Clark County, Ohio History

HARMONY TOWNSHIP - 635

HARMONY TOWNSHIP.

BY F. M. MADAMS.

Harmony Township is situated in the center of the eastern tier of townships, and is bounded north by Moorefield and Pleasant, east by the county of Madison, south by Madison Township, and west by Springfield Township. It was erected by the Commissioners of Clark County on the 2d day of June, 1818, and described as follows:

" Beginning at the north boundary of _the 9th Range, at the northwest corner of Section 36, of Township 6; thence east on said range line, and same course continued to the east boundary of Clark County; thence southwardly on the line dividing Madison and Clark Counties to the north boundary of the 8th Range; thence west on said range line to the east boundary of Township 5; thence north on the line between Townships 5 and 6, to the beginning. And the same to be called Harmony Township."

Previous to this date, Harmony Township existed in name, and as early as 1811 cast forty-one votes at a general election held in Champaign County for

* Following the year 1850 the votes of the township and city of Springfield were given separately.

636 - HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

Senator; that her territory was the same then as now is not probable. In proof of this, we quote from the record:

"April 25, 1818.-Ordered that that part of the county of Madison now comprised in the county of Clark, shall be and the same is hereby attached to and made a part of the township of Harmony, and shall be called and known by the name of Harmony."

There are no records to be found showing who were the early township officials, and their deeds are therefore more of tradition than of record.

The Ludlow line, crossing this township, divides the lands into two classes -Congress and military lands. This line runs twenty degrees west of north, and its direction mars the shape of the military lands on the east, and makes fractions of Sections 31, 32, 33, 3, 4, a, 6 and 12 on the west. The Congress lands comprise more than two-thirds of the whole extent.

In the year 1830, the real estate of the township was valued at $61,314, and the taxable chattels at $2,928; in 1840, the value of real estate was $103,168, and there were in the same year only nine pleasure carriages, valued at $596. In 1850, the real estate was valued at $484,516, and the personal property at $137,484. In 1860, the real estate value was $778,760, and the chattels at $354,324. In 1870, the value of real estate was $1,277,430, and in 1880 it was $1,276,075. The township contains 31,450 acres and in 1880 had an average appraised value of $40.31 per acre.

STREAMS.

Beaver Creek, the principal stream of Harmony Township, has its origin near the northeastern part of the township, and runs easterly, and is crossed by the National Road half a mile east of Harmony Village; it is a tributary of Buck Creek, and furnishes valuable water-power to a number of mills above its entrance into that stream.

Several smaller streams rise in the southern part of the township, flow southerly, and empty into the Little Miami or its tributaries.

VILLAGES.

Lisbon; Plattsburg; Brighton, Vienna and Harmony are the only villages of the township. The three last named are on the National Road, which runs from east to west through the northern half of the township. Plattsburg and Vienna have each a post office; the other villages depend upon other points for their mail.

SUNDRY ITEMS.

Harmony is divided into two nearly equal parts by the C., S. & C. Railroad, which runs almost easterly and westerly on section lines of the Congress lands. The center of the township, as shown by diagonal lines drawn from northwest to southeast, and from southwest to northeast, is on the north half of the northwest quarter of Section 9, about ten rods south of the railroad.

PIONEERS OF HARMONY TOWNSHIP.

The men and women who succeeded the native red man, and planted civilization in the footprints of the untutored savage, were of a peculiar type. If the present generation acknowledge a debt of gratitude to the fathers who broke the yoke of tyranny and freed our beloved country from the oppressive chains of despotism, is it not a duty also to revere and honor the memory of the hardy pioneers, who, taking this now rich and happy country from the state of nature, have, by their enterprise and muscle, made it what it is?

HARMONY TOWNSHIP. - 637

The following brief mention is made of a few of, the many early settlers who located in the township between the years 1800 and 1830, and who are prominent in the organization of society:

Thomas Chenoweth settled in the vicinity of Lisbon as early as 1803, and in 1815 laid out the village of Lisbon. He was a Virginian. He accumulated considerable property by farming. He was the father of three sons and three daughters. He died, on the farm where he had spent a long and useful life, February 25, 1856, in his seventy-ninth year.

George Weaver settled near Lisbon in 1808, and erected a distillery some years later. He operated as a distiller for a number of years, and removed to Madison County about the year 1831.

John Merideth was a soldier of the Revolution. He came to Ohio from Hampshire County, Virginia, in company with Hamilton Busbey, in the fall of 1815, descending the Ohio in a flat-boat to Cincinnati, and traversing the wilderness by wagon to their destination. He settled at Lisbon in the fall of that year, and if not the first, he was one of the first, merchants of that place. During his business career, as a matter of convenience, he issued a proprietary scrip as currency. This home-made medium was easily imitated and the result was that he was compelled to redeem more than he issued. After a number of years, he removed to Urbana and became Cashier of a bank. Later, he removed to Miami County, and died in 1839, at the age of ninety-one. His youngest son attained distinction as a General during the late civil war.

Hamilton Busbey was a Virginian, and was born in Hampshire County in 1792. He emigrated to Ohio in company with John Merideth in 1815, settling at Lisbon, where he remained for ten years. He then bought and occupied a farm near the present village of Plattsburg. He served the township in various official capacities. He was the father of a large family. His oldest son, Thomas C., is still a resident of Harmony Township. Mr. Busbey died in Coles County, Illinois, December 16, 1847, aged fifty-five.

Joseph Morris was an early settler near Lisbon; was one of the early schoolteachers of the village, and was a minister of the Baptist Church, reaching over a period of half a century. He raised a large family of children, who inherited the noble traits of their father, and who filled well their stations in life.

John Craig, a Revolutionary soldier, was born February 15, 1758; entered the army in 1775, and was discharged in 1780. He came to the township in 1808, and died in Springfield Township, at the home of Lewis Skillings, Sr. He was a man of moral worth and sterling integrity.

John Heaton settled east of Lisbon as early as 1815; was a farmer, and served as a Justice of the Peace for twenty-one years.' His sons, Henry, James, Abraham and Abner, were residents of the township, and worthy citizens. Mr. Heaton died November 22, 1861, at the age of eighty-two.

John Judy, Sr., was born in Basle, Switzerland, about 1760. He came to America at the age of ten, with his father's family, who settled on the south branch of the Potomac. He came to Kentucky at the age of twenty-two, and married Phoebe Lamaster. About 1794, he came to what is now Greene County, Ohio, and about the year 1800 he came into the territory of what is now Harmony Township, and settled two miles east of the present site of Plattsburg, now the farm of Matthew Bonner. Here he reared a family of children. About 1831, he removed to Union County, Ohio, where he died at an advanced age.

The Turner brothers, Thomas, James, Robert, William, David and Samuel, were settlers near the Madison County line, coming into the township in about the year 1808. They were natives of Maryland. They took an active interest in the organization of the township. Robert served as a Justice of the Peace

638 - HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

and as County Commissioner. Their descendants are among the prominent citizens of Union County. "There was not a black sheep in the flock."

"Col." Thomas Rathburn was born in Rhode Island in 1782, and came to Ohio in 1811, settling at Brighton the same year. Served some years as Justice of the Peace, and also as. Colonel of militia. Died in 1869, in his eighty-eighth year.

Samuel McMillan settled on Beaver Creek, near the present site of Brighton, in 1811. He was a blacksmith by trade, and also served the township as a magistrate.

Enoch King was from Pennsylvania, and, in the year 1812 or 1813, settled a mile east of where Plattsburg now stands. He was a farmer of good repute, and was the Appraiser of real estate of the township in 1840. He was twice married; had a large family, thirteen of whom grew to maturity. Enoch, John and David, sons of the second wife, are residents of the township to this day. Mr. King died in 1865, aged seventy-one. His widow and daughter Mattie reside on a portion of the home farm.

