HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 413

CHAPTER XLIV.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

ORGANIZATION AND TOPOGRAPHY - AGRICULTURE, ESC.-INDIAN OCCUPATION - ROADS -FIRST SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENTS-FIRST HOTELS -DISTILLERS-THE LEAD MINE-BEAR HUNTING-"SHINING" FOR DEER SNAKE STORY-FIRST ELECTIONS-MILLS-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP was erected June 4, l 1816, out of the southeast corner of Blooming Grove Township, and was at that time, six miles square. including a portion of what is now Weller Township. Thus it remained until Ashland County was formed. This formation left the eastern townships of Richland in a fragmentary shape. awl necessitated a change in township lines. In this change. Franklin lost its two eastern tiers of sections. July 5, 1849, leaving it in its present shape. six miles long, from north to south, and four miles wide. Its surface is generally flat or gently rolling, and in an early day a large part of it was considered swamp land and all was covered with a dense forest of vigorous growth. Oak and beech were more abundant on the higher lands. and Maple and walnut on the wavy slopes ill tile west awl central parts. The elm, ash and sycamore skirted the winding Black Fork which passes across the northeastern portion, and the second bottom lands were noted for their beautiful sugar-tree groves. Wild plum-trees and black-haw bushes were found in various parts.

Two clear, sparking tributaries of the Black Fork. Friend's Creek and Brubaker Creek, run parallel with each other from west to east across the township near its center. Between these creeks, and north of Friend's Creek, lie some of the higher lands, until the vicinity of the Black Fork is reached when swamps again make their appearance. The southern part of the township is also quite swampy, even yet, though much drainage has rendered the land tillable. Agriculturally considered it is one of the finest townships of land in the county. The soil is strong and produces a vigorous growth of whatever the farmer is disposed to sow or plant. Fine sugar camps still exist and much maple sugar is made. The day is rapidly approaching, however, when the farmers will see the necessity of great care and much nursing of their timber land. Even now, hedge, board and lost and rail fences are taking the place of the time-honored rail or worm fence. The day is not far distant, when this latter fence will be as much of a rarity as are now the log cabins of the pioneer. So gradual is this change, that it escapes the notice of those who daily pass through the country. and yet. comparatively, the change is rapid, and the farmer will soon find himself the autocrat of his little domain, as well as the aristocrat of the country. This is essentially an agricultural township. there being no towns within its limits. and no railroad touches it., except at the southeast corner. where the Atlantic & Great Western passes across a small portion.

The people are largely descendants of that sturdy race of pioneers who came from Western Pennsylvania and Virginia. They were men and women of rare courage and strength, and religiously. were Lutherans or German Reformed. Their children follow in their footsteps, and make it their highest aim in life to become worthy citizens.

414 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Prior to white occupation.; the Indians used this territory, extensively for hunting and making sugar. but no permanent camp was located within its limits, so far as known. Every year. however. they were in the habit of making temporary camps. along the beautiful valleys of Friend's and Brubaker Creeks. and many specimens of their handiwork have been found in various places, though these are not ! nearly so numerous as in some other portions of the county. On the bank of Brubaker's Creek. a short distance west of John Kendall s barn several fine specimens of Indian workmanship have been found. from time to time, indicating the location of an Indian encampment and. perhaps, of a small burying-ground, though the place has never received careful examination.

The Black Fork, in an early day, was considered navigable, for some boats, as far as Ganges, though it was hard work to get boats of any size above the vicinity of the Charles mill. The earliest settlers of Franklin probably came up this stream, a few, however, coming in by way of Beall's trail, and large numbers, a little later, by the old State road, the first. road in the township, and was cut through, in a zigzag course. from Mansfield to Brubaker Creek, and thence northwesterly, taking a diagonal course across the township to Ganges. This mad has been straightened considerably, but its general course remains the same. This is the road upon which large quantities of grain and other produce was wagoned to the lake, in those days the only outlet to the Eastern market ; and it was along this road that the first settlers generally located, and where they were not en tirely isolated from the rest of the world. The daily passage of immense freight wagons, which occurred in the fall of the year, served as a diversion for the monotony of life in the woods.

No exact date can be given for the first settlement of this township, though it must have occurred as early as 1814, as a printed record which is confirmed by the oldest settlers- says that Peter Pittenger and George Wolford, together with the Rev. John Clingen, organized a Methodist society, with twelve members in 1813. This would indicate quite a number of settlers here at that early date. and it is fair to presume that some of them came as early as 1814, or even a year earlier, though it must also be remembered that settlers came from long distances to religious meetings, and that this early Methodist society might have been made up of settlers partly from other townships.

