300 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. bought the property and refitted the same. Doctor Culy was the first doctor of the village, he locating in Milledgeville in 1863. Prior to 1871 a shoeshop and a wagon shop were in operation. In an account of the village in 1881 it is found that at that date the business of Milledgeville consisted of one mill, two groceries, one hotel, two doctors, one boot and shoe store, one restaurant, a postoffice, and one large store owned by Lamb, Murphy & Company, who handled dry goods, groceries, hardware, drugs, boots and shoes queensware and farm implements. The present standing of Milledgeville is about as follows : Its population is one hundred and eighty-seven. The interests include these : Milledgeville bank ; Acton Brothers, clothing and shoes ; Charles B. Hooker and A. H. Lamar, restaurants ; Fred Warning, hardware ; Gidding Brothers, grain and lumber ; Elmer M. Allen, coal dealer ; Fred Warning, harness; Acton Brothers and W. H. Chamberlin, groceries ; Drs. J. R. Adams and A. N. Vandeman, physicians. The churches are the Methodist Protestant and Baptist denominations. The various postmasters serving here since the office was established are as follows : When it was "South Plymouth" they were E. L. Ford, August 26, 1852 ; John F. Hiser, June 1, 1874. Name now changed to Milledgeville : Smith Rankin, appointed February 9, 1877 ; G. L. McAllister, November 3, 1881 ; J. A. Murphy, August 21:1885 ; H. C. Weimer, July 1889 ; J. M. Acton, June 23, 1893 ; H. W. Jones, September 11, 1897; James Armstrong, September 6, 1901 ; H. P. Acton, January 14, 1905; Pearl Barnes, January 22, 1908; Henry W. Jones, May 28, 1908; Henry Pear May 4, 1912. Seldon Station is on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, in the southeast portion of Jasper township, and is a small trading station. Cunningham Station, on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad, is in the northeastern section of this township. Jasper Station and Glenden are each small stations on the Baltimore & Ohio and Pennsylvania lines, in the southern part of Jasper township. CHAPTER XXII. CONCORD TOWNSHIP. Concord township, in the southwestern part of Fayette county, is bounded on its north, east and south by townships of this county, while at its west is Clinton county. The dividing line between Union township and this township is Sugar creek. Rattlesnake creek divides Concord into two almost equal parts. As to the organization of the township, this is fully set forth elsewhere in this work. Just who the first settlers were here is not known for any degree of certainty, but it is certain that one of the most important pioneers was John Wright, who emigrated to the Scioto valley in 1798, settling on the waters of Paint creek with his family. There he resided until 1807, then married and in 1808 removed with his bride to Fayette, locating in this township, on Sugar creek. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, being commanded by Captain Kilgore and Gen. William H. Harrison, under a draft for the forty-days service. Later he went out among the men who volunteered under the general call for troops. He was a thorough-going farmer, cleared up much land in this county and was elected trustee and enjoyed the respect and love of all who knew him. Peter Marks was born in Pennsylvania. In 1806 the family left their native state and settled at Oldtown (now Frankfort), Ross county, Ohio. In 1815 Marks bought about two hundred and forty acres of land in Concord township, this county, near the village of Jasper Mills. He was compelled to re-purchase his land, as it was claimed to be that of an officer of the Revolutionary War. A son of Peter Marks, Joseph, in 1828, erected a small cabin on the Washington and Staunton road. He resided there practically the remainder of his days. There was no habitation between his cabin and Buena Pista, and but three on the road running to Washington C. H., the Thole country consisting of dense forest and underbrush. He cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson for President in 1822. A little before the arrival of John Wright, the family of George Moore came in from Kentucky, locating on Sugar creek, a mile and a half south- east of the Wright settlement. The names of two sons now recalled are 302 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. Ezekiel, who served in the War of 1812, and Thomas, who died of the dread milk sickness. The remainder of this family removed to Indiana in either 1820 or 1821. Just prior to the organization of this county, Thomas Gilbert settled on what was later styled the Ingle farm. He moved west later. Thomas Foster occupied the old Elias Priddy farm, but, becoming dissatisfied with the new country here, returned to Kentucky. In the fall of 18̊8 David Wright, brother of John Wright, erected a small cabin on a little knoll, situated on land later known as the Jasper W place. Other pioneers of Concord township were : Daniel Carmine, who came before 1812, was a hard-working settler, and reared a large, honorable family : James Maddox, who located on Sugar creek ; Leonard Bush, Sr., Berryman. man Allen and Eli West. SUNDRY INCIDENTS. A former historical collection for Fayette county gives the following on early days in Concord : Of the wife of John Wright, it is said that she was a woman of enterprise, industry and business habits. During the War of 1812, her husband being a soldier in that campaign, she, with the help of a small boy, cultivated and gathered nine acres of corn, amounting to four hundred bushels; the boy plowed while she hoed. According to a pioneer superstition, in order to raise flax successfully it was necessary to sow the seed on Good Friday. In the year above mentioned, Mr. Wright had the ground broken ready for seeding on the day preceding. During the night snow fell to the depth of six inches. The lady was very much troubled upon making this discovery, but, nothing daunted, dressed herself warmly, and proceeded to seed the ground through the snow. The result was satisfactory and the old lady often boasted of the wonderful crop she raised by sowing flaxseed on Good Friday. Mrs. Moore, well known in early days, desiring to visit Kentucky, her native state, engaged a horse of John Wright, for the use of which she was to have the animal shod and bring the owner a quart of apple seeds. The contract was carried out to the letter, and fr0m the seed planted the fir orchard in southern Fayette county sprung. Jeremiah Dunn was the first person to die in the neighborhood. In the absence of grave-yard or coffin it was decided to wrap the remains in a FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 303 blanket and bury them in an old Indian burying ground, on the east bank of Paint creek. Caleb Wright, who came to Fayette county about 1807, was at the time a single man and when the War of 1812 was declared by Congress, he volunteered as an Indian spy. He continued in that critical and dangerous capacity traversing hills, plains, valleys and swamps for