438 - HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
JOHNSON TOWNSHIP.
This is the smallest of the twelve subdivisions known as townships, into which the county is divided, containing an area of thirty square miles, or 19,200 acres, and, in point of location, is the middle subdivision of the western tier of townships, bounded on the north by Adam, on the east by Mad River and Concord, on the south by Jackson Township; and on the west by Miami and Shelby Counties. These boundary lines were established in 1821; being in order the fifth township of the twelve that now comprise the county, having
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. - 439
been formed four years later than Jackson, and was named in honor of Maj. Silas Johnson, the first white man to settle within the present limits,
One of its peculiar features is its marked topography, containing the highest agricultural lands, not only in the State (if, perhaps, we except an elevated area found between the head-waters of the Miami and Scioto Rivers), but presents the highest elevation between the Alleghany Mountains, in the East, and the ascension of the river Platte in the West of Nebraska. Nor between the Laurentian Range, in the North, and the Ozark Mountains in the Southwest, is there higher arable lands. To the eye, some portions of the township appear to be low and flat, requiring drainage for agricultural purposes, but the low and flat areas, embracing many of its best farms, are simply a dished surface, and, as compared with the surrounding country, the highest of lands. The topography of the township will probably be better understood by a comparison of altitude, and the table used below has been carefully compiled from actual surveys and measurements, and will, doubtless, be found correct. The altitudes as given show the height above tide-water
Johnson Township's highest point................................................ 1,326 feet.
Head-waters Scioto and Miami.................................................... 1,344 feet.
Hill in Logan County... ................................................................ 1,540 feet.
Summit, Richland County............................................................. 1,389 feet.
Shults Mountain, Highland County............................................... 1,325 feet.
Fisher's Knob, Highland County.................................................... 1,300 feet.
Samantha burying-ground........................................................... .. 1,214 feet.
Bald Mountain.............................................................................. 1,250 feet.
Long Lick Mountain.......................................................................1,254 feet.
Low water-mark of the Ohio at Cincinnati ...................................... 432 feet.
Surface of Lake Erie...................................................................... 664 feet.
Scioto at Columbus...................................................................... . . 776 feet.
Arcanum and Versailles, Darke County............................................1,064 feet.
Sidney, Shelby County.................................................................... 980 feet.
Kenton, Hardin County.................................................................... 1,002 feet.
Marysville, Union County................................................................. 985 feet.
Celina, Mercer County...................................................................... 955 feet.
Bremen, Auglaise County................................................................. 1,000 feet.
Loramie Water Summit..................................................................... 951 feet.
This table might be further extended, but it would not change the fact that, excepting a small region between the Scioto and the Miami Rivers, near their origin, Johnson Township is the most elevated land, suitable for cultivation, in the State, and that its altitude surpasses all the peaks or summits save three. The eastern side of the township slopes toward the southeast, the northwestern part toward the northwest, while at least an area of three miles square looks to the "setting sun " and the south-the whole forming a slightly elevated watershed, lying along and extending from the northwest corner to the neighborhood of St. Paris, in Section 18, throwing the waters of Nettle Creek into Mad River, and those of Mosquito Creek into the Great Miami, the former reaching Mad River south of Urbana, and the latter the Great Miami at Sidney. These two streams, small in this township, with their numerous tributaries, accomplish, principally, the natural drainage of the subdivision in question, and we may add that the natural drainage thus afforded is superior to most townships, In the northern part of the township is a body of water, irregular in shape, comprising about sixty acres, called Mosquito Lake, this, with the creek of that name, having derived their appellations from the abundance of mosquitoes that infested their vicinity at an early day. Before proceeding further, permit us to here state that Nettle Creek was so called from the rank growth of nettles on its banks.
440 - HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Having shown, by carefully collected data, the great height of the region under consideration, we believe there is ample proof (geologically speaking) that the " Drift" at this point reaches its greatest depth. The deepest wells and borings have failed in finding the bed-rocks; no quarry stone has been discovered. There is reason for believing that the "Drift " here, including deposits of clay, will closely approximate a depth of two hundred feet. The surface of the lake, above referred to, is one hundred and thirty feet below the highest surrounding parts; and yet, forty feet below the bog that surrounds the lake, no limestone has been found. Sidney, Piqua, Springfield. Urbana and other points where stone is found in abundance, are lower by hundreds of feet, and the probability is the township would have to put itself on a level with them if it ever opens up a quarry.
In some portions of the township the Erie clay contains great quantities of tree-trunks, branches and roots. At and near Millerstown, in digging wells, limbs and trunks, presumably red-cedar, have been found many feet below the surface. That in this region there was an ancient, but now carried, soil overlying the blue clay, and supporting dense forests, admits of unquestioned proof. 'In the hills surrounding Mosquito Lake there are beds of ochre, and, occasionally, small deposits of umber. The working of these beds will probably some day be profitable, In the ravines leading to the lake, and on the hills sur rounding it, are thousands of bowlders, some of them of enormous size. By the application of fire, bowlders are readily broken into fragments, and are extensively used for foundations and cellar walls. At the present time they command about $1 per perch.
The bog or marsh encircling the little lake, and extending along Mosquito Creek for a mile or more, contains peat, muck and marl in large quantities and of the best quality. As natural fertilizers, these articles will be of incalculable advantage to the farmers of the neighborhood in the future. So far, the soil has not been robbed of its original productive qualities as to make an urgent demand for natural fertilizers. The clay heretofore spoken of furnishes excellent material for brick and tile making, quite a number of the latter being manufactured at St. Paris, where are in operation quite extensive tile-works.
The township is pretty well timbered, consisting of quite a variety, such as sugar, beech, oak, hickory, elm, poplar, linden, ash, walnut, maple, etc.sugar and beech on the higher land, and oak and hickory in the central part and on the lower lands. These four kinds or genera give character to the forest, and are typical of it. Large numbers of poplar-trees formerly dotted the township, but they have now been almost exterminated. The farming land of this region compares favorably with any of the county, the richness of whose soil and producing properties are unsurpassed. Much corn and wheat are raised, and, necessarily, large quantities of grain and considerable pork are sent forth to the markets of the world.
