kirkwood, John Svvoyer,
Daniel Conrad, John Conrad, Michael Nigh, Samuel Nigh and
Daniel Peter3.
The first school I went to was in the Landis neighborhood.
The first teacher was Moses Stutson, and afterwards Solomon
Grover. I was a very small boy, but I walked over the road
twice every day. The house was made of round logs, and one
log was cut out for a window. *
The first church was built on Swoyer's land, in about 1828.
It was a brick house.
I have known oats to be sold for six and one-fourth centsper
bushel, after we came here, though the price was usually about
twelve and a half cents, but seldom in cash. There was very
little cash in the country. Everything was done by trading.
Wheat was sold at twenty-five cents per bushel. A day's labor
was twenty-five cents in trade, except in harvest-time, when
a half-Iollar was paid, for the most part in money. The
farmers usually contrived some means of getting money to
pay the harvest-hands. I know it was much harder to pay
the taxes then than now, although I believe it would not be
out of the way to say that eight dollars of taxes then is repre-
sented by two hundred dollars now. Butter could sometimes
be sold then for six and one-fourth cents. Our post-office was
at Lancaster. There was one mail each way in a week. We
brought our salt from Zanesville, and paid as high as five dol-
lars a bushel for it.
The town of Amanda was first laid off by Samuel Kest-
ler ; the year I do not remember.
STATEMENT OF THOMAS REECE, OF HOCKING
TOWNSHIP.
I am a son of Maurice Reece, who emigrated from Pennsyl-
vania, with others, in the year 1799. My father tented first,
after his arrival, on the site where the mill now stands,
known as Latta's mill, one mile and a half west of Lancaster.
278 HISTOKY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
He only remained there a short time. He purchased the
land known for many years as the Robinson Peters place, and
put up a cabin. That was the Reece neighborhood. Thomas
Whyley now lives on the farm, and is the owner. After the
death of my mother, my father came and lived with me until
his death, in about 1844. I have two brothers— Maurice and
Isaac Reece — still residents of the same settlement.
My father's first neighbors were : Nathaniel Wilson, Sr.,
Joseph Hunter, John and Allen Green, William and Thomas
Green, Jesse *Spurgeon, Peter Woodring, Adam Bear, Baker
Dutton, and a Mr. Reed.
There were three early mills I remember — the rock-mill,
and Ream's and Shellenbarger's mills. Mr. Ingman built a
horse-mill west of Lancaster that was very useful to the
■neighborhood. There was also a horse-mill built by Samuel
Harper, two miles east of Amanda.
There were two brothers, Robert and Joseph Young, who
settled four miles east of Amanda, at a very early day.
James Hunter taught school in our settlement as early as
1801, and continued to* teach more or less for several years
afterward. Our first school-house stood on what was called
Spurgeon's Knob, a short distance north of Latta's mill.
In the course of a few years, but previous to 1810, little still-
houses sprang up all over the country, where whisky and
peach-brandy were made. Peach crops soon became very
abundant, because the peach-tree was the growth of but two or
three years ; and in those early years of the country the peach
crop seldom failed. They, were hauled in wagon-loads to the
still-houses, for distillation. They were, from their very
abundance, of little use in any other way, beyond what fami-
lies could consume.
Wolves were incessantly howling around us. Deer and
Avild-turkeys were plenty everywhere, and in the few first
years of the settlements, bears were quite numerous. My
father was a bold hunter. He killed, within a given time, ten
bears, and over one hundred deer, besides a great many wolves.
He shot one elk, but it got away. There was a premium paid
by the State on wolf-scalps.
A common day's work was twenty-five cents ; but afterward
fifty cents was paid for harvest-hands. It was considered a
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 279
big day's work to reap and bind forty dozen sheaves of wheat.
It required good reapers and strong men to do it.
We had to make blazes on the trees so that we could find
the way from one cabin to another, though the distance some-
times was but short. The woods were very dense. But this
was only necessary in the beginning of the settlements, be-
cause the roads soon became worn.
The first wedding I saw in the new settlement was Sally
Reece, a sister of my father, to Larken , and the first
funeral I can remember to have witnessed was that of Nancy
Hunter.
It happened sometimes that breadstuffs became very scarce ;
sometimes they could not be had at all for several weeks,
which was caused by the streams failing. In these cases the
people grated meal from the half-ripe corn, and lived on
vegetables and wild-meat.
I can remember when going to and from rock-mill that I
saw flocks of deer skipping about in every direction, with
their white tails turned over their backs. They would feed
near the road, seemingly little afraid of man ; but afterward,
when they had been often shot at, they became more shy.
I can remember that my mother did sewing for a neighbor
to pay for a fat side of bacon ; ard I can remember when my
brother Maurice and myself went into the woods and gathered
armfuls of wild-onions and carried them home. Cooked up
with bacon, they were much used. Their season was in May
and early June. My mother was a weaver, and besides do-
ing the weaving for her own family, wove more or less for the
neighbors.
Throughout the settlements there was little difference ob-
served between Sundays and other days ; at least by many.
It was no unusual thing to see men come to meeting with
their guns on their shoulders; and the crack of rifles through
the woods was as familiar on Sundays as any other day in the
week.
Within a few years after the settlements began, the hogs,
from straying off into the woods, became wild, so that large
flocks of them existed. In this state of things many were in
the habit of procuring their pork from the woods. When a
fat hog was wanted, men took their dogs and rifles and went
280 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
in search of a drove of wild hogs ; and, having shot one, or half a
dozen, they were brought in on sleds and dressed.
My father made as many as six barrels of peach-brandy in
a season, and that did not exhaust the crop. Many rotted on
the ground, and quantities were given away to families who
had no peach orchards.
During the very earliest times it was a very common prac-
tice for the }Toung people to go to meeting barefooted. Shoes
sometimes could not be had ; and many of the people were un-
able to procure them for the want of means.
Our living was in accordance with frontier life generally.
Wild-meats, such as venison, turkey and bear-meat, were
plenty, and cost nothing but a little powder and lead and time,
which was not as valuable as it has since come to be. Corn-
bread in the form of pone, johnny-cake, dodger, hoe-cake and
ash-cake were the common bread. It was more difficult then to
pay little sums of taxes than it is now to pay twenty times as
much.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 281
COLORED CITIZENS OF LANCASTER.
