350 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY

CHAPTER IX.

CHESTER TOWNSHIP-FIRST SETTLEMENT-PIONEER INDUSTRIES-VILLAGE GROWTH OF

CHESTERVILLE-THE HUB OF A NEW COUNTY-THE

PREACHER AND TEACHER.

IN considering the annals of a new country,

"'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view."

It is no uncommon occurrence to those whose duty and pleasure it is to gather the materials for these pages, to meet with those who, forming the connecting link between that day and this, have no appreciation for the enterprise of which this volume is the outgrowth. The stern experiences of pioneer times have come too near their lives to make the record of them novel or interesting. But the early days, so fall of toil and privation, have passed beyond the reach of the hopes and fears of those of a later generation, and, gilded by tradition, they reflect back to us the "mellow glow of a novelty that is akin to romance." But a higher motive for perpetuating the history of those who subdued the wilderness and made the desert places to "blossom like the rose," is that we are thus able, approximately, to measure the value of what has been wrought for succeeding generations. It was a noble spirit of self-sacrifice that animated the pioneers of this land, and " bowed their strong manhood. to the humble plow." Forgetful of their own ease at a time of life when years of toil could reasonably have demanded repose for their declining days, they braved the untried difficulties of the wilderness, that their children might achieve that greatness which their patriotic faith pictured in the future. The rapidly increasing population in a country devoid of manufactories left to the pioneer but one alternative ; ease at the expense of their children's future, or a wider scope of cheaper lands, bought with a life of toil, that found rest only beyond the grave. The broad lands waving with the green plumage of the springing grain, the thousand homes adorned with the comforts and luxuries of an advanced civilization, the vast resources that command a nation's homage, are the grand memorials that set forth the virtue and wisdom of their choice. The land which invited the immigration of the pioneers of Chester was all that nature in her pleasantest mood could offer. A dense forest of heavy timber covered every acre. Streams reaching out into every

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quarter of the township drained the land, promising supplies for stock, and ample power for the pioneer industries so necessary to a frontier community. Such advantages were not long in attracting emigration. Surveyed by Joseph Vance in 1807, the first settler came close upon his track, erecting his cabin in 1808, swinging his ax--"signal of a mighty change."

This township was first organized by the Commissioners of Knox County as a part of Wayne Township, one of the four divisions into which that county was formed at its organization. In 18 12, Chester, including the township of Franklin, was set off as an independent fraction of the county, its name being suggested by some of the earliest settlers, who were natives of Chester, in the county of the same name in Pennsylvania. In 1823, Franklin was set off and Chester was left in its present shape, five miles square, its lines coinciding with Township 5, in Range 17, of the United States military survey. It is bounded on the north by Franklin, east by Knox County, south by South Bloomfield, and west by Harmony. The Middle Branch of Owl Creek, which enters the township at the northwest corner, and the South Branch of the same stream, which enters a little further south, join just a little southwest of the village of. Chesterville, forming the main body of Owl Creek, which passes the eastern boundary of the township a little north of the middle line. Streams from either side drain the land, and furnish during the larger part of the year a plentiful supply of water for stock. The timber consists of a heavy growth of black walnut, maple, buckeye and cherry, with a lesser quantity of ash, elm, oak and beech. The soil, generally, is a rich loam, mixed with a limestone gravel, a combination that furnish an almost inexhaustible resource for grain raising. An exception to this quality of soil is found in the extreme northeast and southeast corners, and in much of the southwest quarter of the township. In these sections a yellow clay soil, prevails, which is turned to good account in raising grass and corn. Here stock-raising is made the principal industry, some fine herds of pedigree stock being exhibited with commendable pride by the owners. In other parts of the township, the farmers devote their efforts to raising gain, large quantities of which are sold every year.

The first settlement within the present limits of Chester was made by the original holder of a military land warrant, in 1808. Evan Holt, a native of Wales, but a long resident of Chester County, Penn., had served six years in the Revolutionary army, and receiving a warrant for his services, moved on to his land as soon as surveyed by the Government. His claim was situated Dear the central part of the township, on a fine stream of water, and is now owned by Mr. Joseph Trowbridge. Although he lived nearly two-score years upon this place and raised a large family, that settled about him, but little is remembered of him by those now living in the township. He was an earnest, conscientious man, and commanded the respect of his fellow-townsmen. He was in very straitened circumstances, however, and often substituted nettles for flax, making it up into very passable cloth. One of his children, Evan Jr., is said to have been a great fighter and possessed of muscle and pluck. Sometime about 1827, he made up a matched fist fight with John Magoogin, in Morris Township in Knox County. The origin of the fight was some difficulty which occurred at a camp-meeting, which furnished an incentive to the principals to make the contest all it proposed to be. The combat took place at the cross-roads by William Mitchell's, on the occasion of a general muster, and was witnessed by a large crowd of interested spectators. It is said that Holt exhibited great skill and address, but was fairly vanquished by his antagonist. The Holt family were not long the sole white residents of the township. A large tract of land had been purchased by McLaughlin, of Chillicothe, and desiring to put the land upon the market, he offered John Walker fifty acres of land at 50 cents per acre, if he would go on to it and clear it. This, Walker, who was in limited circumstances, was glad to do, and

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in March of 1808 he moved out, with his family, from Washington, Penn., to Chester, choosing a barren clay knoll just north of the present site of Chesterville. A fine spring, situated on the property, was the chief consideration in making his choice, and the soil has since become fair farming land. When he came, he found Indians encamped upon the site of Chesterville, who, however, offered no molestation. Their second child, Robert, was born here November 9, 1809. Here for some eighteen months they lived alone, the dense forest which stood unmarked between them and Holt preventing any exploration for neighbors. Mrs. Walker, in the mean while, for her own protection, became quite expert with a gun, and on one occasion killed a deer that was passing the cabin. In the fall of 1810, the family of Jacob Shur came to this part of the township, and was received by Mrs. Walker with the most extravagant expressions of joy, declaring that she had not seen a woman's face for eighteen months, save as she looked into the running brook. Mr. Shur came from the same county as the Walker family, bringing his family and house hold effects stowed away in a wagon, save his son John, who rode on horseback behind his uncle, who accompanied them to the West. Mr. Shur bought 125 acres of land, and put up a double log cabin about a quarter of a mile northwest of where the hotel now stands. In the spring of this year David Miller had come from Fayette County, Penn., and settled a half-mile south of where the village stands, on the Sparta road. Here he bought of McLaughlin fifty acres, on which some slight improvements had been made. Mr. Miller was a Scotchman, and had been one of the troops that were brought over by the British in the Revolutionary struggle. He was with Cornwallis, at Yorktown, and, deciding to make this land his home, failed to march out with the troops when they started for home. He packed his family and a few household goods in a cart, and, yoking his cow with an ox, made the tedious journey through the wilderness. On his way to his new home he met with many, who, noticing the ruddy health of his children, advised him not to go to Ohio, as his children would soon lose their robust appearance in this miasmatic country. He was not thus easy to be discouraged, and made his way to his home in Chester. In the succeeding year, the little community was re-enforced by the accession of the family of Henry George, who settled near Chester Church, near the center of the township. Mr. 1 George was one of that number of Welsh people who early settled in Chester County, near Philadelphia. A countryman of his by the name of David Jones had bought the southwest section of the township; and, desiring to stimulate emigration to this part, he gave Mr. George a hundred acres of land, subject to a grant of four acres off the southeast corner of the piece for church purposes. At that time, Franklin and Chester were united with several townships in Knox County, under the name of Wayne, but in that part of it which is now known by these titles, in their combined territory, there were only seven cabins, occupied by Samuel Shaw and David Peoples, within the present limits of Franklin; Evan Holt, John Walker, Jacob Shur, David Miller, Williams Johnson, who settled on the Mount Vernon road, in the eastern part of the township, miles away from any neighbor, and Alexander Walker, within the limits of Chester. Mr. George's cabin made the eighth dwelling, and invitations had to be sent to settlers for eight miles around to secure enough help to put it up. This quarter of the township subsequently became known as the "Welsh section," from the fact that it was owned by a Welshman, and through his efforts was principally settled by that nationality. "The Fifty Acre Section," was another name for the same locality, which gained some popularity from the fact that most of the settlers were in reduced financial circumstances, and could buy but fifty acres, which in those days of cheap lands was considered a mark of poverty. This was, however, a good natured pleasantry on the part of the more fortunate settlers, as nothing like a spirit of caste had had opportunity to spring up in a community where

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"The richest were poor and the poor lived in abundance."

