474 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Contributed by Rev. W. D. Peet.

CANAAN TOWNSHIP-INTRODUCTION-SETTLEMENT-INDIAN INCIDENTS-ROADS AND OTHER

IMPROVEMENTS-PIONEER LIFE-EDUCATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS.

"Dead men tell no tales" so says the adage. Medical science, however, has disproved, this proverb in numerous instances, by postmortem examinations, compelling the cold remains to "tell the tale " of death. Besides, cemeteries give the lie to the assertion, making it possible to wrest from the marble slab, and even the unmarked resting place, the story of previous existence. The spade or plowshare turn up a skull or leg bone, and the craniologist or ethnologist completes the skeleton, dresses it in flesh, paints the photograph and writes the history of the individual who has lain centuries among the dead. The desire to be remembered is one of the strongest emotions stirring within the human breast. Graveyards evidence this desire, and the mound raised above the sleeping dust testifies to a willingness to serve this desire on the part of the living. Everywhere we find the relics, mementoes, monuments and souvenirs of a dead past-all contradicting the adage, wresting from the sealed lips of that dead past its history. Canaan Township has its monument, like a finger-post, pointing backward across the gone-by centuries. Whatever may have been the motive, somebody raised a mound in the southwest corner of the township, which stands like a relic of former existence-a mound, double now the two parts, separated by several rods, once joined by an earthwork, since leveled led by the plowshare and almost obliterated-the whole not far from parallel to the Middle Fork of the Whetstone, which flows- by at a little distance. The shape of the structure, and its relation to the river, tell us of its purpose as a fortification for defense against the encroachments of an enemy from that direction. Centuries before the civilized white man ever saw the Whetstone, probably long before the wild war-whoop of the dusky savage echoed through these forests, this mound was built. Who built it ? The archaeologist answers: The Mound Builders. Then, from the relics that have been exhumed from some of these structures, he tells us about a distant past, a strange character, a probable, if not certain history, following him through the States to Mexico, retreating, fighting, defending himself against an ever-victorious foe. When they came to this mound, whether or not a struggle ensued, if an easy victory was gained, or a brave defense made-these are subjects for the play of fancy, but, in reality, are shrouded in mystery. The fact exists-has existed through a history scarce less mysterious, a history of savageism, a history beginning no one knows when, and ending with the coming of the white man and civilization.

Canaan Township originally embraced the territory at present forming four townships : Tully, Scott, and Claridon Townships, in Marion Co., and what is now Canaan Township, in Morrow. It is supposed that a Mr. Stewart (a pioneer of this territory, with whom we have nothing to do beyond this fact) gave it the name. The division into the present townships with their present boundaries occurred in 1821. Whatever may be said of the other townships, the territory now known as Canaan Township seems to have been fitly named. Figuratively, it is a "land flowing with milk and honey." If Asher should "dip his foot in oil " because of the territory his children were to occupy in the Canaan of old, surely citizens of this modern Canaan are blessed with an equally rich inheritance. No more fertile soil

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can be found in Morrow County, if, indeed, any soil be found more productive. This fact is manifest in the timber which originally covered the entire territory, 'making it a dense wilderness, while such varieties as hickory, oak, ash, beech, and maple were abundant, yet walnut was most common among the trees of its forests. A large portion, perhaps a majority, of the fences are made of walnut rails, while from the maple trees sugar was made in quantities sufficient to more than meet the wants of pioneer life. Besides, the forests abounded in game, so that the pioneer had at hand the necessaries for living while subduing the forest and preparing the way for the enjoyment of life's luxuries. However, this territory was developed last of all in the county, and that, too, most slowly, by virtue of the fact that it was low and flat and swampy, thus presenting an almost insuperable barrier to development. It would seem that Slow Creek, South and Middle Forks of the Whetstone, ought to have drained the soil, winding, as they do, their circuitous courses through the territory, but the event shows that the forests must needs be felled, allowing the sunlight to penetrate the soil, the spade and plowshare to turn it up, thus exposing it to the sun's rays, and the laying of the under-drain before much of development could be had. This has been accomplished, so that now the farmer enjoys an abundance of fruits in their season.

