528 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER LII.

MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP.

LOCATION, ORGANIZATION AND BOUNDARY-PHYSICAL FEATURES-CRAWFORD'S MARCH-HOME OF THE RED MEN INDIAN RELICS, ETC.-SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENTS-DANIEL HOOVER AND HIS BEAR STORIES-JAMES MCDERMOTT- ROBERT BENTLEY- SURVEYED-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES- BRIDGES ON THE BLACK FORK-MILLS -VILLAGES- POPULATION.

SEPTEMBER 5,1814, Vermillion Township, being then eighteen miles long from north to south, and twelve miles wide, was cut in two parts by a line drawn through the center north and south. The western half received the name of Mifflin, and was six by eighteen miles in extent. Two years later (1816); this territory was again divided, and the portion six miles square, lying directly east of Madison, was. called Mifflin. It is very probable the name came from Pennsylvania with the settlers -from Mifflin Township, Allegheny County. When Ashland County was created in 1846, the township was again divided, the east line following the general course of the Black Fork, crossing and recrossing it; but as the history includes all of Richland County as originally created, so in this sketch of Mifflin, it will be treated as if the latter division had not taken place, the divisions, both in Ashland and Richland, being still called Mifflin. It is bounded on the north by Weller and Milton. ,on the east by Vermillion, south by Monroe and west by Madison.

The surface is broken and hilly, especially along the Black Fork, where there are deep, dark ravines and high, rocky bluffs which are for the most part still heavily timbered. For beauty and picturesqueness, the scenery can hardly be excelled in the State. Beyond these hills, the township is gently rolling, and is covered with fine farms and farmhouses. The farmers are generally well and comfortably settled, prosperous and healthy. Occasionally, along the Black Fork, a level bottom pushes back the hills, and some of the finest farms in Richland County are here situated. It is well watered. The Black Fork runs across it from northwest to southeast; and the Rocky Fork passes across the southwest corner. Emptying into these are various smaller streams flowing from every part of the township. In addition to these, numerous springs, many of which are large, beautiful and valuable; burst from the ground at various points: some of them near Petersburg, forming a very pretty lake about a half mile in diameter. and forty feet in depth at its deepest point. It is the focus of many pleasure excursions. furnishing good fishing, boating and beautiful scenery. It is on the farm of Mr. John P. Culler.

In 1782, Cop. William Crawford's command passed through this township, marching across from the site of the Indian village of Greentown to the Rocky Fork of the Mohican, up which they traveled to Mansfield. This was twenty-seven years before a permanent settlement was made and so far as history informs us, these were the first white men to press the soil of Mifflin. Long before this. however, there is abundant proof that this was the favorite hunting-ground of the red men. Any one who understands the Indian character, his fondness for roaming and hunting, and his love of nature, can readily understand what a paradise this must have been for him. These open

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 529

Woods of grand old oaks, sugar, hickory, beech and all varieties of hardwood; these towering hills, quiet valleys and dark ravines ; these sparkling streams, springs of pure water, and little lakes; the great variety of game and fish, altogether made this region a perfect Indian home.

From the time of the first settlement to the present, the farmers have plowed up great numbers of Indian relics-flint arrow-points, stone axes, stone wedges and many other varieties of stone implements. Hundreds of these are now in possession of the people, but too often they are passed by and plowed under again without a thought of their value. On the farm of Benjamin Staman (the same upon which Martin Ruffnor, who was killed by the Indiana, built his cabin) is an old Indian burying-ground. It is about one-fourth of a mile west of Staman's Mill. A number of graves were found and, being quite shallow, were readily exposed. The most striking peculiarity about them is the fact that the bodies were buried in a sort of stone coffin. After digging the grave, it appears the bottom was covered with small bowlders, the body placed upon them and a sort of wall of the same materials placed around it. Over it were placed flat stones, thus forming a stone coffin, upon which the dirt was thrown. Many of these skeletons were in a good state of preservation when discovered. It is also stated that near the cemetery have been found many trinkets, used as ornaments for the nose and ears. Mr. Staman has a small collection of relies, gathered from different parts of his farm; among others, a musket barrel, partly rusted away, which was found about eighteen inches underground, near the bank of the Black Fork. One of Johnny Appleseed's nurseries was located on this same farm, about half a mile from Petersburg.

On the bottom northwest of Petersburg (Mifflin), is a large mound, evidently an artificial structure. It is composed of drift-rounded bowlders, gravel and light loam.

