248 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO
COLERAIN.
Colerain township was set off from Green by order of the county commissioners, June I I, 1804. On that day it was ordered, "That the township of Green be divided by beginning at the southeast corner of township ten and range twenty; thence south between the twentieth and twenty-first range to the line of Jefferson township; thence with said line to the eastern boundary of Ross county; thence with said county line, north and west, to the place of beginning. The same to be known by the name of `Coldrain.'" The place of holding elections was designated at the house of David Dawson, sr.
ORIGIN.
The origin of the name Colerain, has been, given in two ways. The popular version is, that when the commissioners met to erect the township, it was a cold, rainy day, and hence the name Cold-rain or Colerain was suggested. The other and more credible version is that the name was brought from Coleraine in the north of Ireland. It is known that the Renicks came from Coleraine, in the north of Ireland, to this country, and that one of them, George Renick, was a prominent surveyor in Ross county at that early day.
SITUATION, SURFACE, ETC.
Colerain township lies in the northeast corner of Ross county, Ohio. It is known in the surveys as township ten, in range twenty.
The surface of the township is quite varied. The northwestern portion is quite level, and partakes somewhat of the character of the prairies of Pickaway county, which lie immediately to the north. To the south and east of this portion, the surface becomes elevated and rugged, till, at the center of the township, a divide is reached extending in an easterly and westerly direction across the entire township. This divide marks the southern limit of glacial action. The hills to the north are worn and rounded, and numerous deposits of sand and gravel are found. To the south of the divide the nature of the surface is very different. The hillsides are steeper and show no marks of rounding and wearing.. The native
* The historian of Colerain township takes this method of acknowledging his obligations to Mr. Jacob Koch, who has rendered him very great service in the, preparation of this work.
rock is exposed in the valleys of the south flowing streams. Water-worn pebbles (limestone) and boulders are found north of the divide in abundance, almost none to the south. This configuration determines the courses of the streams. At least seven streams of some size find their beginning in the township. Flowing to the northwest is a branch of the Kinnikinnick. Taking a northerly direction are two streams which find their way into Salt creek, in Pickaway county. The most easterly of these is Beech fork. Patrick's branch rises to the east of the center of the township, flows down "Brimstone Hollow" in a northeasterly direction, passes out of the township to the south of Adelphi, and into Salt creek in Hocking county. South of the divide we find the headwaters of three streams, flowing southwesterly, southerly and southeasterly, till they eventually all unite and form Walnut creek.
The soil of the township is mostly clay or a clay-loam, with a sub-soil of gravel. Here and thereare hills composed largely of gravel and stone. The valleys and level portions are very fertile, while upon the hills the soil is moderately fertile. The eastern hillsides are more fertile than the western, because the prevaling winds, which are from the west, have for ages blown the leaves of the forest to the eastern hillsides, thus forming richer deposits of mould.
Springs abound everywhere, affording rich pasturage and pure water.
TIMBER, ETC.
Colerain was originally very heavily timbered, and parts of it are so yet.
Walnut, butternut, hickory, oak—white, black and chestnut—beech, maple, Linn—known also as yellow poplar, whitewood, or tulip chestnut, white ash, elm, cottonwood, and locust were abundant. Buckeye, sycamore, wild cherry, ironwood, and dogwood were present, and the shrubs hazel, blackberry, huckleberry, Juneberry, hackberry, spice, and pawpaw. On the hills to the south yellow pine and spruce occurred. Most of these are still to be found.
ANIMALS.
The township was a noted place in early times for wild animals, and for many years after the Indians had
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ceded the land to the whites, they would annually return, as the provisions of the treaty permitted them to do, and hunt. Bears, panthers, wolves, and wildcats were very common, especially in the hills. Deer and wild turkey were so numerous as to form the chief reliance of the early settlers for fresh meat
The rocks of the hills sheltered abundance of rattlesnakes, and these are still found. A monster, having eighteen rattles, was recently killed by Anthony G. Bitzer.
The larger wild animals were for some time a source of much annoyance to the early settlers, on account of the destruction of domestic animals, or, as in the case of the wolf, by their hideous noises as they nightly prowled, seeking something to devour.
The. township, at the present time, is thickly settled. The largest and finest farms are naturally in the northern portion. Ade1phi is the principal village. Hallsville lies in the northwestern part.
MOUNDS, ETC.
Colerain has but few remains of that ancient race of people called, for lack of better name, Mound Builders. A good mound once stood on the land of Jonas Dreisbach, now owned by Mr. Hubert. The material of it was found to make most excellent brick, and some years ago the entire mound was devoted to that use. It made several kilns of brick. During the disintegration of the mound six or seven human skeletons, of very large size, were discovered. A house in Kingston, built by Dr. Prettyman, is made of brick from this mound.
About a half a mile southeast from the residence of Frank Cryder (and on his land), and thirty rods from the Hocking county line, was once a good-sized mound. It still stands about four feet above the general level of the field which contains it. It is said to have been at least ten feet high at the settlement of the township. It had a diameter of sixty feet. To the south of it, and near by, were a dozen or more hillocks a few feet in diameter by two or three feet in height, but these have now entirely disappeared under successive plowings. About forty rods to the westward is a circular ditch thirty-six feet in diameter, and formerly nearly two feet deep. The forest trees which formerly grew over and in it have now been cut away, leaving it distinctly visible.
THE INDIANS.
Wayne's successful treaty with the Indians in 1795, greatly encouraged pioneer settlements in the Scioto valley. Hence we find the next year, numerous settlements along the Scioto river, as far north as the Kinnikinnick and Blackwater creeks, and thence eastward along the foot-hills, as far as the tributaries to Salt creek, in Cole- rain township.
The Indians were still numerous, though not so hostile as to seriously endanger the new colonies. They still hunted in these regions, and there are yet living many men who can remember the various bands, coming once a year to hunt in the hills of this and adjoining townships. In these excursions game was not their only object. They wanted lead, and obtained it, too, from
mines somewhere not very distant. The whereabouts of these mines they kept with the utmost secrecy, so that to this day they are unknown. Ashes containing lead dross have been found in certain caves, but these were places of reducing the ore, and not of the ore itself. A drunken squaw once came nearly to the point of revealing the secret, but suddenly, with significant gestures at her throat and heart, she showed what would be her fate in that event.