Canaan Township is located in the western part of Morrow County. It is bounded on the north and west by Marion County, and on the south and east by Gilead and Washington Townships of Morrow County, and is known in an early survey as Township 5 Range 17.

The history of this territory begins in the year 1821. It was in the spring of that year that Mr. Jacob Rice came from Greenfield, Fairfield Co., Ohio, prospecting for land and a home. He found an unbroken forest, a swamp, the Wyandot Indians, Mr. Comfort Olds, and Abraham G. Andrews. Mr. Andrews had entered land immediately south of the mound above described, just one week before, while Mr. Olds had taken possession only the day before of some land he had entered in the near vicinity. Mr. Andrews was sick of his bargain, and induced Mr. Rice to buy him out. This first sale of property, within the township, occasioned, on the part of Andrews, merely a ride from the land office in Delaware to the land itself, and the expense of executing and filing the deed. On this land Mr. Rice has always resided, though, at the present time, it is owned by his son. Here he built his cabin, while, on the adjoining quarter section, Mr. Olds was likewise busily engaged. They became acquainted with each other in the unbroken wilderness, Mr. Rice being led to where I Mr. Olds was working, by the sound of his ax. They were neighbors, and must associate with each other, because there were no other neighbors within several miles. When Mr. Rice had completed his cabin, he returned to Fairfield County for his family. In August of this year, he gathered together the articles absolutely necessary, and moved into his new home. At that time, his family was composed of a wife and three small children, and, conveniences at band, four days were occupied with the journey-a journey which now would hardly occupy four hours. This was the best season of the year for his purpose, as at this time the streams where so low they might be easily forded.

An illustration answering the Scriptural question, "Who is my neighbor? " is given of these early days, and is worthy a record where re it; may not be obliterated. Mr. Olds was very poor and must have suffered for the necessaries of life had it not been for his stranger neighbor, Rice, who divided with him the supplies he was able to obtain, bringing them with him from Greenfield. There was no thought that any return would be made for these things, but a time of need brought about a possibility of restoration when it was especially appreciated. Mr. Olds removed to the plains in Marion County and put up a horse-mill. The sickly year came. The squirrels stole everything. Corn was worth $1 per bushel, and everything else in proportion. Mr. Rice went to the mill at, the

476 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY.

plains, and obtained two bushels, for which Mr. Olds would receive no remuneration. Corn was too valuable to sell, but not to be given away to one who had proven himself a " friend in need."

During the same year came two other families and built cabins for homes in this wilderness, adjoining those occupied by Rice and Olds-Nathan Arnold and Asa Gordon. The following spring there were two more families-William Coonrad and Mr. Welsh. During the following summer came Matthew and Thomas Merritt, and settled in the central part of the town, calling the settlement "Denmark," the name by which the little village has since been known and called, although the post office which was located there, and kept by them, was then called, and has always been known, as Merritt Post Office.

Among the early settlers are found the names of Jeremiah Doughty, David Christy, Daniel Cooley and Zenas Leonard. Some of these remained and became part of, their lives inwoven in, the history of the township; while others moved away, and are forgotten by those who remain, in every respect save that they formerly lived here.

One other character still lives here who came among the very first settlers, who has exerted a greater influence in the township than probably any other-around whom the whole history of the township may be said to have crystallized-Mr. John Boyles. He was born near the State line, between Virginia and Pennsylvania, June 13, 1790. He was the son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Hunt) Boyles, natives of the State of New Jersey. He first came to the State of Ohio in the fall of 1806, and settled in Knox County. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. During the summer of 1823, he came to Morrow (then Marion) County, and settled on a farm in Canaan Township. It contained a quarter-section of land, located in the near vicinity of Denmark, and now occupied by Mr. Christian Grover.

