592 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER LIX.

TROY TOWNSHIP.

ORIGINAL BOUNDARIES - EARLY ENTRIES - EARLY SETTLERS - INDIANS - POLITICAL RECORDS - LEXINGTON -CHURCHES - SCHOOLS - LEXINGTON SEMINARY - CEMETERY - DIVISION O! THE TOWNSHIP - VILLAGE OF STEAM CORNERS.

PREVIOUS to 1814, this territory was included in Jefferson Township, but, September 5, was erected into a separate township, and named Troy. Its area at this time was six miles wide (north and south) by eighteen in length (east and west). It then also included all of Washington and North Bloomfield Townships. In March, 1816, it was divided, Washington being erected, leaving the dimensions six by twelve miles in extent. March 4, 1823, the township was further reduced by striking off North Bloomfield on the west, leaving Troy six miles square. In 1848, Morrow was created, taking thirteen sections from the southwestern portion of this township, leaving it irregular in form, the northwest corner being known by the citizens as "Pan Handle."

The first whites who remained permanently came to Troy in the winter of 1811-12. William Gass entered the first piece of land in Troy in the fall of 1811, being the west half of Section 12. He also entered the southwest quarter of Section 11 in the name of Francis Mitchell. The Government lands then sold at $2 per acre. Mr. Watson went to the land office at Canton and paid $160, which secured the land for a term of five years. During the following winter, Amariah Watson, of Knox County, entered the north half of Section 24, with several other pieces in that vicinity.

In the spring of 1812, Amariah Watson and Elisha Robins brought their families to their new home and occupied their rude log cabins. Soon thereafter, William Gass, with his two eldest sons and a hired man, arrived on. the scene, driving a three-horse team and bringing tools, provisions and other necessaries. In a week, a humble cabin was erected and ready for

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the family. He then returned to Knox County for his family, and located them in their new home on the 23d of April. During the succeeding summer, Calvin Culver, Wesley Spratt and Francis Mitchell each erected a small cabin, and brought his family. These were probably the only families in Troy previous to the spring of 1814. A brief sketch of these hardy pioneers may be of interest to the survivors. Amariah Watson was formerly of Luzerne County, Penn.; he had owned and sold a farm near Fredericktown, Knox County, before coming to Troy. The family consisted of two sons and one daughter at the time of their arrival, and subsequently one daughter and three sons were added to the circle. Mr. Watson was a millwright by vocation, energetic, industrious and possessed of considerable ingenuity. He was the original proprietor of the town site of Lexington; was active and prominent in building up the material interests of the village. Having lost his wife, he removed some years afterward to Illinois, where he died. His brothers, Noah and Samuel, were partners with him in his building enterprises, and also removed to the West.

Elisha Robins was from the same county, and had married Mr. Watson's sister. Mr. Robins and wife were already elderly people; both had been previously married and reared families, and the fruit of this union was two sons and two daughters. The children removed to Illinois, and the parents, after surviving some years, died in Troy.

William Gass was a native of Franklin County, Penn.; he emigrated from Western Virginia to the Northwest Territory in 1800; settled in Fairfield County, and thence removed to Knox County in 1806, and finally to Richland County in 1812. His family consisted of his wife and four sons-Benjamin, James R., John and William and a bound girl named Charlotte Hedrick. In the spring of 1817, Mrs. Gass died, and the following year Mr. Gass was married to Mrs. Rebecca Merideth.

In the spring of 1814, quite a tide of immigration set in to the shores of Troy. Among these was a sturdy, pious man, who became prominent in the community, Noah Cook, afterward known as "Uncle Noah," on account of his numerous progeny. He settled in the woods, on the farm now occupied by his only surviving son. Mr. Cook was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was zealous for the success of morality and godliness in the new settlement. He organized the first prayer meeting in the township, and secured its success under peculiar circumstances: At the appointed hour and place, "Uncle Noah" was present, but no other soul of the settlement. He hesitated only a few minutes, then worshiped alone, by singing, prayer, and reading a sermon. Some curious passers by peeped in the window, and went their way. The following appointment, a few days after, witnessed a large company gathered for worship. From this humble beginning, the religious interests of the settlement advanced, until it has become noted for morality and good order.

