|
660 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. SALEM TOWNSHIP. BY J. L. MOUNTS, M. D. This township was formed from the township of Hamilton, on the 24th of June, 1813, and its boundaries fixed as follows: That part lying east of a line drawn south from the mouth of Todd's Fork to the south boundary line of Warren County, shall be erected into a new and separate township-beginning at Robert Whitacre's corner on the Little Miami River, at the mouth of Todd's Fork, thence south to the south boundary line of Warren County, thence east with the county line to the southeast corner of the county, thence north with the county line to Wayne Township, thence with Wayne Township line until it strikes the Little Miami River, thence down the river to the beginning." From the records of the commissioners we learn that on June 8, 1818, "a petition was laid before the commissioners signed by a number of citizens of the townships of Hamilton and Salem, praying that a part of the township of Hamilton may be attached to the township of Salem, and that a new township be laid off and erected, of a part of Salem, adjoining the township of Wayne, and the commissioners having been satisfied with the reasonableness of said petition, do order and agree as follows : that the following described territory of Hamilton Township, beginning on the Little Miami River at the northeast corner of McGuire's survey, being the upper corner on the river of said survey, thence due south to the county line, be attached to and made a part of the township of Salem; then, beginning at the said northeast corner of said McGuire's survey on the river, thence up the river with the meanders thereof and binding thereon to Mahlon Roach's upper corner on the river, thence east to the county line, thence south with the county line to the southeast corner of the county, thence west with the county line to the first mentioned line between Hamilton and Salem Townships, thence north with said line to the Little Miami River to the said corner of McGuire's survey as aforesaid, shall compose the township of Salem." Harlan Township was formed from Salem by an act of the Legislature, passed March 16, 1860, and the same act gave to Salem the name of Corwin Township, which it retained until June 6, 1860, when the commissioners on petition changed it again to Salem. In 1860, a part of Union Township was added to Salem, giving it its present shape. After all these changes, each of which was the source of much local controversy and no little bitterness, we have a township in the shape of a very imperfect right-angled triangle, containing over twenty square miles. That part of the township taken from Union, and lying north of the river, is called North Salem, and is divided into sections; that part SALEM TOWNSHIP - 661 lying south of the river is called South Salem, and is composed entirely of surveys very irregular size and shape. This is explained by the fact that the part of the township lying south of the Little Miami River was included in the Virginia Military lands; a full account of which is given in the general history of the county. The first land warrant located in Warren County was survey No. 399, opposite Waynesville, and described as being fourteen miles west of Old Town. It was located August 1, 1787. The second was directly east of this. The third, and the first in the neighborhood of Todd's Fork, was No. 520, now in Hamilton Township. It was located by William McGuire, August 21, 1787, and called for 1.000 acres of land. Other warrants were located as follows: No. 1494, August 21, 1787, Capt. John Peyton Harrison enters 4,000 acres of land, part of a military warrant, No. 171, on the Miami River, beginning at the mouth of Todd's Creek, which empties into the Miami about ten miles below the mouth of Caesar's Creek; at the mouth of said creek, on the upper side, is a honey locust marked M, another W E and a sugar tree No. 3; running up the river 640 poles when reduced to a straight line, thence at right angles from the general course of the river easterly for quantity. This was surveyed by Nathaniel Massie, District Surveyor, and bears the date October 10, 1792. No. 1,500, August 21, 1787, Alexander McIntyre, assignee, enters 200 acres of land, part of a military warrant, No. 2,959, beginning 60 poles on the river, at the upper corner of William McGuire's entry No. 520, run up the Miami to the lower corner of John P. Harrison's entry No. 1,494, thence west with Harrison's line for quantity. Surveyed by William Lytle, District Surveyor, October 16, 1796. The village of Morrow was built in this survey. No. 1,552, February 19, 1793, Cornelius Skinner, assignee, enters 2,6661 acres of land on a military warrant No. 3,788, on Todd's Fork, a branch of the Little Miami, beginning at the south corner of Stephen T. Mason's survey No. 1,211, thence S. 37 degrees E. 1,032 poles to the east corner of Benjamin Teliaferro's entry No. 2,225, thence N. 53 degrees E. and at right angles for quantity. Surveyed by William Lytle, District Surveyor, April 25. 