John Osborn was a native of Greenbrier County, Virginia; be moved to Kentucky in 1790, and thence to Ohio in 1812, occupying the lands on which Plattsburg was afterward located. His sons, William, Levi, Jesse and Elijah were in after years worthy and prominent citizens of Harmony Township. He died August, 1847, aged eighty-seven.

William Osborn, oldest son of John Osborn, came to the township with his father in 1812, having been born in 1787. His first wife was Jane McDonald; his second, the widow of James McArthur. Mr. Osborn was one of the original founders of Plattsburg, and built the brick hotel on the principal corner. He was a man of great energy and extraordinary business capacity, and dealt largely in stock and real state. He died October 17; 1870, aged eighty-three. A suitable sketch of his life and character is found in Turf, Field and Farm of October 25, 1870, written by Hamilton Busbey, editor of that journal, and a native of Harmony Township.

Mack McDaniel was a Kentuckian. He settled near the site of Plattsburg in 1813, and died in November, 1832, at the age of eighty-one.

Benjamin Hathaway was from Massachusetts, and served in the war of 1812, and was a Captain in the navy. He became a citizen of the township in 1815. His life was a mass of mystery, fact and romance, but he was withal a man of great integrity and intelligence. His son Benjamin was Colonel of a regiment of militia, and a school teacher of repute. The senior died January, 1861, aged eighty-two.

James Haney settled on Beaver Creek in 1810, and built the first saw-mill in the township. The remains of the mill and race can yet be seen.

A man named Burke erected a mill on the Little Miami about 1815.It was a small affair, and could only be operated to advantage during the rainy seasons, but it was considered valuable in those days.

Col. William Foreman, born in Kentucky in 1791, came to Ohio and settled in Harmony Township in 1812. He was the father of eleven children, a Colonel of militia, Township Treasurer for several years, and the owner of a large estate. He carried on a tannery on the old London road, three miles west of Plattsburg, for many years. He resided in Harmony Township fifty-eight years, and died February 19, 1871, aged eighty-one.

William Henry was from Kentucky. He settled on the Little Miami, one and one-half miles north of Lisbon, in 1814. He was a man whom many remember kindly.

James McDaniels settled two miles north of Lisbon in 1815. His nativity is in doubt. He took an active part in the campaign of 1840, and, at a mass

HARMONY TOWNSHIP. - 639

meeting at Springfield on the 18th of June of that year, he was selected as one of the corner-men in the erection of a log cabin on the occasion.

Robert Reid settled on the Little Miami, on ;the farm now owned by B. Sprague, in 1815. He took an active part in the affairs of Harmony Township, serving the township as Clerk and Trustee.

James Sprague was a Canadian; he settled west of Lisbon, on the Little Miami, about the year 1815. He was the father of L. B. Sprague and Darius Sprague, residents of Harmony Township, and Dr. James Sprague, of London, Ohio.

Edward Rice was one of the early settlers of Harmony Township. He came to Ohio with his wife in 1809 from Massachusetts, which was also his wife's birthplace, and settled on the farm south of the present village of Harmony, known as the Patten farm in 1812. He was a man well informed, took an active interest in the public affairs of the township, and was a Township Trustee for several years. Four of his sons were residents of Springfield Township and city. His son Asa, now deceased, built a steam saw and grist mill in Vienna about 1854. Mr. Rice died January 10, 1842, and his wife Lucy October 22, 1877.

Gabriel Cox settled on a farm adjoining Harmony Village about the year 1813. He farmed some and kept hotel south of the village. He was a Freemason, and when he died was buried by that order.

James Donnels settled on the farm now owned by his son-in-law, Jesse Boyd, in 1808. Was a farmer and amassed considerable wealth. His only son James lives immediately east of Harmony in the house built by his father about the time the pike was finished.

David Hannah was a Virginian. He settled on Sinking Creek, in the northwestern part of the township, in the year 1815, and carried on a distillery for several years. In his day he was regarded as the largest and most powerful man of the township.

John Nichelson settled on Beaver Creek in 1806. Samuel. Goodfellow owns the farm now. He had five sons-four of whom passed away years ago. Isabel, the oldest daughter, married Moore Goodfellow, and this is regarded as the earliest marriage in Harmony Township. Daniel Jones married one of the daughters, and the third died unmarried.

Andrew Nichelson came to the township with his father, John Nichelson, in 1806, being then three years old. Before he was of age, he purchased and paid for a tract of eighty acres of land, thus laying the foundation for the vast wealth which he afterward possessed. He was twice married, and was the father of a large family--eleven of whom became men and women. His first wife was Rachel Hammond; she died in 1852. His second wife was Mrs. Angeline Yeazle, nee Spencer, whom he married in 1854. He was a man much esteemed for his many charitable acts, a life-long and consistent member of the Christian Church, and was widely known as a man whom nothing could divert from the path of rectitude. He died July 23, 1880, in his seventy-eighth year.

Moore Goodfellow was a native of Ireland. He settled on Beaver Creek on lands now occupied by his fourth son, Samuel Goodfellow, in 1810. His wife was Isabel Nichelson; they were married in 1808 Their children were William, John, Thomas, Mary Ann, Isabel, Samuel, Elliott, Rachel, Rhoda and Moore. His offspring, with their descendants, have held prominence in the township in business, political and social circles for nearly three-quarters of a century. He died September 16, 1860.

Henry Oxtoby, Sr., was. a native of Yorkshire, England, as was also his wife Elizabeth Cook. They were married and had four children in their native land. They emigrated to America in 1803, locating first in the State of New York. In 1814, they came to Ohio and purchased 160 acres of land near Oxtoby Sta-

640 - HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

tion; now owned by John Pierson. For this land Mr. Oxtoby paid $2.25 per acre; it has since sold for $100 per acre. His only son, Henry, still lives near the old homestead and the ripeness of his declining years is rendered glorious by the recollection of a well-spent life. the senior Oxtoby died in 1838, his wife in 1836; the three daughters have followed.

William Baird was a native of Hagerstown, Md., born March 16,1762. He moved to Kentucky in 1794, and thence to' Ohio in 1808, settling on Beaver Creek lands now owned by his son William D. Baird. He served in the Revolutionary war. He left three sons and four daughters at his death. One son still lives at the age of seventy-eight, and one daughter aged ninety-three-both residents of Harmony Township. Mr. Baird attended a treaty with the Indians in 1809 at Springfield, and saw the celebrated warrior and chief Tecumseh; was personally acquainted with Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton of historic fame.

Benjamin Foreman, James Parks, Warham Stasy, Lewis Fee, Nicholas Storms, John and George Jones, Allen Gilbert, Matthew Spencer, John H. and George Dynes, were all settlers of Beaver Creek section, in the vicinity of the National road.

James Burns and Daniel Jones and family were early settlers near Lisbon. Thomas Stites was an early settler one and a half miles northwest of Lisbon, and managed a distillery for some years.

Jacob Girard, Thomas Whittredge and Isaac Dillon were early settlers near Lisbon. Robert Thorp, Sr., and family settled in the southwestern part of the township in 1819, they came from England. James Price came in 1820, died in 1846.

Isaac Chamberlin settled near Lisbon about the year 1815, and kept a public house for several years. His children were Stephen H., George, Walter, Mary, Caroline and Sarah.

John Whiteley settled in the neighborhood of Fletcher Chapel, near the western line of the township. He served as Justice of the Peace of Harmony Township for several successive years. He was also a Commissioner of the county. His sons William,. Joseph, Andrew and Abner have become noted throughout Christendom as inventors and manufacturers. Mr. Whiteley died June, 1845, aged sixty-four.

