genealogy collection Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/completehistoryo00scot_0 ■ Aff J*lea.sasit irv //7 '6. ! ft. COLD SPRING RESCUE. A COMPLETE HISTORY FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO, HERVEY SCOTT. 1705-1876. SIEBERT & L1LLEY, 3EBsa!CfcTi'aBS&s buteeks. COLUMBUS, OHIO : 1877. i < r1 INDEX 1164587 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 German 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 58 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 Old Religious Stanzas 23 Old Plays 28 Ohio Eagle 57 Other Papers 59 Odd Fellowship 71 Omish 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 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 INDEX. PAGE. Bepresentatives in Congress ‘ ' 82 Bepresentatives and Senators, State Legislature 109 Bebellion of 1861 112 Begular Baptist Church 128 Bailroads 285 St. Joseph’s Benevolent Association 75 Statistics 79 St. Peter’s Evangelical Luth°ran Church 135 Townships 82 Typhoid Epidemic * 152 Personal Becollections 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 Landis, Martin 237 McClung, William 176 Murphy, William 203 VI INDEX. PAGE. Murphy, Theodore 218 McClung, Mrs. Jane 268 Peters, Wesley 230 Radibaugh, Mrs. Mary 206 Rudolph, Christian ; 241 Rutter, Mrs. Catharine 262 Ream, Jonas A 178 Reece, Thomas 277 Sheaffer, Jacob 207 Sites, Frederick 234 See, John 255 Shawk, Charles A261 Sherrick, Elizabeth 266 Stemen, Nicholas •. 167 Sherman, Judge Charles 172 Stewart, Levi 179 Van Pearce, Mrs i 242 Vandemark, Elias 245 Vanzant, John 271 Williams, John 173 Wiseman, Joseph 194 Young, Mrs. Rachel 258 ERRATA. Page 282, last paragraph, for Judge Schofield read Philomen Beecher. 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 wTere 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. tSfflBBaaa 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. 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 History of Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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 adiiiitted into the union. Fairfield county was so named from the circumstance of so 4 HISTORY 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 off 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 tvhat kind of a road it was to be. By some it is said it wras 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 the 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 Zanes’ 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, JOSEPH HUNTER'S CABIN. 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 he- • 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 ofi‘ 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 country densely settled and in a high state of im- provement, and died about the year 1829. His wife 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 Yankeyt'own. 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 t(> 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 j^ears, 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 son1 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, a*nd 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 captivity. 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 woman in captivity at Miainitown. 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 olher 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 burrowed 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 sources of knowledge exist at 12 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. this late day. The sam£ 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 devided 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 t(^ Limestone. The late Gen- eral George Sanderson, then a small lad. was 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 1876, 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 the “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 witii the distance they had to go. Weight was not regarded. Thus, a single letter was, for fifty miles and under, 6J- cents. Over fiffy miles and under one hundred and fifty, 12J cents. Between one hundred and fifty and three hundred miles, 18} ; 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, OIHO. at one corner. In like manner the price of the letter was written in figures; thus, 6}; 12J; 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 (fippenny 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 lolded 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 th$ 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 jwith 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 fhr as the present iictors 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 to 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 others 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 word 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 inland 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 the 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 were practicing in the place at that time : Paul Carpenter, J. M. Bigelow, James White, M. Z. Kreider, Dr. Wait, George Boerst- 3er, 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 Dr. Ide 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. Talbert of Jefferson, Dr. Turner of Rushville, and a few others. The dry goods merchants then doing business in Lancaster, were, Ainsworth and Will'ock, Reber and Kutz, 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 1889, 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, w'as immense. On a single day, in the month of September, the writer counted one hundred and twent}'-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 vvould 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 ph} - 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 Fairfield County Bank. One wholesale grocery 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 queens ware store, by Wm. Stuart. The following are the practicing physicians of Lancaster in 1876: M. Effinger, 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. Connell, 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 HISTORY 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 OR 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 oyerpowering charms ; * Scarce shall I feel death’s cold embrace, If Christ be in my 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.” 