The celebrated chief, Logan, was well known by the early pioneers of Colerain. He had for his companion on many a hunt, a man who still lives to tell the children of this generation, of their exploits—Peter Dumm. Captain Johnnie was another Indian whose face brought no terror to the white man. Logan was short and of heavy build, and so much unlike the typical Indian as to raise a suspicion in the minds of many as to his being a full-blooded Indian. Captain Johnnie, on the other hand, was very tall (six feet seven inches,) and very slender, but straight as an arrow and lithe and supple as a deer. In wrestling matches with the whites he could not maintain his own, but in long, swift journeys over rough country, he easily outstripped them. Once a party of Shawnees wanted Peter Dumm and Henry Strauser to join them in a bear hunt. With some misgivings they consented, for although the Indians appeared friendly, it was impossible, knowing the treacherous nature of the savages, not to have at least some anxiety lest they might do some sudden harm.
The party starting from "Brimstone Hollow," proceeded in a southerly direction without success till they reached Pike run, when a huge bear was seen on the hillside. As quick as a flash the Indians were in hot pursuit. Peter did not keep up with the rest of the party, but on reaching the place where the bear was first seen, he discovered three large cubs. These he killed. The Indians returned unsuccessful and were still more chagrined to find their palefaced brother had bagged three cubs, which in their haste they had not seen.
Stories abounded of children being carried away by the Indians ; but they (the Indians) did not always do this, even when they had an opportunity, as the following anecdote will show. Hannah and Israel Zimmerman, while yet small children, about the year of 181o, having been sent over the hills to the south of Adelphi to hunt the cows, lost their way. Frightened, they wandered here and there, crying at times, and thinking of the dreadful things likely to happen to them should the Indians find them. Suddenly and as silently as the falling dew, two Indians stood by them, and gave their familiar grunt of recognition. The children's fright was now so great they could not cry. The Indians took them by the hand and led them, as they firmly believed, away from home and friends. After a time they came in sight of a house which they were sure they had never seen before. Their guides led them to it and left them, and it was some time before they recognized the house as belonging to a neighbor. The house that George Cryder lives in is now pointed out as the house to which they came.
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250 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO.
PIONEER LIFE AND HARDSHIPS.
The necessities of life are determined largely by the possessions of our neighbors. In the early times a suit of buckskin over a flax shirt was considered full dress. A dinner of meat alone, or of corn-bread alone, was a common repast. There was always plenty of pure spring water, and, after a little, plenty of whiskey, for nearly every farmer had a still. (They say the whiskey was better then than now-a-days.) Venison or turkey was easily obtained, or, when these failed, bear meat might do as a substitute. Potatoes were easily grown, but were not in such demand as at present. Corn or wheat was generally to be had. Cultivated fruits were very scarce, and of these the peaches were the best. Wild berries were large and very abundant. Plums grew very finely on the prairies. There was generally enough, but the variety was not great. People were satisfied because their neighbors fared no better. Flax was early introduced (1804 or '5), and fingers of industry provided the homespun. The fibre of the nettle was gathered by some, in the spring of the year, from the old stalks of the year before. This when spun and woven made comfortable garments until washed, when it would rasp the neck and shoulders. To remedy this the naughtiest boys, unmindful of the tired fingers which wove, would roll the garments into a ball and pound them upon a stump until soft again, throwing an eve, meanwhile, toward the cabin, lest their maternal parents should appear and give them a similar drubbing. The buckskin suit of the boys was worn oftentimes until it became unrecognizable on account of the steady accumulation of dirt and grease. But a cleaning up day would come at last the boy would disappear from the streets for a day, or, perhaps, two days, according to circumstances. If necessary, and sometimes it was necessary, that is to say when the boy's services in the house were in demand, his mother would supply him with a garment of her own. The lads, doubtless, preferred this to staying behind the curtains. A vigorous washing and scraping, rinsing and pounding, and a little oiling, would restore the soiled garments and release the prisoner. It was not thus with all. Buckskin supplied the people with moccasins until the tanneries gave them leather, Worn moccasins were often then supplied with new soles of heavy leather, bound to them with thongs. Of those who went from house to house making shoes, Peter Dumm was one of the first.
Sugar was not a necessity, but salt was, and was often hard to get. The Scioto salt works were depended upon largely. Four or five dollars was the price of a bushel. The salt was often wet, and would gradually drain and drip away, till the bushel could be contained in a pail. It then would solidify, and required a hatchet to cut it.
In after years, the carrying of salt was taken up as an occupation, and for many years the cry that "Alex. Cowgle has come," would be hailed with delight by the community.
EARLY ASSOCIATIONS.
Colerain was settled by stalwarts, men who could wrestle with the mighty forests. They delighted in their strength of limb, and at one time it was known as a fighting township. Election day was also a day for the general settlement of family and neighborhood disputes. At general musterings or camp-meetings, townships were sometimes pitted against townships. In these affrays Colerain took the lead, and maintained its own. Strong young men, middle-aged men, and even the brawny old men, would enter the lists, singly or together, and bruise and get bruised. If there was nothing to quarrel about on the morning, a plentiful flow of whiskey would usually disclose some serious affront before night, and a melee would follow.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Colerain was settled nearly as early as any of the townships of Ross county. In 1796 Zedekiah and Thomas Dawson, brothers, left their home in Virginia and built a cabin on the east bank of the second stream of water east of Hallsville. A one-story brick house, owned by Levi J. Buchwalter, now stands one rod to the west of the spot. Thomas Hinton settled near by on the northeast quarter of section nine at the same time. The Dawsons kept bachelor's hall for a time and then returned to Virginia and brought their wives. Here the first improvements were made, here the first crops raised. Mr. Hinton remained two years on the above mentioned place, when, owing to much sickness caused by the damps and dews of the prairie in which he was living, he removed to a place a mile to the southeast, where the land was higher and dryer. Here he took up a half-section of land, being the ease half of section ten. He had a large family—eight boys and three girls. He died June 17, 1821, aged eighty-four years, leaving his youngest son, Elias, to succeed him on the farm.
Elias Hinton was a trustee of the township several terms, and justice of the peace fifteen years. He died July 17, 1877, aged eighty-one years. His sister, Rebecca Hinton, married Daniel Roberts before leaving Virginia. Mr. Roberts built the first hewed log house in Adelphi. It stood where the present Methodist church stands.
Andrew J. Hinton, son of Elias, now lives on the Elias Hinton farm. He served the township as justice of the peace three terms—nine years—and as trustee for many years.