1814. The extreme eastern corner of the township is in this survey. No. 2,225, February 19, 1793, Benjamin Taliaferro enters 3,671 acres of land, part of a military warrant No. 559, on Todd's Fork, a branch of the Little Miami, beginning at the corner of said Taliaferro's entry of 995 acres, a burr and white oak, thence N. 53 degrees E. 460 poles, thence S. 37 degrees E., at right angles for quantity. Surveyed by Nathaniel Massie, District Surveyor, October 8, 1792. No. 2,527, January 27, 1794, Elisha King enters 1,186k acres of land, a part of a military warrant No. 1,911, on the Little Miami, beginning at the upper cor¬iter of William McGuire's entry No. 520, thence up the river and binding thereon to le lower corner of Alexander McIntyre's entry No. 1,500, thence with his lower line from the river to his south-east corner, thence with his back line to where it intersects the line of No. 1,494, and with the line of said survey, and from the beginning with McGuire's line out from the river so far that a line from each end of the given line will include the quantity. Surveyed by William Lytle, District Surveyor, October 16, 1796. No. 2,529, March 23, 1797, William Nall, assignee, enters 6661 acres of land, part of a military warrant No. 728, west of the Miami River, beginning at a large forked white oak in the line of John A. Binn's survey No. 1,496, and southwest corner to Elisha King's survey No. 2,527, thence with Binn's S. 4 degrees W. 350 poles, thence S. 87 degrees E. 400 poles, thence N. 3 degrees E. 356 poles, thence S. 87 degrees W. 300 poles to the place of beginning. Surveyed by William Lytle, District Surveyor, March 29, 1797. No. 3,793, February 8, 1800, John Taylor enters 1,000 acres of land, part of a military warrant No. 4,911, on the waters of O'Bannon's Creek, beginning at 662 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. the north corner of John Payne's entry NO. 3,791, running with his line S. 45 de green E. 200 poles to his corner, thence with another of said Payne's lines S. degrees W. to the line of Taylor, Lytle & Underwood's survey No. 3,790, thence with their line S. 45 degrees E. 286 poles, thence at right angles N. 45 degrees 400 poles, thence N. 45 degrees W. 486 poles, thence S. 45 degrees W. to the place of beginning. Surveyed by William Lytle, District Surveyor, February 20e 1800. This includes the land in the southwestern corner of the township. No. 3,794, February 8, 1800, John Taylor enters 1,215 acres of land, part of a military warrant No. 4,911, on the waters of the Little Miami, beginning at the north corner of hie former entry No. 3,793, running S. 45 degrees E. 486 poles, thence at right angles N. 45 degrees E. for quantity. Surveyed by William Lytle, District Surveyor, February 20. 1800. Only the upper end of this survey is in Salem Township. No. 8,795, February 8, 1800, John Taylor enters 1,215 acres of land, part or a military warrant No. 4,911, on the waters of the Little Miami River, begrnning at the north corner of said Taylor's former entry No. 3,794, running S. 45 degrees E. 486 poles with line of said entry, thence off at right angles N. 45 degrees E. for quantity. Surveyed by William Lytle, District Surveyor, February 20, 1800. The north end only of this is in Salem Township. No. 4,439, June 14, 1803, William Lytle, assignee, enters /00 acres of land, part of a military warrant No. 1,841, on the waters of the Little Miami River, beginning at a large red oak and elm southeast corner to John A. Binn's survey No. 1,496, east corner to James MaIlhaney and others' survey 1,497, thence S. 4 degrees W. with the line of their survey, passing their southeast corner and with the line of Thomas Martin's survey No. 2,805, to the line of John Taylor's survey No. 3,793, thence N. 45 degrees E. with Taylor's line, so far that a line running east from the beginning, will include the quantity. Surveyed by William Lytle, District Surveyor, March 10, 1804. No. 9,536, November 3, 1817, John Nancarrow, assignee, enters 300 acres of land, part of two military warrants Nos. 3,695 and 3,480, on the waters of Todd's Fork, beginning at the northeast corner of John Taylor's survey No. 3,795, in the line of John Crittenden's survey No. 980, thence with said line to the south corner of J. P. Harrison's survey No. 1,494, thence with Harrison's line to the southeast corner of Elisha King's survey No. 2,527, and from the beginning N. 45 degrees W. with Taylor's line to said King's line for quantity. Surveyed by William Lytle, District Surveyor, November 5, 1817. Most of the land warrants were located as early as 1790, the Indians being then comparatively peaceable, but owing to a dispute about the terms of some of their treaties, they became hostile, and remained in a state of war up to their defeat by General Wayne in August, 1794; and the treaty of Greenville, July 30, 1795, brought an end to Indian troubles in Ohio. Many Virginians having land warrants had come down the Ohio River to possess their land, but Indian hostilities caused them to settle temporarily at Columbia, or White's Station, or in Kentucky near Cincinnati. Many persons had been waiting one or two years, living in camps and block-houses, for some assurance of permanent peace to be given them. In less than thirty days after the ratification of Wayne's treaty, there was a flood of emigration to the Miami lands, unknown in the previous history of the country. SETTLEMENTS. Probably the first settlement in the county, south of the Little Miami River, was in the autumn of 1795, on lands now owned by William P. Mounts, three miles below the mouth of Todd's Fork. This settlement was made by William Mounts' family, and five other families. It was known as Mounts' Station. An account of this settlement was furnished by the writer for the history of Hamilton Township. SALEM TOWNSHIP - 663 The families making the settlement had been stopping temporarily in