one year, feeding on wild meat, hiding in the black swamps, and continually encountering the mot imminent perils to which his peculiar occupation exposed him. T. H. Maddox, son of James Maddox, the old settler, is said to have been the first blacksmith in this township. He was a class leader in the Methodist Episcopal church and a licensed preacher of the United Brethren denomination at one time. The first millwright and carpenter was O. H. Wright. The first justice of the peace in Concord township was William Thompson John B. Rowe, in the immediate vicinity of Staunton, was a famous hunter. He was never known to say that he had killed Indians, but had seen them "get down from fences," "lie down at the root of trees," or some such expression, indicating that he might have hurt them. In early days the occupation of hunter and trapper was quite common and very profitable. MILLS OF THE TOWNSHIP. The first grist-mill and saw-mill, as well as the first distillery, was built on Sugar creek by Adam Taylor. The lands were low and wet, and of course fever and ague were a common disease, which were supposed to be readily cured by frequent drinks of liquor. The old still was a favorite resort for many an old settler. Taylor afterward became involved, abandoned his place and moved west. The mill was never operated after his departure, and scores of years ago was washed down by the floods of Sugar creek. Prior to this mill the settlers carried their grain to "horse mills" at Washington C. H. and Sabina. VILLAGE OF STAUNTON. This is Concord township's only village. It is located in the northeast part of the township, within a mile of Sugar creek, close to Hankin's run. The village was platted in 1848. The county records show the following concerning Staunton's origin : “Whereas, it is mutually agreed by and between the undersigned, that 304 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. there shall be a town laid out and established in Concord township, Fayette county, and state of Ohio, at the place where the village of Staunton is now situate, so as to include said village. And inasmuch as the undersigned are all interested, each one owning a part of the premises upon which it is intended to locate said town, and will be mutually benefited thereby, and in order to have the proper accomplishment of said purpose, have entered into and signed an agreement in writing in substance as follows : "Staunton, Fayette County. Ohio, "September 5, 1849 "We, the undersigned, citizens of the above place and vicinity, do hereby agree to sign and properly execute such instruments as may be draw up by drawn up by a competent attorney-at-law, providing for the establishment of a town at the above place, and to appoint three commissioners for the purpose of carrying this matter into effect. They are instructed to run two rows of lots and one street on each side of the State road, and as many cross streets and alleys, as they may deem necessary, the principal streets to run east and west parallel with said State road. The commissioners are further instructed to pay due regard to the buildings now up; to take into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of each individual concerned, etc. (Signatures) "Willis Rowe, John Stukey, James Holbrook, William Craig, Stroder Evans, P. F. Johnson, David M. Terry, Jonathan Burgess, David Pollock, William Long, James N. Flannagen, Charles Van Pelt, William Heller, Jesse Rowe, Jacob Jamison (provided a street runs through his lot, the commissioners are to value his lot and he is to be paid for it if he wishes to sell), Thomas J. Craig, Thomas McCorcle, D. S. Craig." In September of that year the following commissioners were duly appointed : Daniel McLean, Micajah Draper and John S. Burnett. The original survey was made November 25, 1849, by John L. Burnett. Other territory was later added. There had been quite a village started before this act, and this was simply to give form and shape and permanent order for a village proper. Thomas J. Craig entered this locality from Greenfield, in 1842, and was the first to open a general country store. As early as 1835 a blacksmith shop was started by Michael Marks, who years later sold to Caleb. Wright. The second store of the village was established by John Webster. Year after year, when railroads were being projected, the citizens here attempted to secure a railroad, but all attempts were marked with failure. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 305 In 1880 this village had a population of about one hundred and twenty-five souls, and business was conducted as follows : Groceries, notions, etc., William Long, Henry Limes, T. J. Craig; blacksmithing, K. B. Cole and Dimon; wagon shop, John Rustler; boot and shoe shop, William Bay, James Holbrook; physician, Doctor McAffee. Coming down to the present time (1914), it may be said that Staunton has a population of less than one hundred, and the business is confined to a couple of general merchandise stores and a few shops. This was another of the original towns of Fayette county that the railroad era materially injured. (10) CHAPTER XXIII. GREEN TOWNSHIP. Originally Green township embraced all of Concord and parts of Jasper and Perry townships. It is bounded on the north and east by Concord are Perry townships, on the south by Highland county and on the west by Clinton county. It is therefore the southeastern sub-division of Fayette county. It is one of, if not the least, of all the townships in this county. Rattlesnake creek enters survey No. 5348, flows southeast to survey 3986, thence south to the county line. Lee's creek has its source in Concord township, thence flows to the southeast, entering Green township in survey No. 5349. then south, crossing the entire township, entering Highland county. The generally a black loam, which has been extensively drained, and is now productive for any crops raised in this part of the state. Concord, Green and Perry townships are the only sub-divisions in Fayette county not having the advantages of railroad facilities. EARLY SETTLEMENT. The population in 1910 of this township was six hundred and ninety-four, but the reader is turned back to 1807, when Jesse Rowe made his advent into this county. Aside from numerous stragglers, trappers and hunters, he was beyond doubt the first man to invade this township with a view of becoming a permanent settler. He emigrated from Virginia to Ross county, Ohio, in 1803, with his family of nine children, John, Jesse, Jr., William, James, Elizabeth, Mary, Jane, Susan and Sarah. He located on the Little Wabash, the old homestead, in 1807. Shortly after the organization of Fayette county in 1810, he was chosen a justice of the peace, serving for four full terms ; also held the trustee and other township offices. He was a class leader and exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal church to the close of his earthly career, the first class meeting in all his section of the country having been held at his cabin home in Green township. In his will he left a liberal sum to go towards the interests of the church he loved so well and labored in lifetime to build up in Fayette county. At a ripe old age, in 1845, he died He had served his country in the days of the Revolutionary struggle. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 307 John Rowe, eldest son of the first settler, settled on land given him by the father, near the old home, and he became the father of eleven children. He took active part in the War of 1812, and held many important local offices. He died in 1863, an honored citizen. Jesse Rowe, Jr., settled in Green township, but removed to Concord at of five years. He was a township trustee, and after the surrender of Hull, volunteered to defend his country, under Gen. Batteal Harrison. William Rowe removed to Ross county, Ohio. James Rowe moved to the South at an early date. He was a minister of the Gospel, located at Huntsville, Alabama, married and attended select school. At the division of the church over the slavery question, he sided with the South, preaching up to the outbreaking of the Civil War, when he came north, where he remained till the war ended, then returned to Georgia, where he subsequently died. The remaining children of Jesse Rowe, Sr., filled honorable stations in life and some of their descendants are still living in Fayette county. Thomas Moon, Sr., was another prominent pioneer, who emigrated from Virginia to Ohio in 1810, with his family, consisting of James, John, Jacob, Christine, Jane, David, William, Margaret, and Thomas, Jr., and settled on Rattlesnake creek. In religion he was a Quaker (Friend) and honestly opposed to all wars, which accounts for his not being a soldier in the Revolutionary struggle and the later Indian wars. He bought lands in Green township, called the dividing ridge, on which he erected the first flouring mill and distillery in the township and, so far as is known to the writer, in the entire county of Fayette. His place soon came to be a favorite resort for customers. His flour was good, and possibly his whisky was equally pure and seemed good to take, in those days. In alls the old gentleman had purchased eleven hundred acres, five of which lay in Highland county. His Fayette lands were all situated in the big woods. The cabin was erected and had a genuine puncheon floor, clapbroad roof, fire-place made of split sticks and a stick chimney. In one week's time he cleared four acres of his heavy timber land, and in the autumn following cleared six additional acres, which he sowed to wheat. Wolves and game abounded on every hand. Squirrels came in endless droves and were so thick that he was compelled to feed them outside the fences, to prevent his crops from being totally ruined. He died in 1828, aged seventy-one years. He had held several offices and stood high in the county. 308 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. John D. Moon was a good school teacher, for those days, and served under old General Jackson at New Orleans. Jacob Moon located on Rattlesnake creek, farmed and was a soldier in the War of 1812. Capt. Thomas Moon resided on the old homestead, running the mill and carrying on farming extensively. He served five years as captain of the militia, and died aged seventy-five years. The other sons and daughters kept good the family name. In 1818 came David Davis from Highland c0unty, to which place he had immigrated in 1817 from Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1785. The first year in this township he rented land of John Garrett, then purchased fifty acres, and there built him a cabin. He had eight children as followed; Mary, Branson, Nancy, William, David, Catherine, Hannah and Malissa. At his death in 1855 he possessed a hundred and sixty acres of land, later occupied by his son Branson. PIONEER SKETCHES. Fayette county is full of rare and interesting incidents happening in the long ago when all was new and wild in this section of Ohio. The subjoined illustrates what is meant by this : Edward Smith, Sr., entered lands on the banks of Paint creek, known as East fork, in 1810. His land was heavily covered with timber. A wigwam served for a domicile by night and a shelter from beasts and the pelting storms. He started to clear his land for raising a crop,—the first thing in the mind of every early settler,—but the news of the war caused him to his axe and grasp his rifle and go forth in defense of his country. Peace having been declared, he again swung the axe in that green, glad solitude. One night, returning from the county seat, he discovered the creek out of its banks, but rode in fearlessly and was thrown from his horse and drowned. A story is told of Alexander Cupper, dating back to 1783, which is in substance as follows : Cupper and famous old Daniel Boone, of Kentucky were taken prisoners at the Three Islands by the Indians. When within seven miles of Oldtown, Boone contrived to escape, but Cupper was then all the more closely guarded by the savages. He was taken to town, tried by Indian council and condemned to the stake. Confined in a structure and guarded by two powerful Indians, no escape seemed in sight for him. The night previous to the intended burning at the stake, he was ordered to run the gauntlet down the rows of savages. Cupper sped down the line a short FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 309 distance, broke through. left his pursuers far behind, and, burying himself in the deep forest tanglewood of the then wildest portion of what is now Concord township, this county, took refuge on the banks of the Little Wabash, whence he safely made his way to Three Islands on the Ohio river. In 1810 George Kneedler settled in the dense forests of this township on the waters of the Rattlesnake creek. His father was a soldier under General Washington, in the Revolutionary War, and, true to the example set by a worthy sire, the son was an active participant in the War of 1812. William Johnson left his native state, Virginia, in 1810, removing to Ross county, Ohio, in company with Judge McCracken. He located on Paint creek, where he remained till 1816, when his family consisted of a wife and children as follows : Anna, Thomas, George, Sarah and William Henry. He bought a hundred acres of the place later known as the Levi Bryant farm of Jesse Rowe. Here he commenced to make his improvements. He died in 1833 possessed of five hundred acres, all well improved. The nearest neighbors of the Johnsons were John Rowe, John Draper, and a second John Draper who lived on Rattlesnake creek. It is told for a truth that children were in the habit of going five miles to play with "neighbor's children." The southwest part of Green township was settled by Virginian emigrants and North Carolinians, all members of the Friends church or society, usually denominated Quakers. The first were James Smith, who located in the extreme corner of survey No. 1082, and Enos Haines, a portion of the lands adjoining the Clinton county line. In 1823 came Z. Morris from his old Virginia home—his birth place. He was accompanied by his brother