428 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY.

CHAPTER XIV.

CONTRIBUTED BY JOHN WATERS

PERU TOWNSHIP-INTRODUCTORY-THE PIONEERS-DRAINAGE-TOWNS AND CHURCHES-EDU

CATIONAL-OTHER SETTLERS-SALT AND SULPHUR WELLS-SIAMESE

TWINS-THE PIONEER WOMEN-INDIAN RELICS, ETC.

IT was as early as in 1808 or 1809, that some adventurous persons, longing for a "lodge in some vast wilderness, some boundless contiguity of shade" took up their toilsome journey to the mournful ditty of "Over the hills and far away."Most of the journey being through the wilderness, coming (to what is now the interior counties of Ohio) via Sandusky City or Zanesville. Upon the organization of Delaware County, in 1808 Peru, or the territory embraced in Peru, constituted a part of that county, and many of the first class of settlers of the township came from adjacent townships as Westfield, Berlin, etc. The first public intimation of the -population of Peru Township was that made in the collections of Henry Howe, who' said that in 1840 the township contained 737 inhabitants. Practically speaking, this was the amount accumulated from 1808 to 1840, and embraced many enterprising citizens who will receive personal mention hereafter, in the appropriate place. If not so particularly in the capacity public men or leading citizens, it will be by way of reminiscences and personal adventure.

When the county formed, townships were large, and Berkshire and Bennington nearly, or quite, included the eastern part of Delaware County; Bennington alone included Peru, Lincoln, Harmony and what is now called Bennington Township. The post office was also called Bennington. But in 1820, Peru was organized under its present limits, with the four sections numbered and known under the following names: No. 1, the Stanberry, Section; No. 2 was Congress land, and known as the Morehouse Settlement - No. 3 was the Murphy Section; and No. 4 popularly known as the Edgar Section ; these names, of course, arising from proprietors' names, agents' names, and other causes: also from the first occupants, as, for instance, the Murphy Section, with J. Eaton as agent, the Edgar Section, etc. Much credit is due to the abilities and energies of John Britt, a "limb of the law," who was very active in the formation of the township, in arranging the records and getting the public machinery in running order. Of course, the people make the township in every sense save the soil, and it is now befitting that a reference be made to those sturdy adventurers, the pioneers, first, and of others in the order to which they belong.

As is usually the case, the streams exerted a great influence in determining the location of settlements ; as, for instance, the Quaker settlement on East Branch ; the Edgar settlement, on Indigo Run; the Fleming settlement, farther down East Branch - and the Whipples, still further down, even below the junction of the East and West Branches of Alum Creek; while Basin Branch determined the location of the Morehouses. In fact, all early settlers were found, like the red man, in the vicinity of the streams. History, by date, seems to make its first epoch by the advent of Cyrus Benedict and one Abraham Vanduser, in 1809. These hardy adventurers found an unbroken wilderness, with all the paraphernalia of a new country, an unsubdued forest. In this, Cyrus Benedict seems a representative man, as he was followed at different periods by settlers bearing his name and of his affinity; until William Benedict, Reuben Benedict, Aden Benedict, Aaron Benedict, Daniel Benedict and Aaron L. Benedict-a minister of the Gospel-were residents of the township. These were popularly known as "New

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Yorkers," coming mostly from Clinton County, and in the early days the Pennsylvanians New Jersey people were much given to associating the New Yorkers and the New England Yankees together, and were full of traditions respecting the astuteness and sharp practice of the Yankees; and anything a little varied from the application of the moral law, or the strict of honesty, was at once characterized as a "Yankee trick." But a better acquaintance with pioneers in education and enterprise, has forever scattered these delusions.

According to a paper contributed by Bartorn Whipple, Esq., of Peru, in 1817, contained the following families, viz., Israel Dagett, Otis Dagett family, Walter Dunham, Harlock Dunham their families, Nathan Clarke and family, Solomon Smith, Jesse Champlain, Zenas Root, John Thatcher, Henry Fleming, William Fleming, and Isaac Fleming, all of whom had families and re settled along Alum Creek. Still further up were Jacob Van Deventer, Abram Vanduser and their families, Nathaniel Earl, William Benedict, Aaron Benedict, Joseph Keene, Ezra Keene, David born, Andrew Buck, Reuben Benedict, Daniel Wood, John Gardner, Jirah Smith, Peleg Bunker,

John Dillingham, William Gidley, and some transient Indians. The last-named fifteen families were nown as the "Quaker Settlement," while near the forks of Alum Creek, an emigrant from Providence Rhode Island, had made the pioneer cabin and clearing. Of the foregoing, nearly all have died or removed to other localities.

Another settlement was composed of Zenas Root, John Eaton, John Thatcher, Jesse Champlin, Henry Fleming, Stein Sackett, Jacob Vandeventer, Nathan Clarke, and Smith (who was the first blacksmith in the township), Noah Agard, Asa Deford, Joseph Eaton and Asahel Potter.