Mr. Cook reared a family of thirteen children, of whom Jabez Cook, of Mansfield, was the third son, and Thomas Cook, of Lexington, is now the only surviving member.

Calvin Culver was from Luzerne County, Penn. His family consisted of three children-Sterling, Caleb and Julia. They re moved to Washington Township in early times. Wesley Spratt was from Knox County. His wife was a sister of Mr. Watson. They were young people, and the location proving sickly for them, after a sojourn of four years, they returned to Knox County.

William and Daniel Cook came from Washington County, Penn., in 1815. William settled one mile west of Lexington, on the farm afterward owned by Mr. Chambers. Daniel settled two and a half miles west of Mansfield. They put in their crops, and in the fall returned to bring their families. A large wagon, drawn by

594 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

five horses, brought their families and that of Jabez Cook. William removed to Lexington in 1817, where he was much annoyed by wild beasts, and in consequence devoted his leisure to hunting. In 1831, Mr. Cook removed to a farm three miles southwest of Mansfield, and in 1855 moved to the city.

Samuel McCluer, who died but a few months since, and was one of the earliest pioneers, was born in Rockbridge County, Va. He removed to Ohio in 1808, and located near Circleville ; afterward moved to Bellville, and finally to Troy about 1815. Here he lived until his death. He was a valuable member of society, an earnest and active Christian, a member of the Congregational Church, and an active worker in the Sunday school.

Ezekial Boggs, another prominent settler of Troy, was born in Ohio County, Va., in 1795, near Wheeling. He participated in a battle with the Indians in Belmont County, known as the battle of "Captina." About one mile below the mouth of Captina Creek was a small fort, where a party of three or four scouts were sent to reconnoiter. They were, however, surprised, attacked, and two of them slain, one taken prisoner, and the other escaped. This roused the revenge of those in the fort, and in consequence a party of twelve or fourteen soldiers were sent up the creek, marching in single file, and as they neared the enemy, the savages fired at them from the hilltops. They took warning, treed, and began skirmishing; three or four whites, and eight or ten of the enemy, were slain. Mr. Boggs joined the army in 1812, under Gen. Hull and Col. Lewis Cass. The army marched from St. Clairsville to Cincinnati, and were joined by a body of soldiers bound for Detroit. He went with the army to the vicinity of Detroit, and was in the disgraceful surrender which occurred there. After the parole, Mr. Boggs returned home, and soon thereafter was married to Miss Jane Neal. They moved to Troy about 1833, and located in Lexington, where they remained until their deaths occurred. In their early pioneer life, Mrs. Boggs supplied the family with the necessaries of life by digging gentian root.

Among the later settlers are various names more or less familiar. Alexander Abernathy, an aged and retired physician, was born in 1810, in Pennsylvania ; graduated in 1831, practiced in Perry County,. Penn.; removed to Ohio in 1836, and finally located at Lexington in 1837. He married Miss Catherine Fulton in 1843, who bore him four children. Mr. A. was a member of the Legislature in 1845 and also a subsequent term; he was a stanch Democrat.

A. J. and Henry Winterstien came to Ohio in 1821, and located near Lexington. They are prominent members of the Presbyterian Church and active, successful farmers. Thomas Cook, youngest son of "Uncle Noah," has been identified with the interests of Troy from his early childhood, first in the capacity of pupil in the public school, afterward, for many years, as the village schoolmaster, then as a farmer, and in various other pursuits. James McCluer, Moses Sowers, Mr. Beverstock and others, are among the later but active and enterprising settlers in this vicinity.

When the first settlers came to Troy, the Indians had undisputed possession of this region. A number of lodges or camps were located along the Clear Fork. They were of the Wyandot and Mohawk tribes. Six or eight camps were in sight of Noah Cook's residence; while on the southeast quarter of Section 13 were about the same number. On the banks of Isaac's Run there was an Indian village. They were quite peaceable and friendly ; they seldom or never offered the settlers any violence ; they did not cultivate the soil here it was merely a hunting-ground headquarters they at times vacated here and repaired to Greentown, their permanent home. This encampment was on their trail from Sandusky

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southward. Their chief articles of commerce were venison, cranberries and wooden wares. They were finally removed from here about 1826.