In the year 1809, the red men of Black Fork heard "the first low wash of waves," coming up that stream from the direction of the Muskingum, and the "human sea," destined soon to overwhelm and destroy them. In that year, James Copus, from Greene County, Penn., became the first actual settler in the township. He was afterward murdered by the Indians, together with Martin Ruffner and the Zimmer family, all these names being familiar in the history of this State. As this tragedy receives particular attention in a separate chapter, no detailed account of it will be given in the history of the township.

In the same year, several white men came up as far as Greentown, where about one hundred Indiana were living in comfortable cabins, under an old chief named Armstrong. Among them were Samuel Lewis, Henry McCart, Mr. Shaeffer and Andrew Craig. The latter was in this vicinity before James Copus, but so far as is known, did not settle within the limits of Mifflin. These men and others were hunting homes in the wilderness, and may have squatted for a short time, and some permanently, in the township about the same time with Mr. Copus. The next year (1810), Archibald Gardner, Samuel Hill, David Hill and some others came. It is not certainly known whether they came in the fall of 1809, or the spring of 1810, more likely the latter. It is a question whether Samuel Hill or Archibald Gardner was the first settler in Mifflin on the Richland County side of the line, but the preponderance of evidence seems to be in favor of the former. Samuel Hill settled on the northeast quarter of Section 33, now occupied by Solomon Balliett. If he settled there when he first came-and there is no evidence he did not he was the first, or among the first settlers in Mifflin in Richland County. Where Archibald Gardner was during the year 1810 has not been ascertained, but in the following year, he traveled up the Black Fork, and built his cabin three-fourths of a mile north of the present

530 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

village of Windsor, on the northwest quarter of Section 5. He was the first settler in this part of the township. It has been before stated that Gardner built his cabin on the site of the village, but Dr. William Bushnell, who is good authority on matters of that kind, places it as stated above. Frederick Zimmer, Sr., Frederick Zimmer, Jr., Phillip Zimmer and John Lambright also came in 1810, settling in the neighborhood of Mr. Copus. Following these in 1812, were Martin Ruffner, Michael Ruffner and Richard Hughes, who settled in the same neighborhood, on the east side of Black Fork. The same year, Samuel Lewis and Christian Hoover settled on Section 8, and John Peterson who came from Coshocton County, Ohio, settled on the east side of Black Fork. He was originally from New Jersey. The larger part of these early pioneers were from Western Pennsylvania. As the Indians now became hostile on account of the breaking-out of the war between the United States and Great Britain, the tide of immigration was checked, and few if any, further settlements were made between the years 1812 and 1815. At the latter date, however, the tide rolled westward again with such volume and power that it swept over the State. The well-remembered Robert Bently came in that year and settled on Section 9 ; Francis Andrews, on Section 3 ; Leonard Croninger, Section 2 ; William Gardner, Section 27; William Mathews, Section 16; Hugh Hale, Section 7 ; Robert Andrews, Section 5 ; David Ritt, Section 6 ; also about this time, James McDermott, Samuel Simpson, David Newell, John Bell and Thomas Wilson. In 1816, George Rummell, John Vantilburg and John Pettet settled on Section 8 ; and no doubt many others whose names cannot now be ascertained. The hardy pioneers, after fighting their way to and through the wilderness, subduing its ragged and rugged places, molding them into beautiful homes; found themselves, when ready to live, at the end of life. Few are now living. Mrs. Sarah Vail, who was little Sally Copus when her father was murdered by the Indians, is yet among the living. Mr. Daniel Hoover died last winter, a little over eighty-four years old, after a life full of history, much of which had faded from his memory. He was born in Rockingham County, Va., in 1796. His children are Joseph, John, Mary, Harry, Aaron, Christian, Alfred, Elizabeth and Daniel. He often told of meeting a bear one day, when he was hunting his pigs, which he thought was almost as large as a cow. Being unarmed, he did not seek a close acquaintance. At another time, when passing through the woods, he came suddenly upon a bear, which his dog attacked. Mr. Hoover, fearing his dog would get worsted in the fight, seized a club and went to his assistance. He succeeded in grasping one of the hind legs of bruin, and, being a powerful man, placed it across his knee and broke it. The struggle was long and desperate, but Mr. Hoover and his dog triumphed in the end. At another time, being out coon-hunting, his dogs treed something he supposed was a coon; but on climbing the tree, Mr. Hoover found himself face to face with a huge black bear, which came toward him with savage growls. He concluded that was not the coon he was hunting, and came down much more rapidly than he went up. Hundreds of similar stories linger in the memory of the old settlers, and are handed down to their children. They show the condition of the country in early times.