A number of colored persons came to Lancaster at an early
day. I have been able, through Elijah Lewis (colored) and old
resident white citizens, to secure the following names, though
generally not the dates of their coming. Many of the follow-
ing, who have lived in Lancaster and died, will be well re-
membered:
Elijah Lewis, who is still living, came from Virginia and
settled in Lansaster in 1823. He had one brother by the name
of Stephen, and one sister, familiarly known as " Aunt Disa,"
who died a few years since at a very advanced age. Stephen
was the husband of Aunt Judy Lewis, still living. Elijah
does not know his age, but those who knew him in 1823 say
he looked as old then as he does now. Scipio Smith was a
Virginian, and came at a very early day. He was a tinner'
and will long be remembered on account of his wooden-leg and
his jet-black face. Reuben Banks, now the oldest colored man
in Lancaster, has been in the place since 1814. He is quite
feeble. Daniel Lewis, father of Elijah, came about the same
time. Nelson Smith, the popular barber for nearly fifty years,
is still living. His two sons, Egbert and brother, succeed him
in business.
Then follow others who have deceased: Father Jenkins,
Aunty Jenkins. "Black Ike" and Basil Green lived in the
Philamon Beecher family. "Yellow Jim" lived with Parson
Wright. Charley Graves, Frank Anderson, Bill Davis, Rich-
ard Marcus, old Father Watson (still living at a venerable age),
John Mathews and Mack Turner, the blacksmith. John Ampy
Jones, the popular well-digger, who lost his life by the damps
in a well a few years ago on the Dunbar farm, will always be
favorably remembered. Of other early settlers of the county,
of the African race, I have not the means of knowing.
282 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
LANCASTER GAS-LIGHT AND COKE COMPANY.
The Lancaster Gas-Light and Coke Company was incorpo-
rated in the early part of the year 1856, and its works were
speedily completed by the energetic contractor, Coverdale.
The site of the works is on the west bank of the canal, and
opposite the mouth of Jail street. The capital stock of the
company is $25,000. The works were completed, and the city
was first lit up with gas on the Fourth of July, 1856.
The shares of the stock have always been at and over par
in the market, but holders generally unwilling to sell. Its
dividends have usually been from eight to ten per cent. The
company have in progress of construction a new gasometer of
fifty feet in diameter. Until within the last year the price of
gas was $3.75 per thousand feet. The present price, first of
September, 1877, is $3.00 per thousand feet.
BANKS OF LANCASTER.
The old " Lancaster Ohio Bank " was chartered by the Legis-
lature of Ohio, and went into operation about the year 1814,
1815 or 1816, with a capital stock of $250,000. Its charter and
early books have not been easily come at. The exact date,
however, of its first opening, is not specially important to his-
tory, since its affairs have all been closed thirty-five years ago,
but especially as we have been able to give a correct history of
the working of the institution to its final settling up in 1842
and 1843.
Judge Schofield was its first President, during two or three
years, and then John Creed until its close. Michael Ga-
raghty was elected Cashier, and held the position through
its entire course of active operations, which was about thirty
years. This bank was well and successfully conducted to the
last, and acquired a popularity not exceeded by any other
bank in the State. It was made the disbursing agent of the
State in the payment of the Public Works, especially in the
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 283
building of the Ohio Canal. Millions of dollars of the public
money passed through its hands.
But at last, during the disastrous financial crisis which
began in 1837 and continued up to 1842, the bank suspended
specie payment and went into assignment, appointing* Hock-
ing H. Hunter, Joseph Stukey and Frederick A. Foster
as its assignees. This course was taken for the purpose of a
final closing up of the affairs of the bank, which was completed
by the redemption of all its outstanding circulation and the
payment of all its liabilities at par. Jacob Green was made
the redeeming agent of the still remnant of the outstanding
circulation. The Lancaster Ohio Bank was the agent in the
payment of the soldiers of the war of 1812, which fixes the
time of its organization about, or a little before the close of
that war.
Following the close of this bank there was an interregnum
of about three years, during which Lancaster had no bank.
During that time, Messrs. Boving and Graua sold exchanges
and received deposits, very much to the accommodation of the
business men of the place.
The Hocking Valley Branch of the State Bank of Ohio (suc-
cessor of the Lancastor Ohio Bank), was organized in February,
1847, with a capital stock of 8100,000; Darius Talmadge, Presi-
dent ; Charles F. Garaghty, Cashier; and commenced a general
banking business, which was continued up to the early part
of the year 1865. At this time it was decided to change to a
bank under the provisions of the act of Congress providing for
National Banks. For this purpose, D. Talmadge, J. R.
Mumaugh and M. Effinger assumed all the stock of the State
branch for the purpose of closing up its affairs, which was suc-
cessfully accomplished. This was during the general suspen-
sion of specie payment that began with the breaking out of
the Southern rebellion in 1861.
During the existence of the Hocking Valley Branch of the
State Bank of Ohio, the following were its officers : Darius
Talmadge, President from 1847 to 1865, or until its close ;
Charles F. Garaghty, Cashier from 1847 to 1848, one year;
William Slade, Cashier from 1848 to 1850, two years; M. A.
Daugherty, Cashier from 1850 to 1855, five years; C. F.
Garaghty, from 1855 to 1859, four years; H. V. Weakley from
1859 to 1865, six years.
284 HISTORY OP FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
The Hocking Valley National Bank went into operation in
May, 1865, with Darius Talmadge for President, and Henry
V. Weakley Cashier. In 1866, J. W. Feringer was elected
Cashier, and still holds the place in August, 1877. In 1869, G.
A. Mithoff was chosen President, at which time a reorganiza-
tion took place, and the capital stock was reduced from
$100,000 to $80,000. G. A. Mithoff is acting President in
August, 1877.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY SAVINGS BANK.
The Fairfield County Savings Bank, with a capital of $25,000,
was organized as early as 1850 or 1851, by some of the soundest
and best business men of the city of Lancaster, and a number
of the most substantial farmers of the county. Jacob Green
was its first President, and held the position down to the time
of his death. Charles F. Garaghty was its first Cashier, and
was succeeded after a few years by M. Worthington. After the
death of Mr. Green, John C. Weaver was chosen President,
who continued to act up to its close. This house was popular
and useful. Upon the expiration of its charter, after having
had the largest patronage of any bank of the city, it wound
up, meeting all its liabilities promptly.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
This institution was first instituted on the first of January,
1854, by John D. Martin, P. B. Ewing and Samuel Stambaugh,
as the Exchange Bank. Six months afterwards Mr. Stam-
baugh died, and the bank was continued by the surviving
partners, up to January, 1864, when it was changed into the
First National Bank of Lancaster, Ohio, with John D. Martin
as President, and Charles F. Garaghty as Cashier. Two years
afterwards Mr. Garaghty was succeeded by Geo. W. Beck, who
is still holding the place. Both as a private bank, and as a
National Bank, this institution has withstood all the financial
troubles of the country, successfully sustaining soundness,
though several times assailed during the panics between 1854
and 1877. Its capital stock is $60,000. It maintains also a
perpetual surplus fund of $12,000.