In April, 1812, the community in this section received another accession of Welsh people in the family of Edward Evans, who bought the traditional plat of fifty acres of David Jones, situated about two miles and a half south of the present site of Chesterville. Preceding him had come James Irwin and Peter Rust, from Pennsylvania Joseph Howard, from West Virginia; Lewis Johnson, Rufus Dodd and John Kinney, and settled in this vicinity. In November of 1812, the family of James McCracken came from Fayette County, Penn., and bought one hundred and sixty acres about a mile and a quarter south of Chesterville, on the Sparta road. He was induced to come to Chester, through the persuasion of Miller. A married daughter of the latter, who had been to Ohio on a visit to her parents, in a casual conversation mentioned a neighbor in Fayette County, who was looking for an eligible country to which he could move. Her father at once called her attention to a fine piece of property, located near him, and told her to inform Mr. McCracken of its advantages. On her return she performed her errand so well, that her neighbor at once set about his preparations for leaving for the Ohio lands. He was without a team, however, and, informing Mr. Miller that this was the only obstacle that prevented his coming, the latter at once proceeded to Pennsylvania, with his team, to bring him on. During his absence, the difficulties that had been brewing between England and the States, culminated in the declaration of war. Miller's family, living in an isolated position naturally exaggerated the danger which all felt to be imminent. A blockhouse was early built across the road from Rush's mill, and thither, on the occasion of a false alarm, the larger part of the community repaired. There was but little concert of action, and of fearing that the confusion would result in the destruction of all, Mrs. Miller took her little family to Mount Vernon. They were here when Hull surrendered, and during the Zimmer and Copus tragedy, which seemed the sure forerunner of their own destruction. It was in such perilous times that Mr. Miller, returning with Mr. McCracken and his goods, found his family at Mount Vernon. With the return of her natural protector came Mrs. Miller's courage, and she readily consented to return home and brave the dangers of the war with her busband. They arrived in Chester in November and never left their homes again for protection. Mr. McCracken built a cabin on his property, leaving his family at Miller's cabin until his own was finished, and afterward during the period of the war, his family slept there for their mutual protection in case or actual danger. These families, thus closely associated for their mutual protection, were destined to be more strongly united through the marriage of William McCracken with a daughter of Mr. Miller. some years later.

The war of 1812, beyond exciting the apprehension of the people, made but little impression upon this community. There were but few settlers, who had been there but a short time, and, busy with their improvements, they had not found time to discuss the probabilities of the war and imbibe the fears of older settlements. The woods were full of Indians, but the prompt action of the Government in removing, them from their camps at Greentown and Jerometown in Richland County put an end to the principal cause for alarm. The tragedy growing out of the removal caused, as has been noted, a widespread alarm, and most of this community went to the block-houses built across the road from where Rush's mill now stands or to one built in Wayne Township. The conduct of the refugees while at these places indicates that the movement' was more a precautionary matter ter, done to pacify the timid, than as a means of defense against an active foe. There was nothing but confusion on each occasion, and no more care was taken by the people to guard against a surprise than when at their cabins. The men went every day to their improvements to look after their affairs, and women and children went out about

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the blockhouse in search of wild fruit or corn without a suggestion of fear. The first occasion or flight to these frontier fortresses was in September, and the fields of corn heavy with "roasting" were too inviting for the boys to resist. The number of ears taken began to alarm the owner of the field, and he, forbade the boys taking any more. A story is told of two little fellows, who, notwithstanding these orders, under the cover of night eluded the watchful eyes of the owner and got one ear. After husking it, each grasped an end while one essayed to cut it in two. Just as the knife came down, one of the boys, anxious to get the larger part of the spoils, jerked the ear, causing the knife to sever the end of the other's her's thumb at the same time that he cut the corn. It was simply a repetition of the fable of the dog that stole the meat from the butcher-shop the outcry brought the owner of the corn on to the scene, and both lost the corn and received a rebuke that put an end to the foraging of roastingears. Soldiers were seldom seen here. The township was not in the line of march of any of the troops, there was only a single trail of importance, and the settlement was too new and sparsely settled to attract the recruiting officers. Shur and Walker were pressed into the service with their teams., but they were not long retained. It is said that two soldiers, relieved from duty on account of sickness, going home, came to the settlement, and, stopping here, became worse and died. They were buried near the block-house, and the site of their graves is still pointed out. So little apprehension was felt here that the tide of immigration scarcely showed signs of falling off.

Among those who came during the war, and just after, were Joseph, William and Uriah Denman. This family settled near Chesterville, and were prominent in all enterprises affecting the interests of the new community. Some years later came John Stilley, whose family was the first to explore this region. His uncle was early captured by the Indians and taken through this section and, attracted by the beauties of the country, came back, after being liberated, in 1807, and settled near Mount Vernon. John was then a boy of fifteen, and drove a team from Pittsburg to the latter place for his uncle. At the breaking-out of the war, he went to Pennsylvania and served in the army, serving a part of the time in guarding prisoners of war. It is related that one of the prisoners was a first-rate barber, and acted in that capacity for Mr. Stilley's company, becoming quite attached to his Yankee friends. An exchange of prisoners having been talked of and expected, the barber expressed a desire to stay in the "land of the free." That night, Stilley being on guard, the red coat took advantage of his friendship, and was found missing when called for to be exchanged the next morning. After the war, he tried boating on the Mississippi, but finally found his way to Chester, where he settled and lived till he died,

At the close of the war, the Indians, having been temporarily restricted, swarmed back to their old haunts. The valley of the Owl Creek had been a favorite hunting ground with the savages from their earliest traditions, which they saw going beyond their grasp with great regret. Whatever may be true of the Indian race elsewhere, or at other times, their history in Delaware and Morrow, and the adjoining counties, is all that the friend of the red man could ask. They saw themselves dispossessed of the fairest hunting grounds in the State, by a force that left no hope in an appeal to the arbitrament of war, and that in obedience to a philosophical boomerang, that served only to confuse and confound its own apologists. And this was submitted to with a docility that argued, on the part of the natives, a want of appreciation of the loss they sustained, or a stoical acceptance of a fate that years of unavailing war had shown to be inevitable. Guided by the civilized patriotism of a Pitt, they would have marked the westward course of empire with the sanguinary traces of a bloodier war than any that darken the pages of history to-day, ending in a quicker, but not less certain, annihilation, than is now their

