770 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
VERNON TOWNSHIP.
BY C. L. SEWELL
VERNON Township is one of the original three of which Clinton County was composed at the time of its organization. It then included Marion and parts of Adams, Washington, Clark and Jefferson Townships. Vernon Township is situated in the western part of the county, bordering on Warren County, and as it exists now is bounded: North, Adams; east, Washington; south, Marion, and west, Warren County. Todd's Fork, a tributary of the Little Miami River, Cowan's Creek, East Fork of Todd's Fork and Sewells Run, tributaries of Todd's Fork, flow through the township, coming together, or nearly so, in the western part, near the village of Clarksville, making the scenery in that locality picturesque and delightful.
There is great diversity of soil; the land in the vicinity of the streams is broken and hilly; the southwestern portion is flat, with a light-colored subsoil; in the eastern part, on the head-waters of. Sewells Run, it is a black swamp, deep and rich. There is but little waste land. The soil for the most part is good and generally adapted to cultivation. The land was originally covered with timber-oak, hickory, black and white walnut, hard and soft maple, poplar, beech, elm, ash, sycamore, gum, mulberry, box-elder, buckeye, linden, wild cherry, sassafras, willow, dogwood, ironwood, hornbeam, honey locust, black locust, red bud, black haw, cottonwood, papaw and various bushes, spices, hazel, etc. Sycamores, found only on the margins of the streams, were sometimes of immense size; some of the old barns have yet granaries made from sections of the hollow trunks, eight or nine feet across. Poplar is found only on the north side of Cowan's Creek; soft maple grows on the white swamp land; beech and hard maple, or sugar tree, are found in nearly all parts of the township; buckeye is not so common as formerly, the farmers having destroyed them while laboring under the impression that cattle ate the first fruit and were poisoned. Black walnut trees, of which there were vast numbers in this township, have been cut and shipped off within a few years.
The land is well watered with springs and streams; where no springs exist, water is easily found by digging wells. There are some of the works of the ancient Mound-Builders in this township. On the lands of J. A. Losh are the remains of a circular fort, and some mounds on lands of George Villars and others.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first settler of Vernon Township was David Sewell. Early in the year 1798, he became the owner of one of Archibald Campbell's surveys, No. 2,260, on the East Fork of Todd's Fork, in what is now Clinton County (when the Sewells came it was called Hamilton County, Territory Northwest of the Ohio River), and made arrangements to move to it with his sons, John and Aaron, and his son-in-law and daughter, Peter and Hannah Burr. In 1798, the Sewell family, in company with Isaac Tullis, Mary Hendricks and some of the Cowans, came to Pittsburgh in wagons, and there embarked in a flat-bottomed boat and proceeded down the Ohio River to the present site of Columbia. From that point they went to Bedell's Station, in what is now Warren County, one mile south of where Union Village now is. The precise time the Sewells remained at Bedell's Station is left in some obscurity. We quote from the writings of Judge Harlan on this subject: " On the one side it is insisted that the stay was short, about such as would be sufficient for travelers
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and their beasts to rest and recruit a little, and that the party at the and of their temporary halt went immediately to and settled on their lands. On the other hand, it is insisted that nn their arrival at the station, they could not find their laud nor any one who could find it, in consequence of which they remained at the station until some time in 1801 or later."
It is more than probable that the Sewells came in 1798, as the following proof seems to indicate. At the southwest corner of Survey No. 2,250, the Sewell Survey, is an oak tree, marked in the outer bark and still plainly visible, with the initials " D. S., 1799." The initials are for David Sewell, and it shows that their land was found in 1799 and the corners established by a surveyor. And it is not reasonable to suppose that they would remain as far '"away from their land as Bedell's Station, twenty miles, in order to improve it. The deeds to Aaron and John Sewell of part of the land, dated in 1801 show that it had not only been found, but had been divided into three parts. We have taken pains to get the opinion of David A. Sewell, the oldest living inhabitant born in Vernon Township, on this subject. He says his father frequently told him when they came, and in their trips together to Cincinnati has showed him the route or trail from Columbia to this place. They only made a short halt at Bedell's house and came immediately to their lands; they experienced some difficulty in finding the boundaries of their land and had to employ a surveyor to fix the corners. They built their first cabins, three joined together, where Patrick Ford now lives, in which they lived until the year 1801, "when the land was divided into three parts and each built on his own land David, still living where he first built; John, where the heirs of Ira Taylor now live, and Aaron, on land now owned by C. L. Sewell.
The Sewells came in wagons, cutting their road through the unbroken forest, and the route they came is still known as the " Sewell Trace," Nauvoo Todd's Fork near the town of Rochester, and pssing near where Nauvoo Schoolhouse. used to stand. At the time of the Sewell settlement, there was no person living nearer than Lebanon, distant fourteen miles. There was no mill on the Little Miami. They went to Chillicothe to mill, taking four horses with pack-saddles; were two days on the road going, and two coming back. The ground was covered with pea-vines, which made excellent feed for their horses.
About the year 1803, James McGee, in company with his brother-in-law, John McGregor, came from Loudoun County, Va., and settled where his daughter, Miriam Marshall, now lives, McGregor building his cabin on what is known as the Caleb Smith farm.
Jonathan Lawrence settled where Sarah Sever now lives, in the year 1806. Thomas Austin came from North Carolina in 1809, and settled on the farm -lately owned by Evan Hadley. James Harris emigrated from Loudoun County, Va., in 1809, and settled near the village of Clarksville. William Hadley came from North Carolina in 1810 and settled on the farm now owned by M. P. Marshall. William Austin came in 1811, and settled on Cowan's Creek, near where Mt. Pleasant Church now stands. James Villars settled in Vernon Township in 1813. Josiah Biggs, Lemuel, John and Parson Garrison and David Ferris were early settlers of this township. After this the township filled up rapidly.
The lands of the township are what is known as military lands, and were mostly owned in large tracts by persons living in older States. It was heavily timbered, not a stick amiss, as the saying is. A settler having purchased his land at a very low figure, and having selected a location near some spring, he went to work to erect his mansion. Out of the abundance of materials all around him, this was no great task, and in a few days he had his house completed.
772 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Small trees of the forest, unhewn, made the sides; long shingles, split out of logs, laid on the top and held down by long poles laid on them, formed the roof; mud and sticks stopped the cracks between the logs; sticks laid up outside the house and plastered with mud formed the chimney; windows without glass, floors without boards. This mansion was without beauty, but possessed the merit of meeting his necessities, protecting his family and making him comfortable. Having completed his house, he proceeds to cut down and burn the timber near his cabin for his "truck patch," subsisting in the meantime mostly on game. The ground was new and rich, and Indian corn would almost grow in the woods. Having grown a patch of corn or wheat, he was a long way from a mill, through an almost pathless forest, no roads, no bridges; he would have to take his grist on a horse or on his back. Relying entirely upon himself, sturdy, self-reliant, he overcame all obstacles, cleared out the forest and assured the future comfort of himself and his family.
The first intimation sometimes that a settler would have of the coming of another would be the clear ringing of his as as he felled trees to build his cabin. As the country filled up, the settlers rendered one another material aid, and the previous settlers would welcome a new-comer by meeting, on a named day, cutting down timber and building, or assisting him to build, his house, and in a day or two at farthest, the new-comer would be safely housed and prepared to live.
The wants of the early settlers were few. In summer, the whole family would turn out to help pick brush, burn the logs and cultivate the " patches." In winter, around the huge fire-place, they formed the family home circle, all living, cooking, eating and sleeping in the same room. Here their children were born without the usual manipulations of the "doctor," and, when one of the family died, he was laid' tenderly and tearfutly away beneath some large tree where the family could visit the grave.
Old persons never tire of telling of the good old times, and contrast the simplicity of manners, their strict honesty in all their dealings, their freedom from strife, bickerings and law suits, their perfect equality socially, etc., with the jealousies, strife, peculation, lack of political and moral honesty, thieving. pauperism, etc., of the present day, and we are inclined to favor their view of the matter. But we know human nature is such that we are apt to look over the evils of men's lives after they are gone, and remember only the good, and so, perhaps, they forget the evils and bad features of early life and remember only what is pleasant.
PERSONAL SKETCHES OF EARLY SETTLERS.
David Sewell was born in Loudonn County, Va., in 1746. In the year 1768, he was married to Mary Tullis; he raised a family of three children Hannah, John and Aaron. Hannah, the oldest child, was married to Judge Peter Burr, for several years Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Clinton County, July 10, 1790.
Aaron Sewell, better known to many of our people as Judge Sewell, and an emigrant to that part of the Northwest Territory known as the State of Ohio, was born in Loudoun County, Va., on the 27th day of August, 1774. His father was David Sewell, and his mother's name Mary, maiden name, Mary Tullis. He had one brother and one sister older than he was. John Sewell, the brother, died a resident of Clinton County in 1822; his sister, Hannah Burr, wife of Judge Peter Burr, for several years Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Clinton County, also died in Clinton County, in 1816. David Sewell, father of Judge Sewell, early in 1798, became the owner of one of Archibald Campbell's survey, No. 2,250, on the Little East Fork, in what is now Clinton County, containing 1,200 acres, more or less, and made arrangements
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to move to it with his sons and son-in-law and daughter, the sons to go at once and the son-in-law and daughter to follow at an early day afterward. Up to this time, Aaron had remained a single man. In view of the long journey before the family, he deemed it best to take a wife to himself. Accordingly, on the 5th day of April, 1798, in Frederick County, Va., where the family was then living, he was married to Mary Hendricks, a sister to the wife of his brother John.