A beautiful feature of Christian civilization is to see the church and schoolhouse rise side by side, or, if only the schoolhouse be erected, as in those days, its appropriation to Christian purposes, by common consent, as was the case in the Agard settlement; although the understanding in the erection of that primitive structure was that it should be used both as a church and a schoolhouse. Identically similar to this, was the instance in the Quaker settlement; there the church edifice was used for the double purpose of a church and a schoolhouse. Benjamin Earl and Daniel Wood were teachers, and were without superiors in round hand writing and arithmetic, to the "single rule of three." The school primer of that period had this very significant couplet, "In Adam's fall, we sinned all;" and from which period John G. Saxe drew his ideas of the village pedagogue, when he says,

"For as 'tis mete to soak ye feet,

Ye ailing bead to mend ;

Ye yonker's pate to stimulate,

He beats ye other end."

Many who may read this, will recollect how allowable was the use of the birch and the ferule, the leather spectacles and the dunce block, in the schools, and many a boy was made to dance who did not know one tune from another, and kept step with the music, too. We sometimes hear persons sigh and wish for the good old times, but remind them of those customs, and they do not want them, especially if they have had a personal experience of them when in vogue. But in Peru a great change has taken place. The primitive structures, both public and private, have all disappeared. Like the wigwam, they have passed away, and, like the hands that reared them, must rely upon others to preserve their memories. Let us therefore be faithful in the discharge of this duty, and thereby make full amends for past neglect.

We pass now to notice the modern buildings which have supplanted these ruder edifices. Reuben Benedict's brick house was the first of that kind in the township; the Methodist Church built in 1840, was the first church edifice, and the best in the township in its day. Although inferior to its successor, which will be described hereafter, it has many fragrant memories which are wafted continually from it. In it that great

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Methodist champion of discussion, John A. Power, thrusted and parried with the sword of argument, as he met at different times the champion of universal salvation. In it R. B. Gardner and Morgan Doty tuned the voices of the youth of the surrounding country and the village to melodious sounds and accents, and earned a welldeserved reputation for themselves. In it a majority of the eloquent divines, whose names are mentioned in connection with the history of the village of South Woodbury, and the church located at that place, were heard.

The streams which constitute the drainage of Peru Township are the East and West Branches of Alum Creek, and their tributaries. The East Branch, which enters the township in the northeast corner, and, trending in a southwest direction, forms almost a complete hypothenuse with two sides, and joins its waters with the West Branch on the lands of Joseph Riley, Esq., just where the bridge accident, in which E. Holt was the principal actor, occurred. He was passing over the bridge with his team and family, and, when at a height of about ten feet above the water, the bridge suddenly commenced settling down. His team were caught and fastened in the fallen timbers, and Mr. Holt had to stand in the water waist deep, during the violent storm of Sunday, April 4, and hold his horses' heads above the water to prevent their being drowned, until his family could summon G. W. White and Mr. Riley, the nearest accessible aid. The bridge reflects discredit on the patent under which it was erected, even if nothing further be said in condemnation. The West Branch, whose career in the township is brief, unites - with the East Branch, as indicated above. The East Branch, in its course, takes numerous spring effluents, the largest of which are Bi- Run and Indigo Run. Indigo Run has, at different periods, had three saw-mills and a distillery erected upon it. The north and west drainage from the interior and north side of the township is Basin Branch and Turkey Run. The first passes through the Morehouse settlement, and unites with the West Branch of Alum Creek. Turkey Run is an inconsiderable stream, only im. port ant as a means of drainage. Salt Lick Run, a lasting stream, comes down much after the man. ner of the water at Lodore, and joins the East, Branch at West Liberty. The configuration of the surface, especially in the north, northwest and; central portions, being level, is one reason why there are no considerable streams, the almost total absence of springs very materially accounting therefor. In other sections of the township, especially in the northeast and east, the land is more broken and rolling, especially in the vicinity of the streams; and in the vicinity of William Daley, Esq., the country partakes of the appearance of a miniature Switzerland, while on the lands of David Hatten, Esq., are evidences of the drift period, immediately west of that gentleman's orchard. The soil is, in general, a good agricultural soil, well adapted to grazing and pasturage, especially the swales which have been reclaimed. The timber is as varied as the soil, embracing nearly all the useful sorts, as oak, hickory, elm, ash maple, walnut, butternut, beech, buckeye, etc.