41 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. J esus reigns, he reigns victorious ; Over heayen and earth most glorious.” 24 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. u 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 “ Saw ye my Savior ! saw ye my Savior ! Saw ye my Savior and God ? 0 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 casts 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. Lo ! for your guide the bright angels attend. Brightest and best of the sons 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 ; Jesus Christ is our Redeemer, Hallelujah, praise the Lord.” “Palms of victory, crowns of glory, Palms of victory you shall wear ; Shout! O glory, 0 glory, Palms of victory you shall wear.” 28 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. “O sweet heaven, O 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 }rears 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 I 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. ' 0 come, my love, and go with me ; O come, my love, and go with me ; O 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 farmer 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 £f 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 ; Rise 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 w^as 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 “ I 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 to do with, and he believed he would settle there. FINANCES OF LANCASTER. In an old copy of the Ohio Eagle, published in Lancaster, dnd bearing date of June 9, 1827, I find the following state- HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 33 ment 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 14J Total disbursements 932 88^ Balance against Treasury $44.74£ BENJAMIN CONNELL, Treasurer. Attest : ‘ Gotleib Steinman, Recorder. 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 paying 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 this gift is that 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 re sidence 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 1164587 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-HOUS£ 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 levy 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 office. 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 country 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 Amanda Township Bloom Township Yiolet To\\nship Liberty Township Greenfield Township... Hocking Township Madison Township .... Berne Township Pleasant Township .... Walnut Township Richland Township.... Bush Creek Township. Lancaster .$12,441 31 . 13,241 34 . 13,714 13 . 13,222 40 . 18,053 58 . 12,244 16 . 11,962 25 . 6,269 03 . 15,130 30 . 11,398 29 . 15,263 53 . 6,945 35 . 11,112 85 . 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 townsKipTprincipally 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 Periy 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 $17.72J, wThich 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 Darvid 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 HISTORY 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-PAYERS 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, Fdward. 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. Myrer, 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. Shurr, 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, Jesse. Huston, Andrew. Adison, Jacob. Applegate, Walter. A cart, George. Bowman, Henry. Bibler, John. Baldwin, John. Bowman, Elisha. Babbs, Beal. Brook, John. Biane, William. Bocker, Benjamin. Bryan, William. Beery, John. Biddle, Benjamin. Colley, William. Chuger, 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 North, Mary. Neel, John. Neibling, Christian. Price, John. Pitcher, Rudolph. Painter, Jacob. Peek, Wm B. Pitcher, Frederick, sr. BERNE TOWNSHIP. Harmsberger, Conrad. Harmsberger, Henry, Hammet, Joseph. Hines, Peter. Harper, Richard. Hansel, Henry. Hansel, Michael. Harsh, John. Hamersphere, 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. Watson, John. Wiiletson, Elisha. Weaver, Adam. Work, Joseph. Williamson, John. Wilson, Nathaniel, jr. Young, William. Zerba, Peter. 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. Vanmeter, Jacob. Vanmeter, John. Vanmeter, 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. Harmsberger, Michael. Roberts, Amos. 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, Richard. Clark, William. Critz, John. Due, Charity. Dove, Henry. Davidson, James. Death, Isaac, sr. Davis, Nathan. Drake, Zepama. Fate, Martin. BLOOM TOWNSHIP. 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. Lo viand, 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. Westenhaver, Christian. Westenhaver, Joseph. Newkirk, Lewis. Perrin, William. Rickets, Charles. Ruvele, Daniel. Ritter, John. Rickets, Jerry. Rickets, Rearson. Richart, Peter. Spurgeon, Samuel. Swisher, Abraham. Snider, Adam. Serpers, Christian. Spurgeon, Elijah. Spurgeon, Elias. Smith, Francis. Smith, Hezakiah. Slough, John. Small, John. Stallens, Launcelot. Swisher, Jacob. Swisher, John. Sehouser, John. Saither, Nicholas. Tumbleslon, Henry. Trout, Christian. Tefore, John. Wiseley, William. Wright, David. Wiseley, Edward. Wells, George. Wiseley, James. Williams, Jeremiah. Wintersteen, John. Wheeler, Samuel. Young, Abraham. Young, Jacob. 9 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. Bash ford, Francis. Buzzard, George. Buzzard, Andrew. Buzzard, Henry. Buzzard, David. 