HISTOEY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 285
COMMERCIAL BANK OF LANCASTER.
f The Commercial Bank of Lancaster was established in De-
cember, 1872, by A. Cochran, as a private bank. In June,
1873, S. J. Wright became a partner by the purchase of one-
half of the stock. In February, 1874, Mr. Wright bought the
interest of Mr. Cochran, and banked alone until the 14th of
September of the same year, when his bank was merged into
the Fairfield County Bank, with a paid up capital of $50,000.
Wesley Peters was chosen President, and S. J. Wright, Cashier.
This banking-house is owned by a- number of Fairfield's most
solid capitalists, and has the confidence and patronage of its
full share of the community.
BANK OF GARAGHTY & HUNTER.
This was a private bank, and was organized in the fall of
1867, with a capital of about $50,000. Its President was Chas.
F. Garaghty, and Cashier, William Noble. It did a general
banking business until the beginning of November, 1873,
when, under the cramping state of the money affairs of that
year, it made an assignment of its affairs to John R. Mumaugh
and William Noble, and paid, during the first eighteen months,
a dividend of 40 per cent., with possibly a small fraction yet
to divide.
The living banks of Lancaster are owned by safe men, and
are entitled to the public confidence.
RAILROADS.
Two railroads, completed, pass through Fairfield County—
the Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley Road, from west to
east, and the Columbus and Hocking Valley Road, from north
to south. There is also a third road in an unfinished state,
passing through the extern portion of the county, making
Bremen, Rushville and Pleasantville points.
The Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley Road was first in-
corporated as the " Cincinnati, Wilmington and Zanesville
Railroad, " on the 4th of February, 1851, and was open to Lan-
286 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
caster, and cars running, in August, 1853. In July, 1856, the
road was completed through to Zanesville.
In this road, Fairfield County took $250,000 worth of stock,
under a special act of the Legislature authorizing the Com-
missioners to subscribe stock. For the payment of the stock,
county bonds were issued at seven per cent, interest, which
were negotiated in the market by the company. The bonds
were subsequently redeemed by the county, but the road was
sold for its mortgage bonds, and the entire amount of Fair-
field's bonds was sunk. After the sale of the road, the title
was changed to the " Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley
Railroad. "
COLUMBUS AND HOCKING VALLEY RAILROAD.
This road was first chartered as the " Mineral Railroad
Company, " in 1864. In June, 1867, the title was changed to
the " Columbus and Hocking Valley Railroad, " by the Court
of Common Pleas of Franklin County. This road was built
without county subscriptions. The city of Lancaster, how-
ever, issued $20,000 of seven per cent, bonds to the company,
to enable them to purchase the right-of-way through the south
border of the city. This was an act on the part of the Council
unauthorized by law, and was warmly opposed by a majority
of the tax-payers. But at last acquiescence was made, and the
bonds were redeemed.
The road was speedily finished and cars run into Lancaster
from Columbus. In 1868, the road was completed through to
Athens — the whole distance being seventy-four miles, and
trains running.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 287
GOVERNORS OF OHIO.
Following is a list of all the Governors of Ohio, from 1789
to 1876, with the times of their service :
Arthur St. Clair, Territorial, from 1789 to 1803.
Edward Tiffin, 1803 to 1807.
Thomas Kirker, 1807 to 1808.
Samuel Huntington, 1808 to 1810.
Return J. Meigs, 1810 to 1814.
Thomas Worthington, 1814 to 1818.
Ethan Allen Brown, 1818 to 1822.
Jeremiah Morrow, 1822 to 1826.
Allen Trimble, 1826 to 1830.
Duncan Mc Arthur, 1830 to 1832.
Robert Lucas, 1832 to 1836.
Joseph Vance, 1836 to 1838.
Wilson Shannon, 1838 to 1840.
Thomas Corwin, 1840 to 1842.
Wilson Shannon, 1842 to 1844.
Mordecai Bartley, 1844 to 1846.
William Bebb, 1846 to 1848.
Seabury Ford, 1848 to 1850.
Reuben Wood, 1850 to 1853.
William Medill, 1854 to 1856.
Salmon Portland Chase, 1856 to 1860.
William Dennison, 1860 to 1862.
David Tod, 1862 to 1864.
John Brough (died), 1864 to 1865.
Charles Anderson, 1865 to 1866.
Jacob D. Cox, 1866 to 1868.
Rutherford B. Hayes, 1868 to 1872.
Edward F. Noyes, 1872 to 1874.
William Allen, 1874 to 1876.
Rutherford B. Hayes, from January, 1876, until chosen
President, when Lieutenant-Governor Thomas L. Young as-
sumed the executive office, and is now acting Governor, in
August, 1877.
In addition to these names, there were four others that filled
up intervals, thus : During the absence of Governor St. Clair,
288 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
William H. Harrison served as acting Governor from 1798 to
1799, part of a year. Othniel Looker was acting Governor
from April to December, 1814. Allen Trimble was acting
Governor from January, 1822, to December of the same year ;
and Thomas Bartley from April to December, 1844.
Ohio has, therefore, had thirty Governors, including Arthur
St. Clair, who was appointed Territorial Governor by President
Washington, in 1789; and including the four who filled up
intervals, thirty-four in all.
Of these thirty-four Governors, only eight are living in"
August, 1877, viz. : William Denison, Edward F. Noyes, Jacob
D. Cox, Thomas Bartley, Wilson Shannon, William Allen,
Charles Anderson and Rutherford B. Hayes.
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
The following shows the time of the inauguration of the
respective Presidents, and the terms of office, from Wash-
ington down to 1877. The whole number of Presidents who
have been primarily elected is sixteen. The number of Vice-
Presidents who have served as Presidents in filling out terms,
is three, thus making nineteen Presidents from 1789 up to
1877:
George Washington was inaugurated in April, 1789, and
March 4th, 1793, two terms.
John Adams, March 4th, 1797, one term.
Thomas Jefferson, March 4th, 1801, and 1805, two terms.
James Madison, March 4th, 1809, and 1813, two terms.
