(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) YORK - 519 CHAPTER XXIX. YORK. ORGANIZATION-THE DEAVERS. LONGSTRETRS, PLETCHERS, WELLERS, STONEBURNERS- THE FIRST SETTLERS-ANDREW OSSMAN AND THE PANTHER- OLD DRAGON-DEAVERTOWN-EARLY RECOLLECTIONS OF MRS. T. L. GREY- INITIAL EVENTS-LODGES-CHURCHES---DEAVERTOWN IN 1886. YORK Township was organized in 1819. On the 7th. of July in that year the court of common pleas passed the following order in reference to it : " WHEREAS, it appears that the county commissions have set off a new township by the name of York ; ordered, that said township be entitled to two juStices of the peace, and that the qualified electors of said township be authorized to assemble at the house of John Stoneburner on Saturday, the 24th instant." In pursuance of this order an election was held at the time and place appointed. William Atkins, James McAdoo and Henry Smith were selected as judges, and Elijah Atkins and Jacob Eckert as clerks of the election. Thirty votes were cast by the follOWing pioneers, none of whom are now living: Levi Deaver, James McAdoo, William Atkins, Elijah Atkins, I3artholomew Longstreth, Christian Shirk, Henry Smith, Samuel Rogers, James Dikus, George Smith, Peter Burgoon, Benjamin Parker, Samuel Pletcher, John Shultz, Peter Stoneburner, John Stoneburner, Charles Stoneburner, Foreaker, Joshua Foreaker, Richard Burgoon, Charles Burgoon, Michael George, Sr., Michael George,. Jr., Patrick Ryan, James Longstreth, Cornelius Ferrell, Luther Wilson and Jacob Ebert. Michael George and Peter Burgoon received twenty-eight votes each, and were declared elected. Jacob Ebert received three votes. It appears that thirty-one votes were cast—either one name was unrecorded or the clerk made a mistake in the number of ballots cast. At an election held April 2, 1822, Christian Shirk was chosen justice of the peace. At this election among the list of voters the following new names appear: Jeremiah Wise, Thomas Coleman, Henry Pletcher, Barnet Hampshire, Jacob Swope, James Burgoon and John Herron. William Large was chosen a justice of the peace in October, 1824. At this election the following new names appear on the poll book : Stephen Foreaker, William Foreaker, Jr., Thomas Foreaker, Sr., Thomas Foreaker, Jr., Shadrach Allard, Reuben Allard, Samuel Allard, Nathan Moody, James W. Moody, William Delaney, Henry Weller, Robert Rose, William Solomon BrOWn, Peter Bond, Thomas 520 - HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO. Bond, Charles Bond, John Dodds, John McIntire, George Shaffer, Philip Stout, Nicholas Swingle, William Large, Amos Conaway, Edward Sowers, Jonathan Walls, Casper Trout, Jacob Thorn and John Smith. In July, 1825, the following names appear: George Haupt, John George, James Coho, John Geiger, Jacob Sowder and Samuel Bagley. The soil of this township is not of the very best quality, but the people are good farmers, industrious; thrifty and prosperous. Among the early settlers were many Germans, or people of German descent and their descendants compose the larger portion of the present inhabitants. With their proverbial frugality and thrift they have succeeded in gaining fine properties and making extensive improvements. To Levi and Reuben Deaver belong the honor of being the first white settlers,within the present limits of York Township. Levi, the older and more conspicuous of the two brothers, was born in Middletown, Md., about twenty-five miles from Harper's Ferry. In 1809 they started for the Ohio country on horseback on a tour of exploration. It was their intention at the time to settle in the vicinity of Dayton, and it is said that they made locations and returned to their homes with the idea of making permanent settlement in the following spring. Rumors of the hostility of the Indians induced them to change their plans, and in the spring of 1810, with their household goods and the family of Levi, which consisted at the time of his wife and one child (Mahala Hunt), they started for what is now Deavertown. Their journey was devoid of any incident worthy of mention, and they arrived at their destination after a tedious journey by wagon through an almost uninhabited country. Levi entered the east half of section thirty-five, and built, for the accommodation of himself and family, a double log cabin on his purchase. He also constructed, for