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. 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. McArthur, 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. Stoider, John. Stukey, Christian. Shoop, Barnet. Shafer, Isaac. Shafer, Samuel. Shafer, Abram. Sharrack, John. Sidder, Nicholas. Shad, John. Shoemaker, Jacob. 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, John. Devebaugh, Widow. Daniel, Thomas. Daniel, John. Evans, Joshua. Friend, Elijah. Friend, Charles. 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, J ohn Brown, Jas. Brettenliam, 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. 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. 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. McFarland, Wm. McCollum, Frank. McArthur, John. McCawly, Edward. Miller, Samuel. Moires, John. Manville, Eli. Noggle, Henry. Olinger, 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, Alexande 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. 43 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. Edgar, John. Eversole, Peter. Elder, John. Erb, John. Fairchild, Peter. Fitzgerald, Henry. Fairchild, Abraham. Archer, Geo. Armstrong, Geo. Allen, Nathen. Avery, Geo. Ardoes, Holcombe. Allen, Alexander. Beard, John. Branson, Joshua. 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. Owen, David. Olspach, Jacob. Pier, John. Pever, Isaac. Pever, John. Porter, David. Pence, Jacob. 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. Johnson, Robert. Johnson, Jchn. James, Jesse. Wagoner, Adam. Wagoner, Daniel. Weaver, Jacob. Wilson, John. Wilson, Jas. Williamson, Peter. 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, Boss well. Rose, Samuel. Rose, G. Rose, Hiram. Stith, S. Sampson, John. Shultz, Adam. Sutton, Moses, jr. Sutton, Philip. Staaden, John. Swisher, Jacob. Seigler, Philip. Sutton, Jos. Stuart, Jas. Spencer, John. Shoemaker, John. Stome, Thos. Smith, Philip. 44 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. Chamsel, John. Clener, Frederick. Canaday, Jas. Conner, Isaac. Claybaugh, Henry. Carr, Henry. Creamer, Thos. Case, Job. Clark, A. Cromwell, Gideon. Cooley, Zaedock. Cow, Jas. Carry, Ebenezer. Cuningham, Patrick. Carlisle, Zachariah. Dewees, Thos. Dotson, Wm. 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. My res, 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. Seymore, 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. Wayman, John. Warden, 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. AMANDA TOWNSHIP. Chilcold, Mordecai. Lane, Jesse. Allen, Lemuel. Chilcold, John. Lane, William. Allen, Frederick. Clark, Neal. Lane, John. Allen, S. Cole, Joshnay. Leathers, Frederick. Allen, Whiting. Cole, D. Long, William. Barr, John. Eagle, Thomas. Morris, James. Barr, Andrew. Eagle, William. Metcalf, Vachael. Barr, William. Erington, Ebenezer. McLane, Robert. Barr, Thomas. Earnman, Frederick. Murry, William. Barr, Samuel. Frettle, Lewis. Mackerel, Benjamin. Brothers, Francis. Gardner, Jacob. Nigh, George. Barnhart, Jacob. Good, Peter. Owens, John. Brown, William. Gossage, John. Oram, Thomas. Jones, Benjamin. Galagher, Thomas. Pavey, Samuel. Beal, James. Huffer, Isaac. Pilcher, Frederick. Burnap, Abner. Howe, James. Rica, Abraham. Bull, B. Hardister, Joseph. Russel, Thomas. Booker, James. Herron, Philip. Bauer, Valentine. Brown, T. Howe, David. Shadden, Jacob. Brown, William. Hooker, Richard. Swope, David. Brian, Mary. Hayes, Mary. Selby, George. Brian, John. Herrod, John. Stevens, William. Brian, William. Hoover, John. Searles, John. Burhart, William. Highlands, Joseph. Selby, jr., Thomas. Crist, John. Ingonan, Luke. Torance, John. Caton, Benjamin. lies, Isaac. Whiteman, Christian. Collins, Timothy. Kester, David, Williams, John. Cole, Broad. Kester, Jacob. Williams, Thomas. Clayton, John. Kester, George. Willets, Jesse. Cain, Daniel. Linebaugh, George. Wollet, Philip. ^ Cole, Shadrick. Albright, Adam. Long, James. PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. Giger, Martin. Neeley, William. Arnold, Frederick. Good, John. Pullen, Thomas. Armstrong, Thomas. Hill, George. Pope, Abraham. Burton, Jacob. Hopman, Henry. Perrin, John. Bredenstone, Frederick. Hall, Daniel. Bright, Nimrod. Bell, Isaiah. Bailey, James. Barr, David. Barr, Joseph, jr. Buchanan, Andrew. Harmon, Frederick. Hammond, Samuel. Hammell, Samuel. Hite, Andrew. Hite, Andrew, jr. Hite, Jacob. Pope, Frederick. Powel, Aaron; Pew, Jesse. Powlis, Jacob. Powel, Moses. Quinn, James. Radibaugh, Nicholas. 46 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. Cat u res, Nicholas. Cofman, Martin. Culp, Henry. Chaffan, Bobert. 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. Linch, Henry. Martin, William. McCune, Adam. Miller, Christian. McDaniel, William. Myres, Abraham. Maclin, Tenalt. Musselman, Jacob. Maclin, Peter. Matear, Bobert. Manley, John. Mills, Samuel. Miller, Abraham. Murphy, Asa. Murphy, Benjamin. Miller, John. Miller, Jacob. Murphy, William. McNoughton, John. Nowlin, Barnaby. Boss, Thomas. Boof, Peter. Bedman, Martin. Bowley, Jacob. Bogers, James. Seigler, John. Staltzer, Jacob, jr. Springer, William. Sturgeon, Bobert. Solter, Christian. Siple, Frederick. Smith, Jesse. Soliday, Adam. Stevenson, Thomas. Smith, Christian. Smith, Daniel. Shepler, John. 1 1 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, Bobert. 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. Archer, George. Bowers, A. Bowers, Abner, jr. Blakeny, Frances. Beers, Jacob. Bryon, James. Boyd, T. Banks, Peter. Brown, Silas. Brown, Aron. Battler, Benjamin. Babbit, Calvin. Brice, John. 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, Wm. Duglass, Wm. Dirt, George. Ertmell, Thomas. Acherson, Edward. Bartholomew, John. Barnes, Joseph. Brooks, David. Baker, David. Black, James. Bean, Paul. Bearshore, John. Binkley, John. CLINTON TOWNSHIP. Evins, Wm. Finley, Alexander. Fognier, Wm. Gass, Wm. Hardisty, Francis. Haines, Henry. Herrod, James. Henderson, James. Harrod, John. Harrod, Levi. Hall, Richard. 