As a history or account of the journey of the Sewells from there to Ohio is given in the early settlements, it is not necessary to repeat it here. The three families lived near to one another, where Pat Ford now lives, until the year 1801, when Judge Sewell's father deeded him about 334 acres of land on the southeast side of the survey, where he built his cabin close to where C. L. Sewell now lives. He soon afterward built a large hewed-log house, which is still standing and is occupied as a dwelling.
The first born of Aaron Sewell and wife was their daughter Elizabeth. `The family record shows that she was born in Hamilton County, Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, July 24, 1799. She was married to Aaron Oxley, a soldier of the war of 1812, October 30, 1817. They raised a large family, who are all deceased, except Fannie Oxley, the youngest child, who lives in New Vienna, in Clinton County. Digs. Oxley died about the year 1859. Her husband died in 1879, at the age of ninety-six years. The second child of ; Mr. and Mrs. Sewell was Ezra Sewell. born in Hamilton County, Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, March 14, 1801. Ezra married Sarah Baily; they raised a large family. Four, John, Mary Harden, Aaron and Rebecca Cast are yet living on the lands formerly owned by their father.
Ezra Sewell was a large man, slow and deliberate in his motions, rather cynical and severe, but just and honorable to a high degree in all his dealings. He was a farmer; would have no office. Thrifty, industrious, economical, he prospered and acquired considerable property. Though I have lived in the family for years at a time, I do not recollect of ever hearing him utter a cross word, or one word of complaint of his good wife. He died in the year 1872, at the age of seventy-one years.
Their next child was John Sewell, born in Warren County, State of Ohio, in 1803, he died in 1823. Then came David A. Sewell, born in 1807; Aaron R. Sewell, born in 1811, and Mary, now Mary Fordyce, born in 1813. The last three are still living, vigorous for their ages, which gives hope of many years of usefulness.
In the year 1814, Mr. Sewell was elected a Justice of the Peace for Vernon Township. The office was one of great dignity at that time, and was generally bestowed on the most substantial citizens. Since then, there has been some change in the bestowal of this really important office. Now a commission as Justice of the Peace is not a patent for exalted worth. In the year 1817, Mr. Sewell was elected by the General Assembly of Ohio one of the Associate Judges of Clinton County, to fill the vacancy on the bench occasioned by the expiration of the term of Judge Thomas Hinkson. He was re-elected in 1824 and again in 1831; whole term twenty-one years.
In or about the year 1823, Judge Sewell erected a grist-mill and saw-mill on the Little East Fork, about two miles above Clarksville, where David Pond now lives. The improvement was one of great utility to the neighborhood. The stream which was depended on to furnish the power was small, but at that time, when the head-waters in the vicinity of Morrisville were in a forest and the flow of water was obstructed by logs and brush, when the meanderings of the main stream were such that it almost cut off sections of its own course at places, it furnished power nearly all the year; but after the streams were
774 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
cleaned out, and the land ditched, and the main channel straightened, the water passed off so rapidly that in the dry season it would not run the mill. Steam mills in time came into use. and water-mills on the small streams went out of use. The Sewell mills shared the common fate-decay seized upon the buildings, a freshet swept away the dam, the wash from the hillsides filled the race, and now there is scarcely a marls to show where these once flourishing mills stood.
Judge Sewell was not a distinguished hunter, but out of two who are known to have killed an elk each, he was one. This feat was performed in early times not far from the mouth of Wilson's Branch. In person, Judge Sewell was tall, straight and spare. In general conversation, he was not a man of many words, but he expressed his ideas clearly, sensibly and candidly. His integrity was beyond question and his moral character unblemished. He died about the year 1842, at the age of sixty-nine years.
About the year 1803, James McGee came from Loudoun County, Va., in company with his brother-in-law, John McGregor, and settled in Vernon Township. Mr. McGee was a farmer and a hard-working man. He died about the year 1811, leaving a widow and a large family. His widow, familiarly known as Granny McGee, survived her husband fifty years, raising a large family. Jane, the eldest, married heed Garrison, and some time afterward moved to Indiana. Elizabeth married John Villars, a brother of James Villars, of this township, and moved to Illinois.--married James Mitchell Rebecca married Macajah Moore, father of F. M. Moore, President of the Clinton County National Bank, and raised a large and useful family, near Cuba, in Clinton County. And Miriam, the only one living, married George Marshall, in the year 1829, and has lived all her life on the farm where her father settled. She is now seventy-six years old and lives with her son, George Marshall, Jr.
John McGregor moved from Vernon Township to Wilmington.
Jonathan Lawrence, an early settler of Vernon Township, was born in Cumberland County, N. J., August 30, 1774; his wife was Elizabeth Mulford, who was born in the same county June 25, 1779. While they were young, they were taken to the State of New York They were married, in 1799, and, in the year 1802 came to Clermont County, Ohio, with Samuel Perrin. They spent some time in that neighborhood; then came to Vernon Township, in 1806, and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by Sarah Sever. Here Mr. Lawrence shared all the privations and hardships of the early settlers' life, cleared his land, etc.; he was a prominent and useful. man in the affairs of the township; was Trustee for many years and was in all respects a good citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence raised a family of four children. Nancy, the eldest, married Thomas Wilkerson, August 20, 1829; Tamsen, the second child, married Aaron Sewell, called Blacksmith Aaron to distinguish him from other Aaron Sewells, November 7, 1833; Jonathan, the third child, married Mary A. Marshall. December 20, 1840, and Nathan, the youngest, married Eliza J. Marshall, February 17, 1848.
Nancy Wilkerson and Tamsen Sewell moved to Indiana with their husbands. Nathan also went to Indiana, and all three are deceased. Jonathan still lives in Vernon Township, and we will write more of his life anon. Jonathan Lawrence, Sr., died in 1834, and his wife in 1839. At the time Mr. Lawrence settled in Vernon Township, there were no settlements on the south of him; the territory of what is now Marion Township was an unbroken wilderness. Every settler had to cut his own road from the older settlements to his own land. One of the roads used was known as the Sewell Trace. The nearest mill was at Deerfield. on the Little Miami River. When Mr. Lawrence raised a barn, in 1816, he went to Lebanon to get some coffee for the oc-
VERNON TOWNSHIP. - 775
casion. and paid 75 cents her pound for it. The prices of all goods and groceries were in the same proportion.
The first settlers southwest of Lawrence's, in Vernon. were Ethan Griffith, Thomas Parks. J. It. Smith, Joseph Henry and Thomas Fugate. The heirs of J. R. Smith and Joseph Henry still own the laud.
William Austin, one of the earlv settler:, of Vernon Township, was a native of Maryland. He was born in Prince George's County, and his wife, Elizabeth, was born in Calvert County; they were raised principally in Albemarle County, Va. Mr. Austin's ancestors came from England in the latter part of the seventeenth century; they were married, in 1798. and went to Surrey County, N. C., early in 1799, bought a farm and lived there a little more than twelve years. In the fail of 1810, he came on horseback to look at Ohio and Indiana, and, being satisfied as to the location, he moved his family, arriving at his brother's, Thomas Austin's, on Todd's Fork, one and one-half miles above where Clarksville now is, on the 23d of October, 1811, the family consisting of William Austin and wife with their six children, Mr. Austin's father, Samuel Austin, and a young woman by the name of Nancy Clark. The family remained on Todd's Fork for two years; but, in the meantime, Mr. Austin purchased 323 acres of land in William Barlow's survey, No. 3,643. He built his cabin on the banks of Cowan's Creek, in January, 1814, and moved into it, but in 1821 he built a frame house on another part of the farm where he lived until his death.
Mr. and Mrs. Austin had nine children. One died in infancy; Thomas, the oldest, died in his eighteenth year; Samuel S., the second son, married and settled in Clarksville, and engaged in the tanning business; be also ran a shoe shop and did a great deal at butchering; he was Justice of the Peace for many years; was a very enthusiastic and devout Methodist, was Leader, Steward exporter and local preacher in the M. E. Church: after a laborious life, he died, on the 17th day of September, in the seventy-fourth year of his age; Mary, the only daughter, married Jonathan Tribbey and died in her fifty-sixth ear; James B. entered the ministry in the M. E. Church in the twentieth year of is age, and, after traveling in various parts of Ohio for nearly thirty years, he died, in the fifty-second year of his age; William R. settled on part of the old place and followed farming, and he was sixty-seven years old when he died; Benjamin N. settled on part of the old farm, and followed farming; he was twice married, and had fourteen children; the writer of this article was better acquainted with Benjamin than with any other member of this remarkable fam. ily; have been connected with him in a business way, have been to his house, eaten at his table, and, though I have met many men, I do not think I ever found a man so thoroughly careful to deal fairly and honestly with his fellow-men, so religious without making a display of his religion-in fact, so nearly perfect in our estimation as Benjamin N. Austin; but this is a digression. Henry R. was a farmer and lived near Morrisville awhile, but finally set tled in Chester Township, where he died in the fifty-seventh year of his age; David S., the youngest son, is still living on the old farm; William was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church for nearly fifty years; was the first Methodist who preached in Wilmington, and he and Ambrose Jones organized the first Methodist society in that place; be labored extensively on the Sabbath in this county, and often went into Warren, Clermont and Brown Counties to hold meetings; his cabin was a preaching place for a number of years, and, in the spring of 1817, be and James Villars, Sr., donated a little more than two acres of ground to the church, on which they built a log house for a church and called it Mt. Pleasant, which was used in summer to hold meetings in; but not being finished for several years, they held service in winter in the cabins;
776 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
in 1849, there was a neat frame house erected, 30x40 feet, which superseded the old house.
William Austin's family are all dead but David S., and all lie buried in the graveyard at Mt. Pleasant. They were all for many years members of the M. E. Church, and nearly all raised large families. William Austin died January 15, 1860, in the eighty-seventh year of his age, his wife having died April 27, 1848, in the seventy-third year of her age.