Kentucky and at White's Station, on Mill Creek, for about two years. As soon as the news of their safe arrival on their lands reached their friends in Virginia, where many 104 been anxiously awaiting the result and report of the advance, there was at once the most tremendous tide of emigration from all the east, but especially from Virginia, and Pennsylvania A few families had come with the settlers at Mounts' Station and stopped temporarily at what is now called South Lebanon. Many of the first settlers had been soldiers under Gen. Wayne in the Indian wars. Col. Paxton commanded a regiment of Pennsylvania troops, and immediately after peace was established removed to Clermont County. He had already located several tracts of land in Warren County, which had been surveyed in 1792-93. Todd's Fork took its name from Paxton's son-in-law, Robert Todd, who was one of the this surveying party, and located lands on the stream as early as 1787. Another of was Martin Varner, who afterwards settled at Hick's Station. He was the father of Jacob Varner, and the grandfather of Mrs. James Hicks. These men are thus specially noticed, not only because they were among the very earliest settlers in Warren County, but because they were here several years in advance of the first settlements, while the country was in possession of hostile Indians. Emigrants having no lands, and no money with which to purchase lands, could get a lease of from twenty to forty acres for from fifteen to twenty years, on condition that they would erect a cabin and clear the land and vacate it at the expiration of the lease. A list of the settlers in this township in 1805 would be of interest, but the following few only can be mentioned: Wm. Leggett occupied the farm now known as the "Stubbs farm. ;" Joseph and David Shawhen occupied the farm east of this; Thomas Miranda's father owned the present site of Morrow; the Irelands owned the Clement farm; the Wallaces owned the farm directly south of this; William T. Whitacre's grandfather owned 4,000 acres, beginning at the mouth of Todd's Fork, running almost to Butlerville, thence to Blackhawk, thence to the river, opposite Lambert's. He gave 1,100 acres off of the east side of the survey to have it located and surveyed. He had traded a small farm near Winchester, Va., for this warrant. The 1,100 acres from the east side was purchased by a Mr. Roach, of Harper's Ferry, Va., and was settled by his sons, Jonah, George,, Phineas and Mahlon. The latter built the house now owned by Mrs. Ward about 1830, and also laid out the village of Roachester. Whitacre's lands were divided among his children, Moses, John, Andrew, Aquilla and several daughters. William T. lives on the site of his grandfather's first house. In 1805, when they located on theVan land, they lived for a time in a hollow sycamore tree on the bank of, the fork, near the site of the present bridge. About the year 1808 Whitacre built the first frame house in Salem Township. It was the first shingled house between Chillicothe and Cincinnati, and was designated as "the frame house" or the "shingled-roofed" house. It was built by James Hart, the father of Tilford Hart. Jonathan Tribbey settled on the old Tribbey farm at a very early day. The Irelands came from Virginia in 1805 and settled on the Brown farm, opposite Morrow, and afterwards on the farm now owned by W. H. Clement, west of the brewery. The original Miranda farm embraced 200 acres, including the village of Morrow, a part of East Morrow, the Miranda burying ground (now a part of the cemetery), and the land where the brewery now stands, which was known as "the old Wilson farm." Amos Tullis owned the farm now owned by William H. Clement, just above the Catholic cemetery. At his house the first Presidential election in Hamilton Township was held in the fall of 1804. The people, being entirely ignorant of the manner of proceeding at an election, ranged themselves in lines, one line representing each candidate. At this election the longest line being in favor of Thomas Jefferson, Amos Tullis was directed to go to Lebanon, as their chosen elector. and teat the vote of Hamilton Township for Thomas Jefferson. 664 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY The above was narrated by Joseph Mounts, Sr., who was present and a voter At this election. Thomas Watson settled on the old Shawhan farm in the year 1797-98, having emigrated with the Mounts family and lived at Mounts' Station from 1795 until he moved to this farm. The part of Salem north of the river was but little occupied until after 1800, when Cyrenus Jennings came from Virginia to purchase land. He selected land on the hills opposite what are now the Donally, Roach and Lownes farms, paying forty cents more per acre than he could have purchased the land south of the river for. Samuel McCray and his wife, Rebecca Douglass, came to Warren County from Jefferson County, Va, in 1799: After spending the winter of 1799 and 1800 at Bedle's Station, they removed to what was called Smalley's Settlement, on Todd's Fork, and in the spring of 1801 they settled on the west side of the Little Miami, opposite the mouth of Todd's Fork. Mr. McCray afterwards resided in Lebanon, and still later owned the mill now known as the Zimri Stubbs Mill. Re was an early sheriff of Warren County.. This concludes the settlement, up to 1805, by land owners, but there were many other settlements made by lease holders. Some of the foregoing is obtained from traditions, and is liable