In the township are the villages of South Woodbury and West Liberty. South Woodbury contains one church, three stores, two wagon and blacksmiths shops, two physicians, one school and a resident minister; also an Odd Fellows' hall. The town was laid out in 1830, by Daniel Wood. The first building, a log cabin, was erected by Joseph Horr. The first frame building was erected by Andrew Schofield, as a storeroom. The first hotel was erected by Shadrach Hubbell and Eli Johnson, during the year 1832-33. The merchants have been Shadrach Hubbell, Aaron Chapman, George W. Clarke, David White, Andrew Buck, Stephen Morehouse, Rev. William Waters, J. B. Benson, Levi Starr, R. Wood and D. S. Osborne. The first church was organized in 1836, by the Methodists, and in 1840 the first church building was erected. In 1869, a new and more commodious church edifice was erected at a cost of $4,000, having in connection with it a fine parson-

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age. In the village and vicinity there is also a colored church organization. The next best public building is Odd Fellows' Hall, erected in 1871. The society has twenty members. Ever since the formation of the village, the Woods have had a wagon-shop in operation there. In the village the following persons have figured as blacksmiths, viz., Almerin Benson, Joseph West, D. Rigden, Gillett, Henry C. Davidson, Sidney Wallace, T. Gardner, Norton Chapman and Guy Gardner. And we note the following Doctors, to wit: Patee, Sapp, Breese, Pennock, Swingley, Conklin, Mills, Wilson, Shaw and Immo. The hotel-keepers have been Solomon Westbrook, William Westbrook, R. Benedict, and Philemon Conklin. The coopers were S. Doty and Rufus Pierce. The ministers have been Hill, Seymour, Allen, Burgess, Conant, Blampede, Plummer, Mitchell, Ketchum, Wheeler, Brandyberry, Ayers, Craven, Seymour, Waddell, Webster, Jones, Bell, Lawrence, Chilson, Heustes; Close, Baldwin, Conley and Yourtes. The saddlers have been Lyon, Patterson and Smith. The shoemakers, Clay, Hill, Peasley, Thomas, Rigby, Carpenter and Wall. The post office called Bennington was first kept on the Eagar farm, by Alexander Eagar, who was succeeded by Jacob Vandeventer ; he by Nathan Randolph, who kept it for many years on the Randolph farm, and transferred it to South Woodbury, where his successors have been George N. Clarke, Isaac Gooden and Richard Wood. The first mail carried from Delaware to Woodbury on contract, was by Shadrach Hubbell, and in this the Hon. J. Randolph Hubbell acted in the capacity of post-boy. The first child born in the village was Celestia. Horr. The first person buried in the village cemetery was Mrs. Rachel Buck; next was her daughter. In this village is a resident member of the Starr family, boasting a connection of 1,794 families, and aggregating 6,766 persons, all the lineal descendants of Dr. Comfort Starr, who died at Boston, Mass., in 1659. The population of the village is 100 inhabitants.

West Liberty, four miles south of South Woodbury, is situated on a high elevation, commanding a view of the surrounding country, and was laid out in 1836, by John Julian. The first house was built and occupied by Jesse Stanton, a soldier, who had served through the war of 1812, and who was the first to establish a cooper-shop in the village. T. Stewart, F. Stewart and Messrs Davis & Fleming have also operated in this line. The merchants have been Peter Fox, Samuel Cleveland, John Davis, Aaron Hesston, Elijah Freeman, John Stedman, John Mahanna, Messrs, Rexroad & Ryder and Milton Seborn. The physicians have been Hull and Jenkins. The first schoolhouse was erected in 1839. Population of the village, forty inhabitants.

The first church erected in the township was a log structure on the land of Reuben Benedict, and used for the double purpose of a church and a schoolhouse. The place where it stood has been appropriately marked by G. W. Doty, with a monument of stones. The monument consists of bowlders piled together in the form of a cone, and surmounted by a stone with an appropriate inscription, giving dates of the time of its erection and its demolition. Mr. Doty, by his own individual efforts, thus sought to perpetuate the memory of this primitive evidence, that a Christian people had arrived to subdue the wilderness, and introduce a higher mode of life to the observation of the red man, and a more tangible mode of worshiping the Great Spirit in making even these early and rude preparations to worship God, true to the instincts of innate Christianity. This building reared of logs, was to be a rallying-ground., a point at which to gather and enjoy Christian fellowship with each other, none daring to molest or make afraid. A brick structure succeeded this early church building, and was also used for school purposes by Prof. J. S. Harkness. And when the ravages of time necessitated a new building, it arose and stood in robes of white, of modest pretensions, though comfortable appearance ; still a house for worship, a sanctuary for the Most High.