A striking fact in connection with the timber of Johnson Township. and one of which the inhabitants thereof have reason to feel proud, is that, prior to the opening of the °° Centennial," in 1876, search was made throughout the forests of Ohio for the largest of that species of trees emblematic of our State, and the "giant " was found about four and one-half miles north of St. Paris, on the farm of E. H. Furrow, where, from its forest home, the old "buckeye " was felled, as a fit representative of Ohio at the one-hundredth anniversary of our nation's birth. Its height was nearly seventy feet, and at the butt its diameter was three feet eight inches, holding such dimensions for about thirty
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. - 441
feet. While this was the largest tree of the kind in the State, it was not shipped to Philadelphia, as some portions of it, while being prepared, were found to be unsound.
The township is traversed by numerous pikes, intersected with summer or dirt roads, the most southern of which is the Urbana and Piqua pike, crossing the southern tier of sections from northwest to southeast; New pike, the most western, running north and south on the half-section line of the western tier of sections, crossing the entire township; Quincy pike, next west, running north and south as far as Section 25, where in takes an easterly course through the greater part of Section 19, thence south to St. Paris ; Lake pike, passing through the center, north and south, and Millerstown pike, running through the eastern part of the township. The C. C. & I. C. Railroad forma the boundary line between this and Jackson Township. St. Paris, in the Southern, and Millerstown, in the eastern part, are the towns of the township.
EARLY SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENTS.
Without question, Silas Johnson was the first white man to settle within the present limits of the township so appropriately named. He, with two son, James and Charles, reached the present site of the Reuben Comer farm in the spring of 1802, and there at once commenced the work of the early pioneer, and soon cleared sufficient space to erect the rude cabin of the day, which was small, and of such timber as could be handled by the three, probably, what was termed a "pole cabin." It stood on the hill in the orchard just across the road (pike) from the house now occupied by Reuben Comer. They cleared as much ground as was possible in that day before wild winter was ushered in, and returned to the family in the blue-grass region, having come from Fayette County, Ky., near Lexington, and, in January, 1803, the entire family left their Southern home for the primeval forest in the then far-off North. The family consisted of nine in all-Silos, his wife Phoebe, and seven children, Walker and James (twins), Charles, Silas, Jr., Rebecca, Elizabeth and Phoebe. It was not long until the old pioneer became dissatisfied with his hillside residence, and erected one of similar dimensions a few hundred feet below and near the present site of the barn on the same farm, this site having been selected partially on account of a fine spring close by, Here they lived for several years, braving the dangers, but determined that the wilderness should blossom as the rose, were equal for all emergencies, and it was not long ere, from their cabin door, could be seen several acres of waving corn. Coming before the land had been surveyed, they knew not that their little farm was to be so expensive, for after the survey was made the portion they occupied was set apart as a reserve, so excellent was the ground and beautiful the site, and a value of $8 per acre was affixed. This price was thought too high by Johnson, so he moved to the section adjoining on the north, now the Adam Bodey farm, long known as the Brubaker farm, where the land was cheaper. Here he built two cabins, standing only about two feet apart, both being the rude log or pole cabin of the earliest settlers ; they were about 18x20 feet in size, each having but one low door and one window without glass; the covering consisting of clapboards with their weighty pole, defying the wind, the old chimney of wood and mud, and the door of split puncheon on its hinges of wood, with its wooden latch, was the primitive "palace" of the township. He cleared and cultivated much ground on this site, and, after years of usefulness and of great service to his fellow-pioneers, he
442 - HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
left the township, going into Adams Township, where he soon died and was buried on "Indian Creek," on the farm of his son Walker. Although coming from Kentucky, Johnson was not a native of that State, having been a resident of the same for about twenty years. He was born in the year 1758, in the State of Virginia, of Irish parents, Arwaker and Rebecca; was married in Virginia to Phoebe Ward. Johnson (Silas) was an old Revolutionary soldier, having served as a spy with one Jamison, watching the movements of the Indians, place of rendezvous being at the mouth of Kanawa Creek, on a point of land between the Ohio River and that creek. He was also a Major in the war of 1812 under the command of James McPherson, who commanded the Third Regiment, First Brigade, Fifth Division, Ohio Militia. Of his four sons, three accompanied him to the front in the latter war. The family were long lived, nearly all living to the advanced age of eighty years. Rebecca being the last to succumb to the footprints of time, died October 1, 1880, in her eighty-sixth year. Johnson was a Christian man, esteemed by all; was very influential, and through his efforts mainly was the township established. He took an active part in all the affairs of the settlement, and to him all went for counsel and advice. "Peace be to his ashes." Very little can be ascertained of those who came next, however, tradition tells of one Carter with two sons and the same number of sons-in-law, by name Cox and Fleming, who arrived in the year 1804, and merely squatted, as it were, not effecting a permanent settlement, but pulling stakes and turning their course westward in the year 1807. One year later came Louis Hanback, from Shenandoah County, Va., and settled in Section 14, northeast quarter, on the present farm of his son, David Hanback, where he entered 160 acres of second-rate land, paying $2.25 per acre. Besides the pioneer Louis, came his wife Barbara and three children. David, residing on the homestead, is the only representative of the immediate family. Three children were born to the parents after their arrival, one during the absence of the father in the war of 1812, during which war the good and brave wife cleared nearly three acres of ground, feeling that it would require the exertions of all hands to meet the payments when they became due. The children married and settled in the neighborhood, assisting greatly in subduing the wilderness and forming the beautiful fields of the present.
The names of Acory Berry and the three Longs should precede instead of follow that of Hanback, as they all settled prior to 1808, Berry coming from the same county and State, and even from the same section of land as did Hanback ; but in the year 1806, having married a daughter of the latter, he entered 320 acres of land in Section 6, his wife coming with him. His children -two boys and two girls-were born in the township. All lived for a number of years, and were connected with the early work toward the advancement and progress of this region, but, in the end, nearly all falling victims to that terrible disease, "small-pox," which prevailed for some time among the early settlers. The Longs above referred to are "Big " John, "Little " John, and Philip. The first and last named emigrated from Horseshoe Bend, Rockingham Co., Va., in 1807, and " Little " John from the same place, but came a little later. There were three Longs in the neighborhood, of the same name, hence Big " John and "Little " John ; and later came the third John, who was designated as "Cucumber " John. "Big " John entered 160 acres in the southwest corner of Section 2, where he built a cabin and cleared considerable land. He had no children by his first wife, and but one by his second-Catharine by name. His second wife was a Brubaker. He finally left this State
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. - 443
and went West, where he died. He was a tall and well-proportioned man, weighing 300 pounds. Philip entered the southeast quarter of Section 2, built a small pole cabin with clapboard roof and weight-poles, having one four-light window, the glass of which was procured at Cincinnati and transported on horseback. He died about the year 183T, and was buried on his own farm, leaving but one child-Rebecca, bearing the name of her mother.