It is pretty safe to place Henry and Peter Pittenger, who settled on Section 21, and George Wolford, among the earliest settlers. Among these early settlers, also, were Samuel Harvey, Mr. Arbuckle, Samuel Gosage and the Armstrongs, all of whom settled on Section 16, which had been reserved by the State for school purposes, and all came before 1820. These wore rather wild, harum - scarum fellows, who cared more for hunting wild animals and bees, fishing and trapping, than for tilling the soil. They erected their cabins upon this section because it was not open to settlers nor for sale and they knew they would not be disturbed. They made no clearings or improvements, for they did not intend to become farmers. The State held this land sixteen years, when it was sold to the highest bidder, bringing about $11 per acre. It is worth now about $100 per acre. When it was sold, these hunters were compelled to vacate, and probably followed the Indian and bear further West. Among the earliest settlers in the southern and western part, were Mr. Groocross, Section 29; Samuel Linn, Section 28; Jacob Keiser, John and Jacob Stoner, Robert Hall, Samuel Dounan and Israel Long, the latter settling on Section 34. Further north and east, were Calvin Morehead and his four sons, James, John, David and Calvin; Jacob Cline, Section 17;

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Joseph Floro, Section 16, and Mr. Inks, Section 17. The latter erected a "tavern " on the old State road, at a point on Friend's Creek, where several roads now cross. The place is now owned by Johnson Boggs, whose father was also among the earliest settlers. Inks only kept the hotel a short time, when he died. A Mr. Gates married the widow, and continued the business many years. Israel Long also erected a log tavern on this road, for the accommodation of the teamsters and travelers. This building stood on Section 34, near the German Reformed and Lutheran brick church, directly in front of the present residence of Hezekiah Kohler. These two "taverns" were noted resorts in early days, public gatherings and militia musters being held in the vicinity of each.

Some of the later settlers were John Kendall, who came from England in 1825, locating where he now resides, on Section 20; the Taylors, Crums, Ralstons, Powells and others.

Jacob Cline erected a distillery near his cabin. on a spring. This gave the earliest settlers a market for their corn and smaller grain, which Mr. Cline purchased and made into whisky sending part of it to the lake, but disposing of most of it to the settlers at 15 or 18 cents per gallon. This was not the poison now retailed by saloons and drug stores, but honest whisky, which would make a man drunk, but would not murder him.

The forests of Franklin Township were filled with wild game of every description, and was a paradise her the white as well as the red hunter. It is said that the Indians were in the habit of going down to what is termed the "Big Hill" for their lead for hunting purposes. It is a little strange that this lead-mine has never been discovered. The old settlers of to-day can, many of them, remember the little chunks of lead, in its crude state, they frequently saw in the hands of the Indians. The Indians guarded their secret with jealous care, and would never reveal the place of this lead deposit; the settlers, however, were under the impression that it was in the vicinity of the Big Hill. It is stated that, whenever white men were taken to the vicinity of this mine, they were •' blindfolded."

Many black bears lived in the swamps and "windfalls" of Franklin. Their cubs were frequently captured by the settlers and retained as pets. Many a hunt was made by the settlers, with guns and dogs, after the black-wooled depredators, who had, the night before, disturbed the peace of the pig-pen or trespassed among the tender vines of the garden.

In the winter of 1817, a light snow being on the ground, Peter Pittenger, James Furgeson and his sons came upon the track of a bear near the present site of Wolford's Schoolhouse. They followed it eastward until the trail stopped at the foot of a hollow tree by Palmer's swamp. They began cutting, and, when the tree was half cut down, bruin, doubtless taking the hint. came suddenly down among the dogs and men and ran away along the edge of a swamp. The dogs soon overtook him, and Tige and Jowler made demonstrations in front, while Trip and Penny proceeded to attack the enemy's works in the rear. The men came up quickly, but in the excitement had left their guns behind and found themselves upon the battle-field where bruin was standing on the defensive, fighting the dogs, with no weapons except an ax and hatchet. These they were unable to use lest a blow at tile bear might be equally disastrous to a dog.

When the men came up, the bear again attempted a retreat, when Peter Pittenger seized it by the rump and gave it three deep cuts in the back with his tomahawk. He was compelled, however, to release his hold, and tile wounded animal continued the retreat two miles further, but was finally overtaken on the Page farm near Windsor, and shot.

416 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

It is related that late one evening in November, an Indian hunter, whom the whites called "Greasy," concluded he would try "shining" on the Black Fork for deer. Placing fire in one end of his bark canoe and seating himself in the other, gun in hand, he dropped quietly down the stream. the fire lighting up either bank. After going half a mile, the hunter saw in the bushes two bright eyes gazing at his beacon light. When he fired, the eyes disappeared, but a wounded deer struck the water so near the canoe as to upset it, putting out the light and leaving "Greasy" to exercise his swimming powers in the darkness to reach the bank. He soon came shivering back to camp mines canoe, gun, deer and temper.