Isaac Dawson came to Colerain as early as 1800. He was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, in 1773, and his wife on the fourth of July, 1776. Mr. Dawson, after his marriage, went to Bourbon county, Kentucky, and purchased land. The titles to the land were so defective that he was obliged to pay for it twice, and would have been obliged to pay for it again, had he retained it. As it was, he abandoned it, and came up the Scioto valley, and settled at first on the High Bank prairie. Finding he could not get as much land there as he wanted, he came to Colerain, under the guidance of an old Indian, and here purchased a large tract of land, some of which he divided with his family connections, keeping one section for himself. A part of this section he eventually sold to Abraham Buckwalter.
He built a mill and carried on the business of distilling.
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He kept and handled stock quite largely, sometimes driving them over the mountains to market. He was conspicuous in the war of 1812. He went out first in command of a company of rangers. Returning, he went a second time in command of a battalion of cavalry. Then, returning, he went out on the "six months' call." He rose to the rank of colonel, and was soon thereafter (April, 1815) elected State senator by the district in which Cole- rain lay. He has a son, Isaac Milton Dawson, now seventy-four years of age, who lives in Terre Haute, Indiana.
In the fall of 1796, Conrad Betzer and wife made a journey from Berks county, Pennsylvania, by way of Portsmouth, Ohio, to Chillicothe. But a single house, and that a hut, was met with in the journey up the Scioto. The couple then proceeded eight miles farther north to the Blackwater creek, where they found another cabin. Here they stayed through the winter, and in January, 1797, the wife gave birth to John Betzer, her first-born. In the spring they moved to the neighborhood of Kingston, where they resided four years. In 18or the family, increased by two more children, moved to Colerain township, and entered the west half of section eighteen. Here the same year (i8o1) was born Elizabeth Betzer, probably the first white child born in the township. Anthony G. Betzer, the eighth child, was born December 27, 1809. He still lives in the township, in the village of Adelphi, where he has held several offices of trust. His father died in October, 1860. There were eleven children in all—six girls and five boys. Of these, two girls and two boys are still living, in the west.
In the same year that Mr. Betzer entered Colerain (1801), Mr. William Throckmorton came. He brought with him from Hampshire county, Virginia, a wife and six children. Five more children were born in Colerain. The family settled about a mile west of Hallsville. Mr. Throckmorton died in 1814. John and Peter were soldiers in the war of 1812. Two sisters, and Samuel, the youngest son, survive. Samuel was born February 15, 1801. He married and had six children.
Jacob Bowsher came to Colerain, on horseback, in 180i, from Berkshire county, Pennsylvania. He purchased one hundred acres in section two. In 1802 he brought his family, then consisting of his wife and three children. He died in 1849, at the age of seventy-seven years, and his wife in 1864, at the age of ninety-six years. The children were Amos, Hester, Elizabeth, Magdalene, Thomas, Mary and Amelia. Amos occupied the farm of his father. His wife was Catharine Heffner, by whom he had eight children. He died in 1878. Hester married Andrew Martin, and now lives in Delaware county, Ohio. Elizabeth married John Patterson, of Adelphi, and died in 1865. She had eleven children, among whom are Robert and Thomas, now living at Adelphi. Magdalene, better known as Polly, was born in 18o8, and married Jacob Smith and had two children. She is now a widow, and lives with her daughter, Mrs. Hetty Mettler, in Adelphi. Thomas married and had a family. Three of his sons were killed in the war of the Rebellion. Mary married George Cryder and had nine children. She is still living on the farm to which she went fifty years ago. Amelia married James Larich, by whom she had three children. She died in 1875.
Three brothers, from Virginia, by the name of Jones, were among the early settlers near Hallsville. Abraham came in 1802. He died about 1844. David came in 1804. He had a family of four sons and four daughters. Three of the sons, Aaron, Moses and Jabez, were in the war of 1812. Moses and Aaron were enterprising and thrifty farmers, and held several offices of trust. Both have served as justices of the peace.
In April, 1808, Peter Jones, a brother to Abraham and David, entered land in Colerain.
In 1815, John Jones, a nephew to David Jones, settled in Hallsville with his mother. He was then a lad fifteen years old. Though never so robust as many of his associates, he has hardly know what it is to be sick. He is still living, his mind but little impaired by the weight of four score years.
Isaac Larich came to Adelphi in 1804. The same winter he entered a quarter section in Salt Creek township, Hocking county (then Ross county.) He was married three times, and had ten children. His son James was born in 1812. Isaac died June 23, 185o, at the age of seventy-six years.
Samuel Merriman was born at Lansing, Pennsylvania, 1789. He was a boatman on the Ohio rivcr for twenty years, a part of the time Simon Girty and Mike Fink were his associates in boating. He was a fighting character. He learned to imitate the scream of a wildcat with such startling effect as to earn the sobriquet "wildcat squealer." The middle aged men of to-day all agree that Merriman's wildcat scream would raise the hair of the head about as well as the wildcats themselves could do it. In his prime, Merriman was considerable of a singer. He moved to Colerain in 1818. He is still alive, though feeble on account of his old age.
Peter Dumm, the elder, came with his family from Berks county, Pennsylvania, in the fall of 1805. While on the way, near Zanesville, Ohio, Mrs. Dumm gave birth to Sally, afterwards Mrs. Pickens. This event oc curred in the woods, and delayed the party three days. The family settled near the present residence of George Dumm, the youngest son, in what is called Brimstone hollow. Of the ten children, six are still living, Peter, (born May r, 179o), Barbara, (Mrs. Hettinger,) Katie, (Mrs. Miller,) Polly, Sally, (Mrs. Pickens) and George. was born in 18o8 ; was baptized in Conrad Braucher's barn, now owned by Samuel Rigel, Pickaway county. All these, excepting Sally, live in Colerain township. Peter was a soldier in the war of 1812. He volunteered for three months in Colonel Isaac -Dawson's company. When they reached Urbana, General Harrison ordered them to St. Mary's. From St. Mary's they marched to Fort Wayne, cutting the road as they went. Not meeting the enemy as expected, a large number, of whom Peter was one, volunteered to proceed to Pottawattamie town. Here again the Indians fled, and the troops, after destroying much property, were discharged and returned
252 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO.
home, having been gone five months. The elder Peter Dumm died April 20, 1837, aged eighty-two years.
Jacob Bunn came to Colerain from Berkeley county, Virginia, in 1805. He settled a mile northwest of Hallsville. He brought with him a wife and five children. The number of children was increased to eight. He died April 25, 1850, aged seventy-two years, and his wife a year later, aged seventy years. Jacob H. Bunn, the youngest son, born June 6, 1822, is now the only living representative of the family. He resides in Hallsville.