Christopher Laybourn was born in England in 1745; there married, in 1777, to Margaret Newlove, born in 1758. In 1794, he with his wife and six children emigrated to New York where they lived eighteen years, during which time he was Mayor of New York City two years. In 1812, he and family came to Clark County, settling in the southwestern part of this township, now known as the Thorp farm. He afterward moved to the farm where Joseph Laybourn now lives, in Section 25, where he died in 1842, his wife having died in 1825. He was a school teacher and a man of good education.

John Judy, Jr., was the second son of John Judy, Sr., and was born in a block-house near Flemingsburg, Ky., in 1791. He came to Ohio with his father's family and settled on the "Judy farm" on the head waters of the Little Miami near the Madison County line. His wife was Lydia Hull. He served in the war of 1812 as a private; served Harmony Township as a magistrate, and was a Captain of a company of militia. He built one of the first brick houses in the country, and kept the "Black Horse Tavern," the first hotel in the township. He was a man of integrity and lived and died a consistent member of the Free-Will Baptist Church. He removed to Illinois about 1860, and died December 1, 1874, aged eighty-three.

Dr. William Amphlet located in the western portion of the township in an early day. He was an Englishman by birth, well educated, skillful in his profession, and owned a library of great value.

PAGE 641 - PICTURE OF E. T. COLLINS - SOUTH CHARLESTON

PAGE 642 - BLANK

HARMONY TOWNSHIP. - 643

Dr. J. B. Lingle was born in Springfield in 1813, and settled at Vienna as a physician in 1836. He was a successful practitioner, and served the township officially as Justice of the Peace, Treasurer and Clerk. He died in 1878. His widow, whose family name was Laird, still survives.

Washington and Josiah Wilson came to this township with their mother Temperance (Judy) Wilson, about 1813, where Michael Wilson, Jr., was born shortly afterward. This family became one of the wealthy and influential ones of the township, and wielded an influence for good.

Mention is made of other physicians who have practiced their profession at Vienna. Harry H. Young, James Sprague, Norris, Hunter, William U. Banwell, E. H. Smith.

The merchants of Vienna have been Caleb Barrett, Daniel Brown, Emanuel Wayne, D. B. Farrington, W. S. Funston, George W. Ryan, D. O. Heiskill, J. M. Bennett, W. T. Harris, J. A. Widdicombe, Samuel Frock.

Caleb Barrett had a store at Windsor, on the old Columbus road, as early as 1825, from where he removed to Vienna upon the completion of the National road.

William Pool and wife came with their son-in-law, Edward Rice, to this township in 1812, where both died; they were natives of Massachusetts.

CEMETERIES.

The various burial-places in the township seem to have been selected with a view to desirability and fitness.

At Lisbon, the dead rest in a neatly kept cemetery, and the memorials of affection erected to perpetuate the memories of the departed are tasteful and appropriate.

At Plattsburg, the site of the cemetery is one rarely equaled for position. It is well kept and contains the graves of a number of pioneers of the early days.

At Brighton, a small and tolerably well kept cemetery is used as a place of interment by the general public.

At Vienna, nearly a mile west of the village, and north of the National road, is a cemetery which is large, well laid out and neatly kept.

Fletcher Chapel is one of the oldest burial-places of the township, and the dead here perhaps number two hundred, among whom are the names of many whose descendants have figured prominently in public life throughout the land. Laybourn's is a small and somewhat private lot on Section 29, and on the road leading from Harmony to Plattsburg.

The Wragg Cemetery, on Section 22, is somewhat neglected of late years.

"Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid,

Some heart, once pregnant with celestial fire;

Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed,

Or waked to estacy the living lyre."

Following is a list of the names of some of the early settlers of Clark County who were born before the year 1800, and who are buried within the township:

NAME. DIED. AGED.

James Campbell ..... December 30, 1841. .51

Enoch King........... May 17, 1865........... 71

Charity King........ August, 1825............ 27

John Osborn......... August, 1847............ 87

Polly Osborn ........ October, 1825.......... 59

B. B. Browning ..... August, 1867........... 69

Mary Browning.. . . November, 1865. .. ..68

Benjamin Hathaway. January, 1861...... ...82

Mack McDaniel...... November, 1832...... 81

William Osborn... . ..October, 1870......... 83

Jane Osborne........ .. January, 1839......... 50

James McDaniel...... January, 1845.......... 67

Elizabeth McDaniel..February, 1859........ 75

Charles Stewart... . . August, 1849.......... 52

David Jones ........... November, 1857..... 72

Mathias Smith......... August, 1868........... 75

644 - HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

NAME. DIED. AGED.