to slight mistakes, but all possible care has been used to make it correct. Much has been learned from living witnesses and from the narrations of James Smith, a sketch of whose life is here given: James Smith was born near Chambersburg, Pa., Feb. 23, 1790. His life was prolonged much beyond the limits usually allotted to man, and embraced a period of the history of our country from that of a wilderness. inhabited by barbarous Indians, to the present. His grandfather, Col. Thomas Paxton, commanded a regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers in the Indian war in Ohio and Kentucky, and in the year 1789 visited Kentucky, and in the year 1790 emigrated to that State, accompanied by his sons-in-law, John Ramsay, Silas Hutchison, and James Smith, (the latter being the father of the subject of the present sketch, who was then a child). A family history says: " They made the trip down the Allegheny River to Pittsburg, by flat-boat, where, for greater security, they were detained until a fleet of sixteen flat-boats had been organized. These boats were lashed together and worked with oars, under cover, with port-holes through which to fire on the Indians, who were known to live on 'the banks of the river, but no attack was made until they arrived at the islands called The Three Sisters,' when they had a severe battle, resulting in the killing of several savages and the wounding of some of the whites. Without further molestation the fleet reached Limestone, now Maysville, in safety, where they were met by friends and escorted to their new home on Elk-Horn Creek, Fayette Co., Ky.. near the village of Lexington." Col. Paxton having visited Ohio in 1795-96, assisting in surveying the Virginia Military Reservation, and having purchased several tracts of land, in 1798 moved to Ohio, locating on the Little Miami River, on O'Bannon Creek, near the present site of Loveland; and his son-in-law, James Smith, located at Deerfield at the same time, and removed to his lands near Morrow in the year 1799, where his son, James Smith, resided until his decease. The subject of this sketch served as an apprentice in the printing office of the Western Star under Judge John and Nathaniel McLean in 1807-8, and enlisted in the War of 1812 as an Indian scout and ranger. The original agreement of enlistment recites that he is to receive one dollar per day, to furnish himself with a good horse, saddle and bridle, and to arm himself with a good rifle, tomahawk and scalping knife; for this service he afterward, for many years, received a government pension. After the war he made two trips, on foot, over the mountains to SALEM TOWNSHIP - 665 his old home in Pennsylvania; afterwards worked on his farm during the summer and run flat-boats to New Orleans in the winter, returning home on foot-this being before the age of steamboats. In 1820 he married Jane, daughter of Thomas Ireland, who died Nov. 1, 1857. In 1860 he married Mrs. Dickey who died in September, 1864. since which time he made his home with his children and grand-children. He was not, to appearances, physically, a robust man, but was of a long-lived race his father and mother both reaching near the age of ninety. He was regular and temperate in his habits, unassuming, quiet and retiring in disposition, cairn and deliberate in all his undertakings, and positive in his religious convictions. He retained his physical and intellectual faculties to a remarkable extent in his extreme age. His long life of industry, prudence and economy, resulted in the accumulation of a considerable estate, which he, many years previous to his decease, divided among his children, retaining, however, a competence for his own wants. Until a few days preceding his death he was able to ride on horseback, visiting his children and superintending affairs on his farm. After a brief illness, he sank quietly and peacefully to rest on the 80th day of August, 1881, aged ninety-one years, five months and seven days. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. The following are the names of the persons commissioned to the office of Justice of the Peace in Salem Township, with the dates of their commissions: James McMannis, September 11, 1813; Abraham Bowman, November 19, 1813; James Hill, September 11, 1813; James McMannis, September 11, 1816; James Hill, September 11, 1816; Abraham Bowman, September 11, 1816; Amos Tullis, September 7, 1819; Job Peacock, September 7, 1819; Mahlan Roach, April 17, 1820; Benjamin Baldwin, August 27, 1822; Amos Tullis, August 27, 1822; Mahlan Roach, April 7, 1823; Benjamin Baldwin, August 6, 1825; Amos Tullis, August 6, 1825; James Hill, Jr., March 26, 1826; Benjamin Baldwin, July 28, 1828; William Crosson, July 28, 1828; Amos Tullis, February 17, 1829; William Crosson, July 25, 1831; Archibald Clinton, July 25, 1831; Benjamin Baldwin, February 15, 1832; William S. Mickle, March 22, 1834; Archibald Clinton, August 1, 1834; William Crosson, August 1, 1834; John Shawhan, March 27, 1837; William S. Mickle, August 19, 1837; William Crosson, August 19, 1837; John Trimble, April 25, 1839; John Shawhan, March 26, 1840, WilLam Crosson, August 12, 1840; John Trimble, April 25, 1842; John Shawhan, March 20, 1843; William Crosson, August 19, 1843; James Turk, April 21, 1845; John Shawhan, March 14, 1846; James Turk, May 8, 1848; William McFerren, June 10, 1848; William Henry, March 24, 1849; William Crosson, August 25, 1849; Benjamin B. Getzendenner, January 18, 1851; James Turk, May 10, 