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KENYON  C O LLEG E
]liwlo/,7,..7',  7.. d 7'd' y 7 f.-.Cd.  /tt Cin 




A
HISTORY
OF
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO,
FROM 1779 TO 1862 INCLUSIVE:
COMPRISING
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS OF MEN CONNECTED WITH THE COUNTY FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT:
TOGETHER WITH
CO3 PLETE LISTS OF THE SENATORS, REPRESENTATIVES~ SHERIFFS, AUDITORS,
COMMISSIONERS, TREASURERS, JUDGES, JUSTICES OF THE PEACE, AND
OTHER OFFICERS OF THE COUNTY, ALSO OF THOSE WHO HAVE
SERVED IN A MILITARY CAPACITY FROM ITS FIRST ORGANIZATION TO THE PRESENT TIME.
AND ALSO
A SKETCH OF KENYON COLLEGE,
AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING AND RELIGION
WITHIN THE COUNTY.
BY
AM' BANNING, NORTON.
COLUMBUS:
RITCHARD NEVINS, PRINTER.
1862.




Entered according to the act.of Congress in the year 1862,
BY A. BANNING NORTON,
In the Clerk's office of the Southern District of Ohio.




PRE -FACE.
To write the history of my native county, and to rescue
from oblivion the anecdotes and early incidents of its first
settlers, has been with me a pleasant pastime. While it has
been much labor to gather the material for this work, and to
test it by the crucible of truth, my mind has thereby been
relieved of much care and of anxious thoughts upon more
serious subjects during an exile in my native land; and if I
will have been the-means of preserving, for the future historian, matters which are within the recollection of but very
few now living, my time and toil have been well spent.
Several years ago, when a resident of this place, I collected
many of the items which. now produce from memory: such
as the captivity of John Stilley, and events of early occurrence within the knowledge of Dr. Timothy Burr, my father,
Daniel S. Norton, Col. John Greer, Judge Bevans, Gilman
Bryant, Col. Emor Harris, Judge Jesse B. Thomas, Rev.
James Scott, and others, who have since deceased. Among
my papers in Texas are notes taken by me of conversations
with the above recited parties, as also with Samuel H. Smith
and William Smith, old residents of Knox, now residing in
that State.
I would have delayed the publication of the sketch I give
herewith, were it not very uncertain when the present unhappy
war may terminate, or what my future may be. Procrastination might prove fatal to the enterprise; hence I have con



IVr PREFACE.
eluded to furnish it to the children of the old settlers, and the
public generally in the Ko-kosing country, conscious that it
has imperfections, but without the ability, under existing circumstances, of making it more complete.'My object is accomplished in putting in this form for preservation much crude
material, which I regard as of value to those who may succeed
us: I did not undertake it with expectation or purpose of
gain.
I may have overlooked some names in putting the manuscript to press, or improperly placed others; but from the most
reliable data I have drawn my conclusions and made my statements. I would have been pleased to have extended my
genealogical sketches, and to have traced out the various old
families in the townships; but, from having met several who
were indisposed to give me information, I found this branch
must necessarily be partial, and desisted from researches. in
that way. The reader will take those named as examples of
the manner in which I think a history of the county ought to
be written, and I would like to have so presented it. Some,
whose names may not be found in this book, may find fault
* with' its compilation, as did " Schmidt," the dutch drayman in
the city of Austin, whose name he discovered in the Directory
spelled "Smith," and exclaimed, "I would not give one tam
for the Correctory vot has my name left out of it; for Smith
is not Schmidt no how."
Of one thing all may be assured, and that is this: I have
set down naught in malice, nor aught extenuated, but endeavored to represent all fairly and correctly. I have no object to
do otherwise. I do not intend ever to live among you, nor in
your State, and am, therefore, truly independent. I belong
to no political or religious party, sect or organization of the
present day, nor do I ever expect to. "He is a freeman whom
the truth -makes free! " Having. no interests to subserve —




P R EFACE.                     V
"no friends to reward, or enemies to punish " —I am, with my
best regards to such as have received me kindly and aided me
with information, and to the people of Knox individually and
collectively,
Their friend,
A. BANNING NORTON.
MOUNT VERNON, O., July 1, 1862.








HISTO'RY OFI KNOX COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
SKETCH OF THE COUNTRY AND SETTLEMENT PRIOR TO ORGANIZATION.TRAVERSED BEFORE THE TERRITORY OF OHIO WAS NA3IED BY ONE OF ITS
SUBSEQUENT SETTLERS.- TS INHABITANT BEFORE THE STATE WAS ORGANIZED. —ITS CITIZENS WHE N FAIRFIELD COUNTY WAS CREATED.-WITH
INCIDENTS OF FRONTIER LIFE AND ADVENTURE.
TiHE country having for its name Ohio was constituted, under General Arthur St. Clair, a territorial government in the year 1788, and le continued
as Governor until the adoption of the State Constitution in 1803.
By his proclamation the county of Fairfield was
created December 9th, 1800, and the district of
which we now treat was included therein until the,
month of Febru.ary,'1808, when it was, by enactmlent of the Legislature, organized into a separate
and distinct'county, honored with the name of
General Henry Knox, a distinguished officer of the
revolutionary army, who was subsequently Secretary of War in Gen. Washington's administration.
The first white man known to have viewed this
section of country was John Stilley, who, when a
captive among the Indians, traversed the White
Woman and Owl Creek from its mouth in a northwesterly direction, as early as June, 1779, nine years




-8            HISTORY  OP
before the name of Ohio had been given to this territory, and when the savages and wild beasts roamed
at will throughout its vast extent.
The -first settlers in this district were from Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania,
and its inhabitants, at every period of its history,
have been chiefly from the middle States.
~From our research into early statements, we are
led to believe that Andrew Craig was the first white
man who located within the present county limits.
He was, at a very early day, a sort of frontier
character, fond of rough and tumble life, a stout
and rugged man-bold and dare-devil in disposition-who took delight in hunting, wrestling
and athletic sports, and was "hail fellow well met"
with the Indians then inhabiting the country. He
was from the bleak, broken, mountainous region of
Virginia, and as hardy a pine knot'as ever that
country produced. He was in this country when
Ohio was in its territorial condition, and when this
wilderness region was declared to be in the county
of Fairfield, the sole denizen in this entire district,
whose history is now being written, tabernacled
with a woman in a rough log hut close by the little
Indian Field, about one-half mile east of where
AMount Vernon city now exists, and at the point
where Centre Run empties into the Ko-ko-sing.
There Andrew Craig lived when Mount Vernon
was laid out in 1805 —there he was upon the organization of Knox county, its oldest inhabitant-'and
there he continued until 1809. Such a harumscarum fellow could not rest easy when white men
got thick around him, so he left and went to the In



KNOX C O.UNTY.               9
-dian village- Greentown-and firom thence migrated further out upon the frontier, preferring red
men for neighbors.
After many years of solitary residence on the
-beautiful Ko-ko-sing, the solitude of Craig's retreat
is broken by the entrance of a lone Jerseyman, who,
ini the spring of 1803, penetrates some ten miles
further into the wilderness, so as not, by too close
proximity, to annoy each other, and there raises a
little log cabin and settles down. This follower of
the trade of Vulcan soon gets in readiness to blow
and strike, and sets about supplying the sons of the
forest with the first axes they had ever seen, and by
making for them tomahawks, scalping knives, -etc.,
he acquires the sobriquet of the "axe-maker," which
for more- than half a century has attached to
Nathaniel Mitchel Young.
A year passes by.before any white accession is
made to society on Owl Creek. Then a stalwart
backwoodsman breaks the silence by the crack of
his rifle, and at the spot where James S. Banning
now lives, near Clinton, the pioneer, William Douglass, drives his stake.
The skillful navigator plies his oar, and Robert
Thompson ascends Owl Creek to where Mount Vernon now stands, and on the rich bottom land, about
one mile west, commences another improvement.
George Dial, of Hampshire county, Virginia, in
another pirogue comes up the creek, and, pleased
with the beautiful country about where Gambier
now flourishes, pitches his tent at the place now
occupied by John Troutman. Old Captain James
Walker, from Pennsylvania, settles on the bank of




-10             HISTORY OF'
the creek where Mount Vernon now is. John
Simpkins wanders from Virginia, with his son
Seeley for his capital, and squats about a mile above
Douglass, where George Cassel's beautiful farm now
exists-.- While these plain men from Virp'nia, New
Jersey and Pennsylvania are preparing their cabins
for comfortable occupation, and making little clearings, a stray Yankee, solitary and alone, with aspeculative eye and money-,making disposition, is,
with pocket compass, taking his bearings through the
forest, soliloquizing about the chance of making a
fortune by laying out a town and selling lots to
those who may come after him into this charming
new country. Having, as he thought, found the,exact spot fok his future operations, he blazes a
tree, and wends his way to the nearest townFranklinton —west of the Scioto, then a place of
magnificent pretensions, where he gets chain and
compass and paper, and returns and lays out the
town of Clinton, in section number four, township
seven, range'four, United States military district,
with its large "public green," its north street and
south street, its main street, first, second, third and
fourth streets, and one hundred and -sixty lots, and,
-taking his town plat in his pocket, he walks to New
Lancaster, being the first white person ever known
to have made a journey in that direction from this
infant settlement, and before Abraham Wright,
Justice of the Peace, acknowledges that important
instrument, and on the 8th of IDecember, 1804,
places it upon record. Thus Samuel H. Smith,
subsequently the first surveyor of Knox county, for
many years a resident, its leading business man, and




KNOX  COUNTY. Y1
~largest land holder, made his entrance into this
district.
Shortly afterwards a large accession was made
to the population of the country by the emigration
from Ten Mile, Washington county, Pa., of John
Mills, Henry Haines, Ebenezer and Abner Brown,
and Peter Baxter, who settled a short distance
south of Owl Creek, where the Beams, Merrits and
-Lafevers have since lived. This settlement, by the
increase of the Leonards, was in 1805 and'6 the.largest and best community in the country, and
upon the organization of the county,. and for several
years thereafter, it- furnished the leading men.
Ben. Butler, Peter Coyle, and Thomas Bell Patterson, in the spring of 1805, augment the Walker
settlement, where Mount: Vernon was located
shortly thereafter. Willianm Douglass is joined by
James Loveridge, who emigrates from  MIorris
county, New Jersey, and with his wife takes quarters on the 6th of July upon the clapboards in the
garret of his little log cabin, and is mighty glad to
get such a shelter as that to spend the year in.
The next year Loveridge starts off, under pretense
of hunting a cow, and goes to the land office and
enters and pays for the tract of land, where shortly
after he erected a dwelling, and has ever since resided. Upon this land there is an uncommon good
spring, which caused him to select it, and he tells
with much glee the circumstances under which he
obtained it. The only Yankee then in the country
claimed to have located it, and proposed to sell it
to him at a higher price than the government rate,
which was then $2 per acre. Concealing his inten



12:H[ISTORY OF
-tion fiom all but his wife, Loveridge slipped off and
examined into'and purchased it himself from the
government, and when he returned with his patent,
Bill Douglass laughed heartily at the Jersey Blue
-overreaching the cunning Yankee. Amoriah Wat-;son, of Wyoming county, Pa., also put up with
iDouglass, and thus this settlement was made up of
Douglass, Smith, Watson and Loveridge, in 1805.
The old axe-maker, in the meantime, is followed up
by some of his relations and friends, who start what
has ever since been known as the Jersey settlement.
Jacob Young, Abraham Lyon and Simeon Lyon
are the first to settle upon the South Fork of. Owl.Creek, and are succeeded by Eliphalet Lewis,.John
Lewis, and James Bryant. The Indians they.found
very' numerous, and through the kind feelings. towards the old axe-maker, they were very friendly,
and really quite an advantage in ridding the country
of wolves, bears, and other varmints.
In the winter of 1805-6, that settlement entered
into a written agreement to give nine bushels of.corn for each wolf scalp that.might be taken, and.three of the men caught forty-one wolves in steel
traps and pens! The description of these pens,.and
~one of the stories told of their operation, we give in
the words of an old settler: —" Wolf pens were
about six feet long, four wide, and three high,.
formed like a huge square box, of small logs, and
floored with puncheons. The lid, also -of puncheons,
was very heavy, and moved by an axle at one end,
made of a small,:round stick. The trap was set by
a figure 4, with -any kind of meat except that of
-wolf's, the animals being fonder.of any other than




KNO X COUNTY.             13
their own. On gnawing the meat, the lid fell.and
caught the unamiable native. To make sport for
the dogs, the legs of the wolf were pulled through
the crevices between the logs, hamstrung, and then
he was let loose, when the ddgs soon caught and
finished him. In Delaware county an old man
went into a wolf trap to fix the spring, when it
sprung upon him, knocking him fiat upon his face,
and securely caught him as though he were a wolf.
Unable to lift up the lid, and several miles from
any house, he lay all one day and night, and would
have perished but for a hunter, who passing by
heard his groans, and came to his rescue."
North, west and east of these embryo settlements
all was wilderness for many long miles. A place
bearing the name of Newark had been laid out by
Gen. W. C. Schenck, but it had not any greater
population than these little scattered settlements
aforementioned. The principal towns of note to
the early settlers were Lancaster, Chillicothe and
Zanesville. Neither of them were much larger
then than our usual ~ roads villages now are.
The people were exceedingly neighborly, and performed all manner of " kind chores" for each other,
in going to mills, laying in goods, dividing what
they had with each other, &c. The nearest mill in
1805, was in Fairfield county. Our old friend
James Loveridge informs us of a trip he made to
that mill, which was seven miles up the Hockhocking river, from Lancaster. It belonged to Loveland
& Smith, and was situated in a little crack between
some rocks, and he went down into the mill from
on top of the roof. He made the trip there and




14            RHISTORY  OF
back, about 125 miles, and brought home with him
in his.wagon -about 900 pounds of flour, one barrel
of whisky, and one barrel of salt. How the settlemuent must have rejoiced at the arrival of the great
staples of frontier life, salt, whisky and flour!




KNOX COUNTY.                        15
CHAPTER II.
CONTINUATION OF THE EARLY OUTLINE.-MORE ABOUT THE FIRST SETTLERS.-.
QUAKERS FROM MARYLAND FIND THEIR WAY IN 1806.-INCIDENTS CONNECTED WITH THEIR EMIGRATION? AND IN THE MOVEMENTS OF OTHER SETTLERS.-WHO THEY WERE AND WHAT BECAME OF THEM.-TiHE PRIVATIONS
ENDURED AND DANGERS ENCOUNTERED.-MORE TOWNS LAID OUT.-THE
FIRST MILLS.-THE SCENE OF AN ENCOUNTER WITH INDIANS.-INCONVENIENCES OF THE COUNTRY.-EFFORTS FOR A NEW COUNTY.-AN EARLY ELECTION.-FAIRFIELD DIVIDED.-THREE NEW COUNTIES CREATED BY ONE
BILL.-STRIFE FOR THE SEAT OF JUSTICE OF KNOX.
THE spring of 1806 brought with it a new element
into the wilderness region, in the form of the Friends
-the forerunners of large numbers of that society,
who by their quiet yet industrious ways have contributed very much to the prosperity and peacefulness of our people.  The venerable father Henry
Roberts may be justly regarded as the head of this
emigration from  Maryland.  In 1805 he left Frederick county, in that State, with his family, and
directed his course to the far west, but on reaching
Belmont county, found it necessary to winter his
family there, and sent his wagon and team back to
Maryland with a load of ginseng and snake-root,
and on their return with a load of goods, he started
with his family and plunder, and on the 7th of
April, 1806, he landed at Henry Haines', in  the
Ten Mile settlement, and after spending.a week
looking for a good location, on the 14th  of that




t16:-         H I S      TF O R~  O- -O
month settled down his family at the little prairie
five miles above Mount Vernon, of late widely
known as the Armstrong section. The family consisted of his wife, his sons-William, now living at
Pekin, Illinois; Isaiah, now residing near Pilot
Knob, Missouri; Richard Roberts, of Berlin-and
a daughter Massah, who married Dr. Timothy Burr,
and died at Clinton, March 9th, 1814. Nine acres
of that beautiful prairie were at once broken up and
planted in corn. It was very hard work to break
the virgin.soil with a first.rate four-horse plow
team, but it paid for that labor by one of the finest
crops of corn ever raised in this country. In the
fall Wm.-Y. Farquhar, a cousin of Henry Roberts,
came with his family, and after him came Win. W.
Farquhar with his family. They all stopped with
Henry Roberts, and thus composed the first settle-'
ment of Friends in this district. From this nucleus
came the numerous society of Quakers in Wayne,
Mliddlebury and Berlin, in after years. Shortly:
after this we find another Quaker, Samuel Wilson,
and John Kerr in what subsequently became.
Wayne township, and John Cook and Jacob Cook,
just above.,. in what is now MIiddlebury township,
and Amoriah Watson goes.from Douglass' to the'
tract of land above, where Fredericktown was the.
next year laid out, and which he subsequently sold
to. Jacob Ebersole, a place now easy to be identified.
by all. In the spring of 1806, there were within
the after limits of Knox county but fifteen persons
who turned out to vote,. and but nine liable to per
form military duty out to muster.
The first grist mill erected in this. county was of




KNOX C OUNTY.               17
a decidedly primitive character. It was in:the
Hains, or Ten Mile settlement, and constructed
without the sound of the hammer upon iron. It
was the joint:work of Ebenezer and Abner Brown,
assisted by the mechanical skill of the whole neighborhood, and was built on what was! called by the
early settlers "Big Run," though in later times it
is spoken of as the little Lake, through which the
road to Granville has since been laid out.:The
water has almost disappeared-having been in its
appearance greatly changed by ditching, and in
some parts obliterated -by filling up the hollow.
The mill stood where Isaac. Beam's house now is,
and the dam was where the bridge now stands in
the lane. It was all of wood-a sugar-trough made
its meal-trough-a little box the hopper —the stones
were about: two feet through, and hooped with elm
bark for want of iron. It cracked corn. pretty well
with a good head on, but the.stream was generally
dry, and the mill: was only able to run when big.showers of rain came. The building was about ten
feet square, of rough logs-not a nail or a bit of
iron could be had when it was 1made. The stones
of this ancient of days are certainly a curiosit —
they are yet to be seen, being the property of Mloses
Farquhar, of Berlin, who since that day has attempted experiments with them. Richard Roberts
at one time took a grist to this original mill and
Ihad it ground.: He was then about seventeen years
old, and not much acquainted with the milling
business, but he was greatly impressed with its
mechanism, and ready to exclainm, with our old
friend Hadly, "The works of God are wonderful,
2ub




18           - HIr szHSTOatY  O:1'
but "the works of man are wonderfuller!"'he
thought that it worked first- rate, -though -.Henry
RHains at that time,had got a little hand'mill which
he claimed was a great improvement on the little
wooden mill.
Mr. Roberts recollects of having- at one time
packed'a bag of -corn  frolm Tom Butler's down on
White-woman home, and from thence to a mill
near Newark, and back home again, less a heavy
toll. While at the mill he saw Hughes, and from
his own lips. had -a true -account about the killing
of indian:horse thieves, whom Jack IRatliff -and
himself had. pursued. into -the Owl Creek.country
and killed -as they came upon them -in the bottom
just below where.Eredericktown now stands. "The
story. runs thus:-" One night in April, 1800, two
Indians stole their horses from -.'a.little inclosure
near their cabins, located in some old Indian fields
on the Licking. In the morning, finding their:horses gone,-and tracks about, they were.satisfied.of their having been stolen, and started off in pursuit, accompanied by a man named Bland. They
-followed their trail all day, and camped at night in
the woods, and making -an early start in the morlning, surprised the Indians in their sleep. They
drew up their rifles to shoot, when -one of the
Indians, discovering them, clapping his hands on
his breast, as if to ward off the fatal ball, exclaimed
in piteous tones.,' me bad Indian! —me -no do!so
more!' Alas! in vain he plead; the:smoke curled
from the glistening barrels, the report rang in the
morning:air,. and the poor Indians.:fell dead."'
Hughes and Ratliff returned home with the horses




RXOX  GCOU TT.                J219
l:and;plunder taken from the-:Indians, feeling as well:over their little exploit as.any men ever did overa
g.eat and glorious action. Ellis Hughes, who was.known -to very -many of our:.old.settlers, -died near
Utica, in M arch, 1845, and was buried with military
olmnors.. He:was believed -to be the last- survivor of:the har.d fought battle.of Point Pleasant..IHe was'a hardy backwoodsman.from Western Virginia.
Our old townsman, Wm. Mlefford, informs us:that;when he improved his farm -on- Mile Run, in Wayne
township, he was clearing:off.ground on which to.build: his -house, and he then plowed up:the two Indians killed by Hughes, and alsoa:rusty.gun barrel,:brass guard, -and. other pieces of a gun, which,had not:decayed. This was in 1835; and Jacob
M1itchel now has the old relics.
- George Conkie gathered -up the bones:and buried.the;, and the.house was ibuilt on the spot-. the old
Peck place on Mile Run bottom, where MIrs. Acre.now.::liv.es. In early days there was a favorite
etoapi.ng ground for the'Indians,about.three-fourths.of -a:.mile -from'where'these Indians were killed.
1Three old settlers have informed. us that about 1808
-they. saw. at one time more than one hundred and
lfty warriors:camped there. They:have several
times seen Old Crane, the Wyandot:Chief, the Chief.Armstrong,. and  Captain Pipe, with bands of In"dians, roving through this country,: and we have
qgathered some very amusing incidents connected
therewith, which the limit we have prescribed for.this -work compels us::to omit in this edition.:.he:great inconvenience the settlers labored nuder for want of building material caused William




20            HInISTORY- OF
Douglass, as early as the spring of 1805, to conceive.
the design of erecting a mill at the seat now known
as Banning's Miill. iHethen commenced digging
the race and building the dam. After getting a
saw to running, he set to work building a grist mill;
being a man of enterprise, he could not brook the:
thought that the people in that neighborhood should
continue to boil and pound their corn when they
could not take time to go to the distant mills.
John Kerr, as will be elsewhere noted in this book,
erected a little grist mill on the Sullivant track, and
laid out the town of Frederick in the first quarter,
seventh township, fourteenth range, United States
military district, which'on the. 1th of November,
1807, he acknowledged, in presence of George Chambers, before Wm. W. Farquhar. A full account of
the early settlement and progress of:this thriving
village will be found under the head of Wayne
township. 
In our investigation of early matters, we find that
the settlers of this district were solicitous upon three
great points for legislative aid, to wit: the division
of Fairfield, the increase of premium upon.wolf
scalps, and proper encouragement in killing squirrels. The General Assembly, in 1807, passed a bill
to encourage killing of squirrels. It went through
-the popular branch -with a rush, but the vote upon
the final passage of the bill in the Senate, on the.21st: of December, stood 8 ayes to 7 nays. The price
for scalping grown wolves was increased, after some
time and much petitioning, and the monster, Fair-:field was dismembered at last. Happy were those




KN OX- COU:NTY.                21
old pioneers, at that period of their existence"All then was happy-possessing and possessedNo craving void left aching in the breast!"'  In looking over the old petitions and beholding
the cramped signatures of a number of these hardy:yeomen, whose rough specimen. marks of cracked
and blistered hands in frontier service, clearly bear
witness to their whole heart being in the prayers.,sent up for these measures, we can well imagine:how they must have chuckled with delight, as a
Christian over his soul's salvation, at the realization.of their wishes. In those primitive times their at-::tention was not diverted from the real live. issues
affecting the welfare of themselves and their fami-.lies to grand humanitarian schemes for the benefit
of any other race or people. The squirrels eat the.kernels when the corn was in silken tassels, taking
it out of their children's mouths; the wolves prowled
about their tracks, destroying their pigs and poultry,
and rendered night hideous with their howling, and.rightened and endangered the lives of wives and
children, so they could not leave home to attend to
necessary business at the remote county seat. This
was a remarkable epoch in the history of the pioneers
of this country.
In 1807, at the October election, the section of
country known as Fairfield county cast but 213
votes, all told; and now there is scarcely a township;:in all this country that does not contain more voters.::Then the entire vote cast for Governor in the State,
as officially published, was 5,616; and now, after'the space of fifty-four years, our own county of Knox




22             HJI:8TORY  OF
polls:over 6,000: votes,. and the old county-as it.-theaf
existed polled at the last election 40,000!
What a change in the country we have lived to
witness! How striking the contrast in manners,
customs,- education, intelligence, and in. political,
religious, and social life! In nothing is the; alteraition more clearly marked than in the: dissemination
of information in. reference to elections and the sys.
temn of electioneering. Then every man ran. on his
own hook-his own race -making the best speed
he was capable of —fully impressed with- the- belief
that the devil would take the hindmnost. The race
~was won then by personal merit and cleverness.
Now party intervenes; caucuses and juntos daitate; conventions and wigwams gather together
political carpenters, joiners and jacks of all trades,
Whose special province it: is to make: platforms: out
of vagrant material for weak-kneed.: and- spavine-d
candidates to stand on. Then there were no daily
papers, and weekly ones only existed in great citi:es
like Boston, New York and Philadelphia. In fact
niie-,tenths of the then inhabitants had never see~t
a newspaper. The official count of the vote of tha~.
year shows more fully than ainy language could
convey the state of blissful ignorance prevailing
throughout all this now politically crazy country.
There were then two canhdidates running for Governor, to wit: Return Jonathan Mleigs and Nathaniel
Massie. The former was voted for under nineteen
different names.,nd the- latter under five different
styles. The various tickets read: For Return J.
Meigs, Reeturn J. Meigs, Jun., Jonathan R. Meigs,
Jr., Jonathan'Return IMNeigs, Jonathan -Return




K:NO,,X- C-,OU.NT Y.           23
IMeigs,: Jr.,,. Return,M.eggs,. Return R:. Meags, Jr.,
Jonathan Meggs, Jonathan R. Meggs, J. XIMeigs, Jr.,
Jonathan Meigs, Jonatlhan J. Meigs, Judge: AMeigs,
John: Meigs, Mr. Meigs, J. Maggs, Return Israel
MJeigs, James Meigs,i Johan Meigs.  NathanielI
M gassi, Nathaniel: Massie, Esq., James Massie, Mr.
IXassie,;)aniel Massie. AMeigs received 3,299; Massie 2,317; and Return J. MNeigs was declared elected
Governor by; 982 majority. Thomas Kirker, Speaker of the. Senate, was then.acting Governor.
e;,:Jleigs had been: a colonel in the army, and was
appointed judge of the territory of Louisiana in
Tuly, 1805, and had resided in that country some six.
months; his wife and family, however, had remain-;d, during his absence, at Marietta, in. this State.
Massie contested his election; and on the 30th of
December, 1807, the, General Assembly, in joint
session, by a vote of 24. to 20, decided that Meigs
wvas,.not eligible.  The vote of Fairfield was: For
Mleigs, 167; M.assie, 46.. In 1810, Governor Meigs
was elected by the people, and served as Governor
until 1814. He was a gentleman of education and
talent, and Meigs county, upon the Ohio river, will
perpetuate his name ass long as Ohio exists.  At the
eleetio.n of 1807, above alluded to, Elnathan Scofield
was elected Senator, and Philemon Beecher and
Wm. W. Irwin Representatives.
The singularity of name borne by Governor Meigs
is thus accounted for, as narrated to us by George
Browning, Esq., a native of Belpre, and resident
in this. place since 1829. JonathanT Meigs, the father
of Return J., was quite celebrated for his bravery
in; several Indian campaigns, and when out on one




24        "H ElISTORY  OF
of these perilous excursions, during his absence, his
wife was in her confinement, and wrought upon by
great anxiety for her husband, kept continually
crying out in pain: "Return, Jonathan, oh! return,
Jonathan, to me." About the time Return  Jonathan was born, Jonathan returned, and she was
quieted down, and at once the name "Return
Jonathan" was given to the new comer.
The great extent of territory comprised within
the limits of Fairfield, and the inconveniences resulting to the settlers in the more new portion of the
country from their great distance from the county
seat, caused them to agitate the question of a division
of the county as early as 1806.
At the fifth General Assembly of Ohio, held in
Chillicothe, December 1st, 1806, a strong effort was
made, and it was "within an ace" of being successful. Elnathan Scofield, Senator, and Philemon
Beecher, Representative, of Fairfield county, were
particularly friendly to this measure. How near it
came to being a success, may be judged of by the
following statement upon the Senate Journal, page
115, January 15th, 1807. A message from the
House of Representatives, by Mr. Beecher, represented that "the House had passed'an act for the
division of Fairfield county,' in which they desire
the concurrence of the Senate."  On the 16th, the
bill was received and read a second time. On the
20th, page 128, -Mr. Scofield laid before the Senate
a petition, signed by a number of the inhabitants
of Fairfield county, praying for a division thereof,
and recommending Mount Vernon as the temporary seat of justice in said contemplated division, and




KNOX' COUNTY.                25
also recommending certain persons as suitable characters for associate judges, and the petition was re-ceived and referred to the committee of the whole,
to whom is committed the bill for a division of
Faiirfield county. On the 21st, the said bill was
taken up, and considered and amended, and continued till Saturday next.
At the sixth General Assembly, in December,
1807, we find on the 31st several petitions were presented from Fairfield county for a division of said'county, which were referred to Messrs. Scofield,
McArthur and Bigger.
On the 7th of January, Senate Journal, page 69,
]Mr. Scofield presented a petition from citizens of
-Fairfield county living south of the Refugee Tract,.whose names are thereunto subscribed, for two counties; the one lying north of Refugee Tract line to
be called Center, and the other to be called -.
January 15th, the bill pending in the Senate, page'83, several amendments were presented to the committee of the whole, one of which is: "Strike out
in the 1st section and 6th line, after the word'heathen,'' from thence west along the south bound-ary of said military tract, and insert,"' etc. From
which it may be inferred that there:were heathen
about these parts before these later times.
-On the 16th of January the bill passed the Senate,'and on the 30th of January, 1808, it passed the
House and became -a law. The second section of
the act created the county of Knox. By this bill
three of the best counties in the State of Ohio were
marked out by metes and bounds, to wit: Licking,
Knox and Richland. By the 4th section the teim



26            -.HISTORY  OF.P-orary seat. of justice of Licking was.to, be: at. the
house: of Levi Hays, and of Knox county at. Mount
Vernon. The 7th section provides "that, Richland
county shall be -under the.jurisdiction of Knox until
the: Legislature* may think proper to organize the
same."  Hence, the reader. will observe. that. in
these pages we have incorporate.d several items of
the early history of our younger sister —Richland
-as. well as some incidents of more particular interest to those dwelling in Licking. For the samwe..
reason,. we have carried the history of Bloomfield,
Chester and Franklin —three of the townships at
present belonging to Morrow county, though until
1848 part and parcel of old Knox. The same commissioners who located the seat of justice of Knox
county at Mount Vernon, under the joint resolution.of February 9, 1808, fixed the seats of justice of
Licking and Delaware counties at Newark and
Delaware..
On the 14th of February, in joint ballot, the General Assembly chose the first associate judges of
Knox county, Win. W. Farquhar, John Mills and.William Gass.
As we have before stated, in the year 1805 some
of the inhabitants became desirous of having a:town
on Owl Creek, and Mount Vernon was laid out
accordingly. The proprietors were Benjamin Butler, Thomas B. Patterson, and Joseph: Walker.
One of the settlers being from the Potomac, and
thinking of the consecrated spot on its shores, suggested that, as the stream was so clear and beautiful.
the place should bear the sacred name-M ount.Vernon —and it was so done.




KN-OX  Co:-UNTY.: 27
-Clinton — one mile and a half north- ocated the
year before, was. by its proprietor named after Governor DeWitt Clinton, of New York, and he; Ialso,showed his regard for his old friend by giving: the
aime to his son-DeWitt:- Clinton Smith-.who
was a member of the sixth Legislature of Texas, and
now.resides in the: Lone Star State. And in 1807
Fredericktown was laid out. Thus there.were three'towns,, having a "local. habitation. and a. name,".before the county of Knox was created. Neither
of them had advanced very far in the scale of citydom. up to 1808;: of the nuimber, however, Clinton
w-as the most promising. It had, at that. time,:more
houses;: shops. and workmen, than either of the,others.
Gilman Bryant opened a grocery store in Maount
Vernon, on the lot where Buckingham Emporium
nowv stands. It was: a little story and a half syarmore cabin,. where he kept powder, shot, lead,. whis..ky, etc.,. for sale to the Indians and the few whites
in 1807. Samuel H. Smith had a pretty good stock.of goods and traps at Clinton. Of each of these
towns we shall speak more fully under their appropriate heads.
Upon the organization of the county, the -inhabitants were greatly pleased. Those who had been
compelled to, travel to New Lancaster to transact:county business, were particularly gratified.. The
proprietors of town sites and holders of lots therein,
were superlatively elated.'On the 9th day of February,: 1808, James Armr
-strong, James Dunlap and Isaac -. ook were appointed Commissioners to locate the. seat ofjuisticee.




28             HISTORY  OF
In pursuance thereof, they proceeded: to discharge.the duties imposed upon them, and on the 28th day
of March, they appeared before John Mills, Justice
of the Peace, and were severally sworn to discharge
the duties assigned them  as Commissioners as
aforesaid.
Clinton and, Mount Vernon were the principal
competitors for the seat of justice. The former
place at that time was the larger. It had more
goods, more mechanics, more enterprises on foot,
more houses, more people, and more hope: for the
future. It had more of New England families,
more of Yankee spirit and shrewdness; and yet,
with all their cunning and craftiness-all their
money and management-all their efforts and inducements-Clinton lost the selection. Its generals
were out-generaled-its managers out-manceuvered
-its wits outwitted —its Yankees out-Yankeed by
the less showy and pretending men from the Potomac and the Youghiogheny, who had settled at:Mount Vernon. The choice of either one for the
county seat involved the ultimate ruin of the other.
~Clinton made a bold effort to keep up against adverse winds. It could not sustain an. appeal from
~the decision of the Commissioners, but still it kept
on for several years in its improvements, and until
after the war it was ahead of Mount Vernon in
many respects. It had the first and only newspaper
in the county for two years; it had the first and
only church in the county for many years; it had
-stores, tanyards, shops of various kinds, and greater
variety of business than Mount Vernon; but after,the war was over it began to decay, and its rival




KN0OX  COU:NTY.             29
took the lead. The accredited account of the location of the county seat is as follows-: —The Commissioners first entered Mount Vernon, and were
received with the best cheer at the log tavern of
Mr. Butler. To' impress them. with an idea of the
public spirit of the place, the people were very busy
at the moment of their entrance and during their
stay, at work, all with their coats off, grubbing the
streets. As they left for Clinton, all quitted their
labor, not " of love;" and some rowdies, who dwelt
in cabins'scattered round about in the woods, away
from the town, left "the crowd," and stealing ahead
of the Commissioners, arrived at Clinton first. On
the arrival of the others at that place, these fellows
pretended to be in a state not comformable to temperance principles, ran against the Commissioners,
and by their rude and boisterous conduct so disgusted the worthy officials as to the apparent morals
of the inhabitants of Clinton, that they returned
and made'known their determination that Mount
Vernon should be the favored spot. That night
there were great rejoicings in town. Bonfires were
kindled, stews made and drank, and live trees split
with gunpowder.
Such is a plausible account of this matter, which
we have often heard related by our old friend Gilman Bryant, who took great pride in rehearsing a
fable calculated to give Mount Vernon the:imanifest
advantage in the estimation of moral and temper-:ance men in these later times. But some of those
who lived in the county at that early day give an
entirely different version to the subject, and even.have gone so far as to aver that the Commissioners




M. --  S'T@' P;';r-''':P' 
themselves delighted,,as did the:rest of mankind, in
taking a:"  wee drap:-of -the cratur,".and could not
have been ",-disgusted by rude and boisterous.conduct" -to which they.were accustomed.
And again it is suggested that "the crowd" at
that. day was not so great in this locality that men
who had -sense and observation:sufficient to -be selected'for..Commissioners, would not have been
able to observe and -distinguish " the rowdies,".and
class them.where:they belonged.._Another:old.settler, whose partiality at-that -day
was for Clinton, avers that the -proprietor.:of Clin-ton, Mr.: Smith, had been-very illiberal in his dealings with those who wished to purchase lots in Shis
town. He had.adopted a plan of withholding from:market.the. best los -on the plat, and- keeping the
-corner lots to be enhanced in value by the improvements made by:settlers upon inside lots. At this
course many of them became dissatisfied, and some
of the number who had bought of him. collogued.with the'Mount Vernonites against Clinton. We
have.been told. by another old citizen, thafttwo.of
the -men'living north of Mount Vernon, and considered as in the Clinton interest, proposed to
K.:fratzer and Patterson to help secure the location
*of the county seat at Mount Vernon, in considera*tion of their receiving two lots -apiece'in the town,:.and that their favor and influence wentaccord-ingly.
And yet another account of this mooted. question;as to how the preference came to be'Mount Vernon,
-comes to us:in' this wise.:-.
One. of the Commissioners was security for Sam



KNXt. NO x' OU'TY.T        31
iel Kratzer, -and had become involved on fthat
account.  Kratzer had moved to this place from
Lancaster, where he had been acting as land tax
collector of Fairfield county, in 1805, and reported
himself to have been r6bbed of the public lmoney
while:upon the road going to make his return. He
was a fine looking, large, fleshy man, and wore
tight buckskin breeches. They had holes in-them
which he alleged to have been shot in the encounter,
though they bore -the appearance of having been
cut; his saddle-bags were also exhibited with horrid
gashes in them, and:making profert of these-he
petitioned the.Legislature for relief, and at the session of: 806, the:bill for his relief -was lost by'a
vote of 10 yeas to 17 nays. —H. J., p. 114.
Certain it is, Kratzer lost caste, and broken: up
and'humiliated, he came to the new town site and
bought out Patterson's interest in the town of
Mount Vernon, and it is represented that one: of
the Commissioners was counted on by the settlers
as:certain for said place. He got another of the
Board'with him, and:Mo-unt Vernon came off victor. Subsequently-and as resulting from  this
judgment-Kratzer, enabled by the rise of property
to pay off -his. debt, did the fair and just thing:,by
the:Commissioner.'Mount Vernon at that. time was a rough, ragged,
hilly spot, with:a thick growth of:hazel and:other
bushes, not near so inviting a place as Clinton,
where everything appeared enticing to the stranger.
Gilman Bryant says that: "The ground north of
Butler's Tavern was then almost wholly in woods.
Some timber had been chopped down in places.




32             HISTORY  OF-'
Main Street was full of stumps, log heaps and trees,
and the road up the street was a poor crooked path
winding round amongst the stumps and logs."
Richard Roberts says that it was very rough and
broken where M/lount Vernon was located, and was
the last spot on God's earth a man would have
picked to make a county seat.
Another gentleman residing north of Mount
Vernon,'and very partial to Fredericktown, thinks
that by a little management that place might have
been made the permanent seat of justice, when the
strife was so great between the other towns. They
might.have got a strip thrown off of Delaware
county, which might have been attached, and then
Frederick would have been alike central;, but Kerr
and his comrades had not their eyes open to the
importance of getting that five mile range with
Knox, and they were left.out of doors when the
location was made permanent.'We have thus minutely given all the statements
made to us in regard to the selection of a permanent
seat of justice, for it will be a matter of far greater
interest to future generations than to the present.
Our seventh chapter we devote to Ben. Butler's
version, which will be read with great interest, as
he is the only one of the proprietors of the town
now living, and was a prominent actor in that affair.
With that we leave this elaborately discussed -subject.




KNOX OOU NTY.                        33
CHAPTER III.
KNOX COUNTY ORGANIZED.
THE. FIRST TERM OF COMMON PLEAS. -REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS ON SEAT Or
JUSTICE. -THE FIRST CRIMINAL TRIALS. -" THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE
LAWS" UPON HEDRICK'S BARE BACK.-FORTY STRIPES LAID ON A POOR
WHITE MAN'S NAKED SKIN I-TlHE PUBLIC WHIPPING'ON THE PUBLIC SQUARE
OF MOUNT VERNON.-ACTION OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, A. D. 1808.THE FIRST OFFICERS, AND SOME ACCOUNT OF THEM.-THE FIRST GIRAND
JURIES AND FIRST PETIT JURIES.-THE FIRST ELECTION. -FIRST LICENSED
PREACHERS, MERCHANTS AND TAVERN KEEPERS.-EXTRAORDINARY WOLF
SESSION. —RIGID HONESTY AND.ECONOMY OF OFFICERS.
O. the first of May, 1808, the faces -of old and
young, great and small, of the male and female, upon
Owl Creek's " stormy banks," were anxiously turned
to the south to catch the first glimpse of that august
personage, "the Court," then expected to make a
first visitation to Mount Vernon.  Ben. Butler and
Aunt Leah had their house all "in apple-pie order"
for their grand reception; Jim Craig, at his house
on the corner of Mulberry and Gambier, had laid in
a fresh supply of whisky and other refreshments;
Gilman Bryant had got a bran new  horn for his
customers, and had rubbed his little store up until
the stock looked as bright as a dollar; and Sheriff
Brown had caused the little wagon maker shop of
Coyle & Sons to be swept out and supplied with
3




34HI'STORY. Op
smooth round logs for the jurymen and others in
attendance to sit on.  Every man and boy that had
been fortunate enough to kill his deer had buckskin
leggins and a new hunting shirt, and every woman
that had a wheel had spun and dyed and made herself and little ones a good homespun garment.
Some few who could stand the expense had bought
of store calico three to five yards, at seventy-five
cents a yard, and fitted themselves with a two or
three breadth dress, the third breadth made into
gores, so as to be wider at the bottom, as their ability enabled; for in those days there were no fashionable women to parade the streets with fifteen to
eighteen yards in a dress, and no disposition for
extravagant displays of wearing  apparel.  The
Court traveled on horse-back —handed the saddlebags to "Knuck Harris," and, after rest and refreshment, bright and early on the morning of the 2d of
May "opened" and proceeded to business.  The
whole population-men, women and childrenwere out in their best rig, to witness this great event;
and we give the following faithful transcript of the
entire proceedings:
FIRST COURT- OF COMMON PLEAS IN KNOX COUNTY.
"The State of Ohio, to wit:
"Agreeable to an act of the General Assembly of the State of
Ohio, passed on the 17th day of February, 1808, for establishing
and organizing the county of Knox:
"Be it, therefore, remembered and known, that we, William
Wilson, President, John Mills and Wmin. Gass, Associate Judges
for said county of Knox, did on this day, to wit: Monday, the
second day of May, in the year of our Lord 1808, meet at Mount
Vernon, the temporary seat of justice for the county aforesaid, and




KNOX -COU NTY.                         35
proceeded to the appointment of a clerk for the said county, whereupon it was declared by the Court that Chas. Loffland was duly
elected pro tempore, who came into Court and was duly qualified as
the law directs.
"Samuel H. Smith, Esq., was duly elected surveyor of Knox
Co.
"Present: William W. Farquhar, gentleman."
" The State of Ohio vs. Win. Hedrick-Felony.-William Wallace, William Bowen and Joseph Cherry Holmes entered into recognizance of $100 each to appear at the next Court of Common Pleas
and testify against William Hedrick.
"James Armstrong, James Dunlap and Isaac Cook, gentlemen,
who was appointed by the Legislature on the 9th of February last
for fixing the county seat in the county of Knox, made their report
to the Court of Common Pleas for the county aforesaid that Mount
Vernon should be the seat of justice for said county.
"WILLIAM WILSON."
Such is the beginning of the minutes of the first
Court. The "Report" reads as follows:' To the ion. William  Wilson, Esq., President, and John Mills,
William Gass and Win. W. Forker, Esgs., Associate Judges of
the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Knox, in
the State of Ohio:
"-May it please your Honors, In conformity to an act of the Legislature of the State of Ohio, passed the 28th of March, 1803, entitled an act establishing seats of justice, we, the subscribers, were
appointed by a Resolution of both Houses of the Legislature, passed
on the 9th of February, 1808, commissioners for fixing the Parmanent seat of justice in and for s'd county of Knox. We do hereby
make report to your Honors, that, Having Met and attended-to the
duties of our s'd appointment in s'd county on the 28th of the
present Inst., and Having paid due Regard to the centre, Extent of
population, Quality of soil, as well as the General convenience, we
Hereby declare that the Town of Mount Vernon is the most suitable
place for the Courts of s'd county to be held at, and we do hereby
declare the said Town of Mount Vernon the parmanent seat of Jus



36                  HISTORY - OF
tice in and for s'd, county of Knox. Given under our hands and
seals this 29th day of March, 1808.
"JAMES ARMSTRONG, [SEAL.]
"JAMES DUNLAP,           [SEAL.]
"ISAAC COOK,             [SEAL.]
"Commissioners.
" The first Grand Jury Impanneled.-Matthew Merrit, foreman,
John Herro'd, Samuel H. Smith, James Walker, Jr., David Miller,
Joseph Walker, Gilman Bryant, James Walker, Sen., William
Douglass, Ziba Leonard, Stephen Chapman, Benj. Butler, Jonathan
Hunt, Ichabod Nye.
" Fighting cases first disposed of —State of Ohio vs. John Williamson.-For fighting yesterday with William ierrod. The Court
do assess him in a breach of the peace, &c., in the sum of $1.60
and costs. State of Ohio vs. William Herrod. For fighting John
Williamson yesterday. Fine $1.60 and costs.
" Preachers next in order.-William Thrift, a Baptist minister, is
authorized to solemnize marriages.
" Traders Licensed. —Samuel Kratzer and Stephen Chapman are
authorized to retail goods, wares and merchandize in Mount Vernon, on paying into the treasury $5.
" Tavern-keepers Licensed.-Samuel Kratzer is licensed to keep
a house of entertainment in the town of Mount Vernon for one
year, on paying $6. Daniel Ayres is licensed to keep in Fredericktown, on paying $5.
"First Will admitted to Probate. -The last will and testament
of William Leonard was proven.
"The First Trial by Jury.-State of Ohio vs. William Hedzrick.
— Indicted for stealing a watch from William Bowen. Plea-Not
guilty.
" Jury.-James Loveridge, Henry Smith, Aaron Brown, James
Smith, Benjamin Brown, John Beam, William  Nash, Daniel
Demick, Michael Brown, Peter Baxter, Archibald Gardner, and
Levi: Herrod. Verdict-Guilty.
"' Judgment.-Fine $5, pay the owner, William Bowen; $15, and
be whipped, on his naked back ten stripes, imprisoned one month,
pay the cost, and stand committed until the sentence is complied
with.
"Second Trial.-State of Ohio vs. William Hedrick. —Indictment for stealing bay mare, property of William Wallace.




KNOX: COUNTY.                         37
"JYury.-John Baxter, William Herrod, William Biggs, Daniel
Ayres, Nicholas Kyle, John Shinabery, James Craig, James Smith,
Thomas Merrill, Dorman Lofland, James Pell, and Thompson
Mills.
"dJudgment.-Prisoner be whipped 20 lashes on his naked back,
and pay a fine of $20, and be imprisoned one month, and pay the
owner $70, the value of the mare, pay the cost, and stand committed, &c.
" Tird Trial. —State of Ohio vs. WTilliam Hedrick.-Indictment for stealing one pair over-alls, the property of Joseph Cherry
Holmes.
" Jury. —James Loveridge, Henry Smith, Aaron Brown, James
Smith, Benjamin Brown, John Beam, William  Nash, Daniel
Demick, Michael Brown, Peter Baxter, Archibald Gardner, and
Levi Herrod.
" Judgment.-Prisoner be whipped on his naked back five
stripes, pay a fine of $2, be imprisoned one month, pay the owner
$5, double the value of the over-alls, pay cost, and stand cominitted, &c.
"Fourth Trial. —State of Ohio vs. William Hedrick. —Indictment for stealing one bell and collar, property of William Wallace.
"Jury.-Parts of the former.
"Judgment.-Prisoner to be whipped five stripes on his naked
back, pay a fine of $1, pay the owner $1.50, the value of the bell
and collar, pay the costs, and stand committed, &c."
The State paeys its first fee.-On motion, a certificate was issued by the Commissioners in favor of
Samuel Kratzer, Esq., for his services, for $6, in
acting  on  the part of the State against William
Hedrick, who was found guilty of felony.
Th7e sentence of the Court-when, where, by whonm
and how  executed.-The judgment of castigation
was executed upon the public square  of Mount
Vernon, shortly after the adjournment of Court, in
the presence of all the people. Silas Brown was
the Sheriff, and it fell to his lot as such to serve the




38             HISTORY 0F
"legal process" upon the body of William  lediiek.
There was a small leaning hickory tree upon the
east side of the public square, between the present
Norton building and High street, and a little south
of where. the jail was afterwards built, and this, tree
bent in such way that a man could walk around
under it. To this delectable spot the culprit was
taken, and his hands were stretched up over his
head and tied to the tree, and the stripes were applied by said Sheriff to his naked back. He was
struck forty times with a heavy raw-hide whip.
A spectatorpleads for mercy.-The first few blows
with the raw-hide were across the kidney. Mr.
Bryant, one: of the bystanders, at once called out to
the Sheriff to whip him elsewhere-that was no'.,
place to whip'a man-he should strike higher up:;
and'the rest of the lashes'were applied across the
shoulders.'Htow Hedrick acted. —The crimi-nml.sobbed and
cried piteously, and when released went off weep —
ing and groaning. In many places the skin ws
cut and broken, and the blood oozed out, making
a pitiable spectacle. And yet such was the feeling
against him that few seemed to sympathize with
the scourged. As he started off he said to the
spectators, "You should not blame me for this, for
it is not my fault." Bob Walker replied, "No, by
G-d, you wouldn't have stood up and been whipped
that way,.if you could have helped it." And at
this prompt retort to Hedrick's explanation or
apology, the crowd laughed loudly and uproariously.
From Gilman Bryant, Samuel H. Smith, Ben.
Butler, Jonathan Hunt and Stephen Chapman of




KNOX COUNTY.                39
the Grand Jury, and James ILoveridge and the
H[errods of the Petit Jury, and Richard Roberts,
all of whom are yet living, and who witnessed this
scene, we have gathered this account of the first
and last j-udicial punishment by whipping in the
county of Knox. And scarcely any of the present
citizens are aware that such punishment of criminals was ever the law of the land in which they
have the good fortune to live.
THE FIRST ELECTION AT MOUNT VERNON.
On the 4th day of April, 1808, the entire people of
the county voted at Mount Vernon. The officers of
election were Ebenezer Brown, Jabez Beers and
Samuel Kratzer, Judges; Wm. Gass and Robert
Anderson, Clerks. They were here from the most remote points, as well as from the vicinity of Mount
Vernon. The election of the first officers in a new
county brings. out every body. They elected them
by the following votes: John Lewis, for Commissioner, received 56 votes, John Herrod 52, and
Joseph Walker 48.:Silas Brown was elected Sheriff.
Jonathan Craig, for Coroner, had 45, and:Francis
Hardesty 1 vote. Then for Trustees-for be it
remembered, the whole county composed the district-George Downs had 41, Henry Roberts 36,
and Joseph Coleman 36. The vote for Overseers
of the Poor was, Moses Craig 22, James Walker 2,
Alexander Walker 12. The candidates for Supervisor were Sam. Kratzer, who received 35, and
Peter Baxter 36. For Fence Viewers, George Zin,
Michael Click and Jesse Severe were candidates.




40                  HISTORY' OF
For "House  praisers,"  Archibald  Gardner and
James Craig each got 12 votes. For Constables,
Gabriel Wilkins received 30, Philip Walker 21,
Jonathan  Hunt, Jr., 15, Dave  Miller 3.  For
Treasurer, Ben. Butler had 12 votes, and James
Walker, Jr., 2. None of these parties are now living but Ben. Butler and Jonathan Hunt, who
many long years ago dropped the junior and became a senior, and is now one of the oldest of men.
DIVISION OF THE COUNTY INTO FOUR TOWNSHIPS, AND WHAT
THEY WERE.
The following entry we find on a piece of paper
in Jambs Smith's hand:
"KNOX COUNTY:
"'Know ye, that on the 2d day of May, 1808, at a meeting of a
Board of Commissioners for said county, to wit: Joseph Walker,
John Harrod and John Lewis, Commissioners in and for said county,
"Ordered, that the following bounds be laid off into a separate
township, to wit: beginning at the west boundary line of said
county, between the 6th and 7th township line, and running east
to the west of the thirteenth range line, thence north to the center
of the 7th township line, thence on the east to the east line of the
13th range, thence north to the county line, which shall be called
and known by the name of Wayne township.
"Ordered, that the following bounds be laid off into a separate
township: beginning at the north-east corner of Wayne township,
thence east to the west side of the 11th range, thence south to the
center of the 6th township, thence west to the west line of the 12th
range, thence south to the south line of the 6th township, thence
west on the said line of the side line, which shall be called and
known by the name of Clinton township.
" Beginning at the center of the 11th range line where it intersects Licking county line, thence north to the center of the 6th
township line, thence west to the west line of the 12th range,
thence south to the line between the 5th and 6th townships, thence




KNOX COUNT-.                        41
west to the west line of the county, thence with the county line to
Licking county to the place of beginning, which shall be known
and called by the name of Morgan township.
"Ordered, that the following bounds be laid off into a separate
township, laid off as follows: beginning at the north-east corner of
Clinton township, thence eastward to the 1Muskingum county line,
thence, with the line of said county to the Licking county line,
thence west to the middle of the 11th range, thence north to the
center of the 6th township, thence west to the west side of the 12th
range, thence north to the place of beginning, which shall be called
and known by the name of Union township."
Those who are curious to know what these townships comprised, will find that Wayne at that time
embraced all of the present townships of Franklin
and Chester, in Morrow  county, Middlebury, and
Berlin, Wayne, and the north half of Morris.
Clinton  included Bloomfield, now  in Morrow
county, Liberty, north half of Pleasant, Monroe
and Pike, and the south half of Morris.
Union took in Brown, Jefferson, Union, Howard, Butler, Jackson, three-fourths of Harrison, and
the east half of Clay.
Morgan consisted of the west half of Clay, southwest quarter of Harrison, south half of Pleasant,
and all of Morgan, Miller, Milford and Hilliar.
THE SECOND, OR FALL TERM KNOX COMMON PLEAS
Was held on Monday, the 5th day of September,
1808. What was then transacted we will briefly
state.
A Grand Jury was called and sworn for the body
of this county, to wit: Jabez Beers, foreman, Ziba
Leonard, John  Johnson, James Walker, Jacob




42                  HTISTORY OF
Young, Benjamin  Butler, Win. Nash, John Butler,
David Miller, John Merritt, Win. Douglass, Jas.
Walker, Jr., James Craig, who after being sworn,
retired out of Court, and after some time returned
with the following presentments, to wit:
"The State of Ohio vs. Samuel H. Smith. —On a presentment
for selling goods without license. A true bill, to which the defendant plead guilty. Court on consideration of the offense doth find
the defendant in the sum of $2.50, and costs of the prosecution.
"Ordered, that the Grand Jury be adjourned till to-morrow
morning, nine o'clock, who met according to adjournment.
"The State of Ohio vs. MlIichael Brown.-On an indictment.
True bill.
"The State of Ohio vs. Aaron Brown.-On an indictment. True
bill.
"The State of Ohio vs. James Click.-On an indictment. True
bill.
"Tle State of Ohio vs. Sarah HIlartley.-On an indictment.
True bill.
"Saimuel Kratzer vs. Robert Walker.-In trespass. Dismissed
at plaintiff's cost.
"Ordered, that Edward Herrick be appointed a prosecuting attorney for this county.
"James Scott, who is a regular Mlinister of the Presbyterian
Church, is licensed to solemnize marriages.
"John Armstrong vs. John. Kerr.-In trespass. James Bryant
came into Court and undertook for the defendant, that in case he
should be cast in this suit, that he would pay and satisfy the condemnation of the Court, or render his body to the prison in lieu
thereof.
"John Wood is licensed to keep a tavern, on payment of $4.00.
"' On- the motion of Samuel H. Smith, it is ordered that license
be issued to him to sell and retail goods, wares, and merchandize
of foreign growths and manufactories, at his store in the town of
Clinton, for one year,' on payment of $10.00.
"Samuel H. Smi-th is licensed to keep tavern at Clinton, on
payment of $5.00.




KNOX COUTNTY.                        43
"Jacob Young vs. Abraham Lyon.-Plaintiff's attorney ordered
to amend writ by adding the words, I on the case.'
"On motion, Court adjourned till to-morrow at 9 o'clock.
"TUESDAY, September 6th, 1808.
"James Craig vs. Archibald Gardner.-On an appeal from a
judgment rendered by Samuel Kratzer, Esq.  This came ye
defendant by his attorney, and pleads non-assumpsit, joinder and
issue. Whereon came a jury, to wit: Daniel Johnson, Ichabod
Nye, Winm. Casper, Stephen D. Menton, John Click, Thomas Bowen, Moses Craig, Wm. Bowen, Robert Anderson, Jesse Proctor,
Gilman Bryant, Alexander Walker, who upon their oaths say that
they find for the plaintiff, and assess the damages: to $25.26-i cents
damages.
"Joseph Butler vs. Elizabeth Vandever.-On an appeal from
Abraham Darling. Judgment awarded for the defendant's cost.
" T2he State of Ohio vs. Michael Brown.-Sainuel Kratzer, Samuel Baxter and Polly Miller entered into $100 recognizance to
appear and testify on: the part of the State.
" State of Ohio vs. Aaron Brown.-James Walker, Jr., Benjamin
Butler and Win. McBride entered into recognizance of $100 to appear and give evidence on the part of the State.
"Jacob Young vs. Abraham Lyon.-Samuel H. Smith came into
Court and undertook for the defendant, that in case he should be
cast in this cause, that he would pay and satisfy the condemnation
of the Court, or render his body to prison in lieu thereof.
"Thomas B. Patterson, for the use of Moses Bixby, vs. Samuel
Kratzer. —In debt. The defendant came into Court and acknowledged the services of the writ; declaration filed and continued.
" The Court proceed to the appointment of a Clerk pro pem pro,
when James Smith was elected.
"Ordered, that Edward Herrick be allowed $25 as prosecuting
attorney for this term.
"GCourt adjourned till the Court in course.
"WILLIAM  WILSON.,
"John Armstrong vs. Johln Kerr. —The declaration being filed
this the 5th day of Nov., 1808, the defendant is ordered to plead
to the same within twenty days; otherwise judgment.
"EDWARD HERRICK,
"Att'y for Plaintif."




&44.               HI-STORY  OF
THE FIRST SPECIAL TERM OF COURT.
At the request of Michael Brown, John Click
and Aaron Brown, a Court of Common Pleas of
the Associate Judges was opened at Mount Vernon
the 5th of December, 1808. Present, Win. W.
Farquhar, John Mills, and Wmn. Gass, Esqrs.
"The State of Ohio vs. M. Brown.-On an indictment found by
the Grand Jury, a true bill, thus appeared the prisoner, and pleads
not guilty; the Court then proceed to the evidence of John Williamson, Samuel Kratzer, Samuel Baxter, Polly Miller and Stephen
Chapman, on the part of the State, and Thompson Mills and
Michael Mills on the part of the prisoner. The Court, upon a full
investigation, do order that he do give bail of two persons, which
shall be bound in two hundred dollars each, for his personal appearance at the next term, then and there to abide the order of
Court; otherwise to be remanded to jail.
" The State of Ohio vs. A. Brown.-On an indictment for a breach
of the peace. The Court order him to enter bail in one surety of
fifty dollars.
"The State of Ohio vs. John Click.-On an indictment for a
breach of the peace. The Court order him to give bail in $50.
"William Fuller became surety for Aaron Brown, and Gilman
Bryant for John Click.
"Ordered, that the Court do adjourn.,"JOHN MILLS."
THE FIRST ELECTION BY TOWNSHIPS-SPECIMEN OF A POLL
BOOK-REFLECTIONS.
At the October election the first regular vote was
taken for State and county officers, the terms of
those elected in April having been, in Clerk Lofland's phrase, only "pro pempore." The following
poll-book of one of the most populous townships
shows who were voted for:




KNOx COUNTY.                          45
Poll-book of an Election held in the Township of Wayne, in the
County of Knox, and State of Ohio, the 11th day o] October,
1808, at the house of Daniel and Abner Ayres, in the toin of
Frederic. John IKerr, Chairman, Nathaniel M. Young, John
Cook, I~enry Roberts, Judges, and Jacob Young and TVm.,W.
Farquhar, Clerks of the Election, were duly sworn as the law
directs, previous to their entering on the duties of their respective
offices.
Certified by me,         WM. W. FARQUHAR, A. J.
1  Casper Fitting,         13  Henry Markley,
2  Joseph Talmage,         14  Nathaniel M. Young,
3  Amariah Watson,         15  John Walker,
4  Abraham Lyon,           16  William W. Farqllhar,
5  Joshua Vennom,          17  Jacob Young,
6  Samuel Wilson,          18  John Cook,
7  Charles McGowen,        19  Richard Hall,
8  Joshua Milligan,        20  Thomas Durbin,
9  Ruben Skinner,          21  Samuel Durbin,
10  Jacob Cook,             22  Jeduthan Dodd,
11  Henry Roberts,          23  Thomas Townsend.
12  John Kerr,
4' Samuel Huntingdon had at the above election, for Governor, a
majority of 23 votes (all cast;) Jeremiah Morrow, for Congress,
received 21, and Philemon Beecher 2.
"Winm. Trimble and Jacob Burton had a majority of 21 votes
each for the Senate.
"H ezekiah Smith had 2 votes for Senator, and Elnathan Scofield 2.
"Alexander Holden, for Representative, had 20 votes, and
Jeremiah R. Munson 2.' For Commissioners-Win. Douglass had 21, Calvin Shepherd 2,
Henry Markley 23, Matthew Merritt 21.
"For Coroner —John Merritt had 21.
"For Sheriff —Silas Brown 13, Ichabod Nye 9.
"John Harrod had 2 votes for commissioner, and Joseph'Walker 2.'Attest:                    WM. W. FARQUHAR,
"JACOB YOUNG,
Clerks."




:46                HISTORY OF
ZFifty-four years have not yet passed by, and yet
earth has closed upon all the above list of voters
and voted for: and at this day there are but seven
of the above numbered who have any "kith and
kin" within our county limits. Of 126 voters at an
election in the entire county, in 1808, but seven are
now living-the mementos of the past —the connecting link of the living and the dead; soon, alas!
the last one of the pioneers will have departed from
among us.  Is it not, then, of the utmost importance
to gather from the lips of the few who stand, as we
write, at the very threshhold of death, their recollections, and to treasure up, for future generations, an
account of their perils and sufferings, and the incidents connected with the first settlement of this
great and glorious land ~.
DOINGS OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS-THEY ARE DEATH ON
"WOLVES, AND " DOWN ON"" ROADS, BUT DETERMINED TO DO
THE FAIR THING FOR THE TAX-PAYER.
" A Board of Commissioners for the county of Knox was seated
at Mount Vernon, on Monday, the 24th day of October, 1808.
"Present; Gentlemen Henry Markley, Matthew Merritt and
William Douglass, Commissioners, who, at their first meeting, proceeded to the appointment of a Clerk, and James --- was duly
elected Clerk, and qualified accordingly; then, according to law,
proceeded to cast lots relative to their ceasing to continue in the
office, and it is by them declared that Henry Markley continue in
said office three years, Matthew Merritt two years, and William
Douglass one year. Ordered, that this Board do adjourn until next
Friday.,"
Thus simply and concisely is given the proceedings of the first meeting of the Commissioners of
Knox county of which we have any record.  On




KNOX: COUNTY.                           47
Friday, the 28th of October, the following business
was transacted:
"Ordered, that the Clerk issue an order on the County Treasurer
of this county for the sum of one dollar and fifty cents for killing
one wolf, proven before Wm. Y. Farquhar, Esq., in favor of James
Durbin.
"Ordered, that an order issue in favor of James Smith for
the sum of two dollars, for carrying returns of the annual election
to the town of Newark.
"P. S.-The above meeting was intended for the purpose of
examining and regulating the papers and books relative to the
Commissioners.
"Ordered, that this Board do adjourn until the first Monday in
December next, unless occasion Require a sooner meeting of this
Board."
"Occasion" did "Require" a "sooner meeting,"
for we find:that wolves had been killed, and it was
a "case of emergency," justifying an extraordinary
meeting of the Board of Commissioners at Mount
Vernon, on the very next day, and we give the
journal entry in its own words:
"Ordered, that an order do Issue to the County Treasurer of
this county, in favor of Jesse Morgan, for the sum of three dollars,
for killing two Grown Wolves.
"Ordered, that an order do Issue to the Treasurer of this County,
in favor of Jonathan Morgan,* for the sum of three dollars, for
killing two Grown Wolves.
" Ordered, that this Board do adjourn until the next meeting in
course."
At the December term, 1808, the Board was in
session two days. On the 5th an order was granted
* QUERY —Was not Morgan township named after the distinguished
wolf-killer, to whom we find many orders to have been issued for killing
Wolves? May not a spirit of regard for such public benefactors have caused
the old settlers to perpetuate the name of Morgan*?




48                 -X~ HI-STORY-'O
Philip Walker, constable, of seventy-five cents for
one day's attendance on the Grand Jury at the May
term; to William W. iFarquhar, Esq., $4.50 for one
day's attendance on a call court, on an indictment
of the Grand Jury, on the case of M. Brown; to
John Mills $3 for the same; to William  Gass $3
for the same; and the following wolf orders: To
John Simpkins $1.50 for killing one grown wolf,
proven before Samuel Kratzer, J. P.; to John Butler $3 for killing two grown wolves, proven before
Abraham   Darling, J. P.   On  the  6th' day  of
December:
" Ordered, that the Treasurer of this County do pay the following
sums to the following persons: To James Dunlap $22 for fixing
the county seat of this county; to Isaac Kook $22'for the same;
to James Armstrong $22 for the same.
"Ordered, that 10 cents be erast off the Collector's Duplicate,
for an error made by the lister, who personally appeared and confessed the same, in favor of Samuel Lewis.
"Ordered, that the Treasurer of this County do pay to James
Smith, Clerk, $6.67 for his services in elections until the said term,
likewise 75 cents for Blank Books.
"A petition was handed the Board, praying a view of a Road
from the town of Clinton Running to intersect the County Line, near
the' south-west'corner of the County; which review they declare
Inexpedient and Rejected.
"A petition was handed the Board, praying a'view of a Road
from the town of Clinton through the Settlement of Skenk's Creek
to the Eastern Line of Knox County, and it is declared by the Board
that the said petition is rejected.
" A petition was handed the Board, praying a view of a Road
from Mulberry street, in the town of Mount Vernon, to Winm. Doug-"
lass' mill, and they declared the same Inexpedient.
"Ordered, that the Treasurer of this County do pay Archibald.
Gardner the sum of $1.50 for killing one Grown Wolf, proven before
Samuel Kratzer, Esq.




KN0:X CO UNTY..4
" Ordered, that the Treasurer of this County do pay to Henry
Markley the sum of $15 for to defray expenses and charges relative
to procuring a Duplicate from Fairfield county to enable the collector to collect and pay the taxes on Resident Lands in this county..
" Ordered, that the Treasurer do pay to Silas Brown $13.33 for
*his services eight months in criminal cases; for do. in elections, $4;
the above allowances for the year 1808; 3 hasps and 1 lock, $2.50;
summoning 2 Grand Juries, $2 each; and fifty cents for the diet of
Wm. Hedrick, prisoner.
" Ordered, that this Board do adjourn until the next meeting in
course, unless necessity require an extraordinary meeting."
Such was the action of Markley, lMerritt and
Douglass, in the year 1808. How economically our
affairs were managed in the early days of the Owl
Creek Republic! Officers then were simple-minded,
and wrote with grey goose-quills; expending but 75,
cents for blank-books; gold pens were then nu-,
known, nor steel-ing either.  The item  of c~ a!io i,-.
cry," which has since figured  so  extasiively   i.
county exhibits, was not then in the   ecial. diction-s
ary.  Blessed days were those, w-he aa a'errr of'
10 cents was ordered erast," ant  oC6.essi"   o: th-e
same made by the collector: poI the conmuty reeosoa  ds
in favor of'the aggrieved sovre-ign;.l when rwAds
through "the settlements o  Skena'sk  CGreek"' and 
"county lines," as wei as from "'l"ounit Yer~   tto;
Mill,'  were declarei by our pioneer board'kLnexpedient," and "the petitions".of interested eiEaens
were "rejected`' whae  it. took o- ly'"' 4   eents" to
pay "the Diet"' o': prisoAers, ndi the " ohief end of
man" was            Ito - kiR:'-. wolves,  and of County
Conmmissioers. nd Oler-k to. receive Ceed.riflca'te s of
proof thereof and  issue orders to pBay for their.
scalps..
4




:50               -HISTORY  OF
CHAPTER IV.
TIIE COUNTRY AS SEEN IN 1801. —A TRAGEDY IN OWL CREEK IN 1800, AND
THE PLACE OF ITS OCCURRENCE. —REMINISCENCES OF EARLY SETTLERS AND
THEIR FAMILIES.-TIIE FIRST TERRIBLE STORM VISITS MOUNT VERNON,THE FIRST DOCTOR AND HIS RECEPTION.-THE BUTLERS, THE WALKERS.GILMAN BRYANT, JIM CRAIG, AND TIIEIR EXPLOITS. —WHO GAVE THE NAME
TO MOUNT VERNON.-WHO BUILT THE FIRST CABIN?-EARLY PREACHING.FIGHTING AND OTHER INCIDENTS OF THE FRONTIER) AND AMUSING EVENTS
OF THE ANCIENT TIMES.
THE first of our race known to have been within
the limits of this county, as stated heretofore, was
John Stilley. The second, of whom we have reliable information, was the reckless frontiersman,
Andy Craig.  And from  all we can learn, we are
of the opinion that cotemporaneous with him  was
the oddest character in all our history, Johnny
Chapman, alias Appleseed, who was discovered in
this country when the Walkers, and Butlers, and
Douglass and others landed here, and whose name
is found recorded among those voting at the first
election ever held in this district.
Ben. and John Butler, in September, 1801, made
a trip up Owl Creek as far as to the mouth of Center Run, and camped over night about one hundred
yards north of the Owl Creek bank. At that time
Andy Craig was living there in a little log hut,
with a great raw-boned woman as his wife.  She




KNOx COUNTY.               51
had been married to some man about Wheeling,
when Andy took up with her, and they ran off into
the Indian country together. She was a trifling,
coarse piece, and said Ben: " I'd as soon have slept
with a man as her, and why he should have taken
her into the wilderness for a sleeping companion I
can't see." Not a white person was then living in
our route from Lewisville up to where Mount Vernon now is, and not a settlement had been made in
Knox, Morrow, Richland, Ashland, Wayne, or any
part of the country watered by Owl Creek, the
Mohican, and their fributaries.  An old Indian
Chief with his Tribe was then camped near by, and
they had a grand pow-wow there.  The Indian
Field, in the bend south of the camps, was covered
with beautiful grass,'and looked charming.
The Butlers were greatly pleased with their exploration, and returned by the mouth of Owl Creek
to ILewisville.  In 1803, John settled near the
mouth of the stream. In the spring of 1805, Ben.
takes up his residence in Mount Vernon. During
the intermediate time the Indians held undisputed
possession. Andy Craig, having fallen into their
customs and mode of life, remained with them;
-and, after settlers began to pour in, he pulled up
stakes, and went up to Greentown and continued in
their company. There were three beautiful spots
of ground without timber, and known from that
time as the "Indian Fields." The one we liave
named was the "Little Indian Field," and contained about twenty acres, known to settlers of
many years as on the Ann Carter tract, now owned
-by Judge Hurd. It is in Clinton township.




5.. HIS:T.Ol Y.  O-:
Another "Indian Field" contained about forty
acres, upon the John Ash tract, now owned by
Amen M. Shipley. It is in Howard township.
The ten-mile settlers.selected a beautiful level
prairie for their commencement of operations.
The beautiful little prairie in Morris township,
where Henry Roberts settled, was also a choice
spot. And the Me-me-kausen prairie down the
creek, now known as the I)arling prairie.
These were all favorite places of resort for the
Indians as long as they were in this country. Armstrong with his Tribe once'every year visited the
Indian Fields:on Owl Creek, and hunted and fished,
and camped by the waters of the stream they loved
until the war of 1812, when they had: reason to
cease their visits in: this direction.
This country is described by those who knew it
at that early day as the most beautiful region the
eye ever rested upon. The work of nature was:
captivating. Subsequent cultivation by man has
added to its interest, though, in some respects, itmay have marred the beauty of the original scene.
Beyond the recollection of the oldest inhabitant
now living within our borders, a. tragedy was
enacted on the point of bluff between Centre:Run
and Owl Creek, of which much has been said: by::
old citizens, but very little is known. The exact
time of its occurrence is usually stated at about1805, but in fact it must have occurred as early as
1800, if not before that. Two slaves lhad run away
from their master, Tumlinson, who lived: in Virginia, and had got into this part of the country:
and taken up with squaws. Their pursuers tracked




E NOX COUNTY.               53
them through Zanesville and up Owl Creek, and
finally came upon them at Andy Craig's. One of
-the boys was a mulatto; and, recognizing his master's son as he approached with two other men,
sprang to the bank and into the Creek, pursued by
the men, who overtook him in the middle of the
stream, and a deadly struggle took place, in which
he killed his young master, but was then overpowered, taken to the hut, tied, and shortly after placed
on the horse his young master had rode, and the
company started for Virginia with him. The second
night after leaving Craig's, they built a camp-fire.
and left the mulatto tied by it, when they went out
for game. On their return, he was found to have
been shot, but neither conld say that he did it. The
belief was, that they had become tired of taking
him along, and as he was surly and troublesome,
he was killed to get rid of him, and out of revenge
for the loss of Tumlinson.
Ben. Butler informs us that on his trip to Owl
Creek in 1801, Andy Craig told him the particulars
of this fight; and that in 1805, when he made a
trip out to the Sandusky plains, he saw the negro
who escaped, and was then living with a squaw
among the Indians, and talked with him about this
affair.
Dr. J. N. Burr and J. W. Warden, in hunting
over the ground where this scene occurred, came
across the bones of Tumlinson, who had been buried
there.
Among the early settlers of this part of Ohio,
were the Virginia family of Butlers. They were
John, Thomas, Benjamin, Joseph, Isaac and James,




54            HISTORY  OF
and all made their settlements upon Owl Creek and
Whitewoman at first, and subsequently lived upon
these streams or their tributaries, and in the division and formation of counties were found in Knox
and Coshocton, in what was about the same neighborhobd in those times. John settled in 1803, on
land which he bought of Capt. Taylor, at the mouth
of the Iilohican, near where Cavallo was located.
He died on lMohican, in his 85th year. Thomas
died in his 84th year. Joseph died about 1837.
Isaac was drowned in Whitewoman, about 35 years
ago. James died on his farm on Mohican, about
1832. They were hardy, sinewy men, good hunters, and well calculated to endure the hardships
and privations of frontier life.
Ben. Butler, in his 84th year, is yet of vigorous
physical frame and of strong mind. Few men of
forty can be found with more rugged constitution.
-The Butlers were always fond of fun and frolic, and
never occupied a back seat when any sport or fighting went on in early days. Ben. is about five feet
nine in height, weighs about 150 pounds, is straight
as an arrow, and fleet as an Indian. He is ready
to-day to run a foot race with any man of his age
in the world, and a few years since gave a public
challenge through the press to run for a wager a
foot race with any man of his age in the State or
nation.
He was born in 3Mlonongahela county, Va., April
18th, 1779, and when just turned of twenty years
he married, on the 2d of May, 1799, Leah Rogers,
of Crab Orchard, Va., then in her sixteenth year,
and by her had fourteen children, seven boys and




KNOX COUNTY.                55
seven girls. Betsey, their oldest child, was born in
Mfonongahela county, Va., February 22d, 1800.
She married John Rouse, who died at Racine,
Mleigs county, leaving five children. Betsey is now
living with them at that place. Hiram was bornf
on thile Tuscarawas river, about two miles from
Coshocton, in October, 1801; he is dead. Ben.
was born on Whitewoman, July 31, 1804, and is
also dead. Joseph was born in Mount Vernon, the
23d of October, 1806. Matilda in Mount Vernon,
October 8th, 1808; she married Charles Critchfield,
and is now dead. Huldah was born on his farm
down the creek where he has ever since lived, in
~1810. Reasin was born August 12th, 1812, and is
now dead. Laban R., born March 7th, 1814, married Lucinda Peckham, and lives in Union township. Maria was born October 1st, 1815; married
S. W. Sapp, and is now dead. Polina, born August
31st, 1817, married Robert Grimes, and lives in
Iowa county, Iowa. Hetty, born July 5th, 1819,
wife of John Carpenter, with her two boys and two
girls, lives at the old farm with Ben. Squire John,
born in 1821, and George Washington, born in
1823. Squire John married Mary Jane, daughter
of Joseph Workman, and George W. married Miss
Lydick, daughter of another old settler. They live
in Union township. Joseph married Polly Biggs,
and lives in Newcastle; Huldah married Joseph
Jones, and lives in Knox county, Ill. Three of the
boys and three girls are dead; the rest living, together with seventy-five grandchildren. "Pretty
well done, is it not," said Uncle Ben. to us this 8th of
June, 1862,"for old Virginia and a little Quaker gal!"




