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HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 437 WHITE OAK. This township was organized from portions of New Market and Salem townships in 1821. At that time it was bounded as follows: Beginning where the State road of Ripley crosses the New Market township line, near Abraham Wilkins' ; thence by a line running due west to the county line and to corner with Salem; thence with the county hne southward to the southwest corner of Highland county, near Geran's mills, on White Oak; thence eastward with the county line to the Ripley road; thence with said road to the beginning. In 1831 Clay township was erected, and a considerable portion of the territory of White Oak was taken from the west side. It now contains fifteen thousand, two hundred and fifty-five acres of land, of which something over two-thirds is cleared and improved. SOIL. Much of the soil within the limits of White Oak township is of a thin character, and soon wears out. Few of the farmers seem to understand its proper cultivation, and do not recognize the fact that what is taken from the soil must at some time be returned. Along the valley of White Oak creek, and in some other localities, is some good land, but most of it is a cold clay soil. SURFACE. The surface is comparatively level, although in the eastern part and along the creek it is rolling and hilly. In the southwest the land lies low and flat, but with proper tillage is a good soil. STREAMS. The principal water course is the east fork of White Oak creek, which extends the entire length of the township, from near the northeast corner to the south center. Into this stream flow many tributaries of small dimensions, which serve to drain much of the surface. SURVEYS. This land was originally surveyed and entered by Massie, Kerr, Gill, Vatch, Blackwell, Coke, Buckner, Baylor, Williams, Murphy, Bounce, Ritchie, Norris, Wallace, Spear, Francisco, Trimble, Wilson, Fulton, Bell, Beison, Kendrick, McCormick, Porterfield, Spottswood, McDowell, Foster, Haden, Smith, Long, Carr and Eskridge, These surveys vary in size from one thousand and eighty acres to fifty acres and less. THE MOUND BUILDERS. Some marks of this ancient race still remain. There is a mound near Sonner's mill, enclosed within a circle, which has one place for a gate or opening. There are some other works in different localities along White Oak creek. SETTLEMENT. Captain Andrew Badgley came from Kentucky soon after 1800, and settled near the present village of Mowrystown. He was a very active man, of great strength and reckless courage, and, like most of the settlers, was addicted to the use of whiskey. When under the influence of liquor, his temper was not always of the best. On one occasion he was witness in some case before a court holden in New Market, in 1806. While giving his testimony in a rambling manner, he was stopped by one of the counsel in a manner which considerably irritated him, but was again proceeding when the court commanded him to stop. He "stood a moment, boiling with rage, eying the court, and then remarked, in a loud and angry tone: "This is the d dest, dirtiest court I ever saw, and I won't stand it, You summon a man before you, then swear him to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and then you won't let him tell it." He then strode indignantly from the crowd, mounted his horse, and was out of sight in a moment, before Judge Slaughter could find words to order the sheriff to arrest him. There were many horses tied to the bushes, and the sheriff, Major Anthony Franklin, ordered some fifteen or twenty men to accompany him and arrest the offender. They had a ride of ten miles to Badgley's cabin, near which they met a neighbor, who informed them that the captain had returned half an hour before, barricaded the door of his cabin, and, armed with two rifles, plenty of ammunition, and two axes, swore he would kill all the men Judge Slaughter could send against him, before he would return to New Market a prisoner. The sheriff, knowing his desperate character, resolved to return to the court and allow him time to cool his passions. The judge was smarting under the sense of offended dignity, and peremptorily ordered the sheriff to take a sufficient force of men and bring the offender before the court, dead or alive. At this juncture, James B. Finley, who had been on many a drunken bout with the captain, informed the judge that if he would allow him permission he would undertake to bring Badgley before him without bloodshed. His proposition was acceded to, and in a few hours the redoubtable captain, in company with Finley, presented himself before the court, sober and penitent. Mr. Scott says: "He approached the court, and apologized in a very handsome manner, telling the court, however, that he could not cringe to, or be 438 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. trampled upon by, mortal man. The court considered