An early settler of Vernon Township, and one of its solid, reliable men, was Samuel Stabler; he was born in Loudoun County, Va., in 1799, and was the son of John Stabler, who came from Germany about the time of the Revolutionary war, and served as a soldier in the army. He leased a tract of land in Loudoun County, Va., afterward paying the required sum and receiving a title for it.
Samuel, the subject of this sketch, came to Vernon Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, in 1820, in company with Dr. Asahel Tribbey and William Cook, his brother-in-law, who lived where James Floyd now lives. Mr. Stabler bought a part of Survey No. 793, and, young and strong, he went to work to clear out a farm where there was not a stick amiss. He erected his cabin near where his son Isaiah now lives. August 14, 1823, he was married to Mary Harris, daughter of James Harris, Esq., and they lived happily together until Mr. Stabler's death, in 1868, a period of forty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Stabler raised a family of nine children, five sons--John, James, Isaiah, Samuel and George-and four daughters-Priscilla, Martha, Elizabeth and Catharine, all of whom arrived at the age of manhood and womanhood, and all reside in the neighborhood where raised, except James, who lives in McDonough County, Ill. Priscilla married James Hall; Martha married William M. Reeder; Elizabeth married Thomas. Zillefrow, and Catharine married Aaron Biggs. The sons are among the solid and reliable men of this township; all own good farms, are steady, careful, honest-their word as good as their bond.
Mr. Stabler was a member of the M. E. Church from 1824 to his death; was an active and zealous member. He was a farmer by occupation, always diligent in business and prosperous in his undertakings. He cleared out his land and made solid and permanent improvements, adding to his original purchase so much that at his death each of his children inherited a good farm, on which they now reside, living in well-to-do style. Mr. Stabler was tall, well formed, with fair complexion, light hair, blue eyes, of good, sound constitution and generally enjoyed good health; he was even-tempered, of a retired disposition, with correct business habits; was fair, honorable and upright in his dealings. He held no office for the pay or honor of the office, but was ready to serve when called on as Supervisor of Roads or School Director. He took great interest in the improvement of roads; schools, etc. He was public spirited in regard to all improvements calculated to develop the resources of the county and add to the comforts of the community. To such men as Samuel Stabler we are indebted to a great extent for the comforts we now enjoy. His widow, an estimable lady, lives with her son George at the old homestead. She is of a bright and lively disposition, and enjoys good health. She delights to talk of early times, and kindly furnished the material for this brief sketch of her husband and family.
Ephraim Smith, an early settler of Vernon Township, and one who was closely identified with the affairs of the township, was born April 7, 1778, in Hunterdon County, N. J.; was married to Sarah Higgins in 1804. Mr. Smith emigrated to Ohio in 1815, and settled on the farm on which Villars' Chapel stands. He bought the farm of Oliver Whitaker, Sr. He was a wagon-maker by trade and kept a tavern for many years; he had twelve children by his first
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wife, who died in 1825. In the year 1826, he married Rebecca Dalby; by this wife he had six children, one of whom died in childhood. Mr. Smith died in 1838, leaving a large family, all of whom married and nearly all raised large families. The only members of this extensive family now remaining in Vernon Township are Lois, wife of David S. Austin, and Jane, wife of James A. Losh.
Mr. Smith's second wife was the daughter of Abel Dalby, who emigrated from Bucks County, Penn., to this State in 1818, and settled on the farm afterward owned by Ezra Sewell. Mrs. Rebecca Smith died December 18, 1874, in the eighty-first year of her age. Mrs. Smith was a remarkable woman. Left a widow with a large family of her own, and step-mother to a still larger family, she did her whole duty in this trying situation, and has been pointed out as a model step-mother. My pen fails to give an adequate description of her many virtues.
James Marshall came to Vernon and first lived on the Sewell land near where Samuel Kizer now lives; he came from Ireland. Two of the older sons, Thomas and William, were with Gen. St. Clair and Gen. Wayne. Thomas never returned, but William came back safely. He afterward fought a duel in Kentucky, killing his man. Anna, one of the daughters, married Eber Homan and lived nearly all her life in Vernon Township. They raised a large family. The boys were gamey, active fellows, ever ready for a fight or a frolic. Only one, the youngest son, John, lives in Vernon Township; he lives on the farm adjoining that where his father lived. George, the youngest son of James Marshall, married Miriam McGee, and lived in Vernon Township until his death, in 1881.
Ezekiel Cast, one of the early settlers of Vernon, lived on a farm now owned by E. H. Villars. We have failed to get data for a sketch of this old pioneer, but will give his family as nearly as we can. Mr. Cast raised a large family, several of his descendants still living in Vernon Township. The boys were Horatio, Aquilla and Isaac. Of the girls, one married Caleb Smith, one Abner Smith, one John Berkley and one Firman Casto. All of these men have been prominent and well-known men in Vernon Township. Caleb Smith lived for many years on a farm near Clarksville, now owned by William Scofield; he raised a large family, moved to Clarksville after his family had all left him. Abner Smith lived for many years near Morrisville, in this county. He was a son of Ephraim Smith, one of the early settlers. John Barkley lived for many years and died on a farm in Warren County, near Spring Hill. Firman Casto lived for many years on the farm where C. P. Richardson now lives; he moved to McDonough County, Ill., and is still living; he had a large family, several of whom died of cholera in the year 1852.
Thomas Harden, an early settler of Vernon Township, some of whose descendants still live in Vernon, settled near where the brick-kiln is, in Villars' field; he was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. While in the war, he was made prisoner and was confined in an upper story of a building in Philadelphia, from which he made his escape by sliding down a rope, holding the rope in his hands, the friction burning and searing his hands so that he carried the marks to his grave. His sons were John, Samuel and Thompson. Samuel married a daughter of Judge Peter Burr. The issue of this marriage was one son, Peter, an eccentric character.
Rev. David S. Austin is a son of William and Elizabeth Austin, and was born on the farm where he now lives June 3, 1816; he was the youngest of seven brothers. There on the old farm, with its hills, bottom land and Cow an's Creek flowing through it, his early boyhood days were spent; in fact, all his days were spent there, never having been absent more than a month at a
778 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
time during his whole life. In the winter of 1822, when Mr. Austin was six years old, he was sent to school for the first time, to John Villars, in a log schoolhouse near where Mt. Pleasant now stands. The schoolhouse had a fireplace in each end large enough to take in wood eight feet long. A log was out out of each side and greased paper put over the aperture for windows. He next attended school at Hopewell Schoolhouse, or " the frame," as it was called. The house stood on the opposite side of the road from where the present building stands, on the lands of M. E. Harden. Caleb Smith was the teacher. In the summer of 1825, a schoolhouse was built on lands of O. Whitaker, now owned by Abigail Kibbey. Caleb Smith taught in this house four terms, and Mr. Austin attended. The only books he had to use were the old elementary spelling-book, the Old and New Testaments and Pike's Arithmetic. Mr. Austin worked on a farm, going to school about two and a half months in the year, until he was sixteen years old. The last school was on Wilson's Branch, where he had to go three miles, and he says he was often there by sunrise. His school days then closed, and in that time he had learned to read, write, spell and cipher through Pike's Arithmetic. After this, Mr. Austin bought a geography and Kirkham's Grammar, and studied when he had spare time; instead of attending places of amusement, he spent his leisure time in reading good books, and especially the Bible. On his father's farm he learned to work, and the kind of work necessary at that day embraced a great many kinds not required now-dressing flax, etc.; he had reaped with a sickle as many as eighteen days in one harvest, made rails and learned to take care of all kinds of stock. In 1838, he married Sarah R. Woodmansee, who died in 1848, leaving four children-(one died in infancy) John Wesley, Samuel Milton and Sarah R. In 1850, he was married to Lois Smith; by his last marriage, he has eight children, four boys and four girls. Mr. Austin has been a farmer all his life. In 1843, his father deeded him about 200 acres of land, nearly half of it being swamp; he gave his note for half of it, payable at his father's death, but he paid the interest annually. Since his father's death, he has paid more than $12,000 for land, besides his first purchase. Mr. Austin owes his success as a farmer to the observance of the following rules, which he kindly gave me, viz., close attention to business; seeing that work was done at the proper time and in good order; fences kept up and all kinds of farming implements kept dry when not in use; by perseverance in business, not changing from one thing to another; by using economy, not going in debt beyond his ability to pay; not buying anything he did not need because it was cheap, and not going beyond his means in buying to keep up with the fashions or be like other people; by always buying the most substantial things and keeping the best of help on the farm.
Mr. Austin hill spared no pains in the education of his sons and daughters; he was taught in early life to love and serve God, and, in September, 1826, in company with Mrs. James Villars, then unmarried, Maria Elzey and Susan Lewis, he joined the M. E. Church at Mt. Pleasant, where he has held his membership ever since. We quote from his letter: "I did not enter into the full enjoyment of religion until my nineteenth year. At a camp-meeting on the Jenks farm, I was brought fully into the liberty of God's children." At that meeting, he offered his first public prayer. The next year, he was leader of the society then meeting at Cuba. From that time until 1843, he labored as an exhorter. At that time, he received license to preach. He has labored diligently in the southern part of Clinton County and has often preached at Spring Hill. Rochester and other places until his health failed. The whole time which he has been officially connected with the church is fifty-six years. Mr. Austin never was an office-seeker in church or public affairs. he was ready
VERNON TOWNSHIP. - 779
to serve the public when elected to office, as a duty. In this sketch we present a life worthy of imitation, diligent and prosperous in business, adding to his property by economy and honest and manly labor, tilling the soil, getting nothing by speculation or by any illegitimate means, wronging no man out of a dollar; he did his whole duty as he understood his duty to be, to his county, his township, his neighbors and his God: economical and careful without being penurious; diligent in his business without being a slave to business; his religious life has been such that no scoffer can point Whim and say religion is a failure. After a busy and useful life, he has settled down to enjoy life's sunset in peace and quiet, surrounded by his family.