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. Lashley, Jacob. Lashley, Peter. Leonard, Wm. Leonard, Zeba. Mareus, John. Morrison, John. McGowen, Chas. McBride, Chas. THORN TOWNSHIP. Harris, John. Hall, Uriah. Humberger, Henry. Heller, David. Humberger, John. Humberger, Peter. Henderson, James. Hooper, Jacob. Huber, Daniel. Murphy, Jacob. Panebaker, Jacob. Pitney, James. Priker, Peter. Patterson, Thomas. Roberts, Henry. Rebe, Nicholas. Richardson, Edward. Severe, Jesse. Sliimplin, John. Simpkins, John. Stotts, Joseph. Stockwell, Michael. Spurgeon, Nathaniel. Shrimplin. 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. Neff, Henry. Neel, James. Orr, Robe:t. Ogg, George. Parr, John. Ream, Wm. Ramsey, John. Redingur, Mathias. Ripple, 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. 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. 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. Ream, 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. Weadman, George. Wiseman, Jacob. Weadman, John. RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. 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. King, Christian. Miller, George. Maricol, John. McGinnis, 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. Senfit, 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. Hattie, George. Hardy, David. Householder, Adam. Huddle, Henry. Kenshaw, Wm. Lakesley, Wm. Leonard, Jacob. Lintch, Philip. Laremore, Ebenezer. Laremore, 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 hounds 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 thousand. 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- 4 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 plays 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 youpg 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 C(ftJNTY, 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 we will be as the pioneers are nowr — 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, hut 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 thd1 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.y 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 Car- 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 01* 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. We quote from the docket literally, thus: “ State of Ohio vs. William Long ;” usame 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 Chaney 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 CCfUNTY, 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 batter}' 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 him 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, 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 kittle 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 Shaeffer, 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. Reed’s tavern, at Monti- cello, on the Fourth of July, at nine o’clock, for the purpose of saluting the canal boat “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 Deitrich 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. 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, OIITO. 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. Envin, 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. Lynch, A. Davidson, G. W. Boerstler, T. O. 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. Bigelowr, 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, where 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. Royal ton : Dr Paul, Dr. Daw- son and Dr. Reed. Amanda: Dr. Daugherty, Dr. Peters, and the brothers Ilewitson. 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, hut 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, 18G1, aged 75 years.” “ John Carpenter [father of Mrs. John Van Pearce], died in 1807, aged 64 years.” “ David Carpenter, died in 18-17, 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 hahits, 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. 62 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 persons 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. 68 it was believed that his troubled spirit was hovering about 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 was 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 would- be-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 jhese 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 the 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 theteacher, everj^ 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 I 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 unoral 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, Th?n 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. 69 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. MASONIC. 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. Reece was its First Grand Master, George Sanderson First General- isimo, 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 wras one of that kind. — Ed.] Rushville Lodge, No. 211, 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, JB. 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. Boerstler, Thomas H. Dolson, Leonard Kissner, Thomas Reap, Lewis Bo}^er, 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, O. S. Stoneburner, Jas. H. Smith, A. M. 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. Crescent 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, fortj^-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 were : 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. O. 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. Weekty, Frederick Graff, Wm. Paul, Elijah Warner. Whole number of members in Feb., 1877, eighty-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. 