The early political history of Troy is derived from its public documents, several of which are preserved. The first meeting of the citizens of Troy Township, after its organization, took place on the 4th day of October, 1814, when the following officers were elected : Amariah Watson, Clerk; C. Culver, Constable; John Young, Jacob Mitchell and Solomon Culver, Township Trustees. The second election was held April 3, 1815, when the following officers were elected: Daniel Mitchell, Clerk; Solomon Culver, John Young and Jacob Mitchell, Trustees; John Vandorn, Constable; Ichabod Clark and Andrew Perkins, Fence Viewers; Samuel Watson, Appraiser; Jacob Cook, Lister; Amariah Watson and Samuel McCluer, Overseers of the Poor; Aaron Young, William Gass, Alexander Mann and Amariah Watson, Supervisors. The following bond, on account of its brevity, is worthy of notice

We, or either of us, do hold ourselves bound, in the sum of $400, for the good and faithful performance of the office of Township Trustees of Troy. Given under our hand at New Lexington,, this third day of April, 1815.

Wesley Spratt, Treasurer.

Amariah Watson, Security.

Attest, DANIEL MCMICHAEL.

From this humble beginning, Troy has secured a very respectable place in the body politic. Her citizens numbered in 1820 a mere handful, but a tide of emigration soon set in from the older communities, and in 1850, the population of Troy was 1,543. Of this number, 777 were males, and 766 were females, Then ensued a period of comparative rest, for at the next census in 1860, the population was 1,547 persons. From that period to the present, there has been considerable decrease, amounting to several hundred. A marked feature of the population was, that only two colored persons and but forty foreign born were enrolled in the township.

Lexington is beautifully situated upon the northern slope of a gentle hill. The Clear Fork flows along its eastern border. It is a neat and ordinary village of some five or six hundred souls. The town site is located on the northwest quarter of Section 24, owned originally by Amariah Watson. The town was laid out in 1812, and named in honor of the Revolutionary Lexington of Massachusetts. Mr. Watson built the first house, a log cabin, a few rods above the site of the mill on the creek bank, in the spring of 1812. He soon vacated this humble dwelling for a more commodious frame house, which he built in the immediate vicinity of the Inglehart property, near the railroad. This house was provided with port-holes for defense in case. of Indian invasion. The second house was a frame tavern, built by Mr. Jacob Cook, and is still standing and occupied as a hotel. A tannery was soon after erected by Mr. Coleman, near the spot now occupied by the depot. A shoe store was kept in connection. with the tannery, where boots and shoes were made to order and exchanged for hides. The building has long since been demolished; but the vats may still be seen. About this time, a very important event took place; the log schoolhouse was built. It was built of unhewed logs, and covered with boards or shakes; the seats were of the ancient make a slab with pegs for legs constituted the seats, counters ranged along the walls were the desks whereon to write and cipher. In those days, the schoolmaster was king; when his ire was stirred, he grasped his ten-foot rod and planting himself in the arena, swayed his trusty weapon with such skill that the boys began to climb-science hill.

The grist and saw mills were erected in 1812, and contributed largely to the prosperity of the new settlement. The grist-mill run one buhr for wheat, and one for corn, and began running to its full capacity in 1814. A dry-goods store