Aaron R. Sewell was born in Vernon Township, near where C. L. Sewell now lives, in 1811; he is the youngest son of Judge Sewell, one of the first three settlers of Vernon Township. Aaron R. had three brothers older than him self-Ezra, David A. and John, and is of an entirely different disposition from his brothers; he did not take very kindly to hard work while young, but had a taste for books and public business; be attended school while very young at an old log cabin on the farm now belonging to Mary Fordyce, used as a schoolhouse, and when a young man taught school at various places in the township. There are several men of over fifty years of age living in this township who were his pupils at an early day. When quite a young man, he was elected Justice of the Peace. The office was at that time of great importance, and was generally bestowed upon elderly men and the most substantial citizens. As early as 1835, he was Township Clerk, and the books he kept would do no discredit to any of the Clerks of the present day; he served three years as County Commissioner, being elected in 1862; in 1853, he was Real Estate Assessor in a district composed of Vernon, Adams, Washington and Marion, making the first plats of the farms by surveys found in the Auditor's office. Mr. Sewell has little taste for financial matters, and cared little for the accumulation of property, though he has been able to add to the original amount of land given him to the extent of about 200 acres. He has been twice married; his first wife was Lydia J. Stansbury, by whom he had seven children, three of whom are still living; his present wife was Mary M. Lazenby, by whom he has six children, four still living. Mr. Sewell has always lived on a farm, though he has little love for the occupation; he would have made an excellent lawyer or a good public officer in almost any capacity where honesty and ability are required; he is not a member of any church; his integrity is unquestioned; his moral character pure and unblemished; he lives near Clarksville, in this township; is at present Justice of the Peace; he has always been a strong, rugged man, and has generally enjoyed good health; he is now seventy-one years old, but gives promise of being spared to many years of usefulness yet to come.
ORGANIZATION AND TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
The first boundaries of Vernon Township included all the territory south of Lytle's Creek and south of a line from the mouth of Lytle's Creek to the Warren County line, and extending east to the old line of Warren in the line of Richland Township. The township was organized in 1810. The records of the township from its organization to 1826 are lost, and all we can get relating to its early officers during that time has been gathered by fragments from other sources.
David Sewell was the first Justice of the Peace. The first order allowed by the County Commissioners was Order No. 7, to Elisha Cast, July 18, 1810; amount, $14.50, "for sitting as Judge of Election, delivering poll books and for assessing the township and making returns of the assessment." An order
780 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
was allowed William Jones, amount $1, for return of poll book of an election held April 21, 1810. October 17, 1810, Daniel Bails received an order for $3,75 for five wolf scalps six months old. An order for $1 was allowed John Sewell for Judge of Election in October, 1810. Also, Benjamin Smalley received $1 as Judge of Election in April, 1810. We judge from these orders that Elisha Cast, John Sewell and Benjamin Smalley were the first Trustees of Vernon Township, and that Aaron Sewell was the first Township Clerk. Peter Burr and Isaac Rea, or Reed, also received orders as Clerks of Elections held in Vernon Township in 1810. June 10, 1811, John Berkley was paid $11.25 for listing the township of Vernon and making return of the duplicate. In 1811, John Sewell, Benjamin Smalley and James McManis were Judges, and Aaron Sewell and John Mitchell were Clerks. In December, 1811, " Benjamin Smalley was Viewer of a road beginning at John Berkley's, running past Smalley's mill and intersecting the State road at Oliver Whitaker's, where said road crosses the old road leading to the Wilson settlement." In 1811, John Berkley was Lister of Vernon Township, and was allowed $7. At this time, Daniel and Jacob Bails were doing quite a business in wolf scalps, receiving $1 each for wolves over six months old and some less where six months or less. David Ferris was appraiser of houses in Vernon Township in 1811. In 1812, John Mitchell, Benjamin Smalley and John Sewell were Trustees, and Aaron Sewell, Clerk Jonathan Lawrence, Samuel Cox and Thomas Austin were Judges of the Election in 1812. In 1813, William Biggs, John Sewell and Benjamin Smalley were Trustees; Aaron Sewell, Clerk, and Josiah Biggs, Lister. In 1814, Thomas Austin, William Johns and Ezekiel Cast, Judges or Trustees, and Aaron Sewell and Oliver Whitaker, Clerks; Josiah Biggs, Lister. In 1813, the townships of Union and Greene were laid off, and the boundaries of Vernon were changed. It embraced all the territory on the north side of the State road from Wilmington to Lebanon, following said road to the Union Township line; thence with the Union Township line eight miles to the corner of Union; thence east three and a half miles to Enos Clevenger's lane, in the old Warren County line.
From the year 1826, the records of Vernon Township as regards township officers and receipts and expenditures have been well preserved. The first election we have a full record of was held April 3, 1826, at the house of Josiah Biggs (the Morgan House, Villars' Chapel), and the following officers were elected: Trustees, Jonathan Tribbey, Josiah Biggs and John Saulsbury; Clerk, Uriah Biggs; Treasurer, Horatio Cast; Constables, Jacob Garrison, Joseph Blancett; Overseers of the Poor, Horatio Cast, Jacob Garrison; Fence Viewers, John Morrison, William Crosson. Horatio Cast and Jacob Garrison refusing to serve as Overseers of the Poor, William Austin and Ezekiel Cast were appointed. The Supervisors elected were John Hadley, George Liston, John Smalley, Ephraim Smith, John Doughty, James Harris, Leaven Elzey, David Wright, John Stevens and Benjamin Daniels. Uriah Biggs was qualified by Asahel Tribbey, Esq. At a meeting of the Trustees in August, 1826, they proceeded to lay off the township into school districts agreeably to the fourth section of an act entitled "An act to provide for the support and better regulation of common schools,' passed February 5, 1825. The districts as laid off were of immense size. The country was sparsely settled and every one could not have a schoolhouse at his own door. For example, what is now No. 4-Hopewell: The Sewell Schoolhouse extended from Jonathan Lawrence's (Sever's) to William Austin's (Mt. Pleasant), and from Ditto's (Batten's) to Nicholas Burns' (Second Creek, we believe). For the purpose of comparison and to show how we have improved in the art of spending money, the Clerk's statement for 1825 is given in full:
VERNON TOWNSHIP. - 781
Statement of receipts and expenditures of Vernon Township from the 9th day of March, 1826, to the 8th day of March, 18'37, inclusive.
RECEIPTS.
Received of J. Biggs as security for T. Foreman........................... $ 3 55
Received of J. Harris, Esq.. fines by him collected.......................... 16 97 1/4
Received of A. Tribbey, Esq., the amount of a note on J. Cox......... 7 68 3/4
Received of same on judgment on S. Brown...................... ............ 18 46
Received of same on judgment on It. Stansbury.................. ............20 87 1/2
Total............................................................................................. $67 541
EXPENDITURES.
John Villars, Supervisor, for services.................................................. $ 2 81 1/4
W. Austin and E. Cast, Overseers of the Poor....................................... 1 50
D. Wright, Supervisor, for his services............. ..................................... 1 12 1/2
J. Baldwin, Supervisor, for his services................................................... 3 00
W. Elzey, Supervisor, for his services...................................................... 2 62 1/2
J. H. Marsha, Constable, for serving pauper's warrant............................... 55
J. Lawrence, for services as Trustee and Supervisor................................ 3 00
J. Tribbey, for services as Trustee and Supervisor.. . . .. . . .. . .................. 3 75
U. Biggs, Clerk, for services..................................................................... 6 96 1/2
Same for blank book for Clerk's office...................................................... .1 50
L. Elzey, Supervisor, for his services......................................................... 2 25
J. Dalby and J. Conklin, late Overseers of the Poor.................................... 2 00
J. Garrison, late Constable, for summoning township officers........ ............ 3 50
J. Biggs, for a room to hold township meetings in....................................... 2 00
John Lytle, late Trustee, for services............................................................ 75 Total........................................................................................................ $37 32 3/4
At this time, Vernon Township included part of Adams, Clark (or the greater part of what is now Clark), Jefferson and Marion Townships, also part of Washington, and enumerated 283 householders for school purposes.
The spring election of 1827 resulted in the election of the following officers: Clerk, Nugent Ward; Treasurer, Ephraim Smith; Trustees, Jonathan Tribbey, Melzar Stearns, Jonathan Lawrence; Constables, Jacob Garrison, John Stewart; Overseers of the Poor, Aaron Sewell, William Hadley; Fence Viewers, Joseph Hale, Reuben Gillis.
Jeremiah Rowan was elected Justice of the Peace April 2, 1827. The three Justices at that time were James Harris, Asahel Tribbey and Jeremiah Rowan. May 28, 1827, the Trustees levied a tax of three-eighths of a mill on the dollar, for township purposes, and one-fourth of a mill for the support of the poor, and issued an order to the County Auditor to cause the same to be assessed. In settlement with the Treasurer, there was a balance in the treasury of township fund, 15 cents; poor fund, $14.37.
In 1828, same officers elected except Thomas Woodmansee, Trustee in place of Melzar Stearns; Jonathan Baldwin and Nathan Beals, Fence Viewers; and Forman Casto, Treasurer. The election was held at the house of William Cook (now J. H. Floyd).
In 1828, we find the following pauper warrant, viz.:
THE STATE OF OHIO,.
CLINTON COUNTY. VERNON TOWNSHIP,
TO JACOB GARRISON, CONSTABLE OF SAID TOWNSHIP, GREETING:
You are hereby commanded to warn Eleanor Wiley to depart and leave the township, and of this writ make legal service and due return as* the law directs. Given under our hands and seals this 11th day of April, 1828.