The first church was erected about 1816, and it was not until 1834 that the next church, that of

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the Baptists, was erected, on the lands of Noah Agard, on the Worthington and New Haven road. It drew its audiences from the following-named families, viz., Zenas Root, John Eaton, John Thatcher, Jesse Champlin, Henry Fleming, Stein Sackett, Jacob Vandeventer, Nathan Clarke, (whose widow, since Nathan's death has twice been married, her last husband being John Evans), Smith (the first blacksmith in the township), Noah Agard, Esq., Asa Defred, one of the first teachers, Asahel Potter and Joseph Eaton. The last-named gentleman traced ancestry to 1686, in Wales; he was a tanner by trade, and a scholar by his own exertions, having mastered the Greek and Latin languages the sciences, surveying and calendar calculations without the aid of a teacher. His library embraced many ancient and antique works, procured from Europe, and, every range of literature which it were possible to imagine or to procure. He made several wills or testaments, the last of which was contested in the courts of Delaware County, and was one of the most remarkable cases ever occurring in the courts of Central Ohio. The will was not sustained. The ministers of the above church were Elders Wigton, Drake, Kauffman, Martin, Wyatt, Eaton, etc. No organization now exists, and the church is in ruins.

In 1836, the Methodist Episcopal Church had an organization, but no church building until 1840, when one of very moderate pretensions was erected in South Woodbury. Hitherto schoolhouses had been used instead of churches. But this was in the days of the rifle, the ax, and the saddle-bags, of "shad-bellied " coats and drab bats. The preachers of that era were not the ministers of to-day, in that they had not the education nor the dress, nor did they ride in carriages and buggies through or along wood-trails, or ford high waters and swim swollen streams; nor could the modern divine, with his black, long coat, and white necktie, sit down to a clapboard table, and say grace over a meal of pork, hominy and corn-dodgers, together with a tin cup of milk, odorous with the taste and fragrance of wild "leeks " or "ramps," take a dram of shilling whisky, to prevent malarial attacks, and with such a breath, hasten to meet the sisters in class-meeting, without being shocked or making a face at the severity of his lot. In the large log schoolhouse on the lands of Zenas Root, the gigantic Gilruth preached. Large in stature, eccentric in his oper. ations, and a man of some powers of mind, he was oftentimes wont to slyly watch the actions and conduct of his parishioners, and on one occasion, like Stephen of old, he was made the target, by two of the citizens, at which to cast stones ; but, unlike Stephen, he got angry and indignant.

Another era in church erection arrived, and, true to the instincts and spirit of the age, the Methodist Episcopal Church in South Woodbury, like Solomon, set about building a temple, which, in glory and splendor, should outshine all which the fathers had builded. On beautiful, high grounds in the northern part of the village, adjoining the cemetery grounds, as if by magic, rose the new and beautiful structure, at a cost of $4,000, and, with it, a parsonage, or minister's residence. It was very pleasant and comfortable looking; a neat and commodious home for these laborers in the vineyard, whose names have already been given in another connection. Two of the pillars of this great Christian fabric have fallen, and Robert and Marcus Gardner have ceased from labor, to let their works follow them. Each of them, however, have left fervent and energetic representatives, and their sons are traveling on to "God in the way their fathers trod."

As in all communities, various denominations of religious worshipers abound, and the sympathies manifested by many of the citizens toward the colored man have induced so many to locate in the township that they are also able to have a church organization. Having already adverted to them, we now refer to another distinguished class of worshipers, the disciples of Alexander Campbell, called the Christian, or New-Light Church. About the year 1842, a series of revival meetings,

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under the auspices of this order of the "household of faith," were held on the Edgar farm, in the building owned and used by Edgar as a distillery, Elders H. Westbrook, Robert Chase and others proclaiming the Gospel tidings in accordance with their Christian faith. The organization grew apace, under the ministrations of Linscott and other Evangelists, and, in 1847, a church was erected in the village of West Liberty. A mention of the following divines, in connection with this church, will be in order, viz.: Ashley, Manville, Watson, Pugh, Webb, McGeorge, Horne, Linscott, Vansickle, Robinson, McComber, Grover, Fuller, Deerhold, Bascom, and perhaps others. Cornelius Randolph (deceased), who was a member of this church, had four sons-in-law who were ministers of the Gospel, and two grand-daughters who married ministers, all of this faith.

Of the schools-the first were subscription schools-now, besides the common schools provided for by the laws of the State, there are two schools of a higher order in the township, to wit, Hesper Mount Seminary and Alum Creek Academy. Hesper Mount Seminary, the erection of which commenced in 1844, was not occupied until 1845, at which time, under the auspices and supervision of Jesse S. and Cynthia Harkness, it was opened for the admission of students and dedi cated to the interests of education. The pressing need of such an institution, gave it a remarkable impetus, and for the first twenty years the longest vacation was one week; making an average of four terms of twelve weeks each per annum. The health of Mr. Harkness failing, caused the school to be discontinued for six years; and, since its resumption, the year has been limited to three terms only. For many years, there was an attendance varying from forty to seventy-five scholars, and at one time the attendance aggregated one hundred and nine. The regulations have always been liberal and benevolent, especially to orphaned and indigent children, many of whom have been admitted free to the privileges of the institution, to the benefits of a home, Christian training and education, none of whom could claim the ties of relationship or affinity. The building stands on elevated grounds just or nearly opposite the Friends' Church, and has been generally known under the appellation of the "Quaker School," in sections remote from the institution.