James Monroe, March 4th, 1817, and 1821, two terms.
John Quincy Adams, March 4th, 1825, one term.
Andrew Jackson, March 4th, 1829, and 1833, two terms.
Martin Van Buren, March 4th, 1837, one term.
William Henry Harrison, March 4th, 1841. Died of pneu-
monia, April 4th, 1841, thirty-one days after his inauguration.
John Tyler, Vice-President, filled out the term.
James K. Polk, March 4th, 1845, one term.
Zachariah Taylor, March 4th, 1849. Died of cholera, July
9th, 1850; serving one year and four months. The term was
filled out by his Vice-President, Millard Fillmore.
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 289
Franklin Pierce, March 4th, 1853, one term.
James Buchanan, March 4th, 1857, one term.
Abraham Lincoln. March 4th 1*61 ^a icak *~ •••—'■ &
^.no o^cue nt;» sumewnere oetween 1780 and 1799, and at a
time when the Wyandot Indians held undisputed possession
of the Hocking Valley. Two white scouts, whose names are
19
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 289
Franklin Pierce, March 4th, 1853, one terra.
James Buchanan, March 4th, 1857, one term.
Abraham Lincoln, March 4th, 1861, and 1865. Assassinated
by J. Wilks Booth, at Ford's Theater, Washington, D. C, be-
tween nine and ten o'clock on the night of April 14th, 1865.
The term was filled out by his Vice-President, Andrew Johnson.
Ulysses S. Grant, March 4th, 1869, and 1873, two terms.
Rutherford B. Hayes, March 4th, 1877. On account of diffi-
culties in the returns of the Boards of Louisiana, Florida and
South Carolina, the election as between, Mr. Hayes and Sam'l
J. Tilden could not be easily determined. A special act
was thereupon passed by Congress, creating a Commission of
fifteen members, who "counted" Mr. Hayes in.
Of the nineteen Presidents here named, the following are
living, in August, 1877 : Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B.
Hayes. All the others have passed away.
THE SCOUTS, THE CAPTIVE AND THE RESCUE.
A TRAGIC STORY OF MOUNT PLEASANT.
The following tragic story is here rendered current with its
narration in General Sanderson's address, delivered before the
Lancaster Literary Association in March, 1844, and mainly
from recollection, as I have not been able to put my hands on
the document at this late day, nearly thirty-three years after-
ward. And here I promise that the story is not introduced as re-
liable history. Of the accuracy of some of the main points, I
have no doubt; at least so far as the scouts and the rescue are
concerned. All, however, is traditional rather than historical.
The story of the scouts and the rescue were handed down from
the first settlers, and were well founded in belief, The
absence of written history has been construed as casting some
doubt on the reliability of the tradition, yet there is enough
to justify the belief, and we render the story. The coloring
and poetry are the allowable privileges of romancers :
The scene lies somewhere between 1780 and 1799, and at a
time when the Wyandot Indians held undisputed possession
of the Hocking Valley. Two white scouts, whose names are
19
290 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
given as Wetzel and Maywood, were watching from the sum-
mit of Mount Pleasant the movements of the Indians; for
what purpose is not known. By some, it is surmised, that they
were seeking redress for some depredation on the white settle-
ments along the Ohio river ; by others, that their mission was to
learn the strength and designs of the savages. The rocky
recesses and dense growth of pine and other trees on the top
and slopes of the mount afforded the scouts perfect conceal-
ment, and at the same time, in the event of discovery and at-
tack, a fortress of defense, as the tew accessible points to the
summit were easily guarded from ambush. Their principal
danger, therefore, in the event of an attack, was in being
starved into capitulation by a protracted siege. They easily
saw the coming and going of the inhabitants of Tarhe Town,
which was situated one mile to the south, and on the table-
lands where the railroad works and agricultural works now
are. They had succeeded for several days in maintaining per-
fect concealment, and at the same time in keeping a sharp
look-out.
Three-quarters of a mile west of Mount Pleasant is a hill
that at the time was covered with a dense forest. The inter-
mediate ground between the hill and the mount was also cov-
ered with trees and underbrush. A few feet from the south-
west base of the hill flowed the Hocking, and beyond it, and
stretching off to the west, was a prairie, more or less grown
over with high grass and clusters of willow-bushes. Imme-
diately from the south base of the hill flowed a strong current
of pure limpid water, which is familiarly known to this day
as the " Cold Spring. " The approach to it was over a tolera-
bly well worn foot-path round its eastern and south-eastern
margin, for the Indians were in the habit of frequenting the
spring for supplies of water. The path was entirely con-
cealed by the forest and thick growth of pawpaw-bushes.
With the exception of the trodden path, everything there
was in the same condition of nature it had been for unknown
ages. The stream itself was overhung with the growths along
its banks. Any one going to and from the spring was, there-
fore, exposed only to the chance of meeting stray Indians, who,
for the time, might be detached from the main body that was
closely watched by Wetzel and Maywood.
To the Cold Spring the scouts went to get water, one keep-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 291
ing watch on the mount while the other performed the haz-
ardous task. It was growing toward the close of the day.
" Every leaf was at rest, " and that awful stillness which will
forever remain unknown to all those unfamiliar with forest
life, reigned all around. Not a sound, save the humming of
insects in the tree-tops, broke the silence profound. To those
who have penetrated the depths of the forest, this buzzing of
flies will be remembered as only serving to make the silence,
the "dumb silence, still more dumb. "
It was a little more than one mile to Tarhe Town, but if a
thousand miles had intervened, it could not have been more
quiet in the vicinity of the Cold Spring. True, roving Indians
might have lurked almost at the next step, unheard, for so
solitary and silent was their tread when off the war-path, or
when not engaged in some of their many ways of making
sport, that one might pass almost in contact with them,
wholly unaware of their near presence. To those unfamilar
with Indian life in the forest, no idea can be formed of their
cat-like movements. Naturally of few words, their feet shod
with the soft moccasin, and traveling, as is their habit, in
single file, they move as noiselessly as if miles away, so far as
human ears are concerned. This is doubtless owing to their
trained habits of stealing stealthily on their prey. On the
other hand, their appalling war-whoop, familiar only to
frontiersmen, when excited, makes the forest ring with wild
echoes far and near, and creates the instinct of seeking to
widen the space between them and the white man whose ear
catches the sound. Even the beasts of the forest scamper
away to their wild recesses to seek safety from their deadly
foe, as soon as the shriek reaches them.
