HISTORY
OF
FAIRFIELD AND PERRY COUNTIES
OHIO.
THEIR PAST AND PRESENT,
CONTAINING
A COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF OHIO ; A COMPLETE HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD AND
PERRY COUNTIES ; THEIR TOWNSHIPS, CITIES, VILLAGES, TOWNS, SCHOOLS,
CHURCHES, SOCIETIES, INDUSTRIES, STATISTICS, ETC.; A HISTORY OF
THEIR SOLDIERS IN THE LATE WAR; PORTRAITS OF EARLY SET-
TLERS AND PROMINENT MEN ; MISCELLANEOUS MATTER;
MAPS OF THE COUNTIES ; BIOGRAPHIES AND HISTO-
RIES OF PIONEER FAMILIES, ETC., ETC.
COMPILED BY A. A. GRAHAM.
ILLUSTRATED.
CHICAGO :
W. H. BEERS & CO.
1883
COMPILER'S PREFACE.
Less than a century since not a white man dwelt in the present limits of the two counties, the history of which these pages chronicle. Now not an acre is unclaimed, and the eye sees the surface of the land dotted with comfortable homes.
The PIONEERS, whose lives are dimly pdrtrayed in these pages, are the remote cause of all this ; the labor of their children, the immediate cause.
The aim of this volume is to preserve the deeds and lives of those who have done all this. That errors are made, and that omissions occur, none are more sensible than the compiler and publishers. A diligent effort was made to get all, and a vigilant effort made to be correct. But as long as human minds are forgetful, so long will history contain errors.
In the preparation of Fairfield county the various Lewspapers freely lent all the aid they possessed. Competent writers were sent to every township and every town, and thus every church, school, academy, and other public enterprise, was faithfully recorded. Very many conflicting opinions arose among the oldest inhabitants, but these were carefully compared, and the one bearing the impress of truth preserved.
The compiler desires to extend his thanks to all who aided him in any way in the preparation of the part ,pertaining to Fairfield county. Although the patronage from that county was not so large as from Perry county, yet no effort and no expense was spared to obtair a complete and reliable history. In this he thinks he has been materially successful.
The history of Perry county is entirely the work of Mr E. H. COLBURN, who, in a faithful manner; has preserved his county's history—in fact, better than any resident historian it has been the compiler's lot to meet.
A. A. GRAHAM,
COMPILER.
AUTHOR'S PREFACE.--PERRY COUNTY.
SOME eight years ago the idea presented itself that a history of Perry county might be written, or compiled and published, which would be of permanent value and benefit. Not long after I began collecting materials and, as time and opportunity permitted, preparing the manuscript. Not being able to secure sufficient capital to bring out the work as desired, the publication was necessarily delayed, and finally the manuscript disposed of to Mr. A. A. GRAHAM, who was regularly engaged in publishing county histories. He concluded to publish Perry and Fairfield counties together ; hence, the present volume. The Perry County History is, with slight modifications, the same as contemplated by the author several years ago.
In addition to the direct credits given in the book, the author is, of course, indebted to various sources for information, including the county newspapers, " Ohio in the War," and a large number of citizens, who have manifested an interest in the work. The late J. W. STINCHCOMB, of Nebraska, furnished many of the facts concerning the early history of Thorn township, and T. SPENCER STILLMAN, of Somerset, contributed most of the information in relation to the old Scioto and. Hocking Valley Railroad. Mr. WILL PEOPLES gathered most of the information for the township histories of Madison, Bearfield, and Pleasant townships, and presented it in form very nearly as published.
It is impossible that such a publication should be free from errors, though great pains have been taken to make the history fair, correct and trustworthy, and one that will increase in interest and value as the years pass away.
If it may appear, in some respects, that proportionate space has not been given to matters of equal interest, it should be remembered that available materials are not the same in all cases, and that persons from whom information. must necessarily be obtained are not always equally ready or able to give it. Nevertheless, it has been the aim of the author and compiler to accord a fair and impartial presentation of all subjects and matters embraced within the scope of the work.
I have had no control over the Biographical department, though that will, no doubt, prove to be one of the most interesting fez tures of the volume.
" With malice toward none," and charity and good will toward all, the Perry County History is respectfully submitted to the consideration of patrons and readers.
E. S. COLBORN,
AUTHOR.
SEARCH ENGINE NUMBER
CONTENTS. CONTENTS—Continued PART V . HISTORY OF PERRY COUNTY. Geography, Topography, and Geology Coal, Iron Ore, Salt. and other Minerals Indians and First Whites Pioneer Habits and Customs—“The Good Old Days” Nationality and Races Tragedy and Comedy Courts, County Officers, Public Buildings, etc. The Seat of Justice Apiculture and County Fairs The Newspaper Press Railroads Political Matters The Military in Time of Peace The War of 1812 and Mexican War The War of the Rebellion Reunion of Veteran Soldiers The Centennial Cyclones and Floods Old Settlers' Association Miscellaneous Subjects Some Perry County Boys 1 7 13 18 26 28 43 59
69 74 82 91 99
103 106 106
139
149
154
156
166 PART VI . TOWNSHIP HISTORIES OF PERRY COUNTY. Bearfield Township Clayton Township Coal Township Harrison Township Hopewell Township Jackson Township Madison Township Monday Creek Township Monroe Township Pike Township Pleasant Township Reading Township Saltlick Township Thorn Township Biographical Sketches 171 178 190 192 195
202 208 215 219 226 256 261 302 307 321