(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 450 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY once and took a bear skin and bought some sickles, after we had raised some wheat. I went instead of Cyrus because it hurt him to ride, and if he stayed he could work some and help make improvements. We could find plenty of honey in the woods. There was not much sale for it, but the wax was readily sold for twenty-five cents per pound. Salt was very scarce and very high ; four dollars per bushel by weight, fifty pounds was called a bushel, by rounding it up a little ; for I saw it tried. "Cyrus, being a good hunter, killed many deer and turkeys, and there was a bounty paid for wolves—five dollars a head for the old ones and two dollars and a half for the young ones. He killed a great many of them, and took their scalps, with the ears on as proof, to Delaware, where he got the bounty money. "War came on and we suffered much in our feelings. One more family had come, but others that were coming stopped at the war alarms. In the fall of 1812 some of our relatives came, so that we did not feel quite so lonely ; but, living on the frontier, we were afraid of the Indians. After war was declared it was said that they took more liberties, but were forbidden by the government to hunt east of a specified line near Upper Sandusky. Two Indians came to our house one day, I was very much alarmed and thought they were spies. Cyrus and one of his brothers had gone to watch a deer lick not far off, and I sent for them. The Indians wanted something to eat. I got it for them and they were eating when the men came in, but left the table and started for the woods. There were now eight families in the settlement. Some of them got together and thought best to send for Hess and others, to come and pursue the Indians and see what their motive was. Accordingly the company started from our house the next morning as soon as it was light. They soon came to the Indians' camp, and the one who was up made signs of peace. The settlers took the Indians and brought them to our house and I got breakfast for them. The red men were then taken to Delaware on horseback, but there found to be friendly and were sent back to Sandusky. "Soon after this, two young men, from a locality seven or eight miles west of us, said that they had come, as it were, with their lives in their hands, to let us know that the Indians were all about them ; had killed two men ; cut one open and took his heart; and that the rest had all gone into the fort. We had just heard of one man, a few miles east of us, being shot as he opened his door in the morning. I think these statements proved to be true, but HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 451 we thought that they were men that the Indians had some spite against, as they were apt to do so in the time of war. "Cyrus had gone some distance to see a doctor, as he still had poor health; and left us in care of his brother, Reuben. If he thought best to move to Sunbury before his return he (Reuben) was to assist us; so I sent the young men to him. He soon came up, seemed much alarmed and said to me : 'Hannah, if thee is going to set that wheel away.' "We had raised a good crop of flax and we were needy, so I broke and swingled a number of pounds and had just begun to spin it, but I went and took it with me. We stayed six weeks, and I got it spun and wove about thirty yards in that time. Four families started next morning ; the other four thought they would stay, but we had not gone far before we met six men on their way to inform us that there was a report of a man being shot by an Indian through his coat, but not hurt. He had wounded the Indian, who had gone off bleeding. The attack had occurred three or four miles below this settlement. George Hess was one of this company, and he turned back and told me to stop at his house. The other men went on and told their story and before bed-time every family had left Alum creek. Before I reached Sunbury I met Cyrus. He had heard so many reports that he could stay no longer to be doctored, but thought best to go back to his family. He rode up to our farm several times ; but no Indians disturbed it. When we returned home, Cyrus, myself and Anna walked ; he hired a man to take our things and the other children, and paid him with deer skins he had left at home. "Cyrus' aged parents, Aaron and Elizabeth, and several of his brothers and sisters moved out here in 1812, in the midst of our troubles on account of the war. The others did not come until peace was declared. The old people had ten children, and they and their families all moved here except two son-in-laws, Israel Buck and Benjamin Earl, who died in Peru, New York. When Cyrus' mother died, in 1821, I counted up her posterity and there were one hundred and two, all living within sixteen miles of her, except two who remained in York state." TROY TOWNSHIP. Memories of the past are freighted with their lessons, and filled with joys and sorrows. It is pleasant to recall the events which have passed away, on account of the many pleasant characters 452 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY with which they bring us into close association. The very difficulties which were encountered by the pioneers have a charm for us, as we view them by the light of almost a century. Thankful for the work done by those of the past, no more fervent wish could be expressed than that those now living may be cherished in time to come with the same sacred memory. GENERAL DESCRIPTION. Troy township lies in the extreme northeast corner of the county, and contains but thirteen sections. With Troy township in Richland county, it formed a full township until the organization of Morrow county, which divided the township between the two, thus leaving both fractional townships. It will be noticed by reference to the map that there is a jog in the east line of the township This was occasioned by those living in that section being dissatisfied with the new formation, not wishing to leave their dear old Richland county. In 1848-9 the citizens of that jog petitioned the legislature to restore them to their old county of Richland, which it did ; hence the jog in the line referred to. Troy