In 1806 came Henry Strauser. He settled in Brimstone hollow, on the place now owned by George Cryder. His family consisted of three boys and five girls, of whom Henry, the father of Henry K. Strauser, was the oldest son. Henry, the elder, died in 1830, seventy years old. Henry, the younger, died October 28, 1865, nearly eighty-two years old Henry K. Strauser has held numerous civil offices.' He is at present a justice of the peace.
The father and mother of John Betz moved from Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, to a place two miles north of Adelphi, in 1808. They camped out till a log cabin could be put up. Here the family lived two years, and then moved into Salt Creek township, in Hocking county, also near Adelphi. After ten years here they moved to Adelphi. In the family were fourteen children—seven boys and seven girls. None of these, excepting John, now live in Colerain. John was born in Pennsylvania, in 1799. His first schooling was in Adelphi, with James S. Webster as teacher. His father had a hay-mow supported on posts, high enough to shelter the sheep and horses. On warm summer nights the boys would mount this mow and sleep; that is, they would sleep if the wolves, which nightly prowled around the mow, did not make too furious demonstrations. Once on the mow the boys stayed there until morning. In 1809 Mr. Betz bought two sheep. These were among the first sheep brought into the country. When grown, John followed the trade of blacksmithing. He married Hannah Booth, by whom he had five children. Milton, the oldest son, died from disease contracted during the Mexican war. Caroline married Henry K. Strauser, with whom Mr. Betz, now an old man, lives.
In the Engle family were three boys and three girls. Matthias was a very prominent man. He was a major in the war of 1812, and afterward held numerous township trusts. He died February 1, 1826, at the age of fifty-three years. He had two brothers, Adam and James. James was blind, but with his cane as a sounding stick he would go anywhere in the town of Adelphi without aid, except when the weather was damp and rainy, when the usual distinctions of sound would partially fail him. He worked at cabinet-making, being guided by the sense of touch. Knowing no distinction between day and night, he would often work in his shop through the night. His neighbors would hear the sounds of his hammer and saw, but he and his work were shrouded in darkness. He made very excellent work. He was a good man, and at times would preach.
Daniel K. Defebaugh was born six miles below Chillicothe, January 1, 1798. He was a strong, athletic youth. When yet a boy he took the place of a sick drummer boy in the army, and was sent into Michigan, where he received a wound in the ear. He was taught the millwright trade, and has been in his line a noted man. He has lived for many years in the neighborhood of Adelphi, where he still has property.
Martin and Benjamin Dreisbach, brothers, entered Colerain in 1809. They settled near Hallsville. Martin had five children by his first wife and seven by his second. He died at the age of seventy-four, September 25, 1850.. His farm is now owned by his son, Samuel, who raised a family of thirteen children, of whom ten are living. Jacob Dreisbach, son of Martin, settled in Colerain. He eventually sold his farm and removed to near Circleville, where he died. His son is a physician at Kingston. Benjamin, brother to Martin, had ten children, of whom five are still living. Daniel, his son, lives in Hallsville, and is a prominent member of the United Brethren church.
Daniel Goodman settled in Adelphi in 1809. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and died in 1861. Several of his descendents still live in the township.
Several members of the Pontius family, consisting of Martin, John, George, Benjamin, Jonathan, Jonas, Sophia, and her husband, Mr. Speaker, Ann M., wife of Jacob Pontius, and Elizabeth Dreisbach came from Buffalo valley, Pennsylvania, in 1811, and settled in Colerain and Green townships, in Ross county, and in Pickaway and Fairfield counties.
Jacob Pontius settled on section twenty, Colerain township. His children, Samuel, Jacob, David and Susan (Mrs. Wilkinson,) live in Colerain. Simon lives in Illinois.
William Roberts entered section ten, in Colerain township, as early as 1811. He planted an orchard in 1813, a single tree of which still stands. He sold his place to John Reedy and removed to the west.
Abram Cryder moved from Virginia to Colerain in 1815. He married Sophia, the widow of John Daly, and sister of Isaac Larich. Their children were Ephraim, David, George, Amelia and Eliza. All are living except Eliza. Ephraim lives in Cridersville, Ohio, and has raised a large family. David lives in Hocking county, Ohio, and had twelve children. Three of his sons fell in the war of the Rebellion. George married Mary Bowsher. His son, Frank, now owns the Jesse Spencer place, south of Adelphi. Amelia married Amos Howell and is now a widow. She lives in Colerain township.
Joseph Buchwalter came to Colerain in 1812. He bought out Mr. Worlein at the rate of twenty-five dollars per acre. His brother, Abraham, came in 1819. The latter died in 1837, at the age of seventy-six years. He had six sons—Jacob, Abraham, Joseph, Samuel, Henry, and John. The latter came to Colerain in 1827, and died in 1872 at the age of eighty-five years. Levi Buchwalter, who now lives on the old Isaac Dawson place, is the son of John. Levi T. Buchwalter, who lives on the pike east of Hallsville, is the son of Samuel. Samuel was sixty-four years old when he died (1868). The
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Buchwalter family are very intelligent, enterprising and useful citizens.
Archibald Shaw, born in 1804, on the Rappahannock, Virginia, came to Ade1phi in 1828. There were then but a few houses and very little of a clearing. He says corn was selling at ten cents per bushel, and fifty cents paid for a day's work. He is a millwright. He has had thirteen children, eleven of whom grew up.
John Patterson was an early settler. He held several offices of trust in the township; was a tailor by trade, and respected by all who knew him. His sons, Robert and Thomas, live in Ade1phi. Robert has a drug store, and is the postmaster.
Jesse Spencer for many years had charge of the landoffice at Chillicothe. He married a Miss Winship, who belonged to the Winship family that came to Chillicothe in 1796. Mr. Spencer afterward removed to near Adel- phi, to the place now owned by Frank Cryder, where he continued in charge of the land-office for several years. He died in 1840, seventy-two years of age.
The list of early settlers is necessarily incomplete. Many came and went, especially during the latter years, from 1808 to 1820, and it is impossible to mention them all, even if they were know.
Jacob DeLong and John Ebert came about 1805; Jacob Harpster, Joseph Poland, and Peter Markel, in 18o6; Frederic Pontius, in 1807; Anibrose Grafton, in 1809. Among other settlers we mention John May, George Flanigan, Matthias Engle, John Beach, Peter Strauser, John Abernather, and Frederic Haynes.