the matter, and the presiding judge, having cooled down, and having naturally a kind and forgiving heart, took quite a fancy to Badgley, and whispering in the ear of Judge Davidson (one of his associates on the bench) his thanks for counselling an abandonment of the violent course which he proposed, said: 'D—n the fellow, I like him for his manly independence, and, if it was not for outside appearances and effect, I should not fine him a cent.' But, to smooth everything over, a fine of ten dollars was imposed, which the gallant captain cheerfully paid, and, thanking the court most courteously, mounted his horse and returned to his cabin in a much better frame of mind than when he left it a few hours before." The captain was also obliged to give security in the sum of one hundred dollars for his good behavior for one year. George W. Barrere and William Hill became his sureties for this sum. Robert Finley, of Kentucky, emancipated all his slaves, and in December, 1796, started his son, James B., with twelve of them under his charge, for Chillicothe. The next spring Robert Finley, with his family, also settled near Chillicothe. That fall James B. and his brother, John, returned to Kentucky with pack-horses, after a supply of wheat for seed. In the spring of 1801, James B, Finley settled on land recently purchased by his father, on the banks of White Oak creek, in Highland county (then Adams). He built a cabin near where Judge Johnson afterwards erected his residence. He was just married, and was possessed of nothing but a gun, dog and axe. With his gun he was able to procure plenty of meat, but bread was scarce. He once split one hundred rails for a bushel of potatoes, which he carried home from New Market, on his back, a distance of six miles, With no tools but his axe he cleared about an acre and a half of land. Into this ground he dug holes and planted corn, and was rewarded by a bountiful harvest—of nearly one hundred bushels. With the help of his wife during the summer, he built a comfortable cabin, and passed a pleasant winter, their food being hominy and wild game. He worked for a neighbor in New Market one day, for which he obtained a hen and three chickens, and after this, had an addition to their bill of fare. At this time he was a hardened case, and was often called the "New Market devil." In later years he reformed, and became a prominent preacher of the Methodist church. In the fall of 1801, Robert Finley and his family, consisting of John, William, Samuel and Robert, junior, settled near James B. Finley. John Davidson who had previously settled on the Scioto river, removed to the neighborhood of the Finley's, on White Oak, in the fall of 1801. His settlement in the Scioto valley was made in 1797. He served as a member of the legislature in 1813 and 1814. From 1805 to 1808 he was one of the associate judges of Highland county. During the same fall Adam Lance and George Fender moved in from Virginia, and settled in the same neighborhood. Isaiah Roberts came to the banks of White Oak in the fall of 1802, and settled on land where the present town of Taylorsville was platted by his son, Isaiah, in 1849. James McConnell also came from Chillicothe the same fall, and settled near by. Two years later, Joseph Davidson became another of the new settlers. John Strain came in from Ross county in 1803, and located on White Oak, where he attended school under James B. Finley, and afterwards married, and passed his life in this township. Jacob Coffman came from Shenandoah county, Virginia, and settled in the present township of White Oak in 1804. NAMES OF EARLY SETTLERS. This county seemed to be a favorite location for early settlers, as an unusually large number came here before 1807, and some a few years later. In that year the following settlers were living within the limits of what is now White Oak township, though at that time it was included in New Market; Andrew Badgley, Jesse Bryan, Adam Bingerman, Henry Bond, John Bell, Thomas Coleman, Isaac Colhns, Nathan Campbell, Jacob Coffman, Frederick Cailey, James Fanning, Alexander Fullerton, George Tender, the Finleys—Robert, James B., Samuel, John, and William John Hoop, Joseph Gibler, Frederick Hough, James Hays, Walter Hill, Samuel Hindman, John Hare, Adam Launce, Samuel McQuitty, Hector Murphy, James McConnell, John Porter, William Ray, Jeremiah Grant, Wilford Norris, Jonah Roberts and several sons, Isaiah Roberts, John Brangrover, Joseph Davidson. Before 1812 the following were added: John and George Borden, Samuel Bell, John Coffman, John Davidson, Daniel Gibler, William Hough, Andrew Martin, Leonard Mowry, Bolser Ruble, John Sloan, Jacob Soon, Jacob Stout, Jacob Suber, Joseph Thomas, and Hugh Wisby, and perhaps a few others. FRENCH SETTLEMENT. The French settlement in White Oak and Clay townships, and in the adjoining townships of Brown county, was inaugurated in the spring of 1834, when Frederick Grand-Girard and his family, at