township is bounded on the north and east by Richland county, on the south by Perry township, and on the west by North Bloomfield township. The township is but little cut up by watercourses. The North fork of the Mohican passes through the north tier of sections, affording an abundance of water for the stock, and an excellent drainage for the beautiful valley which borders it. The Clear fork of the Mohican passes through the southwest corner. These, with a few small streams, form the water privileges of the township. In the early settlement fine forests covered this entire section, and much excellent timber can yet be found. The number of saw mills have made havoc with the timber, walnut is already becoming scarce, and the mills have turned their attention to cherry and ash. The soil of the township is rich and productive. The valley of the Mohican, in the north part of the township, is unsurpassed as an agricultural region. While the uplands are not quite so fertile as the valley, yet they produce all the crops common to this part of the country in great abundance. The surface is somewhat rolling in the north part of the township, and then stretches away to the south part in a kind of table-land. HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 453 FIRST WHITE SETTLERS. The first white settlers who remained permanently came to Troy township in the winter of 1811-2. William Gass entered the first piece of land in Troy in, the fall of 1811, being the west half of section 12. He also entered the southwest quarter of section 11 in the name of Francis Mitchell. The government lands then sold at two dollars per acre. Mr. Gass was a native of Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1812, Amariah Watson and Elisha Robins brought their families to their new homes and occupied their rude log cabins. Soon after, William Gass, with his two eldest sons and a hired man, arrived on the scene, driving a three-horse team and bringing tools, provisions and other necessaries. In a week they had a cabin erected and ready for the family Mr. Gass then returned to Knox county for his family and soon located them in their new home. During the succeeding summer, Calvin Culler, Wesley Spratt and Francis Mitchell each erected a small cabin and brought his family These were the only families, so far as learned, in Troy township prior to 1814. In the spring of 1814, quite a tide of immigration set into the township. These early settlers were a sturdy, pious set of men, prominent among whom was Noah Cook, afterwards known as "Uncle Noah," on account of numerous progeny. Mr. Cook was a member of the Presbyterian church, and was zealous for the success of morality and godliness in the new settlement. He organized the first prayer meeting in the township, and secured its success under peculiar circumstances. At the apointed hour and place, "Uncle Noah" was present, but no one else. He hesitated only a few minutes ; then worshiped alone, by singing, praying and reading a sermon. Some curious passers-by peeped in at the window, and went their way. The following appointment, a few days after, witnessed a large company gathered for worship. From this humble beginning, the religious interests of the settlement advanced, until it became noted for morality and good order. When the first settlers came to Troy township the Indians had possesion of this region. A number of lodges or camps were located along the Mohican. They were of the Wyandot and Mohawk tribes. Six or eight camps were in sight of Noah Cook's cabin, while on the southeast quarter of section 13 there were about the same number. On the banks of Isaac's run there was an Indian village. They did not cultivate the soil; merely engaged in hunting. Vol., I-29 454 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY This encampment was on their trail from Sandusky southward. Their chief articles of commerce were venison, cranberries and wooden wares. They finally disappeared from that locality about 1826. George Mitchell entered a quarter section of land in about 1815. He built the first saw mill and grist mill on Troy township They were water-power mills. His cabin was of the most primitive pattern, and has been thus described : It was built of logs without floor or chimney. A large stump stood in about the center of the floor (or ground) inside the cabin, which was trimmed to a point small enough to fit a two-inch auger hole. A heavy oak slab was fitted on the stump and was used as a seat. As there was no chimney, the fire was built in one corner of the cabin upon the ground. The cabin had very limited furnishings. Mr. Mitchell was a bachelor and died at the age of twenty-eight years Another pioneer of this township was William Lyon, who was a shoemaker by trade. General Enos and William Blair were early settlers in the valley of the Mohican, in Troy township. They were both from Pennsylvania. Blair was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was with Commodore Perry in his famous battle of Lake Erie, when that brave commander caused many Britons to take their last sleep. Among the early settlers in the southern part of the township were John Edwards, Robert Hilton, Wiliam Moore, Jacob Haldeman, Thomas Singrey, Semple Ross and John Montgomery. So far as known they all came from Pennsylvania, though some of them were not natives of that state. The first laid-out road was from Galion to Lexington, and passed through the north part of the townhip. It was laid out to the sound of the dinner horn, to which is attributed its zigzag course. The roads in the township previous to this were called trails. Troy township has never been noted for mills, owing to its few water courses of any importance. John Flack was the first justice of the peace. He was an early settler in the northern part of the township, of German birth and good education. There are very few traces of the mound builders in this township. There was a mound on section 7, some twenty-five or thirty feet in diameter, and as high as a man's head. The school houses in Troy township in the early settlement were much like those in the other parts of the county—built of logs. It is not known who taught the first school in the township, or whether it was in the north or