Another pioneer who was prominent in the township and county, and much respected by the early pioneers, was James McDermott, who was born in Cumberland County, Penn., in August, 1758 or 1759. He came to Mifflin in 1815, where he continued to reside until his death, June 25, 1859.

His father, Archibald McDermott, was born in Lancaster, Penn. His grandfather, Daniel McDermott, came from the Highlands of Scotland. He was a private soldier in the war of

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the Revolution, serving the first two years at Fort Du Quesne (Pittsburgh) ; then marching over the Allegheny Mountains, joining the army of Gen. Washington at Valley Forge, where he suffered through that terrible winter. He was in the battle of Princeton, and all other operations of the army at that period. He was a member of the Methodist Church from 1816. When he died his children numbered eleven, his grandchildren. seventy-nine, and great-grandchildren one hundred and thirteen.

Another gentleman, who honored Mifflin with his presence in 1815, was Robert Bentley, whose reputation extended beyond the boundaries of townships, counties, and even States. With his family, he camped about a week upon the southwest quarter of Section 10, while he was building his cabin. He brought with him two yoke of oxen, two horses ahead of them, two cows, two calves, and a fine mare, upon which Mrs. Bentley rode with her child Mary, who subsequently became the wife of Dr. William Bushnell. The only road in the township was the State road from Wooster through Mansfield to Bucyrus-a mere trail sufficient for the passage of a wagon.

Mr. Bentley was appointed Associate Judge of the Court of Common; Pleas in 1821, and served seven years. In 1828, he was elected to the State Senate, and was re-elected in 1830, serving in that capacity four years. In 1839, he removed to Mansfield, where he resided at the time of his death in 1862. He was for some time connected with the military service, was a Major General of militia, and a prominent military man in his day.

This township was surveyed by James Hedges, Deputy United States Surveyor, in 1807. The first schoolhouse was built on Section 16, by Andrew Newman, Christian Hoover and Robert Bentley. It was near the present site of Koogle's Schoolhouse. The first teacher was Margaret Halston, who taught during the summer. She lived in the Weller settlement. Previous to this, however, schools were kept in the log huts of the settlers, and meetings of all kinds were held in houses, barns, sheds and out of doors, as seems to have been the practice everywhere in the new settlements before schoolhouses or public buildings of any kind had an existence.

The first church in the township, so far as can be ascertained, was built on the southeast quarter of Section 17, in 1825. It was of logs, and never acquired the dignity and respectability attaching to doors and windows. James Rowland, of Mansfield, was the first minister. After its abandonment, the congregation came to Mansfield. About the same time, a log church was erected near Petersburg by the German Reformed people. This was used by people of all denominations for many years, and when it was abandoned, another log church was erected near the same place. It was on the northeast quarter of Section 14, and was erected through the influence of the Messrs. Cullers, who were its principal supporters. The first Pastor was George Lighter, followed by Mr. Huffman. The date of its erection was about 1840. When better churches were erected in Petersburg, this church was abandoned. But two churches now remain in the township, outside the villages of Windsor and Petersburg, having an organized existence. One of these is the German Reformed, erected in 1851, on the southwest quarter of Section 30. It cost about $500. For many years previous to its erection, services were held in the log schoolhouse, and afterward in a stone schoolhouse, on the northwest quarter of Section 32. These two schoolhouses have gone down with the lapse of time, a neat frame now serves the purpose, as is the case over other parts of the township. The principal founders of this church were the Ballietts, who are quite numerous and influential in that neighborhood. The first ministers in this organization were Samuel and George Lighter and Solomon Ritz. After several years, the attendance failed, and

534 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

the Lutherans organized at the same place with about twenty-five members. The Rev. A. L. Wiles, D. D., now of Wooster, was their first minister. The principal members were Henry Balliet and wife, Rachel Bell; Jacob Brubaker and wife, and Betsy Ross. Mr. Wiles was followed by James Emerson, P. F. Dornblazer and A. Brown. The present minister (November, 1879), is Cyrus Ernsberger, and present membership, about seventy.