73 Jonas Messerly, J. J. Hansberger, A. L. Gearhart, Daniel Langle, V. H. Ginder, J. W. Whitely, Samuel Rader, Daniel Clinger, 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. 0. O. 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. Heilbron, 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 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, which wras the only one organized in that year. In 1872 there were organized U 7 Granges. In 1873 315 CC In 1874 “ cc 779 CC In 1875 CC 128 cc In 1876 CC 63 cc 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. Schenek, Frank" lin, Ohio; C. C. Cummings, Painesville, Ohio; A. R. 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, No. 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. 10ll ; 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 wrere organized by William F unk, of Rush Creek, who wTas 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- 75 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. ment 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 Association ■ — 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. Notes, 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 Me- Svveney, 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. Vagnien, 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, Henr}^ P. Bausy, Frank Reinman, Lewis A. Blaire, John Sears, Martin Konkle, Dennis Piper, Tobias Banner, William Smeltzer, Joseph Hock, Geo. Messenberger, Anthony 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. Names 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 wTere no indictments found, and the Jury was discharged. Two Attorneys wrere 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 w^ere 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. r 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 county. His suggestions gave impetus 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, oftheboys leaving have turned out well. ” The farm is said to contain eleven hundred acres. The buildings are mostly 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 eakt. 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 82 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 is 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 wTest, or south-west of Lancaster. Clear Creek formerly extended over parts of the Townships of Madison and Amanda. HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 83 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 Royalton. 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 notoriet}7 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. Thefollowing 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 wras 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 Kist- 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 whefi goods were brought on horseback from Wheeling, Marietta and Zanjesville, and of going to Zanes- HISTORY OS’ FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 85 I 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 Lutherans 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 was, 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. 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 any 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, is 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. Tlie 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 year, 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 wTas 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 wras at first used for school and church purposes, and afterwards converted into an academy. HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 89 John Williams was Principal, and under him many of Fair- field’s best young men received fine educations. l' 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, he 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 immediately 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 aft'er its independent organization was held at the house of Mr: Valentine Wolf. Still-houses were 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 was built by Isaac Shseffer. 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 asClearport and Mechanicsburg. 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 years. 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 name 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, Refiners, Kellers, Ewings, Duncans, Feemens, Foglesongs, Radabaughs, 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 its greatest diameter. The reservoir was formed to supply w^ater 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 3^-ear 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 0^ 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 probably 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 necessity of the pioneer age. They were called at first, “bridle-paths” and “foot-paths.” The manner of ppening 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 twent}^ 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. RICHLAND 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 earlv-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 Plummer the proprietor of the first mills on Rush Creek, between the two villages, in the year 1802, or about that time. These villages, Rs 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 Quinn were 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 wras 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 east 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, owTing 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, wThich is the p] 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, T. H. Bushy 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, for 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 nearly 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 history 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 1 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 Chiefs 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 100 HISTORY OF^ FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. form of a sugar-camp, with one square open, fronting a tire, 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 the 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 Maysville), 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 years 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 \vishing to better their conditions in life by emigrating and settling in the 1 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 4 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 ago. 