486 - HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
CONCORD TOWNSHIP.
BY T. S. M'FARLAND.
A history of the above township, more than seventy-seven years subsequent to the time when its first permanent resident located on the southeast quarter of Section 8, is no easy task, first, because the pioneers have nearly all passed away ; and, secondly, because there are few records of much that would be requisite to make up a complete history. This is much to be regretted. So far as they can serve, such records have been used as were at hand ; beyond this, much has been collected from living witnesses who have been life-long citizens of the township. Personal history, incidents and anecdotes, together with pioneer reminiscences, have been collected as far as possible. Much of that which would be valuable is lost, because those who first broke the forest and planted civilization in this part of the county, passed away long before the writer had an existence. We take this occasion to say, that this is presented to the public as a pretty full, and we believe as nearly correct history as it is possible to reach.
The township is composed of thirty sections of land, the most of which is under a fair state of cultivation. It is centrally located, being the middle township of the first tier west of Mad River, and is known as Town 4, Range 12. It was included in Mad River Township, being separated from it in 1818. The record shows that Sampson Talbott was for a number of years a Justice of the Peace prior to the separation of the townships, and Joseph Hill and Thomas Stretch were Constables. Joseph Hill was the first permanent settler, having settled on the farm now owned by his son-in-low, James D. Powell, in February, 1803. He was the father of Joseph Hill, Superintendent of the Pan
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. - 487
Handle Railway, with headquarters at Logansport, Ind. At the time of his removal to the pioneer farm, Isaac Anderson, a "squatter" was found on the farm, but the lines not falling in "pleasant places " to him, he gave up his improvement. Anderson was noted for his laziness, and, from the fact that he was the first white man that lived upon the banks of Anderson Creek, the stream took its name after him.
Adam Wise was also among the early settlers, and lived on the farm of Oliver Taylor. He was the grandfather of the venerable James Stevens, of Kingston, now in his ninetieth year.
Prominent in the vicinity of Northville in an early day, were John, James and Samuel Mitchel. Their father was James Mitchel, Sr., a very old man when the family came here in 1806. Mr. Joseph Longfellow, of whom a more extended account appears in this work, was a man of very small stature, yet a man of wonderful physical endurance. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in 1865, in his one hundredth year. Mr. Longfellow, in common with his neighbors, was seriously troubled with the squirrels. In order to more securely preserve his corn, he hauled it to his house one season and stacked it around his yard. Coming out of his house one morning, he found perhaps a hundred squirrels at his corn. In his effort to drive them away, sixteen of them beat a retreat up the well-pole. Mr. L. cast his first vote for Gen. Washington, in Delaware, and voted at every Presidential election from the foundation of the Government until the second term of Abraham Lincoln. Henry Bacome entered the farm now occupied by Simeon Rinaker, in 1810, and removed his cabin three different times to avoid milk-sickness, believing it came from the water. He finally died with the disease on the same farm. Alexander Dunlap entered and lived upon the farm now owned by M. F. Pence. He was noted for his many peculiarities. I have in my possession a copy of an announcement made by Mr. Dunlap in 1830, when he became a candidate for the Legislature. The announcement is in his own writing, and we give it verbatim et literatim
TAKE NOTICE.-That I offer as a candidate to represent Champaign county in the next, legislative session of Ohio in the ensuing election October next.. I am a republican, I am against the black and colored people being on the same footin as the whites is. I am in favor of general Andrew Jackson being president to take seat in march next. I adds no more at present, but remains a candidate.
ALEXANDER DUNLAP. Aug 4th 1830.
Felix Rock was the original settler on the home farm of Daniel Kizer, and was for many years a highly esteemed citizen. In 1844, he removed to Iowa, where he and his entire family soon afterward died. John Tipton entered the farm now owned by John Taylor, and sold it to John Daniels, in 1814. The manner of conveying lands in those days was by means of what was termed patent," a thing almost unheard of by the present generation. This patent" is yet in the possession of Mr. Taylor, and shows that Edward Tiffin was Commissioner of the land office. It also bears the signature of James Madison, President of the United States. These transfers were made by virtue of an act passed by Congress, providing for the sale of lands in the Northwest Territory, north of the Ohio River and above the mouth of the Kentucky River.