56            -HIS:TORY  OFr
In 1800j Ben. Butler settled in the neighborhoo~
of Dresden, and raised a crop on land belonging tP
Major Cass. In 1801, he moved to Lewisville, tw(
miles -above.Coshocton, and in 1802, he settled or'Whitewoman above.the mouth of Kilbuck, andI
from  thence to Mount Vernon in April, 1805
where he resided until 1809, when he moved down
the creek, where he has ever since resided. Before
he moved to Mount Vernon he had bought thirtysix acres of land of Joe Walker, which he had purchased of Matthews and Nigh, and Matthews exe,
cuted the deed to Butler. Patterson, Walker and
himself conceived the plan of laying oiqt a town on
their possessions, and accordingly in July, 1805, it
was surveyed by Bob. Thompson, and taken -to
Lancaster, and recorded in:Fairfield county records.
-Captain Walker's house was the first one.within
the town plat; the next buildings were two little
log stables, built by Ben. Butler, on the corner now
owned by Adam Pyle-Gambier and Main streets,
north-west corner. In one of these log stables Ben.
Butler lived and kept entertainment until he built
his log cabin on -the corner, which for many years
continued the principal tavern of Mount Vernon.
He paid for shingles and work on that house $150.
This was the building wherein the.Commlissioners
who came to locate the county seat were most hospitably entertained. Ben. moved into it in the fall
of 1805, and lived in it until 1809. It continued
as the war office under successive administrations.
Ben. bought two hundred acres on Licking, and
built a log cabin on it, intending to move his family
there in 1809, but having.met with. a favorable offer




IiNOX  COUNTY.              57
he sold it to Hanger, who occupied the place until
his death.
The most extraordinary event of those early times
was a terrible tornado in the summer of 1806,
which played havoc with the early settlers. It
came up suddenly, and was very violent. It tore
off the roofs of all the houses, killed most of the
stock running about, and tore down all the large
white oak trees that were on Ben.'s thirty-six acre
tract, as also many trees on Walker's land. In its
course it took in Andy Craig's old stand on Center
Run. Ben. had nine head of horses; as the, storm
came up they attempted to run out of its way;
two of them were killed; one of the horses ran all
the way to Craig's, and jumped into his garden
patch; its skin was torn and flesh scratched in
many places by limbs of trees hurled against it by
the storm as it ran to get out of its reach. Walker
had some horses killed; also Patterson and Kratzer, and a little fellow from Virginia who lived on
the hill, named Zinn.
A little doctor named Henderson was with us
when we laid out the town. He was from Baltimore, Maryland, and proposed that we should call
it after Washington's home-place, and we all sanctioned. When it came to giving any name that
pleased Washington, it pleased all proprietors.
Henderson was a clever young fellow; his father
made a regular doctor of him, and started him out
with a good horse and outfit, but he was too d —-d
lazy to practice. The first time Ben. saw him,
Patterson came out into the lot where he was plowing, and introduced him to Ben., who was mad at




58            HISTORY OF
the infernal beech-roots catching the plow so much,
and when Patterson said he was a doctor, and Henderson spoke up and said he had just been inoculating a child, and wanted to inoculate Butler's,
Ben said, " G —d d —n you, haven't I moved away
up here to get rid of the d —d small-pox, and now
d —d if you shall inoculate my child. I didn't
know exactly what inoculating then meant, but I
was mad, and I threatened to put my knife into
him, and scared him so that he would not attempt
to'noculate any more in that town. He stayed
about for a time, until he ran away with a woman,
and no other doctor dared to show his face there
during my stay. We had no lawyers either in
them days."
The first election Ben. recollects of attending,
the neighbors and himself went down to Dresden
and voted in 1803 or 1804. Another election he
recollects of was held at Bill Douglass'. David
Johnson wanted to be a constable, and'lectioneered
hard, and agreed to take on executions and for fees
raccoon skins, if he was elected. But when the
votes were counted, he was beaten by Dimmick.
This was the first time he voted a ticket. In old
Virginia it had been always the custom to vote by
singing out the name of the candidate voted for.
Speaking of raccoon skins: old Amos Leonard
preached Presbyterian doctrine, and would often
say when he commenced, "Now, you had better
pay the preacher a coon skin or so." It was with
him " poor preach and poor pay." "Once I passed
along where he was preaching, with corn on my
back, to feed about one hundred hogs that I had




K:NOX COUNT.                59
about where Norton's mill is, and seeing Walker
listening to him, I hallooed to him to come along
with lne-that he could learn no good from Amos
-t-ha  he knew nothing; and Walker came along
with me. Another Sunday I was out hunting
calves with my brother Tom, and when we had
found them and were driving them along the road,
preacher Leonard took off his hat and shook it at
them, scaring them off, so I told him if he ever did
so again, preacher as he was, I would whip the
hide off of him; and I would have done it, too, for
at that day I could whip anybody; I was little,
but never saw the man I couldn't whip.
"Leonard went on to his meeting, and took satisfaction out of me by preaching at me. Captain
Walker said to me the next day:'Oh! you ought
to have been at meeting just to hear Leonard abuse
you; he laid it on to you severely.' I thought that
may be so. Many a man can whip with the tongue
that is afraid to try it with the fist."
One of the greatest fights of that early date was
between Ben. Butler and Jim Craig, in which Craig
was badly whipped. Butler's hand had been tied
up from a hurt, but he took off the poultice and
gave him a severe thrashing. The next day Jinm
and Ben. met together and took a drink over it; the
quarrel was dropped, as Jim said he deserved the
whipping and would not fight it over again.
When Ben. bought his land of Captain Walker
he had no thoughts of laying out a town, nor had
Walker. He gave $2 an acre for it.
Ben. helped dig the first grave, that of Mrs.
Thomas Bell Patterson, the first person that died




60             HISTORY OF
in Mount Vernon. He says that Col. Patterson
was a very smart man, much smarter than any in
the town now.
The old school house stood near Where the market
house stands, and the public well, with a sweep or
pole, was north of it, nearly in the centre of High
street. He helped wall the old well.
Oilman Bryant said, that he came to the county
in 1807, and landed in Mount Vernon from his
pirogue in March, and at that time there were only
three families living within the then limits of the
town, viz; Ben. Butler, who then kept a sort of
tavern; James Craig, who kept some sort of refreshments and whisky, on the corner, east side of Mulberry and north of Wood street; and another family, who lived south of Craig's on the opposite side
of the street. These buildings were all log. On
the west side of Mulberry, opposite to,  was a
little pole shantee, put up by Jo. Walker, a gunsmith, who had a little pair of bellows in one corner,
and tinkered gun-locks for the Indians. Further
west, on what is now Gambier street, and beyond
the town plat, stood the building occupied by
Walker, also a log. There was also at that time a
small log house with a roof, but the gable ends not
yet filled, standing on the west side of Main street,
between the present market house and where the
court house stood in 1849, which would be in High
street. There was at the time living in the neighborhood, and recollected by Mr. Bryant Colville,
on his farm east of town; Bob. Thompson, where
Stilley now lives;- Andrew. Craig, at or near
the old Indian fields (on Centre Run, above Turr




KN-O.X CO1To TY.            61
ner's mill); old Mr. Walker, near Banning's mill, on
the left hand side of the road.; and old Mr. Hains,
south of town. Mr. Bryant brought eight barrels
of whisky by water to Shrimplin's mill on Owl
Creek, and from thence had it hauled by Nathaniel
Critchfield's team, Joe driving, to Mount Vernon.
Tradition says that the first log shelter occupied by
old man Walker was made of little round poles by
Casper Fitting in 1802, but we can find nothing to
sustain a claim to its erection at so early a period.
Fitting, doubtless, was the builder, we should think
about 1804, though it may have been in 1803;
however, as our own recollection does not extend
quite that far back, we give it as it has been told to
us. -
Joseph Walker, Sr., of whom we have been.
speaking, emigrated to this county from Pennsylvania about 1804, and settled near where we now
write. Philip, Joe, Alexander, James, Robert and
John were his: sons, and two daughters —Sally,
who married Stephen Chapman, and lives three
miles south of this town, and Polly, who married Solomon Geller, a Pennsylvania Dutchman, who was
one of the early settlers of Mount Vernon, and
subsequently moved into what is now Morrow
county. Joseph Walker, Sr., and his wife, both
died many years ago, and their bodies were buried
in the Clinton graveyard, with no stone to mark the
spot where they lie, and this record, it is hoped,
may serve to perpetuate their mentory. From all,
accounts, they were very worthy pioneers.
James Craig, one of the three men living in
Mount Vernon in the spring of 1807, was grit to




62             HISTORY  OF
the back bone, and was constantlyharrassed bypeace
officers. It became almost an every-day occurrence
with him to have a fight; and, if no new comer appeared to give his fighting life variety, he would,
"just to keep his hand in," scrape up a fight with
his neighbors or have a quarrel with his wife-all
for the love of the thing, for "Jamie was the broth
of a boy." He had as high as four fights in one
day with Joe Walker, who was also a game chicken!
When arraigned before court for assault, etc., he
would always put on his most pleasing smile, and
say to the judge: "Now, will yer honor jist please
be good to the boy, for he can't help it."
We have been told by an early settler of a little
incident, illustrating the sports of the pioneers in
1807, at James Craig's house, after he had moved
out to the log cabin, erected, and yet leaning, not
standing, on D. S. Norton's farm, south of High
street extension, on the Delaware road. Craig had
tended a few acres in corn, and had the only corn
for sale in that part of the county. 1Mrs. Rachel
Richardson sent her son Isaac to buy some for
bread, and, after spending a short time in the village,
he went out to Craig's, got his corn, and stayed all
night. The family had just got to sleep, laying
down on the floor, when the wild fellows of the town
came in to the doors and fired a volley over their
heads. Craig at once sprang out of bed in his shirttail, grappled with one of them, and in a short time
all present were engaged in a lively little fight, just
for the fun of the thing. " Knuck Harris," a " colored gemmen," the first one ever in Mount Vernon,




KNOX COU.NTY.              63
and Joe Walker, are recollected as having been
among the parties.
One of the most noted fights that ever came off
in this county was between James Craig and his
son-in-law, Jack Strain, and two of the Georges of
Chester township. It occurred in this way: Old
Jim was, as he said, in a fighting humor, when, in
company with Jack, coming along the road home
on foot they met the Georges near Clinton riding
sprucely on horse-back, and required that they
should get off their horses and fight them. Parson
George explained that they were in a hurry to go
home, and had neither time nor disposition for a
fight. But Jim swore that they must get off and
fight; and, there.being no way of getting past them,
as they held possession of the road, they reluctantly
got off their horses and "pitched in." Jack soon
whipped his man, but it puzzled Jim to make his
fight out, and the conclusion arrived at was, that
they had taken too large a contract when they undertook to whip the Georges. Jim, in after years,
would revert to this one fight with regret, as it was
entirely uncalled for and only provoked by his own
determination for a trial of strength.
After the marriage of Jack Strain into his family,
old Jim counted himself almost invincible. Jack
was a very powerful and active man, unsurpassed
for thews and sinews, bone and muscle.
- The great fight of the county might, with propriety, be called that of Strain with Roof. The
county pretty much en masse witnessed it. It was
a regular set-to-a prize fight not inferior, in the
public estimation, to that of Heenan and Sayers.




HIES'TORY  OF -
Jack fought- with great spirit; he fought, if not for
his life, for his wife; for old Jim swore that he
(Strain) should never sleep again with his daughter
if he didn't whip hip him.
When Craig was indicted the last time for fighting he told Jud'ge Wilson "not to forget to be easy
with hinm, as he was one of the best customers the
court had."
In wrestling with Tucker, Jim had his leg broken,
which he often regretted, as he couldn't stand on
his forks right. He was not a big, stout nlan, but'
struck an awful blow, and was well skilled in parrying off blows. He called his striking a man giving
him a "blizzard."  He was a backwoodsman fromn
Western Virginia, but of Irish extraction-fond of
grog, fond of company, fond of fighting, fun and
friolic-kind-hearted, except when aroused by passion, and then a very devil. He fought usually as
a pastime, and not from great malice. His wife
was an excellent, hospitable and clever woman.
We have heard very many anecdotes of Craig, but
have- space for only one more. -One of the last:kindacts of the old settler was his endeavoring to treat
Bishop Chase when he first visited our town.  Jim
having- heard much said of him as a preacher' and
a distinguished m: an, met him on the street, and,
desiring to do the clever thing by the Bishop, accosted him with an-invitation to treat, The Bishop:
was somiewhat nettled-at the offer, but declined-going
to a grocery with him, whereupon Jim pulled a
flask from his pocket and insisted upon his taking
a drink there. The Bishop indignantly refused,
an-d Jim apologised, if tlte Bishop considered it an




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E,Bs czE, C.Kello 66                                                                                                                                                                   Ifartfo-C:a, CoT,_.








K NOx COUNTY.                65
insult. "Bless your soul, Bishop, I think well of
you, and have no other way to show that I am glad
you have come to our county but by inviting you to
drink. Don't think hard of me."
Craig's family consisted of eight girls, and he
often regretted that he had no boys to learn how to
fight. If the girls did not fight, they did run, and
run well too. One of them, we recollect, was very
fleet; many a time did she run races in the old lane,
between Norton's and Bevans', and beat William
Pettigrew and other of the early boys, notwithstanding the scantiness of her dresses, which then were
made of about one-third the stuff it takes for a pattern in these fashionable days of 1862.
At one time old Jim was singing to a crowd, when
a smart young man, in sport, winked to those present
and kicked his shins. The wink having been observed by him, he instantly drew back his fist and
drove it plum between his eyes, felling him to the
ground, at the same time exclaiming: "There, take
that, d —n you, and don't you ever attempt again
to impose on'old stiffer!'"
5




J66:E I S TORY  OFr
C(HAPTER. V.
RESUME OF THE COUNTY SEAT QUESTION.- THE GRAPES WERE SOUR, AND MOUNT
VERNON IS DISCOVERED BY THE CLINTONIANS TO BE "INELIGIBLE AND UNHEALTHY."-THE LEGISLATURE OF 1808-9 WERE IN SOME DOUBT.-THE ANTIVERNONITES THINK THE COUNTY SHOULD BE ENLARGED.-THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF OHIO THINK NOT.-AGITATION CONTINUES 1810-11 AND 181112.-THE DREAM IS OVER —THE INHABITANTS BEG FOR ROADS -THE GREAT
CLINTON LIBRARY STRUGGLES FOR LEGISLATIVE RECOGNITION, AND THE
LIGHT EXPIRES!
TH:E indomitable will of Samuel H. Smith and
his associates from New England, among whom  we
may mention the Nyes, Ichabod, captain of the
troop  of horse, and his brother Samuel, Henry
Smith, Samuel's nephew, Dr. Timothy Burr, the
Barneys, Alexander E.nos and others, kept the country in commotion about the seat of justice.  No
stone was left unturned, no effort untried, to bring
about its transfer to Clinton. Petitions were drawn
up and runners traversed the country for signers.
From  the official record we give the following exhibit of the disposition made of them:
December 260th, 1808,Mr. Holden presented to the
House sundry petitions from a number of the inhabitants of Knox county, setting forth that they feel
-much aggrieved in consequence of the ineligible and
very unhealthy situation of the present seat of justice of said county, and for various other reasons




KEO~S COUNTY.              67
therein stated, praying that commissioners may be
appointed to fix the seat of justice for the said county
of Knox in some more eligible and healthy situation;
which said petitions were read and referred to a
committee of Mr. Holden, Mr. Owings, of Fairfield,
and Mr. Blair, of Franllin and Delaware, to report
their opinion thereupon by bill or otherwise.
Mr. MXerwin, (Elijah B.) of Fairfield, presented,
on the next day, a remonstrance from sundry citizens of Knox county against action as prayed for
in above named petitions.
The cunning old fox managing the Clinton claim
devised an additional scheme whereby to bring
about such increase of territory northward as would
throw Mount Vernon farther from the centre than
Clinton, and accordingly we find thatMr. Holden presented to the House; petitions
signed by sundry inhabitants of Knox county,, setting forth that it will be greatly to their advantage,
and to the advantage of the public in general, to
have the county extended so far north as to take in
one tier of townships, as it will be perceived, by the
map of the State, that the county lying north of
them, known by the name of Richland, is much
larger than Knox, and by attaching one tier of townships to said county of Knox it will be giving a
more equal number of square miles to each county
than there iss at present; which was received and
read, and referred to the same committee to whom
was committed, on the 26th inst., the petitions, remonstrances, &c., on the subject of the seat of iustice of Knox county.-'Hoowse Jourrnal, page 93, Dec.
30th, 1808.




68            - H-I STORY.OF
On. the 30th of December, on -motion of- Mr.
Thomas Morris, of Clermont, and seconded, Ordered, that Mr. George Clark, of Columbiana and Stark,
be added to the committee appointed on the 26th
inst., on the subject of the seat of justice of Knox
county, and the matters from time to time to them
referred.
~On the 12th of January, 1809, on motion, and
leave being granted, Mr. Holden. presented at the
clerk's table two remonstrances, of the same purport,
from sundry inhabitants of Knox county, remonstrating' against petitions presented to this House,
-praying for a review of the seat of justice of said
county, and a removal of it from Mount Vernon to
some more eligible and healthy situation. The
remonstrants therein set forth that they are fully of
opinion that, unless a fraud or neglect be made to
appear against the first -viewers appointed by the
Legislature at the last session for the purpose of
permanently fixing the seat of justice of said county,
that your honorable body will not grant a view barely for the purpose of gratifying self-interest; that,
in consequence of the seat of justice being established at Mount Vernon, a number of lots have been
purchased and improved, and also that upwards of
$400 have been appropriated-for the building of a
jail, and for other reasons, by the aforesaid remonstrants set forth more particularly, praying that the
said petition praying for the removal of the seat of
justice aforesaid may be rejected; and the same
being received and read, were referred to-the committee upon that subject appointed on the 26th ult.
On page 145, House Journal, January 14th, 1809,




KNOX COUNTY.                69
the following entry stands: "On motion, and by
leave of the IHouse, Mr. Holden, from the committee appointed on the 26th ult., presented at the
clerk's table a report, as follows:'The committee
to whom was referred the petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Knox, praying that one tier
of townships lying south of Richland county be
attached to the said county of Knox; also sundry
petitions from the inhabitants of said county, praying that commissioners be appointed to review and
fix the seat of justice of said county in some more
healthy and eligible situation than Mount Vernon;
have, according to order, had under their consideration the said petitions, and are of opinion that the
prayer of the said petitions is unreasonable, and
ought not to be granted."'
Monday, January 16th, said report came up, and
it was Ordered, that it be committed to a committee
of the whole House, and made the order of the day
for Saturday next.
On the 25th of January, House Journal, page
181, Mr. Merwin moved for the order of the day,
whereupon the House, according to order, resolved
itself into committee of the whole House, and, after
some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the
chair, and Mr. Jewett reposed that the committee,
according to order, had under their consideration a
report of the select committee, made on the 14th
inst., on the petitions from sundry inhabitants of
Knox county, and had agreed to the said report;
and the same being read was agreed to by the
House, viz: that the petitions aforesaid are unreasonable, and ought not to be granted.




70             hISTORY.O F
At the 9th session of the General Assembly, held
at Zanesville, December 3d, 1810, the subject of
removal of the county seat from Mount Vernon was
again agitated. By the Senate Journal, page 163,
we find that ~Mr. Trimble presented a batch of petitions, praying a review, which was referred to a
committee. On page 166, we find Mr. Trimble,
from committee, reported that, in their opinion,
commissioners ought to be appointed to examine and
make report to the next Legislature the place they
think proper for the seat of justice of Knox county.
The.said report was read. A motion was made
that said report be committed to a committee of the
whole Senat.e, and made the order of this day; and
on the question thereon it was decided in the ne-gative. On motion, Ordered, that the further con-sideration of said report be postponed till the first
Monday in December next.
At the next session it received its final quietus.
Mount Vernon had improved in the intermediate
time very much, and thenceforth its star has been
in the ascendant. Clinton continues but a few
years longer as a business place, and after the departure of its chief worker to other parts, its people
moved to Mount Vernon, Fredericktown, and elsewhere, and not one of.0*e old inhabitants there remains to tell that Clinton has been an important
town in the history of Knox county.
On the 23d of January, 1809, Mr. Holden presented at the clerk's table a petition from sundry
inhabitants of the county of Licking, also a petition
from sundry inhabitants of the counties of Licking,
Knox and Richland, setting forth their remote situ



KNOX cOUNTY.                71
ation from water carriage,:and the necessity of havig:good roads;' that they have no road whereby they
can receive letters, or.any kind of intelligence, or any
property from any part of the United States, or this,State, except by chance or private conveyance, nearer than Newark or Zanesville, and praying for the
establishment of a road from Newark, in Licking
county; thence to Mount Vernon, in Knox county;
thence to Mansfield,:in Htichland county; and thence
to the mouth of the river Huron, Lake Erie, &c.;
which were read.
On mnotion, and on leave being granted by the
House, M1r. -Merwin presented at the clerk's table a
petition from sundryinhabitants of Fairfield county,
of a similar nature to the before mentioned petitions,
praying for the establishment of a road from Lancaster, in said county, through Mlount Vernon, in
Knox county, to' the Portage, in Cuyahoga. —House
Journal, page 177.
Among the questions of great moment at this
time to the people of the State was, whether the
Clinton Library Society should be incorporated or
not. It appears that Samuel H. Sm-ith and other
live Yankees of Clinton had conceived the idea of
founding a vast and comprehensive library at that
point, and at the session of- the General Assembly
of 1807, ]Mr. Dillon laid before the Senate a petition
of Samuel H. Smith and others of the town of Clinton and its vicinity, in Fairfield county, for the incorporation of the "Clinton Library and School or
Academy Society." After its reference to a comnmittee, and about two months travail, it finally got
through the Senate on the 6th of February, 1808.




72             HISTORY  OF'
In the House it had a perilous trip, was attacked
upon several sides,. discussed elaborately, and at
length went down before the storm.-House Journal, page 171.
At the next session our literary friends at Clinton
again pressed their favorite measure; they petitioned, implored, entreated, supplicated and prayed,
they had. lobbies on the ground to leg for it, and
triumphantly they carried it through the House into
the Senate, with an amendment to it, that was not
very acceptable; but this time the grave and reverend Senators were obdurate and flint-hearted, and
page 114 of the Senate Journal of the Seventh
General Assembly shows how they "killed it."
"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more "
With a pluck worthy of a noble cause, the Clintonians beseeched and beset and besieged the next
General Assembly for an act that would enable
them to preserve their fine library from destruction
by those literary Goths and Vandals-the moths
and vampires; but all their efforts were unavailing,
and posterity have been thus deprived of an accumulation of books that might in time have eclipsed the
far-famed library of Alexandria. One of the oldest
inhabitants has kindly placed in our hands one of
the books, bearing the Clintonian mark, which he
bought at the winding up of the concern for the just
sum of 184 cents lawful money.'
Indignant at the conduct of the illiterate General
Assembly, the stock-holders withdrew from the enterprise, and sold at auction the library for $7.50 andthe book-case for $10; and thus terminated a great



KNOX COUNTsY.               73
measure which agitated three sessions of the General
Assembly of our State, costing the people in time
consumed upon it by their Representatives, Senators,
etc., from eight to ten thousand dollars, and illustrating fully the character of the greater part of
special and local legislation which, like much of a
general character, may be termed all "cry and no
wool," and show no, substance, all ending in smoke.
At the time, however, the natives of Mount Vernon
regarded it as a seven horned monster that would
drive them out of existence, and they looked with
holy horror at having such an incorporated body at
Clinton, which might accomplish their overthrow
and cause them to lose the county seat. The sons
of some who shook in their breeches with dread,
may now shake in their boots, convulsed by laughter at this reminiscence.




74          -        HIS-TOR Y  OP
CHAPTER VI.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE YEAR 1809.
TEHE COMMIISSIONERS IN TROUBLE ABOUT TAXES.-THE HEAVY DRAIN ON THE
TREASURY FOR WOLF SCALPS.-THE CLERK'S BRAIN BECOMES CONFUSED -BY
REPEAT-ED DEMANDS.-THE WOLVES INVADE THE TO0WN.-DOINGS OF THE
COURT AND COMMISSIONERS.-THE COUNTY JAIL COMPLETED. —THE FIRST
SETTLEMENT WITH THE TREASURERS AND SKETCH OF THAT OFFICER.
IN  the beginning of this year the people of the
county were in  sore distress at prospects of heavy
taxation, the money in  the treasury having been
exhausted in  paying the  commissioners who had
located the county seat, the heavy demands for killing wolves, and such like expenses.
On Monday, the 23d of January, 1809, the commissioners met at Mount Vernon, and were in a
"peck of trouble," if we may judge from the following entry:
" The board, taking into consideration the situation of the taxes
on resident and non-resident lands, the board, on an investigation
of the business, do order Every paper and document thereunto
belonging to be forwarded to the Auditor of State.
"Ordered, that the board do adjourn until next -Monday."
Among the orders issued this year, we find the
following for killing wolves:
"To George Cooper $1.50 for killing one grown wolf, proven
before John Green.




KNOX- COUNTY.                         75
"To John Cook $4.50 for killing three grown wolves, proven
before Wm. W. Farquhar.
"To James Black $3 for killing two grown wolves, proven before Winm. Y. Farquhar.
"To John Jennings $1.50 for killing one grown wolf, proven
before John Green.
"To Ephraim McMillen $3 for killing two grown wolves, proven
before Abraham Darling.
"To Levi Herrod for killing two grown wolves, proven before
John Green.
" To Francis Hardista $3 for killing two grown wolves, proven
*before Matthew Merritt.
" To John Lash $1.50 for killing one grown wolf, proven before
John Green.
"To George Sap $3 for killing two grown wolves, proven before
Abraham Darling.
"To Joseph Harriss $1.50 for killing one grown wolf, proven
before John Green.
"To Francis Hardista $3 for killing two grown wolves, proven
before M. Merritt.
" To George Sap $i.50 for killing one grown wolf, proven before
Abraham Darling.
"To Joseph Bryant $1.50 for killing one grown wolf.
"To Ephraim MTcMillen $4.50 for killing three grown wolves."
So much in the habit of issuing wolf orders had
James Smith, clerk, gotten by this time, that we
find on the journals an order issued for commissioner's services reading thus:
"Ordered, that the treasurer pay to Henry Markley the sum of
$3.50 for killing two wolves as services as commissioner of this
county."
The day's services being confounded in the clerk's
mind with wolf scalps.
Notwithstanding the abundance of game of this
kind, and the facility with which the old sportsmen
could take the scalps, the howling varmints seemed




76               HISTORY OF
to be on the increase, and, like grey hairs, for every
one plucked two took their place, and hence our
commissioners grew more determined to extirpate
them, and made the following order on the 7th of
June, 1809:, Ordered, that all persons who shall kill and procure the scalps
of grown wolves and panthers within our Balawick, and produce a
certificate thereof, according to law, after this date, shall be allowed
$2, and all those who shall kill and procure the same of wolves and
panthers and scalps of six months and under shall be allowed $1."
The first demands made upon the treasury under
this act were by John Mitchell and Francis Hardista, each of whom had killed a grown wolf.' For a
time these inhuman devils disputed the mastery
with the white man, and it seemed somewhat doubtful which would come off victor in the contest and
retain possession of the lands upon Owl Creek.
They neither had fear of the church ecclesiastic or
the military power; they frightened the women and
children, and hung about the heels of men, setting
all laws and threats at defiance.  One old settler
has told us of his having on a Sabbath day killed a
large wolf near God's barn at Clinton which was
making off with one of Sam. Smith's geese, while
the people were serving the Lord; another of his
friends having been present with the whole military
of the county parading on general muster day, when
a fierce black wolf attacked one of George Zin's
pigs within a stone's throw north-east of the public
square, when the- army gave pursuit, and it was
finally -killed by Captain  ~oe Walker; whereupon
a grand spree was taken by the whole military and




Nox- C 0 U NTY.                      77
citizens of the town, glorifying over the great engagement till whisky was drank to more than the
value of the wolf scalp.
Grand events those in the hardy pioneer's life!
And yet, at this day not a spot bears the name of
Wolf, nor does a creek or branch commemorate
such, achievements. And posterity, were it not for
these pages, we fear, would be in blissful ignorance
of the fact that there were any other inhabitants of
these classic lands than owls and Indians when the
men of the hunting shirt and rifle first navigated
this famous river in scallops and:pirogues.
THE THIRD TERM OF DISTRICT COURT, AND WHAT WAS DONE
THEN.
"Court of Common Pleas was opened at MvIount Vernon the 2d
day of January, 1809. Present: Jentlemen the Honorable William Wilson, President, John Mills and Win. Gass, Associate
Judges. A Grand Jury was called and qualified for the body of
this, county, to wit: Jas. Walker, Sen'r, foreman, Eleazer Biggs,
John Baxter, John Beam, Joseph Walker, Levi Herrod, Nathaniel
Scritchfield, Winm. Herrod, David Johnson, Jas. Strange, Jas.
Walker, Jr., Wm. Cooper and Jonathan Craig, who, after receiving
their charge, Returned out of Court.
" On the 2d day of the Term the Grand Jury returned, but:found
no Indictments.
" Ordered, that the Court adjourn until 2 o'clock thisevening.
"The Court opened according to adjournment. Present: as
before.
"Joln Armstrong vs. John Kerr. —On Trespass. Continued by
consent of parties.
"Jacob Young vs. Abraham Lyon.-On an action of Trespass
on the case. Continued by consent of parties.
" The State of Oh]io vs. Aaron Brown.-On an Indictment. The
defendant plead guilty, and is fined $1.00 and the costs of prosecution, and stands convicted Until the whole be complied with.




78                  HI 8.'I-S: TO- R  Y  OF
" License is granted: to William Perrine to retail goods for three
months, on payment of $2.50.
"John Green is admitted Administrator of Isaac McClary.
Bond, $1000. Abner Brown and John HIerrod securities.
"License is granted to Benjamin Tupper to sell goods three
-months, on payment of $2.50.
"The State of Ohio vs. Joh1w  Click. —Nolle is entered by Herrick, att'y.
"Thomas Parr vs. John. Craig.-William  Walker undertook
for the defendant in case he should be cast he would satisfy the
condemnation of the Court, or render his body a prisoner in lieu
thereof.
" Court:adjourned: till to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.
" The Court opened according to adjournment, and present, as
yesterday.
"l Thomas B. Patterson, for the use of Moses Rigly, vs. Samuel
Kratzer.-Parties agreed to reference to the Court, who adjudged
$2.55 debt and costs for the plaintiff.
"Court adjourned till 2 o'clock.
" 2 o'clock P. M.
"William Wallace is authorized to keep a publick house of entertainment for one year, on payment of $5.00
" William Fuller is licensed to keep a publick house of entertainnient on the road leading from Mount Vernon to Newark, on
payment of $4.00.' Ordered, that the Court adjourn until the Court in course.
" WILLIAM  WILSON."
THE COUNTY JAIL BUILT, AND ITS FIRST OCCUPANT-ACCOUNT
OF ITS SUBSEQUENT CAREER, AND THAT OF ITS SUCCESSOR.
On the 6th of June, 1808, the commissioners of
this county, finding the great want of a jail in said
town, and by virtue of the powers vested in them by
law,
"Ordered, a jail to be built, 24 feet long, 16 feet wide, 9 feet
high, with square timber of one foot square, including the upper and
lower floor, and a petition of like timber, with a good shingle roof,
and stone or brick chimney, three windows, with iron grates, of 6




KNOX CAOUN TY.                       79
lights each, and 2 sufficient doors, one on the outside and one in
the petition in the inside, and the walls, petition, and lower floor
lined with 3 inch plank, spiked on with spikes 7 inches. The front
door marked A and petition door B to be of 14 inch stuff; C chimney. The jail to be built on the public square of said town, on a
corner."
On the 31st of January the following entry is
-made upon the journal:
"This day the board has proceeded to the Ex'n of the jail, and
finding the same unfinished they do allow the undertakers thereof;Until the first day of May next to finish the same, agreeable to the
article of agreement in that case made and provided."
On the 2d of May, 1809,
" Ordered, that the commissioners do receive the jail from the
hands of John Mills, Alexander Walker, and James Walker, Sr.,
provided that the said Mills and others do saw down the corners of
said jail, and then our Clerk shall have. authority to issue orders on
the treasury for the sum of 433 dollars and 50 cents. as shall appear
by a reference to the agreement, and that the Clerk issue orders of
such sizes as the Claimants may desire, with their proper numbers
to the above amount."
The jail being then declared completed, the commissioners'ordered  50 cents'to  be expended by
Joseph Walker for two steeples and hasp for the
jail.'
The calaboose having been duly prepared, the
officers of the law became exceedingly self-important, consequential and overbearing. Michael Click,
an old Dutchman, who was fond of grog, was taken
up, "tight as a musket," and locked up in the quarters.  The constable had gone down street and was
boasting of his exploit in taking up Mike, when the
voice of the old fellow was heard just behind them,




80          I. STORY  O.E,
shouting at the top of his lungs: "By tam, they
can't keep me in their tammed shail —I am trumps,
by G-d."  He had crawled up the chimney till he
got near the top and stuck fast, when, as he said, he
"swelled and bursted" it open, and then jumped to
the ground, a free man once again.
The chimney was repaired at the expense of the
county, and Click, several weeks after, when confined "broke out," and, meeting Judge Wilson on
the street, narrated his several jail exploits in great
glee, vowing that they never could keep old Mike
in that jail any longer than it suited him to stay,
for he had lent a hand when it was built and knew
all its weak points. F'or several years, however,
this little log concern served as a nominal terror to
evil doers. At length so many escapes were made
from it, that its fate was sealed, and it was sold to
Winm. Y. Farquhar, who moved it to the outskirts
of town and constructed out of it a sort of a tobacco
house.
The commissioners, on the 4th of December,
1823, determined to erect another jail and. jailor's
house, on the square, of brick, which remained an
eye-sore to the people of the town until about 1850,
when John Armstrong, Street Commissioner, and
A. Banning Norton, Councilman of the Third
Ward, in grading and excavating the north-east part
of the public square, with "malice aforethought"
undermined it, and caused the removal of that pile
of rubbish.




XKNOX COUNTY.                          81
FOURTH TERM COURT OF COMMON PLEAS —lsT DAY OF MAY,
1809.
"Grand Jury. —David Demmick, foreman, Moses Craig, Wm.
Downs, Jas. Craig, David Johnson, Jeremiah Brown, Charles
Cooper, Ziba Leonard, Nathaniel M. Young, John Kerr, John Cook,
James Loveridge, James Walker, Jr., who returned out of Court,
and after some time returned in Court, with the following indictments, to wit:
"The State of Ohio vs. Wmin. Wallace.-For salt and battery, a
true bill, and pleads guilty, the Court do say, that the defendant do
pay a fine of $1 and costs of this prosecution.
a The State of Ohio vs. Win. Cooper.-For same offense, the
same fine is assessed.
-" The State of Ohio vs. Wm. Cooper.-Same, and same fine.
" The State of Ohio vs. Wm. Scritch-field.-For same offense.
"The State of Ohio vs. Peter Baxter.-For same offense.
"Luke Walpole vs. TVm. TWallace.-James Craig becomes security.
"Thomas Parr vs. James Craig. —Judgment by confession for
$91.81 and costs of suit.
" Wm. A. Enui vs. Samuel IKratzer.-Judgment by confession,
$66.92 and costs.
"John Beesy vs. Samuel Kratzer.-Michael Click becomes security.
Win. Douglass vs. John Young.-Nathaniel M. Young becomes
security.
"One o'clock P. M.
"John Armstrong vs. John IKerr.-Tried by Jury, and defendant
not found guilty of Trespass. The plaintiff, by E. Herrick, his
attorney, gives notice of an appeal.
" Win. Biggs, who sues as well for himseyf as for the State oJ
Ohio, vs. William Darling.-Ordered, that the plaintiff appear in
Court to-morrow morning and enter security for costs, or he become
non Plus.
"License issued to Benj. Tupper to retail goods 4 months for
$3.33k.
" James Smith is appointed clerk for seven years.
" Court adjourns till to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock.
6




.82                -IE1:-HI:ST O R Y  OF
"May 2 —9 o'clock A. M.
"The Biggs case is disposed of by the following entry: Ordered,
that the plaintiff be non-suit for not entering security for costs.
"Edward -Herrick is allowed 8$25 for: each term as prosecuting
attorney.
"Ordered,- that t-he: clerk have authority to issue license to John
Baxter and  Michael Click each: to keep a public house of entertainment until next lterm, on:their paying the proper: sum.
"Adjourned till the next Court in course."
IMPORTANT ACTS OF COMMISSIONERS IN REGARD: TO RATES OF
TAXATION AND OTHER MATTERS-PECULIARITY OF -THE OLD
CLERK IN:SPELLING-HIGH AUTHORITY QUOTED.
On the 5th of March " a petition was forwarded to the board of
Commissioners of this county, praying for a Road Leading from the
town of Mansfield on a-South East direction, to intersect with the
State road near the fifty-four mile tree, to run on a straight direction
as the ground will admit, to intersect the State road, and the board
do declare that the same is inexpedient."
"The tax on William Douglass' mill is ordered to be taken off,
as it is a public benefit.
" James Morgan is ordered to be taxed fourfold for refusing to
give in five horses to the lister of Union Township."
On the 7th of June the Commissioners " Ordered, that the rates
of licens* of Taverns hereafter obtained for one year in this county
shall be as follows: In the town of MIount:Vernon, on the Public
Square, and on Market Street, shall be rated at six dollars; all
Taverns in the Town of Frederick and in the Town of Clinton, and
on the road leading from the Town of Mount Vernon to Newark,
within the county of Knox, at Five dollars; all Taverns in any
other part of the Town of Mount Vernon, at five dollars; all taverns
on roads leading through any part of the county, or Richland
county, at four dollars."
The rates of taxation on the county levy were
established as follows:' The first clerk was a very good pensman, a gentleman and scholar; but
like General Jackson, he had his peculiarities of spelling and pronunciation, as, for instance, license without the E final, and gentlemen with a J.




K N O X  COU N TUY.                  -83
"On each stud horse and jack at the rate of what he stands at
-the season."
"iOn each other horse, mare, mule and ass, 30 cents.
"On each head of neat cattle, 10 cents; on houses, and other
property made subject to taxation by law, one-half per cent. on its
appraised value."
At this time horses were valued for taxation at
$30 per head, and cattle at $10. The trouble about
the tax duplicate and matters connected therewith
was satisfactorily adjusted, as appears by the following entry on the 27th of June:
"This day we have prepared our duplicate for Collection, and
prepared our Rleturns for the Auditor of the State of Ohio."
Great was the relief of the board at having arranged matters which had troubled them from
January till June 27th!
" James Smith is appointed collector of the Taxes for the year
1809, and gave bond.
In September, 1809; we find: "On return of a Road laid out
from Mount Vernon to a point on Mohicking, the viewers return the
same unprofitable, and the same is Rejected."
KNOX COMMON PLEAS-FIFTH TERM-SEPTEMBER 4, 1809.
"Grand Jury.-Jabez Beers, Joe Walker, George Downs, Gilman Bryant, John Baxter, George Lybarger, Henry Roberts,
Thomas Townsend, Jonathan Hunt, Sen'r, John Green, James
Craig, Samuel Wilson, Benj. Thompson, and Win. Johnson, returned
into Court and brought in the following Indictments:
"The State of Ohio vs. Henry Smith. —For retailing liquors
contrary to the statute of this State; a true bill; who appears and
pleads guilty. The attorney for the State of Ohio will no further
-prosecute.this Indictment."ED. HERRICK, Pro. Att'y.




84'                   HISTORY, O  -
"Same vs. Benjamin Butler. —For retailing S. liquors contrary
to the statute of this State; who comes forward and puts in his
plea-Guilty. The Court, in consideration of his offense, do assess
his fine to $3.
"Same vs. Samuel Martin. —For same. Henry Roberts, John
Harod and James Bryant enter into recognizance of $50 each to
give evidence in this case.
"Same'vs. W'm. McDougal.-For retailing goods without license.
Pleads guilty, &c.
"Luke Walpole vs. Wm. Wallace.-Trespass on the case.
Judgment by confession, $91.88, and Interest from 11th Jan'y, and
costs.
"The State of Ohio vs. Peter Baxter. —For assault and battery.
"Jury. —James Walker, Jr., Peter Kyle, Sr., James Bryant,
Abraham Sperry, Alexander Walker, John town, Daniel Demmick, Isaac Bonnett, Charles Cooper, James Wdlker, Sr., John
Click, David Pettigrew, who do say the defendant is guilty.
"' The State -of Ohio vs. Wm. Scritchi/eld.-Assault and battery.
Defendant pleads guilty, and is fined fifty cents and costs.
"John Barry vs. Samuel _Kratzer.-On the case. Judgment
confessed by defendant for $200, with interest from 26th April,
1806.
"The State of Ohio vs. Peter Baxter.-John Merritt becomes
his security in $50 for his appearance next Court.
"The State of Ohio vs. John:Morryson. —For assault and battery. Jury's verdict —Not guilty.
" John J. Bruce vs. Thomas B. Patterson, Joseph Walker, Gilman Bryant.-This cause is to be continued until 1st of October
for answer to bill of plaintiff.       -
WinWm. Douglass vs. John Young.-On the case. The parties
appeared and settled.
"Christian Shoolts vs. James W. alker, Jr.-On the case. Settled.
"John Byard vs. Wmn. Walker.-On the case. Settled.
"Sylvanius Lawrence, for the use of Benjamin Rush, vs. George
Davison.-Nathaniel Spurgeon and Winm. Scritchfield appeared and
undertook for the defendant's appearance, &c..
"License is granted to Henry Smith to keep public house for
one year.
"The State of Ohio vs. Peter Baxter.-On Indictment. Defendant pleads guilty, and is fined 50 cents and cost.




KNOX COUNTY.                           85
"Robert Dalrymple vs. Joseph Talmnage.-On the case. Continued till next term.
"5th September.
"Michael Click, John Baxter, Samuel Lewis and Abner Ayres
obtain licenses for houses of public entertainment.
" Wm. McDonald and Benjamin Tupper are each licensed to sell
goods.
" Samuel H. Smith is also licensed to retail goods one year, on
payment of $10.00.
"Letters of administration on Michael Shinabery's estate are
issued to Catharine Shinabery.  Gilman Bryant and George
Downes, securities; John lills, Matthew Mant and James Smith,
appraisers.
" Court adjourned till the next Court in course,"
THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTY TREASURER.
The first fiscal year of Knox county made the
following showing on settlement of the Treasurer
with the Commissioners, and "from  a full investigation of all the accounts and monies paid into his
hands as Treasurer, that the said Treasurer has paid
and accounted with us for above, the same twentythree dollars seventy cents and four mills, which is
as follows:
Dr. Treasurer to am't of monies Due to the county.... $906.60.4
Cr. By monies paid and accounted for from June last until
this day, June 6th, 1809.................... 930.30.8
To order in your favour on settlement........ 23.70.4
Balance............................. 906.60.4
930.30.8
Ordered, that Henry Hains be allowed the sum of $23.70.4,
which is a balance due him on settlement as Treasurer of Knox
county, and the Treasurer is ordered to pay the same."




86            HISTORY  OF
THE TREASURER OF KNOX COUNTY FOR SEVEN YEARS-HIS
MELANCHOLY EXIT.
Henry Haines, first Treasurer of Knox county,
was one of the best men in the county at its organization. He was a native of, and settled on
the tract of land, since owned by Beams and
others, next to the Merritts.
IHe had been a man of education and property,
and was in easy circumstances. He was a very ingenious, handy man, had a turning lathe, made
chairs, farmed, etc. He became deranged on the
subject of religion, was an active and leading member of the Disciple or Christian denomination, at
that time called "New Lights." He officiated with
James Smith in the first conference held in the
county, of which David Young, of Zanesville, was
Presiding Elder.
Haines became a loud exhorter, and, becoming
deranged, got a tin horn- and rode around the town
and county, day and night, notifying the people to
prepare for judgment, as the world was coming to
an end. He proclaimed the same doctrine in his
derangement that Millerites subsequently did.
When he became ungovernable he was taken to
IDr. R. D. Moore, who confined him in a mad shirt,
or straight jacket, and treated him for several weeks
until he was restored to reason; but he said if he
ever became insane again he would kill Dr. Moore.
Shortly after this the doctor removed to Fayette
county, Pa., and Haines again became deranged,
and was missing for some time. Search was made
for him, but the first information that his family




KNOX CountY.                87.
received of his whereabouts was in a letter from
Dr. Moore. He had made his way into Connellsville for the purpose of killing the doctor, and had
stolen the family silver spoons to pay his way in.
Upon arriving there he had become rational again,
and he told what his purpose had been, and stayed.
several weeks with the doctor, and was treated very
kindly by him. Not' long after this he took a rope
and hung himself: to a tree on his own farm,




f88            HISTORY  OF
CHAPTER VII.
THE SEAT OF JUSTICE FOR THE LAST TIME.
BEN. BUTLER'S VERSION OF THE WAY MOUNT VERNON WAS MADE THE PERMANEfT COUNTY SEAT, SHOWING THAT OLD VIRGINIA WAS UP TO TRICKS.
THE only one of the proprietors now living related to us the following interesting story:"When I moved my family to the thirty-six
acres of land which I had bought, I had no thought
of ever laying out any portion of it in town lots, or
of any town ever being laid out there, nor at that
time had Walker or Patterson. The idea, when
suggested, was pleasing, and we at once took.up
with it. Clinton had been laid out by Sam. Smith,
and had never been paid out, I believe. It was
started chiefly on the donation principle. Those
who would put up buildings had their own time to
pay for their lots, if ever they could.
"When we got word that the Commissioners
were coming on to locate the county site, we were
greatly stirred up about' how we should manage.
Kratzer and Williamson and Walker came to see
me about it, and we all had a general consultation.
I thought we had no chance of getting it, for I told
them that they had, at Clinton, Bill Douglass' mill
and a lot of good houses, and Sam. Smith's big




KENOX COUNTY.               89:
brick house, and a plenty of smart Yankees to
manage, and they had at Frederick Johnny Kerr's
mill and a lot of rich Quakers around it, and both
those places looked better then than our d — d
little scrubby place; and Sam. Kratzer asked me
what I would do about it! And I said to them
that I had studied out a pretty d —d bad trick
that I could manage if they would only go into it,
and if they wouldn't there wasn't a d — d bit of
chance for us; and they said, let's hear it; and I
told them I would give $10 myself, and each of




90           ]HISTORY  OF
them must give $10, to make up a purse and get
liquor for the devils we had, and engage them to
go up to Clinton and Frederick, and get drunk, and
fiddle and fight and play hell generally when the
Commissioners came up there to look, and that we
would get two good yoke of oxen to work on the
streets, and the rest of the men must take hold and
spade and shovel and pick and roll logs and dig up
stumps, and be fixing up the streets right, while
all the women and girls must get out into their
gardens, hoeing and weeding and working like
good fellows, and I would have the best victuals
cooked and the best cheer the little old tavern could
afford, so as to please the bellies of the Comumissioners, and we might then come out first for the
county site selection.
"My plan struck their fancy, and Sam. Kratzer,
although he was a great Methodist, didn't say a
d   d word about its being a sin to cheat them
that game, but at it he went, and they all fell into
the plan. And: we had a clever fellow named
Munson, from Granville, and a big fellow named
Bixbee, from over about Big-belly, and they agreed
to go along and each to captain a gang of the rowdies, and see that it was played out right.
"It was Thursday afternoon when the Commissioners first came to our town, and they rode up
and asked me if they could get to stay all night,
and I told them that it was hard fare we had, but
if they would put up with it they could, and they,
stopped. 1 guessed who they were at once, and
passed the word around, and everything went on.
as we had planned it, and the next morning about.




KNOX: COUlnTY.              91
daylight the busiest set of bees ever collected about
a hive were at work, hanmmering, pounding, digging, hoeing, scraping and working on the streets
and in the lots. Leah had breakfast bright and
early; I had their horses all cleaned up and well
fed, and ready after they eat to start. They wondered at the work they saw going on, and if it- was
kept up always as they had seen it in town, and I
told them we were all poor and hard working, and
we never lost any time in our little town. They
said they were going up to Clinton and Frederick
to see those places, and were going to fix the county
seat, and wanted me to go along, but I tried to beg
off-that I was poor and must work, and -couldn't
lose the time, as it would take them two or three
days to determine it. They said no, it wouldn't
take them that long, and I knew d   d well if the
trick was played out well by the rowdies that they
would soon be back, so I sort of hesitated as though
I would and I wouldn't go, and finally told Krate
zer if he would go too, I would, as I would like to
see them fix the county seat up there, and then Jim
Dunlap, who was a jovial fellow about 35, spoke up
and said to come ahead; the other two were sort of
gruff, it seemed to me, and didn't say much, but
looked solemn. They asked if we didn't expect to
get the county seat at Mount Vernon; and I told
them no, that we were too poor to try for it; that
I felt too poor really to go up with them, for some
fellow might come along and stop with me, who
would want me to go with him and look at land,
and every fellow that;I showed land to, gave me $2,
which helped right smart. There were three sorts




92            HISTORY OF
of poor-God's poor, the devil's poor, and poor
devils, and that we were all poor devils; but Sam.
Smith was long headed, and Johnny Kerr had lots
of rich Quakers to back him, so us poor devils were
left out of the question.
"We then rode together up to Clinton, and there
the rowdies were cutting up, and the fiddle going,
and shouting and cursing being done of the tallest
kind, and when we went to go into the tavern there
was a rush to the door way, and two men scuffling
and fighting, and before the Commissioners could
get in they were jammed and scuffed about, and in
the din and confusion, and yells of'pull them off,''part them,''don't do it,''fair play, by G-d,''hit him again, d —n him,''let'emra fight it out,'
and all such calls, the Commissioners backed out
from the tavern, and proposed to go and look at
Fredericktown. About that time old Sam. Smith
came up, and when he found out they were the
Commissioners, and going, he tried the hardest kind
to get them to stop, but it was no go; they had
seen enough of that place then, but promised him
to call again to-morrow. On the way to Fredericktown I talked much with them, and apologized for
the way our people up there had acted, and they
asked me if they cut up like Indians all the time,
and I told' them that about Clinton and Frederick
there were a great many rich men's sons, and they
had no trades, and would frolic a little just to put
in their time, but they were a mighty clever set of
people, &c. And I pointed out to them the pretty
scenery, and bragged on the land around, but said
not a'word for Mount Vernon. When we got to




KCNOX  COUNTY.             93
Frederick, they stopped at Ayres' tavern, and found
a good deal such quarreling going on as at Clinton,
and I got afraid.then that.they might see through
it, and suspect that we had a hand in getting it up,
and so I got down about the mill, and sat on the
logs awhile with Kratzer and Patterson, and left
them up at the tavern to see the fighting in. the
yard, and just. before going in to dinner I called
one of. the rowdies to me and.told him it was all
working well, and gave- him more money, and told
him to swear the others not. to revulge on them
ever, and we would make it right with'em. After
dinner the Commissioners sauntered around, and I
proposed going. back and leaving them, as they
would.want to stay all night there, and I had some
work to, do and chores to attend to at home before.night; but they would have me wait a while longer
for them, and I did it. While there sitting on a
log, we bet two gallons- of wine with Johnny Kerr,
as to which place would get the county seat.. When
they were ready they started, and we rode back to
Mount Vernon, where Mrs. Butler had the best
kind of a supper, cooked up, and it put them in
right good humor. She knew how to fix things up
right on such an occasion..
"The men about Mount Vernon were all quiet,
and kept so, and when;Dunlap asked Coyle's two
boys to take a dram with him, they hung back and
hesitated, until I told them to come up' and take a
drink with the gentleman-that there was no harm
in-it; and.they poured out the least bit of drams
they ever took in their lives. The next morning
the Commissioners got ready to start, and I had




9'4 HISTORY  OF
got KEnuck Harris, the only nigger in the country
then, to sleek their horses off, and they came out
looking: first rate. Dunlap was a funny fellow, and
he thought he could hop, and bantered some of the
boys to hop, but they were afraid they would be
beat by him, and -said:it warn't no use to try, as
they knew he could beat them. But I told him to
make his hop, and he went out in the road and
gave a sample; I went over it just a little, and we
hopped several times, until I concluded to show
him what Ben. could do, and I hopped so far over
his furtherest mark that they all laughed him right
out, and he gave it up, saying I could hop some.
In those days I never found the man that could
beat me. When they were about starting I asked
them if they were not going back to Clinton and give
it another look, but they said no, and the Clintonites never saw them any more. They wanted! to
go to Delaware, and asked me to pilot them a part
of the way, which I did, and when I got out with
them back of George Lewis' place, I tried to find
something out of them as to what they had determined on, but they evaded my questions, and
gave me little satisfaction. On bidding them goodby, I hoped they were not put out with our place'.on account of the hard fare I had given them-that
I had nothing nice to give them, as I kept only a
little log tavern, and supplied my table by hunting
and butchering. One of them remarked that if
they ever came this way again, they were well.enough suited to call on me. I then said that I
was poor, and felt discouraged, and thought that I.would quit off and go some where else and make a




KNOX COUNTY.               195
-better living for myself and family. D:unlap then
said I was doing well enough, and must not get out
of heart. And so we parted. When we got back
to town all the men gatheredIaround me to find out
what was our chance. I told them what had passed
between us, and that:: was satisfied it would be
found that our sidel was ahead, and I called them
all up to take a good drink at my expense on ]MIount
Vernon beings-made the permanent county seat.
That little trick of ours, I am sure, madcle the scales
turn in oiur favor, and when we knew that it was
established at Mount Vernon, you can imagine that
we had loud rejoicing over it."
In this time of war, when the public mind is
educated to believe that it is fair in any way to gain
an advantage over an enemy, there will be but few
who will not consider this little county seat contest
to have been properly conducted upon the part of
the Vernonites. The rule that "all is fair in politics" having of late years gained general acceptation
and credence, those who have dabbled in govern
mental affairs will saythat this was rightly done, and
all who have won in matters of love, and who has
not, will concede that " the end justifies the means,"
and all who believe that " whatever is is right," will
determine that Mount Vernon honorably, justly
and legitimately became the permanent seat of jus
tice of Knox county.
JONATHAN HUNT'S RYDER.
Jonathan Hunt informs us that he was one of the
volunteer workers on the streets at the time the
Commissioners came on, and that Gilman Bryant




96            HISTORY OF
sort of bossed the work, and, being a cripple, he
tended on them and gave out the whisky and water,
cheering them up as he came -around, saying:
"Work like men in harvest, but keep sober, boys."
Mike Click, and John Click, his brother, drove the
oxen." Mike was a bully hand with a team, and
made them. tear up stumps, haul logs, plow and
scrape, as necessary. Men never worked better on
a road than that force then did. They chopped
down trees, cut off logs, grubbed, dug down rough
places, filled up gulleys, burned log heaps, and made
a wonderful change in the appearance of things.
It was the first work ever done on the streets of
Mount Vernon.




KNOX CO'UNTY.                          97
CHAPTER VIII.
SIXTH TERM OF COURT-JANUARY 1ST, 1810.
THE- LAW AND THE TESTIMONY.-COURTS, FINANCE, AND ELECTION, 1810.
" Grand Jury.-Isaac Bonnett, foreman, DaVid Miller/ Peter
Bricker,:Abner Brown, Jr., John Johnson, Casper Fitting,, Francis
Hardesty, Josiah Talmage, Willis Speakman, Wm. Darling, Robert
Dalrymple, Joseph Coleman, David Johnson, John Merritt, James
Walker, Jr.
"Indictments were found vs. Henry Smith, Eli Freeman, John
Click, Thomas McBride.
" Robert Dalrymple vs. Joseph Talmnage.-This case was tried
by a jury, who do find for the plaintiff and do assess his damage
$1.
" Wm. Sapp was appointed guardian for John Melton, and gave
bond in $50.
"John Green, administrator of Isaac McClary, was allowed till
next September Term to settle.
"William Wallace was licensed to keep public house on paying
the proper sum.
January 2d.
" Isaac Applegate, by his Agent, Israel Ross, vs. Thomas B. Patterson. —On Saassarara. Ordered, that a Declaration be filed vs.
two o'clock.
" The Case of John J. Brice vs. Thomas B. Patterson, Gilman
Bryant, and Jose2ph Walker.-In Chancery-is disposed of by ordering defendants to pay $50, in nine months, or make a deed and
to pay costs.
" Robert Dalrymple vs. Joseph Talmage.-By consent of parties
this action is to lie open for a new trial, and continued on the Issue
Docket.
7




98.IxS TORB Y  OF"Plnumb and Murray are Licensed to retail goods three months.
"Notice is given of an appeal in the cases of Dalrymple vs.
Talmage, and John J. Brice vs. Patterson, et als.
"Letters of administration are granted to    Simpkins on
the Estate of John Simpkins. Joseph Coleman and Sele Simpkins
securities for $400.
" And the Court adjourned till Court in Course."
SEVENTH TERM-COURT OF COMMON PLEAS-30TH APRIL, 1810.
" James Colville appears as an Associate Judge in place of Wmin.
Gass.
"Grand Jury.-Joseph Walker, forerran, Nicholas Riley, Jas.
Walker, Jr., Daniel Demmick, George Davis, Jonathan Craig, C.
Loffland, Wm. Fuller, Jacob Lybarger, C. Cooper, Peter Majors,
Henry Haines, John Ervin, Nathaniel Critchfield.
" Bills of Indictment were found vs. Ichabod Nye, Samuel Nye,
Alexander Enos, Richard Alspaugh.
"But one case was tried by Jury-that one vs. John Click, for
assault and battery.
"Another State case for assault and battery vs. Thomas McBride was disposed of by the Court assessing a fine of $1 and costs,
and two cases were dismissed at defendant's cost, and one at the
plaintiff's cost.
" Ordered, that an additional Justice of the Peace be added to
the township of Morgan.
"Benjamin Barrey was Licensed to keep public tavern at Clinton,
on payment of $5.
"This term continued two days, and the above is the business
transacted."
THE JAIL BOUNDS DEFINED.
Special Term —2d day of Jusne, 1810.
"Ordered, that the jail bounds of this county be as follows, to
wit: Front street, thence to include all the balance of the town of
Mt. Vernon lying North said street, which does include the Jail of
said county."




KNO x:   OUNTY.                     99
"LOI THE POOR AFRICAN" DEMANDS ATTENTION.
"The Court convenes at 2 o'clock P. 31. to determine the negroe's
case.
"The State of Ohio vs. Ned Jackson, a negrv.-For Larceny.
The criminal comes forward and pleads not guilty, and the Court,
from the testimony given, do consider and order that the said
criminal be confined in jail until the Court in course."
HAVING A" QUAKER JUDGE CAUSES A QUAKER MEETING-4TH
DAY, 6TH MONTH.
"Court met. Present: John Mills, Wm. W. Farquhar, and
James Colville."
The record is silent as to the cause of their meeting-only sheweth that the three gentlemen met
and adjourned until the Court in Course.
EIGHTH TERM-COURT OF COMMON PLEAS-3D SEPTEMBER, 1810.
"Grand Jury.-Robert McMillen, foreman, John Wood, Wm.
Wallace, John Herrod, John Shrimplin, John Merrit, Silas Brown,
John Hown, John Wheeler, David Johnson, Nathaniel Critchfield,
/'Ziba Leonard, Jas. Wallace, Jr.
"Bills of Indictment were presented against Robert Davidson
and James Butler, each of whom were on plea of guilty of assault
and battery, fined $2 and costs."
The cases must have been exceedingly aggravated,
or the Court become more severe upon the offenders,
and doubled the fine.
Three causes were tried by jury, to wit: Robert
Dalrymple vs. Joseph Talmage; Lawrence, for use
of Rush, vs. George Davidson; and Martha Zenick,
by her guardian and father, vs. David Miller and
Mary Miller.  This time Dalrymple was awarded
$5 damages, but neither party, as usual in law, was:




100              HIISTORY~ OF
satisfied with the decision; hence, on the next page
we find, side by side with each other, the following
entries:
"Robert Dalrymple vs. Joseph Talnzage.-Notice is hereby
given by the plaintiff of an appeal.
" Robert Dalrymple vs. Joseph Talmage.-Notice is hereby given
by the defendant of an appeal.
"The Jury in the second case gave judgment for the defendant,
George Davidson, for costs, and the plaintiff gives notice of
appeal."
In the Zenick case, the Jury, "upon their oaths,
do find the defendants guilty, and assess the damages of the plaintiff to $30."  This was the first
slander suit ever tried in Knox county. The defendants moved, in arrest of judgment, "that the words
contained in the third count in the plaintiff's declaration are not actionable," but, having been overruled in this effort, then gave notice of an appeal.
This was a case of unusual interest, and William
Guardian, for failing to appear as evidence in it,
was fined $1.
Three cases were dismissed at plaintiff's cost.
Three judgments were entered by default, and one
by confession.  The highest amount of any judgment was that of Josiah Morriss vs. David Debel,
alias Debolt, for $70 and costs.  A  case of ]David
Miller vs. M/iartha Zenick, on the case, was dismissed
with judgment for costs vs. plaintiffs.  Such was
the business of two days of the 7th regular term.
"On the 5th of September George Coffinbery was Licensed to
keep a publick house of entertainment in the town of tMansfield for
one year on his payment of $4.




KNOX COUNTY.                              101
"John Green, Esq., was still further allowed 3 years to settle
the Isaac lMcClary estate.
", Catharine Shinabery, Ex. of M. Shinabery, dec'd, settled with
the Court.
"Daniel Demmick was Licensed to keep a publick House of entertainment for one year, and Michael Click also.
"Henry MIarkley was allowed for 121 days services as Commissioner.,
Matthew  MIerritt was allowed for 9 days services as Commissioner.
" William Douglas was allowed for 10 days services as Commissioner.
"Edward Herrick was allowed $25 as Prosecuting Attorney for
the Supreme Court for 1810."
COUNTY  SETTLEMENT-5TH SEPTEMBER, 1810.
"The Coi(irt met with the Commissioners for the purpose of settling with the Court in County Charges, &c., which is as follows", 
(to wit):
"County of Knox, Dr., for, including from the June, 1809, to
Sept. 6th, 1810:
Commissioners of Knox County..                           $137 27
Associate Judges...........................  109 44
Elections......................................     48   75
Roads.............. —----............................ 130 82
it.......................................... 310
Treasurer............. —....................... 40 46
Boarding & Imprisoning Negro.................... -   2 75,,        i          4"..............................1. 183
Coroner. —...................................... —-- --     3 50
Iron —Negro................................... 5 25
Wolf Scalps...........................                     67 50
Collector's fees..1.........-                           102 59.8
Clerk's fees......................... -------------- --   41 00
Clerk to Commissioners from  Jan'y, 1808...........   87 17
Sheriff's fees...................................         28 6~
Prosecuting Attorney................  100 00
Repairs of Jail.-............................... 9 47
Jury Boxes....-........-...........  * * * * *  1 00




102.rI SaTO R Y  OF 
Delinquents in Tax........................   $24 20
Listing Townships............                        73 00
Petit Jurors...................                     15 15
Postage of Letters..........................       95
Witnesses.....................................    4 00
Grand Jurors.........                     60 00
$1,194 16~
Cr. By County Levy for 1809............. $265 98
By Land Tax, 1809..................  252 52
By Draft on District Collection........  118 30
By fines, &c.............  48 55
By stores and taverns................   73 32
$759 67
" Ordered, that the Court do adjourn until the next meeting in
course."
VOTE FOR GOVERNOR IN 1810.
The vote of Knox  county in  1810 stood:  for
Return  J. Meigs, 97; Thomas Worthington, 90.
All the votes cast in our county at that election
were 187.  Our county was then  on the winning
side, as Meigs carried the State by 2,193 majority.




KNOX COUNTY                 103
CHAPTER IX.
SKETCH OF THE FIRST WHITE MAN KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN UPON THE KOKO-S'ING.-THE INDIAN CAPTIVE IN 1779.-THIE ADJUTANT IN 1812-AND
COMMISSIONER IN 1824.
THE first of the citizens of Knox county to tread
upon its soil, was John Stilley. In the month of
June, A. D. 1779, he was a captive among the Indians upon the banks of Ko-ko-sing. We have
thoroughly investigated the early history of this
-4ountry and can learn of no white person who penetrated the wilderness prior to that time. His
father was one of the pioneers of Allegheny county,
Pennsylvania, who was killed by the savages when
John was but a small child. Immediately after his
father was massacred, John (about the year 1774)
was taken, with one of his little sisters, by his
brother-in-law, Kennedy, to his home in the back
part of Washington county, where he was living
exposed to the privations, toils and sufferings incident to border life. At that time the people of the
new country were in constant dread of the savages,
and sleeping or waking they were alike in danger
of becoming their prey.  In the spring of 1779,
when the corn was just sprouting out of the ground,
a band of Indians of the Wyandot tribe one night
attacked the house of Kennedy, took Kennedy, his




104           H:ISTORY OF
wife and one child, John Stilley and his little prattling sister, plundered the house of such things as
they fancied, set fire to the house, and burned it to
the ground. While they were witnessing the destruction of the house and its contents, they became
alarmed by the approach of some of the whites
living nearest to Kennedy, and hastily seized his
horses, and took to flight. One of the neighbors,
called Captain Jack, an old Indian hunter, living
about two miles from Kennedy's, thought on the
evening of that day that there were Indians about,
and being unable to get to sleep on account of this
presentiment, kept his family awake until about
midnight, when he swore that he " smelt Indians,"
and seizing his rifle, powder-horn and bullet-pouch
went out to his -nearest neighbor, and while there
discovered the fire in the direction of Kennedy's,
and with such of the settlement as could be hastily.
gathered together came up to the ruins of the
house, hurrying the- Indians away with their captives and plunder. They followed close in pursuit,
and came so nearly up to them when crossing the
river that Captain Jack shot the Indian having
young Stilley in charge across the right hand, cutting off his thumb. They heard the crack of rifles,
and the balls whistled by them as they crossed the
river. The Indian held young John in his left
hand, and swam his horse over the river and rode
some distance with the reins in his mouth. The
band of Indians-sixteen in number-hastened
rapidly across the country with their prisoners,
crossing the White Woman near its mouth, and
following on up the Ko-ko-sing, as Stilley distinctly




KNO o   COUN a TY.         105
recollects, until above where Fredericktown has
since been built, and thence on out to the Sandusky
plains. They camped one night at the Little Indian Fields, near the present site of Miount Vernon.
-This country was then an unbroken wilderness.
They did not see a single white man, or the trace
of one, this side of the Ohio river; nor could John
Stilley recollect of seeing one of his own;race for
five years, except a few prisoners who were at times
brought through the country where he was, and
occasionally his sisters and brother-in-law. They:
were parceled out by the captors as suited their
fancy, and were sometimes for months without seeing each other. John was a stout, hearty boy, fond
of rough exercise, and having not a particle of fear
he soon became a great favorite with the tribe, and
was often taken by the warriors in their hunting
and fighting expeditions-. He was several times
brought with a portion of the tribe down to the
Ko-ko-sing and White Woman country, and remembers that this was considered the most beautiful part of their hunting grounds. It then looked
to him  far handsomer than it ever has since,
and because of its prepossessing appearance he
determined, when he started in the world with
thoughts of settling down permanently in one place,
to make this his home and final resting place.
After the Revolutionary War was over and peace
established, Kennedy and his wife and the two
children were delivered up at Detroit. The Indians had taken a great liking to John, and determined to keep him. He was adopted into the tribe,
had learned their language, and almost lost his own.




106            HISTORY OF
Trained up as their little Indians were, he had fallen
into their ways, and fell in love with their mode of
life, so that he had no desire to return to the white
settlements.'He bore no marks of ill treatment,
unless we except that the end of his nose had been
bitten off by one of the indians in a fight. In all
their sports and games he took part, and was a
worthy" boba-sheeby." Our old settlers, who recollect the "whoop" that Uncle John could give when
so disposed, say that he surpassed the real Indian
in that line. He has often spoken to us of the
events of his captivity, and how he was for a time
fascinated with their wild and roving life. He subsisted for days upon a little corn parched and
pounded up, and used to affirm to us that he never
relished any thing so well in his life as that simple
food.
But he was not doomed to live always a savage
life. His family determined to rescue him from
their wiles and allurements. His brother-in-law,
with several others, undertook this mission, and at
length succeeded in getting him away from them
while they were camped down on Detroit, not far
from where iMalden has since been built. He remained with Kennedy and his friends at Detroit
some months. There was then a British Fort there,
and the village was the smallest kind of a four-cornered place.
It is a satisfaction to know that several of the
gang who captured Stilley and Kennedy's family
were afterwards in one of their marauding expeditions overtaken by justice. The Poes met and
killed them near the mouth of Yellow Creek. Stil



KNOX COUNTY..             107
ley and his sister became conversant with this fact
shortly after the occurrence from Indians concerned
in that dreadful fight.
John Stilley with other prisoners retaken from
the Indians, to the number of about ninety, embarked in a vessel at Detroit, and landed in Sandusky Bay, and hired two Indian pilots to guide
them back to the settlements. When they got
pretty near the Olhio river, they began to talk over
their position, where they were from, and with sadness parted with each other, scattering in different
directions, never more to meet. Some were from
Kentucky, others from Virginia and Pennsylvania.
But few of them crossed the river with Stilley into
the edge of Allegheny county. Stilley says that
he then passed through the Ko-ko-sing and White
Woman country, and not a particle of improvement was discernible from the time he was first
taken through it by the Indians.
After remaining in his native country a short
time he became restless, and longed for a newer
condition of things. His desire for adventure took
him to the " dark and bloody ground." He went
alone —a poor boy, but strong of heart, and with
resolution indomitable. Alone, and in a light
canoe of his own make, he navigated the rivers,
and landed at the Limestone, about three miles
from where the city of Maysville now stands. The
only settlements then commenced on the Ohio
river in his way were at Wheeling, Gallipolis,
Marietta, and at the mouth of the'Kanawha.
These were all very small. He pushed his way
into the interior of Kentucky, and voyaged along




108            HISTORY OF
the waters of the Elkhorn, and was struck with
the surprising beauty of the country, and the nobleness and generosity of the people with whom he
fell in company, and there he sojourned for some
time. "There was," he said, "a considerable settlement along the waters of the Elkhorn, and above
and between Paris and Lexington more white people than I had ever seen before. Lexington I
thought a mighty clever town. We could raise
along the old Elk's horn quite a number of men to
take a fight every now and then, and I felt that I
was man enough for any of them in any way they
were a mind to take me. I knew Simon Kenton
personally and right intimately, and a mighty true
man he was too. He then lived down, I think,
sort of northwest of Paris. He did not live as high
up as I did. He kept four minute men down there
always ready. We kept watch fifty miles along
the river for a while, and went back and forth
twenty-five miles; I was one of them. I also knew
Neal Washburn well, and I tell you he was a real
brotherly feeling man. The Kentucky hunters
were as good men as God ever made. They were
the clear noblemen spit-all soul-all braveryall generosity. Would to God there were more
such in the world."  *  *  *   "I remained
upon Elkhorn enjoying myself finely, farming a
little, and hunting more, and wrestling and fighting, and all that, till the pesky Indians up in the
Mlaumee country, and in the Miami, got to cutting
up so intolerable bad that we couldn't stand it any
longer-they were depredating and thieving, and
murdering and scalping, and I got my blood up




'K1 -OX COUNTY.            109
and concluded to try my aim on them, so I'listed
among the first in the country, and there.was no
better shot with a rifle among the crowd."
John Stilley served for four months as one of
the Kentucky volunteers, and upon discharge of
the company, by General Wayne, returned to the
Elkhorn country. But he did not long remain
quiet. Repeated acts of cruelty and inhumanity
on the part of the savages and their worse than
savage allies, again rendered it necessary for the
Kentucky boys to shoulder their rifles and march
into the enemy's country to avenge the wrongs
of their countrymen.  Stilley then served five
months, and said he would like to have continued
with old Mad Anthony the rest of his days, but the
old hero said he did not require his services any
longer. He returned to Kentucky and remained
farming, hunting, and shooting at a mark, until the
country, where he was, became too thickly settled
for him to enjoy life there, and then he concluded
to. look up again the fine country which he had
admired so much, when a boy, on the Ko-ko-sing.
He is found living in this county in 1806,'making
his location, building his log cabin, and settling
down for the remainder of his term on earth. His
wife, Rebecca, daughter of old Robert Thompson,
the surveyor and pioneer, rests by his side beneath
the soil of Knox county. The Stilley farm, west
of Mount Vernon one mile, where their sons Morgan F. and Gilman B. and daughter Dorcas now
live, was cleared off and first cultivated by Thompson and Stilley from 1805. Of John Stilley's twelve
children —Sarah E., wife of Jacob Maxteller, is in




110            HISTORY  OF
this township; Julia Ann, wife of Col. Benjamin
F. Smith, in Minnesota; Joel F. in this county,
Rebecca Kimbal in Morrow county; Nancy, wife
of Win. McFarland, deceased, in Oquawka, Ill.,
and the others, not above named, are dead.
In our chapter upon the military of Knox county.
it will be seen that the bellicose spirit of John
Stilley is made manifest. In the war with Great.
Britain he served as Adjutant of Col. Kratzer's
Regiment, Ohio volunteers, until honorably discharged. He again entered the service when Eort
Meigs was attacked by the British and Indians,
and received another honorable discharge. We
became conversant with the events in the life of
this worthy old settler several years ago, when forwarding an application for a land warrant, which
he desired mainly as evidencing an evidence of
appreciation of his services and sufferings by his
government, but the lamentable delays of officials
in the great circumlocution departments at Washington prevented his receiving this just acknowledgment of his country's gratitude. On the 10th
of March, 1852, he died of palsy, at his home, in
Clinton township. His widow, after his death,
received the tribute of a land warrant for 160 acres.
John Stilley was a true hearted, a brave manready, whenever occasion offered, to assert his rights
and evidence his courage. He performed four tours
of service, and under the most trying circumstances acquitted himself handsomely. He was a great
admirer of General Wayne and General Harrison,
and never grew tired of praising them. We might
give many anecdotes and incidents connected with




>KNOX COtUNTY.             111
the life of this worthy old pioneer-who first walked
upon the banks of Owl Creek, (Koo-koo-san he
said it was pronounced by the tribe who captured
him.) We have thought a chapter in the History
of the county to be justly due to John Stilley-the
old Adjutant —the old Commissioner-the old citizen who was proverbial for his honesty and integrity-and who possessed, at four score years, as
good a memory, as sound judgment and irreproachable character as any man ever within the limits
of Knox county.