that time consisting of two single daughters and a son, two sons-in-law, John C. Picard and Frederick Perdriget, with their families, settled on land purchased in and in the vicinity of Mowrystown. In the same year a Swiss, named Malherbes, bought a farm near Tincastle, Brown county. After remaining two years on his farm, Mr. Grand-Girard moved to Cincinnati, and was followed by his sons-in-law, none of whom had any experience or taste for the cultivation of the soil. A year or so later several families emigrated from the east of France to Cincinnati, and soon after bought land and town property in Mowrystown and its vicinity, and in time many others were induced to settle in the vicinity, from the advantages afforded them of having religious services in their native tongue. This settlement has since grown to quite large proportions, and now numbers some one hundred families, who are strongly connected by their own social customs. Most of these settlers were of the Protestant faith, and Mr. Grand-Girard having returned, assembled his neighbors at his house for divine worship, From this humble beginning sprang the pres- HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 439 ent Presbyterian and Baptist churches of this place. Among the first French settlers were J. Fustemberg, George and Pierly Euvrard and their families, Druhot, Rosselot, Kelly, Sircoalcomb, Marconnet, Chaney, Richard, Philip Grand-Girard, Reno Gueman, and others, most of whom were farmers. Some purchased improved farms, and others commenced to make homes in the w0ods, Being frugal and industrious people, they made good homes for themselves and their children. The first of these settlers, Frederick Grand-Girard, died in 1842, and a few years later his widow and two daughters removed to Hillsborough, where Mrs. Grand-Girard died in 1863. Most of the French settlement in White Oak township is in the southwest quarter. MOWRYSTOWN. The village of Mowrystown was platted by Samuel Bell, May 29, 1829. It is located on the east fork of White Oak creek, in the south part of the township. The post-office was established some years after the platting of the town, in about 1832, with Joseph Bell as postmaster. He was succeeded by David Fenwick, and he by his brother, James, who remained in charge some twenty years. The present incumbent is Chris. Diehl, who is one of the owners of the store in which the office is kept. The first store in the place was opened by John Smith, in 1830. He did not attend the store himself, but employed Alexander Bentley, who clerked for him a year or more, when he became involved in some trouble, and was supplanted by David Fenwick. James Fenwick came and assisted his brother and remained some five or six years, when they bought the stock. James Fenwick remained in business here some twenty years, since which he has been in business in various places; in the fall of 1879, opening a small stock of goods at Taylorsville, where he now conducts business. There was no store in Mowrystown for several years after he left the place, but since then others have come in, and there are two mercantile establishments there now. A grist-mill was built on White Oak, in the present village of Mowrystown, by George Barngrover, before 1812. George Fender helped build the dam, and while thus employed an old bear and two large cubs came into view and were soon treed in a large poplar tree which stood on the site of the present steam mill. The three were shot by Mr. Fender and others who were at work on the dam and mill. Barngrover run the mill many years and finally sold it to Samuel Bell, of Hillsborough. Bell continued the business until about 1847, when he sold to a Frenchman, named Pedriguel. The mill was substantially built of oaken timbers, and has never needed rebuilding. It is now owned by Mr. Uverard. A steam mill was built near by, in about 1865, by Weaver & Riley, who still control it, TAYLORSVILLE is situated on the east side of the east fork of White Oak creek, on land formerly owned by Isaiah Roberts, who platted it November 20, 1846. The post-office, which is named New Corwin, was established in 1849, with Isaiah Roberts as postmaster. The present incumbent is Alexander Purdy. The first goods sold here was by a man named Stringham, and by Isaiah Roberts, in about 1846. Since that time Simpson Roush, and a man named Potts, have had stores here. For a number of years during the war there was no store in the village. The present business is conducted by James Fenwick, who has a small stock of goods, and Alexander Purdy who has charge of the post-office and a small stock of groceries. There is also a grist- and saw-mill, a hotel and blacksmith shop. TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. A temperance society was organized in Mowrystown about 1834 or 1836 the second in the county. A traveling lecturer stopped in the place and desired to hold a temperance Meeting, which was a new idea to the then