(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 318 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO PAXTON. No one visiting Ross county can fail to be delighted with its rare attractions, and no one can fail, after traveling its length and breadth, to assign to Paxton the first place among its beautiful townships. With the diversity and wild beauty of scenery possessed by Huntington and Paint, Paxton combines a fertility and a cultivation unsurpassed by Concord, Twin or Union. Bold hills form its boundaries at every side, checkered with woodland, meadow, and the darker green of the young wheat; from the base of these hills to the sedgy banks of main Paint creek, and again from the creek to the foot of sister hills beyond, reach the broad bottom for which the valley is famous. No soil is more fertile by nature, slower to deteriorate with use, or more ready to rally from the exhaustion of prolonged cultivation than the alluvial land along the channel of Paint. In other pages much has been said of the general features of districts similar to Paxton, yet it is difficult to refrain, at the risk of repetition, from some description of its beauties. Paint creek is the nearly central line of the township geographically, and, topographically, its most striking feature. The western line of the township and county strikes Paint at the mouth of Rocky fork, one half of that stream being in Paxton, and the other in Highland county. At this point begin the rapids of Paint. Confined within a comparatively narrow limit by limestone cliffs, the stream makes a descent of nineteen feet in a distance of two hundred yards. On the Paxton side the land is wooded to the edge of the rocky declivity, small trees grow in the crevices, and moss and grass serve to cover the intervals, save where some jutting mass of limestone denies root-hold to even these. Just at the head of this rapid the stream is spanned by a picturesque covered bridge, which time has reduced to a neutral tint blending harmoniously with the colors about it. One end of this bridge rests on the Paint township bank, the other is supported by a natural abutment of rock which rises forty feet from the water, and without a touch of human workmanship, serves its purpose so admirably as to almost make the observer doubt its natural origin, On the Paint side a few wheels and timbers remain to tell of the busy industry of the years gone by. Here, sixty years ago, the water power of the rapids served to turn the wheels of large works ; iron, lumber, flour, and nails were produced in large quantities ; upon the banks were the cabins of workmen and the residences of their superiors all was activity and life. Now the men who projected and sustained the work are passed away; only the fantastic arms of a rusty wheel, the massy and mouldering timbers casting their wierd shadows in the cold light of a winter sunset, tell the historian that the rushing waters below him were ever less free than now. Below the rapids the stream broadens. Many years ago this was a favorite crossing for immigrants, and teamsters engaged in "packing" goods across the country, and was known as Keeper's ford. Near by, Cold spring furnished an abundant supply of drinking water, and now marks the site of the old camping ground. Rapids Forge is now passed, on either side, by the lines of travel—the Milford and Chillicothe turnpike to the south, and the Bainbridge and Greenfield road to the northward. But half a century ago its now deserted shores were the scene of more activity than existed at any other point in the western part of Ross county. Two miles below Keeper's ford, where the farm of Austin Pepple skirts the creek, is Grassy ford, still in use as a crossing place when the water of Paint is not too high. The falls of Paint creek are, following the line of the stream, about a mile below Grassy ford. Here the water makes a descent of about eleven feet, furnishing a fine natural water-power. This power was early utilized by Nathaniel Massie and Jacob and Enoch Smith, by the erection of a saw-mill, grist-mill, and distillery. Here, on the north bank, was projected and laid out, by the Smith brothers, a town, called New Amsterdam. They, no doubt, expected, and circumstances indicated, that this was to be the principal place of the then large territory of Paxton township, Fine farming land extended on either side of the stream, both bottom and hill were well timbered, and the water-power furnished the remaining and conclusive argument in favor of the site. But it was not to be. Various causes, principal among which was the unhealthfulness of the location, combined to induce the abandonment of the idea. Bainbridge was projected and laid out by General Massie, and New Amsterdam now exists only as a name on the map, and a recollection in the mind of the "oldest inhabitant." Below the site of New Amsterdam, Paxton township extends to the northward of Paint creek, which is, above that point, its northern boundary line, taking an area nearly equal to one-fourth of its entire extent, and embracing a part of the fertile valley of Buckskin creek, the largest tributary of Paint in the township. Farther on, Cave run empties into Paint, and, nearly opposite its mouth, the waters turned, years ago, the wheels of Jacob Platter's mill, which now stands, in a semi-ruinous condi- HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 319 tion, on the southern bank. Only one more point of interest is found on the creek before we reach the line of Twin township, and that is the most notable of all. On the land of Mr. R. R. Seymour, about a quarter of a mile west of the Milford and Chillicothe turnpike bridge, is the ford formerly known as Reeves' crossing, where was fought, in the year 1795, the battle between the exploring and surveying party under General Massie, and a band of Shawnee Indians. The proximity of the bridge has caused the abandonment of this ford, and, though the scene of the most interesting event in the history of Paxton, It is rarely visited. The course of Paint creek has been thus traced for the reason that along its channel the early interests of Paxton were extended. The bottom lands were eagerly taken up before the hill country had come to be regarded as of any value save for the timber which it produced. In late years the land owners of Paxton have begun to discover that the upland regions have value as well as beauty, and are turning their attention to the development of their resources. Along the lower hills, where we leave the alluvial formation, and reach the belt of soil formed from the weather-worn exposure of black slate, or Huron shale, the land is quite sterile, and the timber mostly scrub oaks and stunted shrubs. The soil formed from this shale is always poor, but is, in this case, of small extent. Pass upward a short distance and, suddenly, the entire aspect of the landscape is changed. In place of the dwarfed vegetation below us, we have a fine forest of walnut, maple, oak and ash. Where a stump marks the fall of a tree, cut but a short time since, a rank growth of underbrush attest the richness of the soil for crops suitable to its nature. In the cleared lands wheat is successfully cultivated, and there is almost no part where a strong growth of wild grass does not follow the clearing of the land. These general statements are true of the highest elevations in the township. There is no perceptible diminution of the timber growth upon points of land, where one standing may see spread out, as in the trough of a great sea, the tiny streams of the main and north forks of Paint creek, Buckskin and Whetstone, the bosom of a hundred other hills extending far into Pike county on the south, the broad reach of Highland county, checkered with tiny farms, toy villages and microscopic houses to the west, and, in the blue eastern horizon, the head of Mount Logan marking the channel of the Scioto. We see in all the promise of a great future. Paxton farmers have lived, died, married and given in marriage, for so long a time with the idea firmly fixed in mind, that the earth was made as a place for the raising of corn, and that corn was created to be fed to cattle and hogs, for the Baltimore market, that they are slow to discover how many other resources are at hand. The time is not far off when the one sheep upon the magnificent hill pasture of Paxton will be a thousand; when the sunny southern exposures will be lined with the finest vineyards in the State; when fruit trees of every kind will dot its table lands; when the forest will give way to thousands of acres more of wheat ; when the magnificent hill country will be appreciated. ANTIQUITIES. What has been said on this subject, of Ross county at large, applies to Paxton as well. In mounds it is particularly rich, and rich, too, in fine specimens. The vandalism and disregard of archaeological relics which distinguishes a young community, has had its perfect work here, and will be bitterly regretted in future years. The