ADELPHI.
Ade1phi is the principal town of Colerain township. It has a population of about five hundred. It is situated on the northeast quarter of section one, which brings it to the eastern and northern boundaries of the county. It was surveyed and platted by General Nathaniel Massie for Reuben and Henry Abrams. The Abrams entered the east half of section one, Colerain township, at the land office in Chillicothe, April 16, 1804, and the town was laid out in that year. A patent was issued to the Abrams October 10, 1809, being credit system entry number nine hundred and sixty.
Reuben Abrams was one of the large colony which settled Chillicothe in 1796. He is described as a short, thick-set man. His brother Henry was tall and heavy. Reuben died in his log cabin which stood a mile northwest of Ade1phi, at a point near Straus' dam, in a pasture field now owned by Augustus Rose.
The town is very pleasantly situated on a somwhat level tract of land elevated about midway between the bottom lands of Salt Creek valley which lie to the north and east, and the adjoining uplands or hills to the west and south. The town is regularly laid out, the streets running north, south, east and west. At the time the Abrams laid out the town, 1804, there were but one or two houses and a small clearing in the forest; but each year, from that time on the town has attracted to it some settlers.
When Peter Dumm, then fifteen years old, now aged' ninety, came to Colerain township, 18o5, there were but three cabins in Adelphi. One stood on the corner where D. E. Rose's drug store now stands. In this cabin Killian Ruse lived and opened the first tavern. The second cabin stood to the east of Ruse's on the lot now occupied by A. I). LeVan's harness shop. Henry Johnson was the occupant. The third cabin stood where the Methodist church now stands, and was occupied by James Stewart Webster. Here Webster opened and taught the first school in the township. It was a subscription school, parents paying at the rate of two dollars per scholar for a term of three months. Here also was opened the first post-office, with Webster as the postmaster. The mail came weekly from Chillicothe, and John Campbell was the first mail carrier.
John Beach occupied a house on the north side of Main street, across from Killian Ruse's. Here he Opened a tavern, the second in the place. Mr. Beach died April 28, 1831, at the age of fifty years.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Colonel Isaac Dawson was a justice of the peace as early as 1804. In January (the 12th), of that year, he married Alex. Cowgle and Mary Crow. This was a few months before the township of Colerain was formed. George Will was a justice in i8o6, and was re-elected in 1809, and again in 1812. James Webster was a justice in 1807. Jacob Larich served a term, beginning July 26, 18o8. Benjamin Williams was a justice in 1809, and again in 1812. John Perkins was a justice before 1809 (probably i8o8), and was again elected in 1811.
FIRST CHILD.
The first white child born in Adelphi was Israel Zimmerman. He was born the twelfth of December, 1804, eight months after the town was laid out. His parents' names were Henry and Polly Zimmerman. They came into the woods, where Adelphi was to he, in 1800. Here Hannah was born in April, 1802.
EARLIEST RECORDED DEATH.
The oldest stone in the oldest cemetery in the township, viz.; the Lutheran, at Adelphi, has this inscription:
DE PARTED TH
IS LIFE ON THE
IS JULY 1807
JOSEPH ENG
LE AGED 3
The slab on which this is written is a rough sandstone, apparently taken from the bed of some stream near by, and smoothed upon one side.
THE FIRST MILLS.
Although Colerain had several streams of water, sufficient at that time for milling purposes, Salt creek and its tributaries, Laurel creek, and to the west, Kinnikinnick creek, being stronger streams, attracted the first mills to them. In 1797 Henry Zimmerman erected on Beech fork, near its junction with Salt creek, just over the line in Pickaway county, a small saw-mill and "corn-cracker" or grist-mill. About the same year Mr. William McCoy built a grist-mill in Green township, on the Kinnikinnick. This usually has gone under the name of Crouse's
254 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO.
mill. Some years after a mill was put up on Laurel creek by Anthony Sweinhart. These early mills were simple and rude. Four posts, with crotches, were sunk into the ground; a floor was laid on the beams extending from crotch to crotch, and the whole covered with a roof of slabs or straw.
Here one run of stone, or possibly two, would be arranged. The bolting was often done by hand.
About 1805 or '6, Colonel Isaac Dawson erected a saw-mill in the northeast quarter of section eight, a few rods north of a house now owned and occupied by Joseph Reedy.
Near by, in 1816, a corn-cracker, or grist-mill, was erected by Mr. Dawson, which flourished till 1833. Meanwhile, it had been purchased by Abraham Buchwaiter. He converted it into a woolen-mill, and enlarged it, till woolen blankets of excellent quality, and even fine dress goods, satinets, etc., were made.
TANNERY.
In 1805 Jacob Larich sunk tan-vats and established a tannery immediately south of Ade1phi, in "Brimstone Hollow," on land now owned by George Cryder. This tannery flourished- a few years, till Mr. Larich went to Tarlton, Pickaway county, and established himself permanently.
In 1807 Aaron Jones established a tannery in the neighborhood of Hallsville. It was not very extensive, and ceased to exist about 1815.
DISTILLERY.
Everybody drank whiskey. The surplus crop of corn was invariably reduced to liquid form—a form in which it would keep without spoiling. No harvest could be gathered, no barn or house "rolled together," no public gathering held, without a supply of the "invigorator."
To Jacob Karshner, who came from Berks county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Colerain in 5807, is conceded the erection of the first distillery. He brought his still (a small copper one) with him from Pennsylvania and made some whiskey the following year. It was not many years thereafter, however, before stills were nearly as numerous as the farms. It was a staple in trade, and even the ministers of the Gospel took it as part of their pay.
Martin Dreisbach, we are told, was the first man to withhold the article from workmen in the field.
George Will kept the first dry-goods store in Ade1phi.
Nicholas Leopard was the first regular blacksmith.
Peter Markel was the first to establish a regular boot and shoe store.
Rough carpentering was performed by almost every one. David Faust has been named as probably the first regular carpenter (1806).
Once, and we believe only once, an attempt was made to manufacture gunpowder. To the east of Ade1phi a few miles were caves or rocks which dripped water containing a small percentage of saltpetre. This saltpetre was extracted by an enterprising man by the name of Myers, and duly mixed with the other ingredients necessary for the compound. The mixture was then placed in
Mrs. Jacob Karshner's brick oven to dry. While watching the drying process he discovered a spark of fire in the bag. He spit on his fingers and reached out to extinguish the spark, but too late. The result was disastrous to the oven, the man, and the trade.