At the time of the organization of the Lutheran Church, their Sunday school, first came into existence, and has continued in a healthy condition until the present time. J. P. Gates was the first Superintendent. S. S. Balliett is the present Superintendent. The membership is about sixty. The first teachers in the old log schoolhouse, where the church originated, were Joseph Dix, Alanson Reeves and Rebecca McDermott. The latter, now Mrs. Gates, is still living in that neighborhood. She is about seventy years old, but enjoys excellent health, and her memory is clear and strong. She says when her father, James McDermott, came to the country, he was stopped on the east side of Black Fork, with one or two others, by the swollen condition of the stream. Two of their young men, being strong, swimmers, plunged in and reached the opposite shore in safety, carrying lines with them, by which they drew axes across, and, having discovered where two large trees grew on the opposite bank, on a line drawn at right. angles with the stream, they felled these trees toward each other; a bridge was thus formed, upon which, piece by piece, all their earthly possessions were conveyed to the opposite bank. This was the first bridge across Black Fork. In the following year, Mr. McDermott built the first bridge across that stream for the general public. It was made of logs and slabs. Now that beautiful stream is spanned in many places by elegant iron bridges, and substantial wooden covered bridges. In early times, small flatboats were known to come up as far as the present site of Charles' mill in the Copus settlement.

In 1875, the Dunkards built a frame church on Section 17, on land donated by Christian Coffman, who, with Henry Hoover and son, were the principal founders. Rev. Benjamin preaches there at present. The membership is about thirty.

In the same year, a Sunday school was organized at the Lewis Schoolhouse in District No. 3. Washington McBride was the first, and is the present, Superintendent. The membership is about twenty-five.

Mifflin exhibited such excellent facilities for water-power, that the settlers early began the erection of mills. The first grist-mill was erected on Section 8, on a tributary of the Black Fork. It was called Flemming's mill, and was destroyed by a flood. In 1819, a gristmill and a saw-mill were erected near each other on Black Fork, about one mile above Petersburg on Section 10. The gristmill was the second built in the township, and is still in operation. Several dwelling-houses have gathered around it, and a tanyard is in operation, owned by Mr. Augustine, of Mansfield, but the place is yet nameless. The mill has changed hands many times. It was built by Andrew Newman, and run by him until 1825, when it was sold to Jacob Staman, who, in 1828, transferred it to Benjamin Hershey. This gentleman tore down the log structure, and built the mill in its present form, and afterward sold it to Jacob Staman & Brothers. It was at different times transferred successively to Benjamin Staman, John Staman, Joseph Gougwer, and in 1871, to John Zehner, its present owner. It has long been known as the Staman Mill.

In 1831, Benjamin Staman built a saw-mill near his residence, on Section 14, which is still under his supervision. A gristmill was also built on Section 35, three miles below Petersburg, on the Black Fork, in the Copus settlement.

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The first was a log structure, built by John Hershey, and by him transferred to Charles Lewis, who owned it when destroyed by fire. In 1854, the present mill was built by Daniel Coffman. It contains two run of stone, and grinds about two thousand bushels of wheat in a year. In 1859, it was purchased by its present owner, John Charles, and is known as the Charles Mill.

A fourth mill is on Zimmer's run, a branch of the Black Fork, on the southwest quarter of Section 24. It was built by James Neely, and is at present owned by James Mathews. A fifth mill is on Section 22. It was built in 1835 by John Staman, and is called the Twin Spring Mill, from the fact that it is built near two beautiful springs, which produce a large volume of clear water, which flows into the Black Fork. Nearly, or quite all, the mills have a saw-mill in connection, owned and run by the same person.

Mifflin is the oldest of the two towns in the township. It is located on the southeast quarter of Section 16, and was laid out on the 28th of June, 1816, by William B. James, Peter Deardoff and Samuel Lewis. It was named Petersburg, from the given name of one of its founders; but, by an act of the Legislature, was changed to Mifflin, though it is still generally known by its first name. It is on the east side of Black Fork, half a mile from that stream. Its location was determined by two very large springs, which famish the purest and best of water for all its people. The water is conveyed to places convenient for general use. Early travelers across the State claimed for the Petersburg springs the best water in the State.