112                  HISTORIY OF
CHAPTER X.
WHAT WAS DONE BY COURTS AND COMMISSIONERS IN THE YEARS 1811-1213 AND 1814 THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST TO CITIZENS OF TIIE COUNTY.COUNTY ROADS.-COUNTY BUILDINGS.-COUNTY REVENUE. VIIAT IT COST
TO GUARD A PRISONER AND TO BURY A NEGRO IN 1812-14.-PRICES OF
BARK AND RABBIT SKINS.-THE GLORIOUS FOURTHI COMMEMORATED BY
STRONG S SETTLEMENT.
NINTH TERM OF COMMON PLEAS-JANUARY 1, 1811.
"Grand Juory-Charles Lofland, foreman, Thomas Beaty, Abraham Lyon, James Craig, Geo. Lybarger, Nathl. M. Young, J. Dunlap, John Morrison, Samuel Wilson, John Herrod, John Cook,
James Herrod and James Cunningham.
"Indictments presented vs. Winm. Wallace, James Smith, Solomon
Geller, John Stilley, John Barney, Francis Spratt, John Foglesong, Benj. Barney, Andrew Clark and Samuel Arbuckle.
"This term continued three days. The minutes show but one
Jury Trial: The State of Ohio vs. He nry Smith for passing counterfeit money, and the Jury found him not guilty.
"Gilman Bryant was granted Licens to retail goods for 8 months,
and Abner Ayres to keep a public house one year.
"An additional Justice of the Peace was added to the township
of Clinton.
"The Indictments vs. Francis Spratt and Wm. Wallace were
disposed of, each being fined $3 and costs."
TENTH TERM-29TH APRIL, 1811.
"Grand Jury-Isaac Bonnet, foreman, Charles Cooper, Robert
Wright, John Hawn, Peter Bricker, Timothy Burr, Isaac Dial,
Bartholomew Bartlet, Evan Holt, John Trimble, John Wheeler,
James Miller, Oliver Strong.




KNOX COUNTY.                        113
"Indictments were presented vs. David Demmick, Sele Simpkins.
"John Stilley appears and pleads guilty to Indictment for
assault and battery found vs. him at last Term, and is fined.$4
and costs." The dignity of fighting is increased, and those who
indulge in that luxury have to pay higher.
"Benjn. Barney, arraigned on charge of assault and battery,
pleads not guilty, and on trial Jury so find.
"Andrew Clark, on indictment for same offence, is fined $4 and
costs.
" John Barney stands a jury trial on his indictment, and is found
not guilty.
"So also Samuel Arbuckle is acquitted.
1"Licens is granted Benjn. Barney to keep publick house one
year at Clinton.
" The case of Joseph Foos vs. Archibald Gardner is tried by a
Jury, who find' that Gardner was only to pay for the improvements done by Foos on the House.'
"Two suits were dismissed, two settled by the parties, and two
judgments entered for small sums.
"John Sawyer is fined $2 and costs for not, attending as a witness. This being the second fine of this character in the Common
Pleas Court, the penalty is increased 100 per cent.
"Licenses to retail goods are granted to Winm. H. Selby & Isaac
Yore, and Tavern license to Jno. Baxter & Amoriah Watson.
" George Sapp is appointed admr. of George Sapp, decd.; Danl.
Sapp & John Greer, Securities."
ELEVENTH TERM —TH OF SEPT., 1811.
"Grand Jury.-William Gass, Jabez Beers, Joseph Coleman,
Casper Fitting, Abraham Darling, Jacob Young, John Green,
Henry Ankeny, James Bryant, Charles Lofland, John Wheeler,
David Johnson, Jonathan Hunt, Jr.
"Indictments found vs. Sele Simpkins, Thos. McBride, Benj.
Rush, Francis Wilkins, John Davis, James Walker, Jr. and James
Smith.
Four Jury causes came off, to-wit; Andrew Craig vs. Henry
McCurb & James Cunningham, Trespass on the case; Winm. W.




114:                 i~  sHISTORY  OF
Farquhar vs. James Craig, for debt;'The State of Ohio vs. Sele
Simpkins, for felony; and James Smith vs. Samuel H. Smith,
assumpsit.
" The Prosecuting Attorney entered' nolle' on Indictment vs.
James Smith for not making Election returns to Fairfield C.,"The State vs. Francis Wilkins. Defendant was fined $1 for
assault and battery.
"Eleven other causes were disposed of-mainly dismissed at
costs of Pi-tff.
"John Green, Esq., of the Methodist Church, is licensed to marry
people so disposed.
"Henry Markley was allowed $53.37~ for sevices as Commissioner.
"Matthew Merrit was allowed $1.75 for services as Commissioner.
" Robert MIcMillen was allowed $36.75 for sevices as Commissioner.
"t License to keep public house was granted for one year to Michael
Click, John Jones, Jesse Procter, Daniel Ayers, Daniel Denlmick.
" Store License was granted to Gilman Bryant, Benjn. Rusll,
Saml. H. Smith.
" On the return of John Heckewelder, John McConnel and
Moses Koss, Esquires, who were appointed by a Joint Ballot of
both Houses of the Legislature of the State of Ohio to fix the
seats of Justice in the Counties of Wayne and Richland in the
State aforesaid, which passed the 28th of March, 1803, who did
report for the seat of Justice in Richland county aforesaid to be
affixed at the town of Mansfield.  Signed the 20th day of April,
1809."
Settlement with the CGommissioners of -Knox County, to twit: Expenditures from Sept. Term, 1810:
Paid out to different collectors......$................  $62 17.5
" for wolf scalps.............  12 00
" for Grand Juries..........    52 75,' for Pettit Judges in State prosecutions..........  20 20
-for Witnesses fees in samle...................  88 15,, Sheriff for his services..............:-,........  65 50
"  Coroner  "                    ".                   4 00




N ox -c oU  NTY.                     115
Paid Jas. Smith, as Clerk to.Com. Pleas and Comr.....: $89 951
"Public Buildings..................... 111 87.5
"accommodation of Courts..................... 5 50
"  Edwd. Herrick, Esq., as Prosecuting Attorney... 100 00
" expences of Roads, &c.................  49 27.5' Treasurer...........................   20 59
"Associate Judges......................... 60 00
" locating County and Townships................  63 50
" out for elections................................  35 50
" James Smith 25 dollars for books.
$840 97
Amount- received by Treasurer to same date:
Received by fines and license.............. $123 381
" Countylevyforyear 1810, C T'nship  113 32
";'    " e t " "  "  Union  "   79 30
~~(      " "   "           "  iMorgan"   54 30
", "         "        "  XWayne "   62 88`"(         ".r  " r "I[Madison"    15 92~'    State Tax for MIorgan.               80 894
"r        "         mWayne...... 90 331
"r " Union.........~..    30 25
"."          Clinton.   161 44 1 mill.
r " " I  State Treasurer....  117 66
4;   "   VWalker & Slater's land    4 25
State Tax for 1809.........  117 00
$1050 95 1 mill.
TWELFTH TERMI-JANY. 6TH, 1812.
"Grand Jury. —Charles Lofland, foreman, JosephV Walker, Alexander Enos, Saml. H. Smith, John Stilley, Ziba Leonard, John
Baxter, Moses Craig, John Spratt, Benj. Currin, James Craig,
Andrew Craig, Solomon Geller."
This vacation had proven fruitful of knock-downs, as we may
judge from bills for assault and battery being found vs. George
Lybarger, Henry Ankeny, Samuel W. Culberson, Joseph Dunlap,
John Strain, Benjamin Rush, John Foglesong.




116                 HISTORY OF
Culberson was fined 6 cents and costs; Lybarger, $3; Ankeny,
$5; John Foglesong, the unprecedented sum of $50 and costs. A
jury in the State vs. John Davis found him guilty to the tune of
$20 and costs. 
Daniel Demmick is fined $1 and costs for retailing spirituous
liquors w:ithout license.
The solitary civil jury trial resulted in Henry Smith obtaining
a judgment of $8.124 against Oliver Strong.
There is an increasing demand for marrying officers, and we find
License issued to Elisha Bowman and James Smith of the Methodist Church.
George Coffinberry renews his Tavern License for Mansfield,
and James McClure is also Licensed to entertain the publick.
Jos. Talmage is allowed $2.25 for taking the enumeration, &c.
THIRTEENTH TERM —4TH MAY, 1812.
"Grand Jury. —Isaac Bonnet, foreman, Wmin. Marquis, Solomon
Geller, Benj. Corwin, Thos. McKee, John Stilley, Matthew Merritt, John Hawn, Ziba Leonard, Chas. Cooper, H. Ankeny, Chas.
Lofland and Joseph Berry.
" Bills were found vs. Joseph Walker and James Craig, William
Walker, Elizabeth Walker.'Two causes were tried by. jury-Hiram. Ball vs. Alexander
Enos; verdict for defendant for costs; and The State vs. Elizabeth Walker; verdict not guilty.
"On Indictment for an affray, Joseph Walker is fined $1 and
costs; and William Walker is fined for an assault and battery $3
and costs.
The following order appears upon the court minutes which "old settlers" may understand:
" Ordered, that James Walker, jr., deliver up to Benoni Gardner his daughter, Nancy, with her clothing.
"Store license issued to Isaac Vore, and tavern license to
Azariah Davis, John Baxter and N. C. Boles.
A' Eight judgments are entered up for sums varying from $2.07.
to $18.66
"Luke Wlalpole vs. Ickhabod Nye, Sheriff-The Sheriff is




KNOX COUNTY.                         117
amerced for $6, received fiom Wm. Wallace and not paid over.
This is the first amercement case on record in IKnox county.
FOURTEENTH TERM —14TH SEPTEMBER, 1812.
"License to retail goods was granted to John Garrison, and tav-.ern license to Daniel Ayres.
"Court remained in session but a few hours. The following
entry shows the cause: No venire for Grand or Petit jury returned
in consequence of a National calamity. Ordered that the court do
adjourn until the next court in course.
WILLIAM WILSON."..FIFTEENTH TERM-11TH JANUARY, 1813.
":Grand Jury.-Wm. Mitchel, foreman, Winm. Davis, Jacob
Young, Henry Markley, Wm. Knight, Peter Kinry, HIenry Haines,
John Murphy, Cornelius Vanosdolle, John Shrinplin, John Harrod,
James Craig,' Oliver Strong.
"Indictments found vs. John Jackson and Michael Click, Jos.
Middleton,'Wm.- Stansbery, Leonard H. C6ales.
"There were three trials by jury-Henry Smith vs. Allison
Strong; verdict for:pltff. $12 and costs; Eleazer Morely vs. Alex.
Enos, for pltff. $56.37 and costs; Platt & Harrison vs. Enos, for
pltff. $40.80..
"Store license issued to Enoch Harriss, Richard Fishback, Gilman Bryant.
" Tavern license' issued to John Davidson on payment of $6 for
one year, Richard'Fislback, Amos H. Royce, Stephen Stilwell.
Not a single State case was tried.  The presumption is that the fighting men had gone to the war!
SIXTEENTH TERM —TH SEPTEMBER, 1813.
"Grand Jury.-Isaac Bonnet, foreman, James Loveridge, Solomon Geller, John Kerr, Philip Melker, Benj. Corwin, Thos. McKee, Jacob Hauger, John Dunlap, Wm. Marquis, Joseph Walker,
Isaac Bean, W. H. Selby.
"Four bills were found for usual offenses. These and several
other Indictments quashed for want of form. This Court continued in session three days. There were three jury trials, and many
old cases on the docket were disposed of.
"WinWm. C. Enos is appointed Master Commissioner in Chancery.




118                 HISTORY OF
"Robt. McMillen allowed 8 days, $14, for Commissioner services.
Daniel Cooper    "   5  "    8.75,     "   "
John Harrod      "            5.25,     "         "
"'Store license'was granted to Anthony Banning, Stephen Butler, S. H. Smith.
" License to marry was granted to John Green and James Smith,
regular ordained ministers in the Religious Unitede Societies or
Christian Church.
SEVENTEENTH TERM —-. 10TH JANUARY, 1814.
" Grand Jurors.-Isaac Yore, foreman, John Davis, Abraham
Caimes, John Grear, Nathaniel M. Young, Moses Merrit, Evan
Holt, John Stilley, John Johnson, Jabez Beers, Philip Melker,
James Low, A. H. Royce, John Spratt.
"Five jury causes are tried.
" License to marry is issued to Amos Mix of the Baptist persuasion.
"License to retail goods is issued to Eli Miller, Richard Fishback, L. S. Silliman.
"C. K. Sherman is appointed Prosecuting Atto. for this co.
"Letters of administration are issued on estates of Isaac Jackson, Beinj. Simpkins, Joseph Sieberson, Joseph King and Anny
Woodruff:
Our old townsman, Gilman  Bryant, seems to
figure about these times as general appraiser.
"James Smith, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and Clerk
of the Supreme Court for the county of Knox, appoints Alexander
Ellioitt Deputy in either Court, Feb. 24, 1814.
EIGHTEENTH TERM —9Tr  OF MAY, 1814.
"Grand Ju0ry.-Isaac Vore, jr., foreman, John Wilson, Joseph
Walker, John Bean, George Low, Matthew Merrit, Isaac Bonnet,
John Bricker, David Ash, Joseph Higgins, Jesse Severe and Anthony Banning.
"Four trials by jury.
"Samuel Kratzer, Esq., appointed Master Commissioner in
Chancery.
" License issued to James Smith, Jolin Green, to retail goods,
and to N. C. Bowles to keep tavern.




KNOX  couNTY.                         119
NINETEENTH TERM —11Ta AUGUST, 1814.
"Grand Jurors.-Azariah Davis, Benj. Brown, Bartholomew
Bartlet, Ebenezer Brown, Win. Downs, Thomas Ireland, Wm.
Henry, Jacob Rabb, David Johnson, Jonlathan Hunt, jr., John
Garrison, Isaac Coen, James Hzarrod, John Kerr, John Mills, fore-.. 
man.
"Upon'bills of Indictment for assault and battery, James
Adams and Winm.  efford were fined $3, each, and costs; James
MZartin $10 and costs, Charles Lofland was also fined $5 and costs,
and Samnael Baxter $10 and costs, and Thos. Prather $3 and costs.
"Four trials by jury.
" John Harrod as Commissioner allowed $22.75, Robt. McLillen $29.75, Daniel Cooper $26.25, WinVm. Mitchell $5.25.
"License issued to John Fuller, of Christian Church, to marry.
L. H. Smith, Benj. Barney and Ichabod Marshal, Ex'rs. of Richard Fishback, deceased; and Gilman Bryant, Daniel Cooper and
Timothy Burr, appraisers.
TWENTIETH TERMI-22ND DECEMBER, 1814.
"Grand Jury. —John Trimble, foreman, Thomas Axtell, Henry
Markley, Jas. M3cCracken, Samuel Newell, Sam'l Johnson, Cornelius Vanosdall, Johln Adams, John Irvine, Nath. M. Young, David Johnson, Jacob Cooper, L. H. Smith.
"License to vend goods issued to Anthony Banning, Gilman
Bryant, John Garrison, Eli Miller, L. S. Silliman.
"License to keep tavern issued to Jacob Nixon, Amos H.
Royce, Abner Ayres, Win. Van Horne.
We have given tlle Court transactions for twenty
terms as nuch for the purpose of letting the present
generation  know  who, in  those early  days, performed service as Jurors and otherwise, as with the
view  of giving an account of what was done.  By
readinog over these pages the naines of mlany settlers will be known whom  otherwise we could not
find had. lived upon our soil.




120                  HISTORY OF
THE FINANCES IN 1812-13-14, AND THE FIRST SALE OF LAND FOR
TAXES-1812, 3D JUNE.
"At settlement with the Treasurer.
Dr. TreasurerAmount of Land Tax 1811........................ $523 76.7
do  -........................   20 36.2
Duplicate for Wayne 1811........................    73 22
do      Madison ".................  35    5
do       Union..                          91 50
do      Morgan..........................    60 80
do      Clinton............................  204 62.5
Wolf scalps.............................   32 00
Gilman Bryant, license...................... —..       6 66.5
Ain't of license, permits and fines received..........   81 09.5
1129 8.6
By amount of County orders received...   $10 79.7~
do        do        do..  1079 73
do        do        do               59 42 
1149 95
1129 8.6
At settlement balance due Treasurer.    $20 86.4
" Treasurer pay Henry Haines $45 19.4, for his commission on
revenue Taxes 1811; for traveling trip to Zanesville $5.
"At settlement with the Treasurer June 8th, 1813.
Treasurer Dr. forTavern license..................................  $91 32
do    do..........................   12 491
Richland duplicate............................   64 25
Duplicate for Clinton.....................  135 53j
do      Morgan.............................   79 80
do      Wayne..........7.................   74 32
do       Chester...........................         20 30
do      Union........                             90 60
do Morris.                                        47 36
do   on duplicate now due...............  502 54.6
Daniel Demmich...............                           4
Butler's license.....................                    30
1122 S2.6




KNOx COUNTY.                            121
Cr. by orders produced and delivered..... $1076 45
y" our com. per centum.............        44 39
" traveling fees..............              5
1125 84
Cr. the Treasurer on settlement $3.01.
James Berry, Collector. 4th District. Collector's office, Zanesville, 17th Dec., 1813, received $359 23, the full amount of the
Resident Land Tax of Knox county, of John Green, Collector.
9th June, 1814-At settlement with Treasurer of Knox co.
Treasurer Dr.For license taverns and stores......................  $103 58*
Cash rec'd of collector of non-residents on land for 181.3  451 70
County, as paid by collector, for C. Levy for 18S13......  405 16
960 44*
Cr. by orders paid in................. $923 00.7.5
"   treasurer's fees............         38 41
"   traveling fees to Zanesville.......    5
966 41.7.5
Balance due to Treasurer on settlements the sum of $5 97.5, as
per order number 1251."
"July 5, 1814. The Board this day examine the duplicates for
County Levy for the Township agreeable to the return of the listers of Townships as follows:
Morgan Township................... 8..  $83 10
Union       do..............................  104 07.5
Morris      do...................................   73 40
Chester     do.................................    31 50
Wayne       do.................................  93 61
Clinton     do...............................   140 96
526 64.5
"Collector Green collected all on these lists and $2.58 more in
Clinton township, than listed.
"The first lands sold for Taxes were in January 12th, 1815, when
collector John Green sold for Abram Emmett 2-8 of lot 120 north
side taxes and costs-75; and 4 of lot 34 south side-75.  Isaac
Vore, jr., I of lot 19 south side, and 4 of 20 north side-for 75 each.




122                 HIST:ORY  OF
" Parts of lots belonging to John Hawn,jr., James Smith, (Skenk's
creek) Nathan Majors, Ichabod Nye, John Marquis and Win.
Marquis, jr., for which he charged for deeds and acknowledgments
$1.25."
ITEMS SUGGESTIVE FROM COIMMISSIONERS' JOURNALS OF 181112-13-14.
Among the bills audited by the Commissioners
in 1811, we find one to John Butler $4, for extra
services in  summoning jurors and witnesses for
May Term; Nicholas Kyle $3, for use of their
house for third Court, Sept. 1811; Ichabod Nye,
sheriff's fees in criminal cases, 1811, $25; Associate Judges James Colville $18, W. W. Farquhar
$21, John Mills $21; Edward Herrick for Prosecuting Attorney two terms, and at Supreme Court
also, $9.75.  A  pretty cheap attorney's fee!
Order No. 626 issues to Ichabod Marshal 75 cts.
for gaging a half bushel for. the County standard,
and 627 to  James Walker for making  seal for
standard for Knox county.
Timothy Burr appeared and gave bond as Coroner, with  Gilman  Bryant and  Robert Jones as
sureties.  Ichabod Nye gave bond as Sheriff, with
John Hawn and Richard Fishback as sureties.
1812, January. Wmi. Roberts, deputy coroner, is paid $1.45
"for viewing a dead body, for drawing, the necessary writing in
the same, for traveling, venire," &c. James Bryant for taking
care of the dead body $5.
"Ordered that one acre of land be taken off Morgan township
and added to Clinton, which acre was purchased of 3Martin Cosner
by Silas Brown, in range 12, township 6."
"The Overseers of the Poor is directed to seize and sell the
property of a negro called Win. Jackson."




KNOX C OUNTY.                         123
The Commn issioners held their meetings at different places as the following orders show':
"To John Jones 50z cents for house rent last meeting."  "To
Ash 75 cents for same this meeting."
A  netw court house is being erected, and the Journals state that
"Solomon Geller and George Downs did receive by subscriptions $745."
On the 10th of April, 1812, the following entry
is made:
" The Commissioners this day did examine the court house built
by George Downs and Geller, and do receive the same."
No sooner is the new  court house ready for use
than the Commissioners become involved in trouble
about its occupancy, by different sects, as will be
explained by the following entries on the Journal:
"Whereas, a number of the inhabitants of this county has made
application for the use of the court house in Mount Vernon, for the
purpose of occupying the same for preaching and holding public
worship therein; it is, therefore, ordered that the different denominations of christians are allowed to occupy the same for the aforesaid purpose provided that each denomination shall have the use
of the same for one meeting once in four weeks; provided also,
that the different denominations aforesaid shall meet and mutually
agree upon the time or times they shall hold the same, which shall
be in force for one year unless they do not agree on the times they
shall hold their meetings aforesaid, and each denomination failing
to clean up the house and have the same in as good repair as they
found it within three days, it shall forfeit their privilege aforesaid,
and shall at all times be liable to make good all damages done by
such denomination at their meetings aforesaid; and James Smith
shall keep the key of the house aforesaid; it is further provided,
that each denomination aforesaid shall fuirnish the said house with
at least fifty feet of good strong Benches for the use of the house
aforesaid, which shall be left there for the use of all publick busi



124               HISTORY OF
ness which shall be necessary previous to such denomination occupying the said house for the purpose aforesaid."
Eminently catholic and practical-especially the
Bench part!
The brethren could not occupy together in unity,
and accordingly the Commissioners on the 8th of
June, 1813, pass this resolution:
"Resolved, That the court house, from this date, be closed and
kept lockt from all denominations except courts."
This brought about a cessation of hostilities, and
again petitions poured in for use of the court house
agreeing to agree as to time of using it, &c. Thereupon Commissioners Herrod, Cooper and McMillen, on the 22d of June, meet for the special purpose of ordering
"' That the court house be opened as formerly by and under the
same rules as formerly."
One great difficulty was that the, Methodists
were unwilling to let the "New Lights," who had
split off from them, come in under the order as first
made. These were times fraught with great peril
to the churches, as elsewhere recorded.
The following order appears: "Treasurer pay to George Davis
75 cents for being accommodating with load of wood for the court."
John Lee is paid $2 for riding with returns of
Senatorial election  of 1812 to Newark.  John
Shrimplin endeavors to get a road from his mill,
which Wm. Darling, James Rightwire and John
Green report as not of public utility, and the petition is rejected.  Stephen Stilwell is taxed fourfold
for refusing to give in four horses to the lister for




K1OX  COUNiTY.                   125
taxation, and Amos Yarnard is also taxed fourfold
upon one horse. Samuel Kratzer is allowed $1.621
for iron for the jail, and Archibald Crofford $4.75
for iron and labor done on the jail. The rate of
taxation on taverns in'1812 is $8 for all located on
Market st., Mount Vernon, all others on other
streets of Mount Vernon and on road from Mount
Vernon to Newark and in Fredericktown $7, and
all others in the county $6.
In 1814, July, Francis Hardista is taxed fourfold
for refusing to return seven head of cattle to the
lister. G. Downs and J. Martin are allowed $80
for shutters for court house.  And the court house,
but recently erected, is found to need alteration and
repairs, so Solomon Geller purchased the job of
making certain repairs for $799.70. The county,
at this time, seems to have had a troublesome prisoner, as the following payments were made for
standing guard over the prisoner, Beldon:
"Calvin Hill 3 nights, $1.50; Wm. Dehart 10 nights and one
day, $5.50; Henry Burge for 9 nights and one day, $5; James
Irvine 19 nights and one day, $10; John Cramer 13 nights and
one day, $7; Thomas Sprague one night, $1; Samuel Kratzer for
guarding, $7.50; Jacob Woodruff, $14.75; Samuel Breese, constable,.95; Michael Click for trailing after prisoner Beldon, $1;
Eli Gregg $1 for aiding in committing A. Beldon to jail, and Wm.
Dehart for trailing after Beldon, $3."
Thus the snug little sum of $58.20 was expended
in guarding, because Mike Click had convinced the
people that, as he said, the "jail is not,-worth one
tam!"




126- H ISTORY OR
VARIOUS NOVEL ITEMS' AND ADVERTISEMENTS OF THESE TIMES.
"FRIENDLY ADVICE!!
"The person who made so free as to borrow my AXE without my
liberty, is respectfully solicited to return it immediately-otherwise,
he will find his Axe, like the Indian's GUN, to cost more than it
comes to. He can either leave it himself or by proxy at my woodpile.                                        T. BURR.
March 1, 1813."
Oak bark for tanning was worth in April 1813,
at Clinton, $2.50 per cord.  Samuel H. Smith was
then carrying on a tanyard there.
A  concert was held at Mt. Vernon, in the court
house, May 6th, at 10 o'clock, P. A:., under direction of IM1. ID. Lewis, of different singing societies
in the county.  "All those who feel willing to
participate with us are earnestly solicited to attend."
May 3d.  James Smith's Vindication is now published, and offered for sale at Clinton and MIount
Vernon-" for resisting the ecclesiastical power and
authority of their Episcopal dignity, Micthael BEllis
and David YonTg."'"TO WHtOM IT MAY CONCERN.
"This may certify that I was present when Mr. Isaac Beam ex.
amined a trunk and bundle belonging to POLLY MICCRACKEN, for
table cloths, but found nothing resembling such in either trunk or
bundle.                                      T. BURR.
la.y 3, 1814."
George Paul, Col. 27th Infantry, was appointed,
by Maj. General Harrison, to take command of the
recruiting service for the 27th Reg't., and established his office at Zanesville, March, 1814.
"Samuel H. Smith having added a large stock of goods to his
former assortment, will trade for butter, sugar, country linen, rye,
corn, hides, deer skins and furs. Doct. T. Burr is duly authorized




K:NO'X COUNTY.                     127
to attend to his business, and will prescribe GRATIS to purchasers
of drugs and medicines, &c.
December, 1813."
John H. Piatt, of Cincinnati, advertises, April
4th, 1814, for 5,000 barrels flour, and 200 barrels
whisky delivered at Fort Meigs, "or at any convenient place on the Lake shore to save transporta.
tion by land."
Samuel H. Smith gave 75 cents per dozen or 96
cents in fine hats, for Rabbit skins.
GRAND CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM'S BIRTH-DAY, 1814.
On the morning of the 4th of July the flag of
the United States was hoisted near 3Mr. Zebulon
Ashley's dwelling house, on a liberty pole 68 feet
in length, and the day was celebrated by a respectable number of the citizens of Strong's settlement
and its vicinity.  After an elegant dinner 18 toasts
were drank, accompanied with the discharge of
musketry.  From  the nuniber we extract the following:
" The President of the United States, prefers republican principles
to British tyranny —May the Constitution be his life guard.
"The American Sword, which is drawn in defense of our country-May it never be returned till it has pierced the heart of our
enemy.
"Perry and his brave crew on Lake Erie —May they ever be victorious while their swords are drawn in defense of America.
" The United States of America-May they ever be too independent to be governed by any other nation.
"Success to the American Eagle, not forgetting Great Britain,
hoping its kingdom may be brought down."
The others alike partake of the warlike spirit
engendered by tile war, and breathe hate and defianceto tthe foe.




128. ISTORY  OF
CHAPTER XI.
THE ECCENTRIC CHAPTER IN OUR EARLY HISTORY- BEING ALL THAT IS
KNOWN OF THE IIISTORY OF JOHNNY APPLESEED.
AN original character flourished in this part of
the country at an early day, who was always conspicuous in times of excitement and danger, and
his vigilant care of the early settlers entitles him
to a tribute at our hands. The sobriquet of Johnny
Appleseed attached to him, though his real name
was Chapman, in consequence of-his being ever
engaged in gathering and planting appleseed and
cultivating nurseries of apple trees. Many of the
earliest settlers recognized in him an old acquaintance, who had wandered about for years along the
streams of western Pennsylvania, engaged in the
same pursuit and preparing the way for those who
might follow upon his trail to have their own
orchards.
He would find suitable spots of ground along the
banks of creeks and rivers, in which to make small
clearings, and there he would plant the seed he
had gathered,. fence in the ground, and then leave
it to germinate and grow in coming years into fine
nurseries, which he would have in readiness for
the coming settlements.. He would make just as
many nurseries as he could get seed to plant, and




KNox  c OuiNr.              1129
he never lost any time in gathering and preparing
for the future. He did not restrict his operations
to the settled portions of the country, but went
into the wilderness regions and among the Indians
and wild beasts, having his trust in God and fearing no harm.
In personal appearance he was prepossessing,
when one could get sight of his eyes and well
formed head; about medium  height, quick' and
restless and uneasy in his motions, and exceedingly
uncouth in dress. In truth he cared not what he
wore, nor who before 1im might have worn the
garment upon his back —Whether it was too large
or too small for his person. The greater -part of
his t-raffic with the world was in exchanging his
trees, at a nominal price, for old wiorn out clothes.
-He incased his person, at all times, in what might
be called thrown away garments.  for covering-to
the head he was not-particular whether'he wore an
animal's skin, a cloth, -or'tin case.  [e has been
seen with- head gear of each kind, and without foot
apparel of any description.:For a time, after the
war, he wore an old military chapeau, which some
-officer had given him, and thus accoutred he came
suddenly upon a dutchman, who had just moved'
into the country,: and scared him most to death as
he sto.od in his bar-e'feet with "' one tam muscle
shell cocked onEhis head." The sides were ripped;
and' as it floppedd n the wind —on a head covered
with long black hair, a face With a long beard and
dark -black eyes peering out from the vast undergrowth-, -ad a iboy enveloped in a coffee sack with
9




130           HEISTORY  OF
a hole through which he had run his head, it was
enough to frighten any honest dutchman almost
out of his wits.
He lived the roughest kind of a life-slept the
greater part of the time in the woods-by the side
of logs-and on the bare ground. He was harmless and inoffensive-always striving to save the
feelings of mankind and of the brute creation.
Very many anecdotes are remembered characteristic of Johnny Appleseed. The following show
the native goodness of his heart: One night he
built his camp fire at the end of a hollow log, in
which he intended to pass the night, but as a bear
and her cubs had a pre-emption claim to the hole
in the tree, he moved his fire to another spot and
slept all night on the snow, exposed to the storm,
rather than disturb the varmints. Another time,
when he had a camp-fire near the creek where the
musquitoes were very bad and flew into the blaze
and were consumed, he took off his tin head gear,
filled it with water, and put out the fire, saying,
" God forbid, that I should build a fire for my own
comfort that should be the cause of destroying any
of his other created works." And still another is
that one morning he was bitten by a rattlesnake,
and some time after he related the circumstances
with tears in his eyes as he said " poor fellow! he
only just touched me, when in an ungodly passion
I put the heel of my scythe on him and killed him."
He had the following told at the expense of his
bare feet, which had become hardened beyond
belief by long usage " out of doors" and exposure
to the cold. At one time he crossed Lake Erie on




KNOX COUNTY.               131
the ice barefooted, and when night overtook himthe man traveling in company with him was frozen
to death-but old Johnny, by'rolling about on the
ice, kept warm, and in. aftertimes was none the
worse for it.
An old citizen of Mansfield vouches for the following: A traveling preacher was at one time
holding forth on the scriptures in the public square,
to a miscellaneous audience, when he exclaimed,
"where is the barefooted christian traveling to
heaven I." Johnny Appleseed was among the auditors, laying flat on his back on a piece of timber,
and he stuck his bare feet high in the air and cried
out " here he is!"
This artless child of nature was a man of much
intelligence, and in his day and generation, much
as he was hooted at and derided by the scoffers and
jibers of the country, yet did he in his life tilme
perform far more of good than they all did. If it
is true, as claimed, that he who causeth a single
blade of grass to grow, or plants a single shade
tree, is a public benefactor, how much greater is the
meed of praise due to poor old Johnny Appleseecl,
who caused thousands of fruit bearing trees to
grow, and hundredsof orchards to blossom and
bear fruit for the people. What lasting obligations are we not under to him here in Knox county
-in all central Ohio-in western Pennsylvania —
in northern Indiana-and of a verity in all the
"Great West," for our present most excellent fruits.
God preserve his memory! To help perpetuate it
we have devoted this Chapter in our History-to
be read by many whose parents and relatives would




132.  ISTORY'OF
have fallen victims to the relentless hate of the
savage had Johnny Appleseed- not have traveled
-from settlement to settlement along the Mohican,
Owl Creek, the White Woman, the Muskingum,
the Tuscarawas, and other water courses, notifying
the families of the pioneers Of the approach of danger. Much, very much, may also be due this man
of peace, this child of nature, for his kind offices,among the children of nature in turning their
hearts from wrath and averting their purposes of
destruction. Reader —think of these things. Native Owl Creeker ponder over them and cherish
-the memory of good old Johnny Appleseed.
The promises he made he faithfully redeemed.
Among other evidences of his keeping his word,
we have the following:
In 1819, Isalah Roberts, then on his way to Missouri, findinag no boat at Zanesville ready to start
on the trip down the river, footed it to Marietta,
and on the road met with Johnny Appleseed, who
promised to'call at his fathers in Knox county, and
tell him where he parted with him, etc. Shortly
after, Johnny made his appearance one night about
dark, and was cheerfully received. Hle then had
an old tattered coat and slouched hat, with hair
and beard uncut and unicoimbed,:and barefooted.
After eating some supper, -he espied a copy of "Ballou on Atonement," which he took anda-  read for
some time by candle-light, thinking at'first it was
good Swedenborg doctrine, and desired to take it
with him; buit after he. read further,: and found the
kind of doctrine it inculcated, he threw it down
indignantly, expressing his disappointment, an-d in




KNOX  COUNTY.              133
a few moments after stretched himself out, and
went to sleep.
Johnny Appleseed sometimes clipped his beard
with scissors, but never used a razor. His nurseries, near Mount Vernon, were located at the following places: One in the then called Indian
lFields, on'the north bank of Owl Creek, directly'
west of Center. Run, and another on the ground
where James W. Forrest established his pottery,
and known more recently as Rich's pottery.
The last time he was in this country, he took
Joseph Mllahaffey and pointed out to him two lots
of land, at the lower end of Main street, west side,
about where Morey's soap factory was carried on,
which he said belonged to him, and sometime he
might come back to them. The tail-race of the
Clinton Mill Company passed along there, and
some of the ground has since been washed away
by the water, and upon another portion stands the
Ml'ount Vernon Woolen ZFactory building. He has
not been seen about here since 1829; but many a
stray apple-tree that has been found upon the borders of our streams, marked the spots where the
barefo.oted pilgrim had marked his way.
In 1837, the Rev. John Mitchell, when traveling
on the Plymouth Circuit, met him traveling along
the roadl on foot and in his shirt sleeves, as contentedly as a prince. He told him then that he
lived'' out west."
Johnny Appleseed in religious belief was called
a Swedenborgian; in truth, he was of -the primitive Christian style, taking little thought for the
morrow, satisfied that God would provide for his




134            HISTORY  OF
people, living in meekness and humility, and walking uprightly. He had his peculiarities-who have
them not. He had his frailties-who is clear of
them! No wonder the Indians liked him. They
could read his character at a glance. All was revealed by his eye, clear as the sunlight of God. He
was without selfishness; he sought not to intrigue
with or cheat them-he would do them no wrong.
He put confidence in their honor, and they never
would do him wrong. Many and many a time has
that faithful old hermit traveled through the settlements on foot and alone, putting his countrymen
on their guard. Often have we been told of these
trips by those who have passed and now are passing away.  Of him it was strictly and literally
true, as sung by the poet:
"Man wants but little here below,
Nor wants that little long."
A few apple-seeds-a few sprouts-a few old
books to read, and life to him was fall of happiness.
He had been favored with education, men knew
fi-om his knowledge of books, and his desire to read
and have others read induced him at times to distribute Swedenborg's books, and when he had not
enough to go around the company he would tear
them in pieces, and give a part to each. Nothing
more was known of his early days. It was said
that he was from Connecticut —a stray Yankeewho wandered off from the fold into these wilds,
but no one knew for certain as to who he was,
where he came from, or what became of him. We
will give, however, to such as feel an interest in his




KNOX COUNTY.                     135
history all that we have been able to gather of his
later years.
HIaving disposed of many of his nurseries, and
having others destroyed in part, which had began
to grow from  fourteen bushels of apple-seed last
planted by him on Owl Creek, the Black Fork of
Mohican, and the Whetstone, he concluded to migrate farther west, and managing to get an old
mare or two loaded with seeds, he left this part of
the country for Sandusky prairie; and from thence
made his way west,* planting nurseries, and living
after the manner he did here, till finally the old fruit
ripened, and was gathered near Fort Wayne, Indi-,ana, leaving nothing save the fragrance of good
deeds and charitable acts to teach the future that
such a being as Johnny Appleseed had ever been
and passed like'an exhalation-the moisture of the
morning's dew dried up by the heat of the sun at
meridian!
X NOTE. Silas Mitchell informs us since the above was written that in
the fall of 1843, when living in Whiteside's county, Illinois, Johnny Appleseed passed through that county on foot, and stopped all night with
Aaron Jackson, son of Ziba, and left in the morning, stating that he was
then from the Iowa prairies on his way to a Swendenborg Convention in
Philadelphia.




136              HISTORY  OF
- CHAPTER  XII.
KNOX COUNTY DURING THE WAR.-POPULATION PRETTY MUCH AT A STAND
STILL.-EVENTS.-VOLUNTEERS &C.-SOME INCIDENTS OF A MORE STIRRING CHARACTER.-A TOUCH OF INDIAN WARFARE.-FORTS AND BLOC.-.
HOUSES ERECTED TO SAVE LIVES AND SCALPS.
THE settlements in Knox county being upon the
borders, it may be presumed that the news of the
declaration of war in 1812, and the threatening aspect of affairs kept our citizens wide awake and'
active.  The Indians at that time were far more
numerous upon Owl Creek, Mohican and in all
parts of this country than the whites, and they required the closest kind of watching to keep them
from depredating, killing and scalping the people.
North of our present county line, the settlers were
few and far between, and the county of Richland
at that time made its returns to, and for judicial
and other purposes was a part of, Knox. Hence
within our borders, we may say, were enacted some
of the deadliest scenes of slaughter. The killing.
of the Seymours and Rufner, and the massacre at
Copuses are within the recollection of many of our
oldest citizens.  From  several of those who were
at the time familiar with these horrid murders we
have obtained full statements, but as from the termination of the war, and the organization of Richland to thle present, the scenes where the tragedies




KNOX  COUNTY.               137
were enacted have belonged to our sister county, we
will not go into detail in regard to them.
The people clustered together mnore closely than
formerly, and at once made calculations for succor
and plans for defence from the savage foe. A blockhouse was constructed at Frederick, and surrounded
with pickets. After the war the building was converted into a school house. It was a frame, built
on the square under direction of Captain Ayers,
and moved on wheels to a point near where the
railroad now runs. It was used for church and
educational purposes for many years. Many families went to the fort at Frederick for safety. William Mitchell prepared his house for a siege-made
heavy batten doors with iron bars, port holes for
guns, etc. One of his boys rode express, another
kept out with scouting parties, and the old man with
two workmen, who staid with him, were constantly
on the look out for attack. The girls practiced
shooting with rifles, so as to be ready for a large
force of Indians at any time, and with his two dogs,
"Gunner" and "Rover;" that two story log house
was prepared for one fight at least.
At John Lewis' was erected a blockhouse, where
that neighborhood could defend themselves.
Upon the tax duplicate of Madison township, for
the year 1811, is found the names of "James Copus,
4 cattle, 40 cents;" "Philip Zeamore, 1 horse, 30
cents," and "Frederick Zeamore, 2 horses and 2
cattle, 80 cents," as returned to the commissioners
of our county.
These men were among the victims of Indian
barbarity in the commencement of this war. The




138          -HISTORY  OF
Seymour's lived on the Rocky or crooked fork of
the MIohican, a little stream which headed above
Mansfield. They were plain, simple minded people, who had been cultivating a small patch of
ground and making slow but sure improvements on
their location. Their nearest neighbor was a dutch,
man named Martin Rufner, who lived in a little.cabin with only a small dutch boy. The Seymour
family consisted of Frederick and his wife, and
their children Philip and Catharine. One night
four Indians were seen about dark prowling around
the neighborhood of Seymour's house, and Rufner
went to their house and urged Philip to go over to
Mr. Copus and get help from there to capture them.
No sooner had he started than the Indians entered
the front door, when they were received in a friendly
manner, and Catharine at once prepared supper for
them, but the Indians instead of eating at once set
upon the household and proceeded to kill and scalp
them. Rufner was a very strong man and fought
like a tiger, but he was soon overpowered, killed
by two balls through: his body, and left scalped in
the yard and with several of his fingers cut off by
a tomahawk. The father, mother and daughter
were killed and scalped. In a few days after this
an attack was made by a party of Indians upon
the cabins of 3Mr. Copus, who lived at the Black
fort. Some lmen belonging to a scouting party
were- at the time stopping at his house, and four of
them had gone to a spring a few rods off to wash,
when they were fired upon by the Indians who
were hidden from view. Three of the men were
-killed and the fourth escaped into the house with a




KNOX COUNTY.               139
bullet in his thigh. Mr. Copus, when in the act of
looking out the door to see what was the affray,
was shot in the breast, and the' door was at once
closed, and a vigorous resistance made to the attack
of the savages, who came on with terrific yells and
a volley of balls. The daughter of Mr. Copus was
shot in the thigh, and herself and mother for safety
stowed away in the cabin loft. One of the men
had his arm broken by a ball, and the house- was
completely riddled by bullets. Several of the Indians were killed, and at length, after an hour's hard
fighting, they withdrew from the field.,
The particulars of the Seymour massacre, we have
got from a Knox county man who was near the
scene, and saw the place where the hellish deed was
committed the next day. William and Richard
Roberts had been for some time engaged building
a mill for Andrew Newman, within one mile and
a half of Seymour's. The night they were killed
the dog kept- up such a disturbance that Newman
aroused those in the house, telling them "by shure
Indians about, I know py my tog"-the Indians
were then always uppermost in the thoughts. The
guns were got in readiness-a man named Shere
helped load- them as Newman cried out "by shure
I shall spill all my powder, I can't load the gun "and the score axes were also laid hold of, expecting
an attack. There was no sleep for that night, and
early in the morning word was got from Mr. Hill's,
a neighbor, that Seymour's family was killed.,Upon
examination about where the forebay had just been
raised, several moccasin tracks were discovered, and
the evidence was clear that the Indians had medi



140           HIS TOR Y OF
tated an attack there, but feared they were too
strong for them to succeed. During the night
howling as of wolves had been heard about where
the race and dam had been dug. There were but
the four men at Newman's. Within an hour from
the time of hearing of the massacre, Newman got
up his team and took all of his tricks to Mansfield.
William Roberts at once rode around to Seymour's
and viewed the scene.
After this a trader in Mansfield, by name of
Jones, was killed and scalped by the Indians on an
out lot north of the houses near where the depot of
the railroad now is. He had a wife and two children. The Roberts' had at that time a job of work
about one of the blockhouses. The news of this
was carried by Johnny Appleseed, on horseback,
to the Richardson neighborhood, and thence on
to Frederick. The greatest excitement prevailed
throughout the country, and many amusing things
were said and done in this general panic. Among
the most ludicrous was that of Samuel Wilson, who
lived near the Quaker meeting house, and was so
badly scared that he rushed from his house with
his overcoat on and his pantaloons under his arm,
and in that condition ran all the way to Frederick.
Application was made to Gov. Meigs for Rangers, and he sent an order for a company of twelve
to be raised by Abner Ayers, whose beat was assigned them on the frontier, and this, with other
bodies out, kept quiet in the settlements.
The friendly Indians of the uDelaware tribe in
this portion of country were mainly of the Greentown gang. That place, so much talked about by




NOX. COUNTY.                11.:early settlers, was about eight miles northeast from
the Richardson settlement, in Knox county, and
within twelve miles of the Mansfield blockhouses..It was situated in the township of Green, laid out
by our commissioners the 7th of January, 1812..The Intdian village contained about sixty huts, and
a   ncil ouse built of posts and clapboards, sixty
feet by twenty-five feet was its size. From 300 to
-500 Indians congregated about it. During the'summer various acts of hostility were attributed to
this band, and many of the whites, whose friends
and relatives had been killed by the Indians, were
disposed to make no distinction between tribes, but
to kill an Indian whenever it could safely be done.
Collisions.betwween parties of settlers and Greentown Indians became frequent, and it was at length
determined to drive them from the soil. -Two distinct races of people never have or can long live
together in peace-one or the other must remain as
subjects, or seek homes and freedom elsewhere..This little band of Indians became impressed with
this historical truth and made ready to leave —some
few, however, were loth to depart from the hunting grounds of their youth-the graves of their
fathers —the homes of their race.
This was no time for sympathy with the.rae,
and no tears were shed or regrets expressed by the
settlers when the order come from the government
for their removal.. Under direction of the United
S:tates authorities they were removed via. Mansfield to Urbana, and thence to other western lands.
From three of our old citizens, then young soldiers
of Major Kratzer's command, we have gathered




142            HISTORY OF.
the particulars of their transfer, and have been told
of a most brutal act committed by some white men,
which shows more fully than language can express,
the feelings of the'greater part, if not all of this
christian people. At the Mansfield station, our
good old pastor, then of the Methodist, but subsequently of the New Light persuasion, James Smith,
was officiating as Chaplain to the Regiment-for
even in those early times soldiers thought such an
officer necessary to their welfare. While there an
Indian and his plighted squaw came up to the Reverend Smith to have him marry them in the most
approved manner of whites. While the guard were
looking at the performance of the ceremony, an
old Indian and his daughter made their escape, but
before they got a mile off they were discovered by
two men from Coshocton, named McCulloch and
Morrison. Morrison shot the old Indian, who ran
a short distance and fell to the ground. The young
girl fled to the woods. The men having shot the
Indian ran back to the blockhouse greatly excited
and told their exploit, and under Kratzer's orders
Sergeant. Gilkison, with a squad of twelve, followed
up the Indian to the spot where he lay bleeding
from the wound of a bullet in his chest, and to Gilkison's inquiry as to who he was, he replied "a
friend." Morrison and. McCulloch having joined
the band at this answer, the latter exclaimed " d-m
you! I'll make a friend of you! " and struck at his
head with his tomahawk. And then stamped his
foot on the neck of the dying Indian and sunk his
tomahawk in his head. Sergeant Gilkison tried to
prevent this fiendish act but could not accomplish




KNOX  CO- U: UNTY.                 143
it.' IMany of the old settlers tell of this feat of 3A]eCulloch's with great gusto, and add that he subsequently roved about among the western wilds taking
revenge for two of his brothers who had been killed
by Indians, by waylaying and shooting down and
scalping every friendly or hostile Indian he met.
Such are some of the traditions of frontier life.
The'early settlers underwent many hardships and
privations; but their sufferings from the savage foe
were greater than the imagination of their descendants who occupy beds of down at night and cushoins of quilted ease by day-who dress in silks, satins, and fine velvets with furbelows —who clothe
themselves in purple and fine linen -can realize or
comprehend.
MUSTER ROLL OF CAPT. JOSEPH WALKER'S COMPANY, UNDER
THE COMMAND OF COLONEL LEWIS CASS, MUSTERED TO THE
FIRST OF NOVEMBER, 1812.
Joseph Walker, Captain, engaged $th June for 12 months.
~ R. M. Brown, Lieutenant.  Saml. Everett, 1st Corporal.
John Elliott, 1st Sergeant.    George Dickinson, 2d"
John Barney, 2d   "        Josiah Trimbly, 3d
Archd. Crawford, 3d "      Lewis Grindstaff, 4th"
Peter Kyle, 4th
PRIVATES:
Abram Emmett,   Alexr. Walker,'Rivenus Newel,
Saml. Yoman,     Philip Walker,    Daniel Swagert,
Michael Barton,   Robert Davidson,  Emanuel Hawn,
Jacob Wolf,      Andrew Welker,  Adam Lynn,
John Smith,      Powel Welker,    Michael Davis,
Harley Strong,    Paris Sprague,    Nicholas Kyle,
Alex. Enos,      Isaac Rogers,    WWm. Wallace.
John Wefford,    Joseph King,     Rawley Clark, fifer.
James Wood,      John Ryan,       Henry Clemmens,
John Sunderland;  John McConnell,    drummer.
David Elwell,    Benjn. Simpkins,




144           ni 8l TVORY Yo.i
Among the numbier of volunteers was JoEiK H.
IM3EF0ORD, a native of Connelsville, Fayette co.,
Pa., who at the time of the breaking out of the
war was teaching school in Hawkins' neighborhood, about five miles from Shrimplen's mill. -He
served under Capt. Walker and also in Capt. John
Spencer's company, of which last he was a Lieutenant and had command after Hull's surrender.
After his return to Mount Vernon he married
Abigail Mitchell, Iand worked at his trade, as a
saddler, in partnership with his brother. He served
the people as Justice of the Peace and as Associate
Judge, and was a mian of much popularity. He
was possessed of some poetical talent, and it is said,
by some, was the author of a noted song about':"Hull's surrender."  He was a good singer, which,
in early times, in a country, is considered a great
accomplishment. He died at Findlay about 1845,
leaving two boys and three girls. His widow survives, and with the family now resides at Norwalk.
Another was Richard Montgomery Brown, whose
name will be found as Lieutenant in Capt. Walker's
company. He was born in Massachusetts, of revolutionary stock. His father, Samuel Brown, was
under Montgomery at Quebec, was.taken and imprisoned 9 months, and was subsequently a pensioner of the U. S.: is father emigrated to Brooke
county, Virginia, and from thence to the neighborhood of St. Clairsville, Ohio, in 1805:; from there,
in Oct., 1811, Richard M. moved to Mount Vernon,
and engaged at his trade as a chairmaker and house
painter. He has been in three new countries where
the Indians yet were inhabitants. When he lived




KNOX COUNTY.              145
in Brooke county, Va., no roads were then cleared
out, nor streets in Wellsville or St. Clairsville.
Indians then and there were plenty and savage.
He volunteered at Mount Vernon, June 8th, 1812;
and was mainly instrumental in getting up the
company to which he belonged. One company
was then raised at Newark and another at Granville. Enos was then Col. and Kratzer Major of
the militia. Major Munson, the recruiting officer,
came to Mount Vernon when the Regiment was
out on parade, and on call for volunteers the whole
company of Joseph Walker, with Brown as Lieutenant, turned out. There were 42 in the company. Emanuel Hawn was to have been Ensign,
but no election was gone into for that office on
account of a quarrel with the Clintonites. They
volunteered for one year, and served until surrendered by Gen. Hull, in August. This company
mustered in a Regiment, of which Lewis Casswas
Col., and the other officers, my informant believes,
were Munson, Major, and Norton, Adjutant.
The company rendezvoused at Urbana with regiments of Col. McArthur and Col. Findlay, of
Hull's brigade, and from thence marched to Detroit. They were piloted on an Indian trail to Detroit, by roads which were cut out from the Scioto
to the Maumee, and from there to French Creek
and River Raisin, etc., following trails. A band,
part Indians and part white blood —the Zanes and
MIcCullochs, of Zanesfield near Bellefontaine, who
had intermarried with Indians, and they had half
breed children, acted as principal pilots. When
Hull surrendered, Walker's company returned by
10...




146           IaISTORY OF
(Greentown, Black Fork of -ohican and Wooster.
The militia of the county was then called out en
masse by lajor Kratzer, and every man in Mount
Vernon went out to guard the frontier but old
-George Lybarger, who was left in charge of the
women and children. When ZFort Meigs was beseiged Lieut. Brown, now Captain by brevet, says
that two thirds of the men in the county went on
to the F ort, and after the siege was raised he returned, having in his company Swigert from Fairfield, a man from Coshocton and some from other
counties. All men who could go-impelled by the
sense of danger went without delay-singly and
not waiting for battalions.
Capt. Brown in 1816 married Mary Hawn, and
settled down to his trade, at which he succeeded in
makting a competency, -and now in his 73d year,
with his wife and a portion of his children yet lives
in  Mount Vernon. Two of his children, James F.
and IMrs. Elizabeth UJpdegraff, now reside in Wisconsin; two, Samuel R. and George W. in Colorado
Territory, and one Mrs. Mary Sapp in Nebraska.
Colonel Alex. Enos, was one of the number surrendered up by General Hull, and on his return he
attempted to take command of the men -raised in
Knox county, but Major KBratzer:contended, that
~as he'Was a prisoner of war, he had no longer a
Tright- to the command.
Another.active man in these times was Captain
John Greer, who riaised a company in the eastern
part of the county, of which Daniel Sapp was
Lieutenant, and George Sapp, Ensign.
The regimental adjutant was John Stilley; surgeon, Dr. Timothy Burr; chaplain, Rev. Jas. Smith.




KNOX OuONuTY,                    147
CHAPTER XIII.
NOTABLE EVENTS OF 1815.
NINETEEN INDICTMENTS FOR FIGHTS AND 7FRAYS.-NEW ROADS ESTABLISHED.
-TIIE JAIL A COSTLY THING.-LICENSES TO PREACH, TO SELL AND TO ENTERTAIN. -THIE SUPREME COURT FOR SEVEN TERMS.-THE OLD FOLKS SING.WHAT PAY SOLDIERS RECEIVED IN OLDEN TIME.-THE LAWYERS GET INTO
THE 0OUNTY.-ELECTION OF 1'815 FOR STATE AND COUNTY OFFICERS.
THE Grand Jury at the spring term of Common
Pleas Court consisted of Anthony Banning, foreman, John DMerritt, Peter Bricker, John Hawn,
David Hawn, John Green, Win. Marquis, George
Davis,:M1oses Craig, James Strange, Azariahl Davis,
Jacob Martin, Benjamin Bell and Gilman Bryant.
They returned 19 indictments for "assault and
battery" and "affrays."  Quite a number of the
parties plead guilty, and were fined'2 and costs.
Of this Grand Jury but one man is now living.
Adnal Hersey, of the Christian Church, was licensed to marry.  John Cook, of the Baptist, was also
licensed to do the same.  Samuel Mott was appointed Master Commissioner in chancery.  Tavern licenses were granted this year to Jonathan Hunt,
Elisha Cornwall, Abner Ayres, John Baxter and
A. H. Royce; and store license to Nicholas McCarty, George Girty, Eli Miller, Anthony Banning,
L. Silliman, Gilman Bryant, John Wilson and.......




148           HISTORY  OF
James N; Ayres. Two important roads are opened
this year, namely: from Mount Vernon towards
Sandusky, under the supervision of John Lewis, as
commissioner, for which he is granted by the county
commissioners orders for $100, and is paid $15 for
his services; another, a road opened by Benjamin
Rush, as commissioner, to Mansfield, for which services he is paid $9, and $200 is expended by the
county in work upon the same. Among the bills
paid in November, 1818, by the commissioners, are:
to Anthony Banning, for 1824 lbs. iron, and brick
for jail, $26.55, and Archibald Crofferd, for the following work for the county: 1 pr. hand-cuffs, $3;
1 hasp, 50 cents; shackles and hasp, $1.50; 2 grates,
$13.80; eight spikes, 50 cents-$19.50. The job of
making further improvements to the jail and jailor's
house is given to Win. Douglass at $125. The
commissioners were determined, if possible, to make
the jail burglar proof. That little log thing was a
great institution truly —a first rate concern to sink
money in, without any prospect of ever getting it
back.
SUPREME COURT —1810-16.
The first session of the Supreme Court of the State
of Ohio held in Knox county was on the 3d day of
August, 1810, by Honorables William W. Irwin
and Ethan Allen Brown.
James Smith was appointed clerk for seven years.
The only cases were those of the State vs. Ichabod
Nye and Samuel Nye. Upon oath by the defendants that they did not believe an impartial trial




KNOX COUNTY.               149
could be had, the venue was changed to Licking
county.
E. Herrick, Esq., attended as prosecuting attorney.
The secondc session was held May 1st, 1811, but
two causes were on the docket. Sylvenias Lawrence, for the use of Benjamin Rush, vs. George
Davidson, and James Peuthres vs. Samuel Kratzer;
both of which were dismissed. No other business
was to be transacted, and the court adjourned until
the next court in course.
The third term was held April 9th, 1812. In
addition to the former cases the docket shows the
following: Joseph Butler vs. Elizabeth Vendrew;
Win. W. iFarquhar vs. James Craig; Andrew Craig
vs. Henry McCart'and James Cunningham; James
Smith vs. Samuel H. Smith; Henry Smith vs. Benjamin Barney; Henry Smith vs. Samuel H. Smlith
and Benjamin Barney; and Thomas Slater vs.
Lovina Slater. Attachments were issued vs. Amos
Yarnold and Alexander Enos for refusing to attend
as witnesses.
The case of Slater vs. Slater is the first divorce
question ever presented in Knox county.
The folurth term was held on the 2d of August,
1813, by Thomas Scott and Ethan A. Brown.
W11. C. Enos was qualified as attorney and coun
sellor at law as the law requires.
The case of Lawrence for use of Rush is dismissed for want of bond to prosecute the appeal.
In Craig.vs. MIAcCart and Cunningham, judgment
of non-suit is entered, because of non-appearance of
plaintiff. Farquhar vs. Craig is continued, and the




15:0           HIISTORY  OF
defendant is to pay all costs of this term within six
months, or judgment, &c. John Jones vs. Joseph
-CherryHolmesand GeorgeLybarger-the complainant being thrice called did not appear, nor any per
son to prosecute this suit for him, therefore the injunction is dissolved and bill dismissed. The injunction case of Benjamin Barney vs. Henry Smith
is heard by counsel, and the injunction is made
perpetual, plaintiff to pay all costs. James Smith
vs. Samuel H. Smith is argued by counsel, and the
court decide that the defendant go hence, without
day, and recover of plaintiff costs, &c. David Davis
vs. John Cambridge; removed from Licking county,
is continued. Slater's divorce petition is dismissed
at cost of'plaintiff. Lewis Dent and Co. vs. John
Wheeler-judgment for plaintiff for $493.80 and
costs. Another divorce case, Isaac Bonnet vs..Elizabeth Bonnet, is continued at cost of plaintiff,
to be paid in.six months, and upon condition that
he give personal notice to the defendant of the
pending of this suit in six months.
On the evening of the 3d of August, having spent
two days, court adjourned.
The fifth term was held August 15, 1814 —Judes,
William W. Irwin and Ethan A. Brown.
John Williamson vs. Samuel IFarquhar is continued at defendant's cost.
Isaac Bonnet vs. Mary Bonnet, divorce. "After
argument the court continued the cause under advisement until the Coshocton Supreme Court, their
decision to be certified from that or some other
Court to this Court." The first jury cause ever tried




KNOX COUNTY.               151
in the Supreme Court for this county is that of
Win. W. FIarquhar vs. James Craig.
Jury —Winm. Harriss, John Harriss, John Sawyer,
Jacob Cooper, John Kerr, Bartholomew Bartlett,
John Davidson, John Wilson, Thomas White,
Francis Mitchell, Isaac Bonnet and Benjamin Martin. Verdict for plaintiff, $103.60. A motion is
made by defendant for a new trial, argued by counsel, and overruled by Court.
The State of Ohio vs. Martin ID. Lewis. On
indictment by Grand Jury of Licking county for
larceny. On motion, and affidavit of defendant,
the Court ordered venue to be changed to this county, on defendant giving bond for $:500 and security
in $200 to appear first day of next term. Henry
Markley becomes his security. After two days'
session, Court adjourned.
The sixth term  was held August 7th, 1815.
Judges-Ethan A. Brown and John A. Couch,
who produced his commission in, room of Hon.
Thomas Scott, resigned, &c.
The only jury trial was that of Samuel Mott vs.
Gilman Bryant, Jury —Isaac Vore, Sr., John Vennoms, Samuel Durbin, James McGibeny, Joseph
Hunt, John Arbuckle, Thomas Williams, Moses
]Merrit, George Dial, Wm. Sapp and John Stilley.
Verdict for plaintiff, $5 and costs. Josiah Hedges
vs. Samuel Kratzer, Andrew Craig and George
Davis. Default against defendants, and cause continued for inquiry. Anthony Banning vs. Samuel Kratzer and John Williamson.  On motion
of plaintiff's counsel for dismission of appeal,.on
hearing the arguments of the parties by their




152            HISTORY  OF
counsel, it is therefore ordered that the motion be
overruled.
August Sth, 1815. John Williamson vs. Samuel
]Farquhar. Continued till next term, on motion
and affidavit of plaintiff, and at his costs. Wm.
W. Alexander vs. John Wilson. Suit dismissed at
costs of defendant, except docket fee in court below, which is not to be taxed to either party. Anthony Banning vs. Samuel Kratzer and John Williamson. Decree by court for plaintiff, "as per
decree on file, signed by Chief Judge."
The above is a faithful abstract of all the business of this, the sixth, term of the Supreme Court.
The seventh term was held August 15th, 1816,
by Judges Brown and Couch, the latter having
produced his commission for seven years from the
14th of February, 1816. But one cause was tried
by jury-M-oses Robison vs. Isaac Dial. Verdict
for plaintiff, $104.80 and costs. Williamson vs.
Farquhar is again continued, with leave to amend,
and at costs of plaintiff. Stephen H. 1cDougal],
assignee of Win. Taylor, vs. Enoch Harris. Judg-ment by default, for $88.80 and costs. There are
four other cases upon the docket, in all of which our
old friend Samuel H. Smith figures as plaintiff or
defendant. The other parties are Robert Fulton,
Erasmus Beaty, Levi Davis, Joseph Walker, administrator of Philip Walker, and John Walker. On
the 16th court adjourned till next court in course.
The entire business of seven terms of the Supreme Court for Knox County we have given, that
our readers may form an idea of the amount and




KNOX  COouNtY.               152
kind of business dispatched, as also of the old
settlers then participating in the luxury of law!
OTHER MATTERS OF SOME DEGREE OF INTEREST.
In February, 1815, George Girty opened a store
in Mount Vernon, and also one at Fredericktown.
There was but little increase in the number ol
business men or in other respects this year.
On the 8th of April a "Singing Assembly" ol
ladies and gentlemen, comprising different singing
societies in the county, gave a grand concert at the
court-house in Mount Vernon, at 1 o'clock P. M.
All persons feeling willing to unite and participate
in the exercises came. It was one of the olden
kind of gatherings, like the "Old Folks' Concert"
given in Mount Vernon this spring of 1862, as we
have been assured by one of the vocalists who participated in both "singing assemblies."
In these war times, while some are disposed to
grumble at the low rates soldiers receive, it may
be well to remind them of the pay in 1815. In
March the pay of non-commissioned officers and
privates in the army of the United States was reduced to the following prices: To each sergeantmajor and quartermaster-sergeant, 9 dollars; sergeants, 8 dollars; corporals, 7 dollars; teachers of
music, 8 dollars; musicians, 6 dollars; artificers,
10 dollars; and privates, 5 dollars.
Samuel Mott had come all the way from Vermont to practice law in the wilderness, and was
the first lawyer resident in the county. Enos was
the second, who, one of the old settlers says, had




154          lHISTORY  OF
just been made at home, and "wasn't lawyer enough
to hurt."
May 9th, H. Curtis takes this way of inforning
his friends and the public that he has changed his
place of residence from Newark to Mount Vernon,
and, in the vacations of the courts, clients will find
him in the town of Mount Vernon. In 1817 he
became a fixture of the county, and here remained
until 1858, as elsewhere told.
At the October election this whole county polled
345 votes. Alexander Enos was chosen Representative; John Shaw, Sheriff; Conmmissioner, Jonathan Miller; Coroner, Dr. W. Hastings.
Richland county, at this election, gave for Representative-Winn Winship, 156; A. Enos, 22;
Robert McMdllen, 10.




KNOX COUNTY                    155
CHAPTER XIV.
MASONIC INSTITUTIONS.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF MASONRY IN KNOX COUNTY. -ITS ORIGIN. -CHRONOLOGICAL STATEMENT OF ITS EARLY EVENTS AND PUBLIC TRANSACTIONSAND THE PRESENT CONDITION OF TI{E VARIOUS ORDERS.
To the members of the craft the early history of
Masonry is of deep and abiding interest.  It dates
back in the history of our county, as in that of the
world, to a very remote period; and its ancient
transactions will in the future be regarded with
greater concern.  The space allotted to this branch
of our work will allow but brief mention of the origin and action of l\Mount Zion Lodge, as established
at Clinton, and subsequently removed to M[ount
Vernon, and a chronological statement of public
occurrences, celebrations, funerals, etc.
The first meeting of delegates from all the Lodges
in the State of Ohio was held at Chillicothe, on the
first Monday of January, A. ID. 1808, A. L. 5808,
whereat, on motion of Brother Lewis Cass, it was
resolved "that it is expedient to form  a GRAND
LODGE in the State of Ohio."  General Rufus Putnam  was elected on the 7th of January Rt. W.
Grand Master, and other business pertinent to permanent organization was transacted. At the Grand




156            HISTORY  OF
Communication held at Chillicothe the 2d day of
January, A. L. 5809, A. ID. 1809, a petition was
presented, signed by Brothers Samuel H. Smith,
Nathaniel W. Little, Richard Fishback, William
Little, Alexander Enos, Jr., Iclabod Nye and
Thomas Brown, praying this Grand Lodge to grant
them a charter, to form a Lodge, by the name of
" Mount Zion Lodge, No. -," which was read, and
on motion seconded,
"Ordered, that until a charter can be made and granted to said
brethren, for the aforesaid purpose, they shall be entitled to receive
a dispensation therefor."
By reference to the proceedings of the Grand
Lodge of Ohio, held in Chillicothe, A. L. 5810,
A. D. 1810, we find " Samuel H. Smith, representative of Mount Zion Lodge, No. -."
In the same year that Knox county was organized the initiatory steps were taken for the organization of a Masonic Lodge; the petition drawn up
for this purpose, as above recited, was presented in
the first month of the following year, 1809, and the
original dispensation was numbered "7," though
subsequently changed to "9."
The first Master of the Lodge was Samuel H.
Smith. The first public installation of officers was:
Samuel H. Smith, W. M.; Alfred Manning, S. W.;
Ichabod Nye, J. W.; Samuel Nye, Treasurer;
Oliver Strong, Secretary; Win. IF. Roberts, S. D.;
James Miller, J. D.; Win. Bartlett, Peter Wolf,
Stewards; Richard Fishback, Tyler.
Among the members of the Lodge in 1811 and
1812 were: Amoriah Watson, George ]Downs, Peter




KNOX  COUNT Y.              157
Kinney, John Barney, Abner Ayres, John Wheeler,
Charles Barney, R1. N. Powers, Charles Lofland,
Jesse Proctor, Winn Winship, Rufus Crosby,
Nicholas C. Boalse, P. M.
Among the visiting brethren were: Wm. Erwin,
Wm. Andrews, John Clark, Robert Glass, Lemuel
Chapman, Samuel Choate, P. M., Riverius Newell,
P. M., from Vermont.
The standing committee for 1811 consisted of
Nicholas C. Boalse, Oliver Strong, Alfred Manning.
The Representative to the Grand Lodge in Chillicothe, January, 1812, was Alfred MIanning.
Royal N. Powers succeeded Samuel H. Smith as
W. M., and he was also elected Representative to
the Grand Lodge. Alfred Manning was W. M'I.
after Powers.
Daniel Dimmick was made a W. M. June 20th,
1812, and Lewis Jones, Richard Crooks, Thomas
lRowland, Garret E. Pendergrass, Major Phineas
Reed, among others, were also raised.
Amoriah and Samuel Watson, at their request,
were permitted to pay their dues as quarterly members.
In October it was voted to remove this Lodge to
the brick house in Clinton belonging to Bro. Samuel
H. Smith.
Samuel Everett and Valentine Giesy were among
the visiting members.
John Greer, John Garrison, John Haldeman and
Thomas McClure were initiated in January, 1813.
Winn Winship and Levi Jones are considered
quarterly members. Their residence, like the Wat



158. HISTORY  OF
son's, was in Richland county, a considerable distance off.
June 24th, 1813, St. John the Baptist's day, was
duly commlemorated. An able oration was delivered by Bro. Winn Winship, and in procession the
brethren marched to Bro. Boalse, and partook of a
sumptuous dinner. Among the items of the Steward's bill, appears —" this, with the musician's bill,,$ -."  Our venerable friend and brother, Judge
Ezra Griswold, of Delaware, this spring gave us an
interesting account of this celebration. He was
present as one of the musicians, belonging to the
first band organized in this part of the State; he at
an early day went far as well as near to celebrations, etc.
The Judge formerly lived at Worthington, and
is one of the pioneers of the press in this State.
Among the brethren of the mystic tie present
were Gilman Bryant, George Downs, James Low,
Lothrop Shirtliff, frolm New York, Wmn. Anderson.
In 1814, at the meeting of the Grand Lodge in
Chillicothe, Samuel H. Smith was the Representative. The returns at this time show 27 members,
3 fellow-crafts and 3 apprentices, one suspended
and one expelled.
John Shaw, Ichabod Marshal, Robert Buchanan,
Samuel Yeoman, James L..Priest, Edward Wheeler, George Dickinson, Daniel Ayr-es, John P. McArdle, Cyr-us ILangworthy and- G. B. Maxfield are
among the number initiated and receiving the M-aster's Degree this year.
The -Rev. Bro.'Fuller delivered a di'scourse to




KNOX COUNTY.              159
the Masonic Society of Mount Zion Lodge, in Clinton, on Wednesday, May 8th, 1814.
Mount Zion Lodge, No. 7, celebrated the festival
of St. John the Baptist at Clinton, on the 24th of
June, at 10 o'clock A.M., by public procession and
a sermon at the meeting-house by Rev.:Bro. Josephus S. Hughes.
On the 27th of December, Bros. John Shaw, J.
P. McArdle and Ichabod Marshal, the Standing
Committee, agreed with Bro. Ichabod Nye for
Lodge-room and refreshments the ensuing year.
Among the visiting brethren were Samuel Chapman, Samuel Choate, P. M., Thomas Munson, Joseph Brown, Wm. Bartlett and John Hawn.
The first funeral attended by the fraternity in
this county was that of Richard Fishbacki merchant, of Clinton, who died in his 36th year, and
was buried with Masonic honors on the 23d of May.
1815.-The anniversary of St. John the Baptist
was celebrated in Clinton by procession and the
delivery of addresses by Bros. Yandeman and Curtis. Among the brethren present were M/[artin
M. Kellogg, Wmn. Wallace,    Htallerman,
Forbes, Benj. Helman and Daniel Dimmick.
The Lodge proposed to contract for the new.
Lodge-room, and the committee reported the
amount of money in the coffers for said purpose,
$134.80. In November a resolution passed, requesting the Grand Lodge to grant authority to
change sessions to Mount Vernon.
The -second Masonic funeral -was that of Bro.
Robert Glass, December 3d, 1815.