John Duckworth, whose widow still survives, was an Englishman by birth, and came up from Warren County in 1815. He paid for his farm by cutting wood at 25 cents per cord. Philip Kenton, a nephew of Gen. Simon Kenton, was an early pioneer, and ; lived a the farm east of and adjoining Concord
488 - HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Chapel. James Russell subsequently owned the farm, but removed to Illinois in 1854, where he died.
Jesse Harbor came in 1805, from North Carolina. He lived one mile west of Heathtown, where he died, in 1863. Mr. H. was the father of thirty-two children, and gave each chilli eighty acres of land, or its equivalent, when they arrived at the age of maturity. Mr. Harbor was for a number of years a Justice of the Peace, in an early day. William Harbor, his brother, came also from North Carolina the same year. John Wilson, the father of our esteemed fellow-citizen, J. D. Wilson, near Heathtown, came in 1809, and was one of three of the original Free-Soil or Abolition voters of the township.
Thomas Tipton lived on the farm now owned by Peter Baker, and died at the advanced age of one hundred and eleven years. During the last few years of his life, he laid between two feather beds, both summer and winter.
The farm now owned by John Stevens had more owners prior to 1820 than any farm in the county-certainly in this part of it. The land was entered by Joel Harbor, and afterward owned by Joel Fuson, James Bacon, William Snod grass and William Werden, late of Springfield, who first introduced a metal mold-board for plows. This was in 1819.
Samuel and John Hogg entered the farm now owned by the Jesse Neer's heirs, which afterward was sold to a Mr. Taylor, and subsequently to George Gideon, and finally to John Shriver, who died in 1851.
David Pence settled in the extreme southwest corner of the township in a very early day.
Thomas and William Stretch lived for many years on the western farm of Daniel Kizer, and each, for a term, served as Constable, when this township was yet included in Mad River. We have in our possession the original copy of the bond which they executed before entering upon the duties of their office. As but few men now live who ever witnessed such au instrument of writing, we herewith produce it. We give it just as it stands in the original record
Know all men by these presents That we Thos. Stretch and Wm. Stretch of the township of Mad River county of Champaign and State of Ohio. are held and firmly bound to Ezekiel Arrowsmith Treasurer, or his successor in office in the just sum of four hundred dollars, for which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, Executors and Administrators, firmly by these presents and sealed with our seals and dated thin loth day of October 1809.
The condition of this obligation is such that, if the above Thos. Stretch and Wm. Stretch or his certain attorney do, and shall in all things well and truly observe and perform and faithfully and impartially act, which on the part of them the said Thos. Stretch Constable for the above mentioned township and county in the time, manner and way the law directs during the time he shall remain in office-Then this obligation to be void and of no effect, otherwise to remain in legal force.
THOS. STRETCH, WITNESS.
Wm. STRETCH.
It would seem from the above, judging from the style of language, that more importance was attached to the office in the early settlement of the country than now. The remains of both Thomas and William Stretch lie in the Talbott Graveyard, near the river, the first dying January, 1818, and the latter date unknown.
While this township was identified with Mad River at an early day, when the law provided for an office known as "Lister and House Appraiser," the record shows that James Burns was the first to fill the position, with William Ross, Jr., assistant. James Reynolds was the first Clerk, and by him the various officers were sworn into office.
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. - 489
Archibald McKinley was the first Constable, and was sworn into office by an Associate Judge, but the Judge fails to sign his name, hence the reader as well as the writer must forever remain in ignorance as to who this Judge was. James Mitchel was the second and Job Gard the third Constable.
This same record contains the articles of agreement between the Township Trustees and various parties who leased the different school sections. George Stonebarger was the first to lease a part of Section 16, Town 4, Range 11, the lease extending over a period of fifteen years, which was provided by law. Each man was required to clear so much land, and plant so many apple-trees, and sow so much timothy and red clover seed. Each man was prohibited by his contract from making any useless waste of timber or stone from the different premises. Think of it-a man required to stay his hand among the almost unbroken forest of this country seventy-five years ago!