the use of those who might follow him into the new Country, two cabins for their use until such time as they could build for themselves. Reuben, at the time of his emigration, was a young man of twenty-four. He remained but a few years, when he went to Putnam, where he followed his trade, that of millwright, until 1825, when he returned to York, where he resided until his decease, in 1858, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, leaving a family of fourteen children. Three of his sons reside 1n the township—Rev. G. W., John and James. Reuben H., Jonathan and William reside in Kansas. In 1815 Levi Deaver laid out the village which afterward bore his name. For many years it was called New Market, but by common consent it eventually took the name of its founder. In the disposal of the lots he placed the price at five dollars, and to all'purchasers he would give a lot. He was a millwright by trade, and built several mills. Although he was possessed of only a very limited education, he was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and discernment. He was a man of powerful physique, and a generous nature.. For many years he was the village magistrate, and a worthy member of the Christian Church. Shortly after his settlement in Deavertown, a brother- in-law, Thomas Allison, came with his faniily and settled on an adjoining farm. Mrs. Allison was a native of Maryland: Desiring to visit the home of her childhood, she started on horse- YORK - 521 back, carrying an infant child in her arms. She made the trip safely and returned in the Same way. The family staid but a few years. Levi Deaver left a family of eleven children, eight of whom are now living—Mahala, Abraham, Melinda, Matilda, Levi T., Nancy, Sally, Bazael, William, Henry H. and James. After the settlement of the Deavers, the next family of prominence to take up their residence in the township were the Longstreths—Bartholamew, Philip, Michael, James, and their families— about fifteen in all. They came from Cambria County, Pa. Philip located about one mile and a quarter north of Deavertown, upon one hundred and sixty acres of wild land. Bartholamew entered one hundred and sixty acres adjoining his brother's on the east. Michael's location was one mile south of Deavertown. James, or 'Squire Longstreth, as he was familiarly known in after years, settled one-half mile west of the village. Bartholamew lived on the farm where he first settled until his decease. One peculiarity of these brothers was that while they were reared amid the same influences, they all held different religious convictions. Bartholamew was a Catholic, and soon after he came to York built a Catholic church, which is said to have been the second Catholic church erected in this section of Ohio. He secured the services of a priest, Rev. N. Young, and for many years serviceS were regularly held. The establishment of this church induced quite an extensive emigration of German Catholics from Cambria County, Pa., who settled in the immediate vicinity Among the number was a German by the name of Andrew Gossman. Gossman had just come over, and was quite inexperienced in woodcraft, and the following humorous incident which came near being a tragedy is related of him. One Sabbath morning, just previous to church time, he sent his children, Fritz and Agatha, into the woods for the cows, accompanied by the dog. Coming to where the cows were, the dog treed a panther; the children knOWing nothing of wild animals thought it to be a calf. Fritz immediately returned to the house and informed his father that the cow had a calf and that it had climbed a tree. Gossman took his gun, an ordinary shotgun, and his axe, and repaired to the spot. Without a moment's hesitation he fired at the panther, and, luckily for him, one of 'the shot penetrated the brain of the animal, and he leaped to the ground, alighting between two logs. The dog immediately attacked him ; and Gossman, taking his axe and standing astride the panther, buried the axe in his head. The family then repaired to the church, which they reached just as the services were over and the congregation leaving. The priest reprimanded him for being late, and Gossman in apology, told him that he had encountered some terrible monster in the woods, which he thought was the devil, and that he had killed him. The priest replied that