160                  HISTORY OF
In 1816, Winn Winship was Representative to
the Grand Lodge.
Among the visiting brethren of this year were
Win. Webster, Robert D. MIoore, of Youghiogheny
Lodge, No. 10, Pa., and John Warden, of Pa.
The Standing Committee of this year consisted
of John Shaw, Timothy Burr and Joseph Brown.
There are very many items of deep interest connected with the history of the Lodge at Clinton.
The action of the pioneers of MBasonry in Knox
will in the distant future be regarded with much
curiosity by those whose privilege it is to lift the
vail and tread within its sacred precincts.  ~For the
present we rest.
MOUNT ZION LODGE, NO. 9, AT MOUNT VERNON.
By virtue of a dispensation of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, predicated upon a petition included in a resolution of De Witt Clinton
Lodge, No. 9, introduced Mlay 8th, 1816, and passed by a vote of
the brethren on the 5th of June thereafter, and taking into consideration also the reasonable request of said prayer that said
Lodge may be removed from Clinton in Knox county to Mount
Vernon in said county, and authorized to hold their meetings at
said town of Mount Vernon, by virtue of the present charter,
Henry Brush, Grand Master, and by resolution of Grand Lodge
at their last Grand Annual Communication, did grant full power
and lawful authority to hold their regular and special meetings at
Mount Vernon.
Done at Miasons' Hall, Chillicothe, this 7th day of March, in
the year of our redemption 1817, and of 3Masonry 5817.
By the Grand MIaster,         HEN~RY BRUSH.
I. KERCHEVAL, Gr'and Secretary.
A  meeting was accordingly held by the Free and
Accepted M]]Zasons, inhabitants of M3-ount Vernon,
on the 5th day of April, 1817, A. L. 5817, at the




KNox COUNTY.                       161
court-house.  Bro. Joseph Brown, Chairman, and
Bro. Robert D. Moore, Secretary.  The communication from the Grand Lodge was read and accepted, and a committee to draft a system of By-Laws
for the government of the Lodge was appointed,
consisting of John Shaw, John P. lecArdle and
Joseph Brown.
Ordered, that the next meeting be held at the court-house, on
the 11th inst., for the purpose of organizing a Lodge. On motion
made and seconded, that we must meet at 3 o'clock P. M. of the
11th inst.; decided in the affirmative, and adjourned in harmony.
MOUNT VERNON, 11th April, A.D. 1817, A.L.5 817.
At said communication of Mount Zion Lodge, No. 9, the organization of the Lodge was effected, and the By-Laws reported
and adopted. Bro. Alfred Manning, W. M.; John P. McArdle,
S. W. p. t.; Robert Buchanan, J. W. p. t.; Joseph Brown, Se. p. t.;
Jonathan Miller, T. p. t.; Robt. D. Moore, S.D. p. t.; Hosmer Curtis, J. D. p. t.; Gilman Bryant, T. p. t.; John Shaw, John Roberts,
John Warden and Orange Granger, Visiting Brethren.
On the 6th day of June the following officers
were regularly elected, viz: Alfred Manning, W.
M.; John P. McArdle, S. W.; John Shaw, J. W.;
Joseph Brown, S.; Gilman Bryant, T.; Royal ID.
Simons, S. D.; Robert Buchanan, J. D.; John Roberts, S.; James Miller, T.  On the 24th day of June
they were installed at 9 o'clock A. M., and the anniversary of St. John the Baptist was duly commemorated.  A  procession was formed, under direction of Bro. Robert D. Moore, as Marshal, and,
after marching to the court-house, a sermon was
delivered by the Rev. James Smith, and the Lodge
walked in procession to 1Mr. Zimmerman's tavern
and partook of a sumptuous dinner. Those present
11




162             HISTORY  OF
and participating were: Past Masters Royal D.
Simons, Robert D. Moore, Samuel H. Smith, and
tRiverius Newell; Master Masons, G. B. Maxfield,
William Bartlett, John Warden, Reeve Chapman;
and visiting brethren, Hosmer Curtis, Winm. Guyan,
Shipman, Ichabod Nye, Lemuel Potter, A. P.
Ashley, Samuel Nye; Fellow Crafts, Andrew C.
Johnson and Wm. McCartney.
The members of Mount Zion Lodge, No. 9, of
F. and A. Masons, met at Masonic Hall, in Mount
Vernon, at the hour of 9 o'clock A. M., June 24th,
1817, for the purpose of celebrating the anniversary
of Saint John the Baptist. The Rev. James Smith
delivered the address.
Alfred Manning was the Representative to the
Grand Lodge in 1817.
This year Henry Brush, of Chillicothe, was
R.W.G.M., at Grand Lodge July 5th. Philemon
Beecher, of Lancaster, Deputy.
From the Minutes of the Grand Lodge at Chillicothe we extract the following, relating to one
who, for many years, resided in our county-a public benefactor, distinguished as well for his masonic
zeal and faithfulness as for his piety and learning:
" August 4th. The Reverend Philander Chase delivered the
address to the Grand Lodge.
It Ordered, that the sum of $50 be paid out of the funds of the
Grand Lodge to the Rev. Bro. Chase, as a testimony of respect for
the discourse delivered by him yesterday."-Minutes, August 5th,
1817.
Since we undertook this work, we have met with
an aged brother who often sat by the side of Bro.
Chase in the Lodge room, and gave us several in



KNOX COUN~TY.              163
teresting incidents in the masonic life of the
Bishop.
August 1st, 1817, Alexander Elliott and Emanuel:Hawn were duly initiated E. A.; on the 5th of
September they became F. C.; and, on the 3d of
October, Master's degree conferred on the former,
and Nov. 2d, on the latter.
Andrew C. Johnson was the first Master raised
in this Lodge, September 5th, 1817.
Andrew Clark and Samuel Pyle received the
first degree September 5th, 1817; the second, October 3d; the third, November 2d.
Samuel Hawn, E. A., Oct. 3d; F. C., Nov. 2d;
M. M., Dec. 5th.
1819, January 12th. —Fee of Bro. Joseph Moody
to become F. C., paid in chartered paper $4, and of
Bro. Nicholas McCarty, in Owl Creek paper, $5.
The Festival of St. John the Baptist was commemorated, in 1818, by a public procession, address at the court-house, and dinner at Joseph'Brown's. Rev. Bro. Nathan B. Johnson delivered
the address.
The first mansonic funeral by this Lodge, after its
removal to Mount Vernon, was that of Andrew
M. Roberts, who departed this life April 17th, aged
27 years. He was consigned to mother earth April
18th. Bro. Thomas Rigdon preached the funeral
discourse at the court-house from these words"Be ye also ready."
Bro. Royal D. Simons, W.M.; Nicholas McCarty, Secretary.
The Lodge had the satisfaction of commemorating St. John the Baptist's anniversary in their




164            HISTORY  OF
new hall in the second story of the new brick school
house on the hill.
Royal D. Simons was the Representative to the
Grand Lodge in 1819, and also in 1820. Among
the officers of the Grand Lodge elected at the latter communication was M. Rev. Philander Chase,
Grand Chaplain.
December 27th, 1820, a public installation of officers of the Lodge took place in lower room of the
Lodge building, where a sermon was delivered by
the Rev. Joseph Carper. Alexander Elliott, W.M.
April 27th, 1821, M.W. John Snow, G.M., visited the Lodge.
The second masonic funeral was that of Bro. N.
C. Boalse, August 10th, 1821.
1822. The Festival of St. John the Baptist commemorated. A procession was formed by John
Shaw, Marshal, and marched to the court-house,
where the oration delivered by Brother Cook, at
Sandusky, in 1819, was read by Bro. Jo. Brown,
after which the brethren partook of an elegant dinner at Mr. Eli Miller's tavern, and then returned
to the Lodge room. Among the visiting brethren
in attendance were-Samuel Wolf, John W. Harter and James Mumford from Mansfield; Win.
Allison and John Allison from Lodge No. 123,
Waynesburg, Pa.; Win. Coonrod, John F. Adams,
Alvin Corbin, Abner Ayres, and others.
The Representative to the Grand Lodge at Columrbus, in 1823, was Bro. Royal ID. Simons.
In 1824, H. Curtis and Joseph Brown were the
IRepresentatives.
The anniversary of St. John the Evangelist was




KNOX  COUNTY.              165
commenorated by the Lodge, December 27th, 1824.
Bro. Joseph Brown, as Marshal, formed the brethren in procession, and after marching to the Presbyterian Church, and hearing an address by Rev.
Janmes Scott, the officers elect were duly installed
according to ancient usages, and the Lodge and
brethren present then returned in solemn procession to the Lodge room. H. Curtis, W.M.
The funeral of Bro. John Warden was attended
by the Lodge, May 25th, 1825; Thomas Rigdon
acting as Chaplain. The ceremonies were performed according to ancient usage.
The Rev. Bro. Badger, Elder of the Christian
Church, delivered a masonic address in Mount
Vernon, January 31st, 1826.
1826. The anniversary of St. John the Baptist
was duly commemorated. The VIMasonic Address
was delivered by Bro. Ahab Jenks, of Granville.
August 26th. Bro. Royal ID. Simons was, by the
Lodge, buried according to ancient usages. Bro.
Benj. IE. Taylor superintending Marshal; Winm.
Bevans Marshal for the Fraternity. Elder James
Smith delivered the funeral discourse.
1827. Bro. H. Curtis was the Representative to
the Grand Lodge.
1828, June 241th. The brethren in procession,
under direction of Bros. Day and Tracy, marched
to the Presbyterian Church, where an excellent
discourse was delivered by Bro. James IMcMahon;
after which a very good dinner was served up at
the house of Bro. W. E. Da-vidson.
1828. XI. B. Curtis was the Representative to
the Grand Lodge.




166           HISTORY OF
1829. H. Curtis and J. N. Burr were Representatives.
1830, January 26th. Bro. John Shaw's funeral
attended by the Fraternity.
1833, January 29th. John Roberts was buried
by the brethren of this Lodge. He was in his 73d
year.
1835, March 30th. Bro. Riverius Newell was
buried by the craft. In the fall of 1837, MIomlt
Zion Lodge moved to the present Lodge room, in
Bro. Huntsbery's block.
1839, June 24th. This anniversary was duly
celebrated by the Lodge. The oration by Bro.
Adam Randolph, in. the court-house, was listened
to by a very large concourse of Masons and citizens.
A most excellent dinner, provided by Bro. T. Burr,
was disposed of in proper manner, and every thing
passed off harmoniously.
1840, February 16th. Bro. Dr. Lyman Wright
was buried, at Fredericktown, by the members of
Mount Zion Lodge.
1841, June 24th. This anniversary was becomingly commemorated. Bro. David Spangler, of
Coshocton, delivered the address, and Bro. T. Burr
prepared the dinner. Address delivered in the
Methodist Episcopal Church. The DMt. Vernon
Choir and 3Mt. Vernon Band discoursed appropriate music.
At 2 o'clock P.M., June 25th, a procession was
formed, under direction of Bro. Johnston Elliott,
to attend the funeral of Bro. John Sherman, who
was buried according to ancient usages.
August 27th. Funeral of Bro. T. G. Plummner.




INOX  COUNTY.               167
September 7th. The funeral of Bro. John E.
Davidson.
1813, December 13th. The funeral of Bro. Hill
Runyan.
1844, June 24th. A public celebration of this
anniversary occurred. Bro. T. G. Drinker, of Cincinnati, delivered the address. Many brethren
from Newark, Zanesville, Columbus, West Carlisle,
Loudenville and Mansfield participated in the ceremonies of the day. Isaac Davis was Marshal, and
John A. Holland, of Wooster, Assistant Marshal.
An excellent dinner was provided by Bro. 1Mackey,
and the day passed off harmoniously.
On the 27th of December, the anniversary of St.
John the Evangelist was commemorated by a social
party in the Hall, whereat the officers elect were
publicly installed, and an appropriate address delivered by Bro. C. Delano.
December 15th, 18d6, Bro. James Hayes, of Miller township, buried by the Lodge in due form.
1847,:February 8th. An act to incorporate the
Master, Wardens and Brethren of Mt. Zion Lodge
No. 9, was passed by the Legislature, and accepted.
1848, August 3d. Masonic funeral of Bro. Crandal Rosecrans, near Homer.
1849, February 8th. MIasonic funeral of Bro.
Jonathan Miller.
June 24th. St. John the Baptist anniversary
duly commemorated.  The address delivered by
Bro. Rolla H1. Chubb.
1852, May 7th, Masonic funeral of Bro. T. Winne.
" August 28th, Masonic funeral of Bro. Marvin Tracy.
1853, December 11th, Masonic funeral of Bro. Sylvester Pond.




168                HISTORY OF
1854, September 1st, Masonic funeral of Bro. Jacob B. Brown.
1855, October 1st, Masonic funeral of Bro. John A. lHolland, of
Rockford, Ill.
1856, December 7th, Masonic funeral of Bro. William Bevans.
1857, March 13th, Masonic funeral of Bro. John Butler, of Rosco
Lodge, No. 190.
1857, December 16th, Masonic funeral of Bro. William Copeland.
1858, April 29th, Masonic funeral of Bro. J. Phifer.
1859, May 12th, Masonic funeral of Bro. George White.
1861, September 22d, Masonic funeral of Bro. Lorin Andrews.
1862, January 20th, Masonic funeral of Bro. W. R. Greer.
" April 6th, Masonic funeral of Bro. James Huntsbery.
"     "  30th, Masonic funeral of Bro. Robert Lurkins.
The following brothers have been in attendance
on the Grand Lodge:
1830, J. N. Burr, James lluntsbery, Jonas Ward.
1831, Jonas Ward.
1832, P. Sprague, W. Bevans, L. Lake.
1833, J. Ward.
1836, W. Bevans, Alexander Elliott.
1839, W. Bevans, A. Randolph, at Lancaster.
1840, B. F. Smith.
1841, J. N. Burr, B. F. Smith, James Huntsbery.
1842, B. F. Smith, T. Winne.
1843,    "       J. N. Burr, Isaac Davis.
1844,    "       M. Tracy.
1845,     "      J. N. Burr, J. B. Brown.
1846,    "           " "   M. Tracy.
1847, J. B. Brown, S. P. Axtell, M. Tracy.
1848,    "            "
1849,    "       G. W. Williams.
1850,     "      J. N. Burr, W. Dunbar.
1851,    "           "      G. W. True.
1852,    "    "
1853,    "       G. W. True, James Smith, Jr.
1854, G. W. True, G. W. Stahl, B. F. Smith.
1855,    s      "   "        F. B. Plimpton.




KNOX  CouNTY.                    169
1856, Dennis Smith, G. W. Stahl, S. P. Axtell.
1857, G. W. True, J. N. Burr, S. P. Axtell.
1858, J. N. Burr, J. C. Devin,    "
1859, John Adams, S. P. Axtell, J. B. Beardslee, Dr. J. N.
Burr, D. G. N.
1860, C. S. Pyle, S. P. Axtell, J. B. Beardslee.
1861, "                       c
Present Officers.-C. S. Pyle, W. M.; W. B. Brown, S. W.; J.
B. Beardsleei J. W.; James Huntsbery, Treasurer; S. P. Warden,
Secretary; H. W. Owen, S. D.; L. B. Curtis, J. D.; J. R. Wallace,
Tyler.
Standing Committee, 1862.-J. N. Burr, S. P. Axtell, N. E.
Lewis.
Relief Committee.-L. B. Curtis, Thomas Harvey, John Ringwalt.
Among the members of this Lodge of long standing  we  may  mention  the  venerable  William
Beardslee, who was made a Master Mason at Stephentown, N. Y., in 1804, who in 1817 represented
Center Star Lodge, No. 11, in the Grand Lodge of
Ohio, at Chillicothe, and whose three sons —Job H.
G., Win. B., and John B.-are also of the craft.
Adam Pyle, our much-respected townsman, was
made a Master in 1821; and Dr. Jonathan N. Burr
is the oldest Past Master in this part of the country.
In 1825 he was raised in this Lodge, in 1829 became its W. M., and since then has served in that
position longer than perhaps any Master in the
State. For his zeal and fidelity he was presented
by the brethren of Mt. Zion Lodge with a beautiful
Past Master's Jewel in 1852; and the Sir Knights
for like cause in 1859 presented him with a Templar's sword. Long may this bright light be permitted to illustrate the virtues of Masonry.




170               ]HISTORY OF
Thrall Lodge No. 170, Fredericktown, was chartered October 18th, 1849.
First Officers.-Chancy Hill, W.MI.; T. V. Parke, S.W.; A.
Keller, J.W.; J. Wages, Treasurer; O. W. Rigby, Sec'y; D. C.
Beach, S.D.; D. P. Coffinbury, J.D.; N. S. Reed, Tyler.
N-umber of members, 32.
Ohio Lodge No. 199, Bladensburg; Chartered
October 28th, 1851..
Eli Farnum, W.M.; A. C. Scott, S.W.; G. MI. Hill, J.W.; E.
Bebout, Treasurer; J. H. Miller, Sec'y; G. Upfold, S.D.; J. N.
Hurry, J.D.; Johnson Hill, Tyler.
Number of members, 26.
Antioch Lodge No. 286, located in Danville, was
chartered Oct. 26th, 1856.
First Oficers Under Charter.-John White, W. M.; Wait Whitney, S. W.; U. B. Kinsie, J. W.; S. W. Sapp, Secretary; M. Hildreth, Treasurer; Z. Hibbetts, S. D.;  -,  J. D.; A. S.
Church, Tyler.
Chartered Members.-John White, Wait Whitney, U. B. Kinsie,
Samuel Kinsie, Isaiah Hieth, S. W. Conner, Z. Hibbetts, John
Biggs, Daniel Hess, B. S. Church, A. S. Church, Miner Hildreth,
S. W. Sapp, B. Casteel, C. W. Page.
First Initiation in Lodge.-Henry Hibbetts.
Present Officers.-M. Hildreth, W. M.; S. W. Sapp, S. W.; A.
S. Church, J. W.; Calvin Simmons, Secretary; Alonzo Gardner,
Treasurer; John C. Gaines, S. D.; Henry Hibbetts, J. D.; Mark
Greer, Tyler.
Present number of members, 45.
Clinton Royal Arch Chapter No. 26, was created
the 16th day of May, 1842, under a dispensation
from  the Most Excellent Comp. G. D. Hines,
Dept. G. H. P. of the Grand Chapter of the State
of Ohio.




KNOX COUNTY.                         171
First O.icers.-J. N. Burr, E. H. P.; B. F. Smith, King; James
Huntsbery, Scribe;, Secretary; C. Delano, P. S.; B. H.
Taylor, C. of H.; S. W. Burr, R. A. C.; A. Corbin, A. C. Rowland,
J. Garrison, Masters of the Vails; Joseph Muenscher, Chaplain.
On the 20th of May, the above officers were duly
installed by M. E. G. D. Hines, Dept. G. H. P.
Ojficers in 1862.-S. P. Axtell, E. H. P.; J. N. Burr, King;
W. M. Mefford, Scribe; Dennis Smith, C. of H.; J. B. Beardslee,
P. S.; W. B. Brown, R. A. C.; O. M. Arnold, G. M. 3d Vail; C.
S. Pyle, G. M3. 2d Vail; R. D. Huntsbery, G. M. 1st Vail; James
Huntsbery, Treasurer; S. P. Warden, Secretary; J. R. Wallace, G.
Standing Committee, 1862.-J. N. Burr, 0. M. Arnold, J. B.
Beardslee.
Clinton Encampment No. 5, of Knights Templars and  Appendant Orders, was instituted  at
Mount Vernon on the 12th of October, 1843, by
virtue of authority  and  a letter of dispensation
granted for that purpose by William  James Reese,
General Grand Generalissimo of the General Grand
Encampment of the United  States of America.
The grant was to B. F. Smith, Joseph 3Muenscher,
Isaac Davis, J. M. Smith, and A. ID. Bigelow.
First Oficers of the Encampnment.-Sir Joseph Muenscher, G.
Com.; Sir B. F. Smith, Gen.; Sir A. D. Bigelow, Capt. Gen.; Sir
J. N. Burr, Prelate; Sir C. Delano, S. W.; Sir Isaac Davis, J. W.;
Sir James Huntsbery, Treasurer; Sir T. Winne, Recorder; Sir
Adam Randolph, Standard-bearer; Sir Joseph Hildreth, Swordbearer; Sir E. W. Cotton, Warden; Sir D. D. Stevison, Sentinel.
Present Oflcers.-Sir J. N. Burr, G. Com.; Sir Dennis Smith,
Gen.; Sir J. B. Beardslee, Capt. Gen.; Sir Adam Randolph, Prelate; Sir William Mitchell, S. W.; Sir S. P. Axtell, J. W.; Sir
James Huntsbery, T.; Sir S. P. Warden, R.; Sir WinVm. Sanderson,
Jr., Standard-bearer; Sir W. M. Mefford, Sword-bearer; Sir E. W.
Cotton, Warden; Sir J. R. Wallace, Sentinel.
Number of Sir Knights, 31.




172             HISTORY  OF
CHAPTER XV.
THE OWL CREEK BANK OF MOUNT VERNON.
ITS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HISTORY. -LET IT BE RELIEVED FROM ODIUMI
THE history of Knox county would be incomplete without a faithful and true account of an
institution with the above euphonious name, located upon the banks of Owl Creek, and within
the sacred precincts of Mount Vernon. The engraving above gives a view of one of "the owls"
issued by this bank. They were of every denomination from the shinplaster form of 64 cents up
to $10. The paper, engraving and finish of the
notes, although not so perfect in every respect as
those issued by banks in the present day, nevertheless is of a higher order than those put forth by
the so-called "Confederate States of America," of
which Cotton is king, and Jeff. Davis vicegerent.
From the journals and old files of that day, as far
as accessible, we have compiled the following.
There being great complaint of the scarcity of




JKNOX  CouNTY.                 173
money after the war, large numbers of people in
various cities and towns in the United States, and
more particularly in the West and Ohio, conceived
the idea of multiplying the quantity of paper in
lieu of money by manufacturing what is called a
"currency."  Among other points, those of Mount
Vernon determined to engage in the business of
making money. As early as December, 1814, a
meeting was held, and articles of association for
the organizing of a bank, to be called the "Owl
Creek Bank of Ml5ount Vernon," were entered into,
fixing the capital stock at $150,000, divided into
shares of $50 each, payable in installments of not
exceeding $5 each, and appointing certain commissioners to open stock books, &c. Petitions were
then presented to the Legislature, praying for a
charter; and after having petitioned the Legislature for an act authorizing such an association, and
been denied the grant, determined to "go it alone,"
on their own hook.
On the 10th day of April, 1816, the first meeting
of record of those who inaugurated the Owl Creek
Bank was held at the court-house in Mount Vernon, and as this is the most important of all events
in the early history of Knox county, we give the
proceedings entire of this the first meeting, and
also of the first meeting of the Board of Managers
on the 17th inst.
"Agreeable to previous notice, there was a meeting at the courthouse on April 10th. Jonathan Miller was called to the chair, and
Joseph Brown appointed Secretary. The following independent
sentiments were set forth:
"Resolved, That we have by the Constitution of this State guar



174                HISTORY OF
antied to the people of this State a full and fair right and privilege
to have charters granted when we shall petition the legislative
body of this State for that purpose. We, the undersigned, having
complied with the requisitions of the Constitution, and will continue so to do, without waiving our rights and privileges.' Therefore be it resolved, That we do form ourselves into a company for the purpose of establishing a bank in the town of Mount
Vernon, Knox county (Ohio).
"2. Resolved, That the following named gentlemen be appointed
managers of said bank, and to draft articles of association and bylaws for the future government of the company, viz.: James Smith,
Win. Mitchell, M. Merritt, Abraham Darling, Hosmer Curtis, John
Warden, Gilman Bryant, Jonathan Miller, L. S. Silliman, Benjamin Martin, Joseph Brown, John Green and Jacob Young.
"From this number a committee was appointed to draft the articles, who met at the house of Joseph Brown on the 17th April, and
adopted the following:
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE STOCKHOLDERS OF OWL CREEK
BANK OF MOUNT VERNON.' BE IT KNOWN, That we, the subscribers, having formed a company and limited partnership, do hereby agree and associate with
each other, to conduct banking business in the manner hereinafter
specified, under the name and title of the Owl Creek Bank of
Miount Vernon.
"' And we do hereby covenant and mutually agree, that the following are and shall be the fundamental articles of this our association, by which all persons who are parties hereto, or may in
future transact business with this association, shall be bound and
concluded:"ARTICLE 1. The capital stock of the company shall be two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars, current money of the United
States, with the privilege of extending it to five hundred thousand
dollars, and of commencing business so soon as twenty-five thousand
dollars is subscribed —to be divided into shares of. fifty dollars
each.
"ART. 2. The books for the subscription of said stock, shall be
opened on the first Monday in March next, at such places and
under such agents as the commissioners may think proper, at the
hour of ten o'clock in the morning, and continue until three o'clock




KNOX COUNTY.                          175
in the evening of the same day, and from day to day during said
hours, until the whole number of shares are subscribed for. The
books thus to be opened, are to be under the direction of the following named commissioners, viz: Jonathan Miller, James Smith,
Gilman Bryant, John Warden, Benjamin Martin, H. Curtis, W.
Mitchell, M. Merritt, A. Darling, Jacob Young, John Green, L. S.
Silliman and Joseph Brown. At the time of subscribing, there
shall be paid to the commissioners or their agents, on each share
subscribed for, the sum of one dollar; the further sum of two dollars and fifty cents shall be paid on each share, within ninety days
thereafter, at such place as the commissioners shall appoint, of
which due notice shall be given; the residue in such portions and
at such places as the directors hereafter to be chosen shall appoint;
they giving at least sixty days notice thereof in the public newspaper of the county: Provided, such installments shall at no time
exceed two dollars and fifty cents; neither shall any subsequent
installment be called for until a previous one has become payable.
"ART. 3. No person or persons, body politic or corporate, shall
be permitted on the first day to take more than one hundred shares,
and if the shares are not all taken on that day, the foregoing part
of this article is not to operate.
"ART. 4. If it shall so happen, that more than the stipulated
number of shares may be subscribed for, the commissioners shall
apportion them by deducting from the highest subscription; and if
more persons subscribe than there are shares, the commissioners
shall determine by lot to whom such shares belong; and as soon
as may be thereafter, receipts shall be issued to the stockholders,
and certificates of the amount of stock held by each.
"ART. 5. If any stockholder shall fail to pay his, her, or their
installment, to the amount of three dollars on each share at the time
or times, or in the manner heretofore specified, such stockholder
shall forfeit to the use of the company all monies paid antecedent
to such failure or default; however no forfeiture of stock shall take
place, after three dollars on each share shall have been paid. But
to secure the regular payment of any installment or call, after five
dollars on each share hath been paid, such stockholder shall not be
entitled to a dividend until such installment or call shall be fully
paid; and the dividend thereafter to. be paid to such stockholder
(as well upon the money regularly paid as upon the money paid




176                 HISTORY OF
after default) shall be calculated only from the time when said
installment shall be fully paid.
i "ART. 6. The affairs of the company shall be conducted by
thirteen directors, and a president, whose place, if chosen from
among the number of directors, shall be supplied by the choice of
that body, the whole of which is to reside within the county of
Knox; and five directors, together with the president, shall form a
board or quorum for the transacting of all business of the company.
Each director shall be a stockholder at the time of his election,
and shall cease to be a director if he should cease to be a stockholder; and the number of votes to which each stockholder shall
be entitled, shall be in proportion to the stock he may hold, as
follows, viz: For the first five shares, one vote; for ten shares,
two votes; and for each additional ten shares, one vote; and no
stockholder shall be entitled to vote, who has not held his stock
six calender months next preceding the election, except as to the
first election-all stockholders, residing within five miles of Mount
Vernon, shall vote by ballot in person, and those who reside a
greater distance from Mount Vernon than five miles may vote by
proxy, which at all elections is to be made in such form as may be
directed by the board.
" ART. 7. The first election for directors shall be on the fourth
Monday in May next, under the superintendence of the commissioners, four of whom shall form a quorum. The directors so elected
shall take their seats at the board the day following their election,
and they, or a majority of those present, shall proceed immediately
to the choice of a president, all of whom shall continue in office for
one year, and until their successors shall be regularly elected and
qualified. All future elections for directors shall be held annually
on the fourth Monday in May, under the superintendence of three
persons, being stockholders, to be appointed by the president and
directors for the time being, of which at least four weeks notice of
the time and place shall be given by advertisement in the public
papers in Knox county. The bank shall be established as near
the court-house, in Mount Vernon, as may be thought most convenient by the board of directors,
"A ART. 8. As to vacancies.
i" ART. 9. The president, directors, and superintendents of elections, before they enter upon the duties of their respective offices,
shall take the following oath or affirmation, as the case may be:




KNOx COUNTY.                         177
I          do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will impartially,
faithfully, diligently and honestly execute the duties of a
of the Owl Creek Bank of Mount Vernon, conformably to the constitution and articles of association of the same, and the trust
reposed in me, to the best of my skill and judgment. And the
cashier, the tellers, book-keepers and other officers, shall also take
a similar oath or affirmation, and shall besides give bond with
security to the satisfaction of the president and directors for a
faithful discharge of the duties in their respective stations.
"ART. 10. The board of directors are hereby fully empowered
to make, revise, alter or annul, such rules, orders, bye-laws and
regulations for the government of the company, and that of their
officers and others whom they may think proper to employ, as they
or a majority. of them shall, from time to time, think expedient,
not inconsistent with law or these articles of association, and to
use, employ and dispose of the joint funds or property of said company (subject only to the restrictions hereinafter mentioned) as to
them or a majority of them may seem expedient.
"ART. 11. As to signatures to bills, &c.
"ART. 12. As to books.
"ART. 13. The board of directors shall have power to appoint
a cashier and such other persons as they may think proper to
employ for executing the business of the company, and to establish
the compensation to be paid to the president, cashier, and others
respectively; all which, together with all other necessary expenses, shall be paid out of the joint funds of the company.,"ART. 14. Two-thirds of the directors shall have power to call
a general meeting of the stockholders, for purposes relative to the
concerns of the company, giving at least two months notice in the
public newspapers of the county, and specifying in such notice the
object or objects of such meeting.
"ART. 15. The shares of the capital stock at any time, owned
by any individual stockholder, may be transferred on the books of
the company, according to such rules as (according to law) may be
established in that behalf by the board of directors; but all sums
for which the stockholder is liable, as drawer, must be satisfied
before such transfer can be made.
"ART. 16. No transfer of stock in this company shall be considered as binding on this company, unless made in a book or
12




178                 HISTORY OF
books to be kept for that purpose by this company. And it is
hereby further expressly understood that any stockholder who
shall transfer in manner aforesaid all his stock or shares in this
company, to any person or persons whatever, shall cease to be a
member of this company, and that any person or persons whatever
who shall accept a transfer of any stock or share in this company,
shall become a member of this company according to these articles
of association.
"ART. 17. It is hereby expressly and explicitly declared, to
be the object and intentions of the persons who associate under the
title and firm of the president and directors of the Owl Creek Bank
of Mount Vernon, that the joint stock or property of the said company (exclusive of the dividends to be made in the manner hereinafter mentioned) shall alone be responsible for the debts and
engagements of said company, or to whom they shall oi may become
indebted by such engagements, and no person or persons to whom
this company may in any wise become indebted, shall on any pretence whatever have recourse against the separate property of any
present or future member of this company, or against their persons,
further than may be necessary to secure the faithful application of
the funds thereof to the purposes to which by these presents they
are liable. But all persons accepting any bond, bill, or note, or
other contract of this company, signed by the president and countersigned or attested by the cashier of the company for the time
being, or dealing with it in any other manner whatever, thereby
give credit to the said joint stock or property of said company, and
disavow having recourse, on any pretence whatever, to the person
or separate property of any present or future member of this com.
pany, except as above mentioned. And all suits to be brought
against the president for the time being, and in case of his death or
removal from office, pending any such suit against him, measures
shall be taken at the expense of the company for substituting his
successor in office as defendant, so that persons having any demands
upon the company may not be prejudiced or delayed by that event;
or if the person suing shall proceed against the person first named
as defendant (notwithstanding his death or removal from office)
this company shall not on that account, take advantage of such
proceedings by writ of error or otherwise; and all recoveries had
in manner aforesaid shall be conclusive upon the company, so far
as to make the funds or joint stock of this company liable for such




KNOX COUNTY                          179
amount, and no further; and the company shall immediately pay
the amount of such recovery out of the joint stock, but not otherwise; and in case of any suit in law, the president shall sign his
appearance upon the writ, or file common bail thereto, it being
expressly understood and declared that all persons dealing with
said company agree to these terms and are to be bound thereby.
"ART. 18. Dividends of the profits of the company, or so
much of said profits as shall be deemed expedient and proper, shall
be declared half yarly in every year, and shall from time to time
be determined by a majority of the directors present, at a meeting
to be held for that purpose, and shall in no case exceed the amount
of the net profits actually acquired by the company, so that the
capital stock of the company shall never be impaired by dividends;
but the directors shall be at liberty to retain at least one per
centumn upon the capital, as a, fund for future contingencies.
"ART. 19. If the directors shall, at any time, willfully and
knowingly make or declare any dividend which shall impair the
capital stock, all the directors present at the making or declaring
such dividends, and consenting thereto, shall be liable in their
individual capacities to the company, for the amount or proportion
of said capital stock so divided by said directors; and each director
who may be present at the making or declaring such dividends,
shall be deemed to have consented thereto, unless he does immediately enter in writing his dissent on the minutes of the proceedings
of the board, and give public notice to the stockholders that such
dividend has been made.
"ART. 20. These articles of association and agreement shall
be published three times in the public newspapers of the county,
at least two months before the books are opened; and for further
information, to all persons who may transact business with, or in
any manner give credit to this company, every bond, bill, note, or
other instrument or contract, by the effects or terms of which the
company may be charged or held liable for the payment of money,
shall specially declare in such form as the board of directors shall
prescribe; that payment shall be made out of the joint funds of
the Owl Creek Bank of Mount Vernon, according to the present
articles of association, and not otherwise; and it is hereby expressly declared, that no engagements can be legally made in the
name of said company, unless it contain a limitatiou or restriction
to the effect above recited.




180                 HISTORY OF
"ART. 21. The company shall in no case be owners of any
real property, except a site for banking business, or directly or
indirectly be concerned in trade, or the purchase or sale of any
goods, wares or merchandise whatever (bills of exchange and bullion
excepted), except such lands, goods, wares, or merchandise as may
be truly pledged to them by way of security, or conveyed to them
for debts due, owing or growing due to the said company, or purchased by them to secure such debts so due to said company.
"ART. 22. This association shall continue until the fourth
Monday in May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty; but any
number of stockholders, not less than fifty, who together shall be
proprietors of not less than five hundred shares, may, for any purpose.relative to the institution, at any time apply to the president
and directors to call a general meeting of the stockholders, and if
by them refused, the same number of stockholders, proprietors of
not less than that number of shares, may and shall have power to
call a general meeting of the stockholders, giving at least two
months' notice in the public papers in Knox county, specifying in
such notice the object or objects of such call.
"1 ART. 23. Immediately on the dissolution of this association,
effectual measures shall be taken by the directors then existing,
for closing all the concerns of the company, and for dividing the
capital and profits which may remain among the stockholders, in
proportion to their respective shares.
" In witness whereof, we the undersigned have hereunto set our
names or firms, this -     day --—, one thousand eight hundred
and
Shortly after the opening of subscription lists,
the following notice was published:
" NOTICE.
"It is requested that all persons holding books for the sale of
shares in the Owl Creek Bank of Mt. Vernon, will be pleased to
receive the installments due thereon, and forward the same by the
20th day of the present month.
B. MARTIN,              Bank
JOS. BROWN,    Commissioners.
JAMES SMITH, )Commissioners
"MOUNT VERNON, July 3d, 1S16."




KNOX COUNTY.                          181
The preliminaries having been arranged, the bills
are ready to circulate, and the officers publish the
following in the Register, page 175, which explains
the rmodus  operandi:
"MOUNT VERNON, Sept. -, 181 —.
"Sixty days after date, for value received, we promise to pay
JAMES SMITH, at the house of L. S. Silinman, the sum of
without defalcation.
" Credit the Drawer.
"A. AL
C.::D    i Endorsers.
" J. P., Drawer."
[L S.],"THE STATE OF OHIO,
County, ss.
"Before me (A. B.), a Justice of the Peace for the county ofaforesaid, came C. D., who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith,
that, whereas, he has thrown a note into the Owl Creek Bank of
Mount Vernon for discount; saith, that, if discounted, be will take
no advantage of any statute law of this State; and farther this
deponents saith not.
" Signed,                                 C. D.
" Sworn and subscribed before me the  -  day of -, 181"A. B., J. P."
"The above form of a note you will please to insert in your
paper, which note must be executed with two good endorsers, without a blot or interlineation. The endorsers' names must appear
written on the back of the note as well as at the foot. The form
of an affidavit is given, which must be made by the drawer, and
accompany the note. By order of the Board of Directors.
"JAMES SMITH, President.
"L. S. SILLIMAN, Cashier.
"September 13th, 1816."




182               HISTORsY OF~
On the 20th November, 1816, L. S. Silliman,
Cashier, notifies the stockholders of the Owl Creek
Bank of Mount Vernon that an installment of $2
on each share is requested to be paid within sixty
days.
March 6th, 1817, a dividend of six per cent., on
account of stock actually in Bank, was declared.
At a meeting of the Directors of the Bank, the
following resolutions were unanimously adopted,
viz:'"WHEREAS, Unfavorable constructions have been put on the
twentieth section of the Articles of Association; Therefore,
" Be it Resolved, That no Director, or any other person, shall
have a right to draw any money out of said Bank, without giving
their notes with sufficient endorsers.
" Resolved, secondly, That a preference shall at all times be given
to the Stockholders,.in the accommodation of loans, to double the
amount of all money by them actually paid in.
"B. MARTIN, Chairman.
" G. BRYANT, Secretary.
"June 3d, 181.6."
July 9th, 1817.-All persons indebted are notified that they must pay " at the rate of from 10 to
50 per cent., in proportion to the amount of their
loans."
As showing the feeling existing in regard to such
Banks in the winter of 1816-17, when the Owl
Creek Bank was applying for a Charter, we give
this anecdote:  Two persons of color, at Columbus, quareled; one, wishing to make his antagonist
as contemptible as possible, called him  "'ba d-d
UNCHARTERED son of a b-h7."  And it became
very fashionable at the Capital to apply the term
unchartered to all evil doers.




KNOX  COUNTY.                  183
In these times of evil talk, and while the public
were busy crying down this institution, there were
occasionally to be found parties willing to " give
the devil his due."  The following extract from the
Zanesville Exxpress of December 16th, is an instance in point:
"Notwithstanding so much has been said against the Owl Creek
Bank of Mount Vernon, we are assured that two gentlemen, a few
days since, presented bills at that bank for a large amount, which
were redeemed with chartered paper and specie."
About this time an enemy of the Bank killed a
tremendous big Owl, and brought it into the town
and rudely threw it down upon the counter, exclaiming, "' There, d-n you, I've killed your President."
The Bank building was located where Adam
Weaver's hardware store now is. It was a rough,
yet substantial piece of workmanship, a mixture of
the Doric and Corinthian styles of architecture,
weather-boarded, with four-penny nails thickly
driven through its batten-door and window-shutters, so thieves should not cut in and steal.  On
the ground it covered about fourteen feet square,
and was one low story in height, and painted
red!
The bills rapidly depreciated under the heavy
blows given. There seemed to be no stopping the
clamor against the Bank.
The principal circulation in Knox county was
Owl Creek, and we find very many advertising for
it. Of the merchants advertising for it were James
MI]iller, and Burr, Green & Co.




184                HISTORY OF
c" William Stanbery offers to sell' The Craig Farm,' at present
occupied by Major Joseph Brown, to the highest bidder for Owl
Creek Bank paper.
" J. Brown offers to sell 156 acres of land near the town of Mt.
Vernon, in the llamtramick section, for such paper.
" OwLs.-All persons indebted to the subscriber, are requested
to make prompt payment, for I am in want of OWL CREEK PAPER.
JOHN SHAW.
"N. B. Those indebted for taxes, for 1817, are also requested to
pay with the same."
The paper when presented was at first redeemed
by the Bank with chartered paper, and the stockholders and parties interested endeavored to sustain
its credit by various devices. Among other plans
adopted to keep up the paper was the following,
which we give as showing the disposition of stockholders to pay, and the strenuous efforts resorted
to:
" OWLS.
"' OWL CREEK BANK OF MOUNT VERNON,
January 1st, 1818.
"Whereas, several reports have been circulated, some of which
are false, and injurious to the credit of the Bank, with respect to
certain measures adopted by the Directors: Therefore, for the
purpose of suppressing the further propagating of such false rumors,
the Directors have thought proper to exhibit to the public, and to
the stockholders, a fair and accurate, statement of the measures
actually determined on by them, and which has been the subject
of such reports. The Directors have observed with regret the depreciation of the Owl Creek paper of late, and particularly in Knox
county; they have been fully convinced that the principal cause
of the sudden fall of the Owl Creek paper is owing to the circumstance of the difficulty, or almost the impossibility of obtaining
such goods as are wanted by the citizens with this kind of paper.
"With a view, therefore, to obviate these difficulties, and at the
same time to draw out of circulation the paper of the Bank, we
have entered into the following contract with Burr, Green & Co.,




ZKNOX COUNTY.                        185
viz.: Said Company, on their part, have undertaken to bring on
a complete assortment of goods, and to retail the same for Owl
Creek paper, at prices as low as they can be purchased for in chartered paper, and to take assignments on judgments in favor of the
Bank, or wait until the Bank can with convenience exchange; and
for all paper thus collected, the only privilege granted to said
Company is a loan of $700 of such money as will pay carriages,
to be made use of for that purpose, and to be paid back in good
chartered paper, in installments, within one year. Given under
our hands.
"James Smith, William Mitchell, Jonathan Miller, Benjamin
Martin, John Warden, John Hawn, Jr., John Shaw, Gilman
Bryant, Hosmer Curtis, Wm. Y. Farquhar."
"PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN,
That a meeting of the stockholders of the OWL CREEK BANK OF
MOUNT VERNON, will be held at the Banking House in Mount
Vernon, on the 12th day of March, 1818, for the purpose of taking
into consideration the propriety of closing the business of said
Company, and to transact any other business relative to said Company which may be thought proper when met. Dated at Mount
Vernon, this 6th day of January, 1818.
"Nathaniel Johnson, Jonatha~n Miller, Godleib Zimmerman,
Benjamin Rush, I. N. Richardson, John Shaw, John IHawn,
Jr., William Douglass, Samuel Miott, John Wilson, J. M.
Banning, James McGibeny, James McGibeny for Joseph S.
Newell, James Miller, Joseph Brown, L. S. Silliman.
"N. B. All the stockholders are particularly solicited to attend
on said day."
The course of true love never did run smooth.
In the career of banks as well as of nations and
individuals, there are re   ups and downs," drawbacks
and obstacles to prosperity; and parallels in history
are always to be met with.  Jackson throttled the
United  States  Bank;  Saim   Williams  seizes the
gullet of the Owl Creek Bank: Jackson denounces




186                HISTORY OF
Nicholas Biddle; Williams attempts to play the
tyrant over James Smith: Jackson removes the
deposits; and Sam Williams refuses to deposit.
The banking question gets into the papers, and
the public mind becomes much distracted thereat.
Several communications appear in August and
September of 1816 in regard to the Owl Creek
Bank.  The office of Bank President was no sinecure in those days, at least of the Owl Creek Bank,
for we find that the chief owl was compelled at all
times to defend his institution from the -stump and
the press.  The Lancaster, Zanesville, Mt. Vernon
and other papers of those days, contain many articles from the pen of James Smith in reply to
attacks of Dr. Moore B. Bradley, Sam'l Williams
and others. Some of the papers show much acerbity and bitterness of feeling; but, from our standpoint of observation, we must say that our old
friend James Smith beat them  all.
In a communication of August 6th, 1817, replying to an article in the Ohio Spectator, in regard to
a meeting of the farmers, mechanics, merchants,
and innkeepers of the town of Mansfield, county
of Richland, and State of Ohio, on the 11th of
July, 1817, James Smith pointedly says:
"If, sirs, your sympathy has been awakened for unfortunate
persons who have received the paper, I hope you will shortly be
prepared to discharge your engagements with the Owl Creek Bank
of klIoknt Vernon. It would be an insult upon your good sense for
me to tell you, that for you to refuse the paper of this bank, while
you are in debt to the bank, is a full sacrifice cf every spark of
honor. If you, sirs, and such characters as yourselves, would pay
your engagements, or one half thereof, the Owl Creek Bank of
MIount Vernon would be completely prepared to pay and give sat



KNOX COUNTY.                         187
isfactory exchanges for their notes in circulation. Your honors,
sirs, we look after no longer, but your purses and property will
have to be tried. Tavern bills and pills* ought to be paid for in
this paper as well as in the Mansfield.
{ *  *  *  *  *  I would advise you to be industrious in collecting the paper, as you know you soon, or at the next court, will
have judgment against you. The Owl Creek paper will answer
you as well as specie. * * * * * I censure no person, not
in debt to the bank, for rejecting the paper; both the principle of
moral justice and honor enjoins on every person indebted, to receive it. The sooner, sirs, you procure this paper, it will be the
better for you. This bank will shortly be prepared to make general and satisfactory exchanges.            JAMES SMITH.
"P. S. The editors of the Ohio Register and the Ohio Spectator
will confer a favor on Messrs. Bradley and Williams, as.well as
myself, by giving the above a place in their respective papers.
J. S.,,
Samuel Williamns replies in the 07hio Register of
August 20, in a very long article addressed to James
Smith, President of the Owl Creek Bank, &c., in
which he evidently lets his temper get the better of
his judgment by such expressions as these:
"You, sir; are President of the Owl Creek Bank of AMount Vernon, you are Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, a Justice of the
Peace, and, sometimes, preach the Gospel of Jesus, as I am informed-in politics a professed republican; all of these callings
you profess to fill with fidelity, nay, in some you have sworn to
discharge their incumbent duties according to the best of your
abilities.    *    *    *    You have prostituted the official
duties and obligations as a Justice of the Peace to subserve its
interest by administering unconstitutional oaths. Were you not
sworn to support the constitution of this State and of the U. States
i n the oath of office? Yet swearing individuals not to take advantage of the statute law to prevent the collection of your illegal
demands.   *    *    *    You loaned us your bills in order
Bradley was a doctor-Williams a tavern-keeper.




188                 HISTORY OF
to destroy those rights you profess to admire, the rights of managing our pecuniary concerns. That when we assert our independence, like freemen, you threaten us with destruction and tell us
we are in your net, and at your mercy, the mercy of your religion,
your integrity, your republicanism —your official virtue, the potent
demand of one great Owl debt."
To this communication of great length —the bank
President replies with vigor-we have space to extract but a paragraph whichmaybe called a clincher:
*    *    *    " I think it unnecessary to answer your charges
against me, when you charge my official, political and religious
principles; all you say about it only exposes yourself. Had you
kept silent the public had not known your baseness.  Truly,
Samuel, you was one of the persons that took a solemn oath to
take no advantage of any statute law to prevent or stop the payments of your bank engagements. You brag of your full purse;
you are then without excuse if you imagine you took an unconstitutional oath. Will you violate that oath to atone for the crime?
You ought to be ashamed to let any person impose on you so far
as to publish your black crimes with an idea of injuring me. If
your purse is so full and heavy pay up your bank engagements.
Strangers, citizens, and your neighbors too, will have much more
confidence in you. FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS Of the trash you mentioned will be received of you in place of gold and silver."
On the 28th February, 1822, a paper was drawn
up and signed by certain of the subscribers, binding themselves to give their notes, with security,
by the last of March next, to John  Shaw, John
Trimble and Samuel Mott, trustees, whenever the
sum of $15,000 shall be subscribed, for the purpose
of settling up the affairs of the Owl Creek Bank.
As every thing calculated to throw  light upon this
mysterious subject may be regarded as worthy of




KNOX COUNTY.                            189
preservation, we give the names of the parties sub —
scribing, and the amounts and  conditions affixed:
Gilman Bryant.................60
Allen  Scott.........................................   200
Joseph Talmage, in trade at trade prices.................  150
Itenry Markley, in trade at trade prices.................   700'
Eli Miller, I in Owl Creek paper and i trade.         200
Jonathan Miller, in good trade or Owl's Creek paper.......  300
Wm. Mitchell, in Owl Creek paper or cash...............400
Hosmer Curtis, in something as good as the debts..........  400
Moses Merritt, in Owl Creek paper or trade.....-.-  150
Jacob Young, in Owl Creek paper or trade...-........... -   300
Robert Giffin, in good trade at cash price............-   300
Jas. Shaw, in property................  300
John Trimble, in good trade at cash price............... 250
Jonathan Hunt, in good trade at cash price.....-......  150
Jos. Brown, in good trade-say whisky.............   100
Samuel Mlott, in trade.................................   100
Henry Davis, Owl Creek paper or cash..................  400
John Hawn, in property                   -................   70
John Hawn, jr., $300 in traid and $500.................
John Troutman, in good trade or Owls.................. —    200
THE FAMOUS OWL CREEK BANK CASE.
Robert Giffin, Joseph Talmage, Jacob Young,
William Douglass and others, on the 21st of August, 1829, by Thomas Ewing, their solicitor, filed
a Bill in  Chancery in the Supreme Court of Ohio
for the county of Knox, against Jacob M. Banning
and others, claiming the defendants whose names
were set up in said Bill as Stockholders in the Owl
Creek Bank, and demanding that they should be
decreed to account, pro rata, for their shares of
stock held to apply in payment of a certain suit
prosecuted by one Luke Walpole upon the paper of
said bank, and upon which a judgment thereon




190             HISTORY  OF
was recovered by said Walpole at the September
term, 1826, against the parties complainants and
Abraham Darling, John Ewalt and William Mitchell, for $8,445 20, and costs of suit. Upon said
judgment executions having been served out and
levied upon the lands of complainants, and they
demanded that those who were with them in equity
alike bound for payment of the same should be
required to liquidate their proportion of the same,
and for such other further and complete relief as
they were in equity and good conscience entitled
to at the hands of the court.
These parties admitted themselves to have been
stockholders to the amounts following, to wit:
Robert Giffin, 25 shares, contributed $200-cash deposited in bank.
Joseph Talmage, 10 shares, contributed $250.
William Douglass, 70 shares, contributed $600.
Jacob Young, 10 shares, contributed $500.
Of the other judgment debtors to Walpole, Wm.
Mitchell had 25 shares, and paid $500; Abraham
Darling 25 shares, and paid $500; and John Ewalt
had 20 shares, and had paid nothing.
The stockholders to the bank were never fully
known by reason of the mutilation or alteration of
the books, which took place pending a suit between
Luke Walpole and some of the stockholders. The
bank was entered one night, and the large box that
contained the papers carried off, and subsequently
the box was found in a thicket of hazel, east of
town, broken open, and the books and papers scattered about with several of the names of stockholders obliterated. The testimony in this case,




KNOX COUNTY.                          191
the proceedings of the court, and reports of the
Receiver, exceptions to his report and final decree,
make one of the largest volumes of record in the
Clerk's office of Knox county-duly labeled  "The
Owl Creek Bank Case."   From  this official, and
authoritative record we copy the names and shares
of stock of parties alledged to have been partners
in  the firm, name and  style of the "Owl Creek
Bank."
Hosmer Curtis.............             50 shares, paid $500 00
Jonathan Agnew............... 20."           30 00
William Scritchfield...-.. —------   5......
Insley D. Johnson            5........... 
Joseph Critchfield...10                "       133 00
James Barkhurst.................... 5     "        66 00
Robert Dalrymple.................12        "       380 00
James MI. Gibeny................... 15        "       725 00
Allen Scott.......................... 10    "       250 00
Joseph Mann.......................10
Gilman Bryant......................50        "       900 00
John Green.................... 10      "......
John IIawn......................... 15         "       150 00
Philip Melker................50      "       510 00
John Stilley......................  25        "       200 00
John Shaw......................... 10        "       316 00
Wm. Darling, of Richland county......10       "......
James Bolto.......................20          "       160 00
George Davis                           20......
John J. Tulloss......................10        "       50 00
Jonathan Hunt...................... 21       "       150 00
Abel A. Webster, of Richland......... —----   50......
Eli Miller.-........................ 50     "       250 00
Benjamin Rush.....0.........  10 "           266 00
Henry MIarkley.25                              "      375 00
Nicholas Riley..... 25                         "      500 00
Henry Davis                            20      "       625 00
Jacob M. Banning.................. 50         "       150 00




192                   HIISTORY OEO
Gotlieb Zimmerman  2................. 20 shares, paid $345 75
W. Y. Farquhar..................... 20         "       125 00
Nathaniel Scritchfield................     10   "       133 00
Francis Wilkins.........-...-.... 25    "    100 00
Eli Gregg.... —......-........  10              "         58 00
Jacob Lepley.............. 20         4".....
Samuel Mott -----—.......................30    "       125 00
Aaron Hill.........................10           "......
Thomas Irvine.-............
Jonathan Miller.....................50          "       350 00
John Trimble -—. —-—.........-15             I"       316 00
James Smith........................ 50......
Isaac Richardson....................  5                  66 00
John Hibbits...........- -              10   "   200 00
Jacob Draper............. 10         "       200 00
Henry B. Carter.....-............. 10          "       100 00
Win. Robeson.................           20......
James Severe.-..      -...... 8                 "......
Rebecca Harris......................25          ".....
Jonathan Rapp......-     -....10 "...10..
Winm. Bevans....................        20      "......
Winm. W. Farquhar................ 15."          265 00
All of the county of KnoxJames M. Taylor, 10 shares.    Joseph Fulton....... 10 shares.
John Cully.-.... 10   "        Jonathan Conard -—....- 10 "
A. H. Caffee.... - 10   "      Winm. Robinson.-.... 70 "
Noble Landon.. - - 10   "       Win. W. Gault...... 50 "
A. Warthen -—....- 10   "      John HIouston....... 67   "
Silas Mead..... 10   "         Benj. Warner -........0   "
All of the county of LickingJacob Been...... 10 shares. John Badger........6 shares.
Hiiram Ball..-.....  9   "     Matthew Kelly...... 10   "
Benj. Mochaber....  8   "      Henry Vaught...  10   "
Buckingham, Sherwood and Eben P. Sturges, traders, under the
name and style of Sherwood &  Sturges, 20 shares, all of whom
are of Richland county, and








4"~~~~~~




KNOX COUNTY.                      193
Elijah Newcomb, 17 shares; Thomas Butler, 50 shares, paid
$350-both of Coshocton county.
John Beckwith, 8 shares, of Perry county.
Jacob Morris, 5 shares, of Perry county.
Samuel B. Carpenter, 15 shares, of Huron county.
John Leyland, 10 shares, of Huron county.
Enoch I:arris, 15 shares, colored man, of Marion county.
John. Morris, 20 shares, of Wayne county.
John Shrimplin, 20 shares.
Adam Johnson, of Coshocton county, 50 shares.
Isaac Dillon, of Muskingum county, 50 shares.
George Reeve, of Muskingum county, 50 shares.
Robert Dalrymple, 50 shares.
James Barcus, 50 shares.
Winm. Critchfield, Sr., 50 shares.
Wnm. Darling, 50 shares.
James Rightmire, 50 shares.
Insley D. Johnson, 50 shares.
Jacob Cook, 50 shares.
The above nanled were claimed, as above represented, by the bill of complainants, to have been
interested in the concern; and having been duly
subpoenaed and brought into court, their own answers and testimony, of much extent, was given as
to who the partners were, &c.  While some few
plead the statute of limitations, in addition to other
testimony, the greater number-to their credit be
it said-confessed the soft impeaclhment, and expressed themselves ready to stand the consequences.
Henry B. Curtis was appointed Master Commissioner, and, after a thorough and searching examination, he made, on the 18th of September, 1837,
a very elaborate and able report.  Having, upon
his appointment, caused publication to be made by
13




194            HISTO-RY  OF.
newspaper to all interested, either as creditors or
partners, of his appointment to close, and finally
settle, as far as practicable, the concerns of said
Bank, -and having before him all the testimony,
he determined the relative position of the parties
defendant, and discharged firom liability, as stockholders, of that number Jacob MW. Banning, Wmn.
Bevans, Isaac Dillon, George Reeves, Sturges and
Sherwood, Francis Wilkins and Matthew Williams
for insufficiency of proof.
At the said September term of Supreme Court,
A.D. 1837, Judges Reuben Wood and Peter Hitchcock approved said report, by which it appeared
that the sum  of $26,796.20 was required to be
raised to meet and discharge the present unpaid
debts of the Company, in Owl Creek Bank Bills,
commonly called; and the liabilities of the parties defendant being established equal, it was further ordered that said sums, as assessed by said
Master Commissioner's report, be paid by said parties to him, and the cause was continued for further report.
Several of the parties defendant, by their Attorneys, filed exceptions to said report, and, as to their
rights, and for further examination, the papers in
the cause are referred to H. H. Hunter, Esq., of
Lancaster, as Special Master, who, at the September Term, 1838, submits a partial report, as to certain parties referred to him, and still further reports, as by testimony, the following additional
stockholders equally liable, viz: Solomon Geller,
owner of 20 shares; John Hawn, Sr., 15 shares;
Nathaniel Johnson, 60 shares (50 of which being




KNOX  CON TY.                  195
transfers from Jonathan and Eli Miller); William
Blackburn, 20 shares; Matthew Merritt, 4 shares;
G. B. Maxfield, John Troutman and N. M. Young,
10 shares each.  At the same time the Special
Master concludes with this statement:
" It is believed that no man can, at this time, possess himself of
the facts necessary to do exact justice in the case. Though it is
believed that much additional evidence, with proper exertions, may
be collected, to render the case more perfect. All which is respectfully suggested.
"1. I. H. UNTER, Spi. lvI. C.
At the September Term, 1839, Judges Peter
Hitchcock and Frederick Grinke allowed the complainants leave to amend their bill, and make the
newly-discovered stockholders parties, &c.; and
the Court continued H. H. Hunter Special ZM5aster
for further investigation, and with more extensive
powers.
At the September Term  of 1840, Master Commissioner Hunter submitted his final report, concluding with a statement of accounts and an aggregate amount remaining due-$17,457 27; and
the Court, upon further hearing of exceptions by
counsel and arguments for their respective clients,
decreed accordingly, and continued the appointment of Henry B. Curtis as Receiver, to collect
from  the parties the sums assessed against them,
and to pay off the judgment creditors, &c.
At succeeding terms of the Court, various orders
were made, as necessary in the progress of the
cause, and upon the reports of the Receiver of his
action had in the premises.
And thus the case "dragged its slow length




196                  HISTORY OF
along," until the final report of the Receiver was
filed, and the cause finally disposed of upon exceptions taken  by Miller &  Dunbar, of attorneys for
certain defendants, which were overruled  by the
District Court in chancery, 16th of June, 1859-and
an entry upon the journals expresses the satisfaction of the Court at its termination- -by the Receiver in having disposed of the remaining assets
by sale under order of Court, for an amount sufficient to liquidate all outstanding indebtedness.
"It is noow, therefore, ordered and decreed, that said report be
forthwith approved, and sale fully confirmed,"  *  *  "and this
whole case is accordingly discontinued."
"The undersigned, now, therefore, regarding substantially all interests adjusted and settled in behalf of party creditors, and the
assets for that pupose exhausted, recommends that the suits pending be finally dismissed from the docket, without prejudice to the
rights of the assignee to collect the balances against party creditors, standing unsatisfied, agreeably to former reports and decrees
in this cause. The undersigned reports all costs paid, as far as
known to him, and, as he believes, in full.,"In taking leave of the case which, for more than thirty years,
has occupied a conspicuous position on the docket of this court,
and in closing the trust which, for more than twenty years, has
been confided to the undersigned, he takes leave to congratulate
the court on the final adjustment of the whole matter, and to express his profound thanks for the confidence so long continued,
without which, the vexed, complex, and protracted labors of the
case would have been rendered much more onerous, and the results
obtained proved far less satisfactory.,"To the parties (many of the original of Whom have departed
this life since the commencement of this suit) and to their heirs
and representatives, the full record of this case-while it ntmay recall some reminiscences of an unfortunate enterprise and its calamitous results, will also remind them of many incidents, and profitable lessons in the school of experience, and be, for all time to




xKNOX  COUNTY.              197
come, the veritable history of'The Owl Creek Bank of Mt. Vernon.' "
Such is, in brief, the history-more particularly
the legal history-of the Owl Creek Bank; an institution which, in part from its outre name, has
acquired more notoriety than any other that has
ever existed in America-if not in the world!
Tqhe fame of the "United States Bank" was not
more widely extended.  Its failure created no
greater dismay.  Nations civilized and tribes savage have seen and handled its money. In its brief
life, yet protracted existence, it has been cursed
most by those whom it befriended, and wronged
most by those who professed to be its friends.
The evil day came upon it-even in its early
youth; before it had become full grown, the keen
frosts nipped it. Its crest fell and its petals closed
in, because too much light struck in on it suddenly.
Its head wilted; it fell; and great was the fall
thereof. Its sunshine friends deserted when the
cloud portended the coming storm-some who had
received its money and upon whom it had showered benefits, and some who had lent their credit and
volunteered their names to the infant, deserted
its cause, and attempted to plead infancy and limitation in bar.  As with the human kind, when
life is almost extinct, doctors are often called in
only to attend upon the corpse; so, in this instance,
lawyers were brought in at the eleventh hour to
the wake. In the last pangs opiates were sought
to be administered, and the sleep of forgetfulness
was invoked by a few; but to their credit be it
said, that less than a half dozen of all the defen



198            HISTORY OF
dants in Knox county invoked the aid of the act
of January 25th, 1810 —pleading, accordingly, the
statute of limitations; or that other plea, in bar, of
like character-that the partnership or association
they had formed, to make themselves rich, was
contrary to an act to prohibit the issuing and circulation of unauthorized bank paper.
To their honor be it said that the stockholders of
the Owl Creek Bank of Mount Vernon-the hardy
old pioneers-the Darlings and Youngs and Mitchells and others, who knew so well how to fell the
forest; to hunt the wolves, deer and bear; to tfi
the soil; to clear off the wilderness, and so little of
banking as not to be classed as experts by financiers of more modern date, yet came up "to the
scratch," and redeemed "the promises to pay" of
their bank officers.
It is true, that the arbitrament and final settlement of its affairs went to law; but, under the circumstances, it was a matter of necessity thlat the
equities should be adjusted by the courts. Almost
every one of the parties were willing to pay their
proportion of the debts at the first; but each'
thought it but right to pay his own proportion and
no more. Hence the ablest of the men learned in
the law at that time accessible, were " called" to
take a hand in the Owl Creek Bank case. Among
the number thus employed were Thomas Ewing,
Henry Stanbery, H. H. Hunter and W. W. Irwin,
of Lancaster; C. B. Goddard, C. C. Converse, C. W.
Searle, Wyllis Silliman and Geo. James, of Zanesville; David Spangler, of Coshocton; Judge Orris
Parish, of Columbus; W. Stanbery, G. B. Smythe




KNox Co UwTY.               199
and I. Dille, of Newark; Jacob Parker, of Mansfield; Benjamin S. Brown, R. C. Hurd, J. C. Hall,
C. Delano, H. Curtis, J. K. Miller, W. Dunbar
and M. H. Mitchell.
Of the entire number of parties defendant named
in these pages, but five, so far as known, survive,
to wit: our venerable townsmen, Aaron Hill and
Eli Miller; our noted countymen, John Troutman
and Nicholas Riley; and H. Curtis, Esq., now residing in Keokuk, Iowa. And of the 24 attorneys
engaged in the case, but 13 are now living.
Of the Judges who have heard this great cause
at different stages of its progress, Calvin Pease,
Joshua Collett, Peter Hitchcobk, Jno. C. Wright
and N. C. Read, are dead.
Finally, after thirty years in the courts, this case,
noted as that famous one of Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce,
was brought to a close, the last dollar of its issue
presented redeemed, and, forty-three years after
its birth, "all that -was of earth and earthy" of
the Owl Creek Bank of MIount Vernon, was consigned to its final resting-place-the Great Book of
Records.




200                HISTORY OF
CHAPTER XVI.
INCIDENTS AND EVENTS OF 1816.
THE FIRST PAPER AT MOUNT VERNON.-GLEANINGS FROM THE OHIO REGISTER.-SOME ACCOUNT OF THE BUSINESS MEN OF THAT TIME.- OF THE MARRIAGES, INCREASE OF POPULATION, ETC. —SOME OF THE DEATHS.-ADDRESSES OF CANDIDATES.- IING CAUCUS APPEARS.-ELECTIONS. -PRICE OF
SALT, ETC.
ON Sunday evening, April 28th, the people were
thrown into great' consternation by "A  Phenomenon.-A  dark place appeared on the north part of
the Sun; it appeared gradually to move towards the
centre.  What wonderful event this is the forerunner of is yet unknown, whether it be the fall of
empires, kingdoms, or of more important events."
This appeared on the evening of the 4th day after
the first paper was issued at Mt. Vernon.  Wonderful circumstance!
Rattlesnakes were quite common, and their bites
frequent about these times-hence the Ohio Register
publishes, May 8th, an efficacious remedy for the
bite.  An application of kali preparation to the
wound, and a lump the size of a hazel nut dissolved
in vinegar to be swallowed during effervescence
every twenty-five or thirty minutes.
"COLD WEATHER FOR THE SEASON." "5 DOLLARS REWARD?"Taken from the OHIO HOTEL, in Mt. Vernon, on or about the 15th
of April last, (either intentionally or through mistake) a dark colored GREAT COAT, with a cape somewhat larger than ordinary, and




KNOX COUNTY.                          201
the collar lined with snuff-colored velvet. If said Great Coat was
taken through design, the subscriber will exchange small clothes
for it if returned to him by the person who took it away; or the
above reward will be given to any other person who will deliver
it to J. Brown, in Mt. Vernon, or to
JOHN FRANK.
May 15, 1816.
Samuel H. Smith gives notice, April 23,  816, that he has for
sale 7,800 acres which he has just "subdivided into LOTS, fiom
100 to 300 acres to accommodate actual settlers."
" John Wilson, with the greatest respect, would inform his customers and the public in general, that he has just received a fresh
supply of NEW GOODS, consisting of Morocco slippers, &c., all of
which he will dispose of on the most moderate terms for cash or
approved country produce." On the 24th of July he advertises
himself " west of the court house and next door south of Mr. Anthony Bannings, where he will sell salt by the barrel at $2 per
bushel, or $2.25 by the single bushel," &c.
"Dr. Robert ID. Moore, engaged in the practice of Medicine.
from his medical attainments, hopes to render general satisfaction."
As showing the wild nature of our county seat,
at that time, and the difficulties of raising children
in a new country, we insert the following obituary
notice as we find it in MIcArdle's style of publishing —the first article under the editorial head, May
22d, 1816:
"SUDDEN DEATH. —Departed this life on Friday afternoon, the
17th inst., Samuel Zimmerman, son of Gotleib and Eve Zimmerman, of this town, aged eleven years, one month and twenty-nine
days. His death was in consequence of eating a small portion of
the root of a wild parsnip, said to be rank poison. His illness was
short, but pains excruciating, which terminated his end in about
40 minutes-leaving behind him an affectionate father, tender and
loving mother, two brothers and three sisters, who greatly lament
the irreparable loss of a dutiful son and brother.




202                     HISTORY OF
In youth's bloom day I'm called away,
My parents are behind;
Of this fine boy who would have been their joy,
Had he been spared to live.
But God in mercy called me home,
His wisdom to fulfill,
He gave me birth and gave me breath,
And blessed be his will.
0! look on me and you will see
A youth knip'd in the bud,
HIere I can't stay, I must away
To appear before my God.
My Pappy and Mamma I fear will fret
At loosing of their Son;
But dry up your tears, appease your fears,
My time was fully come.
An accident it seemed to be,
Which brought about my end;
But God does all things for our good,
And Christ is our sure friend.
Then why should I fear death's stern looks,
Since Christ for me dil die;
For all in Mount Vernon, old and young,
The force of death must try."
Bryant and Burr, under date of Mlay 1st, 1816,
give  notice  that they "have just received a fresh
supply of new goods, consisting in part of fine and
coarse cloths, cassimers, velvets and cords, vesting,
bombarzets, factory nluslins, silk  for  dresses  and
bonnets, silk and cotton shawls, silk and Madrass
handkerchiefs, cotton and worsted hose, a fewfask7iolzable bonnets, &c., &c., all of which will be sold
cheap for wheat, rye, oats, suogar, bacon, homemade
linen, rags, furs and CASH. Ready for trade aud
barter —sell is the word!"




KNOX c OUNTY.                        203
Having formed this arrangement, another partnership is about this time entered into, which continued  for life.  It is thus published in the Ohio
Register of:May 8th:
"IHYMENIAL.
"Lovers, you well may envy them,
Whom such fair joys adorn;
His hand receives a Diadem,
And she has lost a Thorn.
" Married.-On Sunday last, (May 5th, 1816,) in this town, by
the Rev. James Smiith, DOCTOR TIMOTHY BURR to AMISS RACHEL
THRIFT, daughter of the Rev. Wm. Thrift of this county."
"Married, June 2d, 1S14, by the Rev. Mr. George, ]Mr. Daniel
Conger, to Miss Elizabeth Roberts.'And God said unto them,
Befruitful, and mutiply and replenish the earth."'
John Garrison, having laid off the town of Edwinburg on an elevated spot of ground, six and a
half miles west of Mansfield, on the State road,
offers lots for sale MIay 8th, 1816, and advertises
the public that a large spring of water is in the
center of the town.  Poor Edwinburg! alas, death
stole gently upon the innocent, and not a mark of
the place is now visible upon any map!
The following specimen from  the Ohio Register
of June 12th, 1816, is the first effusion of a lovesick swain on Owl Creek's stormy banks.  It is to
be hoped that the "youth" was "relieved:"
"MR. M'ARDLE —By inserting the following Acrostic, you will
particularly oblige your friend and well wisher,
ALPHONSO.
"TO MISS M           --- S
"IM ay Heaven on thee her choicest gifts bestow;
I n thy dear breast may every virtue glow:
S edate and modest, wise, kind, and freeS uch may thy character forever be.




204                   HISTORY OF
"M ost charming fair, the loveliest of your kind,
A nd most accomplished, both in form and mind,
R eceive this humble tribute to your fame,
Y et far beneath what your just merits claim.
"S uch winning sweetness decks your beauteous face,
N o other maid possesses half such grace;
Y our unaffected beauty, free from art,
D elights and captivates each youthful heart;
E ngaging fair, then let thy pitying breast
R elieve a youth whom love has robb'd of rest."
"Miss Mary Fulton respectfully informs the inhabitants of
Mount Vernon and its vicinity, that she has opened a MILLINERS
SHOP at H. Curtis', Esq., second door Sow West of the Court House on
High street, where she intends keeping on hands an elegant assortment of fashionable bonnets, caps, &c. *  *      "  Plain sowing done in the neatest manner and on the shortest notice. May
22d, 1816."
" A gentleman who arrived at Xenia, O., about the 15th of April,
from Vincennes, states that seven soldiers belonging to Fort Harrison, had been killed by the Indians. It was unknown to what
tribe they belonged."
"On the 18th of April last, the Steamboat Maria, Captain
Lovell, arrived at Cincinnati from Marietta, bound to Boston, Mass.,
with a cargo of pork, flour and lard."
Another store is opened at 1Mount Vernon by
A. &  T. Gormly, from  Pittsburgh, in  May, 1816.
They advertise "an assortment of the iimanufactures
of Pittsburgh, to wit: two stills, iron  in  the bar,
&C., &C."
At about this time the principal travel was to
Zanesville.   J. Reeve  advertises that he  keeps
tavern at the sign of the BEAR, formerly occupied
by Col. J. Perry, on  Main  street, Zanesville, and
closes with the following notice:
"N. B.-Travellers will be supplied with a Way Bill, giving an
account of the Roads and Distances to the principal towns in the
United States."




KNOX COUNTY.                205
At this time John Hamm, Marshal of the District of Ohio at Zanesville, paid Invalid Pensioners of the United States at his office in that place.
William Kattle, living in Clinton township, near
Charles Cooper's one mile West of Clinton, lost
"one pretty good chunck of a grey horse, anl a
chesnut sorrel with a Roman nose and a white
strip inclining down one of his nostrils."
In July, John Sawyer and Adney Coleman commenced butchering in IMount Vernon, and keeping
beef at their slaughter-house every Tuesday and:Friday morning at reduced price.
Thomas Irvine also advertises as a butcher, and
wants to purchase hides and fat cattle.
Alexander Elliott found, on Saturday morning,
Sept. 21st, on Market street, six dollars in bank
bills, which he advertised as wanting an owner.
James Moor, acting Sheriff of Richland county,
Sept. 25th, 1816, proclaims through the Ohio Register that the people of Jefferson township are expected to vote at the house of Jfr. Bell, on the Clear
Fork on the second Tuesday of October next.
Six cents reward is offered, September 16th, by
J. & S. Selby for George Huntsbery, an apprentice
to the hatting business (through the persuasions of
some intriguing persons) induced to run away; but
no charges paid for returning said boy.
Andrew Thompson & Co. carry on the WOOLEN
AND COVERLET WEAviNG at Henry Oldacre's, near
James Dunlap's, on Licking Creek.
The firm of A. & T. Gormly is dissolved September 11th, and Thomas Gormly continues the business.




206              HISTORY  OF
In September, B. Bentley opened for Jos. S.
Newell an extensive assortment of goods, which
were for sale or exchange for butter, beeswax, linen,
grain, rags, bags, or feathers.
"To substantial citizens a credit will be given
without any enhancement of prices."
"' TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.-YOU are hereby notified that
a petition will be presented to the next Court of Common Pleas,
for the county of Knox to vacate a certain part of the town of
Mount Vernon, viz: Lots No. 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, the property
of L. S. Silliman, together with the streets and alleys adjoining."
Nathaniel Herron wants immediately two or
three Journeymen (Yarpenters; also one or two
apprentices.
Alexander Enos has for sale one first rate and
one second rate wagon.
The members of the Mount Vernon Polemic Society met at the court house October 17th, at 6
o'clock, P. IM.
On the 23d of November Win. Y. Farquhar,
Clerk, exposed to sale, at 12 o'clock, " sundry works
and repairs to be done to the court house," by order
of the Commissioners.
Huron and Wayne, Coshocton and Richland
county advertisements are inserted in the Ohio
Register.
Jonathan & Eli lViller, Nov. 27th, advertise that
they are receiving new goods from  Philadelphia:
groceries, imported liquors, morocco leather shoes,
queensware, &c.
J. & S. Selby, hatters, on the 7th September, at
public vendue, disposed of all their traps. Among




KKNOX  COUNTY.                  207
the articles enumerated were a two wheeled pleasurre
carriage; also a handsome sleigh,  a rifle gun, a number of first quality hats, &c.; and the following
choice tit bit for our early citizens:   -  "Epicures,
here is something for you!-A  PET CUB BEAR will
also be sold to the highest bidder!  You seldom
meet with such a chance as this."
George Dickenson, in November, offered a reward of one cent for the return of a runaway
apprentice boy, named Michael Fairchild, between
18 and 19 years of age, short thick set, light coImplexion, cunning and rogueish.
John Greer, Collector for Knox county, on the
7th December, at M1ajor Joseph Brown's tavern,
offered for sale 47 lots for taxes, amounts due ranging from 4 cents to $1.50.
Sanmuel H. Smith, August 7th, advertises as just
finished a lot of LEATrHER — sole and uMpper, kip and
calf, for sale wholesale or retail, at Clinton.
James Miller, August 21st, opens a new store in
Mount Vernon, in the room lately occupied by M1'r.
John Wilson.
Hugh M4rcMahon carries on a tanyard at Clinton,
and he warns people against purchasing leather
of Samuel H. Smith, as he has a claim  on it.
Whereupon Samuel comes back upon him  in the
following unique style:
"Mr. MCARDLE-Sir: In your paper I observe a caution to the
public, by Hugh McaTahon, forewarning them from meddling with
his property. I would ask Mr. McMahon how far his claims extend? Does he still hold a claim to the store of goods in the town
of Delaware, into which he entered by the window, in the night,
in the absence of the store kepeer? Or has he relinquished his




208                  H'ISTORY O F
claim to the goods in hopes of having better success with Leather
I would advise said lMcMahon to go to work and endeavor to obtain
a livelihood by honest industry, and shun the counsel of the man
who would advise him to thieving or perjury in order to gratify
his revengeful passion.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
S. Ht. SMITH."
A  meeting of citizens of Richland county was
held at the house of Samuel Williams, Esq., in the
town of Mlansfield.  John Garrison, Esq.,was called
to the Chair, and C. R. Pollock- appointed Secretary; and they resolved to support Thomas Worthington for re-election  as Governor, Peter Hitchcock, Esq., for Representative in  Congress, and
Joseph Brown, Esq., for Senator, to represent Knox,
Riclhand and Licking counties.  The proceedings
were ordered to be published in the Trunmp of
Fiame, in Trumbull county, and the Ohio Register.
"Wasfound, on the Main street, Mt. Vernon, a calico dress
pattern. The owner, by giving an accurate description thereof,
and paying for this advertisement, may have it again. Enquire
of the printer.
Mt. Vernon, July 10, 1816."
~From  a song of these times we extract the following hits at members of Congress for voting to increase their pay, which, since the passage of the
great tax bill of June, 1862, will be read with a
lively interest:
Our stills you tax most dev'lish high,
You promised that it Ehould die
When wars were o'er one year gone by
That you'd relieve us;
But here you told a thumping lie,
A thing most grievous.




KNOX CO UNTY.                        209
Ye tax our whisky day by day,
That you may riot, sport and playPerhaps on Sunday ye do pray
To make amends;
Whether or not, ye are on the way
To have nofriends.
We're told you sport and drink and game,
If true, dear sirs, do blush with shameIf true or false ye have the name,
And more's the pity;
Rise quick, and tell us who's to blame,
In some committee.
There are many verses, but the above will suffice
as showing the spirit in resistance to the tax on
spirits, &c.
About this time, Nov., 1816, aristocratic notions
entered the heads of some of our citizens, and an
advertisement appears"A BARBER WANTED.-A Barber will, probably, meet with
good encouragement in this place (Mount Vernon.) It would
make it an object well worth the attention of any one who could
devote part of his time to any other business."
Population in the county began to increase quite
rapidly by immigration, and in the natural way.
As showing something of the stock in those times,
we take from  the Register a statement in regard to
David Wilson, Sept., 1816, in his seventy-eighth
year, who " has had four wives and by them  fortytwo children. His oldest child is but sixteen years
younger than himself.  His second wife had five
children, at two births, in  eleven months.  ~Mir.
Wilson is a native of Pennsylvania-drinks grog
freely-converses with ease and affability-and sup14




210              HISTORY  OE
ports his family by labor.  He has worn a hat
twenty-two years, which is still passably decent."
Old Captain Wilson was well known to his neighbors as one of the liveliest old pioneers. Some of
his stock yet survive in old Knox.
That there was unexampled fecundity at this time
among our people, we may still further note the
fact that, on the 9th of December, a petition from
the west was presented to Congress, by MIr. 1[cCoy,
from an honest couple, who represented that they
had been united in wedlock's happy bonds for 27
years-in which time they have added to our population 20 children, 19 of whom  are living, and
whom they have maintained by the product of their
manual labor. On that score they pray Congress
for a donation of public lands to make their declining years more easy.  The Journals show its reference to the committee on Public Lands.
We still further find by the Ohio Register, Vol.
2, No. 11, that a "Mrs. Contzeu was delivered of
four children-three boys and one girl, all likely
to do well."
From the publication of Marriages, by McArdle,
we take the following of parties well known to the
citizens of the county:
"July 30th, 1816, by Rev. James Scott, Mr. John Frank to the
amiable and accomplished Miss Sarah Hickman.
A" July 4th, by Abner Ayres, Esq., Mr. Isaac Williams, of Richland.county, to Miss Sally Bartlett, of this county.
"October 26th, by Jacob Hanger, Esq., Mr. Nathaniel Davis to
Miss Patsey Doty.
October 26th, by Benjamin Barney, Esq., Mr. William Wager
to Miss Margaret Bixler.




