CHAPTER XX.
KIRKWOOD TOWNSHIP.
THE FIRST SETTLERS—THE STILLWATER VALLEY—DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS—THE ONLY EXECUTION IN A CENTURY—THE POPULATION AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS—KIRKWOOD COAL LANDS—HENDRYSBURG—THE FIRST MILLS—THE SCHOOLS—THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH—SECRET SOCIETIES—SEWELLSVILLE—THE KIRKWOOD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH—SCHOOL No. 11.
Kirkwood township was one of the first townships erected in the county. It passed the centennial mark in 1901 ; as heretofore noted, it was named after the Revolutionary hero, Capt. Robert Kirkwood.
THE FIRST SETTLERS.
Among its first settlers were : Barnet, Joseph and William Groves, John Israel, McBride, John Bradshaw, Hugh Gilliland. Hugh Ford, John Burton, John McClain, A. Randall, Thomas Perkins, James McKinney, Ralph Cowgill, William Spencer, Robert and Thomas Griffin, Josiah McColloch, Hugh McMahon, Robert Waddell, Thomas Barrett. James Shepherd, B. Ridgeway, Thomas Green, Philip Ward, Alexander McCormick, Rev. John McPherson, Eli Taylor. Patrick Hamilton, Samuel Boden, Joseph Reynolds and Robert Armstrong.
Many of the descendants of these old pioneers reside on the lands that their fore-fathers cleared with infinite labor and toil 75 and 100 years ago.
THE STILLWATER VALLEY.
The headwaters of the Stillwater rise in Kirkwood township at a point near Hendrysburg and pursue their sluggish course through one of the richest valleys in the world, to the point where the stream empties into the Tuscarawas.
This beautiful valley, a former National Secretary of Agriculture pronounced the richest corn-producing section in the United States. Old citizens claim 100 bushels of corn per acre is not an enormous yield.
Looking down upon this beautiful valley from Boden's Hill, the scene is charming beyond description. For miles, the eye sweeps the winding course of the sluggish river, bordered by hillsides green to their summits, or checkered with fields, golden with grain.
One of the branches of the Stillwater is named Robinson's Branch, in memory of a noted hunter by that name, who, in 1798, while hunting with a party of friends and neighbors, disappeared. Nine years thereafter, his skeleton was found on the old Perkins farm, with his gun nearby.
Old citizens assert that the people of Kirkwood township were intensely loyal to the government during the Civil War, and contributed more soldiers to the armies of the Union, in proportion to its population, than any township in the county.
DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS.
Among the men of Kirkwood township,
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who have achieved distinction in civil and political life, we might mention General Anderson, formerly United States Minister to Bolivia, and now on the Supreme bench ; and Eli Shepherd, long associated with John A. Bingham, in his eminent political career, and afterward United States Minister to China.
THE ONLY EXECUTION IN A CENTURY.
One of the most exciting incidents in the history of Kirkwood township was the murder of Louisa Fox, in 1869, by a notorious character named Thomas D. Carr, a coal miner in the employ of Alexander Hunter. Carr was a man of bad repute, who had become infatuated with the beauty of the girl—for she was but 14 years of age—and because she refused to marry him, he inhumanely took the innocent's life.
After the horrible deed, he sought to commit suicide by cutting his throat and shooting himself, but failed. When arrested, his wounds were dressed and he was committed to jail.
At the spring term of court following, he was tried before judge Way. Judges D. D. T. Cowen and O. J. Swaney, two lawyers of great skill and ability, were assigned by the court to defend the prisoner. Hon. Lorenzo Danford was appointed to assist the prosecuting attorney, J. W. Shannon, in the prosecution. After an intensely exciting trial, extending over a period of five days, the jury brought in a verdict of guilty, and Carr was sentenced to be hanged on August 20th; but a stay of proceedings was secured, and the execution did not take place until March 24, 1870. This was the first and only execution for murder within the boundaries of Belmont County in the century just closed.
Sheriff William Hayes would only admit a few persons to witness the execution. The old jail in which Carr was hanged has long since been removed, and nearly all who participated in the trial have passed away. The jury in this noted case consisted of Solomon Hoge, John Work, John A. Grove, William Patterson, Samuel F. Davis, Lee Evans, Thomas Pyle, Allen Bond, John A. Neff, James Kerr, Isaac Meek and Alexander McIlravy, all prominent and influential citizens 30 years ago, only two of whom are still living.
THE POPULATION AND TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.
The population of Kirkwood township in 1900 was 1,698, a loss of 152 since 1890. While there is a slight loss in population there is an increase of property on the tax duplicate. In Sewellsville precinct alone the increase amounts to $1,542, while the tax levy for 1902 is 1.32 as against 1.64 in 1901.