highways of the township, so independent of fixed rules in other matters, so ready to turn aside to give John Doe a little more bottom land, or to avoid separating Richard Roe's pasture from his spring, have ruthlessly cut through some of the most notable. Farmers desiring to build stone walls, or make brick, have demolished right and left, effacing the last traces of some unique and most interesting monuments, and mutilating many others. This has arisen, no doubt, from mere thoughtlessness, but is none the less a deplorable misfortune, A very remarkable system of defensive works exists on the farms now owned by Robert Dill and Thomas Blackstone respectively, situated on the Milford & Chillicothe turnpike, and near the left bank of Paint creek. Vestiges, distinct enough to be readily recognized, remain of but two portions of the works, viz : a square on the farm of Mr. Dill, enclosing about twenty-seven acres, and a circle on Mr. Blackstone's land, embracing seventeen acres; these two are but outworks flanking at either side a fortification of about fifty-five acres, and extending, to its farthest point, about two thousand feet from each of the others. In the center of the largest work, which is nearly circular in form, is the largest mound in the valley. It is elliptical in form, is two hundred and forty feet long, one hundred and sixty feet wide, and was, a few years since, by actual measurement, thirty-five feet high. This extensive system of intrenchments was originally enclosed by a high wall two miles in length. On each side of the square flanking work is an opening of considerable width, and guarding each of these exits, and on the inside of the embankment, is a mound. In and about the fortifications are numbers of other mounds of varying size, and, formerly, there were to be seen, within the larger circle, vestiges of a small circular embankment having a diameter of two hundred and fifty feet. On the north side of the Milford and Chillicothe turnpike, near what is known as the "fourth gate" are two fine connected mounds, and two others were destroyed in cutting the road through. There were, in early days, in nearly every hill, rude structures of stone which have puzzled antiquaries, and the use and origin of which is even now problematical. Some were, at the date of the earliest settlement, mere shapeless heaps of stone, but many had preserved their form quite perfectly. Whoever may have been their builders, and whatever the purpose of their construction, certain it is that they were for shelter. They were usually of arched form, not high enough to allow of a man standing erect within them; on one side was an opening to be used as a door, and they were almost invariably on the line of well-known paths, • followed by deer and other large game, or in the immediate vicinity of "licks" 320 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. as watering places. These facts have given color to the theory that the structures in question were intended as places of concealment for hunters, either of the Indian or pre-historic races. Admitting, as an hypothesis, the truth of this theory, the question of origin still remains unanswered, though the permanence and stability of the claims is out of character with the migratory habits of the former. INDIAN HISTORY. Under this head the annals of Paxton afford but scanty material. Though a favorite hunting ground of the Shawnee tribe, no Indian village existed within its boundaries, and the only incident of striking interest of which it was the scene, is the battle of Reeves' Crossing above referred to. The circumstances of that affair are, briefly, as follows : During the year 1795 an exploring party was organized, and set out from Manchester, on the Ohio river, for the Scioto country. Among the members of the little company were Nathaniel Massie, Robert W. Finley, Captain Petty, and Martin Gilmore. After a march of several days they reached the falls of Paint creek, and their practiced eyes detected signs of a recent Indian visit to the place. Soon after, proceeding cautiously, they heard the tinkling of the bells on the ponies of the Indian band. It then seemed too late to retire with safety, and it was decided, after a hurried consultation, to advance in the following order,. and surprise their enemies : General Massie, Robert W. Finley and Fallenach, it was arranged, were to lead the advance, and Captain Petty to protect the rear. A very short time brought the party upon the Indian camp, at what is now known as Reeves' crossing. So well had the movement been planned, and so cautiously executed, that the surprise of the Shawnees was complete, Had this not been so, it would have been disastrous to the whites for, of their entire force of forty men, but twenty took part in the battle, the rest showing the white feather, and seeking shelter behind logs and trees. After a sharp fight of a few moments the Indians broke and fled in confusion across the stream, leaving their camp and its contents to the mercy of the whites. The Shawnees lost several killed and wounded, and of the explorers one, a Mr. Robinson, who was shot and instantly killed. Martin Gilmore, who was the grandfather of Samuel Peacock, now of Bainbridge, was separated from his companions, and ran to a point near where the Platter mill was afterward built, pursued by two Indians. Crossing the creek at that point, he turned and shot one of his pursuers, when the other gave up the chase, and Gilmore reached the rest of his party in safety. Massie and his company, being left masters of the situation, gathered together the horses, skins, and other valuables of the camp, and with a white man, John Wilcoxon, who had been held a prisoner by the Shawnees and had escaped during the confusion of the battle, commenced a retreat to Manchester, from whence they had set out. It was certain that they would be followed by the Indians as soon as reinforcements could be obtained, so a strong position was selected for the night's camp, and every precaution taken that they might avoid surprise and success fully resist the expected attack. The place selected for the encampment was on Scioto Brush creek, and here, after a night of watchfulness, their expectations were fulfilled, the Indians attacking their position with great vigor, about an hour before daybreak. Here again the cowards who had fled, at the first fire the day before, sought shelter, and left to their few boon companions the work of repelling the vastly superior force of their enemies. This was bravely and manfully done. After about an hour of fighting, the Indians again retired, leaving the little party to return without further molestation to Massachusetts. In this second skirmish the loss of the Shawnees is not known ; that of the whites was confined to the wounding of one of their number, Mr. Gilfillan, by a rifle ball, through the thigh, and the shooting of several horses. These battles are remarkable as being the last in that Indian war. General Wayne's , treaty, shortly after made, ended the hostilities between the Shawnees and the whites, and began a peace which endured until the year 1812. It was, too, the last collision which ever occurred between the red men and the white, in the Scioto valley. In the crevices of the slate and lime formations, at various places along the valley of Paint creek, is found an oxide of iron, of a reddish-brown color, which was much prized by the Indian tribes as a war paint, and the procuring of supplies of it was the object of many of their visits to the valley. Most of the old men and women, early residents of Paxton, now living, have some recollection of these parties coming across the old Indian ford and going to the falls or to the face of the slate hill, known as Copperas mountain, for this purpose ; and, from the date of the Reeves' Crossing encounter, the Indians do not appear in the history of Paxton, save as peaceful travelers or hunters within its limits. EARLY SETTLEMENT. From the subject just discussed we may pass directly to the history of the white settlement. Five accounts of the Massie survey are given elsewhere in these pages ; and its progress in Paxton was unmarked by any event of striking importance. Between November 10, 1793, and March 17, 1794, General Nathaniel Massie, assisted by Joseph and David Kilgore, chain-carriers, and John Youkham, marker, made a survey of one thousand acres of land on Paint creek, where R. R. Seymour now lives. This survey was made for Nathan Reeves, who gave the name to Reeves' crossing. In the spring of 1795 Reeves made a contract with William Kent, of Pennsylvania, whereby it was agreed that Kent should come to Ohio and clear forty acres of this tract and place it in condition for planting, and that Reeves should give him, in payment, fifty acres of land, to be located at any point on the outside of the tract which he (Kent) should choose. In pursuance of this agreement, Kent came out alone into the wilderness with only his axe, gun and a