KNOX COUNTY.                          211
"December 4th, by James Smith, Esq., Mr. John Strain to Miss
Maria Craig.
In the issue of August 14th, 1816:
"1 HYMENIAL.'The laws enacted by our God,
Peremptorily bind
Man to unite in silken ties,
With lovely womankind.'
"MARRIED-On Sunday eveninglast, bythe Rev. James Smith,
Mr. DANIEL S. NORTON, Of Connelsville, Pa., to Miss SARAH
BANNING, daughter of Mr. Anthony Banning, of this town."
"t Though Heaven had made him such another world
Of one entire and perfect Chrysolite,
He would not exchange her for it."-Shakspeare.
"'Married-On the 26th of December, by John Young, Esq.,
Mr. James Harris to Miss Mary Logan; also Capt. John Stiltz to
Miss Margaret McCulloch.
" On the 12th December, by Rev. Henry George, Mr. William
Bryant to Miss Elizabeth Norton.
" At Frederick, by Abner Ayres, Esq., Mr. George Ayres to Miss
~Jane Garrison.
"At Mansfield, Mr. Henry Ayres to Miss Jane Hoy, daughter of
Capt. Win. Hoy, of Richland county.
Samuel Mott, candidate for Senator, Sept. 11th,
sends out to the electors of Licking, Knox and
Richland, the first printed address we have been
able to find.  He says, among other things, that he
has "been induced to become a candidate from  the
encouragement of many substantial and respectable citizens in the district."
In  the Register, of Sept. 11th, we find  tickets
announced as the choice of Chester, Morris, Morgan
and Miller townships.
There were many aspirants for political promotion. Among the number we find, for Governor



212               rHISTORY  OF
Thomas Worthington, Ethan A. Brown, James
Dunlap.
For Congress-Peter Hitchcock, John G. Young,
David Clendenan.
For Senate-William  Stanbery, Esq., William
Gavitt, Esq., Major Joseph Brown, Samuel Mott,
Esq., Benjamin Martin, Esq., Waitstill Hastings,
IHenry Smith, Mordecai Bartley.
iFor House of Representatives-Jonathan Miller,
William  Mitchell, Munson Pond, John Warden,
Alexander Enos, Judge Thomas Coulter for Richland county, William  W. Farquhar.
The Ohio Register, of August 28th, having contained this notice:
"There is another gentleman who very kindly offers his services as Representative in the State Legislature; he is extremely
modest, though very popular; he, therefore, believes that it will
amply suffice, at this time, to make public the initial letters, only,
of his name. They are " R. B."
Expectation, on tip-toe, was gratified by the following explanatory card:
"September 5th, 1816.
Mr. McArdle: After my respects to you, as you have been so
good as to insert the two first letters of my name, (I presume it has
been from the solicitations of my friends) I wish you to insert my
name in full, as I am a candidate, and determined to oppose Winm.
Mitchell; and forward your bill to me, and you will much oblige
yours, &c.
ROBERT BUTLER.
J. P. McARDLE."
Col. John Greer, about this time, felt the importance of his military commission, and issued an
order to the commandants of companies in the
county of Knox to send two men from  each corn



KNOX COUNTY.              213
pany to Mr. Boalse's inn, to nominate suitable persons to represent the counties of Knox, Licking and
Richland. Whereupon there appeared, on the 13th
September, the following persons:
-From Captain Parcel's company, Truman Stromy
and David iShaw. -From Captain Cook's company,
Capt. John Cook and Isaac N. Richardson. From
Captain John Venom's company, Josiah B. Day
and John Trimble. From Captain A. Emmet's
company, Witlliam Bevans and Benjamin Warner.
From Captain Cooper's company, Jacob Hanger
and Jonathan Burch. From Captain Squire's company, James Miller andr John J. Tidlos.
The result of this caucus-or military dictationthe first of the kind ever known in this county,
was the nomination of Waitstill Hastings and Jonathan Miller.
Nominating caucuses were also held in Richland
and in Licking counties this year. The contest
waxed very warm; circulars and handbills were
much circulated, and all manner of electioneering
was resorted to at this election. The result, however,
was that out of 485 votes for Governor cast in the
whole county, Thomas Worthington received 424
majority. Peter Hitchcock had 463 majority for
Congress; and the county gave small majorities for
Mifartin for Senator and Miller for Representative.
Samuel Mott received 1 vote in Clinton, 3 in
Morris, 8 in Miller, and none in Chester, Wayne,
Jackson, Union and Morgan. Connected with this
election is the following anecdote, which is altogether too good to be lost: Gideon Mott, the brother
of Sam, who was a very plain man, yet full of wit,




214                  HISTORY OF
was responsible for it.  He said that he dropped in
to see Mrs. Mott on the night of the election, and
while there Samuel got home from  Richland county, where he had been electioneering, and asked
how the election had gone in Clinton, and when
he replied "He got one vote," Mrs. MI. exclaimed" That's always the way it is-if you had only been
at home, Samuel, and voted, you would have got
two!"
Josiah L. Hill, of Green township, offers himself
as a candidate for Representative of Richland county in the following pithy address:
"The usual theme of candidates, in my standing, are many loud
swelling words full of legislative wisdom, or rather of their own
egotism, and to harangue every neighbor in their way with the
prospect of a State road or a turnpike, by measures of which onehalf of our citizens will become wealthy inn-keepers, and the other
half their happy customers, with their pockets flushed with money
drawn from a new country bank to be erected on a new fangled system,
and thus all are to be ritch and happy. But such language as this
hath never fallen from my lips since the days of my youth, when
under the passions of love and addressed to females of my age, and
I shall not again resume this theme until I become a widower;
but while I speak for myself to men of understanding and discernment, and not to women, I have only to say that I stand a free will
offering at the alter of your good pleasures.    *    *    *
Should I succeed in my election I shall feel it incumbent on me
to use my feeble endeavors, by lawful incense, to gratify my constituents, and this is all the flattery I have to make use of. My
abilities are too small to boast of, which, with my character, are
now for you to enquire into.
So I remain the public's devoted servant,
JOSIAH L. HILL.
Green Township, Sept. 15th, 1816."
Whereupon Thomas Coulter withdraws his name
from the list.




KNOX COUNTY                          215
At the election, this year, 470 votes were cast in
Richland  county-of which   Worthington  had  a
majority of 353, Hitchcock 433; and for Senator
Mordecai Bartley  received 339, Win. Gavitt 77,
Joseph Brown 23, Samuel lMiott 10, Benjamin 3M1artin 6, Waitstill Hastings 6.  And Samuel Williams
was elected Representative.
Benjamin Martin, for Senator, puts forth the following address:
" To the electors of the district composed of the counties of Licking,
Kinox and Richland:
GENTLEMEN-As I am offering myself as a candidate to represent the inhabitants of the above district in the State Senate, I
think it my duty to lay before the public a copy of official papers,
which I hope you will read, and thereby satisfy your minds in
regard to my political character. The first of my certificates of the
oath of allegiance.
I do ]hereby certify that Benjamin Martin, of Bedford county,
hath voluntarily taken and subscribed the oath of Allegiance and
Fidelity, as directed by an Act of General Assembly of Pennsylvania, passed the 13th day of June, 1777. Witness my hand and
seal the 10th day of October, A. D., 1783.
JA]MES MARTIN.
Bedford county, State of Pennsylvania, ss.
We, the subscribers, Justices of the Peace, &c., in and for the
county of Bedford, do hereby certify to all who it may concern,
that we have been acquainted with the bearer hereof, Benjamin
Martin, soil of James Martin, Esq., of the county aforesaid, for
these several years past, and that we have not heard of anything
to operate against his character as an honest young man; but on
the contrary, that he has behaved himself as a good WHIG and a
friend to his country. And he being desirous to go from here to
the lower parts of this State to transact some business and see his
relations; therefore, all persons are requested to permit the said




216                HISTORY OF
Benjamin Martin to pass and repass, he behaving himself as a good
and faithful citizen ought to do.
Given under our hands and seal, the 20th of April, in the year
of our Lord 1784.
BARNARD DOUGHERTY,
[L.S.J                   DAVID ESPY.
SIRs-Having always in view, as my polar star, the principles
contained in the above oath and certificate, I have with a steady
mind, either as a private citizen or as a public servant, pursued
that kind of policy which would best promote the interests of our
country, as the principles of general suffrage; for I always have
and ever shall be of opinion, that when a man has enrolled himself in our militia muster-rolls, and has paid State and county tax,
that in consequence thereof, he is, and ought to be entitled to all
the privileges and advantages of the government; and any policy
or law, which, in its operation, would tend to lessen those privileges would be an invasion on the natural and inherent rights of
man. Those, gentlemen, are the principles which I ventured my
life to establish, and the remaining part of my days shall go to
maintain.
Written by the public's humble servant and real friend,
BENJAMIN MARTIN."
The difficulty of collecting debts, in part at this
time, may be judged of by the following unique
notice of sheriff Shaw:
" PUBLIC NOTICE.-My friends and the public are hereby informed, that should they have large sums of money to collect, not
to bring suit in the Court of Common Pleas, in expectation of
thereby obtaining their just demands in a reasonable time, I
have been induced to publish this friendly caution that the public
may not censure me for neglect in my official capacity. In order
to show where the fault lies read the following plain statement:
" I have been assiduously endeavoring to collect the amount of an
execution ever since I have been sheriff of this county, and have
as yet received no money. The associate judges grant bills of injunction successively, after I have had the property ready for sale,
which has procrastinated the collection of the money. There have
been two on the aforesaid execution; the judgment was rendered




]KNOX COUNTgTY.                     217
at December term, 1815, for ERKURIus BEATTY. Therefore, if the
laws of this State will keep a mail out of his money three years
after judgment is rendered, I would seriously advise my friends
not to bring suit for debts due them, but rather remove' to some
other State or country where they may obtain justice.
JOHN SHAW, Sheriff of Knox Co.
September 4, 1816."
The fall term of Court of Common Pleas came on December 24,
1816.
" Grand Jury.-Isaac Vore, sr., foreman, Abednego Stephens,
Thomas Townsend, Zebulon Ashley, David Jackson, Robert Work,
Wm. Lepley, Win. Kittle, John L. Lewis, Samuel Durbin,' Roberit
McMillan,'Anthony Banning, Francis Wilkins, Francis Blakeley,
and Thomas Fletcher.
"They found six bills of indictments. Tavern license was
granted to Anson Brown and Jonathan Hunt. Store license to
John Williams, James Rigby,. James  Miller, Johni Shrimplin,
Bryant & Burr, Eli & Jonathan Miller, and Anthony Banning.
Shadrach Ruark, of the Methodist church, was licensed to marry,
and James Craig was fined 815.and costs for assault and battery.
" A HINT-Promises, without performances, are like clouds without rain.-The subscriber finds it indispensably necessary (these
hard times) to call upon those of his friends who are indebted, lest
they should forget him. He feels very sorry that a few broken
promises should interdict all social intercourse: therefore, he earnestly solicits them to come for-ward and enable him, like an honest
man, to meet those who have reposed confidence in him.
"J. BROWN.
"N. B. I have a quantity of whisky for sale, either by the
barrel or gallon, at my tavern in. Mount Vernon.    J. B.
"CMOUNT VERNON, June 12, 1816.
"J. Brown's tavern, called the' Ohio Hotel.'"
"M r. John Mecabee gives notice that he has commenced tavern
keeping in Clinton, at the well known stand of the " Rising Sun,"
formerly occupied by Mr. E. Ogle.' That the house is large and
commodious for the reception of ladies, gentlemen, and travelers.
June 19."
The 4th of Julb  was celebrated in becoming style




218                 HISTOiRY OF
at several points in the County, as will be seen from
the following notices:
"At a meeting of a number of the inhabitants of Knox county,
held at the house of William Mitchell, Esq., June 12th, to make
arrangements for the Fourth of July, William Mitchell, Esq., was
appointed Chairman, and Doctor G. B. Maxfield, Secretary. The
following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
"1st. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to conduct the
business of the day. Accordingly the following gentlemen were
chosen, viz: Winm. Mitchell, G. B. Maxfield, Job Allen, N. M.
Young, John Garrison and John Lewis.
"2d. That the day be kept as a day of Thanksgiving, and all
ministers of the Gospel living within a reasonable distance be invited to attend, and that they meet at the house of Captain Job
Allen, about three-quarters of a mile south of Fredericktown, at
9 o'clock A.M.
" 3d. That an invitation be given to all that wish to unite with
us. The business of the day to commence at 9 o'clock A. 31.
"4th. That the following named gentlemen be a committee to
superintend the singing, which is to be part of the performance of
the day: Benjamin Jackson, Sen., Jacob Young, John Mefford and
Benjamin Jackson, Jun. All those who are completely acquainted
with all or either of the parts of vocal music are requested to make
it known sometime previous to forming for the march, as it is intended to practice certain tunes.
" WM. MITCHELL, Chairman.
"G B. M3AXFIELD, Secretary."
In the issue of July 10, 1816, we have a notice
of the proceedings celebrating the Fourth, in pursuance of the arrangements made at the meeting
before noticed:
" Agreeably to previous arrangements to celebrate the 41st anniversary of American Independence, a respectable company of between three and four hundred persons met at the house of Captain
Job Allen, and having formed a procession, they moved in regular
order to the place appointed for public worship. A very suitable
and impressive discourse was delivered by the Rev. Henry George,




KNOX COUNTY.                          219
from Gallatians v: 13; and, after a short intermission, the attention of the audience was again called by the Rev. James Smith,
who delivered an excellent and comprehensive discourse from
Luke xx: 25. The singers took their seats by themselves, and
the greatest decorum was observed throughout the day. The de.
vout exercises being ended, a highly gratified audience dispersed
in harmony, nothing having occurred to mar the pleasures which a
decent commemoration of the birth day of our National Independence is calculated to produce."
The paper of July 21st contains a communication giving an account of a celebration "by a very
respectable number of citizens in Wayne township,
at the dwelling house of Mr. William  Drake.  The
day was ushered in by the discharge of musketry
from  a volunteer company commanded by Captain
Israel R. Dalrymple.  The Declaration  of Independence was read by Mr. Jabez Beers, and a patriotic and very animated oration delivered by Mr.
Truman  Strong."   Some of the toasts are rather
spicy. Witness the following:
"Each Monarch of the Earth —The Island of St. Helena their
dominion, and Bonaparte their landlord."
" The factious Americans, or English devotees-Dartmoor prison
their cradle, and Captain Shortland their nurse."
" George Cabot, President of the Hartford Convention —May the
warm sun of Republicanism melt the tory frost from off his head
and heart; and may he cast off his pernicious principles as the
reptile doth its skin."
" John Bull-Twice has he attempted to destroy the liberties of
America, and twice has he witnessed the futility of his attacks on
the sons of freedom's soil."




220                HISTORY OF
CHAPTER XVII.
KNOX COUNTY IN 1817.
ILLTUSTRATIONS OF THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES.-TTHEiATRICALS. -MISSIONARIES TO BE SENT TO CONNECTICUT.-SMALL-POX EXCITEMENT.-TRIALS
OF INTEREST. - PATRIOTIC OUTGUSHINGS OF POPULAR FEELING. COMBINATION OF MECHANICS.-BILL OF PRICES.-FIRST DELEGATE TO THE
STATE INSTITUTION.- ANOTMER TOWN.-MORE WHISKY AND MORE MARRIAGES.
THIS year was introduced by a grand Theatrical
exhibition by the young gentlemen of Mount Vernon.  Of the performances, the following  were
a part:  1. An Address to the aiadience; 2. The
Conjurer-A Dialogue; 3. Thle Dispute between
a Merchant and his-Wife; 4. Clownishness and
Awkwardness, in' 2 Acts;'5. The Lap-Dog —A:
Dialogue  of two Ladies;*  6. Douglass,, or the
Noble Shepherd'-A  Tragedy; 7.' The Knight's
Dream; S. Cowardice and Knavery; 9. A  Dialogue between a Schoolmaster and School Committee, &c.  For several years the young gentlemen
continued  their theatrical exhibitions, and often
acquitted themselves handsomely.
The following "furwan" we copy verbatim from
the Register of January 29th, 1817:
"TAKE NOTICE —That eye have left my wife Iselbelah irelands
bead and board and eye know furnwan eny person or persons
creeaditing hir on my account as eye shall not be acountable for
eny of her deats or contracts frdm this date likewse eye furwan




KNOX COUNTY.                         221
eny person or persns from purchasing eny property whatever til
her former deats is all paid up          JOHN IRELAND."
The following  entry upon  the Court minutes,
shows that the people were minus a term  of Common Pleas.  The reason, we learn from  the oldest
inhabitant, was "high water" —one of the "biggest"
spring floods ever known by the old settlers:
"The Court of Com. Pleas was opened at Mount Vernon the
24th March, 1817. The Sheriff appeared and called the Court,
who failing to appear, the Sheriff adjourned the Court until tomorrow morning,.9 o'clock.- The Sheriff appeared and opened
Court agreeable to adjournment, and called the Court, and Judges
Young and Trimble, and no other Judge; whereupon, by order of
the Judges, ordered the Sheriff adjourn the Court until to-morrow
morning.                                   JACOB YOUNG.
"9 o'clock, according to adjournment, the I1on. Jacob Young
and John Trimble, Esq., Associate Judges, appeared. There not
being a quorum, the Court being opened, the said Judges ordered
the Court adjourned until Court in course.    JACOB YOUNG."
This month a Yankee peddler, named Giddings,
passed through the county bound for Columbus,
who sold to several of the merchants wooden nutmegs, having  a few  genuine ones for them  "to
sample."
The old settlers of the county became charitably
inclined, and determined to send Missionaries to
convert " the everlasting heathen of Connecticut."
Accordingly they formed a society for this purpose,
and  published on the 9th of April the following
notice:
"OHIO MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
" 1    We are authorized to state, that a Society has been formed
in this State for the purpose of propagating the Gospel:among the




222              HISTORY OF
everlasting Heathen of Connecticut and the parts adjacent. The
first meeting of the Society will be held in Zanesville on the 20th
of May next, for the purpose of electing suitable Missionaries for
the performance of the arduous undertaking. It is hoped that all
who are favorable to the cause, will contribute their mite to effect
so desirable an object.
"t' Printers favorably disposed towards the Ohio Missionary
Society, are requested to give the foregoing one or two insertions."
At this period Zanesville was the great town of
Central Ohio, and at that place and Putnam the
principal shipping and other business was transacted by the citizens of Knox county.
In May, 1817, John S. Dugan having opened the
Green Tree Hotel in Zanesville, advertises that he
has a number of German servants (redemptioners),'"who are attentive and honest; one of which is a
regular bred horse Doctor, and served six years
under Bonaparte as such; and'tis said by travelers,
he is one of the best hostlers in the United States.
R   My whole study is to please, and I hope the
public will give me a chance to do so."
The little log school-house on the public square
had served its time, and at private houses schools
had for some time been kept, when the public-spirited men in Mount Vernon started subscriptions to
build another.
June 7th. The subscribers to the new  schoolhouse proposed to be erected, met at Richardson
and Vore's tavern to choose managers, &c.
June 18th. The small-pox having made its appearance at Newark, caused a great excitement in
the quiet village of Mount Vernon.  The inhabitants ran to and fro, not knowing what to do. A
public consultation was had, and Dr. R. D. Moore




KNOX COuntY.                       223
wrote and published a little treatise on the subject,
giving the origin of the disease, the views of "the
immortal JENNER" upon "the grease," " cow-pox,"
"small-pox," etc., and concluding  as follows:"     The small-pox has been for some months past
traveling northward, and is now within a short distance from this place. The subscriber will attend on
every SATURDAY, at his house in Mofunt Vernon,
for the purpose of vaccinating (those whose pecuniary means will not warrant application), gratis."
Anderson Searl, of Mount Vernon, on the 18th
of June, publishes that he will not pay a certain
note given to William  Shinnibery for a certain
black and white muley cow, to be delivered to him
next harvest; "the said note being given in part
consideration of a certain horse sold to me by said
Shinnibery for a sound horse, which I have since
found to be unsound."
NOTABLE PROCEEDINGS OF COMMON PLEAS COURT, JUNE 23D.
"iAt this term, the Indictments vs., John Strain, were read, and
he was fined on the first $20 and costs-and on the second, assault
and battery, $10 and costs.
1" The Grand Jurors-Royal D. Simons, foreman-returned seven
bills of Indictment. Albert Sherwood, by verdict of jury, recovered $75 off of Wm. Williams for assault and battery; and in suit
of the State Wm. Williams was fined $15 and costs. Thomas
Wilkins and John Roop are, each, fined $5 and costs for assault
and battery; and John Strain and John Roop, each, fined $5 and
costs for an affray, and Robert Butler was fined $15 and costs.
" James Trimble renews his tavern license; also Michael Harter,
John Davidson, Gotleib Zimmerman, and Richardson & Yore.
"On application of Anthony Banning and Samuel Kratzer for
the vacating of a part of the addition of the town of Mount Vernon,
The application is overruled at the cost of the applicants.




22:      2:?IS T           F R Y'  O E
"Samuel I. Smith's application for vacating part of the town
of Clinton was continued;.and also continued Oct. term, 1817.
"Ordered that a certificate issue to pay expense of Coroner's
inquest over the body of Wm. Conaway, jr.; also of N. Butler.
PATRIOTIC OUTBURST ON THE NATIONAL ANNIVERSARY.
The 4th of July was celebrated by the Mount
Vernon Artillery Company, under Capt. Joseph'
B3rown, with  all the pomp  and  circumstance  of
war.  The day was duly ushered in by a national
salute-a  grand  parade  came  off-a  sumptuous
dinner at'Richardson  &  Vore's inn-and toasts,
speeches, and wine made it a merry occasion.  The
Declaration of Independence   was read by Doctor.
Robert D. Moore.-  Among the toasts were the fol-b
Iowing:
-" The Constitution, the grandest- work of human genius-May it
long stand the proudest monument of Republican solidity..
" The memory of our departed American heroes from  Warren
downi to -the brave Pike and Lawrence.
" Faction, the bane of republican governments —lay it never be
suffered to impair confidence in our legally constituted authorities.
"May the words Federalist and Democrat be exchanged for the
prouder appellation of —'I am an American citizen.'.'  The Fair Daughters of Columbia-Always lovely, but more
divinely enchanting when attired in homespun, smiling on the patriot: brave..;" -By Capt. John Shaw-May brother Jonathan watch John Bull
wi;thi the eye of an Eagle."
A  quarterly or sacramental meetiTg was held on
F:ridfay,; the 4th of July, at the Dry Creek school
house.  All Christians and ministers of' the gospel
were earnestly solicited to attend and assist in the
various exercises of the service.




KNO X COuNtY.                       225
T1E: STORE SET'UPO:N CAMPBELL'S POEMS-THREE DOLLARS.OP
ADVERTISING A $1.50 B.OOK.
"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick."
"In the month of November, 1815, I advertised a volume of
Campbell's poems, which I had lent some considerable time before
to an acquaintance of mine. The principal poem in this work is
entitled " The pleasures of Hope," and I:had entertained a hope of
obtaining it long ere this; but this hope, like some other of my
expectations, has perished. I now only wish it may be returned
to me.
ROBERT BUCHANAN.
June 18th, 1817."
This notice not having the desired effect, on the 16th of July
the following pointed addition is made to it: "If Mr. J-n Wk-r, who was entrusted to deliver the above: volume to me, by the
person to whom I lent it, does not return it within two weeks from
the date: hereof, I will give his name to the public, together with
some traits of his character, which have not much the appearance
of honesty!
i" As I am credibly informed that you have refused five dollars
for those poems, I think you ought not to object paying me $1.50
for them. You may send or bring me this amount, or the book,
at your own option. I am determined to have it or its worth from
you-peaceably if I can,f orcibly ifl must.. B.
"The pleasures of Hope" —— agai/.
"To Mr. John Walker:
SiR-The two weeks in which I allowed you to return the above
poems, have now elapsed: unheeded by you. At the expiration of
that time, I promised to give the public your name and an exposition of your conduct in retaining this book in your own possession after having.politely proffered your services to convey it to
me from the young lady to whom I had lent it; but being blessed
with a pretty good share of charity, I have omitted the exposition
for the- presenit, and inserted your dname only-giving you one
week further to decide- whether or not'honesty is' the best policy!'
ROBERT BUC-ANAN.
July 3d, 1817."




226'"''H I S'T:O"R Y    o'F
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS' SHOWING THE KIND OF CURRENCY,
BUSINESS VIEWS AND INCONVENIENCES.
John Frank & Co., July 17th, offer "iron, castings and salt, being both chartered and cash articles in this place, and solicit their friends to whom.they gave a short credit last winter to come forward and discharge their respective accounts. *
*   * ~ *   They are informed that the paper
of the Owl Creek Bank of Jiount Vernon, and that
of Canton, and the Farmners & AMechanics' Bank of
Steubenville will be taken," &c.
Luke Walpole brings to Mount Vernon a quantity of salt, leather, and castings to exchange for
beef and pork, delivered in Zanesville the coming
winter.
Oct. 16th, Frederick Falley, proprietor of Venice, has 1,000 lots for sale, and invites all classes of
mechanics and business men to locate there. About
this time it was the supposition that Venice would
become the future shipping point for Knox county,
and Norton & Banning established a storage, commission and mercantile house at Venice, on the
Sandusky bay. As evidence that this belief was
general,:we may cite the act of the Legislature of
1817, declaring that the road to be made by the
Knox, Richland & Huron Turnpike Company shall
terminate at the town of Venice, on Sandusky bay.
Robert D. Moore, as agent for the Mary Ann
Furnace, situate on the Rocky Fork of Licking,
brings to the notice of our citizens a large assortment of castings of superior beauty and quality,
-and asks them to encourage manufactories.
Daniel S. Norton notifies those who were in debt




KoN Ox  coUT- Y.                 227
to him on the 16th of August last, to pay up while
they can in the paper of the country.
Anthony Banning advertises a large lot of leather,
which he will sell for hides or chartered moneyor chartered money will be given for hides.
Jesse B. Thomas cautions "all persons (indiscriminately) against cutting, destroying; or removing timber from or otherwise trespassing upon his
lands on the Hamtramck section, as I have given
my agents (Messrs. John Roberts and John Warden)
positive instructions to prosecute all."
THE FIRST COMBINATIONS OF MECHANICS, WHO THEY WERE,
AND THEIR BILLS OF PRICES.
"TAYLORS PRICES.-We, the subscribers, of Mount Vernon,
have agreed to establish the following prices for Tayloring, viz:
Great coats, $4.50; broad cloth coats, $4.00; common homespun,
$3.50; commonpantaloons, $1.25; vest, $1.25; pantaloons with buttons on the legs, $1.75; ditto welted, $1.50; cherrivallies laced, $3;
plain ditto, $2.25; ladies' coats, $3.50. Any extra work on. the
above articles shall be priced according to the work.
WM. W. ALEXANDER,
WM. PETTIGREW,
WM. CROUCH.
May 20, 1817."
William  Giffin and Peter Zarly got up a meeting
of Millwrights, at Zimmerman's inn, on the:26th
of August, for establishing a bill of prices for their
work. At this meeting John Williamson, Samuel
Pyle, Peter Zarly, James King and William Giffin
were present.  Among the items we find-"For a:double geered grist-mill, $300; for a double geered
saw-mill, $200; for a meal spout, $2; meal trough,
$3; hopper, $4, &c."
Jacob Myers, Patrick Nellans, Robert Robert



228      H-I-S TOR Y  O F
on, Samiuel Hoppers, Samutel Vance, John Byan,
John Cottle, John Kinsey and David Poter; agree,.
upon honor, to support the said bill of prices:.
PETTY THIEVING AND OTHER RASCALITY.
Michael Click offers one cent reward for Michael
Teadrow, an apprentice to the brick-making business, but no charges paid. September 3d.
James Miller publishes the following notice:
"' The person who took away a Mattock from my building, without leave, is requested to return.the same immediately, or his. name
will be given to the public (besides prosecuting), as it is well
known who purloined it."
"TAKE CARE.-The person who was so kind as to take away
without leave, a pair of stretchers and a broken singletree, on the
29th of August; they were laying on the green between- Messrs.
Bryant 4' Barr's and: Mr. J. Frank.' Co.'s stores, are requested to
return the same immediately to thewsubscriber, and save themselves:
trouble, they had better return them before thiey are troubled with
a call from:Mr. Constable.
" Mt. Vernon, Sept. 5, 1.817.       James Thompson."
Noah Rude has a chesnut sorrel horse stolen from
James Bryant's pasture on the night of the 5th of
September, and offers a reward for him.
At the District Court of the United States, held
at Chillicothe on the 9th of September, Samuel
Bunting was indicted on a charge of robbing the.
mail between Newark and Zanesville, and was sentenced to the Penitentiary for one year.
Horse thieves about this time became so bold
that Joseph Berry had, on the morning of the 19th
of September, a mare, -saddle and bridle stolen from
the door of James Thompson in- Mount Vernon, just,
after he had hitched her, and gone into the house.




KNOX  CoUNTY.                    229
At' the October term of Knox Common Pleas,
John McFarland was tried for feloniously stealing
a five and two one dollar notes on the Owl Creek
Bank of Mount Vernon.  The jury found him
guilty of stealing the five dollar note; as to the
other counts in the indictments, not guilty.  The
court sentenced -him to one year imprisonment in'the penitentiary at hard labor, but no part of said
term to be kept in solitary cells of the prison. The
prisoner was a boy, 14 to 15 years of age, the son
of apoor man, who, from want of restraint and of
care in his tuition, had been led to crime.
PROCEEDINGS OF FALL TERM (OCT. 13TH) COMMON PLEAS.
-'On the petition of sundry inhabitants of Mount Vernon for
incorporation of said town,::the sheriff made proclamation thereof
according to law. Store license was issued to Daniel S. Norton
and P..M. Weddle. Tavern license issued to Wm. Ayres, Seth
Knowles, Richardson & Vore. S. W. Culberson was allowed $10
for defending Jacob Kyser, a criminal now in court."
Patrick Moore had 81 cases at this term  upon
the docket vs. John Green.  Thus many bank cases
make their appearance, and add greatly to law business in this county.  Among others were the
noted Owl Creek ones; Patrick Moore vs. James
Smith, John Hawn, jr., Jonathan Miller et al.;
the famous Luke Walpole case shows its head, and
tle "Granville Alexandrian Society" brings suit
vs. Enos, Farquhar et al.  The first money made
by process of law, for military purposes, was in the
noted cases of C. Liangworthy for use of George.Downs vs. Alex. Enos and Samuel Kratzer.  In
which it was "ordered that in both these cases the




230             HI8sTORY  OF
money be paid to Dr. Timothy Burr, the present
Paymaster of this Regiment," &c.
The State case vs. Alex. McKee was disposed of
by fining him $5 and costs; vs., Wm. Henry by
fine of $3 and. costs; John Watt $3 and costs;
George Lybarger $10 and costs. Assault and battery was coming to be regarded in a more serious
light.
ANOTHER TOWN ON PAPER.
A new competitor for public favor springs into
notice in September bearing the name of FLORIDA.
It is a town laid out by Samuel Hardenbrok, Geo.
Vennemon and Plum Sutliff, on the W roads from
Mansfield to Columbus, and from  Mount Vernon
to Upper Sandusky-on a handsome eminence sur-rounded with springs of elegant water and rich soil,
convenient mill seats on the waters of Owl Creek
and Whetstone. Of this as of another city it may
truthfully be said —" Ilium fuit."
" IO TRI UMPH:!?-A NEW INSTITUTION ESTABLISHED.
Joseph Brown starts a distillery near Mount
Vernon, and gives sixty-two and a half cents for
every 56 Ibs. of good clean rye delivered at the distillery, or at Capt. Douglas' mill; he also gives one
gallon of whisky for every five pecks of good clean
rye. Thus in October, 1817, did the second large
manufactory of fire water go into operation.
THE MARRIAGES REGISTERED.
"On January 2d, 1817, by Rev. James Smith, Mr. John Dwyer
to the amiable Miss Sally Martin, both of Mt. Vernon.
"On January 7th, by the same, Mr. Reasin Yates to the accomplished Miss Nancy Boalse, daughter of Capt. N. C. Boalse, both
of this town.




K NoO X:   - O-U N T Y.                231
"On Tuesday February 4th, by the same, Mr. Obadiah Tatmas
to Miss Peggy Severe.
"What joys they both receive and both bestow,
Virgins may guess but wives, experienced, know."
"On same day, by Rev. James Scott, Mr. David Newell, of
Richland county, to Miss Juliet Cooper of Knox.
"There seems no goose so gray, but soon or late
She finds some honest gander for her mate."
"On Saturday evening, 22d February, by Wmi. Douglass, Esq.,
Mr. Elijah Webster to Miss Elizabeth, disconsolate widow ofMr.-. Ask, alias -- alias:- Simpkins.
"Married, April 10th, by Winm. Douglass, Esq., Mr. Isaac Hollister to Miss Hannah Kattle.
"A matchless pairHers the wild lustre of the rising morn,
And his the radiance of the risen day."
"Married, on May 15th, 1816, by Rev. James Smith, Mr. Alphes
Chapman to the amiable Miss Amy Ward.
"On May 7th, 1817, by Rev. James Scott, Mr. Edward Marques to Miss Elizabeth Newell.
" On June 19th, by Rev. James Smith, Mr. Leonard Simons to
Miss Sally Boyles.
"On July 17th, by the same, Mr. Isaac 1Vore, jr., to Miss Polly
Martin.
"On July 10th, by Rev. George Vennemon, Mr. Ensley D.
Jrohson to Miss Sarah Pelton, near Lexington, Richland co.
"Love, friendship, honor, truth and pure delight,
Harmonious mingle in the nuptial rite."
"On July 17th, by Rev. James Smith, Mr. Alexander McKee to
Miss Tabitha Waddle.
"The following good play is made on occasion of the marriage of
James Strong to Miss Sally Strong:
"It has been said in former times,
Too sacred to be wrong;
The battle is not always won,
Or given to the STRONG.
Grant this assertion may be true,
As on the sacred page;
Who'll gain the battle, I will ask,
Where two tha's STRONG ENGA.GE?"




232              H I  TOY  O.F
CHAPTER XVI].
CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY IN 1818.
RUIN IMPENDING.- MUCH SUFFERING.-A FEW QUAINT ADVERTISEMtNTS.EFFORTS TO START A SABBATH-SCHOOL, AND TO SELL YOUNG LADIES IHORSE-THIEVES AND COUNTERFEITERS ABOUN.D. —A JAIL-BIRD EACAPES,
- A CRIPPLE RUNS. -HABEAS CORPUS TRIALS. -A GRAND CIRCULAR
HUNT.
THE palmy periods of Knox county, prior to
1820, were from 1808 until 1812, and from 1815 until 1818. In the intermediate time there was much
depression and suffering caused by the war of 1812;
and from the beginning of the year 1818, there was
another period of deep gloom  and distress caused
by the scarcity of money, failure of banks, &c.
For several years there was but slight influx of
population, but little addition to the wealth of this
section. The productions of the country were almost valueless in exchange for money, and it was
with difficulty that they could be bartered for goods
at the stores.  The unfortunate speculation in
which many of the most substantial citizens engaged, under the name of the Owl Creek Bank;
the depreciation of the paper money making up the
principal circulation, and the general lack of con-.
fidence throughout the country in all kinds of
business operations, prevented much improvement
being made in Knox county. Many of the then




KNOX COUNTY.               233
settlers became entirely discouraged and out of
heart, pulled up stakes and returned to their old
homes eastward, or sought better chances elsewhere
in the new country. Almost all whom we have
conversed with, say that the most dull and gloomy
times they have witnessed since the last war with
Great Britain, were between the years 1818 and
1825.
During this period we find numberless suits instituted, and judgments obtained, by "The Granvile Alexandrian Society," "The German Bank of
Wooster," "The Owl Creek Bank," and other like
institutions, against the Vores, and Farquhars, and
Strongs, and Smiths, and Browns, and Martins,
and Hawns, and Winships and others, of the
older class of settlers. The mere mention of this
fact, in connection with matter developed in our
Owl Creek Bank history, will be sufficient upon
this subject to convey an idea of the sad condition
of affairs at that period. To other matters, then,
we will revert.
And first, as to the other business disposed of by
the Court in 1818. The Grand Jury, at the April
term, found bills of indictment against fourteen
persons. For affrays, the Court fined Wm. Wright
$1, and costs; Wm. Herrod and Simon Anderson
$3 each, and costs. At the July term, six bills
were returned by the Grand Jury; and for fights,
Sylvester Buxton and Daniel Baxter were each
fined $3, and costs. Except.Michael Harter, no
new person makes application to keep tavern, and
none to sell goods-the houses of Burr, Green &
Co., and Mioody and McCarty, being simply altera



2H4 HISTORY  OF
tions in style of firms. And for six years so few
changes were made in these or other branches of
business, that we desist from further detail of Court
proceedings.
The legal termination of Clinton's existence is
the only court matter left to be recorded on this
page. The Court, on the 17th of April, heard the
petition of Samuel H. Smith, Ichabod 3Marshal,
Elihu S. Webster, Lathrop Shurtliff, John P.. M1cArdle,. Benjamin Barney and Richard Ayres, for
vacation of a part of the town of Clinton, and
granted the prayer. Shortly after this the PostOffice at Clinton is discontinued, and it rapidly
goes into decline.
Miss Ann Davis is the second milliner advertised in M[ount Vernon. "She is to be found at
the house of James Smith, Esq., on Gay.street;
and will alter straw hats of old date to any fashion,
and has straw on hand for a few hats."
As the people are becoming still more fashionable, another milliner makes her appearance —and
she has the advantage over the others of being
"Ml[antua-maker" and "Florist."  Mary Lindsey
is at the house of Benjamin Martin, corner of Vine
and Market streets. March 18th, 1818, witnesses
the opening out of the first "Man-tor-mentor," as
the natives then pronounced the word in Mount
Vernon.
Burr, Green & Co., having bought a stock of
goods of Mr. Norton, in January, advertise that
they will sell as low as formerly for Owl Creek
paper, or approved country produce, but no credit
given.




KNOX  COVUNT Y.                 235
In April, 1818, a two-column address was published in favor of establishing a Sabbath School in
Mount Vernon —arguing that "it would be much
better for young men to instruct the children,:instead of haunting the taverns from  morning till
night;" and saying that "a respectable company
of young ladies in town intend to associate themselves together for the purpose of forming a Sabbath school."' James Smith issues an advertisement so characteristic of himself, and characteristic of the' times,
that we give it in his own words:
"' NEW GOODS FOR SALE.-James Smith has just received and
offers for sale a general assortment of Merchandise. In the house
of Mr. Gilman Bryant, he will sell low for CASH in haznd, or country
produce delivered, but no credit given. OWL Creek paper will
be received at par; Granville, Wooster, New Lisbon, and Canton
will be received at the present. Clerk's Office removed to this
stand, and
YOUNG LADIES FOR SALE
at seventy-five cents each."
About the time the Owl Creek Bank was in its
glory, sundry citizens of the northern part of Knox
county and of Richland and Huron concluded to
grow suddenly rich in like manner. Accordingly
they met at Mansfield in September, 1816, and associated themselves as the Bank of Richland and
Huron.  Having consulted upon the subject, in!:October they put their schemes into articles, and:Daniel Ayres, John  Garrison, Winn Winship,
Winl. Webster, Wmin. B. James, Wilson Elliott,
Matthew Kelly, Alexander McGaffick, Plum  Sutliff, Samuel Williams, Wm. W. Cotgreave, Wm,




:236           -HIST-ORY  OF
Dean Mann, Geo. Venneman, Jacob Ozenbaugh
-and Joseph Williams take stock, and act as Commissioners.
They got fairly to work in Owl Creek style, and
gave through the paper frequent notices reading
thus
"Wilson Elliott, Cashier, notifies stockholders to pay ten per
centum on -the amount of stock subscribed, being the fourth installment, within 60 days. Also those who have been accommodated
with loans, will be prepared to pay in 25 per cent. on the renewal
of their notes."
The paper of the  Granville Alexandrian Society" had, about those times, a large circulation
among our citizens, and as this institution has subsequently acquired almost as great notoriety as the
Owl, we give a few lines of our history to its origin.
A  number of the Granvillians having become
desirous of handling money faster than the hard
money allowed, associated themselves together in
1806 to make paper money. Among this number
were Timothy Rose, Timothy Spelman, Elias Gilman, Samuel Thrall, Job Case, Samuel Rose, Samuel Bancroft, John Duke, Hiram Rose and Jeremiah R. Munson.  On the third day of January,
1807, an act of incorporation was obtained, and the
persons first named were constituted the first Board
of Directors; and for many years this organization
manufactured what they called money.
The country was filled with other worthless and
irresponsible bank paper, and a great deal of that
counterfeit, too.  "Shinplasters," as now termed,.were manufactured wherever type and printingink could be got. We have one, of the kind made




xK OX  CCOvUN-TY.              237
at the Register office in Mount Vernon, by McArdle, to fill an order from a stranger named Isaac
_Foster. They were printed on common letter paper.
Two quires of eighty-seven- and a: half cents and:
two quires of seventy-five cents were issued.
MIr. A. Liggett, Teller of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Pittsburgh, wrote to L. S. Sillimuan, Cashier of the Owl Creek Bank:
"44There is no doubt but the person getting the checks you mentioh printed is doing so without the knowledge of Mr. Ross, for the
purpose of defrauding the public. If you can, without any trouble,
put a stop to it, be good enough to do so."
-lMecArdle had printed them the 7th of December,and: it was not until January that the Cashier had
been heard  from.  Excitement ran  high "on
chang9e," and with those who had- taken thesechangie tickets.  Those were terrible times on Owl
Creek!.
Just before this occurrence, the men of conmmerce had been greatly alarmed by counterfeit sil —
ver dollars being put in circulation in the -county,
a~nd in. preference paper had assumed a prominence
in the public estilnation.
A man. named IDaniel Wolgamott was arrested,
and lodged in the jail of the county, for attempting
to pass twelve base and counterfeit dollars, purport
ing to be silver. And Robert Walker was arrested
for having attempited to pass one counterfeit dollar.
A: warrant was also issued for one William Coifran,
for- being- concerned in nmaking and passing counterfeit dollars,; purporting to be silver, founded on
an- affidavit of the prisoner, Wolgam, ott. UCo.fraru
w:as a. shoemaker by trade, and, notwithstanding.




238' HTST:OR R-':O F
he;was quite-lame, made his escape. The community believed him guilty.
Wolgamott, or Vulgamott, as Sheriff Shaw called.him, remained in his- lodgings (the jail) about a
month, when, between dark and daylight one night,
he "left his bed and board;" and the Sheriff offered
$45 reward for the capture of a " man six feet high,
dark complexion, dark hair, and has a downcast
look "-but all in vain; the place that had. known
him shall know him no more forever! 
Horse-thieves abounded more in Knox county
at this time than at any other period of its history.
Scarcely a day passed without an account of some
new depredation.. Among the number were two
fine mares stolen from the stable of Elijah Adams,
in Morris township, for which he offered $40 reward; also a reward for the thief, "who no doubt
belongs to the gang of thieves who have so long
labored in their vocation of taking away horses from
their honest owners without leave, and passing counterfeit money through this State."
i Two. shoemakers by trade, who passed by the
names of Richie and Ryan, alias Austin and Scott,
were of this gang; and also one John Crawford,
who was caught with a horse stolen from Fairfield
county,-tried, and sentenced to six years imprisonment in the Penitentiary. A horse-thief was followed till near Hanary's Block-house; but: by
leaving the- horse, rode down and made good.his
escape.  Another- horse-thief, followed beyond
Radnor, left a horse dead in the road from hard
driving. It was the custom then for men to make
common cause, and hunt for each other's horses as




KNOX COUNITY.              239
soon as they heard of,a theft being committed; for
no one knew then but what it would be his turn to
suffer next. Anti-horse-stealing associations were
got up, and neighbors sympathized with each other,
upon the' principle that "a fellow-feeling makes us
wondrous kind."
HABEAS CORPUS.
The first writ of habeas corpus was allowed "by
the Honorable John H. Mefford, Esq.," April 26th,
1819. John Shaw, Sheriff, brought into the Courthouse the body of Amos Yarnall, with the mittimus, showing the cause of his caption and detention. Saml. Mott, Esq., appeared as his attorney,
and on his motion, after the attorney for the State
had duly considered the matters in law arising, the
Court. let him to bail in the sum of $50. James
Smith his security.
The second case, that of Wm. Knight, who, on
the 8th of July, 1819, was brought to the Courthouse, and by Judge iMefford admitted to bail in
the sum of $50; Alexander Elliott becoming his
tbondsman.
The third case occurred April: 3d, 1820, when
Judge Joseph Brown set at large Abel Fowler,
upon Artemas Estabrook and Alfred Manning becoming his security for his appearance at the May
term' of Knox Common Pleas, in the sum of $50.
In this year an interesting case was presented in
iallowance of -a writ, on the 20th of  November, by
Judge Brown, requiring John Bird and Judah
Bird to bring into Court the body of an Indian
child, daughter of Rachel Conkapote, deceased, by




240,               HISTO-RY-  OF
her husband, Elisha Conkapote, both Indians of
the Stockbridge tribe.  Judges Young and Chapman also appeared, and the whole Court lent itself
to an impartial examination of the case, which.esulted in  their leaving the little Indian. in the
hands of the Birds, John and Judah. This little
Indian was daughter of the squaw  killed,-as related in chapter xxi.
This was perhaps the most interesting case heard
upon writ of this character, until the great military
oase of Col. Warden, which was tried upon writ
issued ill name of the State vs. Wm. E. Davidson.
"By Judge James Elliot, September 27th,: 1837.,:' W. E. Davidson,~ Provost Marshal of the 2d Brigade, 3d Divi. 
sion, Ohio Militia (late 4th Brigade, 7th Division, O. M.), in pursuance of an order by Brigadier-General Wm. Bevans (commander
of said Brigade), and upona'ction of a Court Martial, now in session in Mt. Vernon, convened by order of- said. Gen. Win. Bevans,
on Monday, Sept. 25th, 1837. Col H.. W. Strong, President of
Board. Discharged by said James Elliott, Judge, &c."
Another case, of much interest, at a still later
period, was about the two dwarfs-of Porter's wife
-held,: it was claimed, illegally by Warner.  Upon
hearing, however, the: Court did not think so, and
they remained in custody of the showman, at last
accounts.
The writ of habeas corpus became a favorite r~e
sort in liquor cases, where parties were,: as they
thought, unjustly persecuted and acast- into prison,
by fines imposed upon- temperance principles. IDur.
ing the admminist-ration of his Hoior Judge Bevans,
more writs of habeas: corpus' were granted than in




KxIox CootN'TY.             241
all the rest of our history put together..: To' such
an extent was. it carried; that he acquired the sobriquet of Old Habeas Corpus.. The venerable Judge.
always leaned towards the side of suffering humanity. If he erred in judgment, it was because no
work upon the subject had been published at that
date. Our townsman, Judge Hurd's work on Habeas Corpus, did not get into print until the year
1'858.
SPORTS AND CIRCULAR HUNTS.:From the earliest period in our history, hunting, horse-racing, and athletic sports, were freely
indulged in by our people. Many, very many of
these festive occasions have been lost sight of or
entirely forgotten by the great majority of those
now living, who in these later days have become
wholly absorbed in money-making pursuits, and
have ceased to think that man was made to rejoice
as well as to mourn. Our Owl Creek settlers, the
old pioneers, bless their memories, believed that
there is a time for all things, and that sports of the
turf, circular hunts, etc., were not interdicted. In
truth, we are constrained to say that very many of
the old set believed in such sports all the time.
A grand circular hunt came off in 1818, wherein
the natives of Knox and Coshocton vied with each
other for the mastery. At an early hour of the
day appointed for the frolic, the people commenced
gathering in on the lower part of Owl Creek; and
when the companies were formed under their captains, more than 1500 people were present. The
drive was from our county towards the town of
16




242           HISTO:R.Y  O'
Coshocton, and when finally the ring was drawn.
in, from. 300 to 500 deer and many wolves werq;
bagged. It was a glorious day that —remembered
with pride by all who participated in it. Our old
friend Joe Hull, of Monroe, was one of the captains, and it can well be imagined that: he enjoyed
it hugely.




KNOX' COUNTY.                  243
CHAPTER XIX.
HISTORY OF TEIE PRESS IN KNOX COUNTY.
THE OHIO REGISTER.-TIIE AURORA-STANDARD-ADVYER'iTISER-WATCH..
MAN -GAZETTE-DAY-BOOK-BANNER-TRUE W IITG-T.-.TBEr VARiOUS DAILY AND WEEKLY PAPERS, RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL PUBLICATIONS,
AND SOME ACCOUNT OF THE EDITORS AND THIEIR ADVENTURES.
Ix July, 1L13, a press was put up in Clinton,
and the first newspaper ever issued in Knox0oun-ty
then made its appearance, styled The Ohio Register,
printed and published every Tuesday by Smith and
McArdle. Samuel H. Smith was the proprietor of
the town of Clinton, and he induced John'P. MVArdle, who was a good practical printer, to engage
with him in the publication of a newspaper, and in"
the printing business generally, at that place. McArdle emigrated from  Ireland, March 17th, 1801,
and came to-this county in 1809. He isinow living;
in his 78th year, at Fremont, in this- State. Smith,
as elsewhere stated, is alive, and surveying in
Texas.
The waning fortunes of Clinton, and the rising:
greatness of MLIount Vernon:, caused the office, aftertwo years of tribulation, to be transferred to the'
latter place, and accordingly, on the 24th of April,
1816, the fist paper ever issued: in Mount Vernon;i
made its appearance, bearing the name of "cfTI.
Ohio Register," and having the laudable motto —




244                  HISTORY OF
"Aware that what is base no polish can make
sterling."  It was the prolongation of The Ohio
Register, published for two years at Clinton  by
Sam'l H. Smith and John P. McArdle.
From  the Editor's " Address to his Patrons," we
extract the following:
"On moving the office and establishment of The Ohio Register
to this place, it will be expected the editor (according to custom)
will say something to his patrons.
"The editor, well aware of the difficulties attending the task he
has undertaken, to instruct, enlighten and please the public, must
not only produce that which is excellent in its kind, but he must
continually vary the matter and manner of his lucubrations; he
must, to a certain degree, be all things to all men. The serious,
the gay, the learned and the unlearned, not only expect that their
tastes will be studied and their inclination gratified, but the same
individual becomes dissatisfied with a long course of the same
species of entertainment; he hopes to be delighted and surprised;
he must find productions which are meant to be instructive, and
novelty in those which are designed for amusement. How the
editor will execute the duties of his employment, time will discover; he is not disposed to boast of his education, to make a
parade of his abilities, or to seduce the public with a multiplicity
of specious promises. It is too common for editors of newspapers
to undertake more than they are able to perform.
" The editor is determined not to subject himself to accusations
of the nature above-mentioned; and although he feels a consider-;able degree of diffidence, he would have it fully understood that
he expects and desires to be judged by his work. One thing. however he confidently promises, the most assiduous and persevering
industry will be exerted to render his paper worthy of the patron-!age which he hopes he will meet with.
*        *         *.          *.    Or  *
" Finally, the Ohio Register shall not be a receptacle for party
-politics, or personal abuse. On those principles the publication of
the Register is commenced in this town, and the editor hopes that.:he will receive that share of patronage which will enable lim to
continue it,
*                *         *        *         *




KNOX COUNTY.                            245
"Terms: The Ohio Register will be published every TWednesday, and will be distributed to subscribers in Mount Vernon and
Clinton, and forwarded to those at a distance by the first opportunity, at $2.00 per annum if paid in advance, or $2.50 if paid
within the first six months, or $3.00 if paid within the second six
months.
"Those who receive their papers by post, are to pay the postage. No subscription received for less than one year, and no
paper discontinued until all arrearages are paid. A failure to give
notice of discontinuance of a subscription, at or previous to the end
of the time subscribed for, will always be considered as a new engagement."
The following  good rule in regard  to advertisements was set forth: "The cosT must accompany
all advertisements, otherwise they will be continued
at the expense of the advertiser until paid for."
In those early times there were many who courted
the  muses, and  among  their effusions we find  a
lengthy  piece which  appeared May 1st, 1816, and
we have heard it ascribed to John H. Mefford. We
extract a few  verses descriptive  of "Mount Vernon walk" and  "Owl Creek's fertile banks," gratified, that as Shakspeare has it"The poet's eye in a fine frenzy rolling,"
prophetically told in that early day, how
"For lovely nymph and gentle swain,
Its gentle stream shall long remain
A pleasing prospect for the view I"
And though fools wisdom's lovely ways
For want of sense, hate all their days,
May all MOUNT VERNON walk erect
In all the paths she may direct.
Then shall not war's furious guns
Bereave parents of faithful sons;
The cries of children we'll not hear
Whose fathers left them arms to bear;




,2G6                    HISTORY OF
Nor shall a true'and loving wife
Mourn.for losing a husband's life,
Who fell a victim to war's rage
Before he passed the middle age.
A fair damsel shall not complain
For a true sweetlieart in war slain;
Nor citizens for faithful friends weep
Who gave life their country to keep.;
But fields shall bear, and we be blest
With crops the choicest and the best;
And gentle cows shall come at. will
Our pails with richest milk to fill.
Our barns shall be filled with plenty,
And Springs emit water gently,
Which shall in small clear currents flow,
To refresh man, or panting roe.
Abundance shall our tables spread,
And servants never long for bread;
But look up satisfy'd, and say,
"Lawful commands we will obey."
Then long shall Owl Creek's fertile banks
Be a peaceful walk for all ranks,
Where the sycamore tall does grow,
And where the elm its shade doth show.
For lovely nymph and gen'rous swain,
Its gentle stream shall long remain
A pleasing prcspect for the view,
Where songs of birds are ever new.
On the 15th of October, 1817, the first six months
of the second  volume of the  07io Register having
been completed, the editor calls upon subscribers
to pay up old scores" For without this one thing necessary, it is impossible to expect that we can live; money would be preferable, but if that is
scarce with you, rags, wheat, rye, corn, and almost all kinds of
market produce will be taken in payment."




x V ox CO N T Y.                     247
On the 5th of November he proposes to "take for:subscription, advertisements, hand-bills or bookbinding, wheat, rye, corn, buckwheat, &c., delive6ed at Davis' mill in this town, in preference to
some unchartered paper."   (A  sly dig this at the
Owl Creek Bank, Mr. lcArdle.)  On the 8th of
April, 1818, he:says-," Peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must."  HAAR  TIMES'!!
&So they are, but that is not my fault.-The next number of the
Ohio Register wil complete the 2d volume that has been printed
in Mount Vernon. F3rom many of our subscribers we have received
nothing' but promises for services rendered. But these will not
always answer the purpose. Like the notes of some of our banks,
they soon depreciate when thrown into market, unless it is known
they are bottomed upon a specie capital; and like them "they
will not pay debts abroad."  But to be brief, " we want money
End must have it."  Remember tile trite old saying," the laborer
-is worthy of hisi hire."  As soon as this volume is out we intend
altering the paper into a different form. As we expect on a large
quantity of paper in the course of two or three weeks, (for which
we must pay the cash) we hope those in arrears will call immediitely. and settle their respective accounts."..        I
On the 15th of April, A. D., 1818, Vol. 2, No.
552, was issued.  Those who were in arrears and so
often  and politely requested to call and settle did
not do so; thelarge quantity of paper could not be
paid for in cash, and John P. McArdle goes down
under the debt of unrequited kindness-unrecompensed services.  And the people of Mount Vernon,:for a time, were without a newspaper because there
-were not enough  among  them   having  the high
senase of honor to " pay the printer!"
From  this period until 1844, there was no paper
published uninterruptedly as long as the Ohio Re



24..8I                  sTO  Y. 0 
gister. Various new papers were started, and the
editors.became dissatisfied, the publishers discouraged, and, after a little experimenting with journalism, went to some more profitable business,
engaged in some new enterprise, or left the country.
And we regret to say that the people seemned;:to
have no proper appreciation of their journals, for
there is not in existence a complete file of any of
the old papers, and in fact scarcely a number of
either to be found.
During this time the ablest' men who were connected with the, press, and the most violent in op-.position to each other, were Charles Colerick and.
William Bevans. They were arrayed against each
other as candidates for office, and each for several
terms held the position of Sheriff of the county.
Both were from,Western. Pennsylvania - Bevans
from Fayette, and Colerick from Washington county-and well skilled in the political wire-working
and manceuvering for which the politicians of that
county have ever been famous. In the division of
parties, the former was for Adams and the -latter
for Jackson. The great bone of contention, however, was the county printing, and that might with
much truth be said to have been the only principle
at issue between them.
About 1822, Charles Colerick with his brothers,
John and Henry, made their appearance in this.
county, while Bevans was Sheriff, and they set
about establishing a small printing-office. In 1824
Edson Harkness,,a printer, surveyor and.schoolteacher,.emigrated from "Down East" to Mount
Vernon; and in 1825 he started a.very small news



KiENOX COUNTY.             249
paper, which he styled The WVestern Aurora, and,
after publishing it two years, he sold out, in 1827,
to James Harvey Patterson, from Fayette county,
Pa., and William Smith, from Washington county,
~Pa., who, under the firm of Patterson & Co., continued its publication.until 1829, when they transferred the establishment to William. Bevans, who
carried it on until 1831, when he disposed of it to
Wm. P. Reznor, who had learnt his trade in the
office and lived with Bevans. In 1832, C. P. Bronson became associated with him, and for a time the
paper was published by Bronson & Reznor, until,
in-October, 1833, Dan Stone buys out the office
and carries the paper on a few months alone; and
then Dr. Morgan L. Bliss is associated with him,
and it continues, under the style of Stone & Bliss,
until November 29th, 1834, on account.of severe
and protracted illness, the latter withdraws, and
Dr. Lewis Dyer, in a salutatory of two mortal columns, enters the list as editor, as a permanent
business; but in January, 1835, he disappears, and
Dr. John Thomas succeeds him, who, being like.
his immediate predecessor, of a philosophical turn
of mind and inclined to treat upon physiology,
hygiene, temperance and the laws of health, found
the age unsuited for moral reform, and, seized by
one of his fits of "azure devils," suddenly abdicated
the tripod, leaving Dan Stone alone in his glory,
who continued "solitary and alone" until May 16th,
when he too published lhis valedictory, and the
paper fell into anonymous hands; and-. it had
thenceforth a very short and precarious existence,
and has passed from memory forever.




:250              HISTORY OF
The first name of the paper published by this
press was the Westersn Aurora-the last name was
the iMount Vernon Gazette.  This office was first
set in operation at a small frame house where Dr.
Thompson's residence now stands, on lot No. 113,
Main street; subsequently it was on the lot where
General Jones now resides, on the west side of the
Public Square, Mount Vernon, and from  thence
was moved into the second story of the Market-.House, where Mefford's  saddler shop now  is.
Among the hands who worked in it were John Borland, now of Hocking county, Patterson, Reznor,
and Wmi. Crosby. Elliott C. Vore was the carrierboy in 1825-6, and Lewis Lindsay in 1827-8.
About these times the rhymester of this office
was Dan Jewett, a brother of Cynthia, wife of Ira
Babcock.  He wrote the Carrier's Address of the
year 1828, and, as the first verse is worthy of consideration in these times of disunion, we give it for
consideration:'. Ye lovers of Freedom, I pray you attend,
And listen awhile to the post-boy, your friend;
Lay aside all disunion, United let's stand,
The fiiends and supporters of our happy land."
One of the political songs of that time will occur
to the mind of our old settlers by the first line:
"Jackson fought Duff Green like —."
Another will be remembered by suggesting the
chorus: 
"0, Johnny Q.. my Jo John, since last I wrote to you,
I have been disappointed, John, and that I s'pose you know."




*KNOX COUNTY.              251: In 1838 a new office was established here, and a
paper called the Western Watchman  published by
Samuel M. Browning, and for a few months John
Teesdale was connected with this paper as editor,
and had:bargained for the.establishment; but being
a philanthropic Englishman, happening to insert an
abolition article, he found it advisable to leave and
never complied with his engagement as to paying
for it. In 1839, October, the paper was published
by S. Dewey & Co. but for a very short time. And
a new candidate for public favor called the Family
Cabinet was published for a few weeks, and then
compelled to give up the ghost "under the pressure
of existing circumstances."  And thus we have:traced the one side up to 1840, now let us retrace
our steps and bring down the other.
The Colericks, as heretofore stated, had come
from Washington, Pa., where their father had a
printing office at a very early day, and they had
been brought up to the business. No copies of
their papers are extant. They were intelligent and
energetic men and labored under great disadvantages for many years, as did other newspaper men
in this county.
In 1827 their paper was called The Democrat and
Knox Advertiser.
The early carriers for their paper were Ignatius
Colerick, their nephew, and Henry Estabroo'k.
In March, 1831, Samuel JRohrer purchased the
office and published the paper.
In October, 1832, F. S. & P. B. Ankeny became
proprietors, and enlarged its size and name —Mount
Vernon Democrat and Knox Advertiser.




252             HISTORY  OF
The name was changed the next year to Looking
Glass and Whig Reflector, and in the campaign of
1834, between Cols. Peres Sprague and James McFarland, it was very bitter against the former, who
ran on the Independent ticket, as may be judged
from the following chorus, which we extract from
a song of the times as showing the acerbity of the
contest:
"Yankee Doodle, Sprague's the boy,
Yankee Doodle dandy;
He plays a good hand at cards
And loves a good glass of brandy."
The people did not regard these vices as disqualifying Sprague for office, for he received, for Representative, 1,518 votes to 1,289 for his opponent!
This printing office was also migratory in its disposition, having been during its existence on Mulberry street, on the lot where Ht. W. Ball now
lives, on the old Jeffres lot where Barnes' marble
factory is, and in the second story of the frame
where Robert Irvine's shoe store now is, on Main
street.
In June, 1835, Charles Colerick established The
Day Book, which was conducted by.him with much
energy and spirit until he volunteered as a soldier
and went to Texas, when the office was bought by
Delano and Browning, and the paper continued by
William Byers until in the winter of 1837-8 it was
transferred to S. r. Browning.
When the campaign of 1810 opened, the Whigs
having become dissatisfied with the abolition: article of John Teesdale and caused him to give up the
publication of that paper, found it necessary to pass




KNox COUNTY.,              253
resolutions in their county convention -inviting
Whig editors to view this location, and appointed
a committee,- of which Johnston Elliott was chairman, to advertise in the leading Whig journals in
the State for some one to come on and publish a
paper. Under this call James Emmet WVilson, a
son of Judge James Wilson, of Steubenville, came
and started the Kinox County Republican, and in
about six months associated with himself as publisher IM/ilo Butler, his brother-in-law. He was a
poor stick; and this paper which started under the
most favorable auspices in the triumphant campaign of 1840, in the fall of 1841 was discontinued
by.reason of the inertness and inability of the said
Wilson and Butler to give the patrons a' "live Whig
paper," and because they were too much of the
Teesdalian order.    A hiatus ensued-Wilson
and Butler went to preaching.  And in 1842 Win.
H. Cochran, who was teaching school in Newark,
came up and chartered the'office and issued The
Times; and from that office has been continued a
paper, under, different names and editors and proprietors, until the present day-the Mount Vernon
Republican brings up the list.
This paper has'been known to its readers as
The Tinmes —The Republican Times-The Ohio State
Times,' etc., as conducted by Cochran and Silmon
Clark; G. E. Winters,' J. H. Knox, O. B. Chapman, Witherow, J. W. Shuckers, the Republican
joint stock company, and' H. M. Ramsey. At
present it i is under the editorial management of
W. C. Cooper, Esq. Other names may have been
omitted who, for short periods, edited the paler.




254:HiSTORY o
After the Day Book office had been bought up
and merged in -The Western-  Watc.heman, an effortwas  made to: establish another paper; and Th'e
Democratic Banner Was started in April:, 1838, byChauncey Basset and        Robb. During the
summer it was edited by G. J. McNulty; but upon
its-sale- to Eldmund J. Ellis, it was continued. without an editor in 1839, and, until it was sold to John
Kersihaw, in 1841, it was issued without an editorial, except as: some partisan, able to write, would
furnish it an article gratis. Kershaw edited andl
published it until, in June, 1844, he sold it backs
to E. J. Ellis, and then it was edited by G. W.
Morgan, until, in 1845, it was sold to'D. A. Robertson, who after a short time resold it to Ellis,
who continued its: publication until its sale,: in November, 1847, to William Dunbar, who had associated. with him in its publication for some sixs;
months George W. Armstrong; and for the remainder of his time: edited and published it lhimself, until, in December, 1853, he sold it:to ILeckey
Harper, then of the Pittsburg Post, who has since:
edited and: published it. During Mr. I)unbar's
management, a daily Democratic Banner Was: published:in the winter: of 1852 for thirty days.
Upon the nomination of General Taylor for Pres~ident, in 1848, the editor of the Tmes  refused to
support the Taylor and; F  illmore ticket, because
Zachary Taylor lived- South; a:nd owned slaves;
whereupon another printig-office was brougli toMoount- Verno  that should advocate- Union- principles, and, to distinguish  it from the bogs article,
it was styledM  T:he ]lMout Vernon" ruTe- Whig,.and




KYO X CO U N'TY            255: 
was published for seven years-edited during the
campaign of 1848 by Joseph S. Davis, Esq.; in
1849 by John W. White, and the remainder of its
existence by A. Banning Norton. With the exception of a brief period, when it was published by
Higgins and White, the foreman of the office was::
that excellent- printer, George Smith, now in the
Keokuk (Iowa) Daily Gate City.
For three years Norton's Daily True Whig:was
published with the motto of Davy Crocket —" Be
sure you're right, then go ahead;" and having:
become satisfied in that time that this place would
not sustain a daily, unless out of the pocket of the
publisher, and hence that it was not "right" to
continue it, in March, 1855, its diurnal appearanceceased.
The motto of the: T:rue TWhg was taken from
Washington's Farewell Address, and would in
these times be somewhat original: —" Frown indignantly upon the first dawning of every attempt:
to alienate any portion of our: country from the
rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link~
together its various parts." It was adopted as expressive of the determination to stand by the Constitution and the Union- and to oppose abolitionism
and- sectionalism of: every form and description.
S~everal sshortlived newspapers have made theirappearance in the county within the past eight.
years, which-, by being named, may be kept fresh:
in the memories of some of the people. They werethe Jainbow, which was of the nature —of the "Nashville, Bowling Green, Louisville Courier" of these
war times-migratory in disposition, and altogether




256            HISTORY  OF
fleeting.  It was opened out at Mount Vernon by
Rev. A. Laubach, sojourned a while at F'redericktown where the Reverend editor was sold by a vile
acrostic; then tarried a brief space at Belville, and
the last heard of was anmong the Senecas, at the
city of Tiffin! The'Lilly, which advocated short
frocks and emigrated to the far west with Anielia
Bloomer-the Universalist Advocate at Centerburg,
which Daniel Wolfe found must proclaim glad
tidings to all people without price, or not at all,
and The Western Home Visitor, which was too
large for Mount Vernon and could not find a home
at Columbus. After these came The'National,
when its publishers, Agnew & Raguet, found it
without a nationality, and after three months search
in the exciting times of 1858 it gave up the ghost!
The Knox County Express was started by Agnew
& Tilton, in December, 1860, and is now published
by C. M. Phelps & Co., and edited by Judge J. S.
Davis.
The Banner, Republican and Express are the
papers published in Mount Vernon in July, 1862,
and The Western Episcopalian at Gambier, in this
county. The ~Episcopalian is devoted to the interests of the Church, and of Kenyon College more
particularly. It was first started as The Gambier
Observer, upon the Acland Press,' at Gambier, in
1827, and has been continued from that time to the
present under different editorial and financial managers. George W. Meyers was for many years its
publisher, and its present publisher is R. MI. Edmonds.'It has been' ably edited by Dr. Sparrow,
Dr. Wing, Dr. Mmienscher, Dr. Colton, the Rev.




KxOX COUNTY.               257
Norman Badger, and George Denison, and has
been favored with many very able articles from the
pens of professors of the college and other friends.
The first book printed in Knox county was "The
American Revolution," written in scriptural, or ancient historical style-"Honi soi qui mal y' pense."
" Clinton, Ohio. Printed by Smith & McArdle at
the office of f'he Ohio Register. Year of our Lord,
1815."  170 pp. And the second was "The Columbiad, a poem on the American War, in 13 cantoes, by Richard Snowden."  pp. 38. The next was
"James Smith's Vindication."
There was also published at The Ohio Register
office "A caveat against the Methodists, by a Gentleman of the Church of Rome." I have not sent
these Prophets, yet they ran; I have not spoken
to them, yet they prophesied.-Jeremiah, chap. 23,
verse 21.
C. & J. Colerick published a directory of Knox
county, compiled from the tax list, and showing the
value of every man in the county as listed for taxation.
In 1835, the Laws and Ordinances of Mount Vernon were printed by the Day Book office and bound.
And in 1852 the Charter and Ordinances of Mount
Vernon were printed at the True Whig office and
bound, making a work of 50 pages.
"An Essay on Justification by Faith, with particular reference to the Theory of Forensic Justification, by Joseph Muenscher, A.M., Rector of St.
Paul's Church, Mount Vernon, 1847." pp. 63.
In 1858, John W. White published George Sey17




258-           HIS:TORY  OF.
mour, or-Disappointed: Revenge-a- arama in 3 acts.
88 pp. A-nd the Book of Chronicles, humorously
illustrated, being a -history of the dissensions among
the harmonious: democracy of Knox upon the Kansas question, written by Telegraphic Inspiration!
pp. 32.
From the Acland Press a number of pamphlets
and small: works have been- issued pertaining to
Churchand College affairs. Among othersj Tissue's
Greek: Forrms, a very valuable book, by one of the
Professors.
The Rev. Dr. 3Muenscher has now in press "A!Commentary on the book of Proverbs," which will
-imake about 400 pp. duodecimo; and "A Treatise
0ol IFbicall Interpretation," 350 pp. duodecimo.
-we haveseen a:portion of the proof sheets of- each-they are' neatlF executed, and: from the acknowl-,edged ability a-nd learning of the author will be of
much value.
Our young friend Charles H. Scribner, Esq., has,prepared for the press an excellent Treatise on
-Dower-which will be a Law book of much size,:and of very great value to the legal profession and
-the public generally.
The pioneers of the press in this county, who, a
-hilf century ago, spread the first information before
-the people in the columns- of a, paper, are both
living, having passed the "three score years and
-;ten allotted to man" — McArdle being almost a,seore over the time, and Smith over a century old.
They are still hale and hearty, while the younger
brothers of the press have not become "fat and,
forty;" and those who immediately succeeded them,




xK No-x c:ov'UN-Tr.         259
have almlost all passed to "that bourne Ofrom whence
no traveler' returns." Ofthe editors-Col. Charles
Colerick, after having served a tour in the Texan:
revolution, and' assisted. in achieving, though he
did not live to behold the recognition of her independence, is dead. Gen. William  Bevans, after
having served his fellow-citizens creditably in many
official'positions, has departed. Dan Stone, a quiet,
unassuming man of much goodness of heart, died
in this town, where his widow and two sons survive. Dr. M. L. Bliss diedshortly afterhe left the
paper. James Har'vey Patterson moved to West
Union, Adams county, and, after the death of his
wife, went South. John Thomas-' was a very singular genius, well read, particularly in anatomy,
geology, conchology, and herpetology et als. oiogies,
but was- so much subject to the blues, or what he
called "azure devils," as not to enjoy life; he would
not drink out of a cup or saucer that haid a flaw or
crack in it, nor eat with a knife that he did. not see
scoured bright-consequently he worried himself
out of the world before his time. W. H. Cochran
and H. M1. Ramsey died with the editorial harness
on-the latter this spring-both much lamented
by a large circle of friends, and their widows reside
in Mount Vernon. S. M. Browning died at Burlington, Lawrence county, about 1852. Dr. Dyer
resides in Iowa, Reznor in Illinois; Harkness also
is in Illinois, where he is noted for his large nurseries of excellent fruit trees; Kershaw is an attorney in Philadelphia, Pa.; Morgan is a Brigadier
General, with the army in Tennessee; Bronson is
in Boston, Mass., making blood-food for curing




260            HISTORY  OF
consumptives; Robertson, after having served as
U. S. Marshal for Minnesota, settled down there
in the practice of the law; MeNulty, the only editor of the county sued for libel, from whom Elder
Power recovered a large verdict, after having volunteered as a soldier in the Mexican war, died and
was buried at Helena, Ark., by his brave comrades.
Ellis had better have been dead than to have become a traitor to his country, and been driven
beyond the lines. He was publishing the Boone
County Standard, at Columbia, Mo., when he
sinned against light and knowledge. Three of the
old set-Smith of the Clinton Register, Smith of the
Westorn Aurora, and Norton of the True W7hig-a
few years ago found themselves residing in the
same district in Texas. Two of them yet remain
there, while the third is writing these lines, having,
from love for the Constitution and the Union, found.
it necessary to seek once again the shores of Owl
Creek. Such are life's changes.