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 party up. They 102, HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. were ten days in ascending the river, having upset their canoes 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 Kendall’s 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, lanping 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, were 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 wTas 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 wrooden 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 two, 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 was 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 Fetters7 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 substantial 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, wTho 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 Flocking 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 COUNXY, 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 } lace on the 12th of Octo- ber, 1802, and the following was the result of the poll : Emanuel Carpenter 228 votes Henry Abrams 181 “ Robert F. Slaughter ]68 “ Philemon Beecher 144 “ William Trimble 124 “ bamuel 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 COUNTY, 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 Lofiland, 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 Dugan; 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 Lanther, John McClung, Peter Miller, Morris McGarvy, Joseph Mc- Clung, John McElwayne, Francis McCloud, Hosea Merrill, John McCarkey, Joshna Mullen, James Moore, Thomas Mapes, John McBride, Wm. M. Clair, Henry Mains, Andrew Miller, John McConnell, 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 Sorclan, Jacob Shoup, Chas. Smith, Mynder Shears, Adam Senor, John Smith, T. Sharp, S. Sheanar, G. Shadvvick, S. Taylor, J. Trovinger, F. Tester, B. Thorp, F. Tucker, I. Thorp, J. Twadle, P. Vancleaf, I. Van- 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 : Represen tatives. 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. 1825 — 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 Grabiil. 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— Jesse 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. Trimlple 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. 182$ — 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. 1834 — 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. 1860 — 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 da}7 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-v 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 0. V. I., Colonel Alex. M. McCook. After the mustering out in August the compariy 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 a« 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. Watfeon. This regiment reorganized for the three years’ service m 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 O. 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. I. — To this regiment Henry B. Hunter, of Lancaster, was assigned as Lieutenant- Colonel. No company from the county. Fifty-Eighth O. V. I.— One company. Captain, Ezra Jack- son ; 1st Lieutenant, Wilford Stires; 2d Lieutenant, Wm. 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 Severity-Eighth 0. V. I. — 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. CAVALRY. 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, Wm. H. Pugh, Levi Cornwall, Lyman W. Barnes, James Strode, John Matlock, O. 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 transjnit to you the history of our regimental band, which was in the service 118 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. of the 61st O. Y. I., Colonel Schleich, at their quartern in Lancaster, during the summer and fall of 1861. Names of Merabers. — E. W. Wolfe, leader ; E. R. 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. Rockey, 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 ; Davicl Stalter, second leader; James Horne, 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. 119 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 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 tn 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 si 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 “ Know-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 wonderful, 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 Larfcaster 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. i 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. 1804 — (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- ley. 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 Gough, 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. Harvey. 1873-76— T. H. Hall. Rushville 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. Ryan. 1840 — M. P. Kellog, A S. Murphy. 1841 — Jacob Young, A. Carroll. 1842 — John W. Young, B. A. Cas- sot. 1843 — 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. Langman. 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. Ricker, T. G. Ross. 1857 — S. C. Ricker, T. G. Ross. 1858 — A. Fleming, N. Speck. 1859 — A. Fleming, N. Speck. 1860 — D. Mann, J. C. Gregg. 1861 — D. 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. Bennet, 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. 