south part of the county. Great HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 455 improvements have been made in educational facilities in Morrow county since then, for to-day she ranks among the foremost in that line. A post office was established in Troy township at so early a time that the exact date cannot be ascertained. It was known as "John McEwen's Cross Roads," and was kept by the man for whom it was named, and who lived just across the road from the Buckhorn school house. It was later removed to Steam Corners. The United Brethren church early had an organization in the township Among its original members were Jacob Haldeman, at whose house the meetings were held ere a church edifice was erected. Their second house of worship was built in 1855, and was known as Emanuel church. This second house of worship was a substantial frame building. The Waters United Brethren church was organized about 1842, and soon after a building was erected by them. The Mennonnite church was built about 1840, located just west of Steam Corners. From these few pioneers and their humble beginnings, Troy has kept pace with the other townships in the county. STEAM CORNERS. Steam Corners is the only village in Troy township and is centrally located. The name "Steam Corners" was given it on acount of a steam saw mill being located there. The first houses were built near the cross roads. A post office was established there in 1867, with a Mr. Rowalt as post master, and the office bore the same name as the village. This has been discontinued, the citizens being served by the Rural Free Delivery. The country about Steam Corners is not so hilly as some other parts of the township, but is gently undulating. The soil is rich and productive, and the buildings generally indicate the prosperous condition of the little village. Steam Corners has about one hundred inhabitants, a Methodist Episcopal church and one general store. It has a fine brick school house, with a two-grade school. Troy township has also three other churches—the Troy, Waters United Brethren and the Mennonite churches. The last named is a short distance west of the Corners. CHAPTER XXIV. WASHINGTON AND WESTFIELD. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP GENERALLY-BENJAMIN SHARROCK AND OTHER PIONEERS-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-IBERIA-WESTFIELD TOWNSHIP-THE SHAWS-SCHOOLS, ROADS AND MAILS -WESTFIELD-WHETSTONE (OLENTANGY) AND ST JAMES. Human kind is now prone to exalt the deeds and doers of other days. There are no songs like the old songs—no heroes like the heroes of old—no orators, no debaters, no jurists, no mental giants like those of the earlier generations. This is the spirit of looking for decadence in the men and things, rather than progress and development. The pioneer times were good old days, but comforts and conveniences which we now enjoy were then unknown. It was a noble spirit of self-sacrifice that animated the pioneers of this land, and made them forgetful of their own ease at a time of life when years of toil should reasonably have demanded repose for their declining days; they braved the untried difficulties of the wilderness that their children might achieve that greatness which their patriotic faith had pictured for the future. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP GENERALLY. The land of Washington township is generally level ; in some parts demanding hard labor for thorough cultivation, but well repaying the laborer in results. To the south, from Iberia, the land is very level, while to the north and east it is the reverse. This is due largely to the existence of the forks of the Whetstone, which wind in and out among the hills through intricate courses, some of which have doubtless been plowed by their currents. Washington is located on what is known as the "three-mile strip"—a territory which divides the state from north to south, lies between two surveys, and is just three miles wide by seven and a half long. It is bounded on the north by Crawford county, on the west by Marion county and Canaan township, on the south by Gilead township and on the east by Gilead, Congress and North - 456 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 457 Bloomfield townships It is traversed by two forks of the Whetstone river; Rocky fork running along the eastern part from north to south, and Middle fork, flowing northwesterly through the cental portion, near the village of Iberia, and crossing the boundary into Marion county nearly a mile northwest of that village. The roads in the township are largely along section lines. The only exception of importance is known as the "Mansfield-Marion" road, running east-northeast and west-southwest, which direction prevents it from following section lines. There are two branches of the "Big Four" railroad, one merely touching the northwest part of the township—the Indianapolis division—and the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati division, which runs from north to southwest through the township, with a station known as St. James, one and a half miles from the village of Iberia. The Erie railroad also cuts across the northwest corner of Canaan township. The fine bridges spanning the different forks of the Whetstone attest the public spirit of the citizens of the township. The old Armstrong mill was on the Rocky Fork branch of the Whetstone. BENJAMIN SHARROCK AND OTHER PIONEERS. The beginning of Washington township properly dates back to the winter of 1818-9, when Benjamin Sharrock, the first white man to settle made his appearance and built a cabin for himself, his wife and four small children. He located about one and a half miles northeast of the town of Iberia, where he commenced the rough life of a pioneer. They were well calculated to meet the trials, privations and dangers incident to pioneer life, by virtue of strong physical constitutions and remarkable fearlessness of character. A story is told which will illustrate these characteristics, especially on the part of Mrs. Sharrock. When they came to their rude home in the wilderness, they found themselves surrounded by Indians. Not long after their coming, Abner Sharock was born, and when but a few months old, in a wigwam not far away, an Indian boy