In the year 1808, Philip Comer came West from Shenandoah County, Va., in search of land, and, in the fall, purchased, at the land office in Cincinnati, the same land previously occupied by Silas Johnson, and left by him on account of the high valuation placed upon it by the Government. Soon after Johnson moved from the land, it depreciated to $1 per acre, at which figure it was purchased by Philip Comer. It was entered in the fall of 1808, and in the following spring he put in twelve acres of corn in ground that Johnson had cleared, and, in the fall of 1809, returned to Virginia and sent his son David west to take care of the crop. He remained during the winter, and cleared about five acres, and, in the spring of 1810, the second crop was planted. This same year, Philip again came West, bringing with him his family, consisting of his wife and ten children-five boys and five girls-as follows : David, Martin, Peter, Joseph, Reuben, Catharine, Barbara, Lizzie, Susan and Rebecca, Reuben being the youngest, and the only one oŁ the ten children now living, and occupies the old homestead, situated a half mile west of Millerstown. The writer visited him, and found a hale, hearty and jovial old man. Though nearly eighty years of age, he has the appearance of one twenty years younger, and bids fair to celebrate his one hundredth anniversary. To him we are greatly indebted for much of the early history of the township. The Comers built an addition to the cabin left by the Johnsons.
However, this is not a startling fact, if we but consider the number to be sheltered. "Only twelve." We judge there were no spare rooms. Nevertheless, we will warrant that all went happy and merry as a marriage hell. The Johnsons had cleared two fields, and some little ground where the orchard now stands, in all, probably, some fifteen or sixteen acres, and, with what David added, quite an extensive farm awaited the arrival of the family. They were four weeks and four days in coming from the East, journeying by means of a five-horse wagon, and making the quickest trip from that State of any who had preceded them. At this time the Indians were quite numerous, and on one occasion, when the Comer shed or stable was being built, an Indian boy was present, and appeared anxiously awaiting the fastening of the last shingle, evidently wrestling hard with the thought as to how the pioneer who was performing the work was to get to the ground. He could not await this point, so endeavored by signs to ask his question, and in doing so he laughed, and, by signs or motions made with his hands, expressed to them his idea, which was to sit and slide, much to the amusement of all present. This farm had been occupied by the Indians, as there was a town of thirteen huts or houses still standing when the Comers arrived, but were unoccupied, and a number had been demolished. They were small, and constructed of small elm poles, something after the style of the rail-pen or corn-bin of to-day, with a bark covering or roof. This village was called by the pioneers "Nettletown," as it was on one of the tributaries of Nettle Creek, whose banks were thickly grown with nettles, as heretofore spoken of.
In this neighborhood, one eve, at the approach of twilight, could have been seen Silas Johnson and the two sons, hovering around their little fire, where
444 - HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY,
their morsel was in preparation ere they had shelter for the night, when drew near two of the dusky sons of the forest, and began remonstrating with the newcomers about their invading the territory of the Indian, when the brave pioneer made a leap for his gun, which was' several paces away, and, at that instant, the Indian's eye fell upon the weapon, and he too hurried for the same, but, fortunately, Johnson beat him, and grasped the gun, which in a moment was aimed at the savage. It was Johnson's intention to kill him, but, on second thought, changed his mind and gave him a rap with the barrel, knocking him sprawling. Some words passed later, but suffice to say that no further interference followed, and the conference was dropped. When Philip Comer first came, he made his home with old Peter Smith, near Westville, and, on the arrival of the family, all remained several nights with Adam Kite. The Comer boys married, and all settled in the neighborhood. Philip died about the year 1824, and was buried near the spot where the Johnson cabin stood, where also rest the remains of his wife and several children. Reuben Comer married Elizabeth Dealy, of this township, she being a native of Virginia, and from the union sprang five children, all of whom are now living in this township, save one. With the Comer family, in 1810, came Jacob Maggart and Jacob Judy, from Shenandoah County, Va. The former settled on and entered the southeast quarter of Section 7, and there built his cabin. His children were Moses, Adam, David, Elizabeth and Jane. Jacob died with the small-pox, just before that disease proved so fatal to the Berry family, Acory Berry having contracted it while attending the burial of Maggart. The son, excepting Adam, remained bachelors until late in life, when they married and left the township, Adam remaining on the home farm. Judy entered 160 acres on what is now known as the Buckrath farm, in Section 1, on which be died in 1843. His wife Catharine survived him a number of years. Their children were Joseph, David and Elizabeth. The sons remained on the homestead, the former leaving the town ship in the course of eight or ten years. David remained until after the death of his mother, when he took his departure.