small tent, settled himself, back near the base of the hill, and went manfully to work. He cut the first tree ever cut in Paxton township in preparation for actual settlement, For HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 321 about six months of that year he worked thus alone in the great wilderness. There was not, at that date, a settler in Ross county, A bloody war with the Indian tribes was just drawing to a close. But, amid all the loneliness of such a life, the dangers of a forest infested with wolves, bears and panthers, and traversed constantly by bands of hostile Indians, William Kent persevered; and for fifty acres of woodland, worth a pitiable sum, cleared the first cornfield in Paxton. The land then cleared by him embraced the ground occupied by the dwelling of R. R. Seymour. This was one of the earliest solid and comfortable houses erected within Paxton township, was built in 1805, and was kept for many years by Reeves as a place of entertainment for travelers, first on Zane's trace, and later on the old Limestone road, one of the busiest thoroughfares of the early days. This property continued in the ownership of Reeves and Kent until it passed, in the year 1832, into the hands of David Adams, who almost immediately sold it to its present proprietor, Mr. Seymour. Mr. Seymour came, originally, from the south branch of the Potomac river, in Virginia, to Paxton, Ohio, and making his purchase in Paxton, removed to the farm and has lived in the old Reeves house ever since. He owned, until quite recently, twenty- six hundred acres of land, and still has fifteen hundred acres, the balance of the farm having fallen into the hands of his nephew. Naturally, our first notice has been given to the settlement on this first cleared spot in Paxton ; the rest belongs to the man who, of all the early settlers in the Scioto valley, did the most to advance the cause of civilization—Nathaniel Massie. After his work as surveyor of the military lands was completed, General Massie began to look about him for a place to build him a home a place where he might enjoy the repose which his arduous labors of the past years had so well earned, In the course of his services as surveyor he had become, by one means and another, the owner of large tracts of land at various places in the country of the Scioto, and it was from these that he had to choose. Among his possessions was a body of land in Paxton township embracing the farms now owned by Austin Pepple, Joseph West, the Dunn heirs, and other property, extending from Paint creek up Massie's run beyond the present Cynthiana pike. This large and fine tract of land Massie resolved to make his home farm, Upon the base of the first hill back of Paint creek, where a natural platform of a few acres, skirted by a small stream, offered a sightly and healthful position, he built his house, in the year 1800. It was a spacious and solid structure, the first approaching our modern idea of comfort which was erected in Paxton. Every nail driven in its erection was forged by hand, with hammer and anvil, for the purpose. Every timber was cut from the soil and selected for its office, No economy of material, time or labor, marked the work, and it to-day stands, a part of the residence of Joseph West, like a hale old man, defying, after eighty years of service, the assaults of wind and rain, as few of its more modern neighbors do. Here Massie brought his young wife, fresh from the luxuries of her Virginian home, and installed her mistress. It must have been a trying experience to her, a delicately reared and cultivated woman, to turn her back on civilization and share the hardships of a frontier life. Massie was every inch a man, but he was no "carpet knight;" a life of exposure, hardships and danger, had made him, though warm at heart, somewhat rough in speech and manner. So4ong as he lived his house was open to, and a warm welcome awaiting, any of his old comrades of the trail who might visit him. McDonald tells us, in quaint language, of the lavish hospitality of his home, how he could not do enough for his uncouth companions, how his table groaned with its superfluity, and how the delicate hands of Mrs. Massie passed among her husband's guests, seated about the fire-place after supper, cups of fragrant tea. This last custom was a new one to McDonald, and he tells us that he regarded it as "rather a foolish" fashion. Massie, though settled in a comfortable home and free from such dangers as he had encountered in the past, was by no means idle. On Massie's run, near the house of J. W. Fernow, he established, about the year 1800, the first saw-mill in Paxton, on Paint creek; he enabled the Smith brothers to build a grist-mill, and himself built the first still-house in the township. On his farm in Paxton he built, at a somewhat later day, a furnace, where he manufactured iron for some time. Take into consideration all these various projects, and add to them the developing and management of a farm of several thousand acres, the oversight of large tracts at other points, the selling of land and the trouble incident to finding funds for all these various enterprises, and for the payment of a large indebtedness contracted in the original purchases, and it will be readily believed that Nathaniel Massie did not eat the bread of idleness. His biography is fully given on another page. Here we have to do only with that part of his life which has a bearing on the development of Paxton. In this first house the husband and wife lived, and when they died both were buried on the hillside west of the old homestead, and rested there until a few years ago, when their remains were removed to the cemetery at Chillicothe. On the worn sandstone slab, which marked his grave in Paxton, is this inscription: " In memory of Nathaniel Massie, who was born December 28, 1763, and died November 3, 1813, in the fiftieth year of his age. ‘It must be so ; our father Adam's fall And disobedience, brought this lot on all. All die in him, but hopeless should we be, Blest revelation, were it not for thee. Hail, glorious gospel, heavenly light, whereby We live with comfort and with comfort die. We view beyond this gloomy scene, the tomb, A life of endless happiness to come.' " Passing on, we find that the settlement became quite general in the year 1800. Without professing to give the exact relative order, we will name some among the first corners. Robert Dill and Thomas Dill, brothers, emigrated, during the latter part of the last century, from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, and contracting the Ohio fever, came to the Scioto valley in the year 1800, and settled on the 41 322 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. farm now owned by Robert Dill, jr. Robert, sr., had previously come out from Kentucky and examined the country. The land purchased by them was a part of that located under the warrant of Valentine Peyton. Peyton's warrant embraces the whole "horse-shoe bend " of Paint creek, and is bisected by the Milford and Chillicothe turnpike, near the point where that road crosses the creek. Robert Dill was a successful hunter and a daring man. During one of his hunting expeditions he was attacked by about fifteen hungry wolves, and had a desperate fight for his life, but succeeded in beating off his ravenous assailants and making his escape. Mr. Dill went on horseback to the State of Pennsylvania to obtain the money to make his first payment on his farm. He started on his homeward ride with fifteen hundred dollars in gold in his saddle-bags, when, by some mischance, his horse escaped and made off through the woods. After a hard chase the horse was captured and the money recovered, Robert Dill, jr., and William Dill, his sons, now own the land thus purchased, having two of the finest farms in Paxton. Not far from Robert Dill and Nathaniel Reeves, settled Christian Platter, in the year 1800, on a tract of land which included the present farm of Aaron Fernow, Allusion has already been made to the old mill, now standing upon the Fernow farm, which was built by Platter early in the century. Though long out of use, this mill has played an important part in its day, and is still a landmark of the neighborhood, Joseph Ogle emigrated from Kentucky to Paxton in the year 1800. He was a Marylander by birth, and married a daughter of Abraham Pepple. Benoni Baker was another of the men of 1800. He came to Paxton at that date with his father, M. Baker, and bought land near the present farm of J. M. Fernow. Later, on Benoni's marriage, he removed to the big falls, and hved there, and afterwards bought land on Yellow hill, on the Cynthiana pike. On this farm now lives Benjamin Baker, son of Benoni. Robert Carson came into Ross county with Reeves, in 1798, and settled in Highland county for a few months, and then removed to Paxton where, in 1799, was born his son, D. C. Carson, probably the first white child, born in the township. John Blackstone came to Paxton from Virginia