1851; William McFerren, May 10, 1851; William Crosson, August 21, 1852; Benjamin B. Getzendenner, January 17, 1854; William McFerren, May 3, 1854; James C. Dynes, May 3, 1854; George Nixon, August 15, 1855; Hiram St. John, December 5, 1856; Benjamin B. Getzendenner, January 12, 1857; James C. Dynes, May 1, 1857; John W. Rice, May 1, 1857; James Ferguson, January 17, 1860; James C. Dynes, May 15, 1860; James C. Dynes, May 14, 1863; Coulson P. Thompson, October 24, 1863; Abraham Brant, May 11, 1865; W. T. Whitacre, May 9, 1866; James C. Dynes, April, 1867; Joseph C. Newport, May 12, 1868; Benjamin F. Wilson, April 8, 1870; E. S. Gilson, May 3, 1871; Frank M. Scantlen, April 10, 1873; Benjamin F. Wilson, April 10, 1874; Daniel Collins, April 10, 1876; James Ireland, April 6, 4877; Daniel Collins, April 10, 1879; James Ireland, April 17, 1880. CHURCHES. The Friends Meeting House, a one-story brick building at Roachester, was erected about the year 1818. The ground upon which it was built, one acre, was 666 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. deeded October 17, 1816, by James and Mahlon Roach to Isaac Thomas, Jr., Benjamin Nincle, Jonah Cadwallader and Andrew Whitacre, Trustees of the Friends of "Hopewell Meeting." It was given for both church and burial put, poses. The following-named persons were the heads of families then belonging to this society of Friends: Benjamin Butterworth, Robert Whitacre, Thomas Cadwallader, Ruth Tribby, Elijah Thomas and Jesse Williams. —Years prior to the building of the meeting house, Robert Whitacre was instrumental in the organization of this meeting, which was called Hopewell, after a meeting of Friends in Virginia. They worshipped for some time in a small log house which stood about three-quarters of a mile southeast of the present building. About the close of the late civil war, the society became weak and the meeting was "laid down.” In 1872 it was revived, but again suspended in the Spring of 1882. Since the division in the Society of Friends, it was a Hicksite congregation. The Methodist Episcopal Church, in the Same village, a one-story brick, was erected prior to the year 1830, upon ground deeded to that congregation by Mahlon Roach. It was one of the early religious societies of Salem Township. It is now a part of the South Lebanon Circuit, and has a membership of forty. The minister in charge is Rev. G. M. Hammell. Shiloh Methodist Episcopal Church, situated in the eastern part of Section 14, was organized as a mission in the year 1844 or '45, and the first meeting held at the residence of Joseph Keever, in the vicinity of the present church building, Among the original members were Elijah Trovillo and wife Mary, Joseph Keever and wife Mary A., and Jackson St. John and wife. For a number of years the congregation worshiped in an old wagonmaker's shop, which stood not far from the present church, and was fitted up for that purpose, and in a log schoolhouse, then standing about a half mile distant toward Morrow. In five or six years after the organization of the society, the one-story frame building, still standing, was erected on ground donated to the church by Jackson St. John. It was originally "Merritstown Mission." It has since been in a number of different circuits, and on several occasions has been attached to some of the neighboring stations, now being a part of the South Lebanon Charge. The first church built in the town of Morrow was a small structure, built previous to 1847, by private subscription. It was known as a union church, and was occupied alternate Sundays by the different denominations then existing in the village. After the completion of the railroad to Morrow, a large number of men were employed in work along the line of the road. ManyVan of these were Catholics, and St. Malachy's Catholic Church was organized by Rev. Blake, in 1849 or '50, with a large membership. They held their services for some time in the union church and school building. In 1854 they erected at a cost of about $2,000, a small one-story brick house, with a seating capacity of about 300, on a lot donated by William H. Clement. In 1866 a tower and belfry was added at a cost of $8,000. In this a bell weighing 1,400 pounds, donated by the section men on the railroad, was hung. In 1864 the congregation bought a building which stood near the church and was used for a private schoolhouse, and converted it into a large and commodious parsonage. The society now includes about twenty families, and is under the pastoral charge of Rev. O'Donohue, who has served the church in this capacity many years. The Presbyterian Church of Morrow was first organized about 1848 by Rev. Hicks, with the following eight members: Dr. James Scott and wife, Mrs. Abbey Dynes, Miss Sarah Newall, Miss Lettie Newall, Miss Martha Newall, Mrs. Gordon, and another lady whose name cannot now be learned. Dr. Scott, the only male member, was elected Elder. The society did not prosper and soon ceased to exist as a church. In 1857 it was reorganized through the personal efforts of Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Mansfield, with seven members, among who were Mr. and Mrs. Mansfield, Mrs. Abbey Dynes and Mrs, Fairchild. In 1858 a church was built at a cost of between SALEM TOWNSHIP - 667 3,000 and $4,000. The pulpit has been filled mostly by stated supplies; the only installed pastors of whom any record can be obtained, being Rev. G. S. J. Brown, Rev. C. P. Taylor and Rev. E. T. Swiggett, the present