AARON SEWELL,
WILLIAM HADLEY,
Overseers of the Poor.
This looks to us as a pretty severe way to deal with paupers, but it may prove more effective than the plan adopted by some of the Trustees of the present day-a plan which encourages paupers to locate in a township where they will be well fed, well "doctored," and have plenty of whisky and tobacco as luxuries.
782 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
The receipts for the year ending March 2, 1829, were $50.71. Of this, $36.21 was received of Daniel Radcliffe, County Treasurer. The expenditures for the same year were $49.93.
In 1829, Eli Helmick, John Villars and David Fisher were Trustees; Nugent Ward, Clerk; Firman Casto, Treasurer; Isaac Tyson and John Stewart, Constables; James Morrow and David Hadley, Overseers of the Poor; Benjamin Ross and Joseph Burnett, Fence Viewers. This election was held at the house of Lemuel Garrison. In the year 1829, David A. Sewell gave bond unto William Cook, Ephraim Smith and James Dalby, Directors of School District No. 2, as Treasurer of said district. During that year, the districts were again changed, and the enumeration of householders was 284. In March, 1830, three pauper's were warned by the Constable to depart the township, by order of James Morrow and David Hadley, Overseers of the Poor. In 1830, Nugent Ward, still Clerk; Trustees, Eli Helmick, James Villars, John Mitchell; Treasurer, Firman Casto, Constables, William Thompson and John Stewart; Fence Viewers, Amos T. Davis and Moses Tullis.
Statement for the year ending March 1, 1831: Receipts, $36.57; expenditures, $33.61.
Statement for the year 1833: Receipts, $90.921; expenditures, $35.37.
Statement for year 1834: Receipts, $90.873; expenditures, $47.13.
In 1835--Allowed Alexander S. Black $9 for supporting a pauper; and Dr. John Gardner, $3 for professional attendance upon a pauper which is the first bill paid a doctor for attendance on a pauper. How this method of spending public money has grown, and what immense proportions it has assumed at the present time, will be seen by the Clerk's statement for the year 1880.
We find recorded, in 1835, an article of agreement between William Austin and Joseph Miller, whereby Alexander S. Austin was apprenticed to Joseph H. Miller to learn "the art or business of salesman or clerk in a store. "
In 1836, the election was held at the house of Michel Pepper, and the following officers were elected:
Clerk, A. R. Sewell; Trustees, Samuel S. Austin, William West and David A. Sewell; Treasurer, Ephraim Smith, Jr.; Constables, James Marshall and Alfred Cast; Overseers of the Poor, Aaron Sewell and Eli Hale; Fence Viewers, James A. Cook, Samuel T. Louden and John Thomas.
The receipts for the year 1836 were $122.879; expenditures, $98.064.
The cause of this great increase of expenditures is the fund raised and expended by the Supervisors on the roads, the Trustees receiving $3, $2.25 and $2.25 respectively; Clerk, $7; Constable, $3.87 1/2 Treasurer, $1.12 1/2.
From the year 1836 to 1862, the records are lost. We find in the year 1862 that William Carson, J. W. Warner and W. B. Smith were Trustees; W. H. Gardner, Clerk; J. W. Compton, Assessor; Albert Parker, Treasurer; and John Dempsy, Constable.
Statement for 1862: Township funds, receipts, $161.40; expenditures, $93.55; road funds remaining in Treasurer's hands, $37.352; poor funds, receipts, $44.94; expenditures, $60.94.
By this statement, the affairs of the township financially have not yet assumed that financial importance which characterizes it at present.
In 1863, Same township officers elected. At a special election in 1863, Jonathan Lawrence was elected Justice of the Peace of Vernon Township.
July 9, 1864, an election was held to fill the vacancy caused by the expiration of the term of J. W. Compton, Justice of the Peace. W. H. Gardner was elected. Mr. Gardner refused to serve, and another election was held in October, 1864, to till the vacancy. The vote on this occasion shows that
VERNON TOWNSHIP. - 783
this election to fill this very important office was little more than a burlesque. The vote is as follows: James H. Bird, seventy-four votes; D. P. McKinsey, one vote; Dr. Conkey, one; blank, one; T. S. Garland, one; J. W. Warner, one.
In 1865, J. W. Warner, W. B. Smith, Joseph McCray, were Trustees; W. M. Reeder, Clerk; J. W. Compton, Assessor; Milton Smith, Constable; James Linton, Treasurer.
In 1866, W. B. Smith, James E. Muroch, S. S. Austin, Trustees; W. M. Reeder, Clerk; J. Lawrence, Assessor; James Linton, Treasurer; John Dempsy, Constable. April 7, 1866, A. R. Sewell was elected Justice of the Peace.
In 1869--Trustees, W. B. Smith. John Sewell, C. C. Miller; Clerk, E. B. Howland; Constable, A. D. Williams; Assessor, J. W. Compton; Treasurer, James Linton, I. M. Stabler was elected Justice of the Peace.
In 1870-Trustees, W. B. Smith, John Sewell, J. L. Humphreys; Assessor, A. D. Williams; Treasurer, T. J. Garland; Constable, John Dempsy; Clerk, E. B. Howland.
In 1872, the expenditures of the township began to assume something near their present proportions.
On April 1. 1872, on hand--Cemetery funds, -$84.81; abandoned graveyard funds. $107.97; poor funds, $426.27; township funds, $324.94; road fund, $186.83; total, $1,130.82. Whole number of votes polled at the election April 1, 1872, 286.
At the annual election held April 5, 1875, the question was submitted to the voters of the township whether a special tax be levied for township house, and resulted as follows: Township house-Yes, 162 votes; no, 111 votes. A special tax of $2,000 was levied, and a neat, substantial building was erected for township purposes.
The following report was made to the County Auditor September 6, 1880, of the disposition of the poor funds for the year ending September 6 1880: 'Aggregate paid physicians, $440.50; for food, etc., $3.01; to Trustees, administration of poor funds, $37.50; total, $481.01.
In the year 1882, the following officers were elected: Trustees, W. B. Smith, John Sewell, I. M. Statler; Clerk, E. B. Howland; Treasurer, W. H. Gardner; Assessor, J. W. Compton; Constable, Clark Hadley.
THE WAR.
The history of Vernon Township does not differ from that of other townships in war times. Vernon was ever ready, and promptly furnished her quota of men at every call. The stay-at-home patriots made louder professions of loyalty than the brave boys who were risking their lives far from home. The first man who volunteered in Vernon was John Dakin. The first soldier boy killed from Vernon was Isaac Sewell, of the Twelfth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In the lonely chapparal of West Virginia, the bullet of the bushwhacker pierced his breast. Without a moment's warning, with no fare. well to his comrades or his friends at home, he met his fate like a brave man, and his bones lie near where he fell.
ROADS.
There is nothing, probably, that presents a greater contrast than the roads of early times and those of the present, and the vehicles used. In the very early times, there were no public roads, and each settler was obliged to cut his road from the older settlements to his dwelling. As was the case with a good many of the early settlers, they did not need much of a road-sometimes just
784 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
a path in which a horse could travel and footmen would not miss their way. We find by the early records that about the same system of keeping the roads in repair (Y) was in vogue in early times as at present, viz., the division of the township into road districts, and the election of a Supervisor for each road district by the qualified voters of the district. In early times, when labor on the highways was a public necessity, and when the people had to depend on their own individual labor to make the roads barely passable, the system was good; but now, when all our principal roads are free pikes, and the people are taxed by county and township to repair roads, it is time the old system was abolished In early times, with such men as John Hadley, Joshua Lazenby, Ephraim Smith, and men of that kind, as Supervisors, it was considered a disgrace to evade. or try to shirk road work; but now there are many who are never ready to work or pay, and, if they pretend to work, it is more of a holiday affair than a public benefit.
The corduroy road, or causeway of logs, was the first method of road work after cutting down and clearing timber from the road-bed The log or causeway system of road-making, in regions where the soil is wet and timber abundant on the spot, and only costing the cutting, in places where drainage among the green roots was too expensive, was a very effective way of fixing bad places. Passing over some of these causeways is at times more serious than amusing; where the, logs are of unequal sizes, and one of six inches in diameter is placed beside one of twenty-four inches, the transit from one to the other in a vehicle without springs is by no means agreeable. The first road laid out in Vernon Township is what is known as the College Township road, and two important points in said road in Clinton County were the Sewell settlement and Morgan Van Meter's house, at what is now Snow Hill. It has been so changed by use, trying to avoid the bad places, as to be scarcely recognizable from the original field notes. The most of the old roads are unrecognizable now from early notes by any except the oldest inhabitants. For instance, in 1811, a road was laid out "beginning at John Berkley's, past Smalley's mill, and intersecting the State road at O. Whitaker's, where said road crosses the old road leading to the Wilson settlement." The Columbus & Cincinnati. State road, crossing the township from it east to southwest, was laid out in --. The road past Villars' Chapel, thence on to Blanchester, is known as the road from Jonathan Baldwin's to Wilmington, and was laid out in-. The road Irom Lawrence's (Sewer's) to Clarksville was laid out in 1836. There have been numerous changes and road alterations, and new county and township roads from time to time, but it is presumed that a description of each will not be of enough importance or interest to be entitled to space in this article.