Caleb Carter and Isaac Anderson were the first Trustees of the township. John Clark's name also appears as one of the early Trustees of the township. George Mahin and Joseph Hill's names appear as witnesses in connection with the leasing of school lands. Also Daniel and Charles Rector were among the prominent men of their day. James Montgomery, we believe, was a Methodist minister and an associate of the Rectors. John Kain enters the first record of a stock mark. Mr. Kain lived then on what is known as the Strother Smith farm in Jackson Township, in the identical house in which the writer's grandfather died in 1811. This same house is now occupied by William Kesler, and the chimney still plainly bears the mark of an earthquake which took place in December, 1811. The date of Mr. Kain's mark is July 13, 1805. Elijah Weaver was among the early officers of the township, with William Weaver and Joseph Diltz as his securities.
On the 2d day of March, 1812, in the settlement of the Trustees of the township, with Arch McKinley as Treasurer, the treasury was found to contain $1.35. Nathan Darnall, David Bayles and Peter Boone were at that time Trustees, and the public expenses of the past year for the township were $6.75. In another business matter, the names of Randall Largent, Thomas Cowhick and Basil West appear. Joseph Hill served as Constable by appointment, while Henry Been was one of the Trustees. More than a hundred names appear in this record, most of whom have left a long line of descendants, who occupy prominent places in society.
Robert McFarland, the father of the writer, was a native of Rockbridge County, Va., and recollected distinctly seeing Gen. George Washington in 1793. He was taken to Tennessee in early life, but subsequent settled on Indian Creek, near Cynthiana, Ky., from whence he removed to Champaign County in 1807, having come here one year earlier on an excursion tour with Martin Hitt and Joseph Diltz. His chief object in emigrating was to free himself from the contaminating influences of slavery. In October of the above year they landed in the woods on the farm since owned by Simon Ropp, in Union Township, and unloaded their goods beside an oak log, on Tuesday of the same week, and on Friday following they moved into their cabin. But half of the floor was laid, and that with a very rough style of puncheon. Their beds were laid on clapboards, supported by forks driven in the ground between the puncheon, and in this manner the two families (his father-in-law, Joseph Gray, had come with them) lived until spring, when they removed to a point near the side track, between Urbana and West Liberty. They subsequently settled on the "Neese " farm, two and a half miles southeast of Westville. In the fall of the same year, Robt.
490 - HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
McFarland purchased of Henry Bacome the farm now owned by his son, T:. S. McFarland, and, during the winter of 1811-12, reared his cabin, and, in April following, moved into it. Soon after his removal to the farm, a military road was cut out from Urbana to the Northwest Territory, passing directly through the front yard of the old homestead. In October, 1812, Gen. Harrison and his troops passed over this road on their way to the field of battle. The General inquired of my father if he intended to settle among such large trees, and, receiving an affirmative answer, replied that he was too small a man for such large timber.
After the General had re-mounted and was about taking his leave, father remarked to him that, should it be his fortune to have a son in the future, it should bear the name of Gen. Harrison. In February following, a son was born, and, according to promise, was duly installed into the family as Gen. William Harrison. Twenty-eight years later, and during the ever-memorable campaign of 1840, Gen. Harrison passed over this same road from Sidney to Urbana in a carriage. As was the custom in those days, a delegation from this neighborhood met the General and his escort at the western county line. Soon after the meeting with the delegation from this vicinity, they came into Careysville, and the General made a speech from his carriage, and during his remarks spoke of his former trip through this county in the war of 1812, but the face of the country was so changed he failed to recognize anything. A voice in the crowd answered, and said he was on the same road. At Millerstown, he made a similar remark, when he was again informed he was on the same road, when he inquired how the gentleman knew, and, being informed that he had seen and conversed with him at that time, the General called his informant to the stand and asked now he remembered the fact, and was told that he was the man who had promised to name a son for him. The General at once called to mind the occurrence. After inquiring for the welfare of his namesake, he remarked that the time was when a great many children were named for him, but, since party lines were drawn, some people only named their dogs for him. Accompanying Gen. Harrison was one Jonathan Chambers, a Kentuckian, who had been a schoolmate of Thomas Kenton, of Mad River Township. During the speech of Gen. Harrison at Millerstown, Kenton rode into the crowd and commenced shouting at the top of his voice for Chambers, until Chambers was obliged to leave the stand in order to keep Kenton quiet.