Blacksnakes and rattlesnakes were quite numerous here as well as elsewhere in early days. Illustrative of this unpleasant fact in pioneer life. Mr. Isaac Charles relates that an Indian named Cornstalk came to his cabin. one evening in the fall of 1816,; and, taking a seat with a solemn, despondent look, remarked, Injin tired. Injin hunt all day on hill for deer." " Did you kill any ? " asked Mr. Charles. "Me no kill any deer. Too shy! Me hunt for bear, Me no kill bear, Injin hungry! Injin tired. After a short pause he continued: "Injin bad scared to-day." "What scared you?" asked Mr. Charles. "Me look in rocks for bear sign. Ugh ! Snake, big! Me turn round, ugh ! Snake there too; me look on this side, on that side; snake here, snake there, snake all around. Ugh! Injin scared. Injin run fast." They afterward hunted up this spot, a sleep ravine called the "snake den," where hundreds of these reptiles were killed.

The township settled up quite rapidly after the war of 1812; many of the soldiers who passed through the county with the army, afterward returned and settled permanently in these northern townships of the county.

One of the oldest voting-places in the northern part of the county was in a cabin on the farm now owned by Samuel Graham. This cabin, afterward abandoned, served many years as a voting-place for settlers. William Holister and Jacob Cline were the first Justices of the Peace. A short time after his election, a hard case coming before Mr. Cline, he resigned, and Jacob Osbun was elected hi his place. The people then as now, were not politicians, and for several yeah, the elections went by default. They would forget about election day. and the consequence was they were occasionally with out either a Justice of the Peace or Constable. They did not feel in particular need of these officers.

The early settlers were compelled to go great distances to get their milling done, water-power being scarce within the limits of the township.

The Spring Mill, in Springfield Township, was patronized by them after its erection but before that they were compelled to go to Beam's and to Frederick own. Beam's mill, they said, was so overrun with business in these early days, that they were often compelled to wait three or four days for a grist, and often were not able to get it at all. Nearly all the early mills were primitive affairs, and could not meet promptly the wants of the settlers. Water was not wanting in Franklin, but it was stagnant water and could not be made to furnish power. A few saw-mills were erected, but even these could only run occasionally , a flood would fill up the mill-races with earth and debris, and block the mill. A great deal of labor and expense was required to keep them clear. The first of these saw-mills was erected by John Ross, on Brubaker Run, on Section 21. Jacob Whisler afterward owned and conducted this mill several years. About 1840, John Ralston also erected a saw-mill on Brubaker Run, on Section 22, which he conducted eight or ten years. Several other saw-mills were erected in an early day, but all have long since disappeared. As the country was cleared and drained, the rains of these old mills were left

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 417

high and dry. About 1865, David Bushey erected a steam saw-mill on the old State road. This mill is yet in operation, and is owned by Theodore Forbes. The only grist-mill within the limits of the township was erected on the Black Fork, about 1840, by Christopher Urick. This mill is yet standing at a point on the Black Fork where the road, running directly north from Mansfield, crosses that stream. It does a local business, and is owned by John Bell. A saw-mill was connected with it many years, but has long since disappeared.

The people are generally a church-going people, five churches having, at present, an organized existence. Before churches were erected, the people held services in their cabins and in the log schoolhouses, which, soon after the first settlement, made their appearance. These first schoolhouses were erected along the first road-the " Old State Road "-one being on Section 8, in the neighborhood of Inks' " tavern," and another in the southern part of the township, near the Long " tavern," and near the present site of the Lutheran Church. These two points were prominent in the early settlements. The schoolhouse near Long's tavern was the first one erected, and stood on the farm then owned by Joseph Flora (now by H. Kohler), and was erected in 1821. Thomas Taylor was the first teacher, and, afterward, James McCluer taught two terms ; and was followed by Mr. Plummer, who taught several terms, This house burned down one night after a spelling-school, and, for some years after, rooms in private dwellings were used for school purposes in this neighborhood. A second house was erected in 1837, on the land now owned by Mr. Kohler.

