HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY - 547

CHAPTER LIV.

PERRY TOWNSHIP.

DESCRIPTION-STREAMS-ORGANIZATION-EARLY OFFICERS-SUBSEQUENT TERRITORIAL CHANGES-EARLY SETTLERS -MILLS - VILLAGES - CHURCHES - LOST RUN.

PERRY is one of the original surveyed or Congressional townships, and contains (in both counties) thirty-six sections. Its surface is less diversified than that of either of the other two townships bordering on Knox County, and more so than its western neighbor, Congress, which at one time belonged to Richland, County. This township may be regarded as the table land and end of the broken country that characterizes Eastern Ohio, and furnishes some of the head-waters of the Clear Fork of the Mohican River, and the Owl Creek, which makes it the dividing ridge between these two streams; and it also forms a part of the dividing ridge between the Muskingum and Scioto Rivers. The Owl Creek cuts diagonally across the southwest corner of the township, and has several tributaries from it. The Clear Fork flows almost east, through the second tier of sections from the north, after the union of the branches into which it is divided. The declivity toward the Owl Creek is rapid, and very broken, while toward the Clear Fork it is comparatively gentle, with a surface more smooth. The most fertile soil in the township is along the streams in the northern part. Originally a large part of the township was covered with forest, principally beechwood, while the ground was covered with a dense growth of nettles, and the decayed accumulation of many years formed a surface soil, which could be easily plowed with a boot-heel, and which disguised the true nature of the soil to the inexperienced. This variety of land was very inviting to the pioneers who knew nothing of the nature of beech soil, and many were in this manner caused to pass over the most valuable tracts and enter inferior land. The soil is generally argillaceous or clayey, and all the ordinary crops are successfully grown, where care is exercised in maintaining its fertility, in connection with proper cultivation, and its entire surface is available for cultivation. There is more cleared land in this township than in Jefferson, although it was settled later.

In the organization of the county, Perry Township was embraced in the election district known as Jefferson, the boundaries of which contained six Congressional townships. By an act, September 5, 1814, it was reduced to three of the original townships, and the citizens of Perry participated with Jefferson in one election.

548 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

September 3, 1816. Perry Township was organized and named Leipsic, and embraced the territory of the present Perry and a part of Congress Township; now in Morrow County two townships six miles square. The first officers of the new township were sworn in September 28, 1816, their names and offices being as follows: Trustees-John Cook, James Huntsman and John Coon; Clerk, Jonathan Huntsman ; Supervisors. Benjamin Hart and Philip Stealts ; Overseers of the Poor, George Goss and Lawrence Lamb; Fence Viewers, Caleb Selby and Henry Sams. For some reason, now unknown, the name of the township was changed from Leipsic to Perry, October 11, 1816, and the next day, the Trustees of Jefferson and Perry held a meeting for the purpose of making a final settlement; the Trustees of the latter township to make preparations to collect their share of the taxes levied by the Trustees of Jefferson August 24, 1816. Perry assumed one-half of the indebtedness of Jefferson, which amounted to $27.47, the whole being $54.94 ; and received one-half of a bond given by William Spears and John Zent for a stray horse, the former purchased of Philip Stealts June 29, 1816. The bond called for $17. Philip Stealts was Supervisor of the part of the township now in Richland County, and presented a bill of $4.50 for services. Mr. Hart operated in the Morrow County half, and his bill was 75 cents.

Perry retained the boundary given it in 1816 until June 6, 1825, when it was reduced to six miles square, or to the original survey and the western thirty-six sections received the name of Congress.

February 24, 1848, the General Assembly of the State created Morrow County, and Perry Township was divided, and since then, the eastern eighteen sections have exercised all the privileges of an independent township, and to the western half. a tier of half-sections were added from Congress Township, which has exercised the same privileges. Four sections of and of the eastern twenty--four sections form a school subdistrict. and when the town was divided, one-half of the three districts was thrown into Morrow County. The schoolhouses are located at the county line, and in them children of two counties are instructed.