When Robert McFarland bought the farm above alluded to, the remains of an Indian village were still plainly visible, there being fourteen huts still in a pretty fair state of preservation. These huts stood some two or three hundred yards southwest of Concord Chapel. In the first organization of the first M. E. Church in Urbana, Robert McFarland was appointed its first Class leader, and after the organization of the Stevens' Church, at Westville, he transferred his membership, and became the first leader in that organization. He was also the nucleus around which Concord society grew, and was its first leader.
The society familiarly known as Concord, was first organized in 1818. The meetings, both for worship and business, were held principally at the house of Robert McFarland, until the erection and completion of a log church, in 1824. The site of the first house of worship was on the west line of the graveyard, Robert McFarland and James Russell each giving an acre of land for the use of the church. The house, an ordinary hewed log building, was erected across the line, so that each of the donors had a part of the house on
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. - 491
the land he had donated. This building was erected in 1824, the contract for its erection being given to Tid and Joshua Franklin, they agreeing to inclose the house for the sum of $50. The size of the building was 24x17, two of the logs still being in the possession of the writer. Timber for shingles was furnished by Jacob Barger, and the sawed lumber by William Harbor, who then had a saw-mill on the land now occupied by Perry Loudenback, the mill standing on the opposite side of the road and immediately in front of the residence of M. F. Pence. The house fronted south, with the pulpit on the opposite side of the building, with a four-light (8x10) window in the rear of the pulpit, which afforded ample dimensions for a congregation of wasps during the summer season. This, with a larger sized window in each end of the house,. afforded the only light to the room, save what they might expect from the pulpit. The seats were made of slabs, without backs, and upon which men could not sleep, as in more modern days. The writer remembers well setting upon these seats when his feet only came half way to the floor. The building was dedicated the same year of its erection, Rev. George W. Maley being in charge of the circuit. It served the use of the society until 1837, when the erection of a brick building was commenced. The brickwork was let to the Gearheart Brothers, and the brick was made on the ground. The wood work was let to Joseph Hough and Valentine Russell. Its looks and dimensions are familiar to many who will read this work, and need not be described. at length. It was a low, flat house; one door in the west and called the "men's" door, and the other in the southeast corner, familiarly known as the "women's " door-a wonderful structure in point of architecture. The house was dedicated in 1838, by Rev. James B. Finley, and it served the congregation until 1867, when it was sold at public auction for $56 to Joseph Neer. The entire cost of the building was $1,001, and was torn down simultaneously with the erection of the present building, in 1867. In the erection of the present house, the contract was let to William Stover, of Urbana, the consideration being $6,300, the additional expenses increasing the amount to $7,150. The house was dedicated on the 15th of December, 1867, the dedicatory sermon being delivered by Dr. Asbury Lowry.
Concord Township has within its limits two other Methodist Episcopal Churches. Neer Chapel, situated in the northwest corner of the township, was named for the Rev. Samuel Neer, a deceased minister of the Cincinnati Con ference, and a former schoolmate of the writer. The house was dedicated on the 15th of August, 1858, just one year after the death of the man for whom it was named. Rev. D. Warnock preached on the above occasion. The other church is that of Northville, erected and dedicated about the same year as that of Neer Chapel. These are the only church buildings ever erected in the township.
The first schoolhouse in the township was built on the farm of William Harbor, south of and near the Harbor Graveyard. It was erected about the year 1820. Near the site of this old house is a singular excavation in the earth, resembling the track usually made by circus shows, wherein they exhibit their ponies. It is, however, not so broad, and yet deeper. It was known to be there in the first settlement of the country, but by what means, and for what purpose, will perhaps forever remain a mystery. Long before the population, of the township warranted the construction of school districts, an old house, standing near the northeast corner of Valentine Russell's farm, was used as a. schoolhouse. Soon after this, a house was built on the farm of John Miller, at
492 - HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
the northwest corner, designed for a schoolhouse, but some contention arising as to the location, the house was torn down and removed to the west side of the John Shriver farm, a quarter of a mile south of the present Concord Schoolhouse. In this house the writer learned his letters, under the guidance of D. H. Neer and William Mouser. This house was vacated in 1838, and the school then removed to the hewed-log house on the site of the present building. The township contains seven schoolhouses, all brick buildings, after the most approved style. No township in the county can boast of such schoolhouses, and we doubt if they are excelled by any in the State.
The township contains no incorporated village, and never has so as far as we know.