John Israel was one of the first justices of the peace in Kirkwood township. He was followed by William B. Beall, John H. Johnson, Jarvis A. Moore, T. Lacock, and John McPherson. Barnett Taylor filled the office for 20 consecutive years. The present trustees are: George Burstler, R. P. Majors and S. W. Perkins. The township officials in 1902 are: Clerk, H. H. Murphy ; treasurer, J. W. Wilson.
KIRKWOOD COAL LANDS.
The block of coal lands taken up by W. S. Mechem and Joseph H. Douglass in Kirkwood township and vicinity has been sold to Eastern capitalists. The block contains 5,000 or more acres lying north of Barnesville and west of the Hendrysburg & Barnesville Pike. We are informed that arrangements for the payment of the same will be made at once, and at an average of $I2 per acre it means that $60,000 will soon be placed in the hands of the farmers interested in the deal. It is understood, also, that negotiations are now on, with good prospect for success, of adding several thousand more acres to the block and thus distributing a proportionate sum of money throughout this neighborhood.
HENDRYSBURG,
The foremost village in the township, was laid out by Charles Hendry in 1828. Mr. Hendry had erected a steam flour mill at Hendrysburg, which attracted many people to the town, and
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many houses were erected along the line of the National Road and extended over a quarter of a section. The old log houses first constructed have been removed and frame and brick buildings have taken their places. It is claimed the first building, other than the log cabins, was built by William Tidball. This house was subsequently used as a tavern.
THE FIRST MILLS.
In 1843, a woolen mill was erected, and successfully operated for a number of years. In 1860, the mill was converted into a distillery, and operated by Christopher Shaffer.
When the first grist mill built by Hendry was burned, a much larger mill was constructed by Christopher Shaffer in 1849-50. This mill had a capacity of 100 barrels of flour per day. Four years later Combs & McCartney built another flour mill at the east end of the village.
Hendrysburg is not an incorporated village, but is governed by township officials.
THE SCHOOLS.
The first school house was built in 1839, in the east end of town, and was taught by David Tidball. Previous to this, private schools were taught in the residences of William Tidball, Robert Barclay, and Mr. McGinnis. These gentlemen served as teachers for many years. There was also a private school conducted in the old Disciples Church. In 1870. the present school building was erected, and the school has since been conducted as a graded school. The present corps of teachers consists of W. H. Murphy, superintendent; J. M. Burson, assistant; and Pearl Douglass, primary teacher. The enrollment is 140.
The School Board in 1902 consists of A. O. Campbell, O. H. Groves, John Wilson, John Rore. Frank Sample, Ed. Wheaton and S. W. Perkins.
Hendrysburg has been noted for the longevity of many of its citizens. Among thenumber who have passed their 90th birthday are Joseph Dillon, Mrs. Ridgeway, Mr. Chessell and Mr. Hill. This, in a little community of less than 400, is remarkable.
The postmaster of Hendrysburg is C. H. James, Esq., who is withal a prominent attorney-at-law.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Of Hendrysburg was organized in 1835, by Rev. Thomas Ruckle, with 12 original members, viz : —Andrew Barnett and family, John Gilbert and wife, Andrew Foreman, Jonathan Dunn, Daniel Renner, James Hutchison, and John Casey and family. For the first few years, they met for worship in an old log cabin, one-fourth mile east of town. In March, 1836, Brice Murphy deeded the society a lot, on which was erected a brick church, dedicated in 1838 by Rev. Edward Smith. The original trustees were Andrew Foreman, Jonathan Dunn, William Porter, John Gilbert, John W. Ayers, Moses Melton and John Casey. In 1869 the society erected a new frame church, dedicated May, 1870, by Rev. H. W. Baker, size 40 by 52 feet, costing, with some repairs, about $3,000. At one time, Ann Archibald, a returned missionary, conducted services for some time for her brother who was the pastor. A number of former pastors later became presiding elders, among whom the present one, M. J. Slutz. The present pastor is Rev. Harlan Appleton; officials,—W. W. Groves, E. G. Moore, R. P. Majors, L. D. Jones, J. W. Acton, J. F. Lloyd and Etta Hamilton ; Sunday school superintendent,—W. W. Groves; other officials,—C. H. James and E. Kate Gray.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Kirkwood Lodge, No. 446, F. & A. M,. was removed from Fairview, December, 1894, and a new hall was dedicated August 16, 1895. The officers at that time were : W. M., C. M. Ault; S. W., C. H. James ; J. W., A. H. Lynn ; secretary, W. M. Sells. The number of members is 40. The present officers are :
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W. M., J. M. Majors; S. W., Z. H. Howell; J. W., Dr. C. L. Rosengrant; treasurer, C. H. James ; secretary, H. H. Murphy.