The first election, after the division, was held April 3, 1848 ; and, after the new officers were installed, those of each township, whose presence was necessary, met at Goodbury and effected the settlement the division necessitated. The officers of Perry, in Richland, kept the old furniture and books at a cost of $5.67, and the funds in the hands of the old Treasurer were divided according to the amount of taxable property in the respective townships, and the clerks were ordered to examine the tax duplicates. Perry, in Morrow, received $56.09. After the division, the half in Richland County spontaneously received the name of East Perry, and the other half; West Perry. The more important officers of the two townships after the creation of :Morrow County were as follows: East Perry-Trustees, John G. Amos, John Haniwalt and Josiah Moore ; Clerk, T. J. Davis ; Treasurer, Jacob Garver. West Perry - Trustees, Levi Hart, Abraham Hetrick and George Tringer ; Clerk, John Bruce ; Treasurer, John Walker. The persons elected to office in East Perry in 1879, were, for Trustees. Jacob Shively, John Steel, J. S. Graham; Clerk, W. C. Black; Treasurer, John Zimrnerla.

The first actual settlement in Perry Township was made by John Frederick Herron, near the site of the Haniwalt mill, in 1809. In 1811, Peter Weirick located a short distance east on Section 12, and John Cook opened a homestead in the southwest corner of the township, in the Lavering settlement. The next year, John Coon came from Belmont County, and pitched his tent on the southwest quarter of Section 12, and the same year George Ruhl, a native of York County, Penn., came to Bellville, and

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 551

from there cut his road to Section 13 and established a home. His familiar neighbors were the Indians. They made frequent visits to his cabin, and borrowed cooking-pots and dishes, which they returned promptly. Soon after the war of 1812, Philip Stealts settled on Section 11. John Painter on Section 36, and, in 1815, 1816 and 1817, a general break-out was made. Along the creek, west of Haniwalt's mill, Abraham Hetrick, Lawrence Lamb, John Shauck and John Edwards settled. Those who settled in the other parts of the township were David Carr, Moses Packer, the Laverings, Caleb Selby, Bracket Dyer, John Cook, the Harts, Peter Poorman, the Singreys, Culps, Benjamin Kirk and a few others. So rapidly was it settled. that in 1835-twenty-five years after the first settlement was made-there were almost as many children in the township as there are at present. Since 1845, the enumeration of the subdistricts has decreased. The following is the enumeration in 1838 and 1845, of each of the ten subdistricts:

1838 1845 1838 1845

No. 1........79......... 74 No. 6...... 72.........107

No. 2.......76......... 91 No. 7 ....102........105

No. 3.......73.........118 No. 8...... 67........102

No. 4.......93.........117 No. 9...... 79 ........ 81

No. 5.......96.........118 No.10...... 89........ 51

John Frederick Herron built the first mill in the township, on the present site of Haniwalt's mill. on the northeast quarter of Section 11, in 1811-12. Peter Weirick was employed to do the carpenter work, and while lie wag erecting the structure. Mr. Herron went to Baltimore with a six-horse team to procure the mill-stones. The house was put up in log-cabin stile. The machinery consisted of a waterwheel, shaft and master wheel, which articulated with the trundle-head that ran the stone. The gearing was made of wood. This invincible concern didn't reduce grain to incomprehensible fineness, but it answered very well for the days of broad teeth and pioneer jaws. The miller's ready retort of those days, on complaint of customers that the meal would not go through the sieve, was, "It'll go through your ladder." In 1814, Francis Baughman purchased it, and ran it till 1833, when it passed into the hands of John Haniwalt. The second enterprise of the kind was undertaken by John Shauck, and a steam mill is now in operation where he built, near the center of Section 5. Other mills were erected in the township, that did a flourishing business for many years, but the failure of the streams to supply the required power made them unprofitable, and they were abandoned. The first building on the site of Corbett's Woolen Mills, northeast quarter of Section 10, was a saw-mill erected by Thomas Philips, in 1830 ; in 1835, a grist-mill was added ; in 1848, Mr. Frairie purchased it, and put in a carding machine, and in 1849, the general woolen machinery. It came into Corbett's possession in 1876. The Perry or Eby Mill was built in 1837, and operated thirty-seven years. It was located a short distance west of the Haniwalt mill.