The following spring township election presented some facts worthy of chronicling in this place; there were to be elected two Justices of the Peace, three Trustees, two Constables, one Town Clerk, one Treasurer, two Overseers of the Poor, and two Fence Viewers, and at that time there were but ten voters in the township. Comfort Olds, Matthew and Thomas Merritt acted as judges, while John Boyles and Jacob Rice were clerks. Of course, it was necessary that some of these should hold more than one office. At this time, the two clerks, John Boyles and Jacob Rice, were made Justices of the Peace. Mr. Boyles held this office eight years in succession. He was also made Town Clerk, and held this office for fourteen years, much of the time without remuneration, even furnishing his own stationery for the keeping of the records. This was the season for the Presidential campaign, always a season of excitement, but in this part of our great country it seems to have aroused but little interest. Only five votes were polled, and no majority appeared in the returns, since Messrs. Olds and Boyles voted for Clay, the two Merritts for Adams, and Mr. Rice for Jackson. The next Presidential campaign presents quite a contrast, since, out of the about thirty-five voters, there was about twenty-five majority for Jackson. In this year of grace, 1880, it is estimated that the majority for Garfield will be proportionately large in harmony with the increase in the township of the number of its voters.

We said Mr. Rice found, on his coming, the township inhabited with the Wyandot Indians. These were friendly, and not unfrequently were employed by the white settlers in clearing their land, log-rolling and the like. Mr. Rice tells of one Tom Lyons, "the homeliest old de'il you'd ever seen." His wife, however, was a marked contrast to himself, very fine looking, with hair "long enough to drag on the ground-" she was the envy of many a white woman, while Tom was exceeding proud of her, and treated her with the courtesy and respect accorded to the wife in Christian communities. A story is told concerning the birth of Matilda Merritt, now Mrs. Davis, the first white child born in the township, which may illustrate not only the friendliness of the Indians, but

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also the humanity in the heart of the 'race as a whole. Mrs. Merritt was alone, her husband and father in-law having gone to a raising. Two old squaws living near, discovered her in the midst of travail and pain ; they came to her relief, bringing their experience, and, with hearts full of sympathy, and kind and tender hands, performed the delicate service of midwives, in this her hour of sorrow.

In marked contrast to this is the story told by Mr. Wash Harris, who now resides in Denmark, in the house where his Grandfather Merritt used to live. He well remembers hearing his grandmother tell how she was left alone when a squad of Indians came to their cabin; they brought with them a number of scalps of white men, which they laid in a row upon the floor, and beside them placed the tongues of the whites, which they would count over in their Indian tongue, apparently gloating over them with savage vengeance. They left her, however, without molestation or attempted injury.

But pioneer life has many hardships and privations. At times, the pioneer must suffer for the necessaries of life but for the common humanity which leads the pioneer to divide his provisions with his more needy neighbor. We have seen bow Mr. Rice was helped out of a close place by one whom he had relieved when in need. Mr. Boyles tells a similar incident: He had lost a part of his team, thus preventing his raising a crop, and exposing him to want, if not starvation. He had a friend in Knox County, who loaded him up with such things as people in pioneer life most need-powder, shot, flour, etc.-instructing him to trade with his fellows for skins of animals' they had shot. At other times, he would have suffered had he not been an expert hunter. Game was abundant, and his faithful rifle never failed him in his extremity. In numerous instances has he shot bears when in the act of stealing a "Porker."

At this time, there was but one road through I the township, and in very truth it might be said to have been all over town, since the shortest way to Mount Gilead was the one chosen till that one became so badly cut up as to make it impassable, when it became necessary to go farther round. However, there was one which might, by a stretch of fancy, be dignified by the name of a road. It was part of an army trail and "blazed " from Chesterville to Upper Sandusky. But, of course, roads are a necessity, and Mr. Boyles was appointed by his fellows to secure the assistance of the County Commissioners. They entered into a contract to prepare half of the road on condition that he prepare the other half. He went out morning before breakfast and secured the promise of twenty-one men to do twenty-one days' work. In one day, these men cut the road through the entire township, removing all the underbrush and smaller trees. This is quite different from the road-building of to-day. The road spoken of is known as the State road, and was then employed as the mail route. There were no bridges in those days, and at the time of high water people must stay at home, waiting patiently till the waters subsided, or ford a muddy river almost all the way to their destination. Three men, John Boyles, Matthew Merritt and Zenas Leonard, cut the first road running through the township from Claridon, on the west, to the southeast corner. All these contrast painfully with the pikes that traverse the township now in every direction, with good substantial structures bridging the streams at every crossing; but then a road was a road, even though it was but an opening through the dense forest. It made a hole through which the sunlight could penetrate, furnished a way out to, and communication with, the world outside, let civilization enter, and prepared the way for the present successes which are but a prophecy of grander achievements in the future.