who was about the same age, died. Something of motherly love was manifested even in the breast of that dusky savage, in that immediately she longed to replace her lost pappoose, and between her wailings she came to Mr. Sharrock's cabin and asked for Abner. Of course, the request was denied, but when the mother's back was turned the squaw seized the little fellow in her 458 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY arms and darted toward her own wigwam. But the mother gave chase, and, when the old squaw was in the act of crossing a fence, was caught; a struggle ensued, but for once right and might were united, and the stolen child was rescued from the hands of his savage captor. Mr. Sharrock 's name appears frequently through these records. Indeed, any history of Washington township would be sadly defective did it not give him more than a passing notice. He was not only the first, white settler, but was always interested in everything to improve the condition of his fellow-townsmen, and further their best interest ; moreover, he outlived all his fellow-pioneers, and at his death, which did not occur till 1879, he had become an interesting character, owing to his great age. Benjamin Sharrock built the first mill in the township in the year 1823, upon the Rocky fork of the Whetstone, then known as Sharrock's creek. This made it possible for the early settlers to supply themselves with corn meal, for the mill at first was not sufficiently perfect to turn out flour. The mill was a great convenience in the sparsely settled community, and residents of "the plains," a tract of country in Marion county, blazed a road through the forest in as nearly a straight line as the swamps would permit, in order to reach it. Some years later, Mr. Sharrock added a saw mill. The great difficulty was that the water would at times get so low that the power was not sufficient to run the mill the year round. This made it often necessary for those having sawing or grinding to be done to go to Mansfield, or some other place equally distant. To obviate this difficulty, horse power was employed for the saw mill, but was not sufficiently accurate for the grinding of flour. These obstacles were finally removed by employing steam as a motor power. The next settler in Washington township after Benjamin, was Everett Sharrock, who entered land immediately adjoining that owned by his brother Benjamin. Daniel Cooper settled on a farm, which his father had entered for him, in 1821. Mr. Cooper was a tanner by trade, and immediately built a little house, beneath which he could ply his trade in all kinds of weather, the tan vats being uncovered. In later years he was enabled to enlarge his business. The early settlers thought that his leather could not be excelled. Nehemiah Story came to Washington township in the spring of 1823 and entered land. He was a preacher of the Baptist denomination, and frequently invited the neighbors to his house HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 459 to hear him preach. Though no organization of that faith was formed, yet he was the means of doing good to his fellow-men. Mr. Story was also a practical surveyor, and his name is appended to the records of land plats in the township and the town of Iberia. In the same year-1823—came Benjamin Straw and Henry Lemmon, the latter of whom was the first justice of the peace in Washington township. The next year, Isaac Carl and his son, John Carl, and also a Mr. Birch moved in. Mr. Birch and wife were past the prime of life at their coming, and they died the following year—the first deaths within the township—and although they were buried there, their resting places are unmarked and unknown. The year they died was a remarkably sickly one. In these early years the question of providing supplies presented not unfrequently a difficult problem. The settlers planted corn, but the squirrels took it. They waged war upon them but without much success. The pioneer's rifle stood him always in good stead, and by its aid, together with the wild fruits he could gather, he supplied his family with the necessaries of life. The following are the names of some of those who came before or during the year 1825: Messrs. Nail, Reeves and Dutton settling in the north part, while Crawford, Jackson, Jeffreys, Bashford, Meyers and Williams settled near Iberia. John Jackson built the first house within the corporate limits of what is now the village of Iberia. It was of hewn logs, and shingled. Among other early settlers were Robert McClaren, James Auld, A. Brownlee, Robert Kelley, James Noble, Robert McKibben and Nathaniel Story. The most of these came to the township after 1825. In the summer of 1827, a distillery was erected by Straw and Smart, on land later owned by Peter McClure, in the extreme north part of the township. An incident which occurred the year mentioned above may illustrate the value of articles purchasable and work performed. Nathaniel Story "slashed" five acres of land for James Dunlap, for which he was to receive a watch. The work completed and paid for, Mr. Story traded the watch to Mr. Straw for a steer and several bushels of corn, to be delivered at the distillery. After some years, the distillery passed into the hands of James Nail. Another was built just east of Iberia, and was operated by a Mr. Moore. In those early days distilleries were thought to be a necessity in communities, for there was no market for grain, but when made into liquor it could be hauled to market at the lake and easily disposed of, for it was a commodity of trade. 