Northville obtained the most prominence of any village in the township. It was laid off by James D. Stevens and Jacob Davis. It contains, at this writing, one Methodist Church, a schoolhouse and a defunct Grange hall. Mr. William Downs, a prominent citizen, and Mr. Howard Smith, the village blacksmith, are the sole occupants of the town at this writing. It lies in the northeast corner of the township, on high table land, a beautiful location for a town of greater magnitude. The citizens of the neighborhood surrounding Northville are, without exception, we believe, among the best in the county. In this locality, we may mention N. D. McReynolds, S. J. McCullough, Daniel Bruner, James Russell, George Kennedy, Wallace Downs, Thomas Stevens, G. W. Barger, and others of equal standing.
Many years ago, a village was laid off near the present residence of F. N. Barger,, by Orsamus Scott, and was named Scottsburg. Some two or three houses were erected that are remembered by the writer, though few of our people of this day remember anything of the town.
Gourdville, three-quarters of a mile south of Concord, was never incorporated, its citizens generally being transient comers and goers. It never contained more than three houses at a time. The families of Tubal Woodard and James Blue now constitute the entire population of the village.
Heathtown, near the northwest corner oŁ the township, was named for John Heath, a native of New Jersey, who came West about 1838. He set up a shoeshop in the first place, and soon afterward added a dry goods store, and, subsequently, succeeded in getting a post office, known as Muddy Creek. The village afteward contained a blacksmith-shop, owned by John Detrick, and a shoeshop, owned by J. R. McFarland. But the glory of the town has passed away and it now exists in name only. In the days of Know-Nothingism, the order had its headquartes in the village. The events of 1854, in this connection, will long be reverted to by members of "Muddy Run Council, No. 343." In the neighborhood surrounding the village are a number of excellent men, of whom we might mention the names of J. D. Wilson, Joseph Harbor, Crockett Journell, Peter Baker, Levi Johnson, Ed Baker, D. F. Johnson and others. The original proprietor of the town removed to Iowa in 1854, where he died a few years sinces.
In the same neighborhood, since the glories of Heathtown have passed away, the village of Crayon has been inaugurated. It has contained for a number of years a dry goods store, owned by various parties. The post office, Crayon, is the only one in the township, and was established about two years ago. James W. Heath is Postmaster. The village contains some four or five dwelling houses, besides a blacksmith-shop, now owned by Ira Poffenbarger. Simeon Harbor, S. J. Neer, T. H. Ford, John Clark, Jacob Sarver and David Pool
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. - 493
compose the leading citizens of the vicinity. The first election held in the township after its organization in 1818, was held at the house of Robert McFarland. James Russell also provided for the election a short time, until they were removed by common consent to the house of Thomas Stretch, on Daniel Kizer's western farm. About the year 1840, they were held for a year or two in the old log church. They were afterward removed to McFarland's Schoolhouse, and remain so to this day.
In the first election of officers, which was held in 1818, John Daniels was elected Township Clerk. The year following, Robert McFarland was chosen Clerk, and held the office for thirteen consecutive years, after which, Joseph Hough, Stilly McGill, James Russell, D. H. Neer, L. M. Steward, Philip Comer, Austin Heath, John Russell (late Secretary of State) and R. G. Allen filled the office. Philip Kenton, George Robinson and John Bouseman were the first Trustees. John Dagger, Jesse Harbor, Joseph Hough, L. M. Steward, James T. Kite, Philip Comer, James Russell and Daniel Kizer have each served as Justice of the Peace. Joseph Groves and N. D. McReynolds are the present incumbents of that office.
Among the early records of the township, we find where one of our citizens took up a flock of sheep, which were duly appraised at 37 1/2 cents each. Also, one sheep taken up by John Duckworth, reported by the Appraisers as being three-fourths blooded, and appraised at $2, which shows conclusively that " blood would tell" even in the earlier days of our country.
About the time of the organization of the township, there lived on what is known as the "Joseph Russell farm," near Concord Chapel, a family named Foley, consisting of the parents and four sons, ranging in age from eighteen to twenty-six years. These young men were noted for nothing except their disposition to quarrel and their huge, muscular frames. It became a kind of fixed habit with them, whenever they got into a crowd, to get into a quarrel, and then into a fight, in which they always proved victorious.