Mancruetta Lodge, No. 360, I. O. O. F., was first instituted in the "fifties" but surrendered its charter during the Rebellion, and was reorganized May 12, 1876. The first officers were: N. G., W. S. Henderson; V. G., Job Dillon; secretary, R. A. Heaney; treasurer, John Davidson. The present officers are : N. G., J. C. Rosamond; V. G., E. M. Acton; secretary, W. M. Sells; treasurer, A. E. James; trustees,—C. H. James, financial trustee, and C. W. Virtue and W. C. Wesley. The lodge has a membership of 60, and is in splendid financial condition.
SEWELLSVILLE.
The present population of Sewellsville is about 125. The town was never incorporated. The settlement was formerly known as "Union," after the name of an old log meeting house, which was built near a famous spring of cold water which served as a watering place for the pioneers in all that section of country. The first settler was Francis Hall, who built a cabin on section 29, and he was followed by Alexander McBratney, Robert Griffin, Basil Ridgeway, Thomas and William Green, Jesse Pennington, Philip Lykes, John Hunter, who settled on section 35, between 1807 and 1812, and William Frizzell and Thomas Miller, who settled on section 28 in 1809. In 1810, there were three settlers on section 34, namely,—David Shay, Henry Phillips and Mead Jarvis. The village proper is midway between Robinson's fork and Skull fork of .the Stillwater.
In 1831, upon petition of certain citizens, a post office was granted and the name of the village was changed to Sewellsville, after Peter Sewell, the first postmaster. The successors of Mr. Sewell in the post office were : William Jarvis, John Anderson, J. R. Ball, Isaiah Mitchell, John Widdoes, Joshua Young and the present incumbent, A. J. Wheaton. A number of postmasters who served between 1880 and 1900 are necessarily omitted.
THE KIRKWOOD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Is the only church in Sewellsville. It was organized in 1818 by Rev. Thomas Ruckle, who preached in a little log cabin, near where the present church now stands. This building was also used as a school house. Previous to the organization, a class meeting was held at the home of Basil Ridgeway, and some of the members of the class were Thomas Frizzell, Mead Jarvis, Thomas Miller and Zachariah Marsh. Some of the early ministers were John Carper, William Knox, Thomas Taylor, Daniel Limerick, Pardon Cook and John McPherson, a local preacher.
During the winter of 1836-37, there was a noted revival at which 100 professed conversion and united with the church. This great meeting was successfully conducted largely through the efforts of a local preacher, named Charlie Waddell. Some of the principal ministers who have served this congregation are: C. D. Battelle, S. R. Brockunier, N. C. Worthington, Charles Thorne, R. S. Strahl and M. J. Slutz. The church property is valued at $2,000. The membership is about 140. The present pastor is Harland Appleton.
The following constitute the official board : Stewards,—A. J. Wheaton, G. W. Warrick and George E. Bell; trustees,—L. J. Goodman, P. L. Bell, A. J. Wheaton, G. W. Warrick, L. G. Bell, Charles Shrader, D. A. Reynolds and F. O. Clay; Sunday school officials,—A. J. Wheaton, superintendent; R. T. Armstrong, assistant superintendent; Lessie Frizzell, secretary; Mattie Shepherd, chorister; L. J. Frizzell, librarian.
SCHOOL NO. 11.
As heretofore stated, the first school was held in a log cabin which served likewise as a church. It had split puncheons for seats, without backs. The first teacher of whom we have any record was David Harris, who was subsequently Probate judge of Belmont County. Mr. Harris built a cabin and opened a school
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in the autumn of 1829. Some of his successors were John Barry, Angeline McPherson and D. Moore. After the passage of the Ohio State school law, section 12 was set apart for school purposes. Among the leading teachers in Sewellsville from 1847 were D. Moore, Charles Gordon, Mary Penn, Annie R. Livingstone, Eliza J. Kennon and Howard Anderson. T. M. Sewell also taught a select school in 1869. The present school house was built in 1869 at a cost of $1,400. The superintendent in 1902 is S. A. Kupfer. The school at present numbers 34. The directors are : Edgar Wheaton, Elliott Frizzell and Leander Frizzell.
There are no mills and factories in Sewellsville. The principal business of the town is conducted by merchants.
Some of the old citizens are Prof. T. M. Sewell, Nimrod Frizzell and L. J. Goodman.