Isaac. The first named located on a hundred-acre tract of land bought of Daniel Burress. There he was still residing in 1881, the happy possessor of over three hundred acres, all well improved and much of it tilled annually. Other settlers were William Bankson, Joshua Haines, Philip Barger, one of the very first settlers of this township, Enos. Reeder, Edmund and James McVey, all Quakers and excellent citizens. The descendants of these pioneer families are still holding lands entered and bought by their forefathers in this township. MOONS. Moons is the only village within the township. It was once .known as Buena Vista and still earlier as "Goatsville," which happened on account of many Dunkards residing there, that some wag said they reminded him, 310 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. with their long hair, of a lot of goats. It is located in a part of survey No. 3987, near Rattlesnake creek. In 188o it had a population of about one hundred and twenty-five, which has been increased to two hundred since that date. The township and village have six hundred and ninety-four inhabitants. It was in 1832 when John W. Simpson and Stephen Tudor came to this location to buy land. The former bought a lot of James Larkins, and the latter took other land. The main street was at that time a so-called township road, but the next year was changed to a state road. Simpson returned to Highland county and married, then came back, erected a small cabin, and removed thereto. This was evidently couple No. 1 to settle as man and wife in old Buena Vista, now known as Moons. Stephen Tudor, a carpenter, remained in the new settlement until 1835 then sold, William Moon finally getting the land he had lived upon. John Simpson opened the first store in Buena Vista and frequently refused to sell as many yards of calico as a lady asked for, on the theory that it never paid to be entirely out of any given article. Early dealers here were Bell & Jenkins, of Washington, Isaac Tracy, Messrs. Moon, Vickers and Silas Iron. The first blacksmith was Thomas Dowden ; James McKinney was also an early workman at the glowing forge in this village. William Blair conducted a combined shoe shop and whisky-selling place. The first physician was Doctor McKinney, this being his first place to practice his profession, and he succeeded remarkably well, it is said by old timers. Moons is now a mere hamlet, with hut little business. MILLS AND DISTILLERIES. Thomas Moon was the first person to distill liquor in this township Abraham Crispin started another distillery a few years later. Thomas Moon also operated the first flouring mill in this section of Fayette county. It was, of course, the first duty of a settler to build him cabin home in which his family might be safe from the wild beasts roamed throughout the forest ; next he must needs clear land and plant a small crop on which to sustain life, till more improvements could be made small crop on which to sustain life, till more improvements could be made. When harvest time came there was indeed much joy in the family circle. But soon another obstacle presented itself to the settler. How was he to convert his ripened grain—corn and wheat—into meal and flour? Steam mills were not known here then. Water mills were a long distance apart, so "horse mills" were employed. Most townships had what was known as treadmill, FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 311 abut not at first, so farmers had to go quite a distance "to mill" as they called it. Some went to Springfield, where there was a good water mill in operation. When the canal was constructed via Chillicothe, it appeared a blessing, for it was then only thirty miles to mill. The building of the Moon mill a great boon to all within the radius of many miles. INTERESTING 1NCIDENTS. The first shoemaker in Green township was David Bradshaw, who set up shop in 1817. Before that the settlers had to go barefooted or wear moccasins. The first marriage was that uniting, on January 7, 1811, David Moon and Mary Ellis. A justice of the peace named Ralph Stout was the 'squire who performed the ceremony. Thieves and robbers infested this as well as other parts of this county at an early day. Most all the pioneers came in from Virginia. They stood on their rights and were honorable. But other settlers were from other states and disposed to pilfer and lived in partial idleness—living off of the more honorable people of the community. Horses, cattle and hogs were frequentyly stolen. Padlocks had to be placed on out-house doors. One William Johnson was in the habit of fastening his doors this way every night. One night his son closed the door, but neglected to attach the padlock. He was sent back to do so, and upon approaching the stable was surprised to see a strange horse tied near the door. He was entering the door when a man mounted the horse and was off like a flash, but luckily he was caught in the act and the horse was restored. CHAPTER XXIV. PERRY TOWNSHIP. On the south line of the county, to the east of Concord and Green townships, is Perry township, which up to 1845 was a part of Wayne and Green townships. The settlement here reaches back almost as far as any within Fayette county—to 1804. Perry was organized in 1845, the first officers being as follows : Trustees, Joseph Waln, William Wilson, Albert Adams; treasurer, James Mooney ; clerk, Lewis Todhunter ; constables, John F. Doster and Jonathan Jones ; justices of the peace, Thomas Ellis and Robert Eyer. The population at this date is nine hundred and thirty. Martinsburg is the only village within the township and that contains about two hundred and fifty people. The hamlet of Walton contains sixty. SETTLEMENT. It is generally conceded that the first white settler in this township was Jonathan Wright, who in 1796 emigrated from Kentucky to Chillicothe, Ohio, where he remained until 1804, squatting on land within the present limits of Perry township, which belonged to C. Monroe of Virginia, who owned military tract No. 658, consisting of two thousand acres granted for military services as an officer in the Revolutionary war. Wright remained on this land until the year following, then moved to Wayne township, where shortly afterward he died. John Buck was the next settler. He came from Virginia in 1805, bought a part of the Monroe claim, and there lived until his death in 1830. Isaac Todhunter, of the society of Friends, emigrated from Tennessee by reason of his hatred for slavery. In December, 1804, he stopped with his sons, Isaac and Richard, who had come in the spring before and squatted on a small prairie, the site of Leesburg, Highland county, where they had succeeded in raising a small field of corn on which to support the family the first year. The next year Mr, Todhunter purchased twelve hundred acres of Nathaniel Massie (survey No. 2620), on Walnut creek, in the southwest part of the township. Immediately he sold six hundred acres to Thomas and Mordecai Ellis, of Tennessee, who at once located themselves on their land. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 313 David Dutton, also of the Quaker faith and from the same place in Tennessee, soon made his settlement in this township, near these original settlers. Isaac Todhunter remained on his land until death in 1821, his wife wurviving him ten years. A former historic account of the settlement of Fayette county gives the following on the experience of one of the pioneers, Abner Todhunter, of Perry township: About 1806, when the sight of an Indian presaged bloodshed and horrid torture, Abner, a youth of fifteen, was sitting in his father's cabin with several younger children, the father and mother being absent on a visit, when he observed six painted savages approaching on horseback. Though accustomed to danger, he felt his hair begin to raise as the warriors dismounted and entered the house. With that presence of mind, however, produced by long exposure to danger and sudden alarms, he received them calmly and, remembering their characteristic gratitude, he invited them to sit down and placed before them the best of the larder, and then retired while they enjoyed the repast. When they had finished, one of the band arose and approached him, which a second time almost paralyzed him with fear and caused his hair again to stand up stiff. Giving himself up for lost, he tremblingly awaited the issue: but instead of cleaving his head with a tomahawk, or circling his body with his knife, and rather than scalping him, he allayed his dreadful fears by kindly patting him on the head, exclaiming, "White man heap good, feed Indian," and, mounting their horses, they rode off, much to the relief of the frightened youth. Samuel and Warnel Tracy were among the earlier pioneers in Perry. They arrived from Maryland in 1807, settling on land later occupied by T. G. Cockerill and Joseph Tracy. Robert Adams came about 1808, from Pennsylvania, settling on five hundred acres which he bought in Ball's survey. Barnabus Cochran, born in Cape May, New Jersey, in 1773, came to Perry township in 1806, settling on land bought from Seth Smith. He early founded Methodism in this section of the county and from his efforts came Cochran Chapel. Another Quaker, John Hutton, in 1810 emigrated from Beaver county, Pennsylvania, settling on land later known as the Calvin Beatty place, to whom he sold his interests, in 1822 and moved to Clarke county. John Daster, a native of Frederick county, Virginia, emigrated to Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1810, remained three months and bought land in the 314 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO McKee survey, of Seth Smith, McKee's agent. He died in 1840, sonic years after he lost his wife. Another Virginian was Henry Snyder, who came from that state in 1810, purchasing land of Samuel Waddle. In 1813 the Connor and Voltenburg families squatted in Perry township. Conner operated a small distillery on the banks of Paint creek. Both families left in 1825 and were never heard of afterward. In 1812 Samuel Edwards came in from Ross county, purchasing considerable land in this township. A South Carolinian named Robert Iron, when aged twenty years. grated to western Virginia, where he followed surveying for seven years locating claims for soldiers of the Revolutionary War. He then located Brown county, Ohio, then moved to Pickaway, settling in Fayette county, 1814, on lands purchased from Thomas Hine, located on the banks of Sugar creek in Perry township. He sold to William Snyder in 1848. He was the father of sixteen children by one marriage. He was in all married four, times, and died at his daughter's, in Highland county, in 1848. John Orr, Sr., a native of Virginia, moved first to Kentucky, and in 1817 to Fayette county, Ohio. He first claimed land in Wayne township. Of William Bush he bought land situated in Perry township, at the crossing of the Martinsburg pike, to which he removed in the spring of 1819. He' died in May, 1856. Some time before 1818 came John Beard, who owned land and remained until his death in 1821. Robert Anderson, another prominent factor in the early settlement of Perry township, was a native of Virginia, near the James river, where he was born in 1795. In 1818 he emigrated to Buckskin, Ross county, Ohio. In 1819 he came to Perry township, this county, the same year marrying Sarah Rowe, daughter of Jesse Rowe, Sr., who gave the young couple on the day of marriage one hundred acres of good land. He succeeded and before his death he owned over one thousand acres. He willed much of his estate and deeded much more to his sons and daughters. Mathew, a son, inherited the old homestead on Little Wabash, in the northern part of Perry township. He was a most exemplary Christian and did much for his Master. He was one of the original members of the Methodist Episcopal church society at Rowe's chapel. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. Death claimed him in 1878. Robert Scott, a Pennsylvanian, came to the township in 1820, locating on the Little Wabash. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 315 William S. Cockerill, a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, born in December, 1790, emigrated to Ohio in 1812, first settling on the Ohio river, but in 1821 came to Perry township, purchased land of John Rowe, son of Jesse, Sr., and a year later sold and re-located on the Little Wabash. He was four times married and the father of eighteen children, nine by each his first two wives. He was a man of literary tastes and had much ability. In connection with his farming operations he also taught many terms of school. At his death he owned four hundred acres of excellent land. Rev. John King, one of the founders of Methodism in Fayette county, was born in Elmira, New York, in March, 1.786. He married there and soon settled in Ross county, Ohio, where he remained until 1816, then moved to Perry township, locating lands later in possession of his son, Rev. W. A. King, and there he died. His was a clear and certain conversion. Through out his life he was never a doubter, but faithful to his call. In 1820, at his own house, he organized a Methodist class and was its leader a number of years. Bishop Soule ordained him a minister in 1834. His first wife dropped dead from her horse, while going home from church one Sabbath. He then married Alcina Cherry, who survived until 1878. Reverend King served in the War of 1812. In his own house, in Perry township, he taught several winter terms of school, charging nothing for tuition. He died on his farm in 1868, mourned by the whole township and county. Gershom Perdue was born in Virginia in 1790, of French ancestry. His father died when he was a youth and he lived with his mother until eighteen years of age, then went to learn the trade of a tanner. He operated a tannery in Highland county, Ohio, a number of years ; also conducted a mercantile business. He was the first nurseryman in southern Ohio, having established a nursery at Leesburg in 1816. In 1836, with his family, he remowed to New Martinsburg, Fayette county, where he lived until his death, at a very advanced age. He was of great value to the church of his choice, the Christian denomination. MILLING INTERESTS OF LONG AGO. The hardship of the early settlers getting suitable conveniences for grinding corn and wheat here as well as in other sections of Fayette county added to the other trials of the hardy pioneer band. First, the block and stle was employed ; then came the stone and hand mills, which methods have been described elsewhere in the general early settlement chapters of is volume. 