460 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY The Underground Railroad had numerous stations in Washington township— a road which could only be operated at night. It was a road without a charter, and the government had placed its ban upon the whole institution, regarding its employes as outlaws and hunting them through field and forest. The last company of fugitives which passed through the township numbered four persons—two men and two women. They had crossed the Ohio river on ice, and when they arrived at the "McNeal station" they were badly frozen. They were conveyed thence to Oberlin. One of the party was protected by the faculty of the university of that place, some of the members of which were tried, convicted and incarcerated in prison. They had arrogated to themselves judicial functions contrary to American law. SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. The first school house in Washington township was a log structure, of a very primitive type, with puncheon floor and slab seats. James Dunlap was the first teacher. It is said he taught a good school and is yet pleasantly remembered. The public school system has long since assumed control of all school interests, and fine buildings are now found in all the districts. The Ohio Central College was located in Washington township, was in operation for more than quarter of a century, and its history can be found in another chapter of this work. Very early in the history of Washington township there was a demand for religious services. As has been before stated, Nehemiah Story, one of the early settlers, was a preacher and held meetings in his cabin. The Reverend Bradford came frequently to the settlement and preached at the house of Squire Lemmon. He is referred to as a man of remarkable ability. But the first regular class was organized by Reverend Zephaniah Bell, a noted pioneer preacher of the Methodist faith, in 1825. IBERIA. Iberia is located on the Mansfield-Marion road, not far from the Marion county line, and is the only town in Washington township. It is a little to the west of a north and south line running through its center. Iberia is the seat of the Ohio Central College, a popular school which had an existence for more than a quarter of a century, but is now no more. The place was noted HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 461 before the War of the Rebellion as having a number of stations on the Underground Railroad, and great excitement was occasioned when officers came in pursuit of fugitive slaves. And now, after the lapse of more than fifty years, but two "colored persons"—both women—remain in Iberia. They live together, and the elder one was a slave during the years when slavery flourished. John Jackson was the first settler in what is now Iberia, building the first house within its limits. The building was of hewed logs and shingled, and was the first house in the township that was thus roofed. It was erected in 1827 and the town was not platted until 1834. Other buildings were soon erected and about three years later a store was opened by John A. Coleridge, who was also the first post master in the township, the post office being in his store. The owners of the land upon which the village was platted were Samuel Foster and Frederick Meyers, and Samuel Holmes, the surveyor of Marion county, made the original plat. The village was named "Iberia" for a town of that name in South America. Additions have been made, from time to time, to the first plat, until the place has reached its present size. There are three churches in Iberia—Methodist, Presbyterian and United Presbyterian. The Methodist church was organized in 1839 by the Reverend Peter Sharp, at the house of James Davis, where preaching continued to be held for two years, when their first church building was erected. The organization was composed of Moses Arnold, William Casey, Henry Smith, James Bloomfield, C. P. Rigby, and others whose names are not given. Until 1869 this church was a part of what was known as the Caledonia circuit, at which time the Iberia circuit was organized by the association of four societies—Iberia, Boundary, Denmark and Whetstone. Previous to that date, the boundary line between the North Ohio and the Central Ohio conferences was so changed as to make this organization a necessity. Of the church thus formed, the following were among the members : E. J. Crane, J. S. Hunter, Hiram Bennett, Joel Meyers, Benjamin Crane, S. D. Cass and James Davis. The church edifice first erected became too small to accommodate the increased congregation, and in 1867 it was torn down and a larger one built. The congregation has a very comfortable house of worship, although not a very pretentious one. Another church organization was effected in 1829, in the township, and was called the "Associate Congregation of Washington." It retained that name until 1858, when a union was effected between the Associate Synod of North America and the General 462 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY Synod of the Associate Reformed church. At that time it received the name of the United Presbyterian Congregation of Iberia. Their first meeting house was built of logs, but a brick edifice was erected in 1873. One other organization completes the church history. Its organization antedates by three years the proper organization of the Methodist Episcopal church. The Presbyterian church of Iberia was first organized in 1836 by the Reverend H. Shed, D. D., and the Reverend Thomas Cratty. Both of these pioneer preachers of that denomination had preached at that place at irregular intervals, previous to that time, and to them is due the credit of gathering those of their faith together and founding a parish. The organization was accomplished by the election and ordination of two ruling elders—John F. Dunlap and James Scott—and the membership numbered sixteen. Later the number of ruling elders was increased to five. Reverend William Mathews and Reverend Simeon Brown were the first preachers in charge, and their labors were rewarded with a good degree of success. The congregation is now worshipping in the third church, edifice. After the Ohio Central College was discontinued, the state bought the property and a "Working Home for the Blind" was established in the buildings, which, after an existence of a few years, was also discontinued, the buildings having been consumed by fire. Further notice of this institution is given elsewhere. A small portion of the Ohio Central College building was rescued from entire destruction at the time of the fire, it was later remodeled into a residence, and is now pointed out to visitors as a relic of the town's former greatness. There is a strata of sandstone in and near the creek from which large flagging has been taken, but there has never been a quarry opened there. Iberia has a fine school house and a four grade school. Mrs. Burt is the post