incumbent. Mr. Swiggett has had charge of the pastorate since December 11, 1879. Mrs. Abbey Dynes, who still resides in the village, is the only surviving member of the original organization. The Methodist Episcopal Church, of Morrow, was organized about 1848, with about ten members. They commenced building a church soon after their organization, and until it was completed held their services in the union church. A lot was donated to them by William H. Clement, which they afterwards sold and purchased the lot where the church now stands. The church now numbers 240 members. As the early records of the society are lost, only a few of the more recent incumbents of the pastorate can be named. Rev. N. C. Parrish, from August 29, 1870, three years; Rev. William Young, September 19, 1873, one year; Rev. B. F. Dimmick, September, 1874, three years; Rev. G. W. Dubois, September, 1877, three years; Rev. V. F. Brown, September 6, 1880, still in charge. A successful Sunday School, under the present Superintendency of G. W. Davis, is conducted in connection with the church. It averages in attendance about 175 scholars. ROACHESTER. Roachester was the first village laid out in the township. The first plat contained forty lots, owned by Mahlon and James Roach, and was recorded October 12, 1816. It became a thriving country village of 300 inhabitants, containing two or three drygoods stores and groceries, a postoffice, three hotels, cabinet, blacksmith, and wagon-making shops, and physicians and lawyers. The following were some of the leading citizens about 1840: Lewis Fairchild, merchant; James Turk, gunsmith; Isaac Patterson, cabinet-maker undertaker; Drs. Thacker, Hunt, Starbuck, Leever and Roach, and Dr. James Scott, our present Representative in the Legislature ; J. Phillips and S. Parker, blacksmiths; John Harford, shoemaker, and Judge Mickle, Joseph Thacker, and Captain Gilham, hotel-keepers. Roachester was then notorious for its musters. Muster days were not only devoted to instructions in the science of the drill, but to the settlement of all personal difficulties by fisticuffs; and on these occasions blood and whisky flowed freely. After the village of Morrow began to be settled, there was a general exodus of all business to the new village, and Roachester became almost deserted. The ravages of time and fire have destroyed about half of the buildings. The town now contains a population of about 100 inhabitants, two groceries and a blacksmith shop. FREDERICKSBURG. Fredericksburg is situated on the north bank of the Little Miami River, opposite the mouth of Todd's Fork. It was laid out in 1818 by Nathan Howell, and contained fourteen lots. A more unfortunate site could not have been selected, as it is subject to the overflow of the river and the wash of the hills surrounding it; yet it had at one time two drygoods stores, kept by T. J. Snyder and Alexander Crawford, and for many years was a town of considerable trade. A bridge was made across the river at this place, a few rods below the present one, in 1815. It was probably the first bridge in the county. MILLGROVE. Millgrove was settled early in the present century. It contained a grist and sawmill, a drygoods store, and a paper mill—the latter giving employment to a number of hands, For many years this was a thriving village; but after the 668 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. construction of the Miami Canal, about 1845, the manufacture of paper was discontinued, on account of the river mills not being able to compete with the mills along the canal. Since then the village has dwindled to a mere shadow of its past im portance. An effort was made to revive its waning fortunes by the erection of saw and gristmills, but without success. MORROW. Morrow was laid out in August, 1844, by William H. Clement, George Keck, and Clark Williams, who were engaged in building the railroad that was completed to Morrow in that year. The plat contained forty-nine lots, and was recorded in January, 1845, when the town received its present name, in honor of Governor Morrow. The site on which the town was built was, in 1843, a farm owned by James Miranda, whose house stood opposite the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was torn down in 1881 to make room for the residence of Joseph Ludlum. The house was built in 1805, and was an elegant structure for its time. The Shawhan property, at the lower end of the village, belonged to Amos Shawhan, and was for many years a tavern. The founders of the village laid out five additional lots in 1845. They also platted additions in 1847-8-9. Septimus Hazen's addition of thirty-seven lots was made in 1852. Since then the following additions have been made: W. T. Whittacresis addition of 20 lots in East Morrow, 1861; J. W. Thompson, 28 lots, 1865; J. W. Thompson, 30 lots, 1869; B. A. Staley, 11 lots, 1866; S. Smith, 24 lots, 1870; J. B. Clement, 36 lots, 1874. These additions fairly indicate the steady growth of the village, which now has a population of 946. Its growth has been substantial, and many elegant residences deck the suburbs and crown the hills that surround the village. The names that appeared most prominently in the early business enterprises of the village were: Alfred Watts, David A. Saunders, W. H. Clement, S. Hazen, 0. P. Moore, J. C. Dynes, L. Fairchild, H. Hopkins, and J. S. Couden. The first building erected in the town was the old warehouse just east of the present depot. It was used as a freight depot, warehouse