596 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

was established the same year by William Darnell and J. F. Adams, which gave a new impetus to trade and settlement. In a few years, Lexington had attracted a population of several hundred souls. While the newly born city was growing in material wealth, her religious welfare was also sought after. Rev. Henry George, a Baptist minister of Scotch blood, was the first itinerant who traveled in this region. He was a stonemason by trade, and possessed of considerable talent. There was no stated preaching until 1816, when Rev. George Van Eman, a Presbyterian minister, labored at Lexington a portion of his time. In 1817-18, Rev. George, and Rev. Summerville occupied the field, alternating every two weeks. Services were held at dwellings, the schoolhouse, in barns and other such structures for several years. From these humble beginnings, the religious and educational interests of Lexington have developed to a degree that would do honor to a city of greater magnitude. Five different denominations have houses of worship, and maintain services at stated times. It is difficult to ascertain which denomination was the first to occupy the field. The Old School Presbyterians held services in the schoolhouse and elsewhere very early, yet the United Presbyterians, Methodists and Universalists held services in an early day. The first meeting-house, however, was doubtless built by the Presbyterians as early as 1831 or 1832. It was a small frame, and built upon the lot now used and owned by the United Brethren. The lot was donated by Amariah Watson; the neighbors united to clear it off, and "Uncle Noah" Cook contracted with a Mr. Bell, who furnished the materials, built the house, and received as compensation from Mr. Cook seventy acres of new land. The Presbyterian society was organized by a committee of Presbytery March 29, 1832. The first, Pastor was Rev. Adam Torrence, and some of the original members were Noah Cook, Ezekiel Boggs, William Kelso, John Herron, Mary Mitchell. William McMillan and Hester Cleland. By order of the session, the house was sold in May, 1836, to the United Brethren for $422. It was replaced by a brick building the following year. Revs. Brown, Rowland, Robinson, Shearer and Smith succeeded as supplies or Pastors till 1844, when Rev. Evan Evans became the Pastor. During this year, slavery and other causes rent the church, and Rev. Evans with a number of his flock seceded and organized as a new school congregation. In 1848, Rev. Luke Doreland became Pastor. The brick house having proven defective, it was replaced by a substantial frame which is still in use and in good repair. Some of the later Pastors were Revs. James Anderson, Mr. Hillman, J. O. Proctor, T. B. Atkins, Mr. McMillan and A. Duncan. The present incumbent, Rev. G. G. Copland, was installed in the summer of 1879. This denomination is at present much the strongest, both numerically and financially, of any in the village.

The Congregational Church was formerly a New School Presbyterian, organized as such in 1844, by Rev. J. B. Walker. The records during the interval from the secession to the final organization are very meager. The Pastors of the church during this period were Rev. E. Evans, Rev. Shedd, Rev. Bushnell and others. Some of the original members were Mr, Chapman, L. Barnum, William Kelso, John Rusk, William Lyon and Mr. Brown. In March, 1862, Rev. Kelso organized this body into a Congregational society. Thomas Brown, Carter Cook, Samuel Douglas, Samuel McCluer, William Kelso, John Barnum and Phineas Barnum were some of the original members. The first meeting-house was built in 1846, at a cost of $835, not including painting. In 1873, the church was repaired and remodeled at a cost of f $1,600, making a very comfortable and attractive edifice. The first Pastor under the new organization was Rev. Samuel Kelso. From 1864 to 1872, Rev. George Fry, who died quite recently, served the society as Pastor. He was

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succeeded by Rev. J. M. Bowers and Rev. J. G. Aikman. In January, 1876, Rev. L. R. Royce became Pastor, and still serves in that capacity. The membership of the church in 1879, was eighty-two, and the contributions for the current year $812.22.

The United Presbyterians were among the earliest in this field. Soon after the organization of the township, they held services in dwellings, schoolhouses and other rude buildings. The first sermon was preached in the shed of a still-house, by Rev. John Graham, at Troy, a mile and a half northwest of Lexington. The first house of worship-a log cabin-was erected at Troy, which served them for many years. In 1851, preparations were made to build a frame house; the lumber was secured and stored in the log house, but, before, the foundation was complete, the log house caught fire and was consumed with all its contents. The frame was subsequently erected and long used as a sanctuary ; part of it is still in use as a barn: This house was frequently used by other denominations also for divine services. The church vacated this point and bought the seminary building in Lexington, in 1867, of Rev. Gailey, who continued his' school in the lower story, while the upper story was finished and furnished for a church, and is still used as a place of worship. Rev. James Johnson was the first Pastor and served until 1844, when Rev. Samuel Finley succeeded to the office. Some of the members at the time of organization were Isaac Miller, John McClung, James Larimer, N. Cook, John Gass and William Nelson. In 1849, Rev. R. Gailey began his ministrations as Pastor, and continued in this relation until his death, which occurred in April, 1875. Until lately, Rev. T. P. Dysart has been Pastor of the church. The present membership is forty-five, and the annual contributions about $500.