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fate. " But the anointed children of education have been too powerful for the tribes of the ignorant," and they have been vanquished. by the subtler weapons of civilization. The trail that led down from the Sandusky plains to Mount Vernon passed about a quarter of a mile north of the village, and brought large numbers of the savages to this settlement on their way to the latter point for trading purposes. In their migrations they traveled with a few ponies that carried their household belongings. Reaching a camping spot, the women unloaded the ponies, turning them loose with bells attached to their headstalls, and, while the women prepared the fire, the men went among the cabins to beg or trade. This was a favorite place for camping, where they usually stayed for some days, hunting and trading with the settlers. They had a high appreciation of the whites' cooking, and were constant beggars, generally, however, offering something in return for the food they asked for. Mrs. Bartlett relates that two or three natives came to her father s cabin, and made known by signs that they wanted some meat. They soon learned that the settlers kept their smoked meat in the loft of their cabin, and, coming to Shur's, the spokesman of the party, pointing to the loft, took out his knife and made a flourish, by which he indicated the cutting of meat, but which Mrs. Shur mistook for a threat of violence. She was not a little alarmed, but, observing no demonstration that confirmed her fears, she parleyed with them until she caught their meaning and produced the desired article. They left instanter, but, not long after, Mrs. Shur observing an old brass kettle, which they had evidently left in payment for the meat, sent it back to their camp. The Indians were greatly taken back by the return of the consideration of their purchase, and lugubriously pointing down their throats, shook their heads to indicate "that cir cumstances over which they had no control" prevented their trading back, and were greatly relieved to learn that a forcible surrender of the meat was not expected. With the growth of Chesterville as a trading point, the number of Indians that made Iona stays here increased, and many became quite familiarly known. Among these were Sunmondwot and his squaw, Tom Logan, reported to be one hundred years old, Dawdy and Joe Williams, a half-breed, who was instrumental in piloting the army through the "Black Swamp." These parties stayed months, camping in the southwest part of the township, and living in the most amicable relations with the settlers. David James, an old Welsh Baptist preacher, took a great interest in their spiritual welfare, and on Sunday would preach to them, getting them so interested in a few years, that their meetings attracted considerable attention. David Miller was another settler that seemed to have a special affinity for the Indians, and exhibited a wonderful control over them. Previous to his coining to Chester, he had lived at Mount Vernon, where his is cabin was the favorite resort for the natives. But While thus having their confidence, he could not change their nature, as several of his experiences indicate While living at Mount Vernon, a man by the name of Barton made his home with Miller He had had some dealings with the Indians, and had in some way incurred the mortal enmity of one of the savages. Finding where Barton lived, he waylaid him, but, not being able to get near enough for his purpose, pursued him, brandishing his knife. Barton, unarmed, made for Miller's cabin, but could not gain on his pursuer sufficient distance to enable him to shut the door. He dashed through the cabin, the Indian in hot pursuit, following close upon his heels. Neither gained upon the other, and finally, after making the circuit several times through the house, they came to a struggle in the middle of the cabin. In the fight, the Indian lost his knife, and, Mrs. Miller having summoned assistance, the white man was released. There was but little sympathy felt for Barton, as he had provoked the danger, and the Indian was allowed to depart unharmed. After coming to Chester, his cabin was thronged with the same freedom by the natives, the floor of his

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principal room, at night, being frequently covered with the forms of sleeping savages. A party of Indians came one night and asked permission to stay with him, saying that "Blackbird," one of the number, had got drunk, and they wanted to avoid him lest they should all get into trouble. Permission was granted, and, late in the night, "Black. bird" came and demanded entrance. Mr. Miller refused to let him in, and evaded his questions as to the whereabouts of the rest of the party. He became convinced, however, that the rest were inside. and, without more ado, breaking in the door, he advanced upon Miller, threatening to brain him with his tomahawk. This was a gross violation of the rules of frontier hospitality, and his companions, throwing him upon the ,ground, face downward, and tying his feet and hands together behind his back left him in this uncomfortable position until morning when, sobered up, he made all the amends in his power for his violent proceedings in the night. Notwithstanding these friendly relations, the children and women of the settlement never lost their instinctive fear of them, and this fact was frequently taken advantage of by the natives as an opportunity for not altogether harmless fun. Thomas Evans relates an experience of this sort, which made an impression upon him that has lost none of its vividness in the years that have elapsed since then. When a boy, he was sent on an errand by his mother, and, on his way, he had to pass a cherry tree that was then loaded with the wild fruit. As Ile passed under it, he stopped to gather a few cherries, when, glancing up, he saw a full-grown Indian sitting in the branches, who at the same instant gave such a piercing yell as to almost paralyze him with fear. The next instant's rebound found him flying on his way trembling with fear, and nothing could persuade him to return alone, or to ever go by the tree after dark. Occasionally an Indian became insolent when drunk, and was treated without consideration by the whites, who were easily moved to extremes under such provocation. Toni Logan, while professing the friendliest feelings for the whites, and frequently taking the children to ride behind him on his pony, conceived a grudge against one of the McCracken boys, and threatened to kill him, a threat which he never attempted to carry out. Another, who was greatly-addicted to bragging of his exploits, when drunk, frequently displayed what he called ninetynine tongues of white men. This was a source of considerable irritation to the younger men of the community, and, one day, the Indian's horse was found without its owner, from which it was generally supposed that some of the whites, in a fit of anger., had waylaid and killed him.

The game which proved such an attraction to the Indians' and of so much advantage to the settlers, continued here for nearly twenty years after the first settlement was made. Deer, turkeys, !wolves and bears thronged the woods, furnishing food, sport, and not an inconsiderable income to the settlers who gave their leisure hours to this pursuit. The first settlers found wolves here in dangerous numbers, and the State and county authorities stimulated the pioneers in their efforts to exterminate them by offering bounties for the scalp of a wolf over six months old. Large numbers were killed, and, as they were legal tender for the payment of taxes, they were frequently the only resource the settlers had to meet these obligations McCracken was a great hunter, and paid considerable attention to killing these animals. On one occasion, when quite young, he caught a wolf by the tail, in a hollow log, and, pulling it out, held it until his companion could kill it with a stone. At another time, he and John Meredith who is still living, were out with a party of three or four others on a wolf hunt. The plan was to lay out 'in the woods and learn the whereabouts of their game by the direction of their howls, and, fixing the location, to go in the morning and catch them 'in their dens. Among the party was Daniel Kimball. They had built a large fire as a protection against the animals as well as the cold, and, while seated about, had partaken of refreshments consisting prominently of honey. Thirsty after such a repast, "Meredith and McCracken proposed to go to

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the creek for a drink, but Kimball, fearing an attack from the wolves, preferred staying near the fire, and sent his shoe with the others in which to bring back some water. They brought it back filled with water, but found the wolves snapping. their teeth in close proximity to the party left behind. They fixed the location, and, in the morning Meredith and McCracken, who seem to have been the leading spirits of the party, found four gray and two black wolves in a hollow log, which they captured without difficulty, reaping quite a sum of money for those times. Bear were frequently met with, but they were not hunted with the same impunity. A story is told of James Austin, whose horses straying away one day, he followed their trail without thinking of his gun. He finally made up his mind that the horses had started for Mount Vernon, and decided to go there to look after them. It was not long before he came upon a huge shebear with her cubs. He was not prepared for such a meeting, and would have been glad to pass along without molesting her. But Mrs. Bruin evidently took in the whole situation, and, after a moment's hesitation, moved rapidly toward her unarmed victim. Mr. Austin at once made for a buckeye sapling and barely had time to get well on the tree before the animal, reaching after him, touched his foot, tearing off the heel of his boot. The bear sat down to contrive some way to bring him down. The tree was too small for her, and, after pushing one of her cubs up as far as it would go, she seemed to despair of securing her game, and retired in disgust, after keeping him in the tree for several hours. Mr. Austin came down to the ground, and lost no time in making his way to his destination. He related afterward that he never made better time on a walk or felt so light of foot, as the rest of his journey, but the re-action left him strained, and so upset by his fright that he never regained his former self. Deer and turkeys were shot from the cabins, and many a settler had the chinks in some part of his house that commanded a considerable space so fixed that he could remove them and shoot game that came in close proximity to his place. Five deer was the ordinary trophy of a day's hunt, and droves of fifteen or twenty animals were frequently seen walking slowly through the woods in single file. This characteristic of the deer is still remembered in the saying among the older people, " as slow as a deer on a walk." A story is related of Jacob Miller, that, going through the woods one dark night, his dog, ran on to a deer, and catching hold of him, held fast. Miller did not know what it was, but, finally, catching it by the horns. he killed it with a blow of his fist. Small game abounded in the woods. and squirrels were very troublesome in some places to the crops. Hunting matches were frequently made up, and, in one of these contests Daniel Lyon relates that he and his brother, with one gun, killed 120 of these animals.