inhabitants of that vicinity, all of whom, without an exception, were lovers of the ardent. James Fenwick and one or two other young men caused it to be known, and quite an audience assembled. At the conclusion of his address he handed a pledge to the man nearest him—a leader in the church, who refused to sign it, and passed it along until it reached Fenwick, who signed his name, as did two or three others. Thus enlisted in the temperance work, they became aggressive, and pushed the work forward until, by their perseverance, they caused a revulsion of sentiment, which continued until their spirit was infused throughout the community, who have since been a temperance people. MILLS, SCHOOLS, ETC. A grist-mill was built by Jacob Sonner, in the northeast part of the township, on White Oak, at an early day, soon after Gossett built his mill in the south part of New Market, on the same stream. Sonner's mill has been rebuilt and repaired several times since, and is now owned and managed by Peter Hunter, Several small distilleries were started in the early settlement of the township, one in the north part by Henry Sarper, one near Mowrystown, one below the latter place by George McNeely, and others in other parts of the settlement. The first tavern was kept in Mowrystown by Peyton Hough, in 1835 or '36. No hotel is kept here now, though an occasional traveler can obtain a meal and a night's lodging at the house of Mr. Riley. The first school in the township was taught by James B. Finley, in about 1803. In the fall of 1806, the trustees elected for New Market township were James B. Finley, Joseph Davidson, and Hector Murphy, all of whom lived in the present township of White Oak. The officers for 1879 were: Lee Kay, treasurer; R, Anderson, clerk; R. Hatcher, H. Anderson, and H. Fender, trustees. CHURCHES. THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH, at Mowrystown, was organized sometime about 1842. Meetings were held for many years in the school-house, until 1855, when a church was built, which has since that time been occupied. 440 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. A church of the same denomination was organized at Taylorsville, at a much later date, but no house of worship has ever been erected. Meetings are held in the school-house, in the eastern part of the village. A METHODIST CHURCH was organized a quarter of a mile below Mowrystown in about 1810. A log church was built here by James Sloan, the church being named Sloan's church. It was the only congregation in that day, and became strong in numbers. Services have been continued for many years, but the old log church was long since torn down, and meetings are now held in the school-house. BAPTIST CHURCH (FRENCH). This church, a frame building of Bell's run, was erected in 1861 or '62. In 1861 a few of the members of the Presbyterian church became dissatisfied with the action of the presbytery in the case of Mr. Roudiez, a candidate for the ministry, who was refused a license to preach the gospel. Mr. Roudiez went to Detroit, Michigan, where he was received and ordained a minister of the Baptist church. On his return he was assisted by Rev. Mr. Desroches, of Detroit, in organizing a French Baptist church from the dissatisfied members of the Presbyterian church and a few others, and a frame church was built as above. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (FRENCH). This congregation was first organized at the house of Frederick Grand-Girard in 1838 or 1840. At this time quite a settlement had been made by French people, who desired religious services in their native language. The services of a German Lutheran minister were secured for a year, but before the expiration of the term for which he was hired he was dismissed, as it was rumored that he was intemperate. In 1846 Rev. E. Grand-Girard, a son of the first French settler, commenced to labor among the people as a stated supply, and soon after a church was organized under the auspices of the Chillicothe presbytery. The present pastor of this church is Rev. Joseph Provost. The congregation have a good brick church in Mowrystown, in which worship is regularly conducted in the French language. A log church stood on land now owned by Fred Druhot, in the southwest part of the township, as early as 1825. It was a log building, and was never finished within. In those early days men attended church dressed in their hunting shirts, and carrying their guns if a weekday meeting. These were left outside the building, but the hunting knife was always carried. The preacher to this congregation was James Gilland, from Brown county, and he named it his " Moccasin church." A schoolhouse now stands on the spot formerly occupied by the church. Besides the above named churches, there is a United Brethren church near Sonner's mill, in the northeast part of the township, and a Christian church half a mile southwest of the same mill, both organized soon after 1812. |