Hagerstown is the only village in East Perry Township. It derived this name from Christopher Hager. who first settled on the village site, the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of Section 22, and the quarter-sections that corner with it. The first store was opened in the village as a branch of a Johnsville store, and was under the management of J. Cannon and a Mr. Algire. William James was the first blacksmith. Through the influence of John Sherman, a post office was secured in 1860-61, bearing the name of Hagersville. Much of the mail matter designed for this office went to Haysville, and, on suggestion of the Postmaster at the latter place, it was changed to Darlington, by which name the town is also known. f.. Ruhl was the first Postmaster. J. Zimmerla is proprietor of a grocery and notion store at this date and M. Paxton has a dry-goals store, and is Postmaster.

552 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

North Woodbury is a small village, located on the southwest corner of Section l 18, and the cornering sections. The town was laid out by Joseph Terry, on land that he entered in 18'34). An addition was made to it by A. Can Buskirk and John Markey of Bellville. John Ruhl and Morgan Lavering opened the first store. and Mr. Lavering did the clerking. A. Van Buskirk purchased Mr. Markey's interest about five years after the store was opened. In 1874, A. Rnhl became the sole proprietor. About the time Morrow County was created. considerable business was done in the village. and it possessed all the enterprises necessary for a first-class country town. But as the country improved, trade was directed in other channels. and it is now destitute of any considerable business. A. Van Buskirk was the first Postmaster. A. Ruhl held the office in 1879.

Johnsville, the largest and most enterprising town in the township is located on the northwest corner of Section 8 and adjoining sections. It was laid out in 1836, by William Shauck and John Ely. Boyd & Ackley started the first store in 1837. They were succeeded by Creigh & Shauck. The lost office was obtained by Mr. Shauck, and received his name with the addition of an s. The office was kept several years at his residence near the mill. before it was removed to the village.

Ministers of the Gospel followed the first settlers to the township. and the propagation of Christianity commenced with the commencement of the township. The second church in the southern part of the county was built in Perry Township. The first was called a union church. and was built in Worthington Township, not far from where the Evangelical Church. known as the Four Corners Church now stands.

Center Church is located on Section 15. The first church in this locality was organized in 1820, by Silas Ensign a Swedenborgian, and a house of worship was erected in 1822. This structure was burned after standing about five years, when Mr. Ensign and his followers accepted the tenets of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a new house was built in 1828. This society continued several years but it gradually declined, and in 1840 the place was abandoned. The Protestant Methodists followed in order and Rev. Messrs. Bigelow and Bell organized a church and the house was built designated by the above name. The membership is small at present and unable to provide regular preaching services.

Pleasant Grove Church is the property of the Evangelical Association. and is located on the southwest corner of Section 12. The first labor in the Gospel field. instrumental in establishing a church at this place, was performed by Michael Shuey. The first house was built jointly by the Lutherans and Reformed about the year 1825. In 1838, the Salem Lutheran Church was erected in Jefferson Township and the societies were divided. The two branches remaining fell into bitter contentions. and the house was not well cared for. In 1846. an Evangelical society was organized. and the house sold to them the following year. Evangelical meetings were held in private houses as early as 1830. The present house was erected in 1863. at a cost of $1,500. The leading original members were C. Baker. S. Strome and James Steel. The Sabbath school was organized in 1855. with John Steel as Superintendent. The school numbered about fifty in 1879.

The Perry Church (Christian or Disciples) is located in the center of Section 23. The organization was probably effected in 1844 or 1845. The principal members were William Dowland. Steven Cook, Peter Weirick, Levi Ruhl, George Coon, George Algire and Henry McFerren. The first two were ministers, Rev. S. M. Cook is now Pastor. The present membership is about sixty. The Sabbath school was organized in 1853. with Anthony Hard-

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 553

man, Superintendent. The school has been kept up through the summer seasons ever since it was organized. It numbers sixty pupils.

The Clear Fork Church-United Brethren is located on the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of Section 2. The church was commenced in 1852 or 1853, and the meetinghouse built about the same time. The leading members were George Hiskey, Jacob Thuma, Peter Thuma, Jacob George, Daniel Cover and Jehu Fry. There are between thirty and forty members, and Rev. Orr was Pastor in 1879. The Sabbath school was organized soon after the church. It has not been largely attended the past few summers. Mrs. Sarah Thuma was Superintendent in 1879.