This abundance of game, while at first a great advantage to the settlement, soon proved not an inconsiderable burden, and hunting became necessary for defense against their depredations. Wolves were found especially troublesome, and the utmost care had to be taken to guard against their constant attacks. Mr. Shur was for some time unable to provide a door to his cabin, and used a blanket as a temporary barrier. This proved in sufficient to keep the wolves at bay, and he was obliged to build fires before his door to feel at all secure. Stock of all kinds was in more or less danger. Henry George brought a few sheep into the settlement, and built a high pen to guard them at night, but his care was unavailing. Although they were guarded by day and folded at night, the wolves finally took them all. They would steal upon the flock in the daytime, within fifty feet of the house, and make away with one of the sheep. Yearling cattle were frequently destroyed by falling in with a pack of these voracious animals, and even grown animals and horses were sometimes attacked, and more or less injured by them. Soon after the coming of the Shur family, a cow was killed by these animals near his cabin, and was partly eaten when discovered. It was often very unsafe for persons, and the settlers were frequently

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obliged to take extra precautions to guard against attack. One of Mr. George's boys went after the horses, and the wolves came upon him so close that he was forced to run to the house without completing his errand. Another boy went after the cows. and amused himself by imitating the howl of the wolf. His howls were answered, and they gathered so fast about him that, he was forced to retire from the company he had called up about him. Their howls could be heard every night, and just preceding a storm their noise was distressing to hear. The natural disposition of the settlers, stimulated by the State and county bounties, at length worked their extermination, but raising stock was fir from an easy matter even then. In the natural condition of the country at that time the highest and driest land of to-day was wet, and the lower places were mire holes. Great care had to be taken to guard the cattle from these places, and the youngest of the family that could serve was obliged to act as herd-boy, and even then the community were frequently called upon to rescue some animal that had been too venturesome. Sickness was quite prevalent among the stock, and murrain, or the rank vegetation to which the stock was not used, took them off by scores. Even hogs, which generally find life in a new settlement very much suited to their nature, found life an up-hill business for some years in Chester. Bears had a peculiar liking for these animals, which proved a friendship with the advantages all on one side, and the existence of the larger part of the settlers' property in this line depended simply upon the superior fleetness of the hogs. The cold winters were another implacable enemy that took off scores of these animals, and it was no unusual sight to see from six to a dozen hogs piled up in the woods, smothered and frozen to death. But not withstanding these drawbacks they multiplied very fast, and proved a source of considerable revenue. John Talmadge bought large numbers of these animals, and drove them to Baltimore. The hogs were caught, swung up in the breeching of a harness, and weighed with a large pair of steelyards, a large hog turning the scale at three hundred pounds.

The settlement in Chester was of rapid growth, and early in 1812, finding that there were enough voters to give them a separate organization, Mr. Shur headed a petition to the Commissioners of Knox County, asking that the settlement be set off into a township by themselves. This was done, and the first election appointed to be held on the 25th of April, at the residence of William John-son. The judges on this occasion were Joseph Denman Henry George, Evan Holt; clerks, William Johnson and Samuel Johnson. William Johnson was elected the first Justice of the Peace, and Rufus Dodd the first lister of taxable property, the latter receiving a county order for $3 for this service. At the October election In the following year there were fifteen voters, with the following ballot: For Representative, Gass, 15; Commissioner, Peter Wolf, 9; Sheriff, John Hawn, Jr., 13; William Mitchell, 2. In the April election of 1824 we find that there was a tie vote of twenty-six for John Stilley and William V. Evans, for Justice of the Peace, and that it was decided in favor of Stilley by lots cast by the judges. Rufus Dodd was the second Justice, and he was elected in 1817. He served three years, and during that time he wrote but three summons, of which one only was ever served. This fact speaks more for the character of the community as lawabiding citizens than a volume of panegyrics could do, and bears out the reputation that has come down to the present. The larger part of the early settlers were from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and, in the matters of education and religion, they were as progressive as they were cordial in the overflowing generosity of their hospitality. No spirit of asceticism found place in this settlement, and labor found its proper respite in the boisterous frolic of the frontier games. Logrolling, cabin raisings and husking-bees were happy combinations of work and play, in which the whole settlement took part. While the men were engaged out doors the women assisted in the preparations for the supper in the cabin, or worked at spin-

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ning or quilting. After supper the room was cleared, and a series of merry romps were begun, in which the kisses that were forfeited seemed the principal attraction; or some amateur musician was brought to the front with his ill-kept "fiddle," and a dance was begun that was characterized more by the vigorous performances Of the dancers than by grace or rhythm of motion. Nor was the lack of an instrument an insuperable obstacle in the early times. Mrs. William McCracken relates, that in such a case one would volunteer to sing, and others would join in when a lull in the dance gave them opportunity. At weddings, this form of amusement was indispensable, and it is related of the lady just mentioned that at her wedding she danced till late at night, and then, coming to her husband's home, danced the next night, ruining a pair of blue morocco slippers that were the envy of all the girls. The entertainments of this character were not all contrived by the young men. There were spinning-bees, when some matron, with more than she could do, would take her wool about the neighborhood and appoint some evening, when the women would bring in the yarn, and the men would be invited to supper, and spend the evening in the usual way. At musters and other holidays the men indulged in hardier sports; in trial feats of strength, and wrestling. On such occasions John Stilley was usually the hero, though maintaining his laurels only at the expense of many a severe trial. A settler by the name of John Fogle, who lived near Chester Church, a large, stout, active man, was very desirous of trying conclusions with him. At a gathering at McCracken's he entered the lists, but, being a man of somewhat excitable nature, Stilley avoided him. A little later the "boys," who desired to have the champions measure each other's strength, arranged to bring them together. The hats of all present were thrown into a pile, and one of the number blindfolded was to draw out two hats, the owners of which were to wrestle. It was not difficult to arrange it so that Fogle and Stilley should meet, and the struggle began. It resulted, it is said, in the utter defeat of Fogle, who took it ill-naturedly, and, as both were going home on horseback, he rode up to Stilley, using abusive language. The latter was very prompt in expressing his disapproval of this course of procedure, and, striking his antagonist with his fist, knocked him on the ground. Fogle accepted this chastisement as settling the matter, and, giving up his pretensions, was known as Stilley's convert. Though never vanquished at such sports by a man, it is said that one of the girls challenged him to jump over a bar. He accepted, but when she cleared the bar, which had gradually been raised to the height of six feet, he acknowledged himself beaten. Of the gossip of the village, but little has come down to a later day. It is believed, however, that Robert Miller's marriage to Sarah Jane Wilson was the first event of the kind in the community, and that Mary George, daughter of Henry George, Jr., was the first native accession.

As in most frontier settlements, whisky played an important part in every department of life. Many of the settlers put one or more barrels of it in their cellars as cider is now "put down." Log rollings and raisings could not be accomplished without, and harvest hands refused to work if it was not forthcoming in the field. John Derrill, Sr., who came from New Jersey in 1817, and settled on the place where Lanning lives, was in the habit of putting down three barrels of whisky every fall. His son, John, Jr., who lives near the old place, relates on one occasion, that his supply became exhausted right in the midst of the harvest season ; and, fearing lest he should fall short while the hands were in the field, he put John upon a horse with a bag containing a two-gallon jug in either hand, told him to run his horse to Dalrymple's hotel and back, saying, "The boys won't do a stroke if they find no whisky to drink." But with whisky work was accomplished that money could scarcely buy. A story is told of old Daniel Kimbal, that in some altercation he knocked a man down with the handle of a pitchfork. He was brought before the justice, and fined "to brush the

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Mount Gilead road from Chesterville to the town line." Securing a liberal amount of whisky, he made a bee, and, without doing a stroke, he secured the payment of his fine by putting the liquor "where it would do the most good. But this evil was early checked by the earnest effort of those thoughtful ones who saw where it was leading. Byron Leonard, the proprietor of the nearest still, located in Wayne Township, becoming convinced of the harm he was doing, gave tip the business, and entered the field against the curse of intemperance. He was an educated man of great natural ability, and was at one time a member of the Legislature. In his new departure he was, of course, opposed by those who had been his best patrons-two old topers standing near him on the occasion of his first lecture, and plying him with questions which he readily answered with happy effect. A remarkable incident, in this connection, is told of Robert Hickman, who was induced, in consideration of a quantity of whisky, to mimic the "mourners" at it protracted meeting by "going forward." In carrying out his engagement, Hickman was convieted and converted, and afterward became a minister. Fogle, who had instigated him to this course. to satisfy some personal pique, seeing his plans thus thwarted, undertook to carry them out for himself. and was defeated in the same way, becoming an earnest Methodist.