The State of Virginia again added to the Nettle Creek settlement, when in 1811, arrived Joseph Kizer from the Shenandoah Valley, a native of the State whence he emigrated, born in 1777. He married the daughter of Philip Cowes in 1809, and two years later, with two children, reached the present limits of Johnson Township, settling near Millerstown, where he entered a quarter-section of land, built his cabin and there lived until 1869, when he was summoned to his final home. He was an esteemed man, and served many years as a Justice of the Peace, was the first Justice of the township, commissioned in the year 1816 by Thomas Worthington, then Governor of Ohio. At this election, it is said that his opponent was Silas Johnson, and that Kizer beat Johnson some two or three votes, which so insulted the dignity of Johnson that he left the township. Kizer was also commissioned a Justice in the years 1818-27. He reared a large family. Two of his sons, Benjamin and Charles are now residents of the township. Perhaps it will not be amiss to here make mention of a great favorite of Father Kizer, namely, "Old Simon," a horse that had faithfully served him for thirty years, carrying him a number of times across the mountains to the old mother State of Presidents. He died on the homestead at the advanced age of thirty-three years. In 1812, Virginia again sent forth to the colony more of her sons; this time coming Louis Lyon, with his wife Mary and their children, John and Christian, who entered 160 acres of land on what is known as the Isaac Good farm, where the usual cabin was
PAGE 445 - PICTURE OF S. T. MCMORRAN
PAGE 446 - PICTURE OF SUSAN B. MCMORRAN
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. - 447
built and the pioneer's work began. The father lived but a few years after his arrived, and the boys remained on the homestead ; Christian died prior to 1831, John living until some ten or twelve years ago. David Huffman, who proved a valuable man to the settlement, and to whom the inhabitants of St. Paris are indebted for their beautiful town, emigrated from Culpeper County, Va., in the year 1813, and entered a half section of land, a portion of which was the present site of St. Paris. A brother, Jeremiah, accompanied him. The children of David Huffman were John, Julia, Samuel, Mary, Jacob and Reuben ; all remained in the township. David Campbell, now residing on Section 7, born in 1802, is one of the early pioneers, His parents, John and Magdalene, came West from Rockingham County, Va., when he was but a small boy, and made a temporary stop on Clear Creek, near Springboro, Warren County, this State, where he followed his trade, that of a miller, for several years, when he removed to Nettle Creek and settled in the Norman neighborhood, and for some years was the miller at the John Norman mill. David married Catharine Kesler, who is yet living. They are the parents of eleven children, four boys and seven girls. One Christian Morah with his family settled near Millerstown at a very early day, as early as 1805, was among the first white settler, but of his life we have been unable to learn anything. In 1808, Samuel Brubaker and family left Shenandoah County, Va., facing the West in search of a home, they reached Lawrence County, Ohio, and there squatted until the year 1815, at which date they settled near Millerstown. Later they occupied the Silas Johnson farm, where stood two cabins built by Johnson. There were about fifteen acres of ground cleared when they moved.upon it. Samuel had married Barbara Comer, from which union were five children-Isaac, Jacob, Mary, Daniel and Rebecca. Isaac has occupied the homestead up to the last fifteen years. David and Henry Long were other early settlers, entering and clearing land in the neighborhood of Mosquito Lake. Both came from Virginia. At about the same time, and from the same locality, came Frederick Pence, who settled and entered land in Section 15.
We have endeavored with great care to avoid mistakes in our sketch of the early settlers of the township, and the locality of the settlements effected, and if errors have occurred they have been unavoidable,
It is noticeable that the first families settled along Nettle Creek. This undoubtedly was on account of water, for all along that section are fine and almost never-failing springs. Another noticeable fact is that it was a Virginia settlement; most of the settlers coming from the Shenandoah Valley, and were generally the stoutest and hardiest men that settled from any country. The post office, if we are permitted to designate it as such, of the pioneers, was the Indian village, Nettletown, as all their mail matter went to and from that town. The chief products then were corn, wheat, flax and sugar; meat consisting of game and pork. The salt came from Cincinnati, whither the pioneer went, generally taking maple sugar to exchange for that article. The grist-mill of the times was out of the present limits of Johnson Township, but as the settlement was dependent upon it, we will be allowed to speak of it. This was the John Norman mill, on Nettle Creek. Norman had placed a slight obstruction in the channel of the creek, where he had a wheel for the water to flow against, and a little primitive gearing set in motion a small stone that he formed out of a bowlder that had been picked up on his land. When he got his mill to running, he would fill the hopper in the morning, start it to work, and then he would leave to engage in other labors till noon, when the mill would get his
448 - HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
services again by replenishing the hopper with grain, and filling the sacks with meal or cracked corn to the same height that they were with corn, he having made a hole in the sack with a bodkin before emptying it,
The earliest merchant of the settlement, of whom we have any knowledge, was one Shrofe, who kept a store at the residence of Silas Johnson when he resided on the Brubaker farm. Doubtless this Shrofe is one of several of that name who a little later entered land in the neighborhood of the Mount Pleasant Church and graveyard, and attempted the laying-out of a town to be called " Eliott." They went so far as to have the ground surveyed and laid out into lots, some of which were sold, but the spokesman having failed, was unable to pay for the ground, hence the town was abandoned. The clothing principally worn was made from linen fiber. The leather used was procured from the tannery of William Runkle, three miles south of where Westville now stands.
Johnson, though not a physician, strictly speaking, generally administered to the ailing of the neighborhood, his "curing dose" being calomel. Philip Comer had a little forge and some few tools, and gave attention where blacksmithing was needed.
The war of 1812 affected this as it did other settlements, in checking emigration and spreading consternation among those who had settled. The land was sold by the Government in tracts of one hundred and sixty acres and upward, at $80 on entry, and in annual payments until paid for. It was not, generally speaking, the moneyed men who came, but men of little or no means, and of wonderful nerve, who here, far from civilization and among Indians, had their homes to hew out of the dense forest.