INCORPORATION.
In the winter 1837–'38 the State legislature passed an act to incorporate the village of Ade1phi.- On the seventh of April, 1838, an election was held which resulted in the selection of the following officers: James Hall, mayor; John Patterson, Abraham Cartlich, John A. Smith, William Hugh, Peter Markel, councilmen; John Lewis, recorder. These qualified the same day, and elected James Fowler, treasurer, and Amos Howell, marshal.
The village of Ade1phi has at present a population of six hundred. It has three dry-good stores, two groceries, two drug stores, two hotels, one cooper-shop, three blacksmith shops, four physicians, two meat-markets, two shoe-shops, two wagon shops, and one newspaper.
The first physician was probably Dr. Throgmorton, who came about 1816. He remained three or four years, when, his wife having died, he returned to Philadelphia. The present physicians are: W. G. Ritter, W. S. Benner, P. S. Van Dyke, and N. Potter.
William Binkley keeps the principal hotel.
ODD FELLOWS.
On the twenty-first of July, 1848, lodge No. 114 was instituted by M. W. G. M. Edson B. Olds. The following were the charter members: William Floyd, John W. Floyd, John Lewis, Thomas J. Siddons, K. H. Dunkle. The first officers were: Dr. John Lewis, N. G.; Dr. Wm. Floyd, V. G.; Robert Patterson, recording secretary; Robert Patterson, permanent secretary; John Dillon, treasurer. The present officers are: John Steele, N. G.; Nelson Spencer, V. G.; A. Newman, recording secretary; M. Dent, permanent secretary; F. Binkley, treasurer.
THE ADELPHI BORDER NEWS.
The Ade1phi Border News was established January r, 1879, by D. F. -Shriner. On the first of February Mr. Shriner took Irvin Haynes as a partner, and, later in the year bath were bought out by Webster Thomas & Son. The paper has a present circulation of seven hundred.
HALLSVILLE.
Hallsville is situated on the Adelphi pike, about five miles west of Adelphi. It was laid out as a town June 22, 1837, by John Buckwalter, Ephraim Dreisbach and Ambrose Grafton. Mr. Buckwalter named the town Economy, because he admired the thrift and enterprise of a town of that name in Pennsylvania. Mr. William Hall, a hatter, was appointed the first postmaster, and the people chose the name Hallsville as the name of the post-office. The name seemed to suit the popular ear better than Economy, so that the latter name is now known only in legal documents, etc.
Russell D. Rockwell kept the first store in Hallsville. He went to the east in 1831, and brought thence over the mountains in a wagon, the goods necessary for open-
HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 255
ing the store. Among other things, he brought the first instalment of skates, which at that time were so rare that only one boy in the neighborhood (Levi Buckwalter) could boast of the possession of them. Dr. Kinsey is named as having been the first physician about 1841. He was followed by Dr. D. Witt.
Hallsville at present has a population of two hundred and sixty. It has three stores, one school-house, one church building, one steam saw-mill, and four blacksmith shops.
NAVIGATION OF SALT CREEK.
On the eighth day of March, 1834, Samuel Haninger attempted the navigation of Salt creek, or river as it was often called. He built a flat-boat at Straus' mill, a half mile north of Ade1phi, loaded it with flour, bacon and whiskey—the staples of the day—and started when the water was highest, for New Orleans. Before going many miles, Joseph Flannagan, an assistant, was knocked from the boat by the limb of a tree, into the water and drowned. There is some dispute as to whether the boat reached the Scioto or not. One or two other attempts were made, to take boats out to the Scioto, but in one case at least, if not more, the boat stranded on a bar at the mouth of Pike run, and the goods were transported across the country to the Scioto and a new start obtained. One boat that was built near Straus' mill, was so badly injured in turning it over to launch it, that it was never touched afterward, except by the hand of decay.
SCHOOLS.
The earliest schools were subscription or private schools. James S. Webster taught the first school in Ade1phi. Near Hallsville, a log-house, which had been built for a private house, was used at a very early day for a church and for a school-house also.
The first school-house proper, in this neighborhood, was erected between the two little stream east of Hallsville, on the south side of the pike, in 1827. This was succeeded by a frame school-house, between Hallsville and the first stream east, and on the south of the road. This, in turn, was succeeded by the present school-house in the town of Hallsville.
The first school-house in Ade1phi was built on the southeast corner of what is now the Lutheran church lot and graveyard on Concord street. The school district extended two and a half or three miles in all directions.
In 1844 or '45 a brick school-house, the only one of its kind for many years, was built on the public grounds, corner of North and Main streets. It contained one room. The cost of this school-house was about three hundred dollars. Thomas Armstrong was the first teacher. The course of study embraced but little— geography and arithmetic being the principal studies.
In 1870 the growth of the town made a new building necessary. This was located on Market street, west of Concord. It is the finest edifice in the township. It is built of brick, with stone trimmings. Its cost was nine thousand, seven hundred and twenty-seven. dollars and fifty-eight cents. The building is two stories high, and contains two school-rooms twenty by forty feet, cloakrooms, halls, etc., on each floor. It is heated with stoves, and is surmounted with a fine bell. School was begun in it in November, 1870, with Alanson Newman as the principal. Mr. I. M. Stewart followed Mr. Newman, continuing three years. He was then succeeded by the present principal, Mr. Isaac Jordan. Miss Josie Griesheimer and Miss Walton are his assistants.
For the school year 1878-9, the village of Ade1phi paid out for school purposes five hundred and thirty-two dollars and seventy-four cents. In the township at large there are eight school-houses.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
For many years after the settlement of the township, religious exercises were carried on by itinerant preachers, or by laymen. Most of the preaching was in private houses, and upon whatever day of the week was most convenient for the preacher.
THE LUTHERANS.
The first church society organized was the Lutheran, at Ade1phi. This organization took place about 1810. The Rev. Jacob Leist was the first minister. In 1816, April 12th, Elizabeth Reichelderfer gave the land on which the present Lutheran church is built, oh condition that it would not be used for any other purpose during her lifetime. During the same year a large log church, with gallery and elevated pulpit, was erected on the lot donated. This log structure still stands, though modernized by having the pulpit lowered, and the house clap- boarded without and plastered within. Mr. Leist was the minister for many years. He was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Weimer, who in turn was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Langcrum and Rev. Mr. Sweeny. The church has had no regular preaching for two or three years.
PRESBYTERIANS.