316 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. The advent of the first water mill system in Perry township was in 1816, the mill being built by Thomas Stout, on the Little Wabash, near the crossing of the Martinsburg pike. This was only a small mill and only did grinding a few years. In 1815 Henry Snyder built a saw-mill on Sugar creek, to which, in 1818, he attached a grist-mill, both being run until the spring of 1832, when the dam was washed away. The mill was sold to Nicholas Kline, who moved its parts away and the machinery finally found its way into the Sturgeon mills. In 1837 Kline sold both mills to Samuel Briggs, who soon tore them down, and erected better, larger mills in their stead. The first to open a blacksmith shop was John Painter, in 1832, on land later owned by Ely Wilson. He continued until 1838, when he moved to Union township. In 1835 a colored man named Thomas Waldron built a shop and remained six years. The tools were moved by his son to Wayne township, where he operated another shop which was of great benefit to the early settlers in that part of the county. This trade was of more use then than in later years when so many things are made by machinery, which then had to be forged out by hard blows on the smithy's anvil. Aside from Martinsburg, the only store of general merchandise in Perry township was the one opened by John Orr, Jr., in 1841, in one end of his dwelling. In 1851 he erected a large frame store room, continuing until 1856, when he closed up and rented his room to Grove & Craig. Other changes obtained and in a year or two the stock was removed to Highland county. NEW MARTINSBURG. Originally called "Martinsburg," New Martinsburg is located on the Martinsburg and Washington turnpike, at the crossing of the Greenfield and Sabina pike. It was laid out by Thomas Ellis n 1831. The first house was erected there by Thomas Ellis, Jr. In 1880 New Martinsburg had a population of about two hundred souls. Its 1910 figures were, according to United States reports, about two hundred and fifty. A postoffice was established here in 1851, with Gersham Perdue as post master, who retained the office ,fifteen years, and was succeeded successively by J. W. Kneedler, E. W. Welsheimer, Jacob Perdue, J. W. Barnett, Dr. J. S. Jones and others in the last twenty years and more. In brief, the business interests of this village have been as follows James and Thomas Ellis opened the first store soon after the platting of the FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 317 village, and remained in trade only a brief time. The second to embark in trade was Joseph Patterson, followed by Robert Buck, of Greenfield, in 1836. Daniel Marsh followed him in two years, then sold to William Wilson, son, who continued ten years. In 1838 Richard L. Williams opened a store and continued during all the years down to 1878, when his death occurred, his goods being sold by his executor. In 1839 William and Isaac Coffe brought in a stock from Warren county. Two years later Mr. Perdue bought the last named stock and continued several years, having as a partner, part of the period, Henry Daster. With some firm changes, this stock was carried until 1852, when Perdue sold to Z. Adams, and he removed the stock to Leesburg. In 1846 Trustin Adams started in the Buck building, and was succeeded by Edward Lanum in 1850. Robinson & Siolcott, of Washington C. H., opened a general merchandise store here in 1869, placing Jacob Perdue in management of the same. It was sold three years later to Welsheimer & Ellis, which firm later was changed to Ellis & Son. Dr. J. S. Jones bought the stock that had been sold by R. L. Williams. The blacksmiths have been numerous. Those pounding at the anvil from the first down to 1880 were James McKinney, 1833 ; Jacob Gallinger in 1834 and remained many years; William Wasson lighted his glowing forge in 1841 and wielded the sledge until 1861 ; Isaac Smith came in 1865. The pioneer wagon shop was opened by Llewellyn Griffith in 1834; James Ellis in 1840; William Fishback carried on a shop from 1843 to 1855 ; William Barrett opened a carriage and wagon shop in 1868, continuing until 1874. In 1880 William Barrett was carrying on a shop in connection with the undertaking business. The hotel business was in the hands of Llewellyn Griffith from 1834 to 1838. John Lucas kept a hotel from 1878 to 1880. A tannery was established in 1848 by Thomas Saunders, connected with his harness trade, and continued for ten years. In 1853 James Ellis started a tannery, continuing six years. The first shoe shop was that opened by David Jones. Undertaking was carried on by David Barrett and Reese Binegar, each having an establishment in 1870 and were there many years. Thomas Fishback started a saw-mill in 1845 and the same mill was being operated by him forty years later. A carding mill and oil works were put in operation at Martinsburg in 318 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. 1839 by Thomas Fishback. He did an extensive business a number of years. The present commercial interests at New Martinsburg are confined to a few stores, and the village, with many other inland places, a few years ago was bereft of postoffice advantages by being placed on the rural free delivery route from Washington C. H. The churches and schools will be mentioned in general chapters on these topics. CHAPTER XXV. WAYNE TOWNSHIP. From the fact that Wayne township, the southeastern in this county, was next to Ross county, and that several of the Ross county pioneers moved across the border at a very early date, Wayne can boast truthfully of being the first township in Fayette county where the first white men settled and remained permanently. A man named Wolf, from Virginia, located on the North fork of Paint creek, near the Ross county line, in 1796, hence was first of all to invade the wilds of Fayette county. This tract of land was, in the seventies and eighties, owned by John H. Bryant, who remembers of seeing the figures "1800" on the mud chimney of the original cabin on the place, and he is confident that it was built at least three and possibly four years after the settlement was made by Wolf. On this land was discovered a perpetual, clear and very cold spring of water, which no doubt induced that early settler to locate as he did. Wolf was described, by those who, remember him, as a tall powerful man, who made hunting, trapping and killing Indians his occupation. He died here and was buried near White Oak, on Hamilton's run. The family moved west and some