KNOX COUNTY.                      261
CHAPTER XX.
EVENTS FROM 1820 TO 1830.
WHITE MALE INHABITANTS AND VOTERS AT VARIOUS ELECTIONS WITHIN
THIS TIME.-SOME ACCOUNT OF TiEE FINANCES AND REVENUE.-THE LA;ST
OF THE INDIAN.-A WARNING.-THE OLD COURT-HOUSE FALLS; AND A
NEW ONE IS PROJECTED.-OTHER OCCURRENCES.
THE  white male inhabitants of Knox county
above the age of 21 in 1820, were 1290, located as
follows: Hillier 21, Bloomfield 69, Morgan 152,
Miller 72, Jackson 178, Chester 122, Wayne 168,
Morris 157, Union 144, and Clinton 207.
The county gave its vote for Ethan Allen Brown
for Governor; John  Sloane for Congress; Wm.
Gass for Senator; R. D. Simons for Representative; Wm. Bevans for Sheriff; Abner Ayres for
Commissioner, and E. G. Lee for Coroner.
Among the orders issued by the county, June
6th, 1820, were —
No. 3928. Paying Moody & M'Carty for articles
furnished Overseers of the Poor for
the squaw that was. shot............. $2.84 4
" 3929. Hosmer Curtis and 3Mott for expenses incurred for the sick squaw........... 1.00
" 3930. Jacob Martin, making coffin for squaw.. 6.00
This, in the Indian line, is among the last known
in the county.  This squaw was of the Stockbridge
tribe, and one of a small party who, in traveling




262            HIISTORY  OF
out of Licking county, was espied and shot by
Hughes, when near Homer, and in Morgan township. Without provocation or just cause, but simply to gratify his private hatred of the Indian race,
she was shot through the hip.  Her comrades
brought her on to Mount Vernon, where her sufferings became too great to admit of her being
taken further. She was put in the old log gunsmith shop of John Earnhart, on High street, but
the quarters being uncomfortable on account of
cold November weather, she was moved to an old
log house on the, north-west corner of Mulberry and
Vine streets, and there died. True to the Indian
stoicism she never groaned or complained, althqugh
her sufferings were intense. Five or six of her
tribe staid through her sickness, and then buried
her in the north-east corner of the old graveyard.
For several years afterwards her husband would
return at the time of year when she died to view.her grave and see:that the body remained undisturbed.
From this same old log house, in October, 1826,
a gun was fired which caused the death of Ben.
Roberts. George Low then lived in the house,
and Jim Low was staying with him, when on
Hallow Eve night, several of the town boys were
out throwing cabbages against the doors, as has
fron time immemorial been the custom, and as
they threw against Low's door, Jim took down his
rifle and fired' between the logs, the ball lodging in
Ben's leg. He was carried home, and, after laying
for some time, it became necessary to amputate the
leg, which was done one Sunday, and the next




KN:o()X  C O  N TY.        263
afternoon:at 4 o'clock he died. Low was tried, and
Sam:lott defended him, and he was acquitted.
This shooting affair caused very great excitement,
and ever since, on the annual return of Hallow
Eve, the old settlers rehearse this story to their
children and grandchildren, as a warning against
following this ridiculous custom of throwing cabbage heads to the annoyance of quiet people.
In 1822, the county gave majorities for Daniel
S. Norton for Congress; H. Curtis for Representative; Win. Bevans- for Sheriff; John Kerr for
Commissioner; W. Y. Farquhar for Auditor;
James 5McGibeny for Coroner.
In 1824, majorities were given for Jeremiah
Morrow for Governor; Wilson for Congress; Colerick for Sheriff; Stilley for Commissioner; Rigdon for Representative; Runyan for Coroner, and
Farquhar for Auditor.
In October, 1825, -the jail built by Solomon Geller is found according to contract, except "he is
yet to put in a stove, and the door above going into
the debtors' apartment."
In 1826, the whole number of votes cast was
1828, and the county gave majorities for Trimble
for Governor; Norton for Congress; Robeson for
Representative; Colerick for Sheriff; Runyan for
Coroner; Elliott for Auditor; Leonard for Commissioner.
At the June session, 1826, of the Commissioners,
upon petition of Francis Wilkins and others, a
road was ordered to be opened up Dry Creek, beginning on the farm of Daniel S. Norton, to intersect the old road on the corner of Frederick Qarey's




264               HISTORY OF
orchard.  Jonathan  Miller, R. D. Simons and
James MeGibeny were appointed viewers, and J.
W. Warden, surveyor.
On the 30th of September, the county jail is received in full satisfaction by the Commissioners.
Win. Bevans was allowed $5 for crying sale of the
jail.
VALUATION OF KNOX COUNTY IN 1826.
Land, 301,695 acres, valued at.....................   $716,070
Town property..... —..................... -  81,362
Mercantile capital............................   60,000
Houses -......................... —..........  26,340
Horses, 2467........;........   98,680
Cattle, 4483.................~.......        35,864
Total.................................. $1,018,376
At this time Mount Vernon is stated as containing 80 dwelling-houses, one printing office, a brick
court-house and jail, a merchant mill, a saw mill,
a cotton factory, and within six miles, 9 grist and
saw mills and three carding machines.
In 1827, Patterson and Smith, of The Westerin
Aurora, published the Delinquent List for the ordinary price, and refunded one-fourth of the whole
amount for county use.
In 1827, MIarch 29, W. Y. Farquhar was " appointed keeper of the Knox county standard and
half bushel measure, and authorized to get a half
bushel of copper!"
Martin Tracy then gave bond as county Auditor,
with John Troutman, Solomon and Paul Welker
as securities.




KNOX  COUNTY.               265
At the June Term it was ordered that the Auditor cause two blank books for county orders to be
procured, and that C. & J. Colerick print the same,
and that the Auditor furnish six quires of paper
for that purpose.
At the December Term, H. B. Curtis' account
for office rent and wood is allowed-office rent, 7
months, $8d; and wood 3 winters for Recorder's
office, $15.
"OLD THINGS SHALL BE DONE AWAY WITH AND ALL BECOME
NEW."
October 18th, 1828, James McGibeny contracted
with the commissioners to build a stone wall to
support the Court-house bank, standing ten feet
north and south of the Court-house.
But all efforts to save it were unavailing: it had
been written, " Carthago detenda est;" and on the
2d of December an order issued to B. S. Brown
for $40, in consequence of the loss of his office by
the fall of the Court-house.
The Court-house was no sooner down than the
commissioners ordered proposals to be published in
the Standard and Advertiser, for the purpose of
making donations for the building of a new Courthouse, and for a plan of building, &c. On the
20th of January, 1829, they agreed with Thomas
Irvine for his brick house for a court-house, at $25
per term, in orders on the county treasury. In
April, James Smith is notified by Marvin Tracy
that the commissioners have obtained Thomas Irvine's bar-room for an office. The levy for taxes
in Knox county, June, 1829, was 1  mills on the




266            HISTORY  OF
dollar, on the whole valuation of property in said
county, for State purposes, and 14 for canal purposes, making 3 mills upon the dollar for State and
canal purposes; and the commissioners, by and
with the consent of the Judges of the Court of
Common Pleas, levied a tax of 3 mills on the dollar for county purposes, i mill for road purposes,
and ~ of a mill for school purposes; one of the
three mills shall be assessed and collected and appropriated for the building of the Court-house, and
for no other purpose whatever.
At the June session, the following entry is made:
"The account of James Smith, presented to the
Board of Commissioners, for one year, from June
1st, 1828, to June 1st, 1829, including the rent unpaid at last settlement, books and stationery for
clerk's office, all of which was rejected by the
Board. The charges for one year's fire-wood, which
was $12.  From which decision the said Smith
prays an appeal to the Court of Common Pleas as
to the fire-wood."  That record is clear, is it not ~.
The resolutions of the commissioners, published
in the Standacrd and Advertiser, in reference to the
building of a Court-house, represent that "they
will meet on the 15th of July, for the purpose of
receiving donations, &c.; giving the public square
$1,000; preference for location, &c.; otherwise at
any point in the town plat where $1,000 is subscribed," &c. On the 15th of July, the comlmissioners met, and adjourned till the 24th of Au gust, to
receive donations, &c., for new Court-house.
On the 11th of September public notice is given
in the Western Aurora and in the Advertiser and




K N O X  C OU 7:-N-T Y.     -267
Standard, of sale of contract to build a Courthouse, to the lowest bidder, on the 5th of October
next, &c. Peris Sprague is authorized to getE. G..Carlin, or some other person, to make and draft a
plat for the same. This plan, as agreed upon, appears on the journal, specifying that the building
is to be erected on the west side of Main street and
north side of High street, and that $1,000 is-to be
paid to the contractor on the 10th of January,
1830, and $1,000 annually thereafter, and all orders
to be expressly understood to be paid when due and
presented. Edward G. Carlin is paid county order
for $10, for making plat of new Court-house, and
describing timbers, dimensions, &c.  Richard
House, for assisting -Carlin in.describing the plan,
is paid $1 50.
October 5th. The building of the Court-house
is sold to John Shaw for $5,485, who enters into
bond with Byram Leonard, Philo Norton, Charles
Sager, Solomon Geller, Thomas Irvine and H. B.
Carter, in the sum of $10,970. Such is the record
of the second Court-house built in Mount Vernon,
which stood on the public square until 1853. It
was built of brick, two stories high, with a cupola,
and a very imposing building in its time. It answered well its part for many years-may we not
say for that generation, as almost all then upon the
stage of action have passed "hence without day."
The Supreme Court, District and Associate Judges,
the Commissioners, Sheriff, Auditor, Assessor,
Treasurer, Surveyor, and Coroner, the Contractor
and his sureties-are all, all dead. Melancholy




268            HISTORY OF
is the reflection that few of the men, who flourished
here only thirty-two years ago, now survive.
In 1828, majorities were given for Campbell for
Governor; Stanbery for Congress; Shaw for Sheriff; Colerick for Representative; Tracy for Auditor; Sprague and Beers for Commissioners, and
Neal for Coroner.
In 1829 the population of the county is stated at
8,326. There were then eight post-offices, viz.:
Danville, Darling's, Martinsburg, Mount Vernon,
Miles ~ Roads and Sandusky r Roads in Chester
township, Fredericktown and Houck's.
The state of the County Treasury may be judged
of from the following entry, June 7th, 1830: "Ordered that the Auditor issue an order on the Treasurer in favor of Daniel Converse & Co., for the
amount of principal and interest due on a certain
county order, payable to Solomon Geller, for the
sum of $275, dated February 10, 1824, endorsed
not paid for want of funds by the Treasurer when
the said order shall be presented;" thus paying
an old order by issuing a new one. The original
debt for building the first court house not having
been paid until after the building itself had crumbled and fallen, and the county was compelled to
erect a new one.
Artemas Estabrook is, at the same time, allowed
an order for boarding, bringing up on Habeas Corpus and attending the Judges-Eli Losh-amounting to $11.60.
C. G. Allen makes his escape from the county
j ail after his board bill had amounted to $8.05.
In 1830, the county went for McArthur for Gov



KNOX COUNTY.               269
ernor; Stanbery, Congress; Greer, Representative;
Neal, Sheriff; Tracy, Auditor; McFarland, Assessor; Low, Coroner; Wilkins for Commissioner.
The total vote cast was 2,086.
During this decade the foundation was laid and
the commencement made of that institution of learning which has contributed so much to the advancement and prosperity of this county-Kenyon College. Under its appropriate head we have devoted
a chapter to this subject, and hence will say no more
here than has reference to the action of the County
Commissioners on matters connected with it. On
December 7th, 1829, the petition of Philander Chase
and others was presented to the Board for the view
of four roads. 1. FErom the junction of Wiggin and
Gaskin streets towards James Smith's mill. 2. To
Coshocton. 3. To Giffin's mill. 4. Around the
foot of College hill south west to Frederick Rohrer's tavern stand. The Commissioners ordered
Thomas Griffith Plummer to survey; and Jonathan
Miller, Wm. Marquis and Joseph Critchfield to
view. All of these parties are now dead.




270:           I IS TOIO::Y OF 
CHAPTER  XXI.
LITERARY AND OTHER SOCIETIES.
THE MOUNT VERNON POLEMIC SOCIETY.-THE THESPIAN. —THE LIBRARY SOCIETY.-TRE LYCEUJM.-THE FRANKLJN. —MECiHANICS. —HISTORICAL, AND
ITS LIBRARY.
THiE first society of a literary character, established at MoIunt Vernon, was the "Polemic Society," in: 1815, wlhich was kept up until 1817, and
included among its members the more talkative
and social citizens. It was converted into a Thespian Society and- well- sustained for many years.
Theatrical performances were generally gotten up
every Winter, until about 1840, and were very creditable to those' concerned. The object was to spend
the long: evenings agreeably —not to -make money.
LaWyers, doctors,s merchants and students lent a
hand as occasion required. Among the active and
valuable upon the boards were Dr. R. D. Moore,
Philo L. Norton, Jacob B. Brown, Charles Sager,
J. W. Warden, Win. Bevans, Chas. Colerick, B. S.
Brown, T. G. Plummer, Jacob Davis, S. W. Hildreth, Winm. Smith, S. W. Farquhar, Eli Miller, N.N.
Hill, T. W. Rogers, Henry B. Curtis, Isaac Hadley,
John Colerick, J. S. Banning, and Calvin Hill.
The exhibitions were usually at the court house,
or at the "Golden Swan Inn."  The clothing,
equipments and scenery, were of very rich material. One of the old actors says —"it was most




XIO-X C:0ouvN.           271
splendidly illustrated- with gorgeous parahernalia
in most profuse variety and transcends representation."
"The Mount Vernon Library Society" was formed
in the year 1816. Among the members of this
association were Joseph Brown, Hosmer Curtis,
R-. D. Moore, Gilman Bryant, Timothy Burr, Daniel S. Norton, John Warden, Samuel Mott. H.
Curtis was its last Librarian. It had a very good
collection of standard works, which, in the end,
were divided among its stockholders.
" The M:ount Vernon Literary Society" organized
in the winter of 1821-2, by a, number of young
bachelors of the town, to wit: Dr. Norman Murray, David Wadsworth, Henry B. Curtis, John W.
Warden and James Beebee. Members subsequently admitted-Benjamin S. Brown, S. lFarquhar, IN.
N. Hill and Samuel R. Curtis. The organization
existed for several years. The society fell thlrougt
by reason of the young men becoming absorbed in
the more active duties of life.
"The Mount Vernon Lyceuml," in 1830, was
formed and well. sustained for many years. At
the session of the Legislature, 1833-4, it was incorporated, and high hopes- were entertained of its
being a permanent organization. We have before
us the inaugural address of Henry B. Curtis, Esq.,
delivered January 1st, 1834, in which he says:
"We  have now assumed: a different and more imposing attitude. Having adopted a public charter,
we from this time become a part of the history of
the State. And let us at least hope that the account
which its faithful pages may hereafter give of us




272            HISTORY OF
and of our transactions shall be such as would not
make us blush, could we be permitted to see them."
May the hope of President Curtis be gratified;
for, although the Lyceum has long since been consigned to the "tomb of the Capulets," and the greater
portion of his associates have departed hence without day, hle yet lives to "be permitted to see" "the
account which the faithful pages of history"-our
history of Knox county doubtless predicted —" gives
of its transactions."
It was the best literary association and the
longest lived ever in Mt. Vernon. It continued in
successful operation until 1842, and numbered
among its active members many of the best citizens
of Knox. Its regular meetings were held at the
court-house, and the public generally and ladies
particularly attended its sessions. Literary essays,
orations and discussions were the chief entertainment.
Among the number of those who have died we
may name Benjamin S. Brown, David Dunn, John
A. Holland, S. W. Hildreth, Ml. A. Sayre, Daniel
S. Norton, T. W. Rogers, W. A. Hoey, T. G.
Plummer, and Dr. M. L. Bliss.
Among those living in other parts, Win. Byers,
J. ]F. Kinney, J. C. Hall, G. Hathaway, J. W.
Chapman, H. Curtis, J. B. 1Foster, E. Sparrow, D.
C. Dunlap.
Among the survivors in this county are C.
Delano, M/i. H. Mitchell, J. W. Miller, Henry B.
Curtis, Rollin C. Hurd, J. S. Davis, J. N. Burr.
The Lyceum established a very good library of
several hundred volumes.




EK NOx COUNTY.             273
In 1834, a "M3echanics' Society" was formed,
which continued till 1840, and enlisted J. B. Brown,
G. C. Lybrand, E. Alling, D. McFarland, Abel
Hart, and pretty much all the workmen in this
vicinity.
In 1839, a society called the "Franklin" was
organized for mental improvement, by John Lamb,
Robert Thompson, Ben. McCracken, W. H. Oldham, Isaac J. Allen, W. P. Griffith, W. T. CGurtis,.R. S. Thomas, and others, which was well sustained
for three or four years, and then went down.
In 1850, Zoar Blair, Noah Hill, Robert Thompson, Dan. Clark and Sam. Davis started the Mechanics' Mutual Protection, -which after two years,
was merged in the Brotherhood of the Union, and
continued till 1854.
In December, 1849, several gentlemen of Mount
Vernon set about getting up a Historical Society
for Knox county, and in January, 1850, a constitution was drawn up and signed by Hosmer Curtis, Gilman Bryant, Joseph Muenscher, M. E.
Strieby, Jesse B. Thomas, James Scott, Daniel S.
Norton, M. H. Mitchell, Henry B. Curtis, R. C.
Hurd, R. R. Sloan, A. Banning Norton, C. P.
Buckingham, G. W. Morgan, C. Delano, M. W.
Stamp, Walter Smith, N. N. Hill, G. Browning,
Matthew Thompson, J. C. Ramsey, J. N. Burr,
S. Israel, J. W. Vance, W. H. Smith, J. C. Stockton, D. Potwin, J. W. White, J. H. Peacock, W.
Beam, Samuel Mower and John W. Russell. H.
Curtis was elected President; G. Bryant, V. P.;
R  C. Hurd, Treas'r; Cor. Sec'y, Rev. J. Muen



274           HISTORY -OF
scher, D,.D; Recording Sec'y, Rev. M. E. Strieby;
Cabinet-keeper, R. R. Sloan. Among other standing committees were the following: on Agriculture, M. H. Mitchell; on Manufactures, Daniel S.
Norton; on Mechanic Arts, C. P. Buckingham;
on Fine Arts, H. B. Curtis; on Education, R. R.
Sloan; on History, R. C. Hurd; on the Medical
Profession, J. N. Burr, M1.D.; on the Clerical Profession, Jos. Muenscher, D.D.; on Diseases, J. W.
Russell, M.D.; on Population, S. Israel; on General Biography, A. Banning Norton; on Geology
and Mineralogy, Prof. H. L. Thrall, M.D.; on
Meteorology, Rev. Prof. Geo. Dennison; on Literat-ure, W. H. Smith. Twelve years have passed
by, the society long since was numbered among
the things that were-and this comes the nearest
to being a report of anything that yet has emanated from any of its members. Following in its
wake, however, is an institution which it is to be
hoped will long continue in existence —" The Mount
Vernon Library Society," which has collected,
through the instrumentality, principally, of the
Rev. Dr. 3Muenscher, its learned Librarian, several
hundred volumes of valuable standard works, and
may serve as a nucleus for a future large collection.
It was started in 1856, and its rooms are in Huntsbery's building, Main st., Mount Vernon,




.NOx  COUNTY.               275
CHAPTER XXII.
HON. ANTHONY BANNING.
1~:.,,...
Ipl.'~'~~




276            HISTORY  OF
AMONG the old settlers whose names have figured
conspicuously in the history of Knox county, was
Anthony Banning. Connected with the business,
the growth and prosperity of the county at every
period of its history after the first, and concerned
as he was in various industrial pursuits, in commercial operations, in temperance movements, in
church affairs, in political actions; and as his name
has been widely known in legal history, his memory is worthy of more than a passing notice.
4' Judge" Banning as he was called more frequently
than " Parson," notwithstanding his monument
states that he was a Methodist preacher sixty years,
was born in Talbot county, Maryland, and was the
only son of James Banning, a proprietor of much
consideration and influence, who had but two children, the son, Janmes Mansfield Anthony Banning,
and a daughter who married Benjamin Chew, of
Philadelphia, Chief Justice of the State of Pennsylvania, a lawyer of much distinction and a man
of great wealth, who was a bosom friend of Washington and whose family were his most intimate
associates.
His parents died when he was very young, and
he was consigned to the care of an uncle, Henry
Banning, a bachelor, who was a sea-captain and
took Anthony with him several voyages. The
family were members of the Episcopal church, but
in his eleventh year Anthony joined the Methodists. When about sixteen he went to preaching
as a circuit rider in Greenbrier, Virginia, and the
wilderness mountain region. In consequence of
the great length of his name, and its inconvenience




KNOX COUNTY.               277
in writing, he dropped a portion of it in early youth.
He married Sarah Murphy, daughter of one of the
first settlers on Redstone, near Uniontown, Pa.,
who was also a native of the Eastern Shore of
Maryland, and had been raised near Ellicott's mills.
The children, by this marriage, were Sarah, wife of
Daniel S. Norton; Jacob M. who died in 1S35, and
whose widow and children reside in Hardin county;
Rachel, wife of Rev. Elnathan Raymond; James
S.; Mrs. Mary Caswell; Elizabeth, Mrs. Bronson;
Priscilla, Mrs. Gray, and Anthony.
After his marriage he settled in Fayette county,
Pa., and resided for several years near Mt. Braddock and in Connelsville, where he preached the
gospel, carried on a tanyard, kept a store, officiated
as a justice of the peace, (from 1790 until 1799)
traded in stock of every description, and navigated
the western waters.
During his residence in the Keystone State slavery existed there, and this good man thought it no
sin to better the condition of negroes by holding
them in bondage. Twenty-eight family slaves of
the Maryland stock were thus held at his marriage,
and he subsequently bought Hannah, Peter, Jim,
Cass and George, in Virginia; and in moving west
sold them to Daniel Rogers and Abraham Baldwin, two of the most respectable and worthy men
in that country.
In one of his trading expeditions on the western
rivers he sold a load of goods to Ebenezer Buckingham, of Putnam, for the fine farm now occupied by Nicholas Spindler, Esq., in Howard township. He made several trips up the Muskingum




278            HISTORY OF
with goods and wares from 1808 till he moved out
in 1812. After he had bought lands in the county
he traded a lot of iron, leather, saddlery, &c., to
Samuel Kratzer, Esq., for the principal part of his
interest in the town of Mount Vernon, and then
took up his residence here. During his long abode
he was engaged, as elsewhere, in a diversity of pursuits; and by reason of his remarkable energy, industry, prudence and business tact, prospered in
all and enjoyed, to a very great extent, the confidence of the people. He was for the greater part
of his life concerned in merchandizing at Mount
Vernon, Tymochtee, Danville, &c.-carrying on
his mills at Clinton and his tanyard, farming extensively and preaching.
His name is found as President of the first Clay
meeting ever held in this county; he was all his
life an ardent admirer and friend of that great
statesman and patriot. In principle, politically,
he was a Whig-religiously, a Methodist-strictly
moral and temperate-in all the relations of life
a good example..He was honest and conscientious —liberal and
kind hearted-determined and resolute-never disguised his sentiments or harbored unkind thoughts;
was not a fanatic in temperance, morals, politics or
religion; but by his well balanced mind and daily
walk exerted a great influence for good.
Among other public positions held by him was
that of Commissioner to select the permanent seat
of justice of Clermont county, under act of the
General Assembly, January 25th, 1823, associated
with John C. Wright, then of Jefferson, and James




KNOX COUNTY.               279
Clark, of Stark. He served as one of the Associate Judges of this county from 1827 to 1834.
In every public enterprise and work calculated
to benefit the town, county and people he was active, liberal and useful. Among the many inciaents of his life the following most clearly shows
the liberality of his mind: In 1836 he set about
erecting a church near his residence, and upon his
own land. The neat brick edifice had been inclosed and about completed, when the Rt. Rev.
Bishop Purcel visited Mt. Vernon for the first time,
and there being no Catholic church the followers
of that denomination, of whom there were but two
or three families then in the place, to wit-David
Morton's, Winm. Brophy's and Tim. Colopy's, requested the use of one of the churhes for the Bishop
to hold service in on the forenoon of a certain
Sunday. The favor was denied. An effort was
then made to procure the use of the court house,
and that too was refused.
The writer, then a small boy, having heard the
circumstances on his way home, stopped in at Judge
Banning's and stated what had occurred, when he
at once buttoned up his vest and coat, took his
cane, went up to David Morton's, where the Bishop was staying, and tendered the use of the Banning Chapel for Catholic service. The offer was
most gratefully and graciously accepted, and the
first Catholic discourse ever delivered in this town
was pronounced at the Banning Chapel. This, in
the eyes of many bigoted and intolerant minds,
was a very great sin; but the religion of Grandfather Banning was of that catholic spirit which




280            HISTORY  O:EF
enabled him to do acts of kindness and pour out
heart offerings as becometh a true christian. And
here we will record that this "bread cast upon the
waters returned again after many days" in like
sphirit.
In February, 184, Judge Banning was drowned
in the dam of the Clinton Mill Company, when
attempting to cross upon the ice to his farm, after
some infernal fiend had burned up the Norton
street bridge. His body was soon recovered and
great efforts were made to resuscitate life, but in
vain. He was in his 76th year, and remarkably
vigorous and robust for one of his age.
The Catholic sect having increased to a considerable number, and having, by liberality of oure citizens, erected a neat brick church, Bishop Purcel
again visited Mt. Vernon to consecrate it-and
most happily referred to the circumstances attending his first visit and the charitable and brotherly
kindness of IFather Banning, and devoutly offered
up' his supplications to the throne of mercy in his
behalf. The incident was a most affecting one,
and the eyes of many were suffused with tears as
their supplications were offered up.




KNOX C.OUNTY.               281
CHAPTER XXIII.
RICIILAND COUNTY D-URING HER TUTELAGE. — DIVIDED INTO TWO TOWNSHIPS.THE EARLIEST SETTLERS.-VOTERS.-OFFICERS AND MATTERS WORTH REMEMBERIN-.
IN pursuance of our purpose, as expressed on
page 26, we devote a few pages of our history to
the earliest matters of record on our journals in
regard to Richland county. The Commissioners
of Knox, on the 8th of June, 1809, declared the
entire county of Richland a separate township,
which shall be called and known by the name of
illadison. At the present time a township of this
name exists, and Mansfield, the flourishing county
seat of Richland, stands therein. At the election
of 1809, that whole region polled but 17 votes, and
in the year following there were but 19 votes. The
vote in October, 1811, for Representative, stood,
Jeremiah R. Munson 14, Wm. Gass 3; Sheriff,
Ichabod Nye, 17; Commissioner, John Kerr, 17;
Coroner, Dr. Timothy Burr, 17. The Judges of
election in 1810 were James Copus, Wm. Gardner,
John Foglesong; Clerks, John C. Gilkison, James
Cunningham. In 1811, Winn Winship and John
C. Gilkison, clerks, certify as to the full vote of
Richland. Among the names of these early settlers
will be found several with whom our readers were
acquainted in the olden time; we give themMoses Adzet, George Ackley, the Baughmans,




282          I..EISTORY  OF
Jacob and John Coon, Andrew  Craig, Thomas
Coulter, James Black, Hugh and James Cunningham, John Crossen, the Gilkisons, the Gardners,
the Hulls, Moses Fountain, the Lewisses, the McClures, the MIurphys, the Newmans, Pearces, Olivers, Wmn. Lockard, Jacob Shaffer, Joshua Rush,
Sam. Martin, the Slaters, Zimmermans, John Wallace, Joseph Middleton, James Hedges and Rollin
Weldon.
Tlhe first Justices of the Peace were Archibald
Gardner, elected in MIay, 1809; Henry McCart, in
1810; George Coffinbery and Peter Kinney, in
1812; James McClure and Andrew Coffinbery, in
1814. The whole return on the tax duplicate, in
1811, was 73 horses, 124 cattle and one stallion,
valued at $150, and taxed at $35.
A rib is taken out of the side of Richland on the
7th of January, 1812, as the following entry on the
Journal of the Conmmissioners explains: " Ordered, that Madison township be divided as follows, to
wit: The division line of the township should be
one mile east of the center of the 17th range, in
the lower township, and shall be known and designated by the name of Greene." Brief entry thatis it not, for the formation of a township within the
lines of which we now find the better part of Ashland county and some of the best lands in Richland. Whether it was named after the Rev. Jolhn
Green, who had just been licensed to marry, " this
deponent saith not," as the books show not, but
we presume, as our people were eminently patriotic,
that it was named after General Nathaniel Greene,
one of the heroes of our revolutionary war. The




KNOX  COUNTY.              283
Mohican river passes through this township on its
way to the Gulf of Mexico via the Walhonding, Muskingum, Ohio and Mississippi rivers. In the olden
time men did navigate this route, if we are to put
implicit confidence in traditions of the dead past.
We have a work published several score years ago
which asserts that " it is navigable (except being
obstructed by dams) most seasons of the year."
Beaver dams, it is presumed, or some other dams,
usually obstruct. The Judges at the first election
were Melzar Tanneyhill, Isaac Pierce, Samuel
Lewis, and the clerks Peter Kenny and Thomas
Coulter. Aelzar Tanneyhill received a $6 county
order for listing this township. At the election
April 6, 1812, at the house of Abraham Baughman, jr., Philip Seymour, Henry Seymour and
Martin Rufner, whose adventures with Indians
have since been so widely known, were among the
voters. John MIurphy, Henry Naugh, John Pool,
Wmn. Slater, John Totten and Ebenezar Rice were
other voters. Among the settlers, in 1814, were
Josiah L. Hill, Trew Petee, Win. Brown, John
Shehan, Ahira Hill, Asa Brown, Jeremiah Conine,
Lewis Crossen, Stephen Yanscoyos, Noah Custard,
David Hill, Moses Jones, Silvester Fisher, John
Crossen, H. W. Cotton, Lewis Pierce and Adam
Crossen. The poll-book for the township of Greene,
in the county of Knox, October 13, 1812, " shows
41 voters, but the nanmes of Seymour and Rufner
are lacking. The 14th of March, 1812, lKnox Common Pleas Court allowed Greene township three
Justices. Perryville was the principal business
point, and the Browns W. & A. were the first mer



284            HISTORY  OF
chants, and for many years the leading business
men.
On the 10th of April, 1812, a petition of citizens
of Richland was presented to the Commissioners
of Knox for "a road beginning at the house of
James McClure in said county, and run the nearest
way to a mill seat belonging to Amoriah Watson;
the same be granted, and Jacob Newman, George
Coffinbery and Wm. Gass were appointed Viewers,
and W. Y. Farquhar Surveyor of the same."
In February, 1813, Thomas Coulter, Win. Gass
and Peter Kinney were elected Associate Judges
by the Legislature. Winn Winship, the first Clerk
of the Court of Richland county, wrote an excellent hand, and was a quick business man. Several
of his certificates are on file in our Clerk's office,
containing election returns, &c., with a hole cut
through a piece of paper showing a wafer, the
county having no seal. The entire vote of Richland, October 12, 1813, for Representative was:
Win. Gass, 31; Sam. Kratzer, 14.
Mansfield was determined upon as the seat of
justice of the county, April 2d, 1809, by Jno. Heckewelder, John M. Connell and Moses Ross, Commissioners.  Winn Winship was the first Postmaster at the town; and among the early tavern
keepers known to our citizens was Capt. Sam. Williams. Jabez Beers was appointed lister of this
county in 1812. Until after the war of 1812,
there was not much improvement in the county.
A very large proportion of the early settlers were
from Knox, and throughout our history the people




KnOX  COUNTY.              285
have been quite intimate, and lived together upon
the most friendly terms.
We have much material that we would like to
present; but as the history of our sister county and
its affairs do not, from the period to which we have
carried this sketch, properly belong to our enterprise, we close by giving a view of the Mansfield
Female, Seminary, whereof Rev. C. S. Doolittle,
A.MI., and J. Lindly, A.M., are Principals; and
inasmuch as the former is a native of IKnox, and a
son of one of our old teachers, it will not be
thought out of place to say that here young ladies
can acquire an accomplished education upon very
reasonable terms.,~:cw




286            HISTORY  OF
CHAPTER XXV.
SOME ACCOUNT OF T;HE TOWNSEIPS SEVERED FROM OLD KNOX. —CHESTEIR,
BLOOMFIELD AND FRANKLIN.-THEIR HISTORY UNTIL MORROW WAS CREATED.
THE territory of Knox remained entire, notwithstanding extraordinary efforts had been made time
and again to erect new counties, taking a part of
her territory, until, at the session of the Legislature
in 1848, Morrow was created-taking fronm Knox
Chester, Franklin and Bloonmfield townships.
Chester Township, the oldest of the three, was
laid off by order of the Commissioners at their
session April 10th, 1812. The first election was
held at thle house of Win. Johnson, on the 25th of
that month. The Judges of election this year were
Joseph Duncan, Henry George, Evan Holt; Clerks,
Win. Johnson and Samuel Johnson. Rufus Dodd,
first lister of taxable property, received a $3 county
order for his services this year. In addition to the
above-named, we find other early settlers to have
been Ensley Johnson, John Walker, David Miller,
John Parcels, Enos Miles, Robert D alrymple, Isaac
Norton, James and George Irwin, Joseph Howard,
Bartlet Norton, and Daniel Kimbel. Moses Morris, Henry George and a few other Welch families,
were among the number of the best citizens of this
township, and many of their countrymen located




KLNOX COUNTY.               287
around them. The greater part of the original
families were from New Jersey.
In 1813, at the October election, there were
fifteen voters; among them were Joseph, William
and UTriah Denman, Sam'l Shaw and Chism May.
The vote stood, for Representative, Gass 15; Commissioner, Peter Wolf 9; Sheriff, John Hawn, Jr.
13, Wm. MlVitchel 2.
The forks of Owl Creek passing through this
township afford several good mill-seats a durable
power, and furnish the people with facilities for
getting breadstuffs at their own doors. Their lands
are generally rolling and very productive. The
citizens have ever been distinguished for industry
and thrifty management. In 1830, the population
was 778; in 1840, it was 1,297; and in 1850, 1,620.
Chesterville, the post-office and business point,
was laid out by Enos Miles, deputy surveyor, -.
For many years the post-office went by the name of
Miles's x Roads, and the good tavernkeeper's name
seemed for a long time likely to absorb the other.
It was on the main thoroughfare from Mt. Vernon
to Mt. Gilead, and on the old State road from
Johnstown to Paris and New Haven; distant from
Mt. Vernon 14 miles, from Fredericktown 8, from
Mt. Gilead 10, from Johnstown 23, and 30 from
Paris. In 1830, it contained 250 inhabitants, 40
dwellings, 5 stores, 1 tavern, 1 flour-mill, 1 sawmill, 1 tannery, 1 church, and several mechanic
shops. This village has ever been distinguished
for the attention paid to schools, churches, etc., and
the general morality of its citizens; of whom we
may name -the Shurs, the Bartletts, and tHance,




288            HIS TORY OF
who have been heavily engaged in merchandise
and trade, Abram King, Dr. Richard E. Lord, Dan.
XMiles and Judge Kinsel.
Evan Holt, as a revolutionary soldier, served six
years; was a native of Chester, Pa., emigrated to
this county in 1808, and lived for 39 years on land
received for his services. He also was a pensioner
until his death, in his 84th year, leaving a large
family married and settled around him. Evan,
Jr. was a great fighter-possessed of bone, muscle:and pluck; he fought in Morris township, about
35 years ago, a fist fight with John MIagoogin,
where he displayed uncommon skill. They had a
difficulty at a camp-meeting over the creek, on
James Smith's farm, and then made up this fight,
to come off at the first big muster at the' Cross
Roads, by Win. Mitchell's. A great crowd witnessed it. Magoogin was a stout and brisk- man
of much courage; he died a soldier in the Mexican
war. The fight was conducted fairly, and IlMagoogin carried the palm.
The Dalrymple family is one of the most respected, of whom Charles has long been a good jinsfice of the township.
The poll-book of Chester in April, 1824, concludes as follows:-" We certify that John Stilley
had 26 votes for Justice, Wm. W. Evans 26. Decided by draught in favor of John Sfilley. John
De Witt, John Beebee, Jas. McCracken, Judges;
Enos Miles, Jas..F. Clapp, Clerks. We therefore
do certify that John Stilley from Arrangements
was duly elected a justice of the peace for Chester
township, this 1st Monday, April, A. D. 1824."




KNOX COUNTY.                     289
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THIE PEACE.
1812. Wm. Johnson.        1833. Enos Miles.
1817. Ruffis Dodd.        1836.    " "
Joseph Denman.       1839. "       "
1819. WV. Van Buskirk.    1836. Byram Beers.
1822.  i"     "           1839.  " "
1820. Enos Miles.         1842.  4
I)aniel Beers.       1845. 5 
1823.   "   "             1835. Henry De Witt.
1824. John Stilley.       1838.        "
1826. John Beebee.        1812. P. B. Ayres.
1829.  "   "              1845.        "
1832.  "   "              1843. Thomas Peterson.
1827. Moses Powell.       1846. Davis Miles.
1830.  "    "             1844. Charles D)alrymple.
1833.  "    "             1847.
Franklin, the most extreme  township in the
north-west corner of "old Knox," before she was
shorn of her fair proportions by the erection of
Morrow, was first known December 3d, 1823, by
being created and named after the philosopher,
statesman and printer, Benjamin Franklin.  The
first election came off on the first Alonday of April,
1823, at the house of Thomas Axtell.  The principal place of business is Pulaskiville.
Jamestown was many years ago a famous business place, projected by Allen Kelly, Esq., who
emigrated from Northumberland county, Pa., at a
very early day, and has ever been a prominent
stock raiser and farmer.  David Peoples, David
Shaw, Wm. T. Campbell, Washington Strong, the
Petersons, HIickmans, Blairs and Van Buskirks
were among the early settlers.  Of these Abraham
Blair, of Perth Arnboy, N. J., settled in 1811 upon
the farm on which he died, in his 90th year, on the
19




290            HISTORY OF
2d of October, 1846. He served as a minute man
during the Revolutionary War, and participated
in the battles of Trenton and Monmouth. He
was a good citizen, and much respected.
]David Shaw served his fellow-citizens over
twenty-one years as a Justice.of the Peace, and
was also Commissioner of the County nine years.
He was a very clever, quaint old gentleman, whose
name is ever associated with Franklin township
affairs.
Colonel Strong was noted as a military character, and a democrat. His patriotic party ardor sustained him in walking all the way from home to
the State Conventions at Columbus, and back
again. And speaking of democracy reminds us of
the zeal of Joshua Bickford, who, for many yehrs,
was one of the shining lights of Franklin. One
little incident is worthy of note. He was selected
once upon a time as Chairman of a County Convention, and among other business was the appointment of delegates to a district convention to be held
at Johnstown to nominate a candidate for Congress.
One of the legal gentlemen of the party arose, and
moved the appointment of a committee to select
delegates to the Congressional Convention, &c.
President Bickford put the question —" Gentlemen,
all you in favor of the motion just made about delegates to the Congregational Convention will say
aye." The gentleman who made the motion sprang
to his feet somewhat excited, exclaiming, "The
Congressional Convention," I said.  "Exactly,"
said the President; "You've heard the motion,
Gentlemen: the Congregational Convention I said,




KNOX CaOUNTY.              291
and I say it again, and I know what Mr. M —said, and what we all want —we want democrats to
congregate at Johnstown, and it is a Congregational
Convention." Joshua was in earnest in whatever
he undertook, and seconded by the efforts of Lieut.
Bernard Fields usually carried his points. He was
noted as tavern-keeper, merchant and horse-trader,
and was always " bobbing around."
In addition to the prominent citizens enumerated
as having held official positions, we may mention
the Swingleys, from Hagerstown, Md., Saul. Livingston, Henry Weatherby, Anson Prouty, Wmn.
Faris, Wm. Gordon, Benjamin Corwin, Alex. Wilson, Jonathan Olin, Win. Lavering, Caleb Barton,
H. P. Eldrige, C. Sapp, Wm. Linn, B. O. Pitman,
David Ewers, Ebenezer Hartwell, B. and E. Lyon,
Ben. Hathaway and Thomas Morrison.
In 1830, Franklin had over 16,000 acres of land
upon the tax list, and the census then showed only
800 inhabitants. In 1840, the inhabitants numbered 1,343, and in 1850, 1,456.
Upon the organization of this township, Wm.
Van Buskirk, a Justice of the Peace within the
territory, who had been re-elected in 1822, continued the functions until again elected in 1824. In
1824, John Truax was elected. In 1827, David
Shaw was elected, and subsequently re-elected over
and over again; and when the township was carried into M/Iorrow county, it took the old Justice
along to keep it straight. H. W. Strong was elected
in 1834, and re-elected in 1837. Winm. Van Buskirk was elected in 18140, re-elected in 1843, and




292           HISTORY OF
again in. 1846; and during his term of service the
connection with Knox was severed.
Bloonjfield Township was created June 23d, 1817,
and received its name in this wise: Several of the
settlers were at the house of Sheldon Clark early
in. the Spring, talking about the new township,
when John Blinn called attention to the coming
of flowers upon the beautiful mound that they
stood upon, and suggested that, as the field was in
bloom, it should be called Bloomfield, which was
accordingly done.
Benjamin H. Taylor was the first lister of property for taxation and made his return June, 1818,
receiving an order for $5 for his services.
The family of Artemas Swetland emigrated to
this State in 1808, and in 1812 located in this part
of the county, where their name has ever since
existed.
The next earliest settlers were the Clarks, Walker
Lyon, Preston Hubbell, Seth Nash, John Helt,
Win. Ayres, John Blinn, Dr. Bliss, Samuel Whitney, Lucius French, Stephen Marvin, Samuel Iead,
Lemuel Potter-all industrious and substantial men.
The Clarks —Roswell, Sheldon and Marshal, were
sons of Daniel Clark, of New Haven co., Ct.
Lyon, Hubbell, Nash, Whitney, French, aMarvin
and MVRead, were also from that county. Helt and
Ayres were from Washington co., Pa.
The first post office established was called Clark's
H Roads, at the intersection of the road from
Johnstown to New Haven with-the road from Mt.
Vernon to Delaware-a central point-being 13
miles from Berkshire, MIt. Vernon, Chesterville




KNO   COx UNTY.             293
and Johnstown. The post office was subsequently
styled Bloomfield.
The next was Sparta, upon the old State road
from Il[ansfield via Frederick to Sunbury and Columbus. It is considerable of a trading point.
From 1840 to 1850 much mechanical and llanufacturing was carried on. Benjamin Chase erected
quite a large woolen manufactory and ran it for
several years; upon his death the works stopped.
Charles Osborne was the last at the business; he
moved to Mt. Gilead and has since gone west, somewhere. Elisha Cook now operates a steam saw
and grist mill in the old factory buildings.
In 1817 there were only 16 voters. In 1840, the
population had increased to 1,252; and in 1850,
1,395.
Of the first settlers Sheldon and Roswell Clark,
Walker Lyon, Stephen Marvin, Samuel Mead, A.
W. and Giles and F. MA. Swetland are yet living.
Roswell Clark came to the country in 1816, with
his wife. They have had three children-Daniel,
now in Xenia; Eliza married John Barr, in Bloomfield; Rev. Wesley died at West Liberty, two years
ago, aged 46 years. He was a preacher of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and a man of much
worth; his widow and children live in Bloomfield.
Sheldon Clark was married when he emigrated, in
1819, and has two daughters-Victorine P., married Floyd Sears; and Rebecca Jane, C. B. Jackson. Preston Hubbell is dead, and his three children are in the west. Lucius French is dead; his
son, lAnrew, and daughter, Eameline,live in Bloomfield.




294            HISTORY  OF
John Helt survives with two children-Casper,
a son, in Bloomfield; and Lafayette, a soldier in
the army. Wnn. Ayres is dead, and left no children. Walker Lyon, in his 73d year, is in Bloomfield with his son, Smith. He has two daughters
living —Harriet, wife of Rowland Rogers; and
Sally Jane, wife of James Howe, of IFredericktown.
Samuel Whitney died leaving two childrenWheeler, in Bloomfield; and Samuel, near Berkshire. Seth Nash is dead, and his children, three
in number, are in the west. Artemas Swetland is,
dead; his three boys-Augustus W., Fuller 1M.,
and Seth, and his daughter, Mrs. Win. Shurr, are
living. Lemuel Potter moved into Bloomfield in
1819 from southern Ohio; he is dead, and left eight
children-Cassandra lives in Bloomfield, Lemuel,
jr., in Urbana, and two of the boys are doctors in
Wayne.
Among the early items of this township was the
separation of a man and wife, by public notice
given, as follows: "By mutual consent James C.
and Rebecca Wilson, of Bloomlfield township, Knox
county, have this day (Oct. 21st) agreed to dissolve
as being man and wife."
Stephen Marvin is living. He had three children; two survive-Charlotte, widow of Wesley
Clark; and Eliza, wife of Dr. Page.
The first brick house in this township was built
in 1823, by Roswell Clark, a two story building in
which he has so long resided. The first frame
house was the two story frame in which Sheldon
Clark resides, built in 1828. Prior to these houses
they, like other settlers, lived in log cabins. The




KNOX  COUNTY.              295
Clarks burnt the first lime in this township on logheaps. The price then was fifty cents per bushel
unslacked-just double the present rate. Since
that they have burnt many kilns, and made their
support and fortunes. For many years they furnished the greater part of the lime used at Mount
Vernon for building and other purposes.
Among the objects of sympathy, at an early day,
was Samuel Collinfare, a poor little hunchback and
ricketed spinner, who traveled from. house to house
and spun for the citizens. He was a native of the
Isle of Man, and made his first appearance about
1819. The dwarf never would work for wages, but
for clothes and food-was good society-well informed, and ever cheerfully greeted where he called.
A few years since E. W. Cotton, obeying the
prompting of a generous heart, erected a monument
in the burying ground to mark the spot where his
mortal remains were laid.
The first church in this township was the Methodist Episcopal, at Bloomfield, on Clark street, as it
is called; it was erected in 1839. The next Methodist Episcopal Church was built at Sparta in 1846.
In 1846 the Christian Church was put up in
Sparta. These churches are frame buildings. The
first preacher in the township was Thomas Kerr,
Methodist. A  good man —long since departed.
About 1817 Rev.    Cooper, Methodist, officiated
in the township; he is also dead. They were both
local preachers.
The Rev. -— Britton, about 1817, preached the
Christian or Campbelite doctrine. Rev. James
Smith, about the same time, was a voice crying




296            HISTORY  OF
aloud in this wilderness the same gospel truths.
They also have passed hence.
In 1850 the Wesleyan Methodists erected a small
church about one and a half miles west of Sparta,
at which the noted Edward Smith preached until
he died at Harmony in 1859; his body was interred in the Bloomfield burying ground. The present
preachers are John T. Kellum and Winm. Conant,
Methodist Episcopal; Rev.      Bainam, Wesleyan Methodist. The last Christian minister was
the Rev. J. W. ]iBarvin.
The Rev. -- Cleaver, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister of Bellville, occasionally holds forth
in this township.
The first white person to die in Bloomfield township was M\arshal Clark, brother of Sheldon and
Roswell, who died in 1816.
Bloomfield deserves more than a passing notice
for the respect shown to the dead. The cemetery
is a sacred spot-neat and tastily kept. It is one
mile north of Clark street, and contains many neat
and costly monuments.
The trustees of the township have, from its first
selection, had its keeping in charge, and they deserve credit for its management.
The first store in this township was kept by
Carpenter. The second by Dr. A. W. Swetland,
who is yet in business at Sparta.
The other parties selling goods at Sparta are
Chase & Co., the brothers Win., John & E. Byron,
L. Swetland, and Antipas Dexter; and a stock of
goods is kept at Bloomfield by Mann Lyon.




EKNOX  COuntY.             297
Among the residents of Bloomfield are the Conways. Widow Charlotte Conway, who di:;d in
1859, moved from Fauquier co., Va., with her sons
Joseph, 7Vm. and John. Joseph married a daughter of Win. Sanford in 1842; WinT. lives near Mt.
Liberty, and John in Knox co., Missouri. The
Manvilles, the Barrs, the Sanfords, Lovelands, Sheldons, Burkholders, Searses, Ashleys, Craigs, Throckmortons and Higginses, are also among the well
known names.
The Cottons were among the early settlers and
as such deserving of notice at our hands, more especially since the name continues in the county and
is familiar to our people. Harris W. Cotton, one
of the commissioners of Fayette co., Pa., entered a
section of land in Bloomfield, and upon his return
home, while preparing to move, died. His sons,
Emmet W. and Harris, brought out the mother
and family. The old lady died in Union county
in June, 1851, of cancer. The children were Nancy,
wife of James Thompson, in Milford; MNlaryj, wife
of Michael Cramer, in Union county; Pamnelia,
wife of Elijah Crable, in Liberty; John W. in
West Brownsville, Pa.; Harris WT. who died in
Liberty in 1835, Emmet W. in Mt. Vernon; Louisa,
wife of Thomas Merrill, who died about 1852 in
Columbus, Ill.; Charlotte, wife of Robert Butler,
who also died in Illinois; and Elizabetfh, first wife
of M. Cramer, who died in Clinton towhship about
1833. The main dependence for errands and chores
of the family, in early times, was Emmet, who has
often carried two bushels of wheat on horseback to
Mt. Vernon and exchanged it for one pound of




298            HISTORY  OF
coffee. At that time the only improvements on the
road to Norton's mill were, first, a little clearing of
H- Higgins; the next at the old Norton farm,
now owned by Frazier; the next at Chapman's;
next an old cabin, on the Gotshal place, where
Wolford lives; and these were all on the now
thickly settled road from Bloomfield to Mt. Vernon.
Idon V. Ball, born in Brownsville, Pa., in 1E05,
married Catharine Woods, of that place; moved
to Bloomfield in Sept., 1841, and settled on the
place he has since resided upon. He has had one
daughter and eight sons; six of his boys now survive. IFor twenty years he has been engaged in
farming and entertaining the public. MIany a
wayfaring man has fared sumptuously at his stand,
and many have been the happy parties of pleasureseekers from Mt. Vernon and other points, who
have been hospitably entertained by Mr. Ball and
his excellent lady.
William MIcKinstry and John Brocaw are among
the prominent farmers of Bloomfield, both from
Hunterton county, New Jersey, and came to Knox
county with the family of Matthias 5McKinstry, in
1831.
John Lineweaver came in 1827, and still lives in
it, with a considerable family. Harvey Lounsbery
is another old settler. Antipas and Chauncey
Dexter, good millwrights, are also anmong the present inhabitants.
Thomas Osborne and his wife Olive, emigrated
from Rhode Island in 1818. He died in 1853, in
his 74th year; she is at the old homestead, in her
74th year. They had nine children. Those now




KNOX -COUNTY.               299
living are all in Bloomfield, but Orilla, wife of
Jesse Severe, in Liberty. John H. married Nancy
Severe; James M., Sophia Thatcher; Amanda is
the wife of David Coyle; Sarah Ann the wife of
John Dustin; Win. N. married Harriet Dustin,
and George R., Purilla Roberts. The old gentleman had been a sailor and soldier, and did good
service in his day and generation.
Samuel Westbrook was a good rough carpenter
and joiner; he moved to Michigan, and is now
dead. The Westbrooks were among the old settilers of this township; none of the name now live
in Knox county.
An aeronaut, by the name of F. H. Westbrook,
met with a terrible end on the 4th of July, 1862;
There was a large concourse of people at Sparta, in
commemoration of the national anniversary, who
were addressed by Rev. Mills Harrod, W. L. Bane,
and A. Banning Norton, and at 5 o'clock P. M., as
previously announced, a balloon went up with
Westbrook to the distance of perhaps five hundred
feet, when it burst in pieces and fell to the earth,
killing the reckless navigator. It was a miserable
rotten old fabric, and was the most foolhardy
operation we have ever witnessed. About three
thousand people were estimated to have been
present, witnessing the sad termination to an
otherwise joyful occasion. What a sudden transition from life to death! Within five minutes of
the time he ascended, waving his hat amid the
hurrahs and shouts of the people, he fell a corpse,
leaving a wife and several children to mourn his
exit. For their benefit B. IL. Swetland at once




300                  HISTORY OF
started a subscription, which was liberallyresponded
to by good citizens.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
June 23d, 1817, the  Court of Common  Pleas
allowed Bloomfield one justice, to be elected at tTe
house of Timothy  Smith, and  Matthew  Marvin
was chosen in 1818.
1819. Walker Lyon.         1824. James Thompson.
1822.   "      "            1827. R. Clark.
1820. John Manville.        1833. James Thompson.
1823. Stephen Dodd.         1837. John Beebee.
1824. David Bliss.          1S40.'    "
1827. John MIanville.       1836. James Shumate.
1830.  "      "            1844. Jacob J. Thompson.
1834. David Bliss.         1846. Wheeler Ashley.
1837.   "    "             1848. Charles M. BEaton.
1840.    c ""
1843, Jared Irvine.
1846,   6 C




KNOx   COUNTY.             301
CHAPTER XXV.
SYCHAMORE-AND THE TWO LAST SYCHAMORES.
"SEPTEMBER 4th, 1815, on petition, Morgan township is divided and the east part of it is placed into
a township called Sychamore."  Such is tlhe brief
entry upon the journal showing a name now unknown.
On the 15th of September, 1815, an election was
held at the school house, in the township of Sychamore, for the purpose of electing three Trustees and
a Township Clerk. Jacob Simons, Williaml Claypool and Jonathan Hunt, sr., were the Judges, and
John H. Simons and Alpheus Chapman, Clerks.
William Bair, Jonathan Hunt, jr., and Lemuel
Chapman were elected Trustees and John ]Mott, jr.,
Clerk.
At the election on the 10th of October 17 votes
were cast, and among the number we find Riverius
Newell, Otis Warren, Samuel Rowley, Gideon
Mott, Riverius Newell, jr.; Aaron Hill, Abner Hill,
Alpheus Chapman and James Miller.
Of these parties but two now live, viz: Aaron
Hill and Jonathan Hunt; both over fourscore
years on earth.
The name of Sychamore, as a Township, is known
to scarcely a man in the county at this time. When,
or how it came to be lost the records give no information, except in the little extract at the head of




302            HISTORY O'
this page; there is no mention of it on official
records.
Of Jas. Miller's family-J. W., the old merchant
in 3Mt. Vernon, who married Mary Bryant; iMadison, of Miller, who married Mary Harris; Henry
H., John F., Dr. Volney and Dana, were the boys.
Mrs. Rosannah Sanford, Mrs. Harriet Knox, Mrs.
Sally Sanderson and MIrs. Lucinda Ellis are living,
and Mary is dead. The Chapmans, Motts, Warren, Bair, Simons, Claypool and Newell, have not
one of their blood within the county limits. In
1812 Riverius Newell and Aaron Hill were blacksmiths in 5Mt. Vernon.
Jonathan Hunt, born in Somerset co., N. J., Oct.
23d, 1780, moved from Western Virginia to this
county in 1806, and settled where he now lives.
He learned the trade of wagon making of his
father, and also worked as a gun-smith, and at this
day works at the latter branch. After he located
he did much work for the Indians, until the war
broke out. In August, 1812, he started with the
troops, under MIaj. Kratzer, for the frontier, and
upon reaching Mansfield was set to repairing guns
with Andy Blair, from Belmont co., at $1 each per
day and regular soldier's pay. They put up a little
shop at Beum's mill, on the Rocky Fork of Mohican, and he recollects that Rufner called to see
him the morning of the day that he was killed by
the Indians. He was working there when Copus'
family was attacked and Copus killed. After three
weeks work he rejoined the company, and continned with them until, discharged. When he first
settled in this county he went to Bowling Green,




Kn'X ~CO'UTY.            303
below Newark, and bought grain and got it chopped there; and he afterwards went to Kerr's mill
with his grist. When he moved here he had but
one child, and his wife has had 11 children-four
of whom are living in Pleasant township, and one
in Illinois. In 1822-3 Jonathan lived in Mount
Vernon and Worked at wagon and plow making,
&c. His wife, Honor Wells, born in Washington
co., Pa., and of the old Wells and Dodridge families so widely known, is yet living in her 79th year.
Aaron Hill was born near Boston, ~Mass., emigrated to this county in 1811, and shared in the privrations and toils of life in a new country. During
his long residence he has worked as a carpenter
and joiner, a blacksmith, and a farmer, and has,
with true Yankee instinct, lent a hand at whatever
work the wants of the country required. At the
advanced age of 84 years he resides in Mt. Vernon,
spending the evening of a well spent life in the society of friends. Of his family of five, Norman N.
is the sole survivor. These twain-the last of the
Sychamores-may their days be many in the land
they sought out more than a half century ago.




304            HIST-ORY  OF
CHAPTER  XXVI.
MIDDLEBURY TOWNSHIP.
ON the 3d of December, 1823, this township was
established, and the first election was held at the
house of Luther Bateman, in April, 1824. It is
now the north-west corner of Knox, and on the
score of improvement, the beauty of the country,
and the intelligence of its inhabitants, ranks first.
Its prinlcipal settlers at every period have been
Friends, ifrom, Maryland and Virginia; and the
influence of the Quaker element has been highly
salutary. The increase of population and wealth
has been steady. In 1830 the inhabitants numbered 705, and the amount of land returned for
taxation was 13,000 acres; in 1840 there were 1,002
inhabitants; in 1850, 1,092; and in 1860, 1,040.
The villages of Batemantown and Waterford are
points for trading operations; the latter is quite a
thriving little town, having the advantage of mills
in its neighborhood. Here Josiah Fawcett and
John Lavering, for many years were rivals in business, competitors for the post-office, and the prominent men of their respective parties. When the
Whigs were in power, Josiah held the post-office;
and when the Democrats ruled, he was out and
John in. The post-office and its name were mooted




W'4 Tin.ley Aort                                                                        Middleton, StrobwP1ae & C~ Jithos Cm.O.
ASCENSION HALL
KENYON  COLLEGEGAMBIER OHIO.








KNOx COUNTY.               305
points in Middlebury. The Laverings were old
settlers of this section. Of the old stock, Daniel
and Mary were here in 1813; she died October 24,
1846, aged 85. Several of the name are in the
county at this date; John is yet selling goods at
Waterford.
Samuel Wilson and Thomas Townsend emigrated from Frederick, Md., in 1808. The former is
dead, and his son Joseph resides in Indiana; the
latter died March 18, 1859, aged 78, on the farm
where he had resided over fifty years. Amos and
Win. Farquhar were early Maryland emigrants,
and David and Robert Ewers from Virginia. The
Wrights and Lewises, David Eaves, Jacob Zulman,
Samuel Willett, the Comforts, Jesse Vore, Jesse
Stevens, the Batemans, the Cravens, the Wagoners,
the Grahams, the Fiddlers, the McPhersons, the
Van Buskirks, the Walterses, have been long residents of this township. Josiah Fawcett, the old
merchant, is in partnership with his son, in a store
in - redericktown.
Among the citizens of this part of the county in
1819, were William Watkins, from Stoney Creek,
Somerset county, Pa.; Warren Owen, from Vermont, who emigrated about 1817; Philo Doolittle
and Zebulon Ashley, also from New England.
Asahel Ashley, only son of Zebulon, is living in
Missouri; and his son-in-law, Frisbee Owen, also
lives there.
Charles Strong emigrated from Frederick county,
Md.; he died in 1850. Mrs. Strong is living. Of
their eight children, the following survive: G. W.
20




306            HISTORY  OF
and Lewis, at Fredericktown; John W., sheriff of
Richland county; Peter, station agent, Bellville;
and Mrs. Mary Parke, of Mt. Vernon.
The Denman family is one of the oldest and best
in Middlebury and Chester. James Johnson, the
old Justice, died a few years ago, leaving a considerable family in this township; his son Orlin is a
prominent citizen. Lawrence Van Buskirk is another noted citizen, having served as State Senator.
James Martin and his family have long occupied
a front position among the good citizens; he has
lived in the county since 1811.
Jacob Ebersole was an eccentric old settler, of
miserly disposition, who lived close and mean to
accumulate money to look at. After his death,
over $2000 in coin was found hidden away by him
-some under an old anvil block in a smith shop,
and another lot in an old chest, under some rubbish.
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
The first Justice in 1824 was James Johnson,
who was regularly re-elected and served until 1848.
The second was James Graham, elected in 1831,
and served three terms. In 1842 Stephen McPherson was elected, and re-elected in 1845. Ezra
Marvin and John W. Loofborow were elected in
1848, and re-elected in 1851; G. Wash. Ewers and
Thomas Craven in 1852; Daniel Ayres in 1855;
and at the same time J. D. Burke, who was reelected in 1858, and again in 1861; Isaac Lynde
in 1858, and re-elected in 1861.




K;WOX  C-oUN TY.          307
CHAPTER XXVII.
BERLIN TOWNSHIP.
THIS township received its name from some of
its earliest settlers having emigrated from Berlin,
Connecticut. It was created March 9th, 1825.
Stephen Cole proposed the name. Among the first,
voters were A. H. Royce, Ed. Richardson, the
Markleys, George Wolford, James Traer, John
Brown, Sr., Jno. C. Brown, John and Peter Keregher, Fred. Ogg, Jeremiah Brown, Richard and
Asael Roberts, John Long, Jacob Leady, Joseph
Lane, Daniel Hedrick, the Joslins, and John
Moltzbaugh.
Palmyra, during the days of our vassalage to
stage and wagon transportation, was its sole town,
and for many years a noted place of refreshment
for man and beast, voyaging by mud or snow from
Mti. Ternon to Mansfield. Since the construction
of the railroad, it has dilapidated.
The township in 1830 had 520 inhabitants, and
11,674 acres of land were entered on the tax list,
at a value of $34,724. In 1840, the population
numbered 1,100; in 1850, 1,156; and in 1860,
1,012.
Ankenytown, or "Squeal," as it is more commonly called for the sake of euphony, is noted from
the fact that when the steam-horse first made his




308          - HISTORY  OF'
appearance there, his " squeal" so terribly alarmed
the natives that they came out armed capapie with
gun and blunderbuss to capture him, and some
worthy German denizens attempted to stop his
travel on the iron track by tearing up the rails;
the history of which fully and at large appears in
the records of Knox Common Pleas.
Shalerville, so called from Shaler's Miills, is quite
a trading point, where Henry W. Greggor officiates
as Postmaster and Merchant.
Among the earliest settlers in this township were
the IRobertses, Richardsons, Wrights and:Farquhars - all Friends, and from, Maryland; the
Browns, Pinkleys, Leedys, Hedricks, Coles, Wnm.
Van Horne, Peter Wolf, David McDaniel and
Henry Markley, an intelligent Pennsylvania German, and his brother-in-law, Michael Harter.
Markley had been a merchant, and was a quick
and sprightly business man, and hence was selected
for one of the first Commissioners. He was generous, and well liked by the people.
John Lewis and his family, Quakers, were here
in 1808. November 14th, 1857, John, Jr., died.
Casper Fitting, in 1808, lived with his family on
the place, since known as the Harter stand. He is
dead, and his sons, Frederick and Solomon, are living; the former a successful merchant at Bellville.
The Harters are worthy of special notice. Their
tavern, at an early day, was the best in northern
Ohio. The old people were kind and hospitable,
and the society of the amiable Miss Christina made
it uncommonly interesting for sleighing and other
parties. The fame of Aunt Christina's cookery,




N OX  COUNTY.                    309
pronounced by connoiseurs the best, caused travelers to ride long miles after night to get there. The
Harters moved to Canton, where some of their descendants reside.
In 1849, a Postoffice was established at the residence of Richard  Roberts, Esq., called  "Maple
Grove," and he was appointed Postmaster, and continued as such till 1860, when it was discontinued
by his request.
Among  the present settlers, we find  Joseph
Baker and wife, who emigrated from Virginia in
1819, the Elliotts, Joel and Amos, the Gibsons, the
Foots, the Dennises, and the Loves.  Amos H.
Royce, the first Justice, is yet living in the enjoyment of health and plenty.  We can not but commend the character of Henry Miller, Esq., the upright man; Alexander Menzie, the energetic old
Scotchman; and others we might name, had we
the space.
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1821. Amos H. Royce was elected, and re-elected in 1824,'27,'30,'33.
1823. Richard Roberts.     1848. George Shaffer.
1836. Elijah McGregor.     1849. Gideon Elliott.
1836. George Ankeny.       1850. Joseph Ankeny.
1839.       "              1853.       "
1842.       "              1852. Michael Hess.
1838. Alex. Menzie.        1855. J. C. Auten.
1838. J. N. Richardson.    1856. Alfred Royce.
1841.                      1858. Joseph Ankeny.
1841. Joel Elliott.        1859. James Cormings.
1844. Richard Roberts.     1859. J. W. Condon.
1845. Henry Miller.        1860. George Irwin.
1847. Alfred Royce.        1862. Issacher Rowby.




~310              -IIATgOR  Y::O P.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
BROWN TOWNSHIP.
THIS township was laid out March 9, 1825, and
"attached to Jefferson until it shall be ascertained
that there is inhabitants enough in Brown to have
it organized." March 6, 1826, "ordered by the
Commissioners that Brown be hereafter considered
a separate and distinct township, and the election
be held at the house of Josias Ewing, for township
officers, on the first Monday of April, and Jefferson
be henceforth attached to Union." The name was
given to perpetuate the memory of Major-General
Jacob Brown, the hero of Chippewa and Fort Erie,
who had but recently become commander-in-chief
of the U. S. Army.
The first post-office, called Phifer's x Roads, was
where Brownsville now is, and of late has borne the
name of Jelloway, after the stream of this locality.
The present merchants are, Wm. Patton, Sam'l
Beeman, Pinckley & Watz; doctors, E. Booth, L.
D. Whitford; wagonmakers, Thomas Thompson,
Emanuel Storer;, blacksmiths, Smith & Hagerman,
D. Thompson; tailor, F. Schuch; shoemakers, E.
Waddle, W. Stull and Knee; tavern, Mrs. Phifer;
tanner, Henry Frazier; gunsmith, Henry Raisin;
grocer, J. H:. Burriss. The Methodists have a
meeting-house, wherein Rev. Mr. Ball preaches.
In 1840 the inhabitants of Brown numbered
1,204; in 1850, 1,535; and in 1860, 1,440.




KNOX COUNTY.               311
The most numerous families in this township are
the 1VMcKees, Waddles, Halls and Blairs, descendants of early settlers, who cleared the way for the
present.
Charles MicKee emigrated from Ireland, with
fourteen children, about 1808. Alexander McKee
settled in this county in 1809; he resides on his
old place on Big Jelloway, where was once an Indian camp; and when he first settled there, sixtyfive Indians called at his hut, drank metheglin with
him, and they had a jovial time all round.
The Halls, Sovernses, Pinkertons, Waddles, and
Stewards have also been plenty in Brown. John
Carghnan (pronounced Carnahan) was a wild
Irishman of much note about 1826; he was a
warm-hearted, impulsive creature; and "faith, an'
he was a knowledgeable mon." Many anecdotes
are quoted of him, which we have not room to
produce.
Jacob Phifer from Strasburg, Germany, located
in this township in 1818, when all was wild and
new. He died Oct. 9, 1846, aged 89. He had
served ten years a soldier in Europe, three years in
the Revolutionary War, and three months in the
war of 1812o The old soldier was the father of
Freeman. John, James and Michael.
James Blair, our old friend, "God bless you,"
was one of the early stock. In 1816 he tended the
old Shrimiplin mill; moved to Brown in 1820, and
has been one of its most prominent men, having
served as justice long enough to entitle him to
vote, and his decisions have been generally approved
of by his fellow citizens. He has been engaged in




312              HISTORY OF
milling, farming, raising children, writing "poetry"
and making himself generally useful. His memory will endure in Brown forever.
Zephaniah Wade, who commanded a company
of Riflemen from Loudon co., Va., in 1777, moved
to this county in October, 1816, with his son,
Thomas. Zephaniah and his wife, Irene Longley,
are both dead. J. J. Skillings has been one of the
most active business men.
There have been a few small mills on Big Jelloway from its early settlement, but the want of
water, during the year, has caused some of them to
suspend.  Emor Barret's grist mill was built about
1833, and is yet in operation. It is run by an
overshot wheel 16 feet high.  Thomas Wade has a
saw  mill 21 miles above it run by an overshot
wheel 30 feet high. A set of carding machines
have also been run at this stand.  The mills of
James Blair, Ab. Whitney, and Joseph Hall have
gone into dilapidation and decay.
Jacob Roof and his wife Polly, Jacob Darrow
and Wm. Prior, Jacob Baugh, Daniel Worley and
Richard Deakins, were old settlers.
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF TIlE PEACE.
Samuel Barkhurst was the first, and Josias Ewing succeeded
him in 1826.
1830. James McMillen; re-elected in 1833.
1831. James Blair; re-elected in 1834,'37,'40,'43,'46,'49.
1837. Thomas Wade; re-elected in 1840 and 1844.
1845i. John W. Gurberson.
1846. Wi7m. Soverns; re-elected in 1850.
1850. Joseph Pinkley; re-elected in 1853 and 1857.
1852. Solomon C. Workman.
1854. John Hicks.
1856. J. W. Leonard; re-elected in 1859 and 1862.




KNOX  COUNTY.               313
CHAPTER XXIX.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
THE township bearing the honored narme of President Jefferson, after having served a tutelage of
several years composing a portion of the bailiwick
of' Brown, is, in 1829, at the.March term of the
Commissioners, declared a "distinct Township,"
and an election is ordered for township officers the
1st Monday of April, 1829, at the house of Andrew
Lockard. Its metes and bounds had been prescribed: on the 9th of March, 1825, but from lack
of population an organization was not then effected.
The Mohican river passes through this township,
furnishing several mill seats. In 1830, it contained
311 inhabitants; in 1840, 994; in 1850, 1,484; and
in 1860, 1,458. In this as other eastern townships, the names of a few families predominate.
The Greers, the Critchfields, the Sapps, the Hibbitses, the Frosts, the Schultzes, the Bakers, are
to be met with on almost every hill.  The
Critchfields and Sapps we have elsewhere spoken
of. The Greers are mainly descendants of that
noble old patriarch John Greer, who was a native
of the Emerald Isle, and was what is called an Irish
patriot. Possessed of a powerful constitution and
vigorous intellect, he took a prominent position




314            HISTORY OF
among the pioneers. He was particularly efficient
in the military line, and raised a company for service in the war of 1812. He did much to promote
the formation of companies in the eastern townships. He was from 1812 to 1817 Collector of
Taxes, in 1830 Representative, and for many years
Justice of the Peace, and during his life a very
useful citizen. "For thirty years some of the Greer
name have officiated as Justices in this township.
Among its most valued citizens have been Alexander, late County Treasurer, and father of the present Treasurer, Robert, Richard, Silas, Mark, James,
"big Jim" and "little Jimmy."  Capt. Jack Melton, Aaron Mathene, Andrew Mckee, Ephraim
McMillen, Jacob Shiner and George Greer, were
also old settlers.
Jacob Colopy has resided in this township since
1825. He is a son of Timothy, a native of Ireland,
who emigrated from Virginia in 1813. Jacob married a daughter of George Sapp, in 1825. They
have eight children-five now living in the eastern
part of Knox. John Hibbets, Joseph Critchfield,
Josiah Trimbly, Matthew Davidson, Charles Miller were also much respected.
In this township there are two post officesGreersville and Nonpareil. Greersville was established about 1848, and the post masters have been
Robert Greer and Alexander Greer. Nonpareil is
at Mt. Holly, and was established in 1849. Its
post masters have been Robert Long, A. Gardner,
John Critchfield and A. Gardner.




KNO X:C-oNsT.                   315
In early times there were many insects and reptiles of great annoyance  to  the  early settlers.
Among other evidences of the fact is the following
comical affair related by a citizen of this township: Old John Daily and Alex. Darling got up a
bet of a quart of whisky about the ability of a man
to stand black ants, ticks and all else, save gallinippers, without flinching. Daily, accordingly, to show
it could be done, stripped off his clothes, and laid
down on his face in the sand, where the ants were
thick, and Darling was to keep the gallinippers off.
After laying there several minutes Darling let
three or four gallinippers on his bare back, but
Daily did not flinch for them —then determined to
win his bet he whispered to one of the spectators
to bring him  a coal of fire, which was got and put
on him, but Daily let the live coal roast his flesh
for fifteen  minutes without ever flinching, and
with his muscles firm bore it together with the ants
and gallinippers until the half hour was up, and
won the quart of whisky.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1825. Jas. Henderson.      1855. Robert Greer.
1829. "  "                 1838. Josiah Frost.
1829. John Greer.          1854.       "
1832.  "   "               1857.  "
1835. James Greer.         1837. James Witheror.,
1838. Joseph Sapp.         1840.  "       I
1840. James iGre.er.       1843.  "      "
1842., Alex. Greer.        1846.'"
1845.  "   "               1857. James Greer.
1848.  "   "               1858. Charles Miller.
185 l.  "   "              1860. James Greer.
1849. Robert Greer.        1861. Charles Miller.
1852.  "   "




316            HIISTORY  OF
CHAPTER XXX.
MONROE TOWNSHIP.
TUIS township was created March 9th, 1825, and
favored with the name of President Monroe. The
surface of the country is broken; it is well watered
and thickly timbered; and its citizens have generally been noted for their unflinching democracy
and their strict attention to home affairs. The
population in 1830 was 437, and  the acres listed
for taxation 13,455. In 1840, it contained 1,258
inhabitants; in 1850, 1,324; and in 1860, 1,084.
The principal place of business is Monroe Mills,
where Davis and the Boyntons for many years sold
goods, bought produce, and had a post-office established in 1849. Schenck's Creek, passing through
the east part, has on it several saw and grist mills.
At a very early period James Smith ran a mill
upon it; and Jacob Davis, another very useful citizen, erected and operated until his death a good
mill, which is yet carried on. This stream took its
name from Gen. W. C. Schenck, who owned the
lands subsequently improved by Captain Coleman,
David Johnson, the Irelands, and others. In 1817,
he sold a large part of his tract to various settlers,
who made substantial improvements.
The Colemans were early settlers. Joseph emigrated from Fayette county, Pa., in March, 1806,




KNOX  COUNTY.'317
and lived that year south of Mount Vernon, across
the creek, and the next year moved to the place
where he died, in 1830, aged 56. Of his children,
Ichabod is the only one now in this county; Joe
is living:.in. Nebraska, William in Indiana;, and
Jess. is dead.
The Rev. William Thrift and his family were
also among the earliest and best settlers.
Charles Lauderbaugh, of Pennsylvania, in 1828,
emigrated to this township, and resided there until
his death, in 1854. He had 12 children; now
living, John, Henry, Andy and Jesse, Nelly, Mrs.
J. Myers, Louisa, Mrs. C. Wolverton, Rachel, Mrs.
Wm. King, and Rebecca.
In the list of justices, will be found the names
of' other respected families; the Dixons, Scotts,
Clementses, Becks, Adamses, Irvines, Boyntons,
Hutchisons, and Craigs will long be held in remembrance, if not perpetuated by resident descendants in future years. And the calculation would
not be complete without enumerating the family
of our'old friend Bill Dowds, whose standing salutation is, " What's the calculation. " There were
also Sam. and Elijah, and their families:; the Marshalls and Gilcrests.
Peter Skeen emigrated from M[ontgomery county, Pa., in 1827; he died in 1855, aged 71. He
was an intelligent and industrious citizen.
The Youngs were among the early settlers of this
township.  Isaac Young was born in Fairfield
county, Connecticut, in 1760, and served in the
Revolutionary war; in 1790 m oved to Uniontown,
Pa., where he lived for many years, and from thence




318'               HIS;:1TOR OY 0OF'
to Ohio in 1830, and to-MIonroe in 1836, where he
resided until his death, in 1842, at the age of 82
years and 19 days.
Col. H. H. Young, of Fayette county, Pa., was
born in 1794; married Rachel Shipley, and moved
to Washington county, Pa., and from  thence, in
1835, to where he now  resides.  He is the father
of five boys and five girls. Colonel Young, for his
ardor in Democracy and Methodism, his hickory
pole raisings and marshalship of Democratic processions, will never be forgotten by those who witnessed his zeal in the campaigns of 1836,'40,'44.
Col. John Armstrong, a very estimable gentleman from  Jamaica, who died in 1855; Lemuel
Holmes, another good man, now living in Iowa;
David Hunt, the Berrys, the Barkers and the Millers, for many years resided in this township. The
name of Hull is also of long standing.
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1821. Thos. Dixon.        1856. Joseph Hutchison.
1824.  "    "             1859.   "
1826;. V. Beck.             "  James Hutchinson.
1831. Thos. Dixon.        1836. 3I. N. Scott.
1834.  "    "-            1839.  "' "
1838.  "    "             1843.  "'
1843.  "    "             1846.  " 
1840. Joseph Adams.       1849.  ":   "
1841. Jos. Coleman.       1852. M. N. Scott.
1814.  "    "             1846. R. S. Clements.
1847.  "    "             1849.  " "
1850.  "    "             1852.'"    "
1 851. Isaac Irvine.      1855.  " "
1854. Jolln Craig,        1858.  "    "
1855. Henry Boynton.      1861.  "    "




K I:O X  OU  TY.           3-19
CHAPTER XXXI.
PIKE TOWNSHIP.
THIS township, established June 7th, 1819, was
named after General Pike. The first election was
held the 26th of June, at the house of Michael
Harter.
The entire voters in 1822 numbered nineteen.
Their names we give: John Arnold, Robert Kennedy, Jacob Swails, Thomas Elwell, Win. Wright,
Aaron Wilson, John Scoles, Wmn. Smith, Philip
Armentrout, Benj. Austin, John Butler, Wm.
Spry, Francis Popham, David Holloway, Thomas
Scoles, John Gordon, Andrew Scoles, Cyrus McDonald, and George Scoles. In 1820, John Arnold listed the taxable property, and received $5
therefor. Amity was laid out in 1832, and contains about 150 inhabitants, among them wagon
makers, Adam Cole, John Scarborough; tanners,
John Nyrick, George McClurg; shoemakers, John
Cain, George Nyrick; tavern keeper,Newel Dowds.
There are two stores. The post-office is called'"Democracy."  There are three churches: Baptist, Rev. Arnold, Pastor; Methodist, Rev. Ball;
and Deciple. The physicians are E. Mast and W.
E. Edwards.
In 1840, Pike contained 1,216 inhabitants; in
1850, 1,720; and in 1860, 1,454.