while he had reason to doubt his statement, he sincerely hoped that he was correct, as it would relieve him of future contests with that historic individual. In addition to other initial efforts, Bartholamew built a mill on the headwaters of Jonathan Creek. This mill, though a rude affair, was a great convenience to the early settlers. After his death, which occurred in 1825, his widow operated the, mill, -until- about 1850. Only two of his children now 522 - HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO. reside in the township, Daniel and Bartholamew. Michael died on the place where he settled. Two children, Henry and Catherine, reside on the old homestead. Philip also died on the farm on which he was the pioneer. James went to Missouri, where he died. The emigration of the Pletchers was an important and valuable contribution to the population of the township. In 1815 Henry Pletcher, Sr., a thrifty and prosperous farmer, of Loudoun County, Va., came to York and purchased from Government 1,760 acres of land, all within the present boundaries of the township. Returning to Virginia, the winter was spent in making preparation for their removal, and in the spring of 1816 the entire family, with their household goods loaded in wagons, started for their new homes. The names of the children who came with him are: John, Samuel, Henry, Jacob, Solomon, Elizabeth Stoneburner), Mary (Spring), Catherine, Susan and Sarah. Henry, Sr., settled on the farm now OWned by Joseph Hollingshead, where he lived until his death, in 1841. He was a temperate and industrious man and accumulated a competency. Catherine. married John Weller and reared two children, Henry W. and Susan, who died in 1851. Samuel married Mary Smith ; Henry, Jr., Jane Dietrick ; Jacob, Margaret Stoneburner ; Susan, William Swingle. She is the only survivor -of the ten children. Sarah became Mrs. John Good, and Solomon married Charlotte Bagley. Noah and Hiram Pletcher, two of the prominent and. well-to- do farmers of the tOWnship, are grandsons of the progenitor of the family in this county and sons of Henry, Jr. They own part of the original purchase. L. D. Pletcher is a son of Solomon ; he also resides on a portion of the original purchase of his grandfather. Andrew Spring, a son-in-law of Henry Pletcher, Sr., was one of the little colony of Pletchers who settled in 1816. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and improved the farm now owned by his son S. J. Spring. For many years he was the only stone mason in the neighborhood. He died in 1864, leaving a family of eight children. Mr. Spring brought with him from Virginia a favorite horse by the name of Dragon. Old Dragon was not as well pleased with the new country as his master; he longed for the scenes of his colthood, and Some three months after his arrival he concluded that whatever might be the decision of his owner, he would return to the old home in Virginia. His loss was severely felt, and diligent search was made. They traced him to the Muskingum River, where all trace of him was lost. Some time after Mr. Spring received a letter from the gentleman of whom he had purchased him, containing the information that Dragon was again in his accustomed place, apparently contented and happy. Old Dragon was allowed to remain where he was " bred and born," and died full of years. One thing remarkable, in regard to his escapade, is the fact that he took an opposite course from that which he came, and his route must have been one entirely new to him. Among those who can claim York township as the place of their nativity, is Henry W. Weller, one of its prominent farmers and valued, citizens. He was born in 1818 and is the son of John Weller, one of the pioneers who came from Frederick County, Va., in in 1810 and settled in Muskingum County. The elder Weller married YORK - 523 Catherine Pletcher. Henry W. married Anna Longstreth and reared three children, only one of whom, Joseph A., is now living. He is president of the Western College at Toledo, Iowa. John W. was killed in the charge on Ft. Wagner. Mr. Weller is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In ante-bellum days his house was a prominent station on the U. G. R. R. He is rapidly approaching the sunset of life and is passing the remainder of a well spent life in peace and contentment. James McAdoo was one