The emigrants, rather than to lose their all, collected together for their own protection. For had they failed in paying the annual installments, .the land was forfeited and sold, or placed subject to re-entry. It was this fact that prompted the noble wife of Hanback to grasp the ax during the husband's absence in the war. The Nettle Creek settlement sent her quota. We cannot give the roll, but will recall the names of several that are now fresh in our minds: Johnson, Kizer, Comer, Hanback, several of the sons of Johnson, and David, son son of Philip Comer. The earliest religious service of the immediate settlement was held in the barn of Philip Comer, Rev. Saul Henkle expounding the word of God. This was about the year 1815. After this date, services were occasionally held at private houses and in the old schoolhouse, of which we will speak later. The reader may not yet have thought of the element of which the colony was composed, and for fear not, we will state that Dutch " they were, hence the doctrine of Martin Luther, in a religious sense, prevailed, which accounts for the numerous churches of his creed that now dot the township. John Norman, the miller, frequently preached for them. He was of the Baptist persuasion, so there were some lovers of water too. Later came a Methodist, the Rev. Mr. Stuart, and preached for them. Of the early school teachers we can say but little; prior to the building of the first house, short sessions of school were held at the different houses of the settlers and in cabins vacated by emigrants who had changed their quarters or left the neighborhood. One Jackson was about the first. Before wandering too far from the war of 1812, permit us to relate an incident occurring about that time, on the Comer farm. Simon Kenton, of historic note, whose name was a house-hold word among the pioneers, with other, was watching the movements of the Indians, and, wishing to keep out of sight of some passing by, was climbing
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. - 449
into the mow or loft of the stable, when a voice from the mow shouted, just as Kenton's head was in sight, " Go back! 'twill never do for two red heads to be with the hay, as it will surely take fire." The years sped along, and the settlement grew, and the necessity for a schoolhouse was apparent; so, about the year 1817, the first house for that purpose was built in the township. It stood on the Zerkle farm, and in size was about 18x20 feet, constructed of round log, having the wooden and mud chimney of that day in either end. Two small windows, and an opening the width of a log, covered with greased paper, graced one side and furnished light. Split puncheon, supported by wooden legs or pins, without backs, were the seats, and the door of split puncheon, with wooden latch, opened and closed on wooden hinges. The first master was the Jackson before spoken of. This house was also used as a meeting-house. The roads to school in those days were through woods and swamps, and the fear of Indians and of wild beast, we will warrant, made the children's hair almost stand erect. The schools were at this time, and for years later, maintained by subscription, it being the only mode of support. The first meeting-house was built jointly by the Lutheran and German Reformed organization, and was called Salem Lutheran and Reformed Union Church, erected on the present site of Salem Cemetery, in Section 1, in the year 1821. It was a round-log building. The Lutheran portion was organized under the auspices of the joint Synod of Ohio, by means of Rev. Henry Heineke, where he commenced his ministerial labor in 1821, The first Trustees were Jasper Miller, Peter Smith and David Campbell, the former being a member of the Reformed Church. Each denomination held alternate services, having their separate Pastors. The Reformed congregation had no minister until 1824, when Rev. John Pence came and served the congregation until the year 1845. Rev. Heineke served until 1827,l when Rev. Christian Espich succeeded him. In 1834, Rev. Philip Pence became the Pastor, who was followed by Rev. George Klapp, under whose pastorate a new frame church was again jointly built in 1842, located where the schoolhouse now stands. Shortly after this building was erected. a new organization was effected, the same Pastors in charge. In 1843 or 1844, a split in the church occurred, in consequence of the Reformed portion introducing new measures in divine service, and the Reformed erected a separate church. In 1845, Rev. Klapp left, and was succeeded by Rev. Hursh, who served until June, 1850, and was succeeded by Rev. Sheffer, Rev. C. G. Richard and Rev. Enoch Smith, under whose ministry, in the year 1864-65, the church ceased its existence in the country to become a church of St. Paris.
It was customary among the early settlers to inter the dead on their farms, yet, several graveyards of considerable age are within the township. The one where the old Salem Church stood, now known as the Evangelical Lutheran and German Reform Cemetery, was used for that purpose as early as 1815, in which year was there buried Samuel Judy. David Berry assisted in digging, the grave. The burying ground at Mount Pleasant Church, in Section 20, was established some years later, but prior to 1820. The latter church, of Baptist denomination, was organized prior to 1840; a small body in the neighborhood being of that persuasion, assembled at their various residences and in the barn of one Groves, and, at times, in the woods, and invited ministers from Myrtle-Tree Church to preach for them. Of these, the names of Revs. J. Ebberd and D. Runkle are remembered as the first. The society increased in numbers and about 1840 a large, hewed-log church was erected. At this date the membership was twenty-four. The first Deacons were Samuel McMorran and Isaac.
450 - HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Brubaker. Their first Pastor was Dr. Scott. In 1857, the present frame church was built. The Revs. Newton Frazee and Samuel Brower also served this church. Present minister in charge, Rev. James M. Kite; membership, eighty. A carding machine was built in 1827 by David Berry, the first in the neighborhood. It was operated for a time by Berry and sold to a carder by the name of Ford. The first grist-mill in the township was built on Mosquito Creek, at the mouth of the lake of that name, by William Hill, in the year 1823. The carding machine stood near the first schoolhouse. The first saw-mill was built on Mosquito Creek near the lake, by, Henry Long, in the year 1820. Samuel McCord, of Urbana, built the first steam saw-mill. No churches were built other than those in St. Paris and Millerstown. In 1824, the school law for districting the township was passed, but it was many years thereafter before the schools were supplied by public funds. Section 16, reserved for school purpose, was never used, and, in 1828 or 1830, was sold and the proceeds went to the school funds. There are now nine school districts and as many houses in the township, costing, on an average, $1,000 each, and $2,600, annually, to keep them in operation.
TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION.
District No. 1, Eli Pence; District No. 2, C. W. Reed; District No. 3, D. Snapp ; District No. 4, S. M. Slasher ; District No. 5, S. Long; District No. 6, W. W. Kite; Districts No. 7 and S, Amos Norman; District No. 9, Jacob Huffman ; District No. 10,. Ed Buck. President, D. Snapp ; Clerk, E. D. Hawke. Average length of school year, eight months.