There lived about this time, in Salem Township, on the " McBeth Hill," a family named Wilkinson. In this family was a son, named Thomas, who was also noted for his great muscular power, but not inclined to be quarrelsome. On learning of the success of the Foleys, he remarked that he would like to try one of them.
This remark soon reached the ears of the Foleys, and they resolved to give Wilkinson an opportunity to try his strength. In the month of July, 1819, and during harvest, the Foley boys went to the farm of Felix Rock, now the home of Daniel Kizer, ostensibly for the purpose of assisting in the harvest field, when in reality they went there to whip Tom Wilkinson. After dinner, their object in coming was made known and Wilkinson invited to fight. All four of the Foley boys were present, and Wilkinson being asked which of the four he wanted to fight, replied the best man they had.
They accordingly repaired to the shade of a large maple-tree, yet standing in Esquire Kizer's yard, and at it they went. But little time served to show that the Foleys had met their match. His brothers, discovering that they had waked up the wrong passenger, called out to Daniel (the brother's name) to strike Wilkinson an underhanded blow. This suggestion was taken in due time by Wilkinson and improved. But a single blow, and Foley fell across the root of the maple-tree. Wilkinson attempted to follow up the advantage thus gained, but was prevented by the Foley Brothers, one of whom (William) struck Wilkinson a. hard blow. This being considered foul play, according to
494 - HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
rules governing such pugilistic efforts in those days, William was duly informed by Wilkinson that the next time they met his time would come. Daniel Foley was carried from that yard a ruined man, and, on the ninth day following, died from the effects of the fight.
Wilkinson's avowal that he would whip William Foley became a great topic, and the people looked forward to the event with as much anxiety as a certain class now look forward to a prize fight. The following fall, at a corn-husking at Joseph Longfellow's, the parties again met, and, after supper, by mutual consent, entered into combat, which resulted in the defeat of Foley again. In 1822, at a general muster on the home farm of George Kite, in Mad River Township, these Foleys all got badly whipped by Reuben Loudenback and Isaac Moody, after which they left the country for their country's good.
In the earlier settlement of the country, numerous Indian relics were found on the Johnson farm, on Mad River, indicating at one time a large Indian village. Opposite Northville, on the farm of William Downs and on the banks of Muddy Creek, was also an Indian village.
In the first appraisement of houses for taxation, while Johnson was yet included in Concord, but three houses were appraised, namely, Sampson Talbott's, Joseph Hoak's and David Comer's. Joseph Comer was at this time " House Appraiser," and Jacob Hoak, Assessor.
One incident that served to stir up the community and create an alarm among the inhabitants, was the murder of Arthur Thomas and son in August, 1813. It will be remembered that Thomas and son had left their company to look after their horses, some five miles from Bellefontaine, and not returning, were found next day murdered by the Indians, and hung up by the heels and their intestines hanging around their necks. These bodies were taken by a deputation of citizens the following day to Urbana and interred in the old graveyard. Mr. Thomas lived in Salem Township on the same spot now occupied by his grand-daughter, Mrs. Celinda Bates. Many of the settlers on the frontier retraced their steps to safer quarters after this event became known.
Concord Township, like its sister townships, has produced some men of note. Among these we may note the name of the late Hon. John Russell, late Secretary of State. Mr. Russell was born at the old homestead about fifty years since. Early in life, he qualified himself for teaching, and engaged in that pursuit for a number of years. He was elected Clerk of the Court about the year 1855, and served in that position for a number of years with great acceptability. He was subsequently appointed Secretary of State to fulfill an unexpired term. When he died in 1869, he was Senator-elect to the General Assembly from this district. He was a self-made man, and an uncompromising advocate of the Government during the war. His kindness to the soldiers, both in the field and hospital, will long be remembered and cherished by the "boys in blue."
Rev. Samuel Neer was for a number of years an acceptable minister of the Cincinnati Conference, and died while at his post in 1857. He was an excellent penman, which, together with his other qualifications of both head and heart, rendered him a very useful man in his day. His brother, Rev. Jesse Neer, was also a member of the Central Ohio Conference, and lived a life of usefulness for many years before leaving the township. He died in De Graff, Logan County, January, 1864, and his remains rest beside his brother at Concord Cemetery.