and general store, under the direction of Alfred Watts. Prior to the construction of the Marietta and C. R. M. V. R. R.'s, Morrow was a point from which large quantities of grain were shipped. The town was then the terminus of a stage line from Lancaster, via Circleville, Washington Court House, and Wilmington. The second building erected in the town was the Morrow House; built in 1844. After this merchants and mechanics from the neighboring villages moved their business here; a new impetus was given to business; farm lands almost doubled in value. Money was plenty, and, for the first time in this section, became the ordinary medium of trade and exchange—a system of barter and exchange of commodities, with a large basis of credit, common to the early settlers, having prevailed previous to this time. Educational interest, previously sadly neglected, was encouraged, and almost a new civilization was brought about. There is in the village a fine public hall, the first story being used for business rooms, the second for the public hall, and the third story for two fine halls occupied by the Odd Fellows and Masonic bodies, each having a membership of over fifty, and the Masons a Chapter membership of about fifty. The present churches are good, substantial edifices, and the societies are in a flourishing condition. The first public school taught in Marrow was in an old brick building which was also used for religious services. It was built on a lot donated by the founders of the town for church and school purposes. The school at this time consisted of but one room presided over by a Mr. Reed. In 1849 John Starkey became the teacher. The school at this time numbered about 100 pupils, and was considered unusually SALEM TOWNSHIP - 669 prosperous. James B. Irwin took charge of the school in 1853. He was very highly spoken of, and indeed did a pioneer work in the schools of the village. He inaugurated a series of meetings similar to a teachers' institute, which was attended by teaches from the various parts of the county. During his term of service the school was divided into two rooms, the primary department being assigned to Miss M, B. Hart, now Mrs. Dr. Couden. Dr. W. A. Johnson became the principal in 1866. In 1860 the present school building was erected; three years later W. P. Harford took charge of the schools. He was succeeded by A. Dwinell in 1866. Since then the following is a list of the principals, with the dates of their service: John C. Ridge, July, 1867; John C. Kinney, October, 1867; H. Breckenridge, 1870; A. W. Cunningham, 1871; E. J. Godfrey, 1874; T. J. Wyscarver, 1875; E. B. Cartmell, 1877; Addison Ludlum, the present incumbent, 1880. In 1881 a complete course of high school study was adopted, and at the close of that year the following five scholars, Millie Holzlin, Tutonia Opes, Ada Cadwallader, George Smith, and Hattie Reece, constituted the first class to graduate from the High School. During this year the school purchased a library and a complete set of philosophical and chemical apparatus. The school now consists of six departments, with an enrollment of over 300 pupils, of whom forty are in the High School. On the range of hills south of the village are the homes of William H. Clement, E. F. Fuller, E. W. Woodward, Samuel Woodward, Marshall Mounts, Mrs. J. R. Bibby and A. W. Cadwallader. Some of these men are identified with the management or construction of several railroads, and were pioneers in these enterprises. On the hills east are the homes of W. T. Whitacre and J. L. Wilson. Col. Thomas Worthington has long lived the life of a recluse on the west side of the Little Miami, in this township. He is a son of Gov. Thomas Worthington, graduated at West Point in 1827, and served in the Mexican War. In 1861 he published a work on military tactics. Early in the civil war he raised a company, and was afterwards commissioned Colonel of the 46th Ohio. At the battle of Shiloh he commanded this regiment. Col. Worthington has published a history of the battle of Shiloh, and many pamphlets in which he claims that his regiment was, without notice, transferred from the center to the extreme right of the Union line, far detached from the main army; that its right being suddenly threatened, the 46th, by a prompt change of front, attacked and repelled a superror flanking force, till ordered back about 2 P. M., April 6, thus holding the extreme right of the line long enough to make advancing aid available; that this regiment, being a part of Gen. Sherman's division, that officer obtained credit for this service, to which has been imputed the rescue of the Union army from imminent destruction, and to this service is due Gen. Sherman's past promotion and present position. A few months after the battle of Shiloh, Col. Worthington was tried by a court martial on several charges, one of which was the publication of extracts from his diary, containing false and libelous matter, designed to injure his superior officers, Col. McDowell, Gen. Grant and Gen. Sherman. The result of the trial was his dismissal from the service; but the sentence of the court was afterwards declared null and void by the Judge Advocate General, and he received an honorable discharge from the service. In many pamphlets published by Col. Worthington, he has charged Gen. Grant and Gen. Sherman with falsehood, negligence and mismanagement. Being in reduced circumstances, Congress, recently, notwithstanding his repeated attacks on men who stood high