in the year 1802, and bought two hundred acres of John Wills' five hundred acre survey near the foot of big Copperas mountain. Selecting a place on the slope of a hill for his cabin, he cut a log for the front, and raising this on uprights, laid poles from it to the hillside to form a roof, then .thatching it, and rudely closing the sides and front, he considered himself well provided with shelter. Mr. Blackstone built a fine log house later, and lived in it until his death. George 0. Bryan now owns the farm, and lives in the house. Thomas Blackstone, son of John, lives on the Milford and Chillicothe turnpike, between the bridge and the railroad crossing. No name in the list of early settlers in Paxton is more frequently encountered than that of Christian Benner. In the year 1803, this sturdy German settled on the north side of Paint creek, near the mill that now bears his name. No sooner had he arrived than he began work in building a dam, a saw-mill and grist-mill, and in 1804 they were in operation. After the dam was completed, the primitive saw-mill followed, and the frrst work done on that was the sawing of timber for the grist-mill. The saw-mill stood where its successor now is, and the flouring mill just west of and adjoining the present gristmill. This remained in use until 1879, when it was torn down. In 1845 was built the present flouring mill, and the two were operated in connection until the tearing down of the old one. About 180 Christian Benner resolved to extend his business still further, and built, just above the mouth of Buckskin, and not far from his other mill, a forge. Here he hammered, in the primitive style of the day, iron such as is now made by rolls. This business, as well as his other enterprises, he carried on until his death. John Benner, his son, who, as a child, came with him from Pennsylvania, now took charge of the business. In 1845, finding that innovations in the iron business had left his forge somewhat out of date, John changed his machinery for woolen manufacturing apparatus, and began that business. Finding it successful, he, in 1850, tore down the old building and replaced it by a larger one better adapted for the work. He conducted all three establishments, and his farm, until 1869, when he died. Mr. D. T. Benner, his son, succeeded to the business. He rented the woolen-mill, and it has been, in common with most others in the west, out of use for a few years past. Mr. Benner proposes soon to put it in operation. During the eleven years since his father's death, he has successfully continued the business through the very trying years of financial depression, and is now doing a large trade. The grist-mill has even now but one competitor in Paxton. In 1808, Abraham Pepple, father of Austin Pepple, came from Kentucky, and settled on a part of the Dunn property, northeast of the "fourth gate." After living at that place for a short time his father died, in Maryland, and Mr. Pepple rode in the saddle to that State, sold his father's land, and returned. This arduous ride occupied about sixteen months, and when it was completed Mr. Pepple purchased land in Paint township, embracing the farms now owned by Dennis E, Pepple and Alexander Brown, and, removing to his new home, lived there until his death. Austin Pepple was born in 1828, and, in 1850, purchased the very fine farm where he now lives, originally a part of the Nathaniel Massie home farm. About a mile east of Bainbridge is the residence of Price Taylor. William Taylor, his father, came from Kentucky, in the year 1801, and James Taylor, his grandfather, followed a year later. James Taylor built the house now known as the Alexander Taylor house, and William built near the residence of Price Taylor, his son. The entire tract, as originally purchased, with the exception of about one hundred acres, is now in the hands of descendants of the original owners—Price, Alexander, and Henry H. Taylor. William Taylor was the father of HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 323 fourteen children, all of whom grew to maturity, married and had children. CHURCH HISTORY. METHODIST. The pioneer church in Bainbridge and in Paxton was the Methodist. Almost as early as 1800 we hear of preaching in private houses and in school-houses in various parts of the township.• • It was in 1818, however, that John Mick and John Collins, who had been among these early preachers, made the first church organization in Bainbridge. During that year a class was instituted, consisting of James Gaskle and wife, Sarah McCollum, Rebecca Turner, John Baird, and Magdalin Gilmore, and placed under the leadership of James Gaskle. This class met at Gaskle's house, which became, and for some time continued to be, a regular "preaching place" of the denomination. Not very long after this organization was effected, Gaskle gave to the church permission to build a meeting-house on his land, and not far from 1820, a small frame church was built there. Gaskle was a tanner, and used the adjacent land as a tan-yard. Since that time this tanning business, together with the real estate, has passed into the proprietorship of E. Rockhold and son, and the old meeting-house is now in use by them as a slaughter-house. Here the congregation continued to meet until 1834, when they erected the frame structure now in use by the African Methodist Episcopal church. This was, in turn, occupied by them until the year 1868. At that date a fine lot was purchased by the society on the south side of the main street of the village, and a church building erected at an expense of nearly ten thousand dollars,—a severe strain upon a church numbering only about eighty members. On the second day of April, 1876, this building took fire, and the roof and woodwork were completely destroyed. Not to be discouraged by this, however, repairs were at once begun, and in September of that year the congregation occupied the edifice in its present form. In the early days of the church, it was a part of the Hillsborough circuit, which embraced twenty-three appointments, all of which were attended by but two clergymen. Each one of these men, when he started on his beat, had a territory thirty miles square to traverse in twenty days, and was expected to preach twenty-nine times during the same time. Fortunately, one sermon usually sufficed for the entire circuit. Among the early preachers of the circuit were James Havens, G, W. Walker, George Mally and James Turner, while those two pioneers of Ohio Methodism, Robert and James B. Finley, have often adorned its rude pulpits. Now all is changed. The twenty-three preaching places have been reduced to two, the thirty miles' ride has dwindled to frve, but if the physical labors of the position are less than they were sixty years ago, the mental demands upon the preacher are now far greater. One sermon in three weeks is no longer sufficient, and it may well be maintained that the settled preacher of to-day does work fully as wearing upon the human machine as any his predecessors accomplished. The present offrciating clergyman of the church is the Reverend James Dickey. PROTESTANT METHODIST. Previous to 1847 a split occurred in the ranks of the Methodist Episcopal church in Bainbridge, resulting from a difference on points of discipline, and quite a number of members withdrew from the old church and held services from house to house, and at an old schoolhouse within the village limits. On the twenty-sixth day of March, in the year 1848, an organization of the seceding branch was effected and attached to the Protestant Methodist church. At the date of its organization the church had a membership of fifty persons, and was under the charge of the Rev. Simon P. Keyota. A church building was erected during the year 1849, dedicated on the second day of July in that year, and has ever since been occupied by them. Subsequently, in 1852, a church was built by the same denomination, in the southern portion of Paxton township, where a congregation had been previously formed.. The Rev, James Walker preached the dedicatory sermon, and the Rev. Reuben Rose was one of the early preachers. The church belonged to the Bainbridge circuit, and while it was in existence, was served by the clergymen from the Bainbridge church. It has been abandoned for some years, most of the members going to Bainbridge to the mother church. Since its organization the following clergymen have served the Bainbridge Protestant Methodist church : From 1847 to 1850, S. P. Keyota, James B. Walker, assistant; 1850-51, James B. Walker; 1851 to 1853, Reuben Rose; 1853-54, T. H. Wilson; 1854- 55, Reuben Rose; 1855-57, James B. Walker; 1857-58, S. B. Smith ; 1858-59, R. Dolbey; a portion of 1859, A. V. Shepherd; 1859-61, John W. Henley, and at the present time, the Rev. J. E. Bailey. The church is in a flourishing condition, and is an influential one in the community. PRESBYTERIAN. Like the other churches in Bainbridge, the Presbyterian had its beginning in the unorganized religious