The Chester settlement was one of the earliest in Knox County. The first one was made not far from 1803; two years later, Mount Vernon was named, and in 1808, Evan Holt moved on his claim. and John Walker on his purchase, within the present limits of Chester. The growth of Mount Vernon, situated on a fine stream, and more remote from the frontier, was far more vigorous in its earlier years than could be expected of this settlement, and soon furnished the principal store, mill and post office for the surrounding settlements less advantageously placed. Both settlements, at first, were obliged to patronize the same mill, situated some twelve or fifteen miles below Mount Vernon with a large advantage, in point of distance, in favor of the hitter place. Going to mill was a very serious business to the settlement at Chester. The journey was some twenty-five or thirty miles, and with delays incident to the crudeness of the machinery two or three days were lost. The meal was but little more than cracked corn, and served after sifting through a pan punched with holes, one part as hominy, and the other as flour for bread. This waste of time was saved, to some extent, by sending the boys to mill. As soon as they were able to balance a bag of corn on a horse's back they were made to do this duty, thus gaining their first introduction to the life of a pioneer. The popular phrase of "sending a boy to mill," expressive of the inadequacy of means to ends, probably originated in the incidents growing out of their misadventures at these times. John Meredith relates that at one time when coming home from mill, the horse on which he rode ran against a tree and broke a hole in the bag, causing a serious loss of the meal. He was equal to the occasion, however, and taking off his vest he stuffed it into the wound. Another boy, returning from mill in the same way, had the misfortune to have his load thrown entirely off his horse by running against a tree. He was too small to replace it, and, after chasing the hogs that abounded in the woods, away front the vicinity of his meal, he tied his horse, and running to the nearest cabin, some two miles away, secured assistance to replace it. If we may credit a story told by Mr. Evans, the men were not more free front the trivial mishaps of these journeys. He relates that on one occasion his father took some corn to mill, and after being gone all day came back riding on his bag of meal. He was a large, fleshy man, and riding on the freshly ground meal had caused it to sour. It was found very unpalatable, but the stern necessities of the situation forbade their wasting it, and it was eaten with what relish the severe exercise of clearing could furnish. The first comers to this settlement were obliged to forego the conveniences of a store situated even at a distance of fifteen miles, but a year or two later Clinton sprang up

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and furnished a place where coffee could be secured at 5 cents per pound, tea at $2.50, and powder, lead and calico at similar prices. Salt was to be secured only at Zanesville, at $15 to $18 dollars per barrel, and iron goods and glass at the same rate. Leather was equally necessary, and as difficult to procure, and John Meredith relates that he used to ,-o to Mount Vernon to husk corn, getting a pound of leather a day for his labor, bringing home his week's earnings on his shoulder every Saturday night. James Breese, who came from near New London, Conn., in 1818, and settled two wiles east of the village-used to haul flax to Zanesville, and poplar lumber to Columbus, and get a dollar a thousand for his lumber and trouble. Such experiences would seem now enough to make a man wear a long face all his days. But it had an opposite effect on Breese, and many of his jokes are handed down as specimens of fun in "ye olden time," though he is yet living, as ready to originate new ones as to relate old ones. They tell one which illustrates the life of some twoscore years ago. While working on the road, an Irish peddler with the inevitable pack upon his back came up to the party and proposed that one of them should carry him over the stream which crossed the road near by. Breese offered to carry him over for the half-dollar he offered, and to land him safe on the other side, "or no pay." The bargain was struck, and, mounting his back, pack and all, he proceeded to ride across tile water. The stream was not very deep, and Breese had reached about the deepest part with his passenger, when a pretended stumble threw both into the water. There was considerable Irish profanity that did not save the pack from getting wet-and a good deal of laughing that did not help the peddler's frame of mind; but Breese, to whom the joke was worth more than the money, stuck to the contract and received no pay.

With markets at such a distance, there could be but little incentive to extend the productions beyond the demands of the " home consumption," which was principally regulated by the amount each one raised upon his own improvement. Benjamin Jones and his wife did, however, carry on a dairy in the face of the most trying difficulties, selling their product at Zanesville. Mrs. Jones did most of this work, and was frequently lost while scarching, for her cows, and the neighbors had to go out, with tile usual instruments of noise, to bring her in. This occurred so often that she failed to be very much alarmed when she found herself lost, and, though on one or two occasions forced to stay in the woods all night did not abate her interest in cheese-making. Getting, lost Was a frequent occurrence, especially with tile women, who had less experience in traversing tile woods, and they were often completely bewildered and lost in going from one neighbor's to another.

The inconvenience of mills could not long be endured, where available streams were to be found, and the community of Chester, embracing so many men of enterprise and pluck in overcoming Obstacles, soon began the consideration of putting up a mill for their own convenience. There was no one in the community who had learned the trade of willing; but John Gwynn, a brother-in-law of Enos Miles, Sr., who was in limited circumstances, was induced to undertake the business. It was a matter that interested tile whole community, and every family contributed as they were able. A bee was made to build the dam and raise the building, the timbers of which were hewed by Samuel Hayden. Provisions were contributed to maintain Gwynn's family, who was devoting his whole time to the mill, and in 1819 Chester rejoiced in a mill of its own. It was a small one-story structure, situated at the end of the dam which occupied the site of the one there at present. It 1827, it was moved to its present location, and a saw mill added on the north side. Later the mill was enlarged tile sawmill placed on the other side, and steam fixtures added. It is now doing duty at the same place, and has just gone through a thorough overhauling and refitting, at the hands of Mr. Cunningham, its present owner. In 1825, John Dewitt, Sr., put up a saw-mill on the site of Rush's grist-mill,

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which was burned down a few years later; and in 1833 he rebuilt the saw-mill, adding a grist-mill. The buhr stones were got it Bellville; and John Dewitt, Jr., relates that while he was at that place there occurred that remarkable phenomenon of shooting stars that has been so widely noted by scientific men. It caused a great panic among the terrified residents of the place-one man, a noted infidel of the place, rushed out in all the deshabille of his night dress, and began to utter prayers, which the occasion seemed to demand. His wife, more alive to the proprieties of the occasion, called his attention to his lack of dress. when he exclaimed, "Oh, wife! there's no time for breeches when the world is coming to an end." The first tannery was started south of Chesterville by David Holloway, who, in the absence of oak, tried the virtue of beech bark. This experiment was a dismal failure, and shoes Made of the leather would get soaked up, and when hung up to dry warped so out of shape that they had to be soaked again and dried on a last, to be of any service afterward. These industries thus supplied, sufficed the necessities of the community, until, Chesterville being laid out, business began to come in, and rival even some of the older villages in its prosperity.