320           HIIS-TORY- OF
The brothers Bartholomew and John Bartlett,
natives of Connecticut, emigrated from Pennsylvania to Knox county in 1808, and were the heads of
numerous families of Bartlett in Knox and Morrow. The sons of Bartholomew were William,
David, Hugh, and Leonard; and the daughters
were Mli'artha, wife of J. C. Irvine, of Mt. Vernon;
Polly, wife of Samuel Nye; Betsy, wife of Winn
Winship, and Mrs. Jacob Cooper, deceased. Edwin, son of William, lives on the old home place
in Morris township; William Bartlett, carpenter
in Mt. Vernon, is one of the sons of David; his
other son, Simeon, lives in the west. Hugh's children were William F., George, Lafayette, Taylor,
and Mary, Mrs. Shurr of Chesterville. Leonard's
children were John, George, who married Ellen
Cooper, Helen, Preston, Elizabeth, Josephine.
John, sr.'s, children were Abner, and Mary, Mrs.
John Richards, who is dead. Abner's children are
T. M. Bartlett, of Mt. Vernon, Sarah, wife of Robert Maxwell in Morrow county, John D., of Wayne,
Abner, Joel, Abel, Maria, wife of John Barber,
Mary, 1Mrs. Fredericks, Loruma, wife of Alvin
Casson, all of Morrow county. Of Mrs. Mary
Richards' children, but one child-David, at Sparta
-lives in this State; the others are in Vermont.
When the old settlers came to Knox they settled
in Clinton and Morris. The Cains- Elias and
James-were early settlers. James now lives in
Holmes county; Elias and his brother Robert yet
in this township. The Armstrongs, Johnsons and
Kirkpatricks are citizens of many years. Conrad




KNOX COUNTY.                          321
Doub, a native of iFrankfort on the Rhine, came to
this county in 1832. He is a good farmer; has
seven boys living, two of whom  are in Co. H, 23d
Regt.-Conrad  and  Lewis.  John  Mahaffey  has
since 1833 been a citizen  of this township.  He
came  from  Washington  county, Pa., learnt the
blacksmith trade with his brother Joe, in Alt. Vernon, and has for many years carried on business in
this township.
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1819. Andrew Scoles.        1819. Robert Silcost.
1820. Wm. Smith.            1825. Win. McNear.
1822. Bernard Reece.        1823. Aaron Bixby.
1823. Winm. Smith.          1827. Andrew Scoles.
1825. Bernard Reece.        1830. Hugh Kirkpatrick.
1825. Wm. Johnson.          1831. F. Popham.
1829. Winm. Smith.          1831. John Cochran, jr.
1833.  "    "               1834. F. Popham.
1834. John Gordon.          1837. John Gordon.
1836. John Cochran.         1837. J. Y. Barnhard.
1839.  "       "            1840. John Gordon.
1843. John Gordon.          1842. Emanuel Wagoner.
1843. Winm. Arnold.         1846. Amos Dehaven.
1844. John Ramsey           1846. W. W. Minteer.
1847.  "      "-            1849.   " "
1849. Eli Dickerson.        1852.    " "
1850. C. P. Frederick.      1853. R. C. Sweeney.
1852. Eli Dickerson.        1856.'"  "
1855. H. P. Roberts.        1856. David Braddock.
1855. J. D. Hammil.         1858. Sam. Kirkpatrick.
1858. J.D. Hammil.          1860. R. C. Sweeney.
1859. John Wise.            1861. J. D. Hamnmil.
21




322            HISTORY  OF
CHAPTER  XXXII.
HOWARD TOWNSHIP.
IN the general reorganization of March 9th, 1825,
this township was formed. The land is generally
rolling and well watered by Owl Creek and the
Jelloways, which afford considerable water power.
The Kinderhook Mills, in the days of Elliott, Warden & Co., did a fine business, and the village of
Kinderhook was quite a noted place.
Howard had 590 population in 1830, and 14,586
acres of taxable land. In 1840, the inhabitants
numbered 990; in 1850, 1,002; and in 1860, 870.
The Porters emigrated from Maryland in 1816;
Thomas J. died in his 83d year. Of his nine children, the living are Henry T., who married Eliza
Ann Hedington, Samuel, Michael, Harriet, wife of
Hiram Critchfield. Old'Squire Porter was an
honest and intelligent man, who was highly esteemed by all who knew him. For nine years he
served his neighbors as a justice, and died universally lamented. Dr. Lewis R. is residing in Clinton township, much respected for his intelligence
and worth.
The name of Critchfield has been common in
this and the adjoining townships, and will continue
so. Nathaniel, William, Joseph, John and Isaac,
five brothers, emigrated from the neighborhood of
Cumberland, Md., to Owl Creek in 1806. Isaac
died shortly after. The others had been soldiers in
the Revolutionary War, and drew pensions until




KNOX C OUNTY.             323
their death. Nathaniel married Christina Welker;
he died about 1837, and she in July, 1840. They
had thirteen children, of whom the following have
been generally known, viz: William, Susannah,
wife of Jacob Lepley, Joseph, Catharine, wife of
Peris Sprague, Jesse, Sally, wife of Jacob Lybarger, Benjamin, Mary, wife of Meshac Casteel, and
Isaac, who died. Winm. Critchfield, Sr., died in
1848. His second wife, who was the Widow Barcus, survives. Their children were — Reuben,
Samuel, Betsy Thatcher, Drusilla Thomas, Keziah
Magers, Sally Critchfield, and James and Benjamin
Barcus. Joseph Critchfield married Peggy Sapp;
he died in 1843. Of their nine children, we have
the following memoranda: Mary was the second
wife of Col. John Greer; Elizabeth married Robert Waddle; Catharine, George Lybarger; Phaebe,
Wm. Beckwith; Alvin and William are in Indiana; Isaac in Hardin county; John in Mt. Holly;
Joseph died in Indiana.
William, son of Nathaniel, married Elizabeth
Troutman, of Somerset co., Pa., and begat 13 children. Charles, Reuben, Sam., Hiram, Enoch, who
married MIaria Dixon; Jesse, Mary Horton; Dr. S.
T., Mary Porter, of Allegheny co., Md.; William
Jackson is dead; Lucinda married Lewis Lybarger;
1Matilda married John Cassel; Delilah married
Dr. Mast, and Catharine is at home. Hiram and
Jesse are dead.
From the loins of these old soldiers have sprung
a numerous tribe of athletic and hardy people.
The old set were good marksmen, industrious husbandmen, thorough going yeomen, who endured




324                HISTORY OE
great hardships and perils in the " times that tried
men's souls," and left to their hundreds of descendants the light of good example, and a just pride
in their well spent lives.
Uriah Tracy, Marvin Tracy, James Logue, Jas.
Wade, Paul Welker, Ben. Ellis, Philip, George, jr.,
and Isaac Dial were of the first settlers. George
Lybarger, sr., George, jr., and Andrew, were among
the first voters in this township.  Ludwick Lybarger and his sons-Sam., George, Lewis, Joseph and
Jacob, have long been residents.   "Old uncle
George" moved west many years ago, and is now
dead; he was a kind-hearted man of the pioneer
stamp.
The Dawsons and /MciFarlands, from  Washington co., Pa., have resided in this township since
1835, and have been excellent citizens.  Henry
Eckenrode, a native: of Adams co., Pa., settled in
this township in 1833, and has helped people it.
John Hull has been here since 1820.  Here, too,
have lived a numerous family of Durbins, the Trolingers, Horns, Whites, Nicholses, IMiarlows, Il1illers,
Magerses, Berrys, and other most excellent people.
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1822. Joseph McMahon.     1841. I. H. McArtor.
1822. Martin Engle.       1844.  " 
1825.  "    "             1847.  " 
1826. Amos Workman.       1850.  " 
1829.  "    "             1853.  "
1831, Ben. Hedington.     1846. Ben. Ellis.
1832. Thos. J. Porter.    1849. E. Marshal.
1835.  "      "           1852. J. T. Beum.
1838.  "     "            1855.  "   4'
1832. William Williams.   1858. Sam. Cake.
1835.  "       "          1859, A. J. Ellis.
1838.  "     "            1858. Paul Welker.
1840. Ben. Ellis.         1861.  "




KNOX  COUNTY.               325
CHAPTER XXXIII.
MORRIS TOWNSHIP.
ON the 2d of March, 1812, upon petition of several citizens this township was laid off, and an order issued for an election to be held at the house
of Benjamin Rush for township officers. A majority of the early settlers being natives of Morris
county, New Jersey, caused the name of Morris to
be selected. The officers of the election, this year,
were Wm. Douglass, Daniel Cooper, Wm. Thrift,
judges; James Trimble and John Wheeler, clerks.
The township was listed by N. C. Boalse, who was
paid a $6 county order for his services. At a special meeting of the Associate Judges, March 14,
-1812, three justices were allowed to this township
at the election ordered by the Commissioners.
There were fifty voters. James Trimble was chosen Township Clerk; Scott Durbin and James
Miller, Constables; and James Loveridge, Treasurer. At this period, this may be said to have been
the foremost township in the county. Clinton was
then in its prime, the country around was settled
by the very best kind of people; the upper branches
of Owl Creek, uniting within its limits, gave them
some of its richest bottom lands for cultivation, and
the flow of emigration brought much substantial
population. At the election of 1816 there were 83




326           HBISTORY OF
voters. In 1819, Smith Hadley listed the township,
and received an $8 order for the same. The foregoing names, together with those in the list of justices, represent many of the most prominent families in this township from its organization. The
names of Smith, Cooper, Loveridge, Douglass, Bonar, Coleman, Trimble, Thrift, Wheeler, Durbin,
Nye, Ball, Banning and Rush, frequently occur in
these pages in connection with events in our past
history. Several of the families have not a single
representative now in the county. The heads of
families have died, and the descendants gone to
other parts. The most active of the Clintonians
long since left the field. Samuel H. Smith, the
head of that settlement, drew around him many
mechanics and laborers; he was an energetic, intelligent business man, and has no one of his blood
within the county at this time.
S. H. Smith, of Erie co., who we observed a few
days since contributed $100 to the war fund of his
township, is the only one of his children in Ohio.
He is a farmer, and the largest tax-payer in that
county, as we have been informed. Ichabod Nye,
brother-in-law of Smith, is dead, as also his wife.
Henry Smith, the Barneys, Glasses, Enoses, Yeomans, Marshals, Harrison and Dickinson, are also
gone. Alexander Enos moved to Richland co.,
and Win. C. has gone to parts unknown. Ralph
Granger, who sold goods in Clinton in 1815, died
long since.
The Coopers, Carey, Daniel and Elias, were
brothers. In 1809 Daniel moved from Butler co.,
Pa., with his family, and was followed shortly after




KNOX COUNTY.               327
by Carey and Elias. The latter was unmarried.
Carey's sons were Charles, Elias, Hugh, John and
Lewis, of whom Charles and John alone survive.
His two daughters are also dead. Daniel had
seven children-Thompson, Win., George, Henrietta, and Julia, Mrs. John Ray, in this county, Josiah living in Chillicothe, Mio., and Mrs. Sarah
Bushfield. Elias Cooper, the old gentleman, is
yet living; another Cooper of the early times was
"cousin Charley;" they were all natives of New
Jersey. Thompson recollects how prosperous Clinton was in 1813, with its four taverns with their
inviting signs swinging in the breeze-kept by Ichabod Nye, Alfred Manning, John Barney and Samuel Yeoman. In the war times whisky flowed
freely down the throats and business was very brisk.
"God's barn" was then the great place of gathering
for devotional purposes. The old settlers have a
lively recollection of the pious labors of father
Scott therein; when, in the summer time, the hogs
of the whole village collected together under the
floor, which was about two and a half feet from
the ground, and would frequently set up such a
grunting and squealing as to render inaudible the
voice of the good minister. It was a great harbor
for fleas, and Capt. Douglass was conspicuous in
the meeting with his large feet, bare, endeavoring
to catch the marauders who violated the sanctity
of the place. He moved to the Wabash country
and is dead, as also his son, Aaron; his daughtersSally, wife of James Rogers; and Phoebe, wife of
Richard Ewalt, are living.
Wm. McCartney and Aaron dug the mill race




328            HISTORY OF
for Douglass. A  sister of Mc. married Enoch
Ogle, who kept tavern in Bellville. John Johnson, father of Tom, the old jailor, is dead. Abednego Stevens rests with Shadrach and Meshac, and
Amzie Stevens, of Amazonian frame, whose foot
was sixteen inches and a quarter, died long, long
ago. His skeleton he wished to be preserved as a
model, and hence struck a bargain with a doctor
by which he was to have the bones for his museum.
About 1832, Mr. Bicking and another merchant
from Philadelphia, in passing through the country,
discovered his foot-prints in the snow, and got out
and took the measure of the track, having never
seen the like before. Verily he was a monster,
and shook the earth with his majestic tread. Grim
would have been but a small boy beside him. The
children of a future age may exclaim: "There
were giants in those days!" William Mitchell was
here in 1807. His children were Jacob, Nathaniel,
Abigail, Mrs. John H. Mefford; Mary, Mrs. John
Young; Hannah, Mrs. Win. Mefford, Naomi, wife
of Lewis Young, deceased, now Mrs. Thos. Evans;
Sarah, Mrs. Cyrus Cooper; John, Silas and Win.
All now live but Nathaniel and Sarah. Nathaniel
was one of the scouting party at the time of Copus'
slaughter, and died in 1813 from disease contracted
by exposure in the Indian campaign. William, sr.,
joined the Baptist Church in 1815, and continued
a member until his death, August 12, 1848, in his
83d year. He was very sociable and much esteemed. An old heir-loom of this family is in the
possession of Hannah Mefford, being a cup and
saucer of peculiar construction, which belonged to




KNOX  COUNTY.              329
her grand-mother, one of the New Jersey matrons
of the revolution. The old China set of the last
century was used by General Washington when
at the old homestead, near Morristown, during the
revolutionary war.
James iLoveridge and wife, both living, came
from Morris co., N. J., in 1805, and Richard, in
1812. The latter was an inventive genius; he died
several years since. There are many of this name
now in Morris. Philip resides on the old farm of
Richard. Loveridgeisms are peculiarities of expression in rhyme pertaining to this family. Richard got a patent for a plow in 1828; and an exclusive right to rhyme in conversation has been
inherited by this family. Long may the old stock
be spared to indulge their propensity for sport in
verse.  They have been industrious citizens.
Another Jersey accession includes the Ball brothers-Hiram, Uzal, Cyrus and Timothy. Their
father divided equally 1,000 acres of the best Owl
Creek bottom land among them, and for a half
century it has been held and cultivated by the
Balls. The Ebersole family is another one of the
old stock. Some of the descendants, John, Jacob,
and others, have made valuable citizens. An incident of this township worthy of record occurred in
the time when it was customary to warn out of
townships any new comer who was likely to become a township charge. One of these settlers, by
the name of Pope, having located within the limits,
Silas Ball was ordered to warn him  out. He remonstrated against doing so, saying, "God made
man, and he has a right to a place on earth, and if




330            HISTORY OF
Pope is warned out of Morris he may be warned
out of any other township he goes into, and it is
contrary to God's will that he should have no
abiding place." The warrant was fixed out and
handed to him to serve, which he took as required,
went to Pope's house, and taking it in his hand
was about to read it, when his feelings overcame
him, and he exclaimed, " Pope, I warn you off the
face of God's earth!"' and turned around and went
back with the writ. He was asked if he served it
by reading, or by copy; he replied, "neither," and
gave the words he employed. The result was that
Pope remained, and Ball's better nature triumphed.
He was a staunch Universalist, and a kind-hearted
citizen.
Among the names of long standing' is that of
Bonar. In 1812, Barnet and Matthew, brothers,
emigrated from Washington county, Pa.; about
the same time came a cousin of theirs, named
Matthew,  and a brotlher-in-law, Dr. John Byers.
The latter-named:MVatthew moved some years ago
to Illinois, where he was living at last accounts.
The brother of Barnet was a bachelor, and died
about 1815. Barnet died in May, 1844, aged 84,
and his wife in 1858, aged 89. They had the following children: David, who died about 1816;
Matthew, living in Richland county; John, who
died in 1859; William, at the old homestead on
Granny's Creek; Ann, wife of Gavin Mitchell, of
IRichland county, died in 1835, leaving a considerable family; Martha, wife of Adam Rinehart, living in this township; Sarah, wife of E. P. Young,
died about 1840; Isabel, who died about 1828;




KNOX  COUNTY.              331
Margaret, married A. Greenlee, and died about
1850. John was a hard-working, intelligent farmer, who was highly esteemed, and died in his 54th
year, from a cancer. His wife was Lucinda, daughter of Charles Cooper. She had one son-Josiah,
who married a daughter of Charles Swan-and
two daughters; Bell married Thomas Swan, also
in Morris, and Catharine is the wife of H. Leonard, of Wayne.  William Bonar married A. L.
Case, and has four children living: David; Elizabeth, wife of Rev. J. W. White, of Marion, Whitesides county, Illinois; Sarah Jane, and Caroline.
Isabel died in 1860. William Bonar's name will
be found among the Senators from this district.
He is the only son of the old pioneer now within
our county limits.
Among the early incidents of this section is the
following curious hunting exploit. Deer were very
abundant then on Granny's Creek, and one day
Barnet shot a large doe, and as it fell, and life's
current was ebbing away, he discovered that she
was in the pains of parturition, when he ripped
her open with his knife, and took from her two
fawns, one of which he gave to Alex. Johnson, and
the other he kept. They both lived for some time.
His own, having lost its eyes by exposure to fire,
first died; but the other grew up a large and healthy
tame deer, and was an object of peculiar interest to
the neighborhood, on account of its singular birth.
Samuel H. Smith was always spry and active.
During the time of his mercantile operations he
received a good deal of money, and on one occasion
he threw a shot-bag full of specie on the counter,




332           HISTORY  OF
and said that any one who could run away from
him with that bag, might have it. Taking him at
his word, Henry Smith, who was a sprightly young
man, grabbed it and ran, pursued by Sam., and,
after coursing down the road some distance, finding
the old gentleman gaining on him, he broke for the
fence, and climbed over it into the field; but Sam.
caught him, and he gave up the bag amid the
shouts and cheers of Capt. Nye's horse company,
who were spectators of the ludicrous scene.
The IDuhamels, Amos and Henry, in 1824, emigrated from Frederick, Md. Henry now lives near
Maumee City; Amos in Franklin, Ill., with his
third wife. By his former wives he had eleven
children; number by the present not known. Of
these we have the following account: Peter C. resides in Morris township; Emily, wife of Geo. W.
Litt, in Pike township; Frances Jane, wife of
James Logsden, is in Iowa; Louisa Ann, wife of
David Spickler, in Allen county. Peter C. learned the carpenter trade with Robert Spears, Belville, and works at it. The Cosners were very industrious citizens. Old "Uncle Philip" was noted
as being one of the most successful tobacco-growers. Peter Rush is another of the old stock of
farmers. The Winterbothamsll  were a highly intelligent family, none of whom are now in Knox.
Of the number of children is Mi[rs. Ann S. Stephens, the accomplished authoress, residing in New
York; John H., an energetic business man, in Fort
Madison, Iowa; Robert, in Columbus; Samuel, in
Iowa; and William, in Wisconsin. Adam Rinehart, another valued citizen, with his family, re



KNOX  COUNTY.               333
sides here; also the Cassels, Swans, Pearres, John
Lamb, and Henry Johnson. Benjamin Rush, of
Morris county, N. J., with his wife, Margaret Logan, also of said county, emigrated with their children, Job, Andrew M., Mary, Johannah and Margaret, to this township, from  Morris township,
Washington county, Pa. The two latter are dead;
other children, born in this township, were Eunice,
Sarah Ann and Lucinda. Benjamin died in March,
1849, in his 80th year, and the old lady in October,
1858, in her 85th year. They were among the best
citizens. Richard Ayres, John Erwin, and 3Mlrs.
Galloway, were also early settlers. Of these, the
only remaining trace in this county, is Erwin's
daughter, Mrs. Mary MIcFarland. John Wheeler,
a carpenter, married a daughter of Mrs. Galloway,
and moved to Sandusky, taking with him Mrs.
Galloway and her son. John Sawyer, first blacksmith at Clinton, and a good horse-shoer, emigrated
to Indiana, and died. His only descendant in this
county is AIMrs. W. O. Johnson. In 1830,.the population of Morris was 812, and 13,066 acres of land
were listed for taxation. In 1840, there were 1,07.9
inhabitants; in 1850, 1,028; and in 1860, 1,013.
Of the fifty men who voted at the first election
in Morris, James Loveridge is the only one living
in this county.
The Clinton post-office was the first in the
county. Its various postmasters were Samuel H.
Smith, Richard Fishback, Ichabod IMlarshal and
S. H. Slmith. The last known of it, Andrew Clark
was acting as deputy postmaster, in 1819.




334                 HISTORY OF
Smith's house was the first one erected in the
village. Samuel Ayres and Amoriah Watson got
out the timber, Loveridge and Douglass helped to
raise it.  They all boarded with Loveridge during
the work. Douglass had Wm. McLoud put up the
first stone house in the county.  John Miller, the
first dresser of buck-skin  for breeches, hunting
shirts, etc., married Patsey Zerrick; she is living
on the old farm with her sister Edna, the only representatives of the old Virginian Daniel, who died
in 1851, aged 86.
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1812. John Trimble, Benjamin  1837. George Irwin; re-elected
Barney, Joseph Coleman.        in 1840.
1816. Wm. Doulass; re-elected  1840. John Durbin.
in 1819.                 1844. Alex. M'Grew; re-elected
1816. Jos. Coleman; re-elected        in 1847.
in 1819.                 1847. B. H. Taylor.
1819. James Dickson.           1848. John H. Winterbotham;
1820. Alfred Manning.          1848. Wm. Bonar.
1822. Carey Cooper.            1850. Benj. B. Brown.
1823. Uzal Ball; re-elected in  1851. Thompson Cooper.
1826.                    1852. John Dwyer.
1823. John Trimble; re-elected  1853. Uzal Ball; re-elected in
in 1826.                       1856.
1830. James Adams; re-elected  1854. John McIntyre.
in 1833 and in 1836.     1855. B. F. Smith.
1831. B. H. Taylor.            1856. Allen Scott.
1832. Uzal Ball.               1857. John McIntyre.
1835. B. H. Taylor; re-elected  1859. J. L. Jackson.
in 1838 and 1841.        1861. John McIntyre.
1836. Thompson Cooper;  re-  1862. J. L. Jackson.
elected in 1839,'42,'45.




KNOX  COUNTY.              335
CHAPTER XXXIV.
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
ONE of the first townships was named for the
distinguished, brave General Wayne, more generally known by the sobriquet " Mad Anthony." In
the general reorganization it was reduced to its
present limits. The general appearance of the
surface of the country is beautiful. It is well watered, well timbered, healthy, and possessed of uncommon attractions for a home. In 1830, it listed
16,258 acres of land for taxation, and contained
1,047 inhabitants; in 1850, 1,864; and in 1860,
1,789. We have given the officers and voters at the
first election. In 1811, the Judges were Joseph
Denman, Daniel Ayres, James Trimble; Clerks,
John Trimble and Wm. Johnson. In 1812, Henry
Roberts listed the township. John Kerr, Samuel
Wilson and Daniel Beers were then Judges; Willis Speakman and Joseph Townsend, Clerks. In
the list of Justices and names heretofore given will
be found most of the early settlers who exerted aln
influence upon the society of this section. It can
not be expected that we shall enumerate all the
good citizens of different periods; the limits prescribed for our work preclude such an idea. The
lands upon the South Fork and East Fork of Owl
Creek are unsurpassed in fertility, and the water




336            HISTORY  OF
power thereon has been so improved as to give the
producers every facility for acquiring a competency.
FREDERICKTOWK, the principal mart of business
for the farmers of the north western portion of
Knox, was laid out in 1807, by John Kerr, with its
streets —" First or Donation," " Second st.," "Third
or Sandusky st.," " Fourth st.," "Vine alley,"
"Chambers st.," "State road and Main st.," and
"Strawberry alley." The original tract upon which
it is situated belonged to Mr. Sullivant, of Franklinton, who, with commendable liberality, gave
John Kerr his choice of 50 out of 4,000 acres, including a mill seat, if he would settle upon and
build a mill there. Accordingly, in the fall of
1807, he constructed a darn, raised a little log house
and set one run of stone to grinding, or " cracking
corn."  On this 50 acres the town was laid out, and
Kerr then bought 450 acres around it. W. Y.
Farquhar was the surveyor, and the name of Frederick in honor of the old home, in IMaryland, was
given to this town in the wilderness. W. Y. Farquhar erected and occupied the first cabin in Fredericktown; it was a little stake and rider pen 18
feet square.
The next family to pitch their habitation within
the plat, was that of Mrs. Ayres, and her sons,
David and Abner, at once became leading men.
John Milligan and Jeduthan Dodd, from  Ten
Mile, Pa., came shortly after, with their connections, John and Jacob Cook and Jacob Haldeman.
In 1809, Rachel Richardson bought out the little
improvement of John Cook, and settled there with
her family, consisting of William, Isaac N., Polly




KnOX  COUNtY.              337
and Nancy, who subsequently married Samuel
Watson and John Wright. Charles McGowan, a
droll old Irishman, took a lease near by, and Thomas iDurbin, Samuel Wilson and Thomas Townsend, Quakers, and John Walker, who subsequently
married a Shurr, came also. In 1812, within the
town were nine log cabins and one frame building;
dwellings, shops, huts all told. Willis Speakman,
Rachel Richardson, John Garrison, John Vennum,
and the Ayres' families, at one time occupied all
these.
Mr. Garrison opened the first store in 1812, and
then dwelt in the only frame; it was situated where
the Methodist Church now stands. He is the only
one of the then settlers within the village now living, and has led a migratory life. He is a native
of New Jersey; married near Philadelphia; moved
to New York; thence to Knox county, where he
sold goods for several years; thence to Mansfield;
from. there to Detroit; back again to Knox; off
again to Chicago, Ill.; and now resides at Cedar
Falls, Iowa. He has been merchandising at each
point, and in his 91st year enjoys good health.
Three of his children are in Iowa, one in Detroit,
and another, Mrs. Richard Roberts, in this county.
This year he visited this county, and saw his greatgreat-grandchild and many other descendants in
Berlin and Wayne.
Nicholas McCarty was the second merchant. He
moved from Mount Vernon to this place. In July,
1817, N. MeCC. & Co. closed up their mercantile
business and left their notes and accounts with
22




338'HISTORY  OF
Abner Ayres, Esq., for settlement, and also a
quantity of lake fish. The mother of Mr. McCarty
died at fredericktown; he moved to Indiana, and
for many years drove a prosperous trade at the
State capital. In 1853, he returned to Frederick
on a mission of filial affection, and erected a monument at his mother's grave. In 1855, he paid the
debt of nature, leaving a large family in prosperous circumstances. During his life he was a zealous Whig, and represented the capital district ill
the Senate of Indiana, and was also the candidate
of his party for Governor of the State. He had
the respect and confidence of all, and well deserved
the title he bore, —"Honest Nic. McCarty."
James Rigby, who so long and faithfully followed merchandising here, is yet living in the enjoyment of good health, surrounded by his children
and friends, one of the oldest inhabitants. George
Girty was another merchant, who left this section
about 1815 for other parts. Joshua Vennum, the
first house-joiner, built the first frame house in the
village. None of his name survive in this county.
Mrs. Wolf kept the first boarding-house. She is
dead long since. Her oldest son, Peter, lived on a
farm near the Burkholder flat, which: he sold to
Henry B. Carter, who was a brother to Jacob
Cook's wife, and moved to Knox County in 1810.
Samuel Wolf was a sterling man-lived in Richland, and served as Sheriff. When the county went
wild for Jackson he was an Adams man, and consequently "done for politically."  Her daughters
have done well. Artemissa married lawyer May,
of Mansfield; Eliza, as elsewhere related, Mr.




XINO   COUNTY.             339
Drennan, and Mary married and lived in the neighborhood of Lancaster. The first tavern was opened
by Abner Ayres, and with a slight intermission
during the war, when, for good and sufficient reasons, his brother Daniel took it; the same hotel
was kept up for more than forty years. "Uncle
Abner" was not any "great shakes" in the way of
dancing attendance on guests, but "Aunt Amy"
did know how to have the culinary department carried on; and, we do affirm, that for making good
brandy mince pies, and brandy peaches, she was
unsurpassed by any of womankind since Eve eat
the forbidden fruit. She knew just when, where,
and how to apply the spirit to make it most palatable, as all of the generation, who feasted there
during sleighing excursions, well know. They have
both departed to a better land, leaving the record
of a life spent in contributing to the happiness of
their fellow-creatures. Abner served as Captain
in the war of 1812, as a Justice of the Peace fifteen years, and Associate Judge seven years, a
County Commissioner three years, and-Postmaster
near forty years. He was as quiet, unassuming
and well disposed man as ever wore shoe-leather.
The first preaching was in the little school-house,
heretofore spoken of as a Fort, etc. In it ministers
of various denominations held forth at stated times.
About 1820 the Presbyterians undertook to build
a church, but, having started out on too large a
scale, they were compelled to succumb, and the
building, in its unfinished state, a mere shell, was
sold to Absalom Thrift, who converted it into a
ware-house, and it is to this day used as a livery




310            HISTORY OF
stable. Some time after, the Universalists, who
have ever been quite numerous in this locality, erected a spacious frame church, which they have since
occupied, until for a few years past the supply from
some cause has ceased. The Presbyterians made
another effort, and built the present excellent edifice; and the Methodists and Baptists have also
fine churches. The population is of a decidedly
"'go to meeting" character; they have also been
noted for their zealous efforts in behalf of Temperance, and have kept up various organizations of a
reform class for many years.
The first blacksmith was Thomas Ayres, who
went to work in 1808, and continued for many
years. The first school was kept by Win. Y. FarquZhar; the first shoe-shop by Osgood Dustin.
The first hatter was Celestial Le Blond, a little
frisky:Frenchman, whose vote, in 1811, is entered
as "Celestial Light" on the poll-books. He was
the son of a wealthy French gentleman, and had
to flee from his native land in consequence of having killed an antagonist in a duel. He frequently
received from his father remittances of $500, or
so, but made very foolish bargains. With money
once sent he bought a mill-seat, set about erecting
a mill where Shalers now is, and "broke flat" by
the time he got a saw-mill up. The premises were
then sold to Christopher Brollier, and by him to
David Shaler, an energetic millwright. Shortly
after this Celestial received another remittance and
moved to Bellville. In 1838 he went to France,
obtained a considerable sum of money, and returned with a large stock of goods. He died at




KNOX  COUNTY.              341
Bellville leaving a very respectable family. An
old man named McCoy, a sort of cobbler, tried his
hand at making cloth shoes for the women at an
early day. The men then generally wore moccasins. A singular freak of another creature, in 1809,
has been related to us. His name was Ebenezar
Taylor, and he undertook to do work in the shoe
line, but -before he got fairly started an itinerant
preacher came along, and Ebnezar was so taken
with his discourse that he followed him off, leaving
his kit of tools, and an estray animal, which he
had taken up and advertised, and has never been
heard of since. Speaking of shoemakers reminds
us of a somewhat noted man in these parts, Jedediah Peck, who attempted to get up a patent way
of making boots, having last and tree all together,
but found that it was easier to make them on than
to get the boot off the tree, which, after vain attempts, he concluded to fasten to the house and
hitch a mule to pull it off. His house was built
around a walnut tree, and it was considerable of a
curiosity to travelers to see a tree growing out of
the top of a house. Jedediah and his wife died
without issue, and his two pretty nieces, who
dwelt with him, are gone also.
In 1815, Capt. John Williams, of Frederick, Md.,
bought out John Kerrs' mill property, and at the
same time started a store in the village.  He
brought out $40,000 in money, and dissipated
through the country. He was a man of talent,
clever and sociable, and is spoken well of by all
old settlers. He came to this county in 1814 with
his family.  His children are much scattered.




342            HISTORY  OF
William lives in Peoria, Illinois; Thomas in Henry
county, in that State, as also Rachel, wife of Col.
Prather, in the same county. Eliza, wife of Milton Bevans, in Fulton county, Illinois. Pendy
died in Illinois, Abraham in this county, and Gist
W. in Missouri, in 1852. His son States, now
lives in Morris. But two of Capt. John William's
family are to-day living in this county, Emaline,
wife of Frank Wilkins, of Liberty, and Dan., who
is living with States, his nephew, in Morris. Dan.
was born in Frederick, Md., October 6th, 1792.
His four sons are doing well. Clark and Charles
reside in West Newton, Allen county, John and
Milton B. in Berlin,. Clark mnarried Ellen Lane,
and Charles her sister Jane.  Milton married
Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Roberts.  The
post office kept from its establishment by Abner
Ayres, until in 1850, B. J. Lewis succeeded him;
in May, 1852, Thomas A. Reed vice Lewis, resigned; L. S. McCoy followed, and his successor was
Geo. Ball.
In 1840, FEredericktown contained 500 inhabitants; in 1850, 712; and in 1860, 790, of whom 16
were negroes. The place, some twelve years since,
put on city airs, and with Geo. W. Woodcock as
mayor, and T. A. Reed, Recorder, carried on a
right sharp crusade against the "doggeries." The
warfare was subsequently taken up by the Comimon Pleas Courts, and for a time better "order
reigned in Warsaw. Of late years, however, we
have been informed that there has been "something rotten in Denmark," and the spirits have
assumed at times a very bold and threatening ap



KNOX  COUNTY.               343
pearance. Taken altogether, however, Frederick
nay be said, during its existence, to have been a
model town in the line of "law and order." In
1816, the entire township cast but 81 votes.
The 4th of July, 1817, was duly commemorated
at Anson Browtn's, in Fredericktownl. Daniel Beers
was chosen Moderator, and Anson Brown, Clerk.
The Committee of Arrangements consisted of Christian Holderman, Job Allen, Munson Pond, Joseph
Talmage, Jacob Young and Henry 3Markley. Mlunson Pond was Officer of the Day. Job Allen comnianded the volunteer company; Jabez Beers was
Reader; Truman Strong, Orator. Benjamin Jackson, Anson Brown and Benjamin Jackson, jr., conducted the Singing. The Rev. John Cook and
Jaimes Scott were present —and last, but not least,
Alvin Bateman was Toast ZJfaster. A good dinner
was eaten, and all felt glorious. The McCutchens,
Strubles, Cochrans, Cravens, Sagerses, Beerses,
Leonards, Thrifts, IHarters, Strongs and Corbins,
were among the early settlers. Of the Cochrans,
William and Samuel were young men of good mind.
The former is dead, and the latter, a preacher of
celebrity, in N. Y.; Josiah M. is quartermaster in
43d Reg't., 0. V. Jabez Beers was one of the old
settlers, and his son, Joseph, lived in Frederick at
an early day.
Dr. John Byers located here in 1812. He moved
west about 1835, and is now living in Hardin co.
His three sons emigrated to Arkansas; Thomas
and John are both dead-William yet lives at Batesville, Avk. The boys acquired considerable distinction as Attorneys~  The old gentleman was one




344            HISTORY OF
of the. earliest practitioners of medicine in this
township. Dr. David Wadsworth, another physician, died many years ago; His son, T. B., died a
soldier in the Mexican war; and his daughter,
Eliza Ellen, Mrs. Struble, is the sole survivor of
the family. The Bryants have been quite numerous in Wayne, and among them James has been
prominent; he was a very strict man, of the steady
and straight "Sunday go to meeting" kind, and as
his neighbors to the west did not walk in his ways,
he called their settlement " Sodom," a name it has
ever since borne notwithstanding that it has had in
it many first rate citizens. Nicknames, once given
and received, are hard to be obliterated.
An old settler upon Granny's Creek is Truman
Ransoin, who with his family located, in 1824,
where he has ever since resided. Mr. Ransom
was a native of Connecticut, and, with his father's
family, moved to this State in 1812, and settled on
the Muskingum, near its mouth. He there imarried Miss Temperance, daughter of Thomas Lord,
whose grandmother was a daughter of Col. Oliver,
one of the officers in command at the time the
Marietta settlement was attacked by the Indians.
Her father was Judge of the Court of Washington
county, and a prominent member of the "Ohio
Company."  Of /[Mr. R.'s seven children, one is
dead; Edwin and Albert are living in Missouri;
Thomas in Liberty; Bryan, William Wallace and
Robert Bruce in Wayne. Mr. R. has been a hard
working man, and has met with various streaks of
ill luck; his losses have been heavy, by fire and
water, and his escape from the jaws of death has




KNOX COUNTY.                345
been almost miraculous. His dwelling-house, with
much furniture, was burnt up in the spring of 1852
-to his damage some $2000. In attempting to
cross Owl Creek with a wagon and four-horse
team he lost all, amounting probably to $800, and
did well to get off with his " own skin whole."'
Having a small mill site on Granny's Creek, he
erected, in 1828, a saw-mill, that is yet in operation.
In the Granny's Creek school-house a Temperance Society was gotten up many years ago, and
also a Sabbath-School, which has been well attended.  Regular preaching has been had also since
1830, by the Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian
and other denominations.
But two men are now living in the neighborhood
of Frederick who were young men grown in 1812
-Richard Roberts, of Berlin, and Jacob Mitchell.
The first of these helped cut the first road out from
Mt. Vernon to FErederick, under the supervisorship
of Joe Walker; and the second rode express for
General Harrison in the war of 1812. Then they
were both boys full of mettle and spirit, and their
fathers were among the old men of the settlement;
and now their fathers are dead, and they in turn
are old men —heads of families-grandfathersyes, great grandparents-and a new generation is
upon the stage of action. What changes they have
witnessed in their lifetime, little as we may be disposed to think things change before our vision in
this fast age!




346                  HISTORY OF
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF TIHE PEACE.
1808. Win. Y. Farquhar.      1809. Daniel Ayres.
1812. Abner Ayres.           1816. Abner Ayres.
1815. W. W. Farquhar.        1819.   "
1818.    "  "'              1822.   "      "
1817. Daniel Beers.          1825.   "      "
1 821. Anson Brown.          1831. George II. Bull.
1826. David. Wadsworth.      1834.    "
1826. Byram Leonard.         1837.    "
1829.    "      "            1840.    "        "
1830. Michael Sockman.       1837. Byram Leonard.
1830. John Allen.            1840. John Lewis.
1836. Samuel Bryant.         1843. A. Greenlee.
1839.   "C      "            1846. G. W. Woodcock.
184-2.    "     "            1849.  "         "
1845.    "      "4           1852.  " "
1848.   c"   "c              1855.  "         "
1846. Peter Ink.             1855. W. G. Strong.
1849. J. B. Roberts.         1856. T. V. Parke.
1851. Mitchel Lewis.         1858. Henry Phillips.
1852. Geo. T. Potter.        1859. D. S. Beers.
1855.    "     "             1860. W. D. Bonner.
1857. A. Greenlee.           1862. DI) S. Beers.
1860. "    "                 1862. Win. Wyker.




~KNOX COUNTY.               347
CHAPTER XXXV.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
THIS township, as at present bounded, was created March 9, 1825, and, in a spirit of freedom,
styled Liberty. In 1830, it contained 553 inhabitants; in 1840, 1,205; in 1850, 1,320; and in 1860,
1,251. Mt. Liberty contains about 150 inhabitants.
It occupies an elevated position, and being situated
upon the State road to the capital, and in the heart
of a productive country on Dry Creek, it has been
a place of considerable business. It was surveyed
by T. G. Plumer, and laid out by Samuel Thatcher
and George Beardsheare, Oct. 8, 1835. It has two
stores, kept by E. D. Bryant and Judson Hildreth;
a grocery, by Daniel Veatch; a tavern, by John
Thompson; two cabinet shops, by S. Wilson, and
by J. W. Jackson and C. K. Lineweaver; two mantuamakers, Miss Samantha Severe and M1iss MI[ary'Veatch; the carpenters are John Inscho, Arthur
Pratt, Joseph Crosby; shoemakers, Jas. Cleghorn,
Win. Cleghorn, Philip Crable; wagonmakers, J.
A. 1Mostetler, David and George ]Mosteller, and
Daniel Burkholder; two mills are run by Youngblood and Weller, and Peter Shafer. There are
two churches, Methodist and Disciple. The Higginses, Coyles, Humphreys, Severes, Careys, Hollisters, M1agoons and Gearharts are among the earliest in this section, and their descendants are quite




348            HISTORY  OF
numerous. The most extensive families are the
Brickers, Lewises, Ewalts and Rineharts. Of the
old stock we shall give a brief account; as to the
new, their name is "legion," and it would be too
prolix for the general reader did we attempt to
sketch them.
Lewis Bricker, Sr., of Greene county, Pa., had a
very large family, and determined to distribute
them in the western country, where lands were
cheap and he could provide them with farms.
Accordingly he bought 1,600 acres of land in this
new country, and started the elder members of his
family to it in the spring of 1810. Of the number
were Peter Bricker, and George Lewis, his brotherin-law. They came out to this wilderness region,
camped one night, and the next morning hitched
in their teams, and by noon were on their way
back. They reported the ~country wild, and they
did not believe it ever would be settled. They saw
many Indians, and heard the owls too-whooing and
the wolves howling all night; and, unaccustomed
to these things, they agreed with their wives to let
the land go to the devil before they would risk
their lives and their children in the Owl Creek
regions, which they believed to be the next thing
to, if not quite, the infernal regions. Their father,
accustomed to frontier life, and knowing also the
value of lands in this country, determined in the
fall to make another effort at a settlement. Accordingly he sent another delegation of his tribe,
and continued the work until he got into this township the following children: Peter, George, John,
Jacob, David, Solomon, Lewis, Catharine, Rachel




KNOX  COUNrsTY.            349and Mrs. George Lewis, who have in their own
-time peopled the wilderness region, felled the forest
trees and cultivated the ground, multiplying the
original by "the double rule of three."  Peter
Bricker had a dozen children, and George Lewis
sixteen; George Bricker, eight; John Bricker, who
came about a year later, six; Jacob, who came
about 1813, five; David came about 1817, and had
six; Solomon came out the same year, and added
eleven children; Lewis came in 1819, he had six;
Catharine married John Conkle about 1827, and
had six children; Rachel married John Pruner,
and had seven. All of the original Brickers remarried in Liberty, except David, who is in Morgan township.
George Lewis is dead. Of his sixteen children,
eleven are living, viz.: Jacob, John, George, Isaac,
Ben, Peter, Solomon, Sarah, wife of Alex. Craig,
Phebe, Susannah Gardner, and Rachel Burkholder.
The children of old George recollect when their
father went to Shrimplin's mill with a grist of corn,
and left his wife and family alone, with nothing to
eat, and the Indians prowled about the premises,
and they feared they would not be found alive on
his return.
Joseph Shaw, Zach. and Bazil White, John
Hobbs, with their families, emigrated from Western Pennsylvania about 1834, and the Tarrs,
Coleses, Crafts, and other good families have followed them, and the greater portion of those in the
"Wolf Settlement," so styled for Christopher Wolf,
Esq., are from the same localities.




350                HISTORY OF
Between two of the old settlers there grew up a
quarrel in 1815, and a lawsuit ensued before James
Smith, J. P.  The Reverend James, by practice as
well as profession, a peace-maker, proposed that
the parties should have a friendly talk, and settle
the difficulty without recourse to law. Accordingly
they sat down on a log and Solomon Shaffer began
in his broken pronunciation-" Now Mr. Lyingbarger" —-- "sthop," cries George Lybarger, in an angry tone, "my name is not Lyingbarger, but Lybarger, by G, do you wish to insult me, Shaffern."  "iMly name is not Shaffer, but Shaffer,
don't call me Shaffer, or tammed if I don't knock
you down,"-and the parties sprung at each other,
when James commanded the peace in the name of
the State, and the difficulty between the belligerent
old dutchmen had to be settled by the law at last.
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THIE PEACE.
1822. Frederick Carey.  1844. Christopher Wolf.
1825.    "              1850.     "       "
1828. Francis Wilkins.    1853. "  "
1831.   "       "        1856. A. Dalrymple.
1831. Christopher Wolf.   1846. John Inscho.
1833.         " "        1849.  "    "
1837. Luther Hill.      1852. James Severe.
1837. Joseph Shaw.      1855.   "    "
1839. W. E. Davidson.   1858.   "
1842.   "     "          1858. J. H. Tarr.
1842. Wm. Oram.         1861.  "   "
1842. Joseph Shaw.       1861. Arthur Pratt.
1847. Christopher Wolf.




KNox COUNTY.                351
CHAPTER XXXVI.
HILLIAR TOWNSHIP
WAS laid off from  Miller, upon petition of its
citizens, August 28, 1818. It is the southwestern
townshllip of the county. The first settlement was
called " Houck's," and was principally made up of
the families of James and Jacob Houck and Joseph
Jennings, who erected the first cabins, and graced
the principal building, through Mr. Lamson, with
the first brick chimney put up in this township.
This settlement was about one mile southwest of
the present village of Centerburg. When the township was formed the settlers agreed to the name of
Hilliar, in compliment to Dr. Richard Hilliar, who
was then the largest landholder residing in the
limits; he dwelt in a cabin in the southwest corner.
It had 16,000 acres of land upon the tax list in
1830. In 1832, there were but 40 voters. In 1840,
the population was 1,012; in 1850, 1,141; and in
1860, 1,088. Centerburg, its principal mart of business, is on the old stage route from all the "north
countrie" to the State Capital. It is 13 miles from
Mt. Vernon. We have heard it said that it received its name from the fact that Harvey Jones
presumed it to be the exact geographical center of
Ohio; and many long years ago, when politicians
and legislators threatened to move the Capital,




352            HISTORY 0OF
some of the oldest inhabitants there believed it
might become the Capital of the Buckeye State.
If such a thing was hinted at by members who occasionally had the good luck in cold weather and
muddy roads to call on Harvey Jones, enjoy his
feast of fat things, and rest in his soft and downy
beds, it is no wonder that by contrast with the then
Columbus fare they "smiled" at the idea, and took
another encouraging horn upon the strength of it
with " mine host." As early as 1820 travel from
Northern Ohio to the Capital through or by this
route dates. Business may be said to have started
with Mr. Jones, who was the most enterprising
man at Centerburg from 1834 until 1848. He was
a corpulent, jovial, kind-hearted man, who held out
by unmistakable sign that he had good fare, and
enjoyed the good things of this world.
In the early days the people were disposed to
"pull together" at elections. It was their custom
to meet when the day of voting came round, and
canvass in a friendly manner the merits of candidates, and to make their voice felt by voting
"plumnpers."  The electors would set down upon
logs before any ballots were cast, and read over the
names upon the tickets, and settle all conflicting
opinions by voting unanimously for the same men.
In this way they made, as an old one of their number said, the candidates who were defeated "to
howl," and caused aspirants to look with fear and
trembling for the returns from Hilliar. In 1818,
the entire vote was 17, unanimous for Ethan A.
Brown for Governor; Benj. Martin, Congress;
John Spencer, State Senator; W. W. Farquhar,




KNox  COUNTY.              353
Representative. In October, 1824, there was one
stubborn man who would vote for Allen Trimble
for Governor; the other 14 votes were,cast for
Morrow. -The first place of public entertainment
kept in this part of Knox county was by Joseph
Jennings.
Great difficulty was experienced by the early
settlers in getting to and from mill. We find as
early as April 26, 1810, Jacob and James Houck,
Joseph Jennings, John and Josias Simpson, Henry
Matthews, John Karr, John Hinton. and others,
met at doctor Hilliar's farm and united in petitioning for a road to Douglass' mill. The prayer was
granted, and Win. Gass, Charles Cooper and Isaac
Bonnet were appointed -viewers. They met at
Clinton at the time named, but refused to proceed
to view what, in their opinion, was an unnecessary
road. Nothing daunted, the few petitioners added
two or three more names to their request and sent
up another petition on the 17th of September, and
Jabez Beers, Henry Roberts and William Mitchell, were appointed viewers, and Ichabod Marshal,
surveyor. The viewers met and the surveyor declining to act, S. H. Smith accompanied them as
surveyor, and returned a report and plat of the
road, 16 miles in length-the surveyor reporting "it
can be a tolerable good road, is very good ground,
but the viewers say that at this time it would be
too burthensome to the county to open said road."
"Ordered, therefore, that the same cannot be granted."
The citizens then began petitioning for a new
23




354                HISTORY OF
township, which they succeeded in getting in August, 1818, and the first election was held at the
house of Thomas Mlerril.   The Judges of that
election were Joe Jennings, Jas. Houck, Jas. Pell;
Clerks, John Borden, Wm. Reynolds.  In 1819,
Jacob  Houck  listed Hilliar, and was paid a $4
county order therefor. The same duty he performed, for like pay, in 1820. The Judges of election, October, 1820, were Joseph Jennings, James
Severe, Wm. Reynolds; Clerks, John  Borden,
John Davis.  Henry Matthews, Benj. F. Hilliar,
John Severe, James Pell and John Pell were other
early voters.  The Messmores, IMlahannahs, Hollisters and Bottomfields were other settlers of a later
period.  John Thomas projected a town in 1834,
but it never made headway.  Rich Hill is a new
business point that is thriving considerably.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
May 10, 1819, the Court of Common Pleas allowed Hilliar one
Justice, and in July, Jacob Houck was elected.
1822. Win. Reynolds.      1827. John Borden.
1824. Jacob Houck.        1830.  "    "
1835. Harvey Jones.       1833.  "
1838.   "     "           1836. Daniel Nofsinger.
1839. Ferdinand McLene.   1841. Gideon Sutton.
1842.                      " "  ] 844.   "  "
1845. Daniel Wolf.        1847. N. Borden.
1848.   "'            1850. "   "
1851. David F. Halsey.    1851. E. Nichols.
1854. D. S. Lyon.         1854. "   "
1857. T. M. Owen,         1857. "   "
1860. Simon Shaffer.      1860. "    "




KENOX COUiNTY.            355
CHAPTER XXXVII.
MIILFORD TOWNSHIP.
THIS township was created in 1823, March 3d,
out of territory taken from Miller. The land is
generally level and soil fertile. The first election
was held the first Monday of April, 1823, at the
school-house near the center.
It received its name in the following manner:
The settlers met together and various names were
presented; among the number' Judson Lamson
proposed that it should be called Milford, taking
the idea from his native town New Milford, Connecticut. Some objection was offered to every
other name but this, and in consideration of the
fact that Mr. Lamson was one of the oldest settlers,
and also its being a New England name-those
present being all from  "Down East"-it was
adopted.
The settlers at that time were Uzziel Stephens,
from Vermont; Gardner Bishop, Stephen Hawkins,
John Jeffries, Jesse Smith, Harris Hawkins, from
Rhode Island; Wm. Beardslee and John Beardslee from New Haven, Ct.; Judson Lamson from
New Milford, Ct.; Aairon Hill from Massachusetts.
The original stock now living are upon the lands
selected by them at first, and the children and




356            HISTORY  OF
families of the departed, as a general thing, reside
upon the old home tracts.
They were industrious, temperate and orderly
citizens, and their families have followed in their
footsteps closely, as is customary in the land of
steady habits. There was no store or trading establishment in this township; the citizens transacted
their entire business at the county seat. James
Smith preached the first sermon, and the ministerial duties since have been principally discharged
by the Christian Church.
Wolves were very plenty and impudent in this
township at an early day. One of the incidents of
those times was as follows: When Platt G. Beardsley was a boy, and out cow hunting, he lost his
way and came upon a considerable sized swamp
which at first he took to be a clearing; as soon as
he came by its side a gang of wolves set up their
infernal howling, he took to his heels badly -scared,
and ran along Sycamore creek, the wolves following close at his heels; as he neared home the dogs
rushed out and attacked the wolves, when one of
the dogs was torn in pieces by the wolves, and Platt
made his escape into the house.
By the census of 1830, 498 inhabitants were then
reported within its limits, and 13,472 acres of land
returned for taxation. In 1840, the population was
1,157;. in 1850, 1,349; in 1860, 1,084.
The two prominent points are styled the' IFive
Corners" and ",Lock"-the latter is a post-office, at
the county line, where there is some business transacted by the citizens of Knox and Licking.
Judson Lamson was born July 14, 1779. In




KNOX COUNTY.               357
1817 he settled where he now resides. By trade a
brickmason, after preparing quarters for his family,
he went to Mt. Vernon to purchase some supplies,
and, on entering a store kept by "Uncle Jimmy
Smith" to buy a few articles, he heard him regretting that he had no mason at hand to lay up a
piece of his stone wall that had fallen down; when
Mr. Lamson told him that he could do it for him,
and the bargain was struck, and he went right at
the job and completed it to Mr. Smith's satisfaction.
Daniel S. Norton shortly after met him on the
street and informed him that he held his note,
given to Dr. Lee for medical service in attendance
on his daughter, who had been sick from his entering the country. The note was for $10; and Mr.
L. told him that he had no money to pay him, and
did not know when he would have so much, as
money was a scarce article in those times. Mr.
Norton at once replied, I do not want your money,
but your work, if the note is right-accordingly
took his second job of work in underpinning the
house where N. then resided, on the lot where
Judge Hurd now lives, on Main street. While
working there old John Warden, who lived opposite,
came across and said, " you beat all men to work
I have ever known, you do two days work in one."
And the remark was literally true. He subsequently worked on the brick building, where,Daniel S. Norton formerly resided, on High street,
near the railroad depot, now the "Buckeye house,"
and did almost all his other work at the mills,
quarrying stone, etc. Mr. L., and his son Levi J.,
have contributed greatly to the improvement of




358           HISTORY OF
Mt. Vernon and the surrounding country. Among
the buildings erected, under his superintendence,
we may mention the Pyle block, Browning & Miller's block, Norton block, on Miain street, the residence of C. Delano, Esq., and many other of the
best structures in town and county.:Mr. L. also
worked at his trade in various parts of this county
and Licking county. He has also been a successful farmer, and now, at a good old age, enjoys a
competency and the respect of his fellow-men.
His son, Levi. J., and his daughter, Mrs. W. A.
Disney, reside near him, and other descendants in
the west.
The McKowns were among the settlers at the
time of organization, and worthy of notice at our
hands. The old patriarch, James McKown, was a
soldier of the Revolutionary war, and wounded at
the battle of Brandywine. In 1820, with a portion
of his family, he moved to this county from Virginia, and died in 1850 at the good old age of 98.
~His wife survived until 1852, when she died, aged
103 years. We recollect well the zeal of the old
soldier in behalf of General Harrison for the Presidency. He was master of ceremonies at the great
Barbecue of 1840, when the big ox was roasted
whole. Of his children we make this record:
Gilbert McKown moved from Milford to Virginia;
James moved to Illinois, where he has since died;
Phoebe, wife of Joseph Tegarden, lives in Linn
county, Mo.; Samuel came to this county in 1820,
and settled where he died, in his 70th year, in 1861.
Nine children are living, to wit: Rev. Samuel S.,
of the Christian Church, now in Northern Ohio;




'KNOX  CaOUNoTY.           359
Isaac, John, Hosmer, and Gilbert E.; Minerva,
Mrs. Ira Gearhart, Cynthia, Mrs. David Gotshall,
Emaline IL., Mrs. John Gotshall, and Miss MIargaret, all of this county. Gilbert E. is a resident
dentist, M1t. Vernon. John Jeffries had six children; of this number those who survive are, Mary
Ann, wife of Smith Bishop; Laura, widow of
David Hill; Almira, wife of Johnston King, and
Olney Jeffries, of Mt. Vernon. Preserve Smith
and Dr. Hayes have been residents for many years.
The brothers Beardslee, William and John, natives of Stratford, and the Hawkinses, Harris and
Stephen, natives of Rhode Island, may be classed
among the early settlers who contributed to the
advancement of Milford. The Beardslees are descendants of the Rev. John Beardslee, of Stratford,
on Avon, Shakespear's home. William Beardslee
married Eunice Gardner, of Hancock, Berkshire
co., Mass., and emigrated west. They moved to
Ohio, and we find William a resident of Granville
in 1814: subsequently of Homer, and from thence,
in 181S, he cut the road with his own hands for
three miles to get to his land, where he afterwards
resided. The road to this day is known as the
Beardslee road. Their sons now living are Col.
Platt G., of Milford, Job H. G., of Union county,
Dr. Win. B., and John Binns, of MIount Vernon.
The daughters living are Catharine, widow of Erastus Rouse, deceased, Betsy, wife of George L.
Benedict, Adaline, wife of Lieut. Nathan Bostwick,
all of this county.  Mary, who married Arnold
Hildreth, is dead. William Beardslee, sr., at the
advanced age of 79, and his wife, aged 76 years,




360                HISTORY OF
are living in this county, surrounded by children
and grand children to the number of 70. John
Beardslee married Mary Fitch, of New Haven, Ct.,
and emigrated to Knox. Their children are Geo.
F., of Milford, Dr. Charles, editor of the Herald,
Oskaloosa, Iowa, Henry, Galesburg, I1l., Elizabeth,
wife of Nathaniel McDaniel, Mary and Melissa.
The original Hawkinses were Harris and Stephen.
The former had the following children: Ephraim,
Harris and Daniel, all living at and about the old
homestead, and Charles in  Illinois.   Margaret,
twin sister of Harris, married  Almon Mitcihel.
MIartha married Mr. Rice, and Clarissa died.  Stephen Hawkins is dead.  His first wife, who was a
Belknap, is also dead, and of their children the
following have died: Col. Enor B., Joseph, Stephen and Laura.  Their son William married Miss
Reach.  They are now living in Milford, and Sally
Ann and Mary, two girls, the latter by second marriage, survive.
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF TIlE PEACE.
1823. Nath'l Stoughton.    1826. Nath'l Stoughton.
1823. Jolhn Stephens.      1829.  "       "
1826. John Jeffries.       1830. Sylvanus Mitchell.
1829.  "   "               1833.   "
1832.  "   "               1838. David L. Hill.
1835. Smith Bishop.        1841.   "
1836. Platt G. Beardsley.  1842. Joseph Alontagna.
1839.  "       "           1845. Emor B. Hawkins.
1848. James Conden.        1849. Smith Bishop.
1848. Wm. Orme.            1852. John Litzenburg.
1851.  "   "               1855. Silas Jaggers.
1854. John Stephens.       1858. David Pattison.
1857.  "    "              1861.  " "
1860. Geo. F. Beardslee.




xK1NOX COUNTY.              361
CHAPTER  XXXVIII.
MILLER TOWNSHIP
THE first time this name occurs on the Journals
reads thus: —  Miller Township special election,
1816, June 4th, judges Jonathan Hunt, jr., Winm.
Bare, Lemuel Chapman; clerks, James Miller,
John Mott."  Thus Miller appears to have sprung
suddenly into existence as a township, without any
of the preliminary symptoms, or pains and pangs
of parturition. One thing we do know, and that
is this, the township was named after one of its
earliest settlers, James Miller, Esq., a very worthy
gentleman, who possessed to an extraordinary degree the respect and confidence of his compeers.
He was a small man, with a strong mind and excellent sense; a native of Vermont, and in company with Turner, a deist, who was a quick, clever
old man, and wrote poetry, and went about repeating it, made the first settlement.  John Olney,
and Emor Ha-rris, Cyrus Gates and James Sealts
were also early settlers. They were mostly from
Vermont and Rhode Island. In early times this
was called the "Beech Settlement."
Its population in 1830, was 548; in 1840, 977;
in 1850, 1,064; in 1860, 996.
One of the first houses was a small log cabin, in
the south-east corner, put up by Vance, whose sons




362            HISTORY  OF
John and Jacob, with their families, are living in
the township. Cornelius Thompson of Hardy co.,
Va., settled in this township in 1810. His son
now lives near the old home, in his 52d year; his
daughter, Mrs. Scott is at Pataskala, Licking co.
The Hildreth name has long been associated with
this township. The old stock came from Marlboro,
Ct. Win. Hildreth emigrated to Zanesville, in
1812, and here in 1828; he died, and his children
living are John M., in Mt. Vernon; Win. at Scott's
Corners, Union co.; Arnold and Epaphro in Miller township.
In 1816, at the October election, 33 votes were
polled: for Worthington, 32; Ethan A. Brown, 1.
The judges of election and clerks in 1816 and 1817
were Rufus Ward, Wm. Campbell, Jonathan Hunt,
Jr., Timothy Colopy and John H. Simonds. In
1818, the same officers, except Campbell, whose
place was supplied by Titus Hill; and these constituted the boarfd of election of 1819. In 1820, Rufus Ward, James Miller and Winm. Beardslee were
judges, and Timothy Colopy and Enoch F. Kinney
clerks. In 1821, the same, except Miller, whose
place was supplied by Phineas Squire.
The old veteran, Rufus Ward, is worthy of special
notice as a faithful soldier, who participated in the
battle of White Plains, the capture of Burgoyne,
and various other battles of the Revolution. He
was born at Boston, Mass., in 1758, married Elizabeth Barnes, of Southington, Conn., and emigrated
from Vermont in February, 1814, to the place where
he died September 8, 1834, in his 76th year. His
widow died June 19, 1819, aged 85, and was a U. S.




KNOX COUNTvY.              363
pensioner for many years. Seven children survive,
viz.: 3r8s. Mary Hinds, in Indiana; Mrs. Elizabeth
Rowley, widow of Samuel; Mrs. Abigail Gabriel,
wife of John Gabriel, of Columbus; Jonas, collector, at Piqua; Rufus, farmer, of Miller; Dr. Truman, druggist, at Mt. Vernon; and Levi, merchant,
at Bellville. Emma, wife of Alpheus Chapman, is
dead, as also her husband.
Col. Royal D. Simons emigrated from Connecticut in 1816. He was a man of education and
talent, possessed of a very social disposition, and
served the people as Assessor and Representative
for several terms. His children living are Louisa,
wife of J. W. Lybrand, and Caroline, wife of C. P.
Young, both residing at Richland Center, Wisconsin. Mrs. Iybrand's only child living (George D.)
is at the same place.
Timothy Colopy, a warm-hearted Irishman, had
lived in Maryland and Virginia until 1813, when
he settled in this township. He died in Mt. Vernon in his 68th year, and his widow died about
1852, aged 72 years. His surviving children are
Jacob, Mary, Mrs. Levi Sapp, Sarah, Mrs. F. J.
Zimmerman, and Matilda, wife of H. Conley, in
Iowa. Timothy was a devout Catholic and a zealous Democrat, liberal and generous, public-spirited
and benevolent. He was an excellent Justice of
the Peace, and a much-esteemed citizen.
Col. Emor Harris emigrated from Rhode Island
in 1817; died in 1850, aged 58. His wife, Sarah
Sweet, whom he married in Rhode Island, is living
in her 65th year. They had eight children; five
survive, viz.: Caroline, wife of R. C. Walker, in




364                HISTORY OF
Delaware county; Mrs. Mary Miller; Emor Brownn,
also a native of this township; and Henry and
Sarah, upon the old home place.
Philip Dennis, of Maryland, for many years resided in this township with his accomplished wife,
Ann Dennis, who deceased in 1854.  They were
among the most intelligent and best citizens.
"The ~Four Corners" was the name by which the
principal settlement went. A post-office was established at this point, February 15, 1839, called "Hildreth's," and Miner Hildreth was appointed postmaster. After Hildreth resigned, the name was
changed to "Brandon," and H. C. Lockwood was
appointed.  In the spring of 1851, IH. removed to
Danville, where le is engaged in the mercantile
business.  Brandon is six miles from  Alt. Vernon,
and four from Homler.  It has two churches, two
stores, two blacksmith and wagon shops, one steam
sawmill, one tavern.  The denominational preaching is Methodist Episcopal, Baptist and Christian.
Revs. John Mitchell and Moffett, Methodist, Rev.
M. Herod, Christian, Rev. J. G. Tunison, Baptist,
are the regular ministers.
CONSECUTIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1816. John Mott, jr., and re-elected in 1819, 1822 and 1825.
1816. John J. Tulloss,  "     is
1820. James Miller, and again elected 1825.
1825. Royal D. Simons.     1828. John Morey.
1831. Tim. Colopy.         1832. Nathaniel Losh.
1831. Emor Harris, re-elected 1834, 1837, 1840, 1843, 1846 and
1849.
1836. E. S. S. Rouse, re-elected 1839 and 1842.
1845. James Ozborn, re-elected 1848.
1850. Erastus Rouse, re-elected 1853 and 1856.
1851. W. B. Beardslee.
1850. Rufus Ward, re-elected 1853, 1856, 1859 and 1862.;
1858. Jesse Babbs, re-elected 1861.




KxNOX COuNTY'.            365
CHAPTER  XXXIX.
MORGAN TOWNSHIP.
IN the first division of the county one of the four
townships was called Morgan, in honor of the
brave native of New Jersey, Daniel Morgan, the
distinguished General in our Revolutionary war,
who was a member of Congress from 1795 to 1799,
and died July 6, 1802; and in the general reorganization of townships in March, 1825, it was reduced
to its, present limits. Under the old dispensation
we find the total number of voters at the October
election, 1809, to have been 13. In October, 1813
Moses M errit, Jacob Hanger, Abraham  Carnes
were Judges; John Dunlap and John Boyle,
Clerks. The number of voters had increased to 27,
and amlong them were Jonathan Agnew, Ben.
Leonard, Wm. Beam, Wm. Knight, Geo. Cooper,
Philip Melker, Jacob Smith, and Smith Hadley.
Other early settlers, besides the above named, were
John Losh, Philip Smith, Thompson and Michael
Mills, Abner and David Brown, Joseph and John
Harris, John and Adam Fox, John Vance, sr., and
John, jr., Jacob Rabb, Azariah Davis, Titus Rigby,
Cornelius Callighan, and the Harrods. The only
ones of this old set now known to be living are
Smith Hadley, Levi, Wm. and Sam. Harrod, and
Philip Smith. Hadley is in Centerburg, Levi and




366           HISTO RY  O F
Sam. Harrod in Clay, and Wm. Harrod in Indiana, where he moved some fourteen years ago.
Philip Smith lives on Big Run, where he first located. His sons James and Wm. are in Clay, his
daughter, Mrs. Henry McLain, is in this township,
and Rebecca, wife of George Swank, lives in Union
county. John J. Tulloss, a Captain in the war of
1812, emigrated from iFauquier co., Va., in 1807.
He was a brick maker, school teacher, and farmer,
first in Licking and afterwards in Knox; his widow
Is living, aged 76, with her children.
In 1816, at the October election, there were 35
voters. Among these was Caleb Pumphry, who
died in 1817. There is not one of this family now
living in the county. They were verv kind and
hospitable, zealous Methodists, and as their house
was a sort of head-quarters for itinerants, the fame
of Pumphry's tavern, as it was called, was quite extensive. Bernard Reece was another old settler;
and another was Wm. Green, of Maryland, who
moved into Morgan from Licking co., in 1816; he
died in 1856. Of his 10 children the only ones
living are Daniel of Harrison, Hugh of Chesterville,
Mrs. B. McClurg and Mrs. J. Kegg in Indiana.
Another father of 10 was Bennet Thompson, of
Va., whose only child now in Knox is James, who
was born in this township in 1827, married Mahala, daughter of Jesse Larue, in 1850, and has six
children, of whom George Washington and Thomas
Jefferson, now five years old, are twins.
John F. McLain emigrated from Seneca co., Pa.,
in 1828, and was for many years a prominent citizen. He was a large operator in stoc and farm



KNsox COUNTY.              367
ing, and about 1836-8, was interested in a store in
ilt. Vernon; he died in 1858, in his 61st year.
His sons, Charles S. and Abijah, are in Morgan,
and Wm. in Wyandot co. His daughters, Mrs.
Sarah Welsh and Mrs. Amelia Hufty are in Crawford co.; Ma/ry, wife of M3organ Booze and Cassandra, Levi Sellers are in this township. C. S. married Miss Berryhill; Henry Miss Smith, and Abijah, Miss Hook.
Simon Litzenburg emigrated from Washington
county, Pa., to this township in 1829, bought part
of the celebrated prairie farm, and has lived upon
it ever since. He is now in his 79th year. Henry
Barnes married one of his daughters, and Dr. M.
H. Litzenburg, of Cheviot, is one of his sons.
The West brothers and the Ewarts are deserving
of notice. The former were natives of Brooke
county, Va. Samuel, in 1830, emigrated from
Washington county, Pa;, and is now in his 77th
year. His wife, Mary Clear, was also a native of
Virginia, and is yet living. Of their eight children,
four are living-'Alexander Clear at the old homestead; William H., of Logan county; Thomas in
Morrow county; and Samuel, a Baptist preacher,
in South English, Iowa. Amos West, Sr. is living,
in his 72d year; has had 11 children, of whom those
living are: Enos, in Tazewell county, Ills.; William in Morgan; Joe in Pleasant; John in Le
Roy, Ills.; Amos in Buchanan county, Iowa;
Margaret in Morgan; Ann Eliza, wife of John
Penick; and Elizabeth Woodruff. These are descendants of Jonathan West, one of the first born
in Brooke county, Va.




368                HISTORY OF
The Ewarts are from  Greene county, Pa., and
natives of Ireland-Robert and John, and their
sisters, iMrs. laver and Mrs. Ewart.  John died
in 1858.  Haver emigrated from  Greene county,
Pa.  They are intelligent and industrious people.
Jesse M attocks, a native of Erie co., _Pa., who
married Elizabeth Johnson, and has had six children, is worthy of note for two reasons, first, he
has served 13 years as constable, and second, he
furnished the country round with their baskets for
gathering corn, for many years, and therein has
been a benefactor.
In  1830, the inhabitants numbered  653, and
16,582 acres were upon the tax list; in 1840, there
were  912 inhabitants; in 1850, 823; in 1860, 688
CONSECUTIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
181 0. John Harrod.         1839. Jacob Sperry.
1815. John Green.           1833. James H. Smith.
1817. Peter Veatch.         1836. John Clutter.
1818. Jacob Hanger.          1839.  "     "
1819. John Wheeler.         1842.  "     "
1820. Thomas Smith.         1845.  " "
1821. Peter Veatch.         1842. Jacob Bell.
1822. John Wheeler.         1845.  "    "
1825.  "      "             1848. C. S. 3McLain.
1830. Ziba Leonard.         1851.  "    i
1821. Jacob Hanger.         1854. "      "
1824.  "        "           1855. John CMiller.
1827.  "       "            1857. Henry Barnes.
1831.  "       "            1858. A. H. Thornhill.
1830. Jacob Sperry.         1860. Carey Bell.
1833.  "    "               1860. James Campbell.
1836.  "     "




KNOX  COUNIcTY.                  369
CHAPTER XL
PLEASANT TOWNSHIP
MARCH 9, 1825, this township was created, and
named on account of its delightful views. Its settlement was much retarded by large landholders.
In 1830, it had 918 inhabitants; in 1840, 1,888;
in. 1850, 909; and in 1860, 828.  Among its earliest
and  best settlers were the Melkers, Grahams,
Veatches, Laymlans, Herrods, Hunts, Patricks,
Bechtels, Buckinghams, Walkers,  Stinemetses,,
Schnebleys, Beatys, Lettses, Crawfords, Crouses,
Colvilles, Morrisons, Swans, IRohrers, Dunns, and
their connections.  The settlers have been principally from  Western Pennsylvania, Virginia, and
Maryland.  Several good mill seats within this
township have been improved and occupied by
John Kerr, Elisha Gibbs, the Morrisons, Nortons,
Hadley and Miller; and several distilleries have in
the past been propelled successfully. The principal business has been farming and stock raising, at
which many have grown rich.
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1825. David Ash.          1845. Robert Graham.
1825. Frederick Rohrer.   1848.
1828.    "     "          1851.   "
1831.    "      "         1854.   "
1832. James Parks.        1861. Henry McLain.
1832. Silas IBrown.       1839. Jas. 1). Porter.
1835.  "    "             1842.  "
1837. Alvin Foote.        1845. Richard Hunt
1858. Henry McLain.       1848.    "    "
1827. Harvey Brown.       1851.    "    "
1835. Robert Graham.      1854. John Colville.
1,839.   "    "            1857. J. V. Parks.
1842.   "     "            1t860.  " 
24




370            HISTO.RY OF
CHAPTER XLI.
CLAY TOWNSHIP.
ON the 9th of March, 1825, this township was
created, and honored with the name of the great
American commoner, Henry Clay. The surface
of the country is uneven, the soil is generally very
fertile, and the tillers of it have ever been among
our foremost for industry and intelligence. In
1830, the population was 1,300, and upwards of
15,000 acres were returned for taxation. In 1840,
the inhabitants counted 1,304; in 1850, 1,240; in
1860, there were 1,098 white and 10 colored persons. There were six industrial establishments,
producing to the value of $10,830. Among the
old settlers were Ziba Leonard, I. ID. Johnson, the
Elliotts, the Greens, the Barneses, Vances, PoljocJk, Paul, Harrods, Larrisons. Insley D. Johnson,
Xfrom about 1823 until 1837, was in business, and
during the latter part of his mercantile existence
was one of the heaviest operators in produce in
Central Ohio. David Lawman, of Rockingham
co., Va., came here in 1833; he is engaged in
farming and milling. The Boggs family have
been among the good citizens of this township for
many years. The oldest was William, a native of
Virginia. His son William, the first white child
born in Belmont, died in Richland co., about 1835.
William, sr., died about 1854, aged 98 years, and




sNOX  COUNTY.               371
Elizabeth his wife died in 1861, aged 93 years.
Their children, John and Ezekiel, born in Belmont,
have been long known to our citizens. Ezekiel
served as Representative, and died in 1853. His
wife is living in Clay. John Boggs married a
daughter of one of the old settlers, Catharine Stephenson. Marv married Wallace McWilliams, and
lives in Kansas.
Martinsburg has ever possessed a very patriotic
population. At the celebration of July 4, 1861,
addresses were made by Henry Hervey and A. J.
Lyon, and a good dinner eaten. An accident occurred to mar the pleasures. John Clark had two
of his fingers shot off by discharge of a small cannon. Martinsburg contains 300 inhabitants. It
was part styled Hanover, and the other part Williamsburg, and the present name is a compromise.
The following are the artisans and business men:
Philo Higgins, blacksmith; E. Hardiman, tailor;
wagon maker, Wmn. Henderson; saddlers, M. IL.
Dayton, J. M. Bowland; shoemakers, S. Kidwell,
S. Hollabaugh, S. D. Rouse, DM. Chandler, A. Lyon;
Wm. Penick carries on a tanyard; A. & R. Barnes
and Thomas Rodgers are the merchants; AM. L.
Dayton sells groceries; D. Booze keeps the tavern.
The physicians are D. H. Ralston, Peter Pickard,
and S. B. Dodd. There are five churches: Presbyterian, Rev. H. Hervey; Methodist, Rev. A. J.
Lyon; Free Presbyterian, Rev. J. Whitam; Baptist, Rev. G. Tunison; Associate Reformed, Rev.
G. Torrance. Its schools are good, and the Rev.
Henry Hervey deserves special commendation for
his long and faithful service in the cause of christi



372              HISTORY OF
anity and education. For over 35 years lhe has
devoted himself zealously to the work in this place.
J. M. Coulter is Principal of the Academy; A. S.
Kerr and MIiss Susan Jennings are also teachers.
The only men now living in the village who were
here in 1822 are W. McCreary, C. Barkalow, and
W. McWilliams.  The post-office was established
by the name of Hanover in 1820, and changed
afterwards to Martinsburg.  The postmasters have
been I. ID. Johnson (S. P. Warden, deputy), Jacob
Pearson, Wesley Spratt, J. H. Pierson, W. MicCreary, Johnson, W. McWilliams, and W. McCreary.
Since the foregoing was written, the patriotism
of Clay and Morgan has been verified, by the spontaneous uprising of the hardy sons to defend the
soil of Ohio from  invasion, when, under Captain
Norton, and Lieutenants Bell and Mercer, they responded to Governor Tod's call; and, assisted by
Capt. Baugh and Lieutenants Mefford and Church,
and Captain Israel's companies, they saved Cincinnati fron the devouring Seessionists.
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1827. James Elliott.    1831. W. Mcareary,
1830.   "    i"         1834.   "    "
1833. W. Spratt.        1837.   "
1839. James Paul.       1840.   "
1842.   "   "           1843.     " "
1845. Wallace McWilliams. 1846.   "    "
1846. John Boggs.       1855. Mercer McFadden,
1848. Wallace McWilliams. 1857. W. McWilliams.
1849. John Boggs.       1858. Isaac Bell.
1851. W. McWilliams.    1860. W. McWilliams.
1852. John Boggs.       1860. James Elliott.
1854. W. McWilliams.