services of the early days. Clergymen from South Salem and other points where the denomination had gained a foothold, came and preached at the old log school-house, which was the birthplace of three churches, and may well have been called the cradle of religion in Bainbridge. Among these preachers, Moses Stoader, of South Salem, was probably most prominent. There was no distinct Presbyterian church at Bainbridge, however, until about 1841, when an organization was effected, with the Rev. George G. Poe as pastor. The other members of the session were John Steel, Joseph Taylor, and Frederick Purgett. In 1842 land was purchased and a church building erected. After the retirement of Mr. Poe, the Rev. P. Irmiston and ___ Jewitt followed, and were, in turn, succeeded by the Rev. S. P. Dunham, who relinquished the charge of the church in the year 1879, after nearly twenty-five years spent in its service. The session of the church now consists of ____ pastor, and Price Taylor, Alexander Brown, A. W. Seymour, and Joseph Baum. HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 324 EDUCATIONAL MATTERS. Paxton is well supplied with district schools, quite in contrast with the rough log houses and primitive instruction of the early days, In various parts of the township were scattered the subscription schools, universal in the new west. A few logs for a cabin, a hole covered with oiled paper for a window, rough benches, and a long board for seats and desk, these were all the accommodations deemed necessary, and the pedagogue himself, with attainments as simple as his quarters, found no lack of pupils, during the short winter days, to whom he imparted knowledge in the three cardinal branches of education, "readin', 'ritin', and 'rithmetic." It is difficult to give any accurate account of these schools. They changed from place to place, and from the charge of one teacher to another so frequently that, at this distance of time, it is easy to confuse them. The first in Bainbridge was in an old log house, where the cemetery now is. The land was, early in the century, dedicated by General Massie to school purposes, with a condition in the deed that, should it ever cease to be so used, it should revert to him or his heirs. Among the teachers were James Grey, Cowley, French, and King, sturdy knights of the birch, the mention of whose names brings recollections to many a white-haired man to-day of the swift retribution following upon his youthful misdeeds. Another school was upon the property now owned by William Dill, taught by Eli Banman, and later, there was one taught by Thomas Blackstone, on his place. Bainbridge is now an independent district, having a fine graded school, and in addition, a school for colored children. The present school board is constituted as follows: Peter Kerns, president;. J. L. Rhodeback, secretary; E. C. Rockhold, treasurer; W. F. Hughey, M. D.; James A, Head, T. J. Atkins. The departments of the school are classified as follows, and are under the instruction respectively of the persons named: Primary, Miss Lizzie Freshour; intermediate, W. A. Dodds; grammar, J. W. Smith; high school, James Wolf. Mr. Wolf is also the principal of the school, having general supervision of all departments. He is a teacher of experience, having been connected in various capacities with the Bainbridge schools for eight years past. SECRET SOCIETIES. At the present day there are but two secret organizations in Bainbridge, Masons and Odd Fellows. As early as the year 1846 a chapter of the order known as Sons of Temperance, was instituted there, and there have been, from time to time, various other secret organizations of the class. To-day, however, only these two ancient orders are represented. The following particulars concerning them will be of interest. MASONIC. The Bainbridge lodge, No. 196, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized on the eighteenth day of October, 1849, under the following charter members, holding the offices stated: J. D, Miller, \V. M.; Samuel Tweed, J. W.; G. D. Teter, J. D.; Jacob McDaniels, treasurer; James Slater, S. W.; C. W. A. Halley, S. D.; J. M. Baird, secretary; Daniel Kelley, tyler. The lodge is in a flourishing condition financially, and has a membership of about seventy-five. Some years since it purchased the building where the very handsome and commodious lodge rooms are now situated, but, finding the investment not sufficiently profitable, the structure was sold to good advantage. Meetings of the lodge are now held on the Tuesday evening preceding each full moon. The present officers are as follows: W. S. Pricer, W. M.; W. R. Ross, S. W.; C. Rittenhouse, J. W.; T. C. Campbell, treasurer; W. H. Soale, secretary; J. C. Eubanks, S. D.; Aaron Head, J. D.; J. R. Burville tyler. ODD FELLOWS. Bainbridge lodge, No. 437, was organized August 20, 1869, a charter having been granted on the thirteenth of the preceding May. The following persons were constituent members: W. L. Tullys, D. E. Peck, J. H. Huling, J. D. Hathaway, J. A. Tullys, and John W. May. The lodge now numbers twenty-four members, and meets each Friday evening. The following are its present officers: William S. Pricer, N. G.; Alexander Dallas, V. G.; W. R. Ross, permanent and recording secretary; T. J. Atkins, treasurer, Paxton township was erected during the year 1800, and then embraced all of Ross county west of the Scioto river, as well as portions ofthe territory now embraced in Fayette and Highland counties. No better idea can be given of the early political history of the township, than by publishing entire such portions of its early records as are in existence. The books are mutilated, in a crude condition, and, in many instances, the writing is obliterated by water dampening them: Records of Paxton township, kept by William Ken for the year of our Lord 1802, and created by an act to establish and regulate township meetings, passed thet Second general assembly of territory northwest of the Ohio river. On the fifteenth day of May, 1802, the inhabitants of Paxton township having met at the house of Christian Platter for the purpose of electing township officers, the following persons were chosen agreeable to law: William Kent, clerk ; Thomas Dill, Michael Harr, Thomas Kerr, Joseph Taylor, and James Hughey, trustees; John Swan, and Samuel Teetors, overseers of the poor; Zachariah Taylor, John Wilson, Christian Platter, fence viewers; Nathan Massie, Enoch B. Smith, and John Combs, appraisers of houses; John Combs, lister of property; Frederick Braugher, John Brown, Hugh Cochran, William Pellers, James Wilson, and James Curry, supervisors of highways ; John Combs, John White, and Jacob Harr, constables. The above named persons being sworn, entered on the duties of their respective offices for the year above written. Twenty-four township officers in all. At an election held at the house of Christian Platter the fourth day of April, 1803, the following township officers were chosen according to law: HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 315 William Kent, clerk; Nathan Reeves, Noble Crawford, William Taylor, sr., trustees; Robert Holliday, Reuben Brister, overseers of the poor; Zachariah Taylor, Benjamin M'Clure, Joseph Rockhold, fence viewers; Samuel Jordan, Lucans Hawkins, appraisers of houses; Isaac Hartman, lister of taxable property; Jacob Davis, Christian Platter, Abraham McCoy, Daniel Harr, John Brown, supervisors of highway; Talbot Ward, Jacob Harr, constables. The end of the territorial government. By an act to incorporate townships passed at the second session of the first general assembly of the State of Ohio—on the second day of April, 1804, the inhabitants (or electors) having met at the house of Christian Platter for the purpose of electing township officers, the following were chosen,. viz.: William Kent, clerk and treasurer; Robert Dill, Christian Platter, Jared Irwin, trustees; Zuri Combs, John Torbet, overseers of the poor ; Thomas Edmonson, Elisha Kelley, fence viewers; Samuel Jordan, Thomas Massie, listers of taxable property and house appraisers; Robert Edmonson, Thomas Dill, John Swan, Spencer Records, Enoch B. Smith, supervisors of highway; Joshua Davis, Benjamin M'Clure, John White, constables. An election was held at the house of Christian Platter, on the eighth day of April, 1805, for the purpose of electing township officers, when the following persons were chosen, viz.: Noble Crawford, Joseph Taylor, Christian Platter, trustees; William Taylor, sr., John Gray, overseers of the poor; John Torbott, James McCord, fence viewers; Enoch B. Smith, Samuel Jordan, listers and house appraisers; Abraham Dean, James Wilson, Reuben Brister, supervisors of highways; David Mulvane, John Combs, constables. William McMun nominated supervisor in place of Abraham Dean, twelfth January, 1806, pro tempore. At an election held at the house of Christian Platter on the seventh day of April, 1806, for the purpose of electing township officers, the election was opened and closed according to law; but in consequence of the judges not signing the poll book, no officers were chosen, as the clerk would not receive the return; the trustees met at the house of John Combs to nominate officers for the present year, pro tempore, and the following were appointed, viz.: William Kent, clerk and treasurer; Joshua Davis John Parker, Jacob Harr, Jarvis Cutler, Joseph Rockhold, supervisors of highways; William Smith, Enoch B. Smith, William Davis, trustees; James Gaskill, Jaffery Cox, fence viewers; Thomas Edmonson, Thomas Dill, overseers of the poor; John Jones, John Combs, house appraisers and listers of taxable property; Asher Layton, Benjamin Brackney, Talbott Ward, constables; Asher Layton, Benjamin Brackney and Talbott Ward gave bond according to law. An election was held at the house of Thomas Edmonson, on the sixth day of April, 1807, for the purpose of electing township officers, when the following persons were chosen: William Kent, clerk and treasurer; Robert Dill, sr., Michael Harr, William Smith, trustees; Alexander Trindle, John Wallace, George Eubanks, William Nevin, supervisors of highways; Thomas Dill, Thomas Edmonson, overseers of the poor; Jarred Irwin, James Hall, listers and house appraisers; Robert Holyday,. Benjamin McClure, fence viewers; Talbot Ward, Zachariah Taylor, constables. 