The first store was kept by a Mr. McFadden in a log hut. In 1833, John Scott, William Lemon and John McCroy started the second store. The census returns of 1830 showed a population in the town of thirty-five. This was the only instance in which the census of the town was taken separately from the township. It never had a corporate existence. In 1839, William Lemon died, and his brother John took his place in the store, buying out Scott. In 1844, John bought out McCroy, and has continued the business, with his sons, ever since. He was originally from Paisley, Scotland, and came to Haysville in 1818. His son James now runs the store. They carry a general stock of about $6,000 value.

The first hotel was kept by a Mr. Thomas in a log house; the second by Jacob Will, on the corner where Lemon's store building now stands. These two being discontinued, the present building was erected in 1840 by James Hartman. The first blacksmith-shop was erected by a Mr. McKinsey.

The town has grown steadily, until the population numbers about 250. At present, there are two groceries, kept by Charles Engle and James Budd ; a hotel, by Cyrus Keffer ; three blacksmith-shops, by John Baker, Nicholas Mathews and Isaac Mathews ; one saddler's shop, by Paul Keightley ; three shoe-shops, by William Batchelor, Jacob Black and John Pitts'; two wagon-shops, by Hiram Sweet and Nathaniel Keightley ; a butcher-shop, by Frederick Dale and Frank Hershey. There are two doctors, I. F. Markel and C. D. Sackett. The latter has in his possession an interesting relic of olden times. It is a wooden clock, which was found secreted in the woods after the Zimmer and Copus massacre. The people at that time fled to the forts for safety, secreting their most valuable possessions in the woods.

The Evangelical Lutherans are the most numerous religious denomination in the vicinity of Petersburg. Until 1851, they worshiped in the log churches before mentioned. That year, they built a church in Petersburg. It was destroyed by fire in 1863, and afterward rebuilt. The several families of Cullers, residing in the vicinity, have always been influential in matters connected with this church, and have contributed freely of their means to its support. A

536 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Presbyterian church was organized. under the name of "Mifflin." in 1851. Rev. W. T. Adams was the first Pastor. James Rowland, of Mansfield, also preached in this church. They worshiped in what is called the Union Church built in 1831, through the influence of John Lemon. Luke Silby and Jonas Balliett. who were appointed trustees. This church is free to all denominations, and has been used by the Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists and Albrights. The latter occupied it for a Sunday school several years, but finally consolidated with the Lutheran Sunday school, organized in 1853, and is still in a flourishing condition. The first Superintendent was Elias Troutman, of Mansfield The present Superintendent is C. C. Staman, and the membership about three hundred. The present minister of this church is Rev. J A. Hall. The Union Church is at present unoccupied.

The town of West Windsor was laid out March 21, 1837 by Joseph. Henry and A. T. Page, and Roger Moses. It is six miles from Mansfield, on the road to Ashland and Olives burg. The Pages came from Windsor County, Vt., hence the name of the village. Joseph Page purchased the land on which Windsor is situated, of Archibald Gardner, who settled here, as before stated, in 1811. He (Page) had five children-Thomas, Henry, Alanson T.. Mary and Febe. Alanson T. in company with John Conn (who afterward went to Van Wert, Ohio), started the first store in 1839. It was in a frame building, which is yet standing on the Windsor Run, a tributary of the Black Fork. The place never grew up the expectations of its founders and when the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad passed within three-fourths of a mile of it in 1864, part of the business went over to the station. and the little village took a Rip Van Winkle sleep. At present, there is a grocery, kept by John Baker, two shoe-shops by Phillip Heiserman and Peter Broach, a blacksmith-shop by Charles Barr, and a wagon shop by Jacob Marti. There are about seventy inhabitants.

A Baptist church was built here in 1840. Mr. Page gave the lot on which it stands. The original members were Mrs. Kagey, Mrs. Irvin, Jonas Balliett and wife, Joseph Page, wife and son, and John Woodhouse. The latter is still living in one of the oldest; if not the oldest, brick house in the township.

The first minister was Rev. Mr. Thorp, followed by Justus Taylor and Henry Brown. The Baptist attendance having failed, the Methodists organized a church in 1869. The present minister is the Rev. Mr. Hoydon, the membership is about twenty. Three years ago, a Sunday school was started. with Allen Haverfield as Superintendent. The present membership is about twenty-five.

In 1820, the population of the township was 467; in 1830, 1,118; in 1840, 1,800 ; in 1850, 1,797; in 1860, 1,790, and in 1870, 1,679. It remains for the census of 1880 to show whether there is an increase or decrease.