The first pike passing through this township was the Goshen & Wilmington Turnpike. It was built by a company, about the year 1840, of broken stone principally, and was kept up as a toll-pike until 1880, when the Commissioners of Clinton County bought the road and proceeded to improve it under the road improvement law. In the years 1869 and 1870, the College Township road, from Clarksville to Cuba, was piked under an act passed in 1867, entitled, "An Act to authorize County Commissioners to construct roads on petitions," etc. P. Clevenger was the appointed engineer, John C. Batten, contractor; but the work on that portion in Vernon Township was superintended by C. L. Sewell, assistant engineer. The road-bed was made twenty feet on top, thirty-four feet at base, and two feet high from bottom of side drains; whole width from outside drains, about forty feet. The road-bed was covered with gravel twelve feet wide and sixteen and one-fourth inches deep.
In the years 1875 and 1876, the road from Villars' Chapel through Blaun-
VERNON TOWNSHIP. - 785
chester to the Brown County line was piked under the same law; C. L. Sewell, engineer. The road-bed was twenty-two feet on top, thirty-two feet at base, and forty feet from out to out. This was graveled on the end next to Villars' Chapel, twelve feet wide and twelve inches deep. In 1880, the Goshen & Wilmington toll pike was purchased by the County Commissioners and improved, making it a free pike. In the same year (1880), the road leading from the Goshen & Wilmington pike, near Clarksville, past the mill to the Warren County line, in the direction of Harveysburg, was piked; John Harvey, engineer. This road crosses the fine bottom lands of M. P. Marshall, of Kentucky. During freshets, the waters of Todd's Fork have always crossed these bottoms at two or three points near the mill. Harvey endeavored to hold this surplus water and keep it from crossing the bottom by throwing up a high grade at these points, and thereby making a level grade from the bridge to the mill. The earth, sand and gravel of which the grade was made was nearly all taken from the lower side, scooping out holes in some places tenor twelve feet deep. Twenty-inch tile was put in at three places in the grade to carry off surplus water. This fancy road did well until the floods came in the spring of 1882. The grade held the water until the large bottom field was one sheet of water, forcing a greater amount of water through the bridge, and nearly drowning out the inhabitants of Bucktown, a suburb of Clarksville, when it broke over, sweeping the sand composing the grade off clean, scooping out deep holes on the lower side and utterly ruining the road at several places.
In early times, there were no pleasure wagons and carriages used. When the family went visiting, it was either on foot, horseback, or, at best, in a big wagon. The sounds of the old wagon bumping over the causeways, and the yells of the driver as be urged his horses forward, are no longer heard.
SCHOOLS.
In early times, there were no public schools, but the people kept up, as well as the sparsely populated country could afford, private or subscription.
The first school taught in Vernon Township was in a log cabin, on lands now owned by Mary Fordyce, in 1811 or 1812; Levi Garretson. teacher. The first division of the township into school districts was in August, 1826, by the Trustees of the township, agreeably to the fourth section of an act entitled, "An act to provide for the support and better regulation of common schools."
The districts were of immense size. For example, what is now No. 4, or Hopewell, extended from Jonathan Lawrence's (Sewer's) to William Austin's (Mt. Pleasant), and from Ditto's (Batten's) to Nicholas, Burns' (Second Creek). The schools were taught altogether by subscription. The early schoolhouses were rude affairs, built of round logs, with a fire-place at each end, puncheon floor, clapboard roof, and a log cut out of one side and the aperture covered with greased paper for light. There were one or two long benches for children. They were usually too high, and the little fellows would have to sit all day, perhaps, with backs bowed and feet dangling a long way from the floor. Then there were puncheons, or boards, placed slantingly against the wall, which formed a kind of writing-desk for the larger ones. No blackboards, no maps nor apparatus, and very few books. The teacher spent a good share ofhis time in making and sharpening pens and using the rod. Contrast this with the schoolhouses and fixtures of the present day, and then wonder no more why our forefathers were not so well educated as their descendants.
Some of the early teachers were Robert Eachus, Nugent Ward and Caleb Smith. A. R. Sewell, George Athey, Noah Newland and others may be called more modern teachers.
786 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
In the year 1829, the districts were changed somewhat, but very little difference was made in the respective sizes of the districts.
Report of the Board of Education of Vernon Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, for the school year ending August 31, 1881:
RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand September 1, 1880........................... $2244 78
State Tax ..................................................................... 300 75
Irreducible School Fund ................................................ 49 60
Township Tax............................................................... 1740 33
Total........................................................................... $4328 47
EXPENDITURES.
Whole amount paid teachers ...................................................... $2341 51
Amount paid for fuel and other contingent expenses, etc........... 780 83 Total......................................................................................... $3122 34
Number of subdistricts, 7; houses, 7; rooms, 7; total value of schoolhouses, $5,500; teachers employed, male, 7; females, 3, total, 10; average wages, male, $36; female, $30 per month; average number of weeks schools were in session, 35; pupils enrolled, boys, 153; girls, 142; total, 295. Number of pupils in each branch of study-Alphabet, 29; reading, 244; spelling, 241; writing, 196; arithmetic, 191; geography, 127; English grammar, 67; United States history, 4; physical geography, 6; algebra, 16.
This report of course does not include the special school district of Clarksville.
CHURCHES.
The early settlers, as well as the people of the present, differed on religious matters. At a very early day, we find organizations of Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists, while is large portion of the early settlers did not belong to any church. The members of certain families take as kindly to religious doctrines and church organizations as ducks do to water. "Have Methodist heads." This homely expression is not my own, but is credited Mr. S. S. Cast, of Washington Township, and it is used here not as a slur, but to illustrate the idea that some have certain organs largely developed, and it comes natural, almost, to be religious, while the members of other families care very little for religious forms and ceremonies, and do not relish, perhaps, the discipline of church organizations.
The first church organization in Vernon Township was that of the Presbyterians, at the house of David Sewell, about the year 1812. For some time after this, there were no churches, and religious services were held in the cabins of the early settlers. The house of Judge Sewell, whose wife was a Presbyterian, was the place where the Presbyterians frequently had preaching. The Baptists held their meetings at E. Kibbey's, Philip Titus', and other places, while the Methodists met at William Austin's or James Villars', Sr.
In the spring of 1817, William Austin and James Villars, Sr., donated two acres of land and built a log church and called it Mt. Pleasant. It was used in which to hold meetings until 1849, when the society erected a neat frame house, 30x40 feet, the present Mt. Pleasant Church.
In the year 1823, a church was built by the Baptists in the village of Clarksville. This denomination also built a church called " The Frame on the College Township road, one and one-fourth miles above Clarksville. The Baptists in this township seemed unable to recruit from the younger people, and we only recollect the members as being very old persons. When they died, there was no organization.
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The Methodists have shown a good deal of vitality in this township There is an M. E. Church at Clarksville, one at Mt. Pleasant and one at Kansas, and the P. M. or AT. Church have two-one at Clarksville and Villars' "Chapel. This church was built in 1868, on the Clarksville and Cuba pike at his individual expense, by Rev. James Villars. The church is of brick, large and commodious, with a basement for Sabbath school purposes and the upper story for church purposes. The building is "free to all Christian denominations." and cost, when completed. about $10,000.
The Presbyterians never built a church. The Friends, or Quakers, form 'a large and influential portion of the inhabitants of Vernon. They have a church at Clarksville. The Mormons, previous to their going to Nauvoo, Ill., had frequent meetings at Nauvoo Schoolhouse, and several persons joined them and went away with them, among whom were John and Harrison Fugate, and others.
POLITICAL.
We can get no correct statement of the political complexion of Vernon Township previous to 1862; but we believe, from talking with older persons, that there always has been a majority against the Democrats. The first figures we can present are of the election (Presidential) of 1860, when Lincoln, Republican, had about fifty majority over Douglas, Democrat.
1862-F. F. Bachus, Republican, 139 votes; R. P. Ranney, Democrat, 92 votes.
1863-John Brough, Union, 199 votes; C. L. Vallandigham, Democrat, 40 votes.
1864-William Henry Smith, Republican, 161 votes; William Armstrong, Democrat, 48 votes; Abraham Lincoln, Republican, 176 votes; G. B. McClelland, Democrat, 57 votes.
1865-J. D. Cox, Republican, 155 votes; G. W. Morgan, Democrat, 69 votes,
1866-William H. Smith, Republican, 201 votes; Benjamin Lefevre, Democrat, 99 votes.
1867-R. B. Hayes, Republican, 179 votes; Allen G. Thurman, Democrat, 121 votes.
1868-Isaac B. Sherwood, Republican, 210 votes; Thomas Hubbard, Democrat, 118 votes; U. S. Grant, 207 votes; Horatio Seymour, 113 votes. 1869-R. B. Hayes, 173 votes; G. H. Pendleton, 108 votes.
OLD-TIME POLITICS IN VERNON.