1871— 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. Henry Lewis. 1851 — A. M. Alexander, B. Mark. 1852 — A. M Alexander, 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. Dav. 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. Sibley. 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. Culp. 1867 — C. M. Bethauser, L. T. Han- nawalt. 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. Bradna. 1875 — F. F. Lewis. 1876 — H. B Westervelt. 126 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. Tarlton Circuit was formed in 1841. It embraced quite a portion of the west part of Fairfield County. 1841 — Daniel Roe. 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. Sibley. 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 — I. 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 Gilruth, B. Mark. 1848 — S. Harvey, R. Pitzer. 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. MprtiD, 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. 1860— 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. Acl on. 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. 1858 — R. 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. 1840 — 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. Lybrand, 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. 1860 — 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. 1868 — 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. Y. B. Evans. 1874— M. V. B. Evans. 1875 — M. Y. 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 subsequently 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, 9 130 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. with choosing our Moderator, Martin Coffman. Third— we also chose Samuel Comer for our Clerk ; so ending our meeting with praise and thanksgiving. MARTIN COFFMAN, Moderator. Samuel Comer, Clerk. Then follows the minutes of succeeding business meeting^, 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 Musselman. 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. 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 Musselman. 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 Hoppwood. 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 Stickler’s Cross-roads, in the north-east corner of Pleasant Township. They have a commodious church edifice, sometimes spoken of as Stickler’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 wras 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 wrorthy 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 bill. 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. Receipt. — Received of Joseph Work, one of the collectors for Hock- ing Congregation, one dollar, on my first year’s salary. JOHN WRIGHT. January 14 th, 1807. Receipt. — Received of Joseph Work, one of the collectors for Hock- ing Congregation, fourteen dollars and fifty cents, in part of my first year’s salary. JOHN WRIGHT. December 17 th, 1806. Receipt. — Received of John Smith, two dollars on my salary for Hocking Congregation. JOHN WRIGHT. December 13 th, 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- ble. 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 brings 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 Rev. H. R. Peairs. This was in 1863. In 1866, Rev. C. C. B. Duncan came, and was succeeded in 1871 by Rev. 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, R. 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 wrere Daniel Rodahafer, John Ashbaugh and Wm. Rowles. Their reported number of members in 1856, was fift^-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, Rey. W. M. 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 Wm. 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 1-846, 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 Brinkerhoff, 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. Sehory ; and, he by Rev. G. W. Meckling, who was succeeded hy 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. Wm. 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 the first 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; Re#v. 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, pastor. 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 1868, 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 1864. 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, were also many learned and influential men. Hence the denomination known as Mennonites. JACOB AMEN. Jacob Amen w7as 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, thereb}7 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 by 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 Penns}Tl- 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 Armenian 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, they 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 fervent prayer of the writer. Respectfully, ANDREW SWARTZ. May 2 6th, 1877. 142 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. DUNKER CHURCH. I obtain the following history of the Danker 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. The 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 ‘ Die Tceufer ” or Baptists, the German words, Die Toeufer, 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 wife; 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 1938, 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. SHERIFFS. Edward B. Thompson, 1824 to 1828. George D. Sites, 1828 to 1832. Nathan Wetherby, 1832 to 1834. Silas Tam, 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. t£ “ 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, wras 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 Comity 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. 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. Wm. J. Ca^d, 1842 to 1849. Ghbriel 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 electimi 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 : James W. Towson, 1854. A. J. Dildine, 1856. “ “ 1858. Wm. Robinson, 1860. 