On the lot immediately to the north of the Lutheran church, the Presbyterians, assisted by a new society of Lutherans, erected, in 1834, a large frame church, sixty feet or more, long. The church was dedicated May 10, 1835.
The first Presbyterian minister was Father David Jones. The directors of this society, at the time of the dedication, were Samuel Fetherolf, William Nagle, James Crane, and Dumah Bartlett, 'sr. Mr. Bartlett was for many years the mainstay of the society, and after his death, which occurred April 18,1854, it rapidly dwindled, and soon ceased altogether to exist. The church building was then sold, and the timbers went into a stable now owned by Augustus Rose.
N. S. LUTHERANS.
The new society of Lutherans differed from the old society, chiefly in their views concerning revivals, and the popular amusements of the day, being, to say the least, liberally disposed toward them. The Rev. Mr. Little was their first preacher. He was succeeded by Mr. Waddle, and he by Thomas Drake, who continued till the organization broke up. The society never was strong, numbering, perhaps, twenty-five members.
256 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO.
Among the more prominent members were: Peter Lance (who lived about two miles west of town, in an ancient house now occupied by George Gregg), Mr. LeVan, and the Hunsingers.
GERMAN REFORMED.
The German Reformed church in Ade1phi is an offshoot from the Presbyterian church. About 1844 Rev. Henry King endeavored to bring over the Presbyterians to the name German Reformed. This created some opposition among the members, but some were brought over, and the present German Reformed church is the outgrowth of that movement. Their minister at the present time is Rev. A. Henry.
THE METHODISTS.
The Methodists formed a separate organization about the year 182o. A log structure for a church was "rolled together" with such enterprise that a week's work completed it. It was situated on the southwest corner of Market and High streets. The name of the first preacher was J. Hooper. Among the first members of the church were Amos Mendenhall and Henry Haller and wife, Jeremiah Monnett and James Hudson.
The log church was vacated in 1858 on the completion of the present edifice. This stands on the southwest corner of Main and Dawson streets. On this lot stood one of the first three cabins in Ade1phi. The new church was dedicated in December, 1858, by Rev. Joseph Trimble. John W. Steele was the first minister in this church. The church has at present a membership of one hundred and twenty-five. A flourishing Sunday-school is maintained, with an average membership of eighty pupils. The Rev. Zachariah Horton is the minister in charge.
In the neighborhood of Hallsville the first church was a house which had been erected for a private house. It stood on the north side of the Ade1phi pike, in the southwest quarter of section nine, on land now owned by the widow of Samuel Buchwalter. It was also used as a school-house. Peter Cartright and David Young were among the early preachers in this house.
In 1815 a remarkable camp-meeting was held just north of Hallsville, which was attended, it is said, by over one thousand people, some coming even from Kentucky to attend it. The Rev. Mr. Swayze is mentioned as a local Methodist preacher about this date. Jacob DeLay was another preacher of considerable talent about 1818.
The present church building in Hallsville was erected by the combined efforts of the Evangelical Association and the Methodists, the Evangelicals having the greater control of it. It was built in 1844. At a later date, (1874) the Evangelicals, having become weakened as a society, sold their interest to the United Brethren, who use the church one-half the time, and perniit other denominations to use it the other half. Rev. William Fisher is their present minister.
The United Brethren society at present numbers twenty-nine members. The Methodist society, numbering about twenty-eight members, holds semi-monthly services in this building—the Rev. Zachariah Horton officiating.
SWAMP CHURCH.
Near the center of the township is the Swamp church. It was erected in 1845 or 1846 by the United Brethren and German Reform organizations, though free to all evangelical denominations when not in use.
Rev. Pleasant Brock organized the United Brethren society and preached for several years. His successor, Rev. Mr. Jacobs, in 1852 became connected with the Cumberland Presbyterians, and a large number of his congregation followed him. Among the members who withdrew to form a new church were Jesse Leasure, his mother, wife and two children, John Moss and wife, John Strauser and his family, Michael Metzler and his wife, Sarah J ones, Susan Dreisbach and Jacob DeLong—seventeen in all.
Mr. Jacobs was followed by the Rev. Mr. Brice, an able and attractive speaker. Under his energetic leadership a large congregation was gathered, and in 1859 a new and larger church was built, north of the ridge from the old one. A Sabbath-school was supported by the Presbyterians and United Brethren together. It was held in the Swamp church one Sabbath and in the Presbyterian the next, and so on alternately. Mr. Brice was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Thomas. He was a man of ability and sound learning; but the interest lessened after the withdrawal of Mr. Brice, and the attendance grew smaller till after two years of service by Rev. Mr. Dent and a short period by Rev. McWherter, the preaching ceased altogether. The church still has its organization, and reports each year through its clerk, A. J. Hinton, to the presbytery. No regular services have been held for two years. The entire membership from first to last has been one hundred and forty-six. The present active membership is about thirty.
PINE GROVE CHURCH.
Up in the hills in the southeastern part of Colerain is a secluded nook, shaded with evergreen, called- Tar hollow, the head of Pike run. In this hollow, which is almost inaccessible for carriages and wagons, is situated the Pine Grove church. It belongs to the United Brethren denomination. It has been organized about ten years. The following names are to be found among its membership: Waites, Gross, Van Fossens, Fullers, Corricks, Hintons, etc. George Hempleman is their present minister. The preaching at this church is of the aggressive kind, and protracted meetings are held nearly every year.
CEMETERIES.
The oldest burial-ground in the township is the one connected with the Lutheran church, on Concord street, Adelphi. Burials were made in it before 1807. The next is probably the one three-quarters of a mile southwest of Hallsville. Jacob Strauser, killed at the barn- raising of Martin Dreisbach, in 1811, was the first person buried in it. The place has been used as a burial place from that time, but it was not laid out as a cemetery until about 1844. A cemetery was next laid out in
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connection with the Methodist church in Adelphi. It comprises lots thirty-seven and thirty-eight of the village plat. Still later a cemetery was laid out immediately to the east of the Methodist cemetery, and embracing four lots—thirty-three, thirty-four, thirty-five, and thirty-six— together with the adjoining streets, Market and Chestnut, and the alley between Chestnut and High streets, A fourth cemetery has recently been laid out for the town lying west of the town, on the hill, and embracing eleven acres, It was found necessary to establish this cemetery on account of a singular giving away, or sinking, of portions of the third cemetery mentioned.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
The oldest records now extant date from April 4, 1814. On that day there were elected the following offrcers: Matthias Engle, John Perkins, George White, trustees; Jacob Larich, clerk; John Beach, lister; Jacob Karshner, treasurer; John Beach, Moses Jones, constables; Isaac Larich, Thomas Reed, overseers of poor; Joseph Firman, Anothy Moreton, fence viewers; Matthias Engle, house appraiser; John Perkins, justice; William Roberts, Henry Strauser, supervisors.