Vernon Township is no exception to the general rule of division into political parties. We can find no record of the political complexion of the township at an early date, but from tradition and anecdotes handed down, we learn that at an early day, as well as of late years, Vernon Township approached the stage of being" red hot" occasionally. Numbers of the early settlers were Virginia Whigs. Among them were the Sewels, Austins, Harrises, Stablers, Tribbeys and others; while the Democrats were represented by such zealous men as Wysong, Branstrater, Thomas and Villars. During the year 1840, the excitement was intense. The Whigs, in their enthusiasm for " Tippecanoe and Tyler, too," were ably led by James Harris, Samuel Louden, S. S. Austin and John Hadley, while some of the active Democrats of that day were A. R. Sewell, Joseph Wysong, A. Branstrater and Dan Hutchinson. Buckeye cabins, barrels of hard cider, coon skins, canoes, etc., were the order of the day. Barbecues, a species of entertainment almost unknown in the present day, were common. Sheep, hogs and oxen were roasted whole. Whisky flowed freely as water, and the people would seem to give themselves up to the frenzy of ex-
788 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
citement. A barbecue was had in Clarksville. The tables were set in a yard near where M. C. Wysong's house now stands. A buckeye cabin was built on the lot where Jack Thomas' house now stands, while a buckeye tree five or six inches in diameter was planted in front; a live coon, chained, was permitted to climb the tree. To the surprise of all, the tree lived and thrived, and was cut down by Mr. Thomas when he built his house. Even the old and dignified Judge Sewell was carried along with the excitement and he with his neighbor, William Cook, dug out a canoe from an immense buckeye, The Democrats found themselves unable to stem the tide, so they very wisely lot it spend its force. A rather peculiar character made his appearance in Clarksville in the year 1843 or 1844. His name was Pierpont Edwards. Born in New Hampshire, he served seven years' apprenticeship as a harness-maker then went into the United States Navy. After serving three years in the navy, and four years on board a merchantman, and visiting nearly all parts of the world, he was put off at New Orleans Hospital, as he says, to die, for it was thought that he had consumption. After recruiting up a little, he started north up the river, and he could not tell why he came, but he landed at Clarksville and secured work as journeyman harness-maker with A. W. Kibby. He was tall, angular, very dark, with large, staring blue eyes, bushy eyebrows, and a heavy, full beard and mustache, both very long and black as a coal. I will here remark that at that time and up to the gold fever of 1848, it was the custom, and was followed as a religious duty almost, to keep the face shaved clean every week. Any one letting the beard grow was looked upon with suspicion as a brigand, highwayman or gambler, at least; but this is a digression. Edwards walked with a loose, shambling gait, like a sailor on land, was very reticent, telling his business to no one. He was looked upon oddly and suspiciously by the men, and was an object of great curiosity to the boys, who would go to the shop to get a peep at "Kibby's wild man," as they called him. Edwards worked at his trade, saying nothing to any one as to what his business was, or where he came from. In the canvass of 1844, the Democrats had recovered from the effects of their defeat four years before, and were ready to meet their opponents at all points. The Whigs had raised a very high pole, close to where Matt Wysong's house now stands, and the Democrats resolved to beat them. They first raised the lower part of their pole, near where John Snook's house now stands, with a kind of platform or mast-head on top, and prepared to hoist the top part by the aid of rope and tackle. In order to fasten the top part on, it was necessary to have a man on top of the first part raised. Ed Brewer was their best climber, and he started up the pole; but the height was too great, his head grew dizzy, his hands lost their grip, and he was obliged to slide down to the ground. No persuasion or re ward could induce him to try it again. The Whigs were jubilant, the Democrats almost in despair, when Edwards, who had been an apparently unconcerned spectator, volunteered to go up the pole. With collar open, and cat like agility, while cheer after cheer rent the air, he went up the pole. On the top he made his bow to the crowd below, and they began to hoist the pole. In their excitement and eagerness to raise it, when they got it nearly up, one of the ropes broke, and it fell to the ground. The impetus of the fall, and its striking some of the stay ropes, gave a fearful motion to the part on which Edwards was, it swayed from side to side, and the crowd below expected to see him dashed to the ground every moment; but the pole was hickory, and Edwards appeared less concerned than the crowd below. More careful work, and the pole was fixed firmly in its place, and for years the feat of Edwards' climbing the hickory pole was one of the pleasant reminiscences of old-time politics. Edwards married a Miss Richards, and settled down in Clarksville
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He acquired some property, carrying on his trade, and remained until the year 1865, when, with a large family, he moved to Missouri.
CLARKSVILLE.
This village is situated in the western part of Vernon Township, on the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley Railroad. It was laid out April 5, 1839, by William Hadley, the survey being made by Peyton West. The town, as originally laid out, consisted of forty-four lots of the usual size, four poles front and eight poles back. In the year , there was an addition to the town, called Morrow's Addition. In the year 1858, the boundaries were extended, taking in a quantity of the adjoining land; the survey was made by James Linton. The land taken in was divided into lots and numbered as outlots, a plat was made with streets, etc., of the whole, but the work was irregularly done, and the territory thus added cannot be considered as an addition to the town.
The lots composing the original town were dry, with a gravel deposit beneath, making excellent natural drainage for cellars, but the land adjoining, almost up to the original town, was not a very. inviting locality for settlers at that time; Todd's Fork on one side, winding around through the bottom lands, and the waters crossing the bottoms during freshets, making and leaving pools ,,or bayous, which did not give promise of ever being fit for cultivation. Then all these bottoms were covered with timber, with a heavy undergrowth of bushes and vines. The East Fork, on the other side, is a more rapid stream, and was confined to its channel until after it passed the town. The town was incorporated in 18-. Samuel T. Louden built the first cabin and opened a hotel or tavern. Keeping tavern in early times was hardly the thing it is the present day. It consisted in furnishing the traveler with the rough and substantial fare common to all the settlers--a bed in a loft or in an addition .in which to sleep, and last, but not least, with plenty of whisky to keep up his spirits and to act as an antidote or preventive of malarial poison so common in new countries. Mr. Louden sold his hotel to Joseph Wysong. He lived on the farm now occupied by S. T. Whitaker for many years, and afterward traded this farm to A. W. Kibby, moved back to Clarksville, and died there. John Oxley built the second house in the village in the year 1815. We can learn nothing of the history of this early settler. In the year 1817, Ephraim Kibby moved to Clarksville. He was a tanner by trade, and was the first to engage in that occupation in the village. is tan-yard was on the lot now owned by J. A. Howland. He bought out the stock of William Smalley, who had a small tannery west of Clarksville. He was a member of the Baptist Church, was thrifty and prosperous in his business. and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1876, he was well known in Clinton County. John Keenan and Joseph Thompson were among the first settlers of Clarksville, but the do not know what business they were engaged in.
The first saddler and harness-maker was John Hadley. He used to make his saddle-trees out of dogwood forks. He, with Eli Hale, opened the second store in. the village. Afterward he engaged in the pork trade and dealt largely in cattle. His personal efforts and the general business planned and carried on by him formed a very important part in making the town the prosperous business place it was in early times. Elisha Kirk was the first hatter. Eli Helmich and Abram Nicholson were among the first blacksmiths. Jacob Longstreth opened the first store in the place. Among the first carpenters were Samuel T. Louden, James Abbott and William Michel, afterward Judge Michel, of Lebanon.
The first shoemaker was Joseph Wysong. Samuel Hyde was the first
790 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
cabinet-maker; his shop was an old building on the lot now owned by N. K. Snook; the building was afterward used as a schoolhouse. William Slater carried on the business of cabinet-making where J. Whitaker's shop now is. The business was afterward carried on by J. Thomas, E. Titus and Alfred Cast. John McCarty was the first cooper. The immense pork trade of Clarksville made coopering a very important business in the place, and there were several large cooper shops running at the same time. James Coyle's cooper shop stood where A. A. Linton's new store is. William Dogget carried on a cooper shop where John Starry now lives, corner of Main and Second streets. Isaiah Wilkerson, at a later date, ran a shop near where the Baptist Church now stands.
John Kelley, father of S. C. Kelley, was probably the first tailor; his shop was on the lot now owned by William M. Reeder. This was an important business in early times, and tailor shops have been carried on by Harrison Comp ton, S. H. Wilson, K. S. Kearns and others. A business, which has disappeared from the smaller towns, was making hats. This business was carried on in Clarksville in early times, first by Dick Lackey, afterward by one Black. John Dempsy was a hatter. He served in the Mexican war; was Constable of Vernon Township for many years. He was crippled by palsy. His was a peculiar character; his gestures were odd, his body and arms writhed and twitched in a wild gesticulating manner, sometimes almost laughable, when he talked, but he was possessed of a good deal of hard sense, and, in a passage of words, few could get ahead of him. He died in Clarksville.
The first wagon-maker was George Harris. Samuel French was an early stone-mason. James Morrow was the first and only distiller. Joseph Wysong was the first Postmaster of the town.
Jacob Longstreth was the first physician. Summing up, we find that soon after its establishment or laying out, Clarksville was well represented in the trades. Merchants, tanners, tailors, wagon-makers, blacksmiths, carpenters ,hatters, harness-makers, coopers were making the town lively and business-like. But at a later day, about the year 1840 or 1844, the town assumed its utmost importance. The pork trade at that time was immense. Hale & Cook' a pork house was near where J. A. Kelley now lives. They slaughtered on the East Fork, just above the bridge, on the Goshen pike. John Hadley's pork house stood near where A. A. Linton's house stands. Jim Lindsay slaughtered near where John Kelley's stable now stands. Hogs were driven from all parts of Clinton County, as well as from Highland and Ross Counties, to Clarksville. The hogs slaughtered in those days were not of the improved breeds we have now. Now it is with difficulty we can drive one mile or two to market. In early times they were partly fattened on mast, and they were wild, raw-boned, with snouts so long sometimes, that the expression used by an old settler in describing them that "they could root nine feet into the ground after a poke root, and still see a man over the top," does not seem much of an exaggeration. We do know they were driven ten or twenty miles sometimes, and then had to be caught with dogs or shot at the slaughter pens. The lard from the slaughtered porkers was put in kegs, and together with the meat just from the salt, was hauled to Cincinnati in wagons. The time taken by a teamster in making a trip was about six days. Regarding the number slaughtered, one old resident told me he thought as high as 40,000 or 50,000 hogs would be slaughtered and packed in Clarksville in one season. This brought an immense trade to the town, and stores, hotels and all the trades flourished; there was an army of shoemakers, tailors, coopers, etc.
Some of the heavy teamsters of that day were William Morrow, William McCray, Charles Urton, and later, Armstrong McCray, Milt Watson, James
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Villars. These teamsters would take their provisions, horse feed and bedding along, and sleep on the floor of some tavern It was a rough life, but was relished by the men. The independence of the wild, rough life was by no '. means unpleasant.