'Fhe above named persons being sworn entered on the duties of their respective offices. Talbot Ward and Zachariah Taylor gave bond, as the law directs. Thirteenth February. Christian Benner nominated trustee in place of Michael Harr. Robert Morrison nominated constable in place of Talbot Ward, pro tempore. At an election held at John Combs' house on the fourth day of April, 1808, for the purpose of electing township officers, the following persons were chosen: William Kent, clerk and treasurer; Noble Crawford, Thomas Dill, John Combs, trustees; Chambers Dines, John Blackstone, Christian Platter, supervisors of highways; Jarred Irwin, Joseph Rockhold, listers and house appraisers; Warford Bonham, Samuel Irwin, constables; Alexander Trindle, Nathan Reeves, overseers of the poor; iEneas Foulk, Nathan Reeves, fence viewers. The above named persons being sworn entered the duties of their respective offices. John Combs nominated supervisor to place of Christian Platter, resigned. Daniel McShay nominated constable in place of Warford Bonham. Warford Bonham, Samuel Irwin, and Daniel McShay gave bond as the law directs. At an election held at the house of John Combs (Bainbridge) for the purpose of electing township officers, the following persons were chosen, on the third day of April, 1809 : William Kent, clerk and treasurer Thomas Dill, Noble Crawford, John Combs, trustees; William Taylor, sr., Benjamin McClure, Thomas Stogden, supervisors of highways; Thomas Edmonson AEneas Foulk, overseers of the Door; James Gaskill, John Tong, fence viewers; Jarred Irwin, Christian Benner, listers and house appraisers; John Combs and John Long, constables. The above named persons being sworn entered upon the duties of their respective offices. Andrew Perkins nominated constable in place of John Combs, deceased. Joseph Taylor nominated trustee in place of John Combs, deceased. John Combs, John Long, and Andrew Perkins gave bond as the law directs. An election was held at the house of _____ on the second day of April, 1810, for the purpose of electing township officers, when the following officers were chosen, viz : William Kent, clerk and treasurer; William Smith, Christian Benner, Elisha Kelley, trustees; George Brown, Alexander Trindle, John Swan, supervisors of highways; John Long, Warford Bonham, James Tuthill, constables; John Gray, George Eubanks, listers and house appraisers; Talbot Ward, William Warnock, overseers of the poor; Charles Reeder, John Torbit, fence viewers. An election was held at the house of Elisha Kelley (Bainbridge) on the day of April, 1811, for the purpose of electing township officers, when the follow- 326 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO ing persons were chosen: Elisha Kelley, George Brown, Noble Crawford, trustees; Nathaniel Willis, William Stockton, Joseph Rockhold, supervisors of highways; John Long, William Taylor, jr., AEneas Foulk, constables; Thomas Dill, James Gaskill, overseers of the poor; John Gray, George Eubanks, listers of taxable property and house appraisers ; Thomas Dill, Wilham Warnock, fence viewers. An election was held at the house of , (Bainbridge) for the purpose of electing township officers, when the following persons were duly chosen, on the day of April, 1812 : AEneas Foulk, clerk; Alexander Trindle, treasurer; William Smith, Elisha Kelley, Christian Benner, trustees; James Gaskill, Samuel Gardner, Joseph Heaston, supervisors of highways ; John Gray, George Eubanks, listers of taxable property an house appraisers; James Potts, John Taylor, overseers of the poor; Samuel Irwin, Abraham Pepple, John Long, constables; John Gault, James McCord, fence viewers. An election was held at the house of Elisha Kelley (Bainbridge), on the fifth day of April, 1813, for the purpose of electing township officers, when the following persons were chosen: AEneas Foulk, clerk; Alexander Trindle, treasurer; William Kent, William Taylor, jr., George Eubanks, trustees; Samuel Gardner, Warford Bonham, John Edmiston, supervisors of highways; James Tuthill, John Tulley, David Eubanks, constables; Alpheus Rowley in place of John Tulley; Christian Benner, sr., John Moomaw, overseers of poor; Arthur Dickey in room of Christian Benner, sr.; Thomas Stogden, Joseph Rockhold, fence viewers; James G. Gray, lister of taxable property; Joseph Taylor, house appraiser. An election was held at the house of Warford Bonham, on the fourth day of April, 1814, for the purpose of electing township officers, when the following persons were chosen; ./Eneas Foulk, clerk; Thomas Stogden, treasurer; Robert Jones, Warford Bonham, John Gray, trustees; Alpheus Rowley, John Prickett, William Irwin, constables; Joseph Taylor, George Brown, John Core, jr., supervisors of highway; James G. Gray, Christian Platter, listers of taxable property; Christian Benner, sr., William Smith, overseers of poor; Joseph Rockhold, Abraham Pepple, fence viewers. April 19th the trustees appointed Thomas Camlien in A. Rowley's place, and he was sworn in. Henry Benner appointed constable in Thomas Camlien's place, and sworn in. Date Emmor Bails in H. Benner's place, and he was sworn into office. An election was held at the house of Warlord Bonham, on the third day of April, 1816, for the purpose of electing township officers, when the following persons were chosen: .Eneas Foulk, clerk ; Thomas Stogden, treasurer; Joseph Taylor, Nathaniel Willis, John Gray, trustees; William Stogden, Nathan Hays, Samuel Irwin, Matthew Rodin, Peter Snider, jr., supervisors; Robert Smith, William R. Black, George Santee, Stephen Berry, sr., constables ; Benjamin Doddridge, Christian Benner, overseers of poor; Robert Smith, William Kent, listers and house appraisers; John Core, jr., — Moomaw, fence viewers. August, 1815, William Smith, Elisha Kelley, and John Swan, esqs., were elected to the office of justice of peace for Paxton township. At an election held at the house of Warford Bonham, on the day of April, 1816, for the purpose of electing township officers, the following persons were chosen: AEneas Foulk, clerk; Thomas Stogden, treasurer; Joseph Taylor, Christian Benner, William Kent, trustees; War- ford Bonham, Robert Dill, sr., David Snider, John Wilson, Henry Benner, supervisors; Alpheus Rowley, William Applegate, constables; Thomas McCelvey, lister; Thomas Dill, appraiser; William Taylor, Nathan Reeves, overseers of poor; Frederick Benner, Thomas Stogden, fence viewers. Elisha Kelley nominated in place of Nathan Reeves, overseer of poor; Samuel T. Reeves nominated in place of Robert Dill, sr., supervisor. The officers of Paxton for 1880 are; J. W. Fernow, T. J. Atkins, Austin Pepple, trustees; John H. Giffin, treasurer; W. P. Beardsley, clerk ; J. R. High, constable; John W. Wroten, A. S. Jones, justices of the peace. In 1846 a number of prominent citizens of Bainbridge conceived the idea of forming a new county, with Bainbridge as its capital, to be fittingly named for General Nathaniel Massie. Active steps were taken to attain the end desired. D. C. Carson and Dr. D. Green assumed the practical management of the affair. Dr. Green went to Columbus and worked in the lobby, while Carson remained at Baindridge and manipulated the matter there. Superior numbers, and, some say, certain solid pecuniary arguments, eminating from Chillicothe, proved too much for the scheme, as it did for a similar movement from South Salem, and it failed. The following, a notice published in a local paper at the time, will give an exact idea of what was proposed: " Notice is hereby given that a petition will be presented to the next legislature, praying for the erection of a new county, to be called Massie, with its