Among the later revivals--1827-we find the names of Thomas Patton, William Feigley and James McKeever. Mr. Patton was born in Ireland in 1787. On coming to America he entered land in this township, and upon his arrival at Mansfield, it was necessary to secure a guide to the land he

480 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY.

Had entered-blazing their way as they went. From their experience, we learn the struggles, hardships and dangers incident to pioneer life. Mr. Patton was very poor, so much so he could not secure many of the real necessities of life. He hadn't even a team at the time of his coming. This made it necessary to pack many things upon their backs. He raised a pair of steers from the cows he brought I with him-waiting till they were grown-employing his time in clearing his land and fencing it. His cabin was built near a spring, and at one time his wife went after a pail of water, was lost in the woods, and, after wandering round for some time, was at length led home by the cries of her infant child. Later, Joseph Patton and his sisters were left by their father to finish hoeing a patch of corn. This kept them busily employed till after dark, when at length they were startled by the howling wolves not far away, which was responded to by two other packs of those savage beasts in opposite directions. They heard the tramping of their feet, and not unfrequently saw their eyes -glistening through the dark-their incessant howlings making the woods hideous the while. Their father beard those frightful bowls, rushed into his cabin, seized his gun, and hastened out to the rescue of his children thus exposed to danger, firing as he went. He was just in time. They were hardly rescuedhad hardly reached a place of safety-ere they beard the wolves howling their disappointment.

On another occasion, when Joseph Patton and his father were working in the woods, they saw, not far away, a huge drove of wild hogs approaching. They had only time to climb into some trees when the swine scented them, and rushed madly to their place of refuge. They tore the bark off these trees with their tushes, and tore down all the bushes and saplings in the near vicinity, apparently maddened with disappointment in not securing their prey.

Mr. McKeever, a native of Pennsylvania, of Irish descent, came to Canaan in 1827, on an exploring tour. The country pleased him so well that, on returning to Pennsylvania, he immediately sent his family out, remaining behind to earn the necessary funds-$60 he had borrowed for this purpose. He worked five months at 84.50 per month, and then had his leg broken by the kick of a horse. He now borrowed more money, to enable him to come to his Western home, and soon after paid the entire debt by splitting rails at 37 1/2 cents per hundred, and clearing land at $2.50 per acre, cutting all the trees less than eighteen inches in diameter, and burning the brush. William Feigley came soon after, walking all the way from Pennsylvania, and entered land adjoining that owned by McKeever.

The milling privileges of the township have always been exceedingly limited, and at the present time it is difficult to decide which was first in the order of building, to say nothing at all of the time of erection. In an early day, it was necessary to go to Mount Vernon to get wheat ground, as now it is necessary to go beyond the boundaries of the township for milling of any character. Mr. Boyles rigged up a rough structure run by horse power for the grinding of corn, and with it was able to grind twelve or fifteen bushels per day. But a mill of such description would not be employed longer than circumstances made it a necessity, but in that early day it was regarded a., a great convenience. Probably the first saw-mill run by water power was built on the Middle Fork of the Whetstone, about 1825, by one William Shaffer. It was run by several different parties but soon run down. Mr. Rice also built a sawmill, about 1833, on the Middle Fork of the Whetstone, but four years later he moved to the South Fork, where he ran it till 1851, and the ruins of it may still be found. But Canaan is essentially a firming district. The soil is too rich to be encumbered with mills when these are so convenient in the adjoining township, and farming pays too well for any one to engage in anything else. Of course these intelligent farmers know the worth of such advantages and are able to appreciate their value, but they can stand upon the boundaries of their extremely fertile township and see the smoke-stacks

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of saw and grist mill, so that these are sufficiently convenient for all practical purposes.