Wm. L. Converse.... September, 1846.... 47

Jacob Olinger.......... May, 1877.............. 90

Matthew J. Spencer. July, 1824.............. 34

Abigail Spencer.... ...May, 1872............... 79

Darius Sprague...... September, 1858.... 67

Thomas Chenoweth..February, 1856..... 78

Elizabeth Chenoweth.March, 1856....... 76

Mungo Murray ...... August, 1830........ 55

Catherine Murray. ...February, 1861......... 85

Jesse Anderson...... September, 1823.. . . 37

James Jones......... November, 1852.... 52

Mary Jones.......... August, 1825....... 45

Daniel Jones........ 1832............... 78

George Hempleton. .October, 1825...... 43

Isaac Chamberlin.. . .July, 1863......... 79

Polly Chamberlin.... May, 1867......... 85

John Heaton ........ November, 1861.. . .82

Thomas Stites....... December, 1853.... 76

Jeremiah Smith... .... July, 1849.......... 69

James Sprague...... July, 1844.......... 59

Mary Sprague ....... July, 1870......... 79

Thomas Cushman... July, 1852....... . . . 56

Cornelius Carter.. . . February, 1829..... 56

Rhoda Carter........ October, 1854...... 78

John Thomas ........ August, 1866....... 74

Joseph Newlove....... March, 1848........ 80

Ann Newlove........ November, 1841.... 75

Isaac Wood.......... August, 1825....... 54

Jane Wood.......... May, 1871.......... 91

William Allen....... September, 1825.... 60

John Whiteley....... June, 1845......... 64

Christiana Whiteley.. March, 1858.... ... . 74

Nancy Hall.......... October, 1845...... 86

Nathan Reddish..... July, 1853.......... 69

Harriet Reddish ..... April, 1874......... 82

Elisha Laybourn..... March, 1861........ 71

Abigail Laybourn.... March, 1876........ 76

Chnstop'r Laybourn..January, 1842...... 97

Joel Laybourn. . . .. ..October, 1851....... 71

Zuruiah Laybourn.. April, 1862......... 78

John Mattinson . . .. .July, 1862.......... 71

Daniel Nason........ March, 1857........ 73

Nancy Nason........ August, 1849....... 68

Joseph Whittredge . .February, 1855. .. .. 80

Olive Whittredge.... July, 1843.......... 64

Warham Stasy....... November, 1850. . .. 84

Jarusha Stasy ....... August, 1826....... 57

Ebenezer Bennett. ...April, 1845......... 66

Catherine Bennett... January, 1845...... 61

John Stickney....... March, 1850........ 71

Sarah Stickney...... April, 1867......... 83

John Hawkins....... May, 1869.......... 81

Isaac Peters August, 1869....... 70

Magdalena Miller . August, 1869....... 93

Lewis Skillings...... December. 1869.... 80

Anna Skillings....... June, 1866......... 73

Spalden Winchester. September, 1857.... 61

Diana Winchester...July, 1857.......... 67

Daniel Barratt..... .. February, 1849..... 50

Robert Thorpe....... April, 149......... 76

Elizabeth Thorpe....October, 1852 ...... 79

Matthew W. Hume..April, 1864......... 77

Sarah Hume......... July, 1864.......... 71

Edward H. Bishop...December. 1869.... 72

James Lee........... May, 1865.......... 73

John Anderson ...... January, 1837...... 77

Edward Rice ........ January , 1843...... 60

William Pool....... . February, 1854..... 87

Henry Oxtoby, Sr.. .October, 1838...... 68

Elizabeth Oxtoby April, 1836......... 67

Harriet Oxtoby....... March, 1848........ 48

Boswell Kimball. ....August, 1853 ...... 63

Rich'd G. Trousdale..April, 1861......... 67

John Watson ........ May, 1844......... 58

Benj. K. Cozier.... ..March, 1840........ 53

Sally Cozier.......... October, 1836...... 47

Robert Craig......... September, 1850.... 51

John Craig.......... March, 1838....... 87

Mary G. Craig....... October, 1823...... 67

Francis Westerman..September, 1838.... 74

Dr. Abraham Aldrich.April, 1874......... 77

Polly Aldrich........ August, 1855....... 78

Lavina Borland...... October, 1869 ...... 69

Amos Laybourn .....December, 1873.... 86

Nancy Laybourn.... August, 1852....... 58

Temperance Turner.. August, 1880....... 92

Jane McMillan....... November, 1874.... 87

William McMillan...February, 1876..... 81

Josiah L. Marsh...... October, 1876 ...... 97

Nellie Ward......... 1878............... 96

Jacob Smith .......... January, 1869...... 80

Rowena Simpkins... July, 1870......... 74

Boyd Benton........ May, 1842......... 45

John H. Dynes....... August. 1849...... 50

William Anderson...April, 1841......... 42

Joseph Hannah...... October, 1843...... 78

Samuel H. Nelson. .March, 1850........ 50

D. W. Henkel....... March, 1852........ 52

Peter McKercher.... February, 1842..... 44

LISBON.

This village is situated near the southeast part of the township, on the road leading from South Charleston to Springfield, and is the southern terminus of the Lisbon & Catawba Free Pike. It was laid out on the 25th day of October, 1815, by Ebenezer Pattocks and Thomas Chenoweth, and on their lands. The surveyor was John James. Main street is sixty feet wide; Main cross-street is sixty feet wide, and Chillicothe and South streets are each forty-nine and a half feet in width. The three last named run parallel to each other, and at right angles with Main street. The original plat shows fifty-six lots, or fourteen squares of four lots each. Lots numbered from 1 to 28 lie west of Main street; lots numbered from 29 to 56 lie on the east side.

At the time the village was founded, and for some years later, it gave prom-

HARMONY TOWNSHIP. - 645

ise of future growth and prosperity, rivaling, it is said, the neighboring villages of Springfield and South Charleston.

But fate ruled that Lisbon should blossom but to decay, and, in the years that have intervened, one by one of its families have gone elsewhere, until the once promising village is but a remnant of its former self.

About the year 1820, a rude log schoolhouse, like the pattern of its day, was built on Lot No. 14, and here the youth of Lisbon were taught the common branches of education by such reputable teachers as Joseph Morris, John Whit tredge, Peleg Whittredge, Lucy Munson, Catherine Bennett, Kiser Brooks and Simon Steers. In 1829, a brick schoolhouse was built on Lot 29, and for thirty-five years it served as a starting-point in the lives of many who have become worthy men and women, and who have run well in the race of life. In 1.860, this house was destroyed by fire, and was succeeded by the present tasty and commodious one, also of brick. This one was partially destroyed by fire in 1872, but was rebuilt the next year.

Isaac Chamberlin kept a hotel here in an early day, for a succession of years. This was in a frame which stood on Lot No. 9. This was before 1840. Jonathan Merideth occupied a frame two-story house on Lot No. 8, and carried on merchandising as early as 1825. John Buckland was also one of the early merchants. The McArthur Free Pike, from Lisbon via Plattsburg and Vienna to Catawba, was built in 1868 by John McKinney.

BRIGHTON.

This village was laid out by David Ripley and Marvin Gager in 1835. It is located in the northeastern part of Harmony Township, about twelve and a half miles east of Springfield, and on the National road. The first house was built on the northeast corner, by John Buckland, and was by him occupied as a hotel for some years. In the same year, Joseph Robinson built a steam saw-mill just east of the village. This was the first steam mill built in the town ship. Gager and Aplin built aflame house on the southeast corner, and opened a store of general merchandise.

A frame schoolhouse was erected in 1835 or 1836, in which Thomas H. Rathburn taught school. David Ripley in 1836 built the two-story brick building on the northwest corner, and for several years thereafter carried on a hotel. Thomas Rathburn also occupied it in later years for the same purpose. A post office called "Brighton Center" was established, and Joseph Robinson was appointed Postmaster, in 1836. The office was discontinued about two years later. A carding-mill was built by George Snodgrass in 1837; the power for this machinery was a tread-wheel and a blind horse. The mill went down about 1842. Simeon Eaton built a frame house on the present schoolhouse lot and conducted a grocery business for years. Marvin Gager was a blacksmith. He built a shop and worked at his trade; in 1842, Gager and Aplin attached a distillery to the steam mill before mentioned, and it was operated with some success.

The first residents of Brighton were of sturdy New England stock, and were intelligent and enterprising. Besides those above named, Marcus L. Durke, Washington Wilson, the Rathburns and Harvey Clark were prominent in social and business circles.

During the years from 1836 to 1848, the village enjoyed a fair share of prosperity. Her hotels were crowded with wagon men, trundling the products of the West to the markets of the seaboard, or hauling the supplies of Western merchants from the marts of the Atlantic coast. Her merchants bartered, measured, weighed, counted and calculated from morning till night, nor dreamed

646 - HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

that the evil day approached. It came at length in the building of railroads, and Brighton succumbed, and from then till now has barely held its own.

Brighton is without a house of worship. The Christian denomination have an organization, and worship in the village schoolhouse, Rev. Williams preach ing once a month. A small society of the Methodist Episcopal denomination worship statedly at the same place. Rev. Andrew Runyon labors for and with these people.

VIENNA.

John H. Dynes founded and laid out this village in the year 1833. It is situated ten miles from Springfield, on the National Road, and nearly half a mile west of the point where this great national thoroughfare crosses the historic Ludlow line. At the time of the laying-out of Vienna, the National road was surveyed, but was not completed till 1837.

The first house erected was a log cabin, by one Taylor, situated in the west part of the village; the second was hewed log, and was built by Richard Watkins, of Champaign County, on the lot now owned by Jacob Smith. Emanuel Mayne built a two-story frame on the southeast corner. This was afterward removed, and the present hotel built in its place. This frame house afterward, and the hewed log mentioned, were destroyed by fire November 24, 18 73. The dwellings of W. T. Harris, James McCafferty and James E. Johnson were destroyed at the same time. Caleb Barrett was the first merchant. He began business in 1834, and continued in business about twenty-three years. Emanuel Mayne erected the hotel building on the southeast corner, and kept it as a public house for a time. Mayne sold this property to Daniel Brown in 1836. Brown occupied it with a hotel and store. Mayne then built a frame house on the lot of M. H. Dynes, and carried on merchandising. He was succeeded by D. B. Farrington, who carried on both a hotel and store. He was followed by David Davis, who was an occupant of the premises December, 1839, when it was burned. In 1839 or 1840, Mayne built the present building on the northwest corner, and managed it for some time as a hotel. In after years, David Davis, Andrew Ryan, William Johnson and others kept public entertainment in this corner.

The Odd Fellows' buildiug, on the north side of West Main street, was erected about 1850, and remodeled by that order about the year 1810, and the upper story has been occupied by them for many years. The brick storeroom on Lot No. 7 was built by W. S. Funston in 1849. It was demolished by an accidental explosion of powder on the 8th day of August, 1871, it being then occupied by James Bennett. It was rebuilt the same year. In this accident, George Hinkle, David Johnson, Henry Campbell, A. H. Clark, Armsted Tavenner, Henry Baldwin, Nancy Ann Smith, Valentine Nicely and Absalom Gordon were seriously injured.