One of the practicing physicians of forty years ago was Dr. John Baker, now a resident of St. Paris, then residing near Millerstown. His practice took in a wide scope of territory, and many of to-day will remember the German Doctor as he rode through the wood on his "fiery steed," for he was partial to a good horse. The following joke has been told at his expense, and it is really too good to keep. It runs in this wise. One of the pioneers in the neighborhood had felled a tree and caught several coon, and gave the Doctor one, which the latter had taken home and tied or fastened up. On the following day, as the Doctor was making a professional visit, he saw crossing the path in the distance a small animal, which he supposed to be a coon. He hurried to the spot, and, dismounting, knocked the animal over, and, to his surprise and sorrow, had killed it. It was his desire to capture it, but alas ! thought he, it was dead. He picked it up, thinking it was a coon, yet he observed its tail did not resemble that of the coon at home ; but a coon it must be, said he, and so accounted for the difference in the tail that a portion of it had been lost in some scuffle. He carefully placed it on the back of the horse in an erect position, and buckled it to the saddle. He mounted, and off he rode, somewhat jubilant over the curiosity he was to show at home. He had not ridden far when his horse lunged and kicked at a great rate, and broke into a rapid run. The Doctor was frightened and greatly amazed at such capers, and could not account for them, but in looking behind him all was explained, as the animal was clawing the horse's back. As soon as was possible, the Doctor was off, and again killed the animal and fastened it as before. He had not rode long before the first programme was repeated, and again the animal was killed and placed as previously, for the Doctor was determined to carry his booty home. Again he was compelled to murder the animal, but this time his horse had become so frightened and fractious that he would allow neither the Doctor nor animal on him, so he
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. - 451
threw the coon, as he still supposed, along the path, marking the spot, thinking he would go home and return on foot for the animal. He finally succeeded in mounting his horse, and home he rode, and returned, as he had planned, but alas! no coon was there. "Imagine the Doctor's surprise." It was some days before he had learned the name of his coon. He was not contented until his adventure had been imparted to his colleagues, and at the time of his telling the story Judge Taylor, of Urbana, was present, whose eyes. (as the Doctor tells) he thought would pop from their socket, so hard did he laugh. Suffice to add that the Doctor soon knew what a " possum " was.
The old records of the township have been destroyed, and the pioneer officials cannot be given. Great is the change from the little settlement on the head-waters of Nettle Creek sixty or seventy years ago, where were a few log cabins, occupied by hardy pioneers, widely scattered upon wild land, without any of the facilities of travel or transit to the township of Johnson to-day, containing a flourishing town and village, and dotted with large cultivated farms, upon which are fine residences and large barns, with its railroad facilities, telegraph communication and free pikes.
ST. PARIS.
The flourishing and enterprising town bearing the above name is prettily situated, in a basin as it were, on a very high elevation of ground. It was named after the metropolis of France by David Huffman, who laid it out in 1831. On learning of a "New, Paris " in this State, he prefixed to it the Saint, to avoid any difficulty that might occur in mail matter. The lots were surveyed by the old pioneer surveyor, John Arrowsmith. The first house in the town was built by David Huffman ; a hewed-log house, standing on the northwest corner of Springfield and Main streets. It was a very neat piece of work, carefully made by Huffman himself, and was the pride of the neighborhood. The first frame house of any note was built by John Falkner, soon after the town had been laid out. It is now the American . Hotel, on Main street. Huffman was the first merchant, inn-keeper and Postmaster. William Rosebro was one of the early tavern-keepers, occupying the house known as the old La Rue Tavern. Jacob Protsman was the first blacksmith, and occupied a log shop on Main street. Dan Putman was an early grocer, located on West Main street. The town grew quite rapidly, and in the year 1845 it numbered nearly twenty houses. In 1846 or 1847, the Columbus & Piqua Railroad was built throught St. Paris, which gave it great advantages over neighboring villages, and it began steadily to increase, until it is now known as one of the live towns of Champaign County, and bids fair to rival others, its seniors in years. Some twenty-odd additions have been made since the original plat, and through the efforts of its many enterprising citizens it has become a town of fair population, studded with numerous churches, fine residences, business houses, banks and a good school. It also supports several manufacturing interests, among them carriage manufacturing, a tile factory, steam saw-mill, grist-mill, etc., and with its railroads and telegraph facilities, is in daily communication with the world at large. It has its three grain ware rooms, where 300,000 bushels of grain are annually shipped to the markets of the country. The American House and "U. S. " are the hotels of the town. The proprietor of the former is Joe A. Hellings. We were unable to get at the exact date of its incorporation as a town, but the year 1858 will not miss it far. Its first and present Mayor was and is John F. Riker, but many others have served in that
452 - HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
capacity. The present council are E. V. Rhoads. Ezra Pretzman, David Strock, Joseph Bownfield, J. C. Tomlin and T. F. Woods. The Postmasters have been as follows, and in the order named: David Huffman, Jesse Long, Francis Wert, B. W. Perrine, J. Q. Baird, Mrs, Henrietta Scott and the present incumbent, G. W. Kelly. It was made a money-order office in the fall of 1875. There are now some six practicing physicians in the town ; but few lawyers. The town and township have been heard from in public affair, having been represented in the State Legislature by Solomon G. Brecount, Dr. J. J. Musson and S. T. McMorran. Probably the greatest production of the township is Gen. John Jones, of Delaware, now in the State Senate, and formerly a member of Congress from the Ninth District, Johnson has also been twice favored in county offices, namely, E. V. Rhoads in the Treasurer's office, and M. A. Jordan, the present Recorder. The population, as shown by the census of 1880, is 1,068. In politic, the St. Paris precinct is Democratic.
SCHOOLS.
The public schools of St. Paris are excellent. The school building is a three-story structure, built of brick, in 1867, containing five rooms, two on the first and second, and one on the third floor, the latter used as a chapel. James Davis, Samuel Bowersock and Dr. J. J. Musson were the School Directors and acted as a building committee at the time the' building was erected. The first school was opened in it September 5, 1868, under the following corps of teachers': Principal, J. G. Blair ; Grammar School, Miss Mary Woods; other rooms, Miss Sarah Armstrong and Miss Drury. Present Instructors-Arthur Powell, Principal; Miss Clara Harrison, Grammar Department; other grades, W. A. Gibbs, Mrs, M. A. Owens and Mrs, A. A. Roberts. Total enrollment, 312-males, 159; females, 143 ; colored, 10-four males and six females. Prior to the opening of the schoolhouse above mentioned, school was held in the old Odd Fellows building. The first school of the town was kept in the house of David Huffman, then in a log schoolhouse standing in the old graveyard on the east side of the road, just north of town. Next in a frame schoolhouse now used as a dwelling.
CHURCHES.