Alum Creek Academy is situated a short distance west (on the Ashley & Marengo road) from Hesper Mount. This institution was founded in 1875 by Dr. Clayton W. Townsend, the object of the founder being to afford all the advantages of education usually attained in two years at colleges. After the school had been in operation for nearly three years, Dr. Townsend, in September, 1878, left, for the purpose of completing his education at Haverford College, Pennsylvania, leaving Rachel Ella Levering, B. S., to succeed him as Principal. She assumed control of the institution and has remained in this capacity ever since. At this academy, the course of study embraces the following, besides the common Eng lish branches: Then rudimentary principles of Latin; in the sciences, Philosophy, Chemistry, Zoology, Geology, Physiology, Physical Geography, Botany; and in mathematics, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Surveying and Astronomy ; in history, the History of the United States, History of English Literature, History of Greece and Rome, Civil Government, Bookkeeping, Political Economy, Rhetoric, Logic, Mental Philosophy, and Evidences of Christianity. The great need of the academy was suggested to Dr. Townsend during the interval which occurred at Hesper Mount; and being nobly seconded by Samuel Levering, who furnished the building and the beautiful grounds upon which it stands, and to whose personal enterprise and magnanimity in the behalf of education much of the honor of its origin is due, the institution took tangible form and entered upon a career of usefulness in 1876. The scholastic attainments and moral and Christian demeanor of the Principal, the pleasant location of the institution, its successful upward tendency, all combine to render Alum Creek Academy

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my a desirable place for the instruction of youth and those desiring an education.

Hitherto, we have made no mention of the pioneers in the western and northwestern part of the township. We may mention, in this connection, John Eaton, who built the first cabin on the Eaton section, on the farm now owned by Smith Riley. We turn now to the settlement of the west and northwest portions of the township. In 1830, Stephen Morehouse opened the road along which he moved with his family, and settled on Basin Branch, and hence the name, Morehouse settlement, by which it has always been known. In 1831, the Baldwins and Woods settled in the northwest part, and to these we may add Andrew J. Schofield. In the Morehouse settlement, a schoolhouse was erected on the lands of Daniel Morehouse, and the first school was taught by Isaac Monroe. Indians still remained and traded with the settlers, selling deer for twenty-five cents each, and sometimes obtaining other articles of food in exchange. At that time, Stephen Morehouse, who was a Presbyterian, attended church near where the village of Eden now stands, and their nearest post office was Delaware. The enterprises of this settlement have been two tanneries; the first by James and the second by Caleb Morehouse. James continued in the business until 1855; and early in the history of the settlement, William and Charles Morehouse erected a sawmill, and later still James Morehouse erected and put into operation a steam saw-mill, even in 1830. In this neighborhood, the salt used by the settlers was brought from Zanesville, and, in 1817, salt cost at the rate of $15 per barrel at Fredericktown, the nearest point at which to obtain it. In view of the scarcity of salt, and a knowledge of the presence of it in numerous deer licks in the vicinity of East Fork of Alum Creek, Anthony Walker, an enterprising citizen of Delaware, bored for salt, on the lands of Henry Fleming, to a depth of four hundred feet, obtained salt water, and established and operated a salt works from 1818 to 1820.Upon the whole, it was not a success, but history naturally attaches to this spot, and we may as well add, while our attention is directed to this locality, that, in 1866, a company was formed, and, near the old salt-well, an ineffectual effort was made to find petroleum, which was abandoned after having attained a depth of nearly 600 feet. A layer of sulphur, six feet thick, was passed through, and gas of an inflammable nature constantly issued from the orifice. No better opportunity will be offered to mention the sulphur spring found on the premises of Stephen F. Randolph. This spring, situated on the opposite side of Alum Creek from where Mr. Randolph resides, issues from a precipitous slate-stone bluff, from an orifice about one inch in diameter, and the prevailing opinion is that it must come from the same stratum at which sulphur was found when boring for oil near the old salt well. The water is what is termed the white sulphur, pungent to the taste, but without that disagreeable odor common to the sulphur springs of Delaware City. This spring is already attracting the attention of visitors and invalids, and might be, with a nominal expense, made a popular and useful resort. The bold, rugged and romantic-looking surroundings, the village in the distance, the stream murmuring and winding its way below, honeysuckles clambering to the almost perpendicular banks, the white farmhouses which are visible in the distance, the ruins of the once noted flouring-mill, the saw-mill, the bridge, all combine in a panorama of views delightful to behold, and seldom equaled. The personal exertions of Stephen F. Randolph in securing a bridge across the East Branch at this place at once established a leading thoroughfare through this romantic region. The pioneer institutions and their enterprising originators, many of whom, of course, have passed away forever from the stage of action, leaving the historian to recall their memories from their dread repose, now claim attention. As we have already stated, the first church was erected by the Quakers. And they, in the order of time, were followed by the Baptists; next in the order