D. W. Hinkle built a tannery in the northwestern part of the village in 1837, and carried on the tannery business till 1852. About the year 1848, William Golden and Garner McIntire built a brick shop on the north side of East Main street for a tannery. The business was not permanent, and for many years the property has been used for a dwelling.

The post office of Vienna Cross Roads was established in the fall of 1838. Caleb Barrett was appointed Postmaster, and continued in office till the spring of 1858, when he resigned, and Garner McIntire was appointed to succeed him. In the spring of 1861, McIntire was succeeded by Richard W. Ruse. In the fall of 1862, Ruse resigned, and William S. Funston, the present incumbent, was commissioned.

For nearly twenty years after the establishing of a post office in Vienna, the

HARMONY TOWNSHIP. - 647

Great Western mail was carried on the National road daily, by four-horse stage-coaches. Afterward, the mail between Jefferson and Springfield was supplied by a one-horse coach. It is now supplied from Plattsburg by a mail messenger three times each week.

In the month of August, 1850, the village of Vienna was scourged with the cholera, and the following-named persons fell victims to its ravages:

Mary Ann Barret, John Pemberton, Dr. Cyrus Dulan, John Coverdell, William Barnes, two children of James Kelley, Charles Warren, John Chilson, Mary A. Tottan, a child of David Stansbury, and a son of Jacob Williams.

HARMONY VILLAGE.

Harmony Village is situated on the National road, near the west line of Harmony Township, and six miles east of Springfield. It was laid out in the year 1832, by Laybourn Newlove. Henry Martin, an Irishman, built a store, and was the first merchant. Joseph Newlove and Robert Black were early hotel-keepers of the village. Harvey Ryan built a tannery about the year 1835; he was succeeded, some years later, in the tannery business, by B. & F. Schoenberger, and these were succeeded by John H. Larimer, who carries on business at this time.. William Herbert in 1839, and A. McCartney afterward, carried on blacksmithing. In 1851, John Walker made an addition to the village on the north side of the National road. This is still known as Walker's Addition. The first schoolhouse was built in 1835, and the first school was taught by John Newlove. Drs. Joseph Orr and J. S. R. Hazzard were early physicians of Harmony. During the time when the National road was the great thoroughfare between the East and the West, the village of Harmony enjoyed its brightest and best days, and seemed to promise for the future. Railroads came, the teamster and drover found their occupations gone, and the tide of travel and traffic took a new channel. Of the old settlers in and about the village when it was first laid out, mention is made of James Donnel, Peter Baird, William Baird, Jeremiah Yeazle, Amos Laybourn, Edward Newlove, Laybourn Newlove, Abel Laybourn, Joel Laybourn, Wales Aldridge, Abram Aldridge, Robert Rogers, George Benson, Joseph Snodgrass, Anthony Byrd, Henry Oxtoby, Sr., Isaac Jacobs, John Rea, Thomas Price.

The cholera scourged the village in June, 1852, and Baltzer Schoenberger, Charlotte, his wife, and Henry Cushman, fell victims. Others were attacked, but recovered. The village contains two schools-one for whites and one for colored children. The first, taught by Henry Kauffman, has a daily attendance of thirty-five; the last, taught by Sarah Miller, has a daily attendance of eighteen.

NOTE 1.-The original plat of Harmony Village contains twenty-four lots; numbers 1 to 12 front north on the National Road, and count from east to west, Lots 13 to 24 are numbered from west to east, and lie immediately south of the first-named tier. The two tiers are separated by High street which runs parallel with the National road, and which is three poles wide. South alley is twenty feet wide, running parallel with High street and on the south front of Lots 13 to 24. Center street runs at right angles with the National road and High street, between Lots 6 and 7, and 18 and 19, and is three poles wide. East alley rans nearly north and south, and bounds the plat on the east. East alley is two poles wide. West alley runs parallel with Center street, bounding the plat on the west, and is twenty feet broad. Lots are ten poles long, north and south, and four poles wide, east and west. Fractional Lots 1 and 2 lying on the east of Lots 1 and 24 contain 28.4 and 10.75 perches respectively.

NOTE 2.-Walker's Addition to the village of Harmony was platted by John Walker January 22, 1851, and consists of ten lots on the north side of the National road, nearly opposite the original plat. They front south on the National road, and except Nos. 1 and 2, are of uniform size, 66x165 feet.

648 - HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

PLATTSBURG.

Plattsburg is on the Columbus & Springfield Railroad, and near the center of Harmony Township. It is nine miles west of London, and eleven miles east of Springfield. The village was laid out on the 30th day of September, 1852, by William Osborn and Amaziah Judy; John B. Fish, surveyor. It comprises thirty lots; lots numbered from 1 to 16 were laid out by Mr. Osborn, and Lots 17 to 30 by Mr. Judy.

Bolivar Judy built the first house on Lot No. 17. Amaziah Judy, Bolivar Judy and Andrew Nichelson built the station house at the railroad in 1853. The brick hotel on Lot No. 1 was erected by William Osborn, who carried on the hotel business several years in the same.

"The People's House" was erected as a house of worship in 1846. The Universalists and the Christians joined their efforts in this enterprise, and for many years worshiped harmoniously and at will therein. The present brick schoolhouse, east of Lots 23 and 24, was built prior to the laying-out of the village, and about the year 1848, the site being donated by William Osborn. Before this, the site had been occupied by a smaller brick schoolhouse, erected as early as 1825, and which was also used as a place of worship by the Christians, Free-Will Baptists, and others. Here Elders Dunlap, Harvey, Mead, Wallingford,. and many more of precious memory, preached the Word and pointed out the better way. Of the old-time teachers who wielded the birch in this house, and who have passed to man's common destiny, mention is made of Dr. Cummins, Simon Steers, Lemuel Brooks and Ruth Housholder.

THE LISBON BAPTIST CHURCH.

Before the year 1811, Elder John Mason, a zealous and devout Baptist, preached to a few members who had organized themselves together, and who met at the house of Benjamin Foos, in the neighborhood of Little Beaver Creek.

Of these early Christians, mention is made of Benjamin Foos, Sarah Foos, Daniel Wren, Elizabeth Wren, James Bishop and Trustrim Hull. In about the year 1811, a log house of worship was built on the bank of Little Beaver Creek, and this unpretentious structure served year after year as a place where the Word was proclaimed and God honored. In 1820, the society had increased to sixty-six. In 1824, Thomas J. Price united by letter; in 1825, he was licensed to preach, and in May of the next year, he was ordained, Elders Joseph Morris and William Jones assisting in the solemn services. Early in the year 1833, a movement was made to build a new house, and in August of that year, Enoch King, J. H. Ryan and John Heaton were made a committee to carry on the work in the name of the society. They were to raise funds, contract for labor and material, and supervise the work generally. The specifications provided that "the house must be of brick, 30x40 feet, eight feet to foot of rafter, eight sixteen light windows, and one chimney four feet in the back." The site was procured of Moore Goodfellow, and was nearly a mile south of the old log house spoken of. The cash ontlay of this house was $419.50. John Heaton was authorized to buy 150 slabs for seats, and the house was seated accordingly. In January, 1865, the church voted to hold meetings at the village of Lisbon, and the village schoolhouse was secured for that purpose. The society determined to build a new house as early as 1866, in order to better meet the wants of the time, and Lisbon was selected as the site. Accordingly, steps were taken to that end; brick was burned, and in July, 1866, the following-named members were made a Building Committee: Deacon B. B. Browning, Joshua Browning and George Watson; Sisters M. E. Watson and H. A. Watson, Finance Committee; George Watson, Treasurer. The membership at this date was forty-five. In June,

HARMONY TOWNSHIP. - 649

1867, a new Building Committee was made, consisting of Sisters Elizabeth Price' Catherine Bennett and H. A. Browning and M. E. Watson, with Deacons B. B. Browning and John Titus. The brethren of the committee being infirm, the work for the most part was under the supervision of the ladies of the committee. The membership at this time was forty.