Enos Miles, Sr., a school-teacher and surveyor by profession-born August 3, 1786-married March 22, 1810, came to Chester in the spring of 1815, and settled on what is known as the Smith firm, just south of Chester Church. Two years later, he came to where Chesterville now stands, and bought the property here of James Holt. A piece of about ten acres, in the south west part of the village, had been felled and partly chopped over. He built his cabin a little back of the L, formed by the wing of the hotel, carrying all the water he used from a spring a near the William Denman place, till about 1833, when a well was dug in the center of the square, from which the whole village supplied their wants. The village was laid out in 1829, by Mr. Miles, J. C. Hickman doing the surveying. It was named Chesterville from the name of the township, but the local name of Miles Cross Roads, which was a commen name applied to a hotel similarly situated, for some years threatened to supersede its proper name. The first sale of lots occurred on the 11th day of the following April, the lot on the northeast corner of the square bring on $49. In the fall of this year, the hotel was built, where Miles kept tavern until the spring of 1833. It was then rented to Phin eas Squire, who, with several of his family, died with the cholera. The house was afterward kept by William Ash, P. B. Ayers, and Davis Miles. The west rooms of the hotel were used for a store from the very first, until in 1840, E. B. Kinsell, of Mansfield, put in a stock of goods, and John Graff, a brother-in-law of Abraham King, acted as salesman. Graff was unmarried when he came, but in the following year he went to Hagerstown and brought home a wife. He lived in the north end of the second story; and it is remembered that they had a rag carpet on their floor. This was a wonderful innovation, and many who had never known anything more aristocratic than a bare puncheon floor, thought it was calico, and considered them wealthy to afford such extravagance In the second story of the store Mr. Palmer's family lived, and Mr. Miles and his family occupied other rooms in the same building. In 1838, Mr. Miles erected the rectangular brick west of the hotel, which his pedagogical instincts led him to build as an academy. He found himself too far in advance of his times, and put it to the more practical use of a dwelling. The presence in the community of a good brick and stone mason was instrumental in: securing the erection of brick houses at an early day. The first one was built in 1815, by Henry, George, for Robert Dalrymple. It was a small affair and, was afterward sold to Struble, and is now standing in the eastern part of the township, used as a kitchen. Jacob Shur's house, built in 1825, was the second. It was built just north of his old cabin, the brick's for which were made just east of the old cabin., a yoke of oxen tramping the clay to mix it. William Camp-

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bell, of Franklin, who was working for Mr. Shur, took an active part in this branch of the business. In connection with the building-up of the village, it may be said that the barn now owned by E. W. Miles, is one of the oldest buildings now standing. It was built in 1822, by the old " cut and dry rule," and took two days to raise. It was a grand occasion of the sort, and called together about one hundred persons, men, women and children, on the first day. On the second day, one hundred and ten persons sat down to dinner. It is said that the "square system" of framing was introduced some years later, by William Gordon. The second store was opened on the southwest corner of the main street, by William Shur, who had purchased a stock of commission goods from J. V. Johnson, of Martinsburg. While putting up the building for his business, he suffered a loss of some thirty or forty dollars, by fire, which nearly put a stop to the enterprise, but his father and friends helped him over the difficulty. In 1840, Graff went into a building on the southeast corner of the square, and Dot long after was burned out. This was the most serious loss the little village had suffered, several buildings being destroyed before the flames were checked. Among the merchants that have succeeded, may be mentioned W. T. Bartlett, Stephen Husey, Enon Jackson, Sharon Burgess, Wells & Arnold, William T. Bartlett & Co., Mark Ketchem, Sharon Miles, and Page & Hance.

In 1833, the first practicing physician, Dr. Richard E. Lord, came to Chesterville, and the traditions of his labor of love and self-sacrifice are met on every side. It is related of him that on one occasion a poor family sent for him in case of sickness. It was during the winter ; the stream south of the village had overflowed, inundating the flats to a wide extent, while in the channel its current was dashing away everything before it. To attempt to ford it, seemed to threaten sure death, and his family used every persuasion to keep him at home, at least till the next day. He felt, however, that duty demanded that he should go and, mounted on his horse, he forded the stream, while his anxious family breathlessly watched him from the shore. Fortunately, He escaped the dangers of the river, but such fidelity to his profession, and the duty it entailed, meets only a part of its recompense in the tributes of praise which are heard on every side, from those who know him. Later in life, he retired from active practice, and turned his attention to the cultivation of a farm he had bought. In 1839, he put up a grist-mill, four stories and a half high, and located in on the Mount Gilead Road, a little northwest of the village, where it still serves the public. This was not a profitable investment, as more expense was put upon its construction than the probable business would warrant. An accident, which nearly proved fatal, occurred to the mill wright He was standing on the top superintending the raising of one of the massive bents that were peculiar to that time, and, missing his footing, he was precipitated into the mill-race below. The bent was partially raised, and, with admirable presence of mind, realizing that if the men became demoralized, they would let the bent fall and crush some of them, he gave an order while in the very act of falling, and he was not missed until, straightening the bent up, they looked for further directions. Ile was immediately rescued, and for awhile his life was despaired of, but he finally recovered, none the worse for his sixty-foot descent. In 1832, Abraham King came to Chesterville. and two years later bought out a tannery, situated on the Mount Gilead Road, which had been built a few years before. A little later, Mr. Ellsworth erected a tannery on the opposite side of the street, a little further west, and finally sold it to J. E. Miles. A story is related of one of the early tanners who bought a hide, and afterward, unrolling it, found a stone in the middle, for which he had paid. He laid it by and waited until some time afterward the man came back to buy some leather. The dealer cut off what was wanted, and, in the presence of the customer, put the stone in the roll of leather, and, weighing it, charged him the full

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price. There were no questions asked, and no grumbling at the price, but the consumer doubtless learned by that experiment that stones did not prove valuable material for tanning. About 1846, Hance & McCollough put up a woolen-mill, where pulling, pressing, and carding were done. The power was applied by means of a tread-wheel, which, lying in a horizontal position, somewhat inclined, furnished a platform on which horses' treading communicated the motion to the machinery. Later, steam was employed, and a thriving in, business was done in the manufacture of cloth. Another industry which promised good results was an ashery, conducted by Reuben Gleason. He came to the village in the fall of 1830, and moved into a two-story frame building, east of town. While there was an abundance of field ashes that made the most valuable material for the manufacture of potash., he found it difficult to make them available, on account of the bad roads, which prevented his hauling them, and the business, languishing, died out in a few years. A postoffice was established here about 1837, with Enos Miles, Sr., as Postmaster, For some time it was kept in the bar-room of the hotel, but there was considerable objection to the place, and it was afterward removed to another room, and later to one of the stores. The mail was carried from Marion to Mount Vernon, twice a week, on horseback, the carrier generally stopping at Chesterville over night. It was carried a little by William Pharis, who is still living, in Franklin Township. About 1860, the route between Fredricktown and Mount Gilead was established, and carried by Foot and Corwin, three times a week. In 1865, it was changed to a daily route, and has been carried by Abram Concklin.

The early years of the village were full of business promise. Among its professional men were Drs. R. E. Lord, F. Swingley, 1. H. Pennock, S. M. Hewett, and Messrs. Boggs and Haus. Of the mechanical arts there were John Moore, Leonard Snow, and David Richardson, cabinet-makers; George Hartshorn, Joseph Davis, and Mr. Royce, hat-makers; John Duree, Jacob Winters, and James Matthews, shoemakers; G. H. Rowland, James French, and William Preemer, harnessmakers and saddlers; Mr. Pancost, E. Goble, Joseph Wagner, Sr., P. R. Crowell, and Mr. Daily, tailors; John Bonar, William Mitchel, Thomas Peterson, Bonner & Withers, and Nathaniel Mitchel, blacksmiths; Benjamin Jackson, Enos Gwynn, and Joseph French, carpenters. The business done in the stores was very large, and teaming became a very important adjunct of the industries of the place. Abram Concklin came here in 1837, and at once engaged in this pursuit. Goods were transported from the lake ports, and loads of grain were taken out for shipment. As many as twelve wagon loads of wheat were sent at one time, to be returned loaded with goods. Teaming to all parts of this country assumed like proportions, and the points where they met took on the appearance of an Eastern caravansary. It took a sheep to supply the table each meal, and the tricks and pranks played upon each other are yet related with infinite gusto by those who participated. An early outgrowth of this business was the establishment of a livery-stable in 1847, by Mr. Concklin. He started with two horses, and soon increased the number to eight, but with the change of general business this has passed away, and there is at present no stable of this kind in the place. With such advantages, the only thing needed to make it permanent was railroad communications, to keep pace with its rivals; but unfortunately it was decreed otherwise, and they did not come. Three surveys for a proposed road along the Owl Creek valley, from Lima to Zanes ville, were made about 1850, but the costly bridging at the latter place made the whole thing fall through. The roads through Mansfield and Mount Vernon, and the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis, placed the little town at a disad vantage, and its business began to wane. During the agitation for the organization of a new country, Chesterville took an important part, and, through the justness of its cause, and the ability of its

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representatives, came near achieving success. With ordinary advantages of modern times, Chesterville would have been a thriving little city, and the capital of a county.