KNOx   cOUNTY.              373
CHAPTER  XLII.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
IN honor of General Andrew Jackson, the Commissioners, on the 4th of September, 1815, erected
this township. John Mills, Jacob Lepley, and
Joseph Kerr were the first judges of election, and
James Thomas and David Melick the clerks.
In 1816, there were 35 voters. Jacob Lepley
was the first lister, and Abraham Carpenter first
appraiser. This, the south-eastern township of the
county, is watered by the Wakatomika; the ground
is generally rolling, but quite productive. In 1830
the inhabitants numbered 626; in 1840, 994; in
1850, 1,080; in 1860, 960. The only town and
post-office is Bladensburg; it contains 200 inhabitants.
Washington Huouck kept the first, tavern, in
1833, and continued it, with short intermission,
till the present date. Thomas Axtell kept the second house of entertainment, about 1838; he was a
good citizen, and emigrated to Indiana. James
Loveridge for a short time kept tavern; and John
Htannah now keeps the hotel.
The first goods sold in this town were by John
Wheeler, who was for many years engaged in merchandising at Bladensburg. He took great delight
in the militia trainings, being a captain; in the
Christian church, being an elder; in the Whig




374            HISTORY OF
party, being a committee-man. In all respects,
long was John Wheeler a good citizen; he now
lives, at an advanced age, in Iowa. The second
store was carried on by W. HoLuck, who for twelve
years sold goods. T. Axtell, Peter Berry, James
Loveridge, Alphonso Byam, T. & C. L. 3Marquand,
have also sold goods there. The present merchants
are, IMark Hammond and Samuel Richard.
The first Disciple Church in the State was gotten
up by John Wheeler, W. Houck, Elijah Harris,
and their wives, about 1833. They have a neat
Church edifice, of which the Rev. Van Voris is
minister. The Presbyterians have also a church
building, in which Rev.     Brough officiates.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was the
first house of worship built in the township. Thos.
Axtell was the most active in getting up the church.
James Elliott was mainly instrumental in building
the 0. S. Presbyterian meeting-house. The Methodists worship in the Presbyterian Church.
The present mechanics are, John Upfold, tailor;
Thomas Hilznan, wagon-maker; Lew. Husser and
Wilson Hartupee, blacksmiths; the Baltzells, Andrew, John and Joseph, and James Ross, shoemakers; Lemuel Hall, carpenter; Richard 3Mavis,
cabinet-maker. A good school is kept up in the
village, of which Mr. Campbell is teacher.
A grist-mill is in the town, formerly carried on
by Houck, now by James Gaub. Within a half
mile, another mill is carried on by Mr. Schooler.
About 1852, James Harris started a pottery,
which is now owned by James Green. The clay
is excellent, and some very good ware has been




KNOX COUNTY.                       375
turned out at this mlanufactory, which is sold in
adjoining towns.
Among the old citizens whose names should
appear in this sketch, are Adam  Earlywine, Jacob
Stricker, George and James Melick, William  and
Robert Wilson, Daniel Blue, John Hammluel, Wm.
Braddock, the Hills, the Horns, the McCammets,
the Halls, the Dennys and Stephensons.
Washington Houck, of Huntington county, Pa.,
moved to Knox county, Clay township, in 1805,
where he resided until 1833, when he moved to
Jackson.
Joseph Scott, Win. Rawdon, David and Daniel
Stricker, Daniel Mossholder, Peter Miller, Philip
Dennis, George  Holt and Christian Baughmlan,
have been citizens of long standing.
Col. James Elliott, long a resident of Clay, who
has officiated as Justice an d Representative,  now
resides in Bladensburg.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
April 15, 1815, two Justices were allowed this township, to be
chosen at the house of Joseph KIerr.
January 13, 1816, Jacob Lepley and David MIelick were elected,
and Lepley was re-elected in 1819 and in 1822.
1820. Thomas Hall.          1838. WV. K. Corbin.
1823.   "     "             1836. S. C. Porterfield.
1824. David MIelick.        1847. James Myvers.
1897.   ", "          A. C. Scott.
1829. John Stephenson.      1850. XV. H. Blue.
"       R.C. Davis.         4  James MIyers.
1832.  "    "               1853. Daniel Gault.
1835.  "    "                "  W. K. Corbin.
1838.  "    "               1856. J. S. McCammen.
1831. A. Darling.           1859.  "      "
1832. W. K. C.)rbin.        1857. James Blunt.
1835.  "      "             1860. Wan. Darling.




376             HISTORY  OF
CHAPTER  XLIII.
BUTLER TOWNSHIP.
Trns township was created in _[March, 1825, and
named after Richard Butler, M1gajor-General of the
U. S. A., killed by the Indians in the great battle
between theim and Gen. St. Clair, Nov. 4, 1791.
He was one of the bravest of the brave, and as he
lay upon the ground helpless and bleeding front
wounds received in the battle, the savages scalped
and tomahawked him.
We have been at considerable pains to find out
the origin of the name, and were led for sowme timne
to believe that it was given in compliment to the
sturdy old settlers, the Butlers, but have become
satisfied front our investigation that the object was
to perpetuate with the names of Gens. Knox, Harrison, Jackson, Pike, the falme of the ill-fated brave
Richard Butler. The land is generally rough and
broken, and the population has usually been smaller
than in any other township. The wild and picturesque scenery, giving an air of romance to much of
the country, we must believe contributes to the
health of the people, if ave take Joe Stotts, Ben.
Butler, Nich. Riley, Geo. Sturgeon, Abe Darling,
and others of the oldest settlers now living, as evidence. The Lepleys, Jacob, George and Joseph,
the Shrimplins, Abrahaim and William, the Camp



KNOX COUNTY.               377
bells, the Morningstars, the Horns, the Hammills,
the Carpenters, the Burkholders, the Cogginses, the
lMcLjarnens, the Darlings, the Wolfs, the 3Melicks,
the Gambles, have been long residents of this township. John Busenburg, Philip Ely, Benj. Hugh,
John Jones, Sam. Cermerer, Jesse Ashcroft, W.
Beaty, Job Lewis, Elijah'arquhar, Wmin. Seamen
and Ephraim  Thornberg also lived in it many
years ago. Orange Hollister for manay years was
one of the most active and useful citizens, spending
many thousand dollars among the people erecting
mills and machinery for their benefit; he is now
living in Iowa, and Ben. Butler is operating the
mills. Robert Giffin was another useful man in
the milling line, and his death was much of a loss.
John R. Gamble wvas much noted for his business
qualifications.  Nicholas Riley emigrated front
Washington co., Pa., in 1805, to Coshocton co., and
in 1807 to Knox; he is in his 82d year. We have
the following account of his offspring: William
lives in Illinois; Harriet, wife of Abraham IDarling, is in Wayne; Eliza, wife of Isaac Wood, Rachel, wife of John Welker, jr., Susan, wife of Geo.
Spurgeon, and Almira, wife of Amos Wolf, all live
in Illinois; Abraham is dead; George, Nicholas
and Hannah live in Butler; and Mary, Mrs. Wm.
Parks, lives in Hancock county.
In 1830, the population was 419; in 1840, 647;
jin 1850, 763; and in 1860, 727. About 1817, a
post-office called Owl Creek was kept by Abraham
Darling as postmaster, but the Judge, some fifteen
years ago, became tired of and gave it up. Many
years since there was a store kept in this township,




S378               HISTORY OF
and  a post-office was established  thereat called
" Hollister's," but it has been discontinued.
Uncle Bob and Aunt Hetty Giffin were noted
characters.  They selected the most romantic spot
on Owl Creek for their residence, and amid the
rough, rugged and wild scenery known in olden
time as "the rocks"-of later days as "the caves"
-they dwelt and raised a large and respectable
falmily.  As early as 1820, they put up Giffin's
mills: we say they, for everything thereabouts was
their joint work, and could not have been created:without the two were united in the undertaking.
He was quiet, peaceable, with a well-developed
mind and an uncommon good judgment.  She was
violent, resolute and  determined, with  a strong
heart and great physical power.  Whatever plans
were matured and work determined upon, she put
into execution with a warrior spirit.
CONSECUTIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
In 1820, Joseph Dunlap was a Justice in this " neck of woods,"
and was again elected in 1824; in 1825, Jacob Lepley; in 1826,
Daniel Campbell.
1829. David Campbell.    1831. Charles Nyhart.
1831. Horatio G. Cooley.    1837. Eli Cummings.
1834.   "       "         1840. "      "
1837. Wm. Coggins.'   1840. James McLaurin.
1841. David Barnhard.    1843. Wm. Coggins.
1841.  "      "           1843. C. Musser.
1848. James Frisby.       1846. "   "
1849. C. Musser.          1851. C. C. Gamble.
1852. "    "             1852. C. Tym.
1858. C. C. Garmble.      1855. Doty Farmer.
1860. Wm. Killer.        1857. Jas. McCamment.
1861. Joseph Hammill.




KNOX  COUNTY.                379
CHAPTER XLIV.
HARRISON TOWNSHIP.
ON'the 9th of March, 1825, another township
was laid out, and named after General Win. Henry
Harrison.
In i1830, there were 726 inhabitants; in 1840,
833; in 1850, 751;.and in 1860, 778.
The earliest settlers were Wendel Mllaelker, Adam
Lybarger, the Gorsuches, Peter Wolf, Joseph Horn,
Benjamin Horni, Andrew  Casto, the Dudgeons, the
Biggses, the Schoolers, Philip 11elker, Isaac Cbhen,
Artllur Fawcett, the Welkers. The Dudgeons,
among these, deserve more than a passing irotice.
Three brothers and a sister, at an early day, settled
in this wilderness region. In conipany with their
father, they had crossed the Atlantic in 1801.
Sinmon, 3oses and Hugh Dudgeon, brothers, were
natives of Ireland, who camle to this country- poor
and penniless, and by honest industry acquired a
competency..Simon had served six months as a
British soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was
in his 26th year, of great physical strength, resolute and determined. He landed in the city of
New York with only an English shilling in his
pocket, which he paid out to a washerwonman for
washing his clothes. He worked, as lie could get
employvment, in Vermont, Connecticut and Nlew




380            HISTORY OF.
York, and lived with his father and brothers,
Thomas and Hugh, for eight years, until he accumulated $1000; and with that, in 1810, he started
from Delaware county, N. Y., west to hunt a better
location, visited Knox county, and bought the tract
of land upon which he erected his house and lived
until death. He went to Washington county, Pa.,
married, and returned to his land in 1811. The
issue of this marriage was ten children. Nine are
now living, to wit: Charles, Moses, David, Simon,
May, John, and Andrew in Harrison township;
William, Jane, Mrs. Hl0orn, in Auglaize county.
Simon, Sr. first bought three quarter sections of
land, and added to it by purchase till, at his death,
he had 712 acres. He was very industrious and
domestic in his habits.
Paul Welker, one of the oldest settlers in that
part of the county, tells, with much humor, the
way in which he first became aware of Dudgeon
being in the county. He was out hunting one day,
and having chased a deer into some underbrush in
some frog-ponds, was startled by the sound of an
axe cutting wood; he stealthily approached the
spot from whence the noise proceeded, expecting to
find an Indian, when, greatly to his surprise, he
discovered our pioneer chopping trees to make a
cabin. He had not heard of this new comaer, and
could but express his astonishment that he should
have chosen a spot back of the big frog-ponds for
a house. Forbidding as the place then was, Simon,
by dint of labor, there made his living, and left to
his children, as its result, an estate of over $25,000,
besides some $10,000 advanced to them during his




KNOX  COUNrtY.             381
life time. They now own over 1,500 acres of land
in that vicinity. Simon died of apoplexy in the
street, Mt. Vernon, in his sixty-ninth year. Two
of his brothers died of this same disease: Thomas,
in Delaware county, N. Y., and Hugh, in Knox
county, February 16th, 1861.  MIoses, another
brother, died in this county about thirty years ago.
Their sister, Mrs. Young Love, is now living near
Fredericktown.
The Lybarger family became quite numerous also.
Adam died in April, this year.:He had risen from
dinner, after eating very hearty, and walked into
the yard to get a stick of wood for the fire, when
he dropped dead.
Wendel Melker, with his brother Philip, moved
into this country from Virginia in 1808. All that
survive of the Melker name in Harrison are four
children- all mutes.
Silas Ralston, Joseph and Martin Horn, "blathering John" Wolf and John Troutman were other
notable settlers of long standing.
Arthur Fawcett was, like the Dudgeons, from
the Emerald Isle, and felt the effects of poverty, in
early youth. After a time he too makes his way
to the "great West," and is found in this county, in
1810, clearing land, upon which he has since resided. He is now in his 77th year, and his wife,
Susannah, in her 67th year. They have had ten
children-eight now live, viz: Samuel, who married Elizabeth Biggs, daughter of James Hayes.
He was born in Harrison township, in 1816, and
now lives in Butler. Philip, who married Mary
Ellen Vance, lives in Illinois; Elizabeth, wife of




382            HISTORY OF
Geo. W. Schooler, in Allen county; Lucinda, wife
of Hamilton Marshal, in Allen county; and the
following in Harrison township: Anna, wife of
Isaac Hays; Mary, Mrs. Ralph 1Faucett; John,
who -married Hannah Washburn; Icetas, who married Rebecca Barnett; and Catharine, wife of Joseph Horn.
Andrew Casto moved into Marion county, and,died sixteen years ago. None of his blood now
live in this county.  Isaac Coen, another of the
earliest settlers, died, with none here to represent
him. Joseph and Benjamin Horn died about the
same time, eight years ago. The Biggs brothersWilliam, Noah and Jeremiah —came to this township about 1811.  The Schoolers settled in the
neighborhood, where that name is now found, in
1818. John Schooler died in 1853; he was from
Beaver county, Pa.: had twelve children-nine
now living. Isaac is at Carthage, Jasper county,
Mo. George and Rachel, liMrs. Ashbourne, live in
Auglaize county, James in Coshocton; William,
Joseph, Moses and Samuel are in Harrison. Both
the justices of the peace in the township are sons
of John Schooler.  The people of Knox county
twice honored him with a seat in the Legislature;
he diecl some eight years ago, much lamented by a
large circle of relatives and friends.
Marvin Tracy held many public positions, and
was universally respected for his honesty and integrity. Paul Welker and John Troutman have
been hard-working farmers, of good reputation.
Nathaniel Ross emigrated from Greene county,
Pa., in 1811, and is yet living, in his sixty-ninth




KNOX COUNTY.                        383
year.  His brother, Samuel, came out in 1817, and
is now sixty-three years of age.  These men have
been useful citizens.  The first brick house in this
township was that of Nathaniel Ross.
The first road laid out was from  Mt. Vernon to
Coshocton. The proprietors of the town were all
from  the East, and they then believed light must
be sought froml  that quarter.  They did not know
there was a Lake Erie, or if they did, they did not
seem  conscious that the great commerce and tradei
of this section must be drawn north and south;
hence, supposing that travel would be most fronm
east to west, they laid out the town with this view
-making its principal street, "High," the widest,
and " Market," the present Main Street, much the
narrowest.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE
Within this territory have been the following Justices: 1819,
Marvin Tracy, reelected in 1822 and 1825.
1825. John Schooler.       1836. Asa Freeman.
1829. Israel Dillon.       1839.
1831. Ben. Ellis.          1842. "
1834.  "    "              1845. "       C
1835. Nathaniel Ross.      1847. M. W.. Schooler.
1837. Hugh Miller.         1848. Wm. Marlow.
1810.  "    "              1849. Marvin Tracy.
1843.  "    "              185i2. Jonathan McArtor.
1S.'80. Moses Dudgeon.     1855.   "
1853.  "      "            1856. M. W. Schooler.
185,5. Sam. F. Schooler    1858. Jonathan McArtor.
1862.   "      "  1859. MA. W. Schooler.
1862. Jacob IIays.




384            HISTORY  OF
CHAPTER XLV.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
AT the session of the Commissioners, March 9,
1825, this old township, notwithstanding its name,
was disnmembered, and reduced to its present proportions. Among its earliest settlers are many
names by this time familiar to the reader: there
were the Critchfields, the Lepleys, the Butlers, the
Darlings, Wm. and Abraham; the Shrimplins,
Abraham, John and Samuel; the Durbins, Ben.
and Win.; the Elwells, the Spurgeons, the Sapps,
the Rightmires, the Logues, lMcMillen, Williams,
Titus, Hibbetts, Greer, Stotts, George Davidson,
Charles Ryan, Win. Shaw, John Arnold, and the
Welkers. Shortly after came John Konkle, Gasper Richcreek, Jacob Black, David iMIelick, John
Earlywire, Valentine Dial, and George Freshwater. The judges of election, Oct. 10, 1809, were
James Rightmire, John Wood, and Thos. Elwell.
These were at that time the principal families of
the powerful Creek nation; representatives of almost all these are to be met with in this county.
In 1811, the officers of election wereWin. Sapp,
Thomas Beaty, George Sapp; Daniel Sapp and
Jacob Draper.
At the October election, 1810, there were but 23
voters. In 1816 the number had increased to 45.




KNOX COUNTY.               385
Having traced out the Critchfields, Darlings, and
other families who have contributed abundantly toward the peopling of this county, we cannot pass
by the Sapps.  Four brothers-Daniel, George,
Joseph and William-emigrated from Allegheny
county, Md., in 1806, and the Sapps of the present
day are descendants of them, and of their uncle
George, who came out in 1810; of another Sapp,
Adam, who came about 1820; and of yet another,
a cousin, known in the neighborhood as "Kentucky,
George," to distinguish him from the other Georges,
who had preceded him. Daniel had a dozen children, of whom Hon. Wm. R., S.W., Dr. Enoch and
Dr. Silas have been widely known. Mrs. J. Wauls,
of Brown, and Mrs. J. Stover, of Mt. Gilead are
only daughters living. George married Catharine
Arnold; and of their nine children six are living in
the county. Levi is upon the old homestead. He
has had eleven children; and of this number is
Wm. C., merchant, Mt. Vernon. Joseph's numerous family went to Illinois. William's dozen children are scattered-only two of them are in Knox
now.  Of Kentucky George's fourteen children
we have not space to give an account. James, associated with Win. J. Morton, in the shoe store in
Mt. Vernon, is his grandson. The original roots
above named have produced over 200 shoots.
The Rightmires, James and Harrison; the Shrimplins, William, Samuel and Absalom; Solomon
Robinson and Gilman Hawn, with their families,
well represent the hardy old stock. John Welker,
Sr. lives upon the farm he cleared in 1809. His
25




386            HISTORY  OF
brother-in-law, Jacob Baughman, and his old
neighbor, Wm. Robison, yet exchange greetings
with him; his brother-in-law, Win. Lydick, died
recently. Many trips these old settlers made, with
horse and pack-saddle, to Zanesville for salt and
other necessaries. In the war of 1812, John Welker served as a high private, and has received a
land-warrant for his services; and that is the
highest- position he ever sought. He erected the
first brick house in this part of the county. A
man of sterling worth, he has commanded the respect of his neighbors, while he has reared up a
family of fourteen children-only one of whom,
Daniel, now resides in this county. The Rev.
John, jr., in Illinois, and Judge Martin have acquired considerable reputation for ability.
The towns of Danville, Millwood and Cavallo
are in this township. The first is one of the oldest
in the county. For the past twenty years it has
not improved much. It is the oldest post-office in
the eastern part of Knox: its post-masters have
been W. R. Sapp, Enoch Sapp. G. H. Davidson,
and S. W. Sapp. Cavallo was a great place on
paper in the days of the Canal fever. While Isaac
Means, S. W. Farquhar, W. V. Richardson, D. S.
Fairchild, C. Keller, H. Thomas and others lived
there it had much trade.:From 1843 to 1848 were
its best days; then, almost all the exports and imports of Knox were through this port, four large
warehouses were erected, and goods were sold by
-wholesale; now, the only man living within its
limits is Nelson Thatcher, and his neighbor on the
old Butler farm is Solomon Gearner. The future




KNOX  COUIrTY.              387
will only know of this fast place from this page of
our history.
1MJLwOOD received its name in consequence of
the first mill in this locality having been built in
the woods. Elisha Gibbs was the venturesome individual who first carried it on; John Hawn succeeded him, and it has been known since as Welker's mill. The first settlers around the early mill
were principally of the Welker family. The village
contains about 150 inhabitants, and was laid out
by John Hawn. James Britton built the first
house in the town plat-a little hewed log cabin,
which has been weatherboarded to give it a more
modern look. Two of his sons, Lewis and Reuben,
are here; James and the rest of his family reside
in Iowa. Col. Israel Dillon for many years was a
leading business man; he also moved to Iowa.
Jacob Garret put in the first tanyard about 1829,
and is yet carrying on the business. The Spragues
and Carpers of other years are generally in the west.
Sam. Welker, the pioneer in keeping "entertainment for man and beast," had the following poetical
notice painted over his bar:
"As many a man has trusted to his sorry,
Pay to-day; and I will trust to-morry!"
He kept tavern in the old style; always had plenty
to eat and drink of the substantial kind, his table
literally groaning under its load; his welcome to
guests was a good deal of the order of the old
Dutch landlord, who said, "Shust make yourselves
perfectly at home: I wish to God you were all at
home;" and all felt that they were at liberty to




388            HISTORY OF
wait upon themselves. Nevertheless, Sam. was a
jovial fellow, and his house was a favorite with
wayfaring men and those disposed to be joyful.
The students of Kenyon occasionally navigated the
waters of Owl Creek to Welker's port. Among
other trips made there was one in 1833, in a canoe,
by R. C. Hurd and Herman Canfield, late Lt. Col.
of the 72d Regiment, killed in the battle of Pittsburg; to the memory of our departed friend we
will say, that a more honorable and noble youth
never lived.
There are three neat church edifices: the Disciple, built in 1858. The building committee consisted of Lewis Critchfield, Albert Ellis, and Wm.
Moody; Pastor-Rev. Wm. Moody. The Methodist, built about 1856, through the exertions of Jacob
Hammond, who has resided here over thirty years.
The Presbyterian, built in 1853. The present Elders are Jesse Wintringer, John P. Smith; Rev.
J. Newell, Pastor. This church was mainly established by Rev. John Burns, A.M., a graduate of
Kenyon College, was its minister, from 1854 until
his death, in April, 1859. The merchants are
Christian and Peterman, R. MlcCloud and Lewis
Britton. The postmasters, since 1831, are John
Welker, jr., Michael Miller, L. Britton and J.
Hammond.
S. Israel, Esq., has put in a substantial dam, improved the old mill, and added carding-machines to
the stand. Frank Israel superintends the establishment. Wm. McCloud, a native of Scotland, now
in his 66th year, who, in 1816, settled at Clinton,
and worked as a stone-cutter until 1840, is here,




KNOX COUNTY.                          389
with his son. Another stone-mason, John IMfeginnes, resides here; two  blacksmiths, D. Saltsman
and Josiah Horn; two  carpenters, Joseph Butts
and Harris Johnson.
The land of this township is generally rolling
and hilly, especially in the eastern part where the
Mohican  courses its way, and upon  Owl Creek,
which passes through the southern part, affording
much valuable water power.  In 1830, the population was 851, and 10,867 acres of land were on the
tax list. In 1840, the inhabitants counted 1,098;
in 1850, 1,192; and in 1860, 1,104.
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF TIHE PEACE.
1809. George Sapp and Jacob Lepley were elected, and the
former re-elected in 1812.
1812. Nicholas Riley.         1817. Robert McMillen.
1819. Daniel Sapp; re-elected in 1822 and 1825.
1819. Jacob Draper.            1826. Ben. Butler.
1829. Charles Waddle.         1832. James Cain.
1832. Daniel Sapp; re-elected in 1835.
1832. Joseph Sapp,    " 
1832. Jacob Black,    " "
1831. John Welker, Jr., "       1834 and 1837.
1836. Josias Ewing.           1857. John Shaw.
1837. Andrew Black.           1841. Jos. L. Workman.
1840. John Welker, Jr.; re-elected in 1843 and 1846.
1842. George H. Davidson,    "      1845, 1848 and 1851.
1849. Michael Miller,         "     1852.
1847. Elias Day.              1849. Wm. McLoud.
1844. Sam. McKee.             1855. Jacob Ross.
1854. Wm. Walker; re-elected in 1857 and 1860.
1S55.. Jacob Hauger.          1857. Washington Hyatt.
1358. Andrew Beach.           1860. Freeman Snow.
1860. J. W. Bradfield.        1862. Nathan Parsons.




390             IISTORY  OF
CHAPTER XLVI.
COLLEGE TOWNSHIP.
COLLEGE was organized December 21, 1838, and
so named in consequence of its being the seat of
Kenyon College, and all the land belonging to that
institution.
The first election was held at the public house in
Gambier kept by Mii. W. YVore. The officers then
elected were: Trustees, O; Lane, J. M[icMahon, lM.
W. Vore; Clerk, D. L. F. obes; Constables, O.
Welchymer, and N. Head; Overseers of the Poor,
J. Kendrick and W. Claytor; Treasurer, vIi. T. C.
Wing; Fence Viewers, T. G. Odiorne, G. C. Johnson, N. Weaver; Supervisors, W. Mi. Lane and A. K.
Fobes. The voters in the early elections numbered
from 20 to 30, and almost all of these were connected with the institution as professors, agents,
keepers of boarding-houses, or other establishments
dependant upon the College for a sustenance.
At the spring election, 1839, J. MlcMahon, T. G.
Odiorne and M1. W. Yore were elected Trustees;
A. G. Scott, Clerk; and M. T. C. Wing, Treasurer.
Mr. Odiorne, the only Trustee living, is now President of an Insurance Company in Cincinnati, and
is an efficient business man. M. T. C. Wing was
re-elected again and again, until he declined serving in 1842, when G. W. Meyers was chosen
Treasurer. 3Mr. Meyers was one of the earliest




KNOX  COUNTY.                391
settlers of this township; a good practical printer
and bookbinder, the first in these two trades on
"the hill;" he has contributed much to the preservation of works in the libraries of the Institution.,..       I      I, I
i a Ii
For many years he "ran the machine" of the Acland Press, and now resides at 3Mt. Vernon. The
printing office was the gift of liberal-minded English Protestants to Bishop Chase in 1825, and




392           HISTORY  OF
received its name in honor of Lady Acland, the
fair donor who started the subscription. Upon
this has been published various literary and religious articles calculated to advance the cause of
learning and religion. The students of the College
have at several periods projected publications of a
literary character; the last, the "KIenyon Collegian," a very creditable magazine, was continued
for several years. The first store was called the
Bishop's store, from having been commenced by
Bishop Chase for the purpose of furnishing work
hands with necessary articles, and to supply the
boys, so that no excuse could exist for going "to
town." This was carried on until in the fall of
1833 an arrangement was made with Mr. White,
of New York, by which that business was to be
entirely under his control, and MI. and G. B.
White thereupon located at Gambier. The former
remains there, and the latter at this writing is one
of the most valued citizens of Mt. Vernon. The
Whites are natives of Derby, Ct. The "Bishop's
store" was managed for many years by Robert
Burnside, until a short time before its discontinuance N. W. Putnam had it in charge. The
Whites continued in partnership until 1838, when
D. Topping and N. W. Putnam opened a store,
and Daniel S. Norton and A. G. Scott established
another. Topping & Co., with A. J. Douglass,
kept for a few years, when it was closed, and Mr.
T. moved to Illinois; Mr. P. is yet living on the
hill; Mr. Scott has uninterruptedly resided there,
and by his close attention to business, in which for
many years has been alone, has acquired a compe



KNOX COUNTY.               393
tency. A. B. Norton for several years was engaged
in the merchandizing and milling business at
Gambier. At this time there are the two stores of
A. G. Scott & Co., M. White & Co., and a drug
I~) 1
and book establishment of Mr. French. Other
branches of business have been carried on here;
E. Pearce, Witt & Mulford, and G. J. W. Pearce
Ei. Pearce, W~itt &;Mulford, and G-. J. W. Pearce




394            HISTORY  OF
in the boot and shoe line; Russel Clark, Mr. Clements, A. K. Fobes and J. Waugh have carried on
the tailoring. Mr. Sharp in early times was the
brewer and balker, in a large stone house in the
rear of the main College building, now obliterated
by time's effacing finger. J. S. Sawer since 1837
has supplied the students and liberal disposed with
ice cream and varieties, and many of the boys fed
under the Dotheby regime gratefully remember
the good cookery and pies of Mrs. Sawer. The
hotel and boarding-houses have been kept by
Douglass, Yore, Johnson, Bell, Witt, Sims, Riley,
and Wright, the latter now holding forth in fine
style. The old College mill erected by Bp. Chase
many years ago went into decay, and at that seat
Daniel S. Norton put up one of the finest mills onI
the river. The "Kenyon Mills" flour acquired a
good reputation. The post-office, upon Bp. Chase's
application, established in 1826, has been the greater
part of its existence managed by that excellent
public officer, M. T. C. Wing. Ablout 1846, partisan violence, through the machinery of a county
convention and central committee, brought about
the appointment of Benoni Elliott, a student from
the District of Columbia. In 1849, M. T. C. Wing
was again appointed; in 1853, James Young; in
1857, E. G. Riley; and in 1861, Joseph Leonard.
The principal church is Rosse Chapel, bearing the
name of its founder, Lady Rosse, eminent for piety
and good works. It is a very neat and chaste stone
edifice, situated in Harcourt Parish,; named for like
cause, and in the rear of the church is the beautiful cemetery where rest the dead of Gambier. The




KNOX  COUNTY.               395
parish officers elected Easter Monday, 1862, on the
Union ticket, are A. G. Scott, HI. L. Smith,
Wardens; B. L. Lang, A. Buttles, M. White, J.
Leonard, J. S. Sawer, S. T. Bourne, N. W. Putnam,
t m
M. S. Balcom. Delegates to the Convention, B.
L. Lang, A. G. Scott, S. T. Bourne. The 3M. E.
church is a neat frame, erected in 1854 by subscription of liberal citizens. The present minister is




396             HISTORY  OF
Chilton Craven. The Trustees are D. L. Fobes, J.
T. L. Jacobs, F. Clippinger, F. Penhorwood, G. J.
W. Pearce. The Cumberland Presbyterians have
preaching regularly at their church, one-half mile
north of the Public Well. The Rev. Larrimore is
the present minister; J. Bennet and T. Minard,
trustees. The various College buildings and matters of interest connected with them will appear
under the appropriate head. Gambier is a beautiful little village, where those who desire to withdraw from the noise and bustle, the cares and
vexations of the active world, can have a safe
retreat. A more quiet and secluded spot cannot
be found on this continent; of the old residents on
the hill, it may with truth be said:
"Along the cool, sequestered hill of life,
They kept the noiseless tenor of their way,"
scarcely realizing that the great busy world is all
around them. To them we commend Lord Kenyon's motto: " Magnanimiter crucem sustine."
SUCCESSIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
In 1839 John Powell and C. S. Johnson were
elected, but the latter, being a student, upon protest of the Bishop against his acting, resigned, and
A. G. Scott was chosen in May, 1840; re-elected
in 1843 and in 1845; in 1846, resigned. 1845 —
G. C. Johnson; re-elected 1848. 1842-A. K.
Fobes.  1844-E. M. Gwin; re-elected 1847.
1847-B. Elliott.  1850-N. W. Putnam; reelected in 1853 and 1856. 1853 —D. L. Fobes.
1855-J. H. C. Bonte. 1856-Norman Badger.
1857 —John Cunningham; re-elected 1860. 1859
-George J. W. Pearce.




BOX  coUtNT.                397
CHAPTER XLVII.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
~ —~ ~ ~~~~~~ — — ~_~ —-.                        -
So often, during the progress of this work, have
we had occasion to speak of events occurring with



398            HISTORY  OF
in this township, and of its prominent citizens, that
we shall not occupy much space in addition to that
necessary for its list of justices. It is one of the
four townships created at the organization of the
county, and, containing the county-seat, has been
the central field of operations heretofore quite
minutely described. The land is all good; the citizens, generally, moral and industrious. It is well
watered by the Ko-ko-sing, Dry Creek and Center
Run, and possessed of every article necessary for
convenience and health of the inhabitants. The
greater part of its wealth and population is within
Mt. Vernon, and at this place the business is generally carried on. The township is divided into
convenient school and road districts, and the whole
is embraced in one election district, which polls
usually 1,000 votes. This township, outside the
city limits, contained in 1860, 884 whites.  The
aggregate value of land, as equalized by the State
Board, was $543,473.,MOUNT VERNON steadily increased in population
and wealth until the present war withdrew a large
portion of the citizens from industrial pursuits and
caused a general depression, from which the recovery will come with peace. In 1860, there were 61
industrial establishments within the city limits,
and the value of products was $704,050. The aggregate population of the five wards was 4,147, of
whom 46 were colored persons.  The aggregate
value of lots and buildings, as equalized by the
State Board, was $723,239. We have collected
much information, in regard to this place, from its
foundation to the present time, which we may here



KNOX  COUNTY.              399
after give to the public in a volume. The limits
prescribed to this work preclude us now. The
citizens have certainly cause to congratulate themselves upon the growth, prosperity and health of
the place-upon their many and great advantages,
moral, social, educational, religious. The unsurpassed water-power —the superiority of the locality
for manufacturing-must cause its continued prosperity. Norton's IMills, the Mount Vernon Iron
Works, the Kokosing Foundry, the Woolen Factory, and other manufacturing establishments, and
the superiority of DlMount Vernon mechanics, have
contributed much to the advancement of the city
and county. In the not far distant future, this
city will be one of the foremost in the interior of
Ohio.
The Knox Mutual Insurance Co., incorporated
in 1838, went into operation with C. P. Buckingham, H. B. Curtis, G. Browning, J. E. Davidson,
C. Delano, E. Miller, I. Hadley, D. S. Norton and
Abel Hart, as Directors. Gen. Buckingham was
for many years President, and Richard Thomas,
Secretary.  Present officers: G. W. Hauk, J.
Sperry, J. Blake, J.. M. Byers, C. Cooper, R. C.
Hurd, C. P. Buckingham, W. McClelland, Directors. G. W. Hauk, President, and Wmin. Turner,
Secretary and Treasurer. The first loss sustained
was by the burning of Rev. M. T. C. Wing's dwelling; amount paid, $900.
The Knox Co. Bank, organized in 1847, with
Henry B. Curtis, J. W. Russell, C. Delano, J. B.
Thomas and Sewall Gray, Directors.  Capital
stock, $100,000. Henry B. Curtis has been its




400                 HrITTORY OF
President from  that time.   Its  Cashiers —J. C.
Ramsey, L. S. Lewis, J. F. Andrews and Hugh
Ogilvie.
The Bank  of Mt. Vernon was organized April,
1862.  Directors: J. W. Russell, Prest.; C. Delano, M. Thompson, W. H. Smith, F. ID. Sturges.
Mr. Sturges is Cashier, D. W. Lambert, Teller.
CONSECUTIVE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1806. John Mills.           1837. Timothy Colopy.
1808. T. B. Patterson.      1839. B. F. Smith.
1809. Matthew Merritt.      1839. Robert F. Hickman.
1811. Samuel Kratzer.       1840. Win. Welsh.
1811. Silas Brown.          1842. B. F. Smith.
1811. Allen Scott.          1842. R. F. Hickman.
1815. James Smith.          1842. E. W. Cotton.
1815. Benjamin Barney.      1843. Wm. H. Cochran.
1817. Benjamin Martin.      1845. Benjamin McCracken.
1817. Stephen Chapman.    1845. E. W. Cotton.
1818. John Roberts.         1846. Nath. McGiffin.
1820. Wm. Y. Farquhar.    1846. W. H. Cochran.
1820. Benj. Martin.         1846. Truman Ward.
1821. John Roberts.         1848. E. W. Cotton.
1822. John H. Mefford.      1849. W. H. Cochran.
1823. Wm. Y. Farquhar.      1850. Joseph S. Davis.
1824. John Roberts.         1851. Emmet W. Cotton.
1825. Joseph Brown.         1852. W. H. Cochran.
1825. James McGibeny.       1853. Joseph S. Davis.
1826. John Roberts.         1854. Thompson Cooper.
1830. Gideon Mott.          1855. Samuel O. Beach.
1830. Wm. Bevans.           1855. W. H. Cochran.
1831. S. W. Hildreth.       1858. Thompson Cooper.
1833. Winm. Bevans.         1858. Thos. V. Parke.
1833. Thomas Irvine.        1858. W. H. Cochran.
1834. S. W. Hildreth.       1860. C. C. Baugh.
1836. Johnston Elliott.     1860. Thompson Cooper.
1836. Thomas Irvine.        1861. Henry Warner.




KNOX COUNTY.                        401
CHAPTER XLVIII.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.
Mirt. Vernon Lodge No. 20, was duly instituted on
the 21st day of June, 1843, by a dispensation from
the R. W. Grand Lodge of Ohio, by D. D. G.
Master J. T. Blain, acting under a dispensation
from  G. M. Thomas Sherlock.
Charter Mlembers. —R. Blake, L. Waite, L. D. Nash, W. Sullivan,
and R. Wright. The following officers were duly installed: R.
Blake, N. G.; Liberty Waite, V. G.; L. D. Nash, Secretary; W.
Sullivan, Treasurer. Initiated at the first meeting: J. K. Miller,
D. A. Robertson, and J. R. Wallace.
Celehrations.-The first public celebration was June 22, 1844,
D. T. Disney, of Cincinnati, Orator; the second, June 21, 1848,
Rev. Mr. Doolittle, of Columbus, Orator; the third, June 19, 1851,
Rev. A. T. Mather, Orator.
Oflicers January 1, 1862.-H. D. Brown, N. G.; Edwin Rogers,'V. G.; J. D. Haymes, Secretary; J. W. White, Financial Secretary;
R. N. Kindrick, Treasurer. Trustees.-Joshua Hyde, W. M. Bunn,
H. Phillips.
Representatives to the Grand Lodge of Oh7io. —W. M. Buun, R.
C. Kirk, A. C. Elliott, and J. W. White.
Ellicott Lodge 2No. 267, was instituted at Fredericktown, April 11, 1855, by M. W. G. Master T.
J. McLain, assisted by Past Grands W. M. Bunn,
J. W. White, J. F. Andrews, R. C. Kirk, J. W. Lybrand, A. C. Elliott, and G. W. Shurr.
Charter Members.-A. Love, T. Mosure, G. Cole, B. F. Mosure,
R. Cole, N. B. Rowley, G. W. Condon, J. Z. Griffith, A. Snow, Jr.,
26




402                  I ISTO.RlY  OIE'
J. B. Roberts, and J. W. Condon. The first officers installed were:
G. W. Condon, N. G.; J. Z. Griffith, V. G.; A. Love, Secretary; R.
Cole, Treasurer. Initiated at the -first meeting: D. S. Headley,
C. G. Mount, and R. Ewers. The only public celebration was July
4, 1857, P. G. John Lamb, Orator.
Representatives.-P. G. J. Z. Griffith in 1857, and P. G. Issacher
Rowley in 1860.
D. D. Grand Masters.-P. G. J. Z. Griffith, 1857; P. G. G. W.
Condon, 1860.
Oilcers, 1862. — J. C. Ebersole, N. G.; D. T. Montague, V. G.;
E. J. Breese, Secretary; N. F. Strong, Financial Secretary; W. D.
Morrison, Treasurer.   Trustees-I. Rowley, J. W. Porch, A.
Stephens.
Quitndaro  Lodge No. 316, was  duly  instituted
June 9, 1857, by a dispensation from  the R. W. G.
Lodge  of Ohio, by  D. G. Master P. G. A. E.
Glenn, acting under a dispensation from  G. i1i. W.
C. Chidsey.
CGharter Members.-G. B. Arnold, J. M. Byers, A. C. Elliott, J.
F. Andrews, J. Lamb, T. P. Frederick, and J. Jennings. Officers
installed: J. M. Byers, N. G.; T. P. Frederick, V. G.; G. B. Arnold, Secretary; A. C. Elliott, Financial Secretary; J. F. Andrews,
Treasurer. Admitted on card: M. McFarland, A. J. Beach, W. C.
Cooper, J. Jennings.  Initiated: I. Underwood and L. Monk.
The dedication of the new hall, No. 109 Main street, was June 9,
1858. A supper was given to the members of the Order. P. G.
Rev. Glancy delivered an address.
Representatives.-P. G. J. F. Andrews, P. G. J. M. Byers.
OJi cers, 1862.-J. AM. Byers, N. G.; E. B. Shinabery, V. G.; H.
Graff, Secretary; W. McGaughey, Financial Secretary; J. F.
Andrews, Treasurer.  Trustees.-P. G.'s J. F. Andrews, G. B.
Arnold, J. R. Wallace.
Kokosing Encampment No. 38, was instituted at
Mt. Vernon, March 29,1849, by Grand Chief Patriarch Williams, assisted by J. H. Wheeler as Grand




KN~OX COUNTY.                        403
High Priest, H. B. Horton as Grand S. W., J. S.
Clark as Grand Scribe.
Charter Members.-J. M. Campbell, S. W. Gribbon, L. G. Prentiss, R. C. Kirk, H: Phillips, A. Ehle, A. P. Mather, U. Stephens.
Oficers. —J. M. Campbell, C. P.; A.P. Mather, H. P.; RI. K. Kirk,
S. W.; A. Ehle, Scribe; L. G. Prentiss, Treasurer. Initiated at
the first meeting: W. M. Bunn, J. A. Shannon, T. T. Tress, J.
Cooper, J. Eichelberger, R. B. Wright.
Oficers January 1, 1862.-J. W. Porch, C. P.; A. Harnwell, H.
P.; E. Shinabery, S. W.; R. N. Kindrick, J. W.; J. W. White,
Scribe; J. Hyde, Treasurer.  Trustees.-J. Hyde, W. M. Bunn,
Henry Phillips.
Representatives to the Grand Encampment of Ohio.-Since the
adoption of the new constitution, in 1855, the following Patriarchs,
viz: W. M. Bunn, J. W. White, J. F. Andrews.




404           EHISTORY  OF
CHAPTER  XLIX.
VARIOUS PUBLIC OFFICERS.
SENATORS IN STATE LEGISLATURE.
FROM the Senatorial District of which this land
formed a part before the organization of the county,
and after its first settlement, we. find in the fourth
General Assembly, at Chillicothe, Jacob Burton;
in the fifth session, Elnathan Scofield. In the sixth
session, Jacob Burton appeared and was qualified
as Senator from Fairfield, Licking and Knox. In
1809, the Senators from these counties were Elnathan Scofield and Jacob Burton. In 1810, Winm.
Trimble and Robert F. Slaughter were the Senators, and they continued as such while the sessions
were at Zanesville. In 1812, at Chillicothe, the
Senator was Win. Gavit, and we were in the same
district with Richland and Licking for many years.
William  Gass, Mlordecai Bartley, John Spencer,
John Shaw and Daniel S. Norton were Senators
until the course of political alliance changed, and
new connections were formed.  The north and
south union was severed, and we were associated
with the counties to the east until the adoption of
the new Constitution in 1851; sometimes, in districting, Knox was put with Holmes, at other times
with Coshocton, and then again with both counties.
Since that period our associations have been with




KNOX COUNTY.                       405
the west, embracing Morrow, until, in 1861, the
district was made to include Wayne, Ashland and
Richland.  Beside the Senators aforenamed, we
have had the following, elected at the periods
named, the term of the office being two years, viz.:
In 1829, Thomas Rigdon; in 1831, Wm. Gass; in
1832, Byram  Leonard; in 1834, Win. Ravenscroft;
in 1836, Peres Sprague; in 1838, James Matthews;
in 1840, Byram Leonard; in 1842, John Johnson;
in 1844, Jacob Koch; in 1846, Nicholas Spindler;
in 1848, Asa G. Dimock; in 1850, L. Van Buskirk.
Uinder the new Constitution we have had-in 1851,
L. Van Buskirk; in 1853, John T. Creigh; in 1855,
Robert C. Kirk; in 1857, Davis Miles; in'1859,
Wm. Bonar; and in 1861, Davis Miles.
REPRESENTATIVES.
1807. Philemon Beecher.     1829. Byram Leonard.
"  W. W. Irwin.           1830. John Greer.
1808. E. B. Merwin.         1831. Charles Colerick.
"  Patrick Owings.        1832. John Schooler.
1809. Alexander Holden.     1833.  "     "
1810. Jeremiah Munson.      1834. Peres Sprague.
1811. William Gass.         1835.  "     "
1812. Samuel Kratzer.       1836. Martin Tracy.
1813. William Gass.           "  S. W. Hildreth.
1814. Samuel Kratzer.       1837. Marvin Tracy.
1815. Alexander Enos.       1838. James Elliott.
1816. Jonathan Miller.      1839. Byram Leonard.
1817. Waitstil Hastings.    1840. D. L. McGugin.
1818. W. W. Farquhar.       1841. C. J. McNulty.
1819. R. D. Simons.         1842. C. J. McNulty.
1820.  "    "               1843. George Ankeny.
1821.  "    "               1844. James McFarland.
1822. H. Curtis.              "  George Ankeny.
1823. R. D. Simons.         1845. W. H. Smith.
1824. Thomas Rigdon.        1846. E. W. Cotton.
1825. John Shaw.              "  James McFarland.
1826. Winm. Robison.    -   1847, E. W. Cotton.
1827. Thomas Rigdon.        1848. L. Van Buskirk.
1828. Charles Colerick.       "  Jacob Voorhies.




406               HISTOBY  OF
1849. Ezekiel Boggs.      1855. B. F. Smith.
1850. Eli Glasgo.         1857. Winm. McCreary.
S. F. Gilerest.       "  W. B. Cox.
1851. James Witherow.     1859.  "   "
1853. Jacob Merrin.       1861. Wait Whitney.
1855. George W. True.
COMMON PLEAS JUDGES
Who have presided in the districts in which this
county has been situated, are William  Wilson, of
Newark; Alexander Harper, of Zanesville; Ezra
Dean, of Wooster; Jacob Parker, of Mansfield;
Levi Cox, of Wooster; James Stewart, of Mansfield; Rollin C. Hurd, of Mt. Vernon; Sherman
Finch and Thomas C. Jones, of Delaware. Of this
number, Judges Hurd, Finch and Jones have been
elected by the people; the others were chosen by
the Legislature.
CLERKS OF COMMON PLEAS.
Charles Lofland, James Smith, Isaac Hadley,
S. W. Farquhar, and A. C. Elliott have served as
Clerks. Prior to 1851, they were appointed by
the Judges; and since that time, the two last
named have been elected by the people. Artnong
the Deputies who have performed longest service,
were Henry B. Curtis, E. C. Vore, Horatio S.
Miller, F. P. Griffith, A. C. Elliott.
The Clerks of the Supreme Court have been Jas.
Smith, Alexander Elliott and A. C. Elliott.
ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
1808. John Mills, Wm. W. Farquhar, Wm. Gass.
1810. James Colville, April 30th, in place of Gass, who goes
into Richland county.
1813. Jacob Young in place of Farquhar, resigned, Dec. 12th.
1814. Samuel Kratzer, May 9th, in place of Mills.




KNOX COUNTY.                       407
1815. John Trimble and Abraham Darling.
1818. John H. Mefford in place of Darling.
1819. Stephen Chapman.
1820. Joseph Brown, James McGibeny.
1827. Anthony Banning.
1834. Eli Miller.           1841. William Bevans.
"  Abner Ayres.             "  Isaac N. Richardson.
"  James Elliott.         1846. Wm. McCreary.
1838. William Bevans.       1848. Jacob B. Brown.
1839. Richard C. Davis.       "  B. H. Taylor.
By the adoption of the new  Constitution, the
office was abolished.
COUNTY AUDITORS.
1820. W. Y. Farquhar, the first officer of this
description, was appointed at this date, to value
the lands for taxation; and when the law creating
a distinct bureau passed, having been Clerk of the
Board of Commissioners and conversant with its
business, he was reappointed annually until 1824,
from which time the people have elected for a term
of two years.
1824. Alexander Elliott.    1844. K. Winne.
1826.                       1846. M. M. Beam.
1828. Marvin Tracy.         1848.  "    "
1830.   "     "             1850. B. F. Smith.
1S832.   "    "             1852.   "
1834. S. B. Kenton.         1854. John Lamb.
1836.  "     "              1856.  "
1838.  "     "              1858. S. W. Farquhar.
1840.  "     "              1860.  " "
1842. K. Winne.             1862. John D. Thompson.
PROBATE JUDGES.
The New Constitution created this office, and at
the first election, in October, 1851, for Probate
Judge, to serve three years, commencing February,
1852, Sam'l F. Gilcrest was elected, entered upon
the duties of his office February, 1852, and at the




408               HISTORY OF
expiration of his term was a candidate for re-eleotion, and beaten, 1854, by Joseph S. Davis.
1857. Joseph S. Davis was re-elected.
1860. Thomas V. Parke.
MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
The Convention that framed the present Constitution of Ohio, was held in 1851.  Knox and
Holmes formed a district, and the Delegates elected
were Matthew H. ]Mitchell and John Sellers, Democrats, over Rollin C. Hurd and John H. Whleeler,
Whigs.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION.
Daniel S. Norton,             James McFarland,
Byram Leonard,                S. T. Cunard.
Henry B. Curtis,
TREASURERS.
Until 1825 this office was filled by appointment
of Commissioners each year, and from  that time
the people elected for a term of two years. The
period at which each Treasurer was chosen, we
append:
1808. Henry Haines.     1841. James Blake.
1815. George Downs.     1847, Jacob W. Lybrand.
1816. James McGibeny.    1851. J. H. McFarland.
1817. Gilman Bryant.    1855. John Beaty.
1819. James McGibeny.    1859. Alex. Greer.
1825. W. Y. Farquhar.   1861. H. H. Greer.
1838. S. W. Farquhar.
COUNTY COLLECTORS.
The Commissioners appointed annually the collector of personal tax, and that upon lands of
residents. In 1820, the duties of this officer were
somewhat changed, and, in 1817, the office was




KNOX  COUNTY.                  409
abolished by law, and its business transferred to
the County Treasurer.
1808. Silas Brown; amount 1821. Benj. Jackson, Jr.
of bond $658.87.   1822.. R. D. Sirnons.
1809. James Smith.     1823. Joseph Brown.
1812. John Greer.      1824. John Shaw.
1817. John Shaw.       1825. Silas Brown..1819. Eli Miller.     1827. Jacob M. Banning.
1820. William Bevans.
In 1822, a system of cutting under was commenced by competitors for this office, as we find
that the State tax was collected' this year for 2j
per cent., and County tax gratis; the next year
Brown underbid 4 per cent.; and Shaw, in 1824,
capped the climax by proposing to collect both
State and County tax gratis!
ASSESSORS.
Assessors have been in our history of two kinds
-Township and County.  The county were appointed by the Commissioners until, in 1827, the
people by law were required to elect such officer;
and after 1841 the office for the cotntv was abolished, and the old system of Township Assessors
was re-established.
Prior to 1827, the Commissioners appointed, as
Assessors, R. ]D. Simons for 1824 and'5, Marvin
Tracy in 1826, and Hill Runyan in 1827, who
served from March until the October election, when
he was elected for two years. In 1829, John Greer
was elected, and, having resigned in October, 1830,
Daniel McFarland was elected and continued until,
in 1834, Henry B. Carter was chosen, and served
two terms. In 1838, Uzal Ball was elected; in
1840, Wait Whitney




410                 HISTORY OP
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
1808. Joseph Walker, John Harrod, John Lewis.
1808. Henry Markley, Matthew Merrit, and Winm. Douglass were
elected Oct. 11th; and, by lot, it was declared that Markley continue three years, Merrit two, and Douglass one.
1809. William Douglass.        1833. David Shaw.
1810. Robert McMillen.         1834. Silas Brown.
1811. John Harrod.             1835. William McCreary.
1812. Daniel Cooper.           1836. David Shaw.
1813. William  Mitchell, ap-   1837. Thomas Wade.
pointed by Court May    1838. Christopher Wolf.
9th, 1814, vice Harrod,   1839. Thomas Axtell.
deceased.              1840. Thomas Wade.
1814. William Mitchell.        1841. Christopher Wolf.
1815. Jonathan Miller.         1842. Thomas Axtell, Henry
1816. Moses Merrit.                   Prather.
1817. William Mitchell.       1843. Henry Prather.
"  John Warden viceMiller.   1844. James Witherow.
1818. Allen Scott.             1845. Robert Graham.
1819. Gilman Bryant.           1846. William Babcock.
1820. Abner Ayres.             1847. James Witherow.
1821. John Wheeler.            1848. Robert Graham.
1822. John Kerr.               1849. Win. Babcock.
1823. Abner Ayres.             1850. Wait Whitney.
1824. John Stilley.            1851. George McWilliams.
1825. Daniel Sapp.             1852. Abraham Darling, M. H.
1826. Byram Leonard.                  Mitchell vice Whitney,
1827. Levi Harrod.                    resigned.
X"  Gilman Bryant appo'ted.   1853. George W. Jackson.
1828. Peres Sprague, Jabez    1854. Sewal Gray.
Beers.                  1855. John McElroy.
1829. Francis Wilkins; Wil-   1856. Jacob Bell, full term.
liam McCreary for 3      i"  W. McClelland, vice
years, Francis Wilkins         Gray, resigned.
for 1 year.             1857. W. McClelland.
1830. David Shaw vice Wil-   1858. John McElroy.
kins, deceased.        1859. Jacob Bell.
1831. John Jeffers for 3 years,   1860. Winm. McClelland.
David Shaw 2 years.    1861. J. W. Bradfield.
1832. William McCreary.        1862. John S. McCamment.
SHERIFFS.
1808. Silas Brown, appointed by Thos. Kirker, Acting Governor
of the State, June 6, till October election, and reappointed
by Governor Samuel Huntington, October 11, 1808.
1811. Ichabod Nye.             1815. John Shaw.
1813. John Hawn.               1817.  "    "




KNOX: COUNTY.                         411
1819. Alexander Elliott.        1842. Absalom Thrift.
1820. William Bevans.           1844.    "
1822.    "       "              1846. David C. Montgomery.
1824. Charles Colerick.         1848.    "
1826.    "       "              1850. Thomas Wade.
1828. John Shaw.                1852.    "       "
1830. Hugh Neal.                1854. Lewis Strong.
1832.   "    "                   1856. Israel Underwood.
1834. Isaac Hadley.              1858.       "
1836.   "    "                   1860. James S. Shaw.
1838. Wm. Beam.                 1862. Allen Beach.
1840.   "    "
The following  persons  have  acted  as Deputy
Sheriffs at different periods: John Cramer, Isaac
Hadley, Resin Yates, Ben. Jackson, Henry Prather,
D. C. Zimmerman, Johnson Elliott, Jesse B. Rogers, W. Beam, S. B. Kenton, E. W. Cotton, W.
iD. Headley, Stiles W. Thrift, D. C. Montgomery,
John Beaty, T. P. Morton, James Myers, J. -Underwood, T. V. Parke, Josiah  Cochran, George W.
Steele.
CORONERS.
1808. Jonathan Craig, elected    1832. W. E. Davidson.
April 4.                 1834. Andrew Vance.
"   John Merritt, appointed    1836.   "
Oct. 11.                 1838.    4      "
1809. John Butler, appointed.    1840. Richard Hunt.
1811. Dr. Timothy Burr.          1842. Asa Freeman.
1813.      "        "            1844.  "     "
1815.      "        "           1846. Michael Miller.
1817.      "        "            1848.    "      "
1818. Dr. Robert D. Moore.       1850. Alexander Love.
1819. Dr. Waitstil Hastings.     1852.     "       "
1820. Dr. E. G. Lee.            1854. William Bonar.
1822. James McGibeny.            1856. Albert Ellis.
1824. Hill Runyan.               1858.   "    "
1828.  "     "                   1860. John W. Leonard.
1830. George Low.               1862. M. M. Shaw.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
The first officer answering to this description was
Samuel Kratzer, Esq., who sort o' officiated in be



412                HISTORY OF
half of the State when no better qualified person
was present. He was not an attorney, but appears
to have been allowed fees for his services. Edward
Herrick was the main reliance in this branch in
the early courts, until 1812, when Samuel Mott was
appointed on the 14th of March. In January, 1814,
Charles R. Sherman was appointed, and at different
terms S. W. Culberson, Wyllis Silliman, HEosmer
Curtis, John W. Warden, and other attorneys, were
appointed by the court, as business required, until
in 1833 the Legislature provided for the Prosecuting Attorney's election biennially by the voters of
the county, who have made the following selections:
1833. Benjamin S. Brown.   1848. Lafayette Emmett.
1835. Columbus Delano.     1850. Clark Irvine.
1837.    "                 1852. William Windom.
1839. MI. H. Mitchell.     1854. W. F. Sapp.
1840. M. A. Sayre.         1856. " "
1842. J. K. Miller.        1858. W. C. Cooper.
1844.  "   "               1860.    "    "
1846. Lafayette Emmett.    1862. Frank H. Hurd.
SURVEYORS.
The Court of Common Pleas, until 1831, appointed the Surveyor of the county, and the office
was filled by the following persons:
1808. Samuel H. Smith appointed.
181 0. John Dunlap appointed June, in place of Smith, resigned.
1815. Wm. Y. Farquhar appointed April 15, and resigned 1827.
1827. Edson Harkness appointed.
The act of the Legislature of March 3d, 1831,
having provided for the election of this officer for
a term  of three years, the first elected by the
people was, in
1831. Edson Harkness.      1840. T. G. Plummer.
1834. Thomas G. Plummer.   1843. T. C. Hickman.
1837. T. C. Hickman.        1846. David Gorsuch.




KNOX COUNTY.                          413
1849. David Gorsuch.          1858. David C. Lewis.
1852. T. C. Hickman.          1861.   "       "
1855. David C. Lewis.
COUNTY RECORDER.
The Judges of the Court of Common Pleas appointed this officer until 1829, at the October election, the people chose a Recorder. Under the
former system, the term of service was seven years;
under the present, three years.
1808. Gilman Bryant, 5May 2d, until 1815.
1815. Alexander Elliott, May 2d, until 1822.
1822. Henry B. Curtis.
The Legislature of 1828-9 having provided for
appointment of Recorders by County Commissioners, where office becomes vacant prior to October,
the Commissioners appointed- 
1829. John A. Colerick, May 29th, in place of H. B. Curtis,
whose term had expired.
1829. Hill Runyan was elected in Oct., and served until 1838.
1838. David Montgomery  "                     " "   1847.
1847. Elijah Harrod                           " I "  1857.
1856. Calton C. Baugh    "                    " "   1859.
1859. Elijah Harrod      "         "    and re-elected 1862.
INFIRMARY DIRECTORS.
1842. John Hobbs, J. F.       1851. Timothy Colopy.
McLain.               1852. John McCamment.
"   Wm. Borden.             1853. G. W. Jackson.
1843. W. Borden:              1854. J. B. McGrevw..
1844. Abraham Darling.        1855. Thomas Rogers.
1845. C. A. Drake.            1856. Thomas Larrimore.
1846. Abraham Darling.        1857. E. J. Whitney.
gg  Absalom Buckingham.   1858. Thomas Rogers.
1847. G. W. Jackson.          1859. Thomas Larrimore.
1848. Abraham Darling.        1860. E. J. Whitney.
1849. Christian Musser.       1861. Asahel Allen.
1850. G. W. Jackson.          1862. James Scott.




41 4                HISTOBY OX
CHAPTER L.
IT will be expected that a history of this county
will devote more than a passing notice to the memory  of that citizen  of whom, in July, 1849, the
editor of the Times said, "We are of opinion that
none of the earliest pioneers of our town have ever
done so much to promote its growth and prosperity
as Mr. Norton.   If M3t. Vernon is specially indebted to the enterprise and liberality of any one
man, that man is Daniel S. Norton."
The Democratic Banner of Nov. 1, 1859, says:
"One of our most eminent and highly valued citizens died suddenly, of congestion of the lungs, on
Tuesday  morning, October 25th, aged 72 years."
The following extract from  that notice of his death
evidences the regard and opinion entertained for
his services,: and its republication will not be inappropriate:
"He first visited Mt. Vernon in the spring of 1816, and, in the summer
of that year, introduced the first complete Carding Machine in this part of
the State, and set it up at the mill of William Douglas, now occupied by
J. S. Banning. In the summer of 1817, he moved to Mt. Vernon, and in
the fall of that year, having -secured the admirable mill seat and water
power which his sagacious eye had discovered the summer previous, he
built the mills, which, improved and enlarged from time to time, as the
wants of the county required, he continued to occupy and operate until
his death.




KNOX: COUNTY.                           415
"He engaged also in the mercantile business, and carried it on prosperously for many years. He erected a woolen and a cotton factory, and
an oil mill, and engaged extensively in agriculture and the raising of
cattle and horses, and contributed much to the improvement of the stock
of both in the county.
"He was elected to the Senate from Knox and Richland counties, and
while in that body took lively interest and an active part in inaugurating
and establishing the wise canal policy of the State. He was a membor of
the committee appointed to welcome De Witt Clinton. At the canal celebration in July, 1825, he first met Bishop Chase, who served as chaplain
on that occasion, and during the interview he suggested to the Bishop the
eligibility of the grounds which were afterwards chosen for the location
of Kenyon College. He contributed liberally to the establishment of that
institution, and was always its steadfast friend.
He was always among the foremost in all public enterprises calculated
to increase the growth of the town, or improve and develope the resources of the country.
As a man of business, he had no superior. Prompt, energetic and deliberate, he apeared to see the end from the beginning, and his plans,
wisely laid, were worked out with a precision which commanded the admiration of all.
A man of social qualities, he was the pride of the society in which he
lived. Remarkable for his address and conversational power, his extensive reading, his acute observation and his wonderful memory, he attracted
notice wherever he appeared, at home or abroad, and entered no circle
which was not entertained and instructed by his presence.
H3 had a keen perception of merit in the young, and not a few owe the
beginning of their prosperous career in business, to his kind and wise
patronage. He was ever ready to aid the industrious, and had a lively
sympathy for the unfortunate. It was a touching sight to see the poor
gather around his bier, and not the least of a good man's reward, to hear
them call him blessed."
A  brief statement of some of the  events of his
life, evincing his indomitable  spirit, extraordinary
business qualifications, great liberality and genuine
patriotism, may follow the tribute from another
pen. The first American settlers in the Attakapas
of Orleans were the Nortons, who for several years
endured contentedly the perils and privations in
that, then  foreign, clime, until sickness and death
reduced their number and deprived them of their




:416           HISTORY OF
head; and the management of the affairs of Mrs.
Ann Norton, and nine children, devolved entirely
upon the young Daniel S., who, possessed of a peculiar business mind and an adventurous spirit,
carried on various trading operations in theterritory and the Mexican provinces. His papers, carefully preserved, show many ventures that few
would have the nerve to undertake; and yet success invariably crowned his efforts. Some of his
practical operations are worthy of notice. He introduced the first sugar-cane in the Attakapas, and
established that it could be cultivated successfully.
His active and well informed mind, and inventive
genius, was always striving to make improvements, and he first directed attention to the navigation of the Bayous and rivers, and was interested
in the first boat that engaged in their trade. He
traveled on the first two boats that made trips on
the Mississippi, and subsequently on the first boat
built by a company at Brownsville, Pa., and run
by Capt. Gregg on the lower Mississippi and Red
River. His suggestions in construction and navigation, his knowledge of the rivers and the country,
contributed much to those enterprises.
It was with the view of carrying on a trade with
the southern country that he located at Connelsville, and engaged in erecting machinery for manufacturing; and hence his deep solicitude for successful navigation of the rivers, to promote which
he carried on correspondence, published articles,
made investments, and labored industriously. The
first Cotton Factory on the Youghiogheny he erected, and operated successfully, bringing the raw




KNOX  couNts.              417
cotton from his old home in Louisiana. His lands
in that country were of great value, and his business there for about a half century was faithfully
attended to by Gov. Johnson, as his agent, who has
informed us of his unsurpassed reputation as a
business man. He never relinquished the idea,
which he had entertained though life, of returning
there to live, and which was only broken in upon
by his coming to this county to marry, and being
still further irresistibly attracted by the fine water
power, fertile'lands and beautiful prospects of Owl
Creek.
The building of machinery and improving of
mills and manufacturing establishments may be
said to have been the ruling passion of his life.
VWe find a petition presented to the General Assembly of Ohio, when it met in Chillicothe, by Daniel
S. Norton, John H. Piatt and Herman Long, of;
Cincinnati, Asa Norton, of Kentucky, and Abrahaml Baldwin, of Pennsylvania, who had associated in manufacturing business, asking for encouragement of woolen manufactories, etc. The first
complete carding machines, west of the Allegheny
mountains, were put up by Daniel S. Norton, and
our venerable townsman, Win. Reeves, says that
he first saw him, in 1805, at Tom Smith's mill, on
Whitewater, setting up machines.
I have often heard father laugh about how his
father caused him to trade a valuable lot in Cincinnati for a little sorrel pony, saddle and bridle, and
leave there for his home in the Attakapas. Another
trade that amused him very much was that of a set
of machines, to a man named Lowrie, for a scholar27




418              -HISTORY  OF
ship in Transylvania University, which his father,
who had given him  what he deemed sufficient
education at IMliddlebury College, did not relish;
nevertheless, he procured his books, and took out
the value in Latin, Greek, and mathematics, &c.
There he formed the acquaintance of many young
nmen who have since become eminent in the country, and that friendship and regard for Henry Clay
which caused him to cling to his fortunes through
good and through evil report.
His career in this county-his efforts to promote
education, home'manufactures and internal improvements; his contributions to objects calculated
to benefit the public; his assistance to old settlers
in purchasing their farms and stock, making improvements, and providing for their families; his
lindness to friends, and generosity to relativeswill long be remembered.  His love of country
was unbounded, and the blood of the Revolution
never coursed through veins more determined to
perpetuate "Liberty and Union."  His liberality
and patriotism in the War of 1812, the Texan Revolution and the Mexican War is on record; and
were he living to-day, he would be faithful to the
Union and true to the principles of the Constitution.
NoTE.-The cultivation of the cotton plant attracted his attention, and
among his papers of 1810 are calculations as to its culture and manufacture. He planted the first black seed in the Southwest (it had been
brought from the Bahamas), and he was the first experimenter with the
hirsutum and the herbaceous in that locality.




KNOX COUNTY.                419
CHAPTER L.
KENYON COLLEGE AND THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.
TnIS valued institution of learning and religion
was founded in this county by the Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, first Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal
Church of Ohio, upon Section one, Township i/a,
and Range twelve, U. S. IMilitary Lands. The preliminary steps to its establishment were taken at
Worthington, by commencing a school, in 1825,
under an act of incorporation for a "Theological
Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in
the Diocese of Ohio." In pursuance of this purpose, Bp. C. visited England, and obtained very
liberal donations for the cause; and the surpassing
beauty of the present site secured its selection. In
his annual address, 1826, he thus speaks: "July
22d. This day, for the first time, in company with
a number of gentlemen, I explored the lands now
rendered so interesting to us on account of their
many advantages for the location of the seminary
and college." Two of the gentlemen alluded to
were Henry B. Curtis, Esq., and Daniel S. Norton,
whose statements in regard to that "interesting"
occasion we have; and that of the former, as published in the Kenyo'n Collegian, we had designed
giving entire, but our limits will not permit. In
fact, we can only allude to the establishment of




420            HISTORY -OF
the college, with the promise of giving at an early
day a complete history of the institution, its founder
and benefactors, for which we have now a large
amount of interesting material in manuscript. The
college lands, 4,000 acres, on both sides of the Kokosing, five miles below Mt. Vernon, were purchased of Wm. Hogg, Esq., of Brownsville, Pa.,
who made a generous donation in consideration of
the object; and by a unanimous vote of the Convention of 1826 the site of Kenyon College was
settled forever.
Views of Kenyon College, Ascension Hall, Bexley Hall, Milnor Hall and Rosse Chapel, the principal buildings of the Institution, appear in this
work. They tell of the pious and devout labors of
Bishop Chase, whose lithograph is also given, and
of his very worthy successor, Bishop 31]cllvaine.
They also speak, more than tongue can tell, the
liberality and nobleness of the Christian people of
Great Britain and of the United States, who have
been graciously moved to give of their abundance
to this noble object. To Henry Clay, whose influential letters gave Bishop Chase access to the
British heart, we are also deeply indebted.
Kenyon College to-day stands erect, having
passed through many periods of tribulation and
gloom. With an able corps of instructors, trustees
and friends, zealously devoted to her interests, a
bright future is before it. In our forthcoming
work, we will prove, by showing what it has done
for the country, that the expectations of its friends
have, in great part, been realized.
In 1827, the foundations of the work were laid




KTNOX COOUNTY.             421
on College Hill, commanding the most beantiful
view in the whole country. The place is noted for
health, as the Institution has been for the thoroughness of its course of instruction. Allmong the very
able officers at the present time are —Rt. Rev. (:r.
T. Bedell, Rev. T. M. Smith, Rev. M. T. C. Wing,
Rev. J. J. McElhinney, of the Theological Faculty, and Professors John Trimble, H. L. Smith, B.
L. Lang, Francis Wharton, H. D. Lathrop and G.
T. Chapman, of the College.
The Kenyon Gramnmar Schools in charge of Rev.
A. Blake, at Gambier, and Rev. Peter S. Ruth, at
Worthington, are valuable adjuncts, and well sustained.
The Libraries of the College and the Philomathesian and Nu Pi Kappa Societies, containing over
15,000 volumes, and an abundant supply of literary
food, are ever accessible to the student.
The present Trustees of the Institution areRt. Rev. C. P. McIlvaine, D.D.D.C.L., President;
Rt. Rev. G. T. Bedell, Vice President; Rev. S. A.
Bronson, ID.ID., Rev. E. Burr, D.D., Rev. James
McElroy, D.D., Rev. H. B. Walbridge, Rev. Lewis
Burton, Rev. J. E. Grammer, Hon. J. W. Andrews, Hon. R. C. Hurd, Hon. C. Delano, Gen'l
Kent Jarvis, Win. Procter, Esq., Dr. J. N. Burr.




422            HISTORY  OF
CHAPTER  LI.
THE FAMOUS RACE OF SEELEY'S BULL vs. TOM'S HORSE.
ONE of the " phunny" characters in our county's
history is our old friend Seeley Simpkins, who is
now in his 70th year, and was born in West Jersey, the precise spot he doesn't know-nor is it
material to the thread of this discourse. In 1804,
when five years old, he was brought by his father
from Morgantown, Va., and his recollection of Mt.
Vernon runs from the time Capt. Walker lived in
a little log hut close by the old sulphur spring.
Seeley says that its water had a great medicine
reputation with the Indians. He was a great
favorite with the squaws and pappooses, by reason
of his uncommon musical talent. He could minic
any sound of varmint or human, surpassed the
lute of Orpheus, and out-whistled all creation. He
furnished the music for early musters, and when it
took four counties to make a regiment he gave a
challenge to out-whistle any man within them.
He recollects with much pride the encomiums of
Adjutant Stilley, who, he says, was " the best judge
of swill music then in the country."  He frequented race tracks, and drew crowds and supplied
hoe-downs on demand. For a long time he labored
under the disadvantage of making his pilgrimages
on foot, but having the good luck to hear at
preaching that "Balaam took his ass and saddled




KNOX CO0UNTY.               423
him," he concluded to take the next thing to ithis bull-and saddle and ride him. He was a nice
little muscular brute, raised by him, and being
gentle, was trained so that he traveled right smart
on Seeley's circuit. Often have we seen Seeley in
all his glory ride to the miill with his grist, and
while it was being ground he would take an airing
around the town, whistling as he went. The races
were usually on the flat front of Norton's mills,
and there Seeley acquired " immortality and fame."
On the occasion of a grand race, when the Critchfields, Sam. Arbuckle, and the Creek nation were
in town in their strength, a race was gotten up by
Hugh Neal, John Gregg, and John Kellifer, between Seeley's bull and Tom Irvine's horse. The
stakes were up; judges took their stand; and expectation on tiptoe was soon gratified by the
entrance of the steeds.  At starting, the little
bull's tail received a sudden and severe twist,
causing him  to bellow lustily as Seeley with
"vaulting ambition pricked the sides of his intent;"
and goaded to desperation, bull pawed the earth
and sped on with all his iight, while the air was
rent with the shouts and yells of the spectators,
frightening him almost out of his skin. The horse,
altogether unused to such "' noise and confusion,"
inclined to balk, shied to one side, and trembling
from fear, could not be brought to the "outcome"
in time, and the judges honestly pronounced in
favor of Seeley's bull. Amid the applause of the
large concourse, Seeley proudly mounted his
charger, and as he stroked his neck, complacently




424  HISTORY OF KNOX COUINTY.
took the wager, and rode home a happier man than
ever in his life before or since.  The poet says:
"Honor and fame from no condition rise;
Act well your part-there all the honor lies."
Seeley has done this, and his name is inscribed  on
the page of his country's history,, to be remembered
long  after those who  have laughed  at his, career
shall have been forgotten.
To THE READER.- We rest-not insensible to the fact that we
may, in your estimation, "have (lone those things which we ought
not to have done, and left undone those things which we ought to
have done;" blit there is no  help for it now. Our field was
entirely new, and but very fewu papers are accessible at this early
day in our history-the future writer will have still less, and this
work may prove adNvantageous to those who succeed us. We
have not sought to embellish, but simply to give plain statements
of old nmatters.  Several thousand fLamilies have been named, and
omissions of any of the old settlers have been unintentional. The
multitude crowding upon us has. caused us to give less notice to
itverai of our best citizeins tllait we designed. Errors, typographical
and othterwise, may exist; attribute them  to the peculiar circumstances thai surround us in these days of war and excitement, and
join us in prayer for a return of the good old times of peace,
prosperity and happiness.