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Prof. R. W. McFarland, of the State University, at Columbus, is a native of this township. He was born in the year 1825, at the old homestead. Early in life, he gave promise of great aptness in learning. At the age of five years, he was pronounced a fair reader, and at the age of eight years was capable of working any sum found in any arithmetic in the schools of that day. With nothing to go upon but a determined will, he engaged in teaching at the age of fourteen years. He attended school one year at Augusta, Ky., and spent a brief period at Westerville, Franklin County, and subsequently graduated at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, in 1847, at the age of twenty-two years. He filled for seventeen successive years the Chair of Mathematics at the Miami University, at Oxford, and since the suspension of that school, he has been Professor of Mathematics at the University, at Columbus, since its organization. His thorough scholastic abilities are known far and wide. His lectures on astronomy are listened to by thousands of people with great eagerness. As a mathematician, he stands second to none.
Col. Joseph Hill, of Logansport, Ind., who for many years has been Superintendent of the Pan Handle Railroad, is a native of Concord Township. His aptness and ability as a civil engineer brought him into notoriety as a railroad man, hence the responsible position he occupies to-day. He controls over four hundred miles of railroad, and handles the rolling stock of the same with the same ease that characterized his earlier life.
The oldest person in the township is Mrs. Mary Russell, mother of John Russell, above referred to. She is now in her ninety-third year. and was born in Loudoun County, Va., in Map; 1788. She was a schoolmate, in early life, of Malinda Horn, who afterward became the wife of Andrew Hellman, and was by him murdered-a scene partially connected with the history of Logan County. She is now the mother of five living children, the youngest of whom is more than sixty years of age.
The Logan and Champaign County Pioneer Association have held their annual re-union in Neal's Grove for a number of years, under the direction of its Secretary. The meetings are of rare interest, and are at times attended by large crowds of people. Its officers at present are Dr. Gilcrist, President; Hugh McDonald, Vice President; V. Thomas, Treasurer, and T. S. McFarland, Secretary.
The family of the late Robert McFarland was composed originally of nineteen children. Of that number, thirteen are still living, whose combined ages now make seven hundred and thirty years, or an average of about fifty-six years. The family circle has remained unbroken by death for more than forty-four years, a record that perhaps has no parallel.
Mr. James D. Powell, one of our leading farmers, deserves more than a passing notice. In 1845, he married a daughter of Joseph Hill, the pioneer settler of the township. At that time, he was worth about $500, but, by economy and industry, has accumulated a handsome competency, and is now the happy owner of nearly one thousand acres of fine land. The pioneer farm is included in this amount of land. It lies in the eastern part of the township, and affords a fine view of the Muddy Creek and Mad River Valleys.
Mr. F. N. Barger is one of our leading mechanics, and has the reputation of being one of the finest gunsmiths in the country. He resides near the eastern part of the township, where he is always ready to treat his friends to one of the tunes of " auld lang syne."
Ebenezer Wilson, of the same locality, is one of our leading farmers, and is now filling his second term as Infirmary Director. He is a responsible w man in every respect and enjoys the reputation of attending to his own business.
496 - HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Philip Comer, Esq., of the west end of the township, has filled the office of Justice of the Peace for a number of years, and is now acting as Notary Public. He filled the office of County Commissioner one term with honor to himself and great satisfaction to his constituents. Two of his sons perished in the army while subduing the rebellion.
Oliver Taylor, near the Arrowsmith Mills, is a farmer, and also President of the Citizens' National Bank of Urbana. He owns a fine farm of several hundred acres on the river, and has filled his position in life, both as a citizen and an officer, beyond the average of his fellow-men. He is worthy and honest.
Among the most remarkable men who have lived among us was Richard Stanhope, who was a servant of Gen. George Washington. He lived for many years on a farm now owned by Levi Johnson, and his remains lie in the Johnson Graveyard. He was -born at Fredericksburg, Va., on the 1st day of March, 1748, and died September 20, 1862, aged one hundred and fourteen years six months and twenty days. He was, beyond all question, one of Gen. Washington's servants, and had in his possession, until a few years prior to his death, a certificate in Washington's own handwriting. He was at the bedside of his master when he died, in 1799, being then more than fifty years of age. He was with Gen. Washington during several of the hard-fought battles of the Revolution, and showed honorable scars which he received in the bloody conflicts of that day. He was also with the army in the war with Great Britain, in 1812, and was present at Hull's disgraceful surrender, and was at the time driving a four-horse team. When ordered to drive his team to a certain point, for delivery to the British, he positively refused to comply, but unhitched his saddle-horse and made his way back to this county.