On the third of January, 1815, Isaac Dawson was elected State senator for the senatorial district of which Colerain was a part.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
WASHINGTON T. JENNINGS, ESQ.
Nathan T. Jennings, the father of the subject of our sketch, was born in Virginia in 1784. He was a carpenter by trade. He came to Ohio about 1811, and the same year married, in Pickaway county, a Miss Wheeland, whose acquaintance he had formed in Virginia, before coming to Ohio. The newly married pair settled in Springfield township, Ross county, Ohio, and made a home in the wilderness.
Washington T. Jennings was born October 9, 1812, being the oldest of quite a family of chrldren. He lived in Springfield, working on the farm in summer, and now and then attending school a short time in the winter until he was of age.
On the seventeenth day of October, 1833, he married Miss Overly, a daughter of Frederick Overly, of Colerain township. Mr. Overly was a large land owner, and gave to each of his children, in due season, a farm. When his daughter married Mr. Jennings, he gave her a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, a mile south of Hallsville, in Colerain, to which the young couple moved in the spring of 1834. On this farm Mr. Jennings has since lived. He has cleared and improved it, and has made for himself and family a comfortable living. In 186o a fine brick residence was built, a sketch of which is given.
Mr. Jennings has led a quiet, but useful life, and has the respect of his neighbors, far and near. He has been six times elected to the office of justice of the peace, and is still serving in that capacity.
JOHN KARSHNER.
John Karshner's grandfather, Conrad Karshner, lived in Berkshire c minty, Pennsylvania. Conrad Karshner's son, Jacob, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1775. Jacob and his brother, Daniel, came to Ohio in 1807, and settled near Adelphi, Ross county. Jacob entered the west half of section one, in Colerain township, white Daniel settled in the Salt creek valley, in what is now Hocking county. They both served in the war of 1812.
Jacob married Mary M. Dunklebarger, and by her had nine children, namely; Enoch, Jacob, r., Catharine, Elizabeth, Margaret, Samuel, John (the subject of our sketch), and Susan and Mary, twins. These nine children, with the exception of Catharine, are all living. Enoch, now seventy-nine years old, lives in Hocking county. Jacob also lives in Hocking county. Margaret married Killian H. Dunkle, and now lives in Pickaway county. Susan married Thomas Evans, and lives in Fairfield county. Elizabeth and Mary live on the old homestead in Adelphi.
The uncle of John Karshner, Daniel, had three sons, namely: Daniel, r., John and Elijah. Daniel, sr., represented the county in the State legislature in 1836. He died May 7, 1852, at the age of seventy-nine years. Daniel, jr., has served the county as a commissioner two terms, and held several township trusts. He had a family of two sons and three daughters. Allen, one of the sons, is a county commissioner at the present trme. John and Elijah Karshner, brothers to Daniel, sr., live in Hocking county.
John Karshner, son of Jacob, was born February 23, 1815, in Adelphi, Ross county, Ohio. His early education was very limited, and was obtained at the school at Adelphi. Eber Patrick was one of his teachers, and Mr. Goodrich another. The schools of those days were of short duration. John's older brothers married and moved away, leaving him at a very early age in charge of affairs. He received fifty acres of land from his father, and with this as a beginning, he has continually added acre after acre, till at the present time he has a title to one thousand, six hundred acres.
In business matters he has adhered strictly to the maxim, "Pay as you go." He paid cash down for the first land he bought, and has never added an acre until what he already owned was paid for. His income has been from his farms only in part. For many years he carried on a distillery, which was located on the lowland of the homestead. The capacity of his still was about fifteen to twenty bushels of corn (rye or wheat) per day. His attention was also engaged in the manufacture of apple and peach brandy. Most of the whiskey manufactured was sent to the west, but during the war of the Rebellion he shipped large quantities to " the boys " in the army. They said it was far superior to anything else they could obtain. Mr. Karshner was early trained in the business of distilling. His father erected the first still in Colerain township, and John passed through a thorough apprenticeship. He gave up the manufacture of spirits in 1864. Though constantly surrounded with spirits, and dealing therein for the greater portion of his life, he has never indulged to excess in their use.
On his farm Mr. Karshner has been a hard worker. The most that he would ask of his hired help would be to keep up with him, and they did well if they succeeded. Early and late he has been diligent and economical, and his lands always showed the thrift of their possessor. Possessing an instinctive dislike for lawsuits, he has always endeavored so to manage his affairs as to avoid litigation. In this he has been very successful ; few have been more so.
In 1872 Mr. Karshner married Phoebe Sweinhart. Their children are Marie and Philemon. In the same year of their marriage, Mr. Karshner built a fine residence on a sightly place to the north of the old homestead, where, till this time, he has always lived. This house stands just without the incorporated limits of the village of Adelphi, on the north side of Main street. A large portion of the inside work of this house, even to the finishing touches, has been performed by Mr. Karshner himself. Mr. Karshner has always been prominent in the local affairs of Colerain. He was scarcely of age before he was chosen clerk of the township. To his public duties he brought the same enterprise which he exercised in his private affairs. He found the records previously kept in a condition unsatisfactory to him. He drew up new forms and gave his attention to better methods of bookkeeping, and the highest praise of them consists in the fact that his forms and methods have been largely followed from that time to this. He was continued as clerk of the township eight or ten years, when he was chosen as treasurer. In this office he was as useful as in the other, and left a clean record. He was then elected a trustee and then land appraiser. In the latter office he made some radical changes, having for their object a more just valuation of the property of the township, and the equalizing of the burdens of taxation. The skill and faithfulness here exhibited won the approval of even those upon whose shoulders a greater burden of taxation than before, was thrown.
In 1871 Mr. Karshner was elected county commissioner, and served for a term of three years. During his time of service as commissioner the present infirmary was built, and affairs were so managed that the county did not pay a cent of interest on funds used for its erection. The strictest integrity and honesty has governed Mr. Karshner throughout all his dealings, large or small, with his fellow men. In politics he has always belonged to the Democratic party, but he has never allowed his partizan feelings to have greater weight with himself than his convictions of duty and right.
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