of them were heard of in Indiana in 1860. The old Bryant homestead, later owned by Mr. Speakman, was settled in about 1815 by Philip Louderman, a relative of pioneer Wolf, from Virginia. Another relative of Wolf settled on the opposite side of North fork of Paint creek, on what was later known as the Dr. Judy place. The man referred to was one Alexander Hamilton, probably Wolf's cousin. He died and was also buried at White Oak cemetery. In 1803 came William Harper, who was born in Berkeley county, Virginia. He was accompanied by his wife and eight children and settled on lands which, thirty years ago, were in the ownership of Robert Harper. The elder Harpers were members of the Presbyterian church, but later united with the Baptists. Benjamin Davis was another noted pioneer, born in South Carolina, moved to North Carolina, and in 1802 settled in Highland county, Ohio. He remained there till 1807, then took possession of three hundred acres which was a part of the Griffith survey, No. 738. He built a cabin and there 320 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. lived many years. He was fond of books and paid as high as forty-five dollars for one book he owned, and he wrote on its fly-leaf, "Don't steal this book for fear of shame, for above there appears the owner's name." Davis died in 1837, when his son Jacob bought off the remainder of the heirs to his estate and thus secured the old homestead. Samuel Sollers, a native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, born in 1784, left that section in 1808 and immigrated to Ohio, having been seeking the year before, and selected a tract in present Highland con He brought his wife and one child the entire distance in a wagon, drawn met the rough roads and heavy forests by three horses. It will be understood that at that date Fayette county had not yet been organized, hence they settled in Ross county, hut at present it is wholly in Wayne township and is known as the C. Wallace survey, No. 7577. The part selected by Sollers contained four hundred and fifty acres. it was bought from Wallace, who surveyed it for the government. Hamilton Rogers, wife and eight children removed to this township in 1808 from Kentucky. They were natives of Pennsylvania. They located at the mouth of Indian creek. There were no signs of any improvements about them and Indians abounded all about them ; their huts could easily be seen in almost every direction one might look from his cabin. They seemed friendly, but they expected the white men to respect them and their rights. Another son of old Virginia wended his way to this township in 1821 and worked for farmers several years. This was none other than Aquilla Jones, a native of Bradley county, Virginia, born 1798, the son of English parents. After being here about ten years, he returned to Virginia, staved there a year or so, then came back to this his adopted country. He did not locate on his own land in this township until 1831, when he married Elizabeth Garinger, who bore him seven children. He lost his wife, married a second time and by this latter union reared two beautiful daughters, Maria and Laura. He had a son who made a patriotic record during the Ciyil War. John Kule, son of John Kule, Sr., should not be omitted from that sturdy band of home builders who braved the dangers of a wilderness a century ago, for the object of making for himself and worthy family a comfortable abiding place. He was born in 1808 in Virginia, and moved when quite small with the family to Ross county, Ohio, settling in Concord township in 1817. He obtained his education in a log school house at Greenfield, which was also used as a store and public tavern. Year by year he prospered until he finally possessed more than five hundred acres of land. He held many FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 321 public offices and stood high among his fellow men. He had in his home a gun which was placed in a spring when Ohio was yet known as the Northwest Territory. EARLY TAVERNS. At a yery early date this township had no public stopping place for the weary travelers. So any settler's cabin must be sought out for a resting place during the night. All were open to well-disposed men and women. Later, but still before the advent of the railroad through the place, the State road travel became large and some place like a country inn, or hotel, was almost a necessity to the times and to the traveling public. Finally Noah Hukill was induced to open such a tavern at his homestead place, on the Washington and Chillicothe pike. It soon got great name and fame. It was always orderly and clean and good beds and meals were always "set up” to those passing through who wished entertainment. He sold liquor, and his first sign-board read "Whiskey and Oats." The next sign flung to the breeze read, "Inn by N. Hukill." The third and last of which there is any record, and which hung at the side of the house, at the sport of the wind many years, bore this inscription, "Independence, Please and Plenty." As high as twenty teamsters frequently stopped there in a single night. The township had no further attempts at hotels until the building of the railroad through Good Hope. INDIAN HORRORS. One need not go to the far-off-West, or read cheap literature, giving harrowing accounts of Indian savagery, for right here in Ohio, and in Ross and Fayette counties, there were events and crimes committed by the Indians that make the published stories in dime novels sink into littleness. These are true stories of happenings right here at home. The following is vouched for by Mrs. Scott, a granddaughter of pioneer George Scott. It was given through a request of an historian more than thirty years since, and runs as follows; By birth Heath was a Virginian, his grandfather having participated at Valley Forge with the American armies during the Revolutionary struggle, his wife was engaged in attending to the wounded after the battle. They had three children ; one was killed by Indians while engaged in plowing. George came to Kentucky as a scout during the Revolution, and at the age of twenty-one married Anna Wright, who lived near the Ohio river, in Kentucky. During the last years of the eighteenth century the young couple (21) 322 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. crossed the Ohio river, coming to this county, settling on Indian creek in Wayne township, on land later owned by William Rodgers. They had ten children. The Davises, Wrights, Hills, Brannons and Clousers aft., located in the same neighborhood, some of them on the opposite side of Paint creek. Heath participated in the War of 1812; in what capacity is not known now. The Miamis had a camping ground near the mouth of Indian creek, about four hundred yards from the humble home of the Heaths. During the winter from five to six hundred red-skins were encamped here–generally peaceful, though apparently very quick tempered at times. When Deborah Heath, the mother of our informant, was twelve years of age, a white man named Harrod shot and killed an Indian