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was the Methodist Church of 1840, while seven years after, the Christian Church erected their edifice on the village green at West Liberty. The first hotel was erected by Shadrach Hubbell and Eli Johnson, in 1832 and 1833. They were succeeded by Solomon Westbrook. He was followed in turn by Asahel Potter. The first physicians were Drs. Patee and Sapp. The first regular Methodist ministers, the Revs. Hill and Seymour. The first Quaker preacher, perhaps , was Daniel Wood; of the Baptist denomination, Drake and Wigton; of the Christian Church, Chase and Westbrook. First merchants in the township were the Edgar brothers. The first Postmaster was Alexander Edgar; he was succeeded by Jacob Vandeventer. The first mills were erected by Reuben and William Benedict, in the Quaker settlement, while below the forks of Alum Creek, Reuben Whipple erected a saw-mill. In the Morehouse settlement, William and Charles Morehouse erected a sawmill, while in the northeast part, the Gardners erected a saw-mill, and on Indigo, James Fleming, the Pearsons and Howards also had mills. On this stream, also, was the pioneer establishment of the Edgars their distillery.

Peru has suffered much from incendiary fires. Under night's sable curtain, incendiaries have been enabled to carry on their nefarious plans, and send many a building on eddying flames and fiery billows to the clouds. The most remarkable of these was the conflagration of the large flouring mill of Stephen F. Randolph, on the night of September 17, 1874. The barns of Jonathan Dart and David Dennis, with their contents, were destroyed at another time. And, while such events are to be deplored, it is to be hoped that a better day has dawned on this stricken locality.

Among the enterprises already enumerated may be mentioned the pottery works of Isaac Thurston, erected by, and for a considerable time carried on under the auspices of, that enterprising gentleman, near White Hall. In this connection we may speak of the spoke and hub factory, and carriage and wagon factory of J. S. Harknes, which are the most notable of the Quaker industries. And, while the mind of the reader is directed to this locality, we will allude to the egg-packing establishment of the Tabors, which is in operation here. The successful management of a branch of the so-called "underground railroad," and the handling of its peculiar freight, was also one of the industries of this section.

Another industry of a very marked nature is the bee interest of Aaron Benedict, whose knowledge of the nature and habits of the bee, has characterized him as one of the most noted bee men of the State. He handles the Italian bee largely, and to him belongs the honor of their introduction into the Sandwich Islands. The most prominent industry of the township, however, is sheep husbandry, which is followed with a zeal and ability second to no other township in the county.

A prominent feature of the township history is the very extensive tribal connections under given names, as for instance The Benedicts, The Woods, The Osborns, The Randolphs, The Vansickles , and the Morehouses. These distinctive names involve a relationship with nearly all other names in the township. The culminating point of historical interest in Peru seems to been attained when the advent of the so-called double babies was announced. This Lusus Naturae is without a parallel in history. This inexplicable wonder, which for a time held the scepter and commanded public, professional and individual attention and curiosity, surrendered their encumbered individualities, and passed to higher joys than their brief sojourn here afforded them. And here that beautiful couplet of Cowper grandly applies:

"Happy infants! early blest,

Rest! in peaceful slumber, rest!"

For many years, under the laws for enrolling and drilling the militia of Ohio, Nathan Arnold's farm was the place where a part of the militia of the county (Peru, at that time, being a part of Delaware County,) assembled for preparation for the general training, which always, during the month of September, occurred at Sunbury or

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Berkshire. Of course, all the boys under eighteen years of age were out, and all over that age, and under forty-five years of age, had to be out, and this was always one of the gala days. Prominent among the militia officers of those days were Maj. Hiram F. Randolph, John Fleming andCol. Edgar. The first appearance of Maj. Randolph in full uniform, according to the regulations of those days, was at Sunbury, about the year 1838. Mounted upon an elegant black charger, superbly caparisoned, and glittering with tinselry, the epauleted Major, with cocked bat and towerin- plume, rode on the field. His uniform atracted general attention, and, from that day, he steadily rose, as a military man, in the minds of the people, who afterward brought him forward as an effective candidate for the office of General, in opposition to Otho H. Hinton. During the civil war, be was a Brigadier, and actively engaged in putting soldiers in the field. But, while we mention the military genius and ability of John Fleming, it but recalls what all accorded him. Peru has always had a military record of her own. Mention has already been made of the pioneer military, and we now proceed to mention G. N. Clarke, Adjutant of the Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Capt. Claremont C. Smith (Twentieth), who was in the battles of Donelson, Shiloh, Bolivar, Burnsville and Hatchie River; was at Fort Dallas, Oregon, in Washington Territory and California, as Captain of Company A, Eighth Regiment California Infantry ; while next on the roll of fame, stands Riley Taylor, of the Fifth United States Cavalry, who, under Sheridan, passed through the sanguinary fights of Kernstown, Smithfield, Winchester, Milford, Port Royal, Woodstock and Cedar Creek, all in the brief period which elapsed between August 25, 1864, and October 19, ensuing.