The village was inaugurated in 1860. A petition signed by fifty-one names, asking the privilege of incorporation to the end that the village might be provided suitably with sidewalks, and that more efficient means might be taken to secure property against fire, was presented to the Commissioners, on August 22, 1859, which was granted on the following January. The first officers were: Davis Miles, Mayor; J. A. Goble, Recorder;' Abram Concklin, Marshal; P. R. Crowell, Treasurer - J. G. Miles, A. King, William Shur, Joseph Gunsaulus, D. B. Kinsell, and G. W. Shur, Councilmen. A fair amount of sidewalks, of good quality, have been laid, but the fire protection is purely theoretical. A fire engine was once owned by the corporation, which was chiefly useful in affording amusement and exercise to the volunteer company that brought it out, on occasion, to sprinkle the admiring crowd that gathered about to watch their skill. But the company has long since disbanded, and the engine is going gradually to decay in its natural element, at the bottom of the branch of Owl Creek. The present business of the place is represented by two well-stocked dry-goods stores, a drug-store, milliner-shop, grocery, meat-shop, tin and stove store, a good-sized hardware store, a tailor-shop, blacksmith-shop, carriage-shop, hotel, four churches, the town house and schoolhouse. A lodge of each of the two great benevolent societies have found a home here.

Lodge No. 204, of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, organized under the dispensation of the Grand Lodge, January 24, 1852, with L. Taylor, L. D. Bartlett, P. B. Ayers, Ezekiel Ketcham, G. V. Bartlett, P. J. Wetherby, G. W. Shur, J. H. Honeyman, Robert Dalrymple, Joseph Morris and John Ink as charter members. It was instituted December 30, 1852, by District Deputy Grand Master R. C. Kirk, an ex-Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, the officers of the Grand Lodge signing the charter, William G. Williams, M. W. G. M., Alex E. Glenn, Rt. W. G. Secretary. The officers of the Lodge at present are W. A. Fish, N. G.; J. B. Wilson, V. G.; W. J. Shuble, Rec. Secretary C. W. Brown, Per. Secretary; C. W. McCracken, Treasurer. This lodge is in a flourishing condition, and owns a hall of its own, which, finely appointed, makes a pleasant home for this fraternity. In 1867, the society joined with the town and built the Town Hall, the upper story of which this lodge constructed at a cost of $1,200. There are about fifty active members in the society, though there have been in its history as high a number as one hundred and fifteen members.

Lodge No. 238, of Free and Accepted Masons, was granted a dispensation by the Grand Lodge assembled at Chillicothe on March 22, 1853. The charter members were J. W. Stinchcomb, Davis Miles, C. P. Shur, J. B. Dumble, S. M. Hewett, D. L. Swingley, S. L. Newcomb, A Vanausdle, J. C. Miller, Gabriel Welling, J. E. Miles and L. H. Rowland. The grand officers signing were L., V. Bierce, M. W. G. Al.; J. D. Caldwell, R. W. G. Secretary. The first officers were J. W. Stinchcomb, W. M.; Davis Miles, S. W.; C. P. Shur, J. W. The first meetings were held in the old hotel, but, in 1873, they bought the building where J. A. Goble's store is situated, for $1,950, in the upper part of which they have their hall. The society has been prudent in its expenditures, and has been content to use very plain appointments hitherto, but they are proposing, this year, to enlarge their hall, and later to add to their furniture. The present officers are S. Modie, W. M.; E. D. Smith, S. W.; J. K. Miller, J. W.; G. W. McCracken, Treas.; J. M. Moore, Secy.; R. P. Allam S. D.; Charles McEverts, J. D.; John McCracken, Tiler. There are fifty-six members.

The early settlers of Chester brought with them a deep reverence for the church. Many were members of the different denominations, and all were far-sighted enough to see that a community could reach its highest progress only when grounded in the principles of morality and good order inculcated

368 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY.

by the church. The first denomination represented in the township was the Old-School Baptists. Henry George was a Welsh preacher, of that church, and was given a farm, on condition that four acres should be given for church purposes. Accordingly, in 18 19, a hewed-log cabin was erected on this land. About three years before this, however, a church of some twenty members had been organized by Mr. George. The latter was a vigorous man, of strong constitution, and very earnest in his ministerial labors. He was obliged to work at his trade, as stone and brick mason, for the support of his family, but all his spare time was devoted to missionary labor among the whites and Indians. Among the latter his power was quite remarkable, and his camp-meetings among them were the talk of the country round. His trade made him quite as powerful physically, and, it is said, he was able to defend himself in almost any encounter. On one occasion a noted bully, with a companion, met Mr. George with his son, on horseback, quietly riding home from Mount Vernon. The roughs stopped the horsemen and demanded that they should decide which were the best men. After trying, in vain, to evade them, the Georges reluctantly dismounted and prepared for fight. The elder George was not long in demonstrating to the surprised bully that he had challenged the wrong man, and soon had his antagonist at his mercy. His son not succeeding so well, he turned in and gave him a helping hand, which turned the scale against the challengers.

The first church edifice stood on a corner of George's farm, was about 20x25 feet, provided with greased-paper windows, and had a huge fire-place at one end. The entrance was in the side of the building. There was no pulpit, but McCreary made a stand which answered every purpose. In 1830, a frame building was erected a little northeast of the present house of worship, but was so shabbily constructed that the people were afraid it would tumble down on their heads. In 1836, or thereabout, there was a division in the church, the old-school part withdrawing and establishing a church in Harmony. Four years later, the present structure, about 36x40 feet, was erected at a cost of about $1,000. There are now about 108 members, with Rev. Benjamin Tullos as Pastor. The Methodists, who next found a home in this township, found their way here about 1833. Revs. Solomon Manier and Crawford, in 182 7, preached north and east of Chester; the Franklin Church found a good many of its members in this township as well as the church in Wayne Township. Among the early ministers connected with the circuit in this vicinity we find the names of Pilcher, in 1829, David Young, James McMahon Leroy Swampsted, John H. Power, Elmore Yocumb and William Criste. The latter preached the first Methodist sermon ever delivered in the township, under the following circumstances: On his way to the conference at Columbus, in 1833, he rode from Mansfield in company with Kinsell, who had a store at Chesterville He stayed in Chesterville all night, and, in the evening, word having been sent out to the people living near, he preached to those who gathered in the cabin to hear him. A class was formed soon afterward, and held their meetings in the old frame schoolhouse. The earliest regular preacher was a Rev. McDowell, followed by Pilcher and Goff. The earliest records in the possession of the church are dated July 11, 1836. At that time, Rev. Daniel M. Conant was the circuit preacher, E. B. Kinsell, John Shur, John Frogle, John Graff, John Talmadge, Abram King, Samuel Wilson, John Stilley and A. C. Jackson, Trustees. In the following year, the church building was erected, which now serves as a public school building. This was built by John and Henry Talmadge for $12,00, the site being purchased for $150. On the 19th of September, 1849, this building was sold to Mansfield French for $350, the privilege of using it until October, 1850, being reserved by the church. The new brick building, 70x45 feet, was erected in 185 1, at a cost of several thousand dollars. It was several years before they struggled out of debt, but in the end they have secured a building ample for

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their own purposes, and a creditable addition to the buildings of the village. The cemetery, which has behind it, was purchased of Enos Miles by the society about the time of the erection of their first church building. In 1837, it contained some twelve graves, and was neither cleared nor fenced. With increased means, the church has rendered those attentions to this abode of the dead that a civilized taste demands, and it is one of the neatest cemeteries in the county. In 1875, Abram Concklin built a handsome stone vault, in the face of a high bank, at a cost of a thousand dollars. It is a very ornamental feature of the grounds.