of the pioneers. He came to Muskingum County from Pennsylvania in 1813. In 1817 he came to York and settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining the present village of Deavertown. He was prominent among the early settlers. He officiated as a judge at the first election held in the township after it became one of the sub-divisions of Morgan County. He had a family of nine children, Elizabeth, Mathias, Cornelius, Reason, Carrie, Maria, John, Henry and William. John married Miss Susan, daughter of Samuel Gamble and reared six children, James, Agnes, Elizabeth, W. R., Henry and Helen. James is the present efficient superintendent of the county infirmary. Jeremiah Wise, with his wife and three children, came from Maine about 1816 and settled on the farm now owned by his son, James L. He resided in the township until his decease in 1853. He was one of the prominent early Baptists of this section, honest, industrious and moderately successful. He was highly esteemed. His children were Nancy, Margary and George W. John Morgan was born in Frederick County, Va., in 1809. FroM thence he went to Loudoun County, and from there to Morgan County in 1831. He has been one of the successful farmers of the township. Thomas L. Grey came from Alexandria, Va., in 1833. He was reared to the trade of a saddler, and was born in Prince William County, Va., January 16, 1815. His father, John G., was a merchant and did business at Maddox Cross Roads. Owing to reverses in business he removed to Alexandria in 1822. In 1834 Thomas L. came to Putnam where he followed his trade until his removal to Deavertown in August of 1835, where he has done business for over a half century. In 1836 he married Miss Fidelia Bagley. A family of four children were the result of this union, Samuel C., Edgar W., Emily E. (Minton) and Mary E. (Havener). In ante-bellum clays Mr. Grey was one of the active anti-slavery men. He took a prominent part in the operation of the Underground Railroad and many an unfortunate slave was piloted to freedom and happiness through his efforts. In his religious and political affiliations he is a Methodist and an earnest republican. Samuel Bagley, father-in-law of Mr. Grey, was a native of Rhode Island, and came. from Vermont to Athens County in 1819, and from thence to DeavertOWn in 1825. He was by trade a tanner and currier and died in Deaverton in 1863. He reared a family of fifteen children, eleven of whom are living. James B. the historical oracle of Deavertown and Mrs. Grey are the only two living in the township. Samuel C. Grey was born in 1838. He learned the trade of a saddler which vocation he haS since followed. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Co. H, 17th 524 - HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO. Regiment, O. V. I., and served . until the expiration of hiS term of service. In August of that year he again entered the service as sergeant of Co. D, 97th Regiment, O. V. I., a three years organization. January 4th he was discharged for physical disability, and he returned to his home. Before he had recovered his health he again went into the army as a member of Co. K, 161St Regiment. His younger brother, Edgar W., was alSo a member of the same company, and the two brothers served the term of enlistment, and returned to their homes. But few men stand higher in the esteem of his fellow townsmen than Mr. Grey. For three terms he has served them as treasurer and for many years was postmaster. He married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John McAdoo, one of the early settlers of the township. George Swingle came from Germany when a young man and settled in Pennsylvania, where he married and reared a family of nine children—six sons and three daughters. In 1812 the family came to Ohio. George, a son, was the father of Frank Swingle, one of the respected citizens of the township. He has three or four daughters and three sons living. Frank Swingle married Miss Lucretia, daughter of A., and niece of Judge Jacob Springer. His vocation has been teaching and music. He resides upon a fine farm and is one of the intelligent, progressive men of the township. He has a family of four sons and two daughters. Jacob Eppley came from Wurtemberg, German, in 1830, with his family of seven boys. He first settled in Muskingum County on eighty acres of land. Here