In the winter of 1871-72, Rev. C. C. Ball held a protracted meeting at the Center Church about forty accessions resulting therefrom. A Methodist Episcopal society was formed. The Trustees of Center Church refused them the use of the house longer, and, April 20, 1872, a meeting was held and preparations made for the erection of a church. Darlington was selected as a location, and the house 34x46 was built at a cash outlay of $1,600. Counting the lumber and timber donated, it would swell the cost to over $2,000. C. C. Ball was the first minister. Rev. E. Buxton filled the charge in 1879 and 1880. The membership is nineteen. The Sabbath school was commenced in 1873, and A. C. Huntsman was Superintendent.

The Lutheran Church is located at the crossroads, half a mile north of the village of Woodbury. The commencement of the two societies which built the first church dates back to 1838, and, in 1841, the Lutherans and German Reformed jointly completed a building. George Leiter, a Lutheran minister, and his brother, Samuel Leiter, a Reformed, supplied the preaching for the two societies. The first protracted effort by the Lutherans was conducted by Barney Huffman, a missionary sent from Pennsylvania. The leading original members were Henry Sowers, George Ruhl, George Hosler, Peter Baker, Martin Buckner, John Broadbeck, John Snyder, Adam Bechtel and their wives. The Reformed Society is extinct. The number of members in 1879 was 145. The house now occupied is brick, and was erected in 1861, at a cost of $4,000. Rev. G. M. Heindel is now Pastor. The Sabbath school was commenced about 1850, with George Ruhl acting as Superintendent. William Huntsman filled the position in 1879. The average attendance was about fifty-five.

A short time before the first protracted meeting by the Lutherans in the new church, a number of the people of the locality attended an Evangelical meeting. Among the number who embraced religion was Adam Bechtel. He was not, however, fully persuaded, and, after the meeting was ended, he prayed for a sign to confirm him. One night while in bed, soon after, he heard a noise, and, arising to ascertain the cause, he discovered his family Bible was moved from its accustomed place on the shelf by an unseen power, and fallen to the floor. He picked it up, and, on opening it, the first passage of Scripture on which his eyes rested, read like this: "He brought me up also out of a horrible pit." He was convinced. The revelation was noised abroad, and, in a short time a meeting was commenced which continued till the following noon. In the afternoon, an effort was made to secure a place to hold a meeting but without success. The nest morning, subscription papers were started to get funds to build two new churches. They were completed in 1842. One is the property of the Evangelical Association, and the other of the United Brethren. The latter society continued to exist till 1862, when sectional strife regarding the rebellion became so strong as to disband it, and, in 1866, their house of worship was sold to the Evangelical Church.

The United Brethren of Johnsville was organized in 1850. The leading members were

554 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

D. Cover, G. G. Hiskey, H. Purdy, W. Shauck, D. Riddle and Peter Thuma. The house used for worship was completed in November, 1849, is built of brick, and cost $1,237. The present membership is thirty, and the annual contributions, for all purposes, $300. The Sabbath school was organized in 1845 ; membership fifty, in 1879.

The Baptist Church of Johnsville was organized by Elder Wolfin, in Woodbury, in 1858. The leading members were W. H. Shank, A. and J. Kelly, and J. Fringer. A meeting house was erected in Johnsville, in 1859.It is a neat frame, and cost $900. The membership, in March, 1880, is forty; yearly contributions, for all purposes, $275. The Sabbath school was commenced in 1873, and has an attendance of fifty.

The Salem Baptist Church is located near the center of Section 5. Meetings were held in the locality of this church in the fall of 1846, and in January 1847, the members met in the Lamb Schoolhouse, and organized under the leadership of Elder Benjamin Green. The principal members were Peter Weirick, Abraham Hetrick and John Weirick. The meeting house was finished in 1848. It was a brick, and stood till 1877, when it was torn down and a frame building was erected on the site, at a cost of $2,100. Elder Green was Pastor of the church until 1856, when superannuation rendered him incapable of further labor. Elder Milton Smith was the latest Pastor; he died in February, 1880. The membership is twenty-eight.

A tributary of the Owl Creek, called "Lost Run," rises in the central part of the township, and flows diagonally to the Knox County line. It received this name from a man taking a prospecting tour through the township, and getting lost, followed the stream to the settlements.