The United Brethren organized quite early, and bought the house sold by the Presbyterians in 1836. It was torn down, enlarged, remodeled and furnished, affording a neat and pleasant house. Their early ministers were Rev. Jacob George, John Dorcas, George Hiskey, John Fry and others. The later ones were Samuel Long, Rev. Creighton, Rev. Kesey and Rev. Barlow. The numerical strength of this church varied much at different periods, now advancing, then receding. It has exceeded one hundred in the past, but is now quite small.

The Universalists were also pioneers in this vicinity. They built a church in an early day on the lot now occupied by Mrs. Spaulding's residence, and it has been only a few years since it disappeared. This denomination was at one time quite strong, and threatened the extinction of the other denominations, but a long, protracted debate or controversy took place between one of their prominent ministers, Rev. Biddlecome, and a Methodist minister, Rev. Powers, lasting more than a week, which seemed to check their progress, and they soon began to abate their ardor, so that in a few years no services were maintained. At the present, they have neither house, society, nor name.

The Methodist Episcopal Church is not the least, although last, to receive attention. It was organized in the early history of the village and well sustained for many years. It was at one period the leading church, having a large and influential membership, and some very able and talented ministers; some of whom have risen to the highest position in the church. The names of Russell Bigelow, Adam Poe, Harris, Leonard Gurley, John Powers and many younger men are familiar among Methodists and many others in this section. The house of worship is a plain, modest frame, about thirty-six feet wide by fifty feet long. It has been built some forty years and, excepting some repairs, remains in its original form. This society has been gradually declining in numbers and influence for several years, so that a mere handful compose its membership at

598 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

present. An appointment was long maintained at Fairview, a point about two and a half miles northwest of the village, where there was a neat frame chapel. This house was destroyed by fire a few years since, and the place abandoned. A neat, frame schoolhouse now stands upon the same foundation.

After the log schoolhouse, previously mentioned, had served its purpose, it was replaced with a substantial brick building, about the year1831: It was an octagon in form, and one story high. Several of the teachers who served in the old log house, have since become eminent in the nation. Mr. Delano, who has since been a member of the national cabinet, taught in this primitive seat of learning; also Mr. Kennon, who has since been honored with the offices of Judge and Congressman from Belmont County, Ohio. The first term of school in the new brick house was taught by Thomas Cook, who continued in the same position for a number of terms. Mr. Colby, subsequently a prominent citizen of Mansfield and of bank notoriety, served also in the brick house, as teacher one or more terms. In 1851, the brick house was abandoned, as it was no longer considered safe, and a commodious frame, two stories high, and containing four schoolrooms, was erected. These were all filled with pupils at different periods, but for a few years past there has been a great decrease in the enrollment. The schools now contain about one hundred and twenty-five pupils in the several departments. Mr. Wilson, Mr. Andrews, and others, have held the position of Principal in later years. Mr. Bechtel is the present teacher. The school has never attained any higher grade than a village or district school.

The Lexington Seminary was a continuation of Monroe Seminary, situated in Monroe Township, and was opened in 1851 by Rev. R. Gailey. The recitations were, for a time, conducted in a church, yet the school drew to itself a large share of patronage. Mansfield and Wooster sent many pupils to the school. In 1860, the school was removed to Lexington. A substantial brick building was erected by a stock company, and devoted to school purposes. Some trouble arose in 1866, between the seminary and the public. The Trustees offered the house for sale at 50 per cent of the nominal value. Rev. Gailey purchased the house and furnished it, also making some improvements. Rev. Galley sold the house the following year to the. United Presbyterian Church. They paid off all claims against the property and furnished it comfortably. They occupy the upper room for a house of worship, and gave the lower room to Miss Gailey, the last Principal, for a schoolroom. The school was a private enterprise in no sense denominational. The enrollment in the fall of 1865, was 80: in 1866, 109 ; in 1867,126. The school declined in members for several years, so that only, 94 were enrolled in 1878. Rev Gailey, after spending twenty-four years in the interests of the school, died in 1875, and was succeeded by his daughter, Miss Jane Gailey, who continued the school until the close of the spring term of 1880, when she was married to the Rev. Mr. Dysart. This event closed the Lexington Seminary.