he remained until he removed to York Township. Frederick Eppley, a son, settled in York in 1852 and is the most prominent German farmer in the township. He married Miss Mary Kellar. She was born in New York city. DEAVERTOWN. Deavertown, one of the oldest villages in the county, was laid out by Levi Deaver in 1815, mention of which has already been made in this chapter. Mrs. Thomas L. Gray, in an article written some years since, gives a graphic description of the village as it was sixty-one years ago. She Says: "My earliest recollection of Deavertown is a 1 little hamlet of three hewed log houses, and four or five round log cabms. The inhabitants of the place were, Joseph Ackerson, a son-in-law of Levi Deaver, McIntire, Amos Conaway, from Loudoun County, Va.,Thomas Coleman, Mr. Allard and Murphy, the blacksmith. These gentlemen, with the Deavers, made up the male population of the village. Our schoolhouse was built of round logs and was ten by fifteen feet in size. The chimney was of stone, sticks and mud, and occupied nearly the entire end of the room. The windows were apertures in the lOgs with greased paper to take the place of glass. The doors and seats were made from puncheons. We all studied our lessons aloud, and a more ludicrous scene than our school presented at that time could hardly be imagined. Learning was possible but not very practicable. My parents and others from the east were not satisfied with this mode of teaching and entered complaint to the directors. One of them Ventilated his ideas in this fashion, "Name o' sense ! 'Xac'ly so; but all 525 - YORK that is necessary for the boys to know is to read, write an' cypher to the rule o' three; as for the gals, if they can write their names an' read the New Testament they will get along all right." INITIAL EVENTS. The first storekeepers in the village were Eli and Henry Deaver, brothers of Levi Deaver. They commenced business about 1827, where Barney Engleman now resides. The next store was that of Stephen and George Guthrie. The first tavern was located where Kennedy's drug store now is. The proprietor was Elijah Atkins. Atkins was a genial host. He dispensed whiskey, then considered a prime necessity for travelers, at three cents a drink, and meals at twelve and one- half cents. Horses were treated to everything on the bill at ten cents a feed. John Spurgeon was the first tanner and currier; his shop was located on lot seven, northeast square. He sold to Samuel Bagley. Michael Atkinson was the first shoemaker, Richard Scribner was the first hatter; the date of his arrival was 1828. William Large now living at the age of ninety-eight, was the first wagon-maker. L. G. Crossland was the pioneer tailor. H. J. Deaver was the first postmaster. Letters were then regarded as expensive luxuries and postage was charged according to the distance, twenty-five cents being the usual amount. Richard Scribner was the first to manufacture saddles. The first road in the township was the Zanesville and Athens road ; it was cut out by John McIntyre, who received 1,280 acres of land in Muskingum County as his compensation. The first church was a log structure where the Disciple Church now stands. A man by the name of Seacrits was the " preacher." He was an exponder of the faith by the New Lights and a man of many eccentricities. It was his custom to call his flock together by shrill blasts on a large tin horn which he kept for the purpose. In 1838 the catholics built a church. The society was weak and became extinct in 1870. Samuel G. Moody and Joshua Breeze were among the early Baptists. To those who may be residents of Deavertown in the year of oar Lord, 1900, the names of those who represent the commercial status of the place in 1886 will be of interest. ' J. M. Stanbery, general merchandise and wool merchant ; P. J. Goble, general store; C. W. Kennedy, druggist ; carriage and wagon manufacturers, H. H. Deaver and Pletcher Tomlinson ; blacksmiths, Englander dz. Robinson ; miller, A. J. Gift ; agricultural implements, harness and saddlery, S. C. & E. W. Grey ; cabinet-maker, William Tysinger. The village has one excellent hotel, Noah Pletcher proprietor. Its eduactional advantages are excellent. One graded school under the superintendency of J. H. Curry, two churches, and a population of about 300. Doric Lodge, No. 172, F. and A. H. —This lodge was