Wetzel had been to the spring, and with his canteens filled
with water, was stealing as stealthily away as he came. In his
right hand he grasped his unerring line, while his eyes and
ears were wide open to catch the faintest sound or movement,
or intimations of unwelcome presence. He was just making
the bend round the south corner of the hill, not exceeding
fifty yards from the spring, when suddenly, and without the
least premonitory sound, he found himself visa-vis with a
couple of squaws. There was not a moment to be lost in delib-
eration, and his plan was formed with lightning speed, for he
knew that a yell from one of the savages before him would
292 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
speedily bring to the spot a score or more of warriors, • when
his fleetness of foot would be his only chance of safety ; and be-
sides, he knew such a catastrophe could not fail of discovering
his retreat, greatly imperiling the chances of escape. With
the quickness and agility of a tiger he dropped his gun, and
springing forward, grasped the throat of each in his powerful
hands, rushed into the stream but a few feet to the right, and
plunged their heads beneath the water, which was considerably
swollen by recent rains, where he intended to keep them until
all danger of making a noise was forever at an end with both
of them. One of them was old, the other young and athletic.
The latter resisted heroically, and finally, getting her head
above water, and her mouth cleared, she addressed Wetzel in
English. This caused him to desist, and to question her,
when, to his great astonishment, she informed him that she
was a white girl, and a captive. Time was precious, and
ascertaining that the old squaw was quite dead, the scout and
the rescued girl started for Mount Pleasant. They had no
more than reached the base of the mount, when, from back in
the direction they had come, came the most deafening yells,
as if from five hundred throats, which told them that the body
of the drowned squaw had been found, as well as the trail of
the white man's foot. There was nothing now left for them
but to gain the summit as soon as possible, and prepare for the
defense, for they knew the savages in great numbers would
soon be upon them. They were not long in gaining the top,
Avhere they rejoined May wood, and a brief council was held, as
to the course of defense to be pursued.
There were not more than twoor three points of access, and
to these the attention of the besieged was entirely directed.
Night was fast coming on, and the scouts were told by the girl,
who was able to converse freely with them, that there was little
probability that the Indians would hazard the attempt to gain
the top of the mount in the dark. Their means of defense
consisted of two rifles, and a supply of ammunition sufficient to
hold out for several days. Their greatest source of anxiety
arose from the fact of their scanty supply of provisions, and the
utter impossibility of procuring water, unless the passage to
the spring and back could be accomplished in the night. But
that feat seemed too full of peril to be thought of, for they knew
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 293
that every possible point of escape from the mount would be
carefully guarded by dark assassins.
It was not long after Wetzel and the girl gained the sum-
mit of Mount Pleasant, when they were surrounded on all
sides by the howling savages, who sent up at them the most
demoniac yells of defiance, which continued until darkness
came on, when all was profoundly silent. In the meantime
the points of access were closely sentineled; but throughout
the tedious and sleepless night, no signs of attempt to scale
the rocky fortress were indicated.
The night passed away as the earth rolled round to meet
the God of Day, who was again to light up the world with his
burning face in the East. Wetzel, May wood and the girl, felt
no want of slumber throughout the terrible vigil. Their
nerves were wrought up to too great a degree of tension to per-
mit nature to assert her demands, for well they knew that
death, perhaps by terrible torture, would be their certain doom
if they should fall into the hands of their merciless foes. They
knew also that with the return of day the attack would be vig-
orously renewed. Their supply of water was nearly out, and
their little stock of provisions was diminishing, and starvation
and famishing seemed imminent, unless they should go down
and surrender themselves to a fate far more to be feared than
starvation and the agonies of consuming thirst. They resolved,
therefore, to withstand the siege to the last, rather than to sub*
mit themselves to the fiendish revenge of the relentless sav-
ages. To still further add to the terror of the scouts, the dis-
covery was made towards morning that the girl had disap-
peared in the darkness — perhaps gone back to the camp to re-
port their helplessness, and to aid in their ultimate capture.
The}r were greatly surprised however, as the morning ad-
vanced, that there were no indications of Indians below. Not
even the sound of a voice could be heard far or near. In the
meantime the watch was kept up, lest some secret and silent
approach was being made. Still the silence that reigned all
around remained unbroken, a circumstance that further con-
tributed to increase their apprehensions.
Near the eastern part of the "Standing Stone" (the name
given to Mount Pleasant by the Indians) was a steep and
rugged ascent, over points of jagged rocks, down which the
eye peered more than a hundred feet through the thick over-
294 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
hanging foliage, while the sentinel above could keep himself
concealed from even the sharpest Indian eye. It was per-
haps ten o'clock, or about that hour, when Wetzel, from his
concealment, caught sight of a stalwart Wyandot silently and
cautiously creeping upon a footing far down below. He at last
gained his point, and paused, with rifle in hand, as he seemed
to listen, and perhaps calculated his plans for a further ascent.
It was but a moment. There was a curl of smoke, a sharp
crack of a rifle, and the brawny savage sprang into the air but
to be precipitated headlong on the rocks far beneath, a life-
less corpse. Almost instantly another took his place, seeming
to come from a crevice on the left. Another curl of smoke ;
another sharp crack, and another tumble into the abyss as
suddenly followed. A third phantom curl, and three bronzed
bodies lay a crushed mass of flesh and bones at the foot of
Mount Pleasant. This third tragedy was instantly followed
by the wildest tumult from every point of the surrounding
thickets below. Seemingly, a thousand guttural throats were
opened to give vent to the most hellish rage. The clamor
lasted several minutes, when all again became quiet, and the
remainder of the day passed with the usual stillness of the
forest solitudes.
With the accession of the darkness of the second night,
Wetzel and May wood seated themselves together on a pile of
rocks, for the purpose of holding a counsel as to what was to
be clone. Their position was at a point just above where
the three Indians had a few hours previously met so unex-
pectedly their doom. They were contemplating the chances
of possible escape in the face of such imminent peril. It was
to be a daring and perilous descent; but they were beginning
to feel the pinchings of hunger and thirst ; nevertheless, they
were both powerful men, and very fleet on foot, and they
hoped that if once the}7 got safely to the table-land below, un-
perceived by their foes, to be able to effect their escape. Pro-
found darkness and silence surrounded. Suddenly, and with-
out the least premonitory sound whatever, a gentle hand was
placed on Wetzel's shoulder, at the same time that a canteen
filled with fresh water was placed on his knee, accompanied
by a few small pieces of jerked venispn ; and then, in a whis-
per, a female voice said, " Be on this spot to-morrow night,
and await my coming." They began to interrogate the mys
HISTOKY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 29
terious visitant, or would have done so, but their words were
unanswered, and they began to grope around, but soon found
they were alone — the presence had glided away as noiselessly
as it came. The effect on their spirits was nevertheless as-
suring, though from whence the phantom came, or what its
portent, was all mystery. Their sinking courage was raised a
little; but what could it all mean?