while out on a hunting expedition, and covered him up with logs of the forest. In the morning after the killing of the savage, Heath departed for Frankfort, leaving his family unprotected. The Indians instituted search for their missing companion and, upon discovering his dead body, very naturally concluded that the deed had been committed by a pale face. They became very much excited, and one of their companions, who went by the sobriquet of "Wild Duck," an ugly and ferocious looking savage, came to the Heath cabin and inquired for the head of the family. He was told that the man had gone to Frankfort. He did not depart readily upon receiving this information, but continued to inquire for Heath, at the same time brandishing his huge knife in a threatening manner, but was finally induced to depart and the terrible suspense of the family was relieved. On the morning following the Indian made a second call, meeting Heath a short distance from the house. For more than an hour angry words and threats passed between the two, finally, however, they dropped their weapons in token of peace. As Heath's brother had been massacred by the Indians, his hostility to the latter was avowed and known to them, hence he was suspected of being the murderer of their late companion. Presumably he gave a satisfactory account of himself, at all events he was notmolested. The entire settlement was much alarmed and feared an attach from their savage neighbors. To ensure safety, the Heaths took up temporary abode at Frankfort, Mrs. Heath having buried her tableware in the garden before departing. Harrod was captured by the Indians in Ross county, and burned to death at the stake, near what is known now as Harrod's creek. Seven white men lay in ambush and witnessed the terrible execution, but were either too cowardly or had no inclination to attempt a rescue. Apparently the savages were fully revenged by the death of Harrod, as they made no further attempt to disturb the little settlement. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 323 "Wild Duck's" squaw was a daughter of the chief of the tribe, and during one of his fits of anger he took her life, which caused much grief and indignation among the rest. A number came to Heath's cabin and requested Mrs. Heath to dress the corpse for burial as was the custom of the whites. Next day her body was deposited in a rude grave, a handful of dirt thrown on the same during war whoops, the grave being filled with cedar midst frequent whoops. Immediately after the ceremony the old chief and another warrior tied “Wild Duck," who had been secured in the meantime, to a pony and started up the creek for the "Cedar Hole," and shortly returned with the pony, though minus a rider. Heath enquired of the chief what disposition had been made if the wife-murderer. The wily old chief shook his fist under Heath's nose and: "No white man's business." With the tribe was a white woman who had been captured, with her little brother, in childhood ; the latter was killed because he was a burden, being too young and delicate to walk. The girl grew to womanhood, became accustomed to the habits of her captors, and married the chief's son. She frequently came to the Heath cabin to bake bread at the fire place. When questioned as to her early life, she stated that she knew nothing except that her name was Sallie and that she had come a great distance. VILLAGE OF GOOD HOPE. Good Rope, the chief village within the bounds of Wayne township, is sotiated on the east bank of Indian creek, at the crossing of the Ohio Southern railroad (now the D. T. & I. line), and Wabash and Good Hope pike, south of Washington C. H. Its present population is about two hundred and fifty. It was surveyed November 1, 1849, by Benjamin Nelson and John L. Burnett, at the instance of Robert Harper and James Sargent, proprietors. says the county records. Thirty lots were platted at that date, Number 1 beginning at a point on North street, running, thence north eighty-seven degrees and thirty minutes south, seven poles and two links, to a stake on the line of said street : thence south two and a half degrees east, with West Street twenty poles and two and a half feet to a stake. Thence with the Greenfield road twenty-four poles to the beginning, containing an area of seventy poles, two and a half feet. It should be remembered that while this platting was not executed until 1849, there had been quite a village there for a number of years before that 324 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. date. About 1830 Isaac Smith bought of William Rodgers five acres including part of Lot 1, giving as pay a rifle. Then Smith presented his son-in-law, William Merchant, who erected a blacksmith's shop thereon, with the same. In 1838 Isaac Smith opened a little store in the building in which the shop had been kept, after remodeling it somewhat. A few years later James Smith, a cousin, started what we now would term a saloon and sold much of the desired fire-water. Ira Yoeman had a wagon shop there about that date and Robert McElwaine kept a tan-yard. He furnished leather made up on shares, and people then hired a shoemaker to come in and take their measure and make their boots and shoes. Some were calf and some were cow-hide stock. McElwaine died and John C. Jones ran the tannery until 1850, when he was appointed sheriff ( a better job), and thus the tannery went down, with some unfinished stock on hand in the deep vats. Doctor Coffman, later of Washington C. H., was the first perment physician of the village. He remained ten years and sold to Doctor Goldsbury. Doctor Harlow, later a druggist in the county seat, also practiced medicine at Good Hope. The present commercial affairs at Good Hope are as follows: Good Hope postoffice is a fourth-class office, and there have been but few postmasters in charge. N. A. Divines was commissioned in 1881 and served for the exceptionally long period of thirty-three years and up to April 10. 1914, when I. 0. Fountain was commissioned. There is 'one free rural delivery route out from this point, a distance of sixteen miles. There is a large, two-story frame town building, in which is a public hall and the postoffice has been kept in the corner room of the first story since June, 1914. The merchants, professions and tradesmen of Good Hope are now; Banking, Farmers Bank of Good Hope (see banking chapter) ; blacksmith; Willis Boyer ; barbers, C. C. Fountain; broom factory, J. B. York, president. elevators, grain and coal, Moore & Black ; feed stable, W. F. Black; general dealers, F. M. Kisling, W. H. Miller, N. F. McCallister, who also handles hardware ; hotel, Mrs. Mattie Walker ; jewelry, J. J. Parker ; lumber, A. W. Rife; meats, A. M. Murry ; pool halls (with restaurants), O. E. Harper. J. J. Parker ; stock dealers, Free & Steers, Hugh Rodgers, T. O. Smalley, veterinary surgeon, O. A. Divines ; physicians, S. E. Boggs, A. E. Stemler. There are churches, Methodist Episcopal and Baptist, each having brick edifices (see chapter on churches). The lodges are confined to the Modern