in the confidence of the nation, passed a special act granting him a pension. E. D. MANSFIELD. This distinguished editor, author and statistician long resided on the north aide of the river near Morrow. His beautiful and picturesque home was called Yamoyden, a name derived from the title of a romantic poem by Robert C. Sands and 670 - HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY. James W. Eastburn, published in 1820, and now little read. It was at this place that Mr. Mansfield wrote his contributions to the Cincinnati Gazette over the initials " E. D. M.," and to the New York Times over the signature, " Veteran Observer." Edward Deering Mansfield was born at New Haven, Ct., in 1801. His father, Jared Mansfield, was a teacher and scientific man. ln 1802-03, and again from 1814-28 he taught at West Point, and for nine years intermediately, beginning with 1803, was Surveyor-General of the United States in Ohio. He was appointed by Jefferson to supersede Gen. Rufus Putnam, of Marietta, on the ground that the latter did not understand the establishing of meridian lines. The removal of Gen. Putnam, who was a Federalist, was at first regarded by the people of Marietta, who largely shared the same views, as a partisan act, but they soon grew to like the Mansfields. Edward accompanied his parents on their long and toilsome journey over the mountains, and among his earliest recollections was probably the great Ohio River flood of 1805. He also remembered the Blennerhassets. In October, 1805, the family removed to Cincinnati, of which he writes in his memories: " One of the dirtiest little villages you ever saw. The chief houses at that time were on Front Street, from Broadway to Sycamore; they were two-story frame houses painted white." The Mansfields did not remain in the city, but occupied the house built by Col. Ludlow at Ludlow Station, and until lately, at least, still standing in the midst of Cumminsville. " It was then a large two-story dwelling with wings-the best looking, and, I think, the largest house then at Cincinnati." In 1809 Edward accompanied his father to the East, and at New York saw a steamboat for the first time. On their return the family removed to the Bates place, two miles nearer Cincinnati than their former residence. In 1811 Edward received two quarters' schooling in a log house, all that he had until 1813. At the close of one of these quarters, he came off victor in a spelling match, after which the master escorted the whole school to a neighboring tavern and treated the children to cherry bounce. In 1812 the Mansfields returned East, where the father served in a military capacity for two years, and then took up his residence at West Point. Edward was sent to the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire, Ct., and in 1815 was appointed a cadet at West Point. In 1819, when not quite eighteen, he graduated fourth in his class, and was commissioned in the engineer corps. He declined the appointment through his mother's influence, and entered Princeton College, from which he graduated in 1822. He studied law at the famous school kept by Judges Reeve and Gould, at Litchfield, Ct., and in 1825 came to Cincinnati to practice his profession. He soon rose to prominence, and he enjoyed the friendship of the best people in the city. His relationship to the 'Drakes was of much help to him. He continued in active practice until 1836, and during that and the following year filled the chair of Professor of Constitutional Law and History in the Cincinnati College. In August, 1838, he contributed to Judge Hall's Western Monthly Magazine an article favoring the building of a railroad to Knoxville, Tenn., and thence to Mobile. His intelligence and enterprise bore fruit over forty years later in the Cincinnati Southern Railroad, the virtual, though not detailed, realization of his idea. He had few superiors as a newspaper contributor, but we should do him a great injustice were we to limit his reputation to this field. He was trained in military and legal science, was thoroughly versed in politics, possessed much historical and antiquarian knowledge, and was for srxteen years (1836-52) editor of the Cincinnati Chronicle and Atlas, and later of the Railroad Record. Among his best known works are: " Cincinnati in 1826," in which he was associated with the late Dr. Drake; "Political Grammar," 1835; "Treatise on Constitutional Law," 1835; " Legal tights of Women," 1845; " Life of General Scott," 1846; " American Education," 1850; " Memoirs of Daniel Drake," 1855, and " Personal Memories, 1803-43," 1879. He also delivered many addresses, one on " The Utility of Mathematics," and several on educational topics. Mr. Mansfield was tall, erect, and muscular, though spare, He was capable HARLAN TOWNSHIP - 671 of great endurance, for his constitution was very elastic. He was of a sanguine and mercurial temperament, but was always firm in his adhesion to duty. Political cry he was first a Whig, and afterward a Republican. He worked for principles not for pay, and never asked for or received a national office. He served the Stat of Ohio for several years as Commissioner of Statistics, and in this capacity rendered excellent service. Religiously he was a Presbyterian, and was a ruling elde in his church. In the days of their separation he acted with the New School hod as against the Old, but his sympathies embraced all that was commendable ii every denomination. He died at his home near Morrow, October 27, 1880. |