mistress, and has a general store in the same room. WESTFIELD TOWNSHIP. The early settlers of Westfield township builded better than they knew. Ninety-five years have gone by since the first settlement was made there—ninety-five years of development and achievement. Nearly a century has passed, which has marked great improvement and progress in the march of civilization, in the advancement of science, in invention, in industry, in art, in HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 463 all that has added to the forces in the hands of man. These pioneer fathers and mothers made wonderful changes. They made the wilderness to blossom as the rose ; they builded homes of peace and erected a great commonwealth and populous communities. They also sent their patriotic sons to the defense of their country's flag. Greater credit could not be given. Soldiers from the military campaigns had taken back with them glowing reports of the fertility of Ohio's soil, especially along the Scioto and its tributaries, but not even the most imaginative mind had a full conception of the future of this part of the state, among the most favored in all the domain. Soon after the organization of Delaware county, in 1808, the territory embraced in this township, together with what is Oxford, the north half of Troy, all of Marlborough (Delaware county) and what is now Waldo township (Marion county), was organized under the name of Marlborough township, and so remained until 1815, when Oxford township was set off, including what is now Westfield township and a small strip since added to Cardington. In 1822 Westfield was set off from Oxford as a separate township of Delaware county, the boundary being one mile north of the present dividing line between the two townships. In 1848, when Morrow county was organized, this township went to form a part of it, and at the same time as added to it, on the south, a strip one mile wide and one and a half long, embracing several hundred acres. This was taken from its northeast corner and added to Cardington township. Westfield township is bounded on the north by Marion county and Cardington township ; on the east by Lincoln and Peru townships ; on the south by Delaware county, and on the west by Delaware and Marion counties, is located in the southwestern part, and extends the farthest west of any township in Morrow county. The Whetstone river enters the township a little east of the center on the north, and, taking a southwest direction, divides the township into two nearly equal parts, leaving it at the southwest corner. The Whetstone (now changed to the Olentangy) with its main tributary (Shaw creek), which joins it a little north of the center of the township, together with Slate and Twentieth runs and several smaller but nameless streams, furnishes a most extraordinary system of drainage and abundance of excellent stock water, in connection with the numerous springs, located along the larger streams. Of the latter, two deserve especial mention ; one an iron spring, usually called "red sulphur," of very strong flow, 464 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY situated nearly opposite the village of Westfield, on the west bank of the river, around which clusters many an Indian tradition, and beside which clusters a willow tree of huge dimensions, planted since the advent of the white race ; the other, a white sulphur spring, located about a half-mile south of the north boundary of the township, also near the river bank and remarkable for those medicinal properties for which the sulphur spring at Delaware is noted. The river, in addition, affords good water power, and has furnished four desirable mill sites. The surface of this township is rolling along the streams and generally level in the eastern and western parts, slightly inclining toward the river. The whole of the land was originally covered with a heavy growth of timber, consisting chiefly of white and burr oak, elm and beech, while along the streams white and black walnut, maple and sycamore abounded. But it is to be regretted that it has disappeared so rapidly that there is not the proper proportion of timber to the cultivated land, although there still remain some choice timber land. The soil, which is unsurpassed by any township in this part of the state, consists of a rich black loam along the river and smaller streams, and a heavy black soil, such as is usually found on land formerly covered by elm swamps. The eastern part is most excellent corn land, while in the western part there is an admixture of clay, and it is such as is usually known as "beech land," better suited for wheat and grass, the production of the township is principally in corn, wheat and grass, with a proportion of the minor crops. The people, owing to the numerous small farms, are about equally divided in raising grain for the market, and in raising stock, which latter only the large farmers can carry on successfully. Wool-growing and cattle raising are the chief occupations of the latter. THE SHAWS. With all the natural advantages possessed by this township, it is not surprising that we should find that the first settlement made within the boundaries of what is now Morrow county was made here. John Shaw, Jr., of Chester county, Pennsylvania purchased four hundred acres of military land, situated in the extreme north part of what is now Westfield township, and abutting on the Greenville treaty line. With his wife and family, consisting of four sons and four daughters, he started in the spring of 1804 to locate upon it. After a long and tedious journey, they arrived at HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 465 a settlement on the Whetstone twenty miles north of Franklinton, now a part of Columbus, and at this settlement, the first made in Delaware county, he learned that his land was twenty miles further north, and that this was the nearest settlement to it; so he very naturally decided to make a temporary halt, which, for some reason, was prolonged through a period of four years.. In the spring of 1808, he proposed to his son Jonathan, who in the meantime had married, that he would give him his choice of one hundred of the four hundred acres, if he would at once settle there, to which he