The work was prosecuted with womanly diligence, and the Lisbon Baptist Church was completed in November, 1867, at a cost of $4,746.62. It was dedicated, clear of debt, December 1, 1867, D. Shepardson, D. D., preaching the dedicatory sermon. In June, 1875, this house was wrecked by a storm, which struck the west end, taking off two-thirds of the roof and the gable. The cost of repairs at this time was $300. The membership at this time was fifty-one.

Since the year 1820, the Pastors of the society have been Joseph Morris, T. J. Price, Charles Platts, Benjamin Carts, J. L. Moore, N. Martin, D. D.. Walden, J. W. Heastand, N. M. Longfellow, T. Williams, T. J. Sheppard, J. W. Weatherby, John Kyle, and A. L. Jordan, the present Pastor.

During the sixty years past, the following-named brethren have filled the places of Deacons:

Trustrim Hull, Benjamin Wallingford, Thomas Chenoweth, Benjamin White, Lot Bowen, B. B. Browning, Elisha Barrett, Asa McMahan, John Titus, Thomas Croshaw, Joshua Browning, W. C. Browning, Harlan Titus, Cloud Titus, George Watson and Joshua Wragg.

During the same years, the Clerks have been Daniel Jones, John Heaton, James Price, Enoch King, John S. Browning, N. P. Tuttle, E. S. Barrett, H. H. Young, Joshua Browning, Benjamin Titus, W. C. Browning, J. M. Harrison, Albert H. Price and W. B. Chenoweth. The number of members November,. 1880, was ninety-three.

FLETCHER CHAPEL (METHODIST EPISCOPAL).

As early as 1814, Robert Miller and Robert Dobbins, itinerant ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, held occasional religious services at the houses of Henry Oxtoby and John Craig, in the neighborhood of the present site of Fletcher Chapel. Craig's Schoolhouse, on the farm of William Kirkham, was also one of the early preaching places. One of the results of these labors was the organization of a small class. About the year 1822, Henry Oxtoby, Joseph Newlove, John Stickney, Lewis Skillings, John Whiteley, and a few others, feeling the need of a suitable place to hold their meetings, combined their efforts and erected- a small brick house, 20x30 feet in size. It was called the "Brick Chapel," and was at that day considered in advance of the times as to elegance. Much of the lumber was sawed on the ground, by means of a pitsaw-a primitive method of making lumber, little understood even in those days. Spaulding Winchester had charge of this department. The house stood near, but not on, the present site of Fletcher Chapel, and the grounds were donated by Judah Chamberlin. The floor was of cement, and the house was heated by a stove. The building served the society till the year 1849, when the present building was erected. In this first building, Robert Miller, Jonathan Flood, B. Westlick, Charles Swayne, Pearl Ingalls, and others of the early ministers, preached the Gospel, and in this house and its successor, Lewis Skillings filled the office of Class-leader forty years. A great revival of religion, under the labors of Pearl Ingalls, took place in the "Brick Chapel" in 1848, and forty-two were added to the church. This gave strength and impetus to the society, and "Fletcher Chapel" was built the next year, at a cash outlay of $800, the greater part of the whole cost being' given in labor and material. Of those who assisted in building this chapel, the names of Henry Oxtoby, Jr., Henry

650 - HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

Stickney, Lewis Skillings, John Cosier, William Whiteley, Amos Laybourn and William Hudson are mentioned prominently.

The Building Committee were Henry Oxtoby, Jr., John Newlove and John Cosier. The building was to be completed in the spring of the year, and the dedication occurred in May, Rev. Pearl Ingalls preaching the dedicatory sermon. E. H. Field, W. N. Williams, W. B. Jackson, Edward Birdsell, John Vance, Michael Marley, E. Owen, Jesse AT. Robinson, and other members of the Cincinnati Conference, have preached to the people of Fletcher Chapel during the third quarter of the nineteenth century.

PLATTSBURG CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

The earliest preaching by the ministry of this denomination in Harmony Township was about the year 1825, by Elders James Dunlap and ---- Johnson, and these meetings were generally had at a small brick schoolhouse situated on the same site now occupied by the present schoolhouse at Plattsburg; preaching was often held at the houses of Enoch King and John Judy, Sr. Of the early membership there is no record, but mention is made of John Judy and wife, William Henry and wife, Hamilton Henry and wife, John Henry and wife, James Donald and wife, John Osborn and wife, --Clymer and wife, and perhaps other members of those families named, as comprising the society. In 1846, the society, aided by a number of Universalists, built the "People's House" in Plattsburg, and from that date forward, a more vigorous life took place in the affairs of the church. Under the efficient labors of Elders Marsh and Griffin, a somewhat noted revival occurred soon after occupying this new house, and numbers were added to the membership.

Following the year 1868, the church has maintained a good Sabbath school, the good effect of which have been felt on the community. Andrew Nichelson and John Judy, both deceased, filled the offices of Deacons for thirty years previous to their respective deaths.

HARMONY METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.

This society, which worships at the village of Harmony, was originally organized by Rev. Saul Henkle, in the year 1828, under what is known as the Conventional Articles. For nearly twenty years, the society met and worshpied at the house of Amos Laybourn. In 1846, through the instrumentality of Rev. Pelan, a house of worship was erected at the village of Harmony. This building served the society until 1878, when it was succeeded by the present one. The membership at the time of the erection of the first building were, so far as known, Joseph Newlove (Leader), Ann Newlove, Ann B. Newlove, Amos Laybourn, Nancy Laybourn, Christopher Laybourn, Margaret Laybourn, Isabel Maskell, Robert Maskell, Margaret Allen and Mary Allen. In this first church, the Gospel was preached by the following named ministers: Reuben Rose, William H. Fowler, R. M. Dalbey, A. H. Trumbo, T. H. Wilson, L. D. Hickman, C. Caddy, J. B. Langstaff, D. Kinney, D. B. Dorsey, J. M. Littler, J. M. Flood, T. B. Graham, J. W. Spring and C. S. Evans.

The present building was built at a cash outlay of $2,560. It is of brick, and is 32x46 feet in dimensions. The Building Committee were: Edward Newlove, Chairman; Henry Kauffman, Secretary; David Laybourn, Treasurer; Joseph Laybourn and Dr. J. S. R. Hazzard.

The building expense was borne principally by members of the society, but many who held no membership contributed with cheerful liberality. The house was built during the pastoral. term of Rev R. Rose, and, when completed, was formally dedicated by C. S. Evans.

PAGE 651 - PICTURE OF R. B. MCCOLLUM - SOUTH CHARLESTON

PAGE 652 - BLANK

HARMONY TOWNSHIP. - 653

S. K. Spahr is at present the Pastor; the Trustees are Edward Newlove, David Laybourn and Henry Kauffman; Superintendent of Sabbath school, Henry Kauffman; Assistant Superintendent, David Laybourn; Secretary, Alexander McCartney; Treasurer, Daniel Fatzinger; Librarian, F. W. Oates. Members at present, eighty.