It was in this schoolhouse, near Long's tavern, that the first church in the township was organized. Here the German Reform& and Lutheran societies were organized about the year 1825. After several years, these organ izations united for the purpose of erecting a church. Land was donated for this purpose by John Zeiters, and a log building erected, which, from that day to this, has retained the name of " Zeiters' Church." The deed for this ground is dated December 30, 1834; "from John Zeiters and wife to George Wolford and Jacob Clay, Trustees of the German Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed congregations of Zeiter's Church, and their successors in office." This deed is witnessed by Henry Pittenger and John Zeiters, Jr. One of the first graveyards in the township was established here, and the first burial was that of Henry Wainbranner, who died in 1833, aged sixty-two years. On the weather-beaten stone above this grave, appears the following well-worn legend:

"Remember friends, as you pass by,

As you are now, so once was I ;

As I am now, so you must be;

Prepare for death, and follow me."

Some irreverent wag has written, in pencil, under the above

"To follow you I can't consent

Unless I know which way you went."

The following are the names of some of the first members of this church: Jacob Kunkleman, Abraham Harnaker, John Zeiteis, Jr., J. Henry, Samuel Saltzgaver, John Stoutzenberg, Jacob Zeiters, Jacob Clein, J. W. Sturgeon, Elias Keller, Jacob Heck. George Throne, Michael Throne, Jacob Fisher, John Kendall, William Wolf; Daniel Wolf, Peter Goldman, John Blecker, George Wolford, John Zeiters, Sr., Joel Keller, William Cloud, George Cassel, Thomas Russell and Jacob Bringman.

The old log church answered the purpose until 1861, when the present comfortable brick was erected.

The early ministers were George and Samuel Leiter and the Rev. Francis J. Ruth, of Galion, who yet preaches every two weeks for the congregation of Lutherans.

The German Reformed society has disappeared, and the church is now occupied only by the Lutherans.

418 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

About the year 1840, a division occurred in this church, a portion of the members, under the leadership of Jacob Clay, withdrawing and erecting a newchurch for themselves. a mile or more west of the parent church. on Section 32. Mr. Clay gave the ground for this church, and it is generally known as the " Clay Church ." It was also erected by the united efforts of the Lutherans and German Reformed people. A few of the Lutherans who participated in this organization were Peter Miller and wife, Jacob Kohler and wife, Jacob Keiser, Thomas Rutledge and wife, Robert and Thomas Hall and John Bringman and wife. Of the German Reformed, there were John Clay and wife. John Fisher and wife, John Marks and wife and Michael Thorne and wife. Of these people, only Peter Miller and John Marks are now living. The early Lutheran ministers were George Leiter. J. Huffman and F. J. Ruth. the latter of whom yet officiates.

The early German Reformed ministers were Samuel Leiter and Rev. Stump.

Both of these churches support a Sunday school in summer, with forty or fifty members each. Solomon Weaver organized the first Sunday- school in the Clay Church; about the year 1852.

It is said that the first religious services ever held in this part of the county was at the house of Peter Pittenger, in 1815. The services were conducted by Rev. John Clingan. who organized a Methodist society, with about twelve members.

In a very early day, a Universalist Church way erected in the northern part of the township, This church was log, and may have antedated the Zeiter Church. The Ayerses and Truckses were influential in the erection of this church. Adam, John and Lewis Keith and the Crums were members of this church, and early settlers.

In 1852, a Baptist Church was erected on Section 22. These people had been attending the Baptist Church at Windsor. Rev. Taylor was instrumental in its organization. and the early members were Isaiah Boyce and family, John Jackson and daughter. Charles Copeland and family, Robert Jump and daughter, William Bohler and wife, Roger Moses and John D. Boyce and wife. The present Pastor is J. D. Goff and the present membership about seventy-five.

A Sunday school was organized in 1851. Abraham Troup being first Superintendent.

Between the years 1830 and 1840, the Tunkers organized a society, and held meetings at the houses of Jacob Whisler, Henry Worst and others and in the schoolhouse. In 1858,they erected the present frame church. on Section 20 The early members were Henry and Jacob Worst, Jacob Whisler, Christian Bittenhouse, Samuel and Jacob Landes and their wives, and Joseph Rittenhouse and wife. The early leaders were James Tracy, Elias Dickey, H. Showalter and others.

Michael Keith and John Kendall gave the ground upon which the church and cemetery were established. The present membership is about one hundred.

The Harmony Baptist Church was organized at Ganges September 3, 1865, by Elder A. Morthland, the first members being David Bushey, Michael Hissel, Joshua Baker, Elder A. Morthland, George Wells, Rowland Boyce, Mrs. David Bushey, Mrs. Joshua Baker and others.

The first meetings were held in schoolhouses, barns and private residences. In 1866, they erected the present church, on Section 20, at a cost of $2,000.

Elder A. Morthland preached for this congregation until his death; which occurred January 22, 1876. He was followed by Elder T. W. Dye, who died recently, and who occupied the pulpit until his death. The present membership is seventy-seven.

A Sunday school was organized in 1866, and now contains 110 members. David Morthland is Superintendent.