There are several other features of the town which add much to its success and completeness. A fine new bridge spans the river at the approach on the east of the village. It is of iron, built by a Toledo company, costing in the aggregate about $2,000. The town has one first-class dry-goods store, two groceries, one hotel, butcher-shop, hardware store, one drug store, etc.

The cemetery lies northeast of the village, on the opposite side of the river on a gentle elevation. It is laid out properly, fenced with a good board fence, well cared for and affords a desir able resting-place. It originally embraced one acre now nine. As early as 1816, Mrs. Searles and Mrs. Gass were laid to rest here, and previously a few red men had chosen a bed in this

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quiet retreat. Many white marble slabs and monuments now dot it over, ever reminding the survivors that "man born of woman is of few days." The cemetery is bounded on two sides by a swamp, on the third by the river, but on the south is approached by a gently sloping ridge from the town. The surrounding country is undulating, and affords a beautiful scene as viewed from this " city of the dead."

Steam Corners is a small village, situated in the southwestern part of Troy Township, and consists of sixteen dwellings, besides a saw-mill, store, schoolhouse and several shops. It has never been incorporated, but is merely a four corners the crossing of two section lines. It occupies the adjacent corners of Sections 17, 18, 19 and 20, which are owned respectively by Mrs. Bender, Frederick Stull, Lewis Miller and David Stull. The most prominent feature of the Corners is the steam saw-mill, located a few rods south of the cross-roads. It was erected about 1849, by Hall, Allen & Devise, who ran a sash saw for a number of years, but the mill is now supplied with a,modern circular saw. There is connected with it a planing-mill on a small scale. This mill is the chief enterprise in the community, and is now owned by Frederick Stull. The town has derived its name from it.

A dry-goods store was established at the Corners in 1864, by William Baughman, who operated it about a year. From 1866 to 1874, the store was owned by C. W. Rowalt, who carried on an extensive trade. It subsequently passed into various hands. The firm of Staater & Halderman carried on the business for a term of four years. Shanck & Maxwell are the present owners and are doing a good business.

The post office is an important element of the Corners. It was established about fifteen years ago, and, until 1878, the post route was from Galion to the Corners, but since has been extended to Fredericktown. They have a tri-weekly mail from Galion to Fredericktown and vice versa. Two blacksmith-shops are located here, the one owned by Jack Corwin, the other by William Treisch.

The village also affords a shoe-shop and several wood or carpenter shops.

The schoolhouse is a neat, substantial brick edifice on the west side of the town. There is but one room, hence but one department, although there are some sixty-five or seventy pupils in attendance.

Most of the early settlers, who cleared up the land and rescued it from the wilderness, are gone to their long rest. Among the survivors is William Moore, living .about a mile south of the Corners. He is about seventy-five years old, and, perhaps, the oldest surviving pioneer of that vicinity.. He is a native of Ireland, emigrated in his youth, and, after sojourning a time in Pennsylvania, he removed to Ohio, and located at Steam Corners previous, to 1830. His family consisted of five sons and two daughters.

George Norwood, an early pioneer, aged eighty, lives near by. His family consisted of three sons and three daughters. He was a native of Germany, whence he removed in early life.

David Thompson who has been dead some six years, was a prominent man of those early times. He was a native American, and reared a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters.

The country about the Corners is less hilly than other portions of the township, yet it is gently undulating. The soil is rich and productive, and the farm buildings generally indicate a goodly degree of prosperity.