VIENNA CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

This society originated from the labors of Elder Griffin, who, many years ago, preached occasionally, and sometimes regularly, at the Methodist Episcopal house of worship at Vienna. Early in 1858, steps were taken resulting in the building of their present church edifice. It was dedicated by Elder McWhinney in 1859. It is a substantial frame, and the contract for building was taken and the work done by William Simpson. Cost, about $1,200. William Foreman, Darius Simpkins and William Simpson were instrumental in this work.. The society maintains a Sabbath school and regular preaching. Rev. Miller and his wife preached in this section of country as early as 1836, to a small, unorganized congregation. The preaching of Mrs. Miller was of peculiar powor, and attracted large audiences. Elder Griffin died in 1863, while on a trip to Tennessee to see his son, who was sick in the army of the United States.

VIENNA METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

This society was cradled at the house of Richard Watkins as early as the year 1835. His house was not only a preaching place, but a welcome retreat for the early ministry, and continued to be the principal place of worship till the year 1842, when the society, having attained strength and numbers, took preparatory steps to build a house of worship. The result was the erection of the house which the society now occupies. It is a brick structure, 30x40 feet, well built, costing $1,200, which expense was generously shared by the outside public. Emanuel Mayne was instrumental in this enterprise, and contributed liberally. Martin Truman and family, Emanuel Mayne and family, Mrs. Nicely, William Ronemus, Anna Busboy, Daniel Hendrix and family, Cyrus Gray and family, Simeon Hurd and family, Jackson Gray and family, Thomas White and family, George Dynes and family, have constituted the principal membership.

This society sustains a Sabbath school. Previous to the year 1871, the parsonage of the circuit was at Vienna, but since that date the Pastor's residence has been at Catawba.

Since the origin of the church at Vienna, the following named ministers have been in charge: Rev. McDowell, Pearl Ingles, C. W. Swain, - Estell, Phillip Nation, W. N. Williams, Elijah H. Field, John Vance, W. I. Ellsworth, W. B. Jackson, W. J. Thurber, E. F. Hill, Jonathan Verity, D. R. Baker, G. J. Conner.

VIENNA LODGE, NO. 345, I. O. O. F.

This lodge of Odd Fellows was chartered May 10, 1859; instituted June 15, 1859. The charter members were James Sprague, George Johnson, William Simpson, Nathan T. Brooks, James Wallingford, A. H. Spencer, Joseph Wallingford. George F. Marshall, M. W. G. M.

The original officers were: James Sprague, N. G.; William Simpson, V. G.; James Wallingford, Permanent Secretary; Joseph Wallingford, Recording Se rotary; A. H. Spencer, Treasurer. The official list for 1880 was: Charles Hodge, N. G.; William Morris, V. G.; F. V. Hartman, Permanent Secretary; John Harrison, Treasurer; E. H. Smith, Recording Secretary.

654 - HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

HARMONY IN THE WAR.

The men of Harmony Township bore an honorable part in the great struggle against secession in the years of the rebellion of 1861-65. They served to the number of more than two hundred and shared in common with the troops of Ohio the casualties of the war. In victory and defeat, in camp and field, in the bivouac or on the march, at the cannon's mouth or at the quiet camp fire, they were worthy sons of worthy sires and every man was of himself a host. Of those who slumber in unknown and unmarked graves beside the still waters of the South, are the sons of Harmony Township. There they await the reveille of the heroic. But they have left the memory of heroic deeds impressed upon the hearts of a grateful people, who will, to the latest generation, call them blessed.

They served in the Forty-fifth, One Hundred and Tenth, Forty-fourth, Thirty-first, Ninety-fourth, One Hundred and Fifty-second, Sixtieth, Sixty-sixth. Thirteenth and Twenty-seventh Regiments of Ohio Infantry; in the Eighth and Eleventh regiments of cavalry; in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Ohio Batteries, and in the First Kentucky Infantry.

SCHOOLS OF HARMONY TOWNSHIP.

Many of the early settlers felt keenly the lack of an education, and were therefore not slow in providing ways and means to provide their children with opportunities of gaining a practical education. To this end they built houses by volunteer labor and subscribed money for the pay of teachers. The boy of that day was clothed in homespun, home-woven and home-made clothing. The teacher was a character. He must be a man of muscle as well as brain, for the insubordinate pupil must be made to feel the power of the first as well as the last. The books used were Daball's Arithmetic, Webster's Speller, English Reader, American Preceptor, Lindley Murray's Grammar, Kirkham's Grammar, Olney's Atlas and Geography.

The schoolhouse was a rude structure of logs, and was not built on a pretentious plan. It had a huge fire-place, slab seats, puncheon floor, and roof of clap-boards held on by weight-poles.

One of the first school houses of the township was at Lisbon, about the year 1815. Another stood near the old Foreman Tannery, three miles west of Plattsburg; another in the Turner settlement, in the eastern part of the township. These were of the kind described. In later years the people began to build better schoolhouses. The first brick schoolhouse of the township was built about the year 1824 at Plattsburg. It served a number of years, and then gave place to the one which now stands on the same site.

The first schoolhouse of Vienna was built in the year 1835. It was a frame, and stood near the residence of F. V. Hartman. It was succeeded by a brick north of the village, built in 1845. In 1856, the village school district was divided and a frame house was built east of the village. In 1866, the two districts were made one and the present brick house, thirty-two by forty feet, was built, and a graded school established.

The early teachers were Joseph Morris, William Rogers, Charles Cheney, William Webb, Thomas C. Busbey, Lemuel Brooks, Hugh King, Joshua Judy, John Hogg, Samuel Shellabarger, B. C. Hathaway, Simon B. Steers, Michael Rooney, Mary Busbey and many others.

SCHOOL STATISTICS

of Harmony Township for the year ending August 31, 1880:

Total receipts for the year, $8,626.9x; paid teachers, $4,501; for fuel and contingent expenses, $404.27; total expense for the year, $4,905.27; balance on

HARMONY TOWNSHIP. - 655

hand, $3,721.70. Number of subdistricts, 11; number of schoolhouses, 12; number of school rooms, 14; value of school property, $11,000; number of teachers employed, 14; average wages of teachers-gentlemen, $41; ladies, $32. Rate of taxation (mills) 3.1; pupils enrolled within the year-boys, 241; girls, 190; total, 431; average daily attendance-boys, 130; girls, 116; total, 246; number enrolled between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one years-boys, 34; girls, 11; total, 45.

Number of pupils in each study taught:

Alphabet, 60; reading, 355; spelling, 365; writing, 308; arithmetic, 315; geography, 125; Englisli Grammar, 70; oral lessons, 47; composition, 15; drawing, 20; map drawing, 4; United States History, 7.

RURAL HOTELS.

In the year 1836 and 1837, George Jones built a large two-story brick building on the National road, two miles west of Vienna, on the north side of said road, and where the township road crosses it. In 1848, this property was purchased by Philip Weaber, and by him fitted up as a hotel. This was in the days of yore, when railroad travel had not become universal. Mr. Weaber conducted the hotel business here for eight years and then abandoned it. The building has been since used as a residence, and is now owned by heirs of Levi Baird.

In the year 1836, Richard Wallingsford built a two-story frame house on the opposite side of the road from the one above mentioned. Mr. Wallingsford kept a hotel here for a number of years It is now the property of his son, Joseph Wallingsford.

SAW-MILLS.

The first saw-mill was built about 1830 by James Haney, on Section 11, which was run by water from Beaver Creek, and was operated for about thirty-five years.

In 1839, Thomas Goodfellow and Zephania Sexton built a saw-mill on Beaver Creek, Section 23, one mile south of the National road. This mill was operated with success for a number of years, but for many years past had done very little business. It is now owned by Erastus Bennett.

In 1845, Robert Smith built a saw-mill on Beaver Creek, a mile west, or down stream from the Goodfellow Mill, on Section 29, and south of the National road. This mill is still in operation and is owned by W. D. Baird.

THE EARLY ELECTIONS-POLITICS AND REMINISCENCES.