The first schoolhouse in the township was built in Denmark, near the site of the present one. But what a contrast ! Now, a neat, commodious structure-an ornament to any community-with all the appliances necessary for successfully training "the young idea;" then-but how shall we describe it ? Fancy and imagination are absolutely necessary in order to get a fair idea of the structure. Let the reader imagine a log house, round logs at that-rudely constructed shingles or tiles for a roof-large stick chimney in the rear daubed with mud, as, indeed, are the chinks between the logs-an entrance, evidently sawed through the front, after the logs were laid in place, about six feet high and three feet wide, closed by a batten door of rough oak boards-a half-dozen square openings for the windows-and he will have a comparatively good conception of the exterior. Let him enter; the rough door swings upon its creakin- hinges, and, in the " dim religious 'light," admitted through those greased paper windows, he will discover benches made of slabs, flat only on one side-a shaky desk, behind which the " schoolwaster " sits-the fire-place in the rear larger than the modern furnace, with room for " back-log and fore-stick," requiring the strength of several of the " big boys to roll them into their place. It was in such a schoolhouse " as this that Jud Dodd taught the first school ever "kept " in Canaan.

"Blackboards, maps and charts in plenty,

Now hang round the common school."

Not so then. The appliances furnished to the hand of Mr. Dodd, as assistants in training the young idea in this backwoods school, were exceedingly meager. Indeed, they were confined to Webster's Spelling Book, the New Testament, and the birch sprout. With the first they were taught the alphabet and to spell; with the second they were taught to read-grand truths of morality and virtue, obedience to which were enforced by thorough application of the third. Nevertheless, the privilege was highly prized, as we see clearly when we remember that pupils came all the way front Claridon Township, of Marion County. But " schoolmasters " had their favorites in those days, as well as in later times, and among the "big girls," Phoebe Leonard was the favored one to whom Mr. Dodd "showed partiality," and Esquire Boyles performed the ceremony which made them onethe first wedding ever solemnized in the township. The first religious efforts in Canaan were Sunday schools. Mr. Boyles tells how that first Sunday school was held in a log cabin. The elder Merritt was the superintendent. He had been an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, in Knox County, and now took charge of the Sunday-school work. It differed materially from the Sunday schools of today. The younger scholars were taught to read, while the older scholars recited the verses of Scripture they had committed; and in this respect, Mr. Boyles thinks, in advance of the present system in the matter of getting the truth into the mind of the young. In this centennial of the modern idea of the Sunday school, it may well be questioned if the present system is very greatly in advance of that employed half a century ago.

Occasionally, preaching was had in connection with the Sunday schools in these early times, if haply an evangelist or "circuit rider " were in the vicinity. Rev. William Mathews was one of the early preachers. He formed a society, in, 1825, at Denmark, of the Presbyterian denomination. The services were necessarily very irregular, owing to the fact that Mr. Mathews' charge was very widely extended, he himself residing in Knox County. They were usually held in the school house. About four years after its organization, Rev. Henry Shedd, of Mount Gilead, was called to the charge of its interests. At this time, it numbered forty-eight members - Luther Brown, Rufus Dodd and John Jamerson were Elders. Rev. Mr. Shedd preached regularly one-fourth of the time for two years, then one-third of the tit time for two years, after which time there was a vacancy in this pulpit. Previous to his pastorate, they had worshiped in a schoolhouse, but, under

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his administration, a log church was erected. Among the preachers who served this church is one Rev. William K. Brush, who settled there-the only settled Pastor the church ever had-and under his administration the church was greatly increased in its membership The log church now gave place to a frame structure. But after this time, we find short pastorates, and vacancies in the pulpit growing constantly longer, till at last the property was ordered by the Presbytery to be sold.