That night they slept by turns, and with rising hopes, and
nothing occurred to cause the least alarm. The next day
passed very much as the preceding one had done, with the
exception that all was silent around the mountain. Various
questions were considered and dismissed in turn. Had the
Indians abandoned the siege, under the belief that mysterious
spirits were aiding the spies by shooting from the recesses of
the rocks; for the occurrences of the previous day were as
mysterious to the scouts as to the Indians themselves. On
the other hand, had the besiegers settled clown on the plan of
simply guarding the passes until their prisoners, impelled by
starvation, should come down, or ended their lives by slow
death. And thus passed the second day.
The third night covered the mountain with the usual
sombre shades and quiet, and the scouts took their seats on
the rocks where the strange visitor found them the night
before, resolved to await patiently what might be in store for
them, for that some mysterious agency was at work in their
behalf they could no longer doubt. Less than one hour
elapsed, when a dark shadow noiselessly glided up to the place
where they were seated, depositing at their feet a package,
accompanied with the whispered words, " Put on these clothes
instantly, and be prepared to follow me." Within less than
five minutes, apparently two full-robed Wyandot warriors
were following their strange guide across the top of the mount
towards its northern margin, with cat-like steps. Hand-in-
hand the three figures entered a secret passage beneath the
dense laurel bushes with which the rocks were overgrown. So
narrow and steep in its descent was this fissure, that they
were compelled to creep, rather than walk, the guide in ad-
vance, and all shrouded in Egyptian darkness. Not a sound
was uttered ; scarcely a breath could be heard as they slowly
descended the narrow defile. At length, and after the lapse
of fifteen or twenty minutes, the three forms emerged into
296 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
the open space at the northern base of the mount, and as
noiselessly glided down the slope of some forty or fifty feet.
They were now under the cover of the dense thicket of under-
growth, and at least a hundred yards away from the point of
immediate danger. A brief whispered council was now held,
when the trio started on a circuitous route of more than two
miles, and at about eleven o'clock entered Tarhe Town, easily
passing the pickets with the pass-word.
The Indians were all slumbering, and, after a little peram-
bulating through the dark camp, the south line was passed in
safety, and the fugitives were making swift flight down the
Hocking, and before daylight were far beyond immediate
danger. In the meanwhile, the body of the Wyandot war-
riors were closely environing Mount Pleasant.
The girl's story was briefly as follows: She had been cap-
tured by the Indians near Marietta, about three years before,
when she was about thirteen years of age. During the two
days and nights of the siege of Mount Pleasant, she had
mingled as freely with the savages as before, representing to
them that she had escaped from the scout at the Cold Spring,
while he was in the act of drowning the old squaw. The rifle
with which she picked off the three Indians who were in the
act of attempting to gain the summit, she had abstracted from
the camp while disguised as a warrior. The two suits of In-
dian garb she procured by stealth. The secret passage down
the north side of the mount she had discovered while pretend-
ing to assist in the siege.
History, or rather traditional history, has it, that this girl
subsequently married and became the mother of a family, and
lived to a good old age.
Many will remember the thrilling little story of " Forest
Rose," which made its appearance in this county something
over twenty years ago, in pamphlet form, and which was so
generally read. Perhaps no novel, or romance, of its class,
ever attracted more attention, or was more widely circulated.
It is still in the market, and new editions are being called
for. The Mount Pleasant scouts and the rescue at the Cold
Spring was the text of Forest Rose. It was written by Emer-
son Bennet, then of Cincinnati, but now of Philadelphia.
The author of this volume having made the acquaintance of
Mr. Bennet, while a resident of Cincinnati, called his atten-
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 297
tion to the address of General Sanderson in 1844, and at his
request sent him a copy, which was unearthed after several
weeks' search, and hence " Forest Rose." This was about the
year 1849 or 1850.
A PROPHESY.
The following prophetic venture, and its literal fulfillment,
will exhibit pretty correctly the onward course of things in
the Western country within the last fifty years. But not of
the Western country alone— of the world.
In the winter of 1827, the compiler of this volume was the
Secretary of a debating school in one of the Western counties
of Ohio. We held our meetings in the little brick school-
house of the village. The building stood a little out to one
side, and near the Methodist Meeting-house.
The railroad idea was just beginning to incubate in the
East, and the heresy had got on the wings of the winds-
merest inklings of it, and had been wafted to the brains of
even some chimerists of the "Far-West." A Yankee had been
through the country exhibiting a miniature locomotive on
wires stretched across the room, and charging a quarter for the
sight. The thing was pronounced a Yankee trick by the con-
servative element of the community. Three-fourths of the
people were conservative then; in fact, radicalism scarcely
dared show its face.
We had a Captain Brown among us. He was voted a vis-
ionist — a castle-builder. It has since appeared that he was
one who let his mind run off in all directions ; a man who did
not believe that things were finished, or that the acme of
knowledge and the ultimatum of invention were reached.
At one of the meetings he made a speech — a railroad speech.
He said the time was coming, and not far off, when railroads
would be laid all over the West, and that people would yet
travel fifteen miles an hour by steam. He said there would
some day be a railroad from Cleveland to Cincinnati, and it
would not pass far from that spot.
298 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
The meeting was largely attended that night, including
ladies and many of the older and staid citizens.
A couple of days subsequently I received the following note,
signed by a dozen of the solid men of the neighborhood, with
a request that it should be read at the next debating school :
" You are welcome to the use of the school-house to debate
all proper questions, but such things as railroads are impossi-
bilities, and are impious, and will not be allowed. "
I read the note, and the railroad idea was squelched. Cap-
tain Brown did not live to see his prophesy fulfilled, but the
railroad station now is within three hundred yards of where
the school-house was then.
JUDGES OF COURT.
As before stated, a few gaps in the succession of county offi-
cers have occurred, which, from the irregularity and imperfec-
tion of records, I have found it impossible to supply. This is
special^ true with reference to Judges of the Court between
1812 and 1820. Should any one ever find it necessary to
know what years Judges Grimkey or Swan were on the bench
(which is scarcely probable), the matter can be determined by
reference to early legislation, or election returns at the State
Auditor's office.