The first elections held in Harmony Township took place at the house of Henry Storms near the center of the township. In those days the indigent poor of the township who had become a public charge, were taken to the polls on the first Monday in April and there publicly sold to the lowest responsible bidder. The purchaser was required to obligate himself to furnish food, clothing'and proper care to the person or persons so purchased for the amount of his bid, the agreement terminating with the first Monday in April of the next year.

This custom prevailed for many years, probably until the county infirmary was erected.

Elections were next held at a log schoolhouse near the old Foreman tan yard. In 1833, by and through the efforts of several public-spirited citizens, a township house was erected on the lands of Hamilton Busbey, west of Plattsburg. The site was donated by Mr. Busbey and the building erected there on was of brick, thirty by forty feet in size. It was also used as a house of worship by all who chose to occupy it for that purpose. On the night of

656 - HISTORY OF CLARK COuNTY.

February 28, 1850, this house was damaged by a tornado and was thereafter abandoned. Vienna was then made the voting place and continued to be so until the year 1854; Plattsburg has been the voting place since that year.

The politics of Harmony may be clearly shown by reference to the vote in the three most hotly contested campaigns of the past, namely, 1840, 1863 and 1880. In the Presidential vote for 1840, the Whigs cast- 266 votes for William Henry Harrison; the Democrats cast 48 votes for Martin Van Buren. Total vote, 314; the Harrison electors received 84.7 per cent of the entire vote; the Van Buren electors 15.3. The vote for Governor October 13, 1863, was John Brough, Republican, 357; Clement L. Vallandigham (Democrat) 34; total, 391. In this vote the Republican vote was 91.3 per cent of the entire vote; the Democratic, 8.7 per cent.

At the election of November 2, 1880, this township cast 4.43 per cent of the vote of the county.

The vote of Harmony was as follows: Gal-field (Republican), 322; Hancock (Democrat), 132; Dow (Prohibitionist), 14; total, 463. The total vote of the county was 10,566. Garfield received a majority over all of 1,892.

A valuable reminiscence of the campaign of 1840 as furnished by Thomas C. Busboy, one of the only two surviving members of the party, deserves a place here:

POLITICAL REMINISCENCE-AN INCIDENT IN THE CAMPAIGN OF 1840.

The Whig party of Harmony Township took a lively interest in the campaign of 1840. Preparatory to the convention of February 22 which nominated Tom Corwin for Governor, a large canoe was constructed at Vienna. It was made from the trunk of a huge cottonwood tree which grew on the outskirts of the village. Caleb Barnett, Emanuel Mayne, Thomas C. Busboy, Dr. J. B. Lin gle, William Osborn, Col. William Foreman, Daniel Waddle, S. Bennett, Uriah Blue, William Golden, Nelson Norton, Z. Tuttle, John Brown, Anson Hammond and Asa Rice composed the party of preparation. The canoe was thirty-four feet long, and wide enough to seat two persons comfortably on the cross seats. Ephraim Davidson was employed to prepare the craft, and he spent two weeks in getting it in readiness for the trip. When it was placed on a large wagon, and the best team of the whole country was then attached. John McClintock, as skillful a teamster as ever straddled a saddle-horse, was assigned to the position of driver, and his eight bay horses were such a team as could be matched for beauty and power nowhere west of the Alleghanies.

Each horse was gaily caparisoned, bells sounded harmonious music from every hame, and the sight was one that charmed and pleased.

The trip to Columbus began on the morning of the 20th of February. Nearly forty persons, mostly voters, took passage. Flags were unfurled, banners floated proudly to the breeze, the campaign songs echoed through the valleys along the way. The party took the National road, and, after driving eighteen miles, reached West Jefferson, where a halt was made for the night, and where they were joined by a large delegation from Marysville, under the leadership of Otway Curry, author of the "Buckeye Cabin Song." Some hours later another delegation " The Mad River Trappers," arrived. These were from Springfield and had with them a fine, large log cabin, constructed on a wagon. On the knots of the logs of this cabin were hung the skins of wild animals, and on the roof were several live coons. On the morning of the 21st, the procession formed, and was soon moving on its joyous way. By this time the crowd had grown to a vast throng; men women and children of every age and condition of life had joined the line of march, and if a more jolly party than this. ever traveled the National road, the fact is nowhere recorded. As they neared the capital they

HARMONY TOWNSHIP. - 657

were met by a large party of reception, accompanied by bands of music, and the vast throng, now numbered by thousands, entered Columbus, amid the cheers of the multitude, forming a scene neither to be imagined nor described. The day was as fine and bright as Nature could make. The grand parade took place in the principal streets; banners, that no man could number, starred, striped and mottoed, met the eye: scores of wagons loaded with excited, shouting people, blocked the streets, gorgeously dressed cavaliers, mounted on caparisoned steeds, galloped hither and thither; military commanders shouted their orders, and their battalions obeyed with reckless promptitude; the deep-mouthed cannon spoke in tones of thunder, and the sulphur smoke of party enthusiasm scented the peaceful air. That the city of Columbus ever witnessed a day so full of enthusiasm before or since is a matter of doubt. In one part of the procession, perched upon the roof of a cabin, sat Charles Anthony, a prominent lawyer and politician of Springfield, holding in one hand a mug of cider and in the other a huge chunk of corn bread. As the procession moved he nibbled the bread and quaffed the cider, attracting much attention.

After the nominations were made the crowds of people began to disperse, and the Harmony Township delegation started homeward in time to reach Postle's Hotel, nine miles distant, before night came on. Here they spent the night in singing, shouting and other tumnltuous ways. When the morning dawned the homeward march was begun, and late in the evening terminated. It is fitting to remark, that after a lapse of more than forty years, there remains but two of all that jolly throng, who, on that bright February morning marched out, full of lusty life.

Wagon, horses, canoe, men and all have passed away-except T. (;. Busbey and Z. Tuttle; and these are

"Only waiting till the shadows

Are a little longer grown,

Only waiting till the glimmer

Of the day's last beam is flown.

"Till the night of earth is faded

From the heart once full of day,

Till the stars of heaven are breaking

Thro' the twilight soft and gray."

The canoe which figured in this account was afterward taken to other great meetings of the Presidential campaign of that year, and having done duty as an emblem of principles in politics, it was presented to William Osborn, in whose possession it remained many years, serving as a water trough.

The "Log Cabin Song" which figured so prominently in the campaign of 1840, was the following:

CABIN SONG.

Tune-Highland Laddie.

Oh where, tell me where was your buckeye cabin made ?

'Twas built among the merry boys that wield the plow and spade,

Where the log cabins stand in the bonnie buckeye shade.

'Twas built, etc.

Oh what, tell me what will be your cabin's fate ?

We'll wheel it to the capital, and place it there elate,

For a token and a sign of the bonnie buckeye State.

We'll wheel, etc.

658 - HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.

Oh why, tell me why, does your buckeye cabin go ?

Oh why, tell me why, does your buckeye cabin go

It goes against the spoilsmen, for well its builders know.

It Boas HARRISON that fought for the cabins long ago.

It goes, etc.

Oh who fell before him in battle, tell me who?

He drove the savage legions, and British armies too,

At the Rapids and the Thames, and old Tippecanoe.

He drove, etc.

With whom, jolly cabin boys, with whom will you sail?

With the crafty little demagogue, who veers to every gale?

Or the poor old honest farmer that wields the ax and flail?

With the crafty, etc.

By whom, tell me whom, will the battle next be won ?

The spoilsmen and leg-treasurers will soon begin to run,

And the log-cabin candidate will march to Washington.

The spoilsmen, etc.

Oh what, tell me what, then, will little Martin do ?

He'll "follow in the footsteps" of Price and Swartwout, too,

While the log cabins ring again with Tippecanoe.

He'll follow, etc.

(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)