1862. Wm. Shopp, 1864. " k< 1866. Louis Blaire, 1868. <k “ 1870. John C. Hite, 1873. 1875. Samuel Carpenter, 1820 to 1828. Thomas U. White, 1829 to 1832. Henry C. Widler, 1833 to 1837. John C. Castle, 1838. “ “ 1840. “ “ 1812. Alfred McVeigh, 1844. “ “ 1846. Wm. L. Jeffries, 1848. “ “ 1850. “ “ 1852. PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. Wm. W. Irvin, 1838. “ “ 1840. “ “ 1812. Washington Van Ham, 1844. Emnnuel G-iesy, 1846. Wm. R. Rankin, 1848. “ “ 1850. -.Virgil E. Shaw, L852. Alfred Williams, 1854. James W. Stinchomb, 1856. James W. Stinchomb, 1858. Wm. T. Wise, 1860. Tollman Slough, 1862. “ “ 1864, Wm. A. Shultz, 1866. “ i 1868. John G. Reeves, 1870. “ “ 1872. “ “ 1874. Thos. 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. #ruber was appointed, and after him Henry Miers. These latter two men filled up the interregnum between Hugh Boyl and Mr. King, 148 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. who took charge of the office in 1837. There may be one or two inaccuracies in the following dates, but not important : 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 Silliman, 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. Possibly 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, Wra. 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. iTimothy Fishbaugh, 1866 to 1876. JUDGES OF COURTS OF COMMON PLEAS. HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 149 who was 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 th e 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 comitatus, 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 wTafting 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 Furguson, 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 151 HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO. 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, bqt 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 were 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 and 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 born 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. holds 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 peiishing 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 oj 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 11th 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. TJ. S. Senators. — Thomas Ewing was 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 O. Ed wards, , 1847 to 1849. Charles D. Martin, 1859 to 1861. Philadelphus 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, Win. Jackson, Robert Safford, Wylly Silliman, Thomas Kerker, Ephraim Kibby, Joseph Lucas, Wm. Reuffle, 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 1826 — 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 McArthur received 1,035 ; Kobt. 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 Bartley (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. Deaths. 1st Ward 30 16 2d Ward 14 8 3d Ward 22 14 4th Ward 14 4 5th Ward 17 5 Total in city 97 47 COUNTY. Births. Deaths. Hocking Township 28 9 Amanda Township 48 10 Richland Township 28 9 Rush Creek Township *. 40 14 Clear Creek Township 58 16 Greenfield Township 33 12 Madison Township 25 17 Bloom Township 46 9 Walnut Township 40 17 Violet Township 66 18 Berne Township 31 15 Pleasant Township 24 28 ' Liberty Township 58 15 Total 525 189 Births. Deaths. Total in city and county 622 236 158 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 intimately 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. “JTe 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. “The 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 County wras 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 mfmicipalit}r, 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 lisf 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 Countjq Pennsylvania. When I was fourteen ylears 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, 1 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 wTas 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, wrhen 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 swamp lands. 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 twrelve 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 of earth dug up along the sides, if it were no,t under water, or hauled in on wagons. This bed of earth filled the space between the logs or poles, and wheu 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. “Cn the north were the Indians; and west, in Indiana, the county was still newer and less promising, ipucb of it still ifi 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 Qhurch. 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 me 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 ma}^ 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 pioneer 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 inf 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 23d 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, forty 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. 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 SCHOOLS 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 wTas 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 scarnty. 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, linsev 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. Fuckskin 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 COUNXY, OHIO. PLAYS. 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. INDIANS. There were bands of various tribes of Indians wandering about the country during several years after the wThite settle- ments commenced. They were peaceable for the most part, but had to be kept in a goodTiumor. 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 housfe. 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, are Mrs. 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 t