In 1845, the Presbyterian Church formed a society in this township. Ebenezer Goble, a member of this denomination and an earnest Christian man, desired to have a society formed here, and, though far from wealthy, made such strenuous efforts that he accomplished that end in the year mentioned. On the first page of the sessions record is found the following: "At the sessions of the Presbytery of Richland, held in the church of Blooming Grove, April 8 and 9, 1845, a request from sundry members of the Frederick Church, and others living in the vicinity of Chesterville, that a church might be organized in the latter place, was granted, and the Rev. James Scott and Ruling Elder Alexander Menzie, of the Church of Frederick, were appointed a committee to carry into effect the wishes of the petitioners and the resolution of the Presbytery." On May 15, 1845, the following persons presented certificates of dimission from the different churches near by : From the Frederick Church: Ebenezer Goble, and Anna, his wife, Aquilla Jarvis, Rosanna Jarvis, Sr., Rosanna, Jr., John Jarvis, Sarah Jane McAtee, John Boggs, Eliza Boggs, Richard A Struble, William Beemer and wife, Harriet Beemer, their daughter - Bartlett Norton and wife and Ann, their daughter; Richard Manier and wife, Margaret Jane and Anna May, their daughters; Julius W. and Sarah Ann Fox, Stephen Runyon, Elizabeth Leonard, Mar Margaret Willett, Susannah McCall and Mary Berry. From the church at Martinsburg, there were Nathan Peares and wife and Margaret M., their daughter; from the church of Amity, Benjamin Hall and wife; from the Congregational Church at Strongsville, William Wilkinson and wife, John Smiley and wife; from Harmony Presbyterian Church, Lettice Green. The first Elders elected were R. D. Struble, John Smiley, Nathan Peares; and for Deacons, Ebenezer Goble, William Beemer, Julius Fox. The next movement after the organization of a society was for the erection of a church building. Mr. Goble, though not possessed of great mean was indefatigable in his efforts, and his house be came the place for holding the meetings for furthering the interests of this church. On February 1, 1845, at a meeting at his house, himself, with H. Struble, Israel Green, William Beemer and Julius W. Fox, were appointed a building committee, and in that year, a lot was purchased for and a place of worship erected upon it that cost $319 for the woodwork, and $95 for the masonry for it. The Rev. John Elliott presided over the church as a missionary at first, but, in 1846, the Rev. F. A. Shearer divided his time between the Chesterville Church and the Harmony Church in Franklin. The present Pastor is Rev. T, J. McClelland, a graduate of Alleghany City College. The membership now reaches forty persons. The church has had an arduous struggle for existence front the first, but it has gradually got on to a securer basis and is now in a fair growing condition.

Closely following the establishment of public worship came its co-worker, the public schools. The first teacher was probably John Gwynn, who taught one term in the old log Chester Church. But the cause of education in the settlement did not reach a vigorous existence in the community until the coming of Enos Miles, in 1815. Ile was an educational enthusiast-a teacher by profession-and the main instrument in securing the first township schoolhouse, selling the land on which to build it to the Trustees for a pint of oats. He taught a school in the old Baptist Church, and later, taught another in a part of Shur's double cabin. A little

372 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY.

later, the first log schoolhouse was built on a ridge near the northwest corner of a farm owned by a Mr. Percer. It was the usual schoolhouse of the frontier, with greased-paper windows, huge fire place and puncheon furniture. Here the scholars found their way from miles away along the blazed paths, and paid their tuition with "produce." Luther Mozier was an early teacher here, and a one armed man, by the name of Packard, was another. A log cabin, that stood near the barn owned by E. W. Miles, was the place of the second school, and a third building for this purpose stood near the northeast corner of land owned by A. W. Dalrymple. Stephen Palmer, Robert T. Hickman, Mrs. John Beebe and Mrs. Phoebe Talmadge were among the early teachers here. Following these, came the first frame schoolhouse, which was built in 1832. This was a comfortable building with glass windows, and still remains in an out-of-the way place in town, "unhonored and unsung." Among the teachers in this school were Thomas Ash, Merrill, Harris, J. C. Hickman, Mr. McMillen and Lewis Hunt. McMillan is chiefly remembered by his peculiar method of discipline. Small delinquents were hung up to a peg by a rope passing under their arms. Others were put astride of a three-legged stool, and made to ride it around the stove, the teacher helping the speed of the rider, by sundry smart cuts of the whip. Hunt was fond of whisky, and used to beat the scholars unmercifully when under the influence of it. Some of the boys devised a way to bring him to his senses one day, by blowing him up, when in a drunken sleep. He was thoroughly startled, and his clothing was badly burned; but he said nothing, until school closed, when he lashed the boys into a docility which would not dare to rebel, even when he slept. There are now six districts, two of which are fractional. These are all provided with wooden buildings, furnished with bells, and four have improved seating. The average pay of gentlemen teachers is $40 per month, and of ladies, about $20. From the Auditor's statistics it appears, balance on hand, September 1, 1878, was $963.26; amount of State tax received, $273; local tax for school and schoolhouse purposes, $1,001.41; total amount paid teachers during the year, $1,000.91 ; value of school property, $2,500; enumeration, 157, and average attendance, 112; balance on hand, September 1, 1879, $1,015.30.

The special school district of Chesterville was organized in 1852. The first meeting held for the purpose of voting on the question of being set apart into a special district, convened on April 9 of that year, and which was decided by a vote of 54 to 27. A private school, of the higher grade, had been kept here before this, and, at the time this movement began, a select school was in progress. In 1849, Mansfield French bought the old Methodist Church building, and, fitting it up for his purposes, had opened a female seminary, which he conducted for several years. Ile finally sold out to J. B. Selby, who occupied the building as a dwelling, and kept a "select school" in it. The building used by the special district stood upon the hill north of the town hall, where it - is now used as a dwelling. This was used for a few years, but complaints were made that it was unhealthy for the children, and, giving up their fine location, the district bought Selby's building in 1867, paying him $500 for the property, and spending $2,000 more in fitting it up for occupation. At the same time, Selby's services were secured as teacher in the High School at $475 per school year, and D. Reese, his assistant, at $350, in the grammar school. In the secondary grade, Miss Selby taught at $155, and in the primary Miss Martha Dalrymple bore sway at $132. Some little difficulty soon resulted in the resignation of the Selbys, and Reese succeeded to the first position. In the second year, but $400 was assessed for school purposes, which indicates a very economical administration. The first Directors elected were Dr. William Hance and William Shur, for one year; W. F. Bartlett and Dr. S. M. Hewett, for two years; P. B. Ayers and P. R. Crowell, for three years. The board completed its organization by electing Dr. William Hance, Presi-

HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 373

dent; W. F. Bartlett, Secretary, and P. R. Crowell, Treasurer. There are now three departments, presided over at this writing, by William Morrow, Miss S. E. Goble, and Miss A. E. Leonard. The balance on hand in the special district funds, September 1, 1878, was $420,29; the amount of State tax received, $260,25 local tax for schools and schoolhouse purposes, $2,178,62; total amount paid teachers in the year, $1,063; value of school property, $3,000 ; enrollment, 73, average attendance, 56 - balance on band, September 1, 1879, $1,449.02. The present board is Joseph Gunsaulus, President; J. A. Goble, Clerk- G. W. Shur, Treasurer, and Dr. L. D. Whitford: Dr. B. F. Jackson, and S. Modie. An interesting feature of the early educational movement was a debating society, which was held in the different schoolhouses about, and occasionally in the barroom of the old hotel. The disputants used together from the neighboring townships, and among them were Jeremiah Smith and McMillen, of Harmony Township; Enos Miles, Job n Holt and others.

The place of holding elections, at an early day, was at Shur's cabin, but after 1823, when Franklin was set off, the voting place was removed to McCracken's, south of the village, and Dearer the middle of the Township, as then limited. After the village of Chesterville assumed more importance, the voting precinct was moved there; but not without exciting, considerable feeling in the matter, and the township was divided in sentimerit, as it was geographically, by the creek. In 1867, the town ball, with the aid of the Odd Fellows' society, was built, and during the current year it is proposed to use certain funds accruing from railroad taxation, in favor of the Lake Eric Division of the Baltimore & Ohio, in fitting it up with a stage and scenery.