seat of justice at Bainbridge, and bounded as follows: " Beginning at the northeast corner of Highland county; thence west, two and fifty-hundreths miles, to a stake in the north line of Highland county; thence south, twenty-three and six-lenths miles, to a stake, and two white oaks, in Adams county; thence south, eighty-four degrees east, nine and eighty-five hundreths miles, to a stake in the northeast corner of Adams county, and northwest corner of Scioto county, in the line of Pike county; thence north, twenty-five degrees east, thirteen and twenty-five hundreths miles, to a stake and two jack oaks, in the south line of Ross county, and north line of Pike county; thence, with said line, east, one and a half miles, to a stake in said line; thence, nine and fifty-hundreths miles to the ten mile mark on the Milford and Chillicothe turnpike, west of Chillicothe; thence north, nineteen degree swest, seven and twenty-five hundreths miles to the lower corner of P. Lucas survey, number four hundred and one, on the north bank of the north fork of Paint creek; thence, up the same, with the meanders thereof, to the mouth of Herrod's creek; thence, four miles west, to the southwestwardly line of Fayette county, to a stake and hickory, marked; thence, with said line to the beginning. Also, that four sections in depth, west of the Scioto river, be taken from Scioto county and added to Pike county. Dated, Bainbridge, Ohio, October 24, 1846. BAINBRIDGE. After the failure of New Amsterdam, General Massie looked about him for a more favorables ite and, making his selection, laid out the village of Bainbridge in the year 1805. There were at that date but three families at Bainbridge, and for two years no addition was made to the little community. These were the families of }Eneas Foulk, merchant ; Elijah Kelley, blacksmith, and Austin HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 327 Southard, shoemaker. It was scarcely a business center at that time. Nathan Reeves had a tannery on his land two miles east, Massie had mills, furnace and distillery not far from the same distance to the westward. Christian Benner conducted his business a half a mile away to the northward. Only by virtue of the stone could it claim any precedence over any one of these other points until, at the very early day, a post-office was established. Elisha Kelley, first blacksmith and first justice of the peace, as first postmaster. Then it assumed a new importance, and other familes began to come in, one by one, AEneas Foulk bringing his goods in saddle-bags from Chillicothe, was not destined long to enjoy his tremendous monopoly. David Adams soon opened a store, and a man named Crockett also appeared in the field. So the business stood for some years. Then R. R. Seymour and A. R. Seymour became the owners of the Foulk business. Elijah Rockhold, son of Joseph Rockhold, the pioneer, who had been a clerk for David Adams, became that gentleman's partner, and then his successor about 1833. In 1845 J. P. Brown bought out his employers, Seymour & Co., and still continues the business, In 1848 the principal merchants of the place were J, P. Brown, continuing the business of AEneas Foulk, Elijah Rockhold, succeeding David Adams, and William M. Fitz Williams, whose trade has passed to T, C. Campbell & Co. We find in the three leading houses of to-day the direct outgrowth of the early mercantile establishments of Bainbridge. The town was incorporated by act of general assembly, March 2, 1838. CORPORATION OFFICERS. Peter Kern, mayor; A. S. Jones, clerk ; J. R. High, marshal; John H. Giffin, treasurer; J, A. Head, W. H. Soale, F. H. Dunn, T. J. Atkins, John Robb, and E. C. Rockhold, council. BAINBRIDGE BUSINESS. The following are sketches of some of the principal business establishments of the town : ROCKHOLD, COOK AND COMPANY, BANKERS. This firm, consisting of Elijah Rockhold, Aaron Fernow, J. P. Brown and William A. Cook, was organized in the month of August, 1867, and has since conducted a considerable discount and deposit business. Mr. Cook died, a few years since, and the interest of his estate was withdrawn, but the business has continued under the same name, and with that exception, in the hands of the same person. The Paint Valley mills, built in 1872-3 by the Sprinkle brothers, is owned and operated by Rockhold, Cook and Company. It is the first and only steam flouring mill in Paxton. SPARGUR, HULITT AND COMPANY, BANKERS. This firm embarked in the banking business July 1, 1878. It counts among its depositors many of the wealthiest citizens of the western part of Ross county, and merchants from Greenfield, Frankfort, Hillsborough, and other neighboring towns, bring paper to the bank for discount, The firm consists of the following gentlemen : J. B. W. Spargur, John Hulitt, B. C. Hulitt, William W. Clyburn, and Asa W. Spargur. BAINBRIDGE CHRONICLE. Of this paper full notice is given on another page. It is, as it deserves to be, successful, and Mr. Adolphe Voigt, its editor and proprietor, shows a commendable and unusual spirit in endeavoring to make it a sheet of more than ephemeral value. Our historian acknowledges his indebtedness to Mr. Voigt for much valuable information which he has laboriously collected. E. ROCKHOLD AND SON. Reference has already been made to the business of David Adams, continued by Elijah Rockhold. Mr. Rockhold's name constantly recurs in any history of Bainbridge. He is its oldest active citizen, and the story of his business life is the history of the material development of the village. The firm now consists of Elijah Rockhold and Elijah C. Rockhold, his son, and continues to carry on a large general store at the old stand. In addition to the store, the tannery founded by James Gaskle is owned and conducted by the firm. T. C. CAMPBELL AND COMPANY. This firm removed from Cynthiana, where they were formerly in business, in 1869, and, buying out the old establishment of William Fitz Williams, carried on their trade in the little building which Fitz Williams had for years occupied, on the site of their present store. Finding the limits of their store too small, they built, in 1879, their present fine building, and occupied it, for the first time, December 23, 1879. They now have a floor room of five hundred and twenty-five square yards, and are doing a large trade in general merchandise. The firm retains its original constitution, T. C. Campbell and J. W. McCague. J. P. BROWN. Little more need be said of Mr. Brown's business than that the pioneer establishment of Bainbridge seems to bear the seventy years gracefully. Mr. Brown's business history is given fully elsewhere. CHARLES ROBBINS was the first druggist in Bainbridge. He established his business on the fifteenth day of September, 1847, in the store where Charles West now carries on the grocery trade. He continued in the drug business until 1864, when he embarked in the dry goods trade. In 1869, however, he returned to his first love, removing to his present store. Mr. Robbins was postmaster of Bainbridge, under the Buchanan administration, and has, at various times, held the offices of township treasurer and corporation clerk. J. H. RULING. In 1860 this gentleman established the first and only hardware store Bainbridge has ever had, and has conducted the business to this day. He now has a large trade in his line, and keeps well up to the times. Mr. Huling has earned the gratitude of travelers by the establishment, in 1873, of the very comfortable hotel which bears his name, and which he carries on in addition to his other business. 328 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. THE PROFESSIONS. Four physicians, Doctors S. Morrow, W. F. Hughey, Frank Kendrick, and Robert W. McKee, heal the ills of the flesh in Bainbridge. Dr. Morrow is the oldest living physician, having been in active practice for many years. Dr. Hughey is a graduate of the Starling Medical college, of Columbus, and has lived at Bainbridge for six years, the first two years of that time as a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church. His son, Bernardo Hughey, is expected to graduate from the Columbus Medical college in February, 1880, and will join him in practice. Dr. Kendrick is quite a new corner, as is also Dr. McKee, but both are kept abundantly busy. The former has had several years of experience in those best of training schools, the New York hospitals. Among the early physicians of the village were Doctors Carpenter, Davis, Green, Quinn, and Shepherd. The lawyers of Bainbridge are, in the order of their residence, J. R. Whitney, Allen 0. Hewitt, W. H. Soale, and J. W. Quinn. The latter has recently settled in Bainbridge, and is engaged also in the drug business. During 1875-'7, he was city solicitor of Columbus, Ohio. The following is a complete business directory of Bainbridge: Rockhold, Cook & Company. Spargur, Hulitt & Company, bankers. E. Rockhold & Son, general merchants and tanners. J. P. Brown, T. C. Campbell & Company, J. A. Head, Pepple & Company, and S. R. Pepple, general merchants. J. H. Huling, hardware dealer. F. H. Dun, M. A. Quinn, and C. Robbins, drugs. Lee Manley, George M, Rittenhouse, C, P. West, and J, W. Nixon & Company, groceries. G. Sheible, confectionery and restaurant. Huling House, J. H. Huling, proprietor. Paxton House. Treber & Company, marble works. N. E. McCord, millwright. Mrs. E. Dill, millinery. R. E. Roney, bridge builder. Henry Tong, photographer, J, R. Burville, silversmith. W. P. Beardsley, postmaster, books and stationery. T. C. Campbell, insurance agent. C. H. Murray, furniture dealer. A. M. Stubbs, grain dealer and livery stable. A. McFadden, A. S. Jones, undertakers. J. W. Nixon, wagon maker and blacksmith. J. H. Griffin & Brother, George Daily, blacksmiths. Paint Valley Mills, Rockhold, Cook & Comapany. Mary Ann Mills, B. Benner. Miller & Tong, shoemakers. William Holmes,' shoe store. Henry Mays, L. K. Wormley, and Rickman & Grey, barbers. H. Freshour & Son, and N. Freshour, saddlery. P. Kerns, and William Hutt & Company, meat markets. T. J. Atkins, painter. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. THE SEYMOUR FAMILY. Colonel Felix Seymour, progenitor of the numerous family of Seymours settled in Hardy county, Virginia, was born in the north of Ireland in 1727. At the age of twelve he accompanied his father to this country, on an expedition to "spy out the land." Pleased with his observations and prospects, the elder Seymour left his boy with a Virginia gentleman named Renick (ancestor of the late Scioto valley house of that name), an acquaintance of his in the old country, and started back for his family. He was never heard from again, and is supposed to have been lost at sea. Felix remained at his new home, and upon the death of the senior Renick, leaving a family of young children, he succeeded to the management of affairs, and finally married the eldest daughter. She was born in 1734, and died in 1778. He survived for twenty years thereafter. They had ten children, seven sons and three daughters, viz.: Richard, born August, 1755, died 1811; Thomas, born January, 1758, died 1831; Abel, born May, 1760, died 1823; George, born August, 1762, died - -; Catharine and 'William (twins), born November, 1764, died -; James, born December, 1766, died 1842; Elizabeth, born September, 1769, died 1822, and Mary, born July, 1775, died 1827. The descendants of the Seymour and Renick families were much endeared to each other, on account of the kindness and interest shown by each of the ancestors to the other. Colonel Seymour settled near Moorefield, Virginia. His third son, Able, was born there, and married Ann Vanmeter in August, 1785, by whom he had eleven children, five sons and six daughters: Catharine, born May 22, 1786, married Sol Cunningham; Garret, born March 4, 1788, married Sally McNeal; Margaret, born November 25, 1789, married Job Welton; Nancy, born November 27, 1791, unmarried; Elizabeth, horn July 10793, married Samuel McMicken; Felix, born August 19, 1795, married Sydney McNeal; Isaac Van, born September 8, 1797, married Catharine Welton; Mary, born September 25, 1799, married Alexander Scott; Rebecca, horn November 25, 1801, married George Cunningham; William, born January 2o, 1806, unmarried, and Richard Renick, the principal subject of this sketch, born February to, 1806. All the children of Abel Seymour are now dead, with the exception of the last, and all lived and died in the Old Dominion. Richard, now a prosperous and influential farmer and stock-dealer, at the "Crossings of Paint," two miles from Bainbridge, was born at his father's home, near Moorefield, Hardy county, Virginia. He was educated in the common schools, in an academy kept at Moorefield by the Rev. Dr. William Scott, a Presbyterian preacher, and a fine classical scholar, and in good select schools kept there by Alexander Wallace and a Baltimore teacher named Peck. When not at school he was engaged in the labors of the farm. Upon the death of his father, in 1823, when Richard was but seventeen years old, he, by paternal will, remained in the family, as did the other brothers and sisters, to be provided for by Felix, the principal heir under the will, until they should severally go out to do for themselves. Three or four years thereafter his guardian gave him possession of his share of the property, and he farmed his own place for two years, when his thoughts and ambitions turned westward. Some of his relatives, the Renicks and the Vanmeters, being already in the Scioto valley, he had in 1828, been out to visit them and prospect the country, which decided him to locate in the valley. Securing possession of a five hundred acre tract near Piketon, adjoining the place then occupied by his uncle, Judge Vanmeter, he emigrated on horseback, with wagons and stock following him, to the new home. He sold this tract in about two years after occupying it, and bought another, of sixteen hundred acres, in the Paint Creek valley, being the superb estate which he now owns and occupies. This has been the center and chief field of his operations since. Besides raising large and valuable crops from its fertile soil, he early engaged in heavy business as a cattle-dealer, having at one time, in the old days, as many as twenty-two hundred head of fat cattle on foot, on the way to New York city. The hogs he bought were principally driven to Philadelphia and Baltimore. The cattle were taken in advance, and the hogs, so long as they followed them lived cheaply upon their droppings. His purchases for feeding purposes have made a market for nearly all the corn raised along Paint creek. He formerly traversed a wide range of country, in his transactions, and is still engaged in them to a large extent, but sells his purchases at home, instead of taking them to distant markets. During the late war he had two droves of cattle taken by the con- HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 329 tending armies, one by the Rebels at Harperls Ferry, at the outbreak of the war, and the other by the Federals, on the Ohio and Baltimore railroad, near Cumberland. For both captures, by clever, management, he secured good pay. While returning from one of his eastern trips during the Rebellion, the train upon which he was a passenger, was seized by Mosby's partisan force at dead of night, near Martinsburgh, Virginia, and many of the passengers lost their valuables. He, however, much to his surprise, escaped Scot-free through his recognition by one of Mosby's men, who knew the members of his family remaining in Virginia, observed the likeness to them in him, and so far respected it as to exempt him from robbery. Mr. Seymour engaged for a time in merchandizing, about 1838 buying, with one White, the stock of a general country store in Bainbridge, and conducting the business until the heated political campaign of 1840, when, in consequence of a disagreement with his partner, in politics, they dissolved. He bought out White, and, after a while, took in his nephew as silent partner, continuing the business until 1844 or '45, when it was disposed of, upon liberal terms, to Messrs. Fleming & Brown, young men employed in the store. Meanwhile he had taken the contract for building the neat and substantial bridge at the Crossings of Paint, for the Milford and Chillicothe Turnpike company. In this enterprise he invested heavily, and was long State director in the company, until the State surrendered its interests, when he became director by election, as he has ever since, and is now, one of the few who own the road. He subscribed liberally to the stock of the Marietta & Cincinnati and the Springfield Southern railways, in the latter of which he is director. He was a Whig in politics so long as the party lasted, and took an active part in the presidential campaigns of 1840 and '44. He has been a Democrat since 1861, but no office-seeker, and has accepted no public places of importance. For many years he has been a useful and respected member of the Methodist Episcopal church, joining at first the society of that faith at Bourneville. He was a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, while that order existed, in the local grange at Bainbridge. He is still, notwithstanding his advanced age, in most vigorous health of mind and body, and thoroughly capable of managing his large affairs. He has met in his long Career with some heavy reverses, especially in cotton-raising in Louisiana, and mining operations at Georgetown, Colorado; but his fortune was not seriously impaired, and he is spending the evening of his days in the enjoyment of plenty, in an elegant home, and with the entire esteem and confidence of his fellows. Mr. Seymour was married November 20, 1832, by the Rev. Mr. Lytle, to Miss Margaret Renick, daughter of William Renick, esq., of Pickaway county. After her loss he was again married, December 14, 1876, to Mrs. I. Cobb, daughter of Andrew Platter, of another old family in the valley. Both unions have proved childless.