The First Methodist Church of St. Paris was organized in a frame schoolhouse that stood on Springfield street, by Rev. J. G. Black, of Addison Circuit, in the year 1851, Benjamin F. Kizer, Jacob Rhoads and wife, Samuel Overhulz and wife, Malab Malan and wife and Daniel Wert were the original members. For several months prior to this time, the preacher from Addison Circuit would hold services in private houses and in the schoolhouse. In 1852, the church, as a society, was attached to Tremont Circuit, and in the fall of the same year, the erection of a church-building was commenced, which was completed at a cost of $1,000, and dedicated in June, 1853, Rev. Granville Moody officiating. At this time, George W. Harris was the minister of the circuit. He superintended the building of the church, and became the first regular minister after it was built. He was followed by W. N. Williams, and he by E. H. Field. In 1855, the society was changed to Fletcher Circuit. In the fall of 1870, Revs, W. F. Wolf and J. B. Sullivan were preachers on this circuit. The old church was sold in February, 1880. A new one was built in 1875-76 at a cost of $10,500. S. Hanneford, of Cincinnati, was employed to draw the plans and oversee the building. It is a one-story brick building, built in
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. - 453
Gothic style, and so constructed within that it can be thrown into one vast auditorium, or divided by folding doors into class-rooms, etc. It was dedicated by Bishop Bowman, February 11, 1876. The audience room proper has a seating capacity for about five hundred people. The bell, which was taken from the old church, is suspended in a cupola 115 feet high. The church now numbers about one hundred and fifty-two members, The present Pastor, Rev. Frank Leever, succeeded F. S. Davis, and he was preceded by M. Dustin.
The First Baptist Church. -This church is the result of a meeting held in the old Methodist Church building August 13, 1874, of which Elder William R. Thomas was Moderator, and J. F. Riker, Clerk. Nineteen members pre sented their letters from other churches, and with these the church was organized. Tho first minister called was Elder E. B. Smith, who served until 1879, when the present Pastor, J. W. Scott, was called. As soon as the church was organized, they set about building a church. The present site was purchased of Samuel Bowersock, and a two-story brick of imposing appearance built thereon for $6,000. It contains the usual small rooms on the first floor, which is not yet finished, and an audience-room upstairs capable of seating 400 people. The church has a tower seventy feet high, in which there is a town clock and an excellent bell, the gift of Isaac Brubaker, which was cast in Baltimore at a cost of $335. It weighs 1,009 pound, and has the date of presentation and the donor's name cast in it. There is now a membership of one hundred in the church.
Reformed Church. -This congregation worshiped in the jointly-built church known as the Salem Church (a history of which is given in the township matter proper) until their present church was erected in St. Paris, in the year 1852, when Jesse Steiner served as Pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. Jesse Richard, who served nearly twenty years. Both served the church the second time. The last minister was Rev. W. M. Andrews, The church is now without a Pastor.
Lutheran Church. -The organization and early history of this church is that of Salem Church, contained in the township history, In 1865, the present Lutheran Church was erected on the corner of Elm and Church streets. It is a frame structure with spire and bell, and the ground upon which it is built was donated by Henry Apple. There is a parsonage to the church, built in 1868. Rev. Enoch Smith was the Pastor at the building of the church, and his successors have been Rev. H. A. Becker, Rev. J. O. Hoffman, Rev. J. Manning and Rev. J. O. Miller, the present incumbent.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church (Zion's Church) is a split from the Lutheran Church, taking place under Rev. Hursh, it going to the General Synod, and was the origin of the General Synodism in this part of the country. Organized by Rev. George Klapp in 1844 or 1845, with twenty-eight members.. Prior to the building of the church they now occupy, built in 1854, they worshiped in an old frame church which stood in the Lutheran and Baptist graveyard. The church was re-organized in 1848 by Ezra Keller, D. D., first President of Wittenberg College, Prior to this date, the church was known as the German Lutheran denomination, At the re-organization it adopted the constitution of the General Synod.Present membership, 124; Pastor, Rev. E. D. Smith.
A Universalist Church was organized here in March, 1880, by residents ,and members of the Millerstown Church, the latter having sold their church for the purpose of starting one here. They purchased the old Methodist Church
454 - HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
for $400, and called Rev. James Lower to the pulpit. n the 12th of May, 1880, the dedication services were. held, Rev. S. P. Carrolton, officiating. Rev. Lower served but a short time, when he was succeeded by Rev. B. Blackford, the present Pastor. he church is still small, but much interest is manifested, and with the growth of the town it promises to increase in membership.
The Catholics of St. Paris have no regularly organized church. They hold meetings on the last Sabbath of each month, in Bowersock's Hall, with the priests of this diocese, Father Henry and Father Donahue, officiating. They first commenced meeting thus about twenty years ago. There are between seventy and eighty of them in all. They have a lot purchased and paid for, in the southern part of town, and contemplate building them a church as soon as the state of their finances will permit.
The colored people of the town are gathering in strength, and hope soon to form themselves into a church and erect a house of worship. They are led by Rev. Marshall, of Piqua, who preaches for them from time to time.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
This bank was organized July 15, 1880, with the following board of officers:
Lambert Pond, President; E. V. Rhoads, Cashier; Henry Sayler, Vice President; John Poorman, G. W. Kite, William Michael, H. Sayler and L. Pond, Directors. The charter bears date of August 2, 1880. Paid-up `stock, $52,100. They commenced doing business in their handsome new building; on Springfield street, November 8, 1880.
A private bank was opened in 1866, by Isaac Brubaker and S. T. McMorran, which was succeeded, in the year 1877, by the private bank of Bowersock & Son, now in operation.
THE PRESS.
The first newspaper started in the town was the St. Paris Independent, a weekly, published by Vaughn Brothers for fourteen months, from the spring of 1870, after which the office and materials were removed from the town, The village was then without a local paper until June, 1872, when O'Haver & Stawn commenced the publication of the St. Paris Informant, In December of the same year, they sold it to Mussen & Taylor, the name, in the meantime, having been changed to The New Era, and, in the month of April following, Taylor took entire control and continued the publication until November, when he sold it to Mussen & Co., who, in their turn, sold it to H. H. Hall, in January, 1877. In May, 1880, the present proprietor, C. R. Mussen, took charge of it for the third time. The files and records were all destroyed by a fire on October 28, 1879. The paper has always been Democratic in politic, with the exception of the time Mr. Hall had control, when it was Independent. Another Democratic weekly, called the St. Paris Enterprise, was started August 9, 1878, by C. R. Carlow; but, in the January following, the publication was discontinued.