acceded. Accordingly, he, with Jonathan, two of his other sons and son-in-law, went up and looked over the ground, and Jonathan selected the northern part of the tract, a beautiful situation on a small stream, since known as Shaw creek. Here they cleared a small space and built a cabin just a little north of the present residence of Jonathan Shaw, Jr. This cabin was a rude affair, about sixteen feet square, with a puncheon door and a puncheon floor, which latter was originally laid on the ground. Then they repaired to their homes in Liberty township, and soon after Jonathan, with his wife, child and worldly effects, started for their new home. Following the old Indian trail leading from Delaware to Upper Sandusky, now the Delaware and Marion pike, to the Wyatt settlement—now Norton—he diverged from the highway at that point, and cut his way for eight miles through the woods until he reached his cabin. Here, for nearly six months, in an unbroken wilderness, where the howl of the wolf and the scream of the panther were the most common sounds that greeted their ears at night, the family lived alone, no neighbors nearer than six miles. Although the Indians who thronged these parts, were generally considered friendly, yet Mr. Shaw, as a precautionary measure, thought it advisable to have his gun by his side ; hence, whether making a clearing or tending a crop, his faithful rifle was always within reach. He built the first round log, the first hewed log and the first brick house in Westfield township, and bore a most conspicuous part in its after-history. To the memory of no one do the citizens of Westfield township owe a greater tribute for daring enterprise, persevering industry, unflinching honor, and high moral worth. His fellow-citizens early showed their appreciation of his worth by electing him as their first justice of the peace, a position he held for over twenty years, until he declined longer to be a candidate. There are many fine orchards in this section, some of the apple orchards owing their existence to that remarkable individual known 466- HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY to the earliest pioneers as "Johnny Appleseed," who had a mania for starting orchards, and many of the oldest in central Ohio were planted by him. SCHOOLS, ROADS AND MAILS. The first school taught in Westfield township was in a private house at Shaw Town, by Caroline Porterfield. This was followed by one taught by Fields McWhorter, who, like many of the other early teachers, was an Irishman. The first school house in the township was a log one, and was afterwards used as a store room by Adam Wolfe. The first teacher in this school house was Harry Patee. This was followed by school houses at Elliott's, later Bartlett's Corners, and at Shaw Town. Seventy-five years and more have wrought changes in the school houses in Westfield township Then the doors of the log school houses swung on wooden hinges ; the seats were slabs without backs ; greased paper was used instead of glass for windows, and there were big fireplaces instead of stoves. In the pioneer school houses the children learned to spell, to pronounce words, and to read aloud, instead of writing their lessons. They learned to write a good, round hand, too, even though their pens were made by the teacher, of goose-quills, and the ink was made of maple bark and copperas. Many of those pioneer instructions have at least never been surpassed. The schools of Westfield township to-day are fully up to the average ; each district is supplied with a good, comfortable school house, and Westfield village has a brick building, two stories high, where graded schools are taught. Nearly all the roads in Westfield township were merely blazed trails prior to 1825. The state road from Delaware to Mansfield was surveyed in 1812, but had been established some time previous. This was followed by one in 1817. beginning at the Indian boundary line, at what was later called Shaw Town, and extending south so as to intersect the former at Bartlett's Corners. The first bridge was the one across the Whetstone—Olentangy—near Westfield. It was built of poles, in 1835, and was followed by one two miles further north. Each has been superseded by several in the meantime and there are now substantial structures at each of these points. The state road was a mail route from Delaware to Mansfield, as far back as 1820, at which time there were three offices between those points—Kelley 's Corners, Shauck's and Lexington. The mail was first carried by a man named Barnum, who attempted HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 467 to run a stage in connection with it, but the patronage did not justify it, and it was abandoned. He was followed by Daniel Earl, the latter by Hugh Cole, each of whom carried the mail on horseback. After the completion of what is now known as the "Big Four" railroad, this mail route was abandoned, and the mail for Westfield was carried from Ashley. Great difficulty was experienced by the pioneers of Westfield township in keeping sheep, on account of the ravages of the wolves. Therefore flax was a crop on which they largely depended for clothing. When tow was substituted in place of wool for filling, the cloth was called "linsey-woolsey." These fabrics formed the greater part of men's and women's clothing. The farm implements consisted mainly of a bar-share plow with a wooden mold-board, and a V-shaped harrow with wooden teeth. For harvesting, a scythe for grass and a sickle, or hand cradle, for grain were used. A day's mowing was two and a half acres, and a day's cradling was five acres of wheat, or six of oats. The wages paid were from fifty to seventy-five cents for the former, and from seventy-five cents to a dollar for the latter. The thrashing was at first done with a "flail," and later, when double log barns had been built, the grain was tramped out by horses. The introduction of the thesher was considered quite an innovation, but as grain must be separated from the chaff, fanning mills came into demand, and Westfield township was noted for that industry, as stated elsewhere. The first mill was built by Jonathan Shaw, Sr., on his farm on Shaw creek, about 1814. Rude as it was, it was a great convenience to the settlers for miles around, for previous to that time they were obliged to go to Franklinton, now a part of Columbus, over forty miles distant, with their grists, and it took from three to four days to make the trip, with the necessary delays, such as waiting for their grists to be ground. The first saw mill was built by Timothy Aldrich in 1825, and four years later he added a corn mill. This was superseded by a flouring mill, built in 1834, by Patee and Cone, and in 1856, a better one was built by a Mr. Wiseman, and was a leading mill in that part of the county for many years. A man came to Westfield township from New York, by the name of Morgan Lewis, in 1834. and put in the works at the Bartlett mills, both saw and grist. These mills were two and a half miles north of the village of Westfield. About 1843 Jehiel Howard and Jordan Jones installed card and fulling machinery at the Bartlett mills, which failed to prove very profitable. 