The North Canaan Methodist Episcopal Church was first organized, in 1833, by the Rev. James Wilson. It was then merely a class of five members, over whom Mr. Jacob Geyer was appointed Class-Leader. In the year 1842, a protracted meeting was held at the home of Mr. Geyer, by the Rev. Mr. Sharp. This meeting resulted in a large number of accessions, and a more complete organization was made, with the following official board: Class-Leaders, Jacob Geyer, Jacob Harrison and John Campbell, Stewards, Abraham Foulk, Jacob Geyer and Richard Stime; Trustees, Abraham Foulk, Jacob Geyer, Jacob Harrison, S. Valentine and John Campbell. The first church edifice was of hewed logs, and erected in 1846. Prosperity marked the history of the church till 1861, when the old log building was superseded by a beautiful frame structure ; when in the act of raising the building, a part of the frame fell, and several workmen were caught beneath the falling timbers, and, though several were seriously hurt, yet no one was fatally injured. When the raising was going for ward, a neighbor drove up with a fast-trotting horse, and many of the by-standers were attracted out to the road to see him try his speed, and by this means were out of danger when the building fell. The work progressed, however, to completion, and was dedicated in the fall of the same year. Its value at the present time is estimated at $1,500. It is connected with the Caledonia Church, and with it forms what is known as the "Caledonia charge." For a country church, it is regarded as one of the most flourishing societies in this region of country. A Sunday school is here kept up the entire year, and Mr. N. A. Campbell is the present Superintendent. The church has a membership numbering eighty-four. Rev. C. Baldwin is the present Pastor, and the official board is as follows: Class-Leaders, Harrison Kenniman, S. Strawman, J. N. Campbell, Jacob Geyer and A. M. Smith - Stewards, Dr. C. Hahn, J. N. Campbell and Samuel Strawman; Trustees, John Campbell, S. Strawman, Robinson Geyer, A. M. Smith, H. Kenniman, Alfred Campbell and J. N. Campbell.

The Denmark Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1849, with Rev. John Orr as Pastor, and Jacob Aye as Class Leader. The church edifice was erected in the following year and dedicated by the Presiding Elder, Rev, John Quigley, assisted by the Pastor, Rev. William Boggs. The value of the church property at the present time is estimated to be $1,000. It embraces a membership numbering sixty-five, while the Sunday school is flourishing to a remarkable degree under the joint management of S. B. Shaw and George Gruber. This church forms part of the Iberia Circuit and has been under the same pastoral management through all its history. Rev. C. L. Conger is the present Pastor, while the official board is as fol lows: Class Leaders, William S. Aye and John Linder; Stewards, George Gruber and Thomas Curl - Trustees, William S. Aye, John Adams Christopher Gruber, Martin Sayers, Elijah Wagan Thomas Curl and John Linder.

The other churches of Canaan Township, of which there are two, belong to the Protestant Methodist denomination, and, belonging to the same charge or circuit, are under the same pastoral oversight. One of these is located at Denmark, and evidently the society is in a flourishing condition, judging by the beautiful brick edifice recently erected, at a cost of more than $5,000. Indeed, it has been dedicated to the worship of God since the preparation of this history. The other church is located in what is known as the "Queen Settlement." The society which worships at this place was organized by Rev. Daniel Howell,

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about 1837, and at the same time received into what was known as Frederick Circuit, at that time known as a "four weeks circuit," requiring four weeks for the Pastor to visit all the societies placed under his pastoral charge. Mr. James Queen was appointed the first Class-Leader, and the members composing this little society were as follows: James Queen and wife, James Giffin and wife and their two daughters, William Queen and wife and their two daughters, and -.Nlrs. Dennis Lannum

The society at first worshiped in a log schoolhouse belonging to the settlement. In marked contrast with the congregations of to-day is the appearance of that congregation assembled in that log schoolhouse forty years ago ; perhaps, also, their sincerity and devotion would mark a striking contrast to the hollowness and formality of today. They came to church, following a course blazed upon the trees; clad in linsey-woolsey, cowhide shoes, and the ladies with handkerchiefs over their heads, or, at best, plain sun-bonnets. The building in which the society at present worships, was erected in 1866, at a cost of $1,100. It is thirty by forty feet in size. The cost of the church and its real value are made to harmonize by the fact that it was built largely by the members themselves. Some of them were carpenters, who got out the timber from their own woods, had it sawed at the mills, and, with their own hands, put it in place. By this means the actual cost was lessened greatly. Under the charge of the present efficient Pastor, Rev. Gaines Tyree, the church is in a very flourishing condition. During the past Winter, a revival was had which resulted in some thirty accessions to the church, which now numbers about seventy members.