In 1817, Barton Whipple swelled the list of pioneers, while, in 1818, Cornelius Randolph still added thereto, followed by his father, James F. Randolph, in 1818. After the removal of the post office from Jacob Vandeventer's, it was kept upon the farm of James F. Randolph, and hem too, for several years, the elections were held and for Peru Township. On this farm was made the first effort at the improvement of the stock of the country, by Stephen F. Randolph, who pur chased in New York City, and brought to Peru Township, the first blooded bull introduced into this country.

It seems proper, before passing to another point of this history, to mention some of the pioneer women, who met the dangers and privations backwoods life, and shared them with their adventurous husbands. And first in this list is Mrs. Jane Thatcher, who had, at one time, been in captivity among the Indians, and who was one of the earliest settlers. The wife of Jacob Vandeventer was a most estimable and accomplished lady, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Their home was the resort of Christian ministers, and their hospitality unlimited. The wife of Abraham Vanduser, Julia Ann Randolph, whose father (Major Moses Congletoro) was a drummer - boy under George Washington, and Adjutant General under William Henry Harrison was his private Secretary, and was on military duty, July 4, 1800, the day on which Julia Ann was born. Her home has always been one of open hospitality and kind. ness; and to her clear, distinct recollection, even at the advanced age of eighty years, the writer is indebted for many of the facts related in this brief sketch. Mrs. Rachel Levering, relict of Thomas Levering, was in Washington City when it was invaded by the British army, under Gen. Ross; witnessed the conflagration of the President's house and the public buildings and, although now eighty-six years of age, relates those incidents.. which transpired at that time, with a freshness and vivacity scarce to be expected from one who is fifty years her junior. But the story of the spinning-wheel and the loom, domestic manufact. ures and homespun fabrics, corn-bread and priva. tions, was at first the story and experience of all the early pioneers, a. a consequence of the wake of the war which had just ended.

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In the township, which seemed to be a favorite abode of the red men, many relics of the past races have been collected. One, found on the premises of Anson Wood, is particularly interesting. It is a stone pipe, representing an Indian in a crouched position, with marks representing tattooing upon the face, the arms clasped around the knees, having the bowl, or opening, upon the shoulders, as, also, the opening for the stem. No doubt it had been smoked after many a "tiger strife" had ended, and peace seemed sweet, even to a savage. The stone was of a brownish-gray color, and was found twenty-six years ago. Mr. W. W. Coomer has also curiosities of the stone period, such as curious darts, stone hammers, stone hatchets, a stone pestle and shuttles, one of which bears the resemblance of wood petrified, while in the cabinet of George S. Harrison, one of the most extensive private collections of the kind in the country, may be found almost every variety of relics of the age, when utensils, were of necessity, made of stone, many of them curiously wrought and for various purposes, causing the beholder to pause and reflect from what manner of men these came, and how long since the hands that formed them had crumbled to dust, or (as their tradition runs) been in the " happy bunting grounds."

Many of the early settlers were distinguished as hunters. It is claimed that Jacob Vandeventer killed a hundred bears, and other game in proportion. He once trapped a large stag in the salt lick, on the farm of Stephen F. Randolph; the deer, being a powerful animal, succeeded in carrying the trap up the high point, just south of the village of West Liberty; but Jacob succeeded in capturing him. Vandeventer was among the first to introduce sheep in the township. On one occasion a thunder shower occurred and Jacob had four large, fat sheep killed by lightning. He set about dressing them, believing, in the generosity of his heart, that mutton would be a delicacy for his neighbors, as well as for himself, and, as soon as possible, made the distribution, when, lo! to the great disappointment of all, the mutton tasted so strongly of sulphur, it could not be eaten.

Aaron Benedict, another noted hunter and trapper, still lives to recount his thousand and one adventures of hunting, trapping and climbing, and is, perhaps, the champion bee man of Central Ohio. Stephen F. Randolph and Barton Whipple are both living monuments of noted pioneer hunters, and claim the honor of shooting the last deer which was killed in Peru Township, while Stephen and his father, James F. Randolph, claim the honor of being the parties who killed " Golden," the largest stag ever seen in the country. He had been seen and sought by every hunter in vain when, upon the falling of a slight tracking snow, they conceived the project of bringing in " Old Golden," and dashed into the forest. About 10 o'clock, James sighted Golden, and at the distance of a hundred paces, with a flint-lock rifle, hurled the leaden messenger which laid the pride of the forest cold in the embrace of death. Alas for Golden ; he, like the red man, has forever passed away with the rest of his race, and this alone recalls his memory.