The first school was taught in a house on the lot owned by N. K. Snook; so to who taught the first school, the information I get conflicts somewhat. Among the early teachers were Nancy Tufts, David Eachus and Carter B. Harlan, brother of the late Judge R. B. Harlan. Until the year 1868, when Clarksville was made a special district, there were two schoolhouses for the muth of the town and vicinity. Schoolhouse No. 1 is now used by M. C. Wysong for a wagon shop; No. 2 School, near the mouth of Sewell's Run. For number of years the Friends or Quakers maintained a separate school in a building of their own; the building still stands, and is used as a dwelling. This school was called the High School; the higher branches were taught, and it was patronized by others besides Friends.
About the year 1823, the Baptists built a brick church in Clarksville. The church is still standing, but the society has gone down. About the year 1875, Rev. James Villars bought the church property, and at his individual expense :refitted the old building, making a fine, -commodious church, which is now controlled by the Protestant Methodist Church. The Methodist Episcopal Church organization is the leading one in the town. The first church built ,by this society stood on the lot now owned by J. Norton's heirs. About the year 1856, they built a large frame church-the present Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Odd Fellows have a lodge in the town, No. 323. The Masons also have a lodge.
Clarksville is at present, and we believe has always been, well supplied with physicians. The first who put out his sign was Jacob Longstreth. Then came Dr. Hampton, Dr. Crawford, Dr. A. T. Davis, Dr. Tribbey. Though in early times disease was more prevalent, such diseases as were caused by malarial poison-fevers, ague, etc.-it seems the physicians did not prosper and grow fat and independent as they are at the present day; and we rarely find a physician in the small towns in early times depending solely on his profession for a livelihood Dr. Longstreth kept a store; Dr. Tribbey was a farmer as well as physician; Dr. A. T. Davis represented the county in the Legislature. In early times their duties were laborious and their pay scanty and uncertain; bat, during the last thirty or forty years, they have made such rapid strides in magnifying their bills and multiplying their charges that, if it continue to increase in the same ratio for the next thirty years, it will compel the man of moderate means to accept one of three things: First, not to employ a physician; second, to let the township pay his bills as a pauper; or, third, not to pay his bills at all. The only physician who died in Clarksville was Dr. John Gardner. He read medicine under Dr. A. T. Davis; afterward had a good practice. He was agreeable and gentlemanly in his manners, of a fine scholarly appearance, and enjoyed the confidence of the community for his honesty and integrity. He died about the year 1874.
Dr. H. W. Baugh came to Clarksville in 1850, from the town of New Burlington, Clinton County. He was born in Tennessee in 1817. He has a practice at the present time. He is a man of powerful build, with a smoothly shaven face; is inclined to be abrupt in his manners. He is positive and decided in his opinions; his integrity is unquestioned, and his moral character above reproach.
Dr. T. S. Garland came to Clarksville in the same year (1850). He was a school-teacher, and a poor man when he came, and started in the practice of
792 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
medicine. Dr. Garland has steadily followed his profession; has always enjoyed the confidence of the community; still has a large practice, and has amassed considerable property. He seems to be devoted entirely to his profession, takes very little interest in public affairs; is not so decided and positive in his opinions as Dr. Baugh.
Dr. Z. T. Garland, a very popular physician, is a son of Dr. T. S. Garland. He was raised in Clarksville, studied medicine with his father, and has been practicing about twelve years; is of fine appearance, and is probably the best dressed man in the village. He is even-tempered and agreeable in his manners, and has a large practice.
Dr. E. S. Stevens is a late arrival. He is a young man of boyish appearance. He came in 1880, and boldly put out his shingle in the face of three old and popular physicians. He shows a good deal of vim slid energy. His father is Dr. Stevens, of Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio.
Levi Collins came to Clarksville or vicinity in 1814, when he was five months old, and has done more to populate the town than any other individual, being the father of twenty-one children, nearly all of them living. He is a cooper by trade; has lived in Clarksville nearly all his life; has been twice married. His first wife was Martha Brannan, by whom he had twelve children. In 1860, he was married to Elizabeth Rife, by whom he has nine children.
John Thomas, familiarly known as Jack Thomas, and long a resident of Clarksville, was born in Harrison County, Va., in 1812. He came to Clarksville about the year 1824; learned cabinet-making with his brother-in-law, William Slater, and carried on the business in Clarksville for a number of years. He was an employe of the C., W. & Z. Railroad, in the capacity of Superintendent of Bridges, and other structures, for fifteen years; is at present keeping a restaurant in the town.
The first silversmith of Clarksville was James H. Star. He was born in Jefferson County, Va., and came to Vernon Township in 1840. He married Nancy Kelley; has r raised a family of six children, all boys. Mr. Starry and wife live at present on a farm about one and a half miles from Clarksville.
S. C. Kelley is probably as closely identified with Clarksville as any other man. Mr. Kelley is a son of John Kelley, who came to Clarksville in 1833, and carried on a tailor shop in the village. Samuel C. was born in Hamilton County in 1829. His father died when he was quite young, and he was thrown on his own resources. At a very early age, he developed business tact and management. When quite young, he was employed by the pork-packing establishments in responsible positions. At the age of fifteen, in the year 1844, he commenced business for himself in a small building 10x20 feet, on the lot now owned by Jack Thomas. Mrs. Wysong and Daniel Norton each loaned him $50, and with this $100 capital, all borrowed, he commenced the business of dealing in groceries, which he has followed nearly all the time since. At the time Mr. Kelley commenced business, George Morrow and Dr. Gardner kept general merchandise where G. M. Morrow now lives. Lindsay kept store where Wilson now has a store. Pyle & Austin also kept store. Amos Everett carried on the hatting business. Hale & Cook, John Hadley, and probably other firms were engaged in the pork business. Mr. Kelley soon moved to a larger building, and went into partnership with George Dann, near where J. D. Starry's harness shop now is. He bought the corner where he now keeps, in 1854. In March, 1854, he was burned out, losing everything, but built again on the same spot in May of the same year, and carried on the business at the same place to the year 1857, when, being tired of business, and fancying he was an excellent farmer, he sold out to Daniel Hutchinton, bought a
VERNON TOWNSHIP. - 793
farm of L. B. Oxley and Pyle, the same now owned by Hildebrecht, of 305 acres, and went to farming. In 1859, Mr. Kelley was elected Sheriff, as an independent candidate, by the Democrats of Clinton County. He moved to Wilmington, filled the office of Sheriff creditably, and moved back to his farm. He remained on the farm about six months longer. when he sold out. After this he spert one year in the Clarksville Mills, then owned by Smith & Knowlton, then moved to Marshall County. Iowa. It seems that the climate, or some thing of Iowa, did not suit Mr. Kelley; so, after remaining there about six months, he moved back to Clarksville, in reduced circumstances. The people of Clarksville and vicinity still had great confidence in Mr. Kelley as a business man, and he was soon installed in his old business again in a building now occupied by J. D. Starry. His business prospered, and, in 18(39 or 1870, he built his present storeroom, and has continued to increase his business to the present, which is carried on now under the firm name of S. C. Kelley & Son.
Mr. Kelley is a small man, quick and active in temperament, every look and motion shows the business man. He is a man of much general information, is agreeable in his manners, a good conversationalist; has a way of appearing interested and sympathizing in the cares and business of others He makes a customer feel that it is a pleasure to wait on him or to do him a favor in any way. Mr. Kelley has raised a large family, and'has acquired considerable property; is public spirited, and has done his full share toward improving the town.
James Linton was for many years a prominent business man of Clarksville. He married Maria, daughter of John Hadley, of Clarksville, and began to keep house in Adams Township. He soon afterward moved to Clarksville, to assist his father-in-law in the pork trade. Subsequently, he moved to what is known as the Yeazel farm, two miles east of Clarksville. on the Goshen pike. On this he built a large brick house, and erected a saw-mill. From the Yeazel farm he moved to Clarksville again, where he died.
"James Linton, though humble and modest, was no ordinary man, and the multitude of business be carried on and superintended was no ordinary business. During all his married life he carried on farming on a large scale for this country, and many seasons he engaged in the wool and pork trade, and for years owned and managed a dry goods and grocery store. All who knew him regarded him as a man of few words and of sound judgment. He was scholarly enough to lay off a bridge, engineer a pike or build a mill. Practical and unostentatious, he possessed an integrity which, among his neighbors, was above suspicion." He was a member of the Society of Friends, and leaves a wife and seven children.
Joseph Wysong was an early settler of Clarksville. He was a shoemaker by trade; was the first Postmaster of the town, an office which he held for a great number of years. He kept a hotel up to the time of his death, and in early times his hotel was a popular stopping-place for teamsters and travelers. He was a peculiar man, gruff and almost severe in his manners, yet there was an undercurrent of humor and kindly good nature in his character. Numerous anecdotes could be told of him, of the rich jokes and passages of wit and sarcasm he indulged in with the teamsters, who enjoyed the old man's gruff ways. Three of his sons still live in Clarksville.
S. F. Wescoat, W. H. Gardner, A A. Linton, J. D. Starry, are promiment business men of the town at the present time.
CONCLUSION.
Perhaps I owe this explanation to the people of Vernon Township, that is, that the selection of myself for writing up Vernon was not the first selection.
794 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
It was late in the spring before I undertook the work, and it has carried me into the busy season of corn tending and harvest; and my readers will not be astonished at the incompleteness of my work when they know that I was obliged to send in my manuscript leaving parts of the subject untouched. There are many families who deserve honorable mention in any history of Clinton County, that I failed to get data for personal sketches-the Villars, Hadleys, Lintons, and many other families I have failed to represent, not through prejudice, but from lack of time. With this I submit the work, and it can be taken for what it is worth.
C. L. SEWELL.