Mr. Stanhope was the father of twenty-eight children, most of whom were living at the time of his death. He was a resident of Champaign County for more than fifty years, and always sustained his character of an honest, upright man. He was a member of the Baptist Church for upward of ninety years, having joined it in 1772. He retained the use of his mental and physical faculties, to a surprising degree, to the time of his death. He would relate incidents that had transpired more than a hundred years prior to his death, of which we have no account except in history. He was a remarkable man, reverenced by all.
Perhaps no cemetery in the country contains the remains of two such aged persons as that on the farm of Levi Johnson, the combined ages of Mr. Stanhope and Mr. Tipton making more than two hundred and twenty-five years.
In the war of the rebellion, in 1861, Concord furnished her full complement of volunteer soldiers. These were principally in the gallant 66th Regiment, though other regiments were represented. We regret very much that we have not a complete list of all those who enlisted in behalf of the American Flag. Such names as we append are given only from recollection and may not be complete: Thomas H. Gibbs, Robert H. Russell, Darius Comer, David Comer, Luke W. Bryant, Madison B. Bryant, John W. Russell, Wallace Downs, John R. Wilson, William W. Wilson, Michael Walker, William P. Haines, Benjamin H. Haines, John W. Haines, James A. Kizer, George C. Wallace, David F. Johnson, A. M. Longfellow, James 0. Neer, Thomas J. Johnson, David Compton, Llewellyn Niles, Samuel J. Barger, Philander R. Barger, Joseph H. Loudenback, John Boswell, Evan Jenkins,
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. - 497
Jerome B. Miller, Edward Mitchel, Smith Mitchel, William A. Neer, William R. Arrowsmith, Anthony Schimmel, Robert J. Stewart, Flemon Hall, John P. Neer. Of this number, William A. Neer was killed near the village of Glencoe, Belmont County, while on the way to the battlefield, and his remains were in terred at Concord Cemetery. Darius Comer died at Plaquemine, La., and h his remains were brought home and buried at Concord Cemetery with the honors of war, surrounded by more people than ever congregated on that spot before or since. David Comer came home, a wonderfully emaciated being, and died in a few days after his return. George C. Wallace died in a hospital at Alexandria, Va., and was buried at the Alexandria National Cemetery. Luke W. Bryant died at Acquia Creek, on the eastern shore of Maryland, and his remains were brought home and now rest in Concord Cemetery. Michael Walker was killed near Cassville, Ga., while on picket duty. Thomas J. Johnson was a member of the 45th O. V. I., and was killed at Knoxville, Tenn. David Compton was killed at Fort Donaldson. Smith Mitchel died on the grand march of Sherman, and was buried in a National Cemetery at Wilmington, N. C. William R. Arrowsmith was starved to death by the Southern chivalry in Andersonville Prison. Anthony Schimmel was mortally wounded at Utoy Creek, Ga. Robert J. Stewart died in the service in Tennessee. Flemon Hall was captured by the rebels at Winchester, Va., and died in prison, at Lynchburg, Va., and was buried in Poplar Grove National Cemetery, near Petersburg, Va. Samuel J. Barger was severely wounded at the battle of Antietam, but survived and is now an honored citizen of Cumberland County, Ill. John P. Neer was shot through the body-in some engagement, and is now one of our leading men. The remainder of the "boys in blue" are scattered far and wide, each filliiig his place with acceptability in society.
In the call for one-hundred-day men, a company was organized under the humorous Captain Miles Wilson, with James R. McFarland as First Lieutenant. The most of this company were from Concord Township, and are almost too numerous to mention.
In connection with the above, we may mention the names of Henry C. Gibbs and Simon Kenton, who were valiant soldiers of the 45th O. V. I. The last name, Mr. Kenton, bears the full name of the pioneer Simon Kenton, and is closely connected with him. He now resides in Kansas, and his name will be to the loyal people of the country in the future, what the name of the old General has been in the past.
This concludes our history of the township. We have endeavored to give it as nearly correct as was possible. If any errors have been committed, it was unintentional. It will be handed down to generations yet unborn, and will be read by them long after the writer shall have passed from the stage of action.