CONCLUSION.
To the aged citizens of Fairfield County; to the middle-
aged; and to the young, I address some closing thoughts and
reflections. We are approaching the point now where, as
authors sometimes say, we must part. But you and I, dear
reader, will not part. You have kept my company in my
pilgrimage back through the decades of years, to where this
now fertile and rich valley and its adjacent country was, to
"use an expression more familar to the ear than comprehended
by the mind, a howling wilderness where "nothing dwelt but
beasts of prey, or men as fierce and wild as they." Together
we have stood mentally in the wilds of the unbroken forests of
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. . 299
the Hocking Valley, and on Mount Pleasant's loft}' summit,
and listened to the discordant yells of the untutored savage, the
screaming panther, the howling wolf, the barking fox, and
the doleful hooting of the big owl, before the first dawnings of
civilization shed their cheering rays over scenes that "long in
darkness lay." But we stood on the boundaries of a barren
waste of desert; a desert into which no Anglo-Saxon eye ever
peered— the desert of the past unknown and unnumbered
years, for there was nothing to mark the drifting cen-
turies. The untaught children of the forest put up no monu-
ments—left no chronicles— nothing to tell whence they came
or how long they inhabited the land. The few vague tradi-
tions they were found to possess pointed to nothing— nothing
the trained mind could take hold of to link with the far-back.
All, to the coming white race, was only darkness— oblivion.
Who lived here a thousand years ago? What could the eye
have seen ? The question can never be answered.
Dimly we have contemplated the youth, John Kieth, trad-
ing with the Wyandots at the foot of Mount Pleasant, one
hundred and fourteen years ago. We imagine him in the act
of exchanging trinkets with the swarthy denizens of the
forest for their peltries and furs. And then we have seen him
parting with his employer, as the latter left to return to Fort
Pitt to exchange his skins for a fresh stock of goods, and then
return and send the youth, Kieth, back to South Carolina
under Indian escort. And we have seen the young man's
hopes all blasted by being compelled to accept adoption into
the Indian life, or die; the remnant of goods confiscated by
the savages, and then the breaking up of the camp, and the
departure, when Mount Pleasant and all the valley became
for the time a solitude. Whether the trader ever returned, or
whether he subsequently learned the future career of John
Kieth, we can never be permitted to know. The curtain
drops.
Further on we have found the Hocking Valley teeming
with savages, for the Wyandots were a cruel and bloodthirsty
tribe. We mentally stand upon Mount Pleasant (then the^
Standing Stone) and in imagination watch the maneuvering
about Camp Tarhe Town in the distance, while the smoke
from the bark-covered wigwams curls up through the plumb-
bushes and rests quiescently among the tree-tops. Here and
300 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
there the mind takes in the conception of strolling squads of
warriors skulking through the forests, followed hy their
shaggy spaniels or insignificant fistes, and anon a line of riders
coursing along in single file, now and then coming into view
as they pass the o^pen space, occasionally screaming out their
thrilling war-whoop. Meanwhile, the squaws lounge about
the tents, or busy themselves with the drudgery. But as yet
the voice of the white man has not come to these solitudes.
We are obliged to keep ourselves concealed and our voices
silent, for our discovery would be our doom, because there are
no strong arms nor humane beings within hundreds of miles
who could save us from a terrible fate.
But at last the scouts appear. They are sent up from the
settlements at Marietta and the mouth of Hocking to recon-
noiter the Indian camps. May wood and Wetzel are on Mount
Pleasant, peering out towards Tarhe Town, cautiously. We
feel a little more secure. And then we think of the little
town nine miles west, controlled and governed by Toby, who,
because he is an inferior chief, we feel less afraid of him or
his band. We see Maywood cautiously creeping round the
point of Cold Spring hill with his canteens filled with fresh
water; the sudden meeting of the two squaws; the struggle
in the water; the ilight to Mount Pleasant; the floating
corpse of the drowned squaw ; the savage yell of the war-
riors; the siege; the escape in the night; the rescued girl is
safe, and we again drop the curtain.
The treaty of Greenville in 1795 has opened the way for the
white man to show himself in the Hocking Valley, for with
all the rude uncultured nature of the Wyandots and Dela-
wares, they respected their contracts, and kept them, gen-
erally, in good faith, especially the better or controlling por-
tion of them. I think it due to the Indian tribes to say, that
in their intercourse with the settlers of the North American
Continent, they have seldom, or never, been the first to break
treaties once entered into.
We have seen Zane's trace successfully opened from Wheel-
ing to Limestone, in the fall of 1797 ; but as yet the solitude
of the forest reigns, for silence closed in as Zane and his com-
pany of choppers \ assed on to the west. But at last the sound
of the woodman's ax is heard, locally, just over Hocking on
the margin of the prairie. Joseph Hunter has wended his
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 301
way from Kentucky over Zane's trace, and is felling the trees
and chopping away the brush preparatory to building his
little cabin. But with the exception of his wife, and two or
three small children, not another human being of his race
breathes in the forests between the Muskingum and Scioto, a
space of fifty-six miles. Mr. Hunter's family are alone in
the wilderness, their only companions a dog or two, and a few
other domestic animals. This was in the month of April, 1798.
In the following month we have witnessed the arrival of sev-
eral emigrant wagons over the eastern end of the trace. Among
these families were the Wilsons, the Greens, the McMullens,
the Coopers, the Shaffers, and a few others. In the fall of the
same year, a number of other families have arrived and
pitched their tents in various localities. Then in the spring
of 1799 we have seen the tide of emigration coming in from
both directions in considerable force, beginning settlements at
Yankee Town, forks of Hocking, Toby Town, Muddy Prairie,
Clear Creek, along down the Hocking, on Rush Creek, Pleas-
ant Run, Fetters' Run, Ewing's Run, Baldwin's Run and in
Liberty. And now the forests were resonant with the sound
of the woodman's ax, the tinkling of the cow-bells, the sharp
crack of the hunter's rifle, and the emigrant's song — life and
activity springing up all over the beautiful valley and its ad-
jacent hills and vales, where for countless ages wild nature
reigned supreme and undefaced, save by the tomahawk of the
untamed savage.