ST. PARIS LODGE, NO. 246, I. O. O. F.
This lodge was instituted May 10, 1854, by Especial Deputy C. F. Waite, with eleven members and the following officers: E. Pretzman, N. G.; W. Overhulz, V. G.; G. W. Flowers; See.; E. A. Stockton, Per. Sec.; I. Batdorf, Treas. The present number of members is seventy-three active and sixty-four dormant.
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY. - 455
Their officers now are; F. E. Bull, N. G.; Jacob Judy, V. G.; A. E. Pond, Sec.; J. Huffman, Treas. The lodge owns a fine two-story brick, which they built at a cost of $5,000, their lodge-room occupying the second story.
RUSSELL ENCAMPMENT, NO. 141, I. O. O. F.
This lodge was organized July 19, 1871, with a board of officers consisting of E. Pretzman, C. P.; D. H. McDaniels, H. P.; E. Va Rhoads, S. W.; Ira Wiant, J. W.; J. F. Riker, Scribe, and Jacob Huffman, Treas.,. and sixteen charter members.
There are now forty-four active and eight dormant members. The officers now are; C. A. Robinson, C. P.; Caleb Jones, H. P.; L. W. Gibbs, S. W.; E. D. Hasok, J. W.; H. C. Gibbs, Scribe; Jacob Huffman, Treas. They meet in the hall of the lodge, No. 246.
PHAROS LODGE, No. 355, A., F. & A. M.,
was instituted October 16, 1865, with sixteen members and the following board of officers: John E. Finneman, W. M.; G. T. McMorran, S. W.; E. R. Northcutt, J. W.; E. H. Furrow, Treasurer; H. H. Long, Secretary; J. J. Musson, S. D.; W. F. Furrow, J. D.; Joseph Comer, Tiler; John Slonaker, Jacob McMorran, Stewards, The present officers are: E. V. Rhoads, W. M.; S. T. McMorran, S. W.; John Poorman, J. W.; J. K. Furrow, Treasurer; E. D.. Hawk, Secretary; J. T. Kite, S. D.; J. N. Smith, Tiler; T. J. Kite and J. B. Kizer, Stewards,The lodge has a nicely furnished hall in Bowersock Building, where their meetings are held.
ST. PARIS CHAPTER, N0. 132, R. A. M.,
was constituted by Companion James Nesbit, Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter, R. A. M., of Ohio, October 30, 1872, with eleven charter members, The first officers elected were; S. T. McMorran, H. P.; W. S. Cox, King; G. R. Kizer, Scribe. The chapter now numbers twenty-two members. They occupy the hall with Pharos Lodge. The following are the present officers : Emmet V. Rhoads, H. P.; G. D. Graham, King; W. F. Furrow, Scribe; B. F. Baker, Captain of H.; S. T. McMorran, P. S.; John Poorman, Treasurer; A. S. Brecount, Secretary ; W. S. Hunt, Guard.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
The Young Men's Christian Association of St. Paris is the result of a meeting held for that purpose in the Baptist Church, November 7, 1876, F. M. Porch acting as President of the meeting and G. W. Kelley as Secretary. November 7, 1876, one week later, the association was regularly organized with a board of officers consisting of E. S. Faucett, President ; G. W. Kelley, Vice President; John McMorran, Secretary; William Henderson, Treasurer. They rented a room, held their stated meetings, and for a time promised to become a body of some power in the community, but the members began to tire of it and one by one dropped from the ranks, until, in July, 1880, they were obliged to relinquish their room from lack of funds. This seems rather strange, when their books are seen showing a membership of forty-three, originally, increased to one hundred and four, which was the number at disbandment. But of these one hundred and four, only seven were active members. The last board of
456 - HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
officers were; W. N. Reinhard, President; James Brokaw, Vice President; J. N. McAllister, Secretary ; Augustus Leedom, Treasurer.
GRAVEYARDS.
There are two of these ancient hallowed spots in the northern part of the town, and a beautifully laid out cemetery comprising eight acres of ground. The latter is known as Evergreen Cemetery and was laid out in 1877, the ground having been purchased by John McMorran for the sum of $200. Few interments have as yet been made. The grounds are being improved and beautified, and will doubtless soon be in keeping with the cemeteries of the day. The other two are situated opposite each other, the one on the west side of the road, known as the Methodist and Reform, was never laid out into lots. People began burying there on account of the high elevation of the ground. The other, known as the Lutheran and Baptist, had its origin in the same manner, but in later years was regularly laid out in family lots. We have been unable to fix the dates when these yards were first used for burying purposes.
MILLERSTOWN.
This beautiful little village, oŁ some two hundred inhabitants, is situated in the eastern part of the township. The land on which it stands was, at one time, the farm of Casper Miller, after whose death it fell it to his son, Christ, who, in connection with a cousin, John G. Miller, had the ground laid out into lots. The surveying was done by John Arrowsmith, in the year 1857. Christ built the first house, which was of brick. He lived in it, and there opened a grocery and tavern. The first Postmaster was Isaac Ammon. It can boast of two churches, Reformed and Baptist, and a schoolhouse; also of a number of ' neat and pretty residences. It is supplied with three stores, a shoe-shop, two blacksmith-shops, a saw-mill, and last, but not least, a hotel, the Valley House. Dr. Comer administers to the sick. The school is taught by S. D. Harman. The first-named church was organized in 1821, and worshiped in the jointly built church at the Salem Graveyard, a history of which is given in the township matter, where they continued to worship until the church was built in Millerstown, Rev. J. Steiner serving as the first Pastor in 1852. He was followed by Rev. Jesse Richard, who remained their Pastor nearly sixteen years. The Baptists have no regular organized church. The building was bought from the Universalists in 1879. Rev. I. R. Randell, of the Myrtle. Tree Church, preaching for them occasionally, A Universalist Church was here conducted through a period of nineteen years. It was organized in September, 1860, by Rev. T. S. Guthrie, with a membership of twenty-six. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. S. P. Carlton. After disposing of the church in Millerstown, that denomination purchased the old Methodist Episcopal Church building in St. Paris. Politically speaking, the inhabitants of the village. are pretty generally Democrats, there being, at the November election in the precinct, but twelve Republican votes cast.