One other instance of deer-hunting is given in the language of the hunter himself. He said he was "goin' a huntin', and he banked and banked along until he got most down to the Edgar place, and in crossin' the old road he found a whiffletree, and be looked over the ridge and seed her standin' and be hauled up and overhauled and unhitched and dod, how the har flew; and she klinked he tail and run over the hill, and hoved up." This is somewhat the Nick Whiffles style, but is rich with the odors of pioneer life and a home in the Wilderness.

An eccentric Indian called Tom Lyon, claiming her to have seen a " hundred summers," remained in the settlement and made ladles and other things, which he traded to the settlers for provisions and other articles which he needed.

The Indians kept returning in the fall, until as late as the fall of 1824, and seemed reluctant to leave this locality, where they found so many

438 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY.

things suited to the wants of these children of nature. On one occasion, some Indians entered the cabin of Abram Vanduser during the absence of the parents, and proceeded to help themselves to such as they wanted and found. The children, stricken with terror, sat squatted in one corner of the cabin, while the savages brandished their knives, made threatening gestures, and devoured everything they could find that was palatable; unexpectedly to the children as well as the savages, the parents returned, and the savages beat a hasty retreat from the premises.

A Choctaw Indian, by the name of Snakebones, was the last to visit the settlements. He was presented by Thomas Levering with a new and beautiful rifle, with which he hunted with the settlers, all of whom seemed to enjoy the society of Snakebones, who spoke English quite fluently, and dressed in the garb of the white man. After remaining in the settlement for some time, he bent his steps toward the setting sun and the wigwams of his friends.

There are some, of whom especial mention may be made, whose memories are dear to all. Among these is Griffith Levering, a man of upright demeanor, and well ordered conduct, a leading personage, not only in his community, but in his church and his outward association. But he has passed that bourn whence none return. Daniel Wood, the lifelong model of upright walk and conversation, is living only in memory, while Aaron L. Benedict, another minister of the same order, has had his epitaph written. Abram Vandusen has his name on the pioneer roll-call, and on his tomb- stone as well, while Samuel Heaverlo still remains master of dates and his mind is replete with the early history. Some of the leading pioneers, hitherto not particularly alluded to, may now be mentioned: James F. Randolph came to Ohio in 1818, and was the first settler on the Edgar section. He fenced 300 acres for the Edgar brothers prior to their settlement. They came from Middlesex County, N. J. Randolph's ancestors were Quakers, and be was the fifth of a family of twenty-one children. In his father's family, names were kept up, and if one died the next one born, if of suitable sex, was called by the same name. This occurred in his father's family three times. The Fitz Randolph line takes hold in Nottinghamshire, England, as far back as 1617, in the person of Edward Fitz Randolph, who in 1637, married Elisabeth Blossom, moved to New Jersey in 1658, and soon after died. His son Nathaniel was father to Edward 2d, and in the intermarriages were involved some of the leading families of New Jersey. At James' death, which occurred on his farm, now owned and occupied by L. Westbrook; his family consisted of Cornelius F., Susan F., Rebecca F., Nathan F., Mahala F., Stephen F., James F., John F. and Hiram F., with one dying in infancy, of these, only Stephen and James remain in this country. His next neighbor, Barton Whipple, was the second settler on the Edgar section, and an important citizen. He was a man of skill, was a millwright and carpenter, was promoted to the office of Commissioner was a Justice of the Peace and a citizen of usefulness in a new community, especially, where his skill was in great demand and much needed.

"The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,

And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave,

Await alike the inevitable hour;

The path of glory leads but to the grave."

In all time, in all countries, there has, co-extensive with man's existence, been some mode of disposing of the dead. The Egyptian mummy of four thousand years ago comes to us embalmed. The Hindoo cremates not the corpse alone, but, if it be the husband, then the widow also on his funeral pyre. Abraham said "Let us bury the dead out of our sight," and this mode is to-day the prevailing custom in civilized lands. And the cemeteries founded in Peru Township were the necessity of the locality in which they were located. The story of one is the story of all, unless you have a list of )the departed in each. In most cases each contains the pioneers

HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY. - 439

of the neighborhood, those who have died and followed them, and whose monuments attest the fact.

The burial ground of the Friends was the first, the West Liberty graveyard the next in order, the Morehouse graveyard the third, and the village cemetery the fourth ; making four in the township at large, all of which, in the words of Gray, it may be said :

"Beneath those rugged elms and yew trees shade,

Where heaves the turf in many a moldering heap,

Each in his narrow cell forever laid,

The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."