In the fall of the year 1800 we have seen the survey and
first sale of lots and location of some of the principal streets of
what is the present city of Lancaster. We have seen the first
settlers chopping down the superincumbent trees, and con-
structing out of their trunks the first rude log-huts, and the
mechanics going to work at their respective trades; and we
have carefully observed the growth of the little log-cabin
" New Lancaster, " up to the handsome and populous city of
Lancaster of 1876. We have been present in imagination at
the first elections ; opening and conduct of the first Courts. In
the same way we have attended the early class-meetings at the
cabin of Edward Teal, at Beal's Hill, three miles out on Zane's
trace ; the coming of Rev. John Wright, in 1801, and the be-
ginning of Presbyterianism. Later, Revs. Wise and Stake,
and the organization of German Reform and Lutheran Socie-
302 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO.
ties, followed by other Protestant Societies. The Catholics
also started nearly with our first acquaintance. We have
marked the beginning of elementary schools, and mechanic
arts, and trades, and the professions, and contemplated the
active workers.
But, alas! where ar,e these early acquaintances of ours
to-day ? The very last man and woman who did the active
work of Lancaster seventy-six years ago have passed out of
sight ! A few of our early acquaintances remain, standing
with bending forms and silvered heads just in front of the exit
gates of mortal life. Among these we enumerate Flora King,
Frederick A. Foster, Dr. Charles Shawk, John T. Brazee,
Frederick Scha?ffer, Father Rhoads, and a few others a little
farther back on the highway.
In retrospecting, we contemplate John Creed and Michael
Garaghty, President and Cashier of the first bank of Lancaster,
the " Lancaster Ohio Bank," both of whom have long since
passed away ; and Darius Talmadge, one of Lancaster's most
enterprising citizens during more than thirty years. We re-
call his memory as a successful and extensive stage proprietor,
also a public-spirited citizen, whose place will not soon be
filled. It would be difficult, nor would space permit us to
record the names of all the men and women who have filled
useful positions in Lancaster, in the various departments of
its industries and prosperities, and then stepped off the stage.
The cold chiseled marble and sand-stone tell us where their
forms, no longer seen, were laid. In passing through the
cemeteries we read the names, Dr. McNeal, Dr. John Shawk,
Samuel Efhnger, Samuel F. McCracken, John Latta, James
Rice, Gotlieb Steinman, Geo. Boerstler, John B. Reed, Amos
Hunter, William Bodenheimer, H<?nry Arnold, Daniel Arnold,
George Ring, Samuel Carpenter, Robert 0. Claspill, Robert R.
Claspill, with nearly all their wives. And so we might ex-
tend the list of the honored dead of Lancaster to many hun-
dreds. But they have all fallen asleep, and others are filling
their places. The young of forty years ago are growing grey,
who in their turn will pass off the boards as the stream of
time flows on.
In every locality of the county we have noted the formation
of first settlements, from 1799, and watched their progress on
up. We have known most of the first settlers, and where
HISTOKY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 30B
they built their cabins. There is not one of them ali ve to-day,
and there is very little they did that can be seen. About all
we know of them is that they were here, and are gone. If we
should visit the cemeteries of the county we could read many
of their epitaphs; but we could not recall their persons.
We remember the first formation of Fairfield County on the
9th of December, 1800, when it took in four or five times its
present area — when Newark and Somerset were both in Fair-
field County. And as the years passed by in the ceaseless
movement of the panorama of time, we have seen the town-
ships of the present Fairfield take form, and the outlines of
the county established by the formation of Licking, Perry,
Hocking and Pickaway counties, at periods between 1807 and
1817. We have seen the villages of the county spring up one
after another, and have watched their growth and prosperity,
and have formed the acquaintance of many of their business
men. We have contemplated the humble beginnings of
religious societies worshiping in little dimly-lighted log-
cabins; and the embryo schools; the little mills that ground
the first corn and wheat ; and we have seen not only the cabins
and all their fixtures pass out of existence forever, but the
people that made them are mostly gone too from sight. In
imagination we have been in company with the early pioneers
and marked their struggles in the wilderness, their humble,
patient and enduring lives, and how they inculcated religion,
and morals, and honesty, and good manners. But that was a
long time age. The skip of time has fixed the two epochs,
then and now, entirely out of sight of each other. We can see
nothing at all of the pioneer age except in fancy. More than
two full generations of our race intervene.
We have seen the financial status of the large county of
Fairfield in 1806, and that its public taxation amounted to a
little less than $2,000. Seventy years afterwards, on one-
fourth of the territory, the list is swelled to $250,000 annually.
Then labor was twenty-five cents a day; now a dollar is not
enough for the exigencies of the times. Then the wants of
the people were few, in conformity to the condition of the
new country ; now they are boundless. Our real wants are
still few, but our pampered and imaginary ones know no
limits. The efforts to gratify them keep three-fourths of the
population in debt. The income of three-fourths of the popu-
?2>
304 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHTO.
lations of all the States of the Union is less to-day than the
absolute requirements of the times, made so by the artificial
and irrational life of the age. And the future, which it is
not our province to comment on, does not promise an improve-
ment.
In the log-cabin era the people had time to talk to each
other ; time to help each other; time to visit and nurse the
sick, and to bury the dead without a dollar's cost; time to
walk a mile to help lift up the cow that was down with the
hollow-horn ; and time to help pull the grey mare out of the
well, or to hunt a neighbor's cow that was lost. Now, you
could scarcely find a friend in all your circle of acquaintance
that would stop one minute to help you in any exigency.
Everything has to be paid for. If your wife or child dies, you
can't make a respectable funeral lor less than from fifty to a
hundred dollars, whether you have five dollars in the world
or not. The way things are now, no one has the courage to
beard public opinion, and therefore fall they victims before it.
Only last evening I met, separately, two old acquaintances on
the streets of Columbus. They seemed glad to meet me; but
the most brief compliments and inquiries passed, when their
impatience appeared — something ahead demanded them. But
there is no remedy, and complaints are follies.
As time has sped, together you and I, in fancy, have watched
the gradual transformation of the wilderness we entered sev-
enty-eight years ago, on the Hockhocking, into the garden.
The Indians, and the wild animals, and the log-huts, and the
pole-bridges, and the marshes, and the people we knew have
all drifted away. The people have grown grey and died, and
the domestic animals have turned to dust, with many of their
generations. What can we say ? Have the lessons of life
made us better men and women ? Has the world of men
grown better ? The world is wiser. Is it better ?
No, dear reader, you and I will not part. Death will separate
us; but if we have lived pure and good lives here, we shall
meet in a purer and better and deathless world. And when
the humble compiler of these pages has passed out of sight, its
paragraphs will recall to your mind our journey together over
a transit of three-fourths of a century of the most important
era of earth's history.
ADIEU !
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