468 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY This section of the country was quite healthful, except for occasional attacks of the ague, and patients usually doctored themselves with a decoction of herbs. In the very early settlement there was no doctor nearer than Delaware or Berkshire, but in 1838 Doctor Granger located in Westfield. He was not only a good doctor but was prominent in business enterprises. At the time of his death-1860—he was treasurer of Morrow county. In the early times the pioneers suffered from want of bread, but the supply of meat was usually abundant, consisting chiefly of venison and wild turkey, with occasionally some deer meat. There were several deer licks in this vicinity. The first thought of the pioneer after building his cabin was to clear a piece of ground for corn. Among the early settlers of Westfield township, the following are given : John Shaw, Jonathan, Joseph and Benjamin Shaw, Mordecai Michner, a Mr. Powers, Benjamin Camp, Isaac Stearns, Elisha Bishop, Isaac Welch, John Elliott, Timothy Aldrich, David Cook, John F. Place, Daniel Peak, Josiah Goodhue, Jacob Conklin, the Fousts—John, Abraham and Samuel—Adam Wolfe, Edwin Patee, and others. WESTFIELD. In the early settlement of Westfield township, at a point where the stage changed horses in going from Mansfield to Delaware was a small settlement called Patee Town ; but a town was .not laid out there until 1829, and was called Tyrone. The original proprietors were Henry Patee, Simeon Smith and Josiah Goodhue. The place then contained but one frame house. The first tavern was a log one and was built by Edward Patee. A log house was occupied by Solomon Smith and another by David Smith. During 1829 a man named Adam Wolfe brought a small stock of goods into the township, which he carried in, a pack from one house to another. The stock consisted of notions, which were very much needed among the settlers, and his success was such that he returned to Washington county, Pennsylvania, purchased a larger stock, brought them to Westfield, and opened a store in a vacant school house just north of the tavern above mentioned. Soon after this a post office was established at Westfield. Adam Wolfe was appointed post master, and the name of the office became the same as that of the town—Westfield. From 1838 to 1850, the town was in a flourishing condition, HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 469 with the fanning mill, the asheries, three distilleries and a railroad within two and a half miles of the town. Later, Westfield lost its prestige as a manufacturing town, for the improved thrasher and separator relegated to the past the fanning mill ; the asheries served their purpose and are no more, but the town is yet quite prosperous. The first church in Westfield was a Baptist.. It was a log structure and stood about a half a mile south of the village. Among the first members were John F. Place and wife, Simeon Smith and wife, Elisha Bishop and wife, Elijah Smith and wife, Adin Windsor, and Mrs. Hannah Goodhue, about twenty-two in all. The first ministers were Simeon Smith and Benjamin Martin. In 1844, a frame structure was erected on two acres of ground, a mile north of the village, given two years before for a cemetery. A United Brethren church was organized at Shaw Town in 1830. A society of Methodists was organized here in 1822, and among the first ministers was Russell Bigelow, a noted pioneer divine. Although Westfield is not the thriving town it was forty or fifty years ago, it yet has about one hundred inhabitants. The old churches which were there in the early days of the settlement are no more, and the only one there at present is a Methodist Episcopal. There is a school house with two rooms, but the school is not a graded one. The place has no post office, being on a rural route. The last post master was O. E. Richardson. There is one general store, which is kept by N. S. Meredith. Westfield is two and a half miles northwest of Ashley, Delaware county. WHETSTONE (OLENTANGY) AND ST. JAMES. In the year 1833 Colonel James Kilbourne, then a member of the legislature of Ohio, had an act passed giving Indian names to a number of streams in central Ohio, and by that act substituted the name of Olentangy for the then common name of Whetstone. The original Indian name of the Olentangy was Keenhong-She-Con, or Whetstone creek. One of the reasons stated in the act for changing the names was that some of them were "devoid of modesty." The stream generally known as Big Walnut was by the early white settlers called "Big Belly." The Indian name of that stream was WhingyMahoni-Sepung or Big-Lick creek. The Indian name of what is now called Alum creek was Seeklic-Se-Pung or Salt-Lick creek. The term "Sepung" was always added to the proper name of a Vol. I-30 470 - HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY running stream, and means running water, and was applied to all running streams. Many settlers of Morrow county regretted to have the name of their principal stream changed from the original name of Whetstone to that of Olentangy, or to even have it known by two names. St. James is a station on the Cleveland and Columbus division of the Big Four railroad, between Galion and Edison. There are about a half dozen houses there and a general store.