organized August 20, 1849, with the following charter members : James S. Reeves, John M. Reed, Charles P. Hackney, Terah Jones, Marquis Williamson, Adam Weller, John P. Young, James P. Thompson and Isaac II. Large. The first officers were: John M. Reed, W. M.; James S. Reeves, S. W.; Charles P. Hackney, J. W. Present officers are; C. R. Massey, W. M.; J. J. Hull, S. W.; T. C. Pettitt, J. 526 - HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, OHIO. W.; M. W. Diltz, treasurer ; C. J. Weaver, secretary ; P. W. Shoemaker, S. D.; C. B. Tomlinson, J. D.; J. M. Stanbery, tyler. In 1881 the membership was forty-four. The lodge is in a good working condition. I. O. O. F—Oak Hall Lodge No. 369 was organized May 11, 1876. Charter members were : James R. Bell, R. B. Williams, John Maymaster, William Conn, Clayton Jones, James Hopkins, W. J. Hopkins, John Swytser, Abraham Dennis, William Holcomb, Joseph Baughman, C. W. Price, William Lucas, J. J. Brown, A. Emerine, W. H. Brown. First officers were : W. H. H. Minton, N. G.; R. G. Williams, V. G.; A. Dennis, secretary ; Clayton Jones, P. S.; S. K. Zeigler, A. S.; William Conn, treasurer ; John Maymaster, R S.; J. M. Ebert, L. S.; J. R. Bell, warden ; S. H. Stinchcomb, R S.; G. L. Kennedy, L. S. S.; S. H. Stinchcomb, 0. G.; S. F. Spring, I. G.; A. I. Bagley, L. S. Present officers : Barney Englander, N. G.; William Conn, V. G.; S. K. Ziegler, secretary ; S. S. Spring, treasurer. Present membership, about sixty. The Evangelical Lutheran. Church— Was organized in 1820, by Rev. Samuel Kemerer. Its first officers were : Nicholas Swingle, Peter Stoneburner and Henry Stainbrook, Sr. The original members were : Peter Stoneburner and wife, Casper Trout and wife, Henry Weller and wife, Henry Smith and wife, John Pletcher and wife, L. Bush and wife, Jonas Boyd, John Weller and wife, Henry Stambrook and wife, Adam Leppler, Sr., Eva. Leppler, A. Stambrook, Margaret Hampshire, Susanna Ellison, John Swingle, Peter Stambrook and wife and Jacob Swingle and wife. The first church edifice was built of logs in 1820, at a cost of fifty dollars, and was 20x30 in size. The present church is 40x60 feet in size. It was built in 1852, and cost $2,500. The first pastor waS Samuel Kemerer ; the succession has been Revs. Amos Bartholamew, James Manning, who served the congregation for fourteen years, John Reigan, Jacob Singer, Charles Witmer, J. Hunton and George Smith, the present pastor. Present membership, 175, with a Sabbath-school attendance of about sixty.. The Disciple Church of Deavertown Was organized by Lewellyn Harvey, in 1834. The first members were : Levi Deaver, John Morgan,Abraham Deaver, Townsend Deaver, Melinda Morgan, Hester Deaier, Nancy Pettitt and Rebecca Richardson. John Harvey, John Morgan, Nathan and Smith Moody, were the first elders. The first church building was built in 1840. The first evangelist was Lewellyn Harvey ; the present, R, Pickens. The present membership is about forty. The Church of the United Brethren in Christ.-This society was organized in 1842 by Rev. William Davis. The original members were James Longstreth, L. Leach and H. W. Weller, Philip Longstreth and wife, James Longstreth, Emanuel Leach and wife, Lloyd Leach and wife, Ephraim Johnson and wife, Eli Johnson and wife, Christena M olfert, Joseph Davis and wife, John Pletcher and wife, Lemuel Brown and wife, Sarah Johnson; June Kennedy, Betty Leach, Ellen Brown and Julia Brown. H. N. Weller, James Longstreth and L. Leach were the first trustees. The church has had thirty-two different pastors since 1842. The succession has been : W. Davis, W. Coons, William Edwards, John Lehman, J. L. Forsythe, M. Roe, B. H. Kearns, A. Konklin, T. 527 - YORK L. Forsythe, Shrader, W. McDaniel, W. R. Bunworth, William Brown, Hempleman, Dickson, Mills, Whitmore, Spencer, Wright and others. The present membership is seventy-two, with a Sabbath-school attendance of forty-five. The first church edifice was built in 1842, of hewed logs and cost $150. The present building was erected in 1860 at a cost of $800. Present trustees are H. W. Weller, John Deaver and L. L. Pletcher ; class-leader, H. W. Weller ; steward, J. 0. Eveland ; present pastor, G. W. Morgan. Five